So far Tomas Enge is the only Czech driver who made it to F1. However all he managed were 3 races in 2001. Demise of the Prost F1 team and then his cannabis trouble in F3000 pretty much ended any chance of him making a F1 return. Now it looks like there is a new rising star of open wheel racing coming out of Czech Republic - Josef Kral.

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f1wolf

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This is what Fernando Alonso had to say to Diario As:

“I am certain that I am going to be competing in formula one also next year. Right now I am not even contemplating sitting out a season.”

But on his future in McLaren:

“At the moment all I am thinking about is winning this world championship, I do not know where I will race in 2008; all I know is that I can race here at McLaren.”

It may be just a coincidence that at the same time Briatore tells to other Spanish paper, Marca, that

“Of course I would love to have him in the team, I think everyone would want Fernando because he is exceptional.”

f1wolf

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OK, it is not going to happen overnight, but it looks like the biggest tobacco market is ready to make some steps to rein in smoking. The Chinese news report today (The Beijing News) that China, the world’s biggest cigarette producer and consumer, will ban all tobacco advertising by 2011. The Shanghai F1 race contract runs only through 2010. It will be interesting to see what will Bernie come up with when negotiating new, tobacco free one

f1wolf

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I had no intention for this to become a series, but the rumours simply would not go away. And they will not until the whole grid is set.

Pedro de la Rosa was not confirmed as Prodrive driver in Istanbul. That may have something to do with the fact, that even McLaren was not yet confirmed as a partner for Prodrive. They have 2 other options (that is what they say). It will not be Honda, it will not be Red Bull, I doubt it would be Toyota, that would leave only Renault and BMW to consider. That would open more driver movement speculations, it looks like pretty much it is going to be McLaren and the talk of other 2 options is just a PR stunt from Dave Richards.

It is said that nothing happens until McLaren duo is sorted out, but that may not be the case.
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f1wolf

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Something just did not click about the race yesterday. Istanbul Park is one of the best track built recently. It’s Turn 8 is a legend already and it only has been on the calendar since 2005. Overtaking opportunities do exist on this track. And yet, we witnessed yet another race day parade, at least at the front of the grid. I began to think what was strange about the race. Several things came to my mind this morning. And they somehow represent the whole current sorry state of the F1 racing.

There was only one retirement (Webber), good on the others, but why is that ? (Similar points popped up elsewhere too. Keith at F1 Fanatic is also asking a question whether the cars or drivers are getting more reliable.) Alonso was (yet again) not capable to overtake Heidfeld, good on Heidfeld, but how come ? Practically nobody went off the track, I am happy for all that stayed on track, but isn’t it weird on a track like this?
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f1wolf

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It is said to have to say that the Turkish GP did not live up to the expectations. If even this excellent track can’t offer decent racing than what can (other than rain or safety cars)? This is a topic for another post that will be coming up next (you can subscribe to RSS feed to get all the future posts).

To prove Sir Jackie Stewart wrong again, the race was again decided on lap 1, if not on Saturday… The dirty side of track fears of McLaren drivers materialized, both lost track positions, Hamilton to Raikkonen, Alonso to both BMWs. This ruined Alonso’s chances for a win, and all he did was praying for miracle. Even if he would not say that after the race, it was quite obvious, he tried more less nothing to get ahead of Heidfeld …
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f1wolf

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Round 12 is here, please place your predictions in the comments section of this post as usual.

Race preview is available here

Summary of the rules here

f1wolf

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Drivers Standings:
1. Hamilton 84
2. Alonso 79
3. Massa 69
4. Raikkonen 68
5. Heidfeld 47
6. Kubica 29
7. Kovalainen 19
8. Fisichella 17
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f1wolf

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Felipe Massa won his second consecutive Turkish GP, ahead of Raikkonen and Alonso. After a tyre failure Hamilton was lucky to finish 5th.

Race results:

1. Massa Ferrari (B) 1h26:42.161
2. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) + 2.275
3. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 26.181
4. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) + 39.674
5. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 45.085
6. Kovalainen Renault (B) + 46.169
7. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) + 55.778
8. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) + 56.707
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f1wolf

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I received a question “How many races in F1 have Lamborghini won?” Well, from what I know, Lamborghini only participated in F1 as an engine supplier between 1989 and 1993. They supplied engines to Larousse, Ligier, Lotus, Minardi and to a Modena (well, sort of their own team also known as Lambo or ‘Lamborghini’). Lamborghini participated in total in 80 races, without winning any. Their best result was 1 podium finish. But that was a famous one.
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