BREAKING : Michael Schumacher cancels temporary return to Formula One, so Luca Badoer to fill-in for rest of season!

We were all excited when the news came in, that Ferrari's 7-time Formula-One champion Michael Schumacher will make a return to F1, to replace the injured Felipe Massa for rest of season until Massa recovers from his 120 mph crash. However, Schumacher had yet to go through F1's check-up routines, to see if his body can still handle all the F1-car's g-force and speed. Well, guess what? Schumacher couldn't pass the test!

Due to his neck injury, back in February of this year when he was racing a motorcycle, Michael Schumacher couldn't pass the check-up, and therefore, wouldn't be able to race in Formula-One. So Schumacher announced that he's sorry he can't step in for Massa. “The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike accident in February, fractures in the area of head and neck, unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe,” Schumacher said. “I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me,” Schumacher said.

The F1 Ferrari Team though, got the replacement immediately. He's a senior test driver for Ferrari road-cars, Luca Badoer. Although he's 38-years old, and hasn't been in F1 since 1999, Badoer fits the job. Body wise, Ferrari say that he's perfectly fit, and he'll sustain them in F1 as in driving wise. “Since I’ve been a child I always wanted to race for Ferrari and now I’ve got the possibility to make this desire come true,” Badoer said. “I’m really sorry for Michael, because I know how much he wanted to return: I’m saying that as his friend and his fan.

So, expect to see Badoer racing car #3 with Ferrari F1 Team in the European Grand Prix on August 21-23 in Valencia, Spain.

Source : [Ferrari via F1-Live]

BREAKING F1 News : Michael Schumacher to return to F1, will replace Massa for the season!

Here's the deal; Ferrari's current F1 race-driver Felipe Massa was involved in a 120 mph tire- barrier crash. Massa received multiple skull fractures, but will be recovering and coming back to F1 next season. Nonetheless, Ferrari still have several races left, and they need a substitute driver immediately. Luckily, Ferrari do have the right man!

Ferrari announced that Ferrari's 7-time Formula-One champion Michael Schumacher will make a return for Ferrari F1 Team to replace Massa for the rest of the season. Schumacher will race in the European Grand Prix on Aug. 21-23 in Valencia, Spain. “Though it is true that the Formula One chapter has long been closed for me, it is also true that for team loyalty reasons I cannot ignore that unfortunate situation,” Schumacher said. “But as the competitor I am, I also very much look forward to facing this challenge.”

We really look forward to see Schu will be racing all the new F1 champions from Hamilton and Alonso. Although Schumacher is in his mid 40s, and the rest of the drivers are a lot younger, he surely has what it takes.

Source : [Ferrari via BBC Sport, F1-Live, and Sports Illustrated]

BREAKING : BMW to quit Formula One by the end of 2009 season!

BMW surprised the Formula One world by announcing their exit as a team and engine supplier at the end of 2009 season.

“Resources freed up as a result are to be dedicated to the development of new drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability,” BMW said in a statement. “BMW will continue to be actively involved in other motor sports series.”

“Of course, this was a difficult decision for us. But it’s a resolute step in view of our company’s strategic realignment,” explained Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “Premium will increasingly be defined in terms of sustainability and environmental compatibility. This is an area in which we want to remain in the lead.”

Reithofer said that BMW will remain active in the field of motor sports, focusing on close-to-production motor sports and promoting young drivers.

Source : [BMW via F1-Live]

BREAKING : F1 Saved! FIA and FOTA reunite as Max Mosely reportedly quits F1

After all the Formula One drama, looks like nothing will be changed for 2010 F1 Championship after all. That's right, after the threat that came from the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), to create a rival F1 Championship if the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile - International Automobile Federation (FIA) applied their new regulations of capping budget at $60 million, FIA seems to agree to terms.

It was announced by FIA, that with long and late night meetings with FOTA teams, both associations discussed and agreed to continue their contract until 2012 F1 Championship. So, what changed all the F1 politics? Well, FIA and FOTA announced, that together, will come up with new set of rules and regulations to improve F1.

FIA statement: "There will be no alternative series or championship and the rules for 2010 onwards will be the 2009 regulations as well as further regulations agreed prior to 29 April 2009."

Most important, is budget limit. That's were FIA and FOTA split. Now though, the next season of F1 will reach a new budget cap, at $66 million. However, the $66 million limit doesn't have to be reached immediately at next season; but within two years in 2012 season. That way, teams will be cutting-costs gradually and comfortably, at which teams will gain experience in effective efficiency. FIA will also be responsible to provide teams with technical assistance at any time needed.

FIA statement: "As part of this agreement, the teams will, within two years, reduce the costs of competing in the championship to the level of the early 1990s. The manufacturer teams have agreed to assist the new entries for 2010 by providing technical assistance."

That's not all the news. After the agreement between FIA and FOTA, which brings F1 back to normal (atleast for another two seasons), Head Of FIA, Max Mosley announced that FIA's back-step on the older issues against FOTA, lead him to end his 16-year relationship with FIA, and indeed, leave F1 for good.

FIA listed official teams racing for 2010 F1 Championship, starting with:

1) TEAM SCUDERIA FERRARI - MARLBORO

2) McLAREN MERCEDES - VODAFONE

3) BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM

4) RENAULT F1 TEAM

5) TOYOTA RACING - PANASONIC

6) SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO

7) RED BULL RACING

8) AT&T WILLIAMS

9) FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM

10) BRAWN GP FORMULA ONE TEAM

11) CAMPOS META TEAM

12) MANOR GRAND PRIX

13) TEAM US F1

Source : [F1-Live, Times UK Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

BREAKING : Formula One Teams Association announce breakaway series for 2010, and will create a rival championship !

With new regulations and budget limitations for the 2010 F1 season, it was reported that Ferrari and Renault will leave F1. Well now, it's official. F1 is broken. The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), which includes teams: Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota, Renault, BMW, Brawn, Red Bull, and Toro Rosso, announced that the new rules for the 2010 F1 season, and the 60 million budget cap, doesn't satisfy FOTA, and therefore will leave F1 for 2010 season.

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile - International Automobile Federation (FIA), also announced that FOTA teams won't be included in the 2010 F1 Championship. "The teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship."These teams therefore have no alternative other than to commence the preparation for a new Championship which reflects the values of its participants and partners." Therefore, the teams that will be included in next year's championship are: Williams, Force India and eight other teams in the F1 reset series.

This is where the story gets exciting. FOTA also reported that they are starting their own championship season, which be a rival to Formula One. However, FIA claim that FOTA have a contract with FIA Championship until 2012. So back and forth with discussions, Head Of FIA, Max Mosley, has officially filed a suit on FOTA. "The actions of FOTA as a whole, and Ferrari in particular, amount to serious violations of law including willful interference with contractual relations, direct breaches of Ferrari's legal obligations and a grave violation of competition law."

Nevertheless, the sue only lasted for a day. Just now, Mosley announced that FIA has dropped the case with FOTA, and would like to discuss the difficulties that are currently facing F1. "There won't be any writ. I think we would rather talk than litigate," so everyone could "sit down and iron out the last few difficulties." Of course, FOTA teams still hold their decision on capping budgets, and want to create their own championship.

To us, it seems the FIA are on the weak side here. Mosley appears with no certain opinion. Should the FIA drop the new set of regulations, and bring back FOTA as if nothing has gone wrong in F1, OR should FIA kick out FOTA and apply the new rules? Well, we are here to watch, and report.

Source : [Autosport, Crash.net, F1 Live]

BREAKING : Ferrari and Renault to leave Formula One if FIA change rules for 2010

As general information, Ferrari and Renault are the big names in Formula One. Specially Ferrari, that has been in the sport since its existence in 1950. However, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile - International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced their new rules and regulation for Formula One that could result into Ferrari and Renault leaving Formula One championship race for next year. The new FIA regulations would limit spending at $60 million, not including driver salaries, engine costs and marketing expenses.

However, this budget isn't enough for Ferrari to develop their new Scuderia Ferrari F60 for next year. So, Ferrari announced that it won't enter next season's Formula One world championship unless FIA's new regulations are provoked. The Prancing Horse company also said that it was "disappointed" by the way that FIA adopted the measures and its refusal to reach an understanding with constructors and teams. "The same rules for all teams, stability of regulations, the continuity of the FOTA's endeavours to methodically and progressively reduce costs, and governance of Formula One are the priorities for the future," said Ferrari in a statement.
Just like Ferrari, Renault too are upset about the new rules. So Renault also threatens FIA to quit the next Formula One season if they don't pull out the new limits. Because capping the budget, would mean that Renault can't put their new R29 F1 into the next championship race.

On the other side, FIA President, Max Mosley, believes that the new spending limits would first allow more teams to enter the championship, and also keeps the competition even closer. But at what cost is this rule keeps the big companies? So, FIA and the FOTA teams are going to have a meeting to discuss the issue.

Source : [Ferrari, Renault, F1-Live]