LionZoo

Kimi and Robert got past Lewis in the pits. Heidfeld was fueled to the finish and so Kubica had to get around him on track. Certainly Heidfeld didn't make it very hard on Robert to pass, but I don't think there were team orders in this situation.

How's the Dan Cleary celebration?

moRotorMotor

You have a keen eye, my friend, but to be honest, I didn't know there was a newfoundlander in the Red Wings team. I haven't followed hockey in a few years. Feels cool though! Thanks!

nu2rx8

Yeah but why not just waive them by the SC and reset the field on the next lap

Love the idea of slowing the stops down though. Gravity fed fuel delivery and perhaps four less guys working on the car wall would do the trick. Poor Steve Matchet would probably have a heart attack at the thought.

nu2rx8

To me both neglected to look at the lights exiting the pit lane which was monunted high and to the right. If by some miracle Lewis did complete his move to the left of Kimi, the pit lane would have been blocked and Nico would likely have hit any one of them.

Just a bad situation to have period. And yes, Massa got a raw deal on this last year as well. Stopping at a red light is not an appropriate test for F1 imho.

T.T.

A number of drivers have complained that they don't see the red light. Maybe they should make the light bigger or have a giant flashing sign over the exit, kind of like the ones you see on the highway with traffic messages.

BlueRenesis82

Or do what the Rolex series does and mount a flashing light right in the drivers line of sight.

shaunv74

Or someone on the pit crew should be radioing the driver the status of the redlight while they are in the pits or on their way out. No reason you can't pay someone minimum wage to say "Redlight, Pit is closed" on the radio while the driver is in pit lane and on the way out.

LionZoo

Or maybe the supposed best drivers in the world should be able to learn to get into a habit of checking the pit exit light just like the rest of us pay attention to traffic signals.

ATL-GP

****...id' do it for free

morkusyambo

+1^^

shaunv74

Agreed. But why leave it up to chance.

CERAMICSEAL

How many F1 tracks have an exit light for the pits? I agree with many that it was a dumb mistake but it's crazy to see people accuse Ham of doing it on purpose.

Seal.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Grandprix.com
JUNE 12, 2008
The F1-FIA plot thickens - or does it?

Bernie Ecclestone has written to all the FIA club presidents saying that he wishes to clarify the current situation, blaming confusion on the media - a regular thing in F1 circles.

He says that "the position of Formula One Management and the teams and the Formula 1 promoters is very simple. They would like a Concorde Agreement signed in basically the same format as in the past agreements".

Ecclestone goes on to say that "a number of manufacturers and teams along with their sponsors have stated that they thought the president should step down because of matters in his private life. This is their and only their opinion as they are not part of the FIA and therefore do not have votes".

He adds that Max Mosley has been a friend for 40 years and "hopes that he still is". He concludes by saying that Mosley has "in his way carried out many matters which have been beneficial to the FIA and should be appreciated for this".

It is not clear what this letter hopes to achieve, beyond being slightly more conciliatory than some of the statements attributed to Ecclestone in recent weeks.

What is interesting is that the letter coincides with new rumours that suggest that CVC Capital Partners may be involved in preliminary talks with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp about selling its shares in the Formula One group, presumably by way of the ultimate holding company at the moment, Delta Topco. This is a Jersey-based company which is 70% owned by CVC with other shares belonging to JPMorgan, Lehman Brothers, the Ecclestone Family trust Bambino and Bernie Ecclestone himself.

In the current circumstances, it is hard to know whether any rumour can be trusted because there are all manner of propaganda wars going on to create impressions that may or may not be true. Rather than try to analyse whether this is right or wrong, it is probably best to simply state that the rumour exists.

It is certainly an interesting and logical idea as News Corp is one of the few companies that might be able to generate more revenues from the sport, because it owns and operates not only TV stations but also satellite TV networks such as Sky and DirecTV. These allow the company to broadcast its own programming without having to rely on other TV companies for delivery or for content.

This could mean that the various News Corp stations could generate the advertising revenues associated with F1 without needing to use the traditional broadcasters, which currently pay for the TV rights but then make their money back and generate profits by selling advertising.

There are any number of implications of such a deal, not least that News Corp owns the News of the World newspaper, the publication that exposed Max Mosley's recent escapades and it is now heavily involved in legal action with the FIA President.

The FIA has a controversial veto clause in its contract with the Formula One group that allows it to refuse a change of ownership if it does not like the buyer.

The rumour may be a complete fabrication by people trying to create perceptions about the Mosley Scandal, but it is not easy to know fact from fiction at the moment.

alfy28

does any one know if SpeedTV will start showing the races after Silverstone? or is it now going to be aired on FOx.

also news http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...t-alonso-says/



F1: I Don’t Know If I’ll Stay at Renault, Alonso Says

Fernando Alonso’s post-2008 future remains uncertain and could well be in a Formula 1 squad other than Renault, the Spaniard admitted this Monday as preparations begin for his team’s home race, the French GP at Magny-Cours on Sunday.

Alonso currently lies ninth in the standings with just nine points, 33 less than leader Robert Kubica of BMW. The double world champion’s best finish so far is a fourth place in the Australian GP opener.

I don't know [if I’ll stay with Renault]," he told a news conference in France today. "It's not been a good year so far and it has beenworse than we expected. We have not been on the podium, let alone won a race.


We have a lot of work to do. I will take a decision on my future towards the end of the year when we'll be able to see how far we have come."

As for his prospects this weekend, the Spaniard seemed more positive.

"In France we have a lot of support and for me it's like racing in Barcelona," he said. "During the week the team have worked hard and have made improvements with the car in testing. We have taken another step forward. I feel full of confidence at the moment and we are on the right track."

LionZoo

Every track has it.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

It looks like all the races will be on Fox (http://msn.foxsports.com/motor/f1/schedule) and the practice & qualifying will be on Speed.

alfy28

ty alnielsen. the canda one, i didnt know fox was airing it. until half the race was over

CERAMICSEAL

I plead ignorant as I had no idea that was the case.

Seal.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Honda to power American F1 project?
An unlikely scenario being rumoured
16/06/08 15:41
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headline...16154123.shtml

Following Super Aguri's demise, Honda may soon have another satellite Formula One team up and racing.

Reports from Portugal claim that Ken Anderson, a well-known US engineer who has worked in prominent F1 roles, is in promising talks about setting up an American outfit.

The reports said that while nothing is guaranteed, the Honda-powered team could be ready to debut as soon as 2009.

Anderson was reportedly a Honda guest throughout the recent Montreal race weekend, meeting with team chiefs Ross Brawn and Nick Fry.

None of the parties wanted to comment, but sources close to Honda have apparently said that the Japanese manufacturer is ready to sell engines, gearboxes and KERS systems to the new team.

Anderson is said to be meeting with F1 Chief Executive Bernie Ecclestone in London this week.


The US outfit would be assisted by Honda's North American arm, as well as several backers from within the US, while Takuma Sato is favourite for the lead cockpit.

Portugal's Alvaro Parente, who made his F1 test debut in January as a prize for winning the 2007 World Series by Renault, was mentioned as a possibility for the other seat.

The reports said Anderson's F1 team could be announced officially in mid-summer.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

F1 boss issues breakaway threat
By Andrew Benson
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/7456405.stm


Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone has warned that unease over the position of Max Mosley could lead to the teams forming a breakaway championship.

Ecclestone had previously played down the threat after Mosley won a vote of confidence as president of governing body the FIA over a sex scandal.

The 77-year-old told the Times: "The teams can do what they like.

"To keep sponsors happy, we are trying to say we can't break away. But it could well be that it will happen."

Ecclestone pointed out that the failure of F1's power-brokers to renew the Concorde Agreement, the document which governed the sport from 1981 to 2007, means the teams are free agents.

"What the FIA doesn't have, which is the most important thing for them, is an agreement with the teams they would have with the Concorde Agreement," he added.

"There is no agreement between the teams and the FIA. There is a commercial agreement that has been signed by the teams and Formula One Management, so the teams can do what they like."

Ecclestone has been discussing a revised Concorde Agreement with the teams, but Mosley has, according to sources, made it clear he does not want to renew it.
That effectively means any checks on his power as FIA president, which were enshrined in the Concorde Agreement, no longer exist.

He has already disbanded the F1 Commission, the body which until last year agreed the F1 rules before they were rubber-stamped by the FIA World Council.

And teams are anxious about the fact that the current situation deprives them of power and influence.

Mosley has been under pressure since March, when the News of the World accused him of taking part in a "****-style orgy" with prostitutes.

Mosley, the son of former British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley, accepts he visited the prostitutes but denies there were **** overtones.

The 68-year-old has launched a legal action against the newspaper alleging defamation and invasion of privacy. The case starts on 7 July.

Mosley won a vote of confidence of the FIA members on 3 June.

Ecclestone said in the Times interview that the scandal was damaging Jewish investment in F1.

"The thing that worries me is that the Jewish community controls an awful lot of the finance which comes into Formula One, directly or indirectly," said Ecclestone, who is Jewish.

"They say the FIA shouldn't let somebody like Max represent them."

Ecclestone's remarks are in contradiction to a letter he sent to FIA member clubs last week apparently playing down the threat of a breakaway.

They indicate a significant escalation in the dispute between the two most powerful men in the sport, which in theory could threaten the future of F1.

Ecclestone and Mosley have been close associates for more than 30 years.

During that time, there have been previous suggestions that they were at loggerheads, and these have always turned out to be false.

But sources say that this time there does seem to be a genuine dispute between the two men over the state of F1.

"I am responsible to our investors who have an awful lot of money invested," Ecclestone said.

"And I am responsible to all the teams and manufacturers, who have an awful lot of money invested. Max is responsible to the people in wherever who have no money invested, and nor has the FIA got money invested.

"All they've got is the money that comes from Formula One. If there was no Formula One, the FIA would be in serious trouble."

The FIA was unavailable for comment, but Mosley wrote a letter to the FIA member clubs last month setting out his position on the Concorde negotiatons.

He said that the FIA had two main concerns - to ensure a fair financial package for the teams and the championship, and to guarantee the independence of the FIA as a regulatory body.

He wrote: "A new Concorde Agreement would give the F1 teams a greater say in the rule-making process, including various rights of veto.

"Because of its influence over the teams (which comes mainly from its ability to offer favours in and around the paddock), [Ecclestone] sees a Concorde Agreement as another way to exercise control over the sport.

"I do not believe we should concede. The sport and the commercial interests should be kept separate. The teams and the CRH [commercial rights holder, which is Ecclestone and the venture capital company CVC] should be consulted and listened to at all stages, but it must be the FIA, not the CRH or the teams, which decides the regulations.

"My refusal to concede on this has led to a difficult situation."

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headline...19093846.shtml

Radical increase to the cost considered unfair 19/06/08 09:38

Pressure tactics ahead of the British GP
Formula One drivers are threatening to boycott the British Grand Prix next month, according to reports. They claim the radical increase to the cost of their mandatory FIA superlicenses this year was unfair.

Previous to 2008, superlicences cost drivers just 1,690 euros plus 447 euros per point scored in the most recent world championship. But the World Motor Sport Council in January approved an increase in the cost of a superlicense to 10,000 euros, plus 2,000 euros per point.

It means that reigning World Champion Kimi Raikkonen's 2008 license cost 230,000 euros.

The German specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport reports that the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) is requesting an urgent meeting with FIA president Max Mosley prior to the forthcoming Silverstone race.


If Mosley does not agree to lower the cost of their superlicenses, the drivers are reportedly prepared to strike.

An unnamed proponent of the threatened strike action said the FIA's fee increase is particularly harsh for drivers like Robert Kubica, the new championship leader.

"He is not yet earning an awful lot, but his license costs nearly a tenth of his income," the driver said.

Source : GMM
© CAPSIS International

alfy28

Looks like Renault is having bad luck. Aerodynamic chief quits.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25214126/

LONDON (AP) -Dino Toso is leaving Renault after five seasons as head of the Formula One team's aerodynamic technology.

Renault has won two F1 constructors' championships and never finished lower than third since Toso took charge of the department in 2003.

Renault won in 2005 and '06 but has slipped to seventh in the 10-team standings with only nine points leading into the eighth of the 18 grand prix races this season. Speculation is mounting that No. 1 driver Fernando Alonso is considering quitting the team.


The team released a statement Tuesday saying Toso would be "seeking new challenges in motorsport'' after delivering the revised aerodynamic package which should help the new R28 be more competitive against the leading cars before the end of the season.

"My passion for motorsport has always centered on innovative aerodynamics, and been motivated by a thirst for competition,'' Toso said in the statement. "I'm looking forward to tackling new challenges that will allow me to fully express my technical creativity in the years ahead, and take me back to what I love most: the thrill of competition.''

Dirk de Beer will replace Toso as head of Renault's aerodynamics department.

IB Tim

...and then FA goes to the top of the Time
Sheet on Friday...he must have been running one gallon of fuel.

T.T.

Wow, Piquet actually did well this time. Good job Piquet. Too bad for Raikkonen though.

nu2rx8

Wish the rain would have come 30mins earlier in this one...oh well.

Ballsy move by Piquet's crew to roll the dice on aero set-up. 3rd fastest in the speed trap with arguably the weakest engine in the field

...Wonder if they'll try that strategy in Japan as well.