BlogF1

FIA president Max Mosley has been hit with further allegations by British tabloid the News Of The World, as the paper apparently speaks to one of the prostitutes hired by Mosley for the ’sadomasochistic orgy’. It was to be expected that the newspaper would follow up their expose from last week with further information, such is the style of the paper. However, the continuation of the saga only further adds to the pressure on Mosley to step down from his position. Continue Reading…

Germany’s national motoring body, ADAC, has written to Max Mosley asking the president of the FIA to reconsider his position within the organisation. This news comes after an extraordinary general meeting was called by Mosley via the FIA Senate. Mosley had stated in a letter to all FIA members earlier in the week that he had support from within the FIA and has been encouraged to continue in his role. Now, however, it appears that not all feel the same way. Continue Reading…

If I promise to get back to actual event of motor racing reporting on Friday, will you let continue to talk about Max? Thanks, I thought you would! Because now Mr Mosley has asked the FIA Senate to call an extraordinary meeting to discuss the events of the past week and presumably how this has all affected Formula One, especially given the recent statements from four manufacturers involved in the sport. The FIA have refused to comment in any detail over the meeting, only saying that it will likely be held at FIA HQ in Paris as soon as practically possibly. Continue Reading…

Despite staying away from the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend at the request of the Bahraini Royal Family, Max Mosley is still hitting the headlines as the Formula One teams break their silence and openly criticise the FIA president over his recent behaviour. German manufacturers BMW and Mercedes issued a joint statement which made it very clear they wished to distance themselves from Mosley. Honda and Toyota have issued statements effectively saying the same. And finally, Max responded to these statements in a manner which I feel inclined to describe as a little cry-babyish. Continue Reading…

We haven’t had a night race yet, the first isn’t due to take place until the Singapore round later in the year, but it seems as though Bernie has the bit between his teeth and is insisting that any race broadcast outside of European daytime hours needs to be staged at night. This recent push comes after Ecclestone threatened Australia again, bringing to the fore the fact that despite originally lobbying the idea of night racing, Albert Park organisers are now not so keen on the idea. Continue Reading…

A press release from the FIA late this evening outlines the consequences from a meeting they had with ex-Ferrari employee, Nigel Stepney. Stepney was key in the so-called Stepneygate saga, supposedly releasing details of the Ferrari car and team procedures to Mike Coughlan of McLaren. Although Stepney was since fired from the Italian organisation, he was brought forward to explain to the FIA why he shouldn’t be banned from international motor sport in the future. Continue Reading…

The Sunday Times has jumped on the recent story-bandwagon surrounding Ron Dennis and his future at the helm of McLaren. Previously in the week it was Spanish paper Marca that suggested Ron had been forced out of the team, but denials from all quarters put paid that end of the crazy idea. But just because the 61 year-old hasn’t been fired doesn’t mean he can’t leave. And prior to the troubles of last mid-season, Ron was meant to step down at the end of 2007. Continue Reading…

The Stepneygate saga refuses to go away and recently members of the McLaren team have been speaking to officials and authorities. They have given their version of events as Italian prosecutors proceed with legal action towards the team that accepted confidential data from then-Ferrari employee Nigel Stepney. The issues were originally thought to be isolated but following an investigation by the FIA last year, were found to be more serious and much more widespread throughout the McLaren organisation. And now, following raids on McLaren employee homes by Italian investigators, including that of Ron Dennis, rumours have been spreading around the media that Dennis has been fired. A rumour that is ridiculous to even suggest given the complexity of his involvement with the TAG McLaren Group. Continue Reading…

In an interview with The Times Online on Sunday, Max Mosley took the time to discuss some of the recent proposals put forward by Formula One’s governing body in a bid to lower costs for the teams and further extend the life of the sport. During the interview, Max reiterated his hopes for budget caps, currently due to come into force in 2009, and suggested the figure would eventually come down to a very tiny €50m. Mosley also discussed KERS, a greener future for Formula One and whether or not he thinks he’ll stand for re-election next year. Continue Reading…

Having been away from BlogF1 for the last week there is lots of news to catch up on. In particular, Force India launched their 2008 car, the VJM01, night races have become once again a big talking point and Portugal wants a race again, having not been seen on the calendar since 1996 at Estoril. I’ll talk about Force India separately in a later post, but first I need to wade through all the hype that is currently doing the rounds as the teams prepare their new cars for the season start in Australia next month. Here’s what some people are saying about their chances in 2008. Continue Reading…