Daimler completes team takeover
The Mercedes GP Formula 1 team is now wholly owned by the car manufacturer's parent company Daimler AG and financial partner Aabar Investments PJS, after the two companies bought out the other shareholders in the Brackley-based operation. In a move that had been widely expected ever since Mercedes-Benz took over the then Brawn GP outfit, Daimler and Aabar have purchased the remaining 24.9 per cent of the outfit that was owned by team management including Ross Brawn and Nick Fry.
Haug: Mercedes buyout 'will not change team'
No changes will be made to the way that Mercedes GP is run after Daimler AG and Aabar Investments took full control of the team, according to the German firm's motorsport boss Norbert Haug. It was announced this morning that Mercedes and Aabar had acquired the remaining 24.9 per cent of the team, which was owned by the five shareholders involved in the original management buyout of Honda in 2009 - Ross Brawn, Nick Fry, Caroline McGrory, John Marsden and Nigel Kerr.
Renault: Heidfeld already leading team
Renault team boss Eric Boullier says it was obvious from Nick Heidfeld's first few laps in the car that he was the man the squad needed to lead its 2011 charge in the absence of the injured Robert Kubica. Heidfeld will fill in alongside Vitaly Petrov at Renault until Kubica recovers from the multiple injuries he suffered in a rally crash three weeks ago. The German had a test audition for Renault before being snapped up, and Boullier said he was very impressed by the way Heidfeld immediately took charge.
Lotus 'must be ready to act on KERS'
Heikki Kovalainen says Lotus must be ready to add KERS mid-season if the lack of the device is proving too costly. Although Lotus could have used new engine supplier Renault's energy recovery system, it decided to focus its resources on other areas of the car designrather than dealing with the complex packaging that KERS requires.
AUTOSPORT launches new polls
AUTOSPORT magazine has launched a new weekly poll on the AUTOSPORT.com forums. Each Monday morning (GMT), AUTOSPORT will ask readers to vote on topics covering all forms of motorsport.
The results will be taken after 24 hours for use in a revamped section of the news pages in that week's issue of the print magazine, although the forum and poll will be kept live to prevent threads from being cut short prematurely.
Formula 1 seeks to be better by design
Circuit designer Drew MacDonald says track design is extremely important in racing.
Some critics even say that the current F1 circuit "guru", Hermann Tilke, a German designer who built the majority of F1 tracks, might eventually kill all the excitement if he does not steer clear of slow twisty corners and too many straights.
But Mr Tilke brushes off such criticism. He says overtaking is a difficult procedure and should remain so.
Sam Michael: Why Williams went radical
Williams is taking some risks with its radical new FW33 in 2011. As the team's technical director Sam Michael points out, you have to if you want to differentiate yourself for the opposition in Formula 1 these days. In any case the team's radically small gearbox, angled driveshafts and tiny rear-end have drawn much discussion during the first three tests of the pre-season.
@m_waqas
Bernie's book would be interesting to read. He is what, 200 years old now?:S Must have a lot of interesting things from the years gone by.
Webber says some interesting stuff, and if tire wear is going to be a problem, a certain pompous pr**k will have a lot of problems this year:D
Please release Steve from your captivity. It's quite clear now-that he is being held against his wishes by you.
@Eddie
What have you got to report about your TV situation kiddo, any luck?
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