Entries from February 2007
February 20, 2007
As reported on homeofsport
An article of the Swiss newspaper Blick claims that, after analysing the ‘long runs’ of all the front-running teams in winter testing, BMW-Sauber’s new ‘F1.07′ is actually quicker than McLaren, Ferrari and Renault. Dispensing with the misleading end-of-day time sheets which often highlight low-fuel and new-tyre fliers, Blick said the analysis only took into consideration lap times logged during runs of 12 laps or more. The newspaper said the Hinwil-built BMW is currently two tenths on average quicker than the new McLaren, and up to half a second faster than Ferrari’s ‘F2007′ model.
Very interesting analysis. And more interesting would be the reaction/responses of different teams on this analysis. But we are quiet sure that BMW-Sauber will play a big role in deciding this year titles.
Posted in BMW-Sauber, F1, F1.07, F2007, Ferrari, Formula 1, McLaren Mercedes, Renault 
No Comments »
February 18, 2007
As reported on gpupdate
“To be honest, it has been quite hard to judge because things have been a bit up and down, but I would say that on balance, McLaren and Ferrari have been pretty equal at the front, and BMW are right up there too,” Renault engineering director Pat Symonds said. “But all the usual caveats apply - this is winter testing, and you cannot be sure of the fuel loads other people are running. It is still too early to work out an exact classification.”
Hmm… ruled out Honda ?? And what about Williams & Red Bull, still considering them lower category cars ? As far as we are concerned, other than the four Symonds have pointed out, Williams or Red Bull could spring up the surprise. Honda, even we don’t think they will threaten any team this season. So what do you think ?
Posted in BMW-Sauber, F1, Ferrari, Formula 1, Honda Racing, McLaren Mercedes, Pat Symonds, Red Bull Racing, Renault, Williams F1 3 Comments »
February 17, 2007
As reported on sportnetwork
Formula One stars Mark Webber, Nick Heidfeld, Alex Wurz and Scott Speed will join Aussie tennis greats Paul McNamee, Jason Stoltenberg and Richard Fromberg as they swap their helmets for tennis racquets – all in the name of charity.
“I am delighted to be part of this year’s event and it’s fantastic we have the support of the F1 drivers and Aussie tennis stars, which will guarantee the spectators a great event and importantly it’s all in aid of Australian children who require support, and what a great way to help them out,” said Mark Webber.
Well done Mark, Nick & Wurz & Speed. We really appreciate the kind things people does for charity.
Posted in Alez Wurz, Autralian GP, F1, Formula 1, Mark Webber, Nick Heidfeld, Scott Speed No Comments »
February 16, 2007
On friday, Renault announced that they are quitting GPMA with immediate effect, leaving only Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Honda in the group. Their official press release said:
“Renault believes that in order to achieve constructive dialogs with the FIA on the future direction of the sport, it is important to work in consultation with all manufacturers participating in Formula One, including Ferrari and Toyota”
Now that the peace has been restored between FIA & GPMA [late last year] there really was no need to have GPMA. But we still think that it was a good and way of negotiating their demands with FIA, and GPMA should still be kept, albeit in shadows, only coming out strongly when absolutely needed. But Renault’s quitting it now might also indicate that GPMA was formed keeping short-timespan in mind.
Posted in BMW-Sauber, F1, FIA, Ferrari, Formula 1, GPMA, Honda Racing, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Toyota F1 No Comments »
February 15, 2007
As reported on homeofsport
“They are looking quite good but they are not as consistent as us at the moment,” Fernando Alonso said. “One day they are looking really strong and the next not so strong, but no matter what, they are a rival to watch out for.” But he considers Kimi Räikkönen, his McLaren predecessor who has moved to Ferrari, to be a better driver than either Giancarlo Fisichella or rookie Heikki Kovalainen; Renault’s 2007 race lineup.
Well said Alonso, we also strongly believe that Kimi [and even Massa for that matter] is far better driver than Fisichella, though we won’t comment as yet on Heikki since we have not seen him in action on a race weekend.
And we really hope that same thing won’t happen like the last time, that first you made some statements and then two days later you came back saying that your comment was mis-interpreted again.
Posted in F1, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, Formula 1, Giancarlo Fisichella, Heikki Kovalainen, Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren Mercedes, Renault No Comments »
February 14, 2007
February 13, 2007
February 13, 2007
As reported on BBC
Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber has claimed former team Williams are now nothing more than Toyota’s B team …. “There will be denials but there is a feeling that a B team is how it is,” Mark Webber told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“They might have new engines, but not a lot has changed in the structure,” Mark Webber said. “There’s no real reason why the results should be any different for them this year. I thought I would go to Williams and then finish my career at Williams. But it was a tough gig for the credibility of a lot of people. That’s what happens when there’s such a huge drop in form.”
Some strong words Mark ! And we hope that you just won’t keep on harping about Williams and your sorry state there, and prove yourself at Red Bull in this season [so that we can put some credit to all of your talks].
Posted in F1, Formula 1, Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing, Toyota F1, Williams F1 1 Comment »
February 12, 2007
As reported on sportinglife
Marc Gene believes new Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen has a chance of beating Alonso to the 2007 World title. “Schumacher won so much with Ferrari that some doubt if, with Schumacher gone, Ferrari can continue in the same form,” Gene told Diario As. “As I see it, though, Ferrari is still Ferrari and Raikkonen is a great driver.”
“At this time last year we were not in as strong a position as we are right now, so we believe we will start the year level with the competition,” he said.
The Ferrari & Kimi’s fans won’t settle for anything less for sure, specially TIFOSI. And this is Kimi’s chance to prove that he is not the “Mr Unreliable” where ever he goes. And what about Massa, we believe he will have a bigger part to play this year and will give even fight to Kimi all year round.
Posted in F1, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, Formula 1, Kimi Raikkonen, Marc Gene, Michael Schumacher, TIFOSI No Comments »
February 12, 2007
As reported on BBC
Ferrari driver Felipe Massa says BMW Sauber are ahead of his team in the race to be ready for the new F1 season. “The McLaren looks quick, but for me the BMW is the best of all at the moment,” Felipe Massa told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
The McLaren is the quickest over a single lap, but BMW are impressively consistent even if maybe they are not yet the most reliable. For now, I put them ahead of Ferrari and McLaren,” said Massa. “BMW were impressive in Valencia and in Jerez as well they did very, very interesting tests. I say that not just looking at this final day (of testing), but at their consistency when they did long-distance simulations.”
WOW ! We earlier wrote that Dr Thessien said that the gap between BMW-Sauber and the top teams is closing, what more proof does one needs to take his [Dr Theissen's] talks seriously. Even we believe that if [and it's a big IF], Nick and Kubica would drive to their true potential, BMW can give some teams a good run for their money this season.
Posted in BMW-Sauber, F1, Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Formula 1, Jerez, McLaren Mercedes, Valncia No Comments »
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