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The Official Formula 1 2010/2011 Off-Season Thread

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S

Shaneus

Member
No shit, that image is fucked.

Peeps: Don't check that shit out, trust me. Gory and completely out of place in an F1 thread :/
 
N

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone remains hopeful the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix in March will go ahead despite unrest in the country.

Three people have been killed and 231 injured during violent anti-government protests held in the region, prompting concerns about the race from F1 teams.

Ecclestone told the BBC: "Our people there say 'it's quiet, no problems'.
"I'm more hopeful today. I hope we don't have to do anything. Let's hope this all blows away."
Click to expand...

His people obviously must be the royal family. Not the GP2 Asia teams and reporters or medical staff in the hospitals.

Even more..
Bernie Ecclestone has given an extraordinary interview to BBC Radio that could turn into a PR disaster both for the commercial rights holder and the sport itself.

Having indicated yesterday that a cancellation of the Bahrain GP looked likely, he took a different view today, saying that his people on the ground there have told him that the situation has improved.

He also said that had there been a decision today, he would not have cancelled the GP2 Asia race.

Ecclestone’s conversation with the BBC’s Dan Roan – who at times seemed to barely believe what he was hearing – is sure to attract wide coverage. It does not paint him in a very good light at a time when many voices are calling for an immediate cancellation.

Asked by Roan for his views, Bernie said: “I haven’t spoken to anybody in the crown prince’s office this morning, but I spoke to our people who are there. And as you know we pulled the GP2 race. It’s the Asian series, so it’s not terribly important, and it doesn’t give a bad message to anybody, and we don’t want to take any chances. And that was yesterday we decided to do that.

“Probably today if we had to make the decision on the information I’ve got, we wouldn’t do that. But anyway it seems as if – they say – it’s quiet, no big problems.

“Now, they’re there. I don’t know if I was there or you were there we’d say there are problems, I’ve no idea. But that’s what our people said. I’m more hopeful today than I was yesterday.

Asked when there might be a decision,, Ecclestone said: “Middle of next week, I suppose.”

Quizzed on the commercial implications, he said: “We haven’t thought about that. It’s not good because TV companies have scheduled to broadcast the race, so it’s better than it happens than not.”

Roan asked about the bad PR the sport might get if it was seen to visit a country where there were issues with democracy.

“It seems as if people thought it was democratic a few weeks ago. Let’s wait and see, because we don’t know what the protesting is really about. We’ve never, ever, ever been involved in religion or politics. We don’t make decisions based on those things.”

In reference to the 1985 Belgian GP – postponed for four months after the track broke up – Ecclestone hinted for the first time that he might be able to find a new date.

“We scheduled that later. We may be able to do the same with this one. I hope we don’t have to do anything, I hope things will just carry on as normal. Obviously some people were killed, nobody’s happy with that, I’m quite sure.

“Let’s hope that this all blows away. In these parts there’s always been skirmishes. Perhaps it’s a bit more than that.”
Click to expand...
Adam Cooper
 
L

Leunam

Member
Williams is set to reveal their final livery online pretty soon. I hope it's a lot like the navy blue interim livery.

Also, Vitantonio Liuzzi is going to test for HRT.
 
M

mclem

Member
mclaren777 said:
Yeah, his co-driver is fine.

And here's a video of Bobby K honing his rally skills just a few days before the tragic accident.
Click to expand...

Any other folks from gaming-side interpret that completely wrongly at first glance?
 
mclaren777

mclaren777

Member
mclem said:
Any other folks from gaming-side interpret that completely wrongly at first glance?
Click to expand...
Oops. I actually hate Kotick and I didn't make that connection. My friends and I often refer to Kubica as 'Bobby Kooby' so I just abbreviated it.

And today's F1 test in Barcelona is currently in progress.

Link
 
D

Deadman

Member
01. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:24.374 37 laps
02. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:25.485 + 1.111 101 laps
03. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:25.638 + 1.264 57 laps
04. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:25.641 + 1.267 78 laps
05. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:26.365 + 1.991 77 laps
06. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:26.575 + 2.201 26 laps
07. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:26.912 + 2.538 52 laps
08. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:27.512 + 3.138 90 laps
09. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1:28.393 + 4.019 116 laps
10. Heikki Kovalainen Team Lotus 1:30.065 + 5.691 54 laps
11. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1:30.950 + 6.576 116 laps
12. Vitaly Petrov Lotus Renault 1:35.174 + 10.800 20 laps
13. Nick Heidfeld Lotus Renault 1:44.324 + 19.950 27 laps
Click to expand...

Looks like they forgot to put the sandbags in today and he accidentally destroyed everyone.
 
K

Kurosaki Ichigo

Member
I don't know about shipping logistics but hopefully they can go to Motorland Aragon when Bahrain is canceled.

Yes, its another spanish circuit but at least it shouldn't suck anywhere as much as Montmelo and Valencia. It replaced Balatonring (iirc) in MotoGP last year and it won best grand prix award, it was the reserve circuit so they handled it well, and spanish press quotes some Motorland boss that they are being very discrete about it.

If they sent stuff to Bahrain already, well, go to Abu Dhabi, its what 400km of extra ship route.
 
S

Seanspeed

Banned
Kurosaki Ichigo said:
I don't know about shipping logistics but hopefully they can go to Motorland Aragon when Bahrain is canceled.

Yes, its another spanish circuit but at least it shouldn't suck anywhere as much as Montmelo and Valencia. It replaced Balatonring (iirc) in MotoGP last year and it won best grand prix award, it was the reserve circuit so they handled it well, and spanish press quotes some Motorland boss that they are being very discrete about it.

If they sent stuff to Bahrain already, well, go to Abu Dhabi, its what 400km of extra ship route.
Click to expand...
Bike racing is just so completely different than F1 racing that you really cant make comparisons like that. I mean, Laguna Seca makes a fantastic MotoGP venue, but for F1, it'd be more boring than the average Hungaroring race.

And if the Bahrain GP is cancelled, there will NOT be a replacement. The only thing that they're talking about replacing is the final winter test, in which Abu Dhabi is the most likely candidate because its close by and they have already offered their facilities.
 
W

Wax Free Vanilla

Member
Bathurst Regional Council last night approved the proposal, which will see the two Vodafone-sponsored racing teams come together next month in the lead up to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park.

On Tuesday March 22, Lowndes will get behind the wheel of Button’s McLaren Mercedes F1 car, while Button will likewise jump in the cockpit of Lowndes’ Triple Eight Racing Holden Commodore V8 Supercar.

Each driver will complete five laps in their counterpart’s vehicle, with three of those to be at top speed.

Official final approval is still required from the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS), but Bathurst Region Council expects this to be a formality.
Click to expand...

I35X0.jpg
 
A

Adam Scott Aukerman

Member
Seanspeed said:
And if the Bahrain GP is cancelled, there will NOT be a replacement. The only thing that they're talking about replacing is the final winter test, in which Abu Dhabi is the most likely candidate because its close by and they have already offered their facilities.
Click to expand...


The test won't be moved to Abu Dhabi, because the only reason the Bahrain test is in Bahrain, is because there's a race in Bahrain. If the race is off, the test will be moved much closer to 'home' (i.e. Europe).
 
M

markao

Member
Deadman said:
Looks like they forgot to put the sandbags in today and he accidentally destroyed everyone.
Click to expand...
RBR set their time in the last run of the day. Early on track was damp and track got faster during the day, so still sandbagging ;)

Don't forget Barca was last year a 1.20 track, even 1.19 end of test and GP qualifying.
 
N

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
markao said:
RBR set their time in the last run of the day. Early on track was damp and track got faster during the day, so still sandbagging ;)

Don't forget Barca was last year a 1.20 track, even 1.19 end of test and GP qualifying.
Click to expand...
Vettel said the cars are noticeably slower this year with the diffusor changes, extra weight and change to Pirelli tyres.
He said if a car was a fast as it was last year then the rest of the grid would be in trouble.
 
P

Psychotext

Member
Was listening to a number of interviews related to Bahrain on the radio earlier and whilst I love F1, and can't wait to get the season started...

...cancel the race. It's just not appropriate right now.
 
D

Deadman

Member
Psychotext said:
Was listening to a number of interviews related to Bahrain on the radio earlier and whilst I love F1, and can't wait to get the season started...

...cancel the race. It's just not appropriate right now.
Click to expand...

I agree.

I also think if they do go ahead then its inevitable that people will protest inside the circuit, because why wouldn't you - hundreds of millions of people are watching. This will mean the authorities either "deal" with them which would be a disaster to be seen around the world or leave them to protest, which it doesn't seem they want people doing.
 
M

markao

Member
navanman said:
Vettel said the cars are noticeably slower this year with the diffusor changes, extra weight and change to Pirelli tyres.
He said if a car was a fast as it was last year then the rest of the grid would be in trouble.
Click to expand...
True, but not 5 seconds slower
 
S

Seanspeed

Banned
rogue_pigeon said:
The test won't be moved to Abu Dhabi, because the only reason the Bahrain test is in Bahrain, is because there's a race in Bahrain. If the race is off, the test will be moved much closer to 'home' (i.e. Europe).
Click to expand...
Ah yes, because the Jerez and Valencia tests are only because they race there, too, right?

Sorry, man. People in the know already recognize that Abu Dhabi is in line to take over the test if the Bahrain one is cancelled. You dont have to believe me if you dont want to, but it has little bearing on the truth. The teams already have plans to get their equipment and stuff to the Middle East. Setting things up Abu Dhabi is a much easier change than getting all their crap back into Europe.
 
C

CurlySaysX

Banned
The Bahrain race is so boring. Melbourne as the opening race is the only right thing to do. Plus, Melbourne has had non stop rain for about 6 months so the race is bound to be exciting.
 
A

Adam Scott Aukerman

Member
Seanspeed said:
Ah yes, because the Jerez and Valencia tests are only because they race there, too, right?

Sorry, man. People in the know already recognize that Abu Dhabi is in line to take over the test if the Bahrain one is cancelled. You dont have to believe me if you dont want to, but it has little bearing on the truth. The teams already have plans to get their equipment and stuff to the Middle East. Setting things up Abu Dhabi is a much easier change than getting all their crap back into Europe.
Click to expand...

Christian Horner said:
"One is linked to the other; they are only a week apart," said Horner. "It wouldn't make sense to go and test there if the race wasn't to happen.
Click to expand...

Autosport said:
Pre-season testing is limited to 15 days and teams are keen to replace the Bahrain test, if it is called off, with Barcelona and Jerez believed to be the most likely hosts. Abu Dhabi, Silverstone and Paul Ricard were also considered, though were not favoured because of various concerns over logistics and weather.
Click to expand...

Jerez and Valencia are used because they're known and close.
 
W

Wax Free Vanilla

Member
Deadman said:
Looks like they forgot to put the sandbags in today and he accidentally destroyed everyone.
Click to expand...


Fastest time today:

Rubens Barrichello, Williams - 1.24.264


Redbull still holding back or maybe Williams have made a shit hot car?
 
C

Chris R

Member
If stuff is already on ships, why not just move the opening race to Abu Dhabi? Still cancel the Bahrain race (FOREVER) and just add in an extra race somewhere in Europe/Americas this season (maybe even a special one off temp street circuit event) to get the number of races up to where it needs to be.
 
W

wonderkins

Member
mclaren777 said:
What is going on with the top of his sidepod? I didn't think something like that was legal.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/rosb_merc_barc_2011-4.jpg[IMG][/QUOTE]
Do you mean the blade? Here's Scarbs take on the legality: [u][URL="http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/blade-roll-structures-legality-lotus-force-india/"]link[/URL][/u]

Edit: Wait, you must mean the open part? Sorry, saw the blade and forgot that you were mentioning the sidepod. Reminds me of the model jets I would make as a kid, after I'd lost the parts. lol, maybe Merc decided to cut Ross's budget...

Fuck Bernie. Is it not enough that we have to watch Tilke's mediocrity writ large in asphalt but to also endure Ecclestone's endless pandering to unsavory goverments? It's a whole 'nother level when F1 is contemplating racing in a country whose government is waging raw, unencumbered violence against its people. Reading Cooper and other journalists, they compare it to F1s insistence on racing in SA during Apartheid. F1 putting its head in the sand while damaging its image. Reprehensible if Bahrain goes ahead.

Nineteen races is fine if it means avoiding the tyrants in Bahrain. Besides, the track sucks. Melbourne's a more fitting start to the season anyway.
Click to expand...
 
A

Adam Scott Aukerman

Member
Ghost said:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9402871.stm


So Bernies answer is to let the guy in charge of shooting protestors decide if the grand prix can go ahead or not...WTF!
Click to expand...

Imagine this is nothing more than a deal between Bernie and the royals to allow them to save face and be the ones that call it off.

As for the Merc sidepod, it's hard to see from that angle, but it looks like it's probably some sort of aerodynamic gauge.
 
N

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
Ricciardo is looking like a real talent in the making.

He is driving the Toro Rosso this morning and is putting in some amazing laps on a damp track. He has got some real skill in handling a car in tricky conditions.

I could see him in the Red Bull next year if Webber retires, probably in the Toro Rosso full-time if not.
 
N

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
McLaren showing their true pace this afternoon it seems.
A few qualifying 2-lap runs runs like Vettel did yesterday and he is comfortably quickest.
 
L

Luckyman

Banned
navanman said:
McLaren showing their true pace this afternoon it seems.
A few qualifying 2-lap runs runs like Vettel did yesterday and he is comfortably quickest.
Click to expand...

red bull true pace will kill everybody
 
S

Seanspeed

Banned
navanman said:
McLaren showing their true pace this afternoon it seems.
A few qualifying 2-lap runs runs like Vettel did yesterday and he is comfortably quickest.
Click to expand...
Easy to look quick when nobody else is doing low-fuel runs at the time!

1. Nico Rosberg 1m23.168s 92
2. Vitaly Petrov 1m23.463s + 0.295s 93
3. Lewis Hamilton 1m23.858s + 0.690s 93
4. Pastor Maldonado 1m24.815s + 1.647s 60
5. Mark Webber 1m24.995s + 1.827s 139
6. Jarno Trulli 1m25.454s + 2.286s 48
7. Sergio Perez 1m25.557s + 2.389s 115
8. Adrian Sutil 1m25.720s + 2.552s 102
9. Sebastien Buemi 1m26.155s + 2.987s 31
10. Felipe Massa 1m26.508s + 3.340s 123
11. Timo Glock 1m26.598s + 3.430s 97
12. Giorgio Mondini 1m28.178s + 5.010s 39
13. Daniel Ricciardo 1m28.329s + 5.161s 42
14. Narain Karthikeya 1m30.722s + 7.554s 32

Both Massa and Webber did race simulations today with the Ferrari appearing the quicker of the two.
 
D

DrM

Redmond's Baby
Force India will use KERS for the first time tommorow

Also, we will not see true race pace on race simulations until the last test and everything can change on the first race.
 
moojito

moojito

Member
I don't know how someone could so blatantly and publicly pass the buck like that and still have a shred of self respect.
 
A

AndyD

aka andydumi
moojito said:
I don't know how someone could so blatantly and publicly pass the buck like that and still have a shred of self respect.
Click to expand...

I agree. The second the travel warnings started coming from countries, they should have called it off.

After all its about the fans and spectators and very few are likely to go. Now its just making it worse and worse.
 
L

Lucius86

Banned
moojito said:
I don't know how someone could so blatantly and publicly pass the buck like that and still have a shred of self respect.
Click to expand...

The whole thing is pretty disgusting really. How it has not been postponed already is quite shocking, and the fact the person in charge of making the decision is the man responsible for sorting out the unrest is just....extraordinary.
 
N

navanman

Crown Prince of Custom Firmware
AndyD said:
I agree. The second the travel warnings started coming from countries, they should have called it off.

After all its about the fans and spectators and very few are likely to go. Now its just making it worse and worse.
Click to expand...

Its all about "the money". If the FIA cancel the event, they will have to pay up. If the Bahrain government postpone or cancel the event, there is no penalties due from the FIA.
So the tight old bugger that Bernie is, is going to wait it out till its cancelled and say fuck it to the bad PR that is still officially taking place in 3 weeks.
 
Goldrusher

Goldrusher

Member
Testing kilometers so far...


4657 km | Ferrari
4086 km | Red Bull

3767 km | Mercedes
3754 km | Sauber
3258 km | Renault
3220 km | Williams
3173 km | Toro Rosso

2319 km | Lotus
2255 km | Virgin
2137 km | Force India
2074 km | Mclaren




As for Bahrain...

Gulf News sources in Bahrain can confirm that the Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for the weekend of March 11-13 will be rescheduled to the end of the season, taking place after the Kuala Lumpur GP and before the final race of the seaon in Abu Dhabi.

"We have been told to step down our operations," an official with a German race team said last night.

The decison to postpone the Bahrain race will be confirmed later on Monday if not before Wednesday's deadline imposed by Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone .
Click to expand...

http://gulfnews.com/sport/motorsport/bahrain-grand-prix-to-be-rescheduled-to-end-of-season-1.765003
 
A

AcridMeat

Banned
Sickening but unsurprising unfortunately.

edit: Figures I post right as they reschedule. Actually, reading through that article I'll wait until more reports.
 
E

ExtraKr1spy

Banned
Somethings up with the Mclaren.

They haven't busted out the flowvis yet but they keep changing their exhaust layout everyday they test. Could be they're just comparing them but its possible that what the computers and windtunnel data are telling them are completely different from what they've gotten on the track.
 
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