Catch-Up Session – Week No. 23
Monday, June 8, 2009, here is as usual the essential F1 news from last week. On the agenda, the scorching Turkish Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park circuit. The seventh round of the 2009 championship saw another triumph for Jenson Button, a very strong performance from Red Bull, and good performances from Toyota and Williams, […]
Monday, June 8, 2009, here is as usual the essential F1 news from last week. On the agenda, the scorching Turkish Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park circuit. The seventh round of the 2009 championship saw another triumph for Jenson Button, a very strong performance from Red Bull, and good performances from Toyota and Williams, as well as setbacks for McLaren, Renault, and Toro Rosso. This summary article will also serve to review the teams competing to join the 2010 championship. Indeed, the F1 world will experience a decisive week since the FIA will announce the names of the 13 lucky teams on Friday. Finally, even in these times of crisis, sponsorship agreements should not be forgotten, as demonstrated by Renault this week.
The 2009 Turkish Grand Prix, between empty stands and scorching heat…
After the highly anticipated Monaco Grand Prix, Formula 1 was heading this week to the crossroads of two continents, in Istanbul, Turkey. A definite change from the Monaco track as the Turkish circuit is much more traditional but with the peculiarity of running counter-clockwise. An extra effort for the drivers. It should also be noted, a severe lack of spectators in these times of crisis both in the paddocks and in the stands. This weekend was, in any case, the occasion for BMW to introduce a new aerodynamic package incorporating the famous double diffuser. There’s no miracle; hard work pays off race after race, and Brawn GP knows it very well. And for good reason, the exceptional Jenson Button claims his sixth victory of the season and is getting closer to the title and the records. Ten more points for the Briton but zero for his teammate Barrichello, who was a victim for the first time this year of a reliability issue (gearbox). As for retirements, there were very few, with the Brazilian being the second and last to retire after Fisichella (Force India). Behind Button, we find the two Red Bulls of Webber and Vettel. The German, who started on pole, lost all chances of victory after a small mistake on the first lap. Toyota and Williams secure some points with Trulli in 4th, Rosberg in 5th, and Glock in 8th. Massa for Ferrari and Kubica for BMW are respectively 6th and 7th. The Scuderia expected better, while the Pole scores his first points. Renault, McLaren, and Toro Rosso are very far behind, completely roasted under the Turkish heat! In the standings, there are no notable changes.
Read the summary of the Turkish race
See the full Live of this 2009 Turkish Grand Prix
4 days to go before the announcement of the 2010 teams
Friday, June 12th, no doubt 13 teams will be selected from a list of about twenty. With only a few days to go before the much-anticipated moment for many teams, it is important to take stock of who is in and who is out. Contrary to expectations, there will be the 10 teams from this year at the starting line (McLaren, Renault, Ferrari, BMW, Williams, Brawn GP, Toyota, Red Bull, Toro Rosso, and Force India). These teams will be present next year because each has the technical, financial, and logistical resources to do so. They are proving it this year. Alongside them, several teams are competing for the three remaining slots, as the FIA and Ecclestone have always wanted 13 teams in 2010. Last week we announced the candidacies of four teams with Prodrive, USF1, Lola, and Campos Racing. To date, we must add March, Brabham, Team Superfund, and Litespeed, which will return under the name Lotus. Chevrolet has finally withdrawn from the race. The total now stands at 18, meaning there will be five disappointed teams if things remain as they are. The answer will come in less than 100 hours…
Read the official announcement of the March team’s application
Read the official announcement of Brabham team’s application
Read about the official return of Lotus with Litespeed
Read the article announcing Chevrolet’s withdrawal from the race for 2010
Renault has the support of a new sponsor
MegaFon, here is the name of the new sponsor of the French manufacturer Renault. This Russian company specializes in telecommunications. Its logos have been present on the R29s and the suits of Nelson Piquet and Fernando Alonso since this weekend’s Turkish Grand Prix. Undoubtedly a breath of fresh air in the team’s finances.
Read the sponsorship announcement between Renault and MegaFon
