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Post by FordTeamRS on Mar 9, 2009 14:17:02 GMT
Wow, this section managed to bypass an entire season! 2008 was a cracking season, too many late nights and early Monday morning uni lectures. Anyway, the 2009 season is almost underway beginning in Australia in my hometown of Melbourne. I have the pleasure of living minutes away from the circuit so I get to run and drive around it whenever I jolly well please. The other day I decided to strap a camera on the visor of my car and pootle around in my Honda. Here's the Youtube video of it, excuse The Fratellis playing in the background - my car is dead silent. www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6u1MDH_LZsAlso regarding the demise of Honda F1, Ross Brawn and co have been involved in a management takeover of the team. Esentially the top brass of the team remain, it will just be missing the Honda Co. people - this may be a good thing in retrospect. It may be a strategic move by Honda in essence, seeing as they've poured millions into infrastructure for the team, it would be quite silly to completely let it go. From what I understand, there is an option in years to come for Honda to perhaps return once the world economy balances its abacuses. As for this year, it will be called Brawn GP and powered by Mercedes engines. Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will remain. Bruno Senna was mooted to replace Barrichello, however due to Honda's collapse and subsequent sponsorship deals falling through, it looks like he might spend a year in the DTM wilderness. It's unlikely he'll return to GP2 where he spent his 2008 season. All the teams look fairly bunched up in testing and it is far too early to call as to who will be at the pecking order, or fighting for scraps. Toyota and Red Bull seem buoyed by their recent tests. The usual suspects like McLaren, Ferrari and BMW seem solid, despite suggestions McLaren may be suffering some aero issues. Renault performed poorly early in testing, but seem to have found some sort of pace - whether it's genuine or not is another question. Williams have a solid package and will be sure to capitalise on a clean start with the new aero and tyre regulations for this year. Toro Rosso is basically Red Bull with a Ferrari engine, Sebastian Vettel is now at Red Bull so it's really up to the experienced Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastien Buemi to continue their streak of solid results. And don't discount Force India, they retain Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil - however management has had a massive shakeup and they've got a Mercedes engine and a McLaren gearbox. I hope it will be another stunning season of top class driving.
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Post by Vivski on Mar 10, 2009 8:51:14 GMT
LMAO, love the VTEC!
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Post by Nick McRae on Mar 12, 2009 10:08:45 GMT
That must be pretty awesome driving around there with all the F1 related advertising going up =D VTEC - poor scooter! ;D Good to hear you;ve been treated to the Fratelli's down under too!
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Post by Mixa on Mar 12, 2009 11:27:41 GMT
Yeah it is and thanks about the video there. I truly loved it and it just shows that Melbourne aint in the condition I show on a shot. Ok it was from the building phase so everything might look different. Anyway as its not too long to go for a season who could be up to the Fantasy F1??? last year only me and HJB where on the league I done so Im not putting it up if I dont get the interest. Also I already want to say that Ill create a batracer F109 league once when the game is released. ----------------------------------------------------------------- BTW my favourite´s Toyota seems to be finally on the top fights and my promise about if Toyota wins an F1 race then Im back to watch it could happen. I was just so shattered about Lewis title last season. Ok atleast this year the Brits have Button as McLaren has now officially told that them are lost with their car and has confirmed that its actually that slow as testing pace has showed to us. Poor Heikki
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Post by FordTeamRS on Mar 12, 2009 13:12:44 GMT
Yeah The Fratellis are getting some decent exposure amongst indie fans, they were in Melbourne recently and I'm kicking myself not seeing them. I only very recently got into them, then again I tend to miss the boat on decent bands. Also Mixa, I'd like to do Fantasy F1 but I'm lazy and I'd neglect my team Wow, a Toyota fan, I never thought I'd live to see the day. They have been very quick, and for the sake of the team's existence, I'd love to see them finally breakthrough and score their first win after 7 years spending umpteenth million dollars and only getting a couple podiums. I have immense respect for Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli - they deserve results. Testing is about to wind up, but the revelation in testing is Brawn GP - they have been going absolutely BOMBING in testing. Jenson Button managed to set a stunning 1.19 - to put that into perspective, Kimi Raikkonen's pole time in the April race last year was a 1.21. Perhaps Brawn's pace is due to Honda, back then, starting work on their 2009 car probably just as Raikkonen scored pole at the Spanish GP in 2008. They have made no secret of the fact they started development for their 2009 car very early, which would certainly explain their lackluster form in 2008. Personally, I had an inkling the 2009 Honda was going to be quick, so I was shattered to hear that Honda "withdrew" for 2009. If anything, it's become a blessing for the team as they've ditched the underpowered Honda for the mighty Mercedes engine. The team haven't exactly been showboating either, they've managed to consistently set 1.20/1.21 lap-times with realistic race fuel loads. An astonishing feat considering the team faced being mothballed barely a month ago. Full credit for the staff at the Brackley base working flat out to continue developing a 2009 car, even if their personal job security was under a cloud and that their hard work may have ended up in vein. I will certainly applaud the team if they even score a point, if they can do better, I will be beside myself with joy and admiration for the team. As would Jenson Button given how committed he is to the team - this I highly admire him for. March 11 testing times - Barcelona 1. J. Button Brawn GP BGP 001 1:19.127 93 pit 2. F. Massa Ferrari F60 1:20.168 +1.041 27 pit 3. T. Glock Toyota TF109 1:20.488 +1.361 84 pit 4. F. Alonso Renault R29 1:20.863 +1.736 65 pit 5. S. Vettel Red Bull Racing RB5 1:21.165 +2.038 54 pit 6. R. Kubica BMW Sauber F1.09 1:21.201 +2.074 71 pit 7. N. Rosberg Williams FW31 1:21.482 +2.355 30 pit 8. G. Fisichella Force India VJM-02 1:21.545 +2.418 51 pit 9. S. Buemi Toro Rosso STR4 1:21.569 +2.442 59 pit 10. L. Hamilton McLaren MP4-24 1:21.657 +2.530 49 pit Brawn's pace is certainly astonishing given that 2008 world champions have been struggling throughout testing. Signs of trouble first arose when McLaren kept bolting the 2008-spec wing on their 2009 car. Whilst McLaren are keeping calm saying everything is under control and that they will be in the fight, Mercedes boss Norbert Haug has admitted the team is slightly behind the 8-ball in terms of development. It is rumoured that some aerodynamic components, more specifically the rear wing, are not performing as expected per the results from their wind tunnel data. This isn't the first time McLaren have entered a new season with a slightly undercooked car. The 2006 McLaren was certainly no-match for the all conquering, if rather delicate, 2005 McLaren. The 2004 McLaren was infamously horrible and unrealiable. And the 2003 McLaren was effectively a recycled 2002 car because the original 2003 failed one too many FIA crash tests. Maybe McLaren could take a look at the photocopier machine at Brawn HQ. This season is shaping up to be rather interesting, most of (if not all) the teams appear rather tightly bunched up in terms of performance. I think we will see some new teams and drivers fighting for the top spots. Despite what testing has revealed, I wouldn't hedge my bets until after qualifying in Melbourne - it is still too early to have a pecking order of teams. Nice and unpredictable, just the way I like it. (f*** I write a lot)
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Post by Vivski on Mar 12, 2009 14:17:36 GMT
I'm actually looking forward to the F1 season this year. Good post, Rob, good to get some details. Brawn is a legend for taking over the team. Never been a Jenson fan, but admire his commitment this season. Imagine if he could take it to Hamilton, that would be a massive coup!! And yeah, I'd be up for Fantasy F1. I'd neglect the team for sure, but I'll sign up if just to have Raikkonen and Webber in Brawns. Anyone else reminded of Brawndo! from Idiocracy?
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Post by Mixa on Mar 12, 2009 15:33:10 GMT
OFFTOPIC: Wasnt Idiocracy a movie and Brawndo was the energy drink them kept to use everywhere as the world was gone so stupid? Its a stupid movie anyway but yes Ive seen it if we are talking about the same things NOW TO REAL DEAL Yes Ive been a Toyota fan since the early days when them entered to F1! I was the fan of their rally cars and loved their LMES projects from early 90´s already ending up to the great GT-ONE . Its actually a funny clip where GT-One leads the first Toyota F1 car in Imola as them were putting laps together a lot while testing. I still love the Toyota F1 team and unfortunately yes them results havent been what Ive been expecting. Toyota´s biggest problem at earlier years has been that it just doesnt work on heavy fuel load but with low fuel its been as fast as many of the top cars whats a prove that it mostly ended up well to the last session of QL. The new car has been really great so far. Ok the diffuser has caused a lot of talk and its been under investigation from the FIA. I just hope them doesnt need to change their car and FIA would let them run. Also this might be Toyota´s last year in F1 anyway if them doesnt collect the results . Also what comes to Toyota them cars has been the most reliable during the winter testing and by speed hasnt been bad neither so I have nice expectations for the season -------------------------------------------------------------------- McLaren´s situation has now also been confirmed by Dennis so in 2 days both said them are lost but them has high hopes still for fighting for the world championship. Im still amazed for what McLaren has done. Example in testings when others were out on inters and wets Heikki was using the dry slicks and lost 25 seconds a lap. I dont know what was point for that. Heikki hasnt ditched the car into barriers when Lewis has done that twice now so hes pushing the car into limits without any results. Also its weird that McLaren´s work is probably so bad because them doesnt use the car for years what isnt designed by Newey. Even when Newey has been gone for years McLaren has just updated his work so this 09 is first NEW car from McLaren. Ok McLaren and Renault has always been the teams what can suit the bad situations... was it by their own solutions or by "borrowing" from the rest and make it to sound like it would be theirs. From Mercedes situation seeing 2 Mercedes units Brawn and Force India ahead of McLaren might not sound too cool but hey thats racing. Im really happy for Brawn anyway. Them has been with the new car 15 months already and thats a lot when you compare to rest of the field! Was Brawn putting demo laps or not the times shows that its atleast better than the middle fielder! Only concern what I read about Brawn by Ross himself was lacking of spare parts so better not to hope that nothing big doesnt blow out at Melbourne. Ill also see what Ill do with the fantasy f1,batracer is a sure thing
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Post by Nick McRae on Mar 12, 2009 16:12:27 GMT
Brawn GP going well? Excellant! Button was and still is my favourite British driver ;D
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Post by FordTeamRS on Mar 13, 2009 0:36:20 GMT
Barrichello bettered Button's 1.19 to set a 1.18, they are both absolutely flying. However, there's still a couple weeks before Melbourne and I'm sure all the teams are working flat out to make the go fast bits in time for the first race.
McLaren's pace isn't a result of Adrian Newey's departure a few years ago, their 2007 and 2008 car wasn't touched by Newey. The team at McLaren isn't a one man squad, they've got some very clever boffins working over there, but it seems technology has caught them out slightly. I'd like to see them do well, primarily so Heikki Kovalainen gets a chance to improve on his Hungarian GP win.
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Post by Vivski on Mar 13, 2009 8:59:17 GMT
I have to say, I never really liked Toyota. Mainly because they usually qualified very well and then held up the rest of the field in the first 5 laps, letting 1-2-3 disappear up the road. I wish them the best of luck and hope they can get something out of all the money they're throwing at F1 and the related sponsorship here on Australian TV.
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Post by FordTeamRS on Mar 13, 2009 10:38:54 GMT
Just on the subject of Australian TV, Cameron McConville (V8 Supercar driver and co-host of our F1 broadcast for those unaware) tested a 2008 Honda at the end of last year, which will feature in the grand prix telecast. It will be an amazing sight as it's a chance to see a V8 Supercar driver test a F1 car, but more so Cameron was one of the last drivers (if not the last) to test a Honda F1 car. Bit of interesting trivia there.
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Post by FordTeamRS on Mar 20, 2009 8:21:18 GMT
Just when you think F1/FIA couldn't get any more ridiculous, the bombshell of the week is the radical revamp of the points scoring structure. The current 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 format remains, however the championship will be ultimately decided by the amount of wins scored by a driver.
Theoretically, lets say Robert Kubica wins 2 races this year, goes on the podium on 6 other occasions, scores points in every race and finishes 1st in the championship. If Jenson Button scored the most race wins (lets say 4 races), doesn't even score a point in the other races and finishes 6th in the championship, he'll be crowned world champion.
It has been met with a very vocal reaction, with many fans and people within F1 vehemently opposed to it - for the record, I think it stinks. While it may promote drivers to go for the win at all costs, I doubt it will produce a truly worthy champion. It will be interesting to see how it turns out, but I fear it will be unpopular and cause further tension between the power brokers within F1 management, and the teams.+
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Post by Vivski on Mar 20, 2009 9:40:27 GMT
It's stupid for so many reasons. I'd say I can't believe it, but coming from Ecclestone, I'll believe anything.
F1 had everything going for it coming into the season. Everyone I know was looking forward to it. Why did they have to go and bugger it up like this?
Crazy, just crazy. The worst thing is, it wont even make the drivers push harder. It will just make for dangerous tactics.
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Post by Mixa on Mar 20, 2009 18:04:45 GMT
Yeah from Ecclestone you can kinda expect anything. The win system was just his way to get something do decide a championship way after his medal idea was wasted by fans and teams. Now he just make it simply. Luckily atleast all the champions from the past havent been changed. To be honest I was quite happy at first when the new point system idea was given and it was going to be approved. I just dont get why the maximum amount of points for wins isnt the way if by Ecclestone the current system was just to make Minardi and Jordan happy at their own era. Also the winning system is dumb because it kinda is in war with everything FIA has done?? The engines should last even longer this year (if Im right 3 races) but whats the point in that if the wins only counts?? If I would be a team boss I would make them to play their max and try to win as many races as possible. What about then if we suffer from failiers or grid penalties on some?? win is always a win and more important what comes to championship. Also how it can be said that the credit for win is just to make to get drivers to want to pass more during the races.. What does it help the mid runners?? AND HOW THE HECK THE ECCLESTONE knows what the new cars are like as the season hasnt even get going . The last bombshell came just after when Ecclestone announced that he should want pre qualifying to come where was it 26 cars are taken to race weekends but only 16 will be approved to the race?? Camoon, then I can kinda say that what was that hype that "we need 20 cars to the grid and missing a Honda would be sad??" Now he would even drop more teams from races. What makes Ecclestone and co. to think that more manufacturers will be interested to join to the championship just to be dropped out in pre qualifying and invest still a great amount of money?? THAT AINT GOING TO HAPPEN. Also this week a new race for Bulgaria was announced? I mean what the hell? Its already been said by Ecclestone and co that if the new track for France and Britain´s Donington will be done we are doomed as we have more than 20 races then! What makes them to think that 20 races for F1 is a good way?? That kind of number of races doesnt look good for manufacturers of the F1. For me ALL OF THESE are by one man B.Ecclestone . That crazy old man and his company is ruining the F1. Atleast I got a few more reasons to turn into other circuit racing activities. Soon by this F1 is dead anyway until those guys will woke up. THE TEAMS STILL LUCKILY ARE COMPLAINING AND FIGHTING NOW. ONLY BRIATORE HAS SEEN SOMETHING POSITIVE but anyway We have seen what has happened to many motorsports when people goes crazy even in rallying. Atleast we still have a sport we love and LUCKILY a few years back Mehta´s succestion about bringing marathon rallyes like Mexico-Monte Carlo were wasted!! Thats in the end just my point. Just feel myself so raged at the moment.
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Post by Nick McRae on Mar 20, 2009 19:24:16 GMT
This season should be good, looks like Hamilton is going to be earning his pennies to retain his title if the pre-season testing pace of his McLaren is anything to go by. I've always been a Button fan, I like Hamilton of course, but Button is still my preferred British driver. It's great to see him back in what looks to be a quick car and a car with a decent livery for once!
I think the new "most wins but keep the points system in place" is rather silly though. If you want the driver with the most wins, then make sure winning a race is rewarded with a) either more points or b) a bigger gap to the points available for second. (I.e. the old 10 - 6 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 format).
Having someone in the championship second, five points behind the leader but being named champion on basis of most wins, could confuse the casual watcher! And in any case it then makes rewarding points irrelevent. If most wins wins, then no need for points!
Some people have said to me "oh but the points still decide whose second etc." well if they are gonna decide the title on most wins, why not decide the 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the championship by who has the most seconds, third etc.
Points only stand a valid purpose in the constructors championship in 2009.
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