Also on Jalopnik.

http://jalopnik.com/5296221/eight-te...w-championship

I'm impressed that they actually followed through on their threat and broke off. The two questions that immediately spring to mind are; When is this new series going to have it first race? Will this hurt what we know currently as F1 and if so how much?

 

Wow! I'm confused on the dates, though--is this for 2010, 2012, or in between?

Now that the biggies are involved, I'm glad to see it. That leaves Williams and (?) left out. Hopefully the mission to contain costs won't take the form ol' Bernie wanted--virtually zero engine or other technological development, yet still spewing such absurdities as no fuel stops (and exactly how would that be done without redesigning the whole blessed car?).

This is a boost for KERS, I think. After all, allowing refueling (I'm assuming that the new series will), won't mean that there's no room for the KERS equipment.

I'm in! (And you, Bernie, are OUT!)

 

As far as I can tell, this involves withdrawing their participation in the series after this season ends. I'm still not sure I believe it...still might be some posturing going on here in the hope dumb and dumber will back down...time will tell.

Also, I read an article a couple weeks ago that said FOTA voted and agreed to drop KERS as of 2010.

 

I guess we'll find out tomorrow night.

I wish they wouldn't drop KERS (hadn't heard this). Yes, it's in the middle of teething, but it offers technological advances transferable to the real world.

 

Yep, here's an article.

Oddly, even though they already said they would stop using it after '09, Williams is still working on theirs -- both electrical and mechanical versions -- and planning to use one or the other this season!

 

 

Oh you know there is posturing. There really won't be a breakaway series until they hold their first race. Basically, the FOTA is making a power move. They've got to in order to be taken seriously with their demands. And it makes sense as this is really the only way they can flex their muscles. And basically, they're hoping that the Power Hoards end up gettting ousted because they allowed F1 and the FIA to come into further disrepute.

I could even see this whole series war go on for a year or two....or more. Basically, the same thing that happened to American open wheel racing is happening now to F1. As far as I can tell, it isn't going to be good for F1, because the fans don't like Bernie or Max. Max changes the rules more often than I change my boxers and Bernie is the reason races are so expensive.

That gets me onto another rant. Quit bitching about the USGP! Ok, sure, tire issue on 05. Big whoop, you got free tickets for it in 06. The track is boring. Big whoop, you can see so much of the track from so many different vantage points....you just have to find the right ones. The USGP was the CHEAPEST RACE you could attend. Hands down. My wife and I have looked into races in Europe and tickets are outrageous, and that doesn't even include lodging. Even Turkey, which is a nice, cheap place to visit, has a ridiculously expensive fee for tickets. And that's why the attendance there was so low.

Bernie has complained about how much the teams spend and lowers the amount of money given to them because of the "economic crisis", yet hasn't lowered prices for admittance to the races as a result either. Cant imagine why the Big 8 seperated.

Whew, I feel like I need a shower.

 

I'm not so sure about that. Yes, there is posturing. On the other hand, you have to have teams to have a series, and if the teams don't like the Bernie and Max show, hey--they own all the marbles!

(Except Williams. But they'll look pretty silly going 'round and 'round by themselves.)

 

I completely agree. That's pretty much the only card the teams have left to play. Thing is, it's the Ace of Spades and there ain't much out there that's going to beat it. I think Mosely knows that now. That's why he's all mount-n-trousers about legal action against the FOTA and Ferrari. I don't think it's going to work out for him....I hope it doesn't. I think if the FOTA was going to be divided (aside from Force India and Williams), it would have happened already.

Oh well, in the meantime, don't forget your marshmellows, it's going to be a hot one.

Side note: Here's an interesting article from 1991 before Mosley was the FIA president. It's funny how things have changed.

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2009/...from-may-1991/

 

I'm watching my previously recorded practice session from this morning. Word is, tonight's the night for the end of negotiations. As Hobbs (or whoever) pointed out, there are too many fundamental decisions to be worked out this close to the wire.

 

spoiler if you haven't seen qualifying...








ok, this could get good. red bull out develops brawn and this is the beginning of a come from WAY behind great season.

we can only hope, right?

 

I ran the starting weight through the spreadsheet again (with 2.45kg/lap). Vettel is quite a bit heavier than the rest of the top 10. This is looking good for Vettel. There's 60 laps, so most of the back half could do a 1 stopper.

1. Sebastian Vettel 25
2. Rubens Barrichello 21
3. Mark Webber 22
4. Jarno Trulli 22
5. Kazuki Nakajima 19
6. Jenson Button 21
7. Nico Rosberg 23
8. Timo Glock 22
9. Kimi Raikkonen 20
10. Fernando Alonso 20
11. Felipe Massa 29
12. Robert Kubica 34
13. Heikki Kovalainen 37
14. Nelson Piquet 32
15. Nick Heidfeld 25
16. Giancarlo Fisichella 26
17. Sebastien Bourdais 34
18. Adrian Sutil 36
19. Lewis Hamilton 25
20. Sebastien Buemi 28

 

I couldn't believe how much faster Vettel was than Webber....even though Webber got slowed up by Kimi. Vettel really hung it out. I couldn't believe how fast he went with how ragged the lap looked.

 

Vettel's probably on light fuel, and Button's on a heavier load it seems.

 

Not according to the official figures, Vettel has 3-4 laps more than those behind him, about 4 more than button.

 

The posted weights from the FIA have Vettel quite a bit heavier than anyone in the top 10. The next guy that's heavier is Massa in 11th. And Button was lighter than Vettel by 9kg.

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headline...20195119.shtml

 

Yeah, it would just seem that it wasn't Button's day. Vettel did well, as well as Weber and Rubens.

 

OMG guess who the Stig is..... http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/...p-gear-s-stig/

 

LOL, I just saw that too. You know, I don't trust anything that show says. 95% of the stuff they say is for entertainment value only. Don't get me wrong, I love the show. It's hilarious, but you have to take everything they say with a grain of salt. I haven't seen the full segment, but it wouldn't surprise me if it still turns out to be someone else and they just did this for the shock value. I mean, if he'd been the white Stig this whole time, someone would have found out at some point.

As for the race, wow did Vettel nail the setup or what?!?!?! Obviously Red Bull made a good step forward and I think the Brawns just had a bad weekend. I'd be curious as to the comparison between the two when they both have a good weekend.

I thought Brawn should have short-filled Button to get him out in front of Trulli after his first stop. Pish, that Ross Brawn needs to learn something about strategy in F1. lol.

 

A Stig but definitely not THE Stig. In fact, he may have been the Stig for the one episode and that's it. Check the commentary on Jalopnik referenced by Gil-galad here.

 

I'm not surprised. Contrary to the article, I heard that he was probably "it" last week. Great to see him smiling again--and wish he would have jumped, like in the good old days. BTW, you have to go to the second link to see the Top Gear clip.

Trouble is, now he'll probably be offed. When the Stig is revealed (by accident, anyway), he's replaced.

Michael's probably not the African Stig. Wonder who is? Lewis?

 

Wonder how many millions the Max & Bernie Show will ask for in their FOTA lawsuits.

Speaking of whom, doesn't Bernie look a lot older now?

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/220620...f1-future.html

P.S. I still say he looks like Applewhite (see post #534).

 

Actually, Schu was "Stig for a Day."

I highly doubt Schumacher would have the time to do Top Gear, and his responsibilities with Ferrari. Besides, I doubt the BBC could afford him.

 

A deal has been reached.... http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/...-championship/

 

Ding! Dong! The witch is dead!