Catch-up session – Week No. 17

For several weeks now, we have been offering you the essential F1 news of the past week in a single article every Monday. Today, Monday, April 27th, is no exception. In this article, the fourth round of the championship with the Bahrain Grand Prix, the new contract between Brawn and Virgin, the tribulations of the Donington Park circuit for the organization of the 2010 British GP, the FOTA’s desire to ban KERS for next season, and even McLaren’s written apologies to the FIA.

Story of a Scorching Bahrain Grand Prix

With an average of 38°C in the air, 50°C on the track, and barely imaginable temperatures in the cockpits, this desert race lived up to its meteorological promises. With fewer twists than in the first races of the season, this Grand Prix saw Jenson Button crowned for the third time for Brawn GP. The weekend was dominated by Toyota, Red Bull, and thus Brawn GP. And rightly so, as Sebastian Vettel and Jarno Trulli are on the podium. McLaren continues to improve, Renault limits the damage, BMW is at its lowest, and Ferrari finally awakens. In the championships, it is an undisputed domination by Button and Brawn GP.

See the full live coverage of this race weekend

Read the race summary

Virgin and Brawn GP, towards a great understanding?

On the occasion of this Bahrain Grand Prix, Richard Branson, head of Virgin Group, declared that a new contract was about to be concluded with the new F1 team, Brawn GP. The new agreements in this contract are highly anticipated since, ultimately, Virgin could be more than just a sponsor by lending its brand, for example, to the name of the Formula 1 team.

Read the article regarding the new contract between Virgin and Brawn GP

Who between Red Bull and Renault wants to abandon the other for engine supply?

This week Red Bull announced that they were exploring other options than Renault for engine supply, such as Mercedes who already powers three teams. However, upon closer consideration, doesn’t Renault have reasons to end their collaboration with the Austrian team? Producing twice as many engines in these times of crisis has a cost. Wouldn’t it be wise for Renault to produce its engines solely for itself while focusing more on areas like reliability or efficiency? Stay tuned in the coming weeks…

Read the announcement that Red Bull is considering abandoning Renault engines

The future of the British Grand Prix darkens

As Silverstone bows out after the June race, the Donington Park circuit has signed a contract with Bernie Ecclestone to host the British GP from 2010. However, the new circuit faces another hurdle that could prevent it from being on the calendar next season. The circuit owners are taking the managers to court over several unpaid rents. The amount is astronomical, and if Donington Park were to lose this new showdown, the circuit might not recover.

Read about the new threat looming over the Donington Park circuit

The KERS at the center of all debates

The FOTA, or the association of Formula 1 teams led by Flavio Briatore, wishes to completely and simply remove the use of KERS from the 2010 regulations. The FOTA is indeed talking about completely abandoning this element, which it claims goes against budget reduction. To date, four out of 10 teams use this kinetic energy recovery system.

Read about the FOTA’s intentions to abandon KERS

McLaren apologizes and trembles a few days before the verdict in the lying affair

Last week, the McLaren team issued new apologies, this time in writing, to the FIA for its behavior after the Melbourne Grand Prix. The reason being, they had lied to the governing body of the sport regarding Hamilton’s overtaking of Trulli under the safety car regime. In any case, everything will be resolved quickly as the World Council’s verdict, meeting on Wednesday, is expected mid-week.

Read the article announcing McLaren’s written apology to the FIA