2810 replies to this topic

[Insider]

Interesting email just in from a well informed mate.  Bruno Senna to McLaren for 2010.  Hmmm.

[wapi]

Insider, on 03 July 2009 - 07:58 AM, said:

The pit lane is buzzing with a story that FOTA will ask the FIA to re-run the 2010 selection process from scratch.  Dallara may be nearing the wind tunnel stage with the new Campos, USF1 are at an advanced stage and Manor way be some way along too but something stinks here and for a brand like Prodrive/Aston Martin with their fine racing heritage and pedigree plus the ultra professional Epsilon to be denied the chance to race in F1 is mind-boggling. I don't care whose toes Dave Richards may have stepped on.  It's incongruous, to say the least.

It is fascinating how dictatorial regimes easily drop into coruption...

He (Richards) was making noise few times about buying and not buying some teams. He always made sure that public is informed that someone else is to blame because he is not going to come to F1. I would not trust his committment to the sport at all. Probability that he would give up after one or two seasons is huge. I am sure he would have perfect excuses for such decision. So, I believe we are all better without Prodrive.

Edit: defining that "He=Richards"

Edited by wapi, 03 July 2009 - 09:56 AM.

[JHS]

Insider, on 03 July 2009 - 08:16 AM, said:

Interesting email just in from a well informed mate.  Bruno Senna to McLaren for 2010.  Hmmm.

If Pantano is bad, Senna is even worse. He needs a wake up call. A famous name won't un-lock every door in the street. If any proof is needed of that look at Piquet Jnr.

Oh and joy of joys, Bulgaria wants to host a Grand Prix for 2011!.....

.....No, i don't care either.

[Insider]

wapi, on 03 July 2009 - 08:38 AM, said:

It is fascinating how dictatorial regimes easily drop into coruption...

He (Richards) was making noise few times about buying and not buying some teams. He always made sure that public is informed that someone else is to blame because he is not going to come to F1. I would not trust his committment to the sport at all. Probability that he would give up after one or two seasons is huge. I am sure he would have perfect excuses for such decision. So, I believe we are all better without Prodrive.

Edit: defining that "He=Richards"

I don't care about DR.  Prodrive had a valid entry lodged and they ticked all the boxes but were refused.  Bringing a marque like Aston Martin into F1 would have given the sport huge added marketing kudos but they were refused. That's my point.

[Cinco]

Yeah, I don't really rate Senna (though I've barely watched any GP2 in my life because its on at 4 AM and it's just not worth it for a second tier series), and I think those who do only rate him because they want him to be good, not because he is.  I'd rather he have done a year of testing this year with a team, but oh wait, the FIA banned testing, so no one can ever play catch up to keep it close.  Good going boys.  Anyway, McLaren's way out of his league, but I can understand the move: Santander's on the way to Ferrari, but there was a rumor that Santander would keep Abbey branding on the McLarens.  One of Senna's personal sponsors is Santander.  Additionally, everyone keeps saying "lol Carlos Slim is involved with xxxxxxxx team."  Carlos Slim already sponsors Senna through the Embratel brand (which is why I had him linked to Campos because that appeared to be where Slim was headed based on pure speculation).

Bulgaria...if its a good track, I don't care where it is.  But with Tilke's hands all over it, it won't be a good track.  I just hope it doesn't replace anything good.  I'm not too huge on the whole traditional markets thing other than preserving the important ones (Monza, Spa, Monaco, Silverstone).  And besides, all I hear from F1 fans is "why no European races?"...well, Bulgaria is in Europe .  Of course I'm biased having a close friend in Bulgaria who could go so that'd be cool for his sake, but we'll see if it even happens, anyway.  India's been delayed and I haven't heard anything about Korea which is supposed to be next year.

[Insider]

JHS, on 03 July 2009 - 11:38 AM, said:

If Pantano is bad, Senna is even worse. He needs a wake up call. A famous name won't un-lock every door in the street. If any proof is needed of that look at Piquet Jnr.

Oh and joy of joys, Bulgaria wants to host a Grand Prix for 2011!.....

.....No, i don't care either.

You've got that right but Hammy needs a bitch!

[freaky2]

Cinco, on 03 July 2009 - 02:21 PM, said:

Bulgaria...if its a good track, I don't care where it is.  But with Tilke's hands all over it, it won't be a good track.  I just hope it doesn't replace anything good.  I'm not too huge on the whole traditional markets thing other than preserving the important ones (Monza, Spa, Monaco, Silverstone).  And besides, all I hear from F1 fans is "why no European races?"...well, Bulgaria is in Europe .  Of course I'm biased having a close friend in Bulgaria who could go so that'd be cool for his sake, but we'll see if it even happens, anyway.  India's been delayed and I haven't heard anything about Korea which is supposed to be next year.

I like your bias, and I also like that you actually know where Bulgaria is
Somehow I'm not really excited about it, after all MotoGP signed a deal first and will do better (no rush, as with F1), plus, lately all deals for new circuits have gone to hell (again thinking MotoGP and Balatonring but also Donington and F1, not to mention India as you said). But if they're leaving Turkey (which last time was full of Bulgarian flags) then they might as well move a bit up north, and hopefully be useful.

[mikathegreat2]

JHS, on 03 July 2009 - 11:38 AM, said:

If Pantano is bad, Senna is even worse. He needs a wake up call. A famous name won't un-lock every door in the street. If any proof is needed of that look at Piquet Jnr.

Spot on!! You must be my Dad!

[JHS]

mikathegreat2, on 03 July 2009 - 03:46 PM, said:

Spot on!! You must be my Dad!

Well come on, he was beaten by Pantano to the championship in GP2. I'm not saying he's awful, but there is just waaaay to much hype surronding him just because of his surname like there was with Piquet Jnr.

But i suppose a certain Nicolas Prost isn't far away either, so we'd better get used to it.

[Rainmaster]

Senna isn't good enough for a Mclaren seat, I think Mclaren know that and I somehow doubt that would happen. Mclaren are rumoured to be chasing a few drivers, so even if they are considering Senna, he'd probably be bottom of their list - Rosberg top.

As for Donnelly, if he is brokering deals for Manor then he clearly shouldn't be. But a lot of things have happened with the FIA that shouldn't have done. The teams have already wrote a letter to Max about it, so it'll probably be part of the next battle.

[Insider]

El Maestro, on 03 July 2009 - 07:41 PM, said:

Senna isn't good enough for a Mclaren seat, I think Mclaren know that and I somehow doubt that would happen. Mclaren are rumoured to be chasing a few drivers, so even if they are considering Senna, he'd probably be bottom of their list - Rosberg top.

As for Donnelly, if he is brokering deals for Manor then he clearly shouldn't be. But a lot of things have happened with the FIA that shouldn't have done. The teams have already wrote a letter to Max about it, so it'll probably be part of the next battle.

I have to agree that Senna is not suitable for a top seat.  However, Rosberg will want No.1 status or at least, equal equipment wherever he goes and he won't get that at Macca.

[Cinco]

Rosberg shouldn't get number one status anywhere but Williams or lower.  I don't know what people see in him but whatever it is I sure don't.  He isn't horrible but I have no reason to have any reason to think he's all that good.

[Quiet One]

Cinco, on 03 July 2009 - 09:38 PM, said:

Rosberg shouldn't get number one status anywhere but Williams or lower.  I don't know what people see in him but whatever it is I sure don't.  He isn't horrible but I have no reason to have any reason to think he's all that good.

What he said.

[Rainmaster]

I agree he would want no.1 status, although I also agree with Eric that Rosberg/Britney probably doesn't deserve a top seat let alone top status.

[JHS]

I think he deserves a chance. Remember Singapore last year? Got a drive through penalty and still came 2nd. Kubica was in a better car than him and even he didn't manage that. Williams' cars have never been that great over the past few years anyway.

[Cinco]

JHS, on 03 July 2009 - 10:04 PM, said:

I think he deserves a chance. Remember Singapore last year? Got a drive through penalty and still came 2nd. Kubica was in a better car than him and even he didn't manage that. Williams' cars have never been that great over the past few years anyway.

I think I deserve a chance.  Remember Foxboro four years ago?  I crashed into the barriers and still came last.  Kubica didn't even manage that (since he wasn't there, but shhh).  Williams' drivers have never been that great over the past few years anyway.

[Persevere]

monza gorilla, on 03 July 2009 - 07:48 AM, said:

While we're on the subject of new teams, and Manor in particular:

http://www.pitpass.c...es_art_id=38324

Hmmm.

To Monza Gorilla:  Quite right.  One more unpleasant odor to add to the thousand or so that have emanated from F1 this season.

[Persevere]

RE:  Rosberg.  While I certainly don't dislike him I have to agree with some of the comments.  Obviously the Williams cars he has driven aren't great but they're not junk either:  look at the practice and qualifying times for this season to date.  He just doesn't seem to convey that burning passion to get the most out of the car once the race begins.  Maybe it's a lack of maturity, maybe he just needs different people around him.  I think the jury is still out.

[Quiet One]

JHS, on 03 July 2009 - 10:04 PM, said:

I think he deserves a chance. Remember Singapore last year? Got a drive through penalty and still came 2nd. Kubica was in a better car than him and even he didn't manage that. Williams' cars have never been that great over the past few years anyway.

Remember how long it took to give him that penalty which should have been automatic?
And that's almost his only accomplishment. No, thanks. Kubica has proven more character and is way more fun to watch him race. I'd rather see Kubica driving his nuts off, bad judgement calls and everything, than another Button look a like. Guys with no character whatsoever driving the perfect car and winning is like watching a perfect circle: perfect, yes, but boring. I'd rather watch a Picasso's painting than a perfectly drawn circle. Human nature and all that, you know.

[Insider]

Quiet One, on 04 July 2009 - 05:23 AM, said:

Remember how long it took to give him that penalty which should have been automatic?
And that's almost his only accomplishment. No, thanks. Kubica has proven more character and is way more fun to watch him race. I'd rather see Kubica driving his nuts off, bad judgement calls and everything, than another Button look a like. Guys with no character whatsoever driving the perfect car and winning is like watching a perfect circle: perfect, yes, but boring. I'd rather watch a Picasso's painting than a perfectly drawn circle. Human nature and all that, you know.

I love you guys. Rosberg gets slagged off for being quick and consistent in a bad car and Button is being mullah'd for a polished performance in an excellent car. You wrote him off a year ago! If you want to watch headbangers like Kubica, Massa and Hamilton who blame everyone else but themselves for shocking performances, hit the stock car circuit. Bad car or no, does anyone think that Robert and Lewis may have 'peaked' and that's it? Or are they just a pair of pouting, XBox junkies whose toys aren't working? They say great drivers should be able to get bad cars in the points. Nando does it every race virtually.  The first rule is: Grow Up.  The second is: Don't bite the hand the feeds you and the third is: Life is a bitch! Rosberg is highly rated in the pit lane and to my mind deserves a go in a competitive car.  Maybe it's time for Toyota to ring some changes before the bosses pull the plug.  The car has been competitive this year but without a pilot who can deliver the  killer blow. As a racer, Trulli is a fine vintner and Sutil hasn't got equality there and ought to be a BMW target.  It would certainly liven Kubica up.

[JHS]

I completely agree with you there Insider. Everybody has bad cars and they should jst accept it and get on with it. It happens. Unfortunatly lovely little Lewis is throwing his toys out the pram just as much as Kubica because they have never experienced a bad car before. That's why i think it is very easy to get over/underestimated in F1, i mean look at Fisichella. For my mind he's doing a great job in a car that clealry isn't the quickest on the grid, yet he's getting closer and closer to scoring the team's maiden points, but he's being slagged off as "rubbish" just because the car he is in is rubbish.

What do you want these guys to do to prove themselves? Win the WDC or something? Okay, go and show us how it's done!

[Insider]

More buffoonery from Bernie:

http://www.totalf1.c..._lifts_the_lid/

[monza gorilla]

Insider, on 04 July 2009 - 08:14 AM, said:

As a racer, Trulli is a fine vintner and Sutil hasn't got equality there and ought to be a BMW target.  It would certainly liven Kubica up.

Shurely shome mishtake? Did you mean Glock? In which case I think Sutil would be better.

And yes, Jarno produces some quality plonk.

EDIT: Just had a look at Bernard's spoutings in the Times. He's completely lost the plot. But he'll probably get away with it. Again.

Edited by monza gorilla, 04 July 2009 - 11:48 AM.

[mikathegreat2]

Cinco, on 03 July 2009 - 09:38 PM, said:

Rosberg shouldn't get number one status anywhere but Williams or lower.  I don't know what people see in him but whatever it is I sure don't.  He isn't horrible but I have no reason to have any reason to think he's all that good.

What she said!

[Insider]

monza gorilla, on 04 July 2009 - 11:43 AM, said:

Shurely shome mishtake? Did you mean Glock? In which case I think Sutil would be better.

And yes, Jarno produces some quality plonk.

EDIT: Just had a look at Bernard's spoutings in the Times. He's completely lost the plot. But he'll probably get away with it. Again.

Yes, sorry - I did.  Dementia rampant, I'm afraid. Thanks for pointing it out, MG.

[Cinco]

Quote

I completely agree with you there Insider. Everybody has bad cars and they should jst accept it and get on with it. It happens. Unfortunatly lovely little Lewis is throwing his toys out the pram just as much as Kubica because they have never experienced a bad car before. That's why i think it is very easy to get over/underestimated in F1, i mean look at Fisichella. For my mind he's doing a great job in a car that clealry isn't the quickest on the grid, yet he's getting closer and closer to scoring the team's maiden points, but he's being slagged off as "rubbish" just because the car he is in is rubbish.

What do you want these guys to do to prove themselves? Win the WDC or something? Okay, go and show us how it's done!

I don't think anyone slagged anyone.  Some drivers are better than others.  It is a fact of life.  Nico isn't "rubbish," but he isn't the future WDC everyone made him out to be after Bahrain 2006, nor is he someone I ever see winning races.  He's just not that kind of driver.  I think it's somewhat startling that Nico has gone top five or even P1 in practice this year but never seems to be able to match that in the race or in qualifying.  The Williams has pace, it's no Brawn but it's no Force India either.  I think it's a bit funny, too, to say Lewis and Kubica have "peaked" because their cars are bad and they should do better, but then use the "Williams has a bad car" excuse for Nico.  Sure, Nico's handled it better in the media than Lewis, and Lewis better than Robert, but words don't make a world champion, driving does, and Lewis has shown he is more than capable of that.  Rosberg v Kubica?  Not sure who I rate higher, both are a tad over-rated, but Kubica is more exciting to watch than Kubica.  Of course, excitement doesn't win championships, either, but F1 is entertainment, and I like being entertained, and all that fun stuff.   They're the 20 best drivers in the world (sort of, Piquet isn't, but I bet Piquet could easily win an IndyCar championship, so even a loser like him is still a world class talent compared to the drivers in most other series), but they aren't all joint-first.  Nico's somewhere in the middle; which to me just isn't top team material.

And sure, I'll go win a WDC, because, you know, you NEED to win a WDC to be eligible to post opinions on an Internet forum, right?

Edited by Cinco, 04 July 2009 - 04:49 PM.

[wapi]

Insider, on 04 July 2009 - 10:31 AM, said:

More buffoonery from Bernie:

http://www.totalf1.c..._lifts_the_lid/

As well as Max he also cherishes simpaty for the devil.
In Germany, his words are criminal offense. So I suppose that Nurburgring organizers might declare him "persona non grata" on the next event. If CVC has significant part of Jewish investors he might expect to be fired before sun rise on Monday.

So maybe it is "suicide by police". He does not have power of mind to withdraw but he does something stupid so he can pretend that he was forced to retire.

Edited by wapi, 04 July 2009 - 05:40 PM.

[Rainmaster]

Bah, Bernie's comments weren't so bad imo, I think he used some unfortunate analogies and is probably misinformed quite badly, but he isn't trying to insult anyone. Just ignorant, perhaps. In any event ignorant people have a right to free speech just like anybody else.

[wapi]

El Maestro, on 04 July 2009 - 06:22 PM, said:

Bah, Bernie's comments weren't so bad imo, I think he used some unfortunate analogies and is probably misinformed quite badly, but he isn't trying to insult anyone. Just ignorant, perhaps. In any event ignorant people have a right to free speech just like anybody else.

Ignorance does not save you from prosecution. He is too old to be ignorant. Yes but every freedom has its limits. This time he is over that boundary, he insulted and hurt all the victims of Third Reich. If I was German promoter or car manufacturer or German TV or German something I would make a big fuss about it.

[Quiet One]

El Maestro, on 04 July 2009 - 06:22 PM, said:

Bah, Bernie's comments weren't so bad imo, I think he used some unfortunate analogies and is probably misinformed quite badly, but he isn't trying to insult anyone. Just ignorant, perhaps. In any event ignorant people have a right to free speech just like anybody else.

Ignorance? Misinformation? Bernie? Nah. He knows pretty well what he is talking about. And no, he has no right to defend the Third Reich. It was a crime. Freedom of speech does not allow you to talk in favor of paedophilia, or torture...or nazism.

So I say throw the old b#####d in jail and let him rot.

EDIT: better yet. Just everybody who was offended by his stupid comments should sue his a## and strip him of his money. I bet that would hurt him even more.

Edited by Quiet One, 04 July 2009 - 08:27 PM.