Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems are one of the big talking points off the off-season, as F1 teams weigh up whether to use them on their 2009 F1 cars. KERS builders Flybrid Systems demonstrated a working Formula 1-spec device at the Autosport International show. I had a chat with managing partner Jon Hilton who talked me … Continue reading KERS explained: how a mechanical Kinetic Energy Recovery System works
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Ron Dennis on how the Hamilton-Alonso row compared to Senna and Prost
2009 F1 season
Posted onMcLaren boss Ron Dennis gave the annual Watkins lecture at Autosport International yesterday. He was interviewed at length by veteran commentator Murray Walker for around an hour. One of the most interesting moments came when he discussed how he managed the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in 2007, and how it compared to … Continue reading Ron Dennis on how the Hamilton-Alonso row compared to Senna and Prost
More Formula 1 car pictures (Autosport International 2009)
Posted onHere’s my final collection of F1 car pictures from Autosport International. They include Tyrrells, Arrows and others in contemporary or modern F1 liveries. But which car is this (above) in an entirely different paint job to the one it originally ran in? Answer below…
Donington Park boss Simon Gillett on building the new British Grand Prix circuit
Posted onSimon Gillett was looking slightly the worse for wear when I met him at Autosport International this morning. He had a reason to be, as he celebrated Donington Park winning approval for its development work in order to hold the 2010 British Grand Prix. Nevertheless he was happy toi spend a half hour answering questions … Continue reading Donington Park boss Simon Gillett on building the new British Grand Prix circuit
Lotus Formula 1 cars in pictures (Autosport International 2009)
Posted onThe car in which Ayrton Senna scored his first Grand Prix victory was one of four Lotuses on display at Autosport International. Senna won the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix in the Renault turbo-powered 97T. One of the revolutionary 49s was also on display. This car introduced the Cosworth DFV power plant and the concept of … Continue reading Lotus Formula 1 cars in pictures (Autosport International 2009)
The 2008 Formula 1 grid in pictures (Autosport International 2009)
Posted onAnother of the F1 car displays at Autosport International is the traditional grid of F1 cars. But, as Brendan pointed out yesterday, few of them are actually 2008 models. Can you spot which ones are? See the pictures below.
Sebastien Buemi confirmed as Toro Rosso driver for 2009
Posted onSebastien Buemi’s move to Toro Rosso has been predicted for months so it doesn’t come as any great surprise to hear he’s been confirmed today. Buemi, aged 20, is Switzerland’s first F1 driver since Jean-Denis Deletraz finished 15th at the Nurburgring in 1995.
Exclusive interview: Pedro de la Rosa on F1 2009 and Motorland Aragon
Posted onTurns eight and nine are like the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca, it’s quite steep. But for me that is the beauty of it, you know? What’s the point of racing on completely flat tracks? I like Pedro de la Rosa. Here’s what he had to say about Hermann Tilke’s new Motorland Aragon circuit, whether the … Continue reading Exclusive interview: Pedro de la Rosa on F1 2009 and Motorland Aragon
David Coulthard’s racing career in pictures (Autosport International 2009)
Posted onAutosport International marks the end of David Coulthard’s career in top-flight motor sport with a collection of his racing cars. From karts to Formula 1 via Formula Vauxhall Junior and more – here’s a picture gallery of the cars on show.
50 years of British champions in pictures (Autosport International 2009)
Posted onOne of the first exhibitions I wanted to see at the Autosport International show today was the celebration of 50 years of British world champions. Sadly there was no car belonging to Mike Hawthorn, the first British world champion in 1958, because many early Ferrari F1 cars were used to build later racing machines. But … Continue reading 50 years of British champions in pictures (Autosport International 2009)
David Richards says F1 costs are still too high – and he’s not buying Honda
Posted onDavid Richards didn’t exactly say “I’m not buying Honda”, but he dropped a big hint today that he won’t be taking over the Brackley team in 2009: The cost-cutting process that has been put in place has not yet seen its full benefit, and I don’t think it will be until 2010 that you will … Continue reading David Richards says F1 costs are still too high – and he’s not buying Honda
Donington gets planning approval
Posted onDonington Park has won approval from Leicestershire District Council for its ?é?ú100m redevelopment plans in order to host the 2010 British Grand Prix. I’ll be speaking to circuit owner Simon Gillett at the Autosport show tomorrow, so if you have any questions for him please leave them below.
Would you get rid of Singapore’s bumps?
Posted onThe operators of the Singapore Marina Bay circuit, which held F1?óÔé¼Ôäós first night race last year, have revealed they are making changes to the track for 2009. What would you change about Singapore?óÔé¼Ôäós street track? Would you leave it the way it is? Here?óÔé¼Ôäós what I think needs fixing – and what doesn’t.
Autosport International starts tomorrow
Posted onI’m going to be in Birmingham for the Autosport International show over the next two days. As usual I’ll be writing about the show for Auto Trader and there’ll be lots of coverage of on the Auto Trader website. I’ll also being putting up F1-related pictures here. I should be talking to Donington Park boss … Continue reading Autosport International starts tomorrow
F1 links: Tyre wear concerns
Posted onBridgestone downplays degradation issues "Bridgestone is confident that teams will quickly adapt to the challenges of setting up their cars to work with the new slick tyres, despite complaints of chronic rear degradation in earlier testing. 'It is still early days for the teams working on their understanding of the slick tyres and the aerodynamic … Continue reading F1 links: Tyre wear concerns
More pictures of Donington Park 2010
Posted onHere are some more (and much better!) pictures from the Donington Park 2010 track simulator that give a clearer impression of what the track will be like in 2010. These images are from a simulation of the track built in rFactor which will be made available next week. They show several parts of the track … Continue reading More pictures of Donington Park 2010
Donington: time to stop the cynicism?
Posted onDonington Park?óÔé¼Ôäós redevelopment plans will be heard by Leicestershire District Council tomorrow. Circuit owner Simon Gillett is confident his proposals will be supported by the council and one councillor has been quoted in favour of the proposals. Is it time to stop the cynicism about Donington?óÔé¼Ôäós plans?
F1 links: Grid walks and Twitter
Posted onF1 gets hit with the ugly stick In the early part of the 2008 season, I had a conversation with a senior member of an F1 team who said they had already recovered 85 per cent of the downforce the ’09 regs were supposed to lose and that the the fitting of slick tyres meant … Continue reading F1 links: Grid walks and Twitter
Donington Park 2010: artist’s impression
Posted onDonington Park is beginning to reveal more detail about its plans to host the 2010 British Grand Prix. Here are four images showing an artist’s impression of the pit building on the re-designed F1 track.
The F1 Fanatic 2009 predictor (Poll)
Posted onHow well can we predict what’s going to happen in F1 this year? In this post we’ll put ten predictions for the 2009 season to the vote and see which ones come true…