Wikipedia:WikiProject Formula One/Newsletter/200805

Honda made significant changes to the RA108.

The first flyaway stages of the 2008 season have come to a close with Bahrain, where Felipe Massa, Rubens Barrichello, Jarno Trulli and Giancarlo Fisichella drove storming races to 1st, 11th, 6th and 12th respectively. Robert Kubica also looked impressive (especially during qualifying), and looks for BMW Sauber to be in championship contention. The unfortunate Lewis Hamilton finished in 13th, losing the championship lead to Kimi Räikkönen. Jenson Button (who retired) had a race to forget after a qualifying session to remember. Then most of the cars got updated and the teams tested their first 2009-spec cars in tests at the Circuit de Catalunya. In a probable look into the future of Formula One design, Renault used RBR's idea of a 'shark fin' on the airbox and the teams looking into the 2009 regulations, including the planned introduction of slick tyres. Honda tried a 'dumbo wing' on the car's nosecone and every other team tried to improve. Super Aguri lost their deal with the Magma Group after the planned buyout last month fell through, but did make it to the Spanish GP; SA's future is in the air again and still looking poor. The Spanish GP got underway with the hope that the adaptions will give new teams chances to win or get in the points. Fernando Alonso starred in qualifying by setting a provisional pole position time just before Kimi Räikkönen took it away by 0.091s.

Toyota have made a jump from their slot at 11th-12th on the grid to clear points positions.

McLaren didn't have a nice time with fifth and sixth places, in addition to David Coulthard who could only manage 17th after having a bad last lap. The Circuit de Catalunya saw Kimi Räikkönen take the glory with Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton finishing in second and third places respectively. Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella all drove one of their most best races, with Kazuki Nakajima also showing that he and WilliamsF1 are worth their stay in Formula One. Heikki Kovalainen had a nasty crash, causing a prolonged Safety Car period. He was rushed to hospital for checks; thankfully he was announced to have no serious injuries. Toro Rosso had a race to forget after both their cars were crashed out by other drivers. At the start of the season the FIA threatened the cancellation of the Spanish and European GPs if racism continued in Spain after after hearing of the racial abuse directed at McLaren's Lewis Hamilton while he was testing the MP4-23 at Barcelona during Winter testing. However, this was considered 'stupid' and has not happened due to the Spanish GP is completed and the European GP sold out.' Chubbennaitor, Sage J Callahan, Diniz(talk),  Barkjon , Motofan

News

• New members --
  • Deltasquared (talk · contribs) (April 11, 2008)
  • Clyde1998 (talk · contribs) (April 13, 2008)
  • Colinsuper7  (talk · contribs) (April 18, 2008)
  • Motofan (talk · contribs) (April 23, 2008)
  • Notime2cry (talk · contribs) (April 25, 2008)
• New recipents --
  • Sage Callahan (talk · contribs) (April 10, 2008)
  • Clyde1998 (talk · contribs) (April 13, 2008)
  • Aldango (talk · contribs) (April 22, 2008)
  • Motofan (talk · contribs) (April 24, 2008)
• New editors --
  • Barkjon (talk · contribs) (April 2, 2008)
  • Sage Callahan (talk · contribs) (April 13, 2008)
  • Motofan (talk · contribs) (April 30, 2008)
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Editor's Comment

We need a few users to help me with this newsletter. If you are interested, please leave a message on an existing editor's talkpage or sign up on the "Contributors" list of the central newsletter page, and we will tell you everything you need to know and answer your questions. Current contributors -

• LB22 (talk · contribs) (retired)
• Diniz (talk · contribs)
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Selected Image -

April's Monthly F1 picture

Below is the F1 Picture for last month (found here) which is decided on every 25th-27th of each month. The picture has to be one uploaded that month and only from the current season. It is exclusive to the Newsletter.

May picture-Jenson Button at the Malaysian Grand Prix, notice the difference of the wings from what now stars.

Formula One news from the Month

• Fry pours cold water on SA deal
• BMW pushing to the edge for Turkey
• Kovy making big recovery and hopes for Turkey
• Honda are sure of strong car in Istanbul
• Rubens proud to beat Patrese's record
• Jaime Alguersuari will have first F1 test for RBR
• Mallya backs Sutil's recovery
• SA closing re-rescue deal
• BMW Sauber thinking about using Ferrari 'nose hole' nose cone
• Williams thinking over engine cover
• Mosley inocence declared in Paris
• Webber pushes for Barcelona track
• Heidfeld: SC rules stupid
• Oz ready for GP Track change
• Sato had the race of his life (2008)
• Button shocked over first points from '08
• Drivers worried over tyre warmer ban
• Sato proud of SA's courage
• Schu's in the money... and the screens
• Silverstone looking at a secure future
• Negotiations still ongoing over SA
• 'EveryRace' anti-racist campaign underway
• Renault unsure on new car
• Brawn enthusiastic on Honda recovery
• Mosley: I have backing of FIA majority
• SA depending on Honda
• Magma group pulls out of SA deal
• RBR style 'shark fin' for Renault
• Lewis' wing broken before incident
• STR3 gets first run