Matters of moment, December 2006

Author

admin

Browse pages
Current page

1

Current page

2

Current page

3

Current page

4

Current page

5

Current page

6

Current page

7

Current page

8

Current page

9

Current page

10

Current page

11

Current page

12

Current page

13

Current page

14

Current page

15

Current page

16

Current page

17

Current page

18

Current page

19

Current page

20

Current page

21

Current page

22

Current page

23

Current page

24

Current page

25

Current page

26

Current page

27

Current page

28

Current page

29

Current page

30

Current page

31

Current page

32

Current page

33

Current page

34

Current page

35

Current page

36

Current page

37

Current page

38

Current page

39

Current page

40

Current page

41

Current page

42

Current page

43

Current page

44

Current page

45

Current page

46

Current page

47

Current page

48

Current page

49

Current page

50

Current page

51

Current page

52

Current page

53

Current page

54

Current page

55

Current page

56

Current page

57

Current page

58

Current page

59

Current page

60

Current page

61

Current page

62

Current page

63

Current page

64

Current page

65

Current page

66

Current page

67

Current page

68

Current page

69

Current page

70

Current page

71

Current page

72

Current page

73

Current page

74

Current page

75

Current page

76

Current page

77

Current page

78

Current page

79

Current page

80

Current page

81

Current page

82

Current page

83

Current page

84

Current page

85

Current page

86

Current page

87

Current page

88

Current page

89

Current page

90

Current page

91

Current page

92

Current page

93

Current page

94

Current page

95

Current page

96

Current page

97

Current page

98

Current page

99

Current page

100

Current page

101

Current page

102

Current page

103

Current page

104

Current page

105

Current page

106

Current page

107

Current page

108

Current page

109

Current page

110

Current page

111

Current page

112

Current page

113

Current page

114

Current page

115

Current page

116

Current page

117

Current page

118

Current page

119

Current page

120

Current page

121

Current page

122

Current page

123

Current page

124

Current page

125

Current page

126

Current page

127

Current page

128

Current page

129

Current page

130

Current page

131

Current page

132

News views and comment

Close out? Cosworth out of F1 for 2007
Spyker’s shock switch leaves British firm high and dry

It now seems probable that the Cosworth name will be absent from the Formula 1 grid for the first time in four decades, following the surprise announcement that the Spyker MF1 Team will switch to Ferrari engines in 2007

Cosworth MD Bernard Ferguson travelled to the Chinese GP with a 2007 contract, expecting to conclude a deal with the Spyker team to continue engine supply. The late change of plans by Spyker is thought to have roots in a move by the company to use Ferrari engines in its road-going vehicles.

This season, Williams has also used the Cosworth V10 engine as an interim solution before changing to Toyota power in 2007. However, the Cosworth engine is widely regarded as one of the best engines on the F1 grid, able to consistently run to 20,000rpm.

“It is very disappointing,” said Ferguson. “We have a strong and reliable product and good staff, but what (Spyker) wanted was a relationship with a car manufacturer for road-engine purposes Unfortunately that’s not something we can offer”

With around 100 staff committed to the F1 project, Cosworth is urgently looking at other avenues, but it seems there are no openings for its engine on the F1 grid next year.

Cosworth, created by Mike Costin and Keith Duckworth, joined F1 at the Dutch Grand Prix in 1967 with its DFV (Double Four Valve) engine. Fitted to the Lotus 49s of Jim Clark and Graham Hill, the engine was an immediate success with Clark winning the race at Zandvoort.

The DFV engine went on to score 155 grand prix victories; the marque’s last F1 victory was in 1999

First of a famous breed

The ex-Niki Lauda McLaren MP4/1 raced in the Thoroughbred Grand Prix Car Championship for the first time at Donington Park in late September. The chassis in which Lauda won the 1982 British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch is owned by American collector Aaron Hsu, but was entrusted to Dean Lanzante for the Donington race.

The MP4/1 was the first chassis built following the merger of McLaren and the Project 4 team of Ron Dennis. The MP4 stood for ‘McLaren Project 4’ and was first raced in 1981 by John Watson and Andrea de Cesaris. Lauda joined the team in 1982 and finished fifth in the championship with the updated MP4/1B.

Lanzante, the son of the car’s preparer Paul, was also making his TGP debut and was immediately competitive in the Marlboro-liveried car. Despite being unfamiliar with the McLaren, Lanzante finished strongly in fifth and set the fastest race lap in the process.

Meet the drivers at Le Mans dinner

Le Mans winners Allan McNish (right) and Derek Bell are just two of the sports-car stars you can meet at a dinner on January 13 during Autosport international. Visit the NEC show, then stroll to the Metropole hotel to hear personal experiences of the race and enjoy a four-course meal. Tickets are £149 per person, including the meal, room, breakfast and show tickets. Contact 08705 201201 or www. autosport-international.com