Saturday, December 31, 2011

Solidarity race in Oviedo with Fernando Alonso

For the 3rd consecutive year, Fernando Alonso participated, on 23 December, at a solidarity race in Oviedo, his hometown . for the sum of 3€ , participants were able to run alongside the Spanish driver. 
 Note that there has been a little more than 10000 participants which allowed to harvest more than 30 000 euros for an association that will build a secondary school in Mozambique. 

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Fernando Alonso's thoughts about 2012

Fernando Alonso presented his wishes to a handful of Spanish journalists in Madrid and has addressed several subjects. 
*He spoke first of the 2012 season and the new Ferrari :
"I saw the car when I went to Maranello for four days. I have seen that the version which is in a wind tunnel, we have to wait. But at this stage of the season, we believe that we have the best possible car for next year. But we must wait until February, when it will take the track to discover the result and make us a clear idea of its potential .
What is clear, is that everyone in the team is really very motivated for the next year. There is a desire to regain the lost ground and to live what Red Bull lived the past two years. Enjoy victories and earned Championships is what what Ferrari was accustomed in the last decade, and it is something we want to do again. The first engineer to the last designer, I found a total concentration and an immense desire to have a dominant car. I am therefore relatively calm and confident for 2012, because Ferrari to the ability to design a car capable of winning. This is the best formula 1 team. "
*He also said a word about Red Bull :
"I think that we will return. Red Bull has a very good car, a car which is very well developed. It is possible to improve this single-seater, and they will improve it, but they have not as large margin that we have . We had a different philosophy to adapt to the Pirelli tires, a different philosophy regarding the suspension and many other things. We have therefore a beautiful margin improvement. I think that they will improve x % and we are going to improve two times more than them. We will therefore be much closer in 2012."
*Fernando is very happy with Kimi Raikkonen's comeback :
"I wish him a good return. This is an excellent pilot. He is one of the most talented drivers in the grid, a world champion and a wonderful person .
This will be a pleasure to deal with him again in track . 
I do not want to compare him to a particular driver, but is not the same thing to start and to arrive at the first turn with Kimi Räikkönen by your side over a young or a beginner. Fight with champions gives you a different feeling and more security. "

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Fernando Alonso with Santander in Madrid !

On Monday 19 December, the Bank of Santander, main sponsor of Ferrari, organized an event during which children have received gifts by the hands of Fernando Alonso, Marc Gené, Pedro de la Rosa all dressed for the occasion in Kings Mages ! 
Earlier in the day, Fernando Alonso , in Madrid, received the international award of sport presented by the President of the autonomous community of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre. 

The Christmas dinner at Maranello

On Sunday, December 18 the Ferrari drivers  played Santa Claus for the staff of the factory Ferrari at the traditional Christmas dinner in Maranello. They offered children gifts and sweets . 
Here are some pictures.

Friday, December 16, 2011

The news of the week

* Romain Grosjean was confirmed in LRGP (future Lotus) and will therefore support Kimi Raikkonen in 2012. 
 * Toro Rosso has created the sensation this week by deciding to completely change its line up for 2012 ! Exit Sébastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari , hello  Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo ! 
* A rumour swells more and more in Italy, that Robert Kubica could become the new third driver in Ferrari to be able to train on a F10 on the Mugello circuit. 
 * Kimi Raikkonen had a light snow motorcycle accident during a race in Finland fortunately not serious! 
* Force India unveiled its duo of drivers for 2012: Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta ! 
 * the Spanish daily "As" indicated that Fernando Alonso fervently works(he even refused to take part at en event organized by Shell in Madrid)on the Simulator to be ready for 2012 where the objective will be to be world champion for a third time. 

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Changes on the 2012 technical regulation

The fia did , today , some changes of the technical regulation for 2012 . Here they are :
«-All cars must pass the crash tests before being allowed to take part in winter testing. -During the 2012 season, a session Testing will be held during three days. The race drivers will be allowed to take part. The dates and the circuit have not yet been chosen. 
-The drivers will be allowed to use all the sets of tires available to them the first free practice session. So far, only three sets of tires were awarded on Friday morning. 
-No drivers will be allowed to leave the track, for example by cutting the chicanes rise in input or output in the order to save time or save fuel, unless a reason justified. 
-under safety car, all pointing to the cars around the leader will be allowed to split for reach the back of the pack. This will move to restart the race in the order of the positions of ranking. 
-During the race, drivers who have left their line to defend their position will not be allowed to resume ideal line immediately. -Now, after the departure of the race, duration of four hours only can not be exceeded in case of temporary suspension. -The cars being in the pitlane during the interruption of a race will be allowed to join the grid in the position that was theirs to time of the interruption.»
(source : http://www.toilef1.com )

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Rumors and truth !

* Having long been approached by Williams Kimi Raikonnen finally signing a surprising comeback in LRGP (future Lotus) for 2 years! alongside him we could see Vitaly Petrov but also Romain Grosjean or Bruno Senna 
* There will be at least one French in F1 since Charles Pic has signed his contract for 2012 at Virgin! 
* Another French Jean-Eric Vergne has extended his contract for a period of 3 years with Red Bull which means he is guaranteed to get a steering wheel holder by the end of his contract in one of the two teams run by the multinational but it is rumored that Vergne could replace one of the two Toro Rosso drivers in 2012. 
* The Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa has surprised everyone by signing a 2 years contract with the team HRT, which was  just looking for a Spaniard to get more sponsors. 
* Pastor Maldonado was confirmed in Williams as well as the young Finn Bottas as third driver. As against this, we still do not know if Rubens Barichello will always be his partner in 2012.