Category: Formula 1

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Formula 1 News Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber to drive F1 car across Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge

Bolte Bridge

First filed 6 March.

On Saturday 19 March, one week before the Australian Grand Prix, Mark Webber will drive a Red Bull F1 car across Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge.

It will be Webber’s second F1 bridge crossing down under, after he drove across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in his BMW Williams back in 2005 (more after the break).

Details are yet to be officially announced, but the HeraldSun says that will happen sometime in the next week. It’s expected all six lanes on the 490m long Bolte will be closed for the early morning runs. The bridge was designed by Denton Corker Marshall and has dominated the city’s western fringe since it opened in 1999.

Last year Webber participated in a similar event to promote the British Grand Prix when he drove around London’s Parliament Square.

[Source: HeraldSun | Pic: Denton Corker Marshall | Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

UPDATE 10 March: Word has come through via grandprix.com.au that the “Red Bull Run” will take place at 9:45am on Saturday 19 March. After the drive across the Bolte Bridge Webber will greet fans at Docklands’ Waterfront City.

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Formula 1 Lotus Renault

They are Lotus

I am Lotus

Group Lotus recently released this video, which can only be taken as the next move in the Lotus v Lotus debacle. From afar, it would seem the potential moral victors, the Tony Fernandes led Team Lotus, will be affected by this promo. The appearance and ongoing support of Clive Chapman, Colin’s son, right at the end will land a heavy blow.

That aside, it’s still an absurd position to see current day F1 drivers who have only ever driven a “Lotus” built by the remnants of a world champion constructor in Renault F1 and powered by Renault engines claiming they are Lotus.

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Formula 1 Red Bull Racing

Webber fastest on first day of Barcelona testing

Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing

Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing) set the quickest time on the first day of the final pre-season test window at Barcelona overnight. An extra test program has been added to the pre-season schedule to make up for the delayed and possible cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The teams have already been to Barcelona this off-season, but Webber’s overnight time of 1m22.544s is the fastest set on the Circuit de Catalunya so far in 2011. Webber posted the time during a short qualifying-like simulation before settling in to longer stints later in the day where he was circulating in the 1m27s–1m28s range.

Close behind the Australian were Jenson Button (McLaren, 1m22.910s), Vitaly Petrov (Renault, 1m22.937s) and Sergio Perez (Sauber, 1m24.117s). In fact, Perez posted a faster time than Webber, but it was discounted because he cut the chicane.

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Formula 1

Mark Webber says no to fake rain

2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Last week Bernie Ecclestone raised a few eyebrows when he suggested introducing artificial rain to spice up racing in Formula One. While it’s true that wet races do often mix up the natural order of the F1 grid quite nicely providing excitement along the way, it’s also good that such conditions remain unpredictable.

A view shared by Australia’s Mark Webber who replied to the BBC, “No and no” when asked if he thought fake rain was a good idea.

Mark continued, “It wouldn’t be the most sophisticated way to make the show more entertaining.

“It can be more exciting when we have some different weather conditions, that does happen. But you just try and think of Jimmy Clark, and Jackie Stewart and (Ayrton) Senna and those guys, masters in the wet.

“Jackie’s still here but the other two would be turning in their graves if they thought we’d have sprinklers and hoses lined up around the track.”

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Formula 1 McLaren

Formula One coming to Bathurst on 22 March

First filed 28 February.

We’re still waiting on CAMS to greenlight the event, but assuming permission is granted, as expected, Craig Lowndes and Jenson Button will be in Bathurst on Tuesday 22 March. They’ll be there, of course, to drive a McLaren F1 car around the famous 6.2km Mount Panorama circuit.

We brought you this news earlier in the month, but after the break you can see the official press release from the Bathurst Regional Council.

The statement details a loose itinerary for the day, being billed as Vodafone’s King of the Mountain Drivers’ Swap, which includes Lowndes and Button swapping their respective racecars for a total of five laps around the mountain. Supposedly three of those laps will be at pace.

Interestingly, the presser below states McLaren will be using an MP4-26, which is their latest 2011 spec machine. Surely not? Usually F1 teams keep a few old chassis operational for promo events, and you’d expect this to be the case here.

If/when this event goes ahead, it’s certainly one that shouldn’t be missed. Two questions remain, then, how many people will turn up to watch an F1 car at Bathurst, and what sort of lap time can Lowndes set?

UPDATE 2 March: Apparently both the Bathurst Regional Council and CAMS are awaiting final details from Vodafone about this event before it can be rubber stamped.

However, Terry Aylett from Bathurst Council has told AUSmotive, “there still doesn’t seem to be any doubt that the permit will be granted.”

While Clive Banfield from CAMS said, “We have agreed in principle to what has been proposed and we can foresee no problems with it provided their [Vodafone’s] documentation confirms that proposal.”

UPDATE 6 March: Thanks to Rocket Rod for posting a tip in the comments section that the F1 event will take place between 10:00am–1:30pm. We’re also hearing that Jenson Button might get a drive of the McLaren F1 car as well. The itinerary would likely be Lowndes in the McLaren, Button in the V8 Supercar; before the pair swap back into their usual modes of transport. There’ll be a reasonable delay in between while the F1 chaps change seats, pedals and so on.

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes GP unveils amazing suspended display

Mercedes GP display

This spectacular display, called View Suspended II, has just been unveiled at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey, UK. The piece, consisting of 3200 parts, was created by Dutch artist Paul Veroude.

Nick Fry, Mercedes GP Petronas CEO, was on hand for the official opening and said, “It is fantastic to see View Suspended II here at Mercedes-Benz World. Formula 1 is a sport watched by over 580 million people worldwide annually, so to be able to see a racing car in this way is something very special and a unique look at the heart of the sport.”

Meanwhile, late last month Daimler AG and Arabar Investments upped their stake in Mercedes GP to take a 100% controlling interest. Mercedes now controls 60% of the company, while the remaining 40% is owned by Arabar. This means Ross Brawn has relinquished the remaining 24.9% of the company he owned. The full press release from Daimler AG is available after the break.

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Formula 1

Has Bernie jumped the shark?

Bernie

Look, we know the postponement and possible cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix is likely to be driving regular Formula One fans a bit batty. Another couple of weeks to wait for racing action to start is a bit difficult to take. Especially after the 2010 season was such a ripper. But imagine how the big boss of F1 must be feeling.

Well, wonder no more because Bernie has left us in little doubt as to his mental state going by a recent interview published over at Formula1.com. Or has he, read the full interview and the snippets below, and let us know what you think.

The interview covers a range of topics, but it’s when Bernie Ecclestone starts discussing ways to make F1 more exciting that he possibly goes off the rails a bit—especially when he suggests the sport should consider introducing artificial rain during races.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images | Thanks to Matt for the tip]

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Formula 1 Infiniti Red Bull Racing Renault

Red Bull Racing confirms Infiniti deal

Red Bull Racing RB7 preview

Red Bull Racing has today confirmed a two-year sponsorship deal with Infiniti. However, it won’t quite be implemented as first reported yesterday. That is, it is a pure sponsorship and technical agreement deal only, the RB7 will still use Renault branded engines and feature Renault branding on the car as well.

So, as well as a Lotus Renault on the F1 grid in 2011 we now have an Infiniti Renault, of sorts. Confusing, hey.

A statement on the Red Bull Racing website reads, in part, “As part of the agreement, Infiniti will have high-profile branding on the car, drivers’ clothing and team kit and equipment. Infiniti will also work with Renault to forge future technical collaboration with us. The team will continue to use Renault F1 engines in 2011 and 2012.”

While Andy Palmer, senior-vice president at Infiniti, explains the worldwide reach of F1 was key to this deal, “Over the mid-term, Infiniti will be simultaneously expanding its global presence and broadening its product range. Given these twin ambitions, it is clear Formula One offers us an unrivalled global communications platform, complementing Infiniti’s ethos of Inspired Performance. We are excited to have the opportunity to enter Formula One together with a world-class team like Red Bull Racing Renault.”

[Source: Red Bull Racing]

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Formula 1 Infiniti Red Bull Racing Renault

To Infiniti and be conned

Red Bull Racing RB7 preview

News is breaking that Red Bull Racing has just signed off on a sponsorship deal with Infiniti that will effectively give the team free engines. Aside from a few stickers on the car, and a £7 million cheque (the same as the annual budget cap for engines), everything else will stay the same. That is, the engines in the new RB7 will still be made by Renault, it’s only the badging that will change.

Infiniti is the premium brand of Nissan, part-owned by Renault, and this deal follows moves to further promote the brand in European markets. It’s understood the deal will be announced at the Geneva Motor Show, possibly as soon as tomorrow.

[Source: F1 Fanatic & BBC]

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Formula 1 Motorsports News

Stencil art adds street cred to motorsport icons

Xander Walker's Street Spirit stencil art

Street cred comes to the world of motorsport in the guise of stencil art from artist Xander Walker and his Street spirit series. Featured above is Nigel Mansell’s 1992 Williams FW14. Also in Walker’s portfolio are a couple of Ayrton Senna’s F1 cars, along with some classic GT racers and more.

The works are limited, very well priced and for sale now via Etsy. We’ve got a couple on the way and are hoping Walker might create another Williams work for us, the FW07 that Alan Jones piloted to the 1980 world championship.

[via Autoblog]

UPDATE: A video from the artist has been added below.

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Formula 1 Renault

Lotus Renault GP talks about moveable rear wings

LRGP R31

The adjustable rear wing is one of the hot topics for the 2011 Formula One season. We’ve seen a couple of videos of the wing in action, thanks to Sauber and Red Bull Racing. Now, Lotus Renault GP talk us through some of the finer points.

James Allison, LRGP Technical Director, explains the theory behind the movable rear wings, “If you allow the rear wing to reduce its angle, you lose drag, rather like an f-duct system last year. So if two cars are racing each other, the car that has adjusted its rear wing angle will be able to go faster down a straight than the car that hasn’t.”

Allison adds, “All the drivers will be free to reduce their rear wing angle during free practice and qualifying as often as they like, but in a race there will be restrictions on its use.

“The regulations will only allow it to be used when a chasing car is within one second of the car ahead. So if a driver can get within this threshold time, his car will be granted permission to use the moveable wing on one designated straight during the lap. Furthermore, the teams and the FIA have tried to design a system that only gives just enough assistance to a trailing car to make an overtaking manÅ“uvre just possible. Nobody wants to have a system that makes overtaking a formality.”

It will be really interesting to see how this new aspect of F1 works this year. Follow the source link below for more detail.

[Source: Lotus Renault GP | Pic: LRGP/LAT]

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Formula 1

Williams F1 unveils FW33 livery

Williams FW33 livery reveal

AT&T Williams F1 has just shown off its new 2011 livery via a live webcast. Here’s a few pics from the show. The launch was relatively low key and consisted mainly of Sam Michael, Technical Director, discussing changes about the car and its “tight rear end.”

Only two questions from the floor were asked by the media; about the strength of the car’s rear suspension and the team’s expected tyre wear. Michael responded with the dexterity of a politician by saying a lot but not actually giving anything away.

The prominence of the Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) sponsorship probably explains why Michael was at pains to point out the natural talent possessed by rookie Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado. We’re sure Nico Hülkenberg is appreciative of that talent, too.

And that’s really about it. Oh, they’ve got a fancy chef with a couple of Michelin stars to help Sir Frank wine and dine corporate guests. There’s also the new livery that’s, well, not quite as striking as the test livery first seen on the FW33 earlier this month.

Quite a few comments via twitter mentioned the new car’s resemblance to former Rothmans livery of Williams’ glory years. It’s hard to disagree with those sentiments; we just wish they stuck with all over navy blue look from the test scheme.

[Pics: Williams/LAT]

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