Toyota’s Pascal Vasselon on Formula One, 2009 style

Next week the teams begin their on-track preparations for the 2009 Formula One season, which sees some of the most far-reaching rule changes in recent years. Tighter aerodynamic regulations, the return of slick tyres, the arrival of adjustable front wings and the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) are all set to make cars sleeker and overtaking easier. It means a busy winter ahead for the designers and engineers, but Pascal Vasselon, Toyota’s senior general chassis manager, is relishing the challenge…



Q: Looking ahead to next year, can you explain the reason for the changes to the aerodynamic regulations?
Pascal Vasselon: The regulation change basically targets three main objectives: the first one is to give drivers a better opportunity to overtake, the second is to limit the performance of the cars and restrict the constant increase in speeds and the third is to give the car a cleaner appearance by removing small aerodynamic devices such as winglets, turning vanes and chimneys.

Q: How will the cars' appearance change?
PV: One of the key elements of this regulation change was a desire to alter the appearance of the cars and make them look cleaner. Currently, the appearance of the cars has not been dictated purely by aerodynamic considerations; instead we have worked within what we call 'legality boxes'. These are specific areas of the car where additional downforce-generating devices are permitted. Their location is not driven purely by physics because when race car design is driven simply by aerodynamic efficiency you end up with nice, flowing shapes - not winglets etc. The regulations for next year are written in a way that means we will not see these kinds of devices.

Q: How do the new aerodynamic regulations aim to make overtaking easier?
PV: The aim of these new regulations is to make the cars less aerodynamically-sensitive to the wake of the car in front; that is the air disturbance immediately behind a car travelling at speed. This has been addressed with a two-pronged approach from the Overtaking Working Group. The first target is to make the wake of a Formula One car less disruptive to the car behind and the second is to make aerodynamic performance less sensitive to wake.

Q: Why are slick tyres returning to Formula One racing?
PV: The slick tyres are another aspect of the new regulations designed to facilitate overtaking and they play a major part in this whole concept. In order to facilitate overtaking you need to alter the current situation where the wake of a car has a very detrimental effect on the performance of the car behind. But you can also change the balance between aerodynamic performance and mechanical grip in order to limit the drop in performance suffered by the car behind. Improving mechanical grip was an important aspect of this set of regulations, obviously tyre grip is not altered in the wake of another car, and slick tyres, because they provide more grip than grooved tyres, contribute to this.

Q: What are the implications of the adjustable front wing?
PV: The adjustable front wing is another change which contributes to reducing the impact of wake on a car's performance. One of the characteristics of a car following another is to lose front downforce and end up with understeer. The new regulations have tried to minimise that but it will still exist. So the other possibility is to offer the driver an active change to the car's balance and the easiest way to achieve this is to make the front wing adjustable. This means that if a car is experiencing understeer when following another car, the driver can add some flap angle to the front wing to improve the balance. The target again is to limit the performance drop experienced when following another car closely, and to improve the chances of overtaking. But in circumstances when a driver is not following another car, he will also be able to take advantage of the adjustable wing to compensate potential balance issues in certain corners. The drivers will certainly be kept busy next year!

Q: How much of a challenge is it to deal with these regulation changes?
PV: Obviously it is a challenge because we are talking about a very large regulation change. But I have to say it has been a really interesting and exciting challenge, especially given our team's situation. We are still a young team in Formula One terms and we have been playing catch-up with other teams who were more experienced in dealing with the regulations. Now, with these new regulations, everyone has reset to zero in terms of experience with the new regulations so all teams are starting from scratch. We have given full freedom to the creativity of our team members, without imposing any restrictions, and the results have been really rewarding. It is an enjoyable challenge to face.

Q: Is there more anticipation than usual to see which solutions are adopted by other teams?
PV: We are all looking forward to seeing what the new cars look like because all teams have been working without references to the others, so we can expect more differences than we have seen in the last years - even though the regulations are far more restrictive than before. Within what is left we should be able to see very different solutions.

Q: Are the lessons you have learnt this year in terms of aerodynamics applicable to the 2009 car as well?
PV: Part of our better understanding of the aero performance of a Formula One car is transferrable but the understanding of specific items on the TF108 is not, it is as simple as that. The regulations are different enough to mean that our knowledge of how to get the best performance from a turning vane, for example, will not be especially relevant to the 2009 car.

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Exclusive Kubica Q&A: consistency key to ’09 title challenge

For a while in 2008 it seemed Robert Kubica might achieve the impossible. Midway through the season he had won a race and was vying for the championship with Hamilton, Massa and Raikkonen. Then somehow the challenge faded. Kubica cannot yet explain why, but he is certain that BMW Sauber will find the answers and that they can push McLaren and Ferrari even harder in 2009. In the meantime, he’s content to keep busy over the winter break developing his own kart chassis…

Q: Robert, the last time we spoke was before qualifying in China and you were still in the frame for the title. Ultimately in Brazil, however, you slipped to fourth behind Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. How do you explain that?
Robert Kubica: Without going into the details, I think that several circumstances worked against me, especially in the last two races. I do not have a clear picture yet of what happened, but clearly something went wrong.

Q: Knowing your determination to succeed, the last two races in Shanghai and Sao Paolo must have been hard to swallow…
RK: I am fine, since I think that from my side I have not done anything that has contributed to this disappointing end to the season. Also, we should not forget that in Singapore I lost a lot of points purely due to bad luck…

Q: BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen always said that the team would be ready to fight for the championship in 2009. Did it seem like a dream when you found yourself in that position a year early?
RK: I don’t think so. My job is driving to the best of my ability while avoiding mistakes. The rest is not really in my hands. Of course I need a competitive car and good strategies in order to win races, which simply means a lot of good people behind me. In the early part of this season we had excellent reliability and strong pace, which brought me to the unexpected position of leading after seven races. In 2009 we will need to replicate that period, but over the entire season. It won’t be easy, since we will face a lot of new factors and in our case also the KERS issue, which is a concern for all the ‘heavy’ drivers like me.

Q: Did you get carried away by the possibility of making the impossible happen this season?
RK: If I considered it impossible, I’d rather change my job…

Q: In Brazil and China you lacked the pace to make it through to Q2 in qualifying. Where did the speed go - and why was Nick Heidfeld not equally affected?
RK: To be frank, I have no clue. In both races I was quite happy with my car in the first free practice and quite the opposite in all the following sessions. The technical debriefings could not really give an answer to this strange situation.

Q: Before those problems, you had a discussion with Mario in Monza about losing performance. Did you sit down again and discuss the Shanghai/Sao Paolo situation?
RK: I do not comment on our internal conversations.

Q: Reflecting on the season as a whole, what is your assessment?
RK: I have been on the podium seven times and have scored points 14 times. Altogether it was a good season. And of course I am happy for my contribution as a driver to the first win of the BMW Sauber team.

Q: How will 2008’s late-season setbacks affect the team’s 2009 schedule? Is the ’08 car history and the F1.09 a completely new beast, or do you fear some of the F1.08’s shortcomings could be carried over to next season?
RK: I do not have sufficient information to give you an answer.

Q: We have Lewis Hamilton as drivers’ champion and Ferrari as constructors’ champions. Do you believe this was a representative result? And who was your favourite?
RK: I think Ferrari had a very good ‘team players’ attitude and deserved the constructors’ title and Lewis certainly deserved his drivers’ championship. Congratulations to both of them.

Q: After a long season everybody is taking a break. Where are you headed?
RK: There’ll be no holidays for me since I am quite busy with my project for a new go-kart chassis that I want to introduce for competition hopefully next season.

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Lorenzo: `No pressure for title win in 2009´

2008 Rookie of the Year claims no onus on him to take the MotoGP World Championship in his second year.

He played down his title chances in 2008 before a stunning start to his rookie season in MotoGP and, despite establishing himself as one of the top riders in the premier class, Jorge Lorenzo is still adamant that there is no pressure to pick up the World Championship crown in his sophomore year.

`There have been no objectives set out, and nobody is demanding that we win the title,´ says the 21 year-old. `I think that if I can improve my results then it will be an extraordinary season.´

Lorenzo will not be using the complete 2009 Fiat Yamaha package until February, leaving him just six days with which to familiarise himself with a new engine before the opening Grand Prix of the year.

The latest version of the Yamaha M1, modified with the principle intention of giving better power delivery when cornering, is being worked on in Japan, although Lorenzo has plenty with which to get accustomed at this month´s Official Test in Jerez.

`I have only had the chance to try the new bike for a day, with the intention of adjusting to the new regulations,´ said the Spaniard of his first run with Bridgestone tyres after a year with Michelin.

`The bike isn´t working perfectly, so in Jerez we will be working above all with the chassis, now that we won´t have the engine until Sepang.´

Another novelty set to come is a new racing number for the former two-time 250cc World Champion, who is retiring his `48´ for the beginning of a new era. Having narrowed the options down to two -23 and 99- with the help of Spanish newspaper readers, Lorenzo is now taking his time to settle on the final figure.

`We´ve done some tests to see how the two would be aesthetically, but the decision will be made further down the line. We will definitely make the choice in January.´

In the meantime, the factory rider is bringing the `Loren-show´ to the world of four wheels, competing in the Monza Rally this weekend. Like his MotoGP aspirations, the chances of a good result are being played down in the run-up to his rally debut.

`It´s an opportunity to have a fun three days on four wheels. I had a little incident in practice on Thursday that made me realise that it is a little more stable than a bike,´ he explained. `It´s just for enjoyment and, as there are plenty of riders with more experience than myself, I´m sure to finish near last. My goal is to complete the race.´

The Monza Rally takes place this weekend in Italy.

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How to keep fit for MotoGP riding

Video footage looking at how some riders stay in shape for competition at the highest level.

MotoGP riding is demanding work, with the 800cc machines requiring those onboard to be in peak condition. That means plenty of dedicated training time away from the track, both anaerobic and aerobic, in order to muscle the bikes around the World Championship tracks during a race weekend.

Although he slimmed down for the move to MotoGP, James Toseland is still a keen advocate of strength training for premier class racing. The Briton can also be frequently found running the track before the opening practice session of a Grand Prix event, putting the finishing touches to his cardiovascular preparations.

`Cycling, running, rowing, any cardiovascular work is really important, because when you´re riding with your leathers and helmet on in over 35 degrees it gets a bit warm and you do need to be generally fit,´ says the Tech 3 Yamaha man, fully aware that in order to give it `full gas´ one needs to have plenty in the tank.

`Strength wise it is just a personal preference really; if you personally don´t feel that you´re strong enough to get the bike round like you want to then you´ve got to work on your strength a bit.´

When away from the circuit, whether it be between races or during the winter break, training takes on a new importance for the riders, as Toseland explains.

`When not racing it gets your gym fitness levels back up to where you want them to be, but because there is so much riding in MotoGP you get bike fit and riding fit so that is the main thing that you do.´

`You´ve got to keep the training up in the gym but while you´re riding it doesn´t matter because you keep fit with the bike.´

Follow Toseland and former MotoGP riders Sylvain Guintoli & Shinya Nakano in the accompanying video of their preparations.

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Renault visit New Delhi for first Indian Roadshow

After visits to Johannesburg, Kiev and most recently Lisbon, Renault travelled to New Delhi in India at the weekend to demonstrate their cars as part of their 2008 Roadshow programme.





Following several weeks of preparation in close collaboration with Renault India, the demonstration saw Nelson Piquet and Renault third driver Lucas Di Grassi take to the streets of the Indian capital in a first for the team and for the residents of New Delhi, who showed great support for the event.

In all 120,000 people turned out for the spectacular show that saw Piquet and Di Grassi showcase F1 power around a specially-designed 1.2 kilometre track that took the cars along the famous Rajpath Road, through the heart of the Indian capital from the India Gate to the Janpath Road.

"It was my first visit to India and I have to say that I have been really amazed,” said Piquet. “I hope that our demonstration entertained the fans and that they enjoyed the day as much as I did. I'm really happy to have been involved with this event, which was important for Renault, for ING and for India, which is becoming more and more interested in Formula One."

Di Grassi added: "It was also my first trip to India and even though I have not been able to see an awful lot of the country, I have to say that I've really enjoyed being here. We have been really warmly welcomed and I hope that the public now have a better understanding of the true potential of a Formula One car."

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The 2008 Season Review - Part Two

Maiden win puts Kubica, BMW Sauber firmly in the title hunt

They’d been threatening to do it all season and in June BMW Sauber finally made the breakthrough. With Lewis Hamilton’s wrecked McLaren and Kimi Raikkonen’s injured Ferrari sat at the end of the Montreal pit lane, Robert Kubica took full advantage to score his and his team’s first win. In the second part of our season review we go from Canada to Valencia, a period that also included a maiden victory for McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen and David Coulthard’s last F1 podium…



June:
Good news for Max Mosley ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix as he wins the FIA’s backing in a vote of confidence to remain President. On track in Montreal a bad Saturday for Toro Rosso sees both cars crashing out of final practice. Sebastian Vettel is forced to miss qualifying, while Sebastien Bourdais gets a gearbox penalty. Luck, however, is on Lewis Hamilton’s side as he has the best of starts to his weekend, securing a dominant pole for McLaren from an on-pace Robert Kubica in the BMW Sauber

A win for Hamilton looks likely until he runs into the back of Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari at the end of the pit lane as the Finn sits at a red light waiting for the safety car to pass. Nico Rosberg makes the same mistake and both he and Hamilton are given grid penalties for the next round. The incident consigns all three drivers to an early retirement. With Hamilton out, BMW Sauber capitalise, with Kubica leading a historic one-two to take his and team’s first win and the lead of the championship. Red Bull’s David Coulthard is also in high spirits after securing what would prove to be the final podium of his F1 career.

Toyota arrive at the French Grand Prix in mourning following the death of former team boss Ove Andersson in a classic car event. There’s also unrest in the Magny-Cours pit lane over the FIA’s plans for huge hike in the cost of Super licenses. Neither, however, does much to distract Raikkonen, who takes Ferrari’s 200th pole position ahead of team mate Felipe Massa.

On top of Hamilton’s 10-place drop for his Canadian misdemeanour, team mate Heikki Kovalainen drops five for blocking during qualifying and it’s no surprise that neither McLaren makes it on to the France podium. It’s Massa that eventually collars a fortuitous victory, sneaking past a dominant Raikkonen when his car is beset with exhaust problems. Jarno Trulli gives Toyota their first podium in two seasons, whilst Piquet overcomes his difficult start to the season to pick up the first points of his F1 career.

With a two-week break before the British race everyone’s attention refocuses on the sport’s long-term future, as the FIA announces plans to involve teams in a major review of the running of Formula One. Revised technical regulations aimed at cutting costs by up to half are amongst the suggestions mooted.

July:
The driver market’s first movements are confirmed ahead of the British Grand Prix, as veteran Scot Coulthard announces his retirement and Red Bull extend team mate Mark Webber’s contract. There’s a surprise change to the sport’s future calendar too, with Donington Park taking the place of Silverstone from 2010.

Webber celebrates his new deal by clinching Red Bull’s maiden front-row grid slot, alongside the equally happy Kovalainen, who takes his first ever F1 pole. Typical British weather hampers both drivers in the race, however, and it’s an unstoppable Hamilton who excels in the treacherous wet conditions to win in front of his home crowd. Exhausted but happy, the British driver describes it as ‘the toughest win of my career’.

With Massa, Raikkonen and Kubica all struggling to get a similar handle on the wet track after making poor tyre choices, there are podiums for BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld and Honda’s Rubens Barrichello. At the top of the drivers’ table it couldn’t be closer, with Hamilton, Massa and Raikkonen tied at the top and Kubica just two points adrift. And just as their on-track skirmishes are heating up, Ferrari and McLaren officially draw an end to their off-track hostilities over the 2007 spy scandal.

At the German Grand Prix a fortnight later, Hamilton secures another win, despite poor luck with the timing of the safety car, prompted by another big shunt for Toyota’s Timo Glock. Piquet also maximizes his race following Glock’s accident to score his maiden podium. Other big stories at Hockenheim are BMW’s one-off revival of the popular M1 Procar support series, with Niki Lauda amongst the drivers, and news that Vettel will partner Webber at Red Bull in 2009.

As July draws to a close, technical preparations for next season take centre stage. But during testing the safety of the proposed KERS systems are called in to question when a BMW Sauber mechanic suffers minor injuries from an electric shock.

August:
After several unseasonably wet races, the paddock is glad of some sunshine at the Hungarian Grand Prix. McLaren lock out the front row, but it’s Massa who takes charge of the race until a failed engine three laps from home hands the advantage to Kovalainen. With team mate Hamilton ruled out of contention by earlier tyre problems, the Finn is thrilled to secure a maiden victory.

Glock bounces back from his German crash to clinch his first podium, ahead of a disappointed Raikkonen in third. Renault continue to show promise with fourth and sixth for Alonso and Piquet. A few days later the French team mourn the death from cancer of Dino Toso, the aerodynamicist behind their 2005 and 2006 title-winning cars.

With the next round, the European Grand Prix, to be held at an all-new track, the teams find it difficult to relax during the three-week summer break. The Valencia Street Circuit is met with enthusiasm, especially by Bridgestone, who celebrate their 200th race appearance.

Massa is quickest to master it, beating Hamilton to pole and also prevailing in the race. Despite predictions of multiple safety-car periods, it is a largely uneventful afternoon, the only real drama coming courtesy of two slip-ups by Ferrari. Firstly Massa almost collides with Adrian Sutil’s Force India after an unsafe release from his pit stop, and then Raikkonen exits his second stop with the fuel hose still attached to his F2008, before his engine fails.

Despite all the commotion, a win is still a win, and the result sees Massa (64 points) move clear of third-place Raikkonen (57) in the standings, while leader Hamilton (70) sees his advantage reduced to six. Ferrari continue to lead the constructors’ championship with 121, from McLaren (113) and BMW Sauber (96), but the Italian team’s celebrations are subdued following news from America that the team’s first world champion, Phil Hill, has died of Parkinson’s disease, aged 81.

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Mercedes, Ferrari hold end-of-season celebrations

McLaren engine partners Mercedes held their annual Stars & Cars Day in Germany this weekend, marking the end of their motorsport season and heralding the success of 2008 drivers’ champion Lewis Hamilton. Meanwhile, the Ferrari World Finals at Mugello saw the Italian team celebrating their 2008 constructors’ title.




Over 70,000 visitors, including world boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, were present at Mercedes-Benz World in Stuttgart to welcome Hamilton for a day of festivities, on and off the track. Hamilton greeted the crowd in German, saying “Guten morgen Stuttgart, alles klar?” (Good morning Stuttgart, everything ok?).

Switching to his native English, the British driver added: “In 2007, I was able to celebrate together with many thousands of spectators being runner-up after only one year in Formula One. Today, one year later, and with 72,000 visitors, we celebrate the world championship. It’s absolutely crazy how many people came today and I hope everybody had fun - I had it, that’s for sure.”

At Mugello, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa received an equally rapturous reception as they completed several Formula One demonstration laps as well as some pit stops. Michael Schumacher also took to the circuit in his Ferrari FXX supercar, accompanied by official tester Luca Badoer.

Overseeing proceedings was Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, who admitted that the tense final lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix, which saw Massa lose the drivers’ title by a single point, had taken its toll on his television as he hit it in frustration.

"I broke the television, I must tell the truth," Di Montezemolo told the press. "When a television breaks it makes a terrible bang. My daughter in the other room was given an awful fright. Luckily we had another television so I was able to watch the podium ceremony, which I enjoyed."

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Red Bull MotoGP Academy compete in Spanish Championship event

Academy trio place sixth, seventh and eighteenth at penultimate round of CEV Buckler in Valencia.

The Red Bull MotoGP Academy riders were in action at the penultimate round of the CEV Buckler Spanish Championship in Valencia on Sunday, further gaining experience with the intention of a World Championship assault in the near future.

The highest finisher for the Academy was American rider Cameron Beaubier, on his way to the factory KTM team on the world stage in 2009. Beaubier further familiarised himself with the Austrian machinery in a mixed weekend, starting well before experiencing rear tyre problems. Despite his difficulties, Beaubier placed sixth in the Spanish event.

Just behind was fellow Red Bull MotoGP Academy teen Danny Kent, whose race was almost a polar opposite to that of his colleague. Kent started badly due to a clutch problem, before picking up his pace in the latter part of the race. The Briton put in his fastest lap on the penultimate time around the Valencia track, taking him up to seventh.

Participating in another European race was JD Beach, newly-incorporated into the youth initiative and winner of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Beach placed eighteenth from twenty-second on the grid.

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Agostini untroubled by Rossi record-breaking

MotoGP Legend pays tribute to 2008 MotoGP World Champion.

A MotoGP legend and a man regarded by some as the greatest rider of all time, Giacomo Agostini saw his premier class win record broken by Valentino Rossi at this year´s race in Indianapolis. The previous milestone of 67 had been matched by the 2008 MotoGP World Champion at the preceding race in Misano.

Another attendee at the EICMA show in Milan, Agostini revealed that Rossi´s taking his record for that particular honour had not made him overly concerned, and took the opportunity to remind fans of his other achievements in a barbed bouquet of sorts.

`Regarding records, I congratulated him on beating mine because I wasn´t that bothered about it. I won 123 world championship races, 13 world titles and 301 races in total, they´re the numbers I´m interested in,´ said Agostini wryly. `Valentino asked me if it was okay to overtake me if he ever beat that and it was nice to be so well respected like that from someone like him.´

Rossi also joined Agostini in becoming the only riders to win premier class World Championships with a two-year gap between title triumphs. Although the MotoGP Legend was full of praise for the achievements by the man regarded as his natural successor –both in terms of success and charisma- he would not commit to whether this would be the start of another era of Rossi dominance.

`It´s difficult to find the words to describe Valentino. This was one of his best ever seasons and he did it coming back from some difficult moments and that makes it even more special.

Valentino is incredibly talented and has lots of experience, which probably made the difference this year. However, Casey Stoner can´t be ignored after what he did in 2007. I also think we´ll discover two new riders who will take them on: Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo. Watch out for them,´ warned the Italian.

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Capirossi takes podium finish in rally event

Rizla Suzuki rider finishes third in weekend event, whilst Team Manager Paul Denning fails to place in the final standings.

Loris Capirossi left England on Sunday with some new silverware for his trophy cabinet, after a podium finish in a one-off rally appearance. Capirossi took third place in the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup event, held in Aldershot on Saturday.

The Rizla Suzuki star was ably assisted by co-driver Craig Thorley behind the wheel of a Suzuki Swift, adorned with his customary 65 racing number. Capirossi eventually finished just 14 seconds off the final time recorded by rally and championship winner Mark Gamble.

Capirossi´s performance also took him to ninth in the two-wheel drive section of the Tempest Rally, which ran alongside the Swift Cup. Team Manager Paul Denning was unable to challenge his charge in his own moonlighting appearance, having been disqualified from the rally for not returning to the stage within the permitted time limit after pitching his car into a roadside ditch. He and co-driver Jemma Bellingham later participated in the final stages of the event.

For Capirossi, the Suzuki Swift Rally had been an enjoyable race weekend, although the ever-competitive MotoGP veteran still felt that he could have taken victory.

`It has been a great day and it was really fun to do the rally. I took my time in the early stages as I got used to driving on the loose surfaces and in the forests, it was certainly very different from the wide-open tracks that I am used to in MotoGP!´ joked the Italian.

`As I got more confident with the car my times improved and I was able to go a lot quicker. I think if we could have done a couple more stages I might have caught the leader, but I am really pleased with third in my first rally. It was a shame that Paul crashed out, because I think our times were very close and it would have been good to have had that extra bit of competition with him, but I think I would have beaten him anyway!´

Denning took the defeat in good spirits, stating afterwards that: `With Loris, I suppose it was slightly inevitable that one of us was going to crash trying to beat the other, and I think it was even more inevitable that it was going to be me!

` Well done to Loris for his podium position, it's a good end to 2008 and I hope we taste some more champagne on two wheels in 2009!´

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Dovizioso plays down Pedrosa tension

New Repsol Honda rider says there is plenty of time in which to gel with teammate Dani Pedrosa.

Andrea Dovizioso´s move to Repsol Honda has been a big talking point for World Championship observers, eager not only to see what the Italian can do with a first factory ride in MotoGP but how his relationship will be with new teammate Dani Pedrosa. The Italian has been described as `just another rival´ by Pedrosa´s manager Alberto Puig, but Dovizioso is keen to emphasise that there is no bad feeling in the Honda camp.

Speaking at the EICMA motorcycle exhibition in Milan last week, Dovizioso played down any initial tension between the duo, although he admitted that the relationship was not in full stride just yet.

`Dani is a former 125cc and 250cc World Champion and a great rider, but first of all he is a good guy, probably even shyer than I am. Maybe this is the reason why we don´t have a great feeling yet, but we will have a lot of time to know each other,´ said the rider about to enter his sophomore year in the premier class. `I think right now he is not reaching his level on the road, maybe also because of his manager..´

A considered approach to his goals for 2009 includes beating his teammate, especially with only a year to prove himself as a factory rider, but Dovizioso is primarily concerned with his own performances over the course of the year.

`To finish ahead of Dani would be important, and I am confident about my chances, but I will be mainly focused on stepping on the podium any time I can, being consistent with my new Honda HRC throughout the season,´ says the 22 year-old, who took his first rostrum finish in Malaysia last month.

The former 250cc runner-up also gave his thoughts on 2008´s top two in the premier class, with an intriguing insider view on Valentino Rossi´s return to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing.

`Valentino and I are friends, and we get along with each other very well. Valentino managed to win the title in a season in which Casey Stoner was usually the fastest rider on the circuit. This means that sometimes regularity is even more important than speed. Valentino's driving style has changed a lot since he switched to Yamaha, he is focusing more on precision. I try to learn a lot from my colleagues, and firstly from great champions like Valentino.´

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Vortech

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Vortech Rebuild Kits / Parts

VORTECH V-1, V-2, V-4, V-5, V-7, V-9 / F-trim, G-trim, S-trim, T-trim, XX-trim, etc. rebuild kit, 2 input shaft and 2 precision thrust output shaft bearings and 2 shaft oil seals. Specify model when ordering….. $250 (ABEC-5, thrust rebuild kit, 48K RPM $350 (ABEC-7, thrust rebuild kit, 59K RPM) $550 (ABEC-9, Ceramic thrust rebuild kit, 65K RPM) Vortech Replacement Seals $65 (input and output shaft seals, please specify model #) Vortech Replacement Seal $35 (input shaft seal) Vortech Replacement Seal $35 (output shaft seal)

Vortech Head Units

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Price: $125

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Cecchinello: `De Puniet just needs more consistency´

LCR Honda expecting more consistency from rider and more support from Japanese factory in 2009.

LCR Honda had a mixed bag of results in 2008 with rider Randy de Puniet, the flying Frenchman with an unfortunate tendency to push his satellite RC212V to just the wrong side of its limit. For the first time since the satellite team arrived in MotoGP back in 2006, Lucio Cecchinello´s outfit will maintain their current rider for a second season, with more stable performances a clear objective for next year.

`We have to work hard on our working system with Randy for the races,´ says Team Principal Cecchinello. `Randy is a good rider, and he listens –which is very important. He´s fast and easy to manage, and the small area in which we think that he can improve is in consistency; if he can do this then next season will be very interesting.´

The only Honda/Michelin team to run Ohlins suspension –typically used by Bridgestone riders- in 2008, LCR Honda will have the benefit of data for the switch to a single tyre brand. The team will continue with the partnership for the coming season, seeing no reason to change another variable from the past year.

`We will carry on working with Ohlins, as we need to capitalise on our experience. We will definitely get more support from them and more support from Honda. So we hope that we can enhance our performance on the technical side as well.´

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Gresini looking forward to stronger 2009

San Carlo Honda Gresini expecting improvement with addition of `factory´ RC212V for Toni Elias.

Fausto Gresini welcomed two new riders into his Honda satellite team in 2008, one of whom will continue with the outfit in the upcoming campaign. Alex de Angelis will stay on for a second year onboard a RC212V and, although Shinya Nakano has not been kept on for 2009, Gresini is still reasonably satisfied with the past season.

`I´m happy that we have completed another season, and that we are able to stay in MotoGP for another year,´ says the former rider. `I want to thank everybody that worked with us in 2008. 2009 will be a new year, a different situation, with a good bike and good sponsors behind us.´

De Angelis´ rookie season with an 800cc bike was not plain sailing, as after finding consistency in 250cc the previous year he returned to finding a bike´s limits in the hardest fashion. Gresini admits that there were more falls for his San Marino rider than he would have liked, but remains convinced that De Angelis is a rough diamond waiting to shine.

`This year Alex had a lot of crashes, which isn´t good for confidence in your first year in MotoGP. However, he´s been improving and has been fast.´

The last satellite team to take a victory in the premier class, San Carlo Honda Gresini have always been high up the chain for receiving new parts. In 2009 they will field what will effectively be a third factory bike, to be used by returning rider Toni Elias.

`Honda are supporting my team a lot,´ says Gresini. `We have a new machine for Toni to use, and we´ll be a more powerful presence next season.´

Elias will have the new bike at his disposal as of the first 2009 test in Sepang, held on January 21st-23rd. Before then the Spaniard will be using the latest spring valve engine satellite bike, developed by Nakano in the latter part of 2008.

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Yamano: `Immediate improvement required´ for 2009 title challenge

Repsol Honda Team Manager reflects on 2008 campaign and Dani Pedrosa´s critical Sachsenring crash.

Falling short in their attempts to regain the MotoGP World Championship in 2008, Repsol Honda Manager Kazuhiko Yamano has targeted speedy work to prepare for 2009. The Japanese boss recalls the 2008 season –his first in the managerial role- with some degree of satisfaction, and has set out a plan for improvement over preseason.

`We were working towards the goal of taking back the title but, as everyone knows, we weren´t able to achieve this. There was something in the way for us, but we have learnt from the experience in many ways,´ says Yamano.

`Now we are trying to improve, and we have to do so immediately with some of the things that we haven´t been able to get to the bottom of this year.´

Whether an individual title would have been possible for Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa in different circumstances remains something of an incognito –and also a moot point now that the trophy has already been won and awarded. Yamano pinpoints the Spaniard´s crash at Sachsenring, when leading both the race and the standings, as the key moment for the team´s fortunes.

`Dani´s crash has been the most difficult part of the year,´ he says of the fall that left his rider out of action in the following round at Laguna Seca. `The injury was hard for the team, but I consider all experiences –both positive and negative- to be ultimately positive.´

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Getting ready for 2009: Ducati at the Valencia test

Video footage and interviews from Ducati´s five-strong lineup at the recent Valencia post-race test.

Five Ducati riders were on-track for the first day of post-season testing in Valencia late last month, as the Italian factory´s 2009 project took shape. Factory riders Casey Stoner & Nicky Hayden, Alice satellite duo Niccolo Canepa & Mika Kallio and Onde 2000 returnee Sete Gibernau all put in miles onboard their respective Desmosedici models, and gave their thoughts on the experience after the dry day one. Watch footage from the test and hear from the riders in the accompanying video.

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January launch for 2009 BMW Sauber

BMW Sauber have scheduled the roll-out of their 2009 car for January 20 of next year. The F1.09 will make its first public appearance in testing at Valencia in Spain.

After scoring their maiden win this season and finishing a highly-competitive third in the constructors’ standings, BMW Sauber hope the F1.09 turn them into genuine championship contenders next season.

The team believe that major changes to the Formula One regulations for 2009, including the return of slick tyres, aerodynamic restrictions and the introduction of KERS to recover waste energy from braking, could play into their hands.

“The challenges are big but we will stick to our ambitious goal: in 2009, we want to be one of the teams battling it out for the title,” BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen told the team’s official website.

Following the F1.09’s launch, it will participate in three further test sessions before the 2009 season kicks off in Australia on March 29.
The new BMW Sauber F1.08 is wheeled out for it's first run. BMW Sauber F1.08 Launch, BMW Welt, Munich, Germany, Monday 14 January 2008. World © Sutton (L to R): Robert Kubica (POL) BMW Sauber F1, Dr Mario Theissen (GER) BMW Sauber F1 Team Principal, Willi Rampf (SUI) BMW Sauber Technical Director and Nick Heidfeld (GER) BMW Sauber F1 with the new BMW Sauber F1.08. BMW Sauber F1.08 Launch, BMW Welt, Munich, Germany, Monday 14 January 2008. World © Sutton

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Theissen: BMW Sauber will fight for title in 2009

After watching Ferrari clinch the constructors’ crown and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton take his first drivers’ title at the weekend, BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen has refocused his ambitious sights on the 2009 season. Theissen believes BMW Sauber will step out of the shadows cast by their more experienced rivals to become bona fide title contenders next year.

“With immediate effect we will fully focus on the BMW Sauber F1.09,” said Theissen on the team’s official website. “After all, after the season is before the season. The challenges are big but we will stick to our ambitious goal: in 2009, we want to be one of the teams battling it out for the title.”

BMW Sauber finished the 2008 championship third on 135 points to Ferrari’s 172 and McLaren’s 151. However, Theissen believes that wide-ranging changes to the 2009 regulations could bring about a shift in the standings, as teams adjust at different rates to the new rules.

“A shift in the balance of power on the 2009 Formula One grid is entirely possible,” explained Theissen. “In 2009, Formula One will have to face arguably the most dramatic rule changes in the history of the sport. Due to the aerodynamic restrictions, the appearance of the single-seaters will differ massively from this year's Formula One cars.

“To cut a long story short: the front will be bulkier, there won't be any winglets and superstructures in front of and on the side pods respectively - and the rear wing will be smaller and positioned higher. Furthermore, slicks will make their comeback. In addition, the introduction of the KERS technology for the recovery of brake energy is in the offing.”

And despite the obvious challenges of the 2009 season, Theissen is optimistic that BMW Sauber are on schedule with their development programme.

“In both Munich and Hinwil, we have been working flat-out on the developments for the coming season and the work on the different projects is progressing as scheduled, so far,” he added. “The roll-out of the BMW Sauber F1.09 has been scheduled for 20th January at Valencia. Afterwards, we will conduct three further tests before the 2009 season kicks off in Melbourne on 29th March.”
Dr Mario Theissen (GER) BMW Sauber F1 Team Principal. Formula One World Championship, Rd 18, Brazilian Grand Prix, Practice Day, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, 31 October 2008 Nick Heidfeld (GER) BMW Sauber F1, Dr Mario Theissen (GER) BMW Sauber F1 Team Principal and Robert Kubica (POL) BMW Sauber F1pose for photographers after being confirmed as BMW Sauber drivers for 2009. Formula One World Championship, Rd16, Japanese Grand Prix, Practice Day, Fuji Speedway, Friday, 10 October 2008 Robert Kubica (POL) BMW Sauber F1.08. Formula One World Championship, Rd 18, Brazilian Grand Prix, Qualifying Day, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, 1 November 2008

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Faster, more transparent stewards’ decisions in ‘09

The FIA has announced an overhaul to the stewarding system at Formula One events for next season, including a new replay system designed to ensure faster decisions.

Race stewards fell under the media spotlight several times this season, most notably following Lewis Hamilton’s 25-second time penalty for cutting a chicane whilst battling Kimi Raikkonen at Spa.

The new measures should not only mean most decisions are made during rather than after the race, they should also make the whole process clearer to the public, with explanations and video evidence posted on the internet after the race.

In addition, there will be stricter requirements concerning the eligibility of stewards, with the FIA planning to invite a number of trainee stewards to races in order to build-up their experience.

Full FIA statement:
During the 2008 season a review took place of the stewarding arrangements in F1. The current panel of stewards consists of two international stewards and one national steward, all of whom must be eligible for the FIA’s super licence. For 2009, the following updates will be made:

- Any national steward participating who is officiating for the first time will be required to ‘observe’ a minimum of one Grand Prix prior to their event.
- At five Grands Prix in 2009, a number of trainee Stewards, nominated by their ASN and selected by the FIA, will be invited to attend.
- Before each Grand Prix, a short CV of each steward will be posted on the FIA website.
- With the benefit of a new replay system available to the stewards, all incidents will be investigated and appropriate action taken during the race, unless it is essential to seek further evidence afterwards.
- Following the race, a short written explanation of steward’s decisions will be published on the FIA website. This will supplement the formal steward’s decision which largely defines the breach of the rules.
- Where appropriate, additional film evidence that the public may not have seen but which was reviewed by the stewards, will be made available on both the FIA and FOM websites.

Note: No former driver is excluded from seeking their ASN national stewarding licence and then, as with all of the existing stewards, if they gain the necessary level of experience in stewarding events at a national, regional and international level the FIA can consider them for a steward’s super licence.
Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari F2008 and Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren Mercedes MP4/23 battle for the lead of the race. Formula One World Championship, Rd 13, Belgian Grand Prix, Race, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, Sunday, 7 September 2008 A press release from the FIA announcing that Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren Mercedes has been given a 25 second penalty, relegating him to third position. Formula One World Championship, Rd 13, Belgian Grand Prix, Race, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, Sunday, 7 September 2008

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Alonso and Piquet to remain at Renault for 2009

Renault have announced an unchanged driver line-up for next season with Fernando Alonso signing a two-year extension for 2009 and 2010, and Nelson Piquet confirmed for a further season.

The news brings to an end speculation over the future of both drivers. Alonso had been linked to a possible move to Honda, while many had questioned whether Piquet would be retained after a difficult maiden season with the team.

"We are happy to confirm both Fernando and Nelson for next season," said the team’s Managing Director, Flavio Briatore. "This gives the ING Renault F1 Team one of the most exciting driver pairings with the perfect blend of youth and experience.

“Fernando's commitment for the next two seasons confirms the faith he has in the team and we are delighted to continue working with him. He has been a big asset throughout this difficult season and his leadership and talent, matched with the team's hard work and determination, have paid off with our recent performances, which have placed the ING Renault F1 Team back among the top competitors of Formula One."

Alonso returned to Renault in 2008 after a one-year hiatus with McLaren, having previously won his two world titles with the French squad in 2005 and 2006. Following a difficult start to the season, they came on strong in the latter races, with the Spaniard scoring unexpected wins in Singapore and Japan to help the team to fourth place in the constructors’ championship.

"I have decided to stay with the ING Renault F1 team because, as I have often repeated this season, they have always been my first choice and I feel very happy and comfortable with them,” said Alonso. “It's a very close-knit team with a competitive and winning mentality, and also a relaxed and warm attitude, which suits me perfectly."

"After a difficult start to the season, we have overcome our difficulties and constantly improved our performances. My back-to-back wins in Singapore and Japan, and my recent second place podium finish in Brazil, have proved how competitive we can be. In the past we have won championships together, as well as going through tough moments, but we are now determined to show that we can repeat that success together in the coming seasons."

Piquet’s rookie campaign with Renault featured nine retirements, but also included a podium finish in Germany and four other point-scoring finishes as his form steadily improved throughout the season.

"Obviously I am delighted to have the opportunity to race for the ING Renault F1 Team for a second year,” said the Brazilian. “Although I have had a tough year, I have learned a lot from my rookie season and I will aim to put that experience to good use next season. I want to thank the team for their support this year and for the trust they have shown in me for the future. I'm already excited about 2009 and looking forward to working with the team over the winter so that we can start next season strongly."

Alonso finished fifth in the 2008 driver standings on 61 points, while Piquet ended the season 12th with 19 points.

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Brno extends MotoGP contract until 2013

MotoGP will return to the Czech venue of Brno until at least 2013, thanks to an extension of the current agreement between the circuit´s owners and World Championship´s commercial rights-holders Dorna Sports.

It is a two-year extension deal on a contract which already covered the period up to 2011, meaning that MotoGP visits to Brno are assured for at least the next five years.

The Brno date is highly popular with the riders and supporters alike, and this year in August the Czech event was attended by massive crowds of nearly 240,000 over the course of the weekend.

The first ever Grand Prix held at Brno was in 1965 on the original 13.94 km long road circuit, with the current circuit introduced in 1987 and used every year since then with the exception of 1992.

In 2009 the Grand Prix Ceske Republiky will be held at the historic Brno track from 14th to 16th August and the event will be the 22nd time that the current circuit has hosted a Grand Prix.

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Montezemolo delighted with Ferrari's 16th constructors’ title

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has paid tribute to the Italian team and its drivers, Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, after the outfit claimed their 16th constructors’ title on Sunday in Brazil. The Italian team finished the season with 172 points to McLaren’s 151.

“Winning for the eighth time in 10 years - a feat unequalled at world level in any other team sport - proves beyond a shadow of a doubt what an extraordinary group we are,” said Montezemolo on the team’s official website. “We have two great drivers in Felipe and Kimi also, and they deserve all our compliments for a job well done.

“Felipe in particular is in my thoughts as he crossed the finish line yesterday as world champion only to see the title slip through his fingers a few seconds later. I can only imagine how painful that moment must have been for him. However, I would like to give him my very special compliments, not only for dominating the running out there on the track in front of his fans, proving he is worthy indeed of the world title, but also for his maturity and sportsmanship off the track. He's a great champion and a great man.”

Despite winning the Brazilian Grand Prix, Massa lost out on the drivers’ title by one point to McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton. Montezemolo, however, congratulated Hamilton for his world championship success, and praised the British driver’s performance over the course of the 2008 season.

“I would like to send my congratulations to Lewis Hamilton, the youngest ever world champion in the history of Formula One,” he added. “He was a very powerful rival indeed and his win, close though it was, was well deserved. He'll have the number one on his car next season, but he can rest assured of one thing: we'll be doing our very best to put it back on a Ferrari."

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