UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Retirement by tram and more

Brief news

Oct.3 (GMM) Williams and Ferrari have both been voted a 2008-9 'CoolBrand'; an annual UK compilation of the most iconic brands.

The list is compiled from a shortlist of 1100 brands by marketing professionals and the public.

Williams is among the top 55 CoolBrands, but Ferrari is at number 13, although beaten by the likes of Aston Martin, iPhone, YouTube, Google and Rolex.

CoolBrands' chief executive Stephen Cheliotis said of Williams: "Its independent and passionate stance has enabled it to grow its
enthusiastic base of supporters and admirers."

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British grand prix venue Silverstone on Thursday celebrated its 60th birthday at the Northamptonshire track. "It is testimony to British motor sport that Silverstone is still going strong," said British Racing Drivers' Club president and 1996 world champion Damon Hill.

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Mark Webber's retirement from the Singapore grand prix with a broken gearbox may have been caused by a passing tram, his team Red Bull Racing suspects.

The British magazine Autosport quotes boss Christian Horner as saying static electricity produced by the tram could have caused the gearbox to select two gears at once.

"A tram line runs beneath the track at that corner (13) and it seems as if static from a passing tram at the very moment Mark was in the corner passed through the ground," he said, explaining that Toro Rosso's Sebastien Bourdais encountered a similar problem earlier that weekend with his near-identical car.

Written: Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:07:47