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,…
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F1 – 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 – 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 – 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…
Read MoreF1 – Hungary Parting Shots
Another round of the FIA World Championship is in the books and it has been a weekend that has turned F1 upside down yet again. We thought that we may see a race weekend that was focused on the racing, but unfortunately it was not the case. This time it was a more humbling incident that made us loose focus. As by now all have heard, the Felipe Massa incident during the second qualification session ended any chance of having a normal race weekend. The young Brazilian was nearly taken…
Read MoreF1 – Nelson Dropped from Renault
As the silly season continues in Formula 1, a second mid season sacking has occurred in the Renault camp. Nelson Piquet Jr. has been dropped by the French squad due to his lack of performance. Nelson, who is son to three time champion Nelson Piquet Sr., was awarded the second race seat at the beginning of the year. However, he was warned that he was to step up his progress and result or be cut. Nelson Sr. made sure that Flavio Briatore understood that the young Brazilian’s contract could not…
Read MoreF1 – Manor F1 Driver Selection
While the silly season is well and truly underway for the F1 paddock, there are a number of teams who have no drivers at all. Those teams are the new kids on the block for the 2010 grid. While rumors run wild about just who will be in the first of the USF1 cars, another team has announced a few they are looking at as well. Manor F1 is also in the market for some new drivers and there is a pool of former test drivers and drop outs that…
Read MoreF1 – USF1 Set for October
Production of the first USF1 car may only be a couple months away as the team really kicks up the pace in anticipation for the 2010 season. Speaking with Autosport, Ken Anderson put a bit more information out on how the team has progressed since the FIA accepted their request to participate in the F1 World Championship. “The chassis is locked down, because we were waiting to hear if the [Cosworth] engine rev limit was 20,000rpm or 18,000rpm” Anderson said during the interview. We now know that the engine limit…
Read MoreF1 – Webber to Stay at RBR?
Red Bull has announced today that it would like Mark Webber to stay in the car for the 2010 season. Fresh off of his first career victory last weekend, the Australian is set to begin talks very soon. It is amazing what one victory can bring you these days. Many forget that it took Webber nearly his whole career to get the elusive grand prix win. However victories are not everything in racing. Mark has been a phenomenal setup driver and really understands the car and its capabilities. These are…
Read MoreEpisode 00 – Open Paddock Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Podcast: Play in new window | Download It is with great pleasure that we post our first podcast. This is a pilot episode as we work out the kinks and fiddle with the controls. Please enjoy the commentary and give us your feedback.
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