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Formula 1 news, results and statistics when you need it |
Can F1 be successful in the USA ? |
Tearful Turnaround
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Formula 1 news, results and statistics when you need it |
Can F1 be successful in the USA ? |
Tearful Turnaround
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Download the NewsOnF1.com | 20-Sep:
The Jaguar Racing team today announced that Bobby Rahal the acting CART
CEO will take over as team principal and CEO of the Jaguar Racing team. Neil Ressler spoke highly of Rahal at the announcement and said "Of course, Bobby Rahal's driving career speaks for itself, and needs no endorsement from me. I have come to know and respect Bobby during the period when Team Rahal became a Ford Motor Company works team in the CART series. His knowledge of racing at the highest level, together with his business acumen and demonstrated leadership capability, uniquely qualifies him to join us at Jaguar Racing." Bobby Rahal is looking forward to the challenge and said "It is a huge honour to be asked by Ford Motor Company and Jaguar Racing to take over this role. I have no doubt about the immensity of the task in front of me, but feel strongly that, with the assistance of the fine people at Jaguar Racing, we can realise the potential that this effort represents." "I am particularly appreciative to Neil Ressler for his faith in me. I look forward to working with Eddie and Luciano and helping them achieve their goals. As a young man, Formula One was my goal. While I had the privilege of competing in two grands prix, I was unable to complete my dreams at that time. However, I must say that taking this new position is in no small way a realisation of that dream. I look forward to the challenge." Bobby Rahal will be relocating to the UK when he officially joins the team on the 1st of December 2000. Team Rahal will continue to compete in the CART series under Scott Roembke. At a press conference in Indianapolis today, Jacques
Villeneuve has indicated that he doesn't see a need for a change at BAR in
reference to the rumours that Barry Green will take over from Craig Pollock. He said
"The team has had a lot of internal political problems, not so much this year as last
year. This year we’re coming back a little bit. Everything has been going fine. The
team has been progressing just fine. I don’t see why that issue has come up.
There’s no need for a change." As for his past experience at the Indianapolis speedway, Villeneuve doesn't think that will help and said "I’m not sure the experience will help at all, we won’t really be using the oval. We’ll be using Turn 1, but we’ll be going the wrong way around. I’ll just have to remember not to turn left, but to turn right." 20-Sep: Michael Schumacher described the Indianapolis circuit as challenging as the cars can reach over 200 mph on the straight but the infield section the cars will need a lot of downforce. He said "The combination of the speedway banking and very fast straight along with the tight infield section will be a new one when it comes to setting up the cars. The last corner and main straight looks like being well over 200mph and the infield more like Monaco. Straight-line speed will be vital for overtaking at the end of the straight, but the cars need a lot of downforce through the infield. It will be tricky finding the best compromise." Mika Hakkinen is looking forward to racing at the new circuit and said "I look forward to returning to the US as I made my Formula One debut at Phoenix in 1991. Obviously it’s a brand new circuit, which is always a challenge, but we are determined to put on a good show for the American public. The engineers will already have a good idea about set-up for the car but I have to learn what line to take into a corner and where the braking points are. I will not know for sure until I do my first lap in the car Friday morning." McLaren's boss Ron Dennis is hoping continue their success in the USA after having won the last 4 races held there and said "McLaren has an illustrious history in America. We are the most successful Formula One Constructor in the US, having won the last four Formula One races held in the States, and dominated the CAN-AM Championship in the late 60’s. We are aiming to continue our success at this year’s SAP United States Grand Prix." Frank Williams is hoping that the US GP at Indianapolis will help re-establish Formula 1 in North America and said "Indianapolis represents a wonderful opportunity for Formula One to re-establish itself in North America. We needed a fresh start and we couldn’t wish for a better one for our re-entry into the USA. I am praying for a great race (and even for some rain!). The Americans have never seen Formula One cars race in the wet at Indianapolis and they would subsequently understand why Formula One drivers are the best in the world." 20-Sep:
Ayrton Senna competed in 9 Grand Prix races in the USA since he made his debut in
Formula 1 in 1984. His first 2 races (Detroit and Dallas in 84) he was driving a Toleman
Hart and retired on both occasions, in 85 in Dallas he was driving a Lotus Renault and
grabbed pole and set the fastest lap but retired as a result of an accident just 12 laps
from the end. 19-Sep: Bridgestone and the FIA have agreed to supply all the Formula 1 teams with 2 extra sets of tyres to be used during the practice sessions on Friday only. Bridgestone Motorsport technical manager Yoshihiko Ichikawa said "For the US GP the drivers will have the added advantage of two additional sets of tyres to be used during the first and second free practice sessions on Friday. The allocated tyres will consist of one hard set and one extra-hard set. The drivers will not be permitted to stockpile these tires for use throughout the rest of the weekend, because Bridgestone will collect the two extra sets on Friday afternoon. Mr Ichikawa added "The specification that we have prepared for Indianapolis produces enough grip despite running with a high inner pressure. The teams, however, will complain about the lack of grip at the infield, because they will run with a low-downforce configuration. The tyres can also be expected to show a significant level of degradation, directly attributable to the demands of the slow corners on the infield." 18-Sep: "Can Formula 1 be successful in the USA". Topic of the week - Have Your Say 17-Sep: "Formula 1 returns to the USA". The United States Grand Prix preview is now available ... Race Preview United States Formula 1 Grand Prix schedule:
16-Sep: Jacques Villeneuve is the only driver in Formula 1 today who has raced on part of the circuit of the upcoming US Grand Prix at Indianapolis. He won the Indy 500 in 95 when he was racing in CART but the F1 circuit only uses part of the oval track. When asked about what it means to him to go back to Indy and win again he said it would be great but doesn't expect it and added "We are not up there in the battle for wins unless something happens to the McLarens and the Ferraris. But winning the Indy 500 was a very special moment. It's the biggest race in the world, and – to win it – is impossible to explain what it means. I guess it's like winning an Olympic event. To go back there and get a good result would be very nice." 15-Sep:
Following a halt in testing yesterday due to Paolo Gislimberti's funeral,
the 3 Formula 1 teams testing at Mugello returned to the track today and Olivier
Panis set a new lap record at the Mugello circuit with a time of 1:24.104 over a
second faster than Michael Schumacher's time of 1:25.323. Kimi Raikkonen (Sauber's test
driver) was third. Panis also did the most number of laps with 93 ahead of Schumacher who
did 89. Click here for the timed Results At Fiorano, Luca Badoer was testing for Ferrari. In the morning he did the shakedown of the 4 cars heading to the USA. He completed 34 laps with a best time of 1:02.232, he also practiced a number of pit stops and race starts. In the afternoon he did further testing working on setups and starts on a fifth chassis. He completed 41 laps with a best time of 1:02.094. Click here for the timed Results 14-Sep:
Volunteer Fire Marshal Paolo Gislimberti was buried today at the San Ulderico Church in
Lavis near Torino. His coffin was wrapped in a Ferrari flag, the team Paolo was so
passionate about. 14-Sep:
Australian Mark Webber has impressed the Benetton team with his first test at the
Estoril circuit. Webber took part in all 3 days and set very competitive times. On the
first day he was under a second slower than the Williams of Ralf Schumacher, on the second
he was just over half a second slower than regular driver Giancarlo Fisichella and on the
third and final day he was over half a second faster than Bruno Junqueira the regular
Williams test driver. Overall his fastest time was faster than the fastest time set by
Benetton's top driver Giancarlo Fisichella. Click here for the timed Results Juan Pablo Montoya who will be driving for
Williams in 2001, (announcement expected at the US GP) indicated that everyone is beatable
in Formula 1 including Michael Schumacher and added "I don't think there's anyone who
isn't beatable. He's got two arms, two legs, two eyes and a brain." Montoya warned though that his first season could be difficult and added "People should not expect me to do the same as happened in America. I don't know anybody who has moved into Formula 1 and won it in their first year." Montoya also asked that he is not compared with Jenson Button when he said "This time last year, no one had heard of Button. He had only two years of racing experience, so I think he has done well, but it is not fair to compare us." CART's Acting Chief Executive Officer Bobby Rahal has been strongly linked with a move to head the Jaguar Formula 1 team and an announcement is expected at the US GP. Rahal a 3 time CART champion has been doing an impressive job as acting CEO and Jaguar will be hoping that he is able to turn their fortunes around. It is believed that Rahal will retain the ownership of Team Rahal in CART. 14-Sep:
Michael Schumacher disagrees with his teammate Rubens Barrichello who openly
blamed Heinz Harald Frentzen for the first lap crash at the Italian Grand Prix. Michael
Schumacher does not agree with blaming anyone for it and considers it a racing incident
that can happen at any time and one has to accept that. He added that motor racing is
dangerous and accidents can and will occur. 13-Sep: Olivier Panis was the fastest man on the track at Mugello ahead of Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen. Panis also did the most number of laps with 113 while Michael Schumacher completed 98 laps. The teams concentrated on various setups in preparation for the US Grand Prix. There will be no testing tomorrow at Mugello for the funeral of Paolo Gislimberti. Michael Schumacher will return to the track on Friday. Click here for the timed Results At Fiorano, Luca Badoer tested for Ferrari and set a best time of 1:02.056 covering a total of 106 laps in total. He concentrated on aerodynamics and brakes and also practiced a number of starts. Badoer will return to Fiorano on Friday for a shakedown of the cars heading to the US Grand Prix. At Estoril, Mark Webber (testing for
Benetton) set the fastest time on the final day of testing. His time of 1:21.704 was
faster than the time set by Giancarlo Fisichella yesterday. Click here for the timed Results At Silverstone, Jaguar continued testing solo in preparation for the US Grand Prix. 13-Sep:
Following a second meeting at Monza, the Formula 1 teams have agreed to
new limitations on testing at race tracks on the F1 calender. Currently the teams can test
at 4 of those race tracks (Silverstone, Barcelona, Magny Cours and Monza) and the Friday
practice at those events lacks excitement as the teams have collected enough data the
previous week from testing. The teams have now agreed to ban any testing at those race
tracks 4 weeks prior to the race. The teams have agreed to a race and test ban in August to give the Formula 1 staff a mini break. This will require revisions to the 2001 provisional calender. 13-Sep: "Tearful Turnaround" is the title of the 29th issue from the Diagnosis and Prognosis Series for the 2000 season. In this issue, the Heretic looks at the aftermath of the Italian Grand Prix - Check it out here !! 12-Sep: Heinz Harald Frentzen has issued a statement regarding the tragic first lap incident at the Italian Grand Prix. "I had made a good start from the fourth row and was up to sixth place by the first chicane. I was then slip-streaming Barrichello near the middle of the track as we came through the Curva Grande. I was planning a move down the inside in order to try and take him under braking for fifth place into the second chicane. As we arrived he moved further left, probably contemplating doing the same thing to my team-mate Jarno Trulli, whom I couldn't see at the time, but who was apparently on his right. When Rubens braked, he did so earlier than I had expected. It took me by surprise and at 330 km/H I had virtually no time to react. I simply couldn't stop my car in time and I hit the back of Rubens' rear wheel with my front wing, which then prevented him from braking properly. As I automatically reacted by moving to the right to try and avoid the Ferrari, Jarno suddenly appeared ahead braking normally and I couldn't avoid him either. My front right wheel hit the back of Jarno's rear left wheel knocking the wheels off both our cars. After that it was all a high speed blur. My car was pitched into the air sideways and I thought it was going to roll over, but then it hit the back of the Ferrari again and landed back on its wheels. By this time I was just a passenger until my car came to rest in the gravel trap along with everyone else. I think everyone who knows me and my racing career knows that I am not the sort of driver to take unnecessary risks at the start of a race and I don't have a reputation of being involved in accidents. The first lap is always the most risky part of any race and it is inevitable that circumstances sometimes come together which result in an accident. When you have cars tightly bunched at over 300 km/H all braking hard for a slow chicane accidents are sometimes inevitable. I heard after the race that Barrichello was blaming me for the accident. In his situation I can understand his feelings, especially driving a Ferrari at Monza, but as he well knows the reasons for any accident are not as simple as he would like everyone to believe. As the stewards enquiry showed after they had reviewed all the evidence, it was a racing incident, the sort that happens several times a year, but fortunately without the same tragic result. Of course, my deepest regret is the fact that a marshal lost his life in the incident. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this terrible time, particularly for them, but also for all of us that are involved in motor sport when an accident occurs. We all realise the risks involved in the sport we love so much, but it does not make the reality of such a tragedy any easier to bare when one of us pays the ultimate price for our passion." 12-Sep: Testing at several tracks continues with Ferrari, McLaren and Sauber testing at Mugello. BAR and Jaguar testing at Silverstone and Williams and Benetton testing at Estoril. At Mugello, Ferrari, McLaren and Sauber were present and it was Olivier Panis who was the fastest followed by Pedro Diniz and Luca Badoer. Sauber also had a Finnish driver, Kimi Raikkonen testing for them. The best time set by Panis was 1:25.972 as he completed 80 laps. The teams are concentrating on different setups for the upcoming US Grand Prix. Click here for the timed Results At Silverstone, BAR concluded their testing with both Jacques Villeneuve and Ricardo Zonta while Jaguar continued testing with Luciano Burti. The fastest time was set by Burti with a time of 1:25.2 closely followed by both the BAR's. Ricardo Zonta drove a new test chassis while both Villeneuve and Burti tested different chassis and aerodynamic configurations in preparation for the US Grand Prix. Click here for the timed Results At Estoril, Ralf Schumacher set the fastest time of the day with a time of 1:21.524 followed by Giancarlo Fisichella and Mark Webber (testing for Benetton). Click here for the timed Results 12-Sep: The FIA president Max Mosley has indicated that no one is to blame for Sunday's accident at the Italian Grand Prix which resulted in the death of a fire marshal. Mosley added "It does happen from time to time. The stewards held an inquiry afterwards and interviewed all the five drivers concerned and came to the conclusion it was a racing accident for which no one person could be blamed. But inevitably when you have a multiple pile-up (even on the roads) you will find one or more of the drivers will be very clear in their minds about who was to blame. But all one can say is the stewards are completely independent and if there was someone to blame they certainly would have penalised him. An inquiry has been opened into the accident but Mosley is confident that the matter will be closed once all the facts have been examined. Rubens Barrichello put the blame squarely on Frentzen when he said "What Frentzen did was idiotic. His driving was dangerous, and he should be banned for 10 races". Heinz Harald Frentzen responded by saying that it was Barrichello who changed line and braked too early a response which provoked another from Barrichello when he said "It is completely unbelievable that he should think I was braking early. I was overtaking Jarno Trulli and I was braking as late as I could. He should not be using the car in front of him as a reference for his braking points." The Ferrari team will be present at the funeral of Paolo Gislimberti with a delegation composed of team manager Stefano Domenicali, the chief press officer Claudio Berro and test driver Luca Badoer. Ferrari's president has also discussed with Bernie Ecclestone the possibility of a collection from Formula 1 to be donated to the family of Mr. Gislimberti. 11-Sep: Testing at several tracks starts today in preparation for the US Grand Prix. The BAR and Jaguar teams have started their testing at Silverstone. Both BAR test drivers Darren Manning and Patrick Lemarie were present as well as Jaguar's test driver Luciano Burti. Manning completed a total of 60 laps and a best time of 1:28.057 while Lemarie completed 47 laps and a time of 1:29.239. Luciano Burti only did 10 laps with a best time of 1:29.558. Testing continues tomorrow. Both Williams and Benetton have started a 3 day test session at Estoril. Ralf Schumacher and Mark Webber (testing for Benetton) were present with Ralf setting the fastest time of 1:22.738 and Mark setting a time of 1:23.580. Ferrari and McLaren will be testing at Mugello from Tuesday. Jordan were planning to join them but as their 2 cars were impounded by the police following the fatal crash at the Italian Grand Prix they decided not to participate. 11-Sep: "How did Ferrari do it ?" is the topic of the week - Have Your Say |
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