Kimi Räikkönen Leaves Formula One

Kimi July 25, 2009

After failing to find a car for 2010, Ferrari’s world champion has announced that he is to leave F1 for rallying.

The laconic Finn’s premature exit was the talk of the sport for most of the year, especially after Ferrari’s 2009 car turned out to be quite a dud. Nowhere was Räikkönen’s indifference more stark than at the Malaysian Grand Prix, where during a break forced by torrential rain, he wandered about the pits with a bar of ice cream instead of remaining by his racing car.

Räikkönen was forced to leave Ferrari at the end of the season to make way for Fernando Alonso. There were talks with Toyota, hampered by Räikkönen’s high price and ultimately by Toyota’s exit from Formula One, then there were talks with his former team McLaren, which fell through. One has to wonder whether Räikkönen’s exorbitant salary demands—rumored to be close to $50 million, very much not in synch with his performance over the last two seasons—were a deliberate move on his part to ease his exit from the sport.

Kimi July 31, 2009

Going where many Finn have gone before, Räikkönen is set to continue his career in rallying. He has, in fact, already debuted in the World Rally Championship: Räikkönen drove a Super 2000 class Fiat Grande Punto Abarth for Tommi Mäkinen Racing at this year’s Rally Finland in August.

He leaves the sport after nine seasons, with occasional displays of devastating speed and a lucky world championship in 2007, when he exploited the rivalry between McLaren’s Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton and the hubris of the latter to beat both at the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix, claiming the title which had eluded him at McLaren.

Author: Peter Orosz

Source: www.jalopnik.com

Photo Credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images, Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images

Silver Arrows Return to Formula 1

Mercedes-Benz has announced that it has bought a controlling stake in the recently-crowned Formula 1 champions Brawn GP and re-named it Mercedes Grand Prix.

World Champ Button Says Thanks to Brackley Staff

Jenson Button

Newly crowned Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button made a trip to Brawn GP’s factory in Brackley to say thank you.

“I’m really here today to say a massive well done and thank you to everyone at the team,” Button said. “We’ve worked so hard for these achievements for so many years.

“Some of us were here from the beginning back in 1998 and I arrived halfway through our journey in 2003 but everyone has put so much work in. I know that there have been a lot of very difficult times and over the winter there were times when we didn’t think that we would be here at all.

“It’s very sad that not everyone can be here who worked on this fantastic car. But the team had to become smaller to continue and together we produced a car that has been exceptional this season.”

Button spoke of the emotional extremes he has experienced over the past months.

“To be able to achieve the Constructors’ and the Drivers’ Championships in our first year, especially after such a difficult winter, is an amazing achievement,” he added. “It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions.

“The first few races were magnificent. It looked like it was a walk in the park but it really wasn’t. Then we had some difficult races, especially myself but also as a team where we struggled. But we fought back hard and when we needed to improve the car, you guys did it.

“Rubens [Barrichello] gave us two more wins in Valencia and Monza at an important time to boost our morale and prove just how quick the car was. We have a great leader, a fantastic leader, in Ross. The Big Bear can’t be here today but I know that when he gets back, he’ll be celebrating with you.”

Button secured the World Championship last Sunday at the Brazilian Grand Prix with 5th place finish. The Formula 1 season concludes on November 1st with the Grand Prix of United Arab Emirates.

Source: PlanetF1.com

Alonso Signs 5 Year Deal with Ferrari

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

Brawn Welcomes Schumacher’s Return

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 Return Welcomed by Rivals

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

BMW Sauber Announces They Will Quit Formula 1

BMW Sauber

BMW has announced that they will not continue to race in Formula 1 after the 2009 season. The freed up resources will be dedicated to developing new drive technology and projects related to sustainability. BMW will remain active in other less expensive motor sports series such as touring car series and the young driver promotion program in Formula BMW.

BMW did achieve success in Formula 1 over the years. They had eight Formula 1 victories between 1982 and 1985 while with Brabham. BMW won the drivers’ championship in 1983 with Nelson Piquet (Brabham BMW).  BMW Williams racked up 10 victories between 2000-2005 with Williams.

Source: PlanetF1

Clutch Test – Formula 1 Auto Parts

This test shows the extremes that clutch on a Formula 1 racer can endure. This clutch can handle temperatures up to 1400C and beyond. Your everyday car clutch would not be be able to take this type abuse, unless of course you splurge and go for the Carbon-Carbon upgrade.

todpoli” (Youtube alias) explains:

“The idea in this testing is to determine if the Carbon-Carbon friction coefficient remains stable during this simulated slipping. The problem most F-1 cars have is the initial take-off from the start line. Because of the high RPM and total energy input, many materials cannot withstand the 1400 C temperatures without fading or losing friction completely. For this reason we test new materials to make sure the friction coefficient is stable through all conditions including initial humidity effects on C-C composites. Since C-C absorbs moisture when not used at high enough temps, the initial engagement may have a low friction coefficient at the beginning of the torque curve which is extremely important at the start of the race. C-C can be heat treated and doped with other materials to enhance the properties to ensure stable friction throughout the acceleration.”

Michael Schumacher Returns to Formula 1

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 Awake After Horrible Crash

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.