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[TylerD]

Excellent news about The Circuit of the Americas.

 

[Adamm]

Sauber have confirmed they have withdrawn from FOTA aswell. As expected, they always follow ferrari.

Toro rosso to withdraw aswell then?

 

[Shaneus]

"Before the safety car returns to the pits all lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join the back of the pack, ensuring a clean re-start without slower cars impeding those racing for the leading positions."

Best decision ever!

That *is* awesome news. And requoted that pic for the new page, because that too is awesome.

 

[ANDY_098]

Looks like FOTA has run its course, wouldn't be surprised if it ended all together with almost half the grid not being a member.

Also, I presume the RRA would apply to all teams through an FIA ruling rather than only applying to FOTA members as a gentleman's agreement? If it doesn't apply to all teams then it is a waste of time really, especially with RBR and Ferrari leaving which would give them free reign over spending as much as they want.

 

[Dead Man]

2012 Rule Changes



I'm not happy to see a return to the unlapping under a safety car stuff, and that "not moving back to the racing line after defending" rule is going to be a clusterfuck.

So much for real racing.

The unlapping stuff is not ideal, but I understand why the do it, the no moving back after defending is ridiculous. So stupid.

Not mentioned? This is brilliant news.

Construction to resume at Circuit of the Americas

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/12/07/construction-resume-circuit-americas/

Now that is good news.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

BBC considered using same F1 commentary on TV and radio

The BBC considered a radical overhaul of its Formula One coverage that would have seen the same commentary used across TV and radio in a bid to save money. The plan, which would have been hugely controversial and unprecedented in the corporation's long history of live sports coverage, is understood to have been put forward by the BBC in-house sport department.

Management rejected the idea and the contract to produce F1 coverage for BBC Radio 5 Live was re-awarded to independent production company USP, which first produced it in 2006. But it is a sign of the pressures that BBC Sport is under to save money that the plan was considered at all. The corporation is having to save £700m as a result of last year's flat licence fee deal with the government.

Sport is one of the departments that has taken a big hit to its budget, which resulted in the BBC sharing live F1 coverage with Sky. The BBC's chief operating officer, Caroline Thomson, said the joint deal had saved the corporation as much money as if it had closed BBC4, and said it had to be "ruthless" in the way it chooses sports rights in the future.

Now the BBC must reinvent the way it covers F1 after the defection of five of its on-air team to Sky, including Martin Brundle and 5 Live commentator David Croft. The BBC pointed out that three of the mainstays of its TV presenting team were remaining with the corporation.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "We are really pleased to have kept our existing, award-winning presenting team of Jake Humphrey, Eddie Jordan and David Coulthard. We will be making further announcements on our talent in due course." But new commentary teams will be required across TV and radio, as well as a new presenter lineup for Radio 5 Live.

Their task will be made more difficult by the sheer scale of Sky Sports' coverage. The broadcaster is launching a dedicated Formula One channel broadcasting around the clock for the duration of the 10-month season. Sky Sports F1 HD will be available free to all Sky Sports subscribers, as well as customers who do not pay for any of its sports packages but do subscribe to its high definition services.

"The BBC expected some of their talent to go to Sky, but I think they have been surprised to see so many of them go," said one industry source.

"They are going to have to raise their game because of the scale of what Sky is doing and the amount of airtime they are dedicating to the sport.

"The danger is that, with just a few hours of TV coverage over a weekend compared to an entire channel, the BBC ends up looking substandard."

The BBC has one big advantage over its satellite rival – viewers do not have to pay to watch it (beyond the annual TV licence fee) – so when the two broadcasters go head to head the corporation's ratings are likely to be substantially more. But as Sky showed with its big-money signings announced on Wednesday, it will be doing everything it can – and splashing the cash – to close that gap. Radio 5 Live will begin to change the way it covers live football from next season, axing the historic second commentator's role from some matches, a process that will be complete by 2014.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/dec/08/bbc-f1-commentary-tv-radio?newsfeed=true

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Jos Verstappen: Schumacher cheated in 1994

Michael Schumacher's 1994 teammate has accused the German of winning his first world championship with the help of illegal electronic aids.

Dutchman Jos Verstappen claims that while the Benetton he raced almost two decades ago conformed to the rules, the sister car driven to the title by Schumacher was fitted with secret systems.

"I know what happened when we were together at Benetton," Verstappen is quoted by the Dutch-language Nusport.

"People think I'm looking for excuses but I know that his car was different from mine.

"I always thought it was impossible; I braked at the limit and took the corners as hard as possible, so how could Schumacher do it? There was something wrong.

"There were electronic driver aids. It was never mentioned, but I'm convinced and when I later asked Flavio Briatore he replied 'Let's not talk about it'. So I know enough now.

"Like everyone else, Michael is also dependent on his car. For most people he was a god but he is not superman -- in a go-kart he never beat me," added Verstappe

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-teammate-says-schumacher-cheated-in-1994/


He's just stating what most veteran F1 fans already know. It was pretty obvious back then. It's mostly the FIA's fault for turning a blind eye towards Benetton.

 

[Xun]

BBC considered using same F1 commentary on TV and radio

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/dec/08/bbc-f1-commentary-tv-radio?newsfeed=true

They should've done this from the beginning to be honest.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

They should've done this from the beginning to be honest.

Not if it meant the closure of BBC4. I love F1, but BBC4 is pretty much what BBC2 used to be and should be protected at all costs.

 

[Big Takeover]

Jos Verstappen: Schumacher cheated in 1994

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-teammate-says-schumacher-cheated-in-1994/


He's just stating what most veteran F1 fans already know. It was pretty obvious back then. It's mostly the FIA's fault for turning a blind eye towards Benetton.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least to hear there were shenanigans going on in '94, but come on man. He beat you, therefore he must have been cheating? No proof whatsoever? That is literally the oldest and lamest excuse in the book!

 

[ashk]

It wouldn't surprise me in the least to hear there was shenanigans going on in '94, but come on man. He beat you, therefore he must have been cheating? No proof whatsoever? That is literally the oldest and lamest excuse in the book!

Yeah I agree about the possibility of driving aids being involved but the quote "I braked at the limit and took the corner as hard as I could" doesn't seem like any kind of proof, just whining. I mean, Webber could say the same thing about Vettel this year.

 

[mrklaw]

why don't they let backmarkers just drop back behind the leaders, rather than racing around the track taking ages?

 

[WorriedCitizen]

"I braked at the limit and took the corners as hard as possible, so how could Schumacher do it?"

I laughed when i read that. I remember an old piece where they compared the driving styles of i think Schumacher and Herbert via telemetry data. Herbert drove like that and was slow. Schumacher on the other hand had a lot smoother and precise style and a habbit of never lifting completely of the gas pedal during corners. Thing is his teammates simply couldn't drive like him. End of story.

Traction control doesn't make an F1 car massively faster. The gain is more in consistency and tyre longevity. And if they had an illegal system for Schumacher it surely wasn't full blown because that would have been too obvious due to the sound. That said an illegal TC for Schumi doesn't explain why he often was 1-2 seconds faster then his Benneton team mates. Verstappen comes off like a sore loser Barrichello style bringing this up after so many years.

 

[Xun]

Not if it meant the closure of BBC4. I love F1, but BBC4 is pretty much what BBC2 used to be and should be protected at all costs.

I stupidly only read the title, since I didn't have much time to read it earlier.

It definitely should be protected since BBC4 is one of the best things the BBC currently has.

 

[Seanspeed]

"I braked at the limit and took the corners as hard as possible, so how could Schumacher do it?"

I laughed when i read that. I remember an old piece where they compared the driving styles of i think Schumacher and Herbert via telemetry data. Herbert drove like that and was slow. Schumacher on the other hand had a lot smoother and precise style and a habbit of never lifting completely of the gas pedal during corners. Thing is his teammates simply couldn't drive like him. End of story.

Traction control doesn't make an F1 car massively faster. The gain is more in consistency and tyre longevity. And if they had an illegal system for Schumacher it surely wasn't full blown because that would have been too obvious due to the sound. That said an illegal TC for Schumi doesn't explain why he often was 1-2 seconds faster then his Benneton team mates. Verstappen comes off like a sore loser Barrichello style bringing this up after so many years.

I think you're referring to this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk2p2nRK-p4

Its not unreasonable to think there might have been some wrongdoings at Benetton in 94, but Verstappen just sounds like a whiny sore loser here. He obviously has a massive ego and has to resort to justifications like this to convince himself.

Schumacher has done enough before and after the 94 season to prove that he was indeed a special driver and not just another 'merely good' one.

 

[Big Takeover]

I think you're referring to this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk2p2nRK-p4

Its not unreasonable to think there might have been some wrongdoings at Benetton in 94, but Verstappen just sounds like a whiny sore loser here. He obviously has a massive ego and has to resort to justifications like this to convince himself.

Schumacher has done enough before and after the 94 season to prove that he was indeed a special driver and not just another 'merely good' one.

I've never seen that video. Really good stuff.

 

[Dilly]

B-b-b-but Verstappen never lost to Schumacher in a go kart!

Hilarious.

 

[DrM]

Jos the Boss

 

[Seanspeed]

I've never seen that video. Really good stuff.

It'd be awesome if we got that sort of telemetry data during the race weekend. Like in a pre-race show, have a little feature about the difference between Vettel and Webber's Q3 lap or something. Or at least have the teams release some of the telemetry data to the media for us to pour over and spend hours of time analyzing.

 

[Chris R]

"Before the safety car returns to the pits all lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join the back of the pack, ensuring a clean re-start without slower cars impeding those racing for the leading positions."

Best decision ever!

I FUCKING CALLED IT. I bitched and moaned about this every time this happened, but it finally seems to be fixed! Granted I was also fine with the lapped cars just allowing all cars on the lead lap by them under the SC, so they wouldn't be "getting a lap back", but I guess this works too.

And great news about the Austin Race too! Really hope they are able to pull it off in time for 2012.

I stay off the internet mostly for a single day and all the things I want to happen do... Maybe this is a sign.

 

[ANDY_098]

It'd be awesome if we got that sort of telemetry data during the race weekend. Like in a pre-race show, have a little feature about the difference between Vettel and Webber's Q3 lap or something. Or at least have the teams release some of the telemetry data to the media for us to pour over and spend hours of time analyzing.

Pretty old, but just a heads up if you haven't seen it yet:

http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/telemetry-and-data-analysis-introduction/

 

[Big Takeover]

It'd be awesome if we got that sort of telemetry data during the race weekend. Like in a pre-race show, have a little feature about the difference between Vettel and Webber's Q3 lap or something. Or at least have the teams release some of the telemetry data to the media for us to pour over and spend hours of time analyzing.

Vettel and Red Bull just had one of the most dominant seasons ever - show people how they did it. Considering it's almost impossible to see with the naked eye, that doesn't sound like an unreasonable request to me.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

Latest rumour is that Ferrari's Jules Bianchi is going to Sauber to replace Kobayashi.


Seems Petrov is done at Lotus:

F1Zone

Lotus F1 Team expected to confirm Romain Grosjean later this evening or tomorrow morning.

According to the Russian press, a shock switch to the Marussia team might be an option as Vitaly Petrov looks to rescue his F1 career.

Lotus is reviewing its options after signing Kimi Raikkonen for 2012, with Petrov only one candidate for the sister seat alongside others including Romain Grosjean, Bruno Senna and Adrian Sutil.

The Russia Today website cited a French report in claiming new GP2 champion Grosjean is the hot favourite.

Petrov’s manager Oskana Kosachenko would not confirm or deny the news other than to say “the French media is always good at supporting their countrymen”.

The report went on to say the Virgin team, assuming the official name of its Russian supercar partner Marussia from 2012, is a possible alternative for Petrov.

But that team has already confirmed Timo Glock alongside French newcomer Charles Pic.

 

[Ark]

Looks like the silly season this year wont be so bad after all.

 

[NihonTiger90]

Latest rumour is that Ferrari's Jules Bianchi is going to Sauber to replace Kobayashi.


Seems Petrov is done at Lotus:

... then where the hell is Koba going? Are they seriously just going to give him the boot out of F1? Its not as if Perez wiped the floor with him this season.

 

[Chris R]

Latest rumour is that Ferrari's Jules Bianchi is going to Sauber to replace Kobayashi.

Is this for the 2012 season? I thought Kobayashi's seat was basically secured.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

... then where the hell is Koba going?

The kitchen of his father's restaurant.


Luca Baldisserri:

We are pushing hard to convince one of the F1 teams to hire Jules Bianchi for next year...

 

[brotkasten]

Is this for the 2012 season? I thought Kobayashi's seat was basically secured.

Yeah, that's what I thought as well. Didn't the team principal confirm it on BBC?

btw, Bianchi's manager is Nicholas Todt. Looks like we have a new #2 driver in the making!

 

[Xun]

No Kobayashi would be a real shame.

Hopefully it wont happen.

 

[navanman]

Don't do it Sauber.

Kobayashi defense force assemble!!

 

[seattle6418]

"Before the safety car returns to the pits all lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join the back of the pack, ensuring a clean re-start without slower cars impeding those racing for the leading positions."

Best decision ever!

F1 copying Nascar.

Good stuff, now they just need to allow for double file restarts, because the way they´ve been doing it, Vettel is already two seconds ahead before he crosses the start/finish line.

 

[Seanspeed]

Pretty old, but just a heads up if you haven't seen it yet:

http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/telemetry-and-data-analysis-introduction/

Haven't seen that thanks.

Kimi/Grosjean at Lotus sounds incredible, but it goes against what Grosjean has been saying and doing. Fingers crossed either way.

Not that I'm against Bianchi getting a ride in F1, I'm not sure if I want to see him be a top contender for a Ferrari seat. I'm just not that convinced by him. There's other up and coming guys I'd prefer to see get the opportunity. And if not them, then somebody like Kubica, Webber, Glock or even Kovalainen.

 

[navanman]

Haven't seen that thanks.

Kimi/Grosjean at Lotus sounds incredible, but it goes against what Grosjean has been saying and doing. Fingers crossed either way.
.

Yeah, this morning it was said that Grosjean had given up on his F1 dream for 2012. Its a good bluff if it works.

 

[Chris R]

F1 copying Nascar.

Good stuff, now they just need to allow for double file restarts, because the way they´ve been doing it, Vettel is already two seconds ahead before he crosses the start/finish line.

Hey, at least 2 seconds is better than 9 seconds with three back markers in the way.

 

[AcridMeat]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[Ark]

To be fair, SuperKK has been pretty lack lustre this year compared to last year and 2009.

 

[S. L.]

Perez and Bianchi seems even crazier to me than Di Resta and Hulkenberg.
I highly doubt either will happen.

 

[brotkasten]

To be fair, SuperKK has been pretty lack lustre this year compared to last year and 2009.

You mean just like the car he drove? Well, that's surprising.

He got 16 points more than his teammate. No reason to kick him out.

 

[S. L.]

You mean just like the car he drove? Well, that's surprising.

He got 16 points more than his teammate. No reason to kick him out.

we will see how much Sauber is Ferraris bitch, i.e. how desperate they are for money.
Doubt it will happen thou, Peter Sauber is a reasonable man.

 

[Ark]

I was just going through Wikipedia searching for a few things for an assignment I'm doing on Formula 1 and I came across this picture, not the highest quality but I liked it.

Jochen Rindt at the Nurburgring 1969.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

Japan is still recovering from the earthquake and now this? Kick them when they're fucking down why don't you!

 

[Chris R]

You mean just like the car he drove? Well, that's surprising.

He got 16 points more than his teammate. No reason to kick him out.

Exactly, the Sauber car was a stinker. I was just hoping that he would have a good year in 2012 and get a better ride because of it.

 

[S. L.]

what the hell is going on, everybody must be EXTREMELY desperate for money

 

[Leunam]

That would be awful for Kobayashi. I don't think Sauber would be dumb enough to gamble with two very new drivers for both seats in 2012.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Anyone in Milton Keynes or near it should check out the Red Bull event on Saturday.

http://www.destinationmiltonkeynes....activities/red_bull_racing_milton_keynes_2011

 

[Xun]

Button linking to Sunhi's upload:

https://twitter.com/#!/JensonButton/status/144688316174974976

I know it's not exactly amazing, but I thought I'd mention it.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Off topic, but the WRC seems like it's on its last legs right now. I can't imagine a series as big and prestigious as the WRC going the way of the Dodo. But people probably thought the same about the World Sportscar Championship before its demise.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/uk...Lu6saFaHdqOEYfhhQ?docId=N0316651323271896495A

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Button linking to Sunhi's upload:

https://twitter.com/#!/JensonButton/status/144688316174974976

I know it's not exactly amazing, but I thought I'd mention it.

Button's a Gaffer confirmed. Fess up, who is it? I'm looking at you Shaneus.

 

[ANDY_098]

Anyone in Milton Keynes or near it should check out the Red Bull event on Saturday.

http://www.destinationmiltonkeynes....activities/red_bull_racing_milton_keynes_2011

I'm going to this. Thanks for the link though, didn't know there was a full schedule of what's going on.

 

[Shaneus]

Button's a Gaffer confirmed. Fess up, who is it? I'm looking at you Shaneus.

You're *always* looking at me. Creeps me out.


Have we had an F1-GAF Twitter exchange? I'd imagine some of you would be interesting to interact with outside of GAF and even outside the context of motorsports.

Anyway, @therealshaneus