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Formule 1
- Thread starter Kinga
- Start date
I feel sad now because I'm watching the Finland's Independence Day ceremone from President's Palace and Kimi ain't there
Kimi, better be there next year again!
I'm not surprised. I had a feeling that he won't be there. I've read that he got invitation during McLaren era as well but Dennis and his company didn't let him go... Can you imagine it?
Last year I think he was there because simply he had to because he was the world champion of F1. Everybody who knows Kimi a little bit knows that he hates these kind of events. It's too formal for him.
But we'll be seeing him next weekend at the FIA Gala!
The summary of it will be on Eurosport here in Hungary on Sunday evening! I can't wait! And he'll be testing for 3 days next week! We will see how he likes those slick tyres! So let's hope lots of news and pics would come!:yes:
^^^me too, I miss him sooo much!
I was thinking about next week will be great and then comes Christmas and New Year's Eve so we won't have time to think about him and F1 LOL Then in January and February there will be lots of tests and news... and March is not so far away
Amazing analysis using Kimi's and Massa's telemetry datas. LOL Great title: Kimi - king of the quick, Massa - master of the slow stuff... Worth a read!:
I was thinking about next week will be great and then comes Christmas and New Year's Eve so we won't have time to think about him and F1 LOL Then in January and February there will be lots of tests and news... and March is not so far away
Amazing analysis using Kimi's and Massa's telemetry datas. LOL Great title: Kimi - king of the quick, Massa - master of the slow stuff... Worth a read!:
The One.
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^ They're great :yes:
Misters Understeer and Oversteer
Yeah! :lol:^^^me too, I miss him sooo much!
I was thinking about next week will be great and then comes Christmas and New Year's Eve so we won't have time to think about him and F1 LOL Then in January and February there will be lots of tests and news... and March is not so far away
Misters Understeer and Oversteer
^^^LOL I hope next year will be Mr. Oversteer's!!!!!!
To Ferrari team: give him an oversteery car and he'll fly! He'll win both titles for you!!!
No one could stop him!!
A busy December for the Ferrari team
Two busy weeks are lying ahead of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro on and off the track, with some of them extremely nice.
At the Motorshow Bologna the official Scuderia test driver Luca Badoer did several laps behind the wheel of the world Champion F2008 in front of thousands of spectators. Bologna is already a traditional event at the end of the Formula 1 season and is a great opportunity for many fans to get close to Ferrari.
Luca did not only drive "his" single seater, he also got behind the wheel of a Fiat 500 Abarth, the Fiat's racing version, which will start in the single marque racing series as of the upcoming year at the same time as the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli.
The F2008 will be on the track on 9th December at Jerez de la Frontera for the first three official test days for the upcoming season. There will be two cars at the box, but considering the limited mileage only Kimi Raikkonen will go out on the track while Felipe Massa will reach the team on 10th December.
The technical program has three main goals, working on the engine's reliability, because as of next year the engine has to run many more miles, checking the slicks from Bridgestone and investigating the best possible set up solutions for the car.
On 12th December Kimi and Felipe will be at Monte Carlo for the FiA prize giving. Team Principal Stefano Domenicali will also be there to receive the Costructors' Cup, won by the team this year.
On 13th December the team will meet at Maranello for the traditional Christmas lunch, while in the evening they will attend a show at the Palamalaguti Bologna offered to the employees and their families.
The drivers and Domenicali will participate in the prize giving of the "Caschi d'Oro", the Golden Helmets, organized by the Italian magazine Autosprint, another traditional moment for Ferraristi in December.
Sunday is kids day at the Fiorano circuit steering pad. The kids, all the children of Ferrari employees, will celebrate Christmas together with the official drivers.
On 15th December the tests start again at the Parc Algarve circui at Portimao in Southern Portugal. There will be two cars for this last test session in 2008, one driven by Felipe Massa the other by Luca Badoer.
Eventually a very intense year will draw to an end and the work will stop also at Maranello or a couple of days, the 2009 season is approaching an we can't relax too much.
To Ferrari team: give him an oversteery car and he'll fly! He'll win both titles for you!!!
No one could stop him!!
A busy December for the Ferrari team
Two busy weeks are lying ahead of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro on and off the track, with some of them extremely nice.
At the Motorshow Bologna the official Scuderia test driver Luca Badoer did several laps behind the wheel of the world Champion F2008 in front of thousands of spectators. Bologna is already a traditional event at the end of the Formula 1 season and is a great opportunity for many fans to get close to Ferrari.
Luca did not only drive "his" single seater, he also got behind the wheel of a Fiat 500 Abarth, the Fiat's racing version, which will start in the single marque racing series as of the upcoming year at the same time as the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli.
The F2008 will be on the track on 9th December at Jerez de la Frontera for the first three official test days for the upcoming season. There will be two cars at the box, but considering the limited mileage only Kimi Raikkonen will go out on the track while Felipe Massa will reach the team on 10th December.
The technical program has three main goals, working on the engine's reliability, because as of next year the engine has to run many more miles, checking the slicks from Bridgestone and investigating the best possible set up solutions for the car.
On 12th December Kimi and Felipe will be at Monte Carlo for the FiA prize giving. Team Principal Stefano Domenicali will also be there to receive the Costructors' Cup, won by the team this year.
On 13th December the team will meet at Maranello for the traditional Christmas lunch, while in the evening they will attend a show at the Palamalaguti Bologna offered to the employees and their families.
The drivers and Domenicali will participate in the prize giving of the "Caschi d'Oro", the Golden Helmets, organized by the Italian magazine Autosprint, another traditional moment for Ferraristi in December.
Sunday is kids day at the Fiorano circuit steering pad. The kids, all the children of Ferrari employees, will celebrate Christmas together with the official drivers.
On 15th December the tests start again at the Parc Algarve circui at Portimao in Southern Portugal. There will be two cars for this last test session in 2008, one driven by Felipe Massa the other by Luca Badoer.
Eventually a very intense year will draw to an end and the work will stop also at Maranello or a couple of days, the 2009 season is approaching an we can't relax too much.
The One.
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^ Can't wait for those events they sound so much fun!
Williams CEO expects another team to go
LONDON (Reuters) - Honda are likely to be followed out of Formula One by another manufacturer before the start of next season, Williams chief executive Adam Parr said on Monday.
"I had expected one or two teams to pull out of Formula One imminently. And I also said that it was not necessarily going to be just independent teams that were involved," he told Reuters in an interview.
"I believe that we probably will lose another team before the beginning of next season and there is a very high chance it will be a manufacturer."
The 2009 season starts in Australia on March 29.
Honda announced on Friday that they were quitting for financial reasons, leaving their British-based team desperately seeking a buyer in the face of a global credit crunch.
Although Honda F1 bosses said they had several parties interested in taking on the under-performing team, which employees more than 800 people, others believe they will struggle to find a serious purchaser in the limited time available.
Honda had no significant sponsors, in a sport where even the smallest players have annual budgets of more than $120 million, and any buyer will also have to purchase engines from another manufacturer and re-design the 2009 car to fit.
The other carmakers involved in Formula One are BMW, Mercedes, Renault, Toyota and Fiat (Ferrari). All are being battered by the economic crisis, halting production and laying off workers as sales plunge to their lowest levels in years.
Parr said Honda's departure was "entirely predictable" and laughed off newspaper reports at the weekend suggesting that his team were among the most vulnerable of those remaining.
"Honda didn't have to leave Formula One, it chose to," he said, depicting the Japanese manufacturer's departure as a "natural consequence of unlimited and unrestrained spending."
"Williams would never choose to leave Formula One. So long as we can rub together a few pennies and put together a half-decent budget, we are going to go racing. If we have to tailor what we spend to a lower income, then we'll do that. To me, it's just completely illogical to talk about Williams leaving Formula One."
Williams, who this year celebrated their 30th season, made a loss of 21.4 million pounds ($31.74 million) in 2007 but expect to reduce their debt in 2008.
Powered by Toyota engines, they are the only team in Formula One not owned, wholly or in part, by a manufacturer or a billionaire individual.
"We believe that our position is pretty much different to all the other teams because every other team in Formula One is primarily dependent on one of its shareholders that is providing either all or a very high proportion of the income for the team," said Parr.
"That shareholder is in Formula One primarily for marketing reasons. They can at any time decide that the cost-benefit ratio of leaving Formula One makes sense.
"The difference with Williams is that we don't have a choice about being in F1, that is what we do."
Parr said that because Formula One sponsorship deals were generally multi-year and staggered so that they did not all lapse at once, Williams could count on a secure income for the next couple of years.
While that could spell trouble further down the line, with Formula One likely to be last into a recession and last out of it, the teams will benefit from planned cost cuts.
"We have already agreed measures for 2009 which will have a significant benefit for us," Parr said of talks between the manufacturers and governing body.
"There are further measures identified for 2010 and 2011 and those collectively will involve a significant reduction in what we need to go racing."
International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley said last week that annual budgets needed to come down to around the 30 million pound mark for 2010, allowing teams to be competitive without requiring more funds than provided by television revenues and limited sponsorship.
He also announced the option of a low-cost powertrain (engine and gearbox) from 2010 costing 5.49 million pounds a year after an up-front payment of 1.68 million.
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE4B73E420081208?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=10276
Williams CEO expects another team to go
LONDON (Reuters) - Honda are likely to be followed out of Formula One by another manufacturer before the start of next season, Williams chief executive Adam Parr said on Monday.
"I had expected one or two teams to pull out of Formula One imminently. And I also said that it was not necessarily going to be just independent teams that were involved," he told Reuters in an interview.
"I believe that we probably will lose another team before the beginning of next season and there is a very high chance it will be a manufacturer."
The 2009 season starts in Australia on March 29.
Honda announced on Friday that they were quitting for financial reasons, leaving their British-based team desperately seeking a buyer in the face of a global credit crunch.
Although Honda F1 bosses said they had several parties interested in taking on the under-performing team, which employees more than 800 people, others believe they will struggle to find a serious purchaser in the limited time available.
Honda had no significant sponsors, in a sport where even the smallest players have annual budgets of more than $120 million, and any buyer will also have to purchase engines from another manufacturer and re-design the 2009 car to fit.
The other carmakers involved in Formula One are BMW, Mercedes, Renault, Toyota and Fiat (Ferrari). All are being battered by the economic crisis, halting production and laying off workers as sales plunge to their lowest levels in years.
Parr said Honda's departure was "entirely predictable" and laughed off newspaper reports at the weekend suggesting that his team were among the most vulnerable of those remaining.
"Honda didn't have to leave Formula One, it chose to," he said, depicting the Japanese manufacturer's departure as a "natural consequence of unlimited and unrestrained spending."
"Williams would never choose to leave Formula One. So long as we can rub together a few pennies and put together a half-decent budget, we are going to go racing. If we have to tailor what we spend to a lower income, then we'll do that. To me, it's just completely illogical to talk about Williams leaving Formula One."
Williams, who this year celebrated their 30th season, made a loss of 21.4 million pounds ($31.74 million) in 2007 but expect to reduce their debt in 2008.
Powered by Toyota engines, they are the only team in Formula One not owned, wholly or in part, by a manufacturer or a billionaire individual.
"We believe that our position is pretty much different to all the other teams because every other team in Formula One is primarily dependent on one of its shareholders that is providing either all or a very high proportion of the income for the team," said Parr.
"That shareholder is in Formula One primarily for marketing reasons. They can at any time decide that the cost-benefit ratio of leaving Formula One makes sense.
"The difference with Williams is that we don't have a choice about being in F1, that is what we do."
Parr said that because Formula One sponsorship deals were generally multi-year and staggered so that they did not all lapse at once, Williams could count on a secure income for the next couple of years.
While that could spell trouble further down the line, with Formula One likely to be last into a recession and last out of it, the teams will benefit from planned cost cuts.
"We have already agreed measures for 2009 which will have a significant benefit for us," Parr said of talks between the manufacturers and governing body.
"There are further measures identified for 2010 and 2011 and those collectively will involve a significant reduction in what we need to go racing."
International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Max Mosley said last week that annual budgets needed to come down to around the 30 million pound mark for 2010, allowing teams to be competitive without requiring more funds than provided by television revenues and limited sponsorship.
He also announced the option of a low-cost powertrain (engine and gearbox) from 2010 costing 5.49 million pounds a year after an up-front payment of 1.68 million.
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE4B73E420081208?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=10276
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Williams oppose relaxing "customer cars" rules
Williams would rather see Formula One teams run three cars each than relax the rules on so-called 'customer teams' to boost the numbers, chief executive Adam Parr said on Monday.
Honda's withdrawal from Formula One, and the possibility that another manufacturer could also quit before the start of next season, has raised concern about the number of cars on the starting grid next season.
After starting with 11 teams in 2008, Formula One is down to nine without Honda. If another goes, that would leave 16 cars.
"There is the scope for teams to put three cars on the grid and if we have eight teams with three cars, that's 24 cars which is four more than we have had this year," Parr told Reuters in an interview.
"Williams would rather compete on equal terms with constructors and take our chances than mess around with customer teams."
Toro Rosso and now-defunct Super Aguri were effectively customer teams, the former using a car designed by parent company Red Bull for both them and Red Bull Racing. Super Aguri, who folded in April, used a version of Honda's 2007 car rather than building and designing their own as a constructor.
Formula One's regulations envisage teams running three cars each should the numbers drop below a certain threshold, although that could put severe financial pressure on some of the independents.
However McLaren would have a ready-made partner in Force India, who last month agreed a deal to use McLaren engines and gearboxes as well as other technical assistance. Ferrari supply Toro Rosso with engines.
Parr dismissed a suggestion that it would be bad for the sport for dominant Ferrari and McLaren to be in a position to fill the top six places, rather than just the top four at present.
"If you talk about full customer teams, then you are going to have four McLarens or four Ferraris so how is that going to help?," he said.
http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/12/08/sports/OUKSP-UK-MOTOR-RACING-CUSTOMER.php
What do you say?
I just hope no more teams will announce they're leaving F1 :angel:
Williams would rather see Formula One teams run three cars each than relax the rules on so-called 'customer teams' to boost the numbers, chief executive Adam Parr said on Monday.
Honda's withdrawal from Formula One, and the possibility that another manufacturer could also quit before the start of next season, has raised concern about the number of cars on the starting grid next season.
After starting with 11 teams in 2008, Formula One is down to nine without Honda. If another goes, that would leave 16 cars.
"There is the scope for teams to put three cars on the grid and if we have eight teams with three cars, that's 24 cars which is four more than we have had this year," Parr told Reuters in an interview.
"Even if we went to seven teams, we'd have 21 cars. My opinion is that it is far better to have seven or eight constructors than seven or eight constructors and three or four customer teams," he added."Williams would rather compete on equal terms with constructors and take our chances than mess around with customer teams."
Toro Rosso and now-defunct Super Aguri were effectively customer teams, the former using a car designed by parent company Red Bull for both them and Red Bull Racing. Super Aguri, who folded in April, used a version of Honda's 2007 car rather than building and designing their own as a constructor.
Formula One's regulations envisage teams running three cars each should the numbers drop below a certain threshold, although that could put severe financial pressure on some of the independents.
However McLaren would have a ready-made partner in Force India, who last month agreed a deal to use McLaren engines and gearboxes as well as other technical assistance. Ferrari supply Toro Rosso with engines.
Parr dismissed a suggestion that it would be bad for the sport for dominant Ferrari and McLaren to be in a position to fill the top six places, rather than just the top four at present.
"If you talk about full customer teams, then you are going to have four McLarens or four Ferraris so how is that going to help?," he said.
http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/12/08/sports/OUKSP-UK-MOTOR-RACING-CUSTOMER.php
What do you say?
I just hope no more teams will announce they're leaving F1 :angel:
^^^I hope that too. But I wouldn't have expected it from Honda either. I thought they are a very big and wealthy team still they're suffering in the economical crisis. The sales of the street cars in the US has dicreased with 30%!!!!!! They have to reduce the costs so it was evident to withdraw from F1 which needs a hell of a lot money...
Kimi started the second test session after the Formula One season
Circuit: Jerez Circuit - 4.428 km
Driver Kimi Raikkonen
Car: F2008
Weather: air temperature 12/14 °C, track temperature 11/16 °C. Overcast in the morning, then cloudy, rain halfway through the afternoon.
First day of testing this week, for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, working for the next three days at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, in southern Spain.
The Finish driver, behind the wheel of a F2008 with less downforce, to simulate the situation foreseen by the technical rules for the 2009 season, went out on the track just after 9 am. He didn't drive too many laps, because the weather was not really good and, after 3 pm, the track was wet, but also because the mileage at the end of the season is limited. The team mainly worked on the best possible set up with the slicks and on the engine, which has to run further in the upcoming season. Kimi drove 48 laps, the fastest in a time of 1.20.261.
"I'm glad to be back on the track," Kimi said at the end of the day. "Shame that there was so much rain in the afternoon, because it would have been useful to test some situations we had problems with during the last season. It shouldn't rain tomorrow and we'll drive a bit more."
Testing continues at this circuit tomorrow, when Felipe Massa will join Kimi Raikkonen.
Buemi leads first day of Jerez test
By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, December 9th 2008, 17:11 GMT
Sebastien BuemiSebastien Buemi further staked his claim for a seat at Scuderia Toro Rosso next year by outpacing teammate Sebastian Bourdais on the first day of this week's test at Jerez in Spain.
With teams running different programmes and car specifications in preparation for the 2009 season, little could be read into the relevant times of the cars, but Buemi's effort compared to Bourdais will have provided a further boost in his hopes of landing a contract for 2009.
The test got underway properly quite late thanks to early fog and damp track conditions, and meaningful running was curtailed by showers from 3pm.
McLaren test driver Gary Paffett kicked off the team's preparations with the third quickest time as he focused on KERS development. The Briton ended up just three hundredths of a second ahead of teammate Pedro de la Rosa, who concentrated on set-up evaluation.
Kimi Raikkonen returned to the cockpit for the first time since his demonstration run at the World Finals at Mugello last month to set the fifth quickest time. He worked on set-up and long distance evaluation of the Ferrari engine.
Sixth fastest Nick Heidfeld focused on set-up work with the suspension, as well as aerodynamic development progress for BMW Sauber - and was happy that mechanical changes made since the last test at Barcelona had improved the handling.
"It looks like we are moving in the right direction," said Heidfeld.
Behind Kazuki Nakajima and Nelson Piquet, Christian Klien only managed to complete 15 laps after being forced to stop early because of a precautionary engine change. He had been tasked with work on BMW's KERS system.
Circuit: Jerez Circuit - 4.428 km
Driver Kimi Raikkonen
Car: F2008
Weather: air temperature 12/14 °C, track temperature 11/16 °C. Overcast in the morning, then cloudy, rain halfway through the afternoon.
First day of testing this week, for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, working for the next three days at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, in southern Spain.
The Finish driver, behind the wheel of a F2008 with less downforce, to simulate the situation foreseen by the technical rules for the 2009 season, went out on the track just after 9 am. He didn't drive too many laps, because the weather was not really good and, after 3 pm, the track was wet, but also because the mileage at the end of the season is limited. The team mainly worked on the best possible set up with the slicks and on the engine, which has to run further in the upcoming season. Kimi drove 48 laps, the fastest in a time of 1.20.261.
"I'm glad to be back on the track," Kimi said at the end of the day. "Shame that there was so much rain in the afternoon, because it would have been useful to test some situations we had problems with during the last season. It shouldn't rain tomorrow and we'll drive a bit more."
Testing continues at this circuit tomorrow, when Felipe Massa will join Kimi Raikkonen.
Buemi leads first day of Jerez test
By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, December 9th 2008, 17:11 GMT
Sebastien BuemiSebastien Buemi further staked his claim for a seat at Scuderia Toro Rosso next year by outpacing teammate Sebastian Bourdais on the first day of this week's test at Jerez in Spain.
With teams running different programmes and car specifications in preparation for the 2009 season, little could be read into the relevant times of the cars, but Buemi's effort compared to Bourdais will have provided a further boost in his hopes of landing a contract for 2009.
The test got underway properly quite late thanks to early fog and damp track conditions, and meaningful running was curtailed by showers from 3pm.
McLaren test driver Gary Paffett kicked off the team's preparations with the third quickest time as he focused on KERS development. The Briton ended up just three hundredths of a second ahead of teammate Pedro de la Rosa, who concentrated on set-up evaluation.
Kimi Raikkonen returned to the cockpit for the first time since his demonstration run at the World Finals at Mugello last month to set the fifth quickest time. He worked on set-up and long distance evaluation of the Ferrari engine.
Sixth fastest Nick Heidfeld focused on set-up work with the suspension, as well as aerodynamic development progress for BMW Sauber - and was happy that mechanical changes made since the last test at Barcelona had improved the handling.
"It looks like we are moving in the right direction," said Heidfeld.
Behind Kazuki Nakajima and Nelson Piquet, Christian Klien only managed to complete 15 laps after being forced to stop early because of a precautionary engine change. He had been tasked with work on BMW's KERS system.
- Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:18.742 91
2. Sebastien Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:19.288 77
3. Gary Paffett McLaren Mercedes 1:20.134 26
4. Pedro de la Rosa McLaren Mercedes 1:20.164 21
5. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:20.261 48
6. Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:20.678 49
7. Kazuki Nakajima Williams 1:21.338 57
8. Nelson Piquet Renault 1:21.547 124
9. Christian Klien BMW Sauber 1:22.098 15
Kimi Räikkönen to spend Christmas in Finland
Formula Star Kimi Räikkönen is planning to spend Christmas in Finland. Räikkönen personal assistant Riku Kuvaja not yet able to say, shall they spend Christmas with Kimi's or Jenni-wife's parents.
Exact plans for Kimi had not yet made a Christmas Eve, but it is certain that they will spend the Christmas Jenni and Kimi together in Finland.
Räikkönens vacation ended recently and the man was already on Tuesday morning to test a car in Spain, JEREZ track. Kuvaja reported that Räikkönen spent the month-long vacation, taking it easy.
- Yes, Kimi enjoyed wiht his friends the club, played tennis and hockey. Mostly in the metropolitan area (Helsinki Finland), he spent the time, although he was also somewhat at his home in Switzerland, said Kuvaja MTV3's entertainment news.
Formula Star Kimi Räikkönen is planning to spend Christmas in Finland. Räikkönen personal assistant Riku Kuvaja not yet able to say, shall they spend Christmas with Kimi's or Jenni-wife's parents.
Exact plans for Kimi had not yet made a Christmas Eve, but it is certain that they will spend the Christmas Jenni and Kimi together in Finland.
Räikkönens vacation ended recently and the man was already on Tuesday morning to test a car in Spain, JEREZ track. Kuvaja reported that Räikkönen spent the month-long vacation, taking it easy.
- Yes, Kimi enjoyed wiht his friends the club, played tennis and hockey. Mostly in the metropolitan area (Helsinki Finland), he spent the time, although he was also somewhat at his home in Switzerland, said Kuvaja MTV3's entertainment news.
^ Did you translate it with Google translator?
That's nice pic :yes:
LOL not me but someone from the Official KR forum...
Yes, it's a nice pic! I love it!
Look at his eyes *faints* :wub:
the results from today:
Raikkonen not making predictions for '09
Former (we have to get used to this word) world champion Kimi Raikkonen believes new regulation changes next year make it virtually impossible to make firm predictions about the form of any team in 2009.
A major aerodynamic revamp, the return of slick tyres and the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) have provided a host of challenges to teams in preparing for the new season.
And that has left Raikkonen unsure of what impact it will have on each team, or even how much it will open up the field.
"There are many more question marks compared to last year, everything is very different," he was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.
"If you do everything well you can have some advantages, while if you do things wrong it can cost you a lot. But this is no time for speculation."
Raikkonen is also unsure yet of how big a challenge the new slick tyres will be - having tried them out extensively at Jerez on Wednesday.
"I think in the end the tyres will work well, but it takes time to get used to them," he said. "In general I prefer slick tyres, but if I think back at the grooved tyres, thanks to the competition between Michelin and Bridgestone they became very good.
"When we moved to a single supplier, the push from competition ended. So it's better to wait and see."
Former (we have to get used to this word
) world champion Kimi Raikkonen believes new regulation changes next year make it virtually impossible to make firm predictions about the form of any team in 2009. A major aerodynamic revamp, the return of slick tyres and the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) have provided a host of challenges to teams in preparing for the new season.
And that has left Raikkonen unsure of what impact it will have on each team, or even how much it will open up the field.
"There are many more question marks compared to last year, everything is very different," he was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.
"If you do everything well you can have some advantages, while if you do things wrong it can cost you a lot. But this is no time for speculation."
Raikkonen is also unsure yet of how big a challenge the new slick tyres will be - having tried them out extensively at Jerez on Wednesday.
"I think in the end the tyres will work well, but it takes time to get used to them," he said. "In general I prefer slick tyres, but if I think back at the grooved tyres, thanks to the competition between Michelin and Bridgestone they became very good.
"When we moved to a single supplier, the push from competition ended. So it's better to wait and see."
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Thursday 11 December 2008
Lewis Hamilton correctly predicted today that formula one would not after all introduce a standard-specification engine as part of the wide-ranging plans to cut millions of pounds from the top grand-prix teams' annual budgets. Speaking in London, the world champion told BBC Sport: "I don't think that [a standard engine] is ever going to happen ... simply because the manufacturers play such a huge role in the sport." Hamilton was spot-on.
Plans for a standard-specification engine, supplied to strict FIA rules, will be unmasked tomorrow as no more than a successful negotiating ploy by the sport's governing body to force teams to cut costs for 2009 and beyond.
The FIA world motor sport council, due to meet in the morning in Monaco, is instead expected to approve wide-ranging proposals that will see the current generation of 2.4-litre V8 engines extensively detuned. The manufacturers have also each agreed in principle to supply up to two independent teams from the start of the 2010 season at a fee not to exceed €5m (£4.4m) per team.
This is a clever compromise calculated to retain the interest of the big carmakers Renault, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Toyota only a week after Honda withdrew and put its team up for sale. In the meantime, for 2009 the existing engines will have their maximum engine speed cut back to 18,000rpm rather than the current limit of 19,000rpm.
In addition they will have to last four races, rather than the present two, and most testing will be banned in the racing season. It is also expected that the FIA will supply to the teams' association details of the tendering process to which the engine specialist Cosworth submitted in order to be selected as the preferred standard engine supplier. The manufacturers think this will help them understand what specification they need to adopt for 2010 in order to balance power with durability and the need to keep within a tight budget.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/dec/11/motorsports-formulaone
We'll see what they decide..
Lewis Hamilton correctly predicted today that formula one would not after all introduce a standard-specification engine as part of the wide-ranging plans to cut millions of pounds from the top grand-prix teams' annual budgets. Speaking in London, the world champion told BBC Sport: "I don't think that [a standard engine] is ever going to happen ... simply because the manufacturers play such a huge role in the sport." Hamilton was spot-on.
Plans for a standard-specification engine, supplied to strict FIA rules, will be unmasked tomorrow as no more than a successful negotiating ploy by the sport's governing body to force teams to cut costs for 2009 and beyond.
The FIA world motor sport council, due to meet in the morning in Monaco, is instead expected to approve wide-ranging proposals that will see the current generation of 2.4-litre V8 engines extensively detuned. The manufacturers have also each agreed in principle to supply up to two independent teams from the start of the 2010 season at a fee not to exceed €5m (£4.4m) per team.
This is a clever compromise calculated to retain the interest of the big carmakers Renault, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Toyota only a week after Honda withdrew and put its team up for sale. In the meantime, for 2009 the existing engines will have their maximum engine speed cut back to 18,000rpm rather than the current limit of 19,000rpm.
In addition they will have to last four races, rather than the present two, and most testing will be banned in the racing season. It is also expected that the FIA will supply to the teams' association details of the tendering process to which the engine specialist Cosworth submitted in order to be selected as the preferred standard engine supplier. The manufacturers think this will help them understand what specification they need to adopt for 2010 in order to balance power with durability and the need to keep within a tight budget.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/dec/11/motorsports-formulaone
We'll see what they decide..
Domenicali on Kimi in a recent interview:
^^^Nice words, I hope he not just says it but really means it!
Some horrible changes:bugeyed:bugeyed:bugeyed
FIA reveals radical cost-cutting measures
The World Motor Sport Council met in Monaco on 12 December 2008. The following decisions were taken:
FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The following measures to reduce costs in Formula One have been agreed by the World Motor Sport Council. These proposed changes have the unanimous agreement of the Formula One teams, who have played a major role in their development. The FIA is grateful to the Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA) and its Chairman Luca di Montezemolo for their incisive contribution.
2009
Engine
• Engine life to be doubled. Each driver will use a maximum of eight engines for the season plus four for testing (thus 20 per team). :bugeyed
• Limit of 18,000 rpm.
• No internal re-tuning. Adjustment to trumpets and injectors only.
• The three-race rule voted on 5 November remains in force.
• Cost of engines to independent teams will be approximately 50% of 2008 prices.
• Unanimous agreement was reached on a list of proposed changes to the Renault engine for 2009; all other engines will remain unchanged. Comparative testing will not be necessary.
Testing
• No in-season testing except during race weekend during scheduled practice. :bugeyed
Aerodynamic research
• No wind tunnel exceeding 60% scale and 50 metres/sec to be used after 1 January 2009.
• A formula to balance wind tunnel-based research against CFD research, if agreed between the teams, will be proposed to the FIA.
Factory activity
• Factory closures for six weeks per year, to accord with local laws.
Race weekend
• Manpower to be reduced by means of a number of measures, including sharing information on tyres and fuel to eliminate the need for “spotters”.
Sporting spectacle
• Market research is being conducted to gauge the public reaction to a number of new ideas, including possible changes to qualifying and a proposal for the substitution of medals for points for the drivers. Proposals will be submitted to the FIA when the results of the market research are known.
Note: It is estimated that these changes for 2009 will save the manufacturer teams approximately 30% of their budgets compared to 2008, while the savings for independent teams will be even greater.
2010
Power train
• Engines will be available to the independent teams for less than €5 million per team per season. These will either come from an independent supplier or be supplied by the manufacturer teams backed by guarantees of continuity. If an independent supplier, the deal will be signed no later than 20 December 2008.
• This same engine will continue to be used in 2011 and 2012 (thus no new engine for 2011).
• Subject to confirmation of practicability, the same transmission will be used by all teams.
Chassis
• A list of all elements of the chassis will be prepared and a decision taken in respect of each element as to whether or not it will remain a performance differentiator (competitive element).
• Some elements which remain performance differentiators will be homologated for the season.
• Some elements will remain performance differentiators, but use inexpensive materials.
• Elements which are not performance differentiators will be prescriptive and be obtained or manufactured in the most economical possible way.
Race weekend
• Standardised radio and telemetry systems.
• Ban on tyre warmers. :bugeyed
• Ban on mechanical purging of tyres. :bugeyed
• Ban on refueling. :bugeyed
• Possible reduction in race distance or duration (proposal to follow market research).
Factory activity
• Further restrictions on aerodynamic research.
• Ban on tyre force rigs (other than vertical force rigs).
• Full analysis of factory facilities with a view to proposing further restrictions on facilities.
Longer term
The FIA and FOTA will study the possibility of an entirely new power train for 2013 based on energy efficiency (obtaining more work from less energy consumed). Rules to be framed so as to ensure that research and development of such a power train would make a real contribution to energy-efficient road transport.
An enhanced Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) system is likely to be a very significant element of an energy-efficient power train in the future. In the short term, KERS is part of the 2009 regulations, but is not compulsory. For 2010 FOTA is considering proposals for a standard KERS system. The FIA awaits proposals.
A number of further amendments were adopted for the 2009 and 2010 Sporting and Technical Regulations. Full details will be available shortly on www.fia.com.
^^^Nice words, I hope he not just says it but really means it!
Some horrible changes:bugeyed:bugeyed:bugeyed
FIA reveals radical cost-cutting measures
The World Motor Sport Council met in Monaco on 12 December 2008. The following decisions were taken:
FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The following measures to reduce costs in Formula One have been agreed by the World Motor Sport Council. These proposed changes have the unanimous agreement of the Formula One teams, who have played a major role in their development. The FIA is grateful to the Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA) and its Chairman Luca di Montezemolo for their incisive contribution.
2009
Engine
• Engine life to be doubled. Each driver will use a maximum of eight engines for the season plus four for testing (thus 20 per team). :bugeyed
• Limit of 18,000 rpm.
• No internal re-tuning. Adjustment to trumpets and injectors only.
• The three-race rule voted on 5 November remains in force.
• Cost of engines to independent teams will be approximately 50% of 2008 prices.
• Unanimous agreement was reached on a list of proposed changes to the Renault engine for 2009; all other engines will remain unchanged. Comparative testing will not be necessary.
Testing
• No in-season testing except during race weekend during scheduled practice. :bugeyed
Aerodynamic research
• No wind tunnel exceeding 60% scale and 50 metres/sec to be used after 1 January 2009.
• A formula to balance wind tunnel-based research against CFD research, if agreed between the teams, will be proposed to the FIA.
Factory activity
• Factory closures for six weeks per year, to accord with local laws.
Race weekend
• Manpower to be reduced by means of a number of measures, including sharing information on tyres and fuel to eliminate the need for “spotters”.
Sporting spectacle
• Market research is being conducted to gauge the public reaction to a number of new ideas, including possible changes to qualifying and a proposal for the substitution of medals for points for the drivers. Proposals will be submitted to the FIA when the results of the market research are known.
Note: It is estimated that these changes for 2009 will save the manufacturer teams approximately 30% of their budgets compared to 2008, while the savings for independent teams will be even greater.
2010
Power train
• Engines will be available to the independent teams for less than €5 million per team per season. These will either come from an independent supplier or be supplied by the manufacturer teams backed by guarantees of continuity. If an independent supplier, the deal will be signed no later than 20 December 2008.
• This same engine will continue to be used in 2011 and 2012 (thus no new engine for 2011).
• Subject to confirmation of practicability, the same transmission will be used by all teams.
Chassis
• A list of all elements of the chassis will be prepared and a decision taken in respect of each element as to whether or not it will remain a performance differentiator (competitive element).
• Some elements which remain performance differentiators will be homologated for the season.
• Some elements will remain performance differentiators, but use inexpensive materials.
• Elements which are not performance differentiators will be prescriptive and be obtained or manufactured in the most economical possible way.
Race weekend
• Standardised radio and telemetry systems.
• Ban on tyre warmers. :bugeyed
• Ban on mechanical purging of tyres. :bugeyed
• Ban on refueling. :bugeyed
• Possible reduction in race distance or duration (proposal to follow market research).
Factory activity
• Further restrictions on aerodynamic research.
• Ban on tyre force rigs (other than vertical force rigs).
• Full analysis of factory facilities with a view to proposing further restrictions on facilities.
Longer term
The FIA and FOTA will study the possibility of an entirely new power train for 2013 based on energy efficiency (obtaining more work from less energy consumed). Rules to be framed so as to ensure that research and development of such a power train would make a real contribution to energy-efficient road transport.
An enhanced Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) system is likely to be a very significant element of an energy-efficient power train in the future. In the short term, KERS is part of the 2009 regulations, but is not compulsory. For 2010 FOTA is considering proposals for a standard KERS system. The FIA awaits proposals.
A number of further amendments were adopted for the 2009 and 2010 Sporting and Technical Regulations. Full details will be available shortly on www.fia.com.
I've found 1 and only 1 picture about Kimi during the FIA Gala.... Yesterday evening I was thinking about he didn't even attend.... there were no pics of him at all...
But here you are, he's soooo gorgeous! :wub:
here's the group photo. Can you tell where Kimi is? :scratch:He clearly was hiding... He's standing in the last line with Toni Vilander... You can see Kimi's blonde hair behind that guy who was wearing a blue (purple) bow tie.
Where was Jenni? She was not there at all? Do you know anything about this event?
Yesterday evening I was thinking about he didn't even attend.... there were no pics of him at all... But here you are, he's soooo gorgeous! :wub:
here's the group photo. Can you tell where Kimi is? :scratch:He clearly was hiding...
He's standing in the last line with Toni Vilander... You can see Kimi's blonde hair behind that guy who was wearing a blue (purple) bow tie.
Where was Jenni? She was not there at all? Do you know anything about this event?
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^ Yep, I saw his hair straight away Maybe he didn't find it necessary to be there since he didn't win the championship, I don't know, I haven't heard anythign about the gala..
There are many radical changes for next seasons.. We'll see how they're going to change the races, at least they're going to be shorter since refueling is banned.
Maybe he didn't find it necessary to be there since he didn't win the championship, I don't know, I haven't heard anythign about the gala..There are many radical changes for next seasons.. We'll see how they're going to change the races, at least they're going to be shorter since refueling is banned.
^^^Of course, he doesn't like to be under spotlight, that's Kimi, I should've known it... Still a bit dissapointing to me that we have this picture about him only. Well, it's better than nothing.
It's funny that this time Hamster wore a shiny tux while last year Kimi was wearing it. So it seems it's for world champions. LOL I gotta say it looked so good on Kimi! :wub:
It's a surprise for me that we can't see Hamster's and Massa's father on the group photo. Since slightly all of the races are about them...:doh:
I don't know if I would like to watch shorter races. It looks like FIA takes care of my health LOL If there would be a 1-hour-race then maybe I won't have a heart attack.:rofl:
Or they would make bigger tanks for the fuels... who knows? The silliest thing is that they banned the testing during the season. Come on!!! That was Kimi's problem in this season that the changes of the car came when it was a ban for testing during the Summer. That's why they couldn't solve the problems in time. During race weekends... was just not enough to figure it out and solve it!:no:
Still a bit dissapointing to me that we have this picture about him only. Well, it's better than nothing.It's funny that this time Hamster wore a shiny tux while last year Kimi was wearing it. So it seems it's for world champions. LOL I gotta say it looked so good on Kimi! :wub:
It's a surprise for me that we can't see Hamster's and Massa's father on the group photo.
Since slightly all of the races are about them...:doh:I don't know if I would like to watch shorter races. It looks like FIA takes care of my health LOL If there would be a 1-hour-race then maybe I won't have a heart attack.
:rofl:Or they would make bigger tanks for the fuels... who knows? The silliest thing is that they banned the testing during the season. Come on!!! That was Kimi's problem in this season that the changes of the car came when it was a ban for testing during the Summer. That's why they couldn't solve the problems in time. During race weekends... was just not enough to figure it out and solve it!:no:
Lot of Ferrari events yesterday and today...
Kimi is the cutest. OMG! I'm dead, look at these pics. I wanna hug him and kiss him all over.:wub:
How do you like his new hair style? I like it very much, it suits him sooooo well!!! He looks like a 16-year-old boy. OMG, he looks so young!
These pics from the Ferrari event where they held the Christmas party for the workers' children. It seems Kimi really enjoyed this event. I can see it on his face. His smile is honest IMO.
http://cid-23b1abff33cab8a4.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Eventi%20speciali/Domenica%20In?uc=6&isFromRichUpload=1
These from yesterday:
Kimi is the cutest. OMG! I'm dead, look at these pics. I wanna hug him and kiss him all over.:wub:
How do you like his new hair style? I like it very much, it suits him sooooo well!!! He looks like a 16-year-old boy. OMG, he looks so young!
These pics from the Ferrari event where they held the Christmas party for the workers' children. It seems Kimi really enjoyed this event. I can see it on his face. His smile is honest IMO.
http://cid-23b1abff33cab8a4.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/Eventi%20speciali/Domenica%20In?uc=6&isFromRichUpload=1
These from yesterday:
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LEWIS HAMILTON SLEEPS WITH TROPHY
LEWIS HAMILTON slept with the F1 world championship trophy by his side and then declared: “This proves I am No 1.”
The youngest champ in history took the 2ft silver and gold cup to bed with him at David Coulthard’s hotel in Monaco yesterday after 'one of the most emotional nights' of his life.
The McLaren superstar was presented with the trophy at a gala dinner in the presence of royalty and 600 VIP guests.
And afterwards he admitted he was overcome as his phenomenal achievement was broadcast on a giant screen.
“It was a very special evening,” said Hamilton. And as he cuddled his prized trophy he added: “There are so many special names on this.
"Straight away I looked for Ayrton Senna’s name, then Sir Jackie Stewart and Juan Manuel Fangio. To be here with Prince Albert of Monaco and my family is another very overwhelming experience.
“It’s a very proud moment for me to be standing there holding the trophy. I am No 1 and it’s an incredible feeling.
“Bit by bit it is sinking in that I am world champion now.”
Rest of the article here
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/99235/LEWIS-HAMILTON-SLEEPS-WITH-TROPHY.html
LEWIS HAMILTON slept with the F1 world championship trophy by his side and then declared: “This proves I am No 1.”
The youngest champ in history took the 2ft silver and gold cup to bed with him at David Coulthard’s hotel in Monaco yesterday after 'one of the most emotional nights' of his life.
The McLaren superstar was presented with the trophy at a gala dinner in the presence of royalty and 600 VIP guests.
And afterwards he admitted he was overcome as his phenomenal achievement was broadcast on a giant screen.
“It was a very special evening,” said Hamilton. And as he cuddled his prized trophy he added: “There are so many special names on this.
"Straight away I looked for Ayrton Senna’s name, then Sir Jackie Stewart and Juan Manuel Fangio. To be here with Prince Albert of Monaco and my family is another very overwhelming experience.
“It’s a very proud moment for me to be standing there holding the trophy. I am No 1 and it’s an incredible feeling.
“Bit by bit it is sinking in that I am world champion now.”
Rest of the article here
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/99235/LEWIS-HAMILTON-SLEEPS-WITH-TROPHY.html
^^^I don't know but I almost had to vomit when I saw the Nr. 1 on his car yesterday during the Race of champions gala...
"This proves I'm nr. 1 and I'm the champion" When did you hear such words from Kimi's mouth???!!! And the comperison him with Ayrton Senna at the FIA Gala was nonsense and painful...
Exactly! Sooo cute!!!!! :wub:
Here's my new video. Nothing special, but as the title says: Do not change, Kimi!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRodt_-pY6U
"This proves I'm nr. 1 and I'm the champion" When did you hear such words from Kimi's mouth???!!!
And the comperison him with Ayrton Senna at the FIA Gala was nonsense and painful... ^ He definitely looks very young :bugeyed He could be my boyfriend!
Exactly!
Sooo cute!!!!! :wub:Here's my new video. Nothing special, but as the title says: Do not change, Kimi!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRodt_-pY6U
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Aww, that's great. I'm so proud of Kimi! :give_heart:Here's my new video. Nothing special, but as the title says: Do not change, Kimi!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRodt_-pY6U
