Maybe there's not so much news at the moment, but as things get closer to March there is normally a lot of speculation and discussion, hence this topic.
BMW seem to be the first to break cover with their 09 aero package and I kinda like it!
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72161
Full Version: The Official Formula 1 2009 Discussion Thread
It is going to take me a bit to get used to the new wings...ugh.
It looks like a F1 car which was squished on the vertical.
That will take a real long time to get used to indeed. Hopefully it WILL work to improve overtaking.
The racing better be awesome, because those wings are 
.
In other 2009 news, Bernie announced that the points system will be dropped for a gold, silver, bronze medal system. This should hopefully keep drivers from being too complacent with making a safe drive for a 4th place finish. I think this might do some good.
F1 will be very different next year, like a whole new series. Which is sad, because the last three seasons were exciting, and all three came down to the last race.
.In other 2009 news, Bernie announced that the points system will be dropped for a gold, silver, bronze medal system. This should hopefully keep drivers from being too complacent with making a safe drive for a 4th place finish. I think this might do some good.
F1 will be very different next year, like a whole new series. Which is sad, because the last three seasons were exciting, and all three came down to the last race.
That BMW looks like it got hit by a financial crisis, and the downsized wing is part of the cost-cutting measures.
"Well, because of the credit crunch, we can't afford a full wing. So we made three-quarters of one, and hopefully it'll do."
"Well, because of the credit crunch, we can't afford a full wing. So we made three-quarters of one, and hopefully it'll do."
Is that medals thing confirmed for 09? I've been abit out of touch recently, work is hectic.
Did you see Loeb was 8th quickest out of 17 runners when he tested for RBR? Obviously everyone is running different stages of car, but they reckoned his pace would have put him right in the midfield, not bad for your 2nd run in an F1 car!
Did you see Loeb was 8th quickest out of 17 runners when he tested for RBR? Obviously everyone is running different stages of car, but they reckoned his pace would have put him right in the midfield, not bad for your 2nd run in an F1 car!
So Red Bull now owns 100% of Toro Rosso.. No more Gerhard Berger?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72252
I kinda thought Gerhard was kind of a douche anyways.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72252
I kinda thought Gerhard was kind of a douche anyways.
That's because Gerhard is in fact a douche.
'Honda' may make the 2009 season after all. I don't really understand who will own the team. It would be weird if it would enter the season under the name of Honda with Mercedes engines on board.
[autosport]
QUOTE
Honda confident of racing in 2009
By Jonathan Noble Saturday, February 14th 2009, 08:40 GMT
Honda Racing bosses are close to giving the green light for the team to start the 2009 season, but they still need to provide guarantees to proposed engine supplier Mercedes-Benz that they have enough funds.
Amid widespread media speculation in the last 48 hours about the future of the Brackley-based outfit, sources close to the team have revealed that team chiefs are now confident enough about their situation to formally begin preparations for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
However, one of the key hurdles remaining is for Honda Racing bosses to prove to Mercedes-Benz that they have the money to pay for a full season of engine fees - rumoured to be in excess of £7.15 million.
McLaren's incoming team principal Martin Whitmarsh, who has been handling the negotiations on behalf of Mercedes-Benz, told The Guardian: "We have offered as much help and assistance as we can in the interests of the sport as a whole and the solidarity of the Formula One Teams Association to help the Honda team stay in business."
It is understood team principal Ross Brawn informed the staff via email earlier this week that the team's future looks good and that plans for the start of the season could continue being pushed forward.
Honda personnel have been moving on with developing their 2009 car, despite the uncertainty over their future ever since their Japanese bosses announced an immediate withdrawal from F1 at the end of last year.
By Jonathan Noble Saturday, February 14th 2009, 08:40 GMT
Honda Racing bosses are close to giving the green light for the team to start the 2009 season, but they still need to provide guarantees to proposed engine supplier Mercedes-Benz that they have enough funds.
Amid widespread media speculation in the last 48 hours about the future of the Brackley-based outfit, sources close to the team have revealed that team chiefs are now confident enough about their situation to formally begin preparations for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
However, one of the key hurdles remaining is for Honda Racing bosses to prove to Mercedes-Benz that they have the money to pay for a full season of engine fees - rumoured to be in excess of £7.15 million.
McLaren's incoming team principal Martin Whitmarsh, who has been handling the negotiations on behalf of Mercedes-Benz, told The Guardian: "We have offered as much help and assistance as we can in the interests of the sport as a whole and the solidarity of the Formula One Teams Association to help the Honda team stay in business."
It is understood team principal Ross Brawn informed the staff via email earlier this week that the team's future looks good and that plans for the start of the season could continue being pushed forward.
Honda personnel have been moving on with developing their 2009 car, despite the uncertainty over their future ever since their Japanese bosses announced an immediate withdrawal from F1 at the end of last year.
[autosport]
I don't know how much I can and can't say - so I'll just say that I am confident that the team will be in Australia at the start of the season, whether or not they race is another thing, but I'm sure that they will be. Either way, they won't be there under the Honda name.
Why can't I just get rid of the feeling that it's Super Aguri all over again?
QUOTE(Uwe @ Feb 17 2009, 09:39 AM) 
Why can't I just get rid of the feeling that it's Super Aguri all over again?
It's not.
Their funding is in place for the entire 2009 season. They've shown how fast they can go. Their car isn't some Arrows that was collecting dust in some lobby since 2002. Ross Brawn is at the helm and Honda has nothing to do with them. It's been widely accepted that the speed shown in testing wasn't showboating (and that wouldn't even make any sense considering how limited testing is this year) ala Prost to attract sponsors. They're the real deal.
If anything I predict Brawn will have a major sponsor signed on by mid season with at least one podium if not a bloody win.
hm....i still think it's proven that Honda engine is not able to deliver fast times....
they have been struggling the whole 2008 season....and as soon as they get the hands on the Merc engine....they get amazing times....hm....
they have been struggling the whole 2008 season....and as soon as they get the hands on the Merc engine....they get amazing times....hm....
What? Ok, the Honda engine was shit.
But this is a completely different car. The RA107 and RA108 were completely shit cars. It wasn't just the engine letting htem down; the chassis sucked and the aerodynamics were completely fucked.
This BrawnGP/last Honda car started developing in 2007... it's not just a better engine from Mercedes. The whole package is brand new. Honda started from scratch.
But this is a completely different car. The RA107 and RA108 were completely shit cars. It wasn't just the engine letting htem down; the chassis sucked and the aerodynamics were completely fucked.
This BrawnGP/last Honda car started developing in 2007... it's not just a better engine from Mercedes. The whole package is brand new. Honda started from scratch.
I don't think the Honda engine was as bas as the performances made out. Mainly because the team decided to forget the 2008 season about a third of the way in and start on this car - considering how long they've been developing it, it should be this fast - so I think the car was just a dog and the Honda engine wasn't enough to save it, but not completely shit. I mean it was one of the best engines on the grid in 04 and 05.
Regarding their main sponsor, watch this space - things have started happening which are a little suspicious if thsi particular company are not going to be at least one of the main sponsors if not the title sponsor.
Regarding their main sponsor, watch this space - things have started happening which are a little suspicious if thsi particular company are not going to be at least one of the main sponsors if not the title sponsor.
Uh, an engine that was one of the best in '05 would be complete shit as early as '07 or so. Even with the engine freeze it was revealed that not all teams were completely honoring it to begin with...
Not to mention there were some rumors that the Honda engine was as down as 40bhp to 60bhp compared to the Ferrari/Mercedes engines.
Not to mention there were some rumors that the Honda engine was as down as 40bhp to 60bhp compared to the Ferrari/Mercedes engines.
QUOTE(tune @ Mar 25 2009, 04:42 PM)
Regarding their main sponsor, watch this space - things have started happening which are a little suspicious if thsi particular company are not going to be at least one of the main sponsors if not the title sponsor.
Are you talking about Virgin? Autosport is reporting that they will announce this weekend. Branson was already brought in relation to the (old) Honda team, but at that moment said he wouldn't want to own a team for now. I always expected Branson to enter F1 some way or another.
No I'm not talking about Virgin. I sort of thought that had fizzled out. Who knows? I'm talking about a company associated with travel.
I just realized what I said, as virgin have a lot to do with travel also.
I have just heard that Virgin are a sponsor!
I have just heard that Virgin are a sponsor!
QUOTE(tune @ Mar 26 2009, 07:05 PM)
No I'm not talking about Virgin. I sort of thought that had fizzled out. Who knows? I'm talking about a company associated with travel.
Are they orange and cheap?
Well, Virgin's more about their travel sector more than ever these days, so I'd think it'd be a conflict of interest if another airline would get involved.
Yeah, the Virgin empire is huge. Only thing we know is that Virgin is sponsoring. Until I imagine earliest race day we won't know what part of Virgin will be doing the sponsoring. But, seeing as how you arleady said someone in the travel industry and not to mention that nowadays Branson is focusing on his airline than any other part of his company at the moment it only makes sense to assume it's Virgin Airlines...
There was some speculation at the start of last season that Emirates were a possible sponsor and all the staff flew to Australia on Emirates apparently. Then, since the Brawn takeover the Internet access on the factory had been limited to autosport.com and BBC.com. This week The emirates website was available, but I guess that was just so people could check in to flights.
It would be a huge conflict of interest for virgin and emirates to sponsor.
It would be a huge conflict of interest for virgin and emirates to sponsor.
QUOTE(Phix @ Mar 26 2009, 06:46 PM)
Yeah, the Virgin empire is huge. Only thing we know is that Virgin is sponsoring. Until I imagine earliest race day we won't know what part of Virgin will be doing the sponsoring. But, seeing as how you arleady said someone in the travel industry and not to mention that nowadays Branson is focusing on his airline than any other part of his company at the moment it only makes sense to assume it's Virgin Airlines...
I should think it would just be the Virgin name and not a particular sector of their business.
Another sponsor si Henri Lloyd - they've provided all the team gear for the guys at the circuit this weekend. I guess if Virgin are a major sponsor that the uniform might change a little though.
And so it is confirmed: Virgin Group sponsors Brawn GP
QUOTE(Phix @ Mar 25 2009, 02:05 AM)
It's not.
Their funding is in place for the entire 2009 season. They've shown how fast they can go. Their car isn't some Arrows that was collecting dust in some lobby since 2002. Ross Brawn is at the helm and Honda has nothing to do with them. It's been widely accepted that the speed shown in testing wasn't showboating (and that wouldn't even make any sense considering how limited testing is this year) ala Prost to attract sponsors. They're the real deal.
If anything I predict Brawn will have a major sponsor signed on by mid season with at least one podium if not a bloody win.
Their funding is in place for the entire 2009 season. They've shown how fast they can go. Their car isn't some Arrows that was collecting dust in some lobby since 2002. Ross Brawn is at the helm and Honda has nothing to do with them. It's been widely accepted that the speed shown in testing wasn't showboating (and that wouldn't even make any sense considering how limited testing is this year) ala Prost to attract sponsors. They're the real deal.
If anything I predict Brawn will have a major sponsor signed on by mid season with at least one podium if not a bloody win.
Yep, really seems I was completely wrong (about which I am very glad I admit). As wrong as my prediction that Brawn would be a good car but not good enough for a win. They clearly are.
Apart from this: WTF is this mud slinging match that just started? Not only the row over the diffusor but also the Toyota's disqualified from, ermm... qualifying and Williams protesting the regularity of Ferrari and Red Bull.
QUOTE(Uwe @ Mar 28 2009, 02:42 PM)
and Williams protesting the regularity of Ferrari and Red Bull.
Protest already retracted.
Monkey cage.
Same old same old. They all want what they haven't got, so they protest against it so no one has it. Makes for good hype though!
Holy fuck I'm excited! Listening to Jensen Button on the radio after he was informed that he was P1 for the race was just awesome. How can you not want Brawn GP to kick ass this year? I'm still a huge Raikkonen fan but I think it'll be off the pace until the 3rd or 4th GP this year.
15 hours to go!
15 hours to go!
I'm cautiously optimistic about Brawn GP.
I think they have the speed, but will they have the reliability? I hope so.
Also, what is with the KERS systems? It would seem that it doesn't offer a lot of an advantage if any, at least on the Melbourne circuit during qualifying.
I think they have the speed, but will they have the reliability? I hope so.
Also, what is with the KERS systems? It would seem that it doesn't offer a lot of an advantage if any, at least on the Melbourne circuit during qualifying.
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