Formula1 chat

GrumpyBodger wrote:Mercedes, Brawn & Schumacher. Quite an imposing line up.
Other than that a practically fully developed Car (Brawn) apart from the Regulation changes.
2010 Will truly sort the Drivers out with the elimination of refueling stops & all of the associated Tactics.
But I wonder if it will be more interesting for us mere Spectators?

John

Yes you're right there John, although the cars will be a lot heavier at the start then should get quicker and quicker so could make the race develop as it goes on - maybe more interesting for us we'll have to wait and see, but at least we have a Lotus to look out for, two top Brit's in the same team, and a UK race - so all in all it should be good if at last we can see them overtaking each other.... then that will hold our interest
I visited the Mercedes engine plant in Brixworth (used to be Ilmor) recently on business. As you would imagine, the cleanliness and attention to detail is fantastic. Every machine is painted the same colour whether it be a Mazak, Wickman CNC, Hardinge or whatever, including the floors to match. In reception all is silver, black and white with a McLaren F1 car hanging from the ceiling above your head and huge trophies lining the walls. Everyone is in smart corporate wear. The display engine shows just how small it is, with lots of carbon fibre and a tiny clutch about the size of a saucer. Anyway, hoping to get some orders from them so I'll have an excuse to go there again.
Cheers,
Tim.

Hi Tim,

Yes yet another interesting F1 Season to look forward to.
Let's see if they can stick to Racing & cut the politics a bit. Maybe that new Boss will introduce some common sense into the Arena
You've reminded me of something to post on the 2010 Activities list.

Cheers
John

Who Goes Where In 2010
No.

Driver

Nat

Team

1 Jenson Button GB Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
2 Lewis Hamilton GB Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
3 Nico Rosberg GER Mercedes Grand Prix
4 TBA Mercedes Grand Prix
5 Sebastian Vettel GER Red Bull Racing
6 Mark Webber AUS Red Bull Racing
7 Felipe Massa BRZ Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
8 Fernando Alonso ESP Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
9 Rubens Barrichello BRZ AT&T Williams
10 Nico Hulkenberg GER AT&T Williams
11 Robert Kubica POL Renault F1 Team
12 TBA Renault F1 Team
14 Adrian Sutil GER Force India F1 Team
15 Tonio Liuzzi ITA Force India F1 Team
16 Sebastien Buemi SUI Scuderia Toro Rosso
17 TBA Scuderia Toro Rosso
18 Jarno Trulli Lotus F1 Team
19 Heikki Kovalainen FIN Lotus F1 Team
20 TBA Campos Meta
21 Bruno Senna BRZ Campos Meta
22 TBA US F1 Team
23 TBA US F1 Team
24 Timo Glock GER Virgin Racing
25 Lucas di Grassi BRZ Virgin Racing
26 TBA BMW Sauber
27 Kamui Kobayashi JAP BMW Sauber

Eddie King

Wot, No number 13???!!! Supersticious bunch of technofiles aren't they. Mind you, I was born on 13th May so I can't afford to be wary of No 13.

the83man wrote:

Wot, No number 13???!!! Supersticious bunch of technofiles aren't they. Mind you, I was born on 13th May so I can't afford to be wary of No 13.

I don't think they'll let you "play" with that one Mike; worth a try though, check out the Reg's I think maybe you'll just need a Helmet

Cheers
John

"Mad man takes early Christmas present for a spin" - comes to mind

Just imagine; if Chapman had the spare cash for something like that back in his Youth, Lotus would probably not have been

Is that front Axle hollow tapered like Bugatti's, oh & excuse my ignorance, but what is it?

John

FERRARI CONFIRMS SCHUEY'S MERC F1 ASPIRATIONS
Luca di Montezemolo spills the beans at Ferrari Xmas lunch

Michael Schumacher has told his former Ferrari F1 boss Luca di Montezemolo there's "a very, very, very strong possibility" he'll be racing for Mercedes-Benz in Formula 1 next year.


Luca/Schuey F1 phonecall reportedThe rumours of a Schuey comeback with M-B have been circulating for weeks now, but this is the first 'concrete' quote on the subject from somebody intimately connected to the driving star.
Luca di Montezemolo held forth on Schuey's future at an annual Christmas bash for media on Thursday last week according to Autosport - who were lucky enough to get an invite. (Oddly, Mr di Montezemolo doesn't even send PH a Christmas card...)

"I hadn't spoken to him since Abu Dhabi but I spoke to him yesterday (Wednesday). He phoned me and he told me that there is a very, very, very strong possibility [of racing for Mercedes-Benz]. Having said that, it is not 100 per cent decided. But that is what he said yesterday morning," revealed the Ferrari boss - we'd like to think after a glass or two of festive Prosecco.

Autosport reckons the only thing now standing in the way of Schuey's comeback is the fitness issue, following the motorcycle accident that put the kybosh on a planned Ferrari comeback earlier this year.

The German star has been released from all remaining Ferrari commitments to clear a path for his return with M-B, they say.

Pistonheads report today

Eddie King

A7ESK wrote:FERRARI CONFIRMS SCHUEY'S MERC F1 ASPIRATIONS
Luca di Montezemolo spills the beans at Ferrari Xmas lunch

Michael Schumacher has told his former Ferrari F1 boss Luca di Montezemolo there's "a very, very, very strong possibility" he'll be racing for Mercedes-Benz in Formula 1 next year.

Luca/Schuey F1 phonecall reportedThe rumours of a Schuey comeback with M-B have been circulating for weeks now, but this is the first 'concrete' quote on the subject from somebody intimately connected to the driving star.
Luca di Montezemolo held forth on Schuey's future at an annual Christmas bash for media on Thursday last week according to Autosport - who were lucky enough to get an invite. (Oddly, Mr di Montezemolo doesn't even send PH a Christmas card...)

"I hadn't spoken to him since Abu Dhabi but I spoke to him yesterday (Wednesday). He phoned me and he told me that there is a very, very, very strong possibility [of racing for Mercedes-Benz]. Having said that, it is not 100 per cent decided. But that is what he said yesterday morning," revealed the Ferrari boss - we'd like to think after a glass or two of festive Prosecco.

Autosport reckons the only thing now standing in the way of Schuey's comeback is the fitness issue, following the motorcycle accident that put the kybosh on a planned Ferrari comeback earlier this year.

The German star has been released from all remaining Ferrari commitments to clear a path for his return with M-B, they say.

Well I don't know; talk about going off Topic & hijacking a thread

the83man wrote:

Wot, No number 13???!!! Supersticious bunch of technofiles aren't they. Mind you, I was born on 13th May so I can't afford to be wary of No 13.

Looks better in Red .


Eddie

OK, here's one with a helmet, on the line.

Eddie, You have too much time on your hands.

John, It's a 1929 Frazer Nash Super Sport, about 150 bhp from a Meadows 4 pot and therefore bloody quick.

I sprinted this at Goodwood in October (3rd in Class) but I don't own it - far too expensive and I'm much too long for it (NOT wide!) and found it difficult to drive as a result.

You're right John, I do need a (new) helmet as does anyone who competes because for 2010 the MSA has changed the acceptable standard.


BTW, I hope Shchue does maker it back into a GP car if only so that he can realise that he'spast it! The young'uns 'll tear him apart won't they??????

A nice piece of Kit for sure.
The amount of remaining positive Camber is fair proof that you're not too heavy for the Car Mike
With Schumi back it will be interesting, even if he can't make the pace he'll make the "young Guns" work very hard if they try to lap him.
With that & all of the other changes a promising start for an interesting F1 Season.
I wonder if the BBC will manage to broadcast any of the Races in HD?

I also wonder how Silverstone will be able to satisfy the organisers.
It's not long ago that they were told to build better Pit facilities, which has not happened, even though all of the Plans were made Public.
I hope you will be able to keep us posted on developments at Donington, a circuit close to my Heart.

Cheers
John

I'm too heavy for anything less than a V8!

Silvertsone are currently reworking the southern circuit but I don't believe that this will include the long planned F1 pit complex on the hangar straight because most of the work is for MotoGP (who committed to Silverstone long before Bernie did). There are some plans on their web site home page (Circuit TAB, half way down) at http://www.silverstone.co.uk/

I think BBC have said that some of the races will be in HD this year but I suspect there are all sorts of contractual problems with Mr E's television interests.

The administrators at Donnington have remained awfully quiet and a number of key staff (who might have been crucial to getting the thing going again) have been given their marching orders. There is still a lot of optimism among race organisers but no real evidence of where the admisistrators are looking at the moment. I've heard that they have advised the Wheatcroft family to sell it this time rather than let another lease. I will, of course, keep this forum up to date if I hear anything concrete.

Mike

Thanks Mike, I'll look forward to your well informed updates.

Well it's been confirmed; Schumi's signed up with Mercedes for 3 Years!













Schummy returns

News Item

OK, here is some good news, apparently straight from the horse's mouth. Kevin's passion for motor racing is nowhere as strong as his father's was but I've met him several times and Iwould say that if he has said this to the local press then that is what he intends to do.

Mike


Future of Donington Park secure, says owner

Wednesday, January 06, 2010, 07:00
THE family which owns Donington Park claims the track's future is secure.

Kevin Wheatcroft, who worked at the track for 32 years, said work to reopen the venue is now underway.
It had been earmarked to take over from Silverstone as the host of the British Formula One Grand Prix from this summer but the deal was scrapped when businessman Simon Gillett's multi-million pound plans to upgrade the track fell apart.

The collapse of the planned upgrade led to worries about the future of the track.
However, Mr Wheatcroft, who worked there along with his father Tom, said: "I can reassure people we are doing everything we can to get things back to normal at Donington Park.

"It has been a very difficult time for the whole family, especially with the death of my father being played out against the problems at the circuit."

Mr Gillett's firm Donington Ventures, which had a 150-year lease on the circuit, was placed in administration in November, just over a week after Tom Wheatcroft died. No buyer was found and it reverted to the Wheatcroft family on Christmas Eve.

Mr Wheatcroft said: "We were given back the keys to the circuit and immediately started to work out what happens next.

"The first thing has been to try to save as many jobs as possible.

"As of this week, we have re-opened the museum and cafe and race control office."

Large sections of the circuit were dug up last year as work started in anticipation of Donington Ventures finding the money to create a Grand Prix standard venue.

He said: "We have been assessing what is required to put things back as they were. We reckon this will cost in the region of about £600,000. We want to get the place operational again.

"We owe it to the many people who have been loyal to us throughout this, including the fans, the race and rally organisers and our staff."

While all the speculation over the future of the Grand Prix – now bound for Silverstone instead – has gone on, Donington has lost the right to host the British Superbikes and Moto GP events.

Mr Wheatcroft said: "We are in talks about British Superbikes and its return can't be ruled out at some point, and maybe even the dream of a Grand Prix will be realised one day.

"First we need to sell the lease to someone who can run the circuit on a full-time basis.

"It's too big a job for us and we want to identify someone who can take it forward.

"There is no shortage of people interested and we have found 12 potential buyers for the lease in just 12 days."

Mr Wheatcroft hopes to announce in the next two or three weeks who has bought the Donington circuit lease.

Yes that is very good news.
Let's just hope that they now get their fingers out & get the Circuit open for the Season.
I'm now looking for someone to put the blame on for landing Donington in such a mess & then walking away from it.
Heads should be rolling & Bank balances being searched.

Cheers
John

Great News re Donington. It was one of the best circuits in the UK, lets hope they can put it back together this year and build a future for the place.

Chris Mayhew

CAM wrote:Great News re Donington. It was one of the best circuits in the UK, lets hope they can put it back together this year and build a future for the place.

Chris Mayhew

I read somewhere that 6 to 12 Weeks is all that will be needed to re-instate the Circuit.
Let's hope that politics & paperwork don't interfere with the scheduling.
It's vital that Donington is ready for the oncoming Season, the loss of the Venue to all of the events lesser than F1 for just one Season would be dreadful for the Organisers & the missing income for Donington could spell terminal failure.
I'm keeping my Fingers crossed & trying to drink a Cup of tea at the same time

Cheers
John

This is the latest from the Lotus F1 Racing media pages......

Team Principal Tony Fernandes has confirmed that Lotus F1 Racing will unveil its 2010 challenger on 12th February. The location will be confirmed shortly.

Living close to Donington the sorry saga of the track etc is often in the local newspaper and regional tv news.

The update above is great for the track, but in one of the local papers the other day, it stated that a lot of small local business contractors and firms that were supplying Donoington with equipenment and services may never recover.

One suppleir of barrier fencing is owed £36k with no prospect ogf getting it back, the stress has been so scvere the owner has had a stroke. To that particular firm that 36k was everything and they have been struggling to survive, the local hotels and the like have seen their bookings decimated with no racing and no events at Donington. Catering suppliers, the St Johns ambulance and even the local Police force have huge sums owing to them, lets just hope Donington gets up an running and that they can support through patronage some of the firms effected. Some of these face banckrupcy all because they have not been paid by Donington. (Not Weatcrofts)

It just seems that those in charge had no idea of project or financial management and have ruined many other peoples lives in the process.

Putting it mildly, that makes sad reading indeed.
I can't say that any of it comes as a surprise to me though; it's what happens when bad decisions are made, then reversed & the perpetrators do a runner.
I really hope that someone in "authority" will lead an investigation into this whole bl--dy mess & ensure that Heads roll & that the Bills are paid by those responsible.
Taking another Tack on this.
Sums like 30k which are breaking the Backs of small Contractors are merely "Pocket Money" to many involved with Motor Sport.
A couple of "generous gestures" would also quickly resolve the problem. Wouldn't they?
I'm very worried that the longer the arguments go on & the longer the Circuit is unable to host events the deeper in debt & more unsalvageable the situation will become.
Serious action by those with the "powers" is needed now, not Tomorrow.
6-12 Weeks has been quoted as the time needed to get most things working again.
That would still give event organisers a good but tight time scale to organise events there for this Season.
The "Save Donington Campaign" is a great idea but it's not going to put the much needed Cash into the Coffers of those that are presently suffering.
The "big noises" that caused this mess are now sitting on their Tails in dark Corners & the must be taken to task!

Oooh that was one major Grump.
I'll have to take a short nap

Mercedes, McLaren, Renault and Ferrari all launched their new 2010 cars this week. I have to say if Lotus can produce a car looking as good as that F10 Ferrari or Mercedes then it will be a welcome miracle. Please just don't look like that RenaulT!

Trigger wrote:Please just don't look like that RenaulT!

that looks terrible, like vomit at high speed streaked down the back