F1 News & Rumours

[Mattk]

I don't even know what he means by that.

[SFDMALEX]

Giancarlo Fisichella has written a book. The Renault driver has joined forces with an Autosprint journalist to produce a book about safe driving.

“It’s a new experience for me, completely different to my job as a Formula One driver and this is exactly why I did it!” Fisichella said. “It’s a guide to help people to feel concerned about road safety. I give tips and advice because the roads are everyone’s, they are not a circuit and it’s important to make people aware of the dangers and how to avoid them.
"

Circuit rival Scott Speed, meanwhile - the American rookie for Toro Rosso - has founded a car club called 'Squadra Piloti'.

Similar to Damon Hill's original concept, members gain access to other members who might want to temporarily 'exchange' their luxury car like Porsches and Ferraris.
F1live



Now we all know what his excuse for being slow is. "I drive safe".

[jenkF1]

combination of cheating bastard flavio giving fisi the crappest car out of the pair, and fisi's mindset after last year. Fisichella is too emotionally involved in his racing, which is a bad thing. Senna drove with emotion but at the highest level of concetration. You have to clear your head when racing. Not being racist but isn't this common with Italian drivers? Look at Trullis inconsistency.

When he is down he is down, but boy no doubt Fisichella is a severely fast driver on race day, faster than Alonso on many occasions and the rest of the field. 8)

[xecutioner]

hey is it tru that they saved monza from being cut from the championship?

[5vz-fe]

Schumi to Renault?? I really hope not.

http://www.planetf1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1154097,00.html

[SFDMALEX]

ahahahahahaha

I dont see Schumi anywere but the red team.

[bmagni]

suposedly its Kimi to Ferrari, long before it was Alonso to McLaren

[Max Power]

hehe, I think that this 3 week break has been as boring to the media as the fans...all of a sudden these new leaked reports are coming out...Kimi's contract, Schumi not retiring, this...

[leo_26782]

Schumi to Renault?? I really hope not.

http://www.planetf1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1154097,00.html

I thought Renault are not paying their drivers that well :? If so, could you really see MS going there? I doubt :wink:

[5vz-fe]

I can see MS only in a red suit these days.......

[ae86_16v]

Gascoyne leaves Toyota

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=114423

Sorry old news, but I am surprised this happened. I thought he was suppose to be the guy that will bring Toyota a World Championship ;) .

[ZfrkS62]

Schumi to Renault?? I really hope not.

http://www.planetf1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1154097,00.html

the funniest thing is, the other day i was just thinking as to where could i see Schumi at if not Ferrari and Renault was the only team that came to mind. though if Schumi was younger i could see him going to RedBull as the team owner has TONS of cash and is willing to spend to win!!

He'll still end up at Red Bull. It's the retirement team of F1 :wink:

[Max Power]

^^
8 weeks according RB

[5vz-fe]

Bild supports Briatore’s claims with some information, such as the claim that Alonso never unleashed the final 600 RPM on his V8 engine en route to recent victory in Australia.

With the extra revs, he could have been another 'one second per lap quicker', the newspaper wrote.

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060418115400.shtml

BS?

[nthfinity]

Bild supports Briatore’s claims with some information, such as the claim that Alonso never unleashed the final 600 RPM on his V8 engine en route to recent victory in Australia.

With the extra revs, he could have been another 'one second per lap quicker', the newspaper wrote.

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060418115400.shtml

BS?

lets say its factual; and then suddenly Renault turns into last years McLaren with engine failures quite often.

i think its some amount of BS; the engine may have had the rpm; but not the longevity... and who's to say the RPM are ideal amounds of upper end power?

[racer_f50]

Bild supports Briatore’s claims with some information, such as the claim that Alonso never unleashed the final 600 RPM on his V8 engine en route to recent victory in Australia.

With the extra revs, he could have been another 'one second per lap quicker', the newspaper wrote.

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060418115400.shtml

BS?

lets say its factual; and then suddenly Renault turns into last years McLaren with engine failures quite often.

i think its some amount of BS; the engine may have had the rpm; but not the longevity... and who's to say the RPM are ideal amounds of upper end power?
If that is the case, I really really hope Alonso starts using full revs! I want to see a Renault blow it's engine for once, and not Fisi's since he's got such horrible luck.

[sameerrao]

Schumi to Renault?? I really hope not.

http://www.planetf1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1154097,00.html

the funniest thing is, the other day i was just thinking as to where could i see Schumi at if not Ferrari and Renault was the only team that came to mind. though if Schumi was younger i could see him going to RedBull as the team owner has TONS of cash and is willing to spend to win!!

He'll still end up at Red Bull. It's the retirement team of F1 :wink:

Michaels says no to other teams here: http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35585

[McLaren4eVa]

Bild supports Briatore’s claims with some information, such as the claim that Alonso never unleashed the final 600 RPM on his V8 engine en route to recent victory in Australia.

With the extra revs, he could have been another 'one second per lap quicker', the newspaper wrote.

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060418115400.shtml

BS?

lets say its factual; and then suddenly Renault turns into last years McLaren with engine failures quite often.

i think its some amount of BS; the engine may have had the rpm; but not the longevity... and who's to say the RPM are ideal amounds of upper end power?
If that is the case, I really really hope Alonso starts using full revs! I want to see a Renault blow it's engine for once, and not Fisi's since he's got such horrible luck.

I think its bullshit, i think flavio's just playing mind-games with the other teams so that they push and as said they'll all end up with blown engines.

[McLaren4eVa]

I can see MS only in a red suit these days.......

McLaren will be predominantly red next year with the arrival of vodafone and also schumi have a personal contract witrh voda but i highly doubt it.
Also i was surfing my f1 sites and happened to come acros which red team michael will be at and 56% said... wait for it.... Super Aguri, well made me laugh.

[McLaren4eVa]

I can see MS only in a red suit these days.......

McLaren will be predominantly red next year with the arrival of vodafone and also schumi have a personal contract witrh voda but i highly doubt it.
Also i was surfing my f1 sites and happened to come across a pole; which red team michael will be at? and 56% said... wait for it.... Super Aguri, well made me laugh.

[5vz-fe]

Quoting urself??......LOL

[5vz-fe]

...I believe that we (McLaren) will beat Ferrari over the course of the year, even at our current performance level. We need to lift our performance level to beat Renault....

http://www.planet-f1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1178741,00.html

Yeah, ur performance level will beat Ferrari, but not reliability :wink: (maybe I shouldn't say that given the engine problems Ferrari had the previous races)

[RF1]

What do You think about Robert Kubica the BMW test driver?
Is he going to start next year in BMW team?
:)

[McLaren4eVa]

...I believe that we (McLaren) will beat Ferrari over the course of the year, even at our current performance level. We need to lift our performance level to beat Renault....

http://www.planet-f1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1178741,00.html

Yeah, ur performance level will beat Ferrari, but not reliability :wink: (maybe I shouldn't say that given the engine problems Ferrari had the previous races)

I struggle to remember the last time the mercedes engine failed in the past four races, I do however quite clearly remember the 4 engines that failed on the ferrari, as you pointed out, which was quite amusing. But in all fairness i think ferrari will be strong because they had the quickest car at imola and it was also the quickest at every speed trap, so the engine upgrade is definately a good one. Just noting that Mercedes are introducing their D-spec V8 at the ring, yes D, hopefully should have the extra grunt we need.

[5vz-fe]

...I believe that we (McLaren) will beat Ferrari over the course of the year, even at our current performance level. We need to lift our performance level to beat Renault....

http://www.planet-f1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1178741,00.html

Yeah, ur performance level will beat Ferrari, but not reliability :wink: (maybe I shouldn't say that given the engine problems Ferrari had the previous races)

I struggle to remember the last time the mercedes engine failed in the past four races, I do however quite clearly remember the 4 engines that failed on the ferrari,

4 engines failed...but none during a race :wink:

[yg60m]

Maybe not but it cost them a few places on the grid :wink:

[McLaren4eVa]

...I believe that we (McLaren) will beat Ferrari over the course of the year, even at our current performance level. We need to lift our performance level to beat Renault....

http://www.planet-f1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1178741,00.html

Yeah, ur performance level will beat Ferrari, but not reliability :wink: (maybe I shouldn't say that given the engine problems Ferrari had the previous races)

I struggle to remember the last time the mercedes engine failed in the past four races, I do however quite clearly remember the 4 engines that failed on the ferrari,

4 engines failed...but none during a race :wink:

True but i can't recall last year a mclaren blowing up in race it usually only happened in practice didnt even happen in qualifying. They had around 6 enigine failures throughout the season but none in the race. Besides kimi imo drives better and way more aggressive driving from a shit grid position. But 4 in one race that is pretty pathetic i think you'll agree. If mercedes could completely redesign their engine for more power and reliability during winter then why couldn'y ferrari solve a problem for which they new the cause. Bearing in mind they've been testing the v8 since the last season.

[bmagni]

Ferrari offers 2 more years to Schumi

Ferrari has given Michael Schumacher a contract for two more years and included an opt-out claise if he wins another title before the deal is up, German newspaper Bild has reported. The newspaper says that Schumacher has been offered a salary of 35 million Euros per season - thought to be the same as his current deal. Schumacher is expected to decide on his future by June.

His camp has meanwhile dismissed the Bild report as 'pure speculation'

and Trulli mad at Schumi


After the San Marino Grand Prix Jarno Trulli slammed Michael Schumacher for blocking him in qualifying. According to Trulli, who was in a flying lap, Schumacher blocked him causing Trulli's tyres to lose the heat.

Trulli explained: "Michael blocked me. I was just starting my flying lap when he came out of the pitlane and hindered me by keeping me behind him for the entire lap."

He continued telling Gazzetta dello Sport: "Because of this the temperature of my tyres dropped, so I had to do my flying lap on tyres that weren't 100%."

"I'm pretty sure he did it on purpose as he was watching his mirrors during that lap. I don't understand why he would have behaved like this."

"He will have to pay for it some day though," Trulli said. "I won't kick him out of the race but if he ends up behind me I will block him too."

"If he ends up behind me I will block him too" - yeah cause of lapping not cause Trulli will ever be in a higher position

[nthfinity]

Ferrari offers 2 more years to Schumi

Ferrari has given Michael Schumacher a contract for two more years and included an opt-out claise if he wins another title before the deal is up, German newspaper Bild has reported. The newspaper says that Schumacher has been offered a salary of 35 million Euros per season - thought to be the same as his current deal. Schumacher is expected to decide on his future by June.

His camp has meanwhile dismissed the Bild report as 'pure speculation'

and Trulli mad at Schumi


After the San Marino Grand Prix Jarno Trulli slammed Michael Schumacher for blocking him in qualifying. According to Trulli, who was in a flying lap, Schumacher blocked him causing Trulli's tyres to lose the heat.

Trulli explained: "Michael blocked me. I was just starting my flying lap when he came out of the pitlane and hindered me by keeping me behind him for the entire lap."

He continued telling Gazzetta dello Sport: "Because of this the temperature of my tyres dropped, so I had to do my flying lap on tyres that weren't 100%."

"I'm pretty sure he did it on purpose as he was watching his mirrors during that lap. I don't understand why he would have behaved like this."

"He will have to pay for it some day though," Trulli said. "I won't kick him out of the race but if he ends up behind me I will block him too."

"If he ends up behind me I will block him too" - yeah cause of lapping not cause Trulli will ever be in a higher position

when was the last time Truli was actually fast...? With Renault; but he had reliability issues then.

about the MS 86.6 million/70 m 3uros...

i wonder if it will come down to Michael wanting to drive some of his old loves again; that he hasn't driven since what, 96, or 97? :lol:

[RAMMIUS]

Finally that trouble maker is out

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35759

[ZfrkS62]

Finally that trouble maker is out

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35759

it's about god damn time! That slow little fucker was liable to kill someone!

[DeMoN]

...I believe that we (McLaren) will beat Ferrari over the course of the year, even at our current performance level. We need to lift our performance level to beat Renault....

http://www.planet-f1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1178741,00.html

Yeah, ur performance level will beat Ferrari, but not reliability :wink: (maybe I shouldn't say that given the engine problems Ferrari had the previous races)

I struggle to remember the last time the mercedes engine failed in the past four races, I do however quite clearly remember the 4 engines that failed on the ferrari,

Not that Ferrari needed in-race engine failure as they had good spinning drivers that did the job.

4 engines failed...but none during a race :wink:

[DeMoN]

wow I love JW, you guys are so up to date with stuff. My friends and I were having a blast with Ide. Everytime a good driver passed by Ide, we all looked close to see if he would pull a Kamikaze intention. Guess no mor laughin at F1 huh? Except when McLaren beats Ferrari lol.

[nthfinity]

all of you may laugh but i would of love to see how you all would of done had you been thrown into a F1 seat with little to no experience with F1 and how would you do.


the point is that wouldn't happen. people dont just get a drive in F1...

we all know the Japanese have a strange culture...

[SFDMALEX]

all of you may laugh but i would of love to see how you all would of done had you been thrown into a F1 seat with little to no experience with F1 and how would you do.

come on, im waiting for all you internet F1 drivers to come out of the wood work now!!

and lets not forget that the team doesn't have anywhere close to the best equipment!!

I honestly trully believe I would do just fine.

Simply would have to adjust to the sheer speed and the physical aspect of it...But considering I walk around in "can box tomorrow" form and I have no problem with the most darring of rollercoaster I think Id be ok.

Im not talking top drivers here but I would certainly do on par or better then Ide.

[SFDMALEX]

dont kid your self, though nothing wrong with dreaming of a dream!!

:roll: whatever mate :wink:

[nthfinity]

all of you may laugh but i would of love to see how you all would of done had you been thrown into a F1 seat with little to no experience with F1 and how would you do.


the point is that wouldn't happen. people dont just get a drive in F1...

we all know the Japanese have a strange culture...

well, he did win one championship and didnt do to bad in other series's he has raced in.

ofcourse im sure there are plenty of other reasons as to why he was picked.


he is japanese; and had a working relationship with the guys at Super Agari?
he is the only other Japanese guy who is willing to try F1... and not some "We drive for you" electronics...
Ide has some serious backers to buy his F1 drive?

since he's even 2-3 seconds slower per lap then Sato... honestly... what does that really mean... and he isn't closing in on Sato either.

the racing world works on money, then talent. how many gentlman drivers actually win races? how many do they compete in?

[DeMoN]

all of you may laugh but i would of love to see how you all would of done had you been thrown into a F1 seat with little to no experience with F1 and how would you do.

come on, im waiting for all you internet F1 drivers to come out of the wood work now!!

and lets not forget that the team doesn't have anywhere close to the best equipment!!

I'd probablly crash, but I'd make sure I had a nice time doing it.

[DeMoN]

Man that F1 rejects site, how harsh they are lol. Funny web.

[black_magician]

its about damn time "ReJ" got the ejection seat.

[nthfinity]

http://www.formula1.com/news/4345.html
Ide's Superlicence is revoked!
Yuji Ide’s hopes of returning to his Super Aguri race seat have been dashed with the news that the FIA has revoked the Japanese driver’s Super License. He will be replaced by Franck Montagny for the next two races.

Montagny stepped in for Ide at last weekend’s European Grand Prix after the sport’s governing body advised Super Aguri to give the Japanese rookie more track time away from races. It followed an official reprimand at Imola, where he tipped Midland’s Christijan Albers into a barrel roll at the first corner.

Super Aguri had hoped that Ide would be able to return to his race seat and maintain the team’s all-Japanese line-up alongside Takuma Sato. However, the FIA’s latest decision means that Ide is out of a drive until next season at the earliest.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Super Aguri confirmed that “the FIA Permit Office has retracted Yuji Ide's Super License. He will therefore not be participating in any further official FIA Formula One World Championship events this year.

“It is with sadness and regret that the team accepts this decision, however Aguri Suzuki and A.Company (Japan) shall continue to seek driving opportunities for Yuji and hopefully a path back into Formula One.

“As a result, Franck Montagny will drive once again for the SAF1 Team at the forthcoming Spanish Grand Prix and the Monaco Grand Prix whilst discussions with a number of parties continue regarding the permanent positions of second race seat and third driver.”

Super Aguri’s late entry to the 2006 world championship meant that Ide, runner up in last year’s Formula Nippon series, arrived on the grid in Bahrain having had next to no Formula One testing. His best - and only - finish was 13th place at the Australian Grand Prix.

Has this ever happened to another F1 driver?

[McLaren4eVa]

^^^ Finally, I'd rather frank race then him.

[DeMoN]

Edit - error.

[03200165]

Dont know if this was posted, but IDE got his license revoked lol!


Eehm, did you learn how to read...

[5vz-fe]

On another topic, here's Alonso's quote of the day

"We need to improve in all areas," said Alonso. "We now need something more to win than we currently have."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4984126.stm

2 2nds and he already demands for more....may as well just hold his hand and give him the win. :twisted:

Notice also Alonso also refuses to give direct praise for Ferrari.

[nthfinity]

On another topic, here's Alonso's quote of the day

"We need to improve in all areas," said Alonso. "We now need something more to win than we currently have."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4984126.stm

2 2nds and he already demands for more....may as well just hold his hand and give him the win. :twisted:

Notice also Alonso also refuses to give direct praise for Ferrari.

so its not possible that they are equal drivers... but that alanso needs the better car in order to win :P

notice what i wrote some months back after speaking with a Renault race engineer...

MS will likely win if has a top 3 car.... look at whats happening :idea:

[DeMoN]

One thing though that you guys must admit... when MSchu wins, he rants on saying how easy it was, how supperior he/ferrari is etc. Alonso, he always gives credit to more ppl than himself. He also says Ferrari is a hard competitor. ANyone else notice that from MS?

[03200165]

i don't really see that actually, Schumi always thanks the team, mechanics, bridgestone, pitcrew, and if their was luck he has mentioned it at times vaguely but he has mentioned it!!


I agree, sometimes he thanks his team a little bit to much if you ask me...

[nthfinity]

i don't really see that actually, Schumi always thanks the team, mechanics, bridgestone, pitcrew, and if their was luck he has mentioned it at times vaguely but he has mentioned it!!


I agree, sometimes he thanks his team a little bit to much if you ask me...
i disagree, because in F1... its not just the driver, but the team effort that get cars up front, and on the podium.

michael said about the spanish grand prix that basically his car wasn't actually faster then Fisi's car... thats where stratagy came in... then he mentioned that it didn't behave as expected on light fuel load; and they will have to look at the data... MS is just about the abilities of a race engineer, and spoken much like one. that is something that no other driver in F1 can even come close to.

[Max Power]

speaking of Monaco....what do u think qualy is going to look like....22 cars trying to set fastest laps... :shock: :P ...can't wait

[saadie]

thats sure gonna be interesting lol :P
cant wait either 8)

they should bring back ide in this race ..he'll get alot .. and i mean alot of free track to do his run in quali ... and im pretty sure hes gonna be faster then the rest .. cuz the rest will be stuck in traffic :lol: :lol: :lol:

[dannyroz]

^ Im gonna go for a longshot but I think Toro Rosso is going to get a podium spot due to their off the corner TQ.

::crosses fingers::

[03200165]

^ Im gonna go for a longshot but I think Toro Rosso is going to get a podium spot due to their off the corner TQ.

::crosses fingers::

Thats bullshit, I don't beleive their torque is higher than a v8. And thay really do not accelerate faster than a ferrari or a renault or a honda.

[Max Power]

i predict a red flag caused by Fisi and half the top runners eliminated in the first 15 min...incl. Alonso after coliding with GF

[RAMMIUS]

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35966

If he`s right , than I like it :)

[RAMMIUS]

Vodafone out , Alice in :D

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=36015

Rossi remains in MotoGP: looking at his, and his team performance this year we can understand why he took the decision to stay in MotoGP

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=36019

[5vz-fe]

Vodafone out , Alice in :D

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=36015

Rossi remains in MotoGP: looking at his, and his team performance this year we can understand why he took the decision to stay in MotoGP

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=36019

Alice may not be providing the same amount of money Vodafone was sponsoring. But hey, Ferrari will never have trouble finding sponsors anyways.

As for Rossi, I guess he just wanna keep enjoying his wins in MotoGP rather than having to do it all over again in F1 and baring the risk of being critized.

[dannyroz]

^Rossi hasnt won a race this year yet, young guns are taking over. I think he finally has some competition...AND they are american

USA USA!!!

[dannyroz]

Ok so you guys got me...I dont know jack bout MotoGP

Pedrosa is from Spain

Well I do know Hayden is leading the championship so far so :P

[yg60m]

From 2008, just six of the 12 Formula One teams will have voting rights as part of the Formula One Commission, the FIA announced on Wednesday. The move, which leaves big names such as McLaren and Toyota without a vote, is part of an overhaul designed to simplify major decision making within the sport.

The Formula One Commission is responsible for approving any changes to the sporting and technical regulations proposed by the Sporting and Technical Working Groups (both of which include senior members from all teams), and then putting them forward to the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council for ratification.

In the past, all of the teams have had voting rights, along with engine suppliers, tyre manufacturers, race promoters, key sponsors. However, following the changes announced on Wednesday, just six teams - each from a different country - will have a say, along with five race promoters, plus a representative each from Formula One racing’s commercial rights holder and the FIA.

The full list of those elected on to the 2008 Commission following a vote of the FIA World Motor Sport Council is as follows:

Teams:
Austria - Red Bull Racing
France - Renault
Germany - BMW Sauber
Italy - Ferrari
Japan - Honda
United Kingdom - Williams

Race promoters:
Australian Grand Prix
Brazilian Grand Prix
Hungarian Grand Prix
Monaco Grand Prix
Spanish Grand Prix

:|

[gucom]

yeah, just read it on f1racing...sounds pretty much like utter f*cking crap to me...

[HeilSvenska]

It does sound unfair, doesn't it?

Anyone got news on that rumored Mediterranean GP? I heard that Paul Ricard could host a GP...possibly.

[tuem88]

This is absolute bull. McLaren is one of the longest existing teams in the F1, and they can't vote only because their headquarter happens to be in the UK together with some other teams. They can't justify that.

I think every team must keep the right to vote, and not half the teams.

[DeMoN]

wtf Red Bull (shiet) must have tons of money to be in there and McLaren out.

[RAMMIUS]

On what basis did they choose Williams over McLaren ? :?

[yg60m]

On what basis did they choose Williams over McLaren ? :?

From what I understood, on racing history :lol: what a joke !!!

[RAMMIUS]

Nice comments from our favourite driver Alonso

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=36126

Question : Why does he has to be the worlds greatest idiot ??? :?

[dannyroz]

^^ cus he sucks Flavio's dick harder than anyone before him...and he already had a fued with Rossi previously

Its sad to think that Rossi feels that away about F1, but he is right. All the electronics they put on to control everything just makes it boring. I hope F1 goes back to no TC, if that happens then we shall see who the real champ is, and it def. would not be Alonso...TC chimes in more times on his car than a phillipino prostitute on duty.

[saadie]

its got nothig to do with sucking dicks .......
its just his character i guess ...... :roll:

[Max Power]

^^^
u mean he's a cocksucker by nature?!?

[RAMMIUS]

http://www.itv-f1.com/Silverstone_news.aspx?type=SILVERSTONE_NEWS&PO_ID=36167 :?

[RAMMIUS]

^^^ dani I doubt that Cosworth has the most powerfull engine, nobody questions their know-how when it comes to V8`s, but the results until now are dissapointing , and you can`t put it all on the chassis because Williams makes some great ones

They lack both straight line speed and lap time

[saadie]

yeh cossworth engines are the most powerfull ...... donno the specs of the new mclaren though .... being the most powerfull dosnt really matter ... being the most reliable matters ......
there've been more then 5? blowout till now ....... which is just pathetic .. it was sad to see webber go out in monaco :( .....

[nthfinity]

^^^ dani I doubt that Cosworth has the most powerfull engine, nobody questions their know-how when it comes to V8`s, but the results until now are dissapointing , and you can`t put it all on the chassis because Williams makes some great ones

They lack both straight line speed and lap time

looking at thier lap times, they are just fine.... the problem is the race-distance on the engines

[03200165]

l
ooking at thier lap times, they are just fine.... the problem is the race-distance on the engines


aerodynamics and brakes...

[saadie]

aerodynamic and brakes didnt blow up lol .. the engine did... :D

[RAMMIUS]

looking at thier lap times, they are just fine....


fine ? :?

In terms of qualifications and fastest lap times, they are at least 1 second slower then the top cars :)

[saadie]

^^ itsnt that good enough for a comparatively new team :P

[RAMMIUS]

^^^ For a team with the name Williams , it`s not good

And what do you mean by new ?
Cosworth it`s an old dog

Maybe if the name was Toyota :lol:

[saadie]

the thing is ... the combination is new ....soo it defeats all odds :P

[dannyroz]

Im surprised by the yota deal, I would have thought that Sir Williams would have wanted to stay with the all british (or all conquering colonies) team. On the other hand, the Cosworth has really been a dissapointment. Webber coulda had many good points paying positions, including a couple of podiums, but the engine just gave up. Feel sorry for the guy :(

Oh well, fuck alonso! :twisted:

[mindgam3]

I think the amount of money thrown at F1, the deal can only be a good thing.... but they are fairly close competitors - would Williams really get toyotas best engine?

[saadie]

^^ i dont see why not ......
imo they should've have kept the cossworth engine ...... :roll:

[sameerrao]

Renault re-signs Fisichella for 2007
Thursday, 15, June, 2006, 12:35


Renault has announced that it has re-signed Giancarlo Fisichella for the 2007 season.

The Italian, whose future was in doubt with his existing contract expiring at the end of 2006, has secured a one-year extension to his association with the world champion team.

“It was very important for me to know my future as soon as possible in the season,” said the 33-year-old.

“I am delighted to be staying at Renault next year, and to have the opportunity to see my hard work with the team over the past two seasons come to fruition.

“I want to thank the Renault F1 Team and the Renault Group for the trust they have placed in me.

“This clear vision for the future means I can focus 100% on the job at hand: retaining the constructors’ championship with Renault in 2006 and finishing as high as possible in the drivers’ standings.”

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore said Fisichella’s improved performance this year – he has scored 32 points so far compared to 17 at the same stage last season – had persuaded him to re-sign the Roman.

“We are extremely pleased to continue working with Giancarlo next year,” Briatore said.

“He was an integral part of our championship success last year; he has upped his game significantly for 2006, making the team even stronger; we believe he can do it again for 2007.

“It is important for Renault to maintain continuity as we move into next year, and Giancarlo’s integration with the team is now perfect.

“What’s more, his experience with the team over two championship campaigns will be an invaluable asset.

“We will have ambitious targets for next season, and Giancarlo is capable of achieving them.”
Source: www.itv-f1.com

[dannyroz]

^not really surprised, Alonso kinda forced Renault's hand to sign Fisi since he is going to Mclaren. Finding a second driver for Renault is going to be interesting.

[dannyroz]

Man this hasnt been updated in a while :lol:

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=28420

Basically all of the Renault main engineers will be going to McLaren ala Benetton to Ferrari.

Alonso seems to be all over Schumi's balls

[DeMoN]

Renault engineers go McLaren!! awesome. I really need to se Kimi or Montoya win some (well prolly that wont be the next year team cuz of team trading and stuff).

Is it already known who is staying and who is coming to McLaren team?

[dannyroz]

Well Alonso and Kimi aint it?

As far as I have heard McLaren stated "We do not need the help of Juan Pablo"

[nickthaskater]

New Super Aguri for Hockenheim

Super Aguri’s SA06 machine will make its long-awaited race debut at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim next month, the team have announced. The new car was originally scheduled to launch at the French round, but a number of issues have led to the one-race delay.

To date in their debut Formula One season, Super Aguri have been using the outdated SA05, based on the 2003 Arrows A23 chassis. Not surprisingly, the team have been a fair way off the pace of their rivals and the arrival of the new car should provide a welcome boost.

The SA06 has already passed all FIA crash tests and Super Aguri’s chief technical officer, Mark Preston, has chosen not to attend the Canadian and US Grands Prix in order to ensure that the new car is completed on time.

According to the team, the initial Magny-Cours launch schedule was extremely tight and allowed no margin for delay in any area of production. That schedule was first affected by a late decision on the specification of gearbox the SA06 should utilize and then by a technical problem at the team’s wind tunnel facility last month which halted all model testing for five days.

Super Aguri have since increased their working hours even further in an attempt to make up for lost ground and have now decided upon the more realistic launch date of July 28 in Germany.

Source: formula1.com (http://www.formula1.com/news/4565.html)

[DeMoN]

I just want the day to come where I'll know what Kimi will do.

[5vz-fe]

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060630163728.shtml

Michael Schumacher has responded angrily to Fernando Alonso's suggestion that Ferrari and its drivers were to blame for the Indianapolis scandal of 2005.

Although Renault's Spaniard was one of the fourteen racers sidelined by Michelin at the event a year ago, 24-year-old Alonso insisted on Thursday that the real finger of blame should have been pointed at Schumacher and Ferrari.

''They wanted to race alone,'' Alonso said, ''and they did it.''

37-year-old Schumacher, however - the embarrassed winner of the 2005 US Grand Prix -

irritably replied that Alonso should not try to pass off the blame.


The German said on Friday: ''In life, if something goes wrong, it's sometimes hard to think it's your own fault.

''You'd rather pin it on somebody else because that is the easier option.''

[nickthaskater]

Seems like every week there's yet another reason for me to hate Alonso just a little bit more, arrogant little prick anyways.

[dutchmasterflex]

Alonso's got this championship in the bag... Schuey has lost it for good!

Lookin foward to this Sunday's race at Indy!

[dannyroz]

Villeneuve Considers Move to NASCAR


Jacques Villeneuve may leave Formula One for the US-based NASCAR championship next year, the veteran racer said here Sunday ahead of the United States Grand Prix.

Villeneuve, 35, is pout of contract at the end of the season and BMW Sauber may opt to promote Polish test driver Robert Kubica to the race seat.

With no top teams seemingly interested in him either, the 1997 World Champion could leave the sport with his reputation intact and switch to NASCAR - second only to the NFL in popularity in America.

Villeneuve told the Red Bulletin: “Going to NASCAR might not be such a bad career move because it’s the most exciting race series in the US and it’s a very different discipline to F1. I would not consider it a step down. Would I consider a move to stock cars? I would. But I would have to consider my family too as we would have to move to the US.”

Villeneuve already has a proven record on oval tracks. He won both the Indy 500 and the Champ Car title in 1995 before switching to Formula One with Williams.

But he ruled out returning to Champ Car or making a move to the IRL IndyCar series any time soon - claiming both series were not up to his standards.

Villeneuve, an 11-times race winner, added: “As it stands now, CART and the IRL are looking tired. I would not consider a switch from F1 to either series a good career move. You only do that if you have no other choice, unless you do what Nigel Mansell did - win the F1 title, quit, and then take the Indy championship in your rookie year. That was amazing.”

Kind of gay if you ask me...

[5vz-fe]

Bridgestone will be the sole F1 tire supplier from 2008

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060705163447.shtml

[HeilSvenska]

We knew this would happen, especially as Michelin announced that it'll never be a sole F1 tyre provider some time ago.

[5vz-fe]

I bet you didn't know "The Council also decided that Microsoft has won the tender to become 'official ECU supplier' for the same period." :wink:

Radio: "Umm....I got a blue screen on my steering wheel LCD"

http://i6.tinypic.com/1z2khfc.jpg

[dannyroz]

^^lol "Oh it seems all the cars have stopped in the middle of the track...just needed a reboot"

and for those who care

Ide is racing again in Formula Nippon...he got his super license stripped for those who dont know

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=28613

[evoWalo]

Microsoft being the chief ECU supplier would give new meaning to "crashes".

Expect more accidents in the future. :)

[RAMMIUS]

Microsoft :roll:

Those greedy F1 rulers , they want big & easy to recognise names in the F1, not quality stuff

Magnetti Marelli is the main supplier when it comes to all sort of electronic gizmos (ECU included) for the F1 teams.

[jenkF1]

Im not quite sure how this will work. There wıll be fundımental change because ofcourse all ECUs are totally dıfferent for each engıne. Dıfferent mappıng systems revs torque pages and pages of mathethematıcal dıfference from say a Renault and a Cosworth.

But I think it is for the good of the sport...im not a fan of tractıon control

[DeMoN]

So instead of things being more competitive between teams, they will become competitive by drivers only as all machines are heading on benig the same thing.

[McLaren4eVa]

SO essentially F1 will become a slightly quicker version of the GP" series which is quite exciting with alot of overtaking, i say if u want overtaking get rid of carbon brakes which almost diminish any chance of overtaking. Well we're going to have to wait and see how things get pan out in 08 season with all the modifications.

[nickthaskater]

How do the brakes harm overtaking? It's the aero crap and grooved tires that hurt overtaking. Trim the aero, put on slicks, take away the electronic aids, keep the power up, and we'll be in for some fun races methinks.

[dannyroz]

The fact that F1 is heading for one manufacturer program is absolutely ridiculous. I understand that they want to give the fans what they want which is close racing and overtaking but there are other ways.

I am a fan of Bridgestone and Microsoft (just cus they make the xbox so easy to hack :D ) but I would rather see competition between rivaling manufacturers because in the end the consumers get these technologies 5-10 years down the road.

I think it was Kubica who said that his Williams car has like a push to pass button which gives there car like 1k more rpm for 20 seconds without harming the engine. The idea is pretty sweet and the FIA should look into it.

Push to pass, slicks, those aero changes that they showed 5 months back, no TC...that is what is going to make F1 be so much better than it is now

[nickthaskater]

Push to pass is retarded, Champ Car and IRL already have it and it just cheezes things up. You should earn the pass, not hit some button and zoom by.

[JoeHahn]

How do the brakes harm overtaking? It's the aero crap and grooved tires that hurt overtaking. Trim the aero, put on slicks, take away the electronic aids, keep the power up, and we'll be in for some fun races methinks.

The brakes make a huge difference - these cars stop from 200mph in around 100-150m, making it almost impossible to break later than the opponent. If you think about it, brakes play probably the biggest part in lack of overtaking (apart from track design and aero). Give the car homologated roadcar brakes, produces better technology to the end user and makes it more competitive. It's not like 600kg to stop for 2 hours isnt going to be hard with a pair of Enzo/Veyron brakes now is it? The only problem you have then is the 13" wheels ;)

[nickthaskater]

Regardless of the type of brakes used, the drivers will still be using them to their fullest and will still be braking similarly to how they are now, it'll just take longer is all. The only way it would increase opportunity is if some drivers had trouble adjusting to the new brakes and misjudged corners. If one car can brake later, so can the car it's trying to pass, and that's not going to be any different than the current situation.

[5vz-fe]

Regardless of the type of brakes used, the drivers will still be using them to their fullest and will still be braking similarly to how they are now, it'll just take longer is all. The only way it would increase opportunity is if some drivers had trouble adjusting to the new brakes and misjudged corners. If one car can brake later, so can the car it's trying to pass, and that's not going to be any different than the current situation.

I agree, finding the car's limit are what F1 drivers do best (especially the front drivers). Given similar brake performance (physicaly limitation), the only variance is cooling over the entire race and driver error. Thus the end result will be the same.

[McLaren4eVa]

How do the brakes harm overtaking? It's the aero crap and grooved tires that hurt overtaking. Trim the aero, put on slicks, take away the electronic aids, keep the power up, and we'll be in for some fun races methinks.

The brakes make a huge difference - these cars stop from 200mph in around 100-150m, making it almost impossible to break later than the opponent. If you think about it, brakes play probably the biggest part in lack of overtaking (apart from track design and aero). Give the car homologated roadcar brakes, produces better technology to the end user and makes it more competitive. It's not like 600kg to stop for 2 hours isnt going to be hard with a pair of Enzo/Veyron brakes now is it? The only problem you have then is the 13" wheels ;)

My point exactly, yes the aero packages make it extremely hard to follow another car but if the cars had different brakes the moment they get close whoever brakes the latest will make the corner. But i do agree with you about the aero but dont worry the new 2008 CDG wings will take care of overtaking, at teh cost of making the cars look like liitle pieces of shit.

[DeMoN]

I heard that Michelin will do all the tires now? Has this bin posted on this thread yet?

[5vz-fe]

^^ I thought it's bridgestone...???

[nickthaskater]

It is Bridgestone, Michelin are gone for 2008

http://www.formula1.com/news/4601.html

[McLaren4eVa]

^^^^^^^ Yes and Michelen are gone in 07 anyway so in a way the single tyre supplier rule starts next year. So long tyre wars. Man just another reason to kill Max Mosley.

[nickthaskater]

Meh, I was never really into the tire wars, I'd much rather just see the actual cars competing against eachother, rather than a great car failing because of shitty tires.

[racer_f50]

Meh, I was never really into the tire wars, I'd much rather just see the actual cars competing against eachother, rather than a great car failing because of shitty tires.
me too, it was pretty frustrating last year with Bridgestone being so shitty most of the time.

the more influence the actual car and driver have, the better.

[nickthaskater]

McLaren bid an instant farewell to Montoya

McLaren have confirmed that Juan Pablo Montoya is to be replaced with immediate effect by Pedro de la Rosa for the rest of the season.

Montoya stunned the motor racing world on Sunday by announcing that he would be leaving the team the team at the end of the summer to join the Nascar series in America. Following two days of telling silence, the team announced on Tuesday that they had severed all ties with the Colombian to enable him to 'prepare professionally and personally for the future.'

The Colombian will be replaced by De la Rosa. The Spaniard scored points when he stood in for the injured Montoya at last year's Bahrain GP.

According to McLaren, Montoya 'will now spend the next few months based in Miami with his family and wife Connie who is expecting their second child in September. Following his agreement with Chip Ganassi Racing for next year, Juan Pablo will also be making initial preparations for his debut in a Chrysler Dodge NASCAR.'

"Juan Pablo is an exciting driver and immensely likeable character who will undoubtedly make a successful transition to the NASCAR scene. We have agreed that with so many things happening in Juan Pablo's life right now, he should take some time out of the car and prepare professionally and personally for the future," added Ron Dennis.

Montoya's last contribution to F1 will be his ignominious role in the seven-car pile-up at the start of the U.S. GP last Sunday. In his farewell comments, he pointedly remarked that he had only "enjoyed most of my time in Formula 1."

"I'm grateful for this opportunity to settle my personal life and concentrate on my future career," he concluded.

Whatever your reservations about his style, consistency and personality, F1 will be a duller sport without the hot-headed, but occasionally brilliant, South American.

Source (http://planetf1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1326866,00.html)
Glad Juan is going to be able to leap right into his NASCAR endeavours, and it should be interesting to see how Pedro holds up in multiple races...

[5vz-fe]

I guess the rumour after USGP was indeed true.

[dannyroz]

Its a little shocking IMO. Farewell JPM, you were the bitch of F1 and will always be in my eyes :lol:

[nickthaskater]

/already posted that news :P

[nickthaskater]

Haha :)

Like I said, should be pretty interesting to see how he copes with more than just a single race responsibility...

[RAMMIUS]

^^^ Pedro was very fast as a test driver, and also did well in the few races when he raced for McLaren in the past, I`am very curious to see what results gets.

Is it me, or he is some sort of Kamikaze, and I`am thinking about Bahrain race from last year, and his attacks on Rubens :?

[5vz-fe]

Planetf1 ready to put more fuel to the fire

http://www.planet-f1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1364394,00.html

By all means, even CAPITAL LETTERS!!!

[5vz-fe]

Yeah, they change the CAP to small letters now

http://www.planet-f1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1364949,00.html

I guess too provoking before LOL

[5vz-fe]

What do u know, Alonso's mouth is opened again.

"For the drivers' championship sometimes Michael has an advantage over his team-mate that I don't have, but that is Renault's tactics. I just do my race. Sometimes I am in front of my team-mate, sometimes I'm behind."

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060727190258.shtml

[saadie]

haha ...
thast one drunken statement :lol:

[bmagni]

no comments...

[5vz-fe]

The Spaniard enjoyed an emotional victory in Barcelona earlier this year but wants to deny Schumacher his own moment of triumph this weekend.

"The home grand prix is not like soccer, in Formula One it doesn't matter where you are," he added.

"It doesn't matter how motivated you are being at home.

"If we win here it is important because it is Michael's home grand prix and it is good to stop the consecutive victories. The sooner we stop these victories the better."
http://www.planet-f1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1367233,00.html

[5vz-fe]

Interesting Developement of the FIA Ban on dampers system

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060728095759.shtml
"Almost all the top teams had this equipment," 24-year-old Alonso, referring to rivals including championship challengers Ferrari, insisted at Hockenheim.

He added: "I do not believe that it is going to drastically change anything, although we

have had this piece for a long time. "

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060728121647.shtml
A new fervour of controversy has threatened to break out at Hockenheim after Stewards overruled the FIA and deemed Renault's outlawed 'mass damper' system legal.


Renault thus fitted the technology to the race cars of Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella before the green light signalled the start of free practice on Friday, but it is unknown how the shock decision will affect other teams that

previously ran the parts.


"The use of such mass dampers must be considered as permissible," read a Stewards' statement, after Renault had submitted its T-car - with the system fitted - for official scrutineering.

<Add fuel to fire>No wonder Alonso is so cocky before the race, about he will ruin Michael's race</Add fuel to fire>

[nthfinity]

^^^^^
welll, ol Schumacher is almost 3 seconds faster in practice today then mr. Alonso... but not much can be said for practice...

[5vz-fe]

^^^^^
welll, ol Schumacher is almost 3 seconds faster in practice today then mr. Alonso... but not much can be said for practice...

Not true, he can say "oh f**k" LOL :lol:

Renault decided to remove it

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060728182740.shtml

"Despite the system being declared legal by race stewards in the morning, the French team did not use it in practice and will not fit it again until after the FIA rubber-stamp the ruling."

Got scared? :lol:

[5vz-fe]

Villeneuve out, Kubica in for Budapest
http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060801191654.shtml

[saadie]

poor old man :P .. haha

[5vz-fe]

LOL, prolly shattered his hip...

[Mattk]

Interesting. Kubica has been fast in some practise sessions, so it would be interesting to see how he performs in a race situation.

[5vz-fe]

Webber is OUT!!! Williams announced driver line-up for 2007

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060802171346.shtml

Now, we all know Webber won't have much trouble finding a race seat, but where will he go? Renault? Ferrari? Mclaren?

[McLaren4eVa]

Renault's Mass Dampers Banned

FIA wins appeal over mass dampers


23 August 2006

Renault’s hopes of using their controversial mass dampers this weekend have been dashed after the FIA International Court of Appeal deemed the system illegal on Wednesday.

The Court quashed the decision made last month by German Grand Prix stewards, who believed the dampers were within the rules, and instead agreed with the FIA’s original assertion that they infringe the technical regulations, which state that no part influencing the car’s aerodynamic performance may be mobile.

The damper comprises a free-moving mass inside a vertical spring, mounted in the nosecone. Its function is to reduce the sensitivity of the car's front end to differing aerodynamic loads, and to counteract the negative effects of tyre rebound over kerbs. (For Technical Analysis drawing, click here.)

Renault had been using the system since the end of last season and a number of other teams have also experimented with the concept. However, no one risked running the dampers in either Germany or Hungary, pending the outcome of the appeal hearing.

The full FIA press release:

DECISION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF APPEAL

The FIA International Court of Appeal met in Paris on Tuesday, August 22, 2006, to examine the appeal made by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile against Decision No. 8 handed down by the Stewards of the Meeting on July 28, 2006, concerning the T car of competitor Mild Seven Renault F1 on the occasion of the Grand Prix of Germany and counting towards the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Having heard the explanations of both parties and having examined the various documents and other evidence, the Court quashed decision No. 8 of the Stewards of the Meeting and ruled that use of the device known as a Tuned Mass Damper is an infringement of Article 3.15 of the Formula One Technical Regulations.

The International Court of Appeal was presided over by Mr Philippe ROBERTI de WINGHE (Belgium), elected President, Mr Pierre TOURIGNY (Canada), Mr John CASSIDY (United States) and Mr Anthony SCRIVENER (Great Britain).

The full text of the International Court of Appeal’s decision is available, on request, from the secretariat of the FIA International Court of Appeal in Paris.



How quick are renault going to be now, Ferrari are obviously the quickest but McLaren and Honda seem to have caught up. Which may not be good for alonso. How much of a blow would it be for Alonso if the team he's signed up for the next three years(McLaren), are the reason he loses the championship. Could be a possibility.

[McLaren4eVa]

^^^^^^^^^^ I know, seems as though everything is falling apart for Renault, Either that or someone behind the scenes(cough bernie & max) soesn't want alonso to go to McLaren. Especially because the relationship between bernie, max and ron dennis isn't very sweet.

[racer_f50]

but hasn't Schumi stated that he'd finish his F1 career still at Ferrari? After all he's done with the team I can't imagine he wants to leave.

[Mattk]

Kovalainen should be promising. He won't be winning lots of stuff yet, but in a few years, he could be very competitive, if the car is willing.

[JoeHahn]

Well that basically means Schuey wont be going to Renault (thank God).

Narrowing it down - only a couple of days to go!

[inso]

I bet the signing of Kovalainen is a true sign of Kimi´s new contract for Ferrari. After all Massa is not that expensive for ferrari to drive lesser cars if schuey decides to drive a season or two more. BUT i guess schuey is too scared of being ICEd and will retire after the season ;)

(There has been some speculation about Ferrari showing 3drivers for next season at Monza, not necessarily schuey driving after all)

[nickthaskater]

My '07 drivers -

Renault (obviously)
- Kov
- Fisi

McLaren
- Alonso
- Hamilton

Ferrari
- Schumacher
- Raik

- Massa on testing duty

Then at the end of '07, Schu retires, Massa moves back into a race seat along Raikkonen.

</theory>

[stmoritzer]

according to german newspaper, Schumi retires !!


edit:
according to other, nothing proven yet :wink: :bah:

[nickthaskater]

according to german newspaper, Schumi retires !!
Bild = Not exactly a good source.

[stmoritzer]

^I checked several and edited my post above :wink:

[Mattk]

Yeah, Michael Schumacher will be expected to announce his retirement after the upcoming Grand Prix. Ferrari will probably look to get Raikonnen, and Raikonnen will probably move.

[03200165]

JIHAAA! A Dutch F1 team!

[saadie]

i see a baracuda shaped F1 comming :twisted:
btw ... whose suplying the engines ?

[TopGearNL]

Its ours :twisted:

Oh and Cosworth will be supplying the engines probably so Ive heard

[saadie]

sooo the engines will breakdown before the end of the race lol :) ...

just messing :P

[TopGearNL]

The cars probably won't even start have I got the feeling :x

But still, maybe they'll beat everyone and win many GP's...
:mrgreen:

[saadie]

^^ hehe .... you wish :P ...

welll looking at how the engines are this season and engine development will be freezed after china .... I think cossworth will deffinetly do something about the reliablity .... lets hope for the best ...... i never liked MF! anyway :lol:

[nickthaskater]

Cosworth has actually had pretty good reliability, and they've had a heck of a lot of power so say the paddock rumors. A lot of the trouble has been with Williams themselves and not choosing to put flexible lines on the engines due to them being a hair heavier, and with the insane vibrations of these 21,000 RPM V8 Cossies, the firm lines can't take it and fail (again, so I've heard).

[saadie]

flexible lins on the engines :? .... what ever they are ....

all the engine componets are from cosworth right ..... soo flexible lines or whatever you are talking about is cosworth's responsiblity

plus .... if this is the case ...... would'nt they have already changed the thing you are talkig about way back in the begenning of the series ? ......

[nickthaskater]

Well considering it doesn't happen ALL the time, I suppose they figure it's an acceptable risk and would rather have the lighter weight components. As for them being Cosworth's responsibility, I don't believe the bits in question are, but who knows.

But again, this is all hearsay.

Either way, they still seem to be just as good as the likes of Toyota this year haha. And it figures, I believe Toyota are going to be supplying Williams with engines next year...

[gucom]

i think this is 1 of the most STUPID ideas in F1 in years... seriously so fucking dumb, im afraid it will ruin both the company and the racing team... im afraid the F1 project will drain Spykers finances, and after spyker is sucked empty they'll realise it costs about 10 times more to run an F1 team :x
if they pull it off, its gonna be AMAZING marketing for spyker though :)

[5vz-fe]

Lauda on Kimi's switch

"Italy is fully behind Ferrari, emotionally. But if they don't win, as it also happened to Schumacher, and if Kimi was found drunk, the effect would be ten times more negative than elsewhere.

"Italians look for excuses by nature, because they try to avoid being guilty themselves. And that's why Kimi risks a lot: one beer too many and he becomes the scapegoat for everything, even though he's innocent. But try explaining that to the Italian fans..."

http://www.planet-f1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1522063,00.html

[TopGearNL]

i think this is 1 of the most STUPID ideas in F1 in years... seriously so fucking dumb, im afraid it will ruin both the company and the racing team... im afraid the F1 project will drain Spykers finances, and after spyker is sucked empty they'll realise it costs about 10 times more to run an F1 team :x
if they pull it off, its gonna be AMAZING marketing for spyker though :)

Spyker MF1 isn't owned by Spyker Gucom, it was bought by the main sponsors and by the M-consort (dutch multinationals) the shares and responsiblities lie with the shareholders. Spyker could never buy a F1 team, they only last year paid their final loans of too the bank (4 million euro's) since 2000 they were only in the reds. The team is just the same like Midland, only the cars are being called Spyker.

[LotusGT1]

The truth will out?

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns17477.html

Nine years after the World Championship showdown at Jerez in 1997, the then Sauber driver Norberto Fontana has decided to tell the story of what happened to him during that highly-charged weekend. In an interview with the Argentine magazine Ole, Fontana claims that three or four hours before the race Jean Todt visited the Sauber motorhome and told the Swiss team, which used Ferrari engines at the time, that the Saubers must block Jacques Villeneuve if they were in a position to do so in order to help Michael Schumacher win the World Championship.

Fontana said that he blocked Villeneuve for only three or four corners but that it cost the French-Canadian around three seconds. In the end Villeneuve challenged Schumacher for the lead and the two cars collided. Schumacher went off into a gravel trap and was unable to rejoin. Villeneuve won the World Championship and Michael Schumacher was later punished for deliberately driving Villeneuve off the track.

Fontana said that the action had hurt his career but that Todt and Schumacher never thanked him for what he had done.

While this is all ancient history now, there is a certain irony in that after the same race there were claims that Williams and McLaren colluded to rig the result of the race. That claim was rejected by the FIA World Council although it was never clear why the allegations ever got as far as the World Council.

[TopGearNL]

That is sick /\/\

But good to know the truth!

[5vz-fe]

I wonder why he waited all these years before telling this.

[saadie]

well like I said in some other topic a week ago

well maybe im worng about just schumacher being the wrong guy ...

its jean todt ... that fecked up frog 0X

@ 5vz ... well since JV started saying his mind .... all the drivers started revealing the truth .....
thast how it seems :roll:

[Mattk]

how did Williams play a role in the last race??

They won.

In any case, the Fontana claim is probably a case of sour grapes. I wouldn't believe it either.

[saadie]

that looks alot like mclaren's orange livery ....
btw isnt this the same car midlands is using ...

[McLaren4eVa]

Yes good news, now it won't look like a macca from far. I mean i'm a die hard macca fan but even i would get confused sometimes.

[saadie]

^^yeah ..
now that it dosnt look like amacca anymore ... maybe it'll be faster :lol: :mrgreen:

[saadie]

thanks dani :)

is it just me .... or am the the only one who dosnt like the paint scheme all that much .... lol :mrgreen:

i'll get used to it thou ... :) :? :)

[5vz-fe]

Cosworth to exit F1 after Spyker decided to sign Ferrari as their engine supplier.

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/061001064803.shtml

[TopGearNL]

I like the paint scheme very much of Spyker :twisted:

And now that they have Gascoyne and Ferrari engines I see some future in it :mrgreen:

Too bad about Cosworth, they really are part of F1!

[Mattk]

Maybe Midland F1 will be more competitive now that they have Ferrari engines and a better paint scheme.

[Mattk]

Dennis went on to praise Montoya as a very quick driver adding that, "he brought more colour to the team and to the sport."

More like "He's fucked in the head! Thank the heavens that bastard is gone!".

[SFDMALEX]

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/photos/imgactu/zoom06/schumacher-interlagos-z-06_201006.jpg

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher thanked his rivals on Friday after the German veteran spotted a retirement message on the rear wing of all three BMW-Sauber F1 cars.

In morning practice, the blue lettering on the rearward-facing elements of the BMW cars read 'Thanks Michael', in reference to 37-year-old Schumacher's 250th and last grand prix in a sixteen year career.

In the afternoon, the team had switched the message to German with the wings now reading: 'Danke Michael'.

"Apart from the extra photographers and cameras, I feel the same as usual," Schumacher told reporters after practice at the Interlagos circuit in Brazil.


He added: "The only difference is the 'thanks' message from BMW, which made me very happy when I saw it. I can only say 'thanks' to them in return!"

German squad BMW-Sauber's Friday driver, Sebastian Vettel, commented: "I hope he saw and he enjoyed it."

Source GMM
CAPSIS International

[nthfinity]

i dont know if anything like that will ever happen again for any other driver. Damn, that makes me sad; racing wont be the same next season :( Dankeshane Heir Schumacher

[TopGearNL]

Ah - and thumbs up for Williams - you don't see things like this in the rival teams... and I don't think it will ever happen for any other driver... Schummy is simply the greatest!

It was BMW Sauber :wink:

And Indeed thumbs up, now this is Respect :!:

[TopGearNL]

^ LOL!

Yes - sometimes I still mix them... you know, it was Williams-BMW just some months ago! :D

I know, I know, I don't blame you I forgive you :wink:

[Toronto]

Schumi is to stay @ ferrari
http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=29851

his new job sounds like an easy way for him to make money while doing nothing.

[Mattk]

And Jean Todt is the new CEO whom Schumi will be assisting. These guys are going from racing jumpsuits to business suits. It's good that Todt and Schumi are staying to help develop F1, rather than simply retiring and doing bugger-all.

[Toronto]

Todt has been in a suit since his rally days :wink:

[5vz-fe]

"There was a lot of pressure, and a lot of anger inside me as well," said the Spaniard, who is off to McLaren at the end of the year having spent the past five seasons with Renault.

"There had been things we did not understand, that seemed unfair and against the sport, and we had to take victory to show that the sport always comes out on top in the end, and that the good guys do win."

http://www.planet-f1.com/News/Story_Page/0,15909,3210_3213_1645689,00.html

WTF does he mean good guys win? So all the rest of the field are bad guys?

[McLaren4eVa]

^^^^^^^^^^^^Nope Ferrari Are!

[saadie]

^^ lol ..

its so pathetic how one team spends alot of money on a driver to get him on the top ... but then he leaves the team because he gets attractive contracts with other teams, the old team is like ' we spent alot on this idiot and made him a top driver we dont want to pay him more ' .. lol ..... :lol: whyy .. ?

[5vz-fe]

loyalty doesn't come cheap....in anywhere

[TopGearNL]

^^ lol ..

its so pathetic how one team spends alot of money on a driver to get him on the top ... but then he leaves the team because he gets attractive contracts with other teams, the old team is like ' we spent alot on this idiot and made him a top driver we dont want to pay him more ' .. lol ..... :lol: whyy .. ?

LMAO

Indeed! :lol:

[RAMMIUS]

so, in the end an award

http://www.italiaspeed.com/2006/motorsport/f1/other/11/professional_motorsport_world_expo/1411.html

[JoeHahn]

so, in the end an award

http://www.italiaspeed.com/2006/motorsport/f1/other/11/professional_motorsport_world_expo/1411.html

Porsche used similar "wheel covers" over 20 years ago with their 956/962. I dont see how they can be controversial :roll:

[TopGearNL]

^ well - every new breakthrow innovation in F1 this day is at least... suspicious :? :?

And this is sad - good old days of Collin Chapman and the crazy F1 cars like the superaero 'golden' Arrows, the first ground-effect Lotus, the Turbo Renault :roll: :bah: now the regulations are so closed and strict that this kind of big-impact innovations are almost impossible :?

Yeah and thats sad because if they had the regulations we have now in those days we wouldn't have gotten so far with F1 :?

So this is bad for the future :x

[RAM_anderson]

Today Alonso tested the Mclaren, check f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=136995

[Stoopie]

:arrow: http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=30194

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p260/dani_d_mas/that spanish foo-test-z-011_151206.jpg

Can't wait to see what Fernando will accomplish with his new team!

*edit* Why can't I say A lonso :P

[Stoopie]

Oh mighty JW ninja why can't I say A lonso? :')

[McLaren4eVa]

Don't really see the poinbt on the last day, guess flav just wanted to show alonso how much slower the macca is, though it has been going strong in testing so far but these tests as all teams are just getting used to the Bridgestones

[ae86_16v]

http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/gadgets/meet-albert2-bmw-sauber-f1s-brain-222108.php

This week in Switzerland, the BMW Sauber F1 team introduced the world to Albert2, the know-it-all bag of silicon parts it hopes will give it an edge on the tarmac next season. No ordinary pile of sand, this. Albert2 is on the Top-500 list of most powerful supercomputers as Europe's fastest machine. Sporting processors from Intel, with whom the team has a sponsorship deal, Albert2 will take the place of a second wind tunnel -- which teams without supercomputers have been building -- calculating computational fluid dynamics (COMPFLUDY) problems (on its 10 trillion hands) for aerodynamics development. Under the hood, Albert2 has 256 nodes with two Intel Xeon 5160 dual-core processors each, with main memory is 2,048 GB, and maximum computing power of 12,288 gigaflops -- or 12,288,000,000,000 floating-point arithmetic operations per second. BMW says that's like everyone in Munich multiplying two eight-digit numbers every three-and-a-half seconds for an entire year. In other news, BMW-Sauber has laid off the entire population of Munich. – Mike Spinelli

[McLaren4eVa]

Hamilton Quickest, Fernando 3rd, Go Macca!

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=38126

[saadie]

F1 has lost that spark :roll: .. ohh well
goo kimi .. goo hamilton :mrgreen:

[TopGearNL]

F1 has lost that spark :roll: .. ohh well
goo kimi .. goo hamilton :mrgreen:

Yep go Louie! :D

[McLaren4eVa]

First the V10 now they get to use the RB3 chassis, STR is really taking the biscuit now

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=137661

Well i guess now we can see which engine package is better; Red Bull Ferrari or Red Bull Renault

[saadie]

ferrari i would say ..... better drivers are riding them IMO ...

[TopGearNL]

ferrari i would say ..... better drivers are riding them IMO ...

I think the same but not because of that, Ferrari is better engine IMO

[Max Power]

ferrari i would say ..... better drivers are riding them IMO ...

r u saying SS and Liuzzi are better than DC and Webber?

[saadie]

:? ... ohh wait ... RBR is getting renault engines and STR is getting ferrari right ? ...
coulthaud and webber are in RBR ...... then yeh i am wrong LOL ....

shit you got me confused .. :? ...

edit:: .. okey yeh im sorry ... what i actually wanted to say was ... RBR will deffinetly perform better because of the drivers

[TopGearNL]

/\/\ The drivers are better I agree, but I don't think the engine is. Still its the complete package that counts...

[TopGearNL]

^ who is driving what BTW?

RBR was using Ferraris last year... and now they've switched to Renault? :hmm:

Yep...

It seems that RBR is now Renault powered and STR is Ferrari. Don't ask me why :|

[saadie]

dani ... http://www.formula1.com/insight/team/ .. ;)

[TopGearNL]

RBR = http://www.formula1.com/insight/team/182.html

STR = http://www.formula1.com/insight/team/184.html

[sameerrao]

http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/gadgets/meet-albert2-bmw-sauber-f1s-brain-222108.php

This week in Switzerland, the BMW Sauber F1 team introduced the world to Albert2, the know-it-all bag of silicon parts it hopes will give it an edge on the tarmac next season. No ordinary pile of sand, this. Albert2 is on the Top-500 list of most powerful supercomputers as Europe's fastest machine. Sporting processors from Intel, with whom the team has a sponsorship deal, Albert2 will take the place of a second wind tunnel -- which teams without supercomputers have been building -- calculating computational fluid dynamics (COMPFLUDY) problems (on its 10 trillion hands) for aerodynamics development. Under the hood, Albert2 has 256 nodes with two Intel Xeon 5160 dual-core processors each, with main memory is 2,048 GB, and maximum computing power of 12,288 gigaflops -- or 12,288,000,000,000 floating-point arithmetic operations per second. BMW says that's like everyone in Munich multiplying two eight-digit numbers every three-and-a-half seconds for an entire year. In other news, BMW-Sauber has laid off the entire population of Munich. – Mike Spinelli

Sauber had one of the best wind tunnels last 2 years but in 2005 they got diddly squat out of it. This year they have done much better. I think getting rid of Villeneuve and hopefully relieving slownonymous Heidfeld is the best they can do to get more points ;)

[saadie]

it seemed FIA had finally put a stop to technological development, looks like BMW sauber is taking it to another Level 8) awsome ..

I hope heidfeld gets some podiums this time 8)

[TopGearNL]

Sauber had one of the best wind tunnels last 2 years but in 2005 they got diddly squat out of it. This year they have done much better. I think getting rid of Villeneuve and hopefully relieving slownonymous Heidfeld is the best they can do to get more points ;)

Kubica should be #1 in Sauber next season - and they should get rid of Heidfeld. He has had a lot of time in F1 to show what he can do... and it's not that he has done much :? :roll:

Peter Sauber has always been good at discovering new talents - Raikkonen and Massa are the last ones - so I'm sure they could find a young and fast rockie :D

I absolutely agree, Kubica has shown thats he better in so little time!

Peter Sauber is indeed the man for talents! But look out for Adrian Sutil at Spyker! :D

[McLaren4eVa]

Bahrain Aquires 30% Stake In McLaren Group

http://www.mclaren.com/mediaroom/information/pressreleases/bahrain.php

I knew this was coming, Ron even said he would never be doing what he is in 10 years time.

[McLaren4eVa]

New Look For Alonso.

http://www.mclaren.com/latestnews/mclaren.php

I think this may have something to do with McLaren's proffesionalism but i doubt it i mean look at raikkonen, jpm etc.

[TopGearNL]

/\/\ Is A lonso still automatically being called the alonso :mrgreen:

[TopGearNL]

/\/\ Yep it is, I like that! :lol:

[saadie]

hahaa ... poor fucker ...

well atleast hes being remembered by not such a bad name :lol: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[TopGearNL]

hahaa ... poor fucker ...

well atleast hes being remembered by not such a bad name :lol: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

alonso will do just fine :lol:

[Max Power]

kimi in red...

can't wait

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5232/600sv5.th.jpg (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=600sv5.jpg)http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/7794/bscap0000ak4wq9.th.jpg (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bscap0000ak4wq9.jpg)http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1963/bscap0001wl9mp1.th.jpg (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bscap0001wl9mp1.jpg)
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1812/mdc1030109141024x768mx0.th.jpg (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mdc1030109141024x768mx0.jpg)

[TopGearNL]

He's got good taste 8)

[TopGearNL]

/\/\ LOL! :mrgreen:

[blinkmeat]

How tall is Massa 4'2? :lol:

[HeilSvenska]

How tall is Massa 4'2? :lol:

I know Scott Speed is. :lol: He also has a really small head.

[McLaren4eVa]

^^ LOL.

[TopGearNL]

How tall is Massa 4'2? :lol:

I know Scott Speed is. :lol: He also has a really small head.

What about Takumo Sato :lol:

[McLaren4eVa]

What about justin wilson no wait thats not right antonio pizzonia and luca badoer

[Max Power]

the vid
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8607172800617685488&hl=en

[TopGearNL]

Thanks Max!

[McLaren4eVa]

Raikkonen has the brera and massa has a fiat. Equality my ass.

[stmoritzer]

kimi in red...

can't wait

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/5232/600sv5.th.jpg (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=600sv5.jpg)http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/7794/bscap0000ak4wq9.th.jpg (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bscap0000ak4wq9.jpg)http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1963/bscap0001wl9mp1.th.jpg (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bscap0001wl9mp1.jpg)
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1812/mdc1030109141024x768mx0.th.jpg (http://img174.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mdc1030109141024x768mx0.jpg)

trainee car :mrgreen:
when grown up, he'll show up to the races in a QP like MS did :wink:
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/493/dsc01979uz2.th.jpg (http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01979uz2.jpg)

[Spijker]

http://www.f1racing.net/en/news/2007/01/25/hamilton_crashes_heavily_at_valencia/

The first McLaren that Hamilton wrecked...

[5vz-fe]

At least it's not like Honda, where the car only run for 3 corners in its debut :mrgreen:

[McLaren4eVa]

These things happen in sport, all part of the learning process.

[TopGearNL]

/\/\ Can't wait for that Dani, and it will happen thats a fact :wink: :mrgreen:

[Max Power]

I like how the spanish press keep saying that Alonstronzo is the #1 in McLaren and that Hamilton is just not as good, just his team-mate, the #2, bla bla bla.

It will be funny to see Fernando's face when Hamilton finish in front of him :wink: and when he starts to complaining about everything in McLaren, about the lack of support within the team... as usual. I see a new Montoya here. It's just that that spanish foo has 2 world championships, but it's just like Montoya afterall :wink:

I really began to like renault...and especially now that Alfonso is gone...i like Pat Symonds, doesn't fuck around and says it the way it is...I like Flavio cause he stirs up shit which is what's missing at Ferrari...and that's just good entertainment...I like their car and I was going to root for them this yr...but all that was lost when I saw this...
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6861/renaultr27launch200748zu.th.jpg (http://img267.imageshack.us/my.php?image=renaultr27launch200748zu.jpg)

[ae86_16v]

^ Haha, yeah looks like a 5th grader's art project.

[Mattk]

ING used to support cricket. Now they support F1. They're moving up.

Every time I see Flavio Briatore, I start thinking of those horrific pictures of his uncovered and uninspiring torso posted here earlier.

[TopGearNL]

/\/\ So less speed but more action hopefully! :D

I can see Kubica, Button and all the other late braking nutters allready performing their stuff!

Good to hear its an improvement by a racing driver such as yourself. They changed the Assen circuit last year and all the motoGp racers now hate it :x

[McLaren4eVa]

^^^ Both red bull drivers had questioned it, and mark even said it won't aid overtaikind they're still coming out the final corner in 5th which is still like 130mph or so.

[mrai]

Im pretty excited, the F1 is finally coming to United Arab Emirates.



Source: http://www.gulfnews.com/sport/Motor_Racing/10100576.html

Published: 30/01/2007 12:00 AM (UAE)

Reuters
The race-track is likely to be built on one of the man-made islands.



F1 Grand Prix set for Abu Dhabi debut in 2009
By Robin Chatterjee, Sports Editor



Dubai: If the variables come together then speculation that Abu Dhabi will host a Formula One Grand Prix in 2009 is set to become a reality.

"Yes, it is going to happen," confirmed a source to Gulf News yesterday. The announcement is to be made this week on the sidelines of the F1 festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), to be hosted in the capital from February 1-4.

An A-list of Formula One drivers, including defending champion Fernando Alonso, along with their respective teams will be attending the festival.

Curiously, seven-time Formula One driver's champion Michael Schumacher is also slated to be in the UAE during this period.

When contacted by Gulf News for comment, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone refused to confirm but insisted the media attend a press conference on Saturday.

While the date for the Grand Prix has not yet been set, given that Abu Dhabi has yet to build a race-track, it could be held towards the end of the F1 season in 2009.

Sources close to one of the F1 teams believe that the race-track is likely to be built on one of the man-made islands, with a luxurious housing development, seen from the Corniche.

When asked to point out the decisive factors that may have clinched the deal for Abu Dhabi, the source stated, "No bullsh......ers, no middlemen and no dreamers. The presence of decision-makers made this happen. You need to carve a straight path to Ecclestone."

[McLaren4eVa]

Your a seriously lucky bloke, i would love to be in dubai when that happens.

[TopGearNL]

You guys get everything :shock: :D

[TopGearNL]

You guys get everything :shock: :D

They have the money so...

What really pisses me off is that a nice european track will be dismissed in favour of the new one in Dubai - I just hope it's not Spa... again :? :?

Yep thats the thing...

I really hope it isn't Spa too, thats my favorite track and its closest to my home :(

[McLaren4eVa]

^^^^ Get rid of imola for dubai and get rid of hockenheim for a night race in singapore.

[Max Power]

a night race would be stupid...

[TopGearNL]

^^^^ Get rid of imola for dubai and get rid of hockenheim for a night race in singapore.

You must be joking, those are good tracks!

And Maxpower is right, a nightrace would be ridiculous!

[ae86_16v]

I thought that they could only do 18 races total in a season. So does this mean they will replace some other race?

McLaren, I don't think they would get rid of Imola. And isn't Hockenheim already on a Bi-Annual basis already w/ Nurburgring?

[Mattk]

I lived in Singapore for a few years and the motor-racing scene there consists primarily of local track races and carpark rallies (which actually seem pretty cool). A street-race in Singapore would be pretty fun, but the best areas for street-racing happens to be the commercial district, so practicability issues there. there simply isn't enough space to do it in, even though people love motor racing in Singapore.

[sameerrao]

I like tracks where F1 cars can stretch their legs - high speed tracks - where bravery and skill are called for. Places like Spa, Suzuka, Silverstone. Corners taken at 160mph - stuff like that

I am not a fan of street circuits per se because of the processional kind of driving that this normally entails. I love the qualifying aspect of Monaco as it rewards the brave and precise drive but detest race day there for obvious reasons.

With the Tilke tracks, my primary criticism is that they are so vanilla. I find it difficult to remember the track layout. Some of the older tracks flowed from one place to another beautifully. You can easily look at a couple corners on a TV clip and figure out that it was Suzuka. Today, I really cant do the same for the butchered N'ring, Hockenheim, Sepang, Bahrain,Turkey and China. They track layouts looks so similar. :? Credit goes to Tilke for his signature chicane, slow corner before the long straight to promote overtaking. But he rarely has a bunch of corners that flow beautifully to get a nice rhythm

[TopGearNL]

I say get rid of the Hungaroring, thats always been a lame track IMO

I agree with Sameerrao that many tracks lookalike so get rid of one of those too!

[Max Power]

Suzuka is gone bud...and as for Spa how many times has it been raced in its native configuration or raced at all...its been butchered with movable chicanes and remake of the bus stop...
as for the new plain tracks, I disagree, Turkey is got that quad left turn, Bahrain is shit, so's the Germans (but only 1 this season), Sepang is good cause it has Spa like weather (unpredictable)...and China is good cause MS won last time :P ....

I think these tracks need more time, however i don't agree with them replacing the the 'good' courses that u've mentioned...

[ae86_16v]

BAR Honda:

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/1926/hondara107hify5.th.jpg (http://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hondara107hify5.jpg)

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/24/is-this-honda-racing-f1s-new-livery/



Thanks to tipster Joseff, we think the answer is a resounding "YES!" Once again, it appears that the discovery was made by playing with URL strings, in this case, the tinkering took place in the Honda Racing F1 gallery. The photos immediately preceding this one are of the unpainted RA107 undergoing testing (and are featured on the gallery homepage). The Earth-liveried car happens to be the next photo in line, which leads us to believe that the official reveal is coming very soon (this weekend, perhaps?). In any case, we reported that the final look was to be revealed in February, and the month's just about over.

The domain name shown on the car's rear wing is not yet active, but it is registered to 19 Entertainment, which counts American Idol among its numerous endeavours. 19 Entertainment has been hired by Honda to help with the team's marketing efforts, and we're sure that the meaning of the new look will be made clear when the official unveiling takes place.

As we said when BlueOvalNews dug up teaser shots and press releases of the renamed Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, if your photo is online and is not behind some kind of security, it will be found. A web-savvy person doesn't need to be a detective to see when photos are numbered in sequence. Trying the next ones in line is a logical step.

Joseff, thanks for the tip!

UPDATE: Joseff tells us in the comments that the photo was posted first over at F1 Technical's forums. Thanks for the clarification. The "Read" link at the bottom of the post will bring you to the related F1 Technical thread.

[Source: Honda Racing F1 via F1 Technical]

[ae86_16v]

BMW quicker than expected
Sat 24 Feb, 01:16 AM

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen has admitted that the team is quicker than he expected as the 2007 pre-season draws to a close.

Observers have been impressed with the pace of the Hinwil built F1.07 in winter tests, and Theissen said: "Clearly we are closer to the top teams - Ferrari, McLaren and Renault - than we expected."

The German told the newspaper Augsburger Allgemeinen that BMW also expects to improve during the season, and acknowledged reports that point out the car's reliability weaknesses.

"Until now Ferrari and McLaren look the strongest of all. Both have really top drivers like Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, but behind them are a group and fortunately we seem already to be a part of it," he said.

http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/24022007/13/bmw-quicker-expected.html

[TopGearNL]

/\/\ Looks great for a F1 car! :shock: :D

I can't believe those latest F1 rumours about Raikkonen and Schumi, they're a bit far out..

But watch out for Spyker and Sutil, last tests shown that the car was only just a bit slower then the Williams, so they are just behind the top teams! :shock:

[TopGearNL]

/\/\ Good news! And I like Kubica very much, the man has already shown us what he can do, he's insane and got balls just like De La Rosa, thats why I like them! :D