1381 replies to this topic

[DrDickAction]

Anyone check out the renault sale going on? Bunch of stuff, wing end plates from '05, and the rest is all engine parts from the 89-97 v10. Expensive, but not shockingly so, maybe a good early xmas gift for yourself

http://medias.madein...f1_news_en.html

[DrDickAction]

well it's far from over yet. We expect another proxy govt t be set up during the next election, the former PM's pockets are just toooooo deep. But in due time, we will have a cleaner govt. At least the airports are going to open now, so we expect things to turn back to normal soon. At least till the next elections.

Still, that was probably the most peaceful revolution ever...we have more people killed whenever the lakers win a championship

[DrDickAction]

wow

BERKELEY, Calif. – Police have arrested the aunt of a 17-year-old boy who showed up at a gym shackled and terrified, claiming he had just fled his captors.

Caren Ramirez is the third suspect arrested in the alleged assault against the teen.

Ramirez, 43, was arrested Tuesday night after police received a tip she was in the San Francisco suburb of Berkeley, said Tracy police spokesman Matt Robinson. Tracy is about 60 miles east of San Francisco.

Police had been looking for Ramirez after they arrested Kelly Layne Lau, 30, and Michael Schumacher, 34, earlier Tuesday.

Lau and Schumacher were in jail in lieu of bail set at nearly $1.2 million each. They were booked for suspicion of torture, kidnapping and child abuse. They were set to appear in court Thursday. Prosecutors did not know if they had attorneys.

Lau and Schumacher's four young children, two of whom were home when police arrived, were taken into protective custody, authorities said.

Ramirez had become the teen's guardian after child-welfare officials took him from his abusive father three or four years ago, police said. After Ramirez was arrested for allegedly abusing the boy, he was placed in another foster home, which he fled in late 2007, police said.

Since then, the boy's whereabouts hadn't been known until Monday, when he entered the fitness center.

Police said Wednesday there had been conflicting reports about how the boy ended up at the gym. First they said they believed the boy had been chained to a car seat but picked up a dropped key, unlocked himself and fled when the car stopped. Robinson said authorities now believe the boy hopped over a fence to get away.

Gym manager Chuck Ellis said the teen was scared someone was going to come after him and asked to be hidden.

The boy said he had been held captive for nearly a year, said Ellis, adding that he looked as if he was only 10 to 12 years old.

According to neighbors, the couple seemed to lead lives that revolved around their kids. On her MySpace Web page, Lau describes herself as a stay-at-home mom, Girl Scout troop leader and says her husband "is my best friend and a wonderful father." She posted many photos of her family, friends and pets.

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

wow

the michael schumacher that's worth a damn is 39...

[chiuey]

Still, that was probably the most peaceful revolution ever...we have more people killed whenever the lakers win a championship

oh it's far from over yet. This basically started with the coup in sept. 07 and is still kinda going on, and will not stop until a govt not related or controlled by the former PM is put into power. Which really sucks because economically, we're taking a step back, but socially, we're taking a step forward.

[Nacho]

News update

Formula One team bosses have travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, for Thursday's meeting of the FOTA alliance.

We previously reported that the sport's ten teams intend to discuss Bernie Ecclestone's proposed 'medals' scoring system for the first time, as well as a possible shake-up for the qualifying format.

More pressing on the agenda, however, is cost-cutting, under the threat that FIA President Max Mosley will impose draconian measures if the teams cannot themselves propose worthwhile money-saving proposals.

With Mosley already threatening to proceed with engine standardisation, the pressure is on FOTA to put together a cohesive package before next week's meeting of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council.

"A lot has been defined for 2009, more is to come for 2010 and 2011 to reduce costs and improve the show.
These are the leading principles," Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni confirmed to The Guardian newspaper.

Believed to be the most radical of the proposals for discussion is a move from 2.4 litre V8 engines for 2011 to fuel-efficient turbo 1.8 litre engines.

This specification, using about 30 percent less fuel than the current engines, could pave the way for a ban on mid-race refuelling.

yay for turbos. Boo for no refueling.

Giorgio Pantano has admitted his recently-won GP2 championship is unlikely to lead to a career in Formula One.

If his fears are confirmed, the 29-year-old would be the only GP2 champion, in the company of Nico Rosberg (2005), Lewis Hamilton (2006) and Timo Glock (2007), who has not gone on to secure a seat in the premier category.

In the pages of the Italian magazine Autosprint, the frustrated Italian slammed the situation as a 'joke', where contenders he defeated in 2008 - Bruno Senna and Sebastien Buemi - appear poised to make their Grand Prix debuts.

"I feel total indifference towards me. I read of Senna and Buemi but, really, what have they done?"

"At this point, a guy in my situation must think that being a racing driver is not advantageous, doing another job would be better," said Pantano.

It appears that not only Pantano's age played against him in the eyes of F1 team bosses.

He actually made his F1 debut for the uncompetitive Jordan team in 2004, before being replaced near the end of the season.

Prior to his abortive Jordan tenure, Pantano had tests with Williams, McLaren and Renault.

Pantano charged: "Money is becoming the priority in order to race, talent doesn't exist anymore."

He said the only figure in the F1 paddock who has not 'abandoned' him is F1 Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone, who spoke with Pantano on the phone a few days ago.

"The only real drives still available are at Honda and Toro Rosso," he said. "Bernie told me that if anything moves, I'll be the first to know."

Could be the fact you're 29, dude. And already been passed over by F1 in the past.

Speaking of F1 driver passed over...

Out-of-work former F1 driver Anthony Davidson looks set to turn to the world of prototype sportscars for 2009.

The 29-year-old Briton's short-lived Grand Prix career ended abruptly a few races into the 2008 season, when Super Aguri went out of business.

But while his 2008 team-mate Takuma Sato is back in the running for a F1 race seat - and to test again with Toro Rosso this month, Davidson has returned just once for a Honda test, and a few appointments as a race commentator on British radio.

He has therefore turned to the world of sportscars, and recently tested a prototype Peugeot.

The French marque's team manager Serge Saulnier said Davidson is in consideration for a 2009 seat.

"He tested the car for us and we have some other drivers to test," Saulnier told Motorsport News.

"He did well. The target of this test was more for him to get the feeling of the car. He's now got a good idea of the car and the team, so he will know about us if we consider a collaboration."

[Nacho]

Hekki whining

Heikki Kovalainen believes McLaren's approach to the 2008 season cost him race wins.

We reported recently that the Finn was seeking winter talks with the British team's bosses, after he usually went into the decisive 'Q3' phase of qualifying with a higher fuel load than team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Now, in a candid interview with the Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell, Kovalainen has confirmed that some behind-the-scenes goings-on during his first season with McLaren often made 'good results impossible'.

"Only once was I lighter than Lewis," said Kovalainen "and that was at Silverstone, where I was on the pole. In all the other qualifyings I was fuelled more heavily. I was often the heaviest guy in the top six or seven."

"Obviously this has an effect also in the race," he insisted, pointing out the compromise in track position, tyre wear, and time lost in traffic.

When rumours began gathering pace that Kovalainen's seemingly lacklustre performances this year might threaten his seat for 2009, the Finn said he had no doubt about his position.

"The team knew exactly what was taking place," he said. "If I had been at the front more often, then I would have won more frequently."

"So that's something we have to look at for the coming year," Kovalainen said.

And what happened in Silverstone? Oh yea, you got walked away from in the actual race.



Fred continues to improve his image, imo.

Fernando Alonso has said he will consider leaving Formula One if the sport enforces standard engines from 2010.

The FIA proposal has been highly controversial, particularly among F1's car manufacturers, who have hinted the move might be reason enough to withdraw from the sport.

Former champion Alonso agrees with their logic.

"If they approve a single engine, that would be the last straw. It would be time to start thinking about retirement," the 27-year-old said at a team sponsor event in Spain.

Alonso said standardising parts like engines would be another 'backwards step' for Formula One.

He said the last V10 engines with nearly 1000 horse power, before the sport reverted to the current V8s, were "exciting for the drivers - auto racing at its limit."

"We've gone from a glimpse of the future to cars without electronic aids and no grip (and) which are a visual image of the past."

F1 teams continue to get antsy about OG race venues falling off the calendar.

Photo F1-Live.com
Zoom
Doubts over the future of F1 at Hockenheim
The two German car manufacturers involved in F1, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, insist the country must remain on the schedule.

Currently, Germany hosts a single race per year, alternated between the loss-making Hockenheim and Nurburgring circuits.

Cash-strapped Hockenheim said this week it will only continue to host the race with state support.

"Germany is an important market for BMW, where we have a big fan base," a BMW spokesman told Duetsche Press-Agentur. "Formula one should not lose its traditional arenas. A solution has to be found here."

Canada and France recently dropped off the 2009 calendar, as the sport looks increasingly to Asia and the Middle East.

Mercedes' motor racing chief Norbert Haug said: "Of course we are interested that German Formula One fans have at least one Grand Prix in Germany, especially as until recently they had two per season."

There are five German drivers - a quarter of the grid - in F1, while the Toyota team is based in Cologne.

And Mike Schumi doesn't care about support drivers

Michael Schumacher has shrugged off the recent outspoken form of his former Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

The first signs of 2008 Honda driver Barrichello's renewed acrimony arose on the night of the season finale in Brazil, when the 36-year-old sang a derogatory song about the German at a nightclub.

Barrichello then continued his tirade by talking about the team orders saga of Austria 2002, saying Ferrari threatened him with the sack and accusing Schumacher of being directly involved.

At the weekend, they went head to head at Felipe Massa's charity kart event in southern Brazil, and after a slight tangle, Barrichello said: "It seemed like Schumacher thought he was in a war. Maybe he forgot that he is in Brazil now."

Schumacher has now responded in the pages of the major German newspaper Bild.

"He is like that. He complains whether he is the winner or the loser," the seven time world champion said.

Barrichello defended his recent outspokenness about Schumacher. "I have nothing personal against him," he insisted. "He is an exceptional driver. What I have said has been the truth.”

"I just wanted to say that I could have achieved something more with Ferrari for Brazil in different circumstances."

Ferrari's press office declined to comment.

[Nacho]

Oh, and another STR test for Sato.

Third Toro Rosso test for Sato

Takuma Sato's hopes of returning to the Formula One grid appear very much alive after his management revealed that he has been asked to test for a third time with Toro Rosso next week.

With neither of their 2009 race seats confirmed, the Italian team will put the Japanese driver through his paces again in Spain as they continue to ponder their line-up for next season.

"Takuma has been recalled by Scuderia Toro Rosso to test at Jerez, Spain, on 10/11 December," a brief statement read. "We obviously see this as a positive step but still nothing is decided for the 2009 racing season."

Sato, the most successful Japanese driver in history, has been without a drive since April's Spanish Grand Prix and the demise of Super Aguri. He tested with Toro Rosso at Jerez in September and again in Barcelona last month, impressing on both occasions.

Toro Rosso have also been assessing Red Bull tester and GP2 star Sebastien Buemi and their 2008 race driver Sebastien Bourdais, who still hopes to retain his seat following the departure of team mate Sebastian Vettel to Red Bull Racing.

[MrHahn]

All that shit about Anthony Davidson

Good old Peugeot, still poaching ex-F1 drivers and still failing at the easy part of racing

"I just wanted to say that I could have achieved something more with Ferrari for Brazil in different circumstances."

Sounds like Rubens has sand in his vagina about Massa being a second rate driver and still successful at Ferrari and he himself sucking ass.

[_R_]

wow

here's the scary part...
That's the gym i used to go to about 2 years ago...
and that's the same hospital i went to when i got food poisoning... which is about 1/2 miles from my current home...

[_R_]

Good old Peugeot, still poaching ex-F1 drivers and still failing at the easy part of racing

they forced Audi to up it's game in LeMans

[Redliner]

Honda looking to sell F1 team by Christmas?
Multiple sources are now reporting that Honda Racing F1 is being put up for sale and that if the sale is not completed by Christmas the team will be closed down. There is no confirmation from any Honda company officials, but teams across Europe are reporting that they have received a rush of applications from Honda F1 personnel in the course of the day.

The fact that the team is not responding to requests for statements is a bad sign, as if the rumours are not correct they would need to be killed as quickly as possible.

The official announcement of such a move is unlikely to come from the United Kingdom and thus the F1 world is waiting for Japan to wake up in around five or six hours to see if the news will be made official by the company.

Given the lack of credit available in the world at the moment it is not going to be easy for Honda to find a buyer, although big companies that might have an interest in running their own Formula 1 team do exist.

We will keep you informed as more news come to light.

http://www.grandprix...ns/ns21017.html

WTF?!

[_R_]

http://www.grandprix...ns/ns21017.html
WTF?!

well when honda went all "green earth" and stuff, they basically got rid of all their sponsors and financial backing... and with the markets as they car....
could be another reason why they haven't announced their driver line up?

[_R_]

from autosport

Formula One is bracing itself for an announcement by the Honda Racing team on Friday morning that could pave the way for one of grand prix racing's biggest names to exit the sport.

Amid the worldwide financial downturn and the impact that has had on Honda's car sales, it is understood that the Brackley-based team's future is now in serious doubt.

Insiders have told autosport.com that the team's senior staff were called for a meeting at the factory on Thursday afternoon and informed that Honda in Japan were no longer willing to bankroll the outfit.

It is suggested that the team will be put up for sale - and if no buyer is found by March then the manufacturer will simply pull the plug and withdraw from the sport.

Amid the current financial climate, it is unclear where Honda Racing would hope to find a buyer willing to support a Formula One team - with budgets already in excess of £100 million per year.

There are suggestions, however, that Honda may be willing to offload the team free of charge to anyone willing to support it - and they could even continue to supply engines for a period of time until another technical partner is found.

However, sources have suggested that team principal Ross Brawn is already eyeing a tie-up with Ferrari for power-units should a buyer be found - with the Italian manufacturer having spare capacity now after ending their deal with Force India.

It is understood that Brawn and F1 CEO Nick Fry are scheduled to fly to meetings in Tokyo on Monday to discuss the future of the team with Japanese bosses - and especially define what happens if no buyer is found.

Honda Racing remained silent about the speculation on Thursday evening, with neither press officers nor senior team personnel available for comment. It is understood the staff informed of the decision were told not to discuss the matter prior to an official announcement being made.

It is expected Honda will issue a press release early on Friday morning revealing their plans. It comes after a challenging year for the team, which had begun a rebuilding process under the leadership of Brawn.

Any pullout by Honda Racing will send shockwaves through F1, and cast question marks over the future of other manufacturers' longterm participation. It would also come several months after FIA president Max Mosley warned that the sport was unsustainable at the moment because of the high costs needed to compete.

It would also mean the grid being reduced to just 18 cars, and would leave drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello without seats.

[F1]

December 21st, 2012 can't get here soon enough.

[yonson]

[Nacho]

Sounds like Rubens has sand in his vagina about Massa being a second rate driver and still successful at Ferrari and he himself sucking ass.

To be fair, MS never fucking failboated like Kimi did.

[Nacho]

well when honda went all "green earth" and stuff, they basically got rid of all their sponsors and financial backing... and with the markets as they car....
could be another reason why they haven't announced their driver line up?

They, along with quite a few others, lost the tobacco sponsorships that were lucrative due to regulations banning that sort of thing. Now with the tobacco replacements (financial institutes) going under left and right there's no real market that has a bunch of high profit companies that can/will throw money into advertising like that.

Long story short; bring back tobacco sponsorship if you want the teams to survive this financial crisis.

[vietlol]

Ross Brawn to come back to Renault

[_R_]

They, along with quite a few others, lost the tobacco sponsorships that were lucrative due to regulations banning that sort of thing. Now with the tobacco replacements (financial institutes) going under left and right there's no real market that has a bunch of high profit companies that can/will throw money into advertising like that.

I have a hard time buying that though...
look at Toyota, they have so many sponsors they basically shit money... I haven't ever heard of them struggling to find $$$...and honda seems to be in better shape competitively wise for the past number of years... where as toyota only seemed to step it up this year really
how can they do it while honda loses BAR and all of a sudden they got no sponsorships or backing... that just doesn't make sense...

[kngrsll]

holy shit

[Redliner]

http://www.itv-f1.co...e.aspx?id=44707

Good God...

WTF bombshell

Honda is expected to make the bombshell announcement on Friday morning that it is pulling out of Formula 1.

Sources close to itv.com/f1 understand that the Brackley-based squad will be put up for sale with immediate effect and that if no buyer is found by March then the team will be closed.

While no official announcement on the future of Honda’s F1 programme has yet been made by the Japanese manufacturer squad and the team’s press officers were unavailable for comment, it is understood the squad's workforce was addressed by team principal Ross Brawn on Thursday evening to explain the situation.

Confirmation of its F1 exit plans is expected to be made by Honda on Friday morning in Japan.
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The car giant’s expected F1 exit will throw the immediate futures of its 700-strong workforce, including British driver Jenson Button and former Ferrari mastermind Brawn, into doubt should Honda fail to find a new owner for the team it took full control of in September 2005.

While Button had not been officially confirmed as staying for 2008, it is understood the 28-year-old had signed a contract renewal and the team was holding off from an announcement until it had decided on Button’s team-mate for next year.

Current incumbent Rubens Barrichello had been waiting to find out whether or not the team would opt for either Bruno Senna or Lucas di Grassi over him following recent test evaluations.

All four could now struggle to find a seat on the 2009 grid if no new owner for the team is found as Toro Rosso is the only other team officially with seats open for next year.

Honda’s expected withdrawal appears to confirm the manufacturer squad is the first Formula 1 victim of the global financial downturn, while other outfits have also been mooted as possibly having financial concerns.

The Japanese firm recently cut its road vehicle production in wake of the crisis and speculation in recent days suggested it was now turning its cost-cutting attention to its F1 project.

While it is expected Honda will put the team up for sale for three months, the current worldwide financial problems may make it difficult to find a new investor.

The expected announcement will come just one day after the Formula One Teams' Association met to discuss the proposals it would present to the FIA in order to make dramatic cost cuts in the sport.

Max Mosley, the governing body's president, has asked for radical proposals in order to head off a potential financial crisis in the sport, with Mosley arguing that the current global economic downturn threatens F1's existence if current spending levels are not slashed.

[Shi]

oh my god

[DrDickAction]

this is all karma for what they did to SA. They should have folded honda and kept SA alive last season

Sort of feel bad for Ross, but Nick Fry?

Fuck you Nick Fry.

[kngrsll]

so who's next?