Sunday, November 22, 2009
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Sunday, November 22, 2009
Admin
José María López has said that he came to an agreement with USF1 on Friday and that, once the necessary sponsorship budget is in place, he will be racing for the team in 2010. Having visited the outfit's Charlotte facility, the Argentine must now find a number of sponsors for the new team.
López is a former GP2 and Renault F1 test driver. According to USF1's Peter Windsor, Sporting Director for the team, his FIA Superlicense shouldn't be an issue. "I don't think his license will be a problem with the many miles he has covered as Renault test driver," Windsor explained.
"We would like to sign a contract as soon as possible. It is important for both team and driver to sign a driver as early as possible but, as long as we have not signed a deal, it would be inappropriate to say more."
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López not agree to USF1 deal
José María López has said that he came to an agreement with USF1 on Friday and that, once the necessary sponsorship budget is in place, he will be racing for the team in 2010. Having visited the outfit's Charlotte facility, the Argentine must now find a number of sponsors for the new team.
López is a former GP2 and Renault F1 test driver. According to USF1's Peter Windsor, Sporting Director for the team, his FIA Superlicense shouldn't be an issue. "I don't think his license will be a problem with the many miles he has covered as Renault test driver," Windsor explained.
"We would like to sign a contract as soon as possible. It is important for both team and driver to sign a driver as early as possible but, as long as we have not signed a deal, it would be inappropriate to say more."
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Starting from next season, former Toyota driver Timo Glock will be pursuing his Formula 1 career with new Manor Grand Prix F1 team. The racing experience behind this ambitious British team has been extremely successful in various junior series in recent years, responsible for developing great talents such as Kimi Räikkönen and Lewis Hamilton in their early careers.
“It might seem like a brave step,” explained Glock. “But there are many good reasons to join this team. For me as a driver, for example, it was important that I was assured I would be involved in the development of the team and the car. The car is being designed by Nick Wirth. That was another argument in the team’s favour as far as I was concerned,” added Glock.
“Nick Wirth has a lot of race car design experience and a very good reputation. You only need to look at the Acura ARX-02a to see what he and his team can do. That prototype was immediately successful in the American Le Mans Series despite not spending a single hour in a wind tunnel. It is a sensational car!”
Many Formula 1 fans will remember Wirth as a leading aerodynamics engineer at the Benetton team, and he later designed a complete car for the first time with Simtek. The Brit learned his trade while working alongside star designer Adrian Newey at March and Leyton House. “When Nick and his colleagues John Booth and Graeme Lowdon talked to me, we were on the same wavelength straight away. They really wanted to have me on board to help develop the car,” said Glock.
“With a year left on the Toyota contract, we originally had other plans and were aiming to really compete for the world championship with the team. Now, for obvious reasons, that is not going to happen,” continued the German. “Ahead of me now is a great challenge. And I’m really looking forward to it!”
It is not only the technical side of things that has convinced Timo to join Manor. He explained: “The personal side is also extremely important to me. The atmosphere in a private British team like this is always terrific. I saw that during my time with iSport International in GP2. There we worked very closely together to achieve shared success. Manor is starting out with a similar working style which is why I have actively decided to join this team. We will all be pulling in the same direction and encouraging each other in order to drive the programme forward.”
Timo’s friend and manager Hans-Bernd Kamps looked at all the options available to Timo in 2010 and concluded: “I think it’s great that Timo is taking on this challenge with Manor Grand Prix. I know the team will benefit from his commitment, determination and speed.”
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Timo Glock to Join Manor Grand Prix in 2010
Starting from next season, former Toyota driver Timo Glock will be pursuing his Formula 1 career with new Manor Grand Prix F1 team. The racing experience behind this ambitious British team has been extremely successful in various junior series in recent years, responsible for developing great talents such as Kimi Räikkönen and Lewis Hamilton in their early careers.
“It might seem like a brave step,” explained Glock. “But there are many good reasons to join this team. For me as a driver, for example, it was important that I was assured I would be involved in the development of the team and the car. The car is being designed by Nick Wirth. That was another argument in the team’s favour as far as I was concerned,” added Glock.
“Nick Wirth has a lot of race car design experience and a very good reputation. You only need to look at the Acura ARX-02a to see what he and his team can do. That prototype was immediately successful in the American Le Mans Series despite not spending a single hour in a wind tunnel. It is a sensational car!”
Many Formula 1 fans will remember Wirth as a leading aerodynamics engineer at the Benetton team, and he later designed a complete car for the first time with Simtek. The Brit learned his trade while working alongside star designer Adrian Newey at March and Leyton House. “When Nick and his colleagues John Booth and Graeme Lowdon talked to me, we were on the same wavelength straight away. They really wanted to have me on board to help develop the car,” said Glock.
“With a year left on the Toyota contract, we originally had other plans and were aiming to really compete for the world championship with the team. Now, for obvious reasons, that is not going to happen,” continued the German. “Ahead of me now is a great challenge. And I’m really looking forward to it!”
It is not only the technical side of things that has convinced Timo to join Manor. He explained: “The personal side is also extremely important to me. The atmosphere in a private British team like this is always terrific. I saw that during my time with iSport International in GP2. There we worked very closely together to achieve shared success. Manor is starting out with a similar working style which is why I have actively decided to join this team. We will all be pulling in the same direction and encouraging each other in order to drive the programme forward.”
Timo’s friend and manager Hans-Bernd Kamps looked at all the options available to Timo in 2010 and concluded: “I think it’s great that Timo is taking on this challenge with Manor Grand Prix. I know the team will benefit from his commitment, determination and speed.”
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"The option in Formula One was to be at McLaren or nothing. Kimi and McLaren were unable to come to an agreement, so he will not drive in Formula One, at least not in 2010. Kimi only wants to be in a team where he can fight for the World Championship, F1 will miss him, I'm sure. He fought hard this summer at Ferrari to develop the car and was able to improve it."
Kimi's only other perceivable option is to sign with the new Mercedes team with Jenson Button leaving the former Brawn GP to join McLaren. Reports in the Finnish media suggest a deal is highly probable, while Robertson has denied such a link:
"I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year, now that Mercedes are involved."
It would also seem unlikely Mercedes would be willing to pay Raikkonen's asking price, when Ross Brawn was reluctant to up the salary of Jenson Button, who is considerably less expensive than Raikkonen.
It would thus seem Kimi will take at least a year away from Formula 1 and enjoy the pay out on his contract with Ferrari and certainly numerous rallies. Whether he will return in 2011 is exceptionally uncertain as he will no doubt demand a championship capable car which may not be available. Raikkonen's sabbatical may even follow that of fellow Finn Mika Hakkinen's 2001 break which was followed soon by a full retirement.
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Kimi Raikkonen will not race in the 2010 Formula One
"The option in Formula One was to be at McLaren or nothing. Kimi and McLaren were unable to come to an agreement, so he will not drive in Formula One, at least not in 2010. Kimi only wants to be in a team where he can fight for the World Championship, F1 will miss him, I'm sure. He fought hard this summer at Ferrari to develop the car and was able to improve it."Kimi's only other perceivable option is to sign with the new Mercedes team with Jenson Button leaving the former Brawn GP to join McLaren. Reports in the Finnish media suggest a deal is highly probable, while Robertson has denied such a link:
"I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year, now that Mercedes are involved."
It would also seem unlikely Mercedes would be willing to pay Raikkonen's asking price, when Ross Brawn was reluctant to up the salary of Jenson Button, who is considerably less expensive than Raikkonen.
It would thus seem Kimi will take at least a year away from Formula 1 and enjoy the pay out on his contract with Ferrari and certainly numerous rallies. Whether he will return in 2011 is exceptionally uncertain as he will no doubt demand a championship capable car which may not be available. Raikkonen's sabbatical may even follow that of fellow Finn Mika Hakkinen's 2001 break which was followed soon by a full retirement.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
Admin
Mercedes has played down speculation in the international media that Michael Schumacher will be driving for the newly-branded outfit next year. The 7-time World Champion, who drove for the German marque in sports cars before making his Formula 1
debut in 1991, had been linked with a full-time seat ahead of the 2010 season.
With Brawn GP becoming Mercedes GP and World Champion Jenson Button moving to McLaren, Schumacher has been tipped by several F1 insiders as the ideal team-mate to compatriot Nico Rosberg, who is also yet to be signed up for next year. Despite admitting that the possibility would be 'a dream', however, the silver arrows have revealed that a link-up with Schumacher will not happen.
"It's clear that there will always be speculation as long as one cockpit is still free," a spokesman for Mercedes, as quoted by Reuters, said on Saturday, "and some speculations are nothing but dreams which will not come true."
A notable believer of a Schumacher deal was former team owner and BBC television pundit Eddie Jordan who, like F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, believed that a deal may already be in place. With the smart money firmly on Rosberg, though, fellow countryman Nick Heidfeld is seemingly a likely candidate for the second seat.
Read more...
Schumacher Never drive with us - Mercedes GP
Mercedes has played down speculation in the international media that Michael Schumacher will be driving for the newly-branded outfit next year. The 7-time World Champion, who drove for the German marque in sports cars before making his Formula 1
debut in 1991, had been linked with a full-time seat ahead of the 2010 season.
With Brawn GP becoming Mercedes GP and World Champion Jenson Button moving to McLaren, Schumacher has been tipped by several F1 insiders as the ideal team-mate to compatriot Nico Rosberg, who is also yet to be signed up for next year. Despite admitting that the possibility would be 'a dream', however, the silver arrows have revealed that a link-up with Schumacher will not happen.
"It's clear that there will always be speculation as long as one cockpit is still free," a spokesman for Mercedes, as quoted by Reuters, said on Saturday, "and some speculations are nothing but dreams which will not come true."
A notable believer of a Schumacher deal was former team owner and BBC television pundit Eddie Jordan who, like F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, believed that a deal may already be in place. With the smart money firmly on Rosberg, though, fellow countryman Nick Heidfeld is seemingly a likely candidate for the second seat.
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Brawn: Mercedes deal gives us a strong future
Ross Brawn admits that he has no concerns about selling the F1 team that carries his name to Mercedes, with the deal set to secure the long-term future of the Brackley-based squad.
Having taken over the team from Honda when the Japanese manufacturer quit the sport, Brawn oversaw a stunning campaign that ended with double championship glory before the announcement earlier this week that Mercedes was to take a controlling stake in the team.
While that deal will mean the Brawn GP name disappears after just a single year, Brawn said he had no regrets about the decision which would secure the future of the team and work for those employees who remained following the Honda withdrawal.
"As I said to the staff, it's sad to see the team only in existence for a year, but what a year!" he said in an interview with the Independent. "We've had a wonderful time, and in many ways it was a difficult decision, but now we've joined the most prestigious brand in the automotive world."
"At some stage as a team owner you have to pass it on. I'm almost 55 and I'm not planning to do a Bernie [Ecclestone]. It was tempting to try to repeat this year's success but it would have been an awful risk. We were already working with Mercedes' engine group and all the stars aligned. It was an opportunity to give the team a very strong future."
Brawn admitted that team ownership had been the last thing on his mind when he and Nick Fry were called into a meeting with Honda bosses twelve months ago and said he didn't regret the decision taken as it prevented him from possibly exiting F1 on a low.
"We were very apologetically informed that the [Honda] board had decided they couldn't continue in Formula One," he said. "Nick and I spent the rest of the day working out how we could turn out the lights and shut the doors in the fairest possible way to all our people – over 800 in the UK alone. We had no notion that we might continue, but that was a subject we broached once we'd recovered from the initial shock. Could we keep it going? It didn't look very sensible, but at the same time, we hadn't really understood the huge costs of closing a company.
"Formula One showed a benevolent side that isn't always apparent to people, but the great thing about motor racing is that it's a club, and although most of the time you're trying to beat each other by whatever means possible, in dire times the club comes together very well.
"Of course, it's possible that our poor performance in 2008 confirmed to Honda that they shouldn't continue, which was frustrating, because I didn't want to finish my Formula One career at the end of 2008, the worst championship I'd had for 15 years. And I knew we had a race-winning car for 2009."
Brawn meanwhile is also reported by the German publication Auto Motor und Sport to have said that he is in 'no rush' to formalise a driver line-up for the 2010 season following the departure of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, stating that it would be 'stupid' to make a quick decision and that a slot with Mercedes was the 'most attractive seat on the market'.
Read more...
Having taken over the team from Honda when the Japanese manufacturer quit the sport, Brawn oversaw a stunning campaign that ended with double championship glory before the announcement earlier this week that Mercedes was to take a controlling stake in the team.
While that deal will mean the Brawn GP name disappears after just a single year, Brawn said he had no regrets about the decision which would secure the future of the team and work for those employees who remained following the Honda withdrawal.
"As I said to the staff, it's sad to see the team only in existence for a year, but what a year!" he said in an interview with the Independent. "We've had a wonderful time, and in many ways it was a difficult decision, but now we've joined the most prestigious brand in the automotive world."
"At some stage as a team owner you have to pass it on. I'm almost 55 and I'm not planning to do a Bernie [Ecclestone]. It was tempting to try to repeat this year's success but it would have been an awful risk. We were already working with Mercedes' engine group and all the stars aligned. It was an opportunity to give the team a very strong future."
Brawn admitted that team ownership had been the last thing on his mind when he and Nick Fry were called into a meeting with Honda bosses twelve months ago and said he didn't regret the decision taken as it prevented him from possibly exiting F1 on a low.
"We were very apologetically informed that the [Honda] board had decided they couldn't continue in Formula One," he said. "Nick and I spent the rest of the day working out how we could turn out the lights and shut the doors in the fairest possible way to all our people – over 800 in the UK alone. We had no notion that we might continue, but that was a subject we broached once we'd recovered from the initial shock. Could we keep it going? It didn't look very sensible, but at the same time, we hadn't really understood the huge costs of closing a company.
"Formula One showed a benevolent side that isn't always apparent to people, but the great thing about motor racing is that it's a club, and although most of the time you're trying to beat each other by whatever means possible, in dire times the club comes together very well.
"Of course, it's possible that our poor performance in 2008 confirmed to Honda that they shouldn't continue, which was frustrating, because I didn't want to finish my Formula One career at the end of 2008, the worst championship I'd had for 15 years. And I knew we had a race-winning car for 2009."
Brawn meanwhile is also reported by the German publication Auto Motor und Sport to have said that he is in 'no rush' to formalise a driver line-up for the 2010 season following the departure of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, stating that it would be 'stupid' to make a quick decision and that a slot with Mercedes was the 'most attractive seat on the market'.
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Admin
Argentine driver lopez signed a deal with USF1 and providing he is able to an $8m Sponsership package. Starting off in the formula Renault 2000 Eurocup in 2001, aged 18 lopez progressed to the formula Renault V6 Eurocup 2003,having won the Italian Formula Renault in 2002.
In 2004 he is contested F300 With CMS in addiction to the V6 Eurocup and enven an outing in the FIA GT Chmpionship with the DAMS lamborghini team. 2005 he is drive with the DAMS in GP2 and swiched to supernova for 200, And he is raced American le Mans serias in 2007 before returing to argentina to take part TC 2000, 2008 he is won country touring championship.
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Jose Maria Lopez signed a deal with USF1
Argentine driver lopez signed a deal with USF1 and providing he is able to an $8m Sponsership package. Starting off in the formula Renault 2000 Eurocup in 2001, aged 18 lopez progressed to the formula Renault V6 Eurocup 2003,having won the Italian Formula Renault in 2002.
In 2004 he is contested F300 With CMS in addiction to the V6 Eurocup and enven an outing in the FIA GT Chmpionship with the DAMS lamborghini team. 2005 he is drive with the DAMS in GP2 and swiched to supernova for 200, And he is raced American le Mans serias in 2007 before returing to argentina to take part TC 2000, 2008 he is won country touring championship.
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Admin
Mercedes are in secret talks with Michael Schumacher in an attempt to lure him into an astonishing Formula One comeback.
It has emerged that Schumacher was sounded out by team principal Ross Brawn in Abu Dhabi three weeks ago — underlining why Jenson Button, who left for McLaren on Wednesday, felt driven out by the putative all-German line-up of Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.
It is understood that Brawn and Schumacher have remained in regular contact since, and that Schumacher could even agree terms in the next week.
Michael Schumacher
Comeback king? Schumacher
Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, who witnessed the initial talks, went public with information confirmed by other sources, by saying: ‘The possibility is being actively pursued and I believe it is going to happen. It started with a meeting between Michael, Ross Brawn and Daimler chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
‘At the moment, it is not possible for Michael to drive for Mercedes because he has a consultancy contract with Ferrari.
‘But I understand he was due to meet Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo with a view to him being released and that it will be approved because it is in the interests of F1.’
Schumacher was tempted to replace the injured Felipe Massa last season, only to withdraw because of a serious neck complaint. His willingness to return, for next to no money, was a gauge of how much he is missing his old life.
Yesterday his spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said: ‘I am aware of the speculation about the “possibilities” of Michael returning.
What I can say is that Michael enjoys his life and, therefore, I see those “possibilities” being unlikely at the moment.’
Unlikely — for the moment — but far from impossible. After all, 24 hours before he agreed to stand in for Massa, his manager ruled out a comeback ‘200 per cent’.
Joining Mercedes holds obvious attractions for all concerned. At a personal level, Schumacher was guided to all of his titles by Brawn during their associations at Benetton and Ferrari, and they remain close.
On a professional level, Schumacher was once part of the Mercedes young driver programme. The carmakers then tried to lure him back when they held a stake in McLaren. It is a sign of their affection for him as a German icon and a global brand. They know he would conclusively offset the flak they received for ‘losing’ Button, the world champion, earlier this week.
He would additionally bring practical benefits, not least as a role model and technical guru for Rosberg, 24, who is firmly believed to have signed for Mercedes already.
There are drawbacks, though. Schumacher might also have some explaining to do to his wife, Corinna, and their two young children.
Whereas filling in for Massa would only have been a short-term arrangement, Mercedes want to engage him for a full season. It takes a bigger commitment all round.
So, can his family save him from himself after three years in retirement?
Probably not. Would his neck even be mended enough? Possibly not, but he might be prepared to gamble on his health for another crack at his life-defining thrill.
As for money, it is unlikely to be a block. Sure, Mercedes say they are sticking to a strict budget but, with Schumacher having £500million in the bank, cash hardly counts.
At Mercedes Grand Prix yesterday, nobody would confirm that Schumacher is on their agenda. They do not wish to be rash at this delicate stage. Ditto in Stuttgart, home of the German marque, where silence prevailed.
It was left to Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One’s commercial supremo, to say: ‘It would be fabulous for the sport.’ You can bet he is bringing his vast influence to bear behind the scenes to make it happen. He knows the accounts would hardly be hurt by having the weltmeister back at the wheel.
For this observer, though, it is a bitter-sweet prospect. Who cannot be titillated by Schumacher up against McLaren’s British golden pairing of Button and Lewis Hamilton? And won’t it be fun to see him try for an eighth title?
But he will be 41 by the time the season starts. His neck is dicky. The car is far from a guaranteed magic carpet. Some of us would prefer to remember him at his peak, when he was peerless.
Read more...
Michael Schumacher comeback into Formula One
Mercedes are in secret talks with Michael Schumacher in an attempt to lure him into an astonishing Formula One comeback.It has emerged that Schumacher was sounded out by team principal Ross Brawn in Abu Dhabi three weeks ago — underlining why Jenson Button, who left for McLaren on Wednesday, felt driven out by the putative all-German line-up of Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.
It is understood that Brawn and Schumacher have remained in regular contact since, and that Schumacher could even agree terms in the next week.
Michael Schumacher
Comeback king? Schumacher
Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan, who witnessed the initial talks, went public with information confirmed by other sources, by saying: ‘The possibility is being actively pursued and I believe it is going to happen. It started with a meeting between Michael, Ross Brawn and Daimler chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
‘At the moment, it is not possible for Michael to drive for Mercedes because he has a consultancy contract with Ferrari.
‘But I understand he was due to meet Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo with a view to him being released and that it will be approved because it is in the interests of F1.’
Schumacher was tempted to replace the injured Felipe Massa last season, only to withdraw because of a serious neck complaint. His willingness to return, for next to no money, was a gauge of how much he is missing his old life.
Yesterday his spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said: ‘I am aware of the speculation about the “possibilities” of Michael returning.
What I can say is that Michael enjoys his life and, therefore, I see those “possibilities” being unlikely at the moment.’
Unlikely — for the moment — but far from impossible. After all, 24 hours before he agreed to stand in for Massa, his manager ruled out a comeback ‘200 per cent’.
Joining Mercedes holds obvious attractions for all concerned. At a personal level, Schumacher was guided to all of his titles by Brawn during their associations at Benetton and Ferrari, and they remain close.
On a professional level, Schumacher was once part of the Mercedes young driver programme. The carmakers then tried to lure him back when they held a stake in McLaren. It is a sign of their affection for him as a German icon and a global brand. They know he would conclusively offset the flak they received for ‘losing’ Button, the world champion, earlier this week.
He would additionally bring practical benefits, not least as a role model and technical guru for Rosberg, 24, who is firmly believed to have signed for Mercedes already.
There are drawbacks, though. Schumacher might also have some explaining to do to his wife, Corinna, and their two young children.
Whereas filling in for Massa would only have been a short-term arrangement, Mercedes want to engage him for a full season. It takes a bigger commitment all round.
So, can his family save him from himself after three years in retirement?
Probably not. Would his neck even be mended enough? Possibly not, but he might be prepared to gamble on his health for another crack at his life-defining thrill.
As for money, it is unlikely to be a block. Sure, Mercedes say they are sticking to a strict budget but, with Schumacher having £500million in the bank, cash hardly counts.
At Mercedes Grand Prix yesterday, nobody would confirm that Schumacher is on their agenda. They do not wish to be rash at this delicate stage. Ditto in Stuttgart, home of the German marque, where silence prevailed.
It was left to Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One’s commercial supremo, to say: ‘It would be fabulous for the sport.’ You can bet he is bringing his vast influence to bear behind the scenes to make it happen. He knows the accounts would hardly be hurt by having the weltmeister back at the wheel.
For this observer, though, it is a bitter-sweet prospect. Who cannot be titillated by Schumacher up against McLaren’s British golden pairing of Button and Lewis Hamilton? And won’t it be fun to see him try for an eighth title?
But he will be 41 by the time the season starts. His neck is dicky. The car is far from a guaranteed magic carpet. Some of us would prefer to remember him at his peak, when he was peerless.
Friday, November 20, 2009
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Friday, November 20, 2009
Admin
Neel Jani chance to join Force India seat 2010
Neel Jani will test a Force India at the young driver test at Jerez early next month.
Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell said that Karun Chandhok could test alongside Jani, although the Indian driver's appearance is yet to be confirmed.
It emerged earlier this week that DTM driver Paul di Resta, under contract to Mercedes-Benz's motorsport programme, will also test with Force India at Jerez.
Jani is a former test driver with Sauber and Toro Rosso, and has raced in GP2, A1GP, Champ Car and Le Mans.
Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
Read more...
Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell said that Karun Chandhok could test alongside Jani, although the Indian driver's appearance is yet to be confirmed.
It emerged earlier this week that DTM driver Paul di Resta, under contract to Mercedes-Benz's motorsport programme, will also test with Force India at Jerez.
Jani is a former test driver with Sauber and Toro Rosso, and has raced in GP2, A1GP, Champ Car and Le Mans.
Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
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Admin
Record-breaking multiple F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher will sensationally return to the grid with Mercedes Grand Prix in 2010 – that is the expert view of BBC pundit Eddie Jordan, the man who first gave the German his break in the top flight almost two decades ago.
Following the announcement that recently-crowned 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button has jumped ship from Brawn GP – now Mercedes Grand Prix, following the Stuttgart manufacturer's majority buy-in – to partner compatriot and title-winning predecessor Lewis Hamilton at McLaren-Mercedes from next season onwards, the Brackley-based outfit has two seats to fill.
With 2007 world champion and Ferrari evictee Kimi Raikkonen having ruled himself out of the running [see separate story – click here], it has been widely surmised that Mercedes' target is to employ two homegrown stars in an all-German 'super team' to rival McLaren's all-British line-up. Ex-Williams F1 ace Nico Rosberg is all-but certain to be unveiled as one of the two, and experienced BMW-Sauber refugee Nick Heidfeld had been mentioned in connection with the second cockpit, as had Robert Kubica should Renault pull the plug...until Schumacher's name entered the frame.
Whilst speculation linking the 40-year-old to the team has been largely scorned – and downplayed by his official spokeswoman Sabine Kehm, who nonetheless conceded that it would be wise to 'never say never' [see separate story – click here] – it is undeniable that Schumacher's failed comeback in place of injured former team-mate Felipe Massa earlier this year has re-whetted his appetite for the challenge, and Jordan reckons the lure of the competition is one that has proven too strong for the 91-time grand prix-winner to resist.
“The possibility is being actively pursued and I believe it is going to happen,” opined Jordan – who sold his own eponymously-named Jordan Grand Prix operation, with whom Schumacher made his celebrated F1 debut in the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, to Midland in 2005 – in an interview with the BBC.
“It started with a meeting between Michael, Ross Brawn and Daimler chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. At the moment, it is not possible for Michael to drive for Mercedes because he has a consultancy contract with Ferrari – but I understand he was due to meet Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo with a view to him being released, and that it will be approved because it is in the interests of F1. I believe that is being planned at the moment.
“I also believe Ross [Brawn – Mercedes Grand Prix team principal] and Michael have spoken in recent times, and that Michael likes the idea of driving a Mercedes run by Ross – it's a mouth-watering idea. Schumacher was bitterly disappointed he didn't get to come back to replace Massa – he's keen to race again, and this is a dream for both parties.
“Michael and Mercedes go way back – he drove for their sportscar team before he raced in F1, and they were responsible for getting him into F1. They paid the then Jordan team to give him his debut in 1991. He has won all these titles but never driven in F1 for Mercedes.”
Mercedes is understood to be eager to secure Schumacher's services on a one-year deal only, prior to prising young hot-shot Sebastian Vettel – a driver who some suggest could go on to at least partially emulate his countryman's spectacular achievements in years to come – away from Red Bull Racing for 2011, when there will still be a season left to run on the 22-year-old's current contract.
he move would also make sense in that Schumacher and Brawn collaborated together extremely successfully both at Benetton and Ferrari – with the Englishman brilliantly helping to engineer the Kerpen native to all seven of his drivers' world crowns – and it was with Mercedes that the latter first shot to prominence in sportscar circles before making his name in F1.
What's more, Schumacher's neck injury – caused by a motorcycling fall at Cartagena in Spain back in February, and the sole stumbling block that dashed his hopes of taking Massa's place in the summer – is expected to be healed by the end of the year, making it entirely feasible that the most successful driver in the history of the sport could return.
Though he recently renewed his contract with Ferrari, Schumacher's ambassadorial duties are now focussed predominantly on road car development and testing, with no longer any active role inside the Scuderia's F1 team.
Source:totalf1.com
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Michael Schumacher Move to Mercedes F1
Record-breaking multiple F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher will sensationally return to the grid with Mercedes Grand Prix in 2010 – that is the expert view of BBC pundit Eddie Jordan, the man who first gave the German his break in the top flight almost two decades ago.
Following the announcement that recently-crowned 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button has jumped ship from Brawn GP – now Mercedes Grand Prix, following the Stuttgart manufacturer's majority buy-in – to partner compatriot and title-winning predecessor Lewis Hamilton at McLaren-Mercedes from next season onwards, the Brackley-based outfit has two seats to fill.
With 2007 world champion and Ferrari evictee Kimi Raikkonen having ruled himself out of the running [see separate story – click here], it has been widely surmised that Mercedes' target is to employ two homegrown stars in an all-German 'super team' to rival McLaren's all-British line-up. Ex-Williams F1 ace Nico Rosberg is all-but certain to be unveiled as one of the two, and experienced BMW-Sauber refugee Nick Heidfeld had been mentioned in connection with the second cockpit, as had Robert Kubica should Renault pull the plug...until Schumacher's name entered the frame.
Whilst speculation linking the 40-year-old to the team has been largely scorned – and downplayed by his official spokeswoman Sabine Kehm, who nonetheless conceded that it would be wise to 'never say never' [see separate story – click here] – it is undeniable that Schumacher's failed comeback in place of injured former team-mate Felipe Massa earlier this year has re-whetted his appetite for the challenge, and Jordan reckons the lure of the competition is one that has proven too strong for the 91-time grand prix-winner to resist.
“The possibility is being actively pursued and I believe it is going to happen,” opined Jordan – who sold his own eponymously-named Jordan Grand Prix operation, with whom Schumacher made his celebrated F1 debut in the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, to Midland in 2005 – in an interview with the BBC.
“It started with a meeting between Michael, Ross Brawn and Daimler chief executive officer Dieter Zetsche at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. At the moment, it is not possible for Michael to drive for Mercedes because he has a consultancy contract with Ferrari – but I understand he was due to meet Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo with a view to him being released, and that it will be approved because it is in the interests of F1. I believe that is being planned at the moment.
“I also believe Ross [Brawn – Mercedes Grand Prix team principal] and Michael have spoken in recent times, and that Michael likes the idea of driving a Mercedes run by Ross – it's a mouth-watering idea. Schumacher was bitterly disappointed he didn't get to come back to replace Massa – he's keen to race again, and this is a dream for both parties.
“Michael and Mercedes go way back – he drove for their sportscar team before he raced in F1, and they were responsible for getting him into F1. They paid the then Jordan team to give him his debut in 1991. He has won all these titles but never driven in F1 for Mercedes.”
Mercedes is understood to be eager to secure Schumacher's services on a one-year deal only, prior to prising young hot-shot Sebastian Vettel – a driver who some suggest could go on to at least partially emulate his countryman's spectacular achievements in years to come – away from Red Bull Racing for 2011, when there will still be a season left to run on the 22-year-old's current contract.
he move would also make sense in that Schumacher and Brawn collaborated together extremely successfully both at Benetton and Ferrari – with the Englishman brilliantly helping to engineer the Kerpen native to all seven of his drivers' world crowns – and it was with Mercedes that the latter first shot to prominence in sportscar circles before making his name in F1.
What's more, Schumacher's neck injury – caused by a motorcycling fall at Cartagena in Spain back in February, and the sole stumbling block that dashed his hopes of taking Massa's place in the summer – is expected to be healed by the end of the year, making it entirely feasible that the most successful driver in the history of the sport could return.
Though he recently renewed his contract with Ferrari, Schumacher's ambassadorial duties are now focussed predominantly on road car development and testing, with no longer any active role inside the Scuderia's F1 team.
Source:totalf1.com
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Williams has announced that a minority interest of the Grove team has been purchased by an investment company headed by Austrian businessman and racer Christian 'Toto' Wolff, who also becomes a board member.
Although the exact percentage of the first ever shares sold by Williams has not been revealed, team co-owners Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head confirmed the deal with the 37-year-old Vienna man, who speaks five languages and is currently living in Switzerland.
Having studied at the Vienna University of Economics between 1990 and 1994, Wolff's latest business move came by setting up Marchsixteen Investments in 2004. He also has motorsport experiences dating back to 1992 and three years ago was runner-up in the Austrian Rally Championship as well as being winner of the Dubai 24 hour endurance event.
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Williams sells team share to Toto Wolff
Williams has announced that a minority interest of the Grove team has been purchased by an investment company headed by Austrian businessman and racer Christian 'Toto' Wolff, who also becomes a board member.
Although the exact percentage of the first ever shares sold by Williams has not been revealed, team co-owners Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head confirmed the deal with the 37-year-old Vienna man, who speaks five languages and is currently living in Switzerland.
Having studied at the Vienna University of Economics between 1990 and 1994, Wolff's latest business move came by setting up Marchsixteen Investments in 2004. He also has motorsport experiences dating back to 1992 and three years ago was runner-up in the Austrian Rally Championship as well as being winner of the Dubai 24 hour endurance event.
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The USF1 team is assessing 12 drivers ahead of its first season in Formula 1 next year. The Cosworth-powered organisation, run by Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor, is yet to announce any part of its line-up although management is confident that, contrary to some reports, much progress is being made.
With the highly experienced Anderson and Windsor at the helm, the former is confident that - contrary to some reports - the outfit is not behind its fellow debutant teams as 2010 approaches. "Through the work in our offices and with the help of our technical partners, the car has improved a lot on the virtual map over the last twelve months," American Team Principal Anderson told France's AUTOhebdo.
"With this virtual design, we can test and make sure we're on the right track in terms of our structural frame and are now moving closer to the construction phase; we're on schedule to complete out first chassis by November and the car will be completed in time for testing in February."
Driver-wise, several names have been mentioned over the course of 2009, not least former F1 hotshot Alexander Wurz and 1997 Champion Jacques Villeneuve. Due to a lack of options in Europe and the difficulties to obtain an FIA Superlicence, however, Windsor has already cast doubts over whether an American driver will be recruited for the team's first campaign.
"The most important thing for us is to work with drivers who have experience in F1, simply because the number of test days has been decreased," Anderson continued, referring to the new limited testing regulations of this year. "Pedro de la Rosa is on our list - his F1 experience would be a major asset for us; our list has about twelve names on it - all are excellent drivers who could bring us a lot and choosing two or three of them will not be easy."
Former Super Aguri driver Franck Montagny is also believed to be in touch as well as Argentina's José María López who, after testing for Renault in 2006, visited the team's factory on Thursday.
Source:totalf1.com
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USF1 considering 12 drivers
The USF1 team is assessing 12 drivers ahead of its first season in Formula 1 next year. The Cosworth-powered organisation, run by Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor, is yet to announce any part of its line-up although management is confident that, contrary to some reports, much progress is being made.
With the highly experienced Anderson and Windsor at the helm, the former is confident that - contrary to some reports - the outfit is not behind its fellow debutant teams as 2010 approaches. "Through the work in our offices and with the help of our technical partners, the car has improved a lot on the virtual map over the last twelve months," American Team Principal Anderson told France's AUTOhebdo.
"With this virtual design, we can test and make sure we're on the right track in terms of our structural frame and are now moving closer to the construction phase; we're on schedule to complete out first chassis by November and the car will be completed in time for testing in February."
Driver-wise, several names have been mentioned over the course of 2009, not least former F1 hotshot Alexander Wurz and 1997 Champion Jacques Villeneuve. Due to a lack of options in Europe and the difficulties to obtain an FIA Superlicence, however, Windsor has already cast doubts over whether an American driver will be recruited for the team's first campaign.
"The most important thing for us is to work with drivers who have experience in F1, simply because the number of test days has been decreased," Anderson continued, referring to the new limited testing regulations of this year. "Pedro de la Rosa is on our list - his F1 experience would be a major asset for us; our list has about twelve names on it - all are excellent drivers who could bring us a lot and choosing two or three of them will not be easy."
Former Super Aguri driver Franck Montagny is also believed to be in touch as well as Argentina's José María López who, after testing for Renault in 2006, visited the team's factory on Thursday.
Source:totalf1.com
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Brawn GP will not allow World Champion Jenson Button to be involved in any team activities for McLaren before the end of the year.
Brawn chief executive Nick Fry said they would view any such activities "very dimly", while also hinting he felt Button, who sealed his move to McLaren earlier this week, had been disloyal.
"Jenson will not be doing anything at all for McLaren until the end of this calendar year," said Fry in The Guardian. "And if he does, we will be looking on it very dimly.
"He didn't have any obligations to us in 2010, but there are issues with regard to the [McLaren contract] signing process on which we are in discussion with him at the moment.
"There are other constraints on what Jenson can do between now and the end of the year which we will be rigorously enforcing."
The stance, which will apply to activities both on and off the track, is unusual among Formula One teams, who generally allow departing drivers to join up with their new team after the final race of the season.
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Brawn to 'rigorously' enforce Button's McLaren ban
Brawn GP will not allow World Champion Jenson Button to be involved in any team activities for McLaren before the end of the year.
Brawn chief executive Nick Fry said they would view any such activities "very dimly", while also hinting he felt Button, who sealed his move to McLaren earlier this week, had been disloyal.
"Jenson will not be doing anything at all for McLaren until the end of this calendar year," said Fry in The Guardian. "And if he does, we will be looking on it very dimly.
"He didn't have any obligations to us in 2010, but there are issues with regard to the [McLaren contract] signing process on which we are in discussion with him at the moment.
"There are other constraints on what Jenson can do between now and the end of the year which we will be rigorously enforcing."
The stance, which will apply to activities both on and off the track, is unusual among Formula One teams, who generally allow departing drivers to join up with their new team after the final race of the season.
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Jenson Button has claimed that McLaren's 2010 pairing will 'be tough to beat' and expects former team boss Ross Brawn to understand his reasons for quitting the Brackley team to join one of its biggest rivals.
Speaking to Reuters while promoting a new book reviewing his championship-winning 2009 campaign, Button revealed that he had spoken to Brawn on Wednesday morning in a bid to clear the air following the fall-out from his decision to join his predecessor as world champion, Lewis Hamilton, at McLaren for 2010.
"It's always disappointing to go your separate ways when you have been so close to someone who has really helped you to win a title," he said, "but I think he understood my reasons behind it and we will stay friends, I hope.
"When I jumped into the Brawn car in March and realised we had a monster, it was a special feeling for the whole team after what we'd been through. I'm not sure if that emotion will ever be there again."
Deflecting further accusations that he had chosen to switch sides in order to achieve the financial reward for his title success that he had been demanding at Brawn, Button again insisted that he was going to McLaren for the challenge of pitting himself against Hamilton as well as trying to pursue a second F1 crown. That test, he claimed, was something that had stirred him even before last week's much-publicised visit to Woking, where the finer points of a deal are believed to have been cemented.
"I had feelings that I wanted to be fighting there alongside Lewis before that meeting, and it wasn't that day at the factory that clinched it for me," Button maintained, "It was at another time and place. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I knew it was a possible option and it made me very excited. It definitely came from the heart, that decision to move to McLaren and to be fighting with Lewis Hamilton in the same car."
The word 'challenge' featured strongly in Button's interview, as he reiterated questions that he first raised after celebrating his title with a run to third place in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier this month.
"It was a very special feeling [to know] that I had achieved what I set out to achieve in F1, but I immediately thought 'where do I go from here?'," he continued, "I've been very comfortable within [Brawn] and [the McLaren move] is taking me outside of my comfort zone. But that's what excites me. It's going to be a challenge going to a team where Lewis has been for three years and where he's won the world championship, but that's why I am doing it.
"I want to challenge myself, I want to challenge Lewis and that is so exciting for me. That's the reason why I am going, I'm not going because it's going to be easy, I'm going because it's going to be tough, but it is a challenge I am definitely up for."
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Jenson Button: McLaren will be tight competition in 2010 season
Jenson Button has claimed that McLaren's 2010 pairing will 'be tough to beat' and expects former team boss Ross Brawn to understand his reasons for quitting the Brackley team to join one of its biggest rivals.
Speaking to Reuters while promoting a new book reviewing his championship-winning 2009 campaign, Button revealed that he had spoken to Brawn on Wednesday morning in a bid to clear the air following the fall-out from his decision to join his predecessor as world champion, Lewis Hamilton, at McLaren for 2010.
"It's always disappointing to go your separate ways when you have been so close to someone who has really helped you to win a title," he said, "but I think he understood my reasons behind it and we will stay friends, I hope.
"When I jumped into the Brawn car in March and realised we had a monster, it was a special feeling for the whole team after what we'd been through. I'm not sure if that emotion will ever be there again."
Deflecting further accusations that he had chosen to switch sides in order to achieve the financial reward for his title success that he had been demanding at Brawn, Button again insisted that he was going to McLaren for the challenge of pitting himself against Hamilton as well as trying to pursue a second F1 crown. That test, he claimed, was something that had stirred him even before last week's much-publicised visit to Woking, where the finer points of a deal are believed to have been cemented.
"I had feelings that I wanted to be fighting there alongside Lewis before that meeting, and it wasn't that day at the factory that clinched it for me," Button maintained, "It was at another time and place. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I knew it was a possible option and it made me very excited. It definitely came from the heart, that decision to move to McLaren and to be fighting with Lewis Hamilton in the same car."
The word 'challenge' featured strongly in Button's interview, as he reiterated questions that he first raised after celebrating his title with a run to third place in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix earlier this month.
"It was a very special feeling [to know] that I had achieved what I set out to achieve in F1, but I immediately thought 'where do I go from here?'," he continued, "I've been very comfortable within [Brawn] and [the McLaren move] is taking me outside of my comfort zone. But that's what excites me. It's going to be a challenge going to a team where Lewis has been for three years and where he's won the world championship, but that's why I am doing it.
"I want to challenge myself, I want to challenge Lewis and that is so exciting for me. That's the reason why I am going, I'm not going because it's going to be easy, I'm going because it's going to be tough, but it is a challenge I am definitely up for."
The Briton also reacted to those who questioned his decision to pit himself against Hamilton in a team where the former GP2 champion has made himself at home and has the full backing of all involved by claiming that he expected to be able to fight his countryman all the way. The 2010 McLaren pairing is the first to feature two British world champions since Graham Hill and Jim Clark teamed up at Lotus in 1968.
"You can say 'isn't winning a second championship a big enough challenge?' - and it is - but I wanted something else," he claimed, "You should have two competitive drivers and they should be fighting it out between them. A team needs two drivers to be quick, to be competitive, to work and both drivers should always be given equal opportunities. Why should one driver have the help of another? That's just not the way it should be in F1. I want to race against one of the best drivers in the world. He is going to try and beat me, [and] I will try and beat him. That's the way it is.
"Lewis is an exceptional talent, so it's not going to be easy for me - or, hopefully, for him - but we've started thinking about 2010 and how we can work together. Together, we'll be a tough team to beat."
Source:totalf1.com
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Michael Schumacher has reportedly held 'preliminary talks' with Mercedes GP that could see him make a comeback next season.
The seven-time World Champion was set for a brief return with Ferrari during this year's Championship before a neck injury put paid to his plans. But that doesn't mean he's out for good.
According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, 'Schumacher has been sounded out about a sensational return to Formula One next season' with Mercedes Grand Prix.
The newspaper claims that given 'Mercedes takeover of Brawn GP and World Champion Jenson Button's shock switch to McLaren, the possibility of a German dream team with Nico Rosberg is emerging.
'The associations would line up beautifully. Schumacher won all his World titles under the guidance of Ross Brawn at both Benetton and Ferrari, and Brawn will continue in the role of team principal at the newly minted Mercedes team.'
The deal, which would net Schumacher the same salary that Button turned down at Brawn GP in favour of McLaren, would finally see the German teaming up with Mercedes, who were in the past unsuccessful in their bids to lure him away from Ferrari.
'Talks are understood to be at an early stage,' claims the Telegraph.
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Michael Schumacher held preliminary talks with Mercedes GP
Michael Schumacher has reportedly held 'preliminary talks' with Mercedes GP that could see him make a comeback next season.
The seven-time World Champion was set for a brief return with Ferrari during this year's Championship before a neck injury put paid to his plans. But that doesn't mean he's out for good.
According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, 'Schumacher has been sounded out about a sensational return to Formula One next season' with Mercedes Grand Prix.
The newspaper claims that given 'Mercedes takeover of Brawn GP and World Champion Jenson Button's shock switch to McLaren, the possibility of a German dream team with Nico Rosberg is emerging.
'The associations would line up beautifully. Schumacher won all his World titles under the guidance of Ross Brawn at both Benetton and Ferrari, and Brawn will continue in the role of team principal at the newly minted Mercedes team.'
The deal, which would net Schumacher the same salary that Button turned down at Brawn GP in favour of McLaren, would finally see the German teaming up with Mercedes, who were in the past unsuccessful in their bids to lure him away from Ferrari.
'Talks are understood to be at an early stage,' claims the Telegraph.
source:totalf1.com
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Jarno Trulli has denied suggestions he is already signed to race with the new Lotus F1 team in 2010.
Lotus boss Tony Fernandes revealed recently that one driver has now inked a contract, amid rumours a Trulli announcement is being held off until after he drives a Toyota at this weekend's Fuji Speedway Motor Sport Festival.
But as the Italian tested a Sprint Cup NASCAR in Florida on Wednesday, the local Orlando Sentinel newspaper reported that Trulli, 35, said he "has not yet signed with the (Lotus
) team".
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Jarno Trulli denied contract signed new Lotus F1 team in 2010
Jarno Trulli has denied suggestions he is already signed to race with the new Lotus F1 team in 2010.
Lotus boss Tony Fernandes revealed recently that one driver has now inked a contract, amid rumours a Trulli announcement is being held off until after he drives a Toyota at this weekend's Fuji Speedway Motor Sport Festival.
But as the Italian tested a Sprint Cup NASCAR in Florida on Wednesday, the local Orlando Sentinel newspaper reported that Trulli, 35, said he "has not yet signed with the (Lotus
) team".
Thursday, November 19, 2009
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Thursday, November 19, 2009
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Kimi Raikkonen Set to Out of Formula 1 2010 season
Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson had this to say of the situation:
"The option in Formula One was to be at McLaren or nothing. Kimi and McLaren were unable to come to an agreement, so he will not drive in Formula One, at least not in 2010. Kimi only wants to be in a team where he can fight for the World Championship, F1 will miss him, I'm sure. He fought hard this summer at Ferrari to develop the car and was able to improve it."
Kimi's only other perceivable option is to sign with the new Mercedes team with Jenson Button leaving the former Brawn GP to join McLaren. Reports in the Finnish media suggest a deal is highly probable, while Robertson has denied such a link:
"I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year, now that Mercedes are involved."
It would also seem unlikely Mercedes would be willing to pay Raikkonen's asking price, when Ross Brawn was reluctant to up the salary of Jenson Button, who is considerably less expensive than Raikkonen.
It would thus seem Kimi will take at least a year away from Formula 1 and enjoy the pay out on his contract with Ferrari and certainly numerous rallies. Whether he will return in 2011 is exceptionally uncertain as he will no doubt demand a championship capable car which may not be available. Raikkonen's sabbatical may even follow that of fellow Finn Mika Hakkinen's 2001 break which was followed soon by a full retirement.
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"The option in Formula One was to be at McLaren or nothing. Kimi and McLaren were unable to come to an agreement, so he will not drive in Formula One, at least not in 2010. Kimi only wants to be in a team where he can fight for the World Championship, F1 will miss him, I'm sure. He fought hard this summer at Ferrari to develop the car and was able to improve it."
Kimi's only other perceivable option is to sign with the new Mercedes team with Jenson Button leaving the former Brawn GP to join McLaren. Reports in the Finnish media suggest a deal is highly probable, while Robertson has denied such a link:
"I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year, now that Mercedes are involved."
It would also seem unlikely Mercedes would be willing to pay Raikkonen's asking price, when Ross Brawn was reluctant to up the salary of Jenson Button, who is considerably less expensive than Raikkonen.
It would thus seem Kimi will take at least a year away from Formula 1 and enjoy the pay out on his contract with Ferrari and certainly numerous rallies. Whether he will return in 2011 is exceptionally uncertain as he will no doubt demand a championship capable car which may not be available. Raikkonen's sabbatical may even follow that of fellow Finn Mika Hakkinen's 2001 break which was followed soon by a full retirement.
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Rising French star Jules Bianchi is make his Formula 1 testing debut with Ferrari next month.
The 20-year-old will get two days of running with the legendary team during the young driver tests at Jerez on 1-3 December.
Bianchi is managed by Nicolas Todt - the mentor of Felipe Massa and son of former Ferrari boss Jean Todt - and is the grandson of former sportscar star Mauro Bianchi and grandnephew of 1960s F1 racer Lucien Bianchi.
He has made a big impression in his three seasons of car racing so far, winning the French Formula Renault title in 2007, taking third place in the Formula 3 Euro Series at the first attempt a year later, and then strolling to this season's Euro F3 championship.
Bianchi will now graduate to the crack ART team's GP2 arm and contest the full 2010 season, when he will hope to emulate Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg by winning the championship for ART as a rookie.
After Bianchi's two days of testing, Ferrari will hand its car to the top three finishers in this year's Italian F3 Championship.
Italians Daniel Zampieri and Marco Zioli, and Mexican Pablo Sanchez Lopez will share the F60 for the final day of running at Jerez.
This is the second successive year that Ferrari has offered tests to the Italian F3 standouts.
The first such session last season brought young Italian Mirko Bortolotti to the world's attention, as his stunning pace - quicker than the F2008 had lapped Fiorano all year - helped earned him Red Bull patronage for a Formula 2 campaign.
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Ferrari selected jules Bianchi to test driver
Rising French star Jules Bianchi is make his Formula 1 testing debut with Ferrari next month.
The 20-year-old will get two days of running with the legendary team during the young driver tests at Jerez on 1-3 December.
Bianchi is managed by Nicolas Todt - the mentor of Felipe Massa and son of former Ferrari boss Jean Todt - and is the grandson of former sportscar star Mauro Bianchi and grandnephew of 1960s F1 racer Lucien Bianchi.
He has made a big impression in his three seasons of car racing so far, winning the French Formula Renault title in 2007, taking third place in the Formula 3 Euro Series at the first attempt a year later, and then strolling to this season's Euro F3 championship.
Bianchi will now graduate to the crack ART team's GP2 arm and contest the full 2010 season, when he will hope to emulate Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg by winning the championship for ART as a rookie.
After Bianchi's two days of testing, Ferrari will hand its car to the top three finishers in this year's Italian F3 Championship.
Italians Daniel Zampieri and Marco Zioli, and Mexican Pablo Sanchez Lopez will share the F60 for the final day of running at Jerez.
This is the second successive year that Ferrari has offered tests to the Italian F3 standouts.
The first such session last season brought young Italian Mirko Bortolotti to the world's attention, as his stunning pace - quicker than the F2008 had lapped Fiorano all year - helped earned him Red Bull patronage for a Formula 2 campaign.
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December will start with a unique Formula 1 test session - foreseen on the calendar between the 2009 season's conclusion and the start of the preparations for 2010 - exclusively for young drivers. The appointment for all the teams is set for 1 December at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Southern Spain.
Ferrari will take a F60 to the track, driven on the first two days by the Frenchman Jules Bianchi, who recently won the Drivers' and Teams' titles in the Formula 3 Euroseries, while on 3 December, just like in 2008, the top three drivers in the Italian Formula 3 Championship - the Italians Daniel Zampieri and Marco Zioli and the Mexican Pablo Sanchez Lopez - will take turns behind the wheel of the single-seater used by the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro in this year's championship.
Source:ferrari
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Ferrari recruit young drivers for testing
December will start with a unique Formula 1 test session - foreseen on the calendar between the 2009 season's conclusion and the start of the preparations for 2010 - exclusively for young drivers. The appointment for all the teams is set for 1 December at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Southern Spain.
Ferrari will take a F60 to the track, driven on the first two days by the Frenchman Jules Bianchi, who recently won the Drivers' and Teams' titles in the Formula 3 Euroseries, while on 3 December, just like in 2008, the top three drivers in the Italian Formula 3 Championship - the Italians Daniel Zampieri and Marco Zioli and the Mexican Pablo Sanchez Lopez - will take turns behind the wheel of the single-seater used by the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro in this year's championship.
Source:ferrari
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Jenson Button has revealed he joined McLaren because "I wanted a challenge and that's exactly what I'll get against Lewis Hamilton."
The reigning World Champion confirmed that he had departed Brawn despite the team offering him more money than he will be paid to partner Hamilton.
In an interview with the BBC, Button also revealed that he has yet to speak to Hamilton since making the transfer, and he spent Wednesday at Brawn's Brackley base making his farewells to the team with which he spent seven years.
"It was 100 per cent my choice. I thought the challenge of going up against Lewis in his environment would be exciting," he told Radio 5 live. "I'm earning less than I would have at Brawn, so it's not for money - everyone involved knows that's the case.
"I feel like I needed a new challenge. I'll be earning less than I did at Brawn, so it's not about the money. It's because I wanted something new."
"I know I'll have to work hard to achieve what I want in 2010."
Button admits his decision, which means the Woking-based company now have the last two world champions in an all-British star line-up, did not come easily.
"I was excited but there was a lot to think about because I'd been with Brawn for seven years," he added.
"On the emotional side there was definitely a lot to think about but I thought the challenge of going up against Lewis in his environment would be very tough but very exciting.
"I know the environment in both areas and I know what I want to do and I want new challenges."
Button also paid tribute to Brawn - "I couldn't have done it without him" - but accepted things will change from now on after he said goodbye to the Brawn mechanics.
"It's going to be a different relationship because I am not within the team any more, we're not fighting for a world championship together," Button added.
"We've achieved that goal so I am going to be a rival. We'll still have a good relationship, we've been through a lot together."
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Jenson says Challenge with the hamilton 2010 season
Jenson Button has revealed he joined McLaren because "I wanted a challenge and that's exactly what I'll get against Lewis Hamilton."
The reigning World Champion confirmed that he had departed Brawn despite the team offering him more money than he will be paid to partner Hamilton.
In an interview with the BBC, Button also revealed that he has yet to speak to Hamilton since making the transfer, and he spent Wednesday at Brawn's Brackley base making his farewells to the team with which he spent seven years.
"It was 100 per cent my choice. I thought the challenge of going up against Lewis in his environment would be exciting," he told Radio 5 live. "I'm earning less than I would have at Brawn, so it's not for money - everyone involved knows that's the case.
"I feel like I needed a new challenge. I'll be earning less than I did at Brawn, so it's not about the money. It's because I wanted something new."
"I know I'll have to work hard to achieve what I want in 2010."
Button admits his decision, which means the Woking-based company now have the last two world champions in an all-British star line-up, did not come easily.
"I was excited but there was a lot to think about because I'd been with Brawn for seven years," he added.
"On the emotional side there was definitely a lot to think about but I thought the challenge of going up against Lewis in his environment would be very tough but very exciting.
"I know the environment in both areas and I know what I want to do and I want new challenges."
Button also paid tribute to Brawn - "I couldn't have done it without him" - but accepted things will change from now on after he said goodbye to the Brawn mechanics.
"It's going to be a different relationship because I am not within the team any more, we're not fighting for a world championship together," Button added.
"We've achieved that goal so I am going to be a rival. We'll still have a good relationship, we've been through a lot together."
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Kimi Raikkonen would be willing to consider a race seat at Mercedes Grand Prix next season - but only if the team could convince him it will be good enough to fight for race wins and the world championship.
Raikkonen is currently facing the prospect of taking a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year after he could not reach an agreement with his preferred option McLaren for a drive alongside Lewis Hamilton. With his talks there stalled, McLaren instead completed a deal with Jenson Button.
Although Raikkonen said recently that it was McLaren or nothing for him in F1 next year, Button's shock exit from the former Brawn GP team may have changed the situation.
Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson said on Thursday that although a sabbatical remained the most likely outcome, the 2007 world champion would listen to any offer that Mercedes made if it was interested.
"This is Formula 1. If they can offer, or convince us, that they can provide Kimi an opportunity that Kimi is happy with, and that we are happy with, and he feels he can win races and the championship, then never say never," Robertson told AUTOSPORT about the situation with Mercedes GP. "There is always a possibility."
He added: "There are not that many teams that would appeal to Kimi because he is honest when he says he has got to have a car to win. He is not interested in the money.
"Of course, money is a part of it but he doesn't need the money. He wants a car where he can show his talent. He was very frustrated this year by the fact that he could not win more races and challenge for the championship.
"When you have been in F1 for nine years and been a world champion then you need challenges – and for Kimi the challenge is to win championships and races."
Robertson said that Raikkonen had the desire to compete at the top level in F1 and that even if he went off and did rallying for a year, he would definitely work hard to find a seat with a front-running F1 team for 2011.
When asked if Raikkonen had the hunger to get back into F1, Robertson said: "Yes. As far as Kimi is concerned he has unfinished business - if the opportunity is there to win races and another championship. That is his main goal.
"Now it looks like he is not doing F1 we will look at other options. Rallying, or something else – but there is nothing firmed up in that area yet because F1 has only just finished for us in the last few days. Now it is the time to discuss other things."
Read more...
Raikkonen would consider Mercedes
Kimi Raikkonen would be willing to consider a race seat at Mercedes Grand Prix next season - but only if the team could convince him it will be good enough to fight for race wins and the world championship.
Raikkonen is currently facing the prospect of taking a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year after he could not reach an agreement with his preferred option McLaren for a drive alongside Lewis Hamilton. With his talks there stalled, McLaren instead completed a deal with Jenson Button.
Although Raikkonen said recently that it was McLaren or nothing for him in F1 next year, Button's shock exit from the former Brawn GP team may have changed the situation.
Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson said on Thursday that although a sabbatical remained the most likely outcome, the 2007 world champion would listen to any offer that Mercedes made if it was interested.
"This is Formula 1. If they can offer, or convince us, that they can provide Kimi an opportunity that Kimi is happy with, and that we are happy with, and he feels he can win races and the championship, then never say never," Robertson told AUTOSPORT about the situation with Mercedes GP. "There is always a possibility."
He added: "There are not that many teams that would appeal to Kimi because he is honest when he says he has got to have a car to win. He is not interested in the money.
"Of course, money is a part of it but he doesn't need the money. He wants a car where he can show his talent. He was very frustrated this year by the fact that he could not win more races and challenge for the championship.
"When you have been in F1 for nine years and been a world champion then you need challenges – and for Kimi the challenge is to win championships and races."
Robertson said that Raikkonen had the desire to compete at the top level in F1 and that even if he went off and did rallying for a year, he would definitely work hard to find a seat with a front-running F1 team for 2011.
When asked if Raikkonen had the hunger to get back into F1, Robertson said: "Yes. As far as Kimi is concerned he has unfinished business - if the opportunity is there to win races and another championship. That is his main goal.
"Now it looks like he is not doing F1 we will look at other options. Rallying, or something else – but there is nothing firmed up in that area yet because F1 has only just finished for us in the last few days. Now it is the time to discuss other things."
Source:autosport.com
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For months it’s been merely an option. Now it looks set to become a reality. Kimi Raikkonen will take a one-year sabbatical from Formula One racing in 2010, to bridge the gap from one competitive car to another - or so he hopes. Some fear the recent Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may have been the Finn’s last race, and that would be a shame - seeing a great character leave the paddock with no further ado. Then again, the ‘Iceman’ can usually be relied on to surprise…
Yes, that appears to be the case. I could not agree terms with McLaren so I have decided to take a one-year sabbatical.
Q: You always said that your staying in Formula One was dependant on having a competitive car. Presumably you now feel this is not achievable for 2010?
KR: Yes. I felt McLaren offered the best opportunity to win races and challenge for the drivers’ championship and if that would not work the one-year break is the result. And to be honest, I will only return in 2011 if a competitive drive is available.
Q: What would you do in that year off? Rallying? Look for other talents lurking within you?
KR: I do not know yet. I will look at competing in rallying. Again, naturally I want to drive a competitive car. If not I will spend more time with my family and friends.
Q: And how convinced are you that you will be back in 2011? Couldn’t going now mean the end of your Formula One career? Are you ready for that?
KR: As I said, I will only return in 2011 if I can drive a competitive car. I do not want to race just to make up the numbers. That does not interest me. But there’s a lot of time until then, so let’s wait and see what happens in the months ahead.
Q: The McLaren route is now blocked following their signing of Jenson Button. What brought your negotiations with them to a halt?
KR: My management held many meetings with McLaren. Unfortunately, certain issues could not be resolved. We knew in the last three or four days that it would be highly unlikely a deal could be reached. Now we know it is definite.
Q: What about moving to the newly formed Mercedes GP team? Have you put out any feelers towards Brackley?
KR: No, I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year now that Mercedes are involved.
Q: There was a lot of speculation concerning the role salary played in Button’s switch to McLaren - and lots of reports suggesting the same team were unwilling to meet your pay demands. What is your position on bargaining for salary?
KR: I feel a good driver can make a bigger difference nowadays. If you look at how close the whole grid was this year, if a driver can lap two-tenths faster that is worth many positions on the grid. That could easily be the difference between winning and losing.
Q: 2009 was your ninth season in Formula One racing. Have you achieved what you wanted? Your Ferrari successor Alonso was quoted as saying that after Ferrari he will quit, because after Ferrari any other team is a step down. So you could go out with your head held high…
KR: I achieved my dream of winning the drivers’ world championship. I would like to win another championship, but I can only do that if I have a competitive car. It’s that simple.
Q: How much of a petrol head still lays within Kimi Raikkonen?
KR: I have enjoyed my time in F1 and I still have ambitions. In the right circumstances I am very keen to return. The door is open. Let’s see what the future brings.
Source:F1.com
Source details:http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2009/11/10229.html
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Kimi Raikkonen Q&A - I want to win another title
For months it’s been merely an option. Now it looks set to become a reality. Kimi Raikkonen will take a one-year sabbatical from Formula One racing in 2010, to bridge the gap from one competitive car to another - or so he hopes. Some fear the recent Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may have been the Finn’s last race, and that would be a shame - seeing a great character leave the paddock with no further ado. Then again, the ‘Iceman’ can usually be relied on to surprise…
Yes, that appears to be the case. I could not agree terms with McLaren so I have decided to take a one-year sabbatical.
Q: You always said that your staying in Formula One was dependant on having a competitive car. Presumably you now feel this is not achievable for 2010?
KR: Yes. I felt McLaren offered the best opportunity to win races and challenge for the drivers’ championship and if that would not work the one-year break is the result. And to be honest, I will only return in 2011 if a competitive drive is available.
Q: What would you do in that year off? Rallying? Look for other talents lurking within you?
KR: I do not know yet. I will look at competing in rallying. Again, naturally I want to drive a competitive car. If not I will spend more time with my family and friends.
Q: And how convinced are you that you will be back in 2011? Couldn’t going now mean the end of your Formula One career? Are you ready for that?
KR: As I said, I will only return in 2011 if I can drive a competitive car. I do not want to race just to make up the numbers. That does not interest me. But there’s a lot of time until then, so let’s wait and see what happens in the months ahead.
Q: The McLaren route is now blocked following their signing of Jenson Button. What brought your negotiations with them to a halt?
KR: My management held many meetings with McLaren. Unfortunately, certain issues could not be resolved. We knew in the last three or four days that it would be highly unlikely a deal could be reached. Now we know it is definite.
Q: What about moving to the newly formed Mercedes GP team? Have you put out any feelers towards Brackley?
KR: No, I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year now that Mercedes are involved.
Q: There was a lot of speculation concerning the role salary played in Button’s switch to McLaren - and lots of reports suggesting the same team were unwilling to meet your pay demands. What is your position on bargaining for salary?
KR: I feel a good driver can make a bigger difference nowadays. If you look at how close the whole grid was this year, if a driver can lap two-tenths faster that is worth many positions on the grid. That could easily be the difference between winning and losing.
Q: 2009 was your ninth season in Formula One racing. Have you achieved what you wanted? Your Ferrari successor Alonso was quoted as saying that after Ferrari he will quit, because after Ferrari any other team is a step down. So you could go out with your head held high…
KR: I achieved my dream of winning the drivers’ world championship. I would like to win another championship, but I can only do that if I have a competitive car. It’s that simple.
Q: How much of a petrol head still lays within Kimi Raikkonen?
KR: I have enjoyed my time in F1 and I still have ambitions. In the right circumstances I am very keen to return. The door is open. Let’s see what the future brings.
Source:F1.com
Source details:http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2009/11/10229.html
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Jenson Button has been assured of equality at McLaren - a situation that may actually prove beneficial to Lewis Hamilton in the long term.
According to The Daily Telegraph, 'The subject of driver equality was one of the first assurances he sought when he was taken on a tour of the McLaren Technology Centre last Friday by team principal Martin Whitmarsh and introduced to senior engineers Jonathan Neale and Paddy Lowe.
'Hamilton regularly received upgrades that did not appear on team-mate Heikki Kovalainen's car this season, although with the speed they were being churned out following McLaren's disastrous start to the year it must be said there were not always enough parts to go around.'
Yet there will be a price to be paid by Button for gaining equal billing.
As the Telegraph remarks, given Heikki Kovalkanien's relative lack of appeal, Hamilton has had to burden the bulk of McLaren's PR and sponsorship activities over the past two years and the newspaper says that 'Hamilton admits he has felt burned out on occasion by the never-ending churn of appearances of behalf of one of the more corporate teams on the grid.'
Having secured equal billing at the team, Button will now have to burden half of those undertakings - much to Hamilton's probable relief and possible gain.
Source:PLANETF1.com
Read more...
Lewis Hamilton to gain from Jenson Button's equal deal?
Jenson Button has been assured of equality at McLaren - a situation that may actually prove beneficial to Lewis Hamilton in the long term.
According to The Daily Telegraph, 'The subject of driver equality was one of the first assurances he sought when he was taken on a tour of the McLaren Technology Centre last Friday by team principal Martin Whitmarsh and introduced to senior engineers Jonathan Neale and Paddy Lowe.
'Hamilton regularly received upgrades that did not appear on team-mate Heikki Kovalainen's car this season, although with the speed they were being churned out following McLaren's disastrous start to the year it must be said there were not always enough parts to go around.'
Yet there will be a price to be paid by Button for gaining equal billing.
As the Telegraph remarks, given Heikki Kovalkanien's relative lack of appeal, Hamilton has had to burden the bulk of McLaren's PR and sponsorship activities over the past two years and the newspaper says that 'Hamilton admits he has felt burned out on occasion by the never-ending churn of appearances of behalf of one of the more corporate teams on the grid.'
Having secured equal billing at the team, Button will now have to burden half of those undertakings - much to Hamilton's probable relief and possible gain.
Source:PLANETF1.com
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Sebastian Vettel may have lost out on the world title in 2009, but he has been rated as the season's best driver by team bosses in AUTOSPORT's annual top ten.
AUTOSPORT once again enlisted, in total privacy, the driver ratings from all ten of the current team principals to figure out who the key men in the paddock believe was the star driver of the year.
With the rankings then converted into points (on a 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis), the results were collated and have been published for the first time in AUTOSPORT's F1 Season Review, on sale in newsagents now.
And it is Vettel who has come out on top, over world champion Jenson Button - with last year's number one rated driver, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, coming a close third.
The full AUTOSPORT F1 Team Principals' top ten results for 2009 are:
1. Sebastian Vettel 76
2. Jenson Button 67
3. Lewis Hamilton 65
4. Fernando Alonso 39
5. Rubens Barrichello 35
6= Kimi Raikkonen 30
6= Mark Webber 30
8. Felipe Massa 19
9. Robert Kubica 10
10. Adrian Sutil 8
Vettel was clearly delighted about being ranked as the best driver by team principals, but equally knows that the real target is to achieve the number one spot on track.
"It's an honour to be recognised after such an exciting season with many ups and downs," he told AUTOSPORT. "However, the votes won't help me be faster on the track next year and it will still be down to me to prove myself again next season."
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner, who joined in fellow team principals in contributing his own rankings for the vote, was equally happy with the outcome.
"Sebastian had a great year in 2009 and I am certain he has the makings of a future world champion," Horner told AUTOSPORT.
"It's easy to forget how young he is sometimes. He's very mature in how he works with the car and his engineers - and it's remarkable to think that he can only just hire a rental car.
"It's great to see that his talent has been recognised by others and we're very much looking forward to working with him again in the coming seasons."
Source:AutoSport.com
Read more...
Teams bosses vote Vettel best '09 driver
Sebastian Vettel may have lost out on the world title in 2009, but he has been rated as the season's best driver by team bosses in AUTOSPORT's annual top ten.
AUTOSPORT once again enlisted, in total privacy, the driver ratings from all ten of the current team principals to figure out who the key men in the paddock believe was the star driver of the year.
With the rankings then converted into points (on a 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis), the results were collated and have been published for the first time in AUTOSPORT's F1 Season Review, on sale in newsagents now.
And it is Vettel who has come out on top, over world champion Jenson Button - with last year's number one rated driver, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, coming a close third.
The full AUTOSPORT F1 Team Principals' top ten results for 2009 are:
1. Sebastian Vettel 76
2. Jenson Button 67
3. Lewis Hamilton 65
4. Fernando Alonso 39
5. Rubens Barrichello 35
6= Kimi Raikkonen 30
6= Mark Webber 30
8. Felipe Massa 19
9. Robert Kubica 10
10. Adrian Sutil 8
Vettel was clearly delighted about being ranked as the best driver by team principals, but equally knows that the real target is to achieve the number one spot on track.
"It's an honour to be recognised after such an exciting season with many ups and downs," he told AUTOSPORT. "However, the votes won't help me be faster on the track next year and it will still be down to me to prove myself again next season."
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner, who joined in fellow team principals in contributing his own rankings for the vote, was equally happy with the outcome.
"Sebastian had a great year in 2009 and I am certain he has the makings of a future world champion," Horner told AUTOSPORT.
"It's easy to forget how young he is sometimes. He's very mature in how he works with the car and his engineers - and it's remarkable to think that he can only just hire a rental car.
"It's great to see that his talent has been recognised by others and we're very much looking forward to working with him again in the coming seasons."
Source:AutoSport.com
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David Coulthard has rubbished reports his friend Jenson Button will be unable to thrive alongside fellow British world champion Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.
In the wake of Wednesday's announcement, some pundits claim that Hamilton is so ensconced at the Woking-based team and one of F1's most highly rated drivers, Button will comparatively struggle.
"It's as if Lewis Hamilton's victory in 2008 was somehow more worthy," Coulthard wrote in a column for the Daily Telegraph. "This is an opportunity to see the last two world champions putting their reputations on the line on an equal footing."
Button's first non-press release reaction was also bullish: "Would I fancy my chances against him? Well, every driver would, every driver wants to show to themselves, more than anyone else, how good they are.
"
Former team owner turned BBC pundit Eddie Jordan, however, believes Button faces a tough challenge for his championship year.
Read more...
David Coulthard looks forward to McLaren battle
David Coulthard has rubbished reports his friend Jenson Button will be unable to thrive alongside fellow British world champion Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.
In the wake of Wednesday's announcement, some pundits claim that Hamilton is so ensconced at the Woking-based team and one of F1's most highly rated drivers, Button will comparatively struggle.
"It's as if Lewis Hamilton's victory in 2008 was somehow more worthy," Coulthard wrote in a column for the Daily Telegraph. "This is an opportunity to see the last two world champions putting their reputations on the line on an equal footing."
Button's first non-press release reaction was also bullish: "Would I fancy my chances against him? Well, every driver would, every driver wants to show to themselves, more than anyone else, how good they are.
"
Former team owner turned BBC pundit Eddie Jordan, however, believes Button faces a tough challenge for his championship year.
"Lewis' father, Anthony, is a tough customer and he will be looking for absolutely the best for that side of the camp," he told the Sun. "Jenson will need to play all his cards very well."
Source:f1total.com
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Kimi Raikkonen's management is believed to be in talks with Mercedes about a race seat in 2010.
With McLaren signing Jenson Button, the Finn's manager Steve Robertson said on Wednesday that Raikkonen would take a year off and go rallying instead.
However, with Brawn/Mercedes now needing a driver to pair with Nico Rosberg, rumours quickly emerged that Raikkonen is an option.
Brazil's O Globo went as far as to report that a deal with the Brackley-based team is a certainty.
Robertson would not confirm the news but he did not rule out the possibility of a Mercedes deal, amid reports in Spain's Diario Sport that Raikkonen is in talks with Citroen about a World Rally Championship seat.
To the German news agency SID, Mercedes' Norbert Haug would not shed any light.
"We want to have the best possible line-up and there are still some very capable drivers on the market. There will of course be speculation," said the German.
Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
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Kimi Raikkonen go to Mercedes?
Kimi Raikkonen's management is believed to be in talks with Mercedes about a race seat in 2010.
With McLaren signing Jenson Button, the Finn's manager Steve Robertson said on Wednesday that Raikkonen would take a year off and go rallying instead.
However, with Brawn/Mercedes now needing a driver to pair with Nico Rosberg, rumours quickly emerged that Raikkonen is an option.
Brazil's O Globo went as far as to report that a deal with the Brackley-based team is a certainty.
Robertson would not confirm the news but he did not rule out the possibility of a Mercedes deal, amid reports in Spain's Diario Sport that Raikkonen is in talks with Citroen about a World Rally Championship seat.
To the German news agency SID, Mercedes' Norbert Haug would not shed any light.
"We want to have the best possible line-up and there are still some very capable drivers on the market. There will of course be speculation," said the German.
Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International
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Francorchamps gets new operating license
The Belgian media reports that the Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps has received a new operating license on Monday. The new license, which is valid until March 2011, was signed by Philippe Henry, the planning minister of the Walloon government.
The historic Francorchamps track had its original license revoked by an administrative court and this following the complaints of local residents about noise.
Despite the angry neighbours, the circuit in the Belgian Ardennes also provides a lot of families in the area with an income. Thus another group of residents decided to start an online petition to save the famous track. On the website http://www.defendonsfrancorchamps.be they collected over 35.000 signatures.
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Pedro de la Rosa is tipped to return to Formula One action next year with Force India. The Silverstone based team, powered by Mercedes engines and supported by McLaren, has not yet confirmed either Adrian Sutil or Tonio Liuzzi.
McLaren test and reserve driver de la Rosa tested a Force India last winter, and was thought to have been first in the queue for a Campos seat for next year.
That option is now believed closed due to a lack of interest by Spanish sponsors, but Spanish radio sources Onda Cero and Radio Marca have reported that Force India is a possibility. In fact, the sources said an announcement could be imminent.
Paul di Resta meanwhile will make his Formula One debut at the young driver test at Jerez, Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell reports.
The Scot, who races with Mercedes in the DTM series, will reportedly drive the Mercedes-powered Force India car during the early December session. He reportedly had a seat fitting at the team's Silverstone headquarters early this week.
E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM
Read more...
De la Rosa tipped for Force India seat 2010 season
Pedro de la Rosa is tipped to return to Formula One action next year with Force India. The Silverstone based team, powered by Mercedes engines and supported by McLaren, has not yet confirmed either Adrian Sutil or Tonio Liuzzi.
McLaren test and reserve driver de la Rosa tested a Force India last winter, and was thought to have been first in the queue for a Campos seat for next year.
That option is now believed closed due to a lack of interest by Spanish sponsors, but Spanish radio sources Onda Cero and Radio Marca have reported that Force India is a possibility. In fact, the sources said an announcement could be imminent.
Paul di Resta meanwhile will make his Formula One debut at the young driver test at Jerez, Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell reports.
The Scot, who races with Mercedes in the DTM series, will reportedly drive the Mercedes-powered Force India car during the early December session. He reportedly had a seat fitting at the team's Silverstone headquarters early this week.
E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM
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Jarno Trulli has declared to our colleagues at 'autosport' that he will make a decision about his Formula One future after this weekend's Toyota Motor Sport Festival in Fuji, his last commitment to Toyota as the manufacturer will say goodbye to its fans at the Japanese track.
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Jarno Trulli to make F1 decision after Toyota Motor Sport Festival
Jarno Trulli has declared to our colleagues at 'autosport' that he will make a decision about his Formula One future after this weekend's Toyota Motor Sport Festival in Fuji, his last commitment to Toyota as the manufacturer will say goodbye to its fans at the Japanese track.Trulli, who tested NASCAR earlier this week, is favourite to land a Lotus seat, but made it clear that he still has other options on the grid.
"I haven't signed yet. I'm in talks with several teams and soon I will take my decision. I keep my door open, but definitely I'm dealing closely with some team," Trulli said to 'autosport'.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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Jenson Button's decision to join McLaren reportedly came when Brawn GP took an offer of £12million off the table after he breached his contract.
On Wednesday, McLaren announced that Button would be joining them next season having signed a three-year contract worth £6m per year. The move will see him team up with Lewis Hamilton in a formidable partnership of British talent.
However, Button could have earned double that if the World Champion hadn't angered his Brawn GP team bosses by visiting McLaren's Woking headquarters last Friday evening.
On Saturday, newspapers in the UK carried news of Button's visit to Woking, which an unnamed McLaren source said was just a 'hello' while another claimed that the Brit had been in talks with team boss Martin Whitmarsh well into the night.
And it appears Brawn GP's bosses weren't at all happy with Button's McLaren visit.
According to the Daily Express 'Button's relationship with Brawn broke down so badly that they removed an offer that could have been worth £12million next year before he signed for McLaren.
'Just a month after being lifted to the heights of World Champion by his team, Button was left in no doubt that he had let them down in a phone call with team principal Ross Brawn at the weekend.
'That came after a breach of contract when Button was shown around the McLaren factory, a move which shocked Brawn, who thought he was still in the middle of negotiations with Button.'
The phone call with Brawn resulted in both parties feeling wronged and the offer of an £8m per year salary plus up to £4m in points bonuses being taken off the table.
Two days later McLaren announced they had bagged the reigning World Champ for just £6m a year.
"I was very disappointed at the way things finished up with Jenson," said Brawn, who earlier this week sold 75.1 percent of his Formula One team to Mercedes.
Nick Fry, the team's chief executive, backed up the newspaper's claims but revealing that money was not the issue behind Button leaving.
"I don't think that it was a financial issue," Fry told Autosport. "We understand that our offer to Jenson may well have been in excess of what he might be getting with McLaren.
"We are disappointed that Jenson has decided to leave because we did make what we thought was a very generous offer for a new contract which was significantly in excess of the frankly spurious figures that were put out to the press over the past week or so.
"It was clear to us that things were going seriously astray as of Sunday night or Monday morning.
"Unfortunately, over the last week there has been very little dialogue with Jenson's management team despite the fact that we have made overtures to have further discussions. But they didn't seem particularly keen, presumably because they were set on the McLaren route."
Fry added that he doesn't understand why Button chose to leave when it means he will have Lewis Hamilton, arguably one of the best drivers in Formula One, as his team-mate.
"I respect his decision," said Fry. "It's not one that I would have made and maybe he has been poorly advised.
"Clearly, loyalty would be nice but in this day and age you don't expect too much of that. I'm always happy when any employee leaves our company if I think that they've made the right decision and they are going to a better job and they always go with our blessing if that is the situation.
"In this situation, we don't understand the logic of the decision and I think Jenson is going to have to up his game if he's going to beat Lewis on home territory."
Read more...
Breach of contract cost Button £12m
Jenson Button's decision to join McLaren reportedly came when Brawn GP took an offer of £12million off the table after he breached his contract.
On Wednesday, McLaren announced that Button would be joining them next season having signed a three-year contract worth £6m per year. The move will see him team up with Lewis Hamilton in a formidable partnership of British talent.
However, Button could have earned double that if the World Champion hadn't angered his Brawn GP team bosses by visiting McLaren's Woking headquarters last Friday evening.
On Saturday, newspapers in the UK carried news of Button's visit to Woking, which an unnamed McLaren source said was just a 'hello' while another claimed that the Brit had been in talks with team boss Martin Whitmarsh well into the night.
And it appears Brawn GP's bosses weren't at all happy with Button's McLaren visit.
According to the Daily Express 'Button's relationship with Brawn broke down so badly that they removed an offer that could have been worth £12million next year before he signed for McLaren.
'Just a month after being lifted to the heights of World Champion by his team, Button was left in no doubt that he had let them down in a phone call with team principal Ross Brawn at the weekend.
'That came after a breach of contract when Button was shown around the McLaren factory, a move which shocked Brawn, who thought he was still in the middle of negotiations with Button.'
The phone call with Brawn resulted in both parties feeling wronged and the offer of an £8m per year salary plus up to £4m in points bonuses being taken off the table.
Two days later McLaren announced they had bagged the reigning World Champ for just £6m a year.
"I was very disappointed at the way things finished up with Jenson," said Brawn, who earlier this week sold 75.1 percent of his Formula One team to Mercedes.
Nick Fry, the team's chief executive, backed up the newspaper's claims but revealing that money was not the issue behind Button leaving.
"I don't think that it was a financial issue," Fry told Autosport. "We understand that our offer to Jenson may well have been in excess of what he might be getting with McLaren.
"We are disappointed that Jenson has decided to leave because we did make what we thought was a very generous offer for a new contract which was significantly in excess of the frankly spurious figures that were put out to the press over the past week or so.
"It was clear to us that things were going seriously astray as of Sunday night or Monday morning.
"Unfortunately, over the last week there has been very little dialogue with Jenson's management team despite the fact that we have made overtures to have further discussions. But they didn't seem particularly keen, presumably because they were set on the McLaren route."
Fry added that he doesn't understand why Button chose to leave when it means he will have Lewis Hamilton, arguably one of the best drivers in Formula One, as his team-mate.
"I respect his decision," said Fry. "It's not one that I would have made and maybe he has been poorly advised.
"Clearly, loyalty would be nice but in this day and age you don't expect too much of that. I'm always happy when any employee leaves our company if I think that they've made the right decision and they are going to a better job and they always go with our blessing if that is the situation.
"In this situation, we don't understand the logic of the decision and I think Jenson is going to have to up his game if he's going to beat Lewis on home territory."
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Formula 1's driver market merry-go-round burst into life this week when Jenson Button made the shock switch from Brawn GP to McLaren for 2010. One of the consequences of that move is that it appears to have forced Kimi Raikkonen to take a sabbatical from grand prix racing - although there are rumours now he could take the seat vacated by the world champion.
With speculation linking Raikkonen with moves to the World Rally Championship or Le Mans, AUTOSPORT caught up with Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson in Macau to find out what the situation was now that Button's future plans had been decided.
Q. Can you clarify what the current situation with Kimi Raikkonen is. Is it 100 per cent that he will not be in Formula 1 next year?
Steve Robertson: Pretty much so - although you could never say 100 per cent. Kimi had a goal and a team he wanted to be with, but it didn't work out. We tried. We had many meetings with McLaren, but unfortunately there were a few issues there that we could not find common ground on. And we realised in the last four or five days that it would be very difficult for a deal to be done.
And Kimi, if he cannot get a competitive drive in F1, where he feels he can win races and the championship, then he does not need to do F1 for the money. He does it because he wants to win. He would rather take a year out, with the possibility of coming back in 2011.
Q. Does he have the hunger to get back into F1?
SR: Yes. As far as Kimi is concerned he has unfinished business - if the opportunity is there to win races and another championship. That is his main goal. Now it looks like he is not doing F1 we will look at other options. Rallying, or something else – but there is nothing firmed up in that area yet because F1 has only just finished for us in the last few days. Now it is the time to discuss other things.
Q. Are there any ongoing talks with F1 teams right now? There has been speculation that Kimi could take the Mercedes GP seat vacated by Jenson Button.
SR: This is Formula 1. If they can offer, or convince us, that they can provide Kimi an opportunity that Kimi is happy with, and that we are happy with, and he feels he can win races and the championship then never say never. There is always a possibility.
Q. What do you think is most likely for Kimi next year if he does not get anything in F1? Is rallying the preferred option?
SR: In all honesty, he wanted to do a couple of rallies with F1. Since F1 has no testing, Kimi gets a little bit bored during the week because he cannot do anything. He feels it does not do him any harm. If you look at what happened this year, when he rallied and then came back to F1, his results were always strong. For him, it keeps him sharp. So if he does not do F1, then I am sure he will do something in the World Rally Championship.
Q. What would you say percentage wise his chances of eventually returning to F1 are, because a lot of fans are disappointed he will not be there in 2010 after what he did with Ferrari in the second half of this season?
SR: It is true that Kimi had a fantastic second half to the year when you consider that there was no development with that car – and he still won a race at Spa. But listen – a lot of F1 teams are interested in Kimi. He is one of those unique drivers, who gets in something and instantly he is quick. He does not need days and days of testing. It has always been that way.
There are not that many teams that would appeal to Kimi because he is honest when he says he has got to have a car to win. He is not interested in the money. Of course, money is a part of it but he doesn't need the money. He wants a car where he can show his talent. He was very frustrated this year by the fact that he could not win more races, and challenge for the championship. When you have been in F1 for nine years and been a world champion then you need challenges – and for Kimi the challenge is to win championships and races.
Q. So it is fair to say that phone will always be on for anyone willing to offer him something?
SR: Yes, for sure. Kimi had made it clear that he wants to return in the right situation.
Q. What is your reaction to Jenson Button's decision to join McLaren?
SR: Obviously, after McLaren could not get Kimi, they looked at what they thought was the next best option. People say that to have two British drivers in one team is not a good thing, but McLaren has never operated like that. They want to take the best drivers available, irrespective of nationality. It will be interesting that they have two world champions in their team next year – and I am watching with interest, like everyone else, to see how that develops.
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Question & Answer with Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson Steve Robertson
Formula 1's driver market merry-go-round burst into life this week when Jenson Button made the shock switch from Brawn GP to McLaren for 2010. One of the consequences of that move is that it appears to have forced Kimi Raikkonen to take a sabbatical from grand prix racing - although there are rumours now he could take the seat vacated by the world champion.
With speculation linking Raikkonen with moves to the World Rally Championship or Le Mans, AUTOSPORT caught up with Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson in Macau to find out what the situation was now that Button's future plans had been decided.
Q. Can you clarify what the current situation with Kimi Raikkonen is. Is it 100 per cent that he will not be in Formula 1 next year?
Steve Robertson: Pretty much so - although you could never say 100 per cent. Kimi had a goal and a team he wanted to be with, but it didn't work out. We tried. We had many meetings with McLaren, but unfortunately there were a few issues there that we could not find common ground on. And we realised in the last four or five days that it would be very difficult for a deal to be done.
And Kimi, if he cannot get a competitive drive in F1, where he feels he can win races and the championship, then he does not need to do F1 for the money. He does it because he wants to win. He would rather take a year out, with the possibility of coming back in 2011.
Q. Does he have the hunger to get back into F1?
SR: Yes. As far as Kimi is concerned he has unfinished business - if the opportunity is there to win races and another championship. That is his main goal. Now it looks like he is not doing F1 we will look at other options. Rallying, or something else – but there is nothing firmed up in that area yet because F1 has only just finished for us in the last few days. Now it is the time to discuss other things.
Q. Are there any ongoing talks with F1 teams right now? There has been speculation that Kimi could take the Mercedes GP seat vacated by Jenson Button.
SR: This is Formula 1. If they can offer, or convince us, that they can provide Kimi an opportunity that Kimi is happy with, and that we are happy with, and he feels he can win races and the championship then never say never. There is always a possibility.
Q. What do you think is most likely for Kimi next year if he does not get anything in F1? Is rallying the preferred option?
SR: In all honesty, he wanted to do a couple of rallies with F1. Since F1 has no testing, Kimi gets a little bit bored during the week because he cannot do anything. He feels it does not do him any harm. If you look at what happened this year, when he rallied and then came back to F1, his results were always strong. For him, it keeps him sharp. So if he does not do F1, then I am sure he will do something in the World Rally Championship.
Q. What would you say percentage wise his chances of eventually returning to F1 are, because a lot of fans are disappointed he will not be there in 2010 after what he did with Ferrari in the second half of this season?
SR: It is true that Kimi had a fantastic second half to the year when you consider that there was no development with that car – and he still won a race at Spa. But listen – a lot of F1 teams are interested in Kimi. He is one of those unique drivers, who gets in something and instantly he is quick. He does not need days and days of testing. It has always been that way.
There are not that many teams that would appeal to Kimi because he is honest when he says he has got to have a car to win. He is not interested in the money. Of course, money is a part of it but he doesn't need the money. He wants a car where he can show his talent. He was very frustrated this year by the fact that he could not win more races, and challenge for the championship. When you have been in F1 for nine years and been a world champion then you need challenges – and for Kimi the challenge is to win championships and races.
Q. So it is fair to say that phone will always be on for anyone willing to offer him something?
SR: Yes, for sure. Kimi had made it clear that he wants to return in the right situation.
Q. What is your reaction to Jenson Button's decision to join McLaren?
SR: Obviously, after McLaren could not get Kimi, they looked at what they thought was the next best option. People say that to have two British drivers in one team is not a good thing, but McLaren has never operated like that. They want to take the best drivers available, irrespective of nationality. It will be interesting that they have two world champions in their team next year – and I am watching with interest, like everyone else, to see how that develops.
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Raikkonen would consider Mercedes
Kimi Raikkonen would be willing to consider a race seat at Mercedes Grand Prix next season - but only if the team could convince him it will be good enough to fight for race wins and the world championship.
Raikkonen is currently facing the prospect of taking a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year after he could not reach an agreement with his preferred option McLaren for a drive alongside Lewis Hamilton. With his talks there stalled, McLaren instead completed a deal with Jenson Button.
Although Raikkonen said recently that it was McLaren or nothing for him in F1 next year, Button's shock exit from the former Brawn GP team may have changed the situation.
Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson said on Thursday that although a sabbatical remained the most likely outcome, the 2007 world champion would listen to any offer that Mercedes made if it was interested.
"This is Formula 1. If they can offer, or convince us, that they can provide Kimi an opportunity that Kimi is happy with, and that we are happy with, and he feels he can win races and the championship, then never say never," Robertson told AUTOSPORT about the situation with Mercedes GP. "There is always a possibility."
He added: "There are not that many teams that would appeal to Kimi because he is honest when he says he has got to have a car to win. He is not interested in the money.
"Of course, money is a part of it but he doesn't need the money. He wants a car where he can show his talent. He was very frustrated this year by the fact that he could not win more races and challenge for the championship.
"When you have been in F1 for nine years and been a world champion then you need challenges – and for Kimi the challenge is to win championships and races."
Robertson said that Raikkonen had the desire to compete at the top level in F1 and that even if he went off and did rallying for a year, he would definitely work hard to find a seat with a front-running F1 team for 2011.
When asked if Raikkonen had the hunger to get back into F1, Robertson said: "Yes. As far as Kimi is concerned he has unfinished business - if the opportunity is there to win races and another championship. That is his main goal.
"Now it looks like he is not doing F1 we will look at other options. Rallying, or something else – but there is nothing firmed up in that area yet because F1 has only just finished for us in the last few days. Now it is the time to discuss other things."
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Raikkonen is currently facing the prospect of taking a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year after he could not reach an agreement with his preferred option McLaren for a drive alongside Lewis Hamilton. With his talks there stalled, McLaren instead completed a deal with Jenson Button.
Although Raikkonen said recently that it was McLaren or nothing for him in F1 next year, Button's shock exit from the former Brawn GP team may have changed the situation.
Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson said on Thursday that although a sabbatical remained the most likely outcome, the 2007 world champion would listen to any offer that Mercedes made if it was interested.
"This is Formula 1. If they can offer, or convince us, that they can provide Kimi an opportunity that Kimi is happy with, and that we are happy with, and he feels he can win races and the championship, then never say never," Robertson told AUTOSPORT about the situation with Mercedes GP. "There is always a possibility."
He added: "There are not that many teams that would appeal to Kimi because he is honest when he says he has got to have a car to win. He is not interested in the money.
"Of course, money is a part of it but he doesn't need the money. He wants a car where he can show his talent. He was very frustrated this year by the fact that he could not win more races and challenge for the championship.
"When you have been in F1 for nine years and been a world champion then you need challenges – and for Kimi the challenge is to win championships and races."
Robertson said that Raikkonen had the desire to compete at the top level in F1 and that even if he went off and did rallying for a year, he would definitely work hard to find a seat with a front-running F1 team for 2011.
When asked if Raikkonen had the hunger to get back into F1, Robertson said: "Yes. As far as Kimi is concerned he has unfinished business - if the opportunity is there to win races and another championship. That is his main goal.
"Now it looks like he is not doing F1 we will look at other options. Rallying, or something else – but there is nothing firmed up in that area yet because F1 has only just finished for us in the last few days. Now it is the time to discuss other things."
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McLaren says it is delighted to welcome newly-crowned world champion Jenson Button to their team for 2010, as he joins 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton in an all-British line-up. Button had only recently been linked with a McLaren move, but after failing to have his salary demands met by current employer Brawn, he immediately jumped ship to join the Woking-based outfit.
Speaking following the announcement, team principal Martin Whitmarsh said the team was delighted to welcome Jenson aboard. “Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Jenson to our team,” he began.
“It has always been our policy to employ the two very best possible drivers – and, in Jenson and Lewis, we feel we not only have the fastest pairing on the 2010 grid, but also the two most complete, professional and dedicated drivers in Formula 1.”
McLaren's last high-profile driver pairing of Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in 2007 ended in disaster, with Alonso leaving the team at the end of the season. This time around, Whitmarsh says McLaren will be able to keep the drivers happy.
“I'm confident that we'll be able to successfully balance and harness Jenson's and Lewis's complementary skill-sets. Our engineers are already looking forward to working with Jenson, and I'm convinced that such a strong and dynamic driver line-up will make us an even more complete and competitive operation. Now we have to provide Jenson and Lewis with race-winning machinery.”
But Whitmarsh also denied that Button was switching to McLaren to earn a better wage, having been refused his requested wage-increase at Brawn. Reports suggest Button will earn between £6m and £7m per season over the course of his three-year deal, while Brawn were supposedly offering just £4m for the champion's services.
“I want to make clear that Jenson's decision to join us was in no way motivated by money,” insisted Whitmarsh. “We'll be paying him no more than he could be getting elsewhere, and that fact is a reflection of not only Jenson's belief in Vodafone McLaren Mercedes but also his desire and ambition to build on the phenomenal results he achieved during the 2009 season.”
Whitmarsh also paid tribute to Finland's Heikki Kovalainen who leaves the team after two years partnering Hamilton. He will be missed by the team, Whitmarsh said.
“I also want to thank Heikki for his selfless contribution over the past two years. As well as being very quick, Heikki was and remains a great character whom we'll all miss considerably,” admitted Whitmarsh. “It goes without saying that we wish him all the best for next season, and would be very pleased if he were to secure a good drive for 2010.”
“We're ambitious, we're motivated and we're hungrier than ever. We make no secret of our ambition for next year: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes wants to win both World Championships – and, with Jenson and Lewis, we believe we're better equipped than any other team in the pitlane to do exactly that.”
McLaren's new driver line-up is the first in history to feature the two most recent world champions, and is the first time since 1968 to feature two British world champions. Even with a combined total of two championships and 18 wins, they are still statistically weaker than Ferrari's line-up of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa.
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Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Jenson to our team
McLaren says it is delighted to welcome newly-crowned world champion Jenson Button to their team for 2010, as he joins 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton in an all-British line-up. Button had only recently been linked with a McLaren move, but after failing to have his salary demands met by current employer Brawn, he immediately jumped ship to join the Woking-based outfit.
Speaking following the announcement, team principal Martin Whitmarsh said the team was delighted to welcome Jenson aboard. “Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Jenson to our team,” he began.
“It has always been our policy to employ the two very best possible drivers – and, in Jenson and Lewis, we feel we not only have the fastest pairing on the 2010 grid, but also the two most complete, professional and dedicated drivers in Formula 1.”
McLaren's last high-profile driver pairing of Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in 2007 ended in disaster, with Alonso leaving the team at the end of the season. This time around, Whitmarsh says McLaren will be able to keep the drivers happy.
“I'm confident that we'll be able to successfully balance and harness Jenson's and Lewis's complementary skill-sets. Our engineers are already looking forward to working with Jenson, and I'm convinced that such a strong and dynamic driver line-up will make us an even more complete and competitive operation. Now we have to provide Jenson and Lewis with race-winning machinery.”
But Whitmarsh also denied that Button was switching to McLaren to earn a better wage, having been refused his requested wage-increase at Brawn. Reports suggest Button will earn between £6m and £7m per season over the course of his three-year deal, while Brawn were supposedly offering just £4m for the champion's services.
“I want to make clear that Jenson's decision to join us was in no way motivated by money,” insisted Whitmarsh. “We'll be paying him no more than he could be getting elsewhere, and that fact is a reflection of not only Jenson's belief in Vodafone McLaren Mercedes but also his desire and ambition to build on the phenomenal results he achieved during the 2009 season.”
Whitmarsh also paid tribute to Finland's Heikki Kovalainen who leaves the team after two years partnering Hamilton. He will be missed by the team, Whitmarsh said.
“I also want to thank Heikki for his selfless contribution over the past two years. As well as being very quick, Heikki was and remains a great character whom we'll all miss considerably,” admitted Whitmarsh. “It goes without saying that we wish him all the best for next season, and would be very pleased if he were to secure a good drive for 2010.”
“We're ambitious, we're motivated and we're hungrier than ever. We make no secret of our ambition for next year: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes wants to win both World Championships – and, with Jenson and Lewis, we believe we're better equipped than any other team in the pitlane to do exactly that.”
McLaren's new driver line-up is the first in history to feature the two most recent world champions, and is the first time since 1968 to feature two British world champions. Even with a combined total of two championships and 18 wins, they are still statistically weaker than Ferrari's line-up of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa.
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Lewis Hamilton is delighted to be driving alongside compatriot Jenson Button as the latter makes the move from Brawn GP to McLaren for 2010. In what becomes the first all-British World Champion line-up since Lotus' in 1968, the 2008 winner is sad to say goodbye to Heikki Kovalainen but excited about the future.
With Graham Hill and Jim Clark having been an all-British Champion line-up with a British team 32 years previous, history will repeat itself as Hamilton is partnered by a World Champion once again in 2010.
"It's fantastic news that Jenson has decided to join Vodafone McLaren Mercedes - and I'm looking forward to working with him and our engineers to make sure we kick off the 2010 season with a car that's competitive enough to win the World Championship," Hamilton said.
"I want to send my best wishes for the future to my 2008-09 team-mate and now good friend Heikki Kovalainen, who is one of the nicest human beings I've ever met.
"I already know Jenson and we get on very well together. We both really want our team to succeed. Although we'll be pushing each other hard, I'm sure we'll very quickly establish a great working relationship. He's an exceptional driver: very controlled and very smooth, and he has a real depth of knowledge and experience.
"I think we'll complement each other very well and our collaboration will make the team stronger as a result. Also, I'm delighted to be racing alongside a fellow British World Champion and believe we can pull together to make Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the best team on the grid."
Hamilton concluded that he believes Button has already 'started to appreciate our team's unique culture and special family atmosphere' as well as, in patriotic fashion, being excited about the all-British affair. "I'm already looking forward to Silverstone - it'll be massive!" Lewis added. "I've been closely following the development of our 2010 challenger, the MP4-25, and I think it's going to be a state-of-the-art car that will enable both of us to consistently fight for victories."
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Lewis Hamilton - Button arrival fantastic news
Lewis Hamilton is delighted to be driving alongside compatriot Jenson Button as the latter makes the move from Brawn GP to McLaren for 2010. In what becomes the first all-British World Champion line-up since Lotus' in 1968, the 2008 winner is sad to say goodbye to Heikki Kovalainen but excited about the future.
With Graham Hill and Jim Clark having been an all-British Champion line-up with a British team 32 years previous, history will repeat itself as Hamilton is partnered by a World Champion once again in 2010.
"It's fantastic news that Jenson has decided to join Vodafone McLaren Mercedes - and I'm looking forward to working with him and our engineers to make sure we kick off the 2010 season with a car that's competitive enough to win the World Championship," Hamilton said.
"I want to send my best wishes for the future to my 2008-09 team-mate and now good friend Heikki Kovalainen, who is one of the nicest human beings I've ever met.
"I already know Jenson and we get on very well together. We both really want our team to succeed. Although we'll be pushing each other hard, I'm sure we'll very quickly establish a great working relationship. He's an exceptional driver: very controlled and very smooth, and he has a real depth of knowledge and experience.
"I think we'll complement each other very well and our collaboration will make the team stronger as a result. Also, I'm delighted to be racing alongside a fellow British World Champion and believe we can pull together to make Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the best team on the grid."
Hamilton concluded that he believes Button has already 'started to appreciate our team's unique culture and special family atmosphere' as well as, in patriotic fashion, being excited about the all-British affair. "I'm already looking forward to Silverstone - it'll be massive!" Lewis added. "I've been closely following the development of our 2010 challenger, the MP4-25, and I think it's going to be a state-of-the-art car that will enable both of us to consistently fight for victories."
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McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh admits the team is thrilled to be pairing the last two world champions together in its 2010 line-up – but insists that Jenson Button’s decision to join the team was not motivated by money.
After weeks of frenzied speculation about where the 2009 title winner would be driving next season, McLaren confirmed on Wednesday that it had secured the services of Button to create the first ever line-up of successive world champions.
Whitmarsh believes the Hamilton/Button combination will represent the strongest on next season’s grid and is confident the team will be able to successfully manage both driver’s personalities and driving styles, the team having famously experienced problems in 2007 when it paired Fernando Alonso with a then rookie Hamilton.
“Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Jenson to our team,” he said in a statement.
“It has always been our policy to employ the two very best possible drivers – and, in Jenson and Lewis, we feel we not only have the fastest pairing on the 2010 grid, but also the two most complete, professional and dedicated drivers in Formula 1.
“Moreover, I’m confident that we’ll be able to successfully balance and harness Jenson’s and Lewis’s complementary skill-sets.
“Our engineers are already looking forward to working with Jenson, and I’m convinced that such a strong and dynamic driver line-up will make us an even more complete and competitive operation. Now we have to provide Jenson and Lewis with race-winning machinery.”
He added: “We’re ambitious, we’re motivated and we’re hungrier than ever.
“We make no secret of our ambition for next year: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes wants to win both World Championships – and, with Jenson and Lewis, we believe we’re better equipped than any other team in the pitlane to do exactly that.”
Although it initially appeared likely that Button would agree a new contract with Brawn in the wake of his maiden title success last month, their negotiations became protracted with the Button camp unhappy with the scale of the pay rise being offered by the Brackley team.
Media reports on Tuesday suggested Button had agreed a retainer of £6m a year to switch to Woking, around £3m more than the Briton received this year after voluntarily taking a pay cut to stay on at the Brawn team following Honda’s F1 pull-out.
Whitmarsh, however, said the money McLaren is paying its new signing is in line with what was on offer elsewhere on the grid, something which he says reflects well on Button.
“I want to make clear that Jenson’s decision to join us was in no way motivated by money,” Whitmarsh said.
“We’ll be paying him no more than he could be getting elsewhere, and that fact is a reflection of not only Jenson’s belief in Vodafone McLaren Mercedes but also his desire and ambition to build on the phenomenal results he achieved during the 2009 season.”
Whitmarsh also paid tribute to the outgoing Heikki Kovalainen and says all the team hopes he secures the best available drive for 2010.
“I also want to thank Heikki for his selfless contribution over the past two years,” he added.
“As well as being very quick, Heikki was and remains a great character whom we’ll all miss considerably.
“It goes without saying that we wish him all the best for next season, and would be very pleased if he were to secure a good drive for 2010.”
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Martin Whitmarsh says - Money not the reason for Button move
McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh admits the team is thrilled to be pairing the last two world champions together in its 2010 line-up – but insists that Jenson Button’s decision to join the team was not motivated by money.
After weeks of frenzied speculation about where the 2009 title winner would be driving next season, McLaren confirmed on Wednesday that it had secured the services of Button to create the first ever line-up of successive world champions.
Whitmarsh believes the Hamilton/Button combination will represent the strongest on next season’s grid and is confident the team will be able to successfully manage both driver’s personalities and driving styles, the team having famously experienced problems in 2007 when it paired Fernando Alonso with a then rookie Hamilton.
“Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Jenson to our team,” he said in a statement.
“It has always been our policy to employ the two very best possible drivers – and, in Jenson and Lewis, we feel we not only have the fastest pairing on the 2010 grid, but also the two most complete, professional and dedicated drivers in Formula 1.
“Moreover, I’m confident that we’ll be able to successfully balance and harness Jenson’s and Lewis’s complementary skill-sets.
“Our engineers are already looking forward to working with Jenson, and I’m convinced that such a strong and dynamic driver line-up will make us an even more complete and competitive operation. Now we have to provide Jenson and Lewis with race-winning machinery.”
He added: “We’re ambitious, we’re motivated and we’re hungrier than ever.
“We make no secret of our ambition for next year: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes wants to win both World Championships – and, with Jenson and Lewis, we believe we’re better equipped than any other team in the pitlane to do exactly that.”
Although it initially appeared likely that Button would agree a new contract with Brawn in the wake of his maiden title success last month, their negotiations became protracted with the Button camp unhappy with the scale of the pay rise being offered by the Brackley team.
Media reports on Tuesday suggested Button had agreed a retainer of £6m a year to switch to Woking, around £3m more than the Briton received this year after voluntarily taking a pay cut to stay on at the Brawn team following Honda’s F1 pull-out.
Whitmarsh, however, said the money McLaren is paying its new signing is in line with what was on offer elsewhere on the grid, something which he says reflects well on Button.
“I want to make clear that Jenson’s decision to join us was in no way motivated by money,” Whitmarsh said.
“We’ll be paying him no more than he could be getting elsewhere, and that fact is a reflection of not only Jenson’s belief in Vodafone McLaren Mercedes but also his desire and ambition to build on the phenomenal results he achieved during the 2009 season.”
Whitmarsh also paid tribute to the outgoing Heikki Kovalainen and says all the team hopes he secures the best available drive for 2010.
“I also want to thank Heikki for his selfless contribution over the past two years,” he added.
“As well as being very quick, Heikki was and remains a great character whom we’ll all miss considerably.
“It goes without saying that we wish him all the best for next season, and would be very pleased if he were to secure a good drive for 2010.”
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Jenson Button: Difficult decision to leave Brawn GP
Jenson Button has admitted that, having picked up his first Formula One title with Brawn GP this year, it was a difficult decision to move to McLaren-Mercedes for 2010. The Englishman will partner predecessor Lewis Hamilton as a team signs the latest two Champions for the first time in F1 history.
Having been with Brawn GP - now Mercedes Grand Prix but formerly Honda and B.A.R - since 2003, Button's move to McLaren confirms that the Woking marque is the seventh team for which the Frome pilot has driven for in the sport as he prepares for his eleventh season.
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Having been with Brawn GP - now Mercedes Grand Prix but formerly Honda and B.A.R - since 2003, Button's move to McLaren confirms that the Woking marque is the seventh team for which the Frome pilot has driven for in the sport as he prepares for his eleventh season.
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Triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart believes Jenson Button has been unwise to move from Brawn to McLaren.
McLaren announced earlier today that it would pair the last two world champions next year, having signed Button alongside its current lead driver Lewis Hamilton.
Stewart reckons Hamilton's long relationship with McLaren will make him very hard for Button to beat.
"It will be difficult for him to take on Lewis Hamilton," Stewart told BBC Radio Five. "It's like walking into the lion's den, because Lewis has had three years with McLaren now. He has it his way.
"He's already disposed of one driver that came in there in Alonso. Fernando couldn't cut it against Lewis Hamilton, and I think that Lewis will want to retain his position of prominence in that team. Whereas at Brawn, I think [Button] would have had an advantage over his [potential] team-mate Nico Rosberg, having knowledge of the team.
"What we're looking at today is two guys who want to be number one. That situation in one team sometimes makes imperfect bed partners, because there will be differences from time to time, even though McLaren are probably the best engineering team with the most capacity to do the job."
Button had looked set to stay at Brawn for next season, but could not agree terms with the world champion team, which has now been taken over by Mercedes.
Stewart thinks Button underestimated the value of the strong relationship he had established with Ross Brawn's team.
"I think it's a mistake by Jenson," he said. "If I was Jenson, I would've wanted to do a deal with Brawn - because I know the culture of the Brawn team, I have high respect for Ross Brawn, I know the mechanics.
"There's a totally different culture in McLaren, something that he might never have experienced before. They have a very clinical culture which doesn't have the emotion or the drive in the same passionate way that Brawn would have had with him there as the reigning world champion."
But Stewart acknowledged that McLaren will provide Button with a very competitive package for 2010.
"I do believe that the McLaren car next season will be one of, if not the, best car on the grid, as Ferrari will also be better next year," said Stewart. "So he's going to a team that wants to succeed."
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Jackie Stewart: Button wrong to change teams
Triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart believes Jenson Button has been unwise to move from Brawn to McLaren.
McLaren announced earlier today that it would pair the last two world champions next year, having signed Button alongside its current lead driver Lewis Hamilton.
Stewart reckons Hamilton's long relationship with McLaren will make him very hard for Button to beat.
"It will be difficult for him to take on Lewis Hamilton," Stewart told BBC Radio Five. "It's like walking into the lion's den, because Lewis has had three years with McLaren now. He has it his way.
"He's already disposed of one driver that came in there in Alonso. Fernando couldn't cut it against Lewis Hamilton, and I think that Lewis will want to retain his position of prominence in that team. Whereas at Brawn, I think [Button] would have had an advantage over his [potential] team-mate Nico Rosberg, having knowledge of the team.
"What we're looking at today is two guys who want to be number one. That situation in one team sometimes makes imperfect bed partners, because there will be differences from time to time, even though McLaren are probably the best engineering team with the most capacity to do the job."
Button had looked set to stay at Brawn for next season, but could not agree terms with the world champion team, which has now been taken over by Mercedes.
Stewart thinks Button underestimated the value of the strong relationship he had established with Ross Brawn's team.
"I think it's a mistake by Jenson," he said. "If I was Jenson, I would've wanted to do a deal with Brawn - because I know the culture of the Brawn team, I have high respect for Ross Brawn, I know the mechanics.
"There's a totally different culture in McLaren, something that he might never have experienced before. They have a very clinical culture which doesn't have the emotion or the drive in the same passionate way that Brawn would have had with him there as the reigning world champion."
But Stewart acknowledged that McLaren will provide Button with a very competitive package for 2010.
"I do believe that the McLaren car next season will be one of, if not the, best car on the grid, as Ferrari will also be better next year," said Stewart. "So he's going to a team that wants to succeed."
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Jenson Button is expected to be announced as a McLaren driver later today after signing a three-year deal to partner Lewis Hamilton at the team.
The reigning world champion is believed to have accepted a move to the Woking team after failing to agree terms to remain at the former Brawn GP team, which is being rebranded Mercedes Grand Prix next season.
Button's move will ensure that McLaren will carry the prestigious number one for a second successive season.
Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn told The Independent newspaper today that remaining with the team that took him to the 2009 world championship would be "logical", but Button's management is understood to regard a move to McLaren as the best long-term option.
"His best future is with our team, where he has a good group around him, and there's a lot to be said for that," said Brawn. "The logical thing would be for him to stay with us, but of course logic doesn't always prevail."
McLaren had been close to signing Kimi Raikkonen, but negotiations broke down last week over contract terms, with the salary offered some way off what the Finn's management was seeking.
It is understood that disagreement over ancillary contractual factors such as sponsor appearances and the freedom to contest rallies also played a role.
Raikkonen is now set to take a sabbatical from Formula 1, with a World Rally Championship campaign a possibility prior to a possible return in 2011.
Read more...
McLaren set to announce Button deal for next Three Years
Jenson Button is expected to be announced as a McLaren driver later today after signing a three-year deal to partner Lewis Hamilton at the team.The reigning world champion is believed to have accepted a move to the Woking team after failing to agree terms to remain at the former Brawn GP team, which is being rebranded Mercedes Grand Prix next season.
Button's move will ensure that McLaren will carry the prestigious number one for a second successive season.
Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn told The Independent newspaper today that remaining with the team that took him to the 2009 world championship would be "logical", but Button's management is understood to regard a move to McLaren as the best long-term option.
"His best future is with our team, where he has a good group around him, and there's a lot to be said for that," said Brawn. "The logical thing would be for him to stay with us, but of course logic doesn't always prevail."
McLaren had been close to signing Kimi Raikkonen, but negotiations broke down last week over contract terms, with the salary offered some way off what the Finn's management was seeking.
It is understood that disagreement over ancillary contractual factors such as sponsor appearances and the freedom to contest rallies also played a role.
Raikkonen is now set to take a sabbatical from Formula 1, with a World Rally Championship campaign a possibility prior to a possible return in 2011.
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Admin
Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will take a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year, his manager has revealed, following the collapse of talks with McLaren about a deal for 2010.
Raikkonen said last month that, in the wake of being released from his Ferrari contract, his only option to remain in F1 was with McLaren - because he wanted to be guaranteed a top-line grand prix car.
However, amid increasing speculation that Jenson Button is on his way to the British team, Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson revealed on Tuesday night that discussions with McLaren had come to an end.
"The options in F1 were with McLaren next season or not at all," Robertson was quoted as saying by respected Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, which has close links with the Raikkonen camp. "Kimi and McLaren were unable to reach an agreement, so he will not drive at the F1 level - at least not next year.
"A gap year means nothing for Kimi. He is more interested in fighting for wins and the world championship. F1 will miss Kimi. He worked hard over the summer - doing things in a Ferrari that only the best drivers are capable of."
AUTOSPORT understands that there were several stumbling blocks to a deal being completed with McLaren prior to the team finding out that Button was available and interested.
As well as a difference of opinion about wages, Raikkonen and McLaren were believed to not be in agreement about the number of sponsorship appearance days he should do, or about how free he was to do rallies.
With Raikkonen only interested in returning to F1 in a race-winning car, his best option for 2011 would appear to lie with Red Bull Racing - which has a theoretical vacancy for 2011 with Mark Webber currently only contracted until the end of next year.
Although it is not clear what Raikkonen will do next year, it is possible that he will focus his efforts on the World Rally Championship - while he sorts out an F1 return. Red Bull could be involved in his rally plans too.
Read more...
Kimi Raikkonen to take a sabbatical in 2010 Season
Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will take a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year, his manager has revealed, following the collapse of talks with McLaren about a deal for 2010.
Raikkonen said last month that, in the wake of being released from his Ferrari contract, his only option to remain in F1 was with McLaren - because he wanted to be guaranteed a top-line grand prix car.
However, amid increasing speculation that Jenson Button is on his way to the British team, Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson revealed on Tuesday night that discussions with McLaren had come to an end.
"The options in F1 were with McLaren next season or not at all," Robertson was quoted as saying by respected Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, which has close links with the Raikkonen camp. "Kimi and McLaren were unable to reach an agreement, so he will not drive at the F1 level - at least not next year.
"A gap year means nothing for Kimi. He is more interested in fighting for wins and the world championship. F1 will miss Kimi. He worked hard over the summer - doing things in a Ferrari that only the best drivers are capable of."
AUTOSPORT understands that there were several stumbling blocks to a deal being completed with McLaren prior to the team finding out that Button was available and interested.
As well as a difference of opinion about wages, Raikkonen and McLaren were believed to not be in agreement about the number of sponsorship appearance days he should do, or about how free he was to do rallies.
With Raikkonen only interested in returning to F1 in a race-winning car, his best option for 2011 would appear to lie with Red Bull Racing - which has a theoretical vacancy for 2011 with Mark Webber currently only contracted until the end of next year.
Although it is not clear what Raikkonen will do next year, it is possible that he will focus his efforts on the World Rally Championship - while he sorts out an F1 return. Red Bull could be involved in his rally plans too.
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