Fernando Alonso
Two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso has signed a 5 year deal with Ferrari believed to worth 25 million Euros per year.
The news comes as a shock to no one as rumors of Alonso making the move to Ferrari have been around for years and have become even more prevalent lately.
The deal is most likely going to displace Kimi Raikkonen from the Italian team while Robert Kubica will be filling the void left by Alonso at Renault.
Source: PlanetF1.com
Ross Brawn, the mastermind behind Michal Schumacher’s seven Championships, is excited about Schumi’s return as long as it doesn’t disrupt Brawn GP’s Jenson Button Championship in 2009. Brawn has gotten to know Schumacher well over the years, and was not surprised when the he accepted the opportunity to jump back in a Ferrari after his retirement in 2006.
“After Massa’s terrible accident, it was natural for him to say yes given the need of his old team,” Brawn told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Schumacher has been affiliated with the Ferrari Formula 1 team since his retirement as an advisor for the team.
“Michael will return with his usual determination and seriousness, but above all with the intention of having fun.
“Personally, I admit I’m excited and can’t wait to see him at work.”
“He has to familiarize himself with the car, but I’m sure if he doesn’t win one of the remaining races of the season it will not be his fault, but because Ferrari is not in a winning position.”
Schumacher will be return to Formula 1 on August 23rd in Valenica, Spain.
Source: Planet F1
Michael Schumacher
Forget the radical regulation changes, the withdrawal of BMW from the championship, Felipe Massa’s life-threatening accident and the potential break-up of Formula 1, the focus of Formula 1 is clearly on the return of F1 legend Michael Schumacher.
Schumacher will return to Formula 1 on August 23rd in Valencia, Spain for the European Grand Prix in place of the injured Felipe Massa for Ferrari.
Current Formula 1 drivers are welcoming the return of Schumi.
“It will be good to have Michael back out there racing again,” said Button.
“There are very good people out there racing at the moment, but to have Michael there again will be very special, although I’m sure we all wish Felipe was there also.”
Current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has also commented on Schumacher’s return, saying it will be an “honour and a privilege” to compete against the F1 “legend.”
“I am excited by the possibility of Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula 1 assuming it happens, but my thoughts are still with Felipe and his family following his terrible accident in Hungary,” said Hamilton.
“Michael is one of the sport’s greatest competitors and a legend in his own right and it would be great to compete against him.
“The whole world will be watching his return to the cockpit in Valencia and it will not only be fascinating to see how he readies himself for his grand prix comeback but also an honour and a privilege to race against him for the very first time. I wish him well.”
Source: PlanetF1.com
Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher only needs to pass an FIA physical in order to fill Felipe Massa’s spot at Ferrari for the remainder on the season. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion should have no problem with the physical since he’s been keeping fit by racing motorcycles and moonlighting as the Stig. Schumacher should be available to make his Formula 1 return at next month’s Europena Grand Prix in Valencia.
Schumacher never really left Ferrari as he has been on board as an advisor since his 2006 retirement. Expect Valencia, Spain to be extra red on August 23 when Ferrari’s hero returns.
Felipe Massa
Felipe Massa is now awake and visiting with family members after his frightening high speed crash during qualifying in Hungary. The Ferrari driver was fighting for his life after a spring came loose from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn car and hit Massa in the head while he was going approximately 150 mph. The impact from the spring knocked out Massa and he then slammed head-on into a barrier at 60 mph. He suffered brain swelling and damage to his eye.
Massa is reportedly now breathing under his own power and is able to move his limbs. He is described at groggy but is able to answer questions. Massa is not expected to return to Formula 1 this season. His future in the sport is questionable.
The Formula One Team Association (FOTA) has announced their intention to withdraw from the Formula One Championship at the end of the season and create their own championship series for 2010. FOTA is comprised of Brawn GP, McLaren, Renault, Ferrari, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Red Bull and Toro Rosso. FOTA has been frustrated by recent budget cap proposals of £40 million and a general disregard of the team’s opinions by the FIA.
Click through to read the statement released by FOTA:
Formula 1 Diffuser
The complaints over the double-decker rear diffuser designs have been rejected as the diffusers were ruled legal by the FIA’s International Court of Appeal. Brawn, Toyota and Williams were all using the different diffusers which are believed to give the cars at least a half second advantage per lap.
Following the recent ruling, Ferrari stated that they have no choice but to modify the Ferrari F60 in 2009 in order to be able to compete.
Ferrari have gotten off to a horrible 2009 campaign as team drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen haven’t secured even one point in the first two races.
Source: Formula1.com
Nico Rosberg of Williams-Toyota had the fastest lap in the first 90 minute practice session. His fastest lap was set at 1:26.687. Teammate Kazuki Nakajima had the second fastest lap of 1:26.736, which was 0.049 seconds behind Rosberg. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen finished 3rd with a time of 1:26.750. Brawn GP team driver Rubens Barrichello had the 4th fastest lap at 1:27.226. The pre-race favorite, Jenson Button, also of Brawn GP, maintained the 6th best lap with 1:27.467.
The President of Ferrai, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, has lashed out against Formula One’s new scoring system calling it “dangerous” and “absurd”. The FIA’s new scoring system will name the champion based on who wins the most races as opposed to the previous points system. If this system was in place last year the championship would have been handed to Felipe Massa instead of Lewis Hamilton.
“I find it really absurd, serious and dangerous that one week before the start of the season we have created a situation of this nature which is very negative for our credibility, the teams, the constructors, the supporters, the journalists and the sponsors,” said Montezemolo. “I would like this climate to become more responsible, the teams have already reduced their costs by 50 percent. It’s important to create a more serene climate and to avoid continuously changing the rules, things that provoke trouble and worries for those doing the work.”
7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher has also recently expressed his disagreement of the new rules the FIA has imposed on Formula 1, especially the new scoring system.
“I cannot imagine those changes to help F1, especially regarding the new system to find the champion,”Schumacher said.
“I cannot see how it makes sense to eventually have a world champion who has less points than the driver coming in second, even if I think it is a good move to strengthen the winner’s position.”
The Formula 1 season resumes on March 29th in Melbourne, Australia.
Source: AFP, CNN
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