Well the man himself has said it now. He isn't quitting at the end of the 2010 season. And hopefully should stop the murmurs. Thursday is the day when the circuit is alive with media and drivers and the lucky fans. While the drivers are settling down before their hectic three day stint, the media get more of an opportunity to talk to the drivers than after the practice or race sessions.
One reporter was straight to the point in asking Schumacher if he was retiring at the end of the year :-) Anyway Schumacher interview to the media reporters gives a clearer idea of what the man is thinking.
An interesting point said by Schumacher is that he won his first title with Benetton after four years and his first with Ferrari after five. He pointed out that it takes time to win a title which obviously would involve working with team, engineers, getting to understand the car, its design etc. Ofcourse this time round Schumacher has only a three year contract with the team, but he hopes that its sufficient.
The issue for Schumacher this year has been the comparisons made with this teammate. Nico Rosberg has had a better year with their car. That obviously didn't work in favour of the 7 time world champion. While some said that we give time, soon people realised that this was the trend of the season. Things were the opposite for Rosberg at the start of the season, the hype of the former champion returning was well handled by Rosberg.
Schumacher mentioned that he is yet to come to grips with the current car and tyres. The initial car would have been designed based on the inputs they had with Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello last year and it seems that they have been unsucessful in turning around certain aspects of the car to suit Schumacher. Rosberg on the other hand is faring better and probably has no issues adapting to the car characteristics, only that the car isn't a winner is keeping him away from better results.
Schumacher has said that they have made a good choice in shifting focus to 2011 early enough while the top three teams would be fighting till the last race for this years title. He is hoping that they should have a slight amount of advantage with that.
Next year would be the key for Schumacher. The first target for him would be to be on par or better than his team mate and the world would be keenly watching him even more.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Singapore GP: Pre Grand Prix updates
This year we could see a first night race in the wet. We have had two night races so far and a day-night race at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but none that were run under wet conditions. Rain drops glitter under lights (although not an issue when you aren't looking up) and could lead to poor visibility conditions. It would be interesting to see the issues faced by the drivers and the teams if that were to happen.
This has been the closest championship in years. Any of the top five drivers has a realistic chance at winning the championship. The points systems was changed to accommodate the larger grid and to award more for winning a race. For the curious below is how the drivers standings would have been with the old system
Okay so were are back at another high downforce circuit. Marna Bay circuit characteristics is considered to be similar to Hungary and Monaco. Red Bull was ahead of the rest in those races while McLaren struggled. McLaren however expect to be strong this time round. Ferrari expect to be strong too with a new updated diffuser floor and other aero improvements. Take out Ferrari's disappointment at Belgium and in the last four races they have upped their development efforts and the results have shown. Two wins and a second for Fernando Alonso and 5 podiums for Ferrari in the last four races.
We are now at a point where new engines can come at the expense of a 10 place grid penalty. Alonso used his 8th new engine last race while Hamilton, Button and Vettel have 1 available. Mark Webber has two available he alright. Alonso is facing a situation similar to that faced by Vettel last year.
Lotus Racing are set to make a big announcement this week, most likely regarding their engine and transmissions partner for next year. Earlier Cosworth had announced that their deal with Lotus ends this year. With the reintroduction of KERS next year it could be a wise move on their side. Renault is seemingly the front runner at the moment.
Michael Schumacher was caught on camera driving a motorbike on the Sachsenring circuit. Although for it was for fun some might question the risk involved and seems to have attracted negative publicity for Schumacher. All we can say is leave the champion alone. Let him have his fun. Driving that motorbike is something many of us can only dream of :-)
This has been the closest championship in years. Any of the top five drivers has a realistic chance at winning the championship. The points systems was changed to accommodate the larger grid and to award more for winning a race. For the curious below is how the drivers standings would have been with the old system
1 Lewis Hamilton 75After each race the standings as per the old system can be got at our site - http://www.nowf1.com/formula-1-2010-standings-old-points-system.html
2 Mark Webber 74
3 Jenson Button 67
4 Fernando Alonso 67
5 Sebastian Vettel 66
Okay so were are back at another high downforce circuit. Marna Bay circuit characteristics is considered to be similar to Hungary and Monaco. Red Bull was ahead of the rest in those races while McLaren struggled. McLaren however expect to be strong this time round. Ferrari expect to be strong too with a new updated diffuser floor and other aero improvements. Take out Ferrari's disappointment at Belgium and in the last four races they have upped their development efforts and the results have shown. Two wins and a second for Fernando Alonso and 5 podiums for Ferrari in the last four races.
We are now at a point where new engines can come at the expense of a 10 place grid penalty. Alonso used his 8th new engine last race while Hamilton, Button and Vettel have 1 available. Mark Webber has two available he alright. Alonso is facing a situation similar to that faced by Vettel last year.
Lotus Racing are set to make a big announcement this week, most likely regarding their engine and transmissions partner for next year. Earlier Cosworth had announced that their deal with Lotus ends this year. With the reintroduction of KERS next year it could be a wise move on their side. Renault is seemingly the front runner at the moment.
Michael Schumacher was caught on camera driving a motorbike on the Sachsenring circuit. Although for it was for fun some might question the risk involved and seems to have attracted negative publicity for Schumacher. All we can say is leave the champion alone. Let him have his fun. Driving that motorbike is something many of us can only dream of :-)
Singapore GP: Pre Grand Prix updates
This year we could see a first night race in the wet. We have had two night races so far and a day-night race at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but none that were run under wet conditions. Raindrops glitter under lights (although not an issue when you aren't looking up) It would be interesting to see the issues faced by the drivers and the teams if that were to happen.
Lotus Racing are set to make a big announcement this week, most likely regarding their engine and transmissions partner for next year. Earlier Cosworth had announced that their deal with Lotus ends this year. With the reintroduction of KERS next year it could be a wise move on their side. Renault is seemingly the front runner at the moment.
Michael Schumacher was caught on camera driving a motorbike on the Sachsenring circuit. Although for it was for fun some might question the risk involved and seems to have attracted negavitve publicity for Schumacher. Some have even gone on to ask Mercedes about its :-) We say, leave the champion alone. Let him have his fun. Driving that motorbike is something many of us can only dream of.
Okay so were are back at another high downforce circuit. Marna Bay circuit characteristics is considered to be similar to Hungary and Monaco. Red Bull was ahead of the rest in those races while McLaren have struggled. McLaren however expect to be strong this time round. Ferrari expect to be strong too with a new updated diffuser floor and other aero improvements. Take out Ferrari's disappointment at Belgium and in the last four races they have upped their development efforts and the results have shown. Two wins and a second for Fernando Alonso and 5 podiums for Ferrari in the last four races.
This has been the closest championship in years. Each of the top five drives has a realistic chance at winning the championship. The points systems was changed to accommodate the larger grid and to award more for winning a race. A look at how the championship would have been if we were using the old system is below
For the curious this link would give the updated standings after each race as per the old scoring system. http://www.nowf1.com/formula-1-2010-standings-old-points-system.html
Lotus Racing are set to make a big announcement this week, most likely regarding their engine and transmissions partner for next year. Earlier Cosworth had announced that their deal with Lotus ends this year. With the reintroduction of KERS next year it could be a wise move on their side. Renault is seemingly the front runner at the moment.
Michael Schumacher was caught on camera driving a motorbike on the Sachsenring circuit. Although for it was for fun some might question the risk involved and seems to have attracted negavitve publicity for Schumacher. Some have even gone on to ask Mercedes about its :-) We say, leave the champion alone. Let him have his fun. Driving that motorbike is something many of us can only dream of.
Okay so were are back at another high downforce circuit. Marna Bay circuit characteristics is considered to be similar to Hungary and Monaco. Red Bull was ahead of the rest in those races while McLaren have struggled. McLaren however expect to be strong this time round. Ferrari expect to be strong too with a new updated diffuser floor and other aero improvements. Take out Ferrari's disappointment at Belgium and in the last four races they have upped their development efforts and the results have shown. Two wins and a second for Fernando Alonso and 5 podiums for Ferrari in the last four races.
This has been the closest championship in years. Each of the top five drives has a realistic chance at winning the championship. The points systems was changed to accommodate the larger grid and to award more for winning a race. A look at how the championship would have been if we were using the old system is below
Hamilton would have been leading with the older system. One thinks that at the end of the year atleast one driver would be thinking that the old system should have been in place :-).
1 Lewis Hamilton 75
2 Mark Webber 74
3 Jenson Button 67
4 Fernando Alonso 67
5 Sebastian Vettel 66
For the curious this link would give the updated standings after each race as per the old scoring system. http://www.nowf1.com/formula-1-2010-standings-old-points-system.html
Friday, September 17, 2010
Rumours about Michael Schumacher quitting F1
Well the F1 media has woken up again with the rumours about Michael Schumacher quitting F1. Eddie Jordan has been reported as saying that Schumacher might quit F1 at the end of the year by AutoSport. BBC commentator Jonathan Legard has posted on his twitter that Adrian Sutil might be the first in line to replace him. Sutil being a German and no contract for next year might be the ideal option for the Mercedes GP team. Eddie Jordan was one of the first to speculate Schumacher's return last year. But that was based on information he had rather than based on observation this time round.
For most fans and including Michael Schumacher the season hasn't been as expected. One would have thought that Schumacher would be fighting for the title but instead of late is fighting to make the cut to Q3 in qualifying. On the other hand his team mate Nico Rosberg has been able to get the most out of the slower Mercedes including a few podiums.
Schumacher had shown a few flashes of his brilliance but only a few. The problem Schumacher and Mercedes have attributed is to the newer front tyres and their understeer issues. The initial wow factor of Schumacher's return is now gone. So next year there will be immense pressure on him to perform if he were to continue.
While the quit rumours will continue till the start of the next season, there are many factors for Schumacher to continue. The single most motivating factor for Schumacher is a eight Driver's championship. One would assume that only if he believes that he cannot get that title would he retire. With the telemetry data, his physical conditioning Schumacher would be in a position to gauge why he is slower than his team mate. In all probability Schumacher is not or not willing to adapt to a driving style that he feels would slow him down. The car this year would not have been designed with Schumacher's inputs, preferences etc. And for a long time Schumacher has said that his focus is on 2011. So he is probably taking the remaining races for to understand the newer aspects of F1.
True, this year has been lack lustre for him. Maybe an inspired drive on of the race weekend in the remaining races would keep the critics quite for some time. But Mercedes and Schumacher would know that a better year would be the next year. With new regulations in 2011 - KERS, Movable rear wing, new tyre supplier etc. Mercedes might be trying to pull one like last year with Brawn GP and that would be something Schumacher would not want to miss. So if 2011 were like this year then we can assume he might call it off sometime during next year. But in probability not this year.
The bad news for Schumacher fans is Mercedes GP record. Brawn GP/Mercedes GP haven't been on the league of the McLaren, Ferrari or Red Bull. Their inability to quickly resolve their issues this year would be a proof of that. Renault F1 and Williams F1 have shown a better rate of development than them so far. Now that is something that Schumacher would have observed this year working closely with the team. So if he feels that Mercedes might not be in a position to challenge for the titles the next year or the year after next he might take a decision to call it off this year (unlikely but probable)
But at the end of the day one would feel still that Schumacher wouldn't give up yet based on his season so far this year. Not when many of his fans have yet to see him cross the chequered flag first. So keep your fingers crossed :-)
For most fans and including Michael Schumacher the season hasn't been as expected. One would have thought that Schumacher would be fighting for the title but instead of late is fighting to make the cut to Q3 in qualifying. On the other hand his team mate Nico Rosberg has been able to get the most out of the slower Mercedes including a few podiums.
Schumacher had shown a few flashes of his brilliance but only a few. The problem Schumacher and Mercedes have attributed is to the newer front tyres and their understeer issues. The initial wow factor of Schumacher's return is now gone. So next year there will be immense pressure on him to perform if he were to continue.
While the quit rumours will continue till the start of the next season, there are many factors for Schumacher to continue. The single most motivating factor for Schumacher is a eight Driver's championship. One would assume that only if he believes that he cannot get that title would he retire. With the telemetry data, his physical conditioning Schumacher would be in a position to gauge why he is slower than his team mate. In all probability Schumacher is not or not willing to adapt to a driving style that he feels would slow him down. The car this year would not have been designed with Schumacher's inputs, preferences etc. And for a long time Schumacher has said that his focus is on 2011. So he is probably taking the remaining races for to understand the newer aspects of F1.
True, this year has been lack lustre for him. Maybe an inspired drive on of the race weekend in the remaining races would keep the critics quite for some time. But Mercedes and Schumacher would know that a better year would be the next year. With new regulations in 2011 - KERS, Movable rear wing, new tyre supplier etc. Mercedes might be trying to pull one like last year with Brawn GP and that would be something Schumacher would not want to miss. So if 2011 were like this year then we can assume he might call it off sometime during next year. But in probability not this year.
The bad news for Schumacher fans is Mercedes GP record. Brawn GP/Mercedes GP haven't been on the league of the McLaren, Ferrari or Red Bull. Their inability to quickly resolve their issues this year would be a proof of that. Renault F1 and Williams F1 have shown a better rate of development than them so far. Now that is something that Schumacher would have observed this year working closely with the team. So if he feels that Mercedes might not be in a position to challenge for the titles the next year or the year after next he might take a decision to call it off this year (unlikely but probable)
But at the end of the day one would feel still that Schumacher wouldn't give up yet based on his season so far this year. Not when many of his fans have yet to see him cross the chequered flag first. So keep your fingers crossed :-)
Monday, September 13, 2010
Nick Heidfeld to replace Pedro de la Rosa ?
If the latest rumours doing the rounds in the F1 media are to be believed Nick Heidfeld might be driving for Sauber as soon as the Singapore Grand Prix.
Pedro De la Rosa isn't having a good season so far after a come back to racing for Sauber this year. He has been overshadowed by his rookie teammate Kamui Kobayashi. De la Rosa so far has scored only 6 points, far less when compared to Kobayashi who has 21 points. Also Kobayashi has put in a few impressive drives such as Valencia this year.
The rumours however could be very well true. One of the reasons for an interest in Heidfeld is due to his experience with the new Pirelli tyres. Heidfeld was till recently Mercedes GP test and reserve driver but was released out of his contract to perform testing duties for Pirelli. Heidfeld isn't new to Sauber and was a part of the BMW-Sauber team till last year. A delay in Heidfeld's decision for this year meant that he lost of a race seat with Sauber.
Pedro De la Rosa isn't having a good season so far after a come back to racing for Sauber this year. He has been overshadowed by his rookie teammate Kamui Kobayashi. De la Rosa so far has scored only 6 points, far less when compared to Kobayashi who has 21 points. Also Kobayashi has put in a few impressive drives such as Valencia this year.
The rumours however could be very well true. One of the reasons for an interest in Heidfeld is due to his experience with the new Pirelli tyres. Heidfeld was till recently Mercedes GP test and reserve driver but was released out of his contract to perform testing duties for Pirelli. Heidfeld isn't new to Sauber and was a part of the BMW-Sauber team till last year. A delay in Heidfeld's decision for this year meant that he lost of a race seat with Sauber.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Fernando Alonso wins an all important Italian GP
Alonso couldn't have asked for a better Grand Prix victory than his win today at the 2010 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix. Championship leader Lewis Hamilton retired on lap 1 after his front suspension suffered from impact with Felipe Massa in the initial corners of the first lap.
Starting from pole Alonso failed to retain his lead and Jenson Button who had a better start leaped ahead into the lead. Alonso however maintained a close distance to Button before the first round of pit stops. The front runners were on the option tyres but were able to run more than half distance on those tyres.
With Lewis Hamilton out of the race the running order was Alonso, Button, Massa, Rosberg, Kubica, Hulkenberg and Vettel. Mark Webber failed to get a good start and dropped to 9th behind Michael Schumacher on lap 1. Schumacher however failed to retain his postion and soon Webber overtook Schumacher for eighth on lap 7.
On lap 22, Sebastian Vettel dropped back to eighth after reporting problems with his engine. Vettel however was able to maintain a good distance to Schumacher.
The pit lane closed momentarily around lap 30 after one of the HRT mechanics was reportedly hurt during Sakon Yamamoto's pit stop. The pit lanes were open again around on lap 31 just about time for the leaders to take their first pit stops.
Button takes his stop for the harder tyres on lap 37. The Ferrari pit were alert to the change and immediately pit Alonso on lap 38. A super pit stop by the Ferrari team coupled with a hot inlap by Alonso ensured that the double world champion jumped to the lead after his pit stop, but only by a small margin. Button tried to overtake Alonso around the outside, but Alonso had the inside line and was able to maintain his lead. That was the only opportunity for Button to retake his lead. Alonso set a series of fastest laps after that and soon was 3 seconds ahead of Button.
Vettel had started the race on the prime tyres and only pitted on the penultimate lap. By then he had built enough of a lead over Rosberg and finished ahead of Rosberg and Webber in 4th. Rosberg completed a good day for Mercedes in 5th with Schumacher in 9th. Webber who finished in 6th will see the race as damage limitation, in a race where the Red Bulls haven't been strong.
With two laps remaining Alonso had a scary moment at turn 1 after he ran over the first chicane. Button however was too far behind to take any advantage. Massa finished on in third completing a great weekend for Ferrari.
With his win at Monza, Alonso is definitely back in the championship. Mark Webber now leads the championship with 187 points. Hamilton drops back to second with 182 points. Importantly Alonso is now third in the championship with 166 points, 21 points behind Webber.
Starting from pole Alonso failed to retain his lead and Jenson Button who had a better start leaped ahead into the lead. Alonso however maintained a close distance to Button before the first round of pit stops. The front runners were on the option tyres but were able to run more than half distance on those tyres.
With Lewis Hamilton out of the race the running order was Alonso, Button, Massa, Rosberg, Kubica, Hulkenberg and Vettel. Mark Webber failed to get a good start and dropped to 9th behind Michael Schumacher on lap 1. Schumacher however failed to retain his postion and soon Webber overtook Schumacher for eighth on lap 7.
On lap 22, Sebastian Vettel dropped back to eighth after reporting problems with his engine. Vettel however was able to maintain a good distance to Schumacher.
The pit lane closed momentarily around lap 30 after one of the HRT mechanics was reportedly hurt during Sakon Yamamoto's pit stop. The pit lanes were open again around on lap 31 just about time for the leaders to take their first pit stops.
Button takes his stop for the harder tyres on lap 37. The Ferrari pit were alert to the change and immediately pit Alonso on lap 38. A super pit stop by the Ferrari team coupled with a hot inlap by Alonso ensured that the double world champion jumped to the lead after his pit stop, but only by a small margin. Button tried to overtake Alonso around the outside, but Alonso had the inside line and was able to maintain his lead. That was the only opportunity for Button to retake his lead. Alonso set a series of fastest laps after that and soon was 3 seconds ahead of Button.
Vettel had started the race on the prime tyres and only pitted on the penultimate lap. By then he had built enough of a lead over Rosberg and finished ahead of Rosberg and Webber in 4th. Rosberg completed a good day for Mercedes in 5th with Schumacher in 9th. Webber who finished in 6th will see the race as damage limitation, in a race where the Red Bulls haven't been strong.
With two laps remaining Alonso had a scary moment at turn 1 after he ran over the first chicane. Button however was too far behind to take any advantage. Massa finished on in third completing a great weekend for Ferrari.
With his win at Monza, Alonso is definitely back in the championship. Mark Webber now leads the championship with 187 points. Hamilton drops back to second with 182 points. Importantly Alonso is now third in the championship with 166 points, 21 points behind Webber.
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