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[subzero9285]

Audi R15 revealed

This spy-shot of Audi's new R15 TDI, seen in secret testing at Vallelunga, reveals just how radical the German manufacturer's approach has been to the car that will replace their all-conquering R10.

Audi won the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours, both Le Mans Series and American Le Mans titles, and Petit Le Mans, but the need for a new car was apparent as the German manufacturer was outdone for pace by Peugeot's 908 HDi FAP last year.

The R15 features a radical high-nose concept that looks similar to the approach used by the Renault Formula One team with their new R29. It is a major departure from the pointy, low-nose of its predecessor.

The car's radiators also appear to have been moved closer to the front wheel, probably in an effort to improve the car's weight distribution, hence the interesting scalloped ducts and shaping of the sidepods and rear cowling.

Other interesting developments on the car include a much lower, tidier rear end in an effort to regain some of the downforce lost to the new LMP1 regulations (which call for a 20 per cent reduction in aero) as well as innovative wing-mounted rear lights.

In a statement released by Audi yesterday, the team said the car has many 'technically innovative features' and will use a new 'smaller, lighter and even more efficient turbocharged diesel engine'.

The R15 has been testing in secret since before Christmas and will be raced for the first time in a two-car attack on the Sebring 12 Hours on March 21.

Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich said of the programme: "So far the R15 TDI has performed as we expected. Now it must also prove itself in race conditions. Sebring is a particularly hard race and is therefore perfectly suited to reveal even the smallest of weaknesses."

Allan McNish, who is one of the drivers to have tested the car said: "I drove it for the first time before Christmas as planned in Spain and everything went well. Since then Audi Sport has been busy with extensive testing and everything is progressing very well and on schedule - it's a tremendous car.

"I have been in the Audi 'family' for a few years now and have confidence that the team in Ingolstadt have again designed and built us a worthy successor to the R10 TDI," added the two-time Le Mans winner.

Audi Sport Team Joest has also confirmed their driver line-ups for Sebring with McNish sharing one car with his usual partners Rinaldo Capello and eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, and the second machine piloted by Germans Lucas Luhr, Mike Rockenfeller and Marco Werner.

Source

 

[DrM]

Nothing new in Bahrain - sandstorms again and testing session stopped after installation laps. :lol

 

[subzero9285]

Jerez update


Times so far

1.S. Bourdais Toro Rosso STR3 1:18.493
2. L. Hamilton McLaren MP4-24 1:20.737 +2.244
3. S. Vettel Red Bull Racing RB5 1:20.738 +2.245
4. K. Nakajima Williams FW31 1:20.898 +2.405
5. F. Alonso Renault R29 1:21.307 +2.814


Images

 

[cilonen]

OK, so Renault are sandbagging or really are in the shit. If it's the second of the two options I've got a tip for their aero guys. Having a big brick-shaped lump slightly recessed under the nosecone of the car, right in the airstream is probably not the most efficient way for air to flow around that section of the car at speed.

I can't take credit for that unfortunately; I think it was pointed out the first time someone with working eyes saw the front of the car.

Of course if it was option A and they dominate everyone in Melbourne, the market value of blind aerodynamicists should shoot up in F1.

 

[subzero9285]

Second round : Rally of Norway


Maps

Drivers happy with conditions

Malcolm Wilson, the boss of the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, says the conditions for the upcoming Rally Norway are some of the best he’s ever seen on a winter event.

The temperature dropped to -29° Celsius in Hamar this morning, and although it is not expected to drop quite so low over the next few days, the region’s deep covering of ice and snow is going nowhere fast.

Some light snow is forecast for Friday and Sunday afternoons, but the general outlook for the event is for more clear and bright conditions.

“I think we’ve got the best winter rally conditions that I’ve seen for many, many years,” said Wilson. “On some stages the snow banks are as high as the roof of the cars - they really are dream conditions for a driver. Okay, it’s still 100 per cent snow and ice, but what you’ve got is a consistent surface which gives the drivers a fantastic feeling. If any driver goes away from here and doesn’t enjoy it, my advice to them is don’t do another rally - because this is perfect.

“It’s not often that I wish I was actually doing a rally, but to come here and see these conditions, I must admit it would be fantastic to do that here,” he added.

However, even though the depth of snow on the stages is consistent, Wilson warned that frontrunners could be disadvantaged on stages without a solid base.

“The difficult day will be Friday because from what I’ve been told there’s quite a bit of loose snow on the road,” he explained. “Saturday and Sunday’s roads have a hard-packed ice base because they’re used a lot - while Friday’s aren’t used on a daily basis. On day one this situation should favour those drivers starting a little way down the start order. I think Jari-Matti is in a really strong position. The secret will to get as big a margin as possible on day one, because there’s not going to be such a stark difference on days two and three.”

Source


Solberg wins opening superspecial

Petter Solberg has made a dream start to the Rally Norway, his first event with his own team, by winning the opening stage and leading his home round of the World Rally Championship in his private Citroen Xsara WRC.

In front of 20,000 of his cheering countryman at the Oslo superspecial, Solberg posted a time six tenths of a second faster than his nearest rival, Ford's Mikko Hirvonen.

This is the first time Solberg has led a rally since Jordan last year, where he set a joint fastest time in stage one, and is the first time in two years that he has led a rally on his own.

Solberg missed the opening round of the WRC in Ireland earlier this month after Subaru withdrew from the WRC, forcing him to establish his own team to run a 2006-specification Citroen.

Stepping from the Xsara, the delighted Solberg acknowledged the fans and said: "We're back in business! It's just like the old days. Now we'll see what we can do tomorrow."

The only drivers to suffer any problems on the opening stage were Citroen's Dani Sordo, who stalled on the start line, and former Suzuki factory driver P-G Andersson, who stalled his Skoda Fabia WRC in a hairpin. They lie sixth and 30th respectively.

Behind Solberg and Hirvonen, Sebastien Loeb (Citroen), Mads Ostberg (Adapta Subaru) and Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford) complete the initial top five.

Patrik Sandell made the perfect start to his career as a Red Bull Suzuki driver, posting the fastest Production class time in his Fabia S2000.

The main action gets underway from Hamar, north of Oslo, at 9am local time tomorrow.

Source


Leading positions after SS1

Pos Driver Car Time
1. Petter Solberg Citroen 1:32.8
2. Mikko Hirvonen Ford + 0.6
3. Sebastien Loeb Citroen + 0.7
4. Mads Ostberg Subaru + 1.2
5. Jari-Matti Latvala Ford + 2.3
6. Dani Sordo Citroen + 3.0
7. Urmo Aava Ford + 3.4
8. Henning Solberg Ford + 4.2
9. Matthew Wilson Ford + 4.7
10. Anders Grondal Subaru + 5.3


Images

 

[dejan]

Current Jerez lap times:
1. S. Bourdais Toro Rosso STR3 1:18.201 24
2. F. Alonso Renault R29 1:20.221 +2.020 24
3. L. Hamilton McLaren MP4-24 1:20.263 +2.062 10
4. M. Webber Red Bull Racing RB5 1:21.971 +3.770 7
5. K. Nakajima Williams FW31 2:39.999 +81.798 10

Some stints:

Alonso:
1.20.322
1.20.675
1.20.931
1.20.755
1.21.004
1.21.205
1.21.379
1.21.311
1.21.538

1.20.343
1.20.484
1.20.575
1.20.221
1.21.086
1.21.068
1.20.962
1.21.104

Hamilton:
1.21.361
1.20.513
1.20.283
1.20.263
1.20.328

 

[navanman]

Looks like the blind guy was right & Renault have been sand bagging for the last few days and are now showing the true pace of the car
OR
Alonso has had to work hard to get the car setup as its a bit of a pig like last years Renault that improved the more Alonso drove and tested it.

 

[Burai]

Looks like the blind guy was right & Renault have been sand bagging for the last few days and are now showing the true pace of the car
OR
Alonso has had to work hard to get the car setup as its a bit of a pig like last years Renault that improved the more Alonso drove and tested it.

It could well be like last year's BMW. The thing was dog slow all winter and they finally worked out what made it tick at the final test. A dramatically different approach to aero can present initial headaches.

 

[DrM]

Yeah, but this is testing, so only teams know the truth. So, more speculations for us

McLaren is still using modified 2008 rear wing. They are probably hiding components for next two tests in March OR they screwed something up in planning phase :lol

Nico Rosberg takes Williams for last 4 hours of today Jerez test.

There is even some driving in Bahrain, but reports are scarce.
For morning part :
Trulli 1:34.318; 75 laps
Raikkonen 1:34.463; 63 laps
Klien 1:35.5.35; 52 laps

EDIT: Alonso with new best lap for 2009 specs : 1:19:846

 

[cilonen]

Well I'll be damned. Ugly is fast.

I guess this car could turn out to be the anti-Arrows A19 (that thing looked gorgeous but was really slow).

 

[Chris R]

Truck race at Daytona tonight on SPEED. Even if you hate Nascar, the truck series is usually a good watch, with plenty of action.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

The renault is the most hideous thing ever I don't know who should be driving it.

This guy?

Or this guy?

 

[DrM]

This is from McLaren test site:

The team carried out the majority of its running using a hybrid-spec 2008 rear wing in order to more effectively simulate expected downforce loads and will bring a raft of new components to next month’s test, back in Jerez.

Jerez, day four times
1. Sebastien Bourdais Toro Rosso 1m17.472 117 (2008 car)
2 Lewis Hamilton Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m19.632 94
3 Fernando Alonso Renault 1m19.846 109
4 Nico Rosberg Williams F1 1m21.217 71
5 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing 1m21.313 62
6 Kazuki Nakajima Williams F1 no time 34 (pitstop test)

 

[subzero9285]

Bahrain testing


Ferrari round-up

Circuit: Bahrain International Circuit - 5.412 km
Driver: Kimi Raikkonen
Car: Ferrari F60
Weather: air temperature 16/21 °C, track temperature 16/29 °C. Sunny with hazy skies.

After two days affected by poor visibility, finally the weather in Bahrain improved enough so that this day of testing could proceed as normal. Therefore, Kimi Raikkonen, who was unable to do anything at all yesterday, managed to get his first run in the Ferrari F60 on a dry track, even if it was still very dirty because of a covering of sand in the first hours of the morning. Kimi concentrated mainly on finding the best set-up for the car and covered a total of 105 laps, setting a best time of 1:33.350. The only hiccough on the day was down to an hydraulic problem which occurred shortly after 15:00 and was then fixed.

The Scuderia will resume testing at this circuit on Monday 16th February, again with Kimi Raikkonen on track.

Images

Testing Video

Feb 13th 2009. Ferrari, Toyota and BMW

 

[Flo_Evans]

I am getting pumped for this F1 season. I hated Alonso at McLaren, but I am actually pulling for him and the ugly Renault to make things more interesting. Somehow being an asshole is more endearing when you are the underdog. Also look forward to what BMW does this year. When is the 1st race?

edit: OMG that audi R15 is HOT! Hope they add that in the next GT.

 

[subzero9285]

I am getting pumped for this F1 season. I hated Alonso at McLaren, but I am actually pulling for him and the ugly Renault to make things more interesting. Somehow being an asshole is more endearing when you are the underdog. Also look forward to what BMW does this year. When is the 1st race?

edit: OMG that audi R15 is HOT! Hope they add that in the next GT.

The first race is on the 29th of March, and I totally agree about the R15, it's stunning looking especially in black.

 

[gutterboy44]

...but I am actually pulling for him and the ugly Renault to make things more interesting. Somehow being an asshole is more endearing when you are the underdog..

It is funny, I hated Alonso when he first started winning titles, but once he went to Mclaren and got shafted there, and became this out spoken bitter asshole, I kind of like him now. He is the only personality left on the paddock, especially now that Coulthard is gone. Oh how I miss the day's of Eddie Irvine, "I didn't call him a fag, I actually said he should stop being a fag and worrying about what I say."

 

[Flo_Evans]

The first race is on the 29th of March, and I totally agree about the R15, it's stunning looking especially in black.

Crap I am getting married on March 28th! They better have speed channel in the honeymoon suite!! :lol

Lucky for me the wife likes F1 too.

 

[subzero9285]

Crap I am getting married on March 28th! They better have speed channel in the honeymoon suite!! :lol

Lucky for me the wife likes F1 too.

Wow. Congratulations on deciding to tie the knot, hope you and your wife to be have a good one!

 

[twinturbo2]

Tony Stewart wrecks his car in morning practice...

... then turns around and wins Nationwide race.

 

[Tenacious-V]

Honda Saved by Brazilian Investors

According to various media the Honda Formula 1 team have raised sufficient funds to ensure that the team can at least compete in the first four races of the upcoming Formula One season. The team would also have signed up Brazilian driver Bruno Senna to race alongside Jenson Button.

According to British newspaper The Guardian the team raised around $30m funding from a group of Brazilian sponsors who support Senna.

The team would be running with Mercedes-Benz engines in Melbourne and more information is expected later this month.

 

[speedpop]

I'll kill you BakedPigeon. I'll kill you!

 

[BakedPigeon]

Im an idiot lol. I searched and could not find it.... then somehow read right past the last two reply's... anywyas....

 

[digita1alchemy]

Daaaaaayoooooonaaaa...

Not much NASCAR in here, lol. I'm hoping Marcos Ambrose can get a good finish today in his first Daytona 500. I'd be happy with a top 20 really. Anyone else watching today?

 

[BakedPigeon]

Im a bobby labonte fan myself, I would also be happy with a top 20

 

[digita1alchemy]

Im a bobby labonte fan myself, I would also be happy with a top 20

I was wary of him stepping in the 96 car, but it was good to see him run really well Thursday. Then again, that car is now a Yates car, and this a restrictor plate track, so I shouldn't be suprised.

 

[speedpop]

Nascar picks up later in the year usually during these threads. Some people hate it, some people love it, most are indifferent to it. I'd say just keep posting the Nascar news or opinions and you're bound to get a response regardless.

 

[Pimpwerx]

Daaaaaayoooooonaaaa...

Not much NASCAR in here, lol. I'm hoping Marcos Ambrose can get a good finish today in his first Daytona 500. I'd be happy with a top 20 really. Anyone else watching today?

As speedpop said, some of us watch sometimes, and not at others. I'll usually watch at least parts of the plate races. I love the road races best, though. I'm gonna try and catch as much of the race as I can stand today. Once the #24 is out of the race, I'm turning though. I hope the race is in HD. PEACE.

 

[cilonen]

As speedpop said, some of us watch sometimes, and not at others. I'll usually watch at least parts of the plate races. I love the road races best, though. I'm gonna try and catch as much of the race as I can stand today. Once the #24 is out of the race, I'm turning though. I hope the race is in HD. PEACE.

In the UK it's in HD on one of the Sky Sports HD channels - 3? I'd have to go back next door to check :lol

I'll watch it 'till I fall asleep. I wasn't too much into Daytona last year because of bump drafting. All that work and then to win it you have to have someone bump you into the win - daft. But I did get into Nascar over the course of last season - my first real season of following it.

 

[StoOgE]

I hate plate races for NASCAR.

I'm not much of a Nascar guy anymore, but these are always the most BS races. Everyone is so fucking close it's basically a crapshoot to do well.

 

[Zaphod]

I hate plate races for NASCAR.

I'm not much of a Nascar guy anymore, but these are always the most BS races. Everyone is so fucking close it's basically a crapshoot to do well.

It's not safe but it would be awesome to see those cars go flat out. 3400 lbs going 220 mph would be good entertainment to me.

 

[twinturbo2]

Yeah, if you missed it, the race was called with less than 50 laps to go due to rain. Matt Kenseth was declared the winner, and team owner Jack Roush got his first Daytona 500 win.

Funny, last year Roger Penske got his first Daytona 500 win, too.

Race report

 

[twinturbo2]

Also, the new Petty team had three of their cars in the top ten, I believe. Good for them.

Also, is Digger the gopher annoying? I say no, because he doesn't speak. It appears that FOX learned their lesson from Scooter...

 

[Elfforkusu]

Digger is much less annoying than Mike Joy.

As for the race... on the one hand, Jr took out about 10 cars and that's never good, but on the other hand it was the only interesting thing that happened all race and he owed both Shrub and Vickers anyhow. Unintentional, I'd assume. Worth it anyway? Probably. :lol

I despise both the "yellow line" rule and the "freeze the field" rule, FWIW. Good to see that both managed to eff everything up today once again!

 

[Chris R]

The gopher is annoying, but the camera angle rocks. Sucks the race had to be called short, and sucks that the wreck happened. I wouldn't go blame Jr though, not like he tboned him, just barely caught him on the corner, easy to do at those speeds. Should just get rid of the line cept for in the corners and trioval.

 

[BakedPigeon]

Digger is much less annoying than Mike Joy.

As for the race... on the one hand, Jr took out about 10 cars and that's never good, but on the other hand it was the only interesting thing that happened all race and he owed both Shrub and Vickers anyhow. Unintentional, I'd assume. Worth it anyway? Probably. :lol

I despise both the "yellow line" rule and the "freeze the field" rule, FWIW. Good to see that both managed to eff everything up today once again!

They interviewed Jr. and he seemed pretty sincere when he said it was unintentional, but ya he did say it was his own fault.

Daytona and Talladaga are the only double yellow line tracks thankfully.

 

[DrM]

Bahrain testing continues this week (Ferrari, Toyota, BMW).
Times so far, no sandstorms today:

1. K. Räikkönen Ferrari F60 1:32.970
2. C. Klien BMW Sauber F1.09 1:33.328 +0.358
3. J. Trulli Toyota TF109 1:33.777 +0.807

 

[Dave Long]

The gopher needs to be shot.

 

[twinturbo2]

The gopher is annoying, but the camera angle rocks. Sucks the race had to be called short, and sucks that the wreck happened. I wouldn't go blame Jr though, not like he tboned him, just barely caught him on the corner, easy to do at those speeds. Should just get rid of the line cept for in the corners and trioval.

The gopher doesn't say a damn word, and as long as that's the case, it's all good.

I thought I saw Tom Cruise there, and yes,, he was there, took a few laps in the Camaro pace car, and took a few more laps in the #46 City Chevrolet Lumina.

XENU IS MY CO-PILOT.

 

[subzero9285]

Loeb holds off Hirvonen to win in Norway

Sebastien Loeb has resisted huge pressure from Mikko Hirvonen to win the Rally Norway - and deal a significant blow to Ford's title hopes.

Ford had dominated recent snow rallies, while Loeb had only won on that surface once in his career (in the 2004 Swedish Rally) and crashed in the last Norwegian event.

But even though he ran first on the road all weekend, Loeb was able to match Hirvonen's pace from the start, and then edged away on Saturday.

Hirvonen closed dramatically in the final loop of stages this afternoon and started the deciding Budor test just 7.7 seconds adrift. The Finn had declared that he would take an 'all or nothing' approach, but despite his best efforts, Loeb was actually 2.1 seconds faster through the stage, giving him his 49th World Rally Championship win by 9.8 seconds.

"Mikko has done a really great rally and I had to push on the limit from the first to the last stage," said Loeb.

"Finally, we've done it. It's been very difficult mentally to keep pushing to the end and know that you could lose everything at the last corner of the last stage. It's a lot more exciting when you win with a battle like this."

Hirvonen admitted that he had mixed feelings after one of the toughest fights of his career.

"I'm sad that we came second, but I'm glad we finished," he said. "It was a really, really big and close fight. He was faster yesterday, and that was it. I'm glad about my speed today - I managed to push him really hard."

Ford's Jari-Matti Latvala, winner of the last snow rally in Sweden a year ago, took a low-key third, having only sporadically matched Loeb and Hirvonen's pace.

"It's been a frustrating weekend - not all that I was hoping for," said Latvala, who escaped a minor error in the very last stage. "But at least we got a third place."

Many had tipped Henning Solberg (Stobart Ford) for a podium or possibly even a victory in his home rally, but he lost touch with the leaders on Friday. Set-up changes improved his pace later in the rally and allowed him to charge past Citroen's Dani Sordo and repeat his Rally Ireland fourth place.

Although Solberg's younger brother Petter got his career as an owner/driver off to a fairytale start by winning Thursday night's rally-opening superspecial, his 2006-specification Citroen Xsara could not match the factory cars in the fully-fledged stages. A misfire on Saturday was particularly time-consuming, but Solberg still took sixth place after winning a late battle with Matthew Wilson (Stobart Ford).

"It is a dream," said Solberg. "I never thought this was actually possibly to do in three weeks. With a new team, new mechanics, friends and family, anything is possible. I just have to say thank you to everybody.

"I was so afraid earlier because I had a clutch problem for two stages, I was very, very scared of breaking the clutch, so I'm very pleased to come to the finish."

Wilson's teammate Urmo Aava claimed the final point.

The Adapta Subaru team had a highly frustrating rally, with myriad mechanical problems and some errors consigning Mads Ostberg to a distant ninth on a weekend when he had hoped to star. His teammate Anders Grondal dropped out of contention with a trip off the road on Friday.

Various technical problems and driving mistakes left Citroen Junior's Sebastien Ogier, Conrad Rautenbach and Evgeny Novikov back in 10th to 12th places, but the inexperienced trio showed flashes of promise - with a shock second-fastest time from teenage WRC debutant Novikov on Friday afternoon, and Ogier briefly running in the top six.

But the greatest disappointment of the weekend was surely the clutch failure that ended Per-Gunnar Andersson's rally at half-distance. The Suzuki refugee took two stage wins and held a remarkable fifth overall in his private Skoda Fabia before having to retire.

Patrik Sandell took the first Production victory for an S2000 car in his Red Bull Skoda. He was handed a huge lead when his Friday sparring partner Andreas Mikkelsen went off the road, and then hung on to win the class despite a quick excursion of his own this morning.

Source


Images

Final Times

Pos Driver Car Time
1. Sebastien Loeb Citroen 3h28:15.9
2. Mikko Hirvonen Ford + 9.8
3. Jari-Matti Latvala Ford + 1:21.8
4. Henning Solberg Ford + 3:33.5
5. Dani Sordo Citroen + 3:52.0
6. Petter Solberg Citroen + 6:25.4
7. Matthew Wilson Ford + 6:35.6
8. Urmo Aava Ford + 6:49.1
9. Mads Ostberg Subaru + 10:00.5
10. Sebastien Ogier Citroen + 12:49.8

 

[subzero9285]

Testing at Bahrain


Klien sets the pace

Christian Klien set the pace at Bahrain on Monday, as testing resumed at the Sakhir circuit following a weekend break.

The BMW Sauber test driver posted a best time of 1:32.544 as his team, as well as their rivals, had a very productive session, trying to make up for the time lost last week due to the bad weather.

"Today was a very productive day," said Klien. "We collected a lot of data and I even did a long run at the end of the session. Again we didn't have a single technical problem, which is very encouraging."

Kimi Raikkonen was second quickest for Ferrari, the Finn working on assessing different set-up configurations and on a comparison of the different types of Bridgestone tyres at the wheel of the F60.

Toyota's Jarno Trulli was the busiest man on track, covering over two grand prix distances in the TF109. The Italian focused on mechanical and aerodynamic set-up along with tyre comparisons.

"We made it through way more than two race distances today - in fact I think this is my personal best for mileage at a test day," said Trulli.

"So I'd say this was a positive and productive day. There were a lot of items to test on a full programme and we got through everything. We made good progress and we were consistently competitive all day long. This has been a good start to our second week here."

Source


Ferrari round-up

Circuit: Bahrain International Circuit - 5.412 km
Driver: Kimi Raikkonen
Car: Ferrari F60
Weather: air temperature 19/28 °C, track temperature 20/35 °C. Sunny with hazy skies.

After a short break of two days the test sessions for the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, Toyota and BMW continued at Sakhir. The three drivers out on the track today were the ones from last Friday: Kimi Raikkonen, Jarno Trulli and Christian Klien. The weather is fine although the sky is still dull, with air temperatures between 20 and 28 °C and track temperatures between 20 and 35 °C.

Kimi continued with the F60's development work, particularly concentrating on comparing the different set ups. In the morning he drove around eight stints, while in the afternoon the long stints were started. Around 90 minutes before the end of today's session the three drivers' lap times were a mere two tenths of a second apart: Klien with the fastest lap time in 1:32.905, followed by Kimi with 1:32.969 and Trulli (1:33.064). However the Toyota driver was the one with the most laps (127), followed by Klien (95) and Kimi (82).

Today's times

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Klien BMW-Sauber (B) 1:32.544 131
2. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:32.804 116
3. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:33.064 141


F1 News


ING to leave F1 next season

Renault will be forced to find a new title sponsor for 2010 after banking giants ING announced on Monday morning that it is pulling out of Formula One at the end of the season.

ING recently announced a major cost-cutting programme because of the losses it has occurred in the current economic crisis. It is to scale back its investment in F1, through trackside advertising and event sponsorship, by 40 percent.

However, with a view to save even more money, ING has decided not to renew its title-sponsorship deal with Renault beyond the end of this year and cease all other involvement in F1.

A statement issued by ING said: "In light of the recently announced cost reduction programme, ING confirmed today not to renew the three year sponsorship (2007-2009) contract with Renault F1 and to end its presence in F1 beyond the 2009 season.

"ING's participation in Formula One was the company's first global sponsorship project aimed at delivering revenue and raising the global brand awareness, particularly in ING's key growth markets. Over the past two years, ING has successfully achieved its objectives for the F1 sponsorship, raising its overall global brand awareness by 16% (March 07 vs November 08).

"F1 remains a powerful business driver even in a difficult economic climate. Whilst ING has cut the F1 sponsorship costs by 40% in the final year, revenue generating opportunities will be a continuing focus through 2009. ING has enjoyed the relationship with Renault F1 and will continue to work closely with the team during the final year of the partnership."

Source


Briatore: Renault future secure

Renault chief Flavio Briatore is confident his team have a 'solid future' in Formula One despite the impact of losing title sponsor ING at the end of this year.

With Renault having already been surrounded by widespread speculation about their future in the sport because of the increasingly gloomy financial outlook for car makers, the team's situation has not been helped by ING's decision to end its involvement in F1.

However, Briatore remains upbeat that, with F1 embracing a number of cost-cutting measures, he can look to the future with confidence.

"During the past three years, the team and ING have enjoyed a rewarding and successful relationship," Briatore said in a statement on his team's official website.

"ING has been an enthusiastic and supportive partner for the Renault F1 team in all respects. They have been a true success story and have become a brand that is recognised worldwide thanks to an innovative and proactive sponsorship programme with our team and Formula One.

"However, we have been aware for quite some time that the world's current financial climate was calling for a restructuring of our sport and with FOTA we have moved in that direction.

"Drastic cost reductions have been on FOTA's agenda as one of the first priorities and with the ongoing programme of measures we are confident we can guarantee a solid future for our team and for Formula One."

Source


Petrobras: No Honda sponsorship

Honda Racing have lost one of their main sponsors, with Brazilian oil company Petrobras confirming that it does not wish to be part of any plans to save the team.

While negotiations continue to try and secure the future of the Brackley-based outfit, speculation over the weekend had suggested that Petrobras were to be key backers in a rescue deal that would see Bruno Senna elevated to a race seat alongside Jenson Button.

However, not only have Petrobras denied any plans to support Senna, the company has also announced that it does not wish to see through a $10 million (USD) sponsorship deal that it signed with Honda at the end of last year.

Furthermore, without the possibility of linking up with another manufacturer, Petrobras has announced that it will quit F1 entirely because it is only interested in the technical challenges offered by the sport.

Claudio Thompson, Petrobras' Manager of Sports Sponsorship, said: "Petrobras' presence in Formula One was our means to continue technological development and to do that we needed to work closely with a manufacturer.

"Once Honda announced it was pulling out of Formula One, we decided we were going to stop too, because all the manufacturer-backed teams had fuel suppliers for 2009. We're not interested in just being a commercial sponsor without the possibility of using and developing our products."

As well as the decision regarding its future involvement in F1, Petrobras also issued a statement in Brazil responding to the Senna rumours and making it clear that the company has never adopted the policy of supporting drivers.

The statement said: "Petrobras denies the rumours seen in the media about Bruno Senna's hiring by the ex-Honda team with the company's support.

"The company has no contract with Honda or any future team being formed for the 2009 Formula One season. Petrobras also reiterates that under the terms of its Motorsport Sponsorship Programme, it does not sponsor drivers individually."

Although the loss of the Petrobras money is a dent to Honda Racing's bid to put together the budget for the season, it is understood the team are closing in on getting the finances ready to allow them to compete this season.

Although there has been no official comment coming from the team since the end of last year, it had been widely expected that a management buyout by Nick Fry and Ross Brawn would be the most likely outcome from the situation.

However, a report in The Daily Telegraph on Monday quoted a Honda source as saying that a bid from an unnamed third party had emerged that could take the team forward.

The report quoted the source as saying the company behind this mystery bid was: "reputable, able to bring long-term financial stability, with a brand image known throughout the world. Formula One would do well to have them on board."

Jenson Button is already contracted to the team for 2009, while Bruno Senna and Rubens Barrichello have been in negotiations with the team for the second drive.

Petrobras entered F1 in July 1998 with Williams.

Source


USF1 intersted in testing Danica Patrick

The man in charge of the technical part of the USF1 project says the team would be interested in testing IndyCar racer Danica Patrick.

"She's great. She gets a lot of press," USF1 technical director Ken Anderson told The Associated Press.

"(Indianapolis Motor Speedway president) Tony George would probably be pretty mad with me if I took her out of the IRL but we'll see.

"I don't know if it's something she wants to do. We'd certainly love to test her and go from there," Anderson added.

The USF1 team have already set a February 24 date to announce their plans to enter Formula One, as details continue to appear about the project.

According to The Associated Press report, the team will have a working budget of $64 million and a staff of at least 100, with the aim of putting two American drivers on the grid.

Patrick is one of the most popular names in IndyCar, where she has won one race to date.

Anderson said the team, to be based in South Carolina, are also looking at having a second headquarters in Spain, sharing the factory with the Epsilon Euskadi squad, based in Gipuzkoa.

"We're talking to (former F1 engineer) Sergio Rinland about basing it at Epsilon," said Anderson. "It (Gipuzkoa) is a beautiful city, it's certainly on top of our list. Spain makes a lot of sense with all the winter testing."

Andersson also admitted it made sense to enter Formula One now.

"It's the biggest sport in the world and the biggest TV show in the world," he said. "NASCAR has just become a national sport, never mind an international sport."

Source

 

[subzero9285]

Daytona 500 round-up

Rain brought the Daytona 500 to an early finish and Matt Kenseth was declared the winner after leading only the last green-flag lap of an eventful Sprint Cup series season-opener.

Kenseth overtook Elliott Sadler entering turn one to lead the race for the first time all night on lap 146, right before Aric Almirola made contact with Kasey Kahne on the backstretch, bringing out the caution flag for the eighth time during the day.

While running behind the pacecar, a slight drizzle that had kept teams with an eye on strategy and the weather radar, transformed into a heavy downpour that ended up washing out any chance for Kenseth's rivals.

Following 20 minutes of waiting under the red flag, the 2003 Sprint Cup champion was declared the winner. Given that the race was past its halfway-mark and with the radar not showing any hope of the rain stopping, NASCAR decided to make the result official after 380 of the scheduled 500 miles.

Kesenth received the news as he waited inside his car and even broke into tears when told he had just taken his and Jack Roush's maiden victory in the Great American Race after starting from the back of the field, following a crash that forced him to his back up car during the first Gatorade Duel.

"It's going to be really wet here because I'm crying like a baby," said Kenseth. "But I've just got to thank my team and thank the Lord for giving me this opportunity first of all.

"I've had a lot of great opportunities in my life - from my family getting me in racing. Man I don't know, winning the Daytona 500 is definitely a dream moment."

The 36-year-old broke a 36-race win drought that dated back to the season finale at Homestead in 2007. He didn't win a single race last season despite making the Chase, but will now lead the championship heading into Fontana next week, having made a pass that he never thought was going to win him the race.

"I was a little nervous," Kenseth said about passing Elliott Sadler for the lead. "Because it was Elliott (Sadler) and Reed (Sorenson) and (AJ) Allmendinger and all the (Richard Petty Motorsport) teammates lined up there and I was able to get on the outside of Elliott a little bit, and our car was honestly a fair amount quicker than his and I was able to get the run and get by him."

A few laps before Kenseth's lucky break came, he survived the 'Big One' of the day, ignited by a controversial incident between Dale Earnhardt Jr and Brian Vickers on the backstretch. Kenseth was able to go through the carnage without any damage, while ten other cars were part of the wreck.

Among those involved were most of the fastest cars of the day and some of the big names, including Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, and Kyle Busch. The Joe Gibbs driver had been particularly strong up until then leading 88 laps, but had dropped down in the order in the last round of pitstops as teams opted for different tyre strategies.

"I think we were the best car out there," said Busch. "Us, the 24 (Jeff Gordon) was strong, the 11 (Denny Hamlin) was strong, a couple other guys that we were battling with, but felt like our car was the best to beat.

"We were awfully good and just running out front and biding our time. I don't think we fell worse than sixth or fifth the whole time out there. Just a really sad feeling."

While Busch at least looked competitive as well as Edwards at some point, defending champion Johnson had a troubled day, never getting the right balance on his car and running for most of the distance in the middle of the pack.

But while some of the big names faded, the underdogs were able to have a shot at NASCAR's biggest race. Kevin Harvick, who drove his Budweiser Shootout car from the back of the field, was able to finish second, while AJ Allmendinger was an impressive third on his maiden Daytona 500.

Clint Bowyer was fourth in his first race with Richard Childress Racing's fourth team, while Sadler rounded up the top five, lamenting that the final caution flag of the race came probably one lap too late for him.

The Richard Petty Motorsports driver led 24 laps after coming out of the pits in the lead when most of the field pitted under the fifth caution of the day.

"On one hand, I'm very happy and on the other, I'm really disappointed," Sadler said. "We got a top-five finish for Dodge and Richard Petty Motorsports and that's a great (Daytona) 500 finish for us.

"On the other hand, I was one lap from winning the Daytona 500 and that's hard to swallow. With the off-season that I've had, I feel like I deserved that win more than anyone. I really wanted to go to Victory Lane. I just needed to hang on for one more lap to win the 500."

Three of Petty's cars actually finished in the top ten, as Reed Sorenson was ninth right behind Tony Stewart, who was able to come back from the adversity of his practice crash with teammate Ryan Newman, actually leading the race for 15 laps.

Gatorade Duel winner Jeff Gordon had been strong in the first part of the race but his chances of victory faded as he struggled with excessive tyre wear and got shuffled down in the order by being out of sequence by the time the race was halted.

For the rookies it was a tough day as both made contact on lap 82 at the exit of turn four when Scott Speed got loose, getting hit by Joey Logano, who also made contact with Greg Biffle.

Logano spun and crashed against the inside SAFER barrier at high speed, finishing his race on the spot, while Speed was able to carry on to finish a 35th place.

This year's Daytona 500 was only the third ever shortened season-opener, the most recent dating back to 2003 when Michael Waltrip was declared the winner after 109 of the 200 scheduled laps.

Source


Vickers blames Earnhardt Jr

Brian Vickers blamed Dale Earnhardt Jr for a multi-car incident ignited by contact between both of them on lap 125 of the Daytona 500.

Vickers was trying to fend off Earnhardt's attack as they battled for position on the track. Both were a lap down and right at the front of the field when the Red Bull driver got spun out by Earnhardt, causing a multi-car crash.

"We're all racing for the 'lucky dog' there," said Vickers referring to the NASCAR rule that allows the first car a lap down to get back on the lead lap during caution periods. "And my goal was to keep (Dale Earnhardt) Jr. behind me and I went to block him - I beat him to the yellow line and then he just turned us.

"He hit me the first time on the way down, which is fine, we all do that. Then when he came back up he just hooked me in the left rear and typically NASCAR penalises.

"I think the 38 (Jason Leffler) was penalised five laps yesterday for doing the same thing (during the Nationwide Series race). I guess they're not going to penalise him for it. It's kind of sad.

"To wreck somebody intentionally like that in front of the entire field is really kind of dangerous. That's my biggest problem with it, but apparently he wanted a caution pretty bad."

Vickers made reference to an incident that caused Jason Leffler to be held in the pits by officials for five laps due to aggressive driving during Saturday's Nationwide Series season-opener at Daytona. Leffler spun Steven Wallace out and another two cars were involved in the incident he ignited.

Earnhardt Jr insisted he was not to blame for the wreck, saying Vickers first forced him to drive below the double yellow line.

"Penalise me? For what?" Earnhardt said. "I got ran into and sent below the line. What the hell? I don't want to go down there, I didn't aim to go down there, and I got sent down there. What the hell am I supposed to do? Then what am I supposed to do? Stay down there? No. I got to get back up on the racetrack.

"It was unfortunate, man. If he wasn't so damn reckless, we would have never had that problem, that would never happen. As far as I am concerned, it is all his responsibility."

Earnhardt Jr had been penalised a few laps before the incident for a pit road violation, but he escaped any further penalties.

Source


Final result

Pos Driver Car Laps
1. Matt Kenseth Ford 152
2. Kevin Harvick Chevrolet 152
3. AJ Allmendinger Dodge 152
4. Clint Bowyer Chevrolet 152
5. Elliott Sadler Dodge 152
6. David Ragan Ford 152
7. Michael Waltrip Toyota 152
8. Tony Stewart Chevrolet 152
9. Reed Sorenson Dodge 152
10. Kurt Busch Dodge 152
11. Martin Truex Jr Chevrolet 152
12. David Reutimann Toyota 152
13. Jeff Gordon Chevrolet 152
14. Juan Montoya Chevrolet 152
15. Casey Mears Chevrolet 152
16. Mark Martin Chevrolet 152
17. Marcos Ambrose Toyota 152
18. Carl Edwards Ford 152
19. John Andretti Chevrolet 152
20. Greg Biffle Ford 152
21. Regan Smith Chevrolet 152
22. Bobby Labonte Ford 152
23. Bill Elliott Ford 152
24. Kasey Kahne Dodge 152
25. Terry Labonte Toyota 152
26. Scott Riggs Toyota 152
27. Denny Hamlin Toyota 152
28. Dale Earnhardt Jr Chevrolet 152
29. Jeff Burton Chevrolet 152
30. Aric Almirola Chevrolet 152
31. Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet 152
32. Sam Hornish Jr Dodge 152
33. David Stremme Dodge 152
34. Robby Gordon Toyota 152
35. Scott Speed Toyota 152
36. Ryan Newman Chevrolet 150
37. Paul Menard Ford 139
38. Jamie McMurray Ford 139
39. Brian Vickers Toyota 134
40. Jeremy Mayfield Toyota 126
41. Kyle Busch Toyota 124
42. Travis Kvapil Ford 90
43. Joey Logano Toyota 81

 

[StoOgE]

The Daytona 500 was horrible. So damn boring.

Plus, I hate any race where a guy with no business winning wins because he happened to pit at just the right time when a wreck happened. Complete luck.

Had he pitted a lap earlier or a lap later he would have been completely fucked. Obviously luck plays out in any race, but how could you want to win a race that way?

 

[Elfforkusu]

The Daytona 500 was horrible. So damn boring.

Plus, I hate any race where a guy with no business winning wins because he happened to pit at just the right time when a wreck happened. Complete luck.

Had he pitted a lap earlier or a lap later he would have been completely fucked. Obviously luck plays out in any race, but how could you want to win a race that way?

Eh???

Maybe I'm just missing what you referred to, but Kenseth took the lead under the green flag. Luck had nothing to do with him getting there -- it had everything to do with the race ending while he was in the lead, but that's how these things work.

What's really to blame is the "freeze the field" rule, especially at the end of races. There's no ending, the race is just declared arbitrarily over. So dumb. Yes, it's safer that way, whatever. Not racing at all is 'safer' too!


unrelated PS: Whenever I read/hear Vickers whining about being wrecked, I laugh.

 

[DrM]

McLaren Mercedes updated their testing schedule:

March 1-4 - Jerez - Group Test Three
March 9-12 - Barcelona - Group Test Four
March 15-18 - Jerez - Group Test Five

For some :lol

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

The BBC are going to town with their F1 coverage.

On the red button:

- All practice sessions live
- On board camera feed
- Data feed
- Highlights

there's a press conference next week so we'll get the full sp.

 

[h3ro]

Aww... poor Rubens... :/

 

[navanman]

The BBC are going to town with their F1 coverage.

On the red button:

- All practice sessions live
- On board camera feed
- Data feed
- Highlights

there's a press conference next week so we'll get the full sp.

Very very nice. Really going to show up the ITV coverage for how basic it was. And no ads!!

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

Yep,

Their contract also gives them complete access to the F1 archive. A new Grand Prix Classics series anyone?

Sir Richard Branson has put a bid in for the Honda F1 team.

Virgin Mercedes?

 

[speedpop]

Ten Corp over here in Australia is releasing a new 24 hour sports channel. They did some good things with F1 last year, finally including live quali's and live race (previously sometimes it was delayed, outside of Australian GP), and they've kept the broadcast rights.

I'm hoping for basically everything that BBC is offering.