*** F1 News + Rumours ***

[Toronto]

Please can all F1 news updates and rumours be posted in this section

I will post a big update to this topic later today!

[sameerrao]

Well, to start the ball rolling ....

Rumour #1: Mark Webber might be going to Williams this year from the Hungarian GP this year .. repeat ... this year. It is likely to cost Williams a bundle. It is almost certain that he might race for them next year but they want him earlier in case Ralf cannot race.

Rumour #2: Trulli to Toyota? A deal of 10 Mn euros was quoted in the press.

Rumour #3: In conjunction with the above - an ooportunity for Fisichella to go to renault for next year... his awesome drive @ Silverstone makes him a tempting pick for all teams with free seats...

[Toronto]

Well, to start the ball rolling ....

Rumour #1: Mark Webber might be going to Williams this year from the Hungarian GP this year .. repeat ... this year. It is likely to cost Williams a bundle. It is almost certain that he might race for them next year but they want him earlier in case Ralf cannot race.

Rumour #2: Trulli to Toyota? A deal of 10 Mn euros was quoted in the press.

Rumour #3: In conjunction with the above - an ooportunity for Fisichella to go to renault for next year... his awesome drive @ Silverstone makes him a tempting pick for all teams with free seats...

very good start, i was going to talk about the webber rumour, after ralf signed with Toyota is now not behind closed doors, the rumour that Webber might go to Williams b4 the Hungarian GP

[chipanggo]

a friend of mine told me that minardi will be getting a customer supply of toyota engines for next season. i haven't read about this yet, so can anyone confirm if this is true?

[rachaderua]

Yeah Webber is to ride for Williams still this year , is also what most of magazines say about. And i would also say it would be great to see him driving a fast car. He is too fast.

[SPAD]

I Heard that Damatta is leaving F1 to go back to Race Champ cars.The person that said this seemed verry sure it will happen,but it is still not confermed.

I also heard that Fisichella will be goin to williams.This seems possible but id rather him go to renault because i hate williams and fisichella is one of my fave drivers.Also if renault Finishes the championship in second i think they could get enough money to stay second next year,So it might be a better choice.

[mendocino]

TADA!!!! great day for belgium!!!! I heard that Bars Lenders, a belgian, will drive for a F1 racing team..... well sort of... it's minardi but it's still a F1!!!! not 100% sure but mostly the logic solution!

[possessed_beaver]

I Heard that Damatta is leaving F1 to go back to Race Champ cars.The person that said this seemed verry sure it will happen,but it is still not confermed.


"leaving" i think it's more a case of them telling him where to go.. and he decided to continue his racing career.

the webber roumor was pretty weak, until i heard martian brundle and james talking about it, and making referances how webber was winishing ahead of the williams replacment driver, when the wiliams car was better then the jag.

[SPAD]

"leaving" i think it's more a case of them telling him where to go.. and he decided to continue his racing career


LoL I would not bee suprised.I liked him when he was in champ cars but he just doesnt have wat it takes to make it in f1.

[sameerrao]

"leaving" i think it's more a case of them telling him where to go.. and he decided to continue his racing career



LoL I would not bee suprised.I liked him when he was in champ cars but he just doesnt have wat it takes to make it in f1.


Last year he looked like the real thing - I mean for Pete' sake he won the rookie driver of the year. At the end of last year, I thought to myself - OK now he has had an opportunity to have learned the circuits he will fly next year.

This year he has been ultra-anonymous - he has been outqualified by Panis more often than not and has not done anything to warrant interest in him by any top F1
team. Pretty shocking!

[5vz-fe]

Hmmm....This topic seems to be pretty empty ...let me post something new.
Here's what FIA proposes for 2005 F1

FIA unveil measures to slow down F1
Big changes proposed for 2005





From 2006, there will be a choice of engines...

The FIA has today provided the Formula One teams with details of a package of measures to reduce the performance of Formula One cars. These measures are likely to be imposed if satisfactory proposals have not been agreed by at least eight teams and presented to the FIA before 6 September 2004.

1. Aerodynamics (2005)
Diffuser height limited, front wing raised, rear wing element moved forward and changes to the bodywork immediately in front of the rear wheels. Together, these changes are estimated to reduce downforce on a current car by at least 25%, but reduce drag by less than 4%.

Explanation: lower downforce will reduce speeds, particularly in fast corners, and slightly increase braking distances, while the small reduction in drag will have a minimal effect on straight-line speeds.

2. Tyres (2005)
A driver may choose from two types of tyre, as in 2004. He will then have two sets of his chosen tyre, one for Friday and Saturday practice, the other for qualifying and the race. A damaged tyre can be replaced during the race (taken from the first set), but the car cannot be refuelled at the same time as the damaged tyre is changed.



Explanation: a tyre which must last 350 km rather than 80 km will have less grip, reducing cornering speeds, increasing braking distances and possibly producing less tyre debris or “marbles”.

3. Engine (2005)
One engine to last for two race weekends.

Explanation: both peak and average power will be less than for an engine with a shorter life.

4. Engine (2006)
2.4 litre V8 (90º) with maximum bore diameter, fixed cylinder spacing, minimum crankshaft centre line height, minimum weight and minimum height of centre of gravity. Direct fuel injection, variable geometry inlet systems, variable geometry exhaust systems, variable valve timing and variable valve lift systems all prohibited. Only one spark plug, one coil and one injector per cylinder. Exotic materials banned.

Explanation: a 20% reduction in capacity will produce a corresponding drop in power. Constraints on design and the use of materials will significantly slow the rate of power increase and reduce the scope for using engine design to improve chassis characteristics. Keeping existing cylinder sizes retains many current engine components while keeping engine revs close to current levels.

5. Other engines
During 2006 and 2007, teams which cannot obtain a 2.4 litre engine will be able to use a 3 litre V10 with power restricted by means of a rev limit fixed by the FIA.

Explanation: this will ensure that all teams (including new entrants) have access to a competitive engine, even if supplies of the new 2.4 are initially restricted.

Press Release
FIA

LOTS OF CHANGES!!!!!!! And to be honest, I think none of them make any sense at all. I think pit stop stragey is quite interesting these days, but making a tire that last 350km will mean cars conering at much lower speed. And with the compliment of stupid aerodynamic changes, that makes F1 even more dangerous than it already is. Changing the displacement of the engine is already a reduction of engine power, and they want to lower it to 2.4, the speed will be even less than those Indy3000 so we may as well watch those instead. Max, I think u may as well not stay in FIA...it will be better for all F1 fans I think u big suck!!
Fuck....FIA, don't just give out ideas that u think of during ur Happy Hours at a bar......

[mindgam3]

I think these new rules, especially the engine ones are just pure crap. Whats the point of having F1 being the most entertaining and exciting form of motorsport if the cars wont get much more power than an F3000 car?? Thats just ridiculus.

As for the aerodynamics, engineers will always find ways to work around the rules, unless the FIA are extrememly strict, in which case F1 will be going backwards, this is supposed to be the pinnicle of car technology.....

Theres always been a speed risk in F1 and every single driver knows this. Ok, we dont want to see anyone dying but i reckon its better for the sport if there is the risk element involved.

I think they should get rid of the one lap qualifying, go back to the old system, except only give them half an hour. Give the drivers a maximum of 5 laps each, and only let them fuel at the beginning of qualifying which will last them the whole of the half an hour and will be the fuel they start with on race day. Same with the tyres, one set for whole of quali and for the start of the race. This will make the starting grid a lot more unpredictable and therefore the race.

I think a few rule changes will have to be made regarding the cars but i dont know what. I think budget cutting is also stupid, what other sport does this?? I mean in football you have the seriously rich manchester utd, and the not so well off newcastle utd, they're both still in the premiership though. I think budget cutting will ruin the sport.

Seems like they need to think a bit harder about what they really want, taking all teams into consideration as well as the fans. No fans, no F1

[Toronto]

posted by Ronin005

Mosley to stay on for 2005 season
man just when i was getting all excited for next season this ass has to go and burst my bubble.

http://www.formula1.com/news/1919.html

[mindgam3]

Williams will be replacing marc gene with Pizzonia for the german GP. Looks like hes not slacking about like gene... he put the fastest time in recent tests at jerez

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=30709

[Toronto]

^^^ his thoughts on racing
Antonio Pizzonia
"I am very happy to have been given this opportunity by the BMW WilliamsF1 Team and I will do my very best to assist the team in scoring some points. My total concentration is now on the forthcoming race weekend, and I have a clear preparation plan prior to Hockenheim."

what does sam think?

Sam Michael, Technical Director
"Hockenheim is a great track for overtaking, particularly on the long straight from turn two down to turn three, which also has the added advantage of a large, tarmac run off area at the end. The Hockenheimring is therefore a good example of how circuits can contribute to improving overtaking opportunities in Formula One. The circuit layout itself is dominated by slow and medium speed corners which dictate the set-up of the cars and, as always, traction will be an important factor. We will have some additional aero and mechanical improvements on the car in Germany which we hope will help us make some progress up the grid. Last year's race showed how severe the track is on tyres, so making the correct tyre selection with Michelin will be of paramount importance. Strategy will be the most important factor of the weekend, as well as the efficiency of the pit crew. The WilliamsF1 pit crew was critical in helping the drivers gain positions at Silverstone, so we are confident that we can produce a strong showing in Germany. Antonio will be driving his first race for the team next weekend, so we will do everything we can to help him bring some points home at BMW’s home race."

on the side

Jaguar has officially denied reports Mark Webber might abandon his green car and see out the season at the controls of injured driver Ralf Schumacher's Williams.

[5vz-fe]

Williams has nothing to show this season, their cars are totally off pace at all times.

[yumcimil]

I think these new rules, especially the engine ones are just pure crap. Whats the point of having F1 being the most entertaining and exciting form of motorsport if the cars wont get much more power than an F3000 car?? Thats just ridiculus.

What does Max Mosley have against cars being fast? From reading his various interviews, he'd like F1 to be a parade of bumper cars at around 20km/hr. Nice and safe.

As for F1 being the most entertaining form of motorsport, well, as much as I love F1, I wouldn't be able to claim that. It should, however, be the most advanced, and the quickest. Max doesn't seem keen on this.

Does anyone know why he decided not to quit?

[possessed_beaver]

Williams has nothing to show this season, their cars are totally off pace at all times.

yes they have been very disapointing, even martian brundle noted that mark webber (set to go 2 williams next year) was racing faster in a shitter car then the bmw replacment drivers.

[ravenpaua]

Now you can see the fantastic work that Gerhard Berger did for Williams-BMW...

[sameerrao]

F1 at this time reminds of musical chairs - the silly season I mean. Here's waht f1-live has to say about the 2005 situation...

Fisichella's 'coming home' to Enstone - report
Fisi-Renault, Trulli-Toyota, Webber-Williams, DC-Jaguar

Webber to scoot off to Williams

Mark Webber's off to Grove, and Giancarlo Fisichella's coming home to Enstone.

That's the latest word in Motorsport News as a report claims Jaguar's Webber will let Williams' 2005 cat out of the bag right after the German Grand Prix.

The Australian has a management contract with Renault chief Flavio Briatore.

It's thought the only way the Italian would let Mark slide to the BMW-powered ranks was if he could slot a top-ace into the seat alongside Fernando Alonso.

Cue Giancarlo Fisichella, who steered a Renault (nee Benetton) until 2001.

Jarno Trulli, as a result, will accept a big-money offer to be Ralf Schumacher's Toyota team-mate and David Coulthard is leaving McLaren for a job at the 'Cat.

BAR's 'Friday' tester Anthony Davidson is thought favourite to fill Roman Fisichella's Sauber boots and Nick Heidfeld is well-placed to drive a Williams.

[5vz-fe]

If that's true, it will be a big reshuffle in Drivers/Team lineup. I guess Ferrari has the most stable drivers combination.

[5vz-fe]

Looks like Schumi found his lucky charm back
From f1-live.com : http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/news/detail/040722194316.shtml

[22/07/04 - 19:40]

Schumacher reunited with lucky charm
''It's now in my pocket''

Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher was reunited with his lucky charm here Thursday ahead of Sunday's German Grand Prix.

Ferrari driver Schumacher lost a necklace given to him by wife Corinna after winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone two weeks ago. After an appeal by British newspaper The Sun the necklace was found and at Hockenheim Schumacher retrieved the lucky charm he had given up for lost.

"I lost it during the British Grand Prix and it's a lucky piece from my wife, and it's obviously quite meaningful to me because it has all the initials of the family on there," Schumacher said. "It is not highly valuable but it has a personal meaning to me and I was lucky that a good guy found it and actually returned it to me today.

"It was apparently somewhere close to our motorhomes where I was running. A little clip came undone somehow and that's why it came off. It's lucky I got it back. It's now in my pocket."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the lucky charm, I hope he will win the German GP and make Ron Dennis eat his words back.

[chipanggo]

Looks like Schumi found his lucky charm back
From f1-live.com : http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/news/detail/040722194316.shtml

[22/07/04 - 19:40]

Schumacher reunited with lucky charm
''It's now in my pocket''

Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher was reunited with his lucky charm here Thursday ahead of Sunday's German Grand Prix.

Ferrari driver Schumacher lost a necklace given to him by wife Corinna after winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone two weeks ago. After an appeal by British newspaper The Sun the necklace was found and at Hockenheim Schumacher retrieved the lucky charm he had given up for lost.

"I lost it during the British Grand Prix and it's a lucky piece from my wife, and it's obviously quite meaningful to me because it has all the initials of the family on there," Schumacher said. "It is not highly valuable but it has a personal meaning to me and I was lucky that a good guy found it and actually returned it to me today.

"It was apparently somewhere close to our motorhomes where I was running. A little clip came undone somehow and that's why it came off. It's lucky I got it back. It's now in my pocket."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the lucky charm, I hope he will win the German GP and make Ron Dennis eat his words back.



now michael must win the german gp. he doesn't have an excuse to lose this one. :)

[5vz-fe]

We'll know in 2 days :) I have faith in Ferrari and Schumi..........but Ron Dennis's words does worry me a little

[SPEEDCORE]

I just heard today(TV), DC wants a Sauber drive not a Jag. Trulli for Toyota as stated above and Fishi would prefer Reno over Williams as he thinks Reno have surpassed Williams in performance.

[5vz-fe]

If DC ain't performing in Mclaren, he ain't gonna perform at all in Sauber. I think it will be better to take the testing job at Mclaren and wait till Montoya quits when he find out that he aint good enough for Kimi.

[sameerrao]

Trulli announced today that he will not be driving for Renault for 2005 . He says that he knows where he is going, but cannot say for the time being. So at least the musical chairs talked about in the posts above has been offically set in motion.

[sameerrao]

** EDIT ** As this topic cold morph into a rally v/s F1 discussion, I am putting it in a separate topic in the Motorsports section where it will be more appropriate than a pure F1 news section such as this

Michael Schumacher to race in the Michelin Race of Champions

[bmagni]

there was this rumour bout making a GP in mexico in cancun, but i think it might be cancelled cause of political problems related with corruption

[sameerrao]

Quote from F1-live.com

Fisichella signs two-year drive at Renault

He doesn't sign for Ferrari...

Giancarlo Fisichella's two-season deal at Renault was settled at Hockenheim and will be announced by the Formula One team on Wednesday, according to reports.

The Roman, who drove for Enstone's former 'Benetton' incarnation from 1998 to 2001, has spent the past three seasons at privateer teams Jordan and Sauber.

But he was a wanted man for '05 and has turned down a solid BMW- Williams offer in a deal brokered by Flavio Briatore who also manages Jaguar's Mark Webber.

Renault's Briatore agreed that the Australian could go to Frank Williams' camp but only if the knighted chief agreed not to sign the courted Fisichella, 31.

Jarno Trulli said on Sunday he'd leave Renault at the end of the season.

A source, meanwhile, told 'The Guardian' that it believed Williams had dropped the ball by 'dithering' in talks with Mika Hakkinen and Jacques Villeneuve.

[5vz-fe]

I would love to see how Fisichella will perform in a decent car. I always think that he has quite some talent. It is interesting that Williams is even wasting time in considering Villeneuve or Mika. Yes they were both great once...but Mika haven't drive an F1 cars for 3 years almost .....and Jacques is gonna be all cocky and stuff when come back and will say something like "Webber...I don't know, he has to earn repect from me first" (just like what he did to Button)..

FROM F1-live.com
-------------------------

Giancarlo Fisichella : factfile

Birthdate: January 14 1973
Birthplace: Rome
Nationality: Italian
Height: 1.72m

Grand Prix competed in : 134
Victory: 1 (Brazilian Grand Prix 2003 for Jordan)
Pole position: 1
Fastest lap during a race: 1
Points scored overall: 107

Debut: 1996 (Minardi)
1996: 8 Grands Prix, 0 point (Minardi)
1997: 8th world championship, 20 pts (Jordan)
1998: 9th world championship, 16 pts (Benetton)
1999: 9th world championship, 13 pts (Benetton)
2000: 6th world championship, 18 pts (Benetton)
2001: 11th world championship, 8 pts (Benetton)
2002: 11th world championship, 7 pts (Jordan)
2003: 12th world championship, 12 pts (Jordan)
2004: 10th world championship, 13 pts after 12 races (Sauber)

[5vz-fe]

Yup, still no return for Ralf.........
From f1-live.com: http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/news/detail/040805093436.shtml
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
No Hungarian return for Ralf Schumacher
Pizzonia to race at Hungaroring

After some debate and a great deal of rumour, Ralf Schumacher has confirmed that he will not be back a week Friday at the Hungarian Grand Prix Bild reports. The German driver had hoped to make his racing return at Hungaroring after a lengthy recuperation following is US Grand Prix accident.

The younger Schumacher suffered a double spinal fracture after backing into the concrete retaining wall at Indianapolis following a tyre failure. Since then, Schumacher has been confirmed at Toyota for 2005 but has insisted that he wants to get back racing with BMW Williams as soon a physically possible.

According to Bild Schumacher's fracture has not healed sufficiently to allow a racing return and given the nature of the injury, a return at this stage would place the German at an unnecessary risk should he suffer another accident. "I feel good but it's no doubt better for me to listen to the doctors," Schumacher told the publication.

Antonio Pizzonia will almost-certainly stand in for Schumacher once again in Hungary and will be looking to improve on his seventh place finish he secured for the team last time out at Hockenheim.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if Ralf Schumacher will be back in action for the Monza tests that follow the Hungarian Grand Prix or the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August.

Earl ALEXANDER
CAPSIS International
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

If it keeps on like that, I wonder where Williams will be in the constructors by the end of the year with Mclaren closing in quickly.

Ralf's news aside, Toyota finally decided to drop Cristiano da Matta.

[sameerrao]

Here's a shocker on Da Matta. Source: F1-live

Ricardo Zonta gets his big break
Toyota tester takes over from da Matta

1997 F3000 Champion and former BAR and Jordan racer Ricardo Zonta will be back in the race seat next weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Toyota announced Thursday that Cristiano da Matta has been stood down from the race-role and that countryman Zonta will take over the drive for the remainder of the season.

Zonta, underrated for much of his career, has impressed the Toyota team with his Friday test pace all season and after reviewing recent races, the team have opted to promote their 'third driver' with immediate effect.

The Brazilian's pedigree is solid as he has collected the Brazilian F3 title, the F3000 title, the GT title and the Nissan World Series title in his career to date. Zonta joined BAR Supertec in 1999 as teammate to Jacques Villeneuve and raced alongside the 1997 World Champion for two years. Two races with Jordan followed in after the Silverstone-based squad fired Heinz-Harald Frentzen mid-season, before a season in Telefonica Nissan. Zonta joined Toyota as test driver in 2003.

In his 32 starts to date in F1, Zonta's best result was sixth position for BAR at the Australian, Italian and US Grand Prix in 2000. Armed with the new TF104B at Hungary next weekend, Zonta has a chance to show that his Friday pace can be translated into a much- needed solid race result for the team.

And another article on the same issue
Toyota announced this morning that Ricardo Zonta will replace Cristiano da Matta from next weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix and partner French veteran Olivier Panis with Ryan Briscoe being promoted to the role of Friday tester.

Cristiano da Matta's future with Toyota is anything but certain but a release from Toyota stated that he 'will continue to be employed as a Toyota driver for the remainder of the year and could consequently still be called upon to partake in any driving or marketing-related activities for the Panasonic Toyota Racing team.'

The shock decision to drop da Matta follows a less than sparkling performance at the German Grand Prix in which the former CART Champion qualified in a distant 15th position only to retire the new TF104B following a tyre failure. Cristiano da Matta's only points scoring result of the season was a sixth place at the Monaco Grand Prix.

"We revised our original plans after we reviewed the results of the last three Grand Prix," Team Principal Tsutomu Tomita stated in a press release. "Ricardo Zonta consistently performed very well, as indeed he also did in the first half of the 2004 season. We believe it is fair to offer Ricardo the chance to show his potential in full race conditions, before we enter into the final step of our driver evaluation for the 2005 season."

"We decided to retain Olivier Panis as a race driver for the rest of this season, based on the fact that he is the driver who has secured the team's best race result of the year so far (fifth at Indianapolis) and has collected the higher number of championship points (five). Cristiano da Matta will remain a Panasonic Toyota Racing driver until the end of 2004 and could still be called upon to undertake activities accordingly."

After winning the CART title in 2002 with Toyota power, da Matta moved to Formula One the following season. With Ralf Schumacher on board for 2005 and no race role for da Matta at Toyota, rumours suggest that the Brazilian has become disillusioned with the German- based team.

[sameerrao]

F1-live.com: Ralf will not race in Hungary. Pizzonia to continue..


No Hungarian return for Ralf Schumacher
Pizzonia to race at Hungaroring

After some debate and a great deal of rumour, Ralf Schumacher has confirmed that he will not be back a week Friday at the Hungarian Grand Prix Bild reports. The German driver had hoped to make his racing return at Hungaroring after a lengthy recuperation following is US Grand Prix accident.

The younger Schumacher suffered a double spinal fracture after backing into the concrete retaining wall at Indianapolis following a tyre failure. Since then, Schumacher has been confirmed at Toyota for 2005 but has insisted that he wants to get back racing with BMW Williams as soon a physically possible.

According to Bild Schumacher's fracture has not healed sufficiently to allow a racing return and given the nature of the injury, a return at this stage would place the German at an unnecessary risk should he suffer another accident. "I feel good but it's no doubt better for me to listen to the doctors," Schumacher told the publication.

Antonio Pizzonia will almost-certainly stand in for Schumacher once again in Hungary and will be looking to improve on his seventh place finish he secured for the team last time out at Hockenheim.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if Ralf Schumacher will be back in action for the Monza tests that follow the Hungarian Grand Prix or the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August.

[sameerrao]

F**K

2 major announcements today ... DaMatta out (see above) and Button to Williams for 2005

Williams confirm Button for 2005
Button delighted to be reunited with Williams

BMW Williams confirmed late Thursday that Jenson Button has signed for the team for the 2005 season and beyond. The signing reflects 'a strong and long-term relationship between Jenson Button and the team' and completes the team’s driver line-up into the medium term, following the recent signing of Mark Webber.

“There has been a long-term relationship between the BMW WilliamsF1 Team and Jenson, indeed his Formula One career started with the team in 2000," explained Frank Williams. "We have maintained that relationship until the present day, and I am delighted that one of the most talented drivers in Formula One has accepted the opportunity to return to the team.”

For his part, Jenson commented on the agreement that, “I am very pleased that I had the option to re-join the BMW WilliamsF1 Team where my Formula One career started. For the meantime, the 2004 season has my full focus and attention. Beyond this, I have every confidence that the massive investment in resources and the depth of talent at WilliamsF1 and BMW provides the best platform for my future ambitions to be a World Champion.”

Button joined the BMW WilliamsF1 Team just after his 20th birthday from British Formula 3, and validated Frank Williams’ confidence in his talents by rocking the established order with a string of notable achievements in his debut season. Button went on to pursue his Formula One career with Benetton Renault, and more latterly, BAR.

In the space of four short seasons, Jenson has become one of the most sought after Formula One drivers as the team’s Director of Engineering, Patrick Head, reflected, “When we signed Jenson in 2000, he was clearly a nascent talent. In the last three seasons, no-one can have any doubt that he has now come of age and is one of the sport’s leading contenders. In many ways, the challenge is now ours to meet his capabilities, and I have every confidence that the intense investment and re-organisation we have undertaken this year, married with a strong driver pairing, will see a resurgent BMW WilliamsF1 Team next season.”

BMW’s Director of Motorsport, Mario Theissen, also welcomed the announcement. “Jenson is one of the very best drivers in the paddock, and BMW is delighted that he has trusted our ambition and determination to win World Championships. I have every confidence he will make a significant contribution to our future success.”

[5vz-fe]

^^ Yup, that's a big shocker.....now the musical chair game has gone crazy.....

[ingko]

Wow, looks like Villenueve is gonna stay retired. I wonder who BAR will pair with Sato?? Will he be the #1?? Wow, is Coulthard gonna go to BAR now??? What a great summer break in terms of news in F1!!!

[sameerrao]

Wow, looks like Villenueve is gonna stay retired. I wonder who BAR will pair with Sato?? Will he be the #1?? Wow, is Coulthard gonna go to BAR now??? What a great summer break in terms of news in F1!!!

Looks like all bets are off now. Anything is possible...

[5vz-fe]

I doubt Coulthard will end up in BAR.........and definitely not Villenueve given the history. So the best chance is Trulli (if they can beat Toyota to him)

[possessed_beaver]

im thinking button for williams, because of the sponsorship money he could possibley bring in from british companys.

altho im suprised they diden't get a german driver - since williams main sponsor and engine builder is BMW

[5vz-fe]

More money for Ferrari on the way.....if u think cigarette ban on F1 will affect Ferrari's Marlboro sponsorship, then u should think again


Marlboro's plan to buy Ferrari livery
Branding the Ferrari to the full

Michael Schumacher's red car may look even redder in 2006 if Philip Morris' plans to buy the entire Formula One livery come to fruition, it is revealed.

Morris' brand Marlboro, looking beyond a cigarette advertising ban, believes running an all-red unbranded car will still indicate the sponsors' support.

The tobacco giant is therefore considering buying the space of Ferrari's other main sponsors including Vodafone and Shell at a cost of around $150 million per year.

[sameerrao]

An all-red Ferrari will be cool...

More money for Ferrari on the way.....if u think cigarette ban on F1 will affect Ferrari's Marlboro sponsorship, then u should think again


Marlboro's plan to buy Ferrari livery
Branding the Ferrari to the full

Michael Schumacher's red car may look even redder in 2006 if Philip Morris' plans to buy the entire Formula One livery come to fruition, it is revealed.

Morris' brand Marlboro, looking beyond a cigarette advertising ban, believes running an all-red unbranded car will still indicate the sponsors' support.

The tobacco giant is therefore considering buying the space of Ferrari's other main sponsors including Vodafone and Shell at a cost of around $150 million per year.

[Toronto]

after news of button going with williams
Hakkinen might be going to BAR?

Mika Hakkinen and BAR Honda have held initial discussions regarding a possible racing return for the 1998 and 1999 World Champion according to French AFP sources.

The news broke today, less than 24-hours after BMW Williams announced that current BAR driver Jenson Button is to join their team in 2005, an announcement very much disputed by BAR’s boss Dave Richards.

The Hakkinen link to BAR was revealed today on his visit to Jyvaskyla during the Finnish World Rally Championship event. Rumour circulating at the rally service park is that he has already signed a contract with the team.

"There is no smoke without fire," Hakkinen told Finnish Television. "I don't want to say more at the moment. Suffice to say the discussions with BAR are particularly interesting."

Should Williams achieve their aim and Button does move to the team for next season, the seat alongside Takuma Sato is up for grabs. Mika Hakkinen joins the list of many drivers, including test driver Anthony Davidson, who would love a shot at driving for BAR Honda.

[sameerrao]

Toronto whassup? Long time no post! Vacationing????

[dons5]

wow that all red Ferrari thing is really odd i never heard or read that anywhere that would be amazing all red and make sure they use the Rosoo Corsa again not Rosso Scuderia. And fisico holy imagine he does beat Alonso next year, jus think about that, if he beats Alonso that would probabbly bring up one of the biggest "WHAT IF" in F1 history, what if he was in this car at this time etc. i read in an F1 magazine that many ppl think Fisi has even more natural talent then Schumi its just that Schumi knows how to extract it better

[sameerrao]

wow that all red Ferrari thing is really odd i never heard or read that anywhere that would be amazing all red and make sure they use the Rosoo Corsa again not Rosso Scuderia. And fisico holy imagine he does beat Alonso next year, jus think about that, if he beats Alonso that would probabbly bring up one of the biggest "WHAT IF" in F1 history, what if he was in this car at this time etc. i read in an F1 magazine that many ppl think Fisi has even more natural talent then Schumi its just that Schumi knows how to extract it better

Yep, Fisico is highly regarded by the mag "F1 racing". Peter Windsor rates him as the most natural driving talent...

But Fisico v/s Alonso - don't know whom to put my money on.

The form of the two drivers is pretty variable. Fisi was clearly overdriving the car in the beginning of this season to prove a point to Massa. He settled down and then showed his true class and has pretty much shown Massa the way around the circuit. Over the entire season Fisi is generally proven to be reliable with less mistakes. But qualifying is not his best attribute.

Alonso has made a couple of errors in qualifying but has generally raced very well. Trulli is ahead of him in points primarily due to better qualifying. Alonso has been usually been fighting his way from behind. Alonso has really shown his master class when he nursed a sick car in Silverstone (I think) where he had something like 9% loss in downforce but still put up excellent lap times...

[dons5]

wow sameerrao finally someone that knows what hes talkin about when it comes to F1, about the beginning of the season sure he was tryin to prove Massa a point but i think the over driving also came from his excitment/high expectations of the Sauber and that he was so close to Ferrari, and qualifying is not his best attribute? well i dont think its his best but i dont think its really a weak point for him either, well he races better then he qualifies ur right about that but then so does MS, if i really had to choose a weak point, i might have to say his aggresion when overtaking, when defending he seems really agressive, but when attackin and tryin to pass he seems not as big a risk taker, he seems like more the type that would rather save his car wait for a pit stop and then pass, but then again we dont see alot of action from him cause hes in the midfield alot and also when you have a shitty car its hard to really be attacking and havin lots of confidence in ur car and also he wants to prove his talent if he attacks and a crash occurs or soemthin happens ppl will think bad of him, but if hes in a good car i think he'll risk alot more cause ppl will be able to see his talent much more easier, hes better and faster then trulli thats for sure, and look how close Trulli has gotten to Alonso for lots of the season

[sameerrao]

wow sameerrao finally someone that knows what hes talkin about when it comes to F1, about the beginning of the season sure he was tryin to prove Massa a point but i think the over driving also came from his excitment/high expectations of the Sauber and that he was so close to Ferrari, and qualifying is not his best attribute? well i dont think its his best but i dont think its really a weak point for him either, well he races better then he qualifies ur right about that but then so does MS, if i really had to choose a weak point, i might have to say his aggresion when overtaking, when defending he seems really agressive, but when attackin and tryin to pass he seems not as big a risk taker, he seems like more the type that would rather save his car wait for a pit stop and then pass, but then again we dont see alot of action from him cause hes in the midfield alot and also when you have a shitty car its hard to really be attacking and havin lots of confidence in ur car and also he wants to prove his talent if he attacks and a crash occurs or soemthin happens ppl will think bad of him, but if hes in a good car i think he'll risk alot more cause ppl will be able to see his talent much more easier, hes better and faster then trulli thats for sure, and look how close Trulli has gotten to Alonso for lots of the season

Firstly, I would like to mention that I am a fan of Fisichella.

Last year in F1 racing maganize there was an analysis piece done by Windsor after the Spanish Grand prix. What he did was position himself between turns 6 -8 and watch all the drivers as they came past. He then rated them on the efficiency of line taken by them and also the consistency (how many times they were able to hit the same trajectory). Michael and Fisi were rated the best with Ralf coming in a little behind.

Also Mika hakkinen gave special praise to Fisi's driving - calling it very fluid and unique in style.

The reason I brought up the overdriving is that possibly that might occur next year when he has to prove a point across to Alonso.

Also my point about his qualifying was that he qualifies pretty well but that is not his best attribute (like say for Trulli). He races well for sure.

Trulli had a bad rap over the last couple years .. everyone said that he was an awesome qualifier but a poor racer. During the race he tends to be a mobile chicane (blocking cars behind him). Also he used to fade away at the end of the race due to exhaustion.

This year though, he has performed pretty consistently in races (apart from the time he was caught napping on the last but one corner by Barrichello in France).

What I am trying to say that if you paired Trulli and Fisi say two years back it woyuld be easy to bet your money on Fisi. Now though I would still give Fisi the edge but it is not that great a divide between the two.

[Toronto]

Toronto whassup? Long time no post! Vacationing????

no every time i want to post something you guys already beat me to it :D

[dons5]

well we'll jus see next year thats all i can say, do u have any articles that u can scan about ppl praising fisi and stuff like that? like any ones from F1 magazines??

[Toronto]

well we'll jus see next year thats all i can say, do u have any articles that u can scan about ppl praising fisi and stuff like that? like any ones from F1 magazines??

will do

[5vz-fe]

Button could lose F1 license - Ecclestone
Bernie backs the moral high ground


Jenson Button runs the risk of losing his Superlicense if he's in breach of contract, Formula One's impresario Bernie Ecclestone warned Sunday.

If anyone is at fault, the 73-year-old head of Formula One Management said, it is Button's management 'Essentially Sport' and ramifications would be serious.

Bernie said F1's Contracts Board in Geneva will examine the issue.

Ecclestone told Sunday's Daily Star "[They will] decide what is right and what is wrong. He could lose his license and that would mean he can not drive."

Jenson's manager John Byfield reportedly phoned Frank Williams last week explaining that a loophole had been found in the 2005 'option' with BAR. But Bernie believes Button has a 'moral obligation' to stay put.

"Unfortunately, agents and big money mean morals go out the window. But we are not like football - I like to think our players stick to their agreements."

He said the matter had been 'stupidly' handled.

BAR boss David Richards clearly agreed when he said Button should reconsider because a person should go through life 'honouring the essence' of agreements.

Button meanwhile spent the past week holidaying in Sardinia...

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I guess Jenson is a brilliant driver...but I really do agree that jumping teams like that is kinda immoral. After all it is BAR that got Jenson's reputation from pit bottom to its peak, it is BAR that give him his first podium, it is BAR and Richards that keep defending him and backing him up and making him a better driver.

[sameerrao]

Yeah I read it today .. It's becoming a soap opera :D

[mindgam3]

I think BAR should let jenson go and do what he wants. If they're talking with hakkinen about a deal, they're hardly going to be out of good drivers

[sameerrao]

I think BAR should let jenson go and do what he wants. If they're talking with hakkinen about a deal, they're hardly going to be out of good drivers

unless they wanted a Hakkinen and Button deal? Nope maybe not .. may piss of Honda

[Toronto]

I think button should leave, BAR has a much better car :D