Formula 1 - 2009

[Devinda_Z]

Oh dear.... Hamilton has been stripped of his third place.... Not quite told the truth apparently..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaon...oses-place.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaon...rting-icon.html

i'm almost just a little bit pleased at myself for having jumped on to the BRAWN bandwagon now , premature as it may be

[Overdrive]

In this case it was not Hamilton's fault. He was just following team orders. There was a lot of confusion when truli went off the track. They were not sure if truely had to be given his place back whilst behind the safety car. You can read the said team radio conversation at the official F1 website which should clear up things abit. There seem to have been a bit of a delay in communication with the race director at the time to find out if they were conforming to race regulations or not at the time. Anyway I think a disco is a bit too harsh. In general thesedays FIA anyway don't seem to favour LH or mclaren at the moment. I guess they don't want to see another MS era of domination.

[Devinda_Z]

In this case it was not Hamilton's fault. He was just following team orders. There was a lot of confusion when truli went off the track. They were not sure if truely had to be given his place back whilst behind the safety car. You can read the said team radio conversation at the official F1 website which should clear up things abit. There seem to have been a bit of a delay in communication with the race director at the time to find out if they were conforming to race regulations or not at the time. Anyway I think a disco is a bit too harsh. In general thesedays FIA anyway don't seem to favour LH or mclaren at the moment. I guess they don't want to see another MS era of domination.

watching the race i was rather confused toward the end as the comentators also weren't quite sure who was 3rd...

but you've gotta give the lad props - last place upto 3rd or 4th which ever way (yes it helped that a number of em crashed out) is an impressive run

[KLM]

Anyway I think a disco is a bit too harsh. In general thesedays FIA anyway don't seem to favour LH or mclaren at the moment. I guess they don't want to see another MS era of domination.

I totally disagree with this OD. Considering the fact that Lewis and Dave Ryan were categorically asked if the McLaren slowed down to let Trulli and they (quite untruthfully) replied in the negative, a DSQ is only fair. McLaren seem to agree, because they've suspended Ryan, a veteran of some 30-odd years, and are apologizing profusely all over the media. Lewis Hamilton and McLaren have just cocked up a lot lately is all - the FIA are not going after them. The other teams get punishments meted out quite regularly as well but because they're successful and the English-language press follows them so closely, there is a lot more over-analysis that goes on with regards to their interactions with the FIA.

However, the stewards at Melbourne did f**k up in that they didn't take into account ALL of the evidence (such as the radio conversations) before passing the first judgment. However, since justice was eventually served I don't think anybody will really care. It's a shame that Lewis' great drive from 18th was over-shadowed though - he claims that he though he'd lose the car on every corner of all 58 laps, thats how unbalanced and twitchy the car was.

[Pericles]

I totally disagree with this OD. Considering the fact that Lewis and Dave Ryan were categorically asked if the McLaren slowed down to let Trulli and they (quite untruthfully) replied in the negative, a DSQ is only fair. McLaren seem to agree, because they've suspended Ryan, a veteran of some 30-odd years, and are apologizing profusely all over the media. Lewis Hamilton and McLaren have just cocked up a lot lately is all - the FIA are not going after them. The other teams get punishments meted out quite regularly as well but because they're successful and the English-language press follows them so closely, there is a lot more over-analysis that goes on with regards to their interactions with the FIA.

However, the stewards at Melbourne did f**k up in that they didn't take into account ALL of the evidence (such as the radio conversations) before passing the first judgment. However, since justice was eventually served I don't think anybody will really care. It's a shame that Lewis' great drive from 18th was over-shadowed though - he claims that he though he'd lose the car on every corner of all 58 laps, thats how unbalanced and twitchy the car was.

I'm gonna disagree on the justice is served comment. It IS rather harsh to DQ the man completely after he fought there from 18th. They could have said the results announced at race end stand.

[Devinda_Z]

I'm gonna disagree on the justice is served comment. It IS rather harsh to DQ the man completely after he fought there from 18th. They could have said the results announced at race end stand.

i'm going to stick my neck out just a wee bit n side with you on this

if wrong that they lied , no argument - poor sportsmanship , leck of ethics and poor judgement n then some

but to disqulify and not give him at least the 4th place finish is harsh - leave the technicallities aside , theres no denying that he drove well to finish given where he started from

[miniace]

Hmm... Brawn GP & Jenson Button made it two outa two.Ferrari’s Felipe Massa even failed to make it Q2.Things are looking interesting with predicted rain on the race day.

MINIACE

[MasterDon]

damn..2 outta 2.....well done to JB and BGP!

[Gummybr]

Well thats not bad, its good to see Toyota doing well too.

[Devinda_Z]

i'm more than pleased with Brawn's performance , but would have loved to see a full race - so many tussles - properly entertaining!

Button was rather fortunate to actually manage to not loose the lead right at the end even after going into the pits!

Nick Heidfeld was patient or lucky enough to have the rain come in at just the right time to let him manage with just the one change of rubber...

[Pericles]

What the?

http://www.espnstar.com/home/news/detail/i...n-could-happen/

[Watchman]

What the?

http://www.espnstar.com/home/news/detail/i...n-could-happen/

what i dont understand is WHY did Hamilton let Trulli pass? the only reason i would imagine was so that Trulli would hence be disqualified for overtaking with the safety car. But then again Trulli isnt stupid to make such a mistake either, right?

[gunat]

This is Eccelstone talking through his arse- lets not forget that he more or less owns the F1 franchise until Mosley or someone (Branson, please!?) else finds a way to chuck him out. He just spoke for an entire committee made of international members when he made this statement, which goes to show his arrogance.

Anyway- i think Mclaren really shot themselves pretty good this time- Hamilton's career will probably take a hit either way. Should Mclaren be banned, he will be a free agent- it will be interesting to see where he ends up.

But the early reports of him leaving F1 because of what happened- i share the same disillusionment where races are won based on the decisions of stewards and not driving skill. Granted that the rules are there to make the racing more fair. Aside from the excitement that the underdog BrawnGP brings, i'm really not as interested this year.

Edited April 11, 2009 by gunat

[miniace]

I think many are just overreacting and found a good lead to ax both Hamilton and Mclaren.Im not a fan of Mclaren, but why a ban???

MINIACE

[miniace]

Check this as well

http://www.espnstar.com/motorsport/f1/news...fends-Hamilton/

MINIACE

[Devinda_Z]

which ever way it goes it'll be a shame to see a great driver suffer - integrity has been compromised severely, but there is no argument that he's a very talented driver and F1 without McLaren would be a little dull

[miniace]

A new development

F1 bosses to rule on controversial diffusers

By: AFP

Published: 14/04/2009 at 07:56PM

Formula One's ruling body is meeting in Paris on Tuesday to determine whether the Brawn car Jenson Button drove to victory in the season's first two races contravenes the sport's new technical regulations.Three FIA Court of Appeal judges will sit to consider the claim that the aerodynamic diffuser fitted to the back of the Brawn GP car is illegal.

If the hearing upholds the appeal Button could conceivably be stripped of his wins in Melbourne and Malaysia, or Brawn made to redesign their car from Sunday's Chinese GP onwards.The protest against Brawn and also Toyota and Williams is being led by Ferrari, R*D B*LL Racing and Renault and supported by McLaren and BMW Sauber.

The diffusers were ruled to be legal when inspected by race stewards before Melbourne, and Brawn are hoping the FIA come to the same conclusion.A decision is expected on Wednesday.If it finds for 'the diffuser three' then the seven teams who have lost out will have to redesign the rear ends of their cars to try and compete on an equal footing for the rest of the 2009 campaign.

Brawn GP team boss Ross Brawn is confident the FIA will find in his team's favour."I would just be surprised if the appeal court can make judgements on technicalities - it's quite a complex technical matter," he told the BBC on Monday."You can't be 100 percent confident but I hope common sense prevails on their side."

Quote AFP 14/04/09

MINIACE

[Devinda_Z]

right first they take aim n shoot at McLaren (true thier own fault for painting a big fat target on thier backs!) and now their gunning for Brawn as well

whats up with F1

[Pericles]

Your not keeping up with the latest news. The diffusers have been cleared.

[Elvis_Pil]

Diffusers are legal!!!!

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21363.html

And Ron Dennis to standard down?

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21365.html

I really hope that this will not be the case as F1 will lose one of its great all time characters

At this stage it really is a tough call on how Mclaren should be penalized- A fine?- pointless. A race ban or outright ban? spoil the season. Nothing? Not an option as the fault is clear Really sad situ

[Devinda_Z]

Ron Dennis to stand down?

apparently he's going to focus on the likes of this in the future ~

Source : http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/235240/m..._car_range.html

Edited April 16, 2009 by Devinda_Z

[Supra_Natural]

USF1 considering Cosworth engine deal

By Jonathan Noble Friday, April 10th 2009, 13:11 GMT

Team USF1, which plans to be on the grid at the start of next season, is 'seriously' evaluating using the standard Cosworth engine in 2010, AUTOSPORT has learned.

Although team chiefs Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor said at the launch of their outfit in February that they would approach every manufacturer on the grid, it has now been revealed that a deal with Cosworth may actually suit it better than alignment with a car maker.

"The engine decision is part of the whole rebirth that F1 is going through right now," sporting director Windsor told AUTOSPORT.

"The Cosworth engine is certainly an attractive proposition. It is homologated, those guys were doing a great job with R*D B*LL Racing when R*D B*LL suddenly switched to Renault.

"A lot of people who were at Cosworth have left, but equally there are a lot of good people still there too. That is a really interesting thing for us. Apart from anything else, Cosworth is now owned by an American, Kevin Kalkhoven, and that is a nice little link for us as well.

"The idea of working with a small specialist company is kind of in-tune with the way we are operating as a race team as well."

When asked if Cosworth was Team USF1's preferred option, Windsor said: "I wouldn't say preferred, but it is definitely an option we are looking at very, very seriously."

Windsor also said that the team's official new name should be formalised in the next few weeks, with it needing to add the 'Team' moniker because of trademark implications in using the term ‘F1'.

"The USF1 name was basically a place mark name that Ken [Anderson] came up with. It is a great name! It was a working title for a work in progress that we began four years ago.

"Like everybody, we know that 'F1' is a protected name, and we always wanted to do the correct thing. But until we were an existing operation there was no point in doing that because it was just a working title. As soon as we had a position publicly, and we were going to become a team, then we needed to sit down and see what the situation was.

"Ken had registered several domain names for that situation, so we immediately kept everything on ice with another domain name to keep it ticking over. The new name, which is not too far away from the original name, is due to be announced soon.

"When the entry is formalised, when the 2010 championship is announced by the FIA, that is when we will come on line with a team name and a few other really good announcements as well."

Source: Autosport

[Supra_Natural]

Well, sadly for those of us who still count ourselves as Mclaren Fans, It's official..... Ron Dennis is Quitting F1

McLaren's Dennis quits Formula 1

Ron Dennis has handed over complete control of McLaren Racing to team principal Martin Whitmarsh, ending his 43-year involvement in Formula 1.

The 61-year-old stepped down as world champion Lewis Hamilton's team boss on 16 January, but stayed involved in F1.

Dennis will now concentrate solely on McLaren's new sports car project.

"I am the architect of this restructure of McLaren. I have no qualms about leaving Martin to look after all matters connected to F1," said Dennis.

"I feel enormously enthused about the prospects for both the McLaren Group and for McLaren Automotive."

As executive chairman of McLaren Automotive, Dennis will lead the group's project to develop a range of pure McLaren sports cars, with the launch date for the first model set for 2011.

And with McLaren set to face the sport's governing body, the FIA, on 29 April to answer charges of breaching the International Sporting Code, Dennis admits his departure will be welcomed by two of F1's biggest names.

"I admit I'm not always easy to get on with. I admit I've always fought hard for McLaren in Formula 1," he said.

"I doubt if (FIA president) Max Mosley or (F1 supremo) Bernie Ecclestone will be displeased by my decision."

However, Dennis, who first took over as McLaren team principal in 1981, insisted at a news conference that the timing of his departure from F1 was "purely coincidental" and not linked to the team's upcoming FIA hearing.

McLaren were found guilty of misleading race stewards following the Australian Grand Prix, which led to Lewis Hamilton - who had been awarded third place - being disqualified from the race and stripped of his points.

Hamilton subsequently apologised for his involvement in the incident, claiming he had been told to lie by sporting director Dave Ryan, who was suspended and then sacked within 24 hours of the FIA's announcement of its findings.

New team principal Whitmarsh also confirmed on Thursday that he offered to quit.

BBC sports news correspondent Andy Swiss reported: "There has been speculation about Ron's reasons for leaving and I asked him whether he knew about Ryan's and Hamilton's decision to mislead stewards. He said he didn't know anything.

"I then asked whether he was leaving F1 to improve McLaren's chances at the hearing and he said 'no'.

"I also asked him about relationship with Hamilton and his father Anthony, because there were reports that it was not as strong as before. He said this wasn't the case. He revealed he had spoken to Lewis and his father a few days ago in Australia. He also praised Lewis' public apology following the incident in Australia."

Dennis went to to explain in a statement: "I passed the role of team principal to Martin on 16 January, the day of the launch of our new Formula 1 car. That day I was asked many times whether I would attend the 2009 Australian Grand Prix. My answer was 'yes'.

"I duly attended it - albeit not as the person in charge of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It was, I admit, a strange feeling.

"The next race, the Malaysian Grand Prix, I watched on TV in the UK - an activity I found surprisingly easy. I'd expected to be more emotional about it."

Whitmarsh, who was previously just the CEO of the F1 operation, said there were times both he and Dennis did not see eye-to-eye.

"Ron is an immensely complex individual," he said.

"Nobody would doubt his passion for this sport and team. There will, inevitably, be some things I will miss about him and I won't miss other things about him. He would say the same about me."

He also suggested that Dennis' departure may improve the team's standing with the FIA.

"Anyone who's looked at the relationship between McLaren and FIA over the last few years would conclude that it needs to be a healthier and more constructive one," added Whitmarsh.

Dennis first became involved in F1 in 1966, at the age of 18, working alongside driver Jochen Rindt at the Cooper Formula One team.

There followed a three-year spell with Brabham prior to Dennis working on a number of projects in Formula Two and Three for a decade.

However, Dennis longed to return to F1, and in 1981 the opportunity eventually arose with McLaren, with the then 34-year-old assuming full control, building it up into the company it has become today.

Although the global credit crisis has had a major impact on the car industry, Dennis is determined to plough ahead with his plans for a revolutionary new sports car.

McLaren Automotive is intending to raise fresh equity, in addition to the existing investment in the business, to complete the development of the planned vehicle programmes.

Dennis added: "With planned additional investment in the company of £250m, proposals in place for a new McLaren car production facility in the UK, and the potential for up to 800 skilled jobs, McLaren Automotive's expansion will represent a significant investment in the UK automotive industry."

On June 1, Richard Lapthorne, currently chairman of Cable and Wireless, will be appointed non-executive chairman of the McLaren Group, and a non-executive director of McLaren Automotive.

Source : BBC Sports

[Supra_Natural]

Button getting used to winning

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde Thursday, April 16th 2009, 11:20 GMT

Jenson Button says he is getting used to being championship favourite, and admits not winning this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix would be disappointing.

The Briton has enjoyed a dream start to the season, winning the first two races in Australia and Malaysia as his Brawn GP team looks like the squad to beat at the moment.

Button has moved to the top of the standings following two dismal seasons with the Honda Racing team.

He has already scored more points in the first two races of 2009 than in 2007 and 2008 combined.

Although cautious about the competition, the Briton admits he is already getting used to being on the top step of the podium.

"It's quite weird how quickly you can get used to being at the front after two pretty poor seasons," Button told reporters in China. "When you get on the podium it's not like, 'Oh my god this is the most amazing experience ever'. It's more a case of, ‘OK, we've done that one. Let's move on to the next race'.

"In a way that's good, I suppose. If I don't win this weekend it will be a slight disappointment, but you have to remember it's a 17-race championship.

"If you go out to win every race and you end up being disappointed to finish second, third or a little bit worse, I don't think you have the right mentality.

"It's not a one- or two-race season - it's a big event that goes on for a long time and I think you have to be a little bit clever in the way you work, grabbing points when you can. Scoring in every race is the key in F1 and always has been."

Button says his rivals are likely to catch up quickly, although he admits the in-season testing ban is an advantage for his own team.

"Well, I've got a very competitive team-mate who will make life difficult for me and the Toyota looks very competitive, but it's not just Toyota and Williams that have been quick," he added.

"R*D B*LL has, too, and I'm sure people will get their acts together very quickly. We've got a head start having done a very good job over the winter, we've obviously done a good job in many areas with our car – not just the diffuser – and I think it's going to take people a little bit of time to catch up.

"They know where they need to improve, though, so they will catch us up, or try to, and it won't be long, for sure.

"The lack of testing is a good thing for us because we have an advantage and teams can no longer just throw stuff on the car, even if it doesn't look good in the wind tunnel, to see how it performs on the track.

"Even so, I think people's wind tunnels are very good and I think we'll see a few teams getting close to us and becoming more competitive."

The Brawn GP driver said he was happy that the controversy over the design of the diffusers was now behind, following the FIA's decision to rule it legal.

"Not really," he said when asked if the court result was another victory. "It was just a nice feeling to put it behind us and now we can concentrate on doing our proper job. In a way it was expected. You're obviously a bit worried, because you never know what might happen, but it wasn't like a shock when I found out."

Source : Autosport

Edited April 17, 2009 by Supra_Natural

[Supra_Natural]

Hamilton sets the early pace in China

By Simon Strang Friday, April 17th 2009, 03:29 GMT

Lewis Hamilton set the pace in a free practice session for the first time in 2009, as the new aerodynamic package of McLaren's MP4-24 vaulted the world champion to the front on the pack.

Hamilton, who set his best time 60 minutes into first free practice for the Chinese Grand Prix, took full advantage of McLaren's new interim double-decker diffuser to outpace championship leader Jenson Button and Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

More encouraging still for McLaren was that Hamilton's team-mate Heikki Kovalainen was fourth fastest.

More to follow shortly.

Pos Driver Team Time Laps

1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:37.334 + 22

2. Button Brawn GP-Mercedes 1:37.450 + 0.116 18

3. Barrichello Brawn GP-Mercedes 1:37.566 + 0.232 19

4. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:37.672 + 0.338 23

5. Webber R*D B*LL-Renault 1:37.752 + 0.418 20

6. Trulli Toyota 1:37.764 + 0.430 19

7. Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:37.860 + 0.526 24

8. Glock Toyota 1:37.894 + 0.560 21

9. Alonso Renault 1:38.089 + 0.755 19

10. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:38.195 + 0.861 24

11. Raikkonen Ferrari 1:38.223 + 0.889 23

12. Vettel R*D B*LL-Renault 1:38.274 + 0.940 20

13. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:38.307 + 0.973 26

14. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:38.319 + 0.985 18

15. Massa Ferrari 1:38.418 + 1.084 20

16. Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:38.456 + 1.122 21

17. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes 1:38.460 + 1.126 19

18. Kubica BMW Sauber 1:38.463 + 1.129 18

19. Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:38.730 + 1.396 25

20. Piquet Renault 1:38.825 + 1.491 20

All timing unofficial

Source : Autosport