The F1 thread

[fullboost]

Thought this video would be a good way to start an F1 thread.

Now this is driving :)

Rain Heroes (http://vimeo.com/348198/)

[campergroup]

love monsoon conditions...great little vid

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STEFANO DOMENICALI TO HEAD FERRARI FORMULA ONE TEAM

Ferrari has announced the Stefano Domenicali will assume the role of Director of the Gestione Sportiva, the formal name for the Ferrari Formula One Team, from Jean Todt on 1 January 2008.

Other changes in the Ferrari Formula One Team see Mario Almondo appointed as Operations Director, Aldo Costa is the new Technical Director and Gilles Simon heads the Formula One Engine Department.

Jean Todt, who joined the Ferrari Formula One Team in 1993 and added the role of Ferrari CEO to his motorsport role in 2006, will remain with Ferrari in a senior executive role. The combination of Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher, who joined Ferrari three years after Jean Todt, produced what one of the most successful periods for Ferrari, with Todt ending his period as head of the world’s most successful motorsport team with both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles secured by Ferrari.

Born in France in 1946, Jean Todt started his motorsport career in rallying, culminating in a second place in the 1981 World Rally Championship as navigator to Guy Frequelin, who went on to head the Citroën Motorsport Team, and who announced his retirement last week. Moving into motorsport management, he masterminded Peugeot’s success in the World Rally Championship, Rally Raid and Sports Car Racing, including winning Le Mans with a team including Australian Geoff Brabham in 1993. The French Government recognized his achievements in motorsport by appointing him as Chevalier of its Legion d'Honneur (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legion_d%27Honneur) and raised this honour to rank of Grand officer this year.

Stefano Domenicali joined Ferrari in 1991, working in company administration. He joined then the racing team in administration and he headed the development of the team's Mugello test track. In 1995, he was appointed head of personnel in Ferrari's sporting department and was also involved with sponsorship, before being promoted in late 1996 to Team Manager. After a brief stint as Logistics Manager, he became the team's Sporting Director in 2002.

[kakimoto]

so who else thinks ferrari will end up with hamilton one day?

[fullboost]

Ross Brawn Appointment Further Strengthens Honda F1 Team

Following a period of strengthening across its entire team, the Honda Racing F1 Team is delighted to announce a further key appointment. Ross Brawn is to join Honda where he will take up the position of Team Principal with full responsibility for designing, manufacturing, engineering and racing Honda’s Formula One car. Ross will work alongside Nick Fry who continues as Chief Executive of the team. This appointment reaffirms Honda’s absolute commitment to success in F1.


Ross spent ten years with the Ferrari team where, in the position of Technical Director, he helped them regain glory in the form of six consecutive constructors’ championship titles from 1999. Prior to joining Ferrari, Ross held the position of Technical Director with the Benetton F1 Team, helping them win back-to-back World Drivers’ Championships in 1994 and 1995 with Michael Schumacher and take the Constructors’ Championship in 1995. In the course of his 30 year career in motorsport he has worked with a number of Formula One teams and in sports car racing.


Commenting on the appointment of Ross Brawn, Nick Fry said: “One of my main tasks over the past six months has been to attract new talent to the Honda Racing F1 Team and we have made a number of key appointments in the areas of aerodynamics, design, engineering, marketing and on the racing team. Today’s announcement that Ross Brawn is to join our team is a very satisfying conclusion to the process of refreshing and revitalising a strong and determined team. Ross obviously needs no introduction. His experience of winning world championships in Formula One will be crucial as we seek to put Honda back into championship contention and I am delighted that we will be working together to achieve that.”


Ross Brawn commented: “I am very excited to be joining the Honda Racing F1 Team. Honda has a proud heritage in Formula One and the opportunity to help the team to realise its potential represents a fantastic new challenge for me in the sport. The team has already done a great job of giving due consideration to its future and has spent a good deal of time putting in place both people and first class engineering resources to achieve its ambitions. I look forward to working alongside what I know to be some very talented people and helping Honda to rediscover its winning ways.”


Hiroshi Oshima, Operating Officer, Honda Motor Co., Ltd (Corporate Communications, Motor Sports) said: “I am pleased with the structure we have put in place for the future success of our Formula One team. A great deal of consideration has been given to the areas in which we need to develop and I am encouraged that we have a strong basis for the future. The appointment of Ross Brawn will bring World Championship winning experience and technical vision to our team and I expect Ross and Nick Fry, who will now be able to concentrate fully on running the commercial and business aspects of our company, to work closely together to bring success to Honda in Formula One. Shuhei Nakamoto will now take up the role of Deputy MD (Technical) in which he will work for Ross whilst ensuring that the F1 team gains maximum benefit from our Honda R&D operation in Tochigi. We look forward to a successful season ahead.”


Ross Brawn will start work with the Honda Racing F1 Team on 26 November 2007.

[campergroup]

Schuey master class...

Michael Schumacher's glorious comeback in testing for Ferrari continued on Wednesday as he set the fastest time at the Circuit de Catalunya.
http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_2882289,00.html

Webber's plea for AP
http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=33387

[campergroup]

FIA confirms Kimi

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=41308

[campergroup]

Massa not pleased with loss of traction control

"The fact is I didn't have any experience without traction control and I was rubbish,"
http://uk.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUKL1651673320071116

Couple of points
1. modern day electronic management could possibly compensate for the on/off accelerator button feel.
2. 80's turbo era had bigger issues with the on/off issue and that was 900hp+ race trim with less sophisticated engine management control, and
3. if you're an f1 driver getting millions, deal with it!

[campergroup]

Prodrive no-go in '08
http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_2917090,00.html

[campergroup]

McLaren sign another Finn
http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_2973652,00.html

[fullboost]

Next season is already shaping up to be an interesting one!

[The Gronk]

alonso Vs the world. does anyone like him anymore except for his own country? LOL

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Patrick Depailler 1978 onboard Montreal wet lap (http://youtube.com/watch?v=KqZBJCFS_Ng)

[campergroup]

love that stuff..on the topic of wet racing;

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_3021473,00.html

[fullboost]

Alex Wurz Joins Honda as Test & Reserve Driver

The Honda Racing F1 Team is pleased to announce that Alex Wurz has joined the team in the position of Test and Reserve Driver.

Alex brings significant depth of experience to Honda, having competed in 69 Grands Prix from 1997 to 2007. The 33 year old Austrian is considered to be one of the best development drivers in Formula One and will share the track testing responsibilities with the team's race drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Together they will form the most experienced driver line-up currently competing in Formula One. Alex will also attend all of the races this season as the team's Reserve Driver.

Alex will commence his testing role with the Honda Racing F1 Team on Tuesday 22 January in Valencia, joining Jenson and Rubens at the Spanish circuit for the team's first test of the year. He will spend this test acclimatising to the team, its systems and last year's RA107 to provide a reference for his onward development role. The race drivers will be at the wheel of the team's new RA108 challenger, which will run in its interim colours in advance of the team's technical and livery launch at its Brackley headquarters on 29 January.

Team Principal Ross Brawn comments, "We are delighted to welcome Alex to the Honda Racing F1 Team and very pleased to have secured one of the most experienced development drivers in Formula One to support our race driver pairing of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Alex has 11 years of top level experience in the sport and this depth and breadth of knowledge will prove invaluable to us as we aim to make Honda a competitive force in 2008. Alex will spend his first Honda test familiarising himself with our team and the RA107 before moving on to play a crucial role in the track development of the new RA108 car. We are looking forward to working closely with him over the coming months."

Commenting on his new role with Honda, Alex Wurz said, "I am delighted to be joining the Honda Racing F1 Team at the beginning of what I hope can be a very exciting period for the team. Honda has such a rich history of success in motorsport and it is a real honour to be part of a team that has racing right at the core of its operation. This is an excellent opportunity to play an important role in the development of the team going forward. My three previous teams have all been world championship winners and I hope to be able to contribute to Honda's ambitions.The chance to work with one of the best brains in F1 in Ross Brawn is very exciting, as is the level of resources that the Honda team has at its disposal. I am also looking forward to working with Jenson and Rubens, two drivers who I know very well, and I'm sure we will form a very successful partnership over the coming weeks. For now, my immediate focus is on getting back in a Formula One car in Valencia and starting work with the team."

[campergroup]

2007 Brazil GP second most watched sports event

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=33716

[campergroup]

Mosley confirms F1 budget cap for 2009, engine development ban reduced to 2013

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/motorsport/mosley-confirms-f1-budget-cap-for-2009/

[fullboost]

Ron Dennis fired from Mercedes- McLaren? (http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080227.013/ron-dennis-fired-from-mercedes--mclaren)

[campergroup]

AMG 2008 Pace Cars

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080307.003/mercedes-sl-63-amg-pace-car--c-63-amg-medical-revealed-for-2008-formula-1-season

[Camper]

http://images.worldcarfans.com/articles/2008/3/27/9080327.012/9080327.012.1M.jpg

The rich getting richer? Perhaps, but Lewis Hamilton will have to earn his 4 million dollar reward in 2008.

The young superstar Formula One driver who finished equal second in last years 2007 championship has been given an extra incentive by McLaren head, Ron Dennis.

If Hamilton can bring home the driver’s and constructor’s championships in 2008 for McLaren, Ron Dennis will arrange for one ultra-rare McLaren F1 LM to be gifted the young British driver.

Apparently Lewis first spotted the LM in McLaren’s F1 factory some 10 years ago, which at the time he would have only been 13. He was quoted saying; "When I first went to McLaren it was there and I fell in love with it".

Painted in papaya orange in honour of the founder, Bruce McLaren, the McLaren F1 LM is only one of five in existence. Lightened by some 80 kg over the standard F1 and rumoured to produce approximately 680hp from its derestricted 6.1L BMW sourced V12 engine the LM can accelerate to 60mph in just 2.9 seconds and go on to a top speed well over 200mph.

If a McLaren race driver’s incentive is to win a McLaren at the end of the season, is a Red Bull driver’s incentive a can of Red Bull? Just a thought.

[campergroup]

Porsche Sees F1 Less Attractive After Mosley Scandal

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080419.005/porsche-sees-f1-less-attractive-after-mosley-scandal

Singapore GP Will Use Digital Flags

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080419.006/singapore-gp-will-use-digital-flags

http://images.worldcarfans.com/2008/4/19/9080419.006/9080419.006.1M.jpg

[fullboost]

Honda open to F1 test for Danica Patrick (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/motorsport/honda-open-to-f1-test-for-danica-patrick/)
Posted on Friday 2 May 2008

http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/motorsport/F1/Honda/danica_patrick_honda01.jpg (http://www.motorauthority.com/news/motorsport/honda-open-to-f1-test-for-danica-patrick/)

The chief executive of Honda’s F1 Team, Nick Fry, has offered to open talks with Danica Patrick about a test drive in the near future.
The 26-year-old American said late last month she was “dead set” on eventually joining the grand prix circus, following her recent breakthrough win in the IndyCar series.
“We haven’t instigated anything, but if Danica wanted to be test driver then we’d be more than happy to talk about it,” Fry is quoted as saying in the British magazine Autosport.

Patrick said she would consider any offers of a “proper” test drive, after turning down a run in the BAR-Honda at Indianapolis in 2005 because she feared it was a mere “publicity stunt”.
“Every driver would love to drive a formula one car at some point in their life, so yeah,” she said.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a real, proper test.”

[geordo]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/motorsport/bformula-oneb-webber-negotiating-to-stay-with-red-bull/2008/05/11/1210444214416.html

[geordo]

What's it like to drive one, check this out!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=s7XRNJlGNCw
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Sb8N6bGOvkY&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=f1IDXkFO7_k&feature=related

[Camper]

BMW Sauber F1 Team -- Showroom Film 2008

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=PRUqNJFvNQ4&feature=PlayList&p=62A7DCA1926E2E00&index=0

[fullboost]

http://blog.streetfire.net/2008/08/lewis-heikki-tour-mclaren-technology.aspx


http://blog.streetfire.net/uploaded_images/hamil-717685.jpg

Everybody knows it costs an arm and a leg, and various other body parts, to be competitive in Formula One Grand Prix racing, and one look at the McLaren Technology Center (http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Lewis-and-Heikke-visit_175519.htm?Ref=Blog) will give you an idea of how seriously expensive it is. (You could eat off any of those surfaces, they're that clean!)

[campergroup]

DC to join Brundle at BBC

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=36126

[fullboost]

What other way could you get to drive an F1 car, a rally car and an endurance racer all in one room?

Citroen’s first dabble into the world of online racing (http://www.imotormag.co.uk/news/123863/paris_2008_gt_by_citroen_concept_with_video.html) has been pretty successful. Except that is for the small matter of the fact that you’ll end up driving the car on your TV from nothing more sporty than your armchair.
Help is at hand however, from what might just be the ultimate big boys club.
I-WAY is situated in Lyon, France (http://www.i-way.fr/site/I-WAY.html), and much like many a posh gym it offers an extravagant place to work out, spa and restaurant.
What makes it different is that it also offers the most comprehensive motor sport simulators outside of an F1 team.
Choose from a single seater, rally or endurance car, and enjoy piloting your virtual racecar while being thrown about courtesy of some feisty looking hydraulic rams. And yes, competition overalls and helmets are obligatory.
If you’re in the hood, prices start at €60 for the endurance car, rising to €75 for the rally car and €90 for the F1 racer. Or why not try them all for €200? Sign me up.


YouTube - I-WAY Simulator in Lyon France

http://www.imotormag.co.uk/siteimage/scale/800/600/32991.jpg

[fullboost]

Honda set to announce F1 withdrawal (http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=44707)


http://musicstuffetc.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/honda08.jpg

[fullboost]

Fifth.Gear Boat vs F1 vs Bike


YouTube - Fifth.Gear Boat vs F1 vs Bike

[ljgtr]

Well that will be the only races that Honda will be having in there F1.. Not good new them not racing..

[[BYEPSI]]

hopefully 09 will be a good season, if the control engine comes in in 2010 say goodbye to ferrari, mclaren, bmw, toyota, renault, pretty much byebye to f1, what a joke, f1 is not about cutting costs its about the best manufacturers, teams, engineers and drivers doing the best they can to win, if teams cannot afford to keep up with the big guns then they should race in another series i.e champ car

[campergroup]

Ecclestone says Ferrari get special deal

"When they win the constructors' championship, which they did this year, they got $80 million more than if McLaren had won it."

http://f1.uk.reuters.com/f1/news/India-371188-2.php