2005 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX

2005 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX SEASON

• 19 RACES, NEW RED BULL TEAM, JORDAN TEAM SOLD, INDIAN F1 DRIVER
• LONGEST SEASON IN F1 HISTORY: 19 races
• NEW RULES: 1 set of tyres per race; no tyre change during pitstops; 1 engine to last for 2 races
• F1 ROOKIES IN 2005: Vitantonio Liuzzi , Christijan Albers, Narain Karthikeyan, Tiago Monteiro, Patrick Friesacher
• MAJOR DRIVER LINE-UP CHANGES: 15 nationalities represented including 3 German drivers and 1 Indian.
  Coulthard joins Red Bull; Montoya joins McLaren; Webber joins Williams; Villeneuve joins Sauber
• MAJOR TEAM MANAGEMENT CHANGES: Nick Fry replaces David Richards as CEO of BAR; Christian Horner and Günther Steiner replace Tony Purnell and David Pitchforth as head of Red Bull racing; Jordan switches from Ford Cosworth to Toyota engine; Eddie Jordan sells his team to Midland F1

2005 F1 RACE RESULTS: 19 rounds; 20 drivers

R19 of 19, 2005 Chinese GP, Oct 16, Shanghai

• Winner: Alonso; Pole: Alonso ** Alonso's 7th win **

R18 of 19, 2005 Japanese GP, Oct 9, Suzuka

• Winner: Raikkonen; Pole: R Schumacher ** Raikkonen's 7th win **

R17 of 19, 2005 Brazilian GP, September 25, Interlagos

• Winner: Montoya; Pole: Alonso, Renault
  *** ALONSO WINS 2005 CHAMPIONSHIP ***

R16 of 19, 2005 Belgian GP, September 11, Spa Francorchamps

• Winner: Raikkonen; Pole: Montoya, McLaren ** Raikkonen's 6th win **
• R DENNIS (McLAREN MD): "Our target is to win the remaining races and if we can come out of the season with a few more race wins we will feel quite good about ourselves ... 8 races out of 11 we have won. That is normally a season which has seen both team and driver dominate both championships .... I don't feel frustration with the past. We did everything we thought was right in the early races but Alonso got a points advantage which has allowed him to cruise a little bit. It's not over."

R15 of 19, 2005 Italian GP, September 04, Monza

• Winner: Montoya; Pole: *Raikkonen, McLaren (*lose 10 places for engine failure)
• M SCHUMACHER: "The championship was obviously lost a while ago, but we have had a lot of good years before this one."
• JACKIE STEWART: "Raikkonen is now the fastest driver in the world ... At present he has already taken over the position of the dominant driver, even ahead of Schumacher and Alonso"

R14 of 19, 2005 Turkish GP, August 21, Istanbul

• Winner: Raikkonen; Pole: Raikkonen ** 5th win **

R13 of 19, 2005 Hungarian GP, July 31, Hungaroring

• Winner: Raikkonen; Pole: M Schumacher, Ferrari ** 4th win **
  M SCHUMACHER: "I will be aiming for the next championship title as this year it is not possible "

R12 of 19, 2005 German GP, July 24, Hockenheim

• Winner: Alonso, Renault; Pole: Raikkonen, Mclaren *** 6th win for Alonso ***
  BRIATORE (RENAULT): "We are creating an incredible champion in Fernando ... He has followed me from the beginning and now it is paying off and he is making his mark."

R11 of 19, 2005 British GP, July 10, Silverstone

• Winner: Montoya; Pole: Alonso, Renault
  MONTOYA: "It's a great feeling winning my first Grand Prix for Team McLaren Mercedes"
  M SCHUMACHER: "We have been moving backwards in the last few races not forwards. We have to admit we are not good enough."

R10 of 19, 2005 French GP, July 3, Magny Cours

• Winner: Alonso, Renault ; Pole: Alonso, Renault *** 5th win ***
  RAIKKONEN: "I think we have the speed to win (the championship) but unfortunately we are a few points behind. There is a long way to go, these things can turn around "
• *BMW BUYS SAUBER F1 TEAM (JUNE 22, 2005)*

R9 of 19, 2005 US GP, June 19, Indianapolis

• Winner: M Schumacher, Ferrari ; Pole: Trulli ** first Toyota pole **
  *7 teams boycott the race due to tyre safety concern: Renault, Williams, BAR, McLaren, Toyota, Red Bull, Sauber *

R8 of 19, 2005 Canadian GP, June 12, Montreal

• Winner: Raikkonen, Mclaren ; Pole: Button ** 3rd win **
  RAIKKONEN: "We are definitely back in the championship - back and fighting again"
  R DENNIS (McLAREN): "Our approach is simple. We will not race strategically, we will race to win. To win this world championship we have to win a lot more races"

R7 of 19, 2005 European GP, May 29, Nurburgring

• Winner: Alonso, Renault ; Pole: Heidfeld, Williams
  *** NEW QUALIFYING: 1 lap on Saturday to decide the starting grid ***
  RAIKKONEN, DNF: "I am really frustrated to retire from the race in the lead on the very last lap having dominated throughout"
  M SCHUMACHER, 5TH: "A lot of work lies ahead of us, in many different areas. The whole thing is a package and you need a certain harmony which we are lacking. I always try to give my best, but sometimes even that isn't enough."

R6 of 19, 2005 Monaco GP, May 22, Monte Carlo

• Winner: Raikkonen, Mclaren ; Pole: Raikkonen ** 2nd win; 3rd pole in a row **
  TODT (FERRARI): "we need to be higher up on the grid. We were quicker today by three or four seconds, quicker than those ahead of us today, but it wasn't enough to overtake those ahead of us. We need to be better placed in qualifying."

R5 of 19, 2005 Spanish GP, May 8, Barcelona

• Winner: Raikkonen, Mclaren ; Pole: Raikkonen, Mclaren

R4 of 19, 2005 San Marino GP, April 24, Imola

• Winner: Alonso, Renault ; Pole: Raikkonen, Mclaren
  M SCHUMACHER, 2ND: "The Grand Prix of San Marino was just what the doctor ordered for all of us. Of course we had seen that we're heading in the right direction before at Bahrain, but Imola showed that we're capable of winning again."
  BAR disqualified for underwieght cars; banned from next 2 GPs

R3 of 19, 2005 Bahrain GP, April 3, Bahrain

• Winner: Alonso, Renault ; Pole: Alonso, Renault
  BRIATORE (RENAULT): "We know Ferrari will mount a fightback in the next race ..."
  ECCLESTONE: "Alonso's looking very much like the heir apparent ... He's looking like an emerging superstar in the way that Michael Schumacher did"
  GASCOYNE (TOYOTA): "Ferrari have got a lot of work to do ..."
  SCHUMACHER: "I'm expecting a few wins in the F2005. I haven't given up the fight one bit."
  DE FERRAN joins BAR-Honda as Sporting Director

R2 of 19, 2005 Malaysian GP, March 20, Sepang

• Winner: Alonso, Renault ; Pole: Alonso, Renault

R1 of 19, 2005 Australian GP, March 6, Melbourne

• Winner: Fisichella, Renault ; Pole: Fisichella, Renault

2005 F1 PRE-SEASON VIEW:    

• M SCHUMACHER (2004 CHAMPION): it will be more close and more tough because the teams will be better prepared
  "... It will probably be more or less the same drivers and teams as we have had last year fighting for the championship, but I think it will be more close and more tough because the teams will be better prepared than they were last year, so they will be fighting right from the beginning with us ... Obviously for us it will be tough as we are going to race the interim solution, but therefore we will be stronger when we get our new car and over the whole year, we will have to see which strategy is working out better ... I keep thinking that a difficult start of the season awaits us .... They will be using completely new cars which they need to learn how to set up properly and they can count on vast margins of improvement ... the season is going to be long. When you've got 19 races to drive you have to think strategically and take the whole year into consideration, so I'm actually quite optimistic."
• FERRARI (R Brawn, Tech Director): "we are facing one of the most interesting and challenging seasons for some years ... The change of regulations will definitely split the field, particularly at the beginning of the season, and the one tyre rule will bring a fascinating element to the races. As always, we cannot guarantee success, we can only guarantee that we will try our best."
• BAR (CEO, Nick Fry): "... Our 2004 performance was very pleasing but winning a race has to be the first step in our three-year plan to win the World Championship"
• McLAREN (CEO, Ron Dennis): "... Today's unveiling (of 2005 car - MP4/20, Jan 24) is the first tangible demonstration of the team's preparations for the 2005 season, a year that has the potential to be exciting and positive for all the teams, our partners and the fans alike. There is feverish work taking place across the team to achieve the best possible result for this year"
• MERCEDES (Director, Norbert Haug): "... We hope to have created a powerful package of chassis, engine and tyres, which will enable us to resume the performance and results which our team scored in the second half of the year and particularly in the final third of the season with last year's MP4-19B ..."
• WILLIAMS (Principal, Frank Williams): "... I have every confidence that our drivers will be a major catalyst this season. Not only will they be taking every opportunity to demonstrate that our decisions to employ them were well placed, but also you cannot underestimate the incentive it provides to everyone in the company, and at the trackside, to be working with new faces ... We're starting a little bit behind them (other teams), again ... But I think we've now got the means, the assets to really make some very rapid recovery. Not tomorrow morning, but over the next few months ..."
• WILLIAMS (Tech Director, S Michael):"... There is a lot of development work to do before Melbourne (season opener) to ensure that we are in a competitive position and I've no doubt that 2005 will be a long, hard battle for the Championship with competition from all the teams."
• RENAULT (President, P Faure): "... Since our return to F1 in 2002 we have set ambitious objectives and each time we have achieved them. I believe we can deliver on our promises again ... Fernando will reach his peak this year while Giancarlo is at the top of his game ... He is quick and most importantly a finisher, which is a key factor. Being able to fight for the world title means systematically collecting points with two cars. Everything is now in place for us to move up to the next level."
• JORDAN (Sporting Director, Trevor Carlin): "We're a year ahead of schedule. We're using this year as a learning year and building for 2006"
• SAUBER (Technical Director, Willy Rampf): "... Our aim must be to continue with the progress we have been making. This won't be easy, since we'll have to beat at least one of the five major works teams and at the same time keep the heavily funded Toyota team in check"
• JORDAN (Technical director Mark Smith*): "... I would be very cautious about expectations for the first races but I am confident we can start doing something once the season is under way. So don't be hasty in writing us off." (*Smith has left Jordan after just 1 month when the team was sold to Midland F1)

2005 RACE & TECHNICAL CHANGES

• QUALIFYING: two sessions (one on Saturday and one on Sunday morning). Grid decided on aggregate times from Saturday and Sunday.
• ENGINE: each engine has to last for 2 races.
• TYRES: 1 set of tyres for qualifying and the race.
• AERODYNAMICS: change to aerodynamic to generate less grip.

2005 F1 TEAM / DRIVER CHANGES:

• No more Jaguar Racing; sold by parent compnay Ford to Red Bull
  FORD/JAGUAR: "... I am really pleased that Red Bull has bought Jaguar Racing ... Red Bull is a very successful business and has been extensively involved in F1 and global motorsport for over a decade. I am very pleased to announce this outcome."
• Jordan sold to Alex Shnaider's Midland F1
  JORDAN: "... I have devoted 35 years of my life to motor racing and have had some really fantastic times ... The last fourteen years when I have been lucky enough to be involved in Formula One have been a highlight, naturally, and winning our first Grand Prix in 1998, which broke the grip that the top teams of the time had on the sport, is for me a personal triumph"
  MIDLAND (Schnaider): "... I am very pleased with this development as it will give us a season of learning, and after the takeover has been completed, the chance to be competitive faster at the pinnacle of motorsport ... Our plan to build up a team from scratch has only been altered insignificantly as the establishment of the Midland F1 team will continue according to schedule"
• Two F1 Rookies for Jordan
  Jordan under new ownership has appointed two rookie drivers: Narain Karthikeyan and Tiago Monteiro. Karthikeyan becomes the best ever Formula 1 driver from India.
  JORDAN (T Carlin): "... We have been very lucky to put together a driver line-up which gives us a really strong package in terms of youth, technical ability, speed and talent. I know Narain very well because he drove for me in 1998 in Formula 3 and I have run him in various formulas every year since then. We've won a lot of races together. He's very competitive, a super-quick driver, sometimes a little bit raw and wild in his style but he is a proven race winner and I am confident that in our environment he will thrive.He's ready for F1 now I think he'll do a good job for us."
• Honda buys 45% of BAR team
  HONDA: "... This is a natural extension of our relationship with B*A*R and is an important step for both partners. The new commitment will further strengthen the structure for cooperation with B*A*R as we push forward with our Formula One challenge".
• Nick Fry replaces David Richards as CEO of BAR team
  BAR: "... We are particularly grateful to David Richards and Prodrive for helping to achieve this improvement and providing a springboard for the next phase of the team's development"
• Mark Smith rejoins Jordan as its Technical Director
  JORDAN: "... Mark's return to us as technical director, along with the recent deal securing Toyota engines, means every reason to be optimistic for 2005."
• Jordan to be powered by Toyota engine
• Montoya to join McLaren
• Ralf Schumacher joins Toyota
• Trulli joins Toyota
• Fisichella joins Renault
• Webber joins Williams
• Villeneuve returns to F1 with Sauber
• Gene joins Ferrari as a test driver
• Coulthard joins Red Bull
  After 9 years with McLaren Mercedes team David Coulthard will drive Red Bull Cosworth next season. The 33 year old Scottish driver drove record 150 GPs with 1 team (McLaren) and has 13 career GP wins. Coulthard has signed a 1 year deal with Red Bull Racing.
  COULTHARD: "... After speaking to team owner Dietrich Mateschitz I was impressed by Red Bull Racing's plans for the future. This is definitely an exciting new team."
• Christijan Albers joins Minardi
  25 year old Dutchman will make his F1 debut in 2005. He is former Formula 3 champion. Last season he raced in German Touring (DTM) with Mercedes and finished 3rd overall.
  ALBERS: "... It has always been my dream to become a Formula One driver ... I know I have to work hard and stay focused."
  MINARDI (STODDART): "... Christijan has always been a naturally quick driver, but it is clear there is now an added maturity and focus with that ... We believe he is absolutely ready for Formula One"
• Vitantonio Liuzzi joins Red Bull
  2004 Formula 3000 champion will make his F1 debut with the new Red Bull Racing. He has signed a 1 year contract to drive the 2nd car alongside Coulthard. Luizzi will rotate his driving duties with Christian Klien.

LAST SEASON: 2004 F1 CHAMPIONSHIP

• 2004 CONSTRUCTOR CHAMPION: FERRARI (record 6th consecutive title)
• 2004 DRIVER CHAMPION: M SCHUMACHER (record 7th win title)
• RACE WINS BY SCHUMACHER IN 2004: 13 WINS
• 2004 FINAL STANDING: DRIVERS
  1 M Schumacher 148
  2 Barrichello 114
  3 Button 85
  4 Alonso 59
  5 Montoya 58
  6 Trulli 46
• 2004 FINAL STANDING: MANUFACTURER
  1 Ferrari 262 points
  2 BAR 119
  3 Renault 105
  4 Williams 88
  5 McLaren 69
  6 Sauber 34

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