Formula One News

Updated Thursday January 22, 2009 at 10:45am

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

Ferrari boosted by progress with KERS
Ferrari’s hopes of racing with their KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) at the start of the season have been boosted, with the team’s senior engineer suggesting progress with the device is going ‘in the best possible way.’
1/22/2009 7:37:16 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Kovalainen: I’ve earned my place at McLaren.
Heikki Kovalainen has suggested spending more time at the McLaren Technology Centre and with the team’s designers and engineers in 2009 will be the key to repeating his Hungarian Grand Prix triumph ‘many times’.
1/22/2009 7:26:08 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Ecclestone insists Indian GP on for 2011
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone says the sport remains committed to racing in India in 2011.
1/22/2009 7:21:10 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Heidfeld focussed on F1 title, not first win.
Nick Heidfeld has yet to win his first grand prix in nine years of F1 competition, but little matter, the BMW-Sauber star underlines - all he cares about is fighting for the drivers’ world championship.
1/22/2009 5:54:06 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

F1 rivals question ‘illegal’ new Ferrari.
Ferrari has already run into controversy even before the 2009 F1 World Championship campaign has got underway - with three of the Scuderia’s rivals questioning the legality of its new F60.
1/22/2009 4:47:22 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Ecclestone: Formula Two ‘done for wrong reasons’.
F1 commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone has renewed his verbal attack on FIA President Max Mosley by suggesting that the latter’s new Formula Two initiative was launched only in an effort to re-establish his reputation.
1/22/2009 4:32:13 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Algarve test halted due to rain
The final day of testing at the Algarve circuit in Portugal has been red flagged due to the poor weather conditions.
1/22/2009 4:22:29 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Villeneuve: Canadian Grand Prix ‘a terrible loss’.
Former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has lamented the loss of the Canadian Grand Prix around Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve from the 2009 calendar as ‘very sad’ and ‘a terrible loss’.
1/22/2009 3:43:42 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Q and A with Timo Glock
Q and A with Timo Glock
1/22/2009 3:32:35 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Glock positive about new Toyota
Timo Glock was positive about Toyota’s new car following his first test of the TF109 on Wednesday at the Portimao circuit.
1/22/2009 3:30:11 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Top Gear uses four Stigs, reveals BBC.
Ben Collins, Julian Bailey, Damon Hill, Jay Kay, someone else..? It could be all of them, suggests the BBC, as Auntie claims there are as many as four different Stigs currently used on cult motoring show Top Gear.
1/22/2009 3:20:56 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Bernie: Only team F1 would miss is Ferrari.
F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone has given more ammunition to those who suggest that whilst all teams are equal, Ferrari is rather more equal than the others - whilst suggesting that Honda made a rod for their own back…
1/22/2009 2:41:23 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

F1: Renault Portimao test notes 2009-01-21
ING Renault F1 Team continues testing in the Algarve with Fernando Alonso. Fernando Alonso, R29-01, 86 laps, 404 km, fastest lap 1:31.743 The ING Renault F1 Team continued its first test of the 2009 season today as Fernando Alonso drove the team’s new car, the R29, for the first time at the Algarve Motor Park in Portugal. After two days of poor weather, conditions improved today with a blue sky and sunshine greeting the team for their third day of testing this week. Fernando took over…
1/21/2009 6:56:27 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: McLaren Mercedes Portimao test notes 2009-01-21
Driver Lewis Hamilton Location Autodromo Internacional do Algarve Track length 4.687km Weather Maximum track temp 30C Maximum ambient temp 13C Laps completed 81 Kilometres covered 380km Best laptime 1m30.242 at 17:15 Programme Lewis returned to the cockpit for his first taste of the 2009 regulations and the team’s new MP4-24 car. While the weather was markedly improved over the previous two days, the morning remained damp, requiring the continued use of an ‘08-spec rear wing and…
1/21/2009 6:56:27 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Toro Rosso Portimao test notes 2009-01-21
Algarve Circuit 4.686 kms Sebastien Buemi Chassis: STR3- 04 Best time: 1:27.987 Laps: 128 NO RAIN NO LUNCH At last, on the third day of this four day test, the rain kept away from southern Portugal, allowing some dry running, with the team cancelling its lunch break to get as much track time as possible. The track was still a bit damp in the morning, but around midday it was possible to fit slick tyres and serious work could begin, concentrating mainly on suspension…
1/21/2009 6:56:27 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Williams Portimao test notes 2009-01-21
Circuit: Autodromo do Algarve, Portugal.4.686km Objective: Initial systems, performance and reliability checks with the FW31. Weather: Rain early morning, clearing mid-morning and dry for the rest of the day. Average ambient temperature: 11C Sam Michael, Technical Director, Williams F1: “We had a wet track for the first couple of hours in Portimão today, but by late morning it had dried out enabling us to run slick tyres on the FW31 for the first time. It was a constructive day as we…
1/21/2009 6:56:27 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: BMW Sauber Valencia test notes 2009-01-21
Weather conditions: sunny all day, windy in the afternoon. Air temperature: 9 - 16 C, track temperature: 11 - 16 C Number of drivers participating: 1 (exclusive BMW Sauber F1 Team test) Circuit length: 4.005 km Robert Kubica Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.09-02 / BMW 86/9 Test kilometres today: 397 km (99 laps) Programme: On the first day of proper testing with the all-new BMW Sauber F1.09, the team continued the evaluation process begun yesterday during the shakedown. Robert Kubica…
1/21/2009 6:56:27 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Skies brighten, hasten F1 testing
Think he could get bored with this? Not so far, judging by times put up by Scuderia Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi on Wednesday at Algarve Motor Park in southern Portugal. At the wheel of an STR3-04, Buemi was again fastest during Formula One winter testing where five teams are taking part. …
1/21/2009 6:56:27 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Ferrari Mugello test notes 2009-01-21
Felipe’s first tests on Mugello circuit Maranello, 21st January Circuit: Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello - 5.245 km Driver: Felipe Massa Car: Ferrari F60 Weather: air temperature 8/11 C, track temperature 7/14 C. Overcast with occasional rain in the morning, permanently damp track. Third day of testing this week for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, working again today at the Mugello International Circuit. Today, it was Felipe Massa’s turn to take to the track, continuing with…
1/21/2009 6:56:27 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Toyota Portimao test notes 2009-01-21
Driver: Timo Glock Track length: 4.686km THREE-SY DOES IT Panasonic Toyota Racing enjoyed significantly better weather for day three of its test at Algarve Motor Park in Portugal. Following two rain-affected days, the clear skies on day three were a welcome relief and allowed Timo Glock his first chance to put the new TF109 through its paces. A damp track in the morning meant extreme wet Bridgestone Potenza tyres were required for the early running but by mid-morning Timo switched to…
1/21/2009 6:56:27 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

Buemi top for third day on trot in Portugal.
No change as Sebastien Buemi does it again and leads way on day three of F1 testing in Portugal.
1/21/2009 12:32:48 PM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Kubica: We’re moving in right direction.
Robert Kubica and BMW Sauber enjoy another sunny day in Valencia.
1/21/2009 11:55:07 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Massa continues Ferrari’s Mugello test.
Felipe Massa gets his turn to test at Mugello with the new Ferrari.
1/21/2009 11:39:43 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Portimao F1 test - day three: 21 January.
Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi leads the way in Portugal for the third day on the trot.
1/21/2009 11:18:18 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Hamilton encouraged by first ‘09 test
Lewis Hamilton said he was satisfied by his first day of testing in the 2009 McLaren, after returning to the track for the first time since he won the world championship last November
1/21/2009 11:12:51 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Buemi tops Portimao test again
Sebastien Buemi topped this week’s testing at Portimao for the third consecutive day after setting his best lap in the last minute of Wednesday’s running
1/21/2009 10:59:36 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Massa takes over at wet Mugello
Felipe Massa returned to the cockpit of the new Ferrari F60 at Mugello today, but poor weather continued to mar the test
1/21/2009 10:26:09 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

BMW continue F1.09 test at Valencia
Robert Kubica got the BMW Sauber F1.09’s testing programme underway in earnest at Valencia today
1/21/2009 9:56:47 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Heidfeld admits he doubted BMW F1 future.
Experienced F1 star Nick Heidfeld has revealed that there were times in 2008 when he was unsure if he would still be at BMW-Sauber this year, but turning his troubles around, he insists, has left him in good shape for 2009.
1/21/2009 9:11:13 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Briatore: Renault not F1 team most at risk.
Ahead of the 2009 season, Flavio Briatore has been outspoken about Renault’s commitment to F1, the team’s chances of regaining the world championship with star driver Fernando Alonso - and claims that he will soon walk away…
1/21/2009 8:12:17 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Buemi glad of wet weather mileage
Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Buemi believes that the past two days of wet testing at the Algarve circuit have helped his development as a Formula One driver
1/21/2009 7:05:55 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Technical analysis of the BMW F1.09
Technical analysis of the BMW F1.09
1/21/2009 6:36:01 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Lauda: F1 drivers should race in DTM too.
Former three-time F1 World Champion Niki Lauda has argued that today’s grand prix stars like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel could save their employers money by also competing in the DTM.
1/21/2009 6:35:10 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Raikkonen happy with Ferrari’s KERS
Kimi Raikkonen says he is quite happy with Ferrari’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System after his first test in the new Ferrari F60 at Mugello
1/21/2009 6:04:21 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Bad ‘09 would leave Toyota ‘no future’ in F1.
Toyota is under greater pressure than ever to finally win a grand prix in its eighth season of F1 in 2009, affirms the Japanese outfit’s Motorsport President John Howett - or else face the prospect of ‘no future’ in the sport.
1/21/2009 5:28:11 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Hamilton returns to the cockpit
World champion Lewis Hamilton has returned to the track for the first time since last year’s dramatic title-clinching race in Brazil
1/21/2009 4:05:55 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

De la Rosa surprised by 09-spec pace
McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa has admitted he is surprised by how similar the performance of the 2009-specification cars is compared to the higher-downforce cars used last year
1/21/2009 3:59:22 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Q and A with Trulli and Glock
Q and A with Trulli and Glock
1/21/2009 3:53:05 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Trulli: New cars very difficult in wet
Jarno Trulli says he found the 2009-specification Toyota ‘nearly impossible’ to drive in the wet conditions at Portimao yesterday, but is confident that the TF109 itself has good potential
1/21/2009 3:49:39 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

De la Rosa: No fears over KERS safety
Grand Prix Drivers’ Association chairman Pedro de la Rosa has no concerns over the safety of the new-for-2009 KERS, despite fears raised among some Formula One personnel that the systems cannot be completely safe
1/21/2009 3:07:26 AM   [F1 news - autosport.com]

Donington re-design ‘falls far short’ of F1.
Donington Park has come under fire yet again in its F1 re-development project that will see it replace Silverstone as the home of the British Grand Prix in 2010, with its re-design being branded ‘disappointingly weak’.
1/21/2009 2:50:05 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Kovalainen: Less expectation and stress in 2009.
Heikki Kovalainen has promised to put himself under less pressure during his second F1 season with McLaren-Mercedes in 2009, following a tough maiden campaign with the Woking-based outfit in 2008.
1/21/2009 2:17:44 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

Bernie ’surprised’ Ferrari not signed Vettel.
F1 commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone has confessed that he is ’surprised’ the sport’s youngest-ever race-winner Sebastian Vettel is not already at Ferrari - but is confident he will be one day…
1/21/2009 1:51:02 AM   [Crash.Net FORMULA ONE Newsfeed]

F1: Ferrari Mugello test notes 2009-01-20
Circuit: Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello - 5.245 km Driver: Kimi Raikkonen Car: Ferrari F60 Weather: air temperature 11 C, track temperature 10 C. Overcast with occasional rain. Second day of testing this week for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, working again today at the Mugello International Circuit. Kimi Raikkonen continued with development work on the new Ferrari F60, which he began yesterday. Once again, the day was affected by bad weather, with the track wet throughout. Kimi was…
1/20/2009 10:03:00 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Toyota Portimao test notes 2009-01-20
Driver: Jarno Trulli Track length: 4.686km IT’S A WASH-OUT Panasonic Toyota Racing continued to put laps on the new TF109 car at the first test of the year at Algarve Motor Park in Portugal today. Jarno Trulli took over from Kamui Kobayashi for the second day of the test but heavy rain just before the session started restricted his early running and the situation did not improve during the day. Jarno was planned to gather initial set-up data about the new car but wind and heavy…
1/20/2009 10:03:00 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Williams Portimao test notes 2009-01-20
Circuit: Autodromo do Algarve, Portugal.4.686km Objective: Initial systems, performance and reliability checks with the FW31. Weather: Rain for the majority of the day with one hailstorm. Average ambient temperature: 11C Sam Michael, Technical Director, Williams F1: “We had another wet day in Portugal today. When we could get out on track, we continued working on systems checks and completed some medium runs. We experienced a couple of reliability issues with the 31 which forced us into…
1/20/2009 10:03:00 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: McLaren Mercedes Portimao test notes 2009-01-20
Date Tuesday January 20, 2009 Driver Pedro de la Rosa Location Autodromo Internacional do Algarve Track length 4.687km Weather Maximum track temp 16C Maximum ambient temp 17C Laps completed 62 Kilometres covered 290km Best laptime 1m37.512 at 12:54pm Programme Another day governed by the inclement weather, which grew so severe at times that running was considered to be dangerous. The team also decided to run using a 2008-spec rear wing as a precautionary …
1/20/2009 10:03:00 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Renault Portimao test notes 2009-01-20
ING Renault F1 Team continues testing in the Algarve Nelson Piquet, R29-01, 9 laps, 42 km, fastest lap 1:45.860 Following the unveiling of the R29 yesterday morning, the ING Renault F1 Team remained at the Algarve Motor Park today to continue with its winter development programme. The team’s Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet remained in the cockpit of the R29, but endured a frustrating day with rain showers and hail storms hitting the circuit and disrupting the team’s technical…
1/20/2009 10:03:00 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: Toro Rosso Portimao test notes 2009-01-20
Algarve Circuit 4.686 kms Sebastien Buemi Chassis: STR3- 04 Best time: 1:34.429 Laps: 48 Portugal is in the same time zone as England and unfortunately, for the past two days, the weather here has decided to imitate a typical British winter, with more rain and even a hail storm hitting the Algarve track today. Towards the end of the session, conditions became dangerous and the team ended its programme an hour early. Looking on the bright side, the bad weather has…
1/20/2009 10:03:00 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

F1: BMW Sauber Valencia test notes 2009-01-20
20th-24th December 2008 Roll-out and shakedown - Tuesday Weather conditions: sunny with a cool wind. Temperatures: Air: 15-16C Track: 15-17C Number of drivers participating: 1 (exclusive BMW Sauber F1 Team test) Circuit length: 4.005 km Robert Kubica Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.09-02 / BMW 86/9 Test kilometres today: 293 km (73 laps) Programme: Immediately after the official unveiling of the BMW Sauber F1 Team’s 2009 car in the morning, Robert Kubica gave the F1.09 its roll-out…
1/20/2009 10:03:00 PM   [Motorsport.com: F1 news]

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