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Brawn: Button brave to join McLaren

Ross Brawn has said that his former number one driver, Jenson Button is 'courageous' for inking a deal that will see him switch to McLaren next year and go directly head-to-head with Lewis Hamilton.

Brawn was keen to hang on to 2009 F1 World Champion Button, but in the end the now Mercedes-owned outfit failed to reach an agreement and the Englishman opted to sign a multi-year deal with McLaren.

Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport recently, Brawn reiterated that the sticking point wasn't money.

"His decision is a disappointment because we worked well together. But whatever is reported, it was not about money," Ross explained. "In the end our offer was even more attractive than McLaren's.

"However it would not have made sense to employ a driver who was not happy and who sees a bigger challenge elsewhere. Further negotiations would have been pointless.

"Jenson obviously wanted to drive the same car as Lewis. That is courageous and I have to respect it."

Mercedes Grand Prix - formerly 2009 F1 Constructors' Champions, Brawn GP - have since confirmed former Williams F1 ace Nico Rosberg and while his team-mate has yet to be announced, Ross is confident they will get the best driver possible.

"We won't make a hasty decision," he continued. "That would not make sense. Our cockpit is the most attractive

on the market now. Everyone will wait and see what happens."

Meanwhile, asked if the fight with Red Bull in 2009 had compromised them in anyway for next year, Brawn said the battle didn't have a significant impact on their preparations for 2010.

"We sacrificed only an additional week in the wind tunnel for the 2009 car," he continued. "Already in the middle of the 2009 season we started to concentrate more on our car for 2010. We are a small team and our resources are limited. We had to start looking at 2010. Naturally the temptation was to focus on the fight with Red Bull. But we held our nerve.

"[Now following the deal with Mercedes] I can focus more on the development of the car and the team instead of looking for backers to keep the squad alive.

"Mercedes selected us because we work efficiently. I learned as a Mercedes customer that they have similar principles and we are therefore a marvellous fit. We want to profit from areas in which Mercedes are good - for example, quality control.

"We offer a team that is already very efficient. Our opponents [in contrast] will have to spend time and energy cutting their staff levels in 2010, whilst we can concentrate fully on the development of our new car."​

Source​

 

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Kimi to make icy debut

Kimi Raikkonen is to make his competitive debut at the wheel of a Citroen C4 WRC on the Arctic Lapland Rally in January.

The former F1 title winner will use the event as a warm-up for his WRC debut with the Citroen Junior Team in Sweden – which will be the first of twelve events he will contest next year.

As well as providing vital experience ahead of his WRC campaign, the outing will also give Raikkonen the opportunity to sample the C4 WRC in competition for the first time. Indeed, the Arctic Rally could be the Finn's first chance to drive the car unless a test can be held prior to the event.

"The ideal thing would be to return to the test roads we used before the Arctic and Rally Finland this year," Raikkonen's co-driver Kaj Lindstrom told the official WRC wesbite. "Kimi knows those stages well now, so that would be the ideal place to get to grips with the new car. That's what we'd like, but at this stage we haven't agreed a plan with Citroen. We'll find out more in the New Year.

"Getting the Arctic Rally in our programme was a key factor - we really wanted to include it as a pre-season test. It's a rally that Kimi and I have already done together in the Fiat, so he knows the stages - more or less - and it will be a good opportunity for him to build confidence in his driving and the pace notes.”

Raikkonen finished 13th in the event earlier this year at the wheel of the same Abarth Grande Punto S2000 he would use later in the season on Rally Finland.

Source

 

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MotoGP season review: Toni Elias

This year was the highest-ever MotoGP end of season classification for the San Carlo Honda Gresini rider, as he placed seventh.

Toni Elías returned to the San Carlo Honda Gresini team for 2009, having spent a year away with Ducati, and the first half of his season was similar to that of team-mate Alex de Angelis as results proved hard to come by.

Two seasons with the Gresini outfit in 2006 and 2007 had produced three podiums, including a win in Portugal in 2006, so with a factory bike at his disposal in 2009 there were high hopes Elías could push for similar results.

He found it difficult to challenge for the top spots in the first seven races of the campaign however, with two ninth places his highest finishes. A qualification spot of fifth at Catalunya made it seem like the Spaniard had found his form in round six, but a crash in the race led to disappointment.

An upturn in fortunes came with back-to-back sixth places at Laguna Seca (where he also qualified in sixth) and Sachsenring (where he rose from 17th on the grid) and, after another crash at Donington, Elías recovered to record his best result of the season in Czech Republic.

His only podium of the year at Brno with a third place behind Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa was followed by a more consistent run throughout the remainder of the campaign, as Elías picked up sixth spot at San Marino, Estoril and in the final race at Valencia.

Elías’ form came too late to hold onto his ride next season with Gresini in the premier class, and while his future still remains undecided he tested a Gresini Moriwaki Moto2 bike in Valencia at the end of the season.

Source

 

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PK appeal inadmissible - Vitaphone remain FIA GT champions

After excluding the PK Carsport Corvette C6.R from the Zolder results on Monday the International Court of Appeal of the FIA today published the decision concerning the appeal lodged by the RACB against Stewards decision number 17 at Zolder. A decision that confirmed the winner of the 2009 FIA GT Championship.

Hearing both parties in Paris last week the International Court of Appeal found the appeal inadmissable. As a result the Vitaphone Racing Team Maserati MC12 of Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels can now officially be crowned FIA GT1 Champions.

The results of the Zolder race remain provisional pending the appeal against the exclusion of the #4 Corvette. PK Carsport driver Mike Hezemans already admitted that the exclusion of the Corvette had nothing to do with PK Carsport making a mistake in preparing the car, but with an wrong picture of the part in the homologation papers that came from GM.

 

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Full COA decision

REMINDER OF THE FACTS

1. During the eight race of the FIA GT Championship 2009 held at Zolder
(Belgium) on 25 October 2009, the Appellant lodged a protest against Car No. 1
of competitor Vitaphone Racing with the Stewards of the Meeting for violation
of Article 104 of the GT Sporting Regulations, which contains provisions
pertaining to “Assistance in the pits and refuelling”. This article allows a
maximum of four people in the pit lane working area during refuelling (one
Team Manager and four mechanics, to include one or two fuel attendants and a
fire attendant), and provides that any other team members standing in the
working area will be considered as mechanics “working” on the car. Article 104
also specifies that, during refuelling, the only other authorized activities are
cleaning the windscreen and assisting with the change of driver.

2. In its protest, the Appellant alleged that Vitaphone had infringed these rules by
placing in front of the car’s left front wheel a person carrying a wheelgun
pointed at the wheelnut during refuelling (after that person had finished cleaning
the windscreen). The Appellant alleged that this act constituted an activity which
is not permitted pursuant to Article 104.

3. Following this protest, the Stewards took Decision No. 17 dated 25 October
2009 (the “Contested Decision”), which holds that:
[…] the stewards decide that more than the correct number of mechanics were in the working area
during refuelling contrary to article 104 Sporting Regulations FIA GT 2009 and decide to impose a
drive through penalty, which converts into a 30 seconds penalty.

PROCEDURE AND FORMS OF DECISIONS REQUESTED BY THE PARTIES

4. The Appellant lodged an appeal with the Secretariat of the ICA on 27 October
2009.

5. In its Grounds of Appeal, the Appellant contended that the Court should:
– declare the appeal admissible and well-founded;
– set aside the Contested Decision;
– declare that the penalty imposed by the Contested Decision is not in
conformity with Article 109 of the GT Sporting Regulations, or, in the
alternative, that it is not proportionate to the offence committed;
– replace the penalty imposed by the Contested Decision with a penalty of
exclusion, or, in the alternative, with a more severe penalty than the one
imposed.

6. The FIA, in its Defence dated 26 November 2009, suggests that the Court:
– declare the appeal admissible;
International Court of Appeal – Thursday 3 December 2009 in Paris - 4
– confirm the Contested Decision.

7. Vitaphone Racing, which applied to be heard as a directly and significantly
affected party within the meaning of Article 21, fifth paragraph of the ICA Rules
of Procedure, in its submission of 17 November 2009, requested that the Court:
– declare the appeal inadmissible and unfounded.

ADMISSIBILITY

a) Arguments of the parties
8. The Appellant acknowledges that Article 152, fifth paragraph, of the FIA
International Sporting Code (ISC) provides that ‘penalties of driving through or
stopping in pit lanes together with certain penalties specified in FIA
Championship Regulations where this is expressly stated, are not susceptible to
appeal’.

9. The Appellant nevertheless argues that this prohibition on appeals against drive
through penalties only applies to the competitor who is the subject of the drive
through penalty (in this case, Vitaphone), and therefore does not apply to the
Appellant. The Appellant further notes that it is not contesting the infringement
committed by Vitaphone but is disputing the Stewards’ choice of sanction,
which in effect amounted to the absence of an effective sanction as it made no
difference to the outcome of the race, and this was not consistent with the
infringement’s severity.

10. The FIA invites the Court to declare the appeal admissible, without stating its
reasons.

11. Vitaphone contests the admissibility of the Appellant’s appeal on the ground
that Article 152, fifth paragraph, ISC stipulates that drive through penalties are
not susceptible to appeal. This provision does not leave any margin for
interpretation and excludes any avenue for appealing such penalties. Vitaphone
argues that the Appellant’s interpretation of Article 152, fifth paragraph ISC,
according to which the prohibition to appeal applies only on the penalised
competitor is not supported by any provision of the ISC.

b) Conclusions of the Court

12. The Court does not accept the Appellant’s argument that the prohibition on
appealing drive through penalties introduced by Article 152 ISC, fifth
paragraph, of the ISC applies only to the competitor who is the subject of the
penalty. The language of Article 152 ISC, fifth paragraph contains no such
limitation.

13. Article 152 ISC, fifth paragraph instead clearly confirms that drive through
penalties are not susceptible to appeal. This has also been the Court’s finding in
previous cases (see, for instance, ICA Decisions of 22 September 2008 and 21
April 2009).

14. As a general principle, the Court observes that the right to appeal forms an
integral part of the legal order set out in the ISC. Furthermore, the ISC must be
read in the sense which offers the broadest legitimacy and legal protection to all
parties bound by it. This being so, any limitation on the right to appeal against
sanctions, such as that found in Article 152 ISC, fifth paragraph, must be
narrowly construed.

15. The ISC provides the Stewards with wide discretion in deciding penalties in all
cases. In relation to the particular circumstances of this case, Article 104 of the
GT Regulations (“Assistance in the pits and refuelling”) also specifies at
paragraph C that “penalties for breaches of the above shall be at the Stewards’
discretion”. However, this cannot be read to mean that the Stewards may apply
any penalty in any circumstance. In every case the Stewards’ discretion is
necessarily limited by the framework of the ISC and other applicable
regulations which provide the Stewards with a range of penalties to choose
from.

16. Against this background, the Court notes that while Article 152 ISC, fifth
paragraph, excludes any review of the merits of appeals against drive through
penalties imposed in accordance with the ISC and any Supplementary
Regulations, it does not prevent the Court from reviewing the legality of such
penalties. In all cases the Court retains its supervisory function of ensuring that
the rule of law is respected and that when drive through penalties are applied,
they are applied only as authorised in the ISC and any Supplementary
Regulations. Any other conclusion would imply that Court could exercise no
legal control even where a drive through penalty had been imposed in
circumstances far outside the ISC.

17. Article 153 ISC, fifth paragraph identifies the penalties that the Stewards are
authorised to impose: “reprimand (blame); fines; time penalty; exclusion;
suspension; disqualification”. This list does not include ‘drive through
penalties’. Article 44 of the GT Championship Regulations expressly
authorizes the use of drive through penalties, but limits their application to “any
driver involved in an Incident”. No other relevant and explicit authorisation for
the use of drive through penalties appears in the ISC or the GT Championship
Regulations. The Court would have grave reservations about any suggestion
that a penalty which is not susceptible to appeal could be implicity authorised by
the ISC.

18. It is not obvious to the Court that this case arose in relation to ‘a driver involved
in an Incident’, which appears to be the only explicitly stated circumstance in
which a drive-though penalty may be imposed in relation to this Championship.
However, neither the Appellant, the addressee of the penalty (Vitaphone) nor
the FIA have raised any argument or put forward any plea or evidence to assist
the Court in this regard. While questions remain as to whether the Stewards
properly had recourse to a drive-through penalty in this case, the Court has not
been provided with sufficient elements to make a ruling on this point.

19. Therefore, the Court dismisses the Appellant’s arguments with respect to
admissibility and declares the appeal inadmissible on the grounds that no plea
has been raised regarding the legality of having imposed that penalty and the
Court has no jurisdiction to review the merits of the penalty as Article 152, fifth
paragraph excludes such a review by the Court.

20. In light of the above, the Court does not deem it necessary to further examine
the parties’ arguments on the substance.

COSTS

21. Considering that the Appellant’s pleas were not upheld by the Court, and that
the appeal is inadmissible, the Court leaves it to the Appellant to bear the costs
in accordance with Article 24 of the Rules of the International Court of Appeal.

ON THESE GROUNDS, THE FIA INTERNATIONAL COURT OF APPEAL:

1. Declares the appeal inadmissible;
2. Orders the Appellant to pay the costs, in accordance with Article 24 of
the Rules of the International Court of Appeal.

Paris, 3 December 2009

The President

pdf

 

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Michael visited Mercedes GP in Stuttgart on Tuesday according to this article.

http://www.speedweek.eu/news/8894/Schumi-Comeback-Zeitfrage.html

Dodgy translation;

The return of Michael Schumacher for discussion may take until the new year. According to the media yesterday, seven-time world champion should be in Stuttgart Mercedes Grand Prix, and negotiate accordingly, on a comeback, at least for a summary. Today, his manager Willi Weber says the matter may drag on for Christmas. "

Have Allegedly, Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug expressed similar today.

 

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F1 teams plan joint launch

Formula 1 teams are scheduled to put the finishing touches to plans for a common car launch of their 2010 contenders on Thursday, with outfits looking to unveil their machines in Valencia in late January.

Members of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) are due to meet in Monaco later today to discuss their plans for next season - and on the agenda is the common car launch.

Mercedes-Benz GP CEO Nick Fry said at the Motor Sport Business Forum that the idea had now received approval from the teams, with the finer details now due to be settled.

It is understood that the event will take place in Valencia in late January, prior to the first official 2010 test at the Spanish city's nearby track a few days later.

Speaking about the matter on Thursday, Fry said: "I don't want to go into too much detail about what the plans actually are, but we have agreed between all the teams to do a joint launch and we do wish to turn it into a proper event.

"We are getting a lot of help from the venue and investment in communication and marketing to do that. I think I am going from here to a meeting this afternoon to discuss the subject.

"I wouldn't wish to spill the beans on what we are going to do, but it is going to be hugely initiative. It is going to be a clear demonstration of how we are going to be working together. We are not all going off and doing our own individual launches, so we can do something that is a lot more customer friendly."

Source

 

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F1 internet coverage will improve

Formula 1 has been wholly guilty of not embracing fans enough through new media, but moves are being made to address the situation in time for the 2010 season.

That is the claim of Mercedes GP CEO Nick Fry, who told the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco on Thursday that he felt F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone finally understood that the sport could benefit from expanding its profile on the internet.

His comments came after leading figures from the motorsport industry said that F1 was not doing enough to promote itself through new media.

"I think it is a bit of old fashioned thinking to think that by giving people more over the internet they will consume less somewhere else," said Fry. "In fact, with younger consumers and fans are actually doing both - they are not reducing their consumption of one because you are giving them more in another area. They are doing both maybe at the same time.

"I think the accusation that we have been a bit slow on new media is correct - that we could have done a lot more. But I think you might find that FOM have things they are working on at the moment that will hopefully see the light of day during the course of next year which will hopefully at least partially address that. It is a slow yes, but the point is not lost and I think things are happening."

Fry believes that the changing economic situation worldwide, and the fact that the field could no longer demand huge funding from car makers, means that a new sense of reality has arrived over improving the show.

"We are all in the same boat," he said. "I think the business model that we all have now is very similar. We have to grow F1, if we grow F1 it is good for FOM, it is good for television companies, good for people in the business, good for the teams. So we have an aligned objective.

"That is very important because in the past, we probably didn't have that aligned objective, perhaps because the teams were being funded by other sources, maybe a tobacco company or a car company, and maybe the objective was slightly different from what it was today where we have got to run hopefully a break even or even a profitable business. That is something that has changed quite dramatically over the last 18 months."

He added: "The reality of life is that we have to up our game, because our competitors have upped their game. Cricket has gone from something that was as dull as ditchwater to something that is competition for F1. It is not the main competition, but it is example of how people have raised their game.

"And we have to do likewise. We have to improve."

Source

 

[navanman]

Michael visited Mercedes GP in Stuttgart on Tuesday according to this article.

http://www.speedweek.eu/news/8894/Schumi-Comeback-Zeitfrage.html

Dodgy translation;

I'm shocked that this may actually come true. Its would be an amazing story. He is 40 yrs old now, going to be tough to race a full season at his age but with no testing between races it makes it easier with his family commitments.

 

[subzero9285]

I'm shocked that this may actually come true. Its would be an amazing story. He is 40 yrs old now, going to be tough to race a full season at his age but with no testing between races it makes it easier with his family commitments.

The momentum in the media sure is growing.

Mercedes GP CEO Nick Fry believes rumours about former world champions such as Michael Schumacher returning to Formula 1 are great for the sport, as speculation continues to link Schumacher with Fry's team.

Speaking to reporters at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco, Fry declined to discuss whether Schumacher was in talks with Mercedes, but said the prospect of either the seven-time title-winner or 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve - who is openly chasing an F1 comeback - rejoining the fray was fascinating.

"I think whether it be Michael or having another prior world champion, it just adds another very interesting element," said Fry.

"Can someone who's 40 or 41 years old compete against someone who is 24 years old? In other sports people have proven that they're very capable even at that age, and I think that would add another fascinating aspect.

"It's irrelevant whether it's Michael or Jacques, or I was joking with Mika [Hakkinen] the other day that maybe he should throw his hat in..."

He warned not to expect an announcement about the identity of Nico Rosberg's team-mate until early 2010.

"We might say something before Christmas but it's more likely to be the beginning of January," Fry said.

He also dismissed suggestions that Mercedes was insisting on an all-German line-up. Nick Heidfeld has also been mooted as a candidate for the team.

"Nationality's literally got nothing to do with this at all," Fry insisted. "Mercedes expressed a preference, that it would be nice to have a driver who was German, and we've got that already with Nico.

"It wasn't a big deal from the start. It would have been a nice thing to have and we've got that already, so it's completely irrelevant in the decision."

But Fry did reveal that Mercedes' strong preference was to sign an experienced driver rather than a young talent, having been impressed by Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello's consistent scoring for Brawn this year.

"I think we learned very clearly this year that you've got to have two drivers capable of scoring points in every race," he said.

"The reason we won the constructors' championship is because we had that. Both drivers did a sensational job and they were both very similar to each other. We knocked in the points at virtually every single race, and you need that.

"With the lack of testing, it's very difficult to expect a younger driver to do that. Clearly highest on our list are people with F1 experience."

 

[subzero9285]

Q&A with Nick Fry

Q. Have the other teams approved the name change from Brawn to Mercedes?

Nick Fry: The reaction we've got from most of the other teams is positive. Why anyone would not want to wish the name Mercedes, which I think is one of the top three brand names in the world, to be on a chassis would be an interesting discussion to have.

Q. Is there a timetable for deciding your second driver? Is it now likely to be in January?

NF: Possibly. We're working on it. We've got nothing to say at the moment. We might say something before Christmas but it's more likely to be the beginning of January.

Q. Has Kimi Raikkonen's move to rallying changed things for you?

NF: Obviously it's changed things in that Kimi was on the list and he's someone that we had some discussions with. He's not on the list anymore and we're discussing things with others.

Q. Is Michael Schumacher in the equation?

NF: We're discussing things with a number of different drivers.

Q. But is Schumacher one of them?

NF: A number of different drivers...

Q. How long's the shortlist?

NF: Three or four.

Q. Are they all German?

NF: Nationality's literally got nothing to do with this at all. Mercedes expressed a preference, that it would be nice to have a driver who was German, and we've got that already with Nico [Rosberg]. It wasn't a big deal from the start. It would have been a nice thing to have and we've got that already, so it's completely irrelevant in the decision.

Q. Is it important to have a race winner in the line-up?

NF: I think Nico is a [potential] race winner. Jenson [Button] had only won one until this season. It shows what can be done in an extremely good car, and I think Nico will flower, especially under Ross Brawn's tutelage. I'm hopeful we'll give him a very good car next year. Possibly he's not had the best car for the last couple of years, but what he has managed to do is accumulate a lot of experience and that's very attractive to us.

He's still very young, he's got four years of Formula 1 experience and he's certainly got the speed and the genetic structure. I think in our team with Ross coaching him he can be a race winner, undoubtedly.

Q. Are you looking for age and experience in the second driver or a young talent?

NF: Experience. I think we learned very clearly this year that you've got to have two drivers capable of scoring points in every race. The reason we won the constructors' championship is because we had that. Both drivers did a sensational job and they were both very similar to each other. We knocked in the points at virtually every single race, and you need that. With the lack of testing, it's very difficult to expect a younger driver to do that. Clearly highest on our list are people with F1 experience.

Q. Is FOTA involved in discussions about a new Formula 1 tyre supplier?

NF: Very much so. We're working with the FIA and FOM to sort out the tyre situation. It's one of the highest things on the agenda.

Q. How are the talks progressing?

NF: I would say good progress. We're looking at alternatives.

Q. Will it still be a single supplier?

NF: I think the single supplier route has shown to have significant merits, probably from a supplier point of view and also a cost point of view. Part of the problem with Bridgestone is the fact that they've achieved a huge amount in Formula 1, they've done a great job, and if you look at their brand metrics, it's difficult to know where it would go, because their brand impression of being a very good supplier of high performance tyres is at a very high level now. We'll find a solution, I'm sure.

Q. Is having no brand and tyres produced in-house by F1 an option?

NF: That's not been discussed in my presence.

Q. Are you expecting there to be 19 races on the 2010 calendar? Any doubts over South Korea?

NF: Not as far as I know. Speaking to Bernie and knowing the capabilities in Korea, the feeling is that if they've said they're going to do it, then they will. They've got the resources and they've got the ability to do that. I haven't heard any significant doubts.

Q. Are you expecting all 13 teams to race next year?

NF: That question was asked with the new team members present at the last FOTA meeting I was at, and they all confirmed that they were on target to be there. If that's what they're saying, then that's what we'd accept. They've all told us that they're planning to be on the grid, which will be fantastic.

Q. How is the sponsorship environment at the moment?

NF: It's always tough to get sponsors and I don't think the situation has significantly changed. But what has changed year by year is where the sponsors come from. It's clear at the moment that there's a huge amount of interest in Asia and the Middle East. It's fairly obvious why - that's where the races are and that's where the economic activity is.

I don't think getting sponsors, whether you're in football or Formula 1, is an easy business because there are a lot of alternatives where people can do different things. Certainly having Mercedes as owners has further helped our situation because this is clearly a group of companies that are probably less interested in being involved with an independent team who are more interested in being involved with a manufacturer or a big company, and especially one with such a quality brand image.

Q. Will 2010 be an easier season for F1?

NF: I hope for us it is. I don't think it's a case of it being easier, if it's easier then we're probably not doing such a good job. We've just got to be pushing the whole time because the competition of other sports and media are trying to do their best as well. I wouldn't expect this to be easy. If we wanted an easy life, we wouldn't be involved in Formula 1. I think 2010 will hopefully be more focused on the racing and the sporting side and improving the show rather than negotiating contracts, which is what we spent all of '09 doing.

Q. F1 has new stars now, does it still need Michael Schumacher?

NF: I think whether it be Michael or having another prior world champion, it just adds another very interesting element. Can someone who's 40 or 41 years old compete against someone who is 24 years old? In other sports people have proven that they're very capable even at that age, and I think that would add another fascinating aspect. It's irrelevant whether it's Michael or Jacques [Villeneuve], or I was joking with Mika [Hakkinen] the other day that maybe he should throw his hat in.

Q. How will the relationship between Ross Brawn and Norbert Haug work?

NF: The running of the team continues exactly as it is. I will continue to do the job I've been doing, and Ross will continue to do the job he's been doing. Norbert is the manufacturer and owner representative and will continue to do what he's been doing. We're not expecting any significant change between any of us.

Q. How do you feel about Mercedes taking control of its own team when other manufacturer-owned squads are pulling out?

NF: For us it's the absolute perfect situation. We've got Mercedes with 45 per cent and we've got Aabar, people keep forgetting their involvement, but they're one of the biggest investment companies in the world, with a huge portfolio. They've got 30 per cent, and Ross and myself and the other existing shareholders have got 24.9, and I think that's a great split because it balances out the different requirements.

Q. How do you see the battle between Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button at McLaren unfolding?

NF: I think it's going to be fascinating. I've had some nice chats with Jenson over the last few days at social functions and contrary to what people might think there's no hard feelings at all. We wish him all the best. We were disappointed that he left our team but we've got a good relationship.

I think Jenson's got a difficult task ahead of him. It's nothing to do with whether he's got the talent - which I think he has - it's all to do with going into a team where Lewis has been for a long time and knows the team very well.

In my experience in Formula 1, for a new driver to come into any team takes months or even most of the first season to really understand the lay of the land. That's quite difficult to do. Jenson's a brave lad taking that on. He's got the raw skill to do it, but in terms of learning how the team works, he's going to have to accelerate himself up the line very quickly.

 

[subzero9285]

Q. Is Michael Schumacher in the equation?

NF: We're discussing things with a number of different drivers.

Q. But is Schumacher one of them?

NF: A number of different drivers...

Q. How long's the shortlist?

NF: Three or four.

Avaya must be salivating at the prospect of Schumacher in a Merc, I know I am.

 

[Dead Man]

Avaya must be salivating at the prospect of Schumacher in a Merc, I know I am.

God, if Schumi came back, even for 1 year, I would do unspeakable things to my tv! But I'm going to assume he's not until I hear from otherwise from his own mouth

 

[subzero9285]

God, if Schumi came back, even for 1 year, I would do unspeakable things to my tv! But I'm going to assume he's not until I hear from otherwise from his own mouth

 

[subzero9285]

Ayrton Senna voted greatest of all time by drivers

Three-time world champion Ayrton Senna has been voted the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time by a unique poll of 217 of his fellow world championship drivers conducted by AUTOSPORT magazine.

Senna beat Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio to top spot in the unique poll, which is the most comprehensive survey of F1 drivers ever conducted.

The voters had a combined total of 9194 starts and 270 wins, and included starters from all but 10 world championship grands prix (the 11 world championship Indianapolis 500s were excluded from the poll).

Among the voters were Michael Schumacher, statistically the most successful F1 driver in history, Jose Froilan Gonzalez, the earliest surviving grand prix winner, Paul Pietsch, at 98 the oldest living driver, reigning world champion Jenson Button and much of the current F1 grid.

AUTOSPORT asked each voter to submit their top 10 'greatest' F1 drivers, and left the definition of 'greatest' open to interpretation.

"This is an amazing poll that has never been tried before," said AUTOSPORT editor Andrew van de Burgt. "Obviously, it has thrown up some interesting and unexpected results, but you can't argue with how the top 10 has worked out, or the integrity of the poll."
.

Source

 

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From the mini site.

Number one - Ayrton Senna

Arguably faster than any other driver of his era, as his 41 grand prix wins and three world titles proved, Senna also had a ruthless streak like no other.

Prior to his death at Imola in 1994, his incredible skill was showcased with some sensational wins, like his record six at Monaco and the famous displays of wet weather virtuosity at Estoril and Donington Park.

He will be remembered as much for his colliding with arch-rival Alain Prost - a man with whom he shared a mutual contempt after a McLaren team orders argument at Imola in '89 - at Suzuka title deciders in two successive years as for anything else.

He was a man who simply had so much self-belief that he could not fathom the idea of being beaten. It was the key to his greatness and his biggest flaw. Genius or thug? The debate will run and run. Not so the argument about his claim to be the greatest.

Born 21 Mar 1960
Died 1 May 1994
Active years 1984 - 1994
Champion 1988, 1990, 1991
Presences 162
Starts 161
Wins 41
Podiums 80
Poles 65
Front row 87
Fastest laps 19
Races led 86

Number two - Michael Schumacher

Statistically the most successful driver in F1 history, Michael Schumacher utterly dominated the sport in the early part of this decade.

Famed for his relentless pace and supreme ability to pump in quick times at crucial moments in races, Schumacher can make a case to be called the most complete F1 driver ever.

Sometimes controversial and always uncompromising, Schumacher, like most champions, had great desire, speed and racecraft. But his work ethic, supreme fitness and ability to galvanise teams around him were the qualities that really made him stand out.

After taking his first two world titles with Benetton in 1994 and '95, Schumacher took key personnel with him to Ferrari and hauled F1's most successful team out of a serious slump. With Schumacher on board, Maranello enjoyed unprecedented success. The German scored 72 grand prix wins and five consecutive drivers titles from 2000-2004.

Born 3 Jan 1969
Age 40
Active years 1991 - 2006
Champion 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Presences 250
Starts 248
Wins 91
Podiums 154
Poles 68
Front row 115
Fastest laps 76
Races led 141

Number three - Juan Manuel Fangio

The first true great of the world championship F1 era, 'El Maestro' took five titles and won 47 per cent of the grands prix he started.

It's true that Fangio often got himself into the best cars - he drove for Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari - but he was a key part in making them look that good. He won titles with all.

Revered by his peers, Fangio often seemed to win without having to push himself to the limit, such was his advantage over the rest. The most famous exception - his comeback drive to win the 1957 German GP on the fearsome Nurburgring, in which he broke the lap record numerous times - is often cited as the greatest grand prix drive in history.

Fangio's record - at a time when racing was brutally dangerous - marks him as one of the all-time greats, remarkably all achieved when the Argentinean was in his 40s.

Born 24 Jun 1911
Died 17 Jul 1995
Active years 1950 - 1958
Champion 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957
Starts 51
Wins 24
Podiums 35
Poles 29
Front row 48
Fastest laps 23
Races led 38

The rest; http://f1greatestdrivers.autosport.com/?driver=3

 

[DrM]

F1 set to adopt new points system

Formula 1 is set for a radical alteration to its points system in 2010 if the World Motor Sport Council approves an F1 Commission proposal to give points to the top 10 finishers in each race.

In today's Commission meeting, chaired by Bernie Ecclestone and attended by FIA president Jean Todt, a new scoring system was put forward which will award 25 points to each race winner, 20 for second place, 15 for third and 10 for fourth, before descending 8-6-5-3-2-1 for fifth through 10th positions.

The change has been proposed to take into account the increased field for 2010, when the addition of the new entrants will take the grid up to 26 cars, its highest figure since 1995.

Assuming it is approved by the WMSC, the change would be the first revision to the points system since the number of scoring drivers per race was increased from six to eight in 2003.

The F1 Commission also agreed that its Sporting Working Group sub-committee should develop "detailed proposals to improve the show" that would take effect next year, and that "the FIA and FOM will further collaborate to enhance the communication and promotion of the championship to the media and its worldwide fanbase."

Source

25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1
I like it

 

[AndyD]

F1 set to adopt new points system

Source

25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1
I like it

Hmm. Top 1-2 teams will dominate.

But it will also make a mechanical failure that takes a top car out of 1 race have significant consequences. 20-25 points will be nearly impossible to make up in deficit.

Mixed feelings about it so far. Someone apply it to the past 2-3 seasons so we can see how it would have worked out.

 

[navanman]

F1 set to adopt new points system

Source

25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1
I like it

I like it. Its very like the MotoGP scoring system.

That said you have to finish in the top 3 every race to be fighting for WCC, WDC.

 

[Reno7728]

Hmmm. On the BBC sport homepage i get a ticker saying:FORMULA ONE:Renault to carry on in F1 next year after team is sold to new owner, BBC Sport understands, but i can't find anything more on the story.

 

[Leunam]

Someone apply it to the past 2-3 seasons so we can see how it would have worked out.

Top Ten last season:

Button 243
Vettel 203
Barichello 187
Webber 158
Hamilton 123
Raikonnen 117
Rosberg 77
Trulli 88
Alonso 61
Glock 69

Only changes are Trulli would have finishing ahead of Rosberg and Glock would have finished ahead of Alonso. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[navanman]

Hmmm. On the BBC sport homepage i get a ticker saying:FORMULA ONE:Renault to carry on in F1 next year after team is sold to new owner, BBC Sport understands, but i can't find anything more on the story.

Interesting. The rumour was they are staying as engine supplier and as partner for 3 yrs before full withdrawl and fully independent team.

 

[Reno7728]

Story is now up

 

[subzero9285]

Story is now up

Good news.

Edit: Would prefer Prodrive, if it meant that the Aston Martin name could be introduced into F1 in the next few years.

 

[subzero9285]

F1 set to adopt new points system

Source

25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1
I like it

Interesting, I'm guessing this is to reflect the increased grid size next year. Never a dull moment in F1 it seems.

 

[subzero9285]

And Brawn GP are now officially known as Mercedes.

World champion team Brawn GP's renaming as Mercedes has been officially ratified by the Formula 1 Commission.

Any name changes must receive the unanimous approval of the rest of the teams, and the new title of Mercedes GP was passed in today's commission meeting.

The commission also agreed that Mercedes would receive the prize money and travel benefits earned by Brawn GP this year, rather than its change of ownership meaning it would be regarded as a new operation, in which case it would not have received Brawn's earnings.

"The team will continue to receive payments based on its historical performance," said an FIA statement.

"This has been granted on a one-off exceptional basis due to Mercedes-Benz's long-term involvement and commitment to Formula 1."

Mercedes GP CEO Nick Fry said earlier today that he never doubted that the commission would agree to the name switch.

"The reaction we've got from most of the other teams is positive," he said. "Why anyone would not want to wish the name Mercedes, which I think is one of the top three brand names in the world, to be on a chassis would be an interesting discussion to have."

Source

 

[wonderkins]

God, if Schumi came back, even for 1 year, I would do unspeakable things to my tv! But I'm going to assume he's not until I hear from otherwise from his own mouth

I wouldn't even care if he never won another race. It'd just be great to see him driving in F1 again. Would love to see him and Lewis tango. Or really, any of the drivers. Pretty talented field, for the most part. But seriously, no way Schumi doesn't win a few if he returns.

Any word on Kobayashi yet? Crossing my fingers he lands somewhere. Most exciting driver for those two races. Still can't shake that pass on Button at Yas Marina. Awesome.

 

[RayStorm]

F1 set to adopt new points system

Source

25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1
I like it

Not a fan of them still keeping first and second place that close. I would prefer it to be 30 - 20 - 15 - ...

That would reward the first place more, and might entice some drivers to fight harder for it.
Perhaps 30 wouldn't even be enough.
Thinking back to the when it was 10 - 6 - 4 - ... the difference was even bigger then.
Then again that didn't necessarily have all that much impact either.

 

[subzero9285]

McLaren: Button and Hamilton will receive equal treatment

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has reiterated that F1 champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton will both be given exactly the same chance to win races and fight for the F1 title in 2010.

Many within the sport expressed surprise when Button was confirmed at McLaren last month, with Jackie Stewart, Sir Stirling Moss and Niki Lauda all warning the 29-year-old prior to the announcement that it would be a risky move: "Going to McLaren will mean putting his head into the tiger's den with Hamilton already established there. That would be a huge challenge," said Stewart.

Furthermore Button's old boss, Ross Brawn has added that his decision to sign for McLaren is a 'courageous' one.

However, while Hamilton is clearly already established at McLaren, Whitmarsh is insistent there won't be any favouritism.

"As team principal, inevitably it will be my role to harness both drivers' competitive instinct for productive means. Racing drivers by their nature are hugely competitive individuals - they want to win all the time," Whitmarsh told the official F1 website.

"My job will be to make sure that both Jenson and Lewis not only have the very best tools to do the job, but can also prosper and flourish in an environment that supports them both equally.

"Is that an additional challenge for the management in this team? Yes. Do we anticipate it providing us with an additional workload in order for us to successfully achieve equality for two very demanding racers? Inevitably, yes. Are we anticipating any difficulties or frustrations from either party? No - because we're confident that we can build a team that will support both drivers equally.

"I think Jenson and Lewis are mature enough and responsible enough to understand the bigger picture: we go racing as a team, and it's the successes we achieve together that build the foundations for any assault on the world championship. I feel confident that you'll see a very solid and responsible driver pairing next year."

Asked why they had signed Button, Whitmarsh added that it was nothing to do with nationality and purely due to issues of performance.

"At McLaren we've always been very direct in our approach to hiring drivers: we've always signed the two very best drivers available - and we make no concessions in that approach," he continued.

"Clearly, with Lewis already under contract, we were looking for a team-mate who we felt could not only complement the job that Lewis is already doing but who would also be able to challenge individually for the world championship as well as bolstering our efforts to win the constructors' title.

"Simply put, in Jenson we think we have the perfect package. We're incredibly positive about his arrival, we feel he will be a great addition to our team and in turn, we hope he'll feel at home here and really fit in at McLaren."

Source

 

[subzero9285]

Trulli a possibility for Lotus, Villeneuve out of running

Lotus F1 team boss Tony Fernandes has revealed that four drivers are in the frame to drive for his outfit next season, with former Toyota ace Jarno Trullli one of the favourites to get the nod for 2010.

Fernandes told Reuters that Malaysia's Fairuz Fauzy, who was runner-up in the World Series by Renault this year, was also on the list, however he added that 1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve was not in contention - despite rumours to the contrary in recent weeks.

"I hope within the next week or so we will announce the line-up," he added at the Motor Sport Business forum in Monaco.

Meanwhile, Fernandes stated that he no longer has any intention of stepping down as team principal once the 2010 season starts.

"There was a reason for doing it at that time (and saying I would not be the team boss back in September), because I think (AirAsia) shareholders were kind of spooked," he explained. "Now they are beginning to see that this is no different from any other business that I own.

"I will stay on as team principal. I think good leadership is to know when to go, but this is not the right time to go. I don't see myself doing this forever but there is no time now for when I would go.

"I am really the glue that puts it all together and drives it forwards. We know we aren't going to be competing at the front in year one, but it takes time and we'll have a good basis for moving forward.

"Number one we have to be ahead of Branson (and fellow newcomers Virgin Racing in 2010) - otherwise I will retire and kill myself!"

Asked if F1 is in crisis following the exits of Honda, BMW and Toyota, he insisted that he didn't think the sport is in trouble.

"I don't think F1 is all about the manufacturers. In fact, some manufacturers were created from F1 and I think there will be times when there are no manufacturers and when there are manufacturers," he summed-up.

Source

 

[subzero9285]

Kimi's WRC tenure potentially permanent

Kimi Raikkonen will stay on as a World Rally Championship driver beyond the end of his 2010 programme with Citroen as long as his results improve during the year.

That is the claim of Kimi's co-driver Kaj Lindstrom, who told wrc.com that he felt a successful season in the WRC could be enough to make Raikkonen forget about returning to F1.

At the moment, Raikkonen, 30, has committed only to a 12-round WRC campaign with Citroen Sport in 2010. On his website, the 2007 world champion states he hasn't ruled out a Formula One return in the future - though only if it's with a team with title winning potential.

But asked by wrc.com if he felt Raikkonen would remain in the World Rally Championship beyond the 2010 season, Lindstrom said: "Yes. I believe he will, if he can get some good results."

"He's seen F1, and now he's really looking forward to rallying and if we can see that he can improve and the results are coming, then I think he will be more interested in continuing with rally, rather than returning to F1."

Lindstrom's comments come in the same week that Citroen Racing boss Oliver Quesnel suggested Raikkonen could be destined for his factory team in the future.

Quesnel told French Auto Hebdo magazine he is prepared for the Finn to make an impact during his debut season and extend his stay in the series. “We are not asking for the impossible for a first season, but it is clear that if he progresses and shows the right level, then he could slot into the first team [in 2011]” he reportedly said.

Source

 

[Tarazet]

Kimi's WRC tenure potentially permanent


Source

First man to be WDC in F1 and rallying?

 

[subzero9285]

First man to be WDC in F1 and rallying?

He certainly has the talent to go far in rallying, if that's what he decides to do. I reckon it would take him a season to get to grips with the WRC, and then in the following season if he isn't back in F1 with Red Bull as some people expect, then he could take the fight to the big guns; Loeb, Hirvonen, et al.

 

[skybaby]

Brazilian press has confirmed Lucas di Grassi as teammate to Timo Glock at Virgin/Manor. He goes in taking with himself millions of dollars from Unilever.

 

[Dead Man]

F1 set to adopt new points system

Source

25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1
I like it

I like it, with 3 extra teams the points needed to move to more positions, this keeps the ratios about the same while allowing smaller teams to still get a bite of the cherry now and then.

 

[subzero9285]

Apparently Mercedes are offering Michael €7M for the drive.

http://www.bild.de/BILD/sport/motor...schumacher/sieben-millionen-von-mercedes.html

Bild aren't the most reliable source out there, nonetheless this story refuses to go away.

 

[subzero9285]

Korean GP on schedule

Korea's plans for its first Formula 1 race are completely on schedule - with race organisers saying their only issue at the moment is sorting out accommodation for fans.

The country's first grand prix is scheduled for October 17 2010, and representatives of organisers, the Korean Auto Valley Operation, confirmed on Thursday that everything was in hand.

"It is totally on plan," said Kevin Lee, the general manager of the strategic planning department, at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco on Thursday.

"We have a plan to finish the whole construction work at the circuit on July 5 next year, and up until now it is roughly 60 per cent done. It is really fine.

"We are working together with other people. Tilke is our engineering consultant, and it is very happy with the progress of the construction at the circuit. We've also had visits from the FOM people, and they are happy to see our construction site and our region."

Lee said that getting people to the track should not be a problem, with two airports near the track that is 350 kilometres away from Seoul. However, there were not yet enough hotel rooms near the track to sleep the estimated 120,000 spectators who are expected to attend the event.

"The accommodation for F1 related staff and spectators is not sufficient enough yet, but we can solve all the problems," he said. "We have already talked about it with FOM and other people.

"There is a possibility to rent cruise ships, and I think we will find all the accommodation for spectators and F1 related staff. The F1 staff are our priority and we have found all the hotel rooms for those people."

Korea has also ruled out the event becoming a night race until it has more knowledge of running a grand prix.

"After we have experience of two or three years then we could consider it, but the next few years will be in daylight," explained Lee.

Source

 

[subzero9285]

Five Mitsubishi's to start Dakar Rally

Five Mitsubishi Lancers will start next year's Dakar Rally, despite the Japanese manufacturer's withdrawal from the event at the start of the season.

French firm JMB Stradale has bought all of the factory Racing Lancers for the Dakar, which begins on January 1. Mitsubuishi's former team manager Dominique Serieys has been drafted in to oversee the team's most significant Dakar entry, comprising Carlos Sousa, Miguel Barbosa, Guilherme Spinelli, Orlando Terranova and team owner and driver Nicholas Mislin.

Mislin, who finished 10th in the 2002 Dakar, said: "For a long time, I tried to buy a Mitsubishi Pajero factory car from Mitsubishi Motor Sport [MMSP]. When I found out at the beginning of the year that their racing vehicles were for sale, I took a closer look at the situation.

"We closed the first deal regarding the racing cars in April and, after much reflection and negotiation, I bought the full MMSP at the end of September."

Mitsubishi spent months developing the Racing Lancer and its diesel engine, in the hope of continuing a Dakar record which boasted nine wins in 11 years with the Lancer's predecessor.

The new Mitsubishi was no match for the Volkswagens in South America earlier this season and in an effort to find more performance and better consistency, Mislin has switched the diesel engines to run petrol motors from the Pajeros.

He said: "We have replaced the Lancer's diesel motor with a gas engine, because the costs of getting the most out of diesels are very high. So, we will have to try to distinguish ourselves on the difficult stages, with lots of obstacles. But there are at least 20 credible cars capable of finishing in the top 10."

Dakar starts in Buenos Aires on January 1 and returns, after 9000km through Argentina and Chile, for the finish on January 16.

Source

 

[subzero9285]

MotoGP season review: Andrea Dovizioso

A second season in the premier class for the Italian, his first on a factory bike, started well but ended with him losing the fight for fifth spot by a single point.

An impressive rookie season in 2008 from Andrea Dovizioso was rewarded with fifth place and a factory ride with the Repsol Honda team in 2009, and the Italian’s season got off to a very promising start.

Finishes of fifth in the opening two races of the season in Qatar and Japan were quickly followed by a hat-trick of fourth places in France, Italy and Catalunya as Dovizioso rose to fourth in the standings, ahead of Dani Pedrosa.

However, a series of three DNFs then saw Dovizioso lose ground in his pursuit of the higher places, slipping to seventh after Germany. Those crashes at Assen, Laguna Seca and Sachsenring meant that strong results for the remainder of the season were needed if he was to regain hope of at least matching his 2008 achievement.

The response was immediate from Dovizioso, as he rode a highly impressive race at Donington in testing conditions to record his first MotoGP win. A trio of fourth places at Brno, Indianapolis and Misano in the races that followed placed him back in fifth spot.

A fourth crash of the season in Malaysia in the penultimate round of the calendar and an eighth-placed finish in Valencia made for a difficult end to Dovizioso’s second premier class season though, as he was denied fifth place in the standings by one point.

Continuing for Repsol Honda next season, Dovizioso will be determined to build on his maiden premier class win in 2010.

Source

 

[navanman]

According to the excellent James Allen blog anyway:

Nick Fry perpetuated the rumours about Michael Schumacher making a comeback with his team as he spoke to the press today after his appearance at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco.

He declined to comment on whether the team was talking to the 41 year old and said that they had a shortlist of “3 or 4 drivers”. He said that nationality wasn’t important because Mercedes already has a German driver but he said that experience was vitally important. They may announce the identity of Nico Rosberg’s team mate this year but it would more likely be next year.

“I think whether it be Michael or having another prior world champion, it just adds another very interesting element,” said Fry.

“Can someone who’s 40 or 41 years old compete against someone who is 24 years old? In other sports people have proven that they’re very capable even at that age, and I think that would add another fascinating aspect.”

It seems that Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo is not so keen. He has been saying privately that Schumacher, who has a three year contract with the Scuderia, is going nowhere and part of the reason for that is the competition Ferrari is set to face from Mercedes in the supercar market with Mercedes launching the SLS Gullwing in direct competition. The last thing Ferrari needs is to lose all the invaluable brand association they have built up over 15 years with Schumacher to Mercedes and to have him promote a rival car against them.
Picture 46

This car sector has been responsible for quite a lot of action in F1 lately, McLaren’s strategy of launching a car into this sector against the SLS was given by Mercedes as a key reason for them to split.

Source

 

[Koshiro]

I see that and raise you:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2009/12/schumacher_returning_looking_i.html

Michael Schumacher's possible return to action with Mercedes in 2010 has been the hot topic in Formula 1 circles since BBC Sport pundit Eddie Jordan first put meat on the bones of the vague rumours last month - and it is now looking increasingly likely to happen.

And this morning, the German tabloid Bild reported that Mercedes had offered Schumacher a salary of seven million euros (£6.3m).

On top of that, my information is increasingly that Schumacher's return as Nico Rosberg's team-mate is looking like a done deal.

One figure who until recently had a senior role at Ferrari, who would have to release Schumacher from his consultancy contract, is saying it is definitely going to happen.

And I received cast-iron information from a reliable source this morning about the plans of those potentially affected by Schumacher's decision that, shall we say, points very strongly to him driving for Mercedes in 2010. (If that sounds vague, I'm sorry, but I was told in confidence and cannot reveal any more).

Armed with this mounting evidence, I phoned Schumacher's media spokeswoman Sabine Kehm to ask her what was going on with her client.

She is normally very forthcoming - it was Kehm who gave me the information with which BBC Sport broke the story back in July that Schumacher would consider a return as a stand-in for Massa.

At the time of Jordan's remarks she said a return was "highly unlikely", but that she "would never say never". But this time, although as friendly as ever, she was unusually reticent.

"I haven't got any more to say," she said. "I don't want to tell you anything, for whatever reason. I don't want to go into it any more."

Is that because you have nothing to say, I asked, or because you can't say anything?

"Because I can't."

 

[Dead Man]

According to the excellent James Allen blog anyway:



Source

If true they are definitely off my Christmas list!

I see that and raise you:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2009/12/schumacher_returning_looking_i.html

Who to believe?!

 

[navanman]

Former Formula 1 drivers are to become part of the group of stewards who will adjudicate at each grand prix as part of plans published on Friday.

The move is among the first major changes made by Jean Todt since he succeeded Max Mosley as president of motorsport's governing body the FIA.

Ex-drivers will form part of a four-man group of FIA stewards to deal with F1 issues at each grand prix.

An commissioner will also be appointed to deal with F1 on Todt's behalf.

The decision to appoint drivers to the stewards is likely to be warmly welcomed by active drivers and teams, who have long complained about the inconsistency of decisions by race stewards.

The FIA said in a statement following its World Council meeting in Monaco on Friday that "a smaller permanent group of F1 Stewards will sit with experienced former F1 drivers to provide a permanent panel of three FIA stewards, together with one steward representing the National Sporting Authority, to deal with F1 at each Grand Prix.

"There will no longer be a non-voting Chairman and each group of stewards will elect their own Chairman amongst themselves for each race. Utilising video and radio exchanges they should aim to reach decisions very efficiently."

Source

 

[subzero9285]

Source

Very sensible. Jean Todt's starting off his tenure as FIA boss in very good fashion, hope this continues.

 

[subzero9285]

Implications of the new points system

The previous two changes to the Formula 1 points scoring system were implemented to alter the weighting between each position. The new-for-1991 system increased the winner's score from 9 to 10, then the 2003 tweak increased the prize for second place from 6 to 8, and extended to eighth place.

The latest change, confirmed by the FIA World Motor Sport Council today, although it seems to be the most dramatic in the sport's history, is not intended to - and will not – significantly alter the outcome of a championship.

Instead, it is simply to further increase the number of scoring cars from eight to 10 in accordance with the grid being boosted to 20 cars. In essence, it is just to make the smaller teams more likely to score and to give them something to fight for.

The higher scores will punish retirements more heavily, but in turn a driver can recover more quickly with a greater number of points on offer for a win or podium finish.

Under the 2010 system, the result of this year's championship would have been exactly the same. Jenson Button would have beaten Sebastian Vettel (243 points to 203), with Rubens Barrichello third (187), Mark Webber fourth (178), Lewis Hamilton fifth (123), Kimi Raikkonen sixth (119), etc.

The close finishes of 2007 and 2008 would have retained the same order under the new system, with the following scores:

2008
Lewis Hamilton 240
Felipe Massa 239

2007
Kimi Raikkonen 271
Lewis Hamilton 270
Fernando Alonso 268

The close finish of 2003 would also have produced the same result, with Michael Schumacher beating Raikkonen 225 to 221.

In fact, you'd have to go back to 1999 to find the first change of place. Under the 2010 system, Eddie Irvine would have beaten Mika Hakkinen to the title 230 to 218. But Irvine would also have won that title under the 2003-2009 system.

The only major impact next season's system will have is the affect the 2.5x increase to each place has on the statistical history of F1.

For example, in their careers Ayrton Senna scored 614 points, Nigel Mansell 482 and Jackie Stewart 360. A rookie driver now could pass all three in three seasons. Even Schumacher's 1369 wouldn't take all that much catching, which makes rather a mess of history for those that value the all-time stats.

But equally, you could already have argued that the statistics are skewed by the increase from 9 to 10 for a win, from six to eight cars scoring, by the varying amount of dropped scores between 1967 and 1990, and by the number of races in a season – from seven in 1950 to 19 in 2005.

Source

 

[Leunam]

Any word on Kobayashi yet? Crossing my fingers he lands somewhere. Most exciting driver for those two races. Still can't shake that pass on Button at Yas Marina. Awesome.

This is from the 25th of last month.

F1: Kobayashi, Toyota Sponsors To Renault?

Kamui Kobayashi may be in talks with Renault about becoming Robert Kubica's 2010 teammate.

The French magazine Auto Hebdo reports that the Japanese rookie, who impressed many with his F1 racing debut in Brazil and Abu Dhabi prior to Toyota's decision to withdraw, could have the support of key sponsors for the seat.

The sponsors mentioned are Panasonic and KDDI, who were involved with Toyota's formula one team and are reportedly keen to stay in the sport.

Panasonic, the well-known Japanese electronics company, was Toyota's title sponsor throughout its eight-year F1 foray since 2002, while
KDDI is a Japanese telecom.

"For next year, I think my manager has been talking to other teams but, to be honest, I want to take a break now," Kobayashi, 23, told gpupdate.net at last weekend's Toyota Motor Sport Festival at Fuji Speedway.

"I will go back to Europe in December to speak about the upcoming season. So, for now, I don't know what will happen for next year," he added.

 

[subzero9285]

Abu Dhabi hosts season finale once more

Abu Dhabi will host the final round of the 2010 Formula 1 world championship after a late date change was confirmed by the FIA World Council today.

The season finale was originally scheduled to be the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos on November 14, however that date has now been taken by Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit, with Interlagos moving back to November 7 to avoid a date clash with Brazil's presidential elections.

Abu Dhabi's night race concluded the schedule this year on its introduction to the calendar, but it had been set to move ahead of Brazil in the order for 2010.

Source

2010 Formula 1 calendar:

• 14 March Bahrain
• 28 March Australia
• 4 April Malaysia
• 18 April China
• 9 May Spain
• 16 May Monaco
• 30 May Turkey
• 13 June Canada
• 27 June Europe (Valencia)
• 11 July Great Britain
• 25 July Germany
• 1 August Hungary
• 29 August Belgium
• 12 September Italy
• 26 September Singapore
• 10 October Japan
• 24 October Korea*
• 7 November Brazil
• 14 November Abu Dhabi

*Subject to the homologation of the circuit

 

[subzero9285]

Proposals invited to improve F1 in 2010

The FIA has asked the Formula 1 Sporting Working Group to bring forward proposals for making F1 more entertaining in time to be implemented for the 2010 season.

The Sporting Working Group, which is a sub-committee of the F1 Commission made up of representatives of the Formula 1 teams, including technical directors, is to make its recommendations to the January meeting of the governing body's World Motor Council.

AUTOSPORT sources suggest that overtaking is a particular area of concern, with the leading teams believed to have already recovered much of the downforce lost to the 2009 regulations changes - it is predicted that downforce levels will exceed those at the end of the 2008 by the middle of next season.

The boss of the Malaysian Grand Prix, Razlan Razali, said at the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco earlier this week that circuits would welcome moves by the FIA to improve overtaking.

"If the FIA can come up with something to improve overtaking of the cars without us improving the circuits, then that is great," said the Sepang circuit's CEO. "The spectators, they don't really look at the technical aspects of the car, they want exciting races and overtaking - so if the FIA can come up with something to help that, it's good. But we always have a back-up plan, which is mother nature."

The fans enjoyment of the sport was highlighted in Mercedes GP CEO Nick Fry's pledge at the Motor Sport Business Formum that Formula 1 will do more to embrace its fans through new media, including the internet, in 2010.

"I think the accusation that we have been a bit slow on new media is correct - that we could have done a lot more," Fry said. "But I think you might find that FOM have things they are working on at the moment that will hopefully see the light of day during the course of next year which will hopefully at least partially address that."

Circuit bosses also conceded that they need to make their events more fan-friendly if they are to survive in the current financial climate.

The FIA has also created working groups to make proposals on environmental issues within FIA championships and the development of global rallying, while two sub-committees have been formed for tyre manufacturers and fuel suppliers.

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[subzero9285]

I see that and raise you:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2009/12/schumacher_returning_looking_i.html

Andrew Benson's on the ball most of the times, so for him to give this story some credence is encouraging.

 

[subzero9285]

Due to the expanded grid of 13 teams, and further to the recommendation of the F1 Commission, a new points system will be in place for the 2010 season.

Source

Could see the proposed system given a little tweak.

So going from 25-20-25-10-8-6-5-3-2-1 to 25-20-15-10-8-6-4-3-2-1