Formula 1 2013

[wolverine]

How much would it cost to cart around a few jerry cans and a funnel. Supercheap next F1 sponsor?

If they aren't allowed to drop the car until the fuel rig is clear then the safety issues are mostly averted.

[Missileman]

humans will find any faults in a system garanteed

[djr81]

get rid of pirelli and bring back refueling.... best racing we will see this decade hands down!

people going full ball all race and teams running the gauntlet deciding how much fuel to run to give best advantage, I think it would show the men from the boys in the way of consistent race pace

All it ever did was allow the quick cars to fk off into the middle distance. Sprint, refuel, sprint, refuel etc. The racing was hopeless. Sure fix the current tyres but dont conflate that issue with refueling being of any benefit to anyone.

[Roy]

DIETER RENCKEN on Autosport has a few things he wants to get off his chest...some snippets

"Unfortunately there simply is no polite way of stating this, but the overall implication of the end-2012 financial results lodged by the Formula 1 division of CVC Capital Partners.. borders on the scandalous."

"CVC revealed bottom-line earnings of over £500 million – made up of a mix of £330m profit and £200m refinancing dividend – for the most recent financial year, the operation known as Marussia posted losses of £59m on a turnover of half that....Add in over £1.5bn in proceeds from the sale of various stakes in the F1 operation, and CVC's profits are spectacular – but undeniably to the detriment of the fans and, crucially, the sport."

"FOG, by the nature of its business, has access to approved calendars ahead of the teams (and media). Thus hotels within a reasonable radius are block-booked well in advance by subsidiary agency Formula One World Travel, which in turn provides accommodation to F1 personnel at a fee – around 200 per cent of rack rate."

"...teams are required to use FOG's official logistics partner DHL for excess freight – at horrendous surcharge. One team boss recently estimated that his outfit's surcharges substantially exceeded the overall freight costs charged by other freight forwarders. Asked why he did not use them in that case, he replied: "Our shipments won't be cleared in time..."

It goes on and is a pretty scathing-grubby read. Didnt know that there were so many relationships binding teams for travel etc etc. All but 3 or so teams struggling for dollars? Shocked to read last year, a year where McLaren won 6 races... it lost £3.1m

Bernie is about the same height as Hitler was!

Worth subscribing to have a read

http://plus.autosport.com/premium/feature/5657/formula-1-biggest-scandal/

[tweety bird]

This weekend's Indian GP could yet be cancelled as the race's organisers have allegedly not paid entertainment taxes for the 2012 event.

According to the BBC, India's Supreme Court will hear a petition on Friday to cancel this year's Indian GP.

"We will hear the petition tomorrow," said Chief Justice P. Sathasivam.

Not for the first time, campaigner Amit Kumar has petitioned the Supreme Court with regards to Jaypee Sports International Limited and unpaid taxes.

Two years ago, the Court stepped in and ordered a freeze on a quarter of the ticket revenues in relation to a tax dispute.

Kumar argued back in 2011 that F1 was entertainment and not sport and therefore should not benefit from tax exemptions.

Now, the Court is once again involved although this time the consequence could be for Sunday's race to be cancelled.

A spokesman for Jaypee Sports International Limited said: "Whatever the court says, we are ready to follow.

"I have been contacted by other teams but we know where we want to be."

Howver, Vicky Chandhok, head of the Indian motorsport federation, is confident Sunday's race will go ahead.

"You do find the odd persons going out to try to stop sporting events - be it cricket or whatever," he told Autosport.

"It has happened before and it is nothing new to this country.

"We are the world's largest democracy and filing a public interest litigation [PIL] in any court is possible.

"However, the courts by themselves are just a system, and the judges do not take kindly to a sporting event being stopped, especially on the eve of the event."

The long-term future of the Indian Grand Prix is already in doubt as the race will not take place in 2014 as its a bid new date the following year.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/8988600/Sunday-s-Indian-GP-In-Doubt

[tweety bird]

DIETER RENCKEN on Autosport has a few things he wants to get off his chest...some snippets

"Unfortunately there simply is no polite way of stating this, but the overall implication of the end-2012 financial results lodged by the Formula 1 division of CVC Capital Partners.. borders on the scandalous."

"CVC revealed bottom-line earnings of over £500 million – made up of a mix of £330m profit and £200m refinancing dividend – for the most recent financial year, the operation known as Marussia posted losses of £59m on a turnover of half that....Add in over £1.5bn in proceeds from the sale of various stakes in the F1 operation, and CVC's profits are spectacular – but undeniably to the detriment of the fans and, crucially, the sport."

"FOG, by the nature of its business, has access to approved calendars ahead of the teams (and media). Thus hotels within a reasonable radius are block-booked well in advance by subsidiary agency Formula One World Travel, which in turn provides accommodation to F1 personnel at a fee – around 200 per cent of rack rate."

"...teams are required to use FOG's official logistics partner DHL for excess freight – at horrendous surcharge. One team boss recently estimated that his outfit's surcharges substantially exceeded the overall freight costs charged by other freight forwarders. Asked why he did not use them in that case, he replied: "Our shipments won't be cleared in time..."

It goes on and is a pretty scathing-grubby read. Didnt know that there were so many relationships binding teams for travel etc etc. All but 3 or so teams struggling for dollars? Shocked to read last year, a year where McLaren won 6 races... it lost £3.1m

Bernie is about the same height as Hitler was!

Worth subscribing to have a read

http://plus.autosport.com/premium/feature/5657/formula-1-biggest-scandal/

i've been thinking i should sign up to this, it looks worth it.

[Ants]

DIETER RENCKEN on Autosport has a few things he wants to get off his chest...some snippets

"Unfortunately there simply is no polite way of stating this, but the overall implication of the end-2012 financial results lodged by the Formula 1 division of CVC Capital Partners.. borders on the scandalous."

"CVC revealed bottom-line earnings of over £500 million – made up of a mix of £330m profit and £200m refinancing dividend – for the most recent financial year, the operation known as Marussia posted losses of £59m on a turnover of half that....Add in over £1.5bn in proceeds from the sale of various stakes in the F1 operation, and CVC's profits are spectacular – but undeniably to the detriment of the fans and, crucially, the sport."

"FOG, by the nature of its business, has access to approved calendars ahead of the teams (and media). Thus hotels within a reasonable radius are block-booked well in advance by subsidiary agency Formula One World Travel, which in turn provides accommodation to F1 personnel at a fee – around 200 per cent of rack rate."

"...teams are required to use FOG's official logistics partner DHL for excess freight – at horrendous surcharge. One team boss recently estimated that his outfit's surcharges substantially exceeded the overall freight costs charged by other freight forwarders. Asked why he did not use them in that case, he replied: "Our shipments won't be cleared in time..."

It goes on and is a pretty scathing-grubby read. Didnt know that there were so many relationships binding teams for travel etc etc. All but 3 or so teams struggling for dollars? Shocked to read last year, a year where McLaren won 6 races... it lost £3.1m

Bernie is about the same height as Hitler was!

Worth subscribing to have a read

http://plus.autosport.com/premium/feature/5657/formula-1-biggest-scandal/

outright scandalous and inappropriate to say the least if source of information is accurate and reliable (you just never 100% know theses days)

Having said that F1 has always been regarded as the most prestigious Motorsport of all and I'm not entirely all surprised for such pre arrangements and schemes to be in placed to capitalise on its glory and fame.

Is it fair to the teams of F1 and ultimately the many fans........far from it

Is it something that Ernie will change to keep F1 teams and F1 personnel content..........commercially speaking......never!

[White GTS-T]

Red Bull are looking strong again this weekend, judging by the P1 times.

[sh@un]

I'd just like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr S Vettel on becoming the youngest ever Quadruple World Champion this weekend

[Roy]

Seb is good for a mechanical DNF this weekend. The show will go on

[tweety bird]

P1 Times
01 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:26.683 24 laps
02 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:26.871 +0.188 17 laps
03 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:26.899 +0.216 23 laps
04 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:26.990 +0.307 20 laps
05 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:27.227 +0.544 21 laps
06 Jenson Button McLaren 1:27.335 +0.652 22 laps
07 Sergio Perez McLaren 1:27.416 +0.733 23 laps
08 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:27.692 +1.009 21 laps
09 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 1:27.770 +1.087 19 laps
10 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:27.800 +1.117 23 laps
11 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1:28.035 +1.352 25 laps
12 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:28.214 +1.531 6 laps
13 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1:28.336 +1.653 18 laps
14 Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:28.342 +1.659 21 laps
15 Adrian Sutil Force India 1:28.468 +1.785 20 laps
16 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 1:28.538 +1.855 18 laps
17 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1:28.730 +2.047 18 laps
18 James Calado Force India 1:29.197 +2.514 22 laps
19 Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1:29.413 +2.730 23 laps
20 Jules Bianchi Marussia 1:29.560 +2.877 20 laps
21 Charles Pic Caterham 1:30.026 +3.343 23 laps
22 Max Chilton Marussia 1:30.471 +3.788 17 laps

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/8989828/Vettel-s-Run-Of-P1s-Continues-In-India

[tweety bird]

This weekend's Indian GP could yet be cancelled as the race's organisers have allegedly not paid entertainment taxes for the 2012 event.

According to the BBC, India's Supreme Court will hear a petition on Friday to cancel this year's Indian GP.

"We will hear the petition tomorrow," said Chief Justice P. Sathasivam.

Not for the first time, campaigner Amit Kumar has petitioned the Supreme Court with regards to Jaypee Sports International Limited and unpaid taxes.

Two years ago, the Court stepped in and ordered a freeze on a quarter of the ticket revenues in relation to a tax dispute.

Kumar argued back in 2011 that F1 was entertainment and not sport and therefore should not benefit from tax exemptions.

Now, the Court is once again involved although this time the consequence could be for Sunday's race to be cancelled.

A spokesman for Jaypee Sports International Limited said: "Whatever the court says, we are ready to follow.

"I have been contacted by other teams but we know where we want to be."

Howver, Vicky Chandhok, head of the Indian motorsport federation, is confident Sunday's race will go ahead.

"You do find the odd persons going out to try to stop sporting events - be it cricket or whatever," he told Autosport.

"It has happened before and it is nothing new to this country.

"We are the world's largest democracy and filing a public interest litigation [PIL] in any court is possible.

"However, the courts by themselves are just a system, and the judges do not take kindly to a sporting event being stopped, especially on the eve of the event."

The long-term future of the Indian Grand Prix is already in doubt as the race will not take place in 2014 as its a bid new date the following year.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/8988600/Sunday-s-Indian-GP-In-Doubt

Ignore this, the race will go ahead..

[Roy]

Just watched P2....RBR eating their soft tyres. Hembrey and Newey at back of pits looking at tyres....and Romain 3rd fastest behind the two RBR cars. Over the long stint on harder compound Webber and Vettel were over a second a lap quicker...but...here is hoping that Romain can get his first win...since at 19:1 I thought it was worth a flutter with some free cash

[sh@un]

Seb is good for a mechanical DNF this weekend. The show will go on

All signs point to no

[tweety bird]

P2 Times
01 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:25.722 35 laps
02 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:26.011 +0.289 38 laps
03 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:26.220 +0.498 36 laps
04 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:26.399 +0.677 36 laps
05 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:26.430 +0.708 39 laps
06 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:26.582 +0.860 40 laps
07 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:26.601 +0.879 41 laps
08 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1:26.632 +0.910 32 laps
09 Sergio Perez McLaren 1:26.857 +1.135 40 laps
10 Jenson Button McLaren 1:26.972 +1.250 39 laps
11 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1:27.304 +1.582 17 laps
12 Adrian Sutil Force India 1:27.375 +1.653 36 laps
13 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:27.429 +1.707 31 laps
14 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 1:27.491 +1.769 40 laps
15 Paul di Resta Force India 1:27.608 +1.886 38 laps
16 Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:27.720 +1.998 23 laps
17 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 1:27.949 +2.227 34 laps
18 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1:28.431 +2.709 30 laps
19 Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1:28.692 +2.970 39 laps
20 Jules Bianchi Marussia 1:28.799 +3.077 32 laps
21 Charles Pic Caterham 1:29.366 +3.644 37 laps
22 Max Chilton Marussia 1:30.164 +4.442 27 laps

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/8990251/Prac-Two

Following on from their Japanese €60,000 fine for a loose wheel, Williams have again been hit with the same fine for the same offense.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/8991110/Williams-slapped-with-another-hefty-fine

[tweety bird]

Sebastian Vettel is predicting a short first stint in Sunday's Indian GP as the front runners pit early to get rid of their soft tyres.

The soft Pirellis suffered high wear during Friday afternoon's practice at the Buddh International Circuit.

Although a second quicker on the first lap than the medium tyres, the softs quickly lost pace as they began to grain.

Several drivers highlighted the issue to their teams while the graining was very notable on both Vettel and his team-mate Mark Webber's front lefts.

Vettel, though, is confident that as the weekend progresses and the track rubbers in, the tyres will last longer although he still expects a short first stint come Sunday's Indian GP.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/8990486/Seb-Vettel-Reveals-Soft-Tyre-Concerns

[sh@un]

must be hard to stay up-beat in the Will.i.ams camp

[tweety bird]

P3 Times
01 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:25.332 16 laps
02 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:25.892 +0.560 14 laps
03 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:26.105 +0.773 19 laps
04 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 1:26.306 +0.974 17 laps
05 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:26.350 +1.018 16 laps
06 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:26.435 +1.103 20 laps
07 Paul di Resta Force India 1:26.438 +1.106 15 laps
08 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:26.441 +1.109 19 laps
09 Jenson Button McLaren 1:26.489 +1.157 15 laps
10 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:26.557 +1.225 17 laps
11 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1:26.635 +1.303 14 laps
12 Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:26.641 +1.309 13 laps
13 Sergio Perez McLaren 1:26.737 +1.405 13 laps
14 Adrian Sutil Force India 1:26.847 +1.515 17 laps
15 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1:26.876 +1.544 17 laps
16 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:26.883 +1.551 15 laps
17 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1:27.259 +1.927 18 laps
18 Charles Pic Caterham 1:27.941 +2.609 18 laps
19 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber 1:28.019 +2.687 15 laps
20 Giedo van der Garde Caterham 1:28.498 +3.166 16 laps
21 Max Chilton Marussia 1:29.094 +3.762 11 laps
22 Jules Bianchi Marussia 1:29.169 +3.837 13 laps

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/8991803/Vettel-Claims-Indian-Practice-Hat-Trick

[White GTS-T]

That bet isn't looking good Roy

[wolverine]

In all sorts of trouble with the bet.