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Saturday, February 23, 2008
Q&A With Panasonic Toyota’s Pascal Vasselon
interview done by MotorSport.com, Vasselon shared his insights about the team’s future in the upcoming 2008 World Championship. Here are some bits from the interview. Click here to read full article. Toyota interview with Pascal Vasselon Pre-season testing Q&A with Pascal Vasselon Q: How do you assess the first four tests of the year? PV: We are happy with the progress we have made with the TF108. It has been very obvious from the first test that the TF108 is a different animal compared to the TF107, with much better stability and an all-around much better basis to work on. Our drivers feel a lot more confident in the car and they are able to push more. We have found that set-up work is much more straightforward and it is much easier to make progress in that area. Q: What has the team been focusing on during these tests? PV: After basic systems checks at the roll-out, which is more of a shakedown really, we have been looking at set-up and car development. We have spent the time learning how to use this package so we have worked on getting the mechanical set-up suited to the new aerodynamic concept. Because the stability of the TF108 is so much better we have to revisit most of the set-up directions we had developed with the TF107. Q: Are you happy with the baseline configuration of the TF108? PV: Yes, because during the development of the new car I said our main target was to improve the stability and drivability and that is exactly what we have done. It is a clear step forward which has a lot of potential to be developed even further. From the first test it was clear we were working in a different ball park and performing better. Q: What areas are you looking to improve? PV: At the moment I would say we have gained the stability we were looking for so we are now focusing on the improvement of pure aerodynamic efficiency. Q: Are you concerned by the gap to the fastest cars? PV: If you compare what is comparable, which means comparing times within the same test sessions and taking into account estimated fuel loads, you will see that at the moment the gap reflects a performance gain for the TF108 compared to last year. Of course there is still a gap, it is not good enough, and we are constantly striving to close it, but compared to this time last year I believe we are much closer to the cars at the front of the grid. Q: So has the true potential of the TF108 been seen yet? PV: There is still plenty of performance left to come from this car before we race for the first time. We have new parts coming through continuously but the biggest upgrade to the package will come just before the Australian Grand Prix. It is a process of continuous development which will peak just before Melbourne.
Posted at 02:37 am by AndrePenn
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Renault’s Pat Symonds Speaks
Pat Symonds, Renault's Executive Director of engineering, talks about his predictions for the upcoming season and exposes his views on the future of the Formula One with just over a month left before the opening race of 2008 arrives. Here's a one-on-one talk with Renault's Pat Symonds courtesy of the leading Formula One source, F1.com! To view the whole interview, click here: Q: Pat, what are you most excited about ahead of the 2008 season?
Pat Symonds: This time last year, I said I would be disappointed if we didn't win a couple of races during the season. I was disappointed… but I don't intend to stay disappointed in 2008!
Q: How confident can you be that the team's 2007 problems are behind it?
PS: Very confident. We have worked hard to make sure we don't fall into the same traps again, and I don't think we will.
Q: With comparative stability in the rules, how can the team catch up the deficit we saw last year?
PS: We have had to take a more radical approach to the aerodynamics. Having solved the problems with the wind tunnel that we found last year, we are confident to do that. The results from the tunnel show we have made significantly more progress than normal. It now remains to be seen if that is enough relative to the competition.
Q: The 2008 car employs a very different design philosophy to its predecessors…
PS: The design of any new car is driven by a number of different factors, including new regulations and new discoveries. For this year, we have largely worked to overcome limitations we found in our on and off-track development in 2007. The 2008 car incorporates the lessons we learned, and it should allow us to get more performance from the car/tyre/aero package.
Q: What does Fernando (Alonso) bring to the team?
PS: Firstly, it is important to make one thing clear: Fernando would not have made up for the deficiencies of last year's car. We are now confident we have overcome those problems, and we are desperate to give him the car his talent deserves. I am certain that the combination of Fernando in a revitalised Renault will see him challenging for race wins. He knows what he wants from the car, and we have shown in the past that we can deliver it.
Q: What are your expectations for his new team mate Nelsinho (Piquet)?
PS: Nelson has a challenge in front of him. Just like with Heikki last year, we need to give him time to develop, to make the inevitable rookie mistakes - and we must help him learn from those mistakes. It is important to give him a car he can trust, and I hope this is where it turns out differently to 2007. We have to be sure that the R28 is not just a race-winning car, but one that inspires confidence from the drivers.
Posted at 06:50 pm by AndrePenn
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Friday, February 01, 2008
The Launch Of Renault’s F1 R28 In Paris
Two days ago, the much awaited launch of the R28 racecar with the lineup of drivers from ING Renault F1 team intended for the 2008 season finally took place at Renault's headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt, south-west Paris. According to MotorSport.com news, the official launch of the R28 was participated by Renault President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, together with hundreds of media and VIP guests worldwide. During the ceremonies, the team showed their determination and hunger for success in the upcoming F1 world championship this year. Renault is also happy for the return of their former superstar driver Fernando Alonso. "We expect to see the team back in its normal place, fighting at the front of the field. This is the target the team has set for the new car. On the technical side, everybody has worked hard to overcome the problems encountered last year. On the driver front, Fernando Alonso's return was an important boost. There is optimism inside the team and within Renault," says ING Renault F1 Team President Bernard Rey. "Formula 1 is a powerful tool for building brand awareness in non-traditional markets, and Renault's sales outside Western Europe grew by 16.5% in 2007. Our status as a leading team demonstrates Renault can build vehicles that deliver performance, reliability and high technology. From an overall perspective, Formula 1 is a meaningful and profitable investment for Renault," concluded Bernard Rey. "2007 was a very poor year by our standards. For 2008, there are high expectations inside and outside the team, and it is down to us to give the drivers a competitive car. We have put the problems from 2007 behind us and in terms of the car design; we have looked at the problem afresh. The team pushed very hard in all areas, and particularly on the aerodynamics. The front end of the car has come in for special attention with a brand new front wing and the front suspension. The rear end has also been heavily reworked, and we haven't neglected the basics. The car ran reliably in its first test, and we made encouraging progress on performance development last week. We are confident that the advances we have seen in the wind tunnel will be reflected on track," says technical director Bob Bell who labeled the car "much less evolutionary" than the vehicle that it replaced.
Posted at 06:34 pm by AndrePenn
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Thursday, January 31, 2008
“Renault Must Be Fighting For Podiums And Wins” - Briatore
This season will see heated competition between powerful F1 teams and drivers. And according to Renault head honcho Flavio Briatore, podiums and race wins are on the team's agenda for this season. After a quite upsetting 2007 season with Renault finishing third in the Constructors' Championship, the head honcho is determined to see his team return to the form that won the World titles in 2005 and 2006. "I believe that Renault need to be fighting for podiums and fighting for winning races, we need to be protagonists of the show," Briatore said Thursday during the launch of the R28 in Paris. "There is only one winner of the Championship, so it is not easy, but we need to be there fighting for the podiums and a 50% chance each time we start to be in the top four." This is the end supported by Carlos Ghosn, president of the Renault Group, who believes has the ability in the R28 and their drivers, Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr, to see the team return to the sharp end of the grid. "I am confident, I've been at tests and we have great drivers and a great team. We are a team of winners and I hope we meet the expectations of the public," Briatore concluded the Planet-F1 interview. I do believe Renault has a great chance of bagging the crown. But the team mustn't be too confident. Fry the big fish first. For sure, I'll be watching the upcoming races closely…
Posted at 08:32 pm by AndrePenn
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Friday, January 25, 2008
Alonso's Return Gives Renault A Boost
 Renault’s head honcho Flavio Briatore believes the return of Fernando Alonso has provided a boost to the entire French team set-up. Briatore claims the 26-year-old Spanish driver, who won back-to-back world titles with Renault prior to the unfortunate 2007 season with the Woking team, has returned to Renault. The said to the French team is said to benefit his colleagues as well as the entire team. "Alonso makes a difference in many ways, not least in the motivation of the team," he said in an interview with Sportbox. "We are the same and have not changed anything since he left, but he has improved a lot, professionally, as a driver. A year's more experience does a lot. I see Fernando is very motivated, more so even than in 2006. That contributes a lot to the team." Briatore isn't worried about the Spaniard after a slightly upsetting debut in Renault's 2008 car. He said Wednesday the first test of the R28 on Tuesday went according to plan, despite Alonso only posting the sixth-best lap time before his engine stalled and the vehicle started smoking on the last lap of the day, Canadian Press divulged. "In truth it was the first day and Fernando did 93 laps without a problem. Before we start working on the car it has to be reliable," the 58-year-old Italian said. "As of (Wednesday), we'll start working on the setup." Briatore added he expects the two-time world Champ to return to the form he showed when winning back-to-back world titles for Renault, instead of being the gloomy driver he said he hardly recognized at McLaren last year. "I see him as very motivated, even more than in 2006," Briatore said, adding he didn't expect any problems between Alonso and rookie driver Nelson Piquet Jr., like the Spaniard encountered with Lewis Hamilton last season. "An extra year of experience has helped him. He's happy, we are the same, nothing has changed since he left and he's only gotten better." Briatore was earlier quoted by Marca newspaper as saying he would likely stay at Renault for as long as Alonso does. "I've brought a lot to F1 and received a lot in return and I think when I end this adventure with Renault, with Fernando Alonso, I'll take a rest," Briatore concluded.
Posted at 03:00 am by AndrePenn
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Thursday, January 10, 2008
Force India Confirms Lineup
Although there has been much focus on McLaren, Renault and Toyota regarding their lineup, Force India is also on the sidelines taking its pick of drivers for the new season. Recently, the Formula One team owned by Indian multimillionaire Vijay Mallya announced its lineup for the 2008 season.
The team's lineup consists of Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil as full time drivers and Vitantonio Liuzzi as the test driver. Fisichella was sent packing by Renault after a dismal season.
Dr. Vijay Mallya announced the team's lineup saying: "The Force India Formula One Team is a serious project and we wanted to make a statement to this effect with our driver line-up. Money is not the issue now: we need drivers who will push the team and give us direction."
"The race line-up of Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil is a very good one, balancing both speed and experience, and Tonio will provide the team with solid support in his testing programme. I think we have a very strong driver line-up for 2008," he continued.
While Fisichella was a new face for the team, Adrian Sutil is a familiar one as the driver competed for Spyker last season. Spyker was put up for sale at the end of the 2007 season and it was Mallya who bought the team and renamed it Force India Formula One.
Fisichella though has a history with the team as he has driven for Jordan back in the days. It was Jordan before Spyker and even before Force India Formula One. This will be the 13th season of Fisichella in Formula One and he said that he is impressed already with the team. "I am looking forward to joining Force India for the coming season," said Fisichella. "At the test in Jerez, I was very impressed with the team's professionalism and commitment to move forward and I hope that my experience will help them achieve these goals."
"Contrary to what people may think, this was not my only opportunity, it was the best one - with new owners and a competitive budget, I really think we can shake things up next year. I feel motivated and ready to help Force India get points on a regular basis," concluded the Italian.
Posted at 08:28 pm by AndrePenn
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Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Last year, Lewis Hamilton missed out on the opportunity to become the first rookie ever to win the Formula One championship. This year, he is confident that McLaren will win the constructors' championship. At the unveiling of the MP4-23 car, the British Formula One sensation had this to say: "I honestly feel stronger. I feel great right now. I've done a lot of really good preparation already, way before the first test even, and I just believe that it's a fresh start for us all, turning over a new leaf." "With the experience of last year I feel even stronger than I was. I can't wait to get back into the car and I'm extremely excited about the first race," he added. Hamilton took the sport by surprise after leading the race for the championship last season. The youngster's achievement though is marred by controversies revolving around his team. His former teammate Fernando Alonso, two-time world champion, wanted McLaren to favor him over Hamilton. But that did not happen and the enmity between the two grew at least according to Alonso. McLaren was also embroiled in a spying controversy with bitter rival Ferrari. This year, Hamilton will have a new teammate and a new car. He will be driving alongside Heikki Kovalainen. "Fingers crossed, but with the same sort of mentality and determination I think we can do well," said Hamilton. "I thoroughly enjoyed last year, just the whole year. It was just the best year of my life but I know it can be better." If Hamilton can do what he did last year plus make it better, there is no doubt that he can challenge for the championship this season. But to be able to do that, he would need a lot of help from his team.
Posted at 10:28 pm by AndrePenn
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Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Watch Out For Corvette Racing Team
We don't want to miss not a single race of the Corvette Racing Team in the 2008 Le Mans Series that's why I came up with the right schedule for us to follow. As an all-time fan of Corvette Racing, we hope that they'll get great results just like the good all days. If you don't have the chance to see them in action live, it'll be televised in either ABC, Speed Channel™ or NBC sports just in case you were asked to babysit on game day. Here's the complete schedule of Corvette Racing team in 2008 courtesy of CorvetteRacing.com:
DATE - VENUE
- March 15 - Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Sebring, FL
- April 5 - Acura Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg St. Petersburg, FL
- April 19 - Grand Prix of Long Beach Long Beach, CA
- April 26 - Lone Star Grand Prix Houston, TX
- May 19 - Utah Grand Prix Salt Lake City, UT
- June 14-15 - 24 Heures
- July 19 - Acura Sports Car Challenge of Mid-Ohio Lexington, OH
- August 9 - Generac 500 at Road America Elkhart Lake, WI
- August 24 - Grand Prix of Mosport Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
- August 30 - Detroit Sports Car Challenge Detroit, MI
- October 4 - Petit Le Mans Braselton, GA
- October 18 - Monterey Sports Car Championships Salinas, CA
Posted at 07:40 pm by AndrePenn
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Sunday, December 30, 2007
Speed Brothers Run Florida Kart Competition
For the first time in their racing career, the Speed brothers were able to put their skills into real time as both Alex and Scott brought out their best skills at the Florida Kart Competition. They will be doing a campaign for the 2008 Florida Winter Tour in Birel DD2 beginning at Homestead Raceway on January 12-13. The Speed brothers were looking forward to have the best racing competition and a great opportunity to show their best assets on the race track.
Scott Speed said, "Obviously my goals are to win. I don't remember going into a race with a different objective but it will certainly be a pleasure for me to just compete again in a sport that I have loved for so long. I hope that I will have enough time to properly commit to the races and to test a bit before, but my schedule changes so much that its hard to plan. I keep my fingers crossed." The brother will not be using a Mercedes 190e radiator as a part of their car parts but both will be using the teams' auto parts in order to pull out great skills to compete with each other. "Scott and I are very competitive in everything we do together. So of course, I look forward to kicking his butt! To be honest, I am just looking forward to the competition from everyone. The DD2 class will be tough and I will always push hard to be on the top step of the podium for the Birel team," said Alex.
Posted at 08:08 am by AndrePenn
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Thursday, December 27, 2007
Will Power Receives Australian Honor
 Champ Car driver Will Power (No. 5 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01) has recently earned the coveted Sir Jack Brabham Award at the CAMS Australian Motorsport Awards in Melbourne. This award is considered as one of the most prestigious awards for Australians that are involved in motor sports racing. The Sir Jack Brabham Award, named after the first Australian to win the Formula 1 World Championship is awarded to an Australian driver that achieves titles in international competition.
Power commented: "It is such an honour to receive this award with Sir Jack Brabham's name on it. I have to thank the CAMS Board for their nomination as well as my team, Team Australia, because without them earning this award would not be possible. As an Australian driver you are always aware of the absolutely amazing things Sir Jack accomplished in his career. He is a true legend of Australian sport and world motorsport. I really have to thank Craig Gore and Derrick Walker for the opportunity to race for such a great team in this fantastic open-wheel championship, the Champ Car World Series."
Craig Gore, Team Australia Co-Owner also commented: "Will has come a long way as a driver this year, worked very hard and deserves a lot of credit for what he has achieved. He is very honoured to receive this award that carries the name of the legendary Sir Jack Brabham, because there is no bigger name in Australian motorsport than Sir Jack. He thoroughly deserves this award for all his hard work."
Power received the award with his several achievements including two victories in Champ Car races.
Posted at 08:27 pm by AndrePenn
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