Jalopnik: formula one racing

RUMOR: Renault May Pull Out Of F1

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST

Following today's announcement of Toyota leaving F1, Renault's board of directors is in an unscheduled, closed-doors meeting discussing the possibility of also exiting the motorsport.

[DailyMail]

Photo Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Images

2009 Formula 1 Changes: An Animated Discussion

The Auto Insider — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST

2009 marks a benchmark for F1 racing with new aerodynamics, slick tires and the electrical KERS system. Thanks to Red Bull Racing we can take a look inside the changes in this slick animated short.

The short was created primarily to show off Red Bull Racing's 2009 RB5 F1 car, but it also demonstrates and compares many of the new changes imposed on the F1 series as a whole. We especially like the transformation that occurs from the 2008 car to the 2009 RB5. Thanks to Spencer for the tip!

[Top Gear via YouTube]

Mosley Stands By His Spec Engine Plan For F1 Racing

Andrew Stoy — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:20:00 EDT

FIA president Max Mosley, having put all that Nazi fetish prostitution scandal business behind him, is back promoting his cost-cutting spec engine plan for Formula One. Mosley appears convinced that F1 must develop technologies that can make their way to everyday cars in order to remain relevant — technologies like KERS and other energy-recovery techniques. Says Mosely: "[Using spec engines] will give F1 far more relevance and credibility than the use of vastly expensive racing engines, or extremely light and sophisticated gearboxes, both of which are almost entirely irrelevant to modern road transport." Heresy! But we also understand where he's coming from.

It's interesting that Mosley is promoting energy-efficient programs as the future of F1 racing, and it shows quite a bit of foresight. After all, kinetic energy recovery as developed under grueling race conditions has a good chance of resulting in improved systems for road-going cars. The question is, will race fans give a damn about how one team's KERS system is giving them an extra second per lap, or would they rather hear a tiny pneumatic-valve V8 spinning at 10,000 RPM as the driver bangs through a seven-speed sequential 'box? [Autosport.com]

2009 French Grand Prix At Magny-Cours Cancelled, May Move To Disneyland Paris For 2010

Andrew Stoy — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:30:00 EDT

First we lost the Canadian Grand Prix from the 2009 Formula One schedule, and now the 2009 French Grand Prix has been dropped — only the second time since 1950 that the French have not hosted a Grand Prix event. A statement from the French Motosports Federation said simply "For economic reasons, the FFSA has decided to cancel the (2009) French Grand Prix." The race was to be the last at the famed Magny-Cours track in rural France; Disneyland Paris is a rumored replacement for 2010 thanks to its ~~famed racing heritage~~ easy rail access and hotel accommodations. [BBC; Image: France24watch]

Toyota F1 Boss Says Team's Hybrid System May Not Be Ready For 2009 Season

Andrew Stoy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EDT

Following the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) shock received by a BMW/Sauber mechanic earlier this week, Autosport reports Toyota may not have their KERS system ready in time for the start of the 2009 season. Toyota F1 team president John Howett expressed concern about the new technology in an interview, saying "Whether [the issues] can be overcome to a satisfactory, safe level before the first race, I can't hand-on-heart tell you." Fans, on the other hand, are expressing great interest in the electrified lithium-ion-coated exploding-battery fest that the 2009 season promises to become.

While Team Honda is believed to be the first organization racing with an active KERS system, the fact that Toyota, acknowledged as world leaders in hybrid technology, is admitting potentially insurmountable problems may lend credibility to calls for postponing KERS implementation. The system is intended to recover energy during braking, allowing it to be stored for later use as an electrical "boost" when needed.

We think the introduction of KERS could provide a new reason to watch what's become a rather dull sport, at least for the first season, as fans tune in to see how things play out. At the same time, if the system can't be proven safe above all else — not just for the drivers and mechanics, but also safe for track workers, rescue personnel, and spectators who could be in the vicinity of an accident — then rushing KERS into the program is a recipe for disaster. And, of course, higher TV ratings.
[Autosport.com; Photo Credit: AutoCult.com.au]