Alvin's Formula One Blog

Friday 30th January 2009 Ron Dennis has slammed suggestions that he jumped before being pushed out of the job as McLaren team boss as "fatuous." The last few years of Dennis's reign as McLaren team boss have been marred with as many lows as highs and plenty of rumours of his impending retirement. The rumours began in 2004 when he was accused by many in F1 of taking his eye off the track by devoting his attention to McLaren's £250m technical centre, Paragon, when he should have been focusing on much-needed results. The Brit's situation worsened three years later when his team was accused and found guilty by the FIA of being in unauthorised possession of Ferrari's secret technical data. It was a low point in the 61-year-old's career with the team boss later admitting to being the one who ratted McLaren out to FIA President Max Mosley. McLaren were handed a record $100 million fine by motors...

BMW are smart . Like Toyota and Ferrari, I think McLaren better do the same as in season testing is banned and there is not enough time to test properly the new changes, don't even talk of wasting time in the rain.

Charlie has given a briefing on the rule changes for 2009 to make it clear to all especially us fans so that we can understand and enjoy the sport better. But I hope this is for real as we've seen how much weight Charlie's words carry in 2008. I hope after this briefing, the FIA (FIAt) won't change or bend the rules to suit some people or to change the results of races. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and one eye on the outcome of all races in 2009. You never know.

Wednesday 28th January 2009 At the beginning of each Formula One season it takes a while to get used to the teams' new liveries. Then there's the new boys on the grid plus the latest graphics on the TV coverage you have to adapt to. But coming into the 2009 season there is a mind-boggling variety of changes, so many that fans ought to be issued with a new F1 Users' Manual. In case you missed any of them New Tech: The tiny rear wings and the wide front wings will be the most conspicuous change to the cars' visual appearance, along with an absence of intricate bargeboards and midwings. F1 Calendar: There'll be no race in Canada as the Montreal organisers failed to agree a race fee that (they say) will allow them to break even. This means that scandalously, there is no race in North America. F1 Calendar: Ditto France and the French GP at Magny Cours, though there's not quite the same heartfelt desire to return to N...

Wednesday 28th January 2009 The start to this season's Malaysian GP has been delayed to 5pm local time, according to the FIA. There had been talk last year about Malaysia joining Singapore in hosting a night race, however, the Sepang bosses were against the idea due to the cost of setting up the lighting system. Instead a compromise has been reach whereby the race will start at 5pm local time, which means the grand prix will begin at 9am GMT. 2009 Calendar & Starting Times All times are local 29/03 Australia 17:00 05/04 Malaysia 17:00 19/04 China 15:00 26/04 Bahrain 15:00 10/05 Spain 14:00 24/05 Monaco 14:00 07/06 Turkey 15:00 21/06 Great Britain 13:00 12/07 Germany 14:00 26/07 Hungary 14:00 23/08 Europe 14:00 30/08 Belgium 14:00 13/09 Italy 14:00 27/09 Singapore 20:00 04/10 Japan 14:00 18/10 Brazil 14:00 01/11 Abu Dhabi 15:00 Source : Planet F1

Thursday 22nd January 2009 McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa says he has been surprised that the pace of this year's cars compares favourably with last year's models. De la Rosa has been testing McLaren's 2009 MP4-24 at the Algarve circuit this past week, finishing his two days of action in second place behind a 2008 car that was driven by Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi. And although the Spaniard failed to match Buemi's lap times by a few seconds, he reckons this year's cars, which feature new aero packages and slick tyres, can match the pace of their predecessors. "I'm surprised how little difference the slick tyres and the aero package have made," de la Rosa told Autosport . "The car has more grip at low speed, so we are definitely gaining time, but then losing a little bit in the high speed corners. "I think that the lap times will be very similar. What you lose...

Wednesday 21st January 2009 Lewis Hamilton has given a thumbs-up to his first return to the track in two months. Hamilton's outing in testing at Portimao was his first since winning the World Championship, in rather nailbiting style, back in November. One notable difference from last year is that his new charger, the MP4-24, carries the number one on its nose, but for Hamilton the significance of the day was simply getting behind the wheel again. "It was good to be back working with the team - it felt like I'd hardly been away because it was easy to slip back into the routine," Hamilton told Autosport. "It's amazing to think that, while I've been to Woking throughout the winter, I haven't properly driven a Formula One car since the Brazilian Grand Prix two months ago, but everything very quickly felt normal today." It was, though, just a fleeting return to action for Hamilton with ...

Thursday 22nd January 2009 Heavy rain showers throughout Thursday saw the final day of testing at the Algarve circuit washed-out. Three of the five F1 teams present at the track, Toro Rosso, Williams and Toyota, all ventured out during the first half an hour of running this morning, however, they were soon heading back to their respective garages due to the rain. 33 minutes into the day's action and the session was red-flagged due to the poor weather conditions restricting the medical helicopter from being able to take off. Under F1 regulations the helicopter has to be able to fly in order for the drivers to be allowed out on the track. And although there were hopes of the action getting underway later in the day it didn't pan out that way due to the adverse conditions. As such the Portuguese test came to a premature end at 16:15 local time with no lap times being set and with two teams, McLaren and Renault, no...

How dumb can you get? Or is Piquet dreaming ? With Alonso there is no such thing as parity. I laughed when I read in the same article Piquet saying he will get the same treatment as Alonso while Alonso said that he chose to drive on another day and he got what he wanted. "The team asked which days I wanted to drive and I said day three and four because normally the first two days the car has a lot of problems."

Tuesday 20th January 2009 Fernando Alonso has put to one side past acrimony with Ron Dennis by hailing the impact the McLaren boss has had on Formula One. Dennis caused a stir at the launch of his team's new car on Friday by announcing his intention to step down as team principal as of March 1, with second-in-command Martin Whitmarsh assuming the role. The 61-year-old was at pains to point out he is not retiring, that he will instead be diversifying his duties, and that he will continue to attend grands prix. And although Dennis will remain in the background, his decision to give up a position he has held since 1981 nevertheless represents a significant changing of the guard at McLaren. As for Alonso, who suffered an ignominious fall-out with Dennis during an ill-fated season with McLaren in 2007, his comments also represent a considerable thawing of previously frosty relations. "We are not best friends, but ...

Tuesday 20th January 2009 Fernando Alonso feels the pressure is off Lewis Hamilton this year, but has warned the Briton he potentially faces a tough task to retain his F1 crown. Double World Champion Alonso was on hand at the Algarve Motor Park on Monday to unwrap Renault's car for the 2009 season, although he will only get behind the wheel for the first time on Wednesday. Alonso, who won more points in the final six races of last season than any other driver, is incredibly upbeat about his prospects of a third World title. That might not bode well for old adversary Hamilton, but the 27-year-old is convinced the McLaren driver will feel more at ease after winning his maiden Championship. "I think there's less pressure on Lewis this year," said Alonso, who won back-to-back titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006. "When you win a Championship you are a Formula One World Champion forever, and it means...

3 cars were launched in 2 days. Wow talk about when it rains... Renault, Williams and BMW all launched their 2009 challengers these past 2 days and it has been tough keeping up with the news and pictures as I'm working on the 4am shift. My impressions of the cars so far? Well, quite a surprise. The Williams looked good actually, with all the curves and the front wing was not so ugly. It's still in the launch livery though, so we'll have to wait until the race livery comes out. But the overall shape is nice, it works. Pictures are here . The BMW car was launched yesterday and it looks like what we saw late last year, not much change. Maybe the nose is a bit more rounded and dips lower but overall it doesn't look that good with the front wing being huge and just straight without any sexy curves like the McLaren. The livery is funny though with the red line running from the nose and cutting across the sidepods. Pictures are here . But I do have a feeling that BMW will do w...

Tuesday 20th January 2009 BMW unveiled their new F1.09 at Valencia on Tuesday and went against the grain by welcoming the introduction of KERS into Formula One. The German outfit, who finished third in last year's Championship, are hoping to find themselves in a position to challenge for this year's World title. Last season Canadian GP winner Robert Kubica was in the running right up until the penultimate round of the Championship, however, the Polish driver eventually finished the season in fourth place. This year, though, BMW reckon they can fight for the titles. "We have set ourselves the task of further improving our performance relative to the rest of the field," said team boss Mario Theissen. "The 1-2 in Canada and a total of eleven podium finishes in 2008 set an exacting standard. "In 2009 we are looking to maintain our first-class reliability record while at the same time enhancing ...

Monday 19th January 2009 After weeks of relative silence the sound of F1 engines reverberated for the first time today in earnest as testing got underway at the Algarve circuit. In a mix of old and new it was Sebastien Buemi in last year's Toro Rosso who set the pace in the rather wet conditions. The rain hampered play for part of the day with a heavy downpour in the afternoon curtailing the running. However, the wet weather didn't stop Buemi who completed 65 laps in the STR3, clocking a best time of 1:41.528. That put the Swiss driver almost five seconds ahead of second placed Pedro de la Rosa. The Spaniard drove an interim McLaren MP4-24, which at various stages of the day was fitted with either the new 2009 front wing and last year's rear or an old front and a new rear. Meanwhile Nico Hulkenberg, putting the new Williams FW31 through its paces for the first time, posted the third fastest time, a quart...

Monday 19th January 2009 Williams unveiled their new 2009 challenger, the FW31, at the Algarve circuit in Portugal on Monday. Decked out in their winter test livery, the new car features the expected low, long front wing and short, high rear wing in keeping with this year's regulation changes. KERS, the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, has also been fitted to the car, which test driver Nico Hulkenberg is set to drive for the first time later today. Williams, whose form has slumped in recent seasons, are hoping the new car will be another step forward up the order. Last year they finished eighth in the Constructors' Championship. Source : Planet F1

Monday 19th January 2009 Renault's R29, and its slightly changed livery, were presented to the world at the Algarve circuit on Monday morning. The Anglo/French squad opted for a low-key launch at the track where the team will be testing later this week. Drivers Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jr were both in attendance along with team boss Flavio Briatore as the R29 made its debut. The new car, like those displayed before it, is designed in accordance to the new 2009 regulations. This means the wing at the front is low and wide while the rear is short and high. The sidepods meanwhile are shaped aggresively at the radiator air inlets but feature no barge boards or sidepod panels. The car also features the shark fin engine cover that Renault used last season. As for the livery, there is a slight change with more red included as Renault have signed French oil company Total to their sponsorship mix. Source : Plane...

Saturday 17th January 2009 Lewis Hamilton is confident the McLaren team will prosper despite Ron Dennis's decision to step down as team boss. Dennis announced at Friday's launch of McLaren's new MP4-24 that he would be handing over the daily running of the team to McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh. And although the decision was expected, there are some questions about whether McLaren will suffer a result. Hamilton, though, is confident Dennis's departure won't affect his chances of retaining the World title and paid homeage to the man he has known for over a decade. "Ron is a huge part of the team," remarked Hamilton. "He has racing in his blood, so he will never leave. He will always play a part, and I will always remain close to him. "I've known him since I was 10. We have a great relationship, and he has made a huge impact on my life - and he still does today - and we ar...

Saturday 17th January 2009 Ron Dennis, the man who built a F1 dynasty from the McLaren team, announced on Friday that he is stepping down from his role as McLaren team boss. PF1 brings you the facts behind the man... 1. Dennis' career in motorsports started out when he was 16 years old and began working as an apprentice mechanic for the Thomson & Taylor garage at Weybridge. 2. He entered F1 in 1966 when he became a mechanic for the Cooper Formula One team where the lead driver was Jochen Rindt., who took Dennis with him to Brabham in 1968. 3. Prior to being asked to take operational control of McLaren, Dennis was in fact trying to raise funds for a Formula One team of his own - he had previously owned the Rondel Racing team in the 1970s. At the time Dennis owned a Formula 2 team, called Project 4, which was merged with McLaren to create the current McLaren F1 team. 4. The MP4 in the name of all subsequent McLare...

Friday 16th January 2009 Reigning World Champ Lewis Hamilton is gearing up for an exciting 2009 season as he prepares to defend his crown in the wake of new regulations. This year's Championship promises to offer an interesting mix as new rules have changed Formula One as we know it. Not only do the 2009 cars feature drastic changes to the aerodynamic packages but there's the introduction of KERS and a return to slick tyres. Speaking at Friday's launch of McLaren's new MP4-24, Hamilton hailed the day as an emotional one and for more than one reason. "The arrival of a new car is always an emotional moment for any racing driver - and the unveiling of MP4-24 is even more special for me, not only because the car looks absolutely stunning but also because it carries the World Champion's number one," he said. The Brit's car carries the number '1' after he won last year's World t...

Finally, McLaren have launched their car with which Lewis Hamilton will defend his title. And it looks stunning with the silver really standing out. The colour really hits you when you first look at it. It doesn't have that metallic finish like the Mp4-22 or Mp4-23 but it still looks good. It does look a bit matte as the pic show at Pitpass here , maybe it's just the angle. For the Pitpass launch gallery, click here . The car doesn't have that "dolphin" nose anymore, it's quite big now and the way the front wing connects to the nose is pretty simple, I must admit. The way the Ferrari's front wing connects to the nose is much cooler. Toyota is quite common as it used to look a few years ago circa 2002, 2003. And sadly, after many years as the face and spirit of McLaren, Ron Dennis has decided to step down as team principal to be replaced by martin Whitmarsh. I hope this does not jeopardise the McLaren strength to fight Ferrari.

Toyota launched it's 2009 contender, the TF109 today. It looks good so far. Click here for images of the car. The sides of the front wings are curved, I'm wondering is that allowed? Looks good though. I'm also a bit worried at the lack of sponsor stickers on the car. What does that say? But since the new regulations has made the field more level (we hope), Toyota and Jarno Trulli are confident they can get their first ever win in F1 after 7 seasons in the sport. Good luck to them.

Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug has said the marque could supply the former Honda team with engines in 2009, provided any takeover leaves the team on a sound financial footing. Although Mercedes has already committed to supplying a customer team for the first time, with Force India using its engines in 2009, Haug said that it could be possible to offer a deal to Honda. "If there is a feasible solution with an investor for that team, we would be prepared to discuss it," Haug told autosport.com . "But the financial background needs to be there. "You cannot give any presents at this time and in this (financial) climate, but we would like to help for the sake of Formula One. Ross Brawn and Nick Fry and their guys have done a good job so far, so if we could be in a position to help we certainly could try to do so. "But the financial feasibility is very important. It needs to be 100 per cent bulletproof." Haug says that a potential ...

Tuesday 13th January 2009 Despite being up for sale Honda have not cancelled their entry for the 2009 F1 World Championship, according to the FIA. Motorsport's governing body as released the list of entries for this year's campaign including drivers with only three slots still open, one at Toro Rosso and two at Honda. Toro Rosso are still looking for a team-mate to Seb Buemi and are believed to be waiting on whether Honda will make the grid as they are keen to sign Jenson Button. However, should the Brit remain with his team, Takuma Sato and Seb Bourdais are the two most likely candidates to partner Buemi. Honda, meanwhile, are still looking for a new buyer before announcing their line-up with Button, Bruno Senna and Rubens Barrichello all keen on racing for the new owners. 2009 Entry List 1 Lewis HAMILTON (GB) McLaren 2 Heikki KOVALAINEN (FIN) McLaren 3 Kimi RAIKKONEN (FIN) Ferrari 4 Felipe MASSA (BR) Ferrar...

Monday 12th January 2009 Ferrari became the first team to unveil their 2009 challenger when they launched the F60 at Maranello on Monday. The Scuderia, who will be keen to wrestle back the World title from McLaren this season, put the new car on display, revealing many of the new odd looking 2009 regulations. In keeping with the rules the 2009 contender features a long front wing with a short, high rear one as well as sidepod mounted mirrors. The slick Bridgestone tyres are also in evidence. The F60 has also been fitted with Ferrari's Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), which has been developed in conjunction with electronics supplier Magneti Marelli. A new Brembo designed brake system is also another feature on the car as well as a longitudinally-mounted gearbox. The car will be shaken down by Ferrari's runner up in the 2008 Championship, Felipe Massa, later today. PF1 will bring you all the news from th...

Sunday 11th January 2009 McLaren team boss Ron Dennis has paid tribute to Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen. Hamilton has been part of the McLaren family since 1995 and he became Formula One's youngest-ever World Champion last year after narrowly missing out on the F1 crown in 2007. Dennis insists Hamilton is very much a "feet-on-the-ground guy" and believes the support he receives is key to his success. "I think the results speak for themselves," he told Autosport . "He is a very balanced feet-on-the-ground guy. He has a phenomenal family, he has had tremendous support and continues to receive tremendous support from his father. "Obviously also from a lot of people at McLaren who believe in him and believe in Heikki." Kovailainen joined McLaren at the end of the 2007 season, and Dennis revealed the Finn was "mentally destroyed" when he signed up, but he bounced ba...

Congrats to Lewis on his conferment of the MBE. Wednesday 31st December 2008 Lewis Hamilton felt "humbled" to have received an MBE in the New Year Honours and declared: "It has been quite a year". Having come so close to claiming the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in his maiden season last time around, the Stevenage-born racer became the youngest winner of the prestigious title on the final corner of a dramatic Brazil Grand Prix in November. Hamilton, who turns 24 next month and now lives in Switzerland, paid tribute to the support which helped him reach the very top of motor racing. "It is a massive honour and incredible privilege for me to receive an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen," Hamilton said. "It is the most amazing culmination to what has been quite a year for me. "The support I have received from the UK as a whole has been fantastic and a huge motivation, it ...