Motorsports Thread

[enrique]

Lets get this thread going again.

How good is it that Webber won at the Nurburgring?? :cool:

Hopefully this is the first of many wins for him. I'm so happy for Mark (and Red Bull)! :cool:

[Gemerald]

Yeah to see Webber finally crack his first pole and win was a great thing. You could see and hear how much it meant to him. I thought the penalty was a tad harsh.

[Lazlow]

F1 Champion John Surtees' son Henry has succumbed to his inuries sustained in an F2 accident when a stray wheel struck his head, knocking him unconcious.

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[Gemerald]

F1 Champion John Surtees' son Henry has succumbed to his inuries sustained in an F2 accident when a stray wheel struck his head, knocking him unconcious.

Fqc1Y9kvF8k

Yeah I was checking out the new F2 on some Eurosport vids (along with WTCC). Spooky that. Doesn't Williams have some input in development in the series? Looking at the video, both wheels came off both cars which I found surprising.

[enrique]

So incredibly sad, his dad raced and survived through the most dangerous period of motor racing and his son dies in a time where safety is paramount, only 18 years old.

RIP Henry.

[bradlaw]

RIP Henry. thats devasating

Congrats Mark Webber on first win! wow it was awesome! bring on hungary in a few days.

[enrique]

Red Bull Racing have resigned Vettel and Webber for next year. Good news, hopefully the stability will keep the momentum going.

[Gemerald]

Red Bull Racing have resigned Vettel and Webber for next year. Good news, hopefully the stability will keep the momentum going.

He's always had a great fit with the team obviously stemming back to his days when they were called Jaguar. It's great they can finally deliver him a car that can win races. Furthermore Horner (team principal) said he won't favour drivers unlike say other teams.

[Lazlow]

Whether they can deliver a winning car next year is dependent on how well they run without Geoff Willis whose position was made "redundant" prior to Nurburgring.

[Lazlow]

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Pretty scary after what happened to Surtees. He'll be MIA for the next few races. It happens so fast, I didn't even see it until the slow mo.

“Felipe was conscious at the arrival at the hospital,” said a Ferrari statement, adding that Massa had suffered a cut on his forehead, concussion and a bone lesion of the skull. Massa underwent surgery to treat these conditions, the outcome of which was positive. He will now remain under observation in intensive care.

The Brazilian speared off the track and into the tyre wall at Turn 4 late in the Q2 session after a rear damper spring that had come loose from the Brawn car of Rubens Barrichello struck his helmet.

[Gemerald]

Yeah that was freaky, will Gene step in for this race or the next race (have they decided).

[Lazlow]

I don't think anyone will step up for Hungary, too short notice. Possibly for the next few though.

[Lazlow]

I've always stated that Hungaroring is a shit boring track, and its still proving to be so today. The road itself is too narrow, and the undulations aren't conducive to smooth F1 racing.

It has the characteristics of a street circuit, without the inherent danger and excitement of one.

edit:
Good run from Webber to pick up third, considering he had a bundled pit stop. With Vettel not finishing this moves him up to second in the championship, 20 points behind Button.

I don't think this is any indication of a McLaren resurgence though. They may have another favourable result at Valencia, being another low speed, twisting circuit, but Spa and Monza should be their undoing later in the year.

[bradlaw]

renault has be excluded from the next race because of aAlonso's wheel flying off and he didnt park the car...so safety reasons or some shit. good race...sorta. pity we have to wait a month for the next race, but itll be here in no time, time has flown by this year/ the seasons almost over.

[Lazlow]

The way formula1.com tell it, Renault were penalised for allowing the car to leave the pits with a loose wheel;

Budapest stewards decided Renault had been negligent in failing to secure the wheel, in knowingly letting Alonso leave the pits with the problem, and in failing to inform their driver of the issue.

They are of course appealing. Its a tough one; it was visibly loose until mid-way through the first turn when the cap thing started spinning around.

[enrique]

I think the team should be penalised not Alonso. Some type of fine perhaps?

I cant believe its going to be four weeks to the next race. Bring on Spa and Monza!

BTW Congrats to Will Power for winning in IRL on the weekend, not bad for a part time entry, thanks to Penske for giving him a run on the road courses.

And congrats also to Belgian privateers PK Racing for winning the Spa 24hrs in their C6R Corvette. An Audi R8 GT3 running in G2 (pretty much the Nurburgring 24hr car with bigger air restrictors and less weight) dominated the G2 class and a stunning third outright, fantastic effort from Phoenix Racing and Audi.

[enrique]

Felipe Massa remains in an induced coma and will be transferred to Paris to be treated by the same surgeon who has treated Michael Schumacher and Ronaldo.

Get well soon Felipe. :)

[Lazlow]

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/132/felipemassa001.jpg

Lauda's calling for Schumacher to be Massa's replacement.

[enrique]

Good find Lazlow I've only seen the cropped version of that pic (with just his head). :(

I cant see Schumi jumping back in, I think Gene may get the gurnsey. Hope Im wrong though, it would be kind of cool to see Michael step up and show Hamilton a thing or two. :D

[enrique]

Is BMW about to pull the pin on F1?? They have called an emergency press conference with some very important board members including Dr Mario to be held today. They havent had a good year but this would be a surprise if they indeed left F1.

[enrique]

Its official, BMW are gone from F1.

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=38589

[Lazlow]

Ferrari Plan to Replace Massa with Schumacher (http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/7/9703.html)

[Blue]

Ferrari Plan to Replace Massa with Schumacher (http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/7/9703.html)I can see an eighth on the horizon.

[Gemerald]

Bourdais was sacked with little mention which I find a bit lols. I wonder what his next plans are now. I also feel the Renault penalty was harsh. Good luck to Schumacher, eager to see where he'll bring the car in.

[Lazlow]

Bourdais was threatening legal action against TR prior to Hungary... haven't heard anything since though.

[enrique]

Piquet's gone! Didnt see this coming...

[Gemerald]

Piquet's gone! Didnt see this coming...

:P He was meant to go last year but held on by the skin of his teeth.

Romain Grosjean is set to replace him. Where he debuts will depend on Renaults forthcoming appeal.

Also in the news, Frank Williams has voiced opposition to letting MS test the current Ferrari car (apparently MS has been testing previous cars to get back in to shape, so to speak). I can't help but agree with FW though. Toro Rosso newcomer Jaime Alguersuari did reasonably okay with even less experience than say MS. Don't they keep Badoer or Gene as reserve/test drivers back at Mugello anyway *shrugs*

[enrique]

But when was the last time Badoer or Gene actually raced in F1? It would've been longer then how long Schumacher's been out for.

I can see where Frank Williams is coming from too, if the new guy at STR couldnt get a test due to the ban then no one else should either. Equal rules for everyone. Plus MS probably has driven this year's car at some point so I cant see it being a problem.

[Gemerald]

But when was the last time Badoer or Gene actually raced in F1? It would've been longer then how long Schumacher's been out for.

I can see where Frank Williams is coming from too, if the new guy at STR couldnt get a test due to the ban then no one else should either. Equal rules for everyone. Plus MS probably has driven this year's car at some point so I cant see it being a problem.

I would've assumed Badoer or Gene has helped in some shape or form in developing the car. I don't think Ferrari use their new cars for public demo but I don't feel MS should be given a small rundown session.

How many points will Schumi score on his return? I'm guessing 2.

[Lazlow]

theguardian is reporting Piquet Snr is looking to buy BMW's stake in Sauber

[texta]

Schumacher is apparently out.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8186319.stm

This is the Tony Lockett comeback all over.

[Blue]

Yeah, **** it, I was so excited.

They should get Ralf.

[enrique]

Anyone but Ralf!

Replace Massa with Piquet.................

[enrique]

Renault win their appeal and will race this weekend at Valencia. So who will race in the second car for Reanult? Will it be Grosjean or could Piquet return?

[Lazlow]

Renault promote their reserve driver Romain Grosjean to take over from the ousted Piquet, while McLaren are hinting that Kovalainen's head is on the block as they look to possibly replace him with either Kubica (good move) or Rosberg (wtf?! he's shit!) for 2010.

[enrique]

No surprises concerning Grosjean. And Piquet and Flavio are still blueing (grabs popcorn).

I can see Kubica replacing Kovaleinen next year unless Heikki pulls something out of the bag, wouldnt want a talent like Kubica out of a ride next year.

[Blue]

Kovaleinen has dropped off something shocking this year, but really, most of the field have under-performed this year. You'd think Kubica would be in with a very good chance, though. Rosberg can **** right off.

[Grubdog]

Agreed on Rosberg. He's just as bad as Piquet or Kovalainen, but Nakajima is making him look like a god.

Hoping for more of this on Sunday - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2CTm0aoOMc (shameless plug :D). Hard to say who's gonna win though, Alonso destroyed everyone in practice, McLaren are improving, and Brawn seem to have found their pace, so it wont be easy for Mark this weekend. Fingers crossed.

[Blue]

I hope Button gets another win to steady the ship, Webber takes the win to really mount a challenge, or McLaren take it.

[Lazlow]

So I watched the Australian Story re-run on Sir Jack Brabham today. I've love to play holier than thou and claim to know that it was 50 years since his first Championship, but I didn't

And it really is a terrible shame he doesn't get the recognition other sports personalities do. Especially since Brabham was such a pioneer; first to develop a rear engine car, first to win as a team owner/driver, and mentored Bruce McLaren.

I was also watching the V8 Supercars today, first time in a long time, and I started to think of other sedans that could fit in the championship;

E90 BMW M3
Mercedes-AMG CLK 55/63/63 Black
Lexus IS F
Jaguar XF (N/A version)
Hyundai Genesis

[Lazlow]

Geez, the resumption of the F1 season has kinda snuck up on me. Race on in 5 minutes.

Grid as such;

1 1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:38.649 1:38.182 1:39.498 15
2 2 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:38.816 1:38.230 1:39.532 26
3 23 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:39.019 1:38.076 1:39.563 21
4 15 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:39.295 1:38.273 1:39.789 21
5 22 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:38.531 1:38.601 1:39.821 22
6 4 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:38.843 1:38.782 1:40.144 25
7 16 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:39.039 1:38.346 1:40.185 25
8 7 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:39.155 1:38.717 1:40.236 21
9 14 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:38.983 1:38.625 1:40.239 21
10 5 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:38.806 1:38.747 1:40.512 23
11 6 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:39.032 1:38.826 17
12 20 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:39.145 1:38.846 18
13 10 Timo Glock Toyota 1:39.459 1:38.991 15
14 8 Romain Grosjean Renault 1:39.322 1:39.040 16
15 12 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 1:38.912 1:39.514 17
16 21 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India-Mercedes 1:39.531 11
17 17 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:39.795 8
18 9 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:39.807 10
19 11 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari 1:39.925 10
20 3 Luca Badoer Ferrari 1:41.413 13

[Lazlow]

Not to spoil it for those without One HD (why the hell did CH10 just not simulcast on SD rather than shoe-horning in a sitcom repeat thus delaying the race?!?) I'll just say this; extremely pleased with who one. Couldn't have been more fitting.

Lucky though.

[Lazlow]

That crazy Luca di Montezemolo is proposing next year F1 teams have the right to run 3 cars if they wish (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/aug/12/ferrari-formula-one-luca-di-montezemolo), thereby opening up a slot for Michael Schumacher to run along side Alonso and Massa.

Madness.

[enrique]

Not to spoil it for those without One HD (why the hell did CH10 just not simulcast on SD rather than shoe-horning in a sitcom repeat thus delaying the race?!?) I'll just say this; extremely pleased with who one. Couldn't have been more fitting.

Lucky though.

Good onya Rubens!! Shame I fell asleep in front of the telly five laps into the race lol. Valencia aint that interesting to watch on tv mind you.

Spa is on this weekend, hope it rains, (well thats Spa for you). Webber should be back on pace there.

[Lazlow]

God I hope it doesn't rain, lest we have a repeat of '98 D:

Plus F1 cars flying through Eau Rouge is what Spa's all about. :D

I agree about Valencia too. As much as I want to love the track for being in such a beautiful location, it doesn't have that treacherous nature of Monaco or the speed of Montreal.

[enrique]

Fisi and Force India on pole for Spa. :D Hope he's not slow off the line, Kimi has a taste for Force India! lol

[Lazlow]

1 21 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India-Mercedes 1:45.102 1:44.667 1:46.308 23
2 9 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:45.140 1:44.503 1:46.395 24
3 6 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:45.566 1:44.709 1:46.500 18
4 23 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:45.237 1:44.834 1:46.513 23
5 5 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:45.655 1:44.557 1:46.586 22
6 4 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:45.579 1:44.953 1:46.633 21
7 10 Timo Glock Toyota 1:45.450 1:44.877 1:46.677 21
8 15 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:45.372 1:44.592 1:46.761 20
9 14 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:45.350 1:44.924 1:46.788 22
10 16 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:45.486 1:45.047 1:47.362 20
11 20 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:45.239 1:45.119 18
12 1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:45.767 1:45.122 16
13 7 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:45.707 1:45.136 16
14 22 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:45.761 1:45.251 18
15 2 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:45.705 1:45.259 19
16 12 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 1:45.951 7
17 11 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari 1:46.032 10
18 17 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:46.307 10
19 8 Romain Grosjean Renault 1:46.359 11
20 3 Luca Badoer Ferrari 1:46.957 11


That's one wacky grid.

[enrique]

Should make for some first lap carnage.

[Lazlow]

Another month, another F1 scandal.

Renault may quit F1 if found guilty of ordering Piquet to crash (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/aug/31/renault-f1-singapore-gp-nelson-piquet-junior)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6-qAzNDTPo

Essentially last weekend a Brazilian TV station had reported that it received information that Piquet had been ordered to crash on lap 14 of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, thus propelling Alonso to the front and subsquent win, as he had refueled three laps prior to the incident, forcing everyone bar Alonso to change their strategy.

Renault's position in F1 has been tenuous the last 18 months, as they were prepared to bail and the end of '08 until they got those two late season wins. With waning performance this year, Alonso likely to move to Ferrari and now very grim accusations, its more than likely they will pull the plug.

If found guilty, they've no choice, as they will face possible expulsion.

[enrique]

Piquet gets the boot and then this pops up? Coincidence? :)

[Lazlow]

Indeed. Brazillian network TV no less.

My intial reaction was to dismiss it as a wild conspiracy theory. It was a pretty heavy crash, one completely OTT if he was to merely bring out a safety car.

However, there must be some merit to the accusation if it has caused the FIA to investigate.

[enrique]

Fisi's in the Ferrari for Monza. Seeya BADoer...

[HiredMan]

****in' scandal! (http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/motorsport/2009/09/11/1252519627523.html)

Oh Flavio, you dodgy cheating wrinkled old supermodel-shagger!

[Blue]

Wow.

**** you, Piquet.

[Lazlow]

In all honesty I feel sorry for Piquet. He did a dangerous and desperate act to keep his position in the team (and in effect keep Renault in F1) and he still got shafted.

Still, no team will touch him now.

[Lazlow]

Monza in just over an hour. The grid as follows;

1 1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.375 1:22.973 1:24.066 23
2 20 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:23.576 1:23.070 1:24.261 24
3 4 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:23.349 1:23.426 1:24.523 28
4 2 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.515 1:23.528 1:24.845 27
5 23 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:23.483 1:22.976 1:25.015 23
6 22 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:23.403 1:22.955 1:25.030 26
7 21 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:23.578 1:23.207 1:25.043 26
8 7 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:23.708 1:23.497 1:25.072 25
9 15 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:23.558 1:23.545 1:25.180 23
10 14 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:23.755 1:23.273 1:25.314 24
11 9 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:24.014 1:23.611 20
12 8 Romain Grosjean Renault 1:23.975 1:23.728 22
13 5 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:24.001 1:23.866 17
14 3 Giancarlo Fisichella Ferrari 1:23.828 1:23.901 24
15 6 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:23.584 1:24.275 14
16 10 Timo Glock Toyota 1:24.036 11
17 17 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:24.074 9
18 16 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:24.121 12
19 12 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 1:24.220 12
20 11 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari 1:24.951 11


Webber's nothing if not consistent :p

Prediction - Liuzzi to cause maximum carnage at either Rettifilo or Roggia.

[HiredMan]

Briatore quits as Renault F1 boss over "Crashgate" scandal. (http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/09/17/1252780359061.html)

[Lazlow]

Not only Briatore, but also Pat Symmonds.

Its really a bizarre turn of events as the FIA gave both Symonds and Piquet Jr immunity, regardless of what evidence they presented. Now Renault will not dispute the allegations.

All signs point to Renault looking to make a hasty exit;

Senior executives at Renault Group had said they would not rush to any hasty conclusions about the team's future, but its presence in next year's championship has already been called into question by the departure of its main sponsor, ING, and the likely departure of its main driver, Alonso, for Ferrari.



In other news Sauber might still line up for 2010 after BMW sold its 80% stake to Qadbak Investments, and Lotus may join them as well. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/sep/15/lotus-returns-to-formula-one-sauber)

[Lazlow]

Zanardi to aim for place in 2012 Italian Paralympic Cycling team (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/8249435.stm)

[enrique]

Good on Alex! He's an inspiration, I hope he gets gold. Apparently he's done quite well in trials recently for his cycling event.

[Lazlow]

Briatore banned for life, Symonds 5 years

The former Renault Formula One managing director Flavio Briatore was today effectively banned from motor sport for life, for his part in a scandal that the sport's governing body said was of "unparalleled severity".

However, the World Motor Sport Council effectively gave Renault a green light to continue in formula one. The team, who chose not to contest Nelson Piquet Jr's claims that he was asked to crash into a wall during the 2008 Singapore grand prix in order to hand an advantage to his team-mate, Fernando Alonso, will be permanently banned only if they commit a "comparable breach" by the end of 2011.

Although unable to take action against Briatore personally, after he left Renault last week, the 26-member WMSC said it would not sanction any event involving him "in any capacity whatsoever".

It also said it would refuse to renew licences to any driver associated with Briatore in any capacity, meaning that all those managed by him will have to extricate themselves from their contracts. They include Alonso, Piquet Jr, Mark Webber and Heikki Kovalainen.

Formula One's governing body, the FIA, will be criticised by some for effectively letting Renault off the hook while pinning the blame on Briatore and Pat Symonds, Renault's former executive director of engineering who also quit last week. He was given a five-year ban from the sport.

The FIA chairman, Max Mosley, said Renault had "demonstrated that they had absolutely no moral responsibility for what took place".

He added: "That's to say Renault F1, the team, didn't know and still less of course does the company have any responsibility, [so] it would be wrong in the circumstances to impose an immediate penalty."

The team's future still hangs in the balance. Asked after the hearing whether Renault would continue in Formula One, Mosley said they would. But Bernard Rey, the president of Renault F1, refused to confirm whether the team would remain involved beyond the end of the season.

The WMSC said that while the offences merited "permanent disqualification" from Formula One, Renault were credited for admitting the charges, apologising unreservedly, confirming the departure of Briatore and Symonds, paying costs and making a "significant contribution" to safety projects.

Symonds was banned for five years from working with any "FIA-licensed event, championship, cup, trophy or series". The WMSC said the sentence given to Symonds was lighter than that given to Briatore because the former had admitted the offence, "to his eternal regret and shame".

Mosley, who will stand down from the FIA next month following a campaign against him in which Briatore was a prime mover, said the WMSC had made "the right decision".

"I think the blame has been placed where the blame should be placed," he said.

Asked what the affair, which has been called one of the worst ever examples of pre-meditated cheating in sporting history, meant for the future of Formula One, Mosley said: "I don't think it means anything. I think we now go on. We have problems from time to time and as long as we solve them and deal with them properly that's fine."

The decision will also call into question Briatore's joint ownership of the Championship football club Queens Park Rangers, because the Football League's rules ban those who have been disqualified by another sporting body under its fit and proper persons test.

Piquet Jr, who faces an uncertain future in the sport, said: "The most positive thing to come from bringing this to the attention of the FIA is that nothing like it will ever happen again. I bitterly regret my actions to follow the orders I was given. I wish every day that I had not done it."

Webber's gotta get himself a new manager, here's hoping he does go down with Flavio.

[Lazlow]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/sep/23/belgian-gp-spa-francorchamps-licence)

The future of the Belgian grand prix is under threat once more after the Spa-Francorchamps circuit had its operating licence suspended for the next 17 years.

The decision comes from the Council of State, effectively Belgium's supreme administrative court, after a noise complaint was made by a board of local residents in 2007. The track operators were ordered to undertake an environmental impact study, since described in a Council of State ruling as "seriously inadequate and incomplete". That licence was subsequently suspended until 2026.



Spa is one of the last few remaining classic high speed tracks, and I'll be bitterly disappointed if this shit doesn't get sorted pronto. I can't ascertain if this suspension only refers to the F1 event, or all racing as Spa. Devastating either way. :(

[Lazlow]

Ferrari set to announce Alonso signing (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8280566.stm)

Raikonnon is contracted to the end of 2010, but Ferrari are discussing a possible move back to McLaren. This leaves a massive question mark hanging over Kovalainen; many tipping he'll go to Williams if they drop Naka with their Toyota deal, or if Nico moves to BrawnGP. Though that has lead to speculation that Barrichello will essentially swap seats with Nico.

Kubica is also strongly tipped to take Alonso's seat at Renault.

[Lazlow]

News today indicates these are pretty much a certainty;

Alonso to Ferrari
Barrichello to Williams
Rosberg to Brawn
Nico Hülkenberg (current GP2 Champ, and lead Germany to the 06/07 A1GP title) to Williams
Raikonnen back to McLaren

Toyota to bail if they don't see results in 2010
BrawnGP to be three quarters owned by Mercedes Benz.

[enrique]

And so its confirmed Alonso to Ferrari, hope Raikonnen does indeed end up at McLaren and doesnt go off to the bush to go rallying. Alonso actually said that the deal with Ferrari had been signed off in 2008 (?), so this has been a certainty for a while.

I can see Toyota quietly pulling out at the end of the year. Rumour has it both drivers have been told to look elsewhere.

Another rumour has McLaren linking up with the Volkswagen group after mercedes leaves them to go to brawn.

Suzuka is on this weekend!

[Lazlow]

Japanese grand prix today, so with the close proximity to Australia the live broadcast on ONE is at 2:45pm this afternoon.

Grid as follows;

1 15 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:30.883 1:30.341 1:32.160 14
2 9 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:31.063 1:30.737 1:32.220 20
3 1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:30.917 1:30.627 1:32.395 21
4 20 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:31.386 1:31.222 1:32.466 20
5 23 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:31.272 1:31.055 1:32.660 18
6 6 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:31.501 1:31.260 1:32.945 19
7 22 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:31.041 1:30.880 1:32.962 18
8 4 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:31.228 1:31.052 1:32.980 23
9 2 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:31.499 1:31.223 No time 21
10 12 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 1:31.196 1:31.103 No time 12
11 16 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:31.286 1:31.482 17
12 7 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:31.401 1:31.638 14
13 5 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:31.417 1:32.341 15
14 10 Timo Glock Toyota 1:31.550 No time 13
15 11 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari 1:31.571 No time 14
16 3 Giancarlo Fisichella Ferrari 1:31.704 11
17 17 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:31.718 8
18 8 Romain Grosjean Renault 1:32.073 8
19 21 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:32.087 9
20 14 Mark Webber RBR-Renault Did not start 0

Mark Webber did not take part in the session after damaging three mounting points for his Red Bull RB5’s steering rack in his off at Degner Two in practice on Saturday morning. The car is being rebuilt around a new chassis, and he will subsequently start from the pit lane on Sunday.

Degner Two seems to be catching a lot of people out, as Kovalainen and Alguersuari also went there during qualifying.

Glock also had a big off in Qualifying on the last turn. Whilst he was seen waving to the crowd, he was taken to hospital complaining of back and leg pains.

Sounds like it was a very scrappy qualifying session indeed.

[Lazlow]

Shame Kubica didn't nail Button at the end, and at least Webber can leave Suzuka with fastest lap honours. All in all, a relatively uninteresting race bar the last 5 laps

[enrique]

Shame Kubica didn't nail Button at the end, and at least Webber can leave Suzuka with fastest lap honours. All in all, a relatively uninteresting race bar the last 5 laps

Stupid headrest! but yeah fastest lap is at least something.

Well done to Casey Stoner for getting 2nd at Estoril last night! To come back from three races out due to illness (or whatever is bothering him) and get second is fantastic stuff and he finished in front of Pedrosa...:D Way to stick it to all the doubters (and Marlboro).

Mean while Chris Vermulen is off to race for Kawasaki in WSBK next year. Should do well.

[enrique]

Kubica has gone to renault, another piece of the puzzle falls into place.........

[StorminNorman]

Today is national bogan day. Who else is kicking back with a stubby and watching Bathurst?

[Hyperblau]

I'm watching the start and finish with random updates throughout. Looks like the weather should be interesting. Today is one of only two times a year when I get remotely interested in the V8's, the other being the Clipsal 500 because the Adelaide track is just so damn good.

[Clockw0rk]

Safety car, first lap, first corner.
Woo, Bathurst.

[StorminNorman]

Mark Winterbottom had a pretty hairy moment just now, what with his car being on fire and all.

[Grubdog]

Poor Briscoe. Would have been Indycar champion if he didn't run out of fuel 5 laps before the end of the race. What is it with aussies and luck in motorsport?

Thank god for Bathurst!

[Hyperblau]

Watching this race has got me urgin to play Forza 3

[Lazlow]

Watching this race... HAS PUT ME TO SLEEP!

Get these family sedans off and put the GT cars back on.

[StorminNorman]

Great race. Amazing how a podium finish can come down to barely centimetres at the end of a 1000km run.

Also great to see Holden back on the podium after too much Ford domination in the past couple of years.

[Lazlow]

I was going for the Audi >_>

Also: wtf at them using an previous model Audi for a pace car? O_o

[Lazlow]

So it looks like A1GP is at breaking point. Two days ago I was checking their 09/10 wiki after hearing some Nikon SuperGP promo on the radio, and noted that currently there are only 10 confirmed entries for this coming season, but only 9 will make the grid for Surfers as Team Malaysia won't be running until the second round. They also have locked in a German round, but have yet to secure a track to use.

Now the wiki has been edited to include 19 confirmed teams. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009–10_A1_Grand_Prix_season)

Now I hear the whole league is in such dire straits that they may not grid up at all come October 29, leaving just the V8s as the main event. (http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/supergp-happening-but-jury-out-on-a1gps-20091015-gz2c.html)

[Lazlow]

Wacky qualifying in Brazil will lead to a wacky race. Hopefully the weather is a lot sunnier by then.

1 23 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:24.100 1:21.659 1:19.576 30
2 14 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:24.722 1:20.803 1:19.668 28
3 20 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:24.447 1:20.753 1:19.912 28
4 9 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:24.621 1:20.635 1:20.097 29
5 4 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:23.047 1:21.378 1:20.168 30
6 12 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 1:24.591 1:20.701 1:20.250 35
7 16 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:22.828 1:20.368 1:20.326 31
8 5 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:23.072 1:21.147 1:20.631 30
9 17 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:23.161 1:20.427 1:20.674 32
10 7 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:24.842 1:21.657 1:21.422 27
11 10 Kamui Kobayashi Toyota 1:24.335 1:21.960 22
12 11 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari 1:24.773 1:22.231 25
13 8 Romain Grosjean Renault 1:24.394 1:22.477 23
14 22 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:24.297 1:22.504 23
15 21 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:24.645 12
16 15 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:25.009 13
17 2 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:25.052 12
18 1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:25.192 11
19 6 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:25.515 11
20 3 Giancarlo Fisichella Ferrari 1:40.703 3

[Blue]

Trulli is a cockhead. Sutil is entirely in the right. It's one thing to run someone of the road because you've got out of shape on a straight, and it's another thing to start bitching about it and getting up in the face of the guy you've just rammed into. ****ing shit-hack.

EDIT: Oh shit, Nakajima died on the way to the hospital. ****. I don't understand, he was walking away from the car!?

EDIT 2: Internal bleeding. :/

[Hyperblau]

Where are you reading that?

[enrique]

Yeah, it that had've happened it would be all over the usual sites by now.

Webber gets second win, shakes off one hit wonder tag! Good on him. Lets hope he carries this form over to next year. Great drive by Kobayashi though when he was mixing it with Button I expected him to take the new WDC out of the race but he drove really well. Kudos to him.

Trulli was a drama queen, he was at fault but that didnt stop him giving Sutil a spray-idiot! Apparently he's been fined ten grand.

[Lazlow]

I recorded it, but only made it this far before I heard a radio report that spoiled it for me :(

In other news Gold Coast SuperGP (A1GP opener) got shit-canned on Saturday. Shit storm errupting as QLD Government chases the $1.3mil they gave to A1GP, with ministerial and governing body heads set to roll.

V8s will now take centre stage with their involvement boosted 200km, with 4 x 150km races, 2 on Sat and 2 on Sun. And they were hoping to get the weekend off :p

They should run an Australian GT enduro next year. Glamourous sports cars would suit the locale, and they need their own iconic event.

Apparently he's been fined ten grand

Correct!

But after ‘failing to leave the track as required by the marshals immediately after the incident and aggressively confronting Sutil’, Trulli was found to have breached Article 151 (c) of the 2009 FIA International Sporting Code, which rules against ‘any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally.’ Consequently he was reprimanded and fined US$10,000.

[Blue]

A1 is rubbish anyway. I watched one round of that crap before I became bored. Average drivers, uninspiring cars, dull racing. Take all the interesting elements of F1, remove them, and there you have it, a racing series that was doomed from the start.

[Lazlow]

Differing opinions! I actually found the first few seasons of A1 exciting to watch (got 06/07 & 07/08 on DVD), there was some good close racing in there, more so than most F1 races. There was always going to be a few average drivers from some of the weaker nations, but the European teams have fielded some top talent (ie Nico Hulkenburg).

Uninspiring cars? I don't know what you expected from a one make control series :/

So I really don't give you opinion much weight after writing off based on viewing one round. You could easily give F1 the same treatment watching the Hungarian GP.

[Blue]

Differing opinions! I actually found the first few seasons of A1 exciting to watch (got 06/07 & 07/08 on DVD), there was some good close racing in there, more so than most F1 races. There was always going to be a few average drivers from some of the weaker nations, but the European teams have fielded some top talent (ie Nico Hulkenburg).

Uninspiring cars? I don't know what you expected from a one make control series :/

So I really don't give you opinion much weight after writing off based on viewing one round. You could easily give F1 the same treatment watching the Hungarian GP.In F1, you can support particular teams, companies, and drivers. It's more interesting than following a country.

[Grubdog]

I went to see the A1GP a few years ago at Eastern Creek, it was good fun. The Japanese car went off a turn and hit a wall, his car was in 2 pieces.
I was there too, it was ****ing awesome. A1GP has AMAZING racing, much better than F1 in that regards (and I love F1). Better commentary too! Massive shame about Surfers being cancelled, that makes two years in a row without an A1 round in Australia.

So great to see Webber win again, the man is a legend.

[Lazlow]

In F1, you can support particular teams, companies, and drivers. It's more interesting than following a country.


And that's pretty much specific to Formula 1 as well (at least as far as open wheel racing goes). For mine I just love motor racing, I don't even give a shit about Team Australia specifically.

[Lazlow]

Just a heads up; One HD's motorsport coverage is sporadic at best, but starting today (well 10:30am) over the next few days they're showing 2 rounds of BTCC, 2 rounds of DTM , and 2 rounds of FIA GTR.

As well as the usual NASCAR overload, some Aus Offroad racing and ANDRA drags.

Check your guides and set your DVRs, I know I have :D

[Lazlow]

F***ing dammit. Thanks to One HD running the goddamn Mecum Auto Auction over, the FIA GT3 race from this morning is split over 2 files.

[Lazlow]

Jean Todt elected new FIA president (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/oct/23/jean-todt-elected-fia-president)

Here's hoping Ferrari don't have their hand up his backside.

[Lazlow]

F*** Ch7, taking an ad break in the middle of a 6 lap Formula Ford race.

EDIT:

Whincup's an arsehole and I hope he loses the championship.

[Blue]

Laz, I don't think anyone reads this thread. :p

[Lazlow]

You just did.

I'm just going to assume people read, but don't comment.

[enrique]

I check this thread everytime I'm on here, I just dont comment all the time lol.

The V8s were okay over the weekend but I still missed the open wheelers (Im not talking about Formula Ford :)), it aint the same without them.

Stoner dominated at Sepang and Rossi becomes World Champion. Wasnt the most exciting race but Pedrosa was surprising, not only did he finish but he finished second! Him and and a wet track usually dont mix.

[Lazlow]

250s were a f***ing corker though, Aoyama and Simocelli had an epic battle.

I only caught the last Formula Ford race, and you gotta love spitefull hot headed racers. Got a bit silly, but was fun to watch.

As much as they want to make Surfers another big V8 event, its history as an open wheeler race and its close proximity to Bathurst make that a lofty aspiration.

Their only real hope is if A1GP sort their shit out and has a corker of a season and they put their faith back in them. Or they are able to get out of their A1GP contract, and Indy comes back to the party. With Briscoe finishing this season 3rd (by a point), and Power also scoring 3 podiums with only a part time drive, there's hope they'll see some value in returning to Australia. Unlikely however for the next two years as 2010's calendar is pretty much sorted (heading to Brazil), and they're showing no interest for 2011 (looking to China).

Personally I think it would be a perfect show piece event for the Australian GT championship. Its a great location for glamrous production cars to get a race on.

Its pretty sad to see how far domestic motorsport, especially open wheel racing, has fallen.

[enrique]

Personally I think it would be a perfect show piece event for the Australian GT championship. Its a great location for glamrous production cars to get a race on.


Apparently the call went out in the week before the race and a pretty good grid of GT cars were wanting to hit the track but politics got in the way (Tony Cochrane?) and the V8s got more track time.

Apparently Anna Bligh's not too happy about their being no international category as a headline act, they should get ALMS or SuperGT in. Oh wait a minute-just realized you could fit all the sportscar fans in OZ into a phone booth (if you could find one that is lol). Plus TC wouldnt want the V8s being outpaced. Shame really.

[Grubdog]

I read the thread.

Indycars definitely need to come back here, even if it's not at Surfers. Seeing Will Power drive around Surfers is something special though, it looks like he's going to hit the barriers every corner. Briscoe once said he gained half a second just by following Will there on a lap. That's monstrous.

A1GP, well I was excited for it this year, but they can't get their shit together. It's a shame because the series has massive potential.

[Lazlow]

Well in about 40 minutes is the season closer at Abu Dhabi. With the Championship settled the gloves are hopefully off, and with the longest straight in F1 it should be an exciting race. Qualifying results as follows:

1 1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:39.873 1:39.695 1:40.948 20
2 15 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:40.666 1:39.984 1:41.615 21
3 14 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:40.667 1:40.272 1:41.726 21
4 23 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:40.574 1:40.421 1:41.786 24
5 22 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:40.378 1:40.148 1:41.892 25
6 9 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:40.517 1:40.373 1:41.897 24
7 5 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:40.520 1:40.545 1:41.992 25
8 6 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:40.558 1:40.635 1:42.343 24
9 16 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:40.842 1:40.661 1:42.583 25
10 12 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 1:40.908 1:40.430 1:42.713 27
11 4 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:41.100 1:40.726 20
12 10 Kamui Kobayashi Toyota 1:41.035 1:40.777 17
13 2 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:40.808 1:40.983 16
14 17 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:41.096 1:41.148 18
15 11 Jaime Alguersuari STR-Ferrari 1:41.503 1:41.689 19
16 7 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:41.667 12
17 21 Vitantonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:41.701 10
18 20 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:41.863 10
19 8 Romain Grosjean Renault 1:41.950 12
20 3 Giancarlo Fisichella Ferrari 1:42.184 12

Have to say Kobayashi has certainly been the best rookie driver to be dropped into a car this season.

[Lazlow]

Fantastic race, if anything watch the last 4 laps.

Also I'll point out that Toyota would be out of their mind not to give Kobayashi a drive next year seeing as they're most likely dropping Glock (who I don't think was that badly injured, and was merely benched) and Trulli.

Its been a tremendous season, the best in a very very long time. And its fascinating to see the three podium winners with some form of personality and camaraderie.

Can't wait for next year; 4 new teams, the return of Cosworth, Red Bull with Mercedes engines, no refueling, new drivers (Bruno Senna), and current ones with different drives.

[enrique]

The race was more exciting then I thought it would be especially the last laps battle between the new WDC and Webber, that was great! If Kobayashi dont get a drive with Toyota next year it'll be the surprise of the century. He's quick and Japanese, if he isnt given a ride, the Japanese public will not be happy (remember when Sato was left without a ride-Honda built a whole team around him :D).

Has Red Bull and Mercedes been confirmed yet? I hope it happens though, that Renault engine was really the weak link.

[StorminNorman]

Its been a tremendous season, the best in a very very long time. And its fascinating to see the three podium winners with some form of personality and camaraderie.

I'm only a casual follower of F1 at best, but I've gotta agree with this. It's the first time in years that my Dad and I have actually paid attention to the sport beyond "oh, Mark Weber crashed out of a race again".

I've always liked Jensen Button since he was on Top Gear a couple of years ago, and I think he's a deserving winner of the championship.

Strangely, this year was the first year in a while I've paid attention to the V8 Supercars, too. I used to be a pretty avid follower back when they were called touring cars, and I always make time for Bathurst, but this year I've kind of followed the whole season, and it's been pretty great.

Of course, as a born-and-bred "Holden man", I'll never forgive Lowndes for switching to Ford (although I believe he's coming back to Holden next year.)

EDIT: Also, Laz, I read this thread on my occasional journeys into the sports forum. :p

[Lazlow]

"oh, Mark Weber crashed out of a race again".

I blame the Australian media for the bad rap Webber gets. More often than not he was the vicitm of poor reliability - moreso at Williams than Jaguar/Red Bull. I just don't get Australia's aversion to F1; Webber had the stigma of a perrenial loser, despite his outstanding efforts in underperforming cars when he did finish, and Sir Jack barely got any recognition this year, on the 50th anniversary of his first WDC.

I just to the greater public is the end result that matters; much like the Wallabies right now. You've got people calling for Robbie Deans to be sacked after yet another loss, despite the fact last Saturday the Wallabies dominated possesion and territory.

[Lazlow]

Williams confirms Barrichello and Hulkenberg as 2010 drivers (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/02/williams-rubens-barrichello-niko-hulkenberg)

[enrique]

Not surprised Nakajima got the flick but will Rosberg go to McLaren?

[enrique]

Toyota's gone!

[Lazlow]

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2009/11/4/1257356435093/Toyota-principal-001.jpg
Toyota's F1 team principal, Tadashi Yamashina, weeps during the announcement of the Japanese car maker's withdrawal from Formula One. Not everyone is as upset. Photograph: Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images

Which leaves Kobayashi without a certain ride :(

Renault may also follow Toyota's lead (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/05/toyota-quit-formula-one-renault)

On the plus side, this may open the door for Sauber.

[Blue]

It's a shame, but that's what happens when you don't win races. I guess some teams are better suited to rallying and touring cars.

I'm not a fan of Renault, so I couldn't give a shit if they leave, as long as another team replaces them, and F1 doesn't die in the arse. Sauber would be nice. Porsche would be cool. Audi or Volkswagen are possibilities. Imagine Lamborghini.

[Lazlow]

Volkswagen group has said they'd consider F1 if it was more affordable. But obviously as statement like that means they don't have any immediate plans.

[Blue]

I'd like for it to be more affordable, as long as it meant a bigger field of cars from more diverse manufacturers, but at the same time, I like that it's the pinnacle of motorsport, and being prohibitively expensive certainly helps to reinforce that.

I'd love an Audi-badged team.

[enrique]

I'd rather Audi stay in sportscars, or go rallying like the good old days.

[Lazlow]

So apparently Button's thrown a spanner into Brawn's plans by touring the McLaren factory.

It'd be career suicide to join them.

[Lazlow]

BrawnGP now MercedesGP as Mercedes Benz buys 70% stake. Looks to split from McLaren (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jeJ28rVvAC5cK_kbeWKnDlbA1qeQD9C0KIRO3)

[Lazlow]

Button to sign with McLaren for £6m-a-year deal (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/16/jenson-button-joins-mclaren-contract)

Foolish. Hamilton is someone Dennis has groomed from a very young age; he was an investment. Button is making up numbers and wont get the same treatment (certainly ain't getting Lewis' £12m a year) especially when Hamilton runs rings around Button.

Hope I'm proven wrong... but McLaren's run with Prost & Senna will always leave such competitive pairings dubious.

[Lazlow]

Raikkonen ditches F1 for Rallying (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8365967.stm)

[Lazlow]

If Schumacher joins Brawn/Mercedes next year, I'll eat my hat (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/21/formula-one-schumacher-jordan-brawn)

[enrique]

If Schumacher joins Brawn/Mercedes next year, I'll eat my hat (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/21/formula-one-schumacher-jordan-brawn)

Eddie Jordan will say anything to make himself look good, I enjoy him and David Coulthard bickering on BBC, its the only way I can stand EJ.

I would like to see Schumi back in F1 but he has very strong ties still to Ferrari...

[Lazlow]

After the deal with Qadbak investments fell through BMW has agreed to sell the team back to Sauber (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/27/bmw-sauber-qadbak-investments)

However the FIA hasn't deliberated yet on whether to include them for the 2010 season.

[Lazlow]

Sauber award the 13th and final slot on the grid for 2010 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8393888.stm)

Also in the story are reports Renault is still looking for a way out, possibly selling the team but staying on as an engine supplier.

[enrique]

Good to hear Sauber's back in, that guy lives to race so a worthy recepient of the last slot.

[Lazlow]

Rumour is Renault is looking to sell the team to Prodrive.

[Lazlow]

Lotus F1 have confirmed Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen as their drivers for the 2010 Formula 1 season. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8411249.stm)

Ferrari have insisted they will not prevent Michael Schumacher making a Formula One return with another team. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8412828.stm)

What initially started as vague rumour mongering by Eddie Jordan seems to have picked up momentum, Mercedes are very interested in having Schumacher on-board to relaunch their works F1 team, and a German tabloid claiming he was offered 7 million Euros, with the lastest statement from Michael's Media Spokeswoman saying she can't divulge any information.

Many are calling it a done deal.

I still remain skeptical. At 40 years old with 7 Championships Schumacher has nothing to prove, and rejoining now would put his reputation at risk. Ferrari making such a statement only reinforces that he is going nowhere.

I'd still wager on Heidfeld and Rosberg.

[enrique]

I just wish they'd hurry up and announce their other driver already even if it isnt Schumi, I'm sick of this speculation. You make a good point about a comeback and his reputation though and I highly doubt money is the motivating force behind any comeback.

He might be finding retirement boring or he misses the challenge of F1, it happens to a lot of sports people not just racing drivers.

[Lazlow]

Sauber sign Kobayashi (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8417603.stm)

Excellent news, I was hoping someone would snap him up. Now let's just hope his performance in those last 2 races weren't a flash in the pan.

The article also goes on to say that Sauber want one experienced driver, and they're looking at Pedro De La Rosa, and Giancarlo Fisichella. Heidfeld is apparently in the mix as well if Schumacher does indeed return.

[Clift]

Unrelated to F1, but I've just noticed that the proposed 2012 rule changes for MotoGP have been confirmed. :D

Moving back to 1000cc bikes will be interesting. Hopefully Aprilia look at coming back to the GP when the changes come into effect, especially with how well the RSV4 has been performing in the WSBK. :D

[Lazlow]

Whilst I'm sad to see the 250s go, I'm keen to see what Moto2 (600cc 4 stroke) has in store.. sucks that its a Honda control engine though. :/

[Clift]

I'm a big fan of the 125's / 250's myself, but that might have something to do with the fact that I'm a raging 2-stroke fan (To hell with emission laws!) :p.

The introduction of 600's should be a nice change, too. The transition from one class to another should be a bit easier on the riders as well, the difference between the 250's and the GP bikes is just insane.

[Lazlow]

German press are reporting Michael Schumacher has signed a 1 year deal with Mercedes.

Where's that hat? :p

EDIT:

Story link (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/dec/23/michael-schumacher-f1-return-mercedes)

[Lazlow]

A1GP Season 5 unlikely to go ahead (http://a1.gpupdate.net/en/a1gp-news/225585/season-5-unlikely-to-take-place/)

For those playing at home after cancelling the Australian round, China and Malaysia also fell through with the upcoming South African round still to be confirmed and the season closer in the Netherlands now cancelled.

Whilst there are apparently negotiations taking place with new investors, I think anyone smart with their money would be foolish to jump aboard this sunken ship. Its a damn shame too, I really liked the concept and the racing was exciting to watch, as it blooded new talent.

[enrique]

Not really surprised, talk about beating a dead horse, its been slowly dying for some time now. Its a shame though, a world cup of motorsport did have some appeal.

Glad to hear Gary McCoy has another ride in MotoGP with FB Corse after the team that had signed him to ride a Triumph in SBK screwed him over at the last minute leaving him without a ride for the year. Dont know how competitive they will be be though.

[Grubdog]

V8s starting again this weekend! Channel 7 wont be showing it live though, not surprising. I wish they would just drop sport altogether, they're a disgrace. Anyone know of a place on the net with live feed? The official site seems pretty crap. If not i'll have to avoid the net for the weekend so I don't get the races spoiled. Looking forward to it though.

[Lazlow]

Slideshow of the 2010 F1 cars (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/gallery/2010/feb/01/formula-one-new-cars-2010-season)

The McLaren looks f***in' huge.

There's been a few embaressing bits of news though, mainly Virgin cancelling a test due to a lack of spares, and USF1 are requesting they be allowed to skip the first 4 GPs.

[Lazlow]

USF1 out of the 2010 season (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/mar/03/us-f1-motor-sport-2010), hoping to defer their entry for until 2011.

First race for 2010 from Bahrain this Sunday, will be kinda nice not to have the Australia GP be a complete shambles with teams still working out their cars.

Tipping Vettel to mature and take the title this year.

[HiredMan]

Has the Nurburgring 24 Hour been run yet?

[Lazlow]

That's on, 13-16 May 2010 (http://www.ausringers.com/2009/08/31/dates-announced-for-2010-nurburgring-24-hour-race.html)

[HiredMan]

Ta :)

[Lazlow]

Missed this one yesterday, the FIA has endorsed a new GT1 World Championship (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/mar/02/new-gt-series-motorsport)

www.gt1world.com

The runners:
- Aston Martin DB9
- Corvette Z06
- Lambo Murcielago R-SV
- Ford GT
- Maserati MC12
- Nissan GT-R

They'll race at:
- Abu Dhabi
- Silverstone
- Brno
- Paul Ricard
- Spa
- Nurburgring
- Algarve
- Durban
- Interlagos
- San Luis

EDIT: Actually I think some of these cars may have been in the recent Forza 3 DLC, would need to check. >_>

[Lazlow]

Bit of a dull race, but Bahrain has never been an exciting track (its pretty much Sepang in the desert).

Some good scraps lower down the order, as to be expected, but up front nothing really happened until Vetel unfortunately lost power and fell back to 4th, handing Ferrari first and second.

Of all the new teams only Lotus got their cars across the line. Its pretty shit when one of the drivers (the new Indian driver I think) says they've only completed 5 laps of the circuit the entire race weekend. I'm all for lower entry costs and getting more teams on the grid, but they need better preparation than that.

[Grubdog]

Will Power is the man. Won the race after stopping in pitlane and eating a banana sandwich.

[Shorty]

Mercedes reportedly considering entering V8 Supercars. (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/14/mercedes-reportedly-considering-v8-supercar-entry-down-under/) It's all part of their Car of the Future program. Merc Australia have also commissioned Brock Engineering to build them a "Ring taxi" like car based on the C63 AMG that Mick Doohan will use to take customers and VIPs on hot laps around the Philip Island circuit.

I hope this opens up V8 Supercars to other manufacturers again. The whole "Ford vs Holden" thing is the reason I stopped following it in the first place.

[Lazlow]

HiredMan was telling me about this on the weekend over Live. CAMS are essentially digging themselves out of the over regulated hole they put themselves in. Once Ford move to a global platform they will be inegligble to enter, and we'll be stuck with Holden taxis putting around.

EDIT:

lol @ the Falcodore defenders crying that other manufacturers will dilute the series.

Also that guy bitching about the DTM spec cars. No shit; they're just like NASCAR, silhouette race cars, production styled shells dropped over a race frame. In the DTM's case, they're air restricted 4L V8 RWD go karts.

I still can't believe people still think of the V8 Supercars as a production series, they're so far removed from any production variants they may as well call them a silhouette racing series. IIRC the dimensions of both the VE and FG V8 Supercars doesn't match the production spec.

The VE Commodore was initially rejected from taking part in the series due to its wheelbase being longer and wider than the BF Falcon. For the model to be homologated, V8 Supercar granted the Commodore a custom fabricated bodyshell into which a limited number of production bodyshell panels are incorporated. As a result, the roofline is lower than production and the rear door is shorter such that externally the rear doors, roof and rear quarters all consist of specialised custom coachwork panels.

Similarly, the longer wheelbase of the FG Falcon (over the BF) requires a comparable custom-fabricated shorter body, and the FG is also shorted in the rear door and lowered in the roof line compared to the road going model.

[Lazlow]

Webber's been placed under so much pressure now that the inevitable outcome this weekend will be a DNF; either first turn incident, or mechanical failure.

Who the f*** is Hamilton to discuss Webber's future.

[REQUIEM]

Webber's been placed under so much pressure now that the inevitable outcome this weekend will be a DNF; either first turn incident, or mechanical failure.

Who the f*** is Hamilton to discuss Webber's future.

He is a driver that is always seeing him in his mirrors. I do agree however that it will be a DNF from Webber.

[StorminNorman]

lol @ the Falcodore defenders crying that other manufacturers will dilute the series.

While I love the V8s because it's the Falcons and Commodores fighting it out, I've got no problems with other manufacturers coming in, as long as they come in with genuine V8 cars and not those horrible Sierra-like shitboxes that ruined Bathurst in the late 1980s/early 1990s.

Make it about awesome muscle cars going hell-for-leather around Bathurst, and it'll be awesome, manufacturers notwithstanding.

In unrelated news, Button wins the Melbourne GP. I kind of feel sorry for Vettel, though. If it wasn't for one of his brake discs exploding, he likely would have won.

Also Lewis Hamilton is a knob.

[Lazlow]

Well he finished with two points, but a disappointing effort from him.

Overall a fantastic race, a true season opener. Be interesting to see if Kobayashi suffered a genuine wing failure or got a knock somewhere along the way.

I'll admit I was calling Button's stop as too early, but it worked out for him in the end. I don't know why the BBC team think Hamilton is a conservative driver, he simply isn't. The guy eats tyres and he has no right bitching to his team - mid race - about pulling him in to stop. He also could have had Alonso on 3 occasions, but he hesitated everytime.

Webber's race was done when they had him in for a tyre change after Vettel, rightly so though as Vettel had the lead. But with hindsight, Webber would have won the race had they pulled him in first. That said Webber made plenty of mistakes this race, running off after his stop, running off when trying to prevent a pass, and ultimately nerfing Hamilton when Hamilton was prancing about failing at overtaking Alonso.

The best result of the race; Kubica finishing second for Renault. An awesome result that shows there's plenty of competition in this championship.

And head must be rolling at Virgin. To design your car with a fuel tank too small to last race distance is embaressing, and costly to rectify, as they have essentially redesign their car.

Chandock finishing for HRT is promising. This team had a turbulent start, but that started out very conservatively, so hopefully as the season progresses their performance improves.

While I love the V8s because it's the Falcons and Commodores fighting it out, I've got no problems with other manufacturers coming in, as long as they come in with genuine V8 cars and not those horrible Sierra-like shitboxes that ruined Bathurst in the late 1980s/early 1990s.

Make it about awesome muscle cars going hell-for-leather around Bathurst, and it'll be awesome, manufacturers notwithstanding.

GTFO the Sierras and GTRs were awesome. Goddamn Falcodore apologists couldn't handle the fact their poorly designed taxis couldn't hold a candle to them. My hope is that when the Falcon is eventually abolished that the series reverts back to a production V8 sedan format, with Jag's, Merc's, Audi's, Cadillacs and BMWs.

Speaking of the support categories; the AusGT championship with 2 scary crashes in 2 days. I swear Bowe was going to emerge with back injuries.

[Shorty]

GTFO the Sierras and GTRs were awesome. Goddamn Falcodore apologists couldn't handle the fact their poorly designed taxis couldn't hold a candle to them. My hope is that when the Falcon is eventually abolished that the series reverts back to a production V8 sedan format, with Jag's, Merc's, Audi's, Cadillacs and BMWs.

Would that include some of the Super GT 500 variants of Japanese cars like the 350Z, GT-R and SC430?

[Lazlow]

Dunno, I'm in two minds about engine swapping to make fantasy cars. The current V8 Supercars are bad enough, and that's what I'd like to see them get away from.

Also, some other things about the F1 I forgot earlier;

Gabriella Cilmi is annoying as f***. I was pretty chuffed to see her mic turned off during the anthem. Plus she clearly wants a piece of Vettel.

And as much as I'm glad James Allen is gone, Jonathan Legard is starting to annoying me. Plus he has a weird head. BBC must book a room for their pit reporters in the McLaren garage, pretty much every pit report was something to do with McLaren, Hamilton or Button.

[enrique]

Speaking of the support categories; the AusGT championship with 2 scary crashes in 2 days. I swear Bowe was going to emerge with back injuries.

That was pretty crazy, that Porsche got some serious air there and for a split second I thought it was going to do the loop, but Bowe is very lucky. From what I've heard he wasnt in the car at the time so thats a good thing, not sure about the Porsche driver, he'd be feeling a bit sore.

Went to Albert Park on Friday, the GTs sounded great (when they werent under yellow flag :mad:), especially the Vipers and the Gallardos, the Porsches were louder but not as angry as the Vipers though :D.

The F1 cars were louder still (it was my first time at F1) especially when there was one behind the other. First session at turn six was okay on my ears but five minutes into the second session sitting on the back straight they were really starting to hurt but it sounded so good!! Next year I'll be back for the whole four days.

[Lazlow]

I went down fighting, I wasn’t happy with sixth place and wanted to get a podium, but in the end it was a tough day for the team.

Wish more drivers fought to the end, rather than settling for minor points. I'm starting to warm to the idea of having a 3 medal system for first, second and third. The less positions that pay off the more teams will fight for them.

[Lazlow]

V8 Supercars to end 2 horse race (http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/AA819C4FAE4C87FDCA2576F5000186A2)

The Car of the Future blueprint – drawn up by five-time Australian touring car champion Mark Skaife and approved by the V8 Supercars board and teams – allows for manufacturers to enter cars with any naturally aspirated V8 engine, as long as they can bring it into performance parity with the existing Ford and GM pushrod V8s that generate about 478kW of power and 900Nm of torque.

...

Under the new rules, V8 engines will still be mandatory, as well as normally aspirated. However, they could include more modern features such as double overhead camshafts and alloy blocks.

Details of a so-called ‘engine equalisation program’ to ensure parity are still being drawn up and should be ready by June.

Engines do not necessarily have to be sourced from the particular manufacturer, and might even be drawn from a rival company and ‘badge engineered’ by simply replacing the rocker covers.

All cars will be built on a common ‘Project Blueprint’ platform, with a 90 per cent common roll cage and with a common independent rear suspension, replacing the old-style ‘live’ rear axle.

Safety will be improved, with the fuel tank being moved forward of the rear axle and the drivers’ seat shifted further towards the centre of the car for side impact protection. Polycarbonate windscreens will be introduced.

Cars must be rear-drive, four-door sedans, which rules out two-door supercars such as the Nissan GT-R and European exotics.

The number of ‘control’ parts is to be increased as a method of driving down costs, with a new 18-inch wheel – up from 17 inches – one of those to be mooted today.

[Lazlow]

Watching the delayed broadcast on Ten (missed the first half of the race on One when I was at the movies); if they don't ping Hamilton for those 4 weaves, they'll lose all credibility!

EDIT: A warning?!?! You pussies!

EDIT2: A potentially dull race saved by the turmoil during qualifying; these Hermann Tilke tracks kill F1 just as much as the realiance on aerodynamical grip. Sucks Webber lost position to Vettel at the first turn, but its a better result than causing an accident. At least Webber leaves with the fastest lap. Too bad Kubica couldn't pip Rosberg.

[Clift]

Couldn't have asked for a better start to the MotoGP season!

Rossi and Lorenzo 1st and 2nd, and Stoner crashed out... :D

[Grubdog]

?

Another great drive by Will Power. This bloke is sensational, he's blowing away the Indycar field by a second a lap at every track so far.

[Lazlow]

I take it Indy is on PayTV?

[Grubdog]

Yeah ESPN, but it's also streamed live on indycar.com for free, with several in car cameras to switch to as well as live timing, it's pretty impressive, chugs a bit on my net connection though.

[Lazlow]

90bbUw1OTI0

I'd shit bricks. Pretty funny he tries to steer out of the spin when he has no front wheels. Habit I guess.

[enrique]

I'd shit bricks. Pretty funny he tries to steer out of the spin when he has no front wheels. Habit I guess.

Could've imagined what was going through his mind when both his front wheels just up and parted company from the car. :eek:

Not a good time for Buemi, his (cousin?) Natasha Gachnang crashed her Ford GT in the first round of the new World GT1 Championship at Abu Dhabi breaking one of her legs, after hitting a wall at over 200kph, with Le Mans only less then two months away its going to be a big challenge to see if she can recover in time. The cameraman was also injured but only breaking his nose.

u5WWrkeLb0o

KB6r06Cjo0E

[Lazlow]

Man, f*** McLaren. Button pulled off a dog restart that should be penalised, as should Hamilton nerfing Webber off the track. At least Hamilton's getting pinged for that bullshit him and his team pulled in the pits.

[Grubdog]

Yep, another joke F1 race. Entertaining though.

Will Power starting from pole at Long Beach tomorrow morning.

[Lazlow]

It was a good race, just marred by some obvious infringements. The racing was awesome throughout though.

[enrique]

Man, f*** McLaren. Button pulled off a dog restart that should be penalised, as should Hamilton nerfing Webber off the track. At least Hamilton's getting pinged for that bullshit him and his team pulled in the pits.

Totally. Button nearly caused a pileup at the hairpin and Hamilton ramming Webber of the road nearly made me punch the telly. Webber must have some self control, he sounded pretty calm on the radio to his engineer after the incident, if it had've been me I would responded in kind. :mad:

Oh and Will Power came third.

[Lazlow]

To be fair, Webber punted Hamilton off the road in Australia.

[enrique]

To be fair, Webber punted Hamilton off the road in Australia.

True but over the years Hamilton's hit Webber more times then vice versa. :D

If your into GT racing then you can watch the first race of the new GT1 world championship on www.gt1world.com/gt1tv. Good quality and the cars look great and sound awesome under lights at Abu Dhabi too. Your can watch it online but in Australia I think its blocked because Foxsports are showing it.

[Lazlow]

Awesome, I want to see this new Championship flourish, and lack of network coverage doesn't help.

The new DTM seasons starts soon too, hopefully One covers it again. As does the BTCC season.

BTCC also announced new regulations for 2011 which will see the inclusion of non-Super 2000 spec RWD cars.

[Lazlow]

Surfers Paradise enduro to be a star-studded affair (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83097)

Scott Dixon is one of several star drivers to sign up for the V8 Supercar round at Surfers Paradise this October.

The two-time IndyCar champion will join Todd and Rick Kelly's Jack Daniel's Racing team for the endurance event, which is two weeks after Bathurst.

Dixon's IndyCar rivals Ryan Briscoe, Dario Franchitti, Will Power and Alex Tagliani have also signed up for the Surfers race, as well as former grand prix drivers Sebastien Bourdais, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Mika Salo, Gianni Morbidelli and David Brabham, and former BTCC champion Fabrizio Giovanardi.

World Touring Car drivers Andy Priaulx, Yvan Muller, Alain Menu and Tiago Monteiro will also enter, provided a replacement date for the cancelled WTCC round in Mexico doesn't clash with Surfers.

Dixon has raced on the Gold Coast street circuit three times since moving to the US - twice in Champ Car and once in the non-championship IndyCar race in 2008 - and says it is his favourite track.

"Gold Coast as a race, for me, it was my favourite race," he said. "I'm probably a little biased because I can catch up with friends and family with it being so close to New Zealand. The fact that you have the party atmosphere, you have a big race going on, it's by the beach, you couldn't ask for anything more and it's definitely a standout.

"I'd say 90 per cent of the drivers always loved that race. It was the best race that we go to and everybody looked forward to it. Everybody would fly in a week before the race. A lot of the races in America you fly in the Thursday night before it starts on Friday.

"It's a shame that we're not back [at Surfers] in IndyCar but to go back in a V8 is going to be even cooler."

Although it will be his first time in a V8 Supercar, Dixon is still confident of a good result at Surfers.

"I'm definitely looking forward to it," he said. "To go back to the Gold Coast, it's a lot different to any of the other times I've run there. I think for me to go back to those roots and actually race in this series, which is a very big series down there, is going to be a lot of fun - and hopefully we can get a good result out of it."



Here's hoping it leads to Indy returning to Australia.

[Lazlow]

So it seems the real reason the Gold Coast track has been changed, was to avoid drunk women exposing their breasts (http://www.news.com.au/national/bare-breasts-banned-at-gold-coast-600/story-e6frfkvr-1225857767227)

BARE breasts on balconies have been banned at the Gold Coast 600.

V8 Supercars boss Tony Cochrane said the face of the Gold Coast's motor racing carnival would completely change this year as it sought to shed the seedy, booze-fuelled reputation of past events in a bid to lure more families, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

Event organizers have even shortened the track to avoid the Surfers Paradise high rises where women often bared their breasts during the event.

"We got rid of a lot of the high-rise buildings that didn't do a very good job of policing the behaviour," Mr Cochrane said.

[Lazlow]

BMW working on 2012 DTM return (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83177)

Awesome news. Wish it was sooner, but awesome all the same.

[enrique]

Yep the three Germans will be fighting it out in touring cars once more..cant wait.

Second round of GT1 World Champs are on this weekend at Silverstone, watching qualifying race from yesterday, should be working on assignment though (doh), Aston Martin 1-2 courtesy of a ballast break.

[Lazlow]

A car from the Mini Cooper support race during the Ipswich round of the V8 Supercars yesterday, rolled into the crowd putting 2 in hospital, serious but stable

The picture on the front page of The Sunday Mail today is phenomenal.

Watch video of it here (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/how-mini-disaster-became-major-miracle-at-queensland-raceway/story-e6frf9if-1225861150312)

[Lazlow]

Moto2 race tonight was too awesome

[Lazlow]

Webber on pole... F*** YEAH! (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83421)

Also of note; Schumacher outquailfies Rosberg, and Kobayashi is in the top 10.

[Lazlow]

Shit eating grin from ear to ear :D

[Lazlow]

Said it before, I'll keep saying it; Hamilton can't save a set of tyres for shit.

[Lazlow]

Webber on pole for Monaco ahead of Kubica and Vettel (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83620)

fistpumping like a madman :D

[Lazlow]

Shit eating grin from ear to ear :D

:D :D :D

5char

[HiredMan]

He's top of the table now!

:D :D :D

[enrique]

WEBBER!!! :D:D:D:D

Still pumped from the race last night. He was absolutely in the zone at Monaco, I'm so happy for him, Monaco is indeed the jewel in the crown.

And BMW has won the Nurburgring 24hrs, second was the Farnbacher Racing Ferrari with none other then Alan Simonsen on board. :)

[Lazlow]

Its too bad Schumacher got a 20 second penalty for passing Alonso in that last restart. Apparently the safety car comes in on the last lap under yellow conditions, so whilst Schumy passed after the line, it was still considered full course yellow.

Mercedes are appealing the decision but the ruling will stand.

[HiredMan]

And BMW has won the Nurburgring 24hrs, second was the Farnbacher Racing Ferrari with none other then Alan Simonsen on board. :)

Yeah, but only because the leading Porsche GT3 R Hybrid (http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/petrol-pips-hybrid-at-nurburgring-20100517-v7a0.html)s engine went kaput 2 hours from the finish :/

Also, the bog standard 3.8 GT3 RS road car driven by Walter Rohrl and others finished 13th outright. Amazing.

:D

[NiB]

Jumped of Battlefield fully intending to go to bed then got hooked watching it. He should have won by 20-30 seconds if not for safety cars.

That last crash nearly brought him unstuck, he was bloody close when someone tried to play leapfrog with a 600kg F1 car

[enrique]

Yeah, but only because the leading Porsche GT3 R Hybrid (http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/petrol-pips-hybrid-at-nurburgring-20100517-v7a0.html)s engine went kaput 2 hours from the finish :/

Also, the bog standard 3.8 GT3 RS road car driven by Walter Rohrl and others finished 13th outright. Amazing.

:D

I'm glad it blew up- I was tipping BMW for the win anyway! :D Rohrl didnt race-he hurt his back unfortunately before the race week, I was looking forward to seeing how he would go in the big one. But yeah 13th for a stock vehicle that was driven to and from the racetrack is a stunning achievement.

Here's Webber and RBR celebrating at Monaco with a pool party after the race :D http://vimeo.com/11784489

[Lazlow]

I really hope that the rumours going around that Kubica's going to Ferrari, with Massa taking Webber's drive at Red Bull are completely unfounded.

However I do hope Liuzzi gets dumped and Di Resta gets promoted to a full time drive. He's driving the wheels off that car whenever they put him in it.

[HiredMan]

I'm glad it blew up- I was tipping BMW for the win anyway! :D Rohrl didnt race-he hurt his back unfortunately before the race week, I was looking forward to seeing how he would go in the big one. But yeah 13th for a stock vehicle that was driven to and from the racetrack is a stunning achievement.

Ah, so thats why the article didnt mention ol' Walty.

[Lazlow]

I really hope that the rumours going around that Kubica's going to Ferrari, with Massa taking Webber's drive at Red Bull are completely unfounded.

After back-to-back wins, Christian Horner throws his support behind Webber (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83695)

phew



Williams confirms failures; Hulkenberg - front wing, Barichello - rear suspension (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83706)

I've been a Williams fan since the Mansell/Patrese days, so its disheartening seeing them struggle for so many years :(



Tyre bid down to two: Pirelli and Michelin (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/83696)

IIRC Pirelli are open to having two tyre suppliers in F1 by 2013, and to be using an 18inch rear tyre by then (IIRC they currently use a 13 or 14 inch rear tyre).

[enrique]

Massive crash in Super Trofeo race at Brno (supporting World GT1)

dVFY-ic7vgM


Aston Martin Racing mechanic (circled)jumped the pitwall and pulled the driver out of the burning car-incredible bravery shown there. The driver is in a stable condition with burns and broken bones. Looking at these photos of the crash http://www.foltyn.cz/car/lambo.htm, I'm surprised he wasnt killed. Incredible.

[Optimus]

****ing Vettel.

Still a good race though.

[Ad-Rock]

Vettel should die in a fire.

[Lazlow]

FAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaark

You could see Mark seething in the post race presser. Shit stormed ensued too;

Webber blames Vettel (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84029)

Vettel says it's not his fault (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84028)

Webber was in fuel saving mode, hence slowing (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84050)

Red Bull denies favouring Vettel, despite blaming Webber for defending his position (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84052)

From every goddamned replay I've seen, Webber held his line, and left Vettel enough room. That Vettel can claim Webber touched his right rear is outrageous, every camera pointed at the incident showed Vettel turning in on Webber.

And it wasn't like he slowly merged across, he darted right, which doesn't fit with Helmut Marko's explanation of the events.

Ultimately, it was a desperate passed that didn't need to be made. Vettel went on the inside where there was already very very little room and simply expected Webber to yield. For f***s sake, he was trying to pass with two wheels skirting the grass.

[enrique]

Stupid f****** kids! First Vettel hit Webber (whats the golden rule about passing your team mates huh?) and then I have put up with Beeb fapping on about Hamilton for the whole of the last lap-glad my tv has a mute button................:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[Lazlow]

The motoring press blame Vettel. The general press blame Vettel. The majority of the public blame Vettel. Other drivers (Hamilton) blame Vettel.

So how Red Bull can blame Webber, and then try to maintain that there is no favouritism towards Vettel is beyond me. I guess an Australian in an Austrian team will always have a hard time when paired with a German.

Mark briefly defended (a slight drift to the left), then gave Vettel room, and held his line. The onus was on Vettel to stick a clean pass; he failed. It was a desperate move made by a desperate driver and he has a history of such tactics (pretty sure Quatters still hasn't forgiven him for taking Kubica; then with BMW; out of the 09 Australian GP). .

At least Webber manned up apologised to Hamilton after the Australian GP.

EDIT:

For those that may have missed it, here's a good video. Shows both on-boards and external replays.

YiIc-A--iNU

[enrique]

http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq232/richoimage/vettelfail.jpg

I was hoping Button and Hamilton would take each other out just after than with their overtakes, but that was some good entertaining driving.

Wait- I wasnt the only one hoping that would happen? :D

[Lazlow]

The extended transcript of the post-race presser makes interesting reading. Mainly due to Webber's cryptic responses to why Vettel was faster at that point in the race, and the f-bomb he drops when he has to explain the incident for the millionth time.

With all the reading I've done, I can understand Red Bull's position, however unfair. They basically stipulate that they must give each other room, never go the wall with each other. So with that interpretation in mind Webber did give Vettel the bare minimal of running room.

But, he still gave him room, and had they held their lines they both would have made the corner. Instead Vettel tried to intimidate Webber into yeilding, the same as he did to Hamilton earlier.

[Lazlow]

Here are your poll results for the Turkey crash: Vettel to blame: 79.45%. Webber to blame: 8.8%. Racing incident: 11.75%

Autosport.com

[StorminNorman]

The 24 Hours of Nurburgring in 19400 frames. (http://jalopnik.com/5552088/the-most-beautiful-24-hours-of-nurburgring-footage-of-the-year)

[enrique]

The 24 Hours of Nurburgring in 19400 frames. (http://jalopnik.com/5552088/the-most-beautiful-24-hours-of-nurburgring-footage-of-the-year)

I was just watching this! Awesome vision, to me it more so captures the human side of the race and it does it very well. Not a big fan of the music though.

[Lazlow]

Pretty awesome Le Mans is live on ONE this month

[Lazlow]

Red Bull accepts Webber not to blame (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84085)

Red Bull Racing has conceded that it was wrong to pin the blame on Mark Webber for the clash with team-mate Sebastian Vettel in Turkey last weekend - with the team now believing their coming-together was simply an 'unnecessary' racing accident.

In a press release Q & A issued by the team on Tuesday to try and defuse the controversy surrounding the team, team principal Christian Horner cast further light on the events building up to the incident.

Having had two days to analyse the crash and the circumstances surrounding it, Horner said that all factions of the team - including Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko - now believed both drivers should share the blame for what happened.

This stance is in contrast to comments made by Marko immediately after the race, where he wholly blamed Webber. That statement prompted furore from fans and the media, especially because it was Vettel who had turned right into Webber's car as he tried to overtake him.



Its funny though, that as you read Horner's account of the events that unfolded, the blame really lies with Vettel still;

"On lap 38 and 39, Sebastian's pace picked up and he closed right up to the back of Mark while under considerable pressure from Hamilton behind," explained Horner. "After a very strong run through Turn 9, Sebastian got a run and strong tow and moved to the left to pass Mark.

"Mark held the inside line and adopted a defensive position, which he is entitled to do. When Sebastian was three quarters of the way past, he moved to the right.

"As Sebastian moved to the right, Mark held his position and the ensuing result was contact that resulted in Sebastian retiring, Mark damaging the front-end of his car and the team losing a one two finish. Ultimately both drivers should have given each other more room."



Webber gave room, Vettel didn't. Simple.

Canada will favour the McLaren's who have a big straight line advantage. However the Red Bulls should do well in the first half of the lap. I just hope Webber continues to outqualify Vettel.

[enrique]

Bit of a backpedal on RBR's behalf, hopefully Vettel steers right into the side of Hamilton in Montreal, that would actually help the team. Silly kid. What's the golden rule eh?

I'll be following Le Mans on my phone instead of watching it on ONE. A mate's wedding will keep me away from my couch for most of the weekend, not that it'll matter, I'll probably be too hammered on Sunday night to realize what's going on at Le Sarthe haha.

Here's my tips

LMP1-This will be close. I say Peugeot, I'm not sure why to be honest but then again Audi aint perfect either.

LMP2-A battle of attrition but Highcroft in their Acura will be the ones to beat unless their car lets them down like it did at Sebring. Go Brabs!

GT1-Young Driver AMR Aston Martin DBR9 is pretty much a factory Aston Martin team with Turner and Enge onboard etc so its theirs to lose IMHO.
Good to see several Ford GTs in the mix and one last blast from the Saleen S7R.

GT2-This will be the big battle and should be nothing short of all out war. Ferrari v Porsche v Corvette v BMW. Some very strong cars here. Risi Ferrari for me :D

[Lazlow]

Red Bull destined to paint Webber in a bad light (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84093)

[HiredMan]

GT2-This will be the big battle and should be nothing short of all out war. Ferrari v Porsche v Corvette v BMW. Some very strong cars here. Risi Ferrari for me :D

Nah, the RSR's will decimate all! I hope...

[Lazlow]

mrlk those Beamers.

[enrique]

Nah, the RSR's will decimate all! I hope...

Someone ban this guy! :D :p Not sure how the M3s will go-they've been getting more on the pace in the LMS but they have had some reliability problems even though they won at the Ring a couple of weeks ago (which was in a different spec car BTW to what they will run at LM). Charly Lamm and the AC Schnitzer team are amongst the best (they won outright in 99 with the V12 LMR) but I'm not that convinced.

Corvettes will be a pain in the ass for both Porsche and Ferrari. Should be a cracking race though.

[Lazlow]

Red Bull looking to extend Vettel to 2015; Webber to be kept on single year contracts (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84102) >_>

[lex3191]

I heard Webber might move to Ferrari. I dont follow motorsport that much. What are your thoughts on Webber? I always thought he was over-rated; surprised he was in any F1 car let alone now one of the best. He keeps besting Vettel in pole positions. Is it his age that is keeping him on single year contracts? He would be crazy to leave red bull at this point. He now doesnt have the car to blame from his poor perfomances. I would love to see him continue to do well. He is an Aussie after all.

[Lazlow]

I always thought he was over-rated

What plaudits he receives are well deserved, and he doesn't receive many in the foreign press. So calling him overrated is a bit over the top.

F1 is very money driven, with many drivers making their path easier to F1 with the help of big corporate backers. Webber didn't have this luxury, he got into F1 on the back of his talent and associations with Flavio Briatore and Paul Stoddart. Hence coming it at such an age.

He has consistently been quick, either neck and neck or outpacing his teammates, but unfortantely he was plagued with unrealiability. He started with Minardi and moved to Jaguar; the former a team that never elevated above also-ran and the latter a team that never invested enough to produce results. But he must have done something right to attract the attention of Williams. Unfortunately he joined Williams at the wrong time, as they were on a slide that has continued through to this season.

He shopped for a new drive when Williams wanted to give him less money for a 3rd season (a raw deal considering their shocking unreliability), and a deal brokered by Briatore to supply Renault engines to Red Bull in exchange for giving Webber a drive kept him in the game.

Webber has always been on the fringes of F1 (prior to joining Minardi he was an Arrows & Benetton/Renault test driver. In fact in a Benetton test he outpaced both Ralf Schumacher and Giancarlo Fisichella) but never had the big dollars to secure a deal (in contrast his Minardi teammate Alex Yoong had the backing of the Malaysian government through government owned corporations).

The local sporting press is very results orientated; if you're not first you're last. A 5th with Williams was a great result, for our local press it was disappointing. They haven't exactly been the kindest to him.

The I was also against the Ferrari deal, as they are currently struggling to produce the goods; it looked like jumping to Williams all over again. Alas it looks like Ferrari are set to keep Massa, and after Webber won Monaco Horner came out saying they intend to hang onto Webber at Red Bull. After the incident at Turkey though, it does seem Red Bull favour Vettel 60/40, and that sort of environment is not condusive to either great results or a long career.

EDIT:

I distinctly remember a pommy co-worker of mine last year saying Webber will be the best driver to never win a race, 3 weeks before he won his first race :D

[lex3191]

Hey thanks Laz, that puts it into perspective, makes me appreciate Webber more. my over-rated jibe does seam a little unfair now with hindsight. Has the whole crash thing stuff things up for webber? From what I read he was in front and Vettel tried to pass him, causing the accident. Vettel claiming he had the inside position so had a right to pass. Webber claiming it was no-ones fault. I guess it's hard, but you would think you would pass up a risking overtake for the sake of the team doing better. but it seems like Webber has come out of this worse off.

[Lazlow]

Regardless of either drivers' actions, Red Bull as a team handled it poorly. As much as they're trying to put it behind them (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84111) the team was very publically fractured.

[enrique]

Although Vettel did come off worse as far as points go, he scored none and whilst Webber finished behind the two McLarens he still scored points to lead the championship. :D

The local press dont know much of F1, they dont understand how ruthless and cruel it can be so they dont fully appreciate how much work Webber puts in. To them its just another motor race where anyone can win-thats why they dont get it, its quite frustrating.

I dont think going to Ferrari would be a good move, he is in the best car on the grid atm, as long as RBR dont favour Vettel too much, I cant see Webber going anywhere.

[Grubdog]

I dont think going to Ferrari would be a good move, he is in the best car on the grid atm, as long as RBR dont favour Vettel too much, I cant see Webber going anywhere.
Yeah but they do. I remember last year when Webber was ahead of Vettel in the points, mid season. He mysteriously had 5 non-points finishes in a row through reliability and bad pitstops. I don't trust Red Bull at all, i'm hoping Renault or Ferrari for 2011.

[Lazlow]

I don't think there'll be too much seat swapping for next year. Renault sounds content with their line up now that Petrov has found pace, and IIRC Webber is set to resign during the Silverstone round.

[Lazlow]

Well Rossi's season just took a massive blow (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84151):(

[Clift]

Well Rossi's season just took a massive blow (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84151):(

Very disappointing. :(

He better be back for Phillip Island! I'd hate to not see him racing when I go down. >_<

[enrique]

Watching MotoGp last night, the battle for fourth was great! Lorenzo didnt look very happy about being beaten by Pedrobot either.

[Lazlow]

Only found out on Sunday that SBS has the World Superbikes. Not full coverage just highlights of both races and the Supersports as well.

I still can't get into Super League Formula either; the concept of cars based on soccer teams doesn't really sell itself as a serious category.

Speedweek sucked arse; half the show dedicated to water ski racing, the other half to the indepedent racer series, but without showing any actual races. I remember when they used to cover cool shit, like speedway meets and domestic open wheel categories.

[enrique]

SBS has had the Superbikes highlights for a while now, I catch them when I can.

Speedweek used to be much better years ago when they had Procar on the show. It really depends on what is on the show which determines whether I watch it or not. Not a fan of boat racing, some of the state stuff is alright. I like SuperLeague, I dont follow football that closely but the cars sound good and go fast and there are some handy drivers in there so I find it interesting.

Do Ten show Moto2? I fell asleep midway through the 125s last night...:o

[Lazlow]

Man you missed two cracking support races :p

Yeah they show both after the MotoGP... I think ONE show them before, as I flicked over to ONE halfway through the MotoGP and after that they had NASCAR.

[Lazlow]

Red Bull extends Webber's contract to the end of 2011 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84204)

[enrique]

Not surprised that he stayed with Red Bull, its his best option at the moment although I am surprised it was announced this early, although it was probably for the best in allowing him to get on with instead of having to listen to journos speculating where he'll be next year.

[enrique]

Peugeot have locked out the top four for qualifying at Le Mans. Audi are two seconds off their pace but who know what'll happen in the race. Ferrari have taken pole in GT2 (Risi). Should be a great fight in all the classes. Just hope that damn JLOC Lambo makes more then one lap this year.......

[Lazlow]

POOJOH

f**inyanks>_>

[Lazlow]

IT'S OVER

And sucked in you pissweak frogs, Audi 1st, 2nd & 3rd.

Was getting pissy at the end, I've been watching it nearly for its entirity (slept 5am-12noon), and in the last 2mins ONE's reception kept breaking up and disappearing. Thankfully it came back just in time for them to cross the line.

Class winners:
LMNP1 - Mike Rockenfeller/Timo Bernhard/Romain Dumas Audi R15 TDi Plus
LMNP2 - Nick Leventis/Danny Watts/Jonny Kane HPD ARX-01C
GT1 - Roland Berville/Julien Canal/Gabriele Gardel Saleen S7-R
GT2 - Marc Lieb/Richard Lietz/Wolf Henzler Porsche 997 RSR

Will be the last time GT1 is included due to dwindling entries over subsequent years.

----------------------------------------------------

F1 qualifying was pretty awesome too. Only Hamilton was consistently pumping out fast times, as everyone else struggled for consistency. Webber ended up pumping out a mega lap in Q3 to take provisional pole, with Vettel suring up second. But Hamilton manage to start another lap with 4secs left in the session, and pumped out a blistering lap to steal pole.

However, he was very low on fuel to McLaren advised him to stop on track as they have to have enough left for a sample for scrutineering. He cut the engine and stood up in the car, coasting it down the back straight, eventualy getting out to push it further before marshalls took over. Doing so exceeded the maximum time allowed to return to the pits and Hamilton was fined $10,000US and given a reprimand. Brawn was vocal over this as he believes it sets a precedent for cars to go out without enough fuel to make it back.

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/2512/quali.jpg

[Lazlow]

So Webber got bumped back 5 places after Red Bull "found a problem" with his gearbox, and elected to change it, elevating Vettel to the front row >_>

F***in' favouritism!

[Lazlow]

Jonathan Legard is starting to shit me more than James Allen did... maybe. He constantly talks over people and is just as pro-McLaren anti-everyone-else as James Allen was.

Either way, fun race. And despite the BBC team being very down on the strategy used for Webber personally I think they did a great job, Vettel is the one who suffered; Webber went 7th to 5th, whereas Vettel fell from 2nd to 4th.

Pretty awesome to see arsehole Schumacher out today too, plenty of classic Michael moments in this race.

[StorminNorman]

Watched pretty much all of LeMans. Great race. Was bitterly disappointed in One HD's coverage (they cut it for fricking NAPCAR! ARGH!~), but thankfully EuroSport was there for the entire thing (and with commentators that could actually pronounce Peugeot), so we were able to see it basically uninterrupted.

[HiredMan]

gt2 - marc lieb/richard lietz/wolf henzler porsche 997 rsr

:) :)

[enrique]

:) :)

:(:( What a miserable race for Risi.......the 430 is getting on in years, can't wait til the 458 comes out at Sebring next year. I hear Anthony Davidson isnt on Corvette Racing's Christmas card list anymore...

Saleen wins GT1! At long last. I know it was due to other's problems but Le Mans is not always about speed so hats off to Larbre Competition, it is great that in this final year of the GT1 class that a fine equipe such as Larbre take the win.

[Clift]

Silverstone is receiving praise from most of the MotoGP riders it seems. Disappointed Rossi won't be racing though. >_<

With any luck, Stoner will continue his string of less than impressive race results! >_>

[enrique]

Yeah it was a great race. Lorenzo just took off and that wasnt exciting but what was going on behind him was just incredible! I was so gutted for Hayden after going wide on the last lap and letting Spies through, so many fourth places for Nicky, the poor guy. And what a ride from Stoner, from last to fifth! If only he hadnt had problems at the start, who knows what he could've done.

[Lazlow]

Was a good race... all three were good in fact. Would be nice to see more entries for the MotoGP though, that field looked pitifully small.

Also; Stoner to Honda? (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84630)

[enrique]

Pedrosa and Stoner at the same team? That'd be interesting, mind you I reckon they're not at each others throats right now like they were several years back.

[Lazlow]

So I see Ambrose made a goose of himself at Sears Point; with the end in sight and a maiden sprint cup win, they were under the 7th caution for the day. To save fuel he was shutting the engine off and coating, but unfortunately did so before an uphill section. It refused to fire for a while and he fell back to 7th. He got it going again but the officials deemed he didn't maintain reasonable speed behind the pace car so the relegated him to 7th. He ended up finishing 6th.

Shit the commentators make me laugh. One did know what carbon fibre was, and another was refering to "this Ekstrom guy".

Ekstrom ran an awesome race, unfortunately some dickholes spun him around not once but twice.

[Lazlow]

Few changes to F1 after a WMSC meeting;

New convoluted rules for an adjustable rear wing (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84689)

Formula 1 is set to introduce an adjustable rear wing next season, in place of the current adjustable front wing and F-duct, and any device in 2011 will only be able to be activated to assist overtaking.

The bodywork will not be allowed to be moved during the first two laps of a race, and thereafter only when a driver is less than one second behind the car in front.

A statement from the World Motor Sport Council said: "From 2011, adjustable bodywork may be activated by the driver at any time prior to the start of the race and, for the sole purpose of improving overtaking opportunities during the race, after the driver has completed two laps.

"The driver may only activate the adjustable bodywork in the race when he has been notified via the control electronics that it is enabled. It will only be enabled if the driver is less than one second behind another at any of the pre-determined positions around each circuit. The system will be disabled the first time the driver uses the brakes after the system has been activated.




Pirelli to be F1's sole tyre supplier for 3 years from 2011 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84688)

Didn't say whether they're moving to the 18inch rear as of next season... can't remember.


107% rule to return for 2011 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84690)

A statement released by the World Motor Sport Council said: "From 2011, any driver whose best qualifying lap exceeds 107 per cent of the fastest Q1 qualifying time will not be allowed to take part in the race.

"Under exceptional circumstances, however, which may include setting a suitable laptime in a free practice session, the stewards may permit the car to start the race. Should there be more than one driver accepted in this manner, the grid order will be determined by the stewards."





Also;

Nick Fry leaves McLaren for Ferrari (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84669)

GO TO EARLIER STORY GO TO THE NEWS INDEX GO TO NEXT STORY


Ferrari signs Fry as assistant tech chief

By Pablo Elizalde Tuesday, June 22nd 2010, 09:16 GMT


The Ferrari team has confirmed that Pat Fry will join the Italian squad at the start of next month, following his exit from McLaren.

Fry, 46, worked for the McLaren team as chief engineer, before leaving the British outfit earlier this year following 18 years in the team.

Ferrari confirmed on Tuesday that Fry will join on 1st July, when he will start working in the new role of assistant technical director.

[Lazlow]

more F1 news;

Pirelli to stick with current dimensions for tyres, but hopes to shift to larger tyres by 2013 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84711)

Drivers unimpressed with rear wing plans (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84716)

US F1 fined and disqualified (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84715)

[enrique]

I'll be interested to see how the Pirellis go next year.

Lol@ US F1 getting disqualified, wow thats a setback for the team.

[Lazlow]

US F1 getting disqualified, wow thats a setback for the team.

With their assets auctioned off not long ago, I doubt we'll ever hear from them again.

I'll be interested to see how the Pirellis go next year.

The teams will definitely not be pleased with how long its taken. They wanted a concrete 2011 spec tyre a month ago to start preparing cars. Pirelli will apparently doing their testing with a GP2 car.

[Lazlow]

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/2512/quali.jpg

Red Bull lock out another front row, and Williams have found some pace. I gave Schumacher the benefit of the doubt at the start of the season, but he is really struggling.

[REQUIEM]

You know something is up when Webber is getting props.

[Lazlow]

Didn't the Valencia race used to be at night... or am I losing my mind? :/

[Lazlow]

Well we just saw how scary the performance difference between a Red Bull and a Lotus is. It's as if Heikki was on the brakes miles earlier than Webber was going to be.

[Lazlow]

It was pretty funny to see the BBC team go from blaming Webber to blaming Heikki, once Heikki admitted to defending the position.


EDIT:

Ha! It's on youtube already, won't last long though.

-rn2BA7nWO8

[Lazlow]

2IaVgP9x_0I

[Lazlow]

lol butthurt Mike Gascoyne

Heikki now racing webber and rosberg, What a disaster from Webber

...

Heikki defended his line and braked at his normal point, looks like webber missed his braking point

...

Heiiki fine and on the pitwall with us, pissed off with webber though

...

For all those sayiny we should not have defended from webber when it is for position on track we race. Always.......

...

To all those who sent rude messages about me tweeting during the race then just stop following.

[Lazlow]

Kovalainen: Webber was caught out
(http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84836)

Heikki Kovalainen believes Mark Webber was taken by surprise by the Lotus' early braking point in the Australian's frightening accident in the European Grand Prix.

Just like I said from the moment Webber was pointed skywards, he was on the brakes, in the middle of the road, miles before the Red Bull was going to be.

[Lazlow]

Would be nice to see more entries for the MotoGP though, that field looked pitifully small

Cool, I'm not alone here (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84874)

[Clift]

Cool, I'm not alone here (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84874)

Stoner calling other riders whingers? That's pretty rich. =/

Although I do agree that more bikes on the field would be a welcome change.

[Lazlow]

It's pretty hypocritical of him in some respects though, as the previous day he was chastising Yamaha for promoting their 41 year old test rider, who hasn't raced in some 8 years, to Rossi's seat. (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/84872)

Clift, I take it from the tone in a couple of your posts that you're not much of a Stoner fan? :p

[Lazlow]

Sat down to watch the Sprint Cup race at Daytona today, but I've given up because ONE HD are cutting to ad breaks every half a lap.

You literally come back from an 2-3 minute ad break block to see them go down the back straight and enter a turn, before cutting to more ads.

[Grubdog]

Will Power on pole for Watkins Glen tomorrow morning.

[enrique]

Will Power wins with Briscoe second!!! Fantastic!

Actually stayed awake last night to watch Moto2 and wasnt disappointed. Some good racing, some big crashes especially at the start and the finish and a bit of controversy. They dont sound half bad either. Didnt know Toni Elias rode one.