Official 2012 Formula 1 Season Discussion
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'Senna move not based on money'
more at: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3213/...ased-on-money-
Mark Gillan, Williams' senior operations engineer, insists that money was not the key factor in naming Bruno Senna as the team's second driver.
Senna saw off competition from amongst others, incumbent Rubens Barrichello, Adrian Sutil and Jaime Alguersuari to claim a place alongside Pastor Maldonado at the Grove-based outfit.
Senna saw off competition from amongst others, incumbent Rubens Barrichello, Adrian Sutil and Jaime Alguersuari to claim a place alongside Pastor Maldonado at the Grove-based outfit.
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Van der Garde eyes six million seat
http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3213/...x-million-seat
Austin F1 track set for August completion
more at: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97091
According to reports in Spain, the second seat at HRT - the last available position on the 2012 grid - will cost at least six million Euros and Dutchman Giedo van der Garde has what's required.
Spanish newspaper Marca reports that HRT are looking for a considerable financial injection with the arrival of their second driver, with the six million mark said to be the minimum requirement.
Van der Garde, who finished fifth in last year's GP2 Series and third in the GP2 Asia Series, has been linked with the position and appears upbeat about his prospects.
The 26-year-old wrote on Twitter: "I'm still waiting for news. Training very hard at the moment, to prepare myself the best! I'm Positive to have good news soon. Keep following".
Van der Garde has previous F1 experience having been part of the McLaren Young Drivers Programme in 2006 and having tested for Spyker in 2007.
Spanish newspaper Marca reports that HRT are looking for a considerable financial injection with the arrival of their second driver, with the six million mark said to be the minimum requirement.
Van der Garde, who finished fifth in last year's GP2 Series and third in the GP2 Asia Series, has been linked with the position and appears upbeat about his prospects.
The 26-year-old wrote on Twitter: "I'm still waiting for news. Training very hard at the moment, to prepare myself the best! I'm Positive to have good news soon. Keep following".
Van der Garde has previous F1 experience having been part of the McLaren Young Drivers Programme in 2006 and having tested for Spyker in 2007.
Austin F1 track set for August completion
Austin's new Formula 1 track is on course to be completed in the middle of August, AUTOSPORT can reveal, with construction efforts now fully back on course at the United States venue.
Although there was uncertainty about the future of the race last year amid a dispute over the contract - with work at the circuit being halted for several weeks – a big push by Austin's organisers ensured it remained on the final 2012 calendar issued by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in early December.
Although there was uncertainty about the future of the race last year amid a dispute over the contract - with work at the circuit being halted for several weeks – a big push by Austin's organisers ensured it remained on the final 2012 calendar issued by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council in early December.
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From: canton ohio
Schumacher retire? Are you nuts? He's the greatest driver that ever lived. I hold him equal to senna but because of accomplishments he nudges ahead. Anyway, Schumacher is still a fantastic driver. He passed more than anyone last season. And before the whole but rosberg thing comes up, I'll say this. A. If Schumacher wouldn't have been involved in silly accidents he would have had more points, petrov in Korea and senna in Brazil just to name 2 incidents beyond his control and neither his fault. B. Schumacher qualified on a setting optimized for the race while rosberg set up for qualy. Most of the time Schumacher had better race pace and faster lap times. C. Canada and Belgium. Enough said. But the main reason Schumacher should never retire is simply because there is no reason he should. He beats guys half his age, he has more talent in his pinky than most have at all, Massa, button, barichello, Webber, rosberg just to name a few. And together with Hamilton he has the best and most fun to watch driving style. Not unlike one ayrton senna who could also get dirty from time to time and also got into a lot of contact with other drivers. Point is, like him or not, Schumacher is and will be for a loooooong time, the best.
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From: Caput Mundi
'Senna move not based on money'
more at: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3213/...ased-on-money-
more at: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3213/...ased-on-money-
It's just marketing (money...) to keep the falling williams name alive.
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From: Gander, Newfoundland, Canada
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Formula 1 teams have been told by the FIA that reactive ride height systems will be banned for the 2012 season
more at: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97127
Circuit of the Americas begins ticket sales
more at:http://www.f1technical.net/news/1698...le+Feedfetcher
Formula 1 teams have been told that the reactive suspension system pioneered by Lotus has been banned for the 2012 season.
Sources have confirmed that a note was sent from the FIA to all teams on Friday evening indicating that the governing body was no longer satisfied the concept - which regulates ride height under braking - was still legal.
Sources have confirmed that a note was sent from the FIA to all teams on Friday evening indicating that the governing body was no longer satisfied the concept - which regulates ride height under braking - was still legal.
Circuit of the Americas begins ticket sales
Circuit of The Americas has opened its ticketing process by launching its Select Seating Wait List for events at the track beginning with the 2012 F1 United States GP to be held November 16-18. The select seating wait list is the first of two ticketing stages designed to help fans purchase seats.
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Boullier heralds ‘positive’ Räikkönen comeback
more at: http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/2...onen-comeback/
Eric Boullier, Team Principal and Managing Director of the newly-named Lotus F1 team, was satisfied with Kimi Räikkönen’s comeback run on Monday. In a bid to reacclimatise, the Finnish Champion of 2007 drove a 2010 Renault car in Valencia.
“I must say, today was very positive,” Boullier commented. “You can see that the whole team is pleased with Kimi’s feedback and Kimi himself seemed very happy to be back behind the wheel. He got the feel of the car very quickly and it’s good to see him building a strong relationship with the team. Obviously, the R30 is different to the new car, but he is clearly excited to get started at the first test in Jerez. Our team is made up of true racing people and Kimi fits into that very well.”
“I must say, today was very positive,” Boullier commented. “You can see that the whole team is pleased with Kimi’s feedback and Kimi himself seemed very happy to be back behind the wheel. He got the feel of the car very quickly and it’s good to see him building a strong relationship with the team. Obviously, the R30 is different to the new car, but he is clearly excited to get started at the first test in Jerez. Our team is made up of true racing people and Kimi fits into that very well.”
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New Ferrari's secrets let out
More (+picture) at: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3213/...ecrets-let-out
'Hopefully Lewis has sorted himself out'
More at: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3213/...d-himself-out-
While Ferrari will only launch their new challenger next Friday, detailed images of the car have appeared in the Italian press.
Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the new model - which is expected to either be named the F12 or F2012 - will have a pull-rod rear suspension and narrow sidepods and at the launch will have last season's front and rear wings in order to avoid revealing too much to their rivals.
Autosprint have now gone one better and have released drawings they claim to be of the car. The publication claims that the model is 'heavily inspired' by McLaren's MP4-26 and is a 'clean break with the past', statements that are in line with team principal Stefano Domenicali's assertion that the car would be 'really extreme' as Ferrari look to make up ground on Red Bull.
Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the new model - which is expected to either be named the F12 or F2012 - will have a pull-rod rear suspension and narrow sidepods and at the launch will have last season's front and rear wings in order to avoid revealing too much to their rivals.
Autosprint have now gone one better and have released drawings they claim to be of the car. The publication claims that the model is 'heavily inspired' by McLaren's MP4-26 and is a 'clean break with the past', statements that are in line with team principal Stefano Domenicali's assertion that the car would be 'really extreme' as Ferrari look to make up ground on Red Bull.
'Hopefully Lewis has sorted himself out'
McLaren's reserve driver, Gary Paffett, admits Lewis Hamilton needs to have made changes if he is to challenge for the title in 2012.
Hamilton endured a tough 2011 both on and off the track and a seemingly endless number of onlookers have had their say as to what problems he has and how they should be resolved.
The Briton was involved in a number of controversial crashes in a season, a year in which he finished behind his team-mate, Jenson Button, in a lowly fifth place,165 points behind World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
Hamilton endured a tough 2011 both on and off the track and a seemingly endless number of onlookers have had their say as to what problems he has and how they should be resolved.
The Briton was involved in a number of controversial crashes in a season, a year in which he finished behind his team-mate, Jenson Button, in a lowly fifth place,165 points behind World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
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'This season will be Schumi's last'
more at: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3213/...Schumi-s-last-
VW linked with F1 again
http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=45519
Michael Schumacher fans had best say farewell during this season because Gerhard Berger reckons it will be his last in F1.
VW linked with F1 again
http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=45519
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Formula One: Ecclestone eyes adding more new races
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2012...#ixzz1ky641sZE
New race promoters are still queuing up for inclusion in the Formula One World Championship, in defiance of the apparent global economic crisis. It remains unclear how Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone will make room on the calendar to accommodate the Russian Grand Prix in 2013, let alone promoters in at least five other countries who are actively putting together attractive Grand Prix projects.
In an interview last week with an Austrian newspaper, Ecclestone revealed, “The demand is high. We could finalize deals today with five new promoters.”
These are understood to include the United States (the New Jersey project), France, Mexico and Argentina, all of which would be popular additions among the teams and the engine manufacturers.
In an interview last week with an Austrian newspaper, Ecclestone revealed, “The demand is high. We could finalize deals today with five new promoters.”
These are understood to include the United States (the New Jersey project), France, Mexico and Argentina, all of which would be popular additions among the teams and the engine manufacturers.
This is why I love F1
.Paul.
Last edited by Mazmart; Feb 2, 2012 at 04:36 PM.
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From: Caput Mundi
It's a WTF moment for f1, my opinion is that we will have some fights sooner or later. With no FOTA left to care for, a new series could happen. Americans are great businessmen when it comes to selling vaporware, the NFL and NBA format would let the teams earn more money, be less expensive for the tracks and increase the tv ratings.
It would essentially bring f1 back!
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McLaren launches the MP4-27
more at: http://en.espnf1.com/mclaren/motorsp...ory/69005.html
Ferrari cancels launch ceremony
more at: http://en.espnf1.com/ferrari/motorsp...ory/69080.html
No Hamilton response to Sutil’s ‘coward’ comment
more at: http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/2...oward-comment/
McLaren has launched its 2012 car - the MP4-27 - at the McLaren Technology Centre.
The car is an evolution of the MP4-26 which took six victories in 2011, with the team hoping to close the gap to Red Bull this year. The car features a different front end solution to the Caterham that was launched last week, with a gradual transition between the lower nose and chassis. The sculpted sidepods that were prominent on the MP4-26 have also been redesigned, while the car features a neater rear end than the 2011 car.
The car is an evolution of the MP4-26 which took six victories in 2011, with the team hoping to close the gap to Red Bull this year. The car features a different front end solution to the Caterham that was launched last week, with a gradual transition between the lower nose and chassis. The sculpted sidepods that were prominent on the MP4-26 have also been redesigned, while the car features a neater rear end than the 2011 car.
Ferrari cancels launch ceremony
Ferrari has cancelled the launch ceremony for its 2012 car due to the weather conditions at Maranello.
The car was due to be launched at the team's headquarters in Northern Italy on Friday morning, with a track run also planned in the afternoon or on Saturday for promotional purposes. However, with heavy snowfall and cold temperatures affecting much of Europe, Ferrari has been forced to cancel the event.
As a result the team has announced that it will still launch the car on Friday via its website, following the likes of Red Bull and Lotus who have also chosen to launch online.
The car was due to be launched at the team's headquarters in Northern Italy on Friday morning, with a track run also planned in the afternoon or on Saturday for promotional purposes. However, with heavy snowfall and cold temperatures affecting much of Europe, Ferrari has been forced to cancel the event.
As a result the team has announced that it will still launch the car on Friday via its website, following the likes of Red Bull and Lotus who have also chosen to launch online.
No Hamilton response to Sutil’s ‘coward’ comment
Lewis Hamilton was protected by McLaren when quizzed over Adrian Sutil’s comments on Wednesday. Yesterday, the ex Force India driver, a long-time close friend of the 2008 World Champion, branded the Englishman a ‘coward’ for not attending his court hearing in Germany.
Sutil stood trial for assault and grievous bodily harm, having injured Eric Lux (CEO of Genii Capital, co-owner of the Lotus F1 team) in a Shanghai nightclub last April. As Hamilton had been nearby at the time of the incident, he had been summoned to attend the hearing and give evidence although he and McLaren declared that prior commitments would make that impossible.
Sutil stood trial for assault and grievous bodily harm, having injured Eric Lux (CEO of Genii Capital, co-owner of the Lotus F1 team) in a Shanghai nightclub last April. As Hamilton had been nearby at the time of the incident, he had been summoned to attend the hearing and give evidence although he and McLaren declared that prior commitments would make that impossible.
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Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 gets Ferrari treatment for Formula One team
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2012...#ixzz1lH90uYxn
I normally wouldn't post something like this but since I have a Jeep Cherokee, I am. I wonder if I can get my 16 yr old vehicle to be mistaken for one of these.
Two 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8s made an appearance in Italy on Thursday as the keys were handed over to Formula One drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso. That's just another perk of working for a company that owns both Ferrari and Chrysler.
The Jeeps are painted in Rosso Corsa, which translates to Racing Red, Ferrari's signature color. The seven-slot Jeep grille is finished in matte black with red custom inserts. An offset black stripe goes from bumper to bumper, and the mirrors are housed in carbon fiber. The rear light bar is done in gloss black with red accents around the Jeep logo. The Italian flag is painted on the underside of the rear spoiler, a tribute to the Ferrari F150th Italia F1 car.
The Jeeps ride on 20-inch wheels painted black while the entire vehicle sits 1.5 inches lower than the standard SUV.
The Jeeps are painted in Rosso Corsa, which translates to Racing Red, Ferrari's signature color. The seven-slot Jeep grille is finished in matte black with red custom inserts. An offset black stripe goes from bumper to bumper, and the mirrors are housed in carbon fiber. The rear light bar is done in gloss black with red accents around the Jeep logo. The Italian flag is painted on the underside of the rear spoiler, a tribute to the Ferrari F150th Italia F1 car.
The Jeeps ride on 20-inch wheels painted black while the entire vehicle sits 1.5 inches lower than the standard SUV.
I normally wouldn't post something like this but since I have a Jeep Cherokee, I am. I wonder if I can get my 16 yr old vehicle to be mistaken for one of these.
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From: Caput Mundi
To watch Ferrari's launch: http://events.ferrari.com/monoposto2012/
Gotta love being italian, at least once a year!
Gotta love being italian, at least once a year!
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From: Caput Mundi
Photos and specs will be available here: http://www.ferrarif2012.com/
European livin n ohio
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From: canton ohio
The Ferrari is a butterface.... I'm a huge Ferrari fan but omg is that thing horrid! The best looking car so far is the McLaren. Can't wait to see the Mercedes. I'm hoping that nose gets changed or every time I see the F2012 on TV I'll be squinting and making blech noises...
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From: Caput Mundi
I honestly thing it is nice, in a world where all the cars look the same while being extremely different Ferrari took the distance from the pack.
It reminds me of the lovely 70 and 80s cars. An era when you didn't need liveries to know what a car was, the shape was more than enough!
It reminds me of the lovely 70 and 80s cars. An era when you didn't need liveries to know what a car was, the shape was more than enough!