Here's my out on a limb prediction...

Michael Schumacher gets number 8 this year...

This scene will look familiar once again...


http://www.linternaute.com/actualite/photos/afp/depeche/image/photos/SGE.QQH84.070304092630.photo00.default-328x384.jpg

Should be interesting to hear more about this renegade championship...

I am, and always will be for Schumi :cool:

Even though Schumacher is my favorite driver, I would like to see Rubens put up more of a fight than he has in years past. Everyone talks about Schumi's contract stating he's number one and so forth, but it seems like the only year that Rubens even remotely put up a fight was when they had the F2003 GA at their disposal. That car seemed a little more suited to Barrichello than to Schumacher.

I also hope Jenson does well again at BAR and gets his first win. Also, I would like to see Jacques Villenueve give Peter Sauber some hope and get a few podiums. I like Frank Williams and I hope he has the sense to sign Nick Heidfeld instead of "Jungle Boy" to partner Mark Webber. Heidfeld, in fact beat Webber's times in testing today. I can't stand Ron Dennis, Kimi, or Montoya and hope they end the season with a big fat goose egg in points. As far as Renault goes, I wouldn't be surprised if Fisichella is faster than Alonso on average. Toyota has two big name drivers, who knows if they will have a car that is worth a shit. As for Jordan and Minardi, they will be back markers again. That leaves Red Bull. I think this is the first year I can remember Coulthard is not predicting himself to win the Championship. He wanted to last week or whatever when he said they would surprise people.

Anyways, it should be an interesting season and yes, the threat of the GPWC is real and Bernie should listen for once instead of having his head buried up his ass...

A new era of F1 will begin when Schumacher leaves.

Agreed. :thumb:

Not that I'll be watching it :p

:wtf:

I like the shape of the new McLaren:

Check it out........ (http://www.formula1.com/news/2557.html)

Looks good.

34 days, 11 hours, 34 minutes and 28 secs until Australian GP.

:bounce:

You mean Ferarri victory #5150??? :D

I also hope Jenson does well again at BAR and gets his first win.

Is Jenson still with BAR? How did they resolve their contract dispute. If he's still with BAR, then he's a lame duck, but he'll also be motivated to show he can win. I really enjoyed watching Honda challenge Ferrari last year. I'll be keeping my eyes on BAR this year.

Now that I have Tivo, watching the races will be ever better!

Yes, Jenson is still with BAR. His contract with BAR was upheld by the Contract Recognition Board (CRB). If he would have challenged their ruling, the FIA would not have issued a Super License to him because in the FIA's eyes, CRB rulings are binding.

Since the board came down with their decision, David Richards, team manager, has since been replaced. Honda has also purchased a stake in the team. Honda really wants to keep Button, but I'm sure they'll have to throw a lot of dollars his way especially if he proves last year wasn't a fluke.

Williams have just announced that Nick Heidfeld will be Mark Webber's team mate for 2005.

I think it's a smart move on Williams part. If they had "Jungle Boy" as Webber's teammate, it would be like having Ralf and Montoya again, not getting along and tearing up each other's equipment. Obviously Heidfeld has BMW's backing, and he also has more race experience. At least the FW27 won't have that walrus front end this year...

I think it's a smart move on Williams part. If they had "Jungle Boy" as Webber's teammate, it would be like having Ralf and Montoya again, not getting along and tearing up each other's equipment. Obviously Heidfeld has BMW's backing, and he also has more race experience. At least the FW27 won't have that walrus front end this year...
Agree. I much prefer Heidfeld over Pizzonia.

Here's a good commentary from Planet F1 regarding Heidfeld being picked to be the other race driver.

Planet F1 Story (http://planet-f1.com/features/editorial/story_18545.shtml)

Here's a good commentary from Planet F1 regarding Heidfeld being picked to be the other race driver.

Planet F1 Story (http://planet-f1.com/features/editorial/story_18545.shtml)
Excellent article. Thanks FastDodge :thumb:

Good choice, IMO.
Can't wait~!

Any of you guys get coverage of this?

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,421529,00.jpg

Mark Webber doing laps of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. :thumb:

6 days, 2 hours, 21 mins, 19 seconds til Melbourne..... :bounce:

It'll be nice having a Saturday night race to start the season as usual here. It should be an interesting season. Any predictions for a winner besides Schumi? I really don't have a clue as of yet. It could be McLaren, Renault, who knows...

I don't really know much about Formula 1 but am a little interested always in the Melbourne GP.
Anyhow rev-heads,I was wondering if Webber has a realistic chance of winning here in Melb or is the Aussie media pumping up his tyres a little too much? (sorry about the pun).

It'll be nice having a Saturday night race to start the season as usual here. It should be an interesting season. Any predictions for a winner besides Schumi? I really don't have a clue as of yet. It could be McLaren, Renault, who knows...
By the sounds of it McLaren is the only other team that will be on the pace.

I don't really know much about Formula 1 but am a little interested always in the Melbourne GP.
Anyhow rev-heads,I was wondering if Webber has a realistic chance of winning here in Melb or is the Aussie media pumping up his tyres a little too much? (sorry about the pun).
I think the media is definitely doing a bit of 'tyre-pumping' because Webber himself is saying that he is 'not a chance'.
He said he was hopeful of a points finish, maybe 7th or 8th, but that was being optimistic.
Having said that, he could be playing 'ducks and drakes'. It should all become clear on Friday and Saturday.

I think the media is definitely doing a bit of 'tyre-pumping' because Webber himself is saying that he is 'not a chance'.
He said he was hopeful of a points finish, maybe 7th or 8th, but that was being optimistic.
Having said that, he could be playing 'ducks and drakes'. It should all become clear on Friday and Saturday.
Thanks,are you coming down for the race mate?

Thanks,are you coming down for the race mate?
Me??? Come to Melbourne??? You're kidding right???? ;)
Not this year mate, I'm trying to organise a few people for next year though.
I haven't made it to an F1 event yet.

Webber concedes home win beyond him
Sunday, February 27, 2005. 3:17pm AEDT
ABC (http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200502/s1312027.htm)
http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200502/r41645_106188.jpg

Mark Webber has virtually given up hope of winning next weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, despite the massive hype about his switch to Williams.

Webber has been waiting a long time to have a real crack at winning his home grand prix and was hoping this would be the year after earning a Formula One drive for Williams, following a season with Minardi and two with Jaguar.

The 28-year-old Australian, who went for a high-speed spin on the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday as part of a publicity stunt beamed around the world, is resigned however to waiting at least another season because of aerodynamic problems with his new car.

Engineers have been working around the clock trying to iron out the problems and make the car go faster. But they concede that time has run out for next weekend's race.

"We realise we've got a lot of work to do and we're not going to be at the sharp end straight away," Williams technical director Sam Michael said.

"It's a long season, it's 19 races, so we just want to come away with some points from Melbourne."

Webber burns across bridge
February 27, 2005 - 5:25PM
SMH (http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Webber-burns-across-bridges/2005/02/27/1109439447164.html?oneclick=true)

Australian Formula One ace Mark Webber fulfilled the fantasy of many a frustrated Sydney motorist when he drove across the Sydney Harbour Bridge while it was devoid of traffic.

As part of a television promotion for next week's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Webber piloted a 2004 BMW F1 Williams car across the icon five times, supposedly at no more than 90kph.

The 28-year-old from Queanbeyan said he had "not a clue" about what speeds he recorded during his seven minutes on the iconic bridge.

He said it was "pretty eerie" driving on an otherwise empty bridge and he was "quite nervous".

"To go over a bridge, there's a lot of expansion and movement over the years, so to drive a Formula One car over there I was expecting it to be bumpy, but it was a bit bumpier than I expected, but no problem," Webber said.

NSW Premier Bob Carr apologised to motorists for the closure of the Harbour Bridge between 5am and 10am.

"I apologise for the inconvenience that some motorists will suffer, but this is an unbelievable opportunity for us," Mr Carr said shortly before Webber's drive.

The premier said pictures of Sydney's major landmarks including the Bridge, the Opera House and the Harbour would be beamed to millions of viewers throughout Asia and Europe.

"It's terrific promotion for a city that's earning a buck out of tourism."

He refused to start any Sydney-Melbourne rivalry, declaring the latter was "entitled to its unimpeachable, unstealable day of glory which the F1 Grand Prix represented".

"Nothing can steal the attention Melbourne gets with this major event, that's Melbourne's, it will stay Melbourne's but my philosophy is if its good for one part of Australia, it's good for the rest of Australia," Mr Carr said.

Webber hinted he would be okay with sixth or seventh place in next week's season-opener and predicted some tough early races for his new employer Williams.

Driving the old Williams and using "very, very hard" tyres, Webber said the exercise was purely promotional and provided no information about his prospects for next week.

Both Webber and Williams boss Frank Williams had previously stated the 2005 car would not be at its quickest for next week's race and the Australian driver had modest expectations of the car's early season performance.

"The opposition we are up against is incredibly strong, but Williams knows that and we will also be a force in the future," Webber said.

"I think the first few races could be a little bit tough for us, we are not hiding away from that, but we've got to be real with ourselves.

"We are setting tough goals for ourselves, there's no point in saying we are happy with sixth and seventh and places like that, that would be okay to get underway.

"But during the course of the season, we can't stay there all year."

A spokeswoman for the Roads and Traffic Authority said no major delays were caused by the five-hour closure of the bridge.

"There was no problems at all," she said.

Some odds for the new season:

2005 F1 GP DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNER

1.35 - MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
6.50 - KIMI RAIKKONEN
8.50 - JUAN PABLO MONTOYA
12.00 - RUBENS BARRICHELLO
12.00 - JENSON BUTTON
15.00 - MARK WEBBER
15.00 - FERNANDO ALONSO
26.00 - GIANCARLO FISICHELLA
51.00 - NICK HEIDFELD
101.00 - TAKUMA SATO
251.00 - JARNO TRULLI
251.00 - RALF SCHUMACHER
501.00 - JACQUES VILLENEUVE
501.00 - FELIPE MASSA
501.00 - DAVID COULTHARD
501.00 - CHRISTIAN KLEIN
1001.00 - NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN
1001.00 - TIAGO MONTEIRO
1501.00 - CHRISTIJAN ALBERS
1501.00 - PATRICK FRIESACHER

2 days to go..... :bounce:
BRING.... IT.... ON.... :yell:

Go Rubens and Schumi! Viva Ferrari!

1 day to go.....

Qualifying starts tomorrow. :bounce:

Well, the first two practice sessions are over and there aren't very many surprises except how badly Webber did in the second session. I can't believe Heidfeld pulled out a really quick lap just before the end and Webber is so far back. Anyways, we should see the teams real hands tomorrow and Sunday.

I do have to say it's great hearing those V10's screaming at almost 19K rpms again!!! :thumb:

I got my wife to tape it for me, so I'll be watching it tonight...
I don't know if I like this idea of Sunday morning final qualifying...

Qualifying was a frickin' joke...

ROUND 1: Melbourne, AUSTRALIA

Fisi takes first win of 2005...Renault finished 1 & 3... Qualifying sucked...

http://www.planet-f1.com/mediastore/images/PF1_Homepage/Top_story_Australian_GP_onwards/Fisichella_celebrates_Aussie_win.jpg

Points positions:
1 G Fisichella (Italy)
2 R Barrichello (Brazil)
3 F Alonso (Spain)
4 D Coulthard (GB)
5 M Webber (Australia)
6 JP Montoya (Columbia)
7 C Klien (Austria)
8 K Raikkonen (Finland)

Contstructors points:
Renault 16
Ferrari 8
Red Bull 7
BMW-Williams 4
McLaren 4

Quote from winner:
Giancarlo FISICHELLA: Yes it is a great day for me. It has been a fantastic race, honestly. I was quite conservative. I never pushed to the limit, only at the end when Rubens was catching me and I drove a little bit faster and I drove a quick lap time. The car was great, very good balance, the tyres stayed consistent from the beginning to the end. We are in really good shape and it is the best start of my career. To win the first race of the season is great and I am really, really happy. I like to say thank you to the mechanics and all of the Renault team.

Anyone see the Schumacher/Heidfeld incident?

From the in-car footage it looked as though Michael took the wrong line into the corner.

Anyone see the Schumacher/Heidfeld incident?

From the in-car footage it looked as though Michael took the wrong line into the corner.
Skaiffe said it was definitely Schui's fault.

Skaiffe said it was definitely Schui's fault.
LMAO
really? my tape ran out just when Mark came on...
we had a family BBQ on yesterday afternoon so I had to tape it from 9:30 through to about 4.30pm and watch the whole thing last night. :drunk:

On the U.S. coverage on SpeedTV, one of the announcers mentioned that Villenueve made comments that the new rules would make passing and racing worse than before and it looks like he was right. There was little to no passing whatsoever. I didn't think it was a very exciting race. I was surprised at the pace of the Red Bull cars and how slow BAR was. Rubens showed that the F2004M is still a competitive car and I think the other teams should be very worried about the F2005. I think once we see the new Ferrari, it'll be game over once again. It may not be as dominant as 2004 or 2002, but they will win it again. Hopefully Rubens will get a Championship. That would be sweet! Anyways, hot temps and one race old engines for Malaysia...

What a BORING, DUMB race that was. The qualifying was at it's worst EVER. Pitstops are even worse to look at. They're ruining the entire sport I'm telling you.

I agree! The first thing that should happen is Max Mosley needs to go away. He is too involved with the sport. I think the FIA should govern, not dictate how a sport is ran whether it be technical rules or sporting rules. I wish Ferrari hadn't signed yet for a new Concorde Agreement. I would have like to see more pressure on Bernie to loosen his grip on F1. I think the others should go ahead for plans for the GPWC. If Ferrari is the only team left, there isn't much of a championship and then they'll have to listen to the other manufacturers and teams. It's too bad that F1 has gotten to the point where the off track stories make up a majority of the news, but that's the way it is I guess...

People should LEAVE FERRARI ALONE!!!!!! People can't stand Ferrari because their OWN TEAM SUCKS!!!!!! This is all a big conspiracy against Schumacher/Ferrari. They should stop going against the good team, and start going against the bad teams, make them build better cars, even it means fusing smaller teams together, and letting new teams with more money in, just do it. Return the qualifying to the way it was in '97.....in fact, BRING IT ALL BACK TO '97!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VILLENEUVE AND SCHUMACHER!!!!!!!!!! :yell:

Not a good start to the year for Schumacher.

True. I don't think the Ferrari boys/teams are trying very hard. They seem to have issues with tyre performance. Ferrari, Minardi and Jordan are the only teams running on Bridgestones. Everyone else is on Michelins.

Many are saying that because the Ferraris are not being as dominant, in these first two races, that the racing is more interesting. Personally, I've found the first two races of the season boring. Last night was like watching 58 laps of a warm-up lap.

I don't know if any of you saw the Webber/Fisichella incident. It was a real shame as I thought Mark had a grip on his first ever Podium Finish. The ITV commentators said that it was "60/40" Webber's fault. Maybe I'm biased, but I disagree. Would be interested to hear other's thoughts?

All due credit to Renault though, it was a convincing win.

ROUND 2: Sepang, MALAYSIA

Alonso takes win... Renault 2 from 2... Race was boring.... ;)

http://images.f1racing.net/large/41812.jpg

Points positions:
1 F Alonso (Spain)
2 J Trulli (Italy)
3 N Heidfeld (Germany)
4 JP Montoya (Columbia)
5 R Schumacher (Germany)
6 D Coulthard (Great Britain)
7 M Schumacher (Germany)
8 C Klien (Austria)

Constructors Championship:
Renault 26
Toyota 12
Red Bull 11
Ferrari 10
Williams 10
McLaren 9

Quote from winner:
"The car was really easy to drive throughout the race. The last fifteen or twenty laps were very lonely and since it’s the second race for the car and engine and you're a bit worried, but I think we showed Renault is the team to beat."

Fisichella warned after Webber shunt
20 March 2005
f1racing.net (http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=80574 )

http://images.f1racing.net/large/41807.jpg

Giancarlo Fisichella has been warned about his future racing conduct by race stewards at Sepang following his collision with Mark Webber during Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix. Fisichella slid into Webber's BMW Williams as the Australian tried to overtake around the outside of the final corner. After reviewing video footage of the incident and hearing statements from both drivers stewards decided to warn Fisichella but took no further action.

Another boring race. What a waste of time that was.

Yep, and I believe it's mostly because of the new rules.

Yeah, me too. The Anti-Ferrari conspiracy continues.

Predictions for Bahrain???

I'm guessing Schumacher will unleash the fury of the new F2005 and put Renault and the rest of the field back in their place. I bet he will drive the wheels off of it and leave it all on the table. Michael seems to step it up with new equipment and naysayers claiming he's done. He will quickly remind the competition who has won the last Five Championships.

Predictions for Bahrain???

I'm guessing Schumacher will unleash the fury of the new F2005 and put Renault and the rest of the field back in their place. I bet he will drive the wheels off of it and leave it all on the table. Michael seems to step it up with new equipment and naysayers claiming he's done. He will quickly remind the competition who has won the last Five Championships.

Well, I think the jury is still out on the Bridgestone tires.

Predictions for Bahrain???

I'm guessing Schumacher will unleash the fury of the new F2005 and put Renault and the rest of the field back in their place. I bet he will drive the wheels off of it and leave it all on the table. Michael seems to step it up with new equipment and naysayers claiming he's done. He will quickly remind the competition who has won the last Five Championships.
I can only hope that this will happen man :thumb:

Predictions for Bahrain???
I'm guessing Schumacher will unleash the fury of the new F2005 and put Renault and the rest of the field back in their place. I bet he will drive the wheels off of it and leave it all on the table. Michael seems to step it up with new equipment and naysayers claiming he's done. He will quickly remind the competition who has won the last Five Championships.
I hope you right, although personally I think it sounds like the tyres are causing more problems than the car. I guess that will be answered this weekend.

Isn't the issue with the Bridgestone's that they don't perform on warmer tracks? Anyone know what the forecast is for Bahrain?

Official: De la Rosa to replace Montoya (http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=81336)

Team McLaren Mercedes confirms that Juan Pablo Montoya is unable to take part in the 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix this coming weekend; as a result of an injury he sustained whilst playing tennis during the Easter weekend. Juan Pablo was playing tennis with his personal trainer in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday morning (26th March) when he slipped and fell, sustaining a minor hairline fracture to his left scapula (shoulder blade).

Following a number of tests, scans and an examination by one of McLaren's medical consultants, the team has been advised that Juan Pablo should rest to allow for the injury to heal. Further scans will take place in two weeks time to verify the healing process, but at this stage the team fully expects Juan Pablo to be able to compete in the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola on 24th April 2005.

Team McLaren Mercedes' nominated test driver for the Bahrain Grand Prix, Pedro de la Rosa will race the MP4-20 in Juan Pablo's place. The team's other test driver Alexander Wurz will pilot the third car during Friday's two practice sessions.

Pedro has undertaken 2168 kilometres of testing with the MP4-20 since late January whilst Alex has been focusing on Michelin tyre development with the MP4-19B. Subsequently after a discussion between the team and Alex, it was decided that on this particular occasion Pedro was better equipped to race at the Bahrain Grand Prix. However following the Bahrain Grand Prix, Alex will commence his testing programme with the MP4-20, and will be able to share he test driver duties with Pedro at future races.

Montoya said: "I'm obviously disappointed not to be able to race this coming weekend. However driving a Formula One car is hard work and it would be impossible to do with my injury and whilst it's difficult, we have to follow the advice from the medical experts. I'm going to take it easy for a few weeks and cheer for the team in front of the TV. I'm already looking forward to getting back into action as soon as possible. At least it's early in the season and a lot can happen, so I don't think my championship challenge is over."

De la Rosa commented: "First of all I would like to wish Juan Pablo a speedy recovery. As one of the test drivers for Team McLaren Mercedes this is really an extension of my existing track side responsibilities. I'm looking forward to the challenge of racing in Bahrain and will do my best. It will be a new experience, as I have not competed in Bahrain before. I know the team and the car very well from our comprehensive testing programme and hopefully we will be able to put in a strong performance. I'm definitely going to enjoy this opportunity as much as I can."

Well, that's atleast something good :D

Well, Alonso is on Pole but Schumacher is on the front row!

Just think after they have time to improve the F2005!

Go Ferrari!

Yeah, that made me smile *evil* muhahahaha :devil:

The Ferrari is back at front, now it's time tell all the flamin' noobs to SIT THE FUCK DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!! :cool:

I guess it doesn't matter if the thing only makes a dozen or so laps...

Well, with how dominant Ferrari has been in the past, they need to look at the season as a 16 race season giving the opposition a 3 race head start for points.

It sucked. This is all because of the new rules, ANTI FERRARI CONSPIRACY!!!!!

LMAO

Man i'm tired this morning. The coverage finished at about 1.30am, here in Sydney.

It started at like 4:00Am for me. I had set the dish reciever to auto tune to the race, I was awoke by scream of F1 cars.

What does one do at 4:30 in the morning while watching F1 racing you ask? Get up and throw a pizza in the oven, eat the pizza in bed with the dog then finish off a pint of Ben & Jerrys ice cream. It seemed like a good thing to do at the time.

I hear ya. I woke up a bit late to see about 30 seconds before Michael went off. I then turned the TV off and got some more zzz's.

It started at like 4:00Am for me. I had set the dish reciever to auto tune to the race, I was awoke by scream of F1 cars.

What does one do at 4:30 in the morning while watching F1 racing you ask? Get up and throw a pizza in the oven, eat the pizza in bed with the dog then finish off a pint of Ben & Jerrys ice cream. It seemed like a good thing to do at the time.
I usually throw down some ice cream while watching the F1. You have to do something during the ad breaks at 1am in the morning.

I can't believe how isolated the Bahrain track looks.
It looks like something out of a Star Wars movie.

I can't believe how isolated the Bahrain track looks.
It looks like something out of a Star Wars movie.

LMAO - I was thinking that exact same thing when I was watching it. It reminded me of the Lukes home.

Guess I can scratch Bahrain off the places to visit list.

ROUND 3: BAHRAIN

Alonso wins 2nd for the season... Toyota and McLaren take 4 out of top 5 positions... Ferrari scores no points...

http://images.f1racing.net/large/42666.jpg

Points positions:
1 F. Alonso
2 J. Trulli
3 K. Räikkönen
4 R. Schumacher
5 P. de la Rosa
6 M. Webber
7 F. Massa
8 D. Coulthard

Constructors Championship:
Renault 36
Toyota 25
McLaren 19
Williams 13
Red Bull 12
Ferrari 10
Sauber 2

Quote from winner:
"The car was again perfect, especially after the first pit stop and we proved again that our strongest point is the long runs which is maybe unusual but great for these new rules.I had a great fight with Michael for a few laps and then with Jarno but after the first stop I was able to be more conservative."

"It was very close with Michael and I think he was probably slightly quicker than me in the first part of the race but as we know it's difficult to overtake," Alonso added. "I as sure though that my long runs would be better than his and we'd be stronger later in the race. It's the third consecutive race that I've had absolutely no problems with the car either in the race or at all in the weekend."

LMAO - I was thinking that exact same thing when I was watching it. It reminded me of the Lukes home.

Guess I can scratch Bahrain off the places to visit list.
http://www.f1-pics.com/bahrain04/bahraincircuit05.jpg

http://www.motorsport.com/photos/f1/2004/bah/f1-2004-bah-tm-0161.jpg

Anyone see the Spanish MotoGP?

What a finish!!!

The lead changed probably 5 times on last lap between Rossi and Gibernau and Rossi ran inot Gibernau on the very last corner, forcing him off the track.

I was suprised how well Sete managed to keep in his emotions after the race. I thought for a minute he was going to punch Rossi.

It was funny though, I had a dream last night that they walked up to Rossi on the podium took his trophy and handed to Sete. :scared:

Anyone else notice that the San Marino GP is being broadcast on CBS on delay? My Tivo says it's on CBS, and not Speed TV, which I find very strange.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meet the true hero :

http://fernandoalonso.yaia.com/imagenes/fernandoalonso_005.jpg


:D:D:D

MEET YOUR MAKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.cryptogon.com/images/terminator.jpg

*shoots Mishar*

Fucking A buddy :thumb:

S**t.... haven't done my write-up for this round......

Will get onto it tomorrow..... ;-)

Holy crap. I just watched the San Marino GP on Tuesday evening. What a fantastic race! I really think Schumacher would have come out ahead of Alonso if Button had pitted and he had two laps to run by himself before pitting.

That pass on Button was truly amazing.

But, in the end, Ferrari came up short. Seems like Bridgestone gave them a better tire though.

That pass on Button was truly amazing.

You got that right.....
I could watch that over and over again...
I was sure that when the camera panned around we were going to see mangled cars....
Well done Schumi :thumb:

That was a really exciting race. First one of the season.

BAR Honda DQed and will be banned from Spanish and Manoco GPs (http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?series=f1&id=2053818)

Reports are that Button's car was 11 pounds (5 kilo) under weight. Particularly interesting is how they tried to cover it up by leaving gas in the tank.

I read that Alonso think Ferrari and BAR are cheating. Crybaby, and he's the next Schumacher??? Not in a million years, and the next.

Well, I guess Alonso was right about BAR...don't know about Ferrari though. I guess there is reason to be skeptical about the dramatic improvement of the Bridgestone tires between Bahrain and San Marino. However, the weather conditions were much more favorable in San Marino.

I would really like to see Kimi Räikkönen in Ferrari... he is fast and he sure is a good driver. Plus I would like to see Kimi in Ferrari because I am from Finland and it's been a long time when a Fin last drove such a thing. It was Mika Salo back in 1999 if I remember right...

Yes, it was, trying to support Irvine who (luckily) screwed up then.

Yes, it was, trying to support Irvine who (luckily) screwed up then.

And Mika (Häkkinen) won the championship. It was amazing.

Yeah, too bad for Ferrari, but I didn't really want Irvine to get all the glory :p


BTW, you a Hanoi Rocks fan???

Of course I am a Hanoi Rocks fan! I am going to buy the new record (Another Hostile Takeover) when I get some money.

Of course I am a Hanoi Rocks fan! I am going to buy the new record (Another Hostile Takeover) when I get some money.
:D


You're my new best friend. I say get that album as fast as you can. It's OFF THE HOOK!!!!!!!!! You won't be disappointed :thumb:

I thought the Spanish GP was a snooze-fest. Nothing really remarkable to say about it. I think I saw one excellent pass. Someone overtook Webber, but now I can't remember who did the overtaking.

Yeah, it sucked once again due to lack of Ferrari.

The new tire rules suck ass. I think Luca di Montezemelo, head of Ferrari put it best:

Ferrari's President - Luca di Montezemolo - pointed the finger at their tyre supplier Bridgestone to explain the Scuderia's lack of success this season.

In an interview published in the Italian daily La Repubblica, Montezemolo mentions that it is not only the punctures on the no1 F2005 in Spain that are to blame; it is the lack of performance of the Japanese tyres that makes him unhappy.

"Because of the new rules, it is more a tyre world championship than one for car manufacturers," he said.

"I am worried because I see after five races that we have a very competitive car but there is a big problem with the tyres. Bridgestone were very competitive in the last few years but with these new rules, the tyres have an excessive role," added Luca di Montezemolo.

"I am optimistic that the situation can improve. We have trouble to be quick over a single lap and during the entire race distance," he said. "I know that Bridgestone are working hard to improve the situation. It is certainly the number one problem today and the one that worries me the most!"

"I knew that one day or another we would not be able to win anymore. The satisfaction of winning will be even greater when we will be back on the road to success. We still have the will to do it and we will show it," insisted the Ferrari President.

"I consider that some of the rules introduced this year are not appropriate for F1 and are mostly there to stop Ferrari's domination," concluded di Montezemolo.

(Story courtesy of www.f1-live.com/en)

I'm not really sure what to make of the tire battle. I don't necessarily like the fact that it's as much as a tire championship as it is a manufacturer's championship either, but, couldn't Ferrari dump Bridgestone if they're not performing under the current rules? Sure, Bridgestone served them well under the old rules, but rules change, and companies need to change to meet current demands and needs. Both B'stone and Michelin have a lot of money riding on sponsorship so the pressure should be on both tire manufactuers to meet the demands of the rules. Clearly B'stone isn't getting it done. They must be working 24/7 to get it right. Big, prestigeous race on the horizon!

I'm not really sure what to make of the tire battle. I don't necessarily like the fact that it's as much as a tire championship as it is a manufacturer's championship either, but, couldn't Ferrari dump Bridgestone if they're not performing under the current rules? Sure, Bridgestone served them well under the old rules, but rules change, and companies need to change to meet current demands and needs. Both B'stone and Michelin have a lot of money riding on sponsorship so the pressure should be on both tire manufactuers to meet the demands of the rules. Clearly B'stone isn't getting it done. They must be working 24/7 to get it right. Big, prestigeous race on the horizon!

They can't just change tire manufactorer in the midlle of the season. Then they'd also had to do some major changes in their cars aerodynamics because it is desingned to work with Bridgestones.

"I consider that some of the rules introduced this year are not appropriate for F1 and are mostly there to stop Ferrari's domination," concluded di Montezemolo.
YOU SEE?!?!!??!?!? YA SEE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??! I knew it, I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!!

They can't just change tire manufactorer in the midlle of the season. Then they'd also had to do some major changes in their cars aerodynamics because it is desingned to work with Bridgestones.

But I bet Ferrari wishes they could! :)

YOU SEE?!?!!??!?!? YA SEE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??! I knew it, I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!!

That can be true because of the earlier statements that F1 gets boring because one team (and man) are dominating the whole series. But once again F1 is lacking overtakes. Earlier it was lackin overtakes and a good championship fight.

fast98dodge, happy birthday for Sunday dude!! :thumb:

Congratulations to Mark Webber on first ever podium finish.
Well deserved. :thumb:

Yeah, it's about time he got a podium. You guys were probably going bonkers when he finished third. BTW, thanks for the B-day wishes!

I slept through half of the race. It sucked.

:eek:

I don't know if anyone posted this yet, but the FIA is supposedly looking for our opinions about F1 and where it is going in the future.

You can take the survey here:

FIA Formula One Survey (http://www.fia-amd-survey2005.com/)

Yeah, heard about this on the ITV coverage.
Thanks for the link.

Yeah, I'm going to do it now. MY VOICE SHALL BE HEARD, I SAY!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations to Mark Webber on first ever podium finish.
Well deserved. :thumb:

And he couldn't have been more selfish about finishing behind his teammate. It seemed that he wished he finished last and have been no where near his teammate on the podium.

And he couldn't have been more selfish about finishing behind his teammate. It seemed that he wished he finished last and have been no where near his teammate on the podium.
Yeah, you got that right. Can you believe that guy???

I just completed the survey. I found myself struggling with the following issue - I want teams to be able to spend what they want to spend, but I also want competitive racing. Can you have both?

They give teams carte blanch on tech stuff. They're just limiting the tech people in teams, it must be really frustrating for them have to face the rules everytime come up with something sensational. Safety will be an issue many would say, but that goes with the tech stuff. Safety is already way up to standards, so I'm sure they keep on going with that.

FYI, I recently purchases both Grand Prix Challenge by Infogrames and F1 Career Challenge by EA Sports for Play Station 2. I'm looking forward to tackling these games with me Logitech force feedback driving wheel.

Anyone have any experience with these games? I've read that F1CC is easier to drive, so I'll probably master that one first, and then go for GPC. In the meantime, I'm in the 1st season of the 20 year career mode in NASCAR Thunder 2003.

Mark Webber :{

It was an alright race. Too bad for Kimi, I really wanted him to win. Lucky Alonso bastard.


Anyone watch Indy 500??? ;)

FYI, I recently purchases both Grand Prix Challenge by Infogrames and F1 Career Challenge by EA Sports for Play Station 2. I'm looking forward to tackling these games with me Logitech force feedback driving wheel.

Anyone have any experience with these games? I've read that F1CC is easier to drive, so I'll probably master that one first, and then go for GPC. In the meantime, I'm in the 1st season of the 20 year career mode in NASCAR Thunder 2003.

Neither. If you want to play racing games, go PC, not PS2.

Having said that, Nascar 2004 on PS2 is pretty cool for a career mode. My buddy was about 3 seasons in kicking ass before turning off the power while saving one night! Needless to say, he was pretty pissed off.

For any of the F1 fans that care, at least Ferrari finished better than they have in a while. I wouldn't be surprised to see them win the USGP. They are way overdue and this is almost a home race for them.

Do any of you guys/girls know anyone who's going this year? I would like to go next year just to see Schumi before he retires.

Yes, Schumacher ruled!!!! :D The other teams had tough luck, boo fucking hoo :p Montoya still holds the crown for biggest dumbass in car racing history.

F1 is dead, it's just nobody has told it yet...

Michelin should be held directly responsible for this disgrace...

It's not like it's a new track they are racing on. They also have two tire choices. Just think if the roles had been reversed. People would say that Ferrari and Bridgestone are having problems again and tell them to quit whining...

I'm pissed... :irked: :brickwall :irked: :brickwall :irked: :brickwall

I watched the entire race. Michelin were fools. Schumacher won a boring race, and that guy from Jordan cannot be trusted :D What a "race".

:scared:

:wtf:

:brickwall

:sleep:

and i stayed up until the 3.30am start why???

What a disgrace!!!

The Michelin teams talk about the United States GP
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns15067.html

Nick Fry (BAR), Pierre Dupasquier (Michelin)© The Cahier ArchiveThe Michelin teams deeply regret the position that they have been put in today and would like to apologise to all the spectators, TV viewers, Formula 1 fans and sponsors for not being able to take part in today's USA Grand Prix. Following Ralf Schumacher's accident on Friday morning, we were advised by Michelin that none of the tyres that were available to the teams could be used unless the vehicle speed in turn 13 was reduced. Without this Michelin did not consider the tyre to be safe to be used for the race.

All the teams are confident in Michelin and trust their advice as we know they are competent and responsible and their written instruction to us not to race unless changes to the circuit were made was accepted.

After final data from Michelin became available at 06.30 on Sunday morning it became clear that Michelin were not able to guarantee the safety of the drivers. Numerous discussions and meetings took place to find a safe solution to the problem. Every possibility for the race to go ahead in a safe manner was explored. The only practical solution was for a chicane to be installed prior to Turn 13 and nine of the teams were prepared to run under these conditions even forgoing championship points or by allowing non-Michelin teams to take top positions on the grid.

Unfortunately all proposals were rejected by the FIA.

Safety is always the first concern of any team and the FIA. Regrettably the teams were obliged to follow Michelin's requirements not to race.

We are totally aware that the USA is an important market for Formula 1 and there is an obligation for Formula 1 to promote itself in a positive and professional manner. It is sad that we couldn't showcase Formula 1 in the manner we would have liked today.

I can understand the crowd being upset about the race. The rest of the world watching was upset too.
I can understand them wanting their money back and to be compensated and all the rest of it.

BUT, what's with throwing full cans of drink at drivers at the end of the main straight?

You guys should have heard Paul Stoddart from Minardi go all out on Dutch television, he was mad as hell :eek:

Why is that? Seems to me as if he should be the happiest person in the world.
He got some very important points with his drivers finishing at fifth and sixth position, instead of normally finishing at place 20 or something like that.

He cares more for the sport. He had a deal that he and Jordan wouldn't drive, so the race might get cancelled, but the Jordan dude lied, and went out anyway, and Minardi had to drive aswell, even if they really didn't, just to get a better race next time. Jordan and Minardi are in competition with each other, but now it's over, because they can't recover from the points they lossed from losing against Jordan this GP. They won't ever score again. He thinks this bullshit politics has got the end, and the F1 should be in the hands of the teams.

He cares more for the sport. He had a deal that he and Jordan wouldn't drive, so the race might get cancelled, but the Jordan dude lied, and went out anyway, and Minardi had to drive aswell, even if they really didn't, just to get a better race next time. Jordan and Minardi are in competition with each other, but now it's over, because they can't recover from the points they lossed from losing against Jordan this GP. They won't ever score again. He thinks this bullshit politics has got the end, and the F1 should be in the hands of the teams.
I totally understand the dissapointed fans, but what could they (FIA) have done? It's not fault of the three Bridgestone teams, why should they allow to slow turn 13 down, they already made the setup for the fast turn, why should they be punished?
Also, I doubt the fans would have appreciated it if the Minardis and Jordans also wouldn't habe started the Grand Prix. Then the two Ferraris were the only cars.
I think it's only a puplicity move from the Minardi guy, so he comes off as the nice wise man.
Also, I totally understand the move of Ferrari to not allow such solution. Just imagine what it would be like if it would be the other way around and Ferrari had this problem and would ask the other teams to add anouther extra turn so they would have a chance to keep the speed of the other teams. Everybody would angry about the extratreatment Ferrari is aiming for -and rightly so.
Or, if the Minardis wouldn't be able to start, because they have some technicals problems and it wouldn' be safe to go into the race. Nobody would even care.
So now there are 14 drivers affected and that is really sad for all the people there, but it certainly isn't a reason to change the rules and dicriminate the teams that made everything right!

I know, they didn't change, and they did right. If nine teams didn't drive, there was no other way but to do it on another day, and that's what I believe they were aiming at, Minardi and Jordan, but Jordan backed out at the last moment. That guy is new, and he's a jackass, so what do you expect.

The question went around to the teams: would you not drive if the Bridgestone drivers had your problem??? They were all vague about that, but I'm sure they wouldn't. People that boo Ferrari are morons, they just don't know. Everyone that left, and were upset, were like that because they didn't get the info the people at home were getting. What they saw is what they got, nothing more, nothing less, and no one bothered to explain it to them either. Minardi didn't want to drive to save the race for humilliation, and disappointment for the fans. FIA did right, just obey the rules, but then, if they didn't come up with such stupid rules as one tyre a race, this all wouldn't have happened in the first place. The blame lies with Michelin, and it's their resposibility.

First of all, Brian Gibson, was the second person I thought of after my jaw dropped when I actually saw the lights go out signalling the start of the race. You confirmed for me that, indeed, you did stay up until the middle of the night to see this farse.

The first person I thought of was my work colleague who drove 1540 km (957 miles) from Boston, Massachusetts to see the race.

I think I was so dumbfounded that this race actually ran, because, as a NASCAR fan, this would have never, ever happened under NASCAR's watch.

Here is my opinion on why the team principals could get away with this farse:
Unlike NASCAR, a series that has drivers-owners and team owners knocking on the door each and every week to get one of the coveted premier seriers 43 starting positions, F1 has only ten teams, and only twenty starting cars. If, say, the field was limited to twenty starting positions, and there were say, twenty-five cars trying to make the field, there would be more pressure each and every week to a) make the field and b) get as many points as possible. Unfortunately, as we all know, the price of entry for any new competitors is extremely high, and therefore the threat of new entrants is not a concern for team owners. And, of course, if there were more entrants, the field would just be expanding. In this American's eyes, I think twenty cars on the starting grid is piss-poor as it is, nonetheless six, as we saw at Indy.

My opinion on F1 and the FIA after this farse of a race:
Here, I am perplexed. Here they are, in the wealthiest democratic nation in the world, and they let this race go on without protest, turning their back on future prospect of big U.S. dollars. Or, are they smart enough to know that the fans around the world will forgive and forget. I mean, hell, baseball cancelled the World Series a decade ago and American fans came back. One big difference though - there were plenty of baseball fans that, perhaps, never experienced a game, and they were there to fill the shoes of those who left the game behind. Are there enough U.S. F1 fans to replace the 100,00 - 150,000 who came to the 2005 race? Probably not. Certainly not those who are willing to make that kind of effort to travel to a race.

Bernie Ecclestone left Indy before the race finished. No doubt, Max Mosely, was sheltered somewhere in France far away from the race attendees (notice the refrain of the word "fans") and their vociferous displeasure. I, hope, at least, Tony George was able to smack Ecclestone around before he left the building.

You guys should have heard Paul Stoddart from Minardi go all out on Dutch television, he was mad as hell :eek:
No surprises there :thumb:

Taken from '2005 Nascar Nextel Cup Thread':
NASCAR would have allowed the tire supplier, Goodyear, to ship in new tires. Even if it meant postponing the race 24 hours, NASCAR would have done it to give the fans a show. Since NASCAR doesn't run in wet weather, fans buy tickets knowing that the race might be postponed by a day due to rain. So, coming back 24 hours later isn't a big deal.
I think the FIA would have postponed the race if ALL teams had agreed not to race. Ferrari and Jordan were never going to do this. Ferrari especially needed the championship points.

Also, I didn't realise that NASCAR didn't run in wet weather. Why is that?

Also, as I mentioned in my F1 post, NASCAR always has someone else knocking on the door waiting to take one of the 43 spots in the field. The problem with F1 is that there are twenty spots for twenty drivers. The owners know there is no threat of new entrants because if a new team comes, the field would just be expanded. However, if there were, say 13 two-car teams in F1 battling to get into a 20 car race each week, then there is no way the owners would have backed out of the race.
The problem with F1 is its too expensive for teams to be 'backup' and not be able to race on any given day.

Taken from '2005 Nascar Nextel Cup Thread':

I think the FIA would have postponed the race if ALL teams had agreed not to race. Ferrari and Jordan were never going to do this. Ferrari especially needed the championship points.

Also, I didn't realise that NASCAR didn't run in wet weather. Why is that?


The problem with F1 is its too expensive for teams to be 'backup' and not be able to race on any given day.

Right. As I made the point a few posts ahead of this, the expense is too great for owners to have to worry about the thread of new entrants. But, this even makes me analyze this even further to the point that in NASCAR, top driver hood sponsorships reportedly go for $15 million/year. Add on secondary sponsors, then owners have a pretty good operating budget. Plus, they get manufacturer support from Dodge, Chevy, or Ford. I suspect that the majority of the F1 budget comes from manufacturer support? Am I wrong? I'm here to learn about F1 as much as I am to discuss it. But, let's face it. The cost of operating an F1 team isn't going to decrease enough so that a sponsor will be able to pay the weekly operating expenses.

As far as NASCAR and the wet weather, NASCAR runs slick (non tread) tires. Remember, out of 36 points paying races, only two are on road courses. (One of them is this weekend and I'm looking forward to it.) I've only seen NASCAR put on treaded tires once in ten years, and that was for light rain at a road course. I'm sure Goodyear has probably researched wet weather tires for ovals, but I couldn't imagine a breakthrough in physics that would allow for a 3,000 pound car to race upwards of 190 mph (dependent on track) in the rain, no matter how grooved the tires are. Remeber too, that most tracks have banked corners. Daytona is banked at 31 degrees. Talladega is banked at 36 degrees!

So, adding to this discussion, can someone tell me if the FIA or Formula One pays prize money for each event? I always thought that they raced for points, and teams were paid a boatload of money pending on their finish in the constructors championship. I know the driver's are under contract, but do they get a share of prize money?

In NASCAR, contracts are a tightly gaurded secret. However, each event pays for finishing position. The better a driver does, the more he earns for his team. The driver, per the contract, will get a percentage of that prize money.

I'm here to learn about F1 as much as I am to discuss it.
This is the same reason I read the NASCAR thread... :D :thumb:
I can't follow it because I've never had cable tv and won't until the end of 2005, but I'm still interested in the formula.
As far as NASCAR and the wet weather, NASCAR runs slick (non tread) tires. Remember, out of 36 points paying races, only two are on road courses. (One of them is this weekend and I'm looking forward to it.) I've only seen NASCAR put on treaded tires once in ten years, and that was for light rain at a road course. I'm sure Goodyear has probably researched wet weather tires for ovals, but I couldn't imagine a breakthrough in physics that would allow for a 3,000 pound car to race upwards of 190 mph (dependent on track) in the rain, no matter how grooved the tires are. Remeber too, that most tracks have banked corners. Daytona is banked at 31 degrees. Talladega is banked at 36 degrees!
Thanks for explaining that.
I closely follow our major domestic touring car catergory the V8 Supercars where tyre selection (wet/ intermediate/slicks) is an important part of the racing. Naturally as all of our racing is done on road circuits.

One of the drivers is heading over at the end of our season to take a test drive in NASCAR.

I just saw that BMW has a press conference scheduled for later today and confirmed that Peter Sauber will be in attendance. I guess that means confirmation of one of the worst kept secrets in F1...

Surprise Surprise :rolleyes: :thumb:

Sauber is gone, now there's a BMW factory team.

BMW Buys Sauber
RacingOne Report

Posted Wednesday, June 22, 2005Sauber has seven points for the 2005 season.http://www.racingone.com/images/spacer.gifBMW will independently manage a team in the 2006 Formula One World Championship after buying a majority share of the Sauber team. Currently, the car manufacturer has a limited role in the sport as an engine partner with Williams.

"With a team managed by BMW we will, as of next year, take on responsibility for the entire package, which will include the key factors of the chassis, tires and drivers," Burkhard Goschel, BMW's Board Member for Development and Purchasing said. "We do not expect instant success from the new constellation, but we are convinced that we have chosen the right path for the long term."

Sauber was one of the remaining teams not owned by a car manufacturer, and has been one of the most successful private teams since joining F1 in 1993, claiming a total of six podium places. Its most successful year was in 2001, when the team came in fourth in the Constructors' Championship.

Sauber currently employs drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Felipe Massa.

"For the private teams in particular it has become increasingly difficult to secure the kind of solid financing that will also allow for sporting success," Peter Sauber said. "The partnership with BMW guarantees continuity."

Over the next three years, Sauber's other shareholder Credit Suisse will gradually sell off its shares to BMW as well.

BMW plans to introduce its new team at the beginning of 2006. They plan on keeping Sauber's existing base in Hinwil, Switzerland with plans for expansion in development. BMW will also operate out of its Munich plant in Germany, with both locations coming under the same management team in 2006.

BMW is in discussions with Williams about the future of their F1 partnership.

Did anyone watch the "race" the other day?

That Eurofag Trulli should have been black flagged if for nothing else to insure a better race. I have no frickin' clue how he qualified second. He was so damn slow during the race, it was ruined by lap 10 or so.

I think if Kimi wouldn't have started so far back, he would have won or at least made the race a hell of a lot more interesting.

I was surprised at how slow the Ferrari race pace was also. I guess if the qualifying is there, the race isn't and vice versa...

I'm still waiting for the new Ferrari engine to be installed in the car. We'll see then. Untill then, any points they score are good.

Which new engine??? Did I miss something?

My brother told me Ferrari would get a new engine in Monza.

It was nice to see an actual "race" today. I'm glad Montoya won it. He did a damn good job this weekend.

I will say for the second week in a row, fuck the Euroqueer Trulli!!! How the hell does he qualify so high, and then hold up the rest of the field for the first stint???

If he hadn't been there, Kimi would have probably finished second or at least gave Montoya and Alonso a better fight.

Good thing I missed it then. My brother told me it blowed donkeyballs.

Schumi on pole!!!

I thought it would never happen this year...

Hopefully we'll get a true Ferrari win tomorrow!

Nope, second is all he got.

There is a show in the States called WindTunnel that airs for two hours on Sunday night. It is a viewer participation show that covers all types of racing. I just sent this e-mail at the conclusion of the Italian GP at Monza.

"It seems the more often than not this year, at least one podium driver, if not all, have refrained from the champagne spritz and shower celebration. Be it as a sign of respect due to a death of a team member, the embarrassment at Indy, or the horrific London subway bombings. After watching the drivers celebrate with the bubbly after the Monza race, I take it we won't be watching F1 cars around the rebuilt street of New Orleans five to ten years from now!"

Alonso wins the Championship! He is a deserving Champion. He's not a typical F1 asshole. Hail to Alonso!

http://eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/afpji/20050412/050412114125.195fnhxn0b.jpg

Whatever, cya next season.

Yeah, hopefully Schumi can win one more before he hangs up his helmet...

I'll laugh when Rubens kicks Jenson's ass next season.

Sato will be a janitor somewhere.

Two more races, hopefully they'll be better than most of this year...

Sato the Janitor, that's funny :D


I hope Rubens kicks anyone's ass next year, he didn't do anything this season.


Last two races yeah, I hope a do or die overtaking conspiracy between Schumi & Villeneuve, just for kicks. The Dutch drivers should either take a cab at the start or ride a bike. I hope a drunken monstertruck driver runs over all of them, and crushes the whole damn event MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!


hehe, gotta lurve after season bashing of your favourite sport.....I feel alright :thumb:

Kimi had probably one of the most memorable drives of the last ten years in Japan last night. He seemed invincible, very Schumacheresque in his performance. I'm not a Kimi or McLaren fan, but I cheered when he got by Fisi going into turn one.

As for Sato the Janitor, he showed the Japanese fans why his ass is being kicked to the curb after the season. After the race, his 13th place was stripped for the incident with Euroqueer Jarno Trulli.

Kimi did indeed pull a Schumi on Fisi today, which was awesome. I've been following Kimi from the very beginning, so I got someone after Schumi leaves. Our beloved Janitor :D did it again. Overal the race just sucked

Did anyone watch the A1 series??? Now that's a good watch. Each country with one car, all cars the same, so it's all in the driver's hands. It's completely stripped down, very primitive. This could spawn some future champs in F1. I seriously hope that Schumi will compete in this series after he quits F1, and hope other former F1 drivers will follow. This will really take off in a couple of years.

I don't think there's anyone here in the States that is showing the A1GP races. I'd like to see the races because Scott Speed is racing in that series. After Schumi leaves, hopefully Speed will pan out and be the real deal. It's hard being an F1 fan and not having a US driver out there. The last was Michael Andretti and he sucked ass. He didn't have the dedication to succeed at the highest level. With Red Bull buying the Minardi team, maybe I'll get to see Scott race next year. Hopefully he does enough to get a "real" drive for a team that actually has a chance to win.

I'm right there with you, I'd like to see an American driver too. F1 is a worldwide thing, so the US should be there aswell. Scott Speed didn't to really well in the Sprint Race in A1. He sat next to his car on the grass watching :D It kinda sucks that all the teams are being bought up like Minardi, BAR, Sauber. Now it's all a corporate game. My brother even said there are talks about F1 splitting up in two. I'd hate to see that happen. Do they have to make F1 so complicated, it only gets worse every year with their stupid new rules, and the Qualifying always changing it's way, and making the cars slower, and slower. You can't even slipstream in F1 anymore, because of the regulations on how to build a car. They should go back to the late '90s rules.

They should get rid of the front and rear wings, or have them where they won't disrupt the cars behind them. If the cars depended more on mechanical grip than aero grip, that alone would let the cars be closer in corners. Look at Kimi at Suzuka, he couldn't get around the Ferrari because the front end was washing out on him due to aero limitations.

As far as F1 splitting up, the major manufacturers minus Ferrari have agreed to the GPWC, an organization that is putting pressure on Bernie and Co. to give more TV money to the teams. They are threatening to breakaway and have their own series. The only teams that have signed the Concorde Agreement for beyond 2007 is Ferrari and Red Bull which is Ferrari powered beginning next year. I believe Jordan (Midland) has signed it as well. The only team that hasn't aligned with Bernie or the GPWC is Williams which looks to be the only true independent team next year. They will be using Cosworth power and have their own chassis. Every other team is somehow aligned with a major automaker.


BTW, how'd you like those Billy Idol tunes? I thought they should be on the new album.

Well, they could always take away those aero restrictions, and just make the car with wings, and make it so you can slipstream, like in the '90s. Those were to cool days. Cars were advanced, but it was still the driver that had to make it work, and you didn't have all the fancy helps, like launch, and tractioncontrol. Take away all those little devices, and all the noob drivers will be mowing the lawn with their car :p

The songs are awesome, thanks a lot. Gotta love Steve's guitar. Thanks a lot dude :thumb:

You're welcome...

Yeah, either have all or nothing with aero and driver aids. The way they are doing it now with the half way mentality is obviously not working. Montoya even said before the season the racing itself would be worse because of the rule changes and how right he was. Even though there have been a lot of different winners and the grid has been mixed up, the racing has been so damned boring. I can't wait for next year. Hopefully the powers that be get their collective heads out of their asses and make sure 2006 is better than this forgetable year of '05...

Thank God 2005 is over!

What a shitty season.

Get rid of the one tire rule.

I am looking forward to hearing V8's next year.

Hopefully Schumi will be back on top with a fight like 2000 or 2001, not a walk in the park like 2002 and 2004...

The best driver this year had to be Kimi.

Most overrated, Jenson...

Most annoying: Alonso...


Yeah, I'm glad it's over too. Schumacher got rammed by our Dutch world wonder...Ah well, I'm sure the new season will bring better luck to Schumi.


But uhm.....more importantly, what are we going to talk about now??? :D

I'm glad the one tire rule is gone. Qualifying rules look to be a circus act to get viewers. They should've gone back to the 1 hour free for all like years back... The new wing deal for '07 looks pretty interesting. I also saw they may have only one tire supplier as well starting in '07.

Any thoughts??? Brian? Sasquatch? Leo? Others?

But uhm.....more importantly, what are we going to talk about now??? :D
Thoughts on A1 Grand Prix?

I've seen a few races now.... it's just missing something... can't quite put my finger on it.

I'm glad the one tire rule is gone.

Don't know about that one, I think the one tyre rule brings out more of the driver skill by them being able to look after their tyres.
Qualifying rules look to be a circus act to get viewers. They should've gone back to the 1 hour free for all like years back...

The new system is, from what I remember:
- 1 hour of qualifying (breaks in between segments)
- After 15 minutes the slowest 5 cars drop out
- After another 15 minutes the next 5 slowest cars drop out
- The final 20 minute session will determine the grid order
The new wing deal for '07 looks pretty interesting.

As long as they fix the downforce/aero problem that exists at the moment.

I also saw they may have only one tire supplier as well starting in '07.

Interesting... I think it would be good for the category though.

Found this:

http://www.fastmachines.com/images/postings/CDG_graphic.jpg

Here is a good article with some pictures attached:

http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press_Releases/FIA_Sport/2005/October/241005-01.html

I read a lot on F1. I go to:

www.f1-live.com/en
www.planet-f1.com
www.itv-f1.com

There is a lot of info between the three sites.

As far as the one tire rule, it's very dangerous. These cars travel at such high speeds and handle so well that tires should be able to be changed without penalty.

Speaking of tires, I believe that the race at Lowe's a few weeks ago for Nascar should have been stopped. They didn't do enough homework. That's the problem with one tire supplier is the potential to jeopardize the whole field by being lazy.

On the other hand, one tire supplier may be good to somewhat limit the astronomical performace of F1 machines. The press is correct referring to them as pilots.

Which commentary do you get for the races? ITV or your local commentary?

SpeedTV here in the US of A... They get the FIA feed and give commentary from watching it on TV. They aren't really there. The only one of their crew who attends is Peter Windsor.

No ITV here. Years ago, BBC Canada used to run the replays of the races with Murray Walker at the helm. He was awesome to listen to, very enthusiastic...

We get the FIA feed as well but with the ITV (British) commentary.
They are fairly good but nowhere as good as Murray used to be.
I get goosebumps sometimes when I'm playing Formula 1 on Playstation up loud and hear his voice again.
Occasionally with races that are near our time zone (and the Australian Grand Prix) our local commentators will call the race.
We have 1 really good commentator Neil Crompton (former V8 Supercar driver) who gives great technical explanations of everything.

When's next season starting??

Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?

2006 Grand Prix Calendar

March 12 Bahrain
March 19 Malaysia
April 2 Australia
April 23 San Marino
May 7 European GP
May 14 Spain
May 28 Monaco
June 11 Great Britain
June 25 Canada
July 2 United States
July 16 France
July 30 Germany
August 6 Hungary
August 27 Turkey
September 10 Italy
September 17 Belgium
October 1 Japan
October 8 China
October 22 Brazil (Subject to contract approval)

2006 Grand Prix Calendar

March 12 Bahrain
March 19 Malaysia
April 2 Australia :D :D
April 23 San Marino
May 7 European GP
May 14 Spain
May 28 Monaco
June 11 Great Britain
June 25 Canada
July 2 United States
July 16 France
July 30 Germany
August 6 Hungary
August 27 Turkey
September 10 Italy
September 17 Belgium
October 1 Japan
October 8 China
October 22 Brazil (Subject to contract approval)
We've been demoted :brickwall

It's because of the Commonwealth Games and also World Cup bullshit.

Yeah, f** the Commonwealth Games....

Malaysia has been PROmoted :D :p

Anyone see Aguri Suzuki just announced a new entry to the FIA World Championship?

Go here:

http://planet-f1.com/news/story_21440.shtml

I guess Mr. Suzuki is looking to fill the "Janitor" position...

Albers got a seat at Midland. The first step to world rulership.....I rather have Doornbos though.

Good goin' BG! Quick! Give me some F1 picks for '06...
LOL

Dunno, hard to pick at this stage.

I'm thinking the Top 5 will be: Raikonnen, Shumacher, Alonso, Montoya, Webber.

In that order ;)

Nico Rosberg (son of 1982 World Champion Keke Rosberg) signed to be driving a Williams next year with Mark Webber in the other car.

Pizzonia is gone, thank God. He is almost as bad as The Janitor...

Pizzonia is gone, thank God. He is almost as bad as The Janitor...
LOL... Agree 100% :thumb:

I'm glad the one tire rule is gone. Qualifying rules look to be a circus act to get viewers. They should've gone back to the 1 hour free for all like years back... The new wing deal for '07 looks pretty interesting. I also saw they may have only one tire supplier as well starting in '07.

Any thoughts??? Brian? Sasquatch? Leo? Others?

Sorry I didn't reply. I TiVo-ed the final two races and didn't get around to watching them until this week. The good thing about the under exposure of F1 in the U.S. is that you don't have to try hard to avoid finding out the results.

I thought the Japanese Grand Prix was a phenominal race. Even the Chinese Grand Prix was hotly contested, thanks to the Safety Car.

Because I've been out of the loop, I haven't heard about any of the rule changes for 2006 made since the end of the season. I, too, would prefer that the teams be allowed to change tires. I think that would put the balance of success more in the hands of the drivers than on how good Bridgestone or Michilin can make tires that can last.

If what Brian Gibson is saying about qualifying is true, it does sound a little bit like a circus. I'm still not sure why they can't all just qualify on super light fuel and then be allowed to refuel to any level they want before the start of the race. Let the best driver, not the best car, dictate the starting position, and then let the teams decide pit strategy.

This is a few days old, but it's very significant F1 news. Here's a story off of www.itv-f1.com

itv-f1 Article (http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type=James_Allen&PO_ID=34513)

Sorry I didn't reply.
How dare you ignore us!! ;)

Because you ignored us you are hereby sentenced to be a Midland fan.

Because you ignored us you are hereby sentenced to be a Midland fan.

Big fan of Dwight Yoakam's "Fare To Midland (TX)" off of his Population Me cd.

Not in this thread you're not :p

It's reported that Ralf Schumacher has fired long time manager, Willi Weber.

Here's the article:

Planet F1 Article (http://planet-f1.com/news/story_21519.shtml)

It's reported that Ralf Schumacher has fired long time manager, Willi Weber.

Here's the article:

Planet F1 Article (http://planet-f1.com/news/story_21519.shtml)

Oh, so Willi Weber is the reason he's been a crap driver for Toyota.

I can't remember him NOT being a crap driver...

I admit, he's average, but I don't think he would've even had a chance to be in F1 had it not been his last name...

We can certainly all agree that Ralf is OVERPAID for only two podiums in 2005.

More F1 bullshit...

ITV-F1 Article (http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=34555)

Monza is one of the few tracks left that hasn't been completely fucked up...(like Hockenheim)

It would be a shame to lose it off the calender.

My brother and I were talking...

With races in such "exotic locales" like Bahrain, Malaysia, Turkey, China and Brazil and the talk of a Mexico and India GP, they should change the name to F3 as in Formula Third World...

No wonder "The Janitor" has a future in racing...

My brother and I were talking...

With races in such "exotic locales" like Bahrain, Malaysia, Turkey, China and Brazil and the talk of a Mexico and India GP, they should change the name to F3 as in Formula Third World...

No wonder "The Janitor" has a future in racing...

Now that's funny! :funny:

:irked:

:irked:
You didn't think that was funny???

Sort of funny.
I don't have problem with F1 going to 'third world' countries.

I'm having Brew close this thread, I'm starting an '06 thread. See ya guys on the flipside!!!