Brawn GP News

Toyota today announced that they would be withdrawing from Formula One effective immediately due to the “severe economic realities”.

In a statement today Toyota said

Tokyo—TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces it plans to withdraw from the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1) at the end of the 2009 season.

Drawing on its experience in F1 and other motor sports, TMC intends to move forward in developing exciting production vehicles, such as the Lexus “LFA” supercar and
compact rear-wheel-drive sports cars. In motor sports, it will not only race in various categories, but will also actively contribute to further development of motor sports by
supporting grassroots races and planning events in which it is easy for people to participate.

The FIA (Federation International Motorsport) have responded quickly to this statement demanding immediate clarification.  Just weeks ago Toyota along with the other F1 teams signed an updated Concorde agreement committing themselves to the future of Formula one.

The FIA stated

The announcements this week by Toyota and Bridgestone of their withdrawal from Formula One are of concern to the FIA.

The FIA will now work to ensure that Toyota’s departure is managed in the best interests of the championship and will continue to encourage the F1 teams to undertake the necessary cost-cutting measures for the good of the sport.
Toyota is the second 2009 Formula One team that will not take to the grid in 2010, BMW having previously announced their intention to quit earlier in the season.  In other poorly timed news Renault are also considering quitting Formula One.  Renault today held an emergency meeting to address the issue of their future in Formula One, it is reported that Bob Bell the Renualt F1 Team manager attended but was not able to take part in the debate of the team’s future, there has been no announcement from Renualt at the current time.

Brawn GP secured the 2009 FIA Formula One Constructors’ Championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos today with Jenson Button driving a superb race from 14th position on the grid to a fifth place finish to wrap up the Drivers’ Championship with one race of the season to go.

Team-mate Rubens Barrichello started his home race from pole position after an excellent performance in Saturday’s rain-delayed qualifying session but finished in eighth position after a late puncture forced an unscheduled trip to the pits and dropped him back to eighth place.

Brawn GP secured the Constructors’ Championship with 161 points with Jenson winning the Drivers’ Championship with 89 points and Rubens in third position with 72 points with the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi to take place on 1 November.

RESULTS

Drivers Car No. Chassis No. Race Result / Fastest Lap
Jenson Button 22 BGP 001-02 P5 01:14.353
Rubens Barrichello 23 BGP 001-03 P8 01:13.950

Weather Dry and warm
Temperatures Air: 24-28°C Track: 30-42°C

JENSON BUTTON
“Today was the best race that I’ve driven in my career and I’m really going to enjoy this moment. For the team to win the Constructors’ and the Drivers Championships here is just fantastic and they deserve it so very much after all the difficult times that we all went through over the winter. This season has been a rollercoaster ride from the elation of the wins at the start to the hard graft in the second half of the season which has seen us grind out the results needed to take the titles. We have to say a huge thank you to Norbert Haug and Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines for all of the support that they have given us over the year. Without their commitment and faith in the team, and the fantastic engine that they have provided, we would not have been able to achieve the success that we have today. The list of people that I have to thank personally is too long to mention but they all know who they are and how much their support has meant to me over the years. To everyone back at the factory in Brackley, thank you for all of your hard work and for producing such a fantastic car. It’s going to take a while to sink in but for now I’m just reveling in the achievement of a lifelong dream. It’s going to be one hell of a party tonight!”

RUBENS BARRICHELLO
“Whilst I am obviously disappointed with the result today, I have to be pleased with our year at Brawn GP. We really have a great car and a great team and it has truly been an amazing year when you consider the situation that we were in just before the start of the season. I’m truly pleased for Jenson as a friend and he is a great champion. We have a fantastic relationship working together and that has really shown through this year. Well done to him. It was a true fight and I fought really hard but he really won it in the first half of the season. The team have been superb this year and they thoroughly deserve to win both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships today. We’re going to have a great night together and I’m pleased to have played my part in securing the Constructors’ title for the team.”

ROSS BRAWN
“What a day! I am so incredibly proud of the team and our drivers and it’s so very special to have won the Constructors’ and the Drivers’ Championships in our first year as Brawn GP. The second half of the year has been tough after such a successful start but getting the results in the difficult times is what counts in a Championship season. It’s really going to take a while for what we have achieved today to sink in. Jenson is a fantastic racer and he had a great race today, particularly after such a difficult qualifying yesterday. He knew what he had to do and did just that and is a very deserving World Champion. Rubens has made a fantastic contribution to this season without which we could not have won the Constructors’ Championship today. The spirit in which our two drivers have fought for the Championship makes me very proud. They have been a credit to the team and our sport. The work and the commitment that the team showed over the winter and throughout this season really has been sensational. We would like to take this opportunity to say our thanks to Mercedes-Benz who have been a fantastic partner for our team and have integrated incredibly well this season. Their contribution to our success, and the support of McLaren gave us over the winter and at beginning of season, has enabled us to be in the position that we are in today. I hope that everyone at the factory in Brackley and at Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines in Brackley, is very proud of what we have achieved today. I also want to thank everyone who has worked with the team over the years that couldn’t be with us this season as we had to resize the team at the start of the season. My sincere thanks go out to them because they worked so hard and should feel a part of our success.”

In Brazil Jenson Button had a fantastic drive and became 2009 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD DRIVERS CHAMPION.  He scored 4 points in the race bringing his season total to 89.  With only one race to go and 10 points for a win he is now 15 points clear of his nearest rival Sebastian Vettel.

The attention in Abu Dhabi will turn to the challenge for 2nd place.  Rubens will be hungry for second in the championship but will head into the race 2 points behind Vettel.

At the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix Brawn GP have claimed the FIA Formula One Constructors World Championship.  They finished the race with 5 points giving them a total of 161, this is 25 points clear of Red Bull Racing.  With just 18 points available at the final race in Abu Dhabi Brawn GP have sealed the constructors championship a race early.

The focus of the Constructors Championship now turns to Ferrari and McLaren who are a point away from each other fighting for 3rd place in the championship.

The Brazilian Grand Prix, Round 16 of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship, takes place on Sunday 18 October at the Autodromo José Carlos Pace in the city of Sao Paulo.

Known as Interlagos from its location between the two man-made lakes that provide water and electricity to Sao Paulo, the track first hosted the Brazilian Grand Prix in 1973. The 4.309km circuit is the highest of the year at 800m above sea level and one of only four anti-clockwise circuits on the current Formula One calendar.

The track’s inner city location, combined with the passion of the Brazilian fans, makes Interlagos one of the most atmospheric venues of the year and the involvement of Brawn GP’s local hero Rubens Barrichello in the title fight will only add to that.

Brawn GP will be sponsored by the Brazilian brewing company Cervejaria Petrópolis for their home race with the Itaipava and TNT Energy Drink brands featuring on the Brawn-Mercedes car and the helmets of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button.

ROSS BRAWN, TEAM PRINCIPAL

Q. What are the main challenges of the Interlagos circuit?

“With the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships still to be decided, the Brazilian Grand Prix should be a fascinating and exciting weekend for the fans at the circuit and viewers around the world. Interlagos provides a great challenge for the teams and drivers with the high altitude location and the notoriously bumpy surface as two of the key considerations when setting up the cars for the weekend. The reduced atmospheric pressure causes a loss in engine power and aerodynamic performance while the cars have to run with an increased ride height to cope with the bumps which are particularly noticeable in the braking area for Turn 4, the Descida do Lago. Interlagos is a great venue and the lap is characterised by long straights with flowing left-hand corners and a twisty infield section. The changes in elevation give the circuit an almost three-dimensional feel and the electric atmosphere from the Brazilian fans always makes for a spectacular occasion. The weather has been known to play its part in races at Interlagos over the years so we will be keeping a close eye on the forecast for the weekend. Brazil will be an important race for the team and our drivers and we’re looking forward to getting the track action underway.”

RUBENS BARRICHELLO

Q. Are you looking forward to your home Grand Prix at Interlagos?

“The Brazilian Grand Prix is always a special weekend for me and I am very proud of my home race. I was born very close to Interlagos and used to visit the circuit as a young boy and began my karting career there when I was six years old. I really enjoy having my family and friends around for the weekend and it’s fantastic to race in front of the Brazilian fans and receive so much support over the weekend. The circuit has become almost like a second home to me over the years but it still retains a real sense of challenge. Our car should suit the layout of the track this year and you really need to have full confidence in your set-up to maximise the quick corners, the tight infield section and the bumpy surface. Interlagos has some great corners such as the Curva do Laranjinha and there are real overtaking opportunities into the S do Senna at the start of the lap and under braking for Descida do Lago at the end of the back straight. I will be giving it my all this weekend to achieve the best possible result here in Brazil and hope the fans enjoy a fantastic weekend of racing.”

JENSON BUTTON

Q. What are your thoughts ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend?

“This year will be the first time for a while that we’ve been to Sao Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix when it hasn’t been the final race of the season but it’s still going to be such an exciting weekend. There’s always a great atmosphere at Interlagos and the Brazilian fans are so passionate about motor racing and particularly Formula One. Interlagos is quite an unusual circuit and it’s an enjoyable challenge for the drivers. The anti-clockwise direction, changes in elevation and bumpy surface all keep your attention fully focused and the high-speed left-hand corners add an extra physical challenge. It’s an important race for me and for the team in terms of the Championships and we will be working hard to get the best results possible from the weekend. It’s going to be a challenge but one that we are all looking forward to.”

Interlagos Stats

Circuit Length: 4.309km
Race Distance: 305.909km
Number of Laps: 71

Full Throttle: 63%
Brake Wear: Medium
Tyre Compounds: Super Soft / Medium
Downforce Level: Medium – 7/10
Tyre Usage: Medium
Average Speed: 216kph (134mph)

Race Weekend Schedule (all times are local)

Friday 16 October
Practice 1: 1000 – 1130
Practice 2: 1400 – 1530

Saturday 17 October
Practice 3: 1100 – 1200
Qualifying: 1400 – 1500

Sunday 18 October
Race: 1400

F1 Season Review DVD 2009

The official 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship Season Review DVD is now available to pre order.  Order now from Amazon UK and with their Pre Order Price Guarantee you’ll pay the lowest price they sell it for between now and the release date 30th November 2009.  At the time of writing Amazon are selling for 35% off!

The 2009 season has been one full of excitement and tension.  Brawn GP took an early lead with a string of victories and 1,2′s.  As the season continued several of other teams have become competitive including Red Bull who have been consistent throughout the season while in the later stages Brawn GP have struggled to score points.

As we go into the final two races will this DVD be a record proclaiming the triumph of Brawn GP, a brand new team who rose from the ashes of Honda and so nearly did not exist, or will it be a maiden Championship for Red Bull, and which driver will win?

Click here to Pre Order at Amazon UK

Also while your at Amazon catch up on previous seasons, several of which are less than £10 Click here to see all seasons at Amazon UK

Round 14 of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship takes Brawn GP to the Far East for this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, the first of two back-to-back races with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka following just one week later.

Formula One’s first night race in Singapore last year was a resounding success with the floodlights lighting up the track and the city skyline to provide a spectacular and atmospheric race weekend. The 20:00 race start time will see the track and pit lane once again lit with 1500 light projectors situated four metres apart and 10 metres above the ground.

The 5.067km Marina Bay Street Circuit is made up entirely of public roads with an anti-clockwise layout and an abundance of first and second gear bends included in the 23 corners of the lap. The stop-start nature of the track results in a low average lap speed of just 175kph and sees the cars running with maximum levels of aerodynamic downforce.

Brawn GP’s cars will be running with additional Canon branding this weekend as part of the team’s partnership with Canon Singapore.

ROSS BRAWN, TEAM PRINCIPAL

Q. What are your thoughts ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix?

“Formula One’s first night race in Singapore last year was a fantastic occasion which was greatly enjoyed by the drivers, teams and fans. The spectacle of running on a barrier-lined street circuit under the floodlights really caught the imagination and provided a weekend that Formula One and the Singapore Grand Prix organisers should be very proud of. It’s a venue which everyone at Brawn GP is looking forward to returning to this week. The team and our drivers performed extremely well in Monza to achieve a one-two finish at the last race and we will be hoping to carry that momentum through to Singapore. We have a significant aerodynamic upgrade for the BGP 001 for this weekend which should bring another good step in performance for the final races of the season. The nature of the Marina Bay Street Circuit is tight, twisty and very narrow in places with many first and second gear corners resulting in low average speeds so we will be running the car in a high aerodynamic downforce configuration.”

JENSON BUTTON

Q. What did you think of your first experience of the Singapore Grand Prix last year?

“Last year’s Singapore Grand Prix was an amazing experience and it really was one of the highlights of the year. Driving under the lights was great fun and the visibility was pretty good although some corners such as turns one and five were a bit dark which made it more difficult to judge your braking distances. The Marina Bay Street Circuit is pretty challenging and although it has a stop-start layout which isn’t usually my favourite type of circuit, I still enjoyed driving it. As last year, we will stay on European timing for the race weekend which means staying awake throughout the night and sleeping most of the day to ensure that we are alert and the body is ready to react in the right way for the evening timetable. I spent some time at the factory last week driving the circuit on our simulator which helps with the track layout, gears and downforce levels so we are well prepared and looking forward to arriving in Singapore and getting the weekend underway.”

RUBENS BARRICHELLO

Q. Are you looking forward to returning to Singapore?

“The first Formula One night race in Singapore was very exciting last year and I’m really looking forward to returning this week. It’s always good to have new challenges and racing under the lights for the first time certainly provided that. I really enjoyed the circuit as it felt like a proper street circuit should with public roads, bumps, barriers and passing some of the famous city landmarks. It’s very narrow in places and you can feel quite enclosed particularly with the bright floodlights shining down. It’s a very slow track so you need a high downforce aerodynamic configuration on the car and with so many corners, you have to maintain your concentration at all times. I’ve had a great time over the last month with two victories so we’ve got some good momentum behind us going into the final four races of the season. I can’t wait to get back in the car and get on with the challenge.”

Marina Bay Street Circuit Stats

Circuit Length: 5.067km
Race Distance: 308.950km
Number of Laps: 61

Full Throttle: 48%
Brake Wear: High
Tyre Compounds: Super Soft / Soft
Downforce Level: High – 10/10
Tyre Usage: Medium
Average Speed: 175kph (108mph)

Race Weekend Schedule (all times are local)

Friday 25 September
Practice 1: 1800 – 1930
Practice 2: 2130 – 1100

Saturday 26 September
Practice 3: 1900 – 2000
Qualifying: 2200 – 2300

Sunday 27 September
Race: 2000

The Italian Grand Prix, Round 13 of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship, will be held this weekend at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza just outside of Milan and bring Formula One’s European season to its conclusion.

One of the most historic and atmospheric circuits on the Formula One calendar, the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza is situated in the royal park at the heart of the town of Monza. The original circuit was built in 1922 and included a banked oval course. Although this has not been used by F1 cars since 1961, it remains as a monument to the iconic races hosted over the years.

The 5.793km Monza circuit is the fastest of the year with four long straights enabling the cars to reach top speeds of 340kph and average lap speeds of 250kph. The emphasis is on engine power and aerodynamic efficiency which require the cars to be set up with a special low downforce aerodynamic package to minimise drag.

ROSS BRAWN, TEAM PRINCIPAL

Q. What are the technical considerations for the race at Monza this weekend?

“Visiting Monza during the Italian Grand Prix is a very special experience and one not to be missed for motorsport fans. It’s one of those classic venues where the grandstands are always packed and the atmosphere is electric throughout the weekend. From a technical point of view, Monza should be a track where our car will work well although we do expect the KERS cars to have a significant advantage. The BGP 001 is good on both brakes and traction which are important at Monza and we have the benefit of the Mercedes-Benz engine on this power-sensitive circuit. With no in-season testing this year, we have not had the opportunity to test at the circuit prior to the race weekend so it will be interesting to see how quickly everyone can adapt to the unusually low downforce configuration with limited running. The aerodynamic efficiency of the car is crucial so we have a specific package designed to minimise drag levels and achieve the high top speeds required. Good engineering can make a significant difference at Monza so we’ll be working hard to get the car set up well to allow our drivers to be aggressive over the kerbs.”

JENSON BUTTON

Q. What are your thoughts ahead of the Italian Grand Prix?

“Monza is a fantastic track and I love the passion that the Italian fans bring to the race weekend. The circuit is very different to most of the circuits that we race on as the car will be set up with the lowest levels of drag and downforce possible to take advantage of the long straights. It always takes a few laps to get used to and as we haven’t tested at Monza this season, the practice sessions will be very important. Ascari is probably my favourite part of the track but also Parabolica where the challenge is to brake as late as possible, particularly in qualifying when you’re on a quick lap. It’s a circuit that should be reasonably good for our car if we get the handling right over the kerbs so we’re feeling positive and excited about the challenge.”

RUBENS BARRICHELLO

Q. What do you enjoy about visiting Monza?

“There’s something very special about Monza and I have always loved racing there throughout my career. The setting in the park, the sound of the Tifosi, the speed of the circuit and the memories from my victories with Ferrari in 2002 and 2004 all make Monza one of the most exciting races of the year. It’s the quickest circuit on the calendar and our car has the potential to be strong there. The power of our Mercedes-Benz engine will be really important in maximising speed on the long straights and our car is quite good under braking which you need to be aggressive and ride the kerbs effectively. It’s been a season full of surprises so it’s impossible to predict what the weekend will bring but I hope that we can have a good one.”

Autodromo Nazionale di Monza Stats

Circuit Length: 5.793km
Race Distance: 306.720km
Number of Laps: 53

Full Throttle: 67%
Brake Wear: Medium
Tyre Compounds: Soft / Medium
Downforce Level: Low – 2/10
Tyre Usage: Low
Average Speed: 245kph (155mph)

Race Weekend Schedule (all times are local)

Friday 11 September
Practice 1: 1000 – 1130
Practice 2: 1400 – 1530

Saturday 12 September
Practice 3: 1100 – 1200
Qualifying: 1400 – 1500

Sunday 13 September
Race: 1400

After the summer break, Formula One returns to action this week with the second visit of the season to Spain. The European Grand Prix, Round 11 of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship, takes place on Sunday in the coastal city of Valencia.

New on the calendar last year, the Valencia Street Circuit uses the permanent roads surrounding the Juan Carlos I Marina which was the base for the 32nd America’s Cup in 2007. The 5.440km (3.380 mile) track closely follows the water’s edge for the majority of the lap and uses a specially constructed swing bridge to cross between the north and south sides of the marina.

The lap has a challenging and innovative layout with 25 turns giving it more corners than any other circuit on the Formula One calendar. Surrounded by high concrete walls and with average speeds of 200kph, the Valencia Street Circuit has a very different feel to somewhere like Monaco, with top speeds reaching in excess of 300kph.

ROSS BRAWN, TEAM PRINCIPAL

Q. What are the engineering considerations of the Valencia Street Circuit?

“Valencia presents an unusual engineering challenge as the circuit is quite different from anywhere else on the calendar. It’s not the type of street circuit that we have been used to racing around in Monaco; it’s much more open and quite fast flowing with higher top speeds. The tall barriers give the lap the feel of a street circuit but the run-off areas are quite generous compared to Monaco, helping to improve safety and giving the drivers some margin for error at certain places of the lap. Traction is important here and the sectors of the lap which have a stop-start nature make Valencia tough on the brakes. Cooling is also a consideration in the high ambient temperatures but we do not expect to encounter any issues. The team has been working extremely hard since returning from our summer shutdown and everyone is looking forward to the racing getting underway again this weekend.”

JENSON BUTTON

Q. Are you looking forward to getting back in the car this weekend in Valencia?

“It’s going to be great to get back racing again after the summer break and everyone at the team is looking forward to Valencia. I’ve kept pretty busy over the past few weeks with the London Triathlon at the start of the month and then some time to relax with my family and friends but it’s seemed like a long time without a race! Valencia is a beautiful city and the track is quite fun when it goes round the edge of the marina and over the bridge. It’s quite challenging for the drivers with so many turns and the added factor of being surrounded by barriers means you have to maintain your concentration. There’s been a lot of work going on at the factory following our shutdown and with the cars at the front being so close at the moment, it will be an interesting weekend.”

RUBENS BARRICHELLO

Q. What did you think of Valencia and the new street circuit after the first race there last year?

“Valencia is a cool city and proved to be a great venue for the European Grand Prix last season. The challenge of a new circuit is always exciting and even more so this year as we should be in a much better position to challenge for a good result this time. The first part of the lap is quick with the long pit straight followed by a curved right-hander before the slower section leading up to the bridge over the marina and then you’re down onto another curved straight. The second half of the lap feels more like a street circuit as you head away from the water and the third long straight ends with a tight hairpin at Turn 17 which is the best overtaking opportunity. The final part of the lap is quite fast with some sweeping corners before the tight left-hander which takes you back out onto the pit straight. It’s a very different type of circuit to the classic image of a street track such as Monaco.”

Valencia Street Circuit Stats

Circuit Length: 5.419km
Race Distance: 308.883km
Number of Laps: 57

Full Throttle: 56%
Brake Wear: High
Tyre Compounds: Soft / Super Soft
Downforce Level: High 7/10
Tyre Usage: Medium
Average Speed: 200kph (124mph)

Race Weekend Schedule (all times are local)

Friday 21 August
Practice 1: 1000 – 1130
Practice 2: 1400 – 1530

Saturday 22 August
Practice 3: 1100 – 1200
Qualifying: 1400 – 1500

Sunday 23 August
Race: 1400

During the Hungarian Grand Prix Fernando Alonso was release from the pits without one of his wheel nuts being properly connected.  As a result the wheel came off on track.  Although fortunately this did not lead to an accident and Alonso was able to return to the pits on three wheels and then return to the race, the FIA have investigated and banned the team from the next race.

The FIA’s statement said:

Having carefully reviewed the available film recordings and radio recordings and having met the team manager twice to discuss the matter the stewards believe:

1. That the competitor knowlingly released car no. 7 from the pit stop position without one of the retaining devices for the wheel nuts being securely in position, this being an indication that the wheel nut itself may not have been properly secured,

2. Being aware of this failed to take any action to prevent the car from leaving the pit lane,

3. Failed to inform the driver of this problem or to advise him to take appropriate action givent he circumstance,s even though the driver contacted the team by radio believing he had a puncture,

4. This resulted in a heavy car part detaching at Turn 5 and the wheel itself detaching at Turn 9.

Offence: Breach of article 23.1.i and Article 3.2 of the 2009 FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.

Penalty: The competitor ING Renault F1 Team is suspended from the next event in the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship.

Renault have appealed this decision.