Articles Tagged ‘Williams’
Thursday, December 10th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
Today His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani became the first ever Qatari to drive a Formula 1 car when he took to the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, driving 5 laps in the season Williams FW31. Earlier in the week Sheikh Khalid visited the Williams base for a seat fitting and to spend time in the team’s simulator.
Williams announced in October they are to open the first Formula One-related technical centre outside Europe in Qatar and The Williams Technology Centre will be tasked with developing F1 technologies for commercial application.
Sheikh Khalid said;
“The Williams FW31 is a remarkable vehicle, unlike any other race car I’ve ever driven. Being the first Qatarian to drive a Formula One car was an amazing experience I will not forget. I am proud that I was able to experience this honour at home in the State of Qatar.”
Williams team boss Frank Williams said;
“It was a privilege to be able to facilitate this historic first for His Highness and the State of Qatar today. The team of engineers that worked with Sheikh Khalid reported that he demonstrated considerable skill and aptitude in the DIL simulator at our headquarters near Oxford this week.”
Tags: Frank Williams, Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani, Losail International Circuit, Williams
Posted in News, Williams | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
Rubens Barrichello has said that he is fulfilling a lifelong dream by driving a Williams with his countryman the late Ayrton Senna’s name under the nose of the car.
Barrichello has signed for Williams for the 2010 season, making the jump from the Brawn GP team.
The Brazilian Senna won 3 world championships and scored 41 wins in his 162 races during his 10 years in F1, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time. Senna was killed in 1994 at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola while driving a Williams.
Barrichello said;
“It means a lot to me that I’m driving for Williams with his name under my car nose.
“It is a dream to drive for Williams, although I had to do it rationally and not emotionally because emotionally I would have signed anything to drive for them.
“It comes from the past, from when I was a kid.
“I’ve always dreamed to drive for them, but I’ve done it rationally because the engine looks good, the chassis looks good, the people around the car are very much in the ball game and I’m very much thinking I can be winning races and maybe chasing for titles with Williams.”
In 2010 there will be a new ‘Senna’ in F1, as Bruno Senna – the nephew of Ayrton will be driving for the Campos Meta team.
Tags: Ayrton Senna, Brawn GP, Bruno Senna, Campos, Imola, Rubens Barrichello, San Marino Grand Prix, Williams
Posted in News, 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 »
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
The young drivers test or ‘Kindergarten week’ as it was dubbed by Toro Rosso has today begun at the Jerez Circuit, Spain with 12 hot prospects all setting lap times at the circuit.
British F2 champ Spaniard Andy Soucek was the fastest driver in the 2009 Williams under the sunny skies at the circuit, where there was a track temperature of just 22′C. He clocked a 1:19.158 in his 87 laps.
However, it wasn’t all good for Soucek as twice he forced the red flags to come out, and brought the session to a temporary halt.
Scot Paul di Resta went second fastest in the Force India 0.211s off the pace, ahead of third place and former DTM champion Gary Paffett.
Toro Rosso’s Brendon Hartley finished last of the 12 after colliding with the barriers in the morning session.
Finishing 7th in the BMW Sauber was Alexander Rossi who’s quickest time was a 1:20.227. When speaking about his day he said;
“I very much enjoyed this day. It is impressive what the car does, how predictable and precise its reactions are, and how high the overall grip level is. But I have to admit I am also a little bit disappointed because being a racing driver you always want to be the fastest!
“I think in the afternoon we didn’t manage to find the perfect balance. Physically I have to say it was as demanding as I expected it would be. The power steering is a great help compared to GP2, but the g-forces obviously are higher.”
The Young Drivers testing runs until December 3rd.
Times
01 A. Soucek (Williams) 1:19.158 87 laps
02 P. Di Resta (Force India) 1:19.369 46 laps
03 G. Paffet (McLaren) 1:19.426 54 laps
04 D. Ricciardo (Red Bull) 1:19.534 113 laps
05 J. Bianchi (Ferrari) 1:19.626 91 laps
06 M. Conway (Brawn GP) 1:19.920 58 laps
07 A. Rossi (BMW-Sauber) 1:20.227 82 laps
08 M. Ericsson (Brawn GP) 1:20.333 50 laps
09 B. Baguette (Renault) 1:20.511 105 laps
10 J.R. Hildebrand (Force India) 1:20.537 49 laps
11 O. Turvey (McLaren) 1:20.856 27 laps
12 B. Hartley (Toro Rosso) 1:21.325 69 laps
Tags: Alexander Rossi, Andy Soucek, BMW Sauber, Brendon Hartley, DTM, F2, Force India, Gary Paffett, Jerez, Paul di Resta, Toro Rosso, Williams
Posted in BMW Sauber, Brawn GP, Ferrari, Force India, McLaren, News, Red Bull, Renault, Toro Rosso, Williams | 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 »
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant
Google have been ordered to pay newly signed Williams driver Rubens Barrichello half a million dollars in damages because it hosted fake profiles of him on social networking site Orkut.
There are some 300 fake profiles under Barrichello’s name on the site
A court in Sao Paolo, Brazil, ordered Google – which owns Orkut – to pay $500,000 damages but this could rise to $700,000, because there could be an extra daily fine. The case is not a new one – it began in July 2006.
Google are yet to comment on the matter.
Tags: Google, Orkut, Rubens Barrichello, Williams
Posted in News, Williams | No Comments »
Sunday, November 8th, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger
Recently unemployed Toyota driver Kamui Kobayashi has expressed his interest in taking a seat with upcoming team Lotus F1 in 2010. Kobayashi, who impressed many in the F1 paddock in the final 2 races of the 2009 season when replacing injured Timo Glock, was linked with a permanent drive with Toyota. That was, until they suddenly quit the sport earlier this week.
Kobayashi spoke with TheF1Times, telling them,
“Obviously my seat there is gone, I was close to signing the contract for that season only, but with four new teams, and a couple of current ones with no confirmed drivers, there are options, but to the current teams, I am a ‘risk’, which isn’t very good for my morale really”
This would suggest Kobayashi and his management team have already had discussions with some of the key players in the paddock, not very successful ones. On Lotus specifically Kobayashi said,
“I do believe I’ll get a seat, if I had to choose a team, I’d choose Lotus. The name is enough really… I think for me, my options are the four new teams really.”
Whilst Kobayashi may be eyeing up a Lotus seat, he’ll likely find it a little difficult after Mike Gascoyne of Lotus F1 recently said that the team were focussed on experienced drivers only, specifically stating “We are not looking for pay drivers or new drivers”, of which Kobayashi is clearly the latter.
That said, his ex team Toyota are doing all they can to try and secure him, and his fellow Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima a race seat for 2010, since Nakajima has also lost out after being replaced by Williams test driver Nico Hulkenberg.
Kobayashi also recently revealed that if it all falls through in his F1 bid, he’ll be back to making sushi in his father’s restaurant. Our view: not the best way for a talented Formula One driver to spend the rest of his days!
For more information on the Formula 1 driver lineup for 2010, check out our Ultimate Guide.
Tags: Drivers 2010, Kamui Kobayashi, Kazuki Nakajima, Lotus, Toyota, Williams
Posted in Lotus F1, News, Toyota | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger
In news that probably isn’t all that surprising this morning, Japanese car firm Toyota have confirmed that they will no longer take part in Formula One racing due to posting its worst ever financial loss. The world’s largest car manufacturer is leaving the sport to concentrate on its core business and to cut costs.
Rumours had been gently spreading over the past few weeks that the team were to possibly leave F1. Earlier last week Williams announced that they were no longer to use Toyota engines which some point out as one of the causing factors.
Last night @f1scoop found an article reported by Japanese newspaper Mainichi Daily News that the Toyota board have decided to pull out of Formula 1. A translation of the news article can be found here. To quote the article:
“Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s greatest motor racing, Formula One (F1) has decided to withdraw as far as this year.”
The announcement was made at 0800 hrs GMT today, 1700 local time.
This now leaves an empty slot on the grid for a team next year, which will likely mean the ex BMW Sauber team will be able to join in the the 2010 season after all. This also leaves Toyota drivers Jarno Trulli, Timo Glock and the impressive Kamui Kobayashi out of a job.
Tags: 2010, BMW Sauber, Drivers 2010, Engines, Jarno Trulli, Kamui Kobayashi, Timo Glock, Toyota, Williams
Posted in BMW Sauber, News, Toyota | 1 Comment »
Monday, November 2nd, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger
Williams have today confirmed that Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg will join the team for 2010.
Barrichello has enjoyed a fantastic year with Brawn GP, fighting up until the penultimate race for the drivers world championship, narrowly missing out to team mate Jenson Button. Over the weekend Barrichello had stated,
“Everyone would look at a position at Williams, because it is one of the best teams out there – and they are on the way up. So I am definitely looking at that.”
Only last night he was asked by BBC Sport if he could confirm the move to Williams, however he declined.
Nico Hulkenberg is currently Williams young test driver. At 22 he has already enjoyed some Formula 3 and GP2 championship wins in 2008 and 2009.
This now leaves an empty seat in the Brawn GP garage as the drivers start to move from team to team. Nico Rosberg, who has already confirmed that he is leaving Williams is the favourite to fill the empty slot in the Brawn garage.
For more information on the Formula 1 driver lineup for 2010, check out our Ultimate Guide.
Tags: Drivers 2010, Nico Hulkenberg, Rubens Barrichello, Williams
Posted in News, Williams | No Comments »
Friday, October 30th, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger
Frank Williams has confirmed to Autosport that the Williams Formula 1 team will switch to Cosworth engines next year. Williams’ contract with existing engine manufacturer Toyota has now expired which allowed the team to look further afield for a deal for 2010 onwards. Frank Willams said,
“We’ve finished our contract with Toyota and we’ve moved on to a British engine manufacturer Cosworth with whom we have won many world championships in the past. They are 50 miles away from Williams which is very convenient. Besides we also like our independence. We will be not under the influence, not that Toyota ever bossed around, but we’ve just gone a private and independent route.”
Williams also announced that they will be confirming their drivers for 2010 on Monday. After weeks of speculation, it has been strongly suggested that Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenburg will drive for the team. Nico Rosberg confirmed yesterday that he will leave the team after the Abu Dhabi race, assumingly because already has a drive elsewhere (either McLaren or Brawn GP). Pointing to this, Williams said,
“There are a few things going on at Williams for next season, with our engines, so we thought we can do better. Nico is German and Mercedes need at least one German driver to sit before their engine.”
Tags: Cosworth, Frank Williams, Nico Hulkenberg, Nico Rosberg, Rubens Barrichello, Toyota, Williams
Posted in News, Williams | No Comments »
