Bridgestone has announced its tyre allocations for the four rounds of the championship from Hungary to Italy. After much criticism from the drivers, notably Fernando Alonso, it has ceased its practice of bringing tyres two stages apart on its performance spectrum. As last year, Hungaroring and Valencia will be tackled with its softest tyres. But … Continue reading Bridgestone changes F1 tyre policy
Month: June 2009 articles archive
Wimbledon’s roof, F1 and television
Posted onThere’s no escaping the Wimbledon tennis tournament here in Britain. Last night F1 broadcasters BBC attracted 12.6m viewers as British hopeful Andy Murray scraped through to the next round after a four-hour match that lasted well into the evening. But there has been criticism of the decision to keep the match going under Wimbledon’s new … Continue reading Wimbledon’s roof, F1 and television
Found on a wall: the first Grand Prix
Posted onI was on my way to a restaurant in London the other day when I came across a striking building I hadn’t seen before. But the beaming face of a character whose body appeared to be made out of tyres and letters spelling out the word ‘Bibendum’ made it unmistakeably clear this was an old … Continue reading Found on a wall: the first Grand Prix
F1 car and driver highlights at the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Posted onFormula 1 cars from at least 14 different constructors will be demonstrated at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend. They include a special tribute to Williams, Lewis Hamilton in one of Ayrton Senna’s old McLarens, the largest collection of Silver Arrows and, of course, plenty of modern F1 cars. Here’s a run-down of the … Continue reading F1 car and driver highlights at the 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed
F1 links: FOTA wants F1 back in the USA
Posted onNot the biggest day for F1 news – but some good news for American followers: The Chairman replying to the fans Luca di Montezemolo has got good news for F1 fans in America: "As far as the tracks are concerned where the races are held, the historical ones have always had a great fascination; for … Continue reading F1 links: FOTA wants F1 back in the USA
Life L190 – the worst F1 car ever – to run at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Posted onThe Life L190* – in all probability the worst F1 car ever – will be demonstrated by Derek Bell at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The W12-engined car failed to progress beyond pre-qualifying in 14 attempts in 1990, and was typically around 20 seconds off the pace at most tracks. It will take a … Continue reading Life L190 – the worst F1 car ever – to run at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Win Lewis Hamilton audio books
Posted onRegular readers will know Mark Hughes’s book “Lewis Hamilton: The Full Story” was the best-rated of the many Lewis Hamilton biographies that started hitting the shelves two years ago. It’s now been released as an audio book on CD which includes a new chapter on his championship victory last year. It’s narrated by Jonathan Legard … Continue reading Win Lewis Hamilton audio books
Edit TV competition winners
Posted onCongratulations to the three winners of our Edit TV competition. The following three F1 Fanatic readers will each receive a PCTV Nano Stick Ultimates and a copy of Edit TV: Amy Cooper (United Kingdom) Ray Lewis (United Kingdom) Danilo G Galdino (Brazil) If you didn’t win this time, commiserations, but keep an eye out for … Continue reading Edit TV competition winners
When did F1 cars look their best? (Poll)
Posted onAt the start of the year there was a lot of discussion about whether we’d ever get used to the peculiar 2009-specification cars with their bizarre front and rear wings. So, has time made us more fond of the new-look F1 cars? How do they compare to the designs of previous generations? Have a look … Continue reading When did F1 cars look their best? (Poll)
F1 links: Mosley wants Todt for president
Posted onMax Mosley is a one-man-band at the moment, determined to force the issue and not back down to the teams in the row over the 2010 rules. But are they listening? Max Mosley about-turn clears path for Jean Todt "Todt and Mosley have had a close working relationship ever since Todt was made Ferrari team … Continue reading F1 links: Mosley wants Todt for president
What has Max Mosley ever done for us?
Posted onAll right, all right! But, apart from better sanitation and medicine and education and irrigation and public health and roads and a freshwater system and baths and public order… what have the Romans done for us? Like the Romans in Monty Python’s “The Life of Brian”, Max Mosley gets a fair bit of stick from … Continue reading What has Max Mosley ever done for us?
Your questions: pit TVs and car numbers
Posted onIt’s time to tackle another crop of your questions. Today we have queries about drivers who left their teams after winning the world championship, pit TVs, and how to get work at the Abu Dhabu Grand Prix. Plus, is there really a road named after Jenson Button?
F1 links: Questions over Donnelly and Manor
Posted onWhile Max Mosley is fuming about FOTA’s response to Wednesday’s deal, the teams are now asking questions about whether his right=hand man Alan Donnelly has acted improperly in promoting new F1 team Manor: Formula One teams to complain about chief steward’s involvement with Manor "Jane Nottage, an associate director of Donnelly's Sovereign Strategy, is understood … Continue reading F1 links: Questions over Donnelly and Manor
F1 links: Refuelling ban still set for 2010
Posted onOnce piece of good news at least today – the teams are still planning to ban refuelling next year. This and more below: Refuelling ban still on for 2010 season "A FOTA source has confirmed that work is currently underway on what modifications need to be made to the 2010 regulations – with refuelling certain … Continue reading F1 links: Refuelling ban still set for 2010
Mosley’s latest attack is another desperate attempt to cling to power
Posted onIf Mosley was hoping his latest broadside against the F1 teams would goad FOTA into reviving their threat of a breakaway championship, it didn’t work. So he took matters into his own hands, writing to FIA members to warn them: No doubt we face a difficult period. This may well result in short-term problems in … Continue reading Mosley’s latest attack is another desperate attempt to cling to power
New Toyota chief expects more losses
Posted onAkio Toyoda, the newly-appointed president of Toyota Motor Corp, expects it will take be at least another two years before the company turns a profit. Speaking at his first press conference since taking over the role, Toyoda said: "We want to do everything possible to avoid a third consecutive year of losses." The company posted … Continue reading New Toyota chief expects more losses
What the fans expect from FOTA
Posted onMax Mosley may have seized his first opportunity to resume hostilities with FOTA but it’s clear the teams’ association intends to play a major role in shaping the future of Formula 1. FOTA embraced the support of the majority of F1 fans and broadened its campaign against Mosley to include many supports’ grievances. But how … Continue reading What the fans expect from FOTA
F1 links: Jean Todt and expenses
Posted onSome curious odds and ends in the F1 news today. Apparently Jean Todt is working as a tourism ambassador for Malaysia and is paid around “RM1 million”. I believe this means 1 million Ringgit, which is around £172,000. See below for this story, an excellent piece by the BBC’s Jake Humphrey, and inevitably more on … Continue reading F1 links: Jean Todt and expenses
New Mosley threat over “dictator” claims puts FIA-FOTA deal in jeopardy
Posted onMax Mosley has sent a stinging letter to Luca di Montezemolo, accusing the FOTA and Ferrari boss of describing him as a “dictator” and giving inaccurate information to the press following the deal reached yesterday. Mosley has demanded FOTA “correct false statements” and issue and apology or else he will “consider my options open” regarding … Continue reading New Mosley threat over “dictator” claims puts FIA-FOTA deal in jeopardy
Nelson Piquet Jnr’s BMW X5 for sale
Posted onA BMW X5 owned by Nelson Piquet Jnr is up for sale on Auto Trader. The silver 2003 model comes with air conditioning, black leather interior and tinted. According to the advert there is an “F1 fire extinguisher under the drivers’ seat”. The X5 is priced at £11,500. Piquet probably bought the car new when … Continue reading Nelson Piquet Jnr’s BMW X5 for sale