Category: Formula 1

Overnight the FIA released a revised calendar for the 2010 Formula One season. As expected, the Australian Grand Prix relinquishes its premiere status to Bahrain. Since hosting its first race in 1996 Melbourne has held the opening race of every season, with the exception of 2006 when it was pushed back to avoid clashing with the Commonwealth Games. Ironically, Bahrain was the location for the season opener in 2006.

The Canadian Grand Prix returns to the F1 calendar, coming back at the expense of the French race. Abu Dhabi will again host the final race of the year. An earlier calendar released by the FIA had Brazil closing out the year, but they have been switched back, and will be held just one week apart. That’s a lot of miles for the F1 circus to cover in seven days.

Now that Silverstone has been locked in as host of the British Grand Prix the only question mark remaining over this latest calendar concerns a new event. The Korean Grand Prix is scheduled to make its F1 debut at the end of October, but cannot be confirmed until the track has been approved by the FIA.

The full listing of races can be seen after the jump.

[Source: Formula1.com]

The British Racing Drivers Club held their annual awards yesterday. Established to acknowledge the efforts of drivers from Commonwealth nations, there are several awards handed out at a lavish function with many motorsport greats usually in attendance.

Webber won two awards to go with his German and Brazilian Grand Prix victories. He was presented with the Innes Ireland Trophy, for the driver who best displayed the qualities of courage and sportsmanship, and the Bruce McLaren Trophy, which is presented for the most meritorious performances in international motorsport.

Other Australians honoured, included 2009 Le Mans winner David Brabham (Fairfield Trophy for an outstanding performance by a BRDC member) and 2009 British F3 Champion Daniel Ricciardo (Henry Surtees Award for an outstanding performance by a BRDC Rising Star).

Silverstone will host the British Grand Prix well into the future after pouncing on the demise of the Donington disaster. The owners of Silverstone, the British Racing Drivers’ Club, announced a new 17 year deal today.

Speaking at a news conference former world champion driver and BRDC president Damon Hill said, “The title of Silverstone as home of motor sport has come true. It is a place for all motor sport. Everyone in the BRDC loves motor sport and we are looking forward to the MotoGP as well as the British Grand Prix.”

A provisional 2010 F1 calendar has already been released and will be finalised later this week. Should everything remain as it is now the 2010 British Grand Prix will be held on 11 July.

With a secure deal in place, it is expected the BRDC will now undertake redevlopments to improve the facilities at Silverstone.

[Source: Reuters UK]

Remember the name Daniel Ricciardo, it could be the next Australian name in Formula One if the 20 year old Western Australian’s career continues on its current trajectory. Earlier this year Daniel won the British Formula 3 title with the Volkswagen powered Carlin team. He dominated the series winning seven of the 13 races.

Surprisingly, Ricciardo also dominated the time sheets on day three of F1 testing at Jerez where he was driving an RB5-02 for Red Bull Racing. Completing 77 laps in all his best time of 1:17.418 was almost one second faster than the rest of the field. Not only that, it is the quickest lap recorded at Jerez for all of 2009.

“These last three days have been an incredible experience for me,” said Daniel. “I would like to thank Red Bull for giving me this great opportunity, which has made me even more determined to make it into Formula 1 one day. I know it was just a test, but seeing my name on the top of today’s timesheet was really something special.”

Red Bull were testing aerodynamic components for their 2010 machine and who knows, maybe it won’t be long until Mark Webber has a mate atop the F1 podium.

More pics from Daniel and Red Bull Racing at Jerez can be seen after the jump. For background info there is also a press release from Volkswagen Motorsport announcing Ricciardo’s 2009 British F3 success.

[via The Motor Report]

Earlier in the week the FIA released the full list of teams that had been signed off for the 2010 season. At that time Peter Sauber had nothing to smile about as his team was not on the list. He remained confident, though, that his team’s pit lane access would be granted. And so it has been, as the brief statement from the FIA below tells.

For his part Sauber can’t wait to get on with the job. “This is excellent news for the workforce in Hinwil. After many weeks of uncertainty, we have finally secured our place on the grid for 2010. Now we can enter into concrete negotiations with drivers and sponsors,” he said.

BMW’s conditions of sale dictated that the deal could not be finalised until the newly formed Sauber team was given a spot on the grid. Expect further details on the confirmation of the BMW-Sauber sale to be announced shortly.