Hope you enjoyed the second weekend of the F1 holiday season – let us know what you did below.
Here’s today’s round-up:
Links
Pirelli to begin testing (ESPN F1)
"Pirelli are expected to being testing for its return to Formula One this week.
"According to Spanish newspaper AS, the tyre supplier, who have been confirmed as F1 supplier for the 2011 season, will begin a three-day programme at the Mugello circuit in Italy on Monday."
F1 indecision forces Daimler to put brake on engine research (The Independent)
"Daimler has revealed that it cut spending on research and development of its Formula One engines by 21 per cent last year due to uncertainty over future regulations.
"The German car manufacturer’s high performance engines (HPE) division makes the 2.4 litre V8 engines used by McLaren, Force India and the Mercedes team which it owns."
Spectators killed at US California 200 off-road race (BBC News)
"At least eight people have been killed and 12 injured at an off-road motor race in California.
"A vehicle crashed into a crowd of spectators at the California 200 desert night race near Lucerne Valley, 100 miles (160km) from Los Angeles.
"The driver was not injured and fled the scene to avoid an angry crowd who began throwing rocks at him, reports said."
Comment of the day
Nelson Piquet Junior’s comments regarding Felipe Massa have thrown him back into the spotlight. MikeSRandall tells us why he thinks Piquet Jnr is wrong:
Nelson Piquet cheated. He broke the rules. Moreover, he did so in such a way as to cause actual danger to his colleagues (the safety car is not used lightly – it is only brought out in cases where it would be dangerous not to). Now, ok it was not his idea, but there was still a conscious decision on his part.
Secondly, having done ‘the wrong thing’, he kept quiet about it. It served him well to do so – he got a new contract, he kept racing. Then, however, as soon as it did not suit him to keep quiet, he started telling stories. Not only that, but he was quite careful to distance himself from the blame, ending in a deal being done to absolve him whilst costing one of F1’s finest engineers his career.
As for his recent comments, he seems to be trying to say that Massa should either have stood up for himself… He is giving advice that he comprehensively failed to take himself.
Now, having taken a couple of deep breaths between my last comment and this, I must say that I am starting to pity Piquet. It must be a terrible thing to achieve your life’s ambition, and then to find it about to be taken away from you. I imagine that you, or I, would probably be prepared to go to quite extreme lengths to hang on to it.
However, he did something wrong. When you do something wrong, you should apologise, try to make amends and do your utmost to prevent the situation from repeating. Piquet, however, has done none of these things.
MikeSRandall
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday Feline-Fan!
On this day in F1
Nigel Mansell was crowned the 1992 Formula One world champion on this day at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
He finished the race in second place behind Ayrton Senna, to secure the drivers’ title in the least number of Grands Prix – a record which stood for decade until it was broken by Michael Schumacher in 2002.
Mansell’s nine wins meant he set the then-record for the most number of wins in one season and the highest number of pole positions.
This weekend also saw Brabham’s last start along with Damon Hill’s last race of the season.
Watch this review of the 1992 Hungarian Grand Prix:
chris sz
16th August 2010, 0:18
hi there,
i have a stupid question: how do i get myself a Login for the f1 fanatic forum?
i’m sorry, but i really can’t find it anywhere on the site and i’d love to comment on some topics.
thanks guys and girls…
Felipe Bomeny (@portugoose)
16th August 2010, 0:21
Go to forum, then sign in tab on the right, and then click register for forum. glad to be any help that i could.
Cari Jones (@cari-jones)
16th August 2010, 0:22
Hi chris sz,
Click to go into the forum and there should be a blue box in the top right corner of the page. That’s where you register and log-in.
Let me know if you’re still having problems.
Karan
16th August 2010, 1:46
Haha yes I had the exact same question
Felipe Bomeny (@portugoose)
16th August 2010, 0:20
SHOUT-OUT TO JEAN ERIC VERGNE FOR WINNING BRITISH F3!
chris sz
16th August 2010, 0:34
hi,
i appreciate the quick reaction.when i click on forum i only see a login button. there’s nowhere i can register for a new account.
thanks,
chris
Cari Jones (@cari-jones)
16th August 2010, 0:37
Directly about the log-in area there should be two links: ‘Register or log in – lost password?’
Click on ‘Register’ and fill the form.
Does that work?
chris sz
16th August 2010, 0:44
OK!
took me a lil while but i found it!
thx
BasCB (@bascb)
16th August 2010, 8:39
sound pretty exiting, a shame we do not have any of those clubs here.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th August 2010, 8:39
that should have been a reaction to macahan below :-)
macahan
16th August 2010, 1:13
Don’t know about you guys.. But I sure had a fun Sunday. To feed my racing need I went to a “autocross” event and race my Corvette.. First time ever but dang it was fun. Mostly Vettes there since it was arranged by a local Corvette club who is part of NCCC (National Council of Corvette Clubs). Was a couple of brothers there that raced a Mazda Miata and boy I’m surprised that car had any tires once both of them where done. Went sideways in every corner and either wheel spin taking of or tire lock ups going into corners. LOL was really fun to watch.
I left quite a bit of rubber on the asphalt myself ;)
If your in the US find your closest NCCC local club and check when they have a autocross event and go there. No Corvette no problems, bring what you have except the SUV/Truck.
Mike
16th August 2010, 5:11
That crash… is quite sad.
..
On a brighter, note, the only thing worse than what piquet has done, the only thing worse than Ferrari ordering Massa to move over, the only thing worse than Schumacher driving Rubens into a wall… is…. *drumroll*
Flavio being invited into the F1 paddock as a guest.
Flavio was the boss, in the end, the buck stops with him, Flavio can’t fall back on the *holding onto his dream* or *young, inexperience and forced into it* arguments that somewhat relieve Piquet, He has been in F1 long enough that he should reap the consequences of his actions.
Inviting him as a guest is not a good way to punish him.
US_Peter
16th August 2010, 6:58
Yeah, I’m still not sure how that was allowed in Monaco. The FIA banned him from even appearing at a race as a spectator, so how is it okay for him to enter the paddock as a VIP?
Lord Stig (@lord-stig)
16th August 2010, 8:04
The FIA have no legal authority to ban him from being a spectator. They can ban him from coming into the paddock as the FIA controlled area. Also I thought some court overturned the FIA punishments.
Maksutov
16th August 2010, 7:03
Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world, and there will always be those around in the F1 paddock who are capable of anything. Whats worse is not knowing who they are (and im certain there is more of them!), so we should at least be grateful that we know what Flavio has done. But I have a feeling he may go as far as being involved with an F1 team again in the near future. Unfortunately F1 is not exactly what we think it is, nor what we wish it to be. It is a money making operation more than anything. Ask Montoya
BasCB (@bascb)
16th August 2010, 8:34
The worst thing was, Bernie was almost showing him around and a even Todt has probably spoken with him.
Sure, he is not officially banned, but he why invite him and let him show off, that is a disgrace.
bosyber
16th August 2010, 11:02
Yes, and him being buddies with Bernie, and rumors of him being “groomed” to follow in his footsteps and take over are scary. But I guess it means at least the “show” will be good :-/
Mike
16th August 2010, 17:01
Flavio the new Bernie Oo Oo Oo Arghhhhh!!!!!!!!
Right, that’s it, I’m watching, *shudders*, NASCAR
… actually I just watched my first full NASCAR race, I must say, compared to F1, the commentators (despite being annoyingly American) were really good. I’m looking at you Legard.
US Williams Fan
17th August 2010, 0:28
I agree! I like the commntators for NASCAR….
Sorry if they are “annoyingly American” but I don’t think they can help it. :)
Dr. Gonzo
16th August 2010, 16:49
Mark Webber did a phone interview with Leigh Diffey on Speed’s Wind Tunnel last night. There’s an interesting Q&R about 8 minutes in:
Diffey- …but who crunches the big contracts for you, does Flavio Briatore still handle your affairs?
Webber- Yes
Diffey- He does, you still in touch with Flav?
Webber- Yep, Yep
http://www.speedtv.com/video/popup/585736243001/595223643
wasiF1
16th August 2010, 7:35
Nick Heidfeld is anticipated to be at the wheel of a 2009 Toyota for the test for Pirelli tyres so if Mercedes needs to replace their one driver will Nick be allowed to drive for the team after he finished his testing with Perelli.
Lord Stig (@lord-stig)
16th August 2010, 8:07
There has been no indication by the FIA he would be prohibited from doing so. Also I doubt Nick would do it without consulting the FIA.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th August 2010, 8:38
As the article says, it is a further indication (after Nick himself saying he is looking for a 2011 drive), that he will end his third driver role after this season.
It would not help the team much for Heidfeld to have experience with testing next years tyres on last years car and then drive this years tyres on this years Mercedes.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th August 2010, 9:42
The German “Motorsport-total.com” reports, that Heidfeld will end his Mercedes 3rd driver role before Spa (http://www.motorsport-total.com/f1/news/2010/08/Heidfeld_soll_noch_vor_Spa_zu_Pirelli_wechseln_10081211.html)
No FIA rules, but the teams fearing speculation of inside know how for Mercedes makes this nessiccary.
They also speculate on who will be the Mercedes new 3rd driver, mentioning Paul Di Resta as one option.
bosyber
16th August 2010, 11:08
Probably a good idea for Heidfeld, Schumacher isn’t leaving yet, and Heidfeld stayed, he would just get out of the picture, having less and less recent racing experience. In short, it would only give him an income, but doesn’t help his career at all.
I hope for him it pays off; While some really don’t care, I think he was quietly pretty impressive, and matching Kubica somehow at the end of many races.
Maksutov
16th August 2010, 23:54
“I think he was quietly pretty impressive, ….”
I agree
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
17th August 2010, 3:48
Nick should have a look in Renault if they decide to get rid of Retrov as his experience will help the team.
Maciek
16th August 2010, 8:17
No disrespect, but I don’t really see how MikeSRandall’s comments are very relevant to what Piquet said about Massa. What he said was that Massa was fixating on the deliberate crash as the reason he didn’t win the championship, when in fact any number of other factors were just as, if not more, important – which seems pretty sensible to me.
bosyber
16th August 2010, 11:13
Yes, that was sensible, and true. But at the same time, coming from Piquet Jr., I found it more than a bit self-serving, an attempt at denying how much his bad deed effected F1, the WDC and the other drivers.
Also, all the other issues for Massa were part of what can happen in F1, but his Singapore 2008 problem was initiated by fraud, so it is different in that respect.
Patrickl
16th August 2010, 14:20
Completely agree. Drivers, and Massa in particular, keep pointing at a single event that they couldn’t prevent to explain why they lost. When in fact there were ample situations that Massa COULD have prevented and where he actually lost it.
For instance when spun out off during the first two races or when he was spinning all over Silverstone.
Owen
16th August 2010, 8:20
If Heidfeld tests before the 2011 season, stays on as test driver but doesn’t get a drive til midway through after all the other drivers, how is that an advantage? I guess if he raced from race one… but the drivers are locked in?
BasCB (@bascb)
16th August 2010, 9:31
It seems Rosberg did a triathlon event as well (Kitzbuhel in Austria), being about as fast as Button was last year with a 2:07:23 time.
Maybe they will do Webbers Tasmanian ride or a Iron Man event next?
Sush Meerkat
16th August 2010, 11:30
You guys ever heard of the Baja rally?, same deal, the spectators actually set up ramps and obstacle’s for the drivers to overcome, its incredibly dangerous partly thanks to the spectators wanting some intense jumps from the cars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baja_1000
F1 Novice
16th August 2010, 12:36
At least Bahrain are reverting to the old track layout next year and dropping the micky mouse endurance section. :)
BasCB (@bascb)
16th August 2010, 14:46
Are you sure, did they confirm that?
al
16th August 2010, 17:01
Yeah I read that too.
Here’s a link,BasCB: http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/240802/bahrain-returns-to-old-track-layout-in-2011/
Steph (@)
16th August 2010, 17:10
We can say what we like how these new tracks lack soul but at least they are trying. Bahrain has just won much respect from me for this after all the money they must have spent. Even Valencia is trying with some paint and corner names, it won#’t start a revolution but they do care what us fans think.
Ads21 (@ads21)
16th August 2010, 17:50
If they really wanted to provide something origional they’d have switched to the high speed outer circuit but I guess but I guess thats a bit of pipe dream.
claudioff
16th August 2010, 13:36
It is a nice video. It is a pitty that it doesn´t show the podium, because there is a very interesting scene: When Mansell is receiving the WDC trophy, Senna cames close to him and he whispers something in his ear. Later he uncovered what he said (I don´t remember the exact words):
“Isn´t the best feeling in the world? You understand now why I acted like me (meaning why I am so fierce on the track.)”
Calum
16th August 2010, 17:10
Did anyone notice that the Nicos on the grid are actually called Nicolas? I just figured that out today :D
Calum
16th August 2010, 17:13
Well, Huelkenburg is, but no joke, Risberg is actually called Eric!!!
“Eric” Nicolas Rosberg. Taken from Keijo “Erik” Rosberg, presumably
Tom L.
16th August 2010, 22:49
I thought he was Nicolas Eric Rosberg…
Alexf1man
16th August 2010, 17:13
Big News (I am very pleased about this): Bahrain will use its ORIGINAL track layout again next year :-)
http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/240802/bahrain-returns-to-old-track-layout-in-2011/
US_Peter (@us_peter)
16th August 2010, 22:05
Here’s an interesting article about why not to have the Austin GP in June:
http://bit.ly/aIvXne
Average temps close to 95F or 35C… yugh.