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This is F1Minute - Monisha Kaltenborn becomes Sauber stakeholder.

Team boss, owner and director Peter Sauber has confirmed that he will be transferring a third of the Sauber Group stake to CEO Monisha Kaltenborn, as a reward for her good work, and to aid continuity in the future. Sauber himself will retain two thirds, and insists that this move should be a benefit for the employees.

He said: “When BMW pulled out of F1 in 2009, Monisha was instrumental in the team’s survival and since then she has been doing outstanding work in her capacity as CEO... My desire is to ensure that the company continues to be led as I would want over the long term... It means we can offer our employees a positive outlook for the future.”

Monisha simply adds: “For me this step is a mark of the greatest possible trust, which I will do everything in my power to justify.”

Meanwhile, both drivers are looking forward to the next Grand Prix, after a mixed weekend in Spain. Kobayashi finished fifth and hopes to repeat the feat, saying: “The last time I came fifth was last year in Monaco, and I am very much looking forward to returning to the principality.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to F1Minute - McLaren offer to lend a hand as Williams recover from fire.

The Williams team are beginning the road to recovery after a massive fire in the paddock after yesterday’s Spanish Grand Prix. Team members have been released from hospital after treatment for smoke inhalation, with just one remaining behind suffering from burns - although he should be able to return home soon.

Reuters report that a spokesperson from McLaren has offered the team their help, saying they will “replace whatever damaged equipment Williams might need to go racing in Monaco next week.”

Meanwhile, team boss Frank Williams spoke of his gratitude to the teams who helped in the paddock, saying: “Everyone at Williams F1 is extremely relieved that this event was contained as quickly as it was and the damage which occurred was, relatively speaking, limited in its nature.

"While the incident was unexpected and definitely most undesirable, it has demonstrated the genuine cohesiveness, camaraderie and spirit of co-operation that exists within the Formula One paddock. The astonishing response from the teams and other paddock personnel was immediate, unconditional and overwhelming.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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This is F1Minute - Michael Schumacher given five place grid drop for Monaco.

Michael Schumacher has been handed a five place grid penalty for the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks time, after his crash with Bruno Senna during the race in Spain today. The Mercedes driver crashed into the back of the Williams on the thirteenth lap of the race, spinning both drivers off into the gravel. Schumacher was out of the car immediately, whilst Senna attempted to get his car back to the pitlane, eventually coming to a halt further round the track.

Immediately after the event, Michael laid the blame at Bruno’s door, saying: “You can see he moved right to defend his position, but right in the braking zone he moved left. I tried to move into the inside but too late. It was very frustrating. We would have got good points.”

Senna had a different take on the incident: “He's not going to say it's his own fault. He had much newer tyres than me, I guess our braking points were quite different into turn one. I already saw Grosjean braking late into turn one and hitting me, I didn't want Michael to do the same...”

The stewards investigated after the race, and clearly sided with Senna on the issue as it is Schumacher who gets the penalty.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to F1Minute - Fire breaks out in Barcelona paddock.

As Williams were celebrating their victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, a fire broke out in their garage that sent plumes of thick, black smoke through the paddock. The initial fire appeared to come from an area cordoned off and speculation suggests it was from fuel ready to be transported.

Williams mechanics and employees ran for safety as others with extinguishers dived in to fight the blaze. Other teams also had employees rushing in with their extinguishers to help. Gradually, the fire was put out, and that area of the paddock was cordoned off. Ambulances and fire engines were soon on the scene, and although there is no official word of serious injuries, some people have been taken to the medical centre or on to hospital.

Caterham issued a statement saying: “All the team’s employee’s have been accounted for and four people have been taken to the medical centre for examination; one with a minor hand injury and three with respiratory issues.” Force India have also confirmed that one of their employees was being treated for smoke inhalation.

Hopefully everyone will be okay after what became a terrifying end to the day for the winning team.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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This is F1Minute - Williams secure first win for eight years at Spanish Grand Prix.

The grid for the Spanish Grand Prix promised plenty, and it certainly delivered. Pastor Maldonado lined up on pole position but lost his lead to Fernando Alonso into the very first corner.

Bruno Senna and Michael Schumacher came together just 13 laps in, putting both of them out of the race. Meanwhile, an early round of pit stops saw McLaren have a heart-stopping moment when Lewis Hamilton bounced off one of the tyres that had not been moved out the way quickly enough. Thankfully, it didn’t do any harm, and Hamilton continued making his way through the field. He finished the race an impressive eighth - ahead of teammate Jenson Button.

Narain Karthikeyan, Charles Pic and Sergio Pérez all retired from the race, whilst Sebastian Vettel and Felipe Massa were given drive through penalties for failing to slow down under yellow flags.

At the front, Maldonado found his way back into the lead after a good pit stop, but Alonso chased him to the line. The Ferrari’s tyres started to go off, though, pushing Alonso back into the clutches of Kimi Räikkönen. However, the positions remained as they were, and Maldonado took his first Formula One victory.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to F1Minute - Lewis Hamilton stripped of pole position in Spain.

Lewis Hamilton’s final lap in qualifying saw him take pole position and then come to a halt moments after crossing the finish line. There was some confusion over whether the car had a technical problem, if Hamilton had been asked to switch off the car early, or whether they had simply run out of fuel, but whatever the story, the stewards decided to investigate.

After measuring the fuel left in the car, the stewards deemed it not enough to have returned to the pitlane - as required in the regulations.

Sporting Director, Sam Michael, told the FIA that a member of the team had not put enough fuel in the car and it was a simple mistake, but the stewards decided that as it was the team’s mistake, Hamilton would no longer be on pole position. He will start from either the back of the grid, or the pitlane.

That promotes Pastor Maldonado to the front, with Williams set to lead away their first race since Nico Hülkenberg secured a surprise pole position in 2010. All this on the same day the team are celebrating Frank Williams’ 70th birthday, too.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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This is F1Minute - Barcelona dishes up an unpredictable front row.

Qualifying in Spain was a stop-start affair, with bursts of action punctuated by extended periods of quiet. The first two sessions began with a good few minutes with no cars on track, whilst the final shootout for pole started with just Sebastian Vettel all by himself.

The first twenty minute period was notable for Narain Karthikeyan not setting a time within the cutoff, and for Bruno Senna - hustling to get out of the drop zone - losing control of the car and ending his session in the gravel.

Q2 featured Mark Webber believing he had done enough to get through to the top ten but gradually dropping down the order and then out. He finished the day 12th, with Jenson Button just ahead of him in 11th. The McLaren driver had spent all day complaining a bout the balance of the car and it was enough to see him drop out early.

The final top ten had three drivers not setting a time - Vettel, Michael Schumacher and Kamui Kobayashi. Lewis Hamilton set a storming pole position, but beside him on the front row, the real surprise, Pastor Maldonado.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to F1Minute - Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button lead practice in Spain.

The sun was shining brightly in Barcelona today as the drivers took their cars out on track for the first time since the mid-season test. We saw plenty of flo-viz, as teams tried out their new upgrades. McLaren ran with an extra bump on the nose of the car - evaluating what it would be like from the driver’s point of view if they did go with a higher nose.

Meanwhile, four test drivers got a chance in the car, with Valtteri Bottas, Jules Bianchi, Dani Clos and Alexander Rossi all participating. Fernando Alonso posted the fastest time of the morning, with Sebastian Vettel behind him.

There were a few mishaps to behold as the second practice session in Spain got underway. Mark Webber ran very wide into the gravel trap, managing to make his way back to the circuit and bringing with him a heap of stones. Narain Karthikeyan ran for just two laps before his HRT ground to a halt out on track, leaving him without a time. Meanwhile, at the top, Jenson Button led Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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This is F1Minute - McLaren make changes ahead of Spanish Grand Prix.

The McLaren team have been busy making some changes to the team and the car ahead of this weekend’s race in Barcelona, with Martin Whitmarsh explaining some of the more obvious features. The team will try out a new, higher nose - thankfully, still managing to avoid the stepped nose concept.

Whitmarsh said: “We got a lot of feedback from Mugello, so we have the data to set it up and can find performance on track... There’s a reasonable chance we will see it on Sunday, which will be the first time our drivers experience it.”

The team have also had something of a pit crew shakeup, after the disastrous stops that effectively ruined Lewis Hamilton’s race in Bahrain, and halted Jenson Button in China.

Of the pit crew, Whitmarsh said: “I’m always in awe of the level of volunteers that we have. We made some changes as you might expect following the last race... and I’m astounded by how many guys in the team wanted to put themselves in those very challenging positions.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to F1Minute - Michael Schumacher remains unimpressed with Pirelli tyres.

After the Bahrain Grand Prix, Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher was vocal about his disappointment in the new Pirelli rubber, saying they were limiting the ability of the driver to perform well. In a radio interview, he said: “I just question whether the tyres should play such a big importance, or whether they should last a bit longer - and that you can drive at a normal racing car speed and not cruise around like we have a safety car.”

Now, after the three day test in Mugello, another interview with Schumacher has emerged, where he reiterates the issue, saying: “We drive like on raw eggs and I don’t want to stress the tyres at all. Otherwise you just overdo it and you go nowhere.”

Pirelli have answered the criticisms, pointing out firstly that Schumacher said he was happy with the tyres during winter testing so has changed his mind suddenly, and also that he appears to be alone in his thoughts.

However, Schumacher says it affects everyone, even if they don’t speak up, and adds: “If it’s 80% of the field that has this problem, then maybe the tyre supplier should think about that.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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This is F1Minute - Eric Boullier against Silverstone venue for young driver test.

Eric Boullier has hit out at potential plans to hold the young driver test this year at both Silverstone and Abu Dhabi - with teams opting for which circuit they would rather attend. The idea has not yet been confirmed but if it did go ahead, it’s likely the Silverstone test would be in June, whilst the Abu Dhabi sessions would be in November.

Team Principal at Lotus, Boullier has said it is not the ideal solution, saying: “We had a strong discussion, let’s say, and definitely I was against this. For me it is absolutely nonsense to have a young driver test in July when all the young kids are in hte middle of the season and focused on racing. We cannot disturb this.”

Autosport have reported that Red Bull and Toro Rosso are the only teams to have chosen the Abu Dhabi option so far, but Lotus won’t be joining them, despite Boullier’s objections. Logistics and cost come into the equation but Eric says: “Actually, I would like it to rain, so we will go back to the original schedule.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to F1Minute - Romain Grosjean wraps up Mugello test on top.

For the second day in a row, Lotus finished at the top of the testing times - and today it was a standalone performance, with second place Sebastian Vettel just two tenths slower. Fernando Alonso managed to finish third fastest, although he did crash into the barriers early in the session. The team had put some significant upgrades onto the car, including a revised rear wing, but the Ferrari was soon in the barriers, damaging the front wing.

After the day’s running was over, Alonso didn’t sound too convinced of any performance gains from the upgrades, saying: “In Barcelona, we need to do the first step. We know there is no magic button that in Barcelona we will be on pole position, because everyone will improve their cars as well. But we need to reduce this gap.”

Although it was only Alonso who had a high-profile incident across the three days at Mugello, Caterham driver Vitaly Petrov wasn’t impressed with the track, saying: “I don't think we should have come here. It is not safe and wide enough. If you lose it, the walls are so close and you will smash into the tyres. It is not for Formula 1.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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This is F1Minute - Double leaders as testing at Mugello really begins.

The second day of testing at Mugello has been completed, with joint leaders of Kamui Kobayashi and Romain Grosjean - both setting exactly the same lap time by the end of the session. Wednesday at Mugello saw plenty of laps completed, after teams were held up by bad weather the previous day.

Fernando Alonso was fastest on the washed out first day which saw no one driver complete more than 50 laps. A couple of reserve drivers were granted the opportunity of time in the car but could not make the most of it. Jérôme D’Ambrosio was in at Lotus, Oliver Turvey and Gary Paffett at McLaren, Rodolfo Gonzalez at Caterham and Valtteri Bottas in at Williams. Unfortunately, the session was red flagged at one point as conditions were so bad the emergency helicopter was grounded.

Day two turned out much better, with the sun shining over the circuit. Michael Schumacher managed to complete 144 laps, after not setting a time the previous day.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to F1Minute - Sauber commence Chelsea Football Club partnership.

The Sauber team have announced a new link-up with Premier League football club Chelsea FC. The partnership had been teased at the last two races with slogans such as “True Blue” and “Out of the Blue” adorning the cars, but now the deal is out in the open.

The advertising will work both ways, with Sauber running the Chelsea logo on the car’s livery, and Chelsea advertising the Sauber team at home matches.

CEO at Sauber, Monisha Kaltenborn spoke of the deal, saying: “A partnership like this between F1 and football has never existed before in this form, yet there are numerous commonalities... In either case we are talking about team sport at the highest, and international, level... dealing with many of the same sporting and commercial topics.”

Although it is an innovative deal in Formula One terms, the link with football echoes the Superleague Formula - a motorsport series that began with each team representing a football club. The tie up didn’t take off and the Formula is currently on hold.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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This is F1Minute - F1 teams prepare for in-season testing at Mugello.

The first in-season test since 2008 will begin this week in Mugello, with eleven of the twelve teams expected to appear. HRT have already announced that they will not be taking part, preferring to concentrate on their preparations for the Spanish Grand Prix instead.

Force India have admitted that their expected upgrade package may not be quite ready for the testing, with deputy team principal Bob Fernley saying: “We have cleared about 85%... so we are close. Hopefully we can run it for one day, or one and a half days at Mugello, and if it correlates on track to what we have in the wind tunnel then it will be a good car.”

Meanwhile, McLaren have confirmed neither of their race drivers will be attending, leaving the track duties to the test drivers. Ferrari will have both their drivers working on analysis of different exhaust designs, with other car upgrades saved for the final day of the three.

Finally, Pirelli believe this test will signal the start of teams fully understanding the tyres, saying: “From Barcelona on, you will start to see a slightly different and more measured approach.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to F1Minute - HRT confirm non-appearance at Mugello test.

HRT have released a statement confirming they will not be at the upcoming mid-season test in Mugello. Three days of testing are scheduled at the Italian circuit, but the team have said they are too busy catching up from their hectic start to the season to attend.

Team principal Luiz Pérez-Sala has said: “Since the cars were set up for the first time, we have been working at them at the Grands Prix. The team and the material have just got back from Bahrain after leaving for Australia in early March, and they return for the first time to the team’s new headquarters in Madrid.”

He added that skipping this testing opportunity would allow them to focus on getting the car and the team ready for the Spanish Grand Prix instead.

After the Bahrain race, both drivers felt positive about the direction the car was going in, with Pedro de la Rosa saying: “We have come from not qualifying in Australia not long ago, so when I saw the times we posted I was glad.”

Meanwhile, Narain Karthikeyan said: “The amazing thing is that we haven’t done much to the car but we’re quite close to the group ahead of us and that’s very positive.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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This is F1Minute - Sebastian Vettel wins Bahrain Grand Prix.

Ahead of the race, there was a little bit of rain which raised eyebrows at the potential of mixed conditions. However, it remained dry throughout, and Sebastian Vettel led the way from pole position - gaining himself a good lead at the start.

McLaren struggled in the pit stops, particularly with Lewis Hamilton. In two of his stops, they delayed his release due to cross threading on the left rear wheel nut. This also happened to Jenson Button last weekend, and will be a problem McLaren need to look at.

Meanwhile, Lotus showed great pace to move up to the front of the pack. Grosjean was sitting second until teammate Kimi Räikkönen passed him. Kimi went on to challenge Vettel for the lead, which provided a thrilling few laps, but it was the Red Bull who ultimately went on to win the race. Räikkönen and Grosjean finished behind him for a double Lotus podium.

Button retired from the race with engine trouble, Pic had mechanical issues, whilst Maldonado spun and then pitted, not to return to action. Senna also did not get to the end.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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Welcome to F1Minute - Force India missing from F1’s world feed.

Whilst the qualifying action in Bahrain was fast and furious, there was one team noticeably missing from Formula One Management’s TV coverage. According to live timing, Force India were present, and completing laps, with Paul di Resta making it into the top ten. If you were solely relying on the moving pictures, however, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d gone home early.

That is potentially where the problem began, with Force India’s decision yesterday to miss the second Free Practice session, preferring to fix up their car for qualifying early so as not to be travelling back to the hotel after dark. The team have also had a couple of employees go home, after seeing firsthand some of the troubles in the country.

Despite no visuals, we know that Nico Hülkenberg qualified 13th, whilst Paul di Resta got through to the final top ten shoot out. He went out for one lap on the medium compound tyres, but did not set a lap time, so he will begin the race tenth.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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This is F1Minute - Sebastian Vettel takes pole position for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

A surprising qualifying session in Bahrain began with Caterham’s Heikki Kovalainen getting through to Q2. The top ten drivers in that first session had returned to the garage, confident in their times, but the track evolved quickly. Jean-Éric Vergne was heading towards the drop zone for the third race weekend in a row, whilst Heikki’s improvement pushed Michael Schumacher out of qualifying as well.

Into the second session, and Pastor Maldonado opted not to run. He faces a five place gearbox related penalty anyway. Felipe Massa dropped out of the top ten, whilst Romain Grosjean jumped up to third, pushing teammate Kimi Räikkönen out again.

Into the final ten minutes of qualifying, and Lewis Hamilton set the first benchmark. Fernando Alonso participated in the first run for pole, but remained in the garage for the final five minutes. Red Bull showed off their increased pace with Mark Webber jumping to P1 momentarily, before Sebastian Vettel took pole position from him.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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• File: Lewis Hamilton and …
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This is F1Minute - Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg lead Free Practice in Bahrain.

Despite the difficulties surrounding the events in Bahrain, Free Practice 1 got underway with no major incident. The weather was warm and dry, allowing drivers the freedom of the full 90 minutes to choose when to run.

Valtteri Bottas was granted another session in the Williams cockpit, sitting in Bruno Senna’s seat. He ended the morning 14th, two places behind Pastor Maldonado. Red Bull showed some increased pace, leading the way at one point, and ending up with Sebastian Vettel second. It was Lewis Hamilton who finished the morning on top, however.

The big news of FP2 was that Force India were choosing not to run, opting instead to fix up their car for Saturday so that they wouldn't have to stay late at the circuit. All others were out on track though, with Pastor Maldonado completing the most laps, 38.

There were no major on-track incidents throughout the entire day, with just a few run off areas being tested due to the dusty track. Hamilton fell down the order from the morning, with Nico Rosberg leading the way instead.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

© Copyright 2007-2012 • Christine Blachford • All Rights Reserved

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