Today In F1

[yurp 0]

Good to see him bounce back, he's obviously got a new-found spring in his step.

Was that deliberate?

If so we can introduce silly season on Massa-spring puns....

I'll bet Massa's looking forward to spring.

Massa's aiming to hit spring head on.

Spring testing's going to be hard on Massa.

Massa's ready to go like a coiled spring.

And as we head into spring, Massa leads the way.

etc etc etc

EDIT typo

[aussief1 4]

Yey! Jaime's back! (Officially this time) I'm sure commentators are loving another chance to butcher his name again!

I'm betting that he won't see the season out. He will be the first young driver of many who will fall victim of the current lack of testing.

[Medilloni 6]

Was that deliberate?.........

Go stand in the corner Adam. You got one out of four.

[JHS 1]

I'm betting that he won't see the season out. He will be the first young driver of many who will fall victim of the current lack of testing.

Perhaps, but STR haven't really got anyone that decent to replace him with.....Brendon Hartley?

Maybe not....

[Quiet One 15]

Heidfeld signed as Schumi's reserve bitch for Mercedes...so much for a team that didn't want to be regarded as a "German" team.

http://www.totalf1.com/full_story/view/329119/Heidfeld_joins_Team_Germany_at_Mercedes/

Pechito López is coming...told you so!

http://www.totalf1.com/full_story/view/329120/Jose_Maria_Lopez_secures_US_F1_drive/

Schumi's secret diaries are finally back! The only thing that justified PlanetF1's existence!

http://planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3262_5874565,00.html

[aussief1 4]

Perhaps, but STR haven't really got anyone that decent to replace him with.....Brendon Hartley?

Maybe not....

Yeah Brendon Hartley is an option likewise Daniel Ricciardo and Mirko Bortolotti all apart of the Red Bull young driver program.

Heidfeld signed as Schumi's reserve bitch for Mercedes...so much for a team that didn't want to be regarded as a "German" team.

http://www.totalf1.com/full_story/view/329119/Heidfeld_joins_Team_Germany_at_Mercedes/

Pechito López is coming...told you so!

http://www.totalf1.com/full_story/view/329120/Jose_Maria_Lopez_secures_US_F1_drive/

Schumi's secret diaries are finally back! The only thing that justified PlanetF1's existence!

http://planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3262_5874565,00.html

I can't believe Nick has signed with MGP, how many times must he be fcuked over by Michael in his career.

All testing available before Bahrain will go to both Michael and Nico with Michael getting a majority of that too I predict. So Not So Quick Nick is an insurance plan if for some reason Michael decides its all too tough and calls it quits half way through a season, which I doubt will ever happen.

to the Schumi Diaries!!!!

[Rainmaster 7]

A shame to hear of Heidfeld's career dying while guys like de la Rosa get a seat, but that's F1 I suppose.

Today in F1, the Rossi rumours return after his strong testing pace with Ferrari (Source).

I still think Rossi is correct when he says that he's too old for F1 now, at least we'll be seeing him in red soon enough...

[AleHop 0]

A shame to hear of Heidfeld's career dying while guys like de la Rosa get a seat, but that's F1 I suppose.

If only I could see anything special on Nick Heidf...

[JHS 1]

Yeah Brendon Hartley is an option likewise Daniel Ricciardo and Mirko Bortolotti all apart of the Red Bull young driver program.

I thought Bortolotti had been dropped by Red Bull?

Anyway, shame for Heidfeld. Forget Kimi's come back in 2011, this is where it's at! Because ZOMG he's contracted to Mercedes now means race seat next season!

On a more serious note though, seriously, what the heck? Heidfeld p1ssed all over Kubica in his time at BMW (sure, Kubi won a race, but Heidfeld scored more points overall and that's what counts for me). He may not be the most exciting guy on track, but he's really underated. Unlike Kubica where it's the other way round...

So I wonder who that leaves at the second Renault seat? I think it's between Petrov, Sato and Klien now. I hope it's either one of the latter two though. But I'm not confident.

[Rainmaster 7]

If only I could see anything special on Nick Heidf...

Neither Pedro or Nick are special as F1 drivers (in the sense neither are world champion material), but that doesn't mean Nick isn't much better.

I mean do you really think de la Rosa could keep up with Kubica over a lap? Or even half of one? Let alone beat him over a season twice? Or pass Alonso around the outside at Bahrain? Or pass anyone on the outside?

[cavallino 2]

Heidfeld signed as Schumi's reserve bitch for Mercedes...so much for a team that didn't want to be regarded as a "German" team.

Wow, his publicist agent whatever should be committing hara kiri right now if they have any self respect. They couldn't get Nick Heidfeld a drive in an year where there are going to be 13 F1 teams? Sheer bloody idiocy. And what's he doing at Mercedes exactly? Did anyone tell him there is no testing or reserve driving these days? They might as well appoint a half trained monkey as test reserve driver for all the difference it would make.

[cavallino 2]

Ok apparently it's not final yet. Do the sensible thing stupid frogs, sign Heidfeld, and you will have one of the best driving line ups on the grid. The driving lineup was the last thing that was wrong with BMW, there is absolutely no shame in copying it. It was the car stupid.

[Persevere 0]

...So I wonder who that leaves at the second Renault seat? I think it's between Petrov, Sato and Klien now. I hope it's either one of the latter two though. But I'm not confident.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100122/F1/100129967

Does Renault F1 go the way of Sauber and sign Petrov because of the basket of cash he brings with him?

[JHS 1]

Petrov's a handy driver. They could do worse than him, but I just don't like seeing drivers "buy" seats rather than earning them through merit.

[mikathegreat2 2]

Well JLo finally got a seat in F1!

[AleHop 0]

On a more serious note though, seriously, what the heck? Heidfeld p1ssed all over Kubica in his time at BMW (sure, Kubi won a race, but Heidfeld scored more points overall and that's what counts for me). He may not be the most exciting guy on track, but he's really underated. Unlike Kubica where it's the other way round...

If Robert Kubica is an overrated driver then I love overrated drivers. They say Raikkonen is an overrated driver too, and Hamilton (actually he is )... I'd rather watch a race with those three overrated drivers on go-karts while I wouldn't bother watching 20 Nick Heidfelds in the fastest cars of the world. What a waste!

The bolded part never happened.

In 2009 NH got 19 and RK 17. Two points mean nothing when you don't have a decent car and KERS was the worst aid for Kubica.

In 2008 NH got 60 and RK 75. Fifteen points when they had a competitive car is quite a lot for the Championship.

In 2007 NH got 61 and RK 39. Kubica crashed in Canada and he missed a race. It was a bad season but it has an explanation.

In 2006 NH got 10 and RK 6 if you take the same amount of races.

Neither Pedro or Nick are special as F1 drivers (in the sense neither are world champion material), but that doesn't mean Nick isn't much better.

We might be talking about different things. For some reason Sauber thought de la Rosa would contribute to his project more than Heidfeld and P. Sauber is supposed to know him better than anybody else as a driver.

I mean do you really think de la Rosa could keep up with Kubica over a lap? Or even half of one? Let alone beat him over a season twice?

No. No. No, neither Heidfeld.

Or pass Alonso around the outside at Bahrain? Or pass anyone on the outside?

2007 was a 'funny' season and Bahrain was 'another good race' for Alonso in McLaren.

http://www.f1-racing.com/full_story/view/202813/McLaren_probe_Alonsos_Bahrain_struggle/

That was a great move, nonetheless. Do not understimate the power of the Rose.

[Quiet One 15]

Wow, his publicist agent whatever should be committing hara kiri right now if they have any self respect. They couldn't get Nick Heidfeld a drive in an year where there are going to be 13 F1 teams? Sheer bloody idiocy. And what's he doing at Mercedes exactly? Did anyone tell him there is no testing or reserve driving these days? They might as well appoint a half trained monkey as test reserve driver for all the difference it would make.

Yup. Yup. And yup.

I always thought that NH was overrated. Now he is underrated. And, unless Schumi's neck or Nico's hairbrush break, he will spend the whole season sitting on a bench or smiling at cameras. He might not be spectaculat, but a guy that had the record for longest streak without a DNF and finished almost every time in the points, test driver is way too much punishment.

As for Renault, it's the economy, stupid! You have a good driver asking for too much money (most off the record comments on NH pointed at that, at least) and a guy that is going everywhere with a suitcase with 15M and the promise of opening the russian market to F1. Maybe the old Renault would have thought twice before hiring Petrov (but ultimately would have chosen him...). Now...Genii Capital Investment Bahamas Cayman Limited Loans Incorporated? They have to keep their shareholders happy, you know?

[JHS 1]

If Robert Kubica is an overrated driver then I love overrated drivers. They say Raikkonen is an overrated driver too, and Hamilton (actually he is )... I'd rather watch a race with those three overrated drivers on go-karts while I wouldn't bother watching 20 Nick Heidfelds in the fastest cars of the world. What a waste!

The bolded part never happened.

In 2009 NH got 19 and RK 17. Two points mean nothing when you don't have a decent car and KERS was the worst aid for Kubica.

In 2008 NH got 60 and RK 75. Fifteen points when they had a competitive car is quite a lot for the Championship.

In 2007 NH got 61 and RK 39. Kubica crashed in Canada and he missed a race. It was a bad season but it has an explanation.

In 2006 NH got 10 and RK 6 if you take the same amount of races.

Doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile, a win is a win. Based on your stats, Heidfeld wins 3-1. Easy as.

Fact of the matter is Kubica's won 1 race. Same has Kovalinen. Same has Trulli. There's nothing for me to say he's any way better than those two.

[Rainmaster 7]

We might be talking about different things. For some reason Sauber thought de la Rosa would contribute to his project more than Heidfeld and P. Sauber is supposed to know him better than anybody else as a driver.

Yes, I'm sure Pedro will "contribute more", more money that is, of that I have no doubt.

No. No. No, neither Heidfeld.

Heidfeld did do those things though, he did keep up with Kubica throughout their seasons together and did in fact outpace him on many occasions. I agree that he didn't beat him when it mattered and that in a championship winning car Kubica is a better bet (although 15 points difference is hardly a thrashing, more of a comfortable victory), but in middle of the pack or worse car there's no difference - and I don't see Sauber or Renault or whoever with a championship winning car so they should have signed Nick who has shown he can get a lot out of a poor/mid pack car.

Anyway, my original point was only that Nick should have a drive and someone like Pedro probably shouldn't. But I accept the business of Formula One. If the team bosses could decide purely on talent and results I'm sure they would have chosen Nick over Pedro.

2007 was a 'funny' season and Bahrain was 'another good race' for Alonso in McLaren.

http://www.onestopstrategy.com/dailyf1news/nieuw/article/3057-McLaren+probe+Alonso's+Bahrain+struggle.html

That was a great move, nonetheless. Do not understimate the power of the Rose.

The link isn't working for me! Oh and please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against de la Rosa and wish him the best of luck, it just feels like we're losing one unspectacular driver (Heidfeld) and gaining another unspectacular but slower driver (Pedro).

[AleHop 0]

I always thought that NH was overrated. Now he is underrated. And, unless Schumi's neck or Nico's hairbrush break, he will spend the whole season sitting on a bench or smiling at cameras. He might not be spectaculat, but a guy that had the record for longest streak without a DNF and finished almost every time in the points, test driver is way too much punishment.

There's no punishment for Heidfeld like there's no punishment for Raikkonen either. I'm sure he could have got de la Rosa's seat if he had lowered his demands. I don't think he's underrated but it's hard to be overpaid these days.

[cavallino 2]

In 2009 NH got 19 and RK 17. Two points mean nothing when you don't have a decent car and KERS was the worst aid for Kubica.

In 2008 NH got 60 and RK 75. Fifteen points when they had a competitive car is quite a lot for the Championship.

In 2007 NH got 61 and RK 39. Kubica crashed in Canada and he missed a race. It was a bad season but it has an explanation.

In 2006 NH got 10 and RK 6 if you take the same amount of races.

Wow, you try to make a point based solely on statistics AND you get the numbers wrong. Why are two points nothing? Wait how many races did BMW actually run KERS anyway?? You say 15 points is a lot, and then you try to explain away 22 points with the excuse that Kubeetza crashed? HE CRASHED, NOONE MADE HIM CRASH! And you are completely wrong in 2006, wtf do you mean the same amount of races? If you take the very same races, Heidfeld outscored Kubeetza.

And you are comparing that record to De La Rosa's, you know how the numbers look for DLR compared to his teammates? bad. Bad. BAD. You'd be far more convincing making some kind of emotional argument, because the facts show that not only did Heidfeld do much better numerically than De la Rosa when comparing to their teammates (and DLR for most of his career didn't have a teammate anywhere near as good as Kubeetza), he also, completely contrary to your ludicrous analysis, has overall outperformed Kubeetza in their time together.

We might be talking about different things. For some reason Sauber thought de la Rosa would contribute to his project more than Heidfeld and P. Sauber is supposed to know him better than anybody else as a driver.

No. No. No, neither Heidfeld.

You think Heidfeld can't keep up with Kubeetza for one lap when you just showed us he did, over 4 seasons? Are you really that desperate to make that old decaying excuse for a test driver look good just because he is from your country?

[cavallino 2]

There's no punishment for Heidfeld like there's no punishment for Raikkonen either. I'm sure he could have got de la Rosa's seat if he had lowered his demands. I don't think he's underrated but it's hard to be overpaid these days.

He didn't just have to lower his demands, he had to pay to get a job, not be paid. Peter Sauber has turned his team into a prostitute team, to think I had some respect for the guy. What an idiot. Kobayashi and Heidfeld, the bottom feeders of 10 years ago would kill to have a lineup like that.

[AleHop 0]

The link isn't working for me! Oh and please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against de la Rosa and wish him the best of luck, it just feels like we're losing one unspectacular driver (Heidfeld) and gaining another unspectacular but slower driver (Pedro).

I think the link is working now.

I don't think we're losing much on that respect. I simply know de la Rosa's been tester for so many years just waiting for another chance like the one he has got now. I think he can contribute with other things than just money.

[cavallino 2]

Yup. Yup. And yup.

As for Renault, it's the economy, stupid! You have a good driver asking for too much money (most off the record comments on NH pointed at that, at least) and a guy that is going everywhere with a suitcase with 15M and the promise of opening the russian market to F1. Maybe the old Renault would have thought twice before hiring Petrov (but ultimately would have chosen him...). Now...Genii Capital Investment Bahamas Cayman Limited Loans Incorporated? They have to keep their shareholders happy, you know?

First of all stop agreeing with me. It makes me feel all dirty on the inside. Which is kind of cool actually Ok fine you can keep doing it.

The Russian can drive for that arms dealer Stefan GP guy who is desperately trying to get on the grid. And he just might, the latest reports have it that US F1 were relying on their status as a mighty world superpower and leaders of the free world to get a car. All they have is a lot of egg on their faces that people threw on them when they went to Mercedes GP, said 'you are either with us or against us' and asked them to hand over all their cars based on the claim that Nico rosberg's hairstyle is a weapon of mass destruction. Can't blame them for trying, after all, it worked with the space program - instead of making their own rockets, invade germany, stole their V2s and their rocket scientists, profit.

YEah so Stefan GP might be on the grid. Rumour has it they are watching spartacus to get some inspiration on offensive systems they can attach to their cars. KAlashnikov GP are planning to apply for a place next year, with tobacco advertising gone, F1 is looking to diversify into lesser, equally lucrative evils, and are actively welcoming ammunition manufacturers to invest in and sponsor F1 teams. F1 will soon be more like an R rated version of wacky races. Sometimes I wonder if it isn't already.

[JHS 1]

You think Heidfeld can't keep up with Kubeetza for one lap when you just showed us he did, over 4 seasons? Are you really that desperate to make that old decaying excuse for a test driver look good just because he is from your country?

Zing!

I completely agree with the rest of your post btw.