2011 Formula 1 discussion
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
I hold absolutely no hope that the Texas track will be successful, if it even opens. They would have had a much better chance building it in California, the upper East Coast, or at Road America. Starting from scratch in Texas, even in Austin, is madness. Yes, they might open in 2012, but will there be a race in 2016? Doubtful. No matter for Bernie, though--he'll have collected his millions and moved on to another country, probably one suckered by the visions of bringing jobs and trade to their impoverished country, albeit short term. Long term? Forget it.
The mansion his daughter bought is just a symptom of the Bernie Ransom disease.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 975
Likes: 15
From: Cathedral City, CA
BE doesn't control FIA rules. He probably had some influence when Max was the president, but I doubt that he has a lot with Jean Todt. Remember it was Max who started the cost-cutting changes and what resulted was only a fraction of what he originally asked for.
Also, remember that the teams share in the commercial revenues. I think, of the 12 teams, it pays down to 8th or 10th place based on the constructor's points. Even when you get down the low end of the scale, it still pays millions...
Also, remember that the teams share in the commercial revenues. I think, of the 12 teams, it pays down to 8th or 10th place based on the constructor's points. Even when you get down the low end of the scale, it still pays millions...
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: USA - Illinois
The pleas of the guilty are always the same... 
"I'm innocent I tell ya!"
OR
"I didn't want to do it... I was forced into a life of crime!"
OR (If your Bernard Ecclestone)
"Gribkowsky threatened me... He was going to say I was running it".
Ecclestone Says He Paid German Banker After Threats
Jul.22 / GMM Newswire
Bernie Ecclestone has finally confirmed reports he paid $40 million to jailed German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky.
But the F1 chief executive, who was officially named in the Munich prosecutors' charges against Gribkowsky this week, denies it was a bribe, hinting instead that he was effectively blackmailed.
Ecclestone, 80, told the Daily Telegraph he was "threatened" by Gribkowsky who was warning of tax trouble for the diminutive Briton.
He said Gribkowsky was alleging irregularities with Ecclestone's offshore family trust Bambino and "threatened that he was going to say that I was running it".
Ecclestone added: "The taxation people in England at the time were in the middle of settling everything with the trust and the last thing you need is for them to start thinking something different.
"He (Gribkowsky) was shaking me down and I didn't want to take a risk."
Ecclestone said he asked his lawyers for advice about how to deal with Gribkowsky's alleged threat.
"They said 'I tell you what would happen, the (inland) Revenue would assess you and you would have to defend it, because you could defend it, and you would be three years in court and it would cost you a fortune. Better pay'," said the F1 chief executive.
Ecclestone said he paid Gribkowsky through Mauritius and British Virgin Islands-based companies because "he wanted to be paid so it didn't look like it came from me and didn't look like it had come from England".
And he said he has consistently denied making the payment at all until now because "the prosecutor had asked me not to say anything".
Gribkowsky's legal representative declined to comment.
Yup Bernie is as slippery as an eel! And just as slimy too! 
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: USA - Illinois
Nice to see red cars at the pointy end of the grid...
Still the RB6 seems to have the better of the F150 Italia...
Practice 1 Times
Alonso 1:31:894 P1
Webber 1:32:217
Vettel 1:32:084
Massa 1:32:681
Practice 2 Times
Webber 1:31:711 P1
Alonso 1:31 879
Vettel 1:32:084
Massa 1:32:354
Practice 3 Times
Vettel 1:30:916 P1
Webber 1:31:049
Alonso 1:31:138
Hamilton 1:31:578
Mind you this is still practice and not indicative of what qualifying will bring about... Mercedes (Schumacher & Rosberg) seem to be doing well finishing Practice #2 in 5th & 6th respectively, while the best McLaren could do at the end of P2 is 7th & 11th (Hamilton & Button). I figure that all the above will change when qualifying is done and the grid is set.
Still the RB6 seems to have the better of the F150 Italia...
Practice 1 Times
Alonso 1:31:894 P1
Webber 1:32:217
Vettel 1:32:084
Massa 1:32:681
Practice 2 Times
Webber 1:31:711 P1
Alonso 1:31 879
Vettel 1:32:084
Massa 1:32:354
Practice 3 Times
Vettel 1:30:916 P1
Webber 1:31:049
Alonso 1:31:138
Hamilton 1:31:578
Mind you this is still practice and not indicative of what qualifying will bring about... Mercedes (Schumacher & Rosberg) seem to be doing well finishing Practice #2 in 5th & 6th respectively, while the best McLaren could do at the end of P2 is 7th & 11th (Hamilton & Button). I figure that all the above will change when qualifying is done and the grid is set.
Last edited by Sabre; Jul 23, 2011 at 11:24 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: USA - Illinois
Here's your top ten on the starting grid for the 2011 German GP at the Nurburgring... 
Webber 1:30.079 P1
Hamilton 1:30.134
Vettel 1:30.216
Alonso 1:30.442
Massa 1:30.910
Rosberg 1:31.263
Button 1:31.288
Sutil 1:32.010
Petrov 1:32.187
Schmacher 1:32.482
Webber 1:30.079 P1
Hamilton 1:30.134
Vettel 1:30.216
Alonso 1:30.442
Massa 1:30.910
Rosberg 1:31.263
Button 1:31.288
Sutil 1:32.010
Petrov 1:32.187
Schmacher 1:32.482
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: USA - Illinois
Normally I don't jump to rash conclusions but some people need to be scrutinized closely or else their ambitions become our reality!
So with that in mind, I think that I am going to start the GRBEA ("Get Rid of Bernie Ecclestone Association)... 
If this guy gets his way we will all be paying customers if we wish to watch F1 on TV...
Yes indeed, news out of the UK says that the old troll has finagled a deal whereas F1 will be shown on a subscription channel in the UK for 10 races rather than Free-to-Air TV. We here in the USA already need a subscription channel (i.e. SPEED) to watch, with the exception of four races televised on FOX!
I believe that this is the first step in Bernie's insidious plan to move F1 to PPV TV... It starts with this and eventually ends up with us paying to watch F1 worldwide...
Bosses to meet Ecclestone over British TV deal
Jul.29 (GMM)
F1 team bosses are set to meet with Bernie Ecclestone as the paddock digests Friday's news about the television coverage in Britain.
It has been announced that subscription channel Sky will share live broadcasting rights with the BBC from 2012, meaning 10 races will not be shown on free-to-air television.
"Not impressed," BBC commentator Martin Brundle admitted on Twitter.
F1 chief executive Ecclestone however said the news was "super", insisting the sport will now enjoy "the best of both worlds".
But the teams are reportedly concerned that the deal is a breach of the Concorde Agreement clause about television coverage in key markets.
"Mr Ecclestone is expected to argue that the contract has not been broken because half of the races will still be screened on the BBC," said the Daily Mail.
BBC radio commentator David Croft on Friday afternoon announced that the teams will meet with Ecclestone to discuss the issue at the Hungaroring.
McLaren and FOTA chief Martin Whitmarsh warned about jumping to conclusions.
"I don't think anyone should be immediately reacting to say this is good, bad, indifferent," he is quoted by the Telegraph, albeit confirming that the Concorde does include "safeguards" about TV coverage.
Then again maybe it's just the conspiracy theorist in me... Well I gotta go now, I'm off to Area 51 to check on the Aliens!
So with that in mind, I think that I am going to start the GRBEA ("Get Rid of Bernie Ecclestone Association)...
If this guy gets his way we will all be paying customers if we wish to watch F1 on TV...
Yes indeed, news out of the UK says that the old troll has finagled a deal whereas F1 will be shown on a subscription channel in the UK for 10 races rather than Free-to-Air TV. We here in the USA already need a subscription channel (i.e. SPEED) to watch, with the exception of four races televised on FOX!
I believe that this is the first step in Bernie's insidious plan to move F1 to PPV TV... It starts with this and eventually ends up with us paying to watch F1 worldwide...
Bosses to meet Ecclestone over British TV deal
Jul.29 (GMM)
F1 team bosses are set to meet with Bernie Ecclestone as the paddock digests Friday's news about the television coverage in Britain.
It has been announced that subscription channel Sky will share live broadcasting rights with the BBC from 2012, meaning 10 races will not be shown on free-to-air television.
"Not impressed," BBC commentator Martin Brundle admitted on Twitter.
F1 chief executive Ecclestone however said the news was "super", insisting the sport will now enjoy "the best of both worlds".
But the teams are reportedly concerned that the deal is a breach of the Concorde Agreement clause about television coverage in key markets.
"Mr Ecclestone is expected to argue that the contract has not been broken because half of the races will still be screened on the BBC," said the Daily Mail.
BBC radio commentator David Croft on Friday afternoon announced that the teams will meet with Ecclestone to discuss the issue at the Hungaroring.
McLaren and FOTA chief Martin Whitmarsh warned about jumping to conclusions.
"I don't think anyone should be immediately reacting to say this is good, bad, indifferent," he is quoted by the Telegraph, albeit confirming that the Concorde does include "safeguards" about TV coverage.
Then again maybe it's just the conspiracy theorist in me... Well I gotta go now, I'm off to Area 51 to check on the Aliens!
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
FIRST smart thing I've heard about this GP. November is often pretty miserable in Texas, too, but at least it's easier to put on clothes than take them off.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 975
Likes: 15
From: Cathedral City, CA
Depends on what you do for a living...
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 975
Likes: 15
From: Cathedral City, CA
By the way, I'm 62 and I probably feel many of the same pains. Definitely ain't for Wimps; of course, the car helps...
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: USA - Illinois
Is Michael Schumacher hanging up his helmet?! 
Schumacher Admits Eyeing Return To Retirement
GMM Newswire / 8 August 2011
The 7-time World Champion has reportedly admitted he is considering returning to retirement.
Corriere dello Sport said that despite the seven time world champion having a contract for 2012, he might hang up his helmet at the end of this season.
"I arrived at Mercedes Grand Prix with a specific task: not winning at all costs but to grow the team," the 42-year-old is quoted as saying.
"If anything, I am the problem: it is a fact that I am a bit more relaxed than before and I do not know if my mindset is right for this team.
"At some point we will evaluate whether I continue or stop," added Schumacher.
Should the German retire for the second time, Force India's Paul di Resta is considered the favorite for his Mercedes race seat in 2012.
I still think that Schumi has what it takes to win in F1... Just witness his charge at the Canadian GP and in some subsequent GPs since then. The car is improving but the Mercedes is not the equal of the RB6, MP4-26 or the F150 Italia. What Michael has to work with is a car that consistently is in the lower third of the top ten (7th or 8th place car).
What do you all think? Should Shumi retire?
Schumacher Admits Eyeing Return To Retirement
GMM Newswire / 8 August 2011
The 7-time World Champion has reportedly admitted he is considering returning to retirement.
Corriere dello Sport said that despite the seven time world champion having a contract for 2012, he might hang up his helmet at the end of this season.
"I arrived at Mercedes Grand Prix with a specific task: not winning at all costs but to grow the team," the 42-year-old is quoted as saying.
"If anything, I am the problem: it is a fact that I am a bit more relaxed than before and I do not know if my mindset is right for this team.
"At some point we will evaluate whether I continue or stop," added Schumacher.
Should the German retire for the second time, Force India's Paul di Resta is considered the favorite for his Mercedes race seat in 2012.
I still think that Schumi has what it takes to win in F1... Just witness his charge at the Canadian GP and in some subsequent GPs since then. The car is improving but the Mercedes is not the equal of the RB6, MP4-26 or the F150 Italia. What Michael has to work with is a car that consistently is in the lower third of the top ten (7th or 8th place car).
What do you all think? Should Shumi retire?
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Is Michael Schumacher hanging up his helmet?!
Schumacher Admits Eyeing Return To Retirement
GMM Newswire / 8 August 2011
The 7-time World Champion has reportedly admitted he is considering returning to retirement.
Corriere dello Sport said that despite the seven time world champion having a contract for 2012, he might hang up his helmet at the end of this season.
"I arrived at Mercedes Grand Prix with a specific task: not winning at all costs but to grow the team," the 42-year-old is quoted as saying.
"If anything, I am the problem: it is a fact that I am a bit more relaxed than before and I do not know if my mindset is right for this team.
"At some point we will evaluate whether I continue or stop," added Schumacher.
Should the German retire for the second time, Force India's Paul di Resta is considered the favorite for his Mercedes race seat in 2012.
I still think that Schumi has what it takes to win in F1... Just witness his charge at the Canadian GP and in some subsequent GPs since then. The car is improving but the Mercedes is not the equal of the RB6, MP4-26 or the F150 Italia. What Michael has to work with is a car that consistently is in the lower third of the top ten (7th or 8th place car).
What do you all think? Should Shumi retire?
Schumacher Admits Eyeing Return To Retirement
GMM Newswire / 8 August 2011
The 7-time World Champion has reportedly admitted he is considering returning to retirement.
Corriere dello Sport said that despite the seven time world champion having a contract for 2012, he might hang up his helmet at the end of this season.
"I arrived at Mercedes Grand Prix with a specific task: not winning at all costs but to grow the team," the 42-year-old is quoted as saying.
"If anything, I am the problem: it is a fact that I am a bit more relaxed than before and I do not know if my mindset is right for this team.
"At some point we will evaluate whether I continue or stop," added Schumacher.
Should the German retire for the second time, Force India's Paul di Resta is considered the favorite for his Mercedes race seat in 2012.
I still think that Schumi has what it takes to win in F1... Just witness his charge at the Canadian GP and in some subsequent GPs since then. The car is improving but the Mercedes is not the equal of the RB6, MP4-26 or the F150 Italia. What Michael has to work with is a car that consistently is in the lower third of the top ten (7th or 8th place car).
What do you all think? Should Shumi retire?
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: USA - Illinois
Wow! As if the world doesn't have enough turmoil already...
First Bahrain and its political struggle and now this... Looks as if Bernie's well crafted schedule is in jeopardy.
Indian farmers threaten to 'dismantle' F1 track
Aug.11 (GMM) Hundreds of angry Indian farmers have threatened to sabotage the new Buddh circuit.
With the New Delhi venue scheduled to host the inaugural Indian grand prix in October, over 300 farmers on Wednesday staged a protest near the site.
DNA India said they are angry at how their lands were acquired to make room for the project.
Calling themselves the Bhartiya Kisan Union, they are threatening to "dismantle the racing track with force if necessary" if their demands are not met.
They reportedly drafted a letter to authorities demanding money, educational placements and the establishment of industries to generate employment.
"We are warning you that if our demands are taken casually, we will be forced to launch an agitation," the farmers wrote.
First Bahrain and its political struggle and now this... Looks as if Bernie's well crafted schedule is in jeopardy.
Indian farmers threaten to 'dismantle' F1 track
Aug.11 (GMM) Hundreds of angry Indian farmers have threatened to sabotage the new Buddh circuit.
With the New Delhi venue scheduled to host the inaugural Indian grand prix in October, over 300 farmers on Wednesday staged a protest near the site.
DNA India said they are angry at how their lands were acquired to make room for the project.
Calling themselves the Bhartiya Kisan Union, they are threatening to "dismantle the racing track with force if necessary" if their demands are not met.
They reportedly drafted a letter to authorities demanding money, educational placements and the establishment of industries to generate employment.
"We are warning you that if our demands are taken casually, we will be forced to launch an agitation," the farmers wrote.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: USA - Illinois
As MINI owners we all love our cars! 
I'm sure that you've all seen the threads where we even ask fellow owners what other cars (we own) share garage space with our beloved MINIs.
Well did you ever wonder what kind of cars reside in the garages of our hero drivers in F1?
If you do, then read on...
F1 Stars Road Cars - Revealed
Aug. 15, 2011 (IBN-Live)
It is the F1 summer break and news is somewhat thin on the ground at present as all concerned have scampered away for a well-deserved holiday, so to fill the void, we have a slightly different feature for your enjoyment and education. How do you fancy finding out what the grand prix gladiators drive every day on the roads?
Well if you're still reading now, we guess you fancy finding out rather a lot, so without further ado and thanks to information supplied by our friends over at IBN Live, we shall fill you in. Prepare to discover who owns a Maserati Quattroporte, who motors around in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and which classic car enthusiast's garage contains both a Volkswagen Beetle Convertible and a Ford Mustang. Oh yes, and one of them has a van...
Here we go:
Sebastian Vettel: Infiniti FX50S, Fiat 500, Volkswagen T5 van, Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series (prize for winning 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix)
Mark Webber: Nissan Navara, Porsche 911 Turbo, Porsche GT2 RS, BMW X5, Infiniti M37
Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes GL450
Jenson Button: Mercedes C63 AMG DR 520 (limited-edition, 520bhp), Smart Car
Fernando Alonso: Ferrari 458, Maserati Gran Cabrio
Felipe Massa: Ferrari 599, Maserati Quattroporte
Michael Schumacher: Mercedes S65 AMG, Mercedes GL, Mercedes C63 AMG, Ferrari California
Nico Rosberg: Mercedes C63 AMG
Nick Heidfeld: Lotus Exige, Mini Cooper S, Toyota Sienna, Porsche 959S, Fiat 500, Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, Ford Mustang
Vitaly Petrov: Lotus Evora, Renault Megane
Rubens Barrichello: Audi RS6, Ferrari 575
Pastor Maldonado: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Adrian Sutil: Techart Porsche GT2, Techart Porsche Cayenne, Audi RS4 (“I would never buy a saloon car – it has to be sporty,” he says)
Paul di Resta: No car
Kamui Kobayashi: BMW X5, Lexus IS-F
Sergio Pérez: BMW X3, BMW Z4
Sébastien Buemi: Volkswagen Golf R
Jaime Alguersuari: Seat Leon Cupra R
Heikki Kovalainen: Infiniti FX 50S, Nissan GT-R
Jarno Trulli: Fiat 500
Vitantonio Liuzzi: Mercedes C63 AMG
Timo Glock: Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI, Audi A4 3.0 TDI
Sadly only one of our stalwart F1 pilots drive a MINI...
I wonder if Nick Heidfeld is a NAMer?
I'm sure that you've all seen the threads where we even ask fellow owners what other cars (we own) share garage space with our beloved MINIs.
Well did you ever wonder what kind of cars reside in the garages of our hero drivers in F1?
If you do, then read on...
F1 Stars Road Cars - Revealed
Aug. 15, 2011 (IBN-Live)
It is the F1 summer break and news is somewhat thin on the ground at present as all concerned have scampered away for a well-deserved holiday, so to fill the void, we have a slightly different feature for your enjoyment and education. How do you fancy finding out what the grand prix gladiators drive every day on the roads?
Well if you're still reading now, we guess you fancy finding out rather a lot, so without further ado and thanks to information supplied by our friends over at IBN Live, we shall fill you in. Prepare to discover who owns a Maserati Quattroporte, who motors around in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and which classic car enthusiast's garage contains both a Volkswagen Beetle Convertible and a Ford Mustang. Oh yes, and one of them has a van...
Here we go:
Sebastian Vettel: Infiniti FX50S, Fiat 500, Volkswagen T5 van, Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series (prize for winning 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix)
Mark Webber: Nissan Navara, Porsche 911 Turbo, Porsche GT2 RS, BMW X5, Infiniti M37
Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes GL450
Jenson Button: Mercedes C63 AMG DR 520 (limited-edition, 520bhp), Smart Car
Fernando Alonso: Ferrari 458, Maserati Gran Cabrio
Felipe Massa: Ferrari 599, Maserati Quattroporte
Michael Schumacher: Mercedes S65 AMG, Mercedes GL, Mercedes C63 AMG, Ferrari California
Nico Rosberg: Mercedes C63 AMG
Nick Heidfeld: Lotus Exige, Mini Cooper S, Toyota Sienna, Porsche 959S, Fiat 500, Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, Ford Mustang
Vitaly Petrov: Lotus Evora, Renault Megane
Rubens Barrichello: Audi RS6, Ferrari 575
Pastor Maldonado: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Adrian Sutil: Techart Porsche GT2, Techart Porsche Cayenne, Audi RS4 (“I would never buy a saloon car – it has to be sporty,” he says)
Paul di Resta: No car
Kamui Kobayashi: BMW X5, Lexus IS-F
Sergio Pérez: BMW X3, BMW Z4
Sébastien Buemi: Volkswagen Golf R
Jaime Alguersuari: Seat Leon Cupra R
Heikki Kovalainen: Infiniti FX 50S, Nissan GT-R
Jarno Trulli: Fiat 500
Vitantonio Liuzzi: Mercedes C63 AMG
Timo Glock: Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI, Audi A4 3.0 TDI
Sadly only one of our stalwart F1 pilots drive a MINI...
I wonder if Nick Heidfeld is a NAMer?
Last edited by Sabre; Aug 15, 2011 at 08:30 PM. Reason: correcting information given out
Huh?? It says right there he's got a MINI.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: USA - Illinois
OMG! I did not see that!
Thanks for spotting my error S-Driver... Guess I better amend my post...
OK then, "Quick Nick" is one of us! Guess I better start cheering him on!
It is on my "to do" list but won't get to a theatre near me until later this week! I've been waiting for this movie since it was announced.
Aryton Senna was... Simply the Best!
Thanks for spotting my error S-Driver... Guess I better amend my post...
OK then, "Quick Nick" is one of us! Guess I better start cheering him on!
It is on my "to do" list but won't get to a theatre near me until later this week! I've been waiting for this movie since it was announced.
Aryton Senna was... Simply the Best!
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: USA - Illinois
I kind of expected them to have Mercs and Ferraris but so few Porsches is a bit of a mystery.
Hard to believe that Jarno Trulli only owns a Fiat 500...
Really now, with all the $$$$$ he's earned driving in F1 and he only owns a Fiat 500!
Jenson Button owns a SMART car!!! Why would anyone own a SMART car?! Being a Brit and all, he should have gotten a MINI "E"!
Paul di Resta is another interesting note. No car?
Then again, in retrospect, di Resta probably is driven by a chauffeur to wheresoever he wishes to go.
Last edited by Sabre; Aug 15, 2011 at 08:50 PM.