Times:


MS perfomed at Fiorano with the new V8 car a lap in 59.8s on intermediates tyres!

The absolute record of the track is 55.9s.

http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com/en/index.html

Intel are their sponsors... interesting. Back to traditional BMW colors too.

Waiting for another 9 days until the release of the new williams

-Dan

Belgian Grand Prix is off - report

According to reports breaking this morning in the Belgian press, the Belgian Grand Prix will not take place this year. The former minister of economy, Serge Kubla is reported as saying he has received confirmation the race is off from Bernie Ecclestone's people.

The negotiations between Ecclestone and the group of Walloon organizers are still going on. Top of the demand list is improving and extending the paddock area. According to Kubla, there is not enough time to build a new paddock ahead of this summer's race and that is the main reason the Grand Prix will not be held.

Kubla thinks the government reacted too late. "They left the it until the last moment. They made things worse and started negotiations for a new contract, while that was not the main problem."

Kubla also said the government should start working now, to make sure the Belgian Grand Prix is back on the calendar in 2007.

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=107686

Worst F1 news I've heard.

There is still a 'slight' chance it could still go ahead....i've heard

Worst F1 news I've heard.


It'll be back. :)

If it is indeed cut from the calendar this year, it'll just prove once and for all that F1 does not care about the fans. The last FIA poll showed Spa was the most popular circuit of the calendar - and by a fair margin IIRC... I'm sure Bernie could pull a couple bucks together to get them on the calendar with all the billions available to him.

Somebody should stick with orange livery... its just gorgeous :p :D :cool:

If it is indeed cut from the calendar this year, it'll just prove once and for all that F1 does not care about the fans. The last FIA poll showed Spa was the most popular circuit of the calendar - and by a fair margin IIRC... I'm sure Bernie could pull a couple bucks together to get them on the calendar with all the billions available to him.

Of course the FIA doesn't care about the fans … I give you the USGP 2005. :o

If it is indeed cut from the calendar this year, it'll just prove once and for all that F1 does not care about the fans. The last FIA poll showed Spa was the most popular circuit of the calendar - and by a fair margin IIRC... I'm sure Bernie could pull a couple bucks together to get them on the calendar with all the billions available to him.

If you were Bernie, would you care about us??
Of course not! There is almost enough reason to just boycott F1..... WORLD WIDE. Show them that proletariat, the mob, the great unwashed, the dedicated fans, the public, the people, ie us are paying for this and we are sick of bending over and asking if they will use the soap this time.....Grrrrrrr:frown::frown::frown::frown:

It looks more of a headline attention getter, but anyway… Schumi to leave Ferrari for Toyota?

http://wheels.carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?ArticleID=1479106&TabID=500483&Alias=wheelsau

If you were Bernie, would you care about us??
Of course not! There is almost enough reason to just boycott F1..... WORLD WIDE. Show them that proletariat, the mob, the great unwashed, the dedicated fans, the public, the people, ie us are paying for this and we are sick of bending over and asking if they will use the soap this time.....Grrrrrrr:frown::frown::frown::frown:
I think its a shame...

Pity the 'breakaway series' is pretty much a write-off now too..

It looks more of a headline attention getter, but anyway… Schumi to leave Ferrari for Toyota?

http://wheels.carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?ArticleID=1479106&TabID=500483&Alias=wheelsau
If that happens, I will eat my hat that I don't usually wear :D

Martini Racing, one of the most famous names in world motorsport sponsorship, today announced that it is returning to Formula One in 2006 as an official partner of Scuderia Ferrari, the most prestigious and successful team in the history of the FIA Formula One World Championship.

Martini Racing, which will use the distinctive Martini ‘Ball and Bar’ brand icon on the car, has been associated with some of the most celebrated teams and vehicles in world motorsport for more than 35 years. Today’s announcement, confirming a multi year sponsorship deal between the global drinks brand and Scuderia Ferrari, further endorses that association, and links Martini with both a team and sport that reflect its dynamic, cosmopolitan, and sophisticated nature.

Robert Furniss-Roe, Director of Martini Racing, said, “We are extremely excited about our new partnership with the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team. We have a long and proud heritage in motorsports and this latest chapter promises to be rewarding and exciting for us and our consumers. Ferrari has produced some of the most evocative and famous racing cars ever built, and there is no other team in Formula One that better reflects the personality and character of Martini. The global appeal of Formula One also provides us with a highly visible platform to engage and communicate with consumers around the world.”

Martini is exceptionally proud of its heritage in motorsport through Martini Racing, and sees its partnership with Ferrari as far more than just a logo on a car. Furniss-Roe explained, “Martini’s pride goes hand in hand with a deep sense of social responsibility and respect for the communities it serves.

"Martini Racing has more than 35 years experience at the highest levels of motorsport, and this has provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the sensitivities surrounding the drinks industry and motor racing. Our position in Formula One with Ferrari will enable us to communicate a strong message of responsible drinking, which will form the basis of a pan-European anti-drink and drive campaign that we will be implementing during this year’s F1 season.”

In addition to its sponsorship of Ferrari, and an anti-drink and drive campaign, Martini will also be sponsoring a new lifestyle TV programme in 2006, featuring all the glamour and action from the world’s top motorsport series. Thirty three episodes of Martini World Circuit will be broadcast worldwide, in six different languages, from the beginning of March 2006.

Martini Racing’s amazing legacy in motorsport stretches as far back as 1968. Since that time Martini has been associated with an illustrious list of teams, including Brabham, Alfa Romeo and Lotus in Formula One, Porsche in the World Champion Series, Le Mans, World Rallying and the German Touring Car Championship and Lancia and Ford in both the World Rally Championship and the World Championship of Endurance Racing. Martini Racing has also been closely involved with a number of motorsport legends through their sponsorship of various teams, including one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, Mario Andretti; the inspirational F1 drivers Carlos Reutemann and Michele Alboreto; six times Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx; World Rally Championship driver Markku Alen; and 1981 winner of the World Championship of Endurance Racing, Ricardo Patrese. In addition other famous drivers have all been associated with Martini Racing including Carlos Sainz, Colin McRae, Miki Biasion, Didier Auriol, Juha Kankkunen, François Delecour and Derek Bell.

Furniss-Roe concluded, “We share a common Italian heritage and passion with Scuderia Ferrari and look forward to an exciting and glamourous 2006 season with a winning Italian team.” (Italiaspeed)



can´t wait to see the new livery!

More shots of the Mac

Tech details and a review from shakedown at Barcelona:

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=208624

Gallery pics

(1)

(2)

(3)

BMW Sauber F1

23-Jan-2006
By Carm Sciglitano - Tifosi Club

Various media reported that the original secretive Valentino Rossi's testing with Ferrari's F1 cars were just a publicity stunt but more tests followed and now, most importantly, Valentino Rossi will head to Valencia mainly for engine testing that lasts from January 31 till February 4 against the the competition consisting of the Renault, Toyota, Williams and BMW cars.

Rossi will be in the F2004 with the new engine specs to where Schumacher and Massa will be working on developments of the F2006.

This is to where Mr. Rossi will be able to see where he stands against the competition. Race drivers such as Button and world champion Alonso will also be there. Ferrari is certainly investing into Valentino Rossi and only positive statements came from everyone in the Ferrari camp, stating, Valentino decides if he wants to race with Ferrari in F1 clearly telling everyone, that, Ferrari simply wants him and knows he's got the stuff for F1 and the decision comes from the Doctor.

The Valencia race track is no secret to Mr. Rossi since it is part of the Moto GP circuits which will be one to make him feel at home. A little bit of more testing can only do some more good for Doctor Rossi.


;)

Belgian Grand Prix is off - report

According to reports breaking this morning in the Belgian press, the Belgian Grand Prix will not take place this year. The former minister of economy, Serge Kubla is reported as saying he has received confirmation the race is off from Bernie Ecclestone's people.

The negotiations between Ecclestone and the group of Walloon organizers are still going on. Top of the demand list is improving and extending the paddock area. According to Kubla, there is not enough time to build a new paddock ahead of this summer's race and that is the main reason the Grand Prix will not be held.

Kubla thinks the government reacted too late. "They left the it until the last moment. They made things worse and started negotiations for a new contract, while that was not the main problem."

Kubla also said the government should start working now, to make sure the Belgian Grand Prix is back on the calendar in 2007.

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=107686
What a load of rubbish, its all about cigarette advertising :angry:

They want to get rid of all the countries where cigarette advertising is banned, and put the races in countries like Bahrain where they can get the big money from the cigarette companies :rolleyes:

;)

Rossi... sounds good! F1 needs a character like him to thumb his nose at Bernie and loop donuts at the end of the race if he wins and some piazzaz in the paddock amongst all the sticks in the mud! Since Irvine has left, the whole paddock has gone to sleep.

What a load of rubbish, its all about cigarette advertising :angry:

They want to get rid of all the countries where cigarette advertising is banned, and put the races in countries like Bahrain where they can get the big money from the cigarette companies :rolleyes:
All business now... :(

The new Prancing Horse single seater was officially unveiled by Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro in front o fthe Italian and World press at Mugello. The new car will compete in the next Formula 1 World Championship. The model´s technical details, official photos and declarations of the main players at the House of Maranello can be found inside the exclusive site entirely dedicated to the Ferrari 248 F1:




http://www.ferrariworld.com/FWorld/fw/events/f12006/index.jsp

the Mclaren looks alot nicer than the Sauber...

Ferrari has opted to abort its planned test programme at Mugello this week, and instead focus everything in Barcelona.

Based on a weather forecast that predicts worsening conditions for the Apennines and Tuscan- Emilio region, the Italian team has chosen to change its development test programme, therefore instead of continuing at Mugello, testing of the 248 F1 will resume on Thursday (26) at Barcelona, with Michael Schumacher at the wheel.

Today, while Marc Gene drove a V8 powered F2004 at Barcelona, Schumacher completed 44 laps of the Mugello track, setting a best time of 1:21.904.
...

Date Driver Team T Time Gap
24-Jan Gene Ferrari B 1:16.583 135.151 mph*
23-Jan Villeneuve BMW M 1:17.242 0.659
24-Jan Montoya McLaren M 1:17.639 1.056
24-Jan Paffett McLaren M 1:17.798 1.215
23-Jan de la Rosa McLaren M 1:18.247 1.664
24-Jan Heidfeld BMW M 1:18.393 1.810
24-Jan Doornbos Red Bull M 1:19.104 2.521

*
EDIT: Gene's time was in the F2004 (with V8)

Date Driver Team T Time Gap
24-Jan Gene Ferrari B 1:16.583 135.151 mph*
23-Jan Villeneuve BMW M 1:17.242 0.659
24-Jan Montoya McLaren M 1:17.639 1.056
24-Jan Paffett McLaren M 1:17.798 1.215
23-Jan de la Rosa McLaren M 1:18.247 1.664
24-Jan Heidfeld BMW M 1:18.393 1.810
24-Jan Doornbos Red Bull M 1:19.104 2.521

*
EDIT: Gene's time was in the F2004 (with V8)
Taking Villeneuve's time of 1:17.242, the new V8's don't look to be that much slower than the V10s.

Fastest lap
2005: Giancarlo Fisichella - 1:15.641