Lotus to start 2011 season without KERS
Dec.3 (GMM) Lotus has not changed its mind about running a KERS system in 2011. In May this year, team boss Tony Fernandes said the Norfolk-based team had “good reasons” to build the 2010 car’s successor without the energy recovery technology. Another new feature of the technical rules for 2011 is an adjustable rear wing [...]
Proton and Renault close to F1 deal
Dec.3 (GMM) Proton intends to push ahead with a partial takeover of the Enstone based formula one team Renault. Previously, it was believed the Malaysian carmaker was only in talks over a potential title sponsorship, with Renault F1 to be renamed after the Proton-owned British sports car maker Group Lotus. But Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin [...]
Badoer’s long stint as Ferrari tester ends
Dec.3 (GMM) Luca Badoer is leaving Ferrari after a long tenure as test driver. The almost 40-year-old Italian has been in the role since the late 90s, and according to Autosprint magazine he accumulated more than 130,000 kilometres at Fiorano in Ferrari’s F1 cars during that period. But Badoer was heavily criticised for his lack [...]
Team Lotus name still in doubt for 2011
Dec.2 (GMM) A frustrated Mike Gascoyne has admitted he is not sure Team Lotus will race to the 2011 grid with that name. Even though the separate Group Lotus is contesting team boss Tony Fernandes’ plans, his application to be called Team Lotus in 2011 has for now been accepted by the FIA and Bernie [...]
Toro Rosso insist drivers not changing
Dec.2 (GMM) A source close to Toro Rosso insists the Faenza based team’s race driver lineup is not changing for 2011. The official entry list for next season released earlier this week by the FIA listed the occupants of both Ferrari-powered STR cockpits as “TBA” (to be announced). That re-fired speculation that, with Red Bull [...]
McLaren prove they were second best team
Dec.2 (YallaF1.com) Despite finishing second in the 2010 F1 Constructor’s World Championship, McLaren have been subject to reports suggesting they actually had the third best car out there and that the Ferrari F10 was faster than the Woking produced MP4-25. No doubt stung by these allegations McLaren’s Chief Engineer Tim Goss has retaliated as reported [...]
Williams confirm Maldonado for 2011
Dec.1 (GMM) Pastor Maldonado will make his formula one debut with Williams in 2011, the famous British team announced on Wednesday. The Venezuelan and new GP2 champion completes the team’s driver lineup for next season alongside Rubens Barrichello. “We are very much looking forward to developing his talent over the winter and a fruitful season [...]
Peter Sauber: We’re setting our sights high
Dec.1 (Sauber F1 Team) Five days ago it was exactly a year since Peter Sauber bought his Formula 1 team back from BMW. The Swiss team principal looks back on an eventful season and ahead to 2011. Have you ever regretted the decision to buy the team back? Peter Sauber: “No, never. And I never [...]
Alonso wants 10 year career with Ferrari
Dec.1 (GMM) Fernando Alonso this week said he predicts a career spanning “ten years” with Ferrari and then retirement in his late 30s. Also during an interesting radio interview on Spain’s Onda Cero, the double world champion said he would “perhaps” like to again work closely with Flavio Briatore, while promising to “never” reprise his [...]