1381 replies to this topic

[DrDickAction]

what he meant to say was that toyota have the deepest pockets, and he'll be winning races next year when there's nobody else for him to race against because everyone pulled out of f1.

[_R_]

Sebastien Buemi has admitted his desire to be teamed alongside Jenson Button at the Toro Rosso team in 2009.

Although not yet confirmed to debut with the second Red Bull team next year, even the 20-year-old rookie Buemi admits in an interview with Switzerland's Blick that the contract is now just a formality.

"I am hoping for a strong team-mate for 2009," he told the newspaper. "For, the best of all would be Button."

28-year-old Button, a veteran of more than 150 Grand Prix, is currently exploring his options after the withdrawal of the Japanese manufacturer Honda.

Buemi admits that Button going to Toro Rosso is an outside bet, especially given the likelihood of someone buying the Brackley-based team in the wake of F1's cost cutting measures.

With Buemi believed to be secure in one STR seat for 2009, contesting the second cockpit recently have been Sebastien Bourdais and Takuma Sato.

Buemi, switching to the Red Bull Racing cockpit from Monday at Jerez, believes he was the quickest Toro Rosso runner last week.

"At the test before in Barcelona I was about three-tenths behind the experienced guys, but (at Jerez) I had Bourdais and Sato under control," he claims.

"On Tuesday and Wednesday Vettel is coming, which will be a good comparison for me. Three months ago he was better than me by two-tenths, but I am in better form now because I have more experience."

The 2009 Toro Rosso, designed by Red Bull Technology but to be built at Faenza, will be ready at the end of February.

I don't know if I like this kid or not... he's still testing and he's getting cocky...

[DrDickAction]

I don't know if I like this kid or not... he's still testing and he's getting cocky...

He ain't done shit but be quick in practice. That's like bragging about hitting a home run during batting practice.

[vietlol]

Gotta take what you can

[Nacho]

He ain't done shit but be quick in practice. That's like bragging about hitting a home run during batting practice.

He was only quick in the most recent practices too. He was getting handled by Sato and Bourdais in the first couple rounds of testing.

[_R_]

don't get me wrong, i'm still impressed that he was the fastest for 3 days compared to the experienced guys... that gets merit...
but until he gets a race seat + race mileage + points he shouldn't be picking out who he wants as a teammate and thinking he's the best thing since sliced bread...

[RedVVing19]

Just put Vettel back in the STR and that will shut Buemi up.

[chiuey]

Jenson will definitely e his teammate next yr....















when they're both sitting out the season!

[Nacho]

David Coulthard has been invited to test Citroen's Red Bull sponsored world rally car.

After their head-to-head in the final of the Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, winner Sebastien Loeb said the now retired Scot would be welcome to step into his office.

"If he wants, then for me it is no problem. I could easily organise that," Loeb, the French winner of five consecutive WRC crowns, said.

34-year-old Loeb recently impressed the F1 community with his test for Red Bull, Coulthard's last Formula One team.

New father Coulthard, 37, accepted the invitation, but hastily added a pinch of caution.

"I would love to...but not in a forest because at the rate I've been crashing, it would make me clearly uncomfortable," he joked. "I don't know if there is a tarmac test track or something because that would be better for me."

DC




Gah, more frenchies.

The French manufacturer PSA, selling cars under the names Peugeot and Citroen, has reportedly expressed interest in buying Honda's beleaguered Formula One team.

Anonymous sources apparently told the Belgian motor racing magazine Autosportnieuws that the carmaker, last involved in F1 as an engine supplier with the now-defunct Prost team, has made enquiries to buy the Brackley based team as an active F1 competitor.

Citroen's world rally team is the reigning drivers' and constructors' champion, and Peugeot is involved in Le Mans racing.

It is suggested that, given F1's willingness to vastly reduce operating costs, PSA is interested in stepping because it has not been hit as hard by the world economic crisis than some of its peers abroad.

The French government is also pledging financial support to the car sector, in return for Renault and Peugeot-Citroen promising to limit job cuts and plant closures.

It is suggested that Sebastien Bourdais, the French F1 driver whose Toro Rosso seat is in doubt for 2009, would be part of a PSA buyout, with Jenson Button as his team-mate.

[_R_]

Even more bad news (motor)sports fans. According to a report by Finnish sports site MT3.fi, Subaru will follow in the footsteps of Suzuki and pull out of the 2009 World Rally Championship (WRC) season. While Suzuki's declaration was a surprise, Subaru's exit from the world of rallying would be a serious blow to the sport as a whole and its fans in particular. A formal announcement will supposedly follow tomorrow

i said they were going to pull out in 2010 eariler because of the super 2000 rule change...
though this isn't surprising if it does happen

[Redliner]

DC

Seriously. I don't know why anyone would hate on DC. He's clever, articulated and just an overall joy to hear...

his ROC showdown against Loeb when he said "Imma win it or bin it" left me chuckling. I can't wait ti'll he's doing F1 w/ BBC next year! Modern day Murray Walker!

[Redliner]

http://axisofoverste...d-possibly.html

Vettel trying to chop off some footsies

[chiuey]

Seriously. I don't know why anyone would hate on DC. He's clever, articulated and just an overall joy to hear...

his ROC showdown against Loeb when he said "Imma win it or bin it" left me chuckling. I can't wait ti'll he's doing F1 w/ BBC next year! Modern day Murray Walker!

my problem with him was his style of driving in the latter stage of his career in F1, binnings it almost EVERY RACE, when he had no chance of scoring or winning anything. Too aggressive, too far down the field to matter.

As for his commentaries, they're priceless, second only to Sir Jackie.

[vietlol]

DC




Gah, more frenchies.

Please dont bring Peugeot back to F1

I reckon Citroen colour scheme like the WRC car would look hot

[Nacho]

my problem with him was his style of driving in the latter stage of his career in F1, binnings it almost EVERY RACE, when he had no chance of scoring or winning anything. Too aggressive, too far down the field to matter.

As for his commentaries, they're priceless, second only to Sir Jackie.

Poppycock! How do you think ol DC snuck on the Podium 2 of his 3 years at RBR?

[chiuey]

Poppycock! How do you think ol DC snuck on the Podium 2 of his 3 years at RBR?

it's called safety car poker

[vietlol]

For a long time within the FOTA there was discussion about the details as to how the engines can be checked and leveled out. In the end they ran out of time and a compromise was sought. All the manufacturers had to reveal the power curve of their powerplants. An engine that was not within two percent of the powercurve was deemed as uncompetitive. Renault's engine was the only one falling outside this 2 % barrier (well, and Honda's but that doesn't matter now). The others agreed Renault is to up its engine performance by using an itemised list of detail improvements made by the FIA. Then the engine will once more be put to the test. Only afterwards the 2009 engines will definately be homologated.

[Shi]

For a long time within the FOTA there was discussion about the details as to how the engines can be checked and leveled out. In the end they ran out of time and a compromise was sought. All the manufacturers had to reveal the power curve of their powerplants. An engine that was not within two percent of the powercurve was deemed as uncompetitive. Renault's engine was the only one falling outside this 2 % barrier (well, and Honda's but that doesn't matter now). The others agreed Renault is to up its engine performance by using an itemised list of detail improvements made by the FIA. Then the engine will once more be put to the test. Only afterwards the 2009 engines will definately be homologated.

I wanna see these curves

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

DC




Gah, more frenchies.

the upside is that if bourdais is going to team france w/ button then sato will most likely get that other STR seat with buemi..

[_R_]

called it

Subaru has made a shock announcement that it will pull out of the World Rally Championship with immediate effect.

Just 24 hours after Suzuki quit the series, Subaru cited the worldwide financial economic crisis as to why it will also not continue.

David Richards, the boss of the Prodrive company that runs Subaru's efforts in the WRC, was saddened by the decision which brings to an end a 20-year association.

"Subaru's departure from the World Rally Championship is a great loss as it is one of the sport's icons," said Richards, who helped Prodrive win six WRC titles.

"The Subaru World Rally Team has created true champions such as Colin McRae and Richard Burns and its absence will be felt by many the world over. Although this decision closes a significant chapter in Prodrive's history, our focus now turns to the future."

Richards said Prodrive would look to redeploy their WRC workforce elsewhere in the company - having also confirmed that their customer rally teams will continue.

A statement from Prodrive suggested that they were looking for a swift return to the WRC, especially with new regulations are set to come into force in 2010.

"Looking ahead, 2010 will see the introduction of new World Rally Championship technical regulations, which provide Prodrive with an opportunity to prepare for re-entering the championship with a new team and build on its 24 years of World Rally Championship experience and success," said the statement.

Subaru has struggled to find form with the Impreza in recent years. The last victory was in September 2005, when Petter Solberg took victory in the Rally GB after Sebastien Loeb chose not to triumph following the death of Michael Park. The last win on merit was the Rally Mexico in March 2005.

The long-awaited new Impreza was introduced in the Acropolis Rally in May and, although its performance was originally encouraging with Solberg finishing second in Greece, it was never able to genuinely challenge Citroen or Ford for victories.

The team were hoping to push ahead with the development of the car ahead of next season and were planning to run four cars in 2009.

The withdrawal of Subaru and Suzuki in the last 24 hours leaves just two manufacturers in the sport - Citroen and Ford.

[DrDickAction]

called it

wow. just fucking wow.

[DrDickAction]

the upside is that if bourdais is going to team france w/ button then sato will most likely get that other STR seat with buemi..

that sounds like a fantastic scenario.

[_R_]

Sebastien Buemi continued to lead the way in winter testing on Thursday when he topped the times during the second day of running at Jerez in Spain.

Continuing to fill in for Mark Webber at Red Bull Racing, Buemi edged out his teammate Sebastian Vettel by three tenths of a second - with Vettel having a few off-track moments at Turn One.

Speaking about his day, Buemi said: "It's been a very good test so far, we've been improving with every lap, which is really good for next season and I'm happy. We're learning more about the slick tyres too, which is important. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and trying to improve myself more."

Nick Heidfeld was third quickest for BMW Sauber, using the standard F1.08 to work through mechanical setup evaluation of the car, as well as gathering slick tyre data.

"After the delay in the morning the weather was nearly perfect, so overall it was a good day for me," said Heidfeld.

"I did short as well as long runs to compare tyre wear. At the end of the session I did some race start simulations, as this is also an area where we have to adjust to the slick tyres."

Teammate Robert Kubica showed how advanced BMW Sauber were with their KERS development as he focused on strategies for using the device.

Kazuki Nakajima was the only other driver testing, completed a total of 105 laps as he continued 2009 work for Williams.
Unofficial Tuesday times from Jerez:

Pos Driver Team Time
1. Sebastien Buemi Red Bull 1:17.029
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:17.319
3. Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:19.303
4. Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:20.006
5. Kazuki Nakajima Williams 1:20.332

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

peugeot/citroen not interested in f1.

http://en.f1-live.co...216081549.shtml

[Shi]

peugeot/citroen not interested in f1.

http://en.f1-live.co...216081549.shtml