1302 replies to this topic

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

This won't end well

[Skyliner]

I'm going to be pulling for Trulli, but I wish they wouldn't call it Lotus.

[chiuey]

No more sushi for Kobyashi

Kobayashi joins Sauber for 2010

By Jonathan Noble Thursday, December 17th 2009, 08:09 GMT

Kamui Kobayashi will race on in Formula 1 next year after signing a deal with the Sauber team for 2010.

The Japanese made a strong impression during two outings for Toyota in the Brazilian and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix this year - earning respect for the way he battled with Jenson Button in both events.

His performances had appeared to have been enough to secure him a ride with the Toyota team for 2010, but those plans were scuppered when the Japanese manufacturer pulled out of F1.

However, following weeks of talks, Kobayashi has concluded a deal with Sauber to join the team that is taking over from BMW's operations.

Speaking about the move, Kobayashi said: "Ever since the start of my career I have dreamed of racing in Formula 1. Now this dream has come true.

"I am very happy that my two races in 2009 have earned me a cockpit place. I will do my very best for Peter Sauber’s team and I am proud to be able to carry on flying the Japanese flag in Formula 1."

Sauber boss Peter Sauber said his decision had been fuelled by the fact that Kobayashi made such a strong showing in the last two races of the year - despite not having sat in an F1 car for several months before that.

"I’m very much looking forward to working together with Kamui," said Sauber.

"In the final two Grand Prix of last season he was granted an unexpected chance to show his skills, and he made impressive use of it.

"Particularly in the Abu Dhabi race he demonstrated not only that he can drive fast and aggressively, but also his ability to successfully implement a strategy. I am convinced he has a great deal of potential and will be able to make the most of it in our team."

Kobayashi revealed after Abu Dhabi that if he did not land a race seat in F1 for next year his lack of funding would probably mean he would have to return home to Japan to work in his father’s sushi restaurant.

[vietlol]

Im so happy right now, he gets a good seat not some new team holy shit this is awesome go Kamui :heart:

[chiuey]

Im so happy right now, he gets a good seat not some new team holy shit this is awesome go Kamui :heart:

Now all we need if for someone to give sato a seat, then the excitement is back in the season again.

[Redliner]

WAHOO!

I <3 Kobayashi

I<3 Sauber!

[_R_]

Koby!!!!!!

[DrDickAction]

Sauber doing it right.

[DrDickAction]

Holiday wishes from the Red Bull drivers

[AErrorist]

God damn, Red Bull is really vying for my favorite team ever award

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

[vietlol]

[chiuey]

lollers, that made my day

[Deadpool]

Awesome news for Kobayashi. Glad he's on the grid next year.

[Deadpool]

Red Bull Christmas wishes. Need MOAR of this in F1.

[Redliner]

Red Bull Christmas wishes. Need MOAR of this in F1.

F1's doing some good right about now.

The bet between Virgin and Lotus is
These Christmas videos is
Kobayashi being signed by Sauber is

Perhaps things are on the up?

[MrHahn]

F1's doing some good right about now.

The bet between Virgin and Lotus is
These Christmas videos is
Kobayashi being signed by Sauber is

Perhaps things are on the up?

+1 no JV so far
+1 consolidating team Britain to one team, making less teams to hate

[mads]

[yonson]

Good shit Maynard!

[Redliner]

+1 no JV so far
+1 consolidating team Britain to one team, making less teams to hate

Truth.

In other news, Bernie is back to being Bernie...this man is shrewd. I don't know whether to laugh at the ludicracy, respect his audacity for money, or be pissed at the arrogance. If I were the organizers, I'd say "To hell with you..."

Turkish Grand Prix under threat
ESPNF1 Staff
December 18, 2009
The 2010 Turkish Grand Prix could be the last © Sutton Images Related LinksCircuits: Istanbul Park The Turkish Grand Prix could lose its place on the Formula One calendar in 2011 after F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone doubled the price of hosting the event, according to a local newspaper.

A report in The Hurriyet Daily News said Ecclestone upped his asking price from $13.5 million to $26 million for the 2011 race. If so, the news adds to the organisers' woes as the circuit has struggled to attract spectators in the last two years, seeing its attendance drop from 200,000 at the inaugural event in 2005 to just 36,000 this year. The report said they have been given until the end of the year to make a decision.

In response to the new deal a Turkish official claimed the amount being asked was disproportionate. "In countries such as France and Germany, the Formula One CEO is requesting something between $1.5 million and $4 million."

The British Grand Prix recently came under threat, and again the sticking point between the organisers and Ecclestone was money. To put the Turkish offer into context, it is understood Silverstone settled on a deal to pay Ecclestone $19.5 million to hold the British round in 2010, with the fee escalating by 5% year-on-year.

[_R_]

In other news, Bernie is back to being Bernie...this man is shrewd. I don't know whether to laugh at the ludicracy, respect his audacity for money, or be pissed at the arrogance. If I were the organizers, I'd say "To hell with you..."

wasn't the turkish gp the one that even during the race, you can see huge gaps in the grandstands? even grandstands with no one in it?
Bernie is just crazy... seriously, I think he's the last thing left that's ruining F1...

[Redliner]

wasn't the turkish gp the one that even during the race, you can see huge gaps in the grandstands? even grandstands with no one in it?
Bernie is just crazy... seriously, I think he's the last thing left that's ruining F1...

Not sure...which track had the 4-apex corner? Turkey or Bahrain?

Why're we even over there in the first place? It's sad, but to me, he's not looking at long-term growth here. Those countries don't care about F1 - and without any sort of passion, the buisness model will fail. Asking for MORE money isn't going to help the situation at hand...get back to the basics, let the countries that want an F1 race, run it. And by "country" i mean where there is support for F1 as a sport backed by the nation. Not a few elitest that has some money and can build a track in the desert.

Speaking of which...Why the hell is Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. Shouldn't that be in...oh, I don't know...ITALY!? Enzo Ferrari is rolling in his grave.

[DrDickAction]

Not sure...which track had the 4-apex corner? Turkey or Bahrain?

Why're we even over there in the first place? It's sad, but to me, he's not looking at long-term growth here. Those countries don't care about F1 - and without any sort of passion, the buisness model will fail. Asking for MORE money isn't going to help the situation at hand...get back to the basics, let the countries that want an F1 race, run it. And by "country" i mean where there is support for F1 as a sport backed by the nation. Not a few elitest that has some money and can build a track in the desert.

Speaking of which...Why the hell is Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. Shouldn't that be in...oh, I don't know...ITALY!? Enzo Ferrari is rolling in his grave.

This might be a case of Bernie being good for F1....having turkey on that calendar isn't good for anyone, so why not charge more than they would be willing to pay just to get it over with quickly? If you're a landlord and you want to get rid of a tenant, just raise their rent 100% when the lease is up...problem will soon be gone.

[DrDickAction]

Next level of rumor:

Michael Schumacher has told Ferrari that there is a "very, very, very strong possibility" that he will race for Mercedes-Benz in Formula 1 next year, team president Luca di Montezemolo has revealed.

Although there has not yet been any official word from the Schumacher or Mercedes-Benz camps about the progress of talks in relation to an amazing comeback for the seven-time world champion, di Montezemolo has given away just how far advanced the situation now is.

Speaking to selected media, including AUTOSPORT, at Ferrari's Christmas lunch in Fiorano on Thursday, di Montezemolo shed fresh light on the Schumacher developments.

"I hadn't spoken to him since Abu Dhabi but I spoke to him yesterday (Wednesday)," said di Montezemolo about Schumacher's Mercedes-Benz situation.

"He phoned me and he told me that there is a very, very, very strong possibility [of racing for Mercedes-Benz]. Having said that, it is not 100 per cent decided. But that is what he said yesterday morning."

Di Montezemolo confirmed that Ferrari had agreed to release Schumacher from any remaining commitments he had to the Italian team so he could make the switch to Mercedes-Benz in the event of a deal coming off.

Sources have told AUTOSPORT that a deal between Schumacher and Mercedes-Benz has been agreed in principle, but that the matter cannot move forward until the German has been told by medical experts that his neck is 100 per cent ready for an F1 return.

Schumacher hurt his neck in a big motorbike accident earlier this year, and it was the legacy of that injury which forced him to abandon a comeback for Ferrari in the middle of last year.

Once Schumacher has got the medical news that he and Mercedes-Benz need, then it will be a matter of finalising his contract prior to an announcement being made.

Di Montezemolo said that he believed that it was a 'new Schumacher' who was pursuing a future with Mercedes-Benz.

"The real Michael Schumacher always told me he would finish his career at Ferrari," he said.

When asked what he had said to Schumacher during their conversation, di Montezemolo paused before saying: "Don't forget that when you start collaboration with a driver as long ago as we did with Michael, in 1995, over 14 years ago, you are also a friend.

"You can agree and disagree but you remain friends. I won't forget what he did for Ferrari and he won't forget what we did for him."

Di Montezemolo also spoke at length about the struggles Ferrari faced during 2009, having been unable to take the challenge to title rivals Brawn GP and Red Bull Racing.

"All our car architecture - the dimensions of the gearbox, everything - was based on a different interpretation of the rules and, also, we were pushing very hard until the last corner of the last race of '08," he said.

Di Montezemolo also admitted that the season had marked the closest point in his experience to seeing Ferrari quit F1.

"This year was the only one moment since I became chairman in 1991 that I was really minded to stop F1," he said. "It was the unanimous decision of the board that there was too much credibility being lost, too much polemics over the rules and not enough research.

"Now I say thank God that everything is over although we paid a big price because not to have Toyota and BMW and to have Renault in a different situation is not good for F1."

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/80623

[Redliner]

This might be a case of Bernie being good for F1....having turkey on that calendar isn't good for anyone, so why not charge more than they would be willing to pay just to get it over with quickly? If you're a landlord and you want to get rid of a tenant, just raise their rent 100% when the lease is up...problem will soon be gone.

Actually you're right...I do this with my photography buisness when i don't want to do a gig too. Makes sense