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[operon]

I'd love this.

Barrichello is a talented driver and I definitely think he deserves another year.

Aye hes need to get his 20th season in, hopefully williams can have a better season next year

 

[S. L.]

Lots of rumours beginning now on teams driver choices for 2012. All the big 4 teams are settled with their drivers so that leaves the midfield teams.

Renault: Petrov and Grosjean for 2012 with Kubica as Friday driver. If he shows he can make it, Grosjean to make way during season.

Force India: Di Resta and Hulkenberg seems to be the choice.

Sauber: Same as 2011.

Lotus: Rumours are that Trulli is gone with Sutil filling his place.

Williams: Kimi and Rubens. Rumoured that Maldonado given the boot as they will have that Qatar money instead and Renault investment.

Virgin: Glock staying new driver coming in.

Toro Rosso: Seems like Buemi is being given the boot (hence his upset after retirement yesterday) with Riccardio likely to come in.

HRT: Undecided.

seems all pretty good, except maaaybe Force India giving Suit the boot. He is fast and experienced and using two youngsters may or may not work out. But good for Lotus i guess.

 

[Adamm]

Vettels crash hurt me bad this week, first time ive moved down a place in about 10 races
Lucky it seemed to hurt most of the top 50 too

 

[Ark]

Lots of rumours beginning now on teams driver choices for 2012. All the big 4 teams are settled with their drivers so that leaves the midfield teams.

Renault: Petrov and Grosjean for 2012 with Kubica as Friday driver. If he shows he can make it, Grosjean to make way during season.

Force India: Di Resta and Hulkenberg seems to be the choice.

Sauber: Same as 2011.

Lotus: Rumours are that Trulli is gone with Sutil filling his place.

Williams: Kimi and Rubens. Rumoured that Maldonado given the boot as they will have that Qatar money instead and Renault investment.

Virgin: Glock staying new driver coming in.

Toro Rosso: Seems like Buemi is being given the boot (hence his upset after retirement yesterday) with Riccardio likely to come in.

HRT: Undecided.

Looks good to me. Sutil is just performing the same job as Heidfeld in Force India atm. Solid, but not much of a winner.

If Maldonado gets the boot, I'm more than pleased.

It's a real shame that next year is looking to be a solidly decent year, and the BBC is giving up F1. It still makes me sick to my stomach.

 

[Xun]

Looks good to me. Sutil is just performing the same job as Heidfeld in Force India atm. Solid, but not much of a winner.

If Maldonado gets the boot, I'm more than pleased.

It's a real shame that next year is looking to be a solidly decent year, and the BBC is giving up F1. It still makes me sick to my stomach.

Indeed.

As I said the other page this is the death of F1 in this country as far as I'm concerned.

It'll never leave Sky. I'm sure of it.

 

[Psychotext]

As I said the other page this is the death of F1 in this country as far as I'm concerned.

It'll certainly never be more popular than it has been this year.

 

[Ark]

Well I wont be watching it on Sky for various reasons, so looks like I'm stuck with half-arsed BBC coverage and the silly highlights.

It would have been much better on Channel 4, even if it had to have ads.

 

[AcridMeat]

Man, if only I hadn't switched my fuel I'd have moved up quite a bit more. Still, one race to get in the top 20 and I'm at 21st.

LET'S DO THIS!

 

[DrM]

Ferrari still puzzled, why is their new FW so wobbly

C'mon guys, call Newey and ask him

 

[Dilly]

The wing's flexing because it wants to disconnect itself from Massa's Ferrari to find a better place!

 

[ANDY_098]

Introducing the young drivers

Gary Paffett (McLaren)
Age: 30
2011 season: 7th in DTM

Oliver Turvey (McLaren)
Age: 24
2011 season: 16th in GP2 Asia, one outing in GP2 main series

Jean Eric Vergne (Red Bull)
Age: 21
2011 season: 2nd in Formula Renault 3.5

Jules Bianchi (Ferrari)
Age: 22
2011 season: 3rd in GP2

Sam Bird (Mercedes)
Age: 24
2011: 6th in GP2

Jan Charouz (Renault)
Age: 24
2011 season: 25th in Formula Renault 3.5

Valtteri Bottas (Williams)
Age: 22
2011 season: GP3 champion

Mirko Bortolotti (Williams)
Age: 21
2011 season: F2 champion

Max Chilton (Force India)
Age: 20
2011 season: 20th in GP2

Johnny Cecotto Jr (Force India)
Age: 22
2011 season: 24th in GP2

Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber)
Age: 20
2011 season: 13th in GP2

Fabio Leimer (Sauber)
Age: 22
2011 season: 14th in GP2

Stefano Coletti (Toro Rosso)
Age: 22
2011 season: 11th in GP2

Kevin Ceccon (Toro Rosso)
Age: 18
2011 season: Auto GP champion

Alexander Rossi (Lotus)
Age: 20
2011 season: 3rd in Formula Renault 3.5

Luiz Razia (Lotus)
Age: 22
2011 season: 12th in GP2

Dani Clos (HRT)
Age: 23
2011 season: 9th in GP2

Adrian Quaife-Hobbs (Virgin)
Age: 20
2011 season: 5th in GP3

Robert Wickens (Virgin and Renault)
Age 22
2011 season: Formula Renault 3.5 champion

Charles Pic (Virgin)
Age: 21
2011 season: 4th in GP2

Rodolfo Gonzalez (Lotus)
Age: 25
2011: 26th in GP2

 

[Psychotext]

Stupid question perhaps, but is GP2 one of those formulas where they all have the same spec car?

I'm struggling to think why they'd want anyone that came in 20th, 24th or 26th.

Edit - I've just looked, those were full season results too... crazy. Also Williams seems to have itself a couple of firecrackers.

 

[Leunam]

Yeah, GP2 is a feeder series that replaced F3000. All cars are Dallara designed and have the same specs.

Also, Lewis Hamilton is currently the only GP2 driver to have gone on and become F1 champ.

 

[S. L.]

Stupid question perhaps, but is GP2 one of those formulas where they all have the same spec car?

I'm struggling to think why they'd want anyone that came in 20th, 24th or 26th.

Edit - I've just looked, those were full season results too... crazy. Also Williams seems to have itself a couple of firecrackers.

the lotus dude was driving for the young drivers test for lotus last year as well.
money i guess

 

[ANDY_098]

Some are probably down to just knowing the right people or being on a young driver program for whatever team, but for the lower teams I'd bet a few people paid for the drives.

Outright pace isn't really important for testing as long as they can drive around the track at a reasonably consistent pace and give decent feedback. Look at Badoer, useless race driver but was Ferrari's top test driver for years.

 

[Ark]

Also, Lewis Hamilton is currently the only GP2 driver to have gone on and become F1 champ.

Really? That's quite something when you consider how many drivers on the grid today have come from GP2.

 

[ANDY_098]

Really? That's quite something when you consider how many drivers on the grid today have come from GP2.

Remember GP2 only started in 2005 so the majority of those drivers are fairly early in their F1 careers so still have a chance if they end up in a top car. Hamilton has been the only one to go straight into a top team, and other than him Kovalainen is the only other to drive for a top team.

 

[Ark]

Remember GP2 only started in 2005 so the majority of those drivers are fairly early in their F1 careers so still have a chance if they end up in a top car. Hamilton has been the only one to go straight into a top team, and other than him Kovalainen is the only other to drive for a top team.

True. How many GP2 drivers have gone on to become F1 race winners other than Kubica, Hamilton & Heikki?

 

[Osiris]

Well I wont be watching it on Sky for various reasons, so looks like I'm stuck with half-arsed BBC coverage and the silly highlights.

It would have been much better on Channel 4, even if it had to have ads.

Although, to be fair, even when it was on ITV they didn't run ads during the race itself, ad breaks were limited to the pre and post-race show.

F1 can't have mid-race ad breaks live, period, imagine the uproar if an uneventful 15 laps in is followed by an ad break where shit goes down during the break only to come back to a red flagged race or safety car period, F1 fans would not tolerate it.

I know it's tolerated for some other sports / motorsports, but I can't see t being tolerated for F1, not now, not ever.

 

[Ark]

I'm fairly certain I remember ads during the races on ITV.. Hmmm.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

Lots of rumours beginning now on teams driver choices for 2012. All the big 4 teams are settled with their drivers so that leaves the midfield teams.

Renault: Petrov and Grosjean for 2012 with Kubica as Friday driver. If he shows he can make it, Grosjean to make way during season.

Force India: Di Resta and Hulkenberg seems to be the choice.

Sauber: Same as 2011.

Lotus: Rumours are that Trulli is gone with Sutil filling his place.

Williams: Kimi and Rubens. Rumoured that Maldonado given the boot as they will have that Qatar money instead and Renault investment.

Virgin: Glock staying new driver coming in.

Toro Rosso: Seems like Buemi is being given the boot (hence his upset after retirement yesterday) with Riccardio likely to come in.

HRT: Undecided.

Rumours that Red Bull want Vergne in the Toro Rosso and Ricciardo in the Caterham. So with that my 2012 line up:


Red Bull: Vettel / Webber
McLaren: Button / Hamilton
Ferrari: Alonso / Massa
Mercedes: Schumacher / Rosberg
Lotus: Petrov / Grosjean
Force India: di Resta / Hulkenberg
Toro Rosso: Alguersuari / Vergne
Sauber: Kobayashi / Perez
Williams: Slasher / Räikkönen
Caterham: Kovalainen / Ricciardo
HRT: Liuzzi / D'Ambrosio
Marussia: Glock / Pic

 

[ANDY_098]

True. How many GP2 drivers have gone on to become F1 race winners other than Kubica, Hamilton & Heikki?

Kubica was never in GP2, but you're right with the others. Hamilton has 17 wins and Heikki has 1.

I'm fairly certain I remember ads during the races on ITV.. Hmmm.

Correct, ITV had ads.

 

[Osiris]

I'm fairly certain I remember ads during the races on ITV.. Hmmm.

I'm an old git*, but not old enough to have dementia yet - but I remember well enough, F1 was one of the few sports (Along with International Football) that ITV would show without ad break interruption during the race itself.

Spoiler

* How old? - James Hunt was my first "fave" driver, and I've followed F1 almost religiously since about 1984

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

ITV definitely had ads. Used to annoy me no end.

At least they did in 2001/2002 when I watched it back as a kid. Not sure about later years.

 

[Salacious Crumb]

I'm watching through ITVs coverage of the 2005 season at the moment and it definitely has ad breaks.

 

[Osiris]

*books Doctors appointment for senility tests*

 

[Xun]

I really hoped Sky would mess F1 up, unlike a lot of people in this thread. Of course that doesn't look like it'll happen sadly.

R.I.P. UK F1 broadcasting, you will be missed.

 

[Psychotext]

*books Doctors appointment for senility tests*

Old git!

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

I'm unlike a lot of people in this thread and actually want F1 to bite Sky in the arse, hence why I wanted them to mess it up. Of course that doesn't look like it'll happen sadly.

R.I.P. UK F1 broadcasting, you will be missed.

It'll be R.I.P when the BBC drop it completely in 2013, leaving the UK with two options:

Sky: Wallet rape.

Channel 5: Some shitty 1 hour highlights show.

The BBC are Cuntbags!

 

[Shaneus]

Caterham's the current green/gold Lotus, innit? I don't like the sound of that for Ricciardo. He'd do better in the STR

 

[Salacious Crumb]

Caterham's the current green/gold Lotus, innit? I don't like the sound of that for Ricciardo. He'd do better in the STR

I wouldn't trust anything that wax free vanilla has to say on the subject, he's a pretty big Vergne fan boy/Ricciardo hater.

 

[NihonTiger90]

I just hope Rossi does well.

 

[DrM]

the lotus dude was driving for the young drivers test for lotus last year as well.
money i guess

Yep, 200k - 300k € for seat, just for this testing

 

[DrM]

Guys, I am looking for pics of Bernie hugging Vettel in RBR garage (Abu-Dhabi). Happend shortly after Vettel browsing on laptop.

(Sorry for double post, it is 4:55 am here )

 

[brotkasten]

I just hope Rossi does well.

I really want him to do well. F1 needs more international drivers.

 

[Adamm]

Vergne is 2 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Does that mean he is good, or does it just prove how fast that redbull is?

 

[navanman]

Lots of testing pics:

 

[navanman]

Charles Pic is set to graduate to Formula 1 with Virgin Racing next season, as he prepares for his first test with the team in Abu Dhabi this week.

The Frenchman is understood to have agreed terms with the Virgin team for a race deal in 2012, and if a final contract can be sorted then an announcement confirming his step-up to F1 could be made as soon as the season-closing Brazilian GP.

Speculation that Pic has finalised a deal with Virgin Racing heightened on Monday when he cancelled a planned test with Team Lotus in Abu Dhabi this week.

Pic is a successful karter, who has won races in Formula Renault 3.5 and GP2. This year he finished fourth overall in the GP2 standings.

Autosport

 

[navanman]

Lots more photos

 

[Psychotext]

WTF @ that Ferrari.

 

[brotkasten]

WTF @ that Ferrari.

At least they didn't steal that one from Red Bull. :lol

 

[operon]

I'm sure itv had ad breaks during the race, used to pisss me off when something would have happened and you missed it

 

[Xun]

Guys, I am looking for pics of Bernie hugging Vettel in RBR garage (Abu-Dhabi). Happend shortly after Vettel browsing on laptop.

(Sorry for double post, it is 4:55 am here )

As both myself and my father watched that we both said "poor Vettel".

No one should have to hug that man. No one.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

Caterham's the current green/gold Lotus, innit? I don't like the sound of that for Ricciardo. He'd do better in the STR

Caterham will have the gearbox, kers and other electronic gubbins from RedBull. The car should be moving up the grid, but that won't stop the season long beating Kovalainen will dish out to Ricciardo, if this rumour turns out true



Oh, and ITV had ads during the race since day one, 1997-2008, they used to pop up every 10-20 minutes.

 

[Deadman]

Saw on reddit, made me laugh

"Webber's abu dhabi strategy explained"

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

Hahaha. Love it.

Also, very sad the next race is the last Been a great season.

 

[Ark]

The season has gone by so...so quickly.

 

[Dibbz]

lol @ Webbers face

 

[Staab]

I'd be very sad to see Buemi get the boot from Torro Rosso, I feel like he outperformed Alguersuari quite significantly in the first half of the season and he just had a series of mechanical failures coupled with really bad luck in the past races.
On even terms with Jaime he clearly is a superior driver

 

[S. L.]

I'd be very sad to see Buemi get the boot from Torro Rosso, I feel like he outperformed Alguersuari quite significantly in the first half of the season and he just had a series of mechanical failures coupled with really bad luck in the past races.
On even terms with Jaime he clearly is a superior driver

nah, Buemi is more consistent but Alguesuari has higher highs (and lower lows).