|
Post by Anna on Nov 28, 2011 17:21:51 GMT
Charles Pic has been confirmed for Marussia? Ala Virgin . That means that poor little lovely Custard is gone.
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Nov 29, 2011 9:36:36 GMT
And Kimi is officially back with Renault, so I'm guessing it'll be Raikkonen and Grosjean for them then?
Renault confirms Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula 1 in 2012
Renault has announced that Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula 1 racing next year, after securing a two-year deal to compete with the squad.
Raikkonen, who had left Formula 1 at the end of the 2009 season after being dropped by Ferrari, had been in talks with the Williams team about a possible return next year, but the deal fell through.
That promted speculation of a Renault tie-up, with team principal Eric Boullier confirming in Brazil last weekend that the Finn was on the shortlist of candidates for 2012 - when his outfit will be renamed Lotus.
Speaking about his return, Raikkonen said: "I'm delighted to be coming back to Formula 1 after a two-year break, and I'm grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity. My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver, but I can't deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming.
"It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP as I have been impressed by the scope of the team's ambition. Now I'm looking forward to playing an important role in pushing the team to the very front of the grid."
Team owner Gerard Lopez added: "All year long, we kept saying that our team was at the start of a brand new cycle. Backstage we've been working hard to build the foundations of a successful structure and to ensure that we would soon be able to fight at the highest level.
"Kimi's decision to come back to Formula 1 with us is the first step of several announcements which should turn us into an even more serious contender in the future. Of course, we are all looking forward to working with a world champion. On behalf of our staff, I'd like to welcome Kimi to Enstone, a setting that has always been known for its human approach to Formula 1."
Raikkonen, 32, moved from Formula 1 to the World Rally Championship in 2010, where he spent the last two seasons while also competing in one race of the NASCAR Truck series and one Nationwide event.
The Finn won the Formula 1 world championship in 2007 with Ferrari, having scored a total of 18 wins since he made his grand prix debut in 2001.
Renault was forced to search for another driver after Robert Kubica confirmed last week that he would not be ready to start the 2012 season following his dramatic accident in February.
|
|
|
Post by r1ch91 on Nov 29, 2011 11:21:00 GMT
Either Grosjean or Vitaly I'd have thought Glad to see Kimi back thou Other rumours are that Ricciardo will be put into a Caterham seat in place of Jarno.
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Dec 1, 2011 22:22:06 GMT
Williams confirm Maldonado will remain with team 2012 F1 season 1st December 2011 10:16 pm by Keith Collantine 5 Comments »
Pastor Maldonado, Williams, Interlagos, 2011 Pastor Maldonado will continue to drive for Williams in 2012, the team has confirmed.
Valtteri Bottas has also been announced as the team’s reserve driver for next season.
Frank Williams said: “Pastor has proven this year that he is not only quick but also that he is able to maintain a consistent and strong race pace.
“Pastor has been responsible for all of our forays into Q3 in 2011 and his race at Monaco was outstanding. Pastor has also settled into the team at Williams very well, contributing strongly in the factory and with our partners.
“He will play a critical role in 2012 as we rebuild the team and move forward.”
Maldonado said: “This has been a tough season for the whole team but it has given me personally the opportunity to learn and develop.
“I am convinced that the steps we have taken to improve our competitiveness will bear fruit in 2012 and beyond. I am thrilled to be part of that and also to represent the people of Venezuela in Formula One.”
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Dec 2, 2011 12:46:13 GMT
Williams set to announce 'experienced' driver
2 December 2011
Williams has revealed that a ‘more experienced’ driver is likely to fill the squad's vacant seat, with Pastor Maldonado being confirmed for another year on Thursday. The outfit also announced that GP3 Champion Valtteri Bottas will become its reserve driver, leaving team boss Sir Frank Williams seeking a man with more F1 mileage.
"We have a very specific approach to young driver development, working with one highly talented individual over a period of years," said Williams. "Valtteri has proved a very capable and rounded young man of fierce determination.
"As the team’s reserve driver, we anticipate that Valtteri will participate in a Friday practice session at 15 Grands Prix next year, most likely with a more experienced driver taking over for the remainder of the race weekend. We will announce the identity of that driver in due course."
The most likely candidate for the space remains Force India’s Adrian Sutil, but it also puts Giedo van der Garde’s potential promotion to the sport in doubt.
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Dec 2, 2011 12:47:59 GMT
For me it'll be a shame if Lotus keep Senna ahead of Grosjean (though I think its bullcrap if Vitaly goes at all ) but at least, unlike some drivers I support *cough*Lucas*cough* he's keeping doors open for next year. Grosjean to test DTM car in Spain 2 December 2011 Lotus Renault GP reserve driver Romain Grosjean will test a DTM car at Spain’s Circuito Monteblanco next week, taking to the wheel of BMW’s 2012 contender. The Frenchman will get a taste for the popular touring car series alongside fellow single seater driver Marco Wittmann, who contested the full F3 EuroSeries campaign and almost claimed honours during the Macau Grand Prix last month. "Both men have shown what they are capable of on many occasions in their racing series," said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt, with the test taking place from December 6-8. "We are looking forward to seeing how they handle the BMW M3 DTM." GP2 Champion Grosjean is in contention for the second Lotus Renault F1 seat next year, but is awaiting news as to whether Vitaly Petrov will remain at the squad or not.
|
|
Lucius
Rookie
[ss:Black & White]
Posts: 83
|
Post by Lucius on Dec 2, 2011 13:22:28 GMT
I'm so happy Kimi is back he always brought something to F1. Also happy to see Pastor get another year, he didn't do that bad this year and given another year or so and maybe the team moving forward instead of backwards he'll be up and around the top half of the midfield soon. Would like to see Rubens at Williams for another year only because the only other "experienced" drivers around at the moment would be Jarno (because as Rich said it looks like even with a contract he isn't racing), Adrian (who looked brilliant a year or so ago and now just doesn't... At all. He has moments I guess), and then people outside F1 like some of these age old test drivers. Though I would smile if they managed to bring back someone like Monty but that is never going to happen. As for Romain, I agree that I'd rather see Vitaly there again, he has so much promise, he got slowly better in his rookie season and started off so well in 2011. I think with Kimi there he might carry on going upwards. I'm also a little glad to hear that Bouiller might not be there much longer, we've talked about it before at length that he looked like a brilliant team boss in 2010, but when things went tough this year he just wasn't strong enough. His support all year went to two drivers not driving their car, he finally replaced Nick with one of them and it just seemed that the team didn't move at all. Romain I think deserves a second chance in the car because he wasn't awful in his half a season (not even half a season) so I'd rather see Romain or Vitaly in that seat. Don't get me wrong I like Bruno but he hasn't done that much impressive in the Renault, his HRT season was brilliant but I'd rather see Vitaly carry on improving or Lotus just give in to what they really want and put Romain in there. Though I see the point in keeping Bruno as he'll probably have to do the majority of events because Kimi might not want to do it and Vitaly isn't as good as Romain and Bruno at that either.
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Dec 2, 2011 14:26:00 GMT
I'm worried by the "experienced" driver line. Rubens is the MOST experienced you can get! Just keep him!! The problem is unless they have something they haven't told us about yet I don't see Williams improving that much into 2012 and then it'll be harder for them to get a big fish like Raikkonen. I don't blame Kimi for going to Lotus, they built a car that was brilliant, it got two podiums! The problem is their leadership lacked all season from driver leadership to team leadership. Their car was still good but the passion seemed to dwindle, but they weren't the only team, Mercedes lacked as well! Williams just lacked everything from passion to development to anything. It sucks because I love Williams and want them to be a force again but they just keep going backwards. If they want experience I can't see anyone fitting that bill more than Rubens. I'd love to see a Monty come back though never gonna happen but it would be AWESOME!
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Dec 19, 2011 12:36:56 GMT
Sahara Force India confirms Paul Di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg for 2012
The wait is finally over
Friday 16 December 2011 - 16h30, by Sandrine Bouchard Sahara Force India Formula One Team today confirmed that Paul Di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg will form its line-up for the 2012 season.
Paul continues with the team for his second season in a race seat, while Nico steps up from his role as reserve driver. Together they form one of the most exciting pairings on the grid.
Dr. Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director: “I am delighted to present our line-up for the 2012 season. In Paul and Nico we have two extremely talented drivers with tremendous potential. I think Paul caught the eye of everybody in the pit lane during his rookie season. His speed, maturity and racecraft confirmed that we were right to believe in him and we look forward to working with him again next year. As for Nico, we identified him as a rising star at the end of 2010 and chose to evaluate him during the course of this season. Despite having only limited time in the car, he convinced us that he deserved a race seat for 2012. “
“Our new line-up means we say ‘goodbye’ to Adrian Sutil, who has been with the team since we entered the sport. He has been an integral part of our success over the past four seasons and we wish him well for the future.”
Paul Di Resta: “I’m really looking forward to my second season of Formula One and continuing to grow and develop with Sahara Force India. I’ve said all along that I love being part of this team: they are ambitious, hungry for success and we work well together. I’m really excited about 2012 and there is a real sense of belief that we can continue to push the top teams and take another step forward. I’d also like to thank the team for all their hard work this year and for all the support they’ve given me. I’ll take some time out over the next few weeks to recharge my batteries and hopefully come back even stronger in 2012.”
Nico Hulkenberg: “I’m obviously delighted to be staying with Sahara Force India and to be given the chance to race next year. It wasn’t easy to watch from the sidelines this season, but I did my best to help the team and show what I was capable of. I’m extremely motivated for 2012 and would like to thank everyone for believing in me and giving me this chance. I’m keen to get down to work over the winter to develop our new car and help the team build on this year’s achievements. The first test in Jerez can’t come soon enough.”
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Feb 4, 2012 22:26:23 GMT
Giedo van der Garde gets Caterham reserve drive
4 February 2012
Giedo van der Garde has been announced as Caterham F1’s official reserve driver for 2012, having spent the past three seasons in GP2. Van der Garde will now take part in the pre-season tests and a number of Friday Practice sessions throughout the coming campaign, aiding the Norfolk squad with its preparation efforts.
"I'm very happy to become a part of the Caterham F1 Team family today and I'm very excited about the next step in my career within Formula 1," Giedo said. "The team is fresh, with some fantastic people here. Tony Fernandes is extremely ambitious and he has brought in a lot of very good people in to help grow this team for future success. I'm looking forward to learning and moving forward with the team in and out of the car."
Commenting on the lack of Dutch pilots in Formula 1 since 2007, he explained: "It's great for Holland that we again have a Dutch driver who is connected to Formula 1. Being the only Dutch driver now is very good for the sport in Holland, as the interest was perhaps on the decline since the Verstappen years, however I hope to generate the same excitement for my country and really bring Formula 1 to them."
Caterham F1 Team Principal Tony Fernandes added: “We are delighted to welcome Giedo into the family as reserve driver. He is a very exciting prospect that we have been monitoring since the early days of our team, and we are all looking forward to seeing how he can help us develop throughout the season as we take our next steps towards the established midfield teams ahead.”
Speaking about his performances in GP2, where van der Garde finished fifth last season, Fernandes continued: "His performances in GP2, particularly in 2011, mark Giedo out as one of motorsport's brightest prospects, and securing him as reserve driver is a real coup for our team. I am sure he will flourish on and off track, and we wish him all the best as he takes the next step into Formula 1 with us."
Caterham F1 were the first team to launch their new car last week, with its chassis titled the CT01. The first test of 2012 kicks off in Jerez on Tuesday 7 February.
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Feb 4, 2012 22:26:47 GMT
Caterham the right choice, says van der Garde
4 February 2012
Giedo van der Garde has admitted that agreeing terms with Caterham F1 for the 2012 season will ultimately prove to be a highly fruitful career choice, with the Dutchman now signed up as the squad's official reserve driver. Having negotiated with a number of teams over the winter break, the 26-year-old was delighted to finalise a deal.
"The negotiations went on for a while and I'm very glad that it worked out," van der Garde told GPUpdate.net during an exclusive interview. "I had spoken to quite a few teams over the course of the winter and I believe that this is the right choice for my career. It is a team with good people, who are particularly motivated. They saw in me someone who is determined and driven. And naturally, quick. That meant a lot."
Van der Garde went on to talk about the details of his agreement with the outfit, explaining that he will be involved in all areas of the team's F1 operation. Added to this, around six to eight Friday practice outings are currently envisaged.
"In everything related to F1, I will present," he added. "Each briefing, every workout, every test. That way I will learn a lot, it's up to me to prove myself. I should be able to show what I can do at the wheel. It's then up to them to decide what they want to do.
"With regards to the future this is a really good choice. I will have between six and eight Friday practice outings and continue to learn a lot throughout the season."
|
|
Pete
F1 Fanatic
Petonyo
Posts: 215
|
Post by Pete on Feb 4, 2012 23:08:00 GMT
So now we've got a full grid announced what do you think? I'm not sure about Senna over Barrichello, I really don't know why Narian got the seat other than money, sad to see the STR boys go but at the same time happy to see two very talented drivers in those seats... Looks interesting enough .
|
|