Last week’s hero for Force India F1 team will now be racing for the Italian team, Ferrari. This move comes after the team removed Lucas following a dismal performance. Fisi, who has years of experience is also an Italian. For every F1 driver, driving behind the wheels of a Ferrari is a dream and Dr. Vijay Mallya has not stayed in the way for the Italian’s career. Fisi will race for rest for the races behind the Ferrari and will also have a reserve seat for next year. Is Ferrari also keeping its options open should Massa take time in his recovery.

Following the dreadfull accident of Filepe Massa last weekend, and no possibility of him returning to race this reason, Ferrari were left with no credible option than to approach the 7 time world champion to race for them. This is a great news since I always believed that Micheal left Formula1 business unfinished, especially since his last race where he finished his race with a punctured tire. Hope he gets atleast some podiums this season and a win will be like icing on the cake.

Having been considered as this year’s back benchers, Royal Challengers pulled up their socks and now are in the finals of the second edition of IPL.

To be frank, I lost interest when they were on the waining way in the initial days and was not eager to watch the IPL matchs. When the news started ringing that they can be in the Semi’s is when I got on!

Say the Mallya affect. I am a fan. I love both of his teams, my first love being the Formula 1. (continue reading…)

Are Ferrari and Fiat planning to create their own Nano iterations? That is exactly what these scoop pictures revel. Tata and Fiat’s relationship

Believe it, this is the first Ferrari hatch back car. Ferrari is named this little wonder F634 and code named it one, while Fiat is planning to use it to create a sequel Fiat 600 to its successful and legendary Fiat 500. Enjoy exclusive scoop pictures.

What is unclear whether this attempt is to make just a Concepts or actually make it to production. Watch this place for more…

Ferrai F634 one

Ferrari's 634 one or F634 is exactly a different level for Ferrari. I dont understand why Ferrari is choosing to move away from its sedans and moving to a Tata Nano based Super Car? Click on the picture for Bigger Picture.

Tata has got Ferrari to design & use the Nano platform for a Nano sized sports version, which of course would not be cheap. This Ferrari will use the 500 Abarth’s engine and will be built in limited numbers. F634 is based on the platform that underpins the Tata Nano, so it would be some what similar to Nano in its dimensions. However, it would look different. The scoop pictures have only revealed the back side, keeping the Front and Side design under wraps.

Design house Pininfarnia which got its hands on the First Nano recently, has been assigned the responsibility for designing this cute little hatch. Ferrari has a long association with Pininfarnia, and Tata Motors is also a share holder.

What makes me wonder is that Ferrari is moving away from it sedan and moving to Hatch back!!!

Vehicle type: back-engine, front-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 3-door hatchback
Estimated Base Price: $23,000
Esitmated Launch: 2011
Engine: Turbocharged DOHC 16-valve 1.4-liter inline-4, aluminium block and head, port fuel injection
Displacement: 83 cu in, 1368cc
Power: 135 BHP @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 152 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 90.6 in Length: 139.8 in Width: 65.0 in Height: 58.2 in
Curb weight: 2282 lb
Performance (Est.): Zero to 62 mph: 7.9 sec
Fuel Economy (Est.): 8 Km. /litre

FIAT 600 Seicento

Fiat has got rights to use the Nano Platform to produce the sequel to Tata Nano. However this Nano will be different. It will not be tall as Nano, but will be better and cuter. As seen in this artist’s representation here, it certainly looks cool in 3 door format of Nano which is not seen yet, however if you notice the height is down by 100 nm. Read Wiki about Fiat 600 Seicento here.

Similar to FIAT 500, FIAT 600 Seicento was produced last from 1955 to 1969.

Understandably, the front will go extensive overhaul to give it the 500 family look, how side is expected to remain same. This Fiat will sport a mid – engine.

FIAT 600: Based on Tata Nano, £8000 . Quality, upmarket feel, luxurious interiors. Click on the picture for Bigger Picture.

An ideal choice for Fiat to go ahead and give the people a sequel to 500, however expect this to be cheaper than 500. The Current 500 available in UK costs £8,100 OTR Price so expect this one to cost between £7000 – £8,300.

Specs:

Vehicle type: rear-engine, front-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 3-door hatchback
Estimated Base Price: £7,000 – £8,300
Esitmated Launch: 2012
Engine: Pop 1.2 litre, port fuel injection
Displacement: 65 cu in, 1242cc
Power: 69 BHP @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 132 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 2300 mm, Length: 3546 mm, Width: 1627mm, Height: 1485 mm
Curb weight: 865 Kgs.
Performance (Est.): Zero to 62 mph: 12.9 sec
Fuel Economy (Est.): 8 Km. /litre

A Very Happy April Fool

In an interesting announcement which was expected, the future of Honda Racing F1 team has finally come out. Honda Racing F1 has sold the Honda Racing F1 Team to their current Team Principal, Ross Brawn. Brawn, former Ferrari F1 team principal, put forth a management buyout of the troubled team after the sudden retirement announcement by Honda from F1.

The Press Release issued by BrawnGP website starts with the line which says: Future of the Honda F1 Racing Secured.

Brawn has retained his two drivers, the Brazilian Rubens Barichello and the Briton Jenson Button, while Brawn will remain the Team Principal.

Brawn’s new website’s welcome message reads;

On behalf of everyone at Brawn GP, welcome to our new team and our new website BrawnGP.com

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you – our fans, our partners and our media colleagues – for your tremendous support during the past few months. It has been a challenging period but we have now achieved a very pleasing conclusion to the strenuous efforts which have been made to secure our future. We have also been left in no doubt as to the level of enthusiasm for the team and our ambitions.

Our focus now is on preparations for the first race of the 2009 calendar in Melbourne on 29 March. Over the coming weeks we will bring you the very latest news and pictures from the build-up to the Brawn GP team’s debut season plus our plans for the development of BrawnGP.com

The Website is still under construction owing the sudden announcement. The Logo of the team shows good language. It reminds me of the logo BMW M3 has.

Brawn GP

Brawn GP Official Website

The Name chosen for the new outfit seems a bit odd to me. Agreed that every race is called a Grand Prix as F1 teams have the very term “F1″ in their team names. None the less, its good news coming in for Formula1. A team is not exiting the scene when the first Grand Prix is right under the nose.

Other noticeable development is the Engine supplier, and its McLaren. As the grapewine was on the Net, Mercedes Benz will provide engines to the new Team. McLaren has already agreed to be the supplier for India’s ForceIndia F1. According to FIA rules, an Engine supplier is not allowed to provide engines to more than two teams.?

In this case, McLaren is already providing engines to its own Team and FIF1. However, FIF1 Team Principal Vijay Mallya has not taken any objection, instead has given his approval to McLaren for providing the engines to Brawn GP for a period of one year, because he did not wished any team to leave the grid.

McLarens has scored a double whammy this time around, getting two deals right under the nose of FIA, while the biggest Looser is going to be Ferrari.

Good Luck Ross Brawn. Wish you a Happy Gran Prixing. Mr. Williams, do you see your past?