Here you can find news and photos regarding F1. The pictures (wallpapers) and news displayed are the ones I managed to find on the Internet (I sure hope I am not violating any copyright acts). On the left side you will find labels, links, search, bookmark and on the right google ads. Please leave comments (I appreciate them all), no registration required! You can also send me feedback! Enjoy


Sunday, November 30, 2008

Investing, Money in Formula 1

The fireworks and fanfare accompanying the F1 Australian Grand Prix in March mark the beginning of another season of 17 races for the world's most high-tech cars. They also mark the beginning of another season of staggering spending. F1 burns through cash faster than the cars guzzle fuel and by the end of the season the teams, sponsors, circuits and rights holders will have spent around £2bn. But, believe it or not, this year costs have been cut.

Nothing in F1 comes cheap. Team budgets soar up to £200m per year with typical engine development and construction costing around £50m. The engines epitomise engineering expertise revving to over 19,000rpm and coming close to 1,000bhp. They are the core cost involved with producing the cars with a complete vehicle having material value of around £1.3m. Even the steering wheel is far from average costing a cool £13,000.

The cars lining up on the grid at Melbourne are the fruits of hundreds of hours of windtunnel and track testing which costs each team around £25m per year. So even though the world's biggest carmakers, including BMW, Renault and Ferrari, own their own teams, it's easy to see why they concluded that spending had accelerated out of control. F1 teams may give the impression of being awash with cash but every drop of capital counts.

Until recently the 11 F1 teams had a raw commercial deal from the sport receiving between them only around 23% of its £500m annual spoils with the remainder ending up in offshore companies with shadowy ownership.

A group of rebel carmakers threatened to pull out of F1 if it didn't become more transparent and if the teams' take didn't increase. Their window of opportunity was the expiry at the end of 2007 of the Concorde Agreement - the contract binding the teams to race in the sport. They got what they wanted.

In May last year the manufacturers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the sport's supremo Bernie Ecclestone agreeing to race in 2008. Their F1 fortunes were substantially increased. Prior to the deal the teams' only source of funding from F1's commercial rights was 47% of its £190m television rights revenue. However, under the MOU the teams now receive 50% of the underlying profits from all revenues including the annual estimated £70m from corporate hospitality, £90m from trackside advertising and £145m from race hosting fees. The catalyst for this was a change in ownership of F1.

In November 2005 a majority stake in F1 was sold to venture capital company CVC which immediately set to work on building the bridges between the sport's factions. The new owner's end game is clear: cashing out and making a profit. But to do this required all the valuable F1 stakeholders remaining involved. The manufacturers were offered board seats on F1's ultimate holding company and respected non-executive directors were appointed including advertising boss Sir Martin Sorrell and Nestlé chief executive Peter Brabeck-Letmathe. In a nod to increased transparency CVC also bought F1's key offshore firms and brought them under one umbrella. The sale to CVC was a master-stroke for Ecclestone, the silver-haired 76 year-old son of a Suffolk trawler-man who has single-handedly built up F1 into a global sport and has cashed out over £2bn from it. As I discovered on being hired by him five years ago, Ecclestone is a softly-spoken man whose deals are done on a handshake. However, CVC's hand was one he was keen to grip and for good reason.

From 2009 F1 cars will include mandatory devices capable of energy-recovery and re-use from braking. The practical implication of this will be that the massive investment piled into F1 research and development will enable these mechanisms to be made smaller, quicker and lighter for usage in road cars. It also has obvious environmental benefits and from 2011 the sport will introduce bio-fuels. As a prelude to this the Honda team will be running sponsor-free this season with the car instead emblazoned with an image of the earth comprised of the names of fans who donate to an eco-friendly scheme.

The sport's short-term future seems secure but CVC's acquisition has also meant that long-term growth is now a necessity. In January I revealed in the Sunday Express newspaper that the company had taken out a £1.5bn loan to partly finance its purchase of F1 saddling the sport with a staggering debt unlike any it has previously had. To support the repayments, F1 has little choice but to move more races into untapped areas of the globe in order to increase revenues. This move has already begun.

Earlier this year Ecclestone signed a contract for Abu Dhabi to host an F1 race from 2009, paying an estimated £15m per year for the privilege. South Korea will join the calendar the following year with Singapore, India, South Africa, Russia and Greece all expected to speed onto the F1 scene soon. Although it's almost 60 years-old, the F1 world championship is only just beginning to rev up.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Driver Rumours - Part 2

This list is updated. Re-sexed. Read it.

Rubens Barrichello: Doesn't look too bright for him. Seems his only chance now is Toro Rosso. He has confirmed the links to them, but he's nowhere near a contract as I see it. Chance of race seat 2009: 20%
Pedro de la Rosa: Force India, as well as Sutil and Fisichella, have once more confirmed their seats for 2009. de la Rosa seems to be out of it. Sorry mate! Chance of race seat 2009: 15%
Takuma Sato: He's the likeliest "old guy" to take one of the two seats at the moment. Not from pure skill, but from finances. Chance of race seat 2009: 60%
Bruno Senna: It's looking quite sure, I am confident Honda will line up with Button and Senna for 2009. Chance of race seat 2009: 75%
Sebastién Bourdais: Two words: Sorry, mate. He's not going to make the cut. He'll be back in the US before you know it. Chance of race seat 2009: 25%
Sebastien Buemi: The most radical change from my last post. He's pretty much been confirmed, they're talking about him as if he's got a contract penned already. Chance of race seat 2009: 95%
Paul di Resta: Just, no. No. Chance of race seat 2009: 2%
Jenson Button: Just, yes. Yes. Chance of race seat 2009: 98%
Lucas di Grassi: He, if anyone, would stop Senna from taking a seat at Honda. I doubt it, though. Chance of race seat 2009: 25%
Mark Webber: He's injured, damnit! Injured! Broken leg! He won't be walking unaided until February, according to the plan. If that's delayed, he won't line up in Australia for the season opener. He'll return to the cockpit later in 2009 in that case, for sure. Chance of race seat 2009: 100%. Chance of race seat Australian Grand Prix: 85%
Brendon Hartley: This young New Zealander would be the reasonable temporary Webber replacement, would Webber not make it in time. Chance of race seat 2009: 15%

Away from race seats, we have some new names coming up. Surprisingly, this is in Ferrari. Young Italian Mirko Bortolotti drove faster than Ferrari's more or less regular test driver Andrea Bertolini around Fiorano earlier this week. Bortolotti is merely 18 years old and would be a reasonable Raikkonen replacement for 2011.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Rubens Barrichello, Pedro de la Rosa and Takuma Sato

Rumours are running like crazy about these three, among others. This list will provide an overview of what's going on with our drivers!

Rubens Barrichello: Seems to be on his way out, has been linked to Toro Rosso due to seemingly being dropped by Honda. Chance of race seat 2009: 20%
Pedro de la Rosa: Experienced McLaren test driver, currently testing for Force India. Strong rumours put him in a FI race seat, instead of Giancarlo Fisichella. Chance of race seat 2009: 40%
Takuma Sato: Ex-Super Aguri and Honda driver, one of the most charismatic and loved by the viewers. We'll never forget Canada 2007 where he overtook Alonso. In the run for a Toro Rosso seat, best Toro Rosso driver during the current 3-day test. Chance of race seat 2009: 60%
Bruno Senna: Testing for Honda and linked to Toro Rosso as well. Confident of landing a seat. Likely to land a seat. Young gun on his way up. Chance of race seat 2009: 70%
Sebastién Bourdais: Current Toro Rosso driver, not certain to hang on. If he goes, Takuma Sato will probably take his place. Strong contender though, but I personally hope Takuma Sato will get this seat. Chance of race seat 2009: 40%
Sebastien Buemi: Other young gun, in the race for a Toro Rosso seat just like Sato, Senna and Bourdais. Looking good. Chance of race seat 2009: 70%
Paul di Resta: McLaren's DTM driver, speculated to steal a Force India race seat. I doubt it. Chance of race seat 2009: 15%
Jenson Button: You might wonder why he's here, but he does not have a contract with Honda. Everything poitns to him being signed for 2009 though. If not, Toro Rosso would probably love to steal him. Chance of race seat 2009: 95%
Lucas di Grassi: Also rumoured to run for Honda. Not as likely, though. Chance of race seat 2009: 30%
Adrian Sutil: Showed well both in 2007 and 2008, in a crap car. Due to rumours regarding Force India, his seat is not 100% certain. Chance of race seat 2009: 85%
Giancarlo Fisichella: Simple, it's the same as for Sutil, just that Fisi is older and more likely to be kicked. Chance of race seat 2009: 60%

Do you think any driver is missing, albeit should be on this list? Throw his name at me, comment it or email me!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Season 2008

1. This is the first post dedicated to the drivers who drove in F1 2008 season. The order is followed by championship ranking - backwards. So I will start with Anthony Davidson and end with Lewis Hamilton! Posts will appear weekly to make this off season more interesting!

Anthony is obviously very disappointed that the team was unable to see out the 2008 season and beyond, and gutted not just for himself but for all of the guys at the factory who have worked so hard. It showed their great dedication and loyalty to keep fighting given the uncertainty over the future.

I think personally the first four races were very positive and he continued to build on what he learnt from his rookie season last year. After several years as a test driver in F1 he had the chance to show that he can race and to prove his speed, and he shuld be grateful to the team and Honda for the opportunity. Although it's a difficult time of the year to find an alternative option as the season is well underway. Anthony: ^I’m glad that I took the opportunity to compete again this year and strongly believe that I have unfinished business in Formula One.^


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pic 1: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Friday Free Practise Bahrain Grand Prix 2008
pic 2: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Spain Catalunya qualification F1 2008

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pic 1: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Malaysian gp Free practise Friday
pic 2: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Race Malaysian Grand Prix Sunday 2008

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pic 1: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Maleisya
pic 2: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Maleisya

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pic 1: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Sunday race Melbourne Australia
pic 2:Anthony Davidson Friday Spain

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pic 1: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri qualifying session Melbourne Australia
pic 2: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri qualifying session Albert Park 2008

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pic 1: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Bahrain quali F1 2008
pic 2: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Malesya

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pic 1: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Bahrain F1 2008
pic 2: Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Bahrain Free Practise F1 2008

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pic 1: Anthony Davidson Friday Test Melbourne Australia Albert Park 2008
pic 2: Anthony Davidson Friday Test Melbourne Australia Albert Park 2008

Canada, Force India and Chrill's 2009 Prediction

Canada's had to confirm they will not be hosting any Grands Prix as of immediately. It's a shame, for I love Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. I will miss it.

Force India has closed a deal with McLaren on Engine, KERS and possibly aerodynamic help. Rumours have surfaced that either Paul di Resta (Scottish DTM driver for Mercedes) or Pedro de la Rosa (McLaren test/3rd driver) would take one of the race seats in Force India. Force India, with Vijay Malliya in the front, strongly denies that McLaren will have any effect on their drivers line-up and re-confirmed Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella for the 2009 season.

Now, to something a tad bit more personal. I'll give you my top 3 of who I think will stand as the 2009 Formula One World Champion. You'll be shocked. The following three are in no particular order:

1. Fernando Alonso (Well, he won twice, he's an amazing driver)
2. Nick Heidfeld (Okay, the team won once in 2008, but he never did..)
3. Sebastian Vettel (See, I really am nuts)

Now, let me motivate them all. If Renault gets their car going, who could possibly stop Alonso? Honestly. He was the best driver of 2008, a British poll confirmed this.

What about Nick Heidfeld? He's a great driver, if he manages to get qualifying together. If BMW manages to get KERS working properly, and Heidfeld gets qualifying working properly, then BMW might just take the step. It's well possible. Why not Kubica? Just because..

Sebastian Vettel, then. A true youngster, in a Red Bull. This is my outsider, but Red Bull could probably get quite far with a neat Renault engine (Renault gets to catch up, no?) and if they get the car good enough, with slicks and KERS and everything, there's no reason to believe Vettel will fail. Just remember him in Monza. Just keeping his car on track for the whole race, as well as dominating the race, left a huge impression on me. Outsider, yes. Impossible? Nuh-uh!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Special Post Dedicated to F1 Drivers

Special Brazilian post, just pictures no words, but comments are still welcome! ;)

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Friday, November 14, 2008

Taking the race but not the title

Felipe Massa showed on Sunday he could fill the void left by the late Brazilian driving idol Ayrton Senna.

Massa won the Brazilian Grand Prix in one of the most dramatic Formula One finales in recent years, but failed by just one point to become the first Brazilian to clinch the overall title since Senna in 1991 after Lewis Hamilton finished fifth at Interlagos circuit.

Coming into the Brazilian GP, Massa had won five of the 17 preceding races but trailed Hamilton by seven points and had to either win the race and hope the McLaren driver finished sixth or lower or come second and hope Hamilton finished eighth or lower.

The 23-year-old Hamilton came fifth after a passing Toyota's Timo Glock on the last lap to become the youngest F1 champion and the first from Britain since Damon Hill in 1996.

Although he lost the championship, Massa has captured the imagination of Brazilian race fans. About 70,000 fans packed the Interlagos track, most of them dressed in the red colors of Ferrari. Many carried banners wishing bad luck to Hamilton. There was a football-like atmosphere, with fans chanting "Ole, Ole, Ole ... Massa, Massa!"

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pic 1: Filipe Massa Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008
pic 2: Filipe Massa Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008

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pic 1: Robert Kubica BMW Sauber Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008
pic 2: Rubens Barrichello Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008

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pic 1: David Coulthard Red Bull Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008
pic 2: Fernando Alonso Renault Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008

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pic 1: Sebastian Vettel Toro Rosso Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008
pic 2: Sebastian Vettel Toro Rosso Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008

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pic 1: Lewis Hamilton McLaren Mercedes Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo
pic 2: Lewis Hamilton McLaren Mercedes Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo

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pic 1: Lewis Hamilton McLaren Mercedes Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo
pic 2: Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008

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pic 1: Kazuki Nakajima Williams Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008
pic 2: Jarno Trulli Toyota Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008

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pic 1: Start Filipe Massa Ferrari Brazilian GP, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, 2008
pic 2: Heikki Kovalainen McLaren Mercedes Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber

There are a lot more posts (both news and pictures) so check them out tho! See the labels on the left side up, or better yet use the search option and find stuff you want!!

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