In the round-up: Jenson Button says McLaren won't have 'massive updates' for the Mugello test.
Links
Top F1 links from the past 24 hours:
Testing is pointless! Button dismisses Mugello session despite Bahrain woe (Daily Mail)
'The reason why we're not there is because we've never been to Mugello before. I don't really think we will be a benefit because there aren't any massive updates to try.'
Sebastian Vettel says his Red Bull team have lost confidence (BBC)
'It is tight and we're not as confident as we used to be. So small things can make a difference in qualifying and have a big impact on the race.'
Daniel Ricciardo blog (Red Bull)
'When I came around to begin the second lap I knew I was 16th, I knew I had a damaged car and I knew the advantage I'd had starting sixth had blown away. You want to pretend it's not happening and imagine you're going to get another chance. The pitboard says otherwise.'
Protection Bracket (FIA)
'Meet the forward roll-hoop ' the latest step in the FIA Institute's meticulous research into improved cockpit protection for Formula One and other open-wheel single-seater drivers.'
- FIA tests 'front roll hoop' to evaluate F1 safety improvement
How F1 dodged a bullet in Bahrain (Autosport ' subscription required)
'In the final analysis, F1 had no business being in Bahrain ' and ducked a bullet for three straight days; for that it should be truly thankful and not patting itself on the back.'
Schumacher: get a grip (MotorSport)
'Speed, within reason, is contextual. I have always been quick to shout at the TV whenever a director has lingered on a car in qualifying that is obviously on an in-lap. Yet a wheel-to-wheel dice has me purring no matter what the (F1) speed at which it is being conducted. Michael, you might be having to pussyfoot at the moment, but it's making for great viewing.'
F1 gears up for Singapore float (FT, registration required)
'Mr Brabeck-Letmathe will take the chairmanship if the flotation proceeds, which is pencilled in for June and which is expected to offer up to 30 per cent of shares to investors.'
Formula One Revs Up IPO (Wall Street Journal)
'Sports teams looking for cash from Singapore have stumbled in the past, though. Manchester United's planned IPO last year turned into a tough sell as potential investors balked at the heavy debt load of the team. Formula One could run into similar problems. According to a statement from CVC last month, Formula One Group refinanced part of its debt to cut its debt load from $2.9 billion to $2.2 billion, extending its maturity by four years to up to 2014.'
'Red Bull must have breathed a sigh of relief' (ESPN)
Karun Chandhok: 'A slight tweak to the rear bodywork around the exhaust seemed to help the team and when it came to qualifying, Seb once again delivered one of his special Q3 laps to take pole. Just when Mark Webber must have started thinking he was going to have the upper hand this year, the reigning world champion bounced back on the first weekend where the Red Bull had race winning pace this season.'
'State tourism dept keen to promote F1 demo drive' (The Times of India)
'Kerala tourism department was pleasantly surprised to learn that Narain Karthikeyan was interested in holding a demo drive in Thiruvananthapuram. After a brief interaction with the driver at his office here on Thursday, tourism minister A P Anil Kumar said: 'This is such a novel idea. I have a fair idea of what it entails. Kerala tourism department is definitely keen to promote an F1 demo drive.''
Comment of the day
Yesterday's debate on whether Lotus should have used team orders in Bahrain to let Kimi Raikkonen past Romain Grosjean prompted interesting points from both sides:
I, too, find it commendable that they decided to let the two drivers figure it out. If Grosjean had been in any other car, Kimi would have had to pass him legitimately in just the same way. It's a race and likewise you must be able to prove your worth. With two cars on the same strategy, Kimi had the same tools/ability to put himself in the position that Romain was in. And he did thusly once he passed him. You're there to race against your team mate just as much as every other car on the track.
Joey-Poey
I voted yes. People are correct in saying it didn't necessarily cost Kimi victory, but the team should make every effort to ensure that one of their drivers takes the top spot. F1 is both a driver and a team sport, and in this case I feel that the advantage should have been handed to Raikkonen, as Grosjean wouldn't have been disadvantaged by the order ' he would be overtaken anyway.
Ciaran
The poll is still open, add your vote here:
- Should Lotus have used team orders in Bahrain?
From the forum
- Add your nominations for best pass of the Bahrain Grand Prix
- Sky will show this weekend's IndyCar race live on their F1 channel after originally announcing it would only have delayed coverage
- Staying with IndyCar, how will Barrichello get on in his home race?
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to El Gordo!
If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is by emailling me, using Twitter or adding to the list here.
On this day in F1
Heinz-Harald Frentzen scored his first Formula 1 victory for Williams in the San Marino Grand Prix 15 years ago.
The Ferrari duo of Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine joined him on the podium.
Championship leader Jacques Villeneuve easily led to begin with, only to drop out with gearbox problems.
Here's the start of the race:
Image © McLaren/Hoch Zwei
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar