Posts Tagged ‘ Valencia ’

Valencia Grand Prix Future in Doubt

• Posted in F1 News

The future of the European Grand Prix in Valencia is in doubt after the city’s government indicated that it wants to renegotiate its race fee.

Jose Ciscar, vice-president of the Generalitat Valenciana, said he was embarking on a “complete and thorough review” of the major events budget.

Valencia has a contract to host the race on a street circuit on the city’s waterfront until 2014.

Ciscar does not rule out cancelling the race. “We do not discount anything.”

He also said that he would be contacting F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to discuss the city’s wishes.

The move makes Valencia, which is reputed to pay in the region of 25 million Euros (£20.6m) a year to host the grand prix, the second race to ask Ecclestone to reduce F1′s fees.

Korea, which made its debut on the calendar in 2010, is also reconsidering the future of its race.

There are also doubts about two races on the 2012 calendar – Bahrain because of ongoing unrest in the Gulf state and the new US Grand Prix, on account of delays in building the track in Austin, Texas.

Read more: bbc.co.uk

Massa Fastest in Valencia on First Day Of Testing

• Posted in F1 News

Massa in the new Ferrari

Michael Schumacher got most of the attention from the press during the first test of the season in Valencia, Spain, but Massa with his new Ferrari F10 proved to be the fastest man on the track.

When asked how he felt about the new car, Massa said:

“It has more grip than the 2009 car. When you have more grip you also have much more fun driving.”

Massa led the seven-car field with a best lap time of one minute 12.574 seconds from 102 laps at Valencia’s Cheste Circuit. That left him just over two-tenths of a second faster than Pedro De la Rosa of Sauber.

Massa will also drive tomorrow before giving way to new team-mate Fernando Alonso on Wednesday.

Valencia Test – 01 February 2010

• Posted in F1 News

Michael Schumacher has already shown his class and outpaced team-mate Nico Rosberg during the first test of the season in Valencia, Spain.

Nico Rosberg said he is impressed with the car but its too yearly to jump to conclusions.

“My first impression of the car was very good,” Rosberg said.

“But it’s too early to tell if it’s a winner.

“Everything went smoothly. But we have not been on this track for such a long time so it is difficult to compare.

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