Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher both punished before the Grand Prix gets started? You better believe it happened, and here’s how. Fernando Alonso brake-tests Robert Doornbos (video, external) Alonso was held up by Doornbos in the second practice session on Friday. He reated by waving his fist at the Red Bull-Ferrari test driver, and brake … Continue reading Hungary for controversy?
Keith Collantine's articles on RaceFans
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring journalist, Keith began running the site full-time in 2010, achieving a long-held ambition to dedicate his full attention to his passion for motor racing.
Can Hungary serve up a Suzuka?
Posted onMichael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso’s indiscretions in practice at the Hungaroring have left them 11th and 15th respectively on the grid. The last time we saw such a grid was at Suzuka last year when Schumacher started 14th, Alonso 16th and Kimi Raikkonen 17th. Raikkonen won from Giancarlo Fisischella, followed by Alonso with Schumacher seventh. … Continue reading Can Hungary serve up a Suzuka?
2006 Stats Update: Germany
Posted onThe drivers’ and constructors’ championships get ever closer. But there are intriguing battles up and down the F1 field this year. Take a closer look at who’s beating who in our statistics update. Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix / motor sport
ITV ratings woe
Posted onUK Formula One broadcaster ITV suffered very poor TV ratings in July and are set to lose their chief executive. Their audience share in July was 16.7% – one-fifth less than they managed last year. Poor advertising revenue has seen their revenue drop by 4.6% in the first half of 2006. Their Sales MD Gary … Continue reading ITV ratings woe
Wurz gets race drive
Posted onAlex Wurz will return to full-time racing in Formula One for the first time since 2000 next year, as he will replace Mark Webber at Williams. The surprise move prompts speculation about the Webber’s future. Is manager Flavio Briatore about to parachute him in at Renault to replace Fernando Alonso? Could a shock move to … Continue reading Wurz gets race drive
The big green elephant in the corner
Posted onOver at the Motor Racing Journal, Qwerty has some very interesting thoughts on Max Mosley’s plans for the future of Formula One. Particularly on the controversial move to standard specification engines from 2008 and Mosley’s desire to see car manufacturers develop alternative fuel technologies in Formula One: For 100 years the emphasis of racing has … Continue reading The big green elephant in the corner
Hungarian Grand Prix 2006 Preview
Posted onThe Scuderia hammered the opposition in Indianapolis, Magny-Cours and Hockenheim. Now they are bearing down upon the Hungaroring with every indication that they will continue the red-wash. Their chief opponents, Renault, have just one ray of hope to cling to: they will be able to use their mass damper system that had been banned before … Continue reading Hungarian Grand Prix 2006 Preview
Direxiv to quit F1
Posted onDirexiv, who sponsor McLaren-Mercedes and Alex Wurz and were unsuccessful in a bid for a place on the 2008 F1 grid, are to substantially reduce their involvement in motor sport, it is being reported. As well as ending their Formula One sponsorships they will terminate their support of Japanese GP2 driver Hiroki Yoshimoto and his … Continue reading Direxiv to quit F1
F1 vs NASCAR: One more thing…
Posted onI had a few thoughts on how Formula One and NASCAR stack up against each other a few days ago. One thing I overlooked was the popularity of accidents. One effect of the NASCAR regulations – possibly intentional, possibly not – is that the tightly bunched fields inevitably lead to more crashes. And there’s no … Continue reading F1 vs NASCAR: One more thing…
German Grand Prix 2006 Media Review
Posted onThe British newspapers marked the continuation of Michael Schumacher’s title assault – and the resurgence of Jenson Button. Find out more in our media review. Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix / motor sport
Schumacher storms to Hockenheim win
2006 German Grand Prix review
Posted onIt was a Bridgestone day. The Ferraris cruised to an easy win, never even needing to approach the stunning pace they hinted at in qualifying. The only reason they didn’t lock out the front row of the grid was that McLaren inexplicably gave Kimi Raikkonen only ten laps’ worth of fuel. But even with half … Continue reading Schumacher storms to Hockenheim win
Germany: Starts and Stops
Posted onHow the top ten lined up at the Hockenheimring, how much fuel they were allocated after qualifying part three, and when they made their first stops. Position Driver Lap of first pit stop Fuel allocation (laps) 1 Kimi Raikkonen 10 10 2 Michael Schumacher 20 12 3 Felipe Massa 19 12 4 Jenson Button 15 … Continue reading Germany: Starts and Stops
GP2 in the limelight
Posted onDuring the French Grand Prix Formula One team owners and the governing body fired accusations back and forth about the future supply and regulation of engines in Formula One. Renault even issued a press release during the race, which certainly provided more interest than what was going on on-track. This has become a talking point … Continue reading GP2 in the limelight
Bernie gives Suzuka the boot
Posted onThe Suzuka circuit, gave us esily the best race of last year – if not the decade – voted second best circuit in Formula One by the fans in 2005, will not be in the Formula One calendar next year. The first details of the 2007 calendar that came out today indicated that when the … Continue reading Bernie gives Suzuka the boot
Why F1 needs PR
Posted onBernie Ecclestone has admitted he’s considering appointing a public relations company to assist with the promotion of Formula One. This is something F1 has badly needed for years, thought die-hard fans may struggle to understand why. There are many challenges to projecting a positive image of a sport that is perceived to be environmentally unfriendly, … Continue reading Why F1 needs PR
2007 calendar takes shape
Posted onThe 2006 calendar saw only two major changes – Bahrain promoted to the first round of the season ahead of Melbourne, and Spa dropped for one year. But Bernie Ecclestone looks to have a few more changes up his sleeve for 2007. Let’s take a look at them.
Raikkonen told to be “smart”
Posted onMercedes’ Norbert Haug has told Kimi Raikkonen that staying at McLaren would be the “smart” thing to do. But that is not as self-evident for Raikkonen as it might be for Haug. In 88 races for McLaren Raikkonen has beenforced to retire from 21 of them because of car failure. And that doesn’t include the … Continue reading Raikkonen told to be “smart”
Superstars with super names
Posted onIn American racing the names Andretti and Rahal command instant respect. So it’s no surprise that Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal – teenagers both – are being touted as the next two drivers that could make it all the way to F1. Have they got what it takes?
Trackside: Justin Wilson
Posted onA fine win by ex-Minardi and Jaguar F1 races Justin Wilson is the subject of this week’s Trackside. Related links Autotrader.co.uk: Trackside – Racing’s “Peter Crouch” walk tall (external) Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix / motor sport
German Grand Prix 2006 Preview
Posted onMichael Schumacher is putting on a championship charge but he’s running out of time – there’s only seven races to go. He needs to do more than just beat Fernando Alonso to first place – he needs his Renault rival to drop some serious points. But fortune is on his side – Bridgestone have a … Continue reading German Grand Prix 2006 Preview