2005 German Grand Prix

[Flibster]

2005 German Grand Prix

 

[Flibster]

2004 German Grand Prix Results

 

[Flibster]

Current Championship Standings.

2005 Drivers Championship.

[b]Pos	Driver			Nationality	Team			Points[/b]
1 	Fernando Alonso		Spanish		Renault			77 
2 	Kimi Räikkönen		Finnish		McLaren-Mercedes	51 
3 	Michael Schumacher	German		Ferrari			43 
=5 	Jarno Trulli		Italian		Toyota			31 
=5 	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Ferrari			31 
6 	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	McLaren-Mercedes	26 
7 	Nick Heidfeld		German		Williams-BMW		25 
8 	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian		Renault			25 
9	Ralf Schumacher		German		Toyota			23
10 	Mark Webber		Australian	Williams-BMW		22 
11	David Coulthard		British		Red Bull Racing		17 
12	Jenson Button		British		BAR-Honda		9
13 	Felipe Massa		Brazilian	Sauber-Petronas		7 
=16 	Tiago Monteiro		Portuguese	Jordan-Toyota		6 
=16 	Alexander Wurz		Austrian	McLaren-Mercedes	6 
=16 	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	Sauber-Petronas		6 
17 	Narain Karthikeyan	Indian		Jordan-Toyota		5 
=20 	Christijan Albers	Dutch		Minardi-Cosworth	4 
=20 	Pedro de la Rosa	Spanish		McLaren-Mercedes	4 
=20 	Christian Klien		Austrian	Red Bull Racing		4 
21 	Patrick Friesacher	Austrian	Minardi-Cosworth	3 
22 	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Italian		Red Bull Racing		1

2005 Constructors Championship.

[b]Pos	Constructor 		Points[/b]
1	Renault			102
2	McLaren-Mercedes	87
3	Ferrari			74
5	Toyota			54
5	Williams-BMW		47
6	Red Bull Racing		22
7	Sauber-Petronas		13
8	Jordan-Toyota		11
9	BAR-Honda		9
10	Minardi-Cosworth	7

 

[Flibster]

And now...the F1 news...

Sponsors threaten F1 split - 19 July 2005
A lot of bank notes could fly out of Formula One's window if the political storm speeds ahead.

'A host of top-tier sponsors' have contacted GT, rally and A1 grand prix teams and are prepared to leave F1 should the threatened 'breakaway' split occur, brandrepublic.com reported Tuesday.

'The sponsors ... are keen to maintain their links with motor sport ... with less troubled championships,' it claimed.

Only Ferrari and Red Bull are committed to the existing series beyond 2007, with the rest - mainly teams with major car manufacturer partners - at war with Bernie Ecclestone and FIA chief Max Mosley.

 

[Flibster]

Minardi to announce new second driver today

Chances are high that Robert Doornbos will be racing for the Minardi Formula One team this weekend, replacing Patrick Friesacher. It would make the Minardi team an all-Dutch team with current driver Christijan Albers and his country fellow Doornbos.

Paul Stoddart is the one that has to make the final decision, which is expected today. Robert Doornbos was already invited by the team to fit a seat. "It is great that the team let me Robert fit a seat, but they didn't confirm me the racing seat yet (for Doornbos). I do expect that the team will tell me today if he may race or not,"

 

[Flibster]

I love this one.

ITV found guilty

F1 broadcaster ITV has been censured by the British television watchdog after cutting to a commercial break during the exciting climax to the San Marino GP. 'Ofcom' ruled that ITV breached Section 6.7(b) of the industry rules by returning after a nearly three minute break to the Michael Schumacher versus Fernando Alonso battle on the last lap.

"In retrospect," a statement cited ITV's defense, "the break should have been taken earlier but, at the time, it had been a difficult call to make."

ITV, who took over the F1 mantle from the BBC in 1997, had also been criticised for cutting to another break instead of airing Jenson Button's comments in the post race conference. Ofcom, though - despite the disapproval - took no action.

 

[Flibster]

Alonso admits German tyre concern

Alonso holds a 26-point lead over Kimi Raikkonen in the standings
Fernando Alonso says Renault must solve the tyre problems that usually hit them at the German Grand Prix if he is to win Sunday's race at Hockenheim.
"In the last two years we had some problems with the rear tyres because of high temperatures and the tractions demands of the corners," he said.

"We need to analyse it to get the right balance between speed and durability."

Alonso said a hot-weather test in Spain last week gave him confidence he would be a contender for victory in Germany.

"The test team were working in Jerez (in Spain) last week in hot conditions, and they have done a fantastic job so far this year," he said.

"I am sure we can be very competitive, just like we were earlier in the year in the hot races at Malaysia and Bahrain (where Alonso won)."


McLaren will be very motivated to succeed at one of their home races, so we know it will be a big fight

Fernando Alonso

Alonso has a 26-point lead over McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, whose car is slightly quicker than the Renault.

But the Spaniard's confidence has been boosted by his performance in the last two races.

He took a dominant victory in France in hot conditions and followed that with second place at Silverstone, where he pushed winner Juan Pablo Montoya all the way.

"Like every weekend, we will be aiming to finish with our cars on the podium," the 23-year-old said.

"More than that is difficult to predict at this stage, until we have started running and seen how the balance of the car is.

"But my last two races were very strong, and I think that again in Hockenheim, the R25 will be very competitive.

"We have some new developments which will bring us a little more performance, and I think the characteristics of the circuit will suit us.

"Against that, McLaren will be very motivated to succeed at one of their home races, so we know it will be a big fight.

"We just need to do the maximum possible - from the start of Friday practice to end of the race, stay consistent, and take the biggest number of points that we can."

 

[Flibster]

BMW strengthening Sauber aerodynamic department

BMW has moved quickly to strengthen Sauber's underfunded windtunnel programme and hopes to have the facility in Hinwil running much more than is currently possible as soon as there are engineers to run it.

The windtunnel is being used for development work on the current Sauber and to design next year's car, which will use the new BMW V8 engine, which ran for the first time in the back of a Williams last week.

The technical team is headed by former BMW engineer Willy Rampf and his position is unlikely to be under threat as he is well-connected in BMW circles. The aerodynamics department is headed by Britain's Seamus Mullarkey, a graduate of Imperial College, London, who worked at Robin Herd's design bureau in the early 1990s, on the Fomet 1 and Larrousse F1 cars before doing development work for the Forsythe CART team. In 1996 he moved to Galmer Engineering and a year later joined Jordan. In 1998 he became chief aerodynamicist at Sauber and has been there ever since.

 

[Flibster]

Keep up the good work flib.

I love Hokenheim as a track. One of my favourites over the year, must be becuase its a very high speed track.

It was good before HERMAN TILKE killed it...

Recognise the name? He's the pilock who designed Sepang, China, Bahrain, Turkey....

He cannot design a good race circuit..he can design one that looks good...but is crap for racing on..

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Surely before the GPWC comes into effect in 2008, most of the teams will have been buggered on their sponsorship because of the total ban on tobacco advertising from 2006. Pretty much all of the major teams have their main livery sponsor as a tobacco company. Now, I know McLaren have sorted out a deal with Johnnie Walker, but if most of the other teams haven't sorted out deals yet, then as long as they have a contract with the new sponsors to continue into the GPWC then what's the problem?

Obviously there are many smaller sponsors for the teams, but surely the most important ones are the tobacco companies.

The tobacco ban starts on Aug 1st iirc...

Thats when McLaren are going to Johnnie Walker...

And the car will look like this...

http://www.mclaren.com/mediaroom/pressreleases/mclaren/images/jpm-jw-l.jpg

Last week McLaren announced they were swapping fags for booze, and that on August 1 - the day after the Hungarian grand prix - the West cigarette branding on their cars will be replaced by Johnnie Walker whisky in a £15m-a-year deal with parent company Diageo.

Williams has reportedly secured a £30m three-year deal with the Royal Bank of Scotland, whose logos will sit alongside those of Hewlett-Packard, nicotine patch manufacturer NiQuitinCQ and Budweiser. Soft drink manufacturer Red Bull, meanwhile, has bought the Jaguar team, which will run bearing their logos.

There is widespread speculation that the BAR-Honda team will no longer resemble a cigarette packet come mid-summer. Last year Honda bought out BAT's 45% stake in the team and they could be racing in Honda livery by the end of the year.

Until BAR's future becomes clear, the team remain one of four that are tobacco-dependent. The Jordan team retain a deal with Gallaher, who may replace the B&H brand with Sobranie, Renault are sponsored by Mild Seven, and Schumacher's Ferrari carries the Marlboro livery on its rear wing and air-box.

Of these, Ferrari are best able to withstand the loss of tobacco sponsorship. Ferrari's $250m annual budget is made up of $72m from Marlboro, $45m from Vodafone, $33m from Shell, $15m from Fiat, $8.5m from Bridgestone and a fur ther $80m from 24 small commercial partners.

With such huge amounts at stake it is little wonder that lawyers are examining the legislation for loopholes.

Most glaring is the question of whether races staged outside the EU but broadcast within it will be covered. Mr Ecclestone has assiduously sought new markets for the sport outside Europe, and this year Turkey joins Shanghai and Bahrain on the racing calender. Istanbul's inaugural grand prix on August 21 will be the first test of the law.

A spokesman for the European commission suggested such races may be exempt. "The commission has no way of enforcing the law outside the area of its treaties ... the laws of the EU apply to the EU." This view was supported by BAR-Honda team principal, Nick Fry, who said last month that he believed the team could continue to race in Lucky Strike livery in August.

The Department of Health has also reserved judgment, pointing to a challenge to the legislation making its way through the European courts.

There are questions too for ITV, for which the sport is the centrepiece of its sports portfolio. They have been advised that races outside the EU in which tobacco brands are featured will not breach the Ofcom code, a view contradicted by the Department of Health. With so much money at stake, no one would be surprised if the issue was finally decided in the courts.

Teams that use tobacco

Ferrari - Marlboro, Vodafone, Shell
BAR - Lucky Strike, Honda
Renault - Mild Seven, Telefonica, Elf
McLaren Mercedes - West (to be replaced by Johnnie Walker), Siemens, Mobil
Jordan - Sobranie, Tata (consultancy services)


Teams that don't

Minardi - Fondmetal (Automobile technology), Allegrini (chemicals)
BMW Williams - Royal Bank of Scotland, Hewlett Packard, Budweiser
Sauber - Petronas, Credit Suisse
Red Bull - Red Bull
Toyota - Panasonic, Denso (interior car components), Intel

 

[Flibster]

Track was modified for the 2002 race iirc.

Certainly was.

 

[Flibster]

@Flibster, there is a typo in the 2nd post, it says 2004 British Grand Prix instead of German Grand Prix

Errrr...oops...

Copy and paste skills failed me..

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Full text from the ITV Guilty bit above...

In Breach
Formula 1 racing – San Marino Grand Prix
ITV1, 24 April 2005, 12:00
Introduction

126 viewers complained about various aspects of ITV’s coverage of this event and in
particular the advertising break pattern.

The main complaint concerned the placement and length of the final break in the
race. The break (lasting 2 minutes 30 seconds) occurred just as the race, by then a
close contest between Alonso and Schumacher, was entering its closing stage and
finished just before the final lap. The complainants argued that the location of the
break and its duration were unacceptable, depriving viewers of live coverage of a
vital part of the race and destroying the tension that had built up during the event.

They suggested that the break could (and should) have been placed elsewhere,
either within the race or preferably in pre/post race sections of the programme. Many
also objected to the perceived differences between coverage of football and F1 in
placement and frequency of breaks – likening the positioning of the final race break
in this instance to cutting to advertising during a penalty shoot out.

They also complained about other aspects of the coverage and the pattern of
advertising breaks. A number criticised the fact that a further break (also of 2 minutes
30 seconds) was taken very shortly after the finish of the race, saying that this simply
compounded their impression that the advertising was taking precedence over
programme integrity/quality. Others argued that a replay of the ‘missing’ three or so
laps after the race was inadequate compensation for loss of live coverage at a crucial
stage and also led to shortened coverage of the press conference, missing the
appearance of the British driver Jensen Button. A number asked that the coverage
be handed back to the BBC.

We wrote to the broadcaster querying how the coverage complied with its Rules on
the Amount and Scheduling of Advertising and in particular Section 6.7(b), dealing
with placement of breaks in sports coverage. This rule states that in live coverage of
long continuous sporting events, breaks may be taken at points where the focus of
coverage shifts from one point to another of the event.

Response

ITV accepted that the final break in the race had been in breach of RASA Section
6.7, having been taken at an inappropriate time. It assured us that it understood the
requirements of this rule and took very seriously the need to ensure that the quality of
the viewing experience was maintained at the highest standards.

It outlined the steps normally taken to ensure that breaks were taken at appropriate
times during the race. The production team were in continual liaison with the teams’
pit crews to determine when drivers were to be called in for pit stops or other planned
actions. This communication helped to ensure that breaks were not taken at crucial
moments in a race. ITV argued that the San Marino Grand Prix had had an
exceptional ending where, for the last 15 minutes, Michael Schumacher was vying to
overtake Fernando Alonso. The production team would normally wait for the
outcome of the situation to avoid being in a break at the crucial moment. As the race
progressed, the point at which the last race break would normally be taken passed and a judgement call was required. To take a break before the situation was resolved
could have resulted in missing the action. With time running out, the decision was
eventually made to take the break. In retrospect the break should have been taken
earlier but at the time it had been a difficult call to make.

ITV said that the analogy suggested by viewers between football & motor-racing
comparison did not stand in terms of how breaks interrupted the Formula 1 coverage.
The focus during a football match lay with the ball which was the same for the actual
spectators at a match. In motor racing, spectators only saw brief glimpses of the
action from static positions, whereas the television coverage shows many points of
action and follows many different focus points showing, where possible, the most
interesting and exciting action. This meant that coverage was switched from one
action point to another and any exciting action not seen by viewers, whether due to
the taking of a commercial break or from events of interest occurring at the same
time, were always replayed as soon as practical.

The break taken shortly after a race finished was always taken after the last ‘points
scoring’ car crossed the finish line but before the drivers got to the podium. The
apparent issue in this case had stemmed from the previous break being taken very
near the end of the race.

The replay of the last 3 laps had been required to provide viewers with the best
coverage possible; the replay of events was an essential part of Formula 1 coverage
where action has been missed for whatever reason. On this particular occasion this
did reduce the time available for the press conference and post race analysis leaving
no time to show the Jensen Button interview.

ITV also added that it undertook extensive research at the start of its coverage of
Formula 1 and this had been the established break pattern for the last eight years
based on the audience feedback.

Decision

We acknowledge the points made by ITV about its coverage of Formula 1 racing and
recognise the problems it had faced in finding an appropriate point for the final race
break due to the way the race had developed. We agree that the final race break was
in breach of the Rules on the Amount and Scheduling of Advertising, having been
taken during an ongoing focus on the battle between the lead drivers, where no
natural break point had been present.

The output breached Section 6.7(b) (natural breaks in sports programming) of
the Rules on Amount and Scheduling of Advertising

 

[Flibster]

And a little bit more news...

Financial problems on the horizon for Williams?

Not only has the WilliamsF1 squad lost their cosy engine partnership with BMW where they didn’t have to pay for their supply of engines, but now it appears as if there is even more trouble on the financial side of things as several of their sponsors, who are tied to BMW, prepare to leave as well.

After the announcement that BMW will take over the Sauber squad next year, Castrol will be the first to go, switching allegiances with immediate effect. However, even though Hewlett Packard and Allianz have contracts till 2006, according to Munich sources they are connected to the fact that there is a BMW engine in the car.

Meanwhile, according to our spies in Britain, BMW are also desperately looking for sponsorship, as Mario Theissen promised the board when he delivered his concept that all the running cost of the team would be financed by sponsors. As for the first year with Sauber, BMW’s allied sponsors are contracted to Williams, the German engine manufacturer will be looking to compensate with higher charges for the engine to a customer team. But, if Williams says good-bye to Munich and goes with another engine supplier, then BMW could encourage Hewlett Packard and Allianz to follow immediately.

 

[Flibster]

Well...it's official...

Minardi announces Doornbos signing
Racing series F1
Date 2005-07-19

The Minardi F1 Team today announces that Dutchman, Robert Doornbos, is to join countryman, Christijan Albers, in the Faenza squad's driver line-up with immediate effect. Doornbos, who has fulfilled the role of Friday test driver at Jordan this season, thus steps up to a full race seat at Minardi, replacing Patrick Friesacher.

"We are pleased to welcome Robert to Minardi," comments Team Principal, Paul Stoddart. "He has demonstrated clearly over the last year that he has the pace necessary to compete in Formula One, and we are pleased to give him the opportunity to make his World Championship debut at this weekend's German Grand Prix."

"I believe he is going to do an excellent job over the coming races, and I'm sure the Minardi team can expect even more enthusiastic support from the Netherlands, if that's possible, as we now have the first, all-Dutch driver line-up."

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Patrick sincerely for his efforts on behalf of the team, and although commercial considerations mean we have had to bring our relationship with him to an end, this decision should in no way be taken as a reflection on his skill or ability as a driver. We continue to rate him very highly, and wish him all the best for the future."

-minardi-

 

[Flibster]

More news...now 6 cars in F1 2008....

Midland F1, owner of Jordan Grand Prix, has confirmed that it has signed to compete in the 2008 to 2012 Formula One World Championship regulated by a revised Concorde Agreement.

Jordan are the third team to sign up after Red Bull Racing confirmed their decision earlier this week to join future engine supplier Ferrari in inking a deal with the FIA and F1 ringmaster, Bernie Ecclestone.

"Bernie Ecclestone was instrumental in bringing Midland to Formula One and from the very beginning Alex Shnaider was supportive of his vision for the future of Formula One and the World Championship," said Midland F1 managing director, Colin Kolles.

"We are happy and proud to be in at the beginning of this process which will shape Formula One's long term future."

No surprise there...

 

[Flibster]

German Grand Prix on ITV1 and ITV2
Live qualifying: Saturday 23 July 1130-1310 (ITV1)

Live race: Sunday 24 July 1200-1500 (ITV1)

Highlights: Sunday 24 July 2340-0040 (ITV1)
Highlights: Monday 25 July 0320-0410 (ITV2)

Full race replay: Tuesday 26 July 0115-0355 (ITV2)

 

[Flibster]

DRIVERS' MEETING GETS GO-AHEAD
Last Updated: Wednesday, 20, July, 2005, 14:26

The meeting between the Formula 1 drivers and FIA president Max Mosley will definitely go ahead on 1 August.

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association had requested the talks to discuss their desire for increased safety at test sessions.

It was initially due to take place at the British Grand Prix, but Mosley rescheduled it for Cannes in early August – provided that at least half the drivers confirmed their attendance in advance.

“Twelve drivers have confirmed that they will attend the meeting with the FIA President," an FIA spokesman told Autosport.

"Although this level of interest is disappointing, the FIA feels that the meeting should take place regardless.

"Those drivers who are prepared to attend and want to express their views on safety should have the opportunity to be heard."

The drivers’ responses to the controversial United States Grand Prix may also be discussed at the meeting.

GPDA director David Coulthard recently suggested that a drivers’ strike was “entirely possible” if the drivers felt that their safety was being compromised.

He has since played down these comments.

In other political developments, the alliance of teams and manufacturers will give their proposed regulations for a breakaway F1 series to the FIA this weekend.

It is thought that there are many similarities between the teams’ suggestions and the 2008 rules package already floated by the FIA.

Many hope that this will lead to a compromise solution being reached, bringing an end to the political turbulence that has surrounded F1 in recent years.

 

[Flibster]

aaaaaand....more news.

Michelin 'balance' in F1

Since its return to Formula One, Michelin has noticed a strong imbalance in its favour; 7 teams having requested Michelin to provide tyres to them. This tendency has continued since an eighth team has now asked Michelin for a partnership agreement.

Michelin is obviously delighted by the confidence this demonstrates, both in the positive appreciation of its products by its partners and also in the recognition of its policy of treating all its partners equally.

However, this situation does not help the development of long-term competition between tyre manufacturers; a principle to which Michelin is firmly committed.

As Michelin Chairman and CEO, Edouard Michelin has often reiterated: "Formula One must remain the marvellous technological showcase that it is, thus allowing the world's automobile players to compete, whilst offering a true show for the fans, as well as providing benefits within the automotive industry. It is with this in mind that tyre manufacturers must be able to make their own contribution towards improving the performances of the teams they supply. This supposes that there be at least two tyre manufacturers involved, maybe even more."

Michelin is therefore completely open to allowing for a more balanced split of teams among tyre manufacturers, starting as early as the 2006 season.

Furthermore, as Michelin has often stated, it remains fully in favour of working on adapting the regulations relating to tyres in the F1 environment, with a view to better cost-control, improving safety and to continuing to develop exciting racing for the fans.

So..who is the 8th team?

Ferrari - Don't think so...
Minardi - Errr..Don't think so *bar blood between them and apparently an big unpaid bill...

So...Jordan/Midland - must be...

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

I'd heard that Minardi left Michelin under a serious cloud of annoyance...

They weren't getting the support they wanted *Eg - having to do a test using F3000 slicks instead of F1 grooved tyres*

So they didn't pay a large chunk of their bill...

Simon/~Flibster