Bench Racing: 2009 Formula One Thread

[mika]

Japanese GP - Suzuka

FIA.com
Prieview
Circuit Information

Media Kit
Renovation History 2007 ÔÇô 2009
History of the Suzuka Circuit

Race Stewards: Jose Abed and Kazunari Yamanashi

reuters.com: Formula One statistics for Japanese Grand Prix

guardian.co.uk: Jenson Button will not take ÔÇÿunusual risksÔÇÖ in pursuit of Formula One title

weather.com: Suzuka, Japan



F1 News

auto-motor-und-sport.de translated: F1 season final stages with simulations on the engine front

motorsport-total.com translated: Worry about the Cosworth engine?

ferrari.com: First steps on four wheels

formula1.com: Interview with Force IndiaÔÇÖs Simon Roberts

f1technical.net: Force India introduce outboard mirrors

crash.net: Witness X revealed

motorsport.com: Ecclestone voted against Briatore ban ÔÇô Mosley
-related-
thisislondon.co.uk: Formula Ones Max factor is still driven by defiance

crash.net: Well supported Todt refuses to deny Donnelly link

itv.com: McLaren highlights calendar concerns

f1-live.com: A field of 28 cars would be welcome, says Neale

grandprix.com: The end of KERS for now


Rumors: Silly Season and More

crash.net: Toyota hints F1 pull out not impossible

Barrichello to Williams, Rosberg to Brawn ÔÇô But what about Heidfeld?
autosport.com: Barrichello closing on Williams deal

Toro Rosso to hold
flagworld.com: Tost hopes to keep Toro Rosso drivers for 2010

 

[mika]

ItÔÇÖs official. Ferrari has announced the signing of Fernando Alonso with the following press release. The buzzing and scratching you hear in the background are cell phones and pens as the silly season signings and announcements will now happen in rapid succession.


Press Release

Maranello, 30th September 2009 - Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro announces that it has reached an agreement with the driver Fernando Alonso. The agreement covers three racing seasons, starting in 2010.

The ScuderiaÔÇÖs driver line-up next season will therefore be made up of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, with Giancarlo Fisichella in the role of reserve driver.

Kimi Raikkonen will leave the team at the end of this current season, after what has been a rewarding and fruitful partnership, which saw him win the DriversÔÇÖ title in 2007. He also played a key role in FerrariÔÇÖs taking of the ConstructorÔÇÖs title that same year and in 2008.

ÔÇ£We are very proud to welcome to our team another winning driver, who has demonstrated his amazing talent by winning two World Championships in his career to date,ÔÇØ said Stefano Domenicali. ÔÇ£Of course, we wish to thank Kimi for everything he has done during his time with Ferrari: in his first year with us, he managed to win the DriversÔÇÖ title, thus making his contribution to FerrariÔÇÖs history and he played a vital role in our taking of the ConstructorsÔÇÖ title in 2007 and 2008. Even during a difficult season like this one, he has demonstrated his great talent, with several good results, including a great win in Spa and we are sure that we can share more good times together in the final three races of this season.ÔÇØ

ÔÇ£With common consent, we have agreed to terminate the contract binding me to Ferrari to the end of 2010, one year ahead of schedule,ÔÇØ said Kimi Raikkonen. ÔÇ£I am very sad to be leaving a team with which I have spent three fantastic years, during which time I won plenty of races. Together, we have won 50% of the world titles in that period and I managed to take the DriversÔÇÖ title in 2007, thus achieving the target I had set myself at the start of my career. I have always felt at home with everyone here and I will have many happy memories of my time with the team.ÔÇØ


Alonso second Spanish driver in the Scuderia's history

Maranello, 30 September 2009 - The Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro chooses for the second time in its history a Spanish driver. The first Spanish Scuderia driver can be found in the years 1956 and 1957 when Alfonso De Portago was called to race for the Prancing Horse together with Peter Collins and Jose Froilan Gonzales.

Now it's the time of Fernando Alonso, born in Oviedo (Asturia) on 29 July 1981. After starting racing karts in Spain he became Minardi test driver. In the year 1999 he debuted in the Formula 3000 and two years later in the 2001 Australian Grand Prix in Formula 1, still with Minardi.

The following year he became Renault test driver and official driver in the year 2003, gaining his first pole position (Malaysian GP) and his first victory (Hungarian GP).

With Renault Alonso became World Champion in the years 2005 and 2006.

At the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Alonso will find Marc Gen?¿, test driver since 2005.

Ferrari's connection with Spain has a victorious history: 11 in the history of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, 12 pole positions and 14 fastest race laps as well as 30 places on the podium.

 

[mika]

Japanese GP - Suzuka

FIA.com

Thursday Press Conference
DRIVERS:
Jenson BUTTON (Brawn GP),
Timo GLOCK (Toyota),
Nick HEIDFELD (BMW Sauber),
Kazuki NAKAJIMA (Williams),
Adrian SUTIL (Force India)

weather.com: Suzuka, Japan



F1 News

Blick.ch is reporting a different sort of engine drama for BMW Sauber as it moves to Japan for the race.

f1network.net: Geoff willis set to join Qadbak Sauber team

crash.net: Heidfeld ÔÇô IÔÇÖm in good shape engine wise

reuters.com: Alonso says Renault should sign Kubica

reuters.com: Formula 1 to stay at Hokenheim until 2018

formula1.com: Toro Rosso pushing for a cost effective KERS for 2013

speedtv.com: Williams blocking move for a 14th team

Rumors: Silly Season and More
a
autosport.com: Barrichello sure heÔÇÖll be in F1 next year

Raikkonen has been associated with McLaren for next year by the rumor mill but ÔÇô
dailyexpress.co.uk: Raikkonen may leave F1

 

[mika]

Japanese GP - Suzuka

FIA.com

Practice 1
Practice 2

Press Conference
TEAM PRINCIPALS: Bob BELL (Renault), Christian HORNER (Red Bull), John HOWETT
(Toyota), Hiroshi YASUKAWA (Bridgestone)

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Japanese Grand Prix - Free Practice
• 02.10.2009
• Press Release
Weather: Rain, 21-22??C Air, 21-23??C Track, Humidity 91-97%


Suzuka (JP). Due to rain of varying amounts in both free practice sessions on Friday in Suzuka there wasn’t much to learn about the car set-up. From Saturday on the weather conditions are predicted to be dry.

In the morning session at least some laps on Intermediate tyres were possible, but in the afternoon the rain didn’t allow for anything but full wet tyres. Kubica did six laps on them, Heidfeld ten. Both only went out near the end of the session.


Robert Kubica:
BMW Sauber F1.09-08 / BMW P86/9
1st Free Practice: 15th, 1:42.833 min / 2nd Free Practice: 10th, 1:48.861 min
“It is really good to be back in Suzuka. The track is amazing to drive on. Unfortunately the weather conditions were far from ideal today as we could not run at all in the dry. In the morning we did a couple of laps on full wet and also intermediate tyres just to check the balance of the car. The weather conditions during the afternoon session were even worse than in the morning, as there was really lots of water on the track. Preparing for tomorrow will be a bit of a guessing game, as the weather forecast predicts dry conditions for tomorrow.”


Nick Heidfeld:
BMW Sauber F1.09-07 / BMW P86/9
1st Free Practice: 16th, 1:42.977 min / 2nd Free Practice: 17th, 1:50.179 min
“Certainly there wasn’t much to learn today. I feel sorry for the many Japanese fans who stayed out in the grandstands despite the nasty weather but didn’t get much to watch.”


Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):
“This was not a usual Friday. The ongoing rain throughout the whole day forced us to do a minimum programme. With this we only got a set-up for wet conditions. More was not possible today. The next two days should stay dry.”


formula1.com: Toyota's Kobayashi to fill in for unwell Glock in practice

bbc.co.uk: Downpours disrupt Japan practice

reuters.com: Rain washes out Suzuka practice

reuters.com: Toyota expect Glock to be fit for race

f1networl.net: Rain makes practice useless, claim BMW Sauber drivers

weather.com: Suzuka, Japan



F1 News

bbc.co.uk: Andrew Benson- Alonso to Ferrari could herald golden age – Editorial

forumula1.net: Design/Technology – Overtaking in Formula One – Still a problem?

telegraph.co.uk: Ari Vatanen discusses the FIA presidency

Rumors: Silly Season and More

f1complete.com: Renault and Toyota fight for Kubica

motorsport-total.com/business: Lotus fights Qadbak Sauber for Petronas

telegraph.co.uk: Ferrari and Felipe Massa will not appeal ‘Singapore crash race result

telegraph.co.uk: Lewis Hamilton refutes Felipe Massa theory that Ferrari driver was robbed of 2008 title

 

[mika]

Late night with Japanese GP Qualifying...

Heeeerrrreees the report

Qualifying started under good weather conditions. Morning practice had been a fast one and found the grid separated front to back by just over a second.

Webber parked his car in a tire barrier and did extensive damage to the chassis. It is expected that he will have to qualify the backup car for the race. He appears to be fine. Yesterday’s rain soaked practice sessions did little to prepare car or drivers for today’s practice and qualifying.

Qualifying

Q1
Buemi was out first and first to make an off road excursion doing some damage to his car.

The BMW drivers are out around the 15 minute mark of Q1. Kubica post a P7 for his first qualifying lap while Heidfeld only manages a P10. On subsequent laps thy improve to P5 and P4.

In the Brawn GP camp Barrichello is having the better of Button in the early going.

Trulli Vettel and Rosberg dominate the top of the early Q1 hunt with Hamilton breaking through as drivers head to the pits before final Q1 flyers. Buemi and Webber still don’t have times. Buemi looks like he will make a return but Webber will be absent from qualifying and relegated to P20 on the starting grid as a result.

Buemi returns with a vengeance turning in a P4 performance for his first flying lap.

Q1 ends with Vettel Hamilton and Button on top. Kubica in P11 and Heidfeld in P12.

Bumped are

P 16 Fisichella
P 17 Nakajima
P 18 Grosjean
P 19 Luzzi
P 20 Webber

Q2

Raikkonen Kovalainen and Kubica are the first cars out for the session and head the fireld in that order until Alguersauri has a major shunt and the session is red flagged with 11:15 remaining in Q2. He put his front end into the tire wall at Degner corner and was slow to get out of the car but walks away. The car is severely damaged with both front wheels off. The car is eventually craned away.

The session goes green again before I can finish making a late night snack. Dang.

At 7:49 remaining Glock heads into a tire barrier and brings out another session stopping sandwich finishing red flag. He went off in the final corner. His head is moving but he is slow out of the car until medical teams arrive.

I don’t like this. The live timing description – Marshals surround the Toyota with a blanket to give the medics some privacy as they do their work – It is never good for an accident to happen and normally worse when it is described this way.

Glock is still receiving attention when it is announced that Alguersauri has been given the all clear after his medical checks.

Glock has been removed from the car and taken by stretcher to a waiting ambulance. He gives a thumbs up as he is taken away.

With only Trulli and Raikkonen having official times for this session the last seven minutes are going to be busy. Alonso was waiting at the end of the pit lane waiting for the track to go green so he could get on track. His first timed lap puts him in P3. How long will that hold in this session?

Aside: It is being reported that Luzizi will drop from P19 to P20 as the result of a 5 place penalty for a gear box change.

Hamilton moves into P1. With less than two minutes remaining this session 8 cars had yet to turn a qualifying time including both Brawns and BMWs! When the clock hits zero six cars had yet to post a time. Their last flying lap will be their only timed lap to determine where they are on the grid.

Yellow flags are out – Buemi is back to the pits sans front wing. The bizarre thing is he has a qualifying time that moves him to Q3.

Vettel Hamilton and Trulli top this session. P 10 Heidfeld advances to Q3 while his teammate does not.

Failing to advance are:

P 11 Rosberg
P 12 Alonso
P 13 Kubica
P 14 Glock
P 15 Alguersauri

Glock is being helicoptered to a local hospital with what is reported as a minor wound to his left leg.

Q3

Session 3 goes green and Adrian Sutil is the first car out.

Red Flag again at 6:49 in this session Kovalainen has gone off into Degner. He is out of the car quickly. The damage does not appear severe.

No one has an official time for this session at this point. Sutil was showing purple in S2 and S3 while Heidfeld was purple in S1. There were some hot times set to come in. This accident will compress qualifying again and in race weighted cars.

This time Raikkonen is the one waiting at the end of pit lane as the track goes green.
He will hold the pole position first, if but briefly with a 1:33.010 a full 2 seconds slower than his Q2 time.

Vettel snatches the top as the clock runs down. As the clock his zero only five drivers have times.

P 1 Vettel
P 2 Trulli
P 3 Hamilton
P 4 Sutil
P 5 Barrichello
P 6 Heidfeld
P 7 Button
P 8 Raikkonen
P 9 Kovalainen
P10 Buemi

Vettel keeps is championship hopes alive with this pole. Barrichello bests his teammate.

Could prove to be a very interesting race and result – that is if Degner doesn’t eat all the cars.


The very provisional grid is:

P 1 Vettel
P 2 Trulli
P 3 Hamilton
P 4 Sutil
P 5 Barrichello
P 6 Heidfeld
P 7 Button
P 8 Raikkonen
P 9 Kovalainen
P10 Buemi
P 11 Rosberg
P 12 Alonso
P 13 Kubica
P 14 Glock
P 15 Alguersauri
P 16 Fisichella
P 17 Nakajima
P 18 Grosjean
P 19 Luzzi
P 20 Webber

Keep in mind Webber may not be able to race. Luzzi has a five grid spot penalty. And who knows what will happen with other penalties. Glock would have to be listed as questionable at best to start the race tomorrow.

Japanese GP - Suzuka

FIA.com


telegraph.co.uk: Suzuka’s figure-of-eight circuit can be lethal

weather.com: Suzuka, Japan



F1 News

In the middle of looking through F1 rss feeds before qualifying sessions began I came across this bike review of the BMW XChallenge on the speedtv.com website.

Sometimes I have to chuckle at how Google translates articles and my reaction to it…
motorsport-total.com/business: Ecclestone puts a gun to his chest Montr?®al
The dark side of me wants him to pull the trigger

autosport.com: Canada confident of securing GP

crash.net: Toyota quit comments were ‘lost in translation’

Meanwhile Toyota looks to have taken a loss in the manufacturing column
flagworld.com: Williams and Toyota split amid Cosworth rumors
Williams has long been expected to change manufactures but it appears to be moving from rumor to fact.

fia.com: Press Release – FIA Elections

bbc.co.uk: Vatanen confident of victory

crash.net: Mosley – Vatanen ‘will lose badly’ for his insults

guardian.co.uk: Ari Vatanen fights back over Max Mosley’s claim that he will ‘lose badly’ in FIA election

independent.co.uk: Mosley takes flak for poll role

.

Rumors: Silly Season and More

motorsport-aktuell.com translated: Kubica to Toyota?

The ‘Doctor’ and would be Ferrari driver weighs in on Raikkonen –
crash.net: Rossi – Former F1 champ “Raikkonen ‘is not very fast’

 

[mika]

Japanese GP - Suzuka

FIA.com

Qualifying Sessions Classifications
- Note: These results do not reflect Steward’s penalties listed below.
Lap times
Maximum Speeds
Sector Times
Speed Trap

Car Weights

Press Conference
DRIVERS:
1. Sebastian VETTEL (Red Bull), 1m32.160s
2. Jarno TRULLI (Toyota), 1m32.220s
3. Lewis HAMILTON (McLaren Mercedes), 1m32.395s

Stewards Documents
No. 28: Alonso assessed a 5 grid position penalty for failing to slow for a caution flag
No.29: Barrichello assessed a 5 grid position penalty for failing to slow for a caution flag
No. 30: Button assessed a 5 grid position penalty for failing to slow for a caution flag
No. 31: Adrian Sutil assessed a 5 grid position penalty for failing to slow for a caution flag
No. 35: Buemi given a 5 grid position penalty for impeding other cars during Q2.

formula1.com: Webber misses qualifying after practice shunt

bbc.co.uk: Button demoted as Vettel shines

weather.com: Suzuka, Japan

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Japanese Grand Prix - Qualifying
03.10.2009
Press Release
Weather: dry, sunny, 25-26??C Air, 26-44??C Track



Suzuka (JP). The incident packed qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix took almost 90 minutes. The second part of qualifying was red flagged twice and in the end yellow flags played an important role. Nick Heidfeld was the only driver from the BMW Sauber F1 Team to make it into the top ten qualifying. In Q3, which was interrupted by another accident, he improved to sixth. Robert Kubica was 13th fastest in the second part of qualifying.





Nick Heidfeld:

BMW Sauber F1.09-07 / BMW P86/9

Qualifying 6th, 1:32.945 min (3rd Free Practice: 12th, 1:32.736min)

“I’m happy with my qualifying performance. I had a really good lap in Q3. I wasn’t too optimistic for qualifying because in free practice this morning I struggled a bit with the set-up and had to go for a compromise. In Q2 I saw the yellow flags and lifted my foot off the pedal and raised an arm to indicate I had reduced speed where I was required to. I was a couple of tenths slower. Obviously it was a very strange qualifying. I have never known one before with so many accidents and I hope Timo is ok.”



Robert Kubica:

BMW Sauber F1.09-08 / BMW P86/9

Qualifying 13th, 1:32.341 min in Q2 (3rd Free Practice: 17th, 1:32.848 min)

“My qualifying was totally disappointing. All my flying laps in the second session were destroyed by red or yellow flags. In the entire fifteen minutes we were not able to do one quick timed lap. Qualifying for tomorrow’s race in 13th is far from ideal. Suzuka is a fantastic track but overtaking isn’t too easy here. It is how it is. I hope Timo is ok. I wish him all the best.”



Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):

“I have not witnessed a qualifying with five accidents despite perfect weather conditions. First and foremost we hope that Timo Glock has not suffered any serious injuries. Several red flags also influenced our qualifying result. In the second session both Robert and Nick had to cancel their quickest flying lap. Nick narrowly made it into the top ten qualifying, while Robert had to retire after the second session. After the final break during the last qualifying session Nick managed to qualify in sixth. This is a good starting position for tomorrow’s race.”



Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):

“It was an incident packed and almost 90 minutes long qualifying with three red flags. The whole operation was handled without any mistakes by our crew. Nick being sixth is in a good position for tomorrow??s race. We are satisfied with that and well prepared for the race. Robert was unlucky when he had to slow down in his last and decisive run in Q2 due to a yellow flag. He lost some valuable time there. We all hope that Timo is not seriously injured.”

 

[mika]

Japanese GP - Suzuka

independent.co.uk: Glock in serious crash at Japanese GP

Below is Sunday morning's provisional grid for the Japanese Grand Prix with each car's weight. Note - Brawn GP’s Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, Force India’s Adrian Sutil, Renault’s Fernando Alonso were all handed five-place grid penalties for failing to slow adequately under yellow flags. Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi received an identical penalty for impeding other cars and causing a potential hazard to other drivers.

Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi and McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen both have five-place penalties for gearbox changes. Red Bull’s Mark Webber started from the pit lane after swapping to new chassis and hence have no fuel restrictions. Toyota's Timo Glock did not start following his crash in qualifying.

The various penalties were applied in the order in which the corresponding offences were committed.

1. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 658.5kg
2. Jarno Trulli, Toyota, 655.5
3. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 656
4. Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber, 660
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 661
6. Rubens Barrichello, Brawn GP, 660.5
7. Nico Rosberg, Williams, 684.5
8. Adrian Sutil, Force India, 650
9. Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber, 686
10. Jenson Button, Brawn GP, 658.5
11. Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren, 675
12. Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso, 682.5
13. Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso, 665.4
14. Giancarlo Fisichella, Ferrari, 661.5
15. Kazuki Nakajima, Williams, 695.7
16. Fernando Alonso, Renault, 689.5
17. Romain Grosjean, Renault, 691.8
18. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Force India, 682.5
19. Mark Webber, Red Bull, n/a
The penalties in Q3 will result in race strategies that do not correspond with the starting position. This could be very interesting. The other effect is it is very unlikely Jenson Button will be able to clinch the Driver’s Championship in Japan. He needs to beat Barrichello by 5 points to do so. Given their starting positions this is unlikely.

How hungry is the Degner corner today?

The formation lap is done and the field forms up. The lights go green and we are racing at Suzuka.

Kovalainen moves past Kubica for ninth and Button looses a position to Fisichella. Webber started from the pits and pits after the first lap to change tires. ???

Lap 3/53
Button regains his position from Fisichella

Vettel is blasting away from the field.

Webber is back into the pits

Lap 4/53
Button passes Kubica for 10th

Vettel and Hamilton alternate going purple for fast lap. Vettel’s lead is holding at 2 seconds +/- right now

Lap 5/53
Vettel sets another fast lap. His teammate is back on track but is shown a lap down.

Lap 6/53
Webber pits yet again – what’s up?

Vettel’s lead is now 2.6 seconds over Hamilton

Lap 7/53
Vettel sets another fast lap and then starts going purple in the sectors as his next lap begins! His lead is up to 3.3 seconds now.

Kovalainen is under pressure from Sutil. He is holding him off for now but they are very close.

Lap 8/53
Another fast lap for Vettel

Lap 9/53
The Red Bull pits are telling Vettel to cool it a bit in order to maintain their fuel strategy.

Lap 10/53
The points positions currently are Vettel Hamilton Trulli Heidfeld Raikkonen Barrichello Rosberg and Kovalainen. Button is in 10th and Kubica behind him in P11.
Hamilton is 4.4 seconds adrift of Vettel and followed by Trulli a bit over a second latter. Heidfeld in P4 is 5.4 seconds behind Trulli.

Lap 12/53
Buemi pits and goes straight into the garage.

Sutil has to be going nuts. He can not get past Kovalainen. The McLaren is a heavier car running a bigger fuel load. Sutil needs to get past to make his pit strategy work. Here is an example of the impact of the 5 position grid penalty in action. Where would Sutil be if he had not run afoul of the caution flag in qualifying?

Lap 14/53
Sutil pushes to hard again this race. He spins and makes contact with Kovalainen. Button squeezes past those two and into P8. Kubica and Fisichella make it past Sutil but not Kovy.


Lap 16/53
Sutil pits as do others and the first round of stops begins.

Sutil pitted from P 12 and returned in P17. His shunt with Kovy really cost him.

Lap 18
Kubica Fisichella and Button pit.

Lap 19
Vettel pits as does Heidfeld Raikkonen and Barrichello

Vettel returns in the lead. Rosberg is in P2 now but has yet to pit. He is followed by Hamilton Trulli Heidfeld Kovalainen Kubica and Raikkonen. Kovalainen like Rosberg has yet to pit.

Barrichello is shown in P9 and is being pressured for position by Alguersauri.

Button is back in P14.

Lap 23/53
Rosberg pits for what is expected to be his only stop.
Alguersauri pits also.

Rosberg does not change tire compounds so he must be on a skewed two stop plan.

Lap 26/53
Liuzzi pits.

Kubica is now shown in P 5 behind Heidfeld. I thought he had pitted earlier but he is not shown to have stopped

Lap 27/53
Kubica pits from P5. He does not change compounds. He returns to the field in P11.
I am still confused but this is not the first time for that nor will it be the last.

Lap 29/53
The board has Alonso and Grosjean as the only drivers yet to pit. Hamilton is getting pressure from his pit to stretch the gap with Trulli before he makes his last pit stop but to no avail.

Lap 30/53
Grosjean pits

Lap 31/53
Alonso pits as Vettel sets a new fast lap. Vettel must be getting ready to pit. His lead over Hamilton is up to 6.1 seconds.

Lap 33/53
Raikkonen goes purple and sets a new fast lap.

The points positions 1-8 currently are Vettel Hamilton Trulli Heidfeld Raikkonen Barrichello Rosberg and Button.

Button may not be able to tie up the Driver’s title at this pace but Brawn GP could take the Constructor’s Title. Webber is motoring around in P18 a lap down and out of any points that would allow Red Bull to keep that challenge up.

Lap 36/53
Raikkonen’s fast lap heralded his pit stop. We should see the field make their last pit stops over the next few laps. Then the field will settle down into parade order again if nothing happens to break the race monotony err rhythm.

That said Trulli passes Hamilton with pit stops.

Lap 38 Hamilton pitted from P2 giving it up to Trulli and returning in P3.
Lap 39 Trulli pits and one would expect he would return the favor but his pit crew were able to get him in and out quickly and Trulli holds on to P2.

Lap 43
Vettel’s lead at the beginning of this lap 9.1 seconds; he went purple in the first two sectors and set a another fast lap and now is shown 11.7 seconds ahead of Trulli in P2

The field is currently set as
Vettel Trulli Hamilton Rosberg Raikkonen Heidfeld Barrichello Button Kubica Alonso the top ten in order. Rosberg is the only one with another stop to make.

Lap 45
Alguersauri has a shunt and looses a tire bringing out the safety car.

Rosberg pits and returns in P 5 behind Raikkonen.

Lap 47
Radio chatter has Hamilton having problems with his KERS.

Lap 48
Webber makes his FIFTH pit stop for new tires and nose.

Alguersauri was able to get out of his car under his own power and walk away from the accident. Now he is being taken away by stretcher to a waiting ambulance. Precaution or delayed reaction?

Lap 49 the safety car should be in after this lap.

Lap 50
The safety car is off the track and we are back to what passes for racing in F1.

No changes in position as the race restarts and Vettel is quickly out to over a two second lead again.

Lap 51
Traffic is building up behind Barrichello. Button seems fine with sitting behind him but Kubica is pressing Button.

Lap 52
People are poking there noses trying to pass but not very seriously. Things should …
Out of no where Webber, shown 2 laps down currently, sets a new race fast lap.

With that the race comes to an end with Vettel Trulli and Hamilton on the podium. They are followed in order by Raikkonen Rosberg Heidfeld Barrichello Button Kubica Alonso Kovalainen Fisichella Sutil Liuzzi Nakajima Grosjean and Webber. Alguersauri and Buemi are DNFs.

With these results both championships are still in doubt. On to Brazil in two weeks to see if Massa returns and the titles can be settled.

Rumors: Silly Season and More

motorsport-total/business translated: McLaren has an interest in buying BMW’s engine plant?
McLaren’s Whitmarsh denies it but there is a rumor of a potential deal to sell BMW’s engine production to McLaren. McLaren’s relationship with Mercedes has been strained or late in large part due to off track issues. Could McLaren be looking to become an engine supplier for itself and possibly others?

Renault F1 has said it would announce its 2010 driver lineup next week, Blick.ch says it will include Kubica. However; several sources including Flagworld.com are running a story from F1 news group GMM saying he is apprehensive about going to Renault or Toyota and wants a secure future in F1 (what ever that means these days).

 

[mika]

Japanese GP - Suzuka

FIA.com

Race Starting Grid

Race Classifications

Sunday Press Conference

Race Lap Chart
Race Lap Analysis
Race Fastest Laps
Race History Chart
Race Maximum Speeds
Race Pit Stop Summary
Race Sector Times
Race Speed Trap

Stewards Decision ÔÇô Rosberg, no penalty

StewardÔÇÖs Technical Report

Championship Standings
DriverÔÇÖs Championship
ConstructorÔÇÖs Championship

forumula1.net: BMW drive disappointed with race weekend

itv.com: Webber suffers a catalogue of woes

skysports.com: Hamilton rues KERS problems

weather.com: Suzuka, Japan



F1 News

motorsport-total.com translated: Theissen ÔÇô Potential not exhausted

autosport.com: Massa set to test 2007 F1 car [Ferrari.com has it a bit different ÔÇô a GP2 car instead]

motorsport-total.com/business translated: FOTA held meetings at Suzuka that are described as routine. One new idea floated in the meeting and this article is the joint presentation of cars for the new season. In the past teams have held individual media events and release dates ranged from January to the first race being the first appearance of a car.



Rumors: Silly Season and More

motorsport-total.com: Kubica, Theissen silent on severance
Twitter was a twitter with news of an ÔÇÿupdateÔÇÖ to the USF1 website.

 

[mika]

F1 News

All but official
reuters.com: Kubica to join Renault

British tout site f1network.net ran with the story ÔÇô ÔÇ£Kubica to announce Renault deal at 11am CETÔÇØ, then posted this follow up ÔÇô ÔÇÿurl= http://www.f1network.net/main/s491/st150236.htm]ÔÇØAnd now Kubica-Renault announcement delayed?ÔÇØ

reuters.com: Feature ÔÇô Japanese fans little to cheer

skysports.com: Whitmarsh ÔÇô F1 needs America

Rumors: Silly Season and More

Button and Brawn GP having difficulty coming to terms according to motorsport-total.com/business translated

nytimes.com: I have received no motorcycles or F1 cars as a result of any of my posts; dang, now it looks like I wonÔÇÖt either.

 

[mika]

F1 News

ItÔÇÖs official now ÔÇô Renaultf1.com

Robert Kubica joins the Renault F1 Team in 2010

The Renault F1 Team is delighted to announce that Robert Kubica will drive for the team from the 2010 season onwards.

The 24-year-old Polish driver is one of the most highly-rated young drivers in Formula One, who has proved his ability as a race-winning driver and whose aggressive and consistent racing style have seen him as a contender for last yearÔÇÖs driversÔÇÖ title.

Team Principal, Bob Bell, commented: ÔÇ£We are very excited to have signed Robert with the Renault F1 Team starting next season. Ever since Robert made his Grand Prix debut in 2006, he has been on our radar as one of the most naturally talented drivers of his generation and he has delivered on that promise so itÔÇÖs great to have secured him in one of our cars next season. Renault has high ambitions and hopes for the future of the team and we feel that Robert can play a big role in fulfilling them.ÔÇØ

Robert Kubica commented: ÔÇ£I am very happy I will be joining Renault in the 2010 season. I feel I have a special connection with this team because in 2005 I won the World Series by Renault. This gave me the chance to test with the team in Barcelona, which led to my debut in Formula One.ÔÇØ

Robert continued: ÔÇ£I share with Renault a strong winning mentality and feel comfortable with their friendly and open attitude. IÔÇÖm highly motivated and optimistic that together we can be at the front of the grid next year and hopefully fighting for the world title.ÔÇØ

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Thank you and good luck, Robert!
ÔÇó 07.10.2009
ÔÇó Press Release
M??nchen/Hinwil, 07. Oktober 2009. Next season Robert Kubica will be driving for RenaultÔÇÖs Formula One team. The 24 year old Pole and the BMW Sauber F1 Team have agreed on an early termination of their contract.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen said: ÔÇ£Robert played an important role for us ÔÇô and certainly we did the same for him. He joined us in 2006 as a test driver with no Formula One experience, and then we promoted him to be one of our teamÔÇÖs drivers during that season. He never let us down and, with our first pole position in 2008 in Bahrain and first victory the same year in Canada, he set milestones in the history of our team. We are grateful for his strong and constant performances and wish him all the best for his future.ÔÇ£

Kubica himself commented: ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm very thankful to those responsible in the BMW Sauber F1 Team for giving me the chance to get a Formula One cockpit. I think I justified the belief in me by delivering good results. In 2008 I managed to get the first pole position in Bahrain and the first win in Canada. Both will remain unforgettable moments for me. For 2010 I will have a new challenge. I wish everybody I worked with at the BMW Sauber F1 Team all the best for the future. IÔÇÖm sure in the future our paths will cross in Formula One.ÔÇØ

Kubica drove his first Formula One race on the 6th August 2006 in Budapest. He competed in 55 Grand Prix for the BMW Sauber F1 Team, during which he achieved eight podium finishes and collected 129 championship points.

The team that will succeed the current BMW Sauber F1 Team will announce its driver line-up at a later stage.
blick.ch: Are the other teams out to sabotage Hinwil F1? Blick seems to think so.

ferrari.com: Six hours at the simulator for Massa

formula1.com: Marmorini joins Ferrari as head of engine department

skysports.com: Alguersauri impressed with safety

Rumors: Silly Season and More

motorsport.com: Raikkonen wants a new 2010 contract by the end of the season

crash.net: New York could be future F1 venue, Ecclestone reveals.

This is exactly what road racing in America needs! NOT!!!

automot365.com: [Nelson Piquet Jr}No one has been punished more than I have
This story has been floating around for several days. Obviously the young Brazilian does not realize what he and others did was wrong. He endangered peoples lives by intentionally crashing and participated in fraud by participating in the scandal in the first place. He may have been punished but he got off with his life and his license to race. He wonÔÇÖt be racing in F1 anytime soon but he has been fitted for a seat in one of the NASCAR truck series vehicles for 2010 and supposedly has a ride in the NASCAR Cup series for 2011. It ainÔÇÖt F1 but itÔÇÖs a living.

 

[mika]

F1 News

The last race track of the season has been in doubt until now ÔÇô
motorsport.com: FIA gives Abu Dhabi green light for finale

Abu Dhabi could be where Massa makes his return.
guardian.co.uk: Felipe Massa on course for remarkable Ferrari comeback this season

ferrari.com: Another day in the simulator for Massa

Overtaking and aerodynamics ÔÇô
itv.com: Brawn calls for aero clampdown

Qadbak continues to make the press with Hinwil F1 and Notts County FC.
timesonline.co.uk: I have nothing to do with Notts County, says Anwar Shafi

Rumors: Silly Season and More

More stahling and excuses or the real deal?
autosport.com: American driver unlikely for US F1
The real question we are looking for an answer to Mr Windsor is there going to be a US F1 on the grid with any drivers in 2010?
- Related -
autoweek.com: USF! Releases first photos of team facility, answers questions
But does it? This seems to be the same dog an pony show that left German magazine Auto Motor und Sport questioning if the USF1 effort was real, and I hope it is. But the car was suppose to be on the track this month for testing by drivers that where to have been announced in August. No drivers yet and the car wonÔÇÖt be ready for testing until 2010.
- Related ÔÇô
bbc.co.uk: USF1 confident over car progress

formulat1.com: In conversation ÔÇô Bernie Ecclestone and Niki Lauda

Even though he is testing for a NASCAR ride ÔÇô
flagworld.com: Trulli insists ÔÇÿ100pcÔÇÖ committed to F1
I wonder what Ecclestone thinks of about F1 increasingly looking like a farm series for NASCAR?

All involved have proved and continue to prove their non-sense:
motorsport.com: Ecclestone suggests Briatore could prove his innocence.

BriatoreÔÇÖs FIA ban brought his participation as an owner in the English football league into question.
motorsport.com: Briatore to learn football future this weekend

telegraph.co.uk: Nelson Piquet Jnr sets sights on NASCAR pick-up truck series

On the Street ÔÇô

Spiegel has an ongoing (in terms of years) series of articles dealing with present day German icons and their links to the past. BMW has been a subject in the past. Now they turn their eye on another auto company.
speigel.de: PorscheÔÇÖs Past ÔÇô The dark pre history of the worldÔÇÖs favorite sports car

Mercedes TV

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[mika]

F1 News

auto-motor-und-sport.de translated: Qadbak ÔÇô Veto of Williams when it comes to Petronas?

autosport.com: Q&A with US F1ÔÇÖs Ken Anderson

autosport.com: FIA impressed by USF1ÔÇÖs progress

itv.com: Domenicali ÔÇô SauberÔÇÖs future in balance

thisislondon.co.uk: Why Formula One politics are driving reluctant ace Robert Kubica round the bend

motorsport.com: Massa set for medical checks in Paris

ferrari.com: 2000 messages for Felipe
Massa chats with fans online
. I hope that Ill be back soon, but I also know that the best thing is that Im coming back 100% at the start of the next season. My dream would be to race in Abu Dhabi, but the possibility is really, really low He also confirmed that his return might not happen this year.

skysports.com: Manor GP on course

motorsport-total.com: Cosworth ÔÇô reliability and efficiency are trump

flagworld.com: F1 wheel covers to be banned in 2010

timesonline.co.uk: Football League awaits Flavio BriatoreÔÇÖs response before deciding QPR fate

timesonlin.co.uk: Football League plays for time over Leeds United, Notts County [Qadbak] and QPR[Biratore]


Rumors: Silly Season and More

motorsport.com: Report- Williams eye BMW Sauber sponsor Petronas

autoweek.com: Jonathan Summerton gunning for USF1 seat

f1technical.net: Renault to make another change in 2009 driver line-up?

f1sa.com: VW to eye Formula 1 entry only if costs are down
:

BMW TV ÔÇô Milestones BMW 3 15PS

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[mika]

Brazilian GP ÔÇô Interlogos Sao Paulo

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Brazilian Grand Prix - Preview
ÔÇó 09.10.2009
ÔÇó Press Release
16th ÔÇô 18th October 2009
16th of 17 World Championship races

Munich/Hinwil, 9th October 2009. The BMW Sauber F1 Team fell short of its potential at the last two Grands Prix in Asia. The Brazilian GP on 18th October takes place on the challenging Interlagos circuit and provides the next ÔÇô and penultimate ÔÇô chance to score a result that will do justice to the comprehensive development work carried out on the F1.09.

The 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix entered the Formula One history books as a real thriller, with the World Championship literally being decided during the final seconds of the nail-biting last race of the season. There is a good chance that Interlagos will again be the backdrop for the title decisions in 2009.


Robert Kubica:
ÔÇ£Brazil was the season finale in the past years. With Abu Dhabi new on the calendar, the situation is different this year. The Interlagos track is very nice to drive. Especially sector 1 with the first three corners is quite challenging. Turn 1 is blind and therefore it is difficult to find the ideal braking point there. The final sector goes up a huge hill and consists of a couple of left turns.

ÔÇ£In Brazil we drive anti-clockwise, which is physically quite tough as we are used to driving the other way round. If it rains in Interlagos, driving will be very tricky as there is lots of standing water on the track. So IÔÇÖm hoping for good weather.ÔÇØ


Nick Heidfeld:
ÔÇ£Interlagos is a fantastic and very challenging track. Because you drive it in an anti-clockwise direction, it puts a real strain on your neck muscles. The circuit used to be full of horrible bumps. Having it resurfaced before the 2007 Grand Prix made a huge difference, but by 2008 the track wasnÔÇÖt as good. IÔÇÖll be interested to see what kind of condition it is in now.

ÔÇ£In the last two years we had some exciting championship deciders there, with the weather always ready to tip the scales. There could be a repeat in 2009, even though Brazil isnÔÇÖt the final race this time.

ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm in two minds about S?úo Paulo. The churrascarias are really special, and I guess the city has a great deal to offer. On the other hand you hear about all these muggings year after year, which puts you off any major excursions. IÔÇÖm looking forward to seeing Felipe (Massa) in the paddock again.ÔÇØ


Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs the final spurt for the 2009 Formula One season. Brazil marks another traditional circuit on the calendar, whereas in the final race at Abu Dhabi weÔÇÖll all be broaching new territory. While in 2008 the BMW Sauber F1 Team was still in contention for both World Championship titles up to the penultimate race of the season, in 2009 itÔÇÖs a case of making the best of the situation and taking away as many points as we can. The results of the recent Grands Prix show that our development work is bearing fruit: we made it into the points in five consecutive races. Nevertheless, in Singapore and in Japan we fell short of our potential.

ÔÇ£Interlagos is about 800 metres above sea level. Due to the thinner air, all engines lose around eight per cent of their output. This makes the engine wear a little less as the loading on the crank assembly is slightly reduced. That will not only suit our team. Nick will keep running his ninth race engine which was fitted in Singapore, and Robert his eighth also from Singapore. Naturally we want to avoid fitting another new unit, which would mean being relegated ten places on the grid.ÔÇØ


Willy Rampf, Head of Engineering:
ÔÇ£Interlagos is one of very few circuits that are driven anti-clockwise. The key stretch is the middle sector, where itÔÇÖs just one turn after another. Plenty of downforce, good traction and good balance are crucial here. With the carÔÇÖs set-up you also have to allow for the fact that the air is thin because of the altitude and so the engines lose output. In the final sector particularly, with its steep uphill start/finish straight, high engine output is critical.

ÔÇ£Since the track was resurfaced, it has been a lot less bumpy than before. That makes the mechanical set-up of the cars somewhat easier. The weather can play a decisive role in Interlagos with the likelihood of rain at this time of year being pretty high. Heavy rainfall causes rivulets of water on the track, which leads to aquaplaning. After experiencing compromised race weekends in Singapore and Japan, in Brazil we will do everything we can to fully exploit the potential of our heavily modified car and achieve a correspondingly good result.ÔÇØ


History and background:

Interlagos means ÔÇ£between the lakesÔÇØ. Indeed, the once 7.96-kilometre race track used to lie in a picturesque setting outside the boundary of S?úo Paulo. But the city has long since crept right up to the crash barriers. Formula One made its Interlagos debut in 1973, and 2009 marks the 37th Brazilian Grand Prix. In 1978 the Brazilian Grand Prix was staged for the first time at the Jacarepagua track near Rio de Janeiro, which hosted the event ten times in all. Formula One returned to Interlagos in 1990.

Paulista coffee plantations provided the foundation for economic growth in southeast Brazil, with industrialisation in the late 19th century bringing wealth to the region, though it was spread unequally among the population. Today the citizens of S?úo Paulo suffer from acute social disparities ÔÇô grinding poverty and immense wealth exist side by side and levels of crime are high. S?úo Paulo was founded in 1554 and is the capital of the Brazilian state of the same name as well as the countryÔÇÖs financial and trading hub. Population figures can only be guessed at. Eleven million people are estimated to live in the city itself, with 20 million in the wider S?úo Paulo area. The climate is subtropical.

Other Team Priveiws

Mclaren p 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix

Red Bull Racing: 2009 Brazil


weather.com: Sao Paulo

formula1.com: Brazilian GP Preview ÔÇô Team and driver quotes

F1 News

ferrari.com: Fist day of FIAÔÇÖs medical exams for Felipe

bbc.co.uk: Donington facing final deadline

speedtv.com: Monaco date change means Montreal is on

motorsport-magazin.com: Red Bull with Cosworth in 2010?

Rumors: Silly Season and More

f1complet.com: McLaren to help Brawn to secure title?

motorsport.com: [Bruno] Senna set for 2010 Compos seat

As November closes it looks like Toyota is a bigger question mark for 2010.
: Trulli set for a Toyota exit

On the Street

[url= http://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutporsche/pressreleases/pcna/?lang=none&pool=international-de&id=2009-10-06]porshe.com: Profit sharing despite difficult times

 

[mika]

Brazilian GP – Interlagos Sao Paulo

toyota-f1.com: Timo Glock to miss Brazilian GP

f1technical.net: Coulthard’s guide to Interlagos


F1 News

Ferrari.com: Massa – FIA medical exams in Paris concluded

autosport.com: Massa cleared to make testing return

motorsport-magazin.com: The new teams – Campos GP - analysis

Rumors: Silly Season and More

dailyexpress.co.uk: Donington misses out

crash.net: Senna closing on Campos contract?

 

[mika]

Brazilian GP ÔÇô Interlagos Sao Paulo

Toyota-f1.com: Brazil Preview

F1 News

ferrari.com: Felipe back on track [Monday] tomorrow

reuters.com: Massa back on track in F1 car

motorsport.com: Silverstone doesnÔÇÖt want one-off 2010 GP deal

Rumors: Silly Season and More

crash.net: MotoGP style test plan for F1?

Who is going to participate is still an open question.
motorsport.com: Ecclestone admits not all teams will debut

f1sa.com: FIA president Max Mosley warns layers to prepare for his memoirs
What? Is he going to sue us for not reading it?

 

[mika]

F1 News

timesofindia.com: Barichello signs with Williams - Report

motorsport-total.com translated: Heidfeld complains of bad image

auto-motor-und-sport.de: Heidfeld still without a seat for 2010

ferrari.com: 100km for Felipe

autosport.com: Massa feels like old self after F1 test
"When I was inside the car it was as if nothing had happened: I'm the same bastard as before," Massa was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency.

daily express.co.urk: Ecclestone gives Donington more time.
Given Silverstone and Damon Hill’s comments Bernie had to be in a giving mood.

 

[mika]

Brazilian GP ÔÇô Interlagos Sao Paulo

itv.com: Interlagos form card

FIA.com

Brazilian Grand Prix Preview

bridgestonemotorsport.com: Brazilian Grand Prix Prieveiw
formula1.com: Q&A with ToyotaÔÇÖs Pascal Vasselon

ferrari.com: a good circuit for Scuderia

nickheidfeld.com: Two minds about Sao Paulo

F1 News

reuters.com: Williams F1 team to announce new engine partner

toyota-f1.com: Toyota Motorsport con firms the end of the Williams engine supply partnership

crash.net: Renault vows to be aggressive

crash.net: Bell ÔÇô Kubica will help push Renault.

motorsport-total.com: Qadbak ÔÇô there is still no guarantee of takeoff

flagworld.com: UK govÔÇÖt helped Brawn team to survive ÔÇô Nick Fry

Elections for FIA president are coming down to the final wire.
autosport.com: Todt critical of VatanenÔÇÖs FIA campaign

sportbild.de translated: Vatanen wants radical reform of F1

skysports.com: Bernie ÔÇô No Donington extension
ItÔÇÖs the contract. Doningotn is in breach and has two weeks to cure the breach according to the contract. An extension by another name and means still requires Doningotn to come up with the money. I hope they donÔÇÖt. I donÔÇÖt wish them ill just want the British GP to stay at Silverstone and have Donington, are really nice motorcycle track remain just that; a really nice motorcycle track.

telegraph.co.uk: Damon Hill keen for British Grand Prix resolution as Silverstone ÔÇÿwaits in wingsÔÇÖ

Rumors: Silly Season and More

motorsport.com: Rumor ÔÇô Renault set to race in new livery?
The departure of sponsor may have resulted in the need to change the livery scheme of the R29

[url- http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8305961.stm]bbc.co.uk[/url]; Barrichello opens Williams talks

flasgworld.com: Sato eyes F1 race return for 2010

 

[mika]

F1 News

fia.com: FIA President Letter To Member Clubs
15/10/2009
In a letter to all FIA member clubs, councils and commissions, FIA President Max Mosley reflects on his 16-year tenure at the helm of the organisation.

autosport.com: Lotus F1 reveals first shots of new car
Last team on the grid and first of the new teams, that I have seen, to show more than drawings of a car.

motorsport.com: Lotus and Malaysian A1 team may merge

motorsport-aktuell.com translated: USF1 criticized support

reuters.com: Monaco Grand Prix set to move forward a week

formula1.com: McLaren on beating Ferrari, overtaking and the return of tire-only pit stops

bbc.co.uk: Track tweaks ; may aid overtakingÔÇÖ
While he has a point what impact will this have on tracks shared with motorcycle racers? Will motorcycle racing fans be treated ot boring racing as a result of the fat aerodynamic racing cars inability to overtake?

ferrari.com: Massa ÔÇô ÔÇ£Singapore ÔÇô Enough ÔÇô LetÔÇÖs look aheadÔÇØ

telegraph.co.uk: FIA presidency battle erupts into new row as keaked emails show support for Jean Todt

f1complet.com: Vatanen thrown out of FIA meeting

motorsport.com: FIA officials lobby for Todt

Rumors: Silly Season and More

auto-motor-und-sport.com: Red Bull flirts with Cosworth

f1complete.com: Klien claims 2010 talks with three teams

On the Street

porsche.com: Open up the new collector calendar
PM and I will tell you where to send the Appointment Diary to me for Christmas.


autoblog.it: New BMW Series 1 M Coupe?

 

[mika]

Brazilian GP – Interlagos Sao Paulo


FIA.com

Stewards: Henry Krausz, Roger Pert, Filipe Giaggone

Preview

Thursday Press Conference

F1 News

crash.net: Windsor plays down Cosworth ‘scandal’

 

[mika]

Brazilian GP ÔÇô Interlagos Sao Paulo


FIA.com

Session 1 Classifications
Session 2 Classification

Stewards reprimand Nakajima for impeding

Friday Press Conference
DRIVERS AND TEAM PRINCIPALS: Stefano DOMENICALI (Ferrari), Lewis HAMILTON
(McLaren Mercedes), Felipe MASSA (Ferrari), Martin WHITMARSH (McLaren Mercedes)

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Brazilian Grand Prix - Practice
ÔÇó 16.10.2009
ÔÇó Press Release

Weather: Occasional light rain, 18-20??C Air, 22-27??C Track

Interlagos (BR). The first two free practice sessions for the Brazilian Grand Prix were held in inconsistent weather conditions with periods of light drizzle in both sessions. For the BMW Sauber F1 Team the day went without any technical problems. Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld reported progress in terms of car balance and set-up in the afternoon, but were still not happy.


Robert Kubica:
BMW Sauber F1.09-08 / BMW P86/9
1st Free Practice: 14th, 1:13.563 min / 2nd Free Practice: 12th, 1:12.862 min
ÔÇ£Today, we tried different downforce levels and completed some long runs in preparation for the race. However, it was very difficult to get reliable results because on several occasions it was drizzling, and the conditions were changing frequently during the two sessions.ÔÇØ


Nick Heidfeld:
BMW Sauber F1.09-07 / BMW P86/9
1st Free Practice: 12th, 1:13.464 min / 2nd Free Practice: 15th, 1:12.948 min
ÔÇ£We changed the car a lot after the first session when it really wasnÔÇÖt good at all. The changes definitely meant an improvement, but the balance isnÔÇÖt yet as I would like it to be. We still have some work to do. The track is better than expected, so I canÔÇÖt complain about any changes for the worse since last year. There are still bumps, of course, but nothing to worry about.ÔÇØ


Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):
ÔÇ£As far as the track conditions are concerned, this was a mixed Friday for all teams. Again and again light rain falling made the set-up work difficult. We concentrated on race preparation and drove with different aerodynamic configurations. For tomorrow we will concentrate on qualifying. There is still work to do.ÔÇØ


formula1.com: Interlogos set up guide

formula1.com: Selected team and driver quotes

autosport.com: Button says qualifying not critical

bbc.co.uk: Button warned about playing it safe

automot365.fom: BMW duo not happy

independent.co.uk Webber primed to help Vettel title bid

reuters.com: Massa finds it hard to be a spectator

F1 News

f1network.net: BMW Sauber pushing to get 2010 slot, Campos not struggling

Rumors: Silly Season and More

automoto365.com: Kubica to get storng teammate for 2010

itv-f1.com: Kubica ÔÇô Renault move was easy decision

This falls under its own silly season ÔÇô
fia.com: Press release ÔÇô FIA calls for honest and open election campaign

f1.complete.com: Vatanen starts legal action against FIA

On the Street

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