I really like having a total points system. I think it more clearly shows the "total" ability of the drivers. Doesn't this really just represent Bernie's known dislike of Lewis? If Lewis hadn't made that pass, Massa would have picked up the title based on total wins.

Besides, how would he split the title in '06, when both Alonso and Michael had equal wins?

 

That's true and that's what I like about Lewis so much, he's gotten rid of that cold image of the team. They smile now ! Even Ron's very bad jokes on Kub's schnoz was a sign that things were on the up and up. Credit is due to Heikki too, he's a fish of a different fin He actually smiles and laughs too, great to see.

I'd love to see Mclaren lose the black and silver colors, how about the old Orange livery ? Doubt it will change though.

Kimi should move out if he isn't happy, he's got more money than he'll ever spend so why not make a clean break ? It would be nice to see some new talent go there like Vettel or Rosberg. The Pole would do very well there if the Italians will take him in as family

 

Won't happen. As long as Mercedes backs them, they'll be silver. If they want to go with current team location, they'd have to be green. Orange is Netherlands, and they don't have a team.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._racing_colors

Of course, all of this goes with tradition. But as much as Bernie is trying to kill tradition (Indian GP???), F1 still has a lot of it.

 

If they did go to a medal system and it was a tie, I'd guess that they'd just go to the next deciding factor which would be 2nd places then 3rd, etc. That would make sense which is why Bernie probably wouldn't do it that way.

I think the total points system also rewards the "best of the rest" which I like. But that may be the reason Bernie doesn't like because, correct me if I'm wrong, I believe teams get paid for points won and this would lower the amount of money paid out overall.

The least it would do is give the teams outside of the top two or three with an even greater disadvantage because of their smaller budgets. Honda and Toyota excluded.

 

Interesting news.

No Canadian GP
No French GP

China is saying they're thinking about bailing out as well.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/7728866.stm

 

Not interesting there Gromit.....Sad is more like it

I was hoping to make the Canadian this coming season too......oh well

 

Yeah, but remember, we'll have the Indian GP to look forward to.

Bernie must have been drunk. Oh, no--just realized--Bernie and Kimi got together last year and set up the schedule.

Too bad we don't have a vote. Or do we?

 

We have an customer from India and I'm hoping, just hoping, that if I ever have to go there that it will be the same week as the race and I'll be able to attend....its the only reason I would want to go there.....'cept for some curry

 

One of my concerns about having a GP there, besides bumping traditional tracks, is that many of the countries are losing money by hosting a GP. Look at China--everything should be great, but they're probably going to bail. Australia's in the same boat.

If India finds itself in the same situation, they might spend hundreds of millions of dollars to build the track, and many more millions to subsidize the race for the duration of their contract. Rather than making an economic boom for a poor country, they'll just drain their resources. And I don't think India can afford that. Who'll win? Why...drum roll...Bernie!

 

Its a nice thought for a country like India toi field a team, drivers and the race but you're right, might break the bank ?

 

"This is the worst looking F1 car ever!"

 

But where's the driver sitting when he's...uh...DRIVING?

Let's face it, the 2009 car isn't any uglier than the 2008 car, which wasn't any uglier than the 2007 car. They all look like they've been designed by a drunken committee.

 

I disagree that they are ugly, on TV the cars look "not so good" but in person they really are quite impressive. The colors, suspension, aero work is truly amazing.

When I was in Montreal in 2000, I was blown away by how bright the colors on the Arrow cars were, the Renaults, Jordens, at one of the evening parties they had one of the Jags on display, the green was gorgeous, TV just doesn't do them justice. Also not seen is the size, how small they are.

On the 2009 birds, I can't help but think of one of the "kiddie" go karts like you see at the beach Must be the front wing looking like a bumper.....

The Cart or Indy cars I have seen on the other hand looked quite dull, not much aesthetic creativity going there. Just a ho-hum race car.

Of course, nothing is more attractive or cool than a MINI !

 

I actually thought some of the 2008s looked really good. Every time they alter or add a rule that changes the look of the cars it takes some getting used to, but that early version '09 BMW looks really out of balance to me with that low and very wide front wing and the narrow wing sticking up prominently in the rear.

On the other hand, it's early days and I expect a lot of change before the first race of the season. The only other car I've seen out so far this year looking like it's wearing '09 spec exterior components is the Williams.....I think the rest are testing other things so far like slick tires, KERS, etc. Can't wait to see what the others look like.

 

Here's a little perspective.

 

The side view is much cleaner this year.....so far.

 

Yes, I've seen them close up, too--for example, at vintage car races, the Ferrari museum in Maranello:

and at this remarkable F1 memorabilia store in Venice:




Color and size can't hide the clutter of vanes, inlets, wings and subwings, though.

 

Being that I survive (and pay for my MINI) flying things with wings....its only natural that I like things with wings.

If you think about it, with the aero packages, the drivers in a way are really pilots, since they must keep their wings "flying" and not "stalling" in order to survive, at least on the high speed cornering.

I know I mentioned it before but you "know" they have engineers working on cleaning up the air over the car and trying to put as much turbulent air behind it thus disallowing the driver behind from getting too close. There was mention from a driver just recently about driving too close to the Ferr or the Mc.

Funny, if Jenson is excited about these being more driver oriented like a kart than it just plays into the hands of Lewis and Felipe. I like Jenson, at one point he was supposed to go to Mclaren (I think) but his career is moving closer and closer to its end....too bad.

Hope I eat my words and he and Honda are World Champs this year.......its ok to dream right

 

Nothing wrong with wings. I've owned a few myself, back in the days before kids--we sold our Yankee when I couldn't fit behind the controls anymore (and there wasn't anyplace else to sit, either). Heck, I had my license before Hubby had his! I'm just not overly thrilled with the sight of the total package. Simple is nice, too.

 

My kind of wings (other than F1 cars)

 

Nice Stearman! How long have you had her?

 

Wow, the things I miss while under anesthetic!

 

Oh how I wish.......sorry its a friend's, my budget is lucky to pay for the car

 

One of my doctors partially owned a Stearman, but he readily acknowledged that he didn't fly often enough to justify keeping his share. He was proven right the day he ground looped her. Fortunately there was only light damage.

 

Bummer:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/231120...rt-season.html

Another bummer:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/221120...tful-2012.html