FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Gaz]

Well most of F1 is now in the hands of the CVC, but Eccelstone still has huge influence. Even things like transporting the equipment to GPs etc, all of these contracts are in his hands.

Theres too many partys

The FIA is needed based on the previous thread when FOTA cant' sort out the regs themselfs it won't work there all competing against each other.

But they can definitly manage the finances and TV revenue FOM isn't needed.

[headless]

Put Jean Todt in charge of FIA (as rumored), and bankrupt Bernie so a real enthusiast like Paul Stoddart or Eddie Jordan can pick up the pieces and put back some tradition back into our beloved racing.

Paul Stoddart as the big man.
Bernie, Bernie, Bernie

[McLaren Fan]

Ecclestone had the following warning to people making empty threats: "If they come in here with a gun and hold it to my head, they had better be sure they can f***ing pull the trigger. And they should make sure it's got bullets in it because, if they miss, they better look out."

Even a couple of months ago I'd have said the Formula One teams were gutless; now I'm not sure.

[EwanM]

Australian grand prix is most open for years, says Alonso

• Rule changes mean any driver could secure victory at opener
• Ferrari and McLaren will not be the dominant force they were

guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 24 March 2009 16.24 GMT
Fernando Alonso believes victory in this weekend's Australian grand prix could be secured by any driver. Ferrari and McLaren have dominated at Melbourne's Albert Park, winning 10 of the last 12 races there.

Yet Alonso, who took the chequered flag in 2006 with Renault, feels it is tough to predict who will stand on top of the podium this season given the new rule changes.

"I think the order of the teams will probably be different from the last few years," said the 27-year-old. "We have got used to Ferrari and McLaren dominating, but with the new rules I think there will be lots of cars fighting for the win. Hopefully we will be in that fight."

Alonso finished last season strongly, winning in Singapore and Japan to enable him to come fifth in the final drivers' standings. The Spaniard is now looking to carry that form into the new campaign.

"We finished in a strong position last year, and this time our goal is to fight for the championship," he said. "From what we have seen in testing it seems all the teams are very close, and so we will certainly have a fight on our hands. But, in the past, Albert Park has been a good track for Renault, and so I hope we can have a strong weekend."

Renault, though, are understood to be one of the teams opting not to use the new kinetic energy recovery system (Kers) on Sunday. That is despite the fact Alonso is happy with the device that could give drivers a boost equating to several tenths of a second per lap at the touch of a button as energy normally lost under braking is stored. The downside is the weight and packaging of the system – and its impact on the car's weight distribution.

"With the Kers and moveable wings, the drivers now have more work to do inside the cockpit," said Alonso. "I'm not sure if it will make overtaking easier, but it will certainly improve lap times."

With a ban on in-season testing, it will make development in the factory pivotal if any team is to be successful. Alonso is, at least, pleased to be going into the new season with a car he likes, but one he knows will need to constantly evolve if he is to be in the shake-up come the conclusion.

"We've learned how to optimise the set-up and we now have a car that is easy to drive and consistent," added Alonso. "But what is important now is we keep improving and developing the car throughout the year."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/ma ... grand-prix

[cap-dude]

No more clutching at straws guys. Expect McLaren to be stuck in Q2 and then begin to fall down the pack with their woeful race pace.

It seems Red Bull have kinda failed to impress this year. So I think they'll remain in the same sort of position they have for the last 2 years. Ah well. Hopefully Brawn GP won't run away with the race and we can at least see some excitement.

[EwanM]

Brawn won't be running anywhere if those protests come in tomorrow.

[Denthúl]

Ecclestone had the following warning to people making empty threats: "If they come in here with a gun and hold it to my head, they had better be sure they can f***ing pull the trigger. And they should make sure it's got bullets in it because, if they miss, they better look out."

Even a couple of months ago I'd have said the Formula One teams were gutless; now I'm not sure.

They should have followed through with the threat; it would have dealt quite a blow to Bernie.

Actually, no. They should have thought it through, first - they'd have had to have some form of protection against retaliation from Bernie.

[7UpJordan]

No more clutching at straws guys. Expect McLaren to be stuck in Q2 and then begin to fall down the pack with their woeful race pace.

It seems Red Bull have kinda failed to impress this year. So I think they'll remain in the same sort of position they have for the last 2 years. Ah well. Hopefully Brawn GP won't run away with the race and we can at least see some excitement.

A Brawn/Ferrari/Williams/BMW battle at the front would be nice, preferably with Nico or Kazuki leading the way.

[MAD MAX]

After a winter of reading a lot of frustrations on here I am sooo looking forward to this weekend, may the best Mclaren win

[gorilla]

Can not wait until the season gets under way ever since the BBC announced it was returning to broadcast it and even more since they announced the broadcasting formats. Also all the rule changes that have taken place especially going back to proper slicks. This looks like this could be one of the best seasons yet and it all kicks off in under 30 hours.

Just so excited about it this is the first season I have looked forward too for a while. Not sure who will do well just now but I do think there could well be a bigger challenge from the smaller teams this year.

I am also planing to watch everything this season, not just the race. Also this will be my first fully live season as I will be watching every race live, only reason for this is the coverage the beeb is giving it. It just would be a shame to miss out.

This will be my first season without a clear favourite since David Coulthard retiring, but heard today that DC could well be back in the driving seat if one of the Red Bull drivers is unfit for the first two races of the season. Who should I support this year? will it be Lewis Hamilton or Kimi Raikkonen or someone else, suggestions on a postcard please

[Jensonb]

Ecclestone had the following warning to people making empty threats: "If they come in here with a gun and hold it to my head, they had better be sure they can f***ing pull the trigger. And they should make sure it's got bullets in it because, if they miss, they better look out."

Even a couple of months ago I'd have said the Formula One teams were gutless; now I'm not sure.

They should have followed through with the threat; it would have dealt quite a blow to Bernie.

Actually, no. They should have thought it through, first - they'd have had to have some form of protection against retaliation from Bernie.

Yeah, getting all the teams onboard and in the room would have scared the willows out of him.

This will be my first season without a clear favourite since David Coulthard retiring, but heard today that DC could well be back in the driving seat if one of the Red Bull drivers is unfit for the first two races of the season. Who should I support this year? will it be Lewis Hamilton or Kimi Raikkonen or someone else, suggestions on a postcard please

[postcard]Jenson "Our Jens" Button[/postcard]

[cap-dude]

Brawn won't be running anywhere if those protests come in tomorrow.

I'd say that Ross Brawn is too clever for that sorta thing to happen. He'll either have a plan B, or there's something he knows.
There's no way Ross Brawn would waltz into the first race, with the aim of simply competeting in the first race with a car that's potenially illegal.

Toyota I know for sure have brought spare diffusers with them incase they are deemed illegal. Williams on the other hand may not with their declining budget.


Also, Vettel!! What the shorts
http://www.formula1.com/photos/597x478/ ... 9aus59.jpg
You have to love that kid sometimes.

[headless]

I am well hoping for a amzing race.
Funny at the 1st race of teh season you dont hope for a rainy race??

[Jensonb]

I am well hoping for a amzing race.
Funny at the 1st race of teh season you dont hope for a rainy race??

Yeah, the one time of the year you want to see them run straight.

[DinoTheGreek]

I am well hoping for a amzing race.
Funny at the 1st race of teh season you dont hope for a rainy race??

I love the rain .