Make-up session – Week #35
During this 35th week of the year, Formula 1 continued to produce essential information, and Motors Inside is here to summarize the latest news in the premier category of motorsport in the most concrete way. After a new winner at the European Grand Prix in the person of Rubens Barrichello, Spa-Francorchamps saw the victory – […]
During this 35th week of the year, Formula 1 continued to produce essential information, and Motors Inside is here to summarize the latest news in the premier category of motorsport in the most concrete way. After a new winner at the European Grand Prix in the person of Rubens Barrichello, Spa-Francorchamps saw the victory – the first of the year – of Kimi Räikkönen, ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella. A unique podium completed by Sebastien Vettel. More details to come… Another piece of news emerged in the highly publicized world of Formula 1: the confirmation from the Italian team Ferrari that they could not use Michael Schumacher during the year 2009. The German, still physically unfit, feels very frustrated not to be able to drive in place of veteran Luca Badoer, whose performances have raised doubts. While at Ferrari, the atmosphere is contrasted by Badoer, at Renault, the focus is on finding solutions to score points very soon. That is why the team with the diamond logo is considering using KERS for the next Grand Prix, in Monza, nicknamed the Temple of Speed. The Monza circuit could indeed favor cars equipped with KERS. The race for points is on and will continue until the last Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi. The race will take place both during the day and at night. A first after the fully nocturnal Singapore Grand Prix. A very beautiful spectacle is expected for the last race of the 2009 season.
A Belgian Grand Prix Marked by an Unprecedented Podium!
Only one week separated the European Grand Prix in Valencia from the Belgian Grand Prix at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit. So there was no respite for the teams or the drivers. After a race marked by various clashes and race events, Kimi Räikkönen managed to cross the checkered flag in first position with his Ferrari F60. The Finn and Ferrari marked their comeback with this first victory of the season. The second place was achieved by an unexpected Italian, Giancarlo Fisichella, who secured the pole position with the modest Force India. The progress and hard work had very positive effects on the performance of the Indian team, which reached the podium for the first time while scoring their first points in the world championship. The podium was completed by Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull). Fourth and fifth places went to BMW drivers, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld. BMW Sauber scored their highest points total of the year with 9 units. In sixth position was Heikki Kovalainen in his McLaren, narrowly ahead of Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn GP and the German Nico Rosberg in his Williams. In the first lap, a significant collision left Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Romain Grosjean, and Jaime Alguersuari on the sidelines. Championship leader Button lost points to Sebastian Vettel, who reclaimed third place in the standings, and to his teammate Barrichello. Status quo among the leading teams in the constructor standings, with Brawn GP still dominating the field ahead of Red Bull.
The complete live coverage of the Belgian Grand Prix
Schumacher will no longer replace Massa in 2009
It is a decision made unanimously by the Scuderia management and Michael Schumacher. Despite the relentless efforts of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, he will not take the seat of Felipe Massa’s F60, who is still recovering. This news puts an end to all the rumors that have been circulating about the former Ferrari driver. Yet, after the somewhat mixed results of Luca Badoer, one might think that Schumacher, even injured, would be able to race and achieve better performances than the 39-year-old Italian. This is not the opinion of Stefano Domenicali, who believes Michael Schumacher would have struggled to find his way back to victory after a long absence. The German, certain not to race in a Grand Prix in 2009, continues to train and work hard… in the hope of racing again in 2010?
The confirmation of the cancellation of Schumacher’s return
Renault could obtain KERS at Monza
The KERS has become a weapon of choice for single-seaters in view of the Grand Prix. The system works by gathering kinetic energy from the car’s active engine during braking or simply without any action on the accelerator pedal. This energy is then converted by the KERS into an electric state stored in a battery, before being transformed again into kinetic form, providing an additional 80 horsepower for a total of 6.6 seconds per lap, either all at once or intermittently. A weapon that delights McLaren and Ferrari, signaling their return to form on the podiums. The team with the diamond logo, looking towards the next Grand Prix in Monza, wants to adopt it for the R29 to become much more competitive. The team led by Flavio Briatore is only ranked 8th, its worst ranking. A KERS in the single-seaters would facilitate more frequent overtaking and increase Renault drivers’ chances of performing well in the upcoming Grand Prix.
Renault’s decision regarding the use of KERS for Monza
Abu Dhabi, first semi-night race circuit!
The last Grand Prix of the eventful 2009 season will take place in the United Arab Emirates, at Abu Dhabi on the Yas Marina circuit. The governing bodies of Formula 1 have decided that the race on the new Abu Dhabi circuit will be held both in daylight and at night. Indeed, the start will be given at 5:00 PM, and sunset will occur at 5:43 PM. A semi-night circuit will have a revolutionary effect following the first night circuit in Singapore. The circuit’s manager asserts that the spotlights will be turned on from the beginning of the Grand Prix to avoid a too direct transition between daylight and spotlight illumination. Surely, a grand spectacle awaits the world of Formula 1 on November 1, 2009.
