No races, so all I have to share are links

I thought this was an interesting article: http://timesonline.typepad.com/formula_one/2009/11/an-indian-perspective.html

And this one - old but funny:

http://timesonline.typepad.com/formula_one/2009/10/handbags-in-abu-dhabi.html

Finally Fernando was asked for his opinion and the Spaniard (who was taken out by Sutil's car, coming back onto the track) brought the house down with his final word on the matter.

"I saw everything more or less," he said, "but as Jarno said, we will discuss it in the drivers' briefing - deep!"

Good article on India although....

What my uncle meant, and what remains true for all sorts of reasons, is that the thought of successfully racing in F1 remains a pretty distant unlikelihood for any kid in India, or Africa, or - roughly - anywhere indigenously non-white. 

This is a bit far reaching..With there being only around 10 F1 teams in the whole world, it is a pretty distant unlikelyhood for any kid of any colour, race or creed, to succesfully compete in F1...

Funny comment from Alphonzo.....Jarno really needs to lighten up and face the facts..

Well, yes, but look at the general make up of the teams? Not many non-whites around

How many non white countries are involved in F1? India is the only one I can think of team wise, slthough the Arabs are pouring money into the sport..

F1 had it's roots in Europe and it's only recently that it has moved to Asia, I think we will see more non white drivers in the future, but it will take a while as it helps if you have a rich daddy..

Meanwhile, when you are sitting at home wishing that it was March 2010 and the Bahrain GP is about to start and you realise that it aint gonna happen for another 4 months..then you can click on this link and amuse yourself with some facts and stats about the history of F1 in what they term 'the noughties' (as distinct fron the 60's-80's&90's etc) ie:the last decade..

It's quite good actually and should keep you entertained for a while.(albeit just a short while)

hahahah 'and it ain't gonna happen for 4 months'
Thanks for the reminder!

71 drivers competed for the ten available world titles, with five men winning the crown and an additional 12 winning Grands Prix.

Well, some stat was improved upon from the last decade

Fastest lap taking drivers 2000-2009 - W00t Kimi!!

Some mumblings about Virgin and Brawn GP's plans: http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21978.html

Yeah, well there was some talk about Mercedes making Brawn their official team, but I forget when it was supposed to happen and I'm too tired to look it up just at the moment..(maybe later)

Ok, I've just had a gander at a few sites and I found this, (for what it's worth)...Dated today 16-11-09

So (if it's true) that's Rosberg and Heidfeld to Brawn, possibly Button to McLaren (because of Kimi's pay demands) and Kimi (because he said he would only drive for McLaren) to either take a sabbatical or go rallying..What a waste of talent that would be..

PLUS Brawn and Mercedes have announced it http://twitter.com/Jamesallenonf1/status/5763009016

Hmmm, looks like it's true then...

It's now called Mercedes Grand Prix. Can't they think of better names?!

This is gold! http://jalopnik.com/5405632/ferrari-chairman-crashes-ferrari-california/gallery/

Hahahaha, great stuff...At least Felipe attempted to push the car, but Fandango wasn't prepared to even pretend that he was going to help..(Shows how commited to Ferrari he is)..

You'd think that Luca Di Montezemolo would have had more sense than to drive a sports car into what is (obviously) a gravel trap..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hmmm Mercedes GP, not very original I agree..they should go allright, I think..

The cars will be known as 'Silver Arrows'..

Last time Mercedes won a WDC in their own right was in 1955 with Juan Manuel Fangio driving the Mercedes W196..

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News is that Button has agreed to a 3 year, £6m per year, contract with McLaren...

Still no word on Kimi!

LOL I know... that's the funniest bit right, the head of the company not knowing better

Here's word on Kimi - http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2009/11/the-problem-for-kimi-raikkonen/

Not looking hopeful 

Yep, looks like Kimi's gooorne...

Oh well, maybe he'll be back in 2011..

Or maybe this is all bullshit and Kimi will turn up at Mercedes..

Next year, that is..

What else could Norbert Haug have meant when he said Mercedes wouldn't be an all German team?

Who knows.... these people are all MAD

BREAKING NEWS: RAIKKONEN TO MERCEDES GP IN 2010 [message #2330723]

Wed, 18 November 2009 19:17

Long time F1 journo Lito Cavalcanti (who broke the news on Rubens to Brawn in 2009 - Globo cable channel SporTV) is reporting Raikkonen signed with Mercedes for 2010.

News 1

Kimi Raikkonen will not take a sabbatical year in 2010. According to SporTV journalist Lito Cavalcanti, the Finn closed a deal with Mercedes GP for the next season.

The contract duration or values are still unknown. However, the 2007 WDC is extremely valued by the team board for his good results when he drove for McLaren between 2002 and 2006.

Raikkonen clinched 9 of his 18 wins driving a car with Mercedes engines. Besides, he grabbed two vice-championships, in 2003 and 2005, 11 pole-positions and 44 fastest laps. It was with McLaren-Mercedes that the Finn established himself as one of the main drivers of F1.

The announcement of Kimi´s exit of F1 by his managers, the Robertsons, was made before the deal between Button and McLaren was unveiled. The vacancy in Mercedes would have been the initial step to a quick negotiation between the Finn and the German outfit.

Source: http://tazio.uol.com.br/f-1/textos/15098/

News 2

The story of Raikkonen to Mercedes, according to Lito, is a result of McLaren´s thirst for 'vendetta'. "It happened because Brawn lost Button, a revenge of McLaren who left mercedes with Nico Rosberg and Nick Heidfeld, almost nothing", said the journalist.

"Rosberg and Heidfeld never won a race, very little for someone who had a WDC at hand", explained Lito about what remained of the Brawn/Mercedes. "And since Mercedes was closing the partnership with McLaren, the Woking team couldn´t resist to bounce back taking Button with them".

"Robertson, Kimi´s manager, is finishing the details right now, but they are already settled", said Lito. "The basics of it are done and dusted".

Source: http://esporte.ig.com.br/grandepremio/formula1/2009/11/18/raikkonen+assina+com+mercedes+para+2010+af irma+jornalista+9125594.html

More news to follow.

news??

Here's some special NEWS for the old lag to c&p on Cricinfo's new F1 site.(that he just started).......

I hear Sylvester Stallone has signed to drive for USF1. He’s American. He once played an experienced race car driver in a movie and that is what USF1 needs. (Incidentally, the movie which was to be about F1 ended up being called Driven. It is affectionately known in racing circles as “Drivel”.)

Just like all of the old lag's posts..
 

Yeah, that's what the speculation is, but I'm not holding my breath

Maybe not getting my hopes up will help

Brawn and Fry are so furious about JB leaving them, they are now resorting to blatant lying saying they had 12 million pounds to offer JB until he "broke his contract" by visiting McLaren...

It is a bit.... I dunno. Weird all around.

They win the c'ship, and everyone leaves. Brawn definitely can't be happy abt it, esp looking like they'll be stuck with inexperienced/unproven drivers

Now to save face they are clutching at straws and trying to put Raikkonnen in a seat that Jenson Button has turned down ... This, after being replaced by Fernandago, must be really denting your pofaced favourites ego...what a come down...

OR maybe he's happy to be in that position. He's got all that power

Brawn and Fry are so furious about JB leaving them, they are now resorting to blatant lying saying they had 12 million pounds to offer JB until he "broke his contract" by visiting McLaren...

Not game to mention the source where that came from, just more pommy centric bullshit...

Why would Brawn be furious? Buttom hasn't won a race since the 7th round and just scraped in with the WDC by the skin of his teeth.......We'll see how great a driver he is at McCheats when his team mate thrashes him every time....Button was never going to get the drive at Brawn and everyone (with the exception of the pommy press and the old lag) knew it.. 

That was another outburst from aussie andro, folks...reporting yet more bullshit from the arse-end of the world...

Jealousy is a curse......So is talking to yourself....

                        DICKHEAD

That was yet another outburst from aussie andro, folks...reporting yet more bullshit from the joke country at the arse-end of the world...

oh, and BTW...Schumi is also reported to be close to signing with Mercedes

Who really cares...McLaren and Red Bull will obliterate both Mercedes and Ferrari next season...

hahahaha, keep it up dickhead....I notice your'e not mentioning your unworthy WDC anymore.(are you ashamed of him now)?

he cant even grow a proper beard..

last time I looked Red Bull weren't a pommy team, so are you hedging your bets now..

Where are the Folks you are addressing here? you retard? As mentioned previously........

"Jealousy is a curse......So is talking to yourself"....

                        DICKHEAD

Good to see you supporting Red Bull though (with their Aussie and German drivers)

ozzy ozzy ozzy...oi oi oi

SOC

"Jealousy is a curse......So is talking to yourself"....

                        DICKHEAD

I notice you've dropped the Folks bit..(weren't the Folks responding or something) 

ozzy ozzy ozzy...oi oi oi

SOC

                     GOTCHA    

                             It's too easy...

ozzy ozzy ozzy...oi oi oi

SOC

It's still incomplete, (too many TBA's) but you can get some idea where some of the drivers are going......

November 30, 2009 by Joe Saward

The FIA has issued the 2010 Formula 1 entry list:

The entries are as follows:
1, Jenson Button – Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – McLaren-Mercedes;
2, Lewis Hamilton – Vodafone McLaren Mercedes – McLaren-Mercedes;
3, Nico Rosberg – Brawn GP Formula One Team – Brawn-Mercedes-Benz;
4, TBA – Brawn GP Formula One Team – Brawn-Mercedes-Benz;
5, Sebastian Vettel – Red Bull Racing – Red Bull Racing Renault;
6, Mark Webber – Red Bull Racing – Red Bull Racing Renault;
7, Felipe Massa – Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro – Ferrari;
8, Fernando Alonso – Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro – Ferrari;
9, Rubens Barrichello – AT&T Williams – Williams-Cosworth;
10, Nico Hulkenberg – AT&T Williams – Williams-Cosworth;
11, Robert Kubica – Renault F1 Team – Renault;
12, TBA – Renault F1 Team – Renault;
14, Adrian Sutil – Force India F1 Team – Force India Mercedes;
15, Tonio Liuzzi – Force India F1 Team – Force India Mercedes;
16, Sebastien Buemi – Scuderia Toro Rosso – STR-Ferrari;
17, TBA – Scuderia Toro Rosso – STR-Ferrari;
18, TBA – Lotus F1 Racing – Lotus Cosworth;
19, TBA – Lotus F1 Racing – Lotus Cosworth;
20, TBA – Campos Meta 1 – Campos Dallara;
21, Bruno Senna – Campos Meta 1 – Campos Dallara;
22, TBA – USF1 Team – USF1 Cosworth;
23, TBA – USF1 Team – USF1 Cosworth;
24, Timo Glock – Virgin Racing – Virgin Cosworth;
25, TBA – Virgin Racing – Virgin Cosworth

The entry list reveals that Red Bull racing will use Renault engines. It also reveals as expected that the Manor team will use the Virgin name. The Brawn entry will be changed to Mercedes Grand Prix if there is no problem with the F1 Commission.

Toyota Motorsport GmbH remains formally bound by the Concorde Agreement to put forward a team for participation, though it has indicated that it will not be in a position to do so. An announcement will be made regarding this entry in due course.

There is no mention of Sauber at the moment.

The interesting one (for me at least) is "who will drive the second 'Brawn-Mercedes-Benz".

For sure. By some accounts, Kimi's already signed a contract with Citroen, so he's out

Also, I think there are two teams still missing. Sauber, as you said, and other one.

Big field next year!

Maybe the Schumi rumour's have some foundation?  (personlly, I doubt it) but then..

Naaaah.....

Won't happen. Esp not with Merc

Merc are German, Schumi is a German, I'm sure he has considered it!

LOL

I doubt that's the biggest consideration at play

Sauber given 13th spot on the grid for 2010..

I'm glad to see Sauber back. Was a shame they left in the first place

Lots of news today:

Renault has been saved: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8407138.stm

New points system: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8407119.stm

And possibly the most notable: Joint launch for teams next year http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8406239.stm

Good to see that Renault will continue, although I am still disgusted with Piquet getting off scott free just for blowing the whistle and even Alonzo..

The points system needed a shake up, but time will tell if this is the right way to go..I'll need to have a good think about it before I decide..

Hmmm, this 'Joint Launch' thing will be interesting, to say the least...I loved how Nick Fry said  "It's a demonstration of how we're working together." ....Yeah, until one team seizes the opportunity to get the better of another one..

Good old BBC. Late again. That Renault news was news on Aljazeera English TV two days back.

The new points proposal looks OK. Any driver that bolts like JB did early in 2009 will have a big total to race with.

Fry is a complete tosser. Having screwed up the Button deal he is offering the world to Schumi, just to save face. Why come back when you have left at the pinnacle of your sport. It could be the undoing of a great champions reputation.

Why would Mercedes want a loser like Button? If ever there was a unworthy WDC winner it is him, he didn't win a race after the 7th round..(driving the best car on the grid)

Mercedes to offer 7m euros for Schu return...tightwads

http://www.f1complete.com/news/2009-news/15577?task=view

Yeah, they messed it up with Kimi too, and now look like are in panic mode

First we had 'new points system proposed'

Then...'new points system accepted'

Now it looks like 'new points system scrapped'

WTF

HAHAHAHAHA Seriously??

Ecclestone's F1 xmas card

http://jalopnik.com/5431147/bernie-ecclestones-f1-christmas-card-roasts-briatore

Good one, deezee...

I hope Flavio succeeds with his rocket attack, then we can be spared the lunatic ramblings of the EX FIA fuhrer..

Too bad it wouldn't take off Eccelestone too....

I'm with you there, deezee..

And this is why I love Kimi:

"In F1 too many things overshadow the racing. There is too much politics. No one says what he thinks because he is afraid that things are taken out of context," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/353255.php

You still da man Kimi!

That's right, Kimi kept quiet, as did Schumi etc, which is why I like them, not like the big mouthed Alphonzo, Hamilton, Barrichello, et al..

They should let all driver speak.

I'm so sick of the same ol same ol

Since nothing else is happening....

let's watch a F1 brake disk exploding:

That'd be one of Lewis' McLaren discs...  (good find, Deezee)

Here is a pic of Kimi picking up some ice for his vodka...

LOL!

Let the games begin!

Ferrari savages FIA over new teams - http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hrn9z9ymdAXlwiDBUwgfRru4vOXQ

Would like to read the original. Looks funny

Found it! http://www.ferrari.com/English/News/Pages/100222_GR_Per_chi_suona_la_campana.aspx

Well found, Deezee..

Looks like the Fuhrer is still capable of causing trouble, albeit from outside the FIA..

These new teams always looked dodgy to me...I mean, if the likes of  BMW, Honda and Toyota bailed out, then what chance do these newbies stand?      I think that Jean Todt has to be firm here and not allow himself to be  pushed around by the Fuhrer..

Yeah....

And it really doesn't look like the US f1 team is going anywhere. Reports that investors have pulled out etc

I had to laugh when I saw Red Bull's Christmas card..

Wonder if Ferrari thought it was funny..?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

OMD, that's awesome!

So will we have to kiss the Melbourne GP goodbye in 2015?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/time-to-kiss-the-gp-goodbye/story-e6frf7kx-1225992936955

Would be a pity, especially as Melb stole it from Adelaide in the first place!

Bring it to Sydney!!

OK..

Problem solved. Easy

Some drivers are complaining about the durability (or lack therof) of the new Pirelli tyres..

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89259

Here's a piccy.....

Looks nasty! 

Ho ho! This is gonna be interesting

Plus Massa's Ferrari caught fire. Did you see that?

Yeah, apparently Felipe had an oil leak and some of it got onto the exhaust system...

I admired Jackie Stewart as a driver years ago, but in latter years he has been better known for talking a lot of balderdash.. In this case however, I am happy to say that I agree with his statement that Hermann Tilke is a crap circuit designer..

Yeah. Agreed.

There's something fishy about Tilke getting the contracts for ALL the recent new circuits. What? There ain't another designer out there?!

Lewis and Button claim that the McLaren car lacks downforce...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89694

Yaaaay

Cos there have been no complains from the Red Bull camp

Kimi to stay in WRC..(according to Bernie)..\

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/04032011/23/ecclestone-raikkonen-won-t-return-f1.html

Good on him....

Very interesting..hope it's true....

A replacement for Bernie?  

March 10, 2011 by Joe Saward.

Sky TV obviously has a good source within CVC Capital Partners, or at least someone who is happy to use the media outlet to his/her advantage. A while ago Sky broke the story about CVC investigating the goings-on regarding the purchase of the Formula One empire and now it has revealed that CVC is sniffing around possible candidates to have “a senior role at the helm of Formula One motor racing”. The last time I looked the expression “at the helm” meant “in charge” or “in command”, which means that, if it is true, CVC Capital Partners may be wanting someone other than Bernie Ecclestone to run the Formula One group. That is a pretty radical story when you stop and think about.

The Sky TV news story suggested that the man being talked to is Sir Stuart Rose, who is looking for something to do with himself now that he is no longer chairman of retail giant Marks & Spencer. Rose was knighted in 2008 for services to the retail industry. His background is retailing, having first joined M&S in 1972. He stayed until 1989 moving up through the company but then moved to clothing retailer Burton as CEO. Three years later he moved to become CEO of Argos and then food company Booker. He joined Arcadia in 2002 and turned the companyaround and was then grabbed by M&S to do the same for the venerable company. He fought off a takeover bid by Philip Green and revamped M&S, with some international expansion and new lines of clothing.

Sky TV reports that the directors of Delta Topco – the holding company of the Formula One group – have also approached “a number of other senior businesspeople about the role”.

I'll believe it when I see it