Catch-up Week – Week No. 25
Monday, June 22, 2009, and like every Monday, find exclusively on MotorsInside the summarized article of the F1 news from the past week. On the agenda, of course, the recent British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the eighth round of the season. A commanding performance by Red Bull, Ferrari, Brawn GP, Toyota, and Williams in the […]
Monday, June 22, 2009, and like every Monday, find exclusively on MotorsInside the summarized article of the F1 news from the past week. On the agenda, of course, the recent British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the eighth round of the season. A commanding performance by Red Bull, Ferrari, Brawn GP, Toyota, and Williams in the points, the downfall of BMW, McLaren, and Renault, that’s what to take away from this race in the center of England near Northampton. But what captured the attention of the F1 world this weekend was FOTA’s announcement to create a parallel championship featuring the major manufacturers. It’s the political affair of the moment that worries fans and involves absolutely everyone, the teams, drivers, FIA, FOM, and many other parties. Finally, faced with this situation, two new teams have decided to withdraw from the race to enter the 2010 championship.
Silverstone, true kingdom of Red Bull
It was during a cool and windy weekend that the eighth round of the 2009 championship took place. For many, it was the last British GP on the Silverstone track, but not all hope of returning to the circuit is lost. Red Bull Racing hopes to come back to defend its title, won with disconcerting ease in late June. After dominating part of the free practice sessions and qualifications, the race was largely in favor of the energy drink team. It was Sebastian Vettel who claimed his third race victory ahead of his teammate Mark Webber. Brawn GP experienced their most challenging weekend but placed Rubens Barrichello on the third step of the podium and Jenson Button in 6th position. Ferrari’s comeback is well underway with Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen finishing 4th and 8th, respectively. Nico Rosberg secured 5th place for Williams as did Jarno Trulli for Toyota with 7th place. The McLaren, Renault, and BMW drivers were far behind, with Fisichella in Force India even finishing ahead of them. The only crash in the race involved Heikki Kovalainen and Sébastien Bourdais. Both retired a few laps later. In the constructors’ and drivers’ standings, no notable changes occurred except Red Bull gaining nine points on Brawn GP in the battle for the title.
Read the summary of the British race
See the full Live coverage of this race weekend
A new championship in 2010?
A dramatic turn of events on Thursday night after a new meeting of FOTA members. The organization announces its intention to organize its own motorsport series alongside the FIA’s Formula 1 championship, International Automobile Federation. A look back at a week that may remain etched in sports history. At the start of last week, the situation was already very tense between FOTA and the FIA, with no compromise appearing to be finalized and both parties communicating through media. A final meeting was even organized on Thursday to find a resolution to the conflict. But nothing came of it because after a meeting between FOTA members on Thursday night through Friday, teams decided not to commit to the 2010 Formula 1 championship. Bluff or truth, nothing can be confirmed at this point. On the surface, the British Grand Prix was organized, but behind the scenes, the tension was palpable throughout the weekend. A catastrophe for the FIA, which was supposed to announce the names of the teams for its future championship on Friday. It couldn’t be done on Saturday either. This announcement is currently postponed to an unknown later date. Meanwhile, the governing body finally speaks out and decides to take legal action against certain teams, which does not improve the situation. For Max Mosley, certain teams have commitments to fulfill, such as participating in F1 until 2012. Despite everything, the weekend goes on, but the tension is palpable… Sunday night, the FIA expresses the desire to open discussions with FOTA, but the latter announces at the same time that it is starting to work on its new championship. The matter is far from over. Motors Inside will, of course, keep you informed of the situation’s evolution day by day.
Read the FOTA announcement wishing to organize its own championship
Read about the FIA’s intentions to take legal action against FOTA
Read Mosley’s desire to open discussions with FOTA
Read the article announcing the start of FOTA’s working sessions
Lola and N.Technology abandon all hope of F1
On the sidelines of the dispute between the FIA and FOTA, two teams that could have entered the 2010 Formula 1 championship have decided to withdraw from the race. Indirectly, it is likely that the conflict between the organizations has led to this withdrawal. Why? Initially, on Friday, June 12, the FIA selected three new teams for 2010 with USF1, Campos GP, and Manor GP. However, with uncertainty surrounding the presence of major manufacturers for the upcoming year, the governing body created a reserve list of teams that could enter the championship if one or more current teams decided to withdraw. The FIA thus asked these teams to remain ready and stay in contact with the organization. In this context, Lola and N.Technology have decided not to continue the venture, perhaps fearing that the budget cap would increase to satisfy manufacturers. A new budget cap that these teams would be unable to maintain, along with other regulatory points likely to evolve as well.
