Formula 1 2012: General Discussion Thread

the culture of deference · 30-10-2012 12:01am

antodeco wrote: »

Id actually prefer if neither won it! I just cant take to liking Alonso for some reason. I actually dont know why!

I was hoping for a tray failure on the last lap for seb, just for what it would have done to the WC points table. But fair balls to him, the guy is a machine who delivers. He has all the ingredients to be up there with MS and Senna in the next 5 years. I would really like to see him struggle for the next 2-3 years rather than a prolonged dominance.

Zero1986 wrote: »

I think 22 races will be too many but knowing Bernie I wouldn't rule it out.

22 races would be fine, if they were races.

smellslikeshoes wrote: »

He really does risk alienating fans if he replaces old school European tracks with anymore Tilke borefests. Even with the artificial excitement of DRS/KERS/pirelli tires these modern wide open tracks can't be made interesting.

Max Mosely was on the F1 show after Korea. He said half the planets population are in the far east.

But you are right about the tilke tracks. I don't like the full fuel pracing

antodeco · 30-10-2012 9:18am

I would imagine there is more money in the european races? If you look at some of the asian races, alot of them werent full. The european ones are always full and have people travelling from further a field to go and watch them.

smellslikeshoes · 30-10-2012 10:59am

antodeco wrote: »

I would imagine there is more money in the european races? If you look at some of the asian races, alot of them werent full. The european ones are always full and have people travelling from further a field to go and watch them.

For Bernie it doesn't really matter how many people go to the races, it's the ridiculous fees to hold the races that he pockets. He also knows that it's easier to extract a ridiculous fee from a country in the arsehole of Asia who use it as a venue to sell themselves.

Brendan Flowers · 30-10-2012 12:46pm

What annoys me most is that in Europe we are being told that races will be dropped in favour of expanding in Asia and other parts of the world. And yet in these other parts of the world (mainly Oz and Asia) Bernie is insisting that the organisers have races at times that suit the European audience.

And correct me if Im wrong but is this the first year Asia had more GPs than Europe? Sad to think of all the top tracks we've lost in the last 10 - 15 years.

recyclebin · 30-10-2012 1:14pm

I would say there will always be four races in Europe.

Italy for Ferrari.
England as most teams are based there.
Germany for Mercedes.
Monaco because it's Monaco.

The rest of the tracks can't afford the fees unless government or backers come in to support them.

-gilly-09- · 30-10-2012 2:08pm

I hope Spa stays on the calendar. The race i look forward to every year, would give anything to go over for a weekend.

Jordan 199 · 30-10-2012 2:21pm

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

What annoys me most is that in Europe we are being told that races will be dropped in favour of expanding in Asia and other parts of the world. And yet in these other parts of the world (mainly Oz and Asia) Bernie is insisting that the organisers have races at times that suit the European audience.

That's right.

I remember when the Australian GP was on about 3 in the morning and the Japanese GP was on about 5 or 6 in the morning.

Rascasse · 30-10-2012 2:49pm

That Sporting Life article is based on Martin's 30 second chat with Bernie on the grid. From memory Bernie did say there would be no more than 20 GPs of which 5 would be in Europe. Monaco will always be there. Silverstone has a deal for another 15 years. Of the others a quick google gives the following contract expiration dates;

Monza 2016
Hungary 2016
Catalunya 2016
Spa 2017
Germany 2018

If 2 were to go quickly I'd imagine it would be Hungary and either Spain or Germany. Hungary has been a great supporter of F1 over the years but its probably time to move on somewhere with better facilities.

With Germany the problem is money. The Nurburgring is losing money and the local government won't keep pumping in money forever and things aren't much better at Hockenheim with only half the grandstand seats filled at this years GP. Similar story with Catalunya - Bernie wants more than the race makes and you can't really go cap in hand for a bailout while subsidising vanity projects like Grand Prix.

Outside of Europe, there's a chance the Interlagos could go, possibly replaced with Mexico. If Mexico does come back I hope its at the old Mexico City track and not a new Tilke abomination. Used to love driving that track on Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix.

Tea 1000 · 30-10-2012 3:10pm

Santan wrote: »

Is vettel the new Schumacher with a move to Ferrari in 14 on the cards and in with a chance to best aLLC records but if that move happens will he be able to Mold Ferrari into what Schumacher did and will it be good for the sport

Looks like it, especially judging by the hatred towards him on here! People hated Schu also back in the Ferrari days. Then he left and everyone thought back at how someone that good was among their Sunday entertainment and missed him!
I think Vettel is excellent, and more power to him. He can be cranky and a little immature when things go against him, but he doesn't seem to be back-stabbing little shít like that other clown who's heading to Mercedes.

smellslikeshoes wrote: »

He really does risk alienating fans if he replaces old school European tracks with anymore Tilke borefests. Even with the artificial excitement of DRS/KERS/pirelli tires these modern wide open tracks can't be made interesting.

Bernie doesn't care about fans, only money.
Here is why:

smellslikeshoes wrote: »

For Bernie it doesn't really matter how many people go to the races, it's the ridiculous fees to hold the races that he pockets. He also knows that it's easier to extract a ridiculous fee from a country in the arsehole of Asia who use it as a venue to sell themselves.

Brendan Flowers wrote: »

What annoys me most is that in Europe we are being told that races will be dropped in favour of expanding in Asia and other parts of the world. And yet in these other parts of the world (mainly Oz and Asia) Bernie is insisting that the organisers have races at times that suit the European audience.

And correct me if Im wrong but is this the first year Asia had more GPs than Europe? Sad to think of all the top tracks we've lost in the last 10 - 15 years.

That's a win-win for Bernie. He gets the daft fees from the tracks in far away countries, and the broadcasting rights fees from European TV companies, who'll not bother if most of the season is in the middle of the night.

-gilly-09- wrote: »

I hope Spa stays on the calendar. The race i look forward to every year, would give anything to go over for a weekend.

Spa is the best by far. Must scrape together the funds over the next year or two before Bernie takes it off the calendar.
I've no faith in or respect for Bernie. He's a decrepit old fossil who should just retire.

Jordan 199 · 30-10-2012 4:25pm

Sutil to rejoin Force India in 2013?

Myrddin · 30-10-2012 4:33pm

Jordan 191 wrote: »

Sutil to rejoin Force India in 2013?

Gah! Would prefer Algesuari

Jordan 199 · 30-10-2012 5:36pm

Rascasse wrote: »

Outside of Europe, there's a chance the Interlagos could go, possibly replaced with Mexico. If Mexico does come back I hope its at the old Mexico City track and not a new Tilke abomination. Used to love driving that track on Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix.

Would love to see F1 back at the track in Mexico City. Great track. Best thing about it is the banked Peraltada

smellslikeshoes · 30-10-2012 5:59pm

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Bernie doesn't care about fans, only money.
Here is why:

He will when fans become disinterested and it starts effecting his bottom line.
Also I have to ask why it was necessary to reply to one of my posts with another of my posts, it's not exactly like you were giving me any new info considering I wrote it :pac:

losthorizon · 30-10-2012 9:43pm

Jordan 191 wrote: »

Would love to see F1 back at the track in Mexico City. Great track. Best thing about it is the banked Peraltada

Me too but not at the expense of Interlagos.

Its probably the second best rack after Spa imo. Even though its short and bumpy it always throws up great races and the weather is never predictably.

Would love to see a GP there.

Jordan 199 · 31-10-2012 1:31am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UmVJTDWkpA

Jordan 199 · 31-10-2012 2:28pm

Hulkenberg to drive for Sauber in 2013.

frostie500 · 31-10-2012 9:18pm

Toro Rosso confirmed Vergne and Ricciardo for 2013 as well today

StephenHendry · 01-11-2012 1:14pm

frostie500 wrote: »

Toro Rosso confirmed Vergne and Ricciardo for 2013 as well today

was hoping jaime Alguersuari would get his seat back.

Daniel S · 01-11-2012 2:25pm

StephenHendry wrote: »

was hoping jaime Alguersuari would get his seat back.

He'd hardly go back to that team though, he'd be good in Force India I'd say. Or as a replacement for Narain in HRT (would have two Spanish drivers then).

StephenHendry · 01-11-2012 2:36pm

Daniel S wrote: »

He'd hardly go back to that team though, he'd be good in Force India I'd say. Or as a replacement for Narain in HRT (would have two Spanish drivers then).

true, i think he has a good chance of getting either seat and that afaik he is a pirelli test driver

Daniel S · 01-11-2012 2:44pm

StephenHendry wrote: »

true, i think he has a good chance of getting either seat and that afaik he is a pirelli test driver

He is indeed, so hopefully he won't be too rusty. Deserves a seat in F1 though, he had a great end to his last season.

StephenHendry · 06-11-2012 2:18pm

it was good to have john watsons input on the free practise sessions, very reminiscent of his days as a commentator for eurosport. his big bugbearer was the lack of gravel traps in the run off areas in the abu dhabi track

Jordan 199 · 07-11-2012 3:58pm

Tony Fernandes stepping down as team principal of Caterham.

From Autosport:

Tony Fernandes is to step down as team principal of Caterham before the end of the season so he can focus more on developing his road car business.

The Malaysian entrepreneur had always intended his tenure as F1 team boss to be mid-term, while he worked to find someone suitable to take over from him.

Having just finalised a major tie-up with the Renault group to produce new Alpine sportscars, Fernandes revealed that he and deputy chairman Dato' Kamarudin Meranun have decided that the time is right to appoint a successor.

"On the racing side we have come to the conclusion that it is better if someone else takes over the team principal role to move forward," he said in a joint interview with AUTOSPORT's sister publication Autocar.

"We are definitely better at business than finding tenths of seconds around a lap.

"It was right for us to lead the team initially and set a template of how it should be. That vision is now set and the team is ready to move forward to the midfield."

It is not clear who Fernandes' successor will be, but he revealed it would be someone already working in F1.

"I know who it will be - and can tell you that today as I had confirmation earlier," he said.

"[But] I cannot tell you their name yet. All I can say is that they are from within F1."

Will it be EJ?

Bernie Ecclestone? :eek:

Answers on a postcard to the usual address.

Daniel S · 07-11-2012 4:03pm

Jordan 191 wrote: »

Tony Fernandes stepping down as team principal of Caterham.

From Autosport:

Will it be EJ? Bernie Ecclestone? :eek:

Answers on a postcard to the usual address.

Oh PLEASE PLEASE be Eddie!!!

smellslikeshoes · 07-11-2012 4:08pm

Schumacher needs a job next year doesn't he :pac:?

Daniel S · 07-11-2012 4:08pm

smellslikeshoes wrote: »

Schumacher needs a job next year doesn't he :pac:?

Taken by Mercedes as far as I know for some other job.

El Nacho · 07-11-2012 4:51pm

Never know might be Adam Parr since he got the boot at William's and he originally was Frank's successor

Daniel S · 07-11-2012 5:09pm

El Nacho wrote: »

Never know might be Adam Parr since he got the boot at William's and he originally was Frank's successor

Thought he was still with them?

07-11-2012 6:40pm

Im pretty sure it was an ex-Renault (engines) guy mentioned as the likely replacement a couple of months ago when Fernandes announced his plan to step aside.

mickdw · 08-11-2012 12:34am

El Nacho wrote: »

Never know might be Adam Parr since he got the boot at William's and he originally was Frank's successor

What happened there anyway. I cant stand Parr but he was the future then suddenly, he was out

donspeekinglesh · 08-11-2012 9:13am

Bernie didn't get on with him.

vectra · 08-11-2012 10:15am

Flavio?

Myrddin · 08-11-2012 11:32am

Jackie Stewart

Ghost Train · 08-11-2012 1:24pm

Tricky to think of anybody inside the sport for the position, really needs to be somebody with a business head on them... Eddie Irvine?

kksaints · 08-11-2012 1:41pm

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104109

Caterhams new team principal.

Top Dog · 08-11-2012 3:02pm

kksaints wrote: »

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104109

Caterhams new team principal.

Who?!

:o

Never heard of him before

Jordan 199 · 08-11-2012 3:32pm

Top Dog wrote: »

Who?! :o

Never heard of him before

Same here 'til now.

He joined Caterham in September as CEO. He will continue to work at both Caterham and Renault Sport until January 2013 when he leaves Renault.

08-11-2012 3:41pm

Its the ex-Renault guy I was talking about the other day. He came into the team as CEO and shortly after Fernandes started talking about plans to step down. Most people expected that Abiteboul was a shoe-in for team principal so no real surprise.

Jordan 199 · 08-11-2012 10:57pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Its the ex-Renault guy I was talking about the other day. He came into the team as CEO and shortly after Fernandes started talking about plans to step down. Most people expected that Abiteboul was a shoe-in for team principal so no real surprise.

Will be interesting to see how he does at Caterham and see how he'll move the team forward.

Cookie_Monster · 09-11-2012 1:58am

FIA mus have nothing better to do:

FORMULA One drivers have been warned to cut out the swearing after Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen turned the air blue in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Both the 32-year-old Finn and 25-year-old German used very strong expletives as they summed up their feelings, resulting in the FIA reminding the drivers of their responsibilities when it comes to speaking to the media, particularly when taking part in a live broadcast, as was the case on Sunday.

A friendly letter from the FIA has been issued to all 12 teams' communications directors regarding the use of bad language, for them in turn to address the issue with their drivers.

The letter states it is "very much our collective responsibility to make sure drivers are aware such language has no place during media events".

It adds that it "shines an unwelcome beam of adverse publicity on their teams and sponsors, the sport and FIA".

Motor sport's governing body say they are mindful of the fact that "in the 'heat of battle', adrenaline, elation and disappointment make for a dangerous and heady mix".

The letter adds: "But F1 drivers are not the only ones being interviewed in such conditions: I think of boxers, rugby and football players who are routinely interviewed live on television after a gruelling sporting effort. They manage to avoid inappropriate language."

http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/leading-formula-one-drivers-warned-to-stop-swearing-3287811.html

oh noes, they said a bad word :rolleyes:

muckwarrior · 09-11-2012 10:22am

All Vettel's fault. Kimi's comment would have just been laughed off if Seb hadn't dropped the F word while trying to upstage him.

Frank Bullitt · 09-11-2012 11:28am

Vettel was just trying to rain on Kimis parade, good lad.

SnowDrifts · 09-11-2012 4:36pm

The powers that be in F1 have decided it would be a good idea to tarmac the run off area at turn 1 in Interlagos. It is bad enough seeing new tracks with these run offs but retrospectively putting them at traditional tracks is a disgrace IMO.

At this corner in particular, it will take all the risk/reward out of passing here knowing you can always bail out and run onto tarmac and most likely retain your position.

https://twitter.com/mrjakehumphrey/status/266918059544018944/photo/1

09-11-2012 10:00pm

muckwarrior wrote: »

All Vettel's fault. Kimi's comment would have just been laughed off if Seb hadn't dropped the F word while trying to upstage him.

That's exactly it. It's all fun and games until a German gets an idea.

09-11-2012 10:04pm

SnowDrifts wrote: »

The powers that be in F1 have decided it would be a good idea to tarmac the run off area at turn 1 in Interlagos. It is bad enough seeing new tracks with these run offs but retrospectively putting them at traditional tracks is a disgrace IMO.

At this corner in particular, it will take all the risk/reward out of passing here knowing you can always bail out and run onto tarmac and most likely retain your position.

https://twitter.com/mrjakehumphrey/status/266918059544018944/photo/1

Ghost Train · 10-11-2012 12:40pm

Kind of glad to see the fia warnin about swearing

What do the (two) drivers expect really, just comes off as a bit immature, they don't swear at other media events? maybe they do an odd time

Only way I can take it seriously is that they don't like the podium interviews and it's a bit of a protest at that.

Infoanon · 10-11-2012 10:04pm

Ghost Train wrote: »

Kind of glad to see the fia warnin about swearing

What do the (two) drivers expect really, just comes off as a bit immature, they don't swear at other media events? maybe they do an odd time

Only way I can take it seriously is that they don't like the podium interviews and it's a bit of a protest at that.

English is not their first language so some allowance must be made.

losthorizon · 10-11-2012 11:43pm

SnowDrifts wrote: »

The powers that be in F1 have decided it would be a good idea to tarmac the run off area at turn 1 in Interlagos. It is bad enough seeing new tracks with these run offs but retrospectively putting them at traditional tracks is a disgrace IMO.

At this corner in particular, it will take all the risk/reward out of passing here knowing you can always bail out and run onto tarmac and most likely retain your position.

https://twitter.com/mrjakehumphrey/status/266918059544018944/photo/1

Plus its not dangerous if you go off from memory there you just pay the penalty of being out probably. As it should be. These guys are supposed to be skillful drivers.

Jordan 199 · 11-11-2012 1:02am

losthorizon wrote: »

Plus its not dangerous if you go off from memory there you just pay the penalty of being out probably. As it should be. These guys are supposed to be skillful drivers.

There was a grass run-off there before, so all they did was put tarmac where the grass was. Completely unnecessary.

Jordan 199 · 11-11-2012 2:28am

SnowDrifts wrote: »

The powers that be in F1 have decided it would be a good idea to tarmac the run off area at turn 1 in Interlagos. It is bad enough seeing new tracks with these run offs but retrospectively putting them at traditional tracks is a disgrace IMO.

At this corner in particular, it will take all the risk/reward out of passing here knowing you can always bail out and run onto tarmac and most likely retain your position.

Turn 1 always reminds me of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9Ve9BOIIac

Formula 1 2012: General Discussion Thread

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