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2009
Nov 6, 2008 12:08:25 GMT
Post by schumi on Nov 6, 2008 12:08:25 GMT
Okay, time to start this up again, and I'll reserve this first post for the drivers as they're announced.
Ferrari:
Kimi Raikkonen Felipe Massa
McLaren:
Lewis Hamilton Heikki Kovalainen
BMW:
Nick Heidfeld Robert Kubica
Williams:
Nico Rosberg Kazuki Nakajima
Red Bull:
Mark Webber Sebastian Vettel
Toro Rosso:
Sebastien Buemi Sebastien Bourdais
Renault:
Fernando Alonso Nelson Piquet Jr
Force India:
Adrian Sutil Giancarlo Fisichella
Toyota:
Jarno Trulli Timo Glock
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2009
Nov 6, 2008 12:09:42 GMT
Post by schumi on Nov 6, 2008 12:09:42 GMT
Revised calendar:
Mar 29..Australia Apr 5..Malaysia Apr 19..China Apr 26..Bahrain May 10..Spain May 24..Monaco Jun 7..Turkey Jun 21..Great Britain Jul 7..Germany Jul 26..Hungary Aug 23..Europe (Valencia) Aug 30..Belgium Sep 13..Italy Sep 27..Singapore Oct 4..Japan Oct 18..Brazil Nov 1..Abu Dhabi
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2009
Nov 6, 2008 12:10:51 GMT
Post by schumi on Nov 6, 2008 12:10:51 GMT
New rules:
From planetF1.
The FIA has implemented an overhaul of their stewards' system from next year after widespread criticism of a number of decisions made during the past season.
Most controversial of those was the one concerning new Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton's corner-cutting manoeuvre on Kimi Raikkonen at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Hamilton was demoted from race winner to third on the back of a 25-second drive-through penalty imposed after the race, sparking outrage.
With no explanation behind their decision provided on the day, it resulted in an appeal from McLaren on Hamilton's behalf that was ultimately lost at a court hearing in Paris.
Motor sport's world governing body believe greater transparency is the answer and, after a World Motor Sport Council meeting in the French capital today, have agreed to a number of changes.
The current three-man panel comprises two international stewards and one national steward, all of whom must be eligible for the FIA's super licence.
For 2009, the following updates will be made: :: Any national steward participating who is officiating for the first time will be required to 'observe' a minimum of one grand prix prior to their event. :: At five grands prix in 2009, a number of trainee stewards will be invited to attend. :: Before each grand prix, a short CV of each steward will be posted on the FIA website. :: With the benefit of a new replay system available to stewards, all incidents will be investigated and appropriate action taken during the race, unless it is essential to seek further evidence afterwards. :: After the race, a short written explanation of steward's decisions will be published on the FIA website. :: Where appropriate, additional film evidence the public may not have seen, but which was reviewed by the stewards, will be made available on both the FIA and FOM websites.
There had been widespread calls for a former F1 driver to join the stewards' panel, and while this has not been dismissed by the FIA, they will have to undergo the same rigorous screening process.
Any former driver wishing to become a steward will have to gain the necessary level of experience in stewarding events at national, regional and international levels before the FIA considers them for a steward's super licence.
The WMSC have also confirmed engine life will be extended from two to three races for 2009, so ensuring teams make considerable cost savings.
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2009
Nov 6, 2008 12:36:08 GMT
Post by Genghis on Nov 6, 2008 12:36:08 GMT
Schumi, you've just been reading the same stories at me. I see Bernie's left a four-week gap for the Canadian GP to slot into, after they've thrown enough cash in his direction. EDIT: I surprised McLaren haven't backtracked and dropped Kovalainen after he cost them the constructors championship this season with his dismal championship showing (7th is a bit crap when your team-mate is World Champion). As I've said before, they should bring in Button.
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Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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2009
Nov 6, 2008 15:05:25 GMT
Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2008 15:05:25 GMT
There had been widespread calls for a former F1 driver to join the stewards' panel, and while this has not been dismissed by the FIA, they will have to undergo the same rigorous screening process. As it always was. I've never understood this media obsession with the idea that former competitors make better officials. They have their own prejudices, and are going to be just as susceptible to human error as anyone. What you need are experienced officials who are the best in their field. In any case, in the case of F1, it's hardly like stewards need to make a snap, heat-of-the-moment decision without the benefit of video evidence.
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2009
Nov 7, 2008 17:57:58 GMT
Post by schumi on Nov 7, 2008 17:57:58 GMT
From PlanetF1:
Force India on Friday cut short their engine deal with Ferrari ahead of an anticipated switch to Mercedes.
The Silverstone-based team, who failed to score a point in their debut Formula One season this past year with Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil as their drivers, have terminated the contract with immediate effect.
A statement read: "Force India Formula One Team today announces it has ended its contract with Ferrari.
"The agreement, signed in 2007, also provided for a supply of engines in 2009, but will now terminate ahead of schedule at the request of Force India.
"Force India wishes to thank Ferrari for its much appreciated and valued support to date, carried out at the highest level, technically and professionally, and within an excellent relationship."
It is expected Force India, primarily run by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya who took control a year ago, will confirm Mercedes as their new suppliers as early as next week.
The German manufacturing giants have been partners to McLaren since 1995, and currently own 40% of the Woking-based team.
Mercedes are expected to supply the full package of engine, gearbox and the new KERS, the kinetic engine recovery system, that is due to be implemented for 2009.
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2009
Nov 15, 2008 16:58:43 GMT
Post by schumi on Nov 15, 2008 16:58:43 GMT
And McLaren confirmed they would supply engines to Force India last week.
Latest news from PlanetF1:
Shanghai could lose its grand prix after it emerged that officials are considering scrapping the loss-making race when the contract expires in 2010.
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2009
Nov 19, 2008 10:28:23 GMT
Post by schumi on Nov 19, 2008 10:28:23 GMT
From PlanetF1:
F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has suggested that next year's World Championship should be settled by a system of medals rather than points.
The sport's commercial rights controller believes that races will be more exciting if drivers are encouraged to go all out for victory and a gold medal, with the Championship settled according to who has the highest number.
"Everybody is happy with the idea, they are all very supportive," the 78-year-old said, when asked whether the teams supported his suggestion.
"I'm absolutely 100 percent sure it's the right way to go, it'll get them (the drivers) overtaking," he added.
Ecclestone's idea has yet to be presented to the FIA, however, with the next meeting of the governing body's world motor sport council scheduled to take place in Monaco on December 12.
The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), representing all 10 teams, is also expected to discuss the plan at their next meeting.
If Ecclestone's idea had been adopted during the 2008 season, Felipe Massa would have become world champion rather than Lewis Hamilton.
McLaren Mercedes driver Hamilton took the title by a single point after finishing fifth in a nail-biting final race in Brazil just over a fortnight ago.
However, Ferrari driver Massa won his home race at Interlagos and scored six victories during the season to the Briton's five.
Under Ecclestone's Olympic-style system, the top three drivers in every grand prix would get gold, silver and bronze medals instead of 10, eight and six points.
Those who finished fourth and below would not get points towards the Drivers' Championship but their placings would count for the overall rankings.
Points would still be awarded for the Constructors' Championship.
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2009
Dec 13, 2008 15:42:45 GMT
Post by schumi on Dec 13, 2008 15:42:45 GMT
Force India continue with Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella.
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2009
Jan 10, 2009 20:36:50 GMT
Post by schumi on Jan 10, 2009 20:36:50 GMT
Toro Rosso confirm Sebastien Buemi will drive for them in 2009.
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2009
Jan 12, 2009 10:30:33 GMT
Post by schumi on Jan 12, 2009 10:30:33 GMT
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2009
Jan 12, 2009 19:18:58 GMT
Post by admin on Jan 12, 2009 19:18:58 GMT
That's hideous. One hopes that McLaren come up with something more aesthetically pleasing with their car. And I have no doubt that they will.
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2009
Jan 12, 2009 19:28:35 GMT
Post by schumi on Jan 12, 2009 19:28:35 GMT
Something more aesthetically pleasing from the team who put Juan Pablo Montoya in one of their cars? I don't think so.
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2009
Jan 15, 2009 11:55:25 GMT
Post by admin on Jan 15, 2009 11:55:25 GMT
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2009
Jan 16, 2009 11:39:36 GMT
Post by admin on Jan 16, 2009 11:39:36 GMT
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