alfy28

she will throw it when she stalls the car lol.

morkusyambo

Agreed. Thinking of her in an F1 car sways me more toward vomit in the back of my throat, rather than laughter.

ATL-GP

......well you better start looking for a chaser, because if this gets off the ground, I guarantee you she's the first in que for a test.

PerSmitt

I'm eager to see more cars on the grid no matter who the drivers are. Lets all hope Honda gets bought and that the USF1 team gets started. Otherwise its too few cars on the track. I mean, with more cars there is at least always some action going on.

ATL-GP

I agree with you there PerSmitt.....actually, I believe I read somewhere where if there were not enough cars on the grid, they would allow a lower formula to participate in the race in order to fill out the grid...WTF???

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

You didn't find that one race at Indianapolis exciting?

I read that as well. I think it would have to be below 14 cars before they do that.

ATL-GP

I really hope it doesn't come to that....I'm all for progress and the survival of F1, but when it starts looking like a LeMans race (with all the different spec cars)...it's somewhat depressing.

alfy28

Bank Sponsors seem to leaving

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090217....1---marc-surer

"ING's departure from formula one represents the end of an era for the sport, according to former grand prix driver and Swiss commentator Marc Surer.

Following the Dutch bank's announcement on Monday morning, the Flavio Briatore-led Renault team said the news justifies the current moves for a "restructuring of our sport" and "drastic cost reductions".

"With the ongoing programme of measures we are confident we can guarantee a solid future for our team and for formula one," Briatore, whose outfit commenced a three-year contract with ING in 2007, insisted.

With Credit Suisse also now departed, however, and speculation that the troubled Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) may soon follow suit, Surer is adamant that "all banks will disappear" from the grid within time.

"As the causes of the (financial) crisis, they simply no longer fit with formula one's image," the 57-year-old, who raced in the 80s, is quoted as saying by the German news agency SID.

The report estimated ING's annual spend on F1 at about 50 million euros, and representing at least half of Renault's total sponsorship bill.

British MP John Mann last week slammed Williams sponsor RBS's "reckless" spending, using the example of contracting highly-paid figures like Sir Jackie Stewart to entertain VIPs at grands prix as "a good illustration of excessive behaviour in anything to do with money".

"The party is over," Surer observed, "but just as F1 survived the end of tobacco sponsoring, once again there will be something new.

"The wheels will keep on turning," he said."

alfy28

Rumor Mill

As the clock to Melbourne clicks down to less than 40 days, the latest rumour in the Honda saga is that Sir Richard Branson may be the mysterious late bidder for the Brackley based team.

It seems clear that the proposed management buyout, led by Nick Fry and Ross Brawn, came close to fruition in recent days, until reports that an "unnamed third party" stepped in at the eleventh hour.

The Daily Telegraph quoted a source as describing the unnamed company as "reputable, able to bring long-term financial stability, with a brand image known throughout the world.

"Formula one would do well to have them on board," the source added.

Flamboyant British billionaire Branson heads the predominantly travel, entertainment and lifestyle brand Virgin.



http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090217....e-honda-bidder

ATL-GP

GEEEEEEEZZZZ...pretty soon the only sponsers left will be freaking Gummy Bears, Legos' and Pop Tarts....OH WAIT...they're already in NASCAR

PerSmitt

About NASCAR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JevDW11ZrF4

CERAMICSEAL

Take a look at this vid before youtube takes it down. Hamilton and Alonso battle it out. Look at the behavior of each; this is very telling. Both of these guys have immense talent and this year will be VERY interesting to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1IRwa3Y1Ww

On another note: Since I was looking at practice sessions recently, last years cars (08 or even 07) look so strange; especially the tires.

Seal.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Alonso, as reining champ, was expecting Hamilton to let him by into turn 1. When he didn't, he tried to scare Hamilton into backing off. When that didn't work, he appealed to the team by driving next to the pit wall. What we didn't get were the communications between Alonso and the team. That would probably burn a hole in your speakers.

alfy28

Rumor Update
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090218....-bid-for-honda

Team source confirms Virgin F1 bid for Honda
A source close to the Brackley based formula one team has confirmed that Virgin Group is the late bidder hoping to buy the beleaguered outfit.

It has been rumoured that Virgin, headed by the flamboyant British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, was the unnamed third party who stepped in and scuppered the progress of the Nick Fry and Ross Brawn-led management buyout.

"They have made a bid to purchase the team," the source, requesting to remain unidentified, was quoted as telling Reuters.

An official Honda spokeswoman declined to comment, and a spokeswoman for Virgin Group said the company is "constantly named in speculation and rumour".

Virgin has been involved with F1 before; with the Virgin Mobile brand at the Jordan team in 2002, while the Japanese Takuma Sato was driving.

Virgin Atlantic Japan still sponsors Sato, who narrowly missed out on a Toro Rosso seat for 2009.

32-year-old Sato's manager Andrew Gilbert Scott said earlier this month that he is "looking ahead for the next opportunity" for his client to rejoin F1.

Branson is also believed to be friends with Adrian Reynard, a co-founder of Honda's former BAR guise.

The team's Brackley headquarters is even located at Reynard Park, but the Reuters source did not know if the 51-year-old Briton is involved with the Virgin bid.

alfy28

that was one of the best races that year. also why i think hamilton owns the track. i know alot of ppl dotn think he can drive (i think they do, but just dont want to admit it) blah blah. but ppl cant tell me when when he was like 3-4 postions down from lead, and like 3 laps to go he takes the lead from piquet . now that is driving.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

BBC SPORT
Malaysia night-race plan aborted

Organisers of the Malaysian Grand Prix plan to host a "twilight" race from next season after the proposed night event was deemed too costly.

Sepang International Circuit chairman Mokhzani Mahathir said Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone had agreed to start the race at 1700 local time (0900 BST).

Mokhzani described the cost of lighting up the Sepang circuit as "prohibitive" in the current global economic climate.

It will be the second race of the 2009 season, taking place on 5 April.

The race was previously held two hours earlier but should now attract more locals in the cooler late afternoon.

"We are experiencing an economic slowdown. But we are offering attractive packages and activities to attract spectators," said Mokhzani, who is expecting 12,000 spectators.

Malaysia held its first Grand Prix in 1999 with Ferrari's Eddie Irvine triumphing.

Under a new contract signed in 2008, in which it agreed to be prepared to stage night racing, Malaysia will continue to host races until 2015.

Last year neighbouring Singapore hosted the first F1 night race, while Dubai will make its debut this year.
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/spo...ne/7899228.stm

Published: 2009/02/19 12:24:21 GMT

© BBC MMIX
---------------------------------------------------
".....who is expecting 12,000 spectators." Only 12,000 spectators?
How can they afford to put on a race? Indy packed in 100,000 and they can't.

alfy28

man anlie make march come sooner. tired of waiting for the season to kick off lol.

PerSmitt

I knew this would ire our dear alfy so I have to post!

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headline...19171826.shtml

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I saw those reports, but didn't post them. She doesn't really say or commit to anything.

PerSmitt

I know, but the title might make alfy hiccup in surprise, and now isn't that worthwhile all in itself?

alfy28

lmao persmitt i feel much better now lol

crosses fingers that the no one calls her

alfy28

lmao you **** , . btw its friday

CERAMICSEAL

Here's some awesome footage of the new cars testing. Enjoy, before they remove this vid. Put it in high quality, large screen and turn up your volume! This year is going to be good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p4Nn...eature=related

Seal.

morkusyambo

Great video. I hope the combo of the new rules and Alonso's ability to help a team develop a car will make the Renault competitive with the Mclaren and Ferrari this year. A 4 way fight including BMW would be even better, but historically there have allways been 2-3 teams better than the rest.

-Yambo

alfy28

awesome find Seal. but yah those rear wings are so hard to get use to. i wonder how much downforce they lost due to the new regulation. or did they gain any? hard to see if they did though.