Sebastian Vettel picked up where he left off after winning last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, setting the fastest time in first practice. But title rival Lewis Hamilton hit trouble when he crashed at Degner halfway through the session. He damaged the front-left corner of his McLaren and took no further part in the session.
Practice for the Japanese Grand Prix starts in two hours’ time so join us here soon for live comments. Here’s the round-up: Links Alonso says he is title favourite, Webber more guarded (BBC) “Asked if he was favourite, Alonso said: ‘If you see the last two races, then yes. We need to keep the momentum.’” … Continue reading F1 Fanatic round-up: 8/10/2010
The fourth GP2 Asia championship will be contested over just six races. It will be its shortest season yet, half the length of the calendar used two years ago. The next edition of the championship will take place entirely in 2011 – the previous two series were split across two years. As in the previous … Continue reading Six-race calendar for GP2 Asia in 2011
The Japanese Grand Prix takes place this weekend at one of the most exciting circuits on the F1 calendar. Have all the important information for this weekend’s race at your fingertips with the F1 Fanatic unofficial race programme including a video lap of the track:
Renault has added a new Russian sponsor to its roster for the second race in a row. Flagman vodka branding will appear on the tip of the R30’s nose and on the side pod vanes, as well as on Vitaly Petrov’s overalls. Vyborg Shipyard started sponsoring the team at the Singapore Grand Prix. Sauber also … Continue reading Another Russian sponsor joins Renault
After collisions that ended his race in the last two Grands Prix, Lewis Hamilton faced questions in today’s press conference about whether he needs to take fewer risks to ensure he finishes races and scores points. Here’s what he had to say: As drivers we are always on the ragged edge. We are always trying … Continue reading Hamilton: “Some drivers do less overtaking”
Monza was supposed to be an ideal circuit for McLaren – but Ferrari won. And Singapore was supposed to be an ideal circuit for Red Bull – but Ferrari won. No team has managed to win three races in a row this year – can Ferrari change that in Japan?
In the comments on a recent article on Twitter I was asked to do more withthe F1 Fanatic presence on Facebook. I have been updating it more regularly for the last few days so if you’re a Facebook user and you’ve not had a look at the F1 Fanatic Facebook Group for a while, head … Continue reading F1 Fanatic round-up: 7/10/2010
The Japanese Grand Prix weekend is expected to get off to a dry start on Friday – but that is set to change over the following days. Different forecasts give different views of this region’s often changeable weather, but several forecast heavy rain on Saturday, clearing up by Sunday. This raises the possibility of qualifying … Continue reading Rain forecast for Saturday at Suzuka
Luca di Montezemolo has said Felipe Massa needs to give “the performances of a number one driver” in the final races of 2010: Felipe is and will always stay a number one driver for Ferrari. I expect the performances of a number one driver from him – both in the next four races and, with … Continue reading Montezemolo: Massa “a number one driver”
We’ll have live comments during every session of the Japanese Grand Prix at F1 Fanatic. We’re always looking for people to help run the live comments sessions so please get in touch using the contact form if you’d like to help out. Here are the details of the BBC’s live video coverage of the Japanese … Continue reading Japanese Grand Prix live blog and TV times
Suzuka Circuit is little different today from the version first used for the Japanese Grand Prix in 1987. Here’s how it’s chnged since then.
McLaren are hoping to keep their championship changes alive by bringing a series of upgrades to the MP4-25 at Suzuka. Speaking in a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes phone-in McLaren’s managing director Jonathan Neale said: We are taking a reasonable-sized package to Suzuka: Front wing upgrades, we’ve got a new rear wing and various aerodynamic details. What … Continue reading McLaren have “big test package for Friday”
Renault team principal Eric Boullier has taken over as managing director of the team following the departure of Bob Bell. Renault F1 Team chairman G?â?®rard Lopez said: We would like to thank Bob Bell for his contribution to the performance of the team and for helping see us through a period of transition since Genii … Continue reading Boullier replaces Bell at Renault
Kimi Raikkonen has strongly denied rumours he is considering an F1 return with Renault in 2011. He told Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat: I am very disappointed with how they have used my name for their own marketing. I have never even seriously considered driving for Renault, and I can assure you that I am 100 … Continue reading Raikkonen denies Renault F1 rumours
Suzuka is of the most popular tracks among drivers and fans alike. But it’s not the easiest race track for fans outside Japan to visit. Those who have visited Suzuka speak highly of it and a number of F1 Fanatic readers are heading to the track for this weekend’s race. Here’s what they have to … Continue reading What F1 Fanatics say about… Suzuka
Predictions are open for the Japanese Grand Prix so make yours now: F1 Fanatic Predictions Championship The deadline is 3am (British time) on Saturday morning. Here’s today’s round-up: Links Rules barring motor races on public roads may be eased (BBC) Obviously I’m all in favour but the government should pay more attention to protecting existing … Continue reading F1 Fanatic round-up: 6/10/2010
Peter Warr, former team principal of Lotus, Wolf and Fittipaldi, died yesterday of a heart attack. Before joining Lotus he served in the British army and briefly competed as a racing driver. He worked as team manager under Colin Chapman in the 1970s and later managed the design team which created the 77, an early … Continue reading Former Lotus team principal Peter Warr dies
Guest writer John Beamer reviews the technical updates from Singapore and looks ahead to the next round at Suzuka. The Marina Bay circuit is one of highest downforce tracks and the first since Hungary where cars ran in a high downforce configuration. The next tracks all place high demands on downforce, meaning Singapore typically represents … Continue reading Technical review: Singapore Grand Prix
There are signs HRT may be consdering another change to their driver line-up ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. The team’s pre-race press release does not include quotes from their intended drivers. Similar statements from every other race thie year have done. The team has already changed its driver pairing three times this year. They … Continue reading HRT yet to confirm Suzuka drivers