Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

The kick-off for the 2010 Formula 1 season officially began today with Friday practice on the Sakhir Circuit in Bahrain. Qualifying will be on Saturday and the season’s first race on Sunday.

Live coverage will once again be provided by the BBC with commentators Jake Humphrey, David Coulthard, Eddie Jordan, Jonathan Legard, and (my favorite) Martin Brundle. Being an avid fan of Formula 1 racing in the states does require a bit of creativity in order to watch the races. Thankfully, the Internets is a wonderful provider and, although the races are no longer live when I am able to watch them, I can still enjoy the excellent coverage provided by the BBC.

Three new teams have made it onto the grid; Virgin Racing, Lotus, and Hispania Racing. Hispania Racing was saved at the last minute and this Friday’s practice will be the first time that the team and its two rookie drivers will have the opportunity of testing out their new car. There has been a little grumbling from some of the more established teams in regards to all of the new drivers and the lack of proper preparation of the new teams. There are concerns that the pace of these cars may become a hindrance. In fact, the new teams are so far off the pace of the other cars that Lotus, Virgin and HRT could end up being little more than moving chicanes.

An interesting side note for this year:
Richard Branson (of Virgin Racing and Virgin Airlines fame) has a bet with Tony Fernandes (Lotus and AirAsia). The two have agreed that the loser of this season’s racing will don a stewardess uniform and work on the winner’s airline for one full day.

What has become of USF1? Citing financial difficulties, Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson have pulled out of Formula 1 racing this season. They had petitioned the FIA to keep their slot open for the 2011 season, however, this request has been denied. It is also possible that USF1 may receive a penalty for not holding up their end of the bargain. Meanwhile, Stefan GP, the Serbian backed team who bought up Toyota, has also been denied entrance onto the grid.

Formula 1 is not without its politics, controversies and surprises. With the ban on refueling, the reappearance of Michael Schumacher, and no runaway leader, this season should be an exciting one.

March 12th, 2010 | Tags: | Category: Formula 1 | 2 comments

Formula 1 2010 Driver Lineup (Updated)

I thought that I had waited long enough before posting the 2010 season driver lineup. One of the new teams, Hispania Racing, has “miracled” their way onto the grid. Also, Sauber’s team has been finalized. So, here is take two for the driver lineup:

Mclaren:
Jensen Button – #1
Lewis Hamilton – #2 		Mercedes GP:
Michael Schumacher – #3
Nico Rosberg – #4
Red Bull:
Sebastian Vettel – #5
Mark Webber – #6 		Ferrari:
Felipe Massa – #7
Fernando Alonso – #8
Williams:
Rubens Barrichello – #9
Nico Hulkenberg – #10 		Renault:
Robert Kubica – #11
Vitaly Petrov – #12
Force India:
Adrian Sutil – #13
Vitantonio Liuzzi – #14 		Toro Rosso:
Sebastien Buemi – #15
Jaime Alguersuari – #17
Lotus:
Heikki Kovalainen – #18
Jarno Trulli – #19 		Hispania Racing:
Karun Chandhok – #20
Bruno Senna – #21
BMW Sauber:
Pedro de la Rosa – #22
Kamui Kobayashi – #23 		Virgin:
Timo Glock – #24
Lucas di Grassi – #25
March 8th, 2010 | Tags: | Category: Formula 1 | Leave a comment

Formula One Teams 2010 ~ Hispania Racing

With the Bahrain Grand Prix starting next weekend, a new team has slid into place on the grid. Hispania Racing, formerly Campos Meta, had struggled with financial difficulties and looked as if they would be a no show. However, a last minute deal saw the team purchased by Spanish businessman Jose Ramon Carabante. Although, the team has missed out on all pre-season testing, they are prepared to make it to the grid in Bahrain.

Hispania Racing Team – Spain

Drivers:
Bruno Senna – Brazil
Karun Chandhok – India

Team Principal:
Colin Kolles

Technical Specifications:
The chassis for the Hispania challenger was built by Dallara and the car will be powered by a Cosworth engine.

March 7th, 2010 | Tags: , | Category: Rambles | Leave a comment

Formula 1 2010 Driver Lineup

Pre-season testing has officially come to a close as the clock continues to countdown the remaining days until the first Grand Prix in Bahrain, March 14th. Two of the new start up teams, having run into financial difficulties, are still scrambling to make their debut appearances. Although it appears that Campos Meta has been saved, US F1′s future still remains in serious doubt. Meanwhile, Stefan GP is still making waves and hoping to gain FIA acceptance and be on the grid in Bahrain.

Here is the driver lineup and car numbers for all of the confirmed teams:

Mclaren:
Jensen Button – #1
Lewis Hamilton – #2 		Mercedes GP:
Michael Schumacher – #3
Nico Rosberg – #4
Red Bull:
Sebastian Vettel – #5
Mark Webber – #6 		Ferrari:
Felipe Massa – #7
Fernando Alonso – #8
Williams:
Rubens Barrichello – #9
Nico Hulkenberg – #10 		Renault:
Robert Kubica – #11
Vitaly Petrov – #12
Force India:
Adrian Sutil – #13
Vitantonio Liuzzi – #14 		Toro Rosso:
Sebastien Buemi – #15
Jaime Alguersuari – #17
Lotus:
Heikki Kovalainen – #18
Jarno Trulli – #19 		Virgin:
Timo Glock – #24
Lucas di Grassi – #25
February 28th, 2010 | Tags: | Category: Formula 1 | Leave a comment

Formula One Teams 2010 ~ Lotus

Technically this is not a new Formula 1 team. Lotus was one of the top F1 teams during the 1950′s thru the 1970′s; winning 7 constructors championships and 6 drivers championships during that period. The company began to struggle in the 80′s after the death of Colin Chapman, Lotus Engineering’s founder, of a heart attack in 1982. Poor car designs followed by mounting debts eventually saw the end of the Lotus era. The team’s last race was in Australia in 1994. The Lotus name is back for 2010 under new management with the full support of Chapman’s family and sporting the ever familiar green and yellow.

Lotus Racing – Malaysia
Drivers:
Heikki Kovalainen – Finland
Jarno Trulli – Italy

Team Principal:
Tony Fernandes



    Technical Specifications:

  • Engine: Cosworth V8 CA2010
  • Chassis material: Carbon fibre
  • Dampers: Panske
  • Gearbox: X-Trac
  • Clutch: AP Carbon Multi Plate
  • Wheels: BBS to Lotus spec

February 13th, 2010 | Tags: , | Category: Formula 1 | Leave a comment
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