Formula One 2012

[sh@un]

ahh, i see

[tweety bird]

McLaren's hopes of retaining Lewis Hamilton are fading with reports he could be lured to Mercedes by big money and the chance to work with Ross Brawn.

In the wake of the Belgian GP reports emerged claiming that Hamilton is off to Mercedes next season to replace the retiring Michael Schumacher. All parties, though, were quick to deny.

The rumours refused to die down with Hamilton questioned about the matter several times during the Monza weekend. The Brit refused to give a 'yes' or 'no' answer, adamant he's focusing on the title race and his management team on his future.

XIX Entertainment, Hamilton's representatives, are believed to be locked in negotiations with McLaren while having also spoken to Mercedes about the British driver.

And while Sportsmail claims McLaren are only willing to offer Hamilton a deal "worth considerably less than his existing £15million-a-year terms", Mercedes have put an offer on the table that matches his "current deal while bonuses could push the sum towards £60m over three years."

Hamilton, the report claims, is "shocked by McLaren's unwillingness to at least match his current salary."

But it's not all about the money.

Added to it Mercedes have sweetened the deal by offering Hamilton "undisputed" number one status while the 27-year-old is "excited by the prospect of working at Mercedes under Brawn."

The report continued saying that, despite just one win in three seasons for Mercedes, Hamilton is "understood to be satisfied that, with Brawn at the helm and the backing of one of the planet's biggest car manufacturers, Mercedes can provide him with a car capable of realising his dream of emulating Ayrton Senna's record of three World titles.

"Key to this belief is the fact that Mercedes, along with Ferrari and Renault, are developing the new V6 turbo engine scheduled to be used in Formula One from 2014.

"Brawn admitted that while McLaren will remain a Mercedes customer, the fact his is the 'works team' means they are privy to all of the research and development of the new engine and are therefore better placed to design their car around it."

As for Brawn's point of view, the Mail says he views Hamilton as the "final piece of the jigsaw" needed to put Mercedes at the front of the pack.

Meanwhile, Swiss publication Blick has put forward Sergio Perez as Hamilton's possible replacement at McLaren after the Sauber driver raced to a very impressive runner-up result behind the Brit at last Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

Although the 22-year-old is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, Scuderia president Luca di Montezemolo recently said he won't race for him next season as Perez needs "more experience", paving the way for McLaren to swoop in.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/8076702/-Hamilton-To-Merc-Perez-To-McLaren-

it's a long read but i found it interesting.

[wolverine]

The seat at Sauber, should it be cleared, would be a pretty good one given their pace at certain race tracks.

[sh@un]

yeah, I'll step up if need be

[tweety bird]

Kylie Minogue plays Friday, Nickelback on Saturday and the awesome Eminem tops the bill for the finale on Sunday. All three After Race Concerts are exclusive to F1TM ticket holders only.

[260DET]

Are you sad because you will be seeing that lot?

[tweety bird]

yes.

la sigh.

[benm]

I bought this book on Friday, only had a quick flick through it but looks great:

http://f1store.formu...aspx?pid=101727

Edit: I also bought this book:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/car-giles-chapman/1100925421

[ctjet]

New Mclaren P1

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/paris-motor-show-2012/mclaren-p1-%C2%A3800k-supercar-revealed-paris-show

[sh@un]

look will prolly evolve a bit between now and production. can't say i'm exactly taken with it currently

looking forward to actual specs next week

[Roy]

Actual specs have been out for a while. Same engine as the 12C, just different specs, assumed to be turbos etc and more grunt. Has KERS, DSG. I like the look of it...nice evolution of the F1 and dramatic enough looking. Having seen a few 12Cs they are nice cars but not very "Oh my farking GOD" . Not compared to some other uber cars getting around...it actually reminds me a little of an Ascari

[sh@un]

no they haven't

how much torque does it make? what is the actual engine capacity? what is the kerb weight?

etc etc

[JAS-25T]

Matt - check this one out while you're there.

fcuk - just realised you missed the RSVP

[wolverine]

Racing weeked again, 12h or so till P1.

[ctjet]

Teams in agreement to cover stepped noses in 2013

Formula One teams have agreed to go ahead with regulations that will allow designers to cover up the current cars' stepped noses in 2013.

http://www.totalf1.c..._noses_in_2013/

Edited September 21, 2012 by ctjet

[ctjet]

http://f1zoom.fx1.nl/?year=2012&race=singapore&img=277&full=1

der ferk?!

[260DET]

What is wrong with the stepped noses, in all my ignorance I thought they were better aero wise than the curved ones common previously. The step would generate downforce whereas the curve could do the opposite. Please explain.

[Angus Smart]

http://f1zoom.fx1.nl...&img=277&full=1

der ferk?!

Moar cooling for flux capicator

[89CAL]

What is wrong with the stepped noses, in all my ignorance I thought they were better aero wise than the curved ones common previously. The step would generate downforce whereas the curve could do the opposite. Please explain.

The stepped nose is there to meet crash regulations

I cant remember the exact specs but all the teams noses raised at to shallow an angle to meet crash standards. Because the teams had already designed the cars, the stepped nose was the answer. Mclaren and Marussia were exempt because of the way there nose designs were, or they met the regs with a front end re-design

This was 9 months ago I dont remember properly lol

[tweety bird]

Next season's provisional calendar has been released to the teams with just two notable changes, Valencia is out and New Jersey is in.

Provisional 2013 Calendar

Mar 17 Australia (Melbourne)

Mar 24 Malaysia (Sepang)

Apr 14 China (Shanghai)

Apr 21 Bahrain (Sakhir)

May 12 Spain (Barcelona)

May 26 Monaco (Monte Carlo)

Jun 09 Canada (Montreal)

Jun 16 America (New Jersey) *

Jun 30 Britain (Silverstone)

Jul 21 Germany (Hockenheim)

Jul 28 Hungary (Hungaroring)

Sep 01 Belgium (Spa)

Sep 08 Italy (Monza)

Sep 22 Singapore (Marina Bay) *

Oct 06 Japan (Suzuka)

Oct 13 Korea (Yeongam) *

Oct 27 India (Buddh International Circuit)

Nov 03 Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

Nov 17 United States (Austin)

Nov 24 Brazil (Interlagos)

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/8096961/-New-Jersey-in-Valencia-out-