It’s the 30th March 2010 and this is F1 Minute.

Lotus Racing appear to have been the most successful of the new teams on the grid this year, and boss Tony Fernandes has his hopes set quite high. We’ve already heard from Virgin boss Richard Branson that he thinks he could be challenging Red Bull in the next few years, and Fernandes has much the same to say: “After Bahrain I’ve got the idea that within three seasons we can be up there, up in the top five teams. Top ten I would hope this time next year.” He adds that it’s not necessarily money that gets you to the top, as Toyota had an enormous budget and it didn’t work out for them. He thinks it’s all about the people.

Elsewhere, Brembo Brakes have had to issue a statement to clarify that the problem that saw Vettel retire from the lead of the Australian GP was nothing to do with them. Various factions in F1 have attributed blame to the manufacturer, but they say the team has confirmed it was not the brakes, although they’re not sure what it was.

That’s all for now, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.

30-Mar-10: Lotus Want to Race in the Top Five by 2013

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This is F1 Minute and it’s the 22nd March 2010.

Toyota and Stefan GP have parted company now that the hopeful 2010 entrant did not get the grid spot they desired. Zoran Stefanovic has said: “We are very grateful to Toyota, which is a great company and doing a great job in what they are doing.” Whatever that is. He added that they are looking to the future and intend to initiate the process with the FIA, but are deciding how best to go about it.

Elsewhere, a section of tunnel at Spa has fallen in, causing minor damage to some run-off area on the track. The Blanchimont access tunnel collapsed slightly which has left a hole off-track, and some cracks in the surface of the circuit itself. No one was hurt, though, thank goodness.

Finally, the preview quotes are pouring in for the Australian GP and Alan Permane of Renault believes they can get both drivers into Q3. That’s the target, anyway.

That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.

22-Mar-10: Stefan GP and Toyota Part Company

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Jarno Trulli hugs a Toyota team member after achieving his fourth career pole position at the Bahrain International Circuit in 2009. Timo Glock helped the Toyota team lock out the front row with a second place qualifying spot. Trulli went on to claim 3rd position in the race whilst Glock finished 7th.

The Toyota team won’t be present at this year’s Bahrain GP. Jarno can be found a long way from pole position at Lotus F1 Racing, and Timo finds himself in a similar position with Virgin Racing.

Credit: Toyota Motorsport GmbH

Big Hugs in Bahrain

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Hello and welcome to F1 Minute for the 21st January 2010.

Jarno Trulli has been talking about his new team and says he is quite impressed with how well they’re getting along. He said: “It’s rather new, and it seems very modern to me. We have everything, including the facility to produce carbon fibre. On top of that, we also have an excellent windtunnel at our disposal… for a new team, we are in a better position than I would have hoped.” He does add that as a smaller team, he’s not expecting it to match Toyota’s potential, and that the project has longer term goals, and for now it’s a race to get points rather than wins. Half glass full or half glass empty, you decide.

Meanwhile, Williams technical director Sam Michael has suggested that their 2010 car has been completely redesigned, from an aerodynamic stand point, it’s completely new. He also mentioned that Rubens is pretty demanding, saying: “He’s unlikely to be around in five years time because of his age and has a sense of urgency about him.” Again, is that a compliment? You decide.

That’s all for now, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.

21-Jan-10: Trulli’s Impressed With His New Team

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This is F1 Minute and it’s the 17th December 2009.

Sauber have confirmed their first driver for the 2010 season in the shape of Kamui Kobayashi. The Japanese driver took part in two Grand Prix events this year for Toyota, deputising for Timo Glock. Now he has been signed up to the former BMW team and says he will be doing his best: “Ever since the start of my career I have dreamed of racing in Formula 1. Now this dream has come true. I am very happy that my two races in 2009 have earned me a cockpit place.” Peter Sauber added that Kamui showed great speed and aggression and that he knows how to work with a good strategy.

Elsewhere, yesterday, Felipe Massa completed another test in an F2007 at Mugello. He finished about 90 laps over the course of two days, the first being interrupted by weather. After he was done he said: “I was very quick immediately and nothing seems to have changed in my driving style compared to before the accident.”

That’s it for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

17-Dec-09: Kobayashi Signs to Sauber for 2010

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Jarno Trulli preparing for his Yamaha Tenere XT660 test ride in May 2008. The former Renault and Toyota driver has been signed up for new team Lotus for the 2010 season, alongside ex-McLaren driver Heikki McLaren. Trulli believes his experience of a variety of teams and manufacturers will be a positive asset for his new bosses.

Credit: Toyota Corporation GmbH

A Positive Asset

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This is F1 Minute for the 3rd December 2009.

Big news today, as first Toyota confirmed they weren’t going to be selling their F1 entry and had essentially given it back to the FIA. At the end of the day, the governing body announced that Sauber had been granted Toyota’s slot, becoming the 13th team on the 2010 grid. Peter Sauber previously announced he would only buy the team from BMW if they had an entry and he is pleased with the result. He says: “This is excellent news for the workforce in Hinwil. After many weeks of uncertainty, we have finally secured our place on the grid for 2010. Now we can enter into concrete negotiations with drivers and sponsors.”

Meanwhile, the young driver test in Jerez drew to a close today with Daniel Ricciardo on top in the Red Bull. He put in the fastest time of the entire week, more than a second up on second place di Resta in the Force India. The Red Bull did end the day with a blown engine though. Oops.

That’s all for now, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

03-Dec-09: Sauber Granted 13th Grid Slot for 2010

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BMW wave goodbye but they’ll return in 2010 as Sauber

The FIA has confirmed Sauber will be granted the 13th slot on the 2010 F1 grid after it was left vacant by departing rivals Toyota.

Although the team have officially competed as ‘BMW-Sauber’ for the past four years, this confirms the return of Sauber as an independent outfit in F1, last seen in 2005.

Sauber still have to sign the Concorde Agreement which will guarantee their space on the grid.

It remains to be seen if Toyota will have to pay a fine to the FIA for leaving the sport despite having committed to it until 2012.

Sauber have been tipped to use Ferrari engines next year, as they did in F1 from 1997-2005, during which time they were badged Petronas.

However hopes for a full 13-team grid may yet be dashed as Renault have not confirmed their participation in 2010.

Read more: 2010 F1 drivers and teams

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The FIA has worked closely with the Commercial Rights Holder and the teams involved over recent weeks and is grateful for their support in achieving the best outcome for the sport.

An updated Formula One entry list will be published in due course.

FIA Formula One World Championship – BMW Sauber

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Welcome to F1 Minute for the 30th November 2009.

The FIA released the official 2010 entry list today, with plenty of to be confirmed notes. A couple of things stood out though, with Manor Grand Prix being listed as Virgin Racing. We’ve been expecting an announcement from Virgin to this effect, but it looks as though the FIA might have beaten them to it. Brawn GP are still listed as Brawn but it’s pointed out they have indicated their intention to change to Mercedes Grand Prix before next year.

Red Bull have been signed up with Renault engines, although Christian Horner has pointed out they still have not come to a final decision. Also, notably, Toyota are missing off the list, as you would expect, and there is no mention of whether the grid slot is going to be filled by anyone, with Sauber still facing an unknown future.

On that subject, Mario Theissen confirmed that he will be staying with BMW as head of motorsport, rather than moving to Sauber.

That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

30-Nov-09: FIA Release Official 2010 Entry List

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