Ferrari reveal title contender, the F60

Ferrari rolled out their new for ‘09 Formula One Championship contender, the F60, named so to commemorate 60 years in the sport. The low-key launch was moved from Ferrari’s private track Fiorano to Mugello due to inclement weather.

This is the first official launch of an ‘09 spec car, with its flat and wide front wing, narrow and tall rear wing, and lack of aerodynamic add-ons along the car. The cars also return to using slick tires this season.

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Ferrari to unveil ‘09 contender next week

While earlier reports said that Ferrari would debut their car on 15 January (including myself), Ferrari has stated that on Monday the 12th, the Scuderia will be revealing their contender for the 2009 F1 season, albeit, not in race-legal trim, at their Maranello headquarters.
So its kind of a debut, but not really, because the car isn’t exactly according to specifications. Huh? Later in the day, Felipe Massa will put the car through its paces for the first time at Fiorano, the marque’s private testing facility.

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Alonso rumored to have secret deal with Ferrari

La Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that double World Champion Fernando Alonso has already signed a deal to drive with Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.

The deal is rumored to begin in the 2011 season, coincidentally or not, when current Ferrari drivers’ contracts expire. The contract, reportedly, could begin sooner should Kimi Raikkonen not improve from last seasons slump.

Alonso is not one to mince words, and has never denied his desire to drive the red car. Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has also expressed his admiration for the Spaniard, so it seems more likely than not that this will eventually happen.

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Carlos Slim not buying the Honda F1 Team!?

Yesterday and today most of the news sites around the world(including us) reported that Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim has bought the Honda F1 Team.

Just few hours ago AFP news agency reported that there is no such deal and negotiations on this matter between the Honda F1 Team and Carlos Slim. No additional details were given. Was Italian La Stampa playing with the press(including mighty CNN and small sites like us) or perhaps the deal could not be finished for some strange reason? Stay tuned, as we are sure that Monday morning will bring more information.

Via: mtv3.fi

Honda F1 Team sold to world’s second richest man

Beginning of the month Honda announced their withdrawal from all Formula One activities making 2008 their last season. Soon it was clear there will be different parties interested in the team and their know-how.

Main talk was around Force India owner Vijay Mallya and Prodrive. Due to bad financial situation in the world nothing was too sure and the teams future was not clear.

Now according to Italian newspaper La Stampa Honda F1 Team has been saved by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.

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Despite unprecedented losses, Toyota re-commits to F1

Facing huge first quarter losses, Toyota reaffirmed its commitment to the grossly expensive sport of Formula One Racing. After the withdrawal of its main competitor Honda, fears arose that Toyota would be next.

In a statement to the Guardian newspaper, a spokeswoman for Toyota said “We have absolutely no plans to withdraw from formula one.”

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FIA talks about the future of Formula One

This is a statement released by the FIA today outlining changes agreed to by all parties involved for the future of Formula One.

Obviously, some details will still need to be ironed out. It certainly covers cost-cutting for the teams and the sport, but it doesn’t directly address environmental concerns, yet. Full statement after the jump.

Click here to see the statement

Formula One: The pinnacle of motorsport?

Just as the bad economy has affected the auto industry, so has it affected motorsport overall, Formula One in particular. With auto giants such as Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, to name a few, fielding teams in F1, the economic downturn was sure to have an effect on the sport.

Soon, gone will be the days of $400 million annual budgets and lavish parties, as manufacturers and teams try to cope with dwindling profits, and make a case as to why automakers should spend hundreds of millions in development and such. But how will it influence the technological pinnacle of motorsport (self-proclaimed and otherwise)?

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Breaking! Honda will withdraw from all F1 activities

Honda announced today that they will withdraw from all Formula One activities, making 2008 the last season of participation.

This difficult decision has been made in light of the quickly deteriorating operating environment facing the global auto industry, brought on by the sub-prime problem in the United States, the deepening credit crisis and the sudden contraction of the world economies.

Honda says it must protect its core business activities and secure the long term as widespread uncertainties in the economies around the globe continue to mount. A recovery is expected to take some time.

Continue to read: Breaking! Honda will withdraw from all F1 activities