alfy28

my only guess would be, to develope ways to cut down on fuel consumptions on productions cars. but that even thta is a off the wall the guess. because they are adding a huger tank.

alfy28

its going to be very interesting. cars coming in out going to be bad ****, i think they will be some bumper car action going on in the pits.

PerSmitt

Toro Rosso has all but signed Alguisuari (spelling is wrong I know). It would be very surprising to see someone else in that seat.

PerSmitt

And just after writing that I saw this:

Jaime Alguersuari has been officially confirmed as a Toro Rosso driver for the 2010 season.

19-year-old Alguersuari became the youngest driver to enter a grand prix last year when he took over from Sebastien Bourdais in July. He will continue to partner Sebastien Buemi, who was announced as a driver in November, meaning the team will start the new season with an unchanged driver line up.

"Considering that he made his debut only halfway through 2009, at the Hungarian Grand Prix, with no prior testing, he did a good job," said team principal Franz Tost. "He made steady progress throughout the second half of the year, with a mature approach considering he is still only 19-years-old.

"This season, he will again face a steep learning curve, as all the circuits in the first part of the season will be new to him. Jaime's appointment also confirms our team's commitment to bringing on graduates of the Red Bull Young Driver Programme."

The news puts an end to speculation about Bruno Senna joining the team if Campos doesn't make the grid. Alguersuari's appointment also means there are just four seats left open in 2010; two at US F1, one at Renault and one at Campos.

http://en.espnf1.com/tororosso/motor...tory/7206.html

PerSmitt

Mainly it is a cost issue. The dual fuel-rigs for each spot in the pit lane costs money. It is yet another attempt to make F1 a little bit less expensive.

That said, I am actually kind of sad to see the refueling go. It was a lot of tactics in the qualifier and playing on the start weight. Now this year we will know that whoever qualifies first is really fastest since all have fuel for the entire race.

On the other hand, pit stops can be quite exciting if a mechanic fumble. Taking 6 seconds to change a wheel was OK as long as it took 10 seconds to fuel the car. However, if the others pit in 3 seconds you can get passed by 2 cars just by one small fumble.

We will see if its more exciting or not. I for one am really hyped up for the coming season.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I think it's due to the Fuel/Pit Lane fires. Even after refinements to the fueling rigs, they still had problems this past year.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Alguersuari has been confirmed for Toro Rosso. 4 open seats left.
http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=355529:F1

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I'm watching a DTM race at the moment. Wheel change pit stops are 3.3 - 3.4 seconds. I don't see how they can get any faster.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

McLaren launch live on team site

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Team will launch their 2010 contender, the MP4-25, at the Vodafone UK headquarters in Newburry. The launch event, which will take place on Friday 29 January, will start at 11 am, local time, and will be streamed live on www.mclaren.com.
http://www.f1technical.net/news/1403...le+Feedfetcher

USF1 to confirm Lopez on Monday

USF1 will announce on Monday that it has signed Argentine driver Jose Maria Lopez for 2010.
The American team reached a deal with the 26-year-old touring car driver late last year, dependant on the finalisation of his sponsorship package believed to be worth around $8m.
"Everything has been agreed and the official announcement will be made on Monday," the former GP2 racer's spokesman Miguel Mattos told Reuters.
The news agency said USF1 sporting director Peter Windsor has been meeting with Lopez's sponsors in Buenos Aires in the past days.
It is believed the country's government will advertise Argentinian tourism on the USF1 car, and that the Top Race V6 series and the company Kwan will also sponsor the Charlotte based team.
http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=355551:F1

PerSmitt

So now before we know anything from the tests lets have a guessing game. I want you all to vote on two things:

1. Which car will be the fastest car overall the first race weekend? (This could be limited to fastest during race-day too if the weather is consistant)

2. Who will win the first race? (It is likely that the driver will be driving the above car)

So we all guess wildly now, then when the pre-season tests have gone on for a while (up till actual race weekend) we can vote again and revise our opinion based on the testing results.

And finally after the race weekend we can look and see how wrong we were. If people want to add more than one car or more than one driver it is permitted but there must be internal ranking.

Also if people want to place bets on the in-team battles now is the time to do so. What are your expectations guys?

PerSmitt

My vote falls easily to McLaren being fastest and Hamilton winning the first race.

Another vote I would like to make is that Massa will actually drive faster than Alonso.

Oh and Schumi will beat the crappitycrap out of Rosberg.

alfy28

man i wish the season would kick off right now. my post counts are not going any where.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I agree McLaren /Hamilton
Mercedes/Schumacher will be the fastest in the speed trap.

Less than two months to go.

PerSmitt

Less whining and more voting my friend

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Post #1 has been updated with recent driver additions.

alfy28

i say we vote you off

I am confused here. Umm why is hamilton listed 2nd? shouldnt he be number 1 on the list. I think you need to fix your mistake pronto.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

The list is posted by car number. As last years champion Jenson Button is in car #1 (because Lewis failed to perform). Hammy is in car #2 (maybe he should have a #5). He maybe #1 in your heart, but not in the FIA's.

alfy28

I laughed so hard reading ur comment, that I couldn't think of a comeback

ATL-GP

I'm going to go out on a limb...Vettle for the fastes lap

and ....I hate to say it Alfy, but Button for the win!

and OH...you'll love this...Nico is going to SMOKE Schumacher...for the first race...after that, Nico is going to be beaten like a blond block-headed step child

Finally, Massa is going to beat Alonso...but not by much!

alfy28

NICO looks like some manican

alfy28

Hey if you want to ruin your rep here at the boards, its fine by me.

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

It does look like they just took him out of a wax museum.

PerSmitt

Vettel is fast I give you that. He is the only young driver who I consider a match for Hamilton. The other new drivers just don't seem as fast.

The big question is: Will the Red Bull be fast enough to be a title contender this year again? Without that I doubt Vettel can put the fastest laptimes. Especially with a Renault engine. The Mercedes and Ferrari engines are both considered faster than the Renault, and the Mercedes being the best one due to better fuel economy than the Ferrari.

ATL-GP

..but no really, I think Newey will put together a hell of a car this year. And true, the Renault is not the best engine out there, BUT, and correct me if i'm wrong, I thought it was the smallest and lightest. So in combination with a real tight package, I think they will struggle in high downforce trim, but Bahrain is not a high downforce track...and with those massive straights, I think the Red Bull will haul ***. Further, without KERS factor, I think the RB will be competitive. Pure speculation...but that's my hunch.

...and as far as Button vs. Hamilton, I just really think JB will be out to prove a point and ATTEMPT to establish himself as the clear No. 1. I think Hamilton had it a little bit easy last year against Heiki, further, it's been a while since Hamilton's team mate has seriously pushed him...so I think this is going to be something Hamilton is going to have to adjust to.

Yeah, looks like you could just stick your hand in Nico's back, put him on your lap and make him start telling dirty jokes

PerSmitt

Those massive straights are the reason I think the McLaren and Mercedes will kick butt. Even without KERS they have the best engine. Yes Renault's engine might be lighter, but if it consumes more fuel the weight of the fuel for the entire race distance will more than make up for it.

We will see if the RB will be competitive. Personally I hope so, but I think the McLaren and the Mercedes and even the red toy-car might take bigger steps forward.

Button will certainly be a bigger challenge for Hamilton than Kovaleinen. On that I totally agree with you. And that he will try to beat Hamilton, oh definitely.