Sidepodcast

Live: Valencia Testing - Day Two (February 2010)

Following a frenetic first day of testing in Spain, Formula 1 teams continue to test at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Cheste, Valencia today. Monday brought all forms of excitement from the unveiling of the STR5 to the return of Michael Schumacher in a modern F1 cockpit. Additionally, Mercedes GP finally allowed fans and the media to see this years W01 chassis, while Robert Kubica began his new life as a Renault driver.

Lewis Hamilton arrives today to relieve Gary Paffett of his test driving duties, while Kamui Kobayashi will settle into the C29. Is it possible that Tuesday could be even more chaotic?

On track action begins at 10am CET (9am GMT).

Circuit Information

• Track length: 4.051km
• Corners: 14
• Lap record (unofficial): 1:08.544 (Anthony Davidson, Honda, 2006)

The Circuit Ricardo Tormo circuit is located to the East of Spain, not far from Valencia.

Drivers and Teams Attending

We are expecting to see the following drivers and teams in action today:

Useful Links

• Official Circuit Homepage
• F1 Direct (live updates)
• Motor 21 (live updates)
• The F1.com (timing updates)
• F1 Today (timing updates)

F1 People Who Are Tweeting from Valencia

• Claire Williams - AT&T Williams
• The Fifth Driver - Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
• Toro Rosso Spy - Scuderia Toro Rosso
• Sarah Holt - BBC
• Edd Straw - Autosport
• Jon Noble - Autosport
• Alex Comerford - F1Photos.org
• Craig Scarborough - Scarbs F1

Don't forget you can follow Twitter lists of F1 Teams, F1 Drivers and F1 Media for up to the minute information.

James Allen launched a handy Twitter aggregation service to coincide with the start of testing, and we recommend you take a look.

As ever, regular updates will appear in the comments throughout the date. Dive in if you have any questions or spy something interesting.

Renault F1 Sign Vitaly Petrov for 2010

Credit: Alastair Staley / GP2 Series Media Service

Vitaly Petrov in the GP2 paddock.

Russia has its very first Formula 1 racing driver today, as Renault F1 officially confirmed Vitaly Petrov in their second seat for 2010. Petrov will partner Robert Kubica, who had already been announced last year.

Speculation over who would get the drive at Renault had gone into overdrive recently, and the signing was all but confirmed earlier today when Petrov was spotted in the Valencia paddock, wearing Renault team overalls. It has been rumoured that the deal includes substantial financial backing to help Renault cover the sponsorship deficit, left after ING pulled out of the sport in 2009.

Petrov, 25 and hailing from Vyborg in Russia, finished in second place in last year's GP2 championship. He's looking forward to certain aspects of F1:

I'm really looking forward to any wet races and the street circuits. That's because I started my racing career in Russia competing in rally sprints and ice racing so I feel comfortable in slippery conditions. Also, I won my first GP2 race on a wet track in Valencia when I started on slicks on a damp track. But first I need to see what an F1 car feels like in the rain.

He has modest aims for the upcoming season though:

To learn as much as possible from this successful team and from Robert during the year. I'm so proud to be here and want to do the best job I can.

Following the logic that photos of drivers in Valencia with Renault clothing on might be involved with the team, Ho Pin Tung and Jerome D'Ambrosio were spotted in similar outfits and hanging out together in the paddock. Although not confirmed as Renault test drivers, that is most likely as good an announcement as we'll get for now. Ho Pin Tung tested for the team during the Young Driver test in December, and both are managed by new team boss Eric Boullier.

Bernie Ecclestone Joins Genii Capital in Saab Deal

Credit: GEPA pictures/ Franz Pammer

With one hand in his pocket. Bernie is taking a keen interest in Saab Automobile.

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is teaming up with Genii Capital to bid for the motor company, Saab Automobile AB. The partnership was announced Thursday evening and sees Ecclestone join recent Renault F1 investors Genii Capital in going head-to-head against one time F1 team owners, Spyker Cars.

The American company General Motors currently owns the failing Saab brand and are looking to offload the entire operation. Dutch car manufacturer Spyker had expressed an interest and made several offers to GM. Yesterday the company revised their offer and Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars said in a statement:

"We have continued a constructive dialogue with GM over the acquisition of Saab. We believe the Saab brand has lots of potential and would be keen to close a deal as quickly as possible."

The Luxembourg-based private investment firm Genii Capital put in a last minute offer on Thursday and stated:

"Genii Capital has decided that given an adequate and short timeframe for finalizing its offer, it will aggressively work towards a successful closing of the transaction with all the relevant stakeholders of the company."

In December last year Genii bought a large stake in the Renault F1 team, securing its position for the 2010 championship. Although it came to light yesterday that Genii might be interested in Saab, news that Ecclestone is involved has come as something of a surprise.

As yet it is unclear what involvement Bernie will play in the partnership, or what the long term ramifications on Formula 1 and the Renault team might be.

Renault Confirm Intention to Stay

The Renault F1 team has issued a firm commitment to maintain its presence in Formula One. A statement issued today confirmed the team have sold a large stake to Luxemburg based Genii Capital, securing the long term future of the operation.

Renault has decided to maintain its commitment to Formula One and welcomes the perspective of a strategic partnership with Genii Capital, a Luxemburg based firm specialized in new technologies, brand management and motor sport. Following the proposed sale of a large stake of Renault F1 Team to Genii, both partners will operate the team together. The letter of intent signed by the two companies should be concluded in early 2010.

Genii Capital are rumoured to be buying 75% of the team which will keep the Renault branding, name and identity, and will be concentrating on cutting costs for the immediate future. Bernard Rey, Renault's F1 team president, said:

"Altogether, we look forward to competing again at the highest level in Formula One. Today’s announcement also confirms Renault’s commitment and trust in the sport’s governing bodies to improve the green credentials of Formula One."

The press release also confirmed that Red Bull Racing will continue to use Renault engines next season.

Update: Robert Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli told BBC Sport that having heard the news he has outstanding questions relating to the sale of a stake in Renault F1.

"We would like to know about Genii Capital and who is doing what in the team - a partner can be a sleeping partner or a controlling partner.

"The cards have changed in respect of when we signed and it's important Renault give us full information."

Kubica is currently the only driver confirmed with the team for the 2010 season.

An Aside with Joe - The Aerodynamic Genie Came Out of the Bottle

• Length: 01:01:37 
• Size: 57.2 MB 
• File: aside15.mp3 
• Transcript: Coming soon 
• Torrent: aside15.torrent 

Joe extends the season just a little bit longer as he covers the week's important topics, including the shenanigans at Toyota, BMW and Renault, the long term view at Williams and a free Prius.

Additionally we talk knocking Gino, punching Ron and solving the problem of the Ferrari roof.

As ever, all of this and very much more, in this episode of An Aside With Joe.

Linkage

• This French Life intervew
• Joe's LinkedIn profile
• F1 Scoop's Tweet
• The first episode of An Aside with Joe
• Crossing Europe in a California
• Joe's Comment Feed
• The "massive assumption" comment
• Read Joe Saward’s Grand Prix Blog
• Subscribe to Grand Prix+ Magazine

Renault F1 confirm Kubica for 2010

The Renault F1 Team finally announced Robert Kubica will drive for the team in 2010. An announcement was expected yesterday but was delayed for unspecified reasons.

From the press release:

The Renault F1 Team is delighted to announce that Robert Kubica will drive for the team from the 2010 season onwards.

The 24-year-old Polish driver is one of the most highly-rated young drivers in Formula One, who has proved his ability as a race-winning driver and whose aggressive and consistent racing style have seen him as a contender for last year’s drivers’ title.

Kubica commented that he has an affinity with the team after he won the World Series by Renault in 2005 and tested with the F1 team in Barcelona. He continued:

I share with Renault a strong winning mentality and feel comfortable with their friendly and open attitude. I’m highly motivated and optimistic that together we can be at the front of the grid next year and hopefully fighting for the world title.

As yet, no details on the length of the contract or who Robert's teammate next year will be have been forthcoming.