The Pitstop - F1 Memorabilia

New Look F1 Website

The Pitstop — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:48:49 +0000

I have redesigned my F1 website

Please take a look and let me know what you think

www.f1memorabilia.net

Official: McLaren Signs Button For 3 Years

The Pitstop — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:24:17 +0000

McLaren has announced the signing of the reigning World Champion Jenson Button to a multi-year deal.

He will be partnered by 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who will be embarking on his fourth consecutive season as a McLaren Mercedes driver.

This unique partnership will mark:

The first time in Formula 1 history that a team has started the new season with a line-up featuring the most recent two successive World Champions

The first pairing of two British World Champions since Graham Hill [1962, 1968] partnered Jim Clark [1963, 1965] at Lotus in 1968

Jenson Button:

“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.

“So that’s why I’ve decided to join Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. You can’t help but be affected by this team’s phenomenal history. McLaren is one of the greats of world sport, and its achievements and list of past champions read like a Who’s Who of Formula 1 – Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and of course my new team-mate Lewis Hamilton. I’ve followed the McLaren team ever since I was a small boy, and it feels unbelievable to finally be a part of it.

“When I visited the McLaren Technology Centre earlier this month, it wasn’t simply the technical resources and the incredible standards of excellence that impressed me. No, I was equally struck by the ambition, the motivation and the winning spirit that flow through everybody there. And then there’s the team’s epic history: put it this way, the trophy cabinets seem to stretch for miles.

“From a personal point of view, it’s also a great pleasure to be joining a fellow British World Champion. Lewis has achieved an incredible level of success in a very short period of time, and he’s a wonderfully gifted driver who has earned the respect of every Formula 1 driver. I’m sure there’s plenty that we can learn from each other, and I’m really looking forward to using our combined knowledge to push the team forward.

“Also, I think it’s fantastic that we’ll be forming an all-British line-up. I know that we both fly the flag with pride, and I sincerely hope we can make the whole of the United Kingdom, as well as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes fans across the world, proud. Nothing means more to me than to be able to represent my country, and I’m looking forward to both of us painting Formula 1′s circuits red, white and blue for many years to come.

“While I’m fully aware that there’s a tremendous amount of hard work ahead, I’m absolutely certain that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes will be able to deliver where it matters: on track. I’m already looking forward to starting work with the engineers at the McLaren Technology Centre as we begin our preparations for the 2010 season – and the defence of my world championship. This is a team that always goes racing to win, and I’m looking forward to being part of that.

“Last but very far from least, I want to say that the 2009 season will always have a special place in my memory, and I’m absolutely sure that everybody at Brawn GP who worked so hard to achieve our World Championship successes feels exactly the same way about it. Equally, I want to thank the guys at Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines, without whom we’d never have been as competitive as we were. I’m so pleased that I’ll still be using their engines in 2010 and beyond.

“So I wish all my old Brawn GP mates well in their new Mercedes Grand Prix adventure, just as I hope they’ll wish me well in my new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes adventure.”

Lewis Hamilton:

“It’s fantastic news that Jenson has decided to join Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – and I’m looking forward to working with him and our engineers to make sure we kick off the 2010 season with a car that’s competitive enough to win the World Championship – but I want to send my best wishes for the future to my 2008-09 team-mate and now good friend Heikki Kovalainen, who is one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met.

“I already know Jenson, and we get on very well together. We both really want our team to succeed. Although we’ll be pushing each other hard, I’m sure we’ll very quickly establish a great working relationship. He’s an exceptional driver: very controlled and very smooth, and he has a real depth of knowledge and experience. I think we’ll complement each other very well, and our collaboration will make the team stronger as a result. Also, I’m delighted to be racing alongside a fellow British World Champion, and I believe we can pull together to make Vodafone McLaren Mercedes the best team on the grid.

“I’m sure Jenson has already started to appreciate our team’s unique culture and the special family atmosphere that makes it such an incredible place to live and work. We really are like one big family – and I’m sure Jenson will feel the warmth of that welcome from day one.

“Obviously, as a British driver, I’m also thrilled that we’ll be flying the flag for the United Kingdom, and I think today’s announcement is fantastic news for all British sports fans. I hope they’ll be giving us their full support when the season kicks off next March. I’m already looking forward to Silverstone – it’ll be massive!

“Looking ahead, I think the results from the second half of 2009 speak for themselves, and I’m convinced we can carry that momentum through the winter and into the new season. I’ve been closely following the development of our 2010 challenger, the MP4-25, and I think it’s going to be a state-of-the-art car that will enable both of us to consistently fight for victories.”

Martin Whitmarsh, Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes:

“Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Jenson to our team. It has always been our policy to employ the two very best possible drivers – and, in Jenson and Lewis, we feel we not only have the fastest pairing on the 2010 grid, but also the two most complete, professional and dedicated drivers in Formula 1.

“Moreover, I’m confident that we’ll be able to successfully balance and harness Jenson’s and Lewis’s complementary skill-sets. Our engineers are already looking forward to working with Jenson, and I’m convinced that such a strong and dynamic driver line-up will make us an even more complete and competitive operation. Now we have to provide Jenson and Lewis with race-winning machinery.

“I want to make clear that Jenson’s decision to join us was in no way motivated by money. We’ll be paying him no more than he could be getting elsewhere, and that fact is a reflection of not only Jenson’s belief in Vodafone McLaren Mercedes but also his desire and ambition to build on the phenomenal results he achieved during the 2009 season.

“I also want to thank Heikki for his selfless contribution over the past two years. As well as being very quick, Heikki was and remains a great character whom we’ll all miss considerably. It goes without saying that we wish him all the best for next season, and would be very pleased if he were to secure a good drive for 2010.

“We’re ambitious, we’re motivated and we’re hungrier than ever. We make no secret of our ambition for next year: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes wants to win both World Championships – and, with Jenson and Lewis, we believe we’re better equipped than any other team in the pitlane to do exactly that.”

My Day At The Silverstone F1 Test

The Pitstop — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:28:23 +0000

Well what a day it was. The weather was great, I even mananged to get a suntanned face while waiting for autographs.

I had a paddock pass and was able to go into the pitlane and the F1 paddock.

I managed to get my photo taken with David Coulthard. I also got 4 Minichamps models signed by David for my collection.

I also managed to get my rarest Barrichello model ( Jordan 193 ) autographed by Rubens

I also got a Minichamps model signed by Fernando Alonso, although it was quickly rushed while he was running to get in his car.

But the highlight of my day was getting to see Lewis Hamilton who signed 6 baseball caps for me. He was so nice to me and my son. I also got a photo of my son with Lewis as Lewis was signing his book for my son. Although lewis spelt my son’s name wrong, so they were laughing about it together.

Lewis spent so much time signing autographs for his fans, unlike Kimi Raikkonen who hardly ever signs anything for his fans.

So I have one happy son now who has a photo with Lewis. He also had photos with Anthony Hamilton, and Nick Hamilton, ( Lewis’s Brother )

So roll on next week to the British Grand Prix, which I will also be attending

YOU CAN SEE THE SIGNED CAPS ON MY WEBSITE IN THE SHOP

http://f1bits.webasyst.net/shop/

Bruno Senna Linked To BMW Sauber

The Pitstop — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:10:34 +0000

BMW Sauber is in ‘intensive talks’ with GP2 driver Bruno Senna about a Formula One role for the Brazilian in 2009, according to reports.
The German magazine Sport Bild claims that Senna, the 24-year-old nephew of the late triple world champion, could become a test or even a full race driver for the Hinwil-based squad next year.
Senna, second overall in the 2008 GP2 standings, won a race at the prestigious Monaco venue last month.
His quest to go all the way to Formula One is backed by his uncle’s friend and former McLaren team-mate Gerhard Berger, who today co-owns the Toro Rosso team.
“I will help Bruno, and his family who looks out for his career, to do it. His development is obvious, and there is no doubt he has talent,” the Austrian said.
Sport Bild claims that Berger discussed Senna at Magny Cours with BMW Sauber boss Mario Theissen, his former colleague as joint BMW Motorsport Director.
An insider confirmed: “Senna is determined to get a test and then BMW will decide.”
The magazine also said Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Williams may be interested in Senna.
Bruno Senna, meanwhile, is personally backed by Santander, the Spanish bank that also sponsors McLaren.
For now, he is staying focused on his current task.
“I must continue to push and win races and podiums. Then I can dream a little bit more,” Senna said.

Source: GMM

Formula 2 To Launch In 2009

The Pitstop — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:06:54 +0000

The FIA have announced plans to launch a new feeder series for Formula One, expected to appear on the calendar from 2009. At a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Paris today, the FIA revealed plans for a “Formula Two”, “an inexpensive platform to develop emerging driver talent for Formula One”.
The designation “Formula Two” was last used in 1984, before the series was renamed Formula 3000, before itself being relaunched as GP2 in 2005. While GP2 is currently the primary feeder series for Formula One, with such names as Hamilton, Kovalainen, Piquet and Rosberg all having graduated in the past three years, Formula Two would undoubtedly emerge as a competitor to GP2.
In its press release, the FIA said that it was inviting tenders for the new series, for a 2009 launch. The FIA hopes for a budget of €200,000 per car per season to be sufficient, a figure which is lower than the budget needed for GP2, although no specifications about the series have been announced.
Such is the success of GP2 to produce high-quality drivers and hone their skills, that many observers will wonder about the necessity to launch a new series. With the power struggle currently ongoing between the FIA and Commercial rights holders of Formula One, who incidentally also own GP2, it’s likely that the news of the new series will begin a new chapter in the battle for supremacy in F1.

Provisional F1 2009 Calendar

The Pitstop — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:59:51 +0000

Below is the Provisional 2009 Schedule :

29 March, Australia
5 April, Malaysia
19 April, Bahrain
10 May, Spain
24 May, Monaco
7 June, Canada
21 June, Great Britain
28 June, France
12 July, Germany
26 July, Hungary
9 August, Turkey
23 August, Europe (Valencia)
6 September, Italy
13 September, Belgium
27 September, Singapore
11 October, Japan
18 October, China
1 November, Brazil
15 November, Abu Dhabi

French Grand Prix – Raikkonen Takes Pole

The Pitstop — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:04:35 +0000

Kimi Raikkonen has snatched pole position from team mate Massa

Raikkonen helped Ferrari claim their 200th pole position

Hamilton managed 3rd spot, but due to his 10 place grid penalty, will now start from 13th

Kovalainen finished 5th, but was given a 5 place grid penalty for blocking Mark Webber

Below is the revised grid for tomorrows French Grand Prix following Kovalainen’s penalty

1. Kimi Raikkonen   Ferrari
2. Felipe Massa   Ferrari
3. Fernando Alonso   Renault
4. Jarno Trulli   Toyota
5. Robert Kubica   BMW Sauber
6. Mark Webber RedBull – Renault
7. David Coulthard   RedBull – Renault
8. Timo Glock   Toyota
9. Nelson Piquet   Renault
10. Heikki Kovalainen   McLaren
11. Nick Heidfeld    BMW Sauber
12. Sebastian Vettel   Toro Rosso – Ferrari
13. Lewis Hamilton   McLaren
14. Sebastien Bourdais   Toro Rosso – Ferrari
15. Kazuki Nakajima   Williams – Toyota
16. Jenson Button Honda
17. Rubens Barrichello   Honda
18. Giancarlo Fisichella Force India – Ferrari
19. Adrian Sutil   Force India – Ferrari
20. Nico Rosberg   Williams – Toyota

French Grand Prix – Alonso Fastest In Final Practice

The Pitstop — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:03:52 +0000

Alonso has finished a surprise fastest in the final practice session.

Considering he had a blown engine at the end of the 1st practice, he has recovered very well.

1.  ALONSO        Renault       1m15.778s
2.  MASSA         Ferrari       1m15.854s
3.  RAIKKONEN     Ferrari       1m15.999s
4.  HAMILTON      McLaren       1m16.232s
5.  VETTEL        Toro Rosso    1m16.298s
6. KUBICA        BMW           1m16.317s
7.  KOVALAINEN    McLaren       1m16.340s
8.  HEIDFELD      BMW           1m16.458s
9. ALONSO        Renault       1m16.543s
10. COULTHARD     Red Bull      1m16.572s
11. ROSBERG       Williams      1m16.682s
12. TRULLI        Toyota        1m16.743s
13. BOURDAIS      Toro Rosso    1m16.758s
14. NAKAJIMA      Williams     1m17.002s
15. GLOCK         Toyota        1m17.092s
16. WEBBER        Red Bull      1m17.106s
17. BUTTON        Honda         1m17.244s
18. FISICHELLA    Force India   1m17.394s
19. BARRICHELLO   Honda         1m17.591s
20. SUTIL        Force India 1m17.868s

French Grand Prix – Massa Fastest – Friday Practice 1

The Pitstop — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:08:09 +0000

Massa has gone fastest in the 1st practice session for this weekends French Grand Prix

1. MASSA        Ferrari      1m15.306s
2. HAMILTON     McLaren      1m16.002s
3. KOVALAINEN   McLaren      1m16.055s
4. RAIKKONEN    Ferrari      1m16.073s
5. KUBICA       BMW          1m16.377s
6. ALONSO       Renault      1m16.400s
7. TRULLI       Toyota       1m16.758s
8. VETTEL       Toro Rosso   1m16.838s
9. HEIDFELD     BMW          1m16.870s
10. GLOCK        Toyota       1m16.886s
11. PIQUET       Renault      1m17.063s
12. COULTHARD    Red Bull     1m17.234s
13. WEBBER       Red Bull     1m17.269s
14. ROSBERG      Williams     1m17.394s
15. BARRICHELLO Honda        1m17.491s
16. BOURDAIS     Toro Rosso   1m17.683s
17. NAKAJIMA     Williams     1m17.696s
18. BUTTON        Honda        1m17.928s
19. FISICHELLA   Force India 1m18.072s
20. SUTIL        Force India 1m18.673s

F1 Drivers May Strike At The British Grand Prix

The Pitstop — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:05:45 +0000

The F1 drivers have confirmed they are unhappy about increases to the cost of obtaining their mandatory FIA superlicenses in 2008.
Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) director Fernando Alonso did not deny that boycott action at next month’s British Grand Prix over the issue is possible.
Championship leader and GPDA member Robert Kubica said the cost of a F1 license increased by at least a factor of eight compared to last year.
“It’s quite a lot of money, especially if you are scoring points like Lewis did last year and it’s your first year in Formula One,” he said.
“But another point is that experienced drivers who don’t have a quick car are not scoring points, so they don’t care because they don’t have to pay.
“So I think it will be difficult to get all drivers to have the same idea but we are trying to convince the FIA to reduce the cost.”
McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, despite neither being GPDA members, told a news conference on Thursday that they also support the GPDA.
“For sure I support them,” reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen agreed.
“Of course it’s better if it’s not so expensive and it’s the same for everybody, but I don’t think there’s any reason to go on strike and not race. I don’t think that’s the right way to go but it would be nice if we could reduce it,” he said.
It is not clear what form a Silverstone strike might take – boycotting the drivers’ parade, an official session, or the race itself.
With individual drivers bound contractually to teams, Raikkonen admitted that a completely unified front among the 20 Grand Prix stars is unlikely.
“It’s never going to happen that all the drivers will strike. Hopefully there is some nice solution that can be found at some point,” he said.