BlogF1

Red Bull Racing this morning launched their 2008 challenger, the RBR4. In now typical Red Bull fashion, the low-key unveiling took place at Jerez ahead of the final two days of testing, with a simple ceremony in the pitlane. The RBR4 is the second to come from the drawing board of Adrian Newey, an aerodynamicist who rose to fame with his championship winning Williams and McLarens. In 2007, the team experienced terrible reliability with the RBR3, mostly centred around the gear box and causing both drivers numerous retirements. However, 2008 sees good continuity within the team, retaining both drivers, the Renault engine and key engineering and development staff. Continue Reading

As if it couldn’t get any worse for McLaren this year, it seems as though it could possibly still do just that. Championship leader Lewis Hamilton is currently under investigation by the Chinese Grand Prix race stewards because of his driving behaviour at the previous Japanese Grand Prix held at Fuji Speedway last weekend. It is believed that his driving while following the safety car in the poor weather conditions may have contributed to Sebastian Vettel colliding with Mark Webber, ending both races for the respective Toro Rosso and Red Bull drivers. Continue Reading

Red Bull Racing will be almost unrecognisable this weekend at Silverstone, as David Coulthard and Mark Webber race around the Northamptonshire countryside in a different livery. All in aid of raising money for the Wings For Life charity, the two RBR3s will be adorned with the faces and photos of those who donated money to the cause, set up to find cures for spinal injuries. Below are some images of the preparation of the cars, and the first pictures of the Red Bulls from Silverstone as the team go about their routines for the British Grand Prix. Continue Reading

David Coulthard has suggested that his Australian team mate, Mark Webber, only raises money for charity as a bid to self-promote himself. Recently speaking to the press, David is reported as saying that he does not feel the need to promote himself, and has called Mark Webber’s annual Charity Challenge a massage for his team mates ego. Continue Reading

Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head, the main men behind Williams, have been due for a comeback for many years now. Since 1997 (read 1996 really), they haven’t shown dominant championship promise. And despite a flutter of wins here and there, the team appear to be lacking confidence and motivation.

I say 1996, the year when Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve dominated the championship, because in my opinion, Williams only managed a title in 1997 due to Mercedes unreliability in the back of the McLaren. And yes, they have won races since with Heinz Harald Frentzen, Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya. But they haven’t really relived the pre-97 times since, despite shaking up the drivers and the team. Continue Reading