2008 German GP - Race 10/18

VETTEL TO JOIN RED BULL RACING IN 2009
Sebastian Vettel will drive for Red Bull Racing from the start of the 2009 season.
Christian Horner: “We are delighted that Sebastian will be joining us next year. With
David Coulthard announcing his retirement as a Formula 1 driver a fortnight ago at
the British Grand Prix, after careful consideration, it seemed natural to announce his
replacement here at Sebastian’s home race in Hockenheim. As he was already part
of the Red Bull family, choosing Sebastian as Mark Webber’s team-mate was not a
difficult decision. However, we have always stated that our aim is to have the
strongest available driver line-up and Vettel’s selection also matches these criteria.
Having only turned 21 at the last race and with only 17 Grand Prix starts to his name,
he is still on a learning curve, but it is clear that he has plenty of ability and speed.
We are confident that Red Bull Racing will make the most of these attributes and
believe that,in Mark and Sebastian, we have a very competitive driver line-up for
2009.”


Sebastian Vettel: “I am very proud to be joining Red Bull Racing and it’s always
good to have an early decision on what you are doing next year. As a driver your
target is always to be with the most competitive team possible and, over the past
couple of years, Red Bull Racing has proved it has great potential, so this is a good
move for me. I have been part of the Red Bull family for a long time and with its
Junior Team since 2000. Throughout my career, they have offered me great support
and now, to drive for their senior F1 team is a dream come true and I am looking
forward to having a great season next year, even if I still have a lot to learn about F1.
Apart from Red Bull, I must also say a big thank you to Scuderia Toro Rosso, where I
feel very much at home. They have been my “family” for over a year and I would like
to thank Franz (Tost) and Gerhard (Berger) for the opportunity they gave me and
thank the entire team for all their efforts. Having got this announcement out of the
way, I can concentrate on racing for Toro Rosso over the second half of the season.
I will try and repay them by doing my very best to get some more good results, to
add to those we have achieved so far.”
 
Friday practice 1:

Code: 
Pos  Driver        Team                     Time              Laps
 1.  Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes    (B)  1:15.537            22
 2.  Kovalainen    McLaren-Mercedes    (B)  1:15.666  + 0.129   19
 3.  Massa         Ferrari             (B)  1:15.796  + 0.259   22
 4.  Alonso        Renault             (B)  1:16.163  + 0.626   22
 5.  Raikkonen     Ferrari             (B)  1:16.327  + 0.790   23
 6.  Rosberg       Williams-Toyota     (B)  1:16.606  + 1.069   27
 7.  Vettel        Toro Rosso-Ferrari  (B)  1:16.618  + 1.081   25
 8.  Heidfeld      BMW Sauber          (B)  1:16.719  + 1.182   20
 9.  Nakajima      Williams-Toyota     (B)  1:16.821  + 1.284   26
10.  Piquet        Renault             (B)  1:17.063  + 1.526   26
11.  Coulthard     Red Bull-Renault    (B)  1:17.108  + 1.571   18
12.  Button        Honda               (B)  1:17.131  + 1.594   28
13.  Glock         Toyota              (B)  1:17.185  + 1.648   28
14.  Webber        Red Bull-Renault    (B)  1:17.268  + 1.731   11
15.  Fisichella    Force India-Ferrari (B)  1:17.471  + 1.934   30
16.  Barrichello   Honda               (B)  1:17.500  + 1.963   24
17.  Trulli        Toyota              (B)  1:17.556  + 2.019   29
18.  Sutil         Force India-Ferrari (B)  1:17.784  + 2.247   29
19.  Kubica        BMW Sauber          (B)  1:18.779  + 3.242    8
20.  Bourdais      Toro Rosso-Ferrari  (B)  1:21.506  + 5.969   16
 
Flew off track in tyre barrier, after braking on the painted lines. Silly mistake, Car not too badly damaged.
 
frakker said:
Is it a Mosley related story by any chance?!
Click to expand...

Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari link after 'secret' talks
Edward Gorman, Motor Racing Correspondent, Hockenheim

Tongues were wagging at Hockenheim last night after Lewis Hamilton's father, Anthony, who is also his manager, was spotted having what they thought was a discreet conversation with the team principal of Ferrari.

Anthony Hamilton approached Stefano Domenicali as the Ferrari official was leaving a party hosted by Mercedes at the Hockenheim circuit, near Heidelberg, before this weekend's German Grand Prix. The pair left the party together before stopping some distance from the main throng for a brief chat, after which Anthony returned to the gathering.

The episode, which was photographed by The Times and published on the Times Formula One weblog, comes amid rumours, which have been strenuously denied by McLaren Mercedes, that Lewis and his father may not be entirely happy with some aspects of the team and the way they are managed. It will increase speculation that Hamilton may eventually move to Ferrari.

However, a move of that kind is unlikely in the immediate future, given that Hamilton is only halfway through the first year of a new five-year contract with McLaren that is earning him a total of £75million. The 23-year-old, who is joint leader of the World Championship going into Sunday's race, has also made it clear that he wants, if possible, to see out his career in Formula One with McLaren.

Nevertheless, there are few in Formula One who do not believe that Hamilton will be approached by Ferrari at some point, if it has not already happened, and that he will end up driving for the Maranello team.

Red Bull Racing confirmed yesterday that Sebastian Vettel, the 21-year-old German driver, is to partner Mark Webber next season, filling the seat that will be vacated by David Coulthard when the Scot retires at the end of this season.
Click to expand...

Anythings likely in F1. Rumours are Heikki's going back to Renault next year and Rosberg will take his place at McLaren because Williams won't meet their performance clause.
 
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rpstewart said:
Is there a half decent driver in F1 who hasn't been linked with Ferrari at some stage in his career?
Click to expand...

I'm waiting for the story that both Alonso and Lewis are moving to Ferrari.

frakker said:
Wili Weber (M. Schumacher's old manager) stirred that up earlier on in the week. Weber is Nico Hulkenberg's manager who is currently in F3 Euroseries (and being a bit average) as well as test driver for Williams at the moment. Rumour has it, there is a clause in Hulkenberg's contract that if any of the current drivers leave he gets first dibs.

So you can sort of see what's in it for him. If there is a performance related clause in Rosberg's contract then I guess Frank Williams/Patrick Head won't be too happy with that being made common knowledge now?!!
Click to expand...

That makes more sense. Seemed like an odd thing for Webber to come out with.
 
The rumour mill is still suggesting that Honda are intrested in Fernando's signature. Although, I see him staying put for at least 1 more season.
 
Friday practice 2 times:

Code: 
Pos  Driver        Team                     Time              Laps
 1.  Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes    (B)  1:15.025            37
 2.  Massa         Ferrari             (B)  1:15.722  + 0.697   31
 3.  Raikkonen     Ferrari             (B)  1:15.760  + 0.735   34
 4.  Kovalainen    McLaren-Mercedes    (B)  1:15.990  + 0.965   37
 5.  Webber        Red Bull-Renault    (B)  1:16.017  + 0.992   25
 6.  Alonso        Renault             (B)  1:16.230  + 1.205   38
 7.  Rosberg       Williams-Toyota     (B)  1:16.355  + 1.330   41
 8.  Kubica        BMW Sauber          (B)  1:16.363  + 1.338   36
 9.  Heidfeld      BMW Sauber          (B)  1:16.377  + 1.352   40
10.  Coulthard     Red Bull-Renault    (B)  1:16.378  + 1.353   35
11.  Vettel        Toro Rosso-Ferrari  (B)  1:16.422  + 1.397   41
12.  Trulli        Toyota              (B)  1:16.530  + 1.505   45
13.  Button        Honda               (B)  1:16.542  + 1.517   38
14.  Barrichello   Honda               (B)  1:16.677  + 1.652   28
15.  Piquet        Renault             (B)  1:16.734  + 1.709   42
16.  Glock         Toyota              (B)  1:16.781  + 1.756   44
17.  Nakajima      Williams-Toyota     (B)  1:16.829  + 1.804   21
18.  Bourdais      Toro Rosso-Ferrari  (B)  1:16.860  + 1.835   14
19.  Sutil         Force India-Ferrari (B)  1:17.008  + 1.983   39
20.  Fisichella    Force India-Ferrari (B)  1:17.047  + 2.022   37
 
Dutch Guy said:
I am actually surprised how long Toyota is prepared to wait, I would have thought they would throw in the towel sooner.
Click to expand...

LOL. That is very cruel, considering that they are throwing more money at their F1 project than any other team. There are people there who are trying their damned hardest but getting no results.

Stormrider said:
I'm waiting for the story that both Alonso and Lewis are moving to Ferrari.
Click to expand...

Hehehe. That would be fantastic to see.

FOR SURE, we would see them finish 1st and 2nd in the WDC, if they did drive together, unless they adopted tactics of taking eachother off, regularly (which wouldnt be unthinkable). I somehow doubt that Ferrari would allow those 2 to drive for them, as team mates, as there would obviously be tension between the 2. Furthermore, if they do take the championship down to the wire, then that tension will exist right throughout the season.

Great to see Hamilton dominating. If he can win this race, this will set him up nicely, as I feel that Ferrari are due for some strong races shortly, which means Ferrari 1-2s. Its unfortunate that Heikki is unable to help McLaren get the 1-2s, forcing Ferrari even further behind, due to a lack of talent ;).
 
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