McLaren’s escape from yesterday’s World Motor Sports Council hearing without a punishment has been met with criticism. Jean Todt called the verdict “incomprehensible and grave” and threatened an appeal. Renault team boss Flavio Briatore admitted he didn’t understand the decision: “If someone had some advantage from the possession of the material, it would have been … Continue reading McLaren spy verdict: Why the FIA were right
Month: July 2007 articles archive
Provisional 18-race F1 calendar for 2008
Posted onThe provisional 2008 F1 calendar has been released with a couple of interesting changes. As has recently been speculated the French Grand Prix has not been dropped, but earlier reports that the season would open in Bahrain proved wide of the mark. As predicted here the new street races at Singapore and Valencia will be … Continue reading Provisional 18-race F1 calendar for 2008
This weekend’s F1 alternative: DTM Zandvoort
Posted onWant to catch up with the latest exploits of F1 debut race leader Markus Winkelhock? Then don’t miss the seventh round of the German Touring Car Championship this weekend at the classic former F1 venue of Zandvoort – one of the top tracks on the touring car calendar. Other racing action for those of you … Continue reading This weekend’s F1 alternative: DTM Zandvoort
Your questions: Schumacher’s British wins
Posted onLesley wrote this week with the following query: How many times did Michael Schumacher win the British Grand Prix? Well I can tell you for sure he won in 1998 – because I was there! And it was seriously wet…
Qualifying disaster for Asmer at Spa
Posted onMarko Asmer will start the first of two British F3 races at Spa from 29th on the 30 car grid. The Estonian, who is leading the championship, crashed in morning practice and was only able to do one lap in his hastily-repaired car. His championship rivals Stephen Jelley, Maro Engel and Sam Bird occupy the … Continue reading Qualifying disaster for Asmer at Spa
F1 in the news 45: Hamilton Scalextric
Posted onLewis Hamilton is to feature on a new Hornby Scalextric. But will the sets come with real life cranes for pulling Hamilton (and only Hamilton) out of the barriers?
McLaren not punished in spy case (updated)
Posted onThe FIA’s World Motor Sport Council have decided not to punish McLaren following a hearing into the Ferrari spying row. However it has found the team guilty of possessing Ferrari’s documents and described at the penalties may be levied in the future if it emerges that McLaren had used the information: If it is found … Continue reading McLaren not punished in spy case (updated)
Top ten… Minardi heroes
Posted onWatching Markus Winkelhock lead his first ever Grand Prix having qualified his un-competitive Spyker at the back of the grid had me reminiscing about backmarker heroes Minardi. The Italian team became cult heroes during their two decades in Formula 1. They were often the first to get lapped, but they also made some giant-killing performances … Continue reading Top ten… Minardi heroes
Debate: Was Hamilton’s restart legal?
Posted onJenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Adrian Sutil and Scott Speed all found themselves in the gravel on the outside of turn on after a downpour at the start of last weekend’s race. Button, Rosberg, Liuzzi, Sutil and Speed all retired. Hamilton waited in the car with his engine turned on, got dragged … Continue reading Debate: Was Hamilton’s restart legal?
Sakon Yamamoto joins Spyker for rest of season
Posted onEuropean Grand Prix race leader Markus Winkelhock will not continue as a race driver for Spyker. The team is set to announced Sakon Yamamoto as team mate to Adrian Sutil for the race of the season, starting at the Hungaroring next week.
Your questions: Two hour time limit
Your questions answered
Posted onJonathan Markevich wrote in to ask: I have been looking everywhere to find out why the two hour time limit was not enforced on the European GP last weekend. This should have had a big impact on Giancarlo Fisichella’s strategy, among others who might have short-fueled, presuming the race wouldn’t go 60 laps. Any insights? … Continue reading Your questions: Two hour time limit
The Ben Evans Column: Rant
Posted onMaybe its because of my bad run of results in Formula Vee, or maybe its because, Canada and Europe excepted, Formula One is rather boring this year, but I have spent the past couple of weeks feeling unusually indifferent towards motor racing. I think partly its because once I start feeling a bit down towards … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Rant
Doubt over facts of Villeneuve-Pironi row
Posted onThe details of one of the most famous and tragic episodes in Formula 1 history have been disputed by one of the sport’s long-standing figures. It had long been claimed that Didier Pironi ‘stole’ victory from team mate Gilles Villeneuve in the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix by refusing to follow team orders. Livid with … Continue reading Doubt over facts of Villeneuve-Pironi row
Toro Rosso denies plan to replace Speed (updated)
Posted onScuderia Toro Rosso have denied they plan to replace Scott Speed with Sebastian Vettel, following a report on an American website. Speed criticised the team after the European Grand Prix, claiming Gerhard Berger and Franz Tost were trying to get rid of him. He was only confirmed to be racing for the team in 2007 … Continue reading Toro Rosso denies plan to replace Speed (updated)
Video: A classic F1 advert
Posted onThe great Mercedes advert was on television again yesterday evening and it put me in the mind of another great F1 television advert – a young Damon Hill with Murray Walker in the Pizza Hut ad. Like the advert with Fernando Alonso and Damon Hill, it works well because the pair are clearly entering into … Continue reading Video: A classic F1 advert
Bahrain heads 2008 calendar – but how many races?
Posted onBahrain has been confirmed as the first Grand Prix of 2008 as Formula One Group seeks to repeat last year’s ratings high. A race at midday in Bahrain airs in the early evening in Europe – prime television time – unlike the Australian round which Europeans have to get up at around 3am to see. … Continue reading Bahrain heads 2008 calendar – but how many races?
Video: What did Massa say to Alonso?
Posted onHere’s video footage of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso’s argument after the European Grand Prix. Alonso passed Massa with a handful of laps to spare at the Nurburgring, taking the lead from him in a smart pass around the outside at the Valvoline Kurve that ended with the two banging wheels. It looked to me … Continue reading Video: What did Massa say to Alonso?
Video: Murray on Alonso’s last-gasp pass
Posted onFor those of you who weren’t able to tune into Radio 5 yesterday, here’s the end of Murray Walker’s commentary on the European Grand Prix. It covers the last ten minutes of the race, including Fernando Alonso’s great pass on Felipe Massa, plus Lewis Hamilton’s desperate bid to score a point. Whether you like Murray … Continue reading Video: Murray on Alonso’s last-gasp pass
European GP 2007 facts & statistics
Posted onA crazy race threw up some interesting statistics – we had a rookie driver leading the race, a rare red flag and – give thanks – the first proper pass for the lead on the track!
Debate: Spyker should keep Winkelhock
Posted onMarkus Winkelhock made his Grand Prix debut in yesterday’s European Grand Prix, and thanks to a heavy rain shower and some inspired race strategy he managed to lead the race for six laps.