FIA Probe McLaren

“Team orders” In Monaco Under Scrutiny

LONDON: Formula One's governing body opened an investigation yesterday into McLaren's one-two win in the Monaco Grand Prix amid a controversy over so-called 'team orders'.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said in a statement that they were looking into incidents involving the Mercedes-powered team "in light of a possible breach of the International Sporting Code.

"The relevant evidence is under review and a further announcement will be made in due course,"

Double world champion Fernando Alonso won Sunday's showcase race, for the second year in a row, ahead of British rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton. The two are now level on 38 points but Spaniard Alonso leads the championship on race wins.

Hamilton, who finished runner-up for the fourth race in a row, revealed afterwards that he had been told to ease off rather than put pressure on his team-mate and possibly jeopardise the one-two.

Team orders, effectively manipulating the out-come of a race, have been banned since the 2002 Austrian Grand Prix where Ferrari ordered Brazilian Rubens Barrichello to let Michael Schumacher win,

Article 151 of the FIA's international sporting code declares that "any fraudulent conduct or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally" is a breach of the roles.

However, McLaren team boss Ron Dennis denied any such manipulation.

"We don't have team orders, we had a strategy to win this race," he said on Sunday,

"I make no excuses for instructing the racing drivers to slow their pace after the first stop and to effect our strategy."

A team spokeswoman added yesterday: "McLaren are completely comfortable with the FIA’s investigation into our race strategy and that all decisions taken both before and during the race were completely in compliance with the international sporting code."

Monaco is a circuit unlike any other, with unforgiving metal barriers lining a tight and twisty ribbon of asphalt around the city streets.

One lapse of concentration under pressure can carry a very heavy price.

A FIA spokesman declined to say what possible sanction might be faced by the team, who lead Ferrari by 20 points in the championship after winning two of the season's five races so far, if found guilty of a breach.

British newspapers felt Hamilton had been let down.

"Hamilton ordered to hand Alonso victory," declared the Daily Telegraph in a headline.

"Hamilton is told to let Alonso win," agreed the Daily Mail. - Reuters

Hamilton Danger

Ferrari's Massa fears rookie more than Alonso

LONDON: Ferrari's Felipe Massa suspects British rookie Lewis Hamilton could prove to be a bigger danger to his Formula One title hopes than double world champion Feruando Alonso.

Hamilton, 22, became the youngest championship leader in the sport's history alter finishing second to Brazilian Massa in Spain last weekend.

The McLaren driver has now beaten team mate Alonso in the last two races as well as finishing his first four races on the podium - something no other Formula One driver has ever achieved.

After Sunday's race at the Circuit de Catalunya, Hamilton assured Massa that he would beat him soon to claim his first grand prix victory - possibly in the season's glamour race in Monaco next week.

"He is definitely strong and is not bothered by pressure," Massa said on his Web site (www.felipemassa.com). "At the moment, you cannot say that Fernando or him are the better driver.

"But if the situation continues like this, then maybe Lewis can even be more dangerous than Fernando, given his championship position and how he goes in the car.

"At the moment, he seems more comfortable in the car than Femando. We need to keep an eye on that because he can be a dangerous threat."

Massa has started three of the season's four races on pole position and won the last two. Yet he still lags Hamilton by three points.

McLaren are nine points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors' championship. - Reuters

Kubica Revs It Up

If you go: Ferrari mechanics pushing Kimi Raikkonen's car back into the pitlane after the official testing session at the Sepang circuit yesterday. Insert: Robert Kubica.

Sauber driver clocks fastest time in first official testing

SEPANG: BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica has no experience racing at the Sepang FI track but it is not stopping him from aiming to make his presence felt in the Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix next week.

The lanky Polish driver served notice of his intention yesterday by clocking the fastest time on the first of the three days of official testing for the F1 teams.

Kubica, who stands at 1.84m tall, upstaged Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen to post the quickest time of 1:36.187 in the afternoon session on the 5.543km circuit.

Raikkonen, who won the season-opening Australian GP on March 18, was the second fastest in 1:36.302.

The BMW team had obviously overcome a gearbox problem they encountered in the morning session.

Kubica did 92 laps yesterday. He had highlighted the gearbox problem adding that it would be a priority for the team to work on in their preparation for the Malaysian GP, which will be held from April 6-8.

"The times are not that important. Our focus is to get a feel of the set-up and also get the car to be reliable. We tested the tyres today and it was okay. It's only the gearbox, which was chattering," said Kubica, who took over from former world champion Jacques Villenueve late last season.

The 22-year-old impressed the team with his handling of the car from the start and went on to finish third in the Italian GP last year. It was the team's second podium and his first in three F1 races.

Kubica did not finish the last race in Melbourne when his car encountered gearbox problems but said he is looking forward to the Malaysian round.

"This will be the first time I am going to race here. Our cars were on the pace with Renault and we expect to maintain this in Sepang. I hope to get a top five finish," he said.

As for the humid weather expected during the event, Kubica felt it is not an issue because they will have enough time to adapt to the conditions.

"The weather will be good for us because we have to get accustomed to it. The next race after Sepang will be under similar conditions in Bahrain," he said.

More than 1,000 fans took the opportunity to watch the first-ever official testing at the Sepang circuit yesterday.

Ten teams are involved in the testing and the public are free to watch the proceedings from the main grandstand. Spyker are the only team not taking part in the tests.

Champ Alonso Keeps His Cool

SPANISH FORMULA ONE GRAND PRIX

Trial run: Ferrari crew practising their pit stop on the car of Kimi Raikkonen during the first practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya yesterday. - Reuters

McLaren driver not flustered by home pressure

BARCELONA: Some drivers might struggle to deal with the pressure of defending a drivers' world championship in a still unfamiliar car in front of an expectant home crowd, but thankfully for McLaren, Fernando Alonso is not the kind of man that is easily flustered.

The Spaniard insists he will enjoy Sunday's race at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya and the pressure that comes with being joint championship leader is, of course, nothing new for him.

"It is the third consecutive year that I come to Spain leading the championship," said Alonso.

"So while it is something very special, it is the same as the previous years.

"It is normally the fourth or fifth race of the championship so it is difficult to get too much stress or nervous about the race because we are only at the beginning of the championship, this race is more for fun that the last four or five when you are more tense.

"I always feel very motivated and I feel a lot of people behind me try to support me and enjoy the race as there is only one of these feelings per year and it is always here in Barcelona so I am happy to race here."

It has been suggested that Alonso might be slightly resentful of the attention being paid to his rookie team-mate, Briton Lewis Hamilton, who has taken Formula One by storm in his first season and consequently taken a share of the limelight normally reserved for the double world drivers champion.

Not according to Alonso, who insists the pair, along with test driver and fellow Spaniard, Pedro de la Rosa, enjoy an excellent team spirit.

"We have a fantastic relationship between all three drivers, Pedro, Lewis and me, and we try to help the team as much as we can.

"I think that is the mentality of the team and the atmosphere we need to keep if we want to win.

"We will see, we have done only three races, but for sure it is good to have competition in the team as I have had in the last three or four years in the first few races." – AFP

Schumi rules out return as FI team boss

BARCELONA: Michael Schumacher ruled out a return to Formula One as a team boss or owner yesterday.

The seven-time world champion, attending his first Grand Prix since he retired in October, held a news conference at the Circuit de Catalunya to talk about Formula One, his new life and future plans.

Looking relaxed and sounding at ease, the 38-year-old German made clear he had no plans to play any major role in the sport he once dominated as the most successful driver ever.

Asked whether he had ambitions to be a team owner or to run Ferrari when Jean Todt steps down, he replied: "Neither. Absolutely not, no. I just don't want to. I have other ambitions in life."

Schumacher retired after last season's final Brazilian Grand Prix, bowing out with a record 91 wins and 68 pole positions from 249 races.

While still looking as trim as ever, he said he played football to keep fit but no longer did any gym work.

The German said he had no desire, at the moment at least, to step back into a Formula One car either.

"What will be my future, who knows?"

Schumacher has an unspecified role at Ferrari, the team he likened to a second family while competing, and he said he would simply be observing activities from a distance in Spain this weekend.

Schumacher said he was enjoying spending time with his family and children, being at home during their holidays and not having to worry about other commitments. – Reuters

Singapore To Host FI Race

Mokhzani: Street circuit will not affect us

SINGAPORE: Singapore has won a five-year deal to host a Formula One race on a street circuit starting next year, and hopes to break new ground by staging the first Grand Prix night race, a government minister said yesterday.

The race could be held in September or early October 2008, and the city-state has the option to extend the deal for another five years.

"Singapore could potentially stage the first ever night race. It would be unique, different, and allow the Singapore event to reach out to television audiences in Asia, Europe and even the US," said S. lswaran, Minister of State for Trade and Industry.

Meanwhile, Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir, chairman of the Sepang International Circuit said in Kuala Lumpur that Malaysia's F1 Grand Prix will not be affected by Singapore winning the right to host a race.

“I congratulate Singapore on joining the club of F1 hosts. Next year will be their first year and it will be our tenth," said Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir, chairman of the Sepang International Circuit.

"The people in South-east Asia will have a chance to see both now, a city street circuit and ours, which is a race circuit, so it will be interesting," he said.

Malaysia's Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said last month said there should only be one F1 race in South-east Asia, but Mokhzani said the development would promote the sport.

"It will not affect F1 in Malaysia, instead it will promote F1 in the region," said Mokhzani.

"Theirs ... will be towards the end of the year and ours will be at the beginning, so we will get to see how the season starts and ends," he added.

Last month Mokhzani announced that Malaysia had won the right to host Formula One races until 2015. - AFP

F1 Experience At Pit Lane Park

The BMW Sauber Pit Lane Park is open to motor enthusiasts and the public until today at KLCC's centre park along Jalan Binjai. The pit lane offers a miniature racetrack, mini grandstands, an F1 training centre and garage, a display of BMW race cars and more. The highlight of the event is this year's BMW Sauber F1 team race car, the F1.07. The Pit Lane Park is a travelling interactive experience designed to bring people closer to the world of the BMW Sauber F1 team, offering visitors all aspects of the F1 that they would only normally see and hear from a distance.

Simulator Fun

Intel is showcasing audio-visua multiplicity through the most realistic graphic-intensive out-of-car racing experience via the F1 simulators on April 7 and 8 form 10am to 10pm at Low Yat Plaza's Concourse. Each race is five minutes per session. The race simulator is powered by the Intel CoreTM Duo processor which excels in running the most intense applications with performance up to 40% faster and with improved energy efficincy.

Sapura Auto Hosts An Exclusive Evening With The BMW Sauber F1 Drivers.

Drivers' Items Auctioned for Mercy.

Kuala Lumpur, 3 April 2007 - Sapura Auto, the premium automobile arm of the Sapura Group of Companies, hosted a special evening today for more than 200 of its invited guests. Held at the 1st floor of its showroom and service centre a JalanTun Razak, the evening gave an exclusive opportunity for Sapura Auto's guests to get close and personal with the drivers of the BMW Sauber Formula One Team, Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica.

Encik Mohar Ibrahim, CEO of Sapura Auto Sdn Bhd, said,"This evening is indeed meaningful for us at Sapura Auto. We are proud to be associated with BMW F1, especially with our Sapura Auto Fast Lane Service advantage. This evening is not just an opportunity for us to create closer rapport with our clients and associates but also to allow us to continue supporting worthy organizations like Mercy Malaysia:'

Encik Mohar further added that the Auction was an opportunity for their clients and associates to own exclusive items of the drivers that are priceless for many F1 fans.These items included an actual spoilerforan FI car, Nick Heidfeld's under shirt and a limited-edition Leica Oscar Barrack camera.

“We are privileged to have Mr Heidfeld and Mr Kubica agreeing to contribute their personal items for the charity auction. The auction, conducted by Christie's, raised a total of RM59,000 for Mercy Malaysian' added Encik Mohar.

The centre served as an excellent backdrop for the evening. Guests were treated to a commanding view of Kuala Lumpur's iconic architectures, namely the PETRONASTwinTowers and the Lembaga Tabung Haji Building, whilst enjoying the evening's activities.They also enjoyed a unique spread combining traditional German fare prepared with a Malaysian twist.The evening was emceed by popular ESPN F1 host Paula Malai All. Guests were treated to photo taking and autograph sessions with the BMW Sauber F1 drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, together with their team. The evening continued with a classy performance from Camelia who belted popular tunes and hits from her latest album.

Sapura Auto is a flagship BMW dealership, located strategically in the City Centre at 362 Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.The 60,000 square feet dealership has complete facilities to provide sales, service, spare parts, as well as state-of-the-art equipment and systems to serve current and new BMW customers.

The first sales and service centre in the city, Sapura Auto is the flagship dealership of BMW for purchasing, enquiries or any activities associated with BMW and luxury. Sapura Auto embodies professionalism and pays high emphasis to quality and after sales service. Trust, credibility and reliability are key elements of Sapura Auto, and the company strives to ensure that all three fundamentals are incorporated into its culture to provide the great customer experience to all.

The City centre's first integrated BMW centre.
Encik Mohar addresing the guests.


Q&A session with Paula Malai Ali, and the drivers.
Kubica and Heidfeld with their items for auction.

F1 Drivers Thrill The Crowd At Nightclub

ROARING howls and whistles reverberated through the walls of C18 Club in Bangsar on Wednesday as the Honda and Super Aguri F1 teams entered.

Drivers Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello, Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson, as well as Honda F1 team chief executive officer Nick Fry and Super Aguri F1 team principal Aguri Suzuki were there to greet media members, car dealers, business partners and 30 Honda customers.

The customers were selected from the 100 Grandstand ticket winners of a contest conducted by Honda's customers relationships department last month.

Ten of them were even luckier as, during the party, they won the chance to take part in a pit tour and got their seats upgraded.

"I am eally excited!" said the only female winner Ong Siew Ai, 39, from Puchong.

"Not many people get the chance to go on a pit tour and to get a better understanding of the amazing technology involved."

Eric Lee, 35, from Kuala Lumpur was also delighted as he had never won a prize before. Lee is also a Honda fan owns three Hondas.

Also present were Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director and chief executive officer Atsushi Fujimoto and Honda Racing F1 Team senior technical director Shuhei Nakamoto.

Attendees got a chance to pose questions to the teams. Most of the questions were about what they would expert from this weekend's race and what were the challenges racing in Sepang.

"Heat," answered Button. It's so humid here, you sweat so much and you have to drink a lot to make sure your body is in good working order."

Other drivers agreed. Sato added that the Sepang track would still be challenging even if the weather were cool because of its many high-speed turns.

The teams expected to have a better race compared to that in Melbourne. Davidson hoped to push into the Top Ten while Fry called for fan's continuous support.

Park Offers A Glimpse Into F1

Up close: Rosman showing off the 90m circuit that is a highligh of the park.

MOTORING enthusiasts in Malaysia have a chance to get up close and personal with Formula One at the first-in-Asia BMW Sauber F1 Team Pit Lane Park, launched on April 4 in Kuala Lumpur.

Presented by BMW Malaysia in partnership with its F1 motorsports division, BMW Sauber F1 team and Petronas, the park is located in Kuala Lumpur City Centre's open car park on Jalan Binjai.

The park will be in Kuala Lumpur until April 8. Other stops after Kuala Lumpur will be in Barcelona, Britain, Germany and Shanghai.

It offers a variety of interactive experiences to the public as it features a miniature 90m racetrack, mini grandstand, an F1 training centre and garage, a display of BMW race cars and more.

This includes the Public Pit Stop Challenge where participants can change F1 car tyres and compete in virtual races with the F1 Race Stimulator.

There will also be question-and-answer sessions with BMW Sauber F1 team experts.

At the Petronas Pit, fans can learn everything about refuelling a Formula One car.

The park is able to accommodate 16,000 visitors a day.

There will also be demonstrations on the 90m circuit.

Highlights will be this year's BMW Sauber F1 team race car F1.07 and a BMW Motoradd demonstration.

BMW Malaysia managing director Wolfgang Schlimme said with Formula One at your Fingertips as the motto, BMW has replicated genuine Gand Prix conditions at the park.

"We hope to attract not only BMW fans but all motoring fans to the park," said Schlimme at the media launch.

Also present were Petronas Motorsports senior manager Rosman Roslan and BMW Sports marketing manager Joerg Csallner.

There was also a BMW Motorrad demo by Chris Pfieffer.

The park is open to the public from Thurs to Sat from 3pm to 11pm. On Sun, it is open from 11am to 5.30pm. Admission is free.

A Roaring Time Even Off The Circuit

Good crowed: (from left)Vodafone Mercedes McLaren's Catherine Dyer, Azalina, UMNO Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Hamilton making their entrance to the event.

22-YEARS-OLD SENSATION MAKES HIS MALAYSIAN DEBUT

LEWIS Halmiton may only be 22, but the Formula One (F1) driver has already caught the eye of many during his debut outing at the 2007 Australian Grand Prix where he finished third.

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team driver made his first appearance in Malaysia, as part of TAG Heuer's dream team of brand ambassadors, at a recent TAG Heuer Ignites GP Party at Bintang Walk.

The party was held to celebrate TAG Heuer's association with F1 and the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, and to honour Hamilton, the brand's new ambassador.

When asked what TAG Heuer means to him, Hamilton said,"Style, elegance, avant-garde, sports. Motorsports is all about precise time measurement, as it helps you understand where you can find more time."

Hamilton wore a TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph to the party. He favours the watch because "it combines strong reliable technical feature with a young and dynamic look."

It was a hot event featuring go kart races, contests to win TAG Heuer prizes and street performances by artistes like Joe Flizzow, Reshmonu, Suki (one in a Million), Ahli Fiqir and DJ Jungle Jerry.

Adding glamour and glitz to the party were celebrities like Hannah Tan, Channel [V] VJs Joey G and Marion Caunter, Sharifah Amani, Elaine Daly, Cheryl Samad, Sazzy Falak, Jason Lo, Serena C and Miss Malaysia/World 2006 Adeline Choo.

The highlight of the party was a simulator race competition, which saw Hamilton pitting his driving skills against Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman.

Several celebrities also tested their F1 driving skills at the simulator race competition.

"Driving this was easier than expected. The computer controlled the brakes, so all i did was press the gas pedal," said Hitz. TV VJ Azwin Andy(Andy).

"How you win this competition depends on how you take the corners. I think i would've done better if i could control the brakes," said Andy, who admitted to playing it safe throughout the drive.

"I think it was a load of fun, but i conld've done better if only i knew where the corners were," said TV personality/actress Aishah Sinclair.

Though she said she hit the gravel many times when taking corners, the spunky lady said she might give Michael Schumacher a run for his money.

Andy won third place in the competition, while the first prize went to Ashraf Sinclair, who took home a TAG Heuer timepiece for his driving efforts.

Celebrity guests: (From left) TV personalities Stephanie Chai, Belinda Chee, Hannah Tan, Paula Malai Ali, Miss Malaysia/World 2006 Adeline Choo and Channel [V] VJ Marion Caunter were among those present.

The Ultimate Experience

WHEN they say, “Gentlemen start your engine,” at an AMG Ultimate Experience Asia track event, they are referring to the typical gentleman than your average hardcore racer.

The AMG Ultimate Experience Asia is a series of events aimed at sports car enthusiasts in South-East Asia.

That includes everyone from individuals enamoured with motorsport to clients of large corporations who will, for a fee, be able to compete behind one of 35 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG Racing Edition cars at about 10 events per year.

The events are being staged in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand by Front Row Investment Holdings (S) Pte Ltd in cooperation with DaimlerChryler South East Asia Pte Ltd. The series of lifestyle events began in March.

The SLK55 AMG Racing Edition lets you dice around the racetrack making you feel like you’re an F1 contender.

If it looks pretty much like last year’s Formula One safety car, that’s because the design of the 265-kW/360-hp eight-cylinder roadster is based on it. That’s the car driven by F1 safety car driver Bernd Maylander throughout the 2004 and 2005 Formula 1 seasons.

Being the only car in F1 that is never overtaken, the safety car needs to be able to lap at speeds of up to 240kph so that the race cars tyres do not cool too much and the engines don’t overheat due to inadequate airflow.

Few other cars have the torque, the high-speed composure and the reliability to make the grade.

The car includes suspension, brakes and a cooling system that have been specifically turned for the planned “AMG Ultimate Experience Asia” lifestyle event; plus numerous light-weight construction feature which provide exhilarating handling dynamic.

Around 25kg have been saved simply by using the carbon-fibre roof with its plastic rear window and dispensing with the vario-roof mechanical and hydraulic system.

Additional lightweight construction measures – including forged wheels, an optimized AMG sports exhaust system, omission of insulating materials, lighter door linings as well as fibreglass – reinforced plastic bucket seat – compensate for the extra weight of the braking system, the larger 80-litre racing tank, the roll cage and the fire extinguishing system.

All these measures lighten the kerb weight to considerably less than 1,500kg.

During our laps around the Sepang F1 circuit, we found none of the rawness of fussiness that one associate with racers. There’s actually air conditioning among the refinements.

Barring the roll cage and the omission of one seat, there is enough of the original interior dash and centre console to convince you that you’re in a Mercedes,

The 5.5-litre engine has phenomenal pulling power around corners and the power comes in very early. The car has a very chuckable, forgiving nature what with the traction control system cutting in to temper some over exuberant antics.

It feels like almost a second however before the gear changes cut in when you actuate the paddle shifts behind the steering – something you just learn to adjust to.

All in all, it would be nice to take one home but the custom designed SLK55 AMG Racing Edition can only driven on private racing tracks.

Guess we’ll just have to wait for the limited edition road-going version that Mercedes-AMG plans to launch soon.