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2005 NEWS: WORLD AUTO RACING

F1 2005 SEASON     2005 WORLD AUTO RACING NEWS      2005 WORLD MOTO RACING NEWS

PRESS RELEASE

F1: PAFFETT BECOMES McLAREN TEST DRIVER (DEC 22, 2005)

• 2005 DTM (German Touring Car) champion Gary Paffett will become one of the official test drivers for McLaren Mercedes in 2006.
  PAFFETT: "I'm really excited about this opportunity and the challenges ahead. This is the culmination of my continuous relationship with McLaren and Mercedes-Benz. For my efforts to be officially recognised by one of the most successful Formula One teams and reaching my goal of getting a regular Formula One seat is a fantastic feeling."
  McLAREN (Martin Whitmarsh): "We are certain that Gary is the right choice as Team McLaren Mercedes test driver and are pleased to welcome him to the team. In order to achieve our objective of winning races and World Championship we have to employ the best drivers available and Gary definitely fits into this category. He has been involved with McLaren and Mercedes-Benz since winning the 'McLaren Autosport Young Driver Award' and we are pleased that the right opportunity came along at the right time. Gary is committed to the work laying ahead of him and everybody at McLaren look forward to his contribution."

F1: New Japanese F1 team acdepted (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."

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."

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"

F1: QUALIFYING FORMAT CHANGE FOR 2006 (OCT 24, 2005)

• Formula 1 qualifying will change once again in 2006. At the F1 Commission meeting of Oct 24 it was decided:
  that qualifying will involve 3 knock-out sessions.
  Session 1, 15 minutes: 5 slowest drivers will be eliminated
  Session 2, 15 minutes: next 5 slowest drivers will be eliminated
  Session 3, 20 minutes: 10 drivers will compete for the grid

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.

• 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."

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.

BUTTON TO STAY WITH BAR-HONDA (SEPT 22, 2005)

• Jenson Button saga is over - he will stay at BAR-Honda after the team has agreed to pay out the Williams contract. In 2006 BAR will have Button and Barrichello while Sato will need to find a new drive elsewhere.
• BAR (N FRY): "We are delighted to be able to confirm our 2006 race driver line-up ... We can now put the uncertainty of the past few months behind us and focus on the future, which looks very exciting indeed. We have made no secret of the fact that we wanted Jenson to remain with us for the next few years and that we considered Jenson and Rubens to be our dream line-up for 2006 and beyond ... Takuma Sato has been an extremely valuable and much-liked member of our team for four years in the roles of test driver, third driver and, latterly, race driver. He has made an enormous contribution to BAR Honda's development. Takuma's current contract reaches its conclusion at the end of 2005 but BAR Honda is in discussions with Takuma and his management regarding possibilities for the future."
  BAR (Gil de Ferran): "I am very pleased that our team will feature one of the strongest driver line-ups in Formula One for 2006 and beyond. I know both Rubens and Jenson well and I have every confidence that they will work well together to develop our car and team whilst competing strongly at the race track. I have enjoyed working with Taku over the past year and I wish him well for the future."
• BUTTON: "I'm obviously delighted to confirm that I will be staying with BAR Honda for the next few years. Since I joined the team in 2003 we've shared some important moments in my career and the team's history. There are many more goals for us to achieve together - not least of all winning the World Championship. I want to be at BAR Honda to see that happen - and I believe that it will happen. 2005 has been a challenging year but we've bounced back from our problems and the team is much stronger as a result. I also have a new team-mate in Rubens Barrichello and I look forward to the two of us pushing each other, and working together to keep driving the team forward."
• "I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the Team, at Honda and our tyre partner Michelin for their support over the past three years. The effort that has gone into building this team into what it is today has been relentless. It's been a privilege to be a part of BAR Honda and I am delighted that I will be part of its future. I look forward to achieving our next goal - our first win together - in the very near future."
• F WILLIAMS: "I am glad that we have brought this matter to a conclusion and we can return to what we do best - racing."
• SATO: "I am obviously very disappointed with the news. I have many thoughts about the situation and have my own opinions, but now is not the right time for me to comment ... I would like to thank all my fans and supporters for their continued faith and look forward to rewarding them with some good news soon."

HEIDFELD JOINS THE NEW BMW TEAM (SEPT 16, 2005)

• 28 year old German driver Nick Heidfeld has signed a 3 year contract to drive for the new BMW team (Ex Sauber) from 2006.
  BMW Contracts Nick Heidfeld from 2006
• Munich: BMW and Nick Heidfeld will embark on a joint future in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2006. The Munich automobile manufacturer has concluded a three-year contract with the racing driver from Mönchengladbach (28). This fills the first cockpit in the new team run by BMW.
• BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen comments: “For us, a new era in Formula 1 will begin on 1 January 2006 when BMW takes over the team operated by Peter Sauber.
• “We are very pleased that Nick will be with us in what will undoubtedly be a difficult initial phase. He is not simply a fast and courageous driver; he is also an analytical and meticulous worker. Nick already knows the two sites in Munich and Hinwil, and is familiar with everybody involved.”
• Heidfeld, who is currently recovering from a cycling accident in his adopted home of Switzerland, said: “I’m really looking forward to the future. As far as I’m concerned, this represents the fulfillment of a big dream. I have a great deal of respect for the work carried out in Hinwil from 2001 to 2003. And for nearly a year now I’ve experienced at first hand the commitment and resources BMW puts into its Formula 1 project. Naturally, I’m not expecting a miracle during the first season after a new start in 2006. But I’m confident that the new team will be successful over the long term.” Heidfeld has been lining up on the grid for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team since 2005. He achieved his first F1 pole position in May at the Nürburgring and took second place in two races (Monaco and Nürburgring).
• On 22 June 2005, BMW announced it would be running its own Formula 1 team from 2006 after acquiring a majority holding in the Swiss team Sauber. BMW has been racing in Formula 1 as partner of WilliamsF1 since the 2000 season. The team has now competed in 101 grand prix, achieved 10 victories and 17 pole positions. Second place in the Constructors’ Championship for 2002 and 2003 provided the best season’s result.
• The Sauber Team has been operating in Formula 1 since 1993. The team became established as the most successful private team when it took fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship in 2001.
• BMW will not only retain the Hinwil site, it will expand the workforce from a current headcount of nearly 300 to some 400 employees. Around 300 people are working on the Formula 1 project at BMW Motorsport in Munich. Theissen explains: “Overall, we will have a team numbering around 700. Expansion of the aerodynamic department in Hinwil has top priority. At present, it isn’t possible to fully exploit the opportunities offered by the first-class wind tunnel, because there are not the personnel to operate several shifts. We are gradually working towards using the facility around the clock.”

F1: RED BULL RACING BUYS MINARDI F1 (SEPT 11, 2005)

• Today, at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, an agreement was reached whereby, from 1st November 2005, Austria's Red Bull GmbH will take over all the company shares of the Minardi Formula 1 team and will be responsible for running the team. Red Bull will therefore run two Formula 1 teams from the start of the 2006 season onwards.
• The second team will be positioned as a "Rookie Team" and this and the current Red Bull Racing will operate independently of one another and compete against one another on the track.
• The main reasons for Red Bull deciding to enter a second team starting in the 2006 Formula 1 World Championship are:
• 1. Red Bull has more talented drivers than it has available cockpits. This meant there were only two ways of helping up-coming drivers: either place them in other teams or to increase the number of cockpits available to us. After much careful thought, Red Bull decided to go with the second of these options.
• 2. Looking at the current state of Formula 1 we feel that the second team will be able to maintain its current assets while also being able to generate its own income in the future, in order to become almost self- financing.
• 3. This acquisition also means that Red Bull now has a second vote in any matters raised regarding the future of Formula 1.
• At the moment, no decisions have been taken as regards the name of the team, its management nor its drivers.

F1: WILLIAMS TO USE BRIDGESTONE TYRES IN 2006 (SEPT 10, 2005)

Williams F1 team will switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres from 2006 season.

• FRANK WILLIAMS: "After detailed consideration, we have taken a very positive decision, based on technical merit, to renew a relationship with Bridgestone who we previously worked with in 2000 ... We are delighted to re-establish a partnership with the tyre company that has won seven consecutive World Championship titles since 1998. At the same time, we would like to thank Michelin sincerely for a very constructive and fruitful relationship since 2001 which has yielded many achievements, not least ten Grands Prix victories and 40 podium finishes."
• BRIDGESTONE (Hiroshi Yasukawa): "It is with great pleasure that I can now confirm that Bridgestone Motorsport and the WilliamsF1 Team have entered into a tyre supply partnership, to commence after the end of the current season. Williams F1 is one of the most experienced and respected teams competing in the FIA Formula One World Championship and I would like to thank Sir Frank Williams for his faith in our technological capabilities. Since entering Formula One in 1997, Bridgestone Motorsport has supplied the winning Constructors' and Drivers' Champions no fewer than seven times and we now look forward to working closely with the WilliamsF1 Team to help them achieve their goals in the future."

F1: WILLIAMS TO USE COSWORTH POWER IN 2006 (AUG 15, 2005)

After 6 years with BMW, Williams F1 team will use Cosworth V8 engine from 2006. This follows the decision by BMW to run its own team next season.

• WILLIAMS (F WILLIAMS): “Cosworth is a leading global authority on V8 engine technology. Next year is a brand new start for all concerned given 16 years of V10 engines. Some teams and manufacturers have absolutely no experience of V8s while others enjoy only limited experience. Cosworth, however, have excelled both historically, as well as in contemporary V8-powered international motorsport. The evidence of Cosworth’s V8 progress we have seen so far validates completely the expectation we have of enjoying a class-leading package given next season’s engine rule changes.”
• WILLIAMS (P HEAD): “Williams has made this partnership decision purely on technical merit. Among the range of options we considered, Cosworth are very well advanced with existing development and are committed to taking the potential of this collaboration further.Our engineers have already reflected on the very productive and highly motivated nature of the relationship between our two organisations. We speak the same racing language and both have something to prove next year and there can be no greater motivation to succeed.”
• COSWORTH (Tim Routsis): “Our experience and track record with V8 engines is unrivalled and we are naturally delighted to be alongside one of the most uncompromising and pure spirited teams in Formula One. We have been working on the development of next year’s V8 since April 2004 and right from the onset, our performance targets have been set very aggressively. We are confident that our blue chip partnership with Williams F1 can augment the record of winning the championship every decade since the 1960s. We have developed the 2006 Cosworth V8-CA engine with nothing but front-running success in mind for both the near and long term. The involvement of Cosworth’s sister company, Pi, has been instrumental in achieving this outcome.”

F1: BARRICHELLO MOVES TO BAR ; MASSA JOINS FERRARI (AUG 3, 2005)

After 6 years and 9 GP wins with Ferrari, Rubens Barrichello will drive for BAR-Honda team from 2006. His place in Ferrari will be taken by 24 year old Brazilian Felipe Massa who currently drives for Sauber. Massa is a Ferrari protege having been its test driver in 2003 and is managed by Ferrari team boss Jean Todt's son. Before making his F1 debut in 2002, Massa had won the Brazilian Formula Chevrolet championship, European Formula Renault championship, Italian Formula Renault championship and the European F3000 championship.

• MASSA: "I am very happy and proud to be racing with Ferrari in 2006. Maranello has believed in me since 2001, when I had yet to make my Formula 1 debut. Now, I am in my third season as a Sauber driver and I can also count on a year's experience as a Ferrari test driver, an experience which helped me to grow a great deal. I feel ready for this new challenge, which is the best opportunity of my career. I am aware of the responsibility it places on me and I cannot wait to be part of a team like Ferrari, alongside the best driver in the world, Michael Schumacher. I wish to thank Peter Sauber for having had faith in me over these past three years. I will do my very best in the final six races of the season to get the best possible results for his team."
• FERRARI (Luca di Montezemolo, President): "We gave Rubens Barrichello the possibility of accepting an offer of a multi-year contract, longer therefore than the length of his relationship with us, while we also had the possibility of exercising an existing option in the contract we have with Felipe Massa, a young driver who nevertheless already has sufficient experience and whom we had already targeted as far back as 2001. I wish to thank Rubens for his contribution over the past few years, which, to date, has helped us to win five Constructors' Championships. From him, from everyone at Ferrari and from our technical partners, first and foremost Bridgestone, I am expecting maximum concentration and effort to get back to winning ways before the end of this season."
• M SCHUMACHER: "I'm happy for Felipe. He deserves this chance as he has been doing a good job for quite a while now ...We have seen his talent lately in F1 but also when he was a test driver for us.We have not been the only ones who were interested in him."

F1: TOYOTA ANNOUNCES JORDAN ENGINE EXTENSION (JULY 30, 2005)

Toyota Motorsport GmbH has today announced that it has renewed the existing contract with Jordan Grand Prix and the Midland Group, which will see Toyota supply customer engines to the team for the 2006 season. Details of the contract will be similar to the existing deal with Jordan in that Toyota will ensure that Midland receives the latest specification of RVX-06 engine throughout the entire season.

• Tsutomu Tomita (Chairman of Toyota Motorsport): "We are very pleased that Jordan Grand Prix and Midland have opted to renew the one-year contract. It has always been a priority for Toyota to support the independent teams in Formula 1, so we are happy to be in a position to continue this successful collaboration with the team for 2006. We are in an advanced stage of our V8 engine programme for next season and by finalising this new one-year deal with Jordan Grand Prix and Midland for 2006 at an early stage we will be able to accelerate development."
• JORDAN (Colin Kolles): "The co-operation with Toyota has been a key element for Jordan this season and with their commitment to our team they have put Formula One above their own exclusivity. We are in a transition year and the exceptional Toyota engine reliability record is essential for us to gather data to be used to develop the 2006 car. I also hope we can help Toyota in the battle for world championship honours."

F1: BUTTON CAUGHT BETWEEN BAR & WILLIAMS AGAIN (JULY 30, 2005)

Reminiscent of last year's legal tussle between BAR and Williams, Jenson Button's future is once again in crisis. Despite his wish to move to Williams, Button was forced to stay at BAR. But he signed a preformance clause which allows him to join Williams in 2006 if his championship points are less than 75% of the leader by the end of July 2005. As he is 72 points behind Alonso going into this weekends Hungarian GP, the clause will come into effect. That is he is free to join Williams next season. The only problem is Jenson Button now wants to stay at BAR because he feels Williams will struggle with non-works Cosworth engine next year.

• BUTTON: "The BAR team is my best chance of becoming Britain's next world champion ... For me, the best thing is to stay with BAR, not just in short term ... I hope people will understand I want to be with the best team possible and that's BAR ... I have been in Formula One for six years now and I am ready to win races. I am ready to challenge for the World Championship. I can't wait for another three years to build a team up. I need to be with a team that's fulfilling in the short term and one that has a works engine manufacturer ... To be competitive next year any team has to be with a manufacturer that is fully involved. The position has changed a lot with Williams from last year. A racing driver's career is short, so you have to make the best of it you can."
• WILLIAMS (F Williams): "We have a fully binding contract. There's no let up. It's clear to understand. Once you give your word you need to keep your word. Jenson is emphatically not for sale. We are a serious racing team and we need him ... We have a proper and correct legal right ... We require him to be here, our sponsors are predicated on his presence - we have promised ... I hear and understand his (Button's) concerns about his present team's competitive position and our uncompetitive situation ... We shall be back, if not in the second half of this year then certainly next season. What this demonstrates is that if, when it suits him, a driver says 'sorry I've changed my mind', it creates chaos in the paddock."
• BAR (N Fry): "It's between Jenson and Williams. The two contract teams need to sort things out. We've made it clear we would love to have him (Button) here for the long run but we can't really do a lot more than that ... Clearly from what's been said he has a contract with Williams. That's not one we have any knowledge of and clearly we haven't seen it. It's not really within our control particularly."

F1: HERBERT JOINS JORDAN MANAGEMENT (JULY 29, 2005)

41 year old Johnny Herbert who won 3 GPs has joined Jordan/Midland F1 team as part of its management team. He will the Sporting Relations Manager of Jordan, reporting to Colin Kolles, Managing Director.

• JORDAN ( C Kolles): "I am pleased to welcome Johnny to the team. His experience and knowledge of motorsport will be of great value to us as we continue learning and moving forward. He is also an extremely likeable character and someone we are proud to have as a representative of our team. His involvement will add a positive dimension to every aspect of our operation and we are all very happy to have him aboard."
• HERBERT: "It is an honour and a pleasure to be back in Formula One racing with a team I feel so familiar with. Although I never drove for Jordan in F1, it still feels like a homecoming of sorts. At the same time, I am excited about my new role and look forward to contributing as much as possible as the team repositions itself as Midland for the 2006 season. Management and I have discussed plans for the launch of Midland F1 and I'm thrilled to be involved at the inception of such a dynamic and ambitious project."

F1: COULTHARD RESIGNS WITH RED BULL FOR 2006 (JULY 6, 2005)

34 year old David Coulthard has decided to remain with Red Bull Racing for 2006 season. The team was formed from the purchase from Jaguar Racing and had impressive debut season so far with both Red Bull drivers scoring points in many rounds.

• COULTHARD: "It has been a very positive new experience working with Red Bull Racing. The potential of the team is obvious and it made perfect sense to continue our partnership. Since I started with the team last December, the progress made has been remarkable. I'm looking forward to contributing to the development of the 2006 car with the Ferrari engine and enjoying continued success with Red Bull Racing."
• RED BULL (Christian Horner, Director):"David has clearly demonstrated that he is still one of the top drivers in Formula One. He has played a vital part in Red Bull Racing's on-track credibility so far this season. It was therefore a very easy and natural decision to extend our agreement for 2006 and retain him as our lead driver."

F1: JOINT PRESS RELEASE RE FIA CHARGE FROM US GP: (JUNE 29, 2005)

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM:
B.A.R Honda
BMW Williams
Renault F1 Team
Sauber Petronas
Team McLaren Mercedes
Toyota Motorsport GmbH

Paris, France, Wednesday 29th June 2005

• The six Formula One Michelin teams identified above are very disappointed by the decision of the World Motor Sport Council to find them guilty of two of the five charges brought against them by the FIA in relation to the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis.
• 1) In relation to the finding that they failed to ensure that they were in possession of suitable tyres, the Teams point out that they reasonably relied on Michelin, an approved FIA tyre supplier and a highly reputable manufacturer of tyres worldwide, to provide suitable tyres for that race. As Michelin have already acknowledged, they were responsible for the supply of unsuitable tyres for the Indianapolis circuit. The FIA's decision accepts that there were "strong mitigating circumstances" for the Teams. In truth, those circumstances provided a complete answer to the charge, given that the Teams cannot be held responsible for what occurred.
• 2) In relation to the finding that the Teams wrongfully refused to allow their cars to start the race having regard to their right to use the pit lane on each lap, the Teams respond as follows. The charges suggested only one means by which the Teams could safely have raced (the use of a speed restriction). On that charge, the Teams were found not guilty. The Teams cannot understand how they can be found guilty by reference to another proposed solution, which was not part of the charges brought against them, which was not suggested by the FIA at Indianapolis, which was considered unsafe and which, in any event, would not have achieved a satisfactory race for the fans.
• The Teams therefore will be lodging an appeal against each of these findings.
• The Teams explained to the World Motor Sport Council that, in the light of the clear and written advice from Michelin that it was unsafe to race at Indianapolis on the tyres supplied by that company, the Teams had no choice but to decline to race. Any other decision would have been irresponsible. Nineteen of the current Formula One drivers have expressed their agreement with the decision of the Teams.
• The Teams much regret that the American public were unable to enjoy a race involving all ten Formula One teams, and would like to express their thanks to the many fans who have communicated their support for the stance taken by the Teams and by Michelin on grounds of safety.
• The Teams are pleased that Michelin have agreed to compensate fans who attended the race.
• The Teams very much look forward to the next Grand Prix on Sunday.

F1: BMW BUYS SAUBER F1 (JUNE 23, 2005)

For the first time in its F1 history, BMW will run its own team from 2006. BMW which powers Williams cars this season has bought majority shareholding in the Swiss based Sauber team. Under new structure, BMW will control all aspects of its operation including engine and chassis (like Ferrari F1, Renault F1 and Toyota F1 teams). Peter Sauber formed the Sauber F1 team in 1993 with a Mercedes engine. In 1995 Sauber switched to Ford engine and currently uses customer spec Ferrari engine. The future of BMW Williams partnership is uncertain.

• PETER SAUBER: "the partnership with BMW is an ideal solution as it supports the two goals which have always been paramount for me. Firstly, to offer the team the possibility of improving their sporting performance and secondly, to safeguard the site at Hinwil and the jobs of today's 300-strong workforce. The partnership with BMW guarantees continuity. I know it will give the workforce a very good outlook."
• BMW (Professor Burkhard Göschel, BMW Board Member): "Success in Formula One increasingly depends on the perfect interplay of all factors. That is why we have resolved to extend our involvement beyond our present role of engine partner. With a team managed by BMW we will, as of next year, take on responsibility for the entire package, which will include the key factors of the chassis, tyres and drivers. Naturally this decision impacts on our partnership with WilliamsF1. We want to discuss the future options together with WilliamsF1 in order to find the right way forward for both sides. We do not expect instant success from the new constellation, but we are convinced that we have chosen the right path for the long term."
• BMW (Dr Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director): "The realignment of our Formula One strategy is based on two insights. Firstly, the influence of the engine on the winning potential of the overall package has diminished; the car, tyres and drivers play a greater role than they used to. Secondly, from our point of view, an optimal overall package can only be achieved with a fully integrated team and coherent processes throughout. In restructuring we are taking account of these insights. At Sauber we have found a solid foundation for vehicle development and production, along with the requisite know-how and one of the most modern wind tunnels. The results achieved there so far are worthy of respect in the light of the team's limited budget."
• "BMW will not only maintain this foundation but build on it. That applies both to the facilities and to the staff. Additional workplaces will be created at the Sauber headquarters in Hinwil. The new team will be managed as a fully integrated project from two locations, as has long been standard practice at BMW for series production."
• "We are aware that we face a learning curve, that although you can plan success you can't buy it off the peg. After showing that BMW is capable of building the best Formula One engine, we are starting out as it were at apprenticeship level on the complex task of tackling the vehicle as a whole. That demands patience and stamina. We possess both, as well as a concrete work programme. The technical cooperation has already begun."
• "In the partnership with WilliamsF1 we have celebrated successes together and taken the team forward. Both partners today are stronger than at the outset of our joint venture and are thus equipped for the future. What that future will look like will be decided over the next weeks. Irrespective of that decision, we are concentrating on the current season. We still have quite a few goals for this year and we will apply all our powers and professionalism to implement them together with WilliamsF1."

F1: FIA TO CHARGE MICHELIN TEAMS (JUNE 21, 2005)

FIA (World Motor Sport Council) MEETING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 29. 2005.
7 teams (Renault, McLaren, Williams, BAR, Toyota, Red Bull, Sauber) who withdrew from US GP will be called to explain their action. Charges against the teams are:

• failure to ensure a supply of suitable tyres for the race and/or refusal to allow your cars to start the race and/or refusal to allow your cars to race, subject to a speed restriction in one corner which was safe for such tyres as you had available and/or combined with the other teams to make a demonstration damaging to the image of Formula One by pulling into the pits immediately before the start of the race and failure to notify the stewards of your intention not to race, in breach of Article 131 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations

F1: FIA STATEMENT ON US GP (JUNE 20, 2005)

• Formula One is a sporting contest. It must operate to clear rules. These cannot be negotiated each time a competitor brings the wrong equipment to a race.
• At Indianapolis we were told by Michelin that their tyres would be unsafe unless their cars were slowed in the main corner. We understood and among other suggestions offered to help them by monitoring speeds and penalising any excess. However, the Michelin teams refused to agree unless the Bridgestone runners were slowed by the same amount. They suggested a chicane.
• The Michelin teams seemed unable to understand that this would have been grossly unfair as well as contrary to the rules. The Bridgestone teams had suitable tyres. They did not need to slow down. The Michelin teams' lack of speed through turn 13 would have been a direct result of inferior equipment, as often happens in Formula One. It must also be remembered that the FIA wrote to all of the teams and both tyre manufacturers on June 1, 2005, to emphasise that "tyres should be built to be reliable under all circumstances" (see correspondence attached).
• A chicane would have forced all cars, including those with tyres optimised for high-speed, to run on a circuit whose characteristics had changed fundamentally -- from ultra-high speed (because of turn 13) to very slow and twisting. It would also have involved changing the circuit without following any of the modern safety procedures, possibly with implications for the cars and their brakes. It is not difficult to imagine the reaction of an American court had there been an accident (whatever its cause) with the FIA having to admit it had failed to follow its own rules and safety procedures.
• The reason for this debacle is clear. Each team is allowed to bring two types of tyre: one an on-the-limit potential race winner, the other a back-up which, although slower, is absolutely reliable. Apparently, none of the Michelin teams brought a back-up to Indianapolis. They subsequently announced they were flying in new tyres from France but then claimed that these too were unsafe.
• What about the American fans? What about Formula One fans world- wide? Rather than boycott the race the Michelin teams should have agreed to run at reduced speed in turn 13. The rules would have been kept, they would have earned Championship points and the fans would have had a race. As it is, by refusing to run unless the FIA broke the rules and handicapped the Bridgestone runners, they have damaged themselves and the sport.
• It should also be made clear that Formula One Management and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as commercial entities, can have no role in the enforcement of the rules.

F1: QUALIFYING FORMAT CHANGED AGAIN (MAY 24, 2005)

After just 6 races the controversial new 2005 qualifying format spread over 2 days has now been scrapped. As from the European GP (Nurburgring, May 29), qualifying will revert back to a single Saturday session:

• 1 hour qualifying session 1 - 2pm
• Each driver will start in reverse order to previous race result
• 1 flying timed lap with race fuel under parc fermé conditions will determine the starting grid.

FIA (Max Mosley): "It's very important to have the grid sorted out on Saturday. It irritates the public not knowing who is on pole. If you follow a particular driver and you know he's going to be on pole you might change your plans for Sunday. But on the other hand if you know he's at the back of the grid you might go and do something completely different. People need to know - it's no good telling them two hours beforehand."

BAR F1: BANNED FOR NEXT 2 GPs (MAY 6, 2005)

FIA International Court of Appeal on May 5th 2005 has decided to disqualify both BAR Honbda cars from San Marino GP results as well as banning them from the next 2 GPs. The penalty arose after Button's car was found to be underweight at San Marino GP where he finished 3rd. BAR cars were found to have a secondary fuel tank, which when drained left the car 5.4kg under the minimum allowed weight limit of 600kg.

FIA: "The evidence submitted to the Court confirmed that both vehicles competing for Lucky Strike BAR Honda in the event concerned had the same specification fuel tanks..."

BAR (N Fry): "BAR Honda are appalled at the decision of the FIA International Court of Appeal and assert that the judgement is contrary to all of the evidence heard yesterday. The team proved that they complied with the current regulations and the FIA now acknowledge that the regulations are unclear. We repeat that at no time did we run underweight at the San Marino Grand Prix and this was also unchallenged by the FIA. While the court rejected the FIA's original accusations of fraud and deception, BAR Honda say that this penalty is wholly and grossly disproportionate. The team are advised by their legal counsel that the judgement is plainly wrong based on the evidence presented and are currently examining their options. Our objective is to race this weekend. We need to get some judgement from a court very soon, probably tomorrow morning. We need to get a fair hearing and to clear our name. Our integrity is being challenged. The penalty implies we are guilty and we are not. We have to do what is right."

TOYOTA F1: DROPS APPEAL (APR 28, 2005)

Panasonic Toyota Racing has decided not to pursue its appeal against the 25s penalty added to Ralf Schumacher's race time in the San Marino Grand Prix. Schumacher dropped from 8th to 11th in the final classification as a result of the penalty. The team lodged an appeal on the evening of the race because it wanted the opportunity to undertake a detailed analysis of the incident. After an exhaustive review of the data, the team feels that the evidence is not conclusive and has decided not to take the matter further. The team will however work together with the FIA and the other teams to further clarify what constitutes the 'safe release' of the car by the competitor following a pit stop at the subsequent Team Managers meeting. Panasonic Toyota Racing will now focus its attention on the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona. (TOYOTA)

RED BULL F1: FERRARI TO POWER RED BULL NEXT YEAR (APR 23, 2005)

WILLIAMS F1: ROSBERG BECOMES TEST DRIVER (APR 22, 2005)

At 17 years of age, Nico was the youngest driver ever to take part in an F1 test. Rosberg's performance in Barcelona earned him two further runs with the team, first in Jerez in December 2003 and again in January 2004 in Barcelona. Working alongside Antonio Pizzonia, the German will play a key role in the ongoing development of the Williams BMW FW27, assisting the team in the 2005 Championship. In addition to his Formula One responsibilities, Rosberg will also be contesting the all new GP2 Series with the ART Grand Prix Team in 2005. Of the new appointment, Team Principal, Frank Williams confirms, "We are delighted to have another talented Rosberg in the team."

On the announcement of his new role with the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, Rosberg commented, "I'm really happy that I've been offered this opportunity. I'm now looking forward to helping the team and I'm sure I'll be able to do a good job. Formula One testing will also help me in GP2 as I will be in a position to learn so much more about the technical processes and about how the sport works at the highest level. Hopefully this will help me progress as a driver as well." As Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director, explained, BMW also places significant importance on the promotion of young talent. "Promoting, supporting and observing young drivers plays a key role in securing the future of this sport at the highest level.

In 2002, Nico Rosberg came out on top of the Formula BMW series against 28 other talented drivers, helped, in part by the diverse training programme that accompanies the BMW series. We're very excited that, after Ralf Schumacher, another young man has been promoted to the BMW WilliamsF1 Team from a new generation of drivers emerging from the pool of talent we're nurturing," he said. While Rosberg will regularly be on the track as an official test driver, reigning European Touring Car Champion, Andy Priaulx, will also be carrying out certain duties for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team this season.

Following a successful test with the team in January this year, an invitation extended by BMW in recognition of his efforts in winning the 2004 European Touring Car Championship, the British driver will be conducting driving duties at additional testing sessions and marketing days, including an appearance at the BMW Power Festival at Rockingham at the end of May. On his new role, Priaulx commented, "I'm really pleased that my relationship with the BMW WilliamsF1 Team is developing, and I hope that my single seater experience, combined with my working methods, will make a positive contribution to the team's testing programme." While Priaulx is looking forward to driving for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, his main focus for 2005 will be on his role as a BMW works driver with the 320i in the new FIA World Touring Car Championship. (WILLIAMS F1)

GPWS: RENAMED "GRAND PRIX RACING" (APR 7, 2005)

The rival series backed by car manufacturers has been renamed from "Grand Prix World Championship - GPWS" to just "Grand Prix Racing". Composed of 9 F1 teams and manufacturers (BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Renault, Toyota) the rival series could start from 2008.
Burkhard Goschel (Chairman): "Today's meeting was another very positive step forward .... it was characterised by a complete consensus among all members to develop their plans for Grand Prix Racing after 2007. We have also set out a specific timetable to deliver our completed vision later this year"

TOYOTA F1: Barcelona Test Round-Up (APR 7, 2005)

Location: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
Dates: 6-7 April 2005
Drivers: Ricardo Zonta (6-7), Olivier Panis (6), Jarno Trulli (7)
Track Length: 4.627km

Jarno Trulli - Chassis TF105/06
Best lap time: 1m 14.231s, Total laps: 111, Total distance: 513.6km
- Jarno, this was your first day back in the car after your two podiums in Malaysia and Bahrain. How did your test go here at Barcelona?
We had a good day of running here, putting in over 100 laps of the track. I spent the morning working on set-up for this circuit as part of our preparations for the Spanish Grand Prix here next month. Then in the afternoon we moved onto tyre work. I stopped an hour early because I had a slightly stiff neck and Ricardo completed the final couple of runs of the programme.
- The team had been scheduled to test here on Friday, too. Why has there been a change of plan?
We had been hoping to do some more tyre work on Friday, but the weather forecast predicted rain. That would have made it impossible to complete the work we had planned. For that reason we decided not to waste one of the precious 30 test days that we are allowed under this year's testing agreement.

Ricardo Zonta - Chassis TF105/03, TF105/06
Best lap time: 1m 14.502s, Total laps: 209, Total distance: 967.0km
- Ricardo, what were you working on here?
It was a good test for me. We put in over 200 laps over the two days and successfully completed everything we had planned, working on set-up, suspension and tyres. You need good downforce here but our car felt good on new tyres and it also stayed consistent on older tyres. At the end of the second day we had a problem with the clutch on my car so I switched to Jarno's car to finish off his programme.
- You haven't done much testing in the new TF105 yet so how useful was that for you?
These two days gave me a good opportunity to get to grips with the new TF105. Most of my tests this year have been with last year's car so I have only really driven the new car on Fridays at races when I don't have much time to find my own set-up. But this test gave me a good chance to understand the car better and to find the right balance for myself.

Olivier Panis - Chassis TF105/03
Best lap time: 1m 17.153s, Total laps: 47, Total distance: 217.5km
- Olivier, how did your day of running go?
We had a really good morning's work, doing some set-up work and some software tuning. We were due to do some long runs in the afternoon but a mixture of technical problems limited our running. Still, the car felt good and I'm very happy about how the season is progressing.
- How has the car changed since the winter?
The car looks like a big improvement compared to when I drove it at Valencia in January, both in terms of balance and the consistency of the rear tyres. So I think we're going the right way but we need to keep pushing and trying to improve still further.

*Olivier Panis and Ricardo Zonta are scheduled to test for Panasonic Toyota Racing at Paul Ricard from April 13-15.

2005 WORLD AUTO RACING NEWS

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