McLaren are at a clear advantage in the coming season as they are the sole supplier for the electronic system which the rest of the team must now use, Ferrari CEO Jean Todt said yesterday.
The SECU (Standard Electronic Control Unit) produced by McLaren Electronic Systems is a major development for new season, which will start on March 16 in Australia, Melbourne, approximately 2 months from now.
The reason why FIA select McLaren SECU because McLaren and Microsoft put forward the most economic proposal.
"It is clear it is a situation to monitor. But it is obvious that, at least at the start, McLaren will have an advantage in the championship," Todt said, who has handed the reins of the racing team to Stefano Domenicali while he remains boss of the company.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
The new SECU gives McLaren advantage: Todt
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Fisichella pays to drive
Respond: “If I had 10 million bucks I'd stay home and watch F1 on TV!”
Fisichella was dropped by Renault at the end of last season and, although he tested for the Force India team in December, still has no confirmed drive for the coming season.
Now, following suggestions in the media that paying his way may be Fisichella’s only route into an ‘08 race seat, the Italian has responded in somewhat unusual fashion via his personal website.
“I do not pay to drive, I get paid to drive,” he said in a brief, three-point statement. “I do not bring sponsors to the team, the team brings sponsors to me,” he added, concluding with, “If I had 10 million bucks I'd stay home and watch F1 on TV!”
O.o
FIA confirm 2008 driver line up
Official list from http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/1/7223.html
Force India are the only team still to finalise their race line-up.
Ferrari
1 Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)
2 Felipe Massa (BR)
BMW Sauber
3 Nick Heidfeld (D)
4 Robert Kubica (PL)
Renault
5 Fernando Alonso (E)
6 Nelson Piquet (BR)
Williams Toyota
7 Nico Rosberg (D)
8 Kazuki Nakajima (J)
Red Bull Renault
9 David Coulthard (GB)
10 Mark Webber (AUS)
Toyota
11 Jarno Trulli (I)
12 Timo Glock (D)
STR Ferrari
14 Sebastien Bourdais (F)
15 Sebastian Vettel (D)
Honda
16 Jenson Button (GB)
17 Rubens Barrichello (BR)
Super Aguri Honda
18 Takuma Sato (J)
19 Anthony Davidson (GB)
Force India
20 Adrian Sutil (D)
21 Giancarlo Fisichella (I) (updated 11 Jan 2008)
McLaren Mercedes
22 Lewis Hamilton (GB)
23 Heikki Kovalainen (FIN)
View my previous prediction: http://bcosurich.blogspot.com/2007/12/2008-f1-driver-line-up-prediction.html
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
2008 F1 Calendar
2008 Season (18 races in total)
- 16/03 Australia
- 23/03 Malaysia
- 06/04 Bahrain
- 27/04 Spain
- 11/05 Turkey
- 25/05 Monaco
- 08/06 Canada
- 22/06 France
- 06/07 Britain
- 20/07 Germany
- 03/08 Hungary
- 24/08 Europe
- 07/09 Belgium
- 14/09 Italy
- 28/09 Singapore (Night Race)
- 12/10 Japan
- 19/10 China
- 02/11 Brazil
Monday, December 17, 2007
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.
Friday, December 14, 2007
2008 F1 Driver Line Up - prediction (updated)
McLaren:
Renault:
Williams:
Honda:
I had made one in my other blog - bcosurich.wordpress.com, this is an updated one, what's yours?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
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