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.
Work underway in Texas
Sunday 2nd January 2011
http://www.planetf1.com/news/18227/6630346/Work-underway-in-Texas
Ferrari not happy with engine changes (2013 rules propose “pathetic” 4 cyl turbo - Ferrari will never sell a 4 cyl car.)
http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/6631751/Ferrari-Not-Happy-With-Engine-Changes
Gascoyne laments naming wrangle (Group Lotus buys in to Renault - now Renault Lotus GP (Black with gold piping??))
http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2011/01/03/Gascoyne-laments-naming-wrangle/gnid-84802/
Michael Schumacher’s deficit to team-mate Nico Rosberg in 2010 was usually explained by slow-corner driving technique, says Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn. The fact that the team did not have a top-level simulator “did not help”, Brawn said, adding that they were building one that would be ready for 2012. (Too late to teach Michael how to drive).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9334327.stm
And Tewin racer Lewis [Hamilton], the world champion in 2008, can see the opportunity to save up KERS and double-deploy it in combination with the adjustable rear-wing (More passing in F1 - is this NASCAR or what??).
http://www.whtimes.co.uk/sport/formula-1/f1_mclaren_driver_hamilton_prepares_for_2011_formula_1_season_1_764571
2011 Teams and drivers so far:
Red Bull
Sebastian Vettel
Mark Webber
McLaren
Jenson Button
Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
Fernando Alonso
Felipe Massa
Toro Rosso
Jaime Alguersuari
Sebastian Buemi
Sauber
Kamui Kobayashi
Sergio Perez
Renault
Robert Kubica
Vitaly Petrov
Williams
Rubens Barrichello
Pastor Maldonado
Mercedes
Michael Schumacher
Nico Rosberg
Virgin
Timo Glock
Jerome DAmbrosio
Force India
No drivers confirmed
Lotus
Heikki Kovalainen
Jarno Trulli
HRT
No drivers confirmed
Testing Schedule:
1 Feb Circuito Ricardo Tormo
2 Feb Circuito Ricardo Tormo
3 Feb Circuito Ricardo Tormo
10 Feb Circuito Permanente de Jerez
11 Feb Circuito Permanente de Jerez
12 Feb Circuito Permanente de Jerez
13 Feb Circuito Permanente de Jerez
18 Feb Circuit de Catalunya
19 Feb Circuit de Catalunya
20 Feb Circuit de Catalunya
21 Feb Circuit de Catalunya
3 Mar Bahrain International Circuit
4 Mar Bahrain International Circuit
5 Mar Bahrain International Circuit
6 Mar Bahrain International Circuit
They should go to a 3.0 liter normally aspirated V-12, no traction control or ABS, low downforce ground effects, a front wing scraping the pavement and a small movable rear wing. Get rid of that stupid KERS. Make it all mechanical grip. Maybe then we will have auto racing again and not PC upside down airplanes. Who knows, Mécanique Aviation TRAction might just return as an engine supplier...
does anybody want to do the thread for your favorite race this year???
if not, you'll have to put up with my ramblings again
all i ask is that the title format stay the same
2011 Trackname Grand Prix - Live Thread
anybody???
you’re doing a great job.........
I haven't thought of it as "putting up with."
Have I mentioned today that F1 is coming to Austin?? ;-)
January 3, 2011: Work has begun in earnest on the new United States Grand Prix venue in Texas, as race organizers push ahead with preparations for Formula One racing's return to the country in 2012.
2011 Launch Dates
Ferrari: 28 January - Maranello, Italy
Renault: 31 January - Valencia, Spain
Sauber: 31 January - Valencia, Spain
Red Bull: 1 February - Valencia, Spain (still to be confirmed)
Team Lotus: 1 February - Valencia, Spain
Toro Rosso: 1 February - Valencia, Spain
Williams: 1 February - Valencia, Spain
McLaren: 4 February - Berlin, Germany
Force India: 10 February - Jerez, Spain
Still to be confirmed:Hispania Racing
Mercedes GP
Virgin Racing
Ferrari will unveil their 2011 Formula 1 car at their Maranello base on 28 January before flying it to Spain for the first pre-season test at Valencia on 1 February, team principal Stefano Domenicali told a news conference on Wednesday.
Full story: ferrari.com
Motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug has told the German press agency (DPA) that Mercedes "has not made an offer" for Sebastian Vettel after Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko told Austrian media their rivals were keen to sign the world champion.
Full story: ESPNF1. Com
Fernando Alonso had to rest a muscle lesion in his right leg and could not go skiing on the first day of 'Wrooom 2011', which brings together the pilots of Ferrari and Ducati teams in the Italian winter resort of Madonna di Campiglio.
Full story: Marca (in Spanish)
Had a chat with Alonso about the season ahead. Says he's ready, got over 2010. Thinks it's unlikely that one team will dominate.
Formula 1 broadcaster James Allen on Twitter
Vitaly Petrov will unveil the new Renault livery on the Lotus stand at the Autosport International show in Birmingham on Thursday.
Autosport's Jonathan Noble on Twitter
Derek Gardner, the man who helped design the title-winning Tyrrells in the 1970s and created the team's famous six-wheeler, has died at the age of 79.
Full story: Autosport
The Formula 1 teams umbrella group Fota is to investigate allegations that some teams may have overspent in 2010, according to Ferrari.
Rivals have accused Red Bull behind the scenes of breaking the Resource Restriction Agreement (RRA), which puts limits on staff, spend and resources.
However, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said: I think all the teams that signed have complied.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has denied breaking the RRA.
Weve worked in accordance with the RRA limits since they were introduced, Horner told BBC Sport. With tremendous hard work and internal efficiencies, we believe weve absolutely adhered to it.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9359085.stm
The BBC will broadcast Formula 1 in high definition for the first time this coming season.
The move comes after F1 commercial body FOM confirmed that all broadcasters will be supplied with a high-definition feed for the first time.
David Coulthards move to the commentary box alongside Martin Brundle sees Eddie Jordan become main analyst.
Jake Humphrey will continue to present with Ted Kravitz and Lee McKenzie reporting from the pit lane.
BBC head of F1 Ben Gallop said: Its fantastic that Eddie is rejoining the team, and this year in a more expanded role.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9359509.stm
Is it going to be in HD on Speed in the US?
McLaren insist their new car will not suffer early-season teething problems - despite missing the first winter testing session for the 2011 season. The new MP4-26 will be launched on 4 February, a day after the first official testing session ends in Spain. It means McLaren have three chances to test its reliability before the opening grand prix in Bahrain on 13 March. "We are reasonably confident we can get all the reliability we need," said McLaren engineer director Paddy Lowe. Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said the decision to delay the testing of the MP4-26 was to give drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton "the best possible package" for Bahrain. It means the British team will head to the first of four winter sessions at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia between 1-3 February with a standard 2010 chassis and a limited number of updates, while rivals Red Bull and Ferrari will unveil their new models for on-track testing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9360948.stm
Fernando Alonso did the double in the traditional ice kart races at Ferrari's pre-season media event in Madonna di Campiglio. The Spaniard beat team-mate Felipe Massa and Ducati MotoGP rider Nicky Hayden in the first race, and headed Hayden and his new team-mate Valentino Rossi in the second.
Full story: Ferrari
New Williams driver Pastor Maldonado has demonstrated a Formula 1 car in his home country Venezuela, whose president Hugo Chavez was on hand and was personally thanked for his financial backing by Maldonado. Williams have officially announced that Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA has entered into a "long-term" sponsorship deal with the team. "They are a substantial partner and can make a meaningful difference to our fighting ability," said team owner Frank Williams in a statement. (AFP/Reuters/Williams F1)
FIA president Jean Todt's push to use experienced drivers as race stewards in Formula 1 has been deemed a huge success by one of the men who helped fulfil that role in 2010, eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen.
Full story: Autosport
McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh believes that 2011 could deliver an even closer battle for the world championship than last year - when four drivers went to the final race of the season fighting it out for the world title.
Full story: Autosport
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hopes the introduction of adjustable rear wings this season will not make Formula 1 "artificial".
Full story: Autosport
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo believes it is better for Formula 1 to visit new nations than to add a street race in Rome to its calendar, as the Italian city's hopes of hosting a grand prix fade.
Full story: Autosport
Montezemolo has urged the Formula 1 Teams' Association (Fota) to stay united, amid news that Hispania has turned its back on it and speculation that Red Bull has broken its cost-saving agreement.
Full story: ESPNF1.com
Williams had better watch out. Chavez might take over the team.
Motor Racing Research Center is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Formula One racing at Watkins Glen
WATKINS GLEN, Jan. 19 -- The International Motor Racing Research Center kicked off a year-long celebration Tuesday -- a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Formula One race at Watkins Glen.
Dignitaries from village and county government, racing royalty in the person of Jean Argetsinger, and students from a Watkins Glen High School history class studying the history of local racing were on hand for speeches and a cake-cutting.
Speeches were presented by Racing Center President J.C. Argetsinger, Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup, Racing Center Historian Bill Green and Racing Center Director Mark Steigerwald. They reminisced about the history of Formula One racing at Watkins Glen, about the role of the Center in promoting that history, and about the celebration. Speaker Argetsinger unveiled the Center's celebration logo, created by Ben Hendee, a graphic artist and motorsports artist who lives in Unadilla, NY.
Mario Andretti, although unable to attend Tuesday's kickoff, is serving as honorary chairman of the celebration. Andretti raced in the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen in the 1970s and was Formula One world champion in 1978.
The celebration will include displays and exhibits at the Center, including every race poster for the full race run of the Watkins Glen F1 series, which lasted from 1961-1980, and the original paintings by English artist Michael Turner used for the race program covers from 1969-1980. A 50th anniversary celebration poster created by graphic artist Nick Phoenix will be released in the spring.
"Formula One put Watkins Glen on the international racing map, a place of respect it holds to this day," J.C. Argetsinger said. "The local community is proud of this rich and exciting history, and visitors to the Center prove time and time again that the Watkins Glen years are important to their racing memories, too."
A series of Formula One cars will be featured at the Center through the year, starting with a historic Cooper Climax T51 Formula One vehicle due to arrive soon. Sir Jack Brabham drove that car to victory in the 1959 Sebring race to clinch his first of three World Championships. The vehicle is owned by racing author Joel Finn, a friend of the Center.
The longstanding monthly speaker series, Center Conversations, will focus on Formula One racing. The talks will start with one on Feb. 26 featuring historian Green and author Michael Argetsinger. Celebrated motorsports writer Pete Lyons will speak on April 16, discussing his coverage of Formula One racing in Europe across the years.
Racing great Bobby Rahal will talk May 7 about his racing experiences in Formula One and at the Indianapolis 500, which is celebratng its 100th anniversary this year.
Other highlights will be the Sept. 9 Grand Prix Festival, and the launch of a new book by Michael Argetsinger titled "Formula One at Watkins Glen: 20 Years of the United States Grand Prix 1961-1980." It is a venture between David Bull Publishing, the Center and author Argetsinger, with all profits going directly to the Center. The book, still in development, will be on sale at the Center.
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