Official 2009 Formula 1 Season Discussion
11-01-2009, 07:52 AM
#1652
During the pre-race show, they showed USF1's facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina. On one of the design workstations, they were showing the wind simulations around the new car. At least the front half looks like a Brawn. Earlier in the week it was announced that they would setup European operations at a new racetrack in Spain. I forget the name, but it is located about half way between Madrid and Barcelona.
11-01-2009, 10:49 PM
#1653
Bridgestone will not renew tyre supply contract after 2010 season
Soon after the last Grand Prix of the season was run in Abu Dhabi, sole tyre supplier Bridgestone Motorsport has announced that it has decided to not renew it's contract with the FIA's Formula One Championship series after the 2010 season. No precise reason has been given, except that the tyre maker wishes to redirect its resources towards other projects. Since entering the series in 1997, cars on Bridgestone's won 10 drivers and constructors championships, along with 156 victories.
Statement from Hiroshi Yasukawa, Director of Bridgestone Motorsport:
"It is with deep regret that Bridgestone Motorsport confirms that at 10.00am (Japan standard time) today, the Bridgestone Corporation announced its decision to not enter into a new tyre supply contract with the FIA Formula One World Championship series. The current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2010 season. The decision made by the Board of Directors of Bridgestone comes after considerable and lengthy evaluations and has been based on the company’s need to redirect its resources towards the further intensive development of innovative technologies and strategic products.
While we understand and respect the reasons for this decision, it has nevertheless come as a great disappointment. Bridgestone’s relationship with the FIA Formula One World Championship stretches beyond being a tyre supplier. Formula One has been of strategic importance to Bridgestone in developing its technologies, raising the company’s brand awareness and providing its strategic business units around the globe with promotional and marketing tools that are intrinsically linked to our company’s core products. It was a great honour for Bridgestone to be awarded the 2008-2010 contract as Official Tyre Supplier by the Fédération International de L’Automobile (FIA) to the pinnacle of single-seater racing and we would like to thank them for their continued support and for entrusting us with this privileged role which has seen us working at the heart of the Formula One community.
Our sincere appreciation is also extended to Mr Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Management, the Formula One teams with whom it has been an honour to have worked alongside, and the many Formula One fans who have followed our activities over the past 13 years. I would also like to thank the staff of the Bridgestone Motorsport team for their professionalism, dedication and hard work, and for their passion for excellence. It remains only to reiterate that Bridgestone continues to be wholly committed to the provision of safe tyres of the highest quality to the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2010 and to the running of its tyre servicing operation at the highest level."
http://www.f1technical.net/news/13720
Emotional Heidfeld given F1 car by Peter Sauber
Nick Heidfeld had an emotional last few laps with BMW-Sauber on Sunday, but a post-race gesture by the team's founder might have cheered him up.
The Hinwil based team's owner BMW now departs Formula One, and although bought by the Qadbak consortium, Sauber does not have a guaranteed entry to return to the grid in 2010.
German Heidfeld raced for Sauber's privateer team in 2001-2003, before returning to the Swiss camp for the start of the BMW era four years ago.
"It now becomes very emotional," said Heidfeld, 32, after finishing fifth in Abu Dhabi. "During the last laps I had to pull myself together in order to keep my concentration."
The team signed off on Sunday night by revealing that Heidfeld is to receive a special parting gift.
"As a thank you for Nick Heidfeld's seven years of great commitment to the team in Hinwil, Peter Sauber is giving him a Formula One car from this era," the team said.
http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=351067:F1
Soon after the last Grand Prix of the season was run in Abu Dhabi, sole tyre supplier Bridgestone Motorsport has announced that it has decided to not renew it's contract with the FIA's Formula One Championship series after the 2010 season. No precise reason has been given, except that the tyre maker wishes to redirect its resources towards other projects. Since entering the series in 1997, cars on Bridgestone's won 10 drivers and constructors championships, along with 156 victories.
Statement from Hiroshi Yasukawa, Director of Bridgestone Motorsport:
"It is with deep regret that Bridgestone Motorsport confirms that at 10.00am (Japan standard time) today, the Bridgestone Corporation announced its decision to not enter into a new tyre supply contract with the FIA Formula One World Championship series. The current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2010 season. The decision made by the Board of Directors of Bridgestone comes after considerable and lengthy evaluations and has been based on the company’s need to redirect its resources towards the further intensive development of innovative technologies and strategic products.
While we understand and respect the reasons for this decision, it has nevertheless come as a great disappointment. Bridgestone’s relationship with the FIA Formula One World Championship stretches beyond being a tyre supplier. Formula One has been of strategic importance to Bridgestone in developing its technologies, raising the company’s brand awareness and providing its strategic business units around the globe with promotional and marketing tools that are intrinsically linked to our company’s core products. It was a great honour for Bridgestone to be awarded the 2008-2010 contract as Official Tyre Supplier by the Fédération International de L’Automobile (FIA) to the pinnacle of single-seater racing and we would like to thank them for their continued support and for entrusting us with this privileged role which has seen us working at the heart of the Formula One community.
Our sincere appreciation is also extended to Mr Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Management, the Formula One teams with whom it has been an honour to have worked alongside, and the many Formula One fans who have followed our activities over the past 13 years. I would also like to thank the staff of the Bridgestone Motorsport team for their professionalism, dedication and hard work, and for their passion for excellence. It remains only to reiterate that Bridgestone continues to be wholly committed to the provision of safe tyres of the highest quality to the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2010 and to the running of its tyre servicing operation at the highest level."
http://www.f1technical.net/news/13720
Emotional Heidfeld given F1 car by Peter Sauber
Nick Heidfeld had an emotional last few laps with BMW-Sauber on Sunday, but a post-race gesture by the team's founder might have cheered him up.
The Hinwil based team's owner BMW now departs Formula One, and although bought by the Qadbak consortium, Sauber does not have a guaranteed entry to return to the grid in 2010.
German Heidfeld raced for Sauber's privateer team in 2001-2003, before returning to the Swiss camp for the start of the BMW era four years ago.
"It now becomes very emotional," said Heidfeld, 32, after finishing fifth in Abu Dhabi. "During the last laps I had to pull myself together in order to keep my concentration."
The team signed off on Sunday night by revealing that Heidfeld is to receive a special parting gift.
"As a thank you for Nick Heidfeld's seven years of great commitment to the team in Hinwil, Peter Sauber is giving him a Formula One car from this era," the team said.
http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=351067:F1
11-02-2009, 07:39 AM
#1654
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hahaha very funny. He had to tend to his sheeps 
. but man kobayashi really impressed me alot. Love the overtake on Jenson and Kimi. His overtaking style reminds me of hamiltons. he just pushes regardless of who he is going up against.
Glad to see Nick is recieving a car. he was most loyal out of the 2 drivers on the team. Unlike Kubica who feels to bash his team, Nick just drove the car, without making any complaints to the media. Hope to see him next year. also sad to see sauber not having a 100% gurantee spot next year.
. but man kobayashi really impressed me alot. Love the overtake on Jenson and Kimi. His overtaking style reminds me of hamiltons. he just pushes regardless of who he is going up against. Glad to see Nick is recieving a car. he was most loyal out of the 2 drivers on the team. Unlike Kubica who feels to bash his team, Nick just drove the car, without making any complaints to the media. Hope to see him next year. also sad to see sauber not having a 100% gurantee spot next year.
11-02-2009, 08:22 AM
#1655
Registered
Ever wonder, if ruben will be back next season. well wonder no more, he will be joining the Williams camp
http://www.worldcarfans.com/10911022...nberg-for-2010
Williams on Monday confirmed the open secret about its drivers for the 2010 season.
After completing the 2009 championship with Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima in Abu Dhabi, the British team announced a wholesale change for next year.
"Rubens (Barrichello) needs no introduction," said team boss Sir Frank Williams. "He is not only the most experienced driver in formula one, but a passionate and talented driver who fought hard for the drivers' championship this year.
"Nico Hulkenberg won the GP2 championship this season as a rookie and has previously won the F3 Euroseries, Formula Masters, A1 GP and Formula BMW Germany," the 67-year-old added.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/10911022...nberg-for-2010
Williams on Monday confirmed the open secret about its drivers for the 2010 season.
After completing the 2009 championship with Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima in Abu Dhabi, the British team announced a wholesale change for next year.
"Rubens (Barrichello) needs no introduction," said team boss Sir Frank Williams. "He is not only the most experienced driver in formula one, but a passionate and talented driver who fought hard for the drivers' championship this year.
"Nico Hulkenberg won the GP2 championship this season as a rookie and has previously won the F3 Euroseries, Formula Masters, A1 GP and Formula BMW Germany," the 67-year-old added.
11-02-2009, 01:48 PM
#1658
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hahaha very funny. He had to tend to his sheeps . but man kobayashi really impressed me alot. Love the overtake on Jenson and Kimi. His overtaking style reminds me of hamiltons. he just pushes regardless of who he is going up against.
Glad to see Nick is recieving a car. he was most loyal out of the 2 drivers on the team. Unlike Kubica who feels to bash his team, Nick just drove the car, without making any complaints to the media. Hope to see him next year. also sad to see sauber not having a 100% gurantee spot next year.
. but man kobayashi really impressed me alot. Love the overtake on Jenson and Kimi. His overtaking style reminds me of hamiltons. he just pushes regardless of who he is going up against. Glad to see Nick is recieving a car. he was most loyal out of the 2 drivers on the team. Unlike Kubica who feels to bash his team, Nick just drove the car, without making any complaints to the media. Hope to see him next year. also sad to see sauber not having a 100% gurantee spot next year.
Oh and Kobayashi locks his tires in every slow speed turn just like Hamilton.
11-02-2009, 02:08 PM
#1659
Registered
Not only that. His entire driving style is like Hamilton's both the good part and the bad parts. I expect to see just as many mistakes from Kobayashi as we have seen from Hamilton, just because he is too eager.
Oh and Kobayashi locks his tires in every slow speed turn just like Hamilton.
Oh and Kobayashi locks his tires in every slow speed turn just like Hamilton.
which kobo did for me yesterday when he over took jenson. i was like holy ****, he is really going for it. drivers like him, make this series well worth for me to wake up at 2am, 6 am etc.
11-02-2009, 02:56 PM
#1661
Registered
i want to say, he started at 13-14th on the grid. makes me wonder, what are these rookies not doing, if kobo could score his first point in his second race.
11-02-2009, 03:46 PM
#1664
Registered
ty shawn. yah mclaren shirts are ugly 
. even the hamilton shirt is fulgy. it has his face on the front. looks like some type of basketball tshirt. even though i dont like ferrari, their shirts look awesome. also brawn shirts, looks like somethng that a nascar fan would wear. thinking of getting a renault shirt.
. even the hamilton shirt is fulgy. it has his face on the front. looks like some type of basketball tshirt. even though i dont like ferrari, their shirts look awesome. also brawn shirts, looks like somethng that a nascar fan would wear. thinking of getting a renault shirt.
11-03-2009, 12:35 AM
#1665
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So, what do we do now until March?
We could mock Polo that Ferrari ended fourth in the constructors.
We can speculate who will adapt best to bigger fuel tank.
We can speculate which drivers will be driving where.
Or we can just whine that there is no F1 for a few months.
I opt for the latter. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I want more racing!
We could mock Polo that Ferrari ended fourth in the constructors.
We can speculate who will adapt best to bigger fuel tank.
We can speculate which drivers will be driving where.
Or we can just whine that there is no F1 for a few months.
I opt for the latter. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I want more racing!
11-03-2009, 12:40 AM
#1666
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That would explain how Kobayashi adapted to the car so fast. Either that, or he is a super-genius driver.
Now the fact that he got it to move so fast... I have no frigging idea how he did that. He drove that car faster than Trulli and Glock had managed all season. The boy got talent that is for certain.
11-03-2009, 06:01 AM
#1667
So, what do we do now until March?
We could mock Polo that Ferrari ended fourth in the constructors.
We can speculate who will adapt best to bigger fuel tank.
We can speculate which drivers will be driving where.
Or we can just whine that there is no F1 for a few months.
I opt for the latter. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I want more racing!
We could mock Polo that Ferrari ended fourth in the constructors.
We can speculate who will adapt best to bigger fuel tank.
We can speculate which drivers will be driving where.
Or we can just whine that there is no F1 for a few months.
I opt for the latter. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I want more racing!
I don't think the "Silly Season" is over yet. There are the technical changes to the new regs. Will Lotus/Sauber make the grid? And 3 new team to talk about.
11-03-2009, 06:05 AM
#1668
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When the 2010 season schedule becomes official, I will start a new thread. That should happen in a couple of weeks.
I don't think the "Silly Season" is over yet. There are the technical changes to the new regs. Will Lotus/Sauber make the grid? And 3 new team to talk about.
I don't think the "Silly Season" is over yet. There are the technical changes to the new regs. Will Lotus/Sauber make the grid? And 3 new team to talk about.
Always nice to have you maintain these threads. Gives us all a home to browse to.
11-03-2009, 08:45 AM
#1669
Registered
Not to take away from Kobayashi, but I think the Toyota was a bit easier to drive than the other cars. We saw that in Brazil in the rain.
That would explain how Kobayashi adapted to the car so fast. Either that, or he is a super-genius driver.
Now the fact that he got it to move so fast... I have no frigging idea how he did that. He drove that car faster than Trulli and Glock had managed all season. The boy got talent that is for certain.
That would explain how Kobayashi adapted to the car so fast. Either that, or he is a super-genius driver.
Now the fact that he got it to move so fast... I have no frigging idea how he did that. He drove that car faster than Trulli and Glock had managed all season. The boy got talent that is for certain.
11-03-2009, 11:11 AM
#1670
Registered
So, what do we do now until March?
We could mock Polo that Ferrari ended fourth in the constructors.
We can speculate who will adapt best to bigger fuel tank.
We can speculate which drivers will be driving where.
Or we can just whine that there is no F1 for a few months.
I opt for the latter. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I want more racing!
We could mock Polo that Ferrari ended fourth in the constructors.
We can speculate who will adapt best to bigger fuel tank.
We can speculate which drivers will be driving where.
Or we can just whine that there is no F1 for a few months.
I opt for the latter. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH I want more racing!
http://www.formula1.com/video/
11-03-2009, 01:42 PM
#1672
Registered
11-03-2009, 04:05 PM
#1674
Registered
Brawn -Kimi is too expensive
Brawn GP chief Ross Brawn has played down suggestions that Kimi Raikkonen could be lined up as an alternative to the hesitant Jenson Button for 2010.
With Brawn and Button at odds over the 29-year-old new world champion's desire for a pay-rise, Raikkonen is similarly stalling on signing up with McLaren.
When asked about the technically-available 2007 world champion by Auto Motor und Sport, Brawn said of Raikkonen: "Too expensive. His management is negotiating as if the compensation of Ferrari doesn't exist."
He is referring to speculation that the 30-year-old Finn's agreement to leave Ferrari one year early involved a termination payment of a rumoured 25m euros.
The Finnish media reports that Raikkonen's management is in possession of a McLaren contract for 2010 and is studying the fine details, including clauses that would prevent rally driving.
"I have options and I still want to be here (in F1), but everything needs to be perfect," said Raikkonen in Abu Dhabi.
"I have no reason to make any contract that I don't feel 100 per cent happy with."
Meanwhile, Sir Jackie Stewart advises Button to bring his Brawn talks to a close by agreeing a deal now.
"He's going to make big money for quite a few years. The odd two or three million is neither here nor there," said the former triple world champion.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/10911032...or-brawn--boss
Brawn GP chief Ross Brawn has played down suggestions that Kimi Raikkonen could be lined up as an alternative to the hesitant Jenson Button for 2010.
With Brawn and Button at odds over the 29-year-old new world champion's desire for a pay-rise, Raikkonen is similarly stalling on signing up with McLaren.
When asked about the technically-available 2007 world champion by Auto Motor und Sport, Brawn said of Raikkonen: "Too expensive. His management is negotiating as if the compensation of Ferrari doesn't exist."
He is referring to speculation that the 30-year-old Finn's agreement to leave Ferrari one year early involved a termination payment of a rumoured 25m euros.
The Finnish media reports that Raikkonen's management is in possession of a McLaren contract for 2010 and is studying the fine details, including clauses that would prevent rally driving.
"I have options and I still want to be here (in F1), but everything needs to be perfect," said Raikkonen in Abu Dhabi.
"I have no reason to make any contract that I don't feel 100 per cent happy with."
Meanwhile, Sir Jackie Stewart advises Button to bring his Brawn talks to a close by agreeing a deal now.
"He's going to make big money for quite a few years. The odd two or three million is neither here nor there," said the former triple world champion.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/10911032...or-brawn--boss
11-03-2009, 05:26 PM
#1675
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Could Jenson Button have won the championship with Honda power? We all know just how good the Honda chassis was in the first half of the season that essentially sealed one, if not, both championships. Do you guys think the outcome would have been the same had Honda not pulled out of F1? Do you think Honda's engines wouldn't have been almost as powerful or just as reliable as the Mercedes powerplant?