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Hamilton risks becoming F1 'loser' - Hill 2008-03-06 17:19:00 Damon Hill, Britain's last world champion, has tipped Lewis Hamilton
to resist becoming a 'loser' in 2008 on the back of immense pressure to perform.Hill, the 1996 drivers' title winner for Williams, has been among the most vocal admirers of the 23-year-old's sensational rookie season for McLaren last year, when Hamilton won four races and nearly the championship.But to the Times newspaper, Hill - now boss of British grand prix promoter the BRDC - points out that the flip side of Hamilton's form last year is that "he has created very high expectations and anything less and he's a loser"."It's a case of 'welcome to the sharp end -- in this game there is only one winner'. But he knows that."Lewis is tough and I think he won't disappoint us," Hill added.
Sutil confirms McLaren, Williams talks 2008-03-06 17:17:00 Winter speculation that he was a contender to switch to a more competitive team was right, Force India driver Adrian Sutil has confirmed.The 25-year-old German driver told the SID news agency that, following an impressive rookie season in 2007, his management entered talks with McLaren and Williams
about this year.After both British teams selected other drivers for 2008, however, Sutil insists that he is simply happy to have impressed some of the right observers with his performances last year."I am not sure that disappointed is the right word," he said, on the verge of another season at the rear of the grid with the Silverstone based team."All winter I was content that I had a solid contract with Force India. When we signed the contract, it was always planned that we would be here longer
F1 becoming tiddlywinks - Irvine 2008-03-06 17:14:00 Eddie Irvine
has hit out at the powers that be in Formula 1, claiming the sport is being dumbed down and becoming less and less interesting.The former Jordan, Ferrari and Jaguar driver feels that annual rule changes and alterations to circuits have seen more and more skill taken out of the sport of motor racing.The flamboyant Irishman wrote in The Guardian: "There's a quote attributed to Ernest Hemingway when he said: ‘There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games."Formula 1 seems intent on trying to become a game. By taking increasing measures to slow things down The FIA is turning Formula 1 into tiddlywinks. It is nearly impossible to have an accident in F1 now - you just go into the sand traps."The sport has been dumbed down
No decision over 2009 French GP 2008-03-06 17:11:00 The chairman of the French
Racing Federation Nicolas Deschaux said Thursday that no decision
had been made on the venue of the French Formula One race in 2009 following this season's edition at Magny Cours.That race goes ahead on June 22 but Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone last week said he would like to see Paris host a Grand Prix in 2009."Much has been written about the French Grand Prix for 2009," said Deschaux."It is nothing new that Mr Ecclestone is calling for an approach on Paris but as things stand there is nothing finalised regarding next year."Once the 2008 race is out of the way we will see about the future," Deschaux concluded.Ecclestone had said that the organisers "need a site for the French Grand Prix as we won't go back to Magny-Cours".Magny-Cours in central France has b
Rule changes for 2008 2008-03-06 17:02:00 The Formula One season starts in Melbourne on March 16 with drivers adapting to cars without traction control and some new rules.The following lists this year's raft of changes
:STANDARD ECUAll cars have a standard electronic control unit (ECU) controlling the engine, gearbox and clutch and designed by McLaren Electronic Systems and Microsoft to a specification set out by the FIA.The introduction of the unit, which gathers data from more than 100 sensors on each car, has allowed the governing body to ban the use of traction control and other so-called 'driver aids'.Renault estimate that the loss of such systems, which particularly help drivers in wet and slippery conditions, will cost them up to 0.4 seconds per lap.Some teams, notably Ferrari and Renault, have suggested the unit could give
Williams focused on future 2008-03-05 17:09:00 Frank Williams
has been around Formula One long enough to know that pride comes before a fall.Former champions Williams are celebrating 30 seasons in the sport this year as well as 500 grand prix appearances but the boss's reaction to his team's achievements is, pun intended, typically frank."It's just numbers, isn't it," he said."I learnt quite a while ago that if you start to let the word pride get into your head, you will fall on your face very quickly."You are only important in F1 as long as Max and Bernie allow you to be important," smiled the 65-year-old Englishman, referring to FIA President Max Mosley and Formula One's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone.Williams, now Toyota-powered but still fiercely independent, have plenty to boast about but they have also had a few setbacks ov
Silverstone unveil vision of British Grand Prix 2008-03-05 16:50:00 Silverstone's owners gave a computerised glimpse of the future yesterday in a development they hope will safeguard the future of the BritishGrand
Prix. Silverstone's future plans for Bristish Grand PrixA new pit and paddock complex, re-sited between corners Club and Abbey, form the centrepiece of a radical redesign to bring the old airfield into line with 21st century stadia. Also included in the plans, to be implemented over a 10-year period, is a manufacturer test centre, business park, an extreme sport and leisure complex, two hotels, a university campus and residential homes near the race circuit.The plans are to go before local councils for approval this month. If approval is granted, the British Racing Drivers' Club, owners of Silverstone, can set about selling the necessary assets Read more:Silverstone
, vision
Briatore, Prost, slam modern F1 2008-03-04 17:35:00 Formula 1 stalwarts Flavio Briatore and Alain Prost
have hit out at the current state of the sport.The pair, collectively with nearly half a decade of experience of the inner workings of the formula one spotlight, separately argues that grand prix racing has become boring and too easy."The races are too long and predictable," said Briatore, the Italian boss of the Renault team who has long advocated for radical change."Formula one is like the Sanremo Song Festival," he told RAI radio, comparing his arena to the beleaguered event."It is necessary to change."Quadruple world champion and former team owner Prost also went public with his concerns about F1's current format this week.He thinks new drivers can quickly adapt to life in the cockpit because the cars have become like video games."It'
Aguri saved by British team buyer - report 2008-03-04 17:15:00 The financially embattled formula one team Super Aguri has been saved
by a mystery investor, report
s on Tuesday said. The German specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport is claiming that the Honda backed outfit, run by former Japanese grand prix driver Aguri Suzuki, will make the trip to Melbourne for next weekend's season opener after reaching a deal with the rumoured buyer. The publication said the deal, believed to be headed by a British
company and a Middle Eastern sponsor, and possibly some German involvement, could be confirmed this week. Auto Motor und Sport added that while Suzuki has relinquished his entire 100 per cent shareholding, he will still be the team boss and the outfit will not be renamed. Additionally, Takuma Sato is reportedly assured his cockpit for
This year will be easier, says F1 hope Hamilton 2008-03-04 17:06:00 McLaren's Lewis Hamilton
expects to have an easier time fighting for the Formula One title this season than in his extraordinary 2007 rookie year.French Formula One legend Alain Prost says that although Lewis Hamilton (pictured here in February 2008) has raced in just 17 Grands Prix, he already has the experience necessary to win the driver's championship this season. [Agencies]"Perhaps there is more pressure but I feel there is less," the 23-year-old told British reporters during a training workout in the gym at McLaren's Woking factory on Monday."Last year I had so much to prove. There was the press asking 'can he do it or not?' I'm sure even people in the team were wondering. I was quick in testing but racing is a different thing. People wait for you to fail."I think this year is slight
Spyker says F1 sale still not final 2008-03-03 17:33:00 Spyker Cars N.V. says it has yet to finalize the sale of the Formula One team to Orange India, the company set up by Indian buisnessman Vijay Mallya and Michiel Mol to buy the team. In a press release from the Dutch manufacturer of premium sports cars, Spyker says a number of issues of "relative minor financial importance" still need to be ironed out. Since purchasing the team last September, Mallya and Mol have renamed the team Force India and are set to make their F1 debut in Australia in little less than two weeks time. Spyker Cars says it lost $67.3-million Euros in the first nine months of 2007. Spyker finalized the sale of the F1 team to Mallya's Orange India on September 29, 2007. That news sent shares in the publicly traded auto maker down more than 21% on the Dutch exchange.
Read more:Spyker
Kubica: F1.08 harder to drive 2008-03-03 17:31:00 Robert Kubica says last year's BMW was easier to drive
and to set up than this season's F1.08. The Pole driver also reckons some of the problems with the new car are likely to take quite some time to be solved. "There are a couple of things that have been improved a lot but there are some issues still that I think will not be easy to fix, but of course the car is performing better," said Kubica. "I think half the problem is gone but the other half is there, and we cannot fix it quickly, so we are trying to balance the car as is. "It is not easy to balance, in the windy conditions I think last year's car was easier to drive and set up than this year's car." The team had a difficult start to testing with the F1.08, with balance issues hindering their progress before the situation improved.
F1 : Alain Prost - Heikki potential threat to Lewis ambitions 2008-03-03 17:29:00 Heikki to push Hamilton - AlainProst
: -Four time world champion Alain Prost has earmarked Heikki Kovalainen as a potential threat
to Lewis
Hamilton's stated ambition to win the world championship this year.Paddock speculation indicates that, after the departure of Fernando Alonso, Hamilton is now very much considered the McLaren team's de-facto 'number one' driver.But Prost, the winner of 51 grands prix and F1's most successful driver excluding Michael Schumacher, is also predicting a strong season for Alonso's Finnish successor."Hamilton must not be complacent as Kovalainen will certainly be a very tough cookie," the Frenchman and former grand prix team owner told Italy's Autosprint magazine last month."Where the championship is concerned, the Finn looks definitely dangerous," Prost add
F1 : Alonso - Confidence is the missing Renault F1 element 2008-03-03 17:27:00 Alonso - Renault
Formula 1 team lacking confidence : - Fernando Alonso says the missing element inside the Renault team garages at present is confidence.The Spaniard told the French sports daily L'Equipe that, with back to back world championships under his belt, he left a team at the end of 2006 that was "brimming with motivation and belief".On the back of the uncompetitive 2007 season while he raced at McLaren, however, Alonso reveals that he has returned to Renault this year and senses a slight change among the French team's ranks."I think what they need, or what we all need, is to regain that lost confidence," the 26-year-old explained.Alonso said he is keen to personally ensure that Renault's team members return to top form soon."I do not want to see a single person in this team relax Read more:Alonso
, Confidence
Ferrari, McLaren emerge from winter F1 testing as 2008 title favourites 2008-02-27 17:26:00 BARCELONA, Spain - Ferrari
and McLaren remained the favourites for the 2008 Formula One world championship after winter
testing wrapped up Wednesday.Both teams stuck to individual programs on the final day of off-season practice, allowing Toyota driver Jarno Trulli to set the fastest time of one minute 20.801 seconds at the 2.89-mile Circuit de Catalunya track.Lewis Hamilton, who topped testing Monday and Tuesday, finished 10th in 1:22.011, while teammate Heikki Kovalainen was fourth fastest in 1:21.309.Defending champion Kimi Raikkonen focused on race simulation to finish ninth in a fastest time of 1:21.933, and teammate Felipe Massa clocked 1:22.286.Massa knows which team will push Ferrari in its defence of the constructors' championship."If I have to point to the most dangerous team for Read more:emerge
Force India's 2008 car makes F1 debut; Hamilton races fastest lap 2008-02-25 17:24:00 BARCELONA, Spain - ForceIndia
's 2008 car made its debut
Monday, finishing ninth out of 19 on the first day of the final winter testing session.Adrian Sutil drove the VJM01 car in one minute 23.091 seconds. "I think the car ran without any major problems and the balance we got in the end was quite OK," Sutil said. "We had some small issues . . . but for the first day with a new car I am confident as I can feel there is something more to come."McLaren's Lewis Hamilton
of Britain was fastest at the 4.655-kilometre Circuit de Catalunya track, finishing in 1:22.276.Force India, which took over from the disbanded Spyker last year, was one of 10 teams taking part.Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, who has tested for Ferrari in the off-season, finished in 1:22.428 for third, behind teammate Read more:makes
Rosberg tops in wet F1 test session 2008-02-20 18:51:00 Nico Rosberg led a Williams 1-2 in Formula One testing as wet weather hampered the on-track performance for most teams on Tuesday. Rosberg set a top lap of 1:30.675, almost two seconds quicker than teammate Kazuki Nakajima as the team debuted the latest of its winter testing liveries, this one carrying the words of the team's seven World Champions. Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve all sent the team personal congratulations as Williams embarks on its fourth decade of Formula One racing. From Alan Jones' 'I was the first' to the team's most recent title winners, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve (1997), who said in turn 'Thanks Frank' and 'Thanks for 3 amazing years and the Championship'. Mark Webber was third fastest, Read more:session
Nigel Stepney denies handover 2008-02-20 18:47:00 Nigel Stepney, the sacked Ferrari engineer at the centre of the McLaren 'spygate' scandal, denied passing material to the British team that led to their expulsion from last year's Formula One constructors' championship and a £50 million fine. Giving evidence to Italian magistrates in Modena, Stepney admitted contact with McLaren's chief designer, Mike Coughlan, but said there was never a handover of documents.Stepney's version of events contradicts Coughlan's testimony, given in an affidavit to the High Court in London, alleging that a 780-page document detailing aspects of Ferrari design and processes changed hands between the two men.Stepney's lawyer, Sonia Bartolini, said her client was puzzled by Coughlan's account. "It's true that Nigel met Coughlan in Barcelona last spring to organi
Bernie: Not enough sex scandals in F1 anymore. 2008-02-20 18:44:00 Sport's ringmaster on torture, democracy, hobbits, sex scandals
and why he has never taken a mistress...Formula 1 supremo Bernie
Ecclestone may be willing to admit that he is "very ignorant" in certain matters, but it is clear he has no intention of relinquishing his cast-iron grip over the sport for the foreseeable future.The 77-year-old has ruled the top flight for some three decades now as president and CEO of both Formula One Management and Formula One Administration, after creating the Formula One Constructors' Association (FOCA) back in 1972. Over the years he has developed a reputation as a man whom it would perilous to cross."Me? A bully? At my height?" he protested in a revealing interview with the Daily Mail. "Well, it's true that small people normally try to compensate by being
Piquet not making any predictions 2008-02-15 13:28:00 Nelsinho Piquet says it is difficult to predict how competitive Renault will be when the season starts in Australia. The French squad, world champions in 2005 and 2006, endured a troubled season last year, finishing in third place in the standings after just one podium finish. Their new R28 car and the return of Fernando Alonso has lifted Renault's hopes for 2008, although the Spaniard said earlier this year the team are far behind Ferrari and McLaren. Piquet admits it's hard to tell where Renault stand right now. "It's very difficult to predict. Everybody keeps asking that. Some days we are quicker than BMW, and some days Williams are quicker. So it's difficult to predict," Piquet told reporters during testing at Jerez. "Last year we were always trying to see where we were and we thought Read more:making
Huge demand for Singapore's F1 Grand Prix tickets 2008-02-15 13:25:00 Workers put up a poster of a Formula One racecar outside a Post Office selling tickets for the SingaporeGrand
Prix. Tickets went on sale for the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix
and demand
was so high that organisers admitted that their distribution system could not cope. Tickets went on sale Thursday for the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix and demand was so high that organisers admitted the distribution system could not cope. Singapore will host the sport's highly anticipated first-ever night race around the city-state's streets on September 28. Customers trying to buy tickets, which were available online, through call centres and at booths, experienced delays due to "an extraordinarily high volume of system traffic both locally and internationally." "Whilst we factored in high demand duri
FIA to launch anti-racism campaign at Spanish GP 2008-02-15 13:21:00 Formula One's governing body has asked teams, drivers and track owners to back a "Racing against Racism" campaign to be launched at the Spanish
Grand Prix in April.The move by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) follows abuse directed at McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, the sport's first black driver, by Spanish spectators at a recent test in Barcelona.The same Circuit de Catalunya hosts the Spanish Grand Prix on April 27.The FIA warned the Spanish authorities and circuits after that incident that the country's two grands prix -- the other is in Valencia in August -- could be at risk if there was any repeat.AdvertisementClick here to find out more!Speaking a day after Hamilton returned to Spain to test with his Mercedes-powered team at the southern Jerez circuit, an FIA spokesman repeat
Geneva '08 Preview: Morgan LifeCar concept surfaces 2008-02-15 10:54:00 Morgan has a lot of dedicated fans, but it's image is about as cutting-edge as a cantaloupe. The last time the company unveiled a new concept, the big news was that it had four wheels. But seriously folks, the Morgan LifeCar is a concept that has been a long time coming. It took several companies and three universities almost three years and nearly ₤2 million, including a healthy dose of government funding, to develop. And it's finally ready.The LifeCar is based on the Morgan Aero 8 and powered by hydrogen fuel cells with regenerative braking technology in a package that is at once both futuristic and retro. (Leave it to the Brits to do both.) Together with its partners, Morgan, which was responsible for the design and final assembly, will take the wraps off the LifeCar concept at the fa Read more:Geneva
, Preview
, Morgan
, surfaces
2008 Corvette 427 Limited Edition Z06: Big engine, big price, small run 2008-02-15 10:46:00 Beginning this spring, those of you with enough coin in your Corvette
-shaped piggy bank can order the 2008 Corvette 427 Limited Edition
Z06. The special edition C6 comes with with Crystal Red Tintcoat, new exclusive wheels, a titanium-colored leather interior, 427-embroidered seats and floor mats, and Z06 sill plates. Pedestrians will know how special your car is when they see the "427" badges and graphics adorning the exterior. Inside, Wil Cooksey, the soon-to-retire Bowling Green Corvette plant manager of 15 years, will personally sign each model's armrest.Chevy will only build 427 of the cars for the North American market and another 78 for everyone else, for a total run of only 505. That is, not coincidentally, the horsepower rating of this American sports car. Buyers will have to come Read more:price
Geneva '08 Preview: Rinspeed sQuba Concept - For the spy who loves you 2008-02-15 10:43:00 Back in 1977, James Bond took a Lotus Esprit for a swim in The Spy Who Loved Me. It's only fitting that Swiss design company Rinspeed, known for its crazy concepts that often involve playing in the water, has based its newest creation on the Lotus Elise. Called the sQuba, this submersible convertible was first previewed back in December, but the firm has released tons of high-res photos, video and new information on its water toy.The sQuba is an all-electric vehicle with three motors, one to drive the car on land and two to power a pair of screw drives for underwater movement. These are aided by two Seabob jet drives that "breathe" through rotating louvers mounted on the car's fenders and appear to give the car its maneuverability underwater.Some might think a submersible convertible sound Read more:Geneva
, Preview
, Concept
Singapore F1 High demand prompts pit redesign 2008-03-15 18:48:00 FREE flow of champagne. Fine wines. And a gourmet spread of meat and seafood. In addition, fans paying $7,500 for the premier Paddock Club seats during the SingTel Singapore
GP will soak in the experience in a bigger Pit Building that boasts more luxurious hospitality lounges. On Friday, Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran revealed that the enhancements made to the Pit Building design came about due to the 'strong demand
' for these top-class seats. 'But this is a happy problem to have,' Mr Iswaran said. According to Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) brand development manager Eileen Lee, the additional work on the Pit Building will see construction costs raised from $33 million to $40 million. STB also added that constructi Read more:redesign
Don't write off Kimi Raikkonen for Australian F1 2008-03-15 18:44:00 Kimi Raikkonen's hopes of winning the season-opening Australian
Grand Prix dimmed on Saturday when the world champion was eliminated from qualifying after the first session. The Finn, winner of the Melbourne race from pole last year, will start from 16th position after losing all power in his Ferrari's engine due to a fuel pressure problem. Raikkonen was barred from taking any further part in qualifying for having received assistance to get the pits. The world champion says he is still targeting a points finish, which he reckons could be important in the end. "Clearly I am disappointed," he said. "A few corners from the end of my in-lap, I had a problem with the electronic fuel pump which forced me to stop near the pitlane and so it was impossible for me to get back to the garage to try an Read more:Kimi Raikkonen
Australian PM rules out F1 night race 2008-03-18 20:39:00 MELBOURNE, Australia - The Australian
Grand Prix won't be held under lights, despite comments from Formula One head Bernie Ecclestone that the race needs a floodlit future.On Monday, Victorian state leader Premier John Brumby ruled out a night race, but said his government would do "everything possible" to keep the Grand Prix in Melbourne.Last week, in an interview published in London's Mail on Sunday, Ecclestone tied the future of the race to it being held at night."The only way the race could stay in Melbourne, or anywhere else in Australia, is if it is staged during the night so that the public in Europe can watch it," Ecclestone said. "The alternative is to pull the race completely from Australia."Sunday's race started 90 minutes later than last year - at 3:30 p.m. local time - to offe
Supercomputer revs up F1 team 2008-03-18 20:37:00 AS most of the cars in the opening round of the Formula One motor racing championship dropped like flies in searing Melbourne heat, Williams and McLaren were the only teams with both drivers crossing the finish line.A supercomputer hooked up to a wind tunnel helps Williams team optimise performanceThe success follows a change of direction for Williams last year, when the team cranked up its technology initiatives.At the start of 2007, Williams signed two new major sponsors - network company AT&T and computer manufacturer Lenovo.This was more than just a branding exercise, as AT&T upgraded the team's network infrastructure and bandwidth, while Lenovo deployed a supercomputer at Williams' development factory in Oxford, England, where the team has its two high-speed wind tunnels.All t
Todt leaves Ferrari post 2008-03-18 20:33:00 Frenchman Jean Todt has left Ferrari
just a few months after moving upstairs from his post as sporting director of the Formula One arm of the company, it said Tuesday. Todt left his position of sports director at the end of last season to become executive director of the whole Ferrari group but he has now stepped aside to become a consultant for the company. "A new chapter in my life is opening during which I will have more time to look after myself and my interests," said Todt in a statement released by Ferrari. Todt joined Ferrari in July 1993 before taking over the Formula One team's top job in 2004. He helped guide Ferrari to six successive constructors' titles as well as five drivers' titles in a row.
Read more:leaves
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