Absolutely! A lot depends on Massa's date of return (assuming he does). I don't expect much for Michael on the first race--new car, new course. After that, all bets are off. I think the 125 or so practice, qualifying, and race laps will be all he needs to get a handle on the new ground effects and tires.

 

We'll see. Why does there have to be such a long break between these races?

Ferrari requested a special test for Michael in the F60. lol, what's he need it for? Jaime Alguesawufnkdlsjf;eri (I suck at spelling) didn't get a special test session. He got a straight line test and that was it, and he'd never been in an F1 car before that.

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/...cher-f60-test/

 

Yeah I don't get that. No one else gets that option so why should he? The FOTA gang said okey dokey but it's not up to them....as far as I know. Looks like the FIA types won't be too keen to approve the request as they're already looking into his test in the 2007 car because he ran with slicks. Ferrari say they were GP2 slicks but the FIA want to make sure....I guess it's ok as long as he's not driving using anything that matches the current regs, which makes perfect sense to me. I'm actually a Schumi fan, but if they allow him to run an F60 I'll not be able to argue when folks resurrect the traditional gripe "There's one set of rules for everyone....unless your name is Michael Schumacher."

 

I agree. If Schumi gets a test, why did Jaime Alguersuari only get a brief straight-line test? But we forget, FIA = Ferrari In-front Always

 

Going some way off topic, I see Kimi Raikkonen crashed out (unhurt) of the Rally of Finland where he was trying his hand in a production class rally car - he was an impressive fourth place in class and seventeenth overall when the crash happened. The interesting thing was that, when interviewed in the car, he was really animated and smiled quite spontaneously, like he was enjoying himself - quite definitely not the morose guy who drives F1.....

Sebastian Vettel was present as a spectator at the rally, visiting Sebastian Loeb who may be getting a drive in a Toro Rosso later this season. With Valentino Rossi competing in rallies as well, it's getting hard to be sure which sport you're looking at.

Andrew

 

Discovery HD will start airing WRC in October. I can't wait. Those drivers are nuts and a total blast to watch. I hope Kimi goes to WRC and is competitive. The Scandinavians have done very well in the sport for many years.

 

You're sure this was Kimi Raikkonen? Mr. Jaded? Mr. Monotone? It must have been someone else you saw.....

 

Mr. Bored with F1, Mr. Pining for WRC

 

I know you're right about his interest in WRC, but he seemed exactly as monotone and bored the first time I ever heard him say anything as soon as he started in F1.

 

It has always amazed me that in spite of all of the grooming these young men get when they join the F1 circus, he's never deviated from the monotone. You'd think someone would have given him speech lessons. And joining the Italians didn't even improve things! He speaks English well, but I cringe everytime I hear him.

Wonder how he speaks in the nightclubs when snockered.

 

With his eyes......ladies.

Who needs Ms. Scandanavia as a wife when you've got some club rat to cheat on her with. lol

 

He's married? To Ms. Scandanavia?

(Rats, there goes my chance...)

 

Pretty funny in a way:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/030820...ry-piquet.html

Second fiddle to Alonso? Nah. Never happen--he's an equal partner to all...

(Yes, I know, he not equal in talent. Still...)

As for Michael, not everyone is happy to see him return:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/030820...chumacher.html

Wonder why. BTW, looks like he's really let himself go, eh ladies?

Massa continues to mend:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/030820...gary-home.html

I wonder how his eye is.

 

And Piquet Sr is supposedly thinking about taking over the BMW-Sauber biz....any guesses who the lead driver might be if he actually does it? Regardless of what you think of him, Piquet Jr is obviously a talented driver or his dad wouldn't have been able to wrangle him an F1 seat (whether he actually deserved it or not), but to throw good money down a hole trying to prop up an F1 team just so Jr can have a guaranteed race seat? I used to give Piquet Sr credit for more brains than that.....

 

Deb, Red Bull and Williams are only against him testing this years' car. Red Bull because Alguesari wasn't allowed to test on track before this first race. Williams because they're sticklers for the rules. Part of me cant really blame them. But I think the FIA should allow each team one test during the race season, with some sort of junior driver development stipulation. Basically for this specific instance.

Kurv, isn't that pretty much what he did for Jr. in GP2? IIRC, I think it worked out pretty well for him. He came in second in the championship to Hammy. So, maybe they're thinking they could work some of the same magic.

 

I know, and I understand their viewpoint. Trust me, I'm not worried about Michael's ability to adapt. I do think that there's a huge safety risk if the first time a new driver--especially one moving up from junior ranks--"tests" an F1 car is at speed. Alguesari should have been allowed some laps. What's wrong with allowing 100 laps or so in such circumstances? Seems the safest thing to do, and it's not as if the team will have a plethora of recipients lined up, each contributing to instant understanding of what ails a car. Put a limit on it--2 drivers, or 3, if that IS a concern. It shouldn't even have to be on a case-by-case basis (which offers a bias)--just a flat allowance for all teams to use when one of their drivers steps up during the season.

Watch Top Gear's Richard Hammond as he transitions from one to another and you can see a potential horror story averted with this allowance.

 

Hey--who amongst this august group (get it?) is at MITM this year? We're in Colorado Springs tonight--will register sometime Thursday morning. I'd love to talk face to face!

 

Hey, stop reminding me of things I'm working hard to forget. I've never liked the idea of rich parents spending huge sums to buy their kids whatever they can't get themselves.....esp. if there might be someone else around as (or more) deserving but without the $ to buy the opportunity.

I don't suppose it will surprise if I now say I hope Daddy can't afford it. On the other hand, it would be nice if the team is saved by someone and it does take deep pockets.....ok someone else needs to save that team.....

 

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/040820...iving-ban.html

Great news--he looks terrible, though. Wonder what he looked like a week ago:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/040820...er-brazil.html

Think this will make a difference to the ol' boy? Or maybe he lost everything in the stock market, and it's either race or sell pencils:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/040820...lion-race.html

 

Aaaaaand bye-bye Schu.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/8/9731.html

 

Unfreakenbelievable.

The hatred for arguably the greatest driver of all time.... Just goes to show that on the Internet you'll find all kinds. I never would've thought there could be Paul McCartney, Wayne Gretzky, Tom Hanks or Michael Jordan haters either, but it doesn't take much Googling to find people crawling out of the woodwork to diss even the most loved and respected personalities.

 

ummmm, seriously? Peoples' differing opinions of Schumacher are about as stark as those between Republicans and Democrats. People either worshiped the throne he pooped in or cursed every apex that he hit while on track.

And honestly, even the folks who love Schumacher admit that some of the crap he pulled in his career wasn't exactly sporting. They just kind of roll their eyes and say, "that's why I love him, because he'll do whatever it takes to win."

It's too bad he's not coming back....at least not in the next race. As much as I don't like him, it would have been fun to watch everyone dice it up.

Gaawwww, just one more week....hang in there. LOL, I'll be at the in-law's this weekend. F1 on the 72" widescreen, WOOT!

 

How sad. Much as I hated to see Massa hurt, I really wanted to see Michael have another go at it. Here's more info:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/120820...evastated.html

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/120820...-comeback.html

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/120820...er-return.html

The thought of Alonso driving a red car makes me

 

I don't think I'd rule him out returning later this season. He's just not returning in Valencia. Which...I wouldn't want to make my heroic return to that track.

$20 says Michael makes his return at Spa....or Monza. I love this part of the season with these epic tracks!!!

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headline...12123720.shtml
Ouch, I know he's old and been out of the game for a while, but damn. It is kind of surprising they didn't go with Marc Gene since he's actually driven the F60 this year.

 

Renault is cleared to race at Valencia, they got a hefty fine instead.