F1 News & Rumours

[blue8]

In relation to the 'sabotaging'

Formula One's governing body has stepped in to ensure McLaren give equal treatment to Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The FIA is appointing a special scrutineer for the race at Interlagos to ensure there is no favouritism. That is despite McLaren's assurance the drivers would be treated the same. Heading into the deciding race on 21 October Hamilton has a four-point lead over Alonso, who has become increasingly isolated within the team. Alonso and McLaren boss Ron Dennis have had a very cool relationship following a series of rows. The FIA's move comes after Spanish Motorsport Federation chief Carlos Gracia said he had spoken to FIA President Max Mosley about the issue. "I showed my concern over the situation that Fernando is going through, which is no secret, and he [Mosley] reassured me," said Gracia. "The FIA are going to have an official who is going to watch very closely that nothing bad happens to Fernando, above all in qualifying, which is where there have been most complaints or strange situations in recent races." McLaren had already given an assurance that Alonso and Hamilton would be treated equally in Brazil. "The team wants to make it clear its policy of treating both with complete equality and fairness will continue," a McLaren statement said. "McLaren and Mercedes-Benz will continue to take every step that is within their control to ensure that both Fernando and Lewis will enjoy the same opportunity to win in terms of equality of car, engine, tactics and use of resources." Alonso, who moved to McLaren at the end of last season after twice winning the drivers' title with Renault, has already said he believes the team have a preference for Hamilton. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen is also in with a shout of the drivers' title. The Finn is seven points behind Hamilton in the first three-way tussle for the championship since 1986.

[saadie]

... get over it

[blue8]

New Ferrari deal for Massa:

Felipe Massa is set to remain at Ferrari until the end of 2010 after signing a new deal with the Scuderia. Massa's future has been the topic of some debate with reports suggesting that he's heading to Toyota next season to make way for Fernando Alonso. Ferrari, though, have put an end to those rumours by announcing a contract extension for the Brazilian. The new deal sees him remain at Ferrari until the end of the 2010 Formula One season. To date the Brazilian has raced in 34 grands prix for Ferrari, claiming five victories, six podiums and eight pole positions. He has also amassed 166 points during his time with Ferrari. Massa's team-mate Kimi Raikkonen is already under contract through to the end of the 2009 F1 season.

[Pokiou]

What about the guy that got hit in PIT lane.. that was shocking :S

[blue8]

Interlagos deal extended to 2014

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has agreed a new deal with Brazilian officials for their Grand Prix to remain at Interlagos until 2014. With the promise of improved paddock facilities, and a new 10,000-seat grandstand, Sao Paulo mayor Gilberto Kassab, Brazilian sports minister Orlando Silva and Ecclestone agreed that the race would continue for the next seven years shortly before Sunday's 2007 season finale. Ecclestone said: "We have always had an excellent relationship with Brazil and we have had two great Brazilian drivers - Jose Carlos Pace and Nelson Piquet. I am happy to have reached this agreement with the city hall." The new contract for the deal is expected to be officially signed within the next few weeks.

[saadie]

Good news .. i like this circuit

[blue8]

Engine development freeze for 10 years:

The FIA has announced that there will be a total freeze on engine development for a period of 10 years from 2008. The decision was taken at a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Wednesday. “There will be a total freeze on engine development for a period of 10 years, starting from 2008,” said the statement released by the FIA. “A change can be made after five years but only with the unanimous agreement of all stakeholders and following a further two-year notice period. Total freeze means that there will be no exceptions for development of certain parts of the engine, as is the case under the current regulations.” Rules restricting engine development work was introduced for the 2007 season.

Spyker -- Force India

Spyker will be renamed Force India, after the World Motor Sport Council accepted the name change at a meeting in Paris on Wednesday. Indian businessman Vijay Mallya and Dutch entrepreneur Michiel Mol bought out the Silverstone-based team earlier this month. The new title is the first step taken by the squad to reflect Mallya’s previously stated aim of bringing an Indian flavour to the team. It is also understood that the new logo for Force India will include the Indian national flag in its design. Mallya and Mol are the third owners in two years for the former Jordan team. The Midland group took over in 2005, before selling the squad on to Spyker late in 2006.

[blue8]

Race Calendar and First Night Race Confirmed:

The FIA has confirmed the 2008 Formula One calendar, including the world championship's first night race at the new Singapore track. The schedule issued following today's World Motor Sport Council matched the provisional calendar released earlier this year, but with Canada, Singapore and Valencia all confirmed, and Singapore specified as the first floodlit evening Grand Prix. The Montreal race had remained provisional on the previous schedule, while the new tracks in Singapore and Valencia (which will hold the European Grand Prix) were both subject to circuit approval. Although it had always been anticipated that the Singapore GP would be run at night, the FIA wanted to be certain that it could be achieved safely before providing official confirmation. 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship 16/3 AUS Australia 23/3 MAL Malaysia 6/4 BRN Bahrain 27/4 E Spain 11/5 TR Turkey 25/5 MC Monaco 8/6 CDN Canada 22/6 F France 6/7 GB Great Britain 20/7 D Germany 3/8 H Hungary 24/8 E Europe 7/9 B Belgium 14/9 I Italy 28/9 SGP Singapore* 12/10 J Japan 19/10 CN China 02/11 BR Brazil * Night race

[dannyroz]

They are trying to keep costs down so they get more teams into F1. It is pretty stupid and IDK if the teams agreed...but Im sure Ferrari already did. Bernie usually takes it in the ass, no lube, by Ferrari.

The whole point of F1 is technological advancement of materials, WHICH INCLUDES ENGINES! I hope Mosley burns in hell with Bernie and Jackie Stewart takes over.

[pagani]

The need to ban all the electrics and give the cars decent downforce and get back to the real slick tires and bring back the turbocharger engines of the v12's and give ban the flappy pedal toy gearbox give them a proper gearbox whit a gear lever.
8)

[Svensson]

^ LoL ban all electrics? And then have slaves strapped to the back of each car igniting the fuel in the engine with matches?

[yg60m]

That's going too far Why do they freeze engine dev ? It's stupid when all the rest is evolving so fast !! They should maybe impose them to be proper or developp a new type of engine. If it goes like F1 gearbox, the roadcars engines will be more sophisticated than F1's in 5 years ... :roll:

[-Akshay-]

Spyker -- Force India Spyker will be renamed Force India, after the World Motor Sport Council accepted the name change at a meeting in Paris on Wednesday. Indian businessman Vijay Mallya and Dutch entrepreneur Michiel Mol bought out the Silverstone-based team earlier this month. The new title is the first step taken by the squad to reflect Mallya’s previously stated aim of bringing an Indian flavour to the team. It is also understood that the new logo for Force India will include the Indian national flag in its design. Mallya and Mol are the third owners in two years for the former Jordan team. The Midland group took over in 2005, before selling the squad on to Spyker late in 2006.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/7060350.stm

Spyker change name to Force India

Spyker have been granted permission to change their name to Force India Formula One by motorsport's governing body, the FIA.

The team, bought by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya for £61m, will race under the new name with a logo in the colours of the India flag from next season.

Spyker made little impact in this season's championships, winning just one constructors' point.

But Mallya is determined to keep German rookie driver Adrian Sutil.

"I am very happy with Adrian Sutil and I've told team boss Colin Kolles that we need to keep him," he said. The team have undergone their third name change since 2005, when Silverstone-based Jordan was sold to Midland F1, which then became Spyker Cars when the Dutch sports car manufacturer paid £51m a season later.

Mallya is chairman and controlling shareholder of the UB Group, which has beer, spirits and airline operations in India.

And the ambitious businessman claims to have plenty of interest from potential Indian sponsors, although he said an Indian driver for the team was not an immediate priority.

India is set to host its first ever Grand Prix in New Delhi in 2010.

[RAMMIUS]

Luca is awesome

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/241020...ks-bernie.html

"I've already thought about competing in the next championship with a 8000cm3 engine - the team would be disqualified, but the driver would still win."

[saadie]

^^ lmfao .... exactly how i thought of maFIA's dicission :roll: