Category: Motorsports

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Tiff and Bernie reckon Michael is coming back

tiff_tv

The Schumacher F1 comeback rumours have been given new life overnight, with former F1 driver, TV presenter and twitterist, Tiff Needell, and F1 supremo Bernie Eccelstone both believing we could be about to see the second coming.

As you can see from the above graphic Tiff tweeted his thoughts at about 11pm last night Australian time. Tiff and Brawn were at the BRDC awards, where three Australians picked up some silverware.

Meanwhile, F1 rights holder Bernie Eccelstone has been widely quoted as saying, “I would personally doubt that he’s going to make a comeback but, having said that, it’s maybe getting a bit stronger than a rumour.”

The theory goes that if Schumacher doesn’t return to Formula One, then the empty seat at Mercedes GP will be filled by Nick Heidfeld. But Eccelstone has certainly made his view clear if Ross Brawn is faced with a choice between Heidfeld and the seven-time world champion, “Well, you’d have to pick Michael, wouldn’t you?” he said.

“There’s no discussion about that. It’s the obvious thing. Whether or not it’s going to happen, I don’t know. If I was Michael I wouldn’t do it, but I’m sure he knows he could get the job done.”

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Formula 1

Webber wins again

Mark Webber at the 2009 German Grand Prix

The British Racing Drivers Club held their annual awards yesterday. Established to acknowledge the efforts of drivers from Commonwealth nations, there are several awards handed out at a lavish function with many motorsport greats usually in attendance.

Webber won two awards to go with his German and Brazilian Grand Prix victories. He was presented with the Innes Ireland Trophy, for the driver who best displayed the qualities of courage and sportsmanship, and the Bruce McLaren Trophy, which is presented for the most meritorious performances in international motorsport.

Other Australians honoured, included 2009 Le Mans winner David Brabham (Fairfield Trophy for an outstanding performance by a BRDC member) and 2009 British F3 Champion Daniel Ricciardo (Henry Surtees Award for an outstanding performance by a BRDC Rising Star).

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Formula 1

Silverstone good, Donington bad

Silverstone

Silverstone will host the British Grand Prix well into the future after pouncing on the demise of the Donington disaster. The owners of Silverstone, the British Racing Drivers’ Club, announced a new 17 year deal today.

Speaking at a news conference former world champion driver and BRDC president Damon Hill said, “The title of Silverstone as home of motor sport has come true. It is a place for all motor sport. Everyone in the BRDC loves motor sport and we are looking forward to the MotoGP as well as the British Grand Prix.”

A provisional 2010 F1 calendar has already been released and will be finalised later this week. Should everything remain as it is now the 2010 British Grand Prix will be held on 11 July.

With a secure deal in place, it is expected the BRDC will now undertake redevlopments to improve the facilities at Silverstone.

[Source: Reuters UK]

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MINI Challenge

MINI CHALLENGE 2009 – Round 8, Race 1

The final round of the 2009 MINI Challenge saw the series arrive at a new street circuit in Sydney’s Olympic precinct. On paper, the track layout look quite bland, but in reality there’s plenty there to keep the drivers on their toes.

This was something series leader Paul Stokell certainly discovered in the first race. Needing just 24 points this weekend to wrap up the 2009 title Stokell made it hard for himself registering a DNF in Race 1.

Former Australian Touring Car Champion Glenn Seton returned to the MINI Challenge at Homebush and showed the field a clean pair of heels in Race 1. Chris Alajajian finished second, while Scott Bargwanna rounded out the top three.

Racing in the Uber-Star Car this weekend was current Le Mans champion David Brabham. Showing his adaptability, Brabham brought his MINI home in fourth place in the first race.

Race 2 was won by Chris Alajajian, with Scott Bargwanna and Nathan Caratti not far behind. Rounding out a great weekend, Glenn Seton won again in Race 3, with the consistent duo of Bargwanna and Alajajian finding their way to the podium again.

While Stokell didn’t have a great weekend, he did bag the points he needed. Scoring 54 points in all, that was enough to ecure the 2009 MINI Challenge title. Congratulations to Paul and the DecoRug team. Meanwhile, Glenn Seton and Chris Alajajian finished the round tied on 162 points, but Seton got the overall victory on account of his two races win. A mere six points behind was Scott Bargwanna in third.

You can see the second part of Race 1 after the jump, along with a brief interview featuring David Brabham. Highlights of this round will be on Channel 7 nationally on Saturday 19 December, check your local guides for details.

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Formula 1

F1: Young Aussie tops time sheets at Jerez

Daniel Ricciardo

Remember the name Daniel Ricciardo, it could be the next Australian name in Formula One if the 20 year old Western Australian’s career continues on its current trajectory. Earlier this year Daniel won the British Formula 3 title with the Volkswagen powered Carlin team. He dominated the series winning seven of the 13 races.

Surprisingly, Ricciardo also dominated the time sheets on day three of F1 testing at Jerez where he was driving an RB5-02 for Red Bull Racing. Completing 77 laps in all his best time of 1:17.418 was almost one second faster than the rest of the field. Not only that, it is the quickest lap recorded at Jerez for all of 2009.

“These last three days have been an incredible experience for me,” said Daniel. “I would like to thank Red Bull for giving me this great opportunity, which has made me even more determined to make it into Formula 1 one day. I know it was just a test, but seeing my name on the top of today’s timesheet was really something special.”

Red Bull were testing aerodynamic components for their 2010 machine and who knows, maybe it won’t be long until Mark Webber has a mate atop the F1 podium.

More pics from Daniel and Red Bull Racing at Jerez can be seen after the jump. For background info there is also a press release from Volkswagen Motorsport announcing Ricciardo’s 2009 British F3 success.

[via The Motor Report]

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Citroen WRC

Kimi Raikkonen signs with Citroën junior rally team

Kimi signs with Citroen Racing

Kimi Raikonnen will take part in 12 of the 13 rounds of next year’s World Rally Championship. The news was confirmed earlier today by Citroën Sport, who announced Raikonnen will form part of their Citroën Junior Team racing in C4 WRCs.

According to Kimi this deal fulfils a life long ambition, “I always wanted to compete in rally, especially in the World Rally Championship at some point in my career.

“Thanks to Red Bull, I have the opportunity to drive the best car of the series with the Citroën C4. This is a new but very exciting challenge. For the moment we have a one-year contract and we will see how it goes for the future. I am really looking forward to testing the car and taking the start of the first rally.”

Raikkonen took part in the Rally of Finland earlier this year, behind the wheel of a Fiat (pictured above) and, well, things didn’t exactly work out for the best. Here’s hopeing he keeps it shiny side up in 2010.

[Source: Citroën Racing]

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Formula 1

Sauber granted entry to F1

Peter Sauber

Earlier in the week the FIA released the full list of teams that had been signed off for the 2010 season. At that time Peter Sauber had nothing to smile about as his team was not on the list. He remained confident, though, that his team’s pit lane access would be granted. And so it has been, as the brief statement from the FIA below tells.

For his part Sauber can’t wait to get on with the job. “This is excellent news for the workforce in Hinwil. After many weeks of uncertainty, we have finally secured our place on the grid for 2010. Now we can enter into concrete negotiations with drivers and sponsors,” he said.

BMW’s conditions of sale dictated that the deal could not be finalised until the newly formed Sauber team was given a spot on the grid. Expect further details on the confirmation of the BMW-Sauber sale to be announced shortly.

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Formula 1 Renault

Prodrive linked to Renault F1 buyout

Renault F1

The Renault quitting F1 rumours first emerged around a month ago. But, then… silence. Until now. According to autosport.com Renault execs have been discussing the company’s future in Formula One, with the very high possibility that the team will be sold to Dave Richards’ Prodrive outfit.

Prodrive have been flirting with the idea of joining the F1 posse for some time now, and perhaps all the planets are about to align for them. With Richards owning a stake in Aston Martin there is even a slim chance that we could see a team under the Aston Martin banner in F1. That would be something!

A Prodrive spokesman put their wishes in very clear terms, as reported on autosport.com: “We cannot comment on the Renault situation, but it is well known that our intention is to get back into F1.”

Despite increasing speculation Renault’s F1 team are busy working on preparing the car for the 2010 season, being one of the many teams currently testing in Jerez. Several staffing issues have also been finalised in a bid to improve its chances for success next year.

[Source: autosport.com]

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Formula 1 Mercedes-Benz

Schumacher adds to F1 return rumours

Michael Schumacher karting in Brazil

Michael Schumacher spent last weekend wiping the floor against an impressive driver line up at a karting meet in Brazil. After taking out the Florianópolis 2009 event, which included current F1 drivers Felipe Massa, Rubens Barrichello and Tonio Liuzzi, Schumacher also added fuel to his F1 comeback with Mercedes GP fire.

It has been reported across the interwebz now that when pressed about a possible F1 return Schumacher replied, “Who knows? Anything can happen.”

His driving form clearly seems up to scratch and, physically, he claims to be raring to go, “I don’t have any problems with my neck. It’s 100 per cent,” Schumacher said.

Now, if you believe Ross Brawn, this story is a whole lot of hogwash driven by a fanciful meedyah contingent. Well, yeah, of course it is. But that’s because it makes such a cracking story. Anyway, late last week it was reported that Brawn told German newspaper Bild, “The issue now haunts the media, I know, but there is nothing in it.

“Michael would have returned to the cockpit for Ferrari but only temporarily. He has no ambitions to start a new career.”

Contrasting that stance is an article from UK newspaper The Mirror claiming Mercedes have offered Schumi carte blanche with the new team. That is, he can pick any job he so desires. The article states, “The German car giant is so desperate to persuade the nation’s most famous racer to join their new Formula One campaign as a manufacturer they have told him he can have any job in the team even if he does not want to race.”

In the words of that famous philosopher Mr Nike-Marketingmachine, Michael—just do it!

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BMW Formula 1

Revamped Sauber team not on F1’s latest 2010 entry list

BMW Sauber F1.09

As ever Formula One is playing with the hearts and minds of its competitors. Last Friday BMW agreed to sell the remnants of its team back to former owner Peter Sauber. An interesting Q&A piece with the 66-year-old entrepreneur discussing the deal can be read on the Formula1.com website.

In that article Sauber mentions development of their car for 2010 season is well under way. This is largely thanks to Ferrari who will be supplying engines to the reformed team. That’s the good news.

The not so good news comes from the FIA—overnight the FIA released it’s 2010 entry list. There are only 12 teams on that list and Sauber is not one of them.

A major condition of BMW’s sale is that the deal can only be finalised if a new Sauber team is granted a starting place on the 2010 grid. A sticking point in this outcome is the fact that 13 teams had already signed a Concorde Agreement with the FIA for the 2010 season. Of course, neither Sauber or BMW are one of those signatories. However, Toyota is. Given they have since withdrawn from the sport one would assume that Sauber could fill the void, so to speak.

Indeed, this possibility is spoken of with confidence by Peter Sauber in his interview mentioned above. Sauber explained, “The FIA had already promised us the 14th slot on the grid. Under that circumstance it would have been our obligation to persuade the one team [Williams] that had voted against us to accept our entry.”

More news on this story as it comes to hand. BMW’s press release on the sale back to Sauber can be read below.

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Formula 1 Volkswagen

Hans Stuck: Volkswagen is thinking about F1

Hans-Joachim Stuck

Volkswagen ambassador and former Formula One driver Hans-Joachim Stuck says the German auto giant is flirting with the idea of becoming an F1 engine supplier. “If you’re the world’s largest manufacturer is natural that we’re thinking about [F1], but not before 2012,” he said.

New rules which are set to change the way the sport is run are attractive to a company like Volkswagen. Speaking to Autosport, Stuck explains, “We’re looking for innovative things, and Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport. Two years ago there was some talk that Volkswagen is going to buy the Red Bull F1 team, which we didn’t need to buy. Why should we stick with one team if we can give our engines to more teams?”

Stuck believes that purchasing a team is too costly and doesn’t suit a large manufacturer, whereas the ability to be a supplier for multiple teams has more appeal for all involved, “It’s like Formula 1 in my days. We had March, we had Lotus, and we had Ford engines. Then Renault came in as engine manufacturer, with a formidable engine. This was perfect.

“I followed Formula One for the last seven years with BMW and I always asked myself on the grid, with only 20 cars, what if we could have 30 cars? Now we’re getting back to this.”

While F1 is the ultimate, Volkswagen has enjoyed success in feeder categories of late, as well as being the current Dakar Rally champions. Of more relevance, are the British and German F3 titles recently won by Volkswagen powered cars.

[Source: Autosport]

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MINI Challenge

MINI CHALLENGE 2009 – Round 7 TV highlights

The penultimate round of the Australian MINI Challenge was held at Western Australia’s Barbagallo Raceway last weekend. Like last year, the event involved a race ending incident for Uber-Star driver Leanne Tander. The accident happened early in Race 3, and was the precursor to a disastrous restart that saw many in the field confused by the starters orders.

Confusion on the grid is never a good thing, but when back half the field are going all out, and the front half are hesitating, or just standing still, well, it will always get ugly.

Staying out of trouble, though, was series leader Paul Stokell who pretty sealed the title with a solid showing across the three races. Local driver Nathan Caratti was the star of the weekend, winning two races and finishing second in the other.

Highlights of the three races can be seen in two clips, one above, the other after the break. Interestingly, some of the commentary for Race 3 has been re-done post event. This is most noticeable with the Leanne Tander-Aaron Caratti crash. Maybe this has always happened for the highlights shows, but I haven’t noticed it before. Full coverage and original commentary from Race 3 can be seen here.

The 2009 MINI Challenge reaches its conclusion next weekend at the Sydney 500, so make sure you keep an eye on your local TV guides for Channel 7’s live coverage.

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