I know the F1 season just ended, and everyone is busy commenting on the Clos Apalta as WOTY, but I wanted to start this 2009 thread just so we can, from time to time, post what's going on in the off season.

Once we actually get into 2009, I will change the title of this thread and this initial post. But for the time being, feel free to post both confirmed and unconfirmed romours and the new innovations taking place in F1 (KERS, points system, team and driver changes, etc.)

Thanx in advance.

N.B. I changed the title.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mezzo Litro,

Martin Brundle has left ITV and will be commenting for the BBC.

I've seen quite a few pictures of the new 'aero' package and it's god-awful. If anyone needs a link, let me know.

Bernie will be changing the Driver's point system (FINALLY), but not the Constructor's point system. He's proposing Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. No points for anyone else. So if this would have been the case this year, both Massa and Hamilton would have gone into Brazil with 5 gold medals each. Therefore, forcing them to actually race to the finish line.

Comments??

Bernie will screw this up too.

Every other race organization has a point system. Keep the points,but change it a bit.

Yep. I think the reason they decrease the points step (10,8,6...) was to keep things close at the end of the season. You have to look at the big picture, all the different senarios . His proposal seems more likely to achieve the opposite of his *stated* goal. It's more likely to have run away point leaders. And what if going into the last race, the driver with 4 wins would still lose on the tie-breaker to the guy with 5 wins? Doesn't that suck?

Why would the results of one season lead to a change anyway? We're the permutations known?

Was there a problem this year? It came down to the last race. That's a problem?

Seems like he wants it more predictable and controllable, but less fan-friendly.

Banco Santander (Spain) which is currently McLaren's sponsor, is moving to Ferrari in 2010. Santander boss admits he would like to reunite with Alonso one day, but also added that the final say is not theirs. Hmmmmm. Alonso at Ferrari in 2010?

I pay next to no interest in the sport. But, it's a cool one, and I enjoyed seeing (most of) the racing when it was here in Indy. Any news about coming back to the U.S.?

Little to no chance. If so doubt that it would be at Indy.

Apparently Honda are pulling out of F1 and looking for a buyer of the team.

And if they don't find one by early next year they will simply wind it up.

Chances seem very poor in this economic wilderness and one wonders how many others may bite the dust.

Honda's biggest mistake over the years was not signing a real race driver. Considering their budget and technical expertise, they should have been vying for top 4 every year.

Having said that, the world's economic meltdown is far reaching. Everyone is affected in one way or another, sooner or later. F1 needs Honda (and Toyota).

And another bit of bad news is the future of Hockenheim. The German track may not host a GP after 2010. That would be horrible for BMW and Mercedes.

A few thinsg

1st of Honda OMG

2nd FIA reatcion with new specs, testing reduced etc. Again OMG

3rd No race in Canada, US, France and possibly Germany OMG

What the hell is Bernies and FIA doing to this sport? Looks like a world wide IndyCar package.

Recent quote:

The 68-year-old Briton (Mosley) said he supports the move to conduct market research into whether the points system should be replaced by Bernie Ecclestone's 'medals' proposal.

Mosley (also) admitted: "The extension of points down to eighth and the reduction in the difference between first and second was an error."

quote:

Originally posted by Mezzo Litro:
Recent quote:

The 68-year-old Briton (Mosley) said he supports the move to conduct market research into whether the points system should be replaced by Bernie Ecclestone's 'medals' proposal.

Mosley (also) admitted: "The extension of points down to eighth and the reduction in the difference between first and second was an error."

It's a no brainer. POINTS No other race series as far as I know uses medals

I know there's still 2 months to go before the OZ GP, but I am curious to hear what you guys think about the cars and what they look like. HUGE front wing is the most noticable (and ugly) feature. I can see these things getting ripped off like crazy. It will take some time before the drivers get used to them. I'm sure riding the kerbs will knock off a few wings too.

Let me pose a question without starting a new thread. Assuming all the cars are getting much closer and comparable in specs, who are your top 6 drivers assuming they are all driving the same car? Current drivers only. My guesses are:

1. Alonso
2. Kubica
3. Massa
4. Vettel
5. Barichello
6. Hamilton

1. Massa
2. Alonso If they get partity on engine power
3. Hamilton
4. Kimi - his last year in F1
5. Vettel
6. Kovalainen

This message has been edited. Last edited by: FL Wino Spouse,

Tell me this isn't so!

Danica and Scott Speed on US team. Yuck.

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=37044

Conor Daly would be a good choice.

Bump.

3 weeks to the Ozzy GP. Looking forward to seeing slicks again, and those crazy front wings. And I hope that the new point system (12-9-7-5-4-3-2-1) will be approved by the FIA.

I see that Honda will race this year as Brawn GP. Sure hope Ross has a lot of money he no longer needs.

That's great news for F1. I've always like Brawn. No politics and very matter-of-fact. I hope he can keep the Honda name going, at least 'til the world's financial situtation gets better.

quote:

Originally posted by Mezzo Litro:And I hope that the new point system (12-9-7-5-4-3-2-1) will be approved by the FIA.

Ditto.

Press Release: World Motor Sport Council - Decisions 17/03/2009

The World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on 17 March 2009. The following decisions were taken:


FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

A number of measures were agreed to help reduce costs and increase interest in the FIA Formula One World Championship.

2009 Formula One Regulations

Points

The WMSC accepted the proposal from Formula One Management to award the drivers’ championship to the driver who has won the most races during the season. If two or more drivers finish the season with the same number of wins, the title will be awarded to the driver with the most points, the allocation of points being based on the current 10, 8, 6 etc. system.

The rest of the standings, from second to last place, will be decided by the current points system. There is no provision to award medals for first, second or third place. The Constructors’ Championship is unaffected.

The WMSC rejected the alternative proposal from the Formula One Teams’ Association to change the points awarded to drivers finishing in first, second and third place to 12, 9 and 7 points respectively.

And...rumor that Jean Tody wants Max Mosley's job. This, I think, will be a great and welcomed change for F1.

quote:

Originally posted by Mezzo Litro:
And...rumor that Jean Tody wants Max Mosley's job. This, I think, will be a great and welcomed change for F1.

For sure!!

There worst thing is that they changed the rules 1 1/2 weeks before the 1st race. Allowing moveable parts, points, media rules etc.

Will be a disaster for 1st few races.

Bye Max, don't let the door hit you on the butt on the way out.

Oh well. So much for the new points system. The FIA is reverting to the old points-based system and is pushing back the implementation of the new points system to 2010. Geeze.

FIA statement:
On 17 March, 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 (who had been told that 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.