At 40 years, seven months and 20 days, Michael Schumacher will be the oldest F1 driver to start a Grand Prix in 14 years when he makes his highly-anticipated return at Valencia next month. But that doesn’t bring him anywhere near the record for an oldest Grand Prix starter. He’ll have to come back in … Continue reading Schumacher and F1’s oldest ever drivers
Month: July 2009 articles archive
BMW’s first F1 test with Williams (video)
Posted onSomewhat oddly, BMW chose to accompany the news of their imminent departure from F1 with this video showing their first shakedown test in 1999. The car was driven at Miramas in France by Jorg Muller, who is now a BMW touring car racer. It was a 1998 Williams chassis fitted with a BMW engine. The … Continue reading BMW’s first F1 test with Williams (video)
Celebrity chef to drive 1996 Benetton B196 at Monte-Carlo (Pictures)
Posted onCelebrity news is not normally my thing, but I like “Saturday Kitchen” and I like F1 cars (you may have noticed) so this story squeaks in. TV chef James Martin is to indulge his passion for cars by driving a 1996 Benetton B196 in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix next year. The event for historic … Continue reading Celebrity chef to drive 1996 Benetton B196 at Monte-Carlo (Pictures)
F1 links: Kubica didn’t expect BMW to quit
Posted onHere’s a round-up of F1 news and other interesting links I’ve found today. If you’ve spotted a hot news story, interesting new website or just something funny from the world of F1, please share your links in the comments below. Manager says Kubica now on the market Robert Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli: "There was no … Continue reading F1 links: Kubica didn’t expect BMW to quit
Renault’s £2.3bn loss adds to financial gloom
Posted onFollowing BMW’s abrupt decision to quit F1 speculation over which manufacturer might be next if rife. Suspicion tends to fall at the feet of Toyota and Renault. There are many reasons to suspect the latter. Title sponsor ING is leaving the team at the end of the year, talisman driver Fernando Alonso is expected to … Continue reading Renault’s £2.3bn loss adds to financial gloom
The new rules, cars and rivals Michael Schumacher will have to get to grips with
Posted onWhen Michael Schumacher makes his return to F1 in three weeks’ time, he’ll find a lot has changed since he parked his 248-F1 after his last race on October 22nd, 2006. That car had grooved tyres, traction control and much less restricted aerodynamics than today’s cars. Not only that, but race weekends have changed, three … Continue reading The new rules, cars and rivals Michael Schumacher will have to get to grips with
Why are BMW really quitting F1?
Posted onThe announcement yesterday that BMW is to quit F1 was a shock – at least, until Michael Schumacher announced he was making a comeback. BMW’s statement had much to say about their corporate strategy and implied reasons to do with environmentally-friendly technology were at the heart of their decision. Is that really all there is … Continue reading Why are BMW really quitting F1?
Saloolas back in the lead of the predictions championship
Posted onThe ever-close F1 Fanatic Predictions Championship has seen another change of lead with Saloolas nicking the top spot from Dougie once more. And with Benno, brouard21, Chua, Dank, ianhaycox, Pete Walker and Sush Meerkat locked in a seven-way tie for third, this one’s going down to the wire.
F1 links: Button enters Race of Champions
Posted onOther News: Button confirms RoC presence "World championship leader Jenson Button has confirmed that he will take part in the Race of Champions again this year." BMW pulls out, but team should survive "I always thought that they bottled it last year, choosing to work on the 2009 car once they had achieved their 2008 … Continue reading F1 links: Button enters Race of Champions
Official: Michael Schumacher to return for Ferrari in the European Grand Prix
Posted onWe had only just begun talking about who might replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari and now it has been confirmed: Michael Schumacher will return to Formula 1 in the European Grand Prix driving alongside Kimi Raikkonen.
Schumacher, Alonso, Kubica: Who will take Massa’s place at Valencia?
Posted onThankfully the prognosis for Felipe Massa seems to be getting better with every passing day. Though hope continues to grow he may be able to return to racing in the future, it looks increasingly unlikely he will be able to do so in Valencia next month. It leaves Ferrari in the same place they were … Continue reading Schumacher, Alonso, Kubica: Who will take Massa’s place at Valencia?
BMW F1 exit anouncement expected
Posted onBMW is expected to announce later today that it is quitting Formula 1, according to Autosport. The site claims the German manufacturer will confirm the news at a press conference this afternoon attended by, among others, BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen. Update: It’s official – more in the comments.
How hard was Massa hit?
Posted onThe stories of Massa’s accident three days have been everywhere. But how much do we really understand about how hard a blow Massa suffered when he was struck by that spring? F1 Fanatic guest writer Kareem Shaya tries to put the crash into perspective. In all the discussion of Felipe Massa’s qualifying accident at the … Continue reading How hard was Massa hit?
McLaren jump to the front as Brawn struggle (Hungarian Grand Prix analysis)
Posted onThe Hungarian Grand Prix was an odd race in every respect. We saw a massive shake-up of the competitive order with McLaren and Ferrari and Brawn – the team which dominated the first third of the championship – struggling even to score. If this sets a pattern for the rest of the year, we’re in … Continue reading McLaren jump to the front as Brawn struggle (Hungarian Grand Prix analysis)
F1 links: Smedley on Massa’s crash
Posted onSeveral interesting stories following last weekend’s momentous race. Rob Smedley has been talking about the terrible moment Massa crashed during qualifying. Meanwhile Michael Schumacher’s manager Willi Weber has denied the seven-times champion might return to take Massa’s place. In other stories, Silverstone reckon they are going to have the Grand Prix next year, following Bernie … Continue reading F1 links: Smedley on Massa’s crash
F1 drivers’ video for Felipe Massa
Posted onSky Italia recorded a series of tributes to Felipe Massa from the F1 drivers at the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Here’s their video (it’s translated into Italian but you can hear a lot of the original comments in English). Thanks to m_compagnoni via Twitter for the link.
Video: Sky interview with me discussing Massa
Posted onI was on Sky News earlier this evening discussing Felipe Massa’s crash and its ramification for Formula 1. You can watch a video of the short interview above. Happily since this interview the situation for Massa is starting to look better, with one doctor suggesting he may also recover from his eye injury. Thanks very … Continue reading Video: Sky interview with me discussing Massa
No easy answers to safety questions posed by Massa and Surtees crashes
Posted onThe terrible accidents suffered by Henry Surtees and Felipe Massa in the last eight days have left the motorsport world in general – and F1 in particular – asking questions about safety. It has reminded everyone that the oft-repeated mantra ‘motor racing is much safer than it used to be’ will only remain so if … Continue reading No easy answers to safety questions posed by Massa and Surtees crashes
2009 Hungarian Grand Prix facts and stats
Posted onA youngest-ever driver, a first-time fastest lap and a KERS victory – lots of milestones in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Here’s a round-up of the stats and facts – share yours below:
F1 links: Investigation into Massa crash
Posted onF1 to investigate Massa accident "The investigation into Massa's incident will be conducted by F1's governing body the FIA and the Brawn team. Barrichello's car suffered a failure in its rear suspension as the Brazilian, one of Massa's closest friends, went through Turn Three of the Hungaroring during final qualifying." The Ferrari engine is a … Continue reading F1 links: Investigation into Massa crash