Formula One 2012

[wolverine]

need that for my loungeroom

The first one or the second one?

If it's the second one I want to see how big your loungeroom is.

[sh@un]

2nd 1

and i'm just being facetious- i don't live in an old church building

[tweety bird]

daniel's going to be in Toro Rosso.

Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne will race for the Toro Rosso team in the 2012 Formula 1 season, the team has announced.The news means the duo will replace Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari.

Toro Rosso said the decision to replace its current drivers was taken in conjunction with Red Bull.

It will be the first time since the team's 2006 debut that it will begin the year with an all new line-up.

"I am pleased that we have been able to reach an early decision on our drivers for next year, because it means we can all give our full attention to 2012, without any distractions," said team boss Franz Tost.

"Over the past year, both Daniel and Jean-Eric have proved their worth and I expect them to make a significant contribution to the team's performance next year. Daniel has the benefit of having actually raced in Grands Prix for much of this year, while Jean-Eric proved he could adapt quickly to the demands of driving a Formula 1 car.

"As they have both worked with the team and its engineers very recently, this should allow us to get up to speed right from the start of winter testing in a couple of months time."

Tost was thankful to Buemi and Alguersuari, but said it was Toro Rosso's duty to give new drivers a chance in Formula 1.

The duo had been with the team since the 2009 season.

"I must also thank Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari for all their hard work over the past three seasons," added Tost.

"They have delivered some excellent performances which have helped the team move forward and develop. We wish them well for the future.

"However, one has to remember that when Scuderia Toro Rosso was established in 2005, it was done so with the intention of providing a first step into Formula 1 for the youngsters in the Red Bull Junior Driver programme.

"It is therefore part of the team's culture to change its driver line-up from time to time in order to achieve this goal."

Australian Ricciardo, who was the team's third driver this year, made his grand prix debut with the HRT team this season, impressing with his performances alongside the more experienced Tonio Liuzzi.

"This is a really big deal for me and something I have wanted ever since I was driving for Toro Rosso on Friday mornings at the races in the first part of last season," he said.

"To be honest, I am still jumping up and down with excitement at the news. In the second half of 2011 I learned a lot from the people I worked with, racing in eleven Grands Prix and I want to thank them for the opportunity they gave me.

"I have to say that joining Scuderia Toro Rosso was always my real goal, so a big thank you to Red Bull for giving me this fantastic opportunity and now I can't wait to get to work once testing begins."

Vergne will become the third Frenchman to race in Formula 1 in 2012, alongside Virgin's Charles Pic and Lotus's Romain Grosjean.

"First of all, I must thank Red Bull for all their support so far and for believing I am ready to take on the ultimate challenge of racing in Formula 1," Vergne said.

"Christmas has come early for me this year! Having driven for them a few times this year and also testing for Red Bull Racing in Abu Dhabi, I definitely feel ready to make the move, even if I know there is a big difference between testing and actually racing.

"I enjoyed working with the guys at Toro Rosso this year and I can't wait to be part of the team for real. Sitting on the grid in Melbourne next March cannot come soon enough."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96745

me likey .

[Roy]

I was only debating this week that I thought Dan would be at STR and any Red Bull money that was going to be used to fund seats at other teams would be used to find seat for the establised STR pilots in the hope that it will turn into a paid contract.

So i am tipping Alguersuari at Caterham and Buemi out in the cold with a 3rd seat at RBR

[JAS-25T]

WOOT!

[Owgasm]

Nice. Let's see what Dan can do.

[ctjet]

Pretty harsh move on Alguersuari

No way Vergne deserved it more. Could have at least made him a resevrve for 2012 and bump him up the following year

Good news for Disco though. The RBR program giving him a great leg up

[sh@un]

Dan Dan, he's our man- If he can't do it, Webber... might.

[Owgasm]

We can only hope.

[ctjet]

Pretty unlikely though after this years effort

Unless Mclaren come up with something pretty spectacular, Vettel is going the back-to-back-to-back. Which will be as equally exciting as he is

[PIG747]

Woohoo...

I'm so glad he landed a decent seat.

Hopefully he can give the rest a run for their money

[sh@un]

Pretty unlikely though after this years effort

I kid, I kid; Webber will remain WDC-less

[tweety bird]

Q & A with Daniel Ricciardo

Q. Dan, congratulations on getting a drive with Scuderia Toro Rosso. How does it feel?

Daniel Ricciardo: It feels amazing! It's nice coming into next season knowing what I'm doing and being able to focus solely on that. I am looking forward to working with a good group of people that I already spent a lot of time with this year. So there's plenty to look forward to in 2012.

Q. How did you find out you had the drive?

DR:

I was actually at home, it was after dinner and the phone call came. It was short, sharp and to the point, but it contained all the news I wanted to hear. It was an awesome Christmas present and a big relief. I was with Mum and Dad at the time and I came out of my room and told them the news and it felt pretty special.

Q. Since the last race of 2011 in Brazil, were you ever concerned you might not have a drive for 2012?

DR:

Until something is done you are always going to be a little bit concerned, but I know everyone at Red Bull is looking after my interests and I felt I had done a good enough job this year for them to try and find me a seat for 2012. I had faith something would come through.

Q. You've had a busy year, starting out driving Free Practice 1 for us and then actually racing in the last eleven Grands Prix from Silverstone onwards. What are the main lessons you learned this year?

DR:

Looking back at the whole year, I did more travelling than ever before in my life and I found out it can be really tiring and can take it out of you. So I learned how important it is to be on time and to manage my time as efficiently as possible and to rest when I can. There was so much to take in this year and from the driving point of view, as a reserve driver you can see everything the job involves, but until you are actually racing, you do not realise the demands it puts on you, so that was another important lesson. I learned to get my priorities right and not waste my energy elsewhere.

Q. How well do you know your new team-mate, Jean-Eric Vergne?

DR:

Pretty well. We were signed up as part of the Red Bull Junior team on the same day and we were team-mates back then, in the Renault 2.0 series. I spent some time with him at his house in France, going karting together. We had a pretty good relationship by the standard of racing driver team-mates. As we progressed, the rivalry got stronger between us, but the important thing is that we respect one another. We both want to beat each other more than anyone else and it's been like that since we first raced together. It's a good thing and means we will get the maximum out of the equipment we are given. Next year will be a proper test for both of us.

Q. When will you be coming back to Europe?

DR:

I have spoken to Laurent (Mekies, Chief Engineer) and we are putting together a pre-season programme now. I imagine that very early in the new year I will have to abandon the beautiful Australian summer and head for freezing Italy and get down to business, making sure I am as well prepared as possible.

Q. It means you've got the best incentive to push hard on your winter training.

DR:

Yes, my trainer told me I could take it easy until Christmas, but once I heard I got the drive I wanted to go out and bash myself up in the gym.

Q. Having signed up now, does it mean you can actually have an input on the technical side of next year's Toro Rosso car?

DR: Yes, there are some areas where we can start early. For example, there are different options for my position in the cockpit and the layout of the steering wheel and the team has already asked me about my preferences

for this. It means that coming into testing I should be comfortable and feel the car is mine.

http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/96756

Edited December 15, 2011 by tweety bird

[N1GTR]

Silverstone gains planning approval for 'masterplan'

Silverstone's plans to expand its circuit facilities over the next 20 years have been approved by its local councils.

The 'masterplan' will see three hotels built at the circuit, new business and technology parks and improved spectator facilities. Both Aylesbury Vale District Council and South Northamptonshire Council have approved Silverstone's outline planning application, which the circuit believes will "secure the long-term future of the international venue".

"We are delighted with the outcome and approval of this planning application - this is the most important initiative that Silverstone has taken in its 60-year history as the Home of British Motor Racing," managing director Richard Phillips said. "This planning will help maintain Silverstone's position as a leading global centre for sport, leisure, education and technology and retain its position as a world-leading motor sport destination. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank both Aylesbury Vale and South Northamptonshire Councils, for the way in which the two planning authorities have worked together on this application."

The 'masterplan' will include the following features:

Business park (maximum 122,519 sqm; use classes B1, B2 and B8)

Technology park (maximum 62,662 sqm, use classes B1, B2 and B8)

Education campus (maximum 34,658 sqm; use classes D1 and C2)

Three hotels (maximum 39,847 sqm; use class C1)

Ancillary retail and spectator facilities, including 'Welcome Centre' and 'Museum of Motor sport' (maximum 61,964 sqm; use class D2), with promotional and experiential automotive display space (maximum 18,600 sqm)

Improved leisure and event spaces, including a kart track and outdoor stage (maximum 65,075 sqm; use class D2)

Other ancillary development, including landscape works, grandstands, hardstanding and support paddock, bridge and tunnel to improve pedestrian flows, a new point of access, supporting infrastructure and demolition.

http://formula1fanpage.blogspot.com/2011/12/silverstone-gains-planning-approval-for.html

[N1GTR]

Ferrari boss Domenicali confident of 'no surprises' with 2012 F1 car

Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, Brazil 2011Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali is confident his team has taken the right measures to make sure there are no surprises with its new car when the 2012 season starts.

The Maranello-based squad was upbeat about its chances for the year after a very strong pre-season testing, but it was off the pace when the racing started.

In the end, the team managed just one win and finished a distant third in the championship.

Domenicali is confident the steps the team has taken to address the situation will pay off in 2012.

"From one side we tried to react from the organisational point of view, to do some changes," Domenicali said during a video conference with fans. "And we have done quite a lot of changes and we will have some more changes at the beginning of next year.

"Secondly of course we want to make sure that, with a humble approach, we don't underestimate any area of development.

"With the new regulations there is no such a big effect on the so-called blown diffuser, so we need to make sure that the car, from a general point of view, is very efficient and is able to create downforce because that was the main problem that we had this year.

"And I have to say that we need to be realistic and I believe in the choices that our technical people have taken to make sure there are no big surprises when we start the season.

"I'm confident about the job of the people who are here day and night because there is a great will to the place where we should be."

Domenicali confirmed the new car will be ready for the first test of 2012, with a launch expected to take place the week before.

"We are targeting the first week of February," Domenicali said of the launch date. "We don't know the day exactly but that's when we should be ready with the new car."

http://formula1fanpage.blogspot.com/2011/12/ferrari-boss-domenicali-confident-of-no.html

[tweety bird]

more good news for you roy

Nico Hulkenberg joins Paul di Resta in Force India's 2012 Formula 1 driver line-up

Force India has confirmed Nico Hulkenberg will join Paul di Resta in its racing driver line-up for the 2012 season.Hulkenberg was the team's reserve driver during the 2011 season and will return to racing next year, having made his grand prix debut with the Williams team in 2010.

He replaces Adrian Sutil, the German having been expected to leave Force India for some months.

"I'm obviously delighted to be staying with Sahara Force India and to be given the chance to race next year," said Hulkenberg. "It wasn't easy to watch from the sidelines this season, but I did my best to help the team and show what I was capable of.

"I'm extremely motivated for 2012 and would like to thank everyone for believing in me and giving me this chance. I'm keen to get down to work over the winter to develop our new car and help the team build on this year's achievements. The first test in Jerez can't come soon enough."

Di Resta, who enjoyed an impressive rookie season with the Silverstone-based squad this year, will compete with Force India for a second consecutive campaign.

"I'm really looking forward to my second season of Formula 1 and continuing to grow and develop with Sahara Force India," he said. "I've said all along that I love being part of this team: they are ambitious, hungry for success and we work well together.

"I'm really excited about 2012 and there is a real sense of belief that we can continue to push the top teams and take another step forward. I'd also like to thank the team for all their hard work this year and for all the support they've given me. I'll take some time out over the next few weeks to recharge my batteries and hopefully come back even stronger in 2012."

Team boss Vijay Mallya said both drivers had more than earned their opportunities with their performances in their 2011 roles.

"I think Paul caught the eye of everybody in the pitlane during his rookie season," said Mallya. "His speed, maturity and racecraft confirmed that we were right to believe in him and we look forward to working with him again next year.

"As for Nico, we identified him as a rising star at the end of 2010 and chose to evaluate him during the course of this season. Despite having only limited time in the car, he convinced us that he deserved a race seat for 2012."

Mallya also thanked the departing Sutil for his contribution. Sutil had been at the team since 2007, when it was still known as Spyker.

"Our new line-up means we say 'goodbye' to Adrian Sutil, who has been with the team since we entered the sport," said Mallya. "He has been an integral part of our success over the past four seasons and we wish him well for the future."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96780

[chef_stagea]

An EOI on melbourne tickets!!!

I want to go for 4 days, missis and her brother are coming for race day.

U cant buy tickets for single days in the 4 day stands untill very last min...

Is there anyone keen to buy my sunday pass so i can buy a ticket to a single day stand (webber i think)

I gave no

Chance of sitting with them if we wait.

I havnt purchased yet, but will do so b4 end of the yr to get the silver pack?? Gets a travk walk or sum shit?

Also the stands are flexae to let me know.

[Roy]

Not sure what to make of Sutil. Hulk on paper will be interesting up against Di Resta. Would think that Mercedes will be looking at their respective performances and how Schuey is going

[N1GTR]

http://formula1fanpage.blogspot.com/2011/12/f1-will-struggle-in-us-ecclestone.html

F1 will struggle in the US - Ecclestone

F1 last raced in the USA in 2007 © Sutton Images

Bernie Ecclestone does not see F1 taking off in the USA over the next ten years despite the addition of two grands prix on American soil by 2013.

Despite some concerns over funding, Austin is set to host the return of the US Grand Prix next year for the first time since the race fell off the calendar in 2007. In 2013 New Jersey will also host F1, but Ecclestone is wary that two grands prix might not be enough to crack the US market.

"We've got maximum two races in America, and when you consider the country is as big as Europe and we've got several races in Europe, it's difficult," he told Al Jazeera. "If we had a lot more races there and a lot more television, it would be okay. We've been there, years ago, and it's a little bit like the rest of America, they want to see a profit before they start something and it's not easy to do that."

But Ecclestone is not just focusing on the US, revealing that South Africa is close to an F1 return for the first time since 1993.

"We're going to be in Russia in 2014, South Africa, probably in 2013 even," he added, before warning that spaces on the calendar are now limited.

"We have enough countries waiting but I think we have to stop now," he said. "It's difficult for the people who work in Formula One with all the travelling. They never see their families, that's the big problem."

lol, Bernie caring about someone other than Bernie?!

[zebra]

Nah he is just concerned that if the drivers all quit he won't make any more money