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Whiting: Teams to blame for ‘ugly’ field of 2012

Nicky — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:19:13 +0000

The teams are to blame for the ‘ugly’ 2012 cars seen so far, according to FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting.
Of the five new cars seen already, the Ferrari, Lotus, Force India and Caterham models feature a radical ‘stepped’ nose.

Though the new McLaren sports a sleeker line, the less attractive solutions are a quirk of the 2012 rules.

This year, the FIA is requiring the tips of the noses to be lower in order to protect drivers’ heads in the event of T-bone crashes.

“We wanted to lower the survival cell to minimise the consequences of a crash into the side of another car,” Whiting is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

“But some of the engineers complained that they would have to build entirely new cars due to the accommodation of the suspension elements.

“So that’s why we came up with making the new height requirement relevant not to the chassis but to the nose (only),” he explained.

While pundits and fans initially lambasted the ‘stepped’ nose when seen for the first time on the Caterham, the hubbub is now becoming more muted.

“You criticise it on the first car but when you see it on the second or third you sort of accept it,” former Jordan and Jaguar designer Gary Anderson agreed, according to Reuters.

Agreed Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo to Italy’s Sky Sport 24: “It’s ugly but the hope above all else is to win.

“The drivers just want it to be fast, without thinking if it’s beautiful or ugly.”

Ferrari designer Nikolas Tombazis added: “The nose? It’s not pleasant but it’s very efficient.”

© 2012, www.fantasyracings.com. All rights reserved. The total or partial reproduction of text, photographs or illustrations is not permitted in any form. Copyright by F1 Teams Media Departaments, (GMM) and (CIAM)

Whiting to attend Jerez amid legality rumours

Nicky — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:10:41 +0000

The teams, the fans and the world’s media will not be the only ones with their eyes firmly on the action at Jerez next week.
It is rumoured Charlie Whiting, the technical delegate of formula one’s governing FIA, has scheduled to attend the first test of the 2012 pre-season.

The news follows speculation some teams are flying too close to the limits of the regulations with their new cars, notwithstanding the banning of blown exhausts.

At the launch of the new McLaren, for instance, the exhausts and the diffuser were carefully hidden.

“The fact of the matter is that exhausts exist on a car, you have to have them, they blow gas,” said the team’s technical director Paddy Lowe.

“That will always generate some performance, a finite level of performance.”

When the very aggressive-looking new Ferrari was unveiled in Italy on Friday, team president Luca di Montezemolo said he hoped arguments about the rules would not overshadow 2012.

“There are reports that … Whiting may travel to Jerez next week due to concerns over the designs of the new cars,” correspondent Tom Cary wrote in the Telegraph.

New Ferrari, Force India have ‘ugly’ noses

Nicky — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:54:50 +0000

McLaren was left the odd-one-out on Friday, as Ferrari and Force India joined Caterham in launching new cars with ‘ugly’ noses.
The odd feature – a quirk of new regulations – is the centrepiece of Ferrari’s new F2012, launched on Friday morning at Maranello, and the Mercedes-powered Force India VJM05, whose covers were pulled off in the chilly Silverstone pitlane.

“(The car) looks very different actually from what we have seen in the past two years,” said Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.

Agreed Felipe Massa: “Let me tell you that it looks very aggressive.”

Telegraph correspondent Tom Cary, however, had another view, insisting the Ferrari, Force India and Caterham have “nasty nose jobs”.

But McLaren’s new MP4-27 features a clean aerodynamic line at the front.

“It’s a bit of a hot topic this year,” Andrew Green, Force India’s technical director, acknowledged to Sky Sports.

“Obviously a lot of people commented on the McLaren a couple of days ago. For us, it’s not a big deal. It’s purely aesthetics.”

Paddy Lowe, McLaren’s technical boss, said the team had retained a more conventional look because last year’s car already had a “philosophy” in line with the new rules.

“You can’t see performance necessarily by eye, it’s a matter of fine-tuning the balance between all the relevant aspects,” he insisted.

Mateschitz donates EUR 70m to research university

Nicky — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:31:15 +0000

F1 team owner Dietrich Mateschitz has donated a staggering EUR 70 million to a medical research university in his native Austria.
The local ‘Salzburg 24′ reports that the 67-year-old billionaire, whose energy drink company owns the Red Bull and Toro Rosso teams, donated the money to the Paracelsus Medical University.

Mateschitz reportedly wants the money to be used for research into incurable spinal injury and paralysis.

The report said the university was founded in 2002 with Mateschitz’s support.

“This is the third highest amount ever donated to a university in Europe by a private person,” said a university official.

“We are very grateful and also aware of the great responsibility that comes with such a high sum.”

The Spanish press quoted the publicity-shy Mateschitz as saying: “It is a very worthy project and I want to help.”

Ecclestone backs Webber to shine in 2012

Nicky — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:15:33 +0000

Bernie Ecclestone has once again backed Mark Webber to shine in 2012.
Australian Webber came close to winning the championship in 2010, but ultimately it is his young teammate Sebastian Vettel who is the reigning back-to-back title winner, having utterly dominated last season.

And it is likely Adrian Newey has penned another field-beater yet again for 2012.

“I don’t want Red Bull to dominate in the same way but I fear that’s what will happen. That’s why I put my hopes on Mark Webber’s shoulders,” F1 chief executive Ecclestone said recently.

Webber turns 36 later this year and many tip Red Bull to replace him with one of rookie team Toro Rosso’s new chargers for 2013.

But Ecclestone insists it is not too late for the Australian.

“I think he could win, yes for sure,” he is quoted by the Herald Sun.

“I think you are going to see a different Mark this year. What he has to do is come to appreciate that Sebastian is quick, and he has to make sure he is quicker.

“(And) get it out of his head that people are not supporting him because they actually are.”

VW official to propose F1 foray

Nicky — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:26:06 +0000

Volkswagen is contemplating a formula one foray, according to German reports.
The carmaker giant’s motor sport representative Wolfgang Durheimer told leading business magazine Wirtschaftswoche he has devised a preliminary plan for the future that includes F1.

“Later this year I will put forward proposals to the executive group for (involvement in) not only the racing series that we do already,” he said.

“It is true — in America, Asia and the Middle East, we are not sufficiently represented in motor sport,” added Durheimer.

The magazine cited sources in saying the first step for VW, already linked commercially with the Red Bull rookie team Toro Rosso, would be to become an engine supplier.

Berger tips Schumacher to quit after 2012

Nicky — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:49:42 +0000

Adrian Newey is Red Bull’s guarantee to remain a F1 frontrunner, according to Gerhard Berger.
The former ten-time race winner knows the Briton well, having won the 2008 Italian grand prix as a constructor when Sebastian Vettel drove the Newey-penned Toro Rosso to victory at Monza.

“As long as they have Adrian Newey and his technical staff, Red Bull will have either the fastest or the second fastest car,” Berger told this week’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine.

“And with Vettel in one of the cars, with so much confidence and experience now, he can make the difference even with the second best car,” added the Austrian.

But according to Berger, it is a different story for Germany’s former world-beater Michael Schumacher.

“I don’t think he’s going to extend the contract,” he said, referring to the fact 2012 is the third and final year of the 43-year-old’s existing deal with Mercedes.

“At some point he has to get tired.

“He has no chance against Rosberg,” explained Berger. “He will have to admit that at more than forty years of age he can’t beat a young driver at Rosberg’s level.”

Indeed, young talent is now Berger’s specialty, after he was asked by his former Ferrari boss Jean Todt to head the FIA’s single seater commission.

Berger thinks the junior categories cost youngsters too much.

“What I think would be reasonable is EUR 50,000 at the most for a kart season, 100,000 for an entry-level series, 300,000 for formula 3 and half a million for the last series before formula one,” he said.

Spanish broadcaster La Sexta races off grid

Nicky — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:06:42 +0000

Spain’s formula one broadcaster La Sexta has raced off the grid, it emerged on Thursday.
Publico newspaper, linked to Spanish F1 rights holder Mediapro, said other broadcasters can now bid for the coverage due to La Sexta’s inability to pay.

La Sexta held a contract for 2012 and 2013 but Mediapro “has terminated” it with immediate effect, Publico said, citing sources who blamed declining advertising rates.

Mediapro issued letters this week advising that the deadline for interested replacement broadcasters is February 6.

Sainz Jr races under Red Bull spotlight

Nicky — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:54:43 +0000

With Red Bull juniors Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne stepping up for 2012, the spotlight is set to fall on the energy drink company’s next young hopeful.
That youngster is Carlos Sainz Jr, the 17-year-old son of the Spanish world rally legend.

Sainz Jr is now the cream of Red Bull’s junior driver programme, and this week is heading to Milton Keynes to drive the F1 team’s state-of-the-art driver simulator, Spanish sports newspaper Marca reports.

Also in the spotlight this year is Russian 17-year-old Kaniil Kvyat, who like Sainz Jr is the other ‘veteran’ of the Red Bull programme.

Sainz Jr moves into the British F3 championship for 2012; a category previously won by former Red Bull juniors Ricciardo, Vergne and Jaime Alguersuari.

Fittipaldi: Three teams could fight for 2012 spoils

Nicky — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:02:37 +0000

Sebastian Vettel is the outright favourite, but Red Bull’s rivals are also in the running for spoils in 2012.
That is the claim of Brazilian legend and two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

“It seems that Sebastian Vettel will be the guy to beat again, since the strong Red Bull project counts on Adrian Newey, who is a genius,” the 65-year-old is quoted as saying by Globo.

“But we can’t forget that Ferrari and McLaren have very big and competent structures, and excellent drivers, with all the conditions to be at the top,” added Fittipaldi.

He also commented on the return in 2012 of former world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who kicked off his campaign this week with a test in Lotus’ two-year-old Renault car.

“As a very talented driver, he has the ability to be very fast again, even after two years away,” said the winner of 14 grands prix.

“But he will have to adapt quickly. The first six months will be crucial for him.”

Ecclestone hopes Red Bull’s dominance ends in 2012

Nicky — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:50:56 +0000

Bernie Ecclestone has admitted he is hoping Sebastian Vettel’s rivals break the world champion’s run of dominance this season.
The F1 chief executive is an avowed fan and friend of the 24-year-old Red Bull driver, but for the sake of the sport he wants the German to be chased down in 2012 after two consecutive successful championship campaigns.

Asked by Austria’s Salzburger Nachrichten at the Kitzuhel skiing event if Vettel will dominate this season, the 81-year-old laughed: “I hope not!

“Of course, Red Bull are still going to be there. I would much prefer a fight for the world title right to the end of the season.”

But if Vettel does dominate again, Ecclestone said the most important thing is that the individual races are exciting.

“The TV viewers care more about the tension of the race than the championship,” he insisted.

It is very possible that Red Bull designer Adrian Newey has penned yet another field-beater, so in that case Ecclestone will be cheering for Vettel’s teammate, Australian Mark Webber.

“I don’t want Red Bull to dominate in the same way but I fear that’s what will happen. That’s why I put my hopes on Mark Webber’s shoulders.

“This year we will see a situation where he can show his talent much more,” said the Briton.

Ecclestone is also crossing his fingers for Red Bull’s rival teams.

“I would be surprised if Mercedes don’t win a race this year. As for Ferrari, I can only hope they improve significantly.

“Alonso is super-talented and deserves a perfect car,” he said.

And as for the occupant of the other Ferrari, 1964 world champion John Surtees said the pressure is on the team’s Brazilian “weak link” Felipe Massa.

“He’ll either have to perform consistently well, or make way,” he told the Sun.

F1 must brace for tough times admits Ecclestone

Nicky — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:20:48 +0000

F1 “must be prepared for problems” as Europe and the world suffer economically.
That is the admission of the sport’s chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, when asked if Peugeot’s withdrawal from Le Mans sports car racing could also indicate tough times ahead for F1.

Amid the world’s last financial crisis, F1 lost multiple carmakers including BMW, Toyota and Honda.

“They had good reasons to go and save their money because they just weren’t successful enough and didn’t get the media coverage they wanted.

“Simple as that,” Ecclestone told Austria’s Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

So, with Peugeot pulling out of Le Mans and grand prix promoters considering the future of their races due to the costs, Ecclestone was asked if he is worried F1 could now lose more of its marques and sponsors.

“Due to the length of our contracts, we are almost immune,” he insisted.

“But if the situation does not change globally, we must be prepared for problems,” admitted Ecclestone.

A report in the UK newspaper Express said every one of F1′s twelve competing teams unusually failed to pay their bills on time last season.

“The findings … show that the recession has hit the motorsport”, wrote journalist Christian Sylt.

“The five slowest paying teams all have backing from carmakers, which could indicate that in the current economic climate F1 may not be sustainable for them,” he added.

FIA bans Lotus-style ride height systems

Nicky — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:04:14 +0000

F1′s governing body has banned the 2012 innovation known commonly as ‘reactive ride height’.
The concept, pioneered by Lotus and first spotted in action at last November’s young driver test, was also reportedly being worked on by teams including Ferrari, Mercedes and Williams.

The system, until now deemed legal by the FIA, cleverly adjusts a car’s ride-height under braking via a passive method in the suspension.

But the BBC said the Paris federation changed its mind about the legality following “further investigations and representations from rival teams”.

Some team figures are believed to have said the intention is only to improve braking stability, but some rivals argued that the primary function is aerodynamic.

One F1 regulation says “any car system, device or procedure which uses driver movement as a means of altering the aerodynamic characteristics of the car is prohibited”.

An FIA spokesman told Reuters that Whiting sent the directive on Friday following “a number of technical enquiries from teams” about the legality of the Lotus-type concept.

Verstappen released from jail on Friday

Nicky — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:20:18 +0000

Former F1 driver Jos Verstappen will be released from jail in his native Holland on Friday, the German news agency SID reports.
The 39-year-old, a former teammate to Michael Schumacher in the 90s, faced an attempted murder charge after his ex-girlfriend is alleged to have been struck recently by Verstappen’s car.

He has been in police custody for two weeks.

The Dutch news agency ANP said the attempted murder charge has now been withdrawn, and his lawyer is quoted as saying there is also no evidence of attempted aggravated assault.

“The court granted the request for Jos Verstappen’s release, partly because of the lack of evidence,” a statement provided by the lawyers read.

Senna family supports Williams reunion

Nicky — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:11:52 +0000

The Senna family is fully supportive of the famous name’s return to Williams.
18 years ago, Brazil was in mourning over the death at the wheel of a Williams of the great Ayrton Senna.

The tragedy also halted for many years the young Bruno Senna’s formative karting career, as the sporting world’s attention moved to Italian courtrooms, where Williams bosses were accused of manslaughter.

So almost two decades on, how did the Senna family – including Ayrton’s once grief-stricken and angry parents and sister – react to Tuesday’s news that their grandson and son had inked a deal to drive for Williams in 2012?

“Everybody is ecstatic,” the 28-year-old told reporters.

“I spoke to my grandparents before even I spoke to my mother (Viviane) yesterday when I got the news and my grandmother was so happy, my grandfather had a great laugh.

“In the family everybody is smiling, everybody has worked very hard for it. It’s very much a family business in our case and we have a great unity and everyone is super-happy about it,” insisted Senna.

His next responsibility is to safeguard the reputation of the family’s name, after his first two seasons with HRT and Renault did not set the F1 world alight.

And Bruno also faces the task of shaking off “the stigma” of being arguably a pay-driver, Ayrton Senna’s 1994 teammate Damon Hill said on Tuesday.

But Senna insists he is not a pay-driver.

“Initially they (Williams) wouldn’t even talk about any type of sponsorship. They just wanted to assess me before anything else,” he said.

“The only way they would ever give me this chance was if they were comfortable with my performance.”

According to former F1 driver Luciano Burti, however – now a pundit for Brazil’s TV Globo – the situation is “not ideal” for Williams.

“For Bruno it’s very good for him to be able to continue his career. As for Williams, at least theoretically the situation is not ideal.

“The team now has two inexperienced drivers, although in practice Maldonado has shown some speed and Bruno has also shown that he can do a good job,” he said.

FIA to tinker with DRS zones for 2012

Nicky — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:55:59 +0000

F1′s controversial “DRS” innovation is staying put for 2012, according to an Italian report.
While many hailed the moveable rear wing flaps’ contribution to overtaking last season, others criticised the drag reduction system for compromising the purity of wheel-to-wheel racing.

According to Autosprint, DRS is staying this year.

But the FIA will reportedly modify the number and length of the overtaking zones at some circuits.

“The reason is to facilitate overtaking by extending the zones at those circuits where it proved too difficult, and shortening them where the passing was too exaggerated,” the Italian language report read.

One DRS supporter is the Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg.

“The important thing is that we are overtaking — who really cares why?

“However it is good to optimise everything, especially where it has been possible to gain 50 metres (on a rival) by the end of a straight.

“It’s better that it (passing) is a bit more difficult than too easy,” the German said.

1996 champion Hill to be TV pundit

Nicky — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:27:38 +0000

1996 world champion Damon Hill will return to the F1 paddock in 2012 as an expert television pundit.
The 51-year-old has signed up with Sky as part of the broadcaster’s new split British broadcasting deal with the BBC.

Hill will appear on-screen as a pre and post-race pundit at ten of the 20 grands prix, including the season opener in Melbourne.

“It’s a few years since I stopped driving but I’ve never stopped looking at F1 and never lost interest. It’s a sport that I love,” he said.

Sutil to Lotus rumours ‘a joke’ scoffs Lux

Nicky — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:02 +0000

Eric Lux scoffed when asked if Adrian Sutil was ever really a contender to race for the Lotus team in 2012.
German Sutil has lost his Force India race seat after five seasons and is hoping he can rescue his embattled career by switching to Williams.

Earlier, however, the 29-year-old was linked with Lotus, the former Renault team now owned by Genii, the investment firm headed by Luxembourgian Lux.

Lux claims he was attacked by Sutil in a Shanghai nightclub last April, in an incident that will go to trial in Germany later this month.

“I realised in the elevator what had just happened and I thought to myself ‘now you have three minutes to live’,” Lux is quoted by the FAZ newspaper.

Sutil reportedly claims he was trying only to tip his drink over Lux’s head after a verbal quarrel.

As for whether the driver was ever in the running to race for Lotus in 2012, Lux scoffed: “That would be a joke, right?

“At least he has now apologised to me,” he added.

The Sutil camp argues Lux’s injury was “completely unintentional”, amid reports the German’s friend Lewis Hamilton could be called to testify.

“I think there is enough evidence and witnesses for the court to take the view that Adrian did not attack someone,” said manager Manfred Zimmermann.

In the meantime, Sutil’s F1 career is in serious peril, although Zimmermann insists: “The trial will have no influence on Adrian’s future.

“We expect the truth to come out during the hearing and, for us, it is important the incident is then concluded,” he is quoted by DPA news agency.

FIA should decide on Bahrain’s F1 return

Nicky — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:59:13 +0000

F1′s governing body will decide if it is right for the sport to return to Bahrain in April, the bosses of top teams Red Bull and Ferrari said this week.
Amid reports of continuing unrest in the island Kingdom and claims F1 should boycott the event also on moral grounds, the Sakhir circuit on Wednesday was pushing ahead with preparations for Bahrain’s return in 2012.

Track boss Salman bin Isa Al-Khalifa said staff sacked amid the protests that last year caused the race’s cancellation have been offered their old jobs.

It is “an important initiative towards national reconciliation and unity”, he insisted.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has suggested the event will only be cancelled again in extreme circumstances.

“We enter a championship run by the FIA,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told the BBC, “and we need to trust in their decision.”

Agreed Ferrari’s Stefano Domenicali: “We need to rely on the competent authorities.”

But the famous Italian team’s boss was asked if the FIA’s judgement can still be trusted after a delegate last year gave Bahrain the all-clear.

“Maybe (that) experience will give a different approach and the information will be more accurate,” Domenicali is quoted by the Telegraph from Ferrari’s annual winter media event in the Italian Dolomites.

2013 Concorde rumours ‘not true’ insists Ferrari

Nicky — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:44:24 +0000

Ferrari chiefs have denied reports the famous Italian team has already inked a new Concorde Agreement with Bernie Ecclestone.
In the wake of Ferrari and also Red Bull’s departure from the FOTA alliance, it was rumoured the top teams must have secretly agreed lucrative new deals with the F1 chief executive.

But at the same time it is also understood that the existing Concorde, which will run until the end of this year, prohibits teams from breaking ranks unless the same offer is made throughout the paddock.

Asked in the Italian Dolomites about rumours of Ferrari’s 2013 Concorde, team boss Stefano Domenicali insisted: “It’s not true.”

He told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “It is true that Ferrari and Ecclestone have been speaking to one another. They always do because they are both … they have always both been in F1.”

At the same time, president Luca di Montezemolo defended Ferrari’s decision to leave FOTA by insisting the fabled marque “has the right to have its say in an autonomous fashion”.

“Clearly this is a very important year and we are all aware of that,” agreed Domenicali.

He is referring also to the teams’ voluntary resource restriction agreement (RRA), which earlier this year Red Bull was accused of flouting.

Domenicali thinks the penalties for cheating are not severe enough.

“Today, only a financial type of penalty is planned, but we need to decide if it would not be better to think also of something on the sporting front and, in that case, who should decide the outcome,” he said.

Ferrari said the team regards a cost-limiting agreement as important, but insisted that – amid the European economic crisis – Ferrari remains strong.

“In 2011 we beat the record in our history for cars sold, so our financial position is very solid,” he is quoted by Spain’s El Periodico.

F1 ‘in trouble’ before CVC deal

Nicky — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:39:02 +0000

Formula one was in “a lot of trouble” some years ago before the commercial rights were bought by CVC.
That is the claim of Donald Mackenzie, who on Monday testified in Munich during the corruption trial of former F1 banker Gerhard Gribkowsky.

Gribkowsky, formerly in charge of bank Bayern LB’s F1 shareholding, is accused of accepting huge bribes from F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Ecclestone claims Gribkowsky subtly shook him down over his personal tax affairs.

“Formula One was in a lot of trouble at the time, including the threat that the teams would leave it,” Mackenzie, CVC’s managing partner, testified.

“We were in fact the only one of a very small group of companies who could buy it so our offer must have been seen like a present from heaven,” he is quoted by the Bloomberg news agency.

The Financial Times quotes Mackenzie as saying F1 was a “very high risk investment” for CVC, one of the world’s top five private equity firms.

He said F1 teams were threatening to split with the official FIA series to set up their own championship.

“Because of that it was very important to have Mr Ecclestone on our side,” Mackenzie said.

Lauda could be paddock absentee in 2012

Nicky — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:37:24 +0000

It is possible Niki Lauda, the legendary cap-wearing triple world champion, will be absent from the formula one paddock in 2012.
Blick newspaper reports that the 62-year-old, recently an expert television pundit, is yet to ink a new agreement with the German broadcaster RTL.

“I’m very optimistic,” the Austrian insisted, amid suggestions he is arguing with the channel’s sports boss Manfred Loppe over the size of his retainer.

Blick said DTM driver Ralf Schumacher, the former Williams and Toyota driver and brother of Mercedes’ Michael Schumacher, is on pole position to succeed Lauda.

Verstappen arrested after girlfriend assault

Nicky — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:46:34 +0000

Jos Verstappen has been arrested in his native Netherlands.
The former Benetton, Stewart and Minardi driver turned himself into police after fleeing the scene following an incident involving his 24-year-old ex-girlfriend, according to Flemish newspaper De Standaard.

Dutch police confirmed the arrest of a 39-year-old man after an incident in the southeastern city Roermond.

Unconfirmed media reports say Verstappen deliberately struck his former girlfriend – who was taken by ambulance to hospital with heavy bruises and abrasions – with a car.

Verstappen was previously accused of beating his girlfriend.

“It’s definitely not the first time he does this,” the unnamed woman told RTL television. “I think now I need to go and hide — I don’t know what to expect now when he is released.”

In 2008, Verstappen was fined and sentenced to three months suspended jail time over an assault case involving his ex-wife.

And more than ten years ago, he was convicted of assault after fracturing a man’s skull at a kart track.

Verstappen contested over 100 grands prix between 1994 and 2003.

FIA adds new overtaking rule to 2012 regulations

Nicky — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:29:38 +0000

A new overtaking rule has been added to formula one’s official sporting regulations for 2012.
Last month, the FIA flagged the forthcoming rule by announcing that drivers “may no longer move back onto the racing line having moved off it to defend a position”.

The rule has until now been an unwritten one that was agreed and understood by the drivers, with the stewards empowered to issue penalties for questionable manoeuvres.

But from 2012, the actual regulations now declare: “More than one change of direction to defend a position is not permitted.

“Any driver moving back towards the racing line, having earlier defended his position off line, should leave at least one car width between his own car and the edge of the track on the approach to the corner,” the rule goes on.

Lauda says DRS overtaking ‘wrong’ for F1

Nicky — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:15:02 +0000

Niki Lauda has admitted he is no fan of the overtaking innovation ‘DRS’ that debuted in 2011.
The system, which allows a chasing driver to move a flap in the rear wing and increase top speed when he is close to his rival, is set to be retained and even ramped up for next season.

The BBC reports that in Melbourne next March, for instance, there could be two DRS zones, while other zones – like at Valencia – will be extended.

The system was designed by a working group including McLaren’s technical director Paddy Lowe, who insists DRS was a good idea amid the long debate about tweaking the cars to boost overtaking.

“What’s great (is) at least we can move on from this debate of trying to change the aerodynamic characteristics of cars to try to improve overtaking,” he said.

“We’ve found something much more authoritative, much cheaper, easier and more effective, and adjustable from race to race.”

Many purists, however, are unhappy, arguing that overtaking can now be too easy, has been devalued, while the spectacle of a driver successfully holding off his charging rival is diminished.

“You’ve got to take the rough with the smooth to a certain extent,” argues the FIA’s Charlie Whiting.

F1 great Lauda, the famous triple world champion of the 70s and 80s, told Austrian newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten that DRS “bothers me”.

“To see passing at the push of a button is fundamentally the wrong direction (for F1),” he insisted.

“The front man (the driver in front) is totally defenceless. I think from the sporting point of view it is not right.”

He also thinks DRS has proved unnecessary, with new supplier Pirelli’s heavily-degrading tyres credited for much of the success of the racing in 2011.

“This (Pirelli’s approach) is okay,” said television pundit Lauda, who is reportedly arguing with the German broadcaster RTL about the size of his fee for F1′s 2011 season.

“There is enough overtaking already because of the tyres, which often have to be taken right to the limit by the drivers,” he explained.

“And they pose the engineers with the task of making tyre-friendly tyres.”

© 2011, www.fantasyracings.com. All rights reserved. The total or partial reproduction of text, photographs or illustrations is not permitted in any form. Copyright by F1 Teams Media Departaments, (GMM) and (CIAM)

F1 driver exodus ‘no loss’ insists Verstappen

Nicky — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:25:12 +0000

Jos Verstappen has tipped F1 to race on unhindered when a list of midfield drivers does not return in 2012.
Writing in his column for De Telegraaf newspaper, the Dutchman admitted that with so many drivers bustling for as little as two unconfirmed race seats, it is “an exciting time” on the newswire.

At the same time, drivers apparently at the start of their promising careers, like ousted Toro Rosso pair Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi, have lost their seats.

“It’s hard for them, especially so late in the year. But that’s formula one,” Verstappen, who raced for a series of midfield teams in the mid 90s until 2003, said.

With so few seats still available, he said he hopes rookie countryman Giedo van der Garde finds a place.

“He has quite a few rivals.

“Through all the place changes, at the moment Vitaly Petrov, Rubens Barrichello, Adrian Sutil, Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastien Buemi and Tonio Liuzzi are on the outside,” said Verstappen, failing to mention the likes of Bruno Senna, Jerome d’Ambrosio and others.

“It is not a list of names that I would call a real loss for formula one, as for the sport it is good to see some fresh blood.

“Especially with former world champion Kimi Raikkonen, GP2 champion Romain Grosjean and the talented Nico Hulkenberg, the quality of the grid has only improved,” he added.

Montezemolo says ‘no’ to Italian presidency reports

Nicky — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:39:27 +0000

Luca di Montezemolo on Thursday clarified reports that he intends to stand for the Italian presidency in 2013.
The Ferrari president’s letter to members of his political think-tank Italia Futura this week was interpreted by some as his announcement of a tilt at the top job.

“Going into politics? No I’m with Ferrari,” he clarified, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Montezemolo took the opportunity of the media event at Fiorano to announce the launch date of Ferrari’s 2012 car — 3 February.

And he also addressed rumours about Felipe Massa’s future, insisting that while the Brazilian “could continue” beyond 2012, the Maranello based team is “always looking around”.

Gazzetta reporter Andrea Cremonesi claimed Ferrari has “approached” drivers including Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg and Mark Webber “in recent months”.

Montezemolo to stand for Italian presidency in 2013

Nicky — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:32:12 +0000

Luca di Montezemolo has announced he will be a candidate when Italians vote in the 2013 general election.
The Ferrari president has long flirted with politics and finally confirmed his ambition this week in a letter to members of his party Italiafutura.

“The second republic has failed. We need new faces and new ideas because the next elections will be of historic importance,” wrote the 64-year-old.

He signed the letter with ‘Luca di Montezemolo, future president of Italy’.

London judge says Ecclestone payments ‘a bribe’

Nicky — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:29:33 +0000

There has been bad news from the London High Court for Bernie Ecclestone this week.
The Telegraph reports that a judge has ruled that the F1 chief executive’s suspect payments to former F1 banker Gerhard Gribkowsky were indeed bribes.

Ecclestone, 81, has denied that description, insisting instead that he only paid the millions after a subtle “shakedown” by the German.

“Isn’t that a bribe”? said Mr Justice Vos.

The judge was entering a default decision against Gribkowsky – because he did not respond to the writ – during the civil proceedings brought by former F1 shareholder Constantin Medien.

“Constantin welcomes this important procedural step and will be pressing on with the determination of damages against Gribkowsky and in the continuing proceedings against Ecclestone and (Stephen) Mullens, and Bambino Holdings,” said Constantin Medien’s lawyer Keith Oliver.

Raikkonen to find F1 comeback ‘easier’ than Schumacher

Nicky — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:44:20 +0000

McLaren doctor and fellow Finn Aki Hintsa does not think Kimi Raikkonen will struggle on his return to formula one next season.
2007 world champion Raikkonen’s decision to come back to the sport with Lotus after a couple of seasons away has been compared with Michael Schumacher’s recent struggle to readjust after a three-year sabbatical.

But Hintsa, who knows Raikkonen well after the now 32-year-old’s five-year tenure at McLaren until 2006, plays down that comparison.

“Physically, Kimi is definitely as strong now as he ever was,” he is quoted by Turun Sanomat newspaper. “It is clear that a return to F1 for Kimi will be easier than it was for Michael Schumacher two years ago.

“First of all, Kimi is so much younger than Michael, and secondly, he was not away for as long and while he was away, he kept driving in a very demanding category,” said Hintsa, referring to Raikkonen’s world rallying exploits.

Indeed, while Raikkonen only turned 32 some weeks ago, Schumacher is clearly F1′s oldest active driver as he approaches his 43rd birthday in January.

“At that stage of life a ten year age difference is a major factor in top-level sport,” said Hintsa.

“When an athlete turns 40, the response time begins to slow down naturally and there’s nothing you can do about it. It is not possible to turn back the clock.”

Berger’s nephew on track for F1 future

Nicky — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:24:30 +0000

Gerhard Berger’s nephew is speeding down the road to follow his famous uncle into formula one.
Two decades ago, ten-time winner Berger shared the McLaren garage with Ayrton Senna, whose own nephew Bruno went on to race in F1 with HRT and Lotus/Renault.

Now, 17-year-old Lucas Auer – the son of former BMW motor sport director and Toro Rosso co-owner Berger’s sister Claudia – is getting serious about his single seater racing.

This year, he raced in the JK Racing Asia Series and was recently crowned champion.

“It’s really important for my future,” he said of the title. “I had to win this season and now I can see what I will do in the future.”

Last week, according to motorline.cc, the young Austrian tested a F3 Euroseries car at Valencia, with 52-year-old Berger watching on.

Ecclestone: Private equity company eyes F1 rights

Nicky — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:23:40 +0000

A US-based private equity company has expressed interest in formula one, the sport’s chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has revealed.
A report by F1 business expert Christian Sylt in the Express on Sunday newspaper said Hellman and Friedman, owners of Getty Images, have carried out research into the sport’s finances.

Ecclestone confirmed the fund, which owned 37.5 per cent of F1′s holding company SLEC for a short time more than a decade ago, is currently “scratching around talking to people”.

F1 is currently majority-owned by CVC, who paid $1.7 billion for the commercial rights in 2006.

Binding the owners with governing body the FIA and the 12 competing teams is the Concorde Agreement, which expires at the end of next year.

“Next year we will start looking at making offers to the teams,” said Ecclestone. “We are not doing anything at the moment because we are not free to do the things we want to do until next year.”

Vettel, Red Bull in running for Laureus prizes

Nicky — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:45:12 +0000

Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing are among the nominees to win prestigious 2012 Laureus World Sports awards following their successes this year.
In the running alongside German Vettel to be hailed Sportsman of the Year are sprinter Usain Bolt, tennis’ Novak Djokovic, Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, football’s Lionel Messi and basketballer Kirk Nowitzki.

And fighting it out with Red Bull for the team prize are New Zealand’s All Blacks, England’s cricket team, basketball’s Dallas Mavericks, FC Barcelona and Japan’s female football team.

The nominees are selected by the world’s media by ballot, and the winners by a jury made up of 47 of the greatest sportsmen and women of all time.

The winners will be crowned in London in February.

“This has been a great year for sport and the academy are going to find it extremely difficult to decide who to vote for as winners,” said chairman Edwin Moses.

Ecclestone: Dumping father ‘a disaster’ for Hamilton

Nicky — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:04:29 +0000

Lewis Hamilton’s decision to dump his father and sign up with a celebrity management company was “a disaster”.
That is the view of F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, speaking after arguably the worst season in the 2008 world champion’s entire motor racing career.

He said the 26-year-old Briton’s “personal problems” in 2011 – including his split with girlfriend Nicole – were exacerbated by the absence of his former manager and father.

Anthony Hamilton, in charge of his son’s career until early 2010, now manages the Force India driver Paul di Resta.

“A lot to do with these things, it depends an awful lot on the people you surround yourself with, and who are in a position to influence you,” said Ecclestone.

“I think he just fell into a lot of people that I think weren’t good for him,” the 81-year-old told the Guardian.

“When his dad was looking after him, his dad was a bit more … obviously it didn’t suit Lewis, which was why they split, I think he didn’t appreciate how much help his dad was,” said Ecclestone.

After the split with his father, Hamilton linked up with XIX Entertainment, the company headed by Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller.

“I think it’s a disaster,” said Ecclestone. “He gets to meet people that probably he wouldn’t have met, and (who) have probably the wrong sort of influence on him.”

He mentions Ice-T, the rapper who made a controversial video inside the McLaren garage in Canada this year.

“He (Hamilton) sees somebody like that, he admires the guy, so he’ll start copying a little bit what they’re up to,” said Ecclestone.

British commentator and former McLaren driver Martin Brundle agrees that Hamilton needs to get his “mindset” right after a calamitous 2011 season.

“Any sport is 90 per cent in the head. That’s what he needs to get right,” he is quoted by The Fun.

Horner talks peace ahead of Monday FOTA meeting

Nicky — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:17:51 +0000

Red Bull has not ruled out patching up its off-track quarrel with rival formula one teams.
The reigning and back-to-back world champions have pulled out of the F1 teams’ alliance FOTA, essentially over the debate about the gentleman’s cost-limiting ‘resource restriction agreement’.

Subsequent meetings have taken place in the absence of Red Bull and fellow new non-FOTA members Ferrari, Ferrari-powered Sauber and Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso, indicating a worrying political split ahead of the crucial negotiations for the next Concorde Agreement.

But team boss Christian Horner has revealed that Red Bull officials will meet with key FOTA members on Monday.

“Nothing’s ever set in stone but for the time being we feel it’s right to step out of FOTA,” he is quoted by the Associated Press.

It has been rumoured that Red Bull baulked at moves to further limit the scope of aerodynamic development, whilst rival carmaker-linked teams remain less limited on engines.

“There has to be a willingness to recognise this and then progress can be made,” Horner, speaking at Red Bull’s title celebratory event in Milton-Keynes, is quoted by the Guardian.

He said Ferrari and Red Bull’s withdrawal from FOTA “has stimulated discussion and that can lead to something positive. There is a way back for all of us”.