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[mclaren777]

Hamilton's 2nd WDC is long overdue. Can't wait for this season to start.

Some of us count 2008 as his second WDC.

uh-oh.. HRT might not be ready for Barcelona test?

Bummer. I really hope they get everything sorted out in time.

 

[Yen]

The Guardian: Ecclestobe ready to drop the Austrailian GP unless it becomes a night race (in 2015). On iPod, someone else link it.

 

[Massa]

The Guardian: Ecclestobe ready to drop the Austrailian GP unless it becomes a night race.

Fuck him.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

He can fuck right off the cunt.

Why does it have to be a night race? We have Singapore for that. It's cool there. It's pointless in Australia. I mean, it's goddamn Australia. SUN SUN SUN.

It's an amazing track so if it leaves the calendar I'll cry man tears.

 

[Kepler]

Why... It is bad enough that they moved the start 2 hours later. I actually enjoyed getting up at 5am to watch the first race of the season!

Also really wanted to visit that GP in real live, so now I have to do it before 2015

 

[dubc35]

What a douchey mcbaggins. I hate his dictator role in the sport.

 

[Nicktendo86]

Bernie comes out with so many stupid ideas (artificial wet races, medals etc) you have to wonder how much of it is bullshit to just keep f1 in the news. Or he is just a fucking idiot. Probably the latter.

 

[Adam Scott Aukerman]

Don't really get the hate for Bernie over this as it's pretty reasonable to be honest. Australia isn't in the most preferential time zone for mass worldwide viewing figures, and the race is struggling to make money as it is, so something has to give.

 

[Tempy]

The Guardian: Ecclestobe ready to drop the Austrailian GP unless it becomes a night race (in 2015). On iPod, someone else link it.

Wut.

....

 

[dubc35]

The article referenced above.

Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One commercial rights holder, appears ready to axe the Australian Grand Prix unless it becomes a night race. The 81-year-old is prepared to honour the contract with the organisers at Melbourne's Albert Park that runs through to 2015, but beyond that the stakes are likely be raised.

Ecclestone said the race is "probably the least viable of all the races we have" given the time difference to the European market, and with other venues waiting in the wings. "We have a contract which we will respect, so up until 2015 we are in good shape," Ecclestone said. "

"After then, we really don't know. If we were to have a divorce from our friends in Melbourne we would probably be walking away from Australia. Because I can't see how Adelaide could make it [a night race] happen, or anywhere else, if Melbourne can't.

"We have other races ready to take the place of Australia, which we don't want to happen. But it would be wrong of me to have to report to our board: 'Terribly sorry about this but we have to walk away from wherever to retain Australia.'"

Ecclestone's posturing could be the final straw for Melbourne in particular as city officials have long complained about the financial losses incurred in recent years.

Given the additional costs required to install lighting, such as that currently used in Singapore, it is likely that would be too much for taxpayers to absorb.

If the contract is up, it's open for negotiations. I still don't like the guy though, lol.

 

[Ark]

The tears are hilarious, keep them coming guys.

Some of us count 2008 as his second WDC.

That's like saying Mansell won three titles.

 

[RomanticHeroX]

If you count Hamilton in 07, you should really count Massa for 08.

 

[mclaren777]

That's like saying Mansell won three titles.

Schumacher sure didn't win seven.

 

[Ark]

There is no 'almost' in F1.

You either win the championship, or you lose the championship.

 

[Lucius86]

I may take one for the team and kill Bernie for the good of F1.

Canning a tradition I have had since I started watching F1 with my Dad when I was 5, headphones on to not wake the rest of the family in the early hours so we could it all down under....fuck him.

 

[Scottify]

I find it curious that he's talking about Australia, all the while having no problem still racing in Bahrain. I guess it just shows you the content of his character.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

I find it curious that he's talking about Australia, all the while having no problem still racing in Bahrain. I guess it just shows you the content of his character.

To be fair, Bernie did give a detailed, logical and reasonable explanation for the Bahrain situation.

 

[Ark]

I find it curious that he's talking about Australia, all the while having no problem still racing in Bahrain. I guess it just shows you the content of his character.

The Middle-East can, and will pay more for races. That, and the Bahrain situation is more calm now.

 

[Scottify]

The Middle-East can, and will pay more for races. That, and the Bahrain situation is more calm now.

Fair enough. I thought things were still bad in Bahrain. Still, it's hard to imagine F1 without Australia. Then again, I said the same thing about a French GP.

 

[Ark]

Fair enough. I thought things were still bad in Bahrain. Still, it's hard to imagine F1 without Australia. Then again, I said the same thing about a French GP.

The only 'classic' Grand Prix that can afford to bargain with Ecclestone, and actually pay up each time are Silverstone, Monza and Monaco.

You could count Brazil too, but F1 isn't leaving Brazil any time soon.

 

[Scottify]

Do you feel that there should be some 'untouchable' Grands Prix? That some are too historic too think about removing regardless if FOM makes or loses money?

In my mind there should always be a GP in England, Italy, France, Germany, Australia and Monaco. That's not to lessen the importance of any of the other GPs though.

 

[SunhiLegend]

Do you feel that there should be some 'untouchable' Grands Prix? That some are too historic too think about removing regardless if FOM makes or loses money?

In my mind there should always be a GP in England, Italy, France, Germany, Australia and Monaco. That's not to lessen the importance of any of the other GPs though.

I would add Japan to that list as well.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

Spa needs to be added.

I'd argue Montreal too.

 

[Ark]

Do you feel that there should be some 'untouchable' Grands Prix? That some are too historic too think about removing regardless if FOM makes or loses money?

In my mind there should always be a GP in England, Italy, France, Germany, Australia and Monaco. That's not to lessen the importance of any of the other GPs though.

If we were to have some untouchable GP, only Silverstone, Monza and Monaco would fit the criteria.

They're the only three tracks that have true historical value, they're almost always sell-outs, Ferrari is Italian, the UK has Williams' and McLaren, Monaco is just Monaco.

 

[ANDY_098]

If we were to have some untouchable GP, only Silverstone, Monza and Monaco would fit the criteria.

They're the only three tracks that have true historical value, they're almost always sell-outs, Ferrari is Italian, the UK has Williams' and McLaren, Monaco is just Monaco.

I'd add one of the German races to that list as well.

 

[Ark]

I'd add one of the German races to that list as well.

I considered it, but since Nurburgring and Hockenheim alternate year on year I didn't throw one in.

I'd put Germany just below the three I mentioned earlier. On it's way there, but not quite yet. Maybe when Seb has another three titles under his belt.

 

[WorriedCitizen]

I would welcome a night race in Australia. There are too many races now in parts of the world where i have to get up early on sunday mornings to watch them. If it means the race will stay on the calender its a win-win situation for everyone.

 

[Tempy]

I would welcome a night race in Australia. There are too many races now in parts of the world where i have to get up early on sunday mornings to watch them. If it means the race will stay on the calender its a win-win situation for everyone.

The problem is that it costs money to add lights and whatever else is needed to enable a night race - and I'm not sure if this investment is enough to make the race profitable.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

If we were to have some untouchable GP, only Silverstone, Monza and Monaco would fit the criteria.

They're the only three tracks that have true historical value, they're almost always sell-outs, Ferrari is Italian, the UK has Williams' and McLaren, Monaco is just Monaco.

In Bernie's mind, only Monaco is untouchable, he would gladly sacrifice Silverstone and even Monza for more money.

An Australian GP should always be on an F1 calender though. If not at Melbourne, then at the once mighty Adelaide circuit.


Step noses may only last one season

http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/02/29/fia-expected-to-tweak-rules-to-prevent-ugly-2013-f1-cars/

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Final test schedule

March 1st

Red Bull - Mark Webber
McLaren - Jenson Button
Ferrari - Felipe Massa
Mercedes - Nico Rosberg
Lotus - Romain Grosjean
Force India - Paul di Resta
Sauber - Sergio Pérez
Toro Rosso - Jean-Éric Vergne
Williams - Pastor Maldonado
Caterham - Heikki Kovalainen

March 2nd

Red Bull - Sebastian Vettel
McLaren - Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari - Fernando Alonso
Mercedes - Michael Schumacher
Lotus - Romain Grosjean
Force India - Nico Hulkenberg
Sauber - Kamui Kobayashi
Toro Rosso - Jean-Éric Vergne
Williams - Bruno Senna (morning) & Pastor Maldonado (afternoon)
Caterham - Heikki Kovalainen

March 3rd

Red Bull - Mark Webber
McLaren - Jenson Button
Ferrari - Felipe Massa
Mercedes - Nico Rosberg
Lotus - Kimi Raikkonen
Force India - Paul di Resta
Sauber - Sergio Pérez
Toro Rosso - Daniel Ricciardo
Williams - Pastor Maldonado (morning) & Bruno Senna (afternoon)
Caterham - Vitaly Petrov

March 4th

Red Bull - Sebastian Vettel
McLaren - Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari - Fernando Alonso
Mercedes - Michael Schumacher
Lotus - Kimi Raikkonen
Force India - Nico Hulkenberg
Sauber - Kamui Kobayashi
Toro Rosso - Daniel Ricciardo
Williams - Bruno Senna
Caterham - Vitaly Petrov

Five World Champions on the final day.

This is it, we'll finally get a better understanding of the relative pace of the cars.

 

[Deadman]

I thought it was a bit strange that they moved the race further back in the day rather than earlier. If they could make it so the race started at 11pm or 12pm and then went to 1 or 1.30am then wouldnt more people stay up a little late on saturday night in europe rather than get up at 5am? I know i would.

 

[mclaren777]

Do you feel that there should be some 'untouchable' Grands Prix?

No. Even though my two favorite tracks are gone now (Imola & Magny-Cours), I don't think any GP should be untouchable.

 

[S. L.]

Suzuka is by far my favorite track, what does this mean?

 

[Pterion]

Some of us count 2008 as his second WDC.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Suzuka is by far my favorite track, what does this mean?

That you have good taste in F1 circuits.

 

[Chris R]

Keep Australia a day race, there are too many races that I have to wake up at 4am to watch already (looking at you every single European race ).

 

[Shaneus]

Australia should stay a day race. If they're talking about costs, how is implementing a hardcore night-lighting system like Singapore going to save on infrastructure?

Anyway, just means that I'm 100% not going to miss the next three (including this year). Warm weather and motor racing just go together, fuck having it at night.

 

[Adamm]

Theres testing today! I completely forgot!

Petrov is driving instead of Kovalainen as he has food poisoning

 

[The Super Bob]

I can understand his reasoning for wanting a night race but I'm against it happening.

And to the person who mentioned about Saturday night rather than a Sunday race, that's crazy

 

[Staab]

haha, thanks for the detail Kova:
@H_Kovalainen: "Wow what a night not been sick like this for a long time... both ends like no tomorrow! Not sure what I picked up and where but not nice..."

 

[Adamm]

Ferrari has to be the worst twitter account out of all the formula one teams (that actually tweet)

They have no personality, they just state facts - 'Fernando has pitted', 'Fernando has driven out of pits', 'Massa qualified 8th, 3 seconds behind Alonso'
So boring

Lotus & Caterham are much more fun!

 

[Psychotext]

haha, thanks for the detail Kova:
@H_Kovalainen: "Wow what a night not been sick like this for a long time... both ends like no tomorrow! Not sure what I picked up and where but not nice..."

Ewww.... lol

 

[Xun]

haha, thanks for the detail Kova:
@H_Kovalainen: "Wow what a night not been sick like this for a long time... both ends like no tomorrow! Not sure what I picked up and where but not nice..."

Haha what the hell?

 

[Adamm]

Is there anyone in the UK with Sky that can check what on channel 408?
It went live this morning, but is it anything worth while or just ads?

 

[Lucius86]

haha, thanks for the detail Kova:
@H_Kovalainen: "Wow what a night not been sick like this for a long time... both ends like no tomorrow! Not sure what I picked up and where but not nice..."

Saw that on my phone. Gotta love him.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

McLaren's new pit stop lights.

Looks like a pretty complex system and a recipe for disaster.

 

[Psychotext]

I can sort of see why... but, why????

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

I can just about make it out behind the watermarking.

 

[Lucius86]

That doesn't look like it will help Button with guiding him to the correct pit box....

 

[Omiee]

the mclaren seems pretty fast, i think they are going to be the team to beat this year.