Today In F1

[Jean Todt 4]

"Il Commendatore" was the common nickname for Enzo. I guess it was more sarcastic than respectful, though.

As for the words Argenti used, they were all used to describe Enzo's personality at one time or another. Is hard to find someone who really thinks that Enzo had any class at all. That does not belittle his achievements as a car manufacturer, of course.

Andres! read my post again.....I was being sarcastic too....this is not the first time you mistake my sarcasm........I said ' the words he used reflected a part of Enzo's personality.......'

[Jean Todt 4]

I visited Turin twice in y life: 1981 and 1996. In 1996 I visited the Mirafiori factory: it was like a journey to the 50´s and 60´s; some kind of time machine took when you crossed it´s door. I would like to see how they transformed it into the FIAT´s museum. Nevertheless Turin is not my favorite italian city since Milano and Firenze are more beautiful and classy.

Yea, it would be completed by this year, and I hope I am around.... I visited the factory too....they showed how they make the Lancia Musa....

and visited the Abarth workshop....then Centro Style.....

doesnt that wana make you come back to Turin...

I like Turin more than Milan....here people atleast care to say Caio....and metro doesnt smell like dog poo....

[Quiet One 15]

Andres! read my post again.....I was being sarcastic too....this is not the first time you mistake my sarcasm........I said ' the words he used reflected a part of Enzo's personality.......'

Sorry, I didn't understand it. The part about the pub and all got me lost there!

[pabloh20 1]

Sorry, I didn't understand it. The part about the pub and all got me lost there!

Me too, but I liked the sound of the pub

[Quiet One 15]

Me too, but I liked the sound of the pub

Hey Paul! Is this another of your "Bungee appearances" or will you stay long enough thistime to bring much needed chaos into this forum?

[pabloh20 1]

Hey Paul! Is this another of your "Bungee appearances" or will you stay long enough thistime to bring much needed chaos into this forum?

Hey I told you not to mention that pic of me tied up.......... no wait........ermmmm...........yes, chaos

[cavallino 2]

Wow so if anyone but Ferrari criticizes Mosley, the press will stand up for them. They're calling a spade a spade, the bunch of hopeless incompetents that the FIA have picked deserve it all. And the FIA for picking them. It's a joke. F1 is not a charity, as I have said before. Surely, if these were the best F1 entries I don't want to imagine what the rest were like.

[JHS 1]

I don't get it. One day people complain that the teams/drivers don't do enough to make their views public but as soon as Ferrari do just that, it's like "OMG, STFU Ferrari, nobody likes you, go away!"

[Jean Todt 4]

Sorry, I didn't understand it. The part about the pub and all got me lost there!

Well, that was the idea...

[Insider 0]

Wow so if anyone but Ferrari criticizes Mosley, the press will stand up for them. They're calling a spade a spade, the bunch of hopeless incompetents that the FIA have picked deserve it all. And the FIA for picking them. It's a joke. F1 is not a charity, as I have said before. Surely, if these were the best F1 entries I don't want to imagine what the rest were like.

I couldn't agree more however, these were not the best quality entries - Prodrive and Lola were clearly, light years ahead of any of those selected, in terms of experience and pedigree but were rejected with little or no explanation. Prodrive didn't want to use Cosworth, that much was clear. If Virgin and Lotus were allowed to raise sponsorship funding way above the recommended operating ceiling of $40m for new teams, why wasn't Dave Richards allowed to buy engines from Mercedes? With manufacturers leaving left, right and centre, you'd think an iconic brand like Aston Martin would have been welcomed with open arms. FIA politics again. Back came Richards with a bid for Renault late last year but Bernie's pals, Genii got it. It would seem there is no way in for experienced and prestigious outfits, [unless you're on Bernie's or the FIA's A-list] at any cost. Aston Martin will come in as a genuine manufacturer team in 2012 - I'm pretty sure of that. In the meantime, I can only agree with Ferrari's point of view. Low-budget F1 is GP2. It has no place in the hallowed halls of Formula One.

[Quiet One 15]

Unlike well proved teams with glorious past like Mersario, Coppersucar or Andrea Moda?

[monza gorilla 1]

Oi! Leave Arturo out of it. That man sure knew how to wear a hat. So what if his cars came in at twice the minimum weight limit.

[Rainmaster 7]

I glanced over the highlights of the article early this morning and if left me with an acrid taste in my mouth "..." what amounts to Ferrari's opinion of "dirty laundry" in the public arena is unwise and unprofessional.

Ferrari: Please shut up and race.

Exactly!

Ferrari seems to follow the same manners of The Commedatore. He was a rude, selfish man with no class at all. Ditto.

It does seem like Ferrari are regressing back to their old ways, both on and off the track.

I actually found Ferrari's comment p1ss funny! Way to go for saying how they feel about it, at least somebody has the guts to do it. And in a way, it has some truth behind it. Are Campos, US F1, etc, really the teams we want to be displaying in F1? F1, the pinaccle of motorsport with the best teams in the world competing? I'm all for letting new teams into the sport, but for God's sake, get somebody with half a chance of A. Making the grid and B. Not being totally embrassing for the sport.

I don't get it. One day people complain that the teams/drivers don't do enough to make their views public but as soon as Ferrari do just that, it's like "OMG, STFU Ferrari, nobody likes you, go away!"

Nah, nobody said that Nobody debates the truthfulness of Ferrari's statements - they are completely true and justified - the issue is why do they even need to come out with that? Even though I agree with what is being said, doesn't make it any less uncalled for. F1 has had enough instability and political turmoil recently, as soon as things start to settle down between the teams and the FIA, Ferrari decides to stir the pot, and in the process insult their new pitlane neighbours. It is true and it is sort of funny, but it's not smart, or classy.

As for people speaking their minds in F1, yep it's true: we need more of it. But just because someone speaks their mind, does not make them immune from being judged on what they say. In this case, my judgement is that Ferrari should have kept their mouth shut.

[Pucky the Whale 0]

I don't get it. One day people complain that the teams/drivers don't do enough to make their views public but as soon as Ferrari do just that, it's like "OMG, STFU Ferrari, nobody likes you, go away!"

There's no need for Ferrari to play Captain Obvious when all they want is to get the FIA to agree that they should have let Ferrari run 8 cars for Schumacher, Rossi, Badoer, Fisichella, Gené, etc.

[Argento Reloaded 1]

Lotus seems complicated. They have good reliabiliy but they are at 1s of Virgin and 7s of the Red Bull and is the last time to test before the start of the season.

[Insider 0]

As many here predicted, USF1 are virtually extinct. Lopez has gone loopy - quite rightly, as they quoffed up his sponsor's funding knowing full well the car would never get off the drawing board. Hurley needs to put that right, though it would appear that Lopez or his people are a little short on the grey matter for handing it over in the first place! Jean Todt now holds all the aces, as far as Stefan GP are concerned but with Toyota voicing concerns over the state of the teams readiness to race and the Le President not wanting to look like a FOM pawn, they'll probably get the elbow. I hope so. I do hope so. I said some time back that they should get an 'A' for effort but it is hopelessly farcical to have teams turning up to race without a single development mile on their cars. Campos are now Hispania but still have no money to go racing with. I believe this nonsense has to stop now. If you can't get to all the test days then you don't race - period. If you can't make it to all the races, then you don't compete - period. It isn't playschool for bored billionaires with illusions of grandeur - it's F1. Put your foot down Jean and muscle this crap back into the toilet where it belongs. Ken Tyrell would be spinning in his grave!

[Insider 0]

Here we go. The FIA are to announce an entry list soon. I thought we did that already. Bernie wants Stefan GP shoe-horned into the vacuum that always was USF1. They would have to buy an existing entry to stay within the rules but who gives a Sh#t about that anymore? Will Hispanner make it? If they do, it will almost certainly won't happen before Barcelona and they'll have to cough up a shed load of fines. It's a disaster. Heads have rolled - Max has been moved upstairs. Todt is heavily challenged - I hope he makes the right decision and keeps the grid for those who are in a position to race at Bahrain. Stefan, Hispanner and USF1 are not.

[JHS 1]

On the contrary, Stefan ARE ready to race. They at least have a car in the 2010 Toyota and back-door help from Toyota too. Out of the three remaining teams (US F1, Hispania and Stefan) Stefan are by far and away the most race ready.

[Insider 0]

On the contrary, Stefan ARE ready to race. They at least have a car in the 2010 Toyota and back-door help from Toyota too. Out of the three remaining teams (US F1, Hispania and Stefan) Stefan are by far and away the most race ready.

They don't have a tyre deal and won't get one unless the FIA admit them. They need to acquire an entry from a team that had one but won't be racing, like USF1. Todt will look like Bernie's yes man if he lets them in. They need the agreement of all the other teams and Ferrari have already voiced their opposition. They may be able to race if everything does fall into place but they haven't practised a pit stop even, at this point and the Bahrain stewards may have to say about that. Without all the paperwork and politics ironed out, they are not ready to race.

[Rainmaster 7]

Anderson's list of excuses for USF1 can be found here: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81831

[Persevere 0]

And then there are the scathing words of Felipe McGough, manager for Jose Maria Lopez:

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/81826

Not a pretty picture for any American entrepreneur planning on starting a U.S.-based F1 squad any time soon. In some ways this article goes to the core of the USF1 fiasco. Despite the intentions of Anderson or Windsor - and isn't it the road to hell that is paved with good intentions? - or any other parties involved, the net result will be a black eye for anyone who mutters the words "U.S." and "Formula 1" in the same sentence for the foreseeable future. Sad and disconcerting.

[Autumnpuma 0]

Anderson's list of excuses for USF1 can be found here: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81831

List of excuses. OK.

This thread is Sean's fiefdom and I would hope for some unbiased, insider information on the difficulties of starting a new team from a guy that has seen what an F1 team needs in order to run. However, scrolling though the last few pages I realize that he's come down against the smaller teams, USF1 in particular. I can't help but wonder if a bit of anti-Americanism is creeping into his posts. It sure seems that way from this side of the pond. If I'm wrong, I apologize in advance.

As to the interview with Anderson, I found good, solid reasons why USF1 had to postpone their entry until 2011. For those not willing to read the article, he is essentially saying that Chad isn't bankrolling the whole thing and that the instability of the rules and the signing of the new Concorde agreement have caused sponsors to leave. This is hardly and excuse; just plain logical. If sponsors pull out and you don't have the money to continue, then you can't go racing. You can't meet a substantial payroll and manufacture parts with no money.

I would ask everyone to consider the actual costs of going racing. Just showing up for a test costs multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars (indeed, not so long ago a figure of 200 million was attached to a team fielding two cars for a season). Factor in the complete building of a factory virtually from scratch, securing parts manufacturers, hiring qualified personnel to do everything from run the CFD software to fitting the parts on the car to emptying the trash each night. All this in a country that has not seen an F1 factory on it's soil since Dan Gurney walked tall in California oh so many years ago. At first I was sickened at what these guys were doing (and failing at) in the name of my country, but now I have to applaud them. They're trying to create an F1 presence, a culture if you will, here on American soil and I hope they can continue with it.

[Insider 0]

[color=#272727][b]FIA REVISED ENTRY LIST[/b][/color]

[color=#272727][b]
[/b][/color]

[color=#272727][b]McLaren Mercedes[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]1 Jenson Button (GB)[/color]

[color=#272727]2 Lewis Hamilton (GB)[/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727][b]Mercedes Benz GP Limited[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]3 Michael Schumacher (D) [/color]

[color=#272727]4 Nico Rosberg (D)[/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727][b]Red Bull Racing Renault[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]5 Sebastian Vettel (D) [/color]

[color=#272727]6 Mark Webber (AUS) [/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727][b]Ferrari[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]7 Felipe Massa (BR) [/color]

[color=#272727]8 Fernando Alonso (E) [/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727][b]Williams Cosworth[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]9 Rubens Barrichello (BR) [/color]

[color=#272727]10 Nico Hulkenberg (D)[/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727][b]Renault[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]11 Robert Kubica (PL) [/color]

[color=#272727]12 Vitaly Petrov (RUS)[/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727][b]Force India Mercedes[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]14 Adrian Sutil (D) [/color]

[color=#272727]15 Vitantonio Liuzzi (I)[/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727][b]STR Ferrari[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]16 Sebastien Buemi (CH) [/color]

[color=#272727]17 Jaime Alguersuari (E)[/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727][b]Lotus Cosworth[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]18 Jarno Trulli (I)[/color]

[color=#272727]19 Heikki Kovalainen (FIN)[/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727][b]HRT Cosworth[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]20 TBA[/color]

[color=#272727]21 Bruno Senna (BR)[/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727][b]BMW Sauber Ferrari[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]22 Pedro de la Rosa (E)[/color]

[color=#272727]23 Kamui Kobayashi (J)[/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727][b]Virgin Cosworth[/b][/color]

[color=#272727]24 Timo Glock (D)[/color]

[color=#272727]25 Lucas di Grassi (BR)[/color]

[color=#272727]
[/color]

[color=#272727]Can't see HRT getting it together and Stefan GPs' only hope is buying USF1's entry.[/color]

[Insider 0]

So, it's all happening today. USF1 gone and have to re-apply as SGP must too. HRT are in but still penniless. Max's legacy - a shambolic situation, to say the least. Surely, Aston Martin, in the shape of Prodrive will come in for 2011 now with possibilities of VW putting one of their brands into the fray too. Scuderia Lamborghini, Bugatti F1, Auto-Union Racing , Team Porsche, Bentley F1 - an enviable stable of historic racing marques, [Lamborghini having supplied engines to the Larousse, Lotus, Ligier, Minardi and Modena F1 teams in the past] to choose from. I can't see HRT ever racing. The whole business there seems to have some testosterone-flexing exercise by yet another bored entrepreneur, happy to buy a team for peanuts but too financially brittle to fund it. Isn't it time that the FIA and FOTA set up a joint 'watchdog' operation to oversee and scrutinise these sort of deals. Let's get some quality back on the grid, not some flea-bitten circus.

[Insider 0]

List of excuses. OK.

This thread is Sean's fiefdom and I would hope for some unbiased, insider information on the difficulties of starting a new team from a guy that has seen what an F1 team needs in order to run. However, scrolling though the last few pages I realize that he's come down against the smaller teams, USF1 in particular. I can't help but wonder if a bit of anti-Americanism is creeping into his posts. It sure seems that way from this side of the pond. If I'm wrong, I apologize in advance.

As to the interview with Anderson, I found good, solid reasons why USF1 had to postpone their entry until 2011. For those not willing to read the article, he is essentially saying that Chad isn't bankrolling the whole thing and that the instability of the rules and the signing of the new Concorde agreement have caused sponsors to leave. This is hardly and excuse; just plain logical. If sponsors pull out and you don't have the money to continue, then you can't go racing. You can't meet a substantial payroll and manufacture parts with no money.

I would ask everyone to consider the actual costs of going racing. Just showing up for a test costs multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars (indeed, not so long ago a figure of 200 million was attached to a team fielding two cars for a season). Factor in the complete building of a factory virtually from scratch, securing parts manufacturers, hiring qualified personnel to do everything from run the CFD software to fitting the parts on the car to emptying the trash each night. All this in a country that has not seen an F1 factory on it's soil since Dan Gurney walked tall in California oh so many years ago. At first I was sickened at what these guys were doing (and failing at) in the name of my country, but now I have to applaud them. They're trying to create an F1 presence, a culture if you will, here on American soil and I hope they can continue with it.

I have no axe to grind with smaller teams and I am certainly not anti-American - I was married to one. They have a tough time with reality, kill each other at a rate of knots and eat garbage but beyond that, they're reasonable people. There was a lot of teams flying by the seat of their pants in the early days too, right up to the nineties and beyond, really - if you you look at outfits like Minardi under Paul Stoddart. Nevertheless, things have progressed out of all recognition and the level of innovation has moved upwards at the speed of light. Whether one feels the whole sport has become too technically-driven by far, is neither here nor there; it is what it is and there is a premium to pay to join the club. Mosely's 'bargain basement' F1 never really got wings, though there were those like Ken Anderson and Co, Adrian Campos and to an extent, Manor who fell for it. The last of those teams got lucky and scooped up a billionaire to re-badge their equipè. That was hardly the idea though, was it? No, it wasn't but it is the essence of what is in place now. I would say the current, required operating budget to be competitive in F1 is $300m plus. That figure does not take driver's salaries into consideration. It will never change either, it will just rise. Teams will come and go, four of five will remain 'regulars' at the bar. USF1 tried to build a dream but to my mind, it was fundamentally flawed - no one really knew jack about modern F1 and the vagaries of operating outside of the 'community'. If you don't help your neighbour shovel snow off his drive, he'll let you get snowed in. And so it came to pass.