Last world champion: Niki Lauda, 1984 Last Grand Prix winner: Gerhard Berger, Hockenheimring, Benetton-Renault, 1997 Last Grand Prix starter: Alexander Wurz, Shanghai, Williams, 2007 Last Grand Prix: A1-Ring, 2003 Austria is the only European country on this list. It has had championship winners and dozens of Grands Prix, but no race and active driver today.
Month: January 2009 articles archive
Toyota test the TF109 (Video)
Posted onToyota has issued some video of the first test of its 2009 F1 car, the TF109, at Algarve Motor Park. There is a high quality playback option on the video above. Annoyingly, they seem to have added audio over certain portions of the video…
The FIA ‘analysis’ of Ecclestone’s medals proposal is flawed and irrelevant
Posted onBernie Ecclestone’s plan to replace the F1 points system with the awarding of ‘medals’ for winners has been widely received as a bad idea. Today the FIA waded into the argument by publishing some research. Their effort shows much the same lack of care and consideration that Ecclestone put his idea forward with. Titled "The … Continue reading The FIA ‘analysis’ of Ecclestone’s medals proposal is flawed and irrelevant
Will slicks put brakes under more stress?
Posted onOne aspect of the 2009 rules I’m trying to get my ahead is how the return to slick tyres and the introduction of KERS might affect brakes. If my shaky grasp if F1 technology is right, I reckon brakes will have a seriously hard time in 2009. Check my working below.
Formula 1’s lost nations: South Africa
Posted onLast world champion: Jody Scheckter, Ferrari, 1979 Last Grand Prix winner: Jody Scheckter, Ferrari, Monza, 1979 Last Grand Prix starter: Jody Scheckter, Ferrari, Watkins Glen, 1980 Last Grand Prix: Kyalami, 1993 South Africa was a Grand Prix host for many years. But its only driver to attain Grand Prix success was Jody Scheckter – the … Continue reading Formula 1’s lost nations: South Africa
Good news from Aston Martin and Volvo
Posted onThere has been a lot of doom and gloom for the motor racing fan since the end of last season. First Seat announced an abrupt withdrawal from the British Touring Car Championship – just as it finally seemed to be on the cusp of success with its diesel Leons.
F1 links: Renault test pics
Posted onRenault Testing in the UK Today “It’s the first time I’ve seen a 2009 specification car up close, and I can’t say the Renault looks any better in the flesh than it did during the launch.” More pics here. FIA clarifies engine regulations “Following enquiries made by autosport.com, the FIA has now confirmed that the … Continue reading F1 links: Renault test pics
Hamilton is top F1 driver on Facebook – but Valentino Rossi thrashes them all
Posted onFor all the stick Lewis Hamilton gets on the internet, he’s not short of a fan or two as these stats from Facebook show. But Hamilton would lose his status as most popular F1 driver on Facebook immeditaely if Valentino Rossi’s much-rumoured switch to Ferrari came true…
Formula 1’s lost nations: Canada
Posted onLast world champion: Jacques Villeneuve, Williams, 1997 Last Grand Prix winner: Jacques Villeneuve, Nurburgring, 1997 Last Grand Prix starter: Jacques Villeneuve, BMW, Hockenheimring, 2006 Last Grand Prix: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, 2008 Canada is a new addition to the ‘lost nations’: Its Grand Prix has just been cancelled, and it had a former world champion … Continue reading Formula 1’s lost nations: Canada
F1 links: Concern over diffusers
Posted onTeams to seek diffuser clarification “The diffusers at the rear of the Williams FW31 and the Toyota TF109 appear to exceed the maximum height of 175 mm at their peak through clever aerodynamic shaping of the rear crash structure. Although both teams are confident that their designs are within the regulations, rivals outfits have expressed … Continue reading F1 links: Concern over diffusers
2009 F1 cars: Hot or not? (Poll & Video)
Posted onThere’s been a huge amount of fuss over the looks of the 2009 F1 cars. Do you welcome the return to smooth sidepods? Do the wings still look out of proportion to you? Cast your vote below…
Formula 1’s lost nations: USA
Posted onLast world champion: Mario Andretti, Lotus, 1978 Last Grand Prix winner: Mario Andretti, Lotus, Zandvoort, 1978 Last Grand Prix starter: Scott Speed, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Nurburgring, 2007 Last Grand Prix: Indianapolis, 2007 Although F1 has never been hugely popular in America, and probably never will be, it has a small but dedicated following in the … Continue reading Formula 1’s lost nations: USA
F1 links: Raikkonen rally video
Posted onKimi Raikkonen at the Arctic Lapland Rally Video and photos of Kimi Raikkonen in the Arctic Lapland rally. Technical Briefing With Charlie Whiting Charlie Whiting explains the 2009 rules. But don’t be surprised if he suddenly changes his mind about them… I hope India hosts F1 race by 2011: Karthikeyan ‘”It is just possible. Now … Continue reading F1 links: Raikkonen rally video
Another disgraceful judgement which puts the future of British motor sport at risk
Posted onCroft in Yorkshire is the latest British motor racing circuit to have its future threatened by a stunningly unjust piece of lawmaking. The Yorkshire circuit, which re-opened in 1994, will have to pay almost £1m after losing an appeal against local residents who complained about the amount of noise at the circuit. It will also … Continue reading Another disgraceful judgement which puts the future of British motor sport at risk
The new safety car rules are an improvement but could still go wrong
Posted onThe final 2009 F1 rules published by the FIA a few weeks ago revealed that the much-derided ‘pit lane closure’ rule, which ruined several drivers’ races in 2007 and 2008, is finally being dropped. But today the it has revealed that instead of returning to the pre-2007 safety car rules, drives (and fans) will have … Continue reading The new safety car rules are an improvement but could still go wrong
Quiz: Can you name that race?
Posted onI’ve just finished putting together lap charts for each of the races from 2008 to go into the statistics section. But then I hit upon the idea of turning them into a quiz. How many of last year’s races can you name by looking at the lap charts? Let anorak battle commence!
Formula 1’s lost nations: Argentina
Posted onIn the first instalment of a six-part series we take a look at countries that have produced world champions – but now have neither Grand Prix drivers nor races in modern Formula 1. These are F1’s lost nations. Last world champion: Juan Manuel Fangio, Maserati, 1957 Last Grand Prix winner: Carlos Reutemann, Williams, Zolder, 1981 … Continue reading Formula 1’s lost nations: Argentina
F1 links: The Chain
Posted onThe Chain letter “We – the undersigned – are writing an open letter to you, urging you to once again use that part from Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain as the title music to your Formula One coverage that begins this year on BBC One.” Hot from Guildford – the new James Allen Grand Prix Legends’ … Continue reading F1 links: The Chain
Mario Theissen: a profile
Posted onSome time ago Becken suggested on Skribit that I write a profile of Mario Theissen. I’d been meaning to dor it during the off-season and with BMW revealing their 2009 car last week now seemed the time to get around to it. You can find the Mario Theissen biography in the Who’s who section here: … Continue reading Mario Theissen: a profile
Which team got the best start to 2009?
Posted onThe verdict of the technical writers in the British specialist press seems to be that McLaren’s MP4-24 is the most impressive of the 2009 F1 cars. But with BMW stealing an early lead on testing mileage, which team has got the new year off to the best start?