F1 2009

[Augie March]

Can't see that link at work, but I take it that's the story about ol' Bernie's radical new points scoring sytem:

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone says he is determined to introduce a new scoring system that would see the driver with most wins crowned champion.

Lewis Hamilton would have failed to win this year's title under such a system, which Ecclestone wants for 2009.

"It's going to happen. All the teams are happy. The whole reason for this is I am fed up with people talking about there being no overtaking," he said.

Gold, silver and bronze medals would be given to the top three finishers.

Regardless of the distribution of those medals, the driver who won most races would be crowned world champion.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7749751.stm

I'm sure the smaller teams will be delighted about this.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

So this is what the cars will look like next year. It's a bit... lego.

It is a bit, but that looks a million miles better than the ugly heaps of shit that have been whizzing around in recent years. It's ace to see proper tyres back

Fucking idiotic

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_4551592,00.html

The quicker that senile old c*nt keels over the better.

What. The. Fuck.

 

[cliche guevara]

If they introduce the medal system you might as well just have three or four teams, cos the smaller ones are completely fucked. It'd mean consistency counts for nothing.

 

[Augie March]

It's barmy to think they'd even consider changing the system after just having one of the most exciting and most talked about championships in years.

If it aint broke, don't fuck it up Bernie.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

I can't think of a single good thing about it, it's utterly ridiculous.

 

[red rose]

What the fuck?

I've had enough, I'm not even going to watch it anymore.

 

[Descartes]

Could it be that, possible be, just a hint of a definite maybe..... If the gold star scheme was in for 2008, guess who would have won?

Not that I'm making pointed suggestions that BE just might have an ulterior motive.... well... it could

 

[Augie March]

Bye bye Honda.

Honda will quit Formula One on Friday, BBC Sport understands.

The Japanese company hopes to sell its team, which costs £200m a year to run, but is prepared to close the team early in 2009 if no buyer is found.

Sources told BBC Sport the team were "optimistic" they would continue, but no investor had yet been found.

However, according to the Reuters news agency, team bosses Ross Brawn and Nick Fry fear Honda could close the Brackley-based team within weeks.

According to a Reuters source, Brawn and Fry told a meeting of the Formula One Teams' Association: "They have a month to find a buyer, otherwise they are closing the team."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7766092.stm

 

[mitochondria]

shit

motorcycles are cheaper

 

[Badgers]

Shite news...

They are the richest team in the sport I thought, or is that Toyota?

 

[MikeMcc]

It's barmy to think they'd even consider changing the system after just having one of the most exciting and most talked about championships in years.

If it aint broke, don't fuck it up Bernie.

The points system makes the season very tactical, it can make it very interesting especially when they throw in tire and pit strategies. It brings out team playing as well as the individual driving skills.

If Bernie want's more overtaking then he should look at A1 GP. If he capped team spending the cars would have closer performances and driver skills would become more apparent.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Bye bye Honda.

Christ, if a company the size of Honda is pulling out it doesn't bode well for the sport...

 

[g force]

Indeed although they were also making life hard doing all chassis work, and engines and 100% bankrolled from Japan - car hasn't carried sponsorship for two years. You can't blame them really....that sort of investment just cannot be justified.

Seems they have brokered a deal to have Ferrari engines in their 09 car if the team can be bought. But really who would buy them after the seasons they've had in the current climate?

Toyota at least have some money from Panasonic but I can't see them or Renault lasting if the economy doesn't turn around.

 

[aylee]

If they introduce the medal system you might as well just have three or four teams, cos the smaller ones are completely fucked. It'd mean consistency counts for nothing.

Given Honda's withdrawal, it's looking as though there will only be three or four teams left anyway.

 

[Gingerman]

So it'll be another 2 horse race again next season then.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

It's gonna get worse, especially if that idiotic "medals instead of points" system comes in - what incentive is there for anyone to compete if they aren't going to be in the top 3?

 

[TrippyLondoner]

It's gonna get worse, especially if that idiotic "medals instead of points" system comes in - what incentive is there for anyone to compete if they aren't going to be in the top 3?

Wtf?Only just seen this news you're on about now, what the fuck is the thinking behind that?

 

[Descartes]

All you have to do is increase the points difference between first and second place...

Then first place become valuable....

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

All you have to do is increase the points difference between first and second place...

Then first place become valuable....

It used to be 10, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1, which was much better than the current system imo.

 

[Epico]

I prefer points for the top 8, but I reckon it should be 12, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

But I'm beginning to feel that F1 is pretty fucked.

 

[Zapp Brannigan]

MotoGP style 25 points for the win, points all the way down to 15th. Midfield consistency is rewarded, and 1st puts a whopping 9pts over 3rd. Job's a goodun.

Bronze silver gold, what a load of toss.

 

[Augie March]

Actually, a medal system makes perfect sense if there's only a couple of teams left in the sport.

 

[Descartes]

The only problem with a big gap in the points.. the successful driver can win the championship before the end of the season....he can then back off and cruise and the general public walk away.... loss of viewers and then loss of revenue and

The problem is that the two most dominant teams have an almost monopoly, Spanky wants to take away that dominance and introduce a standard engine to allow everyone to catch up... with the decrease in aero dynamics, and slick tyres creates another A1GP

It would be better to allow the majors to sub contract as McLaren Mercedes have done with Force India, Ferrari and Renault with the Red Bull stables. Williams & Toyota, opps who does that leave?...... all sorted... but put a limit on the amount of monies invested in engine developement as suggested by the FOTA....

Instead Cosworth have a agreement to supply or the manufacturers can produce their own.... why not leave the present engine config and save money... new engine spec more money or hasn't anyone told Spanky that?

 

[bi0boy]

I think Honda leaving will actually be good for F1. There will be a bit of a cost cutting exercise now and more of a level playing field, which should bode well for teams like Williams.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

New 2009 Ferrari tested.

I can just about forgive the front wing and nose but the rear wing is as ugly as sin, looks more like a wing from a drag racer.

Still, if it gives more overtaking I might forgive it.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

It looks a bit odd, but it's still a million miles better than the state the cars have been in for the last few years.

 

[mitochondria]

I imagine fans or mechanics using the rear wing as a seat during victory lap. The car doesn't look balanced at all - it's a freakin snowplough.

 

[cliche guevara]

I'm not keen on the wing either, but I am loving the wheels.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Lots of pictures of the new cars here

They're growing on me, I must admit.

 

[Grobelaar]

I might put some money on Kubica - totally new regs, in-season testing banned - they're the only team that have done full winter testing with the full 09 aero package - they could be the outside bet and at 8-1 it's some nice odds, that won't last long once the season shakes out (well that's what i'm hoping).