5 Weirdest F1 moments
Putting all speculations to rest, Kimi Raikkonen has gone on to talk about his 1 year sabbatical from Formula 1 racing. The Fin who was to join the McLaren team breaks the ice saying that he is indeed going on a break for a year.
So does this mean 2011 will see Raikkonen on the track? Apparently it does not. The racer states that unless he is offered to race a competitive car, he will not be returning. When asked why he isn’t working with McLaren, all Kimi had to say was, ‘Unfortunately, certain issues could not be resolved’.
To many, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix could possibly be Kimi’s last Formula 1 race. I guess all that’s left to do is wait for 2011 or better still for a competitive car to hit the tracks.
what do they think?
Jenson Button
“It’s always fun to try a new race track, particularly one which looks as unique as Yas Marina with the unusual pit-lane exit and the day/night race.” Jenson Button, Brawn GP
Rubens Barichello
“The layout of the circuit seems both fun and challenging and it will be interesting to start the race in daylight and to finish in evening conditions.” Rubens Barrichello, Brawn GP
Fernando Alonso
“It will be a new experience for everyone so it’s important that we maximise all the sessions and learn as much as we can quickly to try and find an advantage. I think the facility looks amazing…” Fernando Alonso, Renault
Lewis Hamilton
“All the signs point to Abu Dhabi being another strong track for us – there are plenty of slow corners leading onto long straights, where KERS will be very advantageous. Seeing as it’s likely to be the last race for KERS, it would be fantastic to send it off with a perfect result.” Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
Abu Dhabi around the bend!
It is almost time for this season’s finale… and what better way to end it other than on a brand new circuit!
Yas Marina
With all the hype and excitement about the new track, I’ve decided to put down some facts about the track that I came across.
– It is the first Twilight race.
– The Yas MArina runs in an anti-clockwise direction.
– The lap boasts four main periods of acceleration, the longest equating to 1,173 metres, which is the longest straight of any 2009 Formula One track.
– The two extra tracks at the Yas Marina can run independently of each other and thus make it possible for the circuit to hold two events simultaneously.
– All of the grandstands, including the massive hairpin seating area, are covered to protect the estimated 50,000 spectators from the desert sun.
Well… so much for now. I’m sure there is so much more in store at this new race venue.
Yas Marina - Circuit Map
After all the excitement and anticipation, the Singapore Grand Prix 2009 was finally here. Lewis Hamilton clinched the first position followed by Timo Glock and Fernado Alonso.
What seemed to be an event extraordinaire last year did not seem so much like it this year. But I guess with Formula 1 racing there never can be a dull day. So here are a couple of the latest most shocking events in Formula 1 post the Singapore Grand Prix.
After its sudden triumph over the past few races, Force India seemed to finally run out of its winning streak. Not only did Adrian Sutil not finish, but also got himself fined a reported $20,000.
Now for the most talked about news in the F1 fraternity, Alonso is moving to Ferrari! After his debut in Formula 1 racing in 2001 with Minardi, he went on to become Renault’s official test driver the following season. By 2003 he was in the racer’s seat and went on to be F1’s youngest Grand Prix winner with victory. By the end of 2005 he was F1’s youngest champion.
Fernando Alonso now with Ferrari
Woah! All the hard work and the brilliant racing by the Spaniard has definitely paid off.
As for Raikkonen, he is said to be moving to McLaren where he will be racing along with reigning world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Raikkonen is not very thrilled about the change but has said it was a consensual agreement and is leaving with great memories with the team of the prancing horse.
Kimi Raikkonen
So 2010 is going to see Massa and Alonso as Ferrari’s racers. If you are wondering where that leaves Fisichella, the former Fore India racer, will be Ferrari’s reserve driver. Are you also thinking he should have stayed on with Force India?
It is almost the end of a truly eventful Formula 1 season, and I just cannot wait to see what 2010 has in store for every race fanatic.
Renault’s end is here!
- Nelson Piquet’s Crash
The much awaited hearing ended on Monday, and what followed was Renault’s 2 year ban! So what does this mean? As of today, Renault is banned for the next 2 years from the FIA, Briatore and Symonds are banned from the F1 fraternity and Piquet Jr. got away scot free in exchange for the evidence he provided to the World Motor Sport Council.
Nelson Piquet Jr.
Although there are those who say Briatore and Symonds deserve what they got, there are those who believe it is very unfair to the rest of the team. And I have to agree.
Flavio Briatore & Pat Symonds
The WMSC also declared that Alonso had nothing to do with the conspiracy and therefore no action will be taken against him. But then again, he is left without a team isn’t he?
- Fernando Alonso
Well, I guess that is a wrap on last year’s Singapore Grand Prix only 5 days ahead of the 2009 Singapore Grand Prix!
The worst scandal in F1 racing!!
A day after Renault’s Briatore and Symonds resigned from the team, the world of sports is abuzz with what is probably the worst scandal in F1 racing.
Formula 1 as a sport has its history of foul play over the years. With racers intentionally crashing to dampen another’s race, there is nothing very different about the latest Renault scandal. But what is reported as a first, is the fact that a racer was asked to crash for the benefit of a fellow team racer.
Among the accusations against team Renault, the strongest is that of the team risking not only Piquet’s life, but also endangering the spectators, marshals and other racers.
Nelson Piquet Jr. with Flavio Briatore
The case does have a couple of different takes and these are some of them:
– Piquet Jr. should bear the consequences because he chose to go ahead with the dirty plan.
– Alonso should renounce his title from last year even if he had no idea about the plan.
– The team should be banned from F1 racing.
The Singapore Grand Prix seems to be getting all the publicity it needs before the race in September. Whatever said, Singapore is the most talked of race this season!
What does this mean?
Here we were waiting for Renault’s hearing on Monday. Little did we think there would be so much drama way before the hearing even! The team is not going to be disputing the allegations made by Piquet Jr. But the juiciest bit of it all is the bit on the resignations.
Renault’s managing director, Flavio Briatore and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds have reportedly left the team.
Renault's masterminds - Pat Symonds and Flavio Briatore
After a prolonged denial of the accusations made against the team, by Piquet Jr. and his father, the team released the following press release,
“The ING Renault F1 Team will not dispute the recent allegations made by the FIA concerning the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. It also wishes to state that its managing director, Flavio Briatore and its executive director of engineering, Pat Symonds, have left the team. Before attending the hearing before the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 21 September 2009, the team will not make any further comment.”
So was Alonso’s win at Singapore last year really a fluke?
WOW! It is almost time for round 2 of the Singapore Grand Prix and last year’s race is back in the spotlight! I guess it is definitely safe to say that this is another first at the Singapore Grand Prix!
Moments of a rich past!
F1 history has its share of unforgettable moments. Moments that make you cringe, moments that you make you smile and moments that leave you speechless.
This video has a compilation of some of the best fights on the circuit!
Let me know what you think or better still, share a video that you’ve come across.
Who will it be?
Force India’s, Vijay Mallya says that the team is now ready to use McLaren’s simulator to test Indian racer Karan Chandok for the role of the team’s test driver. But that is not all. Dr. Mallya went on to say that Karan would have to prove his capability.
Dr. Mallya, Force India
The 25 year old from Chennai is currently racing in the GP2 Series and is said to be a strong contender for the role as test driver after Liuzzi’s switch to the race car.
Ex-test driver, Neel Jani is also in the running for Force India’s test driver. With experience of testing for Sauber, Red Bull and Toro Rosso, he might just be too tough a competition.
Since, the test drivers are being chosen for the team’s 2010 line up, I guess there is time and we will have to wait and watch.
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