Picking up from the 2008 Formula 1 Discussion thread

Since the 2008 season is gone, and the 2009 silly season is upon us, let the new season discussion commence...

 

Sounds like the new aero package is going to make overtaking easier this season.

 

There's been speculation that since dancin' Helio might be putting on an orange jumpsuit, Penske is considering signing Sebas to take his place. That might be a good move. His F1 career has gone nowhere, and as a quadruple ChampCar champ, he might do well in the open wheel roundy-rounds.

I'll bet Sebas could even buy back his Florida house. Chances are pretty good whoever bought it is in foreclosure by now.

 

Here's the latest on the tantrum king:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/291220...11-report.html

Lawdie, I hope not.

Good news:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/291220...ttment-f1.html

Costcutters:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/291220...de-called.html

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/281220...rove-show.html

If you believe this...:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/271220...s-america.html

Top 5:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/241220...-2008-1-5.html

 

I am looking forward to this year races!

 

I think he's just been terribly frustrated. I mean, you can't be low key and be a top F1 pilot. I admire Alonso and I hope he finds his place.

 

The "Alonso to Ferrari" rumor has been going stong for years now, but the bottom line is he's under contract to Renault till 2011 and the two Ferrari drivers are signed till the end of the 2010 season.

My Pick?

I think it's Filippe's year, he came so close last year.........

I think the Hamster, Kimi and Kubbi will all feature, with Alonso as the dark horse as usual.

I also think sponsorship is going to be a real problem next season, and some team's developement will suffer because of it - and if the teams start using the KERs, it could really muddy the waters depending on how far along your team is in it's developement. Top marks go to BMW on KERs, I think they've got the lead on this, but who knows whether it's going to really help or not?

I'm hearing conflicting stories on the aero, from vast improvement to no improvement at all. One thing's for sure, with those front wings sticking out like that the chances for a cut tire and new nose have gone way, way up. That's one way to shuffle the order!

Anyone heard what this years qually setup will be? Seems they change it every other week..........

 

Great links.

 

Low key plus top F1 pilot, no. I'm referring to definite tantrums, ranging from deliberately holding up his teammate in the pit to kicking in a door--just because that teammate is driving better that season!

MINIdave, contracts are broken all the time. After all, he broke one to leave McLaren. Yes, part of it was Ron Dennis's doings, but he could be just as much of a PITA to Flavio Briatore if the stakes were worth it to him.

I do agree with your assessment of Massa, though. He's certainly made the effort, and got SO close. That champagne must have turned to vineger in his throat on the cool down lap.

He and Lewis are definitely going to be the two to watch. Alonso? Only if the car is up to it. Kubica--one to watch. Sutil, Glock, Heidfeld, Kovalainen, Rosberg? Not yet. Kimi? Not at all.

http://newsonf1.com/2009/lineup.htm

Albeit already obsolete.

 

Assuming that's the entire reason. I just don't think it is. These guys are under tremendous pressure and there is so much dirty dealing and backstabbing going on there. I give the benefit of the doubt to the drivers and I don't see Alonso as a petulant hothead.

And I hope you don't think I am arguing with you. Just expressing my viewpoint. I've followed F1 since the sixties, and I admire your knowledge of the sport!

 

Latest on Alonso:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/050120...ane-crash.html

The headline is a bit more sensational than what happened

 

Did anyone notice the link next to it?

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/040120...dangerous.html

 

Yeah I saw that, kinda funny, perhaps that means the new car actually requires talent to drive it rather than luxurious driver aids making things "easy" ?

 

sigh...I'm wishing for the 60s bullet cars with no aero. They were the best.

 

I thought one of the reasons they added aero was to make the car safer (obviously faster too) but they will stick better giving the driver more control especially at higher speeds, at least till the nose is no longer traveling in the direction of its trajectory Take it off and they're on an ice rink like back in the old days.

Again, I go back to the question of perhaps the aero is just used as as excuse by a driver who just is not as fast as the guy ahead of him.

Certainly easier to blame the turbulent airflow in front of him rather than the team or his own abilities.

 

Almost all professional drivers abide by Track Rule #1:
- If I'm faster, its me.
- If I'm slower, its the equipment.

Alan

 

Keeping a happy team:

"I made one mistake but the car is just not on pace with........"

 

This year promises to be great, but it will be hard to top the one we just witnessed. As a Hamilton Fan I was delighted and ended with no nails on my fingers after Brasil. The look on the faces at the Massa pit when news of the pass on the last corner were finally heard, was priceless.
Massa will come in hungry for revenge and it will be up to the teams to give them both the machines to keep the suspense going! Like mentioned elsewhere, Kubica (now Kart empresario) will be in the mix now and then, and Alonso the fast and the furious will play when given a chance. I see no other drivers ... . Kimi? not interested, to busy drinking and partying, Heiki? to big of a shadow, Nick? too short, Piquet? to inexperienced, Rosberg? he is not his dad, etc, etc... .
I will keep an eye on Vettel though, he is talented and young. He is already a hero in Germany but still under the radar elsewhere.
With his second year under his Championship belt, Hamilton will have all the confidence and support of an adoring team and fans worldwide (including myself). Can't wait until Melbourne in March! GO LEWIS!

 

It's going to come down to which team has produced the better car with the new regs.

 

We speak the same language but I wouldn't toss Alonso on the third team heap just yet, he and the Renault were looking really good there at the end.

Nick too short ? He's like a jockey rather than an F1 pilot

I was thinking about the driver choices and would it be fair to say that F1 Teams hire two drivers with completely different styles as a way of covering their butts if the car handles one way or the other ?

Funny how Trulli always said the Toyota was designed for Ralph, of course he didn't do much with it (I liked Ralph in his BMW days) but it was a huge difference when Trulli got the #1 spot and the car was set up to his liking. Alonso's Renault teammates have always struggled with the car but their styles are nothing like his, makes you wonder.

As for Lewis, I'll bet we see a much more "seasoned" driver but hopefully still with the breathtaking overtaking If he's the real deal that fire will still be burning brightly.

 

Thank you for reminding me about Vettel. Of course he should have been on my watch list. As I recall, he was on the track before he was allowed on the street.

 

I hear Ferrari is bringing back the lighted lollie pop for pitstops

 

It's to appeal to the U.S. audience.

 

Nah, this time its hooked up to the go pedal and the brakes so there's no way the driver can goof. Once the fuel hose disconnects he auto launches !

Last year, there was a clip of one of the drivers leaving before it turned green, a drag racer couldn't get a better light ! It made me really wonder if there wasn't some kind of launch control.

They all cheat, it is who cheats and gets away with it are the clever ones.......at least till Ferrari finds out then the rules are rewritten to make the part or process illegal

Vettel is overrated, his best performance seems to come in the rain when STR rolls the dice and sets the car up for full wet......