|
Post by paulgilb on Feb 2, 2013 0:01:53 GMT 1
Seeing as we are now into February, it seems like a good time to start this year's F1 thread.
Calendar
17 March - Australia 24 March - Malaysia 14 April - China 21 April - Bahrain 12 May - Spain (Barcelona) 26 May - Monaco 9 June - Canada 30 June - Britain 7 July - Germany (Nurburgring) 21 July - possible extra race 28 July - Hungary 25 August - Belgium 8 September - Italy 22 September - Singapore 6 October - Korea 13 October - Japan 27 October - India 3 November - Abu Dhabi 17 November - USA 24 November - Brazil
The Spanish GP is now alternating between Barcelona and Valencia, so no Valencia this year (ironically after producing its best race by far last year).
There was originally meant to be a second US race (in New Jersey), but this has been postponed until 2014.
Portugal and Austria have both been touted as potential GPs for the 21 July slot.
|
|
|
Post by paulgilb on Feb 2, 2013 0:11:39 GMT 1
Driver Line-Up
Red Bull-Renault (AUT) Sebastian Vettel (GER) Mark Webber (AUS)
Ferrari (ITA) Fernando Alonso (ESP) Felipe Massa (BRA)
McLaren-Mercedes (GBR) Jenson Button (GBR) Sergio Perez (MEX)
Lotus-Renault (GBR) Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Romain Grosjean (FRA)
Mercedes (GER) Nico Rosberg (GER) Lewis Hamilton (GBR)
Sauber-Ferrari (SUI) Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Esteban Gutierrez (MEX)
Force India-Mercedes (IND) Paul di Resta (GBR) TBA
Williams-Renault (GBR) Pastor Maldonado (VEN) Valtteri Bottas (FIN)
Toro Rosso-Ferrari (ITA) Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA) Daniel Ricciardo (AUS)
Caterham-Renault (MAL) Charles Pic (FRA) Giedo van der Garde (NED)
Marussia-Cosworth (RUS) Max Chilton (GBR) TBA (Luiz Razia has been reported)
|
|
|
Post by paulgilb on Feb 2, 2013 0:23:06 GMT 1
Rule changes (thanks to http://www.formula1.com):
|
|
|
Post by Sm1ffj on Feb 2, 2013 8:15:50 GMT 1
The BBC has a Faboulous new presenter, Suzi Perry.
|
|
|
Post by Shireblogger on Feb 2, 2013 8:48:32 GMT 1
paulgilb,
As our resident F1 guru, do you know how many teams used the 4 curfews rule in 2012 ? I'd never even heard of this rule before, and I'm keen to know the background to the change.
All of the other rule changes seem eminently sensible.
|
|
Paul
Member
*Pantomime Villain!*
Posts: 13,447
|
Post by Paul on Feb 2, 2013 9:54:06 GMT 1
paulgilb, As our resident F1 guru, do you know how many teams used the 4 curfews rule in 2012 ? I'd never even heard of this rule before, and I'm keen to know the background to the change. All of the other rule changes seem eminently sensible. None of them did. I think Ferrari used 3, but I'm not sure. The thinking is probably that there were too many to begin with, and teams are stretched enough with 19/20 races as it is, let along having 4 all-nighters on top of that. I don't think we'll see a 20th race this year. Bernie's more or less confirmed that it will be 19 races maximum. The trouble is all the circuits rumoured for that 20th spot i.e. Portimao, Red Bull Ring, Magny-Cours, Paul Ricard, Istanbul Park will want more than a one year deal. That's not going to happen with Russia and New Jersey coming in next year. One race will have to go next year anyway, and worryingly Suzuka is the only one not contracted for 2014. And the Spanish GP is almost certainly not alternating with Valencia. Barcelona want to keep the race for themselves. Apparently the Valencia circuit has not been maintained at all, and thieves have stolen a lot of the equipment at the track. The second Force India seat is between Ferrari protege Jules Bianchi, Adrian Sutil and Bruno Senna. Even though Razia confirmed he had the 2nd Marussia seat there's still not confirmation from the team. Maybe we'll get that this weekend, or maybe they might sign someone experienced Petrov. The prospect of a Razia - Chilton lineup is too depressing to contemplate, especially when the experienced and underrated Timo Glock got the chop. A Pic and van der Garde lineup at Caterham is equally as underwhelming.
|
|
|
Post by Panda on Feb 4, 2013 23:12:45 GMT 1
I don't hate van der Garde getting the Caterham drive. Although not as talented as Kovalainen, he's always shown flashes of speed and is arguably an upgrade on Petrov.
Meanwhile, the new Sauber looks rather awesome.
|
|
Paul
Member
*Pantomime Villain!*
Posts: 13,447
|
Post by Paul on Feb 6, 2013 21:17:59 GMT 1
I don't hate the man, but he's just plain not good enough. It's been a long time since he's done anything impressive - his season in GP2 last year was quite poor given his experience. The fact he's in F1 and Glock, Kovalainen, Kobayashi, Alguersuari, Heidfeld and Sutil are not is a travesty. But money talks
|
|
Paul
Member
*Pantomime Villain!*
Posts: 13,447
|
Post by Paul on Mar 1, 2013 19:48:09 GMT 1
A few things confirmed this week:
Adrian Sutil returns to F1 with Force India.
Luiz Razia has lost his Marussia seat and will be replaced for the season with Jules Bianchi who lost out on the Force India drive.
|
|
|
Post by paulgilb on Mar 2, 2013 11:48:19 GMT 1
So Razia is now a contender for Shortest Ever F1 Career (that's if you consider him to have had an F1 career).
|
|
|
Post by Panda on Mar 6, 2013 20:29:35 GMT 1
Vincenzo Sospiri and Marco Apicella might run him close...
Meanwhile, BBC announced details for their broadcasts this year. In addition to Suzi Perry replacing Jake Humphrey, it was announced practice sessions for their live races will be shown on BBC2. Why, I'm not sure, considering the digital switchover is complete. The only reason I can think of is to fill the quota of sports coverage by other production companies (the same reason we get Snooker Extra late at night when there's a tournament on).
Also, journalist Tom Clarkson will be a pit-lane reporter, in the old Ted Kravitz role alongside Lee McKenzie. Gary Anderson continues his excellent work as technical analyst.
Ben Edwards and DC will be in the commentary box again with Eddie Jordan completing the TV line-up.
On the radio, Allan McNish replaces Jaime Alguersuari alongside James Allen, with Jennie Gow continuing in the pit-lane role.
|
|
Paddy
Member
*Pick up a P..P...P.. Paddy*
Best newcomer 2009
Posts: 19,336
|
Post by Paddy on Mar 6, 2013 20:41:47 GMT 1
Allen McNish has done le mans commentary I believe, and was pretty good.
Suzi Perry has been missing from BBC for a little while. Glad to see she'll be back.
|
|
|
Post by paulgilb on Mar 6, 2013 23:31:24 GMT 1
Vincenzo Sospiri and Marco Apicella might run him close... Both actually made it as far as a GP weekend (with Apicella managing to start a race). Other drivers with short careers: Jorge de Bagration (an Italian-born Spaniard who was a claimant to the Georgian throne) was included on the entry list for Spain 1974, but the entry list went missing, and he was omitted from the new entry list, making him unable to compete. However, he had also had an entry for Spain 1968 refused. Ricardo Londono-Bridge (which at least one source has claimed was his real name!) took part in an acclimatisation session for Brazil 1981 (intending to take part in the race), but was refused a super-licence.
|
|
|
Post by Panda on Mar 6, 2013 23:42:20 GMT 1
Vincenzo Sospiri and Marco Apicella might run him close... (with Apicella managing to start a race). Which ended after 800 yards...
|
|
|
Post by Panda on Mar 6, 2013 23:44:15 GMT 1
Allen McNish has done le mans commentary I believe, and was pretty good. Suzi Perry has been missing from BBC for a little while. Glad to see she'll be back. McNish should do a good job. I remember him filling in for Louise Goodman on ITV a few years ago and that fantastic Audi Le Mans advert he did shows he's a strong, engaging talker.
|
|
Paul
Member
*Pantomime Villain!*
Posts: 13,447
|
Post by Paul on Mar 7, 2013 9:25:53 GMT 1
Allen McNish has done le mans commentary I believe, and was pretty good. Did he do it while he was competing?! McNish hasn't missed a Le Mans since 2003. He was decent on Sky's coverage last year when he filled in for Ant Davidson - solid and articulate but a bit bland.
|
|
Paddy
Member
*Pick up a P..P...P.. Paddy*
Best newcomer 2009
Posts: 19,336
|
Post by Paddy on Mar 7, 2013 9:29:37 GMT 1
I think he did a bit on le mans radio and sky when they covered the daytona 24hr race. But I'm not 100% sure
|
|
Paddy
Member
*Pick up a P..P...P.. Paddy*
Best newcomer 2009
Posts: 19,336
|
Post by Paddy on Mar 9, 2013 9:47:19 GMT 1
Does anyone want an f1 predictor this season?
|
|
Paul
Member
*Pantomime Villain!*
Posts: 13,447
|
Post by Paul on Mar 9, 2013 10:28:17 GMT 1
Yes
|
|
Paddy
Member
*Pick up a P..P...P.. Paddy*
Best newcomer 2009
Posts: 19,336
|
Post by Paddy on Mar 9, 2013 11:30:25 GMT 1
Would people like the castrol edge one or a made up one used on here?
|
|