The F1 2011 thread

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

Button set for new McLaren deal

By Jonathan Noble Monday, June 20th 2011, 11:25 GMT

 

Jenson Button is set to be handed a fresh McLaren deal in the next few weeks, AUTOSPORT has learned, with the team ready to offer improved terms to keep the Briton on board.

 

On the back of mounting speculation that Ferrari is interested in tempting Button to Maranello to help bolster its own title challenge in the longer term, it is understood that McLaren is prepared to move quickly to tie Button's future down.

 

Button is currently only under option at McLaren for next year, with the activation clause on the team's side. That situation means that even if Button had tempting offers from elsewhere, he would be unable to move if McLaren wanted him to stay.

 

A simple take-up of that option is unlikely, though, with Button currently in brilliant form and both team and driver thinking of nothing other than a future together.

 

AUTOSPORT understands that McLaren is prepared to improve the terms of the original deal to keep the 2009 world champion happy.

 

Any likely improvement in the contract that Button gets as part of a fresh deal would likely be done in exchange for a lengthier deal - so there is a chance that he could commit his future at McLaren well beyond the end of 2012.

 

While Button appears to be edging closer to securing his place at McLaren, the future of Lewis Hamilton remains uncertain – with talks about his own contract not likely to start for several months yet.

 

Hamilton has made it clear several times this year that he will be happy to stay at McLaren as long as it provides him with a competitive car.

 

However, AUTOSPORT revealed last week that Hamilton's frustration with the performance of his McLaren in qualifying in Canada – at a race where he had been expected to be on pole position – resulting in him making a surprise visit to Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner on Saturday night for private talks.

 

Although there is no suggestion that was the start of contract discussions, the visit showed that Hamilton may be willing to consider options outside of McLaren if the team cannot provide him with a car that is capable of fighting for the title.

 

But despite his feelings on Saturday in Montreal, Hamilton may be more open to a future at McLaren after seeing team-mate Button win in Canada – and witnessing further evidence that while Red Bull Racing has a qualifying advantage, it may be McLaren that has the fastest car in the races.

 

Of the current top teams, only Fernando Alonso at Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull Racing have committed themselves to their present squads for the long term.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/92479

[Toonraider 0]

#F1 Jenson Button has now been targeted by Ferrari as the 2009 world champion fails to sign a long term contract with McLaren

 

 

 

Off to see the Senna film Tuesday night, only showing it the one night here so I'm glad I booked our tickets in advance!

I'm sure you'll enjoy it TR.

 

Aside from the main story of the film, what stood out for me from the footage was: (i) how simple the steering wheels looked on the mid-eighties F1 cars, and drivers actually having to take their hand off the wheel to use a proper gear-change; and (ii) how far out of the cockpit their heads & shoulders were exposed. They were really vulnerable in comparison to modern F1 drivers.

 

I did enjoy the film DR Though maybe 'enjoy' isn't the right word It bought back loads of memories for me too, It was very moving. I went thinking I'd probably seen most of the footage before but wanted to see it 'put together' to tell his story. But I was surprised by how much of the footage was new to me. I'd never seen the Roland Ratzenberger clip of him talking or Senna's reaction as he watched the aftermath of Roland's crash and the medics working on him

Mind there were some iconic moments they didn't include like Senna sat on Mansell's car and his pole lap from Monaco. Maybe they felt we'd all seen that a thousand times I guess.

What hit me clearly was that Senna's heart was not in that final race, he didn't want to race. I was thinking had that been today and a driver had been killed in practice or qualifying wouldn't the race be cancelled? My son says not, they have to carry on.

Rubens crash was horrible too, I'd almost forgotten that. The drivers were so exposed in those cars, they didn't even have HANS device back then, if they had then Roland Ratzenberger may have survived as he died from a Basilar skull fracture.

Anyway, I NEVER want to watch Senna's crash again, that's it for me

 

EDIT:

Forgot to add I've never sat in a cinema with such a quiet audience I couldn't even eat my sweets as the packet made too much noise! Very odd.

Edited June 22, 2011 by Toonraider

[Craig 6682]

I was thinking had that been today and a driver had been killed in practice or qualifying wouldn't the race be cancelled? My son says not, they have to carry on.

 

The legal implication in Italy is that if a person dies at a sporting venue in the country, the remainder of the event is immediately cancelled.

 

There's an obvious grey area in both fatal crashes that weekend in that "did the drivers die at the track or later in hospital"?

 

Officially both died in hospital but in reality both were dead at the circuit - Senna especially and you don't have to delve too much into the personal accounts of those involved on the day to realise that. Sid Watkins said that as he took off Ayrton's helmet, he gave a brief sigh and then was gone - pupils fixed, skull fractured, crushed forehead, and a ruptured temporal artery. He was brain dead at the point of impact but they kept him alive by artificial means - many believing so that the Grand Prix could continue as for it not to would have been a financial disaster.

 

Course there's some argument that because of Ratzenberger's death, the race should never have happened at all and subsequently Senna should never have been racing and therefore would never have had his own fatal accident. There was a case to answer here and the event organisers could have been found guilty of the manslaughter of Senna by virtue of the fact that they let the event carry on when a driver had clearly died at the circuit.

 

The press concentrated on the charges brought against the Williams team but IMO there was a greater case against the circuit, the promoter and the FIA.

 

Talking about the weekend and Senna's changed demeanor, some people have said that it was a sign of foreboding - that he knew what was coming. He made his peace with Prost and Eddie Irvine and carried out private PR tasks that under normal circumstances he wouldn't even entertain during a race weekend. I don't think it was foreboding but more of a deeply religious man who perhaps for the first time in his racing career understood and feared his own mortality - his protege (Barrichello) was seriously injured on the Friday and then he witnessed death first-hand for the first time on the Saturday.

 

Had he lived and his accident never occurred, I'm convinced we'd have seen a totally different Ayrton Senna for the rest of his career. I think the ruthless, raw racer who took often unnecessary risks would have mellowed and become more involved with safety and the future development of the sport.

 

I'm finally off to see the film on Saturday - can't wait.

[Toonraider 0]

I was thinking had that been today and a driver had been killed in practice or qualifying wouldn't the race be cancelled? My son says not, they have to carry on.

 

The legal implication in Italy is that if a person dies at a sporting venue in the country, the remainder of the event is immediately cancelled.

 

There's an obvious grey area in both fatal crashes that weekend in that "did the drivers die at the track or later in hospital"?

 

Officially both died in hospital but in reality both were dead at the circuit - Senna especially and you don't have to delve too much into the personal accounts of those involved on the day to realise that. Sid Watkins said that as he took off Ayrton's helmet, he gave a brief sigh and then was gone - pupils fixed, skull fractured, crushed forehead, and a ruptured temporal artery. He was brain dead at the point of impact but they kept him alive by artificial means - many believing so that the Grand Prix could continue as for it not to would have been a financial disaster.

 

Course there's some argument that because of Ratzenberger's death, the race should never have happened at all and subsequently Senna should never have been racing and therefore would never have had his own fatal accident. There was a case to answer here and the event organisers could have been found guilty of the manslaughter of Senna by virtue of the fact that they let the event carry on when a driver had clearly died at the circuit.

 

The press concentrated on the charges brought against the Williams team but IMO there was a greater case against the circuit, the promoter and the FIA.

 

Talking about the weekend and Senna's changed demeanor, some people have said that it was a sign of foreboding - that he knew what was coming. He made his peace with Prost and Eddie Irvine and carried out private PR tasks that under normal circumstances he wouldn't even entertain during a race weekend. I don't think it was foreboding but more of a deeply religious man who perhaps for the first time in his racing career understood and feared his own mortality - his protege (Barrichello) was seriously injured on the Friday and then he witnessed death first-hand for the first time on the Saturday.

 

Had he lived and his accident never occurred, I'm convinced we'd have seen a totally different Ayrton Senna for the rest of his career. I think the ruthless, raw racer who took often unnecessary risks would have mellowed and become more involved with safety and the future development of the sport.

 

I'm finally off to see the film on Saturday - can't wait.

 

I'm in that camp I think.

By the way Craig, sorry... I thought everyone had seen it by now! I'd not have written about bits they included and what wasnt else!

 

This very old interview is good to read.

 

Ayrton-A really good rally driver

[Billy Castell 0]

'Green' engines delayed until 2014.

 

It would be interesting to see whether this would encourage engine manufacturers, or discourage them from either joining or carrying on. I also wonder when they actually start the research into the new rules. They sound like big changes, so obviously you can't leave it until November 2013.

[Toonraider 0]

Talk of an F1 movie.....again!

 

Rush

[Rob W 0]

whats this about the Beeb droppign their coverage - far too expensive they reckon

[Craig 6682]

Finally watched the Senna film. Was done brilliantly - trouble is I think they've fucked up with the marketing of it. They've sold it as a story of a racing driver but it's so much more than that. To me it was a story of a man who was constantly knocked down during his career but came back each time in the only way he knew how.. winning!

 

The piece where he was interview and he said his career may be drawing towards a close but he has so much life still to live was 'lump in the throat' enducing. I was one of those who left the cinema with damp eyes.

 

Question for Dr Ken... do you think I would be the only person who muttered at a reasonably audible level "fuck off you French cunt!" when Balestre appeared on screen?

[Meenzer 15531]

I think word of mouth has done the job for them regardless of the marketing. You can't move for variations on a theme of "I'm not a Formula One fan but I saw it and loved it" at the minute.

[Rob W 0]

Sundays race " looked like it was sponsored by Horlicks" - The Times Motor Correspondent this morning

[Toonraider 0]

Finally watched the Senna film. Was done brilliantly - trouble is I think they've fucked up with the marketing of it. They've sold it as a story of a racing driver but it's so much more than that. To me it was a story of a man who was constantly knocked down during his career but came back each time in the only way he knew how.. winning!

The piece where he was interview and he said his career may be drawing towards a close but he has so much life still to live was 'lump in the throat' enducing. I was one of those who left the cinema with damp eyes.

 

Question for Dr Ken... do you think I would be the only person who muttered at a reasonably audible level "fuck off you French cunt!" when Balestre appeared on screen?

 

Heart breaking

[Craig 6682]

Thought it was intriguing when Ron Dennis held the press conference in Australia in 1989 in support of Senna. A lot of people are critical of that stating that it showed an unfair bias towards Ayrton. I see it differently though. Ron always instilled an ethic in McLaren that the drivers were equal and one was not favoured over the other. He was rightly arguing that the championship should not have been over and should have gone down to a final showdown in Adelaide.

 

Pro-Prost campaign will shout otherwise however and argue that it was favourtism of one driver over another who was about to walk out the door.

 

People call Bernie these days and reckon he's corrupt - he's nowt compared to Balestre. The way he had his arm over Prost's shoulder in the McLaren garage in Suzuka was a fucking disgrace. Easy to work out what conversation was going on there. On a related subject I'd seen the photo of Senna sat, still in overalls, in a chair with his legs on the window sill while having a drink and overlooking a circuit many many times but never realised it was in the steward's room in Suzuka post disqualification. A penny for those thoughts....

[Toonraider 0]

Thought it was intriguing when Ron Dennis held the press conference in Australia in 1989 in support of Senna. A lot of people are critical of that stating that it showed an unfair bias towards Ayrton. I see it differently though. Ron always instilled an ethic in McLaren that the drivers were equal and one was not favoured over the other. He was rightly arguing that the championship should not have been over and should have gone down to a final showdown in Adelaide.

 

Pro-Prost campaign will shout otherwise however and argue that it was favourtism of one driver over another who was about to walk out the door.

 

People call Bernie these days and reckon he's corrupt - he's nowt compared to Balestre. The way he had his arm over Prost's shoulder in the McLaren garage in Suzuka was a fucking disgrace. Easy to work out what conversation was going on there. On a related subject I'd seen the photo of Senna sat, still in overalls, in a chair with his legs on the window sill while having a drink and overlooking a circuit many many times but never realised it was in the steward's room in Suzuka post disqualification. A penny for those thoughts....

 

That was disgusting and Prost a sniveling, conniving coward.

[Toonraider 0]

This arrived today Craig. One of my sons Birthday gifts. Isn't it mint?

 

[Craig 6682]

Always wanted one of those - looks like they've changed it from the original though - what's the red stitching and the Senna Foundation logo on the collar all about? I'd be wanting one like they were back when he was alive.

 

And a Nacional cap to match too

[Toonraider 0]

Always wanted one of those - looks like they've changed it from the original though - what's the red stitching and the Senna Foundation logo on the collar all about? I'd be wanting one like they were back when he was alive.

 

And a Nacional cap to match too

 

Craig, It is an original. Its a drivers double S shirt. Its not supposed to look like the plain T shirts. You can still buy the plain double S T shirts (which are cheaper) But they are not as good quality. I may get him a plain black one of those for Xmas.

 

[Toonraider 0]

[Craig 6682]

Not forgetting the Senninha t-shirt....

 

[Meenzer 15531]

Apparently "Senna" is now the most successful British-made documentary in UK cinema history after taking £2.6m at the box office. That's excellent work from the country's over-50s.

[Welsh Magpie 0]

This arrived today Craig. One of my sons Birthday gifts. Isn't it mint?

 

 

 

where did you buy that from i want one

[Craig 6682]

Grand Prix Legends are selling them. You can get a long-sleeve version as well.

 

Bev, I know it's the driver's shirt - just the purist in me is aware it's not what Ayrton wore - he always seemed to go with the t-shirt

 

[Toonraider 0]

This arrived today Craig. One of my sons Birthday gifts. Isn't it mint?

 

 

 

where did you buy that from i want one

 

Grand Prix legends have them but sold out of size Medium. So I bought it off Alex Reade motorsport. (he's based at Brands Hatch) He had the size medium I ordered it over the phone, but he has them for sale on ebay. Just put in Senna S drivers T shirt. Like Craig says, he has them long and short sleeve.

[Toonraider 0]

Grand Prix Legends are selling them. You can get a long-sleeve version as well.

 

Bev, I know it's the driver's shirt - just the purist in me is aware it's not what Ayrton wore - he always seemed to go with the t-shirt

 

 

Yeah I know what you're saying Craig, but Senna did wear this style too, under his overalls. Admittedly his would have been fireproof. But my son won't wear his when he's racing...he actually has several fire-proof one piece under suits which belonged to Rosberg when he was at Williams Also his gloves, Webber signed gloves, bags, fire-proof tops and Boots

We just thought the T shirt type looked cheap.

[snakehips 0]

Williams reuniting with Renault. Fingers crossed the good times come back, but it will be a very big ask.

 

That is all.

[Craig 6682]

Williams reuniting with Renault. Fingers crossed the good times come back, but it will be a very big ask.

 

That is all.

 

Apparently the first question Adam Parr (Williams chairman) was asked was "Are you doing this out of nostalgia?"

 

FFS!