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[McLaren Fan]

Get Dr. Jonathan Palmer back. One thing I've always wondered about him is how he speaks like a robot. He never has to pause for thought for a second etc.

[EwanM]

Well, Hungary ever year, Brundle seems to take a break. And Brundle is back with the BBC. So perhaps a star come back for one race, from Murray. Now that would be legendary.

Hes already made his star comeback at the Aussie GP in the last couple of years for Network Ten Australia

I noticed that for the past couple of years, but Murrays retirement is starting to get tiresome.
There are only so many times you can say "this is my last commentary" but then return a couple of months later.

Expect walk on parts for the BBC with MR Walker. Hopefully Murray meets all over again.

Get Dr. Jonathan Palmer back. One thing I've always wondered about him is how he speaks like a robot. He never has to pause for thought for a second etc.

Aye were you a fan of Jonathan? I thought he was alright actually, didn't have the same time to make an impact as others, especially following in the footsteps of the legend James Hunt. Maybe that was the case with Allen ?

[McLaren Fan]

I thought he was okay. I just found his voice funny. Allen, however, was just an annoying arsehole.

[headless]

Murray Walker tips Kubica for 2009 title http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/72703

By Steven English Friday, January 9th 2009, 17:08 GMT


Murray Walker has tipped Robert Kubica to win the 2009 Formula One World Championship.

Speaking at the Autosport International Show today, the legendary commentator said the changes to the regulations next season could change the order at the front and expects Kubica and BMW to shine through.

"Nobody has got the faintest idea what's going to be happening in 2009," Walker said on the Autosport Central Stage. "They've thrown all the balls up in the air, we've got KERS, we've got slick tyres - thank God - all sorts of different things happening next year. It's going to be very different.

"Ask me who will win the championship this year," he added. "Robert Kubica in the BMW.

"They're a mighty switched on organisation, BMW, they make cracking road cars and I am full of admiration and respect for what they've done. And they will get better."

He also expects Renault to be able to challenge for victories on a regular basis this year following their renaissance with Fernando Alonso in 2008.

"They got it wrong by not stretching the rules as much as some of the other teams may have done in the engine department last year, but now that's being put right," Walker said.

"I think Renault are going to be a big threat, particularly with Fernando Alonso at the wheel because he has still got something to prove."

Walker criticised outgoing world champion Kimi Raikkonen for not finding a way to get the best out of the F2008.

"He was on a roll after 2007 when he was world champion in his first year with a new team," said Walker. "The conventional wisdom is that Raikkonen lost the championship because he couldn't handle the understeering characteristic of the Ferrari, but that's his job.

"It's his job to master it and he's paid £20 million a year or something like that. Well, I'm very sorry for him, but it is his job and he didn't come up to snuff. (Felipe) Massa grasped the opportunity and blew him away, all credit to him."

Nah Murry. I don't think that'll happen.

I'd be a very happy chappy if it did.

[cap-dude]

Well, Renault were in a similar position to BMW. In 2004 they finished 3rd, with Alonso 4th overall. Then the following year, as we all know, Alonso became world champion. Its do-able and its been done before. BMW are well poised to win in 2009. They just need the car.

But anyway, its still 2 months till melbourne opens 2009, and even longer till the season ends in Abu Dhabi. If this year is anything like the last 2 years, I think we're set for another cracker year.

[EwanM]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72742

GO TO EARLIER STORY GO TO THE NEWS INDEX GO TO NEXT STORY


Davidson wants return of Friday drivers

By Mark Glendenning and Matt Beer Monday, January 12th 2009, 14:57 GMT


Anthony Davidson has called for a return to the practice of running test drivers on the Fridays of grand prix weekends.

The scheme was first introduced in 2003, when a separate early morning session was held for third drivers, and from 2004 to 2006 teams who had finished outside the top four in the Constructors' Championship were allowed to run a third car throughout Friday practice.

But since 2007 teams have only been allowed to use two cars on Fridays, so any test driver mileage has come at the expense of a race driver. BMW and Williams briefly continued to run third drivers before deciding that this disadvantaged their full-time line-up.

Davidson rose to prominence with some eye-catching Friday performances for Honda in 2004, and thinks the loss of this opportunity has been a major blow to young drivers trying to break into race seats.

"Speaking from experience, it did myself, Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel no end of good," said Davidson at Autosport International.

"It put us on the map, it got us into Formula One. Running cars on the Friday, in my mind, was great for the fans that were there anyway, the cars were there anyway, the staff were there to run the cars, and the drivers are there.

"So it made perfect sense, and it still makes perfect sense to run those drivers on the Fridays to give you the experience of learning the circuit. Then you become a more valuable commodity to the teams themselves in that given the chance, you can just then step in on the Saturday and qualify or do the last practice session with the experience of having driven on the Friday."

He added that he thought reviving the Friday third driver scheme was even more important given the drastic restrictions on testing being introduced this year.

"With them trying to limit testing, which they are going to do this season, I think it makes even more sense to run cars on the Friday for the young drivers and give the teams a chance to see what the young drivers can do," said Davidson.

"It was one of the best times of my career. Just learning all of those new circuits, like driving around Monaco for the first-ever time in a good car, in a good situation, getting to pound around behind (Michael) Schumacher in a Friday test session... I learned so much more than just pounding around Barcelona all by myself. It was great for the drivers, and great for the sport as well."



__________________________________________________________________________________________________

FIA publishes official 2009 entry list

By Pablo Elizalde Monday, January 12th 2009, 16:27 GMT


Formula One's ruling body, the FIA, has made public the official entry list for the 2009 World Championship.

The list shows no surprises, with Lewis Hamilton confirmed as using the number one on his McLaren next season.

The entry list also includes the Honda Racing team, who are still looking for a buyer in order to be on the grid when the season starts in Melbourne.

2009 entry list

1 Lewis HAMILTON (GB) VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES McLAREN MERCEDES
2 Heikki KOVALAINEN (FIN) VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES McLAREN MERCEDES

3 Kimi RAIKKONEN (FIN) SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO FERRARI
4 Felipe MASSA (BR) SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO FERRARI

5 Robert KUBICA (PL) BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM BMW SAUBER
6 Nick HEIDFELD (D) BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM BMW SAUBER

7 Fernando ALONSO (E) ING RENAULT F1 TEAM RENAULT
8 Nelson PIQUET (BR) ING RENAULT F1 TEAM RENAULT

9 Jarno TRULLI (I) PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING TOYOTA
10 Timo GLOCK (D) PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING TOYOTA

11 Sebastien BUEMI (CH) SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO STR FERRARI
12 TBA SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO STR FERRARI

14 Mark WEBBER (AUS) RED BULL RACING RBR RENAULT
15 Sebastian VETTEL (D) RED BULL RACING RBR RENAULT

16 Nico ROSBERG (D) AT&T WILLIAMS WILLIAMS TOYOTA
17 Kazuki NAKAJIMA (J) AT&T WILLIAMS WILLIAMS TOYOTA

18 TBA TBA HONDA RACING F1 TEAM HONDA *
19 TBA TBA HONDA RACING F1 TEAM HONDA *

20 Adrian SUTIL (D) FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM FORCE INDIA MERCEDES
21 Giancarlo FISICHELLA (I) FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM FORCE INDIA MERCEDES

* The Honda Motor Company announced their withdrawal from Formula One on December 5th, 2008. The Honda Racing team has not withdrawn its entry from the 2009 Formula One World Championship. The FIA understands the team is now for sale.


http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72743

What I want to know is, why ain't Massa number 3?

[McLaren Fan]

I agree with what Davidson has to say. For most teams, running a third car over race weekends would be no big deal. It would also fit well with suggestions that testing should be cut down. It would also give young drivers a chance to get some experience in driving Grand Prix cars before moving up to a race seat. Joined up and logical thinking doesn't really happen at the FIA, though, so there is no way this sensible suggestion would even be looked at.

[Stealthgate007]

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/McLaren Mercedes)
2. Heikki Kovalainen (FIN/McLaren Mercedes)
3. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari)
4. Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari)
5. Robert Kubica (POL/BMW Sauber)
6. Nick Heidfeld (GER/BMW Sauber)
7. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Renault)
8. Nelson Piquet (BRA/Renault)
9. Jarno Trulli (ITA/Toyota)
10. Timo Glock (GER/Toyota)
11. Sebastien Buemi (SUI/Toro Rosso Ferrari)
12. TBA (Toro Rosso Ferrari)
14. Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull Renault)
15. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull Renault)
16. Nico Rosberg (GER/Williams Toyota)
17. Kazuki Nakajima(JPN/Williams Toyota)
18. TBA (Honda)
19. TBA (Honda)
20. Adrian Sutil (GER/Force India Mercedes)
21. Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA/Force India Mercedes.)

Robert and Nick get switched, Kimi and Felipe do not..... Hmmmm


Also Does Toro Rosso get a higher paddock than Red Bull??, Kinda sucks for Vettel

[EwanM]

Sorry man, merged your post into this topic as the article had already been posted.

[darwin dali]

What I want to know is, why ain't Massa number 3?

Good fooking question you ask there!
Maybe they like KR's bum better than FM's?
I don't!!

[Stealthgate007]

Sorry man, merged your post into this topic as the article had already been posted.

sorry, didn't see that and reposted. Can you go lock the other one. Thanks

[EwanM]

Sorry man, merged your post into this topic as the article had already been posted.

sorry, didn't see that and reposted. Can you go lock the other one. Thanks

No problem man, all sorted.

[bud]

What I want to know is, why ain't Massa number 3?

Good fooking question you ask there!
Maybe they like KR's bum better than FM's?
I don't!!

i didnt think they can choose the numbers in that way? i thought its based on the previous years championship standings. so Felipe would def have to have the higher number ( #3) over Kimi!

[darwin dali]

What I want to know is, why ain't Massa number 3?

Good fooking question you ask there!
Maybe they like KR's bum better than FM's?
I don't!!

i didnt think they can choose the numbers in that way? i thought its based on the previous years championship standings. so Felipe would def have to have the higher number ( #3) over Kimi!

You mean the LOWER number

Ferrari are paying KR way more dough than FM, so maybe the $$$ determine the start number?

[bud]

What I want to know is, why ain't Massa number 3?

Good fooking question you ask there!
Maybe they like KR's bum better than FM's?
I don't!!

i didnt think they can choose the numbers in that way? i thought its based on the previous years championship standings. so Felipe would def have to have the higher number ( #3) over Kimi!

You mean the LOWER number

Ferrari are paying KR way more dough than FM, so maybe the $$$ determine the start number?

yeah the higher numbers in the standings is what i meant number 1 is on top