Interview to Edoardo Piscopo
22/11/2009 at 17:17 | In Interviews MWN | 1 CommentTags: "interviews", blog interviews, edoardo piscopo, interview, interview edoardo piscopo, interview piscopo, interview to edoardo piscopo, interview to piscopo, piscopo
Hello! Today, the interview is to Edoardo Piscopo, the young Italian driver.
He droves already in championshis as Formula BMW USA (2005, 5th), with 3 wins and 1 pole; Formula Renault 2.0 Italia (2006, 3rd), with 1 pole; Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2006, 10th), with 1 fastest lap; Formula 3 Euroseries (2007, 15th) and A1GP (2007-08, 18th).
Here are the interview:
1) – How started your passion by racing cars?
My father was a racing driver and bought me a Kart when I was 12 years old.
2) – In your opinion, what was the best moment in your career until now? Why?
My first Win in Formula, was in 2005 in Denver, Colorado. Formula BMW USA
3) – In your opinion, what was the worst moment in your career until now? Why?
When I lost the f3 championship last year because of 3 technical failures, furthermore my rival never had a stop in the championship!! This drove me crazy and was really the worse moment of my career
4) – What was the pilot (or pilots) that you like most to face in the tracks?
No one specifically, every series has its own good drivers and every series has its difficulties. For sure in A1GP the level of drivers is extremely good as they are almost all professional drivers with loads of experience, therefore racing and beating them is the best feeling.
5) – In your career has been difficult to raise supports (sponsors, etc.)?
Almost impossible to raise sponsors, especially in this period.
6) – What are the expectations that you have for your future? What is your main objective to your career? Formula 1 is the greatest objective?
Yes, Formula 1 is the greatest objective, otherwise I would like to race in the FIA GT. Unfortunately to reach F1 you need to spend millions euro in F3’s and GP2’s seasons.
7) – Can you leave a message for your fans?
Ciao a tutti!! Take care.
This was the interview to Edoardo Piscopo.
Next time, the interview will be to Sérgio Jimenez, the driver who already competed in A1GP with A1 Team Brazil and in GP2 Series with Racing Engineering.
Yvan Muller gets 2010 Chevrolet seat
22/11/2009 at 16:21 | In Auto Racing News MWN, WTCC News MWN | Leave a CommentTags: wtcc, chevrolet, chevrolet wtcc, wtcc 2010, yvan muller, yvan muller wtcc, muller, muller wtcc, muller gets 2010 chevrolet seat, yvan muller gets 2010 chevrolet seat, yvan muller with chevrolet in 2010, muller with chevrolet in 2010
Yvan Muller will join Chevrolet’s World Touring Car team next season.
The 40-year-old Frenchman won the 2008 title for SEAT and finished runner-up to team-mate Gabriele Tarquini this season, but will join the RML Chevrolet team for 2010 alongside Rob Huff and Alain Menu.
“I am delighted to join Chevrolet for next season,” said Muller. “After four successful and exciting years with SEAT I was looking for a new challenge, and Chevrolet was my first choice.
“I have known RML since my years in the BTCC and I have witnessed the impressive growth of Chevrolet in the WTCC. I am confident in the potential of the Cruze and I am sure that together with Alain, Rob and the entire Chevrolet team, we can achieve great things.”
Muller won the 2003 British Touring Car title before leaving the series to join SEAT in the WTCC in 2006.
RML boss Ray Mallock added: “Yvan has been a respected competitor of RML since the mid-90s and stands as one of the touring car greats. Our signing of him confirms our commitment to winning this championship.”
WTCC at Macau: Races
22/11/2009 at 16:17 | In Auto Racing News MWN, WTCC News MWN | Leave a CommentTags: augusto farfus, augusto farfus wins macau 2nd race, augusto farfus wtcc, bmw, bmw wtcc, chevrolet, chevrolet wtcc, farfus, farfus wins macau 2nd race, farfus wtcc, gabriele tarquini, gabriele tarquini championship at macau, gabriele tarquini wtcc, huff, huff wins macau 1st race, huff wtcc, robert huff, robert huff wins macau 1st race, robert huff wtcc, seat, seat wtcc, tarquini, tarquini championship at macau, tarquini wtcc, wtcc, wtcc 2009, wtcc at macau, wtcc at macau races, wtcc macau, wtcc macau races
1st Race: Victory for Robert Huff
Rob Huff took a commanding victory for Chevrolet in the first World Touring Car race in Macau on Sunday – as runner-up finisher Gabriele Tarquini moved a step closer to capturing the drivers’ title.
Huff led away cleanly at the rolling start as fellow front-row starter Andy Priaulx hit trouble – falling back into the pack and then clouting the wall at the exit of the first kink as he tried to fight off his rivals.
Priaulx’s problems allowed Tiago Monteiro to move up to second spot, with Tarquini charging through the order from seventh to third by the time the cars braked into Lisboa Bend.
Huff opened up a cushion over Monteiro until lap eight, when the Portuguese SEAT driver slowed down – handing second place to Tarquini.
Third place eventually went to Jordi Gene, who finished ahead of Alain Menu and Yvan Muller – now the only man capable of stopping Tarquini taking the world title, six points behind.
Monteiro dropped to sixth to give an extra place to fellow ORECA SEAT driver Muller, while the BMWs of Jorg Muller and Augusto Farfus also slowed on the final lap – giving two further places to Muller – to secure the front row of the grid for the day’s second race.
Priaulx’s accident on the first lap resulted in major damage to the right front of his car, but he was able to return to the pits for repairs – rejoining the action just before the chequered flag.
Here are the standings of this race:
Pos Driver Car Time/Gap
1. Robert Huff Chevrolet 23m02.627s
2. Gabriele Tarquini SEAT 7.952s
3. Jordi Gene SEAT 8.996s
4. Alain Menu Chevrolet 10.328s
5. Yvan Muller SEAT 13.534s
6. Tiago Monteiro SEAT 15.517s
7. Jorg Muller BMW 15.782s
8. Augusto Farfus BMW 15.967s
9. Alex Zanardi BMW 16.301s
10. Sergio Hernandez BMW 16.527s
11. Rickard Rydell SEAT 16.618s
12. Nicola Larini Chevrolet 18.476s
13. Tom Coronel SEAT 21.356s
14. Felix Porteiro BMW 21.961s
15. Tom Boardman SEAT 29.923s
16. Franz Engstler BMW 30.468s
17. Kristian Poulsen BMW 44.647s
18. Norbertu Taniguchi BMW 46.571s
19. Takayuki Aoki BMW 56.298s
20. Henry Ho BMW 1m23.908s
21. Kit Meng Lei BMW 2m02.061s
22. Jo Merszei BMW 2m02.321s
23. Jaap van Lagen Lada +2 laps
24. Liu Lic Ka BMW +2 laps
25. Andre Couto SEAT +2 laps
DNF.Andy Priaulx BMW 2 laps completed
text at: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80289
picture at: http://autosport.aeiou.pt/gen.pl?p=stories&op=view&fokey=as.stories/79166
2nd Race: Augusto Farfus wins, and Gabriele Tarquini is the champion
Augusto Farfus won an incident-filled final round of the World Touring Car Championship in Macau on Sunday, but all eyes were on Gabriele Tarquini who clinched the drivers’ title.
Farfus led away cleanly from pole position and held an advantage throughout the early stages of the race from BMW team-mate Jorg Muller, who himself was fighting off the close attention of SEAT duo Yvan Muller and Tiago Monteiro. Behind them, Tarquini had moved up fifth on lap seven when Jordi Gene slowed.
The battle at the front was interrupted by a safety car on lap three, when Tom Boardman crashed in the Solitude Esses, and then the race was red-flagged at the end of lap eight when there was a spectacular crash at the R Bend final corner.
Felix Porteiro ran wide and hit the barriers, before his car was swiped by Franz Engstler’s BMW. Engstler’s car was then left stationary in the middle of the track where it was collected heavily by local driver Andre Couto.
With debris all over the track there was no option but to halt the race and, after a brief delay, it was decided that the event would not be restarted.
It meant that Tarquini’s fifth placed finish was enough for him to take the WTCC crown, with his SEAT team doing enough to take the manufacturers’ title.
Tarquini had been suffering an engine misfire in the second race so was nervous about his chances of taking the title if there had been a restart – so was relieved that his accidents earlier in the weekend and the late drama had not hit his title chances.
“It is fantastic,” said Tarquini. “I had some crashes in practice and qualifying, which isn’t the best way to approach the weekend in Macau, but the team did a fantastic job to rebuild the car.”
Here are the results of this race:
Pos Driver Car Time/Gap
1. Augusto Farfus BMW 22m20.166s
2. Jorg Muller BMW 0.801s
3. Yvan Muller SEAT 1.201s
4. Tiago Monteiro SEAT 1.980s
5. Gabriele Tarquini SEAT 3.815s
6. Jordi Gene SEAT 5.018s
7. Nicola Larini Chevrolet 5.359s
8. Robert Huff Chevrolet 5.895s
9. Alex Zanardi BMW 6.167s
10. Rickard Rydell SEAT 6.712s
11. Sergio Hernandez BMW 7.764s
12. Felix Porteiro BMW 8.290s
13. Andy Priaulx BMW 8.583s
14. Franz Engstler BMW 9.390s
15. Norbertu Taniguchi BMW 10.635s
16. Takayuki Aoki BMW 12.819s
17. Andre Couto SEAT 13.531s
18. Kit Meng Lei BMW 24.275s
19. Henry Ho BMW 27.175s
20. Jo Merszei BMW 27.530s
21. Alain Menu Chevrolet 2 laps
DNF.Tom Coronel SEAT 4 laps completed
DNF.Tom Boardman SEAT 2 laps completed
DNF.Kristian Poulsen BMW 2 laps completed
Williams sells stake in team
20/11/2009 at 11:23 | In Auto Racing News MWN, Formula 1 News MWN | Leave a CommentTags: formula one, williams, williams f1, williams formula 1, williams formula one, williams sells stake in team
Frank Williams and Patrick Head have sold an equity stake in their Formula 1 team to an Austrian investment company.
Williams and Head have been the sole co-owners of Williams since it was formed in 1977 – and there has long been resistance to selling off a part of the company despite frequent speculation linking the team with numerous manufacturers.
However, Williams announced on Friday that a deal has been reached with an Austrian investment company led by investor Toto Wolff for him to have shares in the team. He will also sit on the company’s board.
As well as his business activities, Wolff is a part-time racer – having competed in recent years in the FIA GT championship and the Austrian Rally Championship – in which he finished runner-up last year.
Frank Williams is expected to speak later today about the motivation behind the selling of shares.
text at: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80242
picture at: http://autosport.aeiou.pt/gen.pl?p=stories&op=view&fokey=as.stories/79110
Kimi Raikkönen to take a gap year from Formula 1
20/11/2009 at 10:42 | In Auto Racing News MWN, Formula 1 News MWN | Leave a CommentTags: f1, f1 2010, formula 1, formula 1 2010, formula one, formula one 2010, kimi raikkonen, kimi raikkonen f1, kimi raikkonen formula 1, kimi raikkonen formula one, kimi raikkonen gap year, kimi raikkonen mercedes, kimi raikkonen to take a gap year from f1, kimi raikkonen to take a gap year from formula 1, kimi raikkonen to take a gap year from formula one, raikkonen, raikkonen f1, raikkonen formula 1, raikkonen formula one, raikkonen gap year, raikkonen mercedes, raikkonen to take a gap year from f1, raikkonen to take a gap year from formula 1, raikkonen to take a gap year from formula one
Kimi Räikkönen will take a sabbatical from Formula One next year after talks over a return to McLaren broke down, his manager has revealed in a newspaper interview.
The 2007 world champion had been in discussions with McLaren after being released a year early from his contract with Ferrari, the Scuderia having signed Fernando Alonso to partner Felipe Massa from next season.
McLaren were viewed as the 30-year-old’s sole option to stay in the sport next season but his manager Steve Robertson revealed the negotiations have come to nothing and told Finland’s Turun Sanomat newspaper: “The options in F1 were with McLaren next season or not at all. Kimi and McLaren were unable to reach an agreement, so he will not drive at the F1 level – at least not next year.”
He added: “Kimi still exudes passion. A gap year does not mean anything in that respect. He is more interested in fighting for wins and the world championship.
“F1 will miss Kimi. He worked hard over the summer – doing things in a Ferrari that only the best drivers are capable of.”
The decision to call a halt to Räikkönen’s negotiations with McLaren would appear to smooth the way for world champion Jenson Button to move to the team next season, with reports this week indicating the Briton is on the verge of signing a three-year deal.
Räikkönen’s plans for 2010 could include involvement in the World Rally Championship following his impressive debut in the series in a one-off outing earlier this year, while he has also been linked with a drive in the annual Le Mans 24 hour race.
The Finn could return to F1 in 2011, with Red Bull Racing already being touted as a possible destination.
in: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iIGI9aXX9XHjYu7WO0LEcBtWwQ7w
Mercedes takes over Brawn
16/11/2009 at 22:57 | In 1 | Leave a CommentTags: f1, f1 2010, formula 1, formula 1 2010, formula one, formula one 2010, mercedes, mercedes f1, mercedes formula 1, mercedes formula one, mercedes gp, mercedes gp f1, mercedes gp formula 1, mercedes gp formula one, mercedes takes over brawn, mercedes will compete in f1 as full factory team, mercedes will compete in formula 1 as full factory team, mercedes will compete in formula one as full factory team
Mercedes-Benz has announced that it has taken over the Brawn Formula 1 team and re-named it Mercedes Grand Prix after buying a 75.1 per cent stake in the squad.
The German car giant will retain its role as McLaren’s engine supplier until at least 2015, but will sell its 40 per cent stake in the squad back to the team over the next two years.
“Mercedes will compete in the F1 world championship next year starting with its own factory team,” said head of Mercedes cars, Dr Dieter Zetsche.
“This is possible by the agreed acquisition of 75.1 per cent of Brawn GP, 45.1 per cent from Daimler and 30 per cent from our partner Aabar Investments. The rest will be with the current share – Ross Brawn, Nick Fry and other members. The interests of Daimler are aligned therefore it will be a true Mercedes-Benz team.
“Ross Brawn will continue to be the team principal and thereby we are maintaining his strength. Just like the engine team at Mercedes Benz High Performance Engines, the new Mercedes Benz grand prix team will be co-ordinated by Mercedes Benz Motorsport which is as everybody knows headed by Norbert Haug.”
The team will be run out of Brawn’s current headquarters in Brackley, rather than from a new facility.
Team principal Brawn said that he could not have imagined such a partnership happening 11 months ago when Honda announced it was pulling out of F1, leading to a winter of uncertainty for the squad that was soon to become Brawn.
“Both I and my fellow directors at Brawn GP are incredibly proud of our staff, drivers and everyone associated with our team and thank them for their commitment, outstanding teamwork and their focus on achieving results in sometimes difficult circumstances,” he said.
“The senior management group will remain in place to lead our team and on behalf of everyone at Brawn GP, we are honoured to be representing such a prestigious brand as Mercedes-Benz in Formula One next year and will be working together to do our best to reward their faith in our team.”
The deal means that Mercedes will compete in Formula 1 as a full factory team for the first time since Juan Manuel Fangio won the world title in 1955.
Neither driver has yet been announced for the new squad. 2009 driver Rubens Barrichello has already joined Williams for next season while Jenson Button has yet to decide on his future.
AUTOSPORT understands that Nico Rosberg will be one of Mercedes’ drivers, while the company’s motorsport chief Norbert Haug said on Sunday that discussions have taken place with former BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld.
Trulli open to NASCAR future
15/11/2009 at 16:25 | In Auto Racing News MWN, Formula 1 News MWN, NASCAR News MWN | Leave a CommentTags: jarno trulli, jarno trulli nascar, nascar, trulli, trulli nascar, trulli open to nascar future
Jarno Trulli says that although he still has opportunities to remain in Formula 1 next year, he wants to leave the door open to a possible future NASCAR switch.
The Italian has spent the weekend with Michael Waltrip Racing at Phoenix, watching events from the Sprint Cup garages and listening to the team’s radio communications during the practice sessions, as he prepares for his first NASCAR outing and his first run on an oval in a test next week.
Speaking to AUTOSPORT at the Arizona track, Trulli once again stressed that despite the NASCAR test coming at a time when his future is not yet set, his priority is still to remain in F1, where he is rated as favourite to land a seat with the new Lotus team.
However he wants to leave the doors open in NASCAR, even if a switch does not happen next year.
“Obviously looking at today’s situation it’s pretty clear that I can race in Formula 1 next year, but doing this test might keep many doors open,” said Trulli. “So I’m fully open on any kind of stuff, even though my priority is to stay in Formula 1.”
Trulli has also spent some time during the weekend talking to former F1 colleague Juan Pablo Montoya. He said that he has followed the Colombian’s progress since his move to NASCAR in 2006, and having being to a few races already, he has a clear understanding of how big and professional the sport is.
“The fact that Juan Pablo has stepped in a few years ago has attracted a lot of attention, to many people, and that’s why I’ve been sat and looking at the series because I was trying to understand what really was the target for him, what pushed him to get in the series,” said Trulli.
“But actually when you come here and see how many people come to watch these series, you understand, you realise there’s so much interest around. So it’s really a professional top series, especially for America.”
A move to the US is not something Trulli rules out. The Italian has some business interests in Europe besides his racing, namely his vineyard Podere Castorani near his native Pescara, but he says that would not play a big part in any decision over a NASCAR future.
“Absolutely not,” said Trulli. “I have no business in Europe apart from the vineyard that my father runs. Racing is racing. We travel a lot around the world, I like living in the US, I have already an apartment in Miami, so that’s never been a problem to think about my career.
“It’s just a question that I don’t know if I want to do it. That’s why I’m extremely interested in testing this car, to get an idea of what [it] is [like] driving these cars.”
The 35-year-old said he was not very fond of the current climate in F1, given the recent pull-out announcements from manufacturers, and believes work still needs to be done to improve the health of the world championship.
“It doesn’t seem too healthy at the moment,” he said. “It’s just my opinion, but I don’t want to make any further comment. I think there’s some work to do.”
Speaking about Toyota’s exit from F1, Trulli lamented having not won a race for the team in their 90 grands prix together. The Italian scored seven podiums while driving for the Japanese manufacturer, finishing second twice, the last time being at this year’s Japanese Grand Prix, which will stand as Toyota’s last appearance on an F1 podium.
“I think we were very close many times, especially this year,” said Trulli. “We never had enough luck or we always missed a little bit. It’s a shame that it has ended up like this.
“It’s a shame for the people over there. We had quite a good group, a good team and actually also a great car but probably the car was never strong enough to win a race. I tried and tried many times but we failed.”
Trulli will test a Sprint Cup Series Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing next Wednesday, while fellow former Toyota F1 driver Mika Salo, who is also with the team this weekend at Phoenix, is set to drive on Tuesday.
Interview to Kazim Vasiliauskas
14/11/2009 at 22:02 | In Interviews MWN | 1 CommentTags: "interviews", blog interviews, interview, interview kazim vasiliauskas, interview kazimieras vasiliauskas, interview to kazim vasiliauskas, interview to kazimieras vasiliauskas, interview to vasiliauskas, interview vasiliauskas, kazim vasiliauskas, kazimieras vasiliauskas, vasiliauskas
Hello! Today the interview is to Kazimieras Vasiliauskas, the Lithuanian driver who competed in FIA Formula 2 in 2009.
Kazimieras (Kazim) Vasiliauskas started the open-wheels career in 2008, competing in Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup (10 races, 55th) and in Formula Renault 2.0 Italy (8 races, 21st).
In 2009, Kazim Vasiliauskas competed in FIA Formula 2 (16 races, 7th, with 1 win, 1 pole position, 4 podiums and 2 fastest laps) and in Formula Palmer Audi (20 races, 2nd, 2 wins, 2 pole positions, 11 podiums and 1 fastest lap).
Here are the interview:
1 – How started your passion by racing cars?
When I was 7 my father asked me if I want to race with gokart. Of course I said yes and like this I started racing.
2 – In your opinion, what was the best moment in your career until now? Why?
After every victory or podium I feel good so I think I had many bests moments in my career. In my career I also made few good decisions: to sign contract with my manager Danilo Rossi and to move to F2.
3 – In your opinion, what was the worst moment in your career until now? Why?
Crash in 2008 with Formula Renault in Hungaroring. I stopped racing for 5 mounths.
4 – What was the driver (or drivers) that you like most to face in the tracks?
I never raced with Zanardi but he is my ideal. In gokart I really enjoyed to race with Fore, [Andrea] Piccini.
5 – How is to be racing driver in a country as Lithuania, with little visibility in international motorsport?
In Lithuania motorsport is not popular, no support from government, no circuits. I’m the first driver which is racing in high level races. Now people are quit interested to look F2 races and I hope in the future there will be more drivers from Lithuania.
6 – With the recent fatal crash of your opponent in F2, Henry Surtees, you are with fear of car racing?
I enjoy racing and Henrys death changed nothing to me. It’s just really sad for that what happened for such a good driver.
7 – In your career has been difficult to raise supports (sponsors, etc.)?
‘Till now I don’t have strong sponsors and to find enough money to race is really hard.
8 – What are the expectations that you have for your future? F1 is the main objective?
For the moment I’d like to finish F2 season in top 10 and to win Formula Palmer Audi [n: Kazimieras Vasiliauskas achieved the 1st objective, being 7th in F2, but just was runner-up in Formula Palmer Audi]. Of course F1 is the main objective for me and for all the other drivers.
9 – Can you leave a message for your fans?
I’m really happy that some people from Lithuania or others countries are coming to watch my races. During the race weekend everybody can come and to talk with me.
And this was the interview to Kazim Vasiliauskas!
Next time, the interview will be to Edoardo Piscopo, the driver who competed in 2009-10 GP2 Asia Series first round with DAMS, and competed in FIA Formula 2 in 2009.
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Jenson Button is expected to be announced as a McLaren driver later today after signing a three-year deal to partner Lewis Hamilton at the team.
World champion Jenson Button has heightened speculation about his 2010 plans by visiting the McLaren factory.