Crazily Fast and Furious

The most famous racer of all-time is back. Michael Schumacher is all geared-up to burn rubber and heat up his racecar’s radiator once more in The Race of Champions. We’re definitely sure that he missed all the action and fun, plus the fans that were on his tail for better or for worse. So this is going to be exciting.

"I remember having a lot of fun. I thought it was a marvellous event, especially for the spectators who really seemed to enjoy themselves and cheered us all up," says Schumacher, speaking of his first ROC appearance in 2004. 

"But it was also extremely funny for us drivers, who got to know each other a bit better, competing for fun. So I have only good memories on this last event I was participating."

"I will race in London because The Race of Champions is supporting ICM, an initiative which I am extremely proud about being part of," said Schumacher, who is an avid supporter of the event. "To me, combining the racing and the charity is the perfect option."

"My part in this organisation is rather small, as the other founder members are extraordinary people, but I am happy to at least support ICM with trying to heighten the awareness about it," he concluded.

In the history books of the American Le Mans Series, the Corvette Racing team is among the most triumphant squad in the records. And once again, accoding to www.corvetteracing.com, the team will contend in the GT1 class in all 12 events on the ALMS scheduled next year which is just a few days away.

"Corvette Racing was conceived as a long-term program to showcase the performance, technology, and value of Chevrolet’s world-class sports car," said Mark Kent, the director of GM Racing. "Since the team’s competition debut in 1999, Corvette Racing’s success in top-tier road racing has produced a strong return on our investment, paying dividends in marketing, engineering, technology transfer, personnel development and other areas of our business. Corvette is now a performance icon that’s recognized around the world, and Corvette Racing’s continued participation in the ALMS and the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be an important element in the global celebration of GM’s 100th anniversary in 2008."

"Our decision to compete in all 12 rounds of the ALMS schedule in 2008 reflects our commitment to our sponsors, our suppliers, and to Corvette enthusiasts worldwide. There is a reason why thousands of Corvette owners attend Corvette Corrals at ALMS events and why the autograph line at Corvette Racing is the longest in the ALMS paddock: Racing is an integral part of Corvette’s history and heritage, and we are continuing that tradition," says Steve Wesoloski, GM Racing Road Racing Group manager.

"Experience teaches us that motorsports is cyclical, and the GT1 category is currently in transition. Would we like to see more competition in GT1 in the ALMS? Absolutely! But in the absence of season-long competition, we are absolutely committed to controlling our own destiny. We are pushing hard to develop our chassis and powertrain, to refine our race strategy, and to continuously improve every element of the program. We know that the competition at Le Mans will be intense, and we will use the ALMS series to hone the race cars, the drivers, and the team to prepare for it,” added Wesoloski.

Let’s hear it from the newbie – Nelson Piquet Jr. Piquet, popularly known as Nelsinho, secured a seat with Renault team. He said he is with Renault on merit and not because of his surname.

Next season, Nelsinho will race alongside former F1 World Champ Fernando Alonso. The team’s decision was made after letting the 22-year-old spend a year as test driver. Nelsinho believes spending a year testing has eased his transition into motorsport’s premier formula.

"Renault F1 Team is a top team, they won two World Championships and are determined to get back on top. After one year with the team as a third driver, I know everybody and feel very comfortable in the team, I know the way they work and it’s probably the best way for me to start racing in F1," he noted.

Nelsinho’s father Nelson Piquet, won 3 World titles in the 1980s, however, Piquet Jr insists that he has made it into F1 because he has the talent to compete with the best, according to Planet-F1. "Ever since I started racing, I have felt the pressure of being Nelson Piquet’s son. My father is a legend in the sport, and that makes me very proud, just like it does for his many fans around the world. If I am here today, it is because I have the talent and have worked hard, with the right motivation, to become an F1 driver."

"My father has been, and will be, a great reference point for me and his support was crucial to the early stages of my career, all the way to GP2 Series," he said. "But to get into Formula One, you need much more than a famous surname. Renault have given me the chance to race for them, and that is because I have the talent and potential to do so. The team knows how we perform in the tests, what configuration the car is in, and our character. That is what counts in Formula One."

Nelsinho is optimistic about the upcoming season. "Throughout my career, I have been very focused on achieving the best possible results - and that’s how I intend to approach Formula One as well. I am confident that I can reward the faith Renault has placed in me by being clear-headed about the car’s potential at each race, and working hard. I go to every race aiming for the best possible result, but with my feet firmly on the ground."

MRP-Birel AMERICA confirmed that super Speed brothers Scott Speed, American F1 stars turned ARCA racer, and younger brother, Alex Speed, a 2-time Stars of Karting ICC Champion, will be the face of the 2008 Florida Winter Tour in Birel DD2 promotions starting at Homestead Raceway on the second week of January.

"Obviously my goals are to win. I don’t remember going into a race with a different objective but it will certainly be a pleasure for me to just compete again in a sport that I have loved for so long," said Scott Speed. "I hope that I will have enough time to properly commit to the races and to test a bit before, but my schedule changes so much that its hard to plan. I keep my fingers crossed."

"Scott and I are very competitive in everything we do together," said Alex. "So of course, I look forward to kicking his butt! To be honest, I am just looking forward to the competition from everyone. The DD2 class will be tough and I will always push hard to be on the top step of the podium for the Birel team."

The newest Formula One season to unfold in 2008 is definitely exciting! Everyone is thrilled as Formula One teams prepare for the upcoming season with lots of surprises to unwrap. The devoted fans are excited, all teams are excited, and the whole world is thrilled! Of course, how can we forget the best drivers in the planet who are actually more excited than us? Oh yeah, they are all set to face all the odds on the numerous race tracks around the globe. And one of these drivers is none other than Nelson A. Piquet, the newest member of the 2008 French squad.  Picket is burning with excitement and I can say that he is definitely as hot as a smoking radiator!

"It’s hard to put into words," Piquet told through the team website about how he feels. "People don’t see that behind every young driver, there are a lot of years of hard work, dedication and focus to make it to Formula One. I have dreamed of competing in Formula One since I was small, and I have finally made it. It is the start of a new phase, and I can’t wait for the season to begin."

According to Motor Sport, the name Piquet is already a well-known persona in the world of F1 Racing. Nelson Piquet was world champion three times in the eighties.

"To get into Formula One you need much more than a famous surname," points out the young Nelson Picket. "Renault have given me the chance to race for them, and that is because I have the talent and potential to do so. The team knows how we perform in the tests, what configuration the car is in, and our character. That is what counts in Formula One."

"Ever since I started racing, I have felt the pressure of being Nelson Piquet’s son. My father is a legend in the sport, and that makes me very proud, just like it does for his many fans around the world. If I am here today, it is because I have the talent and have worked hard, with the right motivation, to become an F1 driver. Now, I hope to give people plenty of reasons to be proud of me," he continued.

"Throughout my career, I have been very focused on achieving the best possible results - and that’s how I intend to approach Formula One as well," he said. "I am confident that I can reward the faith Renault has placed in me by being clear-headed about the car’s potential at each race, and working hard. I go to every race aiming for the best possible result, but with my feet firmly on the ground."

Just like the previous seasons, the Renault F1 Team treated this year as another year for success. Following the gained championship titles on the field, they still expect for more challenges on the race track.

However, they still have difficulties in dealing with Bridgestone control tires as they encountered several technical problems. The team has exerted so much effort on meeting the required performance on the race track.

Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen, both team’s drivers, have collaborated to instigate the process. And the efforts were paid enough for they were able to make significant improvements on the vehicles all throughout the season.

Heikki Kovalainen scored well on the battle in Japan while Giancarlo Fisichella was hailed as the strongest racer to finish the assured fourth place in Monaco.

The managing director Flavio Briatore commented, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Giancarlo and Heikki for their hard work throughout a long and difficult year. We expected to have a car capable of winning races, but that didn’t prove the case. Rather than let their heads drop, both drivers worked even harder to turn the situation around.”

"Giancarlo’s experience was a crucial factor in helping us improve our performance, and he leaves the team after making a vital contribution to our two championship years in 2005 and 2006. We thank him for making these special moments possible for the team, and wish him well for the future,” he added.

"Heikki’s rookie season included some challenges, but he coped with all of them and came out a better and stronger driver. He has shown everybody in F1 that he is a fast, intelligent and engaging driver, who is definitely capable of winning races in the future. We are proud to have given him his start in Formula 1, and wish him the very best for what is sure to be an outstanding career," the team’s managing director concluded.

Sebastien Loeb is fresh from winning his fourth WRC title. He is described as the Michael Schumacher of rallying because of his talent and the way he has dominated the sport. Although he has trailed for most of the season in the drivers’ championship, he stepped on the gas in the closing events of the WRC season to win the title with a four-point lead over Finland’s Marcus Gronholm. Recently, the French champion swapped cars with a Finn but not with Marcus.

He recently tried his hand on a Formula One car after swapping with Renault’s Heikki Kovalainen. The swap was done for a Total-Elf promotional event.

Loeb is a speed freak and of course, he loved the feeling of driving a Formula One car. "Today has been a fantastic experience; if I’m honest, it’s a little bit like Christmas come early!," said the champion. "I have just become a father for the first time, I won my fourth world title last weekend, and now a dream has come true: driving a Formula 1 car for the first time."

He added that he is very much impressed with the car’s aerodynamics saying: "I was very impressed with the grip generated by the aerodynamics, which is radically different from what we are used to in rallying. I already knew Paul Ricard well from my testing before Le Mans last year, so it meant I could really make the most of today’s opportunity. It was a truly exceptional day."

In rallying, they can make their cars jump over hills and stuffs which if you use an ordinary car, it would surely have some busted parts like the fuel tank for example. But in Formula One, they can’t do that, so let us see what Heikki has to say about his time in Loeb’s car.

"This was a wonderful day, and I had a great time driving Sebastien’s car," said Kovalainen. "I had previously been in this type of car as a co-driver, but this was miles better! I felt quite comfortable, even though the sensations are extremely different to what you feel in an F1 car. I talked a lot with Sebastien and Dani, and it was interesting to see how they controlled the car in the slow and high-speed corners, and learn from it. In return, I was able to give them some advice about the R26, and I hope they both enjoyed the experience."