F1 – Friday Practice Thoughts

I will preface this bit by saying this will only cover free practice 2 since that is all we in the US are legally capable of getting. I was happy to see that cars were on track for the first time in 2010. With all the depressing news on USF1 and the other teams as well as the return of Michael and all of the positive stories in the news, I was like a boy on Christmas Eve hardly able to sleep last night. Here are just a few things…

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F1 – 2010 Driver Lineup – Sauber Signs Pedro de la Rosa

The Sauber team has signed 38 year old Pedro de la Rosa to partner with Kamui Kobayashi for their 2010 season. Pedro dropped off the face of the F1 map some 7 years ago when he signed up as McLaren’s test/reserve driver. During that time he competed in 9 races for the silver arrows. Famously, 8 of those 9 races were in the 2006 season after the USGP where Juan Pablo Montoya ran over teammate Kimi Raikonnen and then retreated to NASCAR. Before signing with McLaren in 2003, Pedro had…

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F1 – Car Launch Dates – Force India Update – 1/15/09

Force India has announced that they will have their 2010 car, the VJM3, ready for on track testing at Jerez on February 10th. The team decided to focus on further development of the car, instead of pushing onto the track February 1st with the vast majority of the field.  They will be joining Red Bull and Virgin who will also be seeing the track for the first time at Jerez. Also, Mercedes GP confirmed that they will be launching their car in Stuttgart at the Mercedes Museum on January 25th.…

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F1 – Car Launch Dates – 1/14/2010

McLaren has announced that they will launch their MP4-25 on January 29th.  No location has been given for their launch at this time, however McLaren is least likely to have a low-key shindig. And why should they. With two British world champions on the team, they have much to trumpet. Add to that the amazing development they did on their 2009 challenger which brought it from the back of the grid at the beginning of the season to winning races. 2010 could be a very good year for Lewis Hamilton.…

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F1 – Car Launch Dates – 1/13/2010

Ferrari has announced that they will be unveiling their 2010 challenger, the ‘281’ on January 28th at Maranello. It will then take its first laps at the Ricardo Tomo Circuit on February 1st, along with the majority of the 2010 grid. Also reported this week is that Red Bull will not have their RB6 ready on time to attend the first open test in Valencia, but will instead wait an additional week and run their first test at Jerez the following week. A launch date  has not yet been announced…

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F1 – Kobayashi Joins 2010 Grid!!

What a difference two races can make for a kid out of Japan. In what has to be classified as a feel good story for the sport, Kamui Kobayashi has EARNED a spot on the 2010 grid with the Sauber F1 Team. The Japanese pilot was Toyota’s reserve driver for 2009 and was put into active duty for the team during the last two races for the injured Timo Glock. His performance was magical and a real joy to watch on the circuit, and his personality was equally good. All…

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F1 – Qadbak Out; Sauber In

BMW announced earlier this year that they would not be returning to Formula 1 next year. Shortly after that, the team was purchased by Swiss firm Qadbak who had been considered suspect. That deal has failed and will now be purchased by the man who started it all, Peter Sauber. Originally the team had been sold to Qabak who had some suspect issues come up. In recent days it would appear as though the deal was going to fall through. Now with the Swiss firm gone, Peter Sauber will now…

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F1 – Sauber F1 Once More?

Following this weeks news that BMW will no longer participate in the Formula 1 World Championship, previous team owner Peter Sauber has been reportedly working a Brawn like deal to rescue the Swiss based team. The purposed deal is also being worked by Dr. Mario Theissen in an attempt to keep the car on the grid for the 2010 season. Sauber made it clear that he would do all that he could to save the employees of the team and keep the project going. Sauber has stated he has no…

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