[Formula 1] 2011 Silly Season

[Buio]

I said earlier that the season hadn't been very silly when it comes to driver changes, but this 2 different teams with the Lotus name nonsense is really silly.

[ahmz]

THOSE REJECTED F1 RULE CHANGES IN FULL

:rofl: :laugh:

Last week the FIA announced Formula 1 rule changes for 2011 and beyond. However, not all of the proposed rules were passed by the sport?s governing body. Now Sniff Petrol can exclusively reveal the regulation changes that didn?t make it:

• Ferrari to agree in advance which rules they?re going to ignore.
  
• Michael Schumacher allowed to pretend he wasn?t in 2010 season.
  
• All teams to use 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder engine from Fiesta RS Turbo.
  
• Ferrari allowed to ignore agreement about which rules they?re ignoring.
  
• Karun Chandhok to be re-classified as a ?removable device?.
  
• All teams allowed to buy sixth engine from scrapyard.
  
• Stefano Domenicali limited to 50 appearances on BBC F1 coverage per season.
  
• Nankang to become second tyre supplier from 2012.
  
• All teams permitted to fit new air filter to Fiesta RS Turbo engine and then claim ?XTRA 50BHP!!!!!!!!!?
  
• Kamui Kobayashi limited to four ambitious overtaking moves per season.
  
• Korean Grand Prix to become 35 percent less muddy by 2014.
  
• Eddie Jordan limited to 900 tons of bull**** per season.
  
• Bernd Maylander in a Mercedes SLS to be recognised as an official world championship entry.
  

http://sniffpetrol.com/2010/12/13/those-rejected-f1-rule-changes-in-full/

[enigma-penguin Veteran]

In relation to the Lotus dispute, here is an interesting read: It's an interview with David Hunt, the owner of the Lotus F1 brand since 1994.

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/11/09/david-hunt-talks-about-team-lotus/

[Nicholas-c Veteran]

Legard exit and replacement to be confirmed by BBC

The BBC is set to confirm that Jonathan Legard will no longer form part of its F1 commentary team next year, and that he is to be replaced alongside Martin Brundle by David Coulthard.

We have learned from a source close to Legard that the former Radio 5 Live man's contract will not be renewed into 2011, following two seasons in the F1 commentary box during which the 49-year-old failed to hit it off with Brundle and committed a number of well-publicised gaffes.

Crash.net understands that Brundle ? a favourite both amongst F1 fans and inside the corporation ? has successfully persuaded the BBC to replace Legard with his fellow former grand prix ace Coulthard, a driver who triumphed 13 times in the top flight between 1995 and 2003. The Scot will dovetail his new commentating duties with his ongoing punditry role alongside ex-team owner Eddie Jordan and the Beeb's anchorman Jake Humphrey.

Whilst a BBC spokesman told us that 'we're still looking at our line-up for next year's F1 coverage', Crash.net has been reliably informed that Legard's replacement by Coulthard is a done-deal, with the lack of chemistry and personality clash with Brundle a key factor in the decision. MotoGP commentator Charlie Cox had previously been mooted as the most likely candidate to take over the reins.

'DC' ranked seventh out of the 13 choices we proposed to you in our poll back in September as to who should partner Brundle in 2011, with Legard tenth. David Croft was your runaway favourite with 20 per cent of the vote, with current ITV BTCC commentator Ben Edwards second.

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/165559/1/legard_exit_and_replacement_to_be_confirmed_by_bbc.html

Don't think DC is the best choice but anything is better than legard xD

[Neowinian]

Michael Schumacher needs to go imo. He is past his time now, I was very disappointed with him last season.

[ahmz]

DC as commentator? He's very long winded, not sure that will work. Bring Murray back :D

And is there a list of Legard gaffes? That'd be funny.

[Kerm]

Michael Schumacher needs to go imo. He is past his time now, I was very disappointed with him last season.

I think he will be better this year. He looked quite unsettled in the merc.

[Neowinian]

I think he will be better this year. He looked quite unsettled in the merc.

I hope so but his spark just seems to have gone.

[Shibby]

Well it might be because the car wasn't that great mixed with his first comeback season. ?I suspect next year he'll be getting around 5-6th

As for DC replacing Legard, that will be quite interesting, because how will you be able to initiate the talk of how things work and the rules. ?But I suppose with the information on the screen we don't really need someone to stay X is in Y position. ?So I suppose the commy will be a bit more interesting and less boring and flat, as any fool can read what is on the screen, we just need some analysis for it.?

[Dark_ph0enix]

Yay for Legard being booted out. Not too sure about DC doing the commentary, but I guess it could work. Will definitely be interesting to see / hear.

I wonder if Lee McKenzie will take DCs place amongst the three 'hosts' - i.e. Jake, Lee and Eddie "OMG HOW MUCH MORE bull**** CAN ONE PERSON COME OUT WITH OVER THE COURSE OF A SEASON" Jordan.

[ahmz]

I wonder if Lee McKenzie will take DCs place amongst the three 'hosts' - i.e. Jake, Lee and Eddie "OMG HOW MUCH MORE bull**** CAN ONE PERSON COME OUT WITH OVER THE COURSE OF A SEASON" Jordan.

I hope she doesn't, Eddie's incessant drooling is quite shocking.

[simonlang]

there is this rumor since mid 2k10 (and wont go away!) that webber will retire at the end of 2k11, kubica will go to ferrari and massa&smedley will switch to redbull racing.

[Richard Hammond]

I hope Legard is on his way out im bored of the constant mistakes and shouting every time something mildly interesting happens then waiting for Brundle to correct him.

[MightyJordan]

DC definitely seems like an unsual choice for the commentary team. Why didn't they promote the guy from 5 Live that made the Leeroy Jenkins reference with Kobayashi? :p

[san.W10]

Karthikeyan signs race deal with HRT

Narain Karthikeyan will return to Formula 1 with HRT this year after revealing on Thursday that he has signed a deal to race for the team.

Although the Spanish-based outfit has not made any official statement itself confirming the news, Karthikeyan told the India media and announced via his own Twitter feed that he will be racing in F1 again.

On his Twitter page, he wrote: "Back in F1 in 2011. Signed a deal to race for HRT. I've always maintained that my time in F1 was not over and now making good on that promise."

AUTOSPORT understands that HRT will make an announcement about one of its drivers on Friday morning.

Karthikeyan last raced in F1 back in 2005, when he competed for the Jordan team - and he is most famously remembered for the huge accident he suffered at the Chinese Grand Prix.

After that campaign, he spent two seasons as a Williams test driver before switching to the A1GP series.

In 2009, he linked up with HRT team principal Colin Kolles to race for the German's Audi team in the Le Mans Series and 24 Hours - before spending last season in NASCAR's Truck Series and occasional appearances in Superleague, winning at Brands Hatch.

Speaking to The Times of India about his drive, Karthikeyan said: "It's been a while in the making, but I am delighted to be racing again in Formula 1 in 2011. I have always maintained that I have not given up on my desire to return to the top level of motorsport.

"I am confident that I have the pace, the fitness and the will to succeed in Formula 1. I am extremely grateful to the Tata Group, without whose unwavering support this comeback would not have been possible.

"I'm looking forward to racing for HRT and to working again with Dr Colin Kolles. We have a long standing and excellent working relationship together."

Karthikeyan's return to F1 coincides with the first Indian Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place in October.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88821

[Richard Hammond]

New role for Eddie Jordan as BBC F1 coverage goes HD

The BBC will broadcast Formula 1 in high definition for the first time this coming season.

The move comes after F1 commercial body FOM confirmed that all broadcasters will be supplied with a high-definition feed for the first time.

David Coulthard's move to the commentary box alongside Martin Brundle sees Eddie Jordan become main analyst.

Jake Humphrey will continue to present with Ted Kravitz and Lee McKenzie reporting from the pit lane.

BBC head of F1 Ben Gallop said: "It's fantastic that Eddie is rejoining the team, and this year in a more expanded role.

"He's such a core character with his outspoken views, unrivalled contacts in the sport and his ability to unearth the stories from the paddock.

"We're also delighted to be broadcasting in HD, something we know fans have been waiting for and it will really add something extra to our coverage for 2011."

Jordan added: "It's been a great two years so far and I'm really looking forward to getting back on the circuit; the 2011 season looks like it has plenty in store for us all.

"The new set-up will give me even more opportunity to get to the heart of the issues in F1 and tell the real stories to the viewers."

It was announced on Tuesday that Brundle was taking over from Jonathan Legard as main commentator, with Coulthard becoming co-commentator.

Coulthard will continue as a pundit alongside Jordan, but will head up to the commentary box in time for the start of the race , at which point Jordan will be the BBC's analyst in the paddock.

F1 is the latest sport to be broadcast in HD on the BBC, following Wimbledon, all live golf, the Grand National and the Six Nations.

HD BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[san.W10]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

[deuz]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

i hope......hope that has been ps'ed.

[team_NOOB]

^ hahahahaha thats funny :D

Shopped though :(

Glad to see Webber is confirmed.. thought he would call it quits

[i11usive]

HD BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[san.W10]

that was PS'd :p

more PS'd pics - http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=135088&view=findpost&p=4791383

[simonlang]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :woot: if that was shopped alonso would have a whip in his hand. :p

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Time for an update (yes I know, I've been slacking).

The 2011 Formula 1 grid:

Red Bull Racing Renault

1. Sebastian Vettel (GER)

2. Mark Webber (AUS)

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR)

4. Jenson Button (GBR)

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro

5. Fernando Alonso (ESP)

6. Felipe Massa (BRA)

Mercedes GP Petronas

7. Michael Schumacher (GER)

8. Nico Rosberg (GER)

Lotus Renault GP

9. Robert Kubica (POL)

10. Vitali Petrov (RUS)

WilliamsF1 Cosworth

14. Rubens Barichello (BRA)

12. Pastor Madonaldo (COL)

Force India Mercedes

14. Adrian Sutil (GER)

15. Paul di Resta (GBR)

Telmex Sauber Ferrari

16. Kamui Kobayashi (JAP)

17. Sergio Perez (MEX)

Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari

18. Sebastian Buemi (SUI)

19. Jaime Algersuari (ESP)

Team Lotus Renault (name of the team still disputed)

20. Jarno Trulli (ITA)

21. Heikki Kovalainen (FIN)

Hispania Racing Team Cosworth

22. Narain Karthikeyan (IND)

23. TBA

Marussia Virgin Racing Cosworth

24. Timo Glock (GER)

25. J?r?me d'Ambrosio (BEL)

[Teebor]

Since HRT haven't confirmed Karun Chandhok for 2011 (which I think is a big mistake for them as he is a GREAT spokesman and interviews really well) anyone else think he could be the new Stig?

Also on that note with the DC/Legard Shuffle I wonder if Karun could be taking DC's place? Although my gf thinks he will still be doing the stuff he was before and then making the run to the Commentators room to take up his new position, after all Brundle manages it

[Subject Delta]

that was PS'd :p

more PS'd pics - http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=135088&view=findpost&p=4791383

:laugh: some of those are absolutely hilarious