According to Ecclestone, the Canadian Grand Prix have defaulted on payments to host the race and this has led to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve being axed. However, after a quick rebuttal from the track authorities, the Quebec government offered to step in and help, stating that the race is important not just for the teams, but also for the economy in Montreal. Sadly, a statement yesterday said race was unlikely to return due to high demands placed on them by Ecclestone.

We were constantly guided in our negotiations by principles of responsible management. However, despite our endeavours and those of the business community, the unreasonable demands of Formula One exceeded the taxpayer’s ability to pay.

I would like to thank my colleagues from the federal and provincial governments and members of the business community who joined forces in an attempt to save the grand prix.

Their concerted efforts attest to Montreal’s vitality and could prove an opportunity for creating a development fund for new events of all kinds that would stimulate the economy, tourism and employment. Gerald Tremblay, Mayor of Montreal.

We worked very hard over the past few weeks to ensure there would be a grand prix in Montreal, while staying fiscally responsible. We cannot meet Mr. Ecclestone’s unworkable demands.

Unless he eases his requirements and adopts a different approach, there will be no grand prix in Montreal in 2009. Raymond Bachand, Minister of Tourism.

It is suggested on Autosport that the fees Ecclestone demanded were in the region of $26m for 2009, increasing by 5% per subsequent year after that. Ecclestone demanded a guarantee from either the government or a bank for $143m for the next five years, but this was too much for the city and the circuit to take on.

So it seems that Formula One will not race on the North American continent in 2009, the US Grand Prix having failed to re-materialise and no other venue stepping forward with a solid plan to host a race. This only adds to the anguish for the car manufacturers involved in the sport, having enjoyed some great advertising in previous years to customers residing in one of the biggest automotive markets on the planet.

Recommended Reading

Au Revoir, Montreal
• A Taste Of Their Own Medicine
• The Canadian Grand Prix Is Not Completely Dead Yet

Original article by BlogF1.

The Final Au Revoir To Montreal?

Since its inception in 2004, Shanghai has had a late spot on the calendar, usually following the Japanese Grand Prix in late-September or early-October. However, it has been decided to bring the event forward for 2009, meaning the race will now be held in mid-April. Sandwiched between Malaysia and Bahrain as the third round of the championship, travelling expenses have been kept to a minimum – the distance from Malaysia to China isn’t too great of a journey. This adjustment allows the season to finish a little earlier than had been previously mooted, and it brings the Brazilian and Abu Dhabi races forward by two weeks.

In 2003, it was decided to run the Brazilian Grand Prix in the first half of the season as opposed to its usual final-round status. This meant the event was held under a torrential downpour of rain and the race was red flagged after Fernando Alonso suffered an almighty accident on the run up the hill onto the start/finish straight. Ecclestone also decided once to bring the British Grand Prix forward, which also resulted in heavy rain falling throughout the weekend, turning the car park in to a mud bath.

However, Japan and China regularly see heavy rain during the latter part of the year, so by bringing the Chinese Grand Prix forward we might see improved weather. Also of note with this updated calendar is the lack of a Canadian Grand Prix. It had been stricken off with the previous schedule, prompting an outcry from the fans and the teams. It would mean North America not having any part in the Formula One World Championship, the US Grand Prix failing to return after its 2007 event. Talks were being held between the government and Bernie Ecclestone, but it would seem little progress has been made. Although, despite my upbeat post about improved transparency, we are in the dark as to any potential developments or possibilities of reinstatement.

The French Grand Prix has also been omitted now, and the team’s have been given their wish of a summer break, a month being freed up between the Hungarian round in late July and the European round (held at Valencia) in late August. Having said all this though, the calendar is still provisional and judging how many schedules we’ve had this year, I won’t be booking anything just yet!

2009 Formula One World Championship Calendar
It’s still provisional though…

Australian Grand Prix Albert Park	March 29th, 2009
Malaysian Grand Prix Sepang	April 5th, 2009
Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai	April 19th, 2009
Bahrain Grand Prix Sakhir	April 26th, 2009
Spanish Grand Prix Circuit de Catalunya	May 10th, 2009
Monaco Grand Prix Monte Carlo	May 24th, 2009
Turkish Grand Prix Istanbul Park	June 7th, 2009
British Grand Prix Silverstone	June 21st, 2009
German Grand Prix Nurburgring	July 12th, 2009
Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring	July 26th, 2009
European Grand Prix Valencia	August 23rd, 2009
Belgian Grand Prix Spa Francorchamps	August 30th, 2009
Italian Grand Prix Monza	September 13th, 2009
Singapore Grand Prix Singapore	September 27th, 2009
Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka	October 11th, 2009
Brazilian Grand Prix Interlagos	October 18th, 2009
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Marina Bay	November 1st, 2009

Original article by BlogF1.

Another Provisional Calendar Has Been Released

Government officials from Montreal are flying to the UK today to hold discussions with Bernie Ecclestone, all in the hope of saving the event with apparently adds $75m to the local economy at the start of the region’s summer season. This news comes just after the grand prix organisers denied claims that they had defaulted on payments to FOM for the past two years; the debts supposedly amount to “north of 20 million dollars” according to McLaren boss Ron Dennis.

If we are able to reasonably and responsibly save this event, we will do it. The grand prix is a big event, it’s the biggest tourism event, but how much does it bring in concretely, not only in spin-offs but in cash in our pockets as citizens, as taxpayers? I’m going to negotiate with Mr Ecclestone, so we will keep our cards to ourselves. Raymond Bachand, Quebec Minister for Economic Development.

The failure to include North America in the championship has upset most teams, primarily because for the manufacturers, the US is a very important market and Formula One allows them to showcase their technology and brand to millions more potential customers. However, even privateer Frank Williams sees the importance of America, having stated recently that many sponsors and potential investors are based in America, and by not reminding them that Formula One exists could add further consequences to the Formula One brand as well as the individual teams.

The government officials are due to speak with Bernie Ecclestone this week and any news or developments will of course be reported on BlogF1. Fingers crossed, everybody…

Original article by BlogF1.

The Canadian Grand Prix Is Not Completely Dead, Yet

I wrote back on the 9th October of my disgust that an international organisation could pull a major sporting event from the schedule without even giving the decency of prior notice to those involved. Instead, it was reported that the Canadian Grand Prix organisers only found out by reading the same press release as everyone else.

Since then, and perhaps because of the lack of transparency over why the race had been dropped, the two parties have been hurling accusations across the Atlantic Ocean like they’re going out of fashion. It was reported on Autosport that Bernie Ecclestone had informed team principals that the race had been dropped because of the Canadian Grand Prix defaulting on payments. Ron Dennis had quite a lot to say on the topic.

I won’t give you the exact figure but they did not fulfil their contractual obligations in 2007. There was a carry over which was a concession given for 2008, and there was an assurance by the Montreal government that they would stand behind the 2007 figure and the 2008 figure – and that was something confirmed on the Sunday morning of the grand prix. But that money, which is north of 20 million dollars, is not forthcoming. Ron Dennis.

The Canadian Grand Prix officials responded last night with a strong rebuttal of the accusations.

It is totally untrue to suggest that our organisation has defaulted on payments owed for the past three years.

It is true that we have a commercial disagreement regarding our monetary obligations, but only for 2008. This is the result of an historical difference within the contractual understanding between the two parties.

We were working hard to resolve the matter in order to meet our 2008 obligations when Mr. Ecclestone, without notice, surprised everyone by unilaterally dropping the Canadian Grand Prix from the 2009 FIA schedule on October 7th. Paul Wilson, Canadian Grand Prix.

Whatever the reason, and whatever the whys and whereabouts of what happened, the FIA recently received a good dose of their medicine, which has sparked confusion for the very organisation that should be leading the rest on good practises in business and communication.

When France pulled their race from the calendar last week, citing financial difficulties as the main reason, the FIA got a bit ticked-off. You see, it would appear that the race organisers, FFSA, didn’t bother to officially inform anyone at the sport’s governing body prior to cancelling their race. This prompted a letter to be sent to the FFSA’s president Nicholas Deschaux to seek clarification on the matter.

The FIA secretary general has written to the president of the FFSA today to seek an urgent clarification of the situation of the French Grand Prix. Up until today we have heard nothing and we are gravely concerned. FIA Spokesperson.

All I can say is that I believe the FFSA followed the example set by the very organisation that governs them.

Original article by BlogF1.

A Taste Of Their Own Medicine

As Grandprix.com report, the FFSA have stated that if they were to hold a French Grand Prix next season, they would be making a financial loss. The current contract – which has Magny Cours down as the circuit – also has a annual 10% increase in fees payable to FOM. With the current global economic problems, the FFSA have decided it would be better to drop the 2009 event, but come back in 2010 with a more sustainable funding arrangement at a venue that suits the needs of modern Formula One and Bernie Ecclestone.

With the recent exclusion of Canada from the calendar, the 2009 season is starting to look a little thin. Without France, the schedule will only include seventeen races; 2008 had eighteen, including two new venues. 2009 will see Abu Dhabi join the circus as well, but the dropping of some of the more traditional events only allows Ecclestone to add in new circuits in emerging economies (India being a prime example), thus changing the face of Formula One considerably.

I believe part of the reason for dropping Circuit Gilles Villeneuve from the calendar was to allow the teams their now-traditional three-week break mid-season. Previously, it had been suggested the break would be dropped in favour of having up to twenty races per season, but many team bosses complained that their employees would burn-out very quickly. Ron Dennis stated that should the break get cancelled, he would have to rotate his race-team staff to allow them a chance to recuperate away from the races. A suggestion that of course, flies in the face of Max Mosley’s cost-cutting plans.

However, losing Magny Cours from the calendar surely means that with a little re-jigging, there would be enough space to squeeze Canada back in and still give the teams their vacation time. Of course, if Canada Grand Prix officials are experiencing their own financial issues, then this may not happen, but with the teams so upset about losing the last remaining race in North America, maybe they should be stepping up to the plate with some funding in order to save the event.

Original article by BlogF1.

2009 French Grand Prix Cancelled

Canada has hosted a grand prix since 1967 at various tracks and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a glowing example of a great circuit. It is fast, but also has slow corners. It has sweeping complexes and a long straight. It has the Wall of Champions. It encourages overtaking and is very popular with fans the world over. Montreal embraces Formula One every year, but the powers-that-be have decided to remove the event from the calendar.

I am disgusted at the FIA and FOM.

Spa Francorchamps, that death-defying strip of tarmac that cuts through the Ardennes Forest has experienced it’s fair share of issues in the past, failing to host a Belgian Grand Prix in 2002 and 2006 However and thankfully, the circuit has returned and has remained with us to the present day. I consider myself lucky that Spa is still on the calendar.

Suzuka, another of Formula One’s amazing temples of speed is sharing a race with Fuji, the circuits agreeing to alternate each year. However, the very fact that Fuji was able to muscle in on the Japanese Grand Prix is in my book, unforgivable. While we haven’t had a chance to see Fuji in all it’s glory (the 2007 event was a wash-out), I really don’t think it can live up to Suzuka’s standards of providing great racing.

Silverstone is another track rich in heritage and tradition. The old airfield hosted the sport’s very first race back in 1950, but despite plans to modernise the facilities, the circuit has lost the British Grand Prix. From 2010, the event will either be held at Donington Park, or not held at all.

And now, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has felt the wrath of Bernie Ecclestone. And for what reason, you may ask. Why was the circuit dropped from the 2009 championship? What did the Canadians do that was so wrong? Was it the track surface falling apart? Was it a political move? Are we going to war with the Canucks? Or was it a move made with blindfolds on? Was it a game of pin the tail on the donkey, or did Ecclestone put all the tracks up on a dart board and decide after piercing Montreal that it had to go?

Well, we don’t actually know why. Since Tuesday when the announcement was made, we’ve had – as far as I can tell – no official reason for the exclusion of the race. However, one mooted reason is that the team’s desire to have a three-week summer break prompted the FIA to move the Turkish Grand Prix from July to August, and by doing this and dropping Canada, the vacation time is created.

But, and this is a big but, I strongly doubt that the teams would have agreed to this in a million years. The manufacturers know how important a North American race is, and they’ve been wanting a return to the United States since the race was dropped after 2007. Further more, not only were the teams not consulted, but neither was Circuit Gilles Vileneuve. On Wednesday, they issued a statement:

The executives of the Grand Prix of Canada have learned via the media of the omission of the Grand Prix of Canada from the F1 Championship 2009 calendar. Therefore, the organization will issue no comment until having spoken to Formula One Management (FOM) and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile. Grand Prix of Canada Press Statement.

What are the FIA running here, a joke of an organisation? They didn’t even privately inform the organisers a couple of hours in advance of the statement. No fax, telephone call, not even an email. That is insane. And the FIA want to do business with these people, make money and provide racing, yet they are not even capable of delivering basic respect to the companies that provide the FIA and FOM with the facilities to run the sport. It would be like turning up to work one Friday and your boss telling you that this is your last day because he/she neglected to tell you four weeks ago that the notice period had begun. It’s just plain wrong.

I am utterly disgusted at the FIA and FOM.

And I am not the only one.

I don’t think it is a short-term problem, but it is a problem that does need to be addressed. We are a global series and not to be performing in one of the major continents is a serious problem – even more so because it is a continent that is very important for the motor manufacturers who are involved in F1. Nick Fry.

And now I would like to share an email I received from BlogF1 reader Gman. A regular in the comments, Gman resides in America, and as you can imagine, isn’t too happy about the removal of the only North American event…

The removal of the [Canadian] race is a crushing blow to F1 fans in both Canada and the U.S. First off, there is now no GP anywhere on the entire North American continent next season, and fans from all 3 major nations now get the shaft.

Second, it is just the latest development in a long line of Bernie bullying races off the calendar, but this time it appears to be more brazen and shocking than ever before in my view. If this is the way he, Max, or any combination thereafter will treat the promoters of other races, then everyone connected with any GP whose status is even questioned – Britain, France, Germany, Australia – had better buckle up and hang on, because more bumpy times may be ahead. Gman, a fans perspective.

Indeed, it would appear that Formula One circuits the world over need to carefully read their contracts and consider their future if the renewal date is getting close.

One problem currently facing Formula One is the emergence of Ecclestone wanting to go to developing economies and nations and to cash-in on new money. But the team’s don’t want any more than twenty races per season, and also want their summer holiday. This puts considerable strain on the logistics of the sport, but a solution is surely possible. After all, the sport employs some of the brightest minds the planet has to offer.

Unfortunately though, as Gman hinted at in his email, one solution is to drop some of the older circuits, and those who are not willing to bend to Bernie’s idea of night racing may also face the chop in an equally cruel and heartless manner. Britain is on the brink, France is on-off-on-off, Australia have been at war with Bernie for a while now over night-racing, Germany are facing financial issues, Malaysia courted some derogatory comments from Ecclestone earlier in the year and Monaco often comes under criticism for it’s cramped nature and inherent danger.

I am still utterly disgusted with the way the FIA and FOM have conducted themselves over this matter, and I just hope it is a brash negotiating technique by Bernie to improve the lining of his pockets. But to play it out in such a public way only damages the sport. After McLaren-Gate last year and Mosley’s antics in March this year, isn’t it time the newspapers were filled with “Great Racing” headlines instead?

Original article by BlogF1.

Au Revoir, Montreal

Raikkonen and Kubica were doing what they should do, and that was waiting at the end of the pitlane because the red light was showing. The reason for the red light was down to the safety car leading the pack past the exit road of the pitlane, and cars have to wait in this position until the pack has moved on. However, Hamilton says he was caught out by the light and the two cars stopping in front of him.

Although the drivers appeared relatively amicable immediately after the incident, Raikkonen is obviously not entirely happy about the situation, the Finn now having failed to score in the two most recent races.

Obviously, anyone can make mistakes, as I did two weeks ago in Monaco, but it’s one thing to make a mistake at two hundred miles per hour but another to hit a car stopped at a red light. I am not angry because that doesn’t achieve anything and does not change my result. Kimi Raikkonen.

The pitlane exit is being very controversial this year, with Rubens Barrichello having been caught out on more than one occasion. However, seeing a car hit a stationary car in the pitlane is a new one on me.

It wasn’t a great stop. I saw the two guys in front battling in the pitlane and all of a sudden they stopped. I saw the red light but by the time I stopped it was too late. Lewis Hamilton.

The grid slot penalty will happen at the next race in France in a fortnight’s time.

Dare I suggest Lewis joins Rubens for his appointment at SpecSavers…?

Original article by BlogF1.

Hamilton & Rosberg Face Grid Penalty In France

Before the race even started though, there were fears that it may not be able to take place at all. Following qualifying it was clear that the track was literally falling apart in places. However, overnight the race organisers added a layer of resin over the damaged parts of the circuit and by-and-large it held together. The hairpin looked shocking on the television cameras, and the railway racing line was still apparent as the track rubbered in, but at least it stayed together for the seventy laps.

The Start

As the drivers took to the grid to start the race, only Lewis Hamilton from the front-runners was starting on the softer compound of tyre, everyone else choosing to start on the harder compound. As the red lights dimmed the gas pedals went down and everybody managed to be polite enough to get through the first cornmer in one piece. The first complex of the lap is notorious for eating front wings and noses, but 2008 saw nothing but good manners.

Nico Rosberg did well off the line and immediately made up places, emphasising how well the Williams has been running around Montreal all weekend. Kazuki Nakajima was also doing well in the second FW30 on track, the Japanese driver quietly getting on with his job and performing moderately well in his first year of Formula One racing. In the similarly powered Toyota team, Jarno Trulli dispensed of his team mate Timo Glock pretty early on, but unfortunately a poor qualifying effort from both drivers meant they were sitting behind a slightly out of position Rubens Barrichello. For once, it was Trulli caught in a Barrichello-train.

The early stages of the race proved to show Nelson Piquet Jr as a competitve young spirit, the Brazilian looking pretty hot as he chased down slower cars in front of him. The Renault-charger actually looked like a proper racing driver for a while, but of course it didn’t last too long. Piquet Jr was spinning around in circles by lap 28.

The Middle

It took sixteen laps before the safety car was ordered out on track to slow the pack up, but the reason for deployment wasn’t anything too severe. In fact, it appeared that Charlie Whiting was in two minds as to what to do when Adrian Sutil parked his Force India on the side of the track, and intially the situation was covered by waved yellow flags. However, a few minutes later and the brakes on Sutil’s strickened car started to burn, forcing a marshal to venture out along the wall to extinguish the burning wheels. The fact that a marshal had to walk some distance along the wall and the car appeared to be a danger, it had to be removed and Whiting threw the safety car.

As the safety car was deployed the pit lane was closed and the pack slowed up. After a short period the pit lane was re-opened and just about everybody came in to change tyres and take on fuel. Lewis Hamilton came into the pits as did Robert Kubica and Kimi Raikkonen. The BMW got away from the garage well and Kimi Raikkonen had to take a very aggressive strategy to ensure he made up a place – the two drivers were fighting for position. Side-by-side the Ferrari and BMW came to the end of the pitlane but were forced to slow right down to an almost standstill; the pit lane exit was closed to allow the passing pack on the race track to clear the exit of the pitlane.

And then Lewis Hamilton came thundering down the pit lane looking to rejoin the race and get on with his afternoon. Seemingly oblivious that the two cars ahead of him had stopped, Hamilton ploughed straight into the back of Kimi Raikkonen, causing his McLaren to jump up into the air onto Kimi’s rear wing. Both races were over and Kubica simply waited for the green light, applied his throttle pedal and drove away in the [net] lead of the race.

Unfortunately for Rosberg, he followed Hamilton down the pitlane and unlike the Briton, Nico would have had his vision of the exit hindered. Thus, the German couldn’t do much but clout the back of the McLaren as they piled up. Rosberg suffered a damaged front wing and was forced to pit after one more lap of the track.

This all brings us to lap twenty, Nick Heidfeld is actually in the lead of the race, although he was yet to stop at the time. Heidfeld’s team mate Kubica was essentially in the lead, although further down the pack struggling with traffic that were on different strategies to himself. Rubens Barrichello was amazingly in second and behind him were the Toyota’s and David Coulthard in the Red Bull.

On the 28th tour, Nelson Piquet dropped his R28 and spun it around coming off the kerbs. From the agle of the video it was hard to tell if his car went wide and onot the notorious marbles or if there was another cause for his moment. Either way the Brazilian did well to keep it out of the barriers, and his reversing move to get his car out of the corner and facing the right way left Felipe Massa looking his mirrors in utter disbelief as he weaved his Ferrari off the kerb having missed the Renault by inches.

Nick Heidfeld went right through to lap 29 of the race (I don’t remember him stopping during the safety car period), highlighting that he qualified in eighth with quite a lot of fuel onboard. The German may seem to be struggling at times, but perhaps he is just running aggressive strategies that haven’t quite worked out as well as they should have? Either way, the BMW driver pitted on twenty-nineth tour and allowed Rubens Barrichello to lead the race. As Heidfeld left the pit lane he snuck out in front of Robert Kubica, and the lighter, faster Kubica needed to get past.

As the pair came down to turn one and the start of the following lap, Robert made his move and Nick allowed him by – it was the only thing to do given the circumstances and for Heidfeld to try and run his own race would potentially have damaged the result for the team. Kubica (essentially) took the lead the race and everything looked very, very rosey for the Swiss-German team.

Of course, the BMWs were down in the pack and weren’t actually in the lead, although when everybody ahead of them pitted, they duly would be. Right behind the second BMW of Heidfeld was the Renault of Fernando Alonso, the Spaniard enjoying a wonderful race from fourth on the grid. On lap thirty he received a message from his engineer that Heidfeld was fuelled to the end and Alonso piled on the pressure, swerving over his gear box looking for a way past.

At the very front David Coulthard was enjoying a moment in the limelight, his Red Bull Racing car leading the race while he waited for the call to stop. His Renault powered car was throwing out a lot of brake dust though, as were both the Renault-powered Renaults. However, Coulthard was keeping his machine on the black stuff and a poor showing on Saturday was actually turning out to be a very good showing on Sunday.

On lap 38, Coulthard pitted and the Toyota’s were now first and second. Of course, it wouldn’t last for long and sure enough, Trulli and Glock peeled off into the pit lane as and when. In the mean time, Nelson Piquet Jr allowed his brake issues to get the better of him, the young driver being seen having his car rolled backwards into the garage with brake dust pouring out of the front. By lap 42 Kubica was back in the actual lead and enjoying his time at the very front of the race.

To highlight the problems of the track surface and the marbles that form just off the racing line, Fernando Alonso went for Nick Heidfeld at the hairpin. However, the Spaniard went too wide and Heidfeld just tucked himself up the inside and re-passed, leaving Alonso once again behind and struggling to get traction out of the corner. His move would be academic though, as Alonso was forced to retire a few laps later having clouted the wall and damaged his R28.

Kazuki Nakajima’s excellent run came to a halt when he hit the back of Honda at the hairpin. With his front wing hanging off the nose of the FW30, the Japanese driver almost made back to his garage. However, entering the pitlane the wing dropped and became lodged under the car, lifting his front wheels up and rendering Nakajima’s car useless. The rookie driver had faced a similar experience in testing prior to the season start in Spain, however, that time he smashed heavily into the barrier. This time around, Kazuki rested his car at the top of the pit lane and stalked away.

The Finale

Lap 48 proved to be the final of the race, Robert Kubica having pitted and left in the lead of the race. Nick Heidfeld couldn’t respond and it was all for Robert to lose. Further down the order Heikki Kovalainen, Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa were battling for the lower order points, and going into the hairpin the McLaren driver attempted a pass on the Honda. However, Heikki went too deep and in doing so held up Barrichello which allowed Massa to squeeze past the pair of them. A few laps later and Barrichello was under attack from the Toyotas, the Brazilian eventually having to concede the position as he too ran wide.

A similar scenario confronted Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel, the Williams pilot making a move on Vettel but running wide onto the marbles. This allowed Heikki to drive by and move up the order and Rosberg suffered the most as Vettel regained the position. For the remainder of the race Kovalainen hassled Vettel for the final point, but Vettel held his ground and scored again for Scuderia Toro Rosso.

Three laps from the end and Jarno Trulli was forced to back off to avoid a struggling Timo Glock. In getting out of the throttle Felipe Massa seized the opportunity and passed the Italian, the Ferrari finishing the race in between the two Toyotas. And with just two laps to go Mark Webber was the final driver to have an issue, the Australian spinning his Red Bull around. Webber managed to avoid contact with the barriers and was able to continue.

Robert Kubica took a fine maiden win and BMW rejoiced with Nick Heidfeld completing the perfect result. Coulthard finally scored points and enjoyed the podium celebrations after his difficult start to the season. Toyota scored big with both drivers finishing in the points, but Massa and could only collect the tail of the top eight along with Barrichello and Vettel.

On a day when the number twos should have stepped up and saved the day for their teams, the victory was lost to the well-driven BMWs. A silly error from Hamilton has blown open the championship and Robert Kubica leaves Montreal as the leader of the drivers’ campaign. As Martin Brundle said during the ITV commentary, can he really go on and take the title? I think it is still a little early to tell, but one thing is for certain: BMW deserved their win and if they can keep up with the development, they will be in with a shout towards the end of the campaign.

Undoubtedly I’ve missed some things – there was a lot to take in – so feel free to add in other things in the comments below.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Original article by BlogF1.

Canada 2008: Kubica Takes Maiden Win As BMW Score Perfect Result

A full report will go up on Monday morning.

Original article by BlogF1.

Canada 2008: Race Result

Both drivers were forced to pause at the end of the pitlane and wait for the green light as the field cleared the pitlane area on the track. Lewis Hamilton then came steaming down the pitlane and simply ploughed into the back of Raikkonen, seemingly unaware that the drivers were waiting. Unfortunately, Nico Rosberg then had little choice but the follow suit and clip the back of the McLaren.

Kubica left the pitlane and his BMW was undamaged, but Kimi Raikkonen retired on the spot as did Lewis Hamilton. Nico Rosberg was able to squeeze by the McLaren and rejoin the track, although the German was forced to pit for a replacement nose and front wing after comleting the lap.

Unquestionably, the incident was Hamilton’s fault and the only consolation for the Briton is that he took out his main championship rival in the process. Raikkonen appeared to take the incident well and walked away from Hamilton as he looked at his car in disbelief at what just happened.

Original article by BlogF1.

Canada 2008: Lewis Hamilton Retires From Race After Rear-Ending Raikkonen

You can also check out BlogF1’s guide to watching Formula One online by following this link.

Original article by BlogF1.

Canada 2008: Live Blog

Many drivers have complained that as soon as they leave the usual racing line around Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, they run a very high risk of putting the car in the barriers. This is mostly to do with the rubber from the tyres collecting at the outer edges of the circuit and forming small balls, or marbles. However, it seems that the problem has been made even worse with the actual surface breaking up.

Part of the reason why the track is falling apart is down to the climate of Montreal; the area experiences freezing winters and hot summers. This dramatic change in temperature doesn’t help the tarmac and several measures have been put in place to prevent it from happening. However, according to the race’s executive vice president Francois Dumontier, the “technological evolution” of the cars and the tyres has exacerbated the situation.

This year we chose a new specialist to settle the issue, but obviously conditions related to the technological evolution of the race cars do create some problems.

Aggressive adhesion of grooved tyres, removal of traction control systems and the actual physical configuration of the hairpin corner itself could all be probable causes for this situation.

We will correct this problem as soon as the last car leaves the track today, and everything will be rectified for tomorrow’s races. Francois Dumontier.

If the surface starts to break up again during the 70-lap race later today, we could be seeing a fair amount of the safety car and a fair amount of cars in the barriers. For the future of the Canadian Grand Prix, the circuit owners need to fix the problem before it becomes a serious embarrassment.

Original article by BlogF1.

Canada 2008: Hairpin To Be Resurfaced

Strictly speaking, penalties are worked out in the order they are given, which would put the French driver in 20th. However, Vettel’s complete lack of running could alter this. Either way, unless another driver in the bottom five has a problem, the Rosso drivers will hog the back row.

The track surface at the hairpin has had a large impact on running, and the organisers have apparently attempted to re-surface the corner over night. With the tarmac crumbling away we could be seeing more drama at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve before the race. But all this aside, some drivers did exceptionally well during qualifying.

Lewis Hamilton took a barn-storming pole position and almost lost it to BMW’s Robert Kubica. In the final ten minute session it looked as though Hamilton was comfortable at the top, and initially it looked as though only Kimi Raikkonen would spoil the party. However, the Finn’s final attempt didn’t go well and the Ferrari driver could only manage third. Robert Kubica snatched the top-spot away from the Briton on his final pass, but Hamilton’s last gasp lap was more than enough to take pole at the circuit where he scored his maiden win last year.

Fernando Alonso drove well throughout Saturday and took a fine fourth place. However, the Spaniard appears to still have issues with the first sequence of corners. Alonso ran wide and jumped over the grass yesterday, just as he did during the race last year. However, you can’t knock a fourth place grid slot, especially when his team mate is languishing back in fifteenth. Let’s just hope Alonso can keep it together for the race and score some decent points for Renault.

Nico Rosberg is another driver who is running well in Canada, the German pilot putting his Williams in fifth, ahead of Felipe Massa in the Ferrari. Rubens Barrichello quietly sneaked into Q3 and ended up nineth after Mark Webber couldn’t take part having binned his Red Bull as he drove back to the pits having made it into the final round.

David Coulthard didn’t enjoy his Saturday running, complaining of other drivers holding him up and suggesting that it was done on purpose. The Toyota’s are also off-pace a little, with one-lap master Jarno Trulli not even able to get ahead of his team mate Timo Glock. Jenson Button had a poor afternoon as well, and the Toro Rosso drivers are helping the Force Indias by claiming the back row for themselves.

Canada 2008: Qualifying Results

*Mark Webber spun and damaged his Red Bull at the end of Q2 after setting a fast lap – he was unable to take part in Q3.
**Sebastien Bourdais had to receive a new gearbox before he was allowed after morning practice. The French driver had qualified 16th, but will not start alongside his team mate on the back row.
***Sebastian Vettel damaged his car during morning practice and was unable to take part in qualifying.

Original article by BlogF1.

Canada 2008: Qualifying Results & Short Report

I will add though that I’ve noticed a lot of comments going to moderation recently for no apparent reason. If your comment does head its way to the moderation bin please do not fear, and please don’t re-submit. It will take me until Sunday afternoon before I can sort it out, but I will add them in, I promise.

I should be around for the race though, and normal service will resume (unless this has been a resounding success and worth repeating). So until tomorrow afternoon, have fun…

Image by magicfab and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.0 License.

Original article by BlogF1.

Canada 2008: What Happened In Qualifying?

Of the current teams on the grid, there are three distinguishable approaches to front wing design; Bridge, Moustache and neither. Here’s a quick run-down of each team and the wing design they are using:

• McLaren – Bridge
• Renault – Bridge
• Williams – Bridge
• Red Bull Racing – Bridge
• Toyota – Bridge
• STR – Bridge
• Ferrari – Moustache
• Force India – Moustache
• BMW – Neither – Tusks
• Honda – Neither – Elephant Ears

The bridge-wing is a part of the front wing that goes from either side and curves over the tip of the nose. The moustache variation attaches to the nose on either side while BMW and Honda use neither of these methods, instead preferring to attach small winglets on the top of the nose.

Renault currently have the highest part of their bridge-wing attached to the nose (and have done since the beginning of the season) which presumably limits any potential movement of the part, and it now seems that all other teams utilising this kind of wing will have to follow suit for the Canadian Grand Prix at the end of the week. Although this move by the FIA seems a little strange given that they gave the all-clear to McLaren when they introduced the idea to their cars in May 2007. Of course, it is possible that the team’s have since exploited the potential in this design.

Fernando Alonso in Bahrain, with the connecting piece at the top of the bridge going to the bottom of the Bridgestone ‘B’ highlighted.

According to Autosport, this move to better secure the wing to the body came about folowing the Turkish Grand Prix, where on-board footage from some cars showed the wing to flex slightly. The flexing of certain parts of the car can produce favourable advantages to the car, allowing the wing to change characteristics at different speeds. Initially the focus was on rear wings, with the advantage coming from less drag produced as the car moved towards its top speed on the straights and flexing back to normal for slower corners to aid downforce. However, the FIA are now clamping down on the front of the cars, and it will be interesting to see if there are any noticeable differences in the pace of the teams in Canada.

I honestly don’t think there will be any noticable difference, not necessarily because this isn’t an important area of the cars, because it is, but because Renault have had their wiong attached for most of the season, and would have removed the connecting part if they thought they could get away with it. What will be interesting is if any teams suddenly adopt the Ferrari and Force India approach of the Moustache wing. This method was first used, I believe, by Toyota last year, although they have since changed to the bridge-wing for 2008.

Original article by BlogF1.

Flexi-Wings Return To The Fore For FIA

Situated on a man-made island on the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal, Canada, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has hosted the Canadian Grand Prix since 1978 and has only missed one season in its Formula One career; a sponsorship dispute in 1987 meant the round couldn’t be held. Canada had previously hosted rounds of the championship, starting out in 1967 at Mosport Park in Ontario. The first few years saw the event alternate between Mosport Park and Mont Tremblant, situated in Quebec. But with Mosport Park (which held the most races prior to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve) coming under critcism, Canada went looking for an alternative venue for their race.

In the late seventies, Montreal’s mayor suggested the park on the Ile Notre-Dame island. The purpose-built island was previously host to the 1967 Expo World Fair, and the basin also hosted the rowing events for the 1976 Olympic Games. The park, now renamed in honour of the city’s mayor at the time – Parc Jean-Drapeau – was put forward and the city drew up plans for the circuit.

With previous events being held on the site, and the convenience of the city and all the amenities, Ile Notre-Dame seemed like a great location. And in only a few months, it became the circuit that we know today. Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is considered a road circuit, but unlike Monaco or the upcoming Valencia and Singapore, the public use of the roads was considered secondary to the circuit during construction. Although it may sound odd, the roads were initially built with the track in mind, and when races aren’t being held, the highway is opened up for the public.

This makes Circuit Gilles Villeneuve very interesting. With Monaco, a massive operation is undertaken each year to convert the local roads of the principality to a safe environment for Formula One. The roads are closed and you can’t even imagine to disruption caused to the local residents. And believe me, despite property prices being quite high in Monte Carlo, there are a lot of residents to consider. However, Ile Notre-Dame is somewhat more peaceful, with the park only really being used for exercising French-Canadians, running or skating around the landscaped scenery.

Because the circuit’s roads aren’t used by the public that often, the condition of the tarmac remains in good order, and the setting up of the race is less of an operation as it is in Monaco, and will be in Valencia and Singapore later in the year. The lack of intense public use means the circuit can be maintained and updated easier, however, the track has become increasingly popular in recent years. In 2002, the Champ Car World Series visited the track for the first time, and this allowed fans to get a glimpse of the American cars and compare them directly to the Formula One machines. Although it is perhaps not entirely fair to make a direct and blunt comparison, the last Champ Car race in 2006 had a pole time of 1m20.005s, set by now Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Bourdais. In the same year, Fernando Alonso took pole in his RenaultF1 with a time of 1m14.942s. Of course, Formula One fans like quoting those times while Champ Car fans point out the variety of differences and conditions that may have hampered Bourdais on his lap.

Getting back to the circuit’s history though, the first race, held in 1978, was perhaps its most famous. On the grid for the inaugural event was a young Canadian driver making a name for himself in Formula One, and he went by the name of Joseph Gilles Henri Villeneuve. A local boy, Joseph became more commonly known as Gilles, or that crazy driver with equally crazy skills, lined up third, but by lap 50 of the race was in the lead. The young Villeneuve remained in first until the the chequered flag, the event being his maiden victory. To the roar of the crowds, Villeneuve stood proud on the podium to accept his trophy.

To date, Gilles Villeneuve is the only Canadian driver to win his home race, and with a distinct lack of Canadian talent in Formula One and lower formulae at the moment, it will be a while before we can even see a potential home-race winner in Montreal. The circuit’s most notable winner was Michael Schumacher, the German world champion having succeeded in Montreal a total of seven times. Interestingly, two of the sport’s most successful drivers in the late-eighties and early-ninties – Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost – only won three Canadian events between them, Senna getting the upperhand on his French rival.

In 1982, just five weeks after the tragic death of Villeneuve, the circuit was renamed by the city of Montreal from Ile Notre-Dame to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and Ferrari, Villeneuve’s team, brought only one car to the race. That car belonged to Didier Pironi; a great rival of Villeneuve right up to his death.

On the grid for the ‘82 race, Peroni stalled his car in pole position, and the drivers behind struggled to swerve around the stationary vehicle. Raul Boesel clipped the stranded Ferrrari and caused a minor impact for himself and two other drivers, but after everyone had thought that all drivers had cleared the immobile car, disaster struck. Riccardo Paletti, who had started from the back of the grid, smashed into the back of Pironi, causing his Osella to strike Geoff Lees’s Theodore.

Paletti was extracted from his battered car after a fire had engulfed the wreckage and had been extinguished by marshals. Paletti was rushed to hospital, but unfortunately the Italian died later that day with his mother by his side. Surprisingly, Riccardo suffered no burns despite the fire, but massive chest injuries and heavy intoxication from the exhausting foam all contributed to the driver’s passing.

Considering the high-speed nature of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and the uncompromising barriers that line some parts of the track, it is perhaps surprising that Paletti is, as far as I wish to research, the only fatality at the track. However, the track does occasionally come under fire from Formula One fans and authorities as being dangerous. In 1997, Olivier Panis suffered a very large accident on the back leg of the track, clouting the barriers on either side before coming to a rest at the track’s side. The safety car was deployed and Panis received medical attention at the scene. After a short while the race was stopped and milions around the world looked on in horror as the popular French driver was carted away in a ambulance. Panis suffered two broken legs from his impacts, but impressively only missed seven races before returning to Formula One and driving just as well as hie had before his accident.

Last year, in 2007, Robert Kubica became the second driver in my memory to have a huge accident at the track, the Polish driver clipping the rear of Jarno Trulli’s Toyota as he came down to the hairpin. Kubica’s BMW was catapulted into the air, almost grazed an advertising hoarding before thumping back down onto the grass and spinning violently across the circuit and smashing into the barrier. Like with Panis’s accident, the world held its breath and willed Kubica to get out. Alas, feeling concussed and disorientated, Robert couldn’t remove himself from his car and medical assistance was quick on the scene. A sprained ankle and sore neck was all Kubica suffered though, and after missing just one race the resiliant driver was back at the helm of this BMW.

But not wanting to end this post on a down moment, Canada has seen highs that easily surpass the lows. In 1995, after wowing the Formula One fraternity with his dazzling pace and car control for six-and-a-half years, Jean Alesi took his maiden grand prix victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The win was justly deserved, but sadly became his only in a long career that surely merited more. The event was so emotional for the French-Sicilian driver he admitted to crying so hard on his slow-down lap that each time he braked into a corner, his tears were lifted from his face and splattered on the inside of his visor. Only Rubens Barrichello I think has cried so much after winning a race.

I have a great fondness for Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, its speed, corners, overtaking possibilities and of course, the passionate Canadian and American fans who line the track each year. The circuit also catches out the very best of drivers, just as Monaco did last week, the Wall Of Champions claiming the pride of many world champions over the years. Fortunately, the track rarely comes under heavy, consistent fire from Bernie Ecclestone, and its future looks rosey on the calendar at the moment. Next weekend will see the thirtieth race at the track, and no doubt the race will continue to be on Formula One’s calendar for much, much longer.

Original article by BlogF1.

Tragedy & Elation: The History Of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

Kubica suffered concussion as well, but doctors say that he may be released later today. BMW have said that they will not make a decision regarding the US Grand Prix next weekend until Thursday. Obviously, they would like to run Robert in the second car, and undoubtedly, Robert would also like to drive. But concussion can be serious, particularly if the Pole suffers another shunt at Indianapolis. The German team could run either Timo Glock or Sebastian Vettel in replacement for Kubica, but the team will wait until the last moment to decide in case Robert is given the all clear to race.

Original article by BlogF1.

Robert Kubica Crashes At 180mph And Suffers Sprained Ankle

Marshals were on the scene very quickly and the safety car was immediately deployed to assist the marshals venturing onto the circuit to clear up the debris. Medics soon followed and Kubica was carefully extracted from the car and taken to the medical centre, located near to the crash site.

Although the initial reports were very good, it later emerged that Robert has sustained a broken leg, although that is the worst of his injuries. He will almost certainly have to sit out the US, French and British Grands Prix. While nothing has been said yet, Sebastian Vettel must be leading the way to take over temporarily, having impressed team bosses up and down the paddock with his Friday testing roles. I’m sure BMW will make an announcement soon.

Praise must be given to Formula One’s cars, as that level of impact would have almost certainly killed a driver not so many years ago.

Update: It now appears that reports stating Robert has a broken leg may not be correct. Nobody has confirmed this injury and the team are expecting Robert to be released from hospital today (Monday). He may have actually got away with no physical injury whatsoever. If that is the case, then Kubica is one lucky boy. More news will be reported later today when more information is known.

Original article by BlogF1.

Robert Kubica Suffers Broken Leg After Huge Accident