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  • F1 engine builder Brian Hart dies

    F1 engine builder Brian Hart dies

    Former Formula One racing driver and engineer, Brian Hart, has died at the age of 77 after a long battle with illness.

    Hart is well known for having built engines for the likes of Jordan and Toleman.

    Starting his racing career in 1957, Brian Hart enjoyed great success in single seater racing even and qualified for the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring in 1967 – his sole outing in F1. He retired from racing in 1971 after starting his own company, originally preparing Ford engines for F2 cars before developing his own engine for Toleman’s F2 team.

    Following a one-two in the 1980 European F2 championship, Toleman graduated – along with Hart – in to Formula One. With their limited budget the opening seasons were a struggle, but by 1984 Hart was also supplying engines to Spirit and RAM.

    Their engine secured its first podium finish at the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix when Ayrton Senna finished second for Toleman.

    More podiums followed and 1985 saw Toleman’s Teo Fabi take the first pole position for the pairing, but a year later Hart dropped out of Formula One, not able to compete with the large budgets available to the likes of larger engine manufacturers like Honda and Renault.

    In 1993 Hart returned to F1 with Jordan and enjoyed a podium a year later at the Pacific Grand Prix with Ruben Barichello while the Brazilian driver also claimed a pole position in Belgium.

    When Jordan then opted for Peugeot engines, Hart supplied Footwork – yielding a podium at Adelaide in 1995. Tom Walkinshaw Racing bought the engine company in 1997 and Brian Hart left TWR in 1999 after deciding to quit F1.

     

  • Witness captured video footage of Schumacher accident

    Witness captured video footage of Schumacher accident

    Investigators are hoping that video footage inadvertently captured by a German eyewitness will shed light on Michael Schumacher’s skiing accident last week.

    The Formula One legend remains in a coma and in critical condition following the accident in the French Alps.

    But now, a 35 year old German eyewitness says he caught the accident on his smartphone by chance while recording his girlfriend who was also skiing in the same area at the time.

    Investigators are focusing on Schumacher’s speed at the time of the fall when Schumacher slammed his head on a rock on a small off-piste section of the Meribel ski resort. They are also looking into footage from a small GoPro camera which Schumacher had mounted on his helmet at the time of the fall. His family is said to have handed the camera over to investigators but it is unknown yet whether any of the footage will be usable or whether the camera was too badly damaged in the fall. Schumacher’s helmet is said to have split in two on impact.

    In a press conference last week, doctors who treated Schumacher said he had been skiing at “great speed” when he fell.

    However, according to news magazine Der Spiegel who spoke to the witness, Schumacher is seen descending an unmarked run between two groomed pistes before falling, and the seven-time world champion was descending the slope at a “leisurely” pace – “a maximum speed of 20 kilometres an hour”.

    This would corroborate claims by Schumacher’s spokesperson Sabine Kehm, who insisted that he could not have been going fast “because it appears he helped a friend who had just fallen”.

    Prosecutors are also working on determining responsibility for the accident. They’re looking into whether the limits of the ski runs were properly marked; whether the rock in question may have been close enough to the piste to require some sort of signage or protection; and whether the safety releases on Schumacher’s skis had operated properly.

    Police have also obtained eyewitness testimony from Schumacher’s 14-year-old son Mick as well as a friend, who were skiing with him at the time.

    Kehm has said that Schumacher remains in a “critical but stable condition” after undergoing two surgeries to release pressure and bleeding on the brain.

    Schumacher’s wife Corinna and his two teenaged children have remained by his bedside throughout.

    His old rival, and good friend, Mika Hakkinen wrote to Schumacher according to the Bild am Sonntag newspaper saying, “Your accident is now just another challenge. You have to fight hard again, just like we both used to do on the track. Do me a favour: just this once don’t try to beat the clock. You don’t have to post your best time in this race. You have to take all the time you need.”

     

  • Schumacher: Slight Improvement But Still In Danger

    Schumacher: Slight Improvement But Still In Danger

    Doctors in Grenoble had some good news for the world regarding Micheal Schumacher’s condition.

    A second operation was carried out on the 7-time world champion last night after CT scans showed that there was a slight improvement. Scans this morning revealed that there were improvements to Schumacher’s condition.

    “Very late in the evening (Monday) another brain scan was carried out and we could see a slight improvement and allowed us to tell the family that we would be able to have another surgical intervention to reduce the hematoma and that surgical intervention took place overnight,” said Hospital Director General Jacqueline Hubert

    The doctors made it clear that there was no deterioration in Schumacher’s condition.

    The second operation was carried out late last night to remove a hematoma on the left side of his brain. The operation, according to the doctors was a success as they had completely removed the hematoma. There are other hematomas on his brain but there are no immediate plans to remove them as they are difficult to access.

    “At that moment, talking to our neurological surgeons, taking into consideration his state had slightly improved, we suggested we would carry out a surgical intervention that had not been originally envisioned but that allowed us in the evening to treat in a more efficient fashion and in a more radical fashion to try and eliminate this intracranial pressure.

    “This was carried out during the night with relatively good efficiency which allowed his this morning to look at new images and we were able to see that this hematoma had been evacuated in a very correct and very satisfactory fashion and we now have a few signs that currently can allow us to feel that it is better controlled than it was yesterday,” said Professor Jean-Francois Payen

    The operation was carried out by the hospitals chief neurologist Professor Emmanuel Gay which lasted two hours.

    “This was not the hematoma that had been removed the night before, this was a hematoma that was actually in the brain itself, but all the parameters last night allowed us to eliminate it and therefore together we decided to do so and at the same time to reduce intracranial pressure,”

    “On the control scan that was carried out this morning the levels of intracranial pressure have improved, but the scan does show there are other legions on other parts of the brain and those legions are going to be supervised and followed up of course. We can’t for the moment envisage much more – we are just going to be regularly supervising the situation on an hourly basis and that is all we can say today,” said Professor Gay

    With the operation going well and with the scans showing some encouraging news, Professor Payen stressed that Schumacher is not out of danger and the situation was fragile and he is still critical. He went on to say that the situation was better controlled than yesterday and that they have “gained a bit of time with regards to the development.” He also added that “the coming hours are still critical.”

     

  • Schumacher Remains in a Critical Condition

    Schumacher Remains in a Critical Condition

    Doctors in Grenoble, France held a press conference on Monday 30 December 2013 to report back on the state of 7- time world champion, Micheal Schumacher.

    The press conference was very brief, there were a few questions that were taken but the doctors did have some sort of a statement prepared.

    “Michael Schumacher was the victim of very serious trauma. He was very agitated when he arrived and we decided he was in a critical situation and he quickly went into a coma. The neurosurgical treatment he received brought us quite a lot of information. We had to operate urgently to release some pressure in his head. Unfortunately, he has some lesions within his brain,” said a spokesperson for the hospital.

    “Everything that needed to be done has been done at the moment we can’t really say when he will recover, we cannot answer this yet,” added the Chief anesthesiologist professor Jean-Francois Payen.

    He went on to add: ”

    “We can say he is fighting for his life. We judge him to be in a very serious situation. We cannot tell what the outcome will be yet. We are working hour-by-hour but it’s too early to say what is going to happen and to have a prognosis.

    They think that the helmet he wore saved his life and that it took most of the damage. “The helmet wasn’t enough to protect him completely but it really did help. “Without a helmet he wouldn’t be here now,” said Professor Payen.

    The doctors were quick to mention that Schumacher will not need a second operation and that they are monitoring his condition on an hourly basis. His family are being kept informed of his condition and they are by his side.

    There are reports that Ross Brawn is in Grenoble.

    We will keep you updated with all the news about Schumacher’s condition.

  • UPDATE: Michael Schumacher in a Critical Condition after Skiing Accident

    UPDATE: Michael Schumacher in a Critical Condition after Skiing Accident

    After initial reports that his condition was not serious, news has emerged that Michael Schumacher’s condition has deteriorated and he is now in a critical state at a French hospital.

    According to SkySports F1, a statement released by the University Hospital of Grenoble confirmed that he was in a coma.

    “Mr Schumacher was admitted to the University Hospital of Grenoble at 12:40pm, following a skiing accident which occurred in Meribel in the late morning. He suffered a severe head injury with coma on arrival, which required immediate neurosurgical intervention. He remains in a critical situation.”

    Investigations are still ongoing as to the cause of the incident. Medical personnel who attended to Schumacher at the ski resort were by his side in minutes and was airlifted to the Moutiers hospital after the accident. He was then transferred to the University Hospital of Grenoble where they specialise in head trauma.

    As soon as the news of his condition broke, there was an outpouring of well wishes from the F1 community. “Come on Michael, give us one of those race stints at pure qualifying pace to win through, like you used to. You can do it,” tweeted former racer and Sky Sports F1 commentator, Martin Brundle.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with Micheal and his family. We hope and pray that he pulls through this. He is a fighter and we would like him to come out on top after this.

     

  • Michael Schumacher ‘hurt in skiiing accident’

    Michael Schumacher ‘hurt in skiiing accident’

    Reports have been making the rounds that former F1 driver Michael Schumacher has been taken to hospital with a head injury.

    The accident allegedly happened while the 44-year-old seven time world champion was skiing in the French resort of Meribel in the popular Three Valleys ski area.

    “I do not know the severity of the injury,” the director of the ski station told French radio station RMC. The police are currently conducting their investigation into the origins of the fall.”

    He added: “We do not know yet if it happened on a piste or off-piste.”

    Michael Schumacher retired from Formula 1 for a second time at the conclusion on the 2012 season.

     

  • Gutierrez Confirmed by Sauber for 2014

    Gutierrez Confirmed by Sauber for 2014

    The Sauber F1 team announced early on Saturday morning that Esteban Gutierrez will stay on for 2014.

    The young Mexican will race alongside Adrian Sutil as his teammate at the Hinwil based team.

    “I am happy to be able to continue as a driver for the Sauber F1 Team. It was a steep learning curve last season, but by working closely with the team I was able to improve continuously,” Said Gutierrez

    It will be my fourth year with the team, the second as a racing driver, and I feel comfortable in taking the next step. The technical challenges in 2014 will be massive. Therefore it will be even more important to know well the people you are working with. I will do my very best to improve even more and support the team the best way I can.,” Gutierrez added.

    “We are pleased Esteban will drive for us in 2014, because we believehe is a talented young racing driver. Last season he experienced first hand how hard it can be for a rookie to step into Formula One,” said Sauber Team Principal, Monisha Kaltenborn

    Along with the singing of Gutierrez, Sauber also announced their continuation of their partnership with Mexican telecommunications company, Telmex.

    “We at Telmex and Telcel are very proud to continue being part of the Sauber F1 Team to keep consolidating our succesful history in motorsport, particularly in Formula One and our driver development programme for Mexican and Latin drivers such as Esteban Gutiérrez, a great young talent, friend and human being,” said the Chairman of Telmex, Carlos Slim Domit.

    With Telmex staying on for 2014, and with the driver market that played out the way it did, it looked as though it worked out quite well for Gutierrez and ensured that he retained his seat for 2014 at Sauber.

     

  • Eddie Irvine brands double points rule as “insanity”

    Eddie Irvine brands double points rule as “insanity”

    Former Formula One driver Eddie Irvine has branded the idea of double points for the season finale as “insanity” and vows he won’t be watching another race “until the rule is kicked out”.

    Irvine, who drove for Jordan, Ferrari and Jaguar during his decade-long career, is not one to be shy of giving an opinion and has already voiced his displeasure with additions such as DRS to the sport.

    Now, in an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, Irvine has lashed out at the new regulation changes in the sport, more specifically at the new double points rule which will see drivers receiving double points for the final race in Abu Dhabi at the end of the 2014 season.

    “I think Formula One has lost its way,” he told Belfast Telegraph.

    “This latest rule of double points for the last race is insanity. That actually made me realise I am not going to watch another race until that rule gets kicked out. That is just embarrassing. It really is. They should be ashamed of themselves.”

    “I just think the people involved in these decisions have lost the plot. They have no understanding of reality and the people who are in there have been in too long. They have blown up the history of the sport by changing the points, changing the qualifying and now double points for the final race!”

    “It’s ridiculous, I’ve never heard such a joke in all my life. Talk about tinsel town bullshit!”

    Irvine also had a few things to say about Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.

    When asked whether he thought that Vettel is on the same level as his former team mate and seven time world champion, Michael Schumacher, Irvine seemed to think that Vettel is proving nothing by staying at Red Bull.

    “Vettel’s record is amazing, though he has kept the best car pretty much every year which Michael didn’t have. The one thing about Michael was when he won his first two championships he felt ‘this is boring, I’m going to go to Ferrari and re-build Ferrari’ and that was very admirable. He struggled there for four years before he won another championship. Vettel just staying at Red Bull winning trophies is boring. I don’t see what he’s trying to prove. Okay, he’s going to collect a lot of championships, but you know what, who cares?”

    Irvine didn’t hold back about Hamilton either, saying that he’d “lost the plot a little bit because he went too showbiz.”

    He continued, “His entry into Formula One was fantastic and his talent was amazing. Then he wanted to be a movie star or a rapper or something else. People want their sports stars to be 100% committed to being sports stars. I think he is coming back from that now and it would be nice if he could challenge Vettel. Lewis and Fernando Alonso are the two guys capable of taking Vettel on if their cars are up to it. Unfortunately, they aren’t at the moment.”

    Irvine put a final little dig in at the current state of Formula One saying that he much prefers watching the Discovery Channel and doesn’t keep in touch with anyone other than Kimi Raikkon who “rings me the odd time when he’s drunk!”

     

     

     

  • Mercedes snatch two top Red Bull engineers

    Mercedes snatch two top Red Bull engineers

    In a bid to boost their technical staff, the Mercedes F1 team have signed two key Red Bull figures Mark Ellis and Giles Wood.

    Mercedes have created two new roles for the poached Red Bull engineers. Mark Ellis will join as Mercedes’ Performance Director, while Giles Wood will take up the position of Chief Engineer, Simulation and Development.

    A Mercedes statement said the recruitment of Ellis and Wood would “further strengthen the team’s technical organisation, particularly in the fields of simulation and vehicle dynamics”.

    The two engineers are the first two key appointments made by Mercedes’ new leadership team of Paddy Lowe and Toto Wolff who were appointed as co-team bosses of Mercedes in 2014 following the resignation of team principal Ross Brawn.

    Both men are set to join the Mercedes Formula 1 team in June 2014, once their current contracts with Red Bull Racing have finished.

    The announcement will come as a major blow to the Milton Keynes team as it comes just months after it emerged that chief aerodynamicist Peter Prodromou will be moving to McLaren in 2015.

    Photo Credit: Mercedes F1

     

  • Spagnolo Confirmed as Raikkonen’s Engineer for 2014

    Spagnolo Confirmed as Raikkonen’s Engineer for 2014

    Ferrari, on Tuesday, confirmed Antonio Spagnolo as Kimi Raikkonen’s race engineer for 2014.

    Spagnolo joined Ferrari in 2005 from Minardi and worked on Alonso’s engineering team for the 2013 campaign. From 2014 he will sit Alongside Stefano Domenicali and Andrea Stella on the pit wall and suggesting race instructions to Raikkonen over the radio.

    This will be Raikkonen’s third race engineer at Ferrari after Chris Dyer in 2007 and Andrea Stella in 2008.

    Raikkonen will have his first run in a Ferrari at the first pre-season test at Jerez on 28 January.