Let's kick off the 2010 F1 Season!!

[yeehau86]

updates:
FIA is proposing F1 engines to be 1.5 litre turbocharged with KERS for a greener environment

FIA wants early green engine push

By Jonathan Noble Friday, April 30th 2010, 12:40 GMT


The FIA is hoping to push through greener new engine rules before a much-awaited new powerplant is introduced in 2013.

Formula 1 teams are currently trying to reach agreement on a new set of engine regulations to come into force from 2013 - with current thinking edging towards a 1.5 litre turbocharged engine that will feature KERS.

But although such a move to smaller capacity and more fuel-efficient engines will be welcome as the sport tries to become more environmentally friendly, the FIA is hoping that changes can be made before then – perhaps by forcing teams to improve their fuel economy.

Gilles Simon, the FIA's director of powertrain and electronics, said: "We have to try and push forward with fuel efficiency. If, as an engine engineer, I am given a maximum fuel load, I will try to give the driver the maximum horsepower possible, building the most efficient engine I can.

"It is a technical competition and as efficiency is obviously good for road cars, that could be good for them as well. So we want to try to adapt the rules we have in the run-up to the new engine formula."

Simon, who was speaking in the in-house FIA In Motion magazine, thinks it vital that any move to change F1's regulations fits in with where the road car industry is heading.

"Ideally, we would like to understand where road cars will be in five to ten years. We would then create regulations for three years from now to anticipate this. This is the most difficult route because we don't want to impose our own views. We need to have a proper view of where the manufacturers will be.

"After that, we will do what is logical for the different championships. I think that could actually add to the show because with reduced displacement engines and lower torque, you could use additional electrical torque to differentiate between the cars, while at the same time developing and showcasing hybrid technology and performance that will be used in passenger cars."

Simon also thinks the public need better educating about how little carbon is produced from F1 cars when they are actually on track.

"Less than one per cent of an F1 team's carbon footprint comes from running its cars. All the rest is from running the team, and above all, more than 60 per cent of the carbon footprint comes from the electricity they use in their factories and wind tunnels."

 

[yeehau86]

Nine drivers given five-second penalties

By Pablo Elizalde Sunday, June 27th 2010, 16:33 GMT


The FIA has handed five-second penalties to nine Formula 1 drivers for a safety car rules breach during the European Grand Prix.

Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello, Nico Hulkenberg, Robert Kubica, Vitaly Petrov, Adrian Sutil, Sebastien Buemi, Pedro de la Rosa and Vitantonio Liuzzi have been penalised for "failing to stay above the minimum time set by the FIA ECU when the Safety Car was deployed."

The penalties mean Fernando Alonso is elevated from ninth to eighth, as he overtakes Buemi, and Nico Rosberg gets the final point from de la Rosa, 10th in the race.

The rest of the point-scoring positions remain unchanged.

The stewards also announced a 20-second penalty for Virgin's Timo Glock for ignoring blue flags.

Updated results and standings:

Classified:

Pos Driver Team
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault
2. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
3. Button McLaren-Mercedes
4. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth
5. Kubica Renault
6. Sutil Force India-Mercedes
7. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari
8. Alonso Ferrari
9. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari
10. Rosberg Mercedes
11. Massa Ferrari
12. De la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari
13. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari
14. Petrov Renault
15. Schumacher Mercedes
16. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes
17. Di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth
18. Chandhok HRT-Cosworth
19. Glock Virgin-Cosworth
20. Senna HRT-Cosworth
21. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth

World Championship standings, round 9:

Drivers:
1. Hamilton 127
2. Button 121
3. Vettel 115
4. Webber 103
5. Alonso 98
6. Kubica 83
7. Rosberg 75
8. Massa 67
9. Schumacher 34
10. Sutil 31
11. Barrichello 19
12. Liuzzi 12
13. Buemi 9
14. Kobayashi 7
15. Petrov 6
16. Alguersuari 3
17. Hulkenberg 1

Constructors:

1. McLaren-Mercedes 248
2. Red Bull-Renault 218.
3. Ferrari 165
4. Mercedes 109
5. Renault 89
6. Force India-Mercedes 43
7. Williams-Cosworth 20
8. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 10
9. Sauber-Ferrari 7

 

[yeehau86]

Ground effect, turbos set for F1 return

By Jonathan Noble Friday, September 3rd 2010, 13:33 GMT


Formula 1 teams are closing in on finalising all-new regulations for 2013 that will likely see a return of ground effect cars and turbo engines - as the sport witnessed in the early 1980's.

Several think-tank Working Groups have been set up to get consensus on moves to improve the spectacle of F1 and ensure it becomes more environmentally friendly.

On the engine side, draft regulations were circulated among teams a few weeks ago and the latest plan is for 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engines to become standard.

The power units will be bolstered by numerous energy recovery systems, and should produce around 650bhp. Plans are also being considered to limit engines to just five per driver per season.

In a bid to further increase F1's green credentials, teams are also keen for there to be a fuel flow rate limit - which will ensure the engines are economical.

Williams technical director Sam Michael said: "Rather than dump as much fuel in as we can at the moment, there will be a fuel flow metre - so you won't be able to blow more than a certain amount of fuel. It is a good chunk less than we had at the moment."

On the chassis front, Williams co-owner Patrick Head and former Ferrari designer Rory Byrne are working with the FIA to head up concepts for new car rules.

Teams are keen for the cars to be better for overtaking than the current generation of machines - with ground effect being actively considered.

"They are talking about putting a greater proportion of down force to the diffuser, a ground effect car - like the early 1980's," added Michael. "They have been looking at that, as well as increasing crash protection at the front of the car by moving the sidepods further forwards."

Source: Ground effect, turbos set for F1 return

 

[^pomen_GTR^]

sounds interesting turbo-ed F1...

how would the sounds like??high-revving turbo...a lot of hissing or more to muted-bassy N/A scream :hmmmm:

 

[yeehau86]

Pomen GTR, I think F1 is moving to the greener side and also cutting cost. Therefore this new rules came in. Could sound like Vtec maybe

By the way, today will be the judgement day for Ferrari after the team order issue at Hockenheim Grand Prix.

Ferrari waits on team orders hearing

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, September 7th 2010, 15:55 GMT


Ferrari will find out in Paris on Wednesday afternoon whether it is to face further sanctions over the German Grand Prix team orders controversy.

Stefano Domenicali, the Ferrari team principal, is the only senior figure from the Maranello outfit set to travel to the FIA World Sport Council hearing - where he and his lawyer's will defend themselves against claims that they used illegal team orders at Hockenheim - and subsequently brought the sport into disrepute.

Although race drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa will not be present in Paris, they are expected to be made available via telephone or video steam to the members of the WMSC should their evidence be needed.

The case hinges on the events in the German Grand Prix when Massa sacrificed his lead to Alonso - shortly after being told over the radio by race engineer Rob Smedley that his team-mate was 'faster' than him.

It was Smedley's apology to Massa immediately after he moved aside for Alonso, plus the clear unhappiness from the Brazilian driver after the race, which pointed to the fact that Massa had been ordered to move aside – rather than had chosen to do so with his own free will.

Sources suggest that part of Ferrari's defence will hinge on the fact that no clear order was given for Massa to give up his lead – so therefore no actual breach of the regulations could have taken place.

It was the same stance that Ferrari adopted immediately after the German GP when Domenicali met the press to explain his team's actions that day.

"We gave an information to Felipe about what was the situation," Domenicali said in his regular Sunday night media briefing. "Because we have already seen in the past that certain situations could not give the best result to the team.

"That was the information we wanted to give and we leave the drivers to understand and take notice of it in order to make sure the team, in terms of the global results, gets the best."

The message from Ferrari is likely to be clear: that there is a big difference between information being given to a driver and a straight order being handed down.

Domenicali also suggested that Sunday night in Hockenheim that Smedley's apology to Massa that day was not for having to move aside for Alonso, but because his car was not quick enough.

"It was not an apology this way...You have to consider the fact, and you can check with his communication on the radio several times in the past, that Rob Smedley is correctly in a very good conjunction with Felipe," added Domenicali.

"This is the key of their success. He gave the information to Felipe and he saw what happened and he was not happy about the situation of the car that was not so fast – and sorry – it was slower than the other one."

Despite remarks from former FIA president Max Mosley in recent weeks suggesting that Ferrari should be punished further for what happened, there has been no clear indication coming out of FIA channels about what the WMSC will do.

Some suggestions have pointed towards a harsh punishment for Ferrari – which will include both drivers and team losing their points from the German Grand Prix. Should that happen, then it is likely the matter will head for the law courts.

Other sources suggest that the FIA will let Ferrari off completely – claiming that what they did in Germany was merely team 'strategy' rather than team 'orders'. The governing body could then issue a clarification on what the difference between the two is - and could even repeal the team orders ban on the grounds it is unenforceable.

As well as finding out what the FIA will do to Ferrari, the hearing will also provide some insight into the workings of the governing body on such controversial matters under new president Jean Todt.

Unlike his predecessor, Todt has been keen to keep himself out of the spotlight since he took over in the top position at the end of the last year.

And in contrast to recent years, when Mosley actively led WMSC disciplinary actions, current FIA president Jean Todt will not take a formal role in the disciplinary hearing and sources suggest may not even attend the hearing.

Instead, the hearing will be chaired by Graham Stoker, the FIA Deputy President for Sport – who is renowned as an expert in sport law.

Should the FIA deem that Ferrari be punished beyond the $100,000 (USD) fine handed down at Hockenheim, then a range of options are open to it.

This could be a suspended ban, an increased fine, a loss of points, exclusion from the race – or even expulsion from the world championship.

The FIA hearing is scheduled to start at 3pm local time in Paris, with a verdict due later in the afternoon.

The WMSC is meeting beforehand in the morning for a rescheduled meeting to discuss more regular matters – which could include the prospects for a new team in F1 in 2011, next year's calendars and future regulations.

 

[yeehau86]

Good news for Kimi Raikkonen fans:

Raikkonen bids for 2011 Renault seat

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, September 14th 2010, 05:19 GMT

Kimi Raikkonen is making a fresh bid to return to Formula 1 next year after approaching the Renault team for a drive in 2011, AUTOSPORT can reveal.

Although it had looked likely that Raikkonen would remain in the World Rally Championship next year after his switch of discipline for this season, AUTOSPORT has learned that Raikkonen has renewed his interest in getting back to grand prix racing.

Sources have revealed that in the wake of Renault's impressive form at the Belgian Grand Prix, Raikkonen approached the French car manufacturer with the intent of putting a deal together.

It is not clear, however, whether Raikkonen spoke to Renault himself or if it was done through his management team.

Raikkonen has always insisted that he would only come back to F1 if he was in a competitive car - and that is something that Renault now appears to be able to offer him.

But despite Raikkonen's credentials, Renault is in no rush to advance talks with him - and it is still holding on for current driver Vitaly Petrov to prove he can deliver what the team is demanding of him.

Renault team principal Eric Boullier confirmed that Raikkonen had approached the team - and is in contention for a seat alongside Robert Kubica in 2011.

"It is true that the summer has passed and we have had more and more requests - and the guy you mentioned [Raikkonen] is on the radar now," Boullier told AUTOSPORT.

"He is on the radar because he contacted us."

Boullier has long said that the team will keep Petrov next year if the Russian can improve his consistency throughout a whole race weekend - and not make silly errors like his spin in qualifying in Spa and blocking Timo Glock in qualifying at Monza.

When asked what Petrov had to do to convince Renault that he is a better option than Raikkonen, Boullier said: "He is not very far away to be honest.

"It is still very complicated for him to have a complete weekend and be faultless, and that is where he needs to work and focus on, and develop clearly his commitment and dedication."

One of the attractions of Petrov is the commercial possibilities he opens up in Russia, and Boullier said Renault would have to change its approach if it decided to take the Raikkonen route.

"It would be a different strategy for the team," he said. "And that is not a question of personality or having a world championship title - it will cost me more if he is world champion than if he is not. It is not a question of this - it is a different strategy.

"You work differently if you have a rookie - and in supporting him - than if you have two experienced drivers. So it is different.

"We need to think about it. But the priority is Vitaly, and to see how he will develop. If we are convinced then we will keep him definitely. This is the first option.

But there are several other options, and one of them is Kimi."

Boullier said he expected a decision on Renault's 2011 driver line-up to be made before the end of the season.

 

[yeehau86]

This weekend will be the one and only night race in the Formula 1 calender, some track changes:

Tweaks made to Singapore circuit

By Jonathan Noble Monday, September 20th 2010, 13:33 GMT


Singapore Grand Prix organisers have made minor revisions to the circuit ahead of this weekend's race in a bid to improve safety and driver comfort.

After complaints in recent years about severe bumps, resurfacing has taken place between Turn 3 and Turn 7, as well as between Turn 14 and 19.

The pitlane has also been lowered by one centimetre since last year's event - which should ensure a smoother transition when drivers rejoin the track.

The controversial Turn 10 'Singapore Sling' chicane - scene of Kimi Raikkonen's crash in 2008 - has also been altered. With the design of the corner having been a cause for concern among drivers over the past two years, the kerbs have been re-profiled to make the turn more gradual.

As well as undertaking changes for safety reasons, Singapore organisers have also made an effort to improve the look of the venue - with track walls now painted in bright colours, and run-off areas also decorated.

Source: Autosport

 

[yeehau86]

Raikkonen rules out Renault F1 seat

By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, October 6th 2010, 08:08 GMT

Kimi Raikkonen has ruled out making a return to Formula 1 with Renault next year, despite being linked with the team for several weeks.

The Finn had been in contact with the French car manufacturer after the Belgian Grand Prix in August, and Renault chiefs were considering putting a deal together with the former champion if he could prove he was motivated for a comeback.

However, even before talks between the two parties got serious, Raikkonen has made it clear he is not interested in what Renault has to offer - and has expressed some unhappiness that the team has talked up its link with him.

Speaking to Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, Raikkonen said: "I am very disappointed with how they have used my name for their own marketing. I have never even seriously considered driving for Renault, and I can assure you that I am 100 per cent sure that I will not drive for Renault next season."

Only this week, Renault team principal Eric Boullier said his outfit had been encouraged by the fact that Raikkonen had been in touch with it.

When asked by the official Formula 1 website if it was flattering that Raikkonen had been in contact, Boullier: "Yes, it is because it shows that the work we've done this season is noticed and that we are considered a challenger for the championship in the future."

Raikkonen's decision not to pursue the Renault option now makes it almost certain that Vitaly Petrov will be retained by the team - although the Russian still needs to show improved form to guarantee his slot with the outfit.