April 22, 2008
Autosport.com is reporting that Ferrari have played down the significance of their ‘hole in the nose’ design, insisting other aerodynamic developments on their car are just as important in helping the speed of the F2008.The Maranello-based team were the centre of attention during testing at Barcelona in Spain last week when they ran the much-rumoured nose hole feature for the first time.
And although there had been talk that the benefit of the concept could be large, Ferrari’s chief designer Nikolas Tombazis insists the impact is not that great.
Posted in Ferrari 
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April 22, 2008
Autosport.com is reporting that bringing Fernando Alonso to Ferrari to partner world champion Kimi Raikkonen would not be desirable, team president Luca di Montezemolo said on Tuesday.Alonso denied this month that he had an escape clause in his contract with struggling Renault that might allow him to leave for Ferrari at the end of the Formula One season.
However, Spain’s double world champion did say contracts were “very flexible” given his departure from McLaren last year.
Posted in Ferrari, Renault No Comments »
April 22, 2008
After Super Aguri’s deal with Magma fell though (as reported at Autosport.com), there was some question on whether they would make the Spanish Grand Prix.
It now looks likely to stave off collapse – in the short term at least – after confirming their cars were on the way to Spain for this weekend’s race as reported by Autosport.com.
The survival of the Japanese team remains in the balance after the breakdown of a planned rescue deal but Super Aguri’s co-owner believes they will be on the grid in Barcelona.
“I have heard that the cars being transported to Spain,” Fumio Akita told Reuters on Tuesday. “They’re on the way is the latest information I have.”
The team had already sent their spare parts truck last Friday.
Potential buyers Magma Group pulled out of their proposed takeover last week, putting Super Aguri’s future in serious threat.
Their continued participation this season may depend on backers Honda, although they may be reluctant to help, having only recently said that they would scale down their support.
Posted in Super Aguri No Comments »
April 22, 2008
I apologize for not posting in the last couple of weeks, but I have been having significant computer problems. Hopefully, after rebuilding my main machine, I am now back in business.
Posted in Uncategorized No Comments »
April 7, 2008
Formula 1.com is reporting that McLaren have confirmed that Lewis Hamilton’s front wing broke immediately prior to his running into the rear of Fernando Alonso’s Renault on lap two of Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
The unusual nature of the accident – both drivers were accelerating on a straight section of track – prompted cynics to question whether Alonso had ‘brake tested’ his former team mate. Renault’s telemetry suggested otherwise, and McLaren say they have no suspicion of any wrongdoing on the part of the Spaniard.
Such a failure would have robbed Hamilton’s car of not only downforce, but also drag, giving it an unexpected burst of acceleration, explaining the unlikely impact.
I have to say that I am suprised, as I thought Hamilton just simply ran into Alonso when they both moved to the right.
Posted in Bahrain Grand Prix, McLaren, Renault No Comments »
April 7, 2008
This was a rather boring weekend except for the first ‘Pole on Pole’. Robert Kubica did a great job in qualifying, and Ferrari did an excellent job in the race. McLaren had a bad weekend, with Hamilton not putting his car into launch control, and then running into Alonso (I don’t believe these ‘Brake Testing’ comments).
BMW and Williams had an excellent weekend, as did Toyota and Honda (who are both looking better than last year).
Coulthard needs to stop complaining about his car and just get on with the driving like Weber is doing. The Renault does not look good, and it is only Alonso’s talent that have kept them in it. Bourdais is doing a great job (much to my surprise as I have never rated him).
Force India are coming on, and Super Aguri just want to get home to europe so that they can get some spare parts.
So far this year, you would have to say the suprises have been Kubica, Heikki, and Bourdais, and the disappointments have been Sutil and Vettel.
Posted in Bahrain Grand Prix No Comments »
April 7, 2008
I have purposely not commented on the Mosley predicament. I firmly believe that what happens in private should stay private. The British gutter press have many more things they should be focused on. That being said, if he was involved in anything that had Nazi overtones, then he should go.
Posted in FIA No Comments »
March 31, 2008
The Malaysian Grand Prix is over, with Kimi winning, Kubica second, and Heikki third. Overall, I thought the Grand Prix was nowhere near as exciting a race as the Australian Grand Prix.
I agreed with the penalty assessed to Lewis and Heikki after qualifying. Even though a number of drivers were slow on their cool down lap, only Heikki and Lewis were on the driving line, and they should have known better.
Ferrari is back (just as I mentioned in an earlier post), BMW looks fast, and McLaren had a a good weekend. Truli was excellent in the Toyota. Williams slowed down (I wonder why), and Renault doesn’t look good. Red Bull needs to strengthen their car. Honda is better than last year (which isn’t saying a lot) but needs to improve. Toro Rosso, Force India and Super Aguri all need to improve.
Bahrain is next, and with its track layout, the Traction Control elimination will be very apparent their.
Posted in FIA, Malaysian Grand Prix No Comments »
March 18, 2008
Autosport.com is reporting that Scuderia Toro Rosso have been put up for sale, with joint owner Dietrich Mateschitz wanting a new buyer to be in place by the end of next season.
The Italian outfit have been surrounded by speculation for months that Mateschitz and fellow shareholder Gerhard Berger were looking at selling the team – although each time this was denied by those involved.
However, with the new Concorde Agreement meaning that customer cars will be outlawed from the start of 2010, Mateschitz has said there is no way he can continue operating his junior team.
Posted in Toro Rosso No Comments »
March 18, 2008
What an outstanding race. The rule changes (no traction control, no control of engine braking) really had an impact, with the cars sliding all over the place. In addition, it means that the drivers will occasionally make mistakes (Kimi?) that will allow more passing.
McLaren looks very strong, with both Lewis and Heikki having a great race (even with Heikki’s mistake on the final straight), and the Ferrari car looks fast, even though they had a lot of reliability issues. If there is one thing we can be sure of, it is that Ferrari will solve these problems. The BMW and Williams cars also look strong with Nick Heidfield and Nico Rosberg coming second and third. Additionally, Red Bull, Toyota, and Toro Rosso all looked strong. The Honda was suprisingly fast, especially Rubens.
It is unclear how fast the Renault is. Fernando had a decent race, but it looks like it is more down to his incredible driving skills rather than the capability of the car. Nelson had a terrible debut (similar to Heikki’s debut last year). We will see in the next few races. Force India’s cars didn’t run long enough to give any idea on how fast they will be. Super Aguri was really using the race as a testing session as they have done almost no testing.
It looks to be a great season, based on the first race. Let’s hope it continues in Malaya next.
Posted in Australian Grand Prix No Comments »
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