Fisichella for Ferrari

The first Indian car on the F1 circuit to secure a podium finish was unimaginable of until Fisichella almost won the race. I wonder what would have Raikkonen done without his KERS enabled car. Kimi could actually win the championship if he continues his good performance. I think it had to something with Massa. Kimi ended up on podium when Massa crashed, he again popped the bubbly in the next race which Felipe missed and won in the Belgium race while Massa was recuperating from his absurd hit. This could be as Ferrari has only one driver to concentrate on. With Massa not racing for the rest of the season the chances of Raikkonen winning the rest of the races only get stronger and stronger. Does it really? Not anymore.

The latest news in the F1 circuit is of Fisichella racing for Ferrari for the remaining 5 rounds. This statement comes days after Malya, owner of Force India stated that there is no such talk. Which means Force India lose their driver who got the team a podium finish only in the last race. This also means that Ferrari now has 2 drivers to concentrate on and it slims down Kimi’s chances of spectacular performances. Luca would have to sit at home and watch the race on the TV screen. It’s in his best interest to stay out of the race because his poor show may be held up against him and may be responsible for his end as a Ferrari test driver. Fisichella will also be Ferrari’s reserve driver for the 2010 season.

Nissan follows Harley

With a total investment in excess of Rs. 2000 crores Nissan is shifting the entire production of its small cars from the UK to India. Nissan will begin with manufacturing the Micra and later the assembly line will roll out another 4 models. The plant located near Chennai is expected to produce close to a lakh cars. Unlike Harley, Nissan is fabricating the plant to export the cars to the European markets. And these cars will not be sold in the Indian market as Harley motorcycles will. Nissan benefits by the great Indian cost advantage which eventually translates into a global competitive pricing. Isn’t Japan supposed to offer incentives for local manufacturers and exporters. Anyways Nissan should return the favour to India by launching their models other than the X-Trail and Teana, it could also compete with competing manufactures who have a local manufacturing hub.

Fat Bob comes to India

Everything sells in India. Even if its price plus the 105% import duty for CBU vehicles. Well that is what the marketers at Harley-Davidson are thinking. They had to; they had no other option after the sales in the US have been tumbling. The cult brand will be available in India officially from next year. The Fiat 500, another CBU vehicle has managed to sell only 50 units so far.

Maybe the motorcycles have a larger fan following and this case should not be a deterrent to the US group. Other miseries that could be added to the Harley-Davidson sales are the creaking roads and highway infrastructure of the nation. Also the price tag, the basic models of the motorcycle is expected to carry a tag of close to USD 14,000 ex-showroom. This story doesn’t seem to be a theory as the company has already opened up a subsidiary close to the Indian capital showing their interest.

Valencia

A fumble at the right front tyre and a resulting 13 sec pit-stop ruined Hamilton’s win at the Valencia Grand Prix. On the other hand an impeccable pit-stop of less than 7 seconds saw Barrichello to the victory. Raikonnen for a change didn’t crash his Ferrari and finished 3^rd on the podium. The Button Brawn lethal combination seems to have mellowed down in the past few races but Button still leads the driver’s championship table comfortably. And no team comes even close to challenge the constructor’s championship leader Brawn. The only driver, Vettel and the only team, Red Bull had a disappointing race with Vettel not completing the race and Webber finishing 9^th with no points. Vettel’s retirement was due to an engine failure, which adds further hurdles to Vettel contending for the championship as according to the new rule if he has further engine failures he will be penalised on the grid. With 6 races to go the game is still on.

A special mention of Luca Badoer, who was overtaken in the pit lane, was penalised for crossing the white line while coming out of the pits and spun on the track to name a few. I hope this doesn’t mess up his relationship with the Ferrari bosses or else he will be replaced soon with a new test driver.

No Schumi in Valencia

Badoer to race instead of Massa at Valencia

The king isn’t returning due to a neck injury that was caused by a motorcycle accident in the 1^st half of the year. The much hyped return of Michael Schumacher was nothing but a farce, I guess. Ferrari has announced that Luca Badoer will race in the absence on Massa. Badoer is testing Ferrari F1 cars since 1998 and its only logical to let him drive a car which he has seen come of age. But he hasn’t scored a single championship in the 48 races that he has made an appearance into. So, the dry spell of points seems likely to continue for Ferrari.