Adam Cooper F1

Sir Frank Williams has been presented with the BBC’s Helen Rollason Award at the prestigious Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

Named in honour of the BBC presenter who died of cancer 11 years ago, it is presented for ‘outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.’

Accepting the prize and reflecting on the journey he’s taken during his career, Williams said: “It’s one I would love to do again if I were younger. I certainly wouldn’t try and do anything different, except avoid the accident of course. But I would have taken it as it comes.”

Damon Hill presented the prize, while Williams was accompanied on stage by his wife Virginia, Patrick Head, Adam Parr and other personalities from the world of F1 including Eddie Jordan, Martin Brundle and Christian Horner.

Tom Walkinshaw’s widow Martine has sent the following message on behalf of his family, including links for charitable donations in his name. Please feel free to reproduce it elsewhere.

“Sadly, Tom passed away on Sunday 12th December.

“He had been battling with Cancer for three years; he died peacefully with his family at his house in Oxfordshire.

“It was Tom’s wish to have a private family funeral.  A Memorial Service will take place in Gloucester Cathedral on Friday 4^th February 2011, at 12 noon.

“Martine and the boys are overwhelmed with the lovely messages and tributes which they have received and at the same time are extremely grateful to the media for respecting their privacy at this sad and difficult time.

“Tom’s brave battle with cancer would have been harder without the faultless care he received from the hospital in Brussels, Fondation C.A.R.E. Cavell Action for Research & Expertise and, more recently, the invaluable support from the local Lawrence Home Nursing Team.  The family therefore request that should you wish to make a charitable donation, you might like to consider either of these organisations.”

www.lawrencehomenursing.org

www.fondationcare.be

Former Benetton, Ligier and Arrows team boss Tom Walkinshaw died this morning at the age of 64. The Scot, who had endured a long battle with cancer, made his last visit to an F1 paddock at Silverstone in July.

Walkinshaw was a successful driver in his own right. Although he competed in F3, F2 and F5000, he was much more successful in touring cars. He won the Spa 24 Hours in 1981 with a Mazda, and in 1984 with a Jaguar XJ-S, while in the latter year he also won the European Touring Car Championship.

It was at that stage that he retired from driving to focus on Tom Walkinshaw Racing, which he launched in the late seventies. He built the company into a motor sport and engineering empire, most famously finding success with Jaguar.

After the ETCC triumphs he took the marque into sportscars in 1985, initially in green livery. The following year the team switched to the iconic Silk Cut colours, going on to win Le Mans in 1988 and ’90, and both the teams’ and drivers’ World Championships in 1987, ’88 and ’91.

Walkinshaw was invited to run Benetton in 1991 and brought his sportscar designer Ross Brawn with him. He was also instrumental in headhunting Michael Schumacher after the German’s sensational debut with Jordan at Spa that year.

He continued to run the engineering side of Benetton until 1994, when Schumacher won the World Championship, although the team’s commercial boss Flavio Briatore had a higher public profile and received much of the credit.

However that year the team was embroiled in several controversies, and as part of the fallout Walkinshaw was ousted. He ended up running Ligier, which was owned by Briatore, in 1995. However, plans for Tom to buy the team outright did not come to fruition, and in early 1996 he switched his focus to Footwork (aka Arrows), where he initially took a 51% stake.

He had high hopes of building up the team and convinced Damon Hill to join in 1997. Hill came close to winning that year’s Hungarian GP, eventually finishing second. Despite some high profile sponsors the team ran out of funding, and folded in the middle of the 2002 season, in large part because of the high costs of customer engines at that time.

The TWR empire also collapsed, but Walkinshaw maintained a foothold in engineering and racing, most notably with Holden in Australia.

Although his off track deals sometimes attacted criticism, Walkinshaw was hugely respected by the drivers who worked with him, and he will be remembered as a true racer.

Tony Fernandes has changed his mind on using black and gold next year after the new Lotus Renault GP team announced that it would also follow that route. He says that the team will stick with green and yellow, as used this season.

The battle for the use of the name reached another level this week after Group Lotus announced that it is buying into and sponsoring Renault F1, but Fernandes remains confident.

“Nothing’s really changed for us,” he told this blog earlier today. “We have maintained that we are Team Lotus. It’s sad that it’s reached this kind of position.”

He denies rumours that the FIA has said that he can’t use the Lotus name: “Nothing was discussed… I think we’ve had good support from the FIA and FOM, and I’m unperturbed by that side.”

Regarding the colourscheme, he admits that with the FIA announcing a green (and thus politically correct) engine for 2013 it was not a good time to be doing anything that might be seen to be promoting cigarettes.

He insists that he didn’t know that the John Player Special brand, whose historic colours he intended to revive, is still available commercially.

“I doubt there will be four black cars. With the launch of the new engine and with many people complaining that I may be promoting a cigarette brand that’s still in existence, I think we may be wise to go back to green.

“We’re not silly and emotional and childish about it. We always wanted to be the green team. We thought for a change we’d give black and gold a run, whether it’s co-incidence or they copied, they came out with the same concept. I’m happy to go back to green having looked at everything. It will be silly to have four black cars, so we will be the green and yellow Team Lotus team.”

Fernandes is sceptical about the plans of Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar.

“Dany Bahar has said that he needs a team to win, but so do we. We’re not in F1 to lose. He thinks that we won’t be able to do it, but I’m not sure how he can assess us after one year. I think in one year we have done a very good job, I think no one in the paddock would doubt that, considering we started in September.

“We have done exactly what we said we would do. The whole relationship with Proton soured with the arrival of Dany Bahar, and it was very clear that he had his own agenda, and that didn’t include us.

“He never visited Lotus Racing, he never came and saw what we were building, he thought Mike Gascoyne was old school.

“From the branding point of view, I don’t understand it one bit. As someone who’s built a brand over nine years that is globally recognised, it doesn’t make any sense at all.”

He has also no time for suggestions that Team Lotus is promoting the Lotus name and hence its road cars for no obvious gain.

“We have a tremendous amount to gain from it. I’ve been building brands for a long time, and over the next six months you’ll see our strategy evolving on what we are doing.”

As expected the FIA has dropped the team orders rule from the 2011 F1 sporting regulations. However it has reminded teams that Article 151c – concerning bringing the sport into disrepute – could still be used.

The FIA has approved a number of other changes to the 2011 regs, many involving penalties and their application, although some have yet to be fully clarified.Among them is a stricter control on flexible front wings.

The full list is as follows:

– The article forbidding team orders (39.1) is deleted. Teams will be reminded that any actions liable to bring the sport into disrepute are dealt with under Article 151c of the International Sporting Code and any other relevant provisions
–  Amendments to the list of penalties Stewards are permitted to apply
–  Revisions to driving and driver conduct
–  A limit on the width of the fast lane in the pits
–  The introduction of a regulation permitting the Race Director to close the pit lane during a race for safety reasons
–  The re-introduction of intermediate tyres for 2011
–  Penalties to be applied to any driver who fails to use both specification of dry weather tyre during the race
–  An amendment requiring gearboxes to be used for five consecutive races, instead of four
–  Clarification on when cars can overtake the safety car
–  A refinement to the principles of the regulations already agreed concerning moveable rear wings
–  A better definition of the reference plane, and reinforcement of bodywork deflection tests, especially at the front of the reference plane
–  The allowance for anti-intrusion panels to protect drivers’ legs

In addition, the following amendment were made to the 2012 Technical Regulations:

–  Team communications will be made available to broadcasters
–  The inclusion of fuel compounds produced from biomass
–  A limitation on suspension uprights

The FIA has finally formally confirmed that a new 1.6-litre engine formula is coming for 2013. Although it had been in the pipeline for some time, there had been attempts to postpone its introduction.

The four existing manufacturers – Cosworth, Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari – now have some 27 months until their new engines have to be on a grid for the first time. VW/Audi is also waiting on the sidelines.

The move is part of the FIA’s laudable attempt to make F1 greener and encourage sustainability, traits that will make it easier for car makers to justify future investment in F1.

An FIA press release said: “The WMSC approved the introduction of a new specification engine from 2013, underlining the FIA’s commitment to improving sustainability and addressing the needs of the automotive industry. Following dialogue with the engine manufacturers and experts in this field, the power units will be four cylinders, 1.6 litre with high pressure gasoline injection up to 500 bar with a maximum of 12,000 rpm.

“The engines will deliver a 35% reduction in fuel consumption and will feature extensive energy management and energy recovery systems, while maintaining current levels of performance. In 2013, five engines will be permitted per driver, but each year after that the limit will be four.”

The efforts of Tony Fernandes to hang on to the Team Lotus name have clearly suffered a blow after his key countrymen backed the Group Lotus/Renault F1 deal.

Crucially he does not have the support of the former Prime Minister, who had earlier backed his project. A Lotus statement quotes Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Proton advisor as saying: “This is an exciting development which delivers strategic benefits to both Group Lotus and Proton. I fully support the partnership.”

Meanwhile Dato’ Sri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, Chairman of Proton, said: “We know that Group Lotus has much to offer Formula 1 and vice versa. After careful consideration, we believe this arrangement will be fruitful, both from a commercial and marketing point of view.”

Lotus has also revealed more of the background behind the deal: “Group Lotus plc will acquire a major equity stake in the team from Genii Capital. The transaction represents a partnership between Group Lotus and Genii Capital and signifies the beginning of a more comprehensive strategic alliance between the two organisations.

“The partnership between Lotus and Genii brings the ability to quickly incorporate new technologies from F1 cars into Lotus road cars including hybrid technology, Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems, aero advancements and lightweight materials. Genii, an investment holding company with a portfolio of automotive technologies, bring non-F1 technologies such as lightweight braking systems, variable compression engine technology and on board software systems to the partnership.”

Meanwhile Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault, said: “This multi-partner alliance will bring a new dynamic to the team and enable it to compete with the sport’s best from next season.”

Gerard Lopez added: “For Group Lotus, access to Formula 1 opens up new marketing opportunities and a major platform for business exchanges and development. In this regard, Genii Capital possesses shareholdings in, and direct access to, cutting edge companies in the automotive industry. Our tie-up with Group Lotus and Proton, which will enable its future road car ranges to take advantage of significant new technologies, is a natural step.”

This is what the new Lotus livery will look like

The deal to bring Group Lotus into F1 in partnership with Renault has finally been concluded, and the team has announced that it will be ‘Lotus Renault GP’ in 2011.

Group Lotus has bought the remaining Renault shares and the team has confirmed that it will race in black and gold, an idea that Tony Fernandes announced first…

We now await news of what will happen to Team Lotus, which has already been given an an official entry under that name by the FIA – using a ‘Lotus Renault’ chassis.

This what has been announced this morning:

“Genii Capital and Group Lotus plc today announced the creation of Lotus Renault GP, the successor to the Renault F1 Team that will contest the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship. This exciting announcement is made in the context of a strategic alliance between the two companies that will provide Group Lotus with significant technological and commercial opportunities for its range of road cars.

“Following the return of the Lotus name to Formula 1 in 2010, under licence from Group Lotus, this historic announcement marks the complete return of the Lotus manufacturer to the sport, with the full backing of its parent company Proton. Group Lotus plc will become a major equity partner of Genii Capital in Lotus Renault GP, and the two parties have concluded a title sponsorship agreement that will run until the end of the 2017 season. With the continued support of Renault as a supplier of engines and technological and engineering expertise, Lotus Renault GP enjoys a strong, stable platform for future success.

“Gerard Lopez, Chairman of Renault F1 Team, commented: “We are delighted that we can now go public with the news that we will be racing as Lotus Renault GP in 2011. It is extremely exciting to begin a new era for the team in partnership with Group Lotus, and we will continue to enjoy a strong relationship with Renault over the coming seasons. It is a tribute to the excellent work this year by the team in Enstone that we have been able to attract both major sponsorship and new investment for a very bright future.”

“Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar said: “I can think of no better platform for automotive brand communications than motorsport and F1 is the very pinnacle of open-wheel racing. We’re well aware that there has been a lot of controversy around the usage of our brand in F1 and I’m delighted to be able to formally clarify our position once and for all: we are Lotus and we are back.”

“The new partnership has been enabled by Renault selling its remaining shares in the team to Genii Capital. Group Lotus plc will subsequently become a major equity partner in Lotus Renault GP, which it will co-own with Genii Capital.

“Renault will continue its strong support of the team with which it won the 2005 and 2006 world championships, as a supplier of engines and technological and engineering expertise. Reflecting this technological support, Lotus Renault GP will continue to compete with the Renault chassis name and Renault will enjoy pre-eminent brand exposure on the livery.

“For 2011, the Lotus Renault GP cars will race in a new interpretation of the iconic black and gold colours that were last used when Lotus and Renault joined forces in the 1980s. This livery, which has been on the drawing board for over two months in order to reinterpret its iconic graphic signature to suit modern media requirements, is sure to strike a powerful chord with the sport’s enthusiasts around the world.”

The Singapore 2008 ‘crashgate’ scandal reared its ugly head today when it was announced that Nelson Piquet Sr and Jr had won damages and costs from Renault F1 in relation to a statement issued by the team last year.

In announcing the result of the proceedings the Piquet family issued the following statement from lawyer Dominic Crossley:

“Today the Renault Formula One Team apologised in the High Court for defaming my two clients, the motor racing father and son Nelson and Nelsinho Piquet. This marks the start rather than the end of the long journey they are both taking to correct many of the wrongs that took place during last year’s “crashgate” scandal.

“They were both treated appallingly by Renault F1 when they dared to reveal the scandal to the governing body; and Nelsinho was abused terribly throughout his absurdly short career in F1. It is to the immense credit of both my clients that they have refused to be deterred from righting the wrongs despite the ferocity of the attacks and the size of the opponents they have had to confront.

“Nelson Piquet dominated F1 during the early 80s and his reputation as a motorsport legend should remain untarnished by this saga. F1 has been deprived of the best of Nelsinho and it is to its detriment that his talent is now being demonstrated elsewhere.

“Whilst neither of them should ever have had to prove Renault F1’s allegations false they are both delighted with the successful conclusion of the case.”

In making their case in court, the Piquet’s legal counsel said:

“Nelson Piquet Junior is a Professional Racing Driver and was one of the Defendant’s drivers until July 2009. His father, Nelson Piquet Senior, was also a well-known Formula One driver himself and three time World Champion.

“On 11th September 2009, the Defendant issued a Press Release in which they suggested that Nelson Piquet Junior and his father had lied by making false allegations that he and members of the team had caused a deliberate accident at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to benefit the Team’s other driver. The Press Release came at a time when, as the Defendant knew, the FIA were investigating the circumstances of Mr Piquet Junior’s crash at the Singapore Grand Prix.

“The Defendant’s Press Release also suggested that the Claimants had not only lied in making these allegations but that they had deliberately invented them in order to blackmail the Defendant into allowing Mr Piquet Junior to drive for the Team for the remainder of the 2009 season, and they were therefore guilty of a serious criminal offence.

“The Defendant fully accepts – as it did before the World Motor Sport Council (“WMSC”) of the FIA and as found by the WMSC in its decision of 21 September 2009 – that the allegations made by Nelson Piquet Junior were not false. Renault F1 Team also accepts that Mr Piquet Junior and his father did not invent these allegations in order to blackmail the Team.

“As a result, these serious allegations contained in the Press Release were wholly untrue and unfounded, and the Defendant now withdraws them unreservedly. The Defendant is here through its lawyer in order to apologise to the Claimants unreservedly for this regrettable publication. As a mark of its apology and regret, the Defendant has agreed to pay the Claimants substantial damages and costs, as well as not to repeat these allegations at any time in the future.

“It is an unfortunate but not surprising consequence of the sensational nature of these allegations and their appearance on the Defendant’s website whilst the FIA was investigating the charges against the Defendant, that the allegations were widely republished throughout the press. It is hoped that through the making of this statement, the Defendant’s apology and unequivocal withdrawal of these allegations will also be picked up and repeated throughout the media.

“In the circumstances, having achieved everything they set out to achieve through the commencement of legal proceedings, the Claimants are now prepared to let the matter rest.”

Renault meanwhile accepted the allegations and offered an apology.

The following formal statement was issued in the team’s name:

RENAULT APOLOGY

“On 11th September 2009, Renault F1 Team Limited (“the Team”) issued a Press Release, which was repeated on our website, in which we suggested that Nelson Piquet Junior and his father had lied by making false allegations that members of the Team and Nelson Piquet Junior caused a deliberate accident at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. We also suggested that these lies were invented in order to blackmail the Defendant into allowing Mr Piquet Junior to drive for the Team for the remainder of the 2009 season, and he and his father were therefore guilty of a serious criminal offence.

“The Team accepts – as it did before the World Motor Sport Council (“WMSC”) of the FIA and as found by the WMSC in its decision of 21 September 2009 – that the allegations made by Nelson Piquet Junior were not false. It also accepts that Mr Piquet Junior and his father did not invent these allegations in order to blackmail the Team.

“As a result, these serious allegations contained in the Press Release were wholly untrue and unfounded, and we withdraw them unequivocally. We would like to apologise unreservedly to Mr Piquet Junior and his father for the distress and embarrassment caused as a result. As a mark of the sincerity of our apology and regret, we have agreed to pay them a substantial amount of damages for libel as well as their costs, and have undertaken not to repeat these allegations at any time in the future.”

Hopefully that will be the last we hear of any of this…

Bernie Ecclestone has recruited O2 Arena boss David Campbell as F1’s new marketing and commercial guru, according to reports.

Campbell is credited with taking over London’s unloved Millennium Dome on behalf of US billionaire Philip Anshutz and AEG Europe, and turning it into a huge success as the O2 Arena, popular with both fans and music business insiders.

Born in Scotland, he moved to the USA with his family at age 16, and was based there for nine years. He worked for General Mills and Pepsi before returning to the UK. He then worked for Richard Branson at the Virgin Group and with Chris Evans at Virgin Radio, while his CV also include a stint with the London Tourist Board.

Ecclestone has long talked to the teams about having someone on board to properly fulfil such a role, but they could never come to an agreement.

It’s only in recent years that Bernie has made a bigger push to exploit the F1 brand and bring on board partners such as LG and Hublot.

The UK media is touting Campbell as a potential replacement for Bernie, but whether his role will extend that far remains to be seen…