Buemi confirmat de Toro Rosso

Sebastien Buemi va fi unul dintre cei doi piloti ai Scuderiei Toro Rosso in sezonul 2009.

Elvetianul de 20 de ani a testat pentru Red Bull in 2007 si 2008, iar in acest presezon a participat la 'lupta' pentru unul dintre cele doua volane ale Scuderiei Toro Rosso. El are la ativ 17 zile de teste (in care a parcurs circa 6.800 km), atat cu Red Bull cat si cu Toro Rosso, iar acestea au fost suficiente pentru a i se acorda incredere.

Franz Tost, maganer general: "Suntem incantati sa-i uram bun venit lui Sebastien, care facea deja parte din familia Red Bull, in echipa noastra. Inginerii nostri au fost impresionati de viteza sa si abititatile sale de a invata si a progresa pe parcursul testelor pe care le-a facut pentru noi anul trecut. Aceste aspecte, alaturi de cateva performante impresionante in GP2, au fost suficiente pentru a ne convinge sa-i oferim un volan. Numirea sa intruneste obiectivul programului Red Bull Junior Driver si intentia lui Dietrich Mateschitz de a folosi Toro Rosso drept o rampa de lanasare a pilotilor pe care compania i-a sprijinit in formule anterioare."

Sebastien Buemi: "Evident, sunt foarte fericit ca voi pilota pentru Scuderia Toro Rosso in acest an. Inca de cand am inceput cariera in motorsport obiectivul meu a fost acela de a pilota in Formula 1. In acesta an voi face tot ce-mi sta in putere pentru a reusi cele mai bune rezultate posibile si pentru a demonstra ca increderea oferita de Red Bull este una justificata. Vreau sa multumesc Red Bull pentru aceasta oportunitate si pentru tot ajutorul pe care mi l-au oferit in cariera, incepand cu 2005."

Al doilea pilot care va alerga in 2009 pentru Toro Rosso n-a fost inca numit.

Interviu Michael Schumacher

AFCA, un apreciat membru al forumului autosport.com, a postat un interviu maraton luat lui Michael Schumacher la sfarsitul sezonului trecut. Pentru fanii neamtului care nu l-au citit pana acum lectura va fi una foarte placuta.

Prince Valiant

Geneva airport, early in the morning. The meeting point obviously isn't the departure lounge where the normal passengers put their luggage on the conveyor belt, where they take their belts off their trousers, and where they shuffle on socks towards a security guard that incommodes them sexually. The meeting point is the little building next door, where the hostess friendly shows you a leather settee arrangement and asks whether you like to have tea or coffee. The aircraft captain holds out a hand as an act of greeting.

So that's what things are like for the rich and famous that have settled around Lake Geneva. Aga Kahn lives here, so do David Bowie, Athina Onassis, Alain Delon and Sophia Loren, as well as people with longer names such as sheik Abdul Aziz Al-Sulaiman. Shop owner Ernesto Bertarelli (fortune: € 9 billion). The Croesus from Ikea: Ingvar Kamprad (€ 25 billion). The list doesn't end.

The clouds in the sky clear away. There's no wind. It's to the delight of those that want to jet to Portugal in a six seater. Are there actually other cars than black Cayennes ? Surely not when you look at the carpark of the terminal. Apperantly the area is a hide-away for the like-minded people.

The waiting is for Michael Schumacher. What kind of person is he ? Is he as withdrawn as they all say ? Seven times worldchampion is what he is. A mythe. A 'brand' that's known worldwide. An egomaniac. Driving in frantic cars he's a man that has been mutated in a machine himself. A man each private question bounces off from. Autistic. Inaccessible. Mysterious. But he has the reputation and that's why we're here. We, reporter and photographer (Christian Kämmerling and Jocelyn Bain Hogg - AFCA), want to cotton on to him. For two days he's allowed us to be with him from very close by. Normally he doesn't do that.

A taxi drives up. Sabine Kehm steps out. She's Schumacher's closest confidante. After his wife Corinna obviously. Michael is never far away from where Sabine is. She's got two blackberry's, one exlusively for HIM. ''Schumacher is on his way'', she says.

Michael Schumacher lives in Gland, a village directly bounded by Lake Geneva, some 15 minutes away from the airport. The newly built house - half a year ago the family moved in - has made headlines: the villa is a combination of a rococo castle and a chalet, has a 30 metre long swimming pool, a garage for two dozen cars and a park with access to the lake. The alleged price: € 40 million. You obviously remove yourself from there reluctantly.

There he is. A black estate car drives up (not a Cayenne). Schumi steps out. He's got the legendary tunnel vision, the pupils only focussed on the goal. In this case that's the boot. In there are many bags, a suitcase and helmets. He helps taking the things out. A second man - that immediately turns out to be his physiotheraphist (Michael Harner - AFCA), always traveling along - helps. The captain of the airplane lends himself to being baggage porter. Over his shirt Schumi wears a crucifix studded with brilliants.

Schumi. That's his name in the vernacular. As if he were a prince to the hearts of the people. Thereby he's Prince Valiant.

The guy from Kerpen, a one-horse town in the Rhenish brown coal mining district, started at the age of four in a go kart with a reconstructed 5 bhp moped engine: a present from his father. As a five-year old he acclaimed his first win. Three decades later, after his 91st Grand Prix victory - he's the most successful racing driver of all time. In 2006 he said goodbye to the world of Formula 1. He has achieved everything that can be achieved in the royal league of four wheeled motorsports.

Of late he's been racing on two wheels as well, Schumi just does what he can't resist. He needs the tyre pressure, the smell in the pitbox, the kick. Life has to go on in some way, and an engine is simply part of that. In January Michael Schumacher will turn 40.

So he's a private citizen that flies to his private leisure activities in his private plane. And that's bike racing, his new hobby. Is it really an alternative to Ferrari's cockpit ?

Michael Schumacher is surprisingly chicly dressed for a bloke that flies to Portugal to test bikes. He's wearing black trousers from Dolce & Gabbana, with that a floral white shirt and a dark sports jacket.

The luggage has been loaded on board. Oh well, there are the reporters. A short handshake. A motorial smile. He would now rather be alone. What else would you be having a private plane for ? He's the most peculiar bike rider in the world. He's the most cryptical private man in the world. The fact the world wonders about that is clear to him also.

''Everything's ready for takeoff'', the captain says. We're walking over the landing field to the Hawker, which engines have already been started. The machine takes off. The Hawker is a flying living room. Firstly Schumi takes a little nap. A power-nap. After a few minutes he's wide awake again.

Q: How do you fall fast-asleep on command like that ?
Schumacher: ''I've only been able to really do that in the last ten years of my career. I was too tense for that at the very start. To sleep for two or three minutes gives me a lot of energy.''

Q: Did you use to sleep shortly before the Grand Prix' ? No coffee or something to adrenalise yourself ?
Schumacher: ''I'm not a coffee drinker. Coffee has a contrary effect for me, it makes me feel unwell. You have to be wide awake during a race. I best recuperate by sleeping.''

Q: A great sight from up here. Can you recognise certain mountains from their shape ?
Schumacher: ''Over there is the Montblanc. That one's easy to recognise when it's not covered in clouds. But normally in an airplane I do something different than looking through the window. I only have a quick look after the start whether or not I see our house.''

Q: Do you have country-bound feelings when you recognise Lake Geneva down there ?
Schumacher: ''Each time it's a nice feeling, yes. The area is simply wonderful. Therefore we decided to settle ourselves close to the lake. The landscape. This is where we feel at home. Despite my non-existent knowledge of French.''

Q: What criteria did you have looking for a house ?
Schumacher: ''Privacy and safety. They had to be guaranteed. And the cleanliness of course.''

Q: Cleanliness ?
Schumacher: ''When I come back from an international trip I always find it extremely eye-catching how clean everything is here. There are no plastic bags on the side of the street. Everything's tidy, the streets are clean.''

Q: What do you miss when you think about Germany ?
Schumacher: ''What I miss most is that I can't quickly pay a visit my father. Or that my old mates are no longer always around me.''

Q: Any homesickness for the high rate of taxes ?
Schumacher: ''Not really.''

Q: Do you miss proper bread ?
Schumacher: ''I like having sturdy multi-grain bread. But by now you can get that here as well. There are even Aldi's.''

Q: Why are you actually not sitting in the cockpit ? A pilot's license is still missing in your portfolio.
Schumacher: ''Very simple: sitting there at the front is too boring for me. The start and the landing are interesting, the rest is routine. Moreover: I often fly over long distances, I need a pretty big plane for that, and to then sit in the narrow cockpit while no one's sitting in the big passenger area in the back doesn't really make sense.''

Q: But have you tried it once ?
Schumacher: ''I like to try everything, yes. I think helicopters are more exciting. But even that is not that thrilling. I'd rather jump out of the airplane.''

Q: With or without parachute ?
Schumacher: ''With one obviously. Standing there in front of the open door of the plane is really intensive. The first time I also really suffered from fear of heights. But once you're out there in the sky it's unbelievably beautiful.''

(Schumi points his finger to a banana in the fruit basket) ''Chiquita was one of my first sponsors.''

Q: Really ?
Schumacher: ''Yes. That was around 1989. The whole team always had to eat bananas. Banana compote for breakfast, for lunch and for supper.''

Q: Bananas out of all things...
Schumacher: ''Before each race I went to the merchant and picked up the bananas. Two boxes. We didn't want them to decay.''

Q: Back then did you think you would become a seven times Formula 1 worldchampion ?
Schumacher: ''No. Financially we didn't have the possibility to really enter motorsport. I was dependent on other people that have supported me. I was always happy to have come as far I was. If things would continue, good, if not then I've had a great time.''

Q: You've never been a dreamer ?
Schumacher: ''I dream at nighttime, but during the day I'm a realist.''

Q: What kind of crucifix is that around your neck ?
Schumacher: ''It's a gift from Jean Todt. I believe his wife Michelle has designed it.''

Q: Are you superstitious ?
Schumacher: ''A little bit, yes.''

Q: Did you have a talisman in the car ?
Schumacher: ''Yes, an amulet from Corinna. Also, I always stepped into the car from the left side. That has brought me fortune.''

Q: Clearly you like jewellery. There's also shiny chain around your wrist.
Schumacher: ''Yes, I accidentally came across it in Dubai. I then bargained for it and got the chain for half the price.''

Q: How would you describe your dress style ?
Schumacher: ''I'm pretty much on the casual side. And then like to set my own trends. Corinna gives me advice and prevents me for the worst.''

Q: Would you like to look like George Clooney ?
Schumacher: ''I mean everyone has something he'd like to do without, right ? If I could change certain parts of the body then perhaps I would. On the other hand I tell myself: I am who I am.''

Q: What's your take on Obama ?
Schumacher: ''A good man I believe. But when I hear what my American friends say, then he should watch out. The arms lobby doesn't like people that are in favour for more peace in the world.''

Q: Are you interested in politics ?
Schumacher: ''I don't care a great deal about it.'' (Looks out of the window) Right, we'll be there presently. Wow, there are so many lakes in Portugal.''

At night in the hotel. Something incredible has happened. Not here in Faro, in Sao Paolo. The last Grand Prix of the season: Massa wins the race, he's bascially worldchampion already but then Hamilton makes up ground and grabs the title at the very last moment. Nerve-racking. Initially we wanted to see the race together in the hotel, where RTL is broadcasted, but the biggest racing driver of all time wasn't able to leave the trackside in time. He had to watch the historic moment in the paddock on an incomprehensible Portugese channel. Annoyingly.

21:00. Schumi knocks on my door. Watching the race together, at least the highlights. The 'Simpsons' are on now. We open up a bottle of red wine. Schumi switches to DSF. Football. He doesn't like the Simpsons. He does like the wine though.

Finally: CNN shows the showdown of the Brasilian GP. It's not the first race Michael Schumacher witnesses without a helmet on. But it's definately my first race in a Portugese hotelroom - with Michael Schumacher.

Q: What a tragedy for Ferrari !
Schumacher: ''Massa has done everything right. He was simply unlucky. On the last lap it suddenly started to rain more heavily, Timo Glock got problems: his tyres were already thirty laps old. To keep on track with worn off tyres in the rain deserves praise on its own. In one corner shortly before the end Hamilton overtook Glock and became worldchampion. Massa would have been worldchampion had Glock stayed in front. Yes, that's how it is.''

Q: How do you deal with such a situation ? Massa had the title in his bag and then suddenly he lost it...
Schumacher: ''The most important thing is time. He should process it.''

Q: Did you phone Massa after the race ?
Schumacher: ''No. I'll see him next week. He'd rather be left alone. I would want to be alone in this situation.''

Q: Whilst watching the race did you feel the urge of stepping in the car again ?
Schumacher: ''No. I have achieved everything what you can achieve in this business. I always cheer along. But it's no longer appealing to me.''

Q: Really ?
Schumacher: ''Really. For me this chapter has come to an end.''

Q: Incredible that you've been able to say goodbye so easily ?
Schumacher: ''Yes, I wouldn't have thought that myself either. And it was a big question mark: how would my life develop after my retirement ? How would I deal with such situations if I were to watch a race on television. But I believe I retired at the right time. My batteries were already pretty empty. (Schumi stands up.) It's late already. We will continue tomorrow, alright ?''

Q: ''One more question. Why do you not like the Simpsons ?
Schumacher: ''There are other things I think are more funny. Lately we've gone to a live show from Paul Panzer (stand up comedian - AFCA) for instance. Witty ! A real Colognian guy. We've already spent some nights listening to his radio interviews we have on the computer. Corinna can imitate him brilliantly. I doubled up with laughter.''

Breakfast time. Schumacher takes muesli from the hotel buffet. A long day is awaiting him. A day with the helmet on again, finally. In the morning he will test the Yamaha of the Superbike team, in the afternoon he'll be riding the Ducati. The Portimão track, near Faro, is not without danger. To be at the front you have to enter the corners at 150 km/h. Topspeed is 340 km/h. The fastest muesly from Portugal.

Q: The motorbike fascination. When did that start ?
Schumacher: ''Around 1994 the first Harley came into play. Willi, my manager, gave it to me. I had a lot of fun with it, Corinna had too. Together we've travelled the various parts of the globe, enjoying nature. Two years ago I had the feeling we've seen the best of the Harley. I asked a friend at KTM whether he not had something a little different. Shortly after I rode to Fiorano with a friend, and there we've been doing laps on various KTM models.''

Q: What are your aims ?
Schumacher: ''There are no aims. I can't win serious championships, I started at a too old age for that. My professional career is behind me, now I look for things that are fun.''

Q: When you enter a corner at 150 km/h then that looks like danger rather than fun.
Schumacher: ''You have to know at which point the risk is no longer calculable. I always drive exactly on the limit. But then there are obviously moments of fate in which you're powerless, as happened to me at Silverstone where the brakes failed.''

Q: Most readers are no racing drivers. Please explain what it's like sitting in a Formula 1 cockpit.
Schumacher: ''Let's take Malaysia, the track is very challenging there because the air is extremely hot and humid. Measured temperature in the cockpit: 60°C. There's a long straight, one half is in the sun, the other is in the shade. I can well remember one race, I kept driving in the shade because it was one or two degrees cooler. Some colleagues almost fainted. You quickly dehydrate. And you're continuously occupied switching buttons for fine-tuning. At the same time you're communicating with the team, react to traffic and think about the strategy as quick as a flash. And then you're also driving the car. Possibly at the limit.''

Q: Which skills have predestinated you to become the best racing driver of all times ?
Schumacher: ''I quarrel with that description. It sounds so arrogantly. Talent, discipline and experience are basic premises. At the end of the day many details decide, like the fine-tuning of the engine.''

Q: How hard do you have to be to be successful ? Shortly before the race in Imola 2003 you heard your mother had passed away. Nevertheless you stepped in car and won the race.
Schumacher: ''That certainly wasn't easy, not for me and not for my brother. Nevertheless it wasn't really a point of discussion whether I would drive or not. You have your obligations. And it may sound harsh but that's how life is, everyone leaves the planet at some stage. That's the normal course of things. We knew our mother's situation, we'd already dealt with it (in our minds - AFCA). But that doesn't mean I weren't to fight in the race. Although I have to admit that in this situation the cockpit probably would have been the best place for me. I was absolutely on my own there. I really craved for it.''

Q: Were you able to concentrate ?
Schumacher: ''Yes. But that was probably the only race in which there virtually was hardly any radio traffic. The team was very considerate there. That was obviously related to me having a very close friendship with Jean Todt. The team was my family.''

Q: What was the most difficult moment of your career ?
Schumacher ''Senna's fatal incident in 1994 was another such extreme moment. I was completely shocked that such tragedies could happen in our sport. That has completely shaken me up.

Q: How does your family go about this issue. Daddy goes away on a business trip and perhaps never comes back.
Schumacher: ''Our fate hits all of us somehow, somwhere. I'd have a problem if I were afraid of that. I've never left home with the fear of perhaps not coming back, instead I left with the feeling of hopefully winning the race. And my children cheered for me.''

Q: Have you already made your testament ?
Schumacher: ''Of course. By the way, I would also reccomend that to anyone not driving in Formula 1.''

Q: How do you drive in normal road traffic ?
Schumacher: ''If you want to keep your driving license in Switserland you have to wear your belt. I obviously like a bit of speed and it happened a few time that I've been flashed. Sometimes I was only stopped by policemen because they wanted an autograph.''

Q: Are you a good fellow passenger ?
Schumacher: ''Corinna drives very well. She also used to drive karts in the past. But I basically like to be behind the wheel myself.''

Q: Tell us a little about Corinna.
Schumacher: ''Corinna is an open and loveable woman. She cares about harmony, like me. Family is the most important thing for her, but she's not a homely girl. I can thank god that I have Corinna. We simply match together. After 18 years we're still happy chatting with each other. Or to fall into each other's arms.''

Q: What should one imagine thinking about your home ?
Schumacher: ''It's very cosy and warmly. There's a lot of wood. The house of course isn't small and therefore it wasn't easy to create a good atmosphere. It's completely in the hands of Corinna, I give her free rein in that.''

Q: How many dogs do you have at the moment ?
Schumacher: ''Five. Two big ones, a guard dog and a dog two play with. The third one is an Australian Shepherd. Then there are two crossbreeds from Mallorca. Corinna is someone that would like to save the world. Especially animals that can't care for themselves. Our plane is like Noah's Ark each time we come back from Mallorca.''

Q: You have an interesting ring tone on your mobile.
Schumacher: ''I have no idea what kind of melody it is. I simply like it. A mate of mine downloaded it for me.''

Q: The whistling with orchestra sounds like Once Upon a Time in the West.
Schumacher: ''Yes, could be.''

Q: Do you sometimes feel like a lonely cowboy ?
Schumacher: ''A cowboy, yes. I like that atmosphere, ridings horses to then drink beer and smoke cigars at the campfire. We've done that plenty of times. But lonely ? No. Life is only really beautiful when you can enjoy it in company.''

Q: One wouldn't think you're such a companionable type.
Schumacher: ''If I want to play football then that's difficult on my own, right ? The same goes for playing cards. I don't sit down in front of the window and open a bottle of wine for myself. Okay, sometimes perhaps, but surely it's more nicer if I can share that with friends. Or riding bikes. To work on bikes with friends, to chat and have a beer in the evening. I like to have a little group of friends like that.''

Q: Are you also available for your friends at three in the morning ?
Schumacher: ''Sure. That has happened often enough.''

Q: If your life were a film what theme melody would it have ?
Schumacher: ''Spontaneously Eye of the Tiger from Survivor comes to mind.''

Nightime at the bar of the hotel. Two beers please. Schumi is satisfied. Today he's gone faster than Randy Mamola, four time worldchampion. Not bad. Cheers. Time for a good cigar. The waiter carefully cuts it and serves it one a silver tray. Schumi prepares for smoking but then the waiter tells him: ''You're not allowed to smoke at the bar'', and points his finger towards the terrace. Homesickness emerges. In Switerserland you can smoke unhamperedly.

Where has the man with the tunnelvision gone ? Where's the inaccessible autist every question, that doesn't at least have 600 bhp, bounces off from ? He now also reacts laughingly to questions that only have 2 bhp. He's even revealed some about his private life. He's nonchalant. He has humor. In short: he's a man you like to drink a beer with. A Colognian guy. Although he always maintains the aura of a living legend.

And now ? It belongs to stories like these that sometimes odd things happen in them. Two mates pop up at the bar. Schumi embraces them cordially. The one is a mechanic, the other an engineer from the Holzhauer team. Michael Schumacher, the seven time Formula 1 worldchampion rides one of the bikes of the Holzhauer Team from Wittenberge in the Prignitz. He's doesn't feel too good for anything that has an engine and makes you have fun. Both men have driven for 3,000 km at a stretch, without pause, to transport Schumi's bike from Wittenberge to Portimão for a tyre test. And now they're thristy. Let's leave the three of them alone. Schumi and his little group of friends.''

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Cateva urari la cea de-a 40-a aniversare a septuplului Campion Mondial:

Di Montezemolo:
''Dear Michael,

Many congratulations and a happy birthday ! The years go by quickly but you continue to be in an extraordinary form. I always have in mind the many moments we've spent together, the beautiful ones but above all the difficult ones that have made our relationship ever stronger. I miss you a bit but I know you're always close to us and that your advice will still be precious both for the road cars as well as the new Formula 1 car, that will soon see the light. Between one bike race and another I remember you !''

Todt:
''Dear Michael,

All the best for your 40th birthday. You've had the nicest career a passionate of motorsports could wish for and now you can enjoy life together with your loved ones. Eventhough we will see each other in a different setting compared to that of the period from 1996 to now, I hope to stay with you for a long time to come.''

Domenicali:
''Dear Michael,

Welcome to the club of fourty-year olds ! We've almost got the same age and we've shared many years together in Maranello. You've given us a lot and I think we've given a lot to you also. We still have to cover some mileage together and your experience will be useful to us, especially in a moment like this: characterised by big changes.''

Brawn:
''Fourty years...oh well, you'll stay younger than me. I think you've been the best driver I've had the fortune to work with and one of the strongest emotions is related to you: bringing back the title to Ferrari in 2000. By looking for new challenges you've brilliantly overcome your retirement, which is certainly a shocking moment for each racing driver.''

Weber:
''It seems incredible to me that you turn fourty today when I think about the fact we've been working together for twenty years now, half the time of your life in other words. But I'm really happy for you because you can celebrate this birthday in complete serenity. And it's clear that I wish you many healthy years to come, which is the most important thing apart from the success and the joy.''

Briatore:
''I wish you all the best. I've always considered you as a champion, on and off track. The secret behind your success is that you put passion in everything you do. Thanks to your skills you've made my Benetton successful and then you've brought back Ferrari to the top. So I'm sure that in the coming fourty years there will be plenty of satisfaction.''

Massa:
''Dear Michael,

Happy birthday ! You've been an example to follow for your career and for your working method with the team but you will also be an example when it comes to retiring. When I saw you with karts in Floranopolis you had the enthusiasm of a boy: is it this secret that keeps you young ?

A hug,

Felipe.''

Noi comunicari intre FIA si FOTA

Max Mosley a trimis o noua scrisoare adresata Formula One Teams Association prin care cere un ritm mai ridicat al introducerii masurilor de reducere a costurilor.

E vorba in primul rand de o reducere la 17.000 RPM a turatiei maxime incepand cu 2010, propuneri cu privire la standardizarea anumitor componente de sasiu, luarea unei decizii cu privire la alegerea unui singur tip de sistem KERS - mecanic sau electromagnetic - sau chiar posibilitatea introducerii unui sistem tip 'grila de start inversata'.

Max Mosley vorbeste de asemenea despre necesitatea sporirii spectacolului, spunand practic ca FIA este de acord cu folosirea aripilor care se misca : "[...] Din pacate niciuna dintre aceste masuri nu se poate adresa urmatoarei probleme: atunci cand o masina mai rapida trece in fata, aceasta se indeparteaza cu usurinta. Astfel ca niciuna dintre aceste propuneri nu duce la lupte roata-la-roata. Intentionam sa cautam ajutorul FOTA in cercetarea introducerii elementelor aerodinamice care se misca. Suficient de bine gandite, acestea ar putea oferi masinii care urmareste un avantaj de performanta prin simplul fapt ca se afla in spate. Intr-o forma mai putin elaborata, asa se intampla in anii '60, cand o masina se 'agata', pierdea din portanta si era mai rapida in siajul unei alte masini. Rezultau lupte roata-la-roata pe asa-numitele circuite de siaj, de exemplu Monza inainte de a fi introduse sicanele. Folosind tehnologie moderna, elementele aero care se pot misca vor oferi masinilor mai multa apasare aerodinamica si mai putina rezistenta la inaintare in turbulente."

FOTA a raspuns printr-un comunicat:
"Comitetul Executiv al FOTA s-a intalnit astazi in Heathrow pentru a continua progresele in ceea ce priveste initiativele de reducere a costurilor. Echipele au detaliat si au semnat un eleborat Acord de Restrictii pentru Testele Aerodinamice ce va intra in vigoare in 2009."

"Mai mult, echipele au cazut de acord cu dezvoltarea si 'inghetarea' unei transmisii cu un pret redus pentru sezonale 2010/12 care va avea o viata de sase curse consecutive si va costa 1,5 milioane Euro per echipa, per sezon. FOTA a reconfirmat angajamentul pentru furnizarea de motoare echipelor private la pretul de 5 miloane Euro in 2010. Technical Regulation Working Group al FOTA va stabili eliminarea meterialelor costisitoare si va identifica viitoare posibilitati de a reduce costurile componentelor si sistemelor care nu aduc diferente de performanta semnificativa."

"Toate echipele prezente doresc sa-si exprime sustinerea pentru concurentul cunoscut acum sub numele de Honda si acestea vor fi de acord cu orice schimbare de nume care va fi inregistrata."

Richards nu face parte din duzina de posibili cumparatori ai Honda F1

Boss-ul Prodrive si fostul manager al BAR Honda, David Richard, a anuntat astazi la Autosport International Show ca, avand in vedere vremurile incerte, nu va cumpara Honda.

Richards s-a aflat pe lista posibililor salvatori ai echipei alaturi de alti cativa sustinatori din Kuweit, insa astazi a confirmat ca nu va prelua echipa; principalele cauze enumerate de acesta constau in faptul ca, dupa parerea sa, masurile luate de FIA pentru reducerea costurilor nu sunt suficient de agresive si ca afacerea n-ar fi una profitabila.

"Am facut clar faptul ca as lua in calcul o revenire sau o implicare doar in cazul in care as putea crede ca vom fi competitivi - si nimeni nu se asteapta sa castigi in Formula 1 din primul an. Trebuie de asemenea sa fie ceva viabil din punct de vedere financiar. Stii ca trebuie sa investesti, dar trebuie de asemenea sa fii sigur ca merita. Personal cred ca situatia actuala este prea tulbure" a spus Richards.

"Procesul gandit de reducere a costurilor nu ofera inca beneficii si cred ca pana in 2010 nu vom vedea o imbunatatire a situatiei. Echipele inca au multe greutati financiare pe care trebuie sa le acopere. In consecinta, avand in vedere momentului intrarii, imi pun intrebarea daca e bine sa faci un astfel de pas chiar acum. Sincer sa fiu, consider ca [masurile propuse pentru reducerea costurilor] sunt doar incercari modeste. Cand faci schimbari, si esti nevoit sa revii la un nivel acceptabil din punct de vedere financiar, faci acea singura miscare radicala, cat mai direct, pentru a ajunge unde iti doresti si apoi cladesti mai departe. Nu trebuie sa adopti 1000 de scurtaturi pentru a face una majora. Daca as fi implicat in asta as forta mai puternic pentru masuri mult mai rapide si decisive."

David Richards a continuat intr-un ton chiar mai dur la adresa FIA: "Daca Formula 1 nu se va reconecta la fani si la omul normal, si nu va reveni cu picioarele pe pamant, mi-e teama pentru viitorul acestui sport. Stiu ca exista cativa oameni care activeaza la varf ce vor sa rezolve aceasta problema de care sunt prefect constienti... In acest moment e nevoie de un medicament nu foarte bun la gust, dar carw trebuie luat."

Lasand la o parte atacul lui Richards asupra oamenilor care conduc acest sport, care este unul deloc deplasat pana la urma, confirmarea acestuia prin care oamenii angajati la Honda Racing F1 Team au aflat ca una dintre posibilele salvari a esuat, nu este binevenita. Pe de alta parte, poate ca deja s-a decis viitorul cumparator al structurilor japonezilor. Nick Fry a declarat, la acelasi show organizat de Autosport, ca in acest moment exista circa 12 posibili investitori interesati dupa ce initial fusesera analizate mai mult de 30 de oferte: "Am ajuns la circa o duzina de grupuri interesate, iar acum discutam cu Honda despre cel mai bun pariu pentru viitor. Chiar la inceputul acestui proces Bernie Ecclestone a spus ca e 100% sigur in ceea ce priveste prezenta noastra pe grila de start din Melbourne, dar trebuie sa spun ca nu imi dadeam seama de unde vine increderea sa. Dar am parcurs acest proces, iar increderea mea, bazata pe ceea ce am vazut, a crescut - poate nu intr-un procent de 100%, dar destul de aproape."

Brawn confirma discutiile cu Ferrari

Ross Brawn a confirmat faptul ca echipa pusa de japonezi la vanzare discuta cu Ferrari pentru furnizarea propulsoarelor in 2009.

Omul care s-a confundat cu Ferrari pana nu demult a declarat pentru Gazzetta dello Sport ca, alaturi de Nick Fry, se afla in discutii cu Scuderia pentru un contract de furnizare a motoarelor. Ross Brawn: "Honda a spus deja ca nu ne vor furniza motoare, astfel ca din acest motiv am contactat Ferrari. Inca n-am semnat nimic, apreciez nespus sprijinul Presedintelui Luca di Montezemolo si Stefano Domenicali. Parca as fi alaturi de vechi colegi de scoala: inca ma vad ca pe unul de-al lor. Nu e nicio graba, caci montarea unui nou motor presupune cel putin sase saptamani de munca. E putin probabil sa facem teste pe parcursul iernii."

Desi pana acum nu s-a anuntat niciun posibil cumparator de structurii Honda in ciuda mai multor zvonuri infirmate din toate taberele (cel mai nou fiind acela cu privire la implicarea lui Michael Schumacher pentru slavarea team-ului), Ross Brawn ramane increzator, referindu-se chiar la 2010 si spunand ca 2009 va ramane in continuare un an de tranzitie pentru echipa: "Pot spune doar ca exista mai mult de una [companii cu care se poarta discutii]. Obiectivul este salvarea locurilor de munca... prezenta mea nu reprezinta o prioritate. Studiem un pachet pentru 2010, atunci cand tinta este sa facem pasi inainte in pluton. Sezonul ce urmeaza va ramane si acesta unul de tranzitie pentru noi."

Start 2009

Victoria lui Hamilton din ultimele secunde ale cursei din Brazilia in lupta pentru titlul de Campion Mondial pare deja departe acum, la inceput de 2009, caci urmeaza un nou sezon de Formula 1 de la care asteptarile sunt foarte ridicate.

2008 a fost un sezon in care FIA a incercat sa obtina un echilibru cat mai mare intre echipe, insa 2009 vine cu un regulament tehnic mult schimbat (revin slick-urile, pachetele aerodinamice la care se lucra cu lunile pentru doar una ori doua curse vor fi de domeniul trecutului, etc) si, practic, oricine are acum sansa de la lupta la varf - de la McLaren Mercedes pana la Force India; ei bine, nu chiar oricine, caci stim cu totii situatia Honda... Totul va depinde de interpretarea cu succes a noului regulament tehnic si de cat de competitive se vor dovedi noile sasiuri 'out of the box' - dezvoltarile pe parcursul sezonului ar trebui sa fie putine spre deloc avand in vedere restrictionarea folosirii tunelelor aerodinamice, restrangerea testelor, motoarele sunt oricum 'blocate'. Astfel, testele ce urmeaza inainte de 29 martie (prima etapa) vor fi de o importanta covarsitoare.

De la sfarsitul sezonului competitional 2008 au avut loc pana acum 8 sesiuni de teste, iar Ferrari au alergat in 12 zile (doua dintre acestea fiindu-i alocate lui Rossi la Mugello); Williams au inregistrat 10 zile de teste, iar BMW Sauber si McLaren cate 9. Urmeaza Renault, Toro Rosso, Red Bull si Toyota cu cate 6 zile, in timp ce Force India si Honda au testat pentru numai trei zile.

Teste intersezon
	Data	Circuit	Echipe prezente/Cel mai rapid tur
1	17-19 Nov 2008	Catalunya	BMW Sauber, Ferrari, Force India, Honda, McLaren, Red Bull, Renault, Toro Rosso, Williams 1'19.295 (Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull/Renault)
2	20-21 Nov 2008	Mugello	Ferrari 1'22.55 (Valentino Rossi, Ferrari)
3	27 Nov 2008	Fiorano	Ferrari 59.111 (Mirko Bortolotti, Ferrari)
4	8-11 Dec 2008	Jerez	BMW Sauber, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toro Rosso, Williams 1'17.258 (Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso/Ferrari)
5	10-12 Dec 2008	Bahrain	Toyota 1'32.463 (Jarno Trulli, Toyota)
6	15-17 Dec 2008	Jerez	BMW Sauber, Red Bull, Williams 1'16.617 (Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull/Renault)
7	15-17 Dec 2008	Algarve	Ferrari, McLaren 1'28.993 (Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren/Mercedes)
8	15-17 Dec 2008	Bahrain	Toyota 1'32.090 (Timo Glock, Toyota)

Iata insa cum arata clasamentul kilometrilor pacursi pana acum in intersezon:

	Echipa	km
1	Toro Rosso Ferrari	6.243
2	BMW Sauber	6.024
3	Ferrari	5.369
4	Williams Toyota	4.514
5	Toyota	4.357
6	McLaren Mercedes	3.847
7	Red Bull Renault	3.355
8	Renault	3.094
9	Honda	2.723
10	Force India	2.323

Asadar, Toro Rosso este echipa cu cei mai multi kilometri parcursi pana acum, insa BMW Sauber sunt cei care atrag atentia in acest clasament. Toro Rosso au testat foarte mult, insa obiectivul lor principal nu a fost acela de a pune bazele monopostului de specificatie 2009, ci de a gasi cel mai potrivit line-up pentru sezonul ce urmeaza - Buemi a completat de unul singur 4.215 km din totalul de 6.243 al italienilor - ceea ce, mai mult sau mai putin, inseamna ca unul dintre scaunele STR4-ului are deja masurile. Se poate deci spune ca cea mai buna pregatire pentru 2009 a fost facuta de BMW Sauber - ei au acoperit o distanta mai mare chiar si decat Ferrari sau (si mai semnificativ) McLaren, iar asta in conditiile in care Heidfeld, Kubica si Klien au avut la dispozitie mai mereu monoposturi care respectau deja regulamentul sub care se va alerga in 2009 - ceea ce nu se poate spune despre McLaren si mai ales Ferrari. Desigur, nu inseamna ca Heidfeld si Kubica vor reusi la Melbourne o noua dubla pentru BMW Sauber, insa in nicin caz patratosului F1.09 nu-i vor dauna kilometri parcursi in 2008.

Pana la prima etapa a noului sezon vor mai exista cateva sesiune de teste pentru pregatirea monoposturilor - cel mai probabil vor mai exista si alte teste private:

19 ianuarie - Algarve, Portugalia
20 ianuarie - Algarve, Portugalia
21 ianuarie - Algarve, Portugalia
22 ianuarie - Algarve, Portugalia
10 februarie - Jerez, Spania
11 februarie - Jerez, Spania
12 februarie - Jerez, Spania
2 martie - Jerez, Spania
3 martie - Jerez, Spania
4 martie - Jerez, Spania

In afara de cursele in sine, lansarile noilor monoposturi au reprezentat mereu un trademark important in Formula 1. S-ar parea ca in acest sezon premierele nu vor mai fi la fel de fastuoase ca in trecut din cauza crizei mondiale, insa noile pachete aerodinamice impuse de regulamentul pentru 2009 fac ca fanii acestui sport sa astepte cu sufletul la gura masinile mai "simple" incaltate in sfarsit cu pneurile potrivite. Desi inca neconfirmat in mod oficial, Ferrari-ul F2009 va fi aratat lumii pe 12 ianuarie la Fiorano; Toro Rosso, Force India si Honda (n-o putem numi atfel pana cand nu aflam care va fi cumparatorul structurii japonezilor) n-au facut publice datele de lansare a noilor bolizi, insa restul echipelor da:

Ferrari F2009 - 12 ianuarie
Toyota TF109 - 15 ianuarie
McLaren MP4-24 - 16 ianuarie
Renault R29 - 19 ianuarie
Williams-Toyota FW31 - 19 ianuarie
BMW Sauber F1.09 - 20 ianuarie
Red Bull-Renault RB5 - 9 februarie
Toro Rosso-Ferrari STR4 - ???
Force India-Mercedes VJM02 - ???
??? RA109 - ???

Avem ceva modificari si in privinta calendarului competitional pentru 2009; sunt programate 17 etape, cu una mai putin decat anul trecut, un circuit nou si cateva permutari. Australia va reprezenta din nou etapa de debut a sezonului, iar Marele Premiu al Chinei a fost mutat pe pozitia a treia a calendarului. Marele Premiu al Germaniei va fi organizat in acest an la Nurburgring, in timp ce Suzuka va reveni - la fel ca in cazul Germaniei, Japonia alterneaza intre Fuji si Suzuka organizarea de Mari Premii. La rubrica 'circuite pierdute' vom bifa din pacate Marele Premiu al Canadei, iar Formula 1 nu va mai merge in acest an pe continentul american; de asemenea, nici Franta nu va mai avea un Grand Prix in 2009. Sezonul se va incheia pe noul circuit Yas Marina din Abu Dhabi, Emiratele Arabe Unite - singura premiera din 2009.

Calendar competitional 2009
	Data	Mare Premiu	Circuit	Tururi	Distanta
1	29 Mar	Australia	Melbourne	58	307.574
2	5 Apr	Malaiezia	Sepang	56	310.408
3	19 Apr	China	Shanghai	56	305.066
4	26 Apr	Bahrain	Bahrain	57	308.238
5	10 May	Spania	Catalunya	66	307.104
6	24 May	Monaco	Monte Carlo	78	260.520
7	7 Jun	Turcia	Istanbul	58	309.396
8	21 Jun	Marea Britanie	Silverstone	60	308.355
9	12 Jul	Germania	Nurburgring	60	308.863
10	26 Jul	Ungaria	Hungaroring	70	306.630
11	23 Aug	Europa	Valencia (stradal)	57	308.883
12	30 Aug	Belgia	Spa-Francorchamps	44	308.052
13	13 Sep	Italia	Monza	53	306.720
14	27 Sep	Singapore	Singapore	61	308.950
15	4 Oct	Japonia	Suzuka	53	307.573
16	18 Oct	Brazilia	Interlagos	71	305.909
17	1 Nov	Abu Dhabi	Abu Dhabi	-	-

In aceste vremuri de restriste pilotii aliniati pe grila de start vor fi cam aceiasi; David Coulthard a renuntat la cariera sa de pilot de cursa si va continua alaturi de Red Bull ca si consultant, indeplinind in acelasi timp, sporadic, si rolul de pilot de teste. Totusi, scotianul a avut macar parte de o retragere, lucru pe care nu-l poate spune si Rubens Barrichello, pilot al carui viitor in acest sport este departe de a fi sigur chiar si in cazul in care Honda ar gasi un cumparator pentru echipa din Formula 1. Cealalta echipa despre care nu stim cu ce piloti va ataca sezonul 2009 este Toro Rosso, iar pentru cele doua volane lupta Bourdais, Sato si Buemi - poate chiar si Jenson Button in ciuda declaratiilor sale prin care spune ca prefera sa se scufunde odata cu corabia japoneza in cazul in care nu s-ar mai gasi niciun salvator dupa ce acesta s-a izbit de iceberg-ul intruchipat de criza mondiala. McLaren, Ferrari, BMW Sauber, Renault, Toyota si Force India si-au pastrat pilotii si pentru 2009, iar singura modificare este notata in dreptul Red Bull - Vettel i-a luat locul lui David Coulthard. O alta modificare fata de 2008 o reprezinta parteneriatul intre McLaren Mercedes si Force India, indienii renuntand la motoarele Ferrari si alegandu-le pe cele nemtesti.

Constructor	Motor	Nr Concurs	Pilot
McLaren	Mercedes	1	Lewis Hamilton
		2	Heikki Kovalainen
Ferrari	Ferrari	3	Felipe Massa
		4	Kimi Raikkonen
BMW Sauber	BMW	5	Robert Kubica
		6	Nick Heidfeld
Renault	Renault	7	Fernando Alonso
		8	Nelson Piquet jr
Toyota	Toyota	9	Jarno Trulli
		10	Timo Glock
Toro Rosso	Ferrari	11	Sebastian Bourdais
		12	Sebastien Buemi
		12	Takuma Sato
Red Bull	Renault	14	Mark Webber
		15	Sebastian Vettel
Williams	Toyota	16	Nico Rosberg
		17	Kazuki Nakajima
???	Honda	18	Jenson Button
		19	Rubens Barrichello
Force India	Mercedes	20	Adrian Sutil
		21	Giancarlo Fisichella

Unele dintre modificarile regulamentului:
- posibilitatea folosirii sistemului de recuperare e energiei cinetice, KERS, sistem pe care, cel mai probabil, nu toate echipele il vor avea pregatit pentru primele etape ale sezonului
- pilotii vor avea posibilitatea reglarii unghiului de atac al aripii fata - 6 grade; acestia vor putea face un maximum de doua astfel de modificari pe parcursul unui tur de pista
- pneurile slick vor reveni in Formula 1 - pentru prima data dupa ce odata cu sezonul 1998 fusesera interzise
- viata motoarelor a fost prelungita la trei Mari Premii consecutive; asa-numitul joker (primul schimb de motor) va ramane in vigoare
- nu vor exista teste pe parcusul sezonului si s-a votat un buget maxim in care fiecare echipa trebuie sa se incadreze.
- posibilitatea introducerii sistemului de premiere cu medalii; medalii de bronz, argint si aur, iar pilotul care la sfarsitul sezonului aduna cele mai multe medalii de aur va castiga titlul. O idee promovata de Bernie Ecclestone pentru incurajarea depasirilor.
- LG a devenit partenerul FOM si logo-ul firmei va aparea in live timing si in grafica oferita la fiecare Mare Premiu