Motorsport Quick Hits...
In Formula 1 news, BMW has confirmed that it will have Petronas cash until 2009. The Petronas brand was featured on the Saubers last year, and that sponsorship
has carried over...
Also, according to a British F1 based website, Canadian Robert Wickens was listed as a possible candidate to join the BMW Sauber team in some capacity - most likely on a testing contract. Wickens will compete against the other FBMW champions this weekend in Paris at the Race of Champions, and that could well be the break he needs to prove his worth to BMW...
Super AguriF1 is mulling over the idea of using 2002 Arrows F1 cars for 2006. Although they would have to be modified, the thinking is that the composite layouts could not be completed in time for the outfit to build a new car, and they are not allowed to buy chassis from BAR, which was the first option for the new team. The issue is BAR will soon change ownership, and the chassis are intellectual property, and therefore could be bought by Aguri F1. This would be a much better option as just about anything would be better than an aging, undeveloped Arrows chassis...
Red Bull has decided that it does not like the name Squadra Toro Rosso and would like to enter the world championship with Scuderia in place of Squadra.
Apparently Squadra is used in soccer terms to describe squad, where as Scuderia is used in motorsports to describe teams in Italian. It is important to get the name right, as it must stick for five years under current FIA rules...
Last week I mentioned that all is quiet on the Champcar/IRL front, which normally means there is something going on. It appears that the financial issues are rearing their ugly heads, and hitting the IRL first. Target Chip Ganassi Racing has let go nine mechanics, when the cars fielded by the team in 2006 will go from three to two. Cheever Racing, which is looking for a sponsor now that Red Bull has decided not to continue in the IRL, has also released some team members. Finally, with Pennzoil gone, Panther Racing has laid of its staff as it doesn't have the funding to continue in 2006. Team releases site a 'fear' that all the quality help will be gone, once new sponsorship is found. This is just a pure guess on my part, but I'm guessing sponsors for IRL teams might be a little harder to come by than engineers or mechanics.
In Formula 1 news, BMW has confirmed that it will have Petronas cash until 2009. The Petronas brand was featured on the Saubers last year, and that sponsorship
 |
| Super Aguri, run by former Formula One driver Aguri Suzuki and set to be powered by Honda engines, has taken over the old Arrows factory at Leafield and may even run old Arrows cars for its first season. (Photo: Super AguriF1) |
Also, according to a British F1 based website, Canadian Robert Wickens was listed as a possible candidate to join the BMW Sauber team in some capacity - most likely on a testing contract. Wickens will compete against the other FBMW champions this weekend in Paris at the Race of Champions, and that could well be the break he needs to prove his worth to BMW...
Super AguriF1 is mulling over the idea of using 2002 Arrows F1 cars for 2006. Although they would have to be modified, the thinking is that the composite layouts could not be completed in time for the outfit to build a new car, and they are not allowed to buy chassis from BAR, which was the first option for the new team. The issue is BAR will soon change ownership, and the chassis are intellectual property, and therefore could be bought by Aguri F1. This would be a much better option as just about anything would be better than an aging, undeveloped Arrows chassis...
Red Bull has decided that it does not like the name Squadra Toro Rosso and would like to enter the world championship with Scuderia in place of Squadra.
 |
| Cheever Racing, which is looking for a sponsor now that Red Bull has decided not to continue in the IRL, has also released some team members. (Photo: Autostock) |
Last week I mentioned that all is quiet on the Champcar/IRL front, which normally means there is something going on. It appears that the financial issues are rearing their ugly heads, and hitting the IRL first. Target Chip Ganassi Racing has let go nine mechanics, when the cars fielded by the team in 2006 will go from three to two. Cheever Racing, which is looking for a sponsor now that Red Bull has decided not to continue in the IRL, has also released some team members. Finally, with Pennzoil gone, Panther Racing has laid of its staff as it doesn't have the funding to continue in 2006. Team releases site a 'fear' that all the quality help will be gone, once new sponsorship is found. This is just a pure guess on my part, but I'm guessing sponsors for IRL teams might be a little harder to come by than engineers or mechanics.