Insider 0 Report post Posted August 10, 2009 Hasn't Richards said he isn't interested now though since being rejected for the second time? Yes, I believe he did. I also believe the pre-condition of using a Cosi is illegal - DR's main issue. I think things may have move on from there as I believe Prodrive were originally talking to BMW about power train supply. Whatever the problems may have been, a lot of preparation will have gone into getting the original bid together and it would be a little churlish not to have another crack - IMHO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JHS 1 Report post Posted August 10, 2009 He's been rejected 2 times now. 3rd time lucky and all that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insider 0 Report post Posted August 12, 2009 Well, everyone is screaming 'foul' over the news that MS will NOT return to F1. As his brother, Ralf said, neck vertebrae damage is a serious matter. I think Michael knew that but guys with his kind of bottle only see it as an annoying hinderance and hope it can be overcome. Alas, it was not to be. The Guardian newspapers' submission that Schumi may fear it is his pride that may suffer rather than his neck is crass in the extreme. He is a brave and extremely loyal racer and operated in a zone were mere mortals feared to tread. I was never a fan - merely an admirer of such great talent. Luca Badoer has the latter in boat loads, has tested the prancing red horses to destruction for most of his adult life, knows the F40 backwards and though his colleague, Marc Gene has replaced Ralf Schumacher twice in F1 races and drove to victory at Le Mans this year, it is clear that the Scuderia rate Badoer as a better bet. Who can argue with that? Eddie Jordan is suggesting that Nando's much-vaunted, 2010 'transfer' should be moved up. Very clever. Renault would be left with a single, totally inexperienced driver. They could always borrow DC, I suppose or Davidson. Wurz? BGP will be upset that they don't have MS as their 'fox' in the henhouse now but who knows? Luca could be stellar quick out of the box! The beat goes on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grabthaw the Hammerslayer 4 Report post Posted August 12, 2009 Bob is available from the end of this year - maybe earlier if his management put a proper contract in place with a performance clause. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insider 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2009 Why Michael isn't racing in Valencia: http://www.totalf1.com/full_story/view/316578/Schumachers_real_injuries_explained/ Real pace or lack of fuel?: http://www.totalf1.com/full_story/view/316584/Renault_cant_yet_win_based_on_pace_alone/ BGP working hard on 2010 car. A good sign they have an income stream in place? http://www.totalf1.com/full_story/view/316576/Team_bosses_meet_the_press/ Pretty sure Nando's unreal lap yesterday, [nearly a second faster than anyone else!] was all fumes and banzai. Nevertheless, it clearly demonstrates he is the hottest property out there right now with Vettel's star fading, Kubica's imploding and Hamilton driving like a plank. Meanwhile, the super-reliable Flying Bs, [brawn, Button and Barichello] seemed to be back on the pace after a serious unraveling of setup data and an aero upgrade. However, Friday practice is what it is - practice. Quali will certainly be interesting. Nando may rocket to pole on a light fuel load but JB needs to be alongside him with a heavier car to get his WDC hopes back on track. If it cools down, maybe the Bulls will be close. Hamilton certainly needs to atone for yesterday's error. Can't wait! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insider 0 Report post Posted August 22, 2009 F1 Quiz time. Has there ever been a team in F1 where both drivers and team principal had a surname beginning with the same initial? That's other than BGP, of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikathegreat2 2 Report post Posted August 24, 2009 Has anyone discussed about Nando going to Ferrari next year or are we still getting over Schumi backing down from his F1 return? Anywhay, great news, knew he was going to Ferrari! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wapi 4 Report post Posted August 24, 2009 I strongly disagree that Alonso in Ferrari is good news. It is good news for Santander and Alonso but hardly for Ferrari and team spirit there. Fernando is destructive for team spirit, when something does not go well, he will always blame team, never himself. I remember when Kimi spinned his comment was, "team did not find anything wrong with the car, so it must be that I did something wrong". You will never hear something like that from Alonso. FA would most likely say "car was not handling well during since Friday morning, team should work hard to provide better car if we want results". I would very much like that his deal with Ferrari never come through. He is perfect match with Flavio Briatore and second league drivers they employ to boost his ego. ferrari would do much better job to sign Vettel and Kubica than Alonso. Those two are top class drivers with much better frame of mind than FA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jean Todt 4 Report post Posted August 24, 2009 I strongly disagree that Alonso in Ferrari is good news. It is good news for Santander and Alonso but hardly for Ferrari and team spirit there. Fernando is destructive for team spirit, when something does not go well, he will always blame team, never himself. I remember when Kimi spinned his comment was, "team did not find anything wrong with the car, so it must be that I did something wrong". You will never hear something like that from Alonso. FA would most likely say "car was not handling well during since Friday morning, team should work hard to provide better car if we want results". I would very much like that his deal with Ferrari never come through. He is perfect match with Flavio Briatore and second league drivers they employ to boost his ego. ferrari would do much better job to sign Vettel and Kubica than Alonso. Those two are top class drivers with much better frame of mind than FA. You sound like how I used to post... Anyways, I agree with you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BradSpeedMan 6 Report post Posted August 24, 2009 I strongly disagree that Alonso in Ferrari is good news. It is good news for Santander and Alonso but hardly for Ferrari and team spirit there. Fernando is destructive for team spirit, when something does not go well, he will always blame team, never himself. I remember when Kimi spinned his comment was, "team did not find anything wrong with the car, so it must be that I did something wrong". You will never hear something like that from Alonso. FA would most likely say "car was not handling well during since Friday morning, team should work hard to provide better car if we want results". strongly agree, I always seem to with your statements.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insider 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2009 The silly season gets sillier by the minute, it would seem. The much-vaunted move of Alonso to SF will not be announced until Massa is confirmed as a Ferrari driver for 2010. Clearly, and somewhat sadly, not all is well with young Felipe. Though he has recovered very well from his horrendous accident, it may be that there is inherent damage that may hinder or tragically, rule out a return to the series at all. His visit to a specialist in the US will no doubt determine that fact. I hope the news is positive. However, if both drivers had to be replaced at the Scuderia, apart from signing Alonso, where else should they look? Of the young blood, Kubica is erratic, [to say the least], Vettel is signed, Buemi has a deal to prove after a promising debut season, Jaime is my tip for the top but has a way to go and Glock is, [quite rightly] locked in at Toyota. For me, Rosberg would have to be looked at, as would Kovi, though I would concede that SF may have had their fill of Finns for the time being. Webber is the kind of tenacious character they like but he may have long-term repercussions from his leg break and difficulty fitting in with the regime at SF - he may do better to sit tight at Red Bull. Barrichello would be a great foil for Nando for a season or two though I would doubt he would wish to return. Trulli could fill that role too but his race pace is shocking. It's certainly too early for Hamilton to move yet but if Button wins the WDC he might become the hot favourite. Though that may come to pass, Ross would be mad to let him go and I believe, will do everything to keep him. Ant must have done the math on this before he declared his intention to approach the Scuderia with an offer of his services. At Maranello, fact is often stranger than fiction - they actually asked someone who hadn't raced in F1 for ten years to drive their car this week - fancy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BradSpeedMan 6 Report post Posted August 25, 2009 The silly season gets sillier by the minute, it would seem. The much-vaunted move of Alonso to SF will not be announced until Massa is confirmed as a Ferrari driver for 2010. Clearly, and somewhat sadly, not all is well with young Felipe. Though he has recovered very well from his horrendous accident, it may be that there is inherent damage that may hinder or tragically, rule out a return to the series at all. His visit to a specialist in the US will no doubt determine that fact. I hope the news is positive. However, if both drivers had to be replaced at the Scuderia, apart from signing Alonso, where else should they look? Of the young blood, Kubica is erratic, [to say the least], Vettel is signed, Buemi has a deal to prove after a promising debut season, Jaime is my tip for the top but has a way to go and Glock is, [quite rightly] locked in at Toyota. For me, Rosberg would have to be looked at, as would Kovi, though I would concede that SF may have had their fill of Finns for the time being. Webber is the kind of tenacious character they like but he may have long-term repercussions from his leg break and difficulty fitting in with the regime at SF - he may do better to sit tight at Red Bull. Barrichello would be a great foil for Nando for a season or two though I would doubt he would wish to return. Trulli could fill that role too but his race pace is shocking. It's certainly too early for Hamilton to move yet but if Button wins the WDC he might become the hot favourite. Though that may come to pass, Ross would be mad to let him go and I believe, will do everything to keep him. Ant must have done the math on this before he declared his intention to approach the Scuderia with an offer of his services. At Maranello, fact is often stranger than fiction - they actually asked someone who hadn't raced in F1 for ten years to drive their car this week - fancy! I might get this wrong, are u suggesting Alonso won't race with Kimi (because he's a scared puppy etc ) and vica versa. It means you believe Kimi is not racing for Maranello next year... Actually, do you believe Alonso WILL race for Ferrari??? I guess the Santander deal really suggest that.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insider 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2009 I might get this wrong, are u suggesting Alonso won't race with Kimi (because he's a scared puppy etc ) and vica versa. It means you believe Kimi is not racing for Maranello next year... Actually, do you believe Alonso WILL race for Ferrari??? I guess the Santander deal really suggest that.... Bold 1: No and No Bold Two: Yes I was surmising what the situation might be if KImi leaves and Felipe was out of F1 completely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BradSpeedMan 6 Report post Posted August 25, 2009 Bold 1: No and No Bold Two: Yes I was surmising what the situation might be if KImi leaves and Felipe was out of F1 completely. it just saddens me that the best driver in F1 would no longer partake...sigh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikathegreat2 2 Report post Posted August 25, 2009 Ferrari will give Massa 1 more chance in 2010 so Kimi is out! Sorry Brad! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insider 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2009 Ferrari will give Massa 1 more chance in 2010 so Kimi is out! Sorry Brad! If, and we pray to our Gods that it is so, Felipe Baby returns to the fray. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Persevere 0 Report post Posted August 25, 2009 I agree that Alonso is virtually a lock for Ferrari; the "Santander" reference in the press a week ago ostensibly was the last piece of the puzzle. That said, and assuming there are no shocking changes for that particular scenario, Ferrari of course had not counted on a serious injury to Massa. Although I don't think any legitimate race fan would wish him ill it is possible that long-term impairment will result in Massa being forced to step away for 2010. As "Insider" speculates, suddenly a whole new set of possible plot developments come to mind. And, again as stated, take nothing for granted with Ferrari of late given the bizarre selection of Luca Badoer as a temporary replacement for Massa. This matter alone - who drives for Ferrari in 2010 - should keep the silly season at a full boil for at least another few weeks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dribbler 6 Report post Posted August 25, 2009 it just saddens me that the best driver in F1 would no longer partake...sigh It saddens me too, but his neck just isn't up to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quiet One 15 Report post Posted August 25, 2009 It saddens me too, but his neck just isn't up to it. What happened to Nando's neck??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dribbler 6 Report post Posted August 25, 2009 What happened to Nando's neck??? It's not German enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quiet One 15 Report post Posted August 25, 2009 It's not German enough. But once he joins Ferrari it will become red! Wait, I am not sure that is a good thing... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dribbler 6 Report post Posted August 26, 2009 But once he joins Ferrari it will become red! Wait, I am not sure that is a good thing... Probably not. If he become a red-neck, his sister and wife will be the same person, he won't have a passport, will think London is a country, burn negroes and be pro-war. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quiet One 15 Report post Posted August 26, 2009 Probably not. If he become a red-neck, his sister and wife will be the same person, he won't have a passport, will think London is a country, burn negroes and be pro-war. If he ever does that, and chooses to post in this forum, I hope he at least picks a different nickname than Paul's or we will never know who is who. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wapi 4 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 Kimi will not be fired. He is too expensive to fire. He said more than once that he will not agree on contract termination, so SF would have to terminate it on their expense and would cost much too much especially if combined with Alonso salary... Alonso comes in 2011. If he comes in 2010, Massa goes to Renault. Also, they said that Alonso deal would not be announced at Monza "out of respect for injured Massa". That can mean only that Massa is getting fired but they do not want to break bad news until he has recovered... If they are going to fire Kimi, they would not have to wait for Massa to get well. In such scenario if Massa does not get well enough, they can always drag Buemi from STR to be Nando's bitch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insider 0 Report post Posted August 27, 2009 Kimi will not be fired. He is too expensive to fire. He said more than once that he will not agree on contract termination, so SF would have to terminate it on their expense and would cost much too much especially if combined with Alonso salary... Alonso comes in 2011. If he comes in 2010, Massa goes to Renault. Also, they said that Alonso deal would not be announced at Monza "out of respect for injured Massa". That can mean only that Massa is getting fired but they do not want to break bad news until he has recovered... If they are going to fire Kimi, they would not have to wait for Massa to get well. In such scenario if Massa does not get well enough, they can always drag Buemi from STR to be Nando's bitch. Kimi will not be fired but he will be released and salaried as per contract to rally for Fiat. That's my guess. If he wants to stay, then there is no option but to keep him especially, as Felipe's continuance in the sport is unconfirmed. They will only release Massa if the medics say he is unfit to race. We shall know soon enough. Buemi is another Kubica - intermittently brilliant but unreliable - not an SF 'wish list' item, in my opinion. The smart money says they need a 'plodder' who can score in every race as a foil to Nando and get them back in the Constructor's race. My pick? Heidfeld is in the frame, as is Trulli, [if he continues to refuse Toyota's 1-year contract offer] but I like the idea of young blood being brought into the equation and with Santander on board, Jaime is quick as mustard, doesn't break cars, is people-friendly and a marketing man's wet dream. The Armada returns? EDIT: Typo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
