tweety bird

A group of Canadian and American investors are pushing to try and secure HRT's entry slot in Formula 1, AUTOSPORT can reveal, but they may have to wait until 2014 before being allowed to join the grid. Sources have revealed that negotiations to purchase the HRT company and secure an entry are at an advanced stage, and the plan for a team known as Scorpion Racing appears to have the blessing of F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone. The investors behind Scorpion Racing are hoping to complete due diligence of the buy-out plans in the next few days. That means the viability of their plans should become clearer by the end of the week. Scorpion is hoping to run its effort from a facility at Silverstone, using updated HRT F112 cars that will be powered by Cosworth engines and use a Williams gearbox. http://www.autosport...t.php/id/105319 Red Bull driver Mark Webber has hit out at former friend Lance Armstrong and offered a curt response to Helmu Marko's criticism. Webber, who became friends with Armstrong through his own love for cycling and admired the American for the way in which he battled back from cancer - having lost his grandfather to the disease when he was just 14 - now realises he was just one of the many people that Armstrong treated "like idiots". In truth, their friendship ended in 2008 when Armstrong failed to show "without a word of an apology" for the 2008 Monaco Grand Prix after Red Bull "had gone out of their way to meet all his demands", an incident that now makes much more sense to Webber in light of the damaging revelations revealed in Armstrong's recent interview with Oprah Winfrey. Writing in his final BBC column, Webber said: "I think what's staggering to everyone is the amount of people he was prepared to take out on the way up; people who were morally on the right side of the bridge. "He wasn't worried about the ramifications and the position he may have put these people in; it was all about Planet Lance. "That's why, Lance, using your words, the "death penalty" (regarding his life ban from cycling) isn't too heavy. You rubbed a lot of people's noses in it for so long and treated the rest of us like idiots. "Whenever I think of Armstrong now, I think of the clean cyclists who competed in the system Armstrong was fuelling week in, week out. "We'll never know but some of them on their day could have challenged the likes of Armstrong, Ivan Basso, Jan Ullrich, Alexander Vinokourov, Alberto Contador, Richard Virenque and so on. "Sadly, we don't even know their names, but in my reckoning they're morally streets ahead of those guys. Life is full of choices. Sure, none of us are perfect, but ultimately karma always triumphs." In other news surrounding Webber, the Australian has finally responded to the fairly stinging criticism he received from Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko earlier this month. Speaking to Red Bull's own Red Bulletin magazine, Marko claimed Webber "can't maintain this form throughout the year" and "falls relatively easily into a downward spiral" when things start to go wrong in the closing stages of a season, like in 2012. In a pre-season Q&A on his own website, Webber responded to Marko's claims, saying simply: "Look, everyone at this level has their own agendas and it's been evident for a long time now that I've never been a part of Marko's." http://www.planetf1....Armstrong-Marko

Italian Davide Valsecchi, current GP2 champion, has been appointed as Lotus's third driver for the 2013 Formula 1 season. http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/8451777/Valsecchi-named-third-driver-at-Lotus

doesn't everyone do that?

no. becauserain.jpg

top one is a short clip and the bottom one is the full launch.

ok.

sucks to hear man, i know i'll be there now but i've nfi where i'm going to be sleeping.. real estate agents .

yo tee tee where're you staying for the 12hr?

It's an epic fail on Bernie's part.. But the fans have f**k all say about it in Bernie's world.

James Allison says Lotus will only add a modesty panel to their E21 if they "find one that develops downforce." The most notable feature at first glance is the stepped-nose which Lotus have retained and without the cover of a modesty panel. Explaining the team's reason, technical director James Allison said a "cosmetic panel would weigh a few grams." He added that the team would only include it if they "find one that develops downforce we will add later." "I can assure you that we've done a lot, the whole team has been putting their heart and soul into this thing for quite some time," said Allison. "There is a lot gone into it and it is going to be an exciting car. "The rules for 2013 are very, very similar to 2012 so you can expect a lot of family resemblance from the 2012 car, but the devil is in the detail and it adds up to a significant amount of performance. "There are lots of new ideas and same concepts we have been pushing on with for a few years." Allison confirmed that Lotus will continue with the passive DRS system they trialed last season. "This is an area we continue to work on and the passive nature of the switching of our device means it is not outlawed by the latest regulations. "It is not something which will be a silver bullet to transform our car, but it is something which could add performance as part of the overall design." http://www.planetf1....s-in-the-detail http://www.planetf1....tepped-Nose-E21

Susie Wolff will continue her role as a Williams development driver and will be the first to test the new FW35. http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/8448697/Susie-Wolff-re-signs-with-Williams newlotus.jpg http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105310

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has called off negotiations with the Nurburgring, according to German publication Der Spiegel. "Following a detailed examination of the (Nurburgring's) proposal, we do not accept it as financially feasible and therefore end the negotiations," Der Spiegel quoted Ecclestone. Normally the German Grand Prix is alternated between Nurburgring and Hockenheim, and the latter has been touted as a possible venue for the 2013 race, despite hosting it in 2012. German news agency DPA and Der Spiegel both reported that no official comment was available yet from Nurbrugring officials. http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/8447686/Bernie-calls-off-Nurburg-talks

we will see the lotus tomorrow. or tonight if you want to stay up. http://lotusf1team.com/Lotus-F1-Team-to-Launch-E21-Live.html

The chances of the Valencia street circuit ever returning have been dealt a blow with news that the track is a state of disrepair. Valencia joined the Formula One calendar back in 2008 but dropped off the calendar after last year's race due to the cost of hosting a Formula One grand prix. And although there are no plans to return to Valencia any time soon, any chance of that happening in the future have been quashed by reports that the venue in a sorry state. According to Spanish daily Marca, a video of the venue shows missing wiring and flooded access tunnels. Added to that "a bridge that cost two million [is] now only used by vagrants to spend the night. "Only seven months ago, the last Grand Prix of Europe was held at the track. "Now, far from the glamour, the neighbours complain that there is no supervision and that thieves have taken everything that was worth anything." Spanish driver Fernando Alonso won the last race at Valencia, the 2012 European GP. http://www.planetf1....t-in-disrepair- /nevercomingback..

upload them to imgur. http://imgur.com/ then link us.

Former F1 driver Timo Glock says it did not take him long to adjust as he tested a BMW touring car before signing with the team. "I had a fantastic time in Formula One, but am now looking forward to battling for victories again with my old friends at BMW Motorsport. That is the approach I shall be taking to the challenge of the DTM." Meanwhile, Robet Kubica, who is determined to return to Formula One in the future, tested a Mercedes AMG C-Coupé, putting in 114 laps in changeable conditions. "My first day of testing in a DTM car was great fun and I learned a lot about the series and the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé," said the Pole. "The first installation lap was in the dry, then a few heavy showers of rain came down and we had to wait for the track to dry out. All in all, it was a good experience, getting to know the car in different weather conditions. "I was able to get to grips with the DTM Mercedes AMG C-Coupé and felt very comfortable in the car, even though after my long break it meant adjusting to the high downforce that a state-of-the art DTM race car produces. "I'm very pleased with my performance on this first day of DTM testing and had no problems whatsoever in the car." http://www.planetf1....ve-and-pleased- Ross Brawn insists he won't be stepping down as Mercedes team boss despite Toto Wolff's arrival. "Toto is coming in and there is another side of the business that quite frankly I don't want to get involved in," said Brawn. "I don't want to get involved in the commercial activities and with the support we need to give Daimler on a day-to-day basis. "There are a lot of things Toto will be doing which are complementary to what I am doing in terms of running the team. "But you have to have one reference. Everybody knows the only way a racing team will work is to have one reference, and I'm that reference. "I am the team principal and I am in charge of sporting, technical and racing matters." As for speculation that Paddy Lowe could head to Mercedes, Brawn said the McLaren man could yet be part of his "succession plan." "I know the situation completely. Mercedes want a long-term commitment. And obviously, with a lot of additions, I want to see how things go before I make a final long-term commitment. And so we have to have things in place. "It's rather like my succession plan at Ferrari. When I decided I was going to stop at Ferrari, we built a succession plan and I am part of that, I've talked to Paddy, we know the situation. "Like any of us in life, if we are excited by what we are doing we carry on doing it. So that's what I want to do." http://www.planetf1....-team-principal Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone says the 2013 calendar could still include 20 races, with France and Portugal showing interest to host the event. "To be honest, I don't know," said Ecclestone when asked about plans for the July 21 slot. "There is interest still in France, and now also in Portugal. They want to do it at the new Algarve track. "For Germany, it would be Nurburgring. Let's see if they can put it together." Ecclestone admitted, however, that the race was unlikely to be added to the calendar as Formula 1 teams were not keen to have an extra GP. He added: "If someone wants to have the 20th race, it will happen, if the track is there and okay. We can help [with] organising. "However, the teams do not seem to be in favour of this race. I doubt it will happen." The Briton also insisted the calendar will not be expanded beyond 20 races in the future, despite several countries wanting to join. "No. Twenty [is] the maximum amount," he said. http://www.autosport...t.php/id/105268

Robert Kubica insists he's not giving up on Formula One, confident that in time his limitations will lessen. "I still believe I can come back," he told F1 Racing magazine. "It's not just a dream. Right now I have limitations with driving single-seaters, but they are less than they look from the outside. "Things are improving. It wasn't like this six months ago and it wasn't like this three months ago. And thanks to rallies and tests on the race track, slowly my condition is improving - but there's still a long way to go. "If you cannot have the thing you want, you want the thing you have. Most important for me is that I have seen the pace is still there and I am absolutely sure I can drive competitively again." For now, though, the Pole still has some obstacles to overcome as his right arm and hand have yet to regain full function. "The bigger problem is the limitation in the supination and pronation of the arm and the limited functionality in my fingers. "But I'm convinced that this will come back slowly. Nerves need a lot of time and I see progress even if it's slow. I am quite sure this will be... not fixed, but not a big problem." http://www.planetf1....I-can-come-back Bernie Ecclestone has hit out at the Victorian government, saying they shouldn't sign a deal and then complain about it. Earlier this week, media reports in Australia claimed that the state paid $30 million a year to stage the Australian Grand Prix. "We think the taxpayer subsidy is too high and there are two issues here, one is the fee given to Mr Ecclestone and the other one is the total taxpayer subsidy for the event and the fee is of course part of that," said Tourism Minister Louise Asher. Ecclestone, though, refused to confirm whether the $30million was correct saying "maybe it's not a true figure". In an interview with radio station 3AW he added: "It's up to them isn't it? It's up to the people who are responsible. "I can't make them sign a contract, they do it of their own free will. However, he also said: "They shouldn't complain after they sign." Melbourne's Albert Park circuit has a contract to host the Australian GP until 2015 at which time Ecclestone will renegotiate. "We'll have a look in 2015," he added. http://www.planetf1....top-complaining f**ken Victorians are always complaining about money..

i remember homo saying that all the Rumours about him leaving mac where bs so i didn't read the bs/tldr that the british press was coming up with.

Pirelli have revealed their new range of tyres for the 2013 Formula One season, promising "a revolution" with their new softer compounds and setting their sights on more pit stops per race. The Italian manufacturer is determined to help improve the show and it hopes the new softer rubber, which they believe will give drivers 0.5s per lap, will play a big role in overtaking. http://www.planetf1....-more-pit-stops Jaime Alguersuari and Lucas di Grassi are set to remain as Pirelli's main Formula 1 test drivers for 2013. http://www.autosport...t.php/id/105246 Lotus to unveil 2013 F1 car via YouTube channel on 28 January Team Date Lotus January 28 McLaren January 31 Ferrari February 1 Force India February 1 Sauber February 2 Red Bull February 3 Mercedes February 4 Toro Rosso February 4 Caterham February 5 Williams February 19 Testing Venue Date Jerez 5-8 February Barcelona 19-22 February Barcelona 28 February-3 March http://www.autosport...t.php/id/105251

well it must be true then.

i haven't read that anywhere..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%C3%ADa_de_Villota

Mercedes want to replace team principal Ross Brawn as part of a restructure aimed at improving the team's performance. The proposal is to replace Brawn, who masterminded Michael Schumacher's seven world titles at Benetton and Ferrari, with two new appointments. New executive director Toto Wolff is the first of these and he has agreed a deal to bring in McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe. Their intended job titles are not clear but Wolff, 41, will likely be team boss and figurehead with Lowe, 50, running the sporting and technical aspects. BBC F1 chief analyst Eddie Jordan, who has broken two major Mercedes stories in the last three years - with their signings of Schumacher in 2010 and Lewis Hamilton for 2013 - has independently also discovered the team's plans. "Paddy Lowe is going to Mercedes and it would appear that Brawn and Fry are on their way out, and Lowe will be there in a very senior capacity," Jordan said. "Lowe won't be technical director; he'll be more senior than that. But he won't be called team principal either," Jordan said, "because that will be Wolff. But Lowe will effectively be running the team on a day-to-day basis." It remains to be seen how Mercedes will resolve a potentially sticky situation. The plans of Wolff and Mercedes F1 non-executive director Niki Lauda are to keep Brawn in place until Lowe's 'gardening leave' from McLaren is completed. This period is usually six months off work for senior personnel moving employers. http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/21143847