Argentine Grand Prix Poised For Return In 2013
The return of a Grand Prix in Argentina is quickly gathering momentum which could see the South American nation replace Korea in 2013, a move which would see the first race in Argentina since 1998. The official confirmation could well come in May, however F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone has yet to comment on such an agreement.
The Korean Grand Prix made its inaugural appearance on the Formula 1 calendar in 2010, and after negotiations regarding the race-sanctioning fees with Ecclestone, the race is scheduled to be dropped in 2013. With Argentina eager to bring Formula 1 back to the country, this has paved the way for a potential return next year.
“The National Government accepts the challenge of organizing the Grand Prix of Argentina to promote the image of our country around the world.” Said Argentina’s minister for tourism, Enrique Meyer in an interview with Autosprint, “In May, the three-year contract will be signed between all parties involved.”
The last time Argentina hosted an F1 race was in 1998, at the Autodromo Oscar Alfredo Galvez circuit in Buenos Aires. The circuit was used in many different configurations throughout the history of the sport, with the first Argentine Grand Prix held in 1953 on the Buenos Aires configuration No. 4 circuit.
However, if Argentina does return to the F1 calendar, Hermann Tilke will most likely be called upon to design a new track in the resort of Mar del Plata.
Picture Copyright © LAT Photographic
Brazilian IndyCar Drivers’ Predict Race Winning Year For Barrichello
Brazilian IndyCar drivers’ Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves have predicted that Rubens Barrichello can fight for race wins and even the IZOD IndyCar Championship in 2012. Barrichello was confirmed at KV Racing Technology yesterday, joining Kanaan and Viso in an all-South American driver line-up.
“If Rubens didn’t believe that he could win, he wouldn’t have come to the team,” said Barrichello’s new team-mate, and good friend Tony Kanaan. “We’ve got to be realistic about the experience that he’s going to have on the ovals, but I have to say, I don’t expect any less than for Rubens to be right on top of the game right away. With his experience and his talent, and the way the series is competitive, giving equal chassis and this year with different engines, I believe he has very good chances to be fighting for race wins and championships this year.”
Although Rubens Barrichello has never raced in the IndyCar Series before, he will not be classified as a rookie. However, the Brazilian will have the opportunity to battle for rookie of the year honors at the Indianapolis 500. Barrichello will join fellow ex-F1 drivers Justin Wilson, Sebastien Bourdais, Takuma Sato and Jean Alesi in competing in the 96th Indianapolis 500.
Previous Indy 500 winner, Helio Castroneves, also believes Rubens Barrichello has what it takes to be not only competitive, but successful in IndyCar racing: “The entire series will get a boost with Rubinho’s presence. It’s another great name added to our grid. He will be fighting for the title, and the championship will only gain from that.”
The first race of the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series takes place on the streets of St. Petersburg, on March 25th. Rubens Barrichello will be hoping for a successful debut, as the IndyCar Series visits four tough street and road courses before heading to the first oval of the year, the Indianapolis 500.
Rubens Barrichello Finds New Sponsors For 2012 IndyCar Series
Former Formula 1 veteran, Rubens Barrichello, has apparently found new sponsors which will enable him to compete in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series in America. The Brazilian was replaced at Williams in F1 by fellow countryman, Bruno Senna, for the 2012 season.
According to local Brazilian newspaper, O Estado de S. Paulo, Rubens Barrichello has found a partnership with Brasil Maquinas, a company which rents heavy construction equipment. With the company already trying to assist Barrichello in remaining in Formula 1, it is believed they will pay the Brazilian $3 million in sponsorship money throughout this season.
After completing several tests with the KV Racing Technology IndyCar team, it is believed an official announcement will be made on Thursday which will cement Barrichello’s move to join fellow countryman Tony Kanaan at the team. Venezuelan driver E.J. Viso will also be driving for the team, creating an all South American driver line-up.
Once the deal is confirmed, Rubens Barrichello will become the third Brazilian driver in the IndyCar Series for 2012, alongside previous IndyCar winners’ Tony Kanaan and Hélio Castroneves.
Fabiano Machado Joins Marussia Manor Racing For 2012
Reigning South American Formula 3 Champion, Fabiano Machado, has been signed by Marussia Manor Racing for the 2012 GP3 Series. He will race alongside Russian driver Dmitry Suranovich, after dominating the South American Formula 3 Championship last season.
The Brazilian won 17 races in the Championship last season, as well as achieving 15 fastest laps and 7 pole-positions along the way. He had a promising career in karting beforehand, winning various championships along the way including the Paulista Championship and the Brazilian South Region Championship.
“To race in the GP3 Series with a winning team like Marussia Manor Racing will be a big step forward in my learning process and in my career.” Said Machado, “I’m really pleased and excited to be racing for the first time in a European Championship. I want to thank the team and my sponsor Grupo Schahin for this opportunity and I will work as hard as possible to put together a strong campaign.”
The GP3 Series has a two day pre-season test at Estoril in Portugal next week, before the season gets underway at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain in May.
Barrichello Completes First Day Of IndyCar Test
Brazilian driver Rubens Barrichello got his first taste of IndyCar racing today as he completed Day 1 of testing with KV Racing Technology, racing around a shortened version of Sebring alongside other 2012 IndyCar teams’ and drivers’.
Rubens Barrichello, who at first ruled out a switch to IndyCar, was replaced at Williams by fellow countryman Bruno Senna and now has only a drive at HRT keeping his F1 2012 hopes alive. Barrichello’s close friend Tony Kanaan has raced in America since 1998 when he made his debut in CART, before switching to the IndyCar Series full-time in 2003. If Rubens Barrichello completes the switch to IndyCar, Tony Kanaan would become his team-mate, along with fellow South American driver E.J. Viso.
“I’ve always wanted to test an IndyCar. I love speed so it’s natural to want to try this,” Said Barrichello in O Estado de Sao Paulo, a Brazilian newspaper, “As I have no contract with anyone there’s nothing to stop me from testing it. I’m going into this test with my mind wide open. If I leave with the passion I have always had as a driver then why not? I love racing.”
Rubens Barrichello tested in the new Dallara DW12 chassis, named after Dan Wheldon who was tragically killed at Las Vegas last season, and who assisted Dallara in testing the new chassis.
With a new chassis in IndyCar for 2012, all of the teams will using all the available track time to learn as much as possible before the season opener at St. Petersburg on March 25th.
Rubens Barrichello To Test For IndyCar
It has been reported by The Associated Press that an anonymous source has told them that Brazilian driver Rubens Barrichello is allegedly lined up to test for IndyCar’s KV Racing Technology. This comes a week after Barrichello was officially replaced at Williams by fellow countryman Bruno Senna.
KV Racing Technology, who receive technical support from Lotus, are set to have a two day test session at the Sebring International Raceway, with the team testing the new Dallara chassis that is set to be introduced to the IndyCar Series in 2012.
The source from The Associated Press also stated that Rubens Barrichello has not made any future plans beyond the test session with KV Racing Technology. With close friend and fellow countryman Tony Kanaan already racing for the team, there is an obvious lure for Barrichello to join the IndyCar Series which already hosts three South American drivers in Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan and Venezuelan driver E.J. Viso.
Rubens Barrichello, who spent the majority of his 19 seasons in Formula 1 as second man to team-mate Michael Schumacher, will be hoping that if he does join the IndyCar Series in 2012, he will have the ability to be competitive.
The 2012 IndyCar Series kicks off on March 25th when the Honda Indy Grand Prix of St. Petersburg gets underway in Florida.
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