Category: Formula 1

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo one step closer to F1

Daniel Ricciardo

Twenty-year-old Australian and current British Formula 3 champ, Daniel Ricciardo, has been signed for Formula One reserve driver duties with both Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso. Joining Daniel, in what will be a shared role, is 20-year-old New Zealand driver Brendon Hartley.

Both men took part in the F1 end of season testing at Jerez in December 2009. Ricciardo made a name for himself by topping the time sheets driving the Red Bull RB5, while Hartley also impressed at the wheel of the Torro Rosso TR4.

Even though in-season testing for Formula One has been drastically reduced in recent years Ricciardo and Hartley will get a great opportunity at learning the ropes through marketing roles and participation in team meetings.

It’s a great step for both guys who are also members of the Red Bull Junior Team. The shared role will see the drivers alternate their appearances on a race-by-race basis.

[Source: MarkWebber.com]

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP launch: Michael and Nico interview

Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher

Following yesterday’s launch of the Mercedes GP Petronas team lead drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg talk up their chances for the 2010 Formula One Season. The clip is available after the jump and Schumacher says he believes his signing for Mercedes GP will be full of “great moments”.

You can find out more for yourself on the team’s new website and YouTube channel.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP launches new era for Silver Arrows

Mercedes GP Petronas 2010 launch

Mercedes GP has just launched their 2010 season. The event took place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart in front of 600 guests. The livery of the new Silver Arrows features silver paint, raw carbon fibre and the green colour of Petronas, the Malaysian petroleum giant and title sponsor.

Don’t get too carried away, though. The car pictured above is simply a repainted 2009 model Brawn GP machine with the new 2010 car still under wraps for now.

Of course, the hype is all about Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula One and here’s a bit of what he had to say at today’s launch, “Finally the 2010 Formula One season is firing up! I have to say that I am totally committed to this new challenge. This season feels like a re-start for me and I am so motivated.

“We have a World Champion team in every sense of the word and I cannot wait to get into the car for the first time in Valencia. I am convinced that MERCEDES GP PETRONAS will be in a very good position to fight for the championships this season and I will definitely give it a go.”


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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Schumacher has already overtaken Rosberg

Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn

Superstition, apparently, has seen Michael Schumacher edge ahead of new teammate Nico Rosberg before a wheel has even been turned. You see, 2009 world champion Jenson Button has taken the number 1 with him to McLaren. This means the new Mercedes-Benz team will be carrying the numbers 3 and 4 during 2010. The team’s first signing, Rosberg, was originally given the number 3 for his car. Since then, of course, Michael Schumacher has walked through the door. It would be normal, then, to assume Schumacher will race in 2010 with the number 4 on his car.

However, Michael has a preference for odd numbers, so we are being told. Seeing as he has won all seven of his world titles racing with an odd number on his car perhaps this makes sense. Therefore, Michael asked if he could swap numbers with Rosberg. Supposedly the younger team member agreed with no fuss. In doing so, has Rosberg merely cemented his junior status both in age and in team ranking?

Maybe it’s nothing, but I reckon this is the first of Schumacher’s inevitable mind games. Shrewd bugger, isn’t he. I mean, Michael won five of his world titles as defending champion, that is, he was carrying #1 on his car, as is the right of the current title holder. So the whole odd number thing is a bit of a misnomer, isn’t it, Yeah, #1 is an odd number, but it’s hardly something to build a superstition on.

Maybe Schumi should ask Jenson if he wouldn’t mind giving up number 1 as well. It’s only fair, chances are Button won’t have #1 in 2011 anyway. And, let’s face it, if you tally up the number of titles won by the other drivers in the field Michael is still three championships ahead. Just give the guy #1 now and be done with it. He deserves it more than the other kids.

[Source: The Guardian]

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Formula 1

The Formula One car v2010

Formula One 2010 preview of car redesign

In a little under a week F1 teams will begin revealing their cars to the public. Ferrari will be leading the charge, with the fairy bread and punch hitting the tables next Thursday. Within two weeks we’ll know what the majority of the grid will look like for the first race on the 2010 calendar (Bahrain, 14 March).

While the technical regulations for 2010 don’t differ too greatly from 2009 one big change is the lack of in-race refuelling for the 2010 season. The preview above, courtesy of The Guardian, gives a brief rundown of the changes to expect and how the larger fuel tank, basically double the size of the 2009 cars, will affect other aspects of F1 car design.

The right hand column of the graphic also holds some very interesting information in the form of fuel consumption data from the 2009 season. While its true all engine manufacturers will be preparing engines with 2010 regs in mind it is notable that Renault used around 2.4kg of fuel per lap, on average, compared to more than 2.55kg/lap for the Toro Rosso. Just behind Renault in the fuel consumption race were McLaren and Red Bull Racing.

For a larger version of the image above you can click on the link below which links directly to a 104kb PDF. More information on the launch of 2010 cars by F1 teams can be read at Formula1.com.

Meanwhile, Jaime Alguersuari has had his 2010 race seat with Toro Rosso confirmed. A full list of confirmed drivers is available on The Guardian website.

[Source: The Guardian | Thanks to Wes for the tip]

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Planet-F1 reveals Schumacher’s secret thoughts

Michael Schumacher

Planet-F1 have managed to secure exclusive access to Michael Schumacher’s diary entries from the lead up to his Formula One comeback with Mercedes-Benz.

Here’s a teaser:

“It would be a strange scenery joining Jenson. I believe he had a poster picture of me on his bedroom wall as a teenager – in between Cindy Crawford and Samantha Fox. I hope he dreamt about me in the right way, you know what I mean… ! Oh yes, this is something else I plan for my comeback year. I am aiming at being 42% funnier than 2006 when I retired. It’s the way I am them telling.”

Follow the link below for the full story and some more laughs.

[Source: Planet-F1 | Thanks to ‘Jackie Chan’ for the tip]

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Ferrari Formula 1

Alonso shows off new Ferrari F1 livery

Ferrari F1 livery 2010

The image above shows Fernando Alonso at the wheel of Ferrari’s 2009 F1 machine. Hmm, seems a bit odd, doesn’t it? Well, probably, but it is nothing more than a promo piece by major Spanish bank Santander. As you can see their name features prominently on the Ferrari’s front and rear wings.

The image was released by the bank, with Ferrari’s approval, and follows a new five-year sponsorship deal between the two companies signed last year. Ferrari’s real 2010 F1 car, known as “281”, is due for its public reveal on Thursday next week. Ooh, excitement—the new F1 season is getting closer!

Oh, if you want to check out Fernando’s duds for 2010, take a peak at F1fanatic.co.uk.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

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Ford Formula 1 Renault Volkswagen

Mark Webber’s hot hatch test

Mark Webber speaks with the Telegraph

Mark Webber has spent some time on the off-season trying his hand as a motoring hack. At least, that’s how it’s been presented in UK daily newspaper the Telegraph. Given the icy conditions it was little more than a bit of hit and giggle really. But, if you’re a hot hatch fan then of course you’ll want to know what he thought of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Renaultsport Megane 250 and Ford Focus RS.

When asked if the hot hatch genre was respected back home Mark’s reply would have gone down well at the recent Summernats festival, “Nah mate. Anything less than five litres ain’t big back home.”

For the full text follow the link below. Images of the test trio, without the snow, can be seen after the jump. Click on the pics to load 2000px wallpaper-friendly versions.

[Source & main pic: Telegraph.co.uk | Thanks to Rick for the tip]

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Formula 1

US F1 – On the nose

US F1 nose crash test

US F1 brings us this crash test of their nose cone. As they say, two days to build and two milliseconds to destroy. While the car is being designed and constructed in good ol’ boy country—Charlotte, North Carolina—this crash test took place in England.

I know its early days for US F1 yet, but there’s something unique and charming about seeing their staff standing around wearing regular clothes, rather than being decked out in full team attire.

Check the clip after the jump.

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Formula 1 News

The Flav strikes back

Flavio Briatore

Flavio Briatore, named conspirator in the Renault F1 “Crashgate” scandal, has had his name cleared (sort of) thanks to a French court ruling. The finding states that the FIA’s decision to give Briatore a lifetime ban contained “irregularites” and therefore it “ruled the sanction illegal”. The court also told the FIA they had no right to ban the Flav because he was not an FIA licence holder.

As you can imagine after hearing this news the funny looking man with a Playboy lifestyle was ready to hit the dancefloor saying, “I would like to express my great joy.”

Great, he can now rejoin his beloved Mark Webber in a pitlane embrace, then?

Not so fast Flavio, the FIA are still gunning for you. They say “the FIA intends to consider appropriate actions to ensure that no persons who would engage, or who have engaged, in such dangerous activities or acts of intentional cheating will be allowed to participate in Formula One in the future.” Guess what Flav, that means you!

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Formula 1

USF1 launches new website

USF1 launches new website

News of USF1’s emergence first broke in February. Since then, not a lot has been said by Peter Windsor, Ken Anderson and their team. All around them the other new F1 teams have been announcing all sorts of goings on, including driver lineups and new sponsors. USF1, though, are keeping things very close to their chests.

On Christmas Day USF1 did flick the switch on a new website. But not much else (well, except for a new toaster, according to some internet wag). However, according to Peter Windsor’s blog that’s all about to change, “Now, though, the New Year is upon us. US F1 Team will be racing in 2010 and so it is now precisely the time to share with you our life on the global stage,” states USF1 Sporting Director, Peter Windsor.

Recently Bernie Eccelstone mused that USF1 wouldn’t make the grid for the opening race of 2010 in Bahrain. Of course, such suggestions were quickly rebuffed by Windsor. Speaking to BBC Sport Windsor said, “We will be there. We’re in good shape. Everything is going well and we are looking forward to the year. We’ve just finished the chassis and are now in the hands of Cosworth.”

An announcement on the team’s driver pairing is expected before the end of January.

To find out more on USF1’s progress check out their website and the three YouTube clips below. The first one is a generic clip showing chassis development, the other two clips feature Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson. Even though it only runs for 70 seconds, I implore you not to fall asleep during Anderson’s chat.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Q&A with Michael Schumacher

Michael Schumacher interview with BBC

It’s almost 24 hours since Michael Schumacher put pen to paper with Mercedes GP and media outlets the world over have been clamouring for information. One of the first to get an interview with Schumacher was the BBC, that interview has since been uploaded to YouTube and can been seen below, after the jump.

One piece of info which was missing from the Brawn GP statement was the length of Schumacher’s contract. It was understood that Michael had signed a one year deal with Mercedes, however in an interview with Formula1.com, Schumacher confirms he has a three year deal to drive with the Silver Arrows.

Schumacher also revealed plans to stay on with Mercedes after his driving tenure expires, “Regarding the driving, the time frame is three years. There was never any intention to do a one-off. There will be an option after that to be brand ambassador for Mercedes, which would make sense in a way.”

Michael also confirmed that the invitation to race for Brawn took place in November, when the rumour-mill first began to gather momentum. He also revealed that Mercedes’ intention to buy into Brawn GP was known at the time, “At the end of November I got a call from Ross concerning an option to go racing again. Having got that call from him and the information that Mercedes will be involved, that did it.”

The Mercedes GP sponsorship deal with Petronas makes a lot more sense, too, as they clearly would have known Schumacher was coming back.

Formula1.com also has a brief Q&A with Ross Brawn available, so make sure you check that out as well.

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