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Issue No 105 MONDAY OCTOBER 25, 2010

Red Bull’s FAIL

Fernando strikes
 If you needed evidence that water, fresh tarmac and F1 cars
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ISSUE 105 OCTOBER 25, 2010

EDITOR: ADAM HAY-NICHOLLS

adam@gpweek.com

Editorial Assistants
Naoise Holohan, James
Frankland

MotoGP Editor: Michael Scott

michael@gpweek.com

Rally Editor: Martin Holmes

martin@gpweek.com

Production Artists (Australia):

Cedric Dufour, Kieryn Hyde

Photography
Sutton Motorsport Images
www.sutton-images.com
Keith Sutton keith@gpweek.com

Publisher
Chris Lambden
publisher@gpweek.com

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Horner: past title experience irrelevant
RED Bull racing team principal Christian prize. they rely on very heavily.
Horner believes that the closeness of this “Nobody has a crystal ball, so it is “Both of our guys have performed at
year’s title battle means that experience impossible to predict what will happen in their best under acute pressure, and I think
will play no part in determining who the next two races,” said the Red Bull team both of them have got the character to
ultimately emerges victorious this boss. deal with the situation.
season. “We’ve said all the way along that we “I don’t believe any of the drivers have
There are four world championships will treat both drivers equally which is been in this situation where it has been so
between the five title protagonists but what we have done our best to do – and tight between so many, so it is new for all
although Sebastian Vettel and Mark that will continue to be the case until one of them ultimately. It is a matter of taking
Webber are yet to lift the crown, and mathematically is impossible to win. Both it one race at a time, because both of our
despite the weekend’s disasters (see race drivers have got a great opportunity, but guys are very well equipped to deal with
coverage), Horner feels that his drivers are neither can ignore Fernando or Jenson or the pressures that come at the end of a
in with an equal chance of winning the big Lewis, and ultimately it is the team that championship.”

 >> F1 NEWS

ALONSO: regardless of outcome 2010 is

“best season yet”
FERRARI’s Fernando Alonso says that we will see how it ends this year, the man of the moment, taking two
2010 has been his most enjoyable but in terms of happiness, in terms consecutive titles in a straight fight
season to date, and that even failing to of motivation, driving, the team with Michael Schumacher, but he rates
win the driver’s championship wouldn’t itself, it is the best one,” he said. this season as better even though it
sour his memories of the campaign. “Obviously it would be nice to may not end with a championship.
The 28-year old Spaniard has enjoyed become champion this year but if “I think we’ve had up and downs during
a strong first season with Ferrari, we cannot do it I will have great, the season, but it’s been a great 2010
taking five victories and currently great memories of 2010 anyway.” championship,” said the 2005 and 2006
leading the championship table, Alonso joined Ferrari after two champion. “Driving for a new team, I’ve
while simultaneously establishing seasons at Renault following a had a great integration at Ferrari from
himself as the Scuderia team leader. tumultuous year at McLaren. Prior to day one, so it has been a best year in my
“It (the season) is not finished so that explosive 2007 season Alonso was career so far, with a great experience.


Choose talent over finance, says Nico
WILLIAMS driver Nico Hulkenberg has refuted suggestions that
he will need to find sponsorship in order to keep his seat next
year.
The Grove-based team are facing up to the prospect of
losing four major sponsors next season, raising suggestions
that Hulkenberg may be dropped in favour of a driver who can
bring finance. Patrick Head has confirmed there are commercial
considerations in their driver decision for 2011.
Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado, the current GP2 champion, has
been strongly linked with Williams in the last week but Hulkenberg
feels that ability, not cash, should be the deciding factor.
“For me talent counts, I hope for the team too,” said the 23-year
old German.
“I don’t want to be a driver who gets a seat because of money. I
never wanted to, it’s not my intention.
“I would like to stay with Williams because I believe next year’s car
will be competitive, because I feel comfortable in the team and get
along with my team-mate very well. I’m hoping for a new contract,”
he added.
“What I can say is that I think the best for me and my
development is to stay with Williams, because the car can be
competitive next year.”
“I think both sides are still interested in each other and I’m quite
confident that we will get together but there is nothing official or
nothing I can openly talk about.”
Reports say Maldonado promises US$18 million, though
GPWEEK’s sources say this is wide of the mark.
Another driver possibly in contention for Hulkenberg’s seat is
Adrian Sutil, who is out of contract with Force India. As well as
being quick and consistent, Sutil is rumoured to bring around
US$4m in personal sponsorship to his current team.

Renault to announce Lotus deal in Brazil

n Lotus Racing release ambitious wind tunnel plans
n Trulli set to stay after all
RENAULT are set to announce an
engine supply deal with Lotus Racing
at the Brazilian Grand Prix after
inking a deal with Tony Fernandes
in Korea, sources tell GPWEEK.
The torquey Renault powerplant is
to be mated to Red Bull’s gearbox in
next year’s Lotus T128, which is set to
make the team a mid-field contender.
Lotus Racing announced this
weekend that they’re to build a
dedicated wind tunnel facility in
Hingham in order to develop their
F1 and Team AirAsia GP2 cars.
And although the terms haven’t
been finalized yet, theteam look set
to retain Jarno Trulli for next year.


 >> F1 NEWS

Rosberg to regain former engineer

WILLIAMS race engineer Tony Ross is to leave the at this time but that “no one’s getting fired”.
team for Mercedes next season, reuniting him When congratulated on his new job at Mercedes by
with Nico Rosberg. The pair worked together from one reporter, Ross apparently gave the game away by
Nico’s F1 debut right through till last year. responding: “Nico wasn’t meant to say anything yet!”
Mercedes are making a number of personnel Tony is currently race engineer on Rubens Barrichello’s
changes which, GPWeek understands, will include car. He started his career with Austin Rover before
putting Jock Clear, who currently works on Rosberg’s joining Nissan’s touring car program, and then entered
car, in a more central director of engineering role. F1 with Williams at the end of 1997, the last time
When pressed in Korea if he was changing engineers, the team won the world title. Before Rosberg, he
Rosberg said the team would not discuss specifics engineered Juan Pablo Montoya and Nick Heidfeld.

For your daily dose

of Formula 1 news ...

 Short
Straights Brawn: title tilt
n Jarno Trulli’s retirement from
the Korean Grand Prix marked Lotus
compromised 2010 car
MERCEDES GP team boss Ross Brawn has
Racing’s tenth DNF due to hydraulics
admitted that the team’s 2009 successes came
this year. And Heikki Kovalainen only
at the cost of developing a leading car for Nico
just made it across the line after
Rosberg and Michael Schumacher this season.
experiencing similar problems. The
Brawn’s eponymous team won both titles last year
team has already announced it is
with a car developed during the cash-rich Honda era,
dumping technical partner X-Trac.
but with the Japanese company’s sudden withdrawal
Tony Fernandes tweeted the tie-up
Brawn was forced to lay off several hundred staff,
has been “a disaster.”
and the 55-year old admitted that reduction in
n Abu Dhabi is set to host resources heavily impacted the team’s capabilities.
a musical extravaganza on GP “With the restrictions we had, in late 2009 we
weekend even bigger than last year. couldn’t chase the title and build a competitive
Prince will headline the event on car for this year at the same time,” he said.
Sunday night while Linkin Park and “When the time came to design the 2010 car, our
Kanye West will take to the Ferrari design office wasn’t well organised. What came out of
World stage in the run up to the it is a scarcely ambitious car, in fact too conservative.
race. Anyone with a race ticket can But we couldn’t do otherwise, because resources
go. In addition there will be free were not sufficient,” added Brawn. “For 2011 we
concerts on the Corniche by acts have a group of young engineers who want to
including Sean Paul and Kelis, and show their worth, so we are ambitious again.”
the Yas Hotel is hosting intimate Brawn also pinpointed 2011 as a time at which
gigs by Gabrielle, Corrine Bailey Rae Mercedes can look to close the gap on F1’s front-
and The Sugababes. running teams as the cost-cutting drive required
under the Resource Restriction Agreement
n Hublot has held a special event will provide a more level playing field.
in Korea to showcase the F1 King “From 2011, because of the cost reduction process,
Power - the official watch of Formula this will become the norm for everyone - even though
One. Featuring the F1 logo, it’s been I don’t believe that teams like Ferrari and McLaren
created to epitomise the cutting- will have to compromise too much,” he said.
edge technology, high performance, Brawn responded to reports that he may
glamour and precision of the sport be looking to step back from the team. “I am
itself. But, at £13,000, the expense is totally committed for the next few years and
eye-watering! I want this team to succeed,” he said. “I hope it
can and also in a way do what I did at Ferrari.”

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10
 >> F1 NEWS
Barrichello slams Schumacher
RUBENS Barrichello, not for the that the team didn’t tell him (I was who was on new tyres and low fuel,
first time this season, had plenty to there), but I was on a fast lap and you almost forcing the Williams into
say about his old Ferrari teammate know you have mirrors and you have the pitwall at close to 170mph.
Michael Schumacher following everything and you cannot count on “I am a down-to-earth guy, a very
qualifying at the Korean Grand Prix. everything from the team,” he said. “I cool guy, which means I have a lot of
Rubens was incensed after am a little bit sad about the situation respect even for the slowest cars and
Schumacher blocked the Williams because it is only luck that I passed on to to the quickest ones,” added Rubens.
driver during Q2 and although both Q3 because he really slowed me down.” “So we all make mistakes and we are
made it through to the third and final Barrichello and Schumacher clashed allowed to make a mistake and to
session, the Brazilian was in no mood in the closing stages of the Hungarian apologise. I don’t want it to become
to accept Schumacher’s apparent Grand Prix when Schumacher, very personal. We had problems in
apology in the press bullpen afterwards. struggling on worn tyres, defended the past, we still have problems in
“He just came to apologise in a way vigorously from a faster Barrichello some situations like in Hungary.”

Bernie blasts team bosses ‘stupidity’

BERNIE Ecclestone has accused probably all see that they run their own
F1’s team bosses of ‘stupidity’ in businesses properly and not worry
focusing solely on their quest for about others,” added the FOM boss.
victory without considering the Bernie denied that he thought the
impact on F1’s global appeal. team bosses’ egos were the issue:
Ecclestone feels that rather than “I wouldn’t call it ego but stupidity.
attempting to shape the sport’s They should think about the whole
rules in favour of their teams, team global side of it. All the teams are very
management should simply worry about competitive and want to win, which I
getting their own houses in order. support completely, but they need to
“What is good for Formula One want to win on level terms and not try
is good for everybody involved – to get a big advantage. If they get an
teams and companies,” he said. advantage because somebody designs a
“Too many people only think about better car or they have a better driver or
what is good for them. It’s the same strategy, then super. But they should not
with the rules – they only think about try to devise things so that they can go in
what can make them win. They should knowing that they have an advantage.”

11
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 >> F1 NEWS

Technical Update: Korean F1 GP

A brand new track, with little real simulation pre-event, meant just moderate
developments in Korea. Tech Editor Paolo Filisetti explains
The Yeongam track, being a brand new
circuit, was considered by the teams
as a venue where it was not useful to
introduce dramatic changes on the cars,
due to the lack of data regarding the real
layout, altimetry and of course grip level
of the tarmac.
So it was impossible to do proper
simulations useful to evaluate the
potential of some new parts to fit on the
cars.
Regardless, McLaren brought to
Yeongam a completely revised aero
package that should have debuted a
fortnight ago in Japan, but was then McLaren
postponed mainly cause of Lewis In Japan McLaren introduced a new outside the front tyre, slightly increasing
Hamilton’s crash in free practice. Here aero package that featured, among the downforce too.
we focused our attention mainly on the other changes, a revised version of the
evolution of the front wing. Singapore front wing. In Korea, McLaren Ferrari
Ferrari on the other hand just brought again modified this element. Alonso’s and Massa’s cars featured a
some refinements, but we focused on the This time the development involves the package that didn’t differ too much from
detail of the rear diffuser that made its end plate. An additional vertical slit (the the latest development seen in Japan.
debut in Suzuka, improving consistently rearmost one) and a vertical gurney tab at A fundamental part of that package
the performance of the car. We got into its the end of the end plate have been added is the rear diffuser that, since Suzuka,
details to understand better how it works. to improve the diversion of the airflow features a completely new central section.
Ferrari in fact have
introduced the biggest
evolution to the F10’s
diffuser since its major
update at Spa.
We were able to see
closely how the new
diffuser is visibly different
in its central section from
its previous version.
The top profile (higher
inset) is wider and
more curved close to
its outermost edges,
improving the air
extraction.
The side channels
now feature a very large
middle vertical fence
(lower inset), compared
to its previous version.

13
14
15
 HIGH
SIDES

The innovative stemless

n
steering head seen only on
Returning Elias swap
prototype FTR Moto2 chassis MAIDEN Moto2 World Champion Toni Elias has
– raced by Iannone, Debon, turned his back on proposals for him to join
Abrahams and others – will be back Pramac Ducati in the MotoGP class next year,
next year, promised the British firm’s and will return instead on a Honda.
design chief Steve Bones. Removing The move comes after a complex switch-about,
the stem improves air-flow to the with Elias to join the satellite LCR Honda team
airbox, but was too radical a step for while current rider Randy de Puniet moves to the
customers this year, he said. satellite Ducati team.
It was brokered after Elias had thrown a spanner
n Double World Supersport
in the works of a plan financially backed by Dorna,
champion Keenan Sofuoglu tested
to prevent Pramac halving team strength to field
at Albacete last week in advance
just one rider, new signing Loris Capirossi.
of his two-ride Moto2 debut at
Elias rode for the Pramac team in 2008, when it
Estoril, taking the place of tragic
was sponsored by Alice, and the partnership went
Misano victim Shoya Tomizawa
sour in spite of two rostrum finishes. On the down
on the Technomag-CIP Suter. He is
side, he suffered burns when the clutch exploded
earmarked for the same team next
at full speed at Estoril, and the pit atmosphere had
year, but is considering offers from
deteriorated badly by the end of the season.
other teams.
LCR chief Lucio Cecchinello revealed he had
n Just to confirm last week’s been in negotiation with Elias for some time,
report, Twitter-prone Rossi crew for a return to a satellite Honda – the same
member Alex Briggs has confirmed combination that gave him his only GP victory,
that not only Jeremy Burgess would over Rossi in 2006 in Portugal, although that was
be departing Yamaha for Ducati, but a V5 990.
“all the gang”. This means the whole De Puniet’s swap to the Pramac team still serves
side of the pit will be cleared. one of Dorna’s aims ... to keep a French rider in the
premier class.
n Triple 500cc World Champion
Wayne Rainey turned 50 on
the weekend. Yamaha stalwart
Rainey was set for a classic fourth

Hero’s welcome for

successive title when he was badly
injured at Misano in 1993.
n Yamaha may keep the wall
down the middle of the pit,

homecoming Jorge
according to team chief Lin Jarvis.
Introduced when Rossi and Lorenzo
were using different tyre brands, it
had allowed each rider’s pit crew to
concentrate on their own work, he
said.
n Ivan Silva is due to test the NEW World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, only A rapturous reception at the airport was
independent Spanish-made Spain’s second in the premier class, returned followed by a parade down the main street
Inmotec at Valencia tests after the to Mallorca after the gruelling three-week of the capital Palma de Mallorca in an open
final GP, giving the machine its first flyaway routine – to be given a hero’s car, and a reception at the presidential palace.
public outing. The 800cc prototype welcome by thousands of home fans on There, joined by his family and the president,
will make an interesting comparison the Mediterranean holiday island where he Frances Antich, he waved like royalty to his
with the 1000cc BMW-powered grew up. admirers, chanting the chorus to 'We Are The
Suter 2012 MotoGP prototype, Lorenzo was flown home by Air Europa, Champions'.
expected to be ridden by Scott one of his personal sponsors, and the budget “I need five minutes by myself to think
Redding at the tests. airline HAD named the aircraft “Lorenzo’s Land” about the title,” he said after securing the
n Who is the most successful in his honour. He was surprised to see giant championship in Malaysia; but he has hardly
800cc-class rider? Right now, Stoner murals of himself in action on his Fiat Yamaha had that time since then.
leads Rossi by 23 wins to 21 on the side of the Boeing’s fuselage when he He spent the weekend off relaxing with
christened it with the traditional champagne. friends and family.
16
 >> Moto GP news

ps jobs with de Puniet

Will the new champ be number one?

Lorenzo was keeping everyone guessing over whether he will switch
his racing number 99 to carry the number one plate next season.
Predecessor Kevin Schwantz eventually did take the champion’s
number in 1994 ... but with his trade-mark 34 inset in the corner.
17
Post-Rossi Yamaha sponsorship up in the air
AirAsia may replace Fiat for next year, while negotiations have
been under way.
ultimately owned by Fiat.
The replacement of Fiat by another non-
YAMAHA, on the brink of a third But hopes of an early announcement industry sponsor would be welcomed
successive triple-header championship that Telefónica MoviStar would be taking by MotoGP in general, after several years
result, is still seeking a title sponsor to up with the now Spanish-led team are in of dwindling sponsor support in spite of
replace Fiat, set to depart along with star abeyance, with news breaking in Spanish booming attendance and TV figures.
rider Valentino Rossi. magazine Motociclismo last week that
So far this year Yamaha has secured the Yamaha was close to agreement with
riders’ and the teams’ titles for 2010, and AirAsia instead.
needs only a handful of points at Estoril to AirAsia, a pioneering Malaysian budget Yamaha is negotiating a contract
tie up the constructors’ championship as airline, is led by entrepreneur Tony extension with Ben Spies until the
well. Yamaha has 354 points and Honda Fernandes, who is also the power behind end of 2013, which would mean
315, with the top finisher for each marque Team Lotus. two years on the new-generation
contributing to the total. Fiat is expected to move with Rossi to 1000cc MotoGP machine due in
With World Champion Jorge Lorenzo Ducati, though possibly only as a personal 2012. He is currently signed up for
on strength, the factory team should be sponsor. There is another link, however: 2011, when he will move into the
hot property. Management has remained Marlboro sponsors the Ducati team and factory squad.
tight-lipped about what livery to expect also the factory Ferrari team, which is

FIM President Ippolito – four more years

Venezuelan racing figure Vito Ippolito federations and the people who have changes, especially the introduction
has been re-elected president of the worked hard on the elaboration of the of Moto2, and his re-election promises
FIM for a second four-year term, at last strategic plan and the new governance continuity of that relationship.
week’s FIM Congress at Macau. for the last four years. It is a collective It also lays to rest a rumour of a return
Ippolito defeated French federation work conducted with transparency and by former radicalising FIM president Jos
president Jean-Pierre Mougin by 55 high motivation,” said Ippolito. Vaessen, who originally negotiated the
votes to 41. The significance for MotoGP is that leasing of commercial rights to Dorna in
“I am very pleased with this victory Ippolito has worked closely with Dorna 1992. Ippolito narrowly defeated Vaessen
which is more a collective victory of the and the MSMA on major regulations when he was originally elected in 2006.

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18
 >> Moto GP news
Crutchlow first M1 tests hit by rain
THE Monster Tech 3 Yamaha team’s high-profile rider’s remarks about the much stiffer and less
rookie Cal Crutchlow had his first taste of the forgiving chassis, making changes of direction
Yamaha M1 he will race in his MotoGP debut next much quicker; and about the higher level of
year at Yamaha’s own Fukuroi circuit. But any electronics.
chance to open the bike up was thwarted by rain “It was a shame the weather wasn't great so I
showers. wasn't able to push to the bike’s full potential. I'm
Crutchlow, who spent one year in World really looking forward to Valencia,” he said.
Superbikes after winning the World Supersport title, The Briton, 25 this week, carries a heavy burden
still had a chance to make acquaintance with a bike of a nation’s hopes. Once dominant in GP racing, no
that he found, not surprisingly, felt “very different British rider has won a premier class GP since Barry
from a production-based machine. Sheene in 1981 in Sweden, almost 30 years ago.
“The M1 felt a lot smaller than my R1 superbike –
actually more comfortable than the WSB machine.
There is a lot of power but it feels very useable, it felt
very different in terms of its delivery.” Crutchlow's step from
There was enough time in the dry for the Briton to Superbike (left) to MotoGP
try carbon brakes for the first time, “which were cool. has been rain-afflicted.
I managed to get quite comfortable with them.”
Crutchlow also repeated the usual ex-Superbike

Capirosi a ‘maybe’ for final races

Veteran’s nightmare season
LORIS Capirossi is awaiting the He returned in Japan only for an
verdict of track doctors at Estoril engine failure to cut his race short,
this week to see if he will be able then crashed heavily in qualifying
to take part in the last races of a for the next round in Malaysia,
season that has seen the oldest injuring his left foot and ankle.
rider on the grid beaten up He raced on to another engine
both physically and mentally. failure; then crashed heavily once
Now 37, Capirossi saw his hopes more in qualifying for the Australian
of a stronger season with Suzuki GP. He was ruled out because of thigh-
dwindle from the earliest stages, muscle change. But further checks
with the bike still lagging in crucial revealed that the Malaysian crash had
areas. But accumulating injuries left him with two left-leg fractures,
in the latter half of the year have one in his heel and one in the ankle.
taken an even greater toll. Capirossi, double 125 and single
Problems started at Misano, the 250 champion, has racked up 313 GP
12th round, when he was hit by starts in a career spanning 21 years
the crashing Hayden on the first so far, 202 of them in the premier
corner. His right-hand little finger class. He has won GPs in 125, 250,
was trapped, and required complex 500 and MotoGP on both 990cc and
reconstructive surgery that ruled 800cc machines. Next year he will
him out of the next race at Aragon. return on the satellite Pramac Ducati.
The world of MoTorsporT
direcTly To your deskTo
p

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19
 5 Minutes with ...

KEVIN SCHWANTZ
Kevin Schwantz is one of racing’s legends. The swashbuckling Suzuki rider won
25 GPs in the golden age of 500 two-strokes, and inspired the young Rossi with
his fierce battles with Wayne Rainey. He won the championship in 1993. Now he
works in various capacities in racing, and runs his own high-speed riding school.
He spoke to Michael Scott
GPWEEK: You’ve just finished a year And hopefully one day I can get in deserving of the championship. And
with the Red Bull Rookies series. How there and help them right that ship still pretty young. That says a lot too.
much can you teach the kids? that is somewhat listing right now.
KEVIN SCHWANTZ: It’s gotten more You worked with Ben Spies in
difficult. In America in 2008 I actually got You dabbled in Moto2 this year at Indy the US. What do you thing so far?
to ride with them, but watching from with Roger Lee Hayden. Is it good training Has he got what it takes?
the side it’s a lot more difficult to pick up for up-and-coming MotoGP riders? To see what he has done last year in
on things they could be doing better. It’s taking the 125 guys a little longer Superbike and this year in GPs says a
The biggest thing I can say to them to adjust to them. But I feel it’s a little lot for him and his talent. He hasn’t
is: just go out on your own, and build bit better direction for a big bike. been there long, he is not so young, he
up to speed. And then start slowly It seems like they don’t have the edge- hasn’t seen those tracks. Hopefully
taking time off the lap time. grip they’ve always had on 125 and 250. next year on a factory bike with good
What probably makes the biggest They have to run it in, brake it harder, and support from Yamaha, he’ll be able
difference is to tell them: You know guys, then stand it up ... more like a modern-day to run at the front consistently.
at this level, this should be the most MotoGP bike, so it might make things easier It will depend on where that next
fun you’ve ever had in your entire life. If for that next step. Without any electronic level of machine takes him as far as
every time you put that helmet on and assistance it’s keeping the guys really sharp. confidence goes. He is still somewhat
cinch that strap down, if this doesn’t They learn how to race elbow to susceptible of getting into his zone
put the biggest smile on your face, you elbow. There won’t be any Lorenzo- head – ‘I’m not racing those guys at the
need to find something else to do. style (post-Motegi) complaints in that front, that’s too fast, blah blah blah’.
Working with the kids is one of those class. It’s every lap, every corner. I think you start every race thinking
things that beside riding a grand prix you’ve found something in morning
bike, winning a grand prix and winning Talking of that Lorenzo-Rossi warm-up, and you’re going to be the
the World Championship ... since I quit battle, what was your view? class of the field today. That is the
racing motorcycles it’s probably the That’s the excitement people come to mental approach you have to have.
most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. see in MotoGP. It’s gotten to be lead- But he’ll do well.
follow, almost like Formula One style of
Any racing plans for next year? racing. After three laps the positions are How about Rossi on the Duke?
There’s a bunch of talk, but right now pretty much set, unless somebody crashes, I think the bad news for everybody is
what I have on my plate is to focus on the bike breaks, or runs out of fuel. Yamaha’s going to let him test after Valencia.
my riding schools here in the States, For us, that would be a hard-fought battle. I think between him and Jerry Burgess,
maybe do a bit more overseas, whether Then we went on to the next one. I said they’ll sort out any bugs that Ducati has.
it’s Asia or Europe. We just finished our a couple of years ago when Rossi battled After watching it in the past four-five races in
tenth year of the Schwantz School. Stoner at Laguna ... that is what racing is the hands of Stoner, it’s not a bad machine.
about. When somebody passes you, you It may lack a little consistency, but that’s
You’ve had hopes of being involved pass him back. You don’t follow him. Once something I think Valentino and Burgess
with Suzuki’s GP effort. Why is the you follow him and they ride away a few and that group of guys will bring to Ducati.
team having such problems now? times, you realise your opportunity is now.
It’s that kid that I never had, that’s acting up Rossi is one of those guys who will And Stoner on the Honda?
right now. Everybody has the same question force the issue, but he races clean. I It being such a fast bike he could just
– what’s going on over there? What’s up? haven’t seen anything that is tactically disappear from everybody. But it’s been
We know how good Suzuki can be, so dirty. It’s good hard racing. following the lines of development of
what is causing their demise right now? Pedrosa and Alberto (Puig) for so long,
It’s tough from outside to point a How about Lorenzo? Is he maybe he can’t just get on it and go. That’s
finger and it’s quite a long list of stuff. a worthy champion? when the struggle’s going to begin for him.
But they’re a strong company, they’ll He has no doubt the best, and most You never know. If he gets to ride like
do what they have to do to survive. consistent guy all year long. He is very we saw in 2007, the sky’s the limit.
20
>> MOTOGP CHAT

21
 Email us
Something to say?

Better almost late th

Email us at
mail@gpweek.com
Lacking in logic?
After reading Bernie Ecclestone’s interview with the
ADAM

opinion
Guardian and follow-up report on espnf1.com, I a glamorous sport, we’re told, but
couldn’t get my head around what he was saying. the port town of Mokpo – where
I’d already read GPWEEK’s coverage about plans HAY- most of us stayed – is better known
for a Russian Grand Prix, but now his plans seemed
even more absurd. Spa could potentially fall off the
NICHOLLS for its sex trade than the chic parties
we’re spoilt with in Monaco.
GPWeek Editor
calendar and Turkey has one of the best circuits in the Mokpo, however, was a bigger,
world? Two phrases that would make any F1 fan gasp, It was with a sense of trepidation more fun and more cosmopolitan
surely. that the F1 circus landed in Seoul town than I was expecting and in
Eccentric as Bernie can be, no one can deny he and made its way down to the general I was pleasantly surprised.
was at the helm in bringing about the Formula One relatively remote outpost of Korea is like Japan on meth: it lives
as we know it today. But his recent comments about Yeongam. However, it wasn’t half off leftovers and is a bit confused,
circuits and the sport’s direction lead me to suspect bad. but it knows how to have a good
that his actions may damage rather than strengthen The circuit itself is definitely one time.
the sport. of Tilke’s better efforts, even if the I stayed in a hotel of a higher
Turkey’s lack of attendance each year should hardly plans for a twinkling marina and standard than many, though I was a
come as a shock. It’s not like locals can go and watch high-rise business district behind little disconcerted when a colleague,
their Turkish F1 driver, because there isn’t one – nor the walls of the circuit’s third sector also staying at my hotel, reported he
has there ever been one in the history of Formula One. are a long way off reality. It’s quite found an open packet of cigarettes
Motorsport just isn’t in their culture. So why should it and interesting approach – unlike in his room one day after returning
surprise that people don’t pay extortionate prices for Singapore or Monaco where you from the track. He doesn’t smoke.
a ticket to a sporting event in which they can in no- start with buildings, and then mark So one wonders what the daytime
way relate? a track through them, Korea has arrangements were with our rooms,
Bernie’s plan to rob traditional motorsport countries built the circuit before the city. As and if the ciggy was post-coital.
of a grand prix and instead force it into countries that it stands, the circuit wasn’t popular The Red Bull and Renault teams
have no history of racing whatsoever is ludicrous. with photographers because, aside were staying in a place which, they
Taking away my most local (and F1’s most traditional) from a traditional-looking bridge tell me, had a dildo-dispensing
circuits, Silverstone and Spa, means I’d need to pay over the start/finish straight, it didn’t vending machine in the lobby.
even more than the already overpriced amount to have much identity. Every corner Presumably in case you fancy
see a race which would include a longer travelling looks the same on TV. exploring local areas of interest.
distance and accommodation. Oh well, I guess I’m Much has been made in the Driving into the Korean Grand
back to just watching F1 on the telly. newspapers of the hotel situation, Prix Circuit one was greeted by a
Claire Lorenc, UK which resulted in two British scene reminiscent of The Wicker
angelsinjeans@hotmail.com journalists being summoned to Man. Helmet-wearing scarecrows
Bernie for a bollocking. He doesn’t lined the verge of the access road.
Have RBR not read their history books? They clearly want ‘F1’ and ‘brothels’ in the same Does Formula One really have a cult
haven't learned lessons from 2007 (McLaren) and headline. F1 should be promoted as following in Korea? One thing is for
1986 (Williams). For Horner to say RBR will continue
to support both drivers is absurd. Their best (and

First Loser takes all

realistically only) chance to win the WDC is for them
to support the driver in front.
Vettel is a full win behind and even if he wins the
next two races he has to hope Alonso comes 4th (or
worse) twice –in his current form it's not likely he'll be
off the podium in both races. RBR need to learn from and Valencia the week after are hugely
the past and support Webber. important, for all sorts of reasons. As
Chin up Seb, playing number two for two races
won't hurt too much. You've got plenty of time to
Michael we have come to expect, most of them
involve Rossi.
prove you're a champion yet. Let the old man have
this one and come back next year.
Scott The ageing (or perhaps ageless) icon
is, for instance, playing a leading role in
MotoGP Editor an increasingly tight battle for second
Mark this one is still in your hands, take it by the
scruff of the neck and win Brazil. With two races to go and only the overall. Second may be nothing but the
Christian, serve the paymaster by all means but smallest class still in the balance, first loser, but it beats being second or
don't throw logic away. The WCC will be yours, but there is still plenty to enjoy as a third loser.
don't throw away your best chance at the WDC to landmark season returns home to Pedrosa leads the game, with 228
appease the marketing department. Spain for the last two races. points, but is crocked. Stoner and
Callum Wilson, Melbourne, Australia The races at Estoril next weekend Rossi are right with one another, 205
wilson.cmt@gmail.com
 >> GPWEEK OPINION

han never
sure - there weren’t any crows. And,
lured by free tickets, they say 60,000
spectators came.
Bernie expressed his relief that
despite being two months behind
schedule, the circuit had drafted 1500
workers to get the circuit 99 percent
complete in time. There were some
teething problems – media shuttles
that never turned up, a lack of cranes
in Sector 3 to remove crashed cars,
traffic jams, unreliable internet and
overflowing toilets – but for the most
part I think Korea can be praised for
getting the main bits right.
For circuit bosses and promoters,
the most important thing is to
keep Mr E happy, and the 79 year-
old was doubtless pleased that his
chauffeured S-Class has no need for a
proper number plate – it just read 'Mr
Ecclestone'.
The Koreans were great hosts
and I’m sure with less frenzied
preparation we’ll have very little to
complain about next year. And it’s
not every race where the country’s
prime minister attends and shakes
everyone’s hand. Not just Bernie and
the drivers – everyone! Newly elected
Kim Hwang-Sik came to the media
centre and pressed flesh with every
journo and photographer.
With a charm offensive like that, one
doesn’t want to knock South Korea.
Even if most of its hotels charge by A-listers: Korean PM Kim Hwang-Sik gets to meet Adam Hay-Nicholls!

points to 197. For all three, there is still Lorenzo was riding under the yoke of After an indifferent first half-season he is
everything to race for. the championship at Motegi, and still now closing his Ducati account in blazing
Rossi has an even more important produced a spirited display, though style. Three wins in the last four races. And
agenda: these are his last two races with stopping short of the forcefulness that a crash in the other one.
the factory that for the six previous years earned him a one-race suspension in 250 That’s Casey; and on his present form
was his boon companion. They split over days. he has to be a serious candidate for two
the course of the seventh because Yamaha Directly afterwards, however, he more wins. Dani is in his sights, and he
cosied up to Lorenzo. Then his usurper of promised in future he would respond to won’t be giving much room to anyone
the factory’s affections won the title. fierce tactics in kind. who gets in his way.
When they clashed at Motegi, Rossi His superlative season (only two Motorcycle racing is often just a series
produced some epic aggression to come crashes, remember, as well as that string of incidents, interspersed with patches
out on top. There are two more matches of rostrums) has in many ways been where not much happens.
with his rival on an identical motorcycle. overshadowed by Valentino, particularly As the season has worn on, however, an
Valentino will want to use each of them to at the last races. interplay of increasing underlying tension
beat up Lorenzo again. Jorge will be burning to put the shoe has meant that even incident-free races
This is no less important the other way back on the other foot. are larded with extra meaning.
around. Stoner is involved in everything, too. No anticlimaxes here, thanks.
OPPORTUNITY
KNOCKS
Fernando Alonso was the luckiest man alive on Sunday. Every
car he drove behind either slid off the track or detonated. It
makes up for the misfortunes of the first half of the season,
he says. In spades. The Spaniard is now enjoying the
championship lead but, as Korea proved, anything can happen.
Adam Hay-Nicholls was there…

24
>> F1 KOREA

25
T
he Korean Grand Prix had Red Bull 20, his team-mate Webber – at that point together on that lap. The Ferrari driver
Racing’s mechanics burying their the championship leader by 14 points – suffered a delay with his right-front tyre
heads in their hands and Ferrari lost control of his car at the exit of Turn after sliding into his pit box at a slight
cheering. A double retirement 12, hit the wall, bounced back across the angle. This pushed him to third position
from drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian racing line and was collected by fourth- behind Lewis Hamilton, but Hamilton
Vettel gifted the Formula One world placed Nico Rosberg. Both cars were locked up at Turn 1 on the re-start, which
championship lead to Fernando Alonso destroyed and prompted the return of the allowed the double world champion
at an inaugural, weather-delayed and Safety Car. For Webber, the loss was huge through. He could hardly believe his luck.
incident-packed race. And, at two hours but he accepted responsibility: And it struck again nine laps from the
48 minutes, it was the longest in F1 “It was totally my mistake. Today finish. Vettel, whose speed had been
history. wasn’t my day. But I can still win this sublime, started to slow on the straight.
Rain refused to drain from the track’s championship.” The Spaniard took position from him
recently laid tarmac and, after a few Rosberg was fuming. “Sucks! Don’t just as the Red Bull’s Renault engine
careful laps behind the Safety Car, the understand why Webber didn’t hit the detonated, provoking a huge plume of
race was suspended for nearly an hour. brakes. Was crazy to roll back over the white smoke and sparks caused by the
Visibility was treacherously poor. Alonso track,” he Tweeted afterwards. sump having ripped through the floor
described it as “the worst conditions I’ve An incident between Sebastien Buemia of the car. Next came flames, which the
ever driven in.” and Timo Glock saw the Safety Car out German put out himself with a marshal’s
It was re-started behind the Safety Car. again on Lap 32. Alonso was in hot pursuit fire extinguisher.
Pole sitter Vettel led the field and, on Lap of Vettel when the pair came into the pits “When you lose a win almost within

26
 >> F1 KOREA
sight of the finish line it’s very frustrating,” Alonso, who stands on 231. Webber Spaniard’s 26th win, and the first to come
understated team principal Christian has 220 and Hamilton has 210. The in wet conditions. “They were the most
Horner. He says that, despite Vettel’s championship picture has changed. difficult conditions I’ve ever won in,” he
outside chance in the championship Horner argues it’s still all to play for. “In said, noting that the early sunset made
now, he will not ask the driver to play a last year’s scoring there is only 10 points visibility all the more difficult, “so victory
supporting role to Webber yet: between Sebastian and Fernando and tastes very good.”
“That would be wrong,” he said. obviously Mark is even closer than that so “Webber’s retirement slightly changed
“Sebastian has been remarkably our strategy will be to push both drivers.” our approach because, all in all, it would
philosophical. He’s dealt with that issue. “Mark hasn’t made many errors this year, have been sufficient to have finished on
It’s cruel for him because it is not the first but unfortunately made one today that the podium without taking too many
time and to lose a guaranteed victory cost him dearly. Mark is obviously bitterly risks. Clearly, this [Webber and Vettel’s
right now is tough. Sometimes motor upset with what happened today, but he retirements] was a great help to our
racing can be cruel and for Red Bull it was will bounce back. After Valencia, which championship chances, but luck proves
one of those days.” was the last time he had a DNF - he came that Formula One is not just about maths!
Vettel gave reporters a wry smile as he back and won the next race. He’ll bounce If you then think about what happened
returned to the pits: back at Brazil, it’s a track he enjoys. at races such as Valencia and Silverstone,
“There’s nothing more we could have Mid-way through the season, Alonso you can really say that what goes around
done. I can go to sleep tonight knowing looked to be nowhere. What’s changed, he comes around.”
that,” he said stoically. He’s slipped to says, is his luck. “Many times, luck at the You get the sense that Fernando feels
fourth in the title hunt, 25 points behind end of the year is compensated”. It’s the this third title is his destiny.

27
Sutil and Buemi incur Brazil
eighth place, Sutil retired on the spot and was
handed a five-place penalty by the stewards
after the race.

grid penalties for collisions The stewards also gave Sutil a $10,000 fine
after he admitted to suffering from a brake
problem. “In view of the driver’s admission that
Sutil also fined $10,000 for brake problems he was aware of brake problems with his car
throughout the race, the Stewards impose an
Adrian Sutil and Sébastien Buemi have his way around to retire in the pitlane. additional penalty of $10,000,” concluded a
each been handed five-place grid “I am disappointed with my race as I think statement from the stewards.
penalties for the forthcoming Brazilian there was plenty of potential for me this Sutil confirmed he had been suffering with
Grand Prix, after colliding with Kamui afternoon,” said the Swiss. his brakes. “I was just struggling with my brakes
Kobayashi and Timo Glock respectively “The accident? I braked late and locked the all the time. I had so much brake force that
during today’s action-packed Korean front wheels, so I could not turn and ended I always locked up and it was hard to drive
Grand Prix. Both Sutil and Buemi retired up going straight on and hitting Timo. I am consistently,” said the German. “There were a lot
from the race because of the collisions, but sorry for him.” of times I was off the circuit, or locked up, and
will face the added penalty of dropping Then on lap 47, after an action-packed then got past a driver and went off the road.
down the grid in Brazil in two weeks’ time. race with numerous battles with his rivals, “In the end I tried to overtake Kobayashi but
The first of the incidents took place on lap Adrian Sutil tried to overtake BMW Sauber’s lost the car on a patch that was a bit more wet
31 when Buemi was battling with Virgin’s Kamui Kobayashi on the inside into turn 4, than I expected and went into the side of him.”
Timo Glock for 12th place. Attempting to but was unable to keep control of his Force Stewards held a mid-race investigation into a
overtake on the inside into turn 3, Buemi India on the wet surface at the inside of the collision between Jarno Trulli and Bruno Senna
lost control of his Toro Rosso and rammed track, before ripping his front-right wheel off at turn 6 on lap 24 but, after reviewing video
into the side of Glock, causing irreparable by hitting the Sauber. Although Kobayashi evidence, deemed it to be a racing incident and
damage to both cars, although Glock made was able to continue unharmed, and finish in took no action.

Button admits title hopes are over

Struggles with grip on way to 12th
Jenson Button saw his chances have been difficult.
of winning back-to-back world “I just didn’t have enough grip
championships take a massive today. I was really struggling
hit on Sunday, after failing to with locking fronts as soon as I
finish in the points for the first touched the brakes; every time
time since the ill-fated 2008 I braked for a corner, I went
season with Honda. straight on because I couldn’t
Although he performed stop the car,” explained the
relatively strongly in dry reigning champion.
conditions, qualifying seventh “Also, I lost three or four places
on the grid, Jenson complained when Adrian [Sutil] decided to
of a complete lack of grip on drive me off the circuit – I don’t
the wet-weather tyres and know what he was thinking.
finished as the slowest driver of Even without that, though, I
the established teams in 12th didn’t really have the pace
place. today.”
He was able to hold position With a 42-point gap to new
for the first nine laps after the championship leader Fernando
Safety Car period at the start, Alonso, Button admitted that
but was already struggling with he was no longer in contention
grip, and after losing a place to for the championship, although
Schumacher on lap 27 he pitted he remains a mathematical
for intermediate tyres but contender with 50 points
encountered the same low-grip left to be scored. “To win this
problems. He was running 12th championship, I’ll now have to
when he was pushed off the rely on the cars in front of me
road by Sutil at turn 5, dropping failing, so today was a pretty
him to 15th, but even without disappointing day, all in all,” he
that, he admitted points would concluded.

28
 >> F1 KOREA
Kablamo: Vettel’s Renault – and
championship? – goes up in smoke
German now 25 points behind leader
Sebastian Vettel’s first Renault engine failure of the season failure on Sebastian’s car. We need to investigate more before
cost the German an almost certain race victory and 25 giving more details about the failure – it was an engine that
valuable world championship points, after retiring from the was at its third grand prix but it obviously wasn’t expected,”
lead in Korea on Sunday. said Fabrice Lom, Renault’s principal track support engineer at
Vettel had led every lap of the race, even through the Red Bull.
pitstops, until the engine failure and having had the prospect The question Red Bull now need to answer is whether they
of leaving Korea with a 7-point championship lead over need to be putting all their efforts behind Mark Webber in
Alonso, he now finds himself 25 points adrift of the Spaniard the hunt for the world championship, with Ferrari’s Fernando
with just 50 points left to take. Alonso having being promoted to championship favourite
A number of engine failures during 2009 is widely viewed ahead of Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
as a reason for Vettel missing out on the 2009 title last year, Vettel needs to finish ahead of Alonso in Brazil to keep
after he was forced to play conservatively in the closing races himself in the fight, mounting more pressure on the Red
due to a lack of mileage on his remaining powerplants. With Bull management to prioritise in search of their drivers’
just two races remaining, it looks as though the Renault curse championship.
has struck Red Bull again, although the reliability of the 2.4
litre V8 has been bullet-proof so far this year after changes
were made over the winter period.
Vettel’s engine was on its third Grand Prix in Korea and was
not due to be used again in the final two weekends, meaning
his allocation of engines for the final two races will be
unaffected, but it will be a major blow to his title chances. Red
Bull has been complaining of the relative lack of power from
their engine compared to its main rivals, claiming it is as much
as 30bhp down on the Mercedes.
Renault apologised for the failure after the race:
“Renault must apologise to the whole team for the engine

Liuzzi equals best result as “maniac” Sutil retires

Force India pull clear of Williams in the constructors’
Force India’s Vitantonio Liuzzi has gained two back at the start of the year, and it was very fun relief road. After passing Alguersuari at turn 1 a
places in the drivers’ standings to 13th after to be out there,” said Liuzzi. “After all the bad luck lap later, he then found his way past Heidfeld
a career-equalling sixth place in Korea at the we’ve had in this part of the year it’s brilliant to again, before ending his race after colliding with
weekend. be back in business and up there in the points Kobayashi at turn 4.
The last time Liuzzi finished in sixth was at the again, extending our advantage over Williams Despite his action-packed afternoon, Sutil was
2007 Chinese Grand Prix while driving for Toro and setting ourselves up well for the last two not happy with his performance:
Rosso, and replicated that form to score eight races.” “When the track dried a bit I made a pit
championship points in Sunday’s race, helping Team-mate Sutil had an equally action- stop and tried to do the whole race on the
his team strengthen their lead on Williams in the packed race, after getting involved in numerous intermediate tyres. I was just struggling with my
fight for sixth in the constructors’ championship. incidents and accidents, including the race- brakes all the time,” he began.
Liuzzi’s achievement was remarkable given ending crash with Kobayashi that cost him a “I’m not happy with my performance, it was
that he had started in only 17th place on the five-place grid penalty for Brazil (see separate not a good race for me personally, but I’m
grid, but made full use of the treacherous story). The action begun on lap 30 when he pleased that the team did well with Tonio and
conditions to climb up the field thanks to spun 360 degrees at turn 5 on his intermediate the sixth position. I’ll now be looking forward to
overtaking manoeuvres and retirements in front. tyres, before regaling himself by passing Jenson the next race in Brazil.”
Liuzzi gained the most places by not pitting Button at the same corner six laps later, albeit McLaren’s Jenson Button called Sutil a ‘maniac’
under the first Safety Car period, promoting him losing a place he had gained on Heidfeld at turn after the race.
from 17th to 11th, before gaining further places 3 on the same lap. “I lost about three or four places when Sutil
through the retirement of Vettel and Petrov After getting by Heidfeld again, he then decided to drive me off the circuit,” said the
and by overtaking Kobayashi and Barrichello overtook the second Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi reigning champion. “He was a bit of a maniac
on-track. into turn 3 on lap 38, before losing that and a today. I think he drove into quite a few cars, I
“What a crazy race today, a bit like Australia further place by running wide at turn 4 onto the don’t know what he was thinking.”
29
Petrov shunts from points in Korea
Another black mark after impressive drive from 20th
Vitaly Petrov’s future in Formula One is but I’m okay.
skating on even thinner ice than before “The team had made a good call with the
after the Russian crashed out of the change to intermediate tyres, and I was in
Korean Grand Prix from a points-scoring a strong position in P7 when I crashed. Of
position. course, I am disappointed to end the race
Petrov was being chased hard by in the wall and not in the points, but it was
Williams’ Nico Hulkenberg when he lost encouraging to be running in the top ten.”
control of his R30 approaching turn 18 at Although Petrov did retire from a points-
the end of lap 40, before making heavy scoring position, he did extremely well
contact with the barrier that protects the up until that point, having risen from
pit entry. Although he emerged without 20th place on the grid. Team principal Eric
injury, his F1 hopes may not have been so Boullier was sympathetic towards Petrov
lucky: and said he had raced well until crashing
“I had stopped early for intermediate out.
tyres on lap 20, so they were pretty worn “We made good strategy calls for Vitaly,
by the time we started racing after the and he was doing a good job when he lost
second Safety Car period,” recalled Petrov. the car in the final corner,” commented
“I was still pushing to keep in front of the Boullier. “In those conditions, every mistake
guys behind me, and I lost the car on the will be punished, even though he was
penultimate corner and had a big crash – driving to look after his tyres.”

Webber holds hands up for race-exiting crash

Rosberg none to happy
Mark Webber has accepted full the wall, nothing too heavy, but it was
responsibility for crashing out of enough to bring the car back to the
second place in the Korean Grand Prix, other side of the track and then Nico hit
after losing control of his Red Bull in me, which wrecked his race as well.”
the slippery conditions. Webber went Webber pointed to it being just his
into Sunday’s race with a 14-point second retirement of the year as reason
championship lead, but now finds to be optimistic, and remains confident
himself 11 behind race winner and that he can take his first world
new championship leader Fernando championship come Abu Dhabi:
Alonso, with 50 points still up for the “Today didn’t help me with the
taking. Championship, but I can absolutely still
After the red flag and first Safety win it; this was only my second non-
Car period had ended, Webber was finish of the year,” he continued.
running in second place, but on the “I’m back with the others now on
second lap after the Safety Car had points, but there are still two races to
pitted, he strayed off the kerb and go and I’ll do my absolute best.”
onto the astroturf, before spinning Rosberg was critical of Webber for
backwards across the track and lightly the race-ending collision, after he
touching the wall. He then spun back elected to go on the wrong side of the
across the track and into the path track after seeing the Red Bull spinning
of Nico Rosberg, with the resulting in front:
collision putting both men definitively “It’s a big shame that my race was
out of the race. ended early,” he commented after the
“It was totally my fault, I got on the race.
kerb on the exit of Turn 12 and it was a “It was really difficult to judge which
very slow-motion moment off the back way Mark’s car would go and I took the
of that kerb – it was my mistake and it decision to go left but he spun more
wasn’t my day,” admitted the Australian. and more that way and I just couldn’t
“I thought I’d managed to catch it, but avoid him. It’s a real shame as we could
I lost the car and made contact with have had a great result today.”
30
 >> F1 KOREA
Hamilton delighted with Korean points haul
World championship contender the end of lap 17. braked too late for turn 1, ran wide,
Lewis Hamilton had an action- “At the start, I just wanted to get and allowed Alonso back through.
packed inaugural Korean Grand out there. I love racing, and I thought Although that move might have
Prix on Sunday, after pulling himself it was safe enough – 17 laps spent proven decisive in the destination
back into the title fight with a running behind the Safety Car isn’t of the winner’s trophy given Vettel’s
second place finish in his McLaren. good for the spectators, and it’s not retirement, Hamilton dropped 15
Crashes and reliability problems fun for the drivers either,” he said after seconds behind Alonso in the final
meant he had failed to score decent the race. “Additionally, I felt it had five laps as he struggled with massive
points in the last three races, but easily dried up enough for us to start tyre wear. That suggested that Alonso,
made a mends for it all in Korea by racing – so I’m glad we did.” who had been kinder to his tyres,
bagging 18 precious points. Once the race got underway he was would have eased past in the closing
He was one of the only drivers immediately put in his place by Nico laps, even if Hamilton had not run off-
urging race director Charlie Whiting Rosberg, who overtook the Briton track on lap 35.
to get the race underway via the into turn 3. However, the collision ““It was very tricky out there,
team radio as they circulated for 17 of Webber and Rosberg a lap later particularly at the end. It was pitch
laps behind the Safety Car at the start. promoted Hamilton to third, before black, I couldn’t see much and my
While other drivers were complaining being elevated to second during the tyres were finished,” he explained. “It
that visibility made driving almost pitstops when a sticking right-front was a big surprise to see both Red
impossible, Hamilton was adamant wheel delayed Alonso’s exit. Bulls go out. Fernando drove really
that conditions were no worse than But Hamilton was unable to well, but I’m very happy to have
in other wet races, and eventually got hold on to second and when the scored some points after a couple of
his wish when the Safety Car pitted at final Safety Car period ended he disappoining races.”

FORMULA 1 Round 17 Korea

Pos # Driver Team Laps Time Grid

1 8 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 55 2:48:20.810 3 25

2 2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 55 +14.9 secs 4 18
3 7 Felipe Massa Ferrari 55 +30.8 secs 6 15
4 3 Michael Schumacher Mercedes GP 55 +39.6 secs 91 2
5 11 Robert Kubica Renault 55 +47.7 secs 8 10
6 15 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 55 +53.5 secs 17 8
7 9 Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 55 +69.2 secs 10 6
8 23 Kamui Kobayashi BMW Sauber-Ferrari 55 +77.8 secs 12 4
9 22 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber-Ferrari 55 +80.1 secs 13 2
10 10 Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 55 +80.8 secs 11 1
11 17 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari 55 +84.1 secs 15
12 1 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 55 +89.9 secs 7
13 19 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 54 +1 Lap 21
14 21 Bruno Senna HRT-Cosworth 53 +2 Laps 24
15 20 Sakon Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 53 +2 Laps 23
Ret 14 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 46 Accident 14
Ret 5 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 45 Engine 1
Ret 12 Vitaly Petrov Renault 39 Accident 20
Ret 24 Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 31 Accident 19
Ret 16 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 30 Accident 16
Ret 25 Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 25 Accident 22
Ret 18 Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 25 Hydraulics 18
Ret 6 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 18 Accident 2
Ret 4 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP 18 Accident 5

Points – Drivers: Alonso 231, Webber 220, Hamilton 210, Vettel 206, Button
189, Massa 143, Kubica 124, Rosberg 122, Schumacher 66, Barrichello 47,
Sutil 47, Kobayashi 31, Liuzzi 21, Petrov 19, Hulkenberg 18, Buemi 8 etc
Manufacturers: Red Bull 426, McLaren 399, Ferrari 374, Mercedes 188,
Renault 143, Force India 68, Williams 65, Sauber 43, Toro Rosso 11.

31
Team-By-Team: Korean Grand
It was a bitter-sweet weekend for McLaren, as place to Rosberg. He then gained places
Lewis Hamilton finally bagged some decent when Webber and Rosberg collided, but lost
points but team-mate Button all but dropped the place he had gained on Alonso during the
from title contention with a non-scoring stops by running wide at turn 1, eventually
finish. finishing second.
Hamilton was eager to get the race Button was unable to find any grip with a
underway as he circulated behind the safety different car set-up to Hamilton and finished
car, but once it did he immediately lost a 12th.

An inspired switch to a wet-weather set-up ninth and held position thereafter to finish
on the grid under red flag conditions by fourth.
Mercedesallowed Michael Schumacher to The wet-weather set-up may have helped
claim his joint-best result since returning to the Rosberg to a podium finish had he not been
sport this year, after racing to a competitive taken out by Webber on the second racing lap.
fourth place, thereby consolidating ninth in He had been fourth at the time.
the drivers’ championship. He overtook Kubica
and Button during his first stint after starting

Coming from the high of a Japanese Grand at turn 12, before collecting Rosberg in the
Prix domination, Red Bull were brought back resulting spin.
to earth with a bang as they suffered their first Vettel drove impeccably from pole and
double retirement since the first Grand Prix of would almost certainly have won after leading
2008. every lap of the race until his Renault engine
Webber crashed from contention of his own expired. Red Bull still lead the constructors’
accord after a scruffy second racing lap ended championship by 27 points.
in him putting a wheel onto the astroturf

Team principal Stefano Domenicali was urging making his drive to victory even easier.
his team to keep calm after they retook the Even without the engine failure, Alonso’s
lead in the drivers’ championship courtesy of impressive pace in the final laps may have
Fernando Alonso for the first time in seven meant victory was inevitable.
months. Team-mate Massa was unable to keep pace,
Alonso was flawless throughout and but was good enough for third place and his
conserved his tyres well for the closing stages, fifth podium finish of the season.
but had Vettel’s engine failure to thank for

Excessive tyre wear for Barrichello and a slow running off-track and pitting to fix a slow
puncture for Hulkenberg cost Williams 11 puncture on his left-rear tyre, dropping him to
points and the chance to leapfrog Force India 11th.
for sixth in the constructors’ championship. He overtook Alguersuari on the final lap to
Both drove error-free from 10th and 11th on take 10th, while Barrichello ran out of tyre
the grid and were places fifth and sixth with six tread and had to let Kubica and Liuzzi past
laps to go. with three laps to go.
But Hulkenberg then lost two places after

Renault had a bitter sweet weekend in Korea, start, he passed Button during the pitstops
after failing to deliver on the promise they and gained three further places through
showed in practice on Friday and Saturday. retirements.
Kubica qualified just eighth despite finishing Petrov drove well to rise from 20th to 7th, but
inside the top two in all practice sessions, but undid his good work by crashing at the final
was able to pick up places during the race to corner on lap 40.
finish fifth at the flag.
After losing a place to Schumacher at the
32
 >> F1 KOREA

d Prix, Yeongam
Force India strengthened their position in the retirements helping him to sixth. Sutil had a
constructors’ championship by outscoring scrappy afternoon on-track, and was accused
Williams in Korea on Sunday, after Tonio Liuzzi by Button of being a “maniac” after driving him
equalled his best F1 finish in sixth place. off the road at one point. He eventually retired
The Italian did remarkably well to climb after colliding with Kobayashi, damaging his
from 17th on the grid after passing Buemi, right-front suspension.
Alguersuari, Kobayashi, Hulkenberg and
Barrichello on the road, with the numerous

Jaime Alguersuari just missed out on points on the final lap, while Liuzzi went on to finish
for Toro Rosso after finishing 11th on Sunday, sixth. Sebastien Buemi’s race ended on the run-
but should have finished as high as sixth off area of turn 3 after he braked too late while
after suffering a technical problem during his trying to overtake Timo Glock before careering
pitstop. Alguersuari had just overtaken Liuzzi into the side of the Virgin.
for eighth before pitting, but fell 15th with the
problem, before managing to recover to tenth.
Hulkenberg the overtook him on fresh tyres

Lotus fought off their ever-persistent hydraulic in the final laps to ensure finishing with a
problems to finish as the best new team, with hydraulic leak.
Heikki Kovalainen limping to the finish. Trulli was unable to reach the finish due
He pitted for intermediates like most others to a complete hydraulics failure forcing his
during the final safety car period, but then had retirement from last place on lap 26.
to take a drive-through penalty after being
caught speeding in the pitlane.
After climbing to 13th, he had to ease off

Hispania Racing scored their second compared to Virgin’s two. A long stint on the
consecutive double finish, after Senna and intermediate tyre until mid-distance allowed
Yamamoto took the chequered flag in 14th and Senna to fight with Kovalainen until the final
15th places, just two laps down on race winner quarter of the race, before dropping back.
Alonso. Yamamoto was unable to rekindle the form
The result was their best of the season, and he showed to qualify 23rd and finished 17
consolidated their position as the second- second behind Senna.
best new team with three 14th-place finishes,

BMW Sauber scored their second consecutive Kobayashi survived the contact with Sutil in
double points finish with eighth and ninth the closing stages and gained a place to eighth
places in Korea after a mostly trouble-free race when Hulkenberg pitted.
for Kobayashi and Heidfeld. Heidfeld kept Kobayashi in close contact
Both pitted under the second safety car throughout, but was unable to find a way by
period for intermediate tyres and reaped the and settled for ninth two seconds adrift.
reward as those ahead pitted during the final
safety car run.

Virgin Racing’s season went from bad to manoeuvre when he slid into the VR-01,
worse after they recorded their first double ending both their races.
retirement in five and a half months. Glock had run as high as 11th and was
While Di Grassi’s retirement was self-induced leading the battle of the new teams at the
after spinning into the barrier at turn 14 on lap time, but the crash ended his team’s hopes of
26, Glock was hugely unlucky after being taken toppling Lotus.
out by Toro Rosso’s Buemi at turn 3.
Buemi was attempting an overtaking
33
Greetings from Korea

34
>> F1 KOREA

35
 ‘JUS
Rossi’s task in
taming the Duke T

36
 >> Moto GP FEATURE

STA
TOOL’

37
So it will happen. After sweating under capably demonstrating, it is in its present Filippo Preziosi and engineering genius
the pressure for the past weeks and form capable of winning races. What wields enough influence in general to be
longer, Yamaha has crumbled, and given Burgess and his rider will be looking for sure that the full engineering resources of
it to its departing superstar. Valentino will be to turn this into a more consistent the small Italian specialist company will be
has permission to test the Ducati, two performance. right behind the highest-profile GP effort
days after the final race in Valencia. Burgess has a thoroughly pragmatic they have ever attempted.
Some saw this conclusion as inevitable. approach to motorcycle preparation. He But the rider and technicians will have
Rossi’s requests for the release have been tends to have the same reply to airy-fairy to make some philosophical leaps, for the
non-stop, ever since news officially broke technical questions.“The motorcycle is just Desmosedici is a very different motorcycle
that he would be moving to Ducati back a tool,” he has told me, innumerable times. from the Yamaha M1, quite apart from the
at the Czech Republic GP mid-August. And Once you are at the race-track, it is just a 90-degree V4 engine layout compared
they have all been made in public, via the matter of getting the best out of it. with the in-line Yamaha. The bike that
ever-willing Press. But this is somewhat disingenuous. Rossi is leaving behind is much more
Had Yamaha refused, they would have Yamaha have acknowledged the value conventional, in that the chassis is made
faced a torrent of criticism, been accused and clarity of information they got from of metal. The Ducati is unique in using the
of unsporting behaviour, and even the Burgess-Rossi combination in turning carbon fibre for the chassis.
treachery – putting obstacles in the path their M1 from underdog to top dog. None The differences go deeper. Yamaha’s
of the man who brought them such glory of it was high-faluting: all of it was aimed chassis has a direct line of evolution
and success. at getting a well-balanced motorcycle, through several generations of twin-spar
By giving permission, they have given that the rider could trust. beam frames that goes back to the old
their new biggest rival a head start that Nobody has demonstrated more clearly 500cc days. Over the generations the
could prove crucial. than Jorge Lorenzo how well that aim design has been refined as engineers
They have also proved themselves a was achieved. Coming to the 800 class have gained a greater understanding of
different company from Honda, which from 250s with no four-stroke experience, the need for controlled flex, tuning the
did refuse Rossi the right to test before he found the M1 so friendly that he was relative rates of stiffness along the length
the end of December of 2003, when he able to win race in his first season and the of the chassis
abandoned HRC for Yamaha. Then again, championship in his third. Ducati has instead a history of heresy.
as Rossi said in Australia, times were very The key factor at Yamaha was the co- The first Desmosedicis in 2003 used steel-
different. “You could test as much as you operation between the factory racing tube trellis framework. The next step was
wanted.” He was able to make up for lost department and the crew out at the sharp a cast aluminium box to take the place of
time to the extent that he won the first end. Thanks largely to the authority of the already minimal top trellis, doubling
race. Masao Furusawa, a senior director who up as an airbox. And the start of this year
Rossi’s Ducati tests will take place on had taken personal charge of the racing they did the same thing in carbon fibre,
November 9 and 10. Crew chief Jerry programme, requests for changes could matching it in due course with a carbon-
Burgess is hoping for good weather: be put into action quickly and effectively. fibre swing-arm.
“Rain could wash everything out,” he Failure in this aspect – a slowness of These are unfamiliar materials for the
cautioned. response from the factories – is one of the new rider and his crew, which puts a bit of
So what will he, Valentino and Ducati be main complaints you will hear from sundry distance between them and the factory
hoping to achieve? crew chiefs in other areas of the paddock. engineers.
The main thing, he told an interviewer, The rider and his henchmen will find the Or does it? Perhaps not. In the end, it’s
will be just to get to know the bike, to same at Ducati. Although Ducati Corse is a only a motorcycle. And a motorcycle? –
get some laps done. As Stoner was very separate racing company, director general “it’s just a tool ...”

38
 >> Moto GP FEATURE
Yamaha have acknowledged the value
and clarity of information they got from
the Burgess-Rossi combination in turning
their M1 from underdog to top dog

Burgess has a thoroughly pragmatic

approach to motorcycle preparation. He
tends to have the same reply to airy-fairy
technical questions: “The motorcycle is
just a tool ...”

39
 No t q u
to sc r
Seb Loeb racked up
another WRC win after
the expected ‘homeland’
challenge from Dani
Sordo amounted to nothing
– indeed privateer Petter
Solberg took second.

Martin Holmes was there

40
 >> WRC SPAIN

uit e
r ip t

41
T
he Spanish mixed surface rival, had a crankshaft sensor failure and he event where Raikkonen's skills were
experiment came and went but it lost 12 minutes on the stage and the title expected to show up clearly, but it was
made no difference. Citroen cars, went to Burkart. a stretch of gravel track that caused his
headed by Sebastien Loeb took the downfall.
top three places in front of a flotilla of Ford
Focuses and Fiestas, with Citroens winning
every special stage.
T he drama actually began on Shakedown
when Kimi Raikkonen tipped his Citroen
on to its roof, and had to withdraw because
He bravely turned up at the pre-event
press conference and apologised, but
stated that was how the rules worked.
Loeb led from start to finish but his Total the roll cage was damaged. This was the one Ford did not have a perfect run
and Junior teammates did not fare so well –
indeed it was Petter Solberg who finished
second in his privately run car, succeeding
in withstanding a strong attack from Dani
Sordo in the later stages.
There were many expectations for Sordo,
Loeb's team-mate on this occasion, but
he had a poor performance on the gravel
stages run on the first day, which dropped
him too far behind to challenge, even for his
perennial second place.
The Ford drivers came with their
usual hopes but again they went home
unrequited. Jari-Matti Latvala held second
place early in the rally but Mikko Hirvonen
dropped five minutes when a turbo pipe
became disconnected on a stage.
The enduring drama of the event was the
race to the Junior title which was almost
thrown away when the favourite Aaron
Burkart went off the road on Day 2, but on
the penultimate stage Hans Weijs, his title
42
 >> WRC SPAIN
either. On the final appearance of the season
for the Munchi's team Federico Villagra's
Focus stopped on Day 2 with overheating
problems, found to be due to a broken
alternator and water pump belt, while a
fine run by seventh place Hungarian driver
Frigyes Turan ended when he went off
on the final morning, surviving a horrific
impact with nothing worse than a broken
collarbone.
All credit went to Sordo who never
stopped trying to snatch second place.
At the end of Day 2 he was 16.9 seconds
behind Petter,. With only the short final
stage to go, he was just 5.1s, but this time
even second place was beyond his grasp.
Sebastien Ogier was covering Loeb's
position in second place but then Ogier
went off the road at a tricky tightening bend
on Stage 8. He lost a quarter-hour and was
still lying only 14th at the end of the day.

“This was the Petter Solberg – second in his

privateer Citroen ...
one event where
Raikkonen's skills
were expected to American Ken Block – first Yank
show up clearly, but to score WRC points in two
decades ...
it was a stretch of
gravel track that
caused his downfall.”

E arning increasing respect for his rally

driving expertise was American Ken
Block, who entered the points zone on the
first day and became the first American to
score world championship drivers points for
over 20 years. But it was a near thing when
he slid off the road and the car was stuck on
grass which then caught fire:
"Our first priority was to extinguish the
flames and only then could we look around
for spectators to get us back on the road
again!"
The required clinical precision of tarmac
style for driving continued to create debate.
This was part of the reason for introducing
asphalt stages, but the almost complete
boycott of the event by private drivers of
World Rally Cars told its own tale. The extra
costs of bring replacement suspension parts
and wheels was the reason they stayed at
home.
The season finishes at Wales Rally GB
in three weeks time, when the two major
remaining FIA titles for Super 2000 and for
the Production Group N cars will be resolved.
43
Junior WRC
Burkart steals crown
in a cliff-hanger
Although the two JWRC subsidiary titles were in sixth position. He would have to climb back to
resolved as soon as the event began, with the fourth place to be champion, assuming Weijs was
Rookies' award going to the British driver Harry still lying second behind Lemes.
Hunt and the international ASN Cup to the After the first stage of the final day Burkart
Dutch KNAF federation, it was however down to was up to fifth, but then Lemes punctured, lost a
the wire for the main JWRC title. couple of minutes and this let Weijs into the lead.
Two drivers had come to Spain able to clinch Burkart's challenge was now desperate. Even if he
the title, the final event in the final year the Junior pulled up to second and ended the season on the
series is held, before it is replaced by an Academy- same points as Weijs, Weijs would win the title on
based project. These were the German driver account of having more wins.
Aaron Burkart with his Suzuki and the Dutch The last three stage were nerve wracking for
driver Hans Weijs in his Citroen, both in S1600 cars. Weijs, his worst nightmare coming on Stage 15
For nearly all the event the category was in when the crankshaft sensor failed. He was able
fact led by the Spanish driver Yeray Lemes in his to repair this himself but at the cost of over 12
Renault Clio S1600. Burkart started as favourite, minutes and indeed the title.
seven points ahead of Weijs but it all went badly So Lemes won the category on the final JWRC
wrong when Burkart went off the road and event ahead of the Bulgarian Todor Slavov, Weijs
damaged his car within sight of the end of Stage then Burkart.
7. So Super 1600 cars made their farewell as a
His team were able to bring the car back to favoured category of car in the WRC, R3 cars go
the service park and make it into a runner for the onwards into next year's revamped Production
final day when, notwithstanding the penalites Car championship and the R2 Fiestas into the
for missing the intervening stages, he restarted Academy.

Dual-surface experiment – good call

private drivers of World Rally Cars stayed was generally unpopular because of the
opinion

away in force. Only the Hungarian driver increased cost and efforts of bringing a
MArtin Frigyes Turan was present, and he had to much wider variety of parts for servicing,

Holmes change from the Peugeot which he had

entered on previous asphalt WRC events
not to mention the increased number of
wheels (both 15 and 18 inch).
Rallies Editor to a more adaptable Focus. In fact the total number of tyres to be
A return to dual and mixed surface provided by Pirelli was about the same as
rallies is one of the concepts of the new if this was the single-surface event it was
The bold dual-surface experiment in FIA President, who personally deplores originally planned to be, but the extra
Spain was not such a great idea if the the current day clinical formats of world complications remained. When Pirelli
high numbers of abstaining drivers was championship rallies and wants them to began their three-year contract they were
any guide. revert to the formats of 20 years ago. His is told their first event (2008 Monte Carlo)
The decision to make the Rallye de a brave idea, if it works, and somebody (in was to be the only event in which they
France an event for all four WRC support this instance Spain) had to volunteer their would have to prepare the different types
series, leaving Spain with only the Junior event as an experiment to find out if this of tyre. It has now happened again.
series to play for, did not help boost the brave idea works in reality or not. At least the problems of running
number of drivers who entered this event, Sadly, Spain's bravery cost them dear, in Cyprus in 2009 as a dual surface event
which was only three weeks later. terms of entries. were handled amicably – teams would
But the main indicator was that the Having to adjust to dual surface rallying use gravel tyres and gravel suspension

44
 >> WRC SPAIN

Aaron
Burkart,
Junior World
Champion
28 year-old German driver Aaron Burkart
won the FIA's Junior World Championship
title at his fifth attempt, in his second
season with the Suzuki Rally Team.
His competition career started in 2002
with Citroen cars, following a tradition
started by his father who competed in British
championship rallies in a Nissan. Curiously
the driver to whom he sold his Citroens when
he turned to Suzuki was Hans Weijs, whom
he finally beat to the title this year!
The championship title came on the same rally in
which he had his saddest rally memory, when his
co-driver lost his life in a freak accident to which
no blame could ever be attached to the driver.
The title came after a frenzied week which started
with an accident in pre-rally testing. The hurried
delivery of a replacement car from the other side
of Europe was required, followed by another
accident on the second day of the Catalunya Rally
but which, happily, was repaired by his team.

l or bad call?
on asphalt stages. This was different.
The option was to run asphalt tyres and
suspension on the gravel stage, and that
would not and could never be acceptable
when the gravel stages came first and the
asphalt distance was in the majority.
For the contracted teams and the
contracted tyre suppliers there was
nothing to do but accept the change
of format. For the privateers, there was
something else to do, stay at home. The
problem that Spain suffered is a warning.
There is a major difference between
something nice in theory and nice in
practice. The two cannot automatically be
joined together.
Whatever the FIA President's aspirations
for the future, wait a moment. They may
not work in the climate of the 2010s.

45
 Paddock
Talk

n M-Sport plans to continue

production of their Fiesta
FIA details 2011 WRC rules
After a protracted period of secrecy about combination of both. ‘Free Design’ engines
S2000 cars in 2-litre normally-
aspirated specification in how the new rally car rules will operate have strict design limits to ensure no
2011, using the existing in 2011 and onwards, finally the FIA have performance advantage can be gained. The
homologation, once the made clear their intentions beyond the BMW Mini will use a standard base engine
initial production of 1.6-litre confines of the manufacturers involved! but will install special parts so it will be half
turbocharged car has been There are three basic reasons for bringing production and half purpose-made, and the
carried out. Initially 10 2011- the current World Rally Car rules to an end. Ford will be the same. Only Citroen start off
version WRCs, including Firstly, it was to require competition car rules with a fully new engine. One special novelty
two test cars, will be built. to adjust to the future changes in motor is that dry sumps have returned to rallying,
Production of the current S2000 manufacture: secondly to bring the new aimed at reducing under-engine damage on
car stands at around 42 cars. eco-friendly direct injection systems into rough roads.
There are no current plans at the sport; and thirdly to help reduce costs There will be extra areas of the car which
M-Sport to produce the 1.6- and thereby lure more manufacturers into use controlled components or manufacturer
turbocharged version of their rallying. more than the traditional Super 2000 limits.
S2000 cars. These rules represent a completely new There are many new controls for the engine.
concept. One basic model will serve two Turbo manufacturers have to apply to the
n Ken Block did not deny purposes. The car will be a modified version FIA for permission to have their parts used in
Monster’s hopes of fielding two of an existing Super 2000 car to which a kit the sport, and the FIA have a special device
team cars in the 2011 World of parts can be added to convert this into a for controlling boost and checking and
Championship, explaining that World Rally Car. The main modification will registering these things, in addition to the
would make sense considering be the installation of a 1.6-litre turbocharged safety black box. The target is to keep the
how many good rally drivers are engine and ancillaries with direct injection, engine more reliable so the boost is limited
currently out of work. “I have to replace the 2-litre normally aspirated car. to 2.5 bar total.
Chris Atkinson as my gravel note Upgrading from the Super 2000 to World The special FIA box will be fitted in all the
crew this rally – what does that Rally Car specification is done by adding an cars in order to check the revs, boost and so
tell you?” interchangeable kit of parts. The theory is on, so the FIA can follow the performance of
n Dani Sordo seems no that a car can be used as a World Rally Car the car easily. While it is decided that World
further forward in planning one weekend and a Super 2000 the next. The Rally Cars will have 33mm turbo restrictors,
his career future than ever. He kit of parts includes a revised front bumper the sizes are still under consideration for
said “I am still a Citroen driver, and rear wing (‘aero’ changes) to create a Super 2000 cars as experience is being
but after this event I will start visible distinction, a slightly lighter flywheel, gained as to equivalence between old 2-litre
looking at the opportunities plastic side windows and bigger brakes with atmospheric and the new 1.6-litre turbo
with other teams even if it re-circulated water cooling. Aero changes units.
means looking outside the are mandatory, the others are optional. There is a theoretical rev limit of 8500rpm
WRC. I am like my friend Kimi Costs in designing new World Rally Cars for both S2000 and WRC, but with the
Raikkonen.” One wondered if will be contained because of cost restraints proposed turbo restrictors it is expected that
winning in Catalunya would already in place for the materials used in this limit will be academic. Currently new
make a difference, remembering Super 2000 cars, enforced by the maximum generation S2000s and World Rally Cars will
that Citroen closed the door selling price cap. They must offer their run at 1200kg minimum weight, the same as
on Francois Duval immediately new cars for sale at controlled prices to the current S2000. Previous World Rally Cars
after he won Rally Australia in privateers. run at 1230kg.
2005. Although cars running under Super 2000

n Wales Rally GB has

announced that Shakedown
rules will still be allowed to compete with 2-
litre aspirated engines they cannot be used
with the new engines if they retain a central
T he basic wish of the FIA is that it should be
possible for anybody to buy or to rent a
new-generation rally car and be competitive
for the final round of the 2010 differential. The World Rally Car gearbox will in the world championship against the top
World Championship will be the same as in the S2000 car and must competitors, both with the World Rally Car
be held in darkness on the use a unit already homologated by the FIA. and also S2000. Many more decisions are
Wednesday evening, on the Sadev and Xtrac have already received FIA coming, however – notably which version
same stage that will run 24 approval so a manufacturer currently has a of the new cars will be allowed to compete
hours later as Stage 1. This will choice between the two. The transmission and with what size restrictor, in the various
be on the Barrage, part of the will all be six-speed sequential units. categories of the sport.
Cardiff docks facility. Plans to There are options as to how to design Coming shortly will also be a lot of other
run Shakedown as usual at the 1.6-litre turbo engines. They may be decisions, one of the most anticipated being
Margam have been abandoned based on existing production engines, guidance about the future Group R, notably
on account of local tree disease. be a completely purpose-design or a the proposed R4 class.
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 >> WRC SPAIN

Six picked FIA's new Academy scholarships

For the past two years Pirelli has been also provide various training opportunities. had a disadvantage if they were driving
responsible for co-ordinating, along with Like Ralliart Italy has done for the PSD a car with the steering wheel on the
the FIA, the Star Driver system, in which scheme in the past two years, one team opposite side of the car, but the drivers
five drivers were selected by means of will be responsible for the supply of the who were good on one surface were also
various processes or Shoot-Outs round the cars, the spare parts, the servicing and good on asphalt!' The final selection for
world, to run fully sponsored Group N cars so on. The decision has been made that the PSD drivers however was made on
in the following year's world championship. the cars will be R2 Ford Fiestas which will many other factors in addition to driving.
Now there are changes, not the least be prepared and run by M-Sport and will Eventually plans were finalised for
because Pirelli's single supply contract use Pirelli control tyres. In addition to the Shoot-Out of the candidates for the
comes to an end this year, there is running the cars on individual events, the Pirelli sponsored programme of up to
weaker support for the Junior World Rally Academy will run training systems similar six drivers. A total of 16 drivers were
Championship, and also on account of the to the current PSD run by Robert Reid. selected, two from the African and Middle
FIA's new driver training initiatives. But East championships, two each from the
there remains a commitment by Pirelli to
support young promising drivers in the
2011 world series and the hunt has been
T he general name Academy is confusing
as the FIA has announced their own
motorsport Academy to embrace race
Northern, South-West, Eastern and Central
zones of the European series, one from the
Asia-Pacific championship, one each from
on again to choose the right drivers. driving tuition systems but currently it is not the Nacam and Codasur "Latin American"
Once again recommendations were made known how the FIA Academy project will zones and one lady driver nominated
from individual regions, by way of their own work alongside the WRC Academy project. by the FIA Women's Commission.
regional Shoot-Outs and this time there was The Academy and Pirelli Star Driver Each was invited to Salou by their
a Global Shoot-Out for which a total of 16 system will replace the current Junior associations and eight Fiesta R2s were
drivers came to Salou, on the occasion of World Rally Championship, offering provided by the organisers of the Belgian
Rally Catalunya, from which five or six will instead of a stand-alone championship a national Fiesta Championship. On the
be chosen for full Pirelli sponsorship under substantial scholarship for competition second day of Catalunya Rally, some
a scholarship Academy support system. in the 2012 world championship in stretches of stages used before on Day 1,
It is planned that there will be around whatever type of car they wish. This will run over gravel and mixed surfaces, were
24 drivers contesting the chosen events, amount to half million Euros. There will set aside so that the standard of driving
five or six of them being the fully-funded be six rounds in the 2011 WRC but the of the candidates could be examined,
under the Pirelli scholarship scheme, the calendar has not yet been decided. and other tests and interviews were then
others paying a fixed fee, which will be As competitors can only be admitted into held. The plan was for each car to be
lower than what they would have to pay the Academy activity after being endorsed driven by two drivers, and an accident
if they entered the events privately. The by their federations, this is not an open was publicly stated would lead to the
fee has been fixed at 135,000Euros, as series for all to enter, and for this reason exclusion of the driver concerned.
the promoters of the Academy seek there is not expected to be (like on the PSD The Salou selection process was intended
support sponsors for the scheme. in the past) a title to replace the JWRC. just to decide which drivers would have the
The remaining 18 or so drivers will Michele Mouton has been closely involved full sponsorship of the Academy for 2011.
all come with the endorsement of their with aspects of the planning. ‘The FIA likes The chosen six are (nationality, date of birth,
regional federations that they are the the idea that the Academy can give the first rally car and year, town of residence):
best available drivers in their country chance for drivers from all over the world to n Brendan Reeves (AUS) 29.08.1986,
or region for such a project. The events compete on a WRC programme. It is also the Datsun 240Z in 2006, Melbourne
in which the Academy drivers will start chance for drivers who know they are the n Craig Breen (IRL) 2.02.1990,
are also waiting to be selected, but best drivers in their region to discover how Fiesta ST in 2009, Waterford
basically they will be European-based. they compare with drivers in other regions. n Andrea Crugnola (I) 25.09.1989,
The Academy operation will run only This year's chosen drivers included Clio R3 in 2007, Varese
on the events selected for the project, for some very good and capable and drivers. I n Fredrik Ahlin (S) 8.02.1991, VW
which it will be a ‘turn-key operation'. Drivers think three of them could do very well in Polo in 2009, Karlstad
will arrive with their personal equipment, the future. Some drivers had little or no n Jan Cerny (CZ) 6.06.1990,
making their recce plans and paying the previous experience of two-wheel-drive VW Polo in 2006, Pribram
necessary insurance, and the car is there competition but I think that using the n Molly Taylor (AUS) 6.05.1988,
ready for them to run. The Academy will Fiestas provided a fair test. Some drivers Holden Gemini in 2006, Sydney
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>> GPWEEK PArting Shot

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