The car is actually quite different to its predecessor, and although it sports the familiar traits that many other teams are adopting – the higher nose, smaller sidepods, longer wheelbase – the car is apparently a clean-sheet design, and therefore quite a departure from the FW31 that we saw in 2009.

Whenever a car is said to be a clean-sheet design, I always worry. I think this stems from when Ferrari gave Michael Schumacher a radical new car for his maiden season with the team back in 1996. I can remember Schumacher, while testing the 1995 car, saying that he was surprised it didn’t win the championship. Of course, the clean-sheet F310 that followed was a disaster.

The livery hasn’t changed at the moment, still covered in the dark blue and white that makes Williams’s cars look simply beautiful. Also of note is the inclusion of sponsor’s logos, the team having not been dragged through the mud in 2009 and seemingly coping well with the financial crisis that has hit so many other competitors.

The only possible cat among the pigeons at Williams is an all-new driver line-up for the squad. Although admittedly, Rubens Barrichello will surely be an asset to the team, bringing with him many years of experience. Barrichello may be the most experienced driver on the grid (in terms of race starts), but with the return of his old adversary Michael Schumacher, is no longer the oldest.

Partnering Rubens is a young talent who is hotly tipped for great success in Formula One. Nico Hulkenberg joined Williams last year in a testing role, and following the departure of fellow countryman Nico Rosberg to Mercedes, and also the departure of Toyota meaning a farewell to Kazuki Nakajima, the German pilot has been given a promotion. And the timing works well, as Hulkenberg took the GP2 title in 2009, winning with a comfortable margin of 25 points over Vitaly Petrov, who himself is driving a Formula One car this year with Renault.

The driver pairing seems strong then, with the old master teaching the young pretender how it’s all done. The car has been running well in pre-season testing and a move back to Cosworth for the engine supply brings memories of former glories for the team.

Williams’s car designation system refers to the initials of the team’s founder and co-owner, Frank Williams, and an incremental numbering system that for 2010, has reached 32. Hence, FW32.

Original article by BlogF1.

Meet The Cars: Williams FW32

Of course, the media in Singapore and around the world are focusing their attention on the performance of Fernando Alonso and his team, but as their is a race going on this weekend, BlogF1 will be turning its attention to the fact the Formula One is essentially about a few drivers thrashing finely tuned motors around a track, this time around on the artificially lit streets of Singapore.

Singapore 2009 Friday Free Practice One		Lap Time Fastest Time Set	Laps Set Number Laps Set
1.	Rubens Barrichello Brawn	1m50.179s	19 Laps
2.	Jenson Button Brawn	1m50.356s	22 Laps
3.	Mark Webber Red Bull Racing	1m50.416s	21 Laps
4.	Fernando Alonso Renault	1m50.567s	16 Laps
5.	Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing	1m50.614s	16 Laps
6.	Heikki Kovalainen McLaren	1m50.699s	21 Laps
7.	Lewis Hamilton McLaren	1m50.715s	17 Laps
8.	Robert Kubica BMW	1m50.815s	15 Laps
9.	Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari	1m50.865s	19 Laps
10.	Kazuki Nakajima Williams	1m51.089s	25 Laps
11.	Nico Rosberg Williams	1m51.427s	23 Laps
12.	Adrian Sutil Force India	1m51.544s	14 Laps
13.	Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso	1m51.643s	28 Laps
14.	Nick Heidfeld BMW	1m51.656s	15 Laps
15.	Timo Glock Toyota	1m52.083s	20 Laps
16.	Jarno Trulli Toyota	1m52.135s	20 Laps
17.	Giancarlo Fisichella Ferrari	1m52.390s	24 Laps
18.	Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India	1m52.905s	23 Laps
19.	Jaime Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso	1m53.232s	25 Laps
20.	Romain Grosjean Renault	1m53.458s	9 Laps

Original article by BlogF1.

Singapore 2009: Friday Practice One

It was a bitter-sweet victory for the Brawn team though, as Jenson Button suffered a terrible weekend and went backwards from the opening lap, getting squeezed through the first corners and then being forced to relinquish his position to Mark Webber after the Briton missed the chicane and maintained a challenge from the Australian. Towards the end of the race, Button came back strong, but it simply wasn’t enough and the championship leader could only add two points to his tally.

Thankfully for Button but most disappointingly for Red Bull Racing, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel failed to score points, emphasised by the second engine failure for Vettel in two days. The Austrian squad now sit more than 25 points behind Brawn in the overall standings and their bid to take the title is slipping away very quickly. Added to this is the fact that Vettel now has only two new engines available for the final six races, two of which are hard on the power units; Spa Francorchamps and Monza.

McLaren also had a bitter-sweet weekend, relishing the highs from locking out the front row of the grid in qualifying to missing out on victory after leading for much of the race with Lewis Hamilton and falling backwards from second to fourth with Heikki Kovalianen. On an aggressive strategy which saw both drivers pit early in comparison to their rivals, it seemed as though the Brawn of Rubens Barrichello was just a little bit more competitive.

Lewis Hamilton missed out on victory after his second stop which didn’t go as planned. According to Hamilton and also to Martin Whitmarsh after the race, the team were attempting to gain an extra lap of fuel in the middle stint, and as Hamilton approached the pit entrance on his scheduled stop, the team informed him to continue for another lap. Unfortunately, Lewis was already committed to the pitlane, which came as an unexpected move for the mechanics holding the tyres. This lost Hamilton a few seconds at a time when Rubens Barrichello was setting the streets alight with very fast pace. As Hamilton exited the pitlane, the Briton was 6s behind the Brazilian and the race was over for the McLaren driver.

Ferrari had an interesting weekend and are clearly missing their star driver, Felipe Massa recovering at home after his accident in Hungary. Kimi Raikkonen grabbed a third place and well-deserved podium after a great performance, but on the other side of the garage, things didn’t go quite so well. Luca Badoer was under an enormous amount of pressure, even if it wasn’t implied by the team. To compete after a break of ten years in a car he hasn’t driven, Badoer was always going to struggle. However, it wasn’t expected that Luca would be quite as far from the pace as he was.

The Italian driver put the Ferrari in last position for the first time on merit for the Scuderia, and from there in the race, little improved. Badoer had a great start and made up six places through the opening corners, but from there he went backwards, one spin after another. His pitstop was almost a moment of comedy as well, as he thundered down the garages ahead of rookie Romain Grosjean. Luca clearly left his garage ahead of Romain, and although it was close, it wasn’t in the realm of being investigated by the stewards.

However, as Luca left the garages behind him and began to near the delimiter line, he moved right and seemingly allowed Grosjean to pass, which the Frenchman duly did. Furthermore, as Badoer rounded the pit exit, he moved the white line designating pit exit and race track and collected a drive-thru penalty.

Stefano Dominicali insists his long-term test driver will be in the car for the Belgian Grand Prix next weekend, but questions are being asked up and down the paddock, as well as across the Internet and paper publications as to why the team are allowing this.

Elsewhere in the race, Nico Rosberg put in another sterling effort and has collected another four points and still holds his head higher than Lewis Hamilton in the overall standings. Again, speculation is rife as to where the German pilot will be next year, but for 2009, Rosberg is still pushing hard and being Mr. Consistent.

On the other side of the Williams garage, Kazuki Nakajima once again proved his unlucky nature, the Japanese driver suffering a rear-left puncture. With a long lap at Valencia, it took a long while for Kazuki to return to the pitlane, and by the time he rejoined the track, he was plum last, where he remained until the final lap when Nakajima pitted. The reason for the final pitstop is yet unknown.

Robert Kubica picked up a point which to be honest is quite strange for the BMW team this year. Despite starting out the season with a competitive car, the Hinwil squad have moved backwards in terms of pace, but today Kubica drove well to collect a rather anonymous one point. That now means the Polish pilot is on par with Sebastien Buemi in the driver’s championship, a fact that says it all about his and the team’s performance this season.

Also having fairly anonymous races were the Renault pair, Fernando Alonso performing in front of his home crowd and although generally keeping himself to himself, the Spaniard did claim three points to add to his tally. Team mate Romain Grosjean did well to finish his debut grand prix, and aside from a small moment, drove well from start to finish. Grosjean’s final position was fifteenth.

The final mention has to go to Force India, who today proved that they have improved and are now comfortably ahead of Scuderia Toro Rosso in pace. During Free Practice on Friday and Saturday morning, Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella placed themselves within the top ten and although qualifying didn’t go quite as well as hoped, both drivers continued their progress in the race. Not only did both pilots get to the chequered flag, but Sutil finished in tenth and Fisichella finished in twelfth.

So now the Formula One circus heads to Belgium and the formidable Spa Francorchamps circuit, set in the Ardennes forest. The weather will surely play its usual part and with more chances of cooler temperatures, it could be the time for Red Bull to make a comeback and take some points away from Brawn. McLaren will surely be strong as well, meaning that although there are only six events to go this year, the championship is still wide open.

Original article by BlogF1.

Valencia 2009: Barrichello Takes First Victory In Five Years

Photo © xpb.cc/Autosport.com.

Original article by BlogF1.

Caption Contest: #97

The one-sided war of words between Flavio Briatore and the Brawn team has been comical to say the least. While it is good to voice concerns and raise issues, Briatore’s approach to the situation that sees his tightly budgeted team now having to spend more money on developing a ‘double-diffuser’ was strikingly poor. Instead of simply announcing a meeting between the members of FOTA to discuss his concerns with those involved – which Briatore, in an attempt to gain support, believes is all teams – the Italian team boss has instead allowed a slew of laughable comments to be released in Italy’s popular sport’s newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport.

The drivers in our teams have been and are world champions, while the championship is now fought between a driver who was almost retired and another one who is a good guy but a paracarro [Italian concrete mile-marker]. Flavio Briatore.

To suggest fellow competitors as almost retired and as a concrete post is perhaps not the wisest of moves, especially as Jenson Button politely pointed out in response, Briatore attempted to hire him while the Honda-situation was still up in the air over the past winter.

He also needs to remember that he tried to employ me for this year, so…

He is obviously a very angry man after the diffuser issues and he is obviously very disappointed that they haven’t produced a car that is as competitive as ours. We have produced a very competitive car because of the work force we have back at Brackley and you cannot take it away from them – it is very unfair to say that. Jenson Button.

When asked about the general response from the Brawn team to Flavio’s comments, Button simply added: “Laughing, basically.”

The media have generally lambasted Briatore, saying that the former Benetton-franchisee is showing all the signs of a bad loser. It isn’t just the British press either that are siding with Ross Brawn on this matter, and it is somewhat confusing as to why the former Honda team has been singled out over Williams and Toyota, who had also developed the controversial ‘double-diffuser’.

However, despite the general failure to get the press on his side, Briatore remains resolute to his cause, and has now suggested that Brawn’s entitlement to benefits should be ceased, and money owed to the team from TV rights be shared equally among the others.

Mr. Briatore seems to be forgetting that FOTA, the association made up all the competing Formula One teams, supported the takeover of Honda by Ross Brawn et al. McLaren and Mercedes helped the squad tremendously by offering engine units, for which the FIA gave permission for as it does break the rules. The teams agreed that in this case, the ruling should be ignored for the sake of having ten squads on the grid this season. Also required to give consent was Vijay Mallya of Force India; the team who had just received a substantial technical backer in McLaren and Mercedes.

Flavio does have merit in his argument; the teams who have not developed a ‘double-diffuser’ will now have to spend a reported approximation of $25m per car to redesign and implement the parts required to integrate a different diffuser. At a time when the sport is desperate to cut costs, the extra expense is certainly not welcome. And that must be made worse for Renault as they have always ran a very tight budget. Combined with the fact that the squad are due to lose their title sponsor at the end of this year and are already struggling with pace, one can understand why Flavio is upset.

Despite some being against it, [Luca di] Montezemolo kept the FOTA united in supporting Brawn GP, and so did McLaren, in supplying engines.

But since [Ross] Brawn was our technical delegate, and he forces me to spend money I don’t have in my budget, and since Honda’s money have luckily not been shared yet, we’ll have a meeting.

My proposal will be as follows. Brawn is richer than anyone else, because he’s had his team paid for in full by Honda, plus he’s had 130 millions given to him [by Honda]: he’s certainly richer than I am.

I don’t want to be a Robin Hood, but when there’s a situation where everyone is transparent then it’s fine.

At this moment my position is, since I need to find the money in the budget somewhere and the season can’t end up with [everyone] being one second behind the Brawn cars, then the money share will have to be reviewed in full. I think it’s around €30 million. Flavio Briatore.

Also troubling Briatore is the fact that Brawn are receiving transport help along with the other teams. Flavio’s point is that the FIA have stated that Brawn is a new team, hence why they are at the end of the pitlane and have been issued with the bottom set of numbers, despite finishing ahead of Force India in 2008 when they were known as Honda. The FIA did waive the ‘new team entry fee’ though, showing that they understood the situation and circumstances. However, Bernie Ecclestone has treated Brawn as an existing team, which is shown by the fact they are receiving transport help which is only usually given to established squads.

As FOTA commercial chairman I’ll propose that we follow the FIA’s indications that it’s a new team and for three years it has no rights with regards to transportation, nothing. Flavio Briatore.

When Briatore was questioned about the FOTA agreeing in late December to support Ross Brawn’s endeavours and to ensure the team was given all that was owed, Briatore simply replied with with an almost nonsensical answer…

That was at Christmas, though. Now that Christmas has gone, we’ll talk about it again next Christmas.

Since it’s a new team, it has to follow all the regulations we followed when we entered with new teams. I will propose that to FOTA, then we’ll see. Flavio Briatore.

It seems to me that Briatore could have handled this a whole lot better, and the man has been laughed at from several quarters. While it is far from great that six companies are now going to have to develop new parts for fourteen cars at a huge expense of time, resources and money, that is Formula One, and that is what these people let themselves in for when they sign on the dotted line in Bernie Ecclestone’s office.

When Red Bull Technologies put a giant shark fin on the engine cover of last years RB4, Renault were among the first to develop a similar part. While a shark fin almost certainly costs considerably less to design and build, and a much more simple piece to integrate into the car, it is an example of one team pushing the envelope, and the others copying. One is almost tempted to bring up the J-Damper saga from a few years back…

Perhaps instead of whining and complaining, Flavio should turn his charismatically creative mind to that of finding and wooing potential sponsors for his team. Oh, and a graphic designer to redo that livery.

Original article by BlogF1.

Whining Flavio Briatore Won’t Drop The Diffuser Issue

Rubens Barrichello finished the morning practice in fourth and sixth in the afternoon run. Those at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia say the Brawn BGP 001 appeared to be running fine and the Brazilian didn’t have any apparent problems with the gear box. It is possible though that the team have spotted an issue early and taken the decision to replace it now rather than risk retirement in Sunday’s race.

Barrichello is likely to qualify within the top ten, so this penalty will put him down in the lower-midfield. However, the penalty will not be applied until Barricello has completed qualifying, so the Brawn driver will be taking part in all sessions he manages to get into.

Sebastian Vettel’s penalty received for his actions during last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix stands, and the Red Bull driver, who is also likely to get into Q3, will be demoted ten places on the grid.

Vettel was ordered to the stewards office at Sepang yesterday, but it is thought that this was just so the stewards could fully explain the reasons behind his penalty; Vettel continued his race despite sustaining considerable damage to his car and running with only three wheels fully affixed. Although his pace was significantly reduced because of the safety car, Vettel still breached the regulations which say he must either stop or safely return to the pitlane.

Original article by BlogF1.

Malaysia 2009: Barrichello Receives Five Grid Slot Penalty

The start of the race was difficult as all the drivers headed down to the first corner all vying for position. Rubens Barrichello struggled off the line as his anti-stall kicked in. Barrichello recovered quickly and got away but already the damage had been done. After the opening lap Rubens found himself down in seventh and a damaged front wing. The damage came about as Barrichello attempted to recover into T1. Rubens has said that he was knocked from behind, which forced his car sideways and into the path of the Red Bull of Mark Webber. Adrian Sutil and Nick Heidfeld got caught up in the melee as well.

As the first lap unfolded Heikki Kovalainen was spotted travelling slowly around the back of the circuit and retired that lap. The problem with the McLaren was front suspension related and would seem to indicate that Barrichello’s Brawn was indeed tagged, even though replays suggest otherwise. Also in the pits after the first tour of Albert Park was Heidfeld with a resulting puncture and Mark Webber in the Red Bull who needed a replacement nose and wing. Adrian Sutil also visited his team for some cosmetic work to his Force India.

Barrichello opted to continue though despite his front wing looking a little damaged. At the front, Jenson Button managed to extend his lead and was pulling out a gap to Sebastian Vettel now in second place thanks to Barrichello’s issues. The Brawn team, like most others, chose to run the first stint on the medium compound, hoping that they could all get through with two sets before having to change to the super-softs in the final few laps of the race.

The Ferraris though both opted to start on the super-soft tyre, as did Sebastien Bourdais, Robert Kubica and Lewis Hamilton. By L10 though, the super-soft compound was starting to fall away and into the pits came Bourdais, Raikkonen and Trulli, each switching to the harder medium compound. On track, Nico Rosberg started to make up ground and passed Raikkonen before the Finn pitted, and Nico was quickly followed by Barrichello. Unfortunately, Barrichello’s attempt didn’t go quite as cleanly and the pair gently touched, causing more bodywork to fly off the front of the Brawn.

Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa pitted on lap twelve for the medium tyre and Sebastian Vettel began to stabilise the margin between himself and race leader Jenson Button. By L16, all drivers were on the medium tyre, although a problem with Nico Rosberg’s wheel cover meant his stop was drawn out longer than it should have been. Moments later though the safety car would be deployed.

Kazuki Nakajima found himself hitting the retaining wall on the sweeping exit out of T3. It appeared that Nakajima simply lost the back of his Williams as he rejoined the track after running over the run-off area – something most drivers do at that particular corner. The accident was fairly heavy and left debris on the circuit. After consideration of a lap, race control deployed the safety car. Barrichello pitted the following lap and received a new nose and wing for his battered Brawn.

The timing of the safety car deployment caused a few problems for the field though as it seemed to take a long time before Button, who pitted close to Barrichello, could catch up with it. The resulting confusion of letting other drivers by lead Felipe Massa to gesture towards Bernd Maylander as the Brazilian appeared to be unsure of what to do. Eventually though, Jenson closed in on the similarly-powered machine and backed the pack up in preparation for the restart.

Whilst under the safety car control, several drivers made their pitstops, including Giancarlo Fisichella who managed to miss his garage. Team members were forced to roll the Force India back to allow the Italian pilot room to turn into the box. From the spate of silly errors witnessed through the field, you could tell it was the first day back at school.

As soon as the safety car pulled into the pitlane, Albert Park saw its third retirement in the shape of a spinning Renault. Nelson Piquet was complaining of failing brakes and as he ran down to the first corner, defending his line to the advancing and recovering Williams of Rosberg, Piquet appeared to dab the stop-pedal only to find the back of the car coming around to join the front. The Renault spun, avoided the barrier and other drivers and came a rest in the gravel. Also having fun on the restart were both Force India pilots, who found themselves in a tussle for position.

The middle stint of the race passed without too much drama. Button retained his lead after the pitstops shook out although Vettel and Kubica remained a threat. Toyota gradually made their way up through the field as well, and Sebastien Buemi was having a great time in the lower points scoring positions. Lewis Hamilton continued his charge and a dual between himself and the Ferrari of Felipe Massa was a joy to watch. It was just a shame it wasn’t for the lead.

Timo Glock made his first error of the race when he spun at the end of the lap, allowing Kimi Raikkonen through. However, Raikkonen wouldn’t avoid his own embarrassment as the Finn also lost control of his car a few laps later. While Glock managed to not hit anything, Kimi did take a swipe at the wall. Both drivers continued from their potentially race-ending incidents.

Button’s final pitstop from the lead of the race was his only real error of the 58 laps completed. Speaking in the press conference after the event, it was revealed the Briton had pulled into the box in second gear, and thus neutral couldn’t be engaged. Eventually Button managed to shift down and then pop the Brawn out of gear, but it added a few seconds to his overall stop.

As Jenson came in for his stop, he followed a slow moving Ferrari. Felipe Massa retired his F60 on L47 with some sort of mechanical issue. Felipe wouldn’t be the last of the retirees though as the race entered its final stage. Nico Rosberg found some incredible pace in his Williams and Robert Kubica wasn’t about to give up his chances of making up a place or two. Sebastian Vettel was gaining on Button, as was Kubica and Rosberg on Barrichello (who remarkably managed to get back up to third).

Rubens was forced into making a splash-and-dash stop on L52, which resulted in a demotion to fifth behind Rosberg. Barrichello made a move on Rosberg and it stuck and set about chasing down Kubica. Jarno Trulli also passed Rosberg, the German beginning to struggle with fading soft tyres. Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel were now running very close together in second and third. The pair made contact in a rather late attempt at overtaking, the BMW forcing the Red Bull off the track as both drivers headed for the run-off area.

Initially, both drivers were able to recover and continue, albeit with substantial damage. Moments later though, with little grip at the front of the car, Kubica glided off to the outside of a corner and thumped the barrier. Vettel continued around the lap, although his left-front wheel was completely shot – the German was running on three tyres.

As Kubica released himself from his BMW, the medical and safety cars were once again deployed to allow the marshals to clear up the mess – presumably the medical car was sent out as a precaution. There were only three laps of the race left to run. Vettel continued to drive around in the hope that under the slower speed of the safety car, he may be able to collect a point still. However, either he or the team decided that the Red Bull should be retired before race control forced the retirement.

At the same time as Vettel pulled his car over to the side of the track, Kimi Raikkonen stopped at his garage in the pitlane and vacated his F60. The reason for the second Ferrari retirement is as of yet unknown. On the final lap, the safety car peeled into the pitlane and the field roared across the start/finish line as a formality. Jenson Button took the victory from Rubens Barrichello and Jarno Trulli.

The race was typical for the first of the season; full of surprise and incident. In 2008 there were many spins and retirements as the field of drivers got used to the loss of traction control, and it would seem the reduction in downforce caused a similar number of issues this time around. Ferrari once again leave the first race with a double-DNF and Brawn leave with a perfect result. Lewis Hamilton did well to recover to fourth and was very pleased to have scored some points, notably more than any Ferrari driver, although looking at the Scuderia’s reliability record thus far, perhaps it isn’t the Ferrari drivers who will be challenging Hamilton’s title.

Both Toyotas scored after starting the race from the pitlane. The disqualification from qualifying due to the TF109’s rear wing flexing wasn’t the greatest of starts for Toyota’s season, but a third place for Trulli and a fifth for Glock certainly isn’t bad. Even before the disqualification, the pace of the car meant a grid start of sixth and eighth. Toyota can leave Melbourne with a healthy tally of points.

Fernando Alonso showed great fighting spirit in the Renault, although it is clear that the R29 is not competitive. Alonso had a relatively anonymous race, but sixth place is rewarded with a deserved three points. Nico Rosberg has been electric all weekend and showed great promise in the FW31. It is a great shame that his strategy didn’t work out, but looking at the lap times (Rosberg managed the fastest lap), the Williams looks good.

The final point went to rookie Sebastien Buemi. After out-qualifying his team mate Sebastien Bourdais, the Swiss driver had a great race and spent much of it in and around the points-paying positions. Buemi outraced Bourdais all weekend and the point earned not only puts Scuderia Toro Rosso ahead of Force India, but also ahead of the factory team, Ferrari (who supply engines to STR).

So Brawn take 18 points away from Melbourne and head to Malaysia for round two leading the constructors title and dominating the top two positions in the drivers. They’ve already eclipsed their total tally of points in 2008 and the team can be proud of their efforts. The diffuser issue still hangs around the sport, but at least Brawn know they’ve built a winner, and they have a couple of winners driving.

The race result can be viewed here: Australia 2009: Race Result.

Original article by BlogF1.

Australia 2009: Jenson Button Leads Brawn One-Two

Brawn GP have done very little running in the off-season in comparison to their rivals. They spent much of the winter in the Brackley factory dealing with various companies and wealthy individuals who were interested in buying the team. Throughout all this time, no car made its way to a circuit for testing, and the staff at Brackley feared their jobs might be lost.

However, as soon as the announcement that Ross Brawn had struck a deal with Honda to buy the squad, everything suddenly went into overdrive. The team ran privately at Silverstone before heading to Spain for the group tests at Barcelona and Jerez. And I don’t think anybody expected to see what they saw.

It would appear that the Brawn BGP 001 is pretty quick. This is something quite incredible when you consider the major shakeup in the technical regulations that has occurred this year. With such a change in the way the cars are designed, most teams were anxious to get as much running as possible. However, on the first day of the Barcelona group test, Button managed an astonishing fourth fastest time, just 0.2s shy of Trulli’s Toyota.

From there it just got better for the team. Third on day two, fastest on days three and four. As you could imagine, Brawn very quickly became the talking point of the final sessions. Although their outright pace may not be as superior as the large margins may suggest, the new car doesn’t look overly shabby.

In Jerez, Barrichello and Button maintained a dominant presence and both drivers appeared satisfied with the progress being made to the car. They may have been showboating in order to attract sponsors or just generate some hype, but some journalists who attended the tests also noted that the BGP 001 looked consistently quick over longer runs.

With a Mercedes engine for 2009 and a chassis that not only looks gorgeous, but appears to be performing well, we could see a sharp improvement over the disappointing 2008 campaign when the team were owned by Honda.

In keeping Jenson Button they have retained a favourite among many of the fans, and ensured this season will not be the first with only one Briton competing. And by re-signing Rubens Barrichello, they have kept a safe and steady pair of hands in the second chassis. Barrichello is experienced and will help the team iron out any kinks with the car.

So what can we expect from Brawn in Melbourne? Well, Bernie Ecclestone is excited. When the new points system was announced in March, Ecclestone used Button as example of how the idea of race wins equals championship could benefit the sport. If the Brawn really is as quick as the test times suggest, Jenson and Rubens should be fighting for victories in the first fly-aways. From there on in, things may not be as easy due to the larger budgeted outfits ramping up development.

Personally, I’m yet convinced of the Brawn’s pace, but it certainly is very exciting. Not only have the careers of two drivers and a factory full of staff been saved, but the reinvigorated team appear to be able to fight for points.

It’s already been said many times over, but it is worth repeating: I bet Honda are kicking themselves right now.

Previous Honda Previews

• F12008 Honda Preview
• F12007 Honda Preview
• F12006 Honda Preview

Original article by BlogF1.

F12009: Brawn GP Preview

We had a good day today, completing over a hundred laps. It is hotter than it was in Barcelona last week and therefore more representative of the temperatures that we can expect for the first few races, so it is good preparation for myself and the car.

The car ran very well once again and we are increasing our understanding of its characteristics every day. Rubens Barrichello.

Rubens is expected to continue tomorrow morning before Jenson Button takes over for the afternoon and the remainder of the test.

Williams sent Nico Hulkenberg out to evaluate the set up of the FW31, and was the only driver not to dip into the 79 second benchmark set by both Rubens and Fernando. It wasn’t the greatest of days for Alonso though, as a crash at Turn 8 after just a handful of laps sidelined the Spaniard for much of the session. The car was only repaired in time for Fernando to complete another 30-odd laps before the circuit was closed for the day.

Unfortunately I made a mistake this morning which was a shame as we lost a lot of track time, but sometimes this happens in testing when you are looking for the limits of the car. Fernando Alonso.

Notably, McLaren were present at Jerez, but the Woking-based team decided to keep to their original schedule and run the MP4-24 from Monday to Thursday, instead of Sunday to Wednesday like their rivals. Lewis Hamilton is expected to take to the track on Monday and Tuesday while Heikki Kovalainen will take over for Wednesday and Thursday.

Also of note are those teams that have actually decided to run during this extra test. McLaren and Renault are said to have issues with their car, McLaren admitting as much last week. Williams are probably looking for as much track time as well, the team not looking overly down on pace, but equally so, they’re not looking like Ferrari either. And of course, Brawn were present as they need all the running they can get, having only completed four-to-five full days previously.

Jerez Test Day One Results Table		Lap Time Fastest Time Set	Laps Set Number Laps Set
1.	Rubens Barrichello Brawn GP	1m19.236s	107 Laps
2.	Fernando Alonso Renault	1m19.819s	40 Laps
3.	Nico Hulkenberg Williams	1m20.015s	69 Laps

Original article by BlogF1.

Jerez Test Day One: Barrichello Continues To Lead

The car only made its first public appearance last weekend, but already the former-Honda looks fairly fast. While the times set by Button and Barrichello may have been on low fuel, observers at the circuit say the Brawn car is looking very fast and consistent over longer runs as well. Rubens’s time eclipses Nico Rosberg’s best effort by 0.9s.

Timo Glock ended his day in third, the German being pleased with the way his winter testing has gone. The Toyota TF109 looks strong and the team have added another 128 laps to their already impressive tally. Glock was 0.3s shy of Rosberg at the end of the day. Sebastian Vettel put in some good work for Red Bull Racing, completing 83 tours of the Catalan track and finishing 0.1s up on Fernando Alonso.

Felipe Massa, Robert Kubica and Lewis Hamilton completed the top-eight, the McLaren pilot only covering 70 laps in comparison to Kubica’s 134. Sebastiens Buemi and Bourdais shared the Scuderia Toro Rosso once again, the Swiss driver completing 62 laps on his way to ninth while Bourdais only covered 27 on his way to the bottom of the timing sheet. The pair sandwiched the busiest man of the day, Giancarlo Fisichella, who rested in tenth and 0.03s slower than Buemi.

Barcelona Test Day Four Results Table		Lap Time Fastest Time Set	Laps Set Number Laps Set
1.	Rubens Barrichello Brawn GP	1m18.926s	110 Laps
2.	Nico Rosberg Williams	1m19.774s	120 Laps
3.	Timo Glock Toyota	1m20.091s	128 Laps
4.	Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing	1m20.576s	83 Laps
5.	Fernando Alonso Renault	1m20.664s	64 Laps
6.	Felipe Massa Ferrari	1m20.677s	92 Laps
7.	Robert Kubica BMW	1m20.740s	134 Laps
8.	Lewis Hamilton McLaren	1m20.869s	70 Laps
9.	Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso	1m21.013s	62 Laps
10.	Giancarlo Fisichella Force India	1m21.045s	141 Laps
11.	Sebastien Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso	1m21.629	27 Laps

Original article by BlogF1.

Barcelona Testing Day Four: Barrichello Continues Button’s Lead

Images © Brawn GP Ltd.

Original article by BlogF1.

Brawn BGP 001 Debuts At Silverstone

A statement was made at midnight explaining that Ross Brawn, Benetton and Ferrari’s ex technical director and more recently, Honda’s team principal, has in fact purchased the team outright and renamed the squad Brawn GP. It was also confirmed that Mercedes-Benz, current suppliers of McLaren and Force India, will provide engines to the squad for the 2009 season.

Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will drive the cars, the Brazilian hinting as much earlier in the week. While this leaves Bruno Senna waiting the wings for another year, the team will able to focus on ensuring their own stability and car development while pairs of capable hands steer the machines throughout the season.

To coincide with the statement, the Brawn GP website went live, although at the domain brawngp.com rather than the brawnracing domains that caught the eye of the media last week. However, it is only natural for companies to purchase competing domains to ensure the brand message remains intact.

The past few months have been extremely challenging for the team but today’s announcement is the very pleasing conclusion to the strenuous efforts that have been made to secure its future. Ross Brawn.

Ross then went on to pay tribute to Honda, the staff at Brackley and also to thank various people, companies and organisations who have helped the sale process and provided support during the past few months.

Firstly, it is a great shame that having worked with Honda Motor Company for so long we can no longer continue together. I would like to thank Honda for the fantastic co-operation and support we have received throughout this process – particularly those members of the senior management who were closely involved with concluding our agreement – and for the faith they have demonstrated in myself and our team.

I would also like to take this opportunity to pay due credit to our staff at Brackley. The levels of motivation and commitment that I have witnessed at the factory deserve the highest praise.

It would be impossible to mention all of the people without whom today’s announcement may not have been possible, however I would like to express particular appreciation for the support we have received from Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de L’Automobile), FOM (Formula One Management), FOTA (Formula One Teams Association), BERR (the UK’s Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform), Bridgestone, our other team partners and our many fans the world over.

The journey ahead will be challenging but exciting and we know we can count on their continued enthusiasm for our team and its ambitions. Ross Brawn.

The new car will be shaken down at Silverstone in the very near future and the team are expected to be testing in Barcelona next week as well as a final short run at Jerez just prior to flying the cars out to Australia.

This is, of course, very good news and ends months of agony for fans of the team, the sport and the drivers. It will be very interesting to see exactly how competitive the team can be, having done so little testing since the Brazlilan Grand Prix last November. An interim car was tested in November, but since then no running has taken place. Honda had pretty much given up on 2008 early in the season to concentrate on the 2009 efforts, and Button was particularly hyped at the prospects of the new car.

Let’s hope the car is quick out of the box and Brawn GP can at least keep up with the progress made by other midfield squads.

Image © HondaF1.

Original article by BlogF1.

Ross Brawn Is A Constructor: Honda Officially Becomes Brawn GP

For the team formerly known as Honda, having Rubens Barrichello in the second car is a no-brainer. Rubens may not be the greatest racer to have driven a Formula One car, but his experience is second to none – literally – and he will be able to provide stability in an area where the team will require it. Having two wise heads in the cars will enable the team to transfer to new owners who will be given the time to concentrate on ensuring it is stable and can move forward into the future. It really is a wise move for Honda, at least for 2009.

However, Bruno Senna doesn’t seem to agree and has spoken to Brazilian journal Agencia Estadao about his disappointment in the team’s decision. Senna may have every right to be disappointed, but like some of his contemporaries, the image he has presented to the world, both today and in the recent past, is one of petulance and spoilt-ness.

I’m kind of resigned to trying something else. I had a meeting today [Monday] with Ross Brawn and he cancelled.

I’m just a little upset because this situation has dragged on for so long, making me lose better professional possibilities.

Now I’m going to get together with my family, with my advisors, and decide what way to take.

Anything that I may do will be step backwards. The important thing is to keep Formula One as the top priority. I will bounce back. Bruno Senna.

No one made Senna lose these opportunities, as far as we are aware. And as for “stepping backwards”? Well, excuse me for pointing out the obvious, and again as far as we are aware, Bruno was never there to begin with. Close, maybe, but not actually there. Had a contract been signed, it would be a different story and one for the legal professionals to take up. But as a general view, Senna comes across as a spoiled child who didn’t get his sweeties this time.

The situation Bruno is in has occurred because the young driver was pinning his hopes on a drive with Honda for 2009. So much so in fact, Senna has spoken in the past and present of turning down other opportunities because Formula One was beckoning. However, with the withdrawal of the team and the ensuing complications of the sale, which is still to be confirmed, Senna remained loyal to a cause that as far as we know, made no official intentions of signing him.

With no apparent back-up for a race seat in 2009, Bruno is in a bit of a quandary. It will probably be relatively easy for the Brazilian to get a drive somewhere, but clearly Senna wants Formula One. It seems as though Bruno believes that he is ready for Formula One, and at a time when he is unemployed, made a statement to the media that anything he does in 2009 will be a step back if it isn’t in F1.

I can think of better ways to approach the situation.

Of course, Senna may have been given the intent of a drive in whatever comes of Honda in 2009, and therefore the 2008 GP2 Runner Up does have a right to be upset. But with the team in such disarray, with no firm future set out, the actions of Senna to apparently dismiss other options seems a little misguided. Assuming Bruno finds a seat somewhere for this season of racing, it will do him some good. Bruno is somebody to watch out for in the future, but right now, it is my belief that another year or two in lower formulae can only help.

Image © HondaF1.

Original article by BlogF1.

Bruno Senna Resigned To “Stepping Back”

The Team Formerly Known As Honda is expected to test a car this week ahead of the final group test at Circuit de Catalunya next week. The news of the test is encouraging, although the rumour is not new as this was speculated last week. However, the Yomiuri daily newspaper in Japan have run a story quoting a source at Honda as saying:

We expect to be able to make an announcement from the company and the team in the near future. Honda has been making all possible efforts to avoid the worst option of having to disband the team. Unconfirmed Honda Source.

Of course, we have all heard of speculation of this sort for a few weeks now and many people and companies have been linked to Honda since the Corporation made the initial withdrawal announcement last year. It would appear though that a management buyout is the most likely scenario, with Ross Brawn and possibly Nick Fry being to the two main participants in the deal. It was also noted last week that Caroline McGrory, a staffer employed in the legal department at Honda had purchased two Internet domain names; brawnracing.com and brawnracing.co.uk.

The possibility of Rubens Barrichello extending his Formula One career has hit the press today as well. Barrichello, who has driven for the team since 2006 after leaving Ferrari became the sport’s most experienced driver ever, and said at the time that he feels he has more to give to the sport and would like to continue.

Rubens was competing with Bruno Senna for the seat up until very recently, many (myself included) thought that Barrichello’s career as an active Formula One driver was over. However, should the Honda team be sold and assuming they have good financing in place, it would make sense to hang on to Rubens, the Brazilian driver being very experienced and able to assist with the transfer by developing the under-tested car. In other words, Barrichello is a safe bet, a consistent driver and takes away any worries of developing a rookie driver.

My faith says that next week I’ll be driving a competitive car in the tests in Barcelona – although I have no document in my hands that assures me of that. Rubens Barrichello.

Autosport are saying that the Barrichello deal is not yet signed, as the team are waiting to finalise the deal that will see the team saved. After which point further contracts can be negotiated and cemented. It is however common knowledge now that the team will use Mercedes-Benz engines, Vijay Mallya yesterday saying that the McLaren and Force India supplier had sought his approval before agreeing.

Mercedes-Benz have collaborated with Mallya’s team for 2009, supplying Force India with engines, gear boxes and technical expertise. The FIA usually only allow a manufacturer to supply two teams, which for 2009 would have seen Mercedes’ engines powering McLaren and Force India. However, the German motor company have presumably been given dispensation to supply Honda, for one year according to the Force India boss.

Well, the FIA rules say that an engine manufacturer can only supply two teams. As far as Mercedes is concerned, that’s McLaren and Force India. I think a special one-year dispensation, I understand, has been granted for Mercedes to supply the ex-Honda team just to keep it on the grid.

I could have objected but I chose not to because it is good for F1. Nobody likes to see a team disappear. We had unfortunately Super Aguri disappear last year and I don’t think it is good for the sport that one more team goes. Vijay Mallya.

Mallya’s spirit should be commended. As he said so himself, the deal could have been blocked, but in order to help the sport and the former Honda team, Vijay agreed. A good move, I believe.

The team is not out of the woods yet, and much can go wrong. However, while very late in the day, it is still just about possible for the team to make it Melbourne. Quite what state the car will be in is anybody’s guess, having not tested yet. I’m sure though, fingers are crossed around the world for a twenty car grid in Australia.

Image © HondaF1.

Original article by BlogF1.

Rubens Barrichello & Honda Closing In On Deal?

I came to show my face here in England, to show I appreciate everything that happens to the team, and to tell them to keep working hard and putting every effort in possible. Rubens Barrichello.

Barrichello returned to England today though, and visited the beleaguered team in Oxfordshire. Rubens spoke with Ross Brawn and it is believed he is fighting for his position – Barrichello wants to continue competing in Formula One. This is despite leaving the world wondering why he has not been seen visiting the factory before, prompting rumours that Honda had already ended his contract, leaving Barrichello with no further obligations towards the organisation.

I told Ross, right now I am into the situation where I am not old and I can still use this as a learning emotion. I am so fired up.

I told him again that it could be a good time for me to say goodbye and start shouting bad against people for what they have done bad to me, but no. I am ready to race. I have lost half the weight of what I need to lose, and am eager to keep going.

I don’t think it is coincidence that I won the two kart races back in Brazil. Of course, it is at a level of competition that is much lower than F1, but it shows that I am up to it. I think I can use my mentality, plus my speed and my focus on the right stuff right now to really help the team carry on.

And I don’t want to sign just for one year. I want to sign for two or three years. I also started my career on slicks and I definitely want to finish my career on slicks. Rubens Barrichello.

Barrichello clearly had a lot to say, and it is now unquestionable that the Brazilian race winner was in contact with the team during the past two weeks. However, while Rubens states he isn’t old – and to be fair, he isn’t – when compared to many of the younger drivers coming into the sport, Barrichello is certainly of the more experienced on the grid. Rubens this year broke the record for the number of races competed, and even managed a podium at the saturated British Grand Prix. But for him to get a two or three year contract looks to be very unlikely. Already 36, I don’t think many teams would want to hire a driver who is nearing his forties.

Also, it should be noted that Rubens has indeed shouted bad since the end of the season, taking an opportune moment to speak about his time at Ferrari and the pressures he was put under to ensure then-team mate Michael Schumacher won.

It seems a little strange that Rubens would wait until now before speaking about his future prospects, just at a time when nearly everybody presumed he had quietly retired. Perhaps Barrichello is just making his case heard for any future company that buys the squad from the Japanese manufacturer, or maybe this is just one final attempt at extending his already long career.

When I heard DC [David Coulthard] telling me he was going to stop – he was feeling he had done enough, he wanted to go home. I just cannot see myself going back to Brazil yet – because I still have the speed. Yes, I can see when I am done going back to my country, which I have always loved. But I still want to race.

I haven’t driven the car for a while and I went to the simulator today and spent two hours there – before they told me to stop because I had to do something else. Rubens Barrichello.

Which just leaves me with one question… If Honda were to be saved, would the new owners want to retain the former race winner? Is Rubens Barrichello that appealing?

Original article by BlogF1.

Rubens Barrichello Speaks – He Wants To Keep His Job

The Drivers

On the first day of testing, STR fielded Takuma Sato and Sebastien Buemi. Sato has driven for Jordan, BAR/Honda and Super Aguri, but after the Honda junior team went into administration earlier in the year, the Japanese driver has been on the look out for a way back into the sport. Some say third time lucky, others say Sato has had plenty of chances to prove himself already.

A test earlier in the year with STR showed signs of hope for Takuma, and a recall to the post-season session in Spain has added to the speculation that Sato could be the experienced driver they are looking for. However, in his 90 race starts, Sato has only scored 44 points and stood on the podium once – a third place in the 2004 US Grand Prix – so while Sato may have experience of races, he lacks a race-winning mentality, it would seem.

Sebastien Buemi on the other hand has never driven in a Formula One grand prix, having spent the past year as Red Bull’s test and reserve driver. Buemi has also spent the past two years competing in GP2, finishing 21st with ART in 2007 (after racing in only 11 of the 21 events) and came 6th this year with the Arden International team. Sebastien has also enjoyed taking part in many of the Red Bull roadshows, showcasing their Formula One machinery around the world. What Buemi lacks in experience he seems to make up with enthusiasm.

The third option, and possibly the best option is to retain Sebastien Bourdais. The team brought Bourdais over from America for the 2008 season, the French driver entering Formula One with four consecutive Champ Car titles – an impressive feat by anyone’s standards. However, Bourdais’s debut year in Formula One could have gone better, with only two point-finishing results, amounting to a total of four by the end of the year. In comparison to his team mate – Sebastian Vettel – Bourdais looked to be a pretty weak choice. Vettel claimed the team’s (and his own) maiden pole position and victory, as well as a total of 35 points. His year was much more successful.

The Tests

Day one of the test went to Sato, with the Japanese driver claiming the fastest lap of the day, raising eyebrows around the paddock as he went – Sato was certainly focused. Buemi managed second-fastest as well, although the times were perhaps indicative of the team running a more closely resembling 2008 machine than a 2009 machine. The difference between the pair was 0.3s.

The second day saw the cars being shared by all three hopefuls, and once again Sato stamped his authority on his rivals, posting the second-fastest time behind Sebastian Vettel, now in a Red Bull RB4. Bourdais managed third-fastest, just 0.017s shy of Sato, while Buemi placed his car in fourth, 0.2s behind the French driver. The times, it seems, were pretty close.

Day three was between Bourdais and Buemi, and the experience of Bourdais in the car he’s driven for the past year shone through with a second-fastest time. Sebastien Buemi though was only 0.3s down in third. As with the previous two sessions, the times were very close and differentiating between all three is difficult.

Elsewhere in the pitlane, Bruno Senna and Lucas Di Grassi got their hands on a Honda RA108 and managed some respectable times. Senna outpaced Di Grassi on day one, but was outshone on the third day by regular driver Jenson Button. The difference between the two hopefuls on Tuesday was 1.2s. On Thursday though, Senna got within 0.3s of Button’s fastest time. The middle day was Di Grassi against Button, the Briton going 0.5s faster than the Brazilian.

The Result?

So, in terms of lap times (and crudely speaking), STR should go with Sato and Bourdais. Le Seb has experience with the team and did put in some fine performances last season, only to be cruelly let down with reliability woes. Sato is eager to return to racing and fair is fair, the man posted some competitive times. Sato also comes with the added bonus of improving Red Bull’s marketing strategy in Asia, but has also been known to throw cars off the road on occasion. If they wanted some youth in the squad, Bruno Senna looks reasonably handy, but his performance over these past days could result in Honda snapping him up to replace Rubens Barrichello.

So what would you do if you were team-boss Gerhard Berger. The possibilities are numerous, and suffice to say I don’t think any of them can match Vettel for raw pace. So is it better to balance the team with old and young, or go the gutsy way – much in the vein of Eddie Jordan – and hire to young drivers in the hope they can work it all out in time? What would you do?

Image Copyright © TakumaSato.org.

Original article by BlogF1.

Scuderia Toro Rosso: The Bourdais/Sato/Buemi Dilemma

Rubens Barrichello has enjoyed a long career in Formula One (the longest, in fact), and he was once hailed as the second Ayrten Senna in the making. Unfortunately for Barrichello, luck hasn’t always been on his side, but great drives in the under-funded Jordan and Stewart teams allowed his ability to shine. A promotion to Ferrari came in 2000, but Michael Schumacher was unbeatable during the team’s dominant era. Ever the team player though, Barrichello stood by and watched his team mate win five successive driver’s titles before finally switching teams at the end of Schumacher’s run.

Finding a new home at Honda wasn’t the best of moves, but at the time Rubens found few other options available. With the announcement of former Ferrari Technical Director Ross Brawn to the team chief role at Honda, many thought the fortunes of the Brackley-based squad would see an improvement. However, while many are hopeful the performance of the team will improve, they certainly didn’t during the 2008 campaign.

In Rubens’s first year at Honda, he was outscored by his team mate Jenson Button, but the car was reasonably competitive when everything came good and Barrichello managed a consistent season, finishing on 30 points. 2007 was a let down though for all those involved, and although it was the Brazilian’s first ever point-less campaign, Button’s wasn’t much better with a pitiful 6 points. For 2008, the performance slumped again although Barrichello managed to outscore Button for the first time since their pairing. A fine podium at Silverstone boosted Barrichello’s haul to 11 points, considerably more than Button’s 3.

Honda are due to test two young GP2 drivers later this month (Senna and Di Grassi), and many Formula One insiders are saying that the writing is on the wall for Rubens. It’s also worth mentioning that the team’s CEO Nick Fry has stated that he will “bring some fresh blood into Formula One” next year, strongly hinting that Barrichello will be replaced.

Do you think Nick Fry is right to bring in a younger driver for 2009, or do you think Barrichello still has some fight in him? Would Honda be taking an unnecessary risk by retiring Barrichello’s wealth of experience, or would they do good by letting a younger and perhaps more hungry driver into the cockpit?

Original article by BlogF1.

Should Rubens Barrichello Retire From Formula One?

Di Grassi finished just one point behind Senna in the 2008 GP2 championship, and he has been widely tipped for a successful future in Formula One. However, Senna has been attracting similar headlines as well, and Bruno only missed out on the title to Giorgio Pantano by 12 points. Lucas wasn’t meant to race in GP2 this year, but after securing a drive with Campos Grand Prix, Di Grassi excelled thanks partly to his testing of the 2008 car over the winter.

This is a very well-deserved opportunity for Lucas to prove his potential after such an impressive performance in GP2 this season and during his testing responsibilities with the ING Renault F1 Team. We look forward to seeing Lucas in action and will take a keen interest in how he performs. Ross Brawn.

I am very excited to have the opportunity of testing with the Honda Racing F1 Team in Barcelona and look forward to proving myself to the team.

The next two weeks will be a very important stage in my development and I will be spending a lot of time at the Honda Racing F1 Team’s factory before the test to speak with the engineers and learn as much as possible in advance of the test. Lucas Di Grassi.

With Honda testing two young hotshots who will undoubtedly find themselves in Formula One in the coming years, what does the immediate future look like for Rubens Barrichello. The former Ferrari-winner celebrated his 36th birthday this year, but outscoring his younger team mate Jenson Button showed the world that Barrichello still has the ability and motivation to race. However, Honda need to consider their future carefully, and with many teams getting young drivers on their books early, Rubens may have just raced in his final Brazilian Grand Prix.

Original article by BlogF1.

Lucas Di Grassi To Also Test For Honda

The season started off poorly with a disqualification in the first round for Rubens Barrichello, the most experienced driver on the grid falling foul of the pitlane closure rule during safety car periods. Having completed the resulting stop-go penalty for this infringement, Barrichello then ran a red light at the end of the pitlane, the Brazilian claiming he simply didn’t see the light.

Despite this though, the Hondas qualified well in Australia, certainly better than their testing pace indicated. Unfortunately though, the pace would gradually decline as the year progressed and what started out as a ~12th place grid slot regularity, it soon became ~16th by the season close. And the race pace didn’t get much better either.

The Spanish Grand Prix saw the team score their first points of the year with Jenson Button claiming sixth place for the squad. Unfortunately, Rubens Barrichello collided with Giancarlo Fisichella during the race and was forced to retire with a damaged car. However, the Brazilian would also score points not to long after Button, Monaco and Canada proving good races for the the former race winner.

Tricky conditions at Monaco allowed Barrichello to calmly drive his Honda into sixth place from fifteenth on the grid, and the Canadian Grand Prix showed the world that if it all came together, the car was capable of getting into the third phase of qualifying, Barrichello doing just that and starting the race in ninth. Rubens would go on to improve his position and finish the race in seventh.

The team’s high point of the year would come in Britain with Barrichello scoring a well-deserved podium as other drivers around him were falling off the road in atrocious conditions. A good strategy from the team and a mature drive from Rubens resulted in third place, standing alongside Lewis Hamilton and Nick Heidfeld on the podium. Race winner Hamilton lapped everybody up to Barrichello and the pace-levelling rain allowed Rubens to show he hadn’t lost his competitive edge.

The latter half of the season saw any competitive advantage with the Honda get overtaken by just about everybody else. Jenson Button’s retirement rate improved, the Briton managing to finish all remaining nine races. However, Barrichello’s luck ran out and the Brazilian racked up a further three non-finishes; a collision with David Coulthard in Germany, a failed gearbox in Belgium and electrical problems halted his race in Singapore.

Jenson Button managed a ninth place in Singapore, and Barrichello claimed eleventh in China. But aside from these peaks, the second half of 2008 was full of gloom as the cars only managed to stay ahead of the Force Indias.

However, the team openly admitted that they were working very hard towards 2009 and when former-Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn was brought onboard as team principal in the ‘07-’08 break, talk of using 2008 as a transition year was suggested. However, despite all this there appear to be very few definite good signs for the future, other than the team developing KERS from an early stage and focusing on the 2009 campaign before most others.

Ever since the stunning 2004 season when the squad were still racing under the BAR name, the performance of the team has declined. From second place in 2004, BAR/Honda slipped to 6th in 2005, improved to 4th in 2006, but then slipped again in 2007 to 8th (and scoring 80 points less than the year previous) before resting in 9th this year, although the team did score more than double the points they did in 2007, mostly thanks to Barrichello’s podium.

Jenson Button has re-signed to the team for 2009, although the jury is still out on Rubens Barrichello. The only real factor playing against the lead points scorer from this season is the man’s age – Barrichello celebrated his 36th birthday this year, although he managed to outscore his younger and still much-praised team mate 11 points to 3.

Honda will test and evaluate Bruno Senna later this month, the 2008 GP2 runner-up being the nephew of late Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna. The team also courted Fernando Alonso during the this year’s campaign, but it would seem the Spaniard is only really interested in Ferrari and his current home Renault.

Honda 2008 Championship Results	Jenson Button (Grid) Race	Rubens Barrichello (Grid) Race
Australian Grand Prix Albert Park	(13) RET	(11) DSQ
Malaysian Grand Prix Sepang	(11) 10	(14) 13
Bahrain Grand Prix Sakhir	(9) RET	(12) 11
Spanish Grand Prix Circuit de Catalunya	(13) 6	(11) RET
Turkish Grand Prix Istanbul Park	(13) 11	(12) 14
Monaco Grand Prix Monte Carlo	(12) 11	(15) 6
Canadian Grand Prix Circuit Gilles Villeneuve	(18) 11	(9) 7
French Grand Prix Magny Cours	(16) RET	(17) 14
British Grand Prix Silverstone	(17) RET	(16) 3
German Grand Prix Hockenheim	(?) 17	(?) RET
Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring	(12) 12	(17) 16
European Grand Prix Valencia	(16) 13	(19) 16
Belgian Grand Prix Spa Francorchamps	(17) 15	(16) RET
Italian Grand Prix Monza	(19) 15	(16) 17
Singapore Grand Prix Singapore	(12) 9	(18) RET
Japanese Grand Prix Fuji Speedway	(18) 14	(17) 13
Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai	(18) 16	(13) 11
Brazilian Grand Prix Interlagos	(17) 13	(15) 15
Driver’s Championship Position	(3pts) 18th	(11pts) 14th
Constructor’s Championship Position	(14pts) 9th

Recommended Reading

• F12008: Honda Preview
• Is Suzuki Upset With The Wrong Man?
• Rubens Barrichello’s 257 Livery
• Honda Develop Pitlane Lights
• Honda To Evaluate Bruno Senna

Image Copyright © HondaF1.

Original article by BlogF1.

F12008: Honda Endure A Season To Forget

Coulthard’s Special Livery

To mark the curtain call on David Coulthard’s long and successful career at the top of motorsport, Red Bull Racing in conjunction with the Wings For Life charity have allowed the Scot to race in a special livery this weekend, highlighting the cause of the charity and also designed to make Coulthard’s final grand prix a little more memorable. Wings For Life enjoy a good relationship with Red Bull Racing, the 2007 British Grand Prix cars being adorned with the faces of those who donated to the cause of finding cures for Spinal Cord Injury Paralysis.

The charity and the work Wings For Life do is held very close to many drivers, some having walked away from potentially career-ending accidents, and Coulthard particularly has had his fair share of bumps and bruises on and off the track.

I was lucky more than once in my career when I walked away from crashes. I want to express how grateful I am that I have the ability to walk and run. I know that many aren’t as lucky as me. I dedicate my last race to the vision of making paraplegia curable. David Coulthard.

Barrichello’s Commemorative Lid

Brazilian driver Rubens Barrichello could also be competing in his final race tomorrow afternoon, but what better place to bow out than at home in Brazil. Although Ruben’s may still get the second Honda seat next year, it is perfectly possible for the team to chose another up-and-coming driver instead. But whatever the outcome, the former race winner will be wearing a different helmet this weekend.

Vettel’s Commemorative Lid

Also joining in with the special helmet designs is new race winner Sebastian Vettel. The German pilot became the youngest ever race victor when he took to the top step of the podium in Italy earlier in the year. The win was also the first for Scuderia Toro Rosso and the squad managed to reach the achievement before the parent team Red Bull did. Vettel’s helmet features images from that day as well as a message to his team on his final outing with them (Vettel is joining Red Bull for next season). The message reads “Grazie mille Toro Rosso!”, which translated reads “A thousand thanks, Toro Rosso”.

Piquet’s Commemorative Lid

And lastly, in his first and possibly last Brazilian Grand Prix, Nelson Piquet Jr. has hopped on the band-wagon and allowed a Brazilian flag to be painted onto the top of his helmet. Like with Barrichello at Honda, Renault are keeping tight-lipped about their 2009 driver line-up, and despite a good run of results in the latter half of the season, Piquet may still be ousted from the team in favour of someone else.

Original article by BlogF1.

Brazil 2008: Special Helmets & Liveries

It wasn’t all one-sided though, as Barrichello has to cough up €10,000 to the FIA for not using the pitlane entrance deceleration zone correctly. The Honda driver was hampered by Heidfeld and decided to come into the pits at the last moment, not moving his car offline prior to slowing down to the mandatory speed.

The last part of the circuit was so tight and I watched the mirrors but you don’t see cars coming. When I saw him [Rubens] I tried to do the best I could to get out of the way. After the white line I tried to be as quick into the pitlane without moving completely right and going into his way. It was the best I could do. But apparently not enough. Nick Heidfeld.

These penalties put Rubens out of pocket and Nick back in ninth, promoting Sebastian Vettel, Timo Glock and Nico Rosberg up one place each.

Original article by BlogF1.

Nick Heidfeld Hit With Grid Penalty

The last time a Briton won at Silverstone was in 2000, that year the race went to David Coulthard. Hamilton has now become the eleventh (twelfth if you rightly include Tony Brooks) British winner of the British Grand Prix and it was the McLaren driver’s seventh victory in Formula One; the team’s 159th.

It is definitely and by far the best victory I’ve ever had. It was one of the toughest races I have ever done. I was thinking out there if I win it it will be the best race I have ever done, not just because of the home crowd.

On the last laps I could see the crowd starting standing up, and I was praying, praying ‘just finish’. You can imagine the emotions going on inside and I wanted to get it around. Lewis Hamilton.

Nick Heidfeld has been suffering in qualifying lately and the German driver has been complaining of temperature problems with his Bridgestone tyres. However, yesterday Heidfeld put his BMW in fifth and today he brought it home in second, consoling the team after team mate Robert Kubica retired.

It was a good race. I am happy with second place because today it was the best I could achieve. Qualifying went well and in the race we did everything right. Obviously it was crucial to make the right tyre decisions.

At the first stop we were wondering if we should stay with the used set of inters, but luckily we then decided on new tyres. We were expecting a small shower, but when I drove down Hanger Straight and saw a black wall in front of me I thought I should expect more than that.

The most difficult moments in the race were when cars were overtaking me who had been lapped, but were just on better tyres for the conditions at that time. There was so much water and I couldn’t see where it was lying. Once before Abbey I almost spun, but just managed to keep the car on the track. Nick Heidfeld.

Rubens Barrichello gave Honda something to shout about as the most experienced driver in Formula One finished in third after starting the race in sixteenth. Barrichello drove a mature and outstanding race and for me, is the driver of the day. While Lewis won, he had the car underneath him to do just that, Rubens has a dog under him – his qualifying position proving that. But the Brazilian drove superbly in the difficult conditions and fully-deserves his podium.

I never lost the belief I have in me with the speed and everything. It was obviously a lucky day and it seemed to happen to me. I love the wet weather conditions but it was a perfect race.

We had a minor problem on the pitstop. I thought I had the fuel already but they didn’t let me go. But that was a minor problem because it was the right decision for us to take extreme wet tyres.

I was passing people from inside to outside, it was just magic. So I thought that was a good decision because I went off at Club and nearly hit the wall. It was Club and Abbey that were the most difficult ones. I said I am coming in and coming in for the extremes.

I have this great feeling, it is like I am young. I am smiling to the problems and I am working more. I love the sport, I love the speed and I cannot live without it. Rubens Barrichello.

Ross Brawn, Honda’s team principal, paid tribute to Barrichello’s drive as well, praising his driver and remembering the times they spent at Ferrari together.

Rubens had a great race. He really pushed when he had to, and the middle of the race was fantastic. It was a bit like old days. The team did a great job as well. Some great calls during the race and we had the right tyres at the right time.

We had a problem with the fuel rig which really probably cost us second place, so that’s frustrating, but we shouldn’t be too greedy. Ross Brawn.

David Coulthard, competing in his final British Grand Prix, lasted all of about two minutes. The Red Bull made contact with the Scuderia Toro Rosso and both slid off onto the the grass. It wasn’t Coulthard’s finest moment from his 15 year career, but the Scot put his hand up, accepted blame and apologised.

I’m extremely disappointed and sorry for the team. I’ve taken out two Red Bull cars so that’s obviously the worst case scenario. You have to take your opportunities when they come in a race like this and I thought I saw a gap. Unfortunately it turned out it was a bad decision.

The visibility was incredibly bad as you can imagine. I was very close to Sebastian after Abbey, as he had a wobble coming out of there. There was a clear gap down the inside, but unfortunately it was closing as I made the move.

I’m sorry for him that we made contact and went into the gravel, I’m sorry for Red Bull too, as it was two cars out in one hit. I’m extremely disappointed for this to happen at my last British Grand Prix. David Coulthard.

Coulthard’s team mate, Mark Webber, had a better weekend, the Australian qualifying on the front row. However, his race was almost over sooner than David’s after Webber spun on the opening lap, undoing all his hard work from Saturday. Even though Webber would go on to drive a very well-managed race and reclaim many of the lost positions, it so easily could have been much, much better.

Unfortunately I dropped it on the entrance to Becketts on the first la. I was quite close to Kimi [Raikkonen] and just got on the white line. I lost the car on the exit and had to let the field go past, so it was clear to spin back round.

After that it was about making the right call for the right conditions. It was a difficult day to go car racing and it just didn’t go our way today. The guys did a good job all week and it’s a shame we couldn’t convert our good qualifying performance. Mark Webber.

Fernando Alonso was upbeat after the race, despite losing out for being on the worn tyres rather than getting a new set at the pit stop. The decision cost the Spaniard a lot of time and he may have even lost a podium because of it. However, the conditions at Silverstone were difficult and Alonso was just happy to have added a few points towards his campaign.

Like every time it rains, anything can happen and that was the case. There were times when you had the right tyre and others when you had the wrong one and you had to keep the others at bay and try to stay on track because you knew it would be a good result.

It’s not bad. It’s a good feeling. Sixth position is three points that are good for the drivers’ and the constructors’ championships. We missed a chance because Barrichello finished on the podium and maybe we could have been there, but it’s okay. Fernando Alonso.

On the final lap Kazuki Nakajima lost seventh place to Jarno Trulli, but despite this and all his spins, the Japanese driver still managed to collect one point for Williams after a weekend the team will want to very quickly move on from.

It was good to score a point again, but it was a shame to lose seventh place to Jarno on the last lap. His tyres were in a better condition than mine, though, and he was just a bit quicker than me in the final laps when the track was drying out.

It was enjoyable out there today, although a little hard to control the car in the opening and closing stages. The team made a really good decision to put me on the extreme wets at just the right time and so I was able to manage the car well in such wet conditions. Kazuki Nakajima.

Original article by BlogF1.

Silverstone 2008: Post-Race Quotes

You might think that Kimi Raikkonen would be a Monaco master, the Finnish driver known for his ice-cold approach to racing. Raikkonen is certainly a driver I would expect to do well on the streets of Monte Carlo, but the McLaren and Ferrari winner has only visited the Monaco rostrum twice in his seven attempts to date. Kimi’s first podium was for his second place in 2003, improved upon in 2005 with a victory from pole position. In 2006 and suffering from poor reliability from his McLaren, a small fire on his car forced retirement, Raikkonen famously being videoed storming off to a nearby yacht to calm down. A modern-day Monaco master, he isn’t.

What about David Coulthard? The Scot has certainly raced at Monaco a fair few times and has won the race on two occasions. Both wins came from his years at McLaren, the first being in 2000 and repeated in 2002. Coulthard has also managed a second-place in 1996, a pole position and fastest lap in 2001 and a third place in 2006 for current team Red Bull Racing. But when you look at Coulthard racing in Monaco, it is hard to be inspired by his efforts around the track. Is Coulthard a modern-day Monaco master? I don’t think so.

Giancarlo Fisichella is another driver who has been around for a while as well, occasionally in competitive cars, but the Italian has never won the race. Fisi’s best result was a second place in 1998, way back in his Benetton days. The Roman has also managed a third place 2000 but hasn’t bettered either of these results. Continuing the longevity theme, Rubens Barrichello might be considered a master of the track, but alas he isn’t. Barrichello’s best results came in 1997, 2000 and 2001 when the Brazilian finished second on each occasion. A fastest lap in 2002 and a third-place in 2004 is the best Rubens has been able to muster, and aside from his surprise ‘97 podium for Stewart, each of his rostrum visits have been with the Ferrari team. Therefore, it would appear practice doesn’t always make perfect.

That just leaves Fernando Alonso left from all the serious contenders of Monaco-masterdom. The Spaniard has twice won at Monaco, once in the Renault in his second championship-winning season of 2006, and last year at the helm of the McLaren MP4-22. Alonso also took pole position on both occasions and set the fastest lap in 2007. So does that make Fernando the modern-day master of Monaco? Statistically, maybe. But I’m not sure he falls into the same category as Senna or Hill when it comes to judging his abilities at the track. Not yet, anyway.

Either way, irrespective of your opinion on Alonso and the Cote d’Azur circuit, Alonso is probably worth an outside bet if you’re so inclined. But in reality, I’m expecting Raikkonen to take his second victory to equal current drivers Coulthard and Alonso in the record books.

Who do you consider to be the modern-day masters of Monaco?

Original article by BlogF1.

Who Are The Modern-Day Masters Of Monaco?

Image courtesy of HondaF1.

Original article by BlogF1.

Caption Contest: #40

And Barrichello has a nice glitzy splash-screen up on his website: Rubens Barrichello’s Official Site. Although, when I say ‘nice’ I’m just being polite. It’s a bit bling…

Images courtesy of HondaF1 and Rubens Barrichello.

Original article by BlogF1.

Rubens Barrichello’s 257 Livery

Rubens has already been celebrating, and Honda organised a golf tournament in Barcelona following the Spanish Grand Prix, and it has also been reported that Barrichello’s family will be in Turkey to help the experienced driver celebrate.

Barrichello has also been the news this week over an interview he gave where he spoke quite candidly about his time at Ferrari. Barrichello stated that he decided to leave Maranello halfway through the infamous 2005 US Grand Prix. Speaking to Brazilian television network, TV Globo, Rubens said that although his team mate, Mchael Schumacher, was not in the hunt for the championship, he was invited to slow his pace slightly to allow Schumacher to pass.

The team invited me to slow my pace so that Michael could get closer to me and to pass me. In this moment I knew that the time had come for me to go. That race in the United States was crucial. Rubens Barrichello.

Rubens went on to say that while there was nothing in his contract about being a number-two driver to Schumacher, he often got angry when he was asked to move aside for Michael.

When I signed the contract there was nothing to indicate that the drivers would be treated differently.
[...]
Inside, I was often angry about it, because everyone claimed that there were no differences between us, but it was an unequal battle. Rubens Barrichello.

Rubens won 9 races with Ferrari and finished second in the drivers championship on two occasions. Now driving for Honda, Barrichello is in a poorer performing car, but it is his own performances that now separate him from his team mate, Jenson Button. Sometimes Rubens is up, others he is down. But at least Rubens is racing. And not wanting to jinx anything, but what happens if Barrichello stalls his car on the warm-up lap on Sunday?

All images courtesy of HondaF1.

Original article by BlogF1.

Rubens Barrichello Will Have A Special 257 Livery In Turkey

Italian driver Riccardo Patrese set the record of 256 starts before retiring to the good life. Although even that number is questionable, it is what is written in the record books, and therefore the number that Barrichello has been aiming for. A few bones of contention have arisen during Barrichello’s career, these races providing for the excellent debate that occurred on that post back in January.

• San Marino 1994 – Barrichello suffered a big accident during practice. He therefore didn’t qualify and didn’t race. This is considered by the vast majority to be a non-start
• Belgium 1998 – Qualified and started the race. A huge pile-up though meant Barrichello didn’t get much further than the first corner. However, in my opinion Rubens crossed the start line and initiated lap one before retiring. Thus, I consider this to be a start.
• Spain 2002 – Again, Barrichello qualified, but retired just prior to the formation lap commencing. He did not cross the start line, and thus I do not consider this to be a race-start. However, many others do because he was on the circuit during race day, having left his garage with every intention to start the race.
• France 2002 – As with Spain, Rubens was left stranded on the grid as the formation lap commenced. His Ferrari was actually left on its jacks and after the cars passed, the team weren’t able to restart his car. I also do not consider this to be a start, but as with before, others feel that it was for the same reasons as his Spanish Grand Prix incident.

This tally puts Barrichello on 249 at the start of the 2008 season, and thus the record will be broken in France later this year. However, due to the confusion, Rubens and Honda have chosen Istanbul to be the record-breaker, and the 36-year-old is looking forward to the celebration. Whether or not he is able to surpass 300 starts rests mainly on Honda’s shoulders. The younger talent coming through would likely mean that another team wouldn’t necessarily want an older driver on their books.

In view of the lack of consensus regarding which specific race marks Rubens’ 257th Grand Prix, Rubens will celebrate the milestone at the Turkish Grand Prix. Honda Press Statement.

As a boy, when I looked over the wall at Interlagos to look at Formula One, I always wanted to be there and to be a race winner. I never thought I was going to be the longest driver in F1 history. Rubens Barrichello.

Not content with just breaking the record though, Barrichello wants to carry on and is aiming for 300 starts. His current contract with Honda expires at the end of this year, and it is largely thought that the Japanese team only kept him on because of his relationship with former Ferrari technical director and now Honda chief, Ross Brawn.

It is no secret that my contract expires at the end of the year. I want to extend it, because I think that with Ross Brawn a new and promising era has begun at Honda. 2008 is definitely not my last season – now I want to finish with more than 300 Grands Prix. Rubens Barrichello.

Presuming Turkey will now be Barrichello’s 257th race start, and there are ~18 races per year (which will of course vary, but not massively), his goal of 300 would come at some point during the 2010 season, if he can remain in the sport as a driver, that is.

Original article by BlogF1.

Barrichello Has Decided: Turkey Will Be His Record

Both Barrichello and Fisichella were on slick tyres when they set their fastest laps of the day, and were also running 2008 spec. cars, unlike many others who were running 2009 spec. cars ahead of the big change in regulations due for next season. Of the front-runners though, it was Felipe Massa who won the battle on day two, setting the third fastest lap, but the quickest on grooved rubber. Michael Schumacher is expected to take over from Massa tomorrow, returning to four-wheels after his jaunt on two, and the German world champion will be further evaluating the slick tyres on offer from Bridgestone.

All teams were represented with the exception of Scuderia Toro Rosso and Super Aguri. The Japanese team were known to not be attending largely due to financial reasons; the team is currently in the process of being sold. STR will arrive tomorrow with their new STR3, a derivative of the RB4 and making its public debut at Circuit de Catalunya. The car has already run at a private test with Brendon Hartley at the wheel. The test was held at Vairano in early April with only Ferrari sharing the track.

Original article by BlogF1.

Barcelona Test Day Two: Honda & Renault Try New Parts

I never saw a red light. I will never see it and I don’t pretend to see it. They are in the wrong places and by the time you see it, it is too late. You have already gone past it. Rubens Barrichello.

I will never see it. A little pesimistic, me thinks. But maybe Rubens has a point. When asked if there could be another way of informing drivers, Rubens suggested a large display, similar to what was erected at Turn Three to warn drivers of yellow flags.

Barrichello’s comments seem a little whiney, and no other driver has come forward to say that the lights are hard or impossible to see. Surely the solution would be to reposition them, or for the cockpit light idea to be developed further. There was talk a while ago of lights being illuminated on the driver’s steering wheel to warn of yellow flags. Surely if this technology is possible – and it is – it could be extended to show the pitlane signal among other things.

Or, someone from the team could radio the driver as they travel down the pitlane. Lots of possibilities!

Image courtesy of Honda F1.

Original article by BlogF1.

Barrichello Calls For Changes To Pitlane Signals

DSQ For Rubens

Rubens Barrichello has been disqualified from his sixth-place finish at Albert Park, the penalty being handed out after a string of incidents surrounding one pit stop under the second safety car period. First, Rubens comes ont the pits before they were opened under the safety car. For this infringement the Brazilian received a ten-second stop/go later in the race. Then, as the team were still re-fuelling his Honda, the lollipop man stepped aside and indicated to Barrichello to go. With the fuel hose still attached the refueller was knocked down, although thankfully escaped injury. And to top off the terrible pit stop, Barrichello then left the pit lane while the red lights were on. It was the latter infringement that caused his disqualification, although speaking immediately after the race Rubens denied any knowledge of the lights being red.

The signs from the weekend show that this car has great potential and the guys back at the factory have done a fantastic job over the last few weeks on its development. It was good to complete a full race distance to increase our understanding of the car. We’ll now look forward to Malaysia and optimising the performance of the car there. Rubens Barrichello.

His optimism is shared by many in the paddock and the Honda does appear to be much improved over last year’s RA107. Now Ross Brawn needs to shake the team into order to prevent errors in pitstops. Rubens’s disqualification improves Nakajima to sixth, Sebastien Bourdais to seventh and Kimi Raikkonen to eighth.

Kazuki Nakajima Receives Penalty

Williams driver Kazuki Nakajima has been given a penalty after his accident with Robert Kubica during the final safety car period at Albert Park. The race stewards have decided to give the Japanese driver a ten grid-slot penalty at the next race in Malaysia, justified by the silly accident that could have been avoided. The coming together meant Kubica had to retire from a points-paying position while Nakajima was able to continue and pit for a new nose.

Glock’s Car Should Never Have Launched Like It Did

Timo Glock’s accident needs investigating (and undoubtedly is) because his Toyota was launched into the air in a peculiar manner. Although accidents are bound to happen when cars are travelling at 140mph, Glock’s TF108 appeared to launch off a bump in the grass as it joined a service road. The resulting air-time for Timo meant the German became a passenger, having no control over a car that isn’t in contact with the ground. Thankfully for Timo, his car came back down on the track and bottomed out. The resulting spins helped to shed some of the speed before the back-end lightly thudded the wall. Glock was only winded and he got away with it, but the FIA need to look into bumps and sharp gradients like these at other circuits, particularly on the exits of corners and surrounding run-off areas.

Skill Is Rewarded, Mistakes Are Punished

The words of Martin Brundle sum up my thoughts on the lack of traction control. And boy, did it contribute to a great race. We saw spins, drivers out-braking themselves, silly errors and experienced drivers ending up in the gravel traps. The lack of engine-braking caused a few risky up the inside moves and I don’t think I can remember when a race has had as much sharing of rubber.

So many drivers made errors on the dusty track, even reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen visited the kitty litter twice during the race. I loved seeing the cars slide and the drivers having to work hard in the cockpits. And the result was quite unexpected. Lewis Hamilton leads the championship from BMW driver Nick Heidfeld and a very happy Nico Rosberg for Williams. The extra point that Nakajima received after Barrichello’s disqualification promoted Williams into second in the constructors while Ferrari languish in sixth with Kimi’s single point.

Original article by BlogF1.

Australia 2008: Update & Thoughts