2007 Formula One season
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| 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship season | |
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The 2007 Formula One season will be the 58th FIA Formula One World Championship season. Scheduled to begin on 18 March, it will end on 21 October, after seventeen Grands Prix.
The 2007 season is significant in that it will herald the end of the existing Concorde Agreement between the existing Formula One constructors and Bernie Ecclestone. In particular, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Renault and Honda (collectively the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association) have a number of outstanding disagreements with the FIA and Ecclestone, on financial and technical grounds. They had threatened even to boycott Formula One from the 2008 season onwards and instead stage their own rival series, before signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the 2006 Spanish Grand Prix. <ref>"Ecclestone signature ends breakaway threat", F1Racing.net, 2006-05-20. Retrieved on 2006-10-09.</ref>
The 2007 Australian Grand Prix will be the first time since the 1986 Spanish Grand Prix that there would be a Formula One field without a Cosworth engine, as well as the first Grand Prix to have a Black driver in the field.
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[edit] Pre-Season testing
Pre-Season testing began in November 2006 at the Circuit de Catalunya, with ten of the eleven teams participating in the test sessions. The most notable absentees were Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen, who were still under contract at Renault and McLaren repsectively. Jenson Button was also not participating but for different reasons, as he had suffered a hairline fracture on his ribs after a go-karting accident in preperations for the November tests. Lewis Hamilton made his first appearance in a McLaren since being confirmed as Alonso's teammate for 2007.
Ferrari were on-form from the first test sessions, with Felipe Massa topping the times on the first two days of testing. Massa's testing partner, Luca Badoer, took the fastest time on the third day, although interest was on the fact that double World Champion Mika Häkkinen joined Hamilton and de la Rosa at McLaren for a one off test, although the Finnish driver was over three seconds slower then Badoer's time, completing 79 laps of the Spanish circuit.
[edit] Teams and drivers
The following teams and drivers have been confirmed or are currently speculated for the 2007 Formula One season.
* = to be confirmed
[edit] Race schedule
Details below are based on a provisional calendar released by the FIA on October 18 2006. <ref name="schedule announcement">2007 FIA Formula One World Championship Calendar. FIA (2006-10-18).</ref> The German Grand Prix will take place at Nürburgring in 2007, while in 2008 at Hockenheim (and then it will alternate between these two circuits yearly). It has been suggested that the Italian Grand Prix might do the same swapping between Monza and Imola. [citation needed] See the section on speculation below for more details.
[edit] Changes
[edit] Rule changes
- Although the FIA had planned to switch to a single tyre manufacturer from 2008, Michelin has announced they will end participation in Formula 1 after 2006, leaving Bridgestone as the sole supplier from 2007 to 2010.
- Tyres will be supplied in accordance with the revised Sporting Regulations, which provide for a total of 14 sets of dry weather tyres per driver over the race weekend: four sets for Friday only, and 10 for the rest of the weekend.
- The teams finishing 5th–11th in the previous seasons' Constructors' Championship will no longer be allowed to run a third car on Friday following a rule change. <ref name="3rd driver">"Qualifying revised from this weekend", formula1.com, 2006-07-13. Retrieved on 2006-08-10.</ref> The teams that finish 1st–4th are already banned from doing so.
- Engine development will be frozen from the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix, with these engines being used for the whole of 2007 and 2008. This is described as engine "homologation" by the FIA. It was previously set to be introduced in 2008. <ref name="Engine Freeze">"F1: Teams, FIA Agree on Races, Engine Freeze for '07", speedtv.com, 2006-09-18. Retrieved on 2006-10-04.</ref>
- All cars will be fitted with red, blue and yellow cockpit lights. The purpose is to give drivers information concerning track signals or conditions. The lights must be LEDs each with a minimum diameter of 5mm and which are fitted in order that they are directly in the driver’s normal line of sight. <ref name="FIA 2007">FIA 2006 Technical Regulations FIA.Com Article 22. Retrieved 26 September 2006</ref>
- In order to give rescue crews an immediate indication of accident severity each car must be fitted with a warning light which is connected to the FIA data logger. The light must face upwards and be recessed into the top of the survival cell no more than 150mm from the car centre line and the front of the cockpit opening and as near to the marshal neutral switch as is practical. <ref name="FIA 2007" />
- The two Friday practice sessions will expand from 60 minutes to 90 minutes. Any team will be allowed to use two cars, which may be driven by either the two race drivers or a nominated third driver. <ref name=rule>Longer Friday practice among 2007 changes. Retrieved October 19, 2006.</ref>
- The engine penalty will now only apply in the second day of the grand prix weekends. Any engine change in the first day will not be penalised. <ref name=rule>Longer Friday practice among 2007 changes. Retrieved October 19, 2006.</ref>
- No car will be allowed to enter the pits during a safety car period until all cars are in the group following the safety car. This prevents drivers from racing to the pits immediately after a safety car is deployed. In addition, any lapped cars in front of a car on the lead lap will be required to pass the safety car and restart at the end of the line-up instead of maintaining their physical position. <ref name=rule>Longer Friday practice among 2007 changes. Retrieved October 19, 2006.</ref>
- The Formula 1 teams have unanimously agreed to the voluntary early introduction of the testing agreement scheduled for 2008. This limits each team to an annual limit of 30,000 km.
[edit] Driver changes
- 2005 and 2006 World Champion Fernando Alonso has announced he has signed a deal to drive for McLaren starting in 2007. He will have been with Renault for 5 years.
- It was announced on July 9, 2006 that Juan Pablo Montoya would be leaving McLaren to race for Ganassi Racing in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series for 2007, effectively ending his Formula 1 career.
- On August 2, 2006 Williams announced that test and reserve driver Alexander Wurz would step up to a race seat for 2007, replacing Australian Mark Webber.
- On August 7, 2006, Red Bull Racing announced their 2007 driver line-up of David Coulthard and Mark Webber, displacing Christian Klien.
- On August 7, 2006, BMW Sauber announced that Jacques Villeneuve's contract has been terminated immediately and for the rest of the season would be replaced by test driver Robert Kubica. Kubica was later announced on October 19, 2006 to retain the race seat for the 2007 season, with Sebastian Vettel remaining as the team's test driver.
- On September 6, 2006, Renault confirmed Heikki Kovalainen as the team's replacement for Fernando Alonso.
- On September 10, 2006, Scuderia Ferrari confirmed Kimi Räikkönen as a replacement for the retiring Michael Schumacher.
- On November 15, 2006, Super Aguri F1 confirmed Anthony Davidson as Sakon Yamamoto's replacement.
- On November 24, 2006, McLaren confirmed Lewis Hamilton as their second driver.
[edit] Team changes
- Ferrari technical director, Ross Brawn, was to take a sabbatical year for 2007, after 10 seasons at the Italian team. However, it was later announced that he is to leave the team. <ref>"Official: Brawn to leave Ferrari", www.itv-f1.com, 2006-10-26. Retrieved on 2006-10-26.</ref>
- McLaren will change their name to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes after signing a primary sponsorship deal with the telecommunications company late in 2005.
- With the loss of Vodafone, Scuderia Ferrari will begin work with Alice, a brand of Telecom Italia will join the team next year.
- Mild Seven has confirmed that they will not renew their contract with Renault following its conclusion at the end of 2006 and current European tobacco laws. <ref name="Mild Seven Not Renewing"> Mild Seven to leave Renault after 12-year sponsorship. Manipe F1 (2006-02-01). Retrieved on 2006-08-29.</ref>
- British American Tobacco's Lucky Strike and 555 brands will cease to sponsor the Honda F1 team, leaving them to seek another primary sponsor.
- Williams will change their engines from Cosworth to Toyota in a three-year deal. <ref name="Williams Toyota Engines">"Toyota engines for Williams in 2007", formula1.com, 2006-07-27. Retrieved on 2006-08-29.</ref> Contrary to recent speculation, the engines will not be rebadged as Lexus. <ref name="Williams not Lexus">Williams' engines not to be rebadged. Manipe F1 (2006-07-27). Retrieved on 2006-08-29.</ref>
- On September 9, MF1 Racing was officially sold to a Dutch-Arab consortium owned by Michiel Mol, along with the aid of Spyker Cars. The team has officially been renamed Spyker MF1 Team, keeping the MF1 for the rest of the season due to Concorde Agreement rules. <ref name="Midland team bought by Spyker">"Midland team bought by Spyker", formula1.com, 2006-09-09. Retrieved on 2006-09-09.</ref>
- On September 30, Spyker announced that their engines supplier would be Ferrari. <ref name="Spyker get Ferrari power for 2007">"Spyker get Ferrari power for 2007", Manipe F1, 2006-09-30. Retrieved on 2006-09-30.</ref>
- On October 16, Renault confirmed that the Dutch banking company, ING, would become their main sponsor to replace Mild Seven.<ref> "Renault confirms ING", GrandPrix.com, 2006-10-16. Retrieved on 2006-10-16.</ref>
- On October 20, Williams announced AT&T as their new main sponsor. <ref>"Williams sign AT&T as 2007 title sponsor", 2006-10-20. Retrieved on 2006-10-20.</ref>
- On October 24, Spyker announced they would change their name from Spyker MF1 Team to Spyker F1 from 2007 onwards, subject to all other teams giving their agreement. <ref name="Spyker to drop MF1 for 2007">"Spyker to drop MF1 for 2007", Manipe F1, 2006-10-24. Retrieved on 2006-10-24.</ref> <ref name="Spyker wants a name change">"Spyker wants a name change", grandprix.com, 2006-10-25. Retrieved on 2006-10-25.</ref>
- On October 31, Red Bull confirmed their engine situation for 2007. Renault engines will be used for Red Bull Racing, while Scuderia Toro Rosso will use Ferrari engines. <ref name="Renault engines for RBR - Ferrari engines for STR">"Renault engines for RBR - Ferrari engines for STR", f1racing.net, 2006-10-31. Retrieved on 2006-10-25.</ref>
[edit] Races
- After twenty years, the Japanese Grand Prix will move from the Honda-owned Suzuka Circuit to Toyota's rebuilt Fuji Speedway, a circuit that F1 has not raced at since 1977.
- On 29 August 2006, The FIA published a calendar for the 2007 Formula One season. The San Marino and European Grands Prix were excluded (the Nürburgring, current home of the European race, will host the German race in the Hockenheimring's place), while Belgium returns. <ref name="SMR and EU dropped">San Marino, Europe dropped for '07 Formula1.com. Retrieved 29 August 2006</ref> A final calendar, which confirmed that the San Marino Grand Prix would not return, was released on October 18, 2006.
[edit] Speculation
[edit] Drivers
- Spyker is believed to be preparing a run-off for their 2nd race seat at Jerez, which could include current MF1 driver Tiago Monteiro and occasional MF1 testers Ernesto Viso, Markus Winkelhock, Adrian Sutil, Giorgio Mondini, and Alexander Premat. Super Aguri's Sakon Yamamoto is also rumored to be part of the test. <ref>"Second Spyker Seat Up for Grabs", SpeedTV.com, 2006-10-17. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.</ref>
[edit] Races
- With the demise of the European GP, consideration has been given to sharing a single German GP race in between both Hockenheim and Nürburgring for the future. A similar proposal is also in place for the two races in Italy. Speed TV reported that the Nurburgring and Monza would host the 2007 German and Italian Grands Prix respectively, with Hockenheim and Imola the hosts for 2008.<ref name="Hockenheim, Imola, set for F1 chop">"Hockenheim, Imola, set for F1 chop", UpdateF1.com, 2006-07-03. Retrieved on 2006-08-11.</ref>
- Having lost the Japanese GP to the Fuji circuit, Suzuka was in negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone on staging a race at the circuit again. It would likely have been a revived Pacific Grand Prix, or possibly named the Asian Grand Prix. This now appears to have been rejected but it remains a possibility for 2008. <ref name="sujuka reject">Suzuka keen to return to F1 in 2008. Planet F1 (2006-09-21). Retrieved on 2006-09-22.</ref>
- The Italian government, who are aiding in funding the redevelopment of Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, have stated that they still have a contract for the San Marino Grand Prix, and that the race is still tentatively scheduled for April 29. However they state that this is dependent on the ability of the track to complete modifications by March. <ref name="schedule">Italian government confirms Imola cash. GrandPrix.com (2006-09-07). Retrieved on 2006-09-07.</ref> It now appears that the modifications will not be ready in time. On October 18, 2006 the FIA announced that there would be no San Marino Grand Prix in 2007. <ref>No reprieve for Imola. ITV Sport (2006-10-18). Retrieved on 2006-10-18.</ref>
[edit] External links
- 2007 season at Formula1.com
- All formula one races as iCal-calendar
- F1Racing — News, results, standings, regulations, articles, forum.
[edit] References
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