Knowing this thread is a bit in advance. Discuss the season as things unfold here

 

There is only one major rule change so far for 2010 - that is there will be no more re-fuelling.

If there was to be any more rule changes what would you suggest?

I would suggest getting rid of tyre warmers and also that dangerous (in the wet anyway) wooden plank. and bringing back the titanium skid plates they used to have.

 

There will be 13 teams signed up for the provisional 19 race calendar.

The season will visit the same circuits as in 2009 with the addition of Canada's (Montreal) comeback and also a new race in South Korea.

 

Australia will not be the season opener - that honour is going to Bahrain.

Brazil will again become the final race as it will change places with Abu Dabi.

 

Where will the British GP be held? - Donnington or Silverstone. I'd love the British GP to go back to Brands Hatch - it's a magnificent circuit but the problem is the facilities. (It's wher Nigel Mansell had his first win back in 1985 when it was the European Grand Prix.)

I would have loved the Canadian comeback to have been moved to Circuit Mont-Tremblant - another magnificent circuit - much better than Montreal.

Edited October 19, 200915 yr by Euro Music

I love Motreal and am glad it's back on the calender. :wub:

Such a fast-paced track. :)

 

Also, i hope that Donnington Park does get to host the British GP next year as it's a great track...and it's nice to have a change every once in a while. :)

F1 'war' on car makers - Ferrari

 

Ferrari has said that those in charge of Formula 1 have "waged war" against the major car manufacturers, leading to the withdrawal of several teams.

 

Toyota quit the sport on Wednesday, following the loss of Honda and BMW, while Renault are also considering their future in F1.

 

The Ferrari statement comes soon after a change of leadership at the sport's governing body, the FIA.

 

Max Mosley will be replaced by ex-Ferrari boss Jean Todt as president.

 

In a statement released on its website, Ferrari compared the sport to the Agatha Christie detective novel 'Ten Little Indians' in which the murderer is not exposed until after the other characters have been killed off.

 

The statement read: "It could be seen as a parody of "Ten Little Indians," the detective novel by Agatha Christie, first published in England back in 1939, but the reality is much more serious.

 

"Formula 1 continues to lose major players: in the past 12 months, Honda, BMW, Bridgestone and Toyota, have announced they are leaving the sport.

 

"In exchange, so to speak, we will now have, Manor, Lotus (at least in name only, as this incarnation has little to do with the team that gave us Colin Chapman, Jim Clark and Ayrton Senna to name but a few,) USF1 and Campos Meta.

 

"Can we claim that it's a case of like for like, just because the numbers sitting around the table are the same?

 

"Hardly and we must also wait and see just how many of them will really be there on the grid for the first race of next season in Bahrain and how many will still be there at the end of 2010.

 

"The reality is that this gradual defection from the F1 fold has more to do with a war waged against the major car manufacturers by those who managed Formula 1 over the past few years, than the result of any economic crisis.

 

"In Christie's work of fiction, the guilty party was only uncovered when all the other characters died, one after the other. Do we want to wait for this to happen or do we want to pen a different ending to the book on Formula 1?"

 

Renault held an emergency board meeting on Wednesday to discuss their future in the sport.

 

The French car manufacturer is considering whether to remain in the sport with its own team, switch to simply being an engine supplier or quit altogether.

 

Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone have also said they will leave Formula 1 at the end of 2010.

 

In a statement released on Wednesday, the FIA said: "(We have) repeatedly warned that motor sport cannot outpace the world economic crisis.

 

"That is why the competing teams have been asked to cut costs and the entry of independent teams has been encouraged.

 

"The FIA accepted the cost-reduction measures put forward by the teams on the basis that they would ensure a long-term commitment to the championship. Toyota's announcement demonstrates the importance of the original cost-reduction measures set out by the FIA.

 

"The FIA will now work to ensure that Toyota's departure is managed in the best interests of the championship and will continue to encourage the F1 teams to undertake the necessary cost-cutting measures for the good of the sport."

 

Source: BBC News

I'm hoping Massa can win 2010 :kink:

 

However, I'm not sure how much great racing there'll be, with Silverstone possibly out and another new Tilke design. Abu Dhabi was a flop, it needs to go, along with Valencia, Bahrain and Shanghai, all his tracks are too similar and I hate the 90degree corners and he excessivley long straights. We need to keep the classics, Silverstone, Spa, Suzuka etc...

i'm hoping we're still in it next year

Can somebody tell me what finally happened with Kimi Raikkonen ?

Can somebody tell me what finally happened with Kimi Raikkonen ?

 

It's official: Kimi's off rallying in 2010

Planet F1.com

Friday 4th December 2009

 

Kimi Raikkonen's F1 career is over, at least for now, after Citroen confirmed that the Finn will compete with their Junior Team in next year's World Rally Championship.

 

Having failed to secured a race-seat with McLaren for next year's Championship, Raikkonen announced that he would be taking a year out of Formula One, admitting that a season spent rallying could be on the cards.

 

That was finally confirmed on Friday when Citroen revealed that the 2007 F1 World Champ will contest next year's WRC in a Red Bull-backed Citroen Junior Team car.

 

"I always wanted to compete in rally, especially in the World Rally Championship at some point in my career," said Raikkonen.

"Thanks to Red Bull, I have the opportunity to drive the best car of the series with the Citroen C4. This is a new but very exciting challenge."

 

But just because he's off rallying next year it doesn't mean Raikkonen's F1 career is over for good as the Finn revealed that he has only signed a one-year deal with Citroen.

"For the moment we have a one-year contract and we will see how it goes for the future," he said. "I am really looking forward to testing the car and taking the start of the first rally."

 

Citroen team boss Olivier Quesnel added: "It is with immense joy that we welcome Kimi Raikkonen to our ranks. We are very proud that he has chosen Citroen."

 

The team added that Raikkonen's co-driver will be compatriot Kaj Lindstrom, who partnered now-retired Tommi Makinen to four successive World titles in the 1990s.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Personally, I'm very sad about this news as I'd much rather see Kimi "back at home" with McLaren than Jenson Button (whom as a lifetime F1 fan I rate as the worst driver to become WC since at least Jacque Villeneuve if not Allan Jones), because when the Iceman was motivated he was easily always amongst the best three drivers on the grid, however like so many World Champions before him once he achieved his ultimate goal he seemed to lose some of his hunger and edge, but on his day he could still give Alonso & Hamilton one hell of a battle if he was in the same car as them.

 

I certainly hope this is only a one year sabbatical whilst he picks up his Ferrari retainer, and returns in 2011, but history tells me that a year is a long time to be out of F1.

The three other main F1 related stories are:

 

Prodrive facing competition for Renault buy-out

Saturday 5th December 2009

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5746812,00.html

Renault are likely to make a decision on their Formula One future next week with two rival groups now in the running to take over.

 

D-Day looms large for Silverstone

Saturday 5th December 2009

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5746852,00.html

The future of the British Grand Prix will be decided on Monday.

 

Sauber given final 2010 grid slot

Thursday 3rd December 2009

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_5743486,00.html

Sauber have been granted the final place on the 2010 grid, the FIA have confirmed.

 

 

If Renault pull out, i won't be watching in 2010.

If Renault pull out, i won't be watching in 2010.

 

Really? There are plenty of new teams to support...

yeah but i'm a Renault boy, and when it come to motor racing/vehicles i'm fiercely brand loyal.

 

I haven't watched BTCC since Renault pulled out, and i'm starting the hunt for my first car. A Renault for under £5k :cheer:

You're missing out a lot with BTCC - it's as good as ever even without manufacturers next year.

 

Another old-style Clio for you it is then :lol:

And there is nowt wrong with that. I'm hoping to find a Diesel. More power, better economy ^_^

 

Got plenty of time, don't get the cash till June

Hello there nice thread

It's been reported on the BBC that we're staying :cheer:

 

 

Supposedly only as a 25% owner of the team. That'll do for me the now. ^_^

 

 

Hopefully Prodrive have the 75% [although i would prefer it to stay 100% Renault] and when our results start to improve again and the team shakes of it's nasty Crashgate image [which i just read on the BBC was actually Piquet's idea. The scheming little Brazilian c**t. Renault should sue him [an the other 2] to bankruptcy and beyond for what the three of them have done to our brand image] once everyone stops remembering us just for 'fixing' a GP and remembers us as an amazing team again, Renault can buy the 75% back again, and it'll be happy days for me.

 

 

As long as the brand name ain't disappearing an the car is still Yellow, i'll be watching.

I heard something about that Michael Schumacher is going to sign with the new F1 team 'Mercedes'. Is it even half right ?

Well, there is a rumor, but personally I don't wanna that. That will be good for F1 (for public) but if he goes in M-GP, my favorite driver will be without competitive car (Nick Heidfeld), for him that will be the best chance for win in race. So please Michael don't come back, let's give a chance to Nick, he deserved IMO! :)

:w00t: :w00t: :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:

 

We're Staying :cheer:

 

PRESS RELEASE

Direction de la Communication

1967, rue du Vieux Pont de Sèvres – 92109 Boulogne Billancourt Cedex

Tel.: + 33 (0)1 76 84 64 69 – Fax: + 33 (0)1 76 89 08 56

Sites : www.renault.com & www.media.renault.com

 Renault - Direction de la communication / Corporate Communications

 

December 16, 2009

 

RENAULT STAYS IN FORMULA ONE

 

Renault has decided to maintain its commitment to Formula One and welcomes the perspective of a strategic partnership with Genii Capital, a Luxemburg based firm specialized in new technologies, brand management and motor sport. Following the proposed sale of a large stake of Renault F1 Team to Genii, both partners will operate the team together. The letter of intent signed by the two companies should be concluded in early

2010.

 

In 2010, the team will retain its name, its identity and the core ingredients that led to the successes achieved in 2005 and 2006. The team will continue to be supplied with engines by its sister company in Viry-Châtillon, which is also pleased to have received a renewed commitment from Red Bull Racing for the 2010 season. After 35 years in the sport, Renault today announces a new phase for its F1 programme, consistent with Formula One’s drive for cost efficiencies. Formula One remains one of the biggest sporting spectacles in terms of annual television audiences and media exposure. Renault therefore believes that the impact of Formula One in terms of image, and brand awareness worldwide, particularly in new, emerging markets, will continue to play a key role in fulfilling the company’s growth objectives in years ahead.

 

Bernard Rey, Renault F1 Team President, said: “I am delighted to welcome Genii Capital as our new strategic partner as I am sure that their enthusiasm and business expertise will create a new dynamic for the team, the staff, and our partners. Altogether, we look forward to competing again at the highest level in Formula One. Today’s announcement also confirms Renault’s commitment and trust in the sport’s governing bodies to improve the green credentials of Formula One.” Indeed, in making such a decision, Renault not only demonstrates its commitment to its fans across the world, its employees in Enstone and in Viry, and the FIA, FOA and FOTA but it also believes in the positive impact of promoting relevant technologies in synergy with its product plan. "With the ongoing evolutions of the Formula One regulations, Renault will be able to entertain its fans, while promoting a leaner and sounder Championship. We will show Renault's skill when it comes to developing high-performance, fuel-efficient cars" said Bernard Rey, Renault F1 Team President.

The important cost reduction measures, made possible by the collective work within FOTA, have already improved significantly the operating cost base. With the anticipated sale of a stake in its F1 operational base in the United Kingdom to Genii Capital, Renault achieves today another step that will definitely bring F1 participation to an affordable level for the Group. In addition, the new partnership will contribute to procuring the team the resources to compete sustainably at the highest level, and creates a great opportunity to modernise its governance.

 

Full Press release from Renault.

 

I'm some how managed to sign myself up to the Press site for Renault so i get all of their press releases emailed to me :kink:

 

 

I'm a very happy bunny!

can't wait to see Michael at work again :)

can't wait to see Michael at work again :)

 

agreed, read something today about how much the current drivers where getting out of their car and it said Schumacher could get another 0.009 seconds while I think Massa was 0.1 (about). Even after all of these years he can still get the very best from any car he is in which is amazing!

 

Really looking forward to the new season and I hope that Brawn can give him a good enough car to fight for the championship :D