According to some rumour mills there might still be two seats up for grabs at Renault... But that could still mean sod all. Likewise, Renault has agreed to a sponsorship deal with a Vyborg-based shipbuilding firm - one of Russia's largest. With the exception of the Renault exhibition in Moscow (and they've been there before), I think this is the first significant case of Petroby zulu_85 - F1
Money well spent in that case, I'd say.by zulu_85 - F1
If David Croft can't - or is not allowed to basically - swap over, I would prefer Ben Edwards. I've never had anything *too* bad to say against Legard, but then I never seemed to buy into the same level of hatred that everyone else showed towards James Allen. I have no experience of Cox as a commentator - I think the last time I remember seeing him was during that horrific accident he hby zulu_85 - F1
I think I'm kinda delighted for Heidfeld and disappointed for De La Rosa in equal measure. Still, I believe Heidfeld will only do good for the team, in the meantime; - according to epsn - De La Rosa would be welcomed at HRT. It might seem like a kick in the teeth for Pedro after what I think has been a mostly unlucky as opposed to uncompetitive season, but at least it will be a chance to staby zulu_85 - F1
Looks like Abu Dhabi are happy enough for Brazil to be the last Grand Prixby zulu_85 - F1
I have to say I got bored of Kimi after he seemed to get bored himself at Ferrari - that was until after Massa's accident when it seemed he came back alive and I was suddenly disappointed that he left at the end of the season. Much as I keep saying I really want/hope Petrov remains there next year, a Kubica/Raikkonen partnership would be absolutely fantastic and brilliant to watch, imo. Justby zulu_85 - F1
Listening to Tony Fernandez on the BBC F1 Forum, it's clear that even though he'd got the old Team Lotus name back for next year, this team is truly the Malaysian national team. He's got huge plans for using Malaysia's engineering and design industries and its universities to help develop the car and team and vice versa. Of course, that's just the plan and even then itby zulu_85 - F1
SchueyFan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Instead of Trulli retiring, why not send him to > Renault for a final year? > > He would be a reliable back-up, probably scoring a > couple of points each round, and every now and > then would put in a great performance. > > Kovalainen would want a longer deal if he was > traded to Rby zulu_85 - F1
Chandok is a guy who at least deserves another go. There's got to be a bonus factor for having an Indian driver at an Indian GP next year which Chandok faithfully predicts will have very strong ticket sales regardless. That said, Indian megabucks have been slow to back him, why else would HRT dump him for Yamamoto? Still, makes you think, if Sutil leaves for Renault and Luizzi is dropped inby zulu_85 - F1
I've seen that rumour about Petrov and Lotus-Renault, Frantic. I think it makes perfect sense apart from I'm really not sure whether Trulli will retire this year. I mean, he might, he doesn't seem a guy who enjoys racing around the back of the field, but he never would have signed for Lotus without knowing that any form of success would be long-term. He was on the BBC Forum with Tby zulu_85 - F1
I agree with Dahie and Frantic. The FIA should be a little bit more realistic and they should go through the decision process much sooner before the team is expected to start. In the meantime I agree with msater as well. I think Epsilon will do well by buying into or buying out HRT.by zulu_85 - F1
Horrible. Thankfully it seems like his injuries are not life-threatening which is merciful at least. You could hear the BBC remarking on the incredibility of Yamamoto not being able to see him but as it was with, I'm not sure, whether it was DC or maybe even Irvine in the forum, saying that you have to wonder where the lollipop man was. Sakon's eyes would have been fixed on him. Aby zulu_85 - F1
Great Quali - makes for a fascinating race tomorrow imo. I think Alonso will win, I *hope* Button does really well but I have a horrible feeling that things will conspire against him. Either way, can't wait to see how it turns out. As a Renault fan, it's a bit of a shame but they're clearly not as competitive as they were at Spa. I fear as far as Petrov's requirements for aby zulu_85 - F1
That would be a better rule, but let's see if they are any more willing to enforce it... Oh, according to this article -> <- it appears what you actually have to do to side-step the rule is pay the small fine and then spout enough bollocks afterwards that it manages to confuse the WMSC so much that they are left not knowing what day of the week it is and can't find enough evidby zulu_85 - F1
Apparently the FIA is going to review the rule now - it's being sent off to the Working Group for discussion ahead of the new season. It does smack of the FIA saying "so what *is* the point of it exactly?".by zulu_85 - F1
Surprised that this isn't here already. Or should I say, I hope this isn't here already... ====================================== The FIA has announced that none of the organisations bidding to become Formula 1's 13th team in 2011 have met its requirements, and that the grid will therefore stay at 24 cars. The governing body had invited applications from parties interestedby zulu_85 - F1
What's gonna p*** me off the most is that until the law is overturned (which I guess it will be soon as the WMSC is really not bothered by it) we're going to have teams feeling brave enough to part with a pittance of money for their actions as Dave says but I bet they won't be brave enough to simply stand in front of the TV reporters after the race and say "Team orders? Yep. Tby zulu_85 - F1
Petrov...balls Makes this bit very interestingly hectic though...by zulu_85 - F1
Noticed this just now: Bruno Senna is planning on wearing a specially designed helmet to honour his uncle's 50th year (I'm guessing at the Brazillian Grand Prix) and wants fans to design it. Winners receive a signed replica and photo of Bruno posing with their design - plus having their design actually raced. The helmet will then be auctioned for charity (Ayrton's own Foundaby zulu_85 - F1
SchueyFan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Especially after he insulted the Victorian police > I would have loved it if they forced him to attend > (or gave him a bigger penalty), but life moves on. I think the irony would be that if they had forced him to attend then his travel costs would be, what, 5-10x his actual fine? If my figures are right heby zulu_85 - F1
gav Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > I'm just not getting that vibe from Virgin, it > seems more a "Problem? Throw money at it. Money > doesn't work? Okay, I'm off home then." > > > I'm fairly sure Virgin have got sod-all spare > money. They look organised in the sense that their > budget is careby zulu_85 - F1
With engines being frozen, could they get away using old Toyota engines? Rebranded, maybe? Cosworth would probably remain the best. Anyway, I'd welcome such a deal. As it stands out of the three new teams it's Lotus and actually Hispania that I see progressing the most next year - I don't expect a meteoric rise up the grid by either but they both seem to me to be teams that have aby zulu_85 - F1
Chandhok's not going to be racing at Hungary either: Hispania say he will return at some point but when exactly, who knows?by zulu_85 - F1
Hah, looks far too sunny to be at Germany of course... I guessing probably something pre-season?by zulu_85 - F1
Is there anything actually illegal with Ferrari selling their sponsor space to Philip Morris? In other words, what are the chances that the deal is extended beyond 2011? I mean, technically if the rest of Ferrari's sponsors were so concious about image (depending on whose opinion they are catering to of course) then they could boycott dealing with a tobacco company and Ferrari will lose faceby zulu_85 - F1
J i m Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > zulu_85 Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Well, personally I didn't rate Massa at all in > his > > Sauber days either - in fact I thought he was a > > bloody liability. > > Many people within F1 thought the same. Villeneuve > once accby zulu_85 - F1
@Ferrari_Fuhrer: That's pretty much how I view him too Still a hero of mine, still tremendously respect his achievements in a car - outside of a car though... :\by zulu_85 - Other Motorsports
This Alonso-Rubens incident, are we referring to the bit on TV with about half a minute to go before the end of the session where Alonso's waving his hand at him as they come down the main straight? I'm fairly sure it was Schumacher, not Rubens. Firstly you can just see Michael's name pitch up on the timing graphics as the car ahead of Alonso crosses the line and Rubens, having croby zulu_85 - F1
Well, personally I didn't rate Massa at all in his Sauber days either - in fact I thought he was a bloody liability - so I'd imagine every driver has the *potential* to prove us wrong, though of course they may not. We don't know. I mean, some drivers pitch up and look appalling and don't last - I'm thinking Inoue, Ide, Rosset etc. - I don't think Petrov and Senna caby zulu_85 - F1