Argentine driver Lopez to join F1 new member USF1
Argentine driver Jose Maria Lopez confirmed Friday to join the new Formula One team USF1, according to his spokesman Miguel Mattos.
The 26-year-old, will debut for the American team at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will kick off the 2010 world championship on March 14.
Local media said the USF1 team will officially present the driver on Monday as the USF1 team’s co-owner Peter Windsor and Lopez’s sponsors reached agreement in the Argentine capital after several days of meetings.
A former Renault test driver, Lopez won Argentina’s TC 2000 and Top Race V6 categories last year, will be the first Argentine to race in F1 since Gustavo Mazzacane, who raced for Minardi in 2000 and Prost in 2001.
Neck injury is no issue: Schumi
Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher said on Wednesday the neck injury which hampered his return to Formula One last August is no longer a factor as he prepares for the 2010 season.
Despite retiring from F1 in 2006, Schumacher signed a three-year contract with Mercedes GP last December and has been testing with Mercedes in Jerez, Spain, but says last year’s neck injury has long since healed.
Schumacher insists any concerns over the injury he sustained in a motorbike accident nearly a year ago and forced him to abort a return to Ferrari last year are no longer an issue and it feels like he has never been away.
“The after-effects of that accident are long gone, that’s why I was sure that the neck would not cause any problems,” he said on his website.
“This was one year ago – that’s over.
“I have been practising since December very carefully and feel extremely fresh and fit.
“That was one of the reasons I felt so good in the car in Jerez.
“But then, F1 is another thing, the g-forces are higher, that’s not really comparable.
“That is why I look forward so much to testing in February.
“Only then the old feeling will be completely back. I can’t wait to be back there.”
Schumacher says testing of Mercedes’ GP2 car went better than expected with his first drive in the F1 car set to take place next month.
“The test was super, I can’t tell the difference,” said Schumacher.
“We have been handicapped a bit because of the wet weather in the first two days but on the third day we could do a lot and even simulate a race on slicks.
“It went better than I had expected.
“I immediately felt well in the car, it was as if I never was gone.”
The 41-year-old said he has signed a three-year deal to race with Mercedes because he wants to win the world championship again having linked up with Ross Brawn, who orchestrated the pits in each of his seven world championship wins.
“I signed because we want to achieve something together,” said the German.
“The set up we have here is pretty unique – with Ross and his world championship-winning team, with the know how of Mercedes, with the best engine at the moment, we want to use that.
“We have a clear aim: we want to win the championships.
“That’s what we will fight for from the beginning.
“That is my personal standard too.”
Despite repeatedly saying he would never return to Formula One during the years of his retirement, Schumacher explained his decision to return to the track.
“I couldn’t imagine my return before last year,” he said.
“After my retirement at the end of 2006, I was very happy, I felt relieved: like I had been freed.
“I enjoyed that feeling because especially in the last two years of racing, F1 had demanded a great deal from me.
“It was not just the racing, I loved during that time but all those things which relate to living under constant observation.”
Schumacher wraps up GP2 test ahead of F1 return
Michael Schumacher successfully wrapped up a GP2 test session Thursday that is expected to aid his return to Formula One.
Formula One seven times world champion Michael Schumacher of Germany poses on a GP2 car during a test drive at Jerez circuit in southern Spain, January 12, 2010. Schumacher set his Formula One comeback rolling on Tuesday with a test of a GP2 development car. The 41-year-old German, returning with Mercedes after retiring as a Ferrari driver in 2006, completed 52 laps before heavy rain and gusty conditions halted the session in the afternoon. [Photo/Agencies]
The 41-year-old German driver had his most productive day, setting a best lap time of 1 minute, 24.621 seconds from 130 laps _ more than he managed over the first two days combined _ around the Jerez Circuit.
Schumacher says everything worked out “perfectly” and that he felt “fit” and “comfortable immediately back in the car.”
Schumacher, who will drive for Mercedes after three years in retirement, ran wet tires for 23 laps before switching to slicks as the track was not as wet as the past two days.
Schumacher is helping develop the F1 feeder series’ 2011 car.
F1 testing begins February 1.
F1 supremo proposes GP “shortcuts”
Bernie Ecclestone wants to introduce “shortcuts” on Formula One race tracks to encourage drivers’ overtaking for the sport’s promoted entertainment, the F1 supremo said on Wednesday.
The idea would be another radical change to the sport with nothing similar ever having been adopted, but it needs to seek teams’ support first.
“I’ve tried to push the teams with a number of proposals. Imagine a shortcut which a driver can use five times every race. It would stop people getting stuck behind others. It would be good for TV,” Ecclestone told reporters at Ferrari’s pre-season ski retreat in Madonna Di Campiglio of Italy.
Ecclestone complained that brakes in Formula One cars were too efficient and reduced the amount of overtaking which fans like to watch.
Despite believing the sport can be improved, the Briton reckoned this season would be among the best with Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and the returning Michael Schumacher all on the grid.
Ecclestone confirmed an agreement had been signed to hold a grand prix through the streets of Rome in the coming years, although no date has been set.
Schumacher sets out on road back to F1
Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher set out on the road back to Formula One on Tuesday by testing a GP2 development car in southern Spain.
The 41-year-old German, returning with Mercedes after retiring as a Ferrari driver in 2006, completed 52 laps of the Jerez track before heavy rain and gusty conditions halted the session. He said it was good to be back.
“Very positive. The feeling is there straight away,” said Schumacher in a video interview released by Mercedes.
“Luckily I have never given up in terms of driving something, either motorbikes or go-karts. I had a test obviously last summer in a F1 (car) so it is straightforward to bring the car back to the limit.”
Schumacher, F1’s most successful driver, had to abandon a planned comeback as a stand-in with Ferrari last season due to the lingering effects of a neck injury suffered in a motorcycle accident.
He has since signed a multi-year deal with Mercedes, who have taken over Brawn, as world champion Jenson Button’s replacement. He will continue testing today and tomorrow.
“Despite the weather not being what we all would have liked, all my senses were nevertheless on full alert – this alone was worth it. I felt comfortable out on the track from the very beginning,” he said.
“We have two purposes, one is to get as many kilometers as possible for myself and the second priority is to get to know the engineers and get to work together.”
Schumacher, who has twice before driven for British-based teams, said he was settling in well and preparations for the new season were on track.
“Brackley is already kind of home after the second time being there … so overall we are pretty much set,” he said.
GP2 is F1’s support series at race weekends, with all teams using the same Renault-powered cars. F1 teams are not allowed to test until the first official session in Valencia on Feb 1.
Renault reaches deal to remain in F1
Renault is staying in Formula One racing after agreeing yesterday to sell a “large stake” in the team to a private investment firm to keep the cars on the grid in 2010.
The French carmaker had been weighing whether to continue in F1 or pull out following a crash scandal that led to the departure of former team principal Flavio Briatore.
After the proposed sale to Luxembourg-based Genii Capital, Renault said in a statement that the two companies would operate the team together.
The team will continue to race under the Renault name, using Renault engines.
Neither Renault nor Genii elaborated on the size of the stake to be sold, though reports said it could be as high as 80 percent.
“In 2010, the team will retain its name, its identity and the core ingredients that led to the successes achieved in 2005 and 2006,” Renault said.
“The team will continue to be supplied with engines by its sister company in Viry-Chatillon.”
The companies said a letter of intent should be concluded early next year.
Renault’s reputation was recently damaged by the crash scandal, which caused it to lose sponsorship deals with insurance companies Mutua Madrilena and ING.
There had been speculation that Renault would follow Honda, BMW and Toyota out of F1 due to the economic downturn.
At the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr purposely crashed his car to help teammate Fernando Alonso, who went on to win the race.
Gerard Lopez, the businessman behind Genii Capital, said restrictions on spending in Formula One had made it a more attractive investment for new owners.
“This is a period of opportunity for Formula One, not a period of uncertainty,” Lopez said yesterday. “Formula One has an extraordinary level of global awareness that can be used to develop new business-to-business opportunities in traditional and developing markets, and there are exciting new revenue streams to be explored.”
Genii said it intended to run the team on a restricted-budget model, similar to that of new team Virgin Racing, which was unveiled on Tuesday.
“Together with Renault, we intend to run the team with the same values as any of our other investments, prioritizing ambitious performance targets without neglecting cost efficiency,” Genii chief executive Eric Lux said.
“We strongly believe that on-track performance can be compatible with business performance, and we will use all our entrepreneurial spirit and commercial know-how to achieve this goal.
Renault also said it will continue as engine supplier for Red Bull next season.
Polish driver Robert Kubica will drive for Renault.
Ferrari say will not block Schumacher deal
Ferrari will not stand in Michael Schumacher’s way if the seven-times Formula One world champion decides to come out of retirement and race for Mercedes, president Luca di Montezemolo told Reuters on Monday.
Seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher of Germany gestures from a kart in his hometown Kerpen, near Cologne, December 13, 2009. Schumacher is close to signing a deal with Mercedes to come out of retirement and compete in Formula One next year, Germany’s Bild newspaper reported on Saturday. [Agencies]
The 40-year-old German has worked as a consultant for the Italian team since retiring at the end of 2006 but reports say he is close to signing with Mercedes, who have taken over world champions Brawn.
The Mercedes team is run by Ross Brawn, the former Ferrari and Benetton technical director who helped Schumacher to all his titles.
Schumacher announced in September that he would work as a consultant for Ferrari for another three years. Asked if Ferrari would enforce the deal, Montezemolo said: “No, not binding.”
“It’s clear that if he decides to take another road our (consultancy) agreement will no longer be valid, that is logical. You can’t work with a competitor and with us at the same time,” Montezemolo told Reuters in an interview.
“I still haven’t spoken to him about it. He is only a dear friend, not a team member. He is a consultant for our road cars.”
Schumacher was forced to abort plans for a Formula One comeback with Ferrari because of fitness concerns in August.
NECK INJURY
He was due to replace the injured Felipe Massa but pulled out following medical checks on a neck injury sustained in a motorcycle accident earlier this year that caused him pain during testing.
Ferrari had talked about including him in their 2010 lineup as a possible third driver but those plans came to nothing with the arrival of new teams and the expansion of the starting grid from 20 to 26 cars.
Germany’s Bild newspaper reported on Saturday that Schumacher was close to a deal with Mercedes, whose sportscar team he raced for before entering Formula One in 1991.
Mercedes GP chief executive Nick Fry said last week that a Schumacher comeback would be good for Formula One while German driver Nico Rosberg, who has signed for Mercedes for next season, said he would welcome him as a team mate.
“I hope that my team mate will be sorted out pretty soon and at the moment the rumours are very strong for Michael Schumacher,” he said in a promotional video for Mercedes filmed in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
“I have no idea if it is true or not but obviously if he would join that would be an absolutely fantastic move,” added the 24-year-old, who overlapped for one season with Schumacher in Formula One.
“It would be a big challenge, a great experience and so I think it would be a good thing,” he said of how it would feel to race against Schumacher.
Button faces another huge challenge
Jenson Button faces the toughest challenge of his Formula One career when he joins Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next season and he knows it.
“Life is all about challenges and, most important of all, it’s about challenging yourself,” the 29-year-old world champion said after the Woking team announced he had signed a multi-year deal on Wednesday.
“Although I won the World Championship with Brawn GP last year, and I’ll never forget that, I was always adamant that I wanted to continue to set myself fresh challenges.”
The Briton will certainly get that at McLaren, where compatriot Hamilton is part of the family after being backed by the team since he was a bright-eyed kid winning titles in go-karts more than a decade ago.
Hamilton was a sensational rookie in 2007, seeing off double world champion teammate Fernando Alonso and ending the season as overall runner-up before becoming the youngest champion a year later.
His performances this season, wrestling with an uncompetitive car for the first half and then winning races in the second, have earned him even more admiration and respect.
Button is good, no question. He is one of the smoothest, most easy-going and least flappable drivers out there. However, Hamilton is young, hungry, fearless and well on the road to becoming one of the greats.
The 24-year-old has said he wants to take the title back from Button and he intends to do just that.
“I think it’s a mistake by Jenson,” Britain’s triple world champion Jackie Stewart said.
“If I had been Jenson, I would have wanted to do a deal with Brawn because I know the culture of the Brawn team, I have a high respect for Ross Brawn, I would know the mechanics.
“There’s a totally different culture in McLaren, something he might never have experienced before,” said the Scot.
“It will be difficult for him to take on Lewis Hamilton. It’s like walking into the lions’ den … Fernando Alonso couldn’t cut it against Hamilton and I think Lewis will want to retain his position of prominence.”
Whereas Michael Schumacher reigned supreme at Ferrari, McLaren have always given their drivers equal status even if – as with Hamilton and Alonso – that can sometimes backfire.
“In the past they (McLaren) have had a history of being able to only fully support one driver,” said former McLaren racer Martin Brundle, who was David Coulthard’s manager when the Scot partnered Finland’s Mika Hakkinen.
“It’s Lewis Hamilton’s patch, it’s his territory and he’s made it his own. He knows everybody and knows where all the green buttons are to press.”
While Button was comfortable at Brawn, loved by the mechanics and popular in the factory, that team will compete as Mercedes next year after a takeover announced on Monday.
That could well change the dynamics, with Germany’s Nico Rosberg set to become the Stuttgart carmaker’s favorite son and the suspicion Button was surplus to requirements.
Schumacher abandons planned F1 return
F1 legend Michael Schumacher has to abandon his planned Formula 1 return due to the neck injury, Schumacher announced Tuesday on his website.
“Yesterday evening, I had to inform Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and team principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I’m not able to step in for Felipe,” Schumacher told his website.
“I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn’t work out,” he added.
Previously, the seven-time world champion had announced his return and was set to replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari from the next race in Valencia onwards.
Schumacher said Tuesday that medical tests had showed his neck wasn’t strong enough to withstand the physical demands of racing an F1 car.
“Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1 day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible,” he said.
Schumacher had admitted that concerns about his neck might derail his comeback plans after experiencing discomfort following a 67-lap test at Mugello in a 2007 Ferrari on July 31.
He pressed on with his physical preparations, losing 3kg in body weight and doing two days of karting in Italy last week, and was planning to get back behind the wheel of an F2007 on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old said further medical checks on Monday afternoon had revealed that the neck problems were persisting.
“I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races,” he said.
F1: Return of the king Schumacher hit by neck injury
Michael Schumacher’s comeback to Formula One later this month has been placed into doubt because of a lingering neck injury, media reports said Thursday.
The seven-time world champion is due to replace stricken Ferrari driver Felipe Massa in the European Grand Prix in Valencia later this month, but his spokesperson Sabine Kehm told ZDF television in Germany that the injury could wreck his return.
“He’s still not absolutely certain that his neck will hold up. His return depends on medical examinations which have yet to take place. Only after these tests will it be clear if he can drive,” Kehm was quoted on the station’s official Web site www.zdf.de.
“Michael is 100 per cent committed to his return,” added Kehm, who is regarded as one of Schumacher’s inner circle.
“All in all, the training is going pretty well, although I have to admit my neck pinches a bit, Schumacher himself flagged up the problem on his own personal Web site www.michaelschumacher.de.
“We have to get a grip on that as health has priority. That’s the clear arrangement made with Ferrari and, by the way, with my wife (Corinna), too.”
The 40-year-old picked up the injury in a motorcycle spill in February and he was troubled by the niggle while testing the 2007 Ferrari last weekend.
“It’s incredible how much support I have been getting from all over the world. It feels as if a flush of positive energy is coming over me.
“I accepted the challenge and as you all know I love challenges. It seems as if my fans love them too.”
Meanwhile, Massa is on the road to recovery after returning to his native Brazil following his horror crash in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The 28-year-old was checked over at a hospital in Sao Paolo and told he did not require any further surgery after fracturing his skull in the 200kph crash.
“Felipe has had a remarkable recovery,” said his personal doctor Dino Altmann.
