Super Aguri had withdrawn from Formula One racing - that news broke this week and it came as a bitter blow to all those involved, but in particular to driver Anthony Davidson. After years of toil as a Honda tester, it was Super Aguri who finally gave Davidson a full-time race seat. As he prepares to spend the Turkish Grand Prix on the sidelines, the Briton discusses his reaction to recent events - and his belief that his F1 career is far from over…Here is an interview with Anthony Davidson on this occasion. (published on F1’s official web site)
Q: What was your initial reaction when you heard the news about the team?
- It wasn't a complete shock as we have all known how difficult things have been, but I'm obviously really disappointed that the team is unable to see out the rest of the season and beyond, and gutted not just for myself but for all the guys at the factory who have worked so hard.
Q: Have you spoken to the team since the news broke?
- Yes, I spoke to my engineer and a few people at the team this morning, and I have been at the factory in Leafield today.
Q: Looking over your time at the team, what have been the best moments, and the worst, other than our recent news?
- There have been a lot of good moments - being on the grid in Melbourne for the first time last year having waited so long for a race drive, and some very strong qualifying performances would be among my favourites. The worst moment was hearing that the team was withdrawing, and of course the infamous ground hog which cost me a top five result...
Q: What do you think made Super Aguri team so special?
- It was a small team, but with a lot of passion. The team has always worked incredibly hard, and I think this year the guys showed great dedication and loyalty to keep fighting especially given the uncertainty over the future.
Q: What is in store for you now?
- After several years as a test driver in F1 I’m glad that I had the chance to show that I can race and to prove my speed, and I’m grateful to the team and Honda for the opportunity. Although it's a difficult time of the year to find an alternative option as most plans are finalised and the season is well underway, I’m glad I took the opportunity to compete again this year and strongly believe that I have unfinished business in Formula One.
Q: And finally, Super Aguri fans in their thousands have sent messages of good will and support to the team in Leafield. Do you have a message for the fans around the world?
- The SAF1 Team fans have always been brilliant and I would like to thank them for their incredible support. The many messages that we have received have been very much appreciated.
The Italian press believes Ferrari is set to dominate the 2008 season. Despite officials for the Maranello based team's rivals McLaren and BMW playing down the gap following Ferrari's second consecutive one-two victory on Sunday, the sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport insists that the "dominance" of the scarlet F2008 at Barcelona was "impressive"."Not a single mistake was committed," - Gazzetta added. "McLaren and BMW are far away. After Spain, the 2008 world championship could be over."
Corriere dello Sport said of championship leader Kimi Raikkonen: "The Finn is objectively the only true candidate for the title. As in the past, this championship could become 'formula boredom'."
The Turin-based national newspaper Tuttosport added: "Raikkonen and Massa conquered Spain and demonstrated Ferrari's absolute power.The advantage over their rivals is almost embarrassing, even though Stefano Domenicali has called for restraint. Raikkonen had the race totally under control, and Massa actively supported him. This is his role, even if he does not want to admit it."
Rome-newspaper Il Messaggero wrote: "The Ferrari conductors are trying to curb the enthusiasm, but it is obvious that Ferrari's lead over McLaren and BMW is great."
And now BMW-Sauber, and probably other formula one teams, will shortly experiment with the new 'nose hole' innovation that featured on the dominant Ferrari cars in last weekend's Spanish grand prix.
Although Maranello based Ferrari insists that the
shark mouth-style feature in front of the driver position may not be used at every race this season, BMW technical director Willy Rampf confirmed that a similar concept will be trialled in the team's Hinwil wind tunnel in the coming days.
"I am almost certain that it would also work on some of the other cars so we will have a look," -Rampf is quoted as saying by Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell publication.
References:
Formula One racing’s first-ever night race - the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix brings an unusual lightning conditions to the sport and marks specially developed electronic flag displays. Italian-based Valerio Maioli S.P.A. is lighting consultant, who developed this new technology . The necessary lighting system is design and constructed to illuminate the Singapore event. It will be used in conjunction with the traditional flag signals waved by marshals. ‘DigiFlags’ will convey the different flag colours in a more visible way during the night race. Thirty five display panels will be situated around the Singapore track, each controlled by handheld panels operated by officials at each marshals’ post. In addition to improved visibility, the new system will also provide the race director with an overview of every flag display around the circuit, thereby ensuring the more efficient communication of warnings.
Earlier Colin Syn, deputy chairman of the Singapore Grand Prix commented: "Staging the first Formula 1 night-race is a huge undertaking but, with Valerio Maioli's extensive experience, we are confident that they are able to deliver the system successfully."
With less than six months to go before the inaugural Singapore event takes place on September 28, the race organisers have been hard work preparing the new street circuit. A week-long demonstration of the lighting system was held from March 29, with a 64-metre stretch lit up with 16 projectors, ahead of its complete installation in August.
References:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/4/7655.html
http://www.crash.net/motorsport/f1/news/156028-0/singapore_sheds_light_on_key_contractor.html
Without financial backing, the team may not only miss the Spanish Grand Prix on the 27th of April, but stop participating in the whole season altogether. The team's principal Aguri Suzuki is desperately looking for alternate solutions.
According to the Grand Prix Magazine, there are possible signs of interest from both Germany and America. But the time is running up. Hopefully, the team will manage to secure financial backing and we'll see their drivers on the grid in Barcelona.
Source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17042008/23/super-aguri-admit-money-racing.html
Max Mosleys ”ancestor”, former president of FISA (1979-1991) and FIA (1986-1993) Jean-Marie Balestre has passed away on March 27, just two weeks before his 87th birthday. Balestre was a passionate racing fan and a man who did much for the sport. Everyone remember the introduction of crash test requirements for cars as well as the use of naturally aspirated engines.When he changed the rules in the World Rally Championship, following the death of Henri Toivonen, he was challenged in court by the giant Peugeot Company, the motorsport division being led at the time by Jean Todt. If the FIA had lost the case, the federation would likely have been bankrupted, but he stuck to his guns and won an important ruling which established considerable powers for the federation, which had not been defined up to that point.
As FISA president Balestre then embarked on the famous fight for the control of Formula 1 racing - known as the FISA-FOCA war - against Bernie Ecclestone, Max Mosley and other F1 team bosses. At the age of 69, Balestre did not oppose Mosley when he proposed the merger of the FIA and FISA and stood for the office of FIA President.
Nicolas Deschaux, French motorsport federation (FFSA) president, said: “It’s a huge loss for motorsport and he’ll be remembered notably for his actions in favour of driver safety. He was a great president in periods of grave crisis for motorsport.”
Current FIA president Max Mosley said: “It’s with immense sadness that we have learnt of the death of Jean-Marie Balestre. His contribution to motorsport in France and in the world was unique. All those involved in our sport will miss him greatly and will join with me in extending our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this very difficult time.”
Jean-Marie Balestre, for his many faults, had considerable charm and was a true fan of the sport, fighting for what he believed was right. I think everyone, at least in Formula One life, will miss that charm.
References:
http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=42160
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20183.html
People love buying things, especially people who can afford it.Someone, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has bought the historical RB3 at the online auction that was held by the Red Bull team on Sunday night. The new owner paid €210,050 and he was proud of it.
With this purchase he took part in aid of the Wings for Life charity, a foundation set up to fund research into spinal injuries. Plus he became the owner of the legendary car which was driven by the Red Bull team member David Coulthard at the 2007 British Grand Prix. The cars bodywork was covered by a huge collage, thousands of photographs of Formula One fans.
References:
http://wot.motortrend.com/6232162/motorsports/red-bull-gives-you-wings-formula-one-car-for-2/index.html
http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/March2008/12/c3103.html
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/3/7564.html
British Formula One racing driver from Scotland David Marshall Coulthard, as well known as DC, was born on March 27, 1971 in Twynholm, Kirkcudbrightshire. He has won thirteen grands prix, including two at Monaco, which made him the first British driver since Jackie Stewart to take victory there. He currently drives for Red Bull Racing.Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso are Formula One teams owned by Austrian beverage company Red Bull. The team is managed by Christian Horner, b
oss of the Arden International GP2 Series team. The team is now competing with an Austrian licence having previously competed under the British flag.
