Catch-up Session – Week No. 33
Last week of rest before returning to business this weekend with the European Grand Prix in Valencia. F1 news was quite limited last week, but Motors Inside still brings you the essentials in this article, summarizing the 33rd week of the year. On the agenda and making headlines is Michael Schumacher’s withdrawal in replacement of […]
Last week of rest before returning to business this weekend with the European Grand Prix in Valencia. F1 news was quite limited last week, but Motors Inside still brings you the essentials in this article, summarizing the 33rd week of the year. On the agenda and making headlines is Michael Schumacher’s withdrawal in replacement of Felipe Massa at Ferrari. Motors Inside details the reasons for this turn of events. There will indeed be a second driver representing Scuderia in Valencia, and it will be Luca Badoer taking on that duty. Another piece of information that could make some happy is that Canada is very close to returning to the calendar with a likely race in June 2010. Finally, today’s big news exceptionally allows Motors Inside to break the usual rule by giving you hot-off-the-press updates… Renault’s appeal hearing aimed at participating in the next European GP took place today, and the verdict came in just a few minutes ago…
The Return of the Red Baron Will Not Happen!
It was with joy that in early August millions of people around the world learned of Michael Schumacher’s return for at least one race. He was supposed to replace Felipe Massa, still too weak after his accident to hope to get back into his race car. But the task seemed quite complicated! It had been more than two years since the German retired, he was now 40 years old and had also suffered an accident during the winter that left lingering effects. Physically, that is where the problem lies. Schumacher had to abandon any idea of returning to F1 due to his neck, which still bears traces from his motorcycle accident in early February. Medical analyses and doctors affirm that the seven-time world champion’s neck would not withstand the forces of an F1 car racing at full speed. In any case, the time frame was too short to address this issue, and the German carries with him millions of disappointed fans, as he himself is the first to be disappointed! During a press conference, all the sadness was visible on his face. He was anticipating this return to the spotlight; he even wanted it because, as Alain Prost says: “Formula 1 runs in our veins all our lives,” Michael Schumacher may not remain on this setback…
Michael Schumacher’s withdrawal
The reaction of Michael Schumacher
A New Recruit with Luca Badoer
The Italian, nearing forty, is the lucky one chosen to finally replace Felipe Massa during his recovery. It is a sort of reward for Badoer, who since 1999, has played the diligent soldier as a test driver for Scuderia. He was, of course, racing in the 1990s mainly with Minardi, but it has been ten years since he participated in a GP as an official driver. The training must be intensive since he hasn’t taken a race seat since last winter during the offseason. The task will be tough but eased by the fact that Badoer will try the F60 before Friday and the first practice sessions of the Valencia Grand Prix. Ferrari managed to circumvent the regulations to feature the Italian in the 2009 specification single-seater. His reaction was interesting, as he is indeed thrilled with this opportunity, but he also knows it’s thanks to Michael Schumacher that this is possible. Some regrets, therefore, as the German is his friend.
The announcement of Massa’s replacement by Luca Badoer
La réaction de Luca Badoer sur sa promotion
A 2010 calendar with Canada?
Good news for those who were fans of the Canadian race in Montreal and more broadly in North America, the Canadian Grand Prix could make its grand return as early as next year. We know that negotiations have always been ongoing to avoid leaving the calendar empty for a second consecutive season of the Quebec race. It was the mayor of Montreal who spoke up, stating that the case was progressing in collaboration with the holder of the commercial rights, Bernie Ecclestone. The situation is even very favorable and on the verge of being resolved. It is the governments of Ottawa and Quebec who would come to the rescue, sharing the costs and the profits. As a reminder, in 2009, Formula 1 did not set foot in North America, a first in several decades.
Optimistic statements from the mayor of Montreal
An Appellate Hearing Full of Smiles for Renault
It’s only been official for a few hours, but the French team Renault is authorized to race in the European Grand Prix in Valencia, which takes place in a few days. Motors Inside exceptionally delivers this information today to keep you at the forefront of the news. The appellate hearing was favorable for Renault as they only received a $50,000 fine, equivalent to a little over €35,000. To recap, the car manufacturer was punished after the Hungarian GP by the FIA for allowing Fernando Alonso to leave the pits with an unsecured single-seater. A wheel nut was not properly tightened, and the consequences could have been dire, considering the wheel came off a few hundred meters later. But that’s all in the past, and Fernando Alonso will be able to race in front of his many fans who will come in droves to support him! His teammate is still unknown at this point, but Renault will soon announce Nelson Piquet’s replacement. Romain Grosjean is the favorite and is ready to step up!
