Formula One...

I believe that a tire manufacture that is going into F1 to supply tires to teams has to wait one full season before entering. For example if McLaren/Goodyear announce a partnership in 2003, you won't see goodyear on Macs until the 2004 season. I think McLaren didn't want to work with Michelin for an entire season and developed tires knowing that they would be moving to Goodyear the following season. Also, Ron Dennis was worried that Michelin would be putting more efforts into other teams ie Williams.

... and how are we feeling about the rule changes... and the changes to the rule changes...?

did you hear about Schuys first test yesterday - lasted all of 30 secs before he crashed !!

indeed - something about cold tyres...

apparently MS is predicting stiffer competion from McLaren & Williams, and Rubinho as his main rival. All good fun...

haven't found any Ron-Speak reaction to the rule changes yet. Any tips?

Hope this post doesn't go blank on me...

Here's my thoughts on the 2003 season:

TOYOTA: Looks promising! The car is a F2002 clone and Gustav Brunner is one heck of an engineer. Contenders for strong points troughout the year, providing Da Matta fullfils his promises...

BAR (or B-A-R as now seems to be their "brand name"): another year, another turd? At least, as Jacques said, the 005 looks like an F1. Unfortunately, that F1 is the Williams FW24, not exactly Patrick Head's finest moment, was it? The Jacques-Richards feud also risks to seriously upset the team.

SAUBER: Very, very promising. Podiums maybe? The Heidfeld-Frentzen teaming certainly deserves a few ones!

JORDAN: Last year for Eddie? The omens are not good, as the new car has been riddled with problems from day one. The fact that Fisico still has no team mate doesn't help either. As a F1 fan, I certainly hope Eddie fights back!

RENAULT: A mistery this one. The car appears to be no more than a refurbishing of last year's car... wich looked like a refurbishing of 2001's Benetton swansong! Fernando Alonso, on the other hand, has yet to convince me... and everyone else except Briatore. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

JAGUAR: same as BAR. It just doesn't look good. The car is based on the... Mclaren (the sidepods are identical!) and to top it all they hired Malcolm Oastler as Chief Engineer! Yes, that's the same guy who won FOUR times in a row the "Worst Engineer in the World" prize while on BAR!

MINARDI: I just hope they succeed, for the sake of old fashioned F1(the one where people raced for FUN, not for the green papers...). The Ford engine should help.

WILLIAMS: I'm not betting on them. They will have a innovative car for sure, but will it be reliable? The Scummy Jr/Montoya paring is NOT the best in F1, either...

MCLAREN: Strong contenders for the title! The problem is they don't have Mika! Yes, I know, that new finnish infant has what it takes to be a champ... but in 2005, 2006!

FERRARI: six in a row for Schummy? That's my bet, but NOT with the same ease as in 2002!

Eddie Irvine has called it quits. At least for this year. He was in line for the Jordan ride but was asking for 6 mill and Jordan wasn't prepared to pay that. Rumour has it that he may drive for Craig Pollocks new CART operation.

Originally posted by The Hacienda must be (re)Built did you hear about Schuys first test yesterday - lasted all of 30 secs before he crashed !!

Yes, and yesterday he shattered Coulthard's record lap!

Nobody mentioned yet about all the new rules F1 are implementing for next seasons GP to make the racing...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2685071.stm

Originally posted by DoN Nobody mentioned yet about all the new rules F1 are implementing for next seasons GP to make the racing...http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2685071.stm

Some things are better left unmentioned...

Originally posted by JE SUIS EGG > Originally posted by DoN> Nobody mentioned yet about all the new rules F1 are implementing for next seasons GP to make the racing...> > http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2685071.stm

Some things are better left unmentioned...

Anything that makes the racing more exciting and thrilling to watch is worth a mention...

Originally posted by DoN > Originally posted by JE SUIS EGG> > > > Originally posted by DoN> > Nobody mentioned yet about all the new rules F1 are implementing for next seasons GP to make the racing...> > > > http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/2685071.stm>

Yeah, Don! Look, I've got a scoop for ya: In the next season Ferrari is going to race the 1961 156 singleseater (a.k.a "sharknose"). According to the new Mosley rules, it's the ultimate contender! Thing is, McLaren is going to ask Mercedes to lend them Fangio's W196!

What a thrilling 2003 season we'll have!

Snore ...

A1 Ring exeunt stage left 2004.

Spa back in again....

apparently Martin Whitmarsh was 'invited' to leave the F1 Technical Working Group meeting last week following what's been described as an 'exchange' with Max Mosley.

He stood his ground.

It appears the McLaren complaint is with the Concorde Agreement and whether the agreement is being breached as it was drafted in part to ensure stability of tech regs etc.