Become an F1 Driver For a Day

Craving the high-speed energy of Formula 1 in your everyday life? Get the total Formula 1 experience when Renault opens its doors this summer to allow people to experience F1 from the driver’s seat.

This program will allow paying members to get a behind the scenes look at F1 at Budapest’s Hungaroring circuit, home of the Hungarian Grand Prix. The day starts off giving the participant the hands on aspects of life as an F1 driver. They attend enginer’s meetings, study, walk the track and even drive on the course (piloted by one of the team’s reserve drivers).

The program named “Feel It” has packages starting at €5,500. For more information on pricing, check out Renaultf1.com

Who Do You Think is the Hottest Woman In Racing?

Racing has always been a male dominated sport. And, even now…how often do we really hear about women in racing?  Let’s take a moment to acknowledge some of the hottest women in racing. Who do you think is the hottest?

Miss Danica Patrick

Danica started racing at the early age of 10. She competes in IndyCar and has even made her NASCAR debut. She is also the current face of GoDaddy.com and has graced the pages of FHM and Sport Illustrated.

The lovely Ashley Force

Ashley was the first female to win the NHRA Funny Car. She even won against her own dad, 14-time winner John Force. Her other claims to fame are 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series’ Rookie of the Year and 2007 AOL Sports Hottest Athlete. Does she get your vote?

British Katherine Legge

Currently racing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. First woman to test and A1 Grand Prix car in 2005. And, she was the first woman to test a Formula 1 car back in 2002.

Drag Racing Erica Enders

Pursued her passion at the early age of 8and has become the most successful female Pro Stock driver in NHRA history. In only 8 years of competition she has racked up 37 Jr. Dragster wins.  Her story was picked up by Disney Channel and turned into the TV movie, Right On Track.

Switzerland’s Cyndia Allemann

Cyndie began her career in racing very early at age 7. From karting she moved on over to cars in 2004 and finsihed sixth her first year in the Formule Renault 2.0 Suisse.

Renault To Continue Racing in F1

Source: The Associated Press

After the Flavio Briatore crash scandal, French carmaker Renault was rumored to leave F1. However, on Wednesday they agreed to sell a large portion of the team to a private investment firm. This ensures they will be able to continue racing in Formula One. The proposed firm was Genii Capital. Renault now says that the Renault team will be run by both companies concurrently, under the Renault name. Neither company disclosed the amount of the company that would be sold, however reports indicate it may be up to a staggering 80%. Genii informs that it plans to run the Renault team with a restricted-budget model.

Formula 1 Rebel Teams Announce Break Away From FIA

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:

Caught On Tape: FIA Official Crashes Renault R28

U.A.E. F1 representative Mohammed bin Sulayem crashed a Renault R28 Formula 1 car during the Renault Roadshow at the Dubai Autodrome. He was drag racing another car when the Renault suddenly veered to the right and crashed into the concert barrier. Bin Sulayem was not hurt in the accident.

F1 Car Released: Renault R29 Photos

Another day, another Formula 1 car released. This time Renault has revealed their 2009 contender, the R29.  This is the car Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet, Jr. will be driving in order to maintain or better their impressive 4th place standing in the Constructors championship. Renault is lucky to have Fernando Alonso to help setup their new car. Alonso is well known for being able to request the correct adjustments to get the most of the car.

Check out other 2009 F1 car releases:
Scuderia Ferrari F60
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24
Toyota TF109
Williams-Toyota FW31

Source: autoblog.com

Fernando Alonso Unhurt in Plane Accident

Two-time Formula One champion Fernando Alonso was unhurt in a minor plane accident Sunday after his private jet hit a wall at the Malindi Airport in Kenya. No one was hurt in the incident. Alonso was vacationing with his family in Africa. Alonso stayed at the Lion in the Sun hotel, which is owned by Renault team boss, Flavio Briatore.

Source: eastandard.net, iht.com

World Championship Winning F1 Car Taken For A Spin

In this classic Top Gear clip, Richard Hammond takes a spin around the track in Fernando Alonso’s world championship winning Renault. The car is from the V10 era, when the Formula One cars were pushing almost 1,000 horsepower. Not only does it have an insane amount of horsepower, it also has some the of most technologically-advanced auto parts in the world. This video demonstrates how difficult it is to control these immensely powerful vehicles. The professionals sure make it look easy.

And, if you’ve never heard a Formula One engine’s rendition of God Save the Queen, here is your chance (end of the clip).

Singapore F1 Venue Wins Award

The Singapore Grand Prix venue has won the award for Motor Sport Facility of the Year. The award was announced November 11 at the annual Motor Sport World awards in Cologne, Germany.

The 5.067km track was praised for the way the track was integrated through the center of the city and for successfully holding the first F1 race at night under the lights.

Runners-up for the award included the European Grand Prix in Valenica, the Toyota Racing Development chassis engineering building in Cologne and a new racing facility at Sturup in Sweden.

Fernando Alonso won the event for Renault, Rosberg obtained a rare podium finish in 2nd for Williams, and eventual World-Champion Lewis Hamiliton took 3rd for McLaren.

Source: The Straights Times, AsiaOne.com