229 replies to this topic

[gotosy]

Heidfeld, Liuzzi also in Renault frame

Bruno Senna, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Nick Heidfeld are the three drivers that Renault is considering as the replacement for Robert Kubica this season, team boss Eric Boullier has said.
...

Speaking at a press conference at the Santa Corona hospital on Tuesday, Boullier said that the team was evaluating its options for a Kubica replacement – and suggested the current plan for one of the reserve drivers to test at Jerez this week.

"The first one driving will at the moment be our first test driver," Boullier was quoted as saying by IVG.it. "In the meantime, we will look for Kubica's substitute: the names considered are Senna, Liuzzi and Heidfeld.

"The team is close to Robert, we wait for him with open arms and we hope he can come back before the end of the season.

"It was Robert's choice, he wanted to go rallying at all costs and Renault authorised it. Now we just wait to know what the recovery time is for our driver."

Boullier said that Kubica was in high spirits considering his injuries, having visited him with team-mate Vitaly Petrov.

"We have been with Robert for about fifteen minutes: we have joked and we have found him very well. Obviously he immediately wanted to know the team's programme for this season."

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/89342

[gotosy]

Vitaly Petrov, Nick Heidfeld and Bruno Senna will take part of Renault's four-day test starting tomorrow at Jerez

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/89366

[gotosy]

Heidfeld confirmed at Renault

Quote

Nick Heidfeld will replace injured Polish driver Robert Kubica at next month's Bahrain Formula One season-opener, the Renault team said on Wednesday.

The Lotus-backed outfit said the experienced 33-year-old German would test for the team at Spain's Barcelona circuit this week and then race alongside Russian team mate Vitaly Petrov at Sakhir on March 13.

Kubica has been ruled out for at least three months and possibly the entire season after suffering serious arm, leg and hand injuries in a rally crash in Italy 11 days ago.

He was undergoing a third round of surgery on Wednesday to fix broken bones.

"I would have liked to come back to Formula One in different circumstances, but I'm proud to have been given this chance," said Heidfeld, who has yet to win a race despite starting 172 grands prix.
...

http://uk.eurosport....ce-renault.html

[RobH]

Looks like the season opener could well be in Australia this year. I can't - and wouldn't want to - see a Grand Prix taking place in Bahrain in three weeks' time.

http://www.latimes.c...0,6051909.story

[gotosy]

Bahrain Grand Prix 2011 Cancelled

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Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have announced that the event will not host the opening round of the 2011 Formula 1 season, after days of uncertainty following unrest in the country.

The decision was finally confirmed by the track organisers on Monday afternoon.

The Crown Prince informed Bernie Ecclestone of the decision by telephone earlier today.

"We felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest," Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa said.

"Bahrain's priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together to remind the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united."

The postponement of the race means the season will now start in Australia on 27 March, two weeks later than originally scheduled.

No decision has been made on a new date for the rescheduling of the race, which was due to take place from March 11th to 13th.

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/89598

[RobH]

Only possible decision, took their time though.

[gotosy]

Ferrari rename their 2011 Formula One racing car for the second time

http://uk.eurosport....sion-truck.html

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"In order to avoid the slightest risk of anyone confusing a Formula One car with a pick-up truck... the men from Maranello have decided that the car will lose the F that precedes the number 150 and which stands for Ferrari,"

[gotosy]

Pirelli has announced the colours that it will use to distinguish the six different types of tyre to be used during the 2011 season.

Each tyre will carry its own colouring on the Pirelli and PZero logos affixed to the sidewall.

The six colours are as follows:

Wet - orange
Intermediate - light blue
Supersoft - red
Soft – yellow
Medium – white
Hard – silver



http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/90008

[RobH]

That looks very confusing when you first see it, but actually it's not.

Essentially, as long as it's not raining, the hard "prime" tyre will be a white/silver colour, whilst the soft "option" will be red/yellow.

Good work Pirelli - the cars on the faster tyres will stand out well with that system. Bridgestone's were never that well marked imho.

[gotosy]

Vettel will start from pole Sunday in Formula One's season-opening

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AUS GP Qualifying:


1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m23.529s
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m24.307s
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m24.395s
4. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m24.779s
5. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m24.974s
6. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m25.247s
7. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m25.421s
8. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m25.599s
9. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m25.626s
10. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m27.066s

11. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m25.971s
12. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m26.103s
13. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m26.108s
14. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m26.739s
15. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1m26.768s
16. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m31.407s
17. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth

18. Nick Heidfeld Renault 1m27.239s
19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1m29.254s
20. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 1m29.342s
21. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m29.858s
22. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1m30.822s

107% time: 1m31.266s
23. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1m32.978s
24. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m34.293s