Saturday, December 26, 2009

Schumacher, Rosberg, Brawn and Mercedes

The title of this quick article really says it all. This team had proven itself last year, and now we have the assembled talent to form a German team that can roll over all the opposition.
The only possible problem is redesigning the cars. For 2010 we have no pit stops for fuel and, therefore, a vary full fuel load at the start of the race. If any team can come out of the chute at the beginning of the season with a major redesign and win, this is the one I would pick.
I think only, in order, Ferrari, McLaren, and possibly one of the new for 2010 teams, have a chance against the juggernaut at M-B.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Virgin Racing - A new team for a new era

Part of a Press Release From the Virgin Group 12-15-09

Notting Hill, London

The Virgin Racing team was officially launched in London today, where it was confirmed that one of the sport's four new entrants, the LDC backed Manor Grand Prix, has teamed up with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin - to mount a serious challenge in one of the world's most prestigious sports - Formula 1

Virgin Racing is a new team for a new era of Formula 1. It combines the firepower of one of the most recognised, respected and exciting brands in the world with a racing team concept that looks to exploit and capitalise upon F1's new economic dawn and the challenges of resource restriction that is redefining the sport.

Virgin Racing also heralds a new breed of team ownership. Designer Nick Wirth returns to F1 after a decade, having enjoyed remarkable success in Indy Racing and Le Mans sports car development in the USA with his innovative and low-cost design approach. As Technical Director for Virgin Racing, Nick will apply the expertise, experience and resources of his progressive engineering group, Wirth Research, to the research, development, design and manufacture of F1's first all-digital car design - the Virgin-Cosworth VR-01. Based in the heart of the UK's motorsport valley in Bicester, Wirth Research has gained an international reputation for pioneering a purely CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) approach to car development, wholly designing, building and testing race cars in computer simulation without the need for expensive and resource-heavy wind tunnel testing.

Nick has joined forces with one of the very best names in national and international motor racing, John Booth, whose Manor Motorsport operation in the North of England achieved unrivalled Formula 3 success and played a major role in the development of several of today's greatest motor racing talents. Former F1 Champions Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton both graduated from the John Booth school of excellence. John brings 20 years of motor sports pedigree to the Virgin Racing team and in the role of Sporting Director, he will lead the 45-strong race team - a team that is lean and mean consistent with the sport's new resourcing limitations.

Alex Tai, formerly Director of Special Projects for the Virgin Group, becomes Team Principal for Virgin Racing. Virgin Racing intends to be different and innovative on all fronts. Not only will the car design and economics reflect the new era , the team and it's management intends to engage it's stakeholders differently too. All the sponsors will be in an unique position to best benefit from the scope and scale of Virgin's brand and associated companies. In addition the team will strive to emulate the values of the core Virgin brand and its many achievements on the global business stage: value for money, good quality, brilliant customer service, innovation, competitively challenging and fun. And last but most importantly -- the fans. Virgin Racing has serious on-track ambitions and an engaging marketing programme, set to roll out in 2010, will invite F1 fans along for a thrilling , close up and personal ride.

Etienne de Villiers, non-executive Chairman brings a wealth of business, media , marketing and brand experience as a result of his 15 years spent at the Walt Disney company and recently as chairman of BBC Worldwide. He also has considerable experience in the world of professional sport, serving as a director of Saracens Rugby, and SLEC, the former holder of F1's commercial rights. He was also President of the ATP World Tour, the body representing men's professional tennis. He said:

"Formula 1 is one of the greatest international sports franchises and offers great rewards to those that get it right. It is a remarkably challenging environment that pits the best against the best in an ever changing landscape. The new limitations and entrants makes it even more demanding but also more attractive .I am really confident that the mix of resources, experience, skills and values that Virgin Racing bring to the party will surprise a few and hopefully entertain and reward many"

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Firm FIA GT Calendar for 2010!

2010 GT1 World Project Calendar
Round Date Country Circuit
1,2 Sunday, April 4th 2010 United Arab Emirates Yas Marina
3,4 Sunday, May 2nd 2010 Great Britain Silverstone
5,6 Sunday, May 23rd 2010 Czech Republic Brno
7,8 Sunday, July 4th 2010Provisional France Paul Ricard HTTT
9,10 Sunday, August 1st 2010 Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
11,12 Sunday, August 29th 2010 Germany Nürburgring
13,14 Sunday, September 19th 2010 Portugal Algarve
15,16 Sunday, November 7th 2010Provisional South Africa Durban
17,18 Sunday, November 28th 2010 Brazil Interlagos
19,20 Sunday, December 5th 2010 Argentina San Luis

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Schumacher & M-B

The German press is reporting all but the signatures are on a deal between Michael Schumacher and M-B for F1 (The former Brawn team). This according to "Bild" and "Focus".
The deal is for 3.5m Euros according to "Focus". 1/10th of his reported earning in his last season with Ferrari, and is considered a first step in a long term relationship with Mercedes.

F1 - New Points, New Rules, New Management Method

The below article in Motorsport.com by Berthold Bouman explains it all very well.
http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=353684

Been on vacation so now I'm back. :)

Friday, December 4, 2009

F1 News

David Richards Prodrive organization and Genii Capital, a Luxembourg investment fund, are vying for the Renault F1 organization. That is if Renault decides to sell out.
Seems the French company is wisely considering all options in the face of the economic situation all of the industry is facing.
Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher is talking with his people about his future in racing. He is meeting with his manager Willi Weber in Stuttgart. Just happens to be the home of Mercedes-Benz. This is according to "Bild" newspaper this AM.
Interessant!

A Lot of Automotive News!

Bob Lutz has had his role expanded in product development at GM, along with Mark Reuss, formerly with the Australian Holden division, and Susan Docherty in Marketing.
This sounds like a tem that can get things headed in the right direction at GM.
Let's hope it is not too late.
Fiat is reconsidering the role of Alfa Romeo in the company and one of the suggestions is to use Chrysler platforms to replace older Alfa 159 and discontinued 166 platforms.
"Sergio Marchionne also stressed the need to adopt – and stick to – a long-term strategy with Alfa, in order to turn it into a profitable company, citing the company's numerous reinventions in recent years.
"We need to stop doing it. You cannot be a newborn Christian every four years. It's the same religion, eventually you need to own a religion and carry it to conclusion," said Marchionne.
Interesting perspective.