And then there were two. Renault and Brawn GP polished off their pre-season preparations yesterday, with the BGP 001 on top yet again. McLaren and Williams are the only two teams left at Jerez, but even that probably won’t be enough for the MP4-24 to hit the top of the times sheets. Unless McLaren have … Continue reading 2009 F1 testing: March 18th
nakajima articles archive
F1 2009: the drivers
Posted onThe 2009 F1 grid is remarkably unchanged compared to how the drivers lined up in 2008. Eight of the ten teams boast the same driver pairings as they did last year. How will those ten partnerships fare in 2008?
2009 F1 testing: March 12th (update: pictures and video added)
Posted onIt’s the final official test day at the Circuit de Catalunya before the 2009 F1 season gets started in Australia. There’s a huge amount of speculation about what’s going on at McLaren. Compiling all the best times from the Barcelona test sees the MP4-24 down in 16th and 19th. But what about the other teams? … Continue reading 2009 F1 testing: March 12th (update: pictures and video added)
2009 F1 drivers helmets (Pictures)
Posted onFernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Nick Heidfeld have all changed their helmet designs for the 2009 seasons. Several others have made minor changes to their designs. Here’s a look at each of the helmets this year’s F1 drivers will be using.
2009 F1 testing: March 10th (Updated: pictures added)
Posted onBMW flexed their muscles in testing yesterday with Nick Heidfeld half a second faster around the Circuit de Catalunya than anyone else. They almost certainly don’t have that great an advantage over their rivals – and nor should McLaren be quite as slow as Heikki Kovalainen’s time yesterday suggests. But an impression is growing that … Continue reading 2009 F1 testing: March 10th (Updated: pictures added)
2009 F1 testing: March 9th (Update: pictures and video added)
Posted onAs the start of the 2009 F1 season draws tantalisingly close, today sees the beginning of the final major test before the Australian Grand Prix. Scuderia Toro Rosso will reveal their STR4 which we expect to be very similar to the Red Bull RB5, but with a Ferrari engine. And we’ll have our first chance … Continue reading 2009 F1 testing: March 9th (Update: pictures and video added)
2009 F1 testing: 5th March (Update: pictures added)
Posted onIt’s the final day of F1 testing at Jerez this week although Renault have packed up and left the test already after Fernando Alonso went fastest yesterday. Force India have done the same. Much of yesterday’s discussion surrounded exactly what McLaren are up to and whether their continued use of a 2008-spec rear wing hints … Continue reading 2009 F1 testing: 5th March (Update: pictures added)
2009 F1 testing: March 4th (Update: pictures added)
Posted onLewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen join in the testing action at Jerez today. McLaren have been using their 2008-spec rear wing again recently, prompting speculation over whether they are having problems with their MP4-24. Timo Glock has been fastest for Toyota over the past two days. Will Jarno Trulli keep the team on top as … Continue reading 2009 F1 testing: March 4th (Update: pictures added)
F1 drivers’ superlicence dispute over
Posted onThe dispute over F1 drivers’ superlicences has come to an end as the drivers have agreed to pay their fees. Max Mosley had demanded the drivers pay an new fee for 2008 which would increase the FIA’s income from superlicences in that year from ?óÔÇÜ?¼330,000 (?é?ú293,000) to ?óÔÇÜ?¼1.5m (?é?ú1.33m). After initially refusing to pay it … Continue reading F1 drivers’ superlicence dispute over
Williams FW31 introduced in interim livery
2009 F1 season
Posted onWilliams has revealed its 2009 F1 car – the FW31. The team go into 2009 with Toyota engines for the third year in a row. The FW31 has been presented in an interim livery. Its final paint scheme for the 2009 F1 season will be revealed next month. Pictures of the new Williams below. Drivers … Continue reading Williams FW31 introduced in interim livery
Nakajima stays at Williams for 2009
Posted onWilliams will retain its 2008 drivers for 2009 after confirming a contract extension for Kazuki Nakajima as predicted here earlier. With Nico Rosberg’s contract set to run until the end of next year it means the team’s race driver line-up is set.
Kazuki Nakajima: the driver debates
Posted onIn the half-term driver rankings I picked Kazuki Nakajima out as the most impressive rookie of the season so far. He has only started ten Grands Prix to date but has scored points on four occasions. Could he become the best Japanese driver since Takuma Sato?