- 31 Mar 09, 11:04#99761
That old man always likes to cause trouble, hopefully Fota can survive.
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Competition on the track is normal and good for the sport, everyone wants a podium place. It is also quite legal to challenge other teams if there are issues but I hope that when the respective members of FOTA step off the track they will be able to stay united and a force for the benefit of F1.
On the aussie grand prix the commentator said kers used more fuel aswell. Is that correct or wrong
From F1Live:OTA rift plays into Ecclestone's hands
Ecclestone:''There's a massive conflict of interest...''
31/03/09 11:06
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Bernie Ecclestone
Two of the most prominent figures of the FOTA team alliance are at loggerheads over the 'rear diffuser' saga.
Despite other chiefs of the Formula One Teams Association insisting that on-track issues are separate to FOTA's totally unified efforts, Renault boss Flavio Briatore could not hide his anger at Ross Brawn last weekend.
Briatore chairs FOTA's commercial aspect, while Brawn is in charge of technical matters.
Toyota is also tangled up in the diffuser saga, as one of the teams being protested against, and its president John Howett is the FOTA vice-chairman.
"I don't like the behaviour of the FOTA technical delegate (Brawn), who should have reported this thing immediately," Briatore told the Italian media.
"Brawn should have been fair. Three months ago he should have come to us to tell us there are two interpretations over the diffusers. When I go to the FIA or to Ecclestone, I go in the name of the FOTA, not Renault's. I don't like the fact that a FOTA representative didn't relate things transparently," he added.
Brawn dismissed Briatore's comments as overly emotional, but it is clear the row is playing into the hands of F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA, who see FOTA's unity as a threat to their power.
"Can I put something in your mind?" Bernie told the Times newspaper prior to the season opener last week.
"Ross Brawn is the guy that runs the teams' technical committee and probably knows what's going to happen before other people, or is in a position to guide things. There's a massive conflict of interest," the Briton said.
Looks like Bernie is stirring again in the hope of breaking up FOTA.
Malaysia to show if Renault car is good - Alonso
Demanding Sepang circuit will serve as proving ground
31/03/09 13:57
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 5738.shtml
Renault's pace in Malaysia this weekend will reveal whether the French team is set for a "difficult year" or not, according to Fernando Alonso.
The Spaniard qualified his R29 twelfth in Melbourne before racing to sixth, but he believes his speed at Albert Park may not reflect Renault's true form for the rest of the 2009 season.
"The (Australian) circuit is very unique making it hard to draw conclusions," he said in an interview with Spain's Diario Sport newspaper.
"We have to have a bit more patience. In Malaysia if we don't go into the Q3 (qualifying phase) it will mean that we are probably not fast enough and we are going to have a difficult year," the 27-year-old declared.
"I believe that we are going to be more competitive (at Sepang) but anyway it will give us a better idea of where we are," added Alonso.
He said his goal for Malaysia is to qualify in the top five.
Alonso explained: "It is a very demanding circuit for cars, the same with Shanghai, where we will really see who is fast and if we have a good car."
D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM
Ferrari is the team to beat - No Lie
No chance, Williams are now back on top of Ferrari, if the Ferraris do happen to be out of front expect them to be gobbled up by the Brawns, Toyotas, possibly the BMW's and Nico's Williams. Maybe Nakajima too as long as he doesn't try using the Ferraris as target practice.
Williams aims to keep up with Brawn in Malaysia
Faster circuit expected to suit the FW31 package
Sam Michael is predicting a strong weekend in Malaysia for the Williams team.
Although the Grove squad is traditionally cautious rather than optimistic, Technical Director Michael was buoyed by the new FW31's form on the Albert Park circuit last weekend.
Nico Rosberg topped every timesheet at the 2009 season opener except in qualifying, and the German even set the fastest lap of the race before finishing sixth.
"If Nico had a clear track in front of him, only the Brawn was faster," Australian Michael is quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.
"On fast tracks we might even keep up with them," he predicted, then referring to this weekend's venue at Sepang which boasts "many more fast corners" than Melbourne.
Michael rejects his rivals' suggestions that teams like Brawn and Williams are only showing strong form because of their controversial rear diffuser designs.
"McLaren and Ferrari had to develop their 2008 cars right up to the end of the season, while Brawn and ourselves could concentrate early on the new rules," he said.
He also sounded hopeful that Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull's diffuser appeal later this month will fail.
"If they are not able to state better arguments than they did in Melbourne, they have no chance," said Michael.
A second step of the diffusser is already on the wind tunnel, if the calculations of the team about it are right, it might even put Williams on the course for wins.
Sam Michael is confident...Williams aims to keep up with Brawn in Malaysia
Faster circuit expected to suit the FW31 package
Sam Michael is predicting a strong weekend in Malaysia for the Williams team.
Although the Grove squad is traditionally cautious rather than optimistic, Technical Director Michael was buoyed by the new FW31's form on the Albert Park circuit last weekend.
Nico Rosberg topped every timesheet at the 2009 season opener except in qualifying, and the German even set the fastest lap of the race before finishing sixth.
"If Nico had a clear track in front of him, only the Brawn was faster," Australian Michael is quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.
"On fast tracks we might even keep up with them," he predicted, then referring to this weekend's venue at Sepang which boasts "many more fast corners" than Melbourne.
Michael rejects his rivals' suggestions that teams like Brawn and Williams are only showing strong form because of their controversial rear diffuser designs.
"McLaren and Ferrari had to develop their 2008 cars right up to the end of the season, while Brawn and ourselves could concentrate early on the new rules," he said.
He also sounded hopeful that Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull's diffuser appeal later this month will fail.
"If they are not able to state better arguments than they did in Melbourne, they have no chance," said Michael.
A second step of the diffusser is already on the wind tunnel, if the calculations of the team about it are right, it might even put Williams on the course for wins.
... very very confident. I have not seen so much confidence from the team for such a long time. The body language of Nico, Kazuki, Sam and even Patrick Head tells it all, they have done a great job on the FW31.
Williams have built a solid car, but aerodynamics have been their weakness really since 1998, and there has been plenty of false dawns. I'll refrain from judging till after the race.
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