The FIA has written to the teams to seek their blessing to expand to 14 teams for the 2010 season. This was prompted by BMW finding a buyer for their operation and the addition of Lotus as a new team. Lotus F1 has taken the official 13th entry on the grid for next season with backing from the Malaysian government and several Malaysian firms. The team principal has been announced to be Tony Fernandes, the founder and CEO of Tune Group who owns Air Aisa. Mike Gascoyne has been named…
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F1 – Having Your Cake and eating it too
We found out this past weekend that Santander will be sponsoring Ferrari for the next five years. However, it now appears the Spanish banking giant will now have the market cornered in terms of top teams as they have also extended a sponsorship deal with McLaren as well. What gives? This decision will see the banking company not only sponsor grand prix, but the two most successful teams in Formula 1 history. According to an article on AUTOSPORT, the deal with McLaren is mainly in line with Lewis Hamilton. Whereas…
Read MoreF1 – Alonso to Ferrari…Not Yet!
The Formula 1 silly season has really been centered around one individual. That man is double world champion Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard is currently the hottest driver on the market and has been all but put in the seat at the Maranello squad. Sponsors have signed, end of year banquets moved and all in anticipation for Ferrari’s next big signing. Hold the phone, President Luca has thrown a wrench in the plans by indicating that the Spaniard will probably drive one day for the red team, but next year is…
Read MoreF1 – In Nelson’s Own Words
We are on the eve of one of the more celebrated races on the F1 calendar, but unfortunately dark storm clouds loom on the horizon for Renault. While it is unfortunate that the racing this season has been overshadowed by the FIA’s bunglings and FOTA’s saber rattling, this is clearly a case where the FIA absolutely has to intercede on this matter. Nelson Piquet has alleged that he was directed to crash his car at Valencia last year to give Fernando Alonso a chance to win the race. And now,…
Read MoreF1 – Schumacher/Ferrari Talk at Monza
With the silly season in full swing and the Italian Grand Prix coming up, what would be a week without a story out of Maranello. While we were lucky enough to acquire Fisichella from Force India to help finish this years campaign, we still have to focus on where we are going to be next year. So lets stir the silly season pot. Crash.net ran a story this morning indicating that both Ferrari and Michael Schumacher will be staging talks on Michael’s involvement in the team next year. However, what…
Read MoreF1 – Renault Called to the Woodshed
Piquetgate appears to be picking up steam. Here is an FIA statement released today: Representatives of ING Renault F1 have been requested to appear before an extraordinary meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Monday, 21 September 2009. The team representatives have been called to answer charges, including a breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code, that the team conspired with its driver, Nelson Piquet Jr, to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix with the aim of causing the deployment…
Read MoreF1 – Fisichella in at Ferrari
Giancarlo Fisichella was confirmed Thursday as the second driver for Ferrari on the heels of his brilliant second place finish at Spa. The Italian will now fulfill a lifelong dream and compete at Monza in the red outfit in front of the tifosi on race day. Fisi was thankful to his Force India team for releasing him to the Italian squad in what many people thought was the only logical choice. Fisi was battling Robert Kubica for the second seat and will now replace Luca Badoer. Badoer was the stand…
Read MoreF1 – Renault Beat Down Imminent
What a wonderful weekend we had. The championship is starting to tighten a little and Spa was a welcome relief from all the Tilke inspired garbage that litters the F1 calendar. We had also been granted a brief reprieve from all the political wrangling. It was nice while it lasted. Renault is in the hotseat and we have a new ‘gate to add to our ever growing list of media circus events. We will dub it ‘Piquetgate’. Think back to one of the more sublime moments of the 2008 season.…
Read MoreF1 – Loeb Contacts USF1
Sebastian Loeb has made no secret his desire to pilot a Formula 1 car in the near future. With the Frenchman testing a Red Bull chassis earlier this year, speculation has grown as to whether he would make the switch from his current WRC job. Loeb is on the brink of losing the title for the first time in five years and has expressed his interest in trying other things on more than one occasion. With the oppurtunity to pilot an STR at the season ending GP in Abu Dhabi…
Read MoreF1 – Grand Prix of Europe
With seven events left on the 2009 Formula 1 schedule, the teams were in Valencia this weekend for the Grand Prix of Europe. All eyes were on local favorite Fernando Alonso and his Renault team as well as the resurgent McLaren Mercedes team who were able to take a surprising win last round in Hungary. Alonso would have ground to make up during the race as he would slot in at eighth on the grid. The McLaren’s kept up there quick pace and would start the race from the front…
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