Obviously the majority of conversation yesterday was dominated by the FIA regulation tweaks, and who am I to try and buck the trend? Here are some of the things on topics right now:

  • The new points/wins tally things seems to be a halfway point between Bernie's medals idea and the way it used to be. So far, we've seen a lot of instant reaction to this decision, but my only real concern is that the championship will be over too soon.
  • At first, it seemed as though the FIA were relaxing the testing regulations, but it was not to be. What they have said is that teams can indulge in a specific number of straightline tests at a specific set of tracks. The problem is, this starts from Jan 1st 2009. Can you really backdate regulations like that?
  • Finally, the budget cuts seem to be awfully low, and as they are not mandatory, there's a worry that F1 will become almost two different beasts in the same show.

So, it's fair to say that none of the new regulations have been greeted with joy, but are they really that bad? Share your thoughts today, and we'll keep our eye on any new stories and paddock reactions as they filter out during the day. I will see you in the comments.

495 responses

  • me18/03/2009 at 00:02

    So, it’s fair to say that none of the new regulations have been greeted with joy, but are they really that bad?

    nope. with every passing hour, i'm less and less bothered.

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 00:02

    nope. with every passing hour, i’m less and less bothered.

    But you have already admitted to being fickle a couple of times today :)

  • me18/03/2009 at 00:03

    But you have already admitted to being fickle a couple of times today :)

    that i am, yes.

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 00:10

    ...but my only real concern is that the championship will be over too soon

    And the likelihood that the end of year, final race shoot-outs will become a rarity

    How much do the budget capped teams get to work outside of the regulations, did I read no engine rev limits?

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 00:14

    How much do the budget capped teams get to work outside of the regulations, did I read no engine rev limits?

    So it seems - but do the engines still have last for 3 races?

    How are the teams going to exploit the relaxed regulations with only £30 million to play with? Thats less than Minardi had I believe

  • lou18/03/2009 at 00:15

    I think i'm going crazy, but i swear this is the first time i've seen the Brawn with the name on the engine cover. http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/124058

  • me18/03/2009 at 00:16

    I think i’m going crazy, but i swear this is the first time i’ve seen the Brawn with the name on the engine cover. http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/124058

    if you say it's true. i'm not going to argue!

  • lou18/03/2009 at 00:18

    if you say it’s true. i’m not going to argue!

    i must have seen it before though... surely they wouldn't have just had that put on over night or whatever.... i'm going crazy... i must be..

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 00:19

    I think i’m going crazy, but i swear this is the first time i’ve seen the Brawn with the name on the engine cover. http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/124058

    It definitely was not there before. Your sanity is at worse questionable but this is not enough to make it certain.

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 00:19

    i must have seen it before though… surely they wouldn’t have just had that put on over night or whatever…. i’m going crazy… i must be..

    No comment.

    It was on the car on Sunday though. ;)

  • me18/03/2009 at 00:20

    i must have seen it before though… surely they wouldn’t have just had that put on over night or whatever…. i’m going crazy… i must be..

    lemmie see. is it too early in the morning for a shameless plug?

    http://www.f1minute.com/2009/03/16/barrichello-back-behind-the-wheel/

    ...nope, no name on the engine cover.

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 00:22

    lemmie see. is it too early in the morning for a shameless plug?

    Is NEVER too early

  • lou18/03/2009 at 00:22

    …nope, no name on the engine cover.

    :D okay. so does that suggest they'll be sticking with that livery for a bit then? i was kinda hoping they would roll up in Aus in 9 days time (9 days!! :D ) with a slightly better livery..

  • me18/03/2009 at 00:23

    Is NEVER too early

    :D

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 00:24

    :D okay. so does that suggest they’ll be sticking with that livery for a bit then? i was kinda hoping they would roll up in Aus in 9 days time (9 days!! :D ) with a slightly better livery..

    Depends if they remember to bring the multi-pack of highlighters to Aus

  • lou18/03/2009 at 00:25

    Depends if they remember to bring the multi-pack of highlighters to Aus

    :D

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 00:26

    Did anyone consider the possibilty that they were behind McLaren on the track one day whilst they were using FloViz paint and Ross & Co just kinda liked it?

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 00:26

    Depends if they remember to bring the multi-pack of highlighters to Aus

    They could add green, pink and blue to the sceheme if needs be.

  • me18/03/2009 at 00:27

    Did anyone consider the possibilty that they were behind McLaren on the track one day whilst they were using FloViz paint and Ross & Co just kinda liked it?

    :D

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 00:29

    How long will it be before a driver wins four races, nothing else and the championship but is about 50 points behind the points leader

    We end up reverting back to or changing the points system again and blah, blah, blah

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 00:33

    I love 1986 all over again and Canada.

  • Dave In NZL18/03/2009 at 00:33

    RE: Finally, the budget cuts seem to be awfully low... there’s a worry that F1 will become almost two different beasts in the same show.

    The proposed rules state that they regulation limits for the budget team will be modified to make sure there is no difference between $$$ and $ funded squads. What, then, is the attraction of $$$ teams?

    Surely smart teams will poor as much cash as they can in to alternative tech *read Williams' active suspension* in 2010 and switch to budget teaming in 2011 and use those techs.

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 00:37

    Surely smart teams will poor as much cash as they can in to alternative tech *read Williams’ active suspension* in 2010 and switch to budget teaming in 2011 and use those techs.

    Superfunded B-team and an under-budget A-team with all the technowizardry

    McLaren/Force India - Red Bull/Toro Rosso

  • lou18/03/2009 at 00:37

    am off to sleep now i think. I have nother long day tomorrow. night all x

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 00:38

    Night Lou.

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 00:38

    DD Feedback:

    I sometimes have problems editing a post after preview

    Cannot click to place the cursor

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 00:38

    am off to sleep now i think. I have nother long day tomorrow. night all x

    G'night Lou

  • Pat W18/03/2009 at 00:49

    I *think* I've caught up with comments now... and I get the impression everyone else is as fed up as I am with all these stupid rule tinkerings (i.e. wins). I'm actually intrigued by the budget thing, but then I do work in accounts so that tells you all you need to know about me.

    Okay time I was off, flying visit, and I'm writing this here in public to give me no excuses because I've been procrastinating again (and I do it so well):

    My plan when I get home from work on the 18th is to a) call you with my predictions, b) quickly blog the FIA stuff, c) do college work while ignoring everything else until I'm done. Yes even Ep.96, even live MWM.

    Meanwhile, some say this has already happened... :-D

    Nighty night.

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 00:50

    This is a film review announcement:

    Scream still rocks after 13 years!

    That is all.

  • Pat W18/03/2009 at 00:52

    Did anyone consider the possibilty that they were behind McLaren on the track one day whilst they were using FloViz paint and Ross & Co just kinda liked it?

    Katy Perry tribute? "I was behind the McLaren and I liked it"

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 00:52

    Katy Perry tribute? “I was behind the McLaren and I liked it”

    :D

    Quite possibly

  • Pat W18/03/2009 at 00:54

    I’m actually intrigued by the budget thing, but then I do work in accounts so that tells you all you need to know about me.

    Just before I go.. the one thing that gets me is that no matter how something is funded, i.e. full cost, subsidised or free, for the purposes of Budget Cap the FIA will deem it to be at full cost.

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 00:54

    Superfunded B-team and an under-budget A-team with all the technowizardry

    Not sure if they can do that - anything given for free to the teams will still be assessed its actual value and be included in the cap. So even if STR, for example, developed new components and gave them to RBR, then they will still be assessed as part of RBR's budget, as well as STR's budget.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 00:56

    am off to sleep now i think. I have nother long day tomorrow. night all x

    Good night Lou

  • Aitch18/03/2009 at 00:56

    I *think* I’ve caught up with comments now

    I don't think I'll catch up today, I left the doohickey running all day and I see I now have over 600 comments to read and I gotta get to bed in about 5 hours,I better start reading now.

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 00:56

    Just before I go.. the one thing that gets me is that no matter how something is funded, i.e. full cost, subsidised or free, for the purposes of Budget Cap the FIA will deem it to be at full cost.

    So if as part of your sponsorship deal, you are given a supercomputer for next to nothing - they'll take it at retail value essentially.

    Nice... I've never paid retail for any computer and I'm not advertising them.

    I could understand for things they are given, but for things that they are paying a reduced rate for? C'mon....

  • me18/03/2009 at 00:56

    great post from vee8:

    http://vee8.doctorvee.co.uk/2009/03/17/the-wmscs-decisions/

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 00:58

    I could understand for things they are given, but for things that they are paying a reduced rate for? C’mon….

    What about 'paying' drivers who bring cash via sponsorship?

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 00:58

    A handy website for anyone in USA. It lists all racing on TV.

    http://www.tvracer.com/

  • me18/03/2009 at 00:58

    I don’t think I’ll catch up today, I left the doohickey running all day and I see I now have over 600 comments to read and I gotta get to bed in about 5 hours,I better start reading now.

    oops!

  • kaushal18/03/2009 at 01:21

    I think the decision is good

  • me18/03/2009 at 01:32

    I think the decision is good

    kaushal would you like to expand on that some more.

    i don't hate the idea, but i'm particularly intrigued as to why you think it's good?

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 01:47

    LOL at Vee8'st Formula One.1 and Formula One.2

    I was unable to quote using that from Mr C's Vee8 link post

    Does Bernie have a Desktop Doohickey hack?

  • me18/03/2009 at 01:49

    I was unable to quote using that from Mr C’s Vee8 link post

    not sure what you mean?

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 01:51

    not sure what you mean?

    Yeah, it was as clear as mud wasn't it

    Kept getting an Error: Can not post comment in DD when replying & quoting your Vee8 link

    The only thing that fixed it was removing the " and italicizing the F1.1 bit

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 01:53

    That doesn't help much either

    Maybe it wasn't quoting the link but using quotation marks that caused a problem. I don't know, it's late...

  • me18/03/2009 at 02:00

    Maybe it wasn’t quoting the link but using quotation marks that caused a problem. I don’t know, it’s late…

    correct. tis a bug. fixed locally, ready for next release.

    basically a quote of a quote, in doohickey is a no-go right now.

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 02:09

    basically a quote of a quote, in doohickey is a no-go right now.

    Though even when I removed your quote from the post, I still got the error

    This is where it gets a bit too html isn't it?

  • me18/03/2009 at 02:13

    Though even when I removed your quote from the post, I still got the error

    hmmm. not sure, that shouldn't happen.

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 02:15

    hmmm. not sure, that shouldn’t happen.

    Just figured the error was in there as a cookie or summink

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 03:41

    The problem is, this starts from Jan 1st 2009. Can you really backdate regulations like that?

    I missed this. No doubt due to my lack of calmness resulting form some of the other measures.

    It is completely wrong to backdate any rule. Clearly this will disadvantage teams who have already done a lot of straight line testing as teams developing new bits mid season will only be able to verify their wind tunnel/CFD if they did not use the bulk of their allocation pre-season.

  • Aitch18/03/2009 at 03:51

    I missed this. No doubt due to my lack of calmness resulting form some of the other measures.

    Say It isn't so, a Scotsman celebrating St. Patrick's Day:)

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 04:09

    Say It isn’t so, a Scotsman celebrating St. Patrick’s Day:)

    No alcohol was involved in my lack of my normal calm.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 04:10

    Time for bed.

  • Aitch18/03/2009 at 05:21

    Aitch: 18/03/2009 at 00:56

    I *think* I’ve caught up with comments now

    I don’t think I’ll catch up today, I left the doohickey running all day and I see I now have over 600 comments to read and I gotta get to bed in about 5 hours,I better start reading now.

    5 hours later and I'm all caught up, and there was much rejoicing, time for one last pint of the black stuff before bed. I hope tomorrow isn't as busy as today 'cause I need some PS3 time:)

  • Bootneck18/03/2009 at 07:33

    30 Million is crazy, that's 25% less than I've just spent on 4 drivers in fantasy racing!!Ha Ha

  • Mattw18/03/2009 at 08:46

    On the subject of Budget caps.

    I love the idea of the big teams having to operate with limited resources.

    A budget cap would also level the playing field somewhat.

    HOWEVER - how on earth would you police this? Yes the FIA can check the books - but if the FIA could not police the traction control ban, how are they going to make sure teams are being honest with their accounting?

    Also, 'cost' is not the whole story - the resources that teams have acquired - or have access to through their parent companies, can make a huge difference. Ferrari for example, are the only team with their own private test track.

    The budget cap might actually make it harder for new teams, as they will need to invest their money in brining their resources up to the level of the other F1 teams, leaving them less to run/develop the car.

    What price do you put on the intellectual property (car designs) shared between Red Bull and Toro Rosso?

    However what I really cannot stand is the idea of trying to balance two different rule books - that is never going to work.

    Finally, how much money does Bernie currently pay to the teams from the TV revenue? Is it more or less than £30 mil?

  • Mattw18/03/2009 at 08:50

    Also - it is kinda funny how over the last few weeks Max has forced through the hike in the superlicense fee on the basis that 'drivers are paid huge amounts of money these days'

    Then yesterday he announces a £30 mil budget cap which will result in the drivers having to take a substantial pay cut....

    Unless the drivers end up getting paid by the sponsors, not the teams?

  • Jon Waldock18/03/2009 at 08:51

    Then yesterday he announces a £30 mil budget cap which will result in the drivers having to take a substantial pay cut….

    Unless the drivers end up getting paid by the sponsors, not the teams?

    I don't think any salaries are included in these cuts

  • Mattw18/03/2009 at 08:59

    I don’t think any salaries are included in these cuts

    Autosport reports that:

    FIA president Max Mosley confirmed that the £30 million budget cap would include drivers' salaries.

  • Jon Waldock18/03/2009 at 09:03

    FIA president Max Mosley confirmed that the £30 million budget cap would include drivers’ salaries.

    oh wow. didnt know that, all previous talks of such caps havent included drivers salaries. i can imagine only small teams would take this cap until it becomes mandatory

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 09:11

    Unless the drivers end up getting paid by the sponsors, not the teams?

    Even then, the FIA would give still count the salaries as part of the team's budget, even if they weren't the ones who paid for it.

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 09:13

    Last day of testing today. It's Kazuki for Williams leading Heikki for McLaren by 8 tenths, albeit with both drivers having only done initial runs.

  • Bootneck18/03/2009 at 09:17

    So drivers go freelance and have no contract with any team and get paid by sponsors to race any given car at any given race with no cost to the team.... Oh that sounds kinda 1950's 1960's to me.

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 09:19

    So drivers go freelance and have no contract with any team and get paid by sponsors to race any given car at any given race with no cost to the team…. Oh that sounds kinda 1950’s 1960’s to me.

    Again, even then, the FIA would give still count the salaries as part of the team’s budget, even if they weren’t the ones who paid for it. It's in the released document.

  • Bootneck18/03/2009 at 09:21

    Surely backwards is not the way we should be going. i know people that have given up watching F1 because of all the in fighting, rule tweeks and general cr*p that's gone on with the FIA over the last 2/3 years. I really do think it's time for a change at the top and some real stability, or we'll finish up with a 2 tier sport that's nothing like the pinnacle of motor sport that it's supposed to be.

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 09:25

    Hmm. Le Seb crashed out in testing at Sebring yesterday.

    http://iheartfranck.com/2009/03/18/peugeot-improve-on-day-2/

    Not impressed.

  • Bootneck18/03/2009 at 09:26

    Maybe it's time for some-one to wrest the reins from Max and Bernie, the same way they did 30 years ago in the FISA-FOCA take over, some-one who really has the sport at heart, and not their pockets.

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 09:27

    Maybe it’s time for some-one to wrest the reins from Max and Bernie, the same way they did 30 years ago in the FISA-FOCA take over, some-one who really has the sport at heart, and not their pockets.

    Easier said than done. Max has so much support in the FIA Senate, there's no way he can get voted out - unless whoever would replace him can offer the senators something... more.

  • Jon Waldock18/03/2009 at 09:37

    Bernies on the Radio....he does make me angry

  • Bootneck18/03/2009 at 09:39

    Yeah I guess you're right Journeyer, I just get really wound up about things like this,the powers that be dont seem to have the sport at heart the same as the genuine fans, ie you n me etc.

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 09:40

    Yeah I guess you’re right Journeyer, I just get really wound up about things like this,the powers that be dont seem to have the sport at heart the same as the genuine fans, ie you n me etc.

    Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. But absolute power is also absolutely harder to remove. Heck, Ferrari with all their might can't seem to do it.

  • me18/03/2009 at 09:48

    Hmm. Le Seb crashed out in testing at Sebring yesterday.

    "I do hold a grudge."

    yes you do :)

  • Alianora La Canta18/03/2009 at 10:05

    And the likelihood that the end of year, final race shoot-outs will become a rarity {Comment #4}

    Ironic. Just when Brazil 2008 shows that final race shoot-outs are the precise tonic F1 needs, the FIA seeks to reduce them - despite putting out a press release a few weeks back demonstrating this to be the case!

    One day, the FIA will be capable of thinking in a logical, contiguous manner. Until then it's a liability to F1 and motorsport.

  • Bootneck18/03/2009 at 10:12

    That'll only happen when Stadler and Walder leave their respective posts.......

  • Alex Andronov18/03/2009 at 10:17

    One simple question that doesn't seem to make sense to me...

    We had the closest ever formula 1 championship decider last season which seemed to really excite everyone. But we'd like to introduce rules which would have meant that the championship was actually decided on the Saturday when we saw the qualifying positions.

  • me18/03/2009 at 10:20

    We had the closest ever formula 1 championship decider last season which seemed to really excite everyone. But we’d like to introduce rules which would have meant that the championship was actually decided on the Saturday when we saw the qualifying positions.

    personally, after last year, i wouldn't have changed a thing, bar maybe bringing in slicks.

    however, as brundle pointed out yesterday, the teams and the drivers would've approached that race differently given the new "wins" situation. so it's not really comparable.

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 10:27

    We had the closest ever formula 1 championship decider last season which seemed to really excite everyone. But we’d like to introduce rules which would have meant that the championship was actually decided on the Saturday when we saw the qualifying positions.

    I must admit that I found the whole cruise around Brazil and get the WDC title almost by default a little disappointing, I didn't find that exciting at all.

    I do quite like the idea of wins deciding the title but it could be the case that the drivers who are 2nd or 3rd in the championship have many more points than the winner .. can that be fair? I'd say yes, for deciding the constructors championship but not for the WDC winner. I get the feeling that they haven't really thought through the consequences properly. Is Max away with the FIAries?

  • me18/03/2009 at 10:35

    can steven roy be the first person (i think) to post more than 2,000 comments in less than 30 days?

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 10:35

    can steven roy be the first person (i think) to post more than 2,000 comments in less than 30 days?

    Ooooh. With live commenting coming up, as well, that's going to be passed easily :)

  • me18/03/2009 at 10:39

    Ooooh. With live commenting coming up, as well, that’s going to be passed easily :)

    i think someone is after lou's title!

  • Jeremy18/03/2009 at 10:39

    One of the things that frustrates me is the money spent on aero development in F1. It seems to be the major differentiator in performance. I don't believe we get enough 'real world' benefit from this.

    What if there was a way to standardise the aero? All the cars would run the exact same bodywork, just painted different colours. Would it be boring, or would we forget what we used to have as soon as the racing improved? To me, looks come behind other things.

    Money should go into chassis, engine, brakes and drivers. Have some adjustment of front and rear wings (for safety and so teams can still get it wrong) but basically return car racing to:

    a) if you don't have the most powerful engine, a well tuned chassis can make the difference; or

    b) if you have the best engine and the best chassis, then you win until someone catches up

  • Alex Andronov18/03/2009 at 10:44

    however, as brundle pointed out yesterday, the teams and the drivers would’ve approached that race differently given the new “wins” situation. so it’s not really comparable.

    Yeah. And would McLaren have appealed Massa's "win" if it was deciding the championship?

  • me18/03/2009 at 10:45

    Yeah. And would McLaren have appealed Massa’s “win” if it was deciding the championship?

    they have previous on that score!

  • Maverick18/03/2009 at 10:46

    My main issue with this new points system is the Belgium stewards decision. Last year that cost Hamilton 25 seconds which worked out to be 4 points. Under the new system it costs a win which is a much bigger issue. On that basis the FIA cannot stick it's head in the sand and say that you're not allowed to appeal against the stewards decision. It's no longer simply a time penalty - it was as good as a disqualification.

  • Maverick18/03/2009 at 10:54

    however, as brundle pointed out yesterday, the teams and the drivers would’ve approached that race differently given the new “wins” situation. so it’s not really comparable.

    Yes but not necessarily with the aim of Hamilton winning the race but perhaps with the aim of preventing Massa winning the race - not exactly what Bernie was hoping for when he suggested the medals.

  • me18/03/2009 at 10:56

    Yes but not necessarily with the aim of Hamilton winning the race but perhaps with the aim of preventing Massa winning the race

    which is exactly what alonso said he'd do to hamilton, and that was a very interesting part of the build up.

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 10:56

    Yes but not necessarily with the aim of Hamilton winning the race but perhaps with the aim of preventing Massa winning the race - not exactly what Bernie was hoping for when he suggested the medals.

    But the FIA would deny it anyway, since you can't appeal a drive-through imposed during the race.

  • JumboMcNutt18/03/2009 at 11:04

    What if there was a way to standardise the aero? All the cars would run the exact same bodywork, just painted different colours. Would it be boring, or would we forget what we used to have as soon as the racing improved? To me, looks come behind other things.

    Which is exactly what Formula 2, GP2, Formula Renault, Formula Ford etc all are. Since it's early days all manufacturers have strived to put the best and most revolutionary bits of kit on the grid. Restrict it with single standard in any area you become just another motorsport class. People will debate this forever, but I believe you should not restrict the ultimate motorsport class.

  • Maverick18/03/2009 at 11:09

    which is exactly what alonso said he’d do to hamilton, and that was a very interesting part of the build up.

    Thanks - I'm now stuck with the image of Hamilton and Kovalainen blocking in Massa whilst Raikkonen and Alonso trail around slowly so that Massa can keep up.

    :-)

    I think the only increase in overtaking we'll see from this rule will be between teammates who will be more willing to risk both cars not finishing.

  • Jeremy18/03/2009 at 11:10

    Restrict it with single standard in any area you become just another motorsport class. People will debate this forever, but I believe you should not restrict the ultimate motorsport class.

    Too late - they are restricting things. They should at least restrict things that make sense.

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 11:41

    I think the only increase in overtaking we’ll see from this rule will be between teammates who will be more willing to risk both cars not finishing.

    Hmmm... but even teammates won't just risk an overtaking maneuver, lest they violate the cardinal rule of racing: never take your teammate out.

  • Maverick18/03/2009 at 11:42

    A quick heads up for anybody in the Birmingham area tomorrow evening and interested in learning some more about KERS:

    ENERGY REGENERATION IN FORMULA ONE

    http://nearyou.imeche.org.uk/events/event.htm?eID=2307

    It's actually a 7pm start with "light refreshments" before hand - hence the 6:30 start on the link.

    Sounds similar (identical?) to the talk recently attended by some in these here parts?

  • Jon Waldock18/03/2009 at 11:45

    Blindingly obvious quote of the day goes to Mr Max Mosley....

    There is no reason why cost-capped teams could not win races, [though] the massive and highly-organised, unlimited-expenditure teams are perhaps likely to do a better job of going racing. They will have the most expensive race engineers and tacticians, not to mention the top-earning drivers. However, racing is – and should be – unpredictable.”

    Thanks Max because we couldn't work out ourselves that a team running off £30 million is going to do worse than a team running on £100 million!

  • me18/03/2009 at 11:45

    Sounds similar (identical?) to the talk recently attended by some in these here parts?

    yup, same thing. cheers for the link.

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 11:49

    yup, same thing. cheers for the link.

    Phew. For a minute I thought you'd be heading for your third lecture of the year!!

  • me18/03/2009 at 11:50

    Phew. For a minute I thought you’d be heading for your third lecture of the year!!

    hehehe. it's good to talk.

  • lou18/03/2009 at 11:53

    So Bernie thinks Jenson will be wining races next year after about 6 days of testing he is drawing the conclusion like pretty much everyone that they are super quick... don't get me wrong i hope they are. But Bernie saying Jenson stands a better shot at the championship with the new regs? i just don't see it. Surely with the old regs he stood a good chance cause Brawn could do something similar to BMW this year. But winning most of the races? i just can't see it.

  • Lukeh18/03/2009 at 11:54

    I've stopped listening to bernie completely now. Should've started a long time ago.

  • Alianora La Canta18/03/2009 at 11:55

    I started typing a longer response to the WMSC proposals, but it's become ridiculously long, so I moved it to my blog.

    In fact, it ended up so long that I've decided to split it into parts. I just can't believe the WMSC would shoot itself in the foot so much...

  • Maverick18/03/2009 at 11:58

    “There is no reason why cost-capped teams could not win races, [though] the massive and highly-organised, unlimited-expenditure teams are perhaps likely to do a better job of going racing. They will have the most expensive race engineers and tacticians, not to mention the top-earning drivers. However, racing is – and should be – unpredictable.”

    Thanks Max because we couldn’t work out ourselves that a team running off £30 million is going to do worse than a team running on £100 million!

    Well if you're going to equalise their performance aren't they supposed to be able to win races? In fact, isn't the whole point that the highly-organised, unlimited-expenditure teams are not ALLOWED to do a better job of going racing?

    In fact, isn't the real point that you're turning the highly-organised, unlimited-expenditure teams into a pointless exercise when you can manage on £30 million (still can't believe they tied this to sterling) and Uncle Max will make sure the big spenders are no faster than you whilst simultaneously handing over the unsavioury task of making a lot of those "expensive race engineers and tacticians redundant"?

  • Maverick18/03/2009 at 12:01

    With a two-tier team system I can only assume their will be a two-tier superlicense system for the drivers in each respective group?

    Or maybe not...

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 12:08

    As an update to what happened yesterday, I felt a bit groggy when I woke up this morning so I didn't go to work. My colleague called me at 10 and said that they were sent home after sitting in the canteen for a bit as the smell was still pretty strong. I am glad to be at home working now because going in would have meant a 4 hour round trip for two hours work!

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 12:13

    As an update to what happened yesterday...

    What happened yesterday Gavin?

  • Alianora La Canta18/03/2009 at 12:16

    So drivers go freelance and have no contract with any team and get paid by sponsors to race any given car at any given race with no cost to the team…. Oh that sounds kinda 1950’s 1960’s to me. {Comment #64}

    Unfortunately the requirement of all F1 drivers to have a contract filed with the CRB causes some difficulties. Unless there was a secondary unfiled contract that handled the money issues and only billed minimum wage to the teams themselves, the full price would be liable, even if the teams had nothing to do with the payment of the drivers in question.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 12:17

    As an update to what happened yesterday…

    What happened yesterday Gavin?

    This.

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 12:24

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/williams-jpg

    Williams sans sticky up bits.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 12:29

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/williams-jpg

    Williams sans sticky up bits.

    That's bringing sexy back! :-D

  • RCC (aka Rockingcopsecorner)18/03/2009 at 12:29

    Hi everyone

    where did the sidepodpanel come from?? I put my name down to join in yet never got told it was happening :-(

    There was no date agreed (and still isn't) yet on the wiki page.

    Grrrrr........

    As for Bernie and Max with their new 'ideas' it's just a tactic by them to be seen to be in charge. They clearly don't like FOTA calling any of the shots. So basically Bernies lot did their 'Fans' survey and dismissed everything from it.

    PS did you get my voicemail on sunday? Gave some race predictions....

  • me18/03/2009 at 12:31

    where did the sidepodpanel come from?? I put my name down to join in yet never got told it was happening :-(

    sorry. we do it live on sunday's. where was ya?

    There was no date agreed (and still isn’t) yet on the wiki page.

    yeah, it was very up in the air due to mixer difficulties (still ongoing), we didn't know if we could even do it until about 1am on that day.

  • me18/03/2009 at 12:36

    PS did you get my voicemail on sunday? Gave some race predictions….

    erm, christine says no:

    http://www.sidepodcast.com/2009/03/14/take-a-wild-guess/#comment-217317

    don't think we've lost any?

  • me18/03/2009 at 12:36

    That’s bringing sexy back! :-D

    oh good grief :)

  • me18/03/2009 at 12:39

    bernie's agreed to fota's tv graphic proposals:

    "We've been a bit strung up with our graphics because although we had the information (before), we couldn't use it. It was the same with the 'ship-to-shore' radio. It was interesting for viewers but the teams said we can't use it."

    yippeee!

    more: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73763

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 12:40

    bernie’s agreed to fota’s tv graphic proposals:

    common sense prevails for once! :)

  • me18/03/2009 at 12:40

    common sense prevails for once! :)

    it's only fota and bernie involved in this one. interesting.

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 12:41

    it’s only fota and bernie involved in this one. interesting.

    i guess the FIA don't really have a role here? i mean, it's not like it goes against any FIA rules.

  • me18/03/2009 at 12:42

    i guess the FIA don’t really have a role here? i mean, it’s not like it goes against any FIA rules.

    completely. it's interesting that as you say "common sense prevails", but it doesn't involve the fia.

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 12:44

    completely. it’s interesting that as you say “common sense prevails”, but it doesn’t involve the fia.

    but it does involve bernie, so common sense prevailing is still quite an accomplishment. :)

  • Alex Andronov18/03/2009 at 12:46

    i guess the FIA don’t really have a role here? i mean, it’s not like it goes against any FIA rules.

    Max will stick his oar in.

    How about: "The FIA has discovered that it is unsafe for the cars location to be passed to the other teams because of safety reasons".

    It's usually something circular like that!

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 12:46

    completely. it’s interesting that as you say “common sense prevails”, but it doesn’t involve the fia.

    We're narrowing down where the problem really is.

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 12:50

    This.

    Oh dear, must've smelt like a hairdresser's salon

    I hope everyone is ok

  • me18/03/2009 at 12:51

    mclaren parts held together by gaffa tape:

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/f1-car-gaffa-tape-png

    standards are dropping in ron's absence aren't they?

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 12:52

    This.

    Oh dear, must’ve smelt like a hairdresser’s salon

    I hope everyone is ok

    It REALLY stunk!

    My friend got taken away for treatment but she tells me she is ok... as far as I know, everyone is OK :-D

  • Jon Waldock18/03/2009 at 12:52

    mclaren parts held together by gaffa tape:

    wheres this gaffa tape? i cant see it:(

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 12:52

    standards are dropping in ron’s absence aren’t they?

    but he didn't really leave... :-/

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 12:52

    mclaren parts held together by gaffa tape:

    Well, it does fix everything.

  • me18/03/2009 at 12:54

    wheres this gaffa tape? i cant see it:(

    highlighted in red:

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/f1-car-gaffa-tape-highlighted-png

    sorry, only have paint right now :(

  • Alex Andronov18/03/2009 at 12:54

    standards are dropping in ron’s absence aren’t they?

    It's probably Speed Tape. They use it in the aviation industry (Bassano would know). It can survive transatlantic flights.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 12:55

    wheres this gaffa tape? i cant see it:(

    highlighted in red:

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/f1-car-gaffa-tape-highlighted-png

    sorry, only have paint right now :(

    Paint Rocks. Don't diss!

  • Jon Waldock18/03/2009 at 12:56

    highlighted in red:

    ah right, wondered if thats what you meant after id sent the message.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 12:56

    Can somebody please help me:

    I am looking to buy a new PC within the next year for games mostly. What sort of specs (EG processor, RAM, graphics card) should I be looking for?

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 12:56

    It’s probably Speed Tape. They use it in the aviation industry (Bassano would know). It can survive transatlantic flights.

    Tis true but it's really just sticky aluminium

    Aerospace Gaffer Tape™

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 12:57

    I am looking to buy a new PC within the next year for games mostly. What sort of specs (EG processor, RAM, graphics card) should I be looking for?

    Get a Mac and run windows for games

  • me18/03/2009 at 12:57

    It’s probably Speed Tape. They use it in the aviation industry (Bassano would know). It can survive transatlantic flights.

    looks like the stuff we use to me?

    just found another with the diffuser and what looks like electrical tape:

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/electrical-tape-f1-mclaren-png

    odds that mp4-24b will actually be a 3-wheeled yellow van?

  • me18/03/2009 at 12:58

    Get a Mac and run windows for games

    get a mac and a wii for games :)

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 12:58

    odds that mp4-24b will actually be a 3-wheeled yellow van?

    don't be too harsh - it's testing. if the electrical tape makes it to melbourne, though...

  • me18/03/2009 at 12:58

    Tis true but it’s really just sticky aluminium

    what's the difference? i want need some.

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 12:59

    what’s the difference? i want need some.

    It's on the list ;)

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 13:00

    what’s the difference? i want need some.

    Heavy duty gaffer tape that stays on for weeks never mind transatlantic flights

    Must dash now, see y'all later

  • me18/03/2009 at 13:02

    Must dash now, see y’all later

    nooo, you can't go now. you can't tell a man his gaffa tape his substandard and then just up an leave?

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 13:03

    nooo, you can’t go now. you can’t tell a man his gaffa tape his substandard and then just up an leave?

    All Wikipedia says is:

    "Speed tape is a tape used to do minor repairs on airplanes. It looks similar to duct tape (silver grey) but its adhesive is capable of sticking on an airplane fuselage or wing at high speeds, hence the name.

    This aluminised tape is also known as 600 mph tape."

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 13:04

    “Speed tape is a tape used to do minor repairs on airplanes. It looks similar to duct tape (silver grey) but its adhesive is capable of sticking on an airplane fuselage or wing at high speeds, hence the name.

    How fast are you planning to go?

  • me18/03/2009 at 13:05

    How fast are you planning to go?

    nowhere. it's for the web cam.

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 13:05

    nowhere. it’s for the web cam.

    I reckon gaffa tape might be acceptable.

  • me18/03/2009 at 13:06

    I reckon gaffa tape might be acceptable.

    yeah, but it's not aerospace gaffa tape though is it?

  • Alex Andronov18/03/2009 at 13:07

    nooo, you can’t go now. you can’t tell a man his gaffa tape his substandard and then just up an leave?

    There was a great story somewhere online, with video, from a guy who was on a plane about to take off and he noticed a whole load of guys sticking things down on the wing with this stuff, but obviously he didn't know what it was. Somebody came to tell him to stop filming because the plane was taking off he asked what this tape stuff was, other people heard and it started a panic and everyone got off the plane and refused to fly.

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 13:08

    Off-topic now: anyone heard of the news that IBM is in talks to buy Sun Microsystems?

    http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/ibm-reportedly-talks-buy-sun/story.aspx

  • Kathi18/03/2009 at 13:10

    pictures from Melbourne

    *runs around in circles*

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 13:12

    *runs around in circles*

    Ooooooh! :)

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 13:12

    pictures from Melbourne

    JJ Lehto writes a column now?!

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 13:15

    Kathi: 18/03/2009 at 13:10

    pictures from Melbourne

    *runs around in circles*

    Whoop! :D

    I would just liek to add that I've just spent 3 hours outside *something I try to avoid...* and it's absolutely glorious. :D

    Just me and my MP3 players

  • Kathi18/03/2009 at 13:15

    JJ Lehto writes a column now?!

    No you can ask him questions here, he will answer them tomorrow one o'clock Finnish time.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 13:17

    pictures from Melbourne

    *runs around in circles*

    Like this?

  • RCC (aka Rockingcopsecorner)18/03/2009 at 13:27

    PS did you get my voicemail on sunday? Gave some race predictions….

    Ah maybe I've not found you properly

    I typed in Sidepodcast under skype contacts and found you but that was sunday I left a message etc. Should i be dialling the number instead?

  • me18/03/2009 at 13:28

    appears mclaren ran a revised diffuser today:

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/mclaren-new-diffuser-png

    has a raised central section and looks to be covered in more flow-vis paint. also now sporting bridgestone stickers.

  • me18/03/2009 at 13:28

    I typed in Sidepodcast under skype contacts and found you but that was sunday I left a message etc.

    that's all you need.

    did you hear christine asking you to leave a message after the beep?

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 13:34

    has a raised central section and looks to be covered in more flow-vis paint. also now sporting bridgestone stickers.

    but is it working? Heikki is setting high 1:19s right now - and that's a second behind the Brawn and Ferrari's average pace of 1:18s.

  • sam18/03/2009 at 13:39

    thb, i'm not all that excited about the new graphics. stuff like race lines are fine, but strategy stuff like fuel loads....i liked that when someone makes a surprise qualifying, we are all very excited to find out weather he was light or not. we don't know about the race strategy until the 1st rounds of pit stops, and after that we keep guessing who will stay out longer...in my opinion, it really adds to the excitement....."raikkonen is trailing hamilton by 3 seconds"...who will be the first to pit....someone tell me (you see i don't really want to know until it happens. i'd want hamilton to pit first of course).....stuff like that

    and about that aerodynamic freedom, will capped teams be allowed to race '08 chassis?

    and no rev limits? if i'm the owner of a small team, i'd use an engine to its fullest on one race, get a good bunch of points and take the penalty for the next race, no problem ..i can develop the car to be excellent on high speed tracks or something and win the drivers championship having the advantage in those tracks. would that be possible?

    god i'm so upset with that total gp wins thing. ok, i'm a diehard ferrari (and BMW) fan but it was awesome that the championship was over only at the last corner. if we are at a position like last year, we all know that, normally, massa would've won no matter what. again less excitement.

  • RCC (aka Rockingcopsecorner)18/03/2009 at 13:39

    did you hear christine asking you to leave a message after the beep?

    Yes I did, maybe I messed up by not ending the call properly perhaps??

    I requested Sidepodcats as a contact but I don't think you've added to me your list yet as yr Skype symbol always shows offline.

  • me18/03/2009 at 13:40

    I requested Sidepodcats as a contact but I don’t think you’ve added to me your list yet as yr Skype symbol always shows offline.

    shall check this evening, normally we're offline except for sunday evenings though.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 13:43

    I requested Sidepodcats as a contact but I don’t think you’ve added to me your list yet as yr Skype symbol always shows offline.

    Sidepodcats?

    Well there's ya problem!

  • me18/03/2009 at 13:43

    but is it working? Heikki is setting high 1:19s right now - and that’s a second behind the Brawn and Ferrari’s average pace of 1:18s.

    f1 today have heikki with a 1:18.202, no idea if that's correct though?

  • RCC (aka Rockingcopsecorner)18/03/2009 at 13:43

    shall check this evening, normally we’re offline except for sunday evenings though

    That makes perfect sense then why i'm missing you!

    Why not do a search for RCC (aka rockingcopsecorner) and add me!

    I shall make sure I check every Sunday now for the sidepodpanel etc

  • me18/03/2009 at 13:45

    I shall make sure I check every Sunday now for the sidepodpanel etc

    cool. we'll likely say in the comments too. normally we're more organised, but just troubled by technical gremlins at the moment.

  • me18/03/2009 at 13:45

    thb, i’m not all that excited about the new graphics. stuff like race lines are fine, but strategy stuff like fuel loads….i liked that when someone makes a surprise qualifying

    me too.

  • me18/03/2009 at 13:46

    I requested Sidepodcats as a contact but I don’t think you’ve added to me your list yet as yr Skype symbol always shows offline.

    Sidepodcats?

    Well there’s ya problem!

    :D

  • RCC (aka Rockingcopsecorner)18/03/2009 at 13:51

    Sidepodcats?

    Well there’s ya problem!

    Damm those sneaky felines

  • Maverick18/03/2009 at 13:56

    Sidepodcats?

    Well there’s ya problem!

    They'll be chasing McLaren's Sidepodbird. :-)

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 13:59

    Just noticed we have 290 teams in our Fantasy Racers league. Will we get to 300 before the season begins?

  • RCC (aka Rockingcopsecorner)18/03/2009 at 14:00

    They’ll be chasing McLaren’s Sidepodbird.

    :-)

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 14:03

    me: 18/03/2009 at 13:45:11

    I shall make sure I check every Sunday now for the sidepodpanel etc

    cool. we’ll likely say in the comments too. normally we’re more organised, but just troubled by technical gremlins at the moment.

    We believe you... millions wouldn't ;)

    Still no headset delivery though. :( Was posted yesterday morning.

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 14:04

    Christine: 18/03/2009 at 13:59:40

    Just noticed we have 290 teams in our Fantasy Racers league. Will we get to 300 before the season begins?

    I've created the maximum 5 that I can - sorry... :D

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 14:05

    I’ve created the maximum 5 that I can - sorry… :D

    Thank god for that!!

  • Dank18/03/2009 at 14:09

    Just noticed we have 290 teams in our Fantasy Racers league. Will we get to 300 before the season begins?

    We have more participants than the rest of the top 10 teams per league combined!

  • me18/03/2009 at 14:10

    We have more participants than the rest of the top 10 teams per league combined!

    woo-hoo! am not logged in, how's the autosport team looking?

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 14:11

    woo-hoo! am not logged in, how’s the autosport team looking?

    72.

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 14:11

    I joined the Pitlane Fanatic league as well, and cos of the way the teams are listed, I went straight to the top of the league. :)

    Won't be there long, I'm sure!!

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 14:11

    Thank god for that!!

    I could create another login?

  • me18/03/2009 at 14:12

    I joined the Pitlane Fanatic league as well, and cos of the way the teams are listed, I went straight to the top of the league. :)

    go you.

  • me18/03/2009 at 14:13

    72.

    cool. am getting quite excited now :)

  • Kathi18/03/2009 at 14:15
  • Maverick18/03/2009 at 14:20

    Interesting how you can combine the budget cap idea with the new points system - if you're not in a position to win you have to do really badly in order to minimise the effect of leveling the performance difference.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 14:23

    MTVmax’ expert for driving styles this season

    Well she looks like a 'style expert' at least!

  • me18/03/2009 at 14:23

    http://forums.autosport.com/showthread.php?postid=3518947#post3518947

    ;)

  • Dank18/03/2009 at 14:24

    You bad man :-)

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 14:25

    f1 today have heikki with a 1:18.202, no idea if that’s correct though?

    It is - he had a run of 1:18s. But he's back in the 1:20s.

  • me18/03/2009 at 14:27

    You bad man :-)

    i just know that's gonna come back and bite me...

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 14:27
  • me18/03/2009 at 14:27

    Cheeky!

    i'd be less cocky if didn't have jordan. how tight is that man's contract btw?

  • Maverick18/03/2009 at 14:28

    f1 today have heikki with a 1:18.202, no idea if that’s correct though?

    McLaren have found what was causing the problem - it was all the vis flow paint and sensor arrays (not to mention the gaffer tape that wasn't gaffer tape)

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 14:28

    i’d be less cocky if didn’t have jordan. how tight is that man’s contract btw?

    Hehe.

  • Dank18/03/2009 at 14:28

    Browsing through Youtube and came across this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLejkyXbJlc

    I could do that (ahem)

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 14:28

    i’d be less cocky if didn’t have jordan. how tight is that man’s contract btw?

    it better be waterproof! :P

  • me18/03/2009 at 14:33

    I could do that (ahem)

    getting up there, maybe. no way would i come down again though.

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 14:35

    Dank: 18/03/2009 at 14:28:53

    Browsing through Youtube and came across this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLejkyXbJlc

    I could do that (ahem)

    I bet only animals could hear him after that landing - ouch...

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 14:49

    yeah, it was very up in the air due to mixer difficulties (still ongoing), we didn’t know if we could even do it until about 1am on that day.

    1am? I was still being half bothered about it at 6:45pm!

  • Kathi18/03/2009 at 15:51

    revised article 7:

    7) DEAD HEATS AND TIES

    7.1 Points awarded for all the positions of competitors who are involved in a dead heat will be added together and shared equally. In the event of two drivers being involved in a dead heat for first place both will be classified first for the purpose of establishing the driver’s title in accordance with Article 6.1 above.

    7.2. If two or more constructors or drivers finish the season with the same number of points, or the same number of points and the same number of wins, the higher place in the Championship (in either case) shall be awarded to :

    a) if the number of first places is the same, the holder of the greatest number of second places ;

    b) if the number of second places is the same, the holder of the greatest number of third places and so on until a winner emerges ;

    c) if this procedure fails to produce a result, the FIA will nominate the winner according to such criteria as it thinks fit.

  • me18/03/2009 at 15:53

    revised article 7:

    ummm, which bit has changed?

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 15:55

    ummm, which bit has changed?

    Probably 7.1.

  • Kathi18/03/2009 at 15:56

    old article 7

    7) DEAD HEAT

    Prizes and points awarded for all the positions of competitors who tie, will be added together and shared equally.

    7.2. If two or more constructors or drivers finish the season with the same number of points, the higher place in the Championship (in either case) shall be awarded to :

    a) the holder of the greatest number of first places,

    b) if the number of first places is the same, the holder of the greatest number of second places,

    c) if the number of second places is the same, the holder of the greatest number of third places and so on until a winner emerges.

    d) if this procedure fails to produce a result, the FIA will nominate the winner according to such criteria as it thinks fit.

    Spot the difference

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 15:57

    Spot the difference

    Yup. So in case Hamilton and Massa had a dead heat for a win last year, for example, they'd both be credited with 1 win.

  • Journeyer18/03/2009 at 15:58

    Yup. So in case Hamilton and Massa had a dead heat for a win last year, for example, they’d both be credited with 1 win.

    At least they didn't miss that loophole.

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 16:00

    Yup. So in case Hamilton and Massa had a dead heat for a win last year, for example, they’d both be credited with 1 win.

    I wonder if Ferrari will try to engineer dead heats then so they can keep both drivers in the hunt? :D

  • me18/03/2009 at 16:01

    I wonder if Ferrari will try to engineer dead heats then so they can keep both drivers in the hunt? :D

    that went well last time!

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 16:02

    I wonder if Ferrari will try to engineer dead heats then so they can keep both drivers in the hunt? :D

    that went well last time!

    And oh, how we laughed!

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 16:02

    that went well last time!

    I can't tell you how much I wanted Schumacher to lost the title by two points that year. Was never going to happen though.

  • Kathi18/03/2009 at 16:16

    I'm still reading through the new sporting regulations. I didn't know the speed limit in the pitlane is 100km/h during the race

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 16:20

    I’m still reading through the new sporting regulations. I didn’t know the speed limit in the pitlane is 100km/h during the race

    Watch this video at about 2.40 and you will get a vague idea of how fast they are actually going in the pit lane.

    Also, the way he hits the cone is hilarious.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 16:41

    I’m still reading through the new sporting regulations. I didn’t know the speed limit in the pitlane is 100km/h during the race

    Watch this video at about 2.40 and you will get a vague idea of how fast they are actually going in the pit lane.

    Also, the way he hits the cone is hilarious.

    Dude, where's the video?

  • Bootneck18/03/2009 at 16:48

    Flibster, just checked out that you-tube vid. Awesome but I think that's probably why Richard Branson declined to join F1, those boys are sponsored by Redbull. Can you imagine Rubens doing that on a can of virgin energy drink....... I'm thinking the outcome might not have been the same!!!!!

  • Dirty Scarab18/03/2009 at 16:55

    Interesting article from ESPN. They think that NASCAR would benefit from F1's new points system...

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3990779&name=hinton_ed

  • me18/03/2009 at 16:56

    amended FIA sporting and tech regs here:

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/1-2009-f1-technical-regulations-showing-alterations-17-03-2009-pdf

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/1-2009-f1-sporting-regulations-showing-alterations-17-03-2009-pdf

    changes in pink.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 17:03

    Does anyone think McLaren may have been sandbagging. It seems very unlikely that they just happened to find all that time at the end of the last test after their rivals had shipped their cars to Australia. I now have to catch up on all the comments for today. I wonder what Max thinks of his wins system now if that pace is legit. Lewis could be champ by August and a new points based system introduced by September.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 17:05

    Interesting article from ESPN. They think that NASCAR would benefit from F1’s new points system…

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3990779&name=hinton_ed

    USGPE will be very pleased to hear an American endorsement of F1 I would have thought?

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 17:06

    Does anyone think McLaren may have been sandbagging. It seems very unlikely that they just happened to find all that time at the end of the last test after their rivals had shipped their cars to Australia. I now have to catch up on all the comments for today. I wonder what Max thinks of his wins system now if that pace is legit. Lewis could be champ by August and a new points based system introduced by September.

    I think so. Mclaren are too mighty to get it that wrong, especially when they were part of the group that developed the rules, right?

  • Dank18/03/2009 at 17:10

    Screenshots from this month's Top Gear F1 article (inc. few website mock ups):

    http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9623/img001o.jpg

    http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1503/img002w.jpg

    http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5421/img003pnc.jpg

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 17:11

    I think so. Mclaren are too mighty to get it that wrong, especially when they were part of the group that developed the rules, right?

    I would have given anything to have seen Bernie or Max's face when those times came in after the changes they made yesterday. Wonder if McLaren have a mole in high office? You have to wonder if Kovi can do those time would Lewis have been in the 17s.

  • Dank18/03/2009 at 17:11

    Oh post in moderation!

    And, Chris Evans on Radio 2 discussing F1 this afternoon asking folk to phone in regarding recent changes.

  • Dirty Scarab18/03/2009 at 17:11

    Does anyone think McLaren may have been sandbagging

    It's a distinct possibility isn't it? What's more important is their long-run pace, and I have a feeling that it ain't all that quick though...

    Also, who says F1 isn't road-relevant?? Land Rover are going to use KERS!

    http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/03/18/jaguar_land_rover_kers/

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 17:12

    And, Chris Evans on Radio 2 discussing F1 this afternoon asking folk to phone in regarding recent changes.

    Does he usually talk about Formula 1?

  • Dank18/03/2009 at 17:14

    Does he usually talk about Formula 1?

    He seems to like it. Has mentioned it quite a few times recently, though it might be because the BBC are trying to promote F1 as much as possible in the lead up to Melbourne? He did have Mark Webber on the show a couple of weeks ago.

  • Dan Brunell18/03/2009 at 17:15

    The new points/wins tally things seems to be a halfway point between Bernie’s medals idea and the way it used to be. So far, we’ve seen a lot of instant reaction to this decision, but my only real concern is that the championship will be over too soon.

    I was thinking about this while I was drinking some green beer last night. Under this new point system if a front running team like Ferrari qualifies poorly, say like what happened at Monza this year, what is the point of them running in the race? Instead of staying out there to salvage some points, I just get the feeling that some teams will give up on races that don’t suit them and save their engines for races they can win. I just see way too much room for manipulation in this proposal.

  • Dank18/03/2009 at 17:15

    Martin Brundle on Radio 2 in a minute (well five minutes actually)

  • Dank18/03/2009 at 17:15

    ...and the editor of Motorsport Magazine (Nigel Roebuck?)

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 17:16

    Does he usually talk about Formula 1?

    He is a racing fan and has been to a few GPs. He has two sports slots on his sow and F1 features fairly regularly. When he was on Virgin he had a karting team called something like Ginger Racing. I am surprised Top Gear haven't put him in their reasonably priced car.

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 17:17

    I am surprised Top Gear haven’t put him in their reasonably priced car.

    They did. ;)

    In the Suzuki

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 17:18

    I was thinking about this while I was drinking some green beer last night. Under this new point system if a front running team like Ferrari qualifies poorly, say like what happened at Monza this year, what is the point of them running in the race? Instead of staying out there to salvage some points, I just get the feeling that some teams will give up on races that don’t suit them and save their engines for races they can win. I just see way too much room for manipulation in this proposal.

    If they have a driver who has scored a couple of wins early in the season they are as well parking his car and saving engine life. Or if they have someone who is particularly strong on the last three tracks on the claendar save him a new engine for each and let him cruise round on an old engine at other tracks.

  • Bootneck18/03/2009 at 17:18

    I know he's a bit of a petrol head but more likely is the fact that he's on the bbc, and they're getting everyone to talk about F1 coz they've got it back. Check the news nowadays it's popping up all the time, when they were'nt showing it they did'nt care. Ah the power of the media.

  • Dirty Scarab18/03/2009 at 17:19

    They did. ;)

    In the Suzuki

    Yeah he went 4th quickest didn't he?

  • Dan Brunell18/03/2009 at 17:21

    I think i’m going crazy, but i swear this is the first time i’ve seen the Brawn with the name on the engine cover. http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/124058

    Maybe they should get Braun electric razors to sponsor them.

    or perhaps, Brawny paper towels?

  • Dirty Scarab18/03/2009 at 17:23

    Oh Christ. It's been a few years since I left the green and pleasant land for the states but I see that the music hasn't got any better. The Pet Shop Boys are still churning out stuff?

    (Listening to beeb2 online).

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 17:23

    They did.

    My memory ain't what it was.

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 17:29

    Nico Rosbergs responce to the new rules:

    What nonsense is this?

    :D

  • Dan Brunell18/03/2009 at 17:32

    Nico Rosbergs responce to the new rules:

    What nonsense is this?

    His dad wouldn't of won the title under this system.

  • Dank18/03/2009 at 17:32

    Well, Brundle pretty much said no more than what was on the BBC F1 site yesterday.

  • Dan Brunell18/03/2009 at 17:39

    I think i’m going crazy, but i swear this is the first time i’ve seen the Brawn with the name on the engine cover. http://www.autosport.com/gallery/photo.php/id/124058

    We should put some money together and see if Ross would be willing to take about 200 pounds to put the sidepodcast logo on the car somewhere.

    Also, Ross should really consider calling the makers of Braun Electric Shavers and Brawny paper towels to see if they are interested.

  • me18/03/2009 at 17:40

    He is a racing fan and has been to a few GPs. He has two sports slots on his sow and F1 features fairly regularly. When he was on Virgin he had a karting team called something like Ginger Racing. I am surprised Top Gear haven’t put him in their reasonably priced car.

    first time i ever heard of jenson button was on his tfi friday tv show.

  • Dirty Scarab18/03/2009 at 17:41

    Just added a radio rip of Brundle's Radio 2 interview to drop.io in case anyone missed it...

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/brundle-radio2-mp3

  • me18/03/2009 at 17:41

    Just added a radio rip of Brundle’s Radio 2 interview to drop.io in case anyone missed it…

    ace :)

  • Dan Brunell18/03/2009 at 17:42

    Also, Ross should really consider calling the makers of Braun Electric Shavers and Brawny paper towels to see if they are interested.

    I just had a vision of a NASCAR driver who just won a race in a Brawn with that sponsorship:

    "The Braun, Brawny, Brawn was awesome today!"

  • Dirty Scarab18/03/2009 at 17:43

    The Braun, Brawny, Brawn was awesome today

    Ha-ha :)

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 17:44

    can steven roy be the first person (i think) to post more than 2,000 comments in less than 30 days?

    Not even close. During the season that number was broken a few times. I could stop commenting.

  • me18/03/2009 at 17:45

    Not even close. During the season that number was broken a few times. I could stop commenting.

    was it? i forget.

  • Lukeh18/03/2009 at 17:46

    Just added a radio rip of Brundle’s Radio 2 interview to drop.io in case anyone missed it…

    Nice one, thanks

  • me18/03/2009 at 17:48

    Nice one, thanks

    i'm agreeing with martin. at the end of the day the points changes probably won't make any difference.

    ...and you can hang me with that one in december :)

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 17:49

    Which is exactly what Formula 2, GP2, Formula Renault, Formula Ford etc all are. Since it’s early days all manufacturers have strived to put the best and most revolutionary bits of kit on the grid. Restrict it with single standard in any area you become just another motorsport class. People will debate this forever, but I believe you should not restrict the ultimate motorsport class.

    F1 has always been restricted. We no longer have traction control, ABS, active suspension, ground effect aerodynamics, turbo-charged engines, free aerodynamics, launch control, free fuel, etc etc

    The idea that F1 is anywhere near the ultimate is fantasy. For most of F1's existence sportscars had freer regulations.

  • Dirty Scarab18/03/2009 at 17:49

    Nice one, thanks

    No worries. Also added a rather amusing picture of Scott Speed in the NASCAR pitlane. What does he think he looks like?

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 17:50

    There is no reason why cost-capped teams could not win races, [though] the massive and highly-organised, unlimited-expenditure teams are perhaps likely to do a better job of going racing. They will have the most expensive race engineers and tacticians, not to mention the top-earning drivers. However, racing is – and should be – unpredictable.”

    McLaren with an F3 car is never going to beat Minardi with an F1 car.

  • me18/03/2009 at 17:52

    thumbnails on the autosport homepage may reveal renaults secret plan:

    http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/top-secret-renault-revealed-by-autosport-png

    houdini-esque.

  • Lukeh18/03/2009 at 17:54

    i’m agreeing with martin. at the end of the day the points changes probably won’t make any difference.

    He's eased my anger at it but I'm not negative about it. Not that it'll cloud my own personal love for the sport of course

  • Lukeh18/03/2009 at 17:54

    ..I'm still negative. 'not negative' just blows my mind thinking about such an expression!

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 17:55

    odds that mp4-24b will actually be a 3-wheeled yellow van?

    Ron would never allow anything as garish as yellow.

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 18:01

    first time i ever heard of jenson button was on his tfi friday tv show.

    What can I say, I like to be ahead of the game.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 18:03

    i’d be less cocky if didn’t have jordan. how tight is that man’s contract btw?

    He is safe at least until Christine gives him the keys for the RSPCRF1 Osprey.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 18:18

    He’s eased my anger at it but I’m not negative about it. Not that it’ll cloud my own personal love for the sport of course

    I still am angry. Martin has lost the plot on this one.

    I think if I was involved in FOTA I would be using this to throw my weight around. Get all the members together and put out a statement that FOTA members will not race under this system. Nothing Max and Bernie can do if that happens. The teams would instantly have established that they have control of the sport. Come on FOTA it's time to slap some egos.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 18:18

    The idea that F1 is anywhere near the ultimate is fantasy. For most of F1’s existence sportscars had freer regulations.

    And when the FIA meddled with it and changed Group C, all the manufacturers left and effectively ruined the sport for a whole decade...

  • me18/03/2009 at 18:22

    I still am angry. Martin has lost the plot on this one.

    here's another way of looking at it...

    all i've heard all day, on the tv, on the radio, on the web and in the blinkin' office is people talking about f1.

    and the season starts in what 10 days?

    in terms of getting headlines, could the timing have been any better? maybe the fia could still change there mind, maybe it won't make a bit of difference. either way, everybody is talking about formula 1.

    everybody.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 18:24

    I still am angry. Martin has lost the plot on this one.

    here’s another way of looking at it…

    all i’ve heard all day, on the tv, on the radio, on the web and in the blinkin’ office is people talking about f1.

    and the season starts in what 10 days?

    in terms of getting headlines, could the timing have been any better? maybe the fia could still change there mind, maybe it won’t make a bit of difference. either way, everybody is talking about formula 1.

    everybody.

    Yes. Watch them retract the 'wins thingy' just before the race - to get more headlines.

    F1 loves a scandal and there's no such thing as bad publicity - look at the thing with Max last year!

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 18:29

    And when the FIA meddled with it and changed Group C, all the manufacturers left and effectively ruined the sport for a whole decade…

    They have screwed up that championship, the WRC and F1. Quite a record for a bunch of megalomaniacs.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 18:30

    in terms of getting headlines, could the timing have been any better? maybe the fia could still change there mind, maybe it won’t make a bit of difference. either way, everybody is talking about formula 1.

    I think I made that point last night. Bernie has put Max up to this to generate dollars and maybe to set him up to fail. In the end the first time we have a season like 2002 which we will in the not too distant future then this system will be dropped.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 18:32

    I think I made that point last night. Bernie has put Max up to this to generate dollars and maybe to set him up to fail. In the end the first time we have a season like 2002 which we will in the not too distant future then this system will be dropped.

    19:54 in yesterday's daily thread. I went on a little rant about Bernie and dollars.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 18:33

    I just realised. Tomorrow should be spacewalk day.

  • me18/03/2009 at 18:34

    19:54 in yesterday’s daily thread. I went on a little rant about Bernie and dollars.

    that's not what i'm saying though? bernie and max are generating revenue by generating headlines. i don't think anyone is up for a fall except for fota.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 18:35

    And when the FIA meddled with it and changed Group C, all the manufacturers left and effectively ruined the sport for a whole decade…

    They have screwed up that championship, the WRC and F1. Quite a record for a bunch of megalomaniacs.

    And DTM... Twice...

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 18:44

    that’s not what i’m saying though? bernie and max are generating revenue by generating headlines. i don’t think anyone is up for a fall except for fota.

    Bernie is trying everything he can to split FOTA. He tried to do it by admitting he had ought Ferrari's participation in F1 to split up the GPMA. He then put a bid in for Honda and now this. He is failing miserably so far and for whatever reason Ferrari seem to be sticking with the teams. If the teams stick together for another couple of years they can set up their own championship and walk away from F1. The FIA and Bernie have put out statements in the past that whatever championship Ferrari compete in is the real F1 and if FOTA set up their own championship they will use that.

    Bernie is only interested in Bernie. He has two ways he can look after his own interests. He can do his usual divide and conquer and clearly that is what he is trying now. The $30 million budget cap is clearly designed to get the big teams to negotiate an alternative to their businesses being destroyed.

    His other alternative is to cut out Max and side with the teams and slide change his medai and circuit contracts to their championship and at the same time cut out CVC. This option would give him a lot more personal value. If you can't divide and conquer you play both sides against the middle.

    The only way FOTA can lose is if they split. If they stick togther for two or three years they can screw Bernie, Max the FIA, CVC and everyone else.

  • Dan Brunell18/03/2009 at 18:47

    And when the FIA meddled with it and changed Group C, all the manufacturers left and effectively ruined the sport for a whole decade…

    They have screwed up that championship, the WRC and F1. Quite a record for a bunch of megalomaniacs.

    And DTM… Twice…

    I wonder, if FOTA breaks F1 from the FIA and move the operating headquarters to the states (where F1 wouldn't have to have seperate regulatory and financial divisions) could the FIA, Bernie, and the rest do anything about it?

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 18:49

    I wonder, if FOTA breaks F1 from the FIA and move the operating headquarters to the states (where F1 wouldn’t have to have seperate regulatory and financial divisions) could the FIA do anything about it?

    You know, all this talk of a split - it's not going to make the sport better. Look at IndyCars in the states - the split ruined US single seater racing and if it ever recovers, it's going to take a heck of a long time!

    They need to find a solution that involves some sort of mediation or compromise - not just walk away.

  • Bootneck18/03/2009 at 18:52

    I wanna see that day, I've said it before I've been following this sport of ours for the best part of 40 years and the last 10/15 have been the worst as far as changes,squabbles,power struggles,back stabbing and in-consistancy from the FIA and Bernie. The sooner they're outta here the better as far as I'm concerned, I'd pay money to get rid. If FOTA stick together I believe they've cracked it, solidarity will over come.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 18:54

    I wanna see that day, I’ve said it before I’ve been following this sport of ours for the best part of 40 years and the last 10/15 have been the worst as far as changes,squabbles,power struggles,back stabbing and in-consistancy from the FIA and Bernie. The sooner they’re outta here the better as far as I’m concerned, I’d pay money to get rid. If FOTA stick together I believe they’ve cracked it, solidarity will over come.

    According to Max, the scandal last year was a set up to try and oust him - that didn't work.

    F1 is ruled by two dictators who can stay for as long as they please :-(

  • me18/03/2009 at 18:55

    F1 is ruled by two dictators who can stay for as long as they please :-(

    i'd could be worse. it could be todt, max and bernie.

  • Dan Brunell18/03/2009 at 18:56

    You know, all this talk of a split - it’s not going to make the sport better. Look at IndyCars in the states - the split ruined US single seater racing and if it ever recovers, it’s going to take a heck of a long time!

    They need to find a solution that involves some sort of mediation or compromise - not just walk away.

    It is two different situations. With the CART / IndyCar split, you had teams and tracks fighting over the make up of the schedule and the fact that Tony George didn't like Roger Penske and Newman Hass dominating every year. The teams and tracks divided among the series.

    With this situation, you all the teams in the same basket. Unlike the U.S. racing series the teams, not the tracks, have all the power. The only team that really worries me is Williams with the bailout money they recieved from Bernie.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 18:57

    They need to find a solution that involves some sort of mediation or compromise - not just walk away.

    That hasn't been stunning successful over the past few decades of F1. We just get more and more stupid rules and more and more ridiculous perversions of reality. I am not talking about a split. I am talking about a coup d'etat.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 18:58

    i’d could be worse. it could be todt, max and bernie.

    We had that situation for the best part of a decade.

  • Bootneck18/03/2009 at 19:02

    Look what happened the last time those nations got close.......we'd still finish up with Bernie, The german will want to control everything,the frenchman will let him and the engishman will have none of it, and as I said that's Bernie. For the moment I stick with "better the devil you know" especially at they're age, they cant last much longer.

  • Dan Brunell18/03/2009 at 19:02

    We had that situation for the best part of a decade.

    Isn't it ironic that Ferrari is the leader of this insurrection called FOTA? I wonder their increased discontent with Bernie and the FIA has to do with the fact that Todt has been pretty much gone from the paddock the last few years.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 19:04

    We had that situation for the best part of a decade.

    Isn’t it ironic that Ferrari is the leader of this insurrection called FOTA? I wonder their increased discontent with Bernie and the FIA has to do with the fact that Todt has been pretty much gone from the paddock the last few years.

    It's because Monty-Zimmerframe and the Toad hate each other. There was an article posted yesterday that said that Toad wanted Schumi and Monty wanted Kimi. Monty won and now Toad has left. So if TOad joins the FIA then Monty will want to oppose him - hence the raison d'etre of FOTA!

  • Joe18/03/2009 at 19:08

    There was an interview on Irish radio a few minutes ago with Eddie Jordan. He was just discussing the wins-only and budget cap rules, adding a slight bit about working with DC. It was only 5 minutes or so. I'm busy for the next few hours but I'll have a look later to see if I can get i and upload it to drop.io.

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 19:13

    Hey again, back after the second biggest farce ever. Grr. Don't say I'm happy, cos I ain't.

    Though that means I'll have to beat Mr C again ;)

  • me18/03/2009 at 19:14

    Hey again, back after the second biggest farce ever. Grr. Don’t say I’m happy, cos I ain’t.

    hmm?

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 19:15

    hmm?

    Check identi.ca, this close (well, imagine a thumb and a finger really close together) to going insane at it.

  • me18/03/2009 at 19:17

    Check identi.ca, this close (well, imagine a thumb and a finger really close together) to going insane at it.

    ahhh.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 19:24

    Check identi.ca, this close (well, imagine a thumb and a finger really close together) to going insane at it.

    ahhh.

    Care to elaborate?

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 19:25

    Well, after yesterdays frustration and anger at the new rules and regulations, I've looked at everything afresh and with an open mind after sleeping on it.

    I'm still frustrated and angry.

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 19:26

    Care to elaborate?

    Basically travelled all the way to the away ground, got there, rest of the team told me the game was off, we waited for the managers response, he said to us that the game was meant to be today, but the home team decided to put it back to next week at the last minute.

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 19:30

    Care to elaborate?

    Basically travelled all the way to the away ground, got there, rest of the team told me the game was off, we waited for the managers response, he said to us that the game was meant to be today, but the home team decided to put it back to next week at the last minute.

    Yeah I've had that happen before :-(

  • me18/03/2009 at 19:32

    I’m still frustrated and angry.

    am i really the only person who's actually not bothered? i feel like i'm missing out by not being angry?

    i'm most concerned about the backdated straight-line testing limitations. but until a team confirms that they knew nothing about them prior to the wmsc meeting, i have no justification for concern there either.

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 19:32

    am i really the only person who’s actually not bothered? i feel like i’m missing out by not being angry?

    More time goes on I really think it was just an angry reaction, its not the best solution, but damn it could be a whole lot worse

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)18/03/2009 at 19:35

    am i really the only person who’s actually not bothered? i feel like i’m missing out by not being angry?

    More time goes on I really think it was just an angry reaction, its not the best solution, but damn it could be a whole lot worse

    Sod it... lets just get the damn racing started please!

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 19:36

    am i really the only person who’s actually not bothered? i feel like i’m missing out by not being angry?

    It's just the ongoing frustration that Bernie and the FIA constantly have to mess with the rules apparently just to keep themselves amused. We have had two of the best seasons I remember in the 15 or so years I've been watching F1, so why fix what isn't broken?

  • me18/03/2009 at 19:40

    We have had two of the best seasons I remember in the 15 or so years I’ve been watching F1, so why fix what isn’t broken?

    and i agree. common sense. no question.

    still doesn't make me angry about it though.

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 19:44

    and i agree. common sense. no question.

    still doesn’t make me angry about it though.

    I think it's just that after years of seeing the quality of racing slowly decline, things have been looking pretty damn good again, especially for the coming season. Then Bernie has to go and stick his oar in and mess things up again. I'm just going to have to stop myself getting too excited about things in future!

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 19:54

    I think it’s just that after years of seeing the quality of racing slowly decline, things have been looking pretty damn good again, especially for the coming season. Then Bernie has to go and stick his oar in and mess things up again. I’m just going to have to stop myself getting too excited about things in future!

    That, and the fact that in my first grand prix on batracer my clutch went on the first lap.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 19:54

    More time goes on I really think it was just an angry reaction, its not the best solution, but damn it could be a whole lot worse

    How?

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 19:55

    How?

    Medals.

  • Dan Brunell18/03/2009 at 19:56

    LINK: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7945586.stm

    So I guess the BBC reads Sidepodcast.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 19:59

    Medals.

    This is medals as far as the champion is concerned.

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 19:59

    Great quote from Jenson on Autosport.com -

    "For sure it's an incentive to always go for the win, but it seems risky too - after nine races, we could find ourselves with a driver that has already won the title and can stand still eating ice cream, while the guy in second in the standings is just 18 points behind."

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 20:00

    The stupid F1 advert with the black and yellow cars is on BBC1. That is pathetic. Could they not have found two people who could drive a bit and made it look realistic. Our kart rac was faster than that.

  • me18/03/2009 at 20:01

    This is medals as far as the champion is concerned.

    yeah but, they don't have to wear them around their necks and the still get a nice (abbey shaped) trophy.

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 20:03

    So I guess the BBC reads Sidepodcast.

    Hasn't Christine bought that domain name and if so, isn't that copyright .. could you prevent them linking to "the big picture" when it's not your site?

  • me18/03/2009 at 20:04

    fyi: brad's blog has moved:

    http://formulaone.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/new-season-new-address-for-this-f1-blog/

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 20:05

    Hasn’t Christine bought that domain name and if so, isn’t that copyright .. could you prevent them linking to “the big picture” when it’s not your site?

    We had this discussion before, then bostom.com will get involved.

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 20:05

    Dunno why bostom.com would get involved for, maybe boston.com nicked there domain name?

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 20:06

    We had this discussion before, then bostom.com will get involved.

    Oops sorry, I must have missed that .. I'll just go sit in the corner with my dunces hat on doh!

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 20:07

    Oops sorry, I must have missed that .. I’ll just go sit in the corner with my dunces hat on doh!

    No no. You may have missed that, we talk too much. Blame Steven. ;)

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 20:08

    Hasn’t Christine bought that domain name and if so, isn’t that copyright .. could you prevent them linking to “the big picture” when it’s not your site?

    Even if we did sue the BBC and make off with millions, chances are Bernie would turn round and sue us for using F1.

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 20:09

    No no. You may have missed that, we talk too much. Blame Steven. ;)

    Naturally! .. and talking of blaming Steven, ehem, I see I was volunteered to host a podpanel! .. have done the decent thing now and added my name to the wiki

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 20:10

    Even if we did sue the BBC and make off with millions, chances are Bernie would turn round and sue us for using F1.

    Oh I don't mean sue them, just say if you are going to have to call your big picture something else

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 20:10

    yeah but, they don’t have to wear them around their necks and the still get a nice (abbey shaped) trophy.

    That was never an option. If you look back at the 70s and beyond you wil see race winners with huge laurel wreaths round their necks. They were banned because they covered sponsors logos. Medals would have to be tiny to be pass that test. This is all Bernie wanted all along.

  • me18/03/2009 at 20:10

    No no. You may have missed that, we talk too much. Blame Steven. ;)

    :)

    christine and i are taking the bbc's big pic introduction as compliment. in the same manner that we'd hope boston.com took our homage to their brilliant idea.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 20:11

    Naturally! .. and talking of blaming Steven, ehem, I see I was volunteered to host a podpanel! .. have done the decent thing now and added my name to the wiki

    It was very good of you to volunteer.

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 20:12

    Oh I don’t mean sue them, just say if you are going to have to call your big picture something else

    Maybe they might reply with

    'Where should we send your license fee to then?'

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 20:12

    ‘Where should we send your license fee to then?’

    :D

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 20:12

    It was very good of you to volunteer.

    What ho spiffing and all that :D

  • me18/03/2009 at 20:13

    Oh I don’t mean sue them, just say if you are going to have to call your big picture something else

    nah.

    personally i can see the bbc winding a lot of people up, the way they appear to be cherry picking ideas, but not really doing anything original.

    am still expecting a weekly f1 caption competition from them, and i'm surprised they haven't stolen rob's "gravel trap" idea too.

    time will tell though.

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 20:20

    Remember folks, quiz time on Pitlane Fanatic in 10 minutes or so

  • me18/03/2009 at 20:21

    Remember folks, quiz time on Pitlane Fanatic in 10 minutes or so

    ace. ta.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 20:26

    Looks like not many people are doing the quiz this week

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 20:29

    :(

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 20:30

    Looks like not many people are doing the quiz this week

    I'll be in in a min

  • me18/03/2009 at 20:30

    Looks like not many people are doing the quiz this week

    i'm over there. also tuning into alms radio le mans:

    http://www.radiolemans.com/

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 20:31

    i’m over there. also tuning into alms radio le mans:

    I never remember radio lemans

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 20:32

    I’ll be in in a min

    cancel that, can't get at the activation email for some reason.

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 20:33

    cancel that, can’t get at the activation email for some reason.

    Check ya junk-mail.

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 20:33

    cancel that, can’t get at the activation email for some reason.

    I'll ask Maverick to look for you

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 20:33

    I’ll ask Maverick to look for you

    checked me junk but nout.

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 20:34

    checked me junk but nout.

    should be activated

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 20:35

    should be activated

    cheers

  • Al18/03/2009 at 20:36

    Hopefully I have added the Eddie Jordan interview to dropio. I have never used it before so I am not sure if I did it right.

  • me18/03/2009 at 20:37

    Hopefully I have added the Eddie Jordan interview to dropio. I have never used it before so I am not sure if I did it right.

    cheers Al, tis perfect. worth embedding too:

  • Al18/03/2009 at 20:38

    cheers Al, tis perfect. worth embedding too:

    Phew

  • lou18/03/2009 at 20:43

    Looks like not many people are doing the quiz this week

    am snowed under :'( however i'll keep an eye on it. will take part the first week of my hols if someone reminds me :D

  • me18/03/2009 at 20:44

    am snowed under :’( however i’ll keep an eye on it. will take part the first week of my hols if someone reminds me :D

    it's a honda special.

  • lou18/03/2009 at 20:45

    it’s a honda special.

    your kidding! the one time i could do well.... ergh...

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 20:45

    your kidding! the one time i could do well…. ergh…

    Mainly from the first era in the 60s though, you might have got 1 or 2

  • Dom18/03/2009 at 20:47

    it’s a honda special.

    You wha?

  • lou18/03/2009 at 20:48

    Mainly from the first era in the 60s though, you might have got 1 or 2

    looking at the questions i know 3... not sure about the others...

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 20:51

    looking at the questions i know 3… not sure about the others…

    Thats about 3 more than I know! :D

  • lou18/03/2009 at 20:52

    Thats about 3 more than I know! :D

    you must know one of them ;)

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 20:55

    you must know one of them ;)

    It IS hard tonight Lou :(

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 20:56

    you must know one of them ;)

    Nope, don't remember anyone winning for honda

    ;)

  • Flibster18/03/2009 at 20:56

    Nope, don’t remember anyone winning for honda

    ;)

    Did anyone win?

  • lou18/03/2009 at 20:58

    It IS hard tonight Lou :(

    i believe you, so far i know.. i think.... 4..... :(

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 21:08

    I like it this week. Think I am going to do OK. On the first few questions anyway.

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 21:10

    I like it this week. Think I am going to do OK. On the first few questions anyway.

    Would be interesting to do a super-duper Mav v Steven quiz :D .. and idea for when I host the panel maybe ;)

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:11

    Would be interesting to do a super-duper Mav v Steven quiz :D .. and idea for when I host the panel maybe ;)

    Sidepodquiz special? The Duel.

  • me18/03/2009 at 21:12

    Would be interesting to do a super-duper Mav v Steven quiz :D .. and idea for when I host the panel maybe ;)

    if they're up for it, but who could write those kinda questions?

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 21:12

    Sidepodquiz special? The Duel.

    That would be cool

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:12

    if they’re up for it, but who could write those kinda questions?

    I have a book?

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 21:13

    if they’re up for it, but who could write those kinda questions?

    I'll help write them

  • Dom18/03/2009 at 21:13

    I wanted more Honda questions! Was doing well for a short while...

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 21:13

    Hmm gimme a week or two .. wonder if they would do it

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 21:13

    I’ll help write them

    haha

  • me18/03/2009 at 21:13

    Hmm gimme a week or two .. wonder if they would do it

    that would be ace. just say the word.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 21:15

    Hmm gimme a week or two .. wonder if they would do it

    I'll try anything like that. I should point out that I haven't actually won one of these quizzes yet and Olli hammered me last week.

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 21:16

    so, 3 contenders

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:17

    so, 3 contenders

    Can they get funky buzzers to press?

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 21:18

    Wonder how you could do that as a panel , it would have to be like University challenge and buzz to answer or something

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 21:19

    Can they get funky buzzers to press?

    like a Tremaining one and maybe a silly Murray quotation buzzer

  • Andy+Taylor18/03/2009 at 21:19

    Wonder how you could do that as a panel , it would have to be like University challenge and buzz to answer or something

    Does that mean we'll have to disqualify the winner too?

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:19

    Wonder how you could do that as a panel , it would have to be like University challenge and buzz to answer or something

    Right, starter for 10, which world champion started his career at Minardi in 2001?

    Campus Roy

    Fernando Alonso

  • lou18/03/2009 at 21:21

    i'm officially pleased i am not taking part in the quiz... they are v. hard questions. although 14 is the easiest :)

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:22

    i’m officially pleased i am not taking part in the quiz… they are v. hard questions. although 14 is the easiest :)

    How?

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:22

    Oh golly I've just realised it.

  • me18/03/2009 at 21:23

    Oh golly I’ve just realised it.

    LOU!!

  • lou18/03/2009 at 21:23

    How?

    14. Which Formula 1 driver is sometimes known as the "Frome-Flyer"?

    easiest question ever!! :P

  • lou18/03/2009 at 21:23

    LOU!!

    what?

  • me18/03/2009 at 21:23

    what?

    you just helped rg :(

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:23

    LOU!!

    Now nobody has to mention any names here

  • lou18/03/2009 at 21:24

    you just helped rg :(

    oh sorry... i assumed everyone would get it... sorry.

  • me18/03/2009 at 21:28

    oh sorry… i assumed everyone would get it… sorry.

    :)

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:29

    oh sorry… i assumed everyone would get it… sorry.

    You assumed I'm clever. I'm thinking what the hell is Frome.

  • lou18/03/2009 at 21:30

    You assumed I’m clever. I’m thinking what the hell is Frome.

    hehehe :D

  • Al18/03/2009 at 21:31

    You assumed I’m clever. I’m thinking what the hell is Frome.

    Unfortunately I'm still thinking that.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 21:32

    I think Frome was the car he drove

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 21:32

    You assumed I’m clever. I’m thinking what the hell is Frome.

    Really, I thought that one was easy

  • me18/03/2009 at 21:32

    Unfortunately I’m still thinking that.

    :D

  • lou18/03/2009 at 21:33

    Really, I thought that one was easy

    see i'm not the only one ;)

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:33

    Really, I thought that one was easy

    Theres so many hard questions I often don't see the obvious.

  • lou18/03/2009 at 21:34

    I think Frome was the car he drove

    erm....... he has driven a car called Frome yes..

  • me18/03/2009 at 21:35

    alms news: klien's car may miss qually:

    http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73771

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 21:35

    erm……. he has driven a car called Frome yes..

    Thanks for the tip :D

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:35

    alms news: klien’s car may miss qually:

    Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

  • Dom18/03/2009 at 21:36

    Things would be looking good now if it weren't for that Lotus question...

  • lou18/03/2009 at 21:36

    Thanks for the tip :D

    :(

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 21:37

    :(

    I actually got it immediately but don't tell anyone

  • lou18/03/2009 at 21:38

    I actually got it immediately but don’t tell anyone

    :)

  • Al18/03/2009 at 21:38

    Thanks for the tip :D

    :(

    I still don't know if that helps.

  • lou18/03/2009 at 21:45

    I still don’t know if that helps.

    :(

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 21:49

    Wow, that was tough.

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 21:49

    Wow, that was tough.

    but did you enjoy it?

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:50

    Wow, that was tough.

    Lets be honest though, its addictive, I've been doing it for two months nearly, keep saying stop, but no, its now a tradition.

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 21:50

    but did you enjoy it?

    In a sick, twisted sort of way, yes :D

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:51

    In a sick, twisted sort of way, yes :D

    The fun way is to set a bar to beat someone, like mine is Mr C.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 21:51

    Wow, that was tough.

    I think that was the easiest of the four or five I have done.

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:53

    I think that was the easiest of the four or five I have done.

    Try not to set your bar to high though, several people are very intelligent

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 21:54

    Try not to set your bar to high though, several people are very intelligent

    care to name names ;)

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 21:55

    care to name names ;)

    I think we know who those people are.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 21:57

    I think it is a real shame Klien's car is trashed and he is going to miss quali

  • Andy+Taylor18/03/2009 at 21:57

    Try not to set your bar to high though, several people are very intelligent

    Some of us are clever enough to know they'd not get as many points as Mr C, so don't take part...

  • lou18/03/2009 at 21:57

    Some of us are clever enough to know they’d not get as many points as Mr C, so don’t take part…

    :D

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 21:59

    I think it is a real shame Klien’s car is trashed and he is going to miss quali

    Pardon me for being thick here, but is this quali for the proper Le Mans 24 hour race?

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:00

    Pardon me for being thick here, but is this quali for the proper Le Mans 24 hour race?

    No. Sebring 12 hours in Florida. The first big sportscar race of the season. This Saturday

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:00

    http://www.americanlemans.com/index_news.php?n=12552

    Stephane Sarazzin fastest in afternoon practise in Franck's car.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:01

    Franck's car fastest and Klien's trashed. I hope Mr C has some tranquilisers for Christine.

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:02

    Oh dear! .. Thanks for the link Steven

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:02

    The oh dear was for the tranquiliser comment

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:04

    The oh dear was for the tranquiliser comment

    The race is 10:30am-10:30pm Eastern time Saturday. There will be a live commenting session here for the full race.

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:05

    The race is 10:30am-10:30pm Eastern time Saturday. There will be a live commenting session here for the full race.

    For the FULL race? OMG

  • me18/03/2009 at 22:05

    The race is 10:30am-10:30pm Eastern time Saturday. There will be a live commenting session here for the full race.

    oooh yes :)

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:06

    Never having been to a race live commenting session here I fear I may get lost in the comments

  • me18/03/2009 at 22:06

    For the FULL race? OMG

    http://www.sidepodcast.com/2008/06/14/the-le-mans-24-hour-thread/

  • Dom18/03/2009 at 22:06

    For the FULL race? OMG

    We live commented Le Mans for 24 hours last year. :)

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:06

    oooh yes :)

    Never having been to a race live commenting session here in sidepodland, I fear I may get lost in the sea of comments

  • lou18/03/2009 at 22:07

    The race is 10:30am-10:30pm Eastern time Saturday. There will be a live commenting session here for the full race.

    *shudders at the thought of all the comments she will miss from 6pm - 11pm* can't believe i'm going to miss the last bit.

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:09

    864 comments .. I'm sure you will at least tripple that this year

  • Al18/03/2009 at 22:09

    *shudders at the thought of all the comments she will miss from 6pm - 11pm* can’t believe i’m going to miss the last bit.

    Won't it be on until 2:30 am GMT?

  • me18/03/2009 at 22:10

    864 comments .. I’m sure you will at least tripple that this year

    we jackie, we. you know you want too.

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:10

    Is that just into Sunday then?

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 22:11

    we jackie, we. you know you want too.

    Think of it as a warm up to Melbourne

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:11

    we jackie, we. you know you want too.

    I'm game but I know absolutely nothing about those funny looking cars

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:12

    *shudders at the thought of all the comments she will miss from 6pm - 11pm* can’t believe i’m going to miss the last bit.

    Those times are Eastern US so add 4/5 hours depending when our clocks change

  • me18/03/2009 at 22:12

    I’m game but I know absolutely nothing about those funny looking cars

    neither did we for le mans. steven will educate you.

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 22:12

    I’m game but I know absolutely nothing about those funny looking cars

    Me neither. I know lots about Franck though :)

  • lou18/03/2009 at 22:12

    Won’t it be on until 2:30 am GMT?

    oh good point... so i'll be missing most of it then. :/

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:13

    So, let me get this straight, 12 hour live comment on sunday starting in the wee small hours and finishing 2 or 3pm .. followed by sidepodpanel in the evening? I'll die of tiredness

  • me18/03/2009 at 22:13

    i love this comment on lemans thread:

    "The only thing that concerns me is we have live commenting on a season load of GPs, now Le Mans and I dread to think what will be next. A full sportscar season, rally season, Red Bull air races or the Superbowl?"

    yup, we did that too.

    http://www.sidepodcast.com/2008/06/14/the-le-mans-24-hour-thread/#comment-77401

  • Al18/03/2009 at 22:15

    So, let me get this straight, 12 hour live comment on sunday starting in the wee small hours and finishing 2 or 3pm .. followed by sidepodpanel in the evening? I’ll die of tiredness

    Ending not starting

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:16

    Ending not starting

    Okay, thats not quite so bad then

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 22:21

    18 points, I'll settle for that for a first attempt.

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 22:22

    18 points, I’ll settle for that for a first attempt.

    Managed to beat Mr C by half a point :D

  • me18/03/2009 at 22:22

    Managed to beat Mr C by half a point :D

    pah!

    :(

  • lou18/03/2009 at 22:24

    pah!

    if you think about it you actually beat R.G.... cause if i hadn't been in the comments he would never have got one of the answers right ;)

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 22:25

    if you think about it you actually beat R.G…. cause if i hadn’t been in the comments he would never have got one of the answers right ;)

    Zip it. ;)

  • me18/03/2009 at 22:26

    if you think about it you actually beat R.G…. cause if i hadn’t been in the comments he would never have got one of the answers right ;)

    ahhhhhh.

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 22:26

    Woohoo! I got 11. That's one more than last time. This is progress :)

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:26

    So, let me get this straight, 12 hour live comment on sunday starting in the wee small hours and finishing 2 or 3pm .. followed by sidepodpanel in the evening? I’ll die of tiredness

    12 hours Saturday starting at 2:30pm

  • lou18/03/2009 at 22:26

    ahhhhhh.

    :)

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:26

    12 hours Saturday starting at 2:30pm

    much better :D

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 22:27

    ahhhhhh.

    I already knew the answer, just teasing ya all.

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 22:27

    18 points, I’ll settle for that for a first attempt.

    Actually, I lie, I got 17.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:27

    much better :D

    I will miss the first few hours but will catch the bit where McNish wins.

  • lou18/03/2009 at 22:27

    I already knew the answer, just teasing ya all.

    sure you were :P

  • Christine18/03/2009 at 22:28

    I will miss the first few hours but will catch the bit where McNish wins.

    Boo.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:28

    Boo.

    That's twice now

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 22:28

    sure you were :P

    Yeah, of course I knew Button was from Frome. Didn't know he flew though.

  • me18/03/2009 at 22:28

    Yeah, of course I knew Button was from Frome. Didn’t know he flew though.

    hondajet?

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:29

    Yeah, of course I knew Button was from Frome. Didn’t know he flew though.

    He is starting his own airline with Honda planes

  • RG - Over obsessed Timo Glock fan18/03/2009 at 22:30

    hondajet?

    See, learn something everyday.

  • lou18/03/2009 at 22:30

    Yeah, of course I knew Button was from Frome. Didn’t know he flew though.

    erm... yeah sure he does :s

  • lou18/03/2009 at 22:30

    hondajet?

    is that gonna go ahead now though?

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:31

    is that gonna go ahead now though?

    If you don't know there is no point asking us.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:31

    Fantasy Racers league now has 296 teams

  • lou18/03/2009 at 22:32

    I was discussing this with Luke earlier, he said there was a pub in Frome called the Frome Flyer.. and it is on Jenson avenue....

  • lou18/03/2009 at 22:32

    If you don’t know there is no point asking us.

    oh. well... i thought you may know.. or could make a guess :P

  • Dank18/03/2009 at 22:33

    Remember folks, quiz time on Pitlane Fanatic in 10 minutes or so

    That Honda-esque quiz was quite good. First time I've participated and as long as I remember, I'll have another go next week.

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:33

    oh. well… i thought you may know.. or could make a guess :P

    In that case. Yes

  • Lukeh18/03/2009 at 22:34

    It's either a pub or a hotel for sure. But i just like how it's on Jenson avenue :)

  • Jackie18/03/2009 at 22:34

    That Honda-esque quiz was quite good. First time I’ve participated and as long as I remember, I’ll have another go next week.

    Glad you enjoyed it :D

  • lou18/03/2009 at 22:35

    In that case. Yes

    :D

  • Lukeh18/03/2009 at 22:35

    Also I will have a go in one of these quizzes one week...

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 22:35

    What channel is Le Seb Ring going to be on?

  • Steven Roy18/03/2009 at 22:36

    What channel is Le Seb Ring going to be on?

    No idea but we will find a video stream somewhere.

  • me18/03/2009 at 22:36

    What channel is Le Seb Ring going to be on?

    sidepodcast.com (assuming we can find a stream).

  • chris evans18/03/2009 at 22:38

    sidepodcast.com (assuming we can find a stream).

    my favourite :)

  • Bootneck18/03/2009 at 22:40

    Just listened to the Eddie Jordan interview, the man speaks sense. Thanks for putting in dropio, Off to bed for me now the railway need me at 0500 tomorrow, see ya all in the morning.

  • me18/03/2009 at 22:43

    good night bootneck.

  • Lukeh18/03/2009 at 23:17

    I dunno if this is old or reported about today but lewis is now in Madame Tussauds with a small f1 area it seems (and an f1 game that looks like F1 2007 on the PS2 but unsure)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvSUN9Kqghs

  • Bassano Clapper18/03/2009 at 23:56

    yeah, but it’s not aerospace gaffa tape though is it?

    If I make it to the Science Museum I'll bring some along for you. A couple of metres ok?

  • Bassano Clapper19/03/2009 at 00:01

    There was a great story somewhere online, with video, from a guy who was on a plane about to take off and he noticed a whole load of guys sticking things down on the wing with this stuff, but obviously he didn’t know what it was. Somebody came to tell him to stop filming because the plane was taking off he asked what this tape stuff was, other people heard and it started a panic and everyone got off the plane and refused to fly.

    Most of the time it's either used for aerodynamic reasons during a temporary repair or to prevent moisture ingress on composite panels that have been dinked until a permanent repair can be carried out at base

  • me19/03/2009 at 00:10

    If I make it to the Science Museum I’ll bring some along for you. A couple of metres ok?

    can i not buy it then?

  • me19/03/2009 at 00:13

    I dunno if this is old or reported about today but lewis is now in Madame Tussauds with a small f1 area it seems (and an f1 game that looks like F1 2007 on the PS2 but unsure)

    i saw some pics, the video makes him look squashed, but they've done a fine job with it.

    the man himself didn't appear to be there though?

  • me19/03/2009 at 00:20

    is google street view for london new?

    http://bit.ly/savoy-place

    we was there :)

  • chris evans19/03/2009 at 00:24

    and an f1 game that looks like F1 2007 on the PS2 but unsure

    It's F1 Championship Edition on PS3. Which is basically 2007 on PS2 but prettier.

  • Andy+Taylor19/03/2009 at 00:29

    is google street view for london new?

    it is quite new, but the black google cars have been out all over the country for some time now. I think the register has a page where you can record sightings.

  • Bassano Clapper19/03/2009 at 00:41

    can i not buy it then?

    3M™ Metal Foil Tapes

  • Joe19/03/2009 at 01:06

    I know everyone hee is looking foward to having The Chain back as the F1 theme tune. But one I'd love to see used is Right Here Right Now by Fatboy Slim. It was used for F1 coverage when Irish broadcaster RTE had it, I definately remember it being used from 2000 up until they ended coverage in 2004.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DajTbUhRykU

    There's the song. I love the way it starts at a crawling pace, and then builds up.

    I can't find the actual intro that was used for the F1 by RTE anywhere unfortunately. But I prefer this over anything else, well maybe except the theme ITV used from 2003 to 2005.

  • Bassano Clapper19/03/2009 at 01:08

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DajTbUhRykU

    There’s the song. I love the way it starts at a crawling pace, and then builds up.

    If I remember correctly, Reebok used that intro in an ad too and then cut as the big beats bagan to kick in

    IMHO, the intro is way better than the rest of the track

  • Joe19/03/2009 at 01:16

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXN6-pj4kC0

    There's a highlight video made with the song. Works well.

    I'm out, night guys.

  • Bassano Clapper19/03/2009 at 01:17

    G'night Joe

  • Aitch19/03/2009 at 02:12

    thb, i’m not all that excited about the new graphics. stuff like race lines are fine, but strategy stuff like fuel loads….i liked that when someone makes a surprise qualifying

    I'm not keen on the race line graphics bit, a number of years ago Fox in the US were broadcasting hockey games and they decided to add a blue circle around the puck and a red streak when a shot was taken, it just got in the way of watching the game. I mean really it's a black puck on white ice how can you not see the puck.

  • Bassano Clapper19/03/2009 at 02:18

    I was wondering if there would be a a contingency on the F1 forums, blogs and such wanting the qualifying fuel figures to be kept quiet as 'spoilers' so as to keep some semblance of mystery for race day

    I guess, here and everywhere else will be full of discussion of how team 'x' are running ultra low vs team 'y' with calculated pit stop windows published before the lights go out

    Am starting to think that too much disclosure will spoil the magic and unpredictability of F1 somewhat

  • Steven Roy19/03/2009 at 03:02

    I’m not keen on the race line graphics bit, a number of years ago Fox in the US were broadcasting hockey games and they decided to add a blue circle around the puck and a red streak when a shot was taken, it just got in the way of watching the game. I mean really it’s a black puck on white ice how can you not see the puck.

    I disagree. Showing the lines taken by different drivers is a great idea. For too long F1 has ignored explaining the basics of the sport to the fans. There are many people who have followed the sport for many years who don't have the slightest clue about how cars handle and how different drivers drive. They can also show the difference between how a driver took a corner on new tyres vs knackered tyres. Stuff like this has to be explained.

    I have sat watching races with people and heard them say that all the cars are doing exactly the same thing even when there is a massive difference in their lines. I love the Ascari chicane at Monza as it is a great place to explain the differences as you can see three corners in one shot from the exit. I sat with someone one day halfway though an Italian GP when he said all the cars were doing the same. I pointed out two cars closely following one another through Ascari. The first one mullered the first kerb while the second guy never got near it. At the right hander the situation was reversed so I explained about the effects of getting the first part right/wrong on the second part and on the exit from the third.

    I shouldn't have to do that. Bernie is supposed to make the tools available to the broadcaster to do things like that.

  • Bassano Clapper19/03/2009 at 03:05

    I agree with a lot of Steven's point there but hold reservations about how well it may be handled by the broadcasters. Sublety over overkill is maybe too much to ask

  • Steven Roy19/03/2009 at 03:12

    I agree with a lot of Steven’s point there but hold reservations about how well it may be handled by the broadcasters. Sublety over overkill is maybe too much to ask

    That is always going to be the difficulty.

  • Bassano Clapper19/03/2009 at 03:20

    Twitter still fails to enamour me but am thinkking that I should (conjugate the verb to follow a tweet) look at Olivia Munn's twitterings, with gems like:

    "Just saw Stevie Wonder - still blind"

    That's aside from her being in the Top 5 fantasy league

  • Bassano Clapper19/03/2009 at 04:03

    And also : "running through japan as wonder woman really unnerves people." :)

  • Aitch19/03/2009 at 04:30

    I’m not keen on the race line graphics bit, a number of years ago Fox in the US were broadcasting hockey games and they decided to add a blue circle around the puck and a red streak when a shot was taken, it just got in the way of watching the game. I mean really it’s a black puck on white ice how can you not see the puck.

    I disagree. Showing the lines taken by different drivers is a great idea. For too long F1 has ignored explaining the basics of the sport to the fans. There are many people who have followed the sport for many years who don’t have the slightest clue about how cars handle and how different drivers drive. They can also show the difference between how a driver took a corner on new tyres vs knackered tyres. Stuff like this has to be explained.

    I have sat watching races with people and heard them say that all the cars are doing exactly the same thing even when there is a massive difference in their lines. I love the Ascari chicane at Monza as it is a great place to explain the differences as you can see three corners in one shot from the exit. I sat with someone one day halfway though an Italian GP when he said all the cars were doing the same. I pointed out two cars closely following one another through Ascari. The first one mullered the first kerb while the second guy never got near it. At the right hander the situation was reversed so I explained about the effects of getting the first part right/wrong on the second part and on the exit from the third.

    I shouldn’t have to do that. Bernie is supposed to make the tools available to the broadcaster to do things like that.

    I see what you're saying if used properly it could be a good tool to help the casual watcher or those who don't pay close attention. I guess I just don't want to see it used at every corner for every lap, maybe using it to show how a driver got a corner all wrong and the guy behind just nailed it perfectly to set up a pass.

  • Bassano Clapper19/03/2009 at 04:34

    I see what you’re saying if used properly it could be a good tool to help the casual watcher or those who don’t pay close attention. I guess I just don’t want to see it used at every corner for every lap, maybe using it to show how a driver got a corner all wrong and the guy behind just nailed it perfectly to set up a pass.

    Precisely. Making it 'enabled' for viewrrs at their choice however is how it should be, in HD with multi or chosen driver angles

    Now THAT, I would pay for!

    Wake up and smell the fibre optics Bernie!

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)19/03/2009 at 07:07

    I see what you’re saying if used properly it could be a good tool to help the casual watcher or those who don’t pay close attention. I guess I just don’t want to see it used at every corner for every lap, maybe using it to show how a driver got a corner all wrong and the guy behind just nailed it perfectly to set up a pass.

    Another thing that NASCAR does (on Fox, I think) is to show the draft when two cars follow each other. That looks quite cool!

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)19/03/2009 at 07:08

    Sidepodsmell update:

    Back at work today and still a faint whiff of ammonia - but it's not too bad. Everything has been thoroughly cleaned too - a bit weird I must say.

  • Bootneck19/03/2009 at 07:24

    Morning,Evening what ever time of your day it is. Just got to work, the morning rush hour can wait a while. Just read through comments from last night, I have to say I agree with Steve about the sport being explained to people more clearly, BBC have got a couple of bits on their web-site and I quite liked the thing Martin Brundle did on ITV a couple of seasons ago on how the cars work and are constructed, my son,12 year old thought it was brill too and learnt heaps from it.

  • cian19/03/2009 at 08:36

    But one I’d love to see used is Right Here Right Now by Fatboy Slim. It was used for F1 coverage when Irish broadcaster RTE had it, I definately remember it being used from 2000 up until they ended coverage in 2004.

    Ah, the good ol' days. Bring back Peter Collins and RTE (and Fatboy Slim :P)!

  • Gavin Brown (RubberGoat)19/03/2009 at 09:56

    Sidepodsmell update:

    Back at work today and still a faint whiff of ammonia - but it’s not too bad. Everything has been thoroughly cleaned too - a bit weird I must say.

    There has been a guy walking though with a sniffer. Although it is 'safe', we have been told that if we feel uncomfortable we can move or go home. I will definitely need to take a walk at lunchtime as the air is a little stuffy in here!

  • Stefano29/03/2009 at 09:25

    The Formula 1 is a great sport and it has gone into more challenges and breakthroughs in technology that eventually benefits all of us as it is flowed through to the cars that we drive everyday.

    In Australia in particular it is not as big as I would like to see, starting from the advertisement of the event on tv, as this year was approaching the awareness on tv was shocking thank God for the internet as we can receive information about dates and updates on the formula 1.

    Also the coverage by channel ten this year was shocking there was to many adds and on some moments of the race it was on a commercial break so we the viewers missed out on seeing it live or at all.

    Not to sound like a complainer and I realize that the tv station has the means to make good revenue in regards to the advertisements, But as an example the Tennis is broadcasted on channel 7 it is also stated live but when they show breaks it is still running live and the time taken by the add is minimal or not at all as it is shown for a quick break as they are changing servers and so forth.

    With the technology that we have these days in regards to editing and live streaming why cant they show the add, thats fine as we all know that money is needed so we have the sport on tv, as a suggestion they can show the race but have it as a split screen at the same time of the add so we the viewers don't miss out on any of the action.

    As I stated earlier I am a big fan of the formula 1 and I would like to see the sport well followed in Australia, and yes I am a Ferrari supporter we did not do to well in Melbourne this year, but its a good thing that more teams can be competetive as we can have always a great race to watch,Just like we were tired of seeing Holden always winning and dominating the V8 Supercars.

    I would like to know your views on this

    Regards

    Stefano