A new press release from Ferrari has just arrived at AUSmotive HQ. The statement begins below and continues after the jump:
Ferrari has announced that the legendary seven-time World Champion, Michael Schumacher, will return to Formula One to replace injured Felipe Massa, subject to the successful completion of a training programme to get Schumacher back up to race fitness.
Headlines around the globe are announcing the return of, who many consider to be the world’s greatest ever Formula One racer, Michael Schumacher.
Although, interestingly, there is just a brief statement on the Ferrari website which states rather coyly:
Maranello, 29 July 2009 – “Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro intends to put Michael Schumacher in Felipe Massa’s car until the Brazilian driver will be able to race again. Michael Schumacher said he is ready and, over the next few days, will undertake a specifc training programme at the end of which confermation will be given of his participation in the Championship with effect from the European Grand Prix on the 23rd of August.”
However, it does seem certain that the seven time world champion will return to the F1 starting grid in just a few weeks. Of course, the ban on in-season testing means Schumacher cannot get behind the wheel of Ferrari’s F1 car until Friday practice at the European Grand Prix, to be held in Valencia, 21-23 August. It will be his first start in Formula One since the end of the 2006 season.
In related news Felipe Massa is expected to make a full recovery after his horrifying incident in qualifying at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. Although, it remains unclear if he will be able to return to racing this season. If so, that would leave Schumacher to fill in for seven races.
By their standards, Ferrari’s season to date has been dreadful. But, after Kimi Raikonnen’s strong showing last weekend, where he finished second, it looks as though Ferrari are on the improve. Will we see Schumacher on the winner’s podium again?
[More: BBC, Formula1.com, FoxSports.com.au, TimesOnline | Image: AFP]
Today’s earlier rumour has proven to be correct correct, BMW will exit Formula One at the end of the 2009 Season.
BMW’s full press documents can be read after the jump, however, this quote from Dr Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, sums up the company’s position:
“Of course, this was a difficult decision for us. But it’s a resolute step in view of our company’s strategic realignment. Premium will increasingly be defined in terms of sustainability and environmental compatibility. This is an area in which we want to remain in the lead. In line with our Strategy Number ONE, we are continually reviewing all projects and initiatives to check them for future viability and sustainability. Our Formula One campaign is thus less a key promoter for us. Mario Theissen has been in charge of our motor sports program since 1999. We have scored a large number of successes in this period, including some in Formula One racing. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mario Theissen and his team for this.”
BMW have announced what appears to be a hastily convened press conference at its headquarters in Munich. It has been suggested that the German giant could be set to announce its departure from Formula One at the end of the current season. The press conference will be held in the next few hours.
Heading the press conference will be BMW Chairman, Dr Norbert Reithofer and he will be accompanied by senior executives Dr Klaus Draeger, Director for Development, and Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director.
BMW are believed to be close to signing a Concorde Agreement that would commit the team to Formula One through to the completion of the 2012 season. However, this new revelation clearly puts that commitment in serious doubt.
So, BMW could be set to follow Honda and quit F1. Quite where that would leave the Sauber compnent of the BMW Sauber team is anyone’s guess at the moment.
Perhaps the only other news from BMW Motorsport that would generate such heavy hitters at a press conference would be an unlikely announcement that they have lured Michael Schumacher out of retirement.
[Source: autosport | Thanks to Chris for the tip]
Nick Heidfeld has chalked up another publicity event at the Nürburgring. Two years after driving his BMW Sauber F1.06 around the Nürburgring Nordschleife he has teamed up with Australian BMW Superbike rider Troy Corser to swap his race suit for some leathers.
This is what Heidfeld had to say after taking the 200hp Superbike for a few laps: “It was a sensational experience, thank you to everyone! I had expected the Superbike to be a huge leap over the production version… The difference is huge. On the one hand the Superbike is more aggressive, builds up more grip and has the superior brakes, but on the other hand it is easier to ride because you can control it so well. The handling is very precise. Obviously I’m still miles from the limit with the superbike; I would love to have done a lot more laps.”
Meanwhile, two-time World Superbike Champion Corser was amazed at the braking capability of the F1 car: “It was just awesome! The car feels so balanced and the brakes are fantastic, the tyres have unbelievable grip and the steering is very direct but still has a lot of feeling. I can’t believe how hard and late you can brake. I know I was braking too early and I really would like to have a day or two with the car to really see what I can do with it.”
A video and a couple of extra pics can be seen after the jump. No doubt the day was a lot of fun for the 700 fans and team partners who attended. And, this time, Heidfeld didn’t have to go home feeling a touch embarrassed!
Following his outstanding maiden Grand Prix victory last round, the good news for Mark Webber keeps on coming with confirmation that he has re-signed with Red Bull Racing for the 2010 Formula One season.
A confident Webber says he has enjoyed his time with the Milton-Keynes based team and is keen to carry on, “I’m extremely happy that Red Bull and I have been able to agree to race together again next year.
“Even in the leaner and tougher years at the start of my relationship with the team, I’ve always enjoyed working with them, so now to go through this purple patch, which we hope will continue for a good while to come, makes the work even more enjoyable.”
Webber, not done with the current year, already has his sights set on the 2010 season, “We’ve got a very exciting finish to this year’s Championship, but I’m also looking forward to helping to develop and race the RB6 in the 2010 World Championship.”
Mark will join current teammate Sebastian Vettel next year and as you would expect team boss Christian Horner is happy with his driver pairing, “I’m delighted that we have re-signed Mark for 2010. He has continued to show huge commitment and determination this season, especially following his bike accident at the end of last year.
“His recent results show he is on the form of his life – most notably with his recent win at the German GP – and he has the motivation to deliver at the highest level. It was therefore a straightforward decision to extend the relationship. We believe that the driver line-up of Mark and Sebastian is one of the strongest in the sport.”
The R35 Nissan GT-R will be making its European endurance racing debut this weekend at the Spa 24 hour race. This marks the first appearance of a factory backed GT-R at the race since it won the event back in 1991 under Group A touring car regulations. The 2009 race forms part of the FIA GT calendar and sees entries from some of motorsport’s biggest names, including Aston Martin, Audi, Corvette, Ford, Ferrari, Maserati and Porsche.
Nissan Motorsport have completed 10,000kms in testing since the car’s initial shakedown last December. The car will be driven by German Michael Krumm and Britons Darren Turner and ex-F1 driver Anthony Davidson.
Live timing for the event can be accessed from mstworld.com. Judging by the times posted during a wet Free Practice 1 the GT-R will be giving the established runners a stern test indeed.
Click here for a closer look at the famous Spa circuit layout.
Last week AUSmotive showed a great rallying montage from YouTube. Well, for your enjoyment, here’s another one. Albeit on a slightly more local and humble scale. This is some rare footage of the 1981 Castrol Rally which included a few stages on the streets of Canberra’s southern suburbs.
In the good old days of Canberra’s development the NCDC had control of the city and infrastructure for new suburbs was completed well before any houses were built. The perfect location for a tarmac rally, then.
The footage captured in this clip was filmed in the suburb of Fadden—near Bugden Avenue, Partridge Street and Airey Crescent. Make sure you watch for the Datto 1600 right at the end!
[Source: RiotACT]
Round 3 of the MINI CHALLENGE took place on a new street circuit in Townsville. While it was a new track, it was the same story as far as the results go. Paul Stokell came away with the round win to extend his championship lead to 123 points over Chris Alajajian.
The feature event for the weekend was Race 3 which featured a new compulsory pit stop for a driver change. The two driver pairing was optional, but even if a driver chose to drive the race solo, like Paul Stokell did, he would still have to come into the pits and remain stationary for a minimum of 60 seconds. The theory sounds a bit odd, but by all accounts the drivers gave the concept the thumbs up.
“I really enjoyed the Enduro format,” said Stokell, “I’m a bit surprised but naturally pleased that we were able to account for the field the way we did. I’d like to win my sixth Australian Championship if I can and this is helping my points situation.”
The time for the final race was increased from the usual 20 minutes to 35 minutes, although a big accident off the start line involving three cars saw the second drive stint reduced.
John Modystach’s MINI suffered the worst of the impact in the opening lap incident, but fortunately he walked away okay. “It’s devastating,” pondered Modystach, “we were having a really good weekend but it’s ended so badly.”
Rally ace Chris Atkinson drove the Uber Star car and put in a very solid performance earning a second place in feature event.
TV highlights from the round can be seen in two parts, with the second clip available after the jump. An image gallery from Townsville can be seen on the MINI CHALLENGE website.
Strap yourselves in for 5 minutes and 23 seconds of rallying porn. This “home made” clip captures the highs and lows of rallying, featuring footage from the last 30 years or so. Including plenty of action from the World Rally Championship.
Vatanen, Kankkunen, Sainz, Mäkinen, McRae, Gronholm. Audi, Ford, Lancia, Mitsubishi, Renault, Subaru, Toyota. All the big names are there, and then some. Well, except for Loeb and Citröen. But don’t mind that, this is a superb bit of YouTube kit. Enjoy!
[Source: YouTube – amjayes | Thanks to Al for the tip]
Just in case you can’t get enough of Mark Webber’s maiden Grand Prix win, check out his column on the BBC F1 website. Here’s a bit of what he has to say:
“I do think the fact that I have my first Grand Prix win finally under my belt has sunk in.
It definitely helps that it hasn’t come out of nowhere. The momentum has been building a while —I’ve now had two second place finishes and a win in my last three GPs—and I’ve known for a while this season that the team and I could do this…”
UPDATE: For more on Mark Webber from the BBC – “Why Webber always had star quality”
[Source: BBC | Thanks to Wayne for the TXT | Thanks to Sean for the second link]
Media outlets across Australia have been reporting on Mark Webber’s maiden Grand Prix win all morning. The in car audio from Mark after the race, which captured his raw emotion, is still being played, “Yes, yes, yeehah. You f@#king beauty!”
His celebrations were typically Australian, he wore his heart on his sleeve and just as in the race, he left nothing behind. Speaking on ABC radio overnight, Will Hagon described Webber’s release of emotion as being the culmination of not one race, or one result, but his entire motorsport career.
As a young boy starting his racing career at the Fairbairn Park karting track in Canberra, Webber would have been dreaming of this day. Now he has reached the summit. Mark Webber, from the small New South Wales city of Queanbeyan, is a Grand Prix winner!
Even better than that, his Red Bull Racing team are providing he and Sebastian Vettel with a potential championship winning car. They have clearly been the form team of the last few races and last night’s results saw both Vettel and Webber close the gap to championship leader Jenson Button.
Button heads the championship table with 68 points, Vettel is second on 47 points. Webber’s win sees him leap frog Rubens Barichello into third place in the driver’s championship on 45.5 points, with the Brazilian in fourth on 44 points. Felipe Massa is fifth in the driver standings, back on just 22 points.
After Brawn GP’s early season jump start on the competition, Red Bull Racing are also narrowing the gap in the constructor’s title which now stands, Brawn GP 112 points, Red Bull Racing 92.5 points and Toyota, third, on 34.5 points.
Mark Webber is just the third Australian driver to win a Formula One race, following in the footsteps of Alan Jones and Sir Jack Brabham. Amazingly, Webber’s maiden victory came in his 130th race start—Alan Jones had 116 race starts in his entire career, Brabham had 126. Let’s hope Webber can continue the legacy of Australians who have won a Grand Prix race have also gone on to win a World Championship.
Full driver quotes from the post-race press conference are available from Formula1.com. Red Bull Racing’s media release, along with a vast gallery of images from the race are available after the jump.