The showdown between the FIA and Renault over race fixing allegations is set to come to a head in just a few days, the FIA has reached out to Pat Symonds (director of engineering) at Renault F1 and offered him immunity from punishment if he releases further details regarding the events surrounding the 2008 Grand Prix of Singapore. Symonds has been somewhat suspect in dealing with these allegations all together. The director indicated that there were discussions about having Piquet crash, but those ideas were brought forward originally by Piquet…
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F1 – More Entries for 2010
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…
Read MoreF1 – 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 MoreEpisode 07 – Open Paddock Podcast
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Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadFinally, after 3 hours of fighting the server and getting it loaded, here is the seventh installment of the most politically incorrect motorsport show on the web! Rally Oz review, Palestinians and rocks, and a weekly round up of all the racing news you so desperately crave. Also, I finally give Doug a chance to respond to the verbal thrashings he recieved last episode. Enjoy!!
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 – 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 MoreRally – Target of 4
The promotional body of the WRC has stated they would like to have four manufacturers in the pinnacle of rally racing for 2011. Unless something drastic happens, I believe it is safe for us to assume that Ford and Citroen will make up half of the quota. The question is who else is willing to make a program in the series now that the rules have been cast in stone? There are rumored teams out there and we are going to break a couple of them down now and look…
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