[DG Joinee NEMESIS]

Well,

sod it - i thought it was about time.

Quote

F1 returns to BBC television for the first time in 12 years and there will be extensive coverage on network TV, red button, radio, online and mobile.
BBC One will carry live coverage of all 17 Grands Prix and every qualifying session except that in Brazil, which will be shown on BBC Two.

And every single on-track session can be watched on the red button or online.

Jake Humphrey will present the TV coverage, joined by 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard and former team boss Eddie Jordan as pundits. Jonathan Legard will commentate alongside award-winning broadcaster and former F1 driver Martin Brundle. The pit lane reporters will be Ted Kravitz and Lee McKenzie.

F1 fans will be able to customise their viewing experience through the BBC's multi-platform offering with options such as: split-screen action; a live leaderboard; in-car cameras; choice of commentary; live online streaming; live text; interactive forums; circuit guides; and blogs.

This is going to be fabulous!!!

Rich

p.s. BBC just had a push on their website and there's a new demo of the 2010 Donnington Race circuit

[DG Joinee NEMESIS]

2009 Cars

Check out the red-bull and it's crazy crazy front wing.

2009 Cars

[dazza]

Oooh, sounds tempting. Add in the music (sorry, The Music) and it seems possible i may reignite my childhood love for F1. I'd rather have Damon Hill Than David Coulthard though.

[Joinee Hathorn]

The Ferrari looks sexy, everything else (except maybe the Renault) looks really awkward as though they are going through puberty. Why do we have to wait until the 29th though? The season normally starts a fortnight earlier....

[DG Joinee NEMESIS]

Joinee Hathorn, on 26 Feb 2009, 11:40 AM, said:

The Ferrari looks sexy, everything else (except maybe the Renault) looks really awkward as though they are going through puberty. Why do we have to wait until the 29th though? The season normally starts a fortnight earlier....

Dunno actually - i queried that with myself this morning when i was hunting through the BBC website for stuff.
I have to say - the ferrari in motion looks like the rear-wing is somehow like they've just strapped a box kite onto the back of the car. Massa was saying - apparently - that it's like the size of a formula 3 car....

[SJ Del (The Train Man)]

Some *really* strange-looking cars. The Williams looks good, especially in the blue.

[DG Joinee NEMESIS]

Joinee Del, on 26 Feb 2009, 12:20 PM, said:

Some *really* strange-looking cars. The Williams looks good, especially in the blue.

agreed

[Joinee Hathorn]

But alas it will not race in blue, it's going back to the same livery as last year...'leaked? Images...'

[GJ Drought]

jesus! Donnington is unrecognisable!!

having been there many times i have to say i cant figure that new section out at all! it just doesent seem to fit!


ambitious doesent do it justice! im just sad that the motogp is no longer running there

[GJ Drought]

ok i found it! and it makes sense now! i hadnt realised that they were completely racing through the infield!! im just praying they make more tunnels! after the year i decided to watch the start line at the start and run back to crainer curves to watch the race! by the time i'd got there i'd missed maybe 10 laps !!!

old...


and NEW...

[dazface]

Wow that's one big change! I'm glad Brands Hatch didn't get the F1 when they tried, I like circuit as it is!

Heard that RBS are pulling out of sponsoring Williams and it's funky new car, not good for them...

So who do you guys think is going to do well this year?

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

I'm so so so glad Ted is still there. F1 watching would be a lot more miserable without Ted's "THIS IS THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD! I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW AWESOME THIS IS!" tone of voice

And I've had a crush on Jakey since I was a teenager so I am so thrilled I get an excuse to watch him every weekend Soooo much better than Steve with his bouffant hair and Mark what can't talk properly Blundell. AND I'm pleased they'll be in a studio and not having to pointless shout over engine noise every single race, because that really didn't add much to the viewing experience I didn't think.

I just wanna know what's happening with Honda Fingers still hugely crossed. Although even if they do get sold and are on the grid, they'll still be screwed because of all the distraction. So much for the awesome 2009 car we'd all been promised

And those stupid new rear wings are stupid. A couple of years back the cars were so sleek and sexy and yum and now they generally just look a bit dumb.

[dazface]

Hopefully those stupid-new-stupid-rear-stupid-wings will have the desired effect on the old aerodynamics along with the real slick tyres and we can see Vettel over taking even more people this year!

[DG Joinee NEMESIS]

dazface, on 26 Feb 2009, 02:23 PM, said:

Wow that's one big change! I'm glad Brands Hatch didn't get the F1 when they tried, I like circuit as it is!

Heard that RBS are pulling out of sponsoring Williams and it's funky new car, not good for them...

They just announced losses of 24.1Billion
This may have something to do with it

This post has been edited by Silver Joinee 'The Daddy': 26 February 2009 - 02:58 PM

[DG Joinee NEMESIS]

Silver Poohbah, on 26 Feb 2009, 02:24 PM, said:

I just wanna know what's happening with Honda Fingers still hugely crossed. Although even if they do get sold and are on the grid, they'll still be screwed because of all the distraction. So much for the awesome 2009 car we'd all been promised

I completely agree - aparrently they were developing a different KERS system to be one of the more efficient systems. Would have been *huge* for their production range.

Quote

The FIA has defined the amount of energy recovery for the 2009 season as 400kJ per lap giving the driver an extra 80hp over a period of 6.67 seconds.

so as a result - each lap you can get a 6 second "boost" - like strapping on a fiesta/punto to the car! now THAT has got to be exciting. In computer games the "boost" button has *Radically* altered the outcome of laps and overall races in all manner of racing games. I see no reason that it shouldn't add an amazing amount of varience to the races.

Coincidentally, regarding funding and costs - they can't be doing that great. A memo went out internally at Honda (and toyota) telling all the managers and seniors to buy a new car by the end of 2009.

Silver Poohbah, on 26 Feb 2009, 02:24 PM, said:

And those stupid new rear wings are stupid. A couple of years back the cars were so sleek and sexy and yum and now they generally just look a bit dumb.

Indeed - infact i think this year is going to be very much a "form and function" over "style" approach.


I'm fascinated to see how much of a difference the KERS and the cockpit-configurable front wing works out though

This post has been edited by Silver Joinee 'The Daddy': 26 February 2009 - 03:06 PM

[dazface]

Silver Joinee'The Daddy', on 26 Feb 2009, 02:57 PM, said:

They just announced losses of 24.1Billion
This may have something to do with it

You never know, they might have a good year this year...!

[Joinee Hathorn]

They still have the RBS funding for 2 years, so it's not really much of a change.

[GJ Drought]

KERS is something that motogp is looking at too! however it adds some massive complexeties because of only having 2 wheels!
obviously the real wheels are inefficient at storing breaking kinetic energy because they spend most of their time in the air under hard breaking!
sp their trying to develop a system that rins off the froont wheel! because of the weight constraints in motogp they're looking at a 20bhp unit!

its an interesting technology as its heavily reliant on the track layout also! the capaciters need discharging before they can be used again or they burn out! so it means the possibility of a driver having to discharge in a place not suited to be able to fully charge for when he needs it most!
cant wasit to see how it works out!

As for Honda! , im a HUGE honda fan! and i'd love to see them back but the thought of them making up numbers hurts a little!

[dazface]

Joinee Hathorn, on 26 Feb 2009, 03:42 PM, said:

They still have the RBS funding for 2 years, so it's not really much of a change.

Yeah I saw after reading about it, on the radio it was said as if it was something instant.

I think Beardface Branson should buy Honda, would be good to have him in F1, apparently he'd only sign up if F1 were to go 'going green' which is also a good idea. They're going to be testing soon, a good sign for sure...

[GJ Drought]

i was thinking Microsoft , Button at the helm of an xbox controller in his car would be entertaining!


pitstops for the "latest patch" would be undermining though!

[dazface]

SJ Buzz Drought, on 26 Feb 2009, 04:07 PM, said:

i was thinking Microsoft , Button at the helm of an xbox controller in his car would be entertaining!


pitstops for the "latest patch" would be undermining though!

If the xbox controller does take off I think Hamilton should be made to use a Wii controller as punishment

[PJ Stevie G]

In 2007, my alleigance to the Finns was challenged by one Mr. Vettel. In 2008, he became third in my triumvarate of support. This year, he becomes numero uno.

Also, look at the Red Bull press packs for some awesome cartoons on Webber and Vettel.

Lookswise, the cars are a mess, but at least slicks are back, hey?

My hopes aren't high for Honda either, but here's hoping.

[Joinee Hathorn]

I too have opted for Vettel as No.1 for this year, I'm hoping that Adrian Newey will have found his old spark again to make the most of the stringent rules regarding aerodynamics.

[Gaz]

I'd rather have cars that look like dog's dinners and some overtaking than another year of pretty vehicles chugging round in a tedious procession. If it works and made things more watchable they could force the teams to fit caravan towbars for all I care.

This post has been edited by Gaz: 26 February 2009 - 04:31 PM

[DG Joinee NEMESIS]

Gaz, on 26 Feb 2009, 04:31 PM, said:

I'd rather have cars that look like dog's dinners and some overtaking than another year of pretty vehicles chugging round in a tedious procession. If it works and made things more watchable they could force the teams to fit caravan towbars for all I care.

Oh i completely agree.
It's about action

if i wanna see pretty then i'll go look at a Masserati GranTurismo

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

dazface, on 26 Feb 2009, 04:02 PM, said:

Yeah I saw after reading about it, on the radio it was said as if it was something instant.

I think Beardface Branson should buy Honda, would be good to have him in F1, apparently he'd only sign up if F1 were to go 'going green' which is also a good idea. They're going to be testing soon, a good sign for sure...

The stuff that Branson mentioned as conditions are actually things that have all been talked about....... cost-cutting and capping budgets and going green through different fuels and KERS and whatnot.... OK it's not all in place just yet, but it's all been talked about and put on the table....

...ooo look! straws! *grasps*

I'm naturally still supporting Jenson (hopefully!), Timo and Webber this year. (And Bruno if "Honda" gets its game together!) But yeah, outside of my loyalty to them, definitely cheering Vettel on! And Massa. I hope Ferrari don't lose him another championship. Ferrari are the god damn bane of my life I tell you. (But now that Team Evil has dissolved, I really just can't help but like them. I mean.... they're Ferrari!) And Alonso.

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

Latest Honda rumour sounds positive

I just realised that a VERY VERY VERY good thing has come out of Honda pulling out of F1.

Never again shall we have to witness Ross Brawn wearing lime green shorts. THERE IS A GOD.

[DG Joinee NEMESIS]

Silver Poohbah, on 27 Feb 2009, 12:25 AM, said:

Never again shall we have to witness Ross Brawn wearing lime green shorts. THERE IS A GOD.

Oh i dunno
i could turn!

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

The softest tyres at a race weekend will now be shown by a pretty green stripe on the wall of the tyre, as opposed to the old white stripe around the tyre.

Slicks are hot. (This bit may not feature in the news article, but it's surely implied, coz they just are).

The 2 types of tyre supplied for a race weekend will no longer be of consecutive softnesses. The 4 overall choices are still Hard, Medium, Soft and Supersoft. Beforehand, for any one race they'd have had a choice of Hard/Medium, or Medium/Soft, for example. However, under the new plans, Bridgestone will supply Hard/Soft or Medium/Supersoft so that there's a bigger difference between the two and therefore a bigger difference in performance. The idea is that hopefully this'll introduce some good old screwing-people-over-big-time because they've made the wrong tyre choice, rather than just being a bit slower but it's generally ok really.

Courtesy of my old home GPUpdate.net once more.


[Edit to add: Even Jenson looked back in the lime green trousers. Apart from the need for the odd haircut/shave here and there, this was something that hadn't been achieved since at least 2005. Whoever decided those lime green trousers were a good idea was clearly evil or colour blind, or both. ]

This post has been edited by Silver Poohbah: 27 February 2009 - 12:30 PM

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

Oooooooooooooo apparently a Honda person has told The Times that the management buyout HAS gone ahead and (the artist formerly known as) Honda WILL be taking part this season. YAY!

Fingers crossed it's true and tomorrow we don't get an official press release saying it's made up.........

[The Bear]

Ooooh can't wait for the new season to start. Although i'd love to see a Mclaren driver win, I might put a fiver on Alonso this year.

11/2 with Coral.

[Thomas]

Donington looks incredible! I have a bad feeling visit until it's complete are going to be an absolute nightmare though, but I guess I'll see at the BTCC in May. See you at the outside of Craner Craig!

[GJ Drought]

does anyone know of a fantasy F1 league we could all join :?

[Joinee Hathorn]

ITV's?

[GJ Drought]

that one looks good! and we can do our own private league


who fancies it?

[PJ Stevie G]

ITV doesn't look too set up for the 2009 season, so I suggest Fantasy Racers. It also uses private leagues and such.

[Joinee Hathorn]

I like the way the Fantasy Racers one is set up, much more interesting than the normal fantasy f1....

[PJ Stevie G]

Have created a Fantasy Racers league:

League number: 127
Password: joinee

[GJ Drought]

joined !


btw im not sure if anyones interested, but im also running in the MCN fantasy roadrace! ( consisting of motogp, world and british super bikes)

if you fancy joining on that one aswell let me know an i'll put up the private league password!

i even managed to get shelli in on it!

[PJ Stevie G]

Bernie wins again. Sort of...

Basically, only the winner of the world championship will be decided by most wins, while the rest of the places will be decided by the current points system.

This post has been edited by Silver Stalker Stevie G: 17 March 2009 - 03:21 PM

[The Bear]

Yep! Count me in for the league.

[GJ Drought]

interesting, a tactic employed to ensure that if a team hopes to win the title they will have to set the car up to win as opposed to aiming for a top 3 finish?

not sure how that will work. but for some of the lower teams they're probably thinking whats the point!?

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

But this rule tweak is nothing to do with the lower teams really? It's to do with the top couple of teams whose drivers are winning most of the races.

I think it makes sense...... I think. I'm not sure. I don't think there's a perfect way to do it though.

I promise to get angry every time the word 'winningest' is used to describe it though. I refuse to believe that this is a word. It is ridiculous.

The whole cost-cutting/technical freedom thing is an interesting proposition too... clicky. Again, I'm not too sure how much sense it'll make in practice.

Also, the last paragraph of that article is: "The governing body also stressed that it will have the right to amend these freedoms to ensure that cost-capped teams are neither advantaged or disadvantaged to those who elect to carry on running under the current rules." Which seems to negate the whole point of having the technical freedom in the first place?? 'Oh, you can - to an extent- do what you want with the car.... but oh no, if you gain an advantage, we won't allow you to do that'. Then again, I guess that's what always happens..!

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

Me again. Jerez has started well today, with JB fastest at lunchtime.

Here's all the FIA decisions straight out of the horse's mouth...

[Gaz]

I dunno about the voluntary cap thing. Seems to me like any team that can afford to spend whatever they want can probably throw enough money at the cars to overcome the tighter restrictions. Then again, having fewer restrictions will help the poorer teams so that is a plus.

Still don't like the bodge job of winner takes all though. If you want people to race, just give loads more points for coming first. There's no need for this cack-handed hybrid.

[GJ Drought]

i cant see the advantage to awarding the driver with the most wins the title!

can anyone point out something ive obviously missed?

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

Well because winning is meant to be the aim of the game.

Thus, if you win the most then you've.... well..... um... won..... the most.

See?

However, obviously (to us, not the FIA) consistency is also a big part of it. Which this seems to rather make a hash of. If Driver A wins the title coz he won lots more than Driver B, but Driver B was more consistent and so has a lots more points, I think a lot of people are going to be very pissed off with this. What was so bad with changing it so you just got more points if you won??

[Joinee Hathorn]

So you could win the title by mid-august and thus make the rest of the season pointless...literally!

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

Yes, make sure you win the first however many races so that you've statistically won. And then just have a nice little snooze on a Sunday afternoon instead.

[Poohbah (Gsq)]

I still can't dare to think that the BrawnGP really genuinely is a good, fast car...... I just daren't believe in it yet...... but....

Day 3 in Jerez, Button fastest 1:17.844, Rosberg +0.227, Piquet +0.538, Hamilton +1.277


I wish I had faith in winter testing. But I have none. Roll on Melbourne!!