Archive for May, 2009

Monaco Grand Prix 2009

• Posted in F1 2009 . F1 News

Monaco Grand Prix 2009
21 – 24 May 2009, Monte Carlo, Monaco

Jenson Button extended his championship lead with a fifth victory in six races as he led Rubens Barrichello to a Brawn one-two in the Monaco Grand Prix.

Button sealed his victory in the early stages of the race, when he managed the deteriorating tyres on his car far better than his Brazilian team-mate.

Barrichello was left to hold off the Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, who finished third and fourth.

Brawn may still have had a decisive edge in Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix, but it was encouraging to see Ferrari take another step forward. Their improved form from Spain continued, this time with complete reliability.

It gave them their best result – and first podium – of 2009. There was some scratching of heads at Red Bull, who dropped to third in the pecking order, despite the arrival of a double diffuser.

Robert Kubica must be unsettled by this and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear his name on the list of possible movers for next season.

Next stop Turkey, then Silverstone. These will both suit the Red Bull, with the RB5’s love of long fast corners.

But Button can afford to drop a few points to Vettel and Webber.

BBC: Classy Button eases to Monaco win
ITV: James Allen’s Monaco GP verdict
Official F1: Monaco race analysis – Ferrari rising to Brawn challenge

Monaco Grand Prix 2010 is provisionally scheduled for 20 – 23 May.

Monaco Grand Prix 2010 Tickets are already on sale. Prices start from only £70 and General Admission – Z1 are sold out as of 1st October 2009.

Buy Monaco Grand Prix 2010 Tickets Now

Monaco 2009 – Alonso fastest on Saturday morning’s final practice.

• Posted in F1 News

Two-time Monaco winner Fernando Alonso emerged as the final practice session’s fastest man following a closely-fought Saturday morning on the tortuous street circuit.

The Spaniard lapped in 1m 15.164s, the fastest time thus far this weekend. It was just enough to dislodge Brawn’s Jenson Button, who had earlier popped up at the top for the first time with 1m 15.233s.

But right behind the Englishman, McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen (1m 15.278s), Brawn’s Rubens Barrichello (1m 15.286s on his 37th birthday) and Ferrari’s Felipe Massa (1m 15.293s) were also very quick. And Kimi Raikkonen (1m 15.382s for Ferrari) and Lewis Hamilton (1m 15.389s in his McLaren) were a stone’s throw away too in sixth and seventh.

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton looked impressive for the second day running on the tight Monaco street circuit.

Most drivers went out on soft tyres before changing to the super-soft option tyres towards the end of the session to bring down their times.

F1 bosses to meet over budget row

• Posted in F1 News

The Formula 1 teams are to meet motorsport boss Max Mosley on Friday in an attempt to resolve an escalating row over new rules for 2010.

Mosley, president of governing body the FIA, has introduced a voluntary budget cap of £40m, giving the teams operating within it greater technical freedom.

But many teams fear that could turn Formula 1 into a two-tier championship.

Ferrari, Toyota, Red Bull and Renault have all threatened to quit the sport if Mosley’s plan goes ahead.

The teams’ umbrella organisation Fota, whose chairman is Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo will meet Mosley and F1’s commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone in London.

Ecclestone said: “The key to F1 is Ferrari. They have been there for 60 years. They are partners of ours. They are the people we need to take into consideration.

“At the moment everyone is hanging on to their apron strings. Sort that out and we will be OK.”

Renault boss Flavio Briatore said another change in the rules of the sport would be “unacceptable” for his team.

“The teams are F1 and the international federation should simply be the referee,” said the Italian.

“The rules should be written by us. They can’t be imposed by Max without him speaking to anyone. That’s an unacceptable way to work.

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Lewis Hamilton Q&A: We can turn our fortunes around

• Posted in F1 News

Nine points from five races is a far from the ideal scenario for a reigning world champion aiming for a second consecutive title. But that’s the situation McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton has been forced to accept so far this season.

With his MP4-24 struggling against the might of the Brawns and Red Bulls, Hamilton has failed to qualify higher than fifth and is yet to grace the podium.

For the British driver, however, there are positives, not least the team’s watertight reliability. And speaking to his official website, he’s hopeful that the unidentified issue which he believes is damaging the car’s pace will be rectified soon…

Q: A tough race and no points in Barcelona – were you satisfied with your drive?

Lewis Hamilton: We’re unfortunate that our car is not quick enough at the moment, but that hasn’t stopped me from pushing hard in all the races. Even though I didn’t finish in the points in Spain, I pushed like crazy throughout the whole race, didn’t make any mistakes and got the maximum from the car.

As a racing driver, you have to be satisfied with that, and I was pleased with my performance. To finish ninth at a circuit we knew wouldn’t suit us wasn’t the end of the world. Most importantly, it’s a big improvement for the guys in the team.

I just want to say that the whole team has done a fantastic job – they really have, since I’ve been in this team I’ve maybe had one or two reliability issues with the car in 40 races. And touch wood that will stay the same.

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Renault join F1 pull-out threat

• Posted in F1 News

Renault are the latest high-profile team threatening to quit Formula 1 unless proposals to adopt a £40m budget cap in 2010 are shelved.

On Tuesday, Ferrari joined Toyota and Red Bull in declaring their intention to pull out of F1 because of the plans.

And Renault boss Flavio Briatore said: “If the decisions are not revised, we have no choice but to withdraw from the world championship at the end of 2009.”

Ferrari, meanwhile, say they will race in other series if they quit the sport.

“If it really was like that, then I have to say that our cars will race in other competitions, where – and I am absolutely convinced about that – they will find the enthusiasm and the passion of millions of fans,” said Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.

“Racing is part of Ferrari’s DNA and this is something that will never change.”

Reports have speculated that the Italian team might set up a rival series, compete in the United States, or enter cars in the Le Mans 24 hour race.

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