So far, we have all the signs of a slow news week, but as it is only Tuesday, things could soon pick up. Most of the stories we heard yesterday were speculation and rumour - but when has that ever stopped us?
- USF1 suggested they would love to test Danica if she was interested, mostly because she generates a lot of press. Okay, that's not the biggest compliment in the world, but if she were to line up on the grid - how competitive would she be? Who would she be on a level with, and would she be able to win?
- The Honda rumours continue apace, with first Petrobras coming out to dismiss the Senna backed contemplation, and then Grandprix.com suggesting that Richard Branson would be bringing his Virgin brand into the mix. As of yet, we know nothing concrete, and I know there are many getting frustrated with the lack of actual news.
- Meanwhile, the confirmation from ING that they will be pulling out from F1 completely at the end of this year has cast doubt over Renault's future. Briatore says the cost cutting measures will keep the team in the sport for a few years yet, and Bob Bell has predicted a good, strong few races to start this season off with. If they win, things should be fine, but if the start of the year is anything like 2008 - the bosses won't be happy, will they?
That'll do for now. There'll be some testing updates from Bahrain, no doubt, although I have to admit it's not quite as exciting now they're actually getting some running in. Nevertheless, I will see you in the comments.
Apologies for lateness of daily post. Writing about Ferrari and the FIA does take it out of you :)
It appears there's not much to post about today anyway. I have a feeling that any news will not be seen until later on...
Loving the new Doohickey features BTW :-)
By the way, I took some pictures of the snow with my mobile phone. I'll drop.io them later on when I get home...
Judging by the pictures it seems the snappers at the Bahrain test were a bit bored too.
Those huge wings can be quite useful :)
you can ermail them:
[email protected]
and they'll magically appear :)
Has there been confirmation that it's Richard Branson bidding?
Nope. All just rumours so far.
I hope that wasn't the intention when they were designed!
I'll ermail them later as I can't tell at the moment which ones are good or not...
ahh, ok. so long as know the option is available to you :)
What's ermail? Is it email you are not sure about?
its the more polite version of 'ummail'
Ah, okay. And one step removed from 'hmmail' as well.
:(
Just to prove to you all that I am not as fickle as is made out:
http://iheartfranck.com/2009/02/17/i-heart-franck-is-1/
I Heart Franck has been going for a whole year. Who would have thought?
Of course, the I Heart Le Seb blog died after about a month, but still.
Not.Fickle.
I think getting married trumps that example :-)
Just noticed the changes with the doohickey, nice job :)
Do I need to start iheartmrc.com?
:)
i likes the new header.
apparently pedro de la rosa is up for commentary duties in spain this year:
translated: "As you have seen in the good news is that Pedro de la Rosa will be our commentator at La Sexta and I think that's a reason for satisfaction."
more on ant lobato's blog (in spanish obviously):
http://antoniolobatof1.blogspot.com/2009/02/razones-para-sonar.html
he also says the renault isn't as bad as people are making out:
translated: "Flavio Briatore had requested data from the wind tunnel because Red Bull it was rumoured the engineers had bundled Renault bets on aerodynamics."
presumably "bundled" means bettered?
Zoe and I just looked up from our laptops and expressed our love for each other. Thanks for helping me laugh at myself. We haven't done anything with zoeandjeremy.com yet...
Awww. At least put a picture up or something :)
I must try and get "I think that's a reason for satisfaction." into a conversation today.
So... what does that actually mean? Red Bull did what?
Sounds confusing to me. Renault and aerodynamics at Red Bull? The only think that links Renault and RBR are the drive chain.
you (and Mr C) first! :p
Goodnight all - work tomorrow.
It looks like Red Bull's aero is better than Renault's, so Flavio wants to see why.
Ah, yes, I see now :)
It'd be a shame if Renault disappointed this year. They're not a team that I'll heartily giggle at if they fail, like I would Toyota. Toyota is like a retirement home for drivers, whether it be chosen or forced. Salo, Panis, Ralf, and surely Trulli.
He he, too true
I wouldn't mind one bit if Renault didn't do much this year. And, what's with the new car? It's like they started designing from the back then gave up when they reached the cockpit.
Because it's not a tank with a whacking great big nose? Case closed!
That sums it up quite nicely actually.
Now that ING are pulling out, maybe they could link up with Lego. They're half-way to making an accurate model as it is :D
LEGO's F1 partner is Ferrari. :D
Renault must be trying to attract them by paying homage to the greatest from the plastic brick masters
Long Live The Brick!
60 jobs to go at Renault F1 - nowt to do with the economic downturn, but due to the regulations limiting testing by the sounds of it.
Mate of mine works in the Renault test team, having only arrived last year from working with Bridgestone. Poor ol' boy.
nowt to do with the economic downturn, but due to the regulations limiting testing by the sounds of it.
Mate of mine works in the Renault test team, having only arrived last year from working with Bridgestone. Poor ol’ boy. {Comment #39
It's not good :( And this isn't going to cut costs because any spare money will be channelled where it is most effective. Only things like ING leaving will reduce the amount spent.
Meanwhile we get good people losing their jobs because Max doesn't understand how the economy works.
Dank, I hope your friend gets a good job soon, if he isn't kept on at Renault in some other capacity.
from michelin:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/16/michelins-e-wheel-eliminates-gearboxes-drive-shaft-and/
slightly more innovative than painting a green stripe onto the rubber. just sayin'.
Hmm, that's certainly different. And yes, it does beat a green stripe on the tyre. That was just plain annoying.
I guess the guy holding Trulli's pitboard is new as he is showing him the back of it.
Because Mateschitz put his hand in his pockets and hired Adrian Newey while Renault's top aero guy is .... I don't know.
Bob Bell is no slouch. They did win titles, after all. :)
:D
isn't he engines?
hehe :)
Wasn't that Denis Chevrier?
If it's not Bell, who's their aero guy, then? It used to be John Iley, but then he moved to Ferrari.
I thought Bell was more like general technical director rather than an aero specialist. I am sure Willem Toet was there at one point and maybe Loic Bigois but I am sure neither of them are there now.
According to the Renault website Rob White is the top engine man.
in which case mateschitz effectively has both newey and bell working for him :)
Bob Bell is an aerodynamicist.
I don't think Renault are required to share their aero with Red Bull, right?
i am so confused :)
I've signed up for BATracers in the Osella if anyone would like to join me :P
I can't imagine that is the case. The only information Renault would have to give over is things like the heat output of the engine which affects cooling and therefore airflow. I don't even know if Red Bull do their own radiators or if they come as part of the engine package.
Not as confused as he is right now.
:D
Not as confused as who?
You signed for Osella when their were other choices. That's a first. No-one ever signed for them unless they had no other option.
Bob Bell trying to sort out the Renault's aero
The real world calls. Back later ish.
:D Hey, I admire her - she decided to do something different!
They look pretty or that's my excuse!
Thanks Jackie.
There are also seats at Benneton, Ferrari and Ligier that need filling too, if anyone is thinking about signing up.
*Tyrrell, Arrows and Brabham still available.*
Haas Lola is also a worthwhile team.
Jackie's a true petrolhead then. Reason? That Osella has an Alfa Romeo engine ;)
And lets not forget Zakspeed! :P
are any of going going to complete a lap?
any of *you*.
Sign up and find out! ;)
It is better to look good in a bad car than to look bad in a good car. Heck, it's even alright to look bad in a bad car.
Hey just cause Osella only got 5 points in 11 years doesn't mean I'll get none .. or else there's no point playing
i can to make up the numbers, but i have no time to take part.
Well there's one thing, if only the minimum number of players (14) turn up I might? manage to get a point
Heck I blame Steven Roy .. he asked me to sign up LOL
Sure, you just need to concentrate on reliability. What engine is it again? Alfa? Oh...
:( :( :(
Maybe if the car's that bad, I could try naming the Singapore GP corner after it, which is the worst corner 1, 7 or 10?
Last year, 1 would be the worst - it was the least eventful of the 3. Not sure about this year, though.
Has anyone else joined that contest? :D
Not yet but I see "other sites" are promoting it now
Define 'other sites'? :)
Ones with GMM news feeds .. I'm keeping schtum!
I know what you're thinking... It's not evil to mention them here. :P
Oh no... if it's on GMM that means the contest doesn't exist any more! Well that was a wasted entry, "Pit Clown's Corner" will never be seen.
I think I've worked out why some countries aren't too keen on opening their own F1 theme park:
The Emirates Business publication said talks have already begun with "a number of countries". "We are still at the discussion stage regarding F1-X theme parks abroad," marketing officer Michael Jackson said.
http://www.f1complete.com/content/view/11419/900/
:D
you'd just change it wouldn't ya? especially if you job was promoting theme parks.
my favourite tweet of the day:
http://twitter.com/dublindoc/statuses/1219112502
am watching for a response :)
Bruno Mantovani with some new work. I LOVE the eyes of Raikkonen and Kovalainen - esp. Kovi's, as it's the first time I've seen them drawn.
Ahh, so simple!
FIX .. how ironic! even a theme park is subject to conspiracy theories
Stranger things have happened. Imagine if he DID confirm it through Twitter - it would say a LOT about his media savvy, which is something Bernie and co. can learn from him.
:D
If it has nothing to do with him, then he might do just that.
hehe :)
They're having fun in Bahrain: Ferrari's KERS tried to go into meltdown and the BMW's fire extinguisher went off (not in response as far as I know).
:D
excellent stuff! are there any pics?
Not seen any sadly, Heidfeld in a car full of foam should be good though.
never happens to klien, does it?
Klien is the only one who can resist that big button on the steering wheel marked "do not touch".
:D
Boo.
I just saw a man running along the street in bare feet.
I wonder what he was training for.
Another Honda rumour bites the dust http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=37058
Gah, he didn't get a chance to reply!
No straight denials there, but the tone of the comment should suffice as a denial... right?
the big ruiners :)
toyota info from the test:
Jarno Trulli
Best lap time: 1min 32.230s
Position: 2nd out of 3
Total laps: 149
Now THAT'S reliability and endurance!
Is he in training for Le Mans or something? 290 laps in two days seems like an awful lot.
Nah, they're just testing the parts they have, making sure they can last a full race distance, or in some cases, an entire race weekend (due to some adjustments in the rules this year).
A race weekend in a day? Two days running? Trulli must be knackered! :)
Yup, I'd think so. After all, most drivers say they find testing much more tiring than racing - running all that mileage without the fun or thrill of competition.
Thats pretty impressive for Toymota.
Are they quick though?
Another take on the Danica story:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/feb/17/danica-patrick-formula-one-usa
Patrick's apparent willingness to use her gender to her advantage in gaining sponsors and media attention has riled the establishment. Beyond that, there is still a school of thought that says women's physical and genetic differences makes them unable to compete on a level basis with men. To put it more bluntly, there are some who think that girls can't race cars. But you can bet that even those cynics would tune in to see how she performs, and that is exactly what formula one needs.
Hmm, interesting. And the USF1 team idea is certainly different. However, the way I see it is an attempt to get F1 back at Indianapolis, seeing the connection between the team and President of the Speedway.
It wouldn't take up any room...
You know what he's gonna say. :P
Ooh that's just so cute. I want one :D
Careful. He'll probably say no to you too :)
:D
Does the panda come with a bigger box? He might need it soon!
Perfect size for a sandwich! :D
Mmmmm..... Panda and mayo...
NO!
Panda and caramalised red onions?
:D
:D :D
I'll try eating pretty much anything. Snake is pretty chewy, seal flipper is vile, Shark was very nice.
Eat as many sharks as you like. No pandas. I'll sulk.
And a pair of stray dogs on the track for an encore.
Hi all, just been on a bike ride with friends. Realised my bike was about as reliable as a Red Bull and the cyclist was as fast as Nicolas Kiesa (ie, me). After my chain came off, the front brakes broke, then the handlebar started to wobble, the chain came off again, crashed into the friend since I forgot the brakes don't work, chain came off for the third time, then the handlebars really came off, as in you could spin it 360 forwards.
And to cap it off, my bell broke as well :(
I shouldn't but....
*laughs muchly* :D
awww hey R.G, i've just got back from the real world too. Just seen the new film the curious case of benjamin button. it was brilliant, but very very sad.
Kimi topped Bahrain testing despite a "scare" regarding the KERS' cooling system, which was apparently planned to simlulate a KERS failure.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73330
Have to admit, Toyota are getting VERY close to Ferrari. No wonder they've done 4 race distances in 2 days testing. They seem deadly focused and determined to make it work this season.
Competitive? Considering Danica's "success" in IndyCar has been one win and three poles in four seasons, I'd venture to say not very.
And the habit of getting in people's faces, mainly because she knows it wouldn't look good for say, Ryan Briscoe, to get all Senna/Irvine on her, is cheap.
Hmm... maybe just a little bit Scott Speed.
i thought that was turkey's party piece?
:(
Aye, heard good things about it.
They've said themselves that it has to work this season.
Then again, I can't think of a team so far who have launched their new car and are not aiming to win a race...
Were you sad because he wasn't related to Jenson?
Good evening everyone. Not been about today as my firm had to invoke disaster recovery! I did think about live commenting from the disaster but sadly I had many other things to do. The disaster was, quite simply, we stopped having electricity on the trading floor! This is known as a "bad thing"!
But we're okay now :)
haha :)
good to hear! that happen often?
Never happened before!
I'd tell you the amazing story but I can't perhaps offline!
hehe. next week then :)
Ooh weird I wonder why that comment got moderated?
Indeed! Is Mrs C joining. I mean I know she's not necessarly into tat much more KERS. But she wouldn't want to pass up an evening out in London's glittering west end! ;)
:D
It would make up for stealing half of a Milky Bar
You only went to see if he was related to Jenson. :)
So they had a proper KERS failure which they then used as a simulation of a KERS failure. Papering over the cracks?
Mexico lost their race years ago for the same thing.
Not at first, but before you know it you'd be sharing your house with what is basically a large bear.
(Just realised this is a feedlines R us type statement, so play nice).
Is tomorrow night quiz night?
Aye.
Tell ya something, on my GPM2 as a new team with the 2001 mod, after 11 races, Michael Schumacher has won 9 of them. Only dropping points in Monaco and France. Hes on 98 points to Hakkinen's 41. Its ridiculous.
In that case I will do a quick plug.
Jolly runs an F1 quiz @ http://www.pitlanefanatic.com/chat.php on Wednesday nights so if you have nothing better to do pop over and have a go. And no cheating/helping on identica.
But be warned - it's reeeeaaaally difficult.
never would have crossed my mind ;)
Did you see question 25 last week? It was sooo easy.
was that the last one?
I was too scared to show up last week.
Yep. An easy image of Fernando Alonso
but you forget about the other 24 hard questions. lol that's why i watch :P much safer.
Whadya mean.
Q23. Which driver finished second seven times to become runner up in the 2003 drivers championship?
You had plenty of correct answers the week before.
lol at a guess i'd say Kimi... but i'm not 100% sure for two reasons 1. i seem to have a very very bad memory, and 2. i wasn't really watching f1 closely then.
You're right. 2002 it was Barrichello and it was Jenson in 2004.
see i knew it was Jenson in 2004. lol i wonder why :P
So who is entering the quiz then?
i shall try.
Obviously last weeks silver meadlist will have to try and beat Mr C, again ;)
As promised, I have just drop.io'd not one, not two, but 16 pictures of the snow this morning.
They're just taken from my camera phone and they're nowhere near as good as Lou's - but I couldn't resist stopping on my way to work to take some pics as it looked lovely this morning :-D
grr!
hehe. I'll try not to beat you too badly ;)
thanks!
Is it tomorrow or today?
me likes:
http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/image000-jpg
tomorrow.
my fav - http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/image005-jpg
:D
Whats up with lou's name?
Wha?
Will have to do next weeks then.
erm.... 'me'?? the doohickey seems to have found a new problem with me.
have you not typed that into the name box then?
Me too. That's the 'cover pic' for the facebook album :-)
erm... no...why would i? seems to be every time i refresh the doohickey. i opened a new window in FF and opened the doohickey and then that happened.
Yep that works
dunno, could've been a pasting typo. i'll have a look.
:D
My name will be mud if I don't enter ;)
What time does it start?
8.30 pm or there abouts
For the Apple Geeks^W Enthusiasts:
17" Macbook Pros are arriving, http://www.ifixit.com has already dismantled one and posted pictures.
I got moderated for quoting a drop.io link :-(
have restarted laptop, and have tried it on the desktop with chrome and IE it seems fine now...
There's nothing as good as home made venison sausages and mash with butter and cream for tea. :D
Another recipe for the wiki?
I made an entry in the dictionary today ;-)
I like it :)
I currently love
http://wiki.sidepodcast.com/page/Worst+Valentine%27s+Ever
In my public BATRacer game, I'm playing F1 2005 and something strange has happened. Jordan are leading the championship!
I came sixth in Australia, which sounds really impressive except that my team-mate nearly won the race*. We are both in the Jordan team and no other team got a double-points finish. So Renault currently trails Jordan by one point. I may have a hard time keeping up with Stidolph, but BATRacer has a harder time keeping up with reality...
* - And no, the Ferrari drivers didn't crash into each other, nor was it a six-car race.
I've just been reading Giggles Valentine's day poem on the Wiki .. its fantastic :D
We want it as a rap!
1) Apply for a firearms certificate
2) Get a firearms certificate
3) Buy a rifle
4) Go hunting
.....
This could take a while.
Ooh yeah!
I guess the guy holding Trulli’s pitboard is new as he is showing him the back of it. {Comment #43}
Dad's response to this was "Not only new, but stupid". Hopefully this guy is a quick learner, or I fear he might be transferred pretty quick.
Haas Lola is also a worthwhile team. {Comment #67
It is as long as you do not confuse Haas Lola (1986) with Lola (1997) ;) . At the moment, my mid-season game contains the current BATRacer World Ranking leader gently complaining because he's in a Lola (1997) and grateful that as a mid-season entry, he can opt out of World Ranking points.
Haas Lola (1986), on the other hand, is a team worth having.
Maybe if the car’s that bad, I could try naming the Singapore GP corner after it, which is the worst corner 1, 7 or 10? {Comment #80}
10 is the one most prone to breakages...
Was it not called Beatrice Lola? They didn't last too long if I recall correctly...
Beatrice was the sponsor
I knew that would wake you up ;-)
I did a little digging and found this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrice_Foods
That's a big company to have as a backer!
I wonder if BrackleyF1 have someone like that up their sleeve?
I've not even bothered skimming the comments, my brain hurts just looking at them all!
I think the team was actually called FORCE.
awww. they're all good ones :)
I think the team was actually called FORCE. {Comment #213}
No connection to Force India ;)
Wikipedia Article
Quote:
But basically the team ran because of Beatrice money and once they pulled out, Carl Haas was forced to close the team.
have just been informed that christine received a marriage proposal on facebook today.
does that happen often?
Did she say yes?
I'll take your word for it :P
I did see the bit about the quiz. Best of luck with that. :D
not yet.
Oh dear...
Was it from Richard Marx?
:D
:D
:D
You haven't done a Homer Simpson, by divorcing her and then remarrying her to get past the bad things you did (i don't know, missing f1 minute perhaps) and to start afresh?
You then got bored of the traditional route and facebook just so happend to be open?
My theories are always long winded
Guess that depends on whether he will let her have a pet panda.
'Parantly he's already married
(I found that out by googling his name since I had no clue whatsoever, not instead because I like him)
Probably already across this, but Reuters has picked up the story now:
"(Reuters) - British entrepreneur Richard Branson's Virgin Group has made a bid for the Honda Formula One team, a source close to the Japanese manufacturer told Reuters on Tuesday.
"They have made a bid to purchase the team," said the source, who declined to be identified."
Oh, I missed this one.
The two dogs had found their way into the Sakhir circuit, the scene of the fourth round of the 2009 world championship this April, from the surrounding desert area, local media reported.
http://www.f1complete.com/content/view/11428/900/
Oh dear...
Careful, that's a GMM source. The two dogs could have been rats, ferrets or marmots, knowing GMM's talent for 'exaggeration' ;-)
he's not listening :D