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siko · 06-14-2007, 08:32 AM

Kubica engineer has no visa
New man for BMW job in US

Jun.12 (GMM) Robert Kubica - or his replacement - will probably have a different race engineer for this weekend's US grand prix.

It is reported by adrivo.com that BMW-Sauber's top test engineer, Ossi Oikarinen, was in Montreal at the weekend -- presumably to learn the ropes.

Kubica's regular engineer, the Iranian Mehmi Ahmadi, has apparently still not been granted a visa to enter the United States for this weekend's race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"We are still waiting for the visa," BMW spokesman Jorg Kottmeier confirmed.

He said: "If he cannot get it, Oikarinen will do his job in Indianapolis."

[Source: formula-1.updatesport. com]

Doctors warn against Kubica return
Concussion a real danger

Jun.13 (GMM) A renowned sport physician has warned Robert Kubica to skip Sunday's US grand prix.

The Pole, limping only slightly, checked out of hospital on Monday following his frightening high-speed crash in Montreal just 24 hours earlier, vowing to be ready to race at Indianapolis.

But Hamburg-based Dr Bernd Kabelka told Germany's Bild newspaper that Kubica risks death if he sustains another concussion at Indianapolis, which features concrete-lined banking that only a few years ago left Ralf Schumacher unconscious and in hospital.

"Sensory and motor losses are possible, so are memory gaps and visual disturbances," he said.

"In the worst case the brain can swell and the pressure can be fatal.

"I consider it extremely dangerous for Kubica to drive again straight away."

F1's former doctor Professor Sid Watkins, meanwhile, is also quoted as saying that the risk of serious injury with a second concussion is "quite high".

We can reveal, however, that Robert Kubica's name and helmet image is already featured atop the BMW-Sauber garage at Indianapolis, while both Sebastian Vettel and Timo Glock have travelled to the American city as possible stand-in pilots.

Team boss Mario Theissen said on Tuesday that F1's chief medical officer "will have the final say" when 22-year-old Kubica is examined at the circuit on Thursday.

He explained: "We are prepared in case Robert will not be able to drive. But, of course, we are all hoping that he will line up in the car at the weekend.

"The ideal scenario for me would be for us all to put the accident behind us quickly with a good performance in the race."

[Source: formula-1.updatesport. com]

The US Grand Prix Preview

Coming so soon after the Canadian round, this weekend’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has given the teams precious little time in which to regroup. It is safe to say that it will again be a fight between McLaren and Ferrari, possibly with BMW Sauber once again getting in on the act.

Lewis Hamilton is highly motivated after scoring his maiden victory in Montreal, and opening up an eight-point lead in the drivers’ championship, and says: “I come to Indy with great confidence. We have to try and continue with the performance that we have, and I have no doubt we can do that.”

Though he has never raced on the Formula One circuit here before, he has some knowledge of it. “I actually haven’t run it on the simulator,” he said, referring to McLaren’s sophisticated driving aid back at Technical Centre in Woking, “but I’ve seen it on computer games. I don’t really know what to expect. I’ve watched the previous races and onboard footage and looked at data. But I’ll be going there with an open mind and having to do the same sort of job as I did in Canada.”

Team mate Fernando Alonso is keen to reverse the result here, after his disappointing run last week. “Canada was a tough and frustrating race for me, but at least I left Montreal with some points and am in a strong second position in the championship, which is not won or lost in one race. I am in a good situation in the table, the car is great, it is definitely capable of winning races, and I am looking forward to getting back out on track in America and hopefully having no safety cars. I have not had very good results in this race in the previous years; it was better last year than in 2005, so I am hoping it will improve again this year.”

Ferrari are also desperate to reverse current trends, after two recent defeats. “I would really like to win in Indianapolis,” says Kimi Raikkonen. “The last three races have not been what I expected. We will do our best to get back to the level of the first three. I really want to win, because that would help us a lot. It’s difficult to say what we expect from IMS. I enjoy the circuit, and it has always been a good circuit for Ferrari. There is a very long straight, where you need to have a good speed, but at the same moment the infield section is very tight and there are some corners you have to take with the lowest gears. Fortunately, you are able to overtake at the end of the straight.”

Nick Heidfeld, meanwhile, hopes BMW can repeat their Canadian result. “First of all, I’m stunned about how quick we were in race conditions there,” he said. “I think I could have finished second anyway, beaten probably one of the McLarens and both of the Ferraris.

“The downforce level in Indy is similar to Canada, probably a bit more - obviously there are a lot more corners. But Indianapolis is one of the circuits where I’ve always done well. Apart from last year, when I was flying a bit! I hope I will have better luck this year.”

BMW hope that Robert Kubica will be allowed to race when he is examined today by FIA medical delegate Dr Gary Hartstein, following his violent accident in Montreal. Kubica spent last Sunday night in the Hospital du Sacre Coeur in Montreal where he underwent intensive CT scans and other checks. He was released Monday, and drove himself from the hospital.

“I have no pain and feel well,” he said. “I want to thank everyone for the medical attention I received and for all the good wishes. Mario Theissen and other team members came to visit me, and also thanks to Jarno Trulli who came, as well. I am happy that I have been able to leave the hospital so quickly and will now prepare for the race in Indianapolis.”

The chassis set-up requirements for Montreal and Indianapolis are similar, but there are some key differences. At the former drivers had the choice between Bridgestone’s super-soft and soft compound tyres. Here the choice is between the soft and medium compounds. That will entail some set-up changes as the grip levels will differ, while the temperature and friction level is higher than in Montreal. The kerbs are different, too, so teams will make changes to factors such as traction control and the differential to cater for this. “The details count, and even if it is a similar set-up, it’s a completely different story,” says Williams driver Alex Wurz.

[Source: formula1. com]

06-14-2007, 08:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
siko Devotee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 3,586 My Mood: Thanks: 815 Thanked 688 Times in 362 Posts	Re: 2007 United States GP Kubica engineer has no visa New man for BMW job in US Jun.12 (GMM) Robert Kubica - or his replacement - will probably have a different race engineer for this weekend's US grand prix. It is reported by adrivo.com that BMW-Sauber's top test engineer, Ossi Oikarinen, was in Montreal at the weekend -- presumably to learn the ropes. Kubica's regular engineer, the Iranian Mehmi Ahmadi, has apparently still not been granted a visa to enter the United States for this weekend's race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "We are still waiting for the visa," BMW spokesman Jorg Kottmeier confirmed. He said: "If he cannot get it, Oikarinen will do his job in Indianapolis." [Source: formula-1.updatesport. com] Doctors warn against Kubica return Concussion a real danger Jun.13 (GMM) A renowned sport physician has warned Robert Kubica to skip Sunday's US grand prix. The Pole, limping only slightly, checked out of hospital on Monday following his frightening high-speed crash in Montreal just 24 hours earlier, vowing to be ready to race at Indianapolis. But Hamburg-based Dr Bernd Kabelka told Germany's Bild newspaper that Kubica risks death if he sustains another concussion at Indianapolis, which features concrete-lined banking that only a few years ago left Ralf Schumacher unconscious and in hospital. "Sensory and motor losses are possible, so are memory gaps and visual disturbances," he said. "In the worst case the brain can swell and the pressure can be fatal. "I consider it extremely dangerous for Kubica to drive again straight away." F1's former doctor Professor Sid Watkins, meanwhile, is also quoted as saying that the risk of serious injury with a second concussion is "quite high". We can reveal, however, that Robert Kubica's name and helmet image is already featured atop the BMW-Sauber garage at Indianapolis, while both Sebastian Vettel and Timo Glock have travelled to the American city as possible stand-in pilots. Team boss Mario Theissen said on Tuesday that F1's chief medical officer "will have the final say" when 22-year-old Kubica is examined at the circuit on Thursday. He explained: "We are prepared in case Robert will not be able to drive. But, of course, we are all hoping that he will line up in the car at the weekend. "The ideal scenario for me would be for us all to put the accident behind us quickly with a good performance in the race." [Source: formula-1.updatesport. com] The US Grand Prix Preview Coming so soon after the Canadian round, this weekend’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has given the teams precious little time in which to regroup. It is safe to say that it will again be a fight between McLaren and Ferrari, possibly with BMW Sauber once again getting in on the act. Lewis Hamilton is highly motivated after scoring his maiden victory in Montreal, and opening up an eight-point lead in the drivers’ championship, and says: “I come to Indy with great confidence. We have to try and continue with the performance that we have, and I have no doubt we can do that.” Though he has never raced on the Formula One circuit here before, he has some knowledge of it. “I actually haven’t run it on the simulator,” he said, referring to McLaren’s sophisticated driving aid back at Technical Centre in Woking, “but I’ve seen it on computer games. I don’t really know what to expect. I’ve watched the previous races and onboard footage and looked at data. But I’ll be going there with an open mind and having to do the same sort of job as I did in Canada.” Team mate Fernando Alonso is keen to reverse the result here, after his disappointing run last week. “Canada was a tough and frustrating race for me, but at least I left Montreal with some points and am in a strong second position in the championship, which is not won or lost in one race. I am in a good situation in the table, the car is great, it is definitely capable of winning races, and I am looking forward to getting back out on track in America and hopefully having no safety cars. I have not had very good results in this race in the previous years; it was better last year than in 2005, so I am hoping it will improve again this year.” Ferrari are also desperate to reverse current trends, after two recent defeats. “I would really like to win in Indianapolis,” says Kimi Raikkonen. “The last three races have not been what I expected. We will do our best to get back to the level of the first three. I really want to win, because that would help us a lot. It’s difficult to say what we expect from IMS. I enjoy the circuit, and it has always been a good circuit for Ferrari. There is a very long straight, where you need to have a good speed, but at the same moment the infield section is very tight and there are some corners you have to take with the lowest gears. Fortunately, you are able to overtake at the end of the straight.” Nick Heidfeld, meanwhile, hopes BMW can repeat their Canadian result. “First of all, I’m stunned about how quick we were in race conditions there,” he said. “I think I could have finished second anyway, beaten probably one of the McLarens and both of the Ferraris. “The downforce level in Indy is similar to Canada, probably a bit more - obviously there are a lot more corners. But Indianapolis is one of the circuits where I’ve always done well. Apart from last year, when I was flying a bit! I hope I will have better luck this year.” BMW hope that Robert Kubica will be allowed to race when he is examined today by FIA medical delegate Dr Gary Hartstein, following his violent accident in Montreal. Kubica spent last Sunday night in the Hospital du Sacre Coeur in Montreal where he underwent intensive CT scans and other checks. He was released Monday, and drove himself from the hospital. “I have no pain and feel well,” he said. “I want to thank everyone for the medical attention I received and for all the good wishes. Mario Theissen and other team members came to visit me, and also thanks to Jarno Trulli who came, as well. I am happy that I have been able to leave the hospital so quickly and will now prepare for the race in Indianapolis.” The chassis set-up requirements for Montreal and Indianapolis are similar, but there are some key differences. At the former drivers had the choice between Bridgestone’s super-soft and soft compound tyres. Here the choice is between the soft and medium compounds. That will entail some set-up changes as the grip levels will differ, while the temperature and friction level is higher than in Montreal. The kerbs are different, too, so teams will make changes to factors such as traction control and the differential to cater for this. “The details count, and even if it is a similar set-up, it’s a completely different story,” says Williams driver Alex Wurz. [Source: formula1. com]