| KAX | 01-01-2007 11:09 PM |
[QUOTE=StuBeck;16505177]That's an F2000, although I think the tyres might be from 01.
A notice on the Pirelli shoes, they run small. I'm a 10 1/2-11 1/2 normally, these are a 9 and just somewhat tight.[/QUOTE]
so they run big. . .
A notice on the Pirelli shoes, they run small. I'm a 10 1/2-11 1/2 normally, these are a 9 and just somewhat tight.[/QUOTE]
so they run big. . .
| Ferg | 01-02-2007 11:43 AM |
Morning news update.
[QUOTE]FIA 'must' consult teams on aero revamp
By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, January 2nd 2007, 13:30 GMT
Formula One teams must be closely consulted on a radical revamp of car design to help overtaking if the changes are to be successful, one of the sport's leading aerodynamicists has told autosport.com.
With the FIA's plans to introduce an overhaul now delayed until 2009, after teams proposed an alternative to the original Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) wing idea at a meeting in September, BMW-Sauber's chief aerodynamicist Willem Toet is convinced that meticulous research is vital to get the rules spot on.
He believes that only with the input of teams will any change to car design actually produce the intended results.
Without close consultation, then there is a risk of loopholes in the rules being exploited by teams - which could negate any benefit that the new design is supposed to introduce.
"One of the dangers of introducing a simplistic set of rules without researching it thoroughly is that the teams then get to work on their individual performance and it can start to hurt what it was all originally about," Toet told autosport.com.
"My first interest has to be my team. I have to make my team perform. So, if I can undo the good that the CDG concept does, but in so doing I can make my car faster, then I will have no choice. I will have to do that.
"So the rules have to be talked about with people like me and (technical director) Willi Rampf to come up with a series of regulations that are sensible and where the teams won't be able to destroy the principles with details."
Although the FIA and the teams appear not to be in agreement about the CDG wing, Toet believes it is in the interest of both parties to make the racing better in F1.
"What the FIA needs and what everyone knows is needed is research to help understand overtaking," said Toet. "The FIA studied it mathematically and the manufacturers clubbed together and did some wind tunnel studies.
"Both have some very valid points and the FIA through the Technical Working Group (TWG) are now talking about bringing it together and organising some proper research, which I welcome.
"If F1's popularity drops, we are all out of work and we don't get to play with our toys any more. We all want F1 to be healthy, it is just better if the racing is better."
The teams' alternative proposal to improve overtaking, presented to the FIA last year, is believed to revolve around improving mechanical grip rather than the kind of twin rear wing structure that the FIA favours.
Renault director of engineering Pat Symonds told Autosport lat year that the teams' suggestion would result in a very different looking type of F1 car.
"Visually it will be a completely different-looking car," Symonds said. "It will be updated completely and will be a car that strives to perform slightly better than CDG in terms of overtaking and probably does not look quite so radical.
"The sort of car where after a few races you've forgotten they used to look any different."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Raikkonen backed to deliver at Ferrari
Tuesday, January 2nd 2007, 11:23 GMT
Former world champion Keke Rosberg has said he has no doubts Kimi Raikkonen will deliver for Ferrari this year - despite the question marks surrounding the Finnish driver's approach to work.
Rosberg believes that Ferrari are organised well enough to mould themselves to Raikkonen's needs, and all they need from him will be speed on track.
"He'll be brilliantly fast," Rosberg told Autosport magazine about how Raikkonen will fare as the replacement for Michael Schumacher. "It's almost stupid to ask the question.
"I believe he's the fastest driver in the paddock and that's all Ferrari needs from him. I don't believe Michael was the guy who held Ferrari together, as good as he was.
"The team can hold themselves together if they have a fast driver in the car. Jean Todt is a smart principal and he'll be able to build up a strong rapport with Kimi. It's a great move for him."
Renault's director of engineering Pat Symonds believes that there is a danger of Ferrari suffering if there are poor results early in the season � especially with technical director Ross Brawn not there to keep things together.
"He (Kimi) has a hard job ahead of him," he said. "Ross has done a superb job with knitting the team together, making it a very clear, logical and targeted team.
"There is a great danger of that slipping away without Ross there. If the initial results are not up to expectations, then you will see their character. If anything like that started to happen while Ross was there, he would stamp on it and pull it together.
"Let's see whether than happens now. I don't think it will be easy, especially with the Italian media in there pushing and agitating. It's a hard job."
Schumacher's former teammate Rubens Barrichello added: "The people around Michael had so much belief in everything he said that they're all going to have to adopt a different philosophy without him and Ross there.
"That might be difficult for the team and for Kimi. The level of feedback he can give the team will be crucial in a time of change. If he wins straight away he'll be loved. If he doesn't, the relationship won't last long. If you win more the love is there."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]FIA 'must' consult teams on aero revamp
By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, January 2nd 2007, 13:30 GMT
Formula One teams must be closely consulted on a radical revamp of car design to help overtaking if the changes are to be successful, one of the sport's leading aerodynamicists has told autosport.com.
With the FIA's plans to introduce an overhaul now delayed until 2009, after teams proposed an alternative to the original Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) wing idea at a meeting in September, BMW-Sauber's chief aerodynamicist Willem Toet is convinced that meticulous research is vital to get the rules spot on.
He believes that only with the input of teams will any change to car design actually produce the intended results.
Without close consultation, then there is a risk of loopholes in the rules being exploited by teams - which could negate any benefit that the new design is supposed to introduce.
"One of the dangers of introducing a simplistic set of rules without researching it thoroughly is that the teams then get to work on their individual performance and it can start to hurt what it was all originally about," Toet told autosport.com.
"My first interest has to be my team. I have to make my team perform. So, if I can undo the good that the CDG concept does, but in so doing I can make my car faster, then I will have no choice. I will have to do that.
"So the rules have to be talked about with people like me and (technical director) Willi Rampf to come up with a series of regulations that are sensible and where the teams won't be able to destroy the principles with details."
Although the FIA and the teams appear not to be in agreement about the CDG wing, Toet believes it is in the interest of both parties to make the racing better in F1.
"What the FIA needs and what everyone knows is needed is research to help understand overtaking," said Toet. "The FIA studied it mathematically and the manufacturers clubbed together and did some wind tunnel studies.
"Both have some very valid points and the FIA through the Technical Working Group (TWG) are now talking about bringing it together and organising some proper research, which I welcome.
"If F1's popularity drops, we are all out of work and we don't get to play with our toys any more. We all want F1 to be healthy, it is just better if the racing is better."
The teams' alternative proposal to improve overtaking, presented to the FIA last year, is believed to revolve around improving mechanical grip rather than the kind of twin rear wing structure that the FIA favours.
Renault director of engineering Pat Symonds told Autosport lat year that the teams' suggestion would result in a very different looking type of F1 car.
"Visually it will be a completely different-looking car," Symonds said. "It will be updated completely and will be a car that strives to perform slightly better than CDG in terms of overtaking and probably does not look quite so radical.
"The sort of car where after a few races you've forgotten they used to look any different."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Raikkonen backed to deliver at Ferrari
Tuesday, January 2nd 2007, 11:23 GMT
Former world champion Keke Rosberg has said he has no doubts Kimi Raikkonen will deliver for Ferrari this year - despite the question marks surrounding the Finnish driver's approach to work.
Rosberg believes that Ferrari are organised well enough to mould themselves to Raikkonen's needs, and all they need from him will be speed on track.
"He'll be brilliantly fast," Rosberg told Autosport magazine about how Raikkonen will fare as the replacement for Michael Schumacher. "It's almost stupid to ask the question.
"I believe he's the fastest driver in the paddock and that's all Ferrari needs from him. I don't believe Michael was the guy who held Ferrari together, as good as he was.
"The team can hold themselves together if they have a fast driver in the car. Jean Todt is a smart principal and he'll be able to build up a strong rapport with Kimi. It's a great move for him."
Renault's director of engineering Pat Symonds believes that there is a danger of Ferrari suffering if there are poor results early in the season � especially with technical director Ross Brawn not there to keep things together.
"He (Kimi) has a hard job ahead of him," he said. "Ross has done a superb job with knitting the team together, making it a very clear, logical and targeted team.
"There is a great danger of that slipping away without Ross there. If the initial results are not up to expectations, then you will see their character. If anything like that started to happen while Ross was there, he would stamp on it and pull it together.
"Let's see whether than happens now. I don't think it will be easy, especially with the Italian media in there pushing and agitating. It's a hard job."
Schumacher's former teammate Rubens Barrichello added: "The people around Michael had so much belief in everything he said that they're all going to have to adopt a different philosophy without him and Ross there.
"That might be difficult for the team and for Kimi. The level of feedback he can give the team will be crucial in a time of change. If he wins straight away he'll be loved. If he doesn't, the relationship won't last long. If you win more the love is there."[/QUOTE]
| TimStevens | 01-02-2007 01:07 PM |
It seems ridiculous that, with the incredible wealth of aerodynamics knowledge within the F1 teams (probably second only to the entire aerospace industry), they'd even consider going forward with anything aero-related without getting signoff from every team in the first place.
Though this is the FIA :)
Though this is the FIA :)
| nKoan | 01-02-2007 02:42 PM |
[quote]
...snip...
The teams' alternative proposal to improve overtaking, presented to the FIA last year, is believed to revolve around improving mechanical grip rather than the kind of twin rear wing structure that the FIA favours.
Renault director of engineering Pat Symonds told Autosport lat year that the teams' suggestion would result in a very different looking type of F1 car.
[b]"Visually it will be a completely different-looking car,"[/b] Symonds said. "It will be updated completely and will be a car that strives to perform slightly better than CDG in terms of overtaking and probably does not look quite so radical.
"The sort of car where after a few races you've forgotten they used to look any different."[/quote]
I would love to see what's going through Symonds head right now.
...snip...
The teams' alternative proposal to improve overtaking, presented to the FIA last year, is believed to revolve around improving mechanical grip rather than the kind of twin rear wing structure that the FIA favours.
Renault director of engineering Pat Symonds told Autosport lat year that the teams' suggestion would result in a very different looking type of F1 car.
[b]"Visually it will be a completely different-looking car,"[/b] Symonds said. "It will be updated completely and will be a car that strives to perform slightly better than CDG in terms of overtaking and probably does not look quite so radical.
"The sort of car where after a few races you've forgotten they used to look any different."[/quote]
I would love to see what's going through Symonds head right now.
| Ferg | 01-03-2007 10:48 AM |
Berger on the STR2.
[QUOTE]Berger confident STR2 will get green light
By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, January 3rd 2007, 15:22 GMT
Scuderia Toro Rosso boss Gerhard Berger is confident that the FIA will declare his team's 2007 car fully legal despite the mounting controversy surrounding their plans.
Toro Rosso are set to run a development version of the Adrian Newey-designed RB3 chassis that Red Bull Racing will also compete with in 2007.
Those plans have upset some rivals teams, who have threatened legal action if the team go ahead with the scheme because they claim that outfits must design and build those cars.
Autosport.com revealed just before Christmas that leading teams had all backed a push by Spyker to prevent teams from effectively running customer cars next year.
With Toro Rosso's car being built by an independent company, Red Bull Technologies, rather than Red Bull Racing, Berger says that there should be no question marks about what his team intend to do.
Speaking from his winter break in the Tyrol, Berger said: "Of course every team interprets the FIA rules through their own glasses.
"We are confident the FIA will approve our car. The STR2 will be built by Red Bull Technologies, and Toro Rosso will fully own the intellectual rights of the car."
Red Bull Technologies, which also officially employs Newey rather than Red Bull Racing, is not a signatory of the Concorde Agreement and therefore is free to supply more than one team with car designs and parts.
Berger's stance about the use of Red Bull Technologies fits in with why Red Bull Racing joined those outfits who confirmed in writing to Spyker that they believe all teams should design and build their own cars in 2007.
Toro Rosso, who have yet to confirm either of their drivers for this year, are not expected to test again until the start of next month when their new car hits the track.
"The new STR2 will be ready for testing in early February," added Berger. "Therefore we do not have any tests in January."
Toro Rosso are not the only team under the spotlight in the customer car row. Super Aguri plan to race with a development version of the Honda Racing RA106, after the intellectual property rights for that were transferred to Honda's R&D facility in Tochigi.[/QUOTE]
So plan B would be.....
[QUOTE]Berger confident STR2 will get green light
By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, January 3rd 2007, 15:22 GMT
Scuderia Toro Rosso boss Gerhard Berger is confident that the FIA will declare his team's 2007 car fully legal despite the mounting controversy surrounding their plans.
Toro Rosso are set to run a development version of the Adrian Newey-designed RB3 chassis that Red Bull Racing will also compete with in 2007.
Those plans have upset some rivals teams, who have threatened legal action if the team go ahead with the scheme because they claim that outfits must design and build those cars.
Autosport.com revealed just before Christmas that leading teams had all backed a push by Spyker to prevent teams from effectively running customer cars next year.
With Toro Rosso's car being built by an independent company, Red Bull Technologies, rather than Red Bull Racing, Berger says that there should be no question marks about what his team intend to do.
Speaking from his winter break in the Tyrol, Berger said: "Of course every team interprets the FIA rules through their own glasses.
"We are confident the FIA will approve our car. The STR2 will be built by Red Bull Technologies, and Toro Rosso will fully own the intellectual rights of the car."
Red Bull Technologies, which also officially employs Newey rather than Red Bull Racing, is not a signatory of the Concorde Agreement and therefore is free to supply more than one team with car designs and parts.
Berger's stance about the use of Red Bull Technologies fits in with why Red Bull Racing joined those outfits who confirmed in writing to Spyker that they believe all teams should design and build their own cars in 2007.
Toro Rosso, who have yet to confirm either of their drivers for this year, are not expected to test again until the start of next month when their new car hits the track.
"The new STR2 will be ready for testing in early February," added Berger. "Therefore we do not have any tests in January."
Toro Rosso are not the only team under the spotlight in the customer car row. Super Aguri plan to race with a development version of the Honda Racing RA106, after the intellectual property rights for that were transferred to Honda's R&D facility in Tochigi.[/QUOTE]
So plan B would be.....
| StuBeck | 01-03-2007 12:00 PM |
If they got away with it last year, I don't see why they couldn't this year.
| Ferg | 01-03-2007 12:27 PM |
Because nobody was worried about a year old Red Bull chassis which was in reality a two year old Jaguar. No point in protesting if you're beating them on the track. Remember they were going to raise all kinds of fuss about Toro Rosso's V10 until it proved to be much more uncompetative then first thought.
Nobody wants to get beat by an off the shelf Newey car.
Nobody wants to get beat by an off the shelf Newey car.
| StuBeck | 01-03-2007 12:31 PM |
The RBR1 wasn't the R5, it was what was going to be an R6, so it was only a year old.
It was also only Midland and SA who were raising a fuss about the V10, even though the FIA had said it was fully legal and any team could do it if they had wanted.
The problem is the teams allowed them to run the RBR1 last year at STR without bringing a fuss about it. They are doing the same thing this year and now suddenly its a problem? I understand why they are suddenly pissed about it, because this car shouldn't be as slow, but you can't go "well, it was fine when you were slow, but now it isn't even though the same thing is happening."
It was also only Midland and SA who were raising a fuss about the V10, even though the FIA had said it was fully legal and any team could do it if they had wanted.
The problem is the teams allowed them to run the RBR1 last year at STR without bringing a fuss about it. They are doing the same thing this year and now suddenly its a problem? I understand why they are suddenly pissed about it, because this car shouldn't be as slow, but you can't go "well, it was fine when you were slow, but now it isn't even though the same thing is happening."
| Ferg | 01-03-2007 12:44 PM |
It's the same tactic Bridgestone used when suddenly they claimed Michelin's front tires were illegal, even though they had been sitting on the "evidence" for almost a season and a half. They didn't play that card until they felt they had no other choice....unsurprisingly at the start of the summer testing ban.
McLaren did the same thing with the mass damper.
I agree with you Stu, it seems like sour grapes on Spyker's part, but I sympathize with their position. If you can't beat them on the track try and hamper them as much as you can by waving the rulebook. Old hat in F1.
McLaren did the same thing with the mass damper.
I agree with you Stu, it seems like sour grapes on Spyker's part, but I sympathize with their position. If you can't beat them on the track try and hamper them as much as you can by waving the rulebook. Old hat in F1.
| StuBeck | 01-03-2007 01:46 PM |
The Michelin tyres weren't illegal though. They were supposed to be a certain width before they were put on the car and they were. The FIA changed the rules, making it so they had to be the specific width after being used, which then meant Michelin couldn't run the tyres.
The FIA has a long history of allowing this, in 95 Benneton and some other team were basically running the same chassis, Sauber ran the 02 Ferrari, its a long history of allowing it.
I'm okay with Spyker trying to do it, but the other teams are the ones who are annoying "oh, its going to destroy the series." No, it won't, its only been for about half of the series that the teams "had" to make their own chassis, and everyone is always talking about how awesome the racing was before this and how ****ty it is now.
The FIA has a long history of allowing this, in 95 Benneton and some other team were basically running the same chassis, Sauber ran the 02 Ferrari, its a long history of allowing it.
I'm okay with Spyker trying to do it, but the other teams are the ones who are annoying "oh, its going to destroy the series." No, it won't, its only been for about half of the series that the teams "had" to make their own chassis, and everyone is always talking about how awesome the racing was before this and how ****ty it is now.
| Ferg | 01-03-2007 01:56 PM |
Well to be fair only Mario from BMW has come out and really poo-pooed the customer chassis thing. I haven't heard much from other principles, at least not yet. I get the feeling that some teams will jump at any chance to mess with the FIA, and if by doing so they can throw a wrench or two into their competition...
On the tire thing, the FIA didn't change the rules until after Bridgestone came forward with their evidence, which as I said they'd been sitting on forever.
I remember it was the Ligier JS41 which was accsued of being an exact copy of the B195. Strangely enough Flav was involved with both teams...
I guess nothing really changes does it? :lol:
On the tire thing, the FIA didn't change the rules until after Bridgestone came forward with their evidence, which as I said they'd been sitting on forever.
I remember it was the Ligier JS41 which was accsued of being an exact copy of the B195. Strangely enough Flav was involved with both teams...
I guess nothing really changes does it? :lol:
| StuBeck | 01-03-2007 04:24 PM |
Haha, yea, I think people are bored since its the longest time between races right now, so they don't have much to do at the moment.
| artkevin | 01-03-2007 07:17 PM |
[QUOTE=Ferg;16523361]Well to be fair only Mario from BMW has come out and really poo-pooed the customer chassis thing. I haven't heard much from other principles, at least not yet. I get the feeling that some teams will jump at any chance to mess with the FIA, and if by doing so they can throw a wrench or two into their competition...
On the tire thing, the FIA didn't change the rules until after Bridgestone came forward with their evidence, which as I said they'd been sitting on forever.
I remember it was the Ligier JS41 which was accsued of being an exact copy of the B195. Strangely enough Flav was involved with both teams...
I guess nothing really changes does it? :lol:[/QUOTE]
That is "funny".
A good question that was posed last year with the STR01 was "what determines an orginal chasis". If you change the engine make, is that new? If you change the suspension mounting points and the nose? Its a very fine line.
Also, like Stu said with the Sauber/1 yr old Ferrari, Sauber made it themselves
off an "orginal" design so technically it was theirs.
Stupid hair splitting!
On the tire thing, the FIA didn't change the rules until after Bridgestone came forward with their evidence, which as I said they'd been sitting on forever.
I remember it was the Ligier JS41 which was accsued of being an exact copy of the B195. Strangely enough Flav was involved with both teams...
I guess nothing really changes does it? :lol:[/QUOTE]
That is "funny".
A good question that was posed last year with the STR01 was "what determines an orginal chasis". If you change the engine make, is that new? If you change the suspension mounting points and the nose? Its a very fine line.
Also, like Stu said with the Sauber/1 yr old Ferrari, Sauber made it themselves
off an "orginal" design so technically it was theirs.
Stupid hair splitting!
| EBWRC#1 | 01-04-2007 04:00 AM |
I'm exited for this season!
| TimStevens | 01-04-2007 06:38 AM |
So is MS!
| Ferg | 01-04-2007 11:04 AM |
Nigel on who he would give the boot at Toro Rosso.
[QUOTE][B]Dear Nigel,
Sea Bass, aka Sebastian Bourdais, tested well with Toro Rosso. He just missed Liuzzi's best time and beat Scott Speed's times. I've heard some folks rave about Liuzzi, but often enough Scott Speed has beaten him in qualifying but more often in races. Neither seems a true star and to me they seem well matched. How do you rate the pair? Journeymen? Would Gerhard Berger do well to look elsewhere in 2008 and which of the two would you replace?
Michael Greene[/B]
Dear Michael,
I wasn't surprised Sebastien Bourdais tested well for Toro Rosso, I must say, for it was obvious during his time in F3000 that here was a natural Grand Prix driver waiting to happen. Somehow he was allowed to slip through the F1 net - it does happen sometimes - and was left with no alternative but to ply his trade in the USA, where he has dominated Champ Car racing for several years. Frankly, he should have been in F1 long ago.
It's a fact that Tonio Liuzzi claimed to be 'unimpressed' with Bourdais's testing performance with Toro Rosso - but then he would say that, wouldn't he? He's an F1 driver, after all! There is no question of Sebastien's coming to F1 this year - he is firmly under contract to Newman/Haas for '07 - but you'd have to reckon there's a good chance of it in '08. And Liuzzi, his own future with Toro Rosso less than 100% secure, will be only too aware of that.
There are those who see Liuzzi as the Second Messiah, who believe that his potential is unlimited, his talent from the very top drawer. I have to confess to being a little mystified by this. Certainly Liuzzi impressed in his F3000 days, and it's true that he has never been given a competitive F1 car to drive, but I can't honestly say I've seen any evidence that he is a Schumacher waiting to happen.
You make a very good point: Scott Speed is indeed a good, competent, driver, but if Liuzzi is all some claim him to be, he should have dominated Speed in '06, at least in the sense of always out-qualifying him. And that he didn't do. To be honest, I thought Gerhard Berger's drivers much of a muchness last year, with neither one looking outstanding, and both making too many mistakes. If I were Berger, and Bourdais were available to me, I'd happily get rid of Liuzzi or Speed (or both) to accommodate him.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE][B]Dear Nigel,
Sea Bass, aka Sebastian Bourdais, tested well with Toro Rosso. He just missed Liuzzi's best time and beat Scott Speed's times. I've heard some folks rave about Liuzzi, but often enough Scott Speed has beaten him in qualifying but more often in races. Neither seems a true star and to me they seem well matched. How do you rate the pair? Journeymen? Would Gerhard Berger do well to look elsewhere in 2008 and which of the two would you replace?
Michael Greene[/B]
Dear Michael,
I wasn't surprised Sebastien Bourdais tested well for Toro Rosso, I must say, for it was obvious during his time in F3000 that here was a natural Grand Prix driver waiting to happen. Somehow he was allowed to slip through the F1 net - it does happen sometimes - and was left with no alternative but to ply his trade in the USA, where he has dominated Champ Car racing for several years. Frankly, he should have been in F1 long ago.
It's a fact that Tonio Liuzzi claimed to be 'unimpressed' with Bourdais's testing performance with Toro Rosso - but then he would say that, wouldn't he? He's an F1 driver, after all! There is no question of Sebastien's coming to F1 this year - he is firmly under contract to Newman/Haas for '07 - but you'd have to reckon there's a good chance of it in '08. And Liuzzi, his own future with Toro Rosso less than 100% secure, will be only too aware of that.
There are those who see Liuzzi as the Second Messiah, who believe that his potential is unlimited, his talent from the very top drawer. I have to confess to being a little mystified by this. Certainly Liuzzi impressed in his F3000 days, and it's true that he has never been given a competitive F1 car to drive, but I can't honestly say I've seen any evidence that he is a Schumacher waiting to happen.
You make a very good point: Scott Speed is indeed a good, competent, driver, but if Liuzzi is all some claim him to be, he should have dominated Speed in '06, at least in the sense of always out-qualifying him. And that he didn't do. To be honest, I thought Gerhard Berger's drivers much of a muchness last year, with neither one looking outstanding, and both making too many mistakes. If I were Berger, and Bourdais were available to me, I'd happily get rid of Liuzzi or Speed (or both) to accommodate him.[/QUOTE]
| Ferg | 01-04-2007 12:22 PM |
Good stuff from Richard Barnes.
[QUOTE][B]A Frozen Watershed[/B]
[I]2007 will be, in some ways, a new era for Formula One. In other ways, it will stay the same. But just briefly. Richard Barnes reflects on the new year
By Richard Barnes
autosport.com writer[/I]
Each New Year brings with it the promise of a new dawn in the sport, a fresh cycle in the ebb and flow of fortunes, the ascendancy and waning of F1 empires, the next level in the technological race for supreme dominance. Often, the new season turns out to be little more than a continuation of the status quo. However, the 2007 season offers a combination of a sea change in some areas of the sport - and no change at all in others.
If motor racing is the complete blend of humanity and machinery, it is the human face of F1 that will change in 2007. Gone are the scarlet star-bedecked helmet, the consummate professionalism, the all-weather preparedness, the podium victory leap, the perspiration-free meticulously worded post-race interviews and the other trademarks that seven-time champion Michael Schumacher brought to the sport. For that alone, 2007 will be a watershed year as the sport welcomes a new generation of challengers.
It has been twelve years and a couple of months since Michael Schumacher took his maiden F1 title, inheriting Ayrton Senna's mantle and filling the void that the Brazilian world champion's death had left. It was a particularly abrupt transition, with Schumacher inheriting his position through circumstance as well as his own burgeoning talent.
The opposite bookend of Schumacher's career has seen an altogether more fluid generational transition. The sport's fans have had two years to grow accustomed to Spaniard Fernando Alonso as F1's new star and (with Schumacher's retirement) the sole champion driver in the field.
While Alonso may regret Schumacher's departure, he will certainly not feel alone at the head of the field. Kimi Raikkonen has done enough on the track (if not in the statistics tables) to merit consideration as co-successor to Schumacher's throne, and both drivers have the challenge of settling into franchise roles with their new employers - Alonso for McLaren-Mercedes and Raikkonen for Ferrari.
Raikkonen seemingly has the easier job, joining a tightly-knit outfit with the experience and momentum of multiple recent race and championship wins to draw upon. Alonso, by contrast, is in much the same position as Michael Schumacher was after his second championship - joining a team with the resources and pedigree to dominate, but with precious little to show for their recent efforts.
Neither of the two stars can afford to be complacent nor to focus solely on the other. With the constantly-improving Felipe Massa, the mercurial Robert Kubica and the keenly anticipated debuts of Lewis Hamilton for McLaren and Heikki Kovalainen for Renault, it will take season-long focus and consistency to prevail.
Jenson Button and Honda could still surprise, as could Mark Webber in an Adrian Newey-designed Red Bull Racing car. Even with the departure of Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya during 2006, F1 is not short of driving talent for the new season.
However, this exciting and undiscovered new territory will be partly frozen on the technological side of the sport, due to the engine homologation regulations. For at least the next couple of years, F1 will be driven by the same 2.4 litre V8 engines that teams used in Japan and Brazil during October 2006.
The annual improvements in engine technology have been a talking point of every off-season in memory. For many fans and purists, a freeze on development runs counter to the F1 essence of constant development and innovation. This is exacerbated by the new season's other major technical change - the reversion to Bridgestone as the only tyre supplier following Michelin's withdrawal from the sport at the end of 2006.
Ostensibly, both changes have been implemented to level the playing field and ensure greater parity and safety in racing, while helping to cut costs. It remains to be seen what effect they will have on the most important consideration of all - the quality of the racing.
Under the new regulations, the homologated engines will be subjected to a strict 19,000 rpm limit. During 2006, drivers often temporarily turned up the wick on engines to make a pass under racing conditions. With each engine having to last for two full race weekends, it was a risky practice, but one that promised worthwhile rewards to drivers who used their engines judiciously. The closing of this 'boost' loophole may result in some frustratingly processional racing during 2007.
The decision to have a single tyre supplier in 2008 - which de facto will begin in 2007 - may also affect the situation. As frustrating as it was for teams caught on the 'wrong' tyre during the Michelin-Bridgestone tyre war, it did at least open up opportunities for overtaking. Nowhere was this more evident than in China, where Michael Schumacher's Bridgestone-shod Ferrari initially lost ground to the Renaults before hauling them in when their Michelin tyres lost the early grip advantage.
However, even with just one tyre supplier, early indications from testing suggest that performance may differ significantly from team to team. Braking distances increased, front wheels locking up too easily, rear tyres degrading too quickly are just some of the comments from drivers who have struggled to adapt to Bridgestone's new rubber. A chassis that is gentle on its tyres may open up excellent passing opportunities for its drivers in 2007, particularly late in the race when tyre wear is at its worst.
If human talent is one cornerstone of F1, and technological innovation and development another, then the third cornerstone is the administration and regulation of the sport, its teams and the revenue it generates. In this regard, 2007 will again be a watershed year, not for the dawning of a new era but for the end of an old. 2007 marks the final year of the current Concorde Agreement, the arrangement between the governing body, the FIA, the commercial rights holder, FOM, and all the sport's team owners.
While 2006 did not see the finalisation of a new agreement, it did at least end the threat of a breakaway series, when Ecclestone signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the teams comprising the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association (GPMA). The new Concorde Agreement, which will apply for the five year period 2008-2012, is expected to be signed early in the 2007 season.
Although the final details are yet to be announced, the FIA and GPMA are agreed on making F1 greener and more in line with the global goals of energy efficiency and emissions reductions. One example is the use of waste heat to help power the cars, along with a switch to smaller, longer-lasting and more fuel-efficient engines. Energy retention and recovery are the goals, coupled with a conscious move to make F1 technology more relevant to ordinary road cars.
For 2007, though, F1 unashamedly retains its traditional roots as the epitome of gas-guzzling, ear-splitting, nerve-tingling motorsport competition. With the amount of talent lining up to succeed Michael Schumacher in the history books, 2007 will be a season to relish.[/QUOTE]
It's starting to feel like March is just around the corner.
:banana:
[QUOTE][B]A Frozen Watershed[/B]
[I]2007 will be, in some ways, a new era for Formula One. In other ways, it will stay the same. But just briefly. Richard Barnes reflects on the new year
By Richard Barnes
autosport.com writer[/I]
Each New Year brings with it the promise of a new dawn in the sport, a fresh cycle in the ebb and flow of fortunes, the ascendancy and waning of F1 empires, the next level in the technological race for supreme dominance. Often, the new season turns out to be little more than a continuation of the status quo. However, the 2007 season offers a combination of a sea change in some areas of the sport - and no change at all in others.
If motor racing is the complete blend of humanity and machinery, it is the human face of F1 that will change in 2007. Gone are the scarlet star-bedecked helmet, the consummate professionalism, the all-weather preparedness, the podium victory leap, the perspiration-free meticulously worded post-race interviews and the other trademarks that seven-time champion Michael Schumacher brought to the sport. For that alone, 2007 will be a watershed year as the sport welcomes a new generation of challengers.
It has been twelve years and a couple of months since Michael Schumacher took his maiden F1 title, inheriting Ayrton Senna's mantle and filling the void that the Brazilian world champion's death had left. It was a particularly abrupt transition, with Schumacher inheriting his position through circumstance as well as his own burgeoning talent.
The opposite bookend of Schumacher's career has seen an altogether more fluid generational transition. The sport's fans have had two years to grow accustomed to Spaniard Fernando Alonso as F1's new star and (with Schumacher's retirement) the sole champion driver in the field.
While Alonso may regret Schumacher's departure, he will certainly not feel alone at the head of the field. Kimi Raikkonen has done enough on the track (if not in the statistics tables) to merit consideration as co-successor to Schumacher's throne, and both drivers have the challenge of settling into franchise roles with their new employers - Alonso for McLaren-Mercedes and Raikkonen for Ferrari.
Raikkonen seemingly has the easier job, joining a tightly-knit outfit with the experience and momentum of multiple recent race and championship wins to draw upon. Alonso, by contrast, is in much the same position as Michael Schumacher was after his second championship - joining a team with the resources and pedigree to dominate, but with precious little to show for their recent efforts.
Neither of the two stars can afford to be complacent nor to focus solely on the other. With the constantly-improving Felipe Massa, the mercurial Robert Kubica and the keenly anticipated debuts of Lewis Hamilton for McLaren and Heikki Kovalainen for Renault, it will take season-long focus and consistency to prevail.
Jenson Button and Honda could still surprise, as could Mark Webber in an Adrian Newey-designed Red Bull Racing car. Even with the departure of Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya during 2006, F1 is not short of driving talent for the new season.
However, this exciting and undiscovered new territory will be partly frozen on the technological side of the sport, due to the engine homologation regulations. For at least the next couple of years, F1 will be driven by the same 2.4 litre V8 engines that teams used in Japan and Brazil during October 2006.
The annual improvements in engine technology have been a talking point of every off-season in memory. For many fans and purists, a freeze on development runs counter to the F1 essence of constant development and innovation. This is exacerbated by the new season's other major technical change - the reversion to Bridgestone as the only tyre supplier following Michelin's withdrawal from the sport at the end of 2006.
Ostensibly, both changes have been implemented to level the playing field and ensure greater parity and safety in racing, while helping to cut costs. It remains to be seen what effect they will have on the most important consideration of all - the quality of the racing.
Under the new regulations, the homologated engines will be subjected to a strict 19,000 rpm limit. During 2006, drivers often temporarily turned up the wick on engines to make a pass under racing conditions. With each engine having to last for two full race weekends, it was a risky practice, but one that promised worthwhile rewards to drivers who used their engines judiciously. The closing of this 'boost' loophole may result in some frustratingly processional racing during 2007.
The decision to have a single tyre supplier in 2008 - which de facto will begin in 2007 - may also affect the situation. As frustrating as it was for teams caught on the 'wrong' tyre during the Michelin-Bridgestone tyre war, it did at least open up opportunities for overtaking. Nowhere was this more evident than in China, where Michael Schumacher's Bridgestone-shod Ferrari initially lost ground to the Renaults before hauling them in when their Michelin tyres lost the early grip advantage.
However, even with just one tyre supplier, early indications from testing suggest that performance may differ significantly from team to team. Braking distances increased, front wheels locking up too easily, rear tyres degrading too quickly are just some of the comments from drivers who have struggled to adapt to Bridgestone's new rubber. A chassis that is gentle on its tyres may open up excellent passing opportunities for its drivers in 2007, particularly late in the race when tyre wear is at its worst.
If human talent is one cornerstone of F1, and technological innovation and development another, then the third cornerstone is the administration and regulation of the sport, its teams and the revenue it generates. In this regard, 2007 will again be a watershed year, not for the dawning of a new era but for the end of an old. 2007 marks the final year of the current Concorde Agreement, the arrangement between the governing body, the FIA, the commercial rights holder, FOM, and all the sport's team owners.
While 2006 did not see the finalisation of a new agreement, it did at least end the threat of a breakaway series, when Ecclestone signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the teams comprising the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association (GPMA). The new Concorde Agreement, which will apply for the five year period 2008-2012, is expected to be signed early in the 2007 season.
Although the final details are yet to be announced, the FIA and GPMA are agreed on making F1 greener and more in line with the global goals of energy efficiency and emissions reductions. One example is the use of waste heat to help power the cars, along with a switch to smaller, longer-lasting and more fuel-efficient engines. Energy retention and recovery are the goals, coupled with a conscious move to make F1 technology more relevant to ordinary road cars.
For 2007, though, F1 unashamedly retains its traditional roots as the epitome of gas-guzzling, ear-splitting, nerve-tingling motorsport competition. With the amount of talent lining up to succeed Michael Schumacher in the history books, 2007 will be a season to relish.[/QUOTE]
It's starting to feel like March is just around the corner.
:banana:
| bitterWRX | 01-04-2007 04:58 PM |
McLaren Fans!
�
�
For all you McLaren fans out there... everything at the McLaren store is 70% off!
Granted it would probably end up costing the same after shipping. :p
Just thought some of you might be interested.
[URL="https://www.mclaren.co.uk/shop/"]McLaren Store[/URL]
Granted it would probably end up costing the same after shipping. :p
Just thought some of you might be interested.
[URL="https://www.mclaren.co.uk/shop/"]McLaren Store[/URL]
| ptclaus98 | 01-04-2007 05:06 PM |
[QUOTE=bitterWRX;16540377]For all you McLaren fans out there... everything at the McLaren store is 70% off!
Granted it would probably end up costing the same after shipping. :p
Just thought some of you might be interested.
[URL="https://www.mclaren.co.uk/shop/"]McLaren Store[/URL][/QUOTE]
Yeah, I saw that, too. How much is 6 pounds in dollars?
Granted it would probably end up costing the same after shipping. :p
Just thought some of you might be interested.
[URL="https://www.mclaren.co.uk/shop/"]McLaren Store[/URL][/QUOTE]
Yeah, I saw that, too. How much is 6 pounds in dollars?
| bitterWRX | 01-04-2007 05:10 PM |
I think it's about $11USD or so...
Edit: [url]http://www.xe.com/ucc/[/url] $11.66USD. I was close :D
Edit: [url]http://www.xe.com/ucc/[/url] $11.66USD. I was close :D
| StuBeck | 01-04-2007 07:27 PM |
I'd be willing to share an order with people if they want some stuff.
| meebs | 01-04-2007 09:56 PM |
On a different tangent; I just learned that a modern Formula One clutch disc can fit in the palm of your hand. I find this simply amazing. :)
| Ferg | 01-05-2007 10:04 AM |
Honda announce Launch date.
[QUOTE]
Toyota Jan 12th......[I]TF107[/I]
McLaren Jan 15th.....[I]MP4/22[/I]
BMW Sauber Jan 16th.....[I]F1.07[/I]
Renault Jan 24th....[I]R27[/I]
Honda Jan 25th.....[I]RA107[/I]
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]
Toyota Jan 12th......[I]TF107[/I]
McLaren Jan 15th.....[I]MP4/22[/I]
BMW Sauber Jan 16th.....[I]F1.07[/I]
Renault Jan 24th....[I]R27[/I]
Honda Jan 25th.....[I]RA107[/I]
[/QUOTE]
| Ferg | 01-05-2007 11:57 AM |
Tony Dodgins on the hi's and lows of F1 launches...
[QUOTE][B]Dodgy Business[/B]
[I]As the season of F1 launches about to embark upon us, Tony Dodgins recalls times when the events had a somewhat different meaning...
By Tony Dodgins
autosport.com columnist[/I]
The 'launch season' is all but on us again. Great news if you've had your fill of Christmas pud, you're a duffer at fixing broken toys and you'd really like to see your mates again and talk F1. Not so good if you've lost your can of bull**** repellent and are quite happy taking your steers from the Melbourne timing screens.
Formula One being what it is, launches are much more 'corporate' these days, which means people are more nervous about getting up in public and making rash statements. They know that some smart arse journalist is going to keep a note of any predictions/expectations and trot them out nine months down the road.
In days gone by, when a race team was a race team, they didn't care. Generally, there was no one to answer to, save perhaps a couple of sponsors. But these days you have board members and bean counters listening. Caution seems to be the watchword.
There have been some good laughs in the past. Turn the clock back 30 years and there was Robin Herd and Martin Walters revealing the March 240. Early December this was, because in those days the Argentine Grand Prix kicked off the new season in January.
The 240 was a six-wheeler. Nothing new there, as Tyrrell had already run their P34 the previous season. But the March had four driven wheels at the back. The Autosport account at the time began with the line "You couldn't help but wonder if they were being serious."
Which, as things turned out, was pretty perceptive.
The 240 was basically a bog standard March 761, which the late Ronnie Peterson had used to win the Italian Grand Prix a couple of months previously, fitted with an extra set of rear wheels that, incidentally, were the same size as the fronts, making for a very strange looking device indeed.
On the back of the gearbox, March had bolted a further casing that housed an extended pinion shaft and another differential. This second shaft was driven by the first via a 'muff coupling', the press was told. Herd always had a great sense of humour.
The frontal area of the rear tyres being half the norm, the car was going to be super-quick in a straight line and the rear wing, mounted significantly further back, was going to be highly effective - if they could actually persuade the thing into a corner in the first place. But there was no chance of getting it anywhere near the minimum weight, Herd admitted.
Nobody knew quite what to make of it. A bunch of hacks dutifully descended on Silverstone, where the car ran - very briefly. Later - much later - March admitted that the second set of rears had never been connected to anything in any case...
A week or so later, Louis Stanley revealed the BRM P207 in Rotary Watches livery at his usual haunt, London's Dorchester hotel. The glory days had been some time ago, but Stanley and Aussie driver Larry Perkins talked a good yarn.
Despite the monstrosity that the hacks saw before them, they were informed that the P207 was not in fact big, it was not overweight, its V12 would produce very close to 500bhp and that, in Perkins, the team had a driver in the same mould as Pedro (Rodriguez), Jo (Siffert) and Niki (Lauda). Yeah, right. Pass that bull**** spray!
And then there's the Frank Williams way. Formula One legend has it that back in the seventies Frank launched a car in Saudi livery before the Saudis knew they were even sponsoring it - by parking it outside a Prince's office in Riyadh! A half-truth with a bit of embellishment, that.
What in fact happened was that Frank's sidekick, Charlie Crichton-Stuart, a former RAF Vampire pilot, had been scheduled to take on the role of private pilot for Alexander Hesketh when the good Lord decided against buying the plane after all.
And so off went 'Charlie Stu' to sell cars for HR Owen in Kensington, where he flogged a Ferrari to 22-year-old Prince Sultan bin Salman, who happened to be living around the corner, also at the Dorchester.
The Prince went off to study in Denver and Frank phoned Charlie Stu and offered to pay his air fare if he'd come to the US and help him sell the Prince some motor racing.
The initial meeting was a success, and the Prince said he'd forward the proposal to his family. Frank then went to Riyadh to meet him again, where the Prince introduced him to his cousin, Prince Muhammad bin Fahd, the second eldest son of King Fahd.
Frank got 10 minutes in the guy's lavish office and left with the promise 'I will help you.' Prince Muhammad's trading company was Albilad, whose British interests were looked after by Tory MP Jonathan Aitken, who had been at Eton with Piers Courage, the brewing heir who had been killed in one of Frank's cars at Zandvoort in 1970.
Frank soon got a call from Aitken and went to meet him in London. Shortly afterwards, he got the news that Prince Muhammad was in London wanting to meet him.
So he loaded up Patrick Head's just finished FW06, decked out in Albilad livery, and proceeded to unload it in the bus lane right outside the Prince's hotel! From that came two hundred grand, with a seven figure sum following on from various Saudi sources in '79. Nothing like initiative. Williams were on their way.
Twenty years later, Frank had built an organisation that was successful, professional, dedicated and respected. But he and convention were still strange bed fellows.
As sponsorship and media coverage increased, launches became less suspensions and gearboxes and more about simply putting company names on TV and into magazines.
The launch was the sure fire way of gaining exposure before, God forbid, you actually had to beat anyone on the track. Which is why there was more than a little surprise when, in 2000, Williams decided to use the occasion to decide its drivers!
The idea was that after one final test, either Jenson Button or Bruno Junqueira got to be an F1 driver. With the world's media in attendance. So, no pressure guys...
It was certainly a good story. The car? Bugger the car! The sponsors? Who gives a damn. Unconventional. Yep. This was Willies, after all!
Button, 20, minutes after being told his childhood dream had just come true, was wheeled out to face the world's media. Previously, he'd encountered the two hacks who might visit a Thruxton F3 race. He looked like the Silverstone hare caught crossing the track at Becketts on the first lap of the British GP. Nothing like chucking them in at the deep end, eh Frank?
And then there was poor Junqueira, so near and yet so far. A colleague was working for a paper that decided it was going to chronicle the jubilation and despair of the two guys under the less than original headlines, 'In' and 'Out'.
'Bloody hell," he moaned, "I've drawn the short straw. I've got to talk to poor Junqueira. I feel like the copper who's got to knock on someone's door cradling their dead dog. What the hell can I ask? How does it feel? Maybe I'd better stick to what he got from Santa..."
And sometimes it all goes horribly wrong for us, too. It was dead easy when you had to get to Silverstone or maybe a London hotel. But with the tendency for ever flashier more far-flung venues comes the need of a passport. One hack, travel-free for the previous 10 weeks, was deeply fond of his five-year-old daughter but desperately perturbed to see her face smiling out of his passport as he approached the desk.
"Er, is that a problem?" was about all he could weakly manage.
"I rather think it might be..." replied the check-in girl, while everyone else dissolved. He'd made the mistake of telling his little one that he wanted a picture of her in his jacket pocket when he went away. She wanted one of him too. And being a practical sort, a quick passport swap had seemed entirely logical to a five-year-old.
"We'll send you some quotes, but obviously not any good ones!" hooted his mate as the poor chap headed for a paper, a coffee and the train home.[/QUOTE]
I could only find one cruddy pic of the March 240 six wheeler...
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/72631268/original.jpg[/IMG]
[QUOTE][B]Dodgy Business[/B]
[I]As the season of F1 launches about to embark upon us, Tony Dodgins recalls times when the events had a somewhat different meaning...
By Tony Dodgins
autosport.com columnist[/I]
The 'launch season' is all but on us again. Great news if you've had your fill of Christmas pud, you're a duffer at fixing broken toys and you'd really like to see your mates again and talk F1. Not so good if you've lost your can of bull**** repellent and are quite happy taking your steers from the Melbourne timing screens.
Formula One being what it is, launches are much more 'corporate' these days, which means people are more nervous about getting up in public and making rash statements. They know that some smart arse journalist is going to keep a note of any predictions/expectations and trot them out nine months down the road.
In days gone by, when a race team was a race team, they didn't care. Generally, there was no one to answer to, save perhaps a couple of sponsors. But these days you have board members and bean counters listening. Caution seems to be the watchword.
There have been some good laughs in the past. Turn the clock back 30 years and there was Robin Herd and Martin Walters revealing the March 240. Early December this was, because in those days the Argentine Grand Prix kicked off the new season in January.
The 240 was a six-wheeler. Nothing new there, as Tyrrell had already run their P34 the previous season. But the March had four driven wheels at the back. The Autosport account at the time began with the line "You couldn't help but wonder if they were being serious."
Which, as things turned out, was pretty perceptive.
The 240 was basically a bog standard March 761, which the late Ronnie Peterson had used to win the Italian Grand Prix a couple of months previously, fitted with an extra set of rear wheels that, incidentally, were the same size as the fronts, making for a very strange looking device indeed.
On the back of the gearbox, March had bolted a further casing that housed an extended pinion shaft and another differential. This second shaft was driven by the first via a 'muff coupling', the press was told. Herd always had a great sense of humour.
The frontal area of the rear tyres being half the norm, the car was going to be super-quick in a straight line and the rear wing, mounted significantly further back, was going to be highly effective - if they could actually persuade the thing into a corner in the first place. But there was no chance of getting it anywhere near the minimum weight, Herd admitted.
Nobody knew quite what to make of it. A bunch of hacks dutifully descended on Silverstone, where the car ran - very briefly. Later - much later - March admitted that the second set of rears had never been connected to anything in any case...
A week or so later, Louis Stanley revealed the BRM P207 in Rotary Watches livery at his usual haunt, London's Dorchester hotel. The glory days had been some time ago, but Stanley and Aussie driver Larry Perkins talked a good yarn.
Despite the monstrosity that the hacks saw before them, they were informed that the P207 was not in fact big, it was not overweight, its V12 would produce very close to 500bhp and that, in Perkins, the team had a driver in the same mould as Pedro (Rodriguez), Jo (Siffert) and Niki (Lauda). Yeah, right. Pass that bull**** spray!
And then there's the Frank Williams way. Formula One legend has it that back in the seventies Frank launched a car in Saudi livery before the Saudis knew they were even sponsoring it - by parking it outside a Prince's office in Riyadh! A half-truth with a bit of embellishment, that.
What in fact happened was that Frank's sidekick, Charlie Crichton-Stuart, a former RAF Vampire pilot, had been scheduled to take on the role of private pilot for Alexander Hesketh when the good Lord decided against buying the plane after all.
And so off went 'Charlie Stu' to sell cars for HR Owen in Kensington, where he flogged a Ferrari to 22-year-old Prince Sultan bin Salman, who happened to be living around the corner, also at the Dorchester.
The Prince went off to study in Denver and Frank phoned Charlie Stu and offered to pay his air fare if he'd come to the US and help him sell the Prince some motor racing.
The initial meeting was a success, and the Prince said he'd forward the proposal to his family. Frank then went to Riyadh to meet him again, where the Prince introduced him to his cousin, Prince Muhammad bin Fahd, the second eldest son of King Fahd.
Frank got 10 minutes in the guy's lavish office and left with the promise 'I will help you.' Prince Muhammad's trading company was Albilad, whose British interests were looked after by Tory MP Jonathan Aitken, who had been at Eton with Piers Courage, the brewing heir who had been killed in one of Frank's cars at Zandvoort in 1970.
Frank soon got a call from Aitken and went to meet him in London. Shortly afterwards, he got the news that Prince Muhammad was in London wanting to meet him.
So he loaded up Patrick Head's just finished FW06, decked out in Albilad livery, and proceeded to unload it in the bus lane right outside the Prince's hotel! From that came two hundred grand, with a seven figure sum following on from various Saudi sources in '79. Nothing like initiative. Williams were on their way.
Twenty years later, Frank had built an organisation that was successful, professional, dedicated and respected. But he and convention were still strange bed fellows.
As sponsorship and media coverage increased, launches became less suspensions and gearboxes and more about simply putting company names on TV and into magazines.
The launch was the sure fire way of gaining exposure before, God forbid, you actually had to beat anyone on the track. Which is why there was more than a little surprise when, in 2000, Williams decided to use the occasion to decide its drivers!
The idea was that after one final test, either Jenson Button or Bruno Junqueira got to be an F1 driver. With the world's media in attendance. So, no pressure guys...
It was certainly a good story. The car? Bugger the car! The sponsors? Who gives a damn. Unconventional. Yep. This was Willies, after all!
Button, 20, minutes after being told his childhood dream had just come true, was wheeled out to face the world's media. Previously, he'd encountered the two hacks who might visit a Thruxton F3 race. He looked like the Silverstone hare caught crossing the track at Becketts on the first lap of the British GP. Nothing like chucking them in at the deep end, eh Frank?
And then there was poor Junqueira, so near and yet so far. A colleague was working for a paper that decided it was going to chronicle the jubilation and despair of the two guys under the less than original headlines, 'In' and 'Out'.
'Bloody hell," he moaned, "I've drawn the short straw. I've got to talk to poor Junqueira. I feel like the copper who's got to knock on someone's door cradling their dead dog. What the hell can I ask? How does it feel? Maybe I'd better stick to what he got from Santa..."
And sometimes it all goes horribly wrong for us, too. It was dead easy when you had to get to Silverstone or maybe a London hotel. But with the tendency for ever flashier more far-flung venues comes the need of a passport. One hack, travel-free for the previous 10 weeks, was deeply fond of his five-year-old daughter but desperately perturbed to see her face smiling out of his passport as he approached the desk.
"Er, is that a problem?" was about all he could weakly manage.
"I rather think it might be..." replied the check-in girl, while everyone else dissolved. He'd made the mistake of telling his little one that he wanted a picture of her in his jacket pocket when he went away. She wanted one of him too. And being a practical sort, a quick passport swap had seemed entirely logical to a five-year-old.
"We'll send you some quotes, but obviously not any good ones!" hooted his mate as the poor chap headed for a paper, a coffee and the train home.[/QUOTE]
I could only find one cruddy pic of the March 240 six wheeler...
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/72631268/original.jpg[/IMG]
| Ferg | 01-05-2007 01:03 PM |
Williams announce launch date...
[QUOTE]
Toyota Jan 12th......[I]TF107[/I]
McLaren-Mercedes Jan 15th.....[I]MP4/22[/I]
BMW Sauber Jan 16th.....[I]F1.07[/I]
Renault Jan 24th....[I]R27[/I]
Honda Jan 25th.....[I]RA107[/I]
Williams-Toyota Feb 2nd....[I]FW29[/I]
Ferrari....
Red Bull-Renault.....
Toro Rosso-Ferrari....
Super Aguri-Honda....
Spyker-Ferrari....
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]
Toyota Jan 12th......[I]TF107[/I]
McLaren-Mercedes Jan 15th.....[I]MP4/22[/I]
BMW Sauber Jan 16th.....[I]F1.07[/I]
Renault Jan 24th....[I]R27[/I]
Honda Jan 25th.....[I]RA107[/I]
Williams-Toyota Feb 2nd....[I]FW29[/I]
Ferrari....
Red Bull-Renault.....
Toro Rosso-Ferrari....
Super Aguri-Honda....
Spyker-Ferrari....
[/QUOTE]
| StuBeck | 01-05-2007 01:13 PM |
Well considering SA is running the honda from last year, I don't expect much from them.
| Ferg | 01-05-2007 02:12 PM |
After his win in Hungary Button scored more points than any other driver.
Decent form by any standards, but of course last year's Honda wasn't designed for Bridgestone rubber.
Decent form by any standards, but of course last year's Honda wasn't designed for Bridgestone rubber.
| StuBeck | 01-05-2007 02:32 PM |
Yea, I think that was more to do with the failures of the engines in FA and MS's cars though. Button has always done well too in the last part of the season, he just needs to start doing better in the first part.
| Ferg | 01-07-2007 02:49 PM |
Ferrari try something new, a car launch without the car. :huh:
[QUOTE]Ferrari launch may be held without new car
Sunday, January 7th 2007, 19:19 GMT
Ferrari will hold their 2007 launch at Maranello next Sunday, January 14th, but the car itself may not be ready for the event.
The Italian outfit will give a presentation to the media at their factory, with the team chiefs and drivers present.
However, a Ferrari spokesman told autosport.com that the car itself may not be displayed at the launch.
"We will have a preview for the media," the spokesman said. "But we don't know yet if the car will be ready."
Ferrari are planning to roll out the car for the first time at their home track in Fiorano the day after, on January 15th, with Felipe Massa behind the wheel.
The Italians said, however, that photographers will not be allowed into the events on either Sunday or Monday, with images of the new car restricted to only those provided by the team.
Kimi Raikkonen, who joins the team from McLaren, will get his first drive the week after, at Mugello.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Ferrari launch may be held without new car
Sunday, January 7th 2007, 19:19 GMT
Ferrari will hold their 2007 launch at Maranello next Sunday, January 14th, but the car itself may not be ready for the event.
The Italian outfit will give a presentation to the media at their factory, with the team chiefs and drivers present.
However, a Ferrari spokesman told autosport.com that the car itself may not be displayed at the launch.
"We will have a preview for the media," the spokesman said. "But we don't know yet if the car will be ready."
Ferrari are planning to roll out the car for the first time at their home track in Fiorano the day after, on January 15th, with Felipe Massa behind the wheel.
The Italians said, however, that photographers will not be allowed into the events on either Sunday or Monday, with images of the new car restricted to only those provided by the team.
Kimi Raikkonen, who joins the team from McLaren, will get his first drive the week after, at Mugello.[/QUOTE]
| cdvma | 01-07-2007 07:19 PM |
[QUOTE=meebs;16544025]On a different tangent; I just learned that a modern Formula One clutch disc can fit in the palm of your hand. I find this simply amazing. :)[/QUOTE]
I was also very surprised by the size of the clutch assembly. This is a pic I took of a modern Ferrari motor: I wouldn't say in the size of your hand but larger than a CD.
[IMG]http://project802.net/personal/gallery/albums/italy06/IMG_1248.sized.jpg[/IMG]
I was also very surprised by the size of the clutch assembly. This is a pic I took of a modern Ferrari motor: I wouldn't say in the size of your hand but larger than a CD.
[IMG]http://project802.net/personal/gallery/albums/italy06/IMG_1248.sized.jpg[/IMG]
| StuBeck | 01-07-2007 07:49 PM |
Its not unknown to do a launch without the real car, but most just do it with last years car. BAR did it in 01 or 02 since JV wrote the car off the day before.
It is amazing how small everything is, the engines are tiny too.
It is amazing how small everything is, the engines are tiny too.
| KAX | 01-08-2007 01:16 AM |
whats the point of a car launch if the cars not ready? I know its just a huge PR thing, but isnt that kind of defeating the point?
| TimStevens | 01-08-2007 06:54 AM |
Well, they can show pictures of the car, which is all that we're all really waiting for anyway.
| StuBeck | 01-08-2007 03:51 PM |
I agree that the car launchs are pretty stupid if the car isn't ready.
| Ferg | 01-08-2007 04:04 PM |
Couldn't agree more Stu. I know launches aren't anything but a PR event, but doing one without the car...it's almost insulting!
[QUOTE]
Toyota Jan 12th......[I]TF107[/I]
McLaren-Mercedes Jan 15th.....[I]MP4/22[/I]
Ferrari Jan 14th.....[i]car? who needs a car![/i]
BMW Sauber Jan 16th.....[I]F1.07[/I]
Renault Jan 24th....[I]R27[/I]
Honda Jan 25th.....[I]RA107[/I]
Williams-Toyota Feb 2nd....[I]FW29[/I]
Red Bull-Renault.....
Toro Rosso-Ferrari....
Super Aguri-Honda....
Spyker-Ferrari....
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]
Toyota Jan 12th......[I]TF107[/I]
McLaren-Mercedes Jan 15th.....[I]MP4/22[/I]
Ferrari Jan 14th.....[i]car? who needs a car![/i]
BMW Sauber Jan 16th.....[I]F1.07[/I]
Renault Jan 24th....[I]R27[/I]
Honda Jan 25th.....[I]RA107[/I]
Williams-Toyota Feb 2nd....[I]FW29[/I]
Red Bull-Renault.....
Toro Rosso-Ferrari....
Super Aguri-Honda....
Spyker-Ferrari....
[/QUOTE]
| Counterfit | 01-08-2007 04:18 PM |
[url=http://formula1.com/news/5461.html]Nick needs a shave[/url].
| ptclaus98 | 01-08-2007 05:26 PM |
[QUOTE=Counterfit;16584723][url=http://formula1.com/news/5461.html]Nick needs a shave[/url].[/QUOTE]
He actually looks like a 30 y.o.!:lol:
He actually looks like a 30 y.o.!:lol:
| KAX | 01-08-2007 07:23 PM |
bah, i need F1 now! i want red bull to launch tomorrow
| Ferg | 01-09-2007 09:56 AM |
Morning news...
[QUOTE][B]Speed: no doubts about Toro Rosso seat[/B]
Tuesday, January 9th 2007, 11:18 GMT
American Scott Speed claims there is no doubt he will remain at the Toro Rosso team despite the delay in confirming their drivers for the 2007 season.
Toro Rosso are the only F1 team yet to confirm their 2007 line-up, leading to uncertainty about the future of Speed and Italian teammate Tonio Liuzzi.
Speed, however, is adamant that his position is safe.
"For me, it's always been sure. For whatever reason, they haven't announced it officially, but I very much doubt anything will change. We're not worried. I mean, everyone I have talked to within Red Bull and the team - for everyone it's sure," the American told SpeedTV.
Toro Rosso owner Gerhard Berger said last week both Speed and Liuzzi were on pole position for the racing seats, although the Austrian admitted he was in no hurry to make an announcement.
"Of course Tonio and Scott are in pole position for the STR drives in 2007," said Berger. "We just had to sort out other things. We are not in a hurry to name drivers."
Despite the uncertainty about his future, Speed, who made his Formula One debut last year, is upbeat about the upcoming season, when Toro Rosso will use Ferrari engines in their hope of moving up the field.
"The Ferrari (engine) and the new car are all going to be ready at the very beginning of February," Speed added. "I'm very excited about it and that's what I'm looking forward to the most.
"That will be the package that takes us from running in the back to being in the upper mid pack. It's going to be a completely different season next year."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE][B]Alonso has final seat fitting with MP4-22[/B]
Tuesday, January 9th 2007, 12:02 GMT
World champion Fernando Alonso has had his final seat fitting in McLaren's new MP4-22 ahead of its launch next week.
The Spaniard, who is a sporting a new short haircut, had the seat fitting during a visit to the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking on Monday.
McLaren will launch their new car in Valencia next Monday, although it will not run on a test track until Alonso gives it a shakedown at the city's track on Wednesday.
There will then be an exclusive McLaren test at Valencia with Alonso and Lewis Hamilton from January 24th to 26th.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE][B]Marco Andretti not considering F1 move yet[/B]
Tuesday, January 9th 2007, 11:14 GMT
Marco Andretti has ruled out any talk of an immediate switch from the IRL to Formula One, although his father Michael has admitted he will be ready in 2009.
Marco tested for Honda Racing before Christmas and that run has prompted speculation that the young American could be on his way across the Atlantic to race in F1 soon
However, speaking to Autosport, the young Andretti has said that he is not considering an F1 future yet - although admitted he would not wait forever to make the move if an offer came up.
"I've not even thought of getting an offer from F1, but, yeah, it would bug me," said Andretti. "I'd like to win the Indy 500, but that can take a lifetime to do.
"But there's always the option of coming back. Dad came back on top of the world when he came back to Champ Car after F1 and won his first race. I want the IndyCar title. If thoughts of F1 were even in the back of my mind then I wouldn't be focused enough."
Andretti has a contract with Andretti Green Racing until the end of 2008, which his father and team boss Michael is adamant will be honoured.
However, Andretti Sr. believes that by the time that deal ends then Michael will be ready for a move to F1 � although only if the circumstances are right.
"Whatever he does in the future will have to be done in the correct shape and form, without repeating the mistakes and the errors I made in the past," Andretti told Autosprint.
"If he decides to go to F1 it will have to be with the right team, without making a leap into the unknown. That's why before the test in Jerez I told him to think only about having fun, that his F1 career won't be built or destroyed based on how the first day goes."
Michael Andretti believes that two more years in the IRL will give Marco the perfect grounding for F1.
"I'm convinced of that and things will improve in 2007 when there will be more road courses," he explained. "To race on ovals remains however a great learning experience: you learn to respect the car, but also that the car must work for you and not the other way around.
"The combination of oval and road courses is the best possible for learning, and on top of that the level of competition is very hard.
"With this learning process I'm convinced that in 2009 Marco will be ready to race in F1 and fight with the best.
"At that time he will only be 21, with some unique experience for a driver of that age: he will have raced with very capable and experienced drivers and he will have managed to beat them using his head and his speed. We're interested in F1 but only with a great team, not just to be there and say we've made it."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE][B]Speed: no doubts about Toro Rosso seat[/B]
Tuesday, January 9th 2007, 11:18 GMT
American Scott Speed claims there is no doubt he will remain at the Toro Rosso team despite the delay in confirming their drivers for the 2007 season.
Toro Rosso are the only F1 team yet to confirm their 2007 line-up, leading to uncertainty about the future of Speed and Italian teammate Tonio Liuzzi.
Speed, however, is adamant that his position is safe.
"For me, it's always been sure. For whatever reason, they haven't announced it officially, but I very much doubt anything will change. We're not worried. I mean, everyone I have talked to within Red Bull and the team - for everyone it's sure," the American told SpeedTV.
Toro Rosso owner Gerhard Berger said last week both Speed and Liuzzi were on pole position for the racing seats, although the Austrian admitted he was in no hurry to make an announcement.
"Of course Tonio and Scott are in pole position for the STR drives in 2007," said Berger. "We just had to sort out other things. We are not in a hurry to name drivers."
Despite the uncertainty about his future, Speed, who made his Formula One debut last year, is upbeat about the upcoming season, when Toro Rosso will use Ferrari engines in their hope of moving up the field.
"The Ferrari (engine) and the new car are all going to be ready at the very beginning of February," Speed added. "I'm very excited about it and that's what I'm looking forward to the most.
"That will be the package that takes us from running in the back to being in the upper mid pack. It's going to be a completely different season next year."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE][B]Alonso has final seat fitting with MP4-22[/B]
Tuesday, January 9th 2007, 12:02 GMT
World champion Fernando Alonso has had his final seat fitting in McLaren's new MP4-22 ahead of its launch next week.
The Spaniard, who is a sporting a new short haircut, had the seat fitting during a visit to the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking on Monday.
McLaren will launch their new car in Valencia next Monday, although it will not run on a test track until Alonso gives it a shakedown at the city's track on Wednesday.
There will then be an exclusive McLaren test at Valencia with Alonso and Lewis Hamilton from January 24th to 26th.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE][B]Marco Andretti not considering F1 move yet[/B]
Tuesday, January 9th 2007, 11:14 GMT
Marco Andretti has ruled out any talk of an immediate switch from the IRL to Formula One, although his father Michael has admitted he will be ready in 2009.
Marco tested for Honda Racing before Christmas and that run has prompted speculation that the young American could be on his way across the Atlantic to race in F1 soon
However, speaking to Autosport, the young Andretti has said that he is not considering an F1 future yet - although admitted he would not wait forever to make the move if an offer came up.
"I've not even thought of getting an offer from F1, but, yeah, it would bug me," said Andretti. "I'd like to win the Indy 500, but that can take a lifetime to do.
"But there's always the option of coming back. Dad came back on top of the world when he came back to Champ Car after F1 and won his first race. I want the IndyCar title. If thoughts of F1 were even in the back of my mind then I wouldn't be focused enough."
Andretti has a contract with Andretti Green Racing until the end of 2008, which his father and team boss Michael is adamant will be honoured.
However, Andretti Sr. believes that by the time that deal ends then Michael will be ready for a move to F1 � although only if the circumstances are right.
"Whatever he does in the future will have to be done in the correct shape and form, without repeating the mistakes and the errors I made in the past," Andretti told Autosprint.
"If he decides to go to F1 it will have to be with the right team, without making a leap into the unknown. That's why before the test in Jerez I told him to think only about having fun, that his F1 career won't be built or destroyed based on how the first day goes."
Michael Andretti believes that two more years in the IRL will give Marco the perfect grounding for F1.
"I'm convinced of that and things will improve in 2007 when there will be more road courses," he explained. "To race on ovals remains however a great learning experience: you learn to respect the car, but also that the car must work for you and not the other way around.
"The combination of oval and road courses is the best possible for learning, and on top of that the level of competition is very hard.
"With this learning process I'm convinced that in 2009 Marco will be ready to race in F1 and fight with the best.
"At that time he will only be 21, with some unique experience for a driver of that age: he will have raced with very capable and experienced drivers and he will have managed to beat them using his head and his speed. We're interested in F1 but only with a great team, not just to be there and say we've made it."[/QUOTE]
| Counterfit | 01-09-2007 03:07 PM |
[QUOTE=Ferg;16593896]Morning news...
Speed: no doubts about Toro Rosso seat[/quote]
Why do I have the feeling those words are going to haunt him? :(
[quote]The Spaniard, who is a sporting a new short haircut[/QUOTE]
Good, he looked like a douche before.
Speed: no doubts about Toro Rosso seat[/quote]
Why do I have the feeling those words are going to haunt him? :(
[quote]The Spaniard, who is a sporting a new short haircut[/QUOTE]
Good, he looked like a douche before.
| Ferg | 01-09-2007 03:31 PM |
[QUOTE=Counterfit;16598548]Why do I have the feeling those words are going to haunt him? :([/QUOTE]
Well it is launch season ;)
Well it is launch season ;)
| KAX | 01-09-2007 05:19 PM |
haha, Ron Dennis and his need for cleanliness. Everyones gotta be clean cut to work for him.
| Ferg | 01-10-2007 10:42 AM |
Red Bull announce launch date.
[QUOTE]
Toyota Jan 12th......[I]TF107[/I]
McLaren-Mercedes Jan 15th.....[I]MP4/22[/I]
Ferrari Jan 14th.....[i]car? who needs a car![/i]
BMW Sauber Jan 16th.....[I]F1.07[/I]
Renault Jan 24th....[I]R27[/I]
Honda Jan 25th.....[I]RA107[/I]
Red Bull-Renault Jan 26th.....[i]RB3[/i]
Williams-Toyota Feb 2nd....[I]FW29[/I]
Toro Rosso-Ferrari....
Super Aguri-Honda....
Spyker-Ferrari....
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]
Toyota Jan 12th......[I]TF107[/I]
McLaren-Mercedes Jan 15th.....[I]MP4/22[/I]
Ferrari Jan 14th.....[i]car? who needs a car![/i]
BMW Sauber Jan 16th.....[I]F1.07[/I]
Renault Jan 24th....[I]R27[/I]
Honda Jan 25th.....[I]RA107[/I]
Red Bull-Renault Jan 26th.....[i]RB3[/i]
Williams-Toyota Feb 2nd....[I]FW29[/I]
Toro Rosso-Ferrari....
Super Aguri-Honda....
Spyker-Ferrari....
[/QUOTE]
| Ferg | 01-10-2007 11:00 AM |
For the Kimi fans...
[QUOTE]Raikkonen won't change ways at Ferrari
By Simon Evans Wednesday, January 10th 2007, 11:18 GMT
Kimi Raikkonen has ruled out changing his style after moving to Ferrari from McLaren.
Some Formula One insiders have questioned the Finn's attitude, hinting that he is reluctant to take advice, while Frank Williams suggested last year that the 27-year-old was not taking the sport seriously enough and risked squandering his undeniable talent.
But Raikkonen, who replaces retired seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, said at his first official media event with the Italian team on Wednesday that he has no plans to alter his approach.
"I'm not going to change my way, it works well enough," he told a news conference at the team's annual winter retreat in the Dolomites.
"Even if I had changed my style it would not have changed the results at McLaren.
"The problem was not what I did with my training or in my private life, it was more to do with the car not lasting the race or not being quick enough," he added.
McLaren failed to win a race last year after Raikkonen, with nine career victories, had finished championship runner-up the previous season.
"I don't really mind what people say. I'm not Michael Schumacher and the team doesn't expect me to be. I work in a different way. We just need to find the best way to work together and I don't see a problem with that," said the Finn.
"So far it has been nice and easy and much easier to work with this team than any other in Formula One for me," continued Raikkonen, who made his debut with Sauber in 2001 before switching to McLaren.
"People said it would be difficult but so far it has been completely the opposite. I have only good things to say about it. I expect to have a good relationship and to have fun."
Raikkonen, dubbed 'The Iceman' by McLaren boss Ron Dennis after the Finn replaced compatriot and double champion Mika Hakkinen at that team, shrugged off the suggestion that he would feel the pressure of following in Schumacher's footsteps.
"I don't feel pressure - I had a similar situation when I joined McLaren," he said. "People will always compare you to the previous driver, that is normal, but I will just do my own thing.
"Of course Ferrari in Italy are big thing and there is a lot of expectation from the fans, but I will just do my best. I'm not going to be changing my way of working."
Raikkonen's lifestyle away from the track has been given plenty of coverage in the Finnish media and was alluded to by Ferrari team boss Jean Todt last month when he told French newspaper Le Figaro: "Finns like a drink or two now and then.
"Since Raikkonen will be much more visible at Ferrari, we will surround him with affection and attention. If he wants to down a few with his mates, we would ask him to do it discretely," he said. [/QUOTE]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/72892755/large.jpg[/IMG]
See Jody, it's not so bad is it? :D
[QUOTE]Raikkonen won't change ways at Ferrari
By Simon Evans Wednesday, January 10th 2007, 11:18 GMT
Kimi Raikkonen has ruled out changing his style after moving to Ferrari from McLaren.
Some Formula One insiders have questioned the Finn's attitude, hinting that he is reluctant to take advice, while Frank Williams suggested last year that the 27-year-old was not taking the sport seriously enough and risked squandering his undeniable talent.
But Raikkonen, who replaces retired seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, said at his first official media event with the Italian team on Wednesday that he has no plans to alter his approach.
"I'm not going to change my way, it works well enough," he told a news conference at the team's annual winter retreat in the Dolomites.
"Even if I had changed my style it would not have changed the results at McLaren.
"The problem was not what I did with my training or in my private life, it was more to do with the car not lasting the race or not being quick enough," he added.
McLaren failed to win a race last year after Raikkonen, with nine career victories, had finished championship runner-up the previous season.
"I don't really mind what people say. I'm not Michael Schumacher and the team doesn't expect me to be. I work in a different way. We just need to find the best way to work together and I don't see a problem with that," said the Finn.
"So far it has been nice and easy and much easier to work with this team than any other in Formula One for me," continued Raikkonen, who made his debut with Sauber in 2001 before switching to McLaren.
"People said it would be difficult but so far it has been completely the opposite. I have only good things to say about it. I expect to have a good relationship and to have fun."
Raikkonen, dubbed 'The Iceman' by McLaren boss Ron Dennis after the Finn replaced compatriot and double champion Mika Hakkinen at that team, shrugged off the suggestion that he would feel the pressure of following in Schumacher's footsteps.
"I don't feel pressure - I had a similar situation when I joined McLaren," he said. "People will always compare you to the previous driver, that is normal, but I will just do my own thing.
"Of course Ferrari in Italy are big thing and there is a lot of expectation from the fans, but I will just do my best. I'm not going to be changing my way of working."
Raikkonen's lifestyle away from the track has been given plenty of coverage in the Finnish media and was alluded to by Ferrari team boss Jean Todt last month when he told French newspaper Le Figaro: "Finns like a drink or two now and then.
"Since Raikkonen will be much more visible at Ferrari, we will surround him with affection and attention. If he wants to down a few with his mates, we would ask him to do it discretely," he said. [/QUOTE]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/72892755/large.jpg[/IMG]
See Jody, it's not so bad is it? :D
| StuBeck | 01-10-2007 11:04 AM |
Not to be all gay or anything, ut that is a horrendous shirt.
| KAX | 01-10-2007 11:07 AM |
[QUOTE=StuBeck;16609656]Not to be all gay or anything, ut that is a horrendous shirt.[/QUOTE]
looks like he borrowed it from Todt.
its really hard to look at him in all that red.
looks like he borrowed it from Todt.
its really hard to look at him in all that red.
| StuBeck | 01-10-2007 12:30 PM |
The shirt is okay, but all the logos just look tacky on him.
I'm most excited about RB myself, but thats not unexpected.
I'm most excited about RB myself, but thats not unexpected.
| RALLYT-WRX | 01-10-2007 12:45 PM |
[QUOTE=Ferg;16609590]For the Kimi fans...
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/72892755/large.jpg[/IMG]
See Jody, it's not so bad is it? :D[/QUOTE]
Finally he's wearing the right color.
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/72892755/large.jpg[/IMG]
See Jody, it's not so bad is it? :D[/QUOTE]
Finally he's wearing the right color.
| Jump Off | 01-10-2007 12:45 PM |
66 Days!!
| bitterWRX | 01-11-2007 12:02 AM |
[QUOTE=StuBeck;16609656]Not to be all gay or anything, ut that is a horrendous shirt.[/QUOTE]
I agree completely. Although I think the tackiest part maybe the Italian colors mixed with the red white and yellow of the Ferrari colors.
I agree completely. Although I think the tackiest part maybe the Italian colors mixed with the red white and yellow of the Ferrari colors.
| KAX | 01-11-2007 01:38 AM |
its the hat i cant stand
| Draken | 01-11-2007 01:46 AM |
I have to say, I'm a bit suprised that this thread has made 11 pages, yet 80% of the posts are total crap. I guess the days of keeping it fairly on target and technical, have been replaced with ugly shirts and beard growth comments.
Ferg: thanks for keeping up the news pastes. I appreciate your efforts.
Chris H.
Ferg: thanks for keeping up the news pastes. I appreciate your efforts.
Chris H.
| JoD | 01-11-2007 08:24 AM |
[QUOTE=Ferg;16609590]For the Kimi fans...
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/72892755/large.jpg[/IMG]
See Jody, it's not so bad is it? :D[/QUOTE]
He still looked better in silver and black.... :D
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/72892755/large.jpg[/IMG]
See Jody, it's not so bad is it? :D[/QUOTE]
He still looked better in silver and black.... :D
| Ferg | 01-11-2007 08:44 AM |
Thoughts on Ferrari's carless car launch.
[QUOTE][B]Analysis: who needs a car for a car launch[/B]
By Alan Baldwin Thursday, January 11th 2007, 02:21 GMT
This weekend's Ferrari launch could be one of Formula One's more unusual presentations, given that the new race car may not be finished in time and photographers are not invited.
A spokesman billed the gathering at the team's Fiorano test track on Sunday as 'more of a press preview', with the car still being put together ahead of a planned debut in the hands of Brazilian Felipe Massa on Monday.
The unveiling of a new Ferrari Grand Prix car was once an eagerly-awaited highlight of the Italian social calendar, with a throng of celebrities, VIPs and assorted beautiful people in attendance.
Not any more. Last year's launch was every bit as functional, even if there was at least a car to contemplate with now-retired Michael Schumacher lapping the Mugello circuit in near-freezing conditions while his bosses talked about the challenges ahead.
January is the month when teams talk up their chances and try to impress sponsors with their shining new cars and upbeat assessments of the year ahead. Toyota kick off the annual ritual on Friday.
Sometimes, even when there is a car it is not what it seems.
BAR unveiled a hastily re-painted version of the previous year's car, minus engine, in 2001 after Canada's former champion Jacques Villeneuve crashed the real thing in testing the previous week.
That did not stop them suggesting a victory was in the pipeline - a recurrent theme over time at a team that failed to win anything in seven seasons before being taken over by Honda at the end of 2005.
Held Hostage
Super Aguri started last season with a modified four-year-old Arrows A23 car, one of which had been repainted in Minardi colours and was on display at Melbourne airport until Minardi boss Paul Stoddart sold it on.
The secret of Formula One launches, at least for team bigwigs, is to sound positive while never holding oneself up as a hostage to fortune.
Months down the road, those bold declarations of success and utter confidence in a driver's ability may turn out to be prescient indeed. More often than not, though, they are best forgotten.
In 2002, Jaguar declared the R3 was their first 'proper' Formula One car.
Fast forward a year and newly-ensconced team boss Tony Purnell was telling reporters that the R3 was in fact a dog that should never have been allowed out of the factory.
The cars' true strengths or failings become apparent soon enough when the racing starts in Australia in March.
Sometimes it is safest just to put on an all singing and dancing show, as McLaren did with the Spice Girls in 1997, and make sure the sponsors get plenty of nice photographs in the newspapers.
An alternative is to latch on to a milestone in the company's history.
Toyota will do just that in Cologne, celebrating the Japanese manufacturer's half a century in motorsport as they unveil the TF107.
McLaren, with a new young image to show off, are unlikely to be accused of being grey and boring after Monday's promised extravaganza in Valencia.
Expect to see circus tricks, plenty of celebrities and double world champion Fernando Alonso deafening and delighting his home fans in a show to be carried live on Spanish television.
Alonso will have to wait to get to grips fully with his new toy, however, with BMW Sauber having the Valencia circuit booked for their exclusive use on the following day.
No Smoking
Champions Renault, whose last two launches have been in Monaco to circumvent French anti-tobacco advertising legislation, unveil their new car in Amsterdam on January 24 after Dutch financial services giant ING replaced Japan Tobacco as title sponsor.
The attention then switches to Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya for Honda's low-key get together on January 25 and Red Bull on the 26th.
That marks a departure for the Austrian energy drink-owned team, whose previous launches have been extravagant parties just days before the first race of the season.
Former champions Williams, now powered by Toyota, bring up the rear with a presentation of their challenger at the Grove factory on Febuary 2.
"While secretly we'd like to win all the races, our realistic thinking is that if we get in the top three in the constructors' championship we will have done a good job," Frank Williams declared last year.
By the end of the season, with Williams eighth overall, suffering their worst run of form in 30 years and just 11 points, the boss recognised his team's predicament as "unblinkingly, humiliatingly shocking."
It may not be tempting fate too much to suggest that this year, at least, should be better.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE][B]Analysis: who needs a car for a car launch[/B]
By Alan Baldwin Thursday, January 11th 2007, 02:21 GMT
This weekend's Ferrari launch could be one of Formula One's more unusual presentations, given that the new race car may not be finished in time and photographers are not invited.
A spokesman billed the gathering at the team's Fiorano test track on Sunday as 'more of a press preview', with the car still being put together ahead of a planned debut in the hands of Brazilian Felipe Massa on Monday.
The unveiling of a new Ferrari Grand Prix car was once an eagerly-awaited highlight of the Italian social calendar, with a throng of celebrities, VIPs and assorted beautiful people in attendance.
Not any more. Last year's launch was every bit as functional, even if there was at least a car to contemplate with now-retired Michael Schumacher lapping the Mugello circuit in near-freezing conditions while his bosses talked about the challenges ahead.
January is the month when teams talk up their chances and try to impress sponsors with their shining new cars and upbeat assessments of the year ahead. Toyota kick off the annual ritual on Friday.
Sometimes, even when there is a car it is not what it seems.
BAR unveiled a hastily re-painted version of the previous year's car, minus engine, in 2001 after Canada's former champion Jacques Villeneuve crashed the real thing in testing the previous week.
That did not stop them suggesting a victory was in the pipeline - a recurrent theme over time at a team that failed to win anything in seven seasons before being taken over by Honda at the end of 2005.
Held Hostage
Super Aguri started last season with a modified four-year-old Arrows A23 car, one of which had been repainted in Minardi colours and was on display at Melbourne airport until Minardi boss Paul Stoddart sold it on.
The secret of Formula One launches, at least for team bigwigs, is to sound positive while never holding oneself up as a hostage to fortune.
Months down the road, those bold declarations of success and utter confidence in a driver's ability may turn out to be prescient indeed. More often than not, though, they are best forgotten.
In 2002, Jaguar declared the R3 was their first 'proper' Formula One car.
Fast forward a year and newly-ensconced team boss Tony Purnell was telling reporters that the R3 was in fact a dog that should never have been allowed out of the factory.
The cars' true strengths or failings become apparent soon enough when the racing starts in Australia in March.
Sometimes it is safest just to put on an all singing and dancing show, as McLaren did with the Spice Girls in 1997, and make sure the sponsors get plenty of nice photographs in the newspapers.
An alternative is to latch on to a milestone in the company's history.
Toyota will do just that in Cologne, celebrating the Japanese manufacturer's half a century in motorsport as they unveil the TF107.
McLaren, with a new young image to show off, are unlikely to be accused of being grey and boring after Monday's promised extravaganza in Valencia.
Expect to see circus tricks, plenty of celebrities and double world champion Fernando Alonso deafening and delighting his home fans in a show to be carried live on Spanish television.
Alonso will have to wait to get to grips fully with his new toy, however, with BMW Sauber having the Valencia circuit booked for their exclusive use on the following day.
No Smoking
Champions Renault, whose last two launches have been in Monaco to circumvent French anti-tobacco advertising legislation, unveil their new car in Amsterdam on January 24 after Dutch financial services giant ING replaced Japan Tobacco as title sponsor.
The attention then switches to Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya for Honda's low-key get together on January 25 and Red Bull on the 26th.
That marks a departure for the Austrian energy drink-owned team, whose previous launches have been extravagant parties just days before the first race of the season.
Former champions Williams, now powered by Toyota, bring up the rear with a presentation of their challenger at the Grove factory on Febuary 2.
"While secretly we'd like to win all the races, our realistic thinking is that if we get in the top three in the constructors' championship we will have done a good job," Frank Williams declared last year.
By the end of the season, with Williams eighth overall, suffering their worst run of form in 30 years and just 11 points, the boss recognised his team's predicament as "unblinkingly, humiliatingly shocking."
It may not be tempting fate too much to suggest that this year, at least, should be better.[/QUOTE]
| StuBeck | 01-11-2007 12:58 PM |
[QUOTE=Draken;16621377]I have to say, I'm a bit suprised that this thread has made 11 pages, yet 80% of the posts are total crap. I guess the days of keeping it fairly on target and technical, have been replaced with ugly shirts and beard growth comments.
Ferg: thanks for keeping up the news pastes. I appreciate your efforts.
Chris H.[/QUOTE]
:lol:
Ferg: thanks for keeping up the news pastes. I appreciate your efforts.
Chris H.[/QUOTE]
:lol:
| RALLYT-WRX | 01-11-2007 01:15 PM |
Kimi Debut
�
�
[B]Kimi Raikkonen - 'Buongiorno a tutti' Raikkonen settling in at Ferrari[/B]
[QUOTE]
"Buongiorno a tutti" were Kimi Raikkonen's first official words as
a Ferrari driver when he addressed journalists at the Madonna di
Campiglio press meeting in Italy this morning. It earned him a
round of applause as members of the press perhaps compared
him to his predecessor, Michael Schumacher, who managed the
same words after several years!
Everyone, of course, wanted to know how Kimi was handling
the transformation from McLaren driver to Ferrari driver, from
the silver of what is perceived as the austere combination of
McLaren and Mercedes to the red of the most legendary team in
Formula One.
"When I first went to the factory and for the test I noticed the atmosphere is different, is very good," said the Finn. "It's
more like a family feeling, even if people are working as hard as they can, doing their best, it's very relaxed and the
people are easy to work with so I was very happy and that's really what I expected and what I heard before, so I only
have positive things to say. For sure, it's very different from McLaren. For me, it's only going in a positive way, so it's
been very pleasant."
Raikkonen was asked if he would make adjustments to his life as a Ferrari driver. McLaren personnel, it was said, had
suggested that he wouldn't fit in at Ferrari. Raikkonen was briefly on the offensive against his old team.
"I don't know what McLaren has said or what they think," he said. "I don't know how they can say things when they
don't know how things are at Ferrari so I'm not going to change my way."
"It's been working well enough, it's the way I do things. I don't think that even if I had changed my style, how they
wanted to do things, it would have changed results because in the end the problem wasn't really how I do my training,
or what I do in my private life. At McLaren it was more the car wasn't lasting the race or was not quick enough. I don't
really mind what they say, I think I am going to do things my own way.
"Of course, we need to work together as well as we can. We need to change the way we work together. I am not
Michael Schumacher and the team doesn't expect me to be. They know that I work in a different way and we just
need to find the best and most effective way to work together. I don't see any problem with that. When I was at the
test, what work I saw was nice and easy going, much easier work than it has ever been in Formula One.
"People always said it was going to be very difficult with Ferrari, but from what I saw, it's been the complete opposite,
so I only have good things to say about it. I don't see any problems between me and the team and how we work
together."
Even the Ferrari colour suits him. "I think red is more warm for sure. It's very nice. I like the style of the team, with
everything. Of course it is a bit special to wear the Ferrari clothing for the first time and the racing suit is new and
exciting. It's always nice."
Raikkonen certainly looked in good form, and was more relaxed than has been the case in the past. "I was taking
things easy at home at Christmas. I haven't had much else to do. It's the most time that you have for those things and
I don't know if I've done more or less, I don't count it. I do what I like to do and I think I'm in good shape and that's
the only thing that matters."
Asked how big the pressure is for him to replace Michael, Raikkonen replied "I don't feel any pressure because when I
went to McLaren (to replace Mika Hakkinen) it was a similar situation and it was early in my career. Of course, coming
here, people are always comparing to the previous driver who was Michael, the main guy in Formula One for many
years. It's normal that people are expecting and comparing me but I don't feel it. I just do my own thing and work on
my own way. I think it's going to take a while to get used to how the team works and also how I work so I don't really
feel pressure for that."
E.A.
Source Ferrari
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]
"Buongiorno a tutti" were Kimi Raikkonen's first official words as
a Ferrari driver when he addressed journalists at the Madonna di
Campiglio press meeting in Italy this morning. It earned him a
round of applause as members of the press perhaps compared
him to his predecessor, Michael Schumacher, who managed the
same words after several years!
Everyone, of course, wanted to know how Kimi was handling
the transformation from McLaren driver to Ferrari driver, from
the silver of what is perceived as the austere combination of
McLaren and Mercedes to the red of the most legendary team in
Formula One.
"When I first went to the factory and for the test I noticed the atmosphere is different, is very good," said the Finn. "It's
more like a family feeling, even if people are working as hard as they can, doing their best, it's very relaxed and the
people are easy to work with so I was very happy and that's really what I expected and what I heard before, so I only
have positive things to say. For sure, it's very different from McLaren. For me, it's only going in a positive way, so it's
been very pleasant."
Raikkonen was asked if he would make adjustments to his life as a Ferrari driver. McLaren personnel, it was said, had
suggested that he wouldn't fit in at Ferrari. Raikkonen was briefly on the offensive against his old team.
"I don't know what McLaren has said or what they think," he said. "I don't know how they can say things when they
don't know how things are at Ferrari so I'm not going to change my way."
"It's been working well enough, it's the way I do things. I don't think that even if I had changed my style, how they
wanted to do things, it would have changed results because in the end the problem wasn't really how I do my training,
or what I do in my private life. At McLaren it was more the car wasn't lasting the race or was not quick enough. I don't
really mind what they say, I think I am going to do things my own way.
"Of course, we need to work together as well as we can. We need to change the way we work together. I am not
Michael Schumacher and the team doesn't expect me to be. They know that I work in a different way and we just
need to find the best and most effective way to work together. I don't see any problem with that. When I was at the
test, what work I saw was nice and easy going, much easier work than it has ever been in Formula One.
"People always said it was going to be very difficult with Ferrari, but from what I saw, it's been the complete opposite,
so I only have good things to say about it. I don't see any problems between me and the team and how we work
together."
Even the Ferrari colour suits him. "I think red is more warm for sure. It's very nice. I like the style of the team, with
everything. Of course it is a bit special to wear the Ferrari clothing for the first time and the racing suit is new and
exciting. It's always nice."
Raikkonen certainly looked in good form, and was more relaxed than has been the case in the past. "I was taking
things easy at home at Christmas. I haven't had much else to do. It's the most time that you have for those things and
I don't know if I've done more or less, I don't count it. I do what I like to do and I think I'm in good shape and that's
the only thing that matters."
Asked how big the pressure is for him to replace Michael, Raikkonen replied "I don't feel any pressure because when I
went to McLaren (to replace Mika Hakkinen) it was a similar situation and it was early in my career. Of course, coming
here, people are always comparing to the previous driver who was Michael, the main guy in Formula One for many
years. It's normal that people are expecting and comparing me but I don't feel it. I just do my own thing and work on
my own way. I think it's going to take a while to get used to how the team works and also how I work so I don't really
feel pressure for that."
E.A.
Source Ferrari
[/QUOTE]
| ptclaus98 | 01-11-2007 04:16 PM |
[QUOTE=Draken;16621377]I have to say, I'm a bit suprised that this thread has made 11 pages, yet 80% of the posts are total crap. I guess the days of keeping it fairly on target and technical, have been replaced with ugly shirts and beard growth comments.
Ferg: thanks for keeping up the news pastes. I appreciate your efforts.
Chris H.[/QUOTE]
It's the Otters.
Ferg: thanks for keeping up the news pastes. I appreciate your efforts.
Chris H.[/QUOTE]
It's the Otters.
| StuBeck | 01-11-2007 05:29 PM |
Not really, I'm from OT and provide useful info, at least I think so.
| Lou | 01-11-2007 07:56 PM |
Even though Michael is gone I am more excited about this upcoming season than any other. Both championships are up in the air.
[COLOR="Red"][B]GO FELIPE!!!![/B][/COLOR]
[COLOR="Red"][B]GO FELIPE!!!![/B][/COLOR]
| KAX | 01-11-2007 09:48 PM |
[QUOTE=Draken;16621377]I have to say, I'm a bit suprised that this thread has made 11 pages, yet 80% of the posts are total crap. I guess the days of keeping it fairly on target and technical, have been replaced with ugly shirts and beard growth comments.
Ferg: thanks for keeping up the news pastes. I appreciate your efforts.
Chris H.[/QUOTE]
whats there to be technical about?
Ferg: thanks for keeping up the news pastes. I appreciate your efforts.
Chris H.[/QUOTE]
whats there to be technical about?
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