F1-Blog

News from the Spyker MF1 team is that they have signed a one year engine deal with Ferrari.

The team is hoping that the new power unit's will move them up the grid next year. However there is nothing really wrong with the Toyota lumps they are currently running.

The teams CEO Victor Muller said: "To reach agreement with the number one name in the Formula One world for over 50 years is a milestone in the history of our company.

I am convinced that the co-operation of Spyker MF1 Team with Ferrari and its dedicated staff will bear fruit for the 2007 season.

Mike Gascoyne`s input as Chief Technology Officer, effective November 1, 2006, leads me to believe that Spyker will become a serious contender in the F1 seasons to come."

The Mike Gascoyne comment is perhaps more relevant at moving the team up the grid than the Ferrari engine deal. With some luck Mike may get back into his rhythm with the Silverstone based squad and give the team some pace from the chassis and aero departments.

The news does have other repercussions though. Ferrari seem to be supplying themselves and two other teams next year, even if it is rumored that Red Bull are trying to get out of there supply deal a year early (they have signed on for Renault power, and would like to use it in the RBR car, and not the STR one).

It also means that the Cosworth Engine may not see use next year. This would be a bad thing, as in one form or another they have been in the sports for a very long time.

Let's hope that the Red Bull / Toro Rosso teams get out of the Ferrari deal, and use or buy the Cosworth engine or company, it's not like it would be a surprise.

Michael Schumacher struggled on the Bridgestone tyres in qualifying in a rain soaked session.

The Michelin tyres again proved that they are the better option for when it's even damp, let alone wet.

Fernando Alonso showed again that the differing conditions do not throw him, and perhaps more importantly, Renault showed that they where back on the pace, Dominating all of the sessions so far in China.

The front of the grid has the two Renault's followed by the two Honda's of Barichello and Button who are running different liveries for the Chinese event.

The other supprise was Kimi being outdone by his team mate Pedro de la Rossa, who was  definetly the quicker of the McLaren cars in the session.

The outcome of the GP will, I believe be down to the weather in the race tomorow. If it is dry then the Michelin teams may not have the advantage they did today, but if it is wet or damp, then Michael will struggle to keep up with the Renault's.

The current leaders in the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association) are to step down from the front line.

Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard and Jarno Trulli are to make way for Ralf Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber.

Ralf will be taking up the Chairman position on the new look GPDA, taking over from current Chairman Jarno Trulli.

Alex Hitzinger has been announced as Toro Rosso's new technical director.

Alex comes into the team to replace Gabriele Tredozi who has departed the team.

Alex joins the Italian Red Bull team from Cosworth Engineering, where he was the head of the Formula One development team, he was also involved in the Toyota Rally world championship winning car.

Alex is also going to head up the 'Advanced Technologies' department at the Toro Rosso sister team Red Bull Racing.

Felipe Massa has had to change an engine this weekend, causing the Brazilian to take a 10 place drop on Sundays Chinese GP grid.

Massa said: “When I stopped the car I felt a different noise in the engine. We are checking inside the engine at the moment but we are definitely going to have to change.

"That really is not very good news, especially when you see the car is competitive.

“Straightaway I managed to make a good laptime and with the car I think we have the right package and the right tyres for the race.

"Starting ten places back is not really fantastic, but we will try and be motivated to do a great race."

This will obviously impact the Brazilians ability to help out championship challenger Michael Schumacher on Sunday.

However it seems he may not need Filipe's help in Sundays race, as championship leader Fernando Alonso is struggling to get the pace out of his Renault at the Chinese track.

Michael Ammermüller will get to drive for Red Bull Racing in both the Chinese and Japanese GP's.

Michael knocked up enough miles at recent test's to gain his Super Licence so can now take the place of Robert Doornbos in the next races.

Ammermüller said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for me.  Formula One is the ultimate for every racing driver and to have the chance to work as a test driver for Red Bull Racing is very exciting. Working with the team at the test in Jerez it was obvious it has big ambitions, which is very motivating. I'm now completely focused on my task ahead. I'll be looking to learn as much as possible and I'm in the right place and with the right team to be able to do that."

Good luck to Michael, we wish him good luck.

The Spyker MF1 team have gone all orange. From now on the old Midland F1 team will run in the new Neon Orange livery.

The team is hoping the change in colours will help people distinguish between them and the McLarens on TV. The McLarens' clever liquid reflection colour scheme does not show up well on the TV, and made the two teams look remarkably similar.

The colour scheme is now based on the Spyker Squadron sports cars.

More pictures of the new scheme can be seen over at the Midland F1 site.

It seems that Imola, the historic Italian circuit and home to Ferrari may have been thrown a lifeline for next year.

The FIA had shown a timetable for races, and one of the German and Italian races were left off the 17 race calendar.

However it has been announced by the FIA, that the teams have unanimously agreed to increase the races to 18 next year, allowing for the San Marino GP to possibly put back on the schedule.

The circuit however needs to make changes to the paddock and pits to get approval for the race.

It looks like the addition of the circuit was brought on by Luca di Montezemolo, the Ferrari and Fiat president, after discussions with the FIA, Bernie and the Italian Prime Minister.

Luca said "For us it is very important that Imola remains". So it looks like it will.

If however the circuit cannot make the changes deemed required, there are other circuits that could take the race instead, one of the possibilities is Honda's Suzuka circuit in Japan.

Suzuka makes way next year as the Japanese GP will be moved to the rival Toyota owned Fuji Racetrack.

It looks like Olivier Panis is to end his 12 years in F1, as he has announced his retirement from the series at the end of the year.

Panis and Ricardo Zonta are both leaving the Toyota test team at the end of 2006, with the likelihood that Frenchman Franck Montagny will be joining as the third driver.

Olivier has said

"I know that it is time for me to move on and fulfil my wish to race again. I am looking forward to new racing challenges outside Formula One but I will keep a close eye on Toyota's performances and hope they achieve all the success they deserve."

Panis has been one of the stable backbones that the Japanese team have relied upon during it's first years in the sport, and it will be sad to see him go. However it looks like he will not be out of the limelight, as it is rumored that Peugeot are looking at him to drive in their LeMans team.

So this weekend was the Belgian GP, or not as the case may be.

The race was canned, due to safety issues (apparently).

The race should be back on the calendar next year, however if you fancy having a look at some of the great history of the race, then pop along to F1Fanatic, they have some great pic’s.