1381 replies to this topic

[Redliner]

I like the line alot more than the ENTIRE WALL being a color.

I meant the line being white...since it was kinda on the side i said 'sidewalls'

[Nacho]

I meant the line being white...since it was kinda on the side i said 'sidewalls'

I agree, i suppose.

Honestly though, I don't give much of a shit what color the tire line is.

[MrHahn]

you didn't know this was already being discussed? this is why everybody except bmw was for not introducing KERS in '09.. whats the point of spending millions on developing some system that will only be used for 1 full season (if the teams can have it ready by melbourne)?


don't get me wrong, i love BMW cars and have loads of respect for their motorsports programs but having a non-standardized KERS system 1 year before standardization is just stupid money management IMO, especially in the current state of the economy. obviously having gotten a head start on KERS development they wanted to play their advantage card for at least 1 season.

Lets introduce cost cutting measures, only to fuck them off because of shit management!

[Nacho]

@ Bahrain being sandstorm'd out

Despite forking out an estimated €250,000 apiece to set up for two weeks of testing in the Middle East, three Formula One teams came unstuck on Wednesday.

The pitlane lights shone red and the Bahrain International Circuit was silent, after a huge sandstorm struck the desert area of the Sakhir venue. The circuit was closed at 9.40am local time.

Visibility around the circuit and in the paddock was close to zero, and the medical helicopter did not have clearance to fly, meaning that the test could not proceed.

Ferrari, BMW Sauber and Toyota, having opted for Bahrain amid the threat of rain at the European test venue Jerez this week, were also hindered on Tuesday morning when fog prevented the helicopter to fly for two hours.

Felipe Massa, Robert Kubica and Timo Glock were scheduled to drive on Wednesday and were able to complete a short run prior to the circuit being closed.

Ironically, back in Spain, conditions for the five teams present at Jerez on Wednesday are sunny, clear and dry.

Sakhir - 11/02/2009
1 . F. Massa - Ferrari F60 - 1:33.639 (+ 0.000 ) - 17 laps
2 . R. Kubica - BMW Sauber F1.09 - 1:34.398 (+ 0.759 ) - 22 laps
3 . T. Glock - Toyota TF109 - 1:34.902 (+ 1.263 ) - 14 laps

And Kovi is turning it up back in Jerez, with a time 1.4 sec faster than the previous 09 car record. To Webbo on his return as well.

Jerez - 11/02/2009
1 . S. Buemi - Toro Rosso Ferrari STR3* - 1:17.591 (+ 0.000 ) - 143 laps
2 . H. Kovalainen - McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 - 1:20.799 (+ 3.208 ) - 110 laps
3 . M. Webber - Red Bull Renault RB5 - 1:21.321 (+ 3.730 ) - 83 laps
4 . K. Nakajima - Williams Toyota FW31 - 1:21.451 (+ 3.860 ) - 125 laps
5 . N. Piquet - Renault R29 - 1:21.908 (+ 4.317 ) - 49 laps.

[MrHahn]

Webber, my nigga.

Does anyone know why teams neglect to test in the rain - or try their hardest to work around testing in the rain? For the life of me I cant understand, considering the conditions and result of last years championship. I understand that dry testing is the number one objective but trying to circumvent wet testing seems retarded to me

[Nacho]

Webber, my nigga.

Does anyone know why teams neglect to test in the rain - or try their hardest to work around testing in the rain? For the life of me I cant understand, considering the conditions and result of last years championship. I understand that dry testing is the number one objective but trying to circumvent wet testing seems retarded to me

This was discussed last page.

[Nacho]

Bahrain 'sanded' out again. Fuck the mid-east.

BMW Sauber, Ferrari and Toyota had hoped for better conditions on the third day of testing at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain. However, conditions were little improved this morning with the circuit closing almost as soon as it opened.

With winds blowing sand onto the 5.142KM track officials headed out with various cleaning devices and it seems for a second successive day, running at the Grand Prix venue will be severely limited.

"It's ironic that we had a sandstorm today after coming to Bahrain to guarantee more running time,” Toyota’s Dieter Gass stated yesterday.

Kimi Raikkonen took over the new F60 from team-mate Felipe Massa this morning, while Jarno Trulli replaces Timo Glock in the TF109. Robert Kubica remains on duty for the BMW Sauber team.

The three drivers were only able to complete an installation lap before the circuit closed due the medical helicopter being grounded.

Over at Jerez meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is in action for the McLaren Mercedes team as the team again opt to run the high-downforce 2008 specification wing rather than the newer, skinnier element.

[_R_]

Why is McLaren running their 2008 wing?
and Kovy's time yesterday was with that wing as well, so Webber was fastest on a true 2009 spec car...

[kngrsll]

Why is McLaren running their 2008 wing?
and Kovy's time yesterday was with that wing as well, so Webber was fastest on a true 2009 spec car...

maybe bc their newest '09 wings is more similar in performance to the '08 wing than the new '09 wing?

[_R_]

maybe bc their newest '09 wings is more similar in performance to the '08 wing than the new '09 wing?

Heikki Kovalainen was back in action for the McLaren Mercedes team having dispensed of the 2009-specification rear wing in preference for 2008 element. The Woking-based team previously ran the older - higher downforce - design on the MP4-24 while conducting the initial shakedown runs in wet conditions last month.

[Redliner]

Is the rear element regulated in shape or is it free to design? Maybe they want to incorporate some of the designs of the 08 wing into the 09 wing and would like to see the effects before trying it?

[_R_]

World champion Lewis Hamilton was the fastest driver in 2009 machinery on the penultimate day of testing at the Jerez circuit.

But the Briton was shadowed by Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, who finished just 0.001 seconds behind in the RB5, as the car continued to show its potential in only its fourth day of running.

Toro Rosso's Sebastien Bourdais, in his first test since he was confirmed for the 2009 season, posted the quickest time of the day in the 2008-spec car, finishing over two seconds ahead of Hamilton.

The McLaren driver, taking over from teammate Heikki Kovalainen, managed 93 laps at the wheel of the MP4-24 and was left pleased with his day's work.

"Today's test gave me the first opportunity to drive MP4-24 in warm, dry conditions - and I'm very encouraged by what I felt," he said.

"The car feels strong, very similar to last year's car, in fact. It doesn't take long to get used to the new buttons in the cockpit [KERS & front-wing flaps] but the real test for everyone now is to understand the slick tyres ahead of the first race in Melbourne next month."

Vettel completed just one lap less than the Briton as he continued with the development of the new Red Bull.

He finished ahead of Williams driver Kazuki Nakajima and Fernando Alonso in the Renault, the Spaniard the busiest man today with 133 laps.

"Today was all about getting mileage on the car, especially with the new KERS system," said Alonso.

"It was my first full dry day in the car and so I was able to learn a lot. We completed lots of laps, which is encouraging and now we will start working on the set-up of the car so that I can get more comfortable with it."

Today's times:

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:18.493 128
2. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:20.737 93
3. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:20.738 92
4. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:20.898 92
5. Alonso Renault (B) 1:21.307 133

Vettel

[MrHahn]

This was discussed last page.

Somehow I totally missed last page, aswell as Bourdais racing for Peugeot

I guess it makes sense this early on in development to stay clear of rain - to an extent.

[Nacho]

Bahrain testers request extension.

The three F1 teams in Bahrain - BMW Sauber, Ferrari and Toyota - are in talks to prolong this week's sandstorm-affected test at the Sakhir circuit.

Following Wednesday's events, poor visibility again on Thursday moved the teams to consider extending the scheduled test to include Saturday and Sunday in order to make up lost time, reports from Spain claim.

The talks reportedly also involve the management of the circuit. The teams were due to break for the weekend and then return to action next week. The circuit has yet to make an official announcement.

All three teams will reconvene at the circuit on Friday.

[Redliner]

Hammy sets pace for the 09'ers today at Jerez, but he had an 08 spec rear wing.

Jerez - 12/02/2009
1 . S. Bourdais - Toro Rosso Ferrari STR3* - 1:18.493 (+ 0.000 ) - 126 laps
2 . L. Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 - 1:20.737 (+ 2.244 ) - 93 laps
3 . S. Vettel - Red Bull Renault RB5 - 1:20.738 (+ 2.245 ) - 92 laps
4 . K. Nakajima - Williams Toyota FW31 - 1:20.898 (+ 2.405 ) - 92 laps
5 . F. Alonso - Renault R29 - 1:21.307 (+ 2.814 ) - 133 laps.

Bahrain testers request extension.

That was discussed 2 posts ago...

[Nacho]

That was discussed 2 posts ago...

:madrun:

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

That was discussed 2 posts ago...

gotta say, i was fully expecting a "BOOM..... fade" joke from one of you guys about the sandstorm.. so glad this place isnt OT

[vietlol]

Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun
dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dundun dun dundundun dun dun dun dun dun dun dundun dundun
BOOM
dundun dundun dundun
BEEP
dun dun dun dun dun
dun dun
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
BEEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BOOM
daddaddadadsadadadadadadadadadaddadadadadadaddadadaddadadadadadadadadadadadaddad
ddadaddadadadd dadadadaddaddada
d
dadadddaddadaddadadadddadadada
nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nnyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu
doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo
nnn nn nn nn nn nn n nn nnn nn nn nnn nnn nnnnnnnn
dddddddd ddadadadadaddadadadadadaadadadadadad
BOOM
nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu
BOOM
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
BOOM
nyunyunyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu nyu
BOOM BOOM
BEEP BEEP
BEEP BEEP BEEP
dadadadadada
ddadad
BOOM BOOM
BBEP BEEP
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
BOOM
(Unintellgibile)
ddudndundun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dund
dododododododododododododododododododododododododododododoodo
DRUM DRUM DRUM
ddodododododoododododododododoodododododododo
chi chi chi chi chi chih
BOOOM
chcihcihfkdhfdisjfkla
dodododododododododododododododododododododododododododododododododoo
SCHEW
dododododododoodododododododododododododo
dadadadddudndundundudnudndundundunddunfudnundudnudnudndund
BOOM
FADE

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

...BOOM
FADE

[_R_]

I tried finding a version with F1 cars

[DrDickAction]

anyone else start dancing to this?

[Redliner]

anyone else start dancing to this?

Just you bro. And I'm Asian, so I'm pre-disposed to liking this shit automatically, but that was fucking awful music

[Nacho]

Davidson gets commentator job.

Anthony Davidson, a veteran of 24 Grand Prix, will turn to full-time Formula One commentary this year.

The British broadcaster BBC revealed in a statement that the 29-year-old driver, who raced most recently until the Super Aguri demise last year, is joining the 5 Live radio team.

Following the end of his Super Aguri duties in 2008, Davidson - who has also filled in for broadcaster ITV's television commentary in the past - called the British and European Grand Prix.

"Over the last few years as a Formula One driver I've enjoyed being a guest commentator with Radio 5 Live, and I'm looking forward to joining the team for the full season this year as a regular in the commentary box," Davidson said in a statement.


"Commentating gives me the chance to explain what it feels like to drive an F1 car to the limit, and to share the inside view on all of the demands that a driver faces over the weekend," he concluded.

Davidson will work alongside David Croft and pit lane reporter Holly Samos.

He was good the one time he guest commentated for ITV (Hungary 06)



No shocker here; Renault's new car a turd

Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren's Spanish test driver, has ruled out Renault as a serious title contender this year.

His countryman Fernando Alonso won two of the final four Grand Prix last year, but the birth of the 2008 machine's successor, the R29, has been troubled, and the car is usually slowest on the pre-season test timesheets.

Speaking with Spain's new F1 television broadcaster La Sexta, 37-year-old de la Rosa said he expects usual suspects McLaren and Ferrari to battle for the championship.

"I hope I am wrong and that there are others," McLaren's reserve driver admitted.

He said that despite the huge changes to the regulations, the test results so far depict a close contest.

But when asked if Renault could be the surprise of the season, de la Rosa instead said that Williams looks likely to make a major improvement this year.

But to Williams.



RBR looking to move up. Based on their test times, i'd say it's a possibility.

Sixth place in the 2009 world championship definitely will not satisfy Red Bull Racing's ambitions, team owner Dietrich Mateschitz said at Jerez.

The Austrian billionaire, accompanied by Gerhard Berger and David Coulthard, was trackside at the Spanish test earlier this week, where the newly-launched RB5 has impressed in the hands of 2009 duo Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.

In 2008, Red Bull finished the constructors' world championship seventh, one place behind its secondary team Toro Rosso.

"We want to be ahead in midfield and get close to the two or three top teams," Mateschitz is quoted as saying by the Australian news agency AAP. "Anything worse than fourth or fifth place does not meet the aims of Red Bull Racing.”

And finally; Bernie now officially on Vettel's balls

Bernie Ecclestone, F1's Chief Executive, has offered to help Sebastian Vettel find his way into the cockpit of a top car.

The 78-year-old Briton is an unabashed fan of the young German, who dazzled the paddock last year by winning the Italian Grand Prix in a Toro Rosso.

Vettel, 21, has stepped up to Red Bull's senior team for 2009, but Ecclestone has previously predicted an eventual deal with Ferrari.

Ecclestone told the latest edition of Auto Bild: "If he needs any help, he can call me."

Ecclestone reveals that Vettel's current contract ties him to Red Bull both this year and in 2010.
"But you never know what happens," he insisted.

"Things can change quickly and perhaps Red Bull will be happy to sell him on at the end of the year."

Oh, and there's news on Honda in that thread.

[_R_]

I wouldn't rule out Renualt just yet... 0.2 behind the McLaren
Pedro talks too much for being a test driver...

The final day of testing for the time being at Jerez saw Lewis Hamilton set the pace amongst those running 2009 machinery. The defending champion completed 94 laps with a best time of 1:19.632s in his McLaren Mercedes.

As ever, evaluating testing times is all but impossible as Sebastien Bourdais was on track in what is the final outing for the 2008-specification Toro Rosso Ferrari STR3. Bourdais completed 117 laps with a best time of 1:17.472s, while Hamilton again ran the 2008 rear wing on the MP4-24 to confuse matters further.

The final two days of running with Fernando Alonso on board the new R29 have been encouraging for Renault. The former champion today lapped just two-tenths off the pace of Hamilton, perhaps an indication that the Anglo-French team has turned the corner with its new challenger.

Nico Rosberg took over testing duties from Kazuki Nakajima at Williams Toyota and was fourth fastest, albeit a second slower than Alonso.
Mark Webber meanwhile had his second day of running in the new Red Bull Renault and was fifth fastest while Nakajima was also in action for the Williams team but did not record a lap time.

Jerez - 13/02/2009
1 . S. Bourdais - Toro Rosso Ferrari STR3* - 1:17.472 (+ 0.000 ) - 117 laps
2 . L. Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 - 1:19.632 (+ 2.160 ) - 94 laps
3 . F. Alonso - Renault R29 - 1:19.846 (+ 2.374 ) - 109 laps
4 . N. Rosberg - Williams Toyota FW31 - 1:21.217 (+ 3.745 ) - 71 laps
5 . M. Webber - Red Bull Renault RB5 - 1:21.313 (+ 3.841 ) - 62 laps
6 . K. Nakajima - Williams Toyota FW31 - -- (+ 12.528 ) - 34 laps.

[_R_]

and in the Sandstorm capitol (dun dun beep beep beep dun dun dun dun beeeep)

After two days affected by poor visibility, finally the weather in Bahrain improved enough so that this day of testing could proceed as normal.

Kimi Raikkonen, who was unable to do anything at all yesterday, managed to get his first run in the Ferrari F60 on a dry track, even if it was still sandy in the morning.

Raikkonen concentrated mainly on finding the best set-up for the car and covered a total of 105 laps, setting a best time of 1:33.350s, fastest on the day.

The only hiccough on the day was down to a hydraulic problem which occurred shortly after 3.00pm and was then fixed.

Ferrari resumes testing at this circuit on Monday, again with Raikkonen on track.

Sakhir - 13/02/2009
1 . K. Raikkonen - Ferrari F60 - 1:33.350 (+ 0.000 ) - 105 laps
2 . J. Trulli - Toyota TF109 - 1:33.429 (+ 0.079 ) - 127 laps
3 . C. Klien - BMW Sauber F1.09 - 1:33.666 (+ 0.316 ) - 125 laps.