F1-Blog

I highly recomend you pop over to F1Fanatic and read up on his ITV Plea.

The McLaren team announced that Mika Hakkinen will be back in an F1 car tomorrow (Thursday).

Mika will take part in the third day of testing in Barcelona, his first public appearance in an F1 car since Japan 2001.

Mika said “I’m really excited about driving a Team McLaren Mercedes Formula One car again and to be re-engaging with the team,” Hakkinen, who has retained a close relationship with the team through his Mercedes DTM drive, said. “I have followed the Formula 1 World Championship closely since my retirement at the end of the 2001 season, but it was when I was at this year’s Brazilian Grand Prix as a guest of the team that I really felt I would like to get a chance to drive a Formula One car again.
“I have recently spent some time in Team McLaren Mercedes’ simulator in Woking and to get the possibility to drive the MP4-21 is something I’m really looking forward to. I would like to thank Ron [Dennis] and Norbert [Haug] for making this happen.”

It will be good to see the Finnish world champion back in the quick seat, after he has been appearing an the Mercedes DTM cars over the past couple of years.

Let’s hope he still has his pace and car setup ability. After all if he has still got the championship winning pace, it could be just what Lewis Hamilton needs, after all you could pick up pointers from worse drivers.

It seems that the Super Aguri team may well run the 2006 Honda RA06 in next years F1 races.

Anthony Davidson was seen testing in a Super Aguri that looks remarkably like the Honda from last year.

Now this is nothing new, after all Toro Rosso ran the 05 Red Bull after all.

At least it shows a good deal of co-operation between the two 'sister' Honda teams.

Thanks to xpb.cc for the pictures and F1Fanatic for the heads up.

One I missed last week, Philips Shavers have announced a sponsorship deal with the Williams F1 team to carry the logo on the car and uniform.

Whether the renewed interest in the Williams team is due to the team switching to the Toyota engine in 2007 is unknown, however the team does not seem to be struggling too much in the sponsorship stakes.

I would assume that Philips are hoping the high tech image of the F1 paddock will rub off on them.

The post tobacco world of F1 is looking rosier by the day.

Have a look Here at the full press release.

21 year old Brit Lewis Hamilton has been announced as the second driver in the McLaren F1 team next year.

Ron Dennis has chosen the current GP2 Champion Lewis over Pedro de la Rossa.

Hamilton said "To be racing in Formula One with McLaren has been the ultimate goal for me since I was very young and this opportunity us a fantastic way to end what has been the best year for me,"

"I have grown up with McLaren and Mercedes and wouldn't be where I am today without their continued support and guidance.

"I'm aware that this will be a challenge and I know that there will be a lot of attention on me.

"However the team has told me just to relax, do the best I can and enjoy the opportunity. I will work hard to get good results."

The young Brit will learn a lot from the current world champion over the year, Ron Dennis said "Since 1998 Lewis has formed an important part of our long-term strategy and we are pleased that we are able to help him take another step and achieve his dream of becoming a Formula One racing driver,"

"Pedro has done an outstanding job for us this season but we felt it was the right time to provide Lewis with this opportunity.

"It's obviously going to be the biggest challenge of Lewis's career so far but it's one that we are sure he will be able to meet.

"He is coming into the paddock for the first time as a Formula One racing driver and will have to familiarise himself with the pressures of a Grand Prix weekend.

"However, the confidence we have in Lewis's abilities and talent is clear from our decision to give him the chance."

I has been announced that Anthony Davidson has finaly been given the chance he deserves in F1.

Anthony will be driving for the Honda B team Super Aguri next year.

His test role at Honda will be filled by Christian Klien.