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[kharma45]

McLaren always seem to have great looking cars.

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...rundle-hot-seat-dropping-Jonathan-Legard.html

BBC gamble £200m F1 deal by promoting Martin Brundle to hot seat and dropping Jonathan Legard

Martin Brundle will become the voice of Formula One after BBC chiefs decided to take a massive gamble on the former driver.

He is being given the role made famous by Murray Walker in a radical shake-up of the corporation's Grand Prix team before the first race of the season in Bahrain in March.

Five million viewers are expected to tune as he is joined in an untried partnership by another former Grand Prix star, David Coulthard.

The BBC have yet to confirm the new line-up to carry the third season of their £200m, five-year F1 contract, but it is understood that Brundle has ousted Jonathan Legard, whose contract has not been renewed after two years in the hot seat.

Brundle, who began his broadcasting career beside Walker, has won awards as an analyst but the switch to calling the minute-by-minute drama of a Formula One race will present him with an altogether different challenge.

However, his influence within BBC Sport cannot be over-estimated. He is believed to have agitated for the changes in the commentary booth after letting it be known that he thought his partnership with Legard, previously a successful Formula One commentator for BBC Radio Five Live, had lacked chemistry.

The elevation of Coulthard from paddock to commentary box pundit after only two seasons with the BBC is further indication of Brundle's reach at Broadcasting House. Brundle managed Coulthard for 10 years until the Scotsman quit Formula One in 2008 with 13 Grands Prix victories to his credit.

They remain close friends but Coulthard has no experience of commentary.

Legard learned of his fate last month and while some fans were critical of his commentary style, his removal leaves the BBC without a professionally trained journalist in the commentary booth in the event of a major incident.

Brundle, 51, who drove in 158 Grands Prix between 1984 and 1996, has won admiration for his pre-race "grid walk" segment, which requires him to dash around posing questions of drivers, royalty and celebrities.

He intends to continue with that role before hurrying to his commentary position to introduce races, a duty that for the past two seasons was done by Legard while Brundle composed himself to analyse the frenzied, opening minutes.

'This could place Martin under unimaginable strain,' said an F1 source, who questioned the wisdom of Brundle's ability to dovetail his new commitments, not least because of problems getting from the grid.

 

[Reno7728]

Is there a reason they don't just promote Croft from 5 live? Croft and Brundell would be amazing. Maybe even adding in Davidson somewhere and having Chandok full time on even tv or just 5 live.

 

[Mush]

Is there a reason they don't just promote Croft from 5 live? Croft and Brundell would be amazing. Maybe even adding in Davidson somewhere and having Chandok full time on even tv or just 5 live.

This is the dude that does Practices with Anthony, right?

If so, keen. Youth + Experience = (potential) win.

 

[Reno7728]

This is the dude that does Practices with Anthony, right?

If so, keen. Youth + Experience = (potential) win.

Yes it is, plus all the race 5 live commentary which is availible on the red button. And so much better than Ledgard.

 

[FStop7]

Black and red Macca looks awesome makes sense since Mercedes wants to be the only silver cars on the grid, history and all.

Mac can't go back to their old school red and white since they'd be too similar to Ferrari.

 

[Cereal KiIIer]

I love Brundle but I'm not sure I want to hear him talk during 2 hours. I thought the actual team was perfect.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

Coulthard is an okay choice to go alongside Brundle, I think.

Wonder who will join Jake and Eddie, though?

I think Brundle will be good at it, personally. He talks a lot during races and he knows his stuff, it might be a bit of a readjustment at first but he can do it. I'm just glad they're keeping his grid walks!

 

[Pizza Luigi]

Poor Codemasters, they have a lot to change.

Although I'm not feeling the toning down of the engines that much (I mean, destroy one random highway in The Netherlands and you can have 10 F1 season's CO2-wise), but I always enjoy change of rules. I'm not curious how all the drivers react to it

 

[Wes]

Is there a reason they don't just promote Croft from 5 live? Croft and Brundell would be amazing. Maybe even adding in Davidson somewhere and having Chandok full time on even tv or just 5 live.

After wanting Croft to do the commentary for so long I now am glad he's staying on the radio. Now I can continue my watching the tv muted and listen to the radio hijinks. Much fun.


I think Martin as top commentator could be a disaster.

 

[Deadman]

Legard learned of his fate last month and while some fans were critical of his commentary style, his removal leaves the BBC without a professionally trained journalist in the commentary booth in the event of a major incident.

wat :lol

 

[Reno7728]

After wanting Croft to do the commentary for so long I now am glad he's staying on the radio. Now I can continue my watching the tv muted and listen to the radio hijinks. Much fun.


I think Martin as top commentator could be a disaster.

True. It is nice to have an established team to listen to. And having the young guys like di resta and Chandok helping out is a good way to keep it fresh.

 

[Lucius86]

Definitely would have preferred Brundle and Crofty as a pair rather than Brundle as the lead - but hey, it could work.

 

[Dilly]

Posted it in the wrong thread.

http://twitpic.com/3k5ukp

F1 driver in hibernation.

 

[Dead Man]

Posted it in the wrong thread.

What a goofy bastard! :lol

 

[Lucius86]

Posted it in the wrong thread.

Heh, I saw that the other day. I wonder which fur coat he is talking about though?? :lol

 

[S. L.]

just got my F1racemanager hat!
it actually is a RBR Vettel cap! Awesome²!

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

just got my F1racemanager hat!
it actually is a RBR Vettel cap! Awesome²!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1159887/IMG_20101227_192625.jpg[IMG][/QUOTE]

OMG I NEED THAT!! Where?

 

[DieH@rd]

OMG I NEED THAT!! Where?

Best subleague in f1racingmanager wins 5 hats. We were 1st!

just got my F1racemanager hat!
it actually is a RBR Vettel cap! Awesome²!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1159887/IMG_20101227_192625.jpg

Kudos! I finished 2nd in GAF subleague but i elected to not receive the hat. I got the glory, others can get the hat.

 

[S. L.]

Best subleague in f1racingmanager wins 5 hats. We were 1st!

6 hats

 

[Wax Free Vanilla]

:lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12wSs4PEUWE

 

[h3ro]

:lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12wSs4PEUWE

The woman in the last car looked like Nico.

 

[S. L.]

The woman in the last car looked like Nico.

who is the woman in the third car?
In the German version Franz Beckenbauer is in the third.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2edo3kIRqo

 

[avaya]

:lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12wSs4PEUWE

Michael and Mika in the same advert

<3 Mercedes.

 

[Deadman]

HAT. Pictures later.

 

[SCHUEY F1]

No more "coming hard and fast" from the commentary team.

 

[Dilly]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUrGllOTFaQ&feature=player_embedded

F1 drivers seriously let themselves go during off-season :lol

 

[Jinjo]

In the next few days it will be announced that Di Resta takes Liuzzi's seat at Force India. Hulkenberg will take Di Resta´s role as friday tester. Willi Weber wanted to get Hulkenberg a third driving seat at McLaren, but Whitmarsh felt it would put unneccesary pressure on Button.

I can give you the the source, but it´s in dutch.

 

[Dilly]

Karthikeyan is probably going to racec for HRT next year.

 

[Leunam]

Karthikeyan is probably going to racec for HRT next year.

Confirmed.

HRT has now officially confirmed that Narain Karthikeyan will race for it in 2011.

The Indian driver, who has been out of Formula 1 since the end of 2005, announced his surprise return to the sport via his own Twitter page on Thursday.

However, HRT waited until early on Friday to confirm that Karthikeyan has signed a contract that will see him fill one of the team's race seats for this year.

Team principal Colin Kolles said: "It is a great pleasure for us to have signed Narain Karthikeyan as our race driver for the 2011 Formula 1 World Championship."

Willi Weber wanted to get Hulkenberg a third driving seat at McLaren, but Whitmarsh felt it would put unneccesary pressure on Button.

Could you elaborate more on this?

 

[moojito]

HRT should just hold an auction before every race to see who gets a seat.

 

[DrM]

McLaren plans interim car for first test

McLaren is set to use an interim car for the first Formula 1 test of 2011 at Valencia, AUTOSPORT understands, after announcing on Friday that its launch will be held in Berlin on February 4.

The first official test of the year takes place at Valencia from February 1-3, but McLaren will not unveil its new MP4-26 until the day after that test finishes.

AUTOSPORT understands that the launch is not simply a colour-scheme unveiling - but will be the actual first public appearance of the new car.

McLaren has declined to comment on its intentions for the first test at Valencia, but sources suggest the team is looking at using an updated version of the MP4-25 for the test - rather than its 2011 model.

It is understood that the car that will run at Valencia will likely be a modified hybrid of the current MP4-25, but fitted with aerodynamic developments and updates from the 2011 car.

Such a move would allow the team a few extra days of development time in the wind tunnel. Using a well-known platform will also ensure that McLaren should be able to complete plenty of mileage to gain data on how Pirelli's 2011 rubber interacts with the cars.

Tim Goss, chief engineer of McLaren's 2010 car, told AUTOSPORT last month that the outfit was upbeat about the progress being made with the new car.

"It's looking very good," Goss said. "We can't say much about it at the moment, but Doug [McKiernan, chief aerodynamicist] and his team have done a great job of creating the aerodynamic platform for the car, and it is looking good."

McLaren is not the only team that is choosing not to run its 2011 car in Valencia - with Force India, Virgin Racing and HRT all having so far confirmed that they will only run 2010 models for the first test.

World champion Red Bull Racing, which missed the first test last year, is making a big push to get its car ready for Valencia so it can understand better how the Pirellis work on the actual 2011 challenger.

Autosport

 

[navanman]

Damn beaten but thanks for the post.

The week in brief:

Engineering reshuffle at Ferrari after the mess in Bahrain.
Chris Dyer shuffled away and Pat Fry to be in charge of race management for 2011.

RBR deny staff exodus after 2010 season as Neil Martin joins Ferrari. Still there is plenty of evidence to show that their rival teams have been actively courting and recruiting several RBR engineers.

30th January looks to be a busy day with several teams having the launch of their cars that day with first days testing of 2011 the following day.

 

[DrM]

Interesting, Mclaren will unveil their car several days after all of (serious) competition and that event will took place in Berlin.

New sponsor coming on board? Or just another Vodafone promotional actions?

 

[navanman]

Interesting, Mclaren will unveil their car several days after all of (serious) competition and that event will took place in Berlin.

New sponsor coming on board? Or just another Vodafone promotional actions?

Very strange alright. Berlin is a very odd venue for an unveiling.
Big new sponsor German based sponsor?

 

[S. L.]

Very strange alright. Berlin is a very odd venue for an unveiling.
Big new sponsor German based sponsor?

that would be weird unless the drop vodafone for whatever reason (and they just extended their contract, no?)

 

[navanman]

that would be weird unless the drop vodafone for whatever reason (and they just extended their contract, no?)

Isn't Santander gone to Ferrari for 2011, probably a replacement for them.
Time for a German bank to step in (in preparation for Hulk in 2012 according to rumours)

 

[S. L.]

Isn't Santander gone to Ferrari for 2011, probably a replacement for them.
Time for a German bank to step in (in preparation for Hulk in 2012 according to rumours)

can't think of any large bank with HQ in Berlin, they are all in Frankfurt or Bonn.
Of course Berlin is the capital and all but it still seems weird

 

[DrM]

can't think of any large bank with HQ in Berlin, they are all in Frankfurt or Bonn.
Of course Berlin is the capital and all but it still seems weird

Or it could be some other company with european HQ in Berlin... But I think they will unveil in Berlin because of Vodafone (Germany is quite important market for them).

 

[jey_16]

Isn't Santander gone to Ferrari for 2011, probably a replacement for them.
Time for a German bank to step in (in preparation for Hulk in 2012 according to rumours)

i think Santander has signed on with McLaren for a few more seasons but its only to sponsor the drivers suits, nothing on the car

 

[navanman]

HRT has left FOTA saying it doesn't serve their needs.

Oh yeah, they also forgot to mention that they hadn't paid up for their membership, $100,000, and were to be expelled anyway.

 

[h3ro]

These new teams are such a farce. HRT and Virgin have done squat to show that they are serious about becoming racing teams. Those barges are just moving advert chicanes.

At least Lotus seems pretty driven and actually went as far as to go after actual race drivers with good experience in Trulli and Heikki. Renault and Lotus parent company issues aside, at least they are actually trying to improve the team and increase pace throughout the year.

Karthikeyan? Really, HRT? Really?

Poor Hulk. I really hope he gets a top reserve role.

 

[Massa]

New cars!

??/1 - Ferrari (last week of Jan.)
31/1 - Renault-Lotus R31
31/1 - Sauber C30
01/2 - STR STR6
04/2 - McLaren MP4/26
10/2 - Force India VJM04
??? - RBR RB7
??? - Mercedes W02
??? - Williams FW33
??? - Team Lotus T128
??? - Virgin VR02
??? - Hispania F111

 

[Gavarms]

For UK Viewers:
Legard is gone!
@legardj
Life moves on. Ask Nick Heidfeld or @narainracing. You never know what's next. To the critical and the complimentary, thanks for the company

 

[navanman]

BBC confirm Brindle as new main commentator with Coulthard to join him in the commentary box for next year.

 

[Foliorum Viridum]

For UK Viewers:
Legard is gone!
@legardj
Life moves on. Ask Nick Heidfeld or @narainracing. You never know what's next. To the critical and the complimentary, thanks for the company

Very decent.

I know he was crap, but he was a nice bloke.

 

[Opus Angelorum]

I'm optimistic about Brundle being the lead commentator, I find him very likeable and he clearly knows his stuff.

Coulthard on the other-hand, intelligent but I find his tone somewhat dismissive.

Personally I found Legard to be robotic at times, almost too precise in his commentary. It lacked charm and personality in the main.

 

[mrklaw]

I'm optimistic about Brundle being the lead commentator, I find him very likeable and he clearly knows his stuff.

Coulthard on the other-hand, intelligent but I find his tone somewhat dismissive.

Personally I found Legard to be robotic at times, almost too precise in his commentary. It lacked charm and personality in the main.

I think it'll work. Brundle has personality, but his F1 race experience is a little old now (clearly he still keeps up with things though). So Coulthard should help bring a more recent view to on-track stuff. Plus they must be friends as they've worked together so long.

My only concern is its two drivers. hopefully it won't get too techy or in-jokey.

 

[moojito]

Maybe Chandhok could take over Coulthard's position next to EJ. That would be pretty cool. Anyone heard anything about that?

I read somewhere that red bull are rushing to get the rb7 ready for the test, as well.

 

[navanman]

Sky Netherlands confirm they will have F1 in HD in 2011 so hopefully the BBC will have their announcement very soon also.

Should be amazing.