- Formula 1 - Season 2009 -

[genius83]

Bernie: I'll protect Ferrari

In the wake of Max Mosley's belligerent comments that Formula One can survive without Ferrari, Bernie Ecclestone has insisted he will not let Mosley destroy the Italian team.

[SLR]

Formula one cant survive without Ferrari. Mosley has gone mad. Go Go Bernie

[UncleKracker]

LDM is trying to do what, Enzo Ferrari tried doing, threatening to quit F1. Enzo ordered a car to be made to compete in Indycar, and LDM is going to Le Mans. The fact of the matter is that neither, F1 nor Ferrari, can survive without each other. With all the things that were promised to Ferrari,a few years back, to make them break away from the constructors group , i don't know how FIA can implement so many things without Ferrari's permission.

[UncleKracker]

FIA revives 'winner takes all' for 2010

The controversial 'winner takes all' scoring system has been rubber stamped for introduction in 2010 by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

The governing body tried to introduce Bernie Ecclestone's favoured system this year, but the late change was vetoed by the Formula One Teams' Association.

We reported in March that the FIA would consult the teams before trying to introduce the system for 2010, but the new sporting regulations for next year already feature the controversial rule.

[genius83]

@UK

Any guess who have the most number of upgrades in the Spain. And I find the word to describe the performance of some teams in this season. The word is "Mind Boggling", I know the meaning of this word is amazing, astonishing. And lookslike this the word we have to used from the next race onward.

[UncleKracker]

@genius83

I would have to say, Ferrari. BMW were expected to come up with the most but i was reading a while back that they will not have their DD diffuser in Barcelona, which is mind boggling:D For a team that gave up on the `08 title midway through the season to concentrate on the '09 car, and then to have problems at the start of the season, and be unable to develop any new parts for the first four races of the season in the hope that, Barcelona would be their big step but to fall short is a mini disaster. They are bringing a lot of other stuff though, including an interim diffuser and other parts like a different front wing etc so lets see how that works out. Mclaren and Renault worked over time to get bits on their cars, and get an interim diffuser too. So, not much is expected of them in Barcelona. Expect those two teams to bring major updates for Monaco and Turkey, although the Mclaren is inherently a bad car. Renault will run an updated version of their DD diffuser and floor design at Barcelona though.

Ferrari would be the team to watch in Spain, not just for what they bring in the form of updates, but also how well it works on their cars. Remember that Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams have been working on their cars too. Brawn GP might be making another step forward, and if Ferrari don't get towardes the front of the grid in the next couple of races their championship will be over.

[UncleKracker]

BMW won't run double diffuser in Spain

BMW Sauber boss Mario Theissen has admitted that the team's version of the controversial double-decker diffuser will not be ready in time for this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

The team has been working flat-out on the design, but has opted not to introduce it as part of its new aerodynamic package because it would not have been able to exploit its performance benefit.

Theissen insisted that no date has been set for the diffuser to be introduced, although it is understood that the Monaco Grand Prix is a possibility.

[SLR]

h2Paddock Talk: Bernie says F1 needs Beckham/h2

[highlight]

We round-up all the rumours, gossip and tittle tattle from around the world of Formula One with Bernie Ecclestone keen to see David Beckham and Lionel Messi sign up for a drive.

[/highlight]

[genius83]

@UK

First of all thanks for accepting the word.

What I have read about all the teams specially the DD teams is that it is safe to assume that if all the upgrades for the non DD teams does as plan they only could achieve what the DD teams have achieve up until now in the first four races while the DD teams are still ahead with may be not as much advantage as in the previous races but about 0.5 to 0.75 of a sec still be there.

According to Kimi Ferrari frantic efforts have pay off in the wind tunnel and CFD test with a gain of nearly a second in performance. Mclaren and Renault are the only teams who have their interim diffuser tested in racing conditions all other interim diffuser still needs racing conditon testing to know the real performance of these diffuser.

BMW drops KERS for Spanish GP

BMW Sauber will not run with KERS at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

Silverstone back in the race to host British GP

The ongoing saga surrounding the future of the British Grand Prix could take another twist on Tuesday when the North West Leicestershire District Council takes a vote on planning permission for Donington Park.

Force India puts KERS debut on hold

The Force India team has ruled out introducing its KERS system at the Spanish Grand Prix, as the Silverstone-based squad has decided to focus its development elsewhere.

[genius83]

Piquet: I have the support of the whole team

Nelson Piquet Jr has quashed suggestions that Renault are putting too much pressure on him, saying he has the support of the whole team.

Bourdais: Our season really begins in Spain

Sebastien Bourdais hopes the beginning of the European season will kick-start Toro Rosso's 2009 campaign.

[genius83]

Raikkonen eager to end win drought

Kimi Raikkonen is eager to return to winning ways in Formula 1, over a year after scoring his last grand prix victory.

The Ferrari driver dominated last year's Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona, but has since then endured a drought, not having stepped on the top of the podium in 18 races.

Plenty of upgrades, but no KERS for Force India

Force India duo Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella are heading to Spain with significant upgrades to their cars.

[UncleKracker]

@genius83

The Spanish GP is usually one of the most boring races of the season. The winner invariably comes from the front row of the grid of the front two rows. That being the case, Brawn GP will be hopping they have sorted out their problem of getting heat into the tires quickly or else they too will be forced to run light to make it onto the front row. KERS might not be such a big advantage here because there is almost never an on-track overtaking here. The DD teams, at least Brawn and Toyota should still be competitive here and Alonso might run light in front of his home fans to give them something to cheer about. Lets see what Ferrari manage with their heavily upgraded car. It should also be a good for Red Bull because the track rewards a car which is good aero dynamically. Rubens needs to start winning if he has any hope of fighting for the title.

[genius83]

@UK

Yes, the track is some what a dull one to drive, I think they should ditch this circuit in favour of Jerez which have somewhat more overtaking oppurtunity. Now again something to laugh FIA is trying their best to make the sport entertaining enough but all their efforts are going down the drain.

Super Aguri eye F1 return

The FIA's proposed budget cap looks like it is having the desired effect as several teams are considering a return to Formula One.

[genius83]

Mosley's son found dead

FIA President Max Mosley's son has been found dead in his home in Notting Hill, West London.

[genius83]

Heikki looking forward to Barcelona return

Heikki Kovalainen still has no recollection of his horror smash in Barcelona a year ago, but is confident it will have no bearing on this weekend's return to the Circuit de Catalunya.

[zia1288]

Sad to know about the death of Mosley's son.

[genius83]

Gulf colours to make F1 bow with David Richards entry?

Whilst it has been surmised that David Richards-led entry into Formula 1 in 2010 could be under the banner of either legendary British sportscar marque Aston Martin or independent engineering concern Prodrive, it now appears the most likely branding will be of a Middle Eastern nature – and will possibly even feature the iconic 1960s Gulf colours made so famous in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

For those who don't know the Gulf Le Mans 24 hour livery here is a picture for them.

A step up in compounds for Barcelona

Bridgestone opens the start of the European season with the hard and soft tyres at the Spanish Grand Prix, a step up in compounds from those used last time out in Bahrain.

[genius83]

Massa hoping for a 'different' Championship[/url]

Felipe Massa is hoping for a "different Championship" when Ferrari head to Spain this weekend with their upgraded F60.

[url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75081"s Turn 9 safety improved]Barcelona's Turn 9 safety improved

A raft of safety improvements have been made to the Circuit de Catalunya at Turn 9, where Heikki Kovalainen suffered his huge crash in last year's Spanish Grand Prix.

[genius83]

Kubica warns BMW upgrade not enough

Robert Kubica has admitted that BMW Sauber's major upgrade package will probably not be enough to bring the team back into front-running contention.

Piquet: It's going to be difficult[/url]

Nelson Piquet Jr is hoping Renault can move beyond from the midfield as the F1 season gears up for the first round of the European leg of the Championship.

[url=http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5294188,00.html"t distract McLaren]Lewis: Liargate didn't distract McLaren

Lewis Hamilton insists McLaren have not been swayed from their task of winning the World title by their recent headline-grabbing controversy.

Button to maintain aggressive approach

Jenson Button says he will continue to take an 'aggressive' approach and push for race victories rather than driving with the championship in mind, despite his early points lead.

Now Ferrari F60B wih DD diffuser, here is the video.

//youtu.be/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQcMpG64-ig&rel=1

[UncleKracker]

Today is the death anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve. Just posting a video of a race which has become part of folklore. The famous last few laps of Dijon, 1979, the fight for second place.

This article was written a few years back, on his 25th death anniversary.

h3Ferrari's lost hero/h3

Twenty-five years ago, Formula One lost one of its greatest ever exponents, a man whose modest record belied an impact on the sport so profound that his memory lives on today.

He combined the best qualities of Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna and Juan Pablo Montoya - a dazzling talent, an unquenchable spirit and desire, and a magnetic charisma that attracted millions of fans.

//youtu.be/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcMv2en9HYU&rel=1