Posted March 20, 2009 I think it's time for FOTA to consider that break-away series again. The current Concorde agreement with the FIA runs out in 2011. I'm SO fed up of the FIA's inconsistency, Mad Max, and Bernie's terrible ideas/vision of the future of F1. Time to leave it all behind and let the teams work amongst themselves and get back to the racing. FOTA seem to be working extremely well. The relationship between the teams has never been so united and strong. They listen to the fans and know where the sport needs to be taken. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 23, 2009 Just 4 days to first practice, can't wait. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 23, 2009 Just 4 days to first practice, can't wait. I'm gonna be up nice and early to watch it, gonna be sick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 23, 2009 I'll be up early watching it too. I think we're in for one hell of an exciting first race. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 23, 2009 (edited) I'm gonna be up nice and early to watch it, gonna be sick Planning on watching the race live, I pretty much always do, Aus is the killer though! first race of the season and you gotta get up at like 3am [cold and drousy!], but then the adrenaline kicks in!... LOVE IT!! Edited March 23, 2009 by Retro_Link Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 23, 2009 Planning on watching the race live, I pretty much always do, Aus is the killer though! first race of the season and you gotta get up at like 3am [cold!], but then the adrenaline kicks in!... LOVE IT!! Thank God this year it's a more sensible 6am. I might even manage to stay awake for the whole race for once. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 23, 2009 Thank God this year it's a more sensible 6am. I might even manage to stay awake for the whole race for once.Ohhh is it! I thought it was only an hour or so earlier' date=' meaning coverage at 3am and race at 4am. 6am's gonna be easy in that case! Strangely I'm a little dissapointed in a way, there was something oddly special about watching Aus in the middle of the night. Anyone know if qually is live on TV or just on the web [cause of the time']. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 23, 2009 I would prefer it to be at 3/4am tbh I usually stay up to around that time anyway on weekends. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 23, 2009 Ohhh is it! I thought it was only an hour or so earlier, meaning coverage at 3am and race at 4am. 6am's gonna be easy in that case! Strangely I'm a little dissapointed in a way, there was something oddly special about watching Aus in the middle of the night. Anyone know if qually is live on TV or just on the web [cause of the time]. I think qualifying and all the practices are live on BBC, just gotta hit that Red Button Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 23, 2009 I think qualifying and all the practices are live on BBC, just gotta hit that Red Button Can't wait to fully see the the red button options, in car cameras, timings and all that!... very excited!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 23, 2009 Really going to make the fans happy with all the bonuses they are including. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 (edited) Next year we will have 13 teams on the Grid, to amass a total of 26 cars http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7957788.stm Also Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams have had allegations for illegal Aerodynamics on their cars: http://www.autoevolution.com/news/brawn-gp-001-race-car-illegal-diffuser-allegations-5039.html Edited March 26, 2009 by Emerald Emblem Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 Yeah that Diffuser row has been kicking around ever since the cars launched. The FIA really should have clarified the difser rules weeks ago, so either the teams with the 'illegal' ones could adapt it to being legal, or if it's deemed legal, then the other teams could have produced their own version. The diffuser can give such an advantage, and other teams have been saying even up to 0.5 of a second a lap on the Brawn car. But now this row is going to be made aware to the public at Melbourne and once again F1 is gonna be made to look stupid! Oh and about the 26 cars story... Don't see it happening for next season at all, maybe 1 more team [uSF1 or Prodrive maybe]. And I honestly think Bernie is fucking mental, he's still insistant on putting medals in place, despite no one wanting them, and people keen to see FOTA's 12-9-7 season in place! It's simply because it's FOTA that he isn't listening to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 I think if they can get well managed budget caps in place then there will be a big interest in startup teams. As you say, probably not going to be next season, but in 2011 I can see a good few people trying to get on the grid. Chatting in the pub the other night I think I must be the only person to support the race wins system, I really think it would be better for the sport. The other system we came up with was 1 point for last going up a point for each position and then 100 for the win. Gives each driver a reason to overtake with a big bonus for getting the win. Something definitely needs to change in some way though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 Yeah that Diffuser row has been kicking around ever since the cars launched. The FIA really should have clarified the difser rules weeks ago, so either the teams with the 'illegal' ones could adapt it to being legal, or if it's deemed legal, then the other teams could have produced their own version.The diffuser can give such an advantage, and other teams have been saying even up to 0.5 of a second a lap on the Brawn car. But now this row is going to be made aware to the public at Melbourne and once again F1 is gonna be made to look stupid! Oh and about the 26 cars story... Don't see it happening for next season at all, maybe 1 more team [uSF1 or Prodrive maybe]. And I honestly think Bernie is fucking mental, he's still insistant on putting medals in place, despite no one wanting them, and people keen to see FOTA's 12-9-7 season in place! It's simply because it's FOTA that he isn't listening to it. The diffuser row is ridiculous. I can see Brawn, Williams and Toyota being disqualified in Australia, and IF Brawn win or get a podium that will be, well... shit. I think ProDrive and USGP will definatly be on the grid next year so there will be at least 24 cars. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 Right, so before first practice finally kicks off, what are everyone's predictions for the year? My (rather off the cuff) predictions are as follows: WDC: Robert Kubica WCC: Ferrari Number of Points Force India Score: 3 Good Year For: Barrichello Bad Year For: Torro Rosso Mclaren's Year: Not Great But Not Too Bad Overall This Years Controversy: Bernie Tries To Kill Spa Hamilton Penalised For: Wearing His Hat At A Jaunty Angle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 Using the same categories as you: WDC: Fernando Alonso WCC: Ferrari Number of Points Force India Score: 12 Good Year For: Barrichello (and his final) Bad Year For: McLaren Mclaren's Year: Bad, midfield most of the season. Maybe a lucky win. This Years Controversy: Diffusers, Medals System, Big KERS accident. Hamilton Penalised For: Being a cock. (I doubt he'll be in a position for anyone to care about penalising him this year) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 WDC: Difficult to say now but I'm going for Massa or Alonso WCC: Ferrari Number of Points Force India Score: 2 Good Year For: BMW / Brawn / Toyota Bad Year For: Hamilton Mclaren's Year: Hamilton finishes 6th / Kovi finishes 10th in the WDC This Years Controversy: Diffusers. Bernie tries to create tension amongst the teams. Hamilton Penalised For: No one notices him, so he isn't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 (edited) WDC: Kimi Raikkonen WCC: Ferrari Number of Points Force India Score: 12 Good Year For: Totota, Brawn/Barrichello Bad Year For: Mclaren, Piquet Mclaren's Year: Midfield at first, but improve as season progresses. This Years Controversy: - Diffuser row. - More FIA/Stewards bullshit, not letting racers race! - Bernie continuing to further ruin F1 in any way he can. - Max and Bernie Shoot a Porno. Hamilton Penalised For: - Anthony Hamilton. Edited March 26, 2009 by Retro_Link Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 Turns out that the protests against the diffusers have been rejected, appeals will be heard by the FIA after Malaysia (Gpupdate.net). It seems likely now that the results from the first 2 races won't be overturned but instead the teams will be asked to change their designs, or maybe not if the appeal is rejected. A good result in my opinion, and I really can't see them changing the standings of 2 races, especially after Charlie Whiting and a bunch of stewards threw out the inital objection. Time to get on with the racing now I think! Practice 1 is live on BBCi at 1:25am tonight. I will be watching! can't wait now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 BrawnGP's first sponsors have been announced - clothing firm Henri Loyd have been officially confirmed and Richard Branson is expected to confirm Virgin as Brawn's title sponsor this weekend, possibly within a matter of hours. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73920 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 Good to see them getting some backing, the Virgin deal seems to be as main, though not title, sponsor. Not that is matters much. I'm getting very excited, can't wait for the action to start. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 Today I found out that my Physics teacher (Mr Hamilton)'s first name is Lewis. Oh how I laughed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 Loving the BBC F1 site right now, their various and insightful blogs and articles, nostalgia trips with their classic highlights reels for each race and interactive 3D circuit guide really are all genuinely excellent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Posted March 26, 2009 anyone with digital push the red button on bbc 1 now and u can watch Classic F1 from OZ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
