For the first time since 2000, a Formula One car other than a Ferrari bears the coveted number one on its nose cone. Fernando Alonso has already been behind the wheel of the R26 this year, but today saw the formal presentation of the car complete with its 2006 colour scheme. Speculation is rife that, … Continue reading R26 ready for Renault’s title defence
Month: January 2006 articles archive
Google video of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost’s final encounter – in karts!
Posted onGoogle’s excellent new video search feature includes a 13-minute clip from the Eurosport satellite television channel of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost (and other contemporary Formula One drivers) racing karts in December 1993. The video shows what would be one of – if not the – final battles between the two great rivals before Senna’s … Continue reading Google video of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost’s final encounter – in karts!
Williams promise wins with FW28
Posted onThe Williams-Cosworth FW28 revealed at grove today is good enough to win races claims Patrick Head, echoing the teams confident stance throughout winter testing despite the loss of engine partner BMW. Curiously the FW28’s dark blue-and-white paint scheme appears like an inverse of BMW’s white-and-blue car, but it’s the aerodynamic detailed shrouded in the colours … Continue reading Williams promise wins with FW28
Super Aguri get green light from FIA
Posted onReports of Super Aguri’s demise proved unfounded as the FIA announced that the team can participate in the 2006 season. The Formula One entry list therefore grows to more than ten teams for the first time since 2002. Takuma Sato has been tipped to drive plus one of four other drivers, of which the favourite … Continue reading Super Aguri get green light from FIA
Ferrari reveal 248 F1
2006 F1 season
Posted onSpies had already snapped the 248 F1 lapping Fiorano ahead of today’s launch, leading Autosport to comment on how much the new Ferrari appears to have borrowed from rivals Renault, Toyota and McLaren. The 248 F1 marks another change in nomenclature from Ferrari, who used the F200X series from 2000. ‘248’ denotes the 2.4-litre engine … Continue reading Ferrari reveal 248 F1
Ferrari shun blue-chip sponsors for fags & booze
Posted onHaving lost Vodafone to McLaren for 2006, Ferrari have signed a deal with new sponsors Martini. The team are pushing the angle that Martini have a long historic association with motor sport (particularly rallying). But the true significance of the deal is that it underlines how Ferrari, wedded to Marlboro cash, cannot attract or retain … Continue reading Ferrari shun blue-chip sponsors for fags & booze
British government will not mirror Italian Grand Prix spending
Posted onBritish Sports Minister Richard Caborn MP gave a strong indication that the government are not interested in supporting their home Grand Prix in an answer to a quetion raised by opposition MP Michael Jack. Caborn denied the his Department for Culture, Media and Sport had any information about how much money, if any, other European … Continue reading British government will not mirror Italian Grand Prix spending
Five-round Grand Prix Masters calendar unveiled
Posted onThe inaugural Grand Prix Masters series will visit five venues in 2006: Losail International, Qatar, April 29th Monza, Italy, June 18th Silverstone, Great Britain, August 13th TBA, October 1st Kyalami, South Africa, 12th November The dates chosen do not conflict with any dates on the Formula One calendar, except for the fourth rund at a … Continue reading Five-round Grand Prix Masters calendar unveiled
F1Fanatic supports campaign to issue ‘Grand Prix’ on DVD
Posted onThe 1966 film, ‘Grand Prix’, felt by many to be the greatest motor racing film of all time is not available on DVD. The rights holder, Warner Home Video, say they have no plans to release ‘Grand Prix’ on DVD, claiming they have received ‘no requests’ to do so. A group of enthusiasts started a … Continue reading F1Fanatic supports campaign to issue ‘Grand Prix’ on DVD
BMW low-ball F1.06 hopes
Posted onBMW Sauber are first to give their 2006 challenger a ‘proper’ launch in something close to the spec in which it will run in Bahrain. Team boss Mario Theissen was quick to dispel talk of immediate Grand Prix wins: “In our first season we will mainly be gathering experience… it requires patience and endurance.” They … Continue reading BMW low-ball F1.06 hopes
F1Fanatic update delay
Posted onThe latest batch of updates to F1Fanatic.co.uk are being held in the pipeline while we resolve some technical problems. Check back soon for the 1993 and 1994 season histories and additions to Who’s Who.
GPMasters Round One Announced
Posted onThe first round of the ten-race Grand Prix Masters season will be held at Losail International Circuit on 27th-29th of April according to the Gulf Times. The full calendar will be published at gpmfanatic.co.uk and f1fanatic.co.uk as soon as it is available.
Davidson signs for Honda, rules out Super Aguri
Posted onAnthony Davidson has been confirmed as Honda F1 Racing (formerly BAR)’s third driver for a fourth year. Davidson has started three Grands Prix – two for Minardi and one for BAR – and has made clear his desire for a full-time race seat. The move ends speculation that he might drive for the nascent Super … Continue reading Davidson signs for Honda, rules out Super Aguri
Kimi Raikkonen in ’07: Place your bets
Posted onThe F1 press are getting into a frenzy about Kimi Raikkonen’s plans for 2007, with Fernando Alonso confirmed at McLaren in 2007 and little major news until testing resumes. Although Raikkonen out-scored Montoya in 2005 and is close to Ron Dennis, speculation is mounting that he is frustrated over reliability problems that cost him them … Continue reading Kimi Raikkonen in ’07: Place your bets
2006 Driver Line-up latest
Posted onRenault 1 Fernando Alonso 2 Giancarlo Fisichella McLaren-Mercedes 3 Kimi Raikkonen 4 Juan-Pablo Montoya Ferrari 5 Michael Schumacher 6 Felipe Massa Toyota 7 Ralf Schumacher 8 Jarno Trulli Williams-Cosworth 9 Mark Webber 10 Nico Rosberg T Alexander Wurz Honda 11 Rubens Barrichello 12 Jenson Button T Anthony Davidson Red Bull Racing-Ferrari 14 David Coulthard 15 … Continue reading 2006 Driver Line-up latest
Study hails football as ‘best sport’
Posted onResearchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, USA, have claimed football (‘soccer’) is the most exciting sport to watch. The study, excluding motor sport and confined to English football, American football, baseball, basketball and ice hockey, asserts that football is exciting because of the frequency with which it delivers surprise results. Were such … Continue reading Study hails football as ‘best sport’
Renault enjoy it while it lasts
Posted onThe winter issue of Renault’s consumer magazine (inspiringly titled The Renault Magazine) carries a 13-page spread by Anthony Rowlinson on Fernando Alonso’s championship success. Renault boss Carlos Ghosn has publicly stated that to him, Formula One is only of value when his team is winning. With Alonso off to McLaren in 2007, can Renault stay … Continue reading Renault enjoy it while it lasts
Coulthard: “Rubens isn’t serious”
Posted onWe’re often quick to criticise modern Formula One drivers for being uncontroverial and boring, at least compared to the likes of straight-talking James Hunt and Alan Jones. But hearing David Coulthard being interviewed on ITV’s Formula One 2005 season review programme (ITV, January 1st) was a breath of fresh air. Sat alongside fellow F1 Briton … Continue reading Coulthard: “Rubens isn’t serious”
“Fantastic Fernando” – 2005 F1 season review DVD
Posted on2005 gave us some good action: that unforgettable race in Suzuka, genuine overtaking at Monaco and plenty of incident.
“Alain Prost” – Christopher Hilton
Posted onAlain Prost: A controversial figure. And one who, despite his superior statistical successes remains overshadowed by his late nemesis Ayrton Senna.