i see they are putting off the qualifying changes till the fifth race
Posted on 08/05/2009 7:57:45 PM PDT by Chode
This will be a general purpose thread for F1 news and pings that really don't require a thread of their own.
Venezuelan Formula One racer quits because sponsor PDVSA cannot pay bills
The economic downfall in Venezuela is now also hitting Formula One racing.
Pastor Maldonado, the only Venezuelan driver in the sport, announced earlier this week that he would not be racing this year because his main sponsor, the state-owned oil company PDVSA, fell behind on payments to the Renault team.
“Today with the utmost humility I inform you that I will not be present at the starting grid for the 2016 F1 season,” Maldonado confirmed in a message to his Twitter followers on Monday. “Thanks for all your messages of support, passion and concern for my future. I feel very honored with the support of all of you and proud of my professional performance.”
Comunicado
Read: https://t.co/Tv1m0MeJXD
— Pastor Maldonado (@Pastormaldo) February 1, 2016
His announcement followed several weeks swirling with rumors about his future in Formula One.
Maldonado started his career in F1 five years ago with Williams, winning the Spanish Grand Prix in 2012. Two years later he moved to Lotus, which was acquired by Renault in 2015. His career has unfortunately been defined by much controversy and collisions.
“Whatever you think of rights or wrongs of his time in F1, Pastor was a race winner and a nice guy,” said Sky F1’s David Croft to Skysports.
In his Twitter statement, Maldonado said: “I affirm my sense of gratitude to God, my family, my sponsors, my friends, my fans and all those who have helped realize this dream of being able to represent Venezuela in the pinnacle of motorsport. See you soon!”
On Wednesday, Renault announced that former McLaren driver Kevin Magnussen would replace Maldonado. He will partner with Britain’s Jolyon Palmer and GP3 champion Esteban Ocon was named test and reserve driver.
Stefano Domenicali is the new CEO of Lamborghini!
i did not know that
Rumor had it Stefano Domenicali was hired to run Audi’s F1 effort which Diesel Gate killed.
i see they are putting off the qualifying changes till the fifth race
.
LOL!!! 100%...
software issues..... just like the hybrid power units!
scrap all that sh!t and never bring it back
“Rumor had it Stefano Domenicali was hired to run Audi’s F1 effort which Diesel Gate killed.”
Audi F1 or Lambo F1 ??
Always heard Audi F1, they would drop their Le Mans program. Porsche would become the prototype race program for VW. Rumor Audi spent over $200 million per year on their prototype race program.
I love in Formula E they change cars because they cannot recharge the battery quick enough!
“Always heard Audi F1, they would drop their Le Mans program. Porsche would become the prototype race program for VW. Rumor Audi spent over $200 million per year on their prototype race program.”
Would love to see them (or anybody competitive) enter, as I am in a VW group family. Me, wife, daughter, brother, sister x 2, etc.
Latest addition VW tdi just 11 days before scandal was announced.
nice thought, but it’ll never happen...
http://vmag.com.au/f1-could-race-at-watkins-glen/?
F1 could race at Watkins Glen
March 10, 2016 by Mat Coch
Buy Velocity Online
Watkins Glen would make a ‘wonderful’ home for Formula One in the United States, according to FIA race director Charlie Whiting.
Along with his role of overseeing the running of each grand prix, Whiting is also tasked with inspecting circuits around the world to assess safety standards.
A recent visit to The Glen, in upstate New York, coincided with a resurfacing of the circuit.
It left the Englishman impressed with what he saw.
“I am really, really impressed with the work that has been done,” Whiting told local television.
“It has been done to a very, very high standard.”
However it was the suggestion that Formula One might return to the circuit, which hosted the United States Grand Prix from 1961 to 1980, which caught the attention.
“I think it would be an absolutely wonderful circuit for F1 cars to race on, but we all know it is not quite as simple as that,” he claimed.
“As far as circuits in the US go, this is right up there.”
Formula One has struggled to gain traction in the US since the early 1980s.
Since leaving Watkins Glen Formula One has raced at Long Beach, Phoenix, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis and now at the Circuit of the Americas.
That event too had faced an uncertain future as local politicians pulled funding from the event, though a media conference overnight has confirmed the event will remain on the calendar.
“Since we first hosted this event in 2012, we have gained a lot of knowledge and insight that has allowed us to make significant annual improvements to the event that we are confident will continue to establish the United States Grand Prix as the standout race weekend on F1’s calendar.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to Texas and the Circuit of The Americas, for what promises to be an amazing weekend.”
Watkins Glen last hosted Formula One when Lewis Hamilton and Tony Stewart swapped cars for a promotional event in 2011.
India (not Indiana, LOL) does the Lotus Super 7:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/03/foreign-affairs-chinkara-roadster-s-india/#more-1303257
sweet! looks like 80% dune buggy 20% Super-7
Glad there are some hot rodders in the third world.
prolly runs on Ghost Peppers
Brazilian authorities seize cars, trophies from Indy 500, F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi
SAO PAULO (AP) — Two-time Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi is facing serious financial difficulties in Brazil, with authorities seizing trophies and racing cars from his personal museum.
Among the cars seized was the one he used to win the 1993 Indy 500, as well as one driven by the Brazilian in Formula One.
Fittipaldi’s press office released a statement saying that the difficulties are “the result of an unstable financial and political scenario” in Brazil, which is in political turmoil and facing its worst recession in decades.
Fittipaldi’s struggles surfaced after a report aired by Brazil’s Record TV over the weekend. The revelations came as a surprise to most Brazilians, as Fittipaldi was largely seen as a very successful businessman following his racing days.
Tuesday’s statement sent to The Associated Press said the two-time F1 champion was optimistic about overcoming this situation.
“Emerson Fittipaldi believes that he will solve this issue with more work. He has confidence in the future economic outlook and financial health of his companies,” the statement said, adding that the driver never hid his financial struggles or denied interviews on the subject. “He is seeking partnerships and solutions for this situation.”
In addition to the seized cars and memorabilia, authorities also took computers and furniture from the Sao Paulo mansion where his personal museum is located. Record TV showed images of the cars being towed into trucks and the trophies being carried by officials. Other properties and assets by the former driver have also been blocked, Record TV said.
“The racing cars and the trophies earned by the two-time F1 and Indy 500 champion belong to a museum dedicated to all racing fans in Brazil,” the statement said. “As soon as this issue is solved, they will return to their place. Emerson laments what has happened, but is not discouraged by these difficulties and is confident that these problems will be solved.”
Fittipaldi is reportedly facing more than 60 lawsuits from banks and other businesses seeking payments. Record TV said Fittipaldi’s debts reach nearly 27 million reals ($8 million).
Fittipaldi raced 11 seasons in F1 from 1970-80, winning the world title with Lotus in 1972 and with McLaren in 1974. He started racing in the United States in 1983, winning his first Indy 500 in 1989, when he also clinched the CART Series title.
He shouldn’t have spurned the milk for orange juice.
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