Posted on 08/05/2009 7:57:45 PM PDT by Chode
This will be a general purpose thread for F1 news and pings that really don't require a thread of their own.
I think all the American studs are oriented to Nascar because that’s where the quickest path to $$ success is. If Gene Haas F1 deal ever gets critical mass (hard to say, he’s got a LOT of money and Bernie is getting a bit desperate about car count) I could see them with an American.
“I think all the American studs are oriented to Nascar because thats where the quickest path to $$ success is. If Gene Haas F1 deal ever gets critical mass (hard to say, hes got a LOT of money and Bernie is getting a bit desperate about car count) I could see them with an American.”
That sounds like a no brainer. Maybe a 2nd North America race, too. Canada, USA, Mexico and North America (at a US course)
Prediction: If you think F1 is in a mess now, just wait until Bernie either needs a drool cup or kicks the bucket and the fight for control will be the ultimate destruction of F1. The legal fights over billions and billions of revenue will be unbelievable.
The only difference between a sleazy 1/4 mile dirt track operator and Bernie is, oh, 2 or 3 billion.
ain't that the truth
That girl in the front row... is that a see-through/stripes shirt?
Well in Yurrup they look at these things a bit differently LOL.
the Mrs.
(searching this out I found that the former Mrs (Slavica) is required to pay Bernie 60 million British pounds per year as part of their divorce settlement)
This guy is amazing....
Driver | Salary () | Points | per Point |
Daniel Ricciardo | 750,000 | 238 | 3151 |
Valtteri Bottas | 1,000,000 | 186 | 5376 |
Kevin Magnussen | 1,000,000 | 55 | 18,182 |
Felipe Massa | 4,000,000 | 134 | 29,851 |
Daniil Kvyat | 250,000 | 8 | 31,250 |
Jean-Eric Vergne | 750,000 | 22 | 34,091 |
Nico Rosberg | 12,000,000 | 317 | 37,855 |
Nico Hulkenberg | 4,000,000 | 96 | 41,667 |
Sergio Perez | 3,000,000 | 59 | 50,847 |
Lewis Hamilton | 20,000,000 | 384 | 52,083 |
Jenson Button | 16,000,000 | 126 | 126,984 |
Sebastian Vettel | 22,000,000 | 167 | 131,737 |
Fernando Alonso | 22,000,000 | 161 | 136,646 |
Jules Bianchi | 500,000 | 2 | 250,000 |
Romain Grosjean | 3,000,000 | 8 | 375,000 |
Kimi Raikkonen | 22,000,000 | 55 | 400,000 |
Pastor Maldonado | 3,000,000 | 2 | 1,500,000 |
Salary figures are from Business Book GP (via TomorrownewsF1.com)
Formula 1 team Caterham will be allowed to compete in 2015 with this year's car - if a buyer is found for the team.
The outfit are in administration and have been given special dispensation to make it easier to find a buyer.
It means potential purchasers will not be under pressure to build a new car for next season.
Administrator Finbarr O'Connell said: "That is of interest to all the parties I'm talking to. It gives them a choice, an easier start to get into F1."
The decision is to be ratified at this week's meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Doha, Qatar.
O'Connell, of London firm Smith & Williamson, added: "The F1 Commission and FIA agreed if it would assist the weaker teams they can use the 2014 car next year, so giving them more time and options.
"It's a very difficult purchase decision for any party because of the huge costs involved in running an F1 team."
The Leafield-based team went into administration in October and last month made 230 staff redundant.
After missing two races, Caterham were able to compete at the season-ending race Abu Dhabi thanks to a successful crowd funding project.
O'Connell said: "I'm still talking to a few interested parties, and I'm hoping one of them can do the deal."
Sebastian Vettel described his first experience of working with Ferrari as 'magical' after completing his first laps of Fiorano as part of a comprehensive introductory session with his new team.
On top of racking up nearly 100 laps in a two-year old F2012 on Ferrari's bespoke test circuit on Saturday, Vettel devoted the entirety of Sunday to simulator work in a virtual F14 T, and also had meetings with senior figures including Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne, the F1 team's new managing director and team principal Maurizio Arrivabene, and technical chief James Allison.
"Obviously it's been a fantastic day to come here," Vettel told Ferrari's official website. "There are a lot of fairy tales about Ferrari and how it feels to drive a red car. In the end I can only confirm these fairytales.
"It's not just a story, it's a true legend that exists and it feels really, really special to become part of that, and to be inside the car, to see the people coming, running to the track and trying to climb the walls to see the car. There is definitely something very magical - and something that happened today which I will never forget."
Vettel, who ran in a white helmet bearing the slogan 'il mio Primo giorno in Ferrari' ('my first day in Ferrari'), said the test brought back memories of when he had visited the Scuderia's home town in his youth.
"I was here a long time ago as a little child, driving through Maranello and trying to look over the fence and trying to see a glimpse of Michael [Schumacher] running on the track. Well today I was the one running and saw the tifosi around.
"To be here officially as part of the team felt fantastic. Obviously it's a very different colour for me - everybody is dressed in red, everything is red - but it's really something special and I'm very much looking forward to the challenge that we took on for the next years."
For Caterham, this can only happen well... behind the rest of the field. Given that this leaves only ten teams in F1, I wonder if they’ll waive the 107% rule for next year...
Vettel’s Ferrari debut - official video
http://www.racer.com/videos/item/111412-vettel-s-ferrari-debut-official-video
Does mean Ferrari can use the Ferrari F248?
HRT had both their cars parked under that rule at least once in 2012.
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