F1
2004 AUTO
RACING NEWS
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FORMULA
1: ALBERS' F1 DEBUT IN 2005 (DEC 24)
25 year old Dutchman will make his F1 debut in 2005 with Minardi.
He is a 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"
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FORMULA
1: COULTHARD JOINS RED BULL (DEC 19)
After 9 years with McLaren Mercedes team David Coulthard will drive
Red Bull Cosworth next season. The new team was formed through purchase
of Jaguar Racing from Ford. 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."
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FORMULA
1 - BRITISH GP ON FOR 5 YEARS (DEC 10)
The oldest race in F1 calendar the British GP has been saved. It has
signed a 5 year contract to run the race at Silverstone. 2005 British
GP is likely to be held on July 3rd or 10th.
Richard Caborn (British Sports Minister): "This is a great day
for the future of the motor industry in the UK ... This should not
only secure the long- term future of the all the teams operating out
of the UK but will give the opportunity for others to join."
British Racing Drivers' Club (Jackie Stewart / Ray Bellm): "...
There has been much public debate on the future of the British Grand
Prix. We hope that this agreement heralds a more stable and secure
future for the race and consequently for our industry and sport in
the United Kingdom."
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FORMULA
1: NEW TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OF JORDAN (DEC 2)
Mark Smith rejoins Jordan as its Technical Director. He worked
at Jordan for 10 years before moving to Benetton F1 (Renault) in 2001.
JORDAN (E 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."
SMITH: "... Returning to Jordan has two main facets for me. Firstly,
the motivating factor is of course to play a key role in moving the
team towards the front of the F1 grid. This will be neither easy nor
instant but it is a challenge that I relish ... Secondly, this team
represents something a little special for me since I was fortunate
to have the opportunity of being one of the three designers of the
first Jordan F1 car, the 191. I am looking forward to playing a part
in what I personally regard as the next Jordan generation."
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FORMULA
1: GENE
JOINS FERRARI (NOV 23)
Marc Gené will move from Williams to Ferrari as a
test driver. Gene filled in for injured Ralf Schumacher in 2 races
this season.
FERRARI: "... Ferrari announces that it has signed an agreement
with the driver Marc Gené who will join Scuderia Ferrari as
from today, for the 2005 race season, as a test driver, working alongside
test driver Luca Badoer"
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FORMULA
1: HONDA
BUYS INTO BAR ; FRY TO SUCEED RICHARDS (NOV 20)
Japanese Honda company has bought 45% of BAR team. The majority
shareholding of 55% will be retained by British American Tobacco.
Under the new ownership structure, Nick Fry will replace David Richards
as the CEO of BAR Honda. Prodrive owned by Richards was contracted
to run the BAR team until now.
BAR (Antonio Monteiro de Castro, Director): "...
We're delighted Honda wants to increase its involvement in B*A*R which
has gone from strength to strength this season ... 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"
HONDA (Takanobu Ito, MD): "... 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".
RICHARDS (BAR, Prodrive): ".... We were brought
in by British American Tobacco to turn the team around and secure
its long-term future and that is what we have done ... I am immensely
proud of what Prodrive has achieved in a shorter time than anticipated
... I believe that B*A*R Honda is now in a very healthy position to
continue its pursuit of the World Championship. Obviously I and all
at Prodrive will take a strong interest in the fortunes of the team
in the future."
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F1, CART,
IRL: COSWORTH
SOLD TO CHAMPCAR OWNERS (NOV 16)
Ford Cosworth engine company which powers Formula 1, Champcar
and Indycar teams has been sold by Ford. The new owners are Kevin
Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe who also bought the Champcar series
this year. Cosworth has around 600 employees based in England and
US. They will be retained by the new ownership and will continue to
supply engines to all Champcar teams, Indycar Chevrolet teams as well
as Minardi and the new "Red Bull" Formula 1 teams.
FORD (Parry-Jones): "... I personally am absolutely
delighted by Kevin and Gerry's purchase of Cosworth ... They have
a tremendous history in the sport. Ford, through Cosworth has a 35-year
history in Formula One and it was a tough decision to sell off the
assets. Ford-Cosworth has a rich legacy in the sport and has powered
the most famous drivers and teams in F1"
COSWORTH (Routsis): "... This sale has been
distracting for our organization as we struggled with uncertainty
over our future. I have been delighted with the performance and professionalism
of our entire staff at Cosworth and find their activities inspirational,"
under the weight" of future employment uncertainty ... We intend
to maintain and strengthen our position in the motorsports world ...
and you may expect ongoing announcements for expansion of the Cosworth
brand."
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FORMULA
1: JAGUAR
RACING BOUGHT BY RED BULL (NOV 15)
The F1 Jaguar Racing team has been sold by Ford to Red Bull
(energy drinks company). Owned by Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz,
Red Bull is one of the most active sponsor of both car racing and
motorcycle racing as well as other adventure sports. Its sponsorship
includes Sauber F1 team and KTM MotoGP teams (125cc and 250cc GP).
The new ownership is expected to maintain the former Milton Keynes
based Jaguar staff and infrastructure for at least 3 years. Christian
Klien who
is sponsored by Red Bull is likely to be one of the drivers for the
new team.
MATESCHITZ (Red Bull): "... Our move to fully owning a Formula
One race team makes good business sense for Red Bull ... Add to this
the opportunity of being directly involved in a sport and activity
from which I derive great personal pleasure, then it is easy to understand
how delighted I am to have made this purchase ... Not only does the
ownership of this team represent the high point of our involvement
in motor racing, it is also the logical and final step in the process
we started with the Red Bull Junior programme, where we identify,
advise and promote young talent through the different formula from
Karting to the very pinnacle - Formula One."
FORD (Richard Parry-Jones): "... I am really pleased that Red
Bull has bought Jaguar Racing ... Since we made the announcement to
sell our F1 businesses in September we have received outstanding support
from the management and employees at Jaguar Racing and we have worked
very hard to secure a sale to a reputable buyer ... 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."
PURNELL (ex Jaguar): "... we've got to know the folks at Red
Bull well over the last year, first as a sponsor and now as our owner.
High energy, high motivation, high commitment - they have it all ...
Dave Pitchforth and the team have won many admirers over the last
two years, and their hard work has earned them this fabulous opportunity.
The months of uncertainty are over and this news is terrific!"
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FORMULA
1 / DTM: HAKKINEN TO RETURN TO RACING IN 2005 (NOV 7)
36 year old dual F1 champion Mika Hakkinen is set to come out of retirement
in 2005. He will drive a Mercedes car in the German Touring Car Championship
(DTM). He won the Formula 1 championship with McLaren Mercedes in
1998 and 1999. He retired in 2001 after 7 years with the McLaren Mercedes
team.
HAKKINEN: " .... After the end of my Formula One career in 2001,
I soon realised that I'm not ready to retire for good ... It was just
the right moment that Mercedes-Benz offered me to test a DTM car.
I saw immediately that I still enjoy racing very much and during the
test three weeks ago, my lap times were at the same level as those
of the touring car specialists ... I know, of course, that I first
have to get used to a DTM car to be able to fight with the front runners.
The AMG Mercedes C-Class, however, is a great car and with it I want
to be consistently competitive soon."
MERCEDES (N Haug): "... We are very happy about Mika's decision
to race in the DTM. Our engagement and the Championship will gain
a lot from his commitment. Since Mika was driving for us, he was always
interested in DTM and we talked a lot about it .... Watching the 2004
season on TV Mika has become a real DTM fan, as he told us. During
his test he proved that he didn't lose his speed. We look forward
to exciting battles next year."
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FORMULA
1: JENSON
BUTTON TO STAY WITH BAR (OCT 21)
The F1 Contractual Recognition Board has ruled in favour
of BAR so Button will have stay with the team for another year. Williams
team is hoepful of securing Button's service in 2006
BUTTON : "... Naturally I am disappointed but as a matter of
principle I firmly believe in standing by the decision ... BAR have
been extremely professional at the race track during this process,
and I expect this to continue ... I look forward to joining the Williams
team in the future."
FRANK WILLIAMS: "... Naturally we are disappointed with the CRB's
conclusion ...We took the view that Jenson was a driver worth challenging
for, and based on strong legal advice we have no regrets about making
a bid for his services ... The CRB accepted a significant number of
the BMW WilliamsF1 Team's arguments, but nevertheless found against
us ... We do not believe any further legal action in relation to this
matter to be in the broader interests of the sport ... In spite of
the CRB's conclusion, which relates to 2005, we will maintain our
close relationship with Jenson for 2006."
DAVID RICHARDS (BAR): ".. I'm delighted to confirm that we just
received the official notification that the CRB have ruled in our
favour"
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FORMULA
1: BRITISH GP IN DOUBT (OCT 1)
The oldest GP in Formula 1 history the British GP at Silverstone is
in doubt for 2005. The race organiser the British Racing Drivers'
Club is unable to pay the £8.9 m fee demanded by Bernie Ecclestone's
F1 body.
BRDC (Alex Hooton, CEO): "...We've gone as far as we can in making
cutbacks in other areas to be able to afford the Grand Prix because
we feel it is very important for the country as a whole ... The gap
between money being asked for (by Formula One) and what we can offer
is comparatively small - in single figures of millions - but the amount
is unaffordable ... The British Racing Drivers Club cannot afford
the British Grand Prix at any price."
STEWART (F1 CHAMPION): "... Even at this late stage we would
ask Mr Ecclestone and the British Government to think again and see
if we can retain the Grand Prix for the sake of the industry, sport
and the country."
ECCLESTONE(F1): "... I put the calendar together and that's it
... The deadline for contracts to be submitted was 30 September and
they didn't submit ... We've got to assume from that that they didn't
want to have an event"
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FORMULA
1: BUTTON'S FUTURE TO BE DECIDED ON OCT 16 (SEP 23)
Formula
1 Contract Recognition Board will decide on Oct 16 which team Button
can drive for next season. He has signed a contract with Williams
BMW but it is being disputed by his current team - BAR Honda.
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FORMULA
1: JAGUAR TO LEAVE FORMULA 1 (SEP 17)
Jaguar Formula 1 will finish at the end of current season. The announcement
was made as part of rationalisation by Jaguar's owner Ford to reduce
cost and improve profitability. Jaguar entered Formula 1 in 2000 by
purchasing the Stewart team. In 4 years of competition it has yet
to win a race and currently lies 7th in constructor championship.
Jaguar F1 operation and Cosworth engine (which is also used by Jordan
and Minardi) will be put up for sale. Ford World Rally programme is
also likely to end.
JAGUAR (GREENWELL, Chairman): "... Ford has decided it can no
longer make a compelling business case for any of its brands to compete
in F1 ... Jaguar's presence in F1 has been a valuable marketing and
brand awareness platform particularly outside our main markets of
the US and the UK. However it was our collective view that it is time
for Jaguar Cars to focus 100% on our core business ... Having reached
this decision our focus has turned to securing the best future for
our Formula One businesses and our employees in these businesses going
forward. We are therefore putting our Formula One businesses up for
sale."
JORDAN (E JORDAN): "... My thoughts are with the staff at Browns
Lane, Cosworth and the Jaguar Racing F1 team as they take this in.
We're saddened by the news as we've enjoyed competing against Jaguar
Racing and we have shared the same engine partner for the last two
years."
F1 (ECCLESTONE): "... I don't think they had the necessary financial
investment to be competitive and in my opinion they shouldn't have
run this year at all ... They obviously have problems and they're
closing a factory so it would have been a bit cheeky to keep the Formula
One factory going in those circumstances"
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FORMULA
1: TRULLI JOINS TOYOTA (SEP 16)
Italian Jarno Trulli who was dropped by Renault after the Italain
GP last weekend has now joined Toyota. He will drive for the Japanese
team starting in 2005 for 2 years. Trulli made his F1 debut with
Minardi in 1997. He moved through Prost and Jordan teams before
joining Renault in 2002. Early this year at Monaco he scored his
first ever pole and race win.
TOYOTA (Tomita, Director): " ....We believe that Jarno will
be the perfect team-mate to Ralf Schumacher next season ... Jarno
has really shown his maturity and all-round talent this season,
both in qualifying and in races."
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FORMULA
1: VILLEUVE RETURNS, TRULLI OUT OF RENAULT (SEP 15)
1997 F1 champion Jacques
Villeneuve will drive for Sauber F1 team from next year. He
has signed a 2 year contract. In the meantime the 33 year old Canadian
is expected to replace Jarno Trulli in Renault for the final 3 races
(China, Japan, Brazil). He will undergo seat fitting and testing
shortly.
RENAULT (F BRIATORE): "We have reached an agreement for Jacques
to test for the team at Silverstone on Wednesday and Thursday ...
This test might lead to Jacques joining the team for the final three
races of the season"
Jarno Trulli's contract with Renault was terminated early and he
is expected to drive possibly for Toyota next season. Trulli is
the only driver besides Michael Schumacher and Barrichello to win
a race this year.
SAUBER (P SAUBER): "... He (Villeneuve) was always a great
fighter and I am convinced that together we can achieve a lot ...
I have to admit that signing a former world champion is something
truly special for me ... Sauber-Petronas has made considerable progress
this year, and I am confident that we are ready to tackle the challenges
ahead"
VILLENEUVE: "... I am extremely excited to be back in Formula
One with the Sauber team ... I appreciate the confidence everybody
is showing in me"
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FORMULA
1: BUTTON STILL HOPEFUL OF WILLIAMS MOVE (SEP 7)
F1 contract recognition board will shortly decide on the future of
Jensen Button next year. Both BAR Honda and Williams BMW teams are
claiming his services next season.
BUTTON: "... It's never 100% certain but I'm pretty sure I'm
going to be with BMW Williams next year. I would rather it had been
a lot easier, I don't really like the way it has been handled at all.
It's not a nice position to be in ... We had an agreement to be with
BAR for two years, I honoured that agreement and I think I did a good
job. I think I have been a big bonus for the team. I'm sure they'll
have a good year next year but for me I need to move on and be with
a team that can challenge for the championship over the next two years
... One of the reasons why I want to move on is because I am not 100%
happy at the team, and one of the reasons I've not been happy is that
there are issues with the contract. We've tried to resolve them but
to no avail."
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FORMULA
1: BAR'S CLAIM TO BUTTON (AUG 11)
BAR issued a statement that Button will have to drive with
them next year: ".... The FIA Contract Recognition Board acknowledged,
in writing, that, as of today, the BAR Contract with Jenson Button
is the only valid contract registered for the 2005 season"
In response the Williams BMW team said: "... BAR's statement
today is misleading. BAR have registered what they believe to be a
valid claim over Jenson Button for 2005. The CRB have not endorsed
the validity of this claim, but have simply confirmed receipt of BAR's
documentation. This does not mean that their contract is valid, or
holds precedence over other contracts with Jenson Button. As a matter
of record, WilliamsF1 has a contract with Jenson Button deposited
with the CRB in October 22, 2002. Receipt of this deposit was also
acknowledged by the CRB. In the opinion of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team,
BAR have failed in their responsibility to correctly exercise certain
option clauses in their contract with Jenson Button, and as such,
their contract has expired, and Williams' contract is valid..."
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