Formula 1 News (February):

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FIA hits out at racists



The FIA and officials at the Circuit de Catalunya, near Barcelona, have joined to condemn racial abuse aimed at Lewis Hamilton.

The British driver was jeered during Formula One's latest pre-season test, while pictures showed some spectators dressed in outfits and with slogans aimed at Hamilton.

And while Hamilton's team McLaren-Mercedes tried to play down the abuse - which seems to have stemmed from his rivalry with Fernando Alonso last season - the FIA has warned that Spain could be stripped of its grand prix as a result.

A spokesman said: "The FIA are surprised and disappointed at the abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton.

"An act of this kind is a clear breach of the principles enshrined in the FIA statutes, and any repetition will result in sanctions."

Management at the track have also reacted angrily to the actions of some of the supporters.

Circuit director Ramon Pradera said: "We would like to make a plea to the fans to behave correctly. No type of offensive behaviour can be tolerated."

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Button - A long way to go


Jenson Button admits that Honda still have a long way to go before the RA108 is ready for the start of the new season.


The team's 2008 challenger took part in its second test session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona this weekend, where Honda were in action for three days.

However, the test did not get off to a good start as Rubens Barrichello and test driver Alex Wurz respectively found themselves two and four seconds off the pace on the opening day.

Button took over on day two but the results hardly improved as he too found himself well off the pace.

The Briton managed to improve on the final day to get within 1.5s of the P1 time; however, he was still placed bottom of the timesheets.

Button is nevertheless confident that Honda's pace will improve in the build-up to the new season.

"I am pleased with the reliability of the car. Generally, we have made some progress this week but there is still a lot of work to be done in the forthcoming tests," he said.

"The car is completely new which means we are starting from zero in terms of developing the set-up. We are also experiencing some drivability issues as we work with the new ECU.

"The weather conditions today meant that I was able to get my first wet running in without traction control, which was good.

"On to Jerez next as we continue to keep pushing forward with developing the car."

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Hamilton saddened by abuse

Formula One star Lewis Hamilton says it is 'sad' that he was the target of racial abuse during testing in Spain.

The McLaren driver was insulted and jeered by spectators as he prepared for his test laps at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo, near Barcelona, at the weekend.

Hamilton has been singled out by supporters of Spanish driver and former team-mate Fernando Alonso, following the pair's public falling-out last year.

"The truth is that I feel somewhat sad, I am in love with this country, and especially the city of Barcelona and this circuit, which is one of my three favourites," said Hamilton, speaking to sportlifepress.com.

"The people in Spain have always been very warm with me, and even though I imagined what might happen it has not been pleasant.

Warmth

"But maybe these types of things make you learn to appreciate more the warmth of the public, who although you always try to be there for them, you never know how important they are to you until these types of things happen."

Alonso has since joined Renault for the new season, after a difficult 2007 partnering rookie Hamilton.

"I would like them (the Spanish fans) to understand my position," Hamilton said.

"The only thing that I have done is to try to give the best of myself and try to win the championship, at no point have I tried to deliberately prejudice Fernando, but the fight has been very tough and my image in Spain has been severely damaged."

Report

Meanwhile, and with both of the grands prix scheduled to take place in the country this year reportedly under threat, Formula One's FIA governing body has asked Spain's national motorsport association to submit a full report on how they plan to prevent such scenes being repeated.

With this year's Spanish Grand Prix taking place at the Circuit de Catalunya, and the European Grand Prix also being held in Valencia, the Real Federacion Espanola de Automovilismo (RFEA) are being asked to respond in an effort to demonstrate that they are taking the matter seriously.

Spain's motorsport supremo, Carlos Gracia, has so far responded by promising to weed out any racism in the country's F1 fan base.

He said: "As president of the Spanish Motorsport Federation (RFEDA), I want to state my anger and absolute opposition to these episodes.

"We want to show our support and solidarity to McLaren and especially to Lewis Hamilton.

"The Spanish Federation will not allow these acts to happen again although we wish to state that it came from a minority and that the circuit director at Montmelo took action immediately."

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Ecclestone - No sentiment

Bernie Ecclestone has warned British Grand Prix organisers that plans to redevelop Silverstone offer no safeguard for the race's long-term future.

The deal with Silverstone's owners, the British Racing Drivers' Club, expires next year, and it has been hoped that improvements in facilities at the Northamptonshire circuit will secure the grand prix.

The BRDC recieved a filip on Tuesday when the local council agreed to an outline brief for their redevelopment plans.

However, Ecclestone, who controls Formula One's commercial rights, has reiterated his postion that the improvements will count for nothing unless the BDRC are willing to pay the going rate to stage the race.

He told The Daily Telegraph: "Assume the facilities are built and we like it, the next problem is the commercial agreement for us to be there.

"This has not been discussed other than the guy [from the BRDC] who came to see me some time ago saying there is no way we could pay you even what we have paid you in the past.

"So there are two things to overcome. First they need to build the facilities, then they need to pay the market rate. There is no sentiment in this from my point of view.

"I want [from the BRDC] only what we do in any other country, no more, no less.

"I sincerely hope they are in a position to deliver what they know they have to carry out to get the grand prix in 2010."

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FIA welcomes 'zero tolerance'

The FIA has welcomed what it calls a "zero tolerance" approach promised by authorities in Spain following the racist abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton over the weekend.

The McLaren-Mercedes driver was jeered and insulted by spectators during testing at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, with Hamilton later saying the incident made him feel "somewhat sad".

Nevertheless, Hamilton is set to return later this month for more testing, with the country also scheduled to host the Spanish and European grands prix this coming season.

Alluding to the latter events, the sport's governing body has already said that any repeon of such scenes will result in "serious sanctions".

It has also asked Spain's national motorsport association, the Real Federacion Espanola de Automovilismo (RFEA), to submit a report on the incident.

Measures

But, while warning that it will keep a close eye on upcoming pre-season tests, the FIA has also expressed confidence that track officials will prevent a repeon.

A spokesman told The Guardian: "We have not yet received a full report but we have received clear assurances from the circuit and sporting authorities in Spain that measures are now in place to prevent any repeon of the kind of racist abuse witnessed last weekend.

"We understand that such abuse is a criminal offence under Spanish law and the authorities will not hesitate to act if required.

"This zero-tolerance approach is welcomed by the FIA and we will monitor events very closely at the forthcoming Formula One tests to ensure that everything is done to prevent any repeat of those appalling scenes in Barcelona.

"Racism has no place in motorsport and racists will not be allowed to hijack our sport from the many millions of genuine motor racing fans from across the world."

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Raikkonen still on top

World Champion Kimi Raikkonen once again set the pace on day two of testing at Bahrain's Sakhir circuit.

The Finn, who completed almost 80 laps in near windless conditions, clocked a fastest lap of one minute 30.595 seconds in Ferrari's F2008, while the team's test driver Luca Badoer came in second with a time of 1:32.230s.

Toyota duo Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli had a few technical problems with their new TF108 and set times of 1:32.889s and 1:33.379s respectively - between two and three seconds of Raikkonen's best.

"It hasn't been the easiest day but we have done some good work. The potential in the new car is clear and we now understand more about how different set-up changes affect its performance," Glock said.

Trulli repeated his team-mate's sentiment, the Italian veteran insisting that there was still plenty of time to improve.

"Obviously it wasn't ideal but we have more days here where we will work to better understand the balance and behaviour of the car," the Italian said.

"At the moment we are still in the first stages of our preparation - we have updates and more performance to come."

Ferrari and Toyota are in the Middle East for three days after skipping the testing programme in Barcelona over the weekend.

Times

1. K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:30.595 77 laps
2. L. Badoer Ferrari 1:32.230 64 laps
3. T. Glock Toyota 1:32.889 71 laps
4. J. Trulli Toyota 1:33.379 60 laps

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Symonds - Problem solved

Pat Symonds has said that Renault will be competitive in 2008 because they have overcome the engineering shortcomings that blighted them last season.


The Enstone team's chief engineer told Autosport that this factor, more than the return of Fernando Alonso, will boost the team's performance.

After winning back-to-back constructors' titles in 2005 and 2006, Renault struggled last year in a season which also saw Alonso undertake his ill-fated move to McLaren.

With an R27 chassis whose aerodynamic performance was compromised by last season's mandatory switch to Bridgestone tyres, then drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella only managed one podium finish between them.

Symonds said: "It's important to make one thing clear: Fernando would not have made up for the deficiencies of last year's car.

"But we are now confident that we have overcome those problems and we are desperate to give him a car that his talent deserves.

"I am certain that the combination of Fernando in a revitalized Renault will see him challenging for wins.

"He knows what he wants from the car and we have shown in the past that we can deliver it."

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Force India launch VJM-01

Force India have unveiled their 2008 challenger in a ceremony held in Mumbai.

With drivers Giancarlo Fisichella, Adrian Sutil and reserve Vitantonio Liuzzi on hand, the car bore the team's new white and gold livery, with Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher logo prominently displayed.

The car is the same as that used in the latter part of the 2007 season but has been monikered the VJM-01 after the team's new owner.

The Indian billionaire oversaw the purchase of the now defunct Spyker outfit last autumn and has earmarked a $120 million budget for the coming season.

At the launch Mallya said: "I am delighted to present before you the livery of the brand new car that will compete in the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship.

"Today is a memorable day not only for me as the owner of India's first-ever Formula One team, but also for millions of Indians who can today watch India occupy a place of pride as Force India becomes the first and only Indian Formula One racing team to compete with the best in the world, at the pinnacle of motorsport.

"The Force India Formula One Team is one of the only eleven elite teams guaranteed an entry into the FIA Formula One World Championship Races."

The VJM-01 is scheduled to make its track debut later in February.

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Super Aguri making progress

Super Aguri's 2008 challenger, the SA08, has passed the FIA's mandatory crash tests, giving the team the go-ahead to start the new season.


Super Aguri have thus far laid low pre-season, with ongoing financial difficulties forcing them to scrap pre-season testing thus far in a bid to save money.

Rumours have suggested that the team could even be sold should they fail to find potential sponsors and investors for 2008 season.

And, although drivers Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson have been named by the team on the official FIA entry list, the ongoing financial problems have meant that both drivers have yet to sign new contracts.

Nevertheless, hopes are high that the team's financial problems can soon be solved.

And, regarding the crash tests, a spokeswoman told ITV: "I can confirm that the SA08 monocoque was signed off for racing by the FIA yesterday."

The SA08 is expected to be an updated version of last year's SA07, which itself was based on the successful 2006 Honda 'works' car.

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Kubica - I'll adapt to TC

Last updated: 9th February 2008


Kubica: No big deal



BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica says he is not concerned about how drivers might adapt to new Formula One regulations which will ban driver aids such as traction control.


The ban, which will be implemented through the introduction of standard electronic control units (ECUs) on each car, has led to fears that it might compromise safety, particularly in wet races.

Pundits have also predicted that some drivers will adjust more quickly to the new regulations than others; however, Kubica is convinced they will not pose too great a problem for him.



"Everybody will easily adapt to the new situation," the Pole told the BMW website. "That's our job, and the fastest driver will win.

"All the speculation prior to the season is just as unnecessary as last year's regarding the impact of control tyres.



"Some of us, including myself, had to make a bigger effort to adapt to the characteristics of the Bridgestone tyres but all-in-all, it was no big deal."

Speaking specifically about the traction control ban, Kubica said: "Because of the new regulations, we will have to operate the throttle with a more sensitive and careful attitude.



"I'm convinced that we will witness more mistakes and more drivers going off the track, particularly in the wet. That's something you will have to deal with differently."

Concern


However, the Pole also echoed the sentiment of Red Bull's David Coulthard, who has expressed concern at how the ban will play out in wet conditions such at those drivers' experienced in last year's Japanese Grand Prix.

Kubica predicted: "I think that a race held in conditions such as those we experienced in last year's grand prix at Fuji will be impossible in 2008."