Honda Rescued!

[Max Mosley 2]

Yeah he did a good job all round. Personally I'm torn between wanting Webber to beat him so that Lewis has one fewer rival and hoping he does well because by all accounts he's a much nicer guy.

[The Rumble Strip 0]

It's a big year for Vettel.

He is rated quite highly and it will be how he fares against Webber, who others rate but I don't that will determine what future path his career takes.

[Insider 0]

It's a big year for Vettel.

He is rated quite highly and it will be how he fares against Webber, who others rate but I don't that will determine what future path his career takes.

We're way off topic here but I must say I feel STR will be a pain in the neck for Red Bull again this year, Vettel or no Vettel. I think they'll be in the shake up for pole virtually every week with Red Bull propping up the midfield again. BMW will certainly be a team to watch - this could be their year.

[dribbler 6]

McLaren will dominate. BMW will be better than Ferrari, who will be the equal of Renault. STR will be nowhere because Vettel has gone. The title will be between Kubica (who will be punching above his weight) and Lewis who will fall foul of pussy cat distractions.

Ross will go fishing, forever.

[Medilloni 6]

McLaren will dominate. BMW will be better than Ferrari, who will be the equal of Renault. STR will be nowhere because Vettel has gone. The title will be between Kubica (who will be punching above his weight) and Lewis who will fall foul of pussy cat distractions.

Ross will go fishing, forever.

I nearly posted 'agreed', but then I thought about dark matter and how I need to send positive vibes out there

McLaren will dominate, their biggest challenger will be BMW, Ferrari and Renault will be very close behind. Vettel will be stupendous (as will Red Bull - a major surprise to most), Webber will lift his game, but eventually overshadowed by the youngster.

Beumi will be well above average and close to Vettel's first year efforts - the boy looks like he has 'it' so far, and his nose is an evolution of Koobitza's, so he's got to be good.

Brawn... he knows what he wants for the future, and that's running a team, so he'll be there sooner or later, and I think it's with the Brackley Boys. Even now.

PS: If you want someone to bounce your CV off Steve, I'll be happy to - I see plenty of crap ones every week

[dribbler 6]

PS: If you want someone to bounce your CV off Steve, I'll be happy to - I see plenty of crap ones every week

Thanks.

[Medilloni 6]

Thanks.

Oh sh!t! i didn't mean your's would be crap, I mean I didn't think iw would be but......... Oh dear

Edit: Fit shashed edit

[Rainmaster 7]

Oh sh!t! i didn't mean your's would be crap, I mean I didn't think iw would be but......... Oh dear

Edit: Fit shashed edit

Looks like somebody's in the doghouse now.

[Insider 0]

McLaren will dominate. BMW will be better than Ferrari, who will be the equal of Renault. STR will be nowhere because Vettel has gone. The title will be between Kubica (who will be punching above his weight) and Lewis who will fall foul of pussy cat distractions.

Ross will go fishing, forever.

The prophet has spoken!

[Insider 0]

Hey up! That very naughty man, Bernard Ecclestone has virtually admitted that Honda have not found a suitable buyer and that the big boys are going to have to fill the gap with three cars. Yet, he continues to deny that an agreement exists with organisers and broadcasters to provide a minimum 20 car field. Bulls**t! Yes, well, we knew that, didn't we? He really does takes us all for cretins.

Source: http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news...126082508.shtml

I know, I know - here comes the debate on who will fill the third McBenz and F60 seats.

FERRARI - Scenario 1: Nando jumps ship to the Scuderia - handbags at forty paces and much scratching and biting becomes the order of the day. Driver's mobile phones confiscated by Head Prefect, Schumacher. In a 'comfort-buying' spree, Flabio buys six more football clubs with various Asian billionaires. Bernie declines to 'wet his beak' with Flab this time and continues talks with Suzuki and Ssangyong as potential entrants for 2010. Scenario 2: Vettel, heavily tapped up by Monty and Schumi exits RBR - major lawsuit to follow. Massa breaks down in tears as Seb the Pleb is two seconds faster than him all season and Kimi heads for rehab.

McBENZ - Scenario 1: Gary Paffett finally gets a go but keeps crashing because Lewis won't let him in the simulator. Scenario 2: Lewis's dad smashes up several more Porkies because DenWhit won't give him the drive and hire JB instead. Jens puts serious manners on the WRC and the Blonde and wins the Driver's title by a mile.

Yeah, yeah.

[Insider 0]

Thanks.

Completely unfair and uncalled for.

[Kopite Girl 0]

Hey up! That very naughty man, Bernard Ecclestone has virtually admitted that Honda have not found a suitable buyer and that the big boys are going to have to fill the gap with three cars. Yet, he continues to deny that an agreement exists with organisers and broadcasters to provide a minimum 20 car field. Bulls**t! Yes, well, we knew that, didn't we? He really does takes us all for cretins.

Source: http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news...126082508.shtml

I know, I know - here comes the debate on who will fill the third McBenz and F60 seats.

FERRARI - Scenario 1: Nando jumps ship to the Scuderia - handbags at forty paces and much scratching and biting becomes the order of the day. Driver's mobile phones confiscated by Head Prefect, Schumacher. In a 'comfort-buying' spree, Flabio buys six more football clubs with various Asian billionaires. Bernie declines to 'wet his beak' with Flab this time and continues talks with Suzuki and Ssangyong as potential entrants for 2010. Scenario 2: Vettel, heavily tapped up by Monty and Schumi exits RBR - major lawsuit to follow. Massa breaks down in tears as Seb the Pleb is two seconds faster than him all season and Kimi heads for rehab.

McBENZ - Scenario 1: Gary Paffett finally gets a go but keeps crashing because Lewis won't let him in the simulator. Scenario 2: Lewis's dad smashes up several more Porkies because DenWhit won't give him the drive and hire JB instead. Jens puts serious manners on the WRC and the Blonde and wins the Driver's title by a mile.

Yeah, yeah.

You're not really who you say you are! You're Jacques Villeneuve aren't you?

(well, he did/does have a music career too!!!)

[dribbler 6]

Oh sh!t! i didn't mean your's would be crap, I mean I didn't think iw would be but......... Oh dear

Edit: Fit shashed edit

Hey, none taken, sincerely. I was genuinely extending my gratitude and for once, in no mood to dish out a witty quip. It's been quite a month. Sorry if it came across the wrong way.

Basta*d.

[The Rumble Strip 0]

The rules state it is a fourteen car minimum field, I think.

[Insider 0]

The rules state it is a fourteen car minimum field, I think.

I was talking about the requirement under Formula One Management's agreement with broadcasters - not the regs. I understand that it is 20. Of course, Bernie denies this.

[Insider 0]

A non-committal committal from Honda and JB?

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12433_4856546,00.html

[Medilloni 6]

Whilst I'm tired of the rumours, though I wish for a great outcome for all connected with this 'episode', I was blown away with this as a 'latest rumour' - if it were true it'd be a dream - but I think that's all it would be (posted on the Autosport forum for what it's worth)......

Mclaren Mercedes engine builders tasked to build FOUR extra engines up, which Mclaren don't need.

Fry, Ross Brawn and Schumacher seen at a hotel somewhere in Northampton shire last week .

Honda to be bought out by a Fry, Brawn, Schumacher conglomerate - paperwork and funding 95% complete.

Announcement to be made this Friday.

Just fink

[dribbler 6]

I have it on good authority that an announcement on this whole sorry tale will be made on friday. It's not going to be good news.

[Insider 0]

Whilst I'm tired of the rumours, though I wish for a great outcome for all connected with this 'episode', I was blown away with this as a 'latest rumour' - if it were true it'd be a dream - but I think that's all it would be (posted on the Autosport forum for what it's worth)......

Just fink

The Fry/Brawn/Schumacher pact has been mooted before and is the current favourite circulating the watering holes of the Brackley, Silverstone, Enstone triangle, John. WE know Merc will help with lumps if they can. In addition, accordinf to some sources, Bernie seemed to have his nose out of joint a little that the deal wasn't sorted last week. So, it's reasonable to surmise there may be a deal going down and that certain staff have been retained and others let go. This would explain the stories I've heard regarding staff clearing their desks. It could also be that McLaren have been asked to run a third car?

[Insider 0]

I have it on good authority that an announcement on this whole sorry tale will be made on friday. It's not going to be good news.

Your source, me dear?

[Insider 0]

Nice words from DR on Honda and JB

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73018

[The Rumble Strip 0]

The BBC sound hopeful on the subject.

[dribbler 6]

Your source, me dear?

Someone who's other half works at Brackley.

[Medilloni 6]

Someone who's other half works at Brackley.

Sorry to hear that Steve, I hope they end up OK.

and to Sean too...

Even though this all looks dire, I'm a bit puzzled as to why (source: bbc) a spokeswoman said this today:

"Don't focus too much on speculation regarding time frames and deadlines," said a team spokeswoman.

"Work on our race car is progressing well. We're optimistic but may not be able to say more for some time."

......because if things were dead in the water, then nothing should have been said, and if the car is progressing well, then how? If a Honda engine can't be used, and they haven't got an engine from someone else, there's nothing to progress with - many of the systems will be entirely different with another engine, including weight distribution and other dynamics. I think they have an engine (maybe Honda's agreed to a few races with old mule until swop over..), or at least enough info about an engine to carry on with important work.

So I'll go with 'many desks being cleared out' because it might be obvious (or discussed) where savings have to be made, but whilst they are saying stuff as they have today, it's not as dead as the hedgehog I flattened on the way home.

[Insider 0]

Sorry to hear that Steve, I hope they end up OK.

and to Sean too...

Even though this all looks dire, I'm a bit puzzled as to why (source: bbc) a spokeswoman said this today:

......because if things were dead in the water, then nothing should have been said, and if the car is progressing well, then how? If a Honda engine can't be used, and they haven't got an engine from someone else, there's nothing to progress with - many of the systems will be entirely different with another engine, including weight distribution and other dynamics. I think they have an engine (maybe Honda's agreed to a few races with old mule until swop over..), or at least enough info about an engine to carry on with important work.

So I'll go with 'many desks being cleared out' because it might be obvious (or discussed) where savings have to be made, but whilst they are saying stuff as they have today, it's not as dead as the hedgehog I flattened on the way home.

My sentiments exactly, as far as Steve's people are concerned. As for the rest of it, there very well may be something cooking. I just hope Jenson isn't going to shuffle another shed around for a couple of years. If that's the option, he should go to STR and get on with his career.