It was Australia of last year when we found out about a trick double decker diffuser that was placed on the Brawn GP machine that raised a number of questions. The diffuser was then made legal and the other teams were forced to design one for the rest of the season. However, by that time the damage had been done and Button would go on to be your champion. The FiA announced today that the diffuser will change again and now a select number of teams have been told to…
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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.…
Read MoreF1 – Car Launch Dates – Lotus & Torro Rosso Updates – 1/15/2010
We have updated Lotus launch details and news that Torro Rosso is going to make it on track before big brother RBR. Lotus has updated their launch date from February 5th to February 12th. February 5th is the date that they plan to fire up the mighty Cosworth power plant for testing in house. Also, Torro Rosso has surprised everybody by announcing that they will be on track February 1st for the test at Valencia. They have not announced an official launch date for the car yet, but they may…
Read MoreF1 – Red Bull Keep Renault
Speculation has surfaced this season as to who the Red Bull Racing F1 team would choose to supply it engines for 2010 and beyond. Speculation that was driven by reliability issues with their current Renault power plant. The same Renault power plant that would play a decisive factor in Red Bull losing the constructor’s title. Renault, Mercedes, and Cosworth were the choices the team were interested in and they have made a decision. Renault will return to Red Bull Racing for the 2010 season as the team’s engine supplier. Reports…
Read MoreF1 – WMSC Puts Down Smack
The FIA has issued their full verdict on the Renault ‘Piquetgate’ scandal and the arbitrary hand of FIA justice has fallen. Leading up to this mornings WMSC hearing, Pat Symonds and Flavio Briatore left the team and Renault made it known that they would not dispute any of the FIA’s findings. On top of that they issued an unreserved apology to the FIA for the actions of members of their team. The FIA found that Nelson Piquet Jr., Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds conspired to have NPJ crash during last…
Read MoreF1 – Symonds Offered Immunity
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…
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 – 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 – Renault Ban Lifted for Valencia
The FIA Court of Appeals met today to discuss the Renault ban that was put in place after a tire came off the car of Fernando Alonso during the Hungarian Grand Prix. The team’s defense was that there was no conscious wrong doing when Fernando left his pit box on his first stop. The highlight was well shown during the US coverage in which there appeared to be a problem on the right front wheel lock that later seen the tire come off the car and go into a grassy…
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