F1 World Championship 2010 Thread

[Subject Delta]

Sure, Webber was going to risk a car hitting his frontally or t-boning him. Sure.

This is one of the more absurd conspiracy theories I've read lately. Interesting to see it come from Gerhard Berger though - he's good friends with Dieter Mateschitz (owner of RBR). Could this be a not very subtle attempt at psychological warfare? It's no secret that the team are favouring Vettel.

Christian Horner has rubbished Gerhard's claims however, I have a feeling this would only serve to increase tension in the team. I hope not because I don't really want to see Alonso take the title after what happened at Hockenheim.

[Grepus]

I've watched the Webber incident a few times since Berger's claims... I really can't see ANY driver putting themselves at risk by deliberately rolling across the track into the path of oncoming racers. You can see he clips the left hand side of his front wing, but it doesn't look like he's damaged his suspension at all (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtmHJEghlUk - also note the amount of spray on the camera, so imagine Webber's visor) meaning he's more than likely trying to recover the car and spin it around to face forwards. He's on a slower section of track so perhaps presumed he was far away enough from the first corner for other drivers to see him and get out of the way.

It was an accident, no doubt in my mind.

[ahmz]

I can't wait for the next GP, so happy Abu Dhabi is only one week after Interlagos.

[san.W10]

Raikkonen rules out F1 return in 2011

Kimi Raikkonen's management team has confirmed that the Finn is no longer looking at Formula 1 race options for next season, as the World Rally Championship is where he wants to stay in 2011.

Speaking to Finnish television station MTV3, Steve Roberston admitted Raikkonen wants to remain where he is.

"We're no longer looking at opportunities in F1. Kimi seems to be focused on rallying at the moment," said Robertson.

He refused to rule out a longer-term return to Formula 1 or racing for the 30-year old, adding: "Never say never, but right now our eye is not on F1.

"Nothing's been decided yet [for the WRC]. We'll let you know when there is something to say. At the moment nothing has been signed. We're talking to several teams."

In recent days, there has been increased speculation that Citroen will find a solution to keep Raikkonen in its Junior team with the 2007 F1 world champion taking money from a personal sponsorship deal from Red Bull, which is expected to be considerably lower than the ?5m he is rumoured to have been paid by the Austrian firm this season.

Beyond Citroen, Mini remains an option for Raikkonen, but the limited programme of 2011 events and the high level of car development would not suit his experience or desire to be driving all the time at the moment.

A seat alongside Ken Block at the Monster Ford World Rally Team is another option, but there are funding issues for the American-based outfit.

Block admitted running with Raikkonen would offer great potential exposure for both Monster and DC Shoes, but he added a decision on a potential second driver may not be taken until early next year.

The final option for Raikkonen is a season away from rallying, with a possible return when there is likely to be more manufacturer interest in 2012.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87796

==========================================================================================

Villeneuve admits F1 hopes now over

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

FIA finalises 2011 F1 calendar

The FIA has released the final calendar for the 2011 Formula 1 season, with the addition of the Indian Grand Prix boosting the schedule to 20 races.

The Indian and Chinese races are listed as provisional and subject to Delhi and Shanghai circuits being homologated by the FIA, but the other 18 rounds are as the FIA announced in its provisional schedule in September.

The season will begin in Bahrain on March 13, and Brazil will move back to its season finale slot on November 27.

2011 Formula 1 calendar

13/03  Bahrain
27/03  Australia
10/04  Malaysia
17/04  China*
08/05  Turkey
22/05  Spain
29/05  Monaco
12/06  Canada
26/06  Europe
10/07  Great Britain
24/07  Germany
31/07  Hungary
28/08  Belgium
11/09  Italy
25/09  Singapore
09/10  Japan
16/10  Korea
30/10  India*
13/11  Abu Dhabi
27/11  Brazil

*Subject to the homologation of the circuit.

Source: Autosport

[anthdci]

I read this earlier, why is china subject to being homologated by the FIA? Are they having huge changes or something before next year?

[Crazysah]

Yay for the Indian Grand prix! I just saw pics of the track and it's amazing!

[san.W10]

Webber: Vettel is Red Bull's favourite

Mark Webber has suggested that Red Bull Racing is 'emotionally behind' his team-mate Sebastian Vettel going into the final two races of the world championship battle.

The issue of team favouritism has been a hot topic at Red Bull this year, following Webber and Vettel's collision as they fought for the lead of the Turkish Grand Prix, and the incident where Webber had to hand his upgraded front wing to Vettel before Silverstone qualifying after the German's example failed.

Webber and Vettel arrive in Brazil 11 and 25 points behind championship leader Fernando Alonso, but with the team adamant that it will continue to support both men's title bids.

When asked if he felt he was getting equal support, Webber replied: "technically everything's been very, very good" but when pressed on whether he felt he had the same level of emotional backing as Vettel, he said: "It's obvious isn't it?"

Webber added: "Of course when young, new chargers come onto the block, that's where the emotion is. That's the way it is.

"Which is absolutely fine, because I've had a great opportunity and a great car to go and do some great things this year, and I have done that.

"I've got favourites in life. I've got people I like to be with. That's how it is. It's human nature."

While the team has remained adamant that it will not impose any form of team orders, Webber said there was the potential to let both championships slip away if Red Bull did not handle the final races correctly.

"I'm a driver, and I think that of course you increase your risk of that happening if you race each other and potentially take each other out, or race as hard as you want all the way to the end then you might not get certain championships," he said.

"But it's certainly not my decision and what I think is really all that important to how we will probably go about it. You'd need to ask the people who run the team."

He was not sure how he would feel about supporting Vettel if the points positions were reversed.

"It's a tough question and a tough situation to know how you would do things," Webber admitted.

"There's a lot of really good people at this team and there's no getting away from the fact that we would love to win some championships this year.

"We're at different parts of our career as well, so it's not as easy as some might imagine. I'd need to think a lot further about that.

"For different reasons here and there, obviously Seb's never led the championship this year and I have, so whatever happens in all the races we've had, we've now got two races to go and that's what the scoreboard says.

"Whatever the best way we go about handling trying to win the championship, we'll see on the Monday after Abu Dhabi if it was the right way."

He insisted he could still be satisfied with his season even if he ultimately missed out on the title despite leading the standings for much of the year.

"If you had asked me at the start of the year, I have a chance of winning the championship, I've won four races, I've had nine podiums, it's been a sensational year for me," Webber said.

"I can still put the icing on the cake and I'd love to be able to do that. If we don't, then the sun still comes up on Monday morning."

Webber also dismissed Gerhard Berger's allegation that he had allowed his car to run back across the road during his Korean Grand Prix crash because he had been keen to try and eliminate one of his title rivals. The spinning Red Bull collected Nico Rosberg's Mercedes in the incident.

"I know Gerhard's had some pretty nasty accidents in his time and so have I - Le Mans, Valencia..." said Webber.

"I'd never put myself or anyone else in any more danger than I need to. I've lost control of the car and [berger's saying] all of a sudden I've regained control of the car and try and take people out... I'm a genius, aren't I?"

When asked if he was surprised that Berger's comments came on the Red Bull-owned Servus TV station, Webber replied: "absolutely".

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87915

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Horner denies Red Bull favours Vettel

Sutil set to stay on at Force India

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Renault welcomes extended F1 presence

Renault Sport president Bernard Rey has welcomed the French manufacturer's extended involvement in F1 following the announcement of two engines deals.

On Friday, Red Bull Racing announced a two-year extension of its current deal with Renault, with Lotus Racing confirming it will use the French power units from next year.

Renault said, however, that its deal was with 1Malaysia Racing Team, adding more doubts to the row involving Lotus and the use of the Team Lotus name.

"Renault is delighted to announce an expanded agreement with Red Bull Racing and the arrival of a new customer, 1Malaysia Racing Team (UK) Ltd," said Rey.

"These new agreements mean that Renault engines will power three teams next year - in simple terms, 25% of the cars on the grid.

"We remain firm believers in the benefits of our successful involvement in F1: it positions Renault as a technological leader, and boosts awareness of the brand across the globe."

Source: Autosport

[Lovell]

Vettels the future of Red Bull where as Webber will be retiring soon.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

FP1 result:

[san.W10]

Massa will be arrested if open for Alonso, says promoter

Paul Castillo states that accuse him of defrauding the Brazilian pilot test results

According to a note published in this Thursday in the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo ", prosecutor Paul Castillo, the Special Criminal Court, Felipe Massa promises to arrest if he step aside for his Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso in GP of Brazil on Sunday.

Based on the "Fan Statute," Castillo said the Brazilian driver could face up to six years in prison for "fraud" or "contribute to the fraud," the result of a sporting contest.

"If you do, he has to leave the Interlagos handcuffed," the prosecutor told the newspaper.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftazio.uol.com.br%2Ff-1%2Ftextos%2F22175%2F

:rofl:

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

FP 2 result:

[simonlang]

Massa will be arrested if open for Alonso, says promoter

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Ftazio.uol.com.br%2Ff-1%2Ftextos%2F22175%2F

:rofl:

this really shows how much trouble and hate alonso is creating all over the world and esp. in the team he is driving for.

hopefully massa closes the door after the start leading alonso to crash out. that would be a lession well deserved.

having said that, i now want to see a clean 1-2 for redbull here in interlagos and another 1-2 for redbull in abu dhabi. they have the car for it and they have the drivers for it. :yes:

[ahmz]

I hope Alonso wins the championship but even more so because mclaren2 hates him so much :laugh:

[brentaal]

I promise to arrest Hamilton if he beats Button. HEY MAKE A NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT IT.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

FP3 result:

[Richard Hammond]

I hope Alonso wins the championship but even more so because mclaren2 hates him so much :laugh:

If Alonso wins i wont be watching F1 again, i hate the ****.

[san.W10]

FP3 result

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/87979

i hope its a wet race, so that red bulls dont dominate as usual :D

edit:opps, fp3 result already posted

[leeisl]

If Alonso wins i wont be watching F1 again, i hate the ****.

Lets hope he does then.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Jenson Button out after Q2.

Michael Schumacher P4.

This result pleases me greatly.

[simonlang]

If Alonso wins i wont be watching F1 again, i hate the ****.

so do i! and it would make him the weakest champion in a decade. needing support from his teammate, needing lots of fia assitance and assistance by other teams. and even now he is not champion yet.

cant wait to see him parking his car tomorrow with an engine blown out after few laps. that would be ace! :D

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

so do i! and it would make him the weakest champion in a decade. needing support from his teammate, needing lots of fia assitance and assistance by other teams. and even now he is not champion yet.

cant wait to see him parking his car tomorrow with an engine blown out after few laps. that would be ace! :D

Says the man with the prancing horse as his avatar..

I wouldn't mind Alonso as WDC. Rather him than Vettel.

[simonlang]

Says the man with the prancing horse as his avatar..

I wouldn't mind Alonso as WDC. Rather him than Vettel.

im massa fan. and tifoso. both doesnt go well with the banco santander sponsored spaniard named alonso. :shifty:

btw- H?LKENBERG! AMAZING!!! :) and alonso is really really screwed for tomorrow :) thats super news. :D

[leeisl]

assistance by other teams.

Ha ha, not funny at all.