USF1 drama

I’ve been on a mental roller coaster with all of this USF1 team development, ups and even more downs!  The only strange thing was that we have had no anticipated dates for anything with the new North Carolina based team, which in Formula 1 is a huge confidence killer.  I was a believer though, the team passed several FIA inspections since they signed up for competition, and seemed to have the financial aspect locked down.  Jose Maria Lopez was going to be able to bring in 8 million dollars in sponsorship funds and with Youtube backing, it seemed to me that USF1 had its cards in a row.  However, teams should be able to have an estimate on when they can have every single stage of their project completed (at the very least!).  Even the FIA lacked confidence that the U.S. team would ever develop into something real, with the huge logistical nightmares of transporting racecars and equipment across the world, and the costs of doing so, it never seemed like anything more than a dream.  As of late Jose had been rumored to be in talks with other teams, Youtube and several other sponsors have also been said to have pulled away from the team, and the North Carolina based operation has been silent, only fueling rumors that its all over for our home team! 

That was yesterday.

 I read a report today that says Jose and his posse visited the USF1 headquarters and now have a better understanding of where the team stands and had a very positive meeting, and Peter Windsor saying that the team is very much alive, all I can say was the talks of the teams demise may have been a little premature!  Only Time will tell, but it will be soon with the pre season testing concluding today in Jerez, Spain (Jenson Button posting the fastest time of the day at his new McLaren-Mercedes home!).

Kimi Raikkonens new adventure and USF1

KIMI RAIKKONEN

I knew that Kimi had been released from Ferrari a year ahead of his contract, but I didn’t know that he was going to WRC until a good friend of mine told me.  So I looked into it and he is racing for Citroen, and apparently he loves it!  As I have heard from other former Formula 1 drivers, he is really enjoying not having the pressures F1, and really enjoys the  comradery of the drivers in Rally, as they are not competing against each other but they are against the clock.  All in all I think it was a good move for him, he failed to finish his first leg while ending with an accident.  He has proven himself to be an amazing driver and a great learner, so I believe he’ll make it from a driver on the junior team to the big time soon!

USF1

I don’t want to jump the gun here but rumours are circulating that the USF1 team is close to signing a second driver.  Adrian Valles who has driven in Formula 3, World Series, GP2, and a backup driver for the Spyker Formula 1 team is rumored to be getting close to a deal with the new United States based Formula 1 team, USF1.

Kimi Raikkonen picture from Mark McArdle, Adrian Valles picture from Thijs Bekkema

Honda Super GT, McLaren’s New Team and F1 Rules Changes

I don’t know if anyone cares, but these are a few things going on pre racing season that I am quite excited about.

Due to recent Super GT rules changes, Honda will be deleting the NSX from their GT500 class and instead be piloting their new/old/scrapped HSV-010, a 3.4 Litre V8, reportedly capable of producing 500hp and 289lb/ft torque.  This is going to be an exciting season to see how well Honda fares against the rivals that will be running equipment they’ve been able to test in the past!

One short note, McLaren unveiled its new mp4-25 F1 contender for the 2010 series. It is basically a complete redesign from last year to accommodate new rules changes, which I will discuss below.  I’m hearing very positive words coming from the McLaren camp about both their new driver, Jenson Button, and the new Mercedes powered race car.  This will be the first time in F1 history that a team with have both of the most recent world champions on the same team.  I am very excited to see Jenson finally get the respect I’ve said for years he deserves, he will be piloting the No. 1 car, ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton.

2010 Formula 1 Major Rules Changes

1. In-Race refueling will be banned, requiring teams to use larger fuel tanks

2. Use of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) was agreed upon by all teams to be removed for the 2010 season

3. Aerodynamic hubcaps banned

4. Wheel rim heaters banned

5. Front tire size reduced to a 245/55/r13 from last years 270/55/r13

6. Minimum vehicle weight increased from 605 kg (1,333 lbs) to 620 kg (1,366 lbs)

7. 13 teams and 26 cars will be on grid, which changes qualifying by knocking out 8 drivers (as opposed to 5) between Q1 and Q2, leaving 10 for Q3

8. Using second additional engine during a race weekend carries a 10 grid position penalty

Some of you may be thinking that the front tire size is a huge issue, but the 2009 season saw the reintroduction of slick tires, but they did not change any tire sizes.  So the change to a 245 width tire is simply to offset the difference in front grip with the change from grooved tires to slick tires. Also, the new Charlotte, NC based USF1 team will be debuting in Bahrain for the first race of the season and have already confirmed one driver, Argentinian, Jose Maria Lopez.

Honda picture from automobilemag.com and McLaren picture from telegraph.co.uk