Formula-1 News and Updates

Practice 1: Hamilton off to fast start

Friday, 10 October 2008 03:41

World championship leader Lewis Hamilton set the pace in first practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, outpacing his title rival Felipe Massa by 0.15s.
In unexpectedly dry and sunny conditions that afforded a clear view of Mount Fuji, the timing charts had a familiar look to them by the end of the 90 minutes with McLaren and Ferrari locking out the top four positions.
Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) and Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari), who are now cast in support roles to their team-mates as the championship chase nears its climax, were several tenths adrift in third and fourth places.

Japanese Grand Prix free practice session 1 times

1. HAMILTON McLaren 1m18.910s
2. MASSA Ferrari 1m19.063s
3. KOVALAINEN McLaren 1m19.279s
4. RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1m19.399s
5. ALONSO Renault 1m19.473s
6. PIQUET Renault 1m19.743s
7. VETTEL Toro Rosso 1m20.121s
8. KUBICA BMW 1m20.160s
9. BOURDAIS Toro Rosso 1m20.182s
10. NAKAJIMA Williams 1m20.217s
11. SUTIL Force India 1m20.288s
12. ROSBERG Williams 1m20.350s
13. WEBBER Red Bull 1m20.620s
14. HEIDFELD BMW 1m20.628s
15. TRULLI Toyota 1m20.657s
16. BARRICHELLO Honda 1m20.753s
17. BUTTON Honda 1m20.769s
18. GLOCK Toyota 1m20.823s
19. COULTHARD Red Bull 1m20.905s
20. FISICHELLA Force India 1m21.104s
Practice 1: Hamilton off to fast start - F1 | ITV Sport

'Green' tyres to be used in Japan

Wednesday, 08 October 2008 13:06

Bridgestone will run one-off 'green' tyres in the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend as Formula 1 gets behind the FIA's 'Make Cars Green' campaign, which is promoting greater environmental awareness amongst drivers and the motoring industry.

The F1 tyres will have green stripes in their grooves at Fuji, with the softer tyre bearing three green stripes and its usual white band to distinguish it from the harder compound.

The green tyres were launched at a Make Cars Green event in Tokyo earlier today, at which the McLaren and Ferrari teams expressed their support for the FIA's environmental message.

"As drivers in the public limelight it is good that we can help spread these important environmental messages," said Felipe Massa.
'Green' tyres to be used in Japan - F1 | ITV Sport

Just a reminder to those who expect race to be at 5:30PM that its not so for this race.Its a morning race as per ISTQualification Saturday 10:30AMRace Sunday 10:00AM (race is half an hr early than qual)

he has a charming personality. that's what count... he has a face that can be used in advertising and can sell products on his brand name. there are lots of other white guys who fail to achieve anything in F1.

Felipe Massa has warned Lewis Hamilton that he will fight for the title until the bitter end

i hate these kind of nonsense news items!

i hope kimi dashes his car once with lewis in one of the remaining race

that would be awesome 😀

i hate these kind of nonsense news items!

i doubt massa actually said that. these writes mostly twist the words to make title look sensational.

he must have just said that he will fight till the end. and writers added "Massa warns Hamilton" infront.

@amish,Thanks for the Information...Free 2 resultsT.GLOCKF.ALONSOL.HAMILTONF.MASSAK.RAIKKONEN

They could ve kept Canadian GP in between 26July and 23August... One month gap is too long 😢

You are absolutely right........😀

I cant be so paitent with out F1 race for that long period and i would certainly miss the races after the brazalian GP as there will be 3 months gap for a new season😢

Car makers unhappy with Canada axe

Friday, 10 October 2008 12:32

Bosses of leading car manufacturer teams in Formula 1 admit it is a big blow that there will be no North American race in 2009 and expect the issue to be raised at the next FOTA meeting.
This week’s surprising announcement that the Canadian Grand Prix had been axed from a revised 2009 calendar means the sport will not feature a Canadian or US round (including Indianapolis 500) for the first time since the inception of the world championship in 1950.
BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen said the news was a major disappointment for the German carmaker and believed it was important for F1 to keep a foothold in North America while it worked on finally trying to crack the United States.

“Obviously we are not happy about not being in North America,” he said at Fuji on Friday.
Car makers unhappy with Canada axe - F1 | ITV Sport

that would be awesome 😀

I hope my statement comes true in this weekend fuji race itself.........that means kimi would really help Massa to get the championships:thumb::dance:

i doubt massa actually said that. these writes mostly twist the words to make title look sensational.

he must have just said that he will fight till the end. and writers added \"Massa warns Hamilton\" infront.
The article might be written by a brit journalist..............😉

Massa happy with upgraded F2008😀

Friday, 10 October 2008 10:38

Championship challenger Felipe Massa described his Ferrari as “very good” during the opening practice sessions in Japan after there was little to choose between him and title rival Lewis Hamilton.

While Ferrari unusually did not top either of Friday’s sessions, both its cars enjoyed trouble-free days and Massa finished the second session just 0.03s shy of his McLaren rival in fourth place.

The Brazilian, who heads into the weekend looking to close a seven-point deficit to Hamilton in the standings, was satisfied with the consistency of his upgraded F2008.

"I am pleased with this first day in Japan,” he said.
Massa happy with upgraded F2008 - F1 | ITV Sport

Practice 2: Glock upsets form book

Friday, 10 October 2008 07:37

Toyota’s Timo Glock was the surprise pacesetter in Friday afternoon practice at Fuji, giving the Japanese manufacturer bragging rights at the circuit it owns after an indifferent performance in the morning.
Glock took charge half an hour into the 90-minute session and remained unbeaten, ultimately edging out Renault’s Fernando Alonso by 0.043s.
Practice 2: Glock upsets form book - F1 | ITV Sport

I expect some drama in tomorrow's race...........i dont know which team is going to get benefit and loose advantage in that drama

Lewis encouraged by practice pace

Friday, 10 October 2008 10:20

Lewis Hamilton believes McLaren is in good shape for the Fuji weekend after topping the first practice session in Japan today.

The championship leader slipped to third in the afternoon, but was still only 0.080s slower than surprise pace-setter Timo Glock.

"I had no complaints today," said Hamilton, who won at Fuji in appalling conditions a year ago.

"We were immediately on the pace and found a very good balance straight away.
Lewis encouraged by practice pace - F1 | ITV Sport

Sutil: Potential for strong weekend

Friday, 10 October 2008 00:00

Adrian Sutil reckons he has the potential for a strong showing at the Fuji Speedway, after he finished first practice in 11th and second practice in 16th.

Sutil has extensive knowledge of 2.8-mile circuit having won here twice in Japanese F3 during his championship-winning year of 2006.

Fuji is also the venue where he scored his one and only world championship point last year, a performance he is hoping to build on at his second attempt.

“It's always an advantage if you know the circuit well and I just feel good here,” said the Force India driver.
Sutil: Potential for strong weekend - F1 | ITV Sport

Rapid Renault upbeat after practice

Friday, 10 October 2008 09:49

The Renault team is confident for the rest of the Japanese Grand Prix after a promising performance in Friday practice.

Fresh from his Singapore victory, Fernando Alonso was fifth in the first session, then second later on - just 0.043s behind top man Timo Glock.

"It was a trouble-free day," said Alonso.

"We covered lots of laps, which was the priority and that allowed us to advance with our programme.
Rapid Renault upbeat after practice - F1 | ITV Sport

well they are people with families. give them a break 🙂

haha drivers already complained abt excess races and abt the short break betn the year. and 3-4 months gap is good quiet and vrooom-vrooom free time for my family!

well they are people with families. give them a break 🙂
During that break we have got A1 GP........:cool2: