Well friends the Holidays are upon us and I hope that you are all enjoying them with family & friends!


Meanwhile, I myself am suffering from RSW (Racing Season Withdrawl - especially of the F1 variety). With that in mind and the fact that we have (as of this posting) 77 days until the green flag flies in Australia it gives us some time to ponder what 2014 will bestow upon us F1 fans...

The current 2014 line-up in full:

Red Bull Racing
Sebastian Vettel
Daniel Ricciardo

Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton
Nico Rosberg

Ferrari
Fernando Alonso
Kimi Raikkonen

Lotus
Romain Grosjean
Pastor Maldonado

McLaren
Jenson Button
Kevin Magnussen

Force India
Nico Hulkenberg
Sergio Perez

Sauber
Adrian Sutil
Esteban Gutierrez

Toro Rosso
Jean-Eric Vergne
Daniil Kvyat

Williams
Felipe Massa
Valtteri Bottas

Marussia
Jules Bianchi
TBD

Caterham
TBD
TBD


The 2014 season looks as hot as a firecracker. Teams switching drivers, new engines... it would appear as if anything goes!


So, anyone got a favorite for the 2014 driver's championship? Yeah, it's premature but its fun to venture a guess on the upcoming season. For me, well I'm seeing RED with Alonso leading the pack... Lewis, Kimi and Vettel nipping at his heels.


Oh and lest I forget, any predictions concerning the surprise of the 2014 season? I believe that Kevin Magnussen will impress and McLaren will bounce back from the debacle of 2013.


Opinions?


In the meantime, I'm off to watch re-runs of the 2013 F1 season... Also waiting for the green flag to drop at Daytona marking the start of the IMSA 24hr opener for sports cars.

 

I'm a big Kimi fan and welcome his return to red trousers. Its moot point now but when he was being considered for a drive in the RB10, that would have be it! A Raikkonen 2014 Championship and Seb would have gotten a supreme understanding of what Weber went through
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I'm a Cybernetic Organism; living tissue over a metal endoskeleton.

'08 JCW Sidewalk PW/B "Katie"

 

Tell you what Oz, if the Scuderia can produce a chassis that can compete with Newey's RB designs then fights on baby! I believe that Alonso and Raikonnen can both challenge/beat Vettel and give him a taste of what Webber had to contend with.

Kimi is one tough customer no doubt about it. My concern is how he and Fernando will get along. You put two thoroughbreds in the same stable and trouble can easily ensue. Let's hope that both drivers cooperate cause Kimi is no Massa and I doubt he will take kindly if requested by the team to play second fiddle to Alonso. Conversely the same applies to Alonso. Time will tell if this pairing is truly a dream team for Ferrari.

 

Hey all you old school traditionalists, looks like McLaren might be sporting a retro look for 2014...


McLaren could be sporting "new" livery for 2014


Dec.24 (GMM) McLaren could launch its 2014 car with an orange livery, according to an Italian media report.

Omnicorse claims the famous British team will publicly reveal its new car, the MP4-29, on 25 January.

The news is not yet official, but McLaren has reportedly informed its rival teams of its plans, in order to avoid a potential clash of dates in the days leading into official testing.

And with title sponsor Vodafone now departing, and McLaren not yet announcing a replacement, the report said the Woking based team is considering launching its last Mercedes-powered car in its traditional orange.

 

That's it exactly; Newey's a genius! But with a new engine comes a new chassis - and its sounds like its gunna be HELLA complex. I think eng/energy recovery components may be an issue with durability and longevity.

The way to win in F1 is to find a way a gray area in the rulebook and exploit the heck out of that before the others catch on or there's a rule change banning. (F holes for example)

I am not a Seb hater but I'm not a fan either. He's pulled a few too many slimeball moves if you ask me. I am pulling for Ferrari and I think those two will just have to get on with it. IF you ask me I think Fernando has more of a prob with Kimi than Kimi has with Alonso. Peeps give Kimi a hard time but he's just a no BS kind of guy. Just "leave him alone, he'll know what to do"

BTW, what do you think of the proposed "double points last GP" rule? I think its absurd
__________________
I'm a Cybernetic Organism; living tissue over a metal endoskeleton.

'08 JCW Sidewalk PW/B "Katie"

 

Best wishes Michael Shummacher...

 

Michael slipped into a coma, has had brain surgery, and is listed as critical. Next update tomorrow at 10:00 GMT.

 

Our prayers are with Schumi and his family. May God grant him a speedy and full recovery from this tragic accident.


Michael Schumacher, former F1 champion, critical after ski fall

(BBC) 29 December 2013 Last updated at 19:41 ET

Michael Schumacher, the seven-time Formula 1 champion, is in a critical condition after a skiing accident, says the French hospital treating him.

The 44-year-old German suffered serious brain trauma, was in a coma on arrival and underwent a brain operation.

He was skiing off-piste with his son in the French Alps on Sunday when the accident occurred.

Schumacher was wearing a helmet when he fell and hit his head against a rock, his manager Sabine Kehm said.

Early reports had said his condition was not life-threatening and he reportedly walked away from the accident complaining only of feeling a bit shaken.

The accident took place in the French ski resort of Meribel on Sunday morning.

The resort's director, Christophe Gernignon-Lecomte, said Schumacher was attended to by two ski patrollers who requested helicopter evacuation to the nearby valley town of Moutiers.

He was subsequently moved to the bigger facility at Grenoble, in south-east France. His wife Corinna and two children are with him.

"Mr. Schumacher was admitted to the University Hospital of Grenoble at 12:40 [11:40 GMT], following a skiing accident which occurred in Meribel in the late morning," the Grenoble hospital said in a statement.

"He suffered a severe head injury with coma on arrival, which required immediate neurosurgical intervention. He remains in a critical situation."

The hospital statement was signed by the facility's neurosurgeon, the professor in charge of its anaesthesia/revival unit, and the hospital's deputy director, reports said.

A hospital official declined to give more details and said more information would be given out on Monday, said Reuters news agency.

 

Arguably the best F1 driver of all time, as well as being a true sportsman, philanthropist, family man and was even "The Stig" on TG (for the Ferrari episodes). Not writing his obit here, just saying, Godspeed "Regenmeister"

Transmitted using CRM 114 discriminator.
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I'm a Cybernetic Organism; living tissue over a metal endoskeleton.

'08 JCW Sidewalk PW/B "Katie"

 

 

For all of you F1 fans of Kamui Kobayashi, you all remember him... former Toyota and most notably Sauber F1 driver known for his aggressive overtaking moves (very, very late braker) there is this news:


Caterham not ruling out Kobayashi for F1 return


Jan.10 (GMM) Kamui Kobayashi appears imminently close to securing his return to formula one.

The Japanese lost his Sauber seat at the end of 2012, spending last season as a Ferrari test driver and driving a works Ferrari 458 in the Le Mans series.

But Kobayashi, 27, has also collected millions from his fans to offer to a potential F1 race employer, and just before Christmas was spotted at Caterham's factory.

When asked about the popular former Toyota and Sauber driver, a Caterham spokesman told Sky: "There are lots of drivers being linked with Caterham at the moment which is very good news for us.

"I think it's flattering that somebody of Kamui's experience, talent and popularity would be linked to our team.

"We will be making an announcement on drivers in due course and there are a number of drivers of Kamui's experience who are being considered."

Giedo van der Garde and Charles Pic drove for the team in 2013, but so far neither have been confirmed for the new season.

Along with Kobayashi, rookie Marcus Ericsson and former team driver Heikki Kovalainen have also been strongly linked with the seats.

The Caterham spokesman admitted that "at least one" of the team's 2014 drivers will be experienced.

"It's particularly important with the new rules and the new car configuration that you have somebody who has some experience," he said.

The spokesman added that Caterham is "very, very close" to making an announcement.


Well Caterham is not the best team on the grid but it is a return for Kobayashi. His addition to the 2014 field would add some spice and who knows what with the engine changes for 2014 and Caterham running Renault engines he may just help Caterham become something more than just a backmarker.


We would welcome the return of Kobayashi! When he is on he is electrifying to watch!

 

I always liked Kobayashi. He was entertaining.

 

Yeah that would be a good drive for Kamu

I'm a Cybernetic Organism; living tissue over a metal endoskeleton. '08 JCW Sidewalk PW/B "Katie"

 

Posted on the FIA website...


F1 driver's now have permanent numbers assigned to them!


FIA entry list reveals driver numbers

Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, has published the entry list for the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship, revealing the race number each driver has chosen to use for the remainder of his F1 career under revised regulations for the new season.

The list also includes Max Chilton as Marussia's second driver, leaving Caterham as the only team to finalise their 2014 line-up.

Each driver was invited by the FIA to state his preferred race number, with the driver who finished higher in the 2013 standings being favoured if the same number was requested more than once.

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel chose number 5, but as reigning world champion has taken up his option to run with number 1 this season. Meanwhile, number 13 - not normally used due to its association with poor luck - has been chosen by Lotus's Pastor Maldonado.

The FIA entry list in full:
1* Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull
3 Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
44 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
6 Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
14 Fernando Alonso, Ferrari
7 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
8 Romain Grosjean, Lotus
13 Pastor Maldonado, Lotus
22 Jenson Button, McLaren
20 Kevin Magnussen, McLaren
27 Nico Hulkenberg, Force India
11 Sergio Perez, Force India
99 Adrian Sutil, Sauber
21 Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber
25 Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso
26 Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso
19 Felipe Massa, Williams
77 Valtteri Bottas, Williams
17 Jules Bianchi, Marussia
TBA Max Chilton, Marussia
TBA, Caterham
TBA, Caterham

*For the duration of his F1 career, Vettel chose number 5

 

Yay Kimi! 7 is a great number!



__________________
I'm a Cybernetic Organism; living tissue over a metal endoskeleton.

'08 JCW Sidewalk PW/B "Katie"

 

Did you catch why Kimi choose 7?

It wasn't because 2007 was the year he won the world championship...

7 was the number he had last year, and didn't see any reason to change it! http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/25694748

 

lol typical Kimi - he's awesome

I'm a Cybernetic Organism; living tissue over a metal endoskeleton. '08 JCW Sidewalk PW/B "Katie"

 

Hold on to your hats as the rumors have begun to fly!


Anyone out there remember the debacle that was USF1 back in 2010?


Well it seems that someone else in the USA is interested in fielding an American team and that the proposed party comes from tin-top NASCAR land!


Read on...




Nascar team owner aims for F1 in 2015


Jan.17 (GMM) An American team is bidding to enter formula one in 2015.

Bernie Ecclestone revealed on Thursday that he is in talks with two parties interested in the FIA's invitation to fill the final spot in pitlane.

It emerges that one of them is Gene Haas, a Nascar team owner.

"We have responded to the FIA's 'call for expression of interest'," he said, "and will share more details in the coming weeks."

Haas co-owns the Stewart-Haas team, and reports said he has an estimated net worth of $740 million.

It is claimed his team would be based in Charlotte.




I'll be a believer when that car/team shows up on the grid in 2015. Till then, well I won't be holding my breath.

 

Yeah, I saw that on BBC's F1 site last night... I feel the same way you do - I'll believe it when I see the car in the pitt lane.

Last winter it was Scorpion racing trying to get HRT's newly vacated slot... Here we are a year later and their "serious bid" evaporated long before 2014 applications were due....

 

One has to question how serious that is. Most of the F1 subcontracting/supplier base in in Britain so running a US team from the USA might be patriotic (and might avoid team principals having to relocate) but even in an age of easy communications, that seems to be starting a fight with one hand tied behind your back.

 

The price to join this most elite group of racing teams is astronomical (no doubt fueled by Messr. Ecclestone's incessant greed but that is a subject best left for another post)... We (the fans) have been duped with hype, smoke & mirrors, and outlandish promises in the past when it comes to seeing new teams on the grid especially in the case of USF1, so yeah mbabischkin, you and I may be skeptical but we're pragmatic...


Indeed! One does wonder how serious they are to base things so far away. It is a noble concept (basing your team in the country of your origin) but in today's highly competitive environment, it's rather foolish and more of a PR tool than anything else. Look at all the teams and their bases of operations and you are correct Angib, they are all based in Britain. Even the most naive can only surmise that there is definite business/engineering reason for this. This also applies to drivers who refuse to move to Europe and try to participate by jetting back and forth across the Atlantic (e.g. Michael Andretti).


One need only to look past the flop that USF1 was and note that Toyota tried to go at it from a different angle basing their ops in Cologne, Germany and even with the might and expertise of Toyota their attempt to succeed in F1 ended with a whimper and their subsequent withdrawal. So perhaps there is a lot to be said about being based in F1's equivalent of "Silicon Valley".

 

I think the essential fact about F1 is that it is not a cost-constrained sport/business. Sure there are some limits on things like track testing time in a rather feeble attempt to control costs, but that just makes well-funded teams spend more money to get around the restriction.

By comparison series like NASCAR seem to say "how can we put on the best racing spectacle for a sensible amount of money?" and limit the allowed specification so the teams can afford it.

It will be very interesting to see if F1 can really bring in an effective limit on race team funding - it seems essential if they are going to keep more than three or four teams running, but if you were Ferrari or Mercedes, with their budget available to you, wouldn't you try to arrange some ways to let you spend more money to win?

 

The article I saw about this notes that "Haas owns factory facilities in Brussels that could become a European base for the team."

Its is possible to have a successful team not based in Britain (Ferrari, Sauber), but the odds are against it.

 

The only thing I could think of is that they are hoping to be able to take advantage of the sizable NASCAR expertise in the Carolinas and try to leverage that into F1 success, with the hope that there would be some sort of economy of scale between the two make the technology and engineering costs acceptable.

Given how drastically different the series are, and that essentially all but two races all season would be "fly-away" races for a US based team and I wouldn't be surprised if even with the maximum use of rapid prototyping technologies the added logistics costs of being based in the US would overcome any possible savings realized by a co-locating with a NASCAR team.

 

That's interesting to note Btwyx and very logical to surmise that they would wish to employ said properties for basing their F1 operations but as the article I read stated, "It is claimed his team would be based in Charlotte".


Also as mbabischkin points out, "all but two races all season would be "fly-away" races for a US based team and I wouldn't be surprised if even with the maximum use of rapid prototyping technologies the added logistics costs of being based in the US would overcome any possible savings realized by a co-locating with a NASCAR team."


Therefore it would make sense (if for no other reason than logistical) to base one's operations in Britain/Europe but it seems that national fervor trumps logic.


OMG I feel so foolish to have forgotten all about Sauber and especially the Scuderia being based outside of Britain!

Mea Culpa!