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17 January, 2002
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO, Italy (Reuters) - Formula One world champions Ferrari are to unveil their new car for the 2002 season on February 6, a team spokesman has said.
As usual the car will be given flashy introduction at the team's Maranello headquarters in Italy before undergoing testing at the Fiorano and Mugello tracks.
The new car is not expected to feature radical changes from the 2001 model, although it will have a new gear box.
Ferrari have yet to decide whether the car will be used in the opening grands prix of the season or if they will begin the 2002 campaign with last season's model.
Raikkonen Sets New Track Record At Valencia
Source: Speedvision
Tuesday January 17, 2002
Valencia, Spain, Jan. 17 — The rest of the Formula 1 field that tested at Valencia this week will be seeing little McLarens in their sleep as the fourth day of testing ended Thursday just the way all the others had - with the Mercedes-powered machines ruling the roost.
Kimi Raikkonen was flying a solo mission today as teammate David Coulthard got a day off but Raikkonen made up for his absence by setting a new Valencia track record, eclipsing the mark set last season by Coulthard.
The Finn was running a lot of light-tank work and doing tire testing for Michelin, but snapped off a best lap of 1:12.914 to lead the way unofficially by more than a second over Giancarlo Fisichella.
"I'm very pleased," said Raikkonen. "I've done so much running and I'm really tired, but in a very good way. Not physically, but mentally. I was so happy that I had no technical problems. I'm really looking forward to the new car."
Fisichella also ran light for much of the day but was quick for the second straight day in the Jordan/Honda. He led the field in laps today with 106 although is new teammate Takuma Sato put in 104 circuits and was less than a second behind his more veteran teammate.
Ralf Schumacher joined the Valencia testers for the first time and put himself third on the time charts while his teammate Juan Pablo Montoya ran just 22 laps and was sixth-quickest. The new BAR/Honda was less than two seconds off the McLaren pace with both Olivier Panis and Jacques Villeneuve testing their new mounts.
"It was nice to be able to confirm, what I found in Barcelona," Panis siad of the speed of the new BAR004. "I'm very positive."
Mark Webber and Christijan Albers became the fourth and fifth drivers of the week to test with Minardi as Alex Yoong took the day off, Webber leading the Dutchman by a quarter of a second.
Meanwhile, Ferrari tested privately at Mugello with Luciano Burti, running the test driver at a track that he had never seen before. The former Jaguar shoe tested components and ran 27 laps with a top time of 1:27.530.
Valencia test, day four times (unofficial) 1 Kimi Raikkonen - McLaren-Mercedes, 1m12.914s 94 laps 2 Giancarlo Fisichella - Jordan-Honda, 1m13.954s 106 laps 3 Ralf Schumacher - Williams-BMW, 1m14.320s 60 laps 4 Takuma Sato - Jordan-Honda, 1m14.871s 104 laps 5 Olivier Panis - BAR-Honda, 1m14.871s 81 laps 6 Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams-BMW, 1m14.819 22 laps 7 Marc Gene - Williams-BMW, 1m14.819 64 laps 8 Jacques Villeneuve - BAR-Honda, 1m14.871s 50 laps 9 Mika Salo – Toyota, 1m15.324s 40 laps 10 Anthony Davidson - BAR-Honda, 1m14.871s 60 laps 11 Mark Webber - Minardi-European, 1m17.824s 48 laps 12 Christijan Albers - Minardi-European, 1m18.076s 32 laps
McLarens Continue To Set Valencia Pace
Source: Speedvision
Tuesday January 16, 2002
Valencia, Spain, Jan. 16 — Another day was marked off the preseason calendar, and as they had been all week, the McLarens of David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen were atop the time charts. Where they stood depended on whose clock you believed, but the two Woking-based drivers both had the field covered for a third straight day.
Raikkonen did the brunt of the work Wednesday, running nearly 110 laps of the Valencia circuit while Coulthard did less than 30. Many European sources had Coulthard as the fastest running of the day with a 1:12.910 with the sophomore Finn at 1:12.914, while the McLaren information had Raikkonen the fastest with the Brit .017back. Either way the times were nearly a half-second fastest than Tuesday’s top times as the team that finished second to Ferrari last year continues to prepare for 2002.
Giancarlo Fisichella was right behind the McLarens in third but was just dipping into the 1:13 range, a full second behind while Williams/BMW test driver Antonio Pizzonia – who led the first day of testing in Barcelona – was fourth on the charts and quicker than teammate Juan Pablo Montoya.
Jenson Button got a half-day of work in before grenading his Renault engine on the pit straight, but was fast enough to card the fifth-best time of the day before his early retirement.
Pedro de la Rosa was sixth on the day, but sadly for the Milton Keynes gang, it was last year’s R2 that was getting the speed. Eddie Irvine had the new R3 out today and failed to break 1:16. Minardi tested another driver on Wednesday after giving Matteo Bobbi a look yesterday and today, as Antonio Garcia took over and was less than a half-second off of Yoong’s time.
Valencia testing – Day Three – 1 David Coulthard - McLaren-Mercedes, 1m12.910 -24 laps 2 Kimi Raikkonen - McLaren-Mercedes, 1m12.914s -107 laps 3 Giancarlo Fisichella - Jordan-Honda, 1m13.954s -95 laps 4 Antonio Pizzonia - Williams-BMW, 1m14.320s -81 laps 5 Jenson Button – Renault, 1m14.477s -49 laps 6 Pedro de la Rosa – Jaguar, 1m15.585s -27 laps 7 Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams-BMW, 1m14.819 -42 laps 8 Takuma Sato - Jordan-Honda, 1m14.871s -103 laps 9 Jarno Trulli – Renault, 1m15.056s -30 laps 10 Mika Salo – Toyota, 1m15.324s -57 laps 11 Marc Gene - Williams-BMW, 1m15.628 -9 laps 12 Eddie Irvine – Jaguar, 1m16.065s -53 laps 13 Alex Yoong - Minardi-European ,1m17.784s -50 laps 14 Antonio Garcia - Minardi-European, 1m17.824s -30 laps 15 Mateo Bobbi - Minardi-European, 1m18.076s -15 laps
Source: Yahoo Sports
Tuesday January 15, 2002
Malaysian driver Alex Yoong exited the pit lane and blasted onto the Valencia circuit this morning, marking the start of the Minardi team's 2002 testing program. The Faenza squad is running two European-engined Minardi PS01B chassis throughout this scheduled four- day session, with Malaysia's first-ever Formula One driver joined today and tomorrow by Italian, Matteo Bobbi. The 23-year-old, from Milan, competed for Adrian Campos Motorsport last season in the Open Telefonica by Nissan Championship.
Yoong initially worked with the team's engineers to set up the handling of both cars and then reverted to chassis 01 for the balance of the day. Among the scheduled tasks being undertaken were traction control mapping and testing new suspension and gearbox components. Bobbi spent the afternoon in chassis 02 familiarising himself with the performance of the car and carrying out a series of timed runs.
The Italian will continue testing alongside Yoong Wednesday morning and then hand over to another Open Telefonica by Nissan competitor in the afternoon, 21-year-old Antonio Garcia of Spain, enjoying his first Formula One test as the result of winning the 2000 series title. He drove in the International F3000 Championship last season. Thursday and Friday will see Mark Webber and Christijan Albers handle the driving duties, as Yoong heads back to Kuala Lumpur for an important team sponsor announcement on Saturday evening.
"KL Minardi Asiatech Team opened its testing for the 2002 season today at Valencia where we ran two cars. A little problem for one of them in the morning with the clutch was soon sorted out and Alex was able to record a quite respectable time considering that he did not know the circuit, remarked team boss Paul Stoddart. Tomorrow Alex will be running through a simulated race, we are looking for reliability and we'll also test how much Alex fitness program has improved over the winter. In addition to that Matteo Bobbi completed a useful test session and, considering it was his first time out in the car, he did an incredible job. He will certainly have a bright future."
Source: Yahoo Sports
Tuesday January 15, 2002
McLaren drivers David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen continued to stamp their authority on the pre-season testing session at Valencia. Tuesday's times saw Coulthard take to the top of the leaderboard for the second day running ahead of his new teammate. Most of the day the Woking-based outfit spent on it's development work for their Michelin, their new tyre supplier, and although the day began with the track still a bit damp after yesterday's wet session by the afternoon it had dried up.
Life was not perfect for the BMW WilliamsF1 team and Juan Pablo Montoya. Although he managed to post the third best time of the day, and was just under a second slower than the top placed McLaren, Montoya's FW23 caught alight and he was forced to return to the pits. It was not the only problem for the Colombian who also suffered power steering failure during the course of the afternoon.
Jenson Button continued to demonstrate the improvements made by Renault over the winter break and posted the fourth best time of the day, finishing two places higher than his new teammate Jarno Trulli. Ex-teammate Giancarlo Fisichella placed his Jordan between the two Renaults, and was over a second quicker than his new teammate Takuma Sato, who spun his EJ11 in the morning session and then beached it later in the afternoon.
Tuesday's Valencia times: 1. David Coulthard - McLaren - 1.13.353 2. Kimi Raikkonen - McLaren - 1.13.510 3. Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams - 1.14.193 4. Jenson Button - Renault - 1.14.539 5. Giancarlo Fisichella - Jordan - 1.14.596 6. Jarno Trulli - Renault - 1.14.778 7. Antonio Pizzonia - Williams - 1.14.946 8. Takuma Sato - Jordan - 1.15.810 9. Pedro de la Rosa - Jaguar R3 - 1.15.915 10. Mika Salo - Toyota - 1.15.973 11. Eddie Irvine - Jaguar R2C - 1.16.758 12. Alex Yoong - Minardi - 1.19.303 13. Mateo Bobby - Minardi - 1.21.069
Source: Yahoo Sports
Tuesday January 15, 2002
PARIS - Alain Prost will meet a court-appointed judge on Wednesday to discuss his indebted team's Formula One future but he may have to wait longer for a decision on whether or not they can continue racing.
"We are waiting until midnight for the offers from potential sponsors," said Prost spokeswoman Virginie Papin on Tuesday, deadline day for would-be rescuers to deposit takeover offers with a receiver.
"As far as we don't have all the cards in hand we can't make any comment," she added.
"Alain Prost will go to the court (in Versailles) on Wednesday but it might take a few days for a decision to be taken. It might be at the end of this week or maybe next week."
Papin, asked about media reports suggesting that a decision could emerge on Friday, said it was possible but far from certain.
The team have said that there are several serious offers that could secure their survival.
The season starts in Melbourne on March 3 and Prost's failure to be on the grid would leave Formula One with 11 teams, the same number as last season, since Toyota will be making their race debut.
The team, owned by four times world champion Prost and with around 300 employees at their factory at Guyancourt near Paris, have resumed work on their 2002 Ferrari-powered car but have no named drivers or title sponsor so far.
Prost ended last season ninth overall with four points, all scored by French veteran Jean Alesi. Alesi left the team in August for rivals Jordan and was replaced by German Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
Czech driver Tomas Enge finished the season with the team after Brazilian Luciano Burti was injured in Belgium but the former has decided to go back to Formula 3000 this year while the latter is now a Ferrari test driver.
Prost went into receivership in November after amassing debts of around $28 million.
The team boss said at the time that leading sponsors had stayed away because he could not offer guarantees that the team would go on for the whole of the 2002 season.
Source: Yahoo Sports
Tuesday January 15, 2002
MARANELLO, Italy - Ferrari have praised Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya but deny approaching the Williams Formula One driver as a potential partner for world champion Michael Schumacher.
"We think Montoya is a good driver," the Ferrari website quoted team boss Jean Todt as saying.
"His first year in Formula One, at the wheel of a competitive Williams car was a positive one. However, Ferrari has never had any contact with him, either directly or indirectly.
"We do not wish to give any credence to those who might have an interest in promoting these rumours."
BBC Online reported on Monday that a source close to Williams, who have an option on Montoya for 2003, had said that Ferrari wanted Montoya next season as long-term replacement for four times world champion Schumacher.
Montoya's manager later brushed off the report.
"It's nice to know that other teams are interested but he is under contract to Williams," Julian Jakobi told Reuters.
Williams would not comment on a contractual matter, while a source close to the team suggested that the report might have more to do with Montoya's own salary negotiations with his current employers.
The Colombian, seen as a champion of the future, is believed to be paid far less at present than German team mate Ralf Schumacher, who is under contract to 2004.
Michael Schumacher also has a contract to the end of 2004, while his current team mate, Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, is signed up only until the end of 2002.
Montoya made a big impression in his debut season with Williams, winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September and pulling off the overtaking move of the year in Brazil against Schumacher.
He said last year that he would not be interested in switching to world champions Ferrari while Schumacher was there and recognised as the clear number one.
Source: Speedvision
Valencia, Spain, Jan. 14 — Last week’s test sessions that opened the 2002 Formula 1 preseason were plagued by rain throughout the week, denying teams and fans the chance to see where the true early speeds were.
This week, the Michelin people that watched it rain all last week looked to the heavens for a repeat performance as there was wet-tire testing to be done on the day. But the clear skies would yield no rain, so the Michelin people simply did the job themselves.
The circuit in Valencia was watered down by trucks every 15 minutes through the morning as Michelin conducted a private test just for its teams on the Spanish circuit. In the afternoon, the work switched to the intermediate compounds and the track was allowed to dry a little more between washings.
David Coulthard continued his impressive early run by leading the charts again Monday, unofficially posting a best lap that was a half-second faster than Williams/BMW pilot Juan Pablo Montoya. The McLaren pilot also led two of the wet days of open testing last week at the Circuit de Catalunya.
The day was punctuated by many slight mishaps, four of those coming from the shoes of Jarno Trulli, but the Renault driver kept on the road long enough to earn the third-fastest time of the day. The better times of the day came later on, but Jenson Button was reportedly the fastest in the wet testing despite being fifth on the day. The pace picks up tomorrow as its turns into an open test with BAR, Jordan and Ferrari set to join the fray along with Toyota and Minardi.
Valencia test, day one times (unofficial)
1 David Coulthard - McLaren-Mercedes, 1m30.748s 2 Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams-BMW, 1m31.312s 3 Jarno Trulli – Renault, 1m32.020s 4 Eddie Irvine – Jaguar, 1m32.180s 5 Jenson Button – Renault, 1m32.204s 6 Kimi Raikkonen - McLaren-Mercedes, 1m32.703s 7 Pedro de la Rosa –Jaguar, 1m34.448s
Source: Speedvision
Fiorano, Italy, Jan. 14 — Michael Schumacher was not slated to get back in a car to prepare for the 2002 defense of his World Driving crown until Saturday, but he apparently tired of the P.R. life and got back in the harness in Fiorano Tuesday – five days ahead of schedule.
Schumacher took over in the seat as the Ferrari squadron returned to its private test track after running last week in an open session in Barcelona. The champ showed that the banquet life didn’t hurt his skills as he topped a six-hour day with an unofficial track record of 58.783sec – .009 quicker than his own track record of 58.792 set a year ago.
The German was driving a 2001 chassis as the team checked out new components for the yet-to-be unveiled 2002 machine. He turned 69 laps on the day as he gave Luca Badoer and Luciano Burti a slight break from the testing grind after the pair ran both at Fiorano and Barcelona last week. Schumacher is slated to take part in the Jan. 19 tests in Valencia and is to be joined by teammate Rubens Barrichello that same weekend.
Source: Speedvision
Valencia, Spain, Jan. 13 — Jaguar Racing boss Niki Lauda found out why there aren’t a preponderance of 52-year-old race drivers in Formula 1 as he climbed behind the wheel of the new R3 during testing Sunday at Valencia.
The three-time World Driving Champion got back in the car with the idea of aiding the communication between himself and regular drivers Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa. He spun twice in his first three laps in the car, but would go on to run a handful of flying laps, but was a full 15 seconds off of what would be considered a competitive pace.
Lauda had not been in a proper F1 car since his retirement in 1985, but had driven one of the two-seater McLarens last year. He ran an installation lap and then spun in the second turn of his first fast lap. He was towed back to the pits and promptly went back out, but spun in the same place – a fact he blamed on trying to brake as late as his regular drivers.
"The reason I spun is because Pedro told me where to brake," said Lauda. "I was brave enough to go in there as late as Pedro - at all the other corners I took it slower. Both drivers said if I'd gone out and been slow without trying, they would never speak to me again. At least they know that I tried."
Source: Speedvision
Leafield, England, Jan. 11 — The new-look Arrows Formula 1 squad can complete painting of one of its new A23s for 2002 as team leader Tom Walkinshaw announced Friday that half of his driver lineup had been finalized.
After a rookie year that thaw saw the former Sauber test driver make 17 starts for the Arrows squad, the team re-signed Enrique Bernoldi for a second season.
"Enrique has proven himself to be very quick from the outset, particularly in qualifying where he has been our lead driver on 10 occasions", said Arrows Walkinshaw. "What has impressed us most recently is his growing confidence in setting up the car and his race performances."
His teammate’s identity remains a mystery however. Some have speculated that former Jordan frontrunner Heinz-Harald Frentzen has already been signed to the seat, but there is still a possibility that Jos Verstappen could stay on with the Leafield-based outfit.
The team has yet to test with the new A23 and skipped this week’s happenings at Barcelona, but is expecting to roll out for testing at the end of the month – something the 23-year-old Brazilian is waiting for.
"My first year in F1 was pretty tough", said Bernoldi. "But it was also very rewarding as I was able to make steady progress throughout the season. I am grateful to Tom for having confidence in me and am looking forward to giving it 100 percent and making 2002 a success."
FORMULA ONE UPDATE
Friday, January 11, 2002
SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO : BADOER AND BURTI AT BARCELONA
Ferrari began its 2002 test programme with two F2001s running at Barcelona with its two test drivers Luca Badoer and Luciano Burti. Both ran until Wednesday but today (Friday) if Badoer is still running in Spain, Burti will go to Fiorano where he might remain until tomorrow. On Thursday Badoer posted a third fastest 1m 19.791s best alternating between the two cars. The next session will be in Valencia for three days starting on January 19th which will enable Barrichello to start working with his new race engineer Gabriele delli Colli. Meanwhile the Scuderia Ferrari will have its usual winter party in Madonna di Campiglio where Barrichello and Burti will hold a press conference on January 16th, and Schumacher and Badoer on the morning of the following day and then Jean Todt in the afternoon. The new car should be launched in the first few days of February.
WEST McLAREN MERCEDES : RAIKKONEN GETS FIRST RUN
The McLaren-Mercedes squad began its Barcelona test programme on Monday with David Coulthard and Alexander Wurz carrying out preliminary Michelin tyre testing with the MP4/16B development cars. Wurz set second fastest time of the day (1m 20.088s) with Coulthard third (1m 20.566s) but on Tuesday Coulthard emerged fastest on 1m 20.816s on a day which saw proceedings interrupted by heavy rain although the track dried out slowly later on. He was again fastest on Wednesday with a 1m 21.157s. Kimi Raikkonen had his first outing for McLaren on Tuesday, staying in the pits for much of the time while the rain was at its heaviest and then losing time firstly with a slight fuel pump problem and then another mechanical glitch which took a little time to rectify. He eventually managed a 1m 28.553s after covering 34 laps. Raikkonen managed a 1m 22.968s on Wednesday. Raikkonen was understandably upbeat and optimistic. "I really enjoyed my first drive for the team," he said. "This was the moment I had been waiting for over the past couple of months and now I can't wait to try the MP4/16 in a few days time. I only had limited running but it's too early for me to make detailed observations about the car, although I'm very impressed with the professionalism of the team". Commented Coulthard; "We have been assessing the new Michelin rubber and the wet conditions enabled me to try their rain tyres. There wasn't what you would call a night-and-day difference in the feel between the Michelins and the Bridgestones we previously used but it's too soon to make any firm judgement". Making the most of the drying conditions on Thursday, Raikknen set second fastest time on 1m 19.361s with Wurz taking over from Coulthard for a 1m 19.946s.
BMW WILLIAMS F1 TEAM : PIZZONIA FASTEST ON FIRST DAY
BMW Williams F1 test driver Antonio Pizzonia set fastest time on Monday at Barcelona driving
one of last year's FW23s as the team settled down to four day programme with three cars. The
team had three cars at its disposal, one to 2001 specification and two cars fitted with the new
BMW P82 engine and the latest Williams gearbox. Ralf Schumacher and Marc Gene initially
concentrated on the interim cars while Pizzonia handed his 2001 machine over to Juan Montoya
on Tuesday. Schumacher did a 1m 20.585s on Monday, 0.5sec slower than Pizzonia, while
Gene managed a 1m 21.137s. The second day was largely washed out except for the first
hour, Schumacher setting second fastest time to Coulthard with a 1m 21.273s. Gene ended up on a damp track with 1m 29.729s while Montoya did a 1m 29.196s.
Ralf reported that he noticed a clear improvement in Michelin's rain and intermediate tyres "although I think there is
still some work to do." On Wednesday Ralf was the quickest of the Williams drivers, sixth on
1m 22.313s followed by Gene on 1m 22.949s(13th) and Montoya 1m 23.376s (15th). Montoya
managed a 1m 19.896s after the early wet conditions dried on Thursday with Marc Gene
posting a 1m 20.330s and Pizzonia a 1m 21.485s.
SAUBER PETRONAS : WAITING FOR NEW CAR
Nick Heidfeld and Felipe Massa were testing two Sauber C20s at Barcelna, fitted with some C21 components including internals for the new gearbox. Both drivers tried a few aerodynamic configurations and concentrated mainly on tyre testing, Massa taking the opportunity to get to know the circuit. The young Brazilian spun twice on the first day, once due to the brake balance adjusted too much towards the rear wheels. He spun again on Wednesday morning and was struggling slightly with the damp conditions and consequent low tyre temperatures which handicapped his struggle for grip on intermediate rubber. Overall Sauber was pleased with the newcomer as on Tuesday he posted a 1m 33.2s lap which was quickest in the rain at one point at the same time as Burti, Badoer, Coulthard and Montoya were out on the circuit. The first day ended with Heidfeld tenth on 1m 29.729s after 35 laps while Massa managed a 1m 31.316s. On Wednesday the newcomer managed only a single lap before being sidelined by engine failure. A fresh V10 was installed and Massa was out again before the end of the day to manage a 1m 22.466s best, 0.1sec slower than Heidfeld who went on to set a 1m 20.074s on Thursday.
JORDAN HONDA : FIRST RUN ON WEDNESDAY
The Jordan-Honda squad began testing on Wednesday with Giancaro Fisichella and Takuma Sato running a pair of EJ11s, the Japanese driver taking an early morning lap in a road car prior to the start of the session. Fisichella wound up fourth fastest on 1m 21.99s having run the majority of his laps on intermediate rubber, while Takuma Sato did a 1m 22.81s, working on traction control system development during the afternoon. Fisichella also did some chassis and aerodynamic set-up work. Commented Gary Anderson, Director of Race and Test Engineering; "We ran wet set-up in the morning and dry set-up in the afternoon. Takuma drove well within his limit and his confidence grew quickly during the day while both he and Giancarlo seemed happy with their cars". On Thursday Fisichella completed 36 trouble-free laps in the morning before a scheduled lunchtime engine change. In the afternoon he managed only 12 laps after some software problems and a trip into the gravel. Sato, meanwhile, concentrated on general set-up work and tried out development brakes.
LUCKY STRIKE BAR HONDA : VILLENEUVE UPBEAT WITH NEW CAR
Jacques Villeneuve drove the new BAR-Honda 004 at Barcelona for the first time on Wednesday, completing 43 laps for a best time of 1m 22.817s. "The car has definitely improved and there is a lot more to come", he said; "The mechanical grip feels better and the rear is a lot more stabe, and at high speeds the car seems to be more stable as well. I am feeling positive". The BAR-Honda squad had been at Barcelona since Monday with both the 004 and last year's 003. Test driver Anthony Davidson managed fourth fastest time in the 03 on Tuesday and Olivier Panis also tried the new car.
MILD SEVEN RENAULT F1 TEAM : TRULLI HAS FIRST RUN
Jarno Trulli had his first run at the wheel of the Benetton B201 development car at Barcelona on Tuesday, completing 49 laps for a best time of 1m 30.010s. Jenson Button completed just ten laps for a best of 1m 32.005s. Commented Technical Director Mike Gascoyne; "We didn't start first thing this morning when it was dry but ran during the afternoon in wet conditions. Of course, these weren't ideal conditions for Jarno to get to know the car. We worked on electronic systems on Jenson's car and this was reflected in his time". Button had a good run to third fastest on Wednesday with a 1m 21.780s while Trulli did a 1m 22.222s. On Thursday Trulli's running was curtailed by a minor engine problem and today (Friday) Fernando Alonso will take over from Trulli.
JAGUAR RACING : IRVINE TRIES NEW R3
After he and Pedro de la Rosa warmed up at Barcelona on Monday with the interim Jaguar R2C test car, Eddie Irvine had his first run in the new Jaguar R3 on Tuesday. Although the car suffered from a slight misfire, its preliminary 22 lap shakedown went without drama and Irvine managed a 1m 32.904s in predominantly slippery conditions while de la Rosa was third fastest on the day with a 1m 23.123s set when the track was dry. On Wednesday the team admitted that the R3 was suffering unspecified "teething problems" and Irvine managed a 1m 24.920s best, just behind de la Rosa who did a 1m 23.586s. On Thursday de la Rosa suffered clutch trouble with the R3 while Irvine ended the day fastest on 1m 19.252s with the interim R2C test car, although team insiders privately admitted they were not holding too much store by this performance as it was really a question of being out on the circuit at the right time. On Sunday Niki Lauda will test the Jaguar R2C at Valencia together with Ford Premier Automotive Group chief Wolfgang Reitzle and Ford's Senior Technical Engineer, Richard Parry-Jones.
PROST GRAND PRIX : SOME HOPE RETURNS
Several rumours have appeared in the media recently concerning an offer to take over Prost Grand Prix. Although he does not deny it, Alain Prost is in agreement with judge Franck Michel and has decided not to announce anything until January 15th, the deadline for depositing take over offers with the court. However, at the factory work has restarted to prepare the AP04 which should begin the season and on Saturday, as usual, Prost will have the visit of the FIA's Dr Issermann with a team of marshals to learn the way of extricating an injured driver from his car.
ORANGE ARROWS : STILL WORKING ON NEW CAR
The Arrows team is still working on completing its new Cosworth engined car and has no firm date for the official unveiling yet finalised.
KL MINARDI ASIATECH : ALBERS REPLACES MONTAGNY
As Franck Montagny is unavailable for the Minardi tests at Valencia, Christian Albers will take over his place alongside Alex Yoong and several other drivers including Mark Webber. His task in Valencia will be to carry out durability testing at the wheel of an interim PS01B chassis which will assist the engineers to check some components that will be fitted to the new PS02 which is due to run for the first time within the next four weeks.
PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING : McNISH STARTS PROGRAMME
Allan McNish gave the new Toyota TF102 its first serious shakedown in company with rival cars on Tuesday when he completed 38 laps at the Circuit de Catalunya for a 1m 26.108s best. "Considering the weather conditions today the car felt very good and smooth to drive", said McNish. Technical Director Gustav Brunner admitted the team did have a slight electronic
problem but otherwise it was a generally trouble-free session. McNish got down to 1m 25.296s
on Wednesday after making some set-up changes which improved the overall grip of the car in both the damp and dry conditions. Meanwhile Mika Salo completed three days of testing at Paul Ricard before swapping places with McNish for Thursday and Friday. Salo took over at
Barcelona on Thursday when he ran a total of 26 laps for a fastest time of 1m 24.351s, although
problems with an hydraulic leak and electronics prevented the team from completing as many
laps as hoped for.
Coulthard still on top
Source: Yahoo Sports
Wednesday January 9, 2002
McLaren driver, David Coulthard topped the times at the Catalunya circuit for the second day in a row today, the Scotsman finishing day three over half a second ahead of Ferrari test driver, Luca Badoer. Coulthard completed 62 laps of the Spanish circuit to set a best time of 1:21.157, over four seconds quicker than the slowest man for the day, Toyota driver Allan McNish.
Once again rain disrupted play for the teams as they continued preparations for the upcoming 2002 championship season. However, the weather cleared up briefly in the late afternoon, only to drench the circuit once again just before five o'clock. 18 drivers in total were out in force and third on the list today was none other than Renault driver, Jenson Button followed by the Honda powered Jordan of his ex- teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella.
Takuma Sato had his first run with the team, the Japanese driver completing 65 laps for the 11th best time. Meanwhile the quickest of the 2002 cars was the BAR004 of Jacques Villeneuve in 12th ahead of the new Jaguar of Eddie Irvine in 17th place.
Wednesday's times from Barcelona:
1. David Coulthard - McLaren MP4/16 - 1.21.157 - 62 laps 2. Luca Badoer - Ferrari F2001 - 1.21.764 - 73 laps 3. Jenson Button - Renault 201 - 1.21.780 - 57 laps 4. Giancarlo Fisichella - Jordan EJ11 - 1.22.011 - 66 laps 5. Jarno Trulli - Renault 201 - 1.22.222 - 42 laps 6. Ralf Schumacher - Williams FW23 - 1.22.313 - 46 laps 7. Nick Heidfeld - Sauber C20 - 1.22.349 - 54 laps 8. Felipe Massa - Sauber C20 - 1.22.466 - 35 laps 9. Luciano Burti - Ferrari F2001 - 1.22.703 - 50 laps 10. Olivier Panis - BAR 003 - 1.22.800 - 44 laps 11. Takuma Sato - Jordan EJ11 - 1.22.815 - 65 laps 12. Jacques Villeneuve - BAR 004 - 1.22.817 - 45 laps 13. Marc Gene - Williams FW23 - 1.22.949 - 56 laps 14. Kimi Raikkonen - McLaren MP4/16 - 1.22.968 - 22 laps 15. Juan-Pablo Montoya - Williams FW23 - 1.23.376 - 43 laps 16. Pedro de la Rosa - Jaguar R2C - 1.23.586 - 36 laps 17. Eddie Irvine - Jaguar R3 - 1.24.920 - 41 laps 18. Allan McNish - Toyota TF102 - 1.25.296 - 78 laps
Raikkonen enjoys first outing with McLaren
Source: Yahoo Sports
January 8, 2002
BARCELONA - New McLaren signing Kimi Raikkonen declared himself fully satisfied after his first outing in one of the Formula One team's cars.
"I really enjoyed my first drive in the McLaren," he said after a rain-hit day of testing at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.
"It was the moment I had been waiting for during the last couple of months. Now I can't wait to try the new MP4-17," added the Finn, who has moved from Sauber to replace compatriot and two times champion Mika Hakkinen.
Hakkinen is taking a sabbatical year and Barcelona represented the low point of 2001 for him after his McLaren expired a mere handful of curves from the finish while he was leading comfortably.
McLaren, championship runners-up for the past three seasons, are testing with modified versions of their 2001 car until the launch of the 2002 model in Barcelona on January 19.
"I only had a limited amount of running today and it's definitely too early for me to make detailed observations about the car," added 22-year-old Raikkonen.
"But I am impressed overall and with the professionalism of the team and observing how David works."
The Finn was sixth fastest on a day when his Scottish team mate David Coulthard was fastest in one minute 20.816 seconds. Ralf Schumacher, in a Williams, was second quickest in 1:21.273.
The Scot's lap was well off Michael Schumacher's 2001 Spanish Grand Prix pole of 1:18.201 but times in testing mean little, with teams testing different aspects of the cars and running on varied fuel loads.
World champions Ferrari also returned to the track for the first time since the end of the testing ban running from October 14 to the New Year.
The day was a special one for Brazilian Luciano Burti, returning to a Formula One car for the first time since his big accident in a Prost in Belgium in September.
Burti, now Ferrari's second test driver and at the wheel of last year's F2001, concentrated on testing wet weather and intermediate tyres and trying out new mechanical components.
"I am happy with the way testing went," said the Brazilian, who also drove for Jaguar last year. "My aim for today was to get to grips with the car and get some miles under my belt.
"It was a great feeling driving again after what happened last year and it is fantastic to be part of a team like Ferrari, driving a world championship winning car, the F2001."
Burti's compatriot Felipe Massa had his first official test session as a Sauber driver.
Renault, Benetton last season, took to the track with Briton Jenson Button and Italian Jarno Trulli in last season's Benetton re-painted in the French carmaker's yellow and white colours.
Newcomers Toyota also joined the crowd in Spain, with Scot Allan McNish setting the fifth fastest time in the new 2002 car in highly changeable conditions.
Todays results:
1 David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes 1:20.816 2 Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW 1:21.273 3 Pedro de la Rosa Jaguar 1:23.123 4 Anthony Davidson BAR-Honda 1:24.444 5 Allan McNish Toyota 1:26.108 6 Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes 1:28.553 7 Luca Badoer Ferrari 1:29.131 8 Juan-Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW 1:29.196 9 Luciano Burti Ferrari 1:29.624 10 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1:29.695 11 Marc Gene Williams-BMW 1:29.729 12 Jarno Trulli Renault 1:30.010 13 Olivier Panis BAR-Honda 1:30.036 14 Felipe Massa Sauber-Ferrari 1:31.316 15 Jenson Button Renault 1:32.005 16 Eddie Irvine Jaguar 1:32.904
Pizzonia fastest in first F1 test of 2002
January 7, 2002
BARCELONA - Brazilian youngster Antonio Pizzonia set the pace in a Williams as Formula One testing resumed for the first time since October.
Four teams -- McLaren, Williams, British American Racing and Jaguar -- were in action at the Circuit de Catalunya outside Barcelona with Williams the only ones with three cars on the track at once.
Pizzonia, the 21-year-old Formula 3000 driver named as Williams' second test driver last month, did 66 laps with a fastest time of one minute 20.033 seconds in last year's improved specification FW23 car.
McLaren's Austrian tester Alex Wurz was second fastest in 1:20.088, ahead of British team mate David Coulthard who pounded round for 65 laps and a best time of 1.20.566, in an interim MP4/16B development car.
World championship runners-up McLaren, who will launch their new car in Barcelona on January 19, were using Michelin tyres for the first time since switching from Bridgestone at the end of 2001.
Testing was banned from the season-ending race on October 14 to the New Year, although newcomers Toyota were allowed to continue until November 14, and Monday was the first day the teams were able to get back on track.
Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, who replaces compatriot Mika Hakkinen at McLaren this season, will get his first taste of the Mercedes-powered car on Tuesday.
French driver Olivier Panis gave the Honda-powered BAR 004 car its first proper track outing.
The four teams will be joined on Tuesday by world champions Ferrari, with Brazilian Luciano Burti getting back into a Formula One car for the first time since his major accident in Belgium in September.
Burti drove for Jaguar and Prost last season but has moved to Italy as Ferrari's second test driver.
Four times world champion Michael Schumacher is not scheduled to test until a session in Valencia in late January.
Renault, Toyota and Ferrari-powered Sauber, with new Brazilian Felipe Massa, will also test in Barcelona from Tuesday with Jordan joining the crowd in Spain from Wednesday.
Prost keeping quiet on reported rescue bid
January 7, 2002
PARIS - Alain Prost's debt-saddled Formula One team said it could not confirm French media reports it had clinched a rescue deal, but said it had received serious offers that may ensure its survival.
The team run by the four-times world champion, which went into receivership in November with debts of around $28 million, faces liquidation if it does not find a partner by a self-imposed January 15 deadline.
French LCI television said a group believed to include French industrialists had agreed to rescue Prost in a 36 million euro deal, but team spokeswoman Virginie Papin said she could neither confirm nor deny the report.
"We have had a lot of propositions and the situation is changing every day. I can tell you we have six to eight serious offers," she told Reuters.
"Most of them are from abroad... I don't know if we have had any French offers," she said, adding she was hopeful about a deal did not want to jeopardise negotiations by commenting on details in the media.
Prost has sounded increasingly pessimistic about the chances of a rescue bid emerging, but Papin said the offers were "becoming increasingly concrete".
FORMULA ONE UPDATE
4 January 2002
SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO : BADOER AND BURTI TO START
The Ferrari team will start its winter test programme at Barcelona on January 8th with two F2001s in standard trim, concentrating on tyre testing with Luca Badoer and Luciano Burti doing the driving. They will run for four days apart from the fact that one of them will return for a single day at Fiorano which will be permanently open from now on. Ferrari will then organise its traditional party at Madonna di Campiglio on January 15th-19th after which testing will resume at Valencia with Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. The new car is on schedule for unveiling at the end of January or the beginning of February.
WEST McLAREN MERCEDES : POISED FOR FIRST MICHELIN TEST
The McLaren-Mercedes squad will start testing at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya next week with two interim MP4/16B development cars which will be shared by David Coulthard, Kimi Raikkonen, and Alexander Wurz, this being the team's first public outing on Michelin rubber. The team will then move to Valencia before returning to Barcelona where the new MP4/17 will be unveiled on Saturday 19th January. "By the time we launch the new car we should have three MP4/17 chassis completed," said McLaren Managing Director Martin Whitmarsh. "Number one will have been used for the FIA crash test programme, number two will be on hand for the unveiling and the third chassis will be being finished off in the factory."
BMW WILLIAMSF1 TEAM : INTERIM CARS IN SPAIN
The BMW Williams team starts an intensive programme of test and development work at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya next week using three uprated interim FW23C development chassis. The test will start on January 7th (drivers Marc Gene, Ralf Schumacher and Antonio Pizzonia), January 8/9 (Juan Pablo Montoya, Schumacher and Gene) and January 10th (Pizzonia, Gene and Montoya). The team then moves to Valencia from January 14th-20th prior to the launch of the FW24 which is provisionally scheduled for January 25th at Silverstone. Once the new car has been launched the team will return to Barcelona to continue testing.
SAUBER PETRONAS : TWO CARS IN BARCELONA
Nick Heidfeld and newcomer Felipe Massa will test for three days each from January 8th in Barcelona, the team fielding two of last year's C20 chassis fitted with some development components. On January 15th/16th the new Sauber C21 is scheduled for its preliminary roll-out at Fiorano, more than a week prior to its official scheduled unveiling on January 25th in Switzerland. Prior to the launch, the new car will be tested at Barcelona from January 20th-23rd. Immediately after the unveiling the team will return to Barcelona for a further three day test from January 28th-30th.
JORDAN HONDA : SATO FACES FIRST FULL TEST
The Jordan-Honda squad will take two of last year's EJ-11s to Barcelona from January 9th-11th and then move on to Valencia from January 15th-17th. The team's transporter is set to depart from the team's Silverstone headquarters this weekend and the test will see new recruit Takuma Sato, the 2001 British F3 champion, lining up alongside Giancarlo Fisichella for his first serious test in an Formula one car. No date has yet been announced for the launch of the new Jordan-Honda EJ-12.
LUCKY STRIKE BAR HONDA : NEW BOSS TAKES CHARGE
The Lucky Strike BAR Honda team's new principal David Richards took over from Craig Pollock on the eve of the BAR 004's unveiling on December 18th. Olivier Panis demonstrated the new car in the approach roads to the Brackley factory. BAR also announced that Ryo Fukuda will complete the 2002 driver line-up and the team starts testing next week at Barcelona.
MILD SEVEN RENAULT F1 TEAM : USING B201s
The Renault F1 team will test from January 8th-11th at Barcelona using two of last year's Benetton B201s equipped with various electronic development components in preparation for the new Renault R202 which will be unveiled in Paris on January 27th. Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button will be driving together with Fernando Alonso who will take over from Trulli on the final day.
JAGUAR RACING : NEW R3 UNVEILED TODAY
The new Jaguar R3 was unveiled this morning (4th January) at a venue next door to the team's United Kingdom racing base in Milton Keynes and is expected to start testing at Barcelona next Tuesday in the hands of Eddie Irvine. The team claim that the new R3 is "a more adventurous design" than the R2 which scored just nine Championship points in 2001 and is powered by a revised and re-packaged version of the 75-degree Cosworth CR-3 V10 engine. Commented team principal Niki Lauda; "The R3 is significantly lighter than the R2 and that will have important benefits in terms of the redistribution of ballast. Aerodynamically, the R3 will generate more downforce than the R2 and exhibit improved sensitivity characteristics. And, as soon as we get out new wind tunnel going, we will be able to begin a programme that will see us improving the car throughout the year. I am confident that we have made a real step forward with the R3." Pedro de la Rosa will initially concentrate on testing one of the interim R2B test cars at Barcelona next week and Niki Lauda is scheduled to drive one of these machines at Valencia for a day on January 13th.
PROST GRAND PRIX : APPEALS TO THE GOVERNMENT
No viable takeover plan having been lodged, the deadline for the Prost team to resolve its commercial problems has been extended until January 15th. Meanwhile, the staff of Prost Grand Prix, supported by members of the team's fan club, will gather in front of the French Ministry of Finance and Industry today (Friday) at 14.00. They have solicited an audience from the Minister Laurent Fabius and hope to convince him of the need to encourage French industry to support the only Formula One team currently based in France.
ORANGE ARROWS : NEW ENGINES ARRIVE SOON
The new Cosworth CR-3 engines for the new Arrows will be delivered imminently to the team's Leafield headquarters in preparation for a launch early next month. There is still no official confirmation of the team's driver line-up.
KL MINARDI ASIATECH : TESTS FOR THREE DRIVERS
KL Minardi Asiatech will be at Valencia from January 15th -18th with two of its 2001 spec cars. Malaysian Alex Yoong will drive one and the second will be shared between Antonio Garcia, Franck Montagny and Matteo Bobbi. The team is very satisfied with a recent successful bench test of the Asiatech engine and gearbox and the new car will be launched during the last week of February.
PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING : JUST ONE NEW CAR IN SPAIN
The Toyota team will start testing on Tuesday 8th January at Barcelona with Allan McNish driving the singleton TF102 for the first two days. Mika Salo will take over for Thursday and Friday. "This will be the first time that the new Toyota Formula One team has been on the track at the same time as the opposition," said a spokesperson. "It is a more than usually interesting litmus test for the new team as they move closer to the green light in Melbourne."
Formula One ready to hit the road again
Source: Yahoo Sports
January 1, 2002LONDON - Formula One's hibernation has ended and the roar of V10 engines will be heard once again next week, reverberating around racetracks at full throttle.
Two teams, newcomers Toyota and British American Racing (BAR), have already unveiled their new cars and are ready to hit the road with them.
Jaguar follow their example on Friday at their Milton Keynes factory in central England and will be heading to Barcelona immediately after the launch of the R3 to start serious testing on Monday.
A team spokesman said the R2 would be used at first, with some 2002 parts on it, with the new car likely to get its first outing next Tuesday.
Team principal Niki Lauda, a three-times world champion but now 52 years old, is scheduled to test it himself on the following weekend at the Valencia track.
McLaren, Jordan and Toyota will also be in Barcelona with the Japanese debutantes finally able to assess their car against rival machines.
The factories may remain silent on New Year's Day but January 1 has been marked on everyone's calendar as the end of the official testing ban imposed after 2001's final race in Japan on October 14.
Toyota alone were given an extra month, as newcomers.
Since then the drivers have had to do what they can to sharpen their skills, unable to put miles behind them in testing for what has seemed to some an interminable break and to others a much-needed respite.
Ferrari's four-times world champion Michael Schumacher has competed in some fairly serious kart races but has been enjoying an extended family holiday and is unlikely to report back for duty at Maranello until the latter part of January.
Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported that the German was expected to resume testing between January 19 and 21 at Spain's Valencia circuit after Ferrari's annual skiing excursion in Madonna di Campiglio.
Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello will also enjoy more time with his young family.
But the champions can still count on Brazilian Luciano Burti, signed up as a second test driver alongside their Italian regular Luca Badoer, to put in the miles.
Badoer has at least driven the Ferrari since the end of the season, entertaining fans with a brief demonstration at the Bologna motor show in December.
Like most teams, Ferrari will start testing with last year's car plus a few development additions.
However Schumacher assured fans at the weekend that he expected the team to start the new season in Australia on March 3 with the 2002 car.
Three newcomers will be able to step up their pre-season preparations -- Japan's Takuma Sato at Jordan, Scotland's Allan McNish at Toyota and Brazilian Felipe Massa at Sauber.
Sato has already driven last year's EJ11 car, getting in it last month at Silverstone with International Automobile Federation (FIA) permission for a film shoot to promote the team's EJ10 sports drink.
The Japanese has also driven Formula Three cars since the end of the season, including 86 familiarisation laps at Interlagos in Brazil.
McLaren will be at Barcelona from Monday with Finland's Kimi Raikkonen getting his first taste of the 2001 car after switching from Ferrari-powered Sauber.
The 22-year-old Raikkonen has so far got no closer than having his seat fitting at the team's factory while Scotland's David Coulthard, the 2001 runner-up, knows the set-up well.
Other new faces could also be in the pipeline once Prost's financial fate is decided, with Arrows and Minardi yet to confirm their line-ups.
Prost, in receivership and looking unlikely to make the starting grid, have given themselves a January 14 deadline to find a rescuer with deep pockets.
That means that German Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who may or may not have already agreed a deal with Arrows after ending the season at Prost, could also be back on track soon.
New Ferrari will make Melbourne grid
December 30, 2001
BERLIN - Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher is confident his new Ferrari will be ready in time for the start of the season on March 3 in Melbourne.
"I see us with the new car in Australia," the German told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily.
Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn said earlier this month that Schumacher might have to start 2002 with the old car but the team were working hard to get the new one on the grid.
Four-times world champion Schumacher, who starts testing next month, said he was looking forward to a "completely new car", adding: "We are actually better prepared than we were before the start of the 2001 season."
Frentzen insists no deal yet with Arrows
Source: Telstra Sports
December 29, 2001BERLIN - German Formula One driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen says he has yet to finalise a deal to join Arrows but expects a decision soon.
"Nothing has been signed yet. But there should be a decision soon," he told Die Welt newspaper on Friday. "I have already been in England for talks."
Frentzen's manager Monte Field said before Christmas that he and Arrows had "talked about what it takes to put a deal together" but nothing had been signed.
Field and Arrows were unavailable for comment on Friday. However British newspapers reported that the 34-year-old driver had accepted a one-year deal worth 500,000 pounds ($723,900) -- a comparatively modest amount for a race winner.
Frentzen started last season as a Jordan driver but was sacked shortly before his home race in July and subsequently moved to Prost for the last five races.
The Guardian newspaper said the German was still seeking 3.4 million pounds ($4.92 million) from Jordan as the balance owing from his terminated contract.
Arrows have Dutchman Jos Verstappen signed up for another season but Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, backed by sponsor Red Bull, is seen as a more likely partner for Frentzen.
Prost are in receivership, saddled with debts of around $30 million and evaluating offers. Team boss Alain Prost has sounded gloomy about their chances of survival and set a January 14 deadline to find a rescuer.
Frentzen also joked about the speculation surrounding his future in the interview.
"I went to the employment office in Monaco but they didn't have a job for me. I could clean boats and there is always demand for that," he said.
A one-year deal at Arrows for Frentzen
Source: Yahoo Sports
December 26, 2001According to the latest reports, former Jordan driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen has signed a one year deal with the Orange Arrows outfit that will see him driving for the Leafield based squad in the 2002 championship season. The deal is also said to include an option for a further year should the German driver wish to remain.
Although the exact terms of the contract are still to be officially released by the team, the German press are claiming that Frentzen's salary for the next twelve months will be approximately US$730,000 plus bonuses.
In comparison, whilst driving for Jordan earlier in the year, Frentzen's salary was estimated at US$9 million, a big drop in pay for the three times GP winner, however with a big payout expected by Eddie Jordan due to his shock dismissal mid season, money is not thought to be the main object behind Frentzen's decision.
If these latest reports are true, then they only thing left to determine is exactly who Frentzen's new teammate will be, Red Bull sponsored driver Enrique Bernoldi, or Jos Verstappen.
Hockenheim gets green light for renovations
Source: Yahoo Sports
December 26, 2001BERLIN - The German Grand Prix track at Hockenheim has received a building permit from state government officials for a 100-million mark renovation.
The renovation and modernisation work on the track is scheduled to begin on January 2, 2002 and the work is due to be finished in 2003.
The circuit will be shortened to 4,489 metres from its current 6,825 metres in time for the German Grand Prix on July 28, 2002. A new infield tribune will also be built, expanding the track's crowd capacity to 120,000 from 83,000.
The second part of the modernisation will begin in August 2002 with the construction of a new media centre, security area, a track hotel and a new stand.
Shanghai Circuit Construction to Proceed
Source: Speedvision
December 23, 2001Shanghai, China, Dec. 23 — China has taken another step toward acquiring a Formula 1 Grand Prix on its soil, placing it firmly in the fight for a spot on future F1 calendars with nations like Russia and Bahrain.
According to an article in the South China Morning Post, a Shanghai-based consortium will put up as much as $1b to build a state-of-the-art Grand Prix circuit. The facility is planned to be completed sometime in 2004 and it is hoped that an F1 race can be acquired shortly thereafter.
The circuit will be situated in an industrial area near the city, which boasts 12m citizens, and will supercede the Zhuhai circuit near Hong Kong that once hosted an FIA GT race but never attracted the hoped-for international attention.
The Chinese market is a very attractive one for those companies who utilize Formula 1 as an international (albeit expensive) marketing tool. China, of course, is a huge and relatively untapped market that has lots of companies seeing dollar signs in the future. Macau, which now falls under China's purview, has hosted international Formula 3 and touring car racing for a number of years with great success.
The competition for future F1 dates is, of course, stiff and getting stiffer. Russia has plans for its own circuit, and there are numerous countries in the oil-rich Middle East ? Bahrain being the most recent ? that have expressed an interest in jumping on the F1 train.
It is unlikely, however, that Bernie Ecclestone will allow many more than the 17 events currently on the schedule, and that will set up a huge competition between those new circuits and the existing circuits that currently host F1, some of which - like Spa-Francorchamps, with tobacco-advertising issues, and Silverstone, with its traffic issues - are already under threat.
War of Words Between Williams and Weber
Source: Speedvision
December 23, 2001London, England, Dec. 23 — There have been some harsh words recently between WilliamsBMW F1 technical director Patrick Head and Willi Weber, the German entrepreneur who manages the careers of Michael and Ralf Schumacher.
Head was recently quoted by our colleagues at Autosport being concerned about Ralf's tendency to fade in performance as the season progresses compared to his teammates (Jenson Button in 2000 and Juan Pablo Montoya in 2001).
"At the start of 2001, we were very impressed with his approach," Head said. "But he hasn't been able to sustain the pace.
"The fact is, though, that he's had two years (2000 and 2001) when the junior teammate started the season behind him and finished it ahead. It's a concern for us, but it must also be for Ralf."
Head also revealed that there were two occurrences during the season when the team asked Ralf to move over for Montoya to maximize the team's finishing potential, and that Ralf refused to obey the order on both occasions.
"We talked about the circumstances in which we would ask one driver to move over," Head admitted. "In one case we though Ralf was wrong, in the other he was probably right."
In response, Weber said in an interview on Ralf's website that, although team owner Sir Frank Williams may now regret his decision to extend Ralf's contract – estimated to be in excess of $10m, a very high salary by Williams standards and much in excess of his teammate's – that it is a done deal.
"I succeeded in extending Ralf's contract," Weber said. "This was unique, including the amount (although I won't provide the value) which Williams committed to pay.
"Frank may have regretted this afterwards; I don't know. It is assumed that it no longer pleases him as much. But it is now a signed contract. Both parties are obliged to stick to it."
Despite this, Weber insisted that he has an excellent relationship with the Williams team.
"Our relation is outstanding," he said. "We very often exchange our opinions among ourselves. If it weren't like that, I would not have succeeded in locking such a contract. I have a very good wire to both."
There is much speculation surrounding the future of the Williams line-up. Ralf's aforementioned contract runs through 2003, while Montoya's is up after 2002. Button, who is highly regarded by Williams, is "on loan" to Renault (nee Benetton) and will also be available again after the 2002 season. It will be interesting to see which two of these three drivers will line up for the team in 2003.
Australian GP Gets Coroner's Green Light
Melbourne, Australia, Dec. 20 — The state coroner's inquest into the death of crowd marshal Graham Beveridge at this year's Australian Grand Prix apparently will not interfere with the race for 2002. The coroner completed the official inquest procedure this week but is not expected to release a final statement for several more weeks.
According to reports on the BBC, Graeme Johnstone said that "I don't think any recommendations I would make would overburden your client." The comment was in response to a question from legal counsel for the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Ross Ray. He added that he was satisfied that changes in the fencing and other enhancements were satisfactory to him.
The Melbourne Herald-Sun newspaper quotes Johnstone as saying: "I hope my comments give you some comfort in relation to the 2002 event."
A wheel from Jacques Villeneuve's car flew off and through a narrow access opening in the debris fencing surrounding the track, striking Beveridge in the chest.
Prior to the conclusion of the investigation, the March 3 event has been listed on the FIA's calendar as "provisional," but this appears to clear the way for the race. A final coroner's report is expected to be issued in mid-January.
Jordan Reaffirms Honda Support
Source: Speedvision
December 19, 2001Silverstone, Northamptonshire, England, Dec. 19 — In light of yesterday's announcement of a new three-year contract between Honda and British American Racing and the speculation that BAR is now positioning itself to become the only Honda-powered team in Formula 1, Jordan Grand Prix today released a statement reaffirming its ties with the Japanese auto manufacturer.
"Jordan Grand Prix has just completed the first year of a three-year contract with Honda," the statement read. "At a meeting of the two companies last Friday, both parties re-affirmed their commitment to this agreement. An option exists for the supply to be extended for 2004 and 2005 and this will be discussed at the appropriate time."
The statement quoted team chief executive Eddie Jordan as saying, "Today’s announcement and our own contract confirms Honda’s total commitment to Formula 1 for the long term, which is good for the sport and for both Jordan and BAR. Honda has an unrivalled record in Formula 1, and from 2002 will be putting even more resources into the program.
"Much is made of the rivalry between Jordan and BAR; it is a challenge which I think we both enjoy, and it is certainly a great motivator for all of us. I feel confident that Jordan will soon deliver Honda its first victory of this engagement on Formula 1."
Rumors have circled the two Honda-powered teams all year, indicating that Honda would choose one or the other with which to continue in F1. Jordan, which joined BAR in the Honda camp this year, had a better season results-wise, finishing two points ahead of BAR in the World Constructors Championship. However, BAR had a pair of third-place finishes and has been working hand-in-hand with Honda on a chassis development program that is very important to the manufacturer.
It would appear that all is well with regard to Honda engine supplies for at least the next two years. Of course, there has yet to be a Formula 1 contract that couldn't be broken, so we will continue to observe the situation with interest. If Honda is so intent on learning chassis-building, as it appears to be, one would think a primary option would be to go out on its own to build both chassis and engines, like its rival Toyota, leaving both BAR and Jordan out in the cold.
As ever in the wacky and wonderful world of Formula 1, we will just have to wait and see.
Prost Says Outlook Gloomy
Source: Speedvision
December 19, 2001London, England, Dec. 19 — Embattled team owner Alain Prost admitted to a French newspaper today that no investors have stepped forward to purchase his team, and that he has set a self-imposed deadline of Jan. 14 to decide whether or not to close the doors.
Prost Grand Prix was placed in receivership on Nov. 23, and was given a six-month grace period to sort out its $30m debt. Since then, a handful of offers to purchase the team have reportedly surfaced, but apparently none is sufficient to close a deal.
"Two or three projects seemed very serious," Prost told the French newspaper Les Echos. "We pressed forward with one, and thought we would sign a deal. But in the end we realized that the partner would not bring financial security for the firm."
Among those mentioned in connection with possible Prost deals are Saudi Prince Al-Waleed and the Canadian Vector group.
The four-time World Champion said that if the situation doesn't change soon, the end of his dream as an F1 team owner will be at hand.
"If, by January 14, I have found no partners, it will very likely mean the liquidation of Prost Grand Prix," he said.
Prost formed the team out of the remains of Ligier Grand Prix, which Prost purchased from founder Guy Ligier in early 1997.
New Car, New Boss, New Honda Contract for BAR
Source: Speedvision
December 18, 2001Brackley, Northamptonshire, England, Dec. 18 — British American Racing had its big unveiling of its 2002 challenger today, and quite an event it was, as the team had a lot of announcements to make.
Besides the team's new BAR 004 chassis, designed by Malcolm Oastler, the team announced – as expected – the appointment of Prodrive's David Richards as team principal to replace Craig Pollock, and a new three-year agreement with Honda for engine supply and chassis development.
Richards, who was tipped as Pollock's replacement almost immediately after the announcement of his departure was made yesterday, said that he thinks BAR has what it takes to achieve its ultimate goal.
"This team has the key ingredients you need for success," he said at this morning's launch. "You need stability – and that was critical for my decision [to come here].
"I come with a clear track record of success, but F1 is a changing world. You cannot just come in as one individual and make a staggering difference. I had a year as Benetton boss – which is a long time in F1 – and I came away understanding what you need for success. We will have a clear period of assessment, then see how things go over the next few months."
Perhaps a bigger surprise than the announcement of Richards' appointment was the three-year contract extension with Honda, since it has been widely speculated that the Japanese manufacturer would choose between BAR and Jordan to supply engines from 2003 onward.
Toru Ogawa, Honda's head of racing technology, said that the new contract comes with a new engine and continues Honda's interest in chassis-building, which has grown into a cooperative effort with BAR.
"For 2002 we introduce a brand-new engine – the RA002E – and, on the chassis side, we are strengthening our commitment with our new long-term agreement with BAR," Ogawa said.
Ogawa said the new engine has been designed with the whole car in mind.
"The center of gravity is lower and, as always, we have aimed for further improvements in power output, size, weight and reliability," he said. "Now we are looking forward to seeing our new engine out on the track."
The team's new chassis, according to Oastler, is a distillation of everything the team has learned in its first three years of competition.
"The BAR004 is a careful evolution of our first three cars, incorporating many of the lessons we have taken away from 50 races in Formula 1," he said.
"There hasn't been a drastic technical revolution. Instead, we have worked hard to make sure that the problems we had in 2001 have been eradicated, and that the 004 will be another step forward from its predecessors. We think we have produced a very sound package, and are happy with the results so far."
In addition to the unveiling of the new car, new engine and new team boss, BAR also announced that it has signed French Formula 3 champion Ryo Fukuda – who had been speculated to join Toyota – as its fourth test driver alongside Anthony Davidson, Darren Manning and Patrick Lemarie. Fukuda replaces his Japanese countryman, Takuma Sato, who tested for BAR last year but will race for Jordan in 2002.
"I am very happy to work with Lucky Strike BAR Honda," Fukuda said. "I am honored to receive their confidence and will do my best for them in 2002."
The ouster of Pollock, who got into the sport as Jacques Villeneuve's manager during the Canadian's championship- and Indy 500-winning career in CART and was part of the group who founded the BAR team, led to speculation that Villeneuve would follow his manager's lead and look to leave the team. Richards moved swiftly to quell those rumors.
"Jacques is a key element of BAR," said Richards, who indicated that Pollock would continue to serve as his lead driver's manager. "He has been here since the beginning. It is natural that he should react to Craig's departure, especially as they are such close friends, but I talked to Jacques this morning and explained what we are trying to do. If we can deliver, I hope he will stay with us in the future."
Villeneuve said on his personal website that the departure of his friend, manager and mentor had happened so fast that he hadn't had time to absorb it all yet.
"There wasn't much time for a reaction, actually," he said. "It was all done very quickly. It's probably better this way; not too much time to think and get happy or angry. It's been tough for three years; it's been very tough, and there have been changes before. Every change is unsettling for the team, and this one is the most difficult for me; only time will tell if it's for better or worse."
Richards explained to our colleagues at Autosport that his new role at BAR won't obfuscate his other responsibilities at Prodrive and International Sportsworld Communicators, which holds the international TV rights for the World Rally Championship, and that he will maintain his position as chairman of both.
"Initially, Prodrive has a management services contract with BAR," he said. "The intent is that that will grow into a closer relationship. To understand why we are doing this, you have to go back a number of years to the starting point of Prodrive’s aspirations in Formula 1.
"I have never hidden the fact that I would never personally go back into F1 as an individual ambition. But I saw it very much as a corporate ambition for Prodrive."
ISC managing director Williams Morrison told Autosport, "David will, of course, remain as Chairman of International Sportsworld Communicators. He will, however, be less involved in the day-to-day operational running of ISC as he has now reached the point where he feels he can fully empower his management team and assume a more typical chairman’s role, albeit I am sure he will be attending most of the WRC events."
For the 49-year-old Richards, who started out as a co-driver with Ari Vatinen in the early 1980s and now finds himself as one of the major players in the international world of motorsport, returning to the F1 circus will be just like old times.
"I had dinner with [Ferrari team boss] Jean Todt recently," Richards said, "Twenty years ago, I was the World Rally Champion co-driver and he was runner-up. I hope I can be the bane of his life for a few years yet."
Toyota Takes Off the Wraps
Source: Speedvision
December 17, 2001
Cologne, Germany, Dec. 17. Toyota today signaled its pride at becoming only the second contemporary Formula 1 team other than Ferrari to build its entire car and engine at the same plant when it unveiled its new TF102 Grand Prix challenger at its Cologne competition headquarters.
Panasonic Toyota Racing's F1 car, TF102, is a successor to the team's 2001 test car, TF101, and comes with a brand-new livery. The car retains Toyota's corporate colors of red and white, while additionally carrying the logos of the team's newly acquired partners AOL TimeWarner and Wella. Since the launch of its test car in March 2001, the team has visited 11 of the current F1 venues worldwide, in addition to Toyota's home testing base at Paul Ricard in France. In the eight-month period to November 2001, the test cars had clocked up 20,967km or over 3,000 laps. The new car has been designed by a team led by chief designer Gustav Brunner, who joined Toyota in May, and overseen by Dago Röhrer, technical manager of the chassis department. The 2002 contender incorporates the lessons learned from this season's intensive testing program.
"The car we tested in 2001 was designed to be a test car and nothing more," says Brunner. "It served that purpose very well. The 2002 race car is a more conventional, but state-of-the-art car. Even though our design and build time was very short, we still managed to meet our deadlines and create the new car in time."
The engine program is managed by Norbert Kreyer, who had the job of designing and developing the Toyota V10 from scratch. The 2002 race car is powered by newly developed engine, designated RVX-02.
Toyota Motorsport president Ove Andersson is also extremely proud of the job everyone in the organization has achieved as it prepares for the enormous challenge that F1 represents.
"I think our main target for next year will be to learn, and to try to gain respect within the F1 paddock," says Andersson. "We want to be a team that at the end of next year everybody will say, 'They came, and we think they did a reasonable job.' That's my target for the first year."
Intensive testing will resume in January with drivers Mika Salo and Allan McNish. The team is also in the process of finding test drivers to support Mika and Allan, and will announce those as and when contracts are signed.
Toyota Motorsport has been based in Cologne since 1979, and the facility was formerly the site of the company's World Rally Championship and Le Mans programs. It is the only F1 team to be based, and to build an entire car, in Germany.
The team's headquarters was recently expanded from 18,000 to 30,000 square meters as the F1 project got into gear and now incorporates the most sophisticated equipment available, which allows the team to build and develop the majority of things in-house.
"It is a big task, yes, but we are not that much worried," says Andersson. "We have been reasonably on schedule with whatever we've done up to now. I am now looking forward to testing the new car and to lining up on the grid in Melbourne for Toyota's first-ever Grand Prix weekend."
Toyota's Young Drivers' Program also emphasizes that the team has an eye on the future. Led by team manager Ange Pasquali, its first beneficiaries are 20-year-old Australian Ryan Briscoe and 17-year-old Frenchman Franck Perera, who have been contracted to the scheme since early 2001. A third young driver, Swedish-born 17-year-old Alexander Storckenfeldt, was additionally signed up in December to join the initiative.
British Grand Prix gets go-ahead for 2002
Source: Yahoo Sports
Saturday December 15, 2001MONTE CARLO - Next year's British Formula One Grand Prix has been given the go-ahead after fears that it could be axed due to traffic problems at the Silverstone circuit.
International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley said on Friday the world body had received "binding commitments" to ensure there would be no repeat of the congestion and chaos of past years.
He also said that the FIA had been particularly reassured by the direct intervention of Prime Minister Tony Blair and the government.
"After the broken promises of recent years from the organisers of the British Grand Prix, we have now received binding commitments from them that the chaos experienced by motor sports fans in recent years will be addressed properly in time for next year's grand prix," he said.
"I feel now that for the first time the FIA has received a comprehensive commitment necessary to deliver for the fans," added Mosley.
Rob Bain, chief executive of promoter Octagon Motorsports, had earlier confirmed at a meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in Monaco that the race was secure.
Silverstone hosted the first Formula One race in 1950 but the venue has suffered from traffic gridlock for decades and FIA sources suggested recently that the world body's patience was running out.
The sources had suggested that the race could be replaced by a non-championship event or even dropped altogether.
Friday's decision followed an offer by Octagon of a performance bond valued at $5 million, guaranteeing that promised work will be completed in time for the race.
"We (Octagon) offered the performance bond to them to show our complete confidence in finishing all the phase one work before the 2002 Grand Prix," said Bain.
"Naturally I am delighted with the FIA decision to reinstate our Grand Prix for next year.
"Having met the minister of sport and local authorities we are confident we can get the job done and the required works will happen.
"The silver lining to this episode during the last week is that it has at least got support from the British Government down to the local councils all pulling together on the same team behind the British Grand Prix."
The lack of a British Grand Prix, unthinkable to many Formula One fans, would have been a major blow to the country's prestige and motor sports industry.
Many of the Formula One teams are based near Silverstone.
Octagon announced on Monday that they would be spending 10.6 million pounds on road improvements prior to the 2002 race.
Leading figures including sports minister Richard Caborn and former world champion Jackie Stewart expressed support for the venue.
"This is a good day for British motor sport," said Stewart after the announcement.
"The FIA have taken the right decision, recognising the great progress that has been made by Octagon and the BRDC (British Racing Drivers' Club) in improving traffic conditions in and around Silverstone.
"We want to see Silverstone not just improved but raised right up to the top of the international league table," he added in a statement.
The race was originally listed in the provisional calendar for next season with an asterisk, its confirmation dependent on the outcome of an enquiry into the traffic problems by the British Motor Sports Association (MSA).
The MSA made clear that it backed the promoters' efforts and said there were "material and noticeable improvements to the traffic flow in 2001."
Formula One Update
Source: FIA
14-12-2001
SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO: SNOW FAILS TO STOP CHRISTMAS LUNCH
Although Maranello was under a snow storm this week, Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and Luca Badoer will attend the Christmas lunch for the children of members of the racing department at Maranello tomorrow (Saturday). In the afternoon, Michael will visit the Maserati stand at the Bologna Motor Show and in the evening will receive the Autosprint Golden Helmet award. The Ferrari drivers will also have a meeting with Jean Todt, Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne and the engine department to discuss developments incorporated into the new car.
WEST McLAREN MERCEDES: NEW ENGINE RUNNING
Examples of the all-new Mercedes-Benz V10 for the 2002 season are now running on transient dynamometers both at Ilmor Engineering, at Brixworth, in the UK, and at Stuttgart. Meanwhile, work on the new McLaren MP4/17 chassis is continuing to schedule at the team's Woking headquarters. There is no fixed date for the new car's launch as yet, but it is expected to make its track debut well before the end of January.
BMW WILLIAMSF1 TEAM: STEADY PROGRESS
There have been no major developments from the BMW Williams team since the last FIA news update, work continuing apace on the new FW23C development chassis and the definitive FW24 race cars in preparation for a planned January launch of the new car.
SAUBER PETRONAS: SEAT FITTINGS AT HINWIL
Work on the new Sauber C21 continues to proceed on schedule with Nick Heidfeld having his seat fitting in the first completed chassis on 11 December. The following day, new recruit Felipe Massa also had his seat fitting done and the team plans to complete the mandatory static load tests on the new chassis this month followed by the dynamic crash tests in January. Meanwhile, Heidfeld is working hard on his fitness programme after a three week break just after the season to recover from an operation on his nose to improve his breathing. He is carefully optimistic about 2002. "We all know that defending fourth place in the Constructors' Championship will be much tougher to achieve than this year," he said. "But on the other hand, before this season nobody believed we could do it, so why shouldn't it happen again?"
JORDAN HONDA: FIRST EJ-11 CHASSIS READY
The first monocoque for the forthcoming Jordan-Honda EJ-11 arrived at the team's Silverstone factory on Tuesday of this week and the team is now working on the installation of the mock-up Honda V10 engine. No launch date for the new car has yet been finalised, but a team spokesperson said "it should be towards the end of January or into early February." The team has also announced that Brother International Europe has agreed to extend its sponsorship of the Jordan-Honda team for another two years. The deal provides for continued Brother identification on the cars and on the driving suits of Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato.
LUCKY STRIKE BAR HONDA: NO MORE DETAILS
The BAR-Honda team still has nothing to add to the previous FIA news bulletin. They are working hard to complete their new car.
MILD SEVEN RENAULT F1 TEAM:YOUNGSTERS SELECTED
As work continues apace on the new R202 chassis at Enstone, Renault's Driver Development programme has selected its four drivers to be supported in 2002. Following a two-day driver selection programme at the Estoril track in Portugal, those selected include Eric Salignon (France), Robert Kubica (Poland), Fabio Carbone (Brazil) and Carlo Van Damn (Holland). The four drivers will compete in different categories according to their age and experience. RDD manager Bruno Michel commented: "All the candidates who attended the test were extremely talented and motivated. It was therefore a difficult choice for us, based not only on driving skills, but also maturity, adaptability and the ability to realise their potential."
JAGUAR RACING: FLAT OUT ON NEW CAR
Jaguar Racing admits that it was originally going to have the first of its R3 challengers ready for the second week in January, but accelerated the completion programme at the insistence of team principal Niki Lauda in order to be ready for the official unveiling on 4 January. "With our new wind tunnel at Brackley not available until February and the Swift tunnel so far away in California, it was reasoned that the quicker we got out on the track the better it would be for the programme," said a team insider.
PROST: STILL UNDER A CLOUD
The future of Prost Grand Prix has yet to be assured. The deadline for submitting takeover proposals had been extended to 10 December and the proposals are now being examined.
ORANGE ARROWS: ENGINES ARRIVE NEXT MONTH
The Orange Arrows team has confirmed that it expects delivery of its Cosworth V10 engines next month in preparation for a launch in early February after a preliminary first test of the team's new car at the end of January. No further news on the driver line-up was available this week.
KL MINARDI ASIATECH: TESTING YOUNG DRIVERS
The team will be officially titled KL Minardi and the new car will be introduced during the fourth week of January, possibly in Kuala Lumpur. The team will test young drivers and are currently moulding a seat for Spaniard Antonio Garcia, winner of the 2000 Nissan Trophy. Italian Matteo Bobby (21) and Frenchman Frank Montagny, winner off the 2001 Nissan Trophy will also be tested. Minardi will take part in the first tests of 2002 at Barcelona and Valencia with their 2000 cars.
PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING: NEW CAR READY FOR LAUNCH
The first of the new Toyota F1 challengers for 2002 is ready to be unveiled at the team's competition headquarters in Cologne on Monday (17 December) and both drivers Mika Salo and Allan McNish will be present to meet a huge media contingent expected from all over the world. No details of the team's test programme for the New Year has yet been revealed, but it is expected that the cars will run at Paul Ricard initially which has been established this season as Toyota's F1 testing base.
British GP organisers issue "revised masterplan"
Source: Yahoo Sports
December 10, 2001LONDON (Reuters) - British Formula One Grand Prix promoters have announced a "revised masterplan" for Silverstone in the face of threats to remove the race from the 2002 calendar.
A statement issued by Octagon Motorsports said "further significant improvements are planned to provide the best possible level of accessibility at Silverstone" for fans attending the July 7 event.
"The joint Masterplan between Octagon Motorsports, the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) and (Formula One supremo) Bernie Ecclestone...has been revised to allow greater emphasis on both access and parking, as well as providing additional facilities for the public," Octagon said.
"Works to be completed ahead of the 2002 British Grand Prix will incur costs of 10.6 million pounds and will complete Phase 1 of the Masterplan."
The International Automobile Federation (FIA)'s world motor sports council meets in Monaco on Friday and the fate of the grand prix will be discussed.
The race has been listed as provisional pending an inquiry into the traffic problems that have plagued the central English circuit for decades.
Suggestions have been raised in the media that the FIA might remove the 2002 race from the calendar and make it a non-championship event instead.
"We have always placed emphasis on improving facilities for public access to Silverstone," said Rob Bain, chief executive of Octagon Motorsports, who have the rights to host the race for 15 years.
"We are determined to ensure that the investment pledged by all parties will secure Silverstone's future within international motorsport," added Bain.
Ralf Schumacher more focused for 2002
Source: Yahoo Sports
December 9, 2001LONDON (Reuters) - German Ralf Schumacher has revealed that he will wear glasses when he races in next year's Formula One world championship for BMW-powered Williams team.
Schumacher, who has won three grands prix, tried the glasses last week and is hoping they will help him in his bid to beat his world champion brother Michael to the championship in 2002.
"My eyesight really is still fine," said Schumacher. "But I tried driving with glasses last week and it seems to be much better.
"It just allows me to see things a little better and in Formula One that is essential. The thing now is to try them in testing and get used to them for the season."
Schumacher, who was in a car crash last week on a German autobahn, will test his new spectacles in pre-season Formula One testing next year.
But after his brother's Ferrari team dominated this season, he remains sceptical over how much his improved eyesight will help him.
"Hopefully the glasses can help me close the gap on Michael a little bit so I can win more races," he said. "But Michael is definitely favourite for the title again."
BMW-Williams chief Frank Williams appeared more confident as he looked ahead to the new season at BMW's motorsport end-of-year party.
Both he and BMW motorsport boss Gerhard Berger praised their drivers Schumacher and Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya and Williams warned that if his team can produce a winning car, they will both become regular visitors to the top step of the podium.
"You can bet that these two will win races," said Williams. "They are both very strong, they both want to win, and with the right equipment they will win a lot of races next year."
Murdoch Angling for Kirch?
Source: Speedvision
December 7, 2001London, England, Dec. 7 — If rumors percolating in the European press are to be believed, Rupert Murdoch could be a major player in Formula 1 television rights in the not-too-distant future.
Murdoch, who owns worldwide media giant News Corp. (parent company of Speedvision), is reportedly taking an interest in the possibility of acquiring the Kirch Gruppe, the German media firm that owns 58pct (and an option to buy another 16.7pct from fellow German media firm EM.TV) of Bernie Ecclestone's SLEC holding company which in turn owns the commercial and television rights to Formula 1.
According to a report in the Financial Times, Murdoch's BskyB operation, a British satellite TV network, owns a 22pct share in Kirch's Premiere channel, a German pay-per-view network. Murdoch has a option to require Kirch to buy back the stake in Oct. 2002 at a cost of about $1.8b. It is felt that such a large payout could bankrupt Kirch, which already carries billions in debt, and open the door for Murdoch to launch a complete take-over of the company.
One insider was quoted by the Financial Times as saying, "Rupert has really got the hots for the whole of Kirch right now."
Another unnamed News Corp. executive said that perhaps Murdoch was looking for a new big project to pursue following the collapse of his talks to acquire the American DirecTV satellite provider.
If Murdoch were to acquire Kirch, then he would control the majority of SLEC. However, the F1 manufacturers are currently in an uproar – and threatening to launch their own rival series – because of Kirch's ownership in SLEC, and their fears that it will want to put Formula 1 on pay-per-view TV. One can hardly think that replacing Leo Kirch with Rupert Murdoch will allay their fears, and if the manufacturers do launch their own series, that will make Kirch's $1.5b investment (thus far) in SLEC virtually worthless.
None of this will be decided until late next year, nor does it clarify in any way what the future of Formula 1 will hold. Just as the cars and engines get more sophisticated and complex with each passing year, so do the machinations and politics that are carried out behind the scenes.
FIA restore number order after complaints
Source: Yahoo Sports
December 7, 2001LONDON - Formula One teams have won an early victory by persuading the sport's ruling body to allow the numbers displayed on cars next season to reflect the 2001 championship standings.
"A number of teams have requested that car numbers for 2002 ... should follow the world championship order of the previous year," the FIA said in a statement on Friday, revising the numbers accordingly.
The world body had triggered a minor controversy this week by announcing that from next year the numbers would no longer reflect where teams had finished the previous year as had always been the case but would follow the 2000 standings instead.
World champions Ferrari and Michael Schumacher, who has a "1" on his car, would have retained their numbers anyway since they both successfully defended their titles while McLaren and Williams were again second and third.
But the decision upset some smaller teams, who felt their achievements would not be recognised.
Sauber, who enjoyed their best ever season by finishing fourth, would have been forced to retain their 2001 numbers of 16 and 17 rather than a more exalted seven and eight.
Renault, formerly Benetton, would have raced with numbers seven and eight rather than the lowly 14 and 15 that reflected more accurately the team's poor season.
"A team fights a whole year to achieve a better ranking on paper, to advance further in the pit lane and to get lower car numbers," the Autosport website had quoted Swiss team boss Peter Sauber as saying.
"And then, for the first time in years, everything remains unchanged. Now even Arrows is ahead of us.
"I want to know as soon as possible from (FIA president) Max Mosley and (Formula One supremo) Bernie Ecclestone what this drama is all about."
The new season starts on March 3, 2002 with the GP of AUSTRALIA (Melbourne).
2002 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
PROVISIONAL ENTRY LIST
(subject to modification)
Geneva, 3 December 2001
N°
DRIVER
TEAM
MAKE
1
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (D)
SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO
FERRARI
2
RUBENS BARRICHELLO (BR)
SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO
FERRARI
3
DAVID COULTHARD (GB)
WEST MCLAREN MERCEDES
MCLAREN MERCEDES
4
KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN (FIN)
WEST MCLAREN MERCEDES
MCLAREN MERCEDES
5
RALF SCHUMACHER (D)
BMW WILLIAMSF1 TEAM
WILLIAMS BMW
6
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA (CO)
BMW WILLIAMSF1 TEAM
WILLIAMS BMW
7
NICK HEIDFELD (D)
SAUBER PETRONAS
SAUBER PETRONAS
8
FELIPE MASSA (BR)
SAUBER PETRONAS
SAUBER PETRONAS
9
GIANCARLO FISICHELLA (I)
JORDAN HONDA
JORDAN HONDA
10
TAKUMA SATO (J)
JORDAN HONDA
JORDAN HONDA
11
JACQUES VILLENEUVE (CDN)
LUCKY STRIKE BAR HONDA
BAR HONDA
12
OLIVIER PANIS (F)
LUCKY STRIKE BAR HONDA
BAR HONDA
14
JARNO TRULLI (I)
MILD SEVEN RENAULT F1 TEAM
RENAULT
15
JENSON BUTTON (GB)
MILD SEVEN RENAULT F1 TEAM
RENAULT
16
EDDIE IRVINE (GB)
JAGUAR RACING
JAGUAR COSWORTH
17
PEDRO DE LA ROSA (E)
JAGUAR RACING
JAGUAR COSWORTH
18
TBA
TBA PROST TBA
PROST TBA
19
TBA
TBA PROST TBA
PROST TBA
20
TBA
ORANGE ARROWS
ARROWS COSWORTH
21
TBA
ORANGE ARROWS
ARROWS COSWORTH
22
TBA
TBA MINARDI ASIATECH
MINARDI ASIATECH
23
TBA
TBA MINARDI ASIATECH
MINARDI ASIATECH
24
MIKA SALO (FIN)
PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING
TOYOTA
25
ALLAN MCNISH (GB)
PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING
TOYOTA
The names of the drivers are subject to the granting of a Super Licence and to the agreement of the Contract Recognition Board.
In accordance with Article 60 of the 2002 Formula One Sporting Regulations, drivers may be nominated and/or changed up until 4 pm on 28 February 2002.
