Bench Racing: 2009 Formula One Thread

[mika]

Brazilian GP ÔÇô Interlagos Sao Paulo


FIA.com ÔÇô Saturday sessions have been delayed due to rain. Weather conditions have grounded the medical helicopter and as a result the racing action has been grounded too.

guardian.co.uk: What Jenson Button needs to win title

telegraph.co.uk: Jenson Button shouldnÔÇÖt be defensive says McLaren boss


F1 News

f1complete.com: ÔÇ£The hole is impressiveÔÇØ ÔÇô Massa
The FIA gave Filipe Massa his damaged helmet back upon his return to the Interlagos paddock.

Spiegel.de translated: I wonder what happened

Rumors: Silly Season and More

bbc.co.uk: Senna close to securing F1 drive

motorsport.com: Piquet [Snr] looking for work for his ousted son

crash.net: Gascoyne ÔÇô Lotus F1 challenge ÔÇÿuniqueÔÇÖ

 

[mika]

Brazilian GP ÔÇô Interlagos Sao Paulo


FIA.com

The rain delayed practice session did get underway almost 45 minutes after it was scheduled to start. Seven minutes into the session the red flag came out when Grosjean aquaplaned across the track and went into a tire barrier. The session never restarted.

There is no information on how or if this will impact qualifying.

weather.com: Sao Paulo, Brazil

 

[mika]

Brazilian GP ÔÇô Interlagos Sao Paulo

Be careful what you wish for you may get it a day early!

Several story lines for this weekend had Jenson Button wishing for a wet race. What he got was a wet qualifying that lasted almost three hours and resulted in his teammate Barrichello taking the pole. Errors on Button and Brawn GPÔÇÖs part have the would be champion in P14 on the grid. The only bright spot is Vettel his other title rival is behind him in P16.

Button may still get his wish. The forecast for Sunday in Sao Paulo is for showers in the morning turning into a steady rain as the day progresses. Assuming the race starts it could be determined in a rain shortened race. The resulting race story line could read along these lines. Brazilian GP ends early giving Ruben Barrichello the victory. Barrichello sprinted to an early lead which he maintained as the rest of the field did a NASCAR imitation in the rain. After multiple deployments of the safety car the race was finally red flagged.

We will see what Sunday really brings.

FIA.com

Saturday Press Conference
DRIVERS:
1. Rubens BARRICHELLO (Brawn GP), 1m19.576s
2. Mark WEBBER (Red Bull), 1m19.668s
3. Adrian SUTIL (Force India), 1m19.912s

Saturday Practice
Classifications
Lap Times

Qualifying
Classifications
Lap Times
Maximum Speeds
Sector Times
Speed Trap

Stewards actions: Reprimand to Trulli for impeding

Car Weights

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Brazilian Grand Prix - Qualifying
ÔÇó 17.10.2009
ÔÇó Press Release
Weather: rain in practice and qualifying, 17??C Air, 18??C Track

Interlagos (BR). After a wet qualifying session lasting two hours and 42 minutes the Brazilian crowd cheered local hero Rubens Barrichello for his pole position. The BMW Sauber F1 Team was left rather unhappy. Both drivers ended up below expectations in qualifying. While Robert Kubica made it into Q3 and finished eighth, Nick Heidfeld was already out in Q1, mainly because the ride height proved to be too low for the amount of water on the track.


Robert Kubica:
BMW Sauber F1.09-08 / BMW P86/9
Qualifying 8th, 1:20.631 min in Q3 (3rd Free Practice: 19th, 1:29.895 min)
ÔÇ£The conditions in this qualifying were really difficult. At one point there was so much water on the track that the car was almost undriveable. Fortunately, after the break, the conditions were a little better. We are running relatively low downforce, which was obviously delicate in these conditions. To my surprise, the car was quite competitive when it was very wet, and it was somewhat more difficult to drive with less water. I had too much understeer. The car is set up for a dry track, so we have to see what the weather will be like tomorrow.ÔÇØ


Nick Heidfeld:
BMW Sauber F1.09-07 / BMW P86/9
Qualifying 19th, 1:25.515 min in Q1 (3rd Free Practice: 9th, 1:24.867min)
ÔÇ£Of course it is very annoying to be out in Q1, but I simply had no chance. We certainly knew it would rain in qualifying and we put our ride height up, but it wasnÔÇÖt enough given the amount of water on the track. In a Formula One car you donÔÇÖt only get aquaplaning problems from the tyres, but also with the plank. ThatÔÇÖs not driving anymore, that is swimming. At the end of Q1 when I had changed to fresh tyres the conditions turned from bad to worse, which didnÔÇÖt help either.ÔÇØ


Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
ÔÇ£Just like two weeks ago in Suzuka, Qualifying in Sao Paulo was again dominated by the weather. This was especially the case for the first and second parts of Qualifying. Nick was stuck in traffic at the same time Robert set his fastest lap. After that the conditions got worse, so he finally got stuck in Q1. For Robert everything went according to plan ÔÇô up to his last attempt with intermediates. In the decisive run he lost time from turn seven, so he ended up eighth. Today more would have been possible.ÔÇØ


Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):
ÔÇ£After qualifying in Suzuka lasted more than 90 minutes, there was another chaotic Saturday in Sao Paulo. First the third free practice was almost washed away by the water. Following this, qualifying had to be stopped several times and lasted for almost three hours. Nick was unfortunate to get stuck in Q1. Robert was one of the top contenders in Q1 and Q2, and also in Q3 things looked good until his last run. But after a good first sector on his final run he lost time and ended up eighth. Today, a position in the first two rows of the grid would have been possible.ÔÇØ

Brazilian Qualifying:
AT&T Williams F1
Ferrari
Renault
McLaren
Red Bull
Toro Rossi
Toyota F1


Formula1.com
Barrichello raises to the Brazilian challenge
Sebastian Vettel ÔÇô People have won from this far back before

bbc.co.uk: Button bid hit hard by qualifying flop

reuters.com: Button says he needs a hell of a race

speedtv.com: Barrichello tops wet and wild qualifying in Brazil

weather.com: Sao Paulo, Brazil


Rumors: Silly Season and More

fia.com: FIA integrity

Amazing - these guys get paid big bucks for this nonesense.

 

[mika]

Brazilian GP ÔÇô Interlagos Sao Paulo

FIA.com

Post Race Press Conference

DriverÔÇÖs Championship
ConstructorÔÇÖs Championship

Starting Grid
Classifications
Lap Chart
Lap Analysis
Fast Laps
Race History Chart
Maximum Speed
Pit Stop Summary
Sector Times
Trap Speeds


Stewards
Technical Report
Document 45: Kovalainen /Fisichella incident ÔÇô no action
Document 47: Trulli/Sutil incident ÔÇô no action
Trulli reprimanded and fined $10,000 for behavior
Document 48: McLaren fined $50,000 and Kovalainen penalized 25 seconds for pit violation
The FIA did hold a press conference with Jenson Button after the normal post race press conference. Text of that press conference have yet to be released.
Brawn GP secured the 2009 FIA Formula One ConstructorsÔÇÖ Championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos today with Jenson Button driving a superb race from 14th position on the grid to a fifth place finish to wrap up the DriversÔÇÖ Championship with one race of the season to go.

Team-mate Rubens Barrichello started his home race from pole position after an excellent performance in SaturdayÔÇÖs rain-delayed qualifying session but finished in eighth position after a late puncture forced an unscheduled trip to the pits and dropped him back to eighth place.

Brawn GP secured the ConstructorsÔÇÖ Championship with 161 points with Jenson winning the DriversÔÇÖ Championship with 89 points and Rubens in third position with 72 points with the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi to take place on 1 November.

RESULTS

Drivers Car No. Chassis No. Race Result / Fastest Lap
Jenson Button 22 BGP 001-02 P5 01:14.353
Rubens Barrichello 23 BGP 001-03 P8 01:13.950

Weather Dry and warm
Temperatures Air: 24-28??C Track: 30-42??C

JENSON BUTTON
ÔÇ£Today was the best race that IÔÇÖve driven in my career and IÔÇÖm really going to enjoy this moment. For the team to win the ConstructorsÔÇÖ and the Drivers Championships here is just fantastic and they deserve it so very much after all the difficult times that we all went through over the winter. This season has been a rollercoaster ride from the elation of the wins at the start to the hard graft in the second half of the season which has seen us grind out the results needed to take the titles. We have to say a huge thank you to Norbert Haug and Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines for all of the support that they have given us over the year. Without their commitment and faith in the team, and the fantastic engine that they have provided, we would not have been able to achieve the success that we have today. The list of people that I have to thank personally is too long to mention but they all know who they are and how much their support has meant to me over the years. To everyone back at the factory in Brackley, thank you for all of your hard work and for producing such a fantastic car. ItÔÇÖs going to take a while to sink in but for now IÔÇÖm just reveling in the achievement of a lifelong dream. ItÔÇÖs going to be one hell of a party tonight!ÔÇØ

RUBENS BARRICHELLO
ÔÇ£Whilst I am obviously disappointed with the result today, I have to be pleased with our year at Brawn GP. We really have a great car and a great team and it has truly been an amazing year when you consider the situation that we were in just before the start of the season. IÔÇÖm truly pleased for Jenson as a friend and he is a great champion. We have a fantastic relationship working together and that has really shown through this year. Well done to him. It was a true fight and I fought really hard but he really won it in the first half of the season. The team have been superb this year and they thoroughly deserve to win both the ConstructorsÔÇÖ and DriversÔÇÖ Championships today. WeÔÇÖre going to have a great night together and IÔÇÖm pleased to have played my part in securing the ConstructorsÔÇÖ title for the team.ÔÇØ

ROSS BRAWN
ÔÇ£What a day! I am so incredibly proud of the team and our drivers and itÔÇÖs so very special to have won the ConstructorsÔÇÖ and the DriversÔÇÖ Championships in our first year as Brawn GP. The second half of the year has been tough after such a successful start but getting the results in the difficult times is what counts in a Championship season. ItÔÇÖs really going to take a while for what we have achieved today to sink in. Jenson is a fantastic racer and he had a great race today, particularly after such a difficult qualifying yesterday. He knew what he had to do and did just that and is a very deserving World Champion. Rubens has made a fantastic contribution to this season without which we could not have won the ConstructorsÔÇÖ Championship today. The spirit in which our two drivers have fought for the Championship makes me very proud. They have been a credit to the team and our sport. The work and the commitment that the team showed over the winter and throughout this season really has been sensational. We would like to take this opportunity to say our thanks to Mercedes-Benz who have been a fantastic partner for our team and have integrated incredibly well this season. Their contribution to our success, and the support of McLaren gave us over the winter and at beginning of season, has enabled us to be in the position that we are in today. I hope that everyone at the factory in Brackley and at Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines in Brackley, is very proud of what we have achieved today. I also want to thank everyone who has worked with the team over the years that couldnÔÇÖt be with us this season as we had to resize the team at the start of the season. My sincere thanks go out to them because they worked so hard and should feel a part of our success.ÔÇØ


BMW Sauber F1 Team - Brazilian Grand Prix - Race
ÔÇó 18.10.2009
ÔÇó Press Release
Weather: dry, 25-28??C Air, 31-41??C Track


Interlagos (BR). In an electric and action packed Brazilian Grand Prix the BMW Sauber F1 Team earned its second trophy this season. Robert Kubica managed to come second in the race after starting from only eighth. Nick Heidfeld improved in his first stint from 18th to tenth, but then retired after his first pit stop because the fuel rig didnÔÇÖt work and let him run dry. The eight points scored in the penultimate race of the season has put the BMW Sauber F1 Team ahead of Renault in the ConstructorsÔÇÖ World Championship to seventh. The BMW Sauber F1 Team wants to congratulate Jenson Button and Brawn GP for the Championship titles.

Robert Kubica: 2nd
BMW Sauber F1.09-08 / BMW P86/9
Fastest lap 1: 14.155 min on lap 38 (4th fastest overall)
ÔÇ£The basis for todayÔÇÖs result was laid yesterday when we decided to take a gamble and drive the wet qualifying with a low-downforce set-up. This went well in Q1, but was difficult in Q3. Although some people were disappointed with eighth place yesterday, I was quite pleased. Today we had a good and consistent pace. I was surprised at the beginning that it was quite easy to follow Rubens Barrichello and Mark Webber. But I had to reduce the engine revs after about 15 laps because the water temperature was too high, and I had to avoid the tow of the guys in front of me. After my first pit stop I was unlucky because I got stuck behind four cars. At that stage Mark was able to increase the gap. This is a great result in a difficult season, and I really hope that I will see this team on the grid next year.ÔÇØ

Nick Heidfeld: DNF (retired after 21 laps with no fuel)
BMW Sauber F1.09-07 / BMW P86/9
Fastest lap 1:14.988 min on lap 19 (15th fastest overall)
ÔÇ£My start wasnÔÇÖt perfect but I saw there were very tight fights and decided it was better to stay clear of trouble. Then straight away there were crashes in turn two and at the exit of turn five. I was able to overtake a couple of cars, and among them was Romain Grosjean who didnÔÇÖt really play fair. I was worried I could lose my front wing then. After I had left him behind me I closed the gap to Sebastian Vettel but could not overtake him. Then I was due for my first pit stop. I wondered how quick the car was and soon I received the call to save fuel and to save more fuel, but it was too late. I ran dry in turn 8. At least it is good that the team has something to be happy about today.ÔÇØ

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
ÔÇ£First of all congratulations to Jenson Button and Brawn GP for having won both the DriversÔÇÖ and the ConstructorsÔÇÖ World Championships. But today we also have some reason to be happy. Robert put in a strong performance without the slightest mistake. He was the only one on track who could keep up with the speed of the front runner over the entire race distance. His second place is a well deserved reward for the intensive work and the efforts of the last weeks. For the entire team it is important to achieve a top result at the end of that difficult season. I want to thank every single team member for that. Unfortunately the fuel rig didnÔÇÖt work at NickÔÇÖs pit stop. Up to then he also drove a strong race. Our second podium finish this season saw us move up one position in the ConstructorsÔÇÖ Championship. We want to keep that momentum for the final race in Abu Dhabi.ÔÇØ

Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):
"That was a first class performance from Robert. He was consistently fast and without any mistakes. A great compliment and thank you to him and the entire team. We really earned this second place on the podium in our penultimate race. The risk to set the car up for dry race conditions during the wet qualifying session on Saturday paid off. Unfortunately Nick had a problem with the fuel rig, which did not work and was responsible for his early exit. Congratulations to Jenson Button and BrawnGP for winning two World Championships."

Brazilian GP ÔÇô Other teams
Williams
Ferrari
Renault-F1
McLaren
Red Bull Racing
Suderia Toro Rosso
Toyota ÔÇô F1
Force India F1


F1 News

bridgestonemotorsport.com: Webber wins as Button takes title in Brazilian Grand Prix

bbc.co.uk: Button savours dream world title

reuters.com: Button and Brawn celebrate title doubleutton wins Formula 1 World Championship ÔÇô Key moments

crash.net: Raikkonen ÔÇô My eyes were burning

telegraph.co.uk: Jenson B

motorsport-total.com/business translated: Lloyds on board with Manor

Rumors: Silly Season and More

dailyexpress.co.uk: Briatore bids to have ban quashed

 

[mika]

F1 News

itv.com: ButtonÔÇÖs ten year journey to the top

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As promised, this weekend Williams announced their engine choice for 2010.
autosport.com: Williams to use Cosworth engines in 2010

bridgestonemotorsport.com: Tides of change as Bridgestone enters F1


Rumors: Silly Season and More

independent.co.uk: Button eager to secure future after title glory

With the F1 DriverÔÇÖs and ConstructorÔÇÖs Championships having been won by Button and Brawn GP the news this week will dither between analysis of ButtonÔÇÖs worthiness as WeltMeister and the FIA elections to be held on Friday.

The Wee Scott is speaking out again ÔÇô
crash.net: Stewart ÔÇô Wrong for Mosley and Ecclestone to support Todt

f1technical.net: Nelson Piquet Jnr. On Campos short list

As expected -
reuters.com: Update ÔÇô Briatore files legal action against ban

Congratulations to Jenson Button and Brawn GP on their championships.

Button takes the 2009 Formula 1 DriverÔÇÖs Championship and starts a new silly season. This version of the silly season is filled with stories analyzing why or why not Jenson Button is a worthy F1 champion. What utter none sense in a sport that has not made much sense this year to begin with.

The sport itself enters the last throws of its silly season with FridayÔÇÖs election of a new FIA president. The press will be filled with last minute stories from all sides as the decision on who will run the FIA, most likely, for the next decade will be made.

I will leave both stories to other media. Coming out of the Brazilian race weekend there were three drivers that really impressed me.

Lewis Hamilton: HamiltonÔÇÖs 2009 season did not go as planed by a long shot. The 2008 World Champion had a car that did not work in the first part of the season and a press corps following his every move and questioning his right to the championship role. Over the season he matured and rose to occasion. The car improved and he leaves Brazil with a podium finish. If Button needs a model on how to handle the upcoming press scrutiny he would do well to look at how Hamilton handled the past year.

Robert Kubica: The quiet Pole went quietly about his business in Brazil and had a very respectable finish as a result. As I look at pictures of him on the podium I can not help but wonder how the season would have gone if he and Vettel had not started the season by crashing in Melbourne. Speculation aside, this was an impressive result for the quiet Pole and Team Hinwil F1. I wish him well at Renault and hope Team Hinwil F1 has the chance to take the track again.

Sebastian Vettel: The smiling German was very dismissive as the press asked him how he felt finishing in second place in the DriverÔÇÖs Championship as Button took the title. His comments were very Vince Lombardi in nature and less than gracious. I admit I am a fan of Vettel and as such I was a bit uneasy with how he responded. Fans never like to see the dark side of their favorites. Yet it shows there is a grit to the smiling side. I think we are seeing a future champion take the next step.

 

[mika]

F1 News

autosport.com: Williams ÔÇô Fourteen teams not viable

auto-motor-und-sport.de: [BMW-Sauber F1] The most important race of the season

blick.ch: Why, with a second place finish in Brazil, is there no place for Hinwil F1?

forumula1.net: Williams U-turn signals the end of KERS

It must be a devil to drive to have this admission from Ferrari
f1complete.com: Domenaceli ÔÇô Not drivers fault the car is hard to drive

Rumors: Silly Season and More

bbc.co.uk: Toyota await Raikkonen decision

This is beyond belief.
motorpsort.com: SennaÔÇÖs death was good for F1 - Ecclestone

telegrpah.co.uk: Flavio BriatoreÔÇÖs future with QPR depends on FIA ruling on lifetime ban

skysports.com: Briatore goes to court
He gets Nov 24th as his decision date

 

[mika]

F1 News

F1 fans may want to add this to their Santa wish list –
telegraph.co.uk: The Daily Telegraph Book of Formula One

grandprix.com: Did you realize?


Rumors: Silly Season and More

The making of the legend of a new champion
independent.co.uk: Button reveals paying his way at Brawn

f1technical.net: Raikkonen too expensive for Toyota admits Howett

f1sa.com: Nick Heidfeld in line for McLaren Formula 1 seat
I am not certain Heidfeld is “the most under rated driver in F1” as Whitmarsh is quoted as saying, but he has been poorly managed at BMW Sauber F1.

In past seasons I have openly wished he would be dumped by the team. At one point I started digging into his sector times and other statistics and found out they weren’t that bad. Point in fact last year they were better than Hamilton and Massa’s on many tracks. So why wasn’t he up front with them?

In this and past seasons I have been critical of BMW Suaber’s qualifying strategy. For years they have waited until almost half the time in a qualifying session is gone before turning a wheel. This is the F1 version of having the chair behind the dealer as the betting on a hand begins. You have the advantage of seeing what everyone else is thinks before you have to play and bet your hand openly. But this is F1 and not poker and the strategy has not worked well.

After years of poker qualifying strategy BMW Sauber has changed chairs in the last few races. In at least one qualifying session Kubica was the first to turn a wheel and Heidfeld was right behind him. Both drivers have responded well and their performances have been impressive. Heidfeld has been aggressive all racing weekend. If he had not suffered the car failure this past weekend it is not inconceivable that there could have been both Kubica and Heidfeld could have been on the podium.

The most under rated driver? I still have my doubts about that but Heidfeld is a driver that other teams should be looking at to sign. That is if they are willing to be aggressive in how they manage him.

bbc.co..uk: Branson coy on Virgin F1 future
Branson has always struck me as something of an adventuresome carpetbagger. Branson’s closing comments about Honda and its importance to Brawn GP’s success this year are out of character for my rather two dimensional view of his involvement in F1. I still think of him as a carpetbagger in this sport but perhaps have underestimated his depth. I suspect that is a common occurrence and a contributing part to his success in general.

f1technical.net: Loeb not to make F1 debut in Abu Dhabi

autoweek.com: Raikkonen holds the key to the F1 driver market

autoweek.com: Schumacher refuses to rule out a comeback

Press Release
FIA Election
20/10/2009
Following today’s meeting to agree procedures for the upcoming FIA elections, Ari Vatanen has withdrawn his court application.

At the meeting, chaired by FIA President Max Mosley, both candidates endorsed the fairness of the FIA’s proposed voting procedure. The following elements of the procedure were confirmed:

- The presidential elections will be supervised by a Huissier de Justice throughout the entire procedure.

- There will be a private voting area for marking ballot papers available for those voters who would like to use it.

- Each candidate, along with their speakers in support, will be given an opportunity to present their case to the General Assembly for a maximum of 15 minutes. Mr Todt and his team will take the floor first.


Press Release
FIA General Assembly - Information
20/10/2009
Composition

The FIA General Assembly is composed of the representatives (Delegates) of FIA Member Clubs, Associations or Federations.

Any Member Club unable to send a Delegate can be represented by another Club. However, no Club is allowed to accept more than one proxy. Votes by correspondence are not accepted.

Voting

Votes for the new FIA President can be cast only by Full Members with completed annual registrations.

Clubs with both sporting and mobility competence receive two votes each. Clubs with one of either sporting or mobility competence receive one vote.

A country can have more than one Mobility Club, in which case they have to agree on their vote. Should they fail to agree or reach a majority decision, a blank vote will be cast. There is generally only one Sports Club from each country with sporting competence.

The outcome is decided by an absolute majority of the total number of votes. An absolute majority is made up of at least half plus one of the votes which could be cast at the General Assembly. If there is no absolute majority, a second round of voting will take place, with the outcome decided by a simple majority of votes.

Procedure

For the FIA President election, each delegate will put their vote into the ballot box under the supervision of a Huissier de Justice (French court official).

The votes will be counted in private by the FIA legal department, under the supervision of scrutineers proposed by the two presidential candidates and designated by the General Assembly. The entire procedure will be overseen by the Huissier de Justice.

The number and share of votes cast will be counted and announced during the meeting. After the count is completed, the Huissier will keep the ballot papers sequestered for a period of 12 months


]url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/6390811/Ari-Vatanen-denies-FIA-claims-of-backdown-over-presidency-elections.html]telegraph.co.uk[/url]: Ari Vatanen denies FIA claims of backdown over presidency elections

flagworld.com: US F2000 National Championship is being revived
The U.S. F2000 National Championship is structured to be an entry-level step for drivers striving to reach the top ranks of open-wheel racing

 

[mika]

F1 News

auto-motor-und-sport.de translated: Toyota driver Timo Glock ÔÇô ÔÇ£On Tuesday I decide whether IÔÇÖm goingÔÇØ

telegraph.co.uk: ButtonÔÇÖs Brawn future in doubt after contract talks stall
Others are upset at Brawn GP.

Rumors: Silly Season and More

f1network.net: Concorde Agreement article to guarantee Sauber/Qadbak a shot in 2010 grid?

motorsport.com: Renault to sell team and remain as engine supplier? - Report

auto-motor-und-sport.de translated: More doubts over USF1!
Monthly contracts???

Then this ÔÇô
speedtv.com: USF1 Keen on Busch for 2011 drive
2011? What happened to 2010? This is really beginning to smell like a long con.

itv.com: McLaren to decide drivers over winter

autosport.com: Howett - Kobyashi a contender for 2010

After failing to get a Super License ÔÇô
itv.com: Loeb admits another F1 chance unlikely

f1complete.com: Standardized KERS for 2011?

crash.net: Vatanen ÔÇô the world does not revolve around the FIA

FIA.com

Press Release
World Motor Sport Council
21/10/2009
The World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on 21 October 2009. The following decisions were taken:


FORMULA ONE

The Monaco Grand Prix has been moved forward one week to 16 May. The FIA has approved in principle a proposal to swap the dates of the Abu Dhabi and Brazilian grands prix, pending agreement with the promoters of both events.

The FIA is expecting confirmation from Formula One Management about the
grands prix in Canada and Britain shortly.

The latest calendar is below. The final calendar will be adopted at the December meeting of the WMSC.

2010 FIA Formula One World Championship

14/3 BRN Bahrain
28/3 AUS Australia
4/4 MAL Malaysia
18/4 CN China
9/5 E Spain
16/5 MC Monaco
30/5 TR Turkey
13/6 CDN Canada**
27/6 E Europe (Valencia)
11/7 GB Great Britain*
25/7 D Germany
1/8 H Hungary
29/8 B Belgium
12/9 I Italy
26/9 SGP Singapore
3/10 J Japan
17/10 ROK Korea*
31/10ÔÇá UAE Abu Dhabi*
14/11ÔÇá BR Brazil

*Subject to the homologation of the circuit.
**Subject to the completion of contract negotiations with Formula One Management.
ÔÇáThe FIA has approved in principle a proposal to swap the dates of the Abu Dhabi and Brazil grands prix, pending agreement with the promoters of both events.


ENVIRONMENT

The WMSC adopted the proposal put forward by the Environmentally Sustainable Motor Sport Commission (ESMSC) that future motor sport competition should be efficiency-based rather than capacity-based.

The ESMSC also put forward a number of other policy proposals concerning fuels, carbon neutrality, technology promotion, best practice, driver aids and safety, which have been formally endorsed and adopted.

Click here to read the full report from the ESMSC.


RALLYING

From 1 January 2010, a Junior Rally Championship will be created within the framework of the Middle East Rally Championship.


KARTING

Following the creation of a new Karting World Championship for 15 to 18 year old drivers and of a CIK-FIA Academy for 13 to 15 year old drivers, the first season will consist of three events ending on 25 July, 29 August and 3 October 2010.

Each event will run over three days. The Friday will involve sporting and technical checks, an education programme and non-qualifying practice. Saturday will involve non-qualifying practice, qualifying practice and heats. Sunday will involve warm-ups, qualifying heats and the final phase.

For the World Championship, the new final phase format will have two pre-finals (one with a reversed grid) to determine the starting grid for the final.
Total has won the tender to be the single fuel supplier to the CIK-FIA Superkart Championships in 2010 and 2011.

DellÔÇÖOrto has won the tender to be the carburetor supplier to the CIK-FIA Championships (Categories KZ1, KZ2) in 2010, 2011 and 2012.


CALENDAR

2010 FIA World Rally Championship

10 - 14/2 S Swedish Rally
3 - 7/3 MEX Rally Mexico
31/3 - 4/4 HKJ Jordan Rally
14 - 18/4 TR Rally of Turkey
5 - 9/5 NZ Rally of New Zealand
26 - 30/5 P Rallye de Portugal
7 - 10/7 BG Bulgaria Rally
28/7 - 1/8 FIN Rally Finland
18 - 22/8 D Rallye Deutschland
8 - 12/9 J Rally Japan
29/9 - 3/10 F Rallye de France
20 - 24/10 E Rally Catalunya-Costa Daurada Rally De Espa??a
10 - 14/11 GB Rally of Great Britain


2010 FIA Production Car World Rally Championship
10 - 14/2 S Swedish Rally
3 - 7/3 MEX Rally Mexico
31/3 - 4/4 HKJ Jordan Rally
5 - 9/5 NZ Rally of New Zealand
28/7 - 1/8 FIN Rally Finland
18 - 22/8 D Rallye Deutschland
8 - 12/9 J Rally Japan
29/9 - 3/10 F Rallye de France
10 - 14/11 GB Rally of Great Britain

Note: Six out of nine events count towards championship, including at least two outside Europe.

2010 FIA Junior World Rally Championship

14 - 18/4 TR Rally of Turkey
26 - 30/5 P Rallye de Portugal
7 - 10/7 BG Bulgaria Rally
18 - 22/8 D Rallye Deutschland
29/9 - 3/10 F Rallye de France
20 - 24/10 E Rally Catalunya-Costa Daurada Rally De Espa??a

Note: Five out of six events count towards championship.

FIA World Rally Championship Cup (for S2000 teams)

10 - 14/2 S Swedish Rally
3 - 7/3 MEX Rally Mexico
31/3 - 4/4 HKJ Jordan Rally
5 - 9/5 NZ Rally of New Zealand
26 - 30/5 P Rallye de Portugal
28/7 - 1/8 FIN Rally Finland
18 - 22/8 D Rallye Deutschland
8 - 12/9 J Rally Japan
29/9 - 3/10 F Rallye de France
10 - 14/11 GB Rally of Great Britain

Note: Seven out of 10 events to count towards championship, including at least two outside Europe.

2010 FIA World Touring Car Championship

7/3 BR Curitiba
11/4 MEX Puebla
2/5 MA Marrakech
23/5 I TBC
20/6 B Zolder
4/7 P Algarve
18/7 GB Brands Hatch
1/8 CZ Brno
5/9 D Oschersleben
9/9 E Valencia Ricardo Tormo
31/10 J Okayama
21/11 MO Macau


2010 FIA GT1 World Championship

4/4 UAE Yas Marina**
18/4 ZA South Africa*
2/5 GB Silverstone Supercar 2010
16/5 CZ Brno
30/5 F Paul Ricard
4/7 CDN Canada*
1/8 B Total 24H of Spa-Francorchamps*
29/8 D N??rburgring*
12/9 P Circuito Algarve
3/10 H Budapest*
14/11 CN China*
28/11 BR Brazil*

*Subject to the ASN's confirmation
**Subject to the homologation of the circuit.

2010 FIA Formula 2 Championship

18/4 GB Silverstone*
2/5 MA Marrakech
30/5 I Monza
20/6 B Zolder
4/7 P Algarve
18/7 GB Brands Hatch*
1/8 CZ Brno
5/9 D Oschersleben
19/9 E Valencia

*Subject to the ASN's confirmation

The WMSC also adopted 2010 calendars for a number of other FIA series including the FIA GT3 European Championship, FIA European Truck Racing Championship, FIA European Rally Championship, FIA African Rally Championship, FIA Middle East Rally Championship and FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship


On the Street

acea.be: European Automobile ManufacturerÔÇÖs Association ÔÇô The Future of the Automobile

 

[mika]

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Preview
ÔÇó 23.10.2009
ÔÇó Press Release
30th October ÔÇô 1st November 2009
17th and final World Championship race


Munich/Hinwil, 23rd October 2009. The 17th and final race of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship will take place on 1st November with the maiden grand prix at the new Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The whole of the Formula One community is looking forward to sampling the new venue on the calendar, as anticipation builds ahead of the debut of Formula One at the track. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will also be the first time the drivers will have started a race in daylight and finished it after dark.

While the destiny of the driversÔÇÖ and constructorsÔÇÖ titles has now been decided, further back in the field much can change. The BMW Sauber F1 Team moved up to seventh in the ConstructorsÔÇÖ Championship through Robert KubicaÔÇÖs second place in Brazil, and can still snatch sixth position from Williams ÔÇô the British team is currently 2.5 points ahead in the standings ÔÇô with the right result in Abu Dhabi.

The final race weekend of 2009 will also bring the curtain down on the BMW Sauber F1 TeamÔÇÖs involvement in Formula One. On 29th July BMW announced that it would be pulling out of Formula One at the end of the season, although the Swiss arm of the team under Peter Sauber is still hoping to line up on the grid in 2010.


Robert Kubica:
ÔÇ£I have not been to the Abu Dhabi circuit so far. As we do not have a simulator I only know the track from the Internet and from a couple of presentations. The track looks very interesting. The facilities and the buildings around the circuit especially seem to be outstanding. However, before having done the first laps on the track with a Formula One car, it is really difficult to judge the circuit itself. But of course I know this situation from the past. In 2008 both Valencia and Singapore were new on the calendar. Fortunately I consider myself a driver who does not need a lot of track time to be on a good pace straight away. I guess that a lot of cars will be out on the track on Friday in order to understand the track and to learn as much as possible. I am really looking forward to going there. It will be my last race for this team, but I hope very much to see them on the grid again next year.ÔÇØ

Nick Heidfeld:
ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm very pleased to be getting another taste of summer and will be flying out to Abu Dhabi a few days early with my family. IÔÇÖm really excited about the new circuit. Everyone whoÔÇÖs been there already has described it as an incredible place. I think itÔÇÖs always great to discover a new track. I havenÔÇÖt found the lack of a simulator to be a disadvantage at other new circuits, and this way itÔÇÖs even more exciting when you drive out of the garage for the first time.

ÔÇ£This will be a very special race for all of us in the team. So far I havenÔÇÖt really had that feeling of saying goodbye. But that will change in Abu Dhabi for sure, and will probably be quite intense. I very much hope that the team is given a place on the grid for 2010 soon.ÔÇØ


Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director:
ÔÇ£We will travel to Abu Dhabi with mixed feelings. The eight points we collected in Brazil have allowed us to move up a place in the ConstructorsÔÇÖ Championship, and we will be highly motivated once again at the final race of the season. We are looking forward to racing at the new Formula One venue and canÔÇÖt wait to experience the atmosphere at the marina circuit.

ÔÇ£However, there will of course also be a fair amount of sadness within the team as we set off for Abu Dhabi. After all, this will be our 70th and final race with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

ÔÇ£With the exception of our fourth and unfortunately final season, IÔÇÖm more than satisfied with what we have achieved since 2006. In the first three years after the team was founded, we met ÔÇô and even exceeded ÔÇô all the aims we set ourselves. We recorded two podium finishes in our first season on the grid, and in our second season we established ourselves as the third-strongest team in the championship. This was the year in which Robert suffered his horrific crash in Montreal. It felt like an eternity until we finally heard the good news that he was ok. The relief meant we were able to celebrate NickÔÇÖs second place in suitable style. It was in Montreal a year later that we enjoyed our greatest success. From the moment that Robert and Nick crossed the finish line in quick succession to record a 1-2 result, there was no stopping us. We remained part of a three-way battle for the title almost until the end of the season. We notched up 11 podium finishes in total in 2008 and our reliability was excellent.

ÔÇ£Of course, the whole team is disappointed that we have been unable to build on this success in 2009, as we had hoped to have a say in the title race. But we have never thrown in the towel, even after BMW announced its withdrawal from Formula One, which shows the strong character of our team. I hope that the successor to the BMW Sauber F1 Team will continue along this successful path in Formula One.ÔÇØ


Willy Rampf, Head of Engineering:
ÔÇ£I always find it exciting to compete at a new venue. The circuit in Abu Dhabi has a whole series of predominantly slow and medium-speed corners, but also two very long straights. Since the track is also very wide, we can probably look forward to a lot of overtaking moves.

ÔÇ£Of course, we have carried out the usual simulations, but one significant unknown is how the tyres will respond on the new asphalt. We will only discover the answer to this question during the course of the weekend. The ambient temperatures are sure to play a major role. Although the race is not scheduled to start until 5.00 pm, we can still expect the outside air temperature to be well over 30 degrees Celsius.

ÔÇ£Brazil was the first race in which weÔÇÖve been able to fully exploit the potential of the car since the extensive package of modifications were introduced in Singapore, and weÔÇÖre also expecting to have a strong race in Abu Dhabi. WeÔÇÖll be pulling out all the stops to finish the season on a positive note.ÔÇØ


Background:

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and the largest of the seven Emirates. Local etiquette dictates that public displays of affection between adults are not permitted ÔÇô holding hands is even punishable by law for married couples and can result in imprisonment. Licenses for the sale of alcohol are only granted to hotel restaurants and drunkenness is punished. On Friday, the holy day, shops have restricted opening times. When it comes to tips, taxi drivers will expect customers to round up the fare, while ten percent is normal for waiters.

The Yas Marina Circuit on the man-made Yas Island sets out to overshadow everything that has gone before. The facility spans over 160 hectares in total, with the paddock ÔÇô which backs onto the harbour ÔÇô occupying 40,000 square metres.

The circuit can claim to be the only venue on the calendar where all the grandstands are covered, and 50,000 spectators can enjoy the race from the shade. The 60-metre-tall Sun Tower, which is powered by solar energy, is reserved for guests of honour. The facility also encompasses a driving school, a drag racing centre, a karting centre, a business park and a five-star hotel with 500 rooms. The press centre is designed to accommodate 600 journalists and photographers.

weather.com: Abu Dhabi

F1 News

dailyepress.co.uk: Donington Grand Prix dream over

autocar.co.uk: ButtonÔÇÖs Veyron for sale again

Election Day at the FIA

Autosport.com
Election day analysis
Q&A with Ari Vatanen
Q&A with Jean Todt

bbc.co.uk: FIA poised to elect new president

crash.net: Todt accuses Vatanen of hypocrisy as election fever grows

Spiegel.de translated: Ari Vatanen profile ÔÇô Always full pipe on the road

reuters.com: Controversial Mosley era to end with Paris vote

independent.co.uk: Jackie Stewart ÔÇô Untoppable Scot put his foot down

Rumors: Silly Season and More

automot365.com: McLaren courting Button to join Hamilton?
Related
guardian.co.uk: McLaren fail to rule out signing Jenson Button


USF1

motorsport-total.com translated: Hurley planning for the long term

Hinwil F1

itv.com: Domencali - Sauber deserves an entry

 

[mika]

Press Release
FIA Elects New President 23/10/2009
Jean Todt has been elected President of the FIA for a four-year term by the FIA General Assembly at its annual meeting in Paris.



The FIA membership voted as follows:



For Jean Todt: 135
For Ari Vatanen: 49
Abstentions/invalid votes: 12



Voting in the General Assembly was made by secret ballot. The votes were counted in private by the FIA legal department, under the supervision of scrutineers proposed by the two presidential candidates and designated by the General Assembly.



The entire voting procedure was supervised by an external Huissier de Justice (French state-appointed public witness).



The following were also elected as part of Mr TodtÔÇÖs candidacy list:



President of the Senate
Nick Craw, President, Automobile Competition Committee for the US (USA)



Deputy President Automobile Mobility & Tourism
Brian Gibbons, Chief Executive, New Zealand Automobile Association (New Zealand)


Deputy President Sport
Graham Stoker, Council Chairman, Motor Sports Association (UK)


Senate Members

Hernan Gallegos Banderas, President, Automovil Club del Ecuador (Ecuador)

HH Tunku Mudzaffar bin Tunku Mustapha, Chairman, Automobile Association of Malaysia (Malaysia)

S.H. Rudolf Graf von der Schulenburg, President, Automobilclub von Deutschland (Germany)

Carlos Slim Domit, Patron, Asociaci??n Mexicana Automovilistica (Mexico)

Jainchang Yan, Deputy President, Federation of Automobile Sports of China (China)



Mobility Vice Presidents

Carlos Barbosa, President, Automovel Club de Portugal (Portugal)

Victor Dumot, President, Touring and Automobile Club of Paraguay (Paraguay)

Ignacio Gonzalez Fausto, President, Asociaci??n Mexicana Automovilistica (Mexico)

Gus Lagman, President, Automobile Association Philippines (Philippines)

Franco Lucchesi, Delegate to the FIA, Automobile Club dÔÇÖItalia (Italy)

Jorge Rosales, President, Automobile Club of Argentina (Argentina)

Danijel Starman, President, Avto-moto zveza Slovenije (Slovenia)



Sport Vice Presidents

Jos?® Abed, President, Organizacion Mexicana del Deporte Automovilistico Internacional (Mexico)

Michel Boeri, President, Automobile Club de Monaco (Monaco)

Morrie Chandler, Honorary President, MotorSport New Zealand (New Zealand)

Enrico Gelpi, President, Automobile Club d'Italia (Italy)

Carlos Gracia, President, Real Federaci??n Espa??ola de Automovilismo (Spain)

Mohamed ben Sulayem, President, Automobile and Touring Club for United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Surinder Thatthi, Automobile Association of Tanzania (Tanzania)

 

[mika]

F1 News

autosport.com: Todt wants harmony with F1ÔÇÖs teams

Press Release - FIA Elections
Date:
23 October, 2009

FOTA welcomes Jean Todt to the FIA Presidency

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) today congratulated Jean Todt on his victory in the FIA presidential election, and welcomed him to his new position.
Speaking after the result of the election had been announced in Paris, FOTA Chairman Luca di Montezemolo said: "I would like to send my best wishes to Jean Todt in his new role, as I have always appreciated his ability, dedication and commitment. I am sure that, under his guidance, the Federation will be rejuvenated and will restore a climate open to dialogue and constructive collaboration with the teams and FOTA, thus ensuring stability of the regulations and the whole environmentÔÇØ.

ÔÇ£Formula One is about to embark on a new phase: all the stakeholders must work together with an eye to the future, to increase the credibility and interest generated by this sport, tackling the technical and environmental challenges that await it, while keeping unchanged, those characteristics that have made it one of the most popular disciplines on the world stageÔÇØ.

FOTA Vice Chairman John Howett added: ÔÇØI extend my best wishes to Jean Todt as he takes on this demanding but crucial role. I am convinced that Jean TodtÔÇÖs presidency represents an opportunity for all Formula OneÔÇÖs stakeholders to unite under his leadership and work together to strengthen our sport. FOTA is looking forward to supporting him to broaden the appeal of our sport among fans and sponsors while respecting Formula OneÔÇÖs great heritage to which he has contributed enormously.ÔÇØ

spiegel.de translated: FIA boss Todt ÔÇô Napoleon at the head
f1sa.com: Peter Sauber angry new Formula 1 teams ÔÇÿdisturebedÔÇÖ Sauber plans


Rumors: Silly Season and More

automoto365.com: If itÔÇÖs money you want, we donÔÇÖt want you says Haug

usatoday.com: One-on-one with USF1ÔÇÖs internet whiz Chad Hurley

autoweek.com: Kyle Busch unlikely to join USF1

Now an advisor to the Queen?
crash.net: Ecclestone calls for Ross Brawn to be knighted
Related articles at ÔÇô
dailyexpress.co.uk

At the same time Bernie is saying ÔÇô
telegraph.co.uk: Formula One does not need a British Grand Prix
Perhaps the sport does not need a Bernie Ecclestone either.

 

[mika]

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

formula1.com: Theissen in a reflective mood ahead of BMWÔÇÖs final race FIA.com

Official Media Kit ÔÇô 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

formula1.com: Facts and figures ÔÇô Abu Dhabi the Yas Marina Circuit

attwilliamsf1.com: Abu Dhabi GP preview

nickheidfeld.com: Tires a significant unknown

Toyota.com
Abu Dhabi GP preview
Technical Preview
Kamui Koboyashi to compete in Abu Dhabi

bbc.co.uk: Glock not ÔÇÿriskedÔÇÖ for F1 finale
Weather.com: Abu Dhabi

F1 News

motorsport-magazin.com translated: Behind the scene with Renault F1 ÔÇô Loud music and lots of screens

eveningstandard.com: Alonso sad to say goodbye to Renault

reuters.com: Ecclestone seeking deal with Silverstone

guardian.co.uk: Damon Hill seeks new Silverstone F1 deal as Donington hopes fade

The Daily Express asked ÔÇ£Do we need a British Grand PrixÔÇØ in a headline from last Friday. My answer is yes. The British GP has been held at three different locations over the years, but for over two decades it has been held at Silverstone. F1 needs new tracks like Abu Dhabi and new fans in order to continue to exist. Yet to give context to the racing and the developments in the sport it needs bench mark tracks like Silverstone. The Daily Express article suggests that Bernie EcclestoneÔÇÖs answer to the question is no and proceeds to lay out the reasons why. After reading the article I wondered does F1 racing really need Bernie Ecclestone? My answer is no.

Rumors: Silly Season and More

f1complete.com: USF1 denies Cosworth termination rumors

speedtv.com: USF1 looks to grow, flourish in NASCAR valley

Speed has given another pass to Windsor and USF1 in this piece instead of doing the hard reporting F1 fans and cable subscribers deserve from them as F1 broadcasters. There are serious questions being asked about the viability of USF1 and Speed has done little but rehash and pontificate with disclaimers and invoking jingoist fever instead of doing any motor journalism.
- There is no price cap for 2010. So why all the ink discussing price caps and their implications?
- Engines have been rev-limited for years and continue to be so what is this balderdash unlimited rev engines? Again the rule being discussed was eliminated long ago, in F1 terms, during the FOTA Wars. Come on Speed, keep up!
- Cosworth engines have been at the heart of the new team deals and USF1 from the beginning. Yet in all this time all Speed does is to rehash old rumors and press releases.
- The article closes with a focus on an FIA article quote. I can get the FIA article and quote and I am just a schlep fan doing a thread on a motorcycle web forum. Where is the reporting in that?

The USF1 story, real or a big con job, is the biggest stories in US motor racing for years. Yet what we have gotten from Speed is pabulum in its reporting. They have done nothing that an overfed underpaid Roadster rider from fly-over-land with an internet connection could do.

It is time for the boys to get off the Speed F1 set and do some digging. North Carolina is in the US not someplace on the other side of the world. ItÔÇÖs a bloody domestic flight. Heck if the Speed budget wonÔÇÖt handle a flight drive or take a bus. Telling us how early the Porsche club in ____ got up to watch your race coverage is not reporting. Talk to people at Cosworth and find out what the deal is. Talk to them on the record, off the record or on deep cover. Go to NC and visit the Krispy Kreme or Dunkin Donut outside the USF1 shop and start asking questions. Then start following the leads. Track down suppliers and vendors and ask questions. Search the public record. Heck use the racing contacts that you supposedly have for more than filling cable hours with what you have.

Sorry Speed TV I expect more than you have delivered. This is why you have been black flagged in my house.

At the same time rumors continue that McLaren and Mercedes are separating
sportbild.de: McLaren and Mercedes about to separate?

motorsport.com: Haug downplays reports of Merc talks

aut-motor-und-sport.de: Nico Rosber ÔÇô I alone lead the negotiations

 

[mika]

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Circuit Map
Circuit Information

Stewards Hermann Tomczyk, Enzo Spano, Khaled Bin Shaiban Al Mehairi

2009 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
THURSDAY PRESS CONFERENCE ÔÇô October 29, 2009

DRIVERS:
Fernando ALONSO (Renault),
Kimi R?äIKK?ûNEN (Ferrari),
Adrian SUTIL (Force India),
Jarno TRULLI (Toyota)

Weather.com: Abu Dhabi

F1 News

formula1.com: Rosberg confirms Williams departure

autosport.com: Raikkonen says McLaren the only option

f1technical.net: Renault Glock deal 95% certain

timesofindia.com: Senna signs F1 deal with Campos

speedtv.com: 2010 grid becoming clearer

reuters.com: Trulli and Sutil keep old argument on the boil

blick.ch: A farewell without tears


On the Street

BMW Group establishes joint venture with SGL Group
ÔÇó 29.10.2009
ÔÇó Press Release
Cooperation for the manufacture and processing of carbon fibres for new vehicle concepts

Munich/Wiesbaden. The BMW Group and the SGL Group have agreed on the establishment of a joint venture for the production of carbon fibres and textile semi-finished products (CFRP) for use in vehicle construction. The total investment volume is Ôé¼ 90 million in the first development phase, the two companies stated on Thursday.

The joint venture will be operated through two companies, one based in North America (SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers LLC), and the other in Germany (SGL Automotive Fibers GmbH & Co KG). The BMW Group holds 49% of the shares, and the SGL Group 51%. The two groups will be equally represented in the management of the two companies; major corporate decisions must be made unanimously by both partners. The joint venture will initially create around 180 new jobs in North America and Germany. Its establishment is subject to approval by the cartel authorities.

"This joint venture is designed to be a classic win-win situation. We are acquiring pioneering future technologies and raw materials that we need for our Megacity Vehicle on competitive terms. The SGL Group is moving into the automobile business with us as a strong partner", BMW AG Management Board Chairman Norbert Reithofer emphasised in Munich. "With our concepts within project i, we are breaking new ground when it comes to vehicle architecture, lightweight design and the use of materials", Reithofer continued.

Robert Koehler, CEO of the SGL Group, stated: "This joint venture with the BMW Group is a milestone for the use of carbon fibres on an industrial scale in the automobile industry. For the first time, carbon fibres are taking on an important role in series vehicle manufacture. This confirms our strategy and shows that carbon fibre technology is becoming increasingly important in the materials substitution process to lighter material. This material will help to reduce CO2 emissions and save our natural resourcesÔÇ£.

Lightweight design has been one of the core skills of the BMW Group for decades ÔÇô after all, reducing weight is a major factor in cutting fuel consumption. In the use of high-tech Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), the company is also able to draw on its many years of experience. CFRP not only plays an important role in motor sports; the material is also used in series vehicles, such as in the roof of the BMW M6 Coup?®.

In the Megacity Vehicle, which will be launched under a BMW sub-brand in the first half of the next decade, the high-strength yet ultra-light material will make up a significant proportion of the materials used. The combination of the advanced CFRP fibres developed by the SGL Group and the BMW Group's expertise in the industrial manufacture of CFRP components is making it possible, for the first time, to install CFRP on a large scale in a series vehicle at a competitive cost.

With the joint venture, the BMW Group is underlining its position as the most sustainable vehicle manufacturer. This claim is reflected throughout the entire value creation chain, from component purchasing to recycling. Producing CFRP in a way that protects resources is therefore a high priority. The high energy requirement for the production of carbon fibres is to be met completely by environmentally friendly hydropower. This is one of the preconditions for the production site of carbon fibres in North America. The raw material is then processed into a carbon fibre fabric at the second location in Germany. Parts and components will then be made from this light-weight durable fabric within the BMW Group.

 

[mika]

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Friday Practice
Session 1
Classifications
Lap Times

Session 2
Classifications
Lap times


bbc.co.uk: Kovalainen top as McLaren shine
Weather.com: Abu Dhabi

17 years after winning the World Championship in 1983, BMW returned to Formula One as an engine supplier. The BMW WilliamsF1 Team celebrated ten victories, 17 pole positions and 45 podium finishes ...
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F1 News

formula1.com
: Q&A with Nick Heidfeld

formula1.com: Q&A Robert Kubica – I am happy my future lies with Renault

cosworth.com: Press release confirming the signing of ATT Williams
autosport.com: Williams confirms switch to Cosworth

f1complete.com: Formula 1 driver salaries revealed

reuters.com: Malaysia’s Lotus F1 team appoint CEO

reuters.com: USF1 team to use Spanish circuit as European base


Rumors: Silly Season and More

Kovalainen tops Friday practice while the rumor mill debates who will fill his seat next year.

Kimi Raikkonen says McLaren is his only option discounting rumors that he will sign with Toyota. Concurrently the Finn has said he will continue to drive in WRC events when ever possible no matter who he signs with.

Of late the leading candidate is Jenson Button. Negotiations with Brawn GP have been put on hold. This week the Brawn – Nick Fry – Button signing meter has gone from 99% to a cool 80%. At the same time pieces from Reuters and others keep popping up reporting Hamilton says he would be happy to partner with Button.

In Italy the news has to be going down hard. Sales at Ferrari are down. The potential for a big chunk of the reduced revenues going to park Raikkonen in the paddock to put Alonso on the track grow.

 

[mika]

FIA.com

Press Conferences
Friday
TEAM PRINCIPALS: Bob BELL (Renault), Ross BRAWN (Brawn GP), Christian HORNER (Red Bull), Mario THEISSEN (BMW Sauber)

Saturday
DRIVERS:
1. Lewis HAMILTON (McLaren Mercedes), 1m40.948s
2. Sebastian VETTEL (Red Bull), 1m41.615s
3. Mark WEBBER (Red Bull), 1m41.726s

Qualifying
Classifications
Note: The grid is provisional. Kovalainen received a 5 position penalty for a gear box change. There are other possible changes.
Lap Times
Maximum Speeds
Sector Times
Speed Trap

Car Weights

Formula1.com

Selected team and driver quotes

Reuters.com: Hamilton on pole for first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Autosport.com: Button frustrated by Q3 problems

BMW Sauber pair Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld comment on qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina
Robert Kubica ÔÇô 7th:
Unfortunately I missed yesterday's second free practice session. As a result I had no experience of the track conditions at this time of day. The conditions were completely different compared to the third free practice session. The lower temperatures had quite a big effect on the car's balance. In the end qualifying in seventh is quite ok and I am optimistic that we can fight for points tomorrow.

Nick Heidfeld ÔÇô 8th:
I think my eighth position is alright. On the last lap there was a small chance to improve, but I had traffic with Mark Webber in front of me, and anyway there is no guarantee this lap would have been faster. If I take the fuel load into account, I'm happy with my grid position although I only really know the fuel load for our cars. The tyres seem to last here remarkably well, which means it could pay off if you stay out for longer. The light from the setting sun was a bit brighter than yesterday, but the circuit is built in such a way that you have to deal with it in only one corner, which anyway is flat. For our last race tomorrow I hope for all of us we can achieve a good result with points for both cars.

Mario Theissen, BMW motorsport director:
The outcome of qualifying is more or less what we expected. It was good to see both our cars made it quite safely into the top ten. In the final part of qualifying the field was very close together again. However we ended seventh and eighth. Now it will be important to see when the first pit stops will take place. Technically today everything went without any problems.

Willy Rampf, head of engineering:
For our team it was a qualifying without any special excitement. Our result reflects quite accurately where we stand with our performance. As early as Q1 it was clear we had a very good chance to make it into Q3, and that finally happened. With the fuel load our drivers have on board we should be able to score a good result in the last race for the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

 

[mika]

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

FIA.com

Press Conference
POST-RACE PRESS CONFERENCE – November 1, 2009
1. Sebastian VETTEL (Red Bull), 1h34m03.414s
2. Mark WEBBER (Red Bull), 1h34m21.271s
3. Jenson BUTTON (Brawn), 1h34m21.881s

Starting Grid
Race Classifications

Lap Chart
Lap Analysis
Fastest Lap
History Chart
Maximum Speeds
Pit Stop Summary
Sector Times
Speed Trap
Drivers Championship
Constructors Championship

Stewards Technical Report

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Race
• 01.11.2009
• Press Release
Weather: dry, 30-31??C Air, 31-34??C Track


Abu Dhabi (UAE). Happy end to the last race for the BMW Sauber F1 Team: After a great race, Nick Heidfeld finished the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in fifth. With these four points the team was able to move up one place in the constructors’ championship and overtake Williams to finish sixth. Robert Kubica was also on the way to score a championship point before he spun in a battle with S?®bastien Buemi.

As a thank you for Nick Heidfeld’s seven years of great commitment to the team in Hinwil Peter Sauber is giving him a Formula One car from this era. The 2009 season's finale also marks the last Formula One race for BMW after the company's decision at the end of July to pull out of this sport. In the team’s four year history the BMW Sauber F1 Team collected 308 world championship points, one pole position and 17 podiums, including one win. (The following pages outline a timeline of the team's achievements.)

Nick Heidfeld: 5th
BMW Sauber F1.09-07 / BMW P86/9
Fastest lap: 1:40.672 min on lap 54 (7th fastest overall)
“I am very happy with my fifth place. It was a good race in which I was able to get the maximum out of the car and score four points, which was enough to reach our target for the end of the season to overtake Williams in the constructors’ championship. After I have been a little unlucky in recent races, this time I was really able to exploit the car’s potential. For quite a long period I was able to go at the same speed as the world champion’s car, the Brawn. The strategy to go for a rather long stint paid off and the track was even more fun when it had more rubber on it. It is a pleasing end to our last season together. It now becomes very emotional. During the last laps I had to pull myself together in order to keep my concentration.”

Robert Kubica: 10th
BMW Sauber F1.09-08 / BMW P86/9
Fastest lap: 1:40.924 min on lap 54 (14th fastest overall)
“I lost the race in the second stint when I was very slow, while in the first stint I was able to go at quite a good pace, similar to Rubens. The car was working very well. After changing tyres I had no grip at all. The track was getting quicker and I just could not go at the pace of the other drivers. This was very strange. My fight with S?®bastien Buemi was quite tough and a bit dangerous. We nearly touched when braking into the chicane. He first moved to the left and blocked the inside of the left hander. When I moved to the right he pushed me over the high inside kerb of the right hander section of the chicane and I spun. He did not leave any space at all. Thanks a lot to the team for the last four years. I hope to meet them back on the grid next year.”

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director):
“That was once again a strong weekend for our team in the season??s finale. Starting from eighth Nick consistently moved up to fifth thanks to a very good performance. Robert was unlucky three times during the race: After each pit stop he came back on the track behind a slower car, and due to the collision with Buemi he lost one position. But the most important point is that with today??s result we gained another place in the constructors’ championship. So we ended a very tough season with some strong results. A big thank you goes to the whole team - both here at the track as well as in Munich and Hinwil.”

Willy Rampf (Head of Engineering):
“Our goal today was to score three points more than Williams and overtake them in the constructors’ championship. This goal was achieved thanks to Nick’s great drive and his fifth place. The race was very interesting from a strategic point of view because a one stopper was exactly as quick as two. Therefore the decisive part was at the second pit stop where it was decided who was in front of who. The race was so close today, so it was an absolute must not to make any mistake at all. I want to express my respect for the team in Munich and Hinwil who never lost motivation and continued to push very hard. They all did a fantastic job and deserve this result.”


Abu Dhabi, 1st November 2009


Thank you!

BMW says thank you –
to its partners for their backing,
to the fans for their enthusiastic support,
to its rivals for their respect,
to the drivers for their sheer focus,
to the team for its collective achievement,
and to the media for their fairness.


Timeline.

16th/17th January 2006: The BMW Sauber F1 Team presents itself to the public in Valencia. The BMW Sauber F1.06 has its first track outing. The team drivers are Nick Heidfeld (DE) and Jacques Villeneuve (CA), the test and reserve driver is Robert Kubica (PL).

12th March 2006: The BMW Sauber F1 Team lines up in Bahrain for its first GP.

19th March 2006: The team wins its first World Championship points in the second race of the season when Villeneuve finishes seventh in Malaysia.

2nd April 2006: The third GP sees both drivers finish in the points for the first time. In Australia Heidfeld is fourth, Villeneuve sixth.

6th August 2006: Heidfeld takes the first podium place in the team’s 13th World Championship race. Kubica runs his first Formula One race in Budapest.

25th August 2006: Sebastian Vettel (DE/19) is made Friday driver in the third F1.06 with immediate effect.

October 2006: The wind tunnel in Hinwil runs on three shifts. A year previously it had been on one daily shift.

22nd October 2006: The BMW Sauber F1 Team ends its debut year in fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship (36 points).

16th January 2007: Presentation of the BMW Sauber F1.07 in Valencia. Heidfeld and Kubica continue as team drivers, Vettel remains reserve driver, Timo Glock (DE) is taken on as second test driver.

10th June 2007: In Canada Heidfeld earns the team’s first second-placed finish. Kubica survives a serious accident virtually unhurt.

17th June 2007: Vettel stands in for Kubica in Indianapolis and gains his first World Championship point.

21st October 2007: The BMW Sauber F1 Team concludes its second season with 101 points as the third-strongest team. Officially it is in second place (after disqualification of McLaren Mercedes).

End of 2007: The extension at Hinwil is ready for occupation and accommodates a workforce boosted by 150.

14th January 2008: The BMW Sauber F1.08 is unveiled at BMW Welt in Munich. Kubica and Heidfeld continue as the team drivers.

2nd February 2008: Christian Klien (AT) and Marko Asmer (EE) are announced as reserve driver and second test driver respectively.

23rd March 2008: Heidfeld records the team’s first fastest race lap in Malaysia.

5th April 2008: Kubica wins the BMW Sauber F1 Team’s first pole position in Bahrain.

6th April 2008: After the Bahrain Grand Prix – the third race of the season – the team leads the World Championship for the first time.

8th June 2008: Kubica crosses the line ahead of Heidfeld in Montreal to claim the first win for the BMW Sauber F1 Team in their 42nd GP. The Polish driver now leads the Drivers’ Championship.

2nd November 2008: After a mixed second half of the season, the team has 136 points and 11 podiums to place it third in the World Championship. The drivers conclude the season in 4th (Kubica) and 6th (Heidfeld) position.

20th January 2009: The F1.09 is unveiled in Valencia. Kubica, Heidfeld and Klien are on board once again. The economic recession makes for generally low-key presentations.

29th July 2009: The BMW Group announces its withdrawal from F1 at the end of the season. The freed-up resources are to flow into the development of new drive technologies and projects promoting sustainability.

15th September 2009: BMW AG announces the sale of the team to Qadbak Investments Ltd.

1st November 2009: The BMW Sauber F1 Team contests its 70th and final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.


• The best results for the Sauber Team as a solo venture (1993-2005) were six third places.

• With Brabham, BMW took eight wins in the period 1982 to 1985. The final victory with the legendary turbo engine was in 1986 with Benetton. During the Williams era (2000 to 2005) the total was ten wins.

• In 1983 Nelson Piquet (Brabham BMW) won the Drivers’ Championship. Prior to the BMW Sauber F1 Team era, BMW had totalled 19 Grand Prix wins and 33 pole positions.

Weather.com: Abu Dhabi

 

[kewlmoose]

Mika - Thank you for all the posts! It made it a lot easier to keep up on what was happening.

 

[mika]

You're welcome.

ATT Williams just announced its 2010 driver lineup.

The AT&T Williams team today confirmed that its drivers for 2010 will be Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg.

Frank Williams, Team Principal, said, "Rubens needs no introduction. He is not only the most experienced driver in Formula One, but a passionate and talented driver who fought hard for the Drivers' Championship this year. Nico Hulkenberg won the GP2 Championship this season as a rookie and has previously won the F3 Euroseries, Formula Masters, A1 GP and Formula BMW Germany.ÔÇØ

He continued, "Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima remain our drivers until the end of 2009 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their contribution to the team. Nico and Kazuki have represented AT&T Williams and our partners with dedication, discipline and skill and we wish them every success with their future endeavours."

 

[PAULBACH]

This would have made a great tavern topic but ...

Is this another Big Brother step? Not sure but some of these may be in some American cars.

From Mika's post today.

THE European Union is drawing up plans for aircraft-style black box recorders to be fitted to all cars to help the police identify who is responsible for crashes.

A ?ú2.4m, three-year study commissioned by the European commissionÔÇÖs transport arm has recommended the mandatory installation of the boxes in all cars. They will record 20 types of data, including speed, the carÔÇÖs most recent movements and whether the driver braked or indicated.

The information will be used by police and insurance firms to reconstruct crashes and determine who was at fault. It could then be used in court cases. Insurers would be able to expose bogus claimants by checking their account of an accident against what really happened.

Researchers believe the technology will improve safety. The study, called Project Veronica, found drivers with black boxes were 10% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident, and their repair bills fell by as much as 25%.

For more information click here.

 

[kewlmoose]

And this has what to do with F1 racing????????????

This would have made a great tavern topic but ...

Is this another Big Brother step? Not sure but some of these may be in some American cars.