2005
WORLD AUTO RACING NEWS 2005
WORLD MOTO RACING NEWS
PRESS
RELEASE
F1: New Japanese F1 team accepted (DEC
22, 2005)
- Super Aguri F1
Limited is delighted to announce that its late entry application to
participate in the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship has been
accepted by all 10 of the current F1 teams. Super Aguri F1 Limited will
now apply to the FIA to complete its Championship entry application.
The Japanese-owned team has been working around the clock to ensure
it makes the Bahrain Grand Prix deadline. It will conduct operations
from its base at the Leafield Technical Centre in Oxfordshire, UK, in
conjunction with the A.Company Inc. head office situated in Tokyo, Japan.
The team has
been intensively recruiting personnel for every department to enable
it to be ready in time to join the F1 fraternity at the first race of
the season in March.
- Aguri Suzuki,
Team Principal: "I am very happy to be able to announce
that all 10 F1 teams have approved our late entry to the Formula One
World Championship today. I would like to thank all of the teams for
approving our late entry and assure them that the Super Aguri F1 team
will cooperate and do our best to reach your expectations. We appreciate
your support and we will not let you down."
- Daniel
Audetto, Managing Director: "I am very proud to be part
of the new Super Aguri F1 team. We are looking forward to joining the
F1 grid for 2006 in Bahrain and to becoming increasingly competitive
as the season progresses. Of course we do not expect to be on the pace
straight away; we will use the first GP's to train the team before our
definitive car reaches the track."
F1: Alonso to join Mclaren in 2007 (DEC
20, 2005)
- The newly crowned
Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso will leave Renault and drive for
rival McLaren-Mercedes team from 2007.
ALONSO: "I have taken the decision to leave Renault
after the 2006 season. I achieved my lifetime ambition with Renault
this year, and for my career, I felt that it was time for a new challenge.
That will be to try and win with another team. At this point in time,
though, I am concentrating on 2006. Renault brought me into Formula
1, brought me my first title, and I will be working to repeat that success
next year. The signs so far are very positive on every level. I am confident
the chassis will be quick, and the engine team are doing a fantastic
job on the new V8. I am looking forward to a very successful 2006 season
... I will be sad to leave Renault but sometimes possibilities come
along which are just too good to miss ... I'm pleased that we are able
to make this announcement now as it will allow my current team and I
to focus 100% on defending the world championship next year ... To become
part of a team with such a desire to succeed and passion for performance
is a dream come true for any Formula One driver ... It will be a new
beginning for me and a tremendous challenge and from what I have heard
about this new exciting partnership there is something to look forward
to"
RENAULT (P Faure): "The Renault F1 Team and Fernando
Alonso have enjoyed historic successes together since he joined the
team in 2002. I was disappointed to learn of Fernando's decision but,
by the end of 2006, he will have spent five seasons with Renault. Fresh
challenges are essential for any sportsman, and he has taken the decision
to pursue a new direction in his career. That is part of Formula 1,
and part of life ... Our priority at the moment is 2006. We aim to maintain
our level of performance in next year with an aggressive technical programme
and competitive approach. The teams at Viry and Enstone proved this
year that they can do the job, and every member of the team is working
100% to produce a package that will allow both Fernando and Giancarlo
Fisichella to defend the team's position as world champions. Our aim
will be to win again in 2006."
RENAULT (F Briatore; Team Pricipal & Alonso's Manager):
"I was at no time directly or indirectly involved in the conduct
of these negotiations ... Fernando made a personal decision that his
future lies outside the Renault team when his current contract expires
at the end of 2006. He contacted, and negotiated with McLaren at his
own instigation."
FBMW: Marco Holzer Wins First Formula
BMW World Final (DEC 16, 2005)
- Bahrain, 16 December.
Marco Holzer (AM-Holzer Motorsport) is the winner of the first ever
Formula BMW World Final and now has a test in a BMW Sauber F1 Team car
to look forward to. The 17-year-old, who raced in the 2005 Formula BMW
ADAC Championship, had the perfect weekend winning all his heats, the
Pre-Final and then the all important World Final. Second was Sebastien
Buemi (ASL Team Mücke- Motorsport) and third Nicolas Hülkenberg
(Josef Kaufmann Racing).
- "I cannot
find the words to describe how I feel at the moment. I came to Bahrain
and my goal was to finish in the top ten. I have won every race I competed
in and now I have the opportunity to test the BMW Sauber F1 Team car!
This result is unbelievable and I have realised the greatest dream of
my life. I just want to thank my team and BMW for making this dream
come true," said a delighted Marco Holzer.
- The event, however,
finished on a controversial note as it was Hülkenberg who was first
on the road after leading the final from lap one to the finish. Following
the race he was given a ten second penalty that dropped him down to
third. This was due to an incident at the end of lap ten when the Safety
Car pulled off the track. The Stewards ruled he was in breach of the
regulation stating 'following the withdrawal of the Safety Car and prior
to passing the green flag, the race leader will maintain the pace previously
held by the Safety Car' by reducing his speed.
- The event also
included a Nations Cup for the country whose drivers scored the most
points in the final. This was won by the UK and Sam Bird as its highest
placed driver overall went on the podium to receive this trophy.
- Final: Nicolas
Hülkenberg made sure that when it counted he was in front of the
pack although his subsequent penalty dropped caused him to be classified
third. He had been beaten by fellow German Marco Holzer up to now, but
he made sure he led the first lap of the race and stayed there. The
race was interrupted by two Safety Car periods. The first was from laps
four to ten to retrieve the cars of Jack Goldstraw and Salman Al Khalifa.
Then just a lap later the Safety Car was deployed again as the cars
of Stefano Colletti and Jonathan Summeton had collided on the start/finish
line at the re-start due to the cars bunching up when the pace was slowed
down. Racing got underway again at the end of lap 16 and the three out
front - Hülkenberg, Holzer and Sebastien Buemi - were able to pull
away. However, behind them the racing was fast and furious. Sam Bird
and Edoardo Piscopo had a race long battle for fourth, with the British
driver being just seventeen thousandths of a second in front as they
passed the chequered flag. Then came a train of six cars all wanting
to be sixth, although in the results it is fifth as until the FIA Appeal
lodged by Piscopo's team is heard in Paris he will not appear in the
results. This battle was won by Nathan Antunes, who started 18th on
the grid, but just 1.2 seconds separated him from tenth placed James
Davison as they crossed the line and in the closing laps at times this
gap had been even smaller. While the Australian had moved up 13 places
from his grid spot, the most improved driver was Robert Wickens, who
had made a habit of coming from the back of the grid during the heats,
as he was sixth from 27th.
- Pre-Final: Marco
Holzer continued his perfect weekend in the 22 lap Pre- Final by getting
the best start from pole and staying in front until the chequered flag.
In fact it was the three drivers who crossed the line first at the end
of lap one - Holzer, Nicolas Hülkenberg and João Urbano
- who were still there in that order at the end. Urbano was briefly
relegated to fourth on laps two and three by Sebastien Buemi, but by
the end of lap four he was in front again. The gap between the first
two was never more than a second all race and while they pulled away
the gap between Urbano and fourth placed driver, Sebastien Buemi, was
also never more than eight tenths of a second. Sam Bird admitted to
a bad start, but still managed to hold on to fifth despite pressure
in the early laps from Edoardo Piscopo. The event proved a disappointment
for Robert Wickens who had done so much work by driving through the
field in the heats to start seventh. A rear left puncture sent him into
the pits at the end of lap three and the best he could get back to was
27th.
INDYCAR: HONDA TO POWER ALL CARS IN 2006 (DEC 16, 2005)
- Toyota has withdrawn
from 2006 Indycar championship, leaving Honda as the sole engine supplier.
TOYOTA (Jim Aust): "We appreciate the time we've spent in the IndyCar
Series ... In winning the 2003 Indianapolis 500, Toyota earned its greatest
motorsports accomplishment and we'll forever cherish that victory. Our
gratitude goes out to Tony George and the Indy Racing League for providing
us the opportunity to compete in, and win, the greatest spectacle in
racing."
INDYCAR (Brian Barnhart.): "We truly appreciate Toyota's participation
and service in the IndyCar Series. They have been great partners to
the series both on and off the race track ... Every participant in the
IndyCar Series beginning next year will be powered by Honda Racing Indy
V8 engines. The biggest benefit to this decision is, first and foremost,
cost savings to the teams. Taking our engine program to a single supplier
format we believe will take the IndyCar Series to an entirely new level
of competition beginning in 2006."
- HONDA: "...
With this single supply situation, Honda is faced with a totally new
set of challenges. Engine and parts supply, frankly, had to be our most
immediate concern and our point of confirmation. Also assuring engine
build quality, equal engine performance and, of course, maintaining
Honda's reputation for outstanding customer support, were all key program
features that we had to confirm, and we have done so"
F1: INTEL TO SPONSOR BMW F1 TEAM (DEC 15, 2005)
- The new BMW Sauber
team will be sponsored by the American chip maker Intel from 2006.
BMW (Mario Theissen): ""Formula One demands the control and
coordination of hundreds of parameters simultaneously and the precise
execution of every step ... Cutting-edge technology is a crucial success
factor, and BMW has accepted the challenge. We are delighted that a
strong partner such as Intel has done likewise in collaboration with
us."
F1: VODAFONE TO SWITCH FROM FERRARI TO McLAREN MERCEDES FROM 2007 (DEC
15, 2005)
- The principal title
sponsor of Ferrari F1 team will move to McLaren Merecedes team from
2007. Vodafone has been sponsoring Ferrari since 2002 at a cost of over
£20 M a year.
McLAREN MERCEDES (R DENNIS): "We are delighted to welcome Vodafone
and look forward to many successes. This is only the third time for
more than 30 years that the opportunity to become the team's title sponsor
has existed. As our agreement is long-term, this provides important
stability within the team, allowing us to focus fully on our objective
of winning races and championships together."
WRC: MITSUBISHI AND SKODA WITHDRAW FROM WORLD RALLY (DEC 14, 2005)
- Mitsubishi and
Skoda will follow Citroen and Peugeot by not running factory works teams
in 2006 world rally championship. Skoda will continue to support 2 privateer
teams (Jan Kopecky and Red Bull Skoda).
SKODA (Detlef Wittig): "We believe that this is the most cost-effective
way in which to maintain Skoda brand's presence in the series ... We
will continue to observe the development of the championship and its
regulations, and will decide at some point in the future"
- Mitsubishi Motors
Corporation (MMC) has announced that it has decided to suspend participation
in the FIA World Rally Championship series from 2006. With the Mitsubishi
Motors Revitalization Plan as a basis, MMC has made a solid start toward
revitalizing its business operations. However, to strengthen and build
upon this base, MMC realizes that it must focus management resources
on the continued promotion of the revitalization plan. Mitsubishi Motors
hopes to return to the WRC Championship series from 2008, after the
completion of the 3-year revitalization plan, which covers fiscal 2005
to 2007.
- This decision however
does not extend to MMC’s efforts in the Dakar Rally (commonly
known as Paris-Dakar). Mitsubishi Motors will continue to compete in
this event. Starting
with an overall championship in the Safari Rally in 1974, the Mitsubishi
WRC Team has accomplished a spectacular 34 wins in the WRC series. The
team won the drivers’ title 4 consecutive years from 1996 to 1999,
and won the prestigious manufacturers’ title in 1998.
LE MANS: AUDI UNVEILS ITS DIESEL POWERED R10 (DEC 13, 2005)
- 5.5 litre 12 cylinder
(V12 TDI) diesel engine will power Audi's challenger in next years Le
Mans endurance races. The new Audi R10 will replace the all conquering
Audi R8 which won 5 Le Mans 24 Hours as well as 6 American Le Mans championships.
Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish are likely to drive the Audi in Le Mans
24.
- KRISTENSEN: "It
is a fantastic feeling. I am very happy to drive the R10 ... It looks
similar to the R8 but everything is new. Audi have had a unique, radical
approach."
- AUDI (Wolfgang
Ulrich): "The Le Mans 24 Hours is the toughest race in the world
in the most extreme setting ...We would like to prepare so we have a
car which can enable us to win at Le Mans. We cannot guarantee victory
but we have teamed up to win in 2006 and I'd like to race this car for
10 years."
AUDI AG is once again
one step ahead of the opposition.
- The inventor of
‘TDI’ will become the world’s first automobile manufacturer
to fight for overall victory with a diesel engine at the famous 24 Hours
of Le Mans. The all-new Audi R10, which was unveiled on Tuesday in Paris,
is powered by a totally new 5.5-litre, twelve-cylinder bi-turbo TDI
engine, which is extremely quiet and economical. The Le Mans Prototype,
with over 650 hp and more than 1,100 Newton metres torque, significantly
exceeds the power produced by the majority of previous Audi racing cars
– including that of its victorious R8 predecessor.
- Audi
ventures into previously unexplored diesel-engine terrain with the V12
power plant manufactured completely from aluminium. As with the TFSI
technology, which triumphed initially at Le Mans before being adopted
for mass-production, Audi customers should benefit once again from the
lessons learnt in motorsport. "With the A8 4.2 TDI quattro, Audi
already builds one of the most powerful diesel cars in the world,”
explained Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management
of AUDI AG, at the R10 presentation in Paris.
- "The
Le Mans project will help our technicians to extract even more from
TDI technology. Nowadays, every second Audi is delivered with a TDI
engine. We expect that the percentage of diesel engines will be even
larger in the future.” The R10 prototype’s V12 power unit,
which is equipped with two diesel particle filters, is hardly recognisable
as a diesel thanks to the engine’s smooth running nature.
- The
TDI engine’s specialities presented the Audi Sport engineers with
a whole list of challenges. The injection pressure easily exceeds the
1,600 bar achieved in production cars. The usable power band lies between
3,000 and 5,000 revs per minute – an unusually low rev range for
a racing engine. The driver must change gear in the R10 far less often
than in the R8 because of the TDI engine’s favourable torque curve.
- The
enormous torque of over 1,100 Newton metres does not only make extreme
demands of the R10 transmission system – even the latest generation
of engine dynamometers at Audi Sport had to be re-equipped with special
gearboxes capable of withstanding the unusual forces.
- Additionally,
radical changes to the chassis were also necessary. The Audi R10 has
a significantly longer wheel base than the R8. The overly wide front
tyres are, up until now, unique for a Le Mans Prototype. New technologies
were also implemented during the development of the carbon-fibre monocoque.
Chassis, engine and gearbox form an extremely rigid, fully stressed
unit. "The R10 project is the biggest challenge ever to have been
handed to Audi Sport,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang
Ullrich. "TDI technology has not been pushed to its limits in motorsport
yet. We are the first to confront the challenge. The demands of such
a project are accordingly high. Long-term technology partners such as
Bosch, Michelin or Shell support us in our quest. Together we have the
chance to write new chapters in the history books of motorsport and
diesel technology.”
- The
new Audi R10 successfully completed its first test at the end of November.
An extensive test programme, including the 12-hour race at Sebring (USA)
on 18 March, is scheduled before the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 17/18 June
2006. The development team from Audi Sport is supported by Reinhold
Joest’s squad, which also performed this task during the R8 project.
F1: AMERICAN SCOTT SPEED TO MAKE F1 DEBUT IN 2006 (DEC 7, 2005)
- 22
year old Scott Speed will become the first American to drive in Formula
1 GP since Michael Andretti in 1993. Speed moved to Europe in 2003 and
competed in the British Formula 3. The following year he won the German
and Eurocup Formula Renault Championships. In 2005 he raced in the inaugural
GP2 series and finsihed 3rd behind Nico Rosberg and Heikki Kovalainen
(who have also moved up to F1). Speed will make his F1 debut next season
with the renamed "Toro Rosso" F1 team (ex Minardi F1 before
it was bought by Red Bull Racing).
SPEED: "To be an American in F1, it took so much work to move here
and prove to people that I belonged, and the work is just starting ...
It's one step
closer to my goal of being World Champion ...
To bring F1 closer to the American public is exciting. It's going to
be incredible to be on the grid in America and at Indy with all of the
support behind me. I'm really looking forward to it."
WRC: RICHARD BURNS DEAD (NOV 26, 2005)
- 2001 world rally
champion Richard Burns died from brain tumour. He was just 34 years
old. He passed out during the final rally of 2003 (Rally of Wales) and
underwent several surgery. He started rallying in 1988 and won the British
Championship in 1993 (the youngest ever champion). He made his world
rally debut in 1995 as a wildcard. His first full time season in world
rally came in 1998 with Mitsubishi. He switched to Subaru the following
year and finished championship runner-up 2 years in a row (1999, 2000).
In 2001 he became the first Englishman to win the world title.
- COLIN McRAE (WORLD
CHAMPION): "Richard was a friend and at the same time a very fierce
rival. We had many great battles, notably the 2001 Rally GB when he
took the title. I saw him a number of times during the past two years
and the greatest battle he has put up was against his illness. He was
a true character in the world of rallying and will be sadly missed as
a competitor and a friend."
- DAVID RICHARDS
(WORLD RALLY): "Richard was well-loved and respected by everyone
in the sport. He was very methodical about the way he tackled the sport
and came up through the ranks, winning junior and British titles before
the world one. Richard was very calculated behind the wheel and had
a very smooth driving style. He got the best out of the car in often
difficult circumstances ... I knew Richard as a young man almost a generation
apart, more my children's age than mine. He was very determined and
I watched his attitude going about things. He was well-supported by
a very good co-driver in Robert Reid and the two of them were an extraordinarily
professional team in the way they went about the sport."
- BURNS FAMILY STATEMENT:
"... From the outset Richard knew that the odds were heavily against
him and yet he fought his illness with bravery and good humour. Having
undergone both chemotherapy and radiotherapy he was able to leave hospital
in summer 2004. For a while his health showed signs of improvement but
then after six months it once again began to decline. Determined not
to give up, he opted for surgery earlier this year. This alleviated
some of the symptoms of his illness and enabled him to remain active.
At Castle Combe in August he attended a parade of the rally cars that
he drove throughout his career and was touched by the warmth of the
reception he received. However there was to be no miracle and in recent
days he lapsed into a coma ..."
F1: MIDLAND TO RACE UNDER RUSSIAN FLAG (NOV 17, 2005)
- The new renamed
Midland team (formerly Jordan) will become the first F1 team to race
as a Russian team. Russian-born Canadian businessman Alex Shnaider owns
the team.
- SCHNAIDER: "It
was always our intention to enter F1 with a Russian licence ... decision
pushes forward Russian motorsport's development and opens new horizons
for Russian drivers."
- Bernie Ecclestone:
"I am very happy that we now have in F1 a team with a Russian licence
... I am sure the Midland team will create interest not only in Russia
but also worldwide."
F1: TOYOTA TO SWITCH TO BRIDGESTONE TYRES (NOV 11, 2005)
Toyota Formula 1 team
will follow Williams' move and switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres
next season. Ferrari was the only team using the Japanese tyres this year
and Bridgestone was partially blamed for Ferrari's problems early in the
season. In 2006 there are likely to be 5 teams on Bridgestones: Williams,
Ferrari, Toyota, Midland, Tosso Rossa.
- TOYOTA (Tsutomu
Tomita ): "It is a pleasure to announce that Toyota Motorsport
and Bridgestone Motorsport have joined forces. I am sure that our two
companies will share a fruitful and mutually beneficial relationship
over the coming years in Formula One ... we feel that Bridgestone
is ideally suited to the technical demands of F1 in the future and will
be the best match for our 2006 car. Toyota is serious about winning
in Formula One and we feel that the switch to Bridgestone tyres is the
best option in the medium-long term."
F1: ROSBERG TO MAKE F1 DEBUT IN 2006 (NOV 3, 2005)
- 20 year old son
of former F1 champion Keke Rosberg will make his F1 debut next season.
Nico Rosberg (Germany) will be team-mate to Mark Webber. In 2002 Rosberg
won the Formula BMW championship and was offered a chance to test drive
a Williams BMW F1 car - becoming the youngest test driver in a F1 car.
He won the inaugural GP2 championship this year beating Nelson Piquest
Jr.
- ROSBERG:
"Winning
the GP2 title this season, especially given the competition, was a satisfying
achievement, but of course this development (F1 DEBUT) is the crowning
glory of a great year. I am really looking forward to starting work
at the end of this month and learning as much from the team as I possibly
can ... I'm going to work very hard to be as good as he was (father
Keke Rosberg won 5 GPs) although I don't really want to compare myself
to him ... because he has achieved the top in motorsports and that's
my dream too. I'll work my very best to get there."
- WILLIAMS:
"I believe I am one of many in Formula One who is genuinely excited
about the prospect of Nico Rosberg ... Given the attention he commands,
I am delighted he has signed with us for next season. His natural talent
in the cockpit is equally matched by his intelligence out of it, demonstrated
by his depth of technical understanding and communication of data over
the months spent as a test driver this season"
AUS V8 SUPERCAR: JAMES COURTNEY COMING HOME (OCT 31, 2005)
- 25 year old Australian
James Courtney will return home to race in the Australian touring car
championship (V8 Supercar) next year. Courtney is Australia's most promising
open wheeler champion having won the world karting championship, British
Formula Ford championship and the Japanese Formula 3 championship. He
was a test driver for Formula 1 Jaguar and was seen as a potential Formula
1 driver for many years. For the last 2 years he has been racing in
the Japanese GT championship with Toyota and finished runner-up this
season. Courtney will join the championship winning Stone Brothers Ford
Racing team and replace the reigning V8 champion Marcus Ambrose who
is heading to Busch NASCAR in US.
- COURTNEY:
“This last couple of weeks has been amazing as I had some incredible
offers both in Japan and Australia for 2006 onwards so the pressure
was really on to decide where I would go. It was only on Thursday that
the decision was actually made and the contract signed ... Having raced
around the world, I’m now really looking forward to racing in
my own country. The timing was spot-on; the championship is great, the
team is great, the car is great and it certainly ticked all the right
boxes for me. The offer from both SBR and Ford was one that I simply
couldn’t refuse. Like me, Ross and Jimmy Stone are real racers
through- and-through and always produce the goods. It’s a whole
new era for SBR with a new team sponsor in JELD-WEN, a brand- new car
with the BF Falcon and myself as the new driver. I know that together,
we can really achieve something.”
- ROSS STONE:
“Courtney became a priority signing for the team soon after he
made his debut at the Super Cheap Auto 1000 at Bathurst earlier this
month. It was during one of the early practice sessions that Jimmy (co-owner
Jimmy Stone) and I were keeping a close eye on the lap times of all
the drivers. Very early in the first session James’ lap times
flashed up and Jimmy and I turned to each other and without saying a
word we both knew that James had to be a priority signing for us ...
To run the way he did so early at such a difficult track proved the
caliber of driver he is. Marcos is a very hard driver to replace and
leaves a great legacy but we believe that James can match his feats
in the years to come.”
WRC: GRONHOLM TO DRIVE FOR FORD IN 2006 (OCT 10, 2005)
- Two times world
rally champion Marcus Gronholm and his co-driver Timo Rautiainen have
joined Ford. Gronholm has been driving Peugeot for the past 7 years
and won the world title in 2000 and 2002. He moves to Ford after Peugeot
withdraws from World Rally at the end of this season.
- FORD (Jost Capito):
"I believe Marcus and the all-new Focus RS WRC will be the perfect
package. He will join the team at a hugely exciting time ... Ford has
an incredible opportunity to reach the pinnacle of the sport and Marcus
will play a vital role in our aim to win the world championship with
the all-new Focus RS WRC."
F1: HONDA BUYS OUT BAR HONDA TEAM (OCT 4, 2005)
Honda will buy the
remaining shares in the BAR-Honda team and will run its own factory Honda
team from 2006 F1 season. This is similar to Renault buying out Benetton
and the recent purchase of Sauber by BMW. There will be 5 factory owned
manufacturer teams next year: Ferrari F1, BMW F1 (new), Renault F1, Honda
F1 (new), Toyota F1.
- TOKYO,
Japan, October 4, 2005– Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced
that Honda has agreed to purchase all shares in BARH Ltd. Honda currently
owns 45% of the equity in BARH Ltd., and will complete the purchase
of the remaining shares by the end of 2005.
- From the 2006 season,
Honda will therefore participate in the Formula One World Championship
Series with its own team, with the aim of winning the World Championship.
- The F1 team will
continue to be based in Brackley, Northamptonshire, UK, and work in
cooperation with Honda Racing Development Ltd., located in Bracknell,
Berkshire, UK.
- In 2000, Honda
signed an engine supply and joint chassis development contract with
B·A·R, marking the start of Honda’s third participation
in the Formula One World Championship. In December 2001, the agreement
was extended for 3 years, with provisions for the strengthening of the
joint chassis development program. Further strengthening of the structure
for development came with another extension of the contract (through
the end of the 2007 season) in July 2004, and Honda’s purchase
in January 2005 of 45% of the shares of BARH Ltd.
- Comment from Hiroshi
Oshima, Operating Officer, Corporate Communications and Motor Sports,
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.:
"After discussing Honda's future F1 participation, we have decided
that Honda should own 100% of the team. We greatly appreciate the partnership
of BAT, which has managed the team with us until now, and we wish BAT
the best of luck in its future endeavors. From next season, we will
be even more energetic in our F1 activities, working hard as a team
in order to improve our technology, develop our young engineers and
achieve our goal of winning the World Championship. We look forward
to your continued support."
- From next season,
we will be even more energetic in our F1 activities, working hard as
a team in order to improve our technology, develop our young engineers
and achieve our goal of winning the World Championship. We look forward
to your continued support.
- Jimmi Rembiszewski,
British American Tobacco Director, Marketing, commented: "It will
be sad to end our association but it is immensely satisfying to leave
the team in the competent hands of Honda who are proven winners in the
sport. We wish Honda every success for the future and look forward to
our last year of sponsorship."
F1: RENAULT INTERVIEW WITH NEW F1 CHAMPION - F ALONSO (SEPT 26, 2005)
- Renault's
Fernando Alonso, the new world champion, has just arrived back in the
UK. He spoke about the race on Sunday, and what he is feeling right
now...
- Q: Fernando, what
did you feel when you crossed the line on Sunday?
- Fernando Alonso:
I still find it hard to believe that it is true, that it has actually
happened... I can't really feel anything at the moment but I think it
will come slowly. I have achieved my dream, the thing I have been fighting
for since I was three years old. This is the maximum in my life, but
I have not had time to think about it yet. Slowly, moments from my career
will come back to me. I am sure it will happen in the next few days.
- Q: The Renault
F1 Team is a young team. You are a young guy. You were made for each
other...
- FA: Yes, and I
am very proud to have won with this team. I joined them as a test driver
in 2002 and we were fighting for the 5th place in the constructors'
championship. We have grown up together, them and me. Today, we are
all champions, every one of us.
- Q: Now the title
is won, will you approach the last few races differently?
- FA: I don't think
that things will change so much, because the gap to McLaren is still
big. But if you think about when Montoya overtook me in the race, I
didn't take any risks on Sunday. It will be different in Suzuka. I will
be more aggressive with how I use the engine, the tyres, every part
of the car.
- Q: Your hometown
of Oviedo in Spain seems to have partied through the night on Sundqy...
- FA: I was told
that 50,000 people celebrated my win! They were dancing in the fountain
in the city centre, and even in Madrid as well. I am very proud of that
and want to say a big thank-you to all of them. I have missed a lot
of things in life, made a lot of sacrifices and worked very hard. The
people and their celebration are the reward for that. I like being a
showman too: I drive so that people can enjoy watching the races. And
I haven't finished yet! Patrick
Faure, the Renault F1 Team President, is relieved... and delighted!
He gave his impressions several minutes after the race finish.
- Q: Patrick, what
are you feeling today?
- Patrick Faure:
I am relieved. It felt like a very, very long race. I think I went through
the longest 90 minutes of my life! I am also pleased because this is
the first title for a 100% Renault car. And we did it against tough
opposition. Also, it's a real pleasure to see Fernando crowned as the
youngest champion in history. It fits Renault's image, which is all
about human warmth and youth. I have been in charge of Renault's F1
operations for 21 years, and we have now won everything during this
period.
- Q: Is it important
to be the first people to break Michael Schumacher's reign?
- PF: Yes. It is
nice, because I think we are seeing a year of transition between the
Schumacher era and a new generation of drivers. Fernando Alonso and
Kimi Raikkonen are the stars of the future.
- Q: Finally, what
do you think of the Alonso phenomenon?
- PF: The boy just
amazes me. He Is exceptional. When Flavio Briatore mentioned him to
me for the first time four or five years ago, he mentioned some exceptional
qualities: aggression and consistency. Fernando showed he had them when
he arrived at Renault. This year, he has added another string to his
bow. He has shown he is a subtle strategic thinker, and a mature guy.
He knows how to attack, to start from the front and win a race. He knows
how to defend his position like in Imola. He also knows how to manage
a situation, and not go for broke when his car isn't good enough to
run at the front. And he is only 24! We are witnessing the blossoming
of an exceptional talent.
WRC:
Michael Park killed - Rally of Great Britain (SEPT 18, 2005)
WRC:
Colin McRae to drive in Rally of GB (AUG 12, 2005)
- Colin
McRae will return to world rallying in a one-off drive for Skoda. The
37 year old former world champion will drive in his home rally (Rally
of Great Britain) with co-driver Nicky Grist. McRae lost his WRC drive
after the 2003 season.
- McRAE: "Rally
GB is obviously very special to me, and I am looking forward to giving
the fans something to cheer ... Although I haven't competed in a world
rally car since 2003, the team have put together an extensive testing
programme which will give me the opportunity to evaluate the Fabia and
have it set up to my liking ... It will also allow myself and Nicky
to get ourselves up to speed before the event itself."
- SKODA (Joan Sureda):
"I'm very happy that we have the chance to bring Colin back to
the WRC on this event because we know he was keen to return to the championship.
He has a lot of experience on this rally which we will find very useful
for our future development. I'm sure the fans will be as excited about
Colin's appearance as we are."
AIGP:
United States Joins A1 Grand Prix International Race Series (AUG 4, 2005)
- U.S. to Compete
in Open Wheel Series on Five Continents - Technology Entrepreneur/Former
IRL Owner to Spearhead Team USA. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United
States has entered the inaugural World Cup of Motorsport.
A1 Team USA, representing the United States, will enter and compete
against teams from up to 24 other countries in a calendar of 12 racing
events on five continents. A1 Grand Prix is an internationally recognized,
FIA sanctioned open wheel racing series. Today’s announcement
comes in anticipation of A1 Team USA’s participation in the test
event scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 3, at Silverstone Circuit
in Northamptonshire, Great Britain.
- An historic first
in the annals of international motorsport, A1 Grand Prix will pit nation
against nation. Each country will be represented by only one competitive
team, featuring the best drivers, crews, mechanics and team owners.
The series begins on September 25 at Brands Hatch, Great Britain and
ends in Shanghai, China on March 26, 2006. Two events are scheduled
for the United States in San Antonio, TX and Monterrey, CA in March
of next year. The international tour will also include racing events
in Germany, Portugal, Australia, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia
or Singapore, South Africa and Mexico.
- Spearheading the
USA entry into the competition is Washington D.C.-based telecommunications
entrepreneur Rick Weidinger. Previously a co-owner of one of the premier
teams on the Indy Racing League (IRL) circuit, Weidinger assembled the
foundation of his team in preparation for this week’s test session.
Weidinger indicated that there would be more announcements in the days
and weeks ahead concerning A1 Team USA, and issued the following statement
as part of today’s announcement: “It is an honor to join
A1 Grand Prix and to represent the United States in this international
competition. Each team will carry its country’s flag and compete
with the same passion and spirit of the Olympic Games, World Cup Soccer,
America’s Cup and the Ryder and President’s Cups. We intend
to field a team of the finest drivers and racing crews as we compete
on behalf of the United States. But at the same time, we fully recognize
the important role of international sportsmanship, cooperation and goodwill
among nations that are the fundamental essence of A1 Grand Prix.”
- Prior to his ownership
of a professional sports team, Weidinger had worked at the forefront
of technology. As a CEO and telecommunications entrepreneur, he played
central roles in the founding and growth of multiple emerging technology
companies. In addition to the sale of his privately held telecommunications
company, Weidinger was actively involved in a number of multi-billion
dollar mergers and acquisitions. He currently serves as a director on
the boards of several corporations.
- A1 Grand Prix was
founded by Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, a member of the
ruling family of Dubai, UAE. Sheikh Maktoum, a majority owner of the
World Cup of Motorsport, issued the following statement: “Our
objective is to spread the excitement of world class auto racing and
international competition beyond its traditional European and American
roots to people in other parts of the world. I sincerely hope that with
the excitement of this international series, we might engender a bit
more goodwill among nations. I am particularly gratified by the willing
involvement of world leaders such as Nelson Mandela of South Africa
and Pakistani President General Perviz Musharaf, as well as international
soccer superstars Luis Figo of Portugal and Ronaldo of Brazil and other
high profile personalities, who have played a role in making this effort
come together. I proudly welcome A1 Team USA to the A1 Grand Prix Family.”
- For additional
information, including a schedule of international racing events and
a countdown to the inaugural race in Brands Hatch, Great Britain on
September 25, 2005, visit www.a1gp.com.
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