909 replies to this topic

[MrHahn]

Looks very Red Bull

[Nacho]

Looks more developed than even the sauber or williams, let alone the HRT.

HRT should rock the raw CF livery too

That would be so hardcore.

[Nacho]

Does anyone have an Autosport subscription?

I want to read this article.

http://www.autosport...=...ure&id=2819

[Shi]

Does anyone have an Autosport subscription?

I want to read this article.

http://www.autosport...=...ure&id=2819

With back-to-back race wins, Red Bull's Mark Webber has suddenly become F1's hottest prospect. Common sense suggests he should stay with a winning team, but Renault and Ferrari are lurking in the wings... Jonathan Noble untangles the latest paddock twists
Mark Webber

Away from the on-track spectacle, the glamour and the endless partying, the Monaco Grand Prix has always traditionally been an intriguing place to be from the gossip spectacle.

It is usually the place where the deals are done – sponsors fly in to commit their mega-bucks, teams and drivers begin putting some serious thought onto next year and those outfits that are going badly (or even going well) start pondering future staff changes.

But despite this year's event not going down in history as one of the most gossip-filled ever – although nothing could ever match the FOTA breakaway chaos of 2009 – there was still some intriguing stuff going on as the first moves are made on the driver market.

We all know in F1 that you are only as good as your last race, and that is why Mark Webber's performances in the last two grands prix have added a fascinating dimension to the driver market for 2011. He has gone from the man the papers reckoned a few months ago was quitting – to the guy who could well hold the key to the whole market for next season.

Webber was granted just a one-year extension to his contract by Red Bull Racing last year, which means he is effectively a free agent at the end of 2010. The pressure was on him to deliver and, with a few wobbles early on, there was every chance if that continued then Red Bull Racing could have been on the look out for another top-line driver to race alongside Sebastian Vettel in 2011.

All of that has changed however, with Webber having shown just what a step forward he has made in the last few races. His confidence is sky high; he works incredibly well with team-mate Vettel, gives good technical direction and is perfect for sponsor Red Bull. Why change?
Mark Webber
Mark Webber © LAT

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner was seen in deep discussion with Webber's management team in Monaco last weekend and the smiles after their get-together suggested that things looked positive for 2011. Nothing is done yet though, both parties insist.

However, the twist in the tail could well be that although Red Bull Racing is keen to retain its current drivers, Webber might be tempted elsewhere – especially if there is the option for a multi-year deal that may not be on the table at Red Bull.

The two places that could offer the top-level machinery that Webber deserves are Renault and Ferrari – who are both also keeping some flexibility in their driver options as they look to 2011.

Renault is clearly looking – and confident it will happen – at keeping Robert Kubica on board for next season. The Pole is also on Ferrari's shortlist for the future – having talked to the team in the middle of last year about becoming Felipe Massa's temporary replacement when he was sidelined after Hungary.

Kubica and Ferrari seem to be a good fit – and there is even talk of pre-contracts in place for the future – but the Pole moving to Maranello is not automatic even if the red carpet was rolled out.

There is the Fernando Alonso factor where, despite Kubica being good friends with the Spaniard, there will be issues of going into a team where the two-time champion is the incumbent. Dealing with the inevitable politics and difficulties that face any Alonso team-mate who dares to challenge him is a hassle that Kubica may well feel is not worth it.

And, for now, Kubica is absolutely loving life at Renault. He has gelled tremendously well with the team, he loves the spirit and racing attitude that he has found there – and on track the car development has been hugely impressive.

Sources close to him suggest that providing the team can continue its rate of progress then he will be more than happy to stay – convinced that he will be able to win races and the championship in two seasons, or even less.
Robert Kubica
Robert Kubica © LAT

Renault is certainly ready to bend over backwards to accommodate Kubica – and its stance is that its best chance to keep the Pole on board, and keep Ferrari's hands away, is to keep pushing on with its car. Kubica will not leave Renault for a slower team.

Webber has to be an option for Renault though. He has history there – he currently has one of its power-units in the back of his car – and was test driver at the team in 2001. He would definitely be the right fit and, should Renault continue its charge up the constructors' table, then there may be no need for it to take on a driver bringing sponsorship on board. That could mean a Kubica-Webber combination.

The more fluid situation though is Ferrari's. Alonso is guaranteed for next season, but it is Felipe Massa whose future has been subject of speculation for many months.

The Brazilian has not had the best of times in 2010 – struggling with the harder compound tyres on offer this season and not feeling totally at ease inside the cockpit of the F10. Ferrari wants to wait until the middle of the season before deciding on who it wants to work alongside Alonso in 2011 – but it may well be that its hand is forced if Webber and Kubica decide to stay put.

For beyond Webber, Kubica and Massa, there are not any available drivers who Ferrari could guarantee would give them a leap forward in performance.

Which brings us all the way back to Webber. As the man of the moment, the ball is very much in his court. He clearly wants a multi-year deal but the question is whether or not Red Bull Racing will be willing to offer it to him? Could Ferrari step in and give him the contractual security – and post career earnings boost – that he so craves?

Of course, all the Ferrari speculation does Webber a huge favour – as it increases his hand when it comes to nailing down his terms with Red Bull Racing.
Felipe Massa
Felipe Massa © LAT

All of this driver gossip is going to be played out over the next few weeks but, as things stand, it seems there will be no change.

Yet what happens if Renault cannot keep up the developments with its car? What happens if Renault makes amazing progress and Webber actually thinks that is a better bet for him? What if Webber actually decides he wants to walk away from the sport as champion? What if it is Massa who decides he would rather race for manager Nicolas Todt at ART, if it gets an entry for 2011?

The driver market may seem dead, and the gossip levels running low in Monaco, but don't rule out an imminent explosion.

Anything can still happen...and probably will.

[Nacho]

Sweet, thanks. Decent read about the upcoming driver market.

[MrHahn]

British Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton has been charged over a burnout performed outside the Australian Grand Prix.

Hamilton was charged with intentionally losing control of a vehicle in a summons served on his Australian solicitor last Monday.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed today that a summons had been served on a 25-year-old Swiss resident.

The matter is set to be heard in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on August 24.

Hamilton had his borrowed Mercedes impounded under Victoria's hoon laws on March 26 after he was allegedly caught doing a burnout at the entrance to the grand prix track at Albert Park.

It is unknown whether Hamilton will appear in court, with the Belgian Grand Prix starting on August 29 and practice scheduled for two days earlier.

Of course he won't be there - dud media

[kngrsll]

that would have been killer to have Toyota come out and stomp this year finally...

[Shi]

The burnout and fishtail were deliberate, so Hamilton did not really lose control of the vehicle...

[Nacho]

The burnout and fishtail were deliberate, so Hamilton did not really lose control of the vehicle...

Good point.

[vietlol]

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Well Taku-san was able to get back in the car and qualified for the 500 at least..

[_R_]

The burnout and fishtail were deliberate, so Hamilton did not really lose control of the vehicle...

australia takes street racing or any form of street anything car wise very seriously...

[Redliner]

That has got to be the most confused car ever. A Dallara chassis powered by Honda with a Lotus / Cosworth badge....

[MrHahn]

Well Taku-san was able to get back in the car and qualified for the 500 at least..

He did better than Alonso

australia takes street racing or any form of street anything car wise very seriously...

You just need to find the right roads

[Nacho]

My $ is on the ex-USF1 backers taking over Sauber after these two articles

Renewed American bid to break into F1

"I am part of a project right now that is trying to enter the sport," Mullins told AUTOSPORT, in his first full-length interview since the end of US F1. "I can't give away any specifics right now, but I can say I don't believe a start-up team is possible.

"That is definitely a topic that will be debated for some time until a practical solution is found, but I think personally, given the current state of the sport and its rules, then a competitive start-up team simply isn't possible.

"This sport is all about knowledge and you need to apply the experience gained from the previous years of competing in the sport, and the team needs to be operating in a cohesive environment.

"I think a great example is the Honda/Brawn situation last year. Here was an existing team that was taken over, the necessary changes were made and it was turned into a championship-winning team the following year. And that is no different from what we have seen in the past - with Red Bull Racing, Force India and Toro Rosso."

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/83850

Ferrari keen to link with American team

Ferrari has expressed a keen desire to tie up with an American team in the near future if it can see through its idea to allows teams to provide a third car.

On the back of the emergence of plans by Parris Mullins, the advisor to YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley, to lead an American investment push into F1 by getting involved with current teams, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has dropped his own hint about a way forward.

In a lengthy interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, di Montezemolo has reiterated his desire for Ferrari to be able to supply a third car - but he has gone further in suggesting he wants it run by an American outfit.

"I dream of a third Ferrari managed by an American team, with the stars and stripes flag," di Montezemolo told Gazzetta dello Sport.

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/83865

Wait, i forgot Toro Rosso is also Ferrari powered. :x

[Redliner]

I doubt Montezemolo goes to bed and dreams about a red white and blue Ferrari

[MrHahn]

Ferrari need to forget having a third car. Teams like Virigin are hardly getting 1 car to work, let alone 3

[vietlol]

I cant believe the third car thing is still running.

[chiuey]

I doubt Montezemolo goes to bed and dreams about a red white and blue Ferrari

no he just dreams about Benjamins lining his pockets.

[Redliner]

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/83894

Pirelli's closing in on the making a deal to be the next tire for F1. A minimum of 2 yrs on 13" tires before they discuss moving to bigger rims as well. One of the rumors I heard was that Pirelli was willing to pay for track-side ads while Michellin wanted it free. That might've been the deciding factor on the fulcrum.

[shallow777]

They last competed in formula 1 20 years ago.

I hope we don't have an Indy situation again at the beginning of the season.

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

They last competed in formula 1 20 years ago.

I hope we don't have an Indy situation again at the beginning of the season.

If anything I think they would go towards a conservative design w/ some considerable safety margin considering there isn't going to be a tire war. Pirelli girls back on the grid =

[doublemeat]

Check out what I found while cleaning out the garage yesterday.




2000s, 2001s...

[vietlol]

Check out what I found while cleaning out the garage yesterday.




2000s, 2001s...

cant hotlink uploader.ws here chief

[doublemeat]

cant hotlink uploader.ws here chief

edited. thx for the info.