Slightly lost amid the World Motor Sports Council hearing about the Renault Crashgate, the FIA announced the 2010 Formula One schedule. As has been rumoured for several months, the Canadian Grand Prix will be on the schedule. Despite being left off the previously released provisional schedule, the South Korean Grand Prix is listed on this version of the 2010 calendar. There will be a total of 19 races in 2010 starting in mid-March and running through to mid-November. The full schedule and analysis after the jump. Continue reading
Formula One
Formula 1: Renault Given Two Year Suspended Ban
The latest in a series of controversial events that have damaged the reputation of Formula One appears to have come to an end. Earlier today, the World Motor Sport Council found Renault guilty of charges of race fixing. That didn’t come as a surprise because Renault did not contest the charges brought against them. What did come as a surprise was the punishment (or lack there of) that Renault was given. The team was given a suspended two year ban. Continue reading
Chase For The F1 Championship
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has been pushing hard to get a medal system implemented to determine the winner of the F1 World Championship. His proposed system has the driver winning the most race being named the champion. His proposal comes despite the fact that the last two seasons have seen the title decided in the final race of the year and by a single point each time. The points system changed back in 2003 to keep the championship race alive for longer. This system works but what if Bernie still wants to make a change? What if he was to borrow an American idea? Continue reading
Formula 1: Renault Accepts Crashgate Charges
The whole F1 world has been very nearly turned on its head. Today, Renault F1 announced that they would not contest the charges brought against them that they told Nelson Piquet Jr. to intentionally crash his car in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Additionally, team principal Flavio Briatore and director of engineering Pat Symonds resigned from the team effective immediately. Continue reading
F1 Italian GP: Barrichello and Brawn Triumph at Monza… Again
They may be at different teams than when they had their best years but Rubens Barrichello and Ross Brawn were winners again at Monza. Both were very successful at the historic Monza Circuit when they were with Ferrari. A few years after parting company with the Scuderia, they replayed the familiar scene of Ross on the pit wall guiding Rubens to the top step of the podium. The Brawn 1-2 allows everyone back at the factory to breathe easier after Red Bull had an atrocious day. Atrocious is also how we could describe the last couple of weeks for Renault, too. Continue reading
Nelson Piquet Statement About Crash-Gate Leaks
The problems for Renault F1 seem to be far more serious than anyone might have first thought. As I had first predicted after the Belgian Grand Prix, it was Nelson Piquet Jr. who informed the FIA that Renault told him to crash to put Fernando Alonso in a position to win. In a four page statement made to the FIA, Piquet gave details of a pre-race meeting between himself, Flavio Briatore (Renault team principal), and Pat Symonds (director of engineering) that outlined their plan for the race. Piquet’s full statement and analysis after the jump. Continue reading
Fisichella to Replace Badoer at Ferrari
The most recent worst kept secret in Formula One has been confirmed. Giancarlo Fisichella has been released from his Force India contract and has signed with Ferrari for the remainder of the 2009 season. Continue reading
F1 Belgian GP: Forza Ferrari and Fisichella
Spa is known for having exciting and unpredictable racing but no one could have possibly imagined that a Force India would sit on the pole for the Belgian Grand Prix. I doubt anyone would have thought that Giancarlo Fisichella would have taken his Force India and pushed race winner Kimi Raikkonen for the whole race, as well. But that’s what happened in a finish that was even crazier than last year’s dry and wet battle between Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton. Continue reading
Rumored 2010 Formula One Schedule Leaked
A draft version of the 2010 Formula One calendar has been circulating the paddock area at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. The schedule confirms what Bernie Ecclestone told a Swiss newspaper that the Canadian Grand Prix will be returning to F1. The 2010 F1 season will be 18 races long running from mid-March to the beginning of November. Continue reading
Formula 1: Schumacher Ends Comeback Bid
After a two week long build up to the Formula One comeback of all time, the fans are left disappointed. Michael Schumacher announced that the pain in his neck stemming from a motorcycle accident earlier this year would allow him to race at the European Grand Prix at Valencia. He re-aggravated his injury while testing a privately-owned Ferrari F2007. Continue reading
The Lowdown 