FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Rivelution]

Is anyone else getting annoyed at how long STR is taking to decide who will partner Buemi this year? I sure am, and they better pick Bourdais!

There holding for Button perhaps?

Nay, they better give ol' Sea Bass his ride back.

They better bloody well do so too if they want to avoid having their monocoques written off by Sato and also going back to the back row again, Bourdais has promised to deliver on slicks and he is the man to lead the team forward as he did with Newman/Haas/Lanigan on many occasions. If they sign Button they can look forward to their money being drained away and poor results coming in.

I'd like to say that Bourdias wasnt that impressive his rookie season in Champ Car too. Maybe he's just the type that take a season to get going with the rhythm, even though he showed strong performances towards the end of the season.

[EwanM]

Is anyone else getting annoyed at how long STR is taking to decide who will partner Buemi this year? I sure am, and they better pick Bourdais!

There holding for Button perhaps?

Nay, they better give ol' Sea Bass his ride back.

They better bloody well do so too if they want to avoid having their monocoques written off by Sato and also going back to the back row again, Bourdais has promised to deliver on slicks and he is the man to lead the team forward as he did with Newman/Haas/Lanigan on many occasions. If they sign Button they can look forward to their money being drained away and poor results coming in.

Mind you, the argument with Newman/Haas/Lanigan is that THEY WERE the top Champ Car team, and well the level of driving standards in Champ Cars near the end of its life got poorer and poorer. Bourdais is just as good as many on todays F1 grid, but his Champ Car pedigree won't help him. If it had he would have had other options.

Well one thing Bourdais has done is prove that he's not another Michael Andretti who becomes a flop when he races in F1. He was also more than a match for Vettel on some days too, but had Mark Webber's luck.

Mark Blundell talked about Mario Andretti and gave reasons for why he didn't work out.
Basically unlike Bourdais, Blundell believed Andretti failed because he did not know the calibre of his opposition or their personal foibres.

He cited Silverstone 1993 when into the first corner Andretti attempted to pass Alesi thinking he's give him the gap, but Alesi just simply braked later than Michael and sent him off.

I agree with you, Bourdais is a darn sight better than Michael Andretti.

[7UpJordan]

Is anyone else getting annoyed at how long STR is taking to decide who will partner Buemi this year? I sure am, and they better pick Bourdais!

There holding for Button perhaps?

Nay, they better give ol' Sea Bass his ride back.

They better bloody well do so too if they want to avoid having their monocoques written off by Sato and also going back to the back row again, Bourdais has promised to deliver on slicks and he is the man to lead the team forward as he did with Newman/Haas/Lanigan on many occasions. If they sign Button they can look forward to their money being drained away and poor results coming in.

Mind you, the argument with Newman/Haas/Lanigan is that THEY WERE the top Champ Car team, and well the level of driving standards in Champ Cars near the end of its life got poorer and poorer. Bourdais is just as good as many on todays F1 grid, but his Champ Car pedigree won't help him. If it had he would have had other options.

Well one thing Bourdais has done is prove that he's not another Michael Andretti who becomes a flop when he races in F1. He was also more than a match for Vettel on some days too, but had Mark Webber's luck.

Mark Blundell talked about Mario Andretti and gave reasons for why he didn't work out.
Basically unlike Bourdais, Brundle believed Andretti failed because he did not know the calibre of his opposition or their personal foibres.

He cited Silverstone 1993 when into the first corner Andretti attempted to pass Alesi thinking he's give him the gap, but Alesi just simply braked later than Michael and sent him off.

I agree with you, Bourdais is a darn sight better than Michael Andretti.

And I believe Andretti always commuted to every race from the USA and was never around for input at the Woking factory as a result.

And then there's that PR stunt his son Marco tried to pull last year claiming McLaren just cast Andretti into the shade not just because his team-mate was Senna but Ron wanted Hakkinen in the other McLaren pronto.

[EwanM]

Raikkonen to test despite tonsil issue

By Jonathan Noble Friday, January 16th 2009, 17:42 GMT


Kimi Raikkonen is still scheduled to get his first taste of Ferrari's new F60 in Portugal next week despite leaving this week's Madonna di Campiglio ski event early with tonsil problems.

The Finn has spent the week with Ferrari, being present at the team's new car launch in Mugello on Monday and then travelling with them to the Italian Alps for their annual media event.

However, suffering from a tonsil complaint, it was decided for precautionary reasons that it would be better for Raikkonen to leave the Campiglio event early so he could rest ahead of the major test next week at Portimao.

A Ferrari spokesman confirmed that Raikkonen's early departure from Italy did not mean there was any change in schedule for next week's test programme, where Raikkonen and Felipe Massa will get two day's running each in the team's new car.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72838
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McLaren: No say in Force India's line-up

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde Friday, January 16th 2009, 15:37 GMT


McLaren boss Ron Dennis says his team had no say in Force India's decision to keep their driver line-up unchanged.

Dennis admitted, however, that they did make suggestions to the Silverstone-based squad.

"We have no contractual rights to those sorts of decisions within Force India," Dennis said during the launch of the new McLaren.

"But of course there were opinions expressed and sought. But at the end of the day Vijay (Mallya) and his sponsors are the individuals who have to decide what is the right choice for them.

"There were opportunities for some of the drivers we have relationships with, and obviously Mercedes-Benz is extremely supportive of the development of young drivers. There were discussions but the driver choice was ultimately theirs."

Force India signed a technical deal with McLaren and Mercedes from this season and there were suggestions that the German car maker wanted to place a young driver in the team.

Paul di Resta, Gary Paffett, and Pedro de la Rosa were linked with the seat, but Force India confirmed Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil would stay on for another year.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72830

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Haug: No deadline for Honda deal

By Jonathan Noble and Matt Beer Friday, January 16th 2009, 16:38 GMT


Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug says there is still time to agree an engine supply deal with Honda Racing, and that his company is keen to help if the Brackley squad's eventual new owners have secure finances.

After Honda insisted that it would not provide engines for any buyer for its Formula One team and Ferrari ruled out adding the outfit to their customer list, autosport.com revealed on Monday that Mercedes could step in.

At the launch of the McLaren MP4-24 today, Haug said his company had been approached to provide engines and that such an arrangement was still possible despite the new season being only two months away.

"They approached Martin (Whitmarsh) quite a while ago and of course the FOTA meeting when (Honda's exit) was announced was the first time everyone learned that there was a problem," said Haug.

"The team principals being there decided that if there was a possibility to help then one should help. We were asked then as Mercedes-Benz.

"The timing is anything else but fantastic, but we can still do it. There is not a deadline like tomorrow or next week, but time is running."

When asked if there was a cut-off date by which a deal had to be finalised, Haug replied: "Certainly not two weeks before Melbourne, but the decision-making process is ongoing, but there is not a deadline within the next couple of days."

He said Mercedes were ready and willing to assist if Honda Racing were rescued by a suitable buyer, but that he was currently awaiting developments regarding the team's future.

"I am not informed currently of how situation at Honda is developing," he said.

"I think the people there did a good job, we have a good relationship with Ross (Brawn), we have known him for a long time, and it would be great if the team could be on grid in Melbourne and if we could contribute with engines.

"This is not a sponsorship deal, it is a financial deal and we need to get the finances right, and then we can help."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72834

[EwanM]

Alonso wants to silence Ferrari talk
Monday, 19 January 2009 00:00

Fernando Alonso says he can silence all speculation about a future move to Ferrari by succeeding with Renault this year.


The double world champion has been repeatedly linked to Ferrari in recent seasons, and even confirmation that the Italian squad had re-signed Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa failed to end rumours that Alonso was destined to succeed - or replace - one of them.


But Alonso insisted today that thoughts of Ferrari are far from his mind at the moment, as he focuses on returning to the front with Renault.


"I’ve been answering this question for four or five years," he said.



"Hopefully this year I can be more relaxed about this question.


"If we are winning races and fighting for the championship, maybe we forget Ferrari.


"That’s my aim, because I’m really concentrating on this 2009 season, I’m more motivated than ever, more prepared than ever physically and mentally, and with all these changes I’m really looking forward to testing the car on Wednesday and starting the season in Australia.


"When we talk about 2010, 2011 or 2012, it’s a really difficult question to answer because I’m not looking that far ahead."


Alonso was also linked to the now-defunct Honda team during 2008, but said his talks with the squad were never particularly serious.


"Negotiations were not too intense because I was in a really good moment with Renault when I spoke with them and I was really 99.9% convinced that I would stay with Renault, so I went not too far with anyone," he said.

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=44968

[7UpJordan]

Once again Alonso is going to be the main key to the F1 silly-season and this year if Nico decides to leave Williams (I hope not) he will play a part in the silly-season too.

[darwin dali]

Once again Alonso is going to be the main key to the F1 silly-season and this year if Nico decides to leave Williams (I hope not) he will play a part in the silly-season too.

I think if SV has a good season, he'll be in the silly season picture as well, even if it's just a contract for 2011...

[Hanwombat]

Talking about the 09 lineup

Felipe Massa has questioned his allocation of a higher race number than his Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen for the 2009 season.

The Brazilian ran the number 2 in 2008, following Raikkonen's title success the year before.

But Massa was the standout Ferrari performer last season, winning six races compared to Finn Raikkonen's two, and coming within a single point of Lewis Hamilton's drivers' crown.

However, Massa will run the number 4 on his F60 this year, while Raikkonen's entry will run the number 3.



"It means nothing, numbers are just numbers but maybe the FIA has made a mistake," Massa said at the 'Wrooom' Ferrari media event.

Massa should have number 3!! he earned it!

Thats silly! Felipe does deserve it!!!

[EwanM]

Alonso: The pressure is firmly off Lewis
Tuesday 20th January 2009

Fernando Alonso feels the pressure is off Lewis Hamilton this year, but has warned the Briton he potentially faces a tough task to retain his F1 crown.


Double World Champion Alonso was on hand at the Algarve Motor Park on Monday to unwrap Renault's car for the 2009 season, although he will only get behind the wheel for the first time on Wednesday.


Alonso, who won more points in the final six races of last season than any other driver, is incredibly upbeat about his prospects of a third World title.


That might not bode well for old adversary Hamilton, but the 27-year-old is convinced the McLaren driver will feel more at ease after winning his maiden Championship.


"I think there's less pressure on Lewis this year," said Alonso, who won back-to-back titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006.


"When you win a Championship you are a Formula One World Champion forever, and it means you can enjoy your racing.


"If you make a mistake in one race you are experienced enough to know the Championship is long and you have time to recover.


"But when you are waiting for that first championship there is more stress because you don't want to waste any opportunity.


"But once you have that first title, then there is less pressure."


However, the wide-ranging regulation changes, notably relating to aerodynamics, the much-derided introduction of KERS and the return of slick tyres, means teams began the design of this year's car with a blank sheet of paper.


Alonso feels that could count against Hamilton and McLaren if they are not up to speed from the opening race in Australia, especially given the ban on in-season testing.


"Maybe it will be more difficult because all the cars will be mixed after starting from zero," added Alonso.


"If you use the same regulations for two or three years, it is normally difficult for the cars that win Championships to lose their advantage.


"That advantage is maintained for years, so maybe it is easier to win back-to-back Championships when the regulations stay the same."


Conversely, Alonso appreciates McLaren could be the team that hits the ground running.


"If some team discovers something different compared to the others, maybe they win three or four races in a row and the championship becomes much easier," added the Spaniard.


"If this is the case with McLaren, it may be an easier Championship for Lewis compared to last year.


"But you never know. We need to wait and see. Anything is possible this year."

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3 ... 91,00.html

[McLaren Fan]

I think that's a pretty fair assessment of things from Alonso. When he stops being huffy, he can talk some sense.

[EwanM]

I think that's a pretty fair assessment of things from Alonso. When he stops being huffy, he can talk some sense.

And be legendary

[Gaz]

I think that's a pretty fair assessment of things from Alonso. When he stops being huffy, he can talk some sense.

Yeh i agree, the MP4-24 looks the best, and i feel will be the best prepared but i'm looking forward to the proper testing with LH and Hekki.

With the car in full 2009 setup.

[headless]

I hope that McLaren arn't particulary ahead of anyone, but if Ferrari are still in the poo, it could be quite interesting.

[Gaz]

#1

[EwanM]

Sir Frank: Usual order will reign
Wednesday 21st January 2009

Despite the numerous new regulations, Sir Frank Williams reckons the top order in Formula One won't change this season.


In recent years it has been McLaren and Ferrari who have ruled Formula One, with the two teams taking a title apiece last season.


And although Williams would like to see his team return to the top of the order, he admits this year's Championship is likely to see McLaren and Ferrari once again fighting for top honours.


"It will be a very interesting year ahead," Williams said. "The new aero rules mean a different approach to the cars in a number of areas.


"However, by the time we get to Melbourne, I would expect the usual suspects to still be dominating the top two positions.


"More importantly, I hope Williams will have made a significantly large step forward with the FW31."
http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3 ... 46,00.html

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BMW duo against medals idea
Wednesday 21st January 2009

Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld have both poured cold water on F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's idea of a medals system.


Ecclestone has made it clear over the past few weeks he would like to dispense with the current points format, and instead issue gold, silver and bronze medals to the top three.


The World Champion would then be the driver with most gold medals, with Ecclestone convinced it would promote a greater winning desire rather than merely settling for a points haul.


The 78-year-old announced his plan after seeing Lewis Hamilton win last season's World title, despite main rival Felipe Massa winning more races - six to five - a rare anomaly over the last 25 years.


However, at a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Monaco last month, the idea was put on the backburner until a fans' survey has been conducted.


But as far as BMW Sauber duo Kubica and Heidfeld are concerned, it is not a proposal they are happy with.


"It would not improve the racing," asserted Kubica.


"Do most people think a driver who is fourth or third stays there because he likes it, even if the second driver is just in front?


"Do they think he doesn't try to overtake because he is just trying to bring home points?


"I can assure you all drivers try to overtake as soon as there is a small chance, so from the drivers' point of view, it doesn't change anything."


Heidfeld was initially unsure of the situation until made clear to the 31-year-old German there were no points on offer.


"No points? So it's the one who wins the most gold medals wins the Championship?" queried Heidfeld.


"Okay, no, I wouldn't like that idea. I like it the way it is now."
http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3 ... 74,00.html