2253 replies to this topic

[Redliner]

All this talk about FA going to Ferrari - who takes his seat at Renault? Kubica? Nico? Not So Quick Nick? Trulli?

Srry Skyliner

[_R_]

Fernando Alonso says it will be harder for Renault to repeat the kind of race-winning form the French squad enjoyed at the end of the 2008 season.

Although Renault struggled in the first half of 2008, Alonso was one of the most successful drivers in the second half, scoring two wins in Japan and Singapore.

The French car maker has not reached the podium this season yet, but has been making progress towards the front in recent races.

But with Renault having already stopped developments of this year's car, Alonso believes repeating last year's feat is unlikely.

"We will see," Alonso told reporters ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. "This year is different and you never what is going to happen. Last year it was difficult to predict our final part of the championship, and this year it is also difficult to predict how it is going to be for us and the other teams.

"Maybe last year we had a better opportunity because the car was improving with every race, and this year it is not the case.

"The 2009 Renault is already finished, and the 2010 car has already started, so there will be little improvement from now on and so more difficult to win races.

"But in the last three races we were very competitive. If we had had some luck one of those weekends, and we had maximised our opportunities, then we'd be talking about podiums.

"But we didn't maximise the opportunities, so from now on we need perfect weekends."

The Spaniard, who continues to be linked with a Ferrari drive in 2010, said he is "very active" in his discussions with other teams, but insisted there will be no liniment announcements.

"We're still thinking and evaluating some possibilities, so we will see. Maybe next week is too early."

no more development for the Renault...

[_R_]

All this talk about FA going to Ferrari - who takes his seat at Renault? Kubica? Nico? Not So Quick Nick? Trulli?
Srry Skyliner

Williams has recognised the likelihood of losing Nico Rosberg to a rival team at the end of the season.
The 24-year-old began his Grand Prix career with the British outfit in 2006 but is tipped to switch to McLaren Mercedes next year alongside Lewis Hamilton.
"We would gladly keep Nico, but he will probably take another option," Williams co-owner and engineering chief Patrick Head is quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Bild Motorsport.
German-born Rosberg, the son of 1982 World Champion Keke Rosberg of Finland, has scored all of the Grove-based team's 29.5 points so far this season.
Rosberg took points on nine occasions out of eleven with the Williams FW31, finishing within the top five at the last five races.

speaking of which... when does silly season begin?

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

speaking of which... when does silly season begin?

There's too many seats that are opening.. Next year could be a real clusterfuck.


My speculations:

Kimi retires, replaced by FA
Nicoberg moves to Macca alongside LH
HK moves back to Renault
Brawn stays with RB+JB
RBR stays with MW+SV

There really isn't too many competitive options left on the table for 'the nose'.

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

speaking of which... when does silly season begin?

There's too many seats that are opening.. Next year could be a real clusterfuck.


My speculations:

Kimi retires, replaced by FA
Nicoberg moves to Macca alongside LH
HK moves back to Renault, alongside RG
Brawn stays with RB+JB
RBR stays with MW+SV

There really isn't too many competitive options left on the table for 'the nose'.

[Redliner]

Yeah - this year's off-season should be fun. Now if F1 could make the season fun to watch, it'd be great

I hope Kimi doesn't retire though

[_R_]

There's too many seats that are opening.. Next year could be a real clusterfuck.
My speculations:
Kimi retires, replaced by FA
Nicoberg moves to Macca alongside LH
HK moves back to Renault, alongside RG
Brawn stays with RB+JB
RBR stays with MW+SV
There really isn't too many competitive options left on the table for 'the nose'.

and that's just assuming people move withing current teams, still have to consider the 6 other vacant seats that are opening up...
Doesn't Toyota have a seat opening up as well?

[shallow777]

I hope Davidson and Sato pick up a seat somewhere

[DrDickAction]

All this talk about FA going to Ferrari - who takes his seat at Renault? Kubica? Nico? Not So Quick Nick? Trulli?

Srry Skyliner

Which one of those guys does Flabio manage?

[vietlol]

I heard PK JR to Williams

[yonson]

Kimi Raikkonen Q&A:

Whatever the Formula One rumour mill might say about Ferrari’s 2010 driver line-up, Kimi Raikkonen remains as cool as ever on the speculation surrounding his future with the team. The only thing he is willing to admit is that he has a contract for next year - and that any decisions will be made by people other than him…

Q: Kimi, is Spa one of you favourite tracks?
Kimi Raikkonen: Yes, it’s a nice place and I always like to race here.

Q: Do you think it’s possible here for Ferrari to have a fourth podium in a row?
KR: We will try, but we have to wait for tomorrow to get an idea of what will be possible. First you have to drive to see what is realistic.

Q: Is a win possible on a dry track?
KR: As I said before, we have to wait until tomorrow. Now there’s no point in thinking of how we could do. The car has been good in the last three races - as good as it can get, I think. But remember, that track in Valencia is close to that of Monaco and so it behaved better than at many other circuits.

Q: How much of a help will KERS be on this track?
KR: It helps at every race. I haven’t been in a meeting yet to find out where we will use it, but usually in the first corner and at the exit of the last corner - and somewhere in between - but that will be discussed with the engineers.

Q: There are a lot of rumours about you next season. What is your position now?
KR: It has not changed since the last race. I have a contract. I don’t worry about me - there are other guys out there who worry much more. As I said, I have a contract and it’s not me who makes the decision, so it makes no difference. I don’t worry.

Q: How many engines do you have left for the rest of the season?
KR: I don’t know. But we haven’t broken any of them, so we should have plenty.

Q: Are you satisfied with your personal performance this year?
KR: I’ve given my best at every race. For sure, there have been races where I haven’t been happy how it went, but that’s always part of racing. Sometimes you have bad races and you are disappointed with how it went, but that happens every year. Overall I am happy how things are going. For sure, we always want to be higher up.

Q: You have delivered good results in the last two races, so are you upset that the car has not developed better throughout the year?
KR: Sure, we would like to be better in the standings, but I think for now it is okay as it would take out time of the development of next year’s car. Once you fall behind you don’t have much of a chance to catch up. We still have some chances to get good results and get points, and of course everybody wants to win.

Q: Do you think that Luca (Badoer) will do better here than in Valencia?
KR: It should be easier here because he has been here before and has more knowledge about the car. But how well he’s doing we will see in practice.

[_R_]

A total of 18 races appear on the provisional 2010 Formula One calendar, according to a list obtained by ESPN Racing-Live. The season should begin on March 14th and conclude on November 7th.

Australia has lost its traditional season-opening status in favour of Bahrain. It had been reported that daylight savings time in Melbourne, coupled with a 'twilight' race scenario, made it more convenient to schedule the first race at the Sakhir track.

The Canadian Grand Prix reappears on the calendar after a one-year hiatus, although official confirmation regarding a new contract has yet to be announced.

The British GP is listed as taking place in Donington, however there remain doubts concerning the venue's ability to secure financing. The Silverstone circuit is a possible back-up plan.

The Hockenheim circuit is planning to host the German round, but no agreement has yet been reached with respect to Formula One Management's asking price.

Until all details are worked out and all venues confirmed, the calendar indicated below remains provisional until the final list is established sometime during the next several weeks.

2010 Formula One provisional calendar:

March 14 – Bahrain (Sakhir)
March 28 – Australia (Melbourne)
April 4 – Malaysia (Sepang)
April 25 – Turkey (Istanbul)
May 9 – Spain (Barcelona)
May 23 – Monaco (Monte Carlo)
June 6 – Canada (Montreal)
June 27 – Europe (Valencia)
July 11 – Great Britain (Donington)
July 25 – Germany (Hockenheim)
August 1 – Hungary (Budapest)
August 22 – Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
September 5 – Italy (Monza)
September 19 – China (Shanghai)
September 26 – Singapore (Singapore)
October 10 – Japan (Suzuka)
October 24 – Brazil (Interlagos)
November 7 – Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

18 race calendar, starting in Shakir and ending in Abu Dhabi with a little Canada (?) thrown in the mix... 7 races are in asia, 1 in NA, 1 in SA, and 9 in Europe

[_R_]

Kimi Raikkonen on Friday admitted for the first time the possibility he will leave Ferrari at the end of the season. Although his potential departure has been linked with a full-time switch to rallying, the Finn said no matter what happens, he is staying in Formula One.

"If for some reason I am not at Ferrari next season I know I'll have a seat at another team in the paddock," he is quoted as saying by Britain's Daily Telegraph. "It's not a problem. Other teams want me."

His comments coincide with increasing speculation that Ferrari has now signed a contract with Fernando Alonso and needs to part with either of its existing contracted drivers for 2010: Raikkonen, or the recovering Felipe Massa.

It is believed an amicable split between Ferrari and Raikkonen is likely, but it will cost the Italian team millions as his engagement next year would have earned him in excess of $45m.

"I'm too young to retire. I have a contract with Ferrari for next season. If I didn't want to race next season I would not have signed a contract," he added.

Alonso's move would obviously create a gap at Renault, but arguably the better vacant seat is at McLaren, who are openly considering parting with Heikki Kovalainen.

It may have been a Freudian slip, but the BBC quoted team boss Martin Whitmarsh as saying at Valencia last weekend: "Kimi's really raised his game and all weekend has done a great job and Heikki has always been a fantastic team player and a good asset in our team but his race pace hasn't been good enough."

Lewis Hamilton was asked on Friday about the prospect of having a new team-mate, but deflected the question in the direction of his bosses before remarking that he's "happy with Heikki".

Raikkonen drove for McLaren between 2002 and 2006.

[kngrsll]

interesting development... perhaps kimi has started getting the cold shoulder in maranello. if schumi could feel forced out, i am sure they would have no problem dumping another world champion.

[vietlol]

Monza weekend will be fascinating this year, I hope its not a letdown with no announcements

[MrHahn]

So, Badoer crashed into the back of Sutil's car in Parc Ferme after the Valencia GP

[cafcwest]

interesting development... perhaps kimi has started getting the cold shoulder in maranello. if schumi could feel forced out, i am sure they would have no problem dumping another world champion.

Indeed. Up until that spot above, Kimi had been quoted as saying that Ferrari was the last team he would ever drive for in F1. Apparently since the last time I read that (~1 year ago) something has changed.

[_R_]

Indeed. Up until that spot above, Kimi had been quoted as saying that Ferrari was the last team he would ever drive for in F1. Apparently since the last time I read that (~1 year ago) something has changed.

the italians are shitting on their drivers/riders... between Ferrari and Ducati, team red is a cluster fuck this year

[yonson]

I would for Kimi to go back to McLaren, especially if he can get decent equipment!!!!!!!

[_R_]

The FIA is to launch an investigation into the events at last year's Singapore Grand Prix, where Renault's Fernando Alonso claimed victory on the back of a crash by his team-mate Nelson Piquet.

Alonso's success was sealed by the timing of a safety car in the early stages of the inaugural event - which had been called out when Piquet crashed into the wall shortly after his team-mate stopped for fuel.

The timing of Piquet's crash prompted wild conspiracy theories that the Brazilian had been ordered to deliberately spin to help Renault take its first victory of the year. Piquet himself insisted at the time that the accident had been caused by him simply trying too hard.

"It was my mistake," said Piquet. "We tried two extreme strategies with Fernando quite short and me quite long in the hope of getting a safety car. If I hadn't crashed I would have been lucky with the safety car later in the race because I was very happy.

"We're always scraping the walls, and once you've touched the wall a little too much and lose control that's it."

It is understood, however, that fresh evidence about the events that took place in the race have now come to light - which has prompted the FIA to step in.

Piquet was dropped by Renault after this year's Hungarian Grand Prix, and has been outspoken in his criticisms of the outfit - and in particular team principal Flavio Briatore. It is not clear if the Brazilian himself has been a catalyst for the investigation, or if the evidence has come from elsewhere.

The FIA has not elaborated on the details of its inquiry, but a spokesperson confirmed to AUTOSPORT that an investigation was under way.

"The FIA can confirm that an investigation is underway regarding alleged events at a previous world championship race," said the spokesperson.

Should the FIA investigation suggest there is any evidence of foul play involved, then the governing body could call a hearing of the World Motor Sport Council to discuss the matter.

[MrHahn]

Haha, totally wtf mate.

F1 is turning into a circus - this shit is getting ridiculous

[chiuey]

anyone got a copy of that race? it would be interesting to watch it again to see what positions the drivers were in at the time of the crash...

[Dazed1]

Any decisions made on who will replace Luca? He's a total failure.

[kngrsll]

apparently, Schumi's bike wreck that he had earlier this year was ALOT worse than i had thought. well for one, i didnt really know much about it. apparently, he fractured his SKULL and a vertebra!!! as well, one of the main arteries going to the brain was completely destroyed!! Thats crazy, really really bad injuries...

http://www.bild.de/B...e-injuries.html

im looking for more info on it now.

meh, maybe thats not true... i cant find anything else along those lines.

[MrHahn]

Any decisions made on who will replace Luca? He's a total failure.

Daffy Duck is a shoe-in