Formula One News

Updated Friday November 21, 2008 at 8:30am

The latest 50 news items. All links will open in a new window. View Sources

Top ten F1 drivers: Kimi Raikkonen [6].
Kimi Raikkonen takes sixth place in your vote for the top F1 driver of the year.
11/21/2008 5:28:44 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Donington F1 decision delayed.
Donington Park will have to wait until the New Year to discover if redevelopment can take place.
11/21/2008 5:11:54 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Bourdais: STR problem ‘purely financial’.
Sebastien Bourdais admits he doesn’t expect a decision on his F1 future to be taken any time soon as Toro Rosso seeks funding for ‘09.
11/21/2008 4:44:35 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Fisichella unconcerned over ‘09.
Giancarlo Fisichella admits he doesn’t fear for his Formula One drive in 2009.
11/21/2008 4:18:33 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

F1: Brabham family statement
50th ANNIVERSARY 1959 - 2009 Celebrating Sir Jack Brabham’s first Formula 1 World Championship Official statement from the Brabham family Ferndown, Dorset, November 20, 2008: The Brabham family would like to absolutely and categorically state that the range of cars and accessories being publicised under the Brabham name at the Essen Motor Show 2008 and on global websites, has nothing to do with the Brabham family, or its long and respected motor racing heritage, in any way. It is clear…
11/21/2008 3:40:40 AM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

FOTA to discuss new qualifying format
The Formula One Teams’ Association, FOTA, will discuss a new qualifying format for the sport when the body meets next month.
11/21/2008 2:35:39 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Bernie Ecclestone divorce confirmed.
It has been confirmed that Bernie Ecclestone and wife Slavica are to divorce after 24 years of marriage - leaving the F1 ringmaster facing an unprecedented legal battle to regain his personal fortune…
11/20/2008 11:03:32 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

What was best F1 overtaking move of 2008?
Have your say by voting for the best overtaking manoeuvre performed in F1 in 2008 - was it made by Hamilton, Massa, Raikkonen, Alonso, Heidfeld, Vettel, Kovalainen - or someone else..?
11/20/2008 9:29:11 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

What was F1’s best overtaking move of 2008?
Have your say by voting for the best overtaking manoeuvre performed in F1 in 2008 - was it made by Hamilton, Massa, Raikkonen, Alonso, Heidfeld, Vettel, Kovalainen - or someone else..?
11/20/2008 9:29:11 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Bourdais: Money crucial in STR decision
Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais says Toro Rosso’s line-up for the 2009 season will be decided by money as much as skill.
11/20/2008 9:20:24 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Sato: I don’t want to think about a Plan B.
Ex-Super Aguri star Takuma Sato is positive after his test for Scuderia Toro Rosso in Barcelona - confident he gave ‘more than 100 per cent’ as he bids to return to F1 in 2009, and not even wanting to consider the alternatives…
11/20/2008 8:20:37 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Kubica: 2009 F1 cars don’t look ‘the best’.
BMW-Sauber star Robert Kubica agrees with Christian Klien that the interim 2009 F1 cars are ugly, whilst team-mate Nick Heidfeld still has concerns about the new KERS system after testing in Barcelona.
11/20/2008 7:19:04 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Fisichella adamant his future is safe
Giancarlo Fisichella says he is not worried about his future at the Force India team, despite Pedro de la Rosa testing for the Silverstone-based squad.
11/20/2008 7:06:43 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Sutil: I’d be fast in a McLaren.
Force India F1 star Adrian Sutil insists he has no worries about the safety of his drive in 2009 - and even goes as far as to argue that he’d be ‘fast in a McLaren’ should the opportunity be presented to him.
11/20/2008 6:36:31 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

F1 chief Ecclestone: I’m not unreasonable.
F1 commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone insists he is far from ‘unreasonable’, as Montreal politicians have called him - and argues he never wanted the Canadian Grand Prix to disappear from the calendar.
11/20/2008 5:44:40 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Loeb ‘good enough for F1, says Red Bull
Multiple World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb has been hailed ‘good enough’ for Formula One by the Red Bull Racing team after the Frenchman tested one of their cars at Barcelona on Monday.
11/20/2008 4:49:19 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Top ten F1 drivers: Sebastien Bourdais [7].
Sbastien Bourdais takes seventh place in your vote for the top F1 driver of the year.
11/20/2008 4:42:13 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Q and A with Bridgestone’s Kobayashi
Q and A with Bridgestone’s Kobayashi
11/20/2008 4:36:53 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Bridgestone yet to decide on ‘09 tyres
Bridgestone’s technical manager Tetsuro Kobayashi says the Japanese manufacturer is still some time away from choosing the tyres allocations for the 2009 season.
11/20/2008 4:30:28 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

di Grassi: Nationality nothing to do with it.
GP2 Series front-runner Lucas di Grassi insists that if he earns an F1 drive with Honda in 2009, it will be on the strength of his talent - not his nationality.
11/20/2008 4:03:21 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Briatore: Renault back at their best
Renault team boss Flavio Briatore is adamant the French squad are back to their best following their strong end of the 2008 season.
11/20/2008 3:22:36 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Autocourse the F1 bible, says Murray Walker.
The 2008 Autocourse annual is now just around the corner - and it has received the ringing endorsement of none other than legendary F1 commentator Murray Walker…
11/20/2008 3:11:20 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Senna says he did what Honda expected
Bruno Senna believes he did all the Honda Racing team expected from him during his first test at the wheel of a Formula One car.
11/20/2008 2:50:10 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

French F1 hopes hit by Euro Disney pull-out.
The future of F1 in France now appears more doubtful than ever after Euro Disney announced it has withdrawn its bid to host the French Grand Prix.
11/20/2008 2:23:25 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

F1: McLaren Mercedes Barcelona test notes 2008-11-19
TEST REPORT - BARCELONA - DAY THREE Date Wednesday November 19 2008 Drivers Gary Paffett Location Barcelona Track length 4.655km Weather Bright and warm with clear skies. Laps completed 81 Kilometres covered 377km Best laptime 1m21.140 at 12:13pm Programme Conclusion of a very productive three-day test and Gary’s second and final day in the KERS-equipped MP4-23K. The team had no issues today and was happy with the progress it had made understanding the slick …
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Ferrari Barcelona test notes 2008-11-19
Maranello, 19th November Circuit: Circuit de Catalunya - 4.655 km Driver: Luca Badoer Car: F2008 Weather: air temperature 7/18 C, track temperature 8/23 C. Sunny. Today saw this test session come to an end for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro and eight other teams, at the Catalunya Circuit, near Barcelona. Today, only Luca Badoer was on track, bringing to a close the engine and gearbox reliability programme begun back on Monday. He also continued with development of new components aimed at…
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Force India Barcelona test notes 2008-11-19
Vettel fastest again on final day in Spain Sebastian Vettel continued his strong form by topping the final day of this week’s Barcelona test, as the two Red Bull teams again monopolised the leading positions in Spain. On a bright and sunny day at the Catalunya track, Vettel set a best time of 1:19.295 for Red Bull Racing, putting him 0.6 seconds clear of Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Bourdais. The Frenchman beat Sebastien Buemi, one of his two rivals for an STR seat next year, by 0.3 seconds…
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Williams Barcelona test notes 2008-11-19
DAY 3 OF 3 Circuit: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.4.655km Test Objective: Preparation work for 2009 Weather: Sunny and dry. Av. air temperature: 10C Sam Michael, Technical Director: “For this week’s Barcelona test, we ran the interim FW30B car in order to continue our preparation work for 2009. The car has a lower downforce level to the 30, and more closely represents what the teams expect to run next season. Obviously the aero components…
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Honda Barcelona test notes 2008-11-19
Date Wednesday 19 November Track Circuit de Catalunya, Spain Drivers Jenson Button / Bruno Senna No of Laps 94 laps / 107 laps Best Lap Time 01:21.387 / 1:21.676 Kilometres Covered 936km Track Length 4.655km Total Test Laps 585 laps Total Test Kilometres 2723km Weather Cold and sunny Ambient Temperature Maximum 18C …
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Red Bull Barcelona test notes 2008-11-19
Driver: Sebastian Vettel Car: RB4 05 Time: 1:19.295, Laps: 75 Fastest Lap: See above Circuit length: 4.655 km On the final day of this three day test, Sebastian Vettel once again set the fastest time of the day, working on a programme centred on evaluation of the Bridgestone slick tyres to be used in 2009. The car ran throughout with the levels of downforce that can be expected next year. “It was good to be back in a race car again, for the first time since…
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: BME Sauber Barcelona test notes 2008-11-19
November 17th - 19th 2008 Day three - Wednesday Weather conditions: Sunny all day. Temperature: Air: 7 - 18C, Track: 9 - 23C Number of drivers participating: 13 of 9 teams Fastest lap overall: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) 1:19.295 min Circuit length: 4.655 km Nick Heidfeld Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-03 / BMW 86/9 Test kilometres today: 494 km (106 laps) Fastest lap: 1:21.592 min Christian Klien Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-06 / BMW 86/9 KERS …
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Renault Barcelona test notes 2008-11-19
The ING Renault F1 Team completes its Barcelona test. Nelson Piquet, R28-04/05, 94 laps, 438 km, fastest lap 1:22.148 The ING Renault F1 Team concluded its opening winter test session today at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona. The team continued working with the R28 as Nelson Piquet completed his third day of work this week. The team’s programme saw further continuation of slick tyre evaluation and R&D work with an R28 that was set up to simulate 2009 settings. Nelson had a…
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Toro Rosso Barcelona test notes 2008-11-19
The three day session came to an end today, and as was also the case yesterday, the Toro Rosso drivers were second and third fastest overall. “There was a twofold purpose to these three days, firstly evaluating drivers for next year and secondly assessing the 2009 Bridgestone slick tyres, while running with the level of downforce we expect to have next season,” said Chief Engineer, Laurent Mekies. “The high number of laps completed means we have been able to carry out both these tasks…
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Red Bull’s Vettel again tops Barcelona test
Whether he’s buying a London mansion with his Pussycat Doll girlfriend, calculating how to drive faster than a man on a bicycle, or otherwise gilding his golden life, world driving champion Lewis Hamilton has not been in Barcelona, Spain, this week to test Formula One cars. The man who could become his chief rival has. …
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Barcelona test times 2008-11-19
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Ecclestone’s latest idea is no joke
While the Formula One fans cry out on the forums and blog pages, expressing their dismay at Bernie Ecclestone’s latest idea, many of their comments will no doubt fall on deaf ears. One comment expressed is thoughts that perhaps the “new points system” was a very early April Fools’ joke. Several feel that over the past several years, since the departure of Michael Schumacher, that the boss of F1 is consistently killing the series that is truly the pinnacle of all racing. …
11/19/2008 10:49:03 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Red Bull’s Vettel again tops Barcelona test
Whether he’s buying a London mansion with his Pussycat Doll girlfriend, calculating how to drive faster than a man on a bicycle, or otherwise gilding his golden life, world driving champion Lewis Hamilton has not been in Barcelona, Spain, this week to test Formula One cars. The man who could become his chief rival has. Sebastian Vettel again set fastest time during testing at Circuit de Catalunya on Wednesday. Driving a Red Bull RB4 over the 2.89-mile course in sunny, coolish conditions,…
11/19/2008 5:30:59 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Ecclestone’s latest wish is no joke
While the Formula One fans cry out on the forums and blog pages, expressing their dismay at Bernie Ecclestone’s latest idea, many of their comments will no doubt fall on deaf ears. One comment expressed is thoughts that perhaps the “new points system” was a very early April Fools joke. Several feel that over the past several years, since the departure of Michael Schumacher, that the boss of F1 is consistency killing the series that is truly the pinacle of all racing. First there was…
11/19/2008 5:30:59 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

Sebs rule F1 in Spain with 1-2-3 on last day.
It was a good day to be called ‘Seb’ in Barcelona, as Sebastian Vettel saw off all comers again on the final day of testing for Red Bull, and Sbastien Bourdais and Sbastien Buemi completed the top three for Toro Rosso.
11/19/2008 12:05:31 PM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Barcelona F1 test - day three: 19 November.
It’s a Seb one-two-three on the final day of the first F1 winter test of 2008/09 at Barcelona, as Messrs Vettel, Bourdais and Buemi leave the others fairly trailing around the Circuit de Catalunya.
11/19/2008 10:14:33 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Vettel fastest again on final day in Spain
Sebastian Vettel continued his strong form by topping the final day of this week’s Barcelona test, as the two Red Bull teams again monopolised the leading positions in Spain
11/19/2008 9:47:19 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Olympic medals to boost overtaking in F1?
Bernie Ecclestone’s desire to see Olympic Games-style medals introduced into F1 in 2009 in an effort to produce more fighting, better racing and less ‘driving for points’ takes a step closer to fruition.
11/19/2008 7:18:55 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Heidfeld pleased with BMW’s early start
Nick Heidfeld says he is pleased that BMW Sauber appear to be more advanced with their preparations for the 2009 rules than many rival teams - but admitted that they still have a great deal to do
11/19/2008 6:35:55 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Buemi expects quick Toro Rosso decision
Sebastien Buemi says he is expecting to hear whether he has got a Toro Rosso drive soon after this week’s testing shoot-out, as he believes the team want to use their 2009 race drivers for the remaining winter tests
11/19/2008 5:38:32 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Q and A with Sebastien Buemi
Q and A with Sebastien Buemi
11/19/2008 5:36:52 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Top ten F1 drivers: Jarno Trulli [8].
Jarno Trulli takes eighth place in your vote for the top F1 driver of the year.
11/19/2008 5:32:18 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Schu: Rubens wasn’t fast enough to be no.1.
Michael Schumacher has responded to former Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello’s threat to one day reveal the ‘truth’ of their time together at Ferrari, insisting the Brazilian was never quick enough to be number one.
11/19/2008 4:32:09 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Schu: Rubens wasn’t quick enough to be no.1.
Michael Schumacher has responded to former Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello’s threat to one day reveal the ‘truth’ of their time together at Ferrari, insisting the Brazilian was never quick enough to be number one.
11/19/2008 4:32:09 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Sutil not threatened by de la Rosa test
Adrian Sutil insists he did not feel threatened by Pedro de la Rosa’s test for Force India at Catalunya this week, and remains confident he will be with the team next year
11/19/2008 4:28:12 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Gene happy to be back on ‘real track’.
Marc Gene has admitted that it is great to be back at the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car and turning corners….
11/19/2008 4:18:45 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

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