1381 replies to this topic

[kngrsll]

them dropping the GT1 Class cars isn't new, they've been saying that since last season...
dropping out of LeMans sucks, but isn't really shocking...

oh... i should pay more attention

[vietlol]

http://www.timesonli...icle5372488.ece

Bernie bought Ferrari loyalty for 80m

[Nacho]

Wow... That's pretty damning statements.

It has always been known that Ferrari, whose presence on the grid is regarded as critical to the success and prestige of the championship, are on a special deal with Ecclestone's company and get more money than their rivals. But Ecclestone put a figure on that for the first time yesterday, something that could be designed to drive a wedge between the Scuderia and the other teams.

"Ferrari get so much more money than everyone else," he said. "They know exactly what they get, they are not that stupid, although they are not that bright, either. They get about $80 million (about £54 million) more. When they win the constructors' championship, which they did this year, they got $80 million more than if McLaren had won it."

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

F1 listening to the fans? You decide... Vote on medal system in F1 at bottom:

http://www.formula1....08/12/8775.html

Last year, Hamilton was leading the drivers’ championship before he had even secured his maiden win. Likewise, after Canada this year, Kubica led the drivers’ championship on points even though Hamilton, Massa and Raikkonen had all won more races.

Back in 2003, we extended the points system down to eighth place which was great for the teams, especially the smaller ones, but it aggravated the problem with the drivers scoring system because by increasing the number of points for coming second from 6 to 8, we made the step from first to second place too shallow. That year, Michael (Schumacher) won the title from Kimi (Raikkonen) by only two points but Michael had won six races whereas Kimi had won just one race. Kimi is a great driver and a natural racer but I don’t think it would have been right had he won the title in that situation, however it nearly happened.

so i know its been discussed over and over, whats your vote?


I voted for medals because the WCC is still points-based. The world is coming to an end, I'm agreeing with Bernie on something..

either that or the following:

1st - 14pts
2nd - 10pts
3rd - 7pts
4th - 5pts
5th - 4pts
6th - 3pts
7th - 2pts
8th - 1pt

w/ 0.5pts for fastest lap and 0.5pts for pole, making a perfect weekend 15pts.

[Nacho]

I wish there was an option for "Bigger points spread"

[AErrorist]

I think the medals are a fucking terrible idea, something has to be said for consistency. Who deserves the championship more, the guy with 5 wins and 2nd every other race, or the guy with 6 wins and DNF's every other race?

[mads]

[MrHahn]

[Redliner]

Richards considering Honda rescue deal

David RichardsProdrive boss David Richards has flown to the Middle East for discussions about a potential rescue deal for the Honda Racing Formula One team.
Richards has been pondering whether to get involved in a buy-out of Honda in the wake of the Japanese car manufacturer's decision to pull out of F1.
And although he has made no secret of the fact that he is interested in a return to F1 management, having had spells at Benetton and BAR, he has vowed only to come back if the circumstances are right.

This is why he is now holding talks with investors in the Middle East who want to bankroll an effort. The Kuwait-based Investment Dar Company (TID) are shareholders in his Prodrive company.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Richards said: "There are a group of people in the Middle East who want to support a Formula One entry for me and have been very specific about it for a year now. But we have to agree when the timing is right."

Honda Racing CEO Nick Fry said on Friday that he expected news of the progress being made to find a team buyer to be made public in the New Year - although Richards admitted that any deal he was involved in would need careful thinking before talks could progress.
"When you sit down in the cold light of day and realise the liability you would be taking on, and the huge restructuring of staff and resources that will be needed, investors will have to think long and hard before taking a punt," explained Richards.
"You will have to bridge a big gap in finance, probably for three years, before balancing the accounts."
The Mail on Sunday reports that other interested parties in Honda include Greek shipping tycoon Achilleas Kallakis and Force India boss Vijay Mallya.
Richards' ambitions for F1 have also been given a fresh impetus by the decision of Subaru to withdraw their Prodrive-run team from the World Rally Championship.
"It affects about 20 per cent of our business, but we are financially sound and have a talented, nimble organisation with a strong automotive arm looking at future technologies," added Richards.

"Sentiment and perception about the relevance of motorsport has changed in six weeks with the dramatic economic downturn. I have not ruled out getting back into Formula One, it's something I am very interested to do.
"But the big question remains: Is it too big a challenge at this moment in time? That's what I need to determine."

In for Prodrive F1

[mads]

Dave richards Revenge

[Shi]

I wish there was an option for "Bigger points spread"

.

[Nacho]

As the Honda Motor Company pushes for a buyer, a list of potential saviours of the Brackley-based Formula One team is becoming ever clearer.

It is already known that Prodrive's David Richards, who ran the Benetton and BAR teams in the past, has travelled to the Middle East for talks with investors.

But another serious candidate is Carlos Slim, a Mexican billionaire who is the second richest man in the world.

68-year-old Slim, who controls the telecommunications company Telmex, gave the game away when he visited the embattled team's UK headquarters last week.

His helicopter, displaying his official crest, was too big to be landed on the helipad, so the team had to clear the car park, the British newspaper The Sun reported.

A takeover by Slim would boost the chances of GP2 driver Bruno Senna, who is backed by the Telmex subsidiary Embratel.

It is also believed that Force India's Vijay Mallya has expressed an interest in the team, as has a Swiss hedge fund and Greek shipping tycoon Achilleas Kallakis.

Team Chief Executive Nick Fry said: "We have had a high level of interest in the team since Honda announced their withdrawal from Formula One."

"Work on the build of our 2009 car continues to ensure our objective of being on the grid at Melbourne in March will be achieved."

Chopper too big for the landing pad? That's fucking baller status right there.

As much of the Formula One world winds down for Christmas, David Richards has jetted out of the UK with a view to returning to the Grand Prix grid in 2009.

The British newspaper The Mail on Sunday revealed that the Prodrive chief flew by private jet to the Middle East for talks with investors who may be keen to bankroll the purchase of the withdrawing Honda team.

Bosses of the Brackley-based team, former Prodrive deputy Nick Fry, and Ross Brawn, have been given just a matter of weeks to finalise the sale.

Most pressingly, it is understood that Honda bigwigs in Tokyo seem willing to continue propping up the outfit only if a serious buyer is identified by Christmas, with an agreement signed by January 31st.

"There are a group of people in the Middle East who want to support a Formula One entry for me and have been very specific about it for a year now," Richards, believed to have travelled to Kuwait, said.

"But we have to agree when the timing is right. When you sit down in the cold light of day and realise the liability you would be taking on, and the huge restructuring of staff and resources that will be needed, investors will have to think long and hard before taking a punt," he explained.

"You will have to bridge a big gap in finance, probably for three years, before balancing the accounts," the 56-year-old pointed out.

Richards believes Prodrive is capable of taking on the challenge of F1, but admitted that the global financial crisis is a factor: "Sentiment and perception about the relevance of motor sport has changed in six weeks with the dramatic economic downturn."

"I have not ruled out getting back into Formula One, it's something I am very interested to do," the Prodrive boss underlined. "But the big question remains: is it too big a challenge at this moment in time? That's what I need to determine."

Richards also played down suggestions that because he and Jenson Button parted on less than glowing terms nearly four years ago, a reunion at Brackley in 2009 is unlikely.

"Jenson is an outstanding Grand Prix driver, the kind you would want to build a team around," the Briton said.

[mads]

Bernie Ecclestone's mischievous sense of humour has returned in the latest edition of his personalised annual Christmas card.

Last year, the F1 Chief Executive poked fun at the McLaren-Ferrari spy scandal, depicting a nervous Ron Dennis being handed a gift-wrapped present by former chief designer Mike Coughlan.

And now, despite pushing for Max Mosley to quit amid this year's sex scandal, the FIA President is the butt of Bernie's latest Christmas joke.

The cartoon shows Mosley whipping an F1 team member, as his pitwall monitor depicts a woman in fishnet stockings and high heels.

Other F1 personnel are seen clutching sore bottoms, the Daily Star newspaper said, while 78-year-old Bernie brandishes bandaids.


The message inside the card reads: 'Usual team punishment, just a special for Christmas. Have a happy one. Bernie.'

Asked if he thinks Mosley will be offended, Ecclestone said: "I don't know. We'll see."

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS Internatio

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Bernie Ecclestone's mischievous sense of humour has returned in the latest edition of his personalised annual Christmas card.

Last year, the F1 Chief Executive poked fun at the McLaren-Ferrari spy scandal, depicting a nervous Ron Dennis being handed a gift-wrapped present by former chief designer Mike Coughlan.

And now, despite pushing for Max Mosley to quit amid this year's sex scandal, the FIA President is the butt of Bernie's latest Christmas joke.

The cartoon shows Mosley whipping an F1 team member, as his pitwall monitor depicts a woman in fishnet stockings and high heels.

Other F1 personnel are seen clutching sore bottoms, the Daily Star newspaper said, while 78-year-old Bernie brandishes bandaids.


The message inside the card reads: 'Usual team punishment, just a special for Christmas. Have a happy one. Bernie.'

Asked if he thinks Mosley will be offended, Ecclestone said: "I don't know. We'll see."

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS Internatio

old geezer has a sense of humor..

[kngrsll]

how do i get on THAT christmas card list?!

[Redliner]

I like this guy like I like Bush. Cool to have a beer with, but needs to get the hell out of office

[MrHahn]

I like this guy like I like Bush. Cool to have a beer with, but needs to get the hell out of office

I'd honestly rather have a beer with Mosley

[yonson]

F1 listening to the fans? You decide... Vote on medal system in F1 at bottom:

http://www.formula1....08/12/8775.html






so i know its been discussed over and over, whats your vote?


I voted for medals because the WCC is still points-based. The world is coming to an end, I'm agreeing with Bernie on something..

either that or the following:

1st - 14pts
2nd - 10pts
3rd - 7pts
4th - 5pts
5th - 4pts
6th - 3pts
7th - 2pts
8th - 1pt

w/ 0.5pts for fastest lap and 0.5pts for pole, making a perfect weekend 15pts.

I like this idea...

[DrDickAction]

I like this idea...

[vietlol]

This thread needs a bump.

Flavio says Fred handles pressure better than the Schu

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

This thread needs a bump.

Flavio says Fred handles pressure better than the Schu

sure handled it real well last year

[vietlol]

sure handled it real well last year

bro, we gonna have to throw down if you gonna be like that

[vietlol]

Kimi Raikkonen will work with a new race engineer in 2009.

Ferrari's Team Principal Stefano Domenicali told the Italian newspaper La Stampa that Chris Dyer, the Finn's engineer this year, is moving up to a new role in charge of track engineering.

"His role has been assumed by Andrea Stella," Domenicali said.


how come nobody posted this yet

[Nacho]

sure handled it real well last year

I almost said that earlier.

[More&Faster]

Kimi Raikkonen will work with a new race engineer in 2009.

Ferrari's Team Principal Stefano Domenicali told the Italian newspaper La Stampa that Chris Dyer, the Finn's engineer this year, is moving up to a new role in charge of track engineering.

"His role has been assumed by Andrea Stella," Domenicali said.


how come nobody posted this yet

it was nice of ferrari to "promote" the guy rather than just fire him

maybe now kimi will do something with the car