Formula One official 2010 Trials - part of proceeds to go to Haiti

Formula One official 2010 Trials
Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Cheste
01-01 February
A great weekend's entertainment and an absolute must for any petrolhead. 25€ gets you a grandstand seat for the whole three day event but as little as 5€ will get you into the circuit and there are VIP box offers too!
Seven of F1's 13 teams - namely Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Renault, Sauber, Williams and Toro Rosso - have confirmed their participation in the opening group test of the 2010 pre-season.

The good news is also that part of the proceeds of the day will go to help the victims of Haiti. "Fans who buy a ticket for the tests in Valencia will also perform a humanitarian act to help after a tragedy," Garcia said.

Formula One Trials at Cheste

Great news for all you petrolheads out there! The official trials for Formula One 2010 take place the weeknd of the 01-03 February at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit at Cheste. Three days of Formula One thrills for a very low price - 25€ get you grandstand seats for the whole weekend. Get on down! If you need a hotel click here for great rates!
If you want more information on what's on and what's great in Valencia visit our site by clicking on the title above!

Alonso Will Race In Valencia after all!

The FIA decided at 09:30 this morning that Fernando Alonso will be allowed to race in Valencia after all. There are rumours all over Valencia that 'Saint Rita'- Rita Barbera personally intervened and had a word in Bernie Eccleston's ear. The decision is just a little too late to affect ticket sales for the Valencia Street Circuit, but it will come as a relief to all Spaniards. Tomorrow, the Federation will decide what the new sanction on Alonso and Team Renault will replace this lifted ban.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is returning to F1 in Valencia after a four week summer breakand says he's "still buzzing from the win in Hungary and I'm hopeful of being able to carry that pace into the Valencia weekend - particularly with our new upgrades to the car!"

Could be an exciting weekend after all!

Valencia - Schumacher deals another blow to the city!

So now Schumacher is NOT racing for Massa at Valencia Street Circuit. On Schumacher's website he says "Yesterday evening, I had to inform Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and Team Principal Stefano Domenicali that unfortunately I’m not able to step in for Felipe. I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn’t work out. Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1-day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible."

This is awful newsnot only for the city, but for the organisers, Valmor Sports too, they are going to be besieged by angry fans wanting their money back - though chances are very slim on that score .

Let's hope the persistent rumours that Alonso may be allowed to race here after all are true! More as we get it.

On a separate note, has anyone noticed that the Movistar/Telefonica poster of the event all over town shows the originally proposed route going past the City of Arts and Sciences - Did nobody tell them or their ad agents it had been changed?

CHINESE GRAND PRIX

Chinese Grand Prix
Shanghai
Sunday 19 October 2008
Lewis Hamilton stormed away at the start of today’s race, followed by Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. Fernando Alonso was in touch with the top three but Heikki Kovaleinen in the second McLaren seemed to be dropping back. It was later disclosed that his tyres had been incorrectly fitted.
Jarno Trulli started 7th but was hit by Sebastian Bourdais (Toro Rosso) at the first corner and had to retire. Massa pitted first after 14 laps, followed by Alonso, Hamilton and Raikkonen. This gave Kovaleinen a brief spell at the front but Hamilton was soon back in command. At this stage, the top four remained unchanged but soon Robert Kubica, who had started 12th and Nick Heidfeld (9th) began to work their way up the field. Kovaleinen, who had fallen back, pitted on lap 35 with a shredded tyre. He came back out but later had to retire.
Meanwhile Hamilton had opened a comfortable gap over Raikkonen, who was noticeably slower towards lap 50. A grateful Massa finally slipped past into second and finished 15 seconds behind the young Briton. Raikkonen made it a 2,3 for Ferrari and Alonso came in fourth, followed by Heidfeld and Kubica.
Nelsinho Piquet, who started 10th on the grid, managed to pass both Sebastian Vettel and Sebastian Bourdais in the Toro Rossos. He was in turn passed by Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) and Timo Glock (Toyota) but, with the loss of Trulli and Kovaleinen, gained another point for Renault.
Ferrari seem to have the Constructor’s title safely in hand but what does seem surprising is that Sauber BMW are now just ten points behind McLaren. Despite the McLaren being clearly faster, Kubica and Heidfeld have simply scored points in more races than Hamilton and Kovaleinen.
Felipe Massa is now the only driver standing between Hamilton and the Drivers’ Championship, so it is perhaps fitting that the final deciding race will be in front of the Brazilian’s home crowd in São Paulo. Both drivers have five race wins and only seven points separate them, so the Brazilian Grand Prix on 2 November should provide a thrilling finish to an excellent season.
The top eight finishers were:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
3 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
4 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW)
6 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW)
7 Timo Glock (Toyota)
8 Nelsinho Piquet (Renault)
After 17 races, the leader board looks like this:
Drivers:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 94
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 87
3 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 75
4 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 69
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 60
6 Fernando Alonso (Renault) 53
7 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 51
8 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso) 30
9Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 30
10 Timo Glock (Toyota) 22
Teams:
1 Ferrari 156
2 McLaren 145
3 BMW Sauber 135
4 Renault 72
5 Toyota 52
Mike O’Neill

Singapore Grand Prix

Singapore Grand Prix
Sunday 28 September

In a thrilling and eventful race, Fernando Alonso (Renault) claimed his first victory in what, for a two times world champion, has been a very frustrating season with an uncompetitive car.

Felipe Massa led from pole and, with a light fuel load, was expected to pit early. Whether it was the unfamiliar track, the floodlit circuit or a lapse of concentration; things started to go wrong on lap 14, when Nelsinho Piquet (Renault) crashed into the concrete wall. Team mate Alonso had pitted earlier and was spared the pain of watching the fuel draining behind the safety car. This lack of fuel forced Robert Kubica and Nico Rosberg to incur 10 second penalties for re-fuelling whilst the pit lane was ‘closed’. When Massa finally pitted on lap 17, a faulty light signal prompted him to accelerate away with the fuel hose still attached. The hose ripped out of the bowser, bowled over one of the pit crew and dragged behind the Ferrari until Massa stopped. Further seconds were lost as the crew raced after the car and wrestled the nozzle from the tank. Massa rejoined the race in last place.

Meanwhile Rosberg (Williams) had re-joined the race and, as one by one the cars ahead pitted for fuel, found himself in the lead, followed by Jarno Trulli (Toyota) who was on a one-stop strategy. Rosberg finally pitted for his penalty, leaving Trulli in the lead. Once Trulli pitted, Alonso was clear away and began to build a strong lead. Meanwhile, David Coulthard had moved up into third, with Lewis Hamilton fourth. Alonso pitted on lap 40, by which time he had built a sufficient lead to re-join just in front of Coulthard. Hamilton saw his opportunity and passed Coulthard seconds later before a final pit stop.

Raikkonen, who had patiently worked his way back into fifth position after the earlier chaos, crashed out with just four laps to go. Team mate Massa had spun off on lap 50; pulling away just before Adrian Sutil (Force India) crashed into the barrier. Not a good evening for a team which started 1st and 3rd on the grid.

In what could become defining moments in the 2008 championship, Ferrari lost their constructor’s lead to McLaren and Renault pulled ahead of Toyota to take fourth place behind BMW Sauber.

The next grand prix takes place in Japan on Sunday 12 October.

Mike O’Neill


The top eight finishers were:
1 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2 Nico Rosberg (Williams)
3 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
4 Timo Glock (Toyota)
5 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso)
6 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW)
7 David Coulthard (Red Bull)
8 Kazuki Nakajima (Williams)


After 15 races, the leader board looks like this:
Drivers:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 84
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 77
3 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 64
4 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 57
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 56
6 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 51
7 Fernando Alonso (Renault) 38
8 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso) 27
9Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 26
10 Timo Glock (Toyota) 20
10 Mark Webber (Red Bull) 20

Teams:
1 McLaren 135fer
2 Ferrari 134
3 BMW Sauber 120
4 Renault 51
5 Toyota 46

The Swiss at F1 Valencia

Can't let the Formula One weekend theme finish without a mention of Claude and his little band of Swiss Petrolheads. We had a very pleasant weekend with them - I say Swiss but actually only 4 were - the other two were Californian and Portuguese.

Alonso and his merchandise

Is this being awfully mean?
It's just that there seems to be an awful lot of merchandise left after his early retirement from the F1 European Grand Prix here in Valencia on Sunday?

GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE - THE POLE POSITIONS

2008 FORMULA 1 TELEFONICA GRAND PRIX OF EUROPE
Yesterday was qualifying day here in Valencia and was a big disappointment for Alonso who is in 12th position. Massa takes pole postion with Lewis Hamilton taking second.
Last night there was more rain in the city which is going to change the level of grip on the circuit, but this morning the sun is shining and it's a hot and beautiful day.

Position
Driver
Team

1 Felipe Massa
Ferrari
2 Lewis Hamilton
McLaren-Mercedes
3 Robert Kubica
BMW Sauber
4 Kimi Räikkönen
Ferrari
5 Heikki Kovalainen
McLaren-Mercedes
6 Sebastian Vettel
STR-Ferrari
7 Jarno Trulli
Toyota
8 Nick Heidfeld
BMW Sauber
9 Nico Rosberg
Williams-Toyota
10 Sebastien Bourdais
STR-Ferrari
11 Kazuki Nakajima
Williams-Toyota
12 Fernando Alonso
Renault
13 Timo Glock
Toyota
14 Mark Webber
Red Bull-Renault
15 Nelsinho Piquet
Renault
16 Jenson Button
Honda
17 David Coulthard
Red Bull-Renault
18 Giancarlo Fisichella
Force India-Ferrari
19 Rubens Barrichello
Honda
20 Adrian Sutil
Force India-Ferrari

FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX of EUROPE, VALENCIA

European Grand Prix, Valencia
Valencia 22 to 24 August
Track: 5.44km 57 laps
Qualifying: 14.00 Sat
Race: 14.00 Sun

The 12th Grand Prix of the 2008 season will be held on the streets of Valencia this Sunday. Some of us who stood by the opera house one March evening last year, watching Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton hurtling across the Turia riverbed in their McLarens can hardly believe that the time has passed so quickly! At the time, the idea of a Formula 1 race through the streets of Valencia seemed almost surreal and yet here they are....

With one day of practise still to come, Ferrari seem to have got the measure of this new circuit and both Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa have posted some very quick times. Fernando Alonso, determined to give a good account of himself, is also going extremely well. Sadly, ‘Nando crossed the white line entering the pits and was fined an eye-watering 10,000€ [and we complain about the local traffic penalties!]

First impressions of the track? ‘Nando was very impressed, saying: ‘It is not a normal street circuit, it is a little bit more than a street circuit’. Robert Kubica, currently fourth in the Driver’s Championship said on the subject of overtaking: ‘I think here in Valencia we have some opportunities in two places or maybe three’. Flavio Briattore, Renault Team boss said: ‘We really need to congratulate the people of Valencia for the job they have done.... It is an amazing job, really. The ambience is fantastic.’

The McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovaleinen have yet to get their settings fine-tuned but their times are still looking good. Hamilton will be looking to build on his lead in the Championship but Raikkonen and Massa will be equally determined to regain their positions at the top.

Qualifying starts at 14.00 today and the race proper will start at 14.00 tomorrow. There are mixed opinions as to the weather tomorrow. Some forecasts promise a mix of sunshine and cloud while others suggest light showers may be coming. Whatever the weather, Formula 1 is welcome in Valencia!

After 11 races, the scores look like this:

Drivers:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 62
2 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 57
3 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 54
4 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 49
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 41
6 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 38
7 Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 22
8 Fernando Alonso (Renault) 18
9 Mark Webber (Red Bull) 18
10 Timo Glock (Toyota) 13
11 Nelsinho Piquet (Renault) 13

Teams:
1 Ferrari 111
2 McLaren 100
3 BMW Sauber 90
4 Toyota 35
5 Renault 31

European Grand Prix, Valencia Formula One Urban Circuit 22-24 August 2008

This weekend sees the First Formula One European Grand Prix on the Urban Circuit by the Port here in Valencia.
To help you make the most of it we publish our handy tips here. If you have extra time and are interested in more than just the racing we have some excellent suggestions for your own tours around this beautiful city here and a guide to the best shopping here.
Restaurants and bars listings are here
and if you are still around for the 27th August then join us on our La Tomatina tour - details here - book now! the seats are going fast

Formula One - Hamilton's Flawless Performance at Hockenheim

The rain held off today at Hockenheim and, with a moderate 22ºC temperature and a light breeze, conditions were perfect for what turned out to be a defining race in this year’s championship. Lewis Hamilton cast aside doubts following his erratic early season behaviour to turn in a flawless performance.
more here

Formula One The German Grand Prix

The German Grand Prix returns to Hockenheim after a year’s absence while the circuit was being up-graded.
Conditions during qualifying threatened a repeat of Silverstone but, apart from an early cloudburst, the track allowed some fast times. Fastest of all was Lewis Hamilton, who beat Felipe Massa to pole with a stunning lap, backed up by team mate Heikki Kovaleinen in third. more here

A bike ride on the Formula One Urban Circuit of Valencia

Intrepid cyclist and British Valencia journo, Derek Workman put on his 'go faster' cap and took to the hot tarmac of the new Formula One Urban Circuit by the port of Valencia last night. He cycled for just a few of metres of the 5.56 km course, which is still being readied for the first event, The Formula Three weekend on the 26th July.
Derek then had a chat with Eric Taylor live on air on Onda Cero International. Derek told Eric that the track was a delight to ride on and though his multi-geared mountain bike was fast, he was unable to reach the 300 km per hour max speed limit the tarmac is built to withstand.
More on the Valencia Formula One Urban Circuit here

Formula 1

The expected rains turned qualifying for grid position into something of a lottery today. Heikki Kovaleinen’s fastest lap was set during a brief lull amidst blustery cross-winds and showers and claiming his first ever pole position. Mark Webber gives Red Bull their first taste of front-row starting, later saying his run was with a very light fuel load. Kimi Raikkonen will remind himself that a) there have only been 2 winners from pole at Silverstone in the past 10 years and b) he won here last year! Lewis Hamilton was fast but a couple of errors cost him a higher grid position. Fernando Alonso must wish he had a faster car but his knowledge of this track will ensure he makes the best of it. Felipe Massa may still be feeling the effects of his 190mph smash on Friday. With his overall points rival Robert Kubica alongside him in 10th, Massa will at least start in good company.


The grid line-up:

1 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 

2 Mark Webber (Red Bull) 

3 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

4 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 

5 Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) 

6 Fernando Alonso (Renault)

7 Nelson Piquet (Renault) 

8 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso) 

9 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 

10 Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber)

read on here

British Grand Prix Sunday 6 July 2008

Silverstone looks like becoming the British equivalent of Magny Cours, now that a deal has been signed to move the British Grand Prix to Donington Park in 2010. There will be feelings of dismay and anger from members of the British Racing Drivers Club, whose president Damon Hill had been trying to get state aid to raise standards at the Northamptonshire circuit. FIA President Max Mosley said “After many years of patient but fruitless negotiation with the BRDC, we are delighted that Bernie (Ecclestone) has nevertheless been able to ensure that the British Grand Prix will keep its place on the Formula 1 World Championship Calendar.” More here on Mike O'Neill's column.

The F1 Urban Grand Prix in Valencia

A provisional date of 24 August 2008 has been announced by the FIA for the first Formula One Grand Prix in Valencia. Work has now started on the 5.4km circuit which will have its paddocks in Port America's Cup and will pass by the AC Team houses. The circuit has 25 bends, eleven to the left and fourteen to the right and will pass through areas close to the City of Arts and Sciences.

The Grand Prix in Valencia Confirmed, maybe!

the proposed new circuit

The Prince Felipe Science Museum in the City of Arts and Sciences was the venue for a presentation by Formula 1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who confirmed that Valencia would be the new venue for the Urban Grand Prix Circuit. He told the audience that he was delighted with Valencia, and that the races could begin in November of 2008. The first contractual period would be for seven years - renewable, but he made it clear that he considered that Grand Prix Racing on an urban circuit in Valencia would to all intents and purposes be a permanent fixture on the racing calendar.
The 5-Km-long circuit would start in the interior area of the port, then run parallel to the old Turia River bed to the bridge in front of the Oceanografic - which would offer spectacular television views of the City of Arts and Sciences - before turning back down to the port again, and would have gradient stands to accommodate as many as one hundred thousand spectators. This in fact would mean that the effect of the circuit on traffic in Valencia would be nil, and the area of the Paseo de la Alameda that would be included has not been urbanized, and consequently the effect on residents would equally be zero.
In his presentation yesterday, Mr Ecclestone added that the fact that Valencia was being granted the rights to be included on the Grand Prix Circuit, 'was purely due to the immense talents of Francisco Camps and Rita Barbera'. However, Mr Ecclestone added that the contract was on the table waiting to be signed, but with one proviso: it would not become a reality unless Mr Camps and Mrs Barbera won re-election on May 27, adding that he was 'only too well aware' of the Socialist reticence against the project.

And More good news...
Later the same day Camps, Barbera and Eccleston visited the Alinghi base and met with Ernesto Bertarelli, the President of the Alinghi syndicate, who told them that should Alinghi be successful in its retention of the Americas Cup, then he was in favour of staging the next Cup races in Valencia...