Formula One Blog

Anthony Davidson About Bitter Blow

2008-05-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Super Aguri had withdrawn from Formula One racing - that news broke this week and it came as a bitter blow to all those involved, but in particular to driver Anthony Davidson. After years of toil as a Honda tester, it was Super Aguri who finally gave Davidson a full-time race seat. As he prepares to spend the Turkish Grand Prix on the sidelines, the Briton discusses his reaction to recent events - and his belief that his F1 career is far from over…

Here is an interview with Anthony Davidson on this occasion. (published on F1’s official web site)

Q: What was your initial reaction when you heard the news about the team?

- It wasn't a complete shock as we have all known how difficult things have been, but I'm obviously really disappointed that the team is unable to see out the rest of the season and beyond, and gutted not just for myself but for all the guys at the factory who have worked so hard.

Q: Have you spoken to the team since the news broke?

- Yes, I spoke to my engineer and a few people at the team this morning, and I have been at the factory in Leafield today.

Q: Looking over your time at the team, what have been the best moments, and the worst, other than our recent news?

- There have been a lot of good moments - being on the grid in Melbourne for the first time last year having waited so long for a race drive, and some very strong qualifying performances would be among my favourites. The worst moment was hearing that the team was withdrawing, and of course the infamous ground hog which cost me a top five result...

Q: What do you think made Super Aguri team so special?

- It was a small team, but with a lot of passion. The team has always worked incredibly hard, and I think this year the guys showed great dedication and loyalty to keep fighting especially given the uncertainty over the future.

Q: What is in store for you now?

- After several years as a test driver in F1 I’m glad that I had the chance to show that I can race and to prove my speed, and I’m grateful to the team and Honda for the opportunity. Although it's a difficult time of the year to find an alternative option as most plans are finalised and the season is well underway, I’m glad I took the opportunity to compete again this year and strongly believe that I have unfinished business in Formula One.

Q: And finally, Super Aguri fans in their thousands have sent messages of good will and support to the team in Leafield. Do you have a message for the fans around the world?

- The SAF1 Team fans have always been brilliant and I would like to thank them for their incredible support. The many messages that we have received have been very much appreciated.

BMW VS FERRARI

2008-05-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

The Italian press believes Ferrari is set to dominate the 2008 season. Despite officials for the Maranello based team's rivals McLaren and BMW playing down the gap following Ferrari's second consecutive one-two victory on Sunday, the sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport insists that the "dominance" of the scarlet F2008 at Barcelona was "impressive".

"Not a single mistake was committed," - Gazzetta added. "McLaren and BMW are far away. After Spain, the 2008 world championship could be over."

Corriere dello Sport said of championship leader Kimi Raikkonen: "The Finn is objectively the only true candidate for the title. As in the past, this championship could become 'formula boredom'."

The Turin-based national newspaper Tuttosport added: "Raikkonen and Massa conquered Spain and demonstrated Ferrari's absolute power.The advantage over their rivals is almost embarrassing, even though Stefano Domenicali has called for restraint. Raikkonen had the race totally under control, and Massa actively supported him. This is his role, even if he does not want to admit it."

Rome-newspaper Il Messaggero wrote: "The Ferrari conductors are trying to curb the enthusiasm, but it is obvious that Ferrari's lead over McLaren and BMW is great."

And now BMW-Sauber, and probably other formula one teams, will shortly experiment with the new 'nose hole' innovation that featured on the dominant Ferrari cars in last weekend's Spanish grand prix.

Although Maranello based Ferrari insists that the
shark mouth-style feature in front of the driver position may not be used at every race this season, BMW technical director Willy Rampf confirmed that a similar concept will be trialled in the team's Hinwil wind tunnel in the coming days.

"I am almost certain that it would also work on some of the other cars so we will have a look," -Rampf is quoted as saying by Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell publication.

References:

http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2008/4/7701.html

Electonic Flag Displays

2008-04-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

Formula One racing’s first-ever night race - the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix brings an unusual lightning conditions to the sport and marks specially developed electronic flag displays. Italian-based Valerio Maioli S.P.A. is lighting consultant, who developed this new technology . The necessary lighting system is design and constructed to illuminate the Singapore event. It will be used in conjunction with the traditional flag signals waved by marshals.

‘DigiFlags’ will convey the different flag colours in a more visible way during the night race. Thirty five display panels will be situated around the Singapore track, each controlled by handheld panels operated by officials at each marshals’ post. In addition to improved visibility, the new system will also provide the race director with an overview of every flag display around the circuit, thereby ensuring the more efficient communication of warnings.

Earlier Colin Syn, deputy chairman of the Singapore Grand Prix commented: "Staging the first Formula 1 night-race is a huge undertaking but, with Valerio Maioli's extensive experience, we are confident that they are able to deliver the system successfully."

With less than six months to go before the inaugural Singapore event takes place on September 28, the race organisers have been hard work preparing the new street circuit. A week-long demonstration of the lighting system was held from March 29, with a 64-metre stretch lit up with 16 projectors, ahead of its complete installation in August.

References:

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/4/7655.html

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/f1/news/156028-0/singapore_sheds_light_on_key_contractor.html

No Money, No Race - Super Aguri's Financial Problems

2008-04-18T03:40:00.001-07:00

Super Aguri is experiencing financial problems that may seriously affect the team's future. As it turns out, the team has just three days left to secure its future in Formula 1. An expected investor pulled away its backing on the eve of an extremely important agreement that was expected to save the team.

Without financial backing, the team may not only miss the Spanish Grand Prix on the 27th of April, but stop participating in the whole season altogether. The team's principal Aguri Suzuki is desperately looking for alternate solutions.

According to the Grand Prix Magazine, there are possible signs of interest from both Germany and America. But the time is running up. Hopefully, the team will manage to secure financial backing and we'll see their drivers on the grid in Barcelona.

Source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17042008/23/super-aguri-admit-money-racing.html

Jean-Marie Balestre Dies

2008-03-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

Max Mosleys ”ancestor”, former president of FISA (1979-1991) and FIA (1986-1993) Jean-Marie Balestre has passed away on March 27, just two weeks before his 87th birthday. Balestre was a passionate racing fan and a man who did much for the sport. Everyone remember the introduction of crash test requirements for cars as well as the use of naturally aspirated engines.

When he changed the rules in the World Rally Championship, following the death of Henri Toivonen, he was challenged in court by the giant Peugeot Company, the motorsport division being led at the time by Jean Todt. If the FIA had lost the case, the federation would likely have been bankrupted, but he stuck to his guns and won an important ruling which established considerable powers for the federation, which had not been defined up to that point.
As FISA president Balestre then embarked on the famous fight for the control of Formula 1 racing - known as the FISA-FOCA war - against Bernie Ecclestone, Max Mosley and other F1 team bosses. At the age of 69, Balestre did not oppose Mosley when he proposed the merger of the FIA and FISA and stood for the office of FIA President.

Nicolas Deschaux, French motorsport federation (FFSA) president, said: “It’s a huge loss for motorsport and he’ll be remembered notably for his actions in favour of driver safety. He was a great president in periods of grave crisis for motorsport.”

Current FIA president Max Mosley said: “It’s with immense sadness that we have learnt of the death of Jean-Marie Balestre. His contribution to motorsport in France and in the world was unique. All those involved in our sport will miss him greatly and will join with me in extending our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this very difficult time.”

Jean-Marie Balestre, for his many faults, had considerable charm and was a true fan of the sport, fighting for what he believed was right. I think everyone, at least in Formula One life, will miss that charm.

References:
http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=42160
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20183.html

Red Bull Auction

2008-03-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

People love buying things, especially people who can afford it.
Someone, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has bought the historical RB3 at the online auction that was held by the Red Bull team on Sunday night. The new owner paid €210,050 and he was proud of it.

With this purchase he took part in aid of the Wings for Life charity, a foundation set up to fund research into spinal injuries. Plus he became the owner of the legendary car which was driven by the Red Bull team member David Coulthard at the 2007 British Grand Prix. The cars bodywork was covered by a huge collage, thousands of photographs of Formula One fans.

References:
http://wot.motortrend.com/6232162/motorsports/red-bull-gives-you-wings-formula-one-car-for-2/index.html
http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/March2008/12/c3103.html
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/3/7564.html

David Coulthard & Red Bull

2008-03-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

British Formula One racing driver from Scotland David Marshall Coulthard, as well known as DC, was born on March 27, 1971 in Twynholm, Kirkcudbrightshire. He has won thirteen grands prix, including two at Monaco, which made him the first British driver since Jackie Stewart to take victory there. He currently drives for Red Bull Racing.

Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso are Formula One teams owned by Austrian beverage company Red Bull. The team is managed by Christian Horner, boss of the Arden International GP2 Series team. The team is now competing with an Austrian licence having previously competed under the British flag.

Räikkönen's Back to the Top of the Podium

2008-03-23T01:55:00.000-07:00

Today Räikkönen demonstrated a virtually flawless driving. His car looked extremely stable and highly competitive. His finishing 19.5 seconds ahead Robert Kubica talks a lot.

It's a pity that Felipe Massa was not able to finish the race. Moreover, the Brazilian driver was quite ahead of BMW's Kubica when Massa made a mistake, which cost the Brazilian to retire from the race altogether. If not this unfortunate fact, the race would have been perfect for Ferrari. But, nothing is perfect in this world and I only hope that Ferrari will improve from the race to the race.

Getting back to Kubica, the young driver has demonstrated the great skill of driving. It must also be mentioned that BMW has fantastically improved their cars and I will dare to say that the Formula 1 cars of BMW are on a par with those of Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes. I believe we will see more podiums from the BMW drivers during this season.

Overall, the race was not very successful for the British-German team, but it was not that bad either. After all, Heikki Kovalainen finished on the podium and Hamilton managed to finish 5th. Of course, this is not what the Briton expected and hoped for, but the outcome could have been worse, especially if we take into consideration the poor starting positions of both Kovalainen and Hamilton.

Today was an excellent day for Toyota's Jarno Trulli. Toyota's Italian driver managed to finish the 4th. Despite the attacks from Hamilton by the end of the race, Trulli managed to retain his position. Overall, Toyota has made considerable progress. It looks like that the recent changes in the management of the team are giving results.

Unfortunately, Sebastien Bourdais did not manage to finish the race. If in the opening race the Frenchman dropped out by the end of the race, today Bourdais dropped out right in the opening of the race. I think it will take some more time for the Champ Car guru to get accustomed to the Royal Racing sport.

Photo source: Formula1.com

Official Ferrari Mobile Games from Gameloft

2008-03-19T00:39:00.000-07:00

Gameloft, a leading provider of mobile games, has just signed a contract with Ferrari and will be providing official Ferrari games.

The first of the many games that Gameloft plans to launch, Ferrari World Championship, is due to be released right at the end of this month. You will be able to race as Ferrari's Finish pilot Kimi Raikkonen or the Brazilian Felipe Massa.

The developer has not forgot the tradition of the Ferrari and the game will allow you to race Ferrari F500 F2 from 1951 - a legendary racing car.

Gameloft has already has some extremely popular racing games. So, let's hope this time they make even better games. Frankly, I am not much in mobile games (prefer my PlayStation 3), but I will certainly try it out.

Maranello's Complete Fiasco

2008-03-15T23:43:00.000-07:00

If I remember correctly, today was the 12th time when the majority of Formula 1 fans in Europe have to wake up early on a Sunday morning.

But believe me, it was worth ruining your peaceful Sunday sleep for such a great race as we saw this morning at the Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia.

The race was probably one of the most chaotic. Although the sun was shining and the temperature was well over 35 degrees Celsius, the race was on par with rainy races.

Unfortunately, 13 cars dropped out and to a great disappointment of Ferrari and its fans, two of their pilots Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen were among the thirteen cars not to cross the finish line. To me, this was a total disaster for the Italian team.

However, it must be noted that despite Räikkönen's quite rear position, he managed to win a number of positions right in the opening of the race and by the end of the race was fighting for the second position. Unfortunately, Räikkönen has made a mistake. I cannot understand why he tried to attack for the second position when he knew that he would have to let it go after going to the pit lane.

After his mistake, Räikkönen managed to gain a position and a two and was leading both Heikki Kovalainen and Fernando Alonso but then he made a second and fatal mistake. Ultimately he had to retire.

The race was not smooth for other pilots as well. Probably the only pilot who managed to avoid difficulties of any sort was Lewis Hamilton and it must be said that the Briton got a deserved position on top of the podium.

The Briton seemed to be very happy. But I think the happiest man on the planet was Nico Rosberg. The young pilot of Williams has made it and put himself on the third position of the podium.

Nick Heidfeld has become quite a frequent guest of the podium. However, the German pilot in the German car is still not ready for the top. Or maybe is? BMW has made a considerable progress. Both drivers of BMW have demonstrated good speed and manoeuvre, but unfortunately Kubica dropped out.

Let's not forget Bourdais. The Frenchman has demonstrated his skill the royal racing sport. If we take into account what car is at Champ Car World Series guru's disposal, then his result shall be very impressive. Unfortunately, the engine of Bourdais failed at the very end but the Frenchmen still got his 1 point.

To sum up, the race was extremely interesting and the season looks to be very promising. Stay tuned, an don't forget to subscribe to our RSS feed.

Super Aguri and Magma Group are Together

2008-03-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

Super Aguri F1 is a Formula One team that made its debut in the 2006 season. The team, founded by former F1 driver Aguri Suzuki, is based in Tokyo, Japan but operates in Leafield, UK.

On March 10, the team confirmed drivers, Sato and Davidson, for the 2008 season, and went in partnership with the Magma Group.
Mr. Aguri said he was pleased to announce their new partner and drivers finally at that late stage and was looking forward to a successful and long lasting collaboration with Magma Group. He was not worried about their drivers for 2008.

“It will be a big advantage for us that we can continue working with them this year,” said Aguri Suzuki. For both drivers, Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson, Mr. Suzuki has big hopes and they answer him with the optimistic mood.

“Our winter preparation has not been as comprehensive as we had wished; however we always get over these difficulties and keep pushing forward with our fighting spirit, I hope that we can maintain this through the coming season and make up for some lost time,”said Sato, who has been with the team since their 2006 debut.

“The testing we have been able to do has gone well and we are continuing to make improvements to the car in conjunction with the new MES system. I've concentrated on my training and preparation over the winter and I'm fully motivated for the challenges that this year will bring," added Davidson.

So it’s up to you guys, keep on working hard and Mr. Suzuki will be satisfied.

Reference:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/3/7452.html

Fill Your Mobile with Formula 1

2008-03-08T14:19:00.000-08:00

Do you want to see one of the Formula 1 cars when you look at your mobile screen? Or hear the sound of racing cars every time someone’s calling you? Or, maybe you want to receive the latest F1 text news instead of your friends massage? Believe me, everything is possible.

Formula1.com's text and picture messaging service is available globally and is the only official source of race information for mobile phones. If you have WAP or GPRS the only thing you have to do is to register on formula 1 official website and you’ll be able to buy some presents to get in your life more F1. Mobile phone will receive the best picture massage per event and 15 texts massages from every Grand Prix session. You can also download ring tones and choose any TV images in extensive archive as wallpaper.
Who? When? How? You will learn everything about Formula 1 life.

References:
http://www.formula1.com/
http://handheld.softpedia.com/get/Science/Sports/Formula-1-13636.shtml

Michael Schumacher

2008-02-25T14:35:00.000-08:00

This guy, who is the first German to win the Formula One World championship, was born on February 3, in 1969. Hürth Hermülheim, Germany is the place where it happened. Seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher is "statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen" (according to the official Formula One website). In a 2006 FIA survey, Schumacher was voted as the most popular driver among Formula One fans.

After winning two championships with Benetton, Schumacher moved to Ferrari in 1996 and won five consecutive drivers' titles with them from 2000-2004. Schumacher is the first and only Formula One driver to have an entire season of podium finishes (2002).

But this racing star has also black sides. Michael was twice involved in scandals that determined the outcome of the world championship. His collision with Jacques Villeneuve was the reason of his disqualification from the 1997 championship. After the 2006 Formula One season Schumacher retired from race driving. He was an assistant to Scuderia Ferrari CEO Jean Todt for the 2007 Formula One season.

Off the track, Schumacher is an ambassador for UNESCO and a spokesman for driver safety. He has been involved in numerous humanitarian efforts throughout his life. He is the elder brother of former Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher.

Better Than Renault R27? Yes, Renault R28

2008-02-18T14:35:00.000-08:00

What if we take last year's super car, the Renault R27, and transform it’s sidepods? Imagine, the vertical fins no longer support the rear-view mirrors (like it was on the picture, large red arrow), making for a cleaner design and better airflow management towards the rear of the car. In addition the bottom edge of the sidepod's air inlets are much higher than before (smaller red arrow) to provide the radiators with cleaner airflow and reduce the effect of turbulence generated by the front axle and suspension.

What will we get?... Formula 1 has already got beautiful Renault R28

In comparison to its predecessor, the new Renault's nosecone has been dramatically lowered and now features an additional bridge profile. While the front of the chassis has been minimized, the surface area of the wing's main profile has been increased. In addition the pillars, which connect the nose to this profile, have been dramatically inclined to an almost horizontal position to reduce drag and improve the quality of airflow passing over and underneath the front of the car.

Lewis Hamilton

2008-02-11T14:02:00.000-08:00

Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton is the full name of this new stars of Formula One. He was born on January 7, in 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. British Formula One racing driver from England is currently racing for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team.

Lewis would be the first, if there weren’t Kimi Räikkönen at Formula One Championship in 2007. This first black mixed race driver, to compete in Formula One, has already won the British Formula Renault, European Formula Three and GP2 championship. This boys prediction has come true. Lewis was only ten when he approached McLaren team principal, Ron Dennis at an awards ceremony and told him he would drive for McLaren one day. So, he is. Three years later, Hamilton was signed by McLaren and Mercedes-Benz to their Young Driver Support Programme. Even more, as we see 12 years after Hamilton made his Formula One debut with the McLaren team. He wants to stay in the McLaren team for the rest of his F1 career.

Let us watch. I think this young man has a chance to be a real star.

Hamilton 'can surpass Schumacher'

2008-01-31T12:31:00.000-08:00

Lewis Hamilton could go on to beat Michael Schumacher's all-time record of seven Formula One world titles, motorsport boss Max Mosley predicts.

Hamilton made a spectacular F1 debut in 2007, losing the drivers' title to Kimi Raikkonen by a single point.

However, the 23-year-old's debut season was also marred by his spats with former McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso and the fall-out of the "spy row".

The pressure of the politics surrounding the sport and the media spotlight even led to suggestions by Hamilton that he could quit.

But instead he has signed a new five-year deal with McLaren, reported to be worth £10m per year, and Mosley says that was the right decision.

"My advice to Lewis would be to put the money in the bank and don't worry about the politics," said Mosley, president of the sport's governing body the FIA.

Mosley also insisted that new FIA guidelines, which will see drivers charged £7,441 for the required super licence and £1,488 per point they win, will be used to improve safety.

"We spend a fortune on safety, and most of it is to the benefit of the drivers," said Mosley.

"These drivers are earning mega-bucks, we're spending a fortune to ensure they're safe, so hence the increase."

McLaren Extends Their Contract With Hamilton

2008-01-26T13:21:00.000-08:00

McLaren has announced that the team has extended their contact with Lewis Hamilton for the next five years. According to the new contact, the Briton will stay with the team until 2012.

It looks like that both the team and the driver are happy with their relationship and the agreement.

No doubt Lewis is a talented driver. He has a potential to take the title in the upcoming season. However, Formula 1 is such a sport where nothing is guaranteed. So, we only have to wait and see what happens. By the way, the start of the season is almost here. Yes, 47 more days to go!

Car Number Plate for £440,000

2008-01-26T13:06:00.000-08:00

Recently Essex County Council sold a very interesting item on an auction to raise funds for a charity that will raise the standards of young drivers.

So, the item was a car plate with F1 on it. Great. I'd never mind to have such a plate but mind the price that the owner has paid. Yes, almost half a million of pound Sterling.

The lucky owner of the plate is a millionaire Afzal Kahn. A 37 year old entrepreneur runs a car design company in Bradford. The legendary number plate will be placed on Kahn Design's groundbreaking Range Rover Cosworth, which will be launched soon.

F1 spies risk expulsion – Mosley

2008-01-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

FIA president Max Mosley has warned that any Formula One team found guilty of spying in the future can expect to be kicked out of the championship.
McLaren were fined £50m and lost all their constructors' championship points after the 2007 spying controversy, but their drivers stayed in the title race.

"Next time, I don't think they would stay in the championship," Mosley said.

"In McLaren's case everybody said 'Oh, $100m'. The alternative was to exclude them. That'd have been more expensive."

Despite their team's punishment, McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were allowed to stay in the 2007 drivers' championship, finishing second and third respectively behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.
Mosley warned teams that no repeat of the spying scandal would be tolerated next season.

"You can never stop what someone has got in his head, but we can stop the transfer of information in written or electronic form," said Mosley.

"If you are prepared to check, and we have demonstrated that we are, then somebody using such information would be very unwise because in a modern F1 team you cannot do it without leaving traces and we will find those traces."

Stepney's Return to Formula One Is Out of the Question

2008-01-22T00:16:00.000-08:00

Nigel Stepney, the anti-hero of the last year's scandal says his return to Formula One is out of the question. He plans to stay in motorsport, though.

"I don't feel responsible in anyway at all for what happened at McLaren," says Stepney.

Frankly, it is very difficult to see where the truth lies here. Maybe Ferrai over dramatized and used this situation to their favor? Maybe McLaren have seriously benefited from the material that Stepney handed to them?

To me, there are more questions than answers in this case.

"Some stuff has been done politically, some stuff should have been bought out in a different way, but the end result, who knows whether it was right or wrong to make the season as it was?" says Stepney.

One way or another, the results of the last season are already carved in stone. Key stakeholders of Formula One must learn a good lesson from this case and do their best not to repeat such mistakes in the future.

Formula One Ain't Green Enough

2008-01-16T09:35:00.000-08:00

Formula One teams spend tens of millions of dollars on Research and Development. Motor sport generally and Formula One especially have immense role in developing environmentally-friendly technologies.

Because of this, The European Parliament has called on the FIA and Formula One to lead the way in the development of environmentally-friendly technologies for the car industry.

Ecology is one of the top priorities of the civilized world and the European Parliament's initiative is timely and interesting.

Maybe one day we will see four-cylinder engines, hybrid engines and many other environmentally technologies like engines working on bio-fuel, etc. We can only wait and see.

Meanwhile, 2008 season is quickly approaching and the teams are preparing for the first Grand Prix.

No Place for Indian Drivers in Formula One?

2008-01-12T05:05:00.000-08:00

When Vijay Mallya took over the Spyker F1 team and made it into Force India, I thought this would open a wonderful chance for Indian drivers to get back to the royal racing sport again.

Unfortunately, this did not happen. According to the new boss, no Indian driver is good enough for the team. Rather, Force India has been forced to rely on more experienced drivers. Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil will be the team's main drivers and Vitantonio Liuzzi, another Italian in the team, will be a test driver.

I believe all of the Indian fans of Formula One had been expecting to see their countrymen in the the teams outfit but we shall not forget that Formula One is not only sport but a tough business as well. Therefore, Mr. Mallya's decision is fully rational.

Ferrari Launched a New F2008 Today

2008-01-06T12:29:00.000-08:00

As expected, Ferrari launched its new Formula One racing car at their Maranello base in Italy today.

I have no idea why, but the new car is codenamed 659. As I have touched numbers, let's mention that this is the 54th single-seater Ferrari have built to contest the Formula One world championship.

Obviously the new car conforms to the new FIA regulations for the 2008 season. The most important new element is the Standard Electronic Control Unit. This is the new electronic system that must be used by all teams.

Another important rule is that the gearbox must last for four consecutive events. There are other minor areas that have been affected by the new rules.

As a result of all these changes, the car has become heavier.

Full specifications of the new Ferrari F2008 car can be found at the Formula 1 official web site.

From Theory to Virtual Reality to Reality?

2008-01-04T05:04:00.001-08:00

Aerodynamics is one of the key factors in modern Formula One. A modern Formula One racing car has so much in common with jet fighters that one can hardly call it a car.

Thanks to the tens of millions of dollars spent by the Formula One teams on research and development in the field of aerodynamics, modern Formula One racing cars produce incredible downforce. At around 100 mph, Formula One cars develop downward pressure of around 1000kg. This downforce is enough to run the Formula One car, weighing 605 kg, upside-down on the ceiling. Marketing people at Toyota have approached computer experts to build a model of a car running upside-down in the giant loop.

It will be exciting to see the animation and it will be far more exciting to see this in reality. Maybe one day this becomes reality. Who knows.

Source: http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns19948.html

Mercedes-Benz Museum To Host McLaren-Mercedes' New F1 Car Launch

2007-12-31T02:09:00.000-08:00

German news sources report that according to the Mercedes Vice President for Motorsport Norbert, McLaren-Mercedes' new Formula 1 racing car will be presented at a ceremony at the Mercedes-Benz museum.

It had been known previously that the team would show its new car in Jerez, Spain, in the middle of January. I speculate that this change in the plans is caused by Ferrari's unveiling its new F2008 car at a test track in Fiorano, Italy on the 6th of January 2008.