Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Teams/drivers:

Ferrari: #1 Michael Schumacher (GER), #2 Rubens Barrichello (BRA)
BAR: #3 Jenson Button (ENG), #4 Takuma Sato (JAP)
Renault: #5 Fernando Alonso (ESP), #6 Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA)
Williams: #7 Mark Webber (AUS), #8 Nick Heidfeld (GER)
McLaren: #9 Kimi R?ikk?nen (FIN), #10 Juan Pablo Montoya (COL)
Sauber: #11 Jacques Villeneuve (CAN), #12 Felipe Massa (BRA)
Red Bull: #14 David Coulthard (SCO), #15 Christian Klien (AUT)
Toyota: #16 Jarno Trulli (ITA), #17 Ralf Schumacher (GER)
Jordan: #18 Tiago Monteiro (POR), #19 Narain Karthikeyan (IND)
Minardi: #20 Christijan Albers (NED), #21 Patrick Friesacher (AUT)

---

GP calendar:


March 6: Australia
March 20: Malaysia
April 3: Bahrain
April 24: San Marino
May 8: Spain
May 22: Monaco
May 29: Europe
June 12: Canada
June 19: USA
July 3: France
July 10: Great Britain
July 24: Germany
July 31: Hungary
August 21: Turkey
September 04: Italy
September 11: Belgium
September 25: Brazil
October 09: Japan
October 16: China






/jarmo

RED BULL ARE NEW JAGUAR OWNERS



Ford have confirmed the sale of the Jaguar F1 team to energy drinks company Red Bull.

The deal comes on the deadline day for entries for the 2005 F1 world championship.

Ford vice-president Richard Parry-Jones said: "Today marks the passing of an era.

?After over 35 years in the sport, deciding to exit F1 was a very tough decision for us to make.

"During that time we have experienced the highs and lows of the sport that we have also left a legacy of victories and championships won by some of the most famous drivers and teams in the sports history.?

Tony Purnell will continue as team principal and engines will be supplied by Cosworth.

Ford have sold the engine company to Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe, the co-owners of the ChampCar racing series (see separate story).

Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz was delighted with the deal.

He said: "We are really looking forward to our first Formula 1 season with Jaguar.

"The team has shown its class in a 2004 season that was anything but easy and stood out due to its cohesion.

Not only does the ownership of this team represent the high point of our involvement in motor racing, it is also the logical and final step in the process we started with the Red Bull Junior programme, where we identify, advise and promote young talent through the different formula from karting to the very pinnacle - Formula 1."

http://www.itv-f1.com




/jarmo

Who do you think will win this season??. Shumacher is my easy pick.
Alonso will come second (a bit of patriotism  :hihi:).

Kimi R?ikk?nen.

No, not biased at all. ;)

It's just a dream, McLaren will fuck up again I'm sure.....




/jarmo

who knows.....with the new rules each engine will have to last a lot longer, so the "A" teams from the last couple of years (ferrari, BMW, mercedes and renault) will start almost from 0. maybe in 2005 kimi will be the man to beat.

Considering how long the Mercedes engines lasted this year, I'm skeptical. ;)


/jarmo

Barrichello will win!! I'm pretty sure about this!  :hihi:
Damn, it sucks to have only this guy from Brasil with real chances... I miss Senna really bad  :'(

Oh.. what will happen with Sauber? Could Red Bull be in two teams?

Jacques Villeneuve.

He was one heck of a racer in CART. I always hoped he'd have just as much success in Formula 1.

Well, winning  a formula 1 title is quite some big success. Maybe not as much as the one he enjoyed during his Cart racing, but it's still a big success.

It's a big success. I was hoping he'd have some of the same kind of domination in F1 that he had for several years in CART. Different league, better talent of competition now.

Went to race of champions in paris this afternoon....Loeb, swartz, shumacker, alesi and many more..i'll post some piccies soon.

And who won when everybody drove similar cars?

Heikki Kovalainen..... Yes, he's Finnish, what did you expect?  :P



ITV F1 columnist Heikki Kovalainen has won the Race of Champions in Paris.

The Finn saw off the challenges of Michael Schumacher and WRC hotshot Sebastien Loeb to clinch the title of ?Champion of Champions?.

Kovalainen ousted Schumacher in the semi-final before beating Loeb in the final.

He said: ?It's just incredible. It was such good fun.?

British interest ended early with David Coulthard losing out to Kovalainen. Colin McRae beat Mattias Ekstrom but was docked 10 seconds for a shunt early in the race.

http://www.itv-f1.com



/jarmo

Photos are being uploaded ..soon...and that finish guy was damn good, he looked so happ too. :yes:

I really think Heikki Kovalainen could be a very good driver choice for some team, for example Williams.
I think he's got the potential.


ps.? I went to same school for a year with him :peace:

WHAT'S NEW FOR 2005?
 
Formula 1 will be a very different sport when the teams line up for the first race of the year in Melbourne on March 6.

This winter has seen a raft of new regulations ? perhaps the biggest overhaul of the rule book since ? oooh ? 2003.

Here?s your cut-out-and-keep guide to the new season. But beware ? some things, such as the qualifying format, may change again!

Qualifying

The 2005 grid will be decided by two qualifying sessions, one on Saturday afternoon and a second on Sunday morning.

The single-lap format introduced in 2003 remains ? but the twist is that the grid will be decided by adding together a driver?s times from both sessions.

Cars will run with low fuel levels in the Saturday session, going out in reverse order from their finishing positions at the previous race.

On Sunday, the running order will be decided by the results of the previous day?s session, with the fastest car going last.

The decision to use aggregate times from both sessions means that a driver?s raw pace on empty tanks will now contribute to their position on the grid. This means that race strategy will arguably have less influence on the make-up of the grid than it did before.

Tyres

Put simply, drivers will have to use the same set of tyres for qualifying and the entire race distance.

A tyre can only be changed if it is punctured or damaged.

As in previous seasons, drivers will choose from two tyre compounds after Friday practice.

However, once this choice is made, they will only be allocated three more sets ? one for Saturday morning practice, one for qualifying and the race and an additional set in case of a puncture or accident damage.

Needless to say, 2005-spec rubber will have to be much harder than in previous seasons, while drivers will have to conserve their tyres. This should benefit smoother drivers such as Jenson Button.

Aerodynamics

The FIA have tweaked these rules in a bid to reduce downforce. The most noticeable of these changes are to the front and rear wings.

Front wings must now be higher, while rear wing elements must now be further forward on the car. The FIA has also clamped down on rear diffusers.

While the FIA hoped that these measures would reduce downforce by around a quarter, in reality the teams are already beginning to nibble away at this performance deficit.

Engines

Engines must now last for two full race weekends, as opposed to one in 2004. That means a driver is unlikely to clock up anywhere near as much mileage in practice.

As in 2004, a driver changes engine ahead of qualifying, they will drop 10 places on the grid. Should an engine be changed between qualifying and the race, they will be sent to the very back.

If an engine is changed, the driver must use that particular power unit for the whole of the rest of the weekend and the next race.

But if a driver retires with an engine failure during a race, they will not be penalised at the following event.

 
http://www.itv-f1.com/Feature.aspx?Type=General&PO_ID=31974

---

Wonder how many teams will have reliable enough engines to last two races.



/jarmo

I hope that Schumacher will have his lowest, baddest, poorest, weakest and the most humiliating season, he has ever encountered.

Schumacher go to still winner...  :(
Good Times, Ayrton Senna...lol  ;D

Here are the new cars (except Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi):

http://www.rtl.nl/sport/rtlgp/home/launches2005.xml

Sweet! Thankyou for the link IzzyDutch.

The Toyota TF105 and Williams FW27 cars look amazing. : ok:

From the tests the teams have had so far, it looks as renault and mclaren mercedes have the best cars. but  sadly for alonso, i'm sure ferrari will still be the best when the season starts.

I wouldn't be surprised if McLaren was fast because they were running their cars with less fuel than the others....



/jarmo

Does anyone think with many of the changes to the rules concerning the cars and teams that it will have an affect on the dominance Ferrari and Michael Schumacher have had in years past? Or will Michael and Ferrari still continue to dominate?

Didn't Ferrari help FIA when they were deciding on the rule changes for this season?


I don't think it will do that big of a difference. Ferrari will still be the biggest team and most likely the most succesful one.


/jarmo

The first qualifying session of the year was a lottery.

Too bad Kimi was one of the unlucky ones.? :-\

Might be an interesting race though.




/jarmo

Australian GP:
1. Giancarlo Fisichella Renault? 1.24.17,336? ?(2 stops)
2. Rubens Barrichello? ?Ferrari? ? ? ?+5,553? ?(2)
3. Fernando Alonso? ? ? Renault? ? ? ?+6,712? ?(2)
4. David Coulthard? ? ? Red Bull? ? ?+16,131? ?(2)
5. Mark Webber? ? ? ? ? Williams? ? ?+16,908? ?(2)
6. Juan Pablo Montoya? ?McLaren? ? ? +35,033? ?(2)
7. Christian Klien? ? ? Red Bull? ? ?+38,997? ?(2)
8. Kimi R?ikk?nen? ? ? ?McLaren? ? ? +39,633? ?(2)
9. Jarno Trulli? ? ? ? ?Toyota? ? ?+1.03,108? ?(2)
10. Felipe Massa? ? ? ? Sauber? ? ?+1.04,393? ?(1)
11. Jenson Button? ? ? ?BAR? ? ? ?Retired? ? ? (3)
12. Ralf Schumacher? ? ?Toyota? ?+1 lap? ? (3)
13. Jacques Villeneuve? Sauber? ?+1 lap? ? (2)
14. Takuma Sato? ? ? ? ?BAR? ? ? ?keskeytti? ? (3)
15. Narain Karthikeyan? Jordan? ?+2 laps? (2)
16. Tiago Monteiro? ? ? Jordan? ?+2 laps? (2)
17. Patrick Friesacher? Minardi? +4 laps? (2)

Did not finish:
Michael Schumacher? ? ? Ferrari? 42 laps
Nick Heidfeld? ? ? ? ? ?Williams 42 laps
Christijan Albers? ? ? ?Minardi? 16 laps

Fastest lap: Fernando Alonso 1.25,683 on lap 24.
Winner's average speed 215,167 km/h.

Driver's championship table (1/19 races):
1. Giancarlo Fisichella? ITA Renault? ? ?10 points
2. Rubens Barrichello? ? BRA Ferrari? ? ? 8
3. Fernando Alonso? ? ? ?SPA Renault? ? ? 6
4. David Coulthard? ? ? ?GBR Red Bull? ? ?5
5. Mark Webber? ? ? ? ? ?AUS Williams? ? ?4
6. Juan Pablo Montoya? ? COL McLaren? ? ? 3
7. Christian Klien? ? ? ?AUT Red Bull? ? ?2
8. Kimi R?ikk?nen? ? ? ? FIN McLaren? ? ? 1

Team championship table (1/19):
1. Renault? ? ? ?16 points
2. Ferrari? ? ? ? 8
3. Red Bull? ? ? ?7
4. Williams? ? ? ?4
5. McLaren? ? ? ? 4





/jarmo

I thought the Australian GP was a pretty good race. Renault looked pretty strong during the race. I got discouraged a little when Jacques Villeneuve went from 4th place to 9th place in two laps. :-\ I thought Ralf Schumacher 's day was going to be over quickly when that big piff of smoke came out of the back of his car at the beginning of the reconnaissance lap.

I enjoyed watching the race and I'm pumped about the season. Can't wait for the Malaisia GP in two weeks. :)

Renault looked really strong. It looked like an easy race for Fisichella, but his team mate Alonso did a excellent job by going from 12th (qualified 13th but R?ikk?nen was dropped down the grid) to 3rd.


As a fan of Kimi, it was disappointing to see him stall his engine in the start. He admitted it was his own fault.... But he did his job and finished with a point. Going from 20th to 8th on a track where overtaking isn't that easy, is quite good.




/jarmo

Ahem, from India, WAY TO GO NARAIN! :beer:

The Renaults looked good in the first qualifying session for the Malaysian GP while McLaren was a little disappointment.

Ferrari looked "human" again which is good for the sport.  : ok:





/jarmo

Toyota has picked up momentum and is also looking good. Renault and Toyota could possibly be the top rivals this year. I think Ferrari may be starting to get worried a bit. But it is still early in the season.

Yeah, but Renault has the better duo of drivers. Alonso is the best one of the four. Maybe Trulli can beat Fischella, but Ralf Schumacher is easily the worst of the four. It'll be interesting to see how Ralf will handle getting his ass kicked by Trulli this year.  ;)

I hope McLaren gets their shit together so that they can fight with the rest at the top. It's been pretty bad for too long now.....



/jarmo

2005 Malaysian GP grid

1. Alonso                Renault   3m07.672s
2. Trulli                   Toyota    3m07.925s
3. Fisichella            Renault   3m08.448s
4. Webber              Williams  3m08.904s
5. R. Schumacher   Toyota    3m09.007s
6. Raikkonen         McLaren   3m09.483s
7. Klien                  Red Bull  3m09.589s
8. Coulthard          Red Bull  3m09.700s
9. Button               BAR       3m09.832s
10. Heidfeld          Williams  3m09.917s
11. Montoya          McLaren   3m10.090s
12. Barrichello       Ferrari   3m11.502s
13. M. Schumacher  Ferrari   3m11.633s
14. Massa             Sauber    3m11.884s
15. Davidson        BAR       3m11.890s
16. Villeneuve      Sauber    3m12.995s
17. Karthikeyan     Jordan    3m17.656s
18. Monteiro      Jordan    3m17.962s
19. Friesacher    Minardi   3m21.186s
20. Albers        Minardi   3m23.001s

Pos.     Driver     Team     Time   Points
1.    F. Alonso    Renault    1:31:33.736   10
2.    J. Trulli    Toyota    + 24.327   8
3.    N. Heidfeld    Williams    + 32.188   6
4.    JP. Montoya    McLaren    + 41.631   5
5.    R. Schumacher    Toyota    + 51.854   4
6.    D. Coulthard    Red Bull    + 1:12.543   3
7.    M. Schumacher    Ferrari    + 1:19.988   2
8.    C. Klien    Red Bull    + 1:20.835   1
9.    K. R?ikk?nen    McLaren    + 1:21.580   0
10.    F. Massa    Sauber    + 1 laps   0
11.    N. Karthikeyan    Jordan    + 2 laps   0
12.    T. Monteiro    Jordan    + 3 laps   0
13.    C. Albers    Minardi    + 4 laps   0

Did not finish
14.    R. Barrichello    Ferrari    + 6 laps   0 (Handling)
15.    G. Fisichella    Renault    + 19 laps   0 (Accident)
16.    M. Webber    Williams    + 19 laps   0 (Accident)
17.    J. Villeneuve    Sauber    + 30 laps   0 (Spin)
18.    J. Button    BAR    + 54 laps   0 (Engine)
19.    A. Davidson    BAR    + 54 laps   0 (Engine)
20.    P. Friesacher    Minardi    + 54 laps   0 (Spin)


Another good race. Renault looked off the hook. To say Fernando Alonso dominated the race would be an understatement. No other driver looked even close to him. It was cool to see Toyota with their first podium finish. I was surprised to see so many drivers spinning and/or locking their brakes up in turn one. The race track was very hazy and smokey due to the forest fires in the area.

Flawless race by Fernando. Congratulations.  : ok:





Disappointing to see Kimi's race getting ruined by a tyre blowing up. He just made the fastest lap of the race and then that happens.  :no:




/jarmo

Fernando was hitting every point with precise.

What exactly happens in a tyre valve failure? Kimi said it led to a punctured tire.

I was disappointed when Jacques Villeneuve locked his rear brakes up, spinned out, and couldn't get restarted.  I know he's complained about the breaks on his car several times. He seemd to be having a good run. Not up front, but a decent run.

Yeah.

Did you see how exhausted he was om the podium?  :nervous:




I think the tyre went flat and punctured because of that.



/jarmo

Thanks.

And yes, Fernando looked extrmemly exhausted. When the drivers were on the podium during their National Anthems, Alonso stood bent over with his hands on his knees and on his hips. You could tell he was all worn out. But what a heck of a race he drove. :)

Aparently the reason for that was that the system which allows the drivers to drink water didn't work, so he couldn't drink anything during the whole race. He lost almost 4 kgs...? :nervous:

But what a great race!? :smoking:

Si es que los asturianos Graciela....

Yeah, that was amazing. Spanish media is creating huge expectations though. The guys is 23 years old, he's an amazing pilot, but it's too early to talk about the world champion crown.

I just read Schumi's comments about his 2005 ferrari. He said his car won't be ready until Imola. Now, is it just me or Is Ferrari trying to fool everyone? I mean c'mon! We are talking about the guy & team who dominated the Formula 1 last year with stunning authority. Do you guys really believe they wouldn't have spotted by now what the problem is this year? The 2005 is not ready,  the 2004 car can' compete with Renault! bullshit. This team's budget is 300 million euros. They sure know better what the hell is going on.


I don't buy it. This is probably Schumacher's last year. It wouldn't surpirse me if he wanted to create a little bif of competition to increase attention. Last year everybody in Formula 1 lost money but Ferrari & Schumacher. Maybe ( and I'm saying maybe) he's been asked to lift his foot from the gas pedal during the first 5 races. I mean, have you guys seen Schumacher's getting upset over the weekend? or two weeks ago? I haven't. He's the kind of guy that if he loses because the car is not ready he would raise some hell. This is not normal.


In two months from now Alonso will be battleing for second.

That always happens. It's so typical.

But you gotta admit, things are looking better for him than for R?ikk?nen......




Ferrari has two problems: Old car and the tyres. Bridgestone can blame themselves for the tyres though. None of the other top teams want their tyres anymore. Seems like previous seasons they'd always make sure Ferrari got what they wanted and then looked after the others. Now the others changed to Michelin.....

I wouldn't be surprised if Ferrari actually thought they could win races with the 2004 car.



Because Kimi's bad luck will have ended? ;)



/jarmo

Ignatius, I'm going with you, of course, in this alonso-kimi duel.... What a great race by fernando this last sunday. I hope it lasts.....lets hope the new ferrari doesn't match up with the r25 in terms of performance, but it should be good for alonso's carrer to compete head to head with m.s.

Anyway jarmo, kimi will be a close second this year to alonso. ;D

Optimist.

Unless Kimi starts scoring some points soon, he'll have a hard time catching up on his teammate.  :-\

So far he's been the fastest one of them, but you don't get points for that.




/jarmo

You know, there's something abut that Mclaren that doesn't make sense...

Kimmi is a great driver, but the guys is constanly wrestling with bad luck. it's been like this for two years now. When he completes a race, he 's usually top 3, but he hardly ever finishes.

Now they've signed Montoya. since he's been in Formula 1, they've always created this rivalry between him and Shumacher, but so far he hasn't reached the expectations. Great driver, agressive, but I don't think he's got the mind for this.

Kimmi should've signed for Toyota or even Williams. I dont know when his contract expires, but it wouldn't surpirse me if Ferrari would sign both, Kimmi & Alonso.

I think Kimi has one more year in his contract (or is 2005 the last year?).

Anyway, he went to McLaren when they were going downhill (after Mika H?kkinen left). Now it seems like they're slowly getting back up but so are the others.

Williams and Toyota weren't really options when Kimi went to McLaren as far as I remember. He took the step up from Sauber to McLaren.

McLaren just needs to give him a fast and reliable car, then the result will come. ;)


Just look at Fernando..... Renault had their share of problems in the past, but now everything is looking pretty good.




/jarmo

I know, but look at Trully & Ralf Schumacher. They've both signed for a less powerful team that the ones they belonged to, but so far it seems like Toyota is going to be up there. The car has run pretty well.

Atleast your driver has more points than mine. ;)

Hand hopefully after the next two months, Villeneuve will also be in contention and race for the championship. :yes:

Villeneuve might not be in F1 after the next two months.



I don't want to look at Ralf. He's one of the drivers I can't stand....

I think Toyota is doing so well right now because other teams aren't.



/jarmo

I haven't heard about this yet. What's going on?  ??? Is he fixing to lose his drive?

It's just me speculating. I don't know how much money he's making, but I wonder how long the team will keep him if he doesn't start producing some results.

The same goes for many drivers.



/jarmo

Ok, I got worried there for a second. But you have a good point. Villeneuve hasn't had any success the last several years. So, it wouldn't be that shocking if he did lose his ride. But I hope he can turn things around soon and become competitive again.

Humm... now, let's see... What happened while the board was close?... Oh, yeah!! Alonso won again! :smoking:

Kimi was third.  ;D

If McLaren could qualify better, then he might actually win a race...



/jarmo

Very good race for Kimi in Bahrain.

Don't worry Jarmo, kimi will win some races this year ::). When his car gets to be as fast as Alonso's Renault (same to say with schumi), we will see a lot of exciting races this year.

Right now, Alonso and Kimi are the champions of the near future (well, Alonso maybe this year, hope so!). It doesn't look like there are too many talented young drivers like them in the f1 circus, so I guess the future will depend in their cars development for the years to come (or change of teams, etc) . Even Alonso said recently that last year, he was giving a 110 % effort and could only finish in 5 th place, while this year he's winning races driving at his 80 %.

Talent is obviously very important, but another 50 % goes to the car in my opinion. Right now, Alonso's car is the fastest.

.

Toyota and Red Bull's success adds a lot of interest to the races. In the case of Toyota at least, a huge amount of investment has been made, and they are now taking their well earned profits.

2005 Championship 3/19 races

DRIVERS
Name  Team  Points
Fernando Alonso Renault 26
Jarno Trulli Toyota 16
Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 10
David Coulthard Red Bull 9
Ralf Schumacher Toyota 9
Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 8
Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren 8
Kimi Raikkonen McLaren 7
Mark Webber Williams 7
Nick Heidfeld Williams 6
Pedro de la Rosa McLaren 4
Christian Klien Red Bull 3
Felipe Massa Sauber 2
Michael Schumacher Ferrari 2

CONSTRUCTORS
Team  Points
Renault 36
Toyota 25
McLaren 19
Williams 13
Red Bull 12
Ferrari 10
Sauber 2
BAR 0
Jordan 0
Minardi 0




/jarmo

WURZ TO REPLACE JPM AT IMOLA

 
 
Alex Wurz will partner Kimi Raikkonen in place of the injured McLaren-Mercedes driver Juan Pablo Montoya in the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola this weekend.

The Austrian, who is the team's official test and reserve driver, was selected over the team's other test driver Pedro de la Rosa, who performed so well in the recent Bahrain Grand Prix while standing in for Montoya.

"I am looking forward to getting back to competitive action and hope I can secure a good result for the team," said Wurz, who last raced in the 2000 Malaysian Grand Prix.

"Since joining the team at the end of 2000, I have completed over 70,000km and it will be great to have the opportunity to actually race a McLaren!"

Wurz has been unable to fit in the team's 2005 MP4-20 for most of this year.

It was only when McLaren rushed through modifications so that the lanky 31-year-old could perform Friday testing duties in Bahrain in place of de la Rosa, that he finally got to drive the car.

It was this lack of experience with the MP4-20 that prompted the team to select de la Rosa for Bahrain, where he finished fifth and set the fastest lap of the race.

"He (Wurz) really deserves this race, and he will have our full support," said Mercedes Motorsport VP Norbert Haug.

According to the team it is still too soon for Montoya to return to the cockpit since injuring his shoulder over the Easter weekend.

"It is disappointing that JPM is not yet fully recovered from the injury he sustained," said the team's CEO Martin Whitmarsh.

"However it is imperative that his shoulder heals properly.

"We will assess the situation again next week but at this stage we are optimistic he will return for the Spanish Grand Prix as the shoulder is healing well."

 
http://www.itv-f1.com




/jarmo

Come on Jenson, nows a perfect time to find some form!

England  :love: Jenson!

I actually glad to see both of these two drivers get their season of to a great start,even if it is due to the fact the top teams have not gotten off to the best of starts themselves.
The fact that Ferrari rushed their new car out earlier than expected shows you that these smaller teams are beginning to become a threat.
I feel sorry for Ralph he will always be overshadowed by his elder brother.What a tough act to follow and for Trulli,Renaults loss is Toyota's gain.He is if anything a constant driver.I would love to see him in a Ferrari.
It is great to see Nick Heidfeld doing so well this season.He should have been picked to drive for McLaren not Kimi.

Jenson was quickest in practice...lets see if he can do it in qualifying!

No because Kimi was fastest.  8)

Alonso in second and Schumacher in third place.


/jarmo

Bollocks come on Jenson..where did he finish on the grid?
What time does the Grand Prix start GMT please master?

Live race: Sunday 24 April 1200-1500 (ITV1)

I'd say the race itself starts at 1300 you time. ;)






/jarmo

Thanks Master. Much appreciated...Wahoo...Love Grand Prix Sundays!

No problem. ;)


For your information, Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) won the first GP2 race of the season.  8)



/jarmo

Keep your information to yourself if your gonna gloat about Finland! :P

I see Rihilati played well for Crystal Palace again today! :-*

So, with Schumacher out of the way, it's now a fight between Jarmo, me and Arron... ;) Any bets guys?? ;D

Kimi is Finnish, we're unlucky.? :nervous:

Alonso will take the start, Kimi will be in the pits earlier than the two others.....

If he doesn't have any of the problems he's had earlier this year, it could be an interesting race.




/jarmo

Come on Jenson!

I fucking knew it!

It's not Kimi's year.....



/jarmo

 :D

Ha! :P

OMG! I almost had a heart attack! Great race.

And in two weeks the Spanish Grand Prix. It's gonna be insane in Barcelona.

Great drive by Alonso.

Good to see him not doing what Button did..... Meaning letting Schumacher pass!


Kimi and his luck.  :no:




You mean with all the Finnish Kimi fans?  :P



/jarmo

No, I mean with all the Asturian fans? :P

Look out for my flag...

Fuck off, The Maclarens held up Jenson!  :rant:

Oh yeah, blame Kimi who was pulling away second by second for 8-9 laps.  :P


You could blame the Williams drivers though.....



/jarmo

And then what happened?  :P


Oh yeah.  :-[

Yes, they were the bastards, the should slow when being lapped! Not get in the way, wouldnt suprise me if Schumie paid them!

Alonso was simply spectacular. This race has been the most amazing one in the last years.
Sorry for Kimi's luck jarmo.......

In 2 weeks time, Alonso will have a new engine and schumacher will have to protect his own, plus maybe kimi if his car lasts a little longer will present quite a battle. A great race indeed is coming!!. It will be a nice one to watch.

I think McLaren has promised some improvements to their car for Barcelona.


How about reliability improvements?!!!?! :pissedoff:



/jarmo

Or a miralce, or even better, a new Number 1 driver who can handle the car! :P

He did nothing wrong yesterday.


If you have followed Formula 1 for more than a week, you know he rarely does driving errors.  :P




/jarmo

I do follow it, however i tend to follow my home country drivers, not washed up Fins who blame mechanical problems in their car for their mishaps. :P

---

Not really, i havent really been interested since their hasnt really been any English drivers over the past 7 or 8 years, however the rise to prominence of Jenson is very encouraging and gives me reason to watch.
I also started to watch as well with the change of rules over the last 3 or 4 years which make for much better viewing and racing alike.

You evil Finnish Dictator!
 :-*

Fernando Alonso = "Mr. Domination" this year so far.

Good to see Jacques Villeneuve with a good run and a 6th place finish. :)

Also, it was strange to see F1 racing on a national netwrok(CBS) yesterday. Usually Speed Channel broadcast the races. But nice all the same. :yes:

It was a great day for sports yesterday. I did nothing but watch sports on TV. Formula 1, tennis, football and NBA. I hadn't had one of these days in a while. (good to be single again? ;))

What a great race!! I'm a bit biased obviouly, but damn that boy is fucking good. Alonso's won 3 in a row now, when will he stop?

Now, as far as my particular analysis goes, I should say Kimmi could've pulled this one off easily. This maybe pretty obvious since he was dominating the race in the first laps, but there's something you haven't mentioned yet. Alonso's car was not 100% for this race. Notice how his car only took 10 warm up laps earlier in the weekend, and just 5 before the first qualifier. This was the second race with the same engine, and there was an obvious concern in Renault. Fisichella's qualified 13th on sunday, a sign that both cars engines weren't 100%. Kimmi had a 2.5 sec advantage in lap 2 already, and altthough Alonso managed to keep it below 3.5 seconds while kimmi was on the course, I thought kimmi had a big chance. Also notice how Schumi's laps were on 1'22-1'23 while Alonso's and Jenson's were on low 1'24's...30 second difference between Alonso and Schumi vanished in 30 laps! I give all the credit to Michael of course, but something must've not run all that well in Alonso's car. 1 second per lap is a tremendous amount of time in F-1.

Anyway, a great race indeed.

On a side note. I hate Jenson with a passion. He is a cocky, arrogant bastard. Sorry Arron... :P

Yeah, Alonso's engine wasn't running at maximum capacity and that caused more wear on his tyres.

But he still managed to be smart and do exactly what was needed to keep the faster Ferrari behind.



At the race when McLaren doesn't break down and Kimi doesn't press any buttons at that start that stalls his engine....  :hihi:



/jarmo

Yes, a bit like Schumie then, a little bit of arrogance makes a great champion...he wont do it with BAR though, they seem to have no ambition! Publicly stating that they just want to win a few races is not great.
Hopefully next year he will get a seat at a more ambitious constructor!

Heh, I was just around those parts a few weeks ago.. Oviedo, Gijon, Santander, Grado, Tineo, etc.

They sure liked their Alonso :)

BUTTON'S THIRD PLACE STILL IN DOUBT
Last Updated: Tuesday, 26, April, 2005, 12:07
 
 
Jenson Button's third place in the San Marino Grand Prix remains under threat after the FIA announced it will take the matter to the International Court of Appeal.

Button's car was found to be underweight (see separate story here) when drained of fuel and weighed in post-race scrutineering.

But it was subsequently cleared when the team produced data proving the car had run with enough fuel to make it legal throughout the race.

After six hours of deliberation, the stewards decided that Button's podium finish would stand and no further action would be taken.

The FIA has decided to appeal against this decision however, in a hearing to take place in Paris on May 5.

In a statement, BAR has expressed its surprise at the FIA's decision, claiming that its cars complied with the regulations at all times.

"BAR-Honda is surprised that the FIA has decided to appeal against decision number 49, which was taken by the FIA-appointed stewards," read the statement.

BAR's team principal Nick Fry is adamant that the team has no reason to be concerned.

"BAR-Honda will provide the same rigorous data presented to the stewards last night and is confident that it can prove once again that the car was fully compliant with the FIA technical regulations throughout the San Marino Grand Prix."

---

KIMI BOOKED FOR ROAD OFFENCE
Last Updated: Tuesday, 26, April, 2005, 13:41
 
 
Kimi Raikkonen has been slapped with a 30,000 euro fine for illegal trailer transport in his native Finland.

The McLaren star was stopped by a policeman in February 2004 for towing an abnormal load of three snowmobiles on a motorway in Mantsala.

Finnish law requires drivers to have special licences if they plan to carry such loads across long distances but Raikkonen had only a normal passenger car licence.

Raikkonen, who initially contested the fine, did not show up at the court hearing in Orimattila.

He faces such a hefty bill because in Finland road traffic offences are fined in proportion to the driver?s income ? which, according to a police report, was 150,000 euros per month at the time of the incident.
 



/jarmo

Nice! Did you like it? I come from a small village in the west of Asturias, but i lived many years in Oviedo, went to University there. It's really nice in summer.

Yeah, they definitely love Alonso, but it's getting too much. The poor guy can't go to his parents' place to relax a few days without having hundreds of fans and reporters at his doorstep at all times. I suppose that's one of the reasons why he lives here in Oxford, well, apart from the fact that Renault has the factory here...

L'asturianu llingua oficial!! :P Yeah we had good time, my gf's also studied at the University of Oviedo for a year in 2003-2004 (she's a Spanish student) so she knows the places n' people.


...whaddaya mean off-topic, this is about Alonso the Asturian Astronaut ;D

I didn't say anything. ;)




Arron, explain what BAR is doing!  :P




/jarmo

Whooaa.... :o. That's a pretty strict law and some heavy fines.

FIA: 'We want BAR kicked out'
Wed 04 May, 12:19 PM

At the start of the hearing into alleged malpractice by BAR at the San Marino GP, a FIA statement announced:

'The FIA asks the court to exclude the BAR team from the world championship and to fine the team at least one million euros.'

Jenson Button's car was found to be underweight during post-race scrutineering, with claims that stewards had found a second, hidden petrol tank.


http://uk.sports.yahoo.com


/jarmo

Do you think the Court will find that Bar deliberately cheated and severely punished them or will the team pretty much slide on this one? I know a fine and some points deduction may be forthcoming but do you think the punishment will be worse than that?

I wouldn't be surprised if they get kicked out.

After all, it's not Ferrari who cheated..... Ferrari would've gotten just a fine.




/jarmo

Sad, but sadly true, corporate bastards, just think of the amount of fans and revenue they would lose if they excluded Ferrari for instance.
Ha, but poor old BAR get fucked up the ass for one very stupid and very costly mistake.

Bastards!

BAR lose Imola points and get two-race ban
Thu 05 May, 1:35 PM

BAR Honda have been stripped of its third place scored at Imola by Jenson Button as well as Takuma Sato?s fifth position. In addition the team have been handed a two race ban and will miss this weekend?s Spanish Grand Prix and the following Monaco Grand Prix.

---

Alonso: Bar-Honda and Ferrari are cheats
 
Thursday, 05 May , 2005, 14:35
 
Barcelona, Spain: Bar-Honda and Ferrari both cheat by respectively fielding an under-weight car and conducting more testing than is allowed, Renault's Fernando Alonso claimed on Wednesday.

The Spaniard, speaking here ahead of his local Grand Prix on Sunday, said "There are two teams that cheat: the first is Bar-Honda, that was proved in San Marino, and the second is Ferrari - all the teams tested for six days whereas Ferrari tested for 20."

The Formula One championship leader was speaking out on the day that motor racing's governing body the FIA called on Jenson Button's Bar-Honda team to be thrown out of this year's championship.

The British team are in the dock after the car in which Button finished third in San Marino weighed in 5kg under the 600kg weight minimum.

Alonso goes into this weekend' Spanish Grand Prix seeking his fourth straight win of the 2005 season.

---

I still believe this wouldn't have happened if it was Ferrari who had been caught.

And Alonso has a point even though Ferrari claims otherwise. Maybe cheating isn't the right word, but they're not playing by the rules that the majority has set for F1.



/jarmo

The FIA can suck my dick!

Well, you know how i love Alonso and how much I dislike Ferrari, but I have to say I don't think he was right this time. Ferrari didn't sign that "Gentlemen’s agreement" as they call it, so I definitely don't think "cheating" is the word.

But Ferrari is the only team not agreeing......

Everybody else wants to limit testing to cut down costs.

9/10 votes and still that's not enough. What a system. :nervous:


Anyway, a little controversy doesn't hurt. Let the guy speak!  ;D




The maFIA? Or FIAt (who own Ferrari)? ;)




/jarmo

Yeah, but still, it's not a FIA rule; they have the money and a private circuit, they do as they please...


Oh, don't worry. Knowing him, you'll get plenty of that. He won't shut up easily ;D

Exactly.- It feeds the rivalry.? Michael, Jenson & Alonso seem to be quite arrogant. That's good for the show...I don't know if Kimmi is quite as arrogant though...you never know with the finnish? :P

And what is this "gentlemen aggrement" crap, could anyone give me some light? What costs are you talking about? You mean the FIA pays for testing?

It's K-i-m-i! :pissedoff:

Kimi is quiet (he's Finnish after all), he just likes to race and to visit strip clubs in London.? ;)? :hihi:




All the other teams except Ferrari wants to cut down costs by limiting testing. Testing costs money.



Ferrari always seem to do as they please.....? :P



Let's hope so.? :hihi:




/jarmo

That doesn't make sense...well, of course testing cost money, but why the FIA has to be responsible for the testing costs? The teams themselves should be responsible for arranging their visits to the different race courses and pay the costs implied.  I don't really know what such "costs" involve, but I say if Renault, Ferrari, Bar... want to test their car, fine with me as long as they take care of the costs. I don't understand why the FIA has to cover those expenses.

As far as I know, the agreement was between the teams. Not the FIA.

The teams wanted to cut down on testing, Ferrari didn't.



Edit: Here's a news story from January about the agreement:

F1 teams sign testing agreement  
 

Nine Formula One teams have signed a voluntary deal to limit testing to 30 days during the Grand Prix season.
But Ferrari have opted not to sign the agreement, which is restricted to European circuits approved by the sport's governing body, the FIA.

Teams will not be able to test at more than one circuit on the same day or with more than two cars.

"We've had enough time to know Ferrari don't favour this sort of agreement," said Minardi's Paul Stoddart.

The agreement also specifies that teams will remain barred from using circuits that host an event on the calendar, with the exception of Silverstone, Barcelona and Monza.

A reason for Ferrari's non-participation is that they have their own tracks in Italy and sometimes test on three circuits on the same day.

Team boss Jean Todt also said recently that they expected to save over ?2m by organising tests for 2005 that would require 15 fewer team members.

Last week, it had been suggested that BAR would also opt out of the cost-cutting agreement, although team chief Nick Fry was quick to dispel those rumours.

"I think now there is a good level of agreement between all the Formula One teams, perhaps except Ferrari, that 30 days is the agreed amount," he said last Monday.

"It was suggested partly by us anyway, so 30 is the number."
 




/jarmo

That's pretty funny. :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren (3rd, +0.024s):
"A pretty good result considering that we started quite early in the session. I'm upset as I made a mistake at Turn Two by going wide and I lost probably around half a second - without that we would have been quickest."


He should be upset.  :hihi:

Hopefully McLaren can finally give him a car that won't break down in the middle of a race!  :nervous:





/jarmo

Half a second?

He's gotta be kidding...that would've put hin in 1'14"3....no way KiMi.

Maybe he would've qualified first, but there's no way the gap would've been half a second!

I'm expecting a thrilling qualifyng second lap tomorrow. 4 drivers are there in the money. I'm guessing Kimi and Trully will top the first two positions on the grid, Alonso will come up third. He's just gonna give them a chance? ?8)

Congratulations to Kimi.

I'll figure out what happened to Villeneuve when I watch the race later today on the network.

Finally!

Outstanding driving, no errors in the race itself.


I got a little nervous when he was shaking his head after the pit stop.....



/jarmo

That wasn't very gentleman like, was it? It was supposed to be Fernando's party! :pissedoff:

Seriously now, congratulations... Damm! That car is fast...

Well, Fernando stole Kimi's victory before so....  :P




The car was fast?

The talented Finnish driver drove the car fast without making any errors.  :yes:



/jarmo

Congrats Jarmo!!! A very talented finnish driver and a very fast (and now reliable) car indeed!!!.

Alonso let Kimi won this one... 8)

Something will go wrong in Kimi's car again soon  :P

Sure. He let Kimi kick his ass at home in front of all his fans.  ;D



Typical. Wishing something will go wrong with his car when your guy can't beat him in a fair situation.....? :no:



I wouldn't call it reliable yet. Finishing one race doesn't make it reliable.

Compared to Renault, they still have to prove that the reliability is there.



/jarmo

Not to take away any of Kimi's deserved victory, but Alonso blistered his tyres during his first tint, which took edge of his renault handling. That 15-20 seconds gap was conceived during the first 15-20 laps.

This's only been kimi's first win...Mclaren is making up excuses already as they lost so many points so far it's gonna be tough to reach Alonso. Alonso is the guy to beat, he's won 3 races, two of them from wire to wire.  ;D

What do you blame the qualifying on then? How about Imola where Kimi was doing the same thing until his McLaren decided to quit?


I thought Kimi was using a very light car when he just disappeared, but luckily he wasn't.




The excuse is that their car wasn't good enough to win races before Imola.

Kimi made an error in Australia, but I don't think he would've won there anyway. He had a chance at Imola though.

McLaren aren't stupid. They're saying things like that to put pressure on Alonso instead of starting to call themselves champions after one win.

I don't think McLaren will win this year, all I want is to have a good fight between Alonso and R?ikk?nen instead of having the season "over" in September....




/jarmo

A good qualifyer doesn't make you a good racer. Look at Trully, he has been the best overall qualifier and he's 20 points behind alonso.

Yes, Kimi was winning in Imola, but he only had a 3 second difference when his car broke down. Alonso had managed to maintain the difference gained entirely on lap one.

I'm just saying you have to give credit when credit is due. Kimi had a chance in Imola because he was first  when his car broke down, but his lead wasn't as dominant as in Barcelona. It'd have been very interesting to watch had kimi had a reliable car. The reason behind that 15-20 second difference in Barcelona coul've had something to do with Alonso's early problems.

Yeah, but are you saying Alonso just isn't good at qualifying since he was slower than Kimi?

That makes no sense......  ;)



I find it interesting that now that Kimi won with a big margin, it was just because his car was so much better.

If Fernando had won because Kimi's car had broken down, you'd be posting how great he was driving and not even mention his tyre problems.  :P

 ;D


/jarmo

No...but just making a point since you refer to the qualifyng laps. Trully is a much better qualifyer than a race driver, By saying that I'm not implying that he is better or worse than Alonso, but sometimes strategy may interfere with the possibility of being first on the grid.





No...I just pointed out that the big difference Kimi gained from Lap 1 to lap 15 could've gotten something to do with Alonso's tyre problems. You were saying how something similar occured in Imola while I argued with such statement. Both races were totally different, while in Barcelona Kimi's difference was 20 seconds, In Imola was just 3 when he was forced to quit.

I do agree that this is beneficial for the show though. However, you don't worry. We won't have to talk about this anymore since Alonso is going to win every race from now on. ;)

True.

But in this case I don't think Kimi and Fernando were on different strategies.


But Kimi was fast all weekend, it's not just the car. It's the whole package that for once worked.

Driver (made no mistakes), car (reliable, fast), tyres (good performance), luck (no punctures, no major problems in the pit etc.)

You need all of those to win.

The guy who finishes second usually has a reason or an excuse for it. It's racing.  ;)


The similarity was that he pulled away from the start.

You forget that even though Fernando had tyre problems that caused him not to be that fast, Kimi also pulled away from all the other cars. Did they also have tyre problems?  ;) Well, Schumacher did. ;)

Nobody has said anything about why his tyres weren't working. Maybe he hadn't found a good balance for the car or maybe he tried too hard at the start?




We'll see about that.  ;D



/jarmo

Villeneuve with his second lost engine in just 5 races. His engine and suspension problem need to be looked at. Becasue it's not looking good so far. :no:

Spain:

Qualifying:
10. Felipe Massa? ? ? ? Sauber? ? ?+ 2,803
12. Jacques Villeneuve? Sauber? ? ?+ 5,059

Race:
11. Felipe Massa? ? ? ? Sauber (DNF)
Jacques Villeneuve? Sauber? ? ?

San Marino:

Qualifying:
11. Jacques Villeneuve? ?Sauber? ?+ 3,379
18. Felipe Massa? ? ? ? ?Sauber? ?+ 2,050 (engine changed)

Race:
4. Jacques Villeneuve? Sauber? ? + 1.04,442
10. Felipe Massa? ? ? ?Sauber? ?+ 1 lap


Bahrain:

Qualifying:
12. Felipe Massa? ? ? ? ?Sauber? ? + 3,300
16. Jacques Villeneuve? ?Sauber? ? + 6,081

Race:
7. Felipe Massa? ? ? ?Sauber? ?+1 lap
11. Jacques Villeneuve Sauber? DNF

Malaysia:

Qualifying:
14. Felipe Massa? ? ? ? ?Sauber? ? + 4,212
16. Jacques Villeneuve? ?Sauber? ? + 5,323

Race:
10. Felipe Massa? ? ? ?Sauber? ?+1 lap
Jacques Villeneuve? ?Sauber? ? DNF


Australia:

Qualifying:
4.? Jacques Villeneuve? ?Sauber? ? ? + 5,386
18. Felipe Massa? ? ? ? ?Sauber? ? ?no time

Race:
10. Felipe Massa? ? ? ? Sauber? ? ?+1.04,393
13. Jacques Villeneuve? Sauber? ?+1 lap



Championship:

13.? ?Jacques Villeneuve? ?Sauber? ? ? ?5
16.? ?Felipe Massa? ? ? ? ?Sauber? ? ? ?2



Qualifying total so far: Massa 3 - 2 Villeneuve
Racing: Massa 4 - 1 Vileneuve

Massa has been faster in qualifying three times, and beat Villeneuve in four times in the races. Yet he's behind in points.

Looks like Jacques isn't exactly delivering even though he has more points....




/jarmo
?

KIMI'S OPEN-ENDED MCLAREN OFFER
Last Updated: Thursday, 12, May, 2005, 12:07
 
 
McLaren team principal Ron Dennis has made Kimi Raikkonen a public open-ended offer to stay with his team.

The Spanish Grand Prix winner has been pinpointed by Ferrari team boss Jean Todt as a potential replacement for Michael Schumacher when he retires, but Dennis says he wants to the keep the Finn in his service for as long as he can.

"We will fight to keep Kimi on the team," Dennis told Finland's MTV3 channel.

"Kimi Raikkonen will stay on this team as long as he wants.

"He has a capability of winning many, many world championships."

Dennis conceded however that should McLaren prove unable provide Raikkonen with a championship-winning car then the Finn is unlikely to hang around.

"If we don't deliver, I am absolutely sure that he will look at other teams in the future."
 
http://www.itv-f1.com

---

I guess Ferrari doesn't think Barrichello is the guy who's gonna be their #1 driver when Schumacher retires. I wouldn't be surprised if they go with Alonso instead.

H?kkinen stayed loyal to McLaren all the way. I can see Kimi doing the same.



/jarmo

Jean Todt has been saying that about Alonso all year long. And now Kimi. He is just trying to pressure Reanult and Mclaren by saying he's after both pilots. Alonso's just renewed his contract until 2006, it wouldn't surprise me if Ferrari kept Rubens and maybe Gene for the upcoming season ( every team needs a few years to rebuild), to then try to sign Alonso and Kimi for the 2007 championship.

It would be weird seeing Kimi drive for Ferrari.. that's, like, the enemy! And red is a communist color anyway :hihi:

As far as I remember, Todt has been praising Kimi even before this season.

I don't think they want to sign a rookie, so it's only natural they try to get the best possible drivers there are in F1 at the moment.....

How about this scenario: Ferrari gets Fisichella (Italian team, Italian driver) and Renault lets Heikki Kovalainen drive for them.  ;D




/jarmo

F1 WANTS YOUR OPINION
 
For the first time in the history of Formula 1, you will get the chance to have your say over the future of the sport, when the governing body makes public an online fan survey later this week, backed by global technology leader AMD.

As FIA president Max Mosley and the teams begin to define a set of regulations for 2008 and beyond, the sport's governing body is encouraging as many fans as possible to partake in the FIA/AMD multiple choice questionnaire.

"At the beginning of 2005 the FIA launched a consultation on the future of Formula One with all of the sport's stakeholders," said an FIA spokesman.

"We felt that including Formula One fans in this process was essential.

"To help shape the future of the sport we want as many fans as possible to visit our website and complete the online survey."

The FIA/AMD survey, which is open to everyone, can be found on the official FIA website -  www.fia.com ? later this week and the results will be published in the summer.

Mosley is one of many key figures in F1 that believe the fans are not given enough say in the direction the sport takes.

Renault director of engineering Pat Symonds believes that the fans can provide vital information in an era when the sport is so dramatically effected by public perception.

"I've always advocated that if we want to know what to do, we should be asking the public," he said last year.

"What we should do is go out on a Saturday afternoon while qualifying is on and ask the people in the street, in the shopping centres 'why aren't you watching qualifying, what is wrong with it? Why aren't you watching racing?'"

 
http://www.itv-f1.com



/jarmo

Wow! That Mercedes is fast!!  ;)

I've been watching F-1 for a few years now, there are still a few things I'm not too clear with.

Do both drivers from the same team have the exact same car? I'm talking about same engine, same tyres, same slightly tune-ups...is it all the same?

I would assume than the main driver have a slightly better car, but I don't think that's the case. However, how can you explain the time difference today between Kimi and Montoya & Fernando and Fisichella? We are talking about a 1 sec difference! Last year, Schumi would have a 0.2 or 0.3 difference at the most with Rubens, but this year the difference between team partners is huge, especially in Renault and Mclaren. What do you guys think? Do you think the engineers & mechanics go the extra mile with the team's top driver or are both cars treated exactly the same?

I don't think McLaren uses the first and second driver tactics like Ferrari does. Ferrari is built around Schumacher, McLaren isn't built around R?ikk?nen.


Montoya just doesn't feel "at home" in the McLaren. At least not yet.

Some drivers want an car that understeers and others don't. So if the car is that way, the driver won't like driving it.

You can adjust the car, but it won't be perfect because it doesn't handle the way the driver wants it to.

I don't know how things are in Renault, but I imagine it's the same for them. The car suits Alonso better and he does seem like a better driver of the two Renault drivers.



With that in mind, what a brilliant lap by Kimi! Fernando did a great lap that I thought would be unbeatable.... I was wrong!



Edit: The FIA F1 survey mentioned in one of the news articles I posted earlier is at http://www.fia-amd-survey2005.com/

FIA must either have some high opinion on Finns or maybe not. The survey isn't available in Finnish!

Either they think we all understand English or they think Finland doesn't matter. The survey is available in Swedish. Keep in mind that Sweden has no F1 driver at the moment and that F1 is really popular in Finland (for some weird reason ;) ).

Wonder what FIA are thinking.....? :hihi: Or maybe it's just because the F1 Racing magazine doesn't exist in Finland.... Which would make sense but would be a stupid reason.



/jarmo

Yes!? :D

Outstanding race by Kimi again. McLaren did everything right unlike Renault who chose the wrong strategy.

McLaren worked far better on saving the tyres. They used the softer ones and still they weren't nearly as bad as Renault's tyres.


'Crazy' Schumi provokes Ralf outburst

'He should have switched on his brain before he tried a move like that'
?
Ralf Schumacher has accused his world champion brother Michael of a "crazy" move which could have killed both of them.

Michael pulled alongside his brother's Toyota at high speed on the run to the chequered flag in the Monaco grand prix yesterday, just missing out on taking sixth spot by the smallest of margins.

But Ralf, who was forced to jink away from the Ferrari for fear of an accident, was angry that his brother attempted to squeeze between him and the concrete wall at such high speeds.

Ralf said: "He's crazy. He should have switched on his brain before he tried a move like that. Another millimetre and one of us could have been dead."

Michael's disappointing result was compounded by criticism from two of the drivers closest to him with team-mate Rubens Barrichello adding to Ralf's complaint.

Barrichello was angry that Schumacher passed him for seventh on the last lap, accusing him of risking an accident.


http://sport.guardian.co.uk

---

FIA CONFIRMS NEW QUALIFYING PROCEDURE
Last Updated: Monday, 23, May, 2005, 14:20
 
 
The FIA has confirmed that Formula 1's qualifying procedure will change for next weekend's European Grand Prix.

Qualifying will now comprise one single session on Saturday afternoon instead of the unpopular aggregated format that has been in place since the beginning of the season.

The one-lap session will see competitors run with race fuel under parc ferme conditions as was the case in 2004.
 
http://www.itv-f1.com


/jarmo

Yeah...Renault did everything wrong.

Fernado had managed to keep the difference below 5 sec before the safety car took the course. Kimi would've won most likely, but Renault handed in the win. The tyres selection proved to be a mistake as well, making the renault almost undriveable. Also the car couldn't obviously run as fast since it was carrying 110 kgs extra.

No excuses anyway, Kimi seemed to be in great form. His car is also running very well.

It'll be interesting to see what happens next week.

You have to remember that Kimi was 0.5 seconds faster in qualifying 1.

That proves the car is faster even when Renault and McLaren are running with low fuel loads.


I'm not sure if the cars were that different at the start. I suspect Kimi was planning on pitting after the Renaults considering his slower time in qualifying 2. Renault made their stops earlier than planned thanks to the safety car while McLaren probably went along with their original plan (because they missed the opportunity).

Now, if the Renaults hadn't fitted their cars with bigger fuel tanks, they would've had to make two stops (or delay the first stop until they reached the window for a one stop strategy).



/jarmo

Congrats to kimi (and jarmo...). A great drive by the finnish driver and a very very bad management of the situation by renault. Bad tyre selection, horrible pit strategy....briatore, stop staring in the sun with heidi, naomi etc....and start making good decisions.....

Thanks, but I had nothing to do with that.  :hihi:  ;)


Wonder what Ferrari will do next weekend? Everybody should know their strategy by now. Bad qualifying, one pit stop, better lap times later in the race.




/jarmo

True.

The great thing about this sport is that some many little things can have such a tremendous impact on the final result.

Alonso said during qualifyng 1 he was a little bit cautious after Ralf had collisioned his car during his lap. Kimi may have not been as cautious as Fernando, hence the .5 sec gap.

During qualifyng 2 however Alonso was faster cause his car was running with lower fuel loads. However, Kimi created a 5 second difference during the first 20 laps with higher fuel loads than Alonso, so either kimi's car is even faster than Alonso's with more fuel, or the tyres really had a devastating effect for Fernando.

Either way, it's fun to theorize about what could've happened what could've happened hadn't Alonso stopped when the safety car took appeared on the course.

Truth is, Kimi's car seems faster now. Renault's engineers better work their ass off this week to pair up with Mclaren.

McLaren has been fast, good to the tyres and reliable the last two races.

Just like a good winning car should be. You won't win races when your tyres look like slicks.....

Renault was the better car at the start of the season simply because they had the reliability and power that McLaren lacked back then.

Also, you need to build a car that will work in the qualifying or you'll be like Ferrari. I guess it's easier to win when you start at the front of the grid than when you start as the 11th car or something.



/jarmo

The future clearly belongs to Kimi and Alonso. They will dominate the f1 circus for quite some time. As long as their cars look alike (in terms of speed, reliability, etc..), we will witness very interesting duels. Let's hope years of dominance of only one car (ferrari in the past) don't happen again, the spectacle wouldn't just be the same!!!.

TODT: QUALI CHANGE MAY HELP US

 
Ferrari boss Jean Todt believes changes to Formula 1?s qualifying format which will come into effect at this weekend?s European Grand Prix may benefit the Maranello team.

The new qualifying system was rubber-stamped on Monday and will see the existing aggregate format streamlined into a single session on Saturday, in which cars will qualify with race fuel on board.

Ferrari?s big problem this year has been a lack of performance from its Bridgestone tyres over a single flying lap, which has meant the world champions have qualified poorly and therefore been unable to exploit their race pace.

On the face of it that situation will not change as each driver will still only get a single hot lap under the new system.

But Todt believes the fact that there will only be one session will open up more strategic options.


Under the current aggregate system, teams know how much fuel they can afford to run with in Sunday qualifying to maintain their grid positions from Saturday and set their fuel strategy accordingly.


Now there will be more unknowns and, conceivably, a wider variation in fuel loads.


?I am sure [the new system] will not disturb us,? he said. ?I think it will probably be better for us.?

The Frenchman acknowledged that qualifying pace remains the team?s Achilles heel.

?We need to have more immediate performance on one lap, it?s our weak point,? he said. ?We know and we are working on it.

?We know that during the race we are very competitive. During a certain part of the [Monaco] race we were three seconds quicker than the other competitors.

?During the race when the track is clear we are quick. But the problem is that we compromise our racing by starting so far behind.?
 

---

Not a big surprise...



/jarmo

These past couple of races Kimi has just freakin' exploded on everybody. :o :yes:

 : ok:

Barrichello tired of support role

Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello has warned team-mate Michael Schumacher not to expect any favours in Sunday's European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.
The Brazilian was angry after being overtaken by the world champion on the last lap in Monaco, a move he feared would knock both cars out of the race.

"I'm no longer in the situation of 2002 when I had to give him the win in Austria," said Barrichello.

"I'm racing in Germany with a clear objective: to win the Grand Prix."

Schumacher's controversial last-lap overtaking manoeuvre in Monaco also drew fierce criticism from his brother, Ralf.

But it is Barrichello's reaction which is the most significant.

The Brazilian has played second fiddle to Schumacher for several years and famously slowed down during the Austrian GP in 2002 to allow the German to pass and win.

"Michael and I have had two, three or four situations of this kind," said Barrichello.

"I have always had to think in two ways: to think of what I should do for him and what I should do for the team.

"In future I will consider him not as a team-mate but a driver like any other."

http://news.bbc.co.uk

---

I wonder what Rubens will say once he is ordered to let Michael pass (again).....




/jarmo

A Williams in the pole position. Wonder what kind of strategy they have? They have improved since Imola, so it's not a surprise that they're up there.

I think Toyota might be on a lighter fuel load than the rest of the top cars.


We'll see tomorrow.



/jarmo

Lighter fuel load for williams as well. Their strategy is mainly marketing. Williams is german right? well, there you have it. They've done nothing this other than a second and third place last week. Now with qualies back on only-saturdays, the newspapers today have announced Williams first pole of the year.

As in the last few races, kimi is the guy to beat. Montoya is also there...

My guess

1.- Kimi
2.-Montoya
3.-Alonso
4.-Trully
5.-Webber

Williams is English, but their engine supplier BMW is German.

Just like McLaren's engine supplier Mercedes.


Toyota is based in Cologne, Germany.




/jarmo

My comments on the latest race:

FUCKING HELL.

This year's over.....

It was interesting for a short while. Now McLaren has given the championship to Alonso by not giving Kimi a reliable car at the start of the season.




/jarmo

All I can say is what a race!  :o

Bad luck for kimi, but then again, he had blocked his tyres twice early on, so that may explain what happened.

As for Alonso, he did what he had to do. After the first pit lane stop, he?s been the fastest overall. Fast lap included. He pushed Kimi and that may have been the reason for those two errors I was mentioning earlier. Alonso also lost 4-5 seconds right before his second stop as he didn?t make that turn and had to get back on track.


It?s not over yet. 32 points difference when there are 13 races left?

Alonso?s finished every race, I?m sure he will not complete all the races we have left

12 races left. 120 points to fight about. 96 points for the second places. So if Kimi by some miracle would win the rest of the races and Fernando was second in all races, it wouldn't be enough.

McLaren needs to start taking bigger risks to win, while Renault don't. They can "cruise" and just make sure they get points. Fernando doesn't have to win races to win the championship.



/jarmo

Well, that's very unlikely. there's no way Alonso is going to finish every race left. Besides, although Mclaren and Renault are the strongest teams right now, God knows what could happen next. Maybe Ferrari decides is time to do something about it so it's not a two team competition.

Still a long way to go...

That's true.

But this was the "worst" thing that could've happened.




/jarmo

It's not over for Kimi bad sure it doesn't look good and it doesn't help that alonso seems to be in top positions in every race..damn it pissed me off when Alonso showed 4 fingers for his for victories. Alonso was undertaker and would never won that race if it would not have been that accident.

C'mon! this is Formula 1 racing not the sisters of the poor. Most of these drivers are cocky bastards. Look at Schumi, Button, Montoya, Ralf...they are always doing things like that.



I knew somebody was gonna post that sooner or later.

Fact: Kimi and his car had been unbeatable in the past few races.

Fact: Kimi was leading this race from the beginning.

Fact: In Formula 1 every small detail counts.


Kimi's accident wasn't unfortunate. Well, it was cause it happened with 1 lap left to go, but as I said earlier, kimi had locked his tyres early on, so his suspension collapsed after 15-20 laps of vibration. That caused the accident, kimi had made a few mistakes during the race, hence the flat spotted tyre. Alonso had been pushing hard? before pit stop number two (even he made a mistake that cost him about 5 seconds) so Kimi felt a bit pressured. Besides, Alonso had close the gap to 1.5 sec with a lap to go so there's no telling what could've happened.

He locked his tyre because he was lapping Villeneuve. It's not the first time lapped cars cause problems in F1. I was surprised to see penalties being given out yesterday for them ignoring the blue flags. I guess the problems were a bit more serious yesterday or something.

Kimi did have some bad luck. Saying otherwise is kinda ridiculous. With a bit of luck, his suspension could've just as well held together for one more lap.

Fortunately he didn't get hurt and the tyre didn't come off the car.


But, it's racing and these things happen. Happened to Mika H?kkinen too back when he was driving for McLaren.? :nervous:

---

COULTHARD ATTACKS "DANGEROUS" TYRE RULES

David Coulthard has spoken out against the new-for-2005 tyre rules in the wake of Kimi Raikkonen?s dramatic late race accident at the Nurburgring.

Drivers are no longer allowed to change tyres during the race unless the tyre is damaged.

Raikkonen had badly flat-spotted his right-front tyre and the resultant vibration eventually led to a violent suspension failure on the final lap.

The McLaren team had the option to bring Kimi into the pits for a replacement tyre, but decided to leave him on track as he was leading the race.

?In one way the rules have been good for overtaking and entertainment, but there is no question that it is more dangerous," Coulthard told The Times newspaper.

?It is a major worry.

?The FIA position is that the drivers make the decision, but they are asking us to throw away our races by coming into the change tyres.?

DC revealed that he had suffered tyre problems of his own in the closing stages.

He didn?t consider pitting for new tyres because he was running in such a competitive position.

?I could hardly see from the vibrations late in the race, but I couldn't afford to lose my fourth position,? said Coulthard.

http://www.itv-f1.com

---

/jarmo

At one stage, there was footage of the Mclaren team getting ready to what appeared to be a tyre replacement. But kimi was in the lead and that would've probably cost him about 15 seconds.

Yeah, it is indeed unfortunate that kimi had the accident with one lap to go, but then again, would alonso have overtaken him had he remained on the track?

If I remember correctly, kimi made two mistakes, not one. TV showed how he had severly locked his tyres twice.

Tell me Jarmo, why would you say they were more serious yesterday with the blue flags?

Slightly off topic....speaking about bad luck, I don't know if you ever heard of rally racing driver Carlos Sainz. Spanish driver, won two world championships but could've won 5 more. Well, the story goes back I think to the late 90's. Last race, Carlos was in the lead, a 2 minute lead, his car stalled with 300 meters left. He lost the championhip in favor of Finnish Mackinenn sp?- It was funny, there were conducting an interview with the finn, he was at the ariport already, talking about his impressions on the championship, when his brother called in the middle of the interview to tell him he had just won the championship. The first thing he said it was.."oh Carlos...."


Anyway, I thought it was just funny to mention that... :D

I know one of them was lapping Villeneuve.



Because I saw penalties being given to cars not respecting the flags. I don't recall seeing that in Monaco?



Yeah, I remember that. It was in the RAC rally in the UK. Tommi M?kinen was on his way home and his mobile rings. It's his brother and Tommi can hardly believe what he hears.....




/jarmo

R?ikk?nen said he would have kept the 1# position without the accident.
Alonso said his back tires were little bit bad as well and he would not have started to fight about the 1#position in the last lap, he would have been pleased to 2# postion, that's what he said.




I remember that as well, that was funny as hell. Sainz was one of the greatest rally drivers.

Fortune was with Alonso this time, but truth is Kimi and his team made some crucial mistakes. Mclaren should have called him to the pits and changed the damaged tyre, by not doing it (with the approval of kimi), they put him in a very risky position. Ok, everyone wants to win, but when you have to loose time and change tyres, do it!!!.

Taking risks is part of F1.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Everybody involved knows that.

McLaren and Kimi has to take bigger risks than Renault/Alonso if they want to keep fighting for the championship.

Someday Kimi will probably win a race due to somebody else's misfortune. It's all part of racing.


You can guess what would've happened if the suspension wouldn't have failed. Would Alonso have tried to overtake or settled for second place? Would Kimi just let Alonso pass or tried to keep him behind even though the car was in a bad shape? We don't know.

The championship is a little less exciting thanks to Kimi retiring. That's a shame in my opinion, but I'm sure all the Alonso supporters disagree.....  :P




/jarmo

It would be a lot more fun if Kimi could've stayed closer to Alonso in the championship table, as long as Fernando prevails....  :hihi:

As for the risks taken, I think there is a limit in which ones should be taken. The suspension broke, that could have caused a very very serious accident. Remember williams underwent and investigation following senna's fatal crash.....what could have happened here? Kimi was lucky afterall..... :beer:.

I agree F1 is a risk itself, they drive cars at 310 km/h......but in the mclaren team I'm sure they knew what could happen, as it finally did. It's not comparable to Alonso driving with worn out tires in Monaco, this situation was clearly a lot worse and imo, Kimi should have been ordered to stop and change tires. Just my opinion anyway :beer:

Ron Dennis disagrees with you.  :hihi:

Kimi didn't think it was that bad. He thought it should hold a few more laps.






/jarmo

Well, obviously... If he knew that the suspension would break in the last lap, I'm pretty sure he would have stopped...

Also, it didn't look too alarming at the last pit stop or they would've made him come in and change the tyre right after.


If Kimi had won the race, or even finished second, McLaren's decision would've been "brilliant".? :hihi:


I just realized that Kimi also retired at the 2003 race where he was leading. He ended up losing the world championship.....



/jarmo

Yes, it did look alarming, they had the new tyre ready. Obviously that would mean loosing precious time with Alonso...


If, if, if... If Kimi hadn't made those mistakes the tyre would be fine...


Losing it or not winning it?? Its diferent...  :P

Of course they had the tyre ready, but that was before they had seen it. I guess they decided after looking at it and talking to Kimi that it would hold until the end of the race.


- If Villeneuve had let Kimi pass, his tyre would've been in a better state.
- If the weather had been cooler, his tyre might have been in a better state.
- If Kimi drove like he was on a Sunday cruise instead of pushing the car, his tyre would've been in a better state.

 :hihi:


As far as I know, he made one big mistake and that caused the rest. The one big mistake was due to him lapping Villeneuve. But, it's racing, things happen. I'm not making excuses for him.


In my opinion he showed once again that McLaren can win races. Just like they showed in Barcelona and Monaco.
Renault won because of Kimi's problems (you Alonso fans might wanna attack me saying "he won because he drove a great race". That's not the point here so save it.). They along with McLaren have the best cars at the moment.

Williams is getting closer, but they were only fast because of their three stop strategy. BAR was a disappointment.




/jarmo

would the removed "extra tank" have any excuse for BAR being slow.. if they are still slow in the next few races, most people will assume that the extra fuel tank had a crucial effect for BAR.

Well, the same could be said about Mclaren winning in Barcelona & Montercarlo. Alonso had problems in both races with his tyres, (and the shit strategy as well in Monaco) and that could've been the main reason why Kimi's gap ended being so big. Remember Alonso finished fourth in Monaco, Webber and Hetfield overtook him in a race course where it's almost impossible to do so.

Playing "what would've happened" game is stupid though. There's no telling what could've happened. The fact is there are two great young competitive drivers dominating the F1 right now, and believe or not, I kinda felt a mix-feeling when Kimi's suspension collapsed cause the difference now is bigger for Alonso. Had kimi won, we would be talking about a 20 point margin, instead of 32. Both drivers deserve to be up there, with a much closer point difference between the two.

Anyway, this thread is lots of fun. 10 days left to Canada  : ok:

From now on we all should post our favorites for next race ( actually, all year long) Each saturday (before the race), we should list our top 8 for that race, and whoever gets more points at the end of the year, will get a free shirt or whatever...

Good idea. Before the race or before the qualifying?

Maybe you disagree with me but I think nobody could've beaten Kimi in Monaco. ?;)



I agree. :D

 

Different kind of track compared to the last one.

McLaren and Renault should be strong again. Maybe Williams and Toyota too. Who knows with Ferrari.....




I'm really bad at guessing. ?:hihi:



/jarmo

Let's do it after the qualifying...what do you guys think?


Edit.

Picking the positions before you can see the strategies etc.?  :nervous:




/jarmo

Estamos de acuerdo Graciela? : ok:

Yeah...

Saturday, after qualifying...

People would have till saturday to post their top 8. Cant post on sunday though.

Maybe cocaine, arron, skeletor, daniels would like to particpate too.

Sounds good.

How many will pick somebody other than Kimi or Fernando as the winner? ;)




/jarmo

it's shame to beat you with my F1 knowledge which is something else..  ;D

so I'm in for winning this race..this game should be easy for me.  ;)

Twisting my arm? :hihi: :hihi: ;)

JV IN SAUBER'S BAD BOOKS

Peter Sauber has admitted that Jacques Villeneuve is in his bad books following his failed overtaking attempt at Monaco that cost him and his team-mate Felipe Massa a chance of finishing in the points.

The Swiss team boss summoned his drivers to a dressing down at his factory at Hinwil, but has refused to speak publicly about details of the meeting.

Sauber did however admit that was not impressed with JV's error.

"I was really angry, but in these situations it is important not to get too emotional," he told Autosport's website.

"I will not comment on what has been said there. If I read about reprimands or fines or whatever, I have no idea where that does come from.

"I only say this much: I have a black book in which I keep a record of plus and minus points. And Jacques got some severe minus points for his manoeuvre in Monaco."

There were suggestions in some quarters that the incident wouldn't have happened if Massa, who was struggling on worn tyres, had moved over and let Villeneuve past.

But Sauber says this does not excuse the crash between the two and that such a strategy is against the regulations.

"For the team, it does not matter if it is Villeneuve and Massa, or Massa and Villeneuve in the end; for the drivers, the difference is huge," he said.

"Orders like these are most unsympathetic.

"Apart from that, team orders are forbidden."
 

---

HEIKKI JOINS RENAULT SUBS BENCH

Renault has appointed Finnish GP2 star Heikki Kovalainen as its reserve driver for this month?s Canadian and US Grands Prix.

The 23-year-old takes over from official reserve driver Franck Montagny, who will be driving at Le Mans for the Oreca-Audi team.

The role is largely nominal as Renault is not entitled to field a third driver for the purposes of Friday testing, but it means that Kovalainen would step in to the race seat in the event that either of the race drivers were indisposed (as when Anthony Davidson stood in for the fever-stricken Takuma Sato at BAR in Malaysia).

The shuffle means that Renault development driver Jose Maria Lopez will get his first opportunity to sample the R25 when he performs Kovalainen?s regular pre-race shakedown.
 
http://www.itv-f1.com

---

Kovalainen for F1!  ;D

He's been doing pretty good so far in GP2. That must generate some interest among the F1 teams.....



/jarmo

Ok...Let's try to make this work.

The Canadian Grand Prix is around the corner.

We've got the qualifying Saturday. After the qualifying, let's guess the top 8 positions for the race on sunday. Remember, you have only saturday or sunday ( before the race) to do so.

We'll add the points from your top 8 and whoever scores more points, wins. Let's just do it for fun and then we can decide the prize (cd, shirt, dvd...losers pay) the winner gets.

The qualifying and race are in the evening (European time). So don't expect any list tomorrow afternoon.  :hihi:



/jarmo

Qualifying Results:

1.- Button
2.- Schumi
3.- Fernando
4.- Fishichella
5.-Montoya
6.-Sato
7.-Kimi
8.-Villeneuve
9.-Trully
10.- Ralf...


Ok, a surprise seeing BAR there taking the pole. And a Ferrari...

My Guess is (gonna take a huge gamble here...)

1.-Schumi
2.-Alonso
3.-Kimi
4.-Button
5.-Montoya
6.-Sato
7.-Fishichella
8:-Truly

Jarmo, Graciela, Drew...? your guess please.

Hummm... I think I'll wait till tomorrow. Renault engineers are right now trying to fix an oil leak in Fernando's car. If they can't he is gonna have to use a new engine...

I guess I'd go who's been hot and consistent. And they would be Alonso and Kimi. Not really going out on a limb, am I?  ;)

I think we should get one point for each right position picked.

Somebody might get two right and still get less points than the guy who picked the winner if we do it any other way...


I'll post my guess tomorrow.

Plenty of time since the race isn't on until the evening.  :hihi:




/jarmo

Cool...

Let's do that then.

I'm thinking about the list right now.. can I play along without price (as a special guest ?:P)..what can I say, I'm a coward and can't handle the pressure.

There's no prizes except the honor.? ;D

Everybody is welcome to play and it's just for fun.

Having a prize just makes it way more serious that it really is in my opinion.


At least that's how I see it.

---

1. Fernando Alonso      Renault
2. Kimi R?ikk?nen       McLaren
3. Juan Pablo Montoya   McLaren
4. Jenson Button        BAR
5. Michael Schumacher   Ferrari
6. Takuma Sato          BAR
7. Giancarlo Fisichella Renault
8. Jarno Trulli         Toyota




/jarmo

Okay. Here's my list. A little bit safety and surprise in the same package. (please don't copy? ;))


1. R?ikk?nen
2. M. Scumacher
3. Alonso
4. Montoya
5. Button
6. Fisichella
7. Villeneuve
8. Trulli








edit. got 10 picks, now 8 it is.

Here's mine:

1. Alonso
2. M. Schumacher
3. Trulli
4. Button
5. Sato
6. Villeneuve
7. Raikkonen
8. R. Schumacher

Ok, here's my guess. :)

1. Alonso
2. R?ikk?nen
3. Montoya
4. Trulli
5. Villeneuve
6. Button
7. M. Schumacher
8. Fisichella

Ok, here we go (and I hope I'm wrong on the first one? :hihi:)

1. Schumacher
2. Alonso
3. Raikkonen
4. Montoya
5. R. Schumacher
6. Button
7. Fisichella
8. Trulli

Fernando's out? :no:

I knew it was gonna happen sooner or later. To be fair, this will be good for the championship.

I have no doubt now Kimi's gonna win today.

I was sure the safety car would mess things up for McLaren. The 30 second gap just disappeared.....


I'm really surprised to see that McLaren wasn't running with heavier cars than Renault. I thought they would.

Bad luck for Renault this time around. I don't know what exactly happened to Alonso. Was it just a driving error?




/jarmo

So it seems. Sucks that we had a commercial break when Fernando's incident was happening, when we were back, they were just showing Fernando's getting out of the car. Apperantly, he barely hit the wall and that ruined the race for him. Fisichella had something with the hidraulics of his car.

Now the gap is 22 points. Still a strong lead for Fernando though. I'm looking forward next race though.

The HTGTH F-1 Fantasy game

Scoring 12/06/05

John Daniels --- 2 points
Gypsy Soul --- 1 points
Graciela --- 0 points
Drew --- 0 points
Ignatius --- 0 points
Jarmo --- 0 points

What a disaster for Renault. At least Alonso's was an unforced error, the car is still doing well...

And yes, this definitely will make the championship more interesting.  : ok:

Great race, specially for Rubens Barichello and Felipe Massa...Rubens did a great race, caming from the 20th position to 3rd and massa, with a shitty car got a 4th position...I'm hopping that he really go to Ferrari next year, he is a great driver and with him on ferrari, michael will not have anything as easy as he had with rubens...

This race proved one more time that Mark(eting) webber is a terrible driver, I really don't know where Frank had his head when he decided to hired him as his 1st driver...he don't desirve to drive even a jordan car, he is terrible...

But it was a great race and I can't wait to watch the next race in USA, I hope that Webber crash his car like ralph did last year : ok:

first of all Alonso sucks, I rule... ;D


It was about a time for Alonso to have some bad luck. continual good luck can't maintain forever, that is what we got shown in the last race. Alonso said that he made a little mistake in the wrong place. I think Alonso was irritated about not getting pass Fisico eventhough he was much quicker. Montoy was getting closer.. the spanish temper got carried away and led to that little mistake.

This time Kimi won the race and now again the situation is much more interesting what comes to the F1 championchip. Kimi has said that weren't really sure how strong they would be in the Montreal and USA for sure would be better for them. I was surprised that Renault was much quicker than Mclaren in the qualifying with the same strategy..well nice to see how is it going to go in the next race.

DENNIS: JPM EXCLUSION HARSH

McLaren team principal Ron Dennis believes that Juan Pablo Montoya's exclusion from the Canadian Grand Prix was too severe a penalty for ignoring red lights in the pitlane.

Montoya lost the lead of the race after pitting a lap later than his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen behind the Safety Car.

Out of track position, the Colombian scrambled back on to the track, but in his haste missed the red light which means a driver must wait before he can return to the track.

"We are here fighting for both championships and I just think that a problem with a black flag is that you are unable to protest it after the event," Dennis told ITV-F1 afterwards.

"If you do not adhere to it you are going to be in even more severely penalised and I just can't see that the crime fitted the punishment.

"It really didn't, but that's motor racing."

Montoya has had a difficult start to 2005 with his new team and looked to be heading for victory until the pitlane mix-up.

Dennis admitted that the team made a mistake by not calling Montoya in at the same time as Raikkonen, but the Colombian was not pointing fingers.

"As a team we all try so hard to be the best but nobody is perfect," he said, "and not being told to stop immediately after the Safety Car was deployed was made worse by me missing the red light which ultimately was the end of my race.

"I'm disappointed because I was so close to winning my first race for the team.

"I will quickly put all this behind me because I love Indianapolis and I'm really looking forward to racing there next week even though I will be somewhat penalised for having to qualify last."

---

I was surprised when I saw the black flag. I couldn't remember the last time I had seen one. Must've been years ago when somebody's car was in a bad shape so they took him out that way.

---

JPM USED TO "TOUGH" TREATMENT


Juan Pablo Montoya reckons his disqualification from the Canadian Grand Prix was unfair but that he is getting used to harsh treatment from the FIA.

Montoya was handed penalties in the previous two US Grands Prix.

In 2003 a collision with Rubens Barrichello that eliminated the Ferrari driver cost the Colombian a drive-through penalty while last year a late change to the Williams T-car saw Montoya disqualified.

In the Monaco Grand Prix last month, Montoya drew more heat when he ill-advisedly brake-tested Ralf Schumacher and reports suggest that the FIA has told McLaren to keep him in a tight leash.

But Montoya says he has always been singled out for punishment.

"Over the years, every time something happens, I get a big penalty... a big everything on me," he told CBS television in the US.

"It's a little bit unfair, but it's their (the stewards') decision and you have to respect it. You have to deal with it.

"Whether you like it or not, that's what it is. For some reason the FIA decided to disqualify me, they've been pretty tough on me."

Montoya said he drew encouragement from the fact that for the first time in 2005, he had the measure of his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen in Canada and that he was heading for victory before the pit stop mix-up.

"Of course, it would be nice to have the win, but I'm happy that I'm competitive," he said.

"When I resumed with the pace car I was a bit surprised because I saw there was a red and a flashing blue beside it so I kind of slowed down."

"I went to ask the team it's kind of strange if they're going to stop me that I have to stop in the pit lane, so I just continued and they (McLaren) said 'you're probably going to get a drive-through penalty'."



/jarmo

Indianapolis qualifying is today...

Remember, you have until sunday right before the race to post your "top" 8.

So far, John Daniels leads (2 points), followed by Gypsy Soul (1).

I'm anticipating one of the best F-1 races in years.? :yes:

I think we'll see lots of tyre problems..... Especially with the cars using Michelin.  :nervous:

Toyota had some serious problems with their tyres and Ralf Schumacher crashed. He won't be racing this weekend.




/jarmo

Renault has told that they will not race if Michelin can't support new tires for them..was it form France? Michelin has urged seven teams to not participate on the race concerning tyre problems.

US GP Qualifying results:

1. Jarno Trulli Toyota 1.10,625
2. Kimi R?ikk?nen McLaren + 0,069
3. Jenson Button BAR + 0,652
4. Giancarlo Fisichella Renault + 0,665
5. Michael Schumacher Ferrari + 0,744
6. Fernando Alonso Renault + 0,755
7. Rubens Barrichello Ferrari + 0,806
8. Takuma Sato BAR + 0,872
9. Mark Webber Williams + 0,902
10. Felipe Massa Sauber + 0,930
11. Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren + 1,056
12. Jacques Villeneuve Sauber + 1,066
13. Ricardo Zonta Toyota + 1,129
14. Christian Klien Red Bull + 1,507
15. Nick Heidfeld Williams + 1,805
16. David Coulthard Red Bull + 2,057
17. Tiago Monteiro Jordan + 2,837
18. Christijan Albers Minardi + 3,007
19. Narain Karthikeyan Jordan + 3,151
20. Patrick Friesacher Minardi + 3,869

---

I think the tyres they want to use are from the Spanish GP. No way are the Bridgestone teams gonna allow them to change the tyres.



/jarmo

My prediction...

1. Button
2. Trulli
3. Villeneuve

 ;D

I'd make a lot of money if I bet a couple hundred pounds on the podium looking like that, and got it right? :hihi:

@ Tim ... post your picks for spots 4 thru 8 ... we're playing a HTGTH F1 guessing game and you get a point for each finishing positon w/driver you get right.? We all did really really sucky last week ... which was the first round here ... so you're still in the running for the no-prize!!!? : ok:


Here's my picks for the USA race:

1. Alonso
2. M. Schumacher
3. Trulli
4. Raikkonen
5. Button
6. Fisichella
7. Barrichello
8. Villeneuve

well...my prediction is:

1. Kimi
2. Michael
3. Alonso
4. Rubens
5. Trulli
6. Montoya
7. Massa
8. Fisichella

It's obvious that Renault cars are carrying heavier fuel loads, but I don't know if it's worth it really. Being 5th and 7th on the grid is dangerous. You've got lot's of traffic ahead of you, and if Kimi overtakes Trulli on the first laps, he will be long gone before the first pit stop. I understand this is the strategy Renault have used in Germany and Monaco, but I don't know how well is gonna work being so far back. I'd rather carry lighter fuel loads and secure a 2nd or 3rd spot on the grid (with the possibility of overtaken the drivers ahead of you before the first turn), than having the possibility of being stuck in traffic, hence lose the race already before lap# 10.?

Well, I hope Reanult's engineers prove me wrong.


My prediction:

1.- Schumacher
2.- Kimi
3.- Barrichello
4.- Alonso
5.- Trulli
6.- Button
7.- Fisichella
8.- Webber

Ok, here's my wild guess:

1. Kimi
2. Schumacher
3. Trulli
4. Alonso
5. Barrichello
6. Fisichella
7. Button
8. Webber

FIA has declined Michelin's request to be allowed to fly in new tyres.....

---

Here's my guess:

1. Michael Schumacher   Ferrari
2. Fernando Alonso      Renault
3. Rubens Barrichello   Ferrari
4. Kimi R?ikk?nen       McLaren
5. Giancarlo Fisichella Renault
6. Juan Pablo Montoya  McLaren
7. Jarno Trulli         Toyota
8. Jenson Button        BAR

---

/jarmo

the list is ready! free to take tips everyone..


1. Kimi R?ikk?nen
2. Schumacher
3. Alonso
4. Montoya
5. Giancarlo Fisichella
6. Barrichello
7. Button
8. Webber

What's with the tyres? they are playing a decisive factor in every race this year! the FIA should change the rules again ...I kinda agreed at first, but now it's ridiculous. They should allow teams to change tyres as they pleased.

FIA says that since the rules state you use the same tyres in qualifying and the race, Michelin can't fly in new tyres for the race. Using those would be against the rules.

If a team decides to use the new tyres that Michelin has flown in, there will be an investigation and a penalty will be issued. The penalty might not be disqualification, but something that will make sure no teams use "qualification tyres" in the future.




/jarmo

Also, I'm sure Ferrari has put a lot of pressure as well so the FIA "punishes" those teams who race with a a new set of tyres.

Anyway, aren't you posting your top 8 Jarmo? or you are waiting to see if Renault will participate?? :P

1? Michael Schumacher
2? Rubens Barrichello
3? Jenson Button
4? Jarno Trulli
5? Giancarlo Fisichella
6? Takuma Sato
7? Fernando Alonso
8? Juan Pablo Montoya

I can post it and still edit it right up until the race starts.  ;D




/jarmo

Bastard... :hihi:

Am I the only one who thinks that Felipe Massa can get some points in this race?!?

Is not because I'm brazilian, but he is a great driver, but he has a car that isn't made to be on the top positions...but I think that if he, someday, become a driver of a top team like ferrari, MacLaren or Renaut he would be a champion, a great one by the way...

All Michelin cars are in the pits.

What a circus!




/jarmo

That's amazing!!!!!!!

I'm hoping that ferrari broke down and we're gonna have minardi on the 1st and 2nd positions!!!!! :rofl:  :hihi:

MICHELIN TEAMS APOLOGISE TO FANS
Last Updated: Sunday, 19, June, 2005, 21:58
 
 
The seven Michelin teams have issued a joint statement apologising to Formula 1 fans for today?s disastrous six-car United States Grand Prix.

Only Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi took the start at Indianapolis as the Michelin runners all boycotted the race.

?The 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 One fans and sponsors for not being able to take part in today's USA Grand Prix,? the statement read.

?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.

?All the teams are confident in Michelin and trust their advice as we know they are competent and responsible.

?Their written instruction to us not to race unless changes to the circuit were made was accepted.?

The teams insisted that the decision to boycott the event was not taken lightly.

?Numerous discussions and meetings took place to find a safe solution to the problem,? they wrote.

?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.?

The teams were adamant that the FIA?s intransigence was ultimately to blame for the crisis.

?Unfortunately all proposals were rejected by the FIA,? their statement said.

?Regrettably the teams were obliged to follow Michelin's requirements not to race.

?It is sad that we couldn't showcase Formula One in the manner we would have liked today."
 
http://www.itv-f1.com





/jarmo

Still, Michelin doesn't look good in this one. It's not the first time they went to Indy to race  :no:

it's gotta be the most bizarre race i've ever seen.

ahahuahuahuahuahua, BAR is the only team that didn't point this season, even MINARDI is ahead!!  :rofl: :hihi:

I think I heard the announcers here in the US say something like that the Michelin people weren't really sure what the problem with Ralph's tires was so even if they were allowed to replace them that they couldn't guarantee that the replacement tires wouldn't have the same safety problem.? :no:

So how about the points? :P

What a dissapointment ?:no:

Schumacher won, but the other drivers, teams, sponsors, fans...everybody else lost today. The FIA is a fucking joke.

Anyway, Following the results from the US Grand Prix...


The Formula 1 HTGTH Fantasy league ( US Grand Prix)

Kiki --- 2 points
Jarmo ---1 point
Ignatius --- 1 points


The F-1 HTGTH Fantasy League Championship

John Daniels --- 2 points
Kiki ---- 2 points
Gypsy ---- 1 point
Ignatius ---- 1 point
Jarmo ---- 1 point
Graciela --- 0 points
Pinball Wizard --- 0 points
Drew--- 0 points

FIA SLAMS MICHELIN FOR "DAMAGING THE SPORT"
Last Updated: Monday, 20, June, 2005, 14:59
 
 
The FIA has placed the blame for the United States Grand Prix farce squarely on Michelin?s shoulders.

In a strongly worded statement, the sport?s governing body said that adding a chicane to the Indianapolis track ? as requested by Michelin - was never a realistic option.

The FIA instead suggested to Michelin that their cars should voluntarily drive through the crucial turn 13 at a reduced speed.

?We were told by Michelin that their tyres would be unsafe unless their cars were slowed in the main corner,? the statement read.

?We understood and among other suggestions offered to help them by monitoring speeds and penalising any excess.

?However, the Michelin teams refused to agree unless the Bridgestone runners were slowed by the same amount.  They suggested a chicane.

?The Michelin teams seemed unable to understand that this would have been grossly unfair as well as contrary to the rules.

?The Bridgestone teams had suitable tyres. They did not need to slow down.

?The Michelin teams' lack of speed through turn 13 would have been a direct result of inferior equipment, as often happens in Formula One.?

The FIA categorically dismissed the chicane option advocated by the Michelin teams.

?A chicane would have forced all cars, including those with tyres optimised for high-speed, to run on a circuit whose characteristics had changed fundamentally ? from ultra-high speed to very slow and twisting,? said the FIA statement.

?It would also have involved changing the circuit without following any of the modern safety procedures, possibly with implications for the cars and their brakes.

?It is not difficult to imagine the reaction of an American court had there been an accident (whatever its cause) with the FIA having to admit it had failed to follow its own rules and safety procedures.?

Although the statement made no specific reference to possible penalties, it was heavily critical of Michelin?s conduct.

?(F1?s rules) cannot be negotiated each time a competitor brings the wrong equipment to a race,? it read.

?The FIA wrote to all of the teams and both tyre manufacturers on June 1, 2005, to emphasise that ?tyres should be built to be reliable under all circumstances?

?Each team is allowed to bring two types of tyre: one an on-the-limit potential race winner, the other a back-up which, although slower, is absolutely reliable.

?Apparently, none of the Michelin teams brought a back-up to Indianapolis.

?Rather than boycott the race the Michelin teams should have agreed to run at reduced speed in turn 13.

?The rules would have been kept, they would have earned Championship points and the fans would have had a race.

?As it is, by refusing to run unless the FIA broke the rules and handicapped the Bridgestone runners, they have damaged themselves and the sport.?

 
http://www.itv-f1.com

---

Stoddart blames F1 boss for farce

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has launched a stinging attack on Formula One chief Max Mosley following a US Grand Prix that featured only six cars.
Stoddart said: "Formula One lost sight of anything other than politics.

"The cure was there and it was not taken up by the top person in F1 who had the power to allow it to happen."

Mosley, the president of F1's governing body the FIA, blamed tyre manufacturer Michelin and its teams for the fiasco, saying they had damaged the sport.

"They were offered options but they chose not to accept them," Mosley said.

Mosley said the FIA could not be expected to change the rules - for example by inserting a chicane - just because Michelin did not take the right tyres to the race.

The FIA said it was waiting for a report from its official observer before deciding what further action to take, but added that the rules always had to be adhered to.

"These cannot be negotiated each time a competitor brings the wrong equipment to a race," a statement said.

It added that the "by refusing to run unless the FIA broke the rules and handicapped the Bridgestone runners, [the Michelin teams] have damaged themselves and the sport".

All seven of the teams equipped with Michelin tyres withdrew from the race because of safety concerns.

But Mosley, who was not at the venue, insisted there was no reason for the boycott.

"It seems that the Michelin teams failed to bring a back-up tyre as usual with them to Indianapolis," he added.

"As a result they had a performance problem and asked for the circuit to be changed to overcome their difficulty.

"The FIA offered them options to compete safely within the limitations of their tyres."

Each of the teams, with the exception of Ferrari, agreed on the morning of the race not to compete unless a temporary chicane was installed ahead of the final turn to slow the cars down.

But Stoddart, whose team claimed their first double points finish for 16 years, said: "It was anti-safety - putting in the chicane was a safety measure.

"The argument could have been about whether it was a points-scoring or non points-scoring race, but we would have still entertained the crowd.

"In any other business there'd be calls for the person who did this to resign."

Stoddart also defended his team's decision to race.

"The only reason the Minardis went out was because Jordan didn't adhere to an agreement they'd made earlier about not racing and that left us in an impossible position," he added.

http://news.bbc.co.uk




/jarmo

what a race! I should have gambled and play only the Bridgestones..I really thought that this could never happen! All

the blame is on Michelin now. They had the same problem in the last year and what happened. Nothing. You should

learn something in a year. If you don't, the blame is on you. The one tyre rule is also quite stupid but this is a one

way to slow down the speed of the F1 car. There wouldn't be this "one tyre" rule, if it would be up to me. Nice to see

how this will go on within the next days..

http://www.planet-f1.com/features/race_features/story_19992.shtml

Here's part of that article:


Race Director Charlie Whiting
Ross Brawn?s drinking buddy released a letter that he got from Michelin with some smart answers as to why they couldn?t use different tyres on Sunday.

But he?s changed the rules for Bridgestone prior to a race so we?ve been here before. It's surprising nobody?s questioned why Whiting changed the tyre rules at the beginning of the 2003 Brazilian GP.

Back in 2003 you were only allowed to take one wet tyre to races, so you had to make your mind up before the event. Bridgestone arrived at Interlagos with their legendary intermediate tyre that was quite good in wet and mixed conditions. Michelin had a full wet that could run in more rain.

When the heavens opened before the race, Whiting delayed the start because the Bridgestone runners wouldn?t have been able to make it round safely. It was clearly Bridgestone?s fault for not bringing a full wet tyre, but as the argument has gone this weekend ? they knew the situation?

After delaying the start the field was then sent round Interlagos behind the Safety Car until enough water was taken off the circuit. Had they  released the field when it was suitable for the Michelins on full wets, then Fisichella would never have won the race in his Jordan and Kimi Raikkonen may well have got the win.

Nobody complained because it was a safety issue. Fast forward two years and Whiting is not prepared to compromise in another safety situation. This interpretation of the rules when it suits them makes F1 fans deeply suspicius - it's like there was an agenda here from the FIA.

---

I think it's a big mistake not to be able to make a good enough tyre, but I also think it's stupid that they couldn't have done some kind of agreement and make sure there was a race.

One suggestion was to make sure the Michelin cars would be running at slower speeds in the critical part of the track. Makes no sense, it's supposed to be racing......


/jarmo

BMW TO ANNOUNCE SAUBER DEAL
Last Updated: Wednesday, 22, June, 2005, 10:12
 
 
BMW is set to announce a deal with the Sauber team later today.

A press conference has been scheduled at BMW?s Munich headquarters this morning.

BMW confirmed that Peter Sauber is due to attend the event.

Speculation about a future Sauber and BMW relationship has been rife in recent months.

BMW?s current partnership with Williams has become particularly strained this year, and it is thought that the deal will probably be terminated before the contract expires.

One option known to be under consideration is for BMW to buy the Sauber team and turn it into a fully-fledged works squad, like Toyota, Renault and Ferrari.

Alternatively BMW could supply engines to both Sauber and Williams, although the latter team is understood to have already contacted alternative engine suppliers ? including Cosworth and Honda.

The exact nature of the BMW/Sauber arrangement and its implications for Williams should become known within the next few hours.

---

Interesting, but not surprising. Wonder if they'll do what Renault did with Benetton and rename Sauber to BMW?

---

Update:



BMW TAKES OVER SAUBER
Last Updated: Wednesday, 22, June, 2005, 15:23
 
 
BMW has announced that it is to take over the Sauber Formula 1 team and establish its own works squad from 2006.

"For the first time in the history of BMW, we will be entering the Formula 1 contest under the BMW name," announced BMW board member Dr. Burkhard Goschel.


"We will be taking responsibility for the engine, for the chassis, for the entire package.


"It will enable us to demonstrate our competence as a car manufacturer.


"We do not expect to have instant success, but we want to be a world champion in this class."


The new factory team will take over and expand Sauber?s existing Hinwil base.


"I am very happy that I can hand over this team to good hands," said Peter Sauber.


BMW is currently in the middle of a long-term partnership with Williams ? a relationship that has turned increasingly sour in recent months.

Dr Goschel said that BMW would be happy to continue supplying engines to Williams in 2006.

?We would be happy if Williams would still use BMW engines next season,? he said.

Williams is understood to have already entered into discussions with other engine suppliers, including Honda and Cosworth.


BMW Motorsport Director Dr. Mario Theissen explained BMW?s belief that it would achieve more success as a full works team than as an engine supplier.


?The decision is based on two insights,? he said.


?Firstly, that the influence of the engine on the winning potential of the overall package has diminished.

?The car, tyres and drivers play a greater role than they used to.

?The second insight is that an optimum overall package can only be achieved with a fully integrated team and coherent processes throughout.


"Over the past few years we have proved that we can produce an excellent F1 engine. Maybe the best, I would say.


"Now we are faced with the more sophisticated task of handling everything else."


BMW initially offered Sauber a straightforward customer engine supply deal for 2006, before seeing the opportunity to take control of and rebrand the team.


The current plan is for the existing Sauber team to remain largely intact, but under the BMW name and management.


The BMW management preferred not to discuss potential drivers at this stage.


The paddock rumour mill has already suggested that current Williams driver Nick Heidfeld would be a strong candidate for a seat with the new team.
 



/jarmo

I believe that's the case. It has been a trend for some time. it could be that there will be a time when there are only car manufacturer's teams.

French GP coming up this weekend. Hopefully there'll be more cars racing in this race.? :nervous:

The Michelin teams are supposed to explain themselves to the FIA this week. They'll get probably punished in one way or another so that the FIA can show them who the boss is.

---

SCHU CAUTIOUS OVER TITLE CHANCES


World champion Michael Schumacher has warned Ferrari fans not to get too excited about the team's revived title chances after his recent US Grand Prix win and second place in Canada.

While restating that he has not given up on retaining his title, Schumacher is fully aware that with only Minardi and Jordan as competition in the farcical race at Indianapolis, his victory did not fully reflect Ferrari's competitive state.

"In regard to the championship," he told his website, "it's become a little more open now, because the races in the United States and Canada were good to us.

"Still I can only caution everyone not to become too optimistic as a result of that. The gap to championship leader Fernando Alonso is still extremely big.

"We've still got a long way to go.

"But at least we're in a better position in the fight for the title now than we were before. That's a plus for us, because we had never given up the fight and will surely not do so in future."

Schumacher also insisted that his team is recovering some of the performance disadvantage to Renault and McLaren in testing, and believes that Ferrari is now much closer to the ultimate pace.

"We made good progress in terms of our work at Barcelona," he said.

"I don't think that we're going to put in a major leap forward, but I think that we will be doing a little better from now on.

"I can really be satisfied with that. That was real progress."

The German also reckons that despite Alonso's points lead of 22 points over Kimi Raikkonen, and July's packed schedule of four races, the title battle is unlikely to come to an early conclusion.

"There are so many races this year, after July as well, so I don't believe in a possible preliminary decision," he said.

"Of course we'll try to do the best we can at Magny-Cours anyway. We'll see what's in it for us there."




/jarmo

TEAMS UNCERTAIN OF FATE AFTER RULING
Last Updated: Wednesday, 29, June, 2005, 15:05
 
 
Formula 1's seven Michelin-shod teams will head into this weekend's French Grand Prix uncertain of their fate after being found guilty on two counts of bringing Formula 1 into disrepute by the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris.

The FIA has announced that it has adjourned discussion of any penalty for Williams, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BAR, Red Bull and Sauber until an extraordinary meeting of the World Motorsport Council, to be held on September 14.

The seven teams were called to Paris on Wednesday to give evidence to the FIA's WMC after they withdrew en masse from the race at Indianapolis on safety grounds following a series of Michelin tyre failures over the US GP weekend.

A week of recrimination and politicking between the FIA, the teams and Michelin followed before Wednesday's hearing.

The teams were found guilty of failing to ensure that they were in possession of suitable tyres at the US Grand Prix.

It was also ruled that the teams were guilty of refusing to allow their cars to start the race because they had a right to use the pitlane on each lap.

The teams were cleared of all other charges against them.

These included refusing to race at Indy with speed restrictions at Turn 13 and combining to make a deliberate demonstration of not racing because they had the intention to race up until last minute

They were also found not guilty of failing to inform stewards not to race for the same reason.

---

MAX: UNFAIR TO IMPOSE PENALTY NOW
Last Updated: Wednesday, 29, June, 2005, 15:52
 
 
FIA president Max Mosley says the decision to delay any punishment for Michelin's seven teams, found guilty on Wednesday of bringing the sport into disrepute on two counts, was the only "fair" course of action to take.

The seven team principals were summoned to explain their mass withdrawal from the US GP in an emergency FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting,

Mosley explained to a packed press conference at the L'automoble Club de France in Paris following the meeting that any decision over punishment will be adjourned until a further extraordinary meeting in mid-September.

"It would be unfair to impose a severe penalty today, but by September 14, if nothing changes then it would be fair," said Mosley.

"The only decision to take was to postpone that decision until a later date."

Mosley indicated that for now Formula 1' main objectives were to repair its reputation in the States and to see how Michelin and the teams respond to the crisis.

He added that the WSMC would consider whether these had been achieved before coming to a decision over the team's fate in September.

"The number one priority is to secure compensation for the fans who attended the Indianapolis Grand Prix and to ensure Formula 1 maintains a position in the US," he said.

"Secondly we need to find out what they [the teams and Michelin] intend to do to ensure that this never happens again."

Mosley had further criticism for Michelin - with whom he has waged a war of words since the Indy fiasco - but said that it was difficult to sanction the French tyre manufacturer over the affair.

"Michelin should be feeling deeply ashamed, but there is no way we can impose a penalty because we have no contract with them, only the teams that are supplied by them," he said.
 

---

STODDART: SIGNS ?NOT GOOD? FOR MICHELIN TEAMS
Last Updated: Wednesday, 29, June, 2005, 13:03
 
 
Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has hinted that the outcome of the FIA World Council hearing may be unfavourable to the seven Michelin teams which controversially withdrew from the US Grand Prix.

?The general feeling of the people I?ve spoken to is that it is not good, but I can?t elaborate on that,? said the Australian.

Stoddart also revealed that "the manufacturer teams are going to meet at five o'clock to discuss the situation at a hotel around the corner."

The team principals of McLaren, Renault, Williams, Toyota, Sauber, Red Bull and BAR have been called today to the HQ of world motorsport?s governing body at the Place de la Concorde in Paris to face charges of bringing the sport into disrepute.

They refused to race at Indianapolis on June 19 after tyre supplier Michelin said it couldn?t guarantee the safety of its tyres following several failures blamed on excessive load through the banked Turn 13.

That left just Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi on the grid, sparking a global outcry and a week of public debate between the teams, Michelin and the FIA as to who was at fault for the fiasco.

Potential penalties for the teams could include fines, loss of championship points or even a ban from the sport.

The bosses of the seven teams were all called in individually at 10-minute intervals to see the board of national motorsport chiefs that forms the FIA?s World Motor Sport Council throughout Wednesday morning.

They would not disclose to the waiting crowd of journalists what went on in the behind-closed-doors meeting as they left however.

?The comment is that there is no comment,? said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
 

---

MICHELIN OFFERS US FANS A REFUND
Last Updated: Wednesday, 29, June, 2005, 12:57
 
French tyre manufacturer Michelin has offered to refund race day ticket holders for the US Grand Prix, the company announced in a statement on Tuesday.

Michelin stressed that the decision, which could cost between ?7m and ?10m, was a "sincere gesture of goodwill" and that it had voluntarily decided to refund the US fans despite being under no legal obligation to do so.

"Michelin deeply regrets that the public was deprived of an exciting race and therefore wishes to be the first to make a strong gesture towards the spectators," read the statement.
 
More (http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=33279)





/jarmo

Kimi's engine broke during the first flying lap. He may be force t start from the middle of the grid on sunday.

Anyway guys, remember to post your top 8 before the race starts sunday.

Here's my picks for the France race:

1.? Alonso
2.? M. Schumacher
3.? Trulli
4.? Raikkonen
5.? Montoya
6.? Fisichella
7.? Barrichello
8.? R. Schumacher

Good Guess Gypsy? :yes:

Gambling a bit...

1.- Fernando Alonso
2.- JP Montoya
3.- Barrichello
4.- Kimi
5.- Trulli
6.- Sato
7.- Fisichella
8.- Button

It's really bizarre looking at the world championship ranks Kimi is only 3 points ahead of Michael, when the latter has had his worst season in years and the finn (when not unlucky) has dominated the races with Fernando. Could you imagine what would happen if Schumi won this years championship after what happened two weeks ago?

I think the race will end like this:

1. Alonso
2. Michael
3. Trulli
4. Barichello
5. Kimi
6. Massa
7. Montoya
8. Fisichella


I don't believe in BAR...I think they are gonna end another race without any point...

I wish I could bet on Minard, it would be cool to see them at the podium!!  :rofl:

1. Fernando Alonso      Renault 
2. Michael Schumacher   Ferrari   
3. Rubens Barrichello   Ferrari   
4. Jarno Trulli         Toyota 
5. Juan Pablo Montoya   McLaren       
6. Giancarlo Fisichella Renault     
7. Kimi R?ikk?nen       McLaren
8. Jenson Button        BAR       




/jarmo

Graciela, Daniels, Kiki...

Just an hour to go.

1. Alonso
2. Schumacher
3. Trulli
4. Barrichello
5. Raikkonen
6. Fisichella
7. Montoya
8. Sato

1. Alonso
2. M. Schumacher
3. Fisichella
4. Kimi R?ikk?nen   
5. Montoya   
6. Trulli
7. Barrichello
8. Button

end of race...

1. Fernando Alonso - Renault (M) 1h31.22.233
2. Kimi Raikkonen - McLaren (M) + 11.805
3. Michael Schumacher - Ferrari (B) + 1:21.914
4. Jenson Button - BAR (M) + 1 lap
5. Jarno Trulli - Toyota (M) + 1 lap
6. Giancarlo Fisichella - Renault (M) + 1 lap
7. Ralf Schumacher - Toyota (M) + 1 lap
8. Jacques Villeneuve - Sauber (M) + 1 lap


I didn't see the whole race because I fall sleep when they were on the 32nd lap... :drool:...so I don't know what happened there because I can't believe that Kimi got the 2nd spot, BAR got their first points in the season and WTF Jacques Villeneuve is doin' at 8th?!?

Good solid race by Alonso. I was impressed seeing Kimi moving up from 13 to number 2. Great race by him.

The rest? what kind I say, Alonso lapped everyone today but Kimi and Schumi.

Did anyone see how much tension there is between Alonso & Schumacher? Their relationship got worse after what happened a few weeks ago, I think nobody doesn't really get along with Schumacher out there...not even his brother.

Anyway...the results and the overall standings of our little game are left as follows:

The F-1 Fantasy League (France Grand Prix)

Gypsy Soul --- 2 points
Ignatius --- 2 points
Pinball --- 1 point
Jarmo --- 2 points
Graciela --- 2 points
Daniels --- 1 point
Drew --- out
Kiki --- out


The F-1 Fantasy League Championship

Gypsy Soul --- 3 Points
Ignatius --- 3 point
Jarmo --- 3 points
John Daniels --- 3 points
Graciela --- 2 points
Kiki --- 2 points
Pinball --- 1 point
Drew --- 0 points

What happened? I may know but now I don't remember..

I was referring to the US grand prix incident when the michelin teams were trying to find a solution while Ferrari and Schumi didn't want to even hear an alternative to the problem that had surfaced.

Mosley cancels drivers' meeting

FIA president Max Mosley has cancelled his meeting with the Formula 1 drivers at the British Grand Prix, fearing that David Coulthard would hijack the agenda.

In a letter to the Red Bull Racing driver, Mosley accused Coulthard of using the meeting to air his personal political views as opposed to discussing driver safety at tests, which the FIA man claims was the purpose of Friday's gathering.

"You asked me to meet the drivers at Silverstone to discuss the possibility of the FIA imposing safety measures at private test sessions equal to those in force at a Grand Prix," wrote Mosley.

"We are very sympathetic to the drivers' concerns on this issue and I was happy to meet on that basis.

"Regrettably, you have now used the prospect of this meeting as a reason to air your personal views on current regulations to the press."

Mosley was responding to comments DC made to the national press earlier this week, in which he indicated that F1 was effectively racing to a handicapped system.

"As you know we consider improving driver safety to be of paramount importance," said Mosley.

"I should therefore be happy to invite all the drivers to a formal meeting in Paris or Monaco on a mutually convenient date and discuss any issues which trouble them.

"However, your press comments have distorted the purpose of the Silverstone meeting and made a calm discussion of a major safety issue impossible. As a result the meeting will not now take place."

Coulthard has been highly critical of the 2005 regulations and claims that the FIA is leading F1 in the wrong direction.

"It is a handicapped F1 system we have," said DC.

You are handicapped if you have an engine failure, even if it is no fault of the driver, and then the crowd are deprived of what may be a fantastic race, as they were in France.

"All these rules - qualifying, single laps and ten-place penalties - are not designed to wreck races, but the consequence is that they do,"

Coulthard had indicated during the French Grand Prix that the drivers intended to discuss the recent Indianapolis fiasco after another weekend of behind the scenes politicking.

"We have a scheduled meeting at Silverstone on Friday with the FIA president unless he finds something else in his diary," he said.

"We very much look forward to discussing a range of safety issues and obviously one of the topics will be Indianapolis."




http://www.itv-f1.com/



/jarmo

yes, there was conversations between Ferrari and Michelin teams. I have to take Ferrari's side, it wasn't their fault that Michelin couldn't offer tyres that were good enough for racing in Indianapolis. Like it was quite of the same thing in the last year with Michelin..what did they learn in a one year..

FIA didn't give any penalties for F1 Michelin teams bacause the Michelin teams made a common agreement to leave F1 right away if there would have been a one accomplishmented. FIA didn't want that to happen. 

I think the Finn is playin' us! :rant:? ?Gypsy's Kimi Konspiracy Theory:? I think his team did something to this engine because he blamed it for coming in second in France and he really really wanted to use the new one!? He had little problem making up the ten-spot penalty last week so I think he thinks with that other newer model engine he's gonna blow the field away!!! (if it doesn't blow up again itself).? :P

Here's my England race picks:

1.? Raikkonen
2.? M. Schumacher
3.? Alonso
4.? Trulli
5.? Button
6.? Montoya
7.? R. Schumacher
8.? Fisichella

This is starting to get ridiculous. Kimi sees the championship battle disappear by getting dropped ten places every weekend!  :no:



1. Fernando Alonso      Renault   
2. Kimi R?ikk?nen      McLaren
3. Juan Pablo Montoya   McLaren   
4. Jenson Button        BAR           
5. Michael Schumacher   Ferrari   
6. Jarno Trulli         Toyota
7. Rubens Barrichello   Ferrari 
8. Giancarlo Fisichella Renault         



/jarmo

What happened this time? Did he blow the engine again on friday? I hadn't heard anything until today.

This could very well be a very similar race than last week's. Maclaren will most likely use a similar strategy again since it worked so well in France.

I don't think Alonso will win this one though, he's taken the pole, but this grand prix has never been "kind" with Renault. Therefore, my list is:

1.- Jenson Button
2.- Kimi R?ikk?nen
3.- Jarno Trulli
4.- Michael Schumacher
5.- Juan Pablo Montoya
6.- Giancarlo Fisichela
7.- Ralf Schumache
8.- Takuma Sato

The oil pump stopped working during Saturday practise.



/jarmo

1. Alonso
2. Michael
3. Kimi
4. Rubens
5. Button
6. Trulli
7. Montoya
8. Villeneuve

1. Alonso
2. Raikkonen
3. Montoya
4. M Schumacher
5. Barrichello
6. Fisichella
7. Button
8. Trulli

Either people wait to the very last minute to post or they totally forget about it...

Daniels, Kiki, Drew...you are still on time.

The Formula 1 HTGTH Fantasy league ( Silverstone Grand Prix):

GypsySoul - 1 point
Jarmo - 1 point
Ignatius - 0 point
Pinball Wizard - 2 points
Graciela - 0 point


The F-1 HTGTH Fantasy League Championship

Gypsy Soul --- 4 Points
Jarmo --- 4 points
Pinball --- 3 points
Ignatius --- 3 points
John Daniels --- 3 points
Graciela --- 2 points
Kiki --- 2 points
Drew --- 0 points



If I counted wrong the points, sorry, I just woke up... :drool:

Damn!!!! I totally forgot to put my list on!! The sunny days have given so much else to think about..

Didn't see the whole race but I think Kimi was the quickest driver of this weekend. Alonso did his job, very solid driver. Glad to see Montoya winning some races and that way taking some points out form Alonso.

Kimi needs to win next races if he want's to have atleast some kind of chances for championchip.

I think that Kimi lost because got stuck behind M. Schumacher for most of the race and once he passed him after that last pit stop it was too late to catch the leaders.? :-\


Question about the tires issue:? How can tires be a problem on one turn of one track?? Cause it seems to me that only one driver really had a problem because the rest of them all did okay qualifying in the USA race and nobody seemed to have a tire problem in France or England?? Or am I missing something?? ????

I think they are way too many Kimi fans around here?? :P

Kimi lost the race saturday. It's that simple. I don't see how some of you say Kimi was the quickest today. Just because he got the fastest lap (on the very last lap) it doesn't mean he was the fastest. Montoya was indeed the fastest, that's why he won today.

You got to give credit when credit is due, Kimi's been superb in the last two races coming back from the middle of the grid to 2nd and 3rd, but Alonso got the pole in both races. This time, they were both carrying similar fuel loads (only a few laps difference) and Alonso managed to get the pole anyway. He was close at the very end, had he overtaken a lapped Trulli seconds before, he would have a fair shot...but then again, there are way too many "if's" so it's kinda useless to discuss what would've happened.

Oh, just a reminder, Alonso also came back from being 13th on the grid to finish 3rd at the beginning of the season. This was in Australia, so it's not like only Kimi is the quickest out there cause he came overtook 10 drivers today.





In the USA race Michelin couldn't guarantee that their tyres were gonna last more than 6 laps because of the last turn. This is the only banked curve in the championship and apperantly, Michelin tyres were not going to be able handle the pressure after 6 laps. A few test were conducted after Ralph Shumacher's accident, and Michelin made a statement saying those tyres were not 100% safe in such track.

I was more referring to what appears to me to be bad blood between Kimi and M. Schumi.
I think it's too big a coincidence that that old model engine that Kimi had to use (because of the two race rule) went bad.? I think Team Kimi made a calculated decision to fuck up that old model so they could use the new one ... figuring that he could easily make up the ten spot penalty.? What they didn't figure on was Michael blocking him and allowing Montoya and Alonso to widen the gap to an unsurmountable? distance.? ?


Oh, okay.? Thanks.? I think I understand now.

Schumi's bad blood with everybody... :hihi:

I don't think Maclaren fucked the model on purpose. That would not have made any make sense. Regardless how amazing the new model / driver is, if you are 13th on the grid, you know you are gonna have some traffic ahead. This time was Shumacher the one blocking him, last week was Trulli...next week (if Kimi's drops another 10 spots) could be someone else.

What I'm trying to say is Kimi was no way near in contention (to win) in neither of the last two races. He fought back in both in stunning form, but Alonso and montoya this week were too far ahead. I don't think Kimi would've reached any of them with or without Schumacher blocking him.

and those few laps mean a few decimals and the equal fuel loads Kimi would have taken the pole.

and to Gypsy Soul. I really don't think that Mclaren would have broken the (old) engine in purpose..it's still 10 positions behind..atleast Kimi wasn't that delighted when his engine broke down again.

Would've, could've, should've...making assumptions is useles. You don't know what would've happened, you are just guessing.

Alonso's reference time was Button's and not Raikkonenn's on saturday. So he could've pushed his car a bit more had Kimi's time been better than Button's...

Had Alonso passed trulli instead of losing balance on his car and a few seconds, he would've passed Montoya in the pit (second time)---he would've won the race.

I don't think there are too many drivers with Schumacher's gall and the skills to back it up that would've been able to stop Kimi the way Michael did.? I think Schumi thinks that the rules changes this year have made it impossible for him to be champion so any chance he gets to fuck over somebody else, he's gonna take it.? And as far as Trulli blocking Kimi last week ... I think it was more Kimi psyching himself out when he had to use that old model engine.

I'm basing my opinion on the disappointment Kimi showed in his interview from two weeks ago when (IMO) he feels he lost that race because he had to use the old model engine.? I don't think he was disappointed (England race) that this old engine broke down (on purpose or otherwise) because of things he said about how the new engine is so great.? And I think that because he was able to go from 13th to 2nd (France race) with the old engine made him feel that he would be invincible with the new engine.


anyways ... Kimi seemed really pissed during the after-interviews over Schumi blocking him out just like he seemed after the France race because of the engine change. ?IMO Kimi was looking for someone/something else to blame for him not winning.

0 points?!! :o I sure have some work to do in order to catch up. ;D

Here you go ... you can have two of Jarmo's points!!!? ?:hihi:

The F-1 HTGTH Fantasy League Championship
Gypsy Soul --- 4 Points
Pinball --- 3 points
Ignatius --- 3 points
John Daniels --- 3 points
Graciela --- 2 points
Kiki --- 2 points
Drew --- 2 points
Jarmo --- 2 points

lol.. :hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

Thanks GypsySoul. Looks like the only way I can get any points is to take them from Jarmo. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

FIA SENATE CLEARS MICHELIN TEAMS OF GUILT


The FIA Senate has recommended that the seven Michelin-supplied teams found guilty of bringing Formula 1 into disrepute following the US GP fiasco at Indianapolis should have their verdicts overturned.

Following an emergency meeting of the Senate in Monaco, attended by McLaren boss Ron Dennis (representing the teams) and Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, on Thursday, the FIA claimed new evidence brought forward absolved the teams of any guilt.

The FIA's statement, which followed the meeting, points the finger at tyre supplier Michelin, which instructed its teams not race.

The French company claims its tyres were unsafe to use during the race after a series of failures through practice at Turn 13.

The teams argued successfully on Thursday that they were legally bound to follow this instruction.

"Having examined the new evidence? the Senate was satisfied that the teams were contractually bound to follow the instructions of their tyre supplier and that their tyre supplier had expressly prohibited them from racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in its licensed configuration," read the statement.

"Recognising that for both sporting and legal reasons it was impossible for the FIA to authorise a change to the circuit configuration and that both the FIA and the teams could have faced serious legal difficulties in the United States had they not observed to the letter their respective rules and contractual obligations, the Senate was of the view that having regard to this new evidence, disciplinary proceedings against the teams had ceased to be appropriate and were no longer in the interest of the sport.

The statement continued by saying all charges against the teams, which are set to appeal the verdicts in a World Council hearing on September 14, should be dropped.

"It is anticipated that this recommendation will be put to the World Motor Sport Council by means of a fax vote in the next few days," said the statement.



http://www.itv-f1.com



/jarmo

So if nobody is guilty of anything then who's gonna compensate the fans who were there?? ::)

they got the money back, otherwise it sucks.

Was it the venue who reimbursed the fans?? If it was the venue then I'd think they'd be looking to sue somebody to get their $$$ back and if that's the case, I wonder how/if this ruling would affect a lawsuit?

all I know is that the ticket money was promised to give back to the fans that were threre. Who is/was the pay man? Don't know. Perhaps the venue but there can be some compensation between venue and FIA.  Don't know the current situation of law suits, I think there were a couple of them...

Michelin begin refunding Indy spectators
Saturday July 16 2005
 

Michelin have begun the process of refunding the 120,000 fans who were treated to a six-car United States Grand Prix farce at Indianapolis last month.

The French company's tyres were not safe to compete at Indianapolis, forcing seven teams to pull out of the race on the warm-up lap and provoking outrage among fans.

As part of their bid to restore the tainted reputation of Michelin and Formula One in the US, they promised to refund all ticket holders and buy another 20,000 tickets for next year's race to be handed out free of charge.

That process has begun today with Michelin hoping they have done enough to end the American backlash against them, which saw share prices plummet in the aftermath of the race.

"By working with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, we've created a thorough and quick process to reach out to all those fans present at the United States Grand Prix and offer them the face value refund of their race day ticket," said Jim Micali, chairman and president of Michelin North America.

"In addition to the ticket refund, we will provide 20,000 tickets to the 2006 US Grand Prix at Indianapolis to dedicated fans who purchased tickets to this year's race. We hope through these gestures to encourage the further development of Formula One in the United States."

Track president Joie Chitwood, who delivered stinging criticism of the fiasco in an angry press conference just hours after the race, has applauded Michelin's actions.

He said: "Although many different parties had an influence on the race run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on June 19, Michelin has made a tremendous commitment to the fans of the United States Grand Prix.

"We've been working closely with Michelin to work out the details of the ticket refund process and we commend them on their commitment to a speedy and full response to the fans."

Friday's move follows the previous day's decision by world governing body the FIA to absolve the seven teams of blame following new evidence which proved they were legally unable to race after advice from Michelin.


http://www.planet-f1.com/



/jarmo

My picks for the race at Hockenheim in Germany:

1. Kimi R?ikk?nen McLaren
2. Fernando Alonso Renault
3. Michael Schumacher Ferrari
4. Giancarlo Fisichella Renault
5. Jenson Button BAR
6. Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren
7. Nick Heidfeld Williams
8. Jarno Trulli Toyota


Hopefully Kimi doesn't have to change his engine now.....? :nervous:




/jarmo

My German race picks:

1. ?Raikkonen
2. ?M. Schumacher
3. ?Alonso
4. ?Button
5. ?Fisichella
6. ?R. Schumacher
7. ?Heidfeld
8. ?Montoya

1. Kimi R?ikk?nen McLaren
2. Fernando Alonso Renault
3. Giancarlo Fisichella Renault ?
4. Michael Schumacher Ferrari
5. Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren
6. Jenson Button BAR
7. Mark Webber Williams
8. Nick Heidfeld Williams

1.  R?ikk?nen
2.  Alonso
3.  M. Schumacher
4.  Webber
5.  Fisichella
6.  Button
7.  Montoya
8.  Trulli

My pics (Alonso carries heavier full loads...)

1.- Fernando Alonso
2.- Kimi Raikonnen
3.- Jenson Button
4.- Michael Schumacher
5.- Fisichella
6.- Juan Pablito Montoya
7.- Mark Webber
8.- Jarno Trulli

heavier than Raikkonen? has it been said so?

Yes.? Briatore and Denis called me before the qualification to ask about whay strategy to follow? :P

I'm just guessing based in what I've seen today ( we are all guessing here John, don't forget that we all guess before the race - that's the purpose of this) . Fernado lost .6 seconds, he even got beat by Button? :confused: so I'm just assuming? - based on that I believe he didn't make any errors today

1. Kimi Raikkonen
2. Alonso
3. Michael
4. Heidfeld
5. Button
6. Fisichella
7. Montoya
8. Trulli

Beer in one hand, sandwich in the other...

Can't wait for this race. I have a feeling this could be the best race we've gotten so far.

? ? ? ? ? ? ?
1? Michael Schumacher

2? ?Kimi R?ikk?nen

3? Jenson Button

4? Fernando Alonso

5? Giancarlo Fisichella

6? Takuma Sato
? ? ? ? ? ? ?
7? Jarno Trulli? ?

8? Rubens Barrichello
? ? ? ? ? ? ?

? ? ? ? ? ? ?

The HTGTH Formula 1 Fantasy league (German Grand Prix)

Ignatius --- 2 points
Jarmo --- 1 point
Kiki --- 1 point
Gypsy--- 0 points
Graciela --- 0 points
John Daniels --- 0 points
Pinball --- 0 points

THe HTGTH Formula 1 Fantasy league Rankings

Ignatius --- 5 points
Jarmo --- 5 points
Gypsy Soul --- 4 Points
Pinball --- 3 points
John Daniels --- 3 points
Kiki --- 3 points
Graciela --- 2 points
Drew --- 0 points


Kimi....What can be said?

Maclaren's car are the quickest, but apperantly, they are not the most reliable.

oh really.. :) well, your guess was wrong.




such a sad race for Kimi. Mercedes is totally screwing up Kimi's chances to win championchip 2005. No it's over, i think. Credit for Alonso but Kimi was the quickest driver of this weekend, again. Without Kimi's engine problems the situation would be totally different.

Yes, I sure was. I thought Fernando was carrying a heavier full load because there was such a big gap, when the reason was that Mclaren was way faster.




Yes I agree. Kimi was faster than Alonso, so was Montoya as well. Mclaren has been a step ahead from Renault this weekend, but being the quickest, is not always enough. We've talked about this before, there are many things which do play an important role in any given race; speed, car reliability, driving, luck...

Believe it or not, I'm not that happy that the race ended like this. This is almost over now....

Yes. that's true. Renault is better team right now. It takes a lot of more than being only quickest.

 :rant:? HEY!!!? I picked Ralf Schumacher to come in 6th and he came in 6th!!!? :rant:

So for your scoring penalty, your two points go to Drew!!!

The GYPSY? Formula 1 Fantasy league Rankings

Gypsy Soul --- 5 Points
Drew --- 4 points? (2 points this week from Ignatius and 2 points last week from Jarmo)
Pinball --- 3 points
John Daniels --- 3 points
Kiki --- 3 points
Ignatius --- 3 points
Graciela --- 3 points (Graciela deserves Jarmo's point from this week)
Jarmo --- 2 points


It can be said that Kimi's car is sucky? :P

Is there something going on between you and Drew, Gypsy? Maybe a nice little romance? Last week was jarmo's points and this weeks are mine you give to - guess who again? - Drew.  :P

Edit.- Here's the standings once I edited my mistake.

HTGTH F-1 Fantasy league (German GP)

Ignatius --- 2 points
Jarmo --- 1 point
Kiki --- 1 point
Gypsy--- 1 points
Graciela --- 0 points
John Daniels --- 0 points
Pinball --- 0 points

THe HTGTH Formula 1 Fantasy league Rankings
Ignatius --- 5 points
Jarmo --- 5 points
Gypsy Soul --- 5 Points
Pinball --- 3 points
John Daniels --- 3 points
Kiki --- 3 points
Graciela --- 2 points
Drew --- 0 points

Maybe there is and Maybe there isn't ... but hey ... isn't that what "Fantasy" leagues are for?? ;)

On topic:? I think the rankings list should be in highest points/alphabetical username order...
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - etc...

 :rofl: I think it's gonna be the only way I score some points in this bloody game.

On topic: I feel sorry for Kimi, but after sunday's race McLaren does not deserve to win this championship

Wasn't it last year or maybe the year before that when Kimi's car broke down they gave him the other guy's (Montoya?) car to use in the race and the other guy had to use the sucky car?? I remember thinking at that time "Wow!? that's not fair."? I'm wondering that since Montoya is racing good lately and Kimi's is all but mathematically eliminated from the driver championship, is there still a chance they'll give Kimi Montoya's car to finish out the season and make Montoya use the sucky car?? Or will Kimi just keep using the car that keeps breaking down?? Isn't there a team championship too?? Does their team still have a shot at that??

1. Renault 117
2. McLaren-Mercedes 95
3. Ferrari 78
4. Toyota 57


There's still team championship to fight for. And about the the car changing; I think there was this one race where Kimi got Coulthard's car, because his car was broken or something like that? and that was the case because Kimi was fighting over the championchip in that year too.

feel free to correct, i can't fully remember.

McLaren sucks! Oh, and Mercedes too.

Really disappointing that there's no exiting head-to-head racing because Kimi's car won't go the whole weekend without some kind of problems.....


Gypsy, stop stealing my points! :pissedoff:  ;D




/jarmo

Finally you admit it  : ok: :P

McLaren mechanic dies in Budapest hotel fall
Wed 27 Jul, 1:05 PM


BUDAPEST (Reuters) - A mechanic for the McLaren Formula One team died after falling from the roof terrace of a Budapest hotel on Wednesday morning, state news agency MTI reported.

The 29-year-old Briton fell from a disused roof terrace on the eighth floor of the Marriott hotel on the bank of the Danube river at around 7 am local time, a police spokeswoman told the news agency.


Police have ruled out foul play.

The Hungarian Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday on the Hungaroring circuit just outside Budapest.


--------

What the hell is going on in this team? we are talking about bad luck....but this is beyond that.

Condolences to his family.

That's so sad and horrible.? God rest his soul.



Maybe I didn't steal them.? :no:? ?Maybe it was one of those Kimi engine malfunctions that somehow manipulated the distribution of your points.? :yes:? ? ?

The news are that Mclaren mechanics had fastened the hydraulics valve poorly. That's why Kimi's car stopped.

Norberg Haug ascertained that when you screw the valve closed, it will probably function again.

So it was a very small negligence fault from the mechanics.. :nervous:

Usually when you have the wrong people in the wrong positions you do something about it.

This doesn't seem to be the case at McLaren/Mercedes.... They continue to fuck up weekend after weekend.




Sure.  >:(



/jarmo

Happy Birthday, Fernando!? :beer:

The best present would be another victory in Hungary... and the title is his...

I didn't know it was his birthday..... But then again I can't tell you when Kimi's is either.  :hihi:


Happy birthday.




It basically already is his even if he doesn't win more races this season as long as he gets a few points......

McLaren won't finish all the races anyway.? :hihi:


/jarmo

---

KIMI RAIKKONEN EXCLUSIVE
 
 
ITV-F1 pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz talks to Kimi Raikkonen about mechanical failures, his dwindling championship chances and qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Ted Kravitz: Why do these breakdowns keep happening?

Kimi Raikkonen: I don?t know. It?s unfortunate, because it hasn?t just been this year, it has been other years too, you?d have to ask someone in the team.

Ted: How long did it take to get over it?

KR: Of course you feel disappointed, but you need to try and forget it as quickly as you can. I didn?t have anything to say after the race. I?m not the person who should be saying anything at that moment. I was much happier just to go home.

Ted: Do you ever feel like driving for a team whose car doesn?t break down at crucial moments?

KR: No, I think we?ve just been unlucky over the last few years. Every time it seems to hit us completely at the wrong time. It doesn?t help, but we work as a team and try to sort it out.

Ted: What chance the championship now?

KR: It?s going to be difficult. I haven?t given up but you need to be realistic. So let?s see what we can do and just win some races, and then go from there.

Ted: How bad will it be going out first in qualifying?

KR: It?s not the ideal situation. But there?s nothing we can change about it so we have to do the best we can.

 

---

DON'T TAKE ME FOR GRANTED WARNS KIMI
 
 
Kimi Raikkonen has warned McLaren that his loyalty shouldn't be taken for granted and that he could switch teams if its reliability doesn't improve.

The Finn told a packed press conference in Hungary that although he is contracted to McLaren for 2006, his future beyond that remains unclear.

"I still have a contract for next year and concerning my future, I don't really know what is happening," he said.

"I have not made my mind up. Maybe I stay with them, because I am happy with all the people there, even if we have had some difficult times."

The Finn has suffered a series of technical failures that have played a significant part in the downfall of his championship campaign.

The most recent of these was a hydraulic failure in the German Grand Prix, which saw him end the weekend 36 points behind the world championship leader Fernando Alonso.

"We need to work in a better way just to make sure that the car is very reliable," said Raikkonen.

"I think the speed of the car is very good so once we get everything else sorted, I think I will be more than happy to stay."

"I believe in the team. I don't know if it is luck or bad luck, but I don't really believe in those things.

"We just need to keep working hard and make sure that we don't have any problems."

Raikkonen also conceded that although it is still mathematically possible to catch Alonso, his title hopes have all but disappeared.

"We are slipping away a little bit too much now," he admitted.

"We still have a chance but I think we have to be realistic, so it is not there without any problems to anyone else."

 
http://www.itv-f1.com

My Hungarian Race picks:

1.? Raikkonen
2.? Montoya
3.? Alonso
4.? M. Schumacher
5.? Trulli
6.? R. Schumacher
7.? Fisichella
8.? Barrichello

Here's my picks:


1. Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren
2. Kimi R?ikk?nen McLaren
3. Michael Schumacher Ferrari
4. Ralf Schumacher Toyota 
5. Fernando Alonso Renault 
6. Rubens Barrichello Ferrari
7. Jarno Trulli Toyota
8. Jenson Button BAR




/jarmo

Gypsy, there's no way Kimi will finish ahead of Montoya unless Mclaren forces Montoya to let pass Kimi so he can deduct a few more points from Alonso.

Jarmo, those were my top 3 pics!!

My pics then are:

1.- JP Montoya
2.- Michael Schumacher
3.- Kimi Raikonnen
4.- Fernando Alonso
5.- Jarno Trulli
6.- Ralf Schumcher
7.- Jenson Button
8.- Rubens Barrichello

it was a good lap from Kimi. He was the first one that went out and the track was dirty. I think he's going to be very near for winning this gp.

my list:

1. R?ikk?nen
2. Alonso
4. Montoya
5. Schumacher
6. Jarno Trulli
7. Fisichella
8. Button


and damn you Gypsy!? :rant: I had the first four pics same as you.. I had to change my pics a little bit. ;)

1. Kimi
2. Michael
3. Montoya
4. Alonso
5. Trulli
6. Barrichello
7. Trulli
8. Button

Seems to me Kimi's been the best driver with the best race strategy and, if no more car parts fall off or shuts down, he has the best car.? Obviously, Montoya's shown recently that he can run with the best of 'em and, being on the same team as Kimi, gives him similar advantages but IMO Kimi's better at putting together the whole package.


Sick minds think alike.? ;)

1. Montoya
2. R?ikk?nen
3. Alonso
4. Schumacher
5. Button
6. Barrichello
7. Trulli
8. Fisichella

You have two Trullis there...  ;)

Both cars are equally good. Montoya missed out 3 or 4 races at the beginning of the season due to an injured shoulder.? Then he's also has had a few errors which cost him the race those times. Montoya's been in good form for the past month.

Kimi has dominated more (despite his bad luck) cause he's taken part in more races and I guess because he's made less errors than Montoya. I think both drivers are fantastic, Kimi may be a better qualifier, but both are equally good in races.

The reason why I said there's no way Kimi will pass Montoya is because it appears that both may carry the same fuel loads, but Montoya is two cars ahead. I do not think Kimi could pass Montoya today while on the course, maybe at the pits, but since I believe they both have similar strategies, it makes it even harder. Plus, Trulli is between both drivers and he is hard to overtake.

According to a Brazilian tv channel, Rubens Barrichello will replace Jenson Button (who's gonna drive for Willams) at BAR next season. He'll be replaced at Ferrari by Felipe Massa.




/jarmo

So this means Massa will be Schumacher's team mate? Any word about whether Schumi's retirement? is he gonna continue?

If schumi goes that will open the door to Kimi I guess to sign with Ferrari. I don't really know if he's got a long term contract with McLaren...any insight on that Jarmo?

Fernando is gonna continue one more season with Renault...It'd be very interesting to see what happens in 2007.

It's still just a rumor. Anyway Schumacher wasn't mentioned other than the fact that Barrichello has always been the second driver behind him.



Kimi has a contract with McLaren for 2006.

It would probably cost a lot if he wanted to get out of that.



Yeah. I hope McLaren can get their reliability sorted out so Kimi doesn't have to go to Ferrari.....



/jarmo

Great race from Kimi! and M. Schumacher keeps surprice me, Ferrari has taken a huge step from the previous races. Renault was lousy.. :P

oh, I got one point..

Yeah, Rubens is out of Ferrari, and that was kinda right for almost three weeks, I mean, a rumor about that has been talked about for three weeks...and Massa must replace Rubens, Which I don't think is a good Idea because Massa is a GREAT diver, really, really great and if he goes to ferrari he will be the 2nd driver...I mean, it'll be the same ball and chain that was with barrichello...the team will work for Michael and not to Massa, then massa will be behind michael and everyone will say that Felipe Massa can't drive and stuff like had been said about Rubens - which isn't true! But if Michael do retire after 2006, massa will have, in fact, HIS chance to go somewhere in the history of Formula 1! But with michael at the same team there's no way that it can happen!


Yeah, I just saw that! I was almost sleeping when I wrote that...I meant Heidfeld for the 7th position...but it was wrong anyway, so... ::)

At least I got 2 positions!! :hihi:

Yeah, great race for Kimi. Too bad McLaren still can't get two cars to finish a race!

It was a big surprise to see Renault that slow today. They were running on the harder Michelin tyre. That might explain some of it.




/jarmo

Yeah both renault cars were very slow. Alonso's car was slightly damaged after the first turn. I knew something was wrong cause even both Toyotas lapped Alonso. He stayed in the race so he doesn't have to qualifiy first in Turkey in 3 weeks.

Good race by Kimi. This is only better for the championship. The gap is now 26 points and we have 6 races to go. I should say though (this is just an opinion) that it looked like Montoya didn't really care that his car broke (the drive shaft I think he said) when he was in the lead. It's just a little bit suspicious. The constructor championship it's indeed very important, but the driver's title is still the #1 priority. Maybe and I'm saying maybe, Montoya was force to quit so no controversy airs out had Kimi overtaken Juan Pablo. I believe it was a subtle and risky move by McLaren.

Anyway...


The HTGTH F-1 Fantasy Gran Prix (Hungary)

Pinball Wizard --- 2 points
Gypsy Soul --- 1 point
Ignatius --- 1 point
John Daniels ---? 1 point
Graciela --- 1 point

Sorry if any errors were made.

The HTGTH F-1 Fantasy League Ranking

Gypsy --- 6 points
Ignatius --- 6 points
Jarmo --- 5 points
Pinball --- 5 points
John Daniels --- 4 points
Kiki --- 3 points
Graciela --- 3 points
Drew --- 0 points

Edit.- Perdona Graciela!

I think she deserves a point for picking Button to be 5th..... ;)




/jarmo

Hmm, I doubt that.. would they give away 8 points for McLaren in order to get 2 extra points for Kimi? Who knows, but it's hard to believe.

Highly unlikely that McLaren would tell Montoya to retire when their cars were running first and second!

Even if Montoya had "made a mistake" and Kimi would've passed, McLaren would've been #1 and #2. That's 18 points.



/jarmo

Sorry i'm a little late, i had a party this weekend.

My list for today:

1    Kimi R?ikk?nen McLaren-Mercedes   
             
2    Michael Schumacher Ferrari 
             
3    Ralf Schumacher Toyota   
             
4    Jarno Trulli Toyota   
             
5    Jenson Button BAR-Honda 
             
6    Nick Heidfeld
             
7    Mark Webber 
             
8    Takuma Sato 


Let's hope i have something right....  :P

Great sig on the left Kiki ;D

Albers and Doornbos are doing a really good job at Minardi, hope they can move to a better team next year.

Too bad about Alonso but this makes the championship a little more exciting again.

I don't know if youze have the same commentators that we do here in the USA but there's this one older-sounding gentleman here who when Massa's car entered the pit because it was steaming and smoking and a crew member immediately upon Massa's arrival in the pit automatically started to refuel his car, this commentator with a very proper British accent yelled:? "DUDE! The car's on fire!? Now's not the time to be adding fuel."? :lmao:


On the topic of Montoya:? I don't think he threw the race on purpose.? I think his car broke down for real.? But I think if he was able to finish the race that the team would have had him slow down and try to block M. Schumacker so that Kimi could get past them both.? Since Montoya is (I believe) mathematically out of the race for the drivers championship but Kimi is still in it and the team is still in the running for the team championship that would be the team-player thing to do on Montoya's part.? And at one point in today's race, I think he did let Kimi go by him.


On the topic of the Fantasy Contest:? WOW!!!? :o? KIKI GOT ALL EIGHT RIGHT!!!? WAY TO GO KIKI!!!!? : ok:   :hihi:

Barrichello is poised to swap Ferrari for BAR

Alan Henry
Monday August 1, 2005
The Guardian

Rubens Barrichello has been released from the balance of his contract with Ferrari and is poised to sign to drive for BAR-Honda for the next two seasons.
The plan is for the 33-year-old Brazilian to partner Jenson Button in a "dream team" capable of challenging for race wins from the start of 2006. But the decision to sign the man who has filled the exacting role of Michael Schumacher's team-mate for almost six years is also seen as a bet-hedging exercise in the event of Button being forced to abide by his contract with the Williams team next year.


Formal confirmation of the deal, which will see Barrichello's fellow Brazilian Felipe Massa inherit his position in the Ferrari team, is expected this week and Barrichello remained tight-lipped yesterday before the Hungarian grand prix.
Barrichello was contracted until the end of 2006 but is being released by mutual agreement. He seemed irked that speculation over his planned move had been fanned after Nelson Piquet, the former triple world champion who won the inaugural Hungarian grand prix in 1986, told Brazil's O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper that the deal was done.

"The fact is that I have nothing to say, more than I already said - that I have a contract with Ferrari and that's it," he said. "I haven't actually talked to Nelson so if that's the story, he should stick to his son's career more than keep on saying things about the others." Piquet's son competes in the junior GP2 category, a supporting series at grand prix weekends.

Nick Fry, the BAR-Honda team principal, would not comment on the issue beyond confirming that the team definitely "have a plan B" in the event of Button having to switch to Williams.

Signing Barrichello looks like a shrewd move. Relations between the Brazilian and Schumacher have become progressively more strained throughout the season, Barrichello infuriated by the way in which the world champion barged past him on the last lap at Monaco to claim sixth place and then edged him off the road at Indianapolis when he looked set to snatch the lead of the ill-starred US grand prix.

From BAR's viewpoint, Barrichello represents quite a catch. With nine grand-prix wins under his belt since succeeding Eddie Irvine in the Ferrari squad at the start of 2000, he brings with him the knowledge and experienced gleaned from working with Ferrari during the most successful period in the team's history.

He is also the ultimate team player, quietly determined and very focused, but rarely rocking the Ferrari boat on the many occasions he was required to defer to Schumacher, most notoriously at the 2002 Austrian grand prix where he was ordered to relinquish the lead on the final lap.

If Button eventually drives for Williams it is possible that Takuma Sato might be retained to drive alongside Barrichello, but equally likely that the erratic Japanese driver might be dropped and replaced by Giancarlo Fisichella or Nick Heidfeld.

Frank Williams had no more to say about Button's contractual obligation in 2006, but Bernie Ecclestone added his weight to the view that the British driver will eventually have to drive for Williams.

"It would seem he has a contract with Frank," he said. "That's it. OK, things change, but it's always been the same in formula one and in life. You make a decision, you hope you get it right, but if you sign a contract, you sign a contract."

The vexed issue of formula one tobacco sponsorship continued to be blurred by uncertainty even though this was the final race at which tobacco-branded cars could race within the European Union.

That uncertainty was highlighted by the fact that the Ferrari, Renault and Jordan teams ran with branded livery while the BAR-Honda cars competed with no branding whatsoever on their bodywork or team uniforms.

Last week Patricia Hewitt, secretary of state for health, wrote to the FIA president Max Mosley confirming that, because of a pending case before the EU court of justice on the EU tobacco advertising directive, the European commission has been unwilling to give member states guidance on the sponsorship provisions across member states.

In practical terms this seems to mean that images of tobacco-branded formula one cars, racing outside the EU, will be permitted to be televised inside the EU until the FIA's global ban on tobacco advertising comes into effect at the start of October 2006.

---

Poor Button, has to leave BAR for Williams who are on their way down..... I think Button would be better than Barrichello for BAR. But we'll see.....


/jarmo

Jarmo, Skeletor..I see what you are saying, but I still think Montoya looked way too relaxed and calmed when he had to retire while he was leading the race. Yes, McLaren would've added 8 more points had Montoya finished this race, but at this point, I think we all know McLaren will win the constructors title anyway. So, one may think McLaren forced Montoya to retire so people wouldn't speculate (I'm doing that right now...) had Kimi passed Montoya.

On a side note.- Gypsy...are you happy that you are leading now?? :P

I think you're reading into it too much, typical GN'R fan.  :P

 :hihi:


Kimi was "interviewed" by Finnish tv after he retired in Germany:

Interviewer: You're probably not feeling too happy right now?
Kimi: No


End of interview.


Not all drivers show emotions when they retire. They know it happens. Montoya should know about McLaren's reliability problems by now having watched Kimi's problems....



/jarmo

If Montoya was able to finish the race, I don't think he would've had a problem admitting that he blocked Schumacher so Kimi could get the top driver points and the team would get those other points.? That's what teamwork is all about.


I'm only tied for the lead.? :(? ?But maybe we can have the guy who's tied with me killed off so I can be #1!? ;D

 :rofl:

Yeah, maybe a few gypsies would do the job ...

I don't believe that. Montoya has a temper and he would have been furious if that would have been the case and what's the point to get 2 points more to Kimi and loose 8 points. team championchip isn't that sure for Maclaren that they could go "hey..let's give 2 points more to Kimi and make Montoya retire..it's only 8 points loose" I highly doubt that was the case. 

MASSA CONFIRMED AS BARRICHELLO'S REPLACEMENT

Last Updated: Tuesday, 02, August, 2005, 16:46
Click to enlarge

Ferrari has confirmed that Sauber driver Felipe Massa will join Michael Schumacher in its 2006 line-up and has announced that Rubens Barrichello will leave the team at the end of the year.

Following intense speculation over the weekend, Ferrari has taken up an option on Massa that dates back to 2001.

"I am very happy and proud to be racing with Ferrari in 2006," Massa told his official website.

"I feel ready for this new challenge, which is the best opportunity of my career.

"I am aware of the responsibility it places on me and I cannot wait to be part of a team like Ferrari, alongside the best driver in the world, Michael Schumacher."

The Brazilian driver, currently in his third season with Sauber, took a year out from racing in 2003 to fulfil the role of test and reserve driver for Ferrari.

He has long been linked with a return to the Scuderia and is managed by sporting director Jean Todt's son, Nicolas.

"I wish to thank Peter Sauber for having had faith in me over these past three years. I will do my very best in the final six races of the season to get the best possible results for his team.

"Maranello has believed in me since 2001, when I had yet to make my Formula 1 debut.

"Now, I am in my third season as a Sauber driver and I can also count on a year's experience as a Ferrari test driver, an experience which helped me to grow a great deal."

http://www.itv-f1.com

McLaren go for broke after bad breaks

Nicole Hogan
Sunday August 14, 2005
The Observer

Newsletters from the McLaren and Renault teams arrived simultaneously during this three-week break in the grand-prix schedule. The variation in style and content summarised the differing cultures of the championship contenders; McLaren's publication being perfectly bound and immaculate in its adventurous presentation; Renault eschewing the gloss for a simpler, more pragmatic approach. It also summed up the philosophies both teams must adopt in the final third of the season.

Renault's Fernando Alonso leads Kimi Raikkonen by 26 points, which means the McLaren-Mercedes driver must take an average of 4.5 points away from Alonso in each of the remaining six races. It is a tall order, yet not an impossible one given that Raikkonen claimed a brilliantly executed win against the odds in Hungary on a day when Alonso failed to score a single point. Before that Alonso had a mathematical chance of taking the title at the next race in Turkey on Sunday. Given the see-saw battle, it seems likely that the championship could run until the final round in China.

Renault's early momentum with three successive wins for Alonso has been slowed by McLaren getting their act together, a turn of events that has not surprised Pat Symonds, Renault's director of engineering.
"During pre-season testing, we believed that our biggest threat would finally be McLaren and that's effectively how it's turned out," says Symonds. "They had an unlucky run early on but they picked up speed when the championship returned to Europe. They are clearly very quick at the moment. The important thing for Renault is to maintain the advantage we have carved out so far. We need to finish the remaining races in a strong position if possible. At the same time, we mustn't allow chances to slip through our hands by being over-cautious.

"I think there's certainly a case for questioning our tyre choice in Hungary, for example. We never really got the car dialled in and I think that was partly a function of concentrating most of our practice running on the harder tyre."

Alonso ran wide at the last corner of his qualifying lap, a momentary error for which he suffered throughout the entire race. Starting from sixth on the grid, the Spaniard became involved in a first-corner skirmish that removed the Renault's front wing and forced a pit stop. Alonso finished eleventh and was never remotely in contention.

One of Renault's main hopes centres on a continuation of McLaren's appalling reliability and a questionable tactical record that cost at least three wins. A very clever strategy in Hungary may have given Raikkonen a much needed victory and made amends for a management error in Canada but the team from Woking must be concerned about the mechanical failure that robbed them of a one-two finish when Juan Pablo Montoya retired while leading in Hungary. Montoya limped into the pits with a broken driveshaft, a similar but unrelated failure to the one that cost Raikkonen the lead of the San Marino Grand Prix in April. On this occasion, however, Montoya may have contributed to the cause through a display of unforgivable negligence that typifies the fiery Colombian.

While making his way to the front of the grid, with the engine shut off but coasting at 35mph, Montoya rode over a portable generator parked safely within Jenson Button's grid slot. The impact sent the right-front corner of the McLaren MP4-20 into the air before crashing back onto the track and damaging the nose wings and various aerodynamic appendages. Those were the visible signs of such carelessness.

It cannot be proven but there are questions being asked about the effect the unexpected stress placed on the opposite corner of the airborne car, and in particular the one-piece £4,500 driveshaft forged from titanium. If a weakness was created then Montoya continually bashing the left-rear wheel across the high-mounted kerb at Turn 7 will have exacerbated it. "There is absolutely no purpose served in reflecting on what might have been," says McLaren chairman Ron Dennis in his company magazine. "The facts of the matter are that in the MP4-20 we have fielded the most consistently competitive car this season. Our percentage of victories so far, however, reflects the reality that we have failed to maximise its potential, although it doesn't matter whether this state of affairs has been brought about by technical failure (Imola and Hungaroring), driver error (Nurburgring) or other reasons (human error causing the hydraulics failure that cost Raikkonen an easy win at Hockenheim)."

The type of track remaining would tend to favour the competitiveness of the McLaren, but it is too close to call. "It has been reassuring to note," says Symonds, "that we are still strong, even at circuits that aren't necessarily suited to us. Such as Silverstone, for example. I think we will see our two teams playing something of a cat and mouse game all the way through to the end of the season. As a function of the latest developments introduced by each team, and the type of circuit, I believe the edge will switch from one camp to the other."

---

Just one week to go until the next race.....

A new circuit and hopefully it will have some overtaking possibilities. We don't need more circuits like Monaco and Hungary where overtaking is almost impossible.




/jarmo

Looks like Williams will be using Cosworth engines next year: http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=33757

They don't seem like good engines at the moment, but next year everybody will use V8s.



/jarmo

From Thursday's press conference (http://www.formula1.com/race/news/3451/745.html) in Turkey:

Q: (Andrea Cremonesi ? La Gazzetta dello Sport) Felipe, you have the same contract as Rubens now? You will be there the second driver for a while?

FM: This is not written in my contract.

RB: In mine, too. (Laughter)

---

Massa says there's no mention of him being the second driver at Ferrari next year. Rubens had no mention of that in his contract either.....  :hihi:



/jarmo

My Turkey picks

1. Raikkonen
2. Montoya
3. R. Schumacher
4. Fisichella
5. Alonso
6. M. Schumacher
7. Trulli
8. Barrichello

Turkish GP:


Graciela's picks:

1. Kimi R?ikk?nen? ? ? ? ?McLaren
2. Fernando Alonso? ? ? ? Renault
3. Juan Pablo Montoya? ? ?McLaren
4. Jarno Trulli? ? ? ? ? ?Toyota
5. Giancarlo Fisichella? ?Renault
6. Ralf Schumacher? ? ? ? Toyota
7. Nick Heidfeld? ? ? ? ? Williams
8. Rubens Barrichello? ? Ferrari

---

My picks:


1. Juan Pablo Montoya? ? ?McLaren
2. Kimi R?ikk?nen? ? ? ? ?McLaren
3. Fernando Alonso? ? ? ? Renault
4. Ralf Schumacher? ? ? ? Toyota
5. Giancarlo Fisichella? ?Renault
6. Jarno Trulli? ? ? ? ? ?Toyota
7. Nick Heidfeld? ? ? ? ? Williams
8. David Coulthard? ? ? ?Red Bull


What are the odds that two McLarens will finish a race?? :nervous:



/jarmo

1? Giancarlo Fisichella Renault? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ? ?
2? Fernando Alonso Renault? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ? ?
3? Jarno Trulli Toyota? ?

4? Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes

5? Takuma Sato BAR-Honda

6 Michael Schumacher Ferrari?

7? Rubens Barrichello Ferrari ?
? ? ? ? ? ? ?
8? Nick Heidfeld Williams-BMW? ? ? ?

 

2 minutes to go, I still can post my pics for the race!!

1.Kimi Raikkonen
2.alonso
3.montoya
4.Ralf Schumacher
5.Felipe Massa
6.Rubens Barrichello
7.Michael Schumacher
8.Trulli

The HTGTH F-1 Fantasy Gran Prix (Turkish GP)

Pinball Wizard --- 3 points
Gypsy Soul --- 2 points
Jarmo --- 1 point
Kiki --- 1 point



The HTGTH F-1 Fantasy League Ranking

Pinball --- 8 points
Gypsy --- 8 points
Ignatius --- 6 points
Jarmo --- 6 points
John Daniels --- 4 points
Kiki --- 4 points
Graciela --- 3 points
Drew --- 0 points


Sorry if any errors were made.

fuck, I forgot to put my list on again! :rant:

great weekend for Maclaren. What was Montoy thinking when overtaking the Jordan driver? and then two laps to go and he loose the 2# place for Alonso.. well there went the assumptions that Montoy is being told to help Kimi  :P because I think Montoy is doing everything possible that Kimi wouldn't win the championchip. Alonso did a great job as well..

There seems to be a curse. McLaren isn't supposed to win a race with two drivers taking the first two positions....  :nervous:



/jarmo





Graciela got three points for picking the first three. I posted her list since she didn't have Internet access.....

---

The HTGTH F-1 Fantasy Gran Prix (Turkish GP)

Pinball Wizard --- 3 points
Graciela --- 3 points
Gypsy Soul --- 2 points
Jarmo --- 1 point
Kiki --- 1 point



The HTGTH F-1 Fantasy League Ranking [After Turkish GP]

Pinball --- 8 points
Gypsy --- 8 points
Ignatius --- 6 points
Jarmo --- 6 points
Graciela --- 6 points
John Daniels --- 4 points
Kiki --- 4 points
Drew --- 0 points


/jarmo