Kimi Raikkonen Gabung Red Bull Citroen Junior Arungi WRC Musim 2010

Gabung Citroen, Tampil 12 Seri

PARIS - Kimi Raikkonen sudah memberikan kepastian cuti setahun dari Formula 1 (F1). Pembalap Finlandia tersebut memantapkan itu dengan banting setir ke arena reli. Raikkonen akan memperkuat tim Red Bull Citroen Junior untuk mengarungi WRC (World Rally Championship) pada musim 2010.

Raikkonen akan jadi pendamping bagi juara WRC Junior musim lalu Sebastien Ogier. Ogier tampil memukau pada tahun pertamanya di even tersebut.

Citroen mengonfirmasikan bahwa Raikkonen dan Ogier akan mengikuti 12 di antara 13 seri WRC 2010. Satu-satunya seri yang tak diikuti tim itu adalah Reli Selandia Baru pada Mei 2010.

Beberapa tahun terakhir, juara F1 2007 itu memang menyatakan ingin menjajal reli setelah F1. Pada Juni 2009, Raikkonen sempat berpartisipasi dalam WRC seri Finlandia dengan mengendarai Fiat Grande Punto Abarth S2000. Keputusannya mengikuti WRC semakin nyata setelah Raikkonen mengumumkan bahwa dirinya tidak akan turun dalam balapan F1 2010.

''Saya selalu ingin mengikuti reli, terutama WRC. Saya sangat berterima kasih atas kesempatan mengemudikan Citroen C4 yang diberikan Red Bull,'' tutur Raikkonen seperti dikutip Autosport.

Bergabungnya Raikkonen ke tim Citroen menimbulkan spekulasi baru bahwa pembalap Finlandia itu akan kembali ke ajang F1 2011 bersama tim Red Bull. Raikkonen menyatakan bahwa kontrak dirinya dengan Citroen hanya untuk 2010.

''Saat ini kami hanya memiliki kontrak untuk setahun. Ke depan, kami akan melihat seluruh perkembangan,'' ujar Raikkonen.

Fakta bahwa Red Bull menjadi penyokong Raikkonen di reli bisa menjadi batu loncatan. Meskipun, perusahaan minuman berenergi tersebut mengatakan bahwa ikatan yang terjalin di antara mereka tidak ada hubungannya dengan masa depan dan ambisinya di F1.

''Ini tidak ada hubungan sama sekali dengan karier Kimi di F1,'' ungkap seorang sumber dari Red Bull kepada Autosport. ''Ini bukan berarti dia akan menggantikan seorang pembalap Red Bull F1 di tim kami untuk musim 2011,'' imbuhnya.

Bos tim Citroen Olivier Quesnel mengatakan gembira atas komitmen Red Bull. Quesnel juga menyambut baik bergabungnya Raikkonen dan Ogier di bagian junior selain pereli Sebastien Loeb yang baru saja meraih gelar keenam secara beruntun di WRC serta Dani Sordo di tim utama. ''Komitmen Red Bull merupakan sokongan luar biasa bagi perusahaan kami,'' ujar Quesnel.

Dia menegaskan, timnya akan berusaha mempertahankan gelar pada 2010 dengan memacu semangat Loeb dan Sordo. Dia juga merasa bangga bahwa Raikkonen memilih Citroen.

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Raikkonen Pastikan Tak Turun ke Lintasan Formula hingga 2011

LONDON - Keteguhan Kimi Raikkonen mengambil cuti setahun sempat diragukan. Hal itu tak lepas dari pernyataan manajernya, Steve Robertson, bahwa Raikkonen sedang mempertimbangkan tawaran Mercedes GP, tim yang sebelumnya bernama Brawn GP. Tapi, kemarin (20/11) Raikkonen kembali memastikan tak turun ke lintasan Formula hingga musim 2011.

Sebenarnya, juara dunia 2007 asal Finlandia itu berpeluang bergabung dengan McLaren, tim yang pernah dia perkuat sebelum ke Ferrari. Tapi, saat negosiasi tak mencapai kesepakatan, tim yang bermarkas di Woking, Inggris, tersebut lebih memilih menggaet juara dunia musim 2009, Jenson Button, yang akan menjadi duet Lewis Hamilton.

Tak bersama McLaren, berarti mantap bagi dirinya untuk cuti setahun.

''Saya rasa penawaran McLaren merupakan kesempatan terbaik untuk memenangi banyak balapan dan tantangan bagi para pembalap dalam perburuan gelar juara dunia. Jika tidak, istirahat setahun menjadi pilihan saya,'' ungkap Raikkonen melalui situs resmi F1.

''Jujur, saya hanya akan kembali pada musim 2011 jika memiliki mobil yang kompetitif,'' ucapnya.

Raikkonen menambahkan, dirinya tak ingin sekadar membalap untuk memenuhi kuota pembalap di lintasan. Bagi dia, kemenangan dan juara dunia merupakan target yang harus dicapai. ''Saya tidak mau hanya menjadi pelengkap,'' ujarnya sebagaimana dikutip Autosport.

Sehari sebelumnya, Robertson mengungkapkan Raikkonen sedang berpikir untuk memperkuat Mercedes GP setelah Button menyeberang ke McLaren. Meski begitu, Raikkonen menegaskan bahwa sampai sekarang belum ada pembicaraan untuk itu.

http://www.jawapos.com/

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Formula 1: Participants Old Loss, The Successor Doubtful

Driver Has Only Nine Contract

2010 season begins in March next year, but the situation in Formula 1 is very critical. Old teams began to fall out, new teams are still in doubt. What will happen next?

After Toyota's withdrawal, there are 13 teams registered for the Formula 1 in 2010. If in the near future Renault also retreated, then the amount is still 12, will display 24 cars. Still more than 2009 this season, which only followed by the ten teams, down 20 cars.

But was at least 12 teams will compete? Until now, there are still doubts that amount. Of the four new teams that had been cleared, not all of them believed to be survive and appear in the series opener, in Bahrain, in March next year.

Should be able to come down in the series opener was, not all believed to be survive until the end of the 2010 season.

And do-do, there is still time to join the team in trouble, so it would fall out and get out of F1.

Like it or not, F1 must admit that current conditions are critical. There is no means no. Exist does not mean more. Not believe? Look at the list of participants and the drivers that accompany this article. Total, only nine drivers who will hold the contract for 2010.

Only nine of a total of 24 cockpit that should be available!


If you want more critical again, not all of which have signed the contract was safe. Robert Kubica, the Polish star was about to race for Renault, it still had to seek shelter "reserves." Although he had signed a contract with Renault, there is no guarantee his team would continue. If the boss says Renault back before the end of 2009, then signed a contract that Kubica had no more meaning.

Another whose signature is not necessarily effective Bruno Senna. The late Ayrton Senna's nephew was going to live debut with new team Campos Meta. But, if Campos was canceled Meta appear, so he still had to find another job.

So, to be honest, only seven drivers who really safe for 2010!

How many numbers would actually racing next year? Until now, no one dared to predict. With any luck, 26 cars. If you continue to fall, do-not less than 20.

Ferrari, the most popular teams in F1, including the most dubious of new teams in 2010. According to the official website Horse Jingkrak, Manor, Lotus, USF1, and Meta Campos will not be able to replace the important names such as Honda, BMW, Bridgestone, and Toyota.

"We have to see next year, will we see the same number of participants in Bahrain for the first series in 2010. And, we see how many can survive until the end of the season," so writes the Ferrari website.

Between the rows of new teams, who most doubt? The most mentioned name will be missing is USF1. Ross Brawn, Brawn-Mercedes boss who went on to become world champion in 2009, including the creation team questioning the existence Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor is.

Brawn surprised, until now USF1 kok tests have not hit to his 2010 car. "We've done that in the past two months, to prepare for the official test session. The new team should also have done the same thing if you want to be ready to face the beginning of next season," Brawn said, as quoted Blick German.

Of course, the USF1 was loudly saying next year will appear. Presence of a founder YouTube Chad Hurley as an investor known as a strong start.

"We will find the revenue to make this a great business. The earnings may not be much in the first years. But I did not join in the short term. We look forward 20 years," said Hurley.

Including this November, there are still four months before the roar of new cars in F1 again be heard in February 2010. During these four months, follow the continued development of "health" F1. Before closing the year, we'll know how long the team survived. After that, we wait until February, to see how the new team to survive. (*)

Development of New Teams

USF1

www.usf1.com

Including the most dubious. Reportedly, 60 new staff are paid per month without a contract. Reportedly, their contracts with the Cosworth engine trouble. Some time ago, the FIA had checked the condition of the headquarters in Charlotte, United States, and was satisfied. But there is no sign of cars built or significant progress the team. The team is quite good at "talk," commented a lot of things diligently to show existence. However, there is not necessarily the substance.

Lotus

www.lotusf1racing.my

New Lotus Lotus is not the legendary old (who had lowered Jim Clark and Ayrton Senna). But, in Malaysia berfondasi team has enough credible team ranks. There is a great designer Mike Gascoyne, and chassis production process has begun with the help of Fondtech in Italy. Gascoyne said, his department is now looking for two experienced drivers. Jarno Trulli is a strong candidate. The second cockpit can be filled by Jacques Villeneuve, Christian Klien, or kamui Kobayashi.

Manor

www.manorgp.com

Manor had a pretty reputable designer. He is Nick Wirth, former F1 team boss Simtek technical and Benetton boss. To save costs, and demonstrate technological capabilities, this team built a car without wearing wind tunnel (wind tunnel) at all. The whole process of design and research using computer simulation. The first chassis is scheduled to be the end of this November, ready to fall in February 2010. Lucas On Grassi, GP2 star, called a candidate Manor drivers. Oh yes, Manor is already able to sponsor a large, Virgin, which last season Brawn support.

Campos Meta

www.camposmeta.com

The team owned by former F1 driver Adrian Campos is the first to sign the drivers. No half-hearted, they can be young drivers who have big names, Bruno Senna. With funding support from the government Murcia in Spain, plus the help of producers making chassis famous Italian racing car, Dallara, this team looked solid against the early 2010 season.

Teams and Drivers row 2010

Brawn-Mercedes * Jenson Button, Nico Rosberg *

Red Bull-Renault ** Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber

McLaren-Mercedes Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen *

Ferrari Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso

Williams-Cosworth Rubens Barrichello, Nicolas Hülkenberg

Sauber-Ferrari Nick Heidfeld *,?

Renault *** Robert Kubica, Timo Glock *

Force India-Mercedes * Adrian Sutil, Vitantonio Liuzzi *

Toro Rosso-Ferrari Sebastien Buemi *, Jaime Alguersuari *

Manor-Cosworth Lucas On Grassi *,?

US-Cosworth F1 ?,?

Campos Meta-Cosworth Bruno Senna?

Lotus-Cosworth Jarno Trulli *,?

Note:

* = Not sure. New nine cyclists have a formal contract for the F1 2010 season.

** = Red Bull would not use Renault engines

*** = Renault still might resign before the closing years

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Jenson Button F1 World Champion 2009

Drivers Jenson Button finally emerged as the Formula 1 world champion in 2009 after finishing in fifth place at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Sunday, October 18, 2009. Brawn Grand Prix while his team appears as constructors championship.

Formula 1 races this season still leaves one more series, namely Abu Dhabi, 1 November. But the acquisition of Australia's points race is not overtaken the other drivers.

Button started the race from the 14th position. But several incidents that occurred at the beginning of the race to get him to catch up to the 7th position.

Opportunity to become world champion opened after its nearest competitor and teammate, Rubens Barrichello led the race early on fell to the sequence of 8. While other competitors, Sebastian Vettel finally finish in order to-4.



The first position of the Brazilian Grand Prix held at the circuit Interlagios finally fell to the Red Bull driver Mark Webber. While the second and third place inhabited by Robert Kubica (BMW) and Lewis Hamilton (McLaren).

Various colored Incidents
Racing at the Brazilian Grand Prix early last summer competitions. A series of incidents shortly after the start flag flown.

Entering the first lap, Heikki Kovalainen and Giancarlo Fisichella had to exit the track after a tangent. Front wing while Kimi Raikkonen damaged rear tire hit Adrian Sutil involved a collision with Jarno Trulli.

Both then twist out of the track and got involved argue mouth.

Raikonen finally decided to enter the pitlane to improve the front wing. The same step was also performed by Kovalainen. The difference, Kovalainen into pitlane to refuel.

However insden recur. Cut fuel hose when Kovalinen speeding. As a result the car fuel directly into Raikkonen's car and could cause a fire.

Ferrari drivers, Fernando Alonso and Trulli followed Sutil out of the path. This condition is used by Jenson Button for the position of nine before catch up to position the past 7 Romain Grosjean and Kazuki Nakajima.

PosPembalap Team Left
1. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1h32: 23,081
2. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) + 7626
3. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 18,944
4. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) + 19,652
5. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) + 29,005
6. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) + 33,340
7. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 35,991
8. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) + 45,454
9. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 48,499
10. Kobayashi Toyota (B) + 1:03.324
11. Fisichella Ferrari (B) + 1:10.665
12. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes (B) + 1:11.388
13. Grosjean Renault (B) + 1 lap
14. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 1 lap

Retirement:
Drivers-Teams
Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 31
Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 28
Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 22
Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1
Trulli Toyota (B) 1
Alonso Renault (B) 1

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FORMULA 1: Brawn, Williams, and Toyota Not Break Rules

Formula 1 race Supervisors rejected a protest filed by the team Red Bull, Renault, and Ferrari related legality rear diffuser size Brawn team Grand Prix, Toyota and Williams. Thus, Brawn Grand Prix, Toyota, and Williams could follow the opening race of Formula 1 series in 2009, Australian Grand Prix, at Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne, Australia, Sunday (29 / 3).

The decision was issued after consideration during the trial at Albert Park, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said not receive protest Red Bull, Renault, and Ferrari's constructors championship which is the last season. However, the three teams immediately pledged to appeal. FIA spokesperson said, it will be resolved on appeal in Paris after the completion of the Malaysian Grand Prix, beginning next month.

"Following lengthy discussions with various stakeholders, regulatory competition ensures their belief that the cars were legal," the FIA statement.

Williams, Toyota, and Brawn will compete in Australia and Malaysia with the design of their current cars, but with concern that all the points that they can be removed if the appeal stronghold Red Bull, Renault, and Ferrari is granted.

New F1 rules limit the size of the diffuser. The team stated that protest, Williams, Toyota, and Brawn to outsmart the rules by using a design on the back of the car associated with the diffuser which increases the size of the diffuser. This tool is on the back of a car that serves to increase downforce, helping speed, turning, and the smooth performance of the car.

Brawn Grand Prix, which is the reincarnation of the Honda team who resigned, becoming the fastest in tests with the car pramusim of the 10 other teams believed to be illegal. However, these newcomers team said they were fully followed the 2009 regulation of the car.

Team Toyota and Williams team-engined Toyota faced the same problem with Brawn Grand Prix, the charge to produce a new car with a diffuser at the rear of the innovative, but suspicious.

"Of course, when coming here, we feel that we are not violating diffuser regulatory and supervisory race matching view," Brawn said the owner of the GP, Ross Brawn. "We respect our competitors the right to oppose the opinion of the FIA technique and our opinions, but of course supervisor race familiar with our reasons and we confirm that the diffuser completely legal," said Brawn.

Controversy about diffuser design that lasted for weeks and berpekan-McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh, worried that the whole issue will overshadow one of the most exciting F1 seasons in years past. "Sadly, many columns (on paper) this week will be filled with controversy about it and it could easily become a fierce argument," he said.

Whitmarsh said McLaren, a team that overshadow world champion Lewis Hamilton, is also an important clarification needs to make their cars quickly added after stumbling during pramusim tests. If the final decision legalizing Williams, Toyota, and Brawn, other teams will also be forced to change their diffuser to compete in a fair and strict with three teams.

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Host India F1 2009

India yesterday earned the right to hold Formula One (F1) for the first time in the year 2009, according to officials announced.

Approval of setting event was held in the country's capital, New Delhi, said Suresh Kalmadi, president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), which will promote the race.

"We have received a letter about this from Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One boss," said Kalmadi told reporters.

Organizing fund the race will be obtained from the government and the private sector to build a stadium and a new path for the F1 race. "We will examine the land suitable for world-class track," Kalmadi added.

New Delhi was preparing to organize the Commonwealth Games in 2010. However, the city failed in its efforts to host the Asian Games in 2014 and run to host the 2016 Olympics.

Kalmadi said the IOA he believed the proposal would meet the financial and infrastructure set Ecclestone before the final contract is signed on the deadline 30 September.

"We are quite able to collect the money. We've done so far. We'll do it again, "he said.

The question why New Delhi was chosen as the place of the race, Kalmadi said, "The Commonwealth Games will soon arrive. So we will have international airports, hotels, and other infrastructure are ready for this. "

Ecclestone has recently promoted India as one of the future markets for motor sport after driver who grew up in India, Narain Karthikeyan, a driver for Jordan in the 2005 season.

"India is a country that may grow faster than China," Ecclestone said in November.

Interest organized F1 race in India has increased after Karthikeyan jump back on the track with the support of India reported sponsorship worth 10 million U.S. dollars.

29-year-old driver will not race in 2006, but signed an agreement with Williams as test driver.

Millions of people of India to watch F1 races on television, often interest the same as watching sports the most popular in the country, cricket.

Federal Sports Minister of India, Mani Shankar Aiyar, who opposed the implementation of international sporting events expensive in the country, has not responded about the announcement.

Aiyer, a former diplomat and foreign ministry spokesman, described the effort to host the Asian Games as nothing more than a misguided attempt to improve the global image of the country.

Indian media skepticism about the prospects for organizing the race in New Delhi.

"Capital does not have a place to hold F1 race, because the city has no culture for motor sports, "said Sharda Ugra, sports editor of the weekly India Today.

"Those places in southern India such as Bangalore or Chennai, where Karthikeyan and other drivers were, would be a better place," he said.

In 17 races in the calendar year 2007, four races allotted to the Asia-Pacific region in Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, and Fuji in Japan. Singapore will hold races in 2008 and South Korea in 2010.

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