Formula One

Well it seems that there are a number of F1 fans on VF so thought a thread along the lines of the 'Premier League' thread would be a good idea (minus GJ as I don't think he is into F1). Just a general place to discuss the goings on of the F1.

So I will kick off with a brief summary of the events of the past week.

Brawn win in Melbourne
Clearly the big story of last weekend. SRB must be thinking this F1 lark is easy! Of course it is clear that Honda invested a lot of money in this seasons car and it is now paying dividends for both Brawn and Honda (Honda still have an invested interest due to the agreement between Honda and Brawn). Not sure they will do so well at Sepang.

Hamilton DQed from 3rd
Did he lie or not? Who knows. One thing is clear is that he did something that was wrong and has paid the price. Personally I am in no way Hamilton's biggest fan. I do wonder though why on earth McLaren protested in the first place. I bet they are wishing they just stuck with being happy about finishing 4th

Sepang predictions
Nelson Piquet to win!! [}:)] In all honesty I think the fact that Brawn haven't tested in the wet will be an issue. Ferrari have dominated Sepang in recent years and just love the rain. As its due to rain during both Qualifying and the race I wouldn't be surprised to see Ferrari doing well this week. Rosberg seems to be fastest in first practice but he was in Melbourne and seemingly didn't adapt to the softer tyres well.

The pit to car radio between Hamilton and his engineer is available on the beeb f1 website now. I'd say that side of it is fairly clear cut. He was told to let Trulli re-pass whilst they queried the legalities with Race Control.
That's fair enough. But what comes across is how impetuous Hamilton Sounds, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if he forgot to tell the whole story in the stewards room.

Exciting and Talented driver he may be, but I think I will quickly tire of the Corporate Robot that he is this season. Especially if Button continues to do well and sticks to his laddish image and avoids turning too corporate.

Be interested to see if the start time will cause as much as an effect as in Melbourne. Seems the drivers didn't like driving in to the low sunlight and the drop in temperature.

Seems Ferrari and Williams are the pace setters at the moment.

[Neil]

I see McLaren have suspended Dave Ryan, their Sporting Director who was in the stewards rooms after the race with Hamilton, shows who they are trying to put the blame on (heaven forbid it should be King Lewis!)

This weekend could be interesting if the predicted unsettled weather hits. I think the practice times are quite misleading with teams running different set ups etc, if it is dry and think we could see another Brawn dominating.

quote:Originally posted by PVGSLF

Exciting and Talented driver he may be, but I think I will quickly tire of the Corporate Robot that he is this season.



I tried to read his book, and had to give it up, some of the stuff made you cringe.

Maybe in a few years time .......

David

I guess with the new testing rules and at this early stage of the season, friday practice times are not going to be very indicative as it is the only chance the teams get to experiment and develop, not just find the right setup for the circuit.

[Bazz]

The McLaren Press Release stated:

quote:The Team mistakenly believed that the radio transmissions had been reviewed by the FIA on Sunday 29th March 2009, and consequently did not believe it was necessary to discuss them with the Stewards on that date.

So was it a deliberate attempt to mislead the stewards or not?

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by Bazz
The McLaren Press Release stated:

quote:The Team mistakenly believed that the radio transmissions had been reviewed by the FIA on Sunday 29th March 2009, and consequently did not believe it was necessary to discuss them with the Stewards on that date.

So was it a deliberate attempt to mislead the stewards or not?


The FIA obviously believe so, hence the punishment. Deliberate or not, it does tarnish both McLaren and Hamilton's image, just something else to add to the poor start to the season for them both.

Interesting that on the BBC all the Hamilton lovers have come out in his defence. The FIA or stewards do not have some kind of secret vendetta against Lewis. Its simple: break the rules, then you will be punished. Sadly the British media (well ITV really last season) attempted to make Lewis out to be the scape goat.

It has to be deliberate. Its hardly the sort of information that you don't mention when seeing the stewards. You would only not mention it if you are hoping to get away with it.

Such a shame that a vetran of McLaren has taken the fall for this. As Neil says there is no way they would allow the demi god that is Hamilton to take the rap.


Am about to watch Friday practice on the red. Am loving the increased options the Beeb are offering.

[Bazz]

Dave Ryan has now left McLaren.

From the F1 Web Site:

quote:'Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has been invited to appear before an extraordinary meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Wednesday, 29 April, 2009, to answer charges that, in breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code...' Link

I feel another BIG fine coming on!

What a sorry state Mclaren have got themselves into. After Spygate and now this I think the FIA will ban them for a year from motorsport. If they had not tried to cover up, and they did try, Hamilton would have been 3rd without issue in Melbourne.

However I would love to have been a fly on the wall after Massa/Ferrari messed up in qualifying on Saturday. I am delighted for Button and Barrichello who have suffered dreadfully with the Honda crap for years. Bring on Brawn and Virgin[y]

Sepang next up[y]

Cant wait, this is the best it has been for years.

Iain

[Bazz]

Here is a link to a great pic of a BMW steering wheel with KERS switch on f1fanatic.co.uk, brilliant pic! Click on the pic to enlarge.

quote:Originally posted by Bazz
Here is a link to a great pic of a BMW steering wheel with KERS switch on f1fanatic.co.uk, brilliant pic! Click on the pic to enlarge.


I hear that Kubcia is going to be using KERS this weekend. I was under the impression he was too heavy/tall for the system to be of any real use for him.

So off to China we go. What a couple of weeks for McLaren, and now it seems that Ron Dennis is stepping down fully from F1 duties as he has announced he will no longer be CEO of McLaren F1.

Button fastest in practice today. WIll be an interesting weekend thats for sure.

[Bazz]

Lewis is now running with a new diffuser, I guess most if not all will be, after the ruling this week.

I think yesterdays F1 win by RBR should silence some of the double diffuser moaners. Though I note this morning that Flavio is whining that Brawns share of the TV rights (30mil) should be split amongst the other teams to pay for the diffuser modifications. Sorry Flav, if RBR can win convincingly in a standard diffuser car, then obviously yours (and Macs and Ferraris) cars are rubbish in general.



The shake up is also paying off further down the field with some brilliant scraps going on there. And its not just a scrap to over take, then pull away. Its a Scrap to overtake and retake at every corner. That must be seriously tiring!



Bring on Bahrain. That cant be wet. Though knowing the luck so far this year therell be a sandstorm.

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by PVGSLF
The shake up is also paying off further down the field with some brilliant scraps going on there. And its not just a scrap to over take, then pull away. Its a Scrap to overtake and retake at every corner. That must be seriously tiring!


I 100% agree, the first 3 races of this season have been some of the most entertaining that I can remember. I was seriously gutted yesterday when Sutil in the Force India lost it 6 laps from the end, it would have been great to see him finish ahead of Lewis and many more top drivers, in the supposed top teams. Long may it continue.

Really liking the BBC coverage too now, it really puts the ITV coverage we have had to endure of the last few years to shame.

quote:Originally posted by Neil


Really liking the BBC coverage too now, it really puts the ITV coverage we have had to endure of the last few years to shame.


Yep the 'Red Button' is good, and I especially like the F1 Forum after the race.
However, whilst it's been good for these early morning races, I can see it causing some domestic strife as we get back to Europe and it starts wiping out entire sunday afternoons!

I know my house wouldn't care about missing Eastenders, although I expect F1 would get moved to BBC2.

[Bazz]

Great result for Red Bull and Vettel and Webber, Brawn were happy with third and forth and have a good lead in the constructors Championship albeit we are still very early in the season. Rubens posted fastest lap.

Disappointing finish for Alonso (9th) after good qualifying.

Got to hand it to RBR though, no double diffuser and no KERS. Pretty darn impressive! [y]

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by DarkAuror
I know my house wouldn't care about missing Eastenders, although I expect F1 would get moved to BBC2.


I'm pretty certain, the BEEB have said that F1 will always be on BBC1, so EastEnders should be the one being moved to BBC2.

quote:However, whilst it's been good for these early morning races, I can see it causing some domestic strife as we get back to Europe and it starts wiping out entire sunday afternoons!

You need to just put your foot down, suggest that they do something fun while you watch the race, ironing is always a well received suggestion in our house[:w][B)]

[Bazz]

quote:Originally posted by Neil
quote:Originally posted by DarkAuror
I know my house wouldn't care about missing Eastenders, although I expect F1 would get moved to BBC2.


I'm pretty certain, the BEEB have said that F1 will always be on BBC1, so EastEnders should be the one being moved to BBC2.

quote:However, whilst it's been good for these early morning races, I can see it causing some domestic strife as we get back to Europe and it starts wiping out entire sunday afternoons!

You need to just put your foot down, suggest that they do something fun while you watch the race, ironing is always a well received suggestion in our house[:w][B)]


Or you could give your wife your credit card and send her shopping, that usually works. [;)]

I'd need to give her the Credit Card to go and replace my shirts after she'd destroyed them with the Iron!.... I've often wondered if her lack of prowess in the ironing department is contrived or real, but it runs the risk of great expense to find out.