VIDEO: Schumacher and Rosberg visit Petronas Refinery in Malacca

The visit is part of Petronas' effort to share with the world their expertise and let the world see that they are not just sponsors of the Mercedes GP team but also a technical partner.

Petronas supplies total fluid solutions to Mercedes GP and that means all the fuel, lubricants and brake and transmission fluid are blended by Petronas.

This video shows the visit by F1 pilots Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg

Heidfeld replaces Kubica at Lotus Renault GP

Robert Kubica is considered one of the best driver on the F1 grid today and now former team mate Nick Heidfeld will have to fill in for him after a severe accident at a rally event where an Armco barrier pierced into the Skoda Fabia S2000 and nearly severed the Pole’s arm.

After a week of speculation, following Heidfeld’s test sessions in Jerez, where he topped the time sheet several times, Lotus Renault announced that the 33-year old German has joined the team and will take over driving duties from the recovering Kubica.



Heidfeld is one of the most experienced drivers in Formula 1 having started 172 races over the last 11 seasons. He will race alongside Vitaly Petrov when the season gets underway in Bahrain on 13 March.
Nick Heidfeld: "I would have liked to come back to Formula 1 in different circumstances, but I'm proud to have been given this chance.

“Everything has happened so quickly, but I've been very impressed by what I have seen so far in terms of the facilities and the dedication of the people at Enstone.

“I really enjoyed the test last week in Jerez and I've already settled in well with the guys at the track. I have a good feeling for the car, which is quite innovative. I'm extremely motivated and can't wait for the season to begin," he added

Team Boss Eric Boullier was clearly relieved to secure the services of an experienced pilot.

"The team has been through a very difficult couple of weeks and we had to react quickly. We gave Nick a chance in Jerez last week and he really impressed us.

“He's quick, experienced and is very strong technically with his feedback and understanding of the car.
“We always said the priority was to have an experienced driver in the car and we feel he is the ideal man for the job. We are pleased to welcome Nick to the team and look forward to a strong start to the season with him and Vitaly in Bahrain," said Boullier.

Heidfeld and Petrov will be taking part in the Barcelone test sessions from 18 to 21 February and both will take part in pit-stop practice on Friday morning.

Petrov will take to the track on Friday afternoon and Sunday while Heidfeld will be driving on Saturday and Monday.

GRAPHIC VIDEO: F1 car compared to road cars and other race cars at Eau Rouge

We have all seen the usual F1-road car compariosn and how an F1 car can lap a road car that has a half lap advantage within the same lap.

Eau Rouge is one of the most spectacular and dangerous high-speed corner in the world and with the right wing combo a race car can take it with just a small loss in speed and this video really magnifies the difference between an F1 machine and a fast road sportscar.

Video after jump

F1: Lotus to unveil gold-black livery tomorrow

The iconic black and gold livery that will be used by Lotus-Renault GO next year will be unveiled at Autosport International in Birmingham tomorrow.


Top BBC F1 pundit David Croft will be hosting the press unveil at the Lotus stand where representatives from Lotus Motorsport and the various race series will present the Lotus Motorsport offering and detail some of the exciting things to come. 

Alongside the famous race cars on display will be the extraordinary Type 125, the F1 inspired customer race car from Lotus. There will be an exciting announcement around this car as it makes its European debut. 

For those race fans who aren’t able to make the trip to the NEC, Lotus Motorsport has found the perfect solution – from 9am on Thursday onwards enthusiasts can log on to www.lotuscars.com/motorsport for a series of exclusive interviews with the stars of the stand and unique content covering the extensive Lotus Motorsport programmes. 

PRESS RELEASE

Lotus Rocks Autosport International

Iconic black and gold F1 livery set to make it’s public debut as the Lotus Motorsport family is unveiled at Autosport International in Birmingham

This Thursday (13^th January 2011) at 2pm, the NEC in Birmingham will play host to the much anticipated unveiling of Lotus’ motorsport line up including F1, GP2/GP3, IndyCar, GT2/GT4 and much more besides.  

Lotus Renault GP driver Vitaly Petrov will be in attendance alongside F1 legend Jean Alesi as the cover is lifted for the first time on the new 2011 Lotus Renault GP black and gold F1 car livery .

Top BBC F1 pundit David Croft will be hosting the press unveil at the Lotus stand where representatives from Lotus Motorsport and the various race series will present the Lotus Motorsport offering and detail some of the exciting things to come. 

Lotus Director of Motorsport Claudio Berro said: “I’m pretty sure everyone will be excited to see the new F1 livery up close at the NEC, but in addition to F1, the show will be the first time so many of our race cars will be united in one location. The event will provide the perfect opportunity for fans of the Lotus marque to come and have a look at the exciting developments we have made in the past year. We’re also delighted to bring our IndyCar to the show especially as we will be celebrating the 100^th Indy 500 race with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this year. 

“From F1, the pinnacle of open wheel racing, to the Lotus Academy, where the general public can learn to race like a pro, we’re confident that there’s something to appeal to every race fan.” 

Alongside the famous race cars on display will be the extraordinary Type 125, the F1 inspired customer race car from Lotus. There will be an exciting announcement around this car as it makes its European debut. 

For those race fans who aren’t able to make the trip to the NEC, Lotus Motorsport has found the perfect solution – from 9am on Thursday onwards enthusiasts can log on to www.lotuscars.com/motorsport for a series of exclusive interviews with the stars of the stand and unique content covering the extensive Lotus Motorsport programmes. 

MOTORSPORT: Team orders are go in F1

F1 has lifted the ban on team orders so next year we may get more of it...if we don't already have them.

Will it change the face of F1 much? probably not....

Although Ferrari was fined EURO100K last year for the team orders at the German GP, most of the other teams secretly want team orders to be allowed, not because of anything but for the extra room to manoeuver.