FOTA wants qualifying format shakeup
In the wake of BMW’s shock F1 exit, the sport’s remaining car manufacturers insist efforts are afoot to spice up the spectacle. Not long after the Munich carmaker announced its decision to withdraw, FOTA secretary general Simone Perillo said work has begun to increase “the involvement of the fans” and to improve “the F1 show”. [...]
More manufacturer withdrawals won’t destroy F1 says Mosley
The sport will survive even if rumours are true that more manufacturers are considering following Honda and BMW out of formula one, Max Mosley insists. “If any more manufacturers quit we’ve got people who’d replace them. I think F1 will be very healthy with or without the manufacturers,” the current FIA president told the BBC. [...]
Massa Watch: Released from ICU and walking
6am (GMT) Thursday 30 July More good news from the AEK in Budapest, where Felipe Massa is on the road to recovery. The driver has had more exams carried out, confirming his continuing improvement. Felipe speaks, can sit upright and was even able to take his first steps. Yesterday (Wednesday) he was releasesed from intensive [...]
Bringing back Schumacher the obvious choice
It’s been a day of shock annoucements with BMW declaring their intention to leave F1, and now Ferrari annoucing that Schumacher will replace Massa in Valencia. This was really the only option Ferrari had out of the realistic ones available. With all due respect to Marc Gene and Luca Badoer (the two Ferrari test drivers), [...]
Renault continue with Valencia ban appeal
Renault has made official its appeal against the Hungarian GP stewards’ decision to ban the team from the forthcoming European grand prix. Within one hour of the stewards’ decision on Sunday evening, the French team lodged a ‘notice of intention to appeal’ with the FIA, together with the necessary deposit of 6000 euros. “The FIA [...]
BMW will also not supply engines in 2010
BMW will not remain in formula one even to supply its V8 engines to customer teams, board member Klaus Draeger insists. “No. We will not be available in the forthcoming season as an engine supplier,” he said in Munich on Wednesday. BMW’s decision to withdraw from formula one follows that of Honda late last year, [...]
Piquet ends Renault career by slamming Briatore
If Nelson Piquet’s future was previously only in doubt, it is now a near certainty that the 23-year-old will never return to the cockpit of a Renault. The Brazilian said team boss Flavio Briatore, who is believed to have told Piquet in Budapest last weekend that he has been ousted in favour of reserve Romain [...]
Peter Sauber says team survival to be ‘difficult’
Peter Sauber on Wednesday played down hopes he might simply step back in and resume leadership of his Swiss-based formula one team.?The 65-year-old, who sold his Hinwil based outfit to BMW at the end of 2005, said he fears the Munich manufacturer’s withdrawal from formula one could mean the closure of the team. “I respect [...]
FOTA supports Sauber after BMW exit
The FOTA group on Wednesday said it will support moves for the Hinwil based team to continue in formula one following BMW’s decision to withdraw from the sport. “FOTA teams have immediately consulted each other and are ready to assure all the necessary support to the Swiss based team, whose membership in the association is [...]