The F1 Blogger

Alonso is fastest on Day 3 in Valencia

The F1 Blogger — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:34:37 +0000

Fernando Alonso continued his impressive Ferrari debut, setting the fastest time of the week during the morning session at Valencia. Despite being only 29 laps into his Ferrari career, and Wednesday's running is first opportunity to drive the new F10, Alonso quickly proved that he is going to be a force this season. Over 25,000 fans arrived at the Valencia circuit on Wednesday morning, eager to see the Spaniard in action upon his Ferrari debut. But added to the Spaniard's outing an interesting tussle between Alonso, Jenson Button and Michael Schumacher was also on the cards.

Massa fastest again on Day 2 in Valencia

The F1 Blogger — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:05:56 +0000

Felipe Massa again topped testing as he held onto first place all day by setting the fastest laps in his new Ferrari F10 during the second day of multi-team test in Valencia. His best time was a 1:11.722, which he clocked during the first half of the day. It was considerably better than Monday when he was the quickest driver on the track with a time of 1:12.574. "The feeling for the car is great," said an enthusiastic Massa who completed 124 laps. Testing ended four minutes early when the red flags halted the session. Robert Kubica's Renault had stopped on the pit straight directly in front of his pit. The initial speculation was that he'd run out of fuel.

Massa finished the first day of 2010 testing on top

The F1 Blogger — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:00:33 +0000

Ferrari's Felipe Massa finished the first day of 2010 testing at the top of the timesheets, rounding off a successful return to the current F1 machienary after a six-month lay-off from competitive action. The Brazilian was giving the F10 its track debut and completed an impressive 102 laps over the course of the day, the quickest in 1m12.574s. Weather conditions at the Spanish venue were dry and sunny all day, although temperatures remained relatively low throughout, rising to an ambient high of just 15°C, while the track temperature peaked at 20°C. Nevertheless, the stable conditions allowed teams to run their programmes without interruption.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Launches MP4-25

The F1 Blogger — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:48:59 +0000

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team today revealed its brand new MP4-25 chassis – the car in which reigning world champion Jenson Button and 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton will contest the 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Unveiled at Vodafone UK’s stunning headquarters in Newbury, the 2010 car looks noticeably different from last year’s race-winning MP4-24. MP4-25 features a radical aerodynamic overhaul and a significantly larger fuel tank to take full advantage of this year’s new regulations, and its design team is confident it has explored every possible avenue to maximise the car’s performance. Horsepower once again comes from our friends in Stuttgart. Mercedes-Benz’s FO 108X V8 subtly improves upon an engine that has become the benchmark in Formula 1, winning the last two drivers’ world championships.

Ferrari launches it’s 2010 car F10

The F1 Blogger — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:45:39 +0000

Ferrari have become the first team to officially launch their 2010 car after unveiling the F10 on Thursday. The machine will be driven by Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, as they attempt to return the Italian squad to title contention following a difficult 2009 season, which saw the team score just one victory. Team principal Stefano Domenicali kicked off the event’s proceeding, introducing Alonso and Massa to the assembled guests before finally revealing the car. The F10 is the 56th single-seater produced by Ferrari to contest the world championship and, weather permitting, will make its track debut on Friday at the team's Fiorano circuit, with Massa behind the wheel. The Brazilian, who missed the last few 2009 races after being seriously injured in an accident, was thrilled to be back.

New Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team Presented

The F1 Blogger — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:05:50 +0000

Today, the new Silver Arrows Formula One works team MERCEDES GP PETRONAS was presented at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Nico Rosberg and seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher along with team management Ross Brawn, Nick Fry and Norbert Haug were introduced to guests with a presentation and press conference. Over 600 guests, including 200 media representatives and 200 Mercedes-Benz employees, visited the Mercedes-Benz Museum, one of the biggest and most famous car museums in the world, to see the launch of the team and the unveiling of the new Silver Arrows livery. Mercedes-Benz employees from the company’s manufacturing plants in Untertürkheim and Sindelfingen, 100 of whom were invited for their outstanding performances and 100 selected through a popular internal draw, also had the opportunity to take their first look at the new MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER JOINS MERCEDES GP PETRONAS

The F1 Blogger — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:26:18 +0000

The MERCEDES GP PETRONAS Formula One Team can confirm today that seven-times Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher will make his racing return in 2010 with the Silver Arrows team. With seven Drivers’ World Championships, 248 Grand Prix starts, 91 victories, 154 podium finishes and 68 pole positions, the 40-year old German needs no introduction following an illustrious and record-breaking Formula One career from 1991 to 2006 at the Jordan, Benetton and Ferrari teams.

Genii Capital buys “large stake” in Renault F1 team

The F1 Blogger — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:25:52 +0000

Renault has decided to maintain its commitment to Formula One and welcomes the perspective of a strategic partnership with Genii Capital, a Luxemburg based firm specialized in new technologies, brand management and motor sport. Following the proposed sale of a large stake of Renault F1 Team to Genii, both partners will operate the team together. The letter of intent signed by the two companies should be concluded in early 2010. In 2010, the team will retain its name, its identity and the core ingredients that led to the successes achieved in 2005 and 2006. The team will continue to be supplied with engines by its sister company in Viry-Châtillon, which is also pleased to have received a renewed commitment from Red Bull Racing for the 2010 season.

The FIA has published an updated version of the 2010 F1 sporting regulations

The F1 Blogger — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:05:41 +0000

The FIA has published an updated version of the 2010 F1 sporting regulations. It adds many of the changes announced earlier such as the new ten-place points system and refuelling ban, as well as a few other small-but significant changes. The testing restrictions will be even tighter in 2010 and drivers who perform mutliple engine changes in a weekend will now get extra penalties. Pit space – which will be at a premium next year – will now be allocated evenly between the teams.

Brawn GP becomes Mercedes-Benz GP

The F1 Blogger — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:01:52 +0000

Mercedes-Benz will become an independent constructor in Formula One for the first time since 1955 next season, after purchasing a controlling 75.1% share of the championship-winning Brawn GP team. The agreement was finalised on Friday and confirmed to the media today, and will see the team rebranded Mercedes Grand Prix, with its cars being run with the marque's distinctive silver livery. “Mercedes-Benz is the most valued and best-known premium automotive brand in the world. This brand looks for competition of the utmost quality in all relevant fields in order to continually improve its performance in the face of such new challenges”, explained Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.