Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Sub-plots heighten tension ahead of Formula One openerIt is back. Chastened and bruised from a little belt-tightening here and there but it is back. After a long and draining off-season which briefly brought Formula One to its well-oiled knees, the world's most lavish sporting circus has defiantly set up camp in Melbourne and attached the guy ropes for good measure. By Tom Cary in Melbourne There are fewer journalists, fewer sponsors, nearly everyone is being paid less but battle will at least be rejoined at the Albert Park circuit on Sunday where Lewis Hamilton, the world champion, will start out in defence of his crown. Only Hamilton doesn't stand a chance in Melbourne. That is just one of the many surreal plot lines on the go ahead of Sunday's curtain-raiser. The constantly shifting landscape of Formula One has moved on decisively since Hamilton's memorable drive to fifth place at a rainy Interlagos last November and his team, McLaren-Mercedes, have been temporarily left behind in the mad dash to interpret the sport's biggest rule changes in over a quarter of a century. Instead it is another Briton, Brawn GP's Jenson Button, who will begin Sunday's race as favourite. If you had predicted that back in December you would have been carted off to the madhouse. Either that or you may be on the verge of making some serious dough if you backed him at 100-1. Back then Button's team were known as Honda Racing and had just completed one of worst performance-to-spend seasons in the history of the sport. So bad was it, in fact, that Honda's board decided, in the face of the crippling economic downturn, that forking out upwards of £400 million a year to look useless was a luxury they could well do without. Honda's sudden withdrawal sparked pandemonium in the sport as other ailing manufacturers questioned their commitment to racing. Eventually, one by one, they all agreed to stand fast, but the brief period of introspection was all the ammunition that Max Mosley, president of the FIA, needed to force through his long-cherished desire for cost-cutting. Mosley called the sport "unsustainable" and threatened standardised engines in an effort to scare the teams. It worked. In a landmark meeting on Dec 10, the Formula One Teams Association and the FIA agreed to cut their collective team budgets by a third – roughly $1 billion – for the 2009 season. At the same time sweeping rule changes were brought in to spice up the sport and make it more attractive to the spectator. Everyone patted themselves on the back. The sport was saved. Only it wasn't. On March 17, the FIA decided to go way further, announcing an optional budget cap of £30 million to come into effect from 2010. It was a hugely divisive proposition given Fota's recent calls to continue the cost-cutting drive at their own pace. The FIA also tried to slip through Ecclestone's plans for a 'winner-takes-all' scoring system. For four days last week every driver known to man, past, present and future was asked to pronounce on the rule change, which would have seen Felipe Massa beat Hamilton to the title in 2008. Only for Fota to then decide it hadn't actually agreed to it in the first place and the whole thing was scrapped. So it is here we find ourselves in Melbourne, where some things never change. Formula One has reconnected with its past in the form of a good old inter-team row over technicalities. 'Diffuser-gate' may sound dull, but it could have far-reaching consequences as far as Button is concerned. If his new Brawn GP car, which was only launched four weeks ago but has looked like greased lightning in its limited testing to date, is deemed to have an illegal part, then Button could be stripped of any points he wins in Melbourne on Sunday and Malaysia next weekend. This one looks set to run and run. But try not to think about that. Instead savour the fact that the sport is here at all, and better still, is back on the BBC. Their early form, with its interactive viewing and live uninterrupted coverage, has been impressive. It's time to set the alarm for 7am on Sunday and dig out the Fleetwood Mac. We're go, go, go. Hearing 'The Chain' again on the BBC F1 trailer makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up BBC F1 site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinofbeans 91 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 think initially it'll be an unpredictable season, but the monied teams will always come to the fore. even with his car off the pace at the mo, i reckon hamilton will get a top 3 position at the end of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 Stewards clear teams' diffusers Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota have been given the go-ahead to take part in the Australian Grand Prix after the FIA stewards rejected a protest against the design of their diffusers late on Thursday night. Following more than four hours of presentations and discussions between the stewards and the various teams involved in the dispute, the FIA issued a statement confirming that the stewards believe the cars are legal. Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull Racing had lodged protests against their rivals because they believed the designs of their diffusers were illegal. BMW Sauber had also been due to join the protest, but their complaint was rejected on a technicality after it was not correctly submitted in time. It is expected that the teams will appeal against the stewards' decision, which will force the matter to go to a hearing of the FIA's International Court of Appeal. Such a meeting cannot take place until after the Malaysian Grand Prix, meaning that Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota will unofficially be racing under appeal at this weekend's race in Australia and would likely be subject to another appeal at Sepang. F1 shooting itself in the foot again. Before a wheel has turned there are threats of results being overturned in court. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinofbeans 91 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 farcical. still think my milk float idea would be quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douggy B 0 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I have a mate who works for brawn, when honda did the off, he told me that the car for next season was ready and if they did find a backer a cheeky punt on Button would have been worth it. Thought he was just bigging it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6670 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Button installed as hot favourite for the race? I still can't help but think their pace is a 'red herring'. However if it is genuine Honda must be absolutely kicking themselves!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2bias 3 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I've heard Button's car is pretty shit hot. altho on the news they said something about it breaking the rules??!!?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 I've heard Button's car is pretty shit hot. altho on the news they said something about it breaking the rules??!!?? Do you ever read a thread before posting in it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douggy B 0 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I've heard Button's car is pretty shit hot. altho on the news they said something about it breaking the rules??!!?? Do you ever read a thread before posting in it? harsh but fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6670 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Stewards clear teams' diffusers Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota have been given the go-ahead to take part in the Australian Grand Prix after the FIA stewards rejected a protest against the design of their diffusers late on Thursday night. Following more than four hours of presentations and discussions between the stewards and the various teams involved in the dispute, the FIA issued a statement confirming that the stewards believe the cars are legal. Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull Racing had lodged protests against their rivals because they believed the designs of their diffusers were illegal. BMW Sauber had also been due to join the protest, but their complaint was rejected on a technicality after it was not correctly submitted in time. It is expected that the teams will appeal against the stewards' decision, which will force the matter to go to a hearing of the FIA's International Court of Appeal. Such a meeting cannot take place until after the Malaysian Grand Prix, meaning that Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota will unofficially be racing under appeal at this weekend's race in Australia and would likely be subject to another appeal at Sepang. F1 shooting itself in the foot again. Before a wheel has turned there are threats of results being overturned in court. What a surprise - appeal has been lodged already. Ferrari, Renault & BMW are bandwaggon jumping tbh as they fear the Brawn car. The only team who are really concerned is Red Bull as they way they've configured their rear suspension, there's no way this style of diffuser would fit in - the other 3 could accomodate it. The appeal will be thrown out IMO - the fact that McLaren, Force India and Torro Rosso haven't protested speaks volumes IMO. If there was any question of legality, they'd have protested too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6670 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 New teams for 2010 - Ecclestone Bernie Ecclestone has revealed there will be three new teams joining Formula 1 next season. The F1 supremo said 26 cars will be on the starting grid for the 2010 campaign and that a medals-system will determine the championship. "We'll have 26 cars on the grid next year - we've got a lot of people confirmed," said Ecclestone. "It won't be necessary to discuss it (the medals). If the rules are out before they enter that's how it is." Last Sunday, Ecclestone was asked if he was disappointed by the decision to ditch the system for this year. "Absolutely - if you go to the athletics and look at the 100m you're not looking at the guy that's second, you're looking at the winner," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme last Sunday. "To make any changes when the entries have closed, you have to get a unanimous agreement between all the people that have entered, and it would appear that some of the teams didn't like the idea. "The whole idea is nothing to do with winning the world championship, the idea was to make sure people raced in every race to win, not to be second or third and collect points." The new system means that a driver could wrap up the title well before the end of the year, but Ecclestone brushed off suggestions it could potentially kill off interest in the sport. "That's too bad. Maybe they'd be watching the other races where the people are racing to win rather than be second," said Ecclestone. And he referred to a couple of races from the 2008 championship as examples of how the present scoring system discouraged attacking driving. "Lewis (Hamilton) last year was second in a couple of races he could easily have won, and he was quite right in being second," said Ecclestone. "If I'd have been his team manager I'd have been complaining if he'd been racing to win, in case there was a problem in the car or he fell off the road." Defending champion Hamilton has been off the pace in pre-season testing but Ecclestone said he "absolutely" believed Hamilton remained the man to beat, adding "certainly if we had that other scoring system he would be". Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport...one/7957788.stm Cracking news IMO Slick tyres, rear diffusers which promote overtaking and 26 car grids - we're heading back to the good old days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonraider 0 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Woo hoo I've been watching some of the classics races late night on BBC 301. Working tonight so I will try and catch some of the practice sessions, isnt it great theyre showing it all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 Woo hoo I've been watching some of the classics races late night on BBC 301. Working tonight so I will try and catch some of the practice sessions, isnt it great theyre showing it all! MELBOURNE - AUSTRALIA All times GMT Friday 27 March Practice (Times TBC): 0125-0305, BBC Red Button/BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online 0525-0705, BBC Red Button/BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online Saturday 28th March Practice: 0255-0405, BBC Red Button/BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online Qualifying: 0500-0715, BBC One/BBC Red Button/Radio 5 Live sports extra/online Re-run: 1300-1415, BBC One Sunday 29th March All times BST Race: 0600-0900, BBC One/BBC Red Button/Radio 5 Live/online Interactive Forum: 0900-1000, BBC Red Button/online Race re-run: 1300-1500, BBC One/BBC Red Button/online Highlights: 1900-2000, BBC Three/BBC Red Button/online Didn't realise they'd been showing old races on the interactive TR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonraider 0 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Woo hoo I've been watching some of the classics races late night on BBC 301. Working tonight so I will try and catch some of the practice sessions, isnt it great theyre showing it all! MELBOURNE - AUSTRALIA All times GMT Friday 27 March Practice (Times TBC): 0125-0305, BBC Red Button/BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online 0525-0705, BBC Red Button/BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online Saturday 28th March Practice: 0255-0405, BBC Red Button/BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online Qualifying: 0500-0715, BBC One/BBC Red Button/Radio 5 Live sports extra/online Re-run: 1300-1415, BBC One Sunday 29th March All times BST Race: 0600-0900, BBC One/BBC Red Button/Radio 5 Live/online Interactive Forum: 0900-1000, BBC Red Button/online Race re-run: 1300-1500, BBC One/BBC Red Button/online Highlights: 1900-2000, BBC Three/BBC Red Button/online Didn't realise they'd been showing old races on the interactive TR. Yeah Dr, great days! Mansell, Senna, Hill. Good on the BBC. I caught them accidently the other night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia 0 Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 I'm loaded with Man Flu and I got a sum total of two hours sleep last night but i'm like a kid at Christmas because the practice is on live this evening New teams for 2010 - Ecclestone Bernie Ecclestone has revealed there will be three new teams joining Formula 1 next season. The F1 supremo said 26 cars will be on the starting grid for the 2010 campaign and that a medals-system will determine the championship. "We'll have 26 cars on the grid next year - we've got a lot of people confirmed," said Ecclestone. "It won't be necessary to discuss it (the medals). If the rules are out before they enter that's how it is." Last Sunday, Ecclestone was asked if he was disappointed by the decision to ditch the system for this year. "Absolutely - if you go to the athletics and look at the 100m you're not looking at the guy that's second, you're looking at the winner," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme last Sunday. "To make any changes when the entries have closed, you have to get a unanimous agreement between all the people that have entered, and it would appear that some of the teams didn't like the idea. "The whole idea is nothing to do with winning the world championship, the idea was to make sure people raced in every race to win, not to be second or third and collect points." The new system means that a driver could wrap up the title well before the end of the year, but Ecclestone brushed off suggestions it could potentially kill off interest in the sport. "That's too bad. Maybe they'd be watching the other races where the people are racing to win rather than be second," said Ecclestone. And he referred to a couple of races from the 2008 championship as examples of how the present scoring system discouraged attacking driving. "Lewis (Hamilton) last year was second in a couple of races he could easily have won, and he was quite right in being second," said Ecclestone. "If I'd have been his team manager I'd have been complaining if he'd been racing to win, in case there was a problem in the car or he fell off the road." Defending champion Hamilton has been off the pace in pre-season testing but Ecclestone said he "absolutely" believed Hamilton remained the man to beat, adding "certainly if we had that other scoring system he would be". Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport...one/7957788.stm Cracking news IMO Slick tyres, rear diffusers which promote overtaking and 26 car grids - we're heading back to the good old days! And in 2010...no refuelling My bet for the new teams are USGPE, Hyundai and I get the feeling we'll eventually see Prodrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonraider 0 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Managed to watch all of the first practice session. Loving the slicks but my god those cars are ugly!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonraider 0 Posted March 28, 2009 Share Posted March 28, 2009 I wont mention the qualifying result incase it spoilts it for anyone who hasnt watched it yet. But it was really entertaining, great to see the times so very close and a few surprises too! Im so glad BBC kept Martin Brundle too. And NO adverts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia 0 Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I can't believe someone hasn't mentioned the race in this thread. I was debating spoilering my comments but if you don't know the result now you never will... Fantastic race by Button fo the win but my driver of the day would be Hamilton. Stunning drive in a car which looked devoid of any quality yesterday. If he didn't prove it by winning the title, he proved it by dragging that dog of a car onto the podium from what was last on the grid. Roll on Sepang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooth Operator 10 Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Are the Beeb doing a late night highlights show? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia 0 Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Not as far as I know, but it'll be on the red button or you can watch it here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6670 Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Awesome race. I've been following this sport for about 25 years and that's the biggest turnaround in form on the grid I've ever seen. It was like a completely different formulae and so refreshing. Brawn GP is a fantastic, refreshing addition to the sport and there can't be one person in the paddock today who wasn't genuinely pleased for them. Prediction time - I don't think the team will be called 'Brawn' for long - I fully expect them to be branded as 'Virgin F1' pretty soon. Nick Fry as good as said that when he claimed that Branson was on board as a sponsor which may evolve into something more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ketsbaia 0 Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 (edited) Can I also just say that so far the Beeb's coverage has been brilliant. Humphrey was my major worry but he isn't half as annoying as I thought he would be. Even if he was i'd still doff my cap to the BBC for the F1 Forum idea, especially since one of my major issues with ITV was how they'd pass on any form of post-race analysis so they could put Corrie on. Edited March 29, 2009 by Ketsbaia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15346 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 My only complaint is that the main commentator - was it Legard? I don't recognise his voice from the radio - became largely incomprehensible when excited. We might as well have been listening to the teacher from Charlie Brown inasmuch as there were any actual words in there. Otherwise, a cautious thumbs-up for the return to the Beeb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonraider 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 My only complaint is that the main commentator - was it Legard? I don't recognise his voice from the radio - became largely incomprehensible when excited. We might as well have been listening to the teacher from Charlie Brown inasmuch as there were any actual words in there. Otherwise, a cautious thumbs-up for the return to the Beeb. Yes it was Legard, Ive always liked him on the radio but his commentary didnt seem to quite work for TV though I dont know why cos that doesnt make sense Anyhow hes ok, far better than James Allen!! (I'd have liked Brundle as main man with Damon Hill alongside) But apart from that, like you've all said, well done the BBC. How smooth was that production for the first race too! Love the forum after the race and the fact you can press the red button and watch loads of coverage from practice to the race at anytime. Really pleased for Button and Ross Brawn, who is a man I've always admired. Hope the team does keep his name. And great to see some over taking!!!!! Cars look hideous but that doesnt matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonraider 0 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I can't believe someone hasn't mentioned the race in this thread. I was debating spoilering my comments but if you don't know the result now you never will... Fantastic race by Button fo the win but my driver of the day would be Hamilton. Stunning drive in a car which looked devoid of any quality yesterday. If he didn't prove it by winning the title, he proved it by dragging that dog of a car onto the podium from what was last on the grid. Roll on Sepang Yes great drive to finish third, it was a shame he wasnt on the podium when he should have been though. I know Trulli eventually was given 12th due to overtaking Lewis whilst there was a safety car out, but he also had a great drive from the very back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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