| finnRex | 01-19-2006 08:08 PM |
[QUOTE=artkevin]You're killin' me Mika. Look at '03. Montoya was there FTW but for 2 horrible events.
1) Getting jacked by the stewards at the USGP for running into Rubens in turn 1. After review of the tape, Monto never made contact with Rubens AND Rubens said his gearbox locked up on him causing the spin.
2) Frentzen letting MS slide by in the closing stages at Monza and holding Montoya up badly for almost a full lap after letting the Ferrari by while Montoya was on hot tires. His one chance was destroyed by a Ferrari powered lapped car in Italy.
You don't win the Vanderbilt like he did without being amazing and having "the heart of a champ". Like his quote earlier in the thread, anyone of the guys in F1 can win and I think he is one of 5 or 6 guys that can take the whole cookie.
<-----Montoya fan if you couldn't tell.[/QUOTE]
I guess I'm just not crazy about Montoya. Big ego with little to show. He's a prima donna. Big entourage and what-not. I prefer the type of driver that keeps his piehole shut and tries his damndest. Montoya is good, but I don't think he'll be world champion. "Should be" yes, absolutely. Will be, highly unlikely.
As far as the Sato comparison, the numbers don't lie, true. Good driving includes consistency, something which he lacks. Something which Sato lacks as well.
Mika(cold-blooded!;) )
1) Getting jacked by the stewards at the USGP for running into Rubens in turn 1. After review of the tape, Monto never made contact with Rubens AND Rubens said his gearbox locked up on him causing the spin.
2) Frentzen letting MS slide by in the closing stages at Monza and holding Montoya up badly for almost a full lap after letting the Ferrari by while Montoya was on hot tires. His one chance was destroyed by a Ferrari powered lapped car in Italy.
You don't win the Vanderbilt like he did without being amazing and having "the heart of a champ". Like his quote earlier in the thread, anyone of the guys in F1 can win and I think he is one of 5 or 6 guys that can take the whole cookie.
<-----Montoya fan if you couldn't tell.[/QUOTE]
I guess I'm just not crazy about Montoya. Big ego with little to show. He's a prima donna. Big entourage and what-not. I prefer the type of driver that keeps his piehole shut and tries his damndest. Montoya is good, but I don't think he'll be world champion. "Should be" yes, absolutely. Will be, highly unlikely.
As far as the Sato comparison, the numbers don't lie, true. Good driving includes consistency, something which he lacks. Something which Sato lacks as well.
Mika(cold-blooded!;) )
| Ferg | 01-19-2006 08:15 PM |
Trulli will walk the first race with the Toyota and Montoya will be crowned World Champion in 2006.
Place your bets place your bets.
Place your bets place your bets.
| TimStevens | 01-19-2006 08:52 PM |
[QUOTE=StuBeck]I like the Midland car, it looks like a car I would design as a kid.[/QUOTE]
Ditto... a little busy, but I dig it.
Ditto... a little busy, but I dig it.
| Ferg | 01-19-2006 09:32 PM |
The BMW Sauber sure has a nice back end.
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55067250/original.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55067250/original.jpg[/IMG]
| artkevin | 01-19-2006 10:01 PM |
[QUOTE=finnRex]I guess I'm just not crazy about Montoya. Big ego with little to show. He's a prima donna. Big entourage and what-not. I prefer the type of driver that keeps his piehole shut and tries his damndest. Montoya is good, but I don't think he'll be world champion. "Should be" yes, absolutely. Will be, highly unlikely.
As far as the Sato comparison, the numbers don't lie, true. Good driving includes consistency, something which he lacks. Something which Sato lacks as well.
Mika(cold-blooded!;) )[/QUOTE]
Oh, its on now Mika!
I think JPM has done a fantastic job in the past two years of really growing up. The same however is always said about Kimi but not really true.
Couple of examples of each.
Sazuka in 05. JV cuts the chicane, comes back onto track next to Monto and does not give him the corner even though he should have lifted. Montoya goes wide hits the wall. The annoucers complain about how he could possibly do that to the team without hearing both sides seeing more then one camera angle or even the whole event. Monto gets out of his car, hops the barrier and goes back to the garage. No fan fair. No crying. Days over.
Early in 05 Monto hurts himself in one way or another. He comes back early to get a decent shot at pole in Monaco.
Throws the car off in the last corner in Germany after trying to set pole. He takes 100% of the blame. He should but he could have easily said there was oil down, the temp changed, somone brought gravel onto the track, anything really but he stepped up to the plate and took the blame.
Kimi on the other hand is a man of steel behind the wheel but is a steering wheel chucking helmet tossing marshal shoving hot head out of the car when things go pear shaped. I have nothing but respect for the guy and his racing ability but you can't blame Monto for being a prima donna when he handles himself quite well off the track (camera in the head with holding). As far as his entourage, as far as I can tell they are all apart of his family. He likes to keep his family close to him when he can and I have no problem with that. Kimi on the other hand is more of a loner. Neither is good or bad to me but they are different for sure.
To sum up, I personally like JPM and its cool if you don't but it can't be because hes not a good racer or doesn't have the results. I mean he is one of what, 9 guys that have one more then one race in F1 currently. (Fisi, MS, Rubens, DC, Freddy, Kimi, Ralf and JV) and he can do it on a regular basis.
KP (what did the 5 fingers say to the face?) :D
As far as the Sato comparison, the numbers don't lie, true. Good driving includes consistency, something which he lacks. Something which Sato lacks as well.
Mika(cold-blooded!;) )[/QUOTE]
Oh, its on now Mika!
I think JPM has done a fantastic job in the past two years of really growing up. The same however is always said about Kimi but not really true.
Couple of examples of each.
Sazuka in 05. JV cuts the chicane, comes back onto track next to Monto and does not give him the corner even though he should have lifted. Montoya goes wide hits the wall. The annoucers complain about how he could possibly do that to the team without hearing both sides seeing more then one camera angle or even the whole event. Monto gets out of his car, hops the barrier and goes back to the garage. No fan fair. No crying. Days over.
Early in 05 Monto hurts himself in one way or another. He comes back early to get a decent shot at pole in Monaco.
Throws the car off in the last corner in Germany after trying to set pole. He takes 100% of the blame. He should but he could have easily said there was oil down, the temp changed, somone brought gravel onto the track, anything really but he stepped up to the plate and took the blame.
Kimi on the other hand is a man of steel behind the wheel but is a steering wheel chucking helmet tossing marshal shoving hot head out of the car when things go pear shaped. I have nothing but respect for the guy and his racing ability but you can't blame Monto for being a prima donna when he handles himself quite well off the track (camera in the head with holding). As far as his entourage, as far as I can tell they are all apart of his family. He likes to keep his family close to him when he can and I have no problem with that. Kimi on the other hand is more of a loner. Neither is good or bad to me but they are different for sure.
To sum up, I personally like JPM and its cool if you don't but it can't be because hes not a good racer or doesn't have the results. I mean he is one of what, 9 guys that have one more then one race in F1 currently. (Fisi, MS, Rubens, DC, Freddy, Kimi, Ralf and JV) and he can do it on a regular basis.
KP (what did the 5 fingers say to the face?) :D
| finnRex | 01-20-2006 07:58 AM |
[QUOTE=artkevin]KP (what did the 5 fingers say to the face?) :D[/QUOTE]
SLAP, biatch!! :lol:
Like I said, he has moments(races) of brilliance. But he has yet to string them together. I hope he pushes Kimi further than ever. Just tell him to stop playing hopscotch or tennis or badminton during the season, and he'll do better.
Kimi is still immature in some ways. He rarely shows his emotions, except when things go south. That runs in the national blood;).
JPM is a good racer, he has to be if he's in F1. I'd like to see him prove me wrong. It'd be awesome to see a #1 and #2 McLaren in the driver's championship, and #1 in the constructors championship. Just as long as he's behind Kimi, all is good;). Seriously, I would like to see McLaren win something for a change. In the past 6 years, it's been Ferrari with a mix of Renault.
Mika
SLAP, biatch!! :lol:
Like I said, he has moments(races) of brilliance. But he has yet to string them together. I hope he pushes Kimi further than ever. Just tell him to stop playing hopscotch or tennis or badminton during the season, and he'll do better.
Kimi is still immature in some ways. He rarely shows his emotions, except when things go south. That runs in the national blood;).
JPM is a good racer, he has to be if he's in F1. I'd like to see him prove me wrong. It'd be awesome to see a #1 and #2 McLaren in the driver's championship, and #1 in the constructors championship. Just as long as he's behind Kimi, all is good;). Seriously, I would like to see McLaren win something for a change. In the past 6 years, it's been Ferrari with a mix of Renault.
Mika
| Ferg | 01-20-2006 09:54 AM |
Fog fog fog
[QUOTE]Jerez testing hampered by fog
January 20th 2006, 11:24 GMT
Testing at Jerez today has been stalled due to a thick fog over the circuit.
Honda's Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, alongside Williams's Alex Wurz and Nico Rosberg, are scheduled to test today at the Spanish circuit.
However, the track was covered in thick fog in the morning, which meant that helicopters cannot take off or land - a requirement for emergency medical evacuation in official F1 test sessions.
The fog eased off slightly toward noon and the track was opened at 12:00pm - with each driver running an installation lap and returning to their garage.
But moments later, the fog got thicker and again the track was closed. Pending weather conditions, the four drivers could begin their running in the afternoon.
This is the last day of scheduled testing at Jerez this month. Next week, most teams are set to run in Barcelona - with Williams and Midland the only outfits not to take part in the Catalunya test.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Villeneuve happy with new BMW
January 19th 2006, 17:54 GMT
Canadian Jacques Villeneuve made his debut at the wheel of the BMW's new Formula One car on Thursday at the Valencia circuit.
After Nick Heidfeld drove the F1.06 during the first two days of the test, the former World Champion took over while the German drove the hybrid chassis.
Villeneuve completed a total of 75 laps with a best time of 1:12.472, and he was pleased with the handling of the new car.
"The F1.06 felt really good," said Villeneuve. "After the first day in a new car you can tell if it will be competitive or not; this one felt fast and I think there is more potential in it than in the C24 last year. That's very positive.
"Overall, I think these three days went well. Normally with a new car you expect quite a few problems, but this test went pretty well, so I'm happy."
Heidfeld, meanwhile, focussed on a Michelin tyre programme and covered 117 laps. His best time was 1:12.293.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Major revamp planned for Imola
By Michele Lostia January 19th 2006, 12:53 GMT
The Imola circuit, host of the San Marino Grand Prix, could soon become much faster thanks to a proposed straightening of its Variante Bassa chicane, yielding to an estimated one-kilometre straight from the second Rivazza curve to the Tamburello chicane.
The modification will be necessary in order to move the pit building towards Rivazza and thus having much larger paddock and facilities, which is one of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's requirements in order to consider renewing the contract with the autodrome in the future.
The project, funded with 10 million euro allocated by the Italian government at the end of last year, is likely to go ahead and will involve moving the pit building further away from the Santerno river and expanding it to become 280 metres in length and 18 in width, also allowing for larger and more numerous team garages.
With works at the circuit predicted to start around next October and to be completed before the 2007 GP, Imola mayor Massimo Marchignoli hopes the project will be approved by the end of March.
"We are trying to speed up proceedings as much as possible while evaluating the realization of the project," Marchignoli told Autosprint. "We count on approving it as soon as possible, I'd say at most within a couple of months' time.
"For our town, F1 is an important economic resource. It's an incredible worldwide promotional tool, and losing it would be inexcusable."
Federico Bendinelli, president of Sagis, the group which operates the circuit, is not willing to guarantee whether the proposed project will get the go ahead, however.
"We'll have to see whether the town of Imola will approve our project proposal," said Bendinelli. "We can't rule out the possibility that Mayor Marchignoli will decide to commission a brand new project.
"What we are putting at the town's disposal is a part of our project, in particular the structure of the new pits. This includes new race control, a press room with space for 600-650 journalists, a photographers' room, a new and much larger hospitality area and, obviously, new garages, with two more than what's there at the moment."
Imola, a historically fast circuit, went through major changes which made it slower and safer following the death of triple World Champion Ayrton Senna, who was killed at the sweeping Tamburello curve on May 1st, 1994.
"Getting rid of Variante Bassa is an old idea of ours," Bendinelli revealed to Autosprint. "Already in 1994, having made the Tamburello section safer following Senna's accident, the circuit became substantially slower and we thought of eliminating Variante Bassa. In the end we didn't do it because we made [the chicane] a little faster. Now we can reset the right parameters."
Bendinelli pointed out that works on the pit building are needed in order to retain the place on the F1 calendar rather than for safety reasons, but also admitted that the existing building isn't up to current antiseismic legislations.
"I want to point out that Imola's current pits are neither crumbling nor unsafe, only narrow," commented Bendinelli. "If we want our circuit to have a future we must get in line with what Bernie Ecclestone indicates to us, otherwise there's the risk that in two year's time there won't be a Grand Prix here anymore. Besides, it's also necessary to create a new building structure which is within current antiseismic legislations."
A project devised in 2001, which involves moving the pit building and paddock on the other side of the straight on the inside of the circuit, is considered too expensive to implement.
While Marchignoli said in 2004 that the autodrome's current contract with Bernie Ecclestone expires after the 2009 San Marino Grand Prix, Imola's presence in the Grand Prix calendar is often put in doubt partly because of the fact that it's in Italy, which already stages the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. [/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Jerez testing hampered by fog
January 20th 2006, 11:24 GMT
Testing at Jerez today has been stalled due to a thick fog over the circuit.
Honda's Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, alongside Williams's Alex Wurz and Nico Rosberg, are scheduled to test today at the Spanish circuit.
However, the track was covered in thick fog in the morning, which meant that helicopters cannot take off or land - a requirement for emergency medical evacuation in official F1 test sessions.
The fog eased off slightly toward noon and the track was opened at 12:00pm - with each driver running an installation lap and returning to their garage.
But moments later, the fog got thicker and again the track was closed. Pending weather conditions, the four drivers could begin their running in the afternoon.
This is the last day of scheduled testing at Jerez this month. Next week, most teams are set to run in Barcelona - with Williams and Midland the only outfits not to take part in the Catalunya test.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Villeneuve happy with new BMW
January 19th 2006, 17:54 GMT
Canadian Jacques Villeneuve made his debut at the wheel of the BMW's new Formula One car on Thursday at the Valencia circuit.
After Nick Heidfeld drove the F1.06 during the first two days of the test, the former World Champion took over while the German drove the hybrid chassis.
Villeneuve completed a total of 75 laps with a best time of 1:12.472, and he was pleased with the handling of the new car.
"The F1.06 felt really good," said Villeneuve. "After the first day in a new car you can tell if it will be competitive or not; this one felt fast and I think there is more potential in it than in the C24 last year. That's very positive.
"Overall, I think these three days went well. Normally with a new car you expect quite a few problems, but this test went pretty well, so I'm happy."
Heidfeld, meanwhile, focussed on a Michelin tyre programme and covered 117 laps. His best time was 1:12.293.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Major revamp planned for Imola
By Michele Lostia January 19th 2006, 12:53 GMT
The Imola circuit, host of the San Marino Grand Prix, could soon become much faster thanks to a proposed straightening of its Variante Bassa chicane, yielding to an estimated one-kilometre straight from the second Rivazza curve to the Tamburello chicane.
The modification will be necessary in order to move the pit building towards Rivazza and thus having much larger paddock and facilities, which is one of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's requirements in order to consider renewing the contract with the autodrome in the future.
The project, funded with 10 million euro allocated by the Italian government at the end of last year, is likely to go ahead and will involve moving the pit building further away from the Santerno river and expanding it to become 280 metres in length and 18 in width, also allowing for larger and more numerous team garages.
With works at the circuit predicted to start around next October and to be completed before the 2007 GP, Imola mayor Massimo Marchignoli hopes the project will be approved by the end of March.
"We are trying to speed up proceedings as much as possible while evaluating the realization of the project," Marchignoli told Autosprint. "We count on approving it as soon as possible, I'd say at most within a couple of months' time.
"For our town, F1 is an important economic resource. It's an incredible worldwide promotional tool, and losing it would be inexcusable."
Federico Bendinelli, president of Sagis, the group which operates the circuit, is not willing to guarantee whether the proposed project will get the go ahead, however.
"We'll have to see whether the town of Imola will approve our project proposal," said Bendinelli. "We can't rule out the possibility that Mayor Marchignoli will decide to commission a brand new project.
"What we are putting at the town's disposal is a part of our project, in particular the structure of the new pits. This includes new race control, a press room with space for 600-650 journalists, a photographers' room, a new and much larger hospitality area and, obviously, new garages, with two more than what's there at the moment."
Imola, a historically fast circuit, went through major changes which made it slower and safer following the death of triple World Champion Ayrton Senna, who was killed at the sweeping Tamburello curve on May 1st, 1994.
"Getting rid of Variante Bassa is an old idea of ours," Bendinelli revealed to Autosprint. "Already in 1994, having made the Tamburello section safer following Senna's accident, the circuit became substantially slower and we thought of eliminating Variante Bassa. In the end we didn't do it because we made [the chicane] a little faster. Now we can reset the right parameters."
Bendinelli pointed out that works on the pit building are needed in order to retain the place on the F1 calendar rather than for safety reasons, but also admitted that the existing building isn't up to current antiseismic legislations.
"I want to point out that Imola's current pits are neither crumbling nor unsafe, only narrow," commented Bendinelli. "If we want our circuit to have a future we must get in line with what Bernie Ecclestone indicates to us, otherwise there's the risk that in two year's time there won't be a Grand Prix here anymore. Besides, it's also necessary to create a new building structure which is within current antiseismic legislations."
A project devised in 2001, which involves moving the pit building and paddock on the other side of the straight on the inside of the circuit, is considered too expensive to implement.
While Marchignoli said in 2004 that the autodrome's current contract with Bernie Ecclestone expires after the 2009 San Marino Grand Prix, Imola's presence in the Grand Prix calendar is often put in doubt partly because of the fact that it's in Italy, which already stages the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. [/QUOTE]
| TimStevens | 01-20-2006 09:58 AM |
I'd rather see 'em ditch the first chicane at Tamburello than the last one, but hey, whatever.
| Ferg | 01-20-2006 10:05 AM |
I agree completely, it ruins the flow of the circuit, but I think there's a river right on the other side of the retaining wall, and just no room to improve the runoff area. :(
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/50153717/original.jpg[/IMG]
For those unfamliar with Imola's layout, the chicane that may be removed is the far right one on the top stretch of racetrack, right before the (white) pit building.
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/50153717/original.jpg[/IMG]
For those unfamliar with Imola's layout, the chicane that may be removed is the far right one on the top stretch of racetrack, right before the (white) pit building.
| mclmk8d | 01-20-2006 10:51 AM |
I used to live in Bologna(30 km west) and my best friend lives in Imola...we used to go to the track all the time to both eat(piedini place on the infield as well as a farm) and walk the track for exercise. His father would rent out parking spaces Grand Prix weekend and his mother would make sanwiches to sell. Imola is a small beuatiful city with lots of good people.
| TimStevens | 01-20-2006 10:56 AM |
Wow, that sounds amazing. I can't think of a single track in the US you could do that at... certainly not one currently in use.
| Ferg | 01-20-2006 12:08 PM |
Rosberg finally shows some speed.
[QUOTE]Rosberg ends Jerez test on top
January 20th 2006, 16:49 GMT
Williams driver Nico Rosberg completed a last-minute flying lap to edge Rubens Barrichello to the top of the times on the final day of this week's testing at Jerez.
The morning session was a total waste for the teams, however, as a thick fog only allowed them to start working almost at 1pm local time.
Before that, the circuit was covered in thick fog, which meant that helicopters were unable take off or land and so the drivers were not allowed to take to the track.
Once the fog cleared, both Honda and Williams got on with their programmes, with Rosberg emerging on top of the timesheets after completing a last-gap flying lap in the hybrid car powered with V8 engine. Rosberg's time was the quickest of the week.
The German driver finished over two tenths in front of Honda driver Barrichello, who also put on a last-minute strong performance to outpace teammate Jenson Button by 0.002 seconds in Honda's last test before they unveil their new car next week.
Both Button and Barrichello had a busy afternoon of work, completed over 220 laps between the two.
Williams test driver Alexander Wurz was slowest after only 28 laps, who like his teammate Rosberg had problems with the gearbox.
"It is quite normal to have teething problems when you have new car component, but I think we are on top of it now," Williams technical director Sam Michael told autosport.com.
"This is the last proper test with this car and after the launch on Friday we have a two-day exclusive test in Valencia where all three drivers will have a go in the new car and on Wednesday the second car will arrive"
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. Rosberg Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:18.321 52
2. Barrichello Honda (M) 1:18.547 102
3. Button Honda (M) 1:18.549 120
4. Wurz Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:18.833 28
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Rosberg ends Jerez test on top
January 20th 2006, 16:49 GMT
Williams driver Nico Rosberg completed a last-minute flying lap to edge Rubens Barrichello to the top of the times on the final day of this week's testing at Jerez.
The morning session was a total waste for the teams, however, as a thick fog only allowed them to start working almost at 1pm local time.
Before that, the circuit was covered in thick fog, which meant that helicopters were unable take off or land and so the drivers were not allowed to take to the track.
Once the fog cleared, both Honda and Williams got on with their programmes, with Rosberg emerging on top of the timesheets after completing a last-gap flying lap in the hybrid car powered with V8 engine. Rosberg's time was the quickest of the week.
The German driver finished over two tenths in front of Honda driver Barrichello, who also put on a last-minute strong performance to outpace teammate Jenson Button by 0.002 seconds in Honda's last test before they unveil their new car next week.
Both Button and Barrichello had a busy afternoon of work, completed over 220 laps between the two.
Williams test driver Alexander Wurz was slowest after only 28 laps, who like his teammate Rosberg had problems with the gearbox.
"It is quite normal to have teething problems when you have new car component, but I think we are on top of it now," Williams technical director Sam Michael told autosport.com.
"This is the last proper test with this car and after the launch on Friday we have a two-day exclusive test in Valencia where all three drivers will have a go in the new car and on Wednesday the second car will arrive"
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. Rosberg Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:18.321 52
2. Barrichello Honda (M) 1:18.547 102
3. Button Honda (M) 1:18.549 120
4. Wurz Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:18.833 28
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
| StuBeck | 01-20-2006 12:49 PM |
They can't do anything with tamburello, the river is right behind the wall. I have driven the circuit on my computer and it is probably my favorite simply because of all the running over the curbs which is necessary. I think removing the chican might be a bad idea. A 1km straight is not a good thing, look at China, it doesn't help with overtaking.
| Wr4wrX | 01-20-2006 04:41 PM |
No Spa in 2006?
�
�
I hope this is only speculation, but apparently [URL=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=34880]Spa is off for 2006[/URL]
| finnRex | 01-20-2006 06:53 PM |
Maybe 'cuz I'm Finnish, but I find it annoying that Nico is considered German. Could anyone enlighten me? The only real reason why I believe they consider him a German is so that BMW can have a German driver in a German car led by a German boss.
Last I checked, Keke=Finnish. Nico is Keke's son=should be Finnish as well. Maybe I'm old school or something...
Mika
Last I checked, Keke=Finnish. Nico is Keke's son=should be Finnish as well. Maybe I'm old school or something...
Mika
| Ferg | 01-20-2006 07:50 PM |
Nico is German, born and raised apparently. According to Keke he doesn't even speak Finnish. His last name is Rosberg though, and in my book that makes him Finnish enough.
I'm still waiting for some sort of confirmation on the Spa issue. Since it hasn't been reported by my usual sources I'm not putting any stock in the rumor....yet.
As soon as I hear something more than a comment by a Belgium politician I'll pass it along to you guys.
:)
I'm still waiting for some sort of confirmation on the Spa issue. Since it hasn't been reported by my usual sources I'm not putting any stock in the rumor....yet.
As soon as I hear something more than a comment by a Belgium politician I'll pass it along to you guys.
:)
| Ferg | 01-21-2006 11:15 AM |
Bit of news
[QUOTE]Fry optimistic on testing agreement
By Biranit Goren January 21st 2006, 14:49 GMT
Honda Racing's F1 team boss Nick Fry believes teams will be reluctant to expand their testing programme in 2006 despite failing to agree on new testing restrictions for the season.
And the Briton believes there is in fact still a chance that all teams, including Ferrari, will reach a mutual agreement before the season begins in less than two months.
Nine of the ten Formula One teams agreed last year to limit testing during the F1 season to 30 days, but Ferrari refused to join the agreement and instead continued testing whenever they felt necessary.
The teams are currently negotiating a new testing agreement but so far all ten teams have failed to find a common ground.
But Honda's Fry remains optimistic that a solution may be found eventually.
"It's too premature to say," Fry told autosport.com, when asked if the testing agreement has collapsed. "Obviously we are in a position where we do not have everyone's agreement.
"It will be good for everybody if we had an agreement which was agreed by all ten teams, and we are trying to do that and find the formula that would suit everybody.
"Maybe we will succeed, and maybe we won't. But I think it is premature to say it has failed. It is difficult, no doubt, to get something that suits everybody. But we are still hopeful that we can."
The bone of contention between the nine teams and Ferrari is how to restrict testing - with the Italians insisting there should be a mileage restriction per tyre supplier, while the nine teams supported so far a restriction of days per team.
And Fry said there is no way his team would support a mileage restriction, simply because it would make their testing programme rather costly and inefficient.
"Mileage is difficult, because we all work very hard to be very efficient, and obviously the majority of the teams do not have their own test track," Fry explained.
"So we have to travel somewhere like Jerez [in Spain] to do a test, and it would be incredibly inefficient for us to do only 150km and not use the rest of the day.
"If we are to end up with just pure mileage restriction, the rest of us will become instantly so inefficient, and therefore more expensive, so that is not ideal.
"But I do respect Ferrari's position that they have a test track. So we have to find a solution which satisfies everybody. Again, it is difficult. But we need to try."
Finally, Fry rejected the notion that a failure to reach an agreement will start a testing race that will escalate costs across all teams. The Briton, in fact, believes very little would change in the amount of testing the teams would carry out with or without the agreement.
"The irony of the situation is that because we have become more efficient, even if it was complete freedom (without a testing agreement), I doubt anyone will go crazy on the amount of testing," he said.
"Obviously most of us wasted some of our 30 days [in 2005] through weather changes during the course of a day - and I think if there was no agreement you could get into a position where bad weather can be compensated - so I could see people increasing a little bit.
"But I doubt anyone will go suddenly from 30 days to 60 days. Certainly that would not be our plan at Honda."
[/QUOTE]
and from the where are they now file, Irv the Swerve.
[QUOTE]Irvine still wanted by English police
January 21st 2006, 15:55 GMT
Former Formula One driver Eddie Irvine was this week once again found guilty for driving offences, but the Ulsterman has a bigger problem than a mere fine to pay: there is still an arrest warrant against him in England.
Irvine was found guilty in December 2003 for driving too fas - and without a license or insurance - on a scooter in London's Hyde Park. The former Jaguar Racing driver did not show up in court for his hearing, and in his absence the judge issued an arrest warrant against him.
This week, in a bit of a deja vu, the Ulsterman was found guilty in a Belfast court and was fined 700 GBP ($1,000 USD) along with eight penalty points for speeding and driving without insurance (this time in a BMW M3).
And according to the Belfast Telegraph, it has emerged Irvine is still a wanted man in England.
A spokeswoman for Bow Street Magistrates court told the newspaper: "The warrant remains outstanding and will until he either surrenders or is arrested."
The newspaper further quotes the London metropolitan police, who said Irvine is not being actively pursued but the warrant could be enforced should Irvine return to England.[/QUOTE]
I still find it funny that Eddie Irvine is richer than Michael Schumacher.
:lol:
[QUOTE]Fry optimistic on testing agreement
By Biranit Goren January 21st 2006, 14:49 GMT
Honda Racing's F1 team boss Nick Fry believes teams will be reluctant to expand their testing programme in 2006 despite failing to agree on new testing restrictions for the season.
And the Briton believes there is in fact still a chance that all teams, including Ferrari, will reach a mutual agreement before the season begins in less than two months.
Nine of the ten Formula One teams agreed last year to limit testing during the F1 season to 30 days, but Ferrari refused to join the agreement and instead continued testing whenever they felt necessary.
The teams are currently negotiating a new testing agreement but so far all ten teams have failed to find a common ground.
But Honda's Fry remains optimistic that a solution may be found eventually.
"It's too premature to say," Fry told autosport.com, when asked if the testing agreement has collapsed. "Obviously we are in a position where we do not have everyone's agreement.
"It will be good for everybody if we had an agreement which was agreed by all ten teams, and we are trying to do that and find the formula that would suit everybody.
"Maybe we will succeed, and maybe we won't. But I think it is premature to say it has failed. It is difficult, no doubt, to get something that suits everybody. But we are still hopeful that we can."
The bone of contention between the nine teams and Ferrari is how to restrict testing - with the Italians insisting there should be a mileage restriction per tyre supplier, while the nine teams supported so far a restriction of days per team.
And Fry said there is no way his team would support a mileage restriction, simply because it would make their testing programme rather costly and inefficient.
"Mileage is difficult, because we all work very hard to be very efficient, and obviously the majority of the teams do not have their own test track," Fry explained.
"So we have to travel somewhere like Jerez [in Spain] to do a test, and it would be incredibly inefficient for us to do only 150km and not use the rest of the day.
"If we are to end up with just pure mileage restriction, the rest of us will become instantly so inefficient, and therefore more expensive, so that is not ideal.
"But I do respect Ferrari's position that they have a test track. So we have to find a solution which satisfies everybody. Again, it is difficult. But we need to try."
Finally, Fry rejected the notion that a failure to reach an agreement will start a testing race that will escalate costs across all teams. The Briton, in fact, believes very little would change in the amount of testing the teams would carry out with or without the agreement.
"The irony of the situation is that because we have become more efficient, even if it was complete freedom (without a testing agreement), I doubt anyone will go crazy on the amount of testing," he said.
"Obviously most of us wasted some of our 30 days [in 2005] through weather changes during the course of a day - and I think if there was no agreement you could get into a position where bad weather can be compensated - so I could see people increasing a little bit.
"But I doubt anyone will go suddenly from 30 days to 60 days. Certainly that would not be our plan at Honda."
[/QUOTE]
and from the where are they now file, Irv the Swerve.
[QUOTE]Irvine still wanted by English police
January 21st 2006, 15:55 GMT
Former Formula One driver Eddie Irvine was this week once again found guilty for driving offences, but the Ulsterman has a bigger problem than a mere fine to pay: there is still an arrest warrant against him in England.
Irvine was found guilty in December 2003 for driving too fas - and without a license or insurance - on a scooter in London's Hyde Park. The former Jaguar Racing driver did not show up in court for his hearing, and in his absence the judge issued an arrest warrant against him.
This week, in a bit of a deja vu, the Ulsterman was found guilty in a Belfast court and was fined 700 GBP ($1,000 USD) along with eight penalty points for speeding and driving without insurance (this time in a BMW M3).
And according to the Belfast Telegraph, it has emerged Irvine is still a wanted man in England.
A spokeswoman for Bow Street Magistrates court told the newspaper: "The warrant remains outstanding and will until he either surrenders or is arrested."
The newspaper further quotes the London metropolitan police, who said Irvine is not being actively pursued but the warrant could be enforced should Irvine return to England.[/QUOTE]
I still find it funny that Eddie Irvine is richer than Michael Schumacher.
:lol:
| StuBeck | 01-21-2006 11:30 AM |
I believe Nico actually speaks finnish, it sounds like he is basically a genius from what I have read on him, very smart and technically minded.
| Ferg | 01-21-2006 01:23 PM |
I could have sworn I read an interview with Keke in which he said that although Nico can speak several languages, Finnish isn't among them.
I can't recall for the life of me where I read that though, so I definately could be mistaken.
:)
I can't recall for the life of me where I read that though, so I definately could be mistaken.
:)
| StuBeck | 01-21-2006 02:34 PM |
I might be wrong too, I'm pretty sure he speaks 4 languages though...so I guess we both don't know what we're talking about ;)
| MattNJ2.8 | 01-21-2006 05:47 PM |
Ferg, thanks for the updates!!!
| Gundoo | 01-21-2006 06:55 PM |
[QUOTE=Wr4wrX]I hope this is only speculation, but apparently [URL=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=34880]Spa is off for 2006[/URL][/QUOTE]
:furious: :mad: :furious: :mad: :furious: :mad: !!!!!
:furious: :mad: :furious: :mad: :furious: :mad: !!!!!
| Wr4wrX | 01-22-2006 02:02 PM |
[QUOTE=Wr4wrX]I hope this is only speculation, but apparently [URL=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=34880]Spa is off for 2006[/URL][/QUOTE]
[URL=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=34885]The FIA says Spa is still on. Bernie, whatcha got to say?[/URL]
[URL=http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=34885]The FIA says Spa is still on. Bernie, whatcha got to say?[/URL]
| VDMTom | 01-22-2006 02:11 PM |
Where is Mr. Sato? Of BAR Honda??
| Ferg | 01-22-2006 02:39 PM |
Either on vacation or bringing up the rear with the yet unconfirmed Super Aguri team.
Honda (formely BAR) had no use for his services this year, opting for Rubens Barrichello instead.
Honda (formely BAR) had no use for his services this year, opting for Rubens Barrichello instead.
| finnRex | 01-22-2006 07:48 PM |
[QUOTE=Ferg]Either on vacation or bringing up the rear with the yet unconfirmed Super Aguri team.
Honda (formely BAR) had no use for his services this year, opting for Rubens Barrichello instead.[/QUOTE]
Toilet seat=only worthy seat for Sato.
Mika
Honda (formely BAR) had no use for his services this year, opting for Rubens Barrichello instead.[/QUOTE]
Toilet seat=only worthy seat for Sato.
Mika
| artkevin | 01-23-2006 12:07 AM |
Sato has been busy with his first born child who was born in this winter.
And yes, Nico speaks German, English, French and Itlaian I think. I'll try to find that link some time. German born, mother is German and father is Finn but they spoke German around the house.
Sam Michael says that Nico has scored the highest ever for a driver at Williams on their app test which is a series of short answer and multiple choice questions about car set up and reaction. He also almost studied aero design in college but decided to try a little racing instead.
Edit:
[url]http://www.keke-rosberg.moonfruit.com/nicorosberg[/url]
And yes, Nico speaks German, English, French and Itlaian I think. I'll try to find that link some time. German born, mother is German and father is Finn but they spoke German around the house.
Sam Michael says that Nico has scored the highest ever for a driver at Williams on their app test which is a series of short answer and multiple choice questions about car set up and reaction. He also almost studied aero design in college but decided to try a little racing instead.
Edit:
[url]http://www.keke-rosberg.moonfruit.com/nicorosberg[/url]
| artkevin | 01-23-2006 09:42 AM |
MP4-21 on track....finally.
Like the nose, looks like the MP4-18 and 19 or if you like, the Minardi of from 2001.
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/55111.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/55096.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/55090.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/55092.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/55075.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://schlegelmilch.smcc.de/archive/images/2001/04/previews/014-1202.jpg[/IMG]
Like the nose, looks like the MP4-18 and 19 or if you like, the Minardi of from 2001.
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/55111.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/55096.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/55090.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/55092.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/55075.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://schlegelmilch.smcc.de/archive/images/2001/04/previews/014-1202.jpg[/IMG]
| Ferg | 01-23-2006 10:01 AM |
The car looks great, although I'm a little suprised to see it in the orange. I would have thought Macca would be running in silver and black by now.
[QUOTE]New McLaren makes Barcelona debut
January 23rd 2006, 10:10 GMT
The new McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21 made its track debut on Monday morning at the Barcelona circuit, where a major test is kicked off today.
The Mercedes-powered car took to the Spanish track with test driver Pedro de la Rosa at the wheel, the Catalan driver completing the car's first installation lap.
De la Rosa is expected to complete the first day of work with the new car, with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya taking over from the Spaniard tomorrow.
Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who has not driven since the 2005 season finished in October, is expected to be back in action on Thursday to test the MP4-21.
McLaren have been testing with an hybrid version of last year's car so far this year.
Only McLaren and BMW will be on track today, with the rest of the teams, except Williams and Midland, joining on Tuesday.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]De la Rosa pleased with MP4-21
January 23rd 2006, 11:01 GMT
McLaren's test driver Pedro de la Rosa was pleased with the initial performance of the new McLaren MP4-21, which made its track debut today.
The car, which the team said is an evolution of last year's machine, left the garage for the first time at 9:15 to complete its installation lap.
De la Rosa completed a total of four laps before noon.
"I am really pleased to have been at the wheel of MP4-21 today" said de la Rosa. "The car feels good initially, but it is of course too early to really understand its potential and we need to put a lot more laps on it. We have around 20 days of on track running before the cars leave for Bahrain on Friday 3rd March.
"As today is the initial shakedown, our focus will be to familiarise ourselves with the MP4-21 and the Mercedes-Benz FO 108S V8 engine, and to run the various systems checks that are required with a new car."
Juan Pablo Montoya will take over driving duties for tomorrow and Wednesday, while Kimi Raikkonen will drive on Thursday and Friday.
The second MP4-21 chassis is scheduled to hit the track in Valencia some time during the second week of February. [/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Martini to return to F1 with Ferrari
By Jonathan Noble January 23rd 2006, 10:55 GMT
The famous Italian drinks brand Martini will return to Formula One after almost three decades, autosport.com has learned.
Ferrari are set to announce later today that they have signed a sponsorship deal with Martini & Rossi.
The Italian company, today owned by Bacardi, used to sponsor Lotus and Brabham in the mid-1970s.
The sponsorship deal will see the Martini logo on the Ferrari car, but the extent of the sponsorship will not be as big as Vodafone's. [/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]FIA may change equivalency formula
By Biranit Goren January 22nd 2006, 14:15 GMT
Honda's Nick Fry says the FIA could introduce at a day's notice further restrictions on teams electing to run V10 engines, if the current formula for restricting V10 engines proves too generous.
Currently, only Scuderia Toro Rosso is planning to enter the 2006 season with a restricted Cosworth V10 engine, while all other teams have committed to running 2.4 litre V8 engines.
But there is a growing concern among V8-powered teams that the existing restrictions on V10 engines - including air restrictor and RPM limit - are not enough, and V10-powered cars could have an advantage.
"We have to wait and see if the equivalency formula is fair," Fry told autosport.com. "At the moment, those running V8 feel that the restriction is a bit too generous, so we need to find out what is the exact figure.
"I know there are tests being done and we're just leaving it to the FIA to determine what is fair. [FIA president] Max Mosley and [FIA delegate] Charlie Whiting made it clear that they would adjust the equivalency formula if necessary at 24 hours notice.
"They always said that the figure may change, because they want to make it fair. So at this stage, we'll just leave it and see what happens."
Fry said tests are currently being done by several teams and the FIA to establish the fairest equivalency formula, although he said his Honda team elected not to be a part of this joint research.
"Toyota volunteered to do tests; we could have done it too, but we chose not too - and we're comfortable with that," Fry said. "Midland did the test at various levels and already presented the data to FIA.
"The FIA will now make a decision. Hopefully, it will come out fair - fair to everybody. That is all we ask."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]New McLaren makes Barcelona debut
January 23rd 2006, 10:10 GMT
The new McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21 made its track debut on Monday morning at the Barcelona circuit, where a major test is kicked off today.
The Mercedes-powered car took to the Spanish track with test driver Pedro de la Rosa at the wheel, the Catalan driver completing the car's first installation lap.
De la Rosa is expected to complete the first day of work with the new car, with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya taking over from the Spaniard tomorrow.
Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who has not driven since the 2005 season finished in October, is expected to be back in action on Thursday to test the MP4-21.
McLaren have been testing with an hybrid version of last year's car so far this year.
Only McLaren and BMW will be on track today, with the rest of the teams, except Williams and Midland, joining on Tuesday.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]De la Rosa pleased with MP4-21
January 23rd 2006, 11:01 GMT
McLaren's test driver Pedro de la Rosa was pleased with the initial performance of the new McLaren MP4-21, which made its track debut today.
The car, which the team said is an evolution of last year's machine, left the garage for the first time at 9:15 to complete its installation lap.
De la Rosa completed a total of four laps before noon.
"I am really pleased to have been at the wheel of MP4-21 today" said de la Rosa. "The car feels good initially, but it is of course too early to really understand its potential and we need to put a lot more laps on it. We have around 20 days of on track running before the cars leave for Bahrain on Friday 3rd March.
"As today is the initial shakedown, our focus will be to familiarise ourselves with the MP4-21 and the Mercedes-Benz FO 108S V8 engine, and to run the various systems checks that are required with a new car."
Juan Pablo Montoya will take over driving duties for tomorrow and Wednesday, while Kimi Raikkonen will drive on Thursday and Friday.
The second MP4-21 chassis is scheduled to hit the track in Valencia some time during the second week of February. [/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Martini to return to F1 with Ferrari
By Jonathan Noble January 23rd 2006, 10:55 GMT
The famous Italian drinks brand Martini will return to Formula One after almost three decades, autosport.com has learned.
Ferrari are set to announce later today that they have signed a sponsorship deal with Martini & Rossi.
The Italian company, today owned by Bacardi, used to sponsor Lotus and Brabham in the mid-1970s.
The sponsorship deal will see the Martini logo on the Ferrari car, but the extent of the sponsorship will not be as big as Vodafone's. [/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]FIA may change equivalency formula
By Biranit Goren January 22nd 2006, 14:15 GMT
Honda's Nick Fry says the FIA could introduce at a day's notice further restrictions on teams electing to run V10 engines, if the current formula for restricting V10 engines proves too generous.
Currently, only Scuderia Toro Rosso is planning to enter the 2006 season with a restricted Cosworth V10 engine, while all other teams have committed to running 2.4 litre V8 engines.
But there is a growing concern among V8-powered teams that the existing restrictions on V10 engines - including air restrictor and RPM limit - are not enough, and V10-powered cars could have an advantage.
"We have to wait and see if the equivalency formula is fair," Fry told autosport.com. "At the moment, those running V8 feel that the restriction is a bit too generous, so we need to find out what is the exact figure.
"I know there are tests being done and we're just leaving it to the FIA to determine what is fair. [FIA president] Max Mosley and [FIA delegate] Charlie Whiting made it clear that they would adjust the equivalency formula if necessary at 24 hours notice.
"They always said that the figure may change, because they want to make it fair. So at this stage, we'll just leave it and see what happens."
Fry said tests are currently being done by several teams and the FIA to establish the fairest equivalency formula, although he said his Honda team elected not to be a part of this joint research.
"Toyota volunteered to do tests; we could have done it too, but we chose not too - and we're comfortable with that," Fry said. "Midland did the test at various levels and already presented the data to FIA.
"The FIA will now make a decision. Hopefully, it will come out fair - fair to everybody. That is all we ask."[/QUOTE]
| Ferg | 01-23-2006 11:37 AM |
Give a cheer for JV and BMW.
[QUOTE]Villeneuve shines with F1.06 at Barcelona
January 23rd 2006, 16:24 GMT
Canadian Jacques Villeneuve topped the times on the first day of this week's major test at the Barcelona circuit as the new McLaren made its track debut.
Villeneuve, driving BMW's new F1.06 car unveiled last week, finished with a best time of 1:17.242, the Canadian being the only driver to lap in less than 78 seconds.
It was the first time the new BMW was on track with rival cars, having only done private testing in Valencia last week.
Former World Champion Villeneuve worked alongside teammate Nick Heidfeld, who was at the wheel of the hybrid car fitted with a V8 engine as the team wait to have the second new chassis ready.
Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa was the man in charge of completing the first test with the new McLaren-MP4-21.
De la Rosa said first impressions of the V8-powered car were good, but the test driver could only complete 19 laps before the Mercedes engine gave up.
De la Rosa finished over a second behind Villeneuve, with Briton Gary Paffett splitting the two in the hybrid McLaren MP20 fitted with a V10 engine.
Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya will drive the new car at the Spanish circuit on Tuesday and Wednesday with Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, winner of seven races last year, testing on Thursday and Friday.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. Villeneuve BMW-Sauber (M) 1:17.242 84
2. Paffett McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:18.066 74
3. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:18.247 19
4. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:18.471 82
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Villeneuve shines with F1.06 at Barcelona
January 23rd 2006, 16:24 GMT
Canadian Jacques Villeneuve topped the times on the first day of this week's major test at the Barcelona circuit as the new McLaren made its track debut.
Villeneuve, driving BMW's new F1.06 car unveiled last week, finished with a best time of 1:17.242, the Canadian being the only driver to lap in less than 78 seconds.
It was the first time the new BMW was on track with rival cars, having only done private testing in Valencia last week.
Former World Champion Villeneuve worked alongside teammate Nick Heidfeld, who was at the wheel of the hybrid car fitted with a V8 engine as the team wait to have the second new chassis ready.
Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa was the man in charge of completing the first test with the new McLaren-MP4-21.
De la Rosa said first impressions of the V8-powered car were good, but the test driver could only complete 19 laps before the Mercedes engine gave up.
De la Rosa finished over a second behind Villeneuve, with Briton Gary Paffett splitting the two in the hybrid McLaren MP20 fitted with a V10 engine.
Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya will drive the new car at the Spanish circuit on Tuesday and Wednesday with Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, winner of seven races last year, testing on Thursday and Friday.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. Villeneuve BMW-Sauber (M) 1:17.242 84
2. Paffett McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:18.066 74
3. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:18.247 19
4. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:18.471 82
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
| MPME | 01-23-2006 12:32 PM |
Latest F1/McLaren Pics uploaded to my Flickr Gallery
�
�
About 20 new McLaren and Sauber-BMW pics:
[URL]http:[email�protected]/sets/72057594050646486/[/URL]
My WRC 2006 Gallery for those interested (also found on the Mote Carlo Thread):
[URL]http:[email�protected]/sets/72057594051266890/[/URL]
[URL]http:[email�protected]/sets/72057594050646486/[/URL]
My WRC 2006 Gallery for those interested (also found on the Mote Carlo Thread):
[URL]http:[email�protected]/sets/72057594051266890/[/URL]
| MPME | 01-23-2006 12:38 PM |
[QUOTE=MPME]About 20 new McLaren and Sauber-BMW pics:
[URL]http:[email�protected]/sets/72057594050646486/[/URL]
My WRC 2006 Gallery for those interested (also found on the Mote Carlo Thread):
[URL]http:[email�protected]/sets/72057594051266890/[/URL][/QUOTE]
Forgot my normal F1 Gallery:
[URL]http:[email�protected]/sets/72057594050191313/[/URL]
[URL]http:[email�protected]/sets/72057594050646486/[/URL]
My WRC 2006 Gallery for those interested (also found on the Mote Carlo Thread):
[URL]http:[email�protected]/sets/72057594051266890/[/URL][/QUOTE]
Forgot my normal F1 Gallery:
[URL]http:[email�protected]/sets/72057594050191313/[/URL]
| StuBeck | 01-23-2006 05:31 PM |
McLaren is waiting to debut their new paint scheme. They did this in 97 when they debutted the West sponsorship too. Gives the team more exposure now, and later when they change, they are going to debut the new scheme in Feburary.
I love the front wing, and am surprised at how tiny the engine is, look at how far forward the exhaust exits!
I didn't know the 01 Minardi was pull-rod, that's surprising.
I love the front wing, and am surprised at how tiny the engine is, look at how far forward the exhaust exits!
I didn't know the 01 Minardi was pull-rod, that's surprising.
| REX8 | 01-23-2006 05:41 PM |
[QUOTE=StuBeck]
I didn't know the 01 Minardi was pull-rod, that's surprising.[/QUOTE]
Pull-rods are money....
instead of a push rod weighing next to nothing, a pull rod can actually weigh nothing... :lol:
I didn't know the 01 Minardi was pull-rod, that's surprising.[/QUOTE]
Pull-rods are money....
instead of a push rod weighing next to nothing, a pull rod can actually weigh nothing... :lol:
| Ferg | 01-23-2006 06:43 PM |
A bunch of Macca items...
[QUOTE]McLaren confident despite debut failures
By Jonathan Noble January 23rd 2006, 23:24 GMT
McLaren remain confident about the speed and reliability of their new MP4-21, despite engine problems hampering their first day of running.
With a spate of Mercedes-Benz engine failures in 2005 wrecking Kimi Raikkonen's title challenge, there has been an increased focus within the team to ensure that there is no repeat of that scenario this year.
And despite things getting off to a far from trouble-free start at Barcelona in Spain this morning, when Pedro de la Rosa's running in the MP4-21 was cut short after 19 laps with an engine problem, McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh has said he is not unduly concerned about the team's position at the moment.
"We as a team are very determined to win races and win world championships," he said. "Last year with 10 wins it was frustrating to come away without a world championship, and perhaps unusual.
"We have looked at all parts of the programme, and we have to look at where we have Achilles Heels. We will see when we get to Bahrain whether we have been successful or not, but there is a relatively confident air in the team at the moment and we have to see if it is maintained through the year."
Whitmarsh has refused to single out engine supplier Mercedes-Benz as the key area of concern for the team after the problems of last year, but he admitted that the team had to address the mistakes they made in 2005.
"We are working hard in every area," he said. "I am not going to single out any element, but we as a team had the quickest car for much of the year (in 2005) and we didn't win the world championship.
"We have to address that and I am concerned when we make mistakes. I am concerned when we don't realise our expectations but we are working hard as a team.
"When people see the car in close-up, I think they will see it is the best car we have ever produced in terms of detail design and we are very confident.
"With regards to the engine, it is a completely new configuration. It is an exciting package, and we have between now and Bahrain to ensure we have the performance and reliability to get the job done."
McLaren rolled out the MP4-12 at the Spanish track today, with de la Rosa setting the third fastest time, one second behind BMW's Jacques Villeneuve and some two tenths of a second slower than teammate Gary Paffett, who was driving in a hybrid MP4-20, fitted with a V10 engine.
Speaking about the early impressions following the first day of testing with the MP4-21, Whitmarsh said: "The early signs were as promising as you can tell on a cold, slippery track, but I think everyone feels comfortable with the work we have done so far.
"Those who have experienced things like this before know it is too early to make some big pronouncements."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Whitmarsh: Montoya motivated than ever
By Jonathan Noble January 23rd 2006, 23:12 GMT
Kimi Raikkonen will face tougher opposition from teammate Juan Pablo Montoya this year than ever before, with the Colombian fully fired up for the new season.
That is the view of McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh, who claims that Montoya has moved up a gear in his approach to Formula One over the winter in his bid to not be beaten by Raikkonen again.
Montoya had to play a supporting role to his teammate in the second half of last season, having missed several races through injury, and McLaren are predicting that he will not readily accept second best this time around.
"I do sense that Juan Pablo Montoya has got the bit between his teeth," Whitmarsh said, adding the renewed motivation is not as a result of the team signing Fernando Alonso for 2007. "I think he has tried to take another step.
"During the course of last season I think he improved his game in several ways, but he sees potential to grow and develop in the team, and he is working like hell away from the car with the engineers and his trainer.
"I think he senses he was able to show from time to time that he was quicker than Kimi - and that is what we want in the team. We want two guys who believe in themselves, believe they can win races and believe in each other.
"Sometimes it can go wrong in those circumstances, but both guys have a lot of confidence in their ability, in their marketability, and I hope they see McLaren as an attractive option in 2007. At some stage this year we will all have decisions to take."
With only one seat available at McLaren in 2007, there will be an extra edge to the Raikkonen/Montoya battle this season - even though both men are believed to already have several offers on the table.
And Whitmarsh has no concerns about the situation McLaren are in - having signed Alonso - even though it means losing one of their current star drivers.
"I think Juan's self belief and confidence are higher than they have ever been," added Whitmarsh. "He believes he can beat Kimi and believes he has the pace to do so. That is a good place to be for him and his motivation.
"Likewise Kimi probably believes he has the measure of Juan. We have two quick and motivated racing drivers, which is a good position to be in.
"Why sign Alonso? The opportunity arose and we saw someone who wanted to commit to the longer-term future of the team, was ready to do so in his mind, and we felt we should not miss the opportunity."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]McLaren see Paffett as potential champion
By Jonathan Noble January 23rd 2006, 23:18 GMT
McLaren are convinced that test driver Gary Paffett has the potential to become a successful Formula One driver - and even a world champion.
Having only joined the team at the end of last year, after shining in winter tests following his championship-winning DTM season, Paffett has already impressed his bosses considerably.
And McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh is adamant that if Paffett continues the rate of progress he is showing, then he has every chance of becoming a front-running F1 driver.
"We have known Gary for a number of years and he has demonstrated he is a winner," said Whitmarsh. "He has won in every category of motorsport he has participated in, sometimes in low budget teams and last year with Mercedes-Benz, but he is a winner and he has proven that.
"His learning ability was demonstrated in some work we did with him last year and in the last few tests he has become more confident and stronger.
"We believe he has the potential to be a very successful F1 driver, but he has to keep learning and not plateau in his ability."
Paffett has emerged as a contender for a race drive at McLaren in 2007, amid speculation that both Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya may choose to leave the team at the end of this year.
Whitmarsh drew short of saying how good a chance Paffett has of an opportunity with the team next year but admitted that the team are keeping a close eye on him.
"If he did not have the potential to be a successful driver, or a potential world champion, then we would not be investing the time that we are," added Whitmarsh.
"The time when drivers reach their plateau varies and we don't think he has reached that yet. He is a feet-on-the-ground, no-nonsense individual and even here (in Barcelona) this morning, listening to the drivers talking among themselves, it is clear he is respected by racing drivers who want to know what he thinks."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]McLaren confident despite debut failures
By Jonathan Noble January 23rd 2006, 23:24 GMT
McLaren remain confident about the speed and reliability of their new MP4-21, despite engine problems hampering their first day of running.
With a spate of Mercedes-Benz engine failures in 2005 wrecking Kimi Raikkonen's title challenge, there has been an increased focus within the team to ensure that there is no repeat of that scenario this year.
And despite things getting off to a far from trouble-free start at Barcelona in Spain this morning, when Pedro de la Rosa's running in the MP4-21 was cut short after 19 laps with an engine problem, McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh has said he is not unduly concerned about the team's position at the moment.
"We as a team are very determined to win races and win world championships," he said. "Last year with 10 wins it was frustrating to come away without a world championship, and perhaps unusual.
"We have looked at all parts of the programme, and we have to look at where we have Achilles Heels. We will see when we get to Bahrain whether we have been successful or not, but there is a relatively confident air in the team at the moment and we have to see if it is maintained through the year."
Whitmarsh has refused to single out engine supplier Mercedes-Benz as the key area of concern for the team after the problems of last year, but he admitted that the team had to address the mistakes they made in 2005.
"We are working hard in every area," he said. "I am not going to single out any element, but we as a team had the quickest car for much of the year (in 2005) and we didn't win the world championship.
"We have to address that and I am concerned when we make mistakes. I am concerned when we don't realise our expectations but we are working hard as a team.
"When people see the car in close-up, I think they will see it is the best car we have ever produced in terms of detail design and we are very confident.
"With regards to the engine, it is a completely new configuration. It is an exciting package, and we have between now and Bahrain to ensure we have the performance and reliability to get the job done."
McLaren rolled out the MP4-12 at the Spanish track today, with de la Rosa setting the third fastest time, one second behind BMW's Jacques Villeneuve and some two tenths of a second slower than teammate Gary Paffett, who was driving in a hybrid MP4-20, fitted with a V10 engine.
Speaking about the early impressions following the first day of testing with the MP4-21, Whitmarsh said: "The early signs were as promising as you can tell on a cold, slippery track, but I think everyone feels comfortable with the work we have done so far.
"Those who have experienced things like this before know it is too early to make some big pronouncements."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Whitmarsh: Montoya motivated than ever
By Jonathan Noble January 23rd 2006, 23:12 GMT
Kimi Raikkonen will face tougher opposition from teammate Juan Pablo Montoya this year than ever before, with the Colombian fully fired up for the new season.
That is the view of McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh, who claims that Montoya has moved up a gear in his approach to Formula One over the winter in his bid to not be beaten by Raikkonen again.
Montoya had to play a supporting role to his teammate in the second half of last season, having missed several races through injury, and McLaren are predicting that he will not readily accept second best this time around.
"I do sense that Juan Pablo Montoya has got the bit between his teeth," Whitmarsh said, adding the renewed motivation is not as a result of the team signing Fernando Alonso for 2007. "I think he has tried to take another step.
"During the course of last season I think he improved his game in several ways, but he sees potential to grow and develop in the team, and he is working like hell away from the car with the engineers and his trainer.
"I think he senses he was able to show from time to time that he was quicker than Kimi - and that is what we want in the team. We want two guys who believe in themselves, believe they can win races and believe in each other.
"Sometimes it can go wrong in those circumstances, but both guys have a lot of confidence in their ability, in their marketability, and I hope they see McLaren as an attractive option in 2007. At some stage this year we will all have decisions to take."
With only one seat available at McLaren in 2007, there will be an extra edge to the Raikkonen/Montoya battle this season - even though both men are believed to already have several offers on the table.
And Whitmarsh has no concerns about the situation McLaren are in - having signed Alonso - even though it means losing one of their current star drivers.
"I think Juan's self belief and confidence are higher than they have ever been," added Whitmarsh. "He believes he can beat Kimi and believes he has the pace to do so. That is a good place to be for him and his motivation.
"Likewise Kimi probably believes he has the measure of Juan. We have two quick and motivated racing drivers, which is a good position to be in.
"Why sign Alonso? The opportunity arose and we saw someone who wanted to commit to the longer-term future of the team, was ready to do so in his mind, and we felt we should not miss the opportunity."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]McLaren see Paffett as potential champion
By Jonathan Noble January 23rd 2006, 23:18 GMT
McLaren are convinced that test driver Gary Paffett has the potential to become a successful Formula One driver - and even a world champion.
Having only joined the team at the end of last year, after shining in winter tests following his championship-winning DTM season, Paffett has already impressed his bosses considerably.
And McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh is adamant that if Paffett continues the rate of progress he is showing, then he has every chance of becoming a front-running F1 driver.
"We have known Gary for a number of years and he has demonstrated he is a winner," said Whitmarsh. "He has won in every category of motorsport he has participated in, sometimes in low budget teams and last year with Mercedes-Benz, but he is a winner and he has proven that.
"His learning ability was demonstrated in some work we did with him last year and in the last few tests he has become more confident and stronger.
"We believe he has the potential to be a very successful F1 driver, but he has to keep learning and not plateau in his ability."
Paffett has emerged as a contender for a race drive at McLaren in 2007, amid speculation that both Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya may choose to leave the team at the end of this year.
Whitmarsh drew short of saying how good a chance Paffett has of an opportunity with the team next year but admitted that the team are keeping a close eye on him.
"If he did not have the potential to be a successful driver, or a potential world champion, then we would not be investing the time that we are," added Whitmarsh.
"The time when drivers reach their plateau varies and we don't think he has reached that yet. He is a feet-on-the-ground, no-nonsense individual and even here (in Barcelona) this morning, listening to the drivers talking among themselves, it is clear he is respected by racing drivers who want to know what he thinks."[/QUOTE]
| grandpa rex | 01-24-2006 06:55 AM |
Hey MPME. What a great F1 photo gallery. Thanks for sharing.
Pic of Senna in Canada 93 brought great memories of my first F1 race, and the only time I saw him in person.
Pic of Senna in Canada 93 brought great memories of my first F1 race, and the only time I saw him in person.
| Ferg | 01-24-2006 08:45 AM |
News.
[QUOTE]Ferrari launch the new 248 F1
January 24th 2006, 10:13 GMT
The Ferrari team on Tuesday officially launched their new car for the 2006 season at the Mugello circuit in Italy.
The car, named 248 F1, replaces last year's F2005.
Both Michael Schumacher and new teammate Felipe Massa had already driven the car at Fiorano last week.
The seven-time World Champion was again the man in charge of driving the first public laps with the 248 F1 today at Mugello.
Ferrari are hoping the new car will help them bounce back from a disappointing 2005 season, where they finished in third place after scoring just one win.
Before that, they had won six constructors' titles in a row, with Schumacher taking five drivers' crowns in succession.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Analysis: Ferrari look to fight back
By Alan Baldwin January 24th 2006, 13:07 GMT
Ferrari launched their 2006 Formula One car without fanfare on Tuesday but with plenty of determination to put a dismal season behind them and recapture the title.
"We will go into this season with a great motivation, great humility and also a great determination to get back to the top," team boss Jean Todt told a news conference at the Mugello circuit.
"We have the team, we have the means and we have the drivers, so there is no excuse not to return to where we were, and this will be our aim."
Ferrari finished last season a distant third overall, behind champions Renault and runner-ups McLaren, ending their run of six successive constructors' titles and Schumacher's five drivers crowns in a row.
The arrival of a new Ferrari is usually as much a highlight of the Italian social calendar as sporting, but there was little glamour on Tuesday as the team left their Maranello factory for the wintery test track.
After ending 2005 with just one hollow win, at the six-car US Grand Prix, Ferrari got straight down to business by unveiling the new 248 as part of a regular working day at the Mugello circuit.
Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher, who has yet to decide whether to make this his final season at the age of 37, did the opening stint, with new Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa also present on a bitterly cold morning.
The car was then parked on the start line for a team photograph during the lunch break, with fans watching behind a wire fence.
"How nice it is to do a launch with the new car running outside, a very pleasant background," technical director Ross Brawn told a news conference punctuated by the occasional wails of a V8 engine.
Looking Good
Ferrari and FIAT president Luca di Montezemolo said Schumacher had already indicated things were looking good.
"He took me on one side and said 'the first feeling is promising'," he said.
Massa, the 24-year-old who has yet to stand on the Formula One podium after three seasons with Sauber, also sounded positive after trying out the car earlier at Fiorano.
"The car was quick straight away and reliable," he told reporters. "We have, for sure, good expectations for this year but we will see when all the cars are together and we can compare properly."
The new rules, with V8s replacing V10s, have forced Ferrari to introduce their new car earlier than in recent seasons.
"We are running the car earlier than we have before. The V8 presents quite a lot of new problems, vibration in particular, and we were keen to get a car out early," added Brawn.
"We will have an update on the aerodynamic package before the first race.
"Last year wasn't successful and we hope to have identified the reasons why ... probably overall we were reasonably happy with the (2005) car but we didn't make as much progress as other teams did on the tyres, the car, the engine.
"We will try to make more progress this year."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Byrne to remain at Ferrari
By Dieter Rencken January 24th 2006, 10:08 GMT
Rory Byrne is to stay at Ferrari, the South African-born chief designer of the team's record-setting Formula One cars has confirmed.
"I don't want to go give away details," the 62-year old said during the launch of Ferrari's 2006 challenger, "but I have been asked by the team to act as engineering consultant."
Ross Brawn, Ferrari's Technical Director, disclosed that Byrne would be advising on both Formula One and road car technology.
"Rory will be working on the future of Ferrari. There are a lot of changes coming in Formula One, and he will also be working on road car developments," he said.
Byrne, a keen diver married to a Thai national, had been expected to retire to Phuket, Thailand. where he has owns a 7,000 square metre plot by the sea bought with a view to developing a holiday village.[/QUOTE]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55255655/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55255654/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55255653/large.jpg[/IMG]
[QUOTE]Ferrari launch the new 248 F1
January 24th 2006, 10:13 GMT
The Ferrari team on Tuesday officially launched their new car for the 2006 season at the Mugello circuit in Italy.
The car, named 248 F1, replaces last year's F2005.
Both Michael Schumacher and new teammate Felipe Massa had already driven the car at Fiorano last week.
The seven-time World Champion was again the man in charge of driving the first public laps with the 248 F1 today at Mugello.
Ferrari are hoping the new car will help them bounce back from a disappointing 2005 season, where they finished in third place after scoring just one win.
Before that, they had won six constructors' titles in a row, with Schumacher taking five drivers' crowns in succession.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Analysis: Ferrari look to fight back
By Alan Baldwin January 24th 2006, 13:07 GMT
Ferrari launched their 2006 Formula One car without fanfare on Tuesday but with plenty of determination to put a dismal season behind them and recapture the title.
"We will go into this season with a great motivation, great humility and also a great determination to get back to the top," team boss Jean Todt told a news conference at the Mugello circuit.
"We have the team, we have the means and we have the drivers, so there is no excuse not to return to where we were, and this will be our aim."
Ferrari finished last season a distant third overall, behind champions Renault and runner-ups McLaren, ending their run of six successive constructors' titles and Schumacher's five drivers crowns in a row.
The arrival of a new Ferrari is usually as much a highlight of the Italian social calendar as sporting, but there was little glamour on Tuesday as the team left their Maranello factory for the wintery test track.
After ending 2005 with just one hollow win, at the six-car US Grand Prix, Ferrari got straight down to business by unveiling the new 248 as part of a regular working day at the Mugello circuit.
Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher, who has yet to decide whether to make this his final season at the age of 37, did the opening stint, with new Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa also present on a bitterly cold morning.
The car was then parked on the start line for a team photograph during the lunch break, with fans watching behind a wire fence.
"How nice it is to do a launch with the new car running outside, a very pleasant background," technical director Ross Brawn told a news conference punctuated by the occasional wails of a V8 engine.
Looking Good
Ferrari and FIAT president Luca di Montezemolo said Schumacher had already indicated things were looking good.
"He took me on one side and said 'the first feeling is promising'," he said.
Massa, the 24-year-old who has yet to stand on the Formula One podium after three seasons with Sauber, also sounded positive after trying out the car earlier at Fiorano.
"The car was quick straight away and reliable," he told reporters. "We have, for sure, good expectations for this year but we will see when all the cars are together and we can compare properly."
The new rules, with V8s replacing V10s, have forced Ferrari to introduce their new car earlier than in recent seasons.
"We are running the car earlier than we have before. The V8 presents quite a lot of new problems, vibration in particular, and we were keen to get a car out early," added Brawn.
"We will have an update on the aerodynamic package before the first race.
"Last year wasn't successful and we hope to have identified the reasons why ... probably overall we were reasonably happy with the (2005) car but we didn't make as much progress as other teams did on the tyres, the car, the engine.
"We will try to make more progress this year."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Byrne to remain at Ferrari
By Dieter Rencken January 24th 2006, 10:08 GMT
Rory Byrne is to stay at Ferrari, the South African-born chief designer of the team's record-setting Formula One cars has confirmed.
"I don't want to go give away details," the 62-year old said during the launch of Ferrari's 2006 challenger, "but I have been asked by the team to act as engineering consultant."
Ross Brawn, Ferrari's Technical Director, disclosed that Byrne would be advising on both Formula One and road car technology.
"Rory will be working on the future of Ferrari. There are a lot of changes coming in Formula One, and he will also be working on road car developments," he said.
Byrne, a keen diver married to a Thai national, had been expected to retire to Phuket, Thailand. where he has owns a 7,000 square metre plot by the sea bought with a view to developing a holiday village.[/QUOTE]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55255655/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55255654/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55255653/large.jpg[/IMG]
| TimStevens | 01-24-2006 08:48 AM |
Rather traditional looking... nothing that exciting, unless I'm missing something.
What's the reasoning behind the name change?
What's the reasoning behind the name change?
| jetfan2207 | 01-24-2006 09:14 AM |
Am I the only one who really likes the front wing of the McLaren? They had a similar style for the past couple of years and I think it is sharp looking, though not a big fan of the orange.
| artkevin | 01-24-2006 09:32 AM |
248 F1 stands for 2.4 Liter V-8 which begs the questions, what will they call the one next year? And I see nothing ground breaking either on it but that has been Ferrari's strength over the years, building on what they already have.
| Ferg | 01-24-2006 09:54 AM |
More news.
[QUOTE]Todt cautiously optimistic
By Michele Lostia January 24th 2006, 13:35 GMT
Ferrari team boss Jean Todt believes the team's new challenger, the 248 F1, will prove a major improvement from last year's, but the Frenchman was cautious in making any predictions for the upcoming season.
Ferrari had an abysmal season in 2005 by their standards, finishing a distant third in the constructors' championship, after winning the title for six consecutive seasons.
But Todt believes his team and their tyre provider Bridgestone have now got a competitive package at hand.
"The 248 F1 is a well born car, with a new eight cylinder engine, 2.4 litres and an intense tyre development with Bridgestone," the Frenchman said at Mugello today.
"So this car should be a considerable step forward compared to last year, where we didn't get the results we hoped for and wanted.
"However, to be able to compare ouselves with our rivals, as far as tyres and teams are concerned, we have to see the other cars on track, when they will all be on track in identical conditions.
"Then we'll be able to have a precise idea of the strengths. At the moment it's impossible to tell.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Schumacher unfazed by age gap
By Alan Baldwin January 24th 2006, 13:38 GMT
Ferrari's Michael Schumacher says he can still show world champion Fernando Alonso and the new generation of Formula One drivers a trick or two this season.
"I don't really need to feel anything different," said the seven-times world champion, at 37 the oldest driver on the starting grid, after Ferrari presented their new 248 F1 car today.
"There's one thing that is in your passport and another thing that you feel in your body and your brain," he told a news conference at the Mugello circuit.
"I've seen those guys around for quite a while now, I know them pretty well - we play soccer and do things together - and I don't have a feeling that I am an old man hopelessly lost against these young guys," added the German.
"Not at all. In a lot of areas, I am still able to show them what's possible."
Renault's Alonso and McLaren's Raikkonen each won seven of last season's 19 races, with the 24-year-old Spaniard becoming the youngest champion in the history of the sport.
Schumacher, the most successful grand prix racer of all time with 84 wins, climbed to the top of the podium just once last year - in the six-car US Grand Prix fiasco that all the Michelin-equipped teams did not start.
It was his worst season since he joined Ferrari in 1996.
For the first time since 2000, the Ferrari ace starts the season without the number one on his car - he will have the number five as the lead driver for the third placed team - but he brushed that aside as well.
"It's back to what it used to be," he said. "It's not so long ago not to remember it. I don't really care very much what is there other than the number one."
This season could be Schumacher's last, with the German's contract expiring at the end of it although Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo stated again on Tuesday that it would be the driver's decision whether to stay or go.
Asked how important the car's performance would be in helping him make that decision, Schumacher declined to fuel any more speculation however.
"Next question," he said.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Schumacher encouraged by initial tests
By Michele Lostia January 24th 2006, 13:55 GMT
Former world champion Michael Schumacher said he was encouraged by today's test of the new Ferrari 248 F1 car, but the German admitted first impressions can at times be deceiving.
Ferrari took the unusual step of holding a car launch at their Mugello test track, rather than holding a traditional press event at their factory in Maranello.
Rather than lavish presentations and a glamorous backdrop, the launch was merely a testing day with some press conferences held for media members.
"I quite like this style of presentation, where you actually drive rather than stand around, answering questions," Schumacher admitted.
He ran a total of 40 laps in the morning, before meeting the media and then posing for a photo shoot with the car and team.
And the German said despite the restraining conditions, the morning test was a success.
"We have conditions that are far from optimum, yet we ran this morning trouble-free, doing almost 40 laps," Schumacher said.
"I believe we're ready to show a good, competitive car. How competitive, we will only find out when we start testing with the others and finally go racing. But the indications are very positive."
Schumacher was careful, though, no to make any definitive statements, adding: "There have been years where [my initial feelings inside the cars] were [later] confirmed, and there have been other times when they weren't. So obviously it is too soon to tell.
"But we pretty much find this car the way we expected it to be. In a way, that's very positive because last year's car was not [at this stage] what we thought it would be, whereas now all indications are very positive and today has confirmed what we did in Fiorano [last week]."
Schumacher also reiterated his faith in new teammate Felipe Massa, who will be Schumacher's first teammate in six year.
"As I said several times, we can prove to be a good combination," the German said. "He's very talented - that's the reason why Ferrari employed him - and the team is very happy with him.
"I know him quite well: we get on very well together, so there are all the ingredients to be a successful and good couple."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Mercedes look to invest more in McLaren
By Jonathan Noble January 24th 2006, 14:29 GMT
Mercedes could increase its shareholding in McLaren, as the German team shows higher interest than ever in the Woking-based company, according to McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh.
Mercedes-Benz currently own a 40% stake in McLaren, with Ron Dennis and Mansour Ojjeh the remaining shareholders.
When asked yesterday if Mercedes are looking to increase their stake in the company,
Whitmarsh replied: "I think it is not for me to comment as to whether the private shareholders are willing to sell or not - those are discussion between the shareholders.
"But what I can say is that the level of interest in McLaren from Mercedes-Benz is higher than it has ever been on all front, and I think there is absolutely and clearly a commitment to being in F1 for a long time.
"There is also a refreshed interested, I'm pleased to report, in our road car activity. So the environment is there, but whether a deal occurs or not, that's for the shareholders to say. Of course I have some notion of that, but I think it's up the shareholders to comment and not me."
Whitmarsh revealed Mercedes and McLaren are currently looking at expanding the road car development and production in Woking, adding: "It is looking increasingly likely that there will be a range of sportscars that are developed in Woking in the future.
"It is good for us as a group; it gives us the industrial strength to develop the company. But it means that we have to win in Formula One, because our brand and our position relies on how we do in Formula One.
"But that's good, because it puts pressure on all parties to ensure that we succeed."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Montoya upbeat after first MP4-21 outing
By Jonathan Noble January 24th 2006, 14:00 GMT
Juan Pablo Montoya has given an early vote of confidence to McLaren's new MP4-21 - even though he admits there is still room for improvement with the team's Mercedes-Benz engine.
The Colombian got his first taste of the new car at Barcelona in Spain today and, after edging out the interim MP4-20 driven by Gary Paffett during the morning session, he is cautiously optimistic about the team's new challenger.
"It is good," he said. "So far so good. It feels very similar to last year's car but a little bit better, which is a good sign.
"I have driven the V8 before, because I did December testing with the V8, so it wasn't such a big shock on the power front.
"I have been working a lot in the simulator in the last few weeks, so it is just a question of getting in, doing this and that, and working on it. I am trying new things and trying to understand exactly what the new car does."
When asked by autosport.com whether he had any worries about the engine, following the reliability problems of last year, Montoya said: "I think we have got a long way to go, but I think we are going in the right direction."
Montoya is determined to make sure that the new car suits his driving style from the start of the season, having spent the beginning of last year fine-tuning the MP4-20 to his personal preferences.
And although he says he is trying to dial out some understeer, he is upbeat about how well he will be able to go with the car.
"If you look at the end of last year we were really quick everything," he added. "You know we have a bit of understeer in the car, which would be nice to get rid of, but there are things and new tools to work with to try and improve that.
"But I think generally speaking it is good and it seems to be quite consistent."
After being on the receiving end of some positive comments from McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh about his high level of motivation for the year ahead, Montoya admitted that he was doing everything he could on the track and away from it to help his chances.
"I understand the car better now and understand how McLaren works," he said. "I also understand the simulator and have done a lot of work on it.
"I have been doing a lot of work for what is needed for my driving style and how to balance it and stuff like that. I think I have done a lot of development. I haven't been at the track but I've been every week in McLaren."[/QUOTE]
Full testing report from Barcelona to follow :)
[QUOTE]Todt cautiously optimistic
By Michele Lostia January 24th 2006, 13:35 GMT
Ferrari team boss Jean Todt believes the team's new challenger, the 248 F1, will prove a major improvement from last year's, but the Frenchman was cautious in making any predictions for the upcoming season.
Ferrari had an abysmal season in 2005 by their standards, finishing a distant third in the constructors' championship, after winning the title for six consecutive seasons.
But Todt believes his team and their tyre provider Bridgestone have now got a competitive package at hand.
"The 248 F1 is a well born car, with a new eight cylinder engine, 2.4 litres and an intense tyre development with Bridgestone," the Frenchman said at Mugello today.
"So this car should be a considerable step forward compared to last year, where we didn't get the results we hoped for and wanted.
"However, to be able to compare ouselves with our rivals, as far as tyres and teams are concerned, we have to see the other cars on track, when they will all be on track in identical conditions.
"Then we'll be able to have a precise idea of the strengths. At the moment it's impossible to tell.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Schumacher unfazed by age gap
By Alan Baldwin January 24th 2006, 13:38 GMT
Ferrari's Michael Schumacher says he can still show world champion Fernando Alonso and the new generation of Formula One drivers a trick or two this season.
"I don't really need to feel anything different," said the seven-times world champion, at 37 the oldest driver on the starting grid, after Ferrari presented their new 248 F1 car today.
"There's one thing that is in your passport and another thing that you feel in your body and your brain," he told a news conference at the Mugello circuit.
"I've seen those guys around for quite a while now, I know them pretty well - we play soccer and do things together - and I don't have a feeling that I am an old man hopelessly lost against these young guys," added the German.
"Not at all. In a lot of areas, I am still able to show them what's possible."
Renault's Alonso and McLaren's Raikkonen each won seven of last season's 19 races, with the 24-year-old Spaniard becoming the youngest champion in the history of the sport.
Schumacher, the most successful grand prix racer of all time with 84 wins, climbed to the top of the podium just once last year - in the six-car US Grand Prix fiasco that all the Michelin-equipped teams did not start.
It was his worst season since he joined Ferrari in 1996.
For the first time since 2000, the Ferrari ace starts the season without the number one on his car - he will have the number five as the lead driver for the third placed team - but he brushed that aside as well.
"It's back to what it used to be," he said. "It's not so long ago not to remember it. I don't really care very much what is there other than the number one."
This season could be Schumacher's last, with the German's contract expiring at the end of it although Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo stated again on Tuesday that it would be the driver's decision whether to stay or go.
Asked how important the car's performance would be in helping him make that decision, Schumacher declined to fuel any more speculation however.
"Next question," he said.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Schumacher encouraged by initial tests
By Michele Lostia January 24th 2006, 13:55 GMT
Former world champion Michael Schumacher said he was encouraged by today's test of the new Ferrari 248 F1 car, but the German admitted first impressions can at times be deceiving.
Ferrari took the unusual step of holding a car launch at their Mugello test track, rather than holding a traditional press event at their factory in Maranello.
Rather than lavish presentations and a glamorous backdrop, the launch was merely a testing day with some press conferences held for media members.
"I quite like this style of presentation, where you actually drive rather than stand around, answering questions," Schumacher admitted.
He ran a total of 40 laps in the morning, before meeting the media and then posing for a photo shoot with the car and team.
And the German said despite the restraining conditions, the morning test was a success.
"We have conditions that are far from optimum, yet we ran this morning trouble-free, doing almost 40 laps," Schumacher said.
"I believe we're ready to show a good, competitive car. How competitive, we will only find out when we start testing with the others and finally go racing. But the indications are very positive."
Schumacher was careful, though, no to make any definitive statements, adding: "There have been years where [my initial feelings inside the cars] were [later] confirmed, and there have been other times when they weren't. So obviously it is too soon to tell.
"But we pretty much find this car the way we expected it to be. In a way, that's very positive because last year's car was not [at this stage] what we thought it would be, whereas now all indications are very positive and today has confirmed what we did in Fiorano [last week]."
Schumacher also reiterated his faith in new teammate Felipe Massa, who will be Schumacher's first teammate in six year.
"As I said several times, we can prove to be a good combination," the German said. "He's very talented - that's the reason why Ferrari employed him - and the team is very happy with him.
"I know him quite well: we get on very well together, so there are all the ingredients to be a successful and good couple."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Mercedes look to invest more in McLaren
By Jonathan Noble January 24th 2006, 14:29 GMT
Mercedes could increase its shareholding in McLaren, as the German team shows higher interest than ever in the Woking-based company, according to McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh.
Mercedes-Benz currently own a 40% stake in McLaren, with Ron Dennis and Mansour Ojjeh the remaining shareholders.
When asked yesterday if Mercedes are looking to increase their stake in the company,
Whitmarsh replied: "I think it is not for me to comment as to whether the private shareholders are willing to sell or not - those are discussion between the shareholders.
"But what I can say is that the level of interest in McLaren from Mercedes-Benz is higher than it has ever been on all front, and I think there is absolutely and clearly a commitment to being in F1 for a long time.
"There is also a refreshed interested, I'm pleased to report, in our road car activity. So the environment is there, but whether a deal occurs or not, that's for the shareholders to say. Of course I have some notion of that, but I think it's up the shareholders to comment and not me."
Whitmarsh revealed Mercedes and McLaren are currently looking at expanding the road car development and production in Woking, adding: "It is looking increasingly likely that there will be a range of sportscars that are developed in Woking in the future.
"It is good for us as a group; it gives us the industrial strength to develop the company. But it means that we have to win in Formula One, because our brand and our position relies on how we do in Formula One.
"But that's good, because it puts pressure on all parties to ensure that we succeed."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Montoya upbeat after first MP4-21 outing
By Jonathan Noble January 24th 2006, 14:00 GMT
Juan Pablo Montoya has given an early vote of confidence to McLaren's new MP4-21 - even though he admits there is still room for improvement with the team's Mercedes-Benz engine.
The Colombian got his first taste of the new car at Barcelona in Spain today and, after edging out the interim MP4-20 driven by Gary Paffett during the morning session, he is cautiously optimistic about the team's new challenger.
"It is good," he said. "So far so good. It feels very similar to last year's car but a little bit better, which is a good sign.
"I have driven the V8 before, because I did December testing with the V8, so it wasn't such a big shock on the power front.
"I have been working a lot in the simulator in the last few weeks, so it is just a question of getting in, doing this and that, and working on it. I am trying new things and trying to understand exactly what the new car does."
When asked by autosport.com whether he had any worries about the engine, following the reliability problems of last year, Montoya said: "I think we have got a long way to go, but I think we are going in the right direction."
Montoya is determined to make sure that the new car suits his driving style from the start of the season, having spent the beginning of last year fine-tuning the MP4-20 to his personal preferences.
And although he says he is trying to dial out some understeer, he is upbeat about how well he will be able to go with the car.
"If you look at the end of last year we were really quick everything," he added. "You know we have a bit of understeer in the car, which would be nice to get rid of, but there are things and new tools to work with to try and improve that.
"But I think generally speaking it is good and it seems to be quite consistent."
After being on the receiving end of some positive comments from McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh about his high level of motivation for the year ahead, Montoya admitted that he was doing everything he could on the track and away from it to help his chances.
"I understand the car better now and understand how McLaren works," he said. "I also understand the simulator and have done a lot of work on it.
"I have been doing a lot of work for what is needed for my driving style and how to balance it and stuff like that. I think I have done a lot of development. I haven't been at the track but I've been every week in McLaren."[/QUOTE]
Full testing report from Barcelona to follow :)
| Ferg | 01-24-2006 10:01 AM |
missed one..
[QUOTE]Montoya unsure he wants to stay at McLaren
By Jonathan Noble January 24th 2006, 14:46 GMT
Juan Pablo Montoya has warned McLaren that he will not wait for them to make to make him an offer for 2007, before he decides on his own plans.
The Colombian is well aware that there is only one seat available at McLaren next year, after the team's capture of world champion Fernando Alonso, but he has made it clear that he will not hold on forever to find out if he is wanted.
When asked by autosport.com today whether the contract situation was a concern, Montoya said: "No. It is the same thing as always.
"I am looking around to see what I am going to do. It's not decided what is going to happen here (at McLaren), but I am open to offers.
"I've got to see what I'm going to do, but I can't wait to see whether Ron [Dennis] makes his mind up. So I am just doing the same that I did last year."
Montoya says he is not even certain that he wants to remain at McLaren next year - and has openly admitted that he is already looking around at what other teams can offer him.
He claims that he began looking around as soon as McLaren decided not to take up the option they had on him, which ran out on December 31st 2005.
"I am not waiting for anybody. I am doing my job and looking around. Whoever offers me what I want then I will leave...I am looking today.
"I've been looking since the day he (Dennis) said he wasn't going to take the option. Before he even announced Fernando, I was looking around on what I was going to do, because I need to find a drive if he doesn't want me."
Montoya added: "I am not thinking about whether I need to stay here. If they don't want me then for sure I will find somewhere where they want me. I am happy to say that I have done most of the development of the car last year and this year.
"When we started last year, we started with a quick car but it wasn't winning races. I put a lot of effort in, I put a lot of ideas forward and the car got quicker and we started wining races, so in my mind I know I have done a good enough job to deserve the job.
"But the question is really whether I want to stay here. There are so many things in the line that I cannot be bothered to talk about it. You've got to look at what is available and then make a decision."
Montoya has made it clear, however, that he will not hand McLaren or Dennis a deadline of when he wants them to make a decision about him.
"What happens if you put a deadline and then he says, you know I haven't made up my mind?" he said. "What are you going to do? Punch him. You don't gain anything by setting a deadline."
Speculation has already linked Montoya with Red Bull Racing, although Montoya has admitted that a renewal of his relationship with BMW could be on the cards following their years together at Williams.
"I think at the moment if you had an option from Ferrari or Renault or Williams like they used to be, or a long-term commitment from another team, then you would take it," he said.
"I worked with BMW. They made good, powerful engines, but the question is can they build a good chassis?"
And when asked about what his reaction was to the news of McLaren's signing of Alonso, Montoya said: "From what I heard, I took it better than Kimi...
"I think Ron was sceptical of calling me because he didn't know how I was going to react. When he told me I said, 'good for you' and he stayed quiet. What else is he going to do? 'What else do you want me to say? It is your team, it is your thing. You do whatever you want with it. What can I do?'
"I am doing the best I can and if for him the best I can do is not good enough, then he is going to find somebody else."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Montoya unsure he wants to stay at McLaren
By Jonathan Noble January 24th 2006, 14:46 GMT
Juan Pablo Montoya has warned McLaren that he will not wait for them to make to make him an offer for 2007, before he decides on his own plans.
The Colombian is well aware that there is only one seat available at McLaren next year, after the team's capture of world champion Fernando Alonso, but he has made it clear that he will not hold on forever to find out if he is wanted.
When asked by autosport.com today whether the contract situation was a concern, Montoya said: "No. It is the same thing as always.
"I am looking around to see what I am going to do. It's not decided what is going to happen here (at McLaren), but I am open to offers.
"I've got to see what I'm going to do, but I can't wait to see whether Ron [Dennis] makes his mind up. So I am just doing the same that I did last year."
Montoya says he is not even certain that he wants to remain at McLaren next year - and has openly admitted that he is already looking around at what other teams can offer him.
He claims that he began looking around as soon as McLaren decided not to take up the option they had on him, which ran out on December 31st 2005.
"I am not waiting for anybody. I am doing my job and looking around. Whoever offers me what I want then I will leave...I am looking today.
"I've been looking since the day he (Dennis) said he wasn't going to take the option. Before he even announced Fernando, I was looking around on what I was going to do, because I need to find a drive if he doesn't want me."
Montoya added: "I am not thinking about whether I need to stay here. If they don't want me then for sure I will find somewhere where they want me. I am happy to say that I have done most of the development of the car last year and this year.
"When we started last year, we started with a quick car but it wasn't winning races. I put a lot of effort in, I put a lot of ideas forward and the car got quicker and we started wining races, so in my mind I know I have done a good enough job to deserve the job.
"But the question is really whether I want to stay here. There are so many things in the line that I cannot be bothered to talk about it. You've got to look at what is available and then make a decision."
Montoya has made it clear, however, that he will not hand McLaren or Dennis a deadline of when he wants them to make a decision about him.
"What happens if you put a deadline and then he says, you know I haven't made up my mind?" he said. "What are you going to do? Punch him. You don't gain anything by setting a deadline."
Speculation has already linked Montoya with Red Bull Racing, although Montoya has admitted that a renewal of his relationship with BMW could be on the cards following their years together at Williams.
"I think at the moment if you had an option from Ferrari or Renault or Williams like they used to be, or a long-term commitment from another team, then you would take it," he said.
"I worked with BMW. They made good, powerful engines, but the question is can they build a good chassis?"
And when asked about what his reaction was to the news of McLaren's signing of Alonso, Montoya said: "From what I heard, I took it better than Kimi...
"I think Ron was sceptical of calling me because he didn't know how I was going to react. When he told me I said, 'good for you' and he stayed quiet. What else is he going to do? 'What else do you want me to say? It is your team, it is your thing. You do whatever you want with it. What can I do?'
"I am doing the best I can and if for him the best I can do is not good enough, then he is going to find somebody else."[/QUOTE]
| TimStevens | 01-24-2006 10:16 AM |
Well, there ya have it. Red Bull is going to have half the field next year.
| Ferg | 01-24-2006 11:58 AM |
Day Two Barcelona
[QUOTE]Gene fastest at Barcelona in a 2004 car
By Jonathan Noble January 24th 2006, 16:17 GMT
Marc Gene led the way on the second day of testing at Barcelona in Spain today in the V8-powered Ferrari F2004, but it was BMW who once again had the fastest 2006 car.
Gene was first out on the track in the morning, while his Ferrari teammates spent their day at the official launch of the 248 F1 car, and the Spaniard conducted engine and tyre work.
And although Gene's best time of 1:16.583 was not threatened by other drivers, there did not seem much concern down the pitlane.
Juan Pablo Montoya, getting his first taste of the new McLaren MP4-21, said: "It is hard to say where Ferrari stand. They are running here and they are really quick, but they are in a 2004 car.
"If their new car is as quick as that then yes, they will be at the front. But last year they did not build such a good car, so we will wait and see what happens."
Jacques Villeneuve continued to show good form in the new BMW-Sauber F1.06, having been quickest overall on Monday. He set the second fastest time to just pip Montoya's McLaren by six thousandths of a second.
The fact that Montoya managed to complete 87 laps was encouragement for the team after the engine problems that marred the opening day of action for the MP4-21 yesterday.
Montoya himself was quite pleased with the progress, although he admitted the ultimate judge of how good it was would only come in Bahrain.
"The real question is how quick is the car," he said. "The car seems to be quick and the engine so far has done quite a lot of improvement, but we will see."
Gary Paffett was fourth fastest overall in the V10 MP4-20, but he lost valuable track time with a suspected mechanical problem that kept him in the garage for a few hours.
Nick Heidfeld brought out the second red flag just after 4:00pm, when he stopped out on the track with the interim BMW-Sauber due to a problem with gear selection.
Robert Doornbos was at the bottom of the timesheets in the Red Bull Racing RB2, as the team continued to work on the overheating problems that have marred their earlier running.
The Dutch driver brought out the final red flag of the day at 4:57pm, when he stopped on the track to bring proceedings to an end.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Gene Ferrari (B) 1:16.583 88
2. Villeneuve BMW-Sauber (M) 1:17.633 92
3. Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:17.639 87
4. Paffett McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:17.798 55
5. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:18.393 23
6. Doornbos Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:19.104 61
All timing unofficial[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]248 F1 car to run at Barcelona this week
By Michele Lostia January 24th 2006, 16:51 GMT
Ferrari will put their new 2006 challenger to the test and run the 248 F1 car against its rivals at Barcelona for two days this week.
"We'll go testing in Barcelona with the new car on Thursday and Friday," a team spokesman told autosport.com, adding that Michael Schumacher will be doing the driving at the Spanish track.
Earlier in the day, Ferrari team chief Jean Todt said the team were contemplating their testing schedule.
"It's obvious the conditions here at Mugello don't allow us to do what we want, because it's too cold," the Frenchman told a news conference. "So we'll decide today whether we need to change programme and go already to Barcelona."
Todt also confirmed the team will be testing next month in Bahrain, after running in Valencia next week.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Gene fastest at Barcelona in a 2004 car
By Jonathan Noble January 24th 2006, 16:17 GMT
Marc Gene led the way on the second day of testing at Barcelona in Spain today in the V8-powered Ferrari F2004, but it was BMW who once again had the fastest 2006 car.
Gene was first out on the track in the morning, while his Ferrari teammates spent their day at the official launch of the 248 F1 car, and the Spaniard conducted engine and tyre work.
And although Gene's best time of 1:16.583 was not threatened by other drivers, there did not seem much concern down the pitlane.
Juan Pablo Montoya, getting his first taste of the new McLaren MP4-21, said: "It is hard to say where Ferrari stand. They are running here and they are really quick, but they are in a 2004 car.
"If their new car is as quick as that then yes, they will be at the front. But last year they did not build such a good car, so we will wait and see what happens."
Jacques Villeneuve continued to show good form in the new BMW-Sauber F1.06, having been quickest overall on Monday. He set the second fastest time to just pip Montoya's McLaren by six thousandths of a second.
The fact that Montoya managed to complete 87 laps was encouragement for the team after the engine problems that marred the opening day of action for the MP4-21 yesterday.
Montoya himself was quite pleased with the progress, although he admitted the ultimate judge of how good it was would only come in Bahrain.
"The real question is how quick is the car," he said. "The car seems to be quick and the engine so far has done quite a lot of improvement, but we will see."
Gary Paffett was fourth fastest overall in the V10 MP4-20, but he lost valuable track time with a suspected mechanical problem that kept him in the garage for a few hours.
Nick Heidfeld brought out the second red flag just after 4:00pm, when he stopped out on the track with the interim BMW-Sauber due to a problem with gear selection.
Robert Doornbos was at the bottom of the timesheets in the Red Bull Racing RB2, as the team continued to work on the overheating problems that have marred their earlier running.
The Dutch driver brought out the final red flag of the day at 4:57pm, when he stopped on the track to bring proceedings to an end.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Gene Ferrari (B) 1:16.583 88
2. Villeneuve BMW-Sauber (M) 1:17.633 92
3. Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:17.639 87
4. Paffett McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:17.798 55
5. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:18.393 23
6. Doornbos Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:19.104 61
All timing unofficial[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]248 F1 car to run at Barcelona this week
By Michele Lostia January 24th 2006, 16:51 GMT
Ferrari will put their new 2006 challenger to the test and run the 248 F1 car against its rivals at Barcelona for two days this week.
"We'll go testing in Barcelona with the new car on Thursday and Friday," a team spokesman told autosport.com, adding that Michael Schumacher will be doing the driving at the Spanish track.
Earlier in the day, Ferrari team chief Jean Todt said the team were contemplating their testing schedule.
"It's obvious the conditions here at Mugello don't allow us to do what we want, because it's too cold," the Frenchman told a news conference. "So we'll decide today whether we need to change programme and go already to Barcelona."
Todt also confirmed the team will be testing next month in Bahrain, after running in Valencia next week.[/QUOTE]
| Ferg | 01-24-2006 12:47 PM |
more...
[QUOTE]Villeneuve upbeat on BMW's progress
By Jonathan Noble January 24th 2006, 17:34 GMT
Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes BMW-Sauber are on course to make a big step forward in performance this year, following their encouraging results in testing so far.
The Canadian has been setting the fastest times in a 2006 car at Barcelona this week and, on the back of impressive reliability, he is feeling bullish about the team's overall prospects.
"The car was running without problems, it was fast enough for us to be happy and it was good on the long runs, so it is a step from last year," he told autosport.com.
"I know we have made a big step from last year, catching up with all the other cars, but now it will depend on how much of a step they make themselves. That I don't know."
Villeneuve claims that the characteristics of the F1.06 already suit his driving style more than last year's Sauber - which is helping him push the car even further.
"Yeah, the car seems to suit me a lot more than last year, so it is easier for me to get to the limit of it," he explained. "This is only the beginning, but it is a positive beginning."
The other factor that is leaving Villeneuve upbeat is the atmosphere at the team, which he says is already noticeably different following the buyout by BMW.
"It feels like an official team, a constructor, and you can feel it in the way people work," he added. There is a security there which wasn't there before, which is nice."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Ferrari not backed by a manufacturer
By Michele Lostia January 24th 2006, 17:25 GMT
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has reiterated his team's commitment to Formula One, but he warned the outfit does not have the same financial clout as that of its rivals.
Ferrari, who launched their 2006 car at Mugello in Italy today, are owned by Italian carmaker Fiat.
However, di Montezemolo - who is also Fiat's CEO - said his company does not provide any financial support to the Ferrari team, who must be completely self-sustaining - unlike Toyota, Honda, Renault, BMW or McLaren, who all have a large car manufacturer supporting them.
"I like to point out that Fiat doesn't give Ferrari a single euro for racing," di Montezemolo said. "All the racing activity depends exclusively on Ferrari's resources.
"Ferrari must not be seen as an integral part of a car manufacturing team but must be viewed as a 'privateer'.
"We are today in competition against Toyota, the biggest car maker in the world, and against manufacturing giants like Mercedes, BMW, Honda and Renault. So this should never be forgotten."
Di Montezemolo, again dismissed the idea of a breakaway series run by the car manufacturers, stating the real competition will always be where Ferrari are participating.
"In 2008, we will have a situation where all the teams taking part in F1 are in agreement," the Italian said. "Those who don't agree, I don't think they will be interested in racing alone, or go head to head with just another team.
"I think the real Formula One World Championship is the one where Ferrari is in. Everyone following Formula One sees what this company represents.
"I'm sure many of the big players in F1 today, if they were to win for the first time or often enough, they would think of leaving the sport. Everyone has his own strategy, but this is not the Ferrari way.
"With patience, sometimes with courage and often with extraordinary passion and determination, Ferrari have always been a protagonist in Formula One since the first race at Silverstone in 1950."
He also offered support to the new regulations introduced this season, which include a new qualifying format and a return to tyre changes during the races.
"As a lover of Formula One, I'm convinced the 2006 regulations are an improvement over the past," di Montezemolo said.
"We'll certainly have more interesting qualifying sessions - which is important for the public, not just for us - but also we'll have less of a tyre world championship and more of one for drivers and teams.
"I also think F1 is on the eve of bigger changes. The regulations expected for 2008 find me in agreement, especially in the interest of F1's future, which must allow for more overtaking, less useless costs, and must still allow for extreme research and technical innovation."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Villeneuve upbeat on BMW's progress
By Jonathan Noble January 24th 2006, 17:34 GMT
Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes BMW-Sauber are on course to make a big step forward in performance this year, following their encouraging results in testing so far.
The Canadian has been setting the fastest times in a 2006 car at Barcelona this week and, on the back of impressive reliability, he is feeling bullish about the team's overall prospects.
"The car was running without problems, it was fast enough for us to be happy and it was good on the long runs, so it is a step from last year," he told autosport.com.
"I know we have made a big step from last year, catching up with all the other cars, but now it will depend on how much of a step they make themselves. That I don't know."
Villeneuve claims that the characteristics of the F1.06 already suit his driving style more than last year's Sauber - which is helping him push the car even further.
"Yeah, the car seems to suit me a lot more than last year, so it is easier for me to get to the limit of it," he explained. "This is only the beginning, but it is a positive beginning."
The other factor that is leaving Villeneuve upbeat is the atmosphere at the team, which he says is already noticeably different following the buyout by BMW.
"It feels like an official team, a constructor, and you can feel it in the way people work," he added. There is a security there which wasn't there before, which is nice."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Ferrari not backed by a manufacturer
By Michele Lostia January 24th 2006, 17:25 GMT
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has reiterated his team's commitment to Formula One, but he warned the outfit does not have the same financial clout as that of its rivals.
Ferrari, who launched their 2006 car at Mugello in Italy today, are owned by Italian carmaker Fiat.
However, di Montezemolo - who is also Fiat's CEO - said his company does not provide any financial support to the Ferrari team, who must be completely self-sustaining - unlike Toyota, Honda, Renault, BMW or McLaren, who all have a large car manufacturer supporting them.
"I like to point out that Fiat doesn't give Ferrari a single euro for racing," di Montezemolo said. "All the racing activity depends exclusively on Ferrari's resources.
"Ferrari must not be seen as an integral part of a car manufacturing team but must be viewed as a 'privateer'.
"We are today in competition against Toyota, the biggest car maker in the world, and against manufacturing giants like Mercedes, BMW, Honda and Renault. So this should never be forgotten."
Di Montezemolo, again dismissed the idea of a breakaway series run by the car manufacturers, stating the real competition will always be where Ferrari are participating.
"In 2008, we will have a situation where all the teams taking part in F1 are in agreement," the Italian said. "Those who don't agree, I don't think they will be interested in racing alone, or go head to head with just another team.
"I think the real Formula One World Championship is the one where Ferrari is in. Everyone following Formula One sees what this company represents.
"I'm sure many of the big players in F1 today, if they were to win for the first time or often enough, they would think of leaving the sport. Everyone has his own strategy, but this is not the Ferrari way.
"With patience, sometimes with courage and often with extraordinary passion and determination, Ferrari have always been a protagonist in Formula One since the first race at Silverstone in 1950."
He also offered support to the new regulations introduced this season, which include a new qualifying format and a return to tyre changes during the races.
"As a lover of Formula One, I'm convinced the 2006 regulations are an improvement over the past," di Montezemolo said.
"We'll certainly have more interesting qualifying sessions - which is important for the public, not just for us - but also we'll have less of a tyre world championship and more of one for drivers and teams.
"I also think F1 is on the eve of bigger changes. The regulations expected for 2008 find me in agreement, especially in the interest of F1's future, which must allow for more overtaking, less useless costs, and must still allow for extreme research and technical innovation."[/QUOTE]
| StuBeck | 01-24-2006 06:33 PM |
:lol: I like how Ferrari is trying to make it seem like they're the small guy now. They don't seem very confident with the new car, especially if they're grabbing headlines by driving a 2 year old one. They also state they're self sustaining, despite the fact that they have some of the biggest sponsors and are paid by all the teams to stay in the sport. Obviously any team could stay around if they were paid by the others to stay around.
| MPME | 01-24-2006 07:47 PM |
| Ferg | 01-25-2006 10:05 AM |
Plenty of news this morning.
[QUOTE]Honda roll out the RA106 at Barcelona
By Craig Scarborough January 25th 2006, 08:20 GMT
Honda Racing have launched their new RA106 car at Barcelona this morning, giving Jenson Button the honour of taking it for a first run.
The car was rolled out in front of the media in the early hours of the morning, with the three team drivers - Button, Rubens Barrichello and Anthony Davidson - awaiting their turn to take the RA106 for a ride.
The car features a zero keel front end, with a different sidepod to its predecessor, featuring chimnies and louvers. The car further uses an extended carbon fibre gearbox.
This is the first car made entirely by Honda as a constructor since the Japanese manufacturer pulled out of the sport following the 1968 French Grand Prix.
The Honda launch event will continue throughout the day, with team chiefs talking to the media in the morning hours, and the drivers meeting reporters at lunchtime.
All the while, the RA106 will continue to run on the Spanish track.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Willis: new car a good step forward
January 25th 2006, 09:18 GMT
Honda's technical director Geoff Willis believes the new RA106 will represent a clear step forward from last year's car.
The BAR team, renamed Honda after the Japanese giant bought all stakes last year, failed to live up to the expectations created in 2004, when they finished in second place behind the dominant Ferrari team.
But 2005 was a tough season for BAR, who started the year with the clear goal of scoring their first race win and ended up scoring just two podium finishes on their way to sixth place in the standings.
But Willis believes the new car, unveiled today at the Barcelona circuit, will help the team achieve their first win.
"The new RA106 is the product of four years of steady evolution," said Willis. "During this time, the team has developed a high level of technical capability which now sees it designing, manufacturing and operating at the highest level on the grid.
"The emphasis now is on integration and combining our design concepts and expertise to achieve a car capable of challenging for race wins.
"One of our key areas of focus has been aerodynamics, the design considerations for which were two-fold - the aero problem that we faced in 2005 and achieving a significant improvement in aerodynamic efficiency to meet the requirements of the new, smaller V8 engine and its implications on chassis design.
"We are pleased with the progress we have made in the wind tunnel over the winter and our data shows that we have made a good step forward. Mechanically, in keeping with the evolutionary theme we have refined our various concepts including our third generation carbon composite gearbox."
Willis is also confident the new Honda V8 engine will prove competitive enough to be at the top.
"Honda has produced a new engine to meet the challenge of Formula One's switch from V10 to V8 power. The new RA806E is the result of a very intensive year's work with many concepts designed and tested since the prototype first ran in May 2005.
"Since the latest specification started running in November 2005, the team has been encouraged by its reliability and performance."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Honda aiming for winning start in 2006
By Jonathan Noble January 25th 2006, 14:52 GMT
Honda are aiming to start the season in a position to challenge for victory, according to the team's sporting director Gil de Ferran.
"We would like to be challenging at the front end right at the start, that's the position we would like to be in," de Ferran told reporters during the launch of the team's new car in Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.
"Winter testing will give us some indication of our competitiveness, but we really won't know where everyone stacks up until the curtains open in Bahrain.
"Different people run tests in different ways and certainly, we'll run testing one way and our competitors will do different things. You often see there is teams who do well, it does give some indication, but we'll only find out for sure in Friday free practice where everyone is."
The RA160 is the first Honda works entry since 1968 after the Japanese company took over the BAR team last year.
Honda are committed to returning to winning ways after having clinched several titles as an engine supplies at the end of the 1980s and the start of the 1990s.
"I don't want to underestimate the opposition, there are a lot of smart people in this paddock," added de Ferran, "but for sure Honda's engine expertise is remarkable and they are the largest manufacturer of engines in the world, they know a lot about racing engines. I have a lot of faith in them."
De Ferran, however, expects the competition to be very tough throughout the season.
"I'm not going to say it's the most competitive year ever, but for sure it is going to be a very tough year. I have no reason to believe that McLaren and Renault will have a drop in performance, or at least that's what we assume.
"It will be a very tough year and I think we'll see a lot of different winners."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Honda call for 2008 rules rethink
By Jonathan Noble January 25th 2006, 10:51 GMT
Honda Racing Development president Yasuhiro Wada says the proposed rules for 2008 need to be discussed if the carmakers are to ditch plans to start a breakaway championship.
The sport's governing body, the FIA, unveiled last year plans for a low-cost Formula One from 2008, when the current Concorde Agreement expires.
Among the regulations proposed are the provision to ban expensive technologies, the introduction of the Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) Wing, rev-limited engines, the introduction of standard ECUs and wider slick tyres.
The FIA also wants a single tyre supplier, engines that last for three races, four-race transmissions and weight penalties for the early replacements of engine and gearboxes.
But Wada said some members of the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association are unhappy with the proposed rules and claims changes will have to be made if the breakaway threat is to go away.
"I think we see some signs of getting close and getting some compromise with some good discussions going on but after seeing the 2008 regulations proposals from the FIA, many people are upset with it and not happy with that," Wada told reporters in Barcelona.
"So we need to talk with the FIA about the future regulations. I don't know what you guys think about whether it is good for F1 or not."
Honda are one of five carmakers threatening to create their own championship from the beginning of 2008 unless their demands are met.
GPMA members want a fair share of Formula One's revenues, but Wada pointed out that technology, rather than money, is their biggest concern.
"I think commercial is not quite a big issue for us," added Wada. "We are not racing for commercial reasons, so money allocation and so forth we can compromise on and that is not our priority.
"The reason we are racing is for technical things so if the regulations go like the 2008 proposals then there is not much area to work with, like a common ECU, three-race gearbox and so forth. Where is the technology?"[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Super Aguri not getting Honda help
By Jonathan Noble January 25th 2006, 12:17 GMT
Team boss Nick Fry says the Honda team are focusing their efforts in their own team and not helping the Super Aguri squad much.
Honda have agreed to provide engines to the Japanese team, whose bid to enter the 2006 Championship is still up in the air, with the FIA yet to confirm if the outfit will be allowed to race or not.
Super Aguri are facing a race against time to make it to the grid in Bahrain in 45 days.
"Not (helping) much at the moment is the truthful answer," said Fry when asked how much help were Honda giving to Super Aguri.
"They share an engine obviously, clearly we have had some conversation but at the moment we are focused on what we need to do which is to do the best that we possibly can and we cannot have massive diversion from that, so our noses are firmly to this grindstone."
Super Aguri are yet to announce their drivers for the season, and although one seat is expected to go to Japanese Takuma Sato, there has been a lot of speculation about the second driver.
Honda's test driver Anthony Davidson was linked with the seat, and although Fry said the Briton is committed to Honda, the team could be open to talks with Super Aguri is they needed him.
"He is fully committed for this year and that is the agreement," said Fry.
"If under that circumstance because it is a fellow Honda team we would have more conversation than we would with another team, but at the moment Anthony is signed up to be our third driver and we are very pleased about that because as I say the three of them is a good group."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Karthikeyan set for Williams role
January 25th 2006, 14:35 GMT
Indian Narain Karthikeyan looks set to remain in Formula One next season after reportedly having signed a contract with the Williams team.
Karthikeyan, who raced with the Jordan team in 2005, was left without a seat after his contract with the Silverstone-based squad expired.
He looked set to land a test drive with the Williams team until the British squad signed Austrian Alexander Wurz.
Despite that, however, Karthikeyan looks set to join Williams alongside Wurz, to share Friday testing duties during the 2006 season.
According to reports coming from India, Karthikeyan has already signed a deal with Williams and an announcement is expected shortly.
The Chennai racer tested with Williams in December and the team were pleased with his performance.
A Williams spokesman was unavailable for comment.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Todt: Rossi may test at Valencia next week
By Michele Lostia January 25th 2006, 13:25 GMT
MotoGP's will-he-or-won't-he-switch-to-F1 champion Valentino Rossi could face his first crucial F1 test next week at Valencia, alongside other teams.
Rossi, who raced on bikes at the Spanish circuit on many occasions, could join Ferrari for their test, according to team chief Jean Todt, although the Frenchman said nothing has been decided yet.
"Rossi will do further tests in the F1 car," Todt said. "That's what is expected, but as for details nothing is definitely decided.
"It's not ruled out he'll do some testing at Valencia, but this isn't 100% sure."
Rossi last tested with Ferrari in November 2005, when he ran for two days at the Mugello circuit.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Bridgestone teams agree on collaboration
By Michele Lostia January 25th 2006, 12:46 GMT
Ferrari, Toyota, Williams and Midland have agreed to join forces and share data on Bridgestone tyre development and testing, Ferrari's technical director Ross Brawn revealed.
Toyota and Williams have switched from Michelin tyres to Bridgestone ahead of this season, giving the Japanese tyre maker a further development boost, after concentrating almost exclusively on Ferrari's needs.
"There's an agreement between Toyota, Williams, Ferrari and Jordan (Midland) to show all information," Brawn said. "So all the information from tyre testing goes into a central data bank that we can all look at, to see how the tyre testing is going.
"So we can compare our results with the different tyres and see how the tyres react to the different cars."
Brawn said the expansion in front-running teams also provides Bridgestone with a bigger challenge, but he said the value of the combined effort makes it worth while for the Japanese company.
"Overall it's a good thing to have two extra teams helping to develop the tyres," Brawn said yesterday, at the team's 248 F1 car launch.
"It means it's a much bigger challenge and complication for Bridgestone, because for a few years Bridgestone concentrated almost exclusively on Ferrari, so their logistics and priorities have been very, very simple.
"Now they have a much more complex challenge, because there's two serious other teams that give input which also need to be supported, so that way it'll be more complicated for them.
"On the other hand, we get a lot more information, and information from different sources. That's very valuable.
"I think it's important, as it gives Bridgestone and everyone confidence in what they're seeing.
"When you only get the results from one car, particularly in a difficult year like 2005, you question why you're getting those results. Is it the car? Is it the tyres? Or is it a combination?
"Of course, with the two other teams, Bridgestone can have more confidence in what's happening and the results they get."[/QUOTE]
Testing report to follow.
:)
[QUOTE]Honda roll out the RA106 at Barcelona
By Craig Scarborough January 25th 2006, 08:20 GMT
Honda Racing have launched their new RA106 car at Barcelona this morning, giving Jenson Button the honour of taking it for a first run.
The car was rolled out in front of the media in the early hours of the morning, with the three team drivers - Button, Rubens Barrichello and Anthony Davidson - awaiting their turn to take the RA106 for a ride.
The car features a zero keel front end, with a different sidepod to its predecessor, featuring chimnies and louvers. The car further uses an extended carbon fibre gearbox.
This is the first car made entirely by Honda as a constructor since the Japanese manufacturer pulled out of the sport following the 1968 French Grand Prix.
The Honda launch event will continue throughout the day, with team chiefs talking to the media in the morning hours, and the drivers meeting reporters at lunchtime.
All the while, the RA106 will continue to run on the Spanish track.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Willis: new car a good step forward
January 25th 2006, 09:18 GMT
Honda's technical director Geoff Willis believes the new RA106 will represent a clear step forward from last year's car.
The BAR team, renamed Honda after the Japanese giant bought all stakes last year, failed to live up to the expectations created in 2004, when they finished in second place behind the dominant Ferrari team.
But 2005 was a tough season for BAR, who started the year with the clear goal of scoring their first race win and ended up scoring just two podium finishes on their way to sixth place in the standings.
But Willis believes the new car, unveiled today at the Barcelona circuit, will help the team achieve their first win.
"The new RA106 is the product of four years of steady evolution," said Willis. "During this time, the team has developed a high level of technical capability which now sees it designing, manufacturing and operating at the highest level on the grid.
"The emphasis now is on integration and combining our design concepts and expertise to achieve a car capable of challenging for race wins.
"One of our key areas of focus has been aerodynamics, the design considerations for which were two-fold - the aero problem that we faced in 2005 and achieving a significant improvement in aerodynamic efficiency to meet the requirements of the new, smaller V8 engine and its implications on chassis design.
"We are pleased with the progress we have made in the wind tunnel over the winter and our data shows that we have made a good step forward. Mechanically, in keeping with the evolutionary theme we have refined our various concepts including our third generation carbon composite gearbox."
Willis is also confident the new Honda V8 engine will prove competitive enough to be at the top.
"Honda has produced a new engine to meet the challenge of Formula One's switch from V10 to V8 power. The new RA806E is the result of a very intensive year's work with many concepts designed and tested since the prototype first ran in May 2005.
"Since the latest specification started running in November 2005, the team has been encouraged by its reliability and performance."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Honda aiming for winning start in 2006
By Jonathan Noble January 25th 2006, 14:52 GMT
Honda are aiming to start the season in a position to challenge for victory, according to the team's sporting director Gil de Ferran.
"We would like to be challenging at the front end right at the start, that's the position we would like to be in," de Ferran told reporters during the launch of the team's new car in Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.
"Winter testing will give us some indication of our competitiveness, but we really won't know where everyone stacks up until the curtains open in Bahrain.
"Different people run tests in different ways and certainly, we'll run testing one way and our competitors will do different things. You often see there is teams who do well, it does give some indication, but we'll only find out for sure in Friday free practice where everyone is."
The RA160 is the first Honda works entry since 1968 after the Japanese company took over the BAR team last year.
Honda are committed to returning to winning ways after having clinched several titles as an engine supplies at the end of the 1980s and the start of the 1990s.
"I don't want to underestimate the opposition, there are a lot of smart people in this paddock," added de Ferran, "but for sure Honda's engine expertise is remarkable and they are the largest manufacturer of engines in the world, they know a lot about racing engines. I have a lot of faith in them."
De Ferran, however, expects the competition to be very tough throughout the season.
"I'm not going to say it's the most competitive year ever, but for sure it is going to be a very tough year. I have no reason to believe that McLaren and Renault will have a drop in performance, or at least that's what we assume.
"It will be a very tough year and I think we'll see a lot of different winners."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Honda call for 2008 rules rethink
By Jonathan Noble January 25th 2006, 10:51 GMT
Honda Racing Development president Yasuhiro Wada says the proposed rules for 2008 need to be discussed if the carmakers are to ditch plans to start a breakaway championship.
The sport's governing body, the FIA, unveiled last year plans for a low-cost Formula One from 2008, when the current Concorde Agreement expires.
Among the regulations proposed are the provision to ban expensive technologies, the introduction of the Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) Wing, rev-limited engines, the introduction of standard ECUs and wider slick tyres.
The FIA also wants a single tyre supplier, engines that last for three races, four-race transmissions and weight penalties for the early replacements of engine and gearboxes.
But Wada said some members of the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association are unhappy with the proposed rules and claims changes will have to be made if the breakaway threat is to go away.
"I think we see some signs of getting close and getting some compromise with some good discussions going on but after seeing the 2008 regulations proposals from the FIA, many people are upset with it and not happy with that," Wada told reporters in Barcelona.
"So we need to talk with the FIA about the future regulations. I don't know what you guys think about whether it is good for F1 or not."
Honda are one of five carmakers threatening to create their own championship from the beginning of 2008 unless their demands are met.
GPMA members want a fair share of Formula One's revenues, but Wada pointed out that technology, rather than money, is their biggest concern.
"I think commercial is not quite a big issue for us," added Wada. "We are not racing for commercial reasons, so money allocation and so forth we can compromise on and that is not our priority.
"The reason we are racing is for technical things so if the regulations go like the 2008 proposals then there is not much area to work with, like a common ECU, three-race gearbox and so forth. Where is the technology?"[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Super Aguri not getting Honda help
By Jonathan Noble January 25th 2006, 12:17 GMT
Team boss Nick Fry says the Honda team are focusing their efforts in their own team and not helping the Super Aguri squad much.
Honda have agreed to provide engines to the Japanese team, whose bid to enter the 2006 Championship is still up in the air, with the FIA yet to confirm if the outfit will be allowed to race or not.
Super Aguri are facing a race against time to make it to the grid in Bahrain in 45 days.
"Not (helping) much at the moment is the truthful answer," said Fry when asked how much help were Honda giving to Super Aguri.
"They share an engine obviously, clearly we have had some conversation but at the moment we are focused on what we need to do which is to do the best that we possibly can and we cannot have massive diversion from that, so our noses are firmly to this grindstone."
Super Aguri are yet to announce their drivers for the season, and although one seat is expected to go to Japanese Takuma Sato, there has been a lot of speculation about the second driver.
Honda's test driver Anthony Davidson was linked with the seat, and although Fry said the Briton is committed to Honda, the team could be open to talks with Super Aguri is they needed him.
"He is fully committed for this year and that is the agreement," said Fry.
"If under that circumstance because it is a fellow Honda team we would have more conversation than we would with another team, but at the moment Anthony is signed up to be our third driver and we are very pleased about that because as I say the three of them is a good group."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Karthikeyan set for Williams role
January 25th 2006, 14:35 GMT
Indian Narain Karthikeyan looks set to remain in Formula One next season after reportedly having signed a contract with the Williams team.
Karthikeyan, who raced with the Jordan team in 2005, was left without a seat after his contract with the Silverstone-based squad expired.
He looked set to land a test drive with the Williams team until the British squad signed Austrian Alexander Wurz.
Despite that, however, Karthikeyan looks set to join Williams alongside Wurz, to share Friday testing duties during the 2006 season.
According to reports coming from India, Karthikeyan has already signed a deal with Williams and an announcement is expected shortly.
The Chennai racer tested with Williams in December and the team were pleased with his performance.
A Williams spokesman was unavailable for comment.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Todt: Rossi may test at Valencia next week
By Michele Lostia January 25th 2006, 13:25 GMT
MotoGP's will-he-or-won't-he-switch-to-F1 champion Valentino Rossi could face his first crucial F1 test next week at Valencia, alongside other teams.
Rossi, who raced on bikes at the Spanish circuit on many occasions, could join Ferrari for their test, according to team chief Jean Todt, although the Frenchman said nothing has been decided yet.
"Rossi will do further tests in the F1 car," Todt said. "That's what is expected, but as for details nothing is definitely decided.
"It's not ruled out he'll do some testing at Valencia, but this isn't 100% sure."
Rossi last tested with Ferrari in November 2005, when he ran for two days at the Mugello circuit.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Bridgestone teams agree on collaboration
By Michele Lostia January 25th 2006, 12:46 GMT
Ferrari, Toyota, Williams and Midland have agreed to join forces and share data on Bridgestone tyre development and testing, Ferrari's technical director Ross Brawn revealed.
Toyota and Williams have switched from Michelin tyres to Bridgestone ahead of this season, giving the Japanese tyre maker a further development boost, after concentrating almost exclusively on Ferrari's needs.
"There's an agreement between Toyota, Williams, Ferrari and Jordan (Midland) to show all information," Brawn said. "So all the information from tyre testing goes into a central data bank that we can all look at, to see how the tyre testing is going.
"So we can compare our results with the different tyres and see how the tyres react to the different cars."
Brawn said the expansion in front-running teams also provides Bridgestone with a bigger challenge, but he said the value of the combined effort makes it worth while for the Japanese company.
"Overall it's a good thing to have two extra teams helping to develop the tyres," Brawn said yesterday, at the team's 248 F1 car launch.
"It means it's a much bigger challenge and complication for Bridgestone, because for a few years Bridgestone concentrated almost exclusively on Ferrari, so their logistics and priorities have been very, very simple.
"Now they have a much more complex challenge, because there's two serious other teams that give input which also need to be supported, so that way it'll be more complicated for them.
"On the other hand, we get a lot more information, and information from different sources. That's very valuable.
"I think it's important, as it gives Bridgestone and everyone confidence in what they're seeing.
"When you only get the results from one car, particularly in a difficult year like 2005, you question why you're getting those results. Is it the car? Is it the tyres? Or is it a combination?
"Of course, with the two other teams, Bridgestone can have more confidence in what's happening and the results they get."[/QUOTE]
Testing report to follow.
:)
| Ferg | 01-25-2006 11:36 AM |
Barcelona Day Three.
[QUOTE]Old Ferrari again on top at Barcelona
By Jonathan Noble January 25th 2006, 16:08 GMT
Felipe Massa topped the times on the third day of testing at Barcelona in Spain on Wednesday in the V8-powered 2004 Ferrari, as Renault and Honda proved to be the quickest of the 2006 cars present.
Although the new Ferrari 248 arrived at the track in the early afternoon prior to its scheduled run on Thursday, Massa focused exclusively on more tyre and engine work in the F2004 to comfortably head the times.
Behind him, Renault's Fernando Alonso was second fastest, just more than half a second adrift of Massa, but all eyes were on the pace of the third fastest new Honda RA106, which was both quick and reliable on its first day of running.
Jenson Button, who ended the day just three tenths behind Alonso, managed to complete 71 laps during a fairly trouble-free run. The only blight on Honda's day was when Rubens Barrichello stopped out on the track in the early afternoon.
The Brazilian eventually set the fifth fastest time.
With Giancarlo Fisichella fourth quickest for Renault, sixth quickest Nick Heidfeld continued to shine in the BMW-Sauber, although his running was hit late on by a suspected mechanical problem in the final hour of testing.
Jarno Trulli and Olivier Panis continued to put miles on the Toyota TF106 as they ended the day seventh and eighth fastest, while Juan Pablo Montoya completed another 80 valuable laps in the McLaren MP4-21, which proved to be on the pace despite being relatively slow through the speed-trap on the main straight.
David Coulthard ended the day a disappointing 10th overall for Red Bull Racing as the team continued to run with the wide openings in their sidepods to aid with cooling of their Ferrari engine.
The slowest man overall was BMW-Sauber third driver Robert Kubica, who was getting up to speed in the team's interim car.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:15.664 67
2. Alonso Renault (M) 1:16.200 94
3. Button Honda (M) 1:16.578 71
4. Fisichella Renault (M) 1:16.728 84
5. Barrichello Honda (M) 1:16.737 51
6. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:17.046 61
7. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:17.068 109
8. Panis Toyota (B) 1:17.422 90
9. Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:17.481 80
10. Coulthard Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:17.582 76
11. Speed Toro Rosso (M) 1:18.092 85
12. Paffett McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:18.247 65
13. Kubica BMW-Sauber (M) 1:20.016 62
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Old Ferrari again on top at Barcelona
By Jonathan Noble January 25th 2006, 16:08 GMT
Felipe Massa topped the times on the third day of testing at Barcelona in Spain on Wednesday in the V8-powered 2004 Ferrari, as Renault and Honda proved to be the quickest of the 2006 cars present.
Although the new Ferrari 248 arrived at the track in the early afternoon prior to its scheduled run on Thursday, Massa focused exclusively on more tyre and engine work in the F2004 to comfortably head the times.
Behind him, Renault's Fernando Alonso was second fastest, just more than half a second adrift of Massa, but all eyes were on the pace of the third fastest new Honda RA106, which was both quick and reliable on its first day of running.
Jenson Button, who ended the day just three tenths behind Alonso, managed to complete 71 laps during a fairly trouble-free run. The only blight on Honda's day was when Rubens Barrichello stopped out on the track in the early afternoon.
The Brazilian eventually set the fifth fastest time.
With Giancarlo Fisichella fourth quickest for Renault, sixth quickest Nick Heidfeld continued to shine in the BMW-Sauber, although his running was hit late on by a suspected mechanical problem in the final hour of testing.
Jarno Trulli and Olivier Panis continued to put miles on the Toyota TF106 as they ended the day seventh and eighth fastest, while Juan Pablo Montoya completed another 80 valuable laps in the McLaren MP4-21, which proved to be on the pace despite being relatively slow through the speed-trap on the main straight.
David Coulthard ended the day a disappointing 10th overall for Red Bull Racing as the team continued to run with the wide openings in their sidepods to aid with cooling of their Ferrari engine.
The slowest man overall was BMW-Sauber third driver Robert Kubica, who was getting up to speed in the team's interim car.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:15.664 67
2. Alonso Renault (M) 1:16.200 94
3. Button Honda (M) 1:16.578 71
4. Fisichella Renault (M) 1:16.728 84
5. Barrichello Honda (M) 1:16.737 51
6. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:17.046 61
7. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:17.068 109
8. Panis Toyota (B) 1:17.422 90
9. Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:17.481 80
10. Coulthard Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:17.582 76
11. Speed Toro Rosso (M) 1:18.092 85
12. Paffett McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:18.247 65
13. Kubica BMW-Sauber (M) 1:20.016 62
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
| Ferg | 01-25-2006 07:09 PM |
The Import Tuner style picture of the new Honda...
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304195/large.jpg[/IMG]
Here's shots of every 2006 car at the same corner (sans the Red Bull and the Ferrari) that's been on track at Barcelona.
Renault R26
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304198/large.jpg[/IMG]
McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304199/large.jpg[/IMG]
Honda RA106
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304200/large.jpg[/IMG]
BMW F1.06
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304202/large.jpg[/IMG]
Toyota TF106
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304203/large.jpg[/IMG]
Hopefully they'll take the same picture of the Ferrari 248 F1 and the Red Bull tomorrow.
:)
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304195/large.jpg[/IMG]
Here's shots of every 2006 car at the same corner (sans the Red Bull and the Ferrari) that's been on track at Barcelona.
Renault R26
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304198/large.jpg[/IMG]
McLaren-Mercedes MP4-21
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304199/large.jpg[/IMG]
Honda RA106
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304200/large.jpg[/IMG]
BMW F1.06
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304202/large.jpg[/IMG]
Toyota TF106
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304203/large.jpg[/IMG]
Hopefully they'll take the same picture of the Ferrari 248 F1 and the Red Bull tomorrow.
:)
| REX8 | 01-25-2006 07:22 PM |
^^^everyone seems to be converging on very similar designs...
| StuBeck | 01-25-2006 07:43 PM |
Front nose and wings are all over the place, the side pods seems to all be very similar at least at the far sides.
| REX8 | 01-25-2006 07:50 PM |
[QUOTE=StuBeck]Front nose and wings are all over the place, the side pods seems to all be very similar at least at the far sides.[/QUOTE]
I see fairly common noses/front wings on the Toyota/BMW/Honda. Some different features and add on's, but overall diverging on something. Not the really the other two though...
All are pretty amazing...can't wait!
I must say...that nose on JPM's sweet new ride is REALLY ugly.
I see fairly common noses/front wings on the Toyota/BMW/Honda. Some different features and add on's, but overall diverging on something. Not the really the other two though...
All are pretty amazing...can't wait!
I must say...that nose on JPM's sweet new ride is REALLY ugly.
| artkevin | 01-25-2006 08:08 PM |
I like the MP4-21's nose personally but I also liked the Walrus nose of the FW24 so go figure. I disagree with the "similar design" comment. Within the rules they have it looks like there is a hige differnce in design. Some common themes can be seen like the chimenys and flipups on all the side pods.
The front and rear wings along with the front edge of the sidepods all seem to be widely different.
The front and rear wings along with the front edge of the sidepods all seem to be widely different.
| TimStevens | 01-25-2006 08:22 PM |
Whoa... dig the flying nun-style radiator inlet fins:
[img]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304200/large.jpg[/img]
Weeeird.
[img]http://www.pbase.com/image/55304200/large.jpg[/img]
Weeeird.
| StuBeck | 01-25-2006 08:33 PM |
[QUOTE=REX8]I see fairly common noses/front wings on the Toyota/BMW/Honda. Some different features and add on's, but overall diverging on something. Not the really the other two though...
All are pretty amazing...can't wait!
I must say...that nose on JPM's sweet new ride is REALLY ugly.[/QUOTE]
Its all in the "little" details which makes them so far apart. Honda has a wide tall nose BMW has a somewhat smaller dropping nose, and Toyota has a dropping nose with a very different front spoiler.
All are pretty amazing...can't wait!
I must say...that nose on JPM's sweet new ride is REALLY ugly.[/QUOTE]
Its all in the "little" details which makes them so far apart. Honda has a wide tall nose BMW has a somewhat smaller dropping nose, and Toyota has a dropping nose with a very different front spoiler.
| StuBeck | 01-25-2006 08:35 PM |
[QUOTE=artkevin]I like the MP4-21's nose personally but I also liked the Walrus nose of the FW24 so go figure. I disagree with the "similar design" comment. Within the rules they have it looks like there is a hige differnce in design. Some common themes can be seen like the chimenys and flipups on all the side pods.
The front and rear wings along with the front edge of the sidepods all seem to be widely different.[/QUOTE]
I liked the walrus nose of the FW26 too, I'm unfortunetely having to sell a model I bought of it but I'm hoping I can buy a small diecast of it cheap.
The front and rear wings along with the front edge of the sidepods all seem to be widely different.[/QUOTE]
I liked the walrus nose of the FW26 too, I'm unfortunetely having to sell a model I bought of it but I'm hoping I can buy a small diecast of it cheap.
| AndyRoo | 01-25-2006 10:59 PM |
The cars look more different from each other this year then in the past couple years. Minus the Williams walrus nose thing of course. Other then that, the cars looked way too similar in the past. Now there are enough differences to tell them apart without their livery.
I love it!
And the Mclaren looks the coolest :banana:
- andrew
I love it!
And the Mclaren looks the coolest :banana:
- andrew
| artkevin | 01-26-2006 09:25 AM |
How much you selling the model for Stu? PM me. I really want a copy of that car.
Good catch on the FW 26 mistake. :)
Good catch on the FW 26 mistake. :)
| Ferg | 01-26-2006 09:55 AM |
There's definately goingto be a lot fo people watching next week...
[QUOTE]Rossi to test alongside Schumacher
By Michele Lostia January 26th 2006, 10:01 GMT
MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi will test alongside Michael Schumacher and other Formula One drivers at the Valencia circuit next week.
The Italian champion had only tested with Ferrari in private sessions, but now the MotoGP champion will be able to measure himself against other drivers when the three-day test starts next Tuesday.
Rossi will work alongside Schumacher and teammate Felipe Massa, driving an old F2004 at the Spanish circuit.
Ferrari will be joined at Valencia by McLaren, Toyota, Williams, BMW and Honda.
Rossi is under contract to the Yamaha team but he has been linked with a move to Formula One after having tested for Ferrari in a few occasions.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said during the launch of the new Ferrari on Tuesday that Rossi would only make a switch to four wheels if the felt he could win.
"Valentino is a great champion, and he's an intelligent guy: he knows that, if he decides to go to F1, he'll do it to win and not to be a sidekick," said di Montezemolo.
"So there's nothing more to say, except that he doesn't have a gun pointed at his head to make a decision, but for a passionate, red and Italian company, which has always shared a passion with the world of motorbikes, it was the least we could do.
"At the moment there's nothing more, in the sense that Valentino will probably do further tests in full freedom, and must go back trying to continue winning, so we have the same objective in 2006.
"I must also say that the motorbike is one thing and auto racing is another, so these things are up to the driver." [/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Massa: Rossi tests won't distract Ferrari
By Jonathan Noble January 26th 2006, 12:16 GMT
Felipe Massa has insisted that Ferrari's focus on returning to the top in Formula One this season will not get distracted by their efforts with Valentino Rossi.
With the team having now confirmed that Rossi will join their testing programme at Valencia in Spain next week, there is likely to be increased media interest surrounding the team's efforts at a crucial time in the pre-season build-up.
But Massa is adamant that Ferrari will not take their eye off their preparations for the 2006 campaign.
"For sure not," he said during a break in testing at Barcelona on Thursday. "Everybody inside the team is looking at 2006 and we have a very important championship to do. I have a very important championship and everybody is really focused on 2006. For 2007, nobody knows what is going to happen."
Massa admitted to being excited about the prospect of Rossi running alongside regular F1 drivers for the first time - and dismissed any suggestions that the MotoGP champion's involvement with the team was purely for marketing reasons.
"Of course it is a lot to do with marketing but it is not just marketing," he explained. "He is going to try and see his level and to see if he has any chance to move to F1.
"Definitely it is very early to say. He needs a lot of experience and we need to see his level and I think it is good for him to test with other drivers. It will be good for him and good for the people to get a clear idea about what he can do."
When asked about whether he believed Rossi could become a top-line F1 driver, Massa said: "Nobody knows at the moment. When you do one day testing alone, especially with a V10 car and good tyres, you can for sure be able to do some good laptimes.
"But the biggest problem is when you get on the limit, because if you are two seconds slower, I think many drivers can be there. The difficulty is to improve into the last second.
"For sure he shows a lot of potential but there is a lot of work to do to see if he can move to F1 or not."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Gascoyne criticises Ferrari over testing
By Jonathan Noble January 26th 2006, 10:57 GMT
Toyota technical director Mike Gascoyne has expressed his frustration at Ferrari's refusal so far to find a compromise on a testing limitation agreement.
Although nine teams have agreed to a repeat of the 30-day in-season limit on testing, the deal will fall apart if Ferrari do not also sign-up to the limitation.
And, with the Maranello outfit still standing firm in their belief that a kilometre limit would be much better than a day limit, it is looking increasingly likely that no deal will be reached - meaning testing becomes a free-for-all.
Gascoyne said: "Certainly some of the things that have been proposed from Ferrari, they are not a testing limit.
"I just think it is a shame that if nine out of 10 teams can agree then you cannot get 10 out of 10 to agree. We are meant to be controlling costs and if you cannot get a testing agreement then you may as well give up trying to control costs."
Ferrari have so far shown no willingness to adopt a day-limit for testing. Instead the team claim it is more cost-effective for a kilometre limit to be laid down over the course of the season.
The Maranello team's sporting director Jean Todt said a counter-proposal had been offered to the other nine outfits in response to their agreement over a day limit.
"With regards to testing, we made a counter proposal which goes in the direction of limiting kilometres rather than days," said Todt. "We are ready to sign an agreement on this with the other teams and we are now waiting for their comments on it."
Honda Racing and Toro Rosso are already set to join Ferrari in a test at Bahrain next month in a run that suggests testing costs are increasing.
Gascoyne said Toyota would not accept the invite from Bahrain organisers to take part in the test � because of both financial and logistical reasons.
"Logistically it is a nightmare before the start of the season," he explained. "I don't think we will go from a budget point of view and logistically you get useful information from the one test, but you screw the test before and after. Do you want to lose two tests to do one?
"I am quite happy for someone else to pay to do it, but I don't think we will go. And we are trying to cut costs aren't we?"[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]McLaren's Prodromou signs with Red Bull
By Jonathan Noble January 26th 2006, 09:01 GMT
Red Bull Racing have signed McLaren's head of aerodynamic development Peter Prodromou, senior sources at the team have confirmed to autosport.com.
Just weeks after McLaren's former technical director Adrian Newey joined Red Bull Racing after agreeing a deal last year, the team have now reached an agreement for Prodromou to join them when his current contract expires.
Prodromou worked with Newey in helping create the new McLaren MP4-21 and his departure would serve as another blow to the team.
McLaren are also expected to lose vehicle project director Nicholas Tombazis when his contract ends later this year, with speculation suggesting that he could be on his way to back to his former team Ferrari.
The Italian team's technical director Ross Brawn was asked about Tombazis's return at the team launch on Tuesday, but the Briton declined to comment, stating only that Ferrari will continue to "strengthen the organisation."
McLaren have so far declined to comment on the news of Prodromou's departure, but only this week the team's CEO Martin Whitmarsh dismissed reports of further staff leaving McLaren following Newey's departure.
"Aside from Adrian [Newey], I don't recall any senior people or middle ranking people from engineering that are departing," Whitmarsh told a teleconference on Monday.
"I have seen the stories (about Prodromou and Tombazis), but we have not had the turnover of staff that I have seen commented on in the media."[/QUOTE]
Schumacher hits the track in the 248 F1 in a few hours...check back for a full testing report. :)
[QUOTE]Rossi to test alongside Schumacher
By Michele Lostia January 26th 2006, 10:01 GMT
MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi will test alongside Michael Schumacher and other Formula One drivers at the Valencia circuit next week.
The Italian champion had only tested with Ferrari in private sessions, but now the MotoGP champion will be able to measure himself against other drivers when the three-day test starts next Tuesday.
Rossi will work alongside Schumacher and teammate Felipe Massa, driving an old F2004 at the Spanish circuit.
Ferrari will be joined at Valencia by McLaren, Toyota, Williams, BMW and Honda.
Rossi is under contract to the Yamaha team but he has been linked with a move to Formula One after having tested for Ferrari in a few occasions.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said during the launch of the new Ferrari on Tuesday that Rossi would only make a switch to four wheels if the felt he could win.
"Valentino is a great champion, and he's an intelligent guy: he knows that, if he decides to go to F1, he'll do it to win and not to be a sidekick," said di Montezemolo.
"So there's nothing more to say, except that he doesn't have a gun pointed at his head to make a decision, but for a passionate, red and Italian company, which has always shared a passion with the world of motorbikes, it was the least we could do.
"At the moment there's nothing more, in the sense that Valentino will probably do further tests in full freedom, and must go back trying to continue winning, so we have the same objective in 2006.
"I must also say that the motorbike is one thing and auto racing is another, so these things are up to the driver." [/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Massa: Rossi tests won't distract Ferrari
By Jonathan Noble January 26th 2006, 12:16 GMT
Felipe Massa has insisted that Ferrari's focus on returning to the top in Formula One this season will not get distracted by their efforts with Valentino Rossi.
With the team having now confirmed that Rossi will join their testing programme at Valencia in Spain next week, there is likely to be increased media interest surrounding the team's efforts at a crucial time in the pre-season build-up.
But Massa is adamant that Ferrari will not take their eye off their preparations for the 2006 campaign.
"For sure not," he said during a break in testing at Barcelona on Thursday. "Everybody inside the team is looking at 2006 and we have a very important championship to do. I have a very important championship and everybody is really focused on 2006. For 2007, nobody knows what is going to happen."
Massa admitted to being excited about the prospect of Rossi running alongside regular F1 drivers for the first time - and dismissed any suggestions that the MotoGP champion's involvement with the team was purely for marketing reasons.
"Of course it is a lot to do with marketing but it is not just marketing," he explained. "He is going to try and see his level and to see if he has any chance to move to F1.
"Definitely it is very early to say. He needs a lot of experience and we need to see his level and I think it is good for him to test with other drivers. It will be good for him and good for the people to get a clear idea about what he can do."
When asked about whether he believed Rossi could become a top-line F1 driver, Massa said: "Nobody knows at the moment. When you do one day testing alone, especially with a V10 car and good tyres, you can for sure be able to do some good laptimes.
"But the biggest problem is when you get on the limit, because if you are two seconds slower, I think many drivers can be there. The difficulty is to improve into the last second.
"For sure he shows a lot of potential but there is a lot of work to do to see if he can move to F1 or not."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Gascoyne criticises Ferrari over testing
By Jonathan Noble January 26th 2006, 10:57 GMT
Toyota technical director Mike Gascoyne has expressed his frustration at Ferrari's refusal so far to find a compromise on a testing limitation agreement.
Although nine teams have agreed to a repeat of the 30-day in-season limit on testing, the deal will fall apart if Ferrari do not also sign-up to the limitation.
And, with the Maranello outfit still standing firm in their belief that a kilometre limit would be much better than a day limit, it is looking increasingly likely that no deal will be reached - meaning testing becomes a free-for-all.
Gascoyne said: "Certainly some of the things that have been proposed from Ferrari, they are not a testing limit.
"I just think it is a shame that if nine out of 10 teams can agree then you cannot get 10 out of 10 to agree. We are meant to be controlling costs and if you cannot get a testing agreement then you may as well give up trying to control costs."
Ferrari have so far shown no willingness to adopt a day-limit for testing. Instead the team claim it is more cost-effective for a kilometre limit to be laid down over the course of the season.
The Maranello team's sporting director Jean Todt said a counter-proposal had been offered to the other nine outfits in response to their agreement over a day limit.
"With regards to testing, we made a counter proposal which goes in the direction of limiting kilometres rather than days," said Todt. "We are ready to sign an agreement on this with the other teams and we are now waiting for their comments on it."
Honda Racing and Toro Rosso are already set to join Ferrari in a test at Bahrain next month in a run that suggests testing costs are increasing.
Gascoyne said Toyota would not accept the invite from Bahrain organisers to take part in the test � because of both financial and logistical reasons.
"Logistically it is a nightmare before the start of the season," he explained. "I don't think we will go from a budget point of view and logistically you get useful information from the one test, but you screw the test before and after. Do you want to lose two tests to do one?
"I am quite happy for someone else to pay to do it, but I don't think we will go. And we are trying to cut costs aren't we?"[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]McLaren's Prodromou signs with Red Bull
By Jonathan Noble January 26th 2006, 09:01 GMT
Red Bull Racing have signed McLaren's head of aerodynamic development Peter Prodromou, senior sources at the team have confirmed to autosport.com.
Just weeks after McLaren's former technical director Adrian Newey joined Red Bull Racing after agreeing a deal last year, the team have now reached an agreement for Prodromou to join them when his current contract expires.
Prodromou worked with Newey in helping create the new McLaren MP4-21 and his departure would serve as another blow to the team.
McLaren are also expected to lose vehicle project director Nicholas Tombazis when his contract ends later this year, with speculation suggesting that he could be on his way to back to his former team Ferrari.
The Italian team's technical director Ross Brawn was asked about Tombazis's return at the team launch on Tuesday, but the Briton declined to comment, stating only that Ferrari will continue to "strengthen the organisation."
McLaren have so far declined to comment on the news of Prodromou's departure, but only this week the team's CEO Martin Whitmarsh dismissed reports of further staff leaving McLaren following Newey's departure.
"Aside from Adrian [Newey], I don't recall any senior people or middle ranking people from engineering that are departing," Whitmarsh told a teleconference on Monday.
"I have seen the stories (about Prodromou and Tombazis), but we have not had the turnover of staff that I have seen commented on in the media."[/QUOTE]
Schumacher hits the track in the 248 F1 in a few hours...check back for a full testing report. :)
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