Sport The Formula 1 Thread

[Sidewaysbob]

That Fis win was the Brazilian GP where the God of water went foa holiday and invited his mate the god of rivers and storms for a laugh.

I hardly call that a race win. He wa sthe only one who didn't crash.

Frentzens win has to be the last. Or was it matey in the Prost as Moanco ... hang on

[Nick_L]

Monza '99 was probably the last time a privateer team beat the big-guns fair and square.

Johnny Herbert won the European GP the same year for Stewart, but like Panis winning at Monaco for Ligier in '96 that was down to the number of cars that didnt finish more than car/driver performance.

The 1993 Williams-Renault is still regarded as the most advanced racing car of all time. It had fully developed active suspension, a computer controlled semi automatic gearbox, traction and launch control, and god knows what else !

For me, F1 is about technology as well as driver skill, but there has to be a balance there somewhere, if its the car doing all the work there is no enjoyment - all the drivers have their own driving personality, and with all these electronic aids you take that away.

The problem with standardising everything is that it could end up being boring, with 22 identical cars driving round and round.

I say introduce standard ECU's, bring back slicks and limit downforce for a season - see how that works out.

[Nick_L]

Prodrive has been confirmed at the 12th entry for 2008 :

ITV-F1 Link

No suprise really. I wonder who'll supply there engines ?

[Paradigm]

Cosworth would be the most likely.

[Sidewaysbob]

BMW or Merc i think

neither of them have a seond engine deal yet, which i thought the FIA was pushing for.

As Renault are uming and ering over their future i can't see them supplying a second team

However, If the rumours of Renault rebranding as Nissan are to be believed, they could be suppling a "nissan" unit.

And there's Audi, who have been casting around for about a year now for a route in. With the Diesel engine winning sebring they may have descided to stick to Endurance sports car racing and just supply an Audi engine instead of buying a team. Having watched Toyota spend a fortune and achieve bugger all.

[roskelld]

Can I make a request.

In the thread title can we avoid putting any spoilers, however slight?

I didn't get the chance to watch the GP at the weekend due to being at a Christening, so I had to download it (No Sky+ for me). I avoided reading this thread, and any newspapers so I didn't know who won the race. But from the thread title update I could see that something shit was going to happen to Button.

I'm happy with the thread being spoiler tastic, but just not the title. Is that okay?

p.s. I'll be watching the next GP late as its the Bath meet. So, just a pre-warning

[Nick_L]

Ill make sure the next subtitle is spoiler free

[roskelld]

Ill make sure the next subtitle is spoiler free

Nick, you're a gent

[mexos]

However, If the rumours of Renault rebranding as Nissan are to be believed...

oooh, where did you hear that? it kind of makes sence - how much extra do renault really need to push their name in F1 after what will be 2 back to back victories... handing the limelight to another brand would be a smart move.

[Sidewaysbob]

Eddie Jordans mentioed it in a few places. He might just be touting for buisness. But you never know. As you say, it would make sence to push their other brands. Renault have confirmed they'll be racing in 2007, but not as who and only if they win the Championship. Well that's the way i've been reading it.

Of course with prodrives connections, a Scooby engine could be on the cards. Or Ford could be back following the succes of the engine in the Aston Martin. But if i had to put money on anyone, It would be a customer Merc. they need some one else to help develope those engines, why not Prodrive.

[mexos]

whatever happens, they certainly wont be running hondas's!

[Sidewaysbob]

true

[Paradigm]

Apparently there was a big F1 crash yesterday at closed testing in Modena.

[mexos]

so, M$ recon's he'll be in with a shout this weekend. any takers?

i actually wouldnt mind if they are in the hunt*, makes the championship a bit more interesting.

* as long as they dont win the damn thing

mclaren HAVE to get their act together this weekend.

[Sidewaysbob]

Alonso all the way.

Mickey will take pole, button with be third at the start then fade pathetically back to 11th. Mclaren with be 5th and 6th.

Nice big run off's, so Massa should be alright.

[mexos]

i really hope that m$ re signs for a few more years.

the thought of raik vs m$ or alonso in the same team... ive almost got a semi.

i was hoping for fireworks when JPM runed up at mclaren, but he's simply not fast enough

i want some more of this:

but, (unlike 88-89) with a couple more contenders from other teams.

[Sidewaysbob]

Yeah i don't know what happened to Montoya.

He was shit hot in F3000, took the tittle with ease. When to CART. took that title with relative ease. Then just lost it. Rubbish follow up year (though he did win the Indy 500). then signed for williams and never realy showed what he could do. Sold to Ron and failed to shine in the fastest car on the grid.

shame really. I rated once apon a time, but not now. Kimi looks hungrier for the wins.

The problem with any team that has Mickey S, is that it's always going to be a team built around Mickey. Senna and Prost were allowed to race. Big Ron always claimed it was up to the drivers and there were no official team orders. Which is why Prost was pissed off that Senna won the italian GP when they'd agreed that the first driver into the first corner was allowed to win the race.

Mickey would be the same as Senna, dominate the other driver and have them moved over to further his points tally. He did it to barrichello and Irvine and Jonny. all of them get told to move over. That's not racing, it's pants.

[mexos]

but ferrari know that schuey doest have long left driving. if he stays, im sure it will be on their terms & not his for the first time. ferrari are looking to the future, looking to secure their next star driver to replace him.

if they want kimi as much as everyone thinks they do, then schu would have to make do with equal treatment. kimi could very well be their future. i cant see them pissing him off in any shape or form. schu would have to suck it up & live with equal treatment fi he wanted to stay, which is why i cant see it happening unfortunantly - he wont want to risk being blown away by another driver, in the same equipment, right at the end of his career.

alonso/kimi is more likely. thats where my money would go.

[Nick_L]

*yawn*

Well that was a bit boring, or was it just me.

No action to really speak of except a few retirements and MSC taking the lead during a pit stop.

Good to see Massa make the podium for the first time, and Barrichello getting points. (even the old chesnut Villeneuve scored a point again )

Hope Barcelona is more exciting, but going off recent years I doubt it !

[Nick_L]

Well, everyone obviously LOVED last weeks GP by the amount of discussion in here

Anyway, its the usually-dull Spanish GP this weekend. Ferrari's have been fastest so far, any predictions for the race ?

Ill go for Alonso grabbing a home win, Schumacher 2nd and Button 3rd.

[Sidewaysbob]

mickey all the way.

No development since last weekend, so it'll be the same as last weekend. Mickey has a faster car than alonso, He's going to walk it.

the Honda will be rubbish as usual. Infact, the Honda has been rubbish ever since they took out that "extra" fuel tank last year

[Sidewaysbob]

apparently, Valentino Rossi has been given until july to make his mind up about his F1 future by Yamarha. So it all comes down to Mickey and will he stay or will he go. If he goes then Kimi and Rossi will take over with no Todt, Brawn, or Byrne plus the other one i've forgotten.

It would be a whole new start for Ferrari in 2008.

[Paradigm]

Would be disastrous too. Lots of people give Schumacher a lot of stick and keep waffling on about his car making the man (which is shit, of course) but the team behind him are probably the best. Brawn is excellent. Should be a good GP this, first I've been able to watch for ages and ages. Hooray.

[John0]

So, when's the next grand prix then? Is it this weekend?

[layten]

Anyone else read about Button claiming that the only reason Schumacher, Alonso and co. have won world championships recently is due to their cars, and that he reckons he is better than them.

Would a load of cock, stop believing everything the tard commentators say about you and go f**king win something, then start mouthing off.

[zxcvbnm]

Yep - Monaco!

edit: and check out the red bulls this weekend: http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=36014

[mexos]

dont you just love it when your right...?

MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has ruled out driving in Formula One in the near future, ending months of speculation about his plans.

what a surprise. of course they let him save face by suggesting that it was his totally his descision...

[Paradigm]

Anyone else read about Button claiming that the only reason Schumacher, Alonso and co. have won world championships recently is due to their cars, and that he reckons he is better than them.

Would a load of cock, stop believing everything the tard commentators say about you and go f**king win something, then start mouthing off.

What a twat Button is. He's not a natural, never has been, never will be.

[Sidewaysbob]

How long will they hold off before annoucing that Kimi will be driving a Ferrari next year ?

Alonso for the win, but i expect button to be on the podium. Smooth driving always get's rewarded here.

[SteveH]

I'm a huge Schumacher fan, but can't help feeling his "mistake" at the end there was done on purpose to stop Alonso grabbing pole

And yes, Button is shit. I get sick and tired of the commentators and newspapers acting like he is the second coming. He's shit and is starting to have Barrichello snapping at his heels now. As Layte said, either put up or shut the fuck up.

edit: looks like the F1 people agree with me regards Schumacher