Formula One ( F1 )

Okay, before anyone starts, I know there's already a car thread, but seeing as we have a football thread, I don't see any harm in this, if you have any hatred towards cars/motorsport, please keep it in the car thread, that's what it's there for afterall =P

Anyways, the season is gonna start in just under two weeks so I thought I may as well start this now, so far everything is looking pretty standard except McLaren (who are looking like they have a dog of a car) and Honda (not Brawn, Honda) are looking like they've got a pretty quick car, sure they could be just trying to top the time sheets to win some much needed sponsors but they are going way faster than just an empty fuel tank would allow them to.

So far the testing is looking like this:

Pos. Team Driver Laps Time ToD
1 Ferrari RAI 44 1'20.314 12:06
2 BrawnGP BAR 45 1'21.122 12:08
3 Toyota TRU 42 1'21.326 12:20
4 BMW Sauber HEI 80 1'21.965 11:22
5 Renault ALO 50 1'22.060 11:35
6 Force India SUT 36 1'22.141 12:45
7 McLaren KOV 34 1'22.328 12:24
8 Red Bull WEB 28 1'22.517 11:34
9 Williams NAK 33 1'22.893 10:50
10 Toro Rosso BOU 14 1'23.039 10:50

. Team Driver Laps Time ToD
1 Ferrari RAI 55 1'20.314 12:06
2 Williams NAK 55 1'20.907 14:27
3 BrawnGP BAR 85 1'20.966 12:52
4 Toyota TRU 98 1'21.182 15:27
5 Renault ALO 97 1'21.937 12:55
6 BMW Sauber HEI 103 1'21.958 14:45
7 Force India SUT 62 1'22.141 12:45
8 Red Bull WEB 53 1'22.220 15:33
9 McLaren KOV 58 1'22.328 12:24
10 Toro Rosso BOU 16 1'23.039 10:50

(Basically last as Bourdais' suspension broke after a few laps)

1 BrawnGP BAR 27 1'21.665 11:18
2 BMW Sauber HEI 69 1'21.965 11:22
3 Toyota TRU 28 1'21.986 11:32
4 Renault ALO 31 1'22.105 11:32
5 Ferrari RAI 24 1'22.227 10:26
6 Red Bull WEB 25 1'22.636 11:11
7 McLaren KOV 24 1'22.810 11:27
8 Williams NAK 27 1'22.893 10:50
9 Toro Rosso BOU 14 1'23.039 10:50
10 Force India SUT 18 1'23.308 11:32

1 Ferrari RAI 44 1'20.314 12:06
2 BrawnGP BAR 45 1'21.122 12:08
3 Toyota TRU 42 1'21.326 12:20
4 BMW Sauber HEI 80 1'21.965 11:22
5 Renault ALO 50 1'22.060 11:35
6 Force India SUT 36 1'22.141 12:45
7 McLaren KOV 34 1'22.328 12:24
8 Red Bull WEB 28 1'22.517 11:34
9 Williams NAK 33 1'22.893 10:50
10 Toro Rosso BOU 14 1'23.039 10:50

Pos. Team Driver Laps Time ToD
1 Ferrari RAI 44 1'20.314 12:06
2 BrawnGP BAR 52 1'20.966 12:52
3 Toyota TRU 49 1'21.326 12:20
4 Renault ALO 53 1'21.937 12:55
5 BMW Sauber HEI 82 1'21.965 11:22
6 Force India SUT 36 1'22.141 12:45
7 McLaren KOV 39 1'22.328 12:24
8 Red Bull WEB 28 1'22.517 11:34
9 Williams NAK 36 1'22.576 12:56
10 Toro Rosso BOU 14 1'23.039 10:50

Pos. Team Driver Laps Time ToD
1 BrawnGP BUT 55 1'20.313 09:07
2 Toyota GLO 37 1'21.046 09:24
3 Renault ALO 33 1'21.100 09:34
4 BMW Sauber KUB 32 1'21.201 09:36
5 Red Bull VET 33 1'21.242 09:15
6 Williams ROS 28 1'21.482 09:37
7 Force India FIS 22 1'21.572 10:04
8 McLaren HAM 28 1'21.657 10:05
9 Toro Rosso BUE 29 1'21.955 09:51
10 Ferrari MAS 8 1'22.326 08:17

(Massa's car stopped on track after 8 laps)

Pos. Team Driver Laps Time ToD
1 Ferrari MAS 21 1'20.168 11:40
2 BrawnGP BUT 86 1'20.313 09:07
3 Renault ALO 64 1'20.863 11:39
4 Toyota GLO 66 1'21.046 09:24
5 Red Bull VET 52 1'21.165 11:25
6 BMW Sauber KUB 66 1'21.201 09:36
7 Williams ROS 30 1'21.482 09:37
8 Force India FIS 48 1'21.545 10:28
9 Toro Rosso BUE 55 1'21.569 11:27
10 McLaren HAM 49 1'21.657 10:05

Pos. Team Driver Laps Time ToD
1 BrawnGP BAR 91 1'19.266 15:39
2 Williams ROS 94 1'19.774 11:46
3 Toyota GLO 92 1'20.091 15:34
4 Ferrari MAS 68 1'20.677 15:48
5 Red Bull VET 66 1'20.678 11:15
6 BMW Sauber KUB 109 1'20.740 11:06
7 McLaren HAM 55 1'20.869 15:50
8 Toro Rosso BUE 62 1'21.013 12:44
9 Force India FIS 120 1'21.045 12:09
10 Renault ALO 47 1'21.276 12:33
11 Toro Rosso BOU 1 1'28.939 15:31

Pos. Team Driver Laps Time ToD
1 BrawnGP BAR 98 1'19.044 16:18
2 Williams ROS 101 1'19.774 11:46
3 Toyota GLO 109 1'20.091 15:34
4 Ferrari MAS 78 1'20.677 15:48
5 Red Bull VET 73 1'20.678 11:15
6 Renault ALO 51 1'20.696 16:26
7 BMW Sauber KUB 115 1'20.740 11:06
8 McLaren HAM 59 1'20.869 15:50
9 Toro Rosso BUE 62 1'21.013 12:44
10 Force India FIS 130 1'21.045 12:09
11 Toro Rosso BOU 8 1'21.629 16:22

Roll on Melbourne, it's gonna be a great race, unless you're a front wing, in which case you're screwed...

Also, for anyone who's missed it, The Chain is back for the theme tune!!! and I think My Favourite Game by The Cardigans may also be being used, another fantastic driving song:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=styYbRWQYP8"]YouTube
- The Cardigans - My Favourite Game [Uncensored][/ame]

watch out for this kid, Ive seen him race in Taupo @ A1 level and now hes just signed up to race for Torro Rosso.... a younger version of Kimi?.. worth watching....

Teenage motor-racing sensation Brendon Hartley has taken a big step towards becoming the first Kiwi in more than 20 years to become a fully-fledged Formula One driver.

The 19-year-old has been named as the third driver for Italy's Scuderia Toro Rosso - but will retain his links with the Red Bull Racing team.

It means he could be following in the slipstreams of our only Formula One champion, Denny Hulme, 1960s Ferrari driver Chris Amon and Mike Thackwell, who raced in Formula One in 1984. Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon was the last Kiwi to drive an F1 car when he tested for Williams in 2004.

Hartley tested for the Red Bull Racing team at Jerez, Spain, in December last year and gained his Super Licence, which allows him to test and race Formula One cars.

Earlier last year, he took part in an unofficial shakedown test of the new Ferrari-engined Toro Rosso F1 car in Italy, as well as trying out a Renault-engined Red Bull car at Silverstone.
The news of Hartley's next big adventure appeared on the Autosport website as part of a question-and-answer session with Franz Tost, team principal of Scuderia Toro Rosso.

     Asked if he had made a decision on the third driver for the team, he said: "We will share the third driver. It is Brendon Hartley, who is the driver from the Red Bull driver pool, and I think that we are safe on this side as well."

Neither Red Bull New Zealand nor Hartley's manager Peter Johnson were available for comment, but former McLaren F1 team member of 33 years, Bob McMurray, said: "I think it is a fantastic step for him [Hartley] but he's not an official F1 driver yet. But now he's been taken on as the third driver for both teams, if any of the drivers break a leg he's first cab off the rank. It's big move for him as they have officially named him as the third driver."
Hartley will be at the opening round of the 2009 F1 championship in Melbourne on March 27-29, suited and booted in case something should happen to either of the two Red Bull or Toro Rosso drivers.

It's probably the first time in F1 history a third-named driver could be covering four seats at a GP - Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull Racing and Sebastien Buemi and Sebastien Bourdais for Torro Rosso.

I really wish Loeb would get a drive, he was pretty damn quick in testing! He's pretty damn quick in anything actually, seen him at the ROC in December and he was fantastic!

Loeb and Rossi... that gives me goosebumps

What gives me goosebumps is the thought of a few teams dropping out, then as a result of having to have more than 16 cars on the grid, the teams have to field 3 cars each, and Ferrari have Massa, Vettel and Alfonso, that would be amazing.

McLaren are looking like they has a bad testing. Nowhere near competitive levels. But it may be a cover up.

I thought they were sand bagging at first, but if that was the case they'd still have quick sector times, which they don't, I think that they just haven't adapted to the new rules as well as everyone else, maybe they put too much effort into their 08 car.

is Scott Speed still racing? I havent followed him up since last season, alot of people spoke like he was some fabulous upcoming superstar...the next Senna or the likes...coming from a background of cough cough {gulp} Nascar, Im most definitely not convinced :p

I was thinking sandbagging as well, for Maclaren. I'm hoping they're competitive. Good news for the Brawn team, and especially for Jenson Button - they're looking good.

Will Jenson get himself back into the limelight? I hope so. I'd love to see him and Lewis jostling for the title; but that is probably extremely wishful.

Jensons style of driving wont win him any titles IMO. He's too carefull ! believe it or not.
Hamilton on the other hand takes risks, and is much more aggressive, which suits the F1 car better for speed.
If you play LFS (racing simulator) and watched documentaries of driving styles you'll get what i mean.

I fucking love F1, i'm looking forward to following this thread through the season!

IMO - when he is focused, no one is more aggressive on the track then Raikkonen, what other driver comes to mind that can start in 16/17 place and within a few laps works down to 5/6th? that boy has ferocious tenacity, if only he was consistent

@ slimjim, did you see my posts in the car thread re the passes? let me know if interested

watch out for this kid, Ive seen him race in Taupo @ A1 level and now hes just signed up to race for Torro Rosso.... a younger version of Kimi?.. worth watching....

Nah, he's a Kiwi, not a Kimi. ;)

ah at last a car thread that's interesting!
Can't wait for the 29th! Loving the fact 'the jaw' is on the team
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRhDQ5LVeL8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HHUkHbgAtM

I just sent some tips on the city to a mate going over there, but this thread really makes me miss hearing the engines in a hot balmy Melbourne.

yawn

I can't see why you'd still call Brawn-Mercedes "Honda". Honda financed the restructuring, and the design of the new car, but the main Honda part was the engine. Since they pulled out the car has had to be redesigned by the Brawn team to take the Mercedes engine.
If you're not willing to say Brawn at least call it Tyrrell, though I'm not sure how many Tyrrell people are still working there.

F1 is boring, there aren't any Lamborghinis.

that will account for the yawner :p

That's what I thought. ;)

I can't see why you'd still call Brawn-Mercedes "Honda". Honda financed the restructuring, and the design of the new car, but the main Honda part was the engine. Since they pulled out the car has had to be redesigned by the Brawn team to take the Mercedes engine.
If you're not willing to say Brawn at least call it Tyrrell, though I'm not sure how many Tyrrell people are still working there.

Force of habit, anyways, i'm glad to see everyone (bar one, but i've got something he'll like) is actually not taking the piss =P

Here you go mikec:

It's one you can crash into ^_^ (It's part Lambourghini see)

With regards to the Button/Hamilton styles, i'm with you to an extent but I think this year Button will make a massive leap (just because of the car really) I know a lot of people never shut up about it and it gets tedious to hear at time but his smooth driving style does pay dividends.
Hamiltons more tail-happy approach is very good but it does give him a lot of oppurtunities to bin it, luckily as he's been driving like that for as long as I can see he's pretty good at catching slides, which is fantastic to watch, but I can't imagine the tyres loving it.

I disagree that Lewis' style of driving is better (for F1) than Jenson's more conservative style.

Jenson's style is most closely reminiscent of Jackie Stewart. Its smooth, and taxes tyres less, which is a factor on tracks which are hard on tyres. Lewis' tail-out sliding around corners is hard on tyres and is almost identical to Nico Rosberg's dad's driving - the great Keke Rosberg.

I think if Jenson's car continues to show its early promise, then it will be right up there. I prefer Lewis's driving, but I don't think its necessarily better. At the moment, Maclaren's car is a dog anyway.

Reminds me of a great story I heard, a few years ago, when he was one of the fastest F1 drivers, there was a great magazine interview with JP Montoya.

In it, he related the anecdote that recently he had been at some sponsor's day at a circuit. He and Jackie Stewart were the featured guests. They were taking the punters out for pax rides in a saloon, but first there was a little contest between the two of them to see who could set the faster benchmark time.
Each went out with the other as his passenger. Stewart was first. Montoya said that, after a few warm-up laps, it was time for Stewart to go for it. Montoya said that he was taken by surprise that Stewart was driving so slowly. He particularly noticed, he said, how slow Stewart's gear changes were. Montoya said that, as he observed this, he actually felt sorry for Stewart. It was a sad thing, he said, that a former 3-times champion's speed had declined so far.

After a couple of Stewart's "fast" laps, Stewart came in and they swapped seats. Montoya said that now the bit was between his teeth. Stewart had shown him what he could do, and now the young Turk wanted to demonstrate how the game had moved on in the last thirty years.

After his warm-up laps, Montoya really went for it. He said that he pushed the car to its absolute limits. That included Montoya's ramming aggressively through the gears, not lazily snicking them in Stewart's chauffeur style. From the passenger seat, Stewart stayed quiet. Montoya completed some laps which he knew were as fast as could have done.

He then brought the car back into the pit lane, eager to learn what was the difference between his lap times and those of the old man. The gap between Montoya's fastest lap and Stewart's fastest was 0.8 seconds. Not bad - except that the fastest laps had been Stewart's.

I never really rated jenson button. I don't think he's got that winner attitude when your chips are down. I think lewis has as he is the world champion. But then the macarlen was alot better than the williams jenson had when he first entered f1 in nine years ago. As driving styles go i respect both of them. But it's always nice to see someone of lewis abiltiy throw it around or go round the outside on the edge. But then someone who can preserve there tyres and still keep a good pace is a very clever driver. I liked prost as a driver but senna always had more thrills to it.