GMG Classical Music Forum

The Back Room => The Diner => Topic started by: John Copeland on March 10, 2009, 06:04:43 PM

Title: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 10, 2009, 06:04:43 PM
Well, is it unusual that a Classical Music maniac is JUST as fanatical about F1?  Sacred Cantatas can't be heard when you're thundering down the Hangar Straight @ 200mph or high speed wheel jostling uphill into a completely blind Eau Rouge corner with a Ferrari less than a foot in front of you and an erratic rookie six inches off collision beside you.   :o
Formula One is fabulous racing.
For a while there, certainly before the last two or three seasons, it had become frumpy and predictable, it lost its drama and became like watching a procession of cars doing the same thing every two or three weeks.  Sad to say that for over a decade it became boring.   :'(  At the beginning of the milleneum I thought the introduction of Juan Pablo Montoya would spice things up, but it didn't.  F1 was spending stupid money trying to make things better, but F1 became pretty stupid itself.  The only saving grace over the last 15 years was Michael Schumaker forging himself the status of legend. 
Then something changed (again), and it wasn't just Lewis Hamiltons arrival.
New, exciting circuits like Valencia and a night-time race in Singapore.  New drivers who were hungry, Vettel, Albers (why was he dropped?), Hamilton, Kubica (watch out for him, he is FAST) and the rest...Nowadays, sometimes even a no hope car can win. 
Driver development is interesting too.  Massa, turning from a podgy young off-a-lot with Sauber in 2002 to a polished and focused professional with Ferarri in 2008.  Polands first ever F1 driver in Robert Kubica, putting to shame more experienced drivers who were expected to beat him....
2009 intrioduces a season with rule changes which will wipe the historical board.  Gone are the stupid groove tyres (which were introduced 12 years ago to slow the cars down!), and back come the slicks, making for faster need-to-control racing.  Slicks are back to make the cars faster  :o because the new aerodynamic rules slow the car down - but the aerodynamic changes mean less downforce, significantly increasing the chances of car overtaking.  Also introduced is an energy conservation system which will allow the cars to use a 'boost' button when they think it strategically necessary.  A similar feature can be found in Johnathan Palmers racing series, but bringing it to F1 really spices things up.
16 Days to go before the new season starts.  Can't wait.
What Classical Music would fit the character of F1?  Beethovens 5th at high tempo?  George Crumbs 'Black Angels'?  Last three minuites of Furtwanglers Beethoven 9?  Well, it has always troubled me, and I've not found something to fit yet.  Any suggestions would be terrific.
;D

PS:  If no-one is interested in F1, too bad, for the coming Summer this post will be regular at least by me.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 11, 2009, 08:27:29 AM
You've got company, buddy!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 08:54:03 AM
I would love to strt following F1 again, John.  When I was a youngster in 1977 1979 I had the chance of going to Watkins Glenn http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watkins_Glen_International and see a race.  My uncle got us some decent passes and I was able to walk through where they were working on cars.  I have a couple bolts that one of the teams gave me.  However, the highlight was peeking through some windows of a building before the big race and seeing all the drivers in a meeting.  The only driver I recognized was Mario Andretti.  Just as I turned to leave the drivers came walking out.  I walked beside one of them (was clueless to who) and he took my program and signed it.  After getting back to the motor home, I found the picture of the driver.  Turns out it was Emerson Fittipaldi.  My dad said it was not a bad one to have. :)  Needless to say, I could have cared less about the race after this.  I will try to dig out the old program. 

Here is what the POSTER it looked like (from the web)

(http://i18.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/10/a4/d9c1_1.JPG)


I know I still have it somewhere.  I would like to score a poster from the event.  Maybe my father still has his.  I remeber he had it hanging in the garage for years.

Back to racing:

What got me curious about your post was that every car has a chance now.  That would rekindle my interest.  I do not watch any other racing, and do not care to, but the F1 has been something that has me curious because I am fascinated with the technology that they put into the cars.  Guess it is time to pick a team to follow.  Any recs?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 11, 2009, 08:59:33 AM
Quote from: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 08:54:03 AM
Guess it is time to pick a team to follow.  Any recs?

You're not out of the CD-buying mode, are you? :D ;)


Thanks for sharing your experience from the race with us. :)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 11, 2009, 09:40:49 AM
F1antastic opus!
I'll be riding with the BMW team this year (again).  During the season, this thread will be vying for pole position!  I have an engine that can see the whole season out and Kubica winning it.  Unlike the F1 teams, whose engines must last for three races (instead of two last year).
By all the downforces, thank God someone else in here is a fan!

Er...while I was writing there, Bogey just made his post. 
That really is a fabulous experience you had.  Fittipaldi!  How superbly impressive for a little boy - even if you didn't know who Fittipaldi was at the time.  And getting to see the drivers meeting before the race!  Andretti.  Lauda.  Jones.  Sheckter.  Jochen Mass, et al...wow, you lucky so and so! 
James Hunt won that race in a Ford powered McLaren.  Fittipaldi didn't figure, he was a lap or two behind by the end of the race, but as you probably know he was World Champion in 72 and '74.  I wonder (and envy) at which team bolts you were given - and how lucky you were to have a Dad that took you to such an event!  Also, it rained at Watkins Glen that day - rain always makes for exciting racing. 
A team to follow this season?  Well, it's too hard to call.  The near defunct Honda team, now owned by ex-Ferarri Technical Director Ross Brawn and re-christened Brawn GP, have been the surprise of late testing.  They're running with a new Mercedes engine too, and I expect they'll be at least in the top four teams at the end of the season.  Safe bets are always Ferarri and McLaren, but this season so much has changed that the field is much more open.  I personally go with BMW because their driver Kubica is fearsomely fast.  And he's from Poland, the last place you'd expect to find a good F1 driver!  The other driver is Nick Heidfeld, now something of an F1 journeyman, but still quick.  Their man in charge, Mario Theissen, has done wonders with that team since taking it over - it used to be called Sauber.
Anyway, well done Bogey, thanks for such a fabulous post.  A pleasure that you shared it with us.  If you find the poster, let us know.  And whatever you do, hold on to them bolts!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 09:48:10 AM
You are welcome, John and Opus.  I have some old photos from the garage area and if I find them, I can tell you right away which car it was.  Let me see if I cna find a web page with the '77 cars.  I can picture it, but just not the name.  Black and gold car, with white lettering.  Hmmmm.  How popular is Kubica in Poland?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 11, 2009, 10:03:09 AM
Quote from: John on March 11, 2009, 09:40:49 AM
F1antastic opus!
I'll be riding with the BMW team this year (again).  During the season, this thread will be vying for pole position!  I have an engine that can see the whole season out and Kubica winning it.  Unlike the F1 teams, whose engines must last for three races (instead of two last year).
By all the downforces, thank God someone else in here is a fan!

;D

I'll be watching out for Vettel this season and how he performs in Red Bull's "No. 1" team. But I'm a Kimi fan through and through. Not really a tifoso, though. When I started following F1 - at the end of the '98 season - I supported McLaren and their other great Finn, Hakkinen. There even was a serious rivalry (with regard to F1 only) between my classmates in school who supported Ferrari and Schumi and myself. ;D

QuoteA pleasure that you shared it with us.  If you find the poster, let us know.  And whatever you do, hold on to them bolts!

Ditto.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 11, 2009, 10:04:41 AM
Quote from: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 09:48:10 AM
How popular is Kubica in Poland?

The next best thing to John Paul II and Chopin. :D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 11, 2009, 10:06:00 AM
Quote from: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 09:48:10 AM
You are welcome, John and Opus.  I have some old photos from the garage area and if I find them, I can tell you right away which car it was.  Let me see if I cna find a web page with the '77 cars.  I can picture it, but just not the name.  Black and gold car, with white lettering.  Hmmmm.  How popular is Kubica in Poland?

If it looked like a big wasp, what you saw and have the bolts for is a Renault RS01.  It was more yellow than gold and they only fielded one car that season, driven by Jean-Pierre Jabouille.  Here it is...
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 10:07:19 AM
Quote from: John on March 11, 2009, 10:06:00 AM
If it looked like a big wasp, what you saw and have the bolts for is a Renault RS01.  It was more yellow than gold and they only fielded one car that season, driven by Jean-Pierre Jabouille.  Here it is...

Great try, but not it.  Mostly black....I could be wrong.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 10:09:54 AM
Possibly this Lotus car?

http://www.racingsportscars.com/f1/1977/Long_Beach-1977-04-03-005.jpg
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 11, 2009, 10:23:34 AM
QuoteOpus - When I started following F1 - at the end of the '98 season - I supported McLaren and their other great Finn, Hakkinen.

I too was a Hakkinen fan.  Not great in front of the camera, but brilliant in the cockpit.  He kept beating Coulthard and was rightly the McLaren No1.  I followed his career and admired him tremendously for getting back into the car after his sickening crash at Adelaide and going on after few seasons to win World Championships.  In my top 5 drivers of all time.

Bogey, was it this?  If so, it's a Lotus, Mario's car.

EDIT:  Oops, you got there first.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 10:51:54 AM
No.  Found the picture of the car (the bolts were not in the box with them, so I fear the worse ;D, but the program was still there.).  It was a Parmalat racing car.  I will try to scan the picture I took of it.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 11:07:03 AM
Here is a shot of the car.  I remember taking it it with my 110 I carried around.  I only took a role or two....just a kid.  I should have taken hundreds.  >:( :D

(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa35/BillandLinda/F1Final.jpg)

I am guessing that the garages are a little nicer for these cars these days.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 11:14:28 AM
Two other memories: Paul Newman raced that day, or the day before.  Kind of cool.  John you are correct, it was rainy, but it only seemed that way during the race.  I did more walking around than actual watching.  Too many neat things for a kid to see.  Also, my program is signed inside by Harry Reynolds #27 Volpini (sp?).  Pretty sure he was not F1, but I am sure I enjoyed getting the signature.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 11:35:24 AM
Check that date of mine above John and Opus.  The date was Oct. 7, 1979.  And John, it was rainy that day also.  At the very least everyone in my pics were bundled up.

I noticed I had the wrong date when looking through some of the loose black and white flier type material that lists entries for the other races such as the Vintage race.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 11, 2009, 01:54:26 PM
Three time World Champion Nelson Piquet raced in that car.  Parmelat was the sponsor which the team name had to reflect, but the car was a Brabham running a Ford engine (I think).  The great Gilles Villneuve (RIP) won that race in the Ferarri, but Piquet set the fastest race lap at Watkins Glen in the car you saw - unless it was their other car, driven by...not a well known driver anyway, can't remember who that was...anyway, Piquet started second on the grid that day, but later retired with a car problem.
How wonderful.
I watched that GP with my granny!  I was 13 years old.
You've got (or had :'( ) bolts from a Brabham car!  Maybe even Nelsons car (his son races in F1 now, for the Williams team).  What experience.  (Brabham is no longer an F1 team.)
Find them bolts!!! :o
;D

Haven't a clue who Harry Reynolds is.
Paul Newman gave so much of himself to racing, most of his life in later years.  He's a racing hero.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 02:04:22 PM
This is a channel we get with our very low level satellite programming (we do not watch much tv).   It looks as though I will be watching the Australian at 11:30 PM on the 28th (the 29th in Australia).  I will turn 44 at midnight my time during the race.  :)

http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/filter/date/2009-3-28

I will try to find those bolts, but will not hold my breath.  However, I will check and see if my dad took any photos.  I am a bit surprised that the passes were not in the program.  I kept all of my ticket stubs from other events as a kid.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 02:21:03 PM
Here are the type of things that distracted me from the race:

(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa35/BillandLinda/F12.jpg)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 11, 2009, 02:30:38 PM
Quote from: Bogey on March 11, 2009, 02:21:03 PM
Here are the type of things that distracted me from the race:

(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa35/BillandLinda/F12.jpg)

;D
Great original stuff!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on March 11, 2009, 03:45:21 PM
Quote from: John on March 10, 2009, 06:04:43 PM
For a while there, certainly before the last two or three seasons, it had become frumpy and predictable

Yes, it was crap in the years before Alonso and Hamilton, and I found it unwatchable. Since then I have found myself watching it quite often (especially since Hamilton's 2 seasons), which is remarkable given my disintrest in motorsport in general...
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 12, 2009, 05:52:58 AM
Wonderful stuff, Bogey! Thanks.

QuoteI am guessing that the garages are a little nicer for these cars these days.
;D
I would have guessed that to be someone's garage in their house, rather than a pit-lane of race-track.

Just curious - was Playboy a sponsor of the race? (second pic)


P.S.: John, doesn't Piquet, Jr. race for Renault? :)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Dundonnell on March 12, 2009, 06:30:52 PM
In the early 1990s I was a fanatical follower of Forumla One-went to the British GP at Silverstone twice, compiled acres of statistics on the drivers past and present etc etc.

But that was the time when the championship was contested by those three great characters Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell. The races were exciting, there was genuine rivalry, and-above all-the drivers seemed to be 'characters', which made their rivalry all the more exciting to see played out on the track.

Then along came Schumacher and-I have to admit-my interest started to wane. For a time-when Schumacher and Damon Hill were battling it out(literally at times ;D)-there was still some interest but after that the races became predictable, Schumacher won everything, the cars seemed more important than the drivers, the drivers all seemed to be identikit bland, characterless clones.

I know that things have improved again in recent years...Alonso, Hamilton et al...but I just can't get back into it :( I watch England messing up Test Cricket instead ::)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 12, 2009, 06:58:52 PM
Quote from: opus67 on March 12, 2009, 05:52:58 AM
Wonderful stuff, Bogey! Thanks.
;D
I would have guessed that to be someone's garage in their house, rather than a pit-lane of race-track.

Just curious - was Playboy a sponsor of the race? (second pic)


P.S.: John, doesn't Piquet, Jr. race for Renault? :)

No.  I just talked to my dad tonight about the race and asked him your question.  He sadi almost everything there had Toyota printed on it.  It was after all called the Toyota Grand Prix of the United States.  However, Miss May of 1979 presented the winning trophy.Here are some of his other memories:

1. On the race day it poured buckets.  He said the cars were making 100 foot high rooster tails with the water as they came around turns, but they still maintained speeds of 60-70 mph even in these horrible conditions.

2. The rain was so bad (and it had rained earlier that week) that if you stepped off the concrete paths, you would be knee deep in mud.

3. Parking was horrible.  When we left he said that both sides of the road were filled with parked cars 15 miles from the race track.  My uncle took us back to our car, but we were not sure if the motor home would make it through the mud.  And speaking of my uncle, he probably got the tickets from his work.  My dad believes he may have been working for American Motors at the time.

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 12, 2009, 06:59:51 PM
Quote from: Dundonnell on March 12, 2009, 06:30:52 PM
In the early 1990s I was a fanatical follower of Forumla One-went to the British GP at Silverstone twice, compiled acres of statistics on the drivers past and present etc etc.

But that was the time when the championship was contested by those three great characters Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell. The races were exciting, there was genuine rivalry, and-above all-the drivers seemed to be 'characters', which made their rivalry all the more exciting to see played out on the track.

Then along came Schumacher and-I have to admit-my interest started to wane. For a time-when Schumacher and Damon Hill were battling it out(literally at times ;D)-there was still some interest but after that the races became predictable, Schumacher won everything, the cars seemed more important than the drivers, the drivers all seemed to be identikit bland, characterless clones.

I know that things have improved again in recent years...Alonso, Hamilton et al...but I just can't get back into it :( I watch England messing up Test Cricket instead ::)

Well, hope you join us here and take in some races.  I bet you have some great stories to share and we would love reading them.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 12, 2009, 07:16:13 PM
A possible contender?

http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2009/3/9012.html

Or is Ferrari and or McLaren-Mercedes still the ones to beat?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 12, 2009, 07:28:20 PM
Quote from: Lethe on March 11, 2009, 03:45:21 PM
Yes, it was crap in the years before Alonso and Hamilton, and I found it unwatchable. Since then I have found myself watching it quite often (especially since Hamilton's 2 seasons), which is remarkable given my disintrest in motorsport in general...

But there seems to be an intangible attraction here in F1.  I am not a motor sport fan.  Never have been.  But this is special....IMO, of course.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on March 12, 2009, 07:30:00 PM
Quote from: Bogey on March 12, 2009, 07:16:13 PM
A possible contender?

http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2009/3/9012.html

Or is Ferrari and or McLaren-Mercedes still the ones to beat?

To be honest, Honda had been promising similar for years and it never happened - I doubt this will either. The big surprise last season was that a multitude of teams managed to become much more competitive with the big teams in a way no mid-running teams had done for a long time, but with their budgets, I cannot see even them (Renault, Red Bull) overtaking McLaren or Ferrari. BMW may have the best chance, but I think that them retaining Heidfeld may hurt them if he can't improve his results (ditto for Kovalainen and McLaren).
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 12, 2009, 07:33:29 PM
So, do you folks follow a team, or a specific driver?  I believe I am more into the team thing.  I have not chosen one to pull for this season yet.  I believe I will watch the first race and then decide.  I am usually good at picking out the one that will cause more frustration than happiness, so I look forward to a long season.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 12, 2009, 07:34:49 PM
Quote from: Lethe on March 12, 2009, 07:30:00 PM
To be honest, Honda had been promising similar for years and it never happened - I doubt this will either. The big surprise last season was that a multitude of teams managed to become much more competitive with the big teams in a way no mid-running teams had done for a long time, but with their budgets, I cannot see even them (Renault, Red Bull) overtaking McLaren or Ferrari. BMW may have the best chance, but I think that them retaining Heidfeld may hurt them if he can't improve his results (ditto for Kovalainen and McLaren).

You don't mean to imply they would in any way hype their team right before the season started for mere publicity?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on March 12, 2009, 07:39:24 PM
Quote from: Bogey on March 12, 2009, 07:34:49 PM
You don't mean to imply they would in any way hype their team right before the season started for mere publicity?

Heaven forfend!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 12, 2009, 08:53:16 PM
Quote from: opus67 on March 12, 2009, 05:52:58 AM
P.S.: John, doesn't Piquet, Jr. race for Renault? :)

Yes, sorry, It's Noco Rosberg that drives for Williams, I got mixed up because their two dads (Kiki and Nelson) used to race each other too, so I clumsily put their sons in the wrong car seats!  Poor excuse for my error, but it should hold water.

QuoteDundonnel: I watch England messing up Test Cricket instead...

That's the pits, so it is.

QuoteBogey:

A possible contender?
http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2009/3/9012.html
Or is Ferrari and or McLaren-Mercedes still the ones to beat?

No and yes.  The late testing, although very promising for the fiesty new Brawn GP team, is too little too late methinks.  The other teams will be one step ahead and will implement most of their developmental upgrades round about the beginning of May, Spanish Grand Prix time, while the gap in the development cycle for Brawn GP will become more apparent by then.
Ferrari and McLaren are still the dogs to beat - but I rather think the changes are so radical this year that their dominance will be considerably weakened.

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 12, 2009, 11:40:58 PM
Quote from: Bogey on March 12, 2009, 06:58:52 PM
No.  I just talked to my dad tonight about the race and asked him your question.  He sadi almost everything there had Toyota printed on it.  It was after all called the Toyota Grand Prix of the United States.  However, Miss May of 1979 presented the winning trophy.

Ah. And thanks to your father for sharing his memories, as well. :)

Quote from: John on March 12, 2009, 08:53:16 PM
Ferrari and McLaren are still the dogs to beat - but I rather think the changes are so radical this year that their dominance will be considerably weakened.

Quite. It'll be interesting to see how the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), among other things, plays with the teams' fortunes.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 13, 2009, 11:16:40 AM
QuoteOPUS: Quite. It'll be interesting to see how the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), among other things, plays with the teams' fortunes.

The KERS is the most innovative development F1 has seen since wings on cars, and between that and a return to slicks, the coming season will sizzle!!

Meanwhile, Brawn GP continue to kick ass on the track:

QuoteThe newly-rescued Brawn GP on Thursday continued to astound its rivals at Barcelona, on the last day of the final group test of the winter.
Not only was Rubens Barrichello atop the timesheets, he bettered team-mate Jenson Button's astonishing time of Wednesday and was nearly a full second clear of the quickest of his dumbfounded rivals... (from http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/index.shtml)

I still think a lag will become apparent later in early season.  But it would be nice if they turned out strong like this all season, because a new team with old drivers actually winning the Constructors championship would be an exciting milestone for F1.  Hate to be a party pooper though, still think the developmental dynamics in F1 will show their colours come the Spanish GP or thereafter, and Brawn will suffer.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 26, 2009, 08:23:20 AM
Race time soon, but in the meantime let's diffuse a bit:

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/3/9052.html
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: DavidRoss on March 26, 2009, 08:38:10 AM
Gosh, they're still doing this?  I haven't paid much attention since the days when John Surtees switched from motorcycles to cars and showed them all how it's done.  (Giving away my age, eh?  Ah, well...I earned this gray beard.)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 27, 2009, 11:10:56 PM
Weird.

Actually, it's not all the weird, with Brawn GP performing superbly in the weeks leading to the race, but still, to see the Ferraris at the bottom and these guys at the top (consistently - the key word) is something we need ourselves to accustom to.

But the cars are definitely -to borrow a term from Bart Simpson's lexicon- uuuuggly!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: pjme on March 28, 2009, 03:42:47 AM
How do you cope with the noise?

P.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on March 28, 2009, 04:00:34 AM
We named our daughter Kimi. F-1 fan? For sure. Take a wild guess who we support!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 28, 2009, 07:21:11 AM
Quote from: pjme on March 28, 2009, 03:42:47 AM
How do you cope with the noise?

P.

Huh! DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: pjme on March 28, 2009, 08:46:54 AM
 ;D Sure!

But do play on!

P.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: matti on March 28, 2009, 09:07:52 AM
Quote from: springrite on March 28, 2009, 04:00:34 AM
We named our daughter Kimi. F-1 fan? For sure. Take a wild guess who we support!

Don't tell me you really named her after a male stonefaced Formula 1 driver? I mean... Fanny... Alma.... ;D

Kimi is a great name, though, especially for a girl! :)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 29, 2009, 12:34:01 AM
What a start to the season!

Brawn (-Mercedes) GP 1 and 2, Button and Barrichello. I feel sad for Vettel, though. He really should have been up there.




P.S.: Happy birthday, Bill (Bogey). :)

P.S.#2: Firefox considers Barrichello as a perfectly English word. (It even offers me Fisichella when I spell the name incorrectly.) But the irony is that 'Firefox' is not a valid word. ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on March 29, 2009, 01:13:49 AM
Quote from: matti on March 28, 2009, 09:07:52 AM
Don't tell me you really named her after a male stonefaced Formula 1 driver? I mean... Fanny... Alma.... ;D

Kimi is a great name, though, especially for a girl! :)

As I explained in the Kim thread, Kimi's unlikely conception via test tube (3% chance of success) was confirmed on the day and a few hours after Kimi Raikonen miraculously won the F1 title on the last day of the season. We decided on the name before we knew she was conceived. Of course we hope she's not a stonefaced fast driving drunk.  ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 29, 2009, 05:09:20 AM
Quote from: opus67 on March 29, 2009, 12:34:01 AM
What a start to the season!

Brawn (-Mercedes) GP 1 and 2, Button and Barrichello. I feel sad for Vettel, though. He really should have been up there.




P.S.: Happy birthday, Bill (Bogey). :)

P.S.#2: Firefox considers Barrichello as a perfectly English word. (It even offers me Fisichella when I spell the name incorrectly.) But the irony is that 'Firefox' is not a valid word. ;D

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Opus.  As the clock struck 1 AM here, I finally went to la-la land curled up on the couch.  Button was leading when I fell asleep, but Vettel was always lurking.  Redemption!  The race replays at 2 or so this afternoon, and I will try again. ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 29, 2009, 04:11:12 PM
Quote from: opus67 on March 29, 2009, 12:34:01 AM
What a start to the season!

Brawn (-Mercedes) GP 1 and 2, Button and Barrichello. I feel sad for Vettel, though. He really should have been up there.


Watched the complete replay....does not look like Vettel's fault, maybe both drivers?  Dude was still going on three wheels which was cool.  Was he black flagged, or did it finally become impossible to drive?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on March 29, 2009, 04:44:55 PM
I've just watched it via BBC's iPlayer (no time earlier in the day). Perhaps the most surprising thing in the race was a McLaren finishing in p3 and both Ferraris out of the points. This is remarkable because Ferrari looked to have a considerable advantage over McLaren in the previous days.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 29, 2009, 05:13:08 PM
Quote from: Lethe on March 29, 2009, 04:44:55 PM
This is remarkable because Ferrari looked to have a considerable advantage over McLaren in the previous days.

And Toyota 3rd.  I am guessing that the rule changes are not "treating" Ferrari right now.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on March 29, 2009, 05:17:20 PM
Three British teams in the top five constructors too - from a country which had its grand prix threatened by Ecclestone a few years ago in an attempt to get more government investment.

Hehe, I just finished watching the podium. Usually I find this part tedious and turn off, but I can't recall ever seeing two drivers as elated as Button and Rubens were :D It was really nice to see.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 30, 2009, 05:57:25 AM
Quote from: Bogey on March 29, 2009, 04:11:12 PM
Watched the complete replay....does not look like Vettel's fault, maybe both drivers?  Dude was still going on three wheels which was cool.  Was he black flagged, or did it finally become impossible to drive?

The Stewards, though, thought otherwise. He has received a 10-place penalty for the next race in Malaysia, and the team has been fined $50K for letting him drive like that. The way he apologised to the team immediately after the accident, it seemed that he was the one who made a mistake.

Quote from: Lethe on March 29, 2009, 04:44:55 PM
I've just watched it via BBC's iPlayer (no time earlier in the day). Perhaps the most surprising thing in the race was a McLaren finishing in p3 and both Ferraris out of the points. This is remarkable because Ferrari looked to have a considerable advantage over McLaren in the previous days.

As such, both teams' performances were lacklustre. Kimi's was a driver's fault, I presume. I missed the part where he crashed(?).
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 30, 2009, 06:04:12 AM
Quote from: opus67 on March 30, 2009, 05:57:25 AM
The Stewards, though, thought otherwise. He has received a 10-place penalty for the next race in Malaysia, and the team has been fined $50K for letting him drive like that. The way he apologised to the team immediately after the accident, it seemed that he was the one who made a mistake.

As such, both teams' performances were lacklustre. Kimi's was a driver's fault, I presume. I missed the part where he crashed(?).

For letting him drive with bad tires or after the wreck?  If after a wreck, why did the officials not give him a black flag?  Just curious.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 30, 2009, 06:30:48 AM
Quote from: Bogey on March 30, 2009, 06:04:12 AM
For letting him drive with bad tires or after the wreck?

Yes, for driving around in a damaged car (and possibly also because it was under the Safety Car period).

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/3/9098.html

QuoteIf after a wreck, why did the officials not give him a black flag?  Just curious.

I don't know. My guess would be that, in principle, he could have gone into the pits to fix the car and could've come out again. There wasn't any particular reason to eliminate him then, as the decision to penalise him was taken after the race was over. As I said, that's just a guess.


Oh, BTW, where is John? I haven't seen him for a while.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 30, 2009, 06:39:24 AM
Quote from: opus67 on March 30, 2009, 06:30:48 AM
Yes, for driving around in a damaged car (and possibly also because it was under the Safety Car period).

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/3/9098.html

I don't know. My guess would be that, in principle, he could have gone into the pits to fix the car and could've come out again. There wasn't any particular reason to eliminate him then, as the decision to penalise him was taken after the race was over. As I said, that's just a guess.


Oh, BTW, where is John? I haven't seen him for a while.


Thanks!   Maybe it will be discussed a bit before the next race.

As for John, I heard he bet the lot on Team Ferarri .  ;D 

(Seriously, I do not know.  Hopefully he shows up soon.)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: MISHUGINA on March 30, 2009, 06:40:21 AM
Judging from Brawn's dominant performance, F1 is going to be another borefest like Micheal Schumacher years.  ::)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 30, 2009, 06:54:59 AM
Quote from: MISHUGINA on March 30, 2009, 06:40:21 AM
Judging from Brawn's dominant performance, F1 is going to be another borefest like Micheal Schumacher years.  ::)

Huh!?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 30, 2009, 06:57:05 AM
Quote from: Bogey on March 30, 2009, 06:39:24 AM
As for John, I heard he bet the lot on Team Ferarri .  ;D 

(Seriously, I do not know.  Hopefully he shows up soon.)

;D I thought, with him being a Brit and all, he was with the boys from Woking. ;)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on March 30, 2009, 06:59:42 AM
Quote from: MISHUGINA on March 30, 2009, 06:40:21 AM
Judging from Brawn's dominant performance, F1 is going to be another borefest like Micheal Schumacher years.  ::)

Hope that does not happen.  It would be nice to see it go back and forth.  Didn't Brawn assist in Schumacher's success though?  Ross seems to just get it done.

And Trulli/Toyota did not keep its 3rd place, which went to Hamilton and Ferrari:

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/3/9097.html
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on March 30, 2009, 08:18:49 AM
Quote from: Bogey on March 30, 2009, 06:59:42 AMHope that does not happen.  It would be nice to see it go back and forth.  Didn't Brawn assist in Schumacher's success though?  Ross seems to just get it done.

I never understood why he left Ferrari, really. It wasn't because his ability was declining.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on April 02, 2009, 04:39:20 PM
::) Oh dear ::) (http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2009/04/02/Hamiltons_finish_at_Melbourne_overturned/UPI-68081238692198/)

Deserved, but none the less, it continues to make F1 look silly.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on April 02, 2009, 04:58:47 PM
Quote from: Lethe on April 02, 2009, 04:39:20 PM
::) Oh dear ::) (http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2009/04/02/Hamiltons_finish_at_Melbourne_overturned/UPI-68081238692198/)

Deserved, but none the less, it continues to make F1 look silly.

So the whole team got thrown out?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on April 02, 2009, 05:05:42 PM
Quote from: Bogey on April 02, 2009, 04:58:47 PM
So the whole team got thrown out?

The team's constructors points were also removed, yep.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on April 02, 2009, 07:31:00 PM
Well, hopefully everything is totally sorted out before the next race this weekend.  I am yet to pick a team to root for.  Maybe Toyota....that might be underdog enough.  ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on April 02, 2009, 10:24:23 PM
Quote from: Bogey on April 02, 2009, 07:31:00 PM
Well, hopefully everything is totally sorted out before the next race this weekend.  I am yet to pick a team to root for.  Maybe Toyota....that might be underdog enough.  ;D

Don't have the courage to pick Team India, huh? Chicken!

I never liked Ferrari but have alwas supported a Finn, from Hakkinen to Raikonen. So I support Kimi without necessarily supporting his team.

Wait, I do like Massa, too.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on April 03, 2009, 04:56:58 AM
Quote from: springrite on April 02, 2009, 10:24:23 PM
Don't have the courage to pick Team India, huh? Chicken!

I never liked Ferrari but have alwas supported a Finn, from Hakkinen to Raikonen. So I support Kimi without necessarily supporting his team.

Wait, I do like Massa, too.

Well, I figure if I pick Toyota and find that they are not that enjoyable to follow, I may be able to grab a new team the following year since Toyota may not even be an F1 team that exists.  :D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on April 05, 2009, 06:00:07 AM
A request to all fans of F1 in Europe: if you are really intent on watching the races, especially those being held in the Australasia region, the please stay up late or wake up early to watch them. Just give Bernie a call and ask him to shift the race timings to as they were in the previous seasons. Thank you.

::)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on April 19, 2009, 02:18:56 AM
Quote from: Marc on April 19, 2009, 02:01:42 AM
After watching another spectacular Formula One rain race on the telly, I thought I'd better calm down a bit. :)

Another, Marc? AFAIK, there's been only one spectacular rain race this season so far, and it happened today. ;)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on April 19, 2009, 03:29:22 PM
Well, Red Bull probably deserved this drenched one seeing that they give the pre-race show much of its material.  Button with some more points.  See you folks in Sakhir!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on April 19, 2009, 03:38:53 PM
Quote from: opus67 on April 19, 2009, 02:18:56 AM
Another, Marc? AFAIK, there's been only one spectacular rain race this season so far, and it happened today. ;)

Still would like to see them start without the pace car in these conditions. ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on April 29, 2009, 09:17:02 AM
Quote
The FIA's World Motor Sport Council has handed McLaren a three race ban for bringing the sport into disrepute after they were found to have misled race stewards at March's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The ban will be suspended, however, in light of the 'open and honest way' in which team principal Martin Whitmarsh addressed the Council on Wednesday, and will only be applied if further evidence emerges, or there is another breach of the International Sporting Code.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/4/9281.html
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on April 29, 2009, 09:22:06 AM
Embarassingly, I don't have a clue what that means. Suspended as in, they are banned, but oh, actually they are not?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on April 29, 2009, 09:28:27 AM
Quote from: Lethe on April 29, 2009, 09:22:06 AM
Embarassingly, I don't have a clue what that means. Suspended as in, they are banned, but oh, actually they are not?

;D

Even worse, if you ask me, is their justification for the suspension of the ban. It's as though Whitmarsh being "honest" erased the event out of history.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on May 01, 2009, 04:23:59 PM
Quote from: opus67 on April 29, 2009, 09:28:27 AM
;D

Even worse, if you ask me, is their justification for the suspension of the ban. It's as though Whitmarsh being "honest" erased the event out of history.

What is it these days that if you admit your guilt after you get caught, then all is good?  (See Alex Rodiriguez of the NY Yankees for details.)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 03, 2009, 06:27:36 AM
Oh shit.

I've got some posting to do here!! :o
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 04, 2009, 06:13:19 AM
Quote from: MISHUGINA on March 30, 2009, 06:40:21 AM
Judging from Brawn's dominant performance, F1 is going to be another borefest like Micheal Schumacher years.  ::)

Well, I have to start somewhere, and this nonsense will do.
Mishugina, have you watched a GP this season?
No race so far has been a borefest.  None.  Zilch.  Zero. 

It was a combination of luck and Brawns planning that brought Button his victory last time out.  The Toyotas are as hot as my burning house was two months ago.  It is fantastic to see the Ferraris languishing and the McLarens trying to keep up.  It's far from being a borefest, it feels like it's 1989 again.  Development of the Brawn car was a bit stinted towards the end of last year in the changeover from Honda, whose performances in recent years (especially the BAR years) were miles away from the top dogs.  So it is quite a miracle that Brawn is working with his team, putting one over teams he used to work for, especially Ferarri. 
It is fantastic to see a new team lead the F1 pack, and teams like Red Bull, BMW and Toyota making the teams that have dominated for decades look pretty plain.

So far, this is, for me, one of the most exciting seasons since the eighties.  Cars with KERS, cars without KERS, no traction control (and it shows), bald tyres, all manner of changes to make F1 what it once was, the pinnacle of motorsport.

The drivers are much more exciting too, with emerging new talents like Vettel, Glock, Buemi (yes, Buemi IS an exciting driver), etc, and old hands finding new feet, Barrichello, Trulli and Button no less.  All a driver needs is a good car - I think Fisichella in a better car (the bane of his career, he's never had a top car to drive for some reason) would wipe the smiles off everyones faces.

F1 this season is nothing short of SUPERB.  Long may it last.  I'll leave this until the Spanish GP this weekend, at which time I've predicted a sudden drop in the performance of the Brawn - if I'm wrong, and I hope I am, the dominance of Brawn will continue to breathe fresh life into the F1 'borefest' image.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 08, 2009, 08:28:28 AM
Well, here it comes, the Spanish Grand Prix, almost always a turning point for F1 teams.  It is around this time of year that the wheat is sorted from the chaff and most of the final technical developments are put in place by teams who have been working on them since late last year.
Get ready..some furious and fanatical postings to follow...

From www.F1.com

"Friday in Spain could be the most important day yet of the 2009 season, as the European leg of the season kicks off. Most of the teams will be trying out heavily revised aerodynamic packages for the first time on track, thanks to the ban on testing since the series began in Australia back in March.

At Brawn, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will be desperate to know whether a significant update of their BGP001 - the first so far in a season that has seen them dominant - will keep them at the head of the field."

FRIDAY PRACTICE 1 - TIMES

1.  Jenson Button Brawn 1m21.799s 21 Laps
2.  Jarno Trulli Toyota 1m22.154s 30 Laps
3.  Robert Kubica BMW 1m22.221s 24 Laps
4.  Nick Heidfeld BMW 1m22.658s 14 Laps
5.  Kazuki Nakajima Williams 1m22.659s 24 Laps
6.  Nico Rosberg Williams 1m22.667s 26 Laps
7.  Nelson Piquet Jr. Renault 1m22.753s 24 Laps
8.  Timo Glock Toyota 1m22.828s 29 Laps
9.  Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m22.855s 15 Laps
10.  Rubens Barrichello Brawn 1m22.859s 24 Laps
11.  Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1m22.873s 20 Laps
12.  Mark Webber Red Bull Racing 1m22.934s 25 Laps
13.  Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing 1m22.959s 24 Laps
14.  Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1m23.077s 21 Laps
15.  Sebastien Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1m23.088s 30 Laps
16.  Giancarlo Fisichella Force India 1m23.089s 25 Laps
17.  Fernando Alonso Renault 1m23.157s 18 Laps
18.  Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1m23.185s 31 Laps
19.  Heikki Kovalainen McLaren 1m23.522s 17 Laps
20.  Adrian Sutil Force India 1m23.536s 19 Laps
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 08, 2009, 08:47:06 AM
The second Friday practice session times are out, as well [Link (http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2009/808/)] And the Williams are leading this time. Fastest time for the day.

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 08, 2009, 12:12:14 PM
Quote from: opus67 on May 08, 2009, 08:47:06 AM
The second Friday practice session times are out, as well [Link (http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2009/808/)] And the Williams are leading this time. Fastest time for the day.

1 16 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:21.588  43
2 17 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:21.740 0.152 40
3 7 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:21.781 0.193 36
4 23 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:21.843 0.255 39
5 14 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:22.027 0.439 37
6 22 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:22.052 0.464 35
7 15 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:22.082 0.494 45
8 8 Nelsinho Piquet Renault 1:22.349 0.761 26
9 12 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 1:22.571 0.983 17
10 4 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:22.599 1.011 40
11 11 Sebastien Bourdais STR-Ferrari 1:22.615 1.027 30
12 21 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India-Mercedes 1:22.670 1.082 32
13 1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.809 1.221 31
14 2 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.876 1.288 29
15 3 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:22.878 1.290 35
16 5 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:22.948 1.360 40
17 6 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:23.173 1.585 39
18 10 Timo Glock Toyota 1:23.360 1.772 46
19 9 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:23.623 2.035 47
20 20 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes no time  0
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on May 08, 2009, 03:41:02 PM
That Toyota team is kinda hangin' around.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 09, 2009, 04:03:50 AM
Qualifying is underway... ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 09, 2009, 05:59:29 AM
  FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE ESPANA TELEFONICA 2009

1 22 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:20.527
2 15 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:20.660
3 23 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:20.762
4 3 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:20.934
5 14 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:21.049
6 10 Timo Glock Toyota 1:21.247
7 9 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:21.254
8 7 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:21.392
9 16 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:22.558
10 5 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:22.685

After a fairly uninspiring Q1 and Q2, Button pulls through.  They said he was a potential World Champion when he entered F1 nine or so years ago, and now with a nice car under his belt he's proving it.  Again, Vettel kicks his team-mates arse by coming in second on the grid, one can only wonder why Webber is slower - because he IS fast.
The Toyotas creeping in again in good positions and Kubica placed as the highest BMW with no KERS at position 10.  Nico Rosberg showing that practice means nothing, he's in the top 10 in a fairly regular Williams car.  Taking after his Dad.
More than a second seperates 8th and 9th, and more than 2 seconds between pole and 10th.
Spain is one hell of a circuit, the slow corners are awkward (where drivers can make plenty of errors) and the fast corners are swooping.  There are two main full throttle straights where some fantastic battles have taken place in the past...
keep an eye on the two Germans, Glock and Vittel - NOW, BRING IT ON.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on May 09, 2009, 07:07:12 PM
Just watched qualifying on iPlayer - the manner in which the top three appeared for photographers afterwards was neat. One of the nicest things about this season's shake up are that the people on top aren't the usual super egos. They are all half disbelieving their position, or simply have been at the back of the grid often enough to have some humility ingrained in them. They come across as genuinely affable in their interactions with each other (especially Button and Vettel, I think Barrichello is more introvert).
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 10, 2009, 12:53:11 AM
Just wait for them to compete for or win the championship and get into one of the (original) top-tier teams. ;D ;) But yes, Button and Vettel did appear to be quite friendly and were even making jokes in the post-qualifying press conference.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 10, 2009, 06:17:09 AM
I suggest that this image be used as the emblem for the Ferrari F1 team hereafter: (http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/uploaded_images/Horse,%20lame-cartoon-779283.jpg)

I feel sad for Rubino, really; he's forever destined to play the role of second fiddle.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 10, 2009, 09:31:45 AM
Well, not the most exciting race today, but, as they say...thats racing.  You see what happens when you put the right package under a talented driver?  All of a sudden he's Michael Schumaker II.  I thought Glock would get a podium, but he didn't, Webber did, and rightly so.  Webber has always been fast - he even won a race in a Minardi, that takes some topping.  Instead Glock got into a nice tussle with Lewis Hamilton in the middle of the field.
Alonso came a creditable fifth in front of his fanatical home crowd.
At the beginning of the race, just after turn two, cars went skittering off thanks to Trulli's off track antics in his duel with Rosberg.  The two Sebastiens, Buemi and Bourdais, paid the price too, having nowhere to go behind the ill fated duel.
Barrichellos three stop strategy, called by his engineers, cost him the race, (Button two stopped) and one wonders if all the Brawn clout is unfairly behind Button.  Hmm.  I've never been a fan of team orders, but as they say...that's racing.   8)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 14, 2009, 07:36:06 AM
Briatore and Benneton join Ferarri in the tussle over the £40 Million budget cap.  They don't want it either.
I think the cap is a good idea, levelling the playing field some more, and making (the still obscene) money in F1 less of an issue.  But Ferrari want to make it more of an issue, probably because they're having such a shoddy season so far.  I can't think why they want to spend more than the already gob dropping £40m cap.
>:(
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 22, 2009, 12:25:59 PM
MONACO GP 2009
Early Practice Results

;D

First Practice
Thursday, 21 May 2009


1 brazil Rubens Barrichello 23 Brawn-Mercedes 1:17.189
2 brazil Felipe Massa 3 Ferrari 1:17.499
3 great britain Lewis Hamilton 1 McLaren-Mercedes 1:17.578
4 finland Heikki Kovalainen 2 McLaren-Mercedes 1:17.686
5 finland Kimi Raikkonen 4 Ferrari 1:17.839
6 japan Kazuki Nakajima 17 Williams-Toyota 1:18.000
7 germany Nico Rosberg 16 Williams-Toyota 1:18.024
8 great britain Jenson Button 22 Brawn-Mercedes 1:18.080
9 spain Fernando Alonso 7 Renault 1:18.283
10 australia Mark Webber 14 Red Bull-Renault 1:18.348
11 switzerland Sebastien Buemi 12 Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:18.695
12 brazil Nelson Piquet Jr 8 Renault 1:19.204
13 germany Sebastian Vettel 15 Red Bull-Renault 1:19.233
14 france Sebastien Bourdais 11 Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:19.255
15 italy Giancarlo Fisichella 21 Force India-Mercedes 1:19.534
16 poland Robert Kubica 5 BMW Sauber 1:19.560
17 germany Nick Heidfeld 6 BMW Sauber 1:19.579
18 germany Adrian Sutil 20 Force India-Mercedes 1:19.600
19 germany Timo Glock 10 Toyota 1:19.698
20 italy Jarno Trulli 9 Toyota 1:19.831


Second Practice
Thursday, 21 May 2009


1 germany Nico Rosberg 16 Williams-Toyota 1:15.243
2 great britain Lewis Hamilton 1 McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.445
3 brazil Rubens Barrichello 23 Brawn-Mercedes 1:15.590
4 great britain Jenson Button 22 Brawn-Mercedes 1:15.774
5 brazil Felipe Massa 3 Ferrari 1:15.832
6 germany Sebastian Vettel 15 Red Bull-Renault 1:15.847
7 finland Heikki Kovalainen 2 McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.984
8 finland Kimi Raikkonen 4 Ferrari 1:15.985
9 japan Kazuki Nakajima 17 Williams-Toyota 1:16.260
10 brazil Nelson Piquet Jr 8 Renault 1:16.286
11 spain Fernando Alonso 7 Renault 1:16.552
12 australia Mark Webber 14 Red Bull-Renault 1:16.579
13 germany Adrian Sutil 20 Force India-Mercedes 1:16.675
14 italy Jarno Trulli 9 Toyota 1:16.915
15 switzerland Sebastien Buemi 12 Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:16.983
16 france Sebastien Bourdais 11 Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:17.052
17 germany Nick Heidfeld 6 BMW Sauber 1:17.109
18 germany Timo Glock 10 Toyota 1:17.207
19 italy Giancarlo Fisichella 21 Force India-Mercedes 1:17.504
20 poland Robert Kubica 5 BMW Sauber
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on May 22, 2009, 12:50:32 PM
Poor Kubica, stuck with a car which has probably not been equaled in awfulness since Minardi...
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on May 22, 2009, 04:45:51 PM
Quote from: John on May 22, 2009, 12:25:59 PM
MONACO GP 2009

Second Practice
Thursday, 21 May 2009


1 germany Nico Rosberg 16 Williams-Toyota 1:15.243


(http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/smiley-faces-84.gif)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 23, 2009, 12:02:24 AM
Quote from: Bogey on May 22, 2009, 04:45:51 PM
(http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/smiley-faces-84.gif)

You've chosen your driver, I see. ;)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on May 23, 2009, 05:46:43 AM
Quote from: opus67 on May 23, 2009, 12:02:24 AM
You've chosen your driver, I see. ;)

More of a team.  Competitive, but probably not going to win much, so when they do, it will be fun.  Plus the fact (I believe) that they almost did not have a team makes it fun. 
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 23, 2009, 06:14:46 AM
Quote from: Bogey on May 23, 2009, 05:46:43 AM
Plus the fact (I believe) that they almost did not have a team makes it fun. 

???
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 23, 2009, 07:27:11 AM
GRID ORDER MONACO GP 2009
:)
1 great britain Jenson Button 22 Brawn-Mercedes 1:14.902  $:)
2 finland Kimi Raikkonen 4 Ferrari 1:14.927  :P
3 brazil Rubens Barrichello 23 Brawn-Mercedes 1:15.077  >:(
4 germany Sebastian Vettel 15 Red Bull-Renault 1:15.271  ;D
5 brazil Felipe Massa 3 Ferrari 1:15.437  :(
6 germany Nico Rosberg 16 Williams-Toyota 1:15.455  :D
7 finland Heikki Kovalainen 2 McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.516  :-\
8 australia Mark Webber 14 Red Bull-Renault 1:15.653  :)
9 spain Fernando Alonso 7 Renault 1:16.009  :(
10 japan Kazuki Nakajima 17 Williams-Toyota 1:17.344  0:)
11 switzerland Sebastien Buemi 12 Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:15.833  :D
12 brazil Nelson Piquet Jr 8 Renault 1:15.837  >:(
13 italy Giancarlo Fisichella 21 Force India-Mercedes 1:16.146  :o
14 france Sebastien Bourdais 11 Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:16.281  :(
15 germany Adrian Sutil 20 Force India-Mercedes 1:16.545  :)
16 great britain Lewis Hamilton 1 McLaren-Mercedes 1:16.264   :o
17 germany Nick Heidfeld 6 BMW Sauber 1:16.264  :-\
18 poland Robert Kubica 5 BMW Sauber 1:16.405  ???
19 italy Jarno Trulli 9 Toyota 1:16.548  >:(
20 germany Timo Glock 10 Toyota   :'(

Button and Brawn do it again.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on May 23, 2009, 08:50:37 AM
First victory this season for Kimi?  ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 23, 2009, 09:48:05 AM
I missed the qualifiers today. As for the race, Kimi could use the KERS right at the beginning and easily overtake Button -- and this could very well mean victory since the streets of Monte Carlo aren't exactly an overtaker's paradise, but given the recent reliability issues of the Limping Horse, I doubt he, or rather his car, would last all the laps. And what's worse: right behind him are another Brawn and Sebastian Vettel (who, by the way, is my season favourite)!

Interesting line-up of emoticons, John. :)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 23, 2009, 10:30:02 AM
Top 8 - Predicted Result...

1 Rubens Barrichello  (Because he deserves it.)
2 Sebastian Vettel    (Because 'he's worth it'.)
3 Jenson Button       (Because he's had it.)

4 Nico Rosberg         (Because he's near it.)
5 Kimi Raikkonen       (Because he's colder than normal.)
6 Fernando Alonso    (Because he likes card tricks.)

7 Mark Webber         (Because he's on it.)
8 Lewis Hamilton       (Because he's a chosen One.)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on May 23, 2009, 10:32:31 AM
Care you put some money on Button not winning, John? :P

Quote from: opus67 on May 23, 2009, 09:48:05 AM
I missed the qualifiers today. As for the race, Kimi could use the KERS right at the beginning and easily overtake Button

The TV commentators were oddly not talking this up when the final quali results came in - I figure because a car on the inside can seem very wide when it's pushing you against the outside wall, with or without KERS. I would be interested in seeing whether both Kimi and Jenson could get jumped by a 2nd row car during that defense...

If only two teams start to dominate again like in the previous years, I could root for my (totally unrealistic) dream teammate couplings of Kubica and Hamilton vs. Alonso and Vettel (the most racey drivers vs. the most scintillating) :D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 23, 2009, 10:37:02 AM
Quote from: Lethe on May 23, 2009, 10:32:31 AM
Kubica and Hamilton vs. Alonso and Vettel (the most racey drivers vs. the most scintillating) :D

A superb summary!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 23, 2009, 10:41:09 AM
Alonso and another good driver? We all know what happened the last time there was such a coupling. ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on May 23, 2009, 10:45:08 AM
Quote from: opus67 on May 23, 2009, 10:41:09 AM
Alonso and another good driver? We all know what happened the last time there was such a coupling. ;D

Just ensure that he is not British - everybody hates it when those people do well 0:)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 23, 2009, 10:47:18 AM
:D Lots of love for Brawn and Button of late, though.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 23, 2009, 10:49:46 AM
Quote from: John on May 23, 2009, 10:30:02 AM
Top 8 - Predicted Result...

1 Rubens Barrichello  (Because he deserves it.)
2 Sebastian Vettel    (Because 'he's worth it'.)
3 Jenson Button       (Because he's had it.)

4 Nico Rosberg         (Because he's near it.)
5 Kimi Raikkonen       (Because he's colder than normal.)
6 Fernando Alonso    (Because he likes card tricks.)

7 Mark Webber         (Because he's on it.)
8 Lewis Hamilton       (Because he's a chosen One.)

I think we should convert this into a regular game. Let's predict the podium finishers for every race. Shall we?

My predictions based on my super-duper genius analysis (TM):

1. Vettel
2. Button
3. Raikkonen
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 23, 2009, 10:55:30 AM
QuoteOPUS67 said:  My predictions based on my super-duper genius analysis (TM):

1. Vettel
2. Button
3. Raikkonen

Great idea for this thread!  Anyone else?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on May 23, 2009, 11:05:44 AM
It would've been fun to arrange this pre-season. We each assign a top 3, getting 1 point for each correct result. Then at the end we tally them all up :P But this is just my OCD coming into play, informal can be good too 0:)

1. Button
2. Vettel
3. Barrichello

Webber possibly as a wildcard depending on strategy. Shame that Kovalainen is completely undependable, all he can go is down.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 23, 2009, 11:12:21 AM
Let's just assume that we had predicted Ferraris and McLarens and BMWs till now, so that all of us now have 0 points. And then, all of a sudden, we see the light...  0:)

QuoteWebber possibly as a wildcard depending on strategy.

I was wondering why you had "misspelt" the name with the "extra" B. ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on May 23, 2009, 11:18:29 AM
 0:)

Btw, some cute news: US team seeks to join F1 in 2010 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8065395.stm).

The mention of other potential teams as well seems quite neat - shame that the grid can't fit them all in (as much as I would love to see double length tracks with 40 starters, motorbike-style - as if that would ever happen :P). To think that a while ago F1 was so short on teams it was considering letting the big ones field 3 cars.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 24, 2009, 03:56:23 AM
OOOOHHHH   Goody!!

3 mins to go...
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on May 24, 2009, 04:28:46 AM
Well, you guys can forget for Vettel. Barrichelo sure did his thing blocking Kimi and allowing Button to get away, though I am sure that was not the intention as he'd rather be fighting his teammate for the lead. Either way, an exciting race so far.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on May 24, 2009, 05:08:15 AM
Ugh, this race is like old F1 (early 90s-early 00s) again. I'm thinking "this has lasted ages", and see that there are 30 more laps of relative inactivity left to go. They could shave a good 30 mins off this fixture and it would lose little.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on May 24, 2009, 06:05:15 AM
Quote from: Lethe on May 24, 2009, 05:08:15 AM
Ugh, this race is like old F1 (early 90s-early 00s) again. I'm thinking "this has lasted ages", and see that there are 30 more laps of relative inactivity left to go. They could shave a good 30 mins off this fixture and it would lose little.

The beginning 1/4 of the race was very good. But after that it was ugly as hell. Oh, well... at least Kimi got on the podium  ;)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 24, 2009, 06:15:10 AM
Hey, I was at least right about Kimi! ;D It was sad to see Vettel go so early in the race. And great start from Rubino even though that did not translate into race victory.

Quote from: Lethe on May 24, 2009, 05:08:15 AM
I'm thinking "this has lasted ages", and see that there are 30 more laps of relative inactivity left to go.

Me too. ;D I think it's just Monte Carlo. Apart from the overused words like glitz and glamour, it doesn't really offer much in terms of excitement like other circuits do. But I confess, I did watch the whole thing even though I felt it would be ages before it got over.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: drogulus on May 24, 2009, 09:37:30 AM


    Can we just call a halt for a couple of hours out of respect, please? ;) 8)

    (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/ScottDixon2007Indy500Practice.jpg/800px-ScottDixon2007Indy500Practice.jpg)

   
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on May 24, 2009, 09:42:11 AM
Away, Satan!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 24, 2009, 10:00:48 AM
Quote from: drogulus on May 24, 2009, 09:37:30 AM

    Can we just call a halt for a couple of hours out of respect, please? ;) 8)

    (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/ScottDixon2007Indy500Practice.jpg/800px-ScottDixon2007Indy500Practice.jpg)


Get that crap out of here.  This is the F1 thread, not the USA racing thread.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: drogulus on May 24, 2009, 10:37:28 AM
Quote from: Lethe on May 24, 2009, 09:42:11 AM
Away, Satan!

    I am foiled again! ;D

   
Quote from: John on May 24, 2009, 10:00:48 AM
Get that crap out of here.  This is the F1 thread, not the USA racing thread.

    Wow! You just had an opportunity not to be a shithead and blew it for no reason.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on May 24, 2009, 11:14:41 AM
Quote from: drogulus on May 24, 2009, 10:37:28 AM
    I am foiled again! ;D
    Wow! You just had an opportunity not to be a shithead and blew it for no reason.

Aye.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: DavidRoss on May 24, 2009, 01:32:54 PM
Cars (and drivers) that only turn left are like arias (and singers) with a range from C4 to E4.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 06, 2009, 04:52:01 AM
Very exciting last minute in the qualifiers. My prediction for Turkey: they will finish in the same order as they would start. In other words, Vettel, Button, and Rubino.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on June 08, 2009, 01:24:41 PM
Well, a bit late to post this, but this was the result:

                        Driver              Car number     Team     Grid position     Race time     Points
1  great britain    Jenson Button        22    Brawn-Mercedes       2                 1:26:24.848    10
2  australia    Mark Webber        14    Red Bull-Renault       4                 1:26:31.562    8
3  germany    Sebastian Vettel        15    Red Bull-Renault       1                 1:26:32.309    6

Driver of the race has to be Barrichello.  His work behind the wheel is so watchable, and it's great to see the oldest man on the track showing the young guns what racing's about.  Unfortunately, he went out of the race early for the first time this year.

Mark Webber is (even after winning a race in a Minardi) by far one of the most unsung fast guys of F1, and in a good car I expect him to win races.  He's in a good car now.
Vettel is interesting in that he is prone to car strategy instruction from the pitwall..."Watch your brakes at turn nine, you don't need to brake as much..."  Well...he IS young...
Button romped home to galvanise his dominance of the season, I don't think he ever doubted he was going to win.  He's proving to be the Champion they said he someday would be back at the turn of the Milleneum.

A far more interesting (and with Barrichello, exciting) Grand Prix this time around, and lets hope there's more to come in the British GP, Silverstone, 19-21 June.   ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on July 29, 2009, 10:16:41 AM
He's baaack!

I thought it very unlikely when commentators were talking about this possibility.

QuoteFerrari announced on Wednesday that they plan to draft in Michael Schumacher to replace the injured Felipe Massa at forthcoming Grands Prix, until the Brazilian is able to race again.

The seven-times world champion, who retired from Formula One racing at the end of 2006, will undergo a special training programme over the next few days to confirm he is fit enough to compete in next month's European Grand Prix.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/7/9703.html

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: MishaK on July 29, 2009, 10:52:37 AM
BMW announced today that it is withdrawing from F1.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on July 29, 2009, 12:59:47 PM
Ferrari is in a very bad situation at the moment. While Raikkonen is less of a lame duck now, Massa was still probably their number one driver and the Schumacher appointment seems bizarre at best. But whatever, let's wait for the fun.

If Massa is out for good, I feel that they would do well to sign Kubica as soon as they can now that BMW is toast, as he is one of the best drivers in the sport but was stuck in a shockingly bad team. If they were replacing Raikkonen with Alonso next year as some rumours are suggesting, then they shouldn't go back on it - Kubica probably has more drive to succeed and would be a great team mate.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on July 29, 2009, 07:07:33 PM
So much has happened and is happening in F1 it is difficult to keep up.
I have so many other writing commitments that getting to this may never be on time.  :-[
Anyway, Lethe, I completely agree with you about Kubica.  Give that man a faster reliable car, a Ferrari, and he'll crush all of next years championship contenders in about 7 or 8 races.
Massa will be racing in time again, I believe.
I am less sorry for BMW and more sorry for Peter Sauber, who developed that team in the first place before handing over to BMW.
The appointment of Schumaker is priceless, every race is a must see.
The Brawn lag is taking place as I predicted, but I expected it to surface around the Spainish GP...it took a little longer.

It is still anyones championship at the top.
VALENCIA this weekend...
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on April 02, 2010, 11:57:11 PM
The F1 season started with a whimper in Barhain a few weeks ago.  The first race was dubbed as another Borefest, the likes of which we haven't seen since Schumakers time.  But it still is Schumi's time, because he's back...so maybe we were in for a boring season yet again.  Even with NO REFUELLING.
Alosno won the first race, and I do declare that I thought it was a borefest as well...
Then came Melbourne, Australia last week.
Things were a little different there.  In fact, they were a lot different there.  Drivers were overtaking each other willy-nilly, there was off road action, intermittent rain, wheel to wheel action, and everything you'd expect from a brilliant race.  Button came first, Kubica second having raced up from 9th on the grid (great to see him on the podium where he should be) and a committed Massa swept in third.

This weekend the race is in Sepang, Malaysia.  The weather forecast is decidedly miserable, so another great race is garunteed.

Schumakers return is just what I expected.  Low key (in an under performing new car) but steady, I think we will see him in the race press room for the top three now and then in a month or two.  Massa...he's a racer...it burns in him.  No flying nuts and bolts will keep him off the track.  I would like to see him build on the 15 points he won in Australia.  Of the new crop of drivers, Vitaly Petrov, the Russian (Russian GP for 2012, and a projected NEW YORK GP in the same year, can't wait!)...Vitaly Petrov, the Russian, seems to be strong but with a failing car, and Karun Chandhok...well...Chandhok really talks a good race, but we're still waiting to see if he can get a few laps in...Bruno Senna is a welcome addition to the 2010 lineup.  I have a video of Ayrton Senna on a boat, talking to camera, with his wee nephew beside him...the wee nephew turns out to be Bruno, whom I've followed in development through the lower leagues since 2006.  He has a bit of a way to go before he's competitive, mostly because he has a car (Hispania) which doersn't work.

In the background, former F3 title winner Paul Di Resta, a Scot with a fine non-scottish name (ala his cousin, Dario Franchitti), is test driving for Force India.  I bet he's on the track before long, and he will do wonders there.  I say this not because he is Scottish like me, but because he has proved himself in the lower leagues, and he has raced AND beat Vettell and Kubica in the past.  Paul Di Resta is fast...fast fast fast...

Qualifying for the Malaysian GP is beginning in 18:20 minutes, so I'm away for a good watch....
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on April 03, 2010, 06:07:18 AM
It is looking quite good so far, shame that Kubica got cheated out of a possible pole this race...
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on April 03, 2010, 06:22:59 AM
Quote from: Lethe on April 03, 2010, 06:07:18 AM
Kubica got cheated out of a possible pole this race...

At least he has his own self -- a Pole.

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: matti on April 03, 2010, 07:02:37 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on April 03, 2010, 06:22:59 AM
At least he has his own self -- a Pole.

;D

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on April 03, 2010, 09:11:39 PM
Yes.  An F1 car driven by nothing other than a pole is an alarming thought. 
Alas, Kubica is more than that, and I still rate him in the top three drivers out there.  When Lewis Hamilton came into F1 he was asked which driver he would find most challenging to race against.  His answer was Kubica, and for good reason, because Kubica has beaten him before.  Kubicas talent speaks for itself.  This is the guy who won races with with a plastic brace and 18 titanium bolts in his arm...er...because he was involved in a car crash... :-[ 
Anyway, he is solid World Champion material.

Qually results...

1.  Webber.  A dynamite qualifying session in near Monsoon conditions.
2.  Rosberg.  A driver much admired, but I don't rate him.  Not as good as his Dad, less aggressive.
3.  Vettel.  The Red Bull top gun is another World Champion in the making.
4.  Sutil.  Aggressive and under-rated.
5.  Hulkenberg.  German new boy tipped to be the next Schumaker. Hmm...
6.  Kubica.  Enough said.

The race begins in about 4 hours...I'm up for it.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on April 04, 2010, 01:35:46 AM
That was simply dumb, Alonso!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on April 05, 2010, 11:55:39 AM
Hiya fellow petrol heads. Have been a fan of motor sport & F1 in particular for ages but don't follow a particular driver or team. I enjoyed Malaysia but there's already rumour that the Red Bull has an illegal active suspension. I hope not as I like Vettel & his 'Luscious Liz'.

Going to Barcelona and Monza this year.  I try to indulge my passion for opera while I'm on a race trip & as there's nothing I want to see at the Liceu I'm going to a concert at Palau de la Música Catalana. It's advertised as Òpera I Flamenc and I have no idea what it will be like but I'm sure it will be great!



Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on April 05, 2010, 06:07:51 PM
Well Annie, what a wonderful combination of passions!

The Malaysian race went with a ... well, another whimper.  Not much excitement, other than waiting for the rain during the race...all manner of tropical storms were predicted, but nothing turned up!  Hamilton raced a brilliant race, ending in sixth from 20th on the Grid.  The top three were the same as the top 3 qualifiers, but they finished in a different but unsurprising order.
Man of the race was Hamilton.
I sincerely hope we can get another Australia at the next race.   >:D

1 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:33:48.412
2 Mark Webber RBR-Renault  +4.8
3 Nico Rosberg Mercedes GP  +13.5
4 Robert Kubica Renault +18.5
5 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes +21.0
6 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes +23.4

:(
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on April 06, 2010, 09:45:19 AM
My friend & I went to the German GP (Nurburgring) last year & stayed in Koblenz. Found Beethoven's mum's house

(http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/668/img0567x.th.jpg) (http://img64.imageshack.us/i/img0567x.jpg/)   (http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/5715/img0566xg.th.jpg) (http://img203.imageshack.us/i/img0566xg.jpg/)

Me by advertisement for exhibition of F1 photographs by Czech photographer Jiří Křenek.

(http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/1151/img0551schumi.th.jpg) (http://img708.imageshack.us/i/img0551schumi.jpg/)

Met Jiří later at the circuit.

(http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7136/img0697ji.th.jpg) (http://img146.imageshack.us/i/img0697ji.jpg/)

Our grandstand from behind

(http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/4256/img0650stand.th.jpg) (http://img641.imageshack.us/i/img0650stand.jpg/)

View from

(http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/667/img0632x.th.jpg) (http://img683.imageshack.us/i/img0632x.jpg/)

'Kate's Dirty Sister'

(http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/8250/img0699xa.th.jpg) (http://img260.imageshack.us/i/img0699xa.jpg/)






Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on April 06, 2010, 09:51:42 AM
Awesomeness! (Does anyone here hate that word?) Thanks for putting those up, Annie.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on April 18, 2010, 01:26:25 AM
 :D Fantastic race in China!

Hope the teams manage to get back to Europe for the Spanish GP on 9th May, otherwise there won't be much for me & a few thousand Alonso fans to see.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 30, 2010, 09:49:30 AM
So, who do you think was the turkey in Istanbul? Vettel or Webber?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on May 30, 2010, 10:14:45 AM
Vettel ... I think. But it was just two guys wanting to win.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 30, 2010, 10:19:57 AM
Quote from: sospiro on May 30, 2010, 10:14:45 AM
Vettel ... I think. But it was just two guys wanting to win.

Everyone wants to win. The young 'un was just too aggressive (for his own good), and it seemed with his move he wanted to convey "if I don't get anything, you don't too." It's now quite apparent that he is the Hamilton of Red Bull.

(Okay, maybe the last part is a bit speculative. 0:))
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on May 30, 2010, 02:01:15 PM
I found it strange that the Red Bull team seems to have largely given the vibe that they sympathise with Vettel. The steer to the right means that even if Webber was out of line by not yielding (which I don't think he was), Vettel still had at least a 50% part in causing the accident.

Anyway, I liked how close it was until the end, it was rather more motivating than usual for my usual exercise routine during the race. One sad thing is that if the accident didn't happen there was a high chance of yet another parade race with no overtaking amongst the top four. They really need to fix this - KERS didn't work, but the FIA should still be looking at other alternatives.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on May 30, 2010, 11:15:33 PM
Christian Horner has now said Webber was in fuel saving mode so there's probably more to it then RBR are prepared to say.

With Ferrari going backwards, Mercedes & Renault improving the season's cooking up nicely. :D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on May 30, 2010, 11:21:27 PM
Quote from: Lethe on May 30, 2010, 02:01:15 PM


Anyway, I liked how close it was until the end, it was rather more motivating than usual for my usual exercise routine during the race. One sad thing is that if the accident didn't happen there was a high chance of yet another parade race with no overtaking amongst the top four.

Most people watch races for one of two things or both: overtaking and crashes. While we hope not to see the latter because of the danger involved, we sure can't go without the overtaking. We can't be without SOB's like Hamilton. Ideally, for me anyway, he overtakes a few and crashes before the end.  Oh, well.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on May 30, 2010, 11:38:16 PM
Quote from: sospiro on May 30, 2010, 11:15:33 PM
With Ferrari going backwards, Mercedes & Renault improving the season's cooking up nicely. :D

Not really impressed with the way things are at Mercedes, but Petrov has been quite good so far.

And here's adding some fuel to the fire, courtesy one Lewis Hamilton.

Quote
Lewis Hamilton, who profited from the collision, pointed out that Vettel had done a similar thing to him earlier in the race. "He was so aggressive as he tried to turn into me, but fortunately I had enough space," Hamilton said. "It was the exact same thing as he did to Mark.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/7787059/F1-Turkish-Grand-Prix-Sebastian-Vettel-ruins-hope-of-Red-Bull-one-two-in-Istanbul.html
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on June 13, 2010, 10:29:00 AM
Good race in Canada but wrong result.  >:(  I wanted Fernando to win.

Ferrari should have brought Nando in sooner for tyres but the Maccas' tyres lasted better anyway. I thought we'd seen the last of Ron-smugmug-Dennis??
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 23, 2010, 08:13:19 AM
QuoteFrom 2011, any driver whose best qualifying lap exceeds 107% of the fastest Q1 qualifying time will not be allowed to take part in the race. Under exceptional circumstances, however, which may include setting a suitable lap time in a free practice session, the stewards may permit the car to start the race. Should there be more than one driver accepted in this manner, the grid order will be determined by the stewards.

More (http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/6/10935.html).
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on June 23, 2010, 09:01:08 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on June 23, 2010, 08:13:19 AM
More (http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/6/10935.html).

Fuel draining
With immediate effect, if a sample of fuel is required after a practice session the car concerned must have first been driven back to the pits under its own power.


(http://i49.tinypic.com/2cxb6hc.gif)  (http://i49.tinypic.com/2cxb6hc.gif)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 23, 2010, 09:10:59 AM
Quote from: sospiro on June 23, 2010, 09:01:08 AM
Fuel draining
With immediate effect, if a sample of fuel is required after a practice session the car concerned must have first been driven back to the pits under its own power.


(http://i49.tinypic.com/2cxb6hc.gif)  (http://i49.tinypic.com/2cxb6hc.gif)


Prior to your post, I did not take notice of the words 'With immediate effect.' Good rule change, indeed.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on June 23, 2010, 09:34:00 AM
I don't understand the 107% rule being introduced now, when there are already new teams who have been struggling with the no mid-season practicing rule. Isn't this just punishing the ones that need the most support?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on June 27, 2010, 04:24:05 AM
It's been a long time since I've seen an F1 car upside-down. Usually the way they are built and the nature of many of the accidents keeps them quite effectively on the ground.

Amazing to see Webber walk away from it right away.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Papy Oli on June 27, 2010, 04:25:29 AM
frightening onboard pics when he takes off...  :o
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Marc on June 27, 2010, 05:53:10 AM
Quote from: papy on June 27, 2010, 04:25:29 AM
frightening onboard pics when he takes off...  :o
Really?

http://www.youtube.com/v/Q5EDfCvhnQQ

Nice view of the beautiful sky. :P

I watched my first Formula 1 races in the early 70s, and they definitely caused somed nightmares.

Luckilly, the sport has changed, and Webber is now able to survive this.
In the early days that was almost impossible. I remember that almost any crash ended in a blistering fire .... those cars were like racing firebombs then. :-\
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on June 27, 2010, 06:21:20 AM
Webber was very lucky.

Well done Seb but it's about time the FIA sorted the Safety Car regs.  I'm surprised Alonso's helmet didn't give off steam like my pressure cooker does but he might yet score more points.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 27, 2010, 07:00:02 AM
I loved the comment from Horner after he congratulated Vettel on the win (and I might be paraphrasing):  Germany's best result for today. :D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on July 11, 2010, 06:22:00 AM
A wonderful comeback for Silverstone -- the best race of the season so far!

An entertaining football match last night, a fast race with plenty of overtaking this evening. Yes, tonight's final is going to be a downer. :(
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on July 11, 2010, 06:45:12 AM
F1 has been getting better and better since the years of (pre-retirement) Schumacher-induced boredom - somehow despite the fact that the number of impressive crashes has decreased from those times (remember when Monaco was a guaranteed pile-up every first lap?).

It was nice fun to watch, and I hope Alonso doesn't get too bitter about the penalty - I feel that he won't be able to seriously challenge for another championship until he quits whining about baggage that other drivers can just shrug off. Kobayashi has been great once again, and is slowly dispelling the previously unfortunate stat that Japanese race drivers in F1 tended to be quite hazardous to be around - either doing well or crashing out (Sato was definitive of this kind of driver).
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on July 11, 2010, 07:32:22 AM
Great race & pleased for Webber but he needs to stop whining so publicly. "Not bad for the No. 2 driver"  >:(
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on August 29, 2010, 06:13:03 AM
Congrats Lewis. With a superior car, Red Bull are doing their level best to lose both WDC & WCC

Standings after Spa

1      Lewis Hamilton 182
2      Mark Webber 179
3     Sebastian Vettel 151
4     Jenson Button 147
5     Fernando Alonso 141
6     Felipe Massa 109
7     Robert Kubica 104
8     Nico Rosberg 102
9     Adrian Sutil 45
10    Michael Schumacher 44
11    Rubens Barrichello 30
12    Kamui Kobayashi 21
13    Vitaly Petrov 19
14    Vitantonio Liuzzi 12
15    Nico Hulkenberg 10
16    Sebastien Buemi 7
17    Pedro de la Rosa 6
18    Jaime Alguersuari 4
19    Heikki Kovalainen 0
20    Karun Chandhok 0
21    Lucas di Grassi 0
22    Jarno Trulli 0
23    Bruno Senna 0
24    Timo Glock 0
25    Sakon Yamamoto 0
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on August 29, 2010, 07:10:28 AM
Ferrari seem to be a wonderful curse to the best drivers at the moment. I hope Alonso doesn't go the way of Räikkönen.

Isn't it remarkable how some commenters suggested Button joining McLaren might have been a bad move due to potentially two top drivers being too big to work with one another, and yet it is currently this team that is looking the most at ease with each other among the majors.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: RJR on January 29, 2011, 04:10:24 PM
Quote from: John on March 10, 2009, 06:04:43 PM
Well, is it unusual that a Classical Music maniac is JUST as fanatical about F1?  Sacred Cantatas can't be heard when you're thundering down the Hangar Straight @ 200mph or high speed wheel jostling uphill into a completely blind Eau Rouge corner with a Ferrari less than a foot in front of you and an erratic rookie six inches off collision beside you.   :o
Formula One is fabulous racing.
For a while there, certainly before the last two or three seasons, it had become frumpy and predictable, it lost its drama and became like watching a procession of cars doing the same thing every two or three weeks.  Sad to say that for over a decade it became boring.   :'(  At the beginning of the milleneum I thought the introduction of Juan Pablo Montoya would spice things up, but it didn't.  F1 was spending stupid money trying to make things better, but F1 became pretty stupid itself.  The only saving grace over the last 15 years was Michael Schumaker forging himself the status of legend. 
Then something changed (again), and it wasn't just Lewis Hamiltons arrival.
New, exciting circuits like Valencia and a night-time race in Singapore.  New drivers who were hungry, Vettel, Albers (why was he dropped?), Hamilton, Kubica (watch out for him, he is FAST) and the rest...Nowadays, sometimes even a no hope car can win. 
Driver development is interesting too.  Massa, turning from a podgy young off-a-lot with Sauber in 2002 to a polished and focused professional with Ferarri in 2008.  Polands first ever F1 driver in Robert Kubica, putting to shame more experienced drivers who were expected to beat him....
2009 intrioduces a season with rule changes which will wipe the historical board.  Gone are the stupid groove tyres (which were introduced 12 years ago to slow the cars down!), and back come the slicks, making for faster need-to-control racing.  Slicks are back to make the cars faster  :o because the new aerodynamic rules slow the car down - but the aerodynamic changes mean less downforce, significantly increasing the chances of car overtaking.  Also introduced is an energy conservation system which will allow the cars to use a 'boost' button when they think it strategically necessary.  A similar feature can be found in Johnathan Palmers racing series, but bringing it to F1 really spices things up.
16 Days to go before the new season starts.  Can't wait.
What Classical Music would fit the character of F1?  Beethovens 5th at high tempo?  George Crumbs 'Black Angels'?  Last three minuites of Furtwanglers Beethoven 9?  Well, it has always troubled me, and I've not found something to fit yet.  Any suggestions would be terrific.
;D

PS:  If no-one is interested in F1, too bad, for the coming Summer this post will be regular at least by me.
Two years later but the what hay. The final movement of Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra might do the trick.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on February 01, 2011, 05:18:38 AM
The most depressing positive-sounding headline I have read: Toro Rosso aiming for eighth with 'unconventional' STR6 (http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/2/11695.html)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 02, 2011, 06:25:19 PM
Quote;D
PS:  If no-one is interested in F1, too bad, for the coming Summer this post will be regular at least by me.

That was my first post...Well, what a load of blethers, I hardly got past Spain in the Calendar that year, and became conspicuous by absence the following year.
:o
Ach well, a new season beckons...AND A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT KIND OF RACING IT WILL BE...
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 04, 2011, 10:59:45 PM
What a wierd looking F1 car this season.
1999 meets 1971?

(http://img.skysports.com/11/02/800x600/Jenson-Button-Lewis-Hamilton-MP426-Launch_2558648.jpg)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on February 06, 2011, 09:18:15 AM
Looks like Lady Luck is smiling at Senna, Jr.




Renault race driver Robert Kubica has been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his right arm, leg and hand after suffering a high-speed accident on Sunday while competing in the Ronde di Andora Rally in Italy.

Kubica, a regular in rallying events alongside his F1 career, was airlifted from the scene of the crash and has been undergoing surgery at the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure. His co-driver Jakub Gerber was unhurt.

It means Kubica will be forced to miss this week’s Formula One test session at Jerez in Spain, and also puts him in doubt for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix next month. Top of the list to stand in for the Pole will be Bruno Senna, who raced for HRT last season and was announced as a Renault third driver earlier this week.

Reports suggest that Kubica lost control of his Skodia Fabia and hit a wall during Sunday’s opening rally stage. Renault are expected to release more details on his condition later on Sunday.


Formula1.com (http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2011/2/11714.html)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 06, 2011, 02:43:40 PM
Bad news for Kubica and his fan (me, lol).   :'(
Senna in a Renault - now we might get a chance to see if  he can match his past achievements in F1 feeders...
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 17, 2011, 02:34:39 AM
Just to remind everyone, especially those who don't like F1 but clicked on this to see what was happening, that the F1 Race season starts in less than a month.   :P
It seems year-in-year-out we always say "it will be better this year because of the off season changes" - sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.  The 2008 season wasn't much changed.  The 2009 season WAS much changed, but the season wasn't all THAT spectacular.  The 2010 season saw some pretty drastic changes, and we DID get a season which was pretty exciting.  I can only say that the MASSIVE AMOUNT changes this year, including strong indications from the new Pirelli tyres, that this season will most definitely be one of the closest race seasons since Piquet, Senna and Prost were at it.  The coming season looks like one of the most competitive for years...
In the absence of my favourite driver, Kubicka, I am now looking out for newboy with Force India, Paul di Resta.  I mean it.  This guy is going to make a few of the Richer F1 heads turn, and tho' 'tis bold of me to assert, he will probably end up in the top 4 drivers at the end of the Season...that's putting my neck on the block...

di Resta in action:
(http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/dire_forc_sepa_2010-1.jpg)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on February 20, 2011, 12:39:58 PM
Given how the past few seasons have demonstrated that reliability wins championships, McLaren isn't looking too clever right now ???
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Henk on February 20, 2011, 12:47:55 PM
This is no sports forum. Can this thread be deleted?

I understand that people who have no facebook want to have some fun, but not here.

Henk
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on February 20, 2011, 12:48:57 PM
Bahrain GP is looking uncertain. It attracts so few fans anyway.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on February 20, 2011, 12:56:50 PM
Quote from: Henk on February 20, 2011, 12:47:55 PM
This is no sports forum. Can this thread be deleted?

I understand that people who have no facebook want to have some fun, but not here.

Henk

I'm a Ferrari fan & went to Milan in September for the GP.  I'm also an opera fan so while I was there I visited Verdi's home for retired musicians, La Scala (sadly only for a look round), Donizetti museum in Bergamo where he was born and Mantua where the week before they'd done the 'opera film' Rigoletto.

Being obsessed with both Ferrari & opera is considered quite normal in Italy so I don't think this thread is out of place at all.

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Henk on February 20, 2011, 01:02:27 PM
Quote from: sospiro on February 20, 2011, 12:56:50 PM
I'm a Ferrari fan & went to Milan in September for the GP.  I'm also an opera fan so while I was there I visited Verdi's home for retired musicians, La Scala (sadly only for a look round), Donizetti museum in Bergamo where he was born and Mantua where the week before they'd done the 'opera film' Rigoletto.

Being obsessed with both Ferrari & opera is considered quite normal in Italy so I don't think this thread is out of place at all.

Well as long it's not about sports and commerce.

Henk
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 20, 2011, 01:56:31 PM
Quote from: Henk on February 20, 2011, 01:02:27 PM
This is no sports forum. Can this thread be deleted?
I understand that people who have no facebook want to have some fun, but not here.
...
Well as long it's not about sports and commerce.
Henk

This is The Diner.  By its very nature we can talk about anything within the parameters of common decency in here.  It belongs here alright.   :)
And why do you not like people having fun, you miserable git?  ???
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Henk on February 21, 2011, 06:00:11 AM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on February 20, 2011, 01:56:31 PM
This is The Diner.  By its very nature we can talk about anything within the parameters of common decency in here.  It belongs here alright.   :)
And why do you not like people having fun, you miserable git?  ???

It´s about wealth and health here, in a playful manner however, but NOT fun >:(, go elsewhere.

Henk
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 21, 2011, 06:52:40 AM
Wealth and Health?
What are you on about?
???   :o

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on February 21, 2011, 09:33:47 AM
One of the greatest ever overtaking moves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1WuWu8kGak&feature=player_embedded
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 21, 2011, 09:39:40 AM
Quote from: sospiro on February 21, 2011, 09:33:47 AM
One of the greatest ever overtaking moves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1WuWu8kGak&feature=player_embedded

Fabulous.  I remember jumping out of my chair when I saw that.  At that time, I was a Hakkinen supporter, and nothing was sweeter than seeing him kick Schumaker right in the exhaust pipes.
Thanks for the reminder.   ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on February 21, 2011, 09:45:38 AM
Eau Rouge makes me weak in my knees, every time one of those cars takes it on at full speed. Beyond the quasi-adrenaline-rush that takes place while watching it on TV, there is something so beautiful I find in that corner.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 21, 2011, 10:15:55 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on February 21, 2011, 09:45:38 AM
Eau Rouge makes me weak in my knees, every time one of those cars takes it on at full speed. Beyond the quasi-adrenaline-rush that takes place while watching it on TV, there is something so beautiful I find in that corner.

Yes Navneeth, one of the most famous track sections in F1.  At the top of it you're taking a blind corner @ 300km ph. 

Here is a funny video from 2009 in which Hitler discusses Alonso joining Ferrari!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTfMFgD4ntI&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTfMFgD4ntI&feature=related)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bulldog on February 21, 2011, 10:25:10 AM
Quote from: Henk on February 20, 2011, 12:47:55 PM
This is no sports forum. Can this thread be deleted?

Goodness, stop being a jerk.  Although the subject doesn't float my boat, it certainly is appropriate for the Diner.

The pertinenet question is why you can't see it.  What's wrong with you?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on February 21, 2011, 10:32:28 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on February 21, 2011, 09:45:38 AM
Eau Rouge makes me weak in my knees, every time one of those cars takes it on at full speed. Beyond the quasi-adrenaline-rush that takes place while watching it on TV, there is something so beautiful I find in that corner.

Spa is amazing - have you been?

These are from 2009.

(http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/2214/img0835heikkix.th.jpg) (http://img546.imageshack.us/i/img0835heikkix.jpg/)(http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3320/img0850lewisx.th.jpg) (http://img145.imageshack.us/i/img0850lewisx.jpg/)

Pitlane visit

(http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/5189/eaurouge.th.jpg) (http://img823.imageshack.us/i/eaurouge.jpg/)(http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7531/img0876frommygrandstand.th.jpg) (http://img40.imageshack.us/i/img0876frommygrandstand.jpg/)

Eau Rouge!  .................. view from my grandstand

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on February 21, 2011, 10:38:40 AM
Quote from: sospiro on February 21, 2011, 10:32:28 AM
Spa is amazing - have you been?

Nope. :(

Quote
These are from 2009.

(http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/2214/img0835heikkix.th.jpg) (http://img546.imageshack.us/i/img0835heikkix.jpg/)(http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3320/img0850lewisx.th.jpg) (http://img145.imageshack.us/i/img0850lewisx.jpg/)

Pitlane visit

(http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/5189/eaurouge.th.jpg) (http://img823.imageshack.us/i/eaurouge.jpg/)(http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7531/img0876frommygrandstand.th.jpg) (http://img40.imageshack.us/i/img0876frommygrandstand.jpg/)

Eau Rouge!  .................. view from my grandstand

The view from the elevation is amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 21, 2011, 10:45:32 AM
Quote from: sospiro on February 21, 2011, 10:32:28 AM
Spa is amazing - have you been?
These are from 2009.
(http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/2214/img0835heikkix.th.jpg) (http://img546.imageshack.us/i/img0835heikkix.jpg/)(http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3320/img0850lewisx.th.jpg) (http://img145.imageshack.us/i/img0850lewisx.jpg/)
Pitlane visit
(http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/5189/eaurouge.th.jpg) (http://img823.imageshack.us/i/eaurouge.jpg/)(http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7531/img0876frommygrandstand.th.jpg) (http://img40.imageshack.us/i/img0876frommygrandstand.jpg/)
Eau Rouge!  .................. view from my grandstand

Annie.  Can we get married?   :o
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 21, 2011, 10:47:15 AM
Quote from: Bulldog on February 21, 2011, 10:25:10 AM
Goodness, stop being a jerk.  Although the subject doesn't float my boat, it certainly is appropriate for the Diner.
The pertinenet question is why you can't see it.  What's wrong with you?

Yes.  It is unusual for Henk to be like this.  Come back the Henk we know!   :(
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on February 21, 2011, 11:04:13 AM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on February 21, 2011, 10:45:32 AM
Annie.  Can we get married?   :o

(http://www.yelims.com/IPB/Invision-Board-France-78.gif)

I am honoured kind sir, are you rich?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Henk on February 21, 2011, 11:14:08 AM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on February 21, 2011, 10:47:15 AM
Yes.  It is unusual for Henk to be like this.  Come back the Henk we know!   :(

John, I'm just drawing the conclusions from my own thoughts. As GMG we have to take decisive steps now. Fun should not be allowed. Fun you find in the outside world, not here. And maybe not even in the outside world.

This change should take place gradually. So, thanks for your concerns, I share them.

Henk
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on February 21, 2011, 11:15:37 AM
Quote from: sospiro on February 21, 2011, 11:04:13 AM
(http://www.yelims.com/IPB/Invision-Board-France-78.gif)

I am honoured kind sir, are you rich?

Your reply reminded me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/v/PlA_hL3NyyU

;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 21, 2011, 12:12:36 PM
Quote from: Henk on February 21, 2011, 11:14:08 AM
John, I'm just drawing the conclusions from my own thoughts. As GMG we have to take decisive steps now. Fun should not be allowed. Fun you find in the outside world, not here. And maybe not even in the outside world.

This change should take place gradually. So, thanks for your concerns, I share them.

Henk


LOL
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 21, 2011, 12:16:08 PM
Quote from: sospiro on February 21, 2011, 11:04:13 AM
(http://www.yelims.com/IPB/Invision-Board-France-78.gif)
I am honoured kind sir, are you rich?

Why, kind lady, I am one who is rich in spirit and broad in gesture!
But...I am not wealthy.   :-[
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Henk on February 21, 2011, 02:12:08 PM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on February 21, 2011, 12:12:36 PM

LOL

what's so funny?

You should make a difference between humour and fun. Didn't your mom learned you this? You're just a dumb guy, like MNDave. Go away from these boards, leave and never come back.

Henk

PS Ok, I don't mean this completely serious.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 21, 2011, 03:06:23 PM
Quote from: Henk on February 21, 2011, 02:12:08 PM
what's so funny?
You should make a difference between humour and fun. Didn't your mom learned you this? You're just a dumb guy, like MNDave. Go away from these boards, leave and never come back.
Henk
PS Ok, I don't mean this completely serious.

??? What a strange person.   ???
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Henk on February 21, 2011, 03:26:57 PM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on February 21, 2011, 03:06:23 PM
??? What a strange person.   ???

Fun is just a very negative word to me, as well as the word joke. If people do have fun or make jokes, they are making excuses, they are ashamed of themselves. Talking about people as Dave, he has deprived his mind by reading too many books. He totally transformed himself to a hopeless, sick and dull human being.

Henk
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Szykneij on February 21, 2011, 03:40:54 PM
Quote from: Henk on February 21, 2011, 03:26:57 PM
Fun is just a very negative word to me, as well as the word joke. If people do have fun or make jokes, they are making excuses, they are ashamed of themselves. Talking about people as Dave, he has deprived his mind by reading too many books. He totally transformed himself to a hopeless, sick and dull human being.

Henk

You don't want anything to do with sports, yet you're posting here and insulting a member who hasn't even posted on this thread. Did you come back to GMG just to be a troll?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on February 21, 2011, 08:38:32 PM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on February 21, 2011, 12:16:08 PM
Why, kind lady, I am one who is rich in spirit and broad in gesture!
But...I am not wealthy.   :-[

Mmm rich in spirit/broad in gesture is good. However I carry a dark secret which makes this relationship doomed before it starts -

I am a lifelong & paid up member of the Michael Schumacher Fan Club

:D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Henk on February 22, 2011, 01:01:48 AM
Quote from: Szykneij on February 21, 2011, 03:40:54 PM
You don't want anything to do with sports, yet you're posting here and insulting a member who hasn't even posted on this thread. Did you come back to GMG just to be a troll?

Dave is curing his mind already, I've noticed. His role will be "submissive" however. He won't regret.

Stay, Dave, don't ever leave, let's roll! Let GMG spread health and wealth all over the world!!

Henk
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 22, 2011, 03:48:45 AM
Henk, GTF off this thread, you're on a soliloquy about people who aren't anything to do with this thread at the moment.  This thread is about F1. 

Meanwhile, the first race at Dubai Barhain has been cancelled due to Political upheaval there, and now we have to wait until Melbourne before things get going. 
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 22, 2011, 03:49:38 AM
Quote from: sospiro on February 21, 2011, 08:38:32 PM
Mmm rich in spirit/broad in gesture is good. However I carry a dark secret which makes this relationship doomed before it starts -

I am a lifelong & paid up member of the Michael Schumacher Fan Club

:D

:'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on February 22, 2011, 04:03:21 AM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on February 22, 2011, 03:48:45 AM
Meanwhile, the first race at Dubai has been cancelled due to Political upheaval there, and now we have to wait until Melbourne before things get going. 

Bahrain, sir. Different Emirates but under one Sheikh.

Oh, remember one of the earliest, if not the first, rules of the Internet: don't feed the troll.

:)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Henk on February 22, 2011, 04:42:03 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on February 22, 2011, 04:03:21 AM
Bahrain, sir. Different Emirates but under one Sheikh.

Oh, remember one of the earliest, if not the first, rules of the Internet: don't feed the troll.

:)

I'm about to slaughter you alive, poor guy. Do you call me a troll?

Henk
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 22, 2011, 05:07:41 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on February 22, 2011, 04:03:21 AM
Bahrain, sir. Different Emirates but under one Sheikh.
:)

Oh yes.  Sorry!  I have a good mind to call Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa and say sorry too, as Bahrain is his kingdom, and he will not be happy about being confused with Dubai.  Yes, Bahrain called off.   :-[
And thanks for the feeding instructions Navneeth.  They are now incorporated.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Henk on February 22, 2011, 05:13:47 AM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on February 22, 2011, 05:07:41 AM
Oh yes.  Sorry!  I have a good mind to call Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa and say sorry too, as Bahrain is his kingdom, and he will not be happy about being confused with Dubai.  Yes, Bahrain called off.   :-[
And thanks for the feeding instructions Navneeth.  They are now incorporated.

John, stay in your silly thread. You won´t find me here anymore. This thread will soon be closed down by the moderators.

Henk
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on February 23, 2011, 04:55:48 PM
Here is some more stuff for my silly thread.
I pitted some of GMGs brightest drivers against each other in a quickrace for the Italian GP in a very old game called GP4.
Here are the results.

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: MishaK on February 23, 2011, 06:17:42 PM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on February 23, 2011, 04:55:48 PM
Here is some more stuff for my silly thread.
I pitted some of GMGs brightest drivers against each other in a quickrace for the Italian GP in a very old game called GP4.
Here are the results.

No wonder I came in last. You put me on a steed I have never before ridden. Never heard any Rott in my life. What is wrong with you? How did you come up with those associations?  ;)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on February 23, 2011, 06:34:50 PM
My car sucks! I want a transfer to Martinu-Jarvi Motors! :3
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Marc on February 24, 2011, 10:17:05 AM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on February 23, 2011, 04:55:48 PM
Here is some more stuff for my silly thread.
I pitted some of GMGs brightest drivers against each other in a quickrace for the Italian GP in a very old game called GP4.
Here are the results.

That's insulting!

I'm bright!
I've been playing GP1, GP2, GP3 and GP4 for years!

And I wasn't even on the grid? :o
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 11, 2011, 08:15:28 PM
Quote from: Marc on February 24, 2011, 10:17:05 AM
That's insulting!
I'm bright!
I've been playing GP1, GP2, GP3 and GP4 for years!
And I wasn't even on the grid? :o

You were too busy at Jerez testing cars with your co-driver, Ricardo Rosset.   :o  :)

Meanwhile, here's the latest from testing.  Has MS now got the car underneath him to repeat old triumphs?  This weekend should have seen the start of the new Season...only two weeks to go...

Fastest times, final pre-season test, day three, Circuit de Catalunya:

1 Michael Schumacher (Ger) Mercedes 1:21.268 seconds
2 Fernando Alonso (Spn) Ferrari 1:21.614
3 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes 1:21.788
4 Nick Heidfeld (Ger) Renault 1:22.073
5 Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Williams-Cosworth 1:22.233
6 Kamui Kobayashi (Jpn) Sauber-Ferrari 1:22.315
7 Jaime Alguersuari (Spa) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:22.675
8 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull-Renault 1:22.933
9 Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Lotus-Renault 1:23.437
10 Paul Di Resta (GB) Force India-Mercedes 1:23.653
11 Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Mercedes 1:23.921
12 Pastor Maldonado (Ven) Williams-Cosworth 1:24.108
13 Jenson Button (GB) McLaren-Mercedes 1:25.837
14 Jerome d'Ambrosio (Bel) Virgin-Cosworth 1:27.375

Come on Di Resta.  :(
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Marc on March 14, 2011, 01:07:42 PM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on March 11, 2011, 08:15:28 PM
You were too busy at Jerez testing cars with your co-driver, Ricardo Rosset.   :o  :)

Ah!
Ricardo!
Historic Formula One Hero!
;)

(http://i56.tinypic.com/14wwrja.jpg)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 15, 2011, 08:28:41 PM
Yes Marc.   ;D

But I was sorry to hear you had picked up the mantle from Rosset, and he outshone you in the sessions.  It was very sad, though, to hear of what happened, Rosset going out in the pit exit and you following not far in front.   :-[  F1PixPress Inc of Canada  ???  has supplied me with photos of your teams misfortunes, and I publish them herewith.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Marc on March 15, 2011, 08:49:27 PM
This proves that guys like Ricardo and myself are necessary for the attractiveness of Formula One. ;D
It's also nice to see that I'm competing with a.o. with my fellow countryman Jos "The (Wannabe) Boss" Verstappen. And the yellowish McLaren helmet in the 2nd pic, is that Blundell .... or is it Senna Anno Domini 1993?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 19, 2011, 12:29:45 AM
Quote from: Marc on March 15, 2011, 08:49:27 PM
This proves that guys like Ricardo and myself are necessary for the attractiveness of Formula One. ;D
It's also nice to see that I'm competing with a.o. with my fellow countryman Jos "The (Wannabe) Boss" Verstappen. And the yellowish McLaren helmet in the 2nd pic, is that Blundell .... or is it Senna Anno Domini 1993?

Well Marc, I sold my laptop in favour of a desktop, and now my gaming power has increased by a factor of google.  I am racing R Factor (F1 Mods), but just like you I was an advocate of the Crammond GPx series when it was the daddy.  I loved it.  Most played for me was GP2.  Anyway, I will do a GMG race through R Factor.  We will all be racing in 2009 cars and you will have a seat in the Brawn.  I'll post results soon.
I am a wee child sometimes!   :-\ ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Marc on March 19, 2011, 02:38:16 AM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on March 19, 2011, 12:29:45 AM
Well Marc, I sold my laptop in favour of a desktop, and now my gaming power has increased by a factor of google.  I am racing R Factor (F1 Mods), but just like you I was an advocate of the Crammond GPx series when it was the daddy.  I loved it.  Most played for me was GP2.  Anyway, I will do a GMG race through R Factor.  We will all be racing in 2009 cars and you will have a seat in the Brawn.  I'll post results soon.

GP2 for me, too. Using GP2Edit and GP2Lap as main editors.
The only disadvantage with that great game was the fact that the weather conditions could not change.
Some ten years ago, shorty after GP4 was released, I switched to the EA Sports ice hockey games, though.

But also in those games one is able to make an entire GMG team! ;D

In my case, during the years, game playing lost the battle against music listening. :)

Quote from: John of Glasgow
I am a wee child sometimes!   :-\ ;D

All males are children. ;)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on March 27, 2011, 12:00:00 AM
Brilliant race, worth getting up for & great to see three different manufacturers on the podium. Congrats to Vettel whose face fluff makes him look like he hasn't started shaving yet never mind being WDC. Well done Hamilton but especially well done to Petrov. I'm sure this will be added incentive to Kubica to get fit.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Marc on March 27, 2011, 12:14:25 AM
What the h[... censored] was old Rubens thinking when trying to overtake Rosberg Junior? ???
Only one stop for Sergio Pérez's Sauber, quite astonishing.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 27, 2011, 12:41:40 AM
Quote from: sospiro on March 27, 2011, 12:00:00 AM
Brilliant race, worth getting up for & great to see three different manufacturers on the podium. Congrats to Vettel whose face fluff makes him look like he hasn't started shaving yet never mind being WDC. Well done Hamilton but especially well done to Petrov. I'm sure this will be added incentive to Kubica to get fit.

Aye!
Petrov had a breathtaking race - I thought Alonso would catch him in the final four, but Petrov stayed cool.  Vettel didn't have to do much fighting to win the race, but poor old Webber did have to do a lot of fighting to end up in fifth place.  I was sorry to  see Schumi slip out of the race early on, I thought he would have a lot more to offer.  Another revelation is Perez, the rookie Mexican, holding an underperforming car with only one pitstop to finish in the points!  Button got sidewayed by a brilliantly aggressive Massa, but poor Button had to take a stop go because of it.  Hamilton and his yellow helmet off to a good start with 2nd, Paul Di Resta of Scotland finished the race outside the points and a place behind his teammate.  Whilst Petrov was minding his own business ripping his way around Melbourne, one wonders what his vastly more experienced team mate was doing in the doldrums.  Barrichello forced an accident (unusual for him) with Rosberg, Rosberg went out and Barrichello was forced to retire his car later in the race.
The new Pirelli tyres are completely different to the Bridgestones of old, it is my feeling that they are real racing tyres, much better to grip, much worse with wear, and a better option than the Bridgestones which ran until last year.  The KERS system...is still a joke - the Red Bulls didn't even have it on their car, and they still finished strong.  The adjustable rear wing for this year makes the wing look like a wing instead of a cool accessory.  Interesting that between it and the Kers, it is quite possible for drivers to screw up a lap or laps through not making the best choices in where and how they deploy these new tools.
Well, I don't know what Perez was up to in particular to stay with the pack in a medium car with only one pitstop on fast wearing tyres, the driver of the race award has to be thrust into his hands with fullspeed!
Great racing- I didn't get up for it, I stayed up for it, drinking coffee in an F1 religious fervour waiting for the race to start...very silly because now I'm tired.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 27, 2011, 12:52:58 AM
I thought the Red Bulls did have KERS on their cars. Vettel didn't need it all that much, but I noted Webber using it.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Marc on March 27, 2011, 01:00:24 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on March 27, 2011, 12:52:58 AM
I thought the Red Bulls did have KERS on their cars. Vettel didn't need it all that much, but I noted Webber using it.

From what I understood on BBC telly, Christian Horner told Eddie Jordan after the race that they didn't use it.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on March 27, 2011, 01:05:37 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on March 27, 2011, 12:52:58 AM
I thought the Red Bulls did have KERS on their cars. Vettel didn't need it all that much, but I noted Webber using it.

Christian Horner said neither of the Red Bull cars was running KERS

BBC site (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9437589.stm)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 27, 2011, 01:24:56 AM
Quote from: sospiro on March 27, 2011, 01:05:37 AM
Christian Horner said neither of the Red Bull cars was running KERS

BBC site (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9437589.stm)

Thanks.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 27, 2011, 01:48:45 AM
I think what you saw was Webber using the adjustable wing late in the race Navneeth, it was the first time we saw a Red Bull use it.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 27, 2011, 01:54:02 AM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on March 27, 2011, 01:48:45 AM
I think what you saw was Webber using the adjustable wing late in the race Navneeth, it was the first time we saw a Red Bull use it.

I was actually referring to the graphic on the screen with the red cell/battery. Perhaps I confused some other driver for Webber.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on March 27, 2011, 01:56:48 AM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on March 27, 2011, 12:41:40 AM

Great racing- I didn't get up for it, I stayed up for it, drinking coffee in an F1 religious fervour waiting for the race to start...very silly because now I'm tired.

:o Stayed up until 07:00 ! (Am assuming you live in Glasgow?)

I find it easier to get up than stay up. Couple of weeks ago I got up at 03:30 to listen to Don Quichotte (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3jgOUpPgIY&feature=feedu) from Seattle Opera. Had then drunk too much coffee to be able to sleep and crashed at 7.00 pm.  :(

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 27, 2011, 08:48:05 AM
The two Sauber cars were disqualified for a technical infringement.  Not good for the little Mexican, but good for Di Resta. who moved into the points with that decsion.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 12, 2011, 12:46:04 PM
Safety car deployed and Schumi will be right behind Vettel when it comes in!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 12, 2011, 01:23:43 PM
I will certainly pay for staying up so late for the rest of the day, but I think it's worth it. What a finish to the race! Of course, the fate of "incidents involving cars 3 and 4 and cars 4 and 5" are yet to be decided upon, but great driving from Jenson during the last laps.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Marc on June 12, 2011, 01:34:33 PM
After more than 4 hours:

Epic race.
Deserved winner.

Period.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on June 12, 2011, 04:30:37 PM
Hamilton is completely mad. Of course the idiot and arrogant c**T thinks he is always right and the world is against him. If he kills someone as he will if he keeps this up, he will still blame others and think it is racism against him.

I am glad Botton won and more glad that Hamilton got himself out!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on June 13, 2011, 06:42:41 AM
Towards the end of the race, Schumi got himself into second.  At that point I almost prayed he would win - I would like nothing better than to see him win again, in an underpowered car (just like he had when he knocked Damon Hill out the way in 1994 to win the Championship).  However, my admiration for the man has only glowed since he returned to formula one.
Meanwhile, Hamilton has the same driven fury in the cockpit at legendary levels, and this has led him to make mistakes and take liberties.  Nothing wrong with that.  Senna, Schumaker, Prost, Villneuve (Gilles), and other greats share the same drive passion, so Hamilton is in good company.  It would be nice to see him and Kobayashi in an equal car duel... ;D
Button?  Lucky!   :o
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 13, 2011, 07:23:19 AM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on June 13, 2011, 06:42:41 AM
Button?  Lucky!   :o

Well, on the last lap, almost certainly -- I'd have loved to see him use the DRS on the final straight, but he fought a hard battle to bring himself into a position where he could overtake Vettel. It was, I think, Whitmarsh who said over the radio that he (Button) had been in almost every position possible during the race. He wins the race after 6 pit stops and a drive-through and you call that lucky?!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on June 13, 2011, 07:58:42 AM
QuoteOPUS 106:  Whitmarsh...said over the radio that he (Button) had been in almost every position possible during the race. He wins the race after 6 pit stops and a drive-through and you call that lucky?!

No.  Er...perhaps pure brilliance?   :-[
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 13, 2011, 08:02:15 AM
Quote from: John of Glasgow on June 13, 2011, 07:58:42 AM
No.  Er...perhaps pure brilliance?   :-[

No, just damn good racing. ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on June 13, 2011, 08:07:17 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on June 13, 2011, 08:02:15 AM
No, just damn good racing. ;D

I stand WELL corrected Navneeth, thanks!   :)  And sorry Jenson, I just thought....I mean....it was...I think you...ach....sorry Jenson!   :'(
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Marc on June 13, 2011, 09:50:49 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on June 13, 2011, 08:02:15 AM
No, just damn good racing. ;D

Indeed. And because of him pushing and going so fast, Vettel lost his nerves.

BTW: the Le Mans 24 Hours was something special this year, too, in different ways.

At the finish, after 24 hours of racing there were only about 15 secs between the winner and the runner-up .... and there were 2 horrendous crashes (Alan McNish and Michael Rockenfeller). No one got killed, which was an absolute miracle.

http://www.youtube.com/v/JW3NDGk6YQE

http://www.youtube.com/v/YAu3pMgmvpU
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on June 13, 2011, 10:02:34 AM
I had to watch highlights of it because I had a higher priority live event to watch while the race was going - it looked very fun. I liked the stat that Button won after having pitted for tyres five times and a drive-through penalty once. I don't know where that pace came from.

As a follower, I am becoming slightly bored by Hamilton making so many mistakes (he looked to have gotten past that) but I don't see how he can be criticised so harshly. Most racing drivers come across as egotistical in their assurance that they are always right, though some hide it better than others. I wish Button would stop with the mediocre performances, though. Sometimes he is on, sometimes he is off, and the latter has been so common that I am worried he is going the way of Kovalainen.

I was very concerned by the end that it might be another case of Vettel being caught but being too good at defending to be overtaken, so it was nice to see a different result for once.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 13, 2011, 10:22:19 AM
Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on June 13, 2011, 10:02:34 AM
I don't know where that pace came from.

I think it was also important yesterday that he didn't take excursions off the racing line.

QuoteI wish Button would stop with the mediocre performances, though. Sometimes he is on, sometimes he is off, and the latter has been so common that I am worried he is going the way of Kovalainen.

That's unlikely when he has a championship under his belt. Even if McLaren were to drop him, I'm sure he'll go to a top team. I suppose Ferrari won't mind his replacing Massa.  0:)

Quote
I was very concerned by the end that it might be another case of Vettel being caught but being too good at defending to be overtaken, so it was nice to see a different result for once.

Second time, actually. First was China and Hamilton. :) Although not quite as dramatically in the final lap, Vettel was overtaken very late in that race too. And yes, it is nice to discover one or two chinks in his armour.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Marc on June 13, 2011, 10:32:54 AM
Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on June 13, 2011, 10:02:34 AM
I don't know where that pace came from.

Quote from: Opus106 on June 13, 2011, 10:22:19 AM
I think it was also important yesterday that he didn't take excursions off the racing line.

Yes. Apart from the all the overtaking of couse. ;)

At a certain point in the race, things couldn't get worse for him (and the team). So he had nothing to lose. After that, it was just a matter of taking some risks with overtaking and gaining confidence. Which he did.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on July 02, 2011, 08:16:44 AM
Last week in Valencia, things went back in time.  It was a procession again, hardly anything excting went on at all.  Round and round they went until someone won.  No prizes for guessing it was the 'new schumaker'.  Until this race, the season was fabulously exciting.  Well, next weekend we're off to Silverstone, where recent developments to the final third and even more recent developments to the control buildings should ensure something at least a wee bit better.  Those wings will be flapping open like hell on that last charge to the final corner.  Meanwhile, Hamilton still races like crazy, and Australian rookie Daniel Ricciardo (who I have high hopes for) takes a racing seat with Hispania, though it looks like he's there just for more driving experience, can't possibly expect him to win!  Also, Di Resta is doing a fine job with Force India, what a good choice of driver, a level headed young Italian named Scotsman whose professionalism is second to none.
So, ok, it took a dip last week, one shit race in a long season is forgivable!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on July 02, 2011, 01:44:51 PM
I must admit, I'm not watching ase closely as I did in the past two years - things are getting boring again :(
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on July 03, 2011, 11:14:06 AM
Valencia is a great place but a truly awful circuit. I went the first year they had it there & it was even boring being there. My little hero (Massa) won & I was still bored.

The organisation was dreadful. Tickets were chipped & you registered in and out of your grandstand to stop you going into any other. Trouble was only those people with tickets for grandstands opposite the pits could get to the merchandise. They'd sorted it by Saturday but the stall holders were furious, having lost a huge chunk of sales by then (many are British).

They c***ed up the seat numbering. After numbering the seats, someone realised there should be more gangways & removed a section of seating but didn't re-number the remaining seats. By then the tickets were sold so lots of people in our grandstand had tickets for seats which didn't exist.

I get angry when I think of the circuits we've lost like Portugal & Imola. Even Magny-Cours was better than Valencia.

Looking forward to Silverstone & an outside chance of a Ferrari win.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on July 03, 2011, 10:19:01 PM
Vettel and Red Bull will lose sponsorship next season if this keeps up because they almost never get on camera during the race. Sponsors for teams fighting for 8th to 12th are sure getting their money's worth!

I miss crashes. Hamilton should do something brainless every weeks in order to keep things interesting. It takes teammates crashing into each other to keep viewers glued to the TV set.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on July 09, 2011, 12:57:27 PM
I watched qually for the British GP earlier.  Two noteworthy stories:
Paul Di Resta in at sixth on the grid in the Force India.  He is a new Jim Clark in the making.
Kobayashi.  In the top ten again.  He hasn't been out of it.  Proving to be the best Japanes F1 driver EVER.
Race is tomorrow.
Lets hope the diffuser arguments spill out over the track!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on July 10, 2011, 05:41:41 AM
(http://i53.tinypic.com/23k2e4h.gif)

Forza Ferrari !!!!!

Congrats Fernando!!!!!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on July 10, 2011, 06:11:35 AM
Quote from: sospiro on July 10, 2011, 05:41:41 AM
(http://i53.tinypic.com/23k2e4h.gif)
Forza Ferrari !!!!!
Congrats Fernando!!!!!

It was a good race all round.  Wierd weather, racing 'incidents' and some great overtaking.  I know the old circuit inside out through playing F1 fames (!), but the new changes have completly revolutionised the circuit, and half the time I didn't know if we were at Stowe or Maggots...   Great stuff, well done Alonso, about time you were up there again.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on July 31, 2011, 06:05:15 AM
Hungarian Grand Prix:

Congratulations to Jense! Mixed conditions always help but his driving was superb. 

(http://i51.tinypic.com/25qc8jn.gif)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: sospiro on October 09, 2011, 06:38:16 AM
Congratulations to Sebastian Vettel & youngest ever back-to-back WDC. Doesn't look much older now than he did on here.

(http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/2144/73928815.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/73928815.jpg/)

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on November 30, 2011, 08:08:09 AM
In case anyone missed it, Kimi is coming back next season!



Wait till I explain to my Kimi why I named her after a male race-car driver...
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on November 30, 2011, 08:12:25 AM
Great timing! I was about to revive this thread for the same reason as well, but it's more fitting that you did. :D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 09, 2012, 11:53:59 AM
One week to go. All the cars resemble ducks with their new front noses (except McLaren).  Bruno Senna is with Williams.  Raikkonen returns.  The Ferraris are off the pace.  The Mercedes team are threatening.  Grosjean is going to try again.  Button and Hamilton, head to head again.  Barrichello has gone at last.  The diffuser issue has been diffused.  Cars are closer.
Bring it on.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on March 09, 2012, 11:13:16 PM
Quote from: Scots John on March 09, 2012, 11:53:59 AM
Cars are closer.

Ooh neat, I may begin following again, danke :)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on March 10, 2012, 09:13:10 AM
I did not watch much the past three years, other than occasionally tuning in to root for a Hamilton crash.

but now...

Rooting for Kimi with Kimi! Yeah!!!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 10, 2012, 09:16:14 AM
Quote from: springrite on March 10, 2012, 09:13:10 AM
Rooting for Kimi with Kimi! Yeah!!!

So have you told her about her namesake?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on March 10, 2012, 09:18:41 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on March 10, 2012, 09:16:14 AM
So have you told her about her namesake?

I guess I will do so next week. But I doubt she'd understand what that means. She might not even like the fact that there's another Kimi. Everyone she knew have people with the same name except her, and she always thought that made her special.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 10, 2012, 09:21:58 AM
Quote from: springrite on March 10, 2012, 09:18:41 AM
She might not even like the fact that there's another Kimi.

;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 10, 2012, 09:36:47 AM
Senna - Maldonado - Williams F1

My team for this season.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 10, 2012, 09:42:12 AM
Quote from: Scots John on March 10, 2012, 09:36:47 AM
Senna - Maldonado - Williams F1

My team for this season.

No love for Di Resta any more?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on March 10, 2012, 12:11:02 PM
Quote from: Opus106 on March 10, 2012, 09:42:12 AM
No love for Di Resta any more?

Plenty of love for the very fast Di Resta.  I am not a great lover of Force India though, and look forward to his getting a seat in a more established team.  One thing is for sure though, he is a brilliant asset for that team, and with Nico Hulkenberg to race against, it is probably the case that Force India WILL become a force. 
Williams F1 was the first team I supported way back in the days of Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann, and I have always had a soft spot for 'em.  Also, I am a mighty admirer of Frank Williams too.  Frank Williams built that team in the early days by using public phone boxes and other very basic ground up tecniques. 
Anyway, Di Resta fulfilled all expectations last year and more, but that car he was in did not honour his talent.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on March 17, 2012, 10:54:44 PM
Midway through the race. Other than a bad qualifying run (starting 18th) and some apparent confusion ("What are the blue flags?"), it is like Kimi has never left F-1. Kimi is making Kimi proud!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 24, 2012, 08:25:01 AM
I've been enjoying reading Kimi's interviews. I love it especially when he is asked inane questions, which unfortunately form the majority.

For instance:

Q: How do you feel seeing your former team Ferrari struggling so much?
KR: I don’t care. We try to beat all the teams and they are just one of them. If they do poorly it is bad for them but as we are ahead of them I could not care less. And if they become better than us then it’s a sign that we have to improve.


Why can't other stars be like him and rid themselves of PR managers?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on March 24, 2012, 08:43:59 AM
Got to love Kimi!

With the grid penalty, he starts 9th just behind Alonso. That could present a problem which he has to overcome, Alonso being probably the best driver out there, even with a lesser car this season.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 24, 2012, 10:19:58 AM
Quote from: springrite on March 24, 2012, 08:43:59 AM
Got to love Kimi!

With the grid penalty, he starts 9th just behind Alonso. That could present a problem which he has to overcome, Alonso being probably the best driver out there, even with a lesser car this season.

10th, actually. But at least he's closer to the front of the grid compared to the last race, so we can expect some Kimi action early on tomorrow.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on April 22, 2012, 05:10:51 AM
A new experience for Seb: a challenge for the lead during mid-race! It's great to see Vettel and Kimi battle at the top.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on April 22, 2012, 05:16:21 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on April 22, 2012, 05:10:51 AM
A new experience for Seb: a challenge for the lead during mid-race! It's great to see Vettel and Kimi battle at the top.

Holding my breath...


Go Kimi!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on April 22, 2012, 05:24:50 AM
Quote from: springrite on April 22, 2012, 05:16:21 AM
Holding my breath...

Daddy, why is your face so blue?

;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on April 22, 2012, 05:28:02 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on April 22, 2012, 05:24:50 AM
Daddy, why is your face so blue?

;D

..and turning purple as we speak!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on April 22, 2012, 05:29:36 AM
:D

Just about 10 minutes to go.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lethevich on April 23, 2012, 03:01:52 PM
I watched a re-run of the Chinese race. I keep looking for an excuse not to watch F1, as it's one of the few sports I still spend any time on, but it keeps surprising me. This was one of the most racey weekends I can recall having seen, and despite the usual inevitable winner from halfway through, there was so much overtaking in the pack behind. The new regulations are proving to be wonderful and successful ideas.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 24, 2012, 07:07:36 AM
It was pretty good to see most of the top 10 qualifiers were the young guns and possible future champions, but 90 minutes later, there stood three former champions, two back from retirement, on the podium. :-\ An eventful race for a street circuit, but I felt bad especially for Grosjean.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on June 24, 2012, 09:16:38 AM
Didn't get to watch it. Just found out about the result upon my return home and I am glad Kimi finished second. Alonso's win is nice, too. I don't feel bad for Hamilton even though he was, well, undone rather harshly. But he does get it upon himself a lot, doesn't he?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 24, 2012, 09:39:59 AM
Quote from: springrite on June 24, 2012, 09:16:38 AMI don't feel bad for Hamilton even though he was, well, undone rather harshly. But he does get it upon himself a lot, doesn't he?

It's as if the Universe wants someone to crash into Hamilton, even when he's behaving at his best. It's like Massa spinning on the track when no-one is around. ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on June 24, 2012, 09:48:17 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on June 24, 2012, 09:39:59 AM
It's as if the Universe wants someone to crash into Hamilton, even when he's behaving at his best. It's like Massa spinning on the track when no-one is around. ;D

Yeah, but it was headless for him to try to fend off Maldonado so agressively with his worn out tires. He wasn't going to make it even without the crash. Had he not done so, he's lose the podium but finish in the points, likely 6th or so. But that wouldn't be Hamilton. People love him for that, too. I certainly wouldn't want a boring safe Hamilton!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on June 24, 2012, 10:12:21 AM
Quote from: springrite on June 24, 2012, 09:48:17 AM
Yeah, but it was headless for him to try to fend off Maldonado so agressively with his worn out tires. He wasn't going to make it even without the crash. Had he not done so, he's lose the podium but finish in the points, likely 6th or so. But that wouldn't be Hamilton. People love him for that, too. I certainly wouldn't want a boring safe Hamilton!

As I see it, it was the doing of both drivers. As you say, he didn't offer enough room. But Maldonado was too impatient; it was obvious he had the speed and the grip. Had he just waited for one more lap, he would have been on the podium.

Addendum: And as I catch up on the post-race news, it appears that Pastor has been penalised, with 20 seconds added to his race time.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Papy Oli on June 24, 2012, 10:47:06 AM
Tough one on Grosjean today indeed...he could have crept up nicely up the table had he finished second...still, plenty of promise for the future for him.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on July 22, 2012, 08:14:32 AM
The best part of the German Grand Prix is Hamilton going out, DNF. His lack of class knows no bound. As a lapped car, he decided to pass Vettel, who was second, and do so dangerously as well. What a ****ing jerk!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on July 29, 2012, 01:38:12 PM
Quote from: springrite on July 22, 2012, 08:14:32 AM
The best part of the German Grand Prix is Hamilton going out, DNF. His lack of class knows no bound. As a lapped car, he decided to pass Vettel, who was second, and do so dangerously as well. What a ****ing jerk!

Seems like his lack of class has roasted the Hungaroring.   >:D

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hs8mIi9QEAM/UBWr53CJigI/AAAAAAAAAFc/CEvosKqZOCk/s512/Capture.JPG)

What happened there was pretty intense racing all round.  I am really glad to see the two Lotus cars up there, even though without Colin Chapman, no team can really be the Lotus.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lisztianwagner on July 29, 2012, 02:07:44 PM
I wonder when Michael Schumacher will finally win a race, since he decided to come back to the F.1 world he hasn't picked up very good results. When he raced for Ferrari he was my hero (I started following F.1 in 1997). He has certainly been one of the best drivers of all time, (if not the very best one) but it's rather sad to see him fighting at most for the 4th/5th position. I think he didn't have to start racing again once he retired.....
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on July 29, 2012, 06:21:36 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on July 29, 2012, 02:07:44 PM
I wonder when Michael Schumacher will finally win a race, since he decided to come back to the F.1 world he hasn't picked up very good results. When he raced for Ferrari he was my hero (I started following F.1 in 1997). He has certainly been one of the best drivers of all time, (if not the very best one) but it's rather sad to see him fighting at most for the 4th/5th position. I think he didn't have to start racing again once he retired.....

It may be percieved as him going out with a whimper or putting a cloud over all his past success.  On the contrary,  I think he is doing a dignified thing in his final years of on track action.  Even at 43 years old he is committed to racing, and has helped in the return and rebuilding of the Mercedes works team to where it is today...I too respect Schumacher tremendously, and think Mercedes always have a bright future with his input.  Whilst he may no longer command the track as he once did, he is still regarded as the Daddy by the entire paddock even if no longer the best.  He is showing he didn't get into F1 for the money.  He could have retired a long time back...maybe as soon as he had three World Championships in the 2000 season (at which time he had been in an F1 seat for 8 years).  But no, he's a racer and he keeps on racing...er...except yesterday, in Hungary, where he had to retire the car early...  :-[
He is one of F1's Legends in my top 5.  I would take issue with him being 'the very best one' though.   :-\
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on September 08, 2012, 01:32:53 PM
Poor Massa. After ages he qualifies in the top three and the first thing he is asked in the post-qualifying press conference is "Where is Alonso?".
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on September 08, 2012, 01:56:30 PM
Quote from: Opus106 on September 08, 2012, 01:32:53 PM
Poor Massa. After ages he qualifies in the top three and the first thing he is asked in the post-qualifying press conference is "Where is Alonso?".

Lol.  Massa will probably 'find' Alonso when he gets passed by him on the first lap.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on September 08, 2012, 09:50:25 PM
Quote from: Scots John on September 08, 2012, 01:56:30 PM
Lol.  Massa will probably 'find' Alonso when he gets passed by him on the first lap.

That's a tough ask from Fernando; I say give it a few more laps. My bet is that Massa will overtake at least Button at the start, to give the Tifosi something to cheer about for 30 seconds, before being bumped down again in the back straight. ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on September 09, 2012, 05:27:17 AM
Hamilton (1)
Perez!!   (2) Man of the Race!   :D
Alonso (3)

(Later edited a typo in 'Alonso'.  So fussy....)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 09, 2012, 06:00:09 AM
Quote from: Scots John on September 09, 2012, 05:27:17 AM
Hamilton (1)
Perez!!   (2) Man of the Race!   :D
Alonsi (3)

I enjoyed watching the race, excellent third position for Alonso who takes the lead more and more in the drivers championship; congratulations to Hamilton for winning, but especially to Perez for his wonderful race.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on September 09, 2012, 09:11:31 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 09, 2012, 06:00:09 AM
I enjoyed watching the race, excellent third position for Alonso who takes the lead more and more in the drivers championship; congratulation to Hamilton for winning, but especially to Perez for his wonderful race.

Sei parte di Tifosi?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 09, 2012, 09:32:04 AM
Quote from: Scots John on September 09, 2012, 09:11:31 AM
Sei parte di Tifosi?

I support Alonso/Ferrari, of course; I'm a great fan of F.1 :)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on September 09, 2012, 11:41:44 AM
For the past four years I have thought Alonso to be the best driver in this era of F1 by a million miles...er...or maybe just three car lengths...I taught Italian teens at Summer school once, and we all, me included, decided to ditch the lesson in favour of watching the German GP on TV in the class instead!  I should have been sacked, lol.    It was then I learned about the Tifosi passion!  The Ferraris were 9th and 6th that day, and the kids almost locked me in a cupboard for supporting Coulthard who came second.
Io sono un fan di F1 troppo grande!   :P
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 09, 2012, 01:09:21 PM
Haha, what a nice story! ;D Well, if they like F.1, all Italian people are extreme fans of Ferrari; it's rather hard to find someone who supports McLaren or Red Bull.....
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on September 22, 2012, 09:41:49 AM
That demon driver Maldonado sneaks into second place on the grid.  Maybe it's because he's so fast that he keeps crashing into everybody.   :P
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on September 22, 2012, 10:00:57 AM
Quote from: Scots John on September 22, 2012, 09:41:49 AM
That demon driver Maldonado sneaks into second place on the grid.  Maybe it's because he's so fast that he keeps crashing into everybody.   :P

(http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mald-helmet-monz-2012.jpg)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on September 28, 2012, 12:42:26 AM
Hamilton replaces Schumi. Perez takes Hamilton's place.

Schumi pushes out Massa? Hm...
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 28, 2012, 02:40:57 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on September 28, 2012, 12:42:26 AM
Schumi pushes out Massa? Hm...

I wouldn't certainly be annoyed by that.....
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: John Copeland on September 28, 2012, 08:58:11 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on September 28, 2012, 12:42:26 AM
Perez takes Hamilton's place.
Schumi pushes out Massa? Hm...

They could have got Di Resta for the seat, and I wish they had.  But the minxy Mexican is going to turn a few heads in the McLaren, that's for sure.  Good luck to him.  Maybe Di Resta can push out Massa instead.  Then Alonso would really have a job on his hands.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on November 25, 2012, 03:04:47 PM
What a fantastic final race!!!

Great way to finish the season. If I had to give the Driver of the Year award, it had to be Alonso, who had less than ideal car at his disposal but somehow almost won the championship. Runner-up would be Kimi who finished out of the points only once, again in a less than ideal machine. Of course, quote of the year:"Leave me alone, I know that I'm doing!" is something I will be hearing more and more from MY KIMI at home.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 13, 2013, 08:09:30 AM
The count-down begins.

(http://www.formula1.com/wi/gi/597x478/y2EB/sutton/2013/d13aus254.jpg)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on March 13, 2013, 08:13:03 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on March 13, 2013, 08:09:30 AM
The count-down begins.

(http://www.formula1.com/wi/gi/597x478/y2EB/sutton/2013/d13aus254.jpg)

Go Kimi! Can't wait!
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: AnthonyAthletic on March 13, 2013, 08:28:27 AM
So the BBC cover Formula One for donkey's years in the UK.

Last year Sky TV cover all races, the BBC having around half.

Don't know what's happening this year but it looks like Sky TV are charging £5 per race!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disgraceful...if we don't pay enough for our TV, full monthly subscription covering everything and now, er, sorry but it looks like you will have to pay £5 a race.

Does this happen in all your beautiful countries....or are we just the unlucky ones in the UK??
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on March 13, 2013, 09:01:35 AM
Quote from: AnthonyAthletic on March 13, 2013, 08:28:27 AM
So the BBC cover Formula One for donkey's years in the UK.

Last year Sky TV cover all races, the BBC having around half.

Don't know what's happening this year but it looks like Sky TV are charging £5 per race!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disgraceful...if we don't pay enough for our TV, full monthly subscription covering everything and now, er, sorry but it looks like you will have to pay £5 a race.

Does this happen in all your beautiful countries....or are we just the unlucky ones in the UK??

There is no pay-per-view in China now.

They tried it with EPL about 6 years ago. The company that out-bid the State TV and won the rights almost went broke as they had only 2,000 subscribers from a country of 1.3 billion. That's a grand total of about $200,000 for the year. I think the contract costs about, what, 50 million?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Opus106 on March 13, 2013, 09:24:01 AM
Quote from: springrite on March 13, 2013, 09:01:35 AM
There is no pay-per-view in China now.

Same here.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Papy Oli on March 13, 2013, 11:10:27 AM
Quote from: AnthonyAthletic on March 13, 2013, 08:28:27 AM
So the BBC cover Formula One for donkey's years in the UK.

Last year Sky TV cover all races, the BBC having around half.

Don't know what's happening this year but it looks like Sky TV are charging £5 per race!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Disgraceful...if we don't pay enough for our TV, full monthly subscription covering everything and now, er, sorry but it looks like you will have to pay £5 a race.

Does this happen in all your beautiful countries....or are we just the unlucky ones in the UK??

Hey Tony,

BBC is still only covering 9 races Live for the 2013 season, all the rest are highlights only again. Full details here :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21682493 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21682493)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Papy Oli on March 13, 2013, 11:14:43 AM
The F1 has been on a "standard" channel in France for years as well and is moving to a crypted chargeable channel this year... not just us, well England I mean....  ;D
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Bogey on May 30, 2013, 09:49:53 PM
Anyone catch the Monaco Gran Prix that just finished up?  Caught the entire race tonight on a replay.  Always fun to watch and neat to see Mercedes get back on the podium with a historic finish.

Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: Marc on May 15, 2016, 06:02:23 AM
Old and grey (yet legendary) Plácido Domingo just interviewed the youngest ever Formula One winner in history: Max Verstappen. Verstappen, the 18-year old son of 'Jos the Boss', is also the first Dutchman to win a Grand Prix in F1.

:)
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: j winter on September 26, 2019, 02:36:05 PM
Bump :)

There aren't too many F1 fans in the US, but I am definitely one -- I've been watching for about 5 years, and have even managed to get my wife into the sport.

Any current F1 fans here?  If so, what do you think of the state of things, now that Bernie's no longer in charge?
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: springrite on September 26, 2019, 05:02:54 PM
The emergence of Leclerc is making things rather exciting. I am tired of Hamilton and never that excited about Vettel.

Kimi Raikkonen is still amazing, even on a below average car.
Title: Re: The Formula One Thread
Post by: j winter on September 27, 2019, 03:00:28 AM
Yes, I'l be curious to see how Leclerc and Vettel get along for the rest of the year.  Vettel is frustrating to watch these days... hard to say if the Ferrari just doesn't suit him, or if he's just lost his touch.  It's hard to picture him sticking around in a supporting role, as Kimi did for him.

I have nothing against Hamilton or Mercedes really, but honestly they've had a huge lead in the championship for the entire time I've been watching the sport... would be nice to see someone else for a change.

Pity about Hulkenberg... doesn't look like he'll get a seat for next year at this rate.  One suspects he might have been really good, had he ever made it to a top car.