Archiv der Kategorie Formel 1
Bridgestone Motorsport’s Bahrain Grand Prix Report
14.3.2010 von Wolfgang.
Fernando Alonso (Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro) won the opening round of the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship season in emphatic fashion after using a super soft - medium Bridgestone Potenza tyre strategy at the new longer configuration Sakhir circuit for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Alonso led team-mate Felipe Massa across the line for a Ferrari 1-2, with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton taking third. The top three drivers were all on the same tyre strategy. Hiroshi Yasukawa – Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, says “What a great way to start Bridgestone’s fourteenth season of Formula One racing, with great battles right to the chequered flag at the new layout of Sakhir circuit in Bahrain. Congratulations to Fernando Alonso for his win and Ferrari for their 1-2 today. Well done also to Lotus for running so well in their first race. The new regulations have given all teams a good challenge and provided all of the viewers around the world a very exciting first race of the season.” Hirohide Hamashima - Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development, says “Today we were very happy with tyre performance. This was the first race under these new regulations so no-one knew exactly what to expect. Sebastian Vettel did a great job to manage his super softs at the beginning of the race, making the same set he used for qualifying last the longest of all the front runners. Fernando Alonso drove a very intelligent race for his win, and he was able to set the fastest lap near the end, showing he had managed his tyres very well. It was great to see Felipe Massa back on the podium. Tyre management, as expected, was very important in this first race with no refuelling. The cars and drivers which were more forgiving to their tyres were rewarded with more durable performance. This was only the first of 19 races this season. I think we all have a lot to learn about this season’s best tyre strategies and it will be fascinating unlocking the secrets for the best performance in the races ahead.”
www.bridgestonemotorsport.com
Tests colectivos Formula 1 en el Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana
1.2.2010 von Wolfgang.
El Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo ha acogido este domingo la presentación de las escuderías Sauber F1, con Pedro Martínez de la Rosa como piloto oficial, y Renault F1, en la que la escudería francesa ha desvelado su R30 y ha anunciado que el ruso Vitaly Petrov será su segundo piloto oficial junto al polaco Robert Kubica.
Los entrenamientos colectivos de invierno que comienzan este lunes suponen el inicio de la temporada 2010. Siete escuderías, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes GP, Sauber, Renault, Toro Rosso y Williams, participan en estos tests.
www.circuitvalencia.com
Bridgestone Motorsport Jerez Test Summary
7.12.2009 von Wolfgang.
Motor sport’s finest up and coming drivers sampled Bridgestone’s Potenza Formula One tyres in the final group test of 2009 at the Jerez racing circuit in southern Spain on December 1-3. All four compounds of 2009 specification dry tyres were available and used at the test. Twenty drivers drove 2602 laps over the course of the three days for the nine attending teams. Bridgestone’s intermediate and wet tyres were also used. Bridgestone’s Potenza Formula One tyres are next scheduled to be used at a group test at the beginning of February next year at Valencia, Spain where the 2010 specification tyres will be in use. Q&A with Jun Matsuzaki – Chief Engineer, Bridgestone Motorsport: What was learnt from this test? “This was an interesting test as we had many different drivers, most of whom had little or no experience of Formula One cars. The teams all had different programmes, and all four 2009 dry compounds were available to them. There was a lot of running with heavy cars to simulate the heavier fuel loads of next season so we gained useful data from this.” How was the feedback from the young drivers? “It was good to see so many young drivers here at the same test, and there were more experienced F1 test drivers in action too, so we had a good benchmark. We could see some of these names again in the future and our current F1 drivers will always need to keep looking over their shoulders because of these youngsters.” What will be the changes to the tyres for the next test? “Our 2010 tyres are designed for the requirements of the heavier fuel loads in next year’s cars and also for the potential different pit stop strategies we could see without refuelling. The construction is more durable, and the compounds have also been modified. A narrower front tyre will also be introduced to adjust the basic balance of the cars. As tyre characteristics will be changed due to the modifications, we are now working very hard with all teams to enhance their understanding of this. We are very looking forward to seeing how quickly the teams maximise tyre performance within the new regulations of 2010.”
www.bridgestonemotorsport.com
F2 champion Andy Soucek tops F1 test for Williams
1.12.2009 von Wolfgang.
F2 champion Soucek tops F1 test for Williams
Spaniard outpaces strong international rookie field in Jerez
2009 Formula Two champion Andy Soucek set the fastest time for Williams on his Formula One test debut for the team today (Tuesday 1 December) at Jerez in Spain, ahead of a strong field of champions from other major international single seater series.
Soucek, who received the test as his prize for winning the 2009 Formula Two title, topped the time sheets within the first hour of testing and remained in the top four throughout the day.
After an impressive start, the 24-year-old Spaniard recovered from a spin to set an unassailable time of 1m19.158s in the afternoon. Soucek ended the day two tenths of a second ahead of his nearest rival, 2006 F3 Euro Series champion and DTM driver Paul di Resta, who tested for Force India.
Soucek outpaced many of the best drivers from leading international single seater series including 2009 British F3 champion Daniel Ricciardo, 2009 F3 Euro Series champion Jules Bianchi and 2009 Formula Renault 3.5 champion Bertrand Baguette.
Andy Soucek said: “Today was a dream day; I could imagine myself near the front but I never expected to finish at the top of the times. I’m very proud of myself but I also have to thank Williams for giving me the opportunity to turn in that performance.
“This has been an amazing year for me in terms of motorsport and I think I deserve a seat in Formula One next year. I’m doing everything in my hands to secure a drive and I think my performance in this test will help big time.”
Soucek also impressed key personnel at the Williams F1 team with both his skills behind the wheel and his professional attitude.
Williams’ Director of Engineering Patrick Head added: “We were happy with how the day went and Andy did a good job. Despite his young age he’s quite experienced and his information about the car and its characteristics are interesting to us.
“I definitely think Andy has a future in F1 and I hope he gets the opportunity. He has all the right attributes for Formula One and his intelligence and driving skill will serve him well.”
Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of MotorSport Vision, which runs the FIA Formula Two Championship, also praised Soucek’s performance: "Of course I’m delighted that Andy topped the timesheets on the first day of the Jerez F1 test. I was very confident from Andy’s dominant F2 championship win that he would do a good job in his Williams F1 test and he certainly has. He has proved he can be competitive in F1 and that is a great endorsement of the competitiveness of F2 and the equality of the F2 cars.
“I am particularly appreciative of the great opportunity Williams has given both Andy Soucek and F2. Everyone can now see that the championship prize of a Williams F1 test drive is of enormous value."
Italian driver Mirko Bortolotti, who finished fourth in this year’s FIA Formula Two Championship, will test for Toro Rosso at Jerez tomorrow (Wednesday).
Formula One test times, Jerez:
1. Andy Soucek – Williams, 1m19.158s (2009 F2 champion)
2. Paul Di Resta – Force India, + 0.221s (2006 F3 Euro Series Champion, 3rd in DTM 2009)
3. Gary Paffett – McLaren, + 0.268s (McLaren test driver, 2nd in DTM 2009)
4. Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull, + 0.376s (2009 British F3 champion)
5. Jules Bianchi – Ferrari, + 0.486s (2009 F3 Euro Series champion)
6. Mike Conway – Brawn, + 0.762s (Indy Racing League, GP2)
7. Alexander Rossi - Sauber, + 1.069s (Formula Master, 2008 Formula BMW champion)
8. Marcus Ericsson – Brawn, + 1.175s (Japanese F3 champion)
9. Bertrand Baguette – Renault, + 1.363s (2009 Formula 3.5 champion)
10. JR Hildebrand – Force India, +1.379s (2009 Indy Lights champion)
www.formulatwo.com
Mirko Bortolotti confirmed at Toro Rosso for Jerez test
11.11.2009 von Wolfgang.
Mirko Bortolotti confirmed at Toro Rosso for Jerez test
19-year-old to drive for Italian F1 squad in December
Formula Two race winner Mirko Bortolotti has been called up to test for the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula One team in Jerez, Spain on 2 December. Bortolotti will become the second F2 driver to experience Formula One machinery this season after impressing in the F1 feeder series during 2009. This year’s F2 champion Andy Soucek will test with Williams next month as part of his prize for wining the title.
Next month’s test will be Bortolotti’s second taste of Formula One machinery, as he tested with the Scuderia Ferrari team at the end of 2008 as part of his prize for winning the Italian F3 title. The 19-year-old set an unofficial lap record of 59.111s around Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit in the F2008 car - eclipsing his testing rivals that day by more than a second, as well as beating previous efforts during the season set by Kimi Räikkönen, Luca Badoer and Marc Gene.
Following his impressive performance Bortolotti was quickly selected to join the Red Bull junior team, who immediately placed him in the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship. He scored his first series victory at Brno in the Czech Republic - only his third international single seater race - before clinching fourth in the overall standings. The Italian driver also scored a podium finish during a one-off outing in the F3 Euro Series in October.
Bortolotti, who was linked with the vacant berth at Ferrari earlier this season following Felipe Massa’s serious accident in the Hungarian Grand Prix, will be in Jerez as part of a three day post-season rookie test running from 1-3 December. In line with the new-for-2009 testing limitations, the session will only permit those who have driven in two or less Grands Prix to enter, and the Italian will test during day two.
Formula Two Champion Andy Soucek will take part in the opening day of the same test, when the Spaniard has his chance to impress the Williams F1 Team as part of his prize for clinching the title.
Mirko Bortolotti said: "I’m very happy and very proud. My target is to get to Formula One in the next few years so to be selected for this test is very important for my career. Of course, if I can get to F1 even sooner then that will be great, but first I must focus on Jerez!
"There are not many chances for young drivers to test an F1 car due to the regulations so I’m very excited and thankful to Red Bull for giving me this opportunity. It is great that Red Bull has looked at my performance in F2 - I didn’t have the best of luck during the season and it is always difficult when the field is so evenly matched. I think I finished in front of Andy Soucek in four of my five podiums so I showed that I had the pace. It could have been better for me but it was my first season in international racing so I have to be happy with the way things have gone.
"I understand that it is an important test for all of the Formula One teams also. Every mile counts particularly with the current testing situation so I will prepare myself well over the next few weeks and be ready to help the team carry out their programme. Of course, I always want to be on top and beat the other guys but I have to be realistic and focus on my own opportunity. I will try to learn as much as possible; I want to work closely with the team and see how all of the guys operate. My dream is to reach F1 and I hope this is the beginning of a good relationship with the team."
www.formulatwo.com
Brawn GP News WORLD CHAMPION 2009
4.11.2009 von Wolfgang.
Podium finish for Jenson in Abu Dhabi
Jenson finished his World Championship year on a high with a third-placed podium finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday. Rubens came through a first corner impact to drive a composed race to fourth place.
Jenson said: "It was a fun race today and to be on the podium for the last race of the year is fantastic. The last few laps were really exciting and I was giving everything to take second place from Mark. I couldn’t quite make the moves stick and he’s a very difficult guy to overtake but it was a good clean fight and we were really on the edge. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone at the team in Brackley and at Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines. It really has been a fantastic year and they should all be very proud of what we have achieved together. It’s nice to end the year on a high after what has been a very competitive and challenging season."
Rubens was also happy with his race: "The start was quite exciting but unfortunately I collided slightly with Mark and he took a chunk of my front wing with him. It lost me a lot of downforce initially which let Jenson past but I was able to live with the understeer so we decided not to change the nose and I just pushed as hard as possible. It was a competitive race throughout and a lot of fun so I have to be pleased with fourth position . It’s truly been a great season and I have to thank the team for giving me a car that has been so competitive this year and the opportunity to return to winning ways again. We’ve had a great year together."
To read all of the race news from Abu Dhabi click here.
Ant’s Abu Dhabi Blog
On the ground at the Yas Marina Circuit for us was Anthony Davidson who switched from his BBC Radio Live 5 microphone to his Brawn GP laptop to take you behind the scenes of the new addition to the Formula One calendar. Check the Features section to read Ant’s blog!
The adventures continue for Achim and Biberle!
Achim Hofstädter is Rubens’ physio and has been with the team for many years. He travels to every race with his camera and most importantly with his racing driver model car ‘Biberle’ and uses his presence to record iconic scenes from every track on the Formula One calendar. This week, Achim and Biberle take us to Barcelona, Bahrain and Singapore! To check out Achim’s new photos, take a look at the Features section of the website from today.
Last chance to win a Brawn GP 1/12th scale nose cone!
Our latest competition will give one lucky fan the opportunity to win a 1/12th scale Brawn GP nose cone kindly provided by Amalgam. This incredibly detailed replica, available in limited edition, is a must-have item for any collector and fans of the team. But you need to be quick as the competition is ending very soon! For your chance to win, just visit the website from today and correctly answer three questions related to Brawn GP. Good luck!
Visit the Brawn GP website
Bridgestone Motorsport’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Report
1.11.2009 von Wolfgang.
Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) won the final round of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship season in emphatic fashion after using a medium-medium-soft Bridgestone Potenza tyre strategy in a thrilling first-ever Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina.
Vettel led team-mate Mark Webber across the line, with newly crowned champion Jenson Button battling Webber hard and taking third. All podium finishers used the same tyre strategy.
Hiroshi Yasukawa – Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, says
“What a way to end a thrilling season of Formula One racing, with a great battle right to the chequered flag at this fabulous new circuit. Congratulations to Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing for their win today. It has been a pleasure to be part of this exciting season, with so many changes and the return of slick tyres. We must say a big thank you to all of the teams who make this such a
great sport which so many people enjoy around the world. Also thank you to all our staff, who work so hard throughout the year. This was Bridgestone’s 13th year in Formula One and we saw the 150th GP race win on our tyres. We now look forward to 2010 full of expectation for another exciting and dramatic year.”
Hirohide Hamashima - Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development, says
“Today the track continued to improve so we saw lap times improve all through the race. The medium showed very good performance and the soft was very durable, as seen by those making only one pitstop. Overall we are happy with today’s performance. The Yas Marina Circuit is a fantastic new track and we have learnt a lot on our first visit. This has been a great year and everyone has adapted very well to the many changes including slick tyres and no in-season testing. We now look to our preparations for 2010, with no refuelling and narrower front tyres.”
Stats of the Day
Continued…
Bridgestone Potenza Driver Tyre Strategies Rd.17 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
In 2009, the tyre regulations stipulate that the two dry tyre specifications must be visibly distinguishable from each other. At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the soft compound Bridgestone Potenza tyres were marked with green bands on the sidewalls. The wet weather tyre was also marked with a green line in a groove.
www.bridgestonemotorsport.com
Brawn GP News: Brazilian Grand Prix
22.10.2009 von Wolfgang.
World Championship Double in Brazil!
A fantastic weekend at the Brazilian Grand Prix saw Brawn GP secure the 2009 FIA Formula One Constructors’ Championship with Jenson driving a superb race from 14th position to wrap up the Drivers’ Championship with one race remaining.
Team-mate Rubens started his home race from pole after an excellent performance in Saturday’s rain-delayed qualifying session but finished in eighth position after a late puncture forced an unscheduled trip to the pits and dropped him back.
After the race, Jenson declared: "That was the best race that I’ve driven in my career and I’m really going to enjoy this moment. For the team to win the Constructors’ and the Drivers Championships is just fantastic and they deserve it so very much after all the difficult times that we all went through over the winter. To everyone back at the factory in Brackley and at Mercedes-Benz, thank you for all of your hard work and for producing such a fantastic car and engine. It’s going to take a while to sink in but for now I’m just reveling in the achievement of a lifelong dream."
Whilst disappointed with the race result, Rubens played a major part in securing the Constructors’ title for the team and said: "We really have a great car and a great team and it has truly been an amazing year. I’m truly pleased for Jenson as a friend and he is a great champion. We have a fantastic relationship working together and that has really shown through this year. It was a true fight and I fought really hard but he really won it in the first half of the season. The team have been superb this year and they thoroughly deserve to win both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships today."
Ross summed up the team’s achievements in Brazil saying: "What a day! I am so incredibly proud of the team and our drivers. Jenson is a fantastic racer, he knew what he had to do and did just that and is a very deserving World Champion. Rubens has made a fantastic contribution to this season without which we could not have won the Constructors’ Championship today. The spirit in which our two drivers have fought for the Championship makes me very proud. The work and the commitment that the team showed over the winter and throughout this season really has been sensational."
Pete’s Brazilian Blog
To relive the team’s amazing Brazilian Grand Prix weekend from inside Jenson’s side of the garage, don’t forget to check out the Race Blog in the Features section to read the story of the weekend from Pete Bonnington, Jenson’s Assistant Race Engineer.
Commemorative Merchandise Range now available!
Brawn GP and Henri Lloyd have created a very special ‘Word Champions Collection’ to celebrate the achievements of the team this season. Follow this link to be one of the first to order from the commemorative collection!
Visit the Brawn GP website
Bridgestone Motorsport’s Brazil Grand Prix Report
19.10.2009 von Wolfgang.
Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing) took his second race win of the season in a thrilling and exciting Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos where Jenson Button clinched this year’s FIA Formula One drivers’ championship.
Webber used a medium-medium-super soft tyre strategy in a dry race to finish ahead of Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber F1 Team) and Lewis Hamilton (Vodafone McLaren Mercedes). Pole-sitter Rubens Barrichello finished eighth.
Button’s fifth position gives him an unassailable lead in the drivers’ championship while the Brawn GP Formula 1 Team sealed the 2009 constructors’ championship.
Hiroshi Yasukawa – Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, says
“Well done to Mark Webber and Red Bull Racing for Mark’s second win today and many congratulations to Jenson and Ross and all of the team for winning both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in such fantastic fashion. The story of Brawn GP is an amazing one and many millions of people around the world have seen such an exciting race that definitely added something fascinating to the sport. These were tremendous achievements. We always see exciting races here and enjoy the fabulous atmosphere created by the Brazilian fans. It’s been a long and hard fought season and we are proud to be the Official Tyre Supplier to this great sport.”
Hirohide Hamashima - Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development, says
“Once again Interlagos gave us some surprises, and a thrilling race. Most people expected more rain today, but the race was dry. Many people thought that the super soft Bridgestone would not be durable, but it worked better than predicted. Heidfeld used it at the start and Raikkonen used it twice without major issue. After so much rain yesterday the track was very green so we saw a lot of surface improvement through the race. Lap times were quite slow as the surface was still not at its best, especially in sector two. Well done to Webber, who drove a very controlled race for Red Bull, Kubica and BMW Sauber who used a good strategy for second, and Hamilton and McLaren who showed good patience for third. We are investigating Barrichello’s tyre, as it appears that a puncture caused air loss. It was sad to see Barrichello and Vettel’s championship hopes dashed but well done to winners Jenson Button and Brawn Grand Prix for such well deserved wins.”
Stats of the Day
Tyres used: Medium / Super soft
Bridgestone Potenza Driver Tyre Strategies Rd.16 – Brazil Grand Prix
In 2009, the tyre regulations stipulate that the two dry tyre specifications must be visibly distinguishable from each other. At the Brazil Grand Prix, the super soft compound Bridgestone Potenza tyres were marked with green bands on the sidewalls. The wet weather tyre was also marked with a green line in a groove.
www.bridgestonemotorsport.com
Bridgestone Motorsport’s Japanese Grand Prix Report
4.10.2009 von Wolfgang.
Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) used a hard – hard – soft tyre strategy to score his third race win of the season after a dominant performance in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Vettel finished over four seconds ahead of Panasonic Toyota Racing driver Jarno Trulli, who used the same tyre strategy, whilst Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton used soft – hard – soft to finish third.
Shoshi Arakawa - Bridgestone Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, says
“Congratulations to Sebastian Vettel for his victory here at the Suzuka Circuit. The Japanese Grand Prix was held at Suzuka in beautiful weather today after a two year interval, and I believe the spectators thoroughly enjoyed the world’s top class battles of Formula One. We are proud that our tyres have helped to provide an impressive and exciting race. Bridgestone, as the Official Tyre Supplier to the FIA Formula One World Championship, will continue to support all of the teams and drivers with our full efforts for the season’s remaining two races.”
Hiroshi Yasukawa – Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, says
“Well done to Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing for keeping the drivers’ championship alive with a thrilling win. Congratulations to Jarno Trulli for scoring Toyota’s second podium finish in as many races and also to the reigning champion Lewis Hamilton for his third place for McLaren. We were privileged to have many Bridgestone guests, staff and board members here to enjoy fantastic racing.”
Hirohide Hamashima - Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development, says
“From the beginning of the race the soft tyre worked well, however in the second two thirds of the race it really came alive and we saw very good race performance from this tyre. The high track temperature meant that the hard compound could be used at the start which would not be as advisable on a colder track due to longer warm-up requirements. This was a safe strategy for those concerned by any degradation from the soft, however those who did opt to use the soft at the start saw good performance.”
Stats of the Day
Bridgestone Potenza Driver Tyre Strategies
Rd.15 – Japan Grand Prix
In 2009, the tyre regulations stipulate that the two dry tyre specifications must be visibly
distinguishable from each other. At the Japan Grand Prix, the soft compound Bridgestone
Potenza tyres were marked with green bands on the sidewalls. The wet weather tyre was also marked with a green line in a groove.
www.bridgestonemotorsport.com
Bridgestone Motorsport’s Saturday Update. Japanese Grand Prix
3.10.2009 von Wolfgang.
Bridgestone’s soft tyre carried Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) to his fourth pole position of the season for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Vettel set a time of 1min 32.160secs in a qualifying session which was red flagged three times. Panasonic Toyota Racing Driver Jarno Trulli set the fastest time in the morning practice session, also using the soft Bridgestone Potenza.
Q&A with Hirohide Hamashima - Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development
What was significant about today’s running?
“Today was a big challenge for all drivers. The weather was dry, meaning that yesterday’s information from a wet track was not much use. This meant that teams only had the one hour of FP3 to accumulate the same data they would usually gain over four hours of practice. The track improved, as we would expect with the first dry running of the weekend, but this made set-up a challenge and we saw an interesting order at the end of FP3. The difficulty continued in qualifying, with two red flag periods in Q2 and one in Q3. It seemed that the older surface of the west track gave less grip for braking which may have caught out some drivers. Sebastian Vettel did well to get pole today and we hope that Timo Glock was not badly hurt in his accident.”
What are the tyre strategy considerations for tomorrow’s race?
“Obviously we do not have as much data as we would have if Friday had been dry, but this is one of the challenges of motor racing. The soft tyre is definitely the quicker tyre, and it does not appear to have too bad degradation levels, meaning that it could be the preferred race tyre. The hard tyre takes longer to warm up than the soft, but we do not have sufficient data to know exactly the lap time difference between the two tyres. That said, I’m sure we will see an exciting race here at Suzuka.”
Stats of the Day
www.bridgestonemotorsport.com
Bridgestone Motorsport Singapore F1 GP
28.9.2009 von Wolfgang.
Lewis Hamilton (Vodafone McLaren Mercedes) used a soft – soft – super soft Bridgestone tyre strategy to slingshot away from his rivals in a scintillating and gruelling Singapore Grand Prix. Hamilton won Formula One’s only night race from pole by just under ten seconds from Panasonic Toyota Racing driver Timo Glock with Renault F1 Team driver Fernando Alonso finishing third. Most drivers used the same tyre strategy as Hamilton.
Hiroshi Yasukawa – Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, says
“What a fantastic Grand Prix! We appreciate the great organisation required to put on such a race in this wonderful venue. Congratulations to Lewis Hamilton and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for their second win of the season. Timo Glock will be very pleased with his second place, equalling Toyota’s best-ever result, and it is good to see strong performance from them heading to the Japanese Grand Prix. Renault and Fernando Alonso have also done very well to achieve a podium finish in such difficult circumstances.”
Hirohide Hamashima - Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development, says
“This was a long and gruelling race, only four minutes short of two hours duration. Over this time the circuit became cleaner and cleaner and more rubber was laid meaning a better track surface. This meant that degradation was better than seen earlier in the week. Indeed, brake degradation was a bigger concern for some competitors. Most drivers used the same tyre strategy; however with the information we have after the race, two stints using the super soft was a realistic option. Driver style and car set-up and characteristics defined the tyre performance on this difficult track. Nico Rosberg completed nearly half race distance on the super soft showing that it had solid durability today.”
Stats of the Day
Tyres used: Soft / Super soft
www.bridgestonemotorsport.com
Brawn GP News
15.9.2009 von Wolfgang.
Brawn GP dominate in Monza
Rubens won the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on Sunday for his second victory of the season and the eleventh Formula One win of his career. Jenson came home in second position to complete a fantastic weekend for the team which takes our victory tally to eight races with four one-two finishes this season.
After the race, Rubens said: "Monza has always been a great track for me and it feels just wonderful to win here again. We made some great decisions this weekend and the work that we achieved on Friday was the key to setting up the result today. I’m driving a fantastic car with a fantastic Mercedes-Benz engine and the team is doing a fantastic job! It’s going to be a good and healthy fight for the championship over the next few races and I’m really looking forward to that."
Jenson was delighted to be back on the podium: "I had a really good race today. The team and Rubens did a great job this weekend and congratulations to Rubens for his second win of the season. The car worked very well and the balance was good throughout the race which meant I could set consistently quick lap times when it mattered. We have shown that the Brawn-Mercedes is a very good car and credit to the team for the efforts that have gone into improving it over the past couple of months. It’s going to be a very exciting end of the season and a challenge that we are all looking forward to."
Read the full Race Report on our website
Monza Race Blog available online!
What a weekend for Riccardo. Rubens’ Assistant Race Engineer not only witnessed his driver take the victory but he also went on the podium to collect the Constructors’ trophy… and all at his home race! To read more about Riccardo’s incredible weekend, check out his blog in the Features section.
Brawn GP Merchandise
Fans of the team can express their passion and support through our complete range of merchandise available on the team’s merchandise website through Henri Lloyd. From the jacket that our drivers and team wear at the track to the official Driver caps, you will find everything you need to support the team at the track or in front of your TV! Don’t forget to check the new Jenson range! Raise your flag and start your engine!
Visit the Brawn GP website
Bridgestone Motorsport’s Italian Grand Prix Report
13.9.2009 von Wolfgang.
Rubens Barrichello (Brawn GP Formula 1 Team) used a medium - soft tyre strategy to score his second race win of the season after a thrilling and tactical high speed Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Barrichello finished over two seconds ahead of team-mate Jenson Button who used a soft - medium strategy. Kimi Raikkonen (Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro) finished third with a two stop strategy, soft – soft – medium. Hiroshi Yasukawa – Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, says “Congratulations to Rubens for his second win of the season and Brawn GP for their fourth 1-2 finish this year. We saw an exciting race today and it was interesting to see how the different strategies worked. It is also always good to see a Ferrari driver on the podium on a glorious day in Italy. For Bridgestone, we were pleased that our Chairman of the Board, CEO and President, Mr Arakawa, and our other important guests were here to enjoy this great display from Formula One.” Hirohide Hamashima - Bridgestone Director of Motorsport Tyre Development, says “This was a thrilling race with a fantastic strategic battle. Even though it was a one stop strategy that won the race, it is difficult to say whether a one or a two stop was better. Both Bridgestone Potenza compounds gave very similar overall performance so there was a good variety of different strategy uses. For Brawn GP in their championship battle this was a good day. We must also mention the fighting spirit of reigning champion Lewis Hamilton who pushed very hard right to the final lap where he was unfortunate not to finish.”
www.bridgestonemotorsport.com
F2 championship leader Soucek targets Formula One in 2010
23.8.2009 von Wolfgang.
Current FIA Formula Two Championship leader Andy Soucek is targeting a seat with a Formula One team in 2010 after taking his third commanding victory of the season at Donington Park last weekend. The Spaniard believes Formula Two’s level playing field has finally given him the chance to demonstrate the true extent of his talent.
Soucek has fully delivered in his debut F2 season, impressing onlookers with his speed, consistency and determination. He currently lies 22 points ahead of nearest rival Robert Wickens in the championship standings, and has recorded three wins and two second place finishes in the five events so far this year. He also produced a brilliant display of attacking driving in race two at Donington Park, including a stunning overtaking manoeuvre on Sebastian Hohenthal at the Craner Curves. The 24-year-old is one of the most experienced and successful drivers in this season’s line up having previously won the Spanish F3 championship, scored podium finishes in GP2 and been a race winner in Formula Renault 3.5. He has also sampled F1 machinery, testing for the Panasonic Toyota team in 2006.
Andy Soucek said: “I feel I am ready for the chance in Formula One. I am hoping to get my second test in an F1 car, following my run with Toyota in 2006. I believe I have the ability, experience and maturity to adapt quickly to a Formula One car again. I am in a good position having already driven an F1 car and most of the single-seater formulae below - it is about finding the limits of the car quickly and hopefully I will get the chance to prove I can do that.”
Formula Two is a series that features identical equipment for all 24 of its drivers and offers the prize of a full test with the Williams F1 team to its champion, whilst the top three drivers will be eligible to qualify for an FIA Superlicence.
Soucek added: “Formula Two has finally given me the opportunity to prove what I can do in equal equipment. Most of the time in other series it is the teams that really make the difference. You can see in F2 that it is extremely close – during qualifying, the top six have been separated by just two tenths of a second and the top 18 drivers covered by less than a second. It is incredible, and we all can honestly say that we, as drivers, have the same opportunities as each other. If I can win the championship this season, I will be really excited about the fantastic opportunity to test with Williams. There are also several new teams entering Formula One next season so it is a good time for me to be showing what I can do, as there will hopefully be more opportunities in 2010.”
Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of Formula Two organiser MotorSport Vision, believes Soucek has proved himself worthy of a drive in F1: ”Amongst an extraordinarily competitive field Andy has really stood out with a superb combination of pace, racecraft and consistency. Andy is also outstandingly professional as well as being a great guy and I have no doubt will be highly impressive when he makes the F1 debut he deserves."
Andy Soucek was a guest of the Williams F1 team at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain, this weekend.
The next two rounds of the FIA Formula Two Championship will take place in Oschersleben, Germany, on 4/5/6 September, partnering the FIA World Touring Car Championship.
www.formulatwo.com
