The Official Open-Wheel Racing Thread

[HighOnHendrix]

I felt that Alonzo would win the title at the start and still do. He's won nearly everywhere and with Ferrari backing hom up its almost a done deal.

Not this year. He is already on his eighth engine with five races left. The next time he changes engines (and he will) he will get a ten-spot grid penalty. Plus, he's twenty points behind Webber and fifteen behind Hamilton.

[HighOnHendrix]

Driver Changes! Silly Season is upon us!

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/9/11257.html

Heidfeld confirmed at Sauber for Singapore

BMW Sauber announced on Tuesday that Nick Heidfeld is to replace Pedro de la Rosa at the team for the remainder of the 2010 season. Heidfeld will race alongside Kamui Kobayashi at the final five Grands Prix of the year.

“I’m looking forward like crazy to having the opportunity to go racing again in a good car in Formula One from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards,” said the German. “After the last few months I’m even more motivated than ever. For me it is like coming home, as I raced for seven years in total for the team. Without doubt I will feel at home straight away and this should help me to familiarise myself as soon as possible with the car. I want to thank Peter Sauber for the faith he has put in me.”

Heidfeld only parted company with BMW Sauber at the end of last year and became Mercedes GP’s reserve and test driver for the 2010 season. In August he was released from his Mercedes contract in order to become the official tyre tester for Pirelli. He recently completed two tests for the Italian company, who are to return to the sport next year as the sole tyre supplier. Heidfeld's contract with BMW Sauber comes into effect on Friday.

The 33 year-old German boasts over a decade of Formula One experience. He began his F1 career with Prost in 2000 and since then has participated in 167 Grands Prix driving for Sauber (2001-2003), Jordan (2004), Williams (2005) and BMW Sauber (2006-2009). He enjoyed his best season in 2007 when he finished fifth in the world championship, and he has achieved 12 podium finishes so far in his career.

Pedro de la Rosa's reaction:

"I am surprised by the team's decision, but I respect it and would like to wish everyone good luck for the remainder of the season," said the 39 year-old. "I still intend to be in Formula One for 2011.”

Heidfeld will be in action for the team at next weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, which will take place from September 24-26.

http://en.espnf1.com/renault/motorsport/story/28404.html

Raikkonen has approached Renault - Boullier

Kimi Raikkonen has approached Renault about returning to Formula One next year, according to a report on Autosport.com.

The 2007 world champion is currently competing in the World Rally Championship but Renault team principal Eric Boullier confirmed to the website that "he is on the radar [for 2011] because he contacted us".

Raikkonen has been linked to a Renault drive all summer but said in August that he would "probably never return to Formula One". However, his current Red Bull-backed contract with Citroen in the WRC is set to expire at the end of the season, leaving him free to pursue other options.

Boullier indicated that he had received several offers from drivers as Renault's results improved over the season, but was still weighing up his options. Raikkonen has made clear on several occasions that he will only return to F1 with a team that can be competitive.

With Kubica confirmed at Renault until 2012, Raikkonen would replace under-pressure rookie Vitaly Petrov. Boullier has said recently that Petrov's future is in his own hands but, after crashing in qualifying in Belgium and receiving a five-place grid penalty for blocking at Monza, an extension of his contract is far from certain.

French publication Auto Plus has reported that Petrov could be offloaded to Lotus, set to use Renault engines next year, to make way for Raikkonen.

"I will be in F1 in 2011," said Petrov. "Hopefully, when I come here next year I won't need to learn anything."

Virgin's Timo Glock and Force India's Adrian Sutil have also been linked to Renault over the course of the season.

[Thanos]

Pedro de la Rosa has been out of a race seat for too long. Heidfeld can qulaify well but fades in races. Plus Sauber is woefully underfunded this year and it shows. alonzo will win in Sinapore plus Hamilton ( who I like) is making too many dumb mistakes ealry in races.

[HighOnHendrix]

Pedro de la Rosa has been out of a race seat for too long. Heidfeld can qulaify well but fades in races. Plus Sauber is woefully underfunded this year and it shows. alonzo will win in Sinapore plus Hamilton ( who I like) is making too many dumb mistakes ealry in races.

Heidfeld probably should have been tapped for the seat in the first place. I guess he just got lost in the shuffle when the teams were playing musical chairs last off-season.

I am a Hamilton fan, too. He is super-aggressive and has always made those kind of mistakes. Remember when he cost himself the championship in his rookie year because he came in too hot and missed pit-in?

As for Singapore, I think the course favors Red Bull's chassis so I have to go with one of them to win - probably from pole. Alonso does go well there, finishing on the podium last year but his win in 08 was tainted.

[Thanos]

I thought Christian Klein would have been tapped. Plenty of Austrian cash behind him and experience and young enough to mold.

[HighOnHendrix]

I thought Christian Klein would have been tapped. Plenty of Austrian cash behind him and experience and young enough to mold.

I have heard that he is in line for Webber's Red Bull seat when the Australian retires. No idea how much truth there is to that rumor, though. Regardless, most teams seem to be seeking either two old hands or a young prodigy and a mentor to compliment each other. With that in mind, I'm guessing Sauber wanted to give Kobayashi someone to learn from. They thought they had that in DLR, but obviously he was not getting the job done.

EDIT: Article just got posted claiming DLR could go to HRT. http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-hrt-an-option-for-ousted-pedro-de-la-rosa

[HighOnHendrix]

http://en.espnf1.com/mclaren/motorsport/story/28490.html

McLaren keen to approach Vettel at end of contract

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has revealed he attempted to poach Sebastian Vettel in 2008 and that the Red Bull driver is still on his team's radar.

Whitmarsh was highly critical of Vettel at the Belgian Grand Prix, describing him as a "crash kid" after punting Jenson Button out of the race.

"Under pressure this year, Sebastian is making just too many mistakes," Whitmarsh told Sport Bild. "Also his collision with Mark Webber in Turkey, for me, was 95% his fault."

But when looking around for a replacement for Fernando Alonso at the end of 2007, McLaren offered then Toro Rosso rookie Vettel a deal that was vetoed by contract holders Red Bull.

"I am open and honest enough to admit it," Whitmarsh confirmed. "Sebastian is one of the great and promising talents, and we at McLaren wanted to have him. We were not able to sign him at that time."

Vettel is now signed up with Red Bull Racing until 2012.

"If he continues to develop so fantastically, then at the end of his contract I will try once again to get him," revealed Whitmarsh.

[generaltso]

he's so young still, but i dont know if redbull will want to let him go, especially since he's like the only driver to really succeed at red bulls driver program.

[generaltso]

I thought Christian Klein would have been tapped. Plenty of Austrian cash behind him and experience and young enough to mold.

i was hoping he'd stay out of F1 and keep driving the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP

[generaltso]

if any of you have 360/Ps3 or like racing games in general.

codemasters has an F1 game coming out on the 22nd. looks pretty good.

[Thanos]

I have heard that he is in line for Webber's Red Bull seat when the Australian retires. No idea how much truth there is to that rumor, though. Regardless, most teams seem to be seeking either two old hands or a young prodigy and a mentor to compliment each other. With that in mind, I'm guessing Sauber wanted to give Kobayashi someone to learn from. They thought they had that in DLR, but obviously he was not getting the job done.

EDIT: Article just got posted claiming DLR could go to HRT. http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-hrt-an-option-for-ousted-pedro-de-la-rosa

Don't laugh but I thought Webber was greasing the skids for Will Power of the IRL to get at least a try-out with Red Bull.With Sebastina Bourdais and Christiano de Matta having underwhelming F1 stints, team owners maybe leery of US based open wheeel drivers for awhile.

[HighOnHendrix]

Don't laugh but I thought Webber was greasing the skids for Will Power of the IRL to get at least a try-out with Red Bull.With Sebastina Bourdais and Christiano de Matta having underwhelming F1 stints, team owners maybe leery of US based open wheeel drivers for awhile.

Power has been phenomenal on road courses this year. He deserves an F1 seat if he wants one.

[HighOnHendrix]

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-new-fia-tests-may-have-curbed-red-bull-dominance

New FIA Tests May Have Curbed Red Bull Dominance

The jury is out as to whether Red Bull will bounce back into top form at Singapore next weekend.

According to the Austrian team, the RB6 was simply unsuited to the long straights of Spa and Monza, and will return to dominance on the more conventional circuits that are set to host the last five races of 2010.

But another line of thinking is that the tougher flexible wing and floor tests, introduced by the FIA amid suggestions the Adrian Newey-penned car is illegally bending at high speed, have hurt the pace of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.

The Sportwoche publication said the team had to make last-minute changes before Friday practice at Monza, which explains the bright green aerodynamic paint seen initially at the rear of the car in Italy.

"It has been a smear campaign against us," said Red Bull's motor racing consultant Helmut Marko, "and now we have the result."

But other elements at the team insist the new tests have had no impact.

"Red Bull say it's not making any difference but I'm hopeful," said McLaren's Jenson Button.

BBC commentator Martin Brundle commented: "Red Bull absolutely insist that they will be back to their dominant pace in Singapore. We will see."

Below you can see the amount of flex in the RB6's front wing:

At rest on the grid

At low speed

At high speed

Onboard comparison

Personally, I think the last two tracks just did not suit their car. They are easily the most innovative team right now, having also introduced the exhaust-driven diffuser everyone is copying and the Map-Q system they wish they could. (Map-Q keeps exhaust gases flowing through the diffuser even when the throttle is released. This maintains downforce on the car even at low speeds, increasing cornering speed.)

[HighOnHendrix]

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/3213/6359104/F1-looking-at-turbo-engines-for-2013

F1 looking at turbo engines for 2013

Formula One could see a return to turbo engines and ground effect cars for the 2013 Championship.

With F1 looking to become more environmentally friendly and keep costs to a minimum, the sport has put together several Working Groups to look at various ways that F1 could achieve those aims.

According to Autosport, one idea being discussed is the use of a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engine that would be handed a power boost through Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS).

Added to that, Williams' technical director Sam Michael revealed that the teams are also keen to introduce a fuel flow rate limit.

"Rather than dump as much fuel in as we can at the moment, there will be a fuel flow metre - so you won't be able to blow more than a certain amount of fuel. It is a good chunk less than we had at the moment," he said.

As for ground effect cars, Michael added: "They are talking about putting a greater proportion of downforce to the diffuser, a ground effect car - like the early 1980's.

"They have been looking at that, as well as increasing crash protection at the front of the car by moving the sidepods further forwards."

[Thanos]

Newly deserves all the credit on this car.

[HighOnHendrix]

Newly deserves all the credit on this car.

Especially since it was the only car able to get close to Brawn at the beginning of the year last year - and without a double diffuser.

[Thanos]

Alonzo is really putting it together along with the "Prancing Horse". Congrats on the pole at Singapore.

[HighOnHendrix]

http://en.espnf1.com/singapore/motorsport/story/29507.html

Hamilton says title still possible and reflects on accident

Lewis Hamilton is not writing off this year's championship despite notching up his second retirement in a row and dropping 20 points off Mark Webber at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Hamilton's race came to an end on lap 35 when he attempted to pass Webber but made contact as he came across to take the apex of turn seven. Hamilton did not apportion blame but said he felt as if he had left enough room.

"I'm still not exactly sure what happened with Mark and me," he said. "But, telling it from my point of view, I saw that he'd made a mistake and had got caught up with the backmarkers, so I was in position to slipstream him. I was on the outside going into turn seven, and he was in my blind-spot, just behind me.

"I thought I'd got sufficiently past him, though. I braked, turned in, and tried to leave enough room for him on the inside - and the next thing I knew I'd got clipped, my tyre was blown, and that was it. But, as the saying goes, I guess that's motor racing."

He added that he was now going to approach the championship race-by-race in the hope that he can close the gap to Webber.

"So, there are still four races to go," he said. "I'm 20 points behind Mark, and that's a reasonable gap, but it's not an insurmountable one. I guess I'll just have to keep my head down and hope for the best. I'm not going to think specifically about the world championship right now, I'm just going to try to enjoy the rest of the season - and whatever happens happens. But I'll keep fighting to the end, because it's the only way I know."

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh defended Hamilton's move on Webber and even hinted that the Red Bull driver was to blame.

"Lewis drove a great race," he said. "We reckon he has good reason to consider himself rather unlucky, since he appeared to have pulled off a sound overtaking manoeuvre only to be bumped out of the race by the car he'd passed. But I guess that's motor racing.

"He's disappointed - we're all disappointed - but we'll regroup and continue to fight for both the drivers' world championship and the constructors' world championship.

"There are four grands prix left to run - four grands prix left to win in fact - and both our drivers are within a win of the drivers' world championship lead. So, yes, we're still within striking distance of taking both the drivers' world championship and the constructors' world championship, and that's what we're still intending to do our utmost to achieve."

I'm absolutely astounded Webber did not get penalized for such an obvious move. I guess if you get labeled "hard to pass" you can get away with taking out the opposition.

[generaltso]

i think mclaren will be back on form at suzuka

[generaltso]

super

hamilton wrecks it in the first practice...

[generaltso]

gonna be a rain qualifying session.

so much fun.

[HighOnHendrix]

super

hamilton wrecks it in the first practice...

His luck has been wretched lately. I hope they actually qualify tomorrow, though lining up by car number would certainly benefit both McLaren drivers if they don't have the session.

[HighOnHendrix]

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/30955.html

Red Bull has 'nothing to fear'

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner says his team has nothing to fear in the remaining three races with the destiny of the drivers' and constructors' titles in their own hands.

"There is nothing that we fear in the remaining three races," said Horner. "We were competitive in Abu Dhabi and Brazil last year. But we don't take anything for granted. Korea is new for everybody and there will be areas of Korea where we will be weak at.

"We've had our challenges this year and there are a couple of final hurdles to jump over, but I feel as a team we are well placed to capitalise on our performance. This was our seventh grand prix victory this year and our third 1-2 finish so it has been a fantastic year so far for the team, and we are determined to finish on a high."

Although both Red Bull drivers have a strong chance of winning the title, Horner says there will be no team favouritism over the remaining races.

"We are fortunate to have two level-headed and strong-willed drivers. And while that inevitably poses challenges at times, it is a luxury problem to have. The dream scenario would be to be able to pull out a big enough gap to all those behind that it was just down to them on track.

"But as a team we are trying our best to support both drivers equally and both drivers are very much still in this championship."

You really have to wonder if he would be singing the same tune if Vettel was the one fourteen points in front of Webber. My prediction is that Webber will not be with Red Bull next year. If he wins the championship he will either retire or move to another team. If he doesn't win it I think the team forces him out.

[HighOnHendrix]

It's official:

http://en.espnf1.com/korea/motorsport/story/30983.html

Korea given FIA approval

The Korean Grand Prix will go ahead on October 24 after the FIA's Charlie Whiting gave the newly-laid circuit his approval on Tuesday.

Whiting had been at the Yeongam site since Monday for the track's final inspection, amid speculation it was not ready for its inaugural event next weekend. But, based on a media statement issued by race organisers KAVO, he approved the circuit on Tuesday.

"It is satisfactory, and I will issue the license through KARA (Korea Automobile Racing Association)," said Whiting.

However, legitimate doubts remain, particularly after rain fell on the newly laid and curing top layer of racing asphalt overnight. A photograph, reportedly taken at the circuit on Monday, shows a bridge over the start-finish straight still under construction, while the circuit's main access road is apparently not yet sealed and the entire site not fully fenced.

But the main concern is the still 'sweating' track surface, with the process of oil seeping to the top unlikely to pass by the time of the first action next Friday.

"I think we've already made the tyres, so we have to try," said Bridgestone's Hiroshi Yasukawa. "Our tyres are equal for everybody. At this stage, wait and see."

Force India driver Tonio Liuzzi expressed his doubts to ESPNF1 in his latest column.

"The track surface will still be a bit of an unknown until we turn up in Korea and its condition will depend on what the weather was like when they were laying the tarmac," he said. "It could be a bit of a risk and we will have to analyse how the tyres reacted straight after the first practice session on Friday. We believe that the FIA is doing its absolute best to make sure everything is as good as possible but we won't know for sure until after first practice."

Gallery of photos of the track:

http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/gallery/31002.html

My fave:

Some of these photos are over a month old, so work has surely come along since then.

[Thanos]

Russia just signed a deal with Bernie

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/14/AR2010101401993.html