Catch-up Session – Week No. 49
This year, 2009, is coming to a close at high speed, but Motorsinside.com always takes the time to inform you about the essential F1 news. For those who missed any information, here’s an overview article of the 49th week of the year. On the agenda, the ‘young drivers’ tests that took place at the Jerez […]
This year, 2009, is coming to a close at high speed, but Motorsinside.com always takes the time to inform you about the essential F1 news. For those who missed any information, here’s an overview article of the 49th week of the year. On the agenda, the ‘young drivers’ tests that took place at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain. For three days, young and enthusiastic drivers drove Formula 1 cars. We will review all the results and details that marked this final session of the 2009 season. It’s a tough blow for France as last week’s news also included the abandonment of the Flins F1 project. This pushes France even further away from a future Formula 1 Grand Prix. Finally, before the new year, the 2010 grid is locked. And for good reason, the 13th and final team has just been approved by the International Automobile Federation. It is Sauber, formerly BMW, that takes the last spot…
Jerez Tests, Young Drivers in the Spotlight
Between December 1st and 3rd, the small world of Formula 1 gathered at the Jerez circuit in Spain. The goal was to evaluate young drivers who might be the future of the sport. In any case, nine teams were present. Of the 10 from 2009, only Toyota was absent due to its withdrawal from F1. BMW, despite its withdrawal, fulfilled its commitments by testing Giuterrez and Rossi. The four new teams, Lotus, Manor GP, USF1, and Campos Meta were not part of the trip. Williams employed Soucek but also its next official driver, Hülkenberg. McLaren had Paffett as a known driver and Turvey as a complete unknown. Force India did the same with di Resta and Hildebrand. The Belgian, Bertrand Baguette, had the opportunity to drive all three days with two different teams, Renault and BMW. The French manufacturer also opted for di Grassi and Tung. Ferrari employed a French driver with Jules Bianchi but allowed the top three of Italian F3 to realize their dream at the wheel of an F1. Brawn GP, future Mercedes, secured the services of Conway and Ericsson. Finally, Red Bull had Ricciardo while Toro Rosso opted for Hartley and Bortolotti. On the first day, last Tuesday, it was Andy Soucek with the FW31 who set the best time ahead of more familiar names like di Resta and Paffett. Ricciardo was 4th and the Frenchman Bianchi secured a very nice 5th place. On the second day of the week, Paffett for McLaren stepped up to secure the best time ahead of Hülkenberg. Ricciardo continued his rise and recorded the third best time. Renault drivers, Tung and di Grassi, were at the bottom of the ranking along with Bianchi who was only 9th. Finally, on the third and last day, it was a triumph for Ricciardo who established himself as the leader ahead of di Resta and Paffett. Baguette for Renault was 6th behind Hülkenberg. The weather was favorable during these three days in southern Spain. Now, it’s time for the 2010 single-seaters before their launches scheduled for January.
Summary of the first day of testing in Jerez
Summary of the second day of testing in Jerez
Summary of the third day of testing in Jerez
Abandonment of the Flins project, French hopes dashed
As the 2010 calendar is about to be confirmed without France, the 2011 calendar could very well be stripped of any French event. The most developed project in Flins in the Yvelines has just been abandoned. It was announced by the president of the General Council. We will never know if there was a positive phase in this project given the accumulation of problems. The biggest issues were environmental. Many political representatives were also against this project. As of today, the chances of seeing Formula 1 return to our country are slim. There may still be tiny chances with Marne la Vallée and Paul Ricard in the south of France. The French Federation of Automobile Sport is understandably dismayed and blames the politicians. According to them, too many representatives were against this project in the Yvelines, while today, the most successful circuits worldwide are those in which the state is involved!
Official end of the Flins project in Yvelines
Sauber takes the 13th and last spot for 2010!
After finalizing the sale of the BMW team to Peter Sauber in 2010, only one step remained: obtaining FIA’s agreement to compete next year. This has been achieved, as the Federation officially granted its approval last week for the Hinwil factory to build the 2010 cars for the upcoming season. Although the staff will be reduced, there will indeed be two drivers to succeed Robert Kubica, who left for Renault, and Nick Heidfeld, who is waiting for a response regarding the second driver’s seat at Mercedes. Even though BMW had already begun next year’s work, the task ahead is significant. It is rumored that the cars will be equipped with Ferrari engines. This confirmation implies another: Toyota will completely disappear from Formula 1, as no spots are now available, and the Japanese manufacturer has no intention of selling.
