Entries in Renault (59)
Heidfeld
Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 11:41AM
Well, either the Renault is very good this year or Nick Heidfeld has never shown us his best, but here he is, first day sitting in the car and sets fast time of the day and is currently second on the overall time sheet behind Michael Schumacher. So much for just settling himself in as he said. It is perhaps a bit of both, so I'd say he has won himself the seat. Times are actually closing up today, with Kovalainen only 1.36 seconds off the fast time, but Williams have to be a bit concerned with their lack of pace, unless they are having ongoing issues with the car, which is just as worrying. Apparently the Mercedes set the quick time yesterday on the super soft compounds, but it is still up there today, so they must be doing something right. Ferrari continue with their consistent fast pace and McLaren is around the place, but Red Bull seem to be not quite up to speed, both Vettel and Webber slower than Kobayashi in the Sauber, but who really knows?
The second GP2 Asia race has been run and won. The inversion of the front of the grid for the second race makes for different winners, which shows just how close these cars and drivers are on performance.
NASCAR has announced that McLaren Electronics has won the bid to supply the common ECU and fuel injection to be used from 2012. Welcome to the 20th Century. It is no secret McLaren have been pursuing this bigger role in racing, with Ron Dennis visiting a race last year, but what about Steve Hallam? Steve came over a few years ago to work for Toyota and Michael Waltrip's team. My suspicious mind wondered back then if there were some ulterior motive. A Trojan Horse?
The IMS Commentator Tom Carnegie has just passed away at the age of 91, and his passing earned him many accolades for being responsible for the growth of the Indy 500. On a similar note British commentator Chris Carter has lost his regular job running a radio show at the Daytona 200 Motorcycle event, much to the dismay of riders and spectators. Isn't it interesting how someone who has no actual involvement in the event can make such a difference to how we fans enjoy it. You know if you read this regularly that I am not a fan of certain commentators, and will actually turn the sound off rather than listen to them. Who can forget Murray Walker who commentated for many, many years on F1, and his legendary "If I'm not very much mistaken," and he usually was, but we loved him for being human and his passion. More TV channels need to take the time to find that special person who can bring their sport to life, without the need to self promote or prattle on for the sake of it. What would the Tour de France be without Phil Ligget?
The second GP2 Asia race has been run and won. The inversion of the front of the grid for the second race makes for different winners, which shows just how close these cars and drivers are on performance.
NASCAR has announced that McLaren Electronics has won the bid to supply the common ECU and fuel injection to be used from 2012. Welcome to the 20th Century. It is no secret McLaren have been pursuing this bigger role in racing, with Ron Dennis visiting a race last year, but what about Steve Hallam? Steve came over a few years ago to work for Toyota and Michael Waltrip's team. My suspicious mind wondered back then if there were some ulterior motive. A Trojan Horse?
The IMS Commentator Tom Carnegie has just passed away at the age of 91, and his passing earned him many accolades for being responsible for the growth of the Indy 500. On a similar note British commentator Chris Carter has lost his regular job running a radio show at the Daytona 200 Motorcycle event, much to the dismay of riders and spectators. Isn't it interesting how someone who has no actual involvement in the event can make such a difference to how we fans enjoy it. You know if you read this regularly that I am not a fan of certain commentators, and will actually turn the sound off rather than listen to them. Who can forget Murray Walker who commentated for many, many years on F1, and his legendary "If I'm not very much mistaken," and he usually was, but we loved him for being human and his passion. More TV channels need to take the time to find that special person who can bring their sport to life, without the need to self promote or prattle on for the sake of it. What would the Tour de France be without Phil Ligget?
What a Difference a Day Makes
Friday, February 11, 2011 at 12:27PM
Yesterday Nico Rosberg was concerned about the lack of pace with the Mercedes, and today Michael tops the timesheets at Jerez, go figure. It seems he had no less fuel than Massa when he did his quick time, so did they find something in the car or is Michael back? Two of the new boys had big offs and bent their toys. Perez and Maldonado both hit something hard, so Maldonado in particular is having a baptism of fire. Alguersuari took note of Helmut Marko's comments that Torro Rosso was not a boarding school, whatever that means, and he is more than ready to replace one or both of the current drivers. Strangely it is not Ricciardo he is favoring but Vergne, but most of what Helmut does is strange. No one answered my question about two Australian drivers by the way.
Button had his go in the new McLaren, but they are still basically doing systems checks, albeit fast ones. Lewis declared he found the car better, which you would hope he would say after all the time and effort gone into it. Lotus had another troubled day, but at the moment the field is covered by just over two seconds, so better than last year. Way too early to judge anything though. Heidfeld gets to drive tomorrow, and Boullier says if he is quick he will sign him. He needs to do something, Petrov is not setting the world alight at the moment. The news on Kubica continues to be encouraging, with Robert vowing to be back before the end of the season, but you would have to wonder why, unless his replacement is not doing well.
Ron Walker, the Australian GP boss is softening everyone up for Melbourne losing the race. Bernie is apparently upset by the remarks of the Mayor. A man not easily upset by personal comments I would have thought. Now Ron did throw in a more telling line that Bernie is concerned that for the first time in 40 years someone is questioning the value of his product. The King's new clothes comes to mind.
Over in Abu Dhabi Ferrari protege Jules Bianchi beat Grosjean off the line in the Asia GP2 race, and kept him there for a maiden GP2 win. He beat a class field, so despite being the winter series this is for real. That other series, Superleague, the one with the soccer team cars, says that it is the best alternative to F1 because it has so many ex F1 stars. Narain Karthikeyan, Sebastien Bourdais, Antonio Pizzonia and Robert Doornbos? Not exactly a stellar cast, and all cast offs. Yes they can drive much better than I, but that is not the point. Let's see someone come through this series to F1, not from it.
Button had his go in the new McLaren, but they are still basically doing systems checks, albeit fast ones. Lewis declared he found the car better, which you would hope he would say after all the time and effort gone into it. Lotus had another troubled day, but at the moment the field is covered by just over two seconds, so better than last year. Way too early to judge anything though. Heidfeld gets to drive tomorrow, and Boullier says if he is quick he will sign him. He needs to do something, Petrov is not setting the world alight at the moment. The news on Kubica continues to be encouraging, with Robert vowing to be back before the end of the season, but you would have to wonder why, unless his replacement is not doing well.
Ron Walker, the Australian GP boss is softening everyone up for Melbourne losing the race. Bernie is apparently upset by the remarks of the Mayor. A man not easily upset by personal comments I would have thought. Now Ron did throw in a more telling line that Bernie is concerned that for the first time in 40 years someone is questioning the value of his product. The King's new clothes comes to mind.
Over in Abu Dhabi Ferrari protege Jules Bianchi beat Grosjean off the line in the Asia GP2 race, and kept him there for a maiden GP2 win. He beat a class field, so despite being the winter series this is for real. That other series, Superleague, the one with the soccer team cars, says that it is the best alternative to F1 because it has so many ex F1 stars. Narain Karthikeyan, Sebastien Bourdais, Antonio Pizzonia and Robert Doornbos? Not exactly a stellar cast, and all cast offs. Yes they can drive much better than I, but that is not the point. Let's see someone come through this series to F1, not from it.
Seriously!
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 12:02PM
Are you kidding? Ford is suing Ferrari over the use of the F150 name. Is this a publicity stunt? I know protecting your logos and trade names are serious business but this is just making Ford look foolish. They would be better off making a commercial with an F1 Ferrari morphing into a fast red pick up.
The new Ferrari 458 made it's debut at the Sebring test yesterday prepared by the Risi team who arguably ran the best 430, at least of the ones allowed to race. Most of the big hitters are absent from the test, but there are still enough interesting cars out there with the Muscle Milk Aston quickest at the moment. Duncan Dayton seems likely to finalise the deal to run the HPD LMP1 both here at Sebring and at Le Mans and so give David Brabham a ride for this year. The 24 hour entry list was published yesterday and a great field it is too, quality all the way through.
There is actually a fair bit going on this weekend with Sebring, Jerez, and GP2 Asia kicking off in Abu Dhabi. Renault reserve driver Roman Grosjean is on pole for that event with another strong field of drivers. His compatriot at Renault, Fauzy, is not doing so well though down in 23rd. It is a very even grid though with the top 14 separated by less than a second, and the field by less than 1.7 seconds. Should make for good racing and a lot of action given the desperadoes in the field.
Meanwhile at the F1 test at Jerez it is still way too early to judge anything. Massa is fastest, with Perez in the Sauber next quickest. So it is not just the Mexican sponsorship, he can drive. Meanwhile Maldonado is way off the pace in the Williams, but he did have problems with the movable wing, and as I said it is early days. Hamilton has the new McLaren out and yes it has forward exiting exhausts. Lewis is presumably just doing shake down laps but is fifth so far behind Webber and young Australian Daniel Ricciardo in the Torro Rosso. If I were Buemi or Alguersuari I would be looking over my shoulder right now. How long since Australia had two drivers in F1, if ever? Schenken and Jones? No. I'm sure one of my readers knows the answer.
Petrov dumped the Renault in the gravel trap, not enhancing his claim to the number one seat, which seems to be headed Heidfeld's way. Despite saying they had plenty of time to fill the seat they have Heidfeld testing later this weekend. Nick has had a lot of experience and is a good driver, but is he really good enough? As someone pointed out the other day, when the two Williams drivers both retired in the early eighties a guy called Rosberg filled in after a less than stellar career, and we know how that worked out, so let's see if Nick can do the same.
It now seems that the money from the Williams float is not going to keep the team afloat but to the Patrick Head retirement fund, and presumably Sir Frank's. Not sure I would buy shares on that basis. Not saying they are not entitled to a return on all their years of hard work, but if I buy shares then I would want to know the business I have a piece of is going to survive. It also seems that the float was part of the agreement when the other partner, Toto Wolffe, bought his 10%, so is he looking to get out at some stage?
The new Ferrari 458 made it's debut at the Sebring test yesterday prepared by the Risi team who arguably ran the best 430, at least of the ones allowed to race. Most of the big hitters are absent from the test, but there are still enough interesting cars out there with the Muscle Milk Aston quickest at the moment. Duncan Dayton seems likely to finalise the deal to run the HPD LMP1 both here at Sebring and at Le Mans and so give David Brabham a ride for this year. The 24 hour entry list was published yesterday and a great field it is too, quality all the way through.
There is actually a fair bit going on this weekend with Sebring, Jerez, and GP2 Asia kicking off in Abu Dhabi. Renault reserve driver Roman Grosjean is on pole for that event with another strong field of drivers. His compatriot at Renault, Fauzy, is not doing so well though down in 23rd. It is a very even grid though with the top 14 separated by less than a second, and the field by less than 1.7 seconds. Should make for good racing and a lot of action given the desperadoes in the field.
Meanwhile at the F1 test at Jerez it is still way too early to judge anything. Massa is fastest, with Perez in the Sauber next quickest. So it is not just the Mexican sponsorship, he can drive. Meanwhile Maldonado is way off the pace in the Williams, but he did have problems with the movable wing, and as I said it is early days. Hamilton has the new McLaren out and yes it has forward exiting exhausts. Lewis is presumably just doing shake down laps but is fifth so far behind Webber and young Australian Daniel Ricciardo in the Torro Rosso. If I were Buemi or Alguersuari I would be looking over my shoulder right now. How long since Australia had two drivers in F1, if ever? Schenken and Jones? No. I'm sure one of my readers knows the answer.
Petrov dumped the Renault in the gravel trap, not enhancing his claim to the number one seat, which seems to be headed Heidfeld's way. Despite saying they had plenty of time to fill the seat they have Heidfeld testing later this weekend. Nick has had a lot of experience and is a good driver, but is he really good enough? As someone pointed out the other day, when the two Williams drivers both retired in the early eighties a guy called Rosberg filled in after a less than stellar career, and we know how that worked out, so let's see if Nick can do the same.
It now seems that the money from the Williams float is not going to keep the team afloat but to the Patrick Head retirement fund, and presumably Sir Frank's. Not sure I would buy shares on that basis. Not saying they are not entitled to a return on all their years of hard work, but if I buy shares then I would want to know the business I have a piece of is going to survive. It also seems that the float was part of the agreement when the other partner, Toto Wolffe, bought his 10%, so is he looking to get out at some stage?
Screwed
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 10:23AM
Tony Fernandes says he built his Lotus Team from one screw. Well he should be happy, Dany Bahar just provided the second one. Nothing I have read makes me like Dany, so let's hope the judge sorts this out the right way.
The other Lotus say they have five weeks to sort out a replacement for Kubica. Well the Jerez test starts tomorrow with only one more opportunity for a new driver to get up to speed in the car at the Barcelona test one week later. Let me know how this works out for you. Some people are just working out what I said two days ago, Kimi is not contracted to anyone as he is running his own rally team, renting the car from Citroen.
Nice to see Nissan back in Le Mans as an engine supplier to the Signature LMP2 team. We are seeing some new manufacturers coming in which is good as long as they do not all bail out when they have had enough as past history has shown.
Aside from these tidbits there is little news, but let's look forward to Jerez and a lot of new cars.
The other Lotus say they have five weeks to sort out a replacement for Kubica. Well the Jerez test starts tomorrow with only one more opportunity for a new driver to get up to speed in the car at the Barcelona test one week later. Let me know how this works out for you. Some people are just working out what I said two days ago, Kimi is not contracted to anyone as he is running his own rally team, renting the car from Citroen.
Nice to see Nissan back in Le Mans as an engine supplier to the Signature LMP2 team. We are seeing some new manufacturers coming in which is good as long as they do not all bail out when they have had enough as past history has shown.
Aside from these tidbits there is little news, but let's look forward to Jerez and a lot of new cars.
More Kubica
Monday, February 7, 2011 at 10:30AM
Reports of Robert Kubica's progress are encouraging, but the injuries sound pretty dreadful. Reminds me of Mick Doohan's problem with blood flow to his foot and Alex Zanardi's loss of blood following his accident in Germany. We all hope for a full recovery. He is too good a driver to lose from F1.
Boullier is saying it is too soon to talk of his replacement. Honorable sentiments, but sentiment does not play much part in F1, ask Liuzzi and Hulkenburg. Boullier needs to find a replacement and fast, Bahrain is just 33 days away.
Elsewhere MaRussia Virgin launched their 2011 car with Nick Worth saying it is better in every way. It had better be after finishing last in the constructor's championship in 2010. One can only hope it is better, it is hard to see it could be worse. The most obvious feature to an untrained eye is the profile of the nose which is quite different to any we've seen this year. Perhaps CFD "nose" something Adrian Newey does not? Sorry, could not avoid that.
Anyway, all quiet other than Ferrari defending their less than aggressive approach to this year's car. Let us hope for continuing good news from Kubica. And oh yes, I cannot believe that a "well known British photographer" called Kubica irresponsible. Have you seen where photographers will stand to get a shot? No offense to my many photographer friends, but that is a bit rich, and who asked his opinion anyway?
Boullier is saying it is too soon to talk of his replacement. Honorable sentiments, but sentiment does not play much part in F1, ask Liuzzi and Hulkenburg. Boullier needs to find a replacement and fast, Bahrain is just 33 days away.
Elsewhere MaRussia Virgin launched their 2011 car with Nick Worth saying it is better in every way. It had better be after finishing last in the constructor's championship in 2010. One can only hope it is better, it is hard to see it could be worse. The most obvious feature to an untrained eye is the profile of the nose which is quite different to any we've seen this year. Perhaps CFD "nose" something Adrian Newey does not? Sorry, could not avoid that.
Anyway, all quiet other than Ferrari defending their less than aggressive approach to this year's car. Let us hope for continuing good news from Kubica. And oh yes, I cannot believe that a "well known British photographer" called Kubica irresponsible. Have you seen where photographers will stand to get a shot? No offense to my many photographer friends, but that is a bit rich, and who asked his opinion anyway?