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Welcome to F1Minute - Caterham unveil their 2012 car, the CT01.

Under their new guise as Caterham, Tony Fernandes and his team have revealed their 2012 challenger - officially launching it via F1 Racing magazine. Pictures of the car emerged yesterday, with the new nose design causing quite a stir. With the regulations changing so that the nose has to be of a lower height, there is a significant step at the bridge which gives the car a clunky and not particularly attractive look.

However, technical boss Mike Gascoyne believes they won’t be the only team heading in that direction, saying: “As we’re the first car out it is obviously stirring up a lot of debate, but because of the 2012 regulations, I think you’ll probably be seeing this type of nose on most of the cars this year.”

Meanwhile, team boss Tony Fernandes has given the squad a goal for the upcoming season saying: “Target wise, I have been quoted as saying I want us to score a point this year and that really has to be the aim. It has to be.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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This is F1Minute - Pirelli reveal new tyre markings for 2012 season.

F1’s sole tyre supplier Pirelli held an event in Abu Dhabi today to unveil their new range of rubber for the upcoming season. The most visible change is to the sidewall markings which have been tweaked.

The four compounds of dry tyres remain the same colour, but with thicker lines and text to make them more distinguishable in motion. The intermediate tyres remain blue, but the full wet tyres have changed from orange to green.

In terms of performance, Pirelli claim to have made the tyres “softer, with increased grip, better performance, a longer performance peak, but an unaltered lifespan.” They want to keep at least two pitstops per race for teams, but also create potential for more variety when it comes to strategies.

Pirelli have also created the first realtime database for teams and engineers, recording performance, temperature and pressure. There’s also talk of more information eventually feeding its way through to fan’s TV screens as well.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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Welcome to F1Minute - Kimi Räikkönen returns to cockpit in two-day Lotus test.

This year’s comeback king Kimi Räikkönen was back behind the wheel of an F1 car today for the first time since he quit the sport in 2009. Lotus are running a two day test for Kimi to help him brush up on his F1 skills, although the testing limitations have forced him into a 2010 chassis with demonstration tyres from Pirelli.

After his first day of running, Räikkönen admitted that it may take a little while to get used to everything again, saying: “The main driving, braking, turning, that doesn’t take many laps. But of course to start learning about the car and team and tyres, that will take time.”

Meanwhile, Lotus themselves will be scrabbling to prepare for the official testing next month after the FIA deemed their new adjustable ride height development illegal. The innovation had preciously been declared as acceptable, as it was not driver operated, but the FIA have apparently sent a note to teams saying they are no longer satisfied with the legality.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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This is F1Minute - Pirelli appeal for contemporary F1 chassis.

F1’s sole tyre supplier Pirelli are looking for a 2011 chassis from one of the teams to test their new and improving rubber compounds on. Talking to Autosport, motorsport boss Paul Hembery admitted that they don’t want to give any one team an advantage but that they need a modern chassis to stay relevant.

He said: “We would like a 2011 car from somebody, but we don’t really care who it is from. We want to do our testing with precision and feel the older the car gets, the further away it is from a state of the art car.”

Up to this point, they had been using an old 2009 chassis from the now defunct Toyota team, but Hembery believes it is time to move forward and stay up to date. It’s reported that there are talks with the teams going on, but no decision as yet, and Hembery adds: “We’re not interested in assisting one particular team and we need to do our job. We have some interesting ideas for 2013, but need to do work on them.”

So, if anyone has a spare 2011 car sitting unused in their garage, do send it on care of Paul Hembery, Pirelli.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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Welcome to F1Minute - Caterham F1 to move from Norfolk to Leafield.

The Caterham F1 team have revealed plans to move from their Hingham base in Norfolk to the Leafield Technical Centre in Oxfordshire. The Centre, in the heart of the UK’s motorsport valley, has previously been used by Arrows and Super Aguri. Now both Caterham F1 and Caterham Racing - the GP2 outfit - are heading to Leafield to bring the operations together.

Team boss Tony Fernandes spoke of the move, saying: “As both teams grew, it became clear that we needed to house the car company in the same facility as our racing operations... We began looking for a site that could be adapted to suit the needs of our racing and road car operations and Leafield quickly became the obvious choice.”

He adds that they intend to move in or around August this year, to allow for building works at the site. Fernandes also pointed out that there will still be business at the Hingham site, saying: “The factory in Hingham is where the dream began, and we will continue to develop that site into the new permanent home for Caterham Composites.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

Related stories

• Team Lotus buy Caterham Cars and head for a quick F1 test
• Team Lotus confirm Caterham rebrand and Steve Nielsen's arrival
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This is F1Minute - Bruno Senna gets 2012 drive with Williams F1.

The Williams F1 Team announced today that Bruno Senna will partner Pastor Maldonado for the 2012 season. The Brazilian driver had limited options after filling in for Nick Heidfeld at Renault in 2011, but he will now return to the team that his uncle drove for in that fateful 1994 season.

Speaking of the deal, Senna says: “It will be very interesting to drive for a team that my uncle drove for. Quite a few of the people still here actually worked with Ayrton and I'm happy that they are now giving me the chance to prove myself here. Hopefully we can bring back some good memories and create some great new ones too.”

Both sides of the agreement are adamant that it was more than just sponsorship that got Bruno the deal, whilst it was also revealed that Adrian Sutil was seriously considered for the seat. He is left without a drive for now, as is former Williams driver Rubens Barrichello. The only seat remaining for 2012 is with HRT.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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Welcome to F1Minute - Robert Kubica leaves hospital after injury setback.

Robert Kubica has left hospital after re-injuring his broken leg during an accident at his home in Pietrasanta. The Polish driver slipped on some ice and was taken to hospital complaining of pain in his right leg - the same one injured in the rally crash early in 2011.

Autosport reports that Kubica has been discharged from hospital today after another operation to rectify the fracture. Reports suggest that the accident will set him back about three weeks, as he has to wait that long before he can start training again.

After hearing of the incident, Lotus, who are ready and waiting to give Kubica a test when he is ready to return, issued the following statement from team boss Eric Boullier: “Robert has shown fantastic courage and determination in his rehabilitation following the accident last year, and it is sad to hear that he has suffered this setback. On behalf of everyone at Lotus Renault GP, I would like to wish Robert a quick recovery.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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This is F1Minute - Buemi slots into third driver role at Red Bull.

Sébastien Buemi has been confirmed as the reserve driver for Red Bull for the upcoming season, after being ousted from the Toro Rosso race seat along with Jaime Alguersuari.

The Swiss driver will also be on hand for his former team if they require a test or reserve driver, but his main duties will be with Red Bull. He’s returning to the role he started in, having been Red Bull’s reserve in 2008.

Speaking of the switch, Sébastien said: “It’s good to remain with Red Bull for another year and have this opportunity with the world championship-winning team. I would prefer to be driving at the races of course, but working on the development of the car and providing the team with feedback throughout the season is the next best thing.”

And team boss Christian Horner added his thoughts on the new appointment, saying: “He already knows the team well from his time with us in 2008 and has gained significant race experience over the past three years. He will complete important test and simulation work for us throughout the year and will be in attendance at each Grand Prix.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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This is F1Minute - FIA clarify 2012 sporting regulations, causing more confusion.

At the beginning of December, the FIA released the sporting and technical regulations for the 2012 season, with certain rules tweaked - particularly the practice for when a safety car comes out, plus how a driver is allowed to drive defensively. Today, updated regulations have been published with some clarifications in place.

Previously, the defensive driving rule was updated with the press release stating: “Drivers may no longer move back onto the racing line having moved off it to defend a position.” Now, it’s stated that they can come back towards the racing line, but must leave a car’s width between him and the corner.

Also clarified, the Safety Car regulations, in which lapped cars are allowed to unlap themselves before the safety car pulls in. However: “This will only apply to cars that were lapped at the time they crossed the Line at the end of the lap during which they crossed the first Safety Car line for the second time after the safety car was deployed.”

I hope that clears up any confusion.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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This is F1Minute - Patrick Head steps down from Williams F1.

Williams have released a statement today confirming that Director of Engineering Patrick Head will no longer be on the Board of Directors of Williams Grand Prix Holdings. The PLC runs Williams F1, which Head co-founded with Frank Williams in the 1970s. Head will continue to be part of the board of Williams Hybrid Power, moving his attention from Formula One to the future of hybrid technology.

Frank Williams has commented on the departure of his close friend and colleague, saying: “Patrick and I have been in partnership for 34 years. During that time, he has been the leader of the technical team that has won the majority of our race wins and championships. This is a remarkable legacy and one which will be treasured and definitely not forgotten.”

Patrick had already said he would take a step back in 2012, as the team restructures to try and rebound from the worst season in their history. With the new technical team led by Mike Coughlan, Head decided it was time to move on.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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Welcome to F1Minute - Adrian Newey and Nigel Mansell make New Year Honours list.

The names have been revealed for the UK’s New Years Honours list for 2012, with two of Formula One’s great names honoured in slightly different ways.

Adrian Newey has made it on to the list, set to receive an OBE in recognition of his services to motorsport. The Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull has won two World Championships with his current team, plus has previously secured one title with McLaren, and five with Williams. His car, chassis and team will be the 2012 defending champion.

Also honoured this time is former champion Nigel Mansell, who will be handed a CBE for his services to young people. He already has the OBE for sporting prowess, but is on the list this time for his work as President of the charity UK Youth. They have projects that include improving road safety, giving young adults something to do outside of school, and giving kids a voice.

Both awards will be presented by the Queen.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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Welcome to F1Minute - Paul di Resta and Nico Hülkenberg named at Force India.

Dr Vijay Mallya has a reputation for leaving his driver announcements until as late as possible, but we finally know that Paul di Resta will continue at Force India for 2012, to be joined by Nico Hülkenberg. Nico was the team’s test and reserve driver this past season and will make the step up to a full race seat, replacing the outgoing Adrian Sutil.

Mallya has paid tribute to the departing German, saying: “Our new line-up means we say goodbye to Sutil, who has been with the team since we entered the sport. He has been an integral part of our success over the past four seasons and we wish him well for the future.”

Meanwhile, Paul di Resta is glad to have the chance at a second season with Force India saying: “I love being part of this team: they are ambitious, hungry for success and we work well together.”

And Hülkenberg is relieved to no longer be test driver, adding: “It wasn’t easy to watch from the sidelines this season, but I did my best to help the team and show what I was capable of.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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This is F1Minute - Colin Kolles leaves HRT with immediate effect.

Yesterday, it was announced that Colin Kolles would be leaving HRT as team principal, with today being his last day at the squad. Kolles has been an instrumental part of the team’s development over the last couple of years and has been with them since before they hit the grid for the first time in 2010.

However, a simple statement from the team confirmed it was an amicable parting, saying: “This is due to the new direction that the team has taken and the decision of the new management to move the team headquarters to Spain.”

HRT announced his replacement today, with former F1 driver Luiz Perez-Sala appointed as Team Principal. He has been working with the team for a few months as an advisor and now makes the step up.

Talking of his role, he said: “This naming is an honour but also a great responsibility... We must be patient and keep in mind that we cannot expect to achieve great success in the short term, but we can take a team forward that we can all feel proud of.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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This is F1Minute - Toro Rosso announce Ricciardo and Vergne for 2012.

Toro Rosso have announced their driver line-up today, with the surprise move of dropping both Jaime Alguersuari and Sébastien Buemi. Team boss Franz Tost has thanked them for their hard work but pointed out that Toro Rosso exists to give new drivers a place to show what they are made of. That being the case, it is time for Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Éric Vergne to step up and get behind the wheel.

Ricciardo has a little F1 experience under his belt, having driven for HRT for the latter half of the 2011 season. Vergne has just a couple of young driver tests behind him but was the STR test driver this year.

Reacting to the news, the French driver said: “Christmas has come early for me this year! I definitely feel ready to make the move, even if I know there is a big difference between testing and actually racing.”

Ricciardo adds: “I have to say that joining Toro Rosso was always my real goal, so a big thank you to Red Bull for giving me this fantastic opportunity.”

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 to build own car for next season.

Supposedly there have been rumours that HRT were not planning to build their own car for the 2012 season, preferring instead to purchase the basic chassis from Team Lotus and/or Caterham.

A statement released by the outfit yesterday quashed the speculation, however, saying: “Contrary to what has been published the development of the car... is being carried out at the team’s technical office in Munich... Despite the tight deadlines and a rule change for 2012 meaning that crash tests must be completed before any cars can test, the team is confident the new car will be ready for preseason testing in February.”

Meanwhile, Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa has hit out at suggestions that moving to HRT is a step backwards. He said: “It’s a Spanish project and that to me says it all. We are last at the moment, but there is a plan for the upcoming two years to make progress and that is all. It’s a huge challenge, and I could have stayed at McLaren, but I wanted to do this a lot more. It’s much harder but it’s also much more interesting.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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This is F1Minute - Romain Grosjean to partner Räikkönen for 2012.

The second seat at the currently Renault but soon to be Lotus team has been claimed by GP2 champion Romain Grosjean. The French driver won the 2011 GP2 series, alongside duties as Renault’s third and reserve driver. He has also previously driven for the team in 2009, replacing the outgoing Nelson Piquet Jr for the final seven races of the year.

In 2012, he will partner returning F1 champion Kimi Räikkönen and relishes the challenge, saying: “There’s a big grin on my face at the prospect of getting behind the wheel of next year’s car, and I feel very privileged to be given this opportunity. To be racing alongside a former world champion and someone who is hungry and returning to Formula 1 will be a great experience.”

Meanwhile, team principal at LRGP, Eric Boullier added: “Romain has shown a lot of maturity in the past twelve months... we are confident that drafting him into one of our driver’s seats will help us in our rebuilding process.” Boullier also thanked Bruno Senna and Vitaly Petrov for their hard work, but both drivers are now left without seats for next year.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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This is F1Minute - FIA confirms regulation changes for 2012.

After a meeting of the World Motorsport Council this week, the FIA have announced their regulation changes for next season, starting with yet another tweak to the Safety Car rules. Now, lapped drivers will be able to unlap themselves before the Safety Car pulls off track, to enable a clean restart without the leaders getting stuck behind slower cars. This is a regulation the FIA have tried previously and already changed, but they are giving it another go.

Teams will be allowed to use all their sets of tyres whenever they like over a race weekend, rather than a specific number of sets for each practice session. They also have to get their cars through crash tests before being allowed to participate in any winter testing.

Races themselves have now been given a four hour maximum time, to try and stop any lengthy rain delays dragging proceedings out.

Finally, drivers will not be allowed to leave the track without good reason, for example cutting a chicane, and if a driver moves off the racing line to defend his position, he can’t take it straight back again.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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Welcome to F1Minute - Austin GP back on as agreement with Bernie reached.

The United States Grand Prix has had a rocky time over the past few months, but good news has filtered out today with an agreement between organisers and Bernie Ecclestone. Construction work at the Circuit of the Americas is also back on, with work ready to resume immediately.

Ecclestone had previously given the circuit a deadline of a week to come up with an amicable agreements, and boss Red McCombs said: “Mr Ecclestone received his check today... Our investors have believed all along that this project has tremendous benefit for our region, and provides a strong economic engine for the future. We remain committed to reaching our goal...”

The news comes just as the FIA reveal the ratified 2012 calendar - with the US Grand Prix firmly on it in November. There are no changes, actually, from the provisional calendar. Turkey is still dropped, and the Bahrain Grand Prix is still scheduled for the end of April, the fourth round of the season.

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 become third team to leave FOTA.

Fresh from the news that both Red Bull and Ferrari are leaving the Formula One Teams’ Association, the remaining teams are one further member down as Sauber have also revealed they will be leaving the organisation. A spokesperson for the Swiss squad would not give any specific reasons to the press but confirmed they have given their reasons to the Association, with the news that they wish to quit.

Autosport also reports that Toro Rosso are the next team likely to hit the headlines for leaving FOTA. It’s not clear whether they have handed their resignation in yet or not, but reports suggest there was no member of Toro Rosso present at a FOTA meeting yesterday, plus the team’s Red Bull links would likely pull them away.

The meeting in London was to discuss the future of FOTA, but Mercedes boss Norbert Haug is keen that the outfit continues, saying: “I think it is absolutely vital that FOTA exists. The aims that we have, the targets, are very important, and I think it is up to the so-called top teams to really balance it out.”

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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This is F1Minute - Sky Sports confirms their F1 broadcasting team for 2012.

Today, the new UK F1 broadcaster Sky Sports announced each member of the team for the upcoming season, starting with the already known Martin Brundle who will be doing commentary and appearing in the “paddock and pit-lane” which sounds like his infamous grid walks.

David Croft and Anthony Davidson from 5Live will also be making the switch, with Davidson likely to only cover practice sessions.

The Executive Producer, Martin Turner, says of the team: “We want to take viewers deep inside Formula 1 and these are the perfect guides. Together they have the technical knowledge, F1 experience and broadcasting pedigree to bring viewers the best insight into the sport.”

For their anchor, Sky have brought in Simon Lazenby who has over a decade of experience with the channel, plus Georgie Thompson and Steve Rider will help cover all the extras. Pitlane favourite Ted Kravitz will move to Sky, and will work with 5Live’s Natalie Pinkham, covering all the action from the pitlane together.

This is an original article published by F1Minute.com

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

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