Today In F1

[lewisthegreat2 0]

Can't imagine who'd those teams would be. The 2 that had caused the most concern, Toyota and Renault, have basically said they'll stay, so I could only see Force India leaving if any teams were to leave which I believe they won't be.

I think Team US F1 and Lotus are probably in doubt, especially since the latter is getting such a late start. I'm sure Bernie and Max know better than we do. I think everyone will be there except US F1, and if anyone isn't, ol' Dave will (try to) buy them.

[JHS 1]

I think Team US F1 and Lotus are probably in doubt, especially since the latter is getting such a late start. I'm sure Bernie and Max know better than we do. I think everyone will be there except US F1, and if anyone isn't, ol' Dave will (try to) buy them.

I don't class the new teams of leaving. I class it as non-starting. After all, they haven't even raced in F1 yet, so how can they leave before they's raced?

Anyway, this is what Bernie had to say on USF1:

Bernie Ecclestone on Saturday cast doubt on the health of Formula One's new American team for next season.

"No," he told the British broadcaster BBCin interview from Singapore when asked if he thinks 28 cars will reallybe ready to watch the five lights go out in Bahrain next March.

Alongside the current teams, new entrants including Manor, Campos,Malaysian-owned Lotus and Charlotte based USF1 are touted to contestthe 2010 world championship.

"I think one or two might not turn up," the F1 chief executive said. "That's what I'm being told; possibly USF1 are a doubt."

Full article here.

[Schumikonen 2]

EDIT: Disregard that circuit layout; it was made by a magazine for funsies, and has no relation to Bernie etc. Not like it mattered. There will be no USGP in New York.

I was already thinking about going to that one.

[yurp 0]

I'm hoping you made this post at 2 AM, because it's implying you think there are only something like 10 streets in all of NYC and that the track takes up more than 1,214.4 km²

The map only highlights a small section of NYC, and the track seems to have little regard to existing streets after that, as if to say they can actually close roads in NYC almost all year long to build new ones just for a Grand Prix. My a##. They might as well have proposed a 1,214.4 km² circuit; it would have been equally likely.

EDIT: Disregard that circuit layout; it was made by a magazine for funsies, and has no relation to Bernie etc. Not like it mattered. There will be no USGP in New York.

Not that I'm being picky (because I am), or that I'm taking this seriously, but the streets do actually exist.

See attached.

I take it he north-bound side of broadway would become the pit lane.

The kerbs in central park would not be fun though and the track would be boring as hell to watch a race on.

[Insider 0]

I don't class the new teams of leaving. I class it as non-starting. After all, they haven't even raced in F1 yet, so how can they leave before they's raced?

Anyway, this is what Bernie had to say on USF1:

Full article here.

Substantial guarantees need to be in place before new teams are allowed on to the grid. The current system buggers the job up for everybody FIA, FOM, the promoters and sponsors. The FIA needs to send in a team to scrutinise every would-be entrant microscopically, to confirm they have the money, engineering expertise, staff and premises to go racing. To have a possible scenario whereby, a shell operation like Lotus could to go racing ahead of an established outfit like Sauber must be made untenable. I am all for new teams coming in but quality assurance is a must. I am sure USF1 are entirely serious about entry but we have heard nothing but rhetoric thus far. If they do drop out, will Euskadi Epsilon or Prodrive be standing by as reserves? I think not but they should be. Apart from the garages issue, 14 teams make the whole thing far more interesting, in my humble opinion.

[mikathegreat2 2]

I was already thinking about going to that one.

Can you imagine closing down downtown Manhattan?? BTW, there's a better NYC track in GT4!

[JHS 1]

Can you imagine closing down downtown Manhattan?? BTW, there's a better NYC track in GT4!

I think you're forgetting a certain Mr Ecclestone!

[lewisthegreat2 0]

Not that I'm being picky (because I am), or that I'm taking this seriously, but the streets do actually exist.

See attached.

I take it he north-bound side of broadway would become the pit lane.

The kerbs in central park would not be fun though and the track would be boring as hell to watch a race on.

I stand corrected. The one long straightaway just seemed a bit random, as though it didn't exist.

Regardless, if Bernie gets a Formula 1 race that goes through Central Park, I'll go on George's diet for a month.

I think you're forgetting a certain Mr Ecclestone!

If you're implying Bernie can get a race in NYC, you're crazy .

No one can convince them to close down Manhattan. At best, they'll get the parking lot of Giants Stadium/Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ (15 min from NYC). CART raced there, you can see it here. The circuit was way too short for Formula 1, so they'd have to redesign one, but no matter what you do, you're getting a flat, narrow, blah circuit.

I don't think Bernie even wants a race in New York or Las Vegas or anything like that, to be honest. He's just saying all sorts of stuff to get Indianapolis to make an offer for more money (which will be tough, since, as I said, IMS is hurting financially, and if they sold the track and the IRL to NASCAR in the next five years, I wouldn't exactly be shocked). He knows that's the only place he can have a USGP, whether he likes it or not, and he'll eventually admit that he always loved Indy once they give him his $20 or $25 million.

[JHS 1]

If you're implying Bernie can get a race in NYC, you're crazy .

No one can convince them to close down Manhattan. At best, they'll get the parking lot of Giants Stadium/Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ (15 min from NYC). CART raced there, you can see it here. The circuit was way too short for Formula 1, so they'd have to redesign one, but no matter what you do, you're getting a flat, narrow, blah circuit.

I don't think Bernie even wants a race in New York or Las Vegas or anything like that, to be honest. He's just saying all sorts of stuff to get Indianapolis to make an offer for more money (which will be tough, since, as I said, IMS is hurting financially, and if they sold the track and the IRL to NASCAR in the next five years, I wouldn't exactly be shocked). He knows that's the only place he can have a USGP, whether he likes it or not, and he'll eventually admit that he always loved Indy once they give him his $20 or $25 million.

Hey, people said Singapore couldn't be done. But look what happened. Never say never.

[lewisthegreat2 0]

Hey, people said Singapore couldn't be done. But look what happened. Never say never.

There's a big difference between building a semi-street circuit in Marina Bay, Singapore and closing down Manhattan to prepare for and host a Formula 1 race. The biggest factor, in my mind, is the fact Singapore, and many Asian companies, wanted Formula 1, and therefore put up the money. NYC doesn't want F1, but rather, F1 wants them. NYC doesn't need F1 to bring in tourists and bring income to the city; they'll lose a lot more money if they shut part of the city down and pay a $20,000,000 sancitioning fee. Bernie saying he wants to be in NYC is a lot different than Marina Bay saying they want Bernie in their city.

[Rainmaster 7]

There's a big difference between building a semi-street circuit in Marina Bay, Singapore and closing down Manhattan to prepare for and host a Formula 1 race. The biggest factor, in my mind, is the fact Singapore, and many Asian companies, wanted Formula 1, and therefore put up the money. NYC doesn't want F1, but rather, F1 wants them. NYC doesn't need F1 to bring in tourists and bring income to the city; they'll lose a lot more money if they shut part of the city down and pay a $20,000,000 sancitioning fee. Bernie saying he wants to be in NYC is a lot different than Marina Bay saying they want Bernie in their city.

+1 Agree.

...and please, don't ever go on my diet.

[lewisthegreat2 0]

...and please, don't ever go on my diet.

Oi, why nawt Jawjuh? I'll bollockin' do wha'ever I want 'cos I can! I'm me own man an' I own an F1 team! If I wanna wear a bum bag, bloody 'ell, I will! I say, if I wanna bimble about, by George, I will! Wot a load of cack that George tellin' me wot to do, that chav 'e is, always faffin' about in 'is lorry. Oi, I shouldn't git me knickers all up in a twist over this, I 'ave been well-chuffed all day 'bout me new line o' Elastoplasts, they've all sorts of nice Aston Martin prints on 'em, I'll 'ave yer know they're so stylish you'll be goin' out of yer way to get scrapes an' cuts just to wear 'em. Ah well, I'm off to the One-Stop at 119-121 Collingwood Crescent, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2PF to purchase fizzy drinks and French letters with the few quid I've left over from that time we went to the funfair up in Wales (I thought I'd spent all but ha'penny, but I found some more in the back of me saloon, it was on the back seat, I couldn't see it obviously since you take up the 'ole bloody thing). Give 'em a ring at 01483 565281 (just pick up yer mobile and push all of those numbers and Bob's yer uncle) if yer in the mood. I'll pick yer up an ice lolly if you fancy, I promise not to do jimmy all over it like I did last time, and then you 'ad to go and call the bloody bobby to come over in 'is jam san'wich an' get me in a bunch of barney with the WMSC!

Gor blimey I could use some 'ols before I get back to tryin' to buy Renault,

Dave

[Rainmaster 7]

Oi, why nawt Jawjuh? I'll bollockin' do wha'ever I want 'cos I can! I'm me own man an' I own an F1 team! If I wanna wear a bum bag, bloody 'ell, I will! I say, if I wanna bimble about, by George, I will! Wot a load of cack that George tellin' me wot to do, that chav 'e is, always faffin' about in 'is lorry. Oi, I shouldn't git me knickers all up in a twist over this, I 'ave been well-chuffed all day 'bout me new line o' Elastoplasts, they've all sorts of nice Aston Martin prints on 'em, I'll 'ave yer know they're so stylish you'll be goin' out of yer way to get scrapes an' cuts just to wear 'em. Ah well, I'm off to the One-Stop at 119-121 Collingwood Crescent, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2PF to purchase fizzy drinks and French letters with the few quid I've left over from that time we went to the funfair up in Wales (I thought I'd spent all but ha'penny, but I found some more in the back of me saloon, it was on the back seat, I couldn't see it obviously since you take up the 'ole bloody thing). Give 'em a ring at 01483 565281 (just pick up yer mobile and push all of those numbers and Bob's yer uncle) if yer in the mood. I'll pick yer up an ice lolly if you fancy, I promise not to do jimmy all over it like I did last time, and then you 'ad to go and call the bloody bobby to come over in 'is jam san'wich an' get me in a bunch of barney with the WMSC!

Gor blimey I could use some 'ols before I get back to tryin' to buy Renault,

Dave

Fine go on my diet, but you'll soon need a bigger vehickle than your pretty pink saloon (why do you think I drive a lorry? Other than to abduct people and sell drugs I mean). By the way, I love you because you remind of Sniff Petrol.

[JHS 1]

There's a big difference between building a semi-street circuit in Marina Bay, Singapore and closing down Manhattan to prepare for and host a Formula 1 race. The biggest factor, in my mind, is the fact Singapore, and many Asian companies, wanted Formula 1, and therefore put up the money. NYC doesn't want F1, but rather, F1 wants them. NYC doesn't need F1 to bring in tourists and bring income to the city; they'll lose a lot more money if they shut part of the city down and pay a $20,000,000 sancitioning fee. Bernie saying he wants to be in NYC is a lot different than Marina Bay saying they want Bernie in their city.

I guess you're right. Another example was Bernie wanting to buy Silverstone, but the BRDC didn't budge so Bernie said "F1 won't be coming back to Silverstone" (even though it will). My only worry is that here that if Bernie doesn't get his way he'll say F1 is never coming back to the USA.

But we'll have to wait and see. To compliment the poisoned dwarf, he does have the strange ability to make the impossible possible. Must be that magic wand and fairy wings you seem him wearing around the paddock.

[lewisthegreat2 0]

Fine go on my diet, but you'll soon need a bigger vehickle than your pretty pink saloon (why do you think I drive a lorry? Other than to abduct people and sell drugs I mean). By the way, I love you because you remind of Sniff Petrol.

Sniff Petrol? That's an odd name for a bloke. Only in Bri'ain I suppose (I shouldn't make fun of Britain and France the way I do. I'm related to William I, which is funny since he was a Frenchie and a Brit, meaning he didn't shower and he talked funny, what a wretched combo. Oh well, I have the Royal Bri'ish blood in me veins, so I could well be King o' Engerland, and then wot? Bloody 'ell, I'll take all the money and have the Bri'ish Tourism Board sponsor yer Raindrive Promasters until Gordon Brown or Winston Churchill or Simon Cowell or Vladimir Putin or whoever is Prime Minister these days stops me).

And don't make fun of me pretty pink saloon, it matches me pretty pink estate, I'll 'ave yer know.

F1 is never coming back to the USA.

F1's doing fine without us, they don't really need to come back. Say what they want about money, but notice how Canon, 7-Eleven, MegaFon and a variety of random beer sponsors have come on board for the Asian stretch of races on a number of teams, and not the Euro/North American ones. Add that to regulars like Etihad Airways (and Fly Emirates, who used to be on Macca, and are rumored to be returning to some team, it may have been Brawn, I forget, someone help me), Kingfisher, and LG, who back the sport in general, and these Asian races don't seem so bad.

Whether or not there is a USGP, the popularity of F1 in the USA will stay the way it always is, and sponsors know that. There is plenty of money coming from the US into Formula 1 (Marlboro, ExxonMobil, AMD, AT&T, FedEx, Intel, Hilton, etc) as well as some technology, engineers, and a whole Sh#t-load of carbon fiber. Car manufactures can say "oh we need to sell cars there," but if there's an increase in Merc, Ferrari, or Toyota sales due to the addition of a USGP, I'll eat double George's daily food intake.

[Oli 1]

I want a race at Sears Point, for purely selfish reasons. My favourite winery is 1.5 miles from it so I can visit on the way and get some nice Pinot Noir for the race....

[Insider 0]

Yesterday in F1, Jenson Button flawessly executed yet another damage limitation performance. He had help, not least Nico Rosberg's error of judgement when exiting the pits but for the most part, he drove a fine race. The BGP001 lost the massive advantage it had over it's rivals many races ago, yet Barrichello has won two Grand Prix in that period and JB has kept his demons at bay and managed to score points in virtually every race. He kicked off with six out of seven wins, a miracle in light of pundit mirth that the fledgling BGP were 'no-hopers' this year after the last minute buyout from Honda. Well, 'up yours!' is all I can say. In most GP seasons, six victories would have been quite enough to have secured the WDC by a country mile. Rubens has found some extra speed of late too but Button has found himself in extraordinary circumstances this year. Pressure is a terrible foe. Nevertheless, he can still get on it when he really has too. I believe yesterday's fifth place had taken a lot of weight off the Champion-elect's shoulders and we should see a calmer Jens in Japan, Brazil and Abu Dhabi. They've put their team in a virtually unassailable position, first time at bat - an astonishing feat, whichever way you look at it. This is the best driver package that F1 has seen in my memory and Ross must be sorely tempted not to break it up. Rosberg is a fabulous driver but he can't hold a candle to Barrichello when it comes to setting up a car. It's a dilemma. Old Frank and Patrick would sell the factory to get JB on board - it's a shame they won't be able to keep their German star. he'd certainly keep Lewis honest at Macca.

[Quiet One 15]

Yesterday in F1, Jenson Button flawessly executed yet another damage limitation performance.

Oh, you were not joking

[JHS 1]

F1's doing fine without us, they don't really need to come back. Say what they want about money, but notice how Canon, 7-Eleven, MegaFon and a variety of random beer sponsors have come on board for the Asian stretch of races on a number of teams, and not the Euro/North American ones. Add that to regulars like Etihad Airways (and Fly Emirates, who used to be on Macca, and are rumored to be returning to some team, it may have been Brawn, I forget, someone help me), Kingfisher, and LG, who back the sport in general, and these Asian races don't seem so bad.

Whether or not there is a USGP, the popularity of F1 in the USA will stay the way it always is, and sponsors know that. There is plenty of money coming from the US into Formula 1 (Marlboro, ExxonMobil, AMD, AT&T, FedEx, Intel, Hilton, etc) as well as some technology, engineers, and a whole Sh#t-load of carbon fiber. Car manufactures can say "oh we need to sell cars there," but if there's an increase in Merc, Ferrari, or Toyota sales due to the addition of a USGP, I'll eat double George's daily food intake.

Maybe so, but you hear most the teams saying they want to go back, espacially the likes of Mercedes. It is a crucial area for their market.

[lewisthegreat2 0]

Maybe so, but you hear most the teams saying they want to go back, espacially the likes of Mercedes. It is a crucial area for their market.

It may be crucial, but how exactly do they plan on selling more Mercedes in the US by having a race attended by 80% Latin American tourists, 15% US Americans, 5% other areas of the world? That's showcasing F1 to 15,000 US Americans; it's not going to create any new fans beyond the existing 1,000,000+ and it's not going to convince anyone to buy a Merc who hasn't already done so. A USGP isn't going to make a difference and is just going to p**s away travel money for the teams. It's a silly idea, honestly. They believe a USGP will increase US American popularity, but I don't think it will. We've tried Long Beach, Phoenix, Detroit, Indy, Dallas, and countless others, and at the end of the day, none have led to a lasting popularity of Formula 1 in the USA. The next one won't, either. The IRL IndyCar Series has what, 15 races in the USA? It has less viewers than Formula 1 does in this country.

[Quiet One 15]

Toyota will not renew GLock's contract for 2010. http://www.forumula1.net/2009/f1/f1-news/glock-will-not-be-at-toyota-in-2010/

I really hope they did that because they are leaving (not that they will be missed, anyways) because, otherwise, would be like deliberately crashing the whole team against a wall at Singapore.

As for TImo, I hope he will get a worthy seat next year. He is finally maturing and quite nicely, it seems. WOuld be a waste of talent.

[JHS 1]

Toyota will not renew GLock's contract for 2010. http://www.forumula1...toyota-in-2010/

I really hope they did that because they are leaving (not that they will be missed, anyways) because, otherwise, would be like deliberately crashing the whole team against a wall at Singapore.

As for TImo, I hope he will get a worthy seat next year. He is finally maturing and quite nicely, it seems. WOuld be a waste of talent.

Sorry, but I heard they were staying. Toyota confirmed they would indeed be staying in the sport but just reducing costs.

Shame for Timo though, can't see why Toyota WOULDN'T want to keep him, he's put in some solid performances this year.

[Insider 0]

If Toyota are staying but dropping drivers like Timo, what is the point? They are mostly crap on race day now! Do they think their fortunes will change by getting a couple of pay drivers or budget-priced rookies in? That won't please their board or sponsors but maybe a continued association with F1 will help bolster flagging sales. Who knows? With Williams looking for a new engine, Sutil and Trulli out and budget announcements delayed until November, I'd say they have few options. Test Driver, Kamui Kobayashi has had a shocker in GP2 this season and is hardly ready for the rigours of F1, but grabbing Kazuki Nakajima for peanuts, [who Toyota helped to develop] is a strong possible. That would leave Williams with just the massively under-experienced, Nico Hulkenberg on the books, no engine and no money for a top driver. They are certainly in deep peril whether they lose Nakajima or not. The Toyota story is a confusing one to say the least. There is a strong word in the paddock the Jenson could go there if, contract arrangements with BGP are not settled. As WDC he could end up at Renault, [he'll be delighted Flavio has gone] or even Ferrari. Personally, I believe Brawn would be idiotic to let him slip away. If he can get this Championship under his belt, he'll be a changed man and it could be the first of many.

[Rainmaster 7]

Toyota will not renew GLock's contract for 2010. http://www.forumula1...toyota-in-2010/

I really hope they did that because they are leaving (not that they will be missed, anyways) because, otherwise, would be like deliberately crashing the whole team against a wall at Singapore.

As for TImo, I hope he will get a worthy seat next year. He is finally maturing and quite nicely, it seems. WOuld be a waste of talent.

That's odd, I read on the Autosport website at the weekend a quote saying that Toyota were quite happy with Glock and would like to keep him.

Anyway, I can just about understand dropping Trulli on cost cutting grounds (even though he was rumoured to be willing to accept a 50% pay cut) but dropping Glock as well seems odd. Like you said, he is maturing nicely and looks a solid performer, and more importantly, if Toyota are cutting costs, he's cheap too.

So, either that report is bollocks or Toyota are leaving the sport.

[lewisthegreat2 0]

I read that Toyota are staying, but have informed both drivers their services are no longer needed. Heidfeld and Kaz for 2010? Oh boy I'm...

...not that excited, actually. Heidfeld's a good choice for them, though, if they take him. Maybe Rubens. Piquet if they want cash. Or Petrov. They have a lot of options, actually.

They'll be on the grid. They're just going through the "we suck, let's fire everyone until we find out why we sucked" process.