1381 replies to this topic

[HighTachPres]

woot i'm GP2 status now!
where are my part time model bitches!!

[Nacho]

Found this just now on autoblog... but no mention on itv.com/f1?



http://www.autoblog....ender-for-2010/

http://forums.f1-cre...p...ost&p=21028

[vietlol]

You root for Emoso....

Who won more races this year than Jens in his entire carreer

[yonson]

Who won more races this year than Jens in his entire carreer

burn!

[HighTachPres]

http://forums.f1-cre...p...ost&p=21028

i'm always one step behind you guys

[Nacho]

Button to STR?

In the wake of Honda's shock withdrawal from Formula One, contracted driver Jenson Button says he will contemplate any offers to race elsewhere in 2009.

Following the Honda news, it emerged that the 28-year-old Briton recently penned a new Honda deal, that will according to the marque's President Takeo Fukui now be "undone" at Button's request.

"If Jenson gets an opportunity we will sit down and see what the situation here is and what opportunity he has got," Honda team boss Ross Brawn is quoted as saying by The News of the World.

Honda is seeking a buyer for the Brackley-based team prior to the 2009 season.

Brawn added: "If we can keep him here we will be delighted but we also understand that it is very difficult for an F1 driver to miss a season -- unlike engineers."

Although embroiled in contractual wrangling in the past, Button has remained loyal to Honda for several years now, but said his overriding goal is to race.

"I want to race in F1," he told the Daily Express."I am happy to listen to anybody who will give me the opportunity to do so... whatever the cost."

It is suggested that Button's best options for 2009 are remaining at a re-badged Honda team, or switching to Red Bull's second F1 outfit, Toro Rosso.

An STR source told the News of the World that Button "would not need to do an audition" should he be interested in a switch, but the official message from the team is different.

According to a Red Bull statement carried by the news agency AFP, Honda's withdrawal "will have no impact on the choice of Toro Rosso's pilots."[/b]

..........if there is an STR....

As the shock news of Honda's Formula One departure sinks in, fears that another team could drop off the 2009 grid are rising.

It was thought Japanese rival Toyota could be the most likely to follow the auto making giant out of the paddock, amid an even worse slump in car sales figures in the key US market.

But it is Red Bull, the Austrian energy drinks company, and owner of two teams, that has issued the most worrying statement, declaring it is "not surprised" by Honda's decision.

"Numerous other race teams are having similar thoughts," the Austrian group is quoted as saying by AFP. "The main issue now is whether the reductions in costs all of us must make will come quickly enough to guarantee a sufficient number of teams carrying on."

Even the sport's major players, like 2008 drivers' World Champions McLaren, are feeling the pinch, with team boss Ron Dennis telling The Observer that annual turnover is likely to drop nearly $150m because of the downturn.

"Our budgets come from the advertising budgets of the companies that support us, and inevitably advertising budgets get slashed or, at least are significantly trimmed in times of economic strife," he said.

Ferrari and McLaren's ongoing participation is solid, and Toyota has confirmed its commitment, but all the signs suggest that one more team could go missing ahead of next March's Australian Grand Prix.

Williams' chief executive Adam Parr told The Times that he expects eight teams to line up on the Melbourne grid, down from the current nine following Honda's pullout.

Similarly, Gerhard Berger, the recently departed Toro Rosso co-owner, told Germany's Der Spiegel that "the only question is 'who is next?'"

Asked by the Press Association if he can imagine another team following Honda out the door, FIA President Max Mosley answered "yes."

And David Richards' attitude seems cool on a Honda buyout.

David Richards has not denied reports he could be interested in taking over the Honda team.

In the wake of the Japanese manufacturer's decision to pull out of the sport, Richards - the Prodrive boss who ran the team's previous BAR incarnation until 2004 - has been cited as being possibly involved in the rescue of the Brackley based outfit.

The Daily Mail claims that the 56-year-old Briton, who fell out with Jenson Button prior to leaving the team four years ago, has been in touch with two interested buyers who want him to lead the project.

It is believed the two parties could be Dubai Investment Capital, who through Magma Group nearly bought Honda-powered Super Aguri earlier this year, and Formula 3 figure Trevor Carlin.


"I'm keeping an open mind," Richards said. "You could say that the facilities Honda have make it an attractive proposition but I disagree."

"The overheads are not what would be needed in an age when Formula One is cutting costs. I won't rush into anything," he added.

Berger thinks a buyout is unpossible.... but he's a dickhead in general.

Gerhard Berger, meanwhile, pulled his 50 percent share out of Toro Rosso recently, and doubts Honda will find a credible buyer.

"I know just how difficult it is nowadays to find sponsors. Finding someone to buy a whole team? Forget it," said the Austrian.

[MrHahn]

Williams next most likely to go?

[Nacho]

Williams next most likely to go?

I'd say that Red Bull is more likely to drop STR after thinking about it. Berger sold his shares back, RBR has been looking for a buyer for a while, now they're saying they're not surprised teams are folding, etc. In a global recession, a luxury like $2 energy drinks is probably one of the first things most people stop buying. I know that personally i've not bought a Red Bull in months.

[More&Faster]

its like F1 is in free fall

[Nacho]

its like F1 is in free fall

Reflection of the world as a whole.

[Redliner]

I'd say that Red Bull is more likely to drop STR after thinking about it. Berger sold his shares back, RBR has been looking for a buyer for a while, now they're saying they're not surprised teams are folding, etc. In a global recession, a luxury like $2 energy drinks is probably one of the first things most people stop buying. I know that personally i've not bought a Red Bull in months.

I had a redbull vodka on Friday

[chiuey]

I had a redbull vodka on Friday

vodka-tonic-redbull ftmfw

[Nacho]

In the wake of Honda's decision to quit Formula One, the sport is bracing for a new round of radical cost-cutting measures.

As the teams attempt to keep F1 viable but also retain its core principles, the FOTA alliance is understood to have accepted the need for severe measures.

According to the German magazine Sport Bild, one of the most radical proposals to be rubber-stamped in the coming days is a complete ban on private testing.

The recent measure to increase engine life from two to three races could be ramped up to four weekends, while the rev limit is reduced from 19,000 to 18,000 rpm.

Weekly wind tunnel use is slated to drop to just forty hours per team, and the power of super-computers will be capped.

"These changes would save the top teams some 140 million euros in 2009 alone," a FOTA insider is quoted as saying.

Williams

British Formula One team Williams has rubbished reports it could be in danger of joining Honda in walking away from the sport.

In the wake of Honda's shock departure amid the global financial crisis, many teams hastily issued statements insisting they remain committed to F1.

Grove-based Williams, however, an independent team that has failed to add to its tally of nine constructors' and seven drivers' titles since losing carmaker support, did not immediately pledge its commitment, sparking speculation about its future.

"We are unequivocally committed to F1," a team spokesman told the BBC.

"Unlike many of our competitors who are owned by carmakers, for us the consideration to stay involved is superfluous, as we only exist to race," he added.

Despite the global situation, the spokesman said it is possible Williams, which uses Toyota engines, will be "better funded" next year than it was in 2008, when it finished the constructors' championship ahead of Honda in eighth place.

[_R_]

about the STR thing, i forgot where i read it, but RedBull said they aren't dropping either of the teams...

and button better not go to STR... i hate to say it, but i hope him and RB just stop in F1... they didn't add anything to it and they've been around long enough, same with Fisi... too many years with little to no results, let some young blood in...

[DrDickAction]

about the STR thing, i forgot where i read it, but RedBull said they aren't dropping either of the teams...

and button better not go to STR... i hate to say it, but i hope him and RB just stop in F1... they didn't add anything to it and they've been around long enough, same with Fisi... too many years with little to no results, let some young blood in...

webbah is getting to that point too.

[DrDickAction]

Williams

[Redliner]

webbah is getting to that point too.

Fisi and Woobens for sure. I'd still like to see Button in a good car...that and all the young kids look like...kids.

[MrHahn]

I think Benson Jutton should stay - I would like to see him along side Bourdais. See who fails more

[_R_]

Honda Commercial Director David Butler has denied the manufacturer's decision to pull out of formula one represents a failure of the unique 'Earth Dreams' sponsorship concept.

Ahead of the 2007 season, the Japanese marque dispensed with four decades of the customary 'money for logos' model and instead painted only a satellite image of the world on its cars to promote an environmental message.

With very little visible sponsorship, Honda was essentially left to carry the entire burden of financing the F1 team, which will now close its doors before the 2009 season if a buyer is not urgently found.

But Butler told The Guardian: "Honda is not withdrawing because of a failure to sell commercial partnerships."

He explained that a 'multi million dollar' partnership would have been announced in January, and said talks with two potential title sponsors have also taken place.

of course not

[_R_]

Chinese computer maker Lenovo is expected to switch its F1 sponsorship from Williams to McLaren ahead of the 2009 season.

The company had prominent branding on the liveries of the last two Toyota-powered Williams single seaters.

The switch to McLaren, whose Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 world championship, is expected to be confirmed imminently.

It is believed that, while involving a similar amount of money, the new deal may not include any branding on McLaren's Mercedes-powered cars.

The Beijing headquartered company is expected to also advertise trackside in 2009.

The news is a blow for Williams, who were expecting to see another sponsor, Petrobras, switch to the Honda team next year.

In a statement on Monday, however, the Oxfordshire based team said it has extended its sponsorship deal with the Swiss watch maker Oris, and retains the backing of title sponsor AT&T as well as Philips, Allianz and Accenture.

The future of other key deals, however, remains in doubt, as RBS and the Icelandic group Baugur struggle amid the global financial crisis.

Williams

[_R_]

Sebastien Buemi further staked his claim for a seat at Scuderia Toro Rosso next year by outpacing teammate Sebastian Bourdais on the first day of this week's test at Jerez in Spain.

With teams running different programmes and car specifications in preparation for the 2009 season, little could be read into the relevant times of the cars, but Buemi's effort compared to Bourdais will have provided a further boost in his hopes of landing a contract for 2009.

The test got underway properly quite late thanks to early fog and damp track conditions, and meaningful running was curtailed by showers from 3pm.

McLaren test driver Gary Paffett kicked off the team's preparations with the third quickest time as he focused on KERS development. The Briton ended up just three hundredths of a second ahead of teammate Pedro de la Rosa, who concentrated on set-up evaluation.

Kimi Raikkonen returned to the cockpit for the first time since his demonstration run at the World Finals at Mugello last month to set the fifth quickest time. He worked on set-up and long distance evaluation of the Ferrari engine.

Sixth fastest Nick Heidfeld focused on set-up work with the suspension, as well as aerodynamic development progress for BMW Sauber - and was happy that mechanical changes made since the last test at Barcelona had improved the handling.

"It looks like we are moving in the right direction," said Heidfeld.

Behind Kazuki Nakajima and Nelson Piquet, Christian Klien only managed to complete 15 laps after being forced to stop early because of a precautionary engine change. He had been tasked with work on BMW's KERS system.

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:18.742 91
2. Sebastien Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:19.288 77
3. Gary Paffett McLaren Mercedes 1:20.134 26
4. Pedro de la Rosa McLaren Mercedes 1:20.164 21
5. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:20.261 48
6. Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:20.678 49
7. Kazuki Nakajima Williams 1:21.338 57
8. Nelson Piquet Renault 1:21.547 124
9. Christian Klien BMW Sauber 1:22.098 15

[kngrsll]

http://www.mswct.com/

[DrDickAction]

http://www.mswct.com/

fapfapfapfapfapfapfapfapfapfapfapfapfap

[MrHahn]

Trulli: Glock will help us progress

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, December 9th 2008, 11:07 GMT

Jarno Trulli and Timo GlockJarno Trulli believes Toyota's chances of making progress up the grid have improved thanks to the arrival of Timo Glock as his teammate.

Glock returned to F1 this year as Ralf Schumacher's replacement in the Japanese team, and Trulli believes the similarity between his demands for a car and the former GP2 champion's have been a big help.

Speaking to the official Formula One website, Trulli said: "In general, we found that our driving styles are different, but our demands from the car and our desire to see us on top are exactly the same.

"So I believe the team now has a good direction to develop together and become stronger."

Trulli believes the steps forward that Toyota made in 2008 should put the team in good stead for the challenges brought about by new regulations next season.

"The TF108 was a big step forward and gave me and Timo (Glock) a lot of chances to fight with the front runners, achieving podiums and many points," he explained.

"I'm happy with the progress made by the team and I'm confident we will build from there to close the gap with top teams in order to fight more consistently with them."

He added: "The new rules might give Toyota a chance to close the gap with the top teams and I expect this after years of experience. The aim is to fight at the front at every event, and 2009 could be a good chance."

Toyota gets a big "consultant" check from Mclaren because of Glock - amirite?

[Nacho]

Aldo Costa, Ferrari's Technical Director, has singled out 'the famous KERS' as the most challenging aspect of the 2009 regulations.

"It has to be compact and lightweight, affecting the handling of the car as little as possible," he told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Costa reveals that, to date, Ferrari has not track-tested its KERS system for 2009, and the debut of the energy-recovery technology is not due to arrive this week at Jerez or at the final test of the year at Portugal's new Algarve track.

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that Ferrari and electronics partner Magneti Marelli's main problem is with the electric motor.

Ferrari spokesman Luca Colajanni confirmed: "We will begin testing KERS with our new car."

The F2009 is scheduled to roll out in January, and it is understood that Ferrari has not decided whether to target the first race of the 2009 season for the system's debut.

Hrmmm....

If a study into the financial habits of F1 teams is any guide, Toyota is not in danger of becoming the next to slip out of the sport.

In the wake of the marque's Japanese rival Honda deciding to quit F1, the Financial Times published the findings of a study into the creditworthiness of the remaining nine teams.

In the study, carried out by the business intelligence group Dun and Bradstreet, it emerged that Toyota is in fact only one of two teams that on average pays its bills on time.

Dun and Bradstreet's 'F1 Paydex' showed that the Cologne-based outfit pays invoices on average five days before they are due. In second and third places are Red Bull's two teams, which pay 99 percent of their bills on time.

On the other end of the scale is Williams, the only team in pitlane not backed by a manufacturer or a billionaire individual.

It is revealed that, on average, the British team pays its bills 11 days late - a similar performance to Honda.

Ranking last is Force India, which pays 99 percent of its bills late, and on average 75 days after they are due.

The data shows that Force India's habits in paying bills late have blown out from 50 days at the beginning of 2007.

Renault, BMW, Ferrari and McLaren rank in the middle of the study, with between 3 and 40 percent of their bills respectively paid late.