F1 - 2009 season

[Genesis]

Williams and the Red Bull teams didn't let Ferrari test because the rules are the same for everyone. Which is a fair point.

Yes, but this wasn't like Toro Rosso who fired their driver in the middle of the season. It was because of an unfortunate accident and I'm sure
they could have made the exception. After all if teams like Brawn and Mclaren have no problems, why should Williams?

Right now young drivers can't get any F1 experience as test drivers before making their race debuts.

Yes, but it's the same for everyone isn't it? The cars keep changing as teams make modifications throughout the season and even seasoned F1 drivers
can only test the car during practice.

[jarmo]

Williams are a former big team who hasn't won in years. I'm sure they'll use whatever power they have to benefit themselves...


I think the system with a third driver who did testing work was better than what we have now.

It's become more apparent now with the recent events...




/jarmo

[IzzyDutch]

They cut out in-season testing to save money. And as you can see right now it's still possible to have a good car turn bad and a bad car turn fast (Brawn and McLaren).

As far as I'm concerned they can keep the in-season testing ban to save money. However a change which says replacement drivers are allowed to test a certain mileage should be made though

[jarmo]

As far as I'm concerned they can keep the in-season testing ban to save money. However a change which says replacement drivers are allowed to test a certain mileage should be made though

And how fair would that be? They could test new parts and get valuable tests that nobody else would.

Of course it's possible to develop your car without testing, but is that really the way F1 should be?




/jarmo

[Genesis]

I think the current rules are fair enough. Teams shouldn't wantonly replace their drivers mid season. For most teams, the test drivers are the reserve drivers anyway, so they would have had some experience with the car in pre-season testing.

[jarmo]

They shouldn't but they always have. Not only due to the results on the track, but for unforeseen reasons as well.



I also think it's bullshit that the pinnacle of motorsports has banned testing during the season. You're supposed to keep developing your car until the end.

You can simulate etc. but it's not the same thing. Besides, the whole thing about wind tunnels and simulators, is that fair? Does every team have access to the same equipment? Obviously the bigger your budget is, the better/more equipment can you afford.


I also don't understand why the FIA can't inspect all cars weeks before the first race in order to determine which ones are within the rules. So there's not another double diffuser issue....

Everybody would know what's allowed before the season starts if there are any unclear rule definitions.





/jarmo

[Genesis]

Why doesn't the FIA fund or arrange equal funding for all teams? That would remove the disparity and level the playing field. As it stands, all it does is spout rules and make money from F1 rights. Max Mosley should have been booted a long time ago...

[jarmo]

Max will be gone from the FIA soon. 

Two old guys running it for their own profit. Time to end their reign.....



/jarmo

[jarmo]

And the best driver in the field returns to the GP winners club after a too long absence!

Congrats Kimi! 



/jarmo

[Drew]

And the best driver in the field returns to the GP winners club after a too long absence!

Congrats Kimi! 

Indeed! Good win for Kimi! 

[IzzyDutch]

And the best driver in the field returns to the GP winners club after a too long absence!

Congrats Kimi! 

/jarmo

Best driver in the field returns to the GP winners club? Yeah right..

Kimi did a great job this weekend, he did need it though after a not so good 1st season half and especially last year the final GP's which were basically really bad.

In other news, appearantly there's proof that Piquet Jr. crash in Singapore '08 was staged.. Renault asked him to so the safety car would appear which meant good news for Alonso, who would therefore win the race.. the FIA is conducting an investigation to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plN4kwplcZc&feature=related

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

And the best driver in the field returns to the GP winners club after a too long absence!

Congrats Kimi! 

/jarmo

Best driver in the field returns to the GP winners club? Yeah right..

Kimi did a great job this weekend, he did need it though after a not so good 1st season half and especially last year the final GP's which were basically really bad.

In other news, appearantly there's proof that Piquet Jr. crash in Singapore '08 was staged.. Renault asked him to so the safety car would appear which meant good news for Alonso, who would therefore win the race.. the FIA is conducting an investigation to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plN4kwplcZc&feature=related

What happened to no more team orders after the Schumacher/Barichello flap?

[jarmo]

There's no team orders!

 



Giancarlo Fisichella will drive for Ferrari starting at the Italian GP next week.



/jarmo

[IzzyDutch]

Lotus is now officially the last new team for 2010. However BMW Sauber (which today also has been confirmed) is taken over by Qabad and are listed as the spare 14th team. However the FIA wants to talk to to the teams to stretch the max team limit from 13 to 14 teams. I hope they all agree.. BMW says they assume they're also gonna be on the grid next year.

But, rumours are that if Renault is found guilty on the 21th they might announce their departure from F1 (nice excuse to leave in this crisis time). In that case maybe the only other serieus team entry, Epsilon Euskadi, could be the 5th new team for next year.

Either way, atleast 13 teams next year, likely 14 which is really really great for F1.. they need more cars, slow or not. Also now the balance is goodwise restored to a healthy number of factory and private teams again. F1 needs more private teams cause they have more racing spirit, (when shit hits the fan they don't easily step out of F1 cause that is their only making-a-living) and private teams have more flair/atmosphere then colder factory teams imo.

[elmir]

news so far:

Renault have been slapped with a two-year suspended disqualification for race-fixing at last year's Singapore GP.

The team faced the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in Paris earlier today, spending just 90 minutes in front of the 26-man Council, which includes FIA President Max Mosley and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Renault, prior to the hearing, revealed that they wouldn't dispute the charges which related to then team boss Flavio Briatore and director of engineering Pat Symonds allegedly ordering Nelson Piquet Jr to crash in order to help his team-mate Fernando Alonso to the race win.

The charges meant Renault could face either a fine, suspension or even expulsion from Formula One, however, after deliberating the Council opted for a suspended punishment.

Renault have been given a disqualification that is suspended until the end of the 2011 season.

As for Briatore, he reportedly has been banned from all F1 activities including driver management.

[jarmo]

Bye Flavio!






/jarmo

[elmir]

yup....pitty about the drivers he is managing....but they'll find someone new soon enough...

"For an unlimited period, the FIA does not intend to sanction any International Event, Championship, Cup, Trophy, Challenge or Series involving Mr. Briatore in any capacity whatsoever, or grant any license to any Team or other entity engaging Mr. Briatore in any capacity whatsoever.

"It also hereby instructs all officials present at FIA-sanctioned events not to permit Mr. Briatore access to any areas under the FIA's jurisdiction.

"Furthermore, it does not intend to renew any Superlicence granted to any driver who is associated (through a management contract or otherwise) with Mr. Briatore, or any entity or individual associated with Mr. Briatore.

[jarmo]

That's true. But maybe it'll be good for them.


I mean, who wants to be associated with somebody who's got that reputation now?


/jarmo

[elmir]

His best friend Bernie?
Takes a gangster to know a gangster...

But honestly, the only difference between flavio and other high flyers in F1 is that he got caught...
They're all the same...his soccer club ownership may be terminated too though, but his other business interests won't suffer...he owns so many nightclubs, if anything, this will provide him with more street cred in those "mafioso" circles...

Guys like him will always be fine...

[IzzyDutch]

So... Alonso to Ferrari, Kimi to McLaren, Rosberg to Brawn, Kubica to Renault and Barrichello to Williams.