Formula One will see the return of Lotus in 2010

BMW actually announced to the Formula One world that they would be leaving the tour in 2010 and then promptly sold the team to the man that originally sold it to them, Peter Sauber, instead of the investment group Qadbak, who were originally talking to BMW about buying the team. At first it didn’t look like BMW Sauber was going to be able to grab one of the thirteen available tickets to be one of the teams for the 2010 Formula One season, when Lotus looked like they had grabbed the final berth. BMW Sauber got another chance at a ticket to the big show, after Toyota decided to withdraw their team for the 2010 season.

FIA has been busy finalizing the teams for the 2010 Formula One season and is certainly glad to get this part of the process secured and now they can get onto preparing for the season. This means that the thirteen teams that will be on the grid for the opening race of the 2010 season, will be McLaren, Mercedes (Brawn), Red Bull, Ferrari, Force India, Toro Rossi, Renault, Williams, Sauber, Virgin Racing, US F1 Team, Lotus and Campos. This isn’t written in stone just as yet, and there could still be changes to the thirteen teams that will arrive at the first race of the 2010 Formula One season, but things are looking pretty good for these teams to be the ones that will be competing for the 2010 Formula One title.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

BMW Sauber Confirmed for 2010

Felipe Massa will be returning to Formula One in 2010

The word is Felipe is hoping to return to a Formula One paddock for Match’s Bahrain Grand Prix, which will be the first race of the 2010 Formula One season.

Ferrari has asked for and received approval from FIA for Massa to get behind the wheel of a race car in the future, in order to get his feet wet again, but no date firm date for his track session has been set.

Tuesday he will be sitting behind the wheel of Ferrari’s simulator in Modena for as many hours as he feels he can handle. These simulators aren’t exactly the same thing as driving a Formula One car, but it will let him get a feel for a wheel again. Ferrari says that Massa will continue to sit in the simulator for this week and they have no plans to rush him back onto the track. Massa for his part has been seen filled with energy at the thought of returning, it must have been hard for him to sit out and watch others do what he has such passion for.

Rumours still persist that Ferrari will let Massa back into the seat of a car next week, despite Ferrari’s statements that they haven’t firmly set a date for Massa to slide into a car. Massa has already spent time behind the wheel of a kart earlier in the month and has been seen prowling around the cars and Ferrari’s offices on a daily basis. Massa’s return will mean a change for Giancarlo Fisichella, who took over behind the wheel of Ferrari’s car while Massa has been recovering from his fractured skull. Ferrari has said that they’ll be retaining the services of Giancarlo as their third driver, while Fernando Alonso and Massa team together to try to win for Ferrari.

It’s good to see the Felipe Massa is getting ready to return to a Formula One track, his passion for his sport is something that is a great example for younger racers and young sports minded individuals to follow.
“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Felipe Massa Will Return to Formula One

Giancarlo Fisichella will be driving for Ferrari for the rest of the 2009 Formula One season and on into the 2010 Formula One season

Force India has yet to confirm who will be taking Fisichella’s place behind the wheel of their Formula One car in the up coming Italian Grand Prix. The word on the wire is that Vitantonio Liuzzi is being groomed as a replacement for his fellow Italian racer and will take the place alongside Adrian Sutil in Force India’s number 21.

Ferrari has chosen well and I expect Fisichella to make a contribution to Ferrari’s future in the last five races and on into the 2010 Formula One season. Giancarlo has always been fast in a Formula One car during his long career and very competitive. It certainly helps his case that he’s an Italian racer and he’ll make his fans and country men proud. Fisichella achieved Force India’s first Formula One points and podium finish at last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix by finishing second behind Kimi Raikkonen. He is just starting to get his confidence back and Ferrari has made a good choice by bringing Fisichella into their fold. We should throw in a word on the honour and generosity shown by Force India’s owner Vijay Mallya, by giving Fisichella the freedom he asked for and the chance to drive for the Scuderia Ferrari team.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Giancarlo Fisichella Moves to Ferrari

Jenson Button wasn't cheering after the Belgian Grand Prix

Kaikkonen’s KERS system played a major role in the beginning of the race as Raikkonen used wasted no time using his KERS to slingshot past the Italian on the fifth lap. He had Giancarlo Fisichella in the Force India offering on his tail the whole way keeping him honest through out the race on the first medium down-force circuit of the 2008 Formula One season. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel had a strong race and was closing on the two leaders as they crossed the finish line. Raikkonen crossed the finish line 0.9 seconds ahead of Fisichella and 2.9 seconds in front of Vettel.

There were two accidents that marred the opening laps of the race that changed the outcome for a number of the racers. Jenson Button’s hopes of improving his lead in the Formula One standings were put on hold until the next race. His Brawn GP was hit by Romain Grosjean’s Renault ending his day, while Hamilton Lewis’s McLaren was tagged by Jaime Alguersuari’s Toro Rosso while the two were trying to avoid the melee.

Renault’s Fernando Alonso looked like he might be on track for a good day after he had a good opening to the race. Unfortunately, a slight brush with Force India’s Adrian Sutil on the opening lap damaged his left front wheel and eventually forced him to retire from the race.

Heikki Kovalainen executed a one-stop race strategy in his McLaren that allowed him to stay ahead of Brawn GP’s Rubens Barrichello and finish sixth. He was just able to make it over the line in front of a closing Nico Rosberg, who had yet another strong race for Williams to take the final point in the Belgian Grand Prix.

The final line of the race see Barrichello get two points closer to Button, who is still 18 points in front of the Brazilian. Vettel moves in front of Webber with the points he achieved in this race, with 53 to the Australian’s 51.5. Brawn still leads in the constructors’ championship, with Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren following in order.

‘Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Raikkonen Wins the Belgian Grand Prix

Michael Schumacher has announced he won't be able to get behind the wheel for Felipe Massa

Yes, despite the unfortunate events a few weeks ago, everything seemed to be working out. The clouds have decided to reappear though as Michael Schumacher announced the other day that he would be unable to replace Felipe Massa behind the wheel for Ferrari. Apparently, the neck injury he suffered racing motorcycles in February hasn’t healed enough to withstand the forces of a Formula One competition. Schumacher suffered neck and head fractures, which is a pretty serious injury and it’s not surprising to me that he’s suffering pain while trying to race in a Formula One car. His inability to withstand the forces of involved in racing in Formula One became apparently after a recent 67 lap test in an F2007 on Ferrari’s Mugello circuit to evaluate his fitness and try to prepare him for his upcoming return to Formula One.

This certainly is unfortunately news for Schumacher’s legions of fans, who have been foaming at the mouth thinking about the return of their hero to Formula One. Formula One is a sport that requires a lot from the competitors and they have to be in top physical shape to withstand the forces involved while driving the cars. Any injuries will only be highlighted by competing in a Formula One race and they would get worse with every second spent behind the wheel. Especially, a neck or head injury is difficult to deal with at the best of times and Michael is getting older and injuries just don’t heal as quickly as we age. This is a fact that this tennis and martial artist knows well and one that has to often be dealt with on a day to day basis.

According to sources within Ferrari they have called in Luca Badoer to drive their car in the European Grand Prix later this month. Luca should do fine and Ferrari wasn’t exactly running the fastest car on the track at the time Massa had his unfortunate accident. He’ll do the job and fill in until Massa makes it back and by then hopefully Ferrari will get their car figured out.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Michael Schumacher Says No to Formula One

Red Bull has had McLaren's number so far this year

They were probably very surprised to find themselves almost 3 seconds off the pace being set by the leaders at the beginning of the season. They had a pretty fierce battle with Ferrari for the 2008 Formula One championship and were probably convinced that the MP4-24 was going to be a solid entry for the 2009 Formula One season. To find themselves lacking down force and needing to scramble to improve their aerodynamic performance was probably a troubling position to find themselves in. A total rethinking of the aerodynamic foundation of the MP4-24 was necessary and after a good result in Hungary they seem to have recovered quickly and well.

It’s certainly possible that the battle with Ferrari and their approach to the changes to the rules for 2009 Formula One season might have put them behind the eight ball. The efforts of the other teams might have been under estimated and they might have been a little more inventive using the changes to their benefit. The result of all of these mistakes seems to have put them eight or nine months behind the other teams at the start of the 2009 season. All is forgiven if they can get back on track and give Lewis Hamilton a car that he can compete with and they seem to at least be on the right path.

The rest of the season should be a real race right to the last competition of the season and increase expectations and the energy for the 2010 season if the MP4-24 gets up to speed. Hamilton is pretty far back in the standings currently but you never know what can happen with a fast car and motivated driver.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

McLaren Finally on Track After First Win

BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica thinking about his year, so far

Let’s quickly go over BMW Sauber’s year so far and a few of the less than stellar moments of their 2009 campaign.

2009 was going to be BMW Sauber’s year for major improvements in their car and final standing in the race for the world championship. Considering their steady progress since 2006, expectations were of BMW Sauber challenging for the championship and maybe even winning. This was not to be however, as instead of rising to glory, BMW Sauber has lost ground with both their car and their final standings in the races.

Pre-season testing seemed to indicate too many that BMW Sauber’s F1.09 was fast, quick, and reliable, and drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica were talking excitedly about their cars and chances for the 2009 Formula One season. Unfortunately, as the season has progressed, it has become clear they can’t currently compete with the front running Brawns and Toyotas. They have only managed four top ten finishes this season, far behind what they were expecting considering last year they had 74 points after eight races.

BMW Sauber really got left behind when they concentrated on KERS over aerodynamics at the beginning of the year. They are now coming up with their own editions of Brawn/Toyota/Williams double-diffuser, but they’re still way behind this season, and refuse to admit defeat.

In the Turkish Grand Prix they tried out their first editions of the two-tier diffuser, and there were a few signs of improvement, with Kubica grabbing his first points of the 2009 Formula One season. The Silverstone race saw both BMW Sauber drivers finish a lap down, so if the team is going to compete, they need to get their car running faster.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

BMW Sauber’s 2009 Formula One Season

Brawn GP has dominated the 2009 Formula One season so far

To date Brawn has won six of the eight races completed and currently have a healthy points lead in the constructors championship. Let’s do a quick run through of the Formula One season so far…

What a turn around for the former Honda team! After a terrible 2008 in which Honda withdrew its support, they spent the off season battling to keep the team afloat, before ending in a 2009 Formula One season in which they have been on top of the podium race after race.

Ross Brawn has done an excellent job driving his team through a rough period and putting two experienced drivers in Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello in a position to race and win. Honda showed great maturity in realizing their RA 109 just wasn’t going to be the car to win for them and re-focused their development on the BGP001. Their courage paid off as their new entry was surprisingly fast in pre-season tests and hasn’t disappointed them so far in 2009. To date the BGP001 has only retired from one race in eight tries and has put at least one Brawn driver on the podium in every race so far.

There has also been plenty of controversy surrounding Brawn’s dominance, which was due to the BGP’s innovative double diffuser, something that the other teams protested. In the end however the FIA’s Court of Appeal found in favor of Brawn and they were clear to put the pedal to the metal.

The last race at Silverstone did see Red Bull make a dent in Brawn’s advantage, but we have yet to see if this was a fluke of a true improvement on the part of Red Bull.

“Image: Zuma Press”

Post from: EveryJoe

Brawn GP’s 2009 Formula One Dominance

Monaco was more of the same for the Formula One 2009 season

Brawn once again finished with a one-two combination that’s their third dual-win of the year and the third win with the same Mercedes-Benz engine powering Button’s ride. Ferrari had its best result of the year and its best finish since the race in Brazil last season. Raikkonen managed to start on the front row and reach the podium for the first time this season and at one point during the race at Monaco they were flying, before they had to change their rubber. Vettel started fast on super-soft tires and with the lightest fuel load but turned into a moving road block after a few laps. Rosberg sure looked fast and hungry all weekend and was probably disappointed with his sixth place ranking. Nakajima also ran hot and fast all weekend, but then took a chance on the last lap that ran his FW31 into the wall. Fernando Alonso appeared to be improving with each lap and managed to stay consistent and took seventh place. Nelson Piquet retired after an accident on lap 11 with Sebastien Buemi. Sebastien Bourdais gained a point in what he considers his home race; he stayed out of trouble with his STR4 and watched his rubber, and then took advantage of the opportunity that presented itself to finish eighth. Giancarlo Fisichella finished ninth by keeping his car out of trouble through out the race and managed to pull up close to Bourdais at the end and was in contention for eighth. Sutil started with a one-stop strategy in mind, but his tires quickly caused him to loose ground and ruined his chances.

The next stop for the Formula One season is Istanbul, Turkey, a fast track that was first run in 2005. Check the list below for the dates and times for the Turkish Grand Prix (all times are in local times)

“Images: Newscom”

Post from: EveryJoe

Monaco Post Race Results

Jenson makes it three out of four for 2009 Formula One season

The start was the key as he was able to take advantage of Lewis Hamilton’s sudden arrival between the Toyotas in the run to the first turn to stay high and squeeze around the outside of Sebastian Vettel in Turn One, and into third behind the Toyotas. He just waited for the leaders to pit and then pulled into the front and never really looked back.

Button raced intelligently and fast, waiting his time and only losing the lead for a few laps after his stops on lap 15 and lap 37, before retaking the lead for the last time and never being threatened again by the field.

Button reported the failure of an electrical box in his cockpit that heated him up a bit, but other than that called it one of his best afternoons of racing in his career.

Barrichello decided on a pre-race strategy of three stops that didn’t work out and was disappointed to finish the race in fifth, just ahead of Raikkonen, but was still able to grab Ferrari’s first point of the 2009 Formula One season with his fifth place finish.

Vettel really lost his opportunity in the first run to Turn One, with Hamilton on the right and Button on the left he got squeezed out and stuck behind the leaders, which cost him rubber and speed. He stayed strong through most of the race and was able to race his way past Trulli to take second and continue to show the strength of his resolve and racing skill.

Trulli had a brain freeze and decided to change his tires to primes and lost time, before changing back to super-soft tires and gaining ground to finish third. A disappointing finish considering expectations and qualifying times, so the decision to change tires will certainly be questioned by many.

Image: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Jenson Button Wins Again