Formula One 2012

[ctjet]

Anybody who takes up the second ferrari seat will forever be remembered as the guy willing to play bitch

It speaks volumes about their true personality

The last 15 years is testiment to that

[89CAL]

Yeah I understand that Cal, but I'm not a believer. No matter how many cylinders, f1 tech will ALWAYS trickle down to prod cars. Going V6 only serves the ad guys. Nothing more.

Yeah I'm with you. If only for the fact that they are going to drop the revs (from memory)

If they end up sounding like Honda civics it won't be cool.....

[Roy]

Anybody who takes up the second ferrari seat will forever be remembered as the guy willing to play bitch

It speaks volumes about their true personality

The last 15 years is testiment to that

I say that was the case in the Irvine/Rubens and Schuey days. That was brought about mostly by the fact that Schuey was the best driver on the grid and when your car isnt as quick as the Macs and Williams they threw their best efforts behind one guy to get the WDC. But yes, the second seat werre the compliant type.

But, when they signed Kimi with Massa. Any favouritism expected towards Kimi didnt eventuate. Then the following season....ALonso has seized the leadership role...he is a calibre apart from Alonso...much like Schuey and others in the past.

I think Schuey would go fine alongside Alonso. Quick car, back in form and knows that politically in the team he would be on equal footing with Alonso. I hope it happens

[tweety bird]

A report in respected German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport said that the FIA was set to investigate the designs of both the McLaren and Red Bull cars amid suggestions they were cleverly getting the front wings to rotate at high speed.

However, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has denied talk that his outfit has had any dialogue with the FIA over the matter, and says there have been no indications any modifications need to be made to its cars.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103022

[dori34]

schumi to Sauber?

this will definitely be interesting but i doubt he would go down that low, i'm sure he doesn't want to be like glock or de la rosa and go from top end team to bottom lol

cannot wait for Japan race, definitely gonna be an awesome race!

[hrd-hr30]

Mercedes is, at best, the 5th fastest car in the field. But Sauber would have something to say about that, having had the measure of the Mercs a few times on tracks that suit them.

Schumacher and Peter Sauber go way back too. If Shucmacher does want to keep racing F1, Sauber is where it will be.

I can't see Ferrari being a serious option at all.

[hrd-hr30]

from jamesallenonf1:

He (Luca Montezemolo) then responded to Alonso’s line from Singapore that, “If the team decides to change Felipe, anyone who arrives has to be better than Felipe. I’ve seen a lot of names written, and I don’t know if they have been written with the head or the heart. With all the names you hear, if you compare what Felipe has done in Formula 1 and what these little names have done in Formula 1…”

Montezemolo said, “He’s right that there aren’t any “phenomenons” in circulation. But first Fernando should win the world title and then we will certainly not put anyone alongside him who would bother him. It is the case that the decisions on drivers are taken by us, obviously sharing them with him. Massa has been very strong in the last two races. I’m taking a few days to reflect.”

Massa ain't going anywhere next year. And Schumacher is certainly not in the running for that seat.

And if Alonso wins a WDC for them, Vettel won't be going to Ferrari until Alonso retires!

Edited October 4, 2012 by hrd-hr30

[tweety bird]

Lewis Hamilton has absolved Martin Whitmarsh of any blame in his move to Mercedes, saying there was nothing he could have done to hold onto him.

Last week it was confirmed that Hamilton is on his way to Mercedes next season, bidding farewell to McLaren with whom he has a 14-year relationship.

The decision resulted in McLaren in for some stick from the British press and fans who felt that the team - and especially Whitmarsh - had not done enough to persuade the Brit to stay.

Hamilton, though, insists that's not what happened.

"It was not about the offers. I had two offers on the table which were very, very similar," he said.

"Martin asked me what they could have done more. To be honest, it was about the new challenge and a step that I wanted to make."

He added: "I wanted to make sure that Martin knew how much I appreciated all the support he has given me over the years.

"I have an incredible relationship with him. He is so easy to work with, so welcoming, so forgiving when you make mistakes. Very much more a friend than a boss. I called him and said "Look, I've decided to go this way"."

The 27-year-old, who finally broke his silence over the move for the first time while speaking to journalists in Japan, said it was one of the hardest decisions he has ever had to make.

"It was like a pendulum. One moment I'd think let's go for it, the next I'd think, I'm going to stay. Eventually it became clear in my mind.

"I already had the feeling a few days before but it stuck with me and I didn't have any swinging back. Then I got to Thailand and it was incredibly peaceful and I just sat by the pool and thought for several hours.

"It was important to do it on my terms in my own time rather than other people's. I wasn't going to be pushed and rushed into this decision although there was a lot of pressure - Martin had been asking me when I was going to do a deal since China last year.

"I had a couple of deadlines, I didn't meet any one of them. But then the decision was made. It really, really was a tough but once I made it I was so much more relaxed."

Hamilton revealed that he has yet to speak to Ron Dennis, McLaren's former team boss and his first point of contact with the team all those years ago.

"I did try to get hold of Ron, but I did not manage to speak to him."

The Brit, though, is determined to leave the Woking-based outfit on a good footing, conceding that one never knows what the future holds.

"I don't feel as though I am going out of McLaren through the back door. I am going out the front door happily.

"The way I look at it is that I am walking over that bridge and down a different path. If that path brings me back - then who knows?"

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/8137210/Hamilton-Won-t-Rule-Out-McLaren-Return

[Marlin]

Can only imagine how fuming Happy Ron is that his boy is leaving.

Given all the support lil Lewi was given in his formative years Ron probably rightly thought he owned Lewi for life.

[Marlin]

Just read Schumi retired. Makes me sad.

[Aggroman]

bring back the 04-06 lineup of drivers.. now those were the days!

[Roy]

I live in hope that every day that passes with no Williams announcement means they may get a decent pilot for next year. Fine to keep Faildanado for the occassional race where he is quick but Senna needs to go and truly hope that they get a good pilot in there. Not much really available other than Jaimie or perhaps Di Resta...but think back to what a shame that Kimi went to Lotus and not Williams. Lotus are doing well but Kimi would have been more competitive in the Williams..just

[sh@un]

Just read Schumi re-retired. Makes me glad.

my version

[tweety bird]

[tweety bird]

Sergio Perez has revealed that initial talks with McLaren started a few weeks ago - even though he denied at the time that he had been approached.

The Mexican will join Jenson Button at the Woking-based outfit next year following Lewis Hamilton's decision to jump ship and join Mercedes.

And although it appeared that Perez's McLaren move happened quite quickly, the Sauber driver says that discussions with his new bosses had been ongoing for some time.

"There have been talks before but I didn't want to give too much information away [at the time] about my opportunities and options," he said ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. "The question didn't come up that often but if it did come up then there would be too many questions.

"So I am thankful the [McLaren] team gave me this opportunity. I want to leave this team [sauber] on a high."

Perez says that his future was discussed with Ferrari too, but in the end there was no real opportunity for him.

"It was never clear with them if they wanted me or not," he explained. "It was difficult for them to make a decision and I think they are happy with Felipe [Massa]. He is a good driver and a proven driver.

"I am not a guarantee like Felipe, which is why I was never an option for them. The opportunity never came..."

Perez is under no illusions about the challenges he faces in stepping up to a title-winning team like McLaren, but has no doubts he is ready.

When asked about his feelings of being Hamilton's replacement, he said: "Of course I rate Lewis as one of the fastest drivers on the grid so it will not be easy at all.

"I know he has very big shoes to fill, and I will work as hard as possible to give the best results and win the championship with this great team."

He added: "I think with McLaren there is no other option - you have to win every race, if you have a car to win. I have to work very hard, give everything to my team and I am ready to do it once I finish the season."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103041

interesting....

[tweety bird]

Nicolas Prost will join Lotus for Formula 1's young driver test at Yas Marina later this year.

The son of four-time world champion Alain Prost, who is a reserve driver for the team, will make his first competitive appearance with Lotus during the three-day test at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix venue.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103066

prost v senna???

senna would probably be out by then.

[tweety bird]

p1 starts at 11am today boys.

[djr81]

I live in hope that every day that passes with no Williams announcement means they may get a decent pilot for next year. Fine to keep Faildanado for the occassional race where he is quick but Senna needs to go and truly hope that they get a good pilot in there. Not much really available other than Jaimie or perhaps Di Resta...but think back to what a shame that Kimi went to Lotus and not Williams. Lotus are doing well but Kimi would have been more competitive in the Williams..just

Williams have a really good number three driver at the moment - Botox, err, Bottas. He is odds on to get Sennas seat next year. Every time Senna gets out of the car he is lurking.....

Edited October 4, 2012 by djr81

[Roy]

If Williams are going to sign another rookie he needs to be a freak like Hamilton or Vettel, less of the likes of Hulkenburg etc who are good pilots but need a few years. No way any new young drivers will come along and repeat what Homo/Vettel did with no testing.

[Marlin]

Sergio Perez has revealed that initial talks with McLaren started a few weeks ago - even though he denied at the time that he had been approached.

The Mexican will join Jenson Button at the Woking-based outfit next year following Lewis Hamilton's decision to jump ship and join Mercedes.

And although it appeared that Perez's McLaren move happened quite quickly, the Sauber driver says that discussions with his new bosses had been ongoing for some time.

"There have been talks before but I didn't want to give too much information away [at the time] about my opportunities and options," he said ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. "The question didn't come up that often but if it did come up then there would be too many questions.

"So I am thankful the [McLaren] team gave me this opportunity. I want to leave this team [sauber] on a high."

Perez says that his future was discussed with Ferrari too, but in the end there was no real opportunity for him.

"It was never clear with them if they wanted me or not," he explained. "It was difficult for them to make a decision and I think they are happy with Felipe [Massa]. He is a good driver and a proven driver.

"I am not a guarantee like Felipe, which is why I was never an option for them. The opportunity never came..."

Perez is under no illusions about the challenges he faces in stepping up to a title-winning team like McLaren, but has no doubts he is ready.

When asked about his feelings of being Hamilton's replacement, he said: "Of course I rate Lewis as one of the fastest drivers on the grid so it will not be easy at all.

"I know he has very big shoes to fill, and I will work as hard as possible to give the best results and win the championship with this great team."

He added: "I think with McLaren there is no other option - you have to win every race, if you have a car to win. I have to work very hard, give everything to my team and I am ready to do it once I finish the season."

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/103041

interesting....

Meaning: "I'm not happy to be donkey-boy like Massa, I want to race for a win"