Articles Tagged ‘McLaren’
Monday, December 14th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
Lotus have today confirmed their drivers for the 2010 Formula 1 season – Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen in race seats with Fairuz Fauzy the team’s third driver. The announcement was made by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur.
Trulli was left without a drive when Toyota left F1 at the end of the 2009 season. He is a veteran of 219 races, collecting 246.5 career points but just one win since his first race in 1997. He has driven for Jordan, Renault and Toyota.
28-year-old Kovalainen has been in F1 since 2007 where he raced for Renault before moving to McLaren for 2008 and 2009, before being replaced by Jenson Button for 2010. Kovalainen has raced in F1 52 times, collecting 105 points but only one race win.
Fairuz Fauzy, a Malaysian driver now on a Malaysian team at Lotus. 27-year-old Fauzy is a veteran in the formulae below F1. This year Fauzy finished 2nd in the World Series by Renault.
Tags: Fairuz Fauzy, Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli, Jenson Button, Jordan, Lotus, McLaren, Renault, Renault World Series, Toyota
Posted in Lotus F1, News | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
In the final day of young driver testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain, it was reigning British F3 champ Aussie Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull who set the quickest time – a 1.17.418s, despite having a premature end to the day.
The engine in Ricciardo’s Red Bull gave up the ghost after completing 77 laps.
The second quickest driver of the day was Scot Paul di Resta in the Force India, who’s morning session was cut short when his car came to a halt in the gravel at the chicane.
Third fastest in the McLaren was yesterday’s pacesetter Gary Paffett.
Times
01. Ricciardo Red Bull 1.17.418s 77 laps
02. Di Resta Force India 1.18.736s 53 laps
03. Paffett McLaren 1.18.746s 59 laps
04. Conway Brawn 1.19.096s 77 laps
05. Hulkenberg Williams 1.19.226s 106 laps
06. Baguette Sauber 1.19.356s 70 laps
07. Turvey McLaren 1.19.358s 32 laps
08. Ericsson Brawn 1.19.382s 49 laps
09. Di Grassi Renault 1.19.602s 123 laps
10. Hildebrand Force India 1.19.873s 41 laps
11. Sanchez Ferrari 1.21.147s 39 laps
12. Zampieri Ferrari 1.21.279s 42 laps
12. Zipoli Ferrari 1.21.725s 41 laps
13. Hartley Toro Rosso 1.22.493s 50 laps
15. Bortolotti Toro Rosso 1.23.271s 34 laps
16. Tung Renault 1.32.477s 4 laps
Tags: British F3, Daniel Ricciardo, Force India, Gary Paffett, Jerez, McLaren, Paul di Resta
Posted in BMW Sauber, Brawn GP, Ferrari, Force India, McLaren, News, Red Bull, Renault, Toro Rosso, Williams | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
Gary Paffett of McLaren topped the timesheets in today’s second young drivers test at Jerez, with the 2005 DTM champion and long-time McLaren test driver setting a fastest time of 01:18.718 in a day dogged by rain.
The Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg with a 2010 race seat for the team set a time of a 1:19.184 in his 94 laps to finish second fastest ahead of Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull.
Jules Bianchi could only manage 9th fastest with a 01:20.586 in his 113 laps for Ferrari, after announcing earlier he has signed a long-term contract with the team and will continue his race towards Formula One with a GP2 seat with the ART team in 2010.
The two Brawn GP drivers were almost inseperable – Mike Conway set a 01:20.222 and Marcus Ericsson a 01:20.440, despite the former completing 46 more laps than the Swede Ericsson.
The only driver who forced the red flags to come out was Mirko Bortolotti, when the Toro Rosso man stalled out on track. Bortolotti finished the session last, with his fastest time being a 01:21.761 in his 79 laps.
Times:
01 G. Paffett (McLaren) 01:18.718 80 laps
02 N. Hulkenberg (Williams) 01:19.184 94 laps
03 D. Ricciardo (Red Bull) 01:19.243 92 laps
04 P. di Resta (Force India) 01:19.411 58 laps
05 E. Gutierrez (BMW-Sauber) 01:20.190 68 laps
06 M. Conway (Brawn GP) 01:20.222 83 laps
07 M. Ericsson (Brawn GP) 01:20.440 37 laps
08 J.R. Hildebrand (Force India) 01:20.517 49 laps
09 J. Bianchi (Ferrari) 01:20.586 113 laps
10 L. Di Grassi (Renault) 01:20.898 67 laps
11 H. Tung (Renault) 01:21.492 57 laps
12 M. Bortolotti (Scuderia Toro Rosso) 01:21.761 79 laps
Tags: ART, Brawn GP, Daniel Ricciardo, DTM, Ferrari, Gary Paffett, GP2, Jerez, Jules Bianchi, Marcus Ericsson, McLaren, Mike Conway, Mirko Bortolotti, Nico Hulkenberg, Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Williams
Posted in BMW Sauber, Brawn GP, Ferrari, Force India, McLaren, News, Red Bull, Renault, Toro Rosso, Williams | No Comments »
Monday, November 30th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
McLaren have today announced that 22 year old Brit Oliver Turvey will test for the team at the young drivers test in Jerez, which starts tomorrow and runs to December 3rd.
Turvey is currently driving in the GP2 Asia series for the iSport International team.
Turvey gets to drive the 2009 McLaren as a prize for winning the 2006 McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award. He said;
“I’ve gone over this moment so many times in my mind, so it’s very exciting to be getting this opportunity to test with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team at Jerez this week. My aim is to enjoy the experience, but also to learn as much as I can from it. If possible, I’d also like to be able to help the team with their preparations for the 2010 season.”
McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh said;
“We’re extremely proud of our commitment to young talent and the efforts we’ve made to ensure the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver winners are given the experience of a lifetime when they test with us.”
“A drive in a race-wining Formula 1 car is every racing driver’s dream, and I’m sure Oliver will use this week’s test as the perfect opportunity to broaden his experience as he continues his successful single-seater career.”
Tags: GP2 Asia, iSport International, Jerez, Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren, Oliver Turvey
Posted in McLaren, News | No Comments »
Thursday, November 26th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
The new Mercedes team have today announced their two drivers for the Young Drivers Test at Jerez, Spain which will take place later this month – Mike Conway and Marcus Ericsson.
Mike Conway, the 26 year old from Kent, England has previously won the Formula Renault and British F3 titles. This year he has competed in the IndyCar series, with his only podium being a third place. He finished 17th in the drivers standings.
The 19 year old Swede Marcus Ericsonn won the Formula BMW title in 2007 and just this year he has triumphed and won the Japanese F3 title.
The full list of young drivers heading for Jerez so far is:
BMW Sauber:
Alexander Rossi
Esteban Gutierrez
Mercedes:
Mike Conway
Marcus Ericsson
(more…)
Tags: Alexander Rossi, Andy Soucek, Bertrand Baguette, BMW Sauber, Brendon Hartley, British F3, Daniel Ricciardo, Daniel Zampieri, Esteban Gutierrez, Ferrari, Force India, Formula BMW, Formula Renault, Japanese F3, Jerez, JR Hildebrand, Jules Bianchi, Lucas di Grassi, Marco Zipoli, Marcus Ericsson, McLaren, Mercedes, Mike Conway, Mirko Bortolotti, Nico Hulkenberg, Pablo Sanchez Lopez, Paul di Resta, Red Bull, Renault, Toro Rosso, Williams
Posted in Mercedes GP, News | No Comments »
Saturday, November 21st, 2009 - Posted by Randhy Fazralimanda
Kimi Raikkonen has denied talking with Brawn/Mercedes GP, saying he believes the team’s new owners, Mercedes Benz, will be taking an all-German line-up.
Earlier this week, McLaren announced that they had signed Jenson Button as Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate, leaving Raikkonen without a race-seat for next year’s Championship as the Finn had previously stated that he would only race for McLaren.
However, almost immediately reports emerged that he could head to the Championship-winning Brawn GP team after Mercedes purchased a 75.1 percent stake in the outfit.
His manager Steve Robertson added fuel to the fire, saying:
“This is Formula 1. If they can offer, or convince us, that they can provide Kimi an opportunity that Kimi is happy with, and that we are happy with, and he feels he can win races and the championship then never say never. There is always a possibility.”
But despite his manager’s claims, Raikkonen says there has been no contract with Brawn GP and nor does he expect there to be. Raikkonen told F1.com,
“No, I have not held talks with Brawn. I feel they will run two German drivers next year now that Mercedes are involved,”
The Finn also made it clear that a year out of Formula One was on the cards for next season as he won’t race for a team that cannot guarantee him a shot at the World title, in other words, McLaren.
“I could not agree terms with McLaren so I have decided to take a one-year sabbatical. I felt McLaren offered the best opportunity to win races and challenge for the Drivers’ Championship and if that would not work the one-year break is the result. And to be honest, I will only return in 2011 if a competitive drive is available.”
“I do not want to race just to make up the numbers. That does not interest me. But there’s a lot of time until then, so let’s wait and see what happens in the months ahead.”
The 2007 World Champion, however, hopes he won’t be away from motor sport entirely, targeting a possible drive in rallying.
“I do not know yet, I will look at competing in rallying. Again, naturally I want to drive a competitive car. If not I will spend more time with my family and friends.”
Tags: Brawn GP, Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, Mercedes GP, Steve Robertson
Posted in Brawn GP, McLaren, Mercedes GP, News | No Comments »
Thursday, November 19th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
Brawn GP chief executive officer Nick Fry has blasted Jenson Button on his move away from the Brackley based team to McLaren for the 2010 season. Button has signed a £6mill deal to join the team next year.
According to the Daily Express, the relationship between Button and Brawn ‘broke down so badly that they removed an offer that could have been worth £12 million next year before he signed for McLaren’, after the 29-year-old ‘was left in no doubt that he had let [the team] down in a ‘phone call with Brawn at the weekend’.
Another factor in Button’s choice to move could have been the Mercedes buyout of Brawn GP, and the rumours that they have plans to create an all German ’super team’.
Fry’s stinging quote is:
“Clearly, loyalty would be nice but in this day and age you don’t expect too much of that. I’m always happy when any employee leaves our company if I think that they’ve made the right decision and they are going to a better job. They always go with our blessing if that is the situation.
“In this situation, we don’t understand the logic of the decision. I think Jenson is going to have to up his game if he’s going to beat Lewis.
“We feel that we gave Jenson a car that enabled him to win the world championship, and we hoped he’d have stuck with us for that reason as we are very confident we can provide a race-winning car for next season.”
Button had previously given his reasoning on the switch. Part of his quote is:
“It’s always a difficult decision to leave a team when you’ve been there for so long. But life is all about challenges – and, most important of all, it’s about challenging yourself. So, although I won the World Championship with Brawn GP last year, and I’ll never forget that, I was always adamant that I wanted to continue to set myself fresh challenges.”
Tags: Brawn GP, Jenson Button, McLaren, Mercedes, Nick Fry.
Posted in Brawn GP, McLaren, Mercedes GP, News | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
Earlier on today McLaren confirmed they had signed Jenson Button to drive alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2010 and lets be honest, it was news we were all expecting.
However there has just been a shocking news story by Brazilian journalist Lito Cavalcanti, saying that Kimi Raikkonen has signed for Brawn GP who will run under the Mercedes name next season.
If this sensational story turned out to be true, it would be a complete backtrack by Raikkonen and his management team, who yesterday said that the Finn would not be in F1 next season, and that he would do rallying and possibly compete at Le Mans next year instead.
Tags: Brawn GP, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Lito Cavalcanti, McLaren, Mercedes
Posted in Brawn GP, McLaren, Mercedes GP, News, Rumour | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger
Jenson Button has signed for McLaren, leaving winning team Brawn GP (Now Mercedes GP). Button will join fellow British former world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2010.
Rumours that Button would goto McLaren have been rife throughout the past month, with Button making a whistlestop visit to the Woking-based factory last week. Negotiations with his ex-team Brawn GP were said to not be going well, with the team unable to meet Button’s asking price. Formula1Blogger.com exclusively revealed that the visit was not a tour, as previously stated by McLaren.
Subsequently, Brawn GP were bought out by Mercedes Benz, who are known to be looking to front an all German team with Nico Rosberg and Nick Heidfeld.
The most interesting part of this move will be around how Button will work with team-mate Hamilton. McLaren are known to develop and build their car specifically for Hamilton, so Button may find that he struggles to begin with. That said, former team mate Rubens Barrichello was known to be the strong leader with regards to car setup for Brawn.
What this also means in Heikki Kovalainen no longer has a race seat for 2010, however is strongly rumoured to sit alongside Robert Kubica at Renault.
A formal announcement will be available later on Wednesday.
Tags: Brawn GP, Drivers 2010, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
Posted in Brawn GP, McLaren, Mercedes GP, News | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
We had all guessed it after the Mercedes purchase of Brawn, but it has now been confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen will leave F1 and not partake in the 2010 season after negotiations with McLaren were over and unsuccessful with Jenson Button still looking like a good bet for the drive at the British team.
The man who announced that he will leave the sport is one of Raikkonen’s management team Steve Robertson, who told Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat.
Robertson also said that Raikkonen will do some rallying next year and may race in the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Tags: Brawn GP, Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren, Mercedes, Steve Robertson
Posted in Brawn GP, McLaren, News | 1 Comment »
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