F1 2009 megathread

[TC]

Jean Todt has just stepped down from all positions he holds/held at Ferrari (CEO, Board member, etc.). Michael Shu has not re-upped his consulting position with Ferrari. Is a reunion at Brawn GP in the making?

 

[Ponyboy]

Wow, I would have never have guessed that so early. The last rumor I heard was that he was in line to take Max's position but several years from now.

 

[6spdterror]

Jean Todt has just stepped down from all positions he holds/held at Ferrari (CEO, Board member, etc.). Michael Shu has not re-upped his consulting position with Ferrari. Is a reunion at Brawn GP in the making?

That would be crazy!! I highly doubt those 2 would ever leave Ferrari tho especially schumi

 

[BD]

Jean Todt has just stepped down from all positions he holds/held at Ferrari (CEO, Board member, etc.). Michael Shu has not re-upped his consulting position with Ferrari. Is a reunion at Brawn GP in the making?

I doubt it. Jean Todt out maneuvered Brown two years ago for the position he had at Ferrari, that's why Brown did not return to them. I think there might be some bad blood between the two. When Brown signed with Honda, his goal was to beat Ferrari. He said it during his Interview shortly after He signed with Honda.

 

[enigma]

I doubt it. Jean Todt out maneuvered Brown two years ago for the position he had at Ferrari, that's why Brown did not return to them. I think there might be some bad blood between the two. When Brown signed with Honda, his goal was to beat Ferrari. He said it during his Interview shortly after He signed with Honda.

Brawn. BrAwn. Ross Brawn.

I don't know why, but it erks me, lol.

 

[BD]

brawn. Brawn. Ross brawn.

I don't know why, but it erks me, lol. :d :d

ok!!!


brawn


http://www.brawngp.com/index.php

 

[docjohn]

ok!!!


brawn


http://www.brawngp.com/index.php

And there was much rejoicing!!!:wink:

 

[NA1/2-R GT]

http://www.oddschecker.com/motor-sport/formula-one/australian-gp/winning-team

I think these bookies know what they are talking about... afterall, we are talking about multi-million dollars at odds.
Can't wait to see BGP wooping ASH

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: Race Fan Information; can there be too much?

Some good news for F1 TV viewers
March 19, 2009 by James Allen

There was so much information being given out at the recent FOTA press conference in Geneva that the part about improving the TV coverage was largely overlooked by the media.

As it has subsequently turned out the FIA has not adopted the FOTA proposals on rules and cost savings and instead has very much gone it’s own way.

However, according to Autosport, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said yesterday that he will make sure that his TV direction team make use of the enhanced graphics being offered by FOTA to improve the TV coverage. Some of these ideas are really good, such as this one which illustrates the different lines the drivers take.

{Lines photo}

Another idea which was put forward by Flavio Briatore’s commercial working group, was to have a pit stop predictor, which uses GPS positioning technology to predict where a car is likely to rejoin. This will take away some of the suspense, but it may equally enhance the excitement in a close race for position.

{pitstop photo}

Other improvements proposed by FOTA include, highlighting the cars which are fuelled to the finish, a GPS positioning map showing where cars are on track, opening up more car data and opening up all the radio traffic, which will happen this year.

And finally, FOTA suggested pit stop competition be part of the show, with a point awarded to the team with the fastest stop. This would start next year when refuelling is banned, so it would a question of who has the fastest pit stop.

{pitcomp photo}

well, James, I don't know about that. It all sounds good until you realize they're going to dumb it down way too much for most of us, then it just gets to be a PITA. :frown: An occassional comparison of lines thru a corner would be good, but I'm sure they'll overdo it. Varsha, Hobbs and Matchett probably won't have any say at all.

 

[enigma]

Hm. Team Chief Norbert Haug doesn't think McLaren will do well at all in Melbourne...

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090320170102.shtml

"After our test results, we must get used to the fact that in Melbourne we will be in the last third of the starting order," the German is quoted as saying.

"Clearly we have to improve our technical package," Haug continued. "This process needs time and it could be the start of the European season (before McLaren is competitive), perhaps even longer."

Hamilton and Kovy aren't too pumped either:

World champion Hamilton, who won the event in 2008 after securing pole, said he doesn't have 'the same prospects' for success this year as in the past, while Kovalainen admitted the Woking-based team 'probably won't start the season as favourites'.

“We go into the start of the 2009 season fully aware that we do not yet have the technical package that will allow our drivers to fight at the front. In Formula One, there is nowhere to hide: that’s what makes our sport so demanding and yet so endlessly fascinating. And as a team that goes Grand Prix racing with the expectation of winning races and challenging for world championships, we therefore go to Melbourne with realistic expectations."

Also, latest news from Planet-F1.com:

The FIA have averted a potential row with the Formula One Teams' Association by agreeing to defer their controversial new 'winner-takes-all' system until 2010.


Just two hours after FOTA voiced an official protest to the plan, whereby the driver with most race wins becomes F1 champion, motor sport's world governing body reacted swiftly.


A FIA statement read: "On March 17, the FIA World Motor Sport Council unanimously rejected FOTA's proposed amendment to the points system for the Formula One Drivers' Championship.


"The 'winner-takes-all' proposal made by the commercial rights holder (Bernie Ecclestone, who had been told the teams were in favour) was then approved.


"If, for any reason, the Formula One teams do not now agree with the new system, its implementation will be deferred until 2010."

I think this is FANTASTIC news. Hopefully since its been deferred, the teams can make an amendment to it so it's not so f'ing ridiculous. I don't see why the FIA had an issue with the FOTA's proposal of 12-9-7-5-4-3-2-1.. It rewards the winner more, but still keeps the points system in tact. Hopefully the teams can convince the FIA to implement it next season.

 

[TC]

I think this is FANTASTIC news. Hopefully since its been deferred, the teams can make an amendment to it so it's not so f'ing ridiculous. I don't see why the FIA had an issue with the FOTA's proposal of 12-9-7-5-4-3-2-1.. It rewards the winner more, but still keeps the points system in tact. Hopefully the teams can convince the FIA to implement it next season.

I don't know why FOM/FIA want to change the points system at all. The driver's championship went down to the last race in 2007, and downt to the last lap of the last race in 2008. The margin of victory was 1 or 2 points in both 2007 and 2008 and multiple drivers from multiple teams were in contention until very late in the 2007 and 2008 seasons. With Brawn and Williams looking to start the season strong, and Ferrari and McLaren ever able to improve their cars over the course of the season, there might be several teams contending for wins and podiums at different stages of the season; Brawn, Williams, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault and BMW. It looks to be a very interesting season - and the current point system should keep things pretty tight for the championships.

 

[Ponyboy]

If you F1 fans have an iPhone, there's an awesome app called "F1 2009" available. Here's a preview:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fj-lQo1odXQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Fj-lQo1odXQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

[NSXrebel]

I just came across this in another forum. Has anyone seen it before? I used to be part of an Aerial Refueling Squadron so this is really cool.

http://www.shell.com/home/content/motorsport/ferrari/fan_zone/videos/refuelling_ad/index.html&promo=f1banner

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: What he said

Interview with Ross Brawn
By Phil Huff
March 24 2009

Ahead of the start of the 2009 Formula One World Championship, RealBrawnGP.com took the opportunity to ask a few questions of Brawn GP team principal Ross Brawn. Joining other media in a group interview, here's the transcript of what was said...

What are your feelings about the new car?

Very good. It seems to be doing what we expected. The drivers have got positive reports on the car, and so far it has been reasonably reliable.

Why are you so quick after months of being unsure about your future?

It's 15 months of work. We said that we were sacrificing last year to concentrate on this car, and what you see is what we said we would do. So it is perfectly rational in my mind. But that is what we have.

What is your reaction to the fact that last night some people from Mercedes-Benz said they could not believe the speed of the car?

I didn't have that conversation. We are working very well with the Mercedes people. They have been incredibly supportive in this difficult period because there were periods when the future of the team was uncertain, and they have been nothing but exemplary in supporting our efforts to help the team survive. And on the engineering side, the teams have slotted together very well, they are working together extremely well.

Are you still looking for sponsors?

Well, we've passed the first hurdle which was to get to Melbourne. And now we have to build for the future. That is the next challenge: to create a long-term future for the team.

Is the Mercedes-Benz deal for just one year?

I don't want to comment on that.

What was the event that finally made it possible for the deal to happen?

Well, Honda finally reached a decision. And Honda considered all their possibilities, and I am very glad that they favoured this choice. The decision was made in the board meeting at Honda at February.

How are you finding life as a team owner?

It is not so different actually, it is the same problems.

Is this a short-term solution, or is this for the long haul?

This is a medium-term solution at the moment. We need to find a long-term solution.

So you are still looking for a buyer for the long term?

Not necessarily, but we need to find a solution for the long term.

You've been in some stressful situations over the years, with numerous champion fights. How stressful have the last few months been?

It's been very trying for the whole team. It has been trying for the staff because it has not always been possible to share with them everything that has been happening. Of course, in these days of the internet, there seems to be a new rumour (every day). They have been fantastic in terms of their devotion to getting the car out. And it has been stressful for the management. If we hadn't stayed together as a group, myself, Nick Fry, Nigel Kerr, Caroline McGrory, John Marsden, if we hadn't stayed together it would have been very difficult to achieve because there have been some very black days in trying to keep this team alive. I'm glad to say here we are and we are going to Melbourne, so it is fantastic.

Was the management buyout and your ownership of the team the preferred option, or were there some other buyers on the table?

Honda had to consider all possibilities. They assessed all the options they had and I am glad to say they came down in favour of my purchase of the team.

What is Nick Fry's position at the team?

Nick has been a key member of the team. He retains his position as CEO and will be a vital member for the future. Nick's position hasn't changed, despite the speculation, and he has been a vital part of putting this all together.

Speaking of drivers, what was your thinking in signing Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello?

Jenson we made a commitment to last year, and we are very happy with that commitment. And if we could we wanted to respect that commitment. So Jenson was an automatic choice if we carried on. I was very impressed with Bruno (Senna). I thought he did a great job in testing, but the lack of testing and the challenge we are going to face made Rubens the preferred choice. I think Rubens has still got a huge amount left in him. He has showed incredible enthusiasm and commitment this winter, and I am very excited to be working with both drivers. It was a need to have Rubens' experience and his speed, because I think he is very quick.

But it's unfortunate for Bruno, isn't it, because now he is left with no drive in any series?

Yes. We made no commitments with Bruno. We kept in touch and he did the test, but the circumstances worked against him.

How difficult was it to go from the Honda engine to the Mercedes-Benz engine in such a short time?

It was difficult. I cannot thank Mercedes-Benz enough. In fact, both Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz were exceptional in the support they offered, but it came down to the fact that the Mercedes-Benz engine fitted our chassis more easily than the Ferrari engine. Once we made that decision around Christmas time, the Mercedes-Benz people were fantastic in supporting the project. But it was a credit to our staff that they have done it. If you look at the car, it looks like it was designed for it. So, there are some things that are not quite right and we would not do it that way if we had started with the engine, but the number of compromises are small and it looks okay.

And the gearbox - is it a Honda one of a Mercedes-Benz?

It is our own gearbox. We converted the gearbox to mount on the Mercedes-Benz engine because all the rear suspension, we wanted to carry that over. I don't think Mercedes-Benz could have supplied a gearbox even if we wanted them to, but we wanted to stick with our own gearbox.

And KERS?

We don't have KERS. That may be something for later in the season, but with the time we have had available, quite frankly, we have not considered KERS.

Do you know how many people from this present team you will keep?

The majority. It is fair to say we will have to look at the size of the team because we have gone from a manufacturer to a privateer, but the majority of people will continue with the team. It is not going to be an easy process, but I think everybody in the team understands the situation and the team survives – and it will give a career to a majority of people.

So the numbers you will keep are...?

I don't want to comment at the moment, but it will be the majority of the staff.

Does the colour of the car on the track mean something about the sponsors you might have?

No. It is just, how do I describe it, a benign neutral colour scheme that leaves plenty of potential for the future. Now we have got over the first hurdle of securing the medium term of the team, we now have to look at the long term and try and find partners and sponsors to support the team. We are completely flexible on what we do in the future, but I hope we will have proper long term planning and proper structure for the team going forward.

But will you need sponsors for during the season?

I don't want to comment on the commercial situation for the team, but we are comfortable for the season and it is the longer term we need to look for.

The car looks quick out of the box. Are there resources available to develop it during the season?

Absolutely. I think it is essential that we display performance through the whole year, and there is no reason why we cannot. The guys are already working on the upgrade for Barcelona, that is in the wind tunnel at the moment, and we plan to keep pushing hard on the car.

And how tight will things be for Melbourne in terms of spare parts?

Oh, pretty tight. Honda were kind enough to grant a budget for January and February, but it is not what I would call a normal racing budget. So, we have to recover now going forward – and it means it will be tight in the first couple of races. But I think we will manage.

You've gone from being an engineer to being an entrepreneur. How big a risk are you taking here?

If I am frank, there were no choices. If the management group, because it is not just myself, had not taken this task on, there would be no team. Then all of the staff would have been made redundant. So, this gives us an opportunity. It wasn't a difficult choice in that respect. Things can go wrong, but we are optimistic and if we can capitalize on the performance of the car, and the car looks good, then I think the team have got a future. If the car was poor then we only have ourselves to blame.

What about the prospect of being in front of the works Mercedes-Benz team?

It is not a comment I want to make. Our ambition is to be in front of everyone, whoever it is. That is our ambition – we have no specific interest in who it might be. We just want to do as well as we can.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This interview was conducted at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona earlier this month. Thanks to our Spanish counterpart Jaime Michavila.

 

[CKS Papa]

F1: Brawn Made To Wait For F1 RevenueWritten by: SPEED Staff / GMM 03/25/2009 - 01:36 AM
Zurich (SUI) Despite the recent management buyout and the 2009 car's sterling test pace, the future of Brawn GP reportedly remains under a very dark cloud.

In the decisions of the World Council meeting earlier this month, it was noted that despite the Brackley based team simply requesting a name change, Brawn would in fact be considered a 'new entry' for this season.

"The contract the team had with the FIA was to run as 'Honda', which they are no longer in a position to do," the FIA said.

Outwardly, the technicality has resulted in Brawn shifting to the very bottom of the pitlane, and being assigned the lowest race numbers for 2009.

But it was noted last week that new teams usually must wait to receive full revenue entitlements according to F1's commercial agreements.

It is on this point that the Swiss specialist publication MotorsportAktuell expresses concerns about the survival of the Mercedes-powered team.

It claims that Brawn could not simply change its name to Brawn, therefore keeping Honda's financial status, because while the teams unanimously agreed, Bernie Ecclestone exercised his veto.

Brawn is therefore missing about 22 million euros (US$30m) of its projected 2009 budget, in a state of affairs that could date back to last month, when Ross Brawn and Nick Fry turned down an offer from F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to help complete the Honda buyout.

"They should have taken what I offered," the 78-year-old billionaire was quoted as saying.

"It was a very good offer for everybody concerned. It gave them complete protection but they wanted to do things on their own. Now all we can do is hope and pray," Ecclestone added.

 

[NS2000]

Nice finds :smile:

it seems that the best long term solution is that HONDA comes back to support the team in the future and supply them with engines too.. its a shame they left to start with, Honda must come back!! :tongue: :biggrin:

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: Bernie and Honda; too damn old and crotchety

"They should have taken what I offered," the 78-year-old billionaire was quoted as saying.

"It was a very good offer for everybody concerned. It gave them complete protection but they wanted to do things on their own. Now all we can do is hope and pray," Ecclestone added.

What a vindicative, small minded bastard. He's "punishing" Ross for awhile, probably thinking "this'll teach 'em."

...it seems that the best long term solution is that HONDA comes back to support the team in the future and supply them with engines too.. its a shame they left to start with, Honda must come back!!

"Honda" as they have been known to F-1 the last few years needs to stay gone and forgotten for good. They were old ivory tower bean counters, not the "real racing Honda" of 20 + years ago that gave us the NSX; that Honda would be welcomed back, but the world has changed far too much for that to ever happen. No, the recent modern Honda brought nothing to Brackley but politics, Nick Fry, mis-management and embarrassment. :frown: Good riddance.

Oh, BTW, welcome to the forum; sorry to slice and dice the subject on ya right off the bat.

 

[BD]

As I have indicated with my previous post, I believe Honda sold the team dirt cheap, kept the door open, and waiting for a proper time to return by purchase the team back.

The question is, why would Ross Brawn want to take on a task this big when he claimed only 2009 budget was secured? Perhaps he's waiting for Honda to return so he can sell the team back for a profit. Therefore, it may be an arrangement agreed on both side of the isle.

After all, the full term of disclosure was not ... Disclosed.

 

[Ponyboy]

2 DAYS, 16 HOURS, 3 MINUTES AND 3 SECONDS BEFORE THE AUSTRALIAN GP

BTW, the rear diffusors pass scrutineering. Brawn GP is on like Donkey Kong!

 

[NSXrebel]

Less than 10 hrs for Friday's practice!!

 

[NSXrebel]

I found this at F1Technical.net

I was searching for pictures of what the allegations are regarding the diffusers.

Toyota

Williams

BrawnGP

Well in this case then, then I think Williams' and Toyota's interpretations are effectively incorrect and illegal.

Brawn's interpretation is a different matter altogether. Their interpretation of the same rule is brilliant!

The tests for "precision" prescribed by the relevant rule: ...Any intersection of the surfaces in this area with a lateral or longitudinal vertical plane should form one continuous line which is visible from beneath the car

...any bodywork in this area must produce uniform, solid, hard, continuous, rigid (no degree of freedom in relation to the body/chassis unit), impervious surfaces under all circumstances.

However which way you look at it, Brawn's diffuser passes these while Toyota's and Williams' are very shady. That "curvy" surface on the Brawn Diffuser is A SINGLE SURFACE. Pass any (longitudinal/lateral) vertical plane unto that diffuser surface and you will get a single continous line.

 

[M-P]

Glad I found this thread...lots of great info. Can't wait for Sunday.

 

[NSXrebel]

Looks like BrawnGP has finally got a sponsor, Virgin. Good move on their part, good for BrawnGP! This just keeps getting better. Can't wait for tonight's first practice session.:biggrin:

http://www.motorauthority.com/f1/virgin-set-to-sponsor-brawn-report_4497.html

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article5980935.ece

Mar.26 (GMM) Sir Richard Branson is on his way to Melbourne to unveil his Virgin brand's sponsorship of the Brawn team for 2009, Britain's the Times newspaper reports.

It is claimed a deal has been reached between the Brackley based team and the British billionaire, which according to a "senior source" will involve "extensive Virgin branding" on the BGP001 car.

The unsponsored Brawn cars in Melbourne, however, were on Thursday sporting essentially the same blank yellow and blank liveries as in winter testing.

A further indication of the eleventh-hour nature of a Virgin deal is that Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello had their official photographs taken on Thursday, sporting plain white and black overalls with no significant sponsor branding.

The Times, reporting that Bernie Ecclestone "confirmed that a deal was reached", reports that the Virgin agreement is not a title sponsorship and that the precise size of the backing is still being discussed.

Last month, Branson and Virgin reportedly considered buying the former Honda team outright.

 

[M-P]

Virgin is one hell of a sponsor to have. Good for them.

 

[docjohn]

Virgin is one hell of a sponsor to have. Good for them.

As long as Branson dose'nt try to drive:wink: