Massa, Schumacher light up Day 1 of Formula 1 Testing

February 2, 2010 |13:13 | Formula One Drivers | Formula One Gossips  By : Team X

Massa, Schumacher light up Day 1 of Formula 1 TestingFormula One's first day of pre-season testing began in Valencia this morning to kick off 15 days of track action ahead of the first race of the 2010 season in Bahrain on 14 March.

Ferrari, BMW Sauber, Mercedes GP, McLaren Mercedes, Williams, Scuderia Toro Rosso and Renault were the seven teams that took to the track.

On day 1, with the two major attractions being Michael Schumacher in the new Silver Arrows and the return to the track of Felipe Massa in the Scarlet Ferrari, following his horrific accident at Hungary last season.

nico_rosberg2.jpgWell, it was Massa who just about nicked the headlines from the former Ferrari man, posting the quickest time of the day a 1:12.574.

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PETROV BECOMES FIRST RUSSIAN IN F1

February 1, 2010 |12:05 | Formula One Gossips  By : Team X

PETROV BECOMES FIRST RUSSIAN IN F1.Vitaly Petrov has taken his place in Formula One history 20 years after his road to glory began with a spin in his father's Lada.

In signing a one-year contract with Renault, with an option for a further two years, Petrov becomes the first Russian to compete at motor sport's highest level.

With his father Aleksander providing full financial support, which has been confirmed as 7% of Renault's budget- estimated at £13million - there are a lot of roubles riding on Petrov. Naturally, he is hoping now Russia's eyes have been opened to the world of F1, further sponsors will step in to aid him and the team.

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NOTHING TO PROVE FOR BUTTON

January 30, 2010 |13:42 | Formula One Gossips  By : Team X

NOTHING TO PROVE FOR BUTTONJenson Button may have joined McLaren for the challenge, but he is adamant he no longer has anything to prove to anyone - not even to himself.

For the first time in his entire motorsport career, Button starts the forthcoming season with the coveted number one on his car, the figure emblematic of the fact he is the reigning world champion.

It is a fact that hit home today when he and Lewis Hamilton pulled the wraps off McLaren's new car, the MP4-25, at the UK headquarters of the team's primary sponsor Vodafone in Newbury.

Sceptics have questioned the wisdom of Button's decision to quit Brawn GP, with whom he won the world title last season, and go up against Hamilton who has been part of McLaren for the last 12 years.

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FORMULA ONE NEWS

January 28, 2010 |11:43 | Formula One Gossips  By : Team X

A1GP boss Tony Teixeira has confirmed that he is in talks with Campos Meta about buying a stake in the Formula One team. Campos Meta are one of four new teams signed up for this year's championship, but reports of financial troubles have put a damper on the team's arrival.

The financial concerns have led to claims that team owner Adrian Campos could sell up even before competing in a single grand prix - claims that have been denied by Campos. But whether he's looking to sell entirely or bring in a "shareholder", as Campos put it, Teixeira has revealed that he's in the running.

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Michael Schumacher targets F1 title with Mercedes team

January 26, 2010 |11:42 | Formula One Gossips  By : Team X

Michael Schumacher targets F1 title with Mercedes team The 41-year-old is returning to Formula 1 with new team Mercedes after a three-year spell away from the sport.
 "I am convinced Mercedes will be in a position to fight for the championships this season," said Schumacher.

Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn added: "He is incredibly fit and I don't think the talent disappears. I'm convinced he can do the job.

Brawn masterminded all of Schumacher's seven world titles - two with Benetton and five with Ferrari - and insists the German can reach the same heights again.

"Racing drivers tend to lose the physical ability to compete and the determination that you need to compete at every race, every minute of the day," said Brawn. "What I saw with Michael is that he has been refreshed by his break - as I was during my sabbatical (in 2007).

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Michael Schumacher

January 20, 2010 |11:58 | Formula One Drivers  By : Team X

Michael SchumacherThe German's shrewd racing mind and renowned driving ability, especially in the wet, have brought him deserved praise, respect - if not perhaps affection - and a series of records that appear insurmountable.

The winner of more grands prix (91) and World Championships (seven) than any other driver in F1 history, Schumacher could be set for more success over the next three seasons, having decided to come out of retirement to race for Mercedes GP.

Following his F1 debut for Jordan in 1991, Schumacher joined Benetton and made rapid progress, winning his first grand prix the following year before becoming the sport's then youngest World Champion in 1994.

But along with success came controversy, with race suspensions and accusations of bad sportsmanship, culminating in a collision with title rival Damon Hill as the pair fought for the title at that year's Australian Grand Prix.$HOME4

Despite appearing to have an inferior car, Schumacher beat Hill to the title again the following season before joining Ferrari - the Scuderia at that time struggling. His title aspirations therefore took a backseat in 1996, but his crushing victory in wet conditions in Spain that year served as a reminder that more would inevitably follow.

Another infamous incident, this time with 1997 title rival Jacques Villeneuve (who came off the better when Schumacher hit his Williams in the final race of the season at Jerez), was blamed on the German and resulted in the loss of his runner-up status in the Drivers' Championship.

The following year he again came close, challenging McLaren's Mika Hakkinen for the title right to the wire at Suzuka. However, Schumacher's hopes died when he had to start from the back of the field after his car stalled on the grid. Many suspect Schumacher of making a rare mistake - Ferrari blamed the car.

In 1999 it looked as though Schumacher might finally take the Drivers' Championship back to Maranello. However, a first-lap accident at the British

GP left him with a broken leg. Despite missing six races, Schumacher returned in style in Malaysia, where he utterly dominated the entire weekend.

A year later Schumacher finally completed the job that he joined Ferrari to do. He clinched the Drivers' Championship in Japan, handing the Italian team their first world title for 21 years.

Armed with the dominant Ferrari F2001 in 2001 and the F2002 in 2002, Schumacher, who'd previously won world championships in cars that weren't

the best, proceeded to rewrite the F1 record books. He won his fourth title easily in 2001 and similarly cruised to his fifth the following year.

But 2002 wasn't without its controversies. At the Austrian Grand Prix, the sixth race of the year, Ferrari team boss Jean Todt asked team-mate Rubens Barrichello to gift Schumacher the race - the Brazilian slowing within sight of the chequered flag to let his team leader past. A furious Austrian crowd booed them on and off the podium and Schumacher was so embarrassed he put Barrichello onto the top step to take the winner's trophy.

Later in the year - and with the title in the bag - Schumacher was leading the United States Grand Prix when he backed off close to the line in an attempt to dead-heat with his team-mate. It backfired and a surprised Barrichello found himself the winner.

Schumacher's success continued in 2003 despite the FIA implementing new rules intended to slow him down and level the playing field. The season, though, was a lot closer than those in the recent past, with both McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen and Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya still in the running for the title at the penultimate race.

A controversial penalty for Montoya at Indianapolis meant that only Raikkonen could put an end to Schumacher's run of success. The Finn, though, needed to win the final race of the season in Japan and for his rival not to score. It was not to be. Barrichello stormed to the victory and assured his team-mate of his sixth world title. To be safe, though, Michael brought his car home in eighth place and won the title by a slim two-point margin, which gave his rivals a glimmer of hope ahead of the following year's Championship.

That hope was soon extinguished, however, as 2004 proved the most one-sided season in F1 history. Schumacher blitzed the field to win the first five races, although the next race in Monaco ended with him crashing following a contretemps with Montoya.

However, his campaign was back on track at the European Grand Prix, which was the start of a seven-race long winning streak. His next non-victory came in Belgium where he finished second behind Raikkonen. The eight points though were enough to ensure the German bagged title number seven.

With the title came a change of fortune, with just one victory in the remaining four races. However, Schumacher's total haul for the year was an incredible 13 victories from 18 races.

Rivals were finally handed a chance in 2005 after Ferrari's tyre supplier Bridgestone struggled with new rules banning tyre stops in races.

Schumacher's only win that year came in the infamous United States Grand Prix, which saw only six Bridgestone-shod cars take the start after Michelin runners withdrew amid safety concerns.

That victory was one of only five podium finishes for the German, who could do nothing to prevent Renault's Fernando Alonso from ending his five-year reign.

Ferrari, Bridgestone and Schumacher bounced back strongly in 2006, though, as a surge of victories mid-season placed him as the main rival to Alonso, who had dominated the opening races.

Indeed, it appeared possible that Schumacher might take an eighth title after he supplanted Alonso at the top of the standings in China. But luck played into the Spaniard's hands next time out in Japan when, leading the race, Schumacher's Ferrari suffered a rare engine failure.

He could not prevent Alonso from taking his second successive title in the season finale in Brazil but, in his final race before retirement, Schumacher departed in suitable style, carving his way through the field from 19th place after suffering a puncture to finish fourth.

Schumacher stayed close to the action during his retirement, acting as a consultant to Ferrari and testing their cars on occasion. Both gave the impression of a man who had yet to get racing out of his system - something that was made explicit when he was lined up to replace Felipe Massa after the Brazilian suffered serious injuries during qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.

A neck injury prevented that comeback but Schumacher's appetite had been whetted. Thus, after World Champion Jenson Button left Mercedes GP for McLaren, team boss Ross Brawn - with whom Schumacher won all of his world titles - knew exactly who to call.

The news has electrified the sport and given an added dimension to what already promises to be a vintage season. At the age of 41 can Schumacher show the new generation the way?

F1 - Brawn Confident Schumacher Can Claim World Title

January 19, 2010 |11:39 | Formula One Gossips  By : Team X

MERCEDES GRAND PRIX boss Ross Brawn says German legend Michael Schumacher is his tip to claim the 2010 World Championship. Brawn believes Schumacher, who is returning to Formula 1 following a three-year break, has been rejuvenated by his temporary retirement and is capable of overcoming the challenge of key title rivals Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

F1 Brawn Confident Schumacher Can Claim World Title


Speaking with Germany’s Bild, Brawn said: “If I had to bet on any of them then it is clear that Michael will become world champion. “Michael is now more relaxed. When he retired in 2006, F1 was a burden for him. Now I can sense his old enthusiasm.”

However, Brawn doubts the seven-time champion will be able to compete for race victories immediately upon his return, suggesting Schumacher will use the opening stages of the season to reacquaint himself with the sport.

“I do not think he will come out and win the first grand prix. He will need a few races to familiarise himself with the other cars and the many new drivers. Then I hope to see the old Schumacher,” he said. “This has always been his strength anyway: to learn and adapt amazingly quickly.” Schumacher will make his first appearance for Mercedes Grand Prix at the opening test of the new season at Valencia, from February 1-3.

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Ferrari rekindle fire that made Fernando Alonso world champion

January 16, 2010 |13:03 | Formula One Gossips  By : Team X

Ferrari rekindle fire that made Fernando Alonso world champion

They come, they go; the best drivers in the world, moving between teams like the world’s best professional footballers. At Ferrari, the pre-season introduction of a new star performer in this elegant ski resort in the Dolomites has become a familiar rite of passage. It is the Scuderia’s equivalent of presenting a new striker, complete with his new team shirt.

The big signing this time is Fernando Alonso, who will be earning, at conservative estimates, about £15 million a year over the next three seasons in the red-and-white colours of Maranello. And there is no doubt that the proud Italian team are hoping that the 28-year-old Asturian will be the driver to take them on to further glories, much in the way that a certain Michael Schumacher led the oldest team in Formula One history through their most successful era.

Felipe Massa, returned from injury and raring to go, is still a big presence in the team, but the Brazilian is going to have an uphill fight this year to oppose the onslaught from the Spanish side of the garage.  Alonso has come to Ferrari saying all the right things and the contrast with Kimi Raikkonen, his taciturn and ill-educated predecessor, could hardly be more stark. With a ready smile and an easy charm — as well as a willingness to ski in the day and be part of the traditional torchlight procession down the mountain at night — Alonso is pressing the right buttons.

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'Good genes' count as Schumacher eyes eighth title

January 15, 2010 |13:33 | Formula One Drivers  By : Team X

'Good genes' count as Schumacher eyes eighth title Formula1's comeback king Michael Schumacher wants to win his eighth World title - though he concedes he might not do it this season.

The 41-year-old has signed a three-year deal to come out of retirement to race for Mercedes GP. His previous last race in F1 was with Ferrari in 2006 when finished second in the Drivers' championship behind Renault's Fernando Alonso..

Schumacher told German newspaper Bild: "In our long-term targets with Mercedes, we have a clear objective: I want to become World champion again. Perhaps that will not happen in my first season back but it is realistic over the three seasons."

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Michael Schumacher prepares for F1 return with weather-shortened testing session

January 13, 2010 |13:20 | Formula One Drivers  By : Team X

 Michael Schumacher’s preparations for his Formula One return got off to a slow start Tuesday, with the GP2 testing session cut short because of bad weather. Rain and wind limited the number of miles the record seven-time world champion could drive on slick tires. Schumacher, who came out of retirement to drive for Mercedes this year, was helping the F1 feeder series develop its 2011 car.

The 41-year-old German ran 52 laps before the weather forced him off the track.“I could drive again in a car that came almost close to a current Formula One,” Schumacher said. “Despite the weather not being what we all would have liked, all my senses were nevertheless on full alert — this alone was worth it.”

Schumacher said he will test on Wednesday before wrapping up on Thursday. With offseason F1 testing limited, the former Ferrari driver is also using the sessions to prepare for his return. The season begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14.

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