2008 Formula 1 Season Discussion
03-26-2008, 10:05 AM
#228
Hammond to cover F1 for BBC
Formula 1 will hit the BBC air waves in 2009 after a long run on ITV. The move will require new figureheads to sit at the desk, and London's Times has said that Top Gear's Richard Hammond is the top man for the job. Economics at least partially drove ITV's decision to withdraw from F1 coverage. The coverage is expensive, so making money is challenging, even with newly rising star Lewis Hamilton making F1 more interesting for UK viewers.
Hammond's presence might help broaden the appeal beyond just racing fans, as would guest appearances by Jeremy Clarkson and James May, Hammond's cohorts on Top Gear. Letting Clarkson and May prowl the paddock could offer priceless moments of color commentary that would set YouTube alight. The BBC also plans to update the look, feel and pace of its coverage, and fans will be able to get at the presentation more easily with races going out across broadband digital outlets in addition to the standard radio and television.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/25/h...er-f1-for-bbc/
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That should be entertaining.
Hammond's presence might help broaden the appeal beyond just racing fans, as would guest appearances by Jeremy Clarkson and James May, Hammond's cohorts on Top Gear. Letting Clarkson and May prowl the paddock could offer priceless moments of color commentary that would set YouTube alight. The BBC also plans to update the look, feel and pace of its coverage, and fans will be able to get at the presentation more easily with races going out across broadband digital outlets in addition to the standard radio and television.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/25/h...er-f1-for-bbc/
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That should be entertaining.
03-27-2008, 08:25 PM
#232
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One thing that I felt was kind of glossed over during the Malaysian week-end was the structural problems around the Redbull chassis. During the practice coverage on SpeedTV, Matchett metioned an anecdote about the Mclaren engineers often having to add material back to Adrian Newey designed pieces in order for them to hold up in reality. Not to sound morbid but I immediatly thought back to Imola '94 upon hearing that. I really hope they do a long, thorough eval of those cars before the next set of races, particularly Turkey and Monaco.
03-28-2008, 08:15 AM
#233
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Well, as far as fragility goes, remember the McLaren from 2 years ago? Fast as stink but broke like stink too. I remember one race in particular where one of the mirrors JUST FELL OFF
03-28-2008, 10:36 AM
#234
New sponsor crucial for US GP return - Autosport
By Jonathan Noble and Matt Beer Friday, March 28th 2008, 12:35 GMT
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66144
The start of the 2007 US Grand PrixThe United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis will only return to the Formula One calendar in the future if it makes financial sense for the circuit, insists track boss Tony George.
The Indianapolis event is absent from the calendar this year for the first time since 2000, with George and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone having failed to reach agreement over a new deal last winter.
Although there has been some speculation in recent weeks that the race could return to the schedule as soon as 2009, George is more cautious about the situation.
He has made it clear that unless the event can attract enough sponsorship interest to make it financially viable then there is little hope of a return.
Although circuits get no revenue from race title sponsors or trackside advertising, it could be possible for George to change the financial terms that Ecclestone wants if he can bring sponsors to the table.
Speaking in an interview with Indianapolis radio station 1070 The Fan Radio, George said that he hoped that talks with potential sponsors could result in a package being put together to present to Ecclestone.
"It really all depends on finding the right sponsor partners for Formula One to come back," said George about the future of the event. "We need to improve the financial performance of the event in order to justify bringing it back.
"We won't do that without sponsorship. So we're talking to some folks that may have interest, and that could happen as early as 2009 if we can go to Bernie with a proposal."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66144
The start of the 2007 US Grand PrixThe United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis will only return to the Formula One calendar in the future if it makes financial sense for the circuit, insists track boss Tony George.
The Indianapolis event is absent from the calendar this year for the first time since 2000, with George and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone having failed to reach agreement over a new deal last winter.
Although there has been some speculation in recent weeks that the race could return to the schedule as soon as 2009, George is more cautious about the situation.
He has made it clear that unless the event can attract enough sponsorship interest to make it financially viable then there is little hope of a return.
Although circuits get no revenue from race title sponsors or trackside advertising, it could be possible for George to change the financial terms that Ecclestone wants if he can bring sponsors to the table.
Speaking in an interview with Indianapolis radio station 1070 The Fan Radio, George said that he hoped that talks with potential sponsors could result in a package being put together to present to Ecclestone.
"It really all depends on finding the right sponsor partners for Formula One to come back," said George about the future of the event. "We need to improve the financial performance of the event in order to justify bringing it back.
"We won't do that without sponsorship. So we're talking to some folks that may have interest, and that could happen as early as 2009 if we can go to Bernie with a proposal."
03-29-2008, 08:25 AM
#240
After two dismal races, Alonso might be considering another F1 move
Not much new, but it is from CBS Sports. They think it's important.
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http://cbs.sportsline.com/autoracing/story/10737545/rss
MADRID, Spain -- Two races into the Formula One season and Fernando Alonso is hinting it may be time for another move -- this time to Ferrari.
His title hopes with Renault essentially ended after he placed eighth at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The French team with whom Alonso won F1 titles in 2005 and '06 has promised improvements to his car in time for the Barcelona Grand Prix on April 27, but that may not be enough for the Spaniard.
"I always try to be in the best car," Alonso said. "I'm at Renault now because I wanted to go back to winning, like in 2005 and 2006. If not this year, then next year. But I have an option to leave so I can still be in the best possible car, and it is clear that Ferrari's is one of the best."
Alonso was linked with Ferrari following Felipe Massa's poor showing in Malaysia.
The Brazilian, who started on the pole, spun off under no pressure while running second after the halfway mark of Sunday's race. That left the championship contender with zero points from two races.
"It's early to talk about moves and rumors, but Massa has had two bad races with mistakes and that has kicked off speculation," Alonso said. "It's logical, but as I said, it's too early."
Renault managing director Flavio Briatore said it was a "waste of time to get involved in hypothetical daydreams."
"Fernando is a great sportsman who will always give his best, and rumors I never comment on," Briatore said Tuesday.
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali defended Massa, who is under contract through 2010, despite the setback to the Italian team in both the drivers' and the constructors' championships.
"We must not over-dramatize. The points table is close after two Grands Prix. I'm convinced that from Felipe's and our point of view, a response won't go amiss in Bahrain," said Domenicali, referring to the next GP on April 6. "Felipe has all the qualities and the capabilities to do well."
Ferrari was inspecting the car to be sure a mechanical problem did not cause the spinout.
At the season-opening Australian GP, Massa retired after a collision and world champion Kimi Raikkonen came to a halt with only five laps to race. Ferrari collected a single point -- its worst start in 16 years.
Alonso performed well at Melbourne, moving up from 11th on the grid to finish fourth.
Sunday's result was discouraging for the two-time world champion, who rejoined Renault after a turbulent season at McLaren, where he still managed to finish third in the drivers' standings -- one point behind Raikkonen.
"The championship is going to stay more or less the same," Alonso said. "We saw it last year and we see it every year. The cars that win the first two or three races stay on top. We are not going to see big surprises during the year."
Briatore remained optimistic about the team and his star driver.
"It does not make sense to judge a car after one or two races. Of course, McLaren and Ferrari have a fast car, but look what happened to Ferrari in Australia," Briatore said. "So we will have to wait and see how it will be at the next couple of races."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2007-2008, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
.................................................. ..............
http://cbs.sportsline.com/autoracing/story/10737545/rss
MADRID, Spain -- Two races into the Formula One season and Fernando Alonso is hinting it may be time for another move -- this time to Ferrari.
His title hopes with Renault essentially ended after he placed eighth at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The French team with whom Alonso won F1 titles in 2005 and '06 has promised improvements to his car in time for the Barcelona Grand Prix on April 27, but that may not be enough for the Spaniard.
"I always try to be in the best car," Alonso said. "I'm at Renault now because I wanted to go back to winning, like in 2005 and 2006. If not this year, then next year. But I have an option to leave so I can still be in the best possible car, and it is clear that Ferrari's is one of the best."
Alonso was linked with Ferrari following Felipe Massa's poor showing in Malaysia.
The Brazilian, who started on the pole, spun off under no pressure while running second after the halfway mark of Sunday's race. That left the championship contender with zero points from two races.
"It's early to talk about moves and rumors, but Massa has had two bad races with mistakes and that has kicked off speculation," Alonso said. "It's logical, but as I said, it's too early."
Renault managing director Flavio Briatore said it was a "waste of time to get involved in hypothetical daydreams."
"Fernando is a great sportsman who will always give his best, and rumors I never comment on," Briatore said Tuesday.
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali defended Massa, who is under contract through 2010, despite the setback to the Italian team in both the drivers' and the constructors' championships.
"We must not over-dramatize. The points table is close after two Grands Prix. I'm convinced that from Felipe's and our point of view, a response won't go amiss in Bahrain," said Domenicali, referring to the next GP on April 6. "Felipe has all the qualities and the capabilities to do well."
Ferrari was inspecting the car to be sure a mechanical problem did not cause the spinout.
At the season-opening Australian GP, Massa retired after a collision and world champion Kimi Raikkonen came to a halt with only five laps to race. Ferrari collected a single point -- its worst start in 16 years.
Alonso performed well at Melbourne, moving up from 11th on the grid to finish fourth.
Sunday's result was discouraging for the two-time world champion, who rejoined Renault after a turbulent season at McLaren, where he still managed to finish third in the drivers' standings -- one point behind Raikkonen.
"The championship is going to stay more or less the same," Alonso said. "We saw it last year and we see it every year. The cars that win the first two or three races stay on top. We are not going to see big surprises during the year."
Briatore remained optimistic about the team and his star driver.
"It does not make sense to judge a car after one or two races. Of course, McLaren and Ferrari have a fast car, but look what happened to Ferrari in Australia," Briatore said. "So we will have to wait and see how it will be at the next couple of races."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2007-2008, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
03-29-2008, 09:24 AM
#241
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^ I came across this article on fox sports I think... I just can't see who wins in an Alonso move to Ferrari unless Kimi is planning to pull a Jim Brown and retire way early. Btw I think we all know who wouldn't fare well as an = #1 in that team based on recent history. IMO Alonso's best bet is to lobby for a seat at BMW or Toyota.
03-29-2008, 09:28 AM
#242
There isn't an experienced driver alive that would want to team with Alonso. And I don't think Ferrari wants to be a training ground for novice F1 drivers. They covet that constructors cup.
Last edited by alnielsen; 03-29-2008 at 09:32 AM. Reason: Spelling
03-29-2008, 12:55 PM
#244
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Kimi would. He said he didn't care who his team mate was when he was at McLaren and it was announced that Alonso would be joining the team for the 2007 season. Of course, we don't really know how early he signed the Ferrari contract, so maybe he knew it would never be an issue. Kimi's overall attitude suggests that he probably wouldn't care though.
03-29-2008, 01:19 PM
#245
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^ I came across this article on fox sports I think... I just can't see who wins in an Alonso move to Ferrari unless Kimi is planning to pull a Jim Brown and retire way early. Btw I think we all know who wouldn't fare well as an = #1 in that team based on recent history. IMO Alonso's best bet is to lobby for a seat at BMW or Toyota.
03-29-2008, 07:24 PM
#246
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^ I came across this article on fox sports I think... I just can't see who wins in an Alonso move to Ferrari unless Kimi is planning to pull a Jim Brown and retire way early. Btw I think we all know who wouldn't fare well as an = #1 in that team based on recent history. IMO Alonso's best bet is to lobby for a seat at BMW or Toyota.
That team will fold within the next 2 years
03-29-2008, 07:53 PM
#247
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If by fold, you mean leave the championship because the brass in Japan are tired of losing, I agree. The amount of money it takes to compete in F1 is a drop in the bucket for Toyota.
03-29-2008, 10:03 PM
#248
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Yeah, but no large corporation with a board of directions likes explaining why they are spending $500 million dollar with essentially nothing to show for it. They may have the money to play with, but playing with it and just blowing it are 2 totally different things.
03-30-2008, 07:30 PM
#249
FIA Changes F1 Qualifying rules. Again
FIA Changes F1 Qualifying rules. Again
Tweaks introduced on safety grounds
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080330....ng-rules-again
Yet another change in the qualifying rules for Formula One after both teams and drivers expressed their dissatisfaction over current rules that have the side effect of hampering qualifiers who are on their flying lap. This happens when slowing cars who are concerned with saving fuel severely slow those on their flying laps, as seen in the most recent GP in Malaysia. McLaren were the most headlined ‘victims’ of penalties imposed for impeding other drivers during their qualifying, which the Anglo-German team denied doing deliberately.
So a maximum time limit is to be imposed on drivers for their in-laps, which is going to be 120 percent of the driver’s quickest timed lap.
"Our clarification to the teams and drivers will be that cars returning to the pits having completed their flying lap or laps will be required to do so within a time that we will set," an FIA spokesman revealed.
"This could be approximately 120 percent of the normal time as we do to prevent drivers going very slowly to the grid to save fuel."
Tweaks introduced on safety grounds
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080330....ng-rules-again
Yet another change in the qualifying rules for Formula One after both teams and drivers expressed their dissatisfaction over current rules that have the side effect of hampering qualifiers who are on their flying lap. This happens when slowing cars who are concerned with saving fuel severely slow those on their flying laps, as seen in the most recent GP in Malaysia. McLaren were the most headlined ‘victims’ of penalties imposed for impeding other drivers during their qualifying, which the Anglo-German team denied doing deliberately.
So a maximum time limit is to be imposed on drivers for their in-laps, which is going to be 120 percent of the driver’s quickest timed lap.
"Our clarification to the teams and drivers will be that cars returning to the pits having completed their flying lap or laps will be required to do so within a time that we will set," an FIA spokesman revealed.
"This could be approximately 120 percent of the normal time as we do to prevent drivers going very slowly to the grid to save fuel."