Formula 1 2009

[darius359au]

Woot , Webber finally gets his first win :D:woot::yeah::yeah:

[Jimbuna]

Well done Webber :yeah:

I can't help thinking Button might be a tad disappointed with fifth place, even though it keeps him 21 points ahead :hmmm:

[XabbaRus]

How many times have we seen this before. Most championships have been like this with the winner being "only" 21 points ahead at this point. Remember the Mansell and Prost and Senna years? so JB has some work to do but RB harder. even if JB doesn't win every race if he punches in 2nds and 3rds but Vettel and Webber take points off each other I think JB will still win the WDC. Not sure about the WCC though.

I though Rubens' blowoff on camera was unprofessional even though I can see it from his point of view even though I think he is mistaken.

Brawn will come back no doubt about that.

Well done Webber, always liked him.

[TarJak]

chuffed to see Webber finally get a win. He sounded over the moon on the in car radio as he crossed the line.

I think JB would prefer to keep getting wins rather than sit back for podium or further back finishes.

[XabbaRus]

I'm sure you are right especially with JB and Brawn us Brits have got something at least to beat you aussies with.....

[TarJak]

Unlike the cricket eh?:D Not that we won that either.:cry:

[XabbaRus]

Ah yes, rain to us is like Winter to the Russians when they are invaded. :D

[Max2147]

Not directly F1 news, but still related.

Henry Surtees, the son of 1964 F1 World Champion John Surtees, was injured today in the Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch. He was hit in the head by a flying wheel from another driver's car, then went straight on at the next corner and crashed hard. He was unconcious at the scene and was taken to the hospital, but there is no word on the extent of his injuries. Given how long it's been since the accident without an update, it's looking very serious. :(

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77073

[Jimbuna]

Agreed....here's hoping he is okay.

[Schroeder]

Eurosport.de doesn't even bother to mention that in their motorsport part.:nope:

[Max2147]

Autosport have now confirmed that Surtees died: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77088

Absolutely tragic. :cry:

[Jimbuna]

Autosport have now confirmed that Surtees died: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77088

Absolutely tragic. :cry:

Terrible, tragic news!! :nope:

[Kapt Z]

Very sad. Shows even with all the safety advances it's still a dangerous sport.

[Fiskaris]

A real shame. Brings back memories of Senna's death.

[Schroeder]

Massa has had a nasty crash.:nope:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/25072009/58/hungarian-gp-massa-intensive-care-surgery.html

Lets hope he will fully recover.:dead:

[Kapt Z]

Yes, I saw the replays while watching the qualifying broadcast.:o

Sounds like he will be ok, but they're keeping him in the ICU for observation for a while.

Could have been really bad.

[Jimbuna]

Hamilton wins for the first time this season and Button finishes a poor lowly seventh :hmmm:

[Schroeder]

Boy those races are getting more and more boring.:yawn:

[XabbaRus]

Renault have been kciked out of the Valencia GP.

Red Bull are being talked to about letting Webber out in the path of Raikonnen.

Brawn are going backwards.....

[Fiskaris]

Looks like Raikonen might get away with that bump at the start.

It wasnt that bad, but it was as bad as Webbers in the last race which he was punished for and looked like it might of destoyed Vettels suspension and race.

[antikristuseke]

This bump at the start was nowhere near the severity of the one by Webber last race. But unfortunately it may have had more serious consequences.

[Jimbuna]

Brawn are going backwards.....

I'm thinking Button still needs about 30 points or so to win the title.

[XabbaRus]

I think he will do it.

Actually Ferrari and Mclaren coming back can help us.

I personally wouldn't be surprised if Jenson and Lewis concoct something up between them. Lewis cannont win the WDC at all but he can help Button.

[Jimbuna]

I hope your right

http://imgcash6.imageshack.us/img91/5841/greatbritaincj6.gif

[XabbaRus]

I think Brawn will redirect all efforts to the BGP01

Saying that how many championship years has the leader had a massive lead that has lasted?

Most of the time the leader is only a few points ahead and it goes to the last race.

I'm quite calm...

[Jimbuna]

I think Brawn will redirect all efforts to the BGP01

Saying that how many championship years has the leader had a massive lead that has lasted?

Most of the time the leader is only a few points ahead and it goes to the last race.

I'm quite calm...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Formula_One_World_Drivers'_Champions


http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/2319/14916802pn4.gif http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/7975/gigglebigtb9fg3.gif

[XabbaRus]

So if you look at the last 4 seasons then the largest points margin was Alonso in 2005 with 21 points...

It ain't over till the fat lady sings...

Saying that if Jenson doesn't get it I'd rather an Oz than a Jarmin..:D

[TarJak]

:haha::haha::haha:I'm with you all the way. Nice for Webber to get another podium. He's having a good season. Good to see Hamilton getting amongst it finally as well.

[HunterICX]

:o about Massa,
nasty hit if you ask me.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/2093/0286081bb.jpg

Boy those races are getting more and more boring.:yawn:

havent really followed it for the last 3 years with all the political BS and FIA trying to turn it into child's play.

ah well I still have MotoGP to enjoy the sundays

HunterICX

[stabiz]

But rather than take the criticism on the chin, Piquet has come out swinging - and in doing so has probably signed his P45

"Flavio is a business man, but he doesn't understand s*** about F1," Piquet told Autosprint magazine. "He's my manager, but in his role of team boss he doesn't respect me.

"He only thinks about money, at how much money he can pocket in everything he's involved, he's a man with no friends. Every day everyone asks me what's going on, so why should I always keep quiet?

"Webber has been in F1 since 2001, he started in a different era, when testing wasn't limited. He's probably done more than 20,000 kms in testing, so it's not a fair comparison. Now the situation is more difficult for a driver with little experience.

"And besides that, I have to fight against Briatore and Alonso himself, who is a fantastic driver. When I wasn't competitive in qualifying, I was the first owing up to it. But if Briatore doesn't understand that, what can I do?"

PF1 would like to take this moment to welcome Romain Grosjean to Formula One...


LOL

[XabbaRus]

Fair play to Piquet. I don't think he is a BAD driver. He gave Lewis a run for his money in GP2.

Renault with Flabio is NOT the place for a young driver especially against Alonso. He needs to be in a more nurturing team like Force India or even Brawn.

Piquet probably knows he is going so has nothing to lose with slagging of Flabio.

[stabiz]

Well, he had a clause in his contract saying if he didnt score HALF the points of Alonso he would have to go. I dont think that is asking too much.

[Jimbuna]

It is if you've still got time remaining on your contract :doh:

[Schroeder]

From the time when Michael Schumacher was driving at Benneton we know that the car was designed to match his personal driving style. This made the Benneton the perfect car for Schumacher but also a pain in the rear for every other driver. I think it could be that the current Renault has been designed to fit to Alonso's driving style making it nearly impossible for Piquet to use it. :hmm2:

[stabiz]

Yeah, but thats a situation nearly all drivers have to cope with. I know Kimi muttered something about the Ferrari being made for Massa when he joined the outfit. He still beat the Brazilian that year.

Im not saying Nelson is crap, he is after all driving a F1 car for a major team, but he is not good enough to keep the seat after two low key seasons. In 2008 Alonso had 61 points (including two wins) while Nelsinho had 19 points. Sure, that was a rookie season, but this year its more of the same. Nelson has outqualified Alonso once in his career, in the torrential rain at Silverstone where Alonso spun the car. He has beaten Alonso once in the race as well, due to Nick Heidfelds very wide BMW at Silverstone. This year: 13 points so far for Alonso and 0 for Piquet. All in all between the two its 27-1 in quali and 27-1 in race, in Alonsos favour. Thats pretty massive.

I`m guessing Nakajima, Fisichella and Kovalainen are in trouble too.

[badhat17]

BMW have called a press conference for 10 am Thursday morning and the rumour says they are going to pull out of F1.

[stabiz]

Holy ****.

[Jimbuna]

Could be the beginning of a trend.....most worrying :hmmm:

[Schroeder]

It's official now. BMW will leave after the season.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/29072009/58/bmw-pull-formula.html

Who cares?;)

[TarJak]

It's official now. BMW will leave after the season.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/29072009/58/bmw-pull-formula.html

Who cares?;)
BMW's Accounting Department.:03:

[badhat17]

Blimey ! That Schumacher chappy is making a comeback, stepping in for the injured Massa at Valencia.

[Max2147]

The King has returned!

[Schroeder]

Holy Cow.:o

[XabbaRus]

Since he adds points onto what Massa already has, assuming Schumi won all the of the next races and say Button really screwed up is there a chance he could become champ again?

This is really going to mix things up. I wonder how many icecreams KR will be going for now?

[Skybird]

Schumi takes a very big risk:

- destroying his prestige and reputation
- destroying his health

Formula one has not stopped, and technology advanced. His body is three years older, so are his reflexes. Motorbiking he did for fun, not for serious competition.

Others have failed to make successful returns to F1. On the other hand: who could succeed with such a stunt if not the king himself?

Nevertheless, this is a high risk stunt, imo. Not much to win, but all to lose. Does he need those 5 millions really that desperately?

[antikristuseke]

It is no big secret that Schumi was on the ferrari backup driver list, you are making mountains out of molehills.

[Fiskaris]

I dont want him to come back.

I dont like him but I respect him and it would destroy his aura if he was trundling round the midfield trying to just pick up a couple of points.

[Max2147]

Schumi takes a very big risk:

- destroying his prestige and reputation
- destroying his health

Formula one has not stopped, and technology advanced. His body is three years older, so are his reflexes. Motorbiking he did for fun, not for serious competition.

Others have failed to make successful returns to F1. On the other hand: who could succeed with such a stunt if not the king himself?

Nevertheless, this is a high risk stunt, imo. Not much to win, but all to lose. Does he need those 5 millions really that desperately?
It's not really a stunt, it's him doing Ferrari a favor. Given Ferrari's lousy performance this year, nobody in the know expects him to win anything.

[TarJak]

Interesting but fairly predictable move by Ferarri. It will be interesting to see what difference the 3 years has made to both driver and car. Questions would have to be asked though if Schumacher is significantly faster in the same car than Massa.

[Konovalov]

First time back here at Subsim forums for quite a while. Too long but real life dramas and stuff took priority. Anyway it's nice to be back. :up:
Fair play to Piquet. I don't think he is a BAD driver. He gave Lewis a run for his money in GP2.True. He just wasn't good enough. I was one that said he should have gone before the F1 circus returned to Europe from Asia earlier this year. I'd be surprised if he gets another drive in F1. I just don't rate him. At least he has been entertaining in his war of words with his soon to be ex-boss Flavio.
Nevertheless, this is a high risk stunt, imo. Not much to win, but all to lose. Does he need those 5 millions really that desperately?Firstly I was never much of a Schumi fan however I always appreciated his talent and quality as a driver. I think what he has done here is fantastic. It is great for F1. I really think that he has gone into this with nothing but good intentions. He feels a debt to Ferrari and I believe him when he says this. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets up on the podium. Good luck to him and I wish him all the best unlike in past years.

I was one of the very few who attended the Turkish GP. Spent a week in Istanbul taking in the sights for four days while spending the three race weekend days at the circuit. Fantastic weather and despite the poor crowd all in all it was fantastic. Hung out with a bunch of crazy Kimi supporters from Finland (where else). Not a bad day out for my man Webber with a 2nd place but the Red Bulls were no match for Jenson and his Brawn. Another faultless drive from Jense. When I get the chance I will post a few of the hundreds of pics that I took.

The next race at Silverstone I really sensed that Mark was pumped and up for the win. But it was not to be with another 2nd place while for Brawn it was their first real lapse and all the talk was that the car just doesn't like the cold.

Never mind the disappointment of Webber not winning at Silverstone because come Germany he creamed the opposition well and truly all weekend. :rock::rock::rock: Again the Brawns were way off the pace and again all the talk was that it was a cold temp thing while Rubens provided much entertainment with his moment of engaging mouth before brain.

Hungary however showed that the Brawn cars are not just suffering because of cold temps. They have made changes to the car which have for whatever reason unbalanced it. Great chance for Mark to keep chewing into Jenson's points lead. This season is really shaping up nicely on the track. :up:

[Max2147]

It appears Ferrari made a pretty major mistake when they brought Schumacher back: http://runoffarea.co.uk/2009/07/28/massive-error-brings-schumacher-to-ferrari/

[Konovalov]

It appears Ferrari made a pretty major mistake when they brought Schumacher back: http://runoffarea.co.uk/2009/07/28/massive-error-brings-schumacher-to-ferrari/
:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Old Ralph now circulating in DTM. Saw him last year at the Brands Hatch round of the DTM series in the Merc.

[XabbaRus]

The Brawn was apparently not getting temps into the tires at Hungary.

I thought they had maybe over compensated and were over heating the tyres but it seems not.

I think they should go back to Turkey spec given that the european races are going to be in decent weather. I still think a Turkey spec Brawn would be hard to beat even with the updates that others have made.

[stabiz]

Piquet is out:

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5471117,00.html

[Konovalov]

No shock news there. His statement makes for juicy and at times hilarious reading as per the below:

The full statement from Nelson Piquet

Monday, August 3rd 2009, 15:14 GMT

I have received notice from the Renault F1 team of its intention to stop me from driving for them in the current F1 season. I want to say thanks to the small group who supported me and that I worked together at Renault F1, although it is obviously with great disappointment that I receive such news. But, at the same time, I feel a sense of relief for the end of the worst period of my career, and the possibility that I can now move on and put my career back on the right track and try to recover my reputation of a fast, winning driver. I am a team player and there are dozens of people I have worked with in my career who would vouch for my character and talent, except unfortunately the person that has had the most influence on my career in Formula 1.

I started racing at the age of eight and have broken record after record. I won every championship I raced in go-karts. I was South American F3 champion, winning 14 races and getting 17 pole positions. In 2003 I went to England, with my own team, to compete in the British F3 championship. I was champion there as well, winning 12 races and getting 13 pole positions. In fact I was the youngest ever champion. I raced GP2 in 2005 and 2006, winning five races and scoring six pole positions. I had a great season in my second year, only missing out on the championship to Lewis Hamilton due to technical mistakes of our team, which I take as my own as well, including running out of fuel during a race. I set the record in GP2 for the first driver to have a perfect weekend, scoring the maximum points available, in Hungary 2006. No-one matched that until July 2009 when Nico Hulkenberg did in at Nurburgring.

The path to F1 was always going to be tricky, and my father and I therefore signed a management contract with Flavio Briatore, who we believed was an excellent option with all the necessary contacts and management skills. Unfortunately, that was when the black period of my career started. I spent one year as a test driver, where I only did a handful of tests, and the next year started as a race driver with Renault. After the opening part of the season, some strange situations began to happen. As a beginner in F1, I could only expect from my team a lot of support and preparation to help me in getting up to the task. Instead, I was relegated as "someone who drives the other car" with no attention at all. In addition, on numerous occasions, fifteen minutes before qualifying and races, my manager and team boss (Briatore) would threaten me, telling me if I didn't get a good result, he had another driver ready to put in my place. I have never needed threats before to get results. In 2008 I scored 19 points, finished once on the podium in second place, having the best debut year of a Brazilian driver in F1.

For the 2009 season Briatore, again acting both as my manager and team boss of Renault F1, promised me everything would be different, that I would get the attention I deserved but had never received, and that I would get "at least equal treatment" inside the team. He made me sign a performance-based contract, requiring me to score 40% of Fernando Alonso's points by mid-way through the season. Despite driving with Fernando, two-time world champion and a really excellent driver, I was confident that, if I had the same conditions, I would easily attain the 40% of points required by the contract.

Unfortunately, the promises didn't turn into reality again. With the new car I completed 2002km of testing compared to Fernando's 3839km. Only three days of my testing was in dry weather - only one of Fernando's was wet. I was only testing with a heavy car, hard tyres, mostly on the first day (when the track is slow and reliability is poor), or when the weather was bad. Fernando was driving a light car with soft tyres in the dry, fine conditions. I never had a chance to be prepared for the qualifying system we use. In Formula 1 today, the difference between 1st and 15th position is sometimes less than a second. It means that 0.2 or 0.3s can make you gain eight positions.

In addition to that, car development is now happening on a race-to-race basis due to the in season testing ban. Of the first nine races that I ran this year, in four of them Fernando had a significant car upgrade that I did not have. I was informed by the engineers at Renault that in those races I had a car that was between 0.5 and 0.8s a lap slower than my teammate. If I look at Germany (where I out-qualified my teammate despite that), if I had that advantage in qualifying I would be fifth and not tenth. If we had that difference in the race, I would have finished ahead of my teammate, which I did in Silverstone, despite him having upgrades that I did not have.

I believe without doubt in my talent and my performance. I didn't get this far by getting bad results. Anyone who knows my history knows that the results I am having in F1 do not match my CV and my ability. The conditions I have had to deal with during the last two years have been very strange to say the least – there are incidents that I can hardly believe occurred myself. If I now need to give explanations, I am certain it is because of the unfair situation I have been in the past two years. I always believed that having a manager was being a part of a team and having a partner. A manager is supposed to encourage you, support you, and provide you with opportunities. In my case it was the opposite. Flavio Briatore was my executioner.

Being under pressure is not new to me. I have had criticism throughout my career, and have also had a lot of expectations put on me due to my name. Up until now I always met those expectations – surpassed them even. I have never before felt the need to defend myself or fight back from rumours and criticism because I knew the truth and I just wanted to concentrate on racing – I didn't ever let it affect me. Fortunately, I can now say to those people who supported me through my career that I'm back on the good tracks and considering the options for a new start in my F1 career in a fair and positive way.


:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Despite all this I still feel sorry for the guy.

[XabbaRus]

I do too. Flabio Briatore has a reputation for being a d****. I feel he would have done better in a different team. To say he awsn't quite as good as Hamilton is a bit unfair. Can anyone tell me what Trulli is still doing in F1? They don't call it the Trulli train for nothing.

[stabiz]

But seriously, the last half of that statement will do him no good at all. Its actually a bit painful to read how he is better than Alonso, but evil men want him to fail.

[XabbaRus]

True, a bit like Bourdais going off at Torro Rosso.

[Dowly]

To put it coldly, Nelson Piquet Jr. was an crappy driver. It was a small miracle if he got thru the race without incidents. The only reason he was in F1, is because he's father was who he was.

[Schroeder]

I think it is not that easy. He was a great driver in the GP2 so why shouldn't he be good in F1 as well (or at least not that disastrous)? I think he was a throwaway pilot who was not given any chances to make sure that Alonso had nothing to fear. You know what happens when Alonso feels to be set under pressure.;)

[Max2147]

Riccardo Rosset was also a good driver in F3000 - he finished 2nd in the championship. He wasn't so good in F1.

[Skybird]

Schumi called off the mini-comeback over health concerns.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8186319.stm

As I said I had doubts from the beginning. This news now probably would have been the only correct decision from the beginning.

[Schroeder]

Damn it! I was really looking forward for this.

Since F1 will now continue to be boring as hell I won't bother to watch it anymore (as I intended to do before Schumacher announced his comeback).:down:

[bert8for3]

Schumi called off the mini-comeback over health concerns.....

Nutz

[Skybird]

Nutz? His injuries from February are so severe that for some time after the accident even a paraplegia (? =Querschnittslähmung) was a threat. The centrifugal forces in F1 are enormous and are such that neck and upper shoulders are the most strained part of the body, they cannot hold it without being it top fitness.

Seen that way the whole project was - foolish, maybe. and certainly premature to announce it so early. Luca Badoer, the test driver of Ferrari, has already been named as replacement driver for the race. I wonder why he was not choosen in the first over reasons of "no driver available" - if now he is being presented just within hours after Schumi's calling-off.

[Falkirion]

I'll be glad to see Badoer drive again, haven't seen him since 96' when Forti was still circulating. I know he's been Ferrari's test driver for a while now so hopefully thats kept him in shape.

[Dowly]

FERRARI are aiming to dump Kimi Raikkonen by offering him a massive pay-off, according to Formula One insiders.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/motorsport/2585844/Ferrari-aim-to-ditch-Kimi-Raikkonen.html

While I dont trust Sun at all, there has been talk of Räikkönen being interested in starting a WRC career. :hmmm:

[Kapt Z]

Alonso in a Ferrari, that would be interesting.

Hope Kubica lands a decent ride.

[bert8for3]

Nutz? ...

Nutz in the sense of disappointment. Obviously fully understand/agree his health comes first.

[Max2147]

LUCA BADOER!

I've always been a fan of the guy. He's been so loyal to Ferrari for so long, and it's great to see him get the chance to finally score a point and erase his name from the record book.

[stabiz]

He will be back in the test car before you know it, that record is the least attractive to have.

Alonso vs Kubica would be great.

[stabiz]

01 R. Barrichello Brawn GP 1:42.460 19 laps
02 H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:42.636 16 laps
03 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:42.654 18 laps
4 J. Button Brawn GP 1:43.074 19 laps
05 S. Vettel Red Bull 1:43.088 17 laps
06 A. Sutil Force India F1 1:43.209 13 laps
07 K. Nakajima Williams 1:43.225 25 laps
08 M. Webber Red Bull 1:43.243 19 laps
09 F. Alonso Renault 1:43.345 18 laps
10 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:43.384 23 laps
11 S. Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:43.389 30 laps
12 R. Kubica BMW 1:43.419 20 laps
13 J. Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:43.637 30 laps
14 N. Rosberg Williams 1:43.746 22 laps
15 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:44.040 23 laps
16 G. Fisichella Force India F1 1:44.126 17 laps
17 R. Grosjean Renault 1:44.356 23 laps
18 J. Trulli Toyota 1:44.638 26 laps
19 T. Glock Toyota 1:44.732 28 laps
20 L. Badoer Ferrari 1:45.840 25 laps

[XabbaRus]

LUCA BADOER!

I've always been a fan of the guy. He's been so loyal to Ferrari for so long, and it's great to see him get the chance to finally score a point and erase his name from the record book.



I don't think so...poor chap.....

[stabiz]

Practice 2:

01 F. Alonso Renault 1:39.404 33 laps
02 J. Button Brawn GP 1:40.178 33 laps
03 R. Barrichello Brawn GP 1:40.209 34 laps
04 N. Rosberg Williams 1:40.385 39 laps
05 K. Nakajima Williams 1:40.503 35 laps
06 A. Sutil Force India F1 1:40.596 23 laps
07 R. Kubica BMW 1:40.643 34 laps
08 G. Fisichella Force India F1 1:40.681 31 laps
09 S. Vettel Red Bull 1:40.723 33 laps
10 H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:40.738 31 laps
11 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:40.739 39 laps
12 J. Trulli Toyota 1:40.770 32 laps
13 R. Grosjean Renault 1:40.787 35 laps
14 M. Webber Red Bull 1:40.956 37 laps
15 T. Glock Toyota 1:40.985 30 laps
16 S. Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:41.156 34 laps
17 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:41.350 29 laps
18 L. Badoer Ferrari 1:42.017 37 laps
19 J. Alguersuari Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:42.089 34 laps
20 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:43.214 3 laps

Glory lap by Alonso (whats the point?), and I am glad to see the Brawns back on pace. I would feel bad for Button if he lost this championship.

And Badoer ... the Italian media must be fuming.

[HunterICX]

I've heard that they remove refueling in 2010?
cars need to install bigger fuel tanks and have to do it with that amount of fuel the whole race.

now remove that silly tire rule too of ''you'll have to use soft and hard tires both at least once each race'' while they are at it.
only to replace tires when they are completly gone!

seems that Formula 1 is slowly going back in times.

HunterICX

[stabiz]

Yep, but historically Formula 1 has always changed this way and that, and we always scream bloody murder.:rotfl:I am not sure what to think this time.

[Schroeder]

I dislike the idea of banning refuelling. The pitstops and the strategy were in some cases the ONLY exciting parts in a race. With that gone it will become even more boring.:dead:

[Jimbuna]

I've heard that they remove refueling in 2010?
cars need to install bigger fuel tanks and have to do it with that amount of fuel the whole race.

now remove that silly tire rule too of ''you'll have to use soft and hard tires both at least once each race'' while they are at it.
only to replace tires when they are completly gone!

seems that Formula 1 is slowly going back in times.

HunterICX

Next they'll be racing on one big circular track and the one to travel the furthest is the winner :nope:

[XabbaRus]

I like the ban on refuelling. Start with full tanks, like it used to be. Thing is even back in the day there wasn't that much overtaking, just people seem to think there was.

I think what they need to do is add indicators to the cars and drivers get points for following the highway code and indicating which side they are going to pass on. Also they should add in a roundabout and you have to give to the right....lol.....it could work.

[antikristuseke]

The refueling ban seems stilly to me, Pit stops are a part of F1.

[Max2147]

The refueling ban seems stilly to me, Pit stops are a part of F1.
They'll still have pitstops next year for tires.

Refuelling hasn't been in F1 for most of its history. I won't be sad to see it go.

[stabiz]

Coulthard is after Badoers job! :rotfl:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8216301.stm

[Max2147]

A really top drive from Rubens - great to see him back on the top step of the podium!

[XabbaRus]

Yep and bad luck to JB, if he hadn't that mess of start he should have got on the podium.

However I find myself more relieved that RB is in 2nd and not Webber or Vettel.

[Jimbuna]

Yep and bad luck to JB, if he hadn't that mess of start he should have got on the podium.

However I find myself more relieved that RB is in 2nd and not Webber or Vettel.

Agreed and despite the fact Webber and Vettel finished behind him I reckon JB will see this as an opportunuty missed to extend his points lead.

[Max2147]

For qualifying at Spa 2008 we had:

- McLarens 1st and 3rd
- Ferrari 2nd and 4th
- Both Hondas out in Q1, and nobody surprised about it
- Force India last

For qualifying at Spa 2009 we have:
- Both McLarens out in Q2
- Ferrari last
- The former Honda team devastated to have only one car in Q3
- Force India on pole

[stabiz]

What the hell happened to Button? Is the pressure mounting? (I am not even going to mention Fisichella, even if he has 2 liters of fuel on board he was still one of the fastest in the early lightweight qual sessions, and I am shocked to the core)

[Dowly]

For qualifying at Spa 2009 we have:
- Both McLarens out in Q2
- Ferrari last
- The former Honda team devastated to have only one car in Q3
- Force India on pole

Sorry, but I dont think that's fair. Nobody was expecting nothing from Badoer, so there isnt really nothing "newsworthy" about that. :03:

But the slowness of the Mac's is pretty weird. :hmmm:

As for Force India on pole, that's awesome! Maybe that's a heads up for us that this season wont be fought between 2-3 teams, but that anything can happen.

Button... well.. I'm betting he'll lose the lead and end up being #3 on the scoreboard. :salute:

[HunterICX]

BEST RACE OF THIS SEASON!:rock:

Mostly Spa guarantees that but hell I enjoyed watching it this time.

Great start, nice overtakings and a nice end result.

HunterICX

[Dowly]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!! :rock:

(not that I saw the race, just woke up and saw the last lap :damn:)

[stabiz]

Amazing race, easily the best this year.

[Jimbuna]

Yeah a great race, pity Button and Hamilton weren't in it for long :DL

[bert8for3]

Very entertaining race, altho too bad for the four-way pileup that took out Buttion and Hamilton. But still lots of action going on. :yeah:

[XabbaRus]

Yea and Flabio and Renault and Gross-jean are complaining and saying Button hit Gross-jean, well yes but only in the way that they made contact. Gross-jean hit Button from behind and spun him round into gross-jean. It was the renault noob who made first contact.

Sorry but I saw how Gross-jean had a little smirk on his face afterwards and that peed me off.

[bert8for3]

Yea and Flabio and Renault and Gross-jean are complaining and saying Button hit Gross-jean, well yes but only in the way that they made contact. Gross-jean hit Button from behind and spun him round into gross-jean. It was the renault noob who made first contact.

Sorry but I saw how Gross-jean had a little smirk on his face afterwards and that peed me off.

You ain't alone in thinking that way. GJ is quoted as saying that Button took him out. ... :down:

[Max2147]

Well, the driver that Grosjean replaced is at the center of a new storm in F1: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78195

TV Globo (Brazil's F1 broadcaster) have publicly claimed that they have evidence that Renault ordered Nelson Piquet Jr. to crash at last year's Singapore GP in order to help Alonso by bringing out the Safety Car. The crash happened immediately after Alonso's suspiciously early pitstop, and the subsequent Safety Car period won the race for Alonso.

The FIA immediately announced that they are opening an investigation into "alleged events at a previous world championship race," which everybody assumes is last year's Singapore GP.

If Renault are found guilty, they will likely receive a very heavy punishment, which could cause the Renault company to pull the plug on the F1 team.

[Jimbuna]

Yea and Flabio and Renault and Gross-jean are complaining and saying Button hit Gross-jean, well yes but only in the way that they made contact. Gross-jean hit Button from behind and spun him round into gross-jean. It was the renault noob who made first contact.

Sorry but I saw how Gross-jean had a little smirk on his face afterwards and that peed me off.

You shouldn't be suprised.....the French attacking from the rear I mean :DL

[Lionclaw]

Giancarlo Fisichella replaces Luca Badoer.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78280

[stabiz]

Yup, but this is bigger:

http://planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5538070,00.html

Not speculation anymore, but charges. This could well be the end of Renaults F1 campaign.

[Jimbuna]

Looks like their credibility and reputation have taken a serious knock.....the end could be nigh.

[XabbaRus]

If proved true I hope Flabio takes the brunt of it and is hounded out of the sport for good.

[bert8for3]

If the "squealer" and sole source of evidence is Piquet Jr., credibility of the complaint must be in issue.

[XabbaRus]

I don't think so. There must be more evidence from another source if the FIA have actually pressed charges and called them to courrt. Renault are also being suspiciously quiet though it could work out in their favour as it would givem the legitimate excuse to pull the plug on the team. Maybe the we'll have team Flavio...that would be funny.

[stabiz]

I think its real as well, the last broadside from Junior. He probably knows this has ended 110% of his chances to return to F1, as no team boss would touch him with thongs after this, but I guess its like the soldier in the movie who is surrounded by enemies, and pulls the plug on his grenade.

[stabiz]

I love F1! :rotfl:

Renault have announced they have begun criminal proceedings against Nelson Piquet junior and Nelson Piquet senior over "the making of false allegations and a related attempt to blackmail the team into allowing Piquet Jr to drive for the remainder of the 2009 season."

[stabiz]

Holy crap, nail biting race!

[Dowly]

The last one was better, but pretty cool race still. :up:

And sorry, I just have to do this:

WHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! :har::har: @Hamilton

[antikristuseke]

That was an epic race.

[XabbaRus]

What happened to Hamilton, the only view I saw was from in car camera. I'd love to see an external replay.

BTW is Kimi human, I mean he would not be out of place doing the voice for a 1950's B sci-fi movie robot.

[antikristuseke]

I wasn’t on the optimal strategy so I really had to push to make my two-stopper work. I got every tenth out of the car that I could possibly get and I didn’t make any mistakes - until the last lap. It’s unfortunate - but these things happen, it’s a racing incident. I was pushing incredibly hard on that lap to try to get close to Jenson and use KERS to pass him, then I exited the first Lesmo and the back-end got away from me and I went backwards into the wall. I can only say ‘sorry’ to the team - they did a great job and, although we weren’t quite as quick as the Brawns today, I pushed harder than ever, so I can feel happy about that.

From the horses mouth.

[Schroeder]

Didn't he crash into the wall with his front side?:hmmm:

[Dowly]

Didn't he crash into the wall with his front side?:hmmm:

Yup, the first contact was nose first, then the car spun a few times and ended up against the wall arse first.

[stabiz]

I am a bit 50/50 on that accident, on one hand its stupid to crash the car on the last lap when your team could use the points against Ferrari in the team championship and the only way you are getting by the car in front is if HE makes a mistake, on the other hand its great to see all out ballsy racing.

[Kapt Z]

I think LH was right about the accident. The car just got away from him. Tough break, but just a 'racing' incident.

Great to see Rubens doing so well.:up:

[stabiz]

Exit Briatore & Symmonds!

http://planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5563045,00.html

[Schroeder]

Yeah, finally that jerk is gone.:yeah:
Let's see what back door he has to come back.....:roll:

[Dowly]

Ask me and the whole Renault team would be out of F1. :nope:

[bert8for3]

Won't miss FB one bit. I wonder if Renault will now pull out figuring it's just not worth it.

[XabbaRus]

Well I think Renault might continue but Flabio and Symonds are finished.

Not that either need the money.

Renault should have been punished just like McLaren were for having another teams technical information...the irony being it was McLaren's data they had.

[bert8for3]

New MasterCard commercial:

If Renault leaves F1, -$100
Flavio B leaves F1, -$0.01
Team Lotus back in F1, priceless :woot:

[bert8for3]

So FB gets the boot, basically for life (they call it "indefinitely") and PS gets a 5-year suspension. Renault gets off the hook (sort of) with a suspended ban.

Fair enough on the whole I guess. FB also cannot continue to represent any drivers, which is good to see considering how he seemed to disregard his role as manager for some drivers (or at least NPjr).

I have to feel (some) degree of sympathy for NTjr, whom FB used to the hilt and then threw away. It's about time that F1 barred team people from also being drivers' managers ... something about conflict of interest comes to mind.

[Schroeder]

I don't know. Compared to the fuss they made about McLaren and their 100 million $ fine for spying it seems a bit unfair that there is practically no punishment for putting lives at risk.:hmm2:

[Jimbuna]

Good riddance to them both.....zero tolerance with cheats in the sporting arena. :nope:

[bert8for3]

Ugh, dull dull race imho. :zzz: 16 laps left and I'm recording the rest to zip through on ffwd. Only glimmer of possible excitement was Rosberg close on Hamilton, but that got scuppered by R's penalty for going over the pit lane exit line, then Vettel close to Hamilton, but shot to heck with another penalty.

[Dowly]

Kimi havent got laid or something? How the hell can he be that slow?! Jebus, he's behind Nakajima for ****'s sake! :nope:

EDIT: Ow wait, he prolly had a quickie in his car, he's gotten past Nakajima at some point. Yaay.

[XabbaRus]

He has lost his supply of ice-cream...

[Jimbuna]

Victory for Hamilton....well done.

Button finishing one place ahead of Barrichello doesn't change the two horse race odds either way, other than it's one race less for Button to sweat on.

[XabbaRus]

Button was lucky in that he managed to get his brakes to last to the end or he could have gone the way of Webber.

The thing is Button can drive at a very high level, Brundle has said it as has Brawn that he can consistently punch in the laps when he needs to.

Almost like Schumacher. The one thing Button lacks and I think this is much to do with him never being in this position is the ability to lock out and bad vibes.

As for having to have the car setup perfectly, Shcumacher was no different. The Benneton was built to suit him only, and the Ferrari to some extent.

[Dowly]

Kimi's out, Alonso's in.
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/9/10015.html

****ing idiots. :shifty:

[Jimbuna]

I should imagine Raikkonen might consider a move to most of the other teams a 'step downward' :hmmm:

[bert8for3]

I should imagine Raikkonen might consider a move to most of the other teams a 'step downward' :hmmm:

Probably would/does, but it may be that he didn't do a whole lot to prevent this.

Fairly strong buzz now that has him going back to McLaren.

[XabbaRus]

I wouldn't say that. I think he will be happy going back to VMM.

The guys there like him and I thin challenging Lewis will be good for him.

If VMM have their car sorted I think it will be a lot of fun.

[antikristuseke]

So eyebrow man and Fisi in one team, hope Fisi makes Alonso eat a lot of humble pie.

[Dowly]

So eyebrow man..

:rotfl2:

[stabiz]

So eyebrow man and Fisi in one team, hope Fisi makes Alonso eat a lot of humble pie.

Yeah, some people also believe in dragons and gold at the end of rainbows. Alonso will have no problems in crushing Fisi (as he has shown in the past), but he will rather be up against Massa (?) as Fisi is the backup driver.

[antikristuseke]

Oh, right, forgot about Massa. Still, eyebrow man needs some more humble pie.

[XabbaRus]

You do know that Alonso's mono brow is going to be deemed an illegal aerodynamic device.

[Jimbuna]

You do know that Alonso's mono brow is going to be deemed an illegal aerodynamic device.

ROFLMAO :rotfl2:

[Schroeder]

Still, eyebrow man needs some more humble pie.
QFT

I can't stand that guy.

[XabbaRus]

Dose Kimi speak in Finnish as he does in English. He's just great. Mynameiskimiraikonnenandidriveveryfastandlikeicecr eamigotsomegoodspeedbeforethepitstopandicouldthent akefisichellaonthelastlapthankyouandgoodbye.

[stabiz]

Glocks crash from qual today, he is hurt. Leg injury and some back problem, reportedly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDJVw-jVCAM

[TarJak]

Qaul for Brazil looked mental. Apparently Webber who is #2 on the grid spat the dummy at the organisers over allowing Qual to go ahead in the conditions. Several drivers made a mess and Weather for the race doesn't look too much better with a severe low pressure system nearby.

[Schroeder]

Congratulations to Button and Webber.:salute:

[Dowly]

Congrats Jenson. :up:

Nice race with quite abit of drama in it. Jebus, someone should tell Kovalainen that it's not cool to try burn his coutryman. :o Sutil's and Trulli's little chat was also entertaining to watch. :haha:

[XabbaRus]

Yea and they say Jenson isn't a racer, can't overtake blah blah.

Hope Brawn have the same form next year, that could be interesting.

[stabiz]

Buuuuuuuuuuttoooooooooooooooooooooon!

[Kapt Z]

Yes, congrats to Jenson and great race for Webber.:up:

Have to admit I was rooting for Rubens to beat his teamate to the title, though. Oh well, there's always next year!

[TarJak]

Well done to Brawn, Jenson Button and Mark Webber. A good race and not spoiled by the weather thank goodness.:woot:

[Jimbuna]

Very well done Jenson.....another British champion :up:

[antikristuseke]

Congrats to herr Button, but sadly I missed the race because was helping my girlfriend move. ****.

[stabiz]

You should try to catch a rerun, it was one of the best this season.:up:

[TarJak]

Button airs his dirty laundry: http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/motorsport/world-champion-button-gets-dirty-over-his-budget-deal-with-brawn/2009/10/22/1256147844691.html

[XabbaRus]

Button in talks with Mclaren?

[stabiz]

Not according to McLaren.

[Jimbuna]

Button and the staff know that without the work of Brawn and Fry during the dark months last winter, none of this would have been possible. But they ask that the work put in by them since is also recognised in cash.

So it should be :yep:



At the very least, Button would like his laundry bills to be met.


Classic :DL

[XabbaRus]

The rumour flying around is that Button took a pay cut on the agreement that it would go back up once things had been sorted out and the WDC and WDC won.

So If there was such an agreement then it should be honoured.

Off course there is so much BS going around at the moment it is hard who to believe.

[stabiz]

Button admits he did take a cut (5 million £ or so) and that he even had to pay most of his plane tickets to and from GP`s this season. Thats quite extraordinary.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12433_5641765,00.html

[Schroeder]

Toyota quits formula one.
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/04112009/58/toyota-quit-formula.html

:-?

[HunterICX]

Mmmm...I wonder if we are going to see teams ENTER the Formula 1 instead of them all leaving.

if this trend keeps up we won't see many cars on the grid next year :dead:

HunterICX

[antikristuseke]

There are several new teams coming to F1 in the new season.

[XabbaRus]

Hmmm..

Just thinking as the season is over do you guys mind if I unsticky it now?

[Dowly]

Yeh, go ahead. :hmmm:

[antikristuseke]

aye, no reason to keep it stickied, but as soon as the new season rumour mill starts up again there will be another thread :)

[Jimbuna]

I'm wondering if the newcomers Lotus, Campos Meta, Manor and USF1 will have the 'staying power' or 'pedigree' to last long in F1?

[Dowly]

Goddammit... :-?

Kimi Räikkönen will not compete in the next Formula One season, reports the newspaper Turun Sanomat. Negotiations with McLaren have broken off and the ex-world champion has no other options, the driver's manager Steve Robertson told the paper.

http://yle.fi/uutiset/news/2009/11/raikkonen_to_skip_next_formula_1_season_1166480.ht ml