Retro_Link Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Yeah I agree on the line up. Sato was in contention until the other day, he'd have been far more exciting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8412828.stm Could this be the build up to the news that i hope is coming? Hopefully we will know soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald Emblem Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 (edited) How sad, Picking two drivers who hardly wowed us last season and performed below expectation. Really needed someone with flair, maybe an up coming star in the making from GP2. With this line-up we can't expect much from them. Edited December 15, 2009 by Emerald Emblem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goron_3 Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8412828.stm Could this be the build up to the news that i hope is coming? Hopefully we will know soon Schumacher will definately be back next season, health permitted. And I for one, can't bloody wait. That said, even in a competitive car hes gonna have his work cut out with Lewis, Button, Massa, Alonso and the 2 red bulls up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Schumacher will definately be back next season, health permitted. And I for one, can't bloody wait. That said, even in a competitive car hes gonna have his work cut out with Lewis, Button, Massa, Alonso and the 2 red bulls up there. Thats why im really excitd by it all. Should be a good season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald Emblem Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Just 2 manufacturers in the sport now. Such a shift in the balance of power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicktendo Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Autosport have confirmed that Kobayashi has signed with Sauber for 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro_Link Posted December 17, 2009 Author Share Posted December 17, 2009 Just 2 manufacturers in the sport now. Such a shift in the balance of power.???... Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes Benz, Renault (still keeping the name aren't they?)Autosport have confirmed that Kobayashi has signed with Sauber for 2010 Good good. If only Sato was given a go aswell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald Emblem Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Renault aren't exactly in charge of the team. It's pretty much in the same boat as Lotus. Also great news n Kobayashi's drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro_Link Posted December 17, 2009 Author Share Posted December 17, 2009 Renault aren't exactly in charge of the team. It's pretty much in the same boat as Lotus. Also great news n Kobayashi's drive. Ah right, I heard they's sold a %, didn't know it was that much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Renault aren't exactly in charge of the team. It's pretty much in the same boat as Lotus. Also great news n Kobayashi's drive. I thaught Lotus had nothing to do with the car manufactrer Lotus as it was just the naming rights from the old F1 team or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald Emblem Posted December 17, 2009 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Ah right, I heard they's sold a %, didn't know it was that much. I read 75% of the teams shares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaggle64 Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Montezemolo: Schumacher says return with Mercedes "a very strong possibility" - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8420601.stm Nice quote from Luca- "A guy called Michael Schumacher told us at Monza (in September) he would renew his (Ferrari consultancy) contract," Di Montezemolo said. "And it looked like his career would finish with Ferrari. "But then there's another one who looks like him, 40, 41 yrs old, German, same name and decided to do a new career." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro_Link Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 Oh Bollocks... http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80634 Rome targets street race in 2012 Rome is aiming to host a grand prix on the streets of the Italian capital in 2012, and the event's promoter says an agreement has already been made with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone. According to the autosport forums, Tilke is doing the track layout, with this the supposed final [crap] layout... It doesn't even feature any of Rome's historic landmarks or monuments, other than a palace! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goron_3 Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Yeah I think Kimi left F1 at the right time.... Man I was looking at the F1 2000 calander and there is so much more Europe love! A1 ring was brilliant, Old Hockenheim, Imola and the only crappy asian track was Malaysia which is actually pretty good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmac Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 yay just what's needed, another street track Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro_Link Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 (edited) Yeah it's getting rediculous, no doubt the calander will soon look something like this... Bahrain Malaysia China India Spain Monaco Rome Turkey Russia Las Vegas/New York Valencia Paris Silverstone Hungary Begium Italy Singapore South Korea Brazil Abu Dhabi That would be a 20 race calender, 6 street circuits, Monaco, Rome, Las Vegas/New York, Valencia, Paris, Singapore. 13 Tilke Tracks, Bahrain, Malaysia, China, India, Rome, Turkey, Russia, Las Vegas/New York, Valencia, Paris, Singapore, South Korea, Abu Dhabi. Loosing the circuits that have been in trouble lately, or have sort term deals, Austrailia, Germany, Canada, Japan. That just leaves Interlagos at which to get some overtaking! Edited December 22, 2009 by Retro_Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaggle64 Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 FYI BBC 4 broadcast some great biographies on Stewart, Graham Hill and Clark back to back last night - the Stewart documentary isn't available on iplayer but the other two are, so grab 'em while you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goron_3 Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 FYI BBC 4 broadcast some great biographies on Stewart, Graham Hill and Clark back to back last night - the Stewart documentary isn't available on iplayer but the other two are, so grab 'em while you can. Yeah I saw them and they were fantastic! Everyone should check out the Clark one i thought it was fantastic. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8427552.stm SCHUMACHER IS BACK Looks like he's signed a one year contract with an option to stay an extra year if his comeback is successful Fantastic news, I'm incredibly excited! Like him or not I think it's great for F1 to have him back, especially with the race-fixing scandal of last season and Liargate giving the sport such bad publicity. THE KING IS BACK! woop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicktendo Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 (edited) Next season is shaping up to be great. Even though I am saddened by the loss of Kimi, Schumacher's return makes up for it... slightly. :p I think it has the potential to be the most competitive season in recent memory and there are 4 or 5 teams / 10 driverscthat could possibly walk away with the titles this year, which is great!! Here's how I see the driver line-up shaping up this season... bold are confirmed. McLaren–Mercedes 1. Jenson Button 2. Lewis Hamilton I think Jenson, sadly, is going to get trounced by Lewis this year. If McLaren's car is as good as it was at the end of '09, Lewis has a great chance to win the championship this year. They need to get off to a strong start and build from a better base than last years mess. Mercedes 3. Michael Schumacher - As good as confirmed 4. Nico Rosberg One lesson I have learned as an F1 fan is never rule out Ross Brawn, last year proved that in many ways, now that he's back with his old pal I expect much of the same. I do however expect Rosberg to give 41-year-old Schumi a run for his money and a years worth of experience with someone as experienced and succesful and Michael will have an immense effect on Rosberg, who I believe is a future WDC Red Bull–Renault 5. Sebastian Vettel 6. Mark Webber With little change to the aero-regs this year I can see Red Bull probably lying a bit behind Maccas, Mercs and Ferrari's, but it's up to them to prove last year wasn't a fluke and if Vettel is on form again, there's no reason why they cant go one step further and win either championship. They should have got a better (more reliable) engine contract though because that really hampered them last year and if reliability is an issue again, this season will be another missed oppertunity. Webber has to perform like he did in Germany this year - if Red Bull push for the title and he isn't strong he could be replaced for 2011. Ferrari 7. Felipe Massa 8. Fernando Alonso On paper, I think Ferrari have the strongest driver line-up. They've offloaded unneccesary 'consultants' and should just concentrate on giving the two fastest drivers on the grid, the fastest car. If they do this, then I expect and incredible battle between Massa and Alonso for the championship. I'm also kind of hoping this is the case - I'm not particularly a Ferrari fan, I just think this is quite possibly the most fiery driver line-up of the past 10 years, both are heated competitors and seeing it explode in the last few races would make amazing viewing. I'm sure they will push each other beyond their limits if the WDC is at stake. I would really like to see Massa take the title this year, he outperfomed Kimi for the last 2 years and was desperatly unlucky in 2008. He is WDC material and it would be a shame if he didn't clinch one Williams–Cosworth 9. Rubens Barrichello 10. Nico Hulkenberg After Rosberg's consistently good perfromances last year I'm expecting big things from Williams this year. I expect Barrichello will push and Hulkenburg will try to outdo his experienced team mate. The battle between them should be interesting and if the car is quick they should certainly be the 'best of the rest' Renault 11. Robert Kubica 12. Vitaly Petrov I'm expecting Petrov to take the second seat because of his apparent connections with the new owners (Genii Capital or something....). I was really disappointed that Prodrive and Dave Richards didn't take over the 75% stake because they are a real racing team, interested in racing. Not like this profit driven corporation that has taken over. I feel sorry for Kubica and hopfully the surviving members of the Renualt team will have the passion to develop a good car and put to rest the unpleasent memories of the recent past, otherwise this could be another season to forget for Kubica. Force India–Mercedes 14. Adrian Sutil 15. Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India have proved themsleves as serious points contenders in the past year and I hope Mallya and the rest of the team continue forward and set higher targets for this season. They have a operation capable of moving forward in a big way and two very competant (if a little inconsistant) drivers. I'm predicting a good haul of points, constrcuters finish of 7/8 and maybe a podium if they're lucky. STR–Ferrari 16. Sebastien Buemi 17. Jaime Alguersuari - As good as confirmed Last season was quiet on the Toro Rosso front compared to 2008 and I'm expecting the same this year. Vettel was the exception in their maiden GP victory in 2008 and while Buemi is certainly one to watch he is still lacking in confidence to pull of anything close to what Vettel achieved with the team. Hopefully the development of the car will be more parallel to Red Bull as opposed to a few races behind because it would be intertesting to see the two young guys pushing for points. I hope Alguesuari gets the seat because he seems like a genuine chap and isn't a slow as some of the other young guys (Like Grosjean), I think he just did enough last year to win the seat. Lotus–Cosworth 18. Jarno Trulli 19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus are going to make an impact next season, in my opinion. They have chosen two experienced and talented drivers (if not 100% consistent). I do think the driver line-up compliments their ambitions and they seem to be the furthest along in development so hopefully they will be able to prove that come Bahrain and establish themseleves as the top of the new teams. With Mike Gascoyne on board, I can see this happening Campos Dallara–Cosworth 20. ? 21. Bruno Senna All has been a little quite on the Campos front, I'm not entirely sure what to expect from them. I believe they wanted one experienced driver and one younger one so judging by their decision to hire Senna, they will likely try to acquire and experienced driver who has raced in F1, probably Pedro De La Rosa (as he is also spanish and brings in sponsership). I think this would be their wisest move as he isn't a bad driver, is very experienced and has raced for McLaren afetr Montoya left. Senna is one to watch for the future and I expect him to punch above the car's weight on a couple of occasions. US F1–Cosworth 22. Alex Wurz ? 23. ? A lot of talk on Autosport and from Bernie suggests that USF1 won't even make the grid. I don't want to be pessimist and I think they will be there. Apparently development is coming along well and they are currently molding the chassis to accomadate the Cosworth engine. On the driver front I am expecting Alex Wurz to sign up as many rumblings have pointed in this direction. Also rumours suggest they want an American driver or 'one with American experience.' Hopefully this suggests good old Jacques Villeneuve could join as he has been in talks with teams... 5 WDCs in one season would be a tasty prospect!! I wouldn't rule out Bourdais for this role or other 'high-profile' Indy car racers. I do however expect USF1 to be bringing up ther rear next year, but I do hope they see the entire season out. Virgin–Cosworth 24. Timo Glock 25. Lucas Di Grassi I don't really know what to make of Virgin, they seem to mean business and I certainly expect them to fare better than Campos and USF1, but I am unsure as to whether or not their technological approach to design will be succesful. Using a computer to design a race car without using a wind-tunnel (Branson has a point, it's expensive, very expensive) is thus far unproven and I really hope that Virgin prove that it's NOT neccesary but I'm not holding my breath. Timo is a good driver, deserves a seat in F1 and I hope this move doesn't wreck his career. As for a team-mate, he is a proven force in GP2 and I hope he makes the transistion to F1 in a similar vain that his team-mate did. Sauber–Ferrari 26. Nick Heidfeld - 99% Likely IMO. 27. Kamui Kobayashi I am so pleased to see Sauber back on the grid! Now that Schumi's gone to Merc I'm certain they'll snap up Heidfeld and I desperaty hope he can pick up a race win just to prove the doubters wrong. He is fast, he is VERY consistent and I feel as though had Jesus' second coming not occured he would have been more than worthy of the Merc seat. As for his team-mate, well who ISN'T a fan of Kamikaze-Kobayashi?! I'm so pleased he secured a seat and he rounds of what is a very exciting looking grid for 2010. Edited December 23, 2009 by Nicktendo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaggle64 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Say what you like about EJ, the man seems to know where to put his ear to the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro_Link Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 Nice analysis Nicktendo! Pretty much agree on all fronts. So Heidfelds missed out on a top drive yet again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicktendo Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 SCHUMACHER is now offically confirmed!! http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8427552.stm And suddenly the world is a better place... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro_Link Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 Possible 3 year deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaggle64 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Possible 3 year deal. That's what I've been reading all over the place. I'm surprised he's signed for that long - presumably he'll break it off once Mercedes secure Vettel after a year or two but he's obviously prepared to go all the way. So long as Merc bring the car, with Brawn on the wall an 8th championship is a frightening possibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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