Archive for March, 2009

Australian Grand Prix 2009

• Posted in F1 2009 . F1 News

Australian Grand Prix 2009
26 – 29 March, Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Albert Park, Melbourne

BBC: Button seals dream Australia win

Jenson Button secured a dream debut victory for the Brawn GP team after dominating the Australian Grand Prix. The Englishman led throughout and team-mate Rubens Barrichello completed a Brawn one-two after a dramatic finish.

Official F1 Website: Brawn GP take dramatic one-two victory in Melbourne

Not since the French Grand Prix in 1954 has a team new to Formula One racing finished one-two on their debut. That day it was Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling for Mercedes-Benz. This afternoon it was Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello for Brawn-Mercedes after an extraordinary ‘race of two halves’ in Australia.

ITV: Button wins as Brawn claims dream 1-2

Jenson Button completed Brawn GP’s dream debut weekend by heading a remarkable 1-2 for the reborn team in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix

F1 teams given Melbourne go-ahead

• Posted in F1 News

Motorsport’s governing body has rejected a protest made by three Formula One teams about the legality of certain cars.

With the new season starting in Australia on Sunday, the FIA has ruled that the cars of Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams are all legal.

Ferrari, Red Bull and Renault claimed a crucial part at the back of the cars does not conform to new F1 regulations.

The protesting teams have said they will appeal against the decision.

BMW Sauber also originally protested but it was thrown out because their paperwork was not correctly submitted.

The initial verdict was delivered after a six-hour hearing, after which race stewards rejected the complaint.

An intent to appeal has been lodged – assuming the teams go ahead with this, it would be heard following next weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

In an exclusive interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Jenson Button insisted the Brawn GP cars were “100% legal”.

From: news.bbc.co.uk

F1 set to cut super-licence fee

• Posted in F1 News

Formula 1′s governing body, the FIA, has agreed to reduce the cost of drivers’ mandatory super-licences from the start of the 2010 season.

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, which represents the majority of F1 drivers, had expressed its discontent at a hike in fees in 2008.

F1 in disarray over scoring plan

Formula 1 has axed plans for a new scoring system in 2009, just nine days before the start of the season.
The sport’s governing body, FIA, announced earlier this week that the driver with the most wins would be crowned world champion.

From: news.bbc.co.uk

F1 on the BBC in 2009

• Posted in F1 News

The BBC will be providing comprehensive coverage of the 2009 Formula One season across all its platforms.

F1 returns to BBC television for the first time in 12 years and there will be extensive coverage on network TV, red button, radio, online and mobile.

BBC One will carry live coverage of all 17 Grands Prix and every qualifying session except that in Brazil, which will be shown on BBC Two.

And every single on-track session can be watched on the red button or online.

Jake Humphrey will present the TV coverage, joined by 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard and former team boss Eddie Jordan as pundits.

bbc.co.uk

Overwhelmed Hamilton collects MBE

• Posted in F1 News

Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has collected his MBE from Buckingham Palace, saying it was “overwhelming”.

The 24-year-old racing driver, who became the youngest winner of the world championship in November, was presented with the award by the Queen.

“It was one of the most overwhelming experiences I’ve ever had,” he said.

Army chief General Sir Richard Dannatt said he discussed the recent killings in Northern Ireland with the monarch as he collected a Knight Grand Cross.

Hamilton said: “I don’t think you realise until you’re standing in front of her how special it is.”

In 2007 he became the first black driver in Formula One and a year later took the fifth place he needed at the last corner in the Brazilian GP to take the crown.