Bench Racing: 2009 Formula One Thread

[mika]

F1 News

bbc.co.uk: Force India give Liuzzi race seat

telegraph.co.uk: Mercedes Benz set to become a shareholder in Brawn GP F1 team
-related-
motorsport.com: McLaren/Mercedes collaboration to continue - spokesman

toryota-f1.com: Preview ÔÇô Italian GP 2009

autosport.com: Italy preview notes ÔÇô Renault

itv-f1.com: Renault confirm KERS return at Monza

formula1.com: Interview with Peter Windsor ÔÇô Hungry for success

timesofindia.com: Force India closes the KERS option

forumula1.net: Why Force India can shine again in Monza

telegraph.co.uk[/ul]: Jenson Button is battling an opponent more ruinous than any of his rivals - Himself

Rumors: Silly Season and More

[url=http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A//www.motorsport-total.com/f1/news/2009/09/De_la_Rosa_vor_Formel-1-Comeback_09090710.html&hl=en&langpair=auto|en&tbb=1&ie=iso-8859-1]motorsport-total.com[/ul]: De la Rosa F1 comeback

It had nothing to do with on track performance
[url= http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78383]autosport.com: Badoer says media forced him out

Multi time WRC Champion Sebastien Loeb to Toro Rossi for a one-off ride at Abu Dhabi?
motorsport.com
Boss would release Loeb for F1 debut

 

[mika]

Italian GP

fia.com: Press Release ÔÇô Italian GP Preview


F1 News

itv-f1.com: Brawn hopes to combat KERS cars

forumula1.net: Haug hints he has something to announce

f1technical.net: Force India revise side pod panel

toyoet-f1.com: Italian GP technical preview ÔÇô Q&A with Jarno Trulli

telegraph.co.uk: Frank Williams hits out at unhealthy manufacturers plan for three cars.
What do you think, of the idea?

Tout site f1network.net has been trying to unravel the BMW sale without much success. In the process they have been following the development of Twitter as a disinformation device.

f1network.net: Paul Stoddart back to buy Sauber? Or the Indian consortium?

f1network.net: Stoddart denies BMW Sauber buyout rumors

f1network.net: Twitter? ThatÔÇÖs f*cking bullshi*t

motorsport-total.com translated: BMW ÔÇô management buyout not an issue

timesofindia.com: Massa undergoes successful plastic surgery

f1technical.net: I have a good feeling for Monza - Kubica

Rumors: Silly Season and More

motorsport.com: Massa says ÔÇÿdreamÔÇÖ is Abu Dhabi F1 comeback

guardian.co.uk: Should Felipe Massa really return to racing?

guardian.co.uk: Back from the brink ÔÇô Felipe Massa draws inspiration from near ÔÇô death experience

f1complete.com: Loeb admits talks for Abu Dhabi GP

autosport.ocm: Mercedes ÔÇô no rush to revela engine plan

reuters.com: Never say never, Rossi tells Ferrari

motorsport-total.com translated: Massa ÔÇô ÔÇ£Jenson has buckled un pressureÔÇØ

reuters.com: Massa backs Barrichello to overhaul wilting Button

skysports.com: McLaren talking to Rosberg

timesofindia.com: Nico Rosberg could join F1 team McLaren

 

[mika]

GP of Italy – Monza

FIA.com
Official Media Kit – very slow load

Formula1.com: Thursday Press Conference
Drivers: Rubens Barrichello (Brawn GP), Giancarlo Fisichella (Ferrari), Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber), Vitantonio Liuzzi (Force India) and Jarno Trulli (Toyota).

formula1.com: Will KERS be key at Monza?

F1 News

One big happy family again –
skysports.com: FOTA readmits teams

timesofindia.com: Mercedes to take 75% stake in Brawn - Report


Rumors: Silly Season and More

telegraph.co.uk: Sir Stirling Moss doubts Jenson Button’s mental strength

Ferrari announced Spanish bank Santander as a new sponsor. The deal is reported to be for five years and has sparked new rumors about the already huge driver slate it has.

sportbild.de: Ferrari – Rumors about Alonso change

Hinwil F1 Team Rumors

I have been gone for a couple of days and really expected more concrete news about the sale of Hinwil F1 to have broken. Reports have three offers on the table for BMW’s consideration. While that review is going on the rumor mill is fleshing out what the team will consist off. Engines – Ferrari. Drivers – Kubica and a driver to be named later depending on the nationality of the new owners. Willy Rampf is said to be onboard in his current role head of engineering. Mario Theissen looks to be out of F1 but continuing with BMW in charge of BMW Motorsports. Frankly in reports I have read he sounds resigned to this role but not exactly happy.

motorsport-total.com translated: BMW Sauber F1 – Further prospective customer?

f1-live.com: Liechtenstein firm linked with BMW Sauber buyout

paddoctalk.com: Three investors bidding for BMW Formula One Team?/?

autosport.com: Kubiac says he had talks with Ferrari

Singapore Sling:

grandprix.com: Nelson Piquet’s FIA statement revealed
I believe this is the unnamed internet site that is referred to in various articles. I may be wrong but that is not news in itself.

timesonline.co.uk: Nelson Piquet: ‘I crashed on purpose’

bbc.co.uk: Alonso ‘surprised’ by fix claim

speedtv.com: Briatore grilled by Renault boss

 

[mika]

Italian GP – Monza

FIA.com

Session 1 Classifications
Session 1 Lap Times

Session 2 Classifications
Session 2 Lap Times

autosport.com: Hamilton – KERS worth 0.4 seconds in qualifying

F1 News

reuters.com: FIA to choose 13th team next week, says Mosley

ferrari.com: Shumacher and Ferrari – a family affair

In another family
bbc.co.uk: Renault to launch Piquet lawsuit
-related-
independent.co.uk: Renault accuse Piquet of blackmail attempt

dailyexpress.co.uk: FIA to protect Piquet (read immunity)

timesofindia.com: F1 could lose more manufacturer teams, says Mosley

Rumors: Silly Season and More

autosport.com: Montezemolo – Alonso will join Ferrari
Just not in 2010 according to this report

 

[mika]

Italian GP ÔÇô Monza

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Italian Grand Prix - Free Practice
ÔÇó 11.09.2009
ÔÇó Press Release
Weather: sunny and dry, 25-27??C Air, 28-38??C Track

Monza (IT). The BMW Sauber F1 Team enjoyed a reasonable start to the weekend of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Both drivers made good progress during the two 90 minute practice sessions on Friday.

The F1.09 has a modified front wing and a special rear wing to lower the drag for the high speed Monza circuit.


Robert Kubica:
BMW Sauber F1.09-08 / BMW P86/9
1st Free Practice: 11th, 1:24.813 min / 2nd Free Practice: 5th, 1:24.622 min
ÔÇ£We lost quite a lot of time in the morning session due to a problem with the brakes. Fortunately we were able to change the brakes in time and I completed a baseline run at the end of the session. In the afternoon we worked on the set-up of the car and tried to evaluate the tyres.ÔÇØ


Nick Heidfeld:
BMW Sauber F1.09-07 / BMW P86/9
1st Free Practice: 5th, 1:24.683 min / 2nd Free Practice: 7th, 1:24.693 min
ÔÇ£The lap times are not bad, especially when you take into account I did my fastest lap in the second session quite early on and even had some traffic. The carÔÇÖs balance is better than it has been on some other Fridays, but there is still room for improvement. It is challenging to get the balance right for both qualifying and the race. We did the usual tyre evaluation and compared the softer and the harder compounds on long runs. The height of the new kerbs changes the circuit quite a lot, you have to get used to it and look where you can still go over them and which ones you better avoid. At the end of the second session I pitted a few minutes early after I went straight on at the Ascari chicane and wanted to have the car checked.ÔÇØ


Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):
ÔÇ£Monza is the only track where we run the low downforce package, therefore we invested quite some time in the morning to find a baseline for the set-up of the car. On the one hand itÔÇÖs crucial here not to lose too much time riding the kerbs, while on the other hand braking stability is even more important here than on other tracks. In the afternoon we concentrated fully on race preparation and on the tyre comparisons. We are quite happy with the results on low fuel, however, with higher fuel loads we still have some work to do.ÔÇØ

FIA.com Friday Press Conference
TEAM PRINCIPALS: Ross BRAWN (Brawn GP), Aldo COSTA (Ferrari), Vijay MALLYA (Force
India), Franz TOST (Toro Rosso)]

FI LEOs catch Raikkonen speeding and fine him.

The Steward profiles for any race are normal release by the FIA but have not to this point.

formula1.com: Friday analysis ÔÇô drivers forced to kerb their enthusiasm

formula1.com: Friday practice ÔÇô selected drivers quotes.

auto-motor-und-sport.com: Translated: [Practice] analysis Italian GP ÔÇô Force India vs.McLaren ÔÇô pole duel



F1 News

f1technical.net: Brake problems for Kubica

crash.net: Sutil top for Force India in second Monza practice

skysports.com: Brawn defends Button

telegraph.co.uk: Red Bull principal Christian Horner claims his drivers have the edge on Jenson Button

Editorial ÔÇô guardian.co.uk: Formula OneÔÇÖs era of greed and mistrust in has turned a code of honour into a rat race

Rumors: Silly Season and More

Hinwil Formula 1 Team

sprtbild.de translated: Mario Theissen hoping for F1 take off

If you want to be an ÔÇÿownerÔÇÖ and not just a fan this could be right up your chicane.
f1sa.com: Vijay Mallya plans to float Force India Formula 1

Singapore Sling

autosport.com: Q&A with Flavio Briatore

timesonline.co.uk: Flavio Briatore comes out fighting in ÔÇÿcheatingÔÇÖ scandal.

telegraph.co.uk: Full wrath of Renault descends on Piquets

independent.co.uk: Renault ask police to charge Piquet


Formula 1 Team News :
Links to the official team sites and team specific stories

[url=http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com/en/index.html]BMW Sauber F1
Robert Kubica
Nick Heidfeld

AT&T Williams
Nico Rosberg
Kazuki Nakajima

Brawn GP
Reubens Barrichello
Jenson Button

Ferrari
Filipe Massa
Kimi Raikkonen

Force India F1
Giancarlo Fisichella
Adrian Sutil

ING Renault
Fenando Alonso
Nelsinho Piquet

McLaren
Lewis Hamilton
Heikki Kovalainen

Red Bull Racing
Sebastian Vettel
Mark Webber

Toro Rosso
Sebastien Bourdais
Sebastien Buemi

Toyota F1
Jarno Trulli
Timo Glock

USGPE

Standings

Driver Championship
Constructor Championship




speedtv.com: Formula One on Speed

[/size]

 

[mika]

Even without KERS Sutil lead Saturday practice. Heidfeld third and Kubica tenth. Should be a good qualifying session.

Italian GP ÔÇô Monza

FIA.com
Saturday Practice Session
Session 3 Classifications
Hamilton caught speeding - fined

Race Directors note to teams
Race Director's Note To Teams
Policy regarding cars being driven behind the kerbs at turns 1, 2, 4 and 5
1) A car will be deemed to have cut or missed a chicane if all four wheels are the wrong side (the
side furthest from the track) of the higher part of the relevant kerb.
2) In qualifying ,every lap during which a driver cuts or misses a chicane will be deleted.
3) Other than to avoid an accident, if a driver cuts or misses a chicane three times during the race
a drive-through penalty will automatically be imposed. Three further cuttings will incur a further
drive-through penalty.
4) Any individual cutting of a chicane in which a clear advantage is gained will also incur a separate
drive-through penalty.
5) Any cuttings on the first lap (other than those where a clear advantage is gained) will not count
towards the cumulative total in 3) above

This may not be an issue during qualifying but will be during the race so keep it in mind.

formula1.com: Monza ÔÇô a Formula 1 setup guide

formula1.com: Q&A with Mark Webber ÔÇô No KERS? So brake later!

autosport.com: Sutil fastest again in final Italy practice

Fisichella parks his Ferrari in the Parabolica wall during morning practice. He appears fine but the car was taken away by crane. f1sa.com

 

[mika]

Italian GP ÔÇô Monza

Q1: 20 minutes

Fisichella made it back for qualifying and was first out onto the track for Q1.

BMW continued its new qualifying strategy sending both cars out early in the session. I like it.

At the 15 minute remaining mark Hamilton is the only driver yet to turn a wheel. ???
~ 12 minute mark he heads out finally.

At the 10 minute mark Heidfeld continues to hold P3. Kubica has worked up a slot to P9 oops now P8

Hamilton was last on the track but at ~ 8 minute mark he tops the field.

7 minutes remaining and drivers head to the pits for last minute adjustments prior to the final laps of the session. Force India driver Luzzi is in P4 now and Sutil is down in P12.

Hate to jinx the BMW boys but both look to be in position to advance to Q2. Red Bull driver Mark Webber surprisingly is not laying down the field currently in P19! Brake later Mark!

With everyone on the track only a second separates P1 from P18.

Buemi cuts the first chicane and will be the first driver in line to incur the penalty outlined in the Race DirectorÔÇÖs note to teams.

Raikkonen Hamilton Button in P1-3 for Q1.

Heidfeld P9 and Kubica in P14. Kubica needs to find something in the break if he is to advance to Q3.

Bumped in Q1: Glock Nakajima Rosberg Buemi and Alguersauri / 1 Toyota 2 Williams and 2 Toro Rossi are out.


Q2: 15 minutes

The Brawns were the first cars out on the track. Again the BMW drivers are out in the hunt from the start.

Fisichella is showing early speed. He is starting to find his way in the red car.

Kubica is showing a lap time at the 11 minute remaining mark that has him briefly in P2, while Heidfeld is back in P9.

Heidfeld has stopped on track with some sort of technical problem.

Barrichello is the first driver to break the 1:23 mark.

Hamilton was out late again in this session and heads to P2 splitting Barrichello and Button

At six minutes remaining most drivers are in the pits. Heidfeld is still shown as stopped but his best time still has him in P14 just ahead of Fisichella. I doubt that will hold up.

Kubica is in P12 as the cars start coming out for their final flying laps of Q2.

Kubica Stops! He reported what he thought were engine problems and the bosses in the pits told him to stop. Neither BMW will advance to Q3.

Bumped in Q2 ÔÇô Trulli Grosjean Kubica Fisichella and Heidfeld.

Button Hamilton Barrichello are followed by the Force India cars of Sutil and Luzzi.
I wonder how Fisichella feels now about his move to Ferrari. He will have Q3 to sort those feelings out while in the pits.

Q3: 10 minutes

Raikkonen in his Ferrari is the first car out followed shortly by Hamilton as the final session begins. Times will be slower this session because the cars go out with race fuel loads.

At the six minute mark Kovalainen Sutil Luzzi Button and Barrichello have yet to set a lap time.

Raikkonen and Hamilton have been trading the lead to this point.

Five minute mark and everyone is on the track.

As the checkered flag dropped on the session Sutil had the pole only to see Hamilton go purple in S1 and 2 and take the pole away from him.

Hamilton Sutil Raikkonen Kovalainen Barrichello Button Luzzi Alonso Vettel and Webber set a very provisional top 10 of the grid.

Sutil on row 1 in P2 is the only non KERS car in the first two rows. The Force India car is for real apparently. Luzzi in P7 puts in a very impressive first qualifying attempt as FisichellaÔÇÖs replacement.

Barrichello bested Button but both are down the grid but ahead of the Red Bull cars.

The Provisional Grid

1 Lewis Hamilton
McLaren-Mercedes
1:23.375 1:22.973 1:24.066

2 Adrian Sutil
Force India-Mercedes
1:23.576 1:23.070 1:24.261

3 Kimi R?ñikk?Ânen
Ferrari
1:23.349 1:23.426 1:24.523

4 Heikki Kovalainen
McLaren-Mercedes
1:23.515 1:23.528 1:24.845

5 Rubens Barrichello
Brawn-Mercedes
1:23.483 1:22.976 1:25.015

6 Jenson Button
Brawn-Mercedes
1:23.403 1:22.955 1:25.030

7 Vitantonio Liuzzi
Force India-Mercedes
1:23.578 1:23.207 1:25.043

8 Fernando Alonso
Renault
1:23.708 1:23.497 1:25.072

9 Sebastian Vettel
RBR-Renault
1:23.558 1:23.545 1:25.180

10 Mark Webber
RBR-Renault
1:23.755 1:23.273 1:25.314

11 Jarno Trulli
Toyota
1:24.014 1:23.611

12 Romain Grosjean
Renault
1:23.975 1:23.728

13 Robert Kubica
BMW Sauber
1:24.001 1:23.866

14 Giancarlo Fisichella
Ferrari
1:23.828 1:23.901

15 Nick Heidfeld
BMW Sauber
1:23.584 1:24.275

16 Timo Glock
Toyota
1:24.036

17 Kazuki Nakajima
Williams-Toyota
1:24.074

18 Nico Rosberg
Williams-Toyota
1:24.121

19 Sebastien Buemi
STR-Ferrari
1:24.220

20 Jaime Alguersuari
STR-Ferrari
1:24.951

Keep in mind there are chances for penalties including a potential engine penalty that could shuffle the grid after the top ten qualifiers.

Off for a garage breakfast and some bike wrenching. I will post again sometime before noon my time.

 

[108625]

Gee,

Why would Renault ask Piquet to crash (requiring a commitment to conspire and stay silent on his part), when they could have just put his front wheel on loose like they've been doing lately?

 

[mika]

Italian GP ÔÇô Monza

FIA.com ÔÇô Qualifying
Qualifying Classification
Lap Times
Maximum Speeds
Sector Times
Speed Trap

Car Weights

Saturday Press Conference

DRIVERS:
1. Lewis HAMILTON (McLaren Mercedes), 1m24.066s
2. Adrian SUTIL (Force India), 1m24.261s
3. Kimi R?äIKK?ûNEN (Ferrari), 1m24.523s

Stewards Report No action on Webber ÔÇô Luzzi incident

Stewards Report: No action on Hamilton ÔÇô Buemi incident

formula1.com: Selected driverÔÇÖs quotes

bbc.co.uk: Hamilton storms to Italian pole

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Italian Grand Prix - Qualifying
ÔÇó 12.09.2009
ÔÇó Press Release
Weather: sunny, dry, 24-27??C Air, 31-40??C Track

Monza (IT). After promising free practice sessions, the BMW Sauber F1 Team was disappointed in Qualifying: While both Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld consistently improved their lap times, both cars suddenly stopped due to engine failures. Both engines were new. Kubica has qualified 13th for tomorrowÔÇÖs Italian Grand Prix in Monza, while Heidfeld, whoÔÇÖs engine failed first, was 15th in the session.

Robert Kubica:
BMW Sauber F1.09-08 / BMW P86/9
Qualifying 13th, 1:23.866 min in Q2 (3rd Free Practice: 10th, 1:23.996 min)
ÔÇ£This is a very difficult situation for me, not only for this Grand Prix but also for the next races. I do not have many engines left. It is also unfortunate for Nick who was very competitive here. Although I was struggling a bit I was quite confident of making it into the final qualifying session. I was struggling a little bit with the car in the first qualifying session, but it was better right from the start of the second one. I managed to do quite a good lap, but unfortunately had traffic for the next two laps. The engine problem makes my position for the final races of the season very complicated.ÔÇØ

Nick Heidfeld:
BMW Sauber F1.09-07 / BMW P86/9
Qualifying 15th, 1:24.275 min in Q2 (3rd Free Practice: 3rd, 1:23.490 min)
ÔÇ£It is a real shame having an engine problem after it all looked so promising. We had a good qualifying in Spa where I was third, and in this morningÔÇÖs free practice I was third again. I was certainly expecting a good qualifying result after the car was quite quick here. Reliability problems are very exceptional for our team and, of course, it is very strange that Robert and I both had problems with two new engines within a few minutes. We will find out what the reason was. Qualifying 15th will make it difficult, but I will not give up and make the most of it.ÔÇØ

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
ÔÇ£Both drivers were stopped by engine failures in the second part of qualifying. As far as we can see from the data they both had the same problem. The two engines were new, therefore the reason cannot be too much mileage or too high stress. A thorough analysis will only be possible once we have dismantled the engines. Of course, this has a negative effect on our race prospects. We expected good grid positions on this track. Obviously the failures also influence our engine planning for the remaining races of the season.ÔÇØ

Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):
ÔÇ£Our lap times in qualifying were as we expected them to be after this morningÔÇÖs free practice. Our goal was to get both cars into the top ten qualifying, which was realistic. However, the two engine failures upset our plans. From 13th and 15th in qualifying it will be difficult to score points tomorrow.ÔÇØ

SundayÔÇÖs race will be one of competing race strategies. Hamilton Sutil and Raikkonen will start with a two stop setup. In post qualifying interviews Brawn GP claimed they were very happy with their Q3 performance because they were running heavy to put themselves on a one stop race strategy. They thought themselves in the cat bird seat as a result. Unfortunately for them the car weights indicate there are a lot of teams with the same plan including Red Bull.

Jupiter the Roman god of rain thunder and lightning may alter everyoneÔÇÖs race strategy. Monza was hit with rain Friday night and again with heavy rains after qualifying. The forecast for Sunday is mixed. The morning and afternoon are to be sunny to partly cloudy but rain is in the forecast for the evening. If Jupiter makes an appearance during the race everyoneÔÇÖs strategies will be washed away.

Gee,

Why would Renault ask Piquet to crash (requiring a commitment to conspire and stay silent on his part), when they could have just put his front wheel on loose like they've been doing lately?

It is easy to get caught up in a good conspiracy and dragged along. In this case none of it makes any sense no matter how you look at it.

If Renault F1 is guilty we are asked to believe that Piquet intentionally put himself at risk by crashing instead of simply parking his car at some point on the track that would have had the same result. At the same time we are asked to believe Briatore in 2008 was able to come up with this complicated scenario in the heat of battle while in 2009 is dumb enough to throw his co-conspirator off the team knowing full well the secret he holds in his hot little hands.

If Renault F1 is not guilty then we are left with
- Piquet Jr and Sr throwing away their reputations and futures in the sport they claim to love for vengance. Or,
- Conspiring with Max Mosley to bring down Briatore in an even more bizzare twist of cospiracy.

F1 has an amazing capacity for hubris, greed and bizzare actions. It seems like everyone involved was weaned on Machiavelli's The Prince and goes to bed rereading it every night.

Don't try and make sense of it just take it as drama played out on a world wide stage.

 

[108625]

Italian GP ÔÇô MonzaF1 has an amazing capacity for hubris, greed and bizzare actions. It seems like everyone involved was weaned on Machiavelli's The Prince and goes to bed rereading it every night.

You're right about that. There's more treachery and deception in F1 than Shakespeare. It's not even clever, smile-at-their-guile attempts to gain "The Unfair Advantage" like Donahue & Penske or Smokey Yunick would try.

 

[statdawg]

But when the fox hath once got in his nose,
He'll soon find means to make the body follow.
- William Shakespeare,

 

[mika]

Italian GP ÔÇô Monza

Italian GP Press Conference

Race Classification
Lap Chart
Race Lap Analysis
Race Fastest Laps
Race History Chart
Race Maximum Speed
Race Pit Stop Summary
Race Sector Times
Race Speed Trap
Stewards Technical Report

Drivers Championship
Constructors Championship

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Italian Grand Prix - Race
ÔÇó 13.09.2009
ÔÇó Press Release
Weather: sunny and dry, 27??C Air, 38-39??C Track


Monza (IT). While Nick Heidfeld came seventh after starting 15th in the Italian Grand Prix, his team mate, Robert Kubica, retired after 15 laps due to a gear box oil leak. After a disappointing qualifying the BMW Sauber F1 Team scored two more championship points.


Nick Heidfeld: 7th
BMW Sauber F1.09-07 / BMW P86/9
Fastest lap 1:25.488 min on lap 30 (9th fastest overall)
ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm totally happy, as for me it was a great race. Coming seventh may not sound fantastic, but from 15th on the grid that really was the best I could do today. The start itself wasnÔÇÖt good at all, I almost lost positions. But then in the first corner I managed to overtake one car on the outside and then in the chicane I went to the inside to overtake Jarno Trulli. On lap three I overtook Giancarlo Fisichella, which I thought would be impossible because he has KERS on his car. Then when I was behind Sebastian Vettel I started to save fuel. After our pit stops he was behind me, and I was eighth before Lewis Hamilton crashed on the last lap and I benefited by scoring one more point.ÔÇØ


Robert Kubica: Retired after lap 15
BMW Sauber F1.09-08 / BMW P86/9
Fastest lap 1:27.819 min on lap 12 (18th fastest overall)
ÔÇ£I made a very good start and was in quite a good position before the first braking point. I was on the left hand side of Mark Webber. I guess he did not see me at all. Mark pushed me on the grass while I was on the brakes. Although I managed to come back on the track, we touched in corner one. In Roggia he was on the outside and slightly in front of me. When we were going into the first apex unfortunately again I was not able to avoid him. I ended up with a damaged front wing, but am not sure how this happened as it could have been with my fight with Mark or I could have hit a kerb. However, I was able to continue and managed to overtake Sebastian Vettel, despite having the front wing problem. For safety reasons we had to change the wing a couple of laps later. Finally an oil leak forced me to retire.ÔÇØ


Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
ÔÇ£It was a hard race which had a dramatic end because of Lewis HamiltonÔÇÖs crash. After having bad luck in qualifying, Nick achieved the best possible race result when he managed to climb from 15th on the grid to seventh. In the beginning Robert was even two places ahead of Nick, but then damaged his front wing and was called in for a stop by the race director. Shortly after that he had to retire due to an oil leak in the gearbox. For us the engine situation for the rest of the season is difficult. However we are looking forward to the next race in Singapore before which we will have a huge development programme.ÔÇØ


Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):
ÔÇ£Both Nick and Robert started the race from quite hopeless positions but were able to gain a couple of places at the start. Robert damaged his front wing. For safety reasons we had to call him into the pits and change his front wing. A couple of laps later we diagnosed a gearbox oil leak and Robert had to retire. Nick drove consistently good lap times and was able to move up the grid continuously to eighth. Of course at the end of the day we are happy to score two points."

sportbild.de: Sutil and Heidfeld ÔÇô the winners of Monza

formula1.com: Selected drivers quotes

reuters.com: Team by team analysis of the Italian GP

formula1.com: Exclusive with Force IndiaÔÇÖs Vijay Mallya: We've silenced our critics

bbc.co.uk: Whitmarsh defends Hamilton crash

timesonline.co.uk: Is the title race a straight fighet between Button and Barrichello?

bbc.co.uk: Brawn to allow ÔÇÿopenÔÇÖ title fight

Rumors: Silly Season and More

autosport.com: Ferrari suggests Raikkonen future open


Hinwil F1 Team

blick.ch translated: Behind the Formula 1 scene with Peter Sauber

f1sa.com: Formula 1 team buy out talks ÔÇÿat crucial stageÔÇÖ

motorsport-total.com/business: BMW Sauber team is already saved?


Singapore Sling

dailyexpress.co.uk: Head calls for firm punishment

 

[mika]

F1 News

f1sa.com: Dietrich Mateschitz criticizes Renault, writes off [Red Bull] 2009 Formula 1 title
Related-
motorsport-total.comtranslated: Ferrari engines for Red Bull?
Related ÔÇô
f1complete.com: Engine ÔÇÿde-freeazeÔÇÖ possible at end of 2009

motorsport.com: No drivers changes for Force India
Related-
timesofindia.com: No Indian driver is goo enough for F1 - Mallay

Rumors: Silly Season and More

reuters.com: Brawn vague over Barrichello future
Related ÔÇô
speigel.de: ÔÇ£Grandpa Rubens as a young manÔÇØ
guardian.co.uk: Rubens Barrichello given little guarantee he will be kept by Brawn

itv-f1.com: Alonso hopes Loeb commits to F1

Singapore Sling

f1.gpupdate.net: Piquet unemployable now says Brundle

 

[mika]

BMW AG reaches agreement with investor on sale of the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

ÔÇó 15.09.2009
ÔÇó Press Release

Munich/Hinwil, 15th September 2009. BMW AG, based in Munich, Germany, is pleased to announce today that Qadbak Investments Ltd, a Swiss-based foundation which represents the interests of certain Middle East and European based families, has agreed to purchase the BMW Sauber F1 Team, based in Hinwil, Switzerland. The contract was signed today (Tuesday).

A strong investor has therefore been found for the Hinwil-based team. Qadbak??s interest in the team will be represented by Lionel Fischer, a Swiss national.

BMW wishes Qadbak and the Sauber Team every success for the 2010 season and beyond.

BUT WAIT THE FIA HAS SOMETHING TO SAY?

Press Release

2010 FIA Formula One World Championship - New Entries

15/09/2009
Following an intensive selection and due diligence process, the FIA has awarded the 13th entry in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship to the Lotus F1 Team.

The FIA also received an impressive application from the BMW Sauber Team. However, given that BMW has announced it will withdraw its support in 2010, there are still uncertainties regarding the future ownership of the team.

Nevertheless, the FIA considers that BMW SauberÔÇÖs application is of high quality and would constitute a competitive participant in the Championship. As such, it has awarded BMW Sauber the '14th place' in the Championship meaning that it will be entitled to fill any vacancy that arises on the 2010 grid.

In addition, the FIA believes that a good case can be made for expanding the grid to 14 teams. The FIA will be consulting urgently with the existing teams regarding the introduction of an appropriate rule change to expand the grid to 28 cars in time for the first Grand Prix in 2010.

Detailed below is information about the new team that has been confirmed to compete in the Championship from next year.

Company Name: 1Malaysia F1 Team Sdn Bhd
Team Name: Lotus F1 Team
Country: Malaysia
Team Principal: Tony Fernandes

A partnership between the Malaysian Government and a consortium of Malaysian entrepreneurs, 1Malaysia F1 Team returns the Lotus name as a constructor to Formula One for the first time since 1994. The team will initially be based at the RTN facility in Norfolk, UK, some 10 miles from the Lotus Cars factory. A 50,000 square foot fully equipped facility, RTN was built by Toyota for its initial Formula One programme and then used by Bentley for its successful Le Mans programme.

The teamÔÇÖs future design, R&D, manufacturing and technical centre will be purpose built at MalaysiaÔÇÖs Sepang International Circuit.

Team Principal Tony Fernandes is the founder and CEO of the Malaysian-based Tune Group, owner of the Air Asia airline. The teamÔÇÖs Technical Director Mike Gascoyne has over 20 years of experience in Formula One having previously performed the same role for the Force India, Toyota, Renault and Jordan Formula One teams.

As part of its application to compete in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship, the team has agreed an engine supply deal with Cosworth and a wide variety of technical partnerships including Xtrac and FondTech.



Is the stage set for a Renault or Toyota exit or will there in fact be a 28 car grid in 2010?

F1 News

bbc.co.utk: Lotus will return to F1 in 2010

bbc.co.uk: BMW F1 team secures Swiss buyer



autosport.com: Canada confirms 2010 calendar slot

flagworld.com: Bulgaria receives F1 race contract

Indian drivers may not be ready to race in F1 but maybe to test
formula1.com: Force India to consider Chandok and Jani for testing role

Rumors: Silly Season and More

itv-f1.com: Toro Rossi expects to retain drivers

Singapore Sling

Hmmm
guardian.co.uk: FIA offers Pat Symonds immunity over Nelson Piquet Jr. crash
guardian.co.uk: Early evidence indicates crash was suspicious, says Max Mosley

f1sa.com: Nelson Piquet Sr. ÔÇô Fernando Alonso knew about Singapore

f1technical.net: Briatore out, Prost in?

 

[mika]

F1 News

BMW Sauber F1 Team statement on today's FIA press release
ÔÇó 15.09.2009
ÔÇó Press Release
ÔÇ£We are pleased to confirm that the FIA has indicated that we may have a place in the 2010 Formula One World Championship. The team expects to line up on the grid for the first race of the 2010 season.ÔÇØ


guardian.co.uk: Lotus returns to Formula NE and Sauber may join them as 14th team

nickheidfeld.com: Heidfeld pleased with teams continuance

A rose by any other name may smell as sweet but is it a Lotus?
thestar.com.my: 1Malaysia F1 team to be formed

thestar.com: MalaysiaÔÇÖs own F1 team

flagworld.com: Lotus involves Malaysian govÔÇÖt and carmaker Proton

itv.com: Louts will be a ÔÇÿvery substantialÔÇÖ team

But its getting closer.
f1sa.com: Another false start ÔÇô 2010 Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix

flagworld.com: Head says Cosworth and ÔÇÿoptionÔÇÖ for Williams

Just an interesting article
motorsport-total translated: People with BIZ ÔÇô Motorsport designer Wolfgang Schmid

Rumors: Silly Season and More

telegraph.co.uk: Jenson ButtonÔÇÖs future unsure as Brawn target Nico Rosberg

Singapore Sling

timesonline.com: Symonds offered immunity  the pit wall tapes and more
Article contains links to other Times reports

crash.net: Transcript of meeting between Symonds and FIA investigators

speigel.de: Piquet concrete accusations against Renault


Normally I am a 'happy I got a glass' kind of guy when people ask if the glass is half full or half empty. Today I think the F1 glass has major cracks and I am not at all certain how it will hold together.

I was a huge fan of Lotus. In the past. In the present I have been ambivalent about the role of auto manufacturers in F1 from any perspective. I have a growing concern about Mercedes' involvement in the ownership of multiple teams. That concern pales to this fans apprehension about a Malay government backed team.

I am glad that Hinwil Formula 1 has an owner deal. I doubt the 14 team idea will be needed to allow them to race. I expect Renault will exit F1 once again as soon as there is a WMSC decision, no matter the outcome.

 

[mika]

ING Renault F1 Team Statement ÔÇô 16 September 2009

The ING Renault F1 Team will not dispute the recent allegations made by the FIA concerning the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.

It also wishes to state that its managing director, Flavio Briatore and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, have left the team.

Before attending the hearing before the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 21 September 2009, the team will not make any further comment.

 

[mika]

Submissions to the World Motor Sport Council prior to Monday’s hearing in Paris were due today. ING Renault F1’s announcement of the exit of Briatore and Symonds exit and their decision not to contest the charges will not stop the hearing from taking place. The team is charged not the individuals. The hearing will no doubt review the evidence to formalize the record and adjourn. The WMSC format is normally a two part process. The ruling and penalties will be announced in one statement and followed by an explanation of the ruling at least one day later.

The penalties (we can anticipate several) will be severe.
- Fine: The benchmark set in the McLaren ‘Spyget’ ruling for the financial hit to ING Renault F1 suggests it will be $100 million at a minimum
- 2008: At a minimum the ING Renault F1 team results from Singapore will be stripped from the record. It is more likely that all the results from Singapore to the end of the season will be stripped from the team and drivers. The wording of this will be done in such a manner as to not change the outcome of the Driver’s Championship.
- 2009: ING Renault F1 is not contesting the charges but they will undoubtedly mount a serious argument for minimal or no penalties to be put on the team in the 2009 season. The range could be from no 2009 penalties to an immediate ban of the team from competition.
- Briatore and Symonds: Even with their departure from the team they could be subject to penalties ranging from fines to banishment from participation in any FIA sanctioned motorsport event.

The September 21st hearing and the subsequent rulings will not mark an end to the issues.

Renault: The statement made today was from ING Renault F1 not corporate Renault. The factory has remained silent to this time. The growing evidence leads to the conclusion the factory will exit F1. The scandal has caused great damage to the reputation of Renault in several of its key export markets. Even with a house cleaning at the F1 team the company has taken a hit it will have difficulty recovering from.

In addition to the scandal Renault is receiving bad press for its engines. Red Bull has been outspoken in its frustration with its Renault engine problems and the lack of support from the supplier. Renault has not supplied any plausible explanation for Red Bull’s problems saying they are the same as those supplied to ING Renault F1 and should operate the same. The problem is that are operating poorly for both teams which does little for Renault’s reputation of engineering excellence.

ING Renault F1: The team was due for a name change in 2010 with the end of the ING sponsorship deal. If an outright ban on the team is not made by the WMSC it may have trouble finding sponsorship dollars to mount an effort even in the new ‘inexpensive’ F1.

Fernando Alonso: To this point the Spaniard appears to be navigating his way through this crash but not without some damage. He will loose two 2008 victories from his record at a minimum. What is not clear is what knowledge he had prior to the start of the race or during the race of the intentional crash. Post race at Singapore it is hard to believe he was not aware of what went on. How the WMSC views his failure to come forward will have much to do with how he is penalized by them. F1 and fans do not seem ready to pile on what ever these may be.

Piquet Jr.: The ING Renault F1 decision to not contest the evidence offers up a Pyrrhic victory for the young Brazilian not vindication. He remains in the cockpit of the controversy as the driver who intentionally crashed potentially putting fans fellow drivers and himself at risk of injury and loss of life. The pressure on him was no doubt incredibly intense. We can only begin to imagine. The no contest by his former team may offer some short term relief from the pressure but this is a scandal that will haunt him in many ways for the rest of his life.

F1: F1 has been hit hard this season by internal struggles, financial crisis, team exits and this scandal. Ferrari is expressing its concerns about the need find ways to stop the decline in fan base. In good times or bad every sport is competing for fan discretionary dollars and time. F1 has enjoyed a long run on a pedestal of premier racing series. It may be cracked and broken right now but it will remain on the pedestal of auto racing. The growing question for all racing series is will anyone come to the museum to see them on their pedestals?


F1 News

auto-motor-und-sport.com translated: Who is Lotus F1?

Looks more and more likely they will have the chance to use them.
flagworld.com: Ferrari power for new Sauber/Qadbak team

crash.net: Skepticism over new F1 teams slowing 2010 driver market

 

[mika]

F1 News

formula1.com: The return of Lotus ÔÇô the history of a legendary name

formula1.com: The Formula 1 race engineer unraveled ÔÇô Part 2

forumula1.net: Merc let slip details of quarrel with McLaren

itv-f1.com: Head ÔÇô Scandal muddies engine choice

autosport.com:Teams meet to discuss engine equalization

Rumors: Silly Season and More

motorsport.com: Alonso says Ferrari move not ÔÇÿ100% certainÔÇÖ

guardian.co.uk: Five in the frame to take over from Briatore

Singapore Sling

autosport.com: Renault chief ÔÇô Briatore felt responsible

autosport.com: Briatore ÔÇô I quite to save Renault

crash.net: Briatore and Symonds to face criminal charges

timesofindia.com: Renault race fixing scandal timeline

telegraph.co.uk: FIA Evidence

reuters.com: Analysis ÔÇô What next for Renault

speedtv.com: FIA to act on Renault driver management

Ya think!
crash.net: Nelson Piquet is unemployable in F1 now ÔÇô Brundle

motorsport-magazine.com translated: Jordan ÔÇô ÔÇ£The FIA seems to have crystal clear evidenceÔÇØ

independent.co.uk: Fomula 1 plumbs new depths courtesy of the Piquet family

An alternate view from former F1 driver Eddie Irvine
bbc.co.uk: Teams do anything to win ÔÇô Eddie Irvine
"Formula One has always been a war and in war all is fair,"

 

[108625]

Ugly, sad, disappointing, pathetic... I can't find the right adjective to sum it up.

Ferrari is right to be outspoken regarding their concerns about F1. Some of the hints they were dropping about refocusing endurance racing at Le Mans, etc may have been politically motivated earlier this year; but now might be a good idea in general. Take a season or more off from F1. Let them clean up their act, while fans say it isn't the same without its most famous manufacturer. Keep busy racing the Prototype and GT classes in endurance racing, which still helps sell cars.
Don't consider re-entering F1 until the bad publicity and guilt-by-association dies down.

 

[mika]

Singapore GP

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Singapore Grand Prix - Preview
ÔÇó 17.09.2009
ÔÇó Press Release
25th ÔÇô 27th September 2009
14th of 17 World Championship races

Munich/Hinwil, 17th September 2009. A year ago the first floodlit race in the history of Formula One turned the teams and spectators into creatures of the night. This extraordinary experience has generated a huge amount of anticipation ahead of the second Singapore Grand Prix, which will get underway at 20.00 hrs local time on 27th September 2009.

With an agreement now reached with an investor for the sale of the team, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has gained new momentum as the 2009 season heads towards the finishing straight. The F1.09 racers will line up on the grid in Singapore with major aerodynamic modifications, and Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld are looking forward to the challenge presented by the city stateÔÇÖs street circuit.


Robert Kubica:
ÔÇ£I am very much looking forward to the Singapore Grand Prix. Everybody knows I am a big fan of street circuits. The track is very challenging; especially the last sector is very twisty with a lot of corners. As the circuit is not a permanent track, the grip level is very poor at the beginning of the weekend but improves from day to day. Drivers and engineers have to anticipate how the trackÔÇÖs grip level evolves set-up-wise and balance-wise. The team will bring quite a big update to Singapore. I hope our car will be more competitive and that we are able to surprise the competition with our pace.

Last year the surface was very bumpy, maybe a little too bumpy at some places. Before the initial night session, there were lots of concerns among us drivers regarding visibility which did not prove right. Actually I was very surprised how well the light situation was managed.ÔÇØ


Nick Heidfeld:
ÔÇ£IÔÇÖve been looking forward to the race in Singapore for many weeks because I know we have some modifications ready for the weekend. Our simulation work has been very promising and the car will look great.

ÔÇ£As I found out last year, itÔÇÖs practically impossible to overtake in Singapore. After a penalty I had to start from ninth on the grid rather than sixth and, although I had the speed, sixth at the finish was the best I could hope for. Grid position is equally as critical in Singapore as it is in Monaco.

ÔÇ£Last year the special nature of this GP and the atmosphere around it made the race weekend very much the highlight of the season for me. It was something new and genuinely exciting for everybody. And it was great to see the TV pictures and photos afterwards as well; the artificial light changed everything. It wasnÔÇÖt difficult for me to keep in tune with European time so that I would be in good shape for qualifying and the race ÔÇô actually it was quite fun. ItÔÇÖs a bit weird to find the whole team still out and about up to three in the morning to keep their body clocks ticking over, but also very entertaining.ÔÇØ


Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
ÔÇ£The first night race in the history of Formula One last year was a fascinating event and generated spectacular images and an electric atmosphere. Indeed, from an atmosphere point of view, I would say the Singapore Grand Prix is the highlight of the season. The whole feeling around the GP is unparalleled. Last year the tactic of not adjusting to local time but instead keeping our body clocks running to German time paid off. So weÔÇÖll do the same thing again this time around. We are looking forward to the whole show and are aiming to go on the attack with our significantly revised car.

ÔÇ£The cause of our engine problems in qualifying at Monza was a quality issue with the valve gear, and this means we canÔÇÖt use either of the engines again. Both drivers ran their engines from Spa in SundayÔÇÖs race at Monza, which leaves them with one more new engine each and several used ones for the remainder of the season. The key question will now be whether these will be enough. If not, we will be forced to use a ninth engine and take a ten-place grid penalty as a result.ÔÇØ


Willy Rampf, Head of Engineering:
ÔÇ£Singapore was a highlight in the truest sense of the word in 2008. It was the first ever Formula One night race and turned out to be an undeniably special event. The circuit has an unusually high corner count, so the drivers have no time to relax. Added to which, it was extremely bumpy in places. The organisers have taken this criticism seriously and partially resurfaced the track. The predominantly slow corners place severe demands, particularly on the carsÔÇÖ traction.

ÔÇ£Following the last major update in Valencia, we will arrive in Singapore with another far-reaching development package. From an aerodynamics point of view, this comprises a new front wing, more deeply undercut sidepods, a further developed double diffuser and a modified rear wing. Added to which, the car also has a totally new gearbox. So, all in all, we are expecting to take another step forward here.ÔÇØ

History and background:
The lighting system at the Marina Bay Circuit passed its first test in 2008; but only in the rain do floodlights remain an unknown quantity. The organisers mounted 1,500 light projectors (with a total power requirement of three million watts) on trusses supported by 230 steel pylons. A dozen twin generators provided insurance against a sudden plunge into darkness. The cars run anti-clockwise around the circuit, which has 23 ÔÇô in some cases extremely tight ÔÇô corners. Several key areas, including Turn 1 and Turn 14, have been modified for the 2009 race to provide better opportunities for overtaking. Criticism last year centred on the large bumps in the track surface and the location of the pit lane entry and exit, which skirted the racing line and, as a result, created an obstacle for the drivers. For the drivers and teams Singapore is also an exercise in ignoring the natural Asian daytime and instead sticking to their European body clocks ÔÇô all with the aim of being in peak condition for the late shifts and night driving the race weekend demands. Whole hotel floors are ring-fenced as ÔÇ£quiet zonesÔÇØ to allow the team members to sleep through to midday undisturbed. Breakfast is served at around one oÔÇÖclock in the afternoon and drivers can be spotted carrying out track inspections at midnight. Once SundayÔÇÖs race is over (by 22.00 hrs at the latest), there is no time to waste ÔÇô all the teamÔÇÖs equipment has to be loaded up and transported to the airport by five oÔÇÖclock the next morning.
The development of the modern city state of Singapore began in 1819, when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles founded the first settlement in the name of the English East India Company. In 1824 the company laid claim to the whole island, having bought it from the Sultan of Johor. In 1867 Singapore became a British crown colony. Singapore fell under Japanese control in 1942 after a successful assault, but was then handed back to the British in 1945. Singapore separated from British control on 1st September 1963 and became a member of a federation with Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak. Singapore was later ejected from the federation following massive unrest and has been an independent nation since 1965.

The countryÔÇÖs name is derived from the Sanskrit language and is a combination of Singha (lion) and Pura (city). Legend has it that a Hindu prince was walking through the jungle when he came face to face with a lion. Looking into each otherÔÇÖs eyes, man and beast averted a violent confrontation. The prince let his sword fall to the floor and the lion retreated. Today the lion remains a national symbol of Singapore.

Critics of Singapore object to the authoritarian control mechanisms of the state and the extremely tough penalties for crimes, while supporters praise its cleanliness and low levels of corruption and crime. The countryÔÇÖs territory stretches over some 700 square kilometres and is constantly expanding thanks to a process of land reclamation. The population of the island state currently stands at more than 4.5 million people. There are four official languages: Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English.

The traditional centres of SingaporeÔÇÖs economic power are its port ÔÇô one of the worldÔÇÖs largest and most modern transshipment points ÔÇô and its financial sector.

itv-f1.com: BMW hopes to spring Singapore surprise

autosport.com: BMW duo facing tough engine situation

reuters.com: Major upgrade gives Hamilton a boost for Singapore

formula1.com: Team and driver preview quotes

F1 News

Many had the BMW Sauber driver headed to Renault to replace Alonso when he moved to Ferrari. The lights at the Renault garage may be out so what is a Polish driver named Kubica to do?
autosport.com: Kubica to decide on future ÔÇÿvery soonÔÇÖ

itv-f1.com: McLaren set to shift focus to 2010 car

f1complete.com: More confusion over Canada

crash.net: Sir Stirling Moss at 80 on F1 past and present

motorsport-magazine.com: All round renovation for BMW Sauber  From wing to

motorsport-total.com USF1 driver search in Vauhall Limousine

guardian.co.uk: A good guy loses his bearings and Formula One forfeits its dignity

telegraph.co.uk: Q&A ÔÇô what will be the fallout from the Renault Formula One race fixing scandle

Rumors: Silly Season and More

motorsport-magazine.com translated: Sauber ÔÇô Ferrari ÔÇô Comeback for Peter Sauber as team boss?

crash.net: Lotus courting Malaysian drivers, backers

telegraph.co.uk: Nelson Piquet Snr takes step back from Fernando Alonso allegation

guardian.co.uk: Singapore unlikely to extradite Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds

telegraph.co.uk: David Coulthard ÔÇô Renault scandal sparks debate ove ÔÇÿbending the rulesÔÇÖ in motorsport