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  • Mercedes-Benz could be next to drop out of F1

    Mercedes-Benz could be next to drop out of F1 August 4th, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, August 4th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 4 Comments

    Mercedes-Benz could be next to drop out of F1 The value of Mercedes' involvement in F1 is still the topic of debate within parent company Daimler, board member Helmut Lense insists. Earlier this year, Lense was quoted as suggesting that Mercedes should be pulled out of the sport in favor of more worthy projects.

    Now, in the wake of fellow German automaker BMW's decision to withdraw at the end of 2009, he reveals that uncertainty about the Mercedes engagement is still debated internally.

    "This discussion will surely continue to heat up in light of BMW's withdrawal," Lense told the Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper.

    Immediately after the BMW announcement on Wednesday, however, a ... The value of Mercedes' involvement in F1 is still the topic of debate within parent company Daimler, board member Helmut Lense insists. Earlier this year, Lense was quoted as suggesting that Mercedes should be pulled out of the sport in favor of more worthy projects. Now, in the wake of fellow German automaker BMW's decision to withdraw at the end of 2009, he reveals that uncertainty about the Mercedes engagement is still debated internally. "This discussion will surely continue to heat up in light of BMW's withdrawal," Lense told the Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper. Immediately after the BMW announcement on Wednesday, however, a Mercedes spokesman said the marque regretted the decision but insisted it "does not have any influence on our Formula One engagement". Read More

  • Return to form for former heroes at Hungarian GP

    Return to form for former heroes at Hungarian GP July 27th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, July 27th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 8 Comments

    Return to form for former heroes at Hungarian GP The race for the 2009 world championship took a sharp turn in Hungary on Sunday, as the sport’s former top drivers showed a return to form. Title contenders Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel both struggled: the Brawn driver just seventh at the chequered flag with tire wear problems, and Red Bull's Vettel suffering a hefty blow with a tumultuous race and retirement.

    It was therefore Mark Weber smiling most, despite the Nurburgring pole sitter and winner finishing just third. The Australian leapfrogged his teammate Vettel in the drivers' standings, and closed the gap to leader Button to 18.5 points.

    "It's a bit of a surprise -- we... The race for the 2009 world championship took a sharp turn in Hungary on Sunday, as the sport’s former top drivers showed a return to form. Title contenders Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel both struggled: the Brawn driver just seventh at the chequered flag with tire wear problems, and Red Bull's Vettel suffering a hefty blow with a tumultuous race and retirement. It was therefore Mark Weber smiling most, despite the Nurburgring pole sitter and winner finishing just third. The Australian leapfrogged his teammate Vettel in the drivers' standings, and closed the gap to leader Button to 18.5 points. "It's a bit of a surprise -- we expected to be a little bit quicker," said the Red Bull driver. "It was a pretty difficult venue for us. We knew we didn't have the advantage we had in the last two races. "I'm pretty happy all in all. We're still very much a force," added Webber. Vettel blamed Kimi Raikkonen, who finished second behind winner Hamilton, for his retirement. "In the first corner I had contact with Kimi," said the German, whose front suspension later failed. The incident sparked the interest of the stewards, who are currently considering whether to penalize the Finn. "I didn't notice that I had touched somebody," said the Ferrari driver, who also made contact with Hamilton at the first corner. "This is the first I've heard of it." Webber, meanwhile, escaped penalty when his crew released him from a pitstop into Raikkonen's path. Brawn's early-season dominance ended definitively in Hungary, after the team had blamed the cold circuit conditions at Silverstone and the Nurburgring. "I don't think we can blame the weather," said Button at Budapest, where ambient temperatures hovered in the mid twenties on Sunday. "We've got to be looking in other areas." At one point over the radio, the 29-year-old was heard to ask his engineer: "How can this car be so bad at the moment?" The Briton later told reporters: "Our car is not driving as well as it did at the start of the season. There's obviously an issue." Pole sitter Fernando Alonso led early but retired after a problem with his right front tire, which fell off shortly after a pitstop. The Spaniard also told reporters he had a problem with the fuel pump. The big news, however, remains the condition of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, who suffered a serious injury from a crash during qualifying. Felipe Massa's pit crew wished the injured Brazilian driver a speedy recovery on the grid, holding up his pit board with the message: "Forza Felipe. Siamo con te" (we are with you). Read More

  • McLaren Automotive seeking hybrid powertrain engineer

    McLaren Automotive seeking hybrid powertrain engineer June 30th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, June 30th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 1 Comment

    McLaren Automotive seeking hybrid powertrain engineer More stringent fuel economy and emissions regulations rolling in across major markets around the globe have all automakers, even ultra luxury marques, rethinking their designs and manufacturing processes in an effort to become greener. Ferrari, Porsche and even Lamborghini have all committed towards a hybrid future so it’s not surprising to see McLaren treading the same path.

    McLaren’s newly established ‘McLaren Automotive’ division, the group responsible for the brand’s future road cars and headed by Ron Dennis, is rapidly expanding, with its first model now only a little over a year way. We’ve already... More stringent fuel economy and emissions regulations rolling in across major markets around the globe have all automakers, even ultra luxury marques, rethinking their designs and manufacturing processes in an effort to become greener. Ferrari, Porsche and even Lamborghini have all committed towards a hybrid future so it’s not surprising to see McLaren treading the same path. McLaren’s newly established ‘McLaren Automotive’ division, the group responsible for the brand’s future road cars and headed by Ron Dennis, is rapidly expanding, with its first model now only a little over a year way. We’ve already seen the company hire lauded supercar designer Frank Stephenson and establish a new Middle Eastern office, and on its official website there are job ads for several key engineering positions. The ads call for three senior powertrain engineers, one of which must be an expert in hybrid technology. Giving the strongest indication yet that McLaren is planning to introduce a hybrid sports car, the new hybrid engineer will join the existing team based in Woking, UK. Some of the specific job requirements include experience in the technical assessment, integration and application of appropriate hybrid powertrain technology, experience in low volume – less than 5,000 units per annum - production, and extensive knowledge hybrid powertrain modelling for performance, economy and drivability. It’s interesting to see that as part of the remuneration package the engineer will be given a company car, but any potential applicants better not be expecting to drive home in a McLaren F1.McLaren P11 spy shots Read More

  • McLaren expanding with Middle Eastern office in preparation for 2011 launch

    McLaren expanding with Middle Eastern office in preparation for 2011 launch June 30th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, June 30th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 0 Comments

    McLaren expanding with Middle Eastern office in preparation for 2011 launch McLaren's plans to introduce new models in the next couple of years has been met with much anticipation from fans of the brand, which is unsurprising considering the company engineered and built one of the fastest and most acclaimed production cars of all time - the McLaren F1.

    With three new models expected to arrive soon, including an entry-level sports car expected to cost around the $100,000 mark, a new V8 model aimed at the likes of the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo, and a flagship supercar that is to be the successor to the legendary F1, the need to create a global business model is increasing – especially now... McLaren's plans to introduce new models in the next couple of years has been met with much anticipation from fans of the brand, which is unsurprising considering the company engineered and built one of the fastest and most acclaimed production cars of all time - the McLaren F1. With three new models expected to arrive soon, including an entry-level sports car expected to cost around the $100,000 mark, a new V8 model aimed at the likes of the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo, and a flagship supercar that is to be the successor to the legendary F1, the need to create a global business model is increasing – especially now considering the poor state of traditional supercar markets such as the U.S. To help the company's global operations, it is setting up a regional office for the Middle East and Africa, which should see the company courting oil-rich sheiks and global business leaders in this region with its range of new cars. This region will be headed by Ian Gorshcuch, who will be setting up retail distribution deals to give customers a positive buying experience for future McLaren models. No location has been picked yet for the regional HQ, but McLaren has disclosed it is looking to open retail outlets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. A service center could also be setup in Lebanon to serve regional buyers that transport their cars there for holiday. An eventual expansion to the up-and-coming Asian markets, especially China, could be in the works for the future as well. Gorshcuch’s appointment comes in preparation for the world launch in 2011 of the first in the company's new range of sports cars, the V8-powered P11, which you can see in spy shots by clicking here.McLaren F1McLaren P11 spy shots Read More

  • No F1 breakaway series, Mosley to step down

    No F1 breakaway series, Mosley to step down June 24th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, June 24th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 2 Comments

    No F1 breakaway series, Mosley to step down Max Mosley will step down as FIA president later this year, as formula one's political crisis involving eight rebel teams' threat to set up a breakaway championship ended on Wednesday. Hopes that the Paris meeting of the World Motor Sport Council would be the scene for a resolution were proven correct, after 69-year-old Mosley emerged and told reporters "there will be no split".

    "We have agreed to a reduction of costs," said the FIA president, following a lengthy dispute about his proposed budget cap, governance style, and ultimately his very presence at the head of the sport's ruling authority. "There will be one F1 championship but the... Max Mosley will step down as FIA president later this year, as formula one's political crisis involving eight rebel teams' threat to set up a breakaway championship ended on Wednesday. Hopes that the Paris meeting of the World Motor Sport Council would be the scene for a resolution were proven correct, after 69-year-old Mosley emerged and told reporters "there will be no split". "We have agreed to a reduction of costs," said the FIA president, following a lengthy dispute about his proposed budget cap, governance style, and ultimately his very presence at the head of the sport's ruling authority. "There will be one F1 championship but the objective is to get back to the spending levels of the early 90s within two years," he said on Wednesday. As for his earlier claim that he will not be deciding to step aside in the midst of a crisis, he added: "I will not be up for re-election now we have peace." F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone was also in Paris and said he was "very happy that common sense has prevailed". Read More

  • McLaren boss says breakaway will quash F1 while Mosley appears unconcerned

    McLaren boss says breakaway will quash F1 while Mosley appears unconcerned June 19th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, June 19th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 0 Comments

    McLaren boss says breakaway will quash F1 while Mosley appears unconcerned One way or another, it appears that the core teams of what has been Formula 1 for the past 50 years will be racing against each other next year. McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh thinks the recognition will follow the teams, while FIA president Max Mosley thinks the team will be forced to return when they fail to setup their own series.

    The two contradictory viewpoints arise out of the same set of facts: a dispute over the state of the proposed 2010 funding and technical regulations, and the way in which they were proposed and approved. The ongoing struggle at the heart of the matter has even gone to court.

    The FIA president predicts an... One way or another, it appears that the core teams of what has been Formula 1 for the past 50 years will be racing against each other next year. McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh thinks the recognition will follow the teams, while FIA president Max Mosley thinks the team will be forced to return when they fail to setup their own series. The two contradictory viewpoints arise out of the same set of facts: a dispute over the state of the proposed 2010 funding and technical regulations, and the way in which they were proposed and approved. The ongoing struggle at the heart of the matter has even gone to court. The FIA president predicts an eventual compromise, but acknowledged that it may not be found until early in 2010. "They (FOTA) can't afford not to run in the championship and we would be very reluctant to have a championship without them," Mosley told the BBC. The 69-year-old suspects some of the manufacturer-backed teams can afford to take such a hard line because "some of them will disappear" whether there is a solution or not. "I think we'll probably lose one or two, maybe even three manufacturer teams," said Mosley. "As for the great traditional teams, and I would include Ferrari, they need to be there and they will be there. It will get sorted out," he added. He believes some figures are hoping to gain control of the governance and income of the sport but that ultimately the plans for an alternate series are not serious. "Eventually they will recognize that it can't happen and it will all come back together," said Mosley. "Everybody can take a tremendously strong position; I could say that I'm going to win some great sporting event in 2010, but until you actually get there, you can boast all you like. Whitmarsh on the other hand is certain that the FOTA-backed startup championship is the one that will ultimately shine through. "I don't think there will be two premier racing championships," he told the BBC. "All I can say is that there will be a championship next year and that the major names that have historically been involved in motor racing will be racing together and I think that will be recognized as the major championship." Read More

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