No titles for Piquet, one more for Mansell

I do not know what FIA tried to prove by applying Bernie’s “medals system” to the results of all the F1 championship. It is interesting reading but rather meaningless. The rules influence the strategy and I am convinced that with the medal system in place many races of the past would have had very different results. But as FIA guys have already spent their time to come up with this report we can as well have look and see what could have happened if we had Bernie’s medal system in place from 1950.

(more…)

FIA clarified the engine penalties

Following the explanations from Charlie Whiting FIA further clarified to Autosport the issues of penalties for drivers who use more than 8 engines per season. The penalty for using an extra engine would only be applied at the first event it was used. That means that if a driver used a ninth engine for Singapore and Japan he would only receive the penalty for Singapore. But if he had to use 10th engine for Brazil and Abu Dhabi he would suffer another penalty for Brazil.

(more…)

Whom would Ferrari and McLaren race ?

Bernie Ecclestone suggested few days ago that should there be only 9 teams ready to race in 2009, some manufacturers could end up running three cars. I am not sure if such a scenario would be possible for 2009 season in case the team formerly knowns as Honda does not make it. But let’s say that Bernie asks Ferrari and McLaren to race three cars and these two top teams from 2008 season agree. Whom would they race ? Would this get the drivers market moving again ?

(more…)

The latest version of 2009 Formula 1 regulations included some changes that were not exactly advertised in advance. I was not alone not sure about what the eight engine per season rule exactly means. The other innovation were the safety car rules. Timmie pointed out yesterday the interview with FIA race director Charlie Whiting that also clarifies some of the new things in the 2009 F1 regulations:

(more…)

Two months to go. Time to summarize what has happened during the past 10 days.

Three more teams launched their 2009 cars – Williams their FW31, Renault their R29 and BMW Sauber their F1.09. Toro Rosso still has one vacancy although rumours are the team will keep Sebastien Bourdais. With 60 days to go Honda team still hasn’t been sold. Red Bull has confirmed they will use KERS developed by Renault.

(more…)

Bernie has spoken again

We haven’t heard too much from Mr. Ecclestone since his FOTA and FIA shelved his medals idea. But he is back. Last week he told us what teams he would not want loose, later last week he confirmed he advanced payment of £14.5 million to Williams to help to balance their books. Now he came with an alternative to cost cuts –  letting the manufacturers spend whatever they want. At a price of course, long term commitment to F1 that could prevent the 2008 Honda scenario:

(more…)

Wetaher affected the first test sessions of 2009

The new 2009 F1 cars took to test tracks last week. Ferrari tested at Mugello, BMW Sauber in Valencia, Toyota, McLaren, Renault, Williams and Renault at Portimao (Algarve). Toro Rosso and Red Bull (also at Portimao) are yet to reveal their new car and so Toro Rosso’s new driver Sebastien Buemi spent his track time in 2008 spec car.

(more…)

The glory days - Williams dominated F1 in 1996

Only 2 days ago I posted the article “What current F1 teams I would and what teams I would not miss ?” I listed three current teams that I believe F1 can’t afford to loose. Yesterday the news broke out that one of those three – Williams – was close to giving up.

Not that long ago (2002-2003) Williams were still one of the top teams fighting for race wins and top championship places. But following the split with their engine partner BMW during 2005 season there were not too many reasons to celebrate for the Grove based team. Williams moved from the top 3 towards midfield (and lower midfield) with regular points and an odd podium here and there being the most they could hope for.

(more…)

BMW Sauber F1.09 and F1.08 side by side

Most of Formula One fans knew that the 2009 Formula One cars will be quite different than their predecessors. But as teams kept their ideas to themselves we could all only guess how the new cars will look.

I summarized all the main differences between 2009 and 2008 cars back in August in the post 2009 Formula 1 cars look – The most obvious differences. Around the same time this 2009 F1 car visual appeared all over F1 forums:

(more…)

There was not much talk about more teams leaving Formula One for quite some time. The cost saving measures seemed to have done the trick. But last few days the F1 exit talks surfaced again. The 2009 season seems to be the make or break for Toyota. Some fresh rumours surfaced also about future of Renault (not sure how much of this is true and how much is made up), Pitpass also raised some concern about Force India finances … Well, in market conditions as we see right now, there is always the possibility of somebody following Honda and exiting F1. Bernie Ecclestone already told us whom he would miss and whom he would not want to loose:

(more…)

KERS - the green source of headache for many

The introduction of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) into Formula 1 has turned into rather controversial issue. One hand this brainchild of Max Mosley is here to show to the outside world how green and road relevant F1 can be. On the other hand this for F1 new technology has been a massive drain on financial resources of the teams at the time when FIA , FOTA and even Bernie Ecclestone talk about need to drastically reduce the cost of Formula One.

(more…)

Toyota TF-109 testing in Portimao

In the immediate aftermath of Honda’s F1 withdrawal announcement all the remaining car manufacturers including Toyota confirmed their commitment to Formula One. The December statement from Toyota however had word “currently” placed right next to word “committed”: (more…)