The Formula 1 Blog

Codemasters® have announced that gamers can be amongst the first in the world to play F1 Online: The Game by registering to join a closed beta programme at www.F1OnlineTheGame.com. F1 Online: The Game is a new free-to-play racing and management game in production at Codemasters Studios under exclusive worldwide agreement with Formula One World Championship Limited and will feature all the cars, stars and circuits

A joint project between Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi and Linkin Park has raised US$19,000 for the victims of last year’s Japanese earthquake and tsunami, as part of the US rock group’s internationally renowned charity organisation ‘Music for Relief’.

The money was amassed after a special helmet, which Kobayashi sported at the 2011 season finale in Brazil, was auctioned after the race. The helmet’s one-off livery had been personally designed by Joe Hahn, producer and member of group.

Renowned Formula One designer Adrian Newey and 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell have both been named on the UK’s New Year Honours list which rewards achievement or service to the country.

Newey, Red Bull’s chief technical officer, receives an OBE (Officer of Order of the British Empire) for services to motorsport, while Mansell picks up a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to children and young people in his role as president of charity UK Youth

From start to finish, 2011 belonged to Red Bull and, more specifically, to Sebastian Vettel. The Austrian team’s RB7 was far and away the class of the field and Vettel was poised, precise and practically perfect, claiming 11 victories as he successfully defended his drivers’ crown.

That said, this season has not been short of drama, suspense and surprise. Challenging tyre compounds from new official suppliers Pirelli

Force India have announced that Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg will race for the team in 2012. Di Resta made his F1 debut with the Silverstone-based squad this season, whilst ex-Williams racer Hulkenberg steps up from his position as third driver to replace the outgoing Adrian Sutil.

“I am delighted to present our line-up for the 2012 season,” said Force India team principal and managing director Dr Vijay Mallya. “In Paul and Nico we have two extremely talented drivers with tremendous potential. I think Paul caught the eye of everybody in the pit lane during his rookie season.

McLaren’s 2012 car will be launched on February 1 at an as-yet undisclosed location, the team have revealed. Following its unveiling, the MP4-27 will then test at the first pre-season session at Jerez in Spain on February 7-9

If you are already suffering withdrawal symptoms from the amazing action that was the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship, there is now the perfect solution: Soft Pauer’s official F1 2012 Timing and Track Positioning App is now available for iPhone, iPad and Android – and it promises to be the perfect Christmas treat for all Formula One enthusiasts

Sauber have become the first of the 12 Formula One teams to officially confirm a launch date for their 2012 car. The wraps will come off the Ferrari-powered C31 at Jerez on February 6, the day before the start of the first pre-season test at the Spanish circuit.

The C31 will be raced next season by the Swiss squad’s unchanged driver line-up of Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez, as they look to improve on their seventh-place finish in the 2011 constructors’ championship

Visitors to Red Bull’s celebration event in Milton Keynes last weekend not only had the chance to watch world champion Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber carry out demonstration runs, they could also race a Formula One car of the future in the UK town’s shopping centre.

F1 in Schools, the Formula One Technology Challenge, linked up with the team and Milton Keynes Council to showcase the global educational initiative and give shoppers the opportunity to learn more about this student programme, which challenges 9-19 year olds to design, build, test and race a miniature scale-model F1 car.

Former Formula One driver Luis Perez-Sala has replaced Colin Kolles as HRT’s team principal. Perez-Sala, who joined the Spanish team in July as a sporting advisor, made 26 Grand Prix starts for Minardi from 1988-89.

“This naming is an honour but also a great responsibility,” said the Spaniard. “I joined the team as an advisor to the new owners and to contribute with my experience in any possible way. We had to establish a base from which to grow slowly and we are now seeing the first rewards of that work. But we mustn’t lose our perspective and be aware that assuming responsibilities such as designing the car or moving the headquarters to Spain are huge tasks and we still have a lot of work ahead.