2008 F1 Calendar

2008 Season (18 races in total)

1. 16/03 Australia
2. 23/03 Malaysia
3. 06/04 Bahrain
4. 27/04 Spain
5. 11/05 Turkey
6. 25/05 Monaco
7. 08/06 Canada
8. 22/06 France
9. 06/07 Britain
10. 20/07 Germany
11. 03/08 Hungary
12. 24/08 Europe
13. 07/09 Belgium
14. 14/09 Italy
15. 28/09 Singapore (Night Race)
16. 12/10 Japan
17. 19/10 China
18. 02/11 Brazil

FIA publishes full Renault transcript

Snippet of the transcript


The FIA has released a full transcript of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) hearing, which took place on December 6, concerning Renault’s possession of confidential technical information belonging to McLaren.

View transcript

Related topic: http://bcosurich.wordpress.com/2007/12/07/renault-escape-fine-over-mclaren-data/

McLaren to play down launching of MP4-23

MP4-22, McLaren 2007 machine

McLaren have no plans for a launch presentation of their 2008 machine, the MP4-23. Instead the team will provide the media with photographs and further details about the car when it runs for the first time next month.

The first test on the MP4-23, will be raced by Lewis Hamilton and newly-confirmed team mate Heikki Kovalainen, on the second week of January.

2008 F1 Driver Line Up - prediction (updated)

Ferrari:

Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa

McLaren:

Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen

BMW:

Nick Heidfeld, Robert Kubica

Renault:

Fernando Alonso, Nelson Piquet Jr

Williams:

Nico Rosberg, Kazuki Nakajima

Honda:

Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello

Red Bull:

Mark Webber, David Coulthard

Toyota:

Jarno Trulli, Timo Glock

Toro Rosso:

Sebastian Vettel, Sebastien Bourdais

Super Aguri:

Takuma Sato, Anthony Davidson

Force India:

Adrian Sutil, Roland Rodriquez

I had made one in my other blog - bcosurich.wordpress.com, this is an updated one, what's yours?

Non-grooved slick possible return in 2009

Bridgestone non-grooved slick on track...

Bridgestone gain a great deal of valuable data after last week of testing in Jerez. Hirohide Hamashima, director of Bridgestone Motorsport tyre development reviews the test:

Q: What has Bridgestone learnt from running with slick tyres at this test?
Hirohide Hamashima: This test was a valuable data gathering exercise. We have to remember that these are development tyres and the 2007 chassis have not been designed to run with slicks. However, the information gained will help us and the teams with developments for the future. We received strong feedback from all drivers, including Michael Schumacher who we know well. It was good to see him here.

Q: What is the plan for further tests and development of the slick tyres?
HH: We will review the information gained and this will enable us to continue to develop these tyres. The teams also now have initial information to help develop their cars. We will respond to requests from the Formula One Testing Committee for future tests as required and we would expect further tests over the course of next year.

Q: How similar are these tyres to those used by Bridgestone in Formula One racing in 1997?
HH: We have learnt a lot since we last ran with slicks in F1 from our activities in Formula One and other motorsport activities like GP2, Champ Car and IndyCar, which all use our slick tyres. This knowledge has been incorporated into this development tyre and there are many differences from our 1997 tyres.

Q: Have there been any major differences to tyre use and wear with no traction control?
HH: We have not seen a significant change to how the tyres are used when there is no traction control. Jerez is a circuit where traction control would be used more than Barcelona where we also saw cars running without it. Despite this, tyre performance has been good and in keeping with what we would see when traction control is employed.

Q: How big a difference should we see in lap times from slick tyres?
HH: When the teams ran with 2007 levels of downforce certain cars were more than two seconds faster. When the cars ran with 2009 levels of downforce they were slower, which is the aim of the regulations. We must also remember that the current cars and their suspension have not been designed for slick tyres. A lot of development will occur in both the cars and the Bridgestone tyres before 2009.

Source: http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2007/12/7175.html

Nico Rosberg to stay with Williams for the next two years

Nico Rosberg secure his seat for 2008 & 2009 season with Williams

Nico Rosberg, one of the young talents that the big team are eyeing for has signed a new contract with Williams for the next two seasons. In 2008 Rosberg will effectively take on the role of Williams’ lead driver, despite having only two seasons of competitive F1 experience.

Below are the interview with Rosberg:

Q: Nico, congratulations on your new contract with the team!
Nico Rosberg: Thank you. I am really pleased to be staying with Williams for the next two years. I have taken this step because I believe in the team’s capabilities to move forward and I get on well with everyone in the team. Naturally being in such a central role as the lead development driver also motivates me. I first tested for Williams when I was 17, so our relationship is now five years old, and I'm happy to maintain this relationship and have the chance to help push the team further towards the front of the grid.

Q: Why is playing a role to push the team on important to you?
NR: My relationship with Williams started with an extremely difficult year in 2006. 2007 was a big improvement, we have been growing together and improving and it’s motivating that I’m playing a central role in this progression. Williams aren’t at the front right now, but are steadily getting there. I want to contribute to that process, especially now I have another season’s experience to draw on. It is right that as I develop as a driver that step by step I should take more responsibility.

Q: So how will you do this?
NR: Kazuki (Nakajima) comes into the team as a rookie next season, so I will have the job of leading the development of the car from a driver perspective. Ok, I am still lacking a bit of experience but I believe that my technical understanding is becoming one of my strong points. That said, it’s a team game - I need to do my bit and of course the factory also needs to push ahead as the pace of the car is so reliant on aspects such as aerodynamics, but as we have shown in the past 12 months, we have moved from eighth to fourth, so the team is definitely going in the right direction.

Detail interview: http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2007/12/7173.html