General F1 news

[Dan]

Video doesn't really show much to say if it looks bad or good. But he did end up winning that rally.

[w00dsy]

you have to admire the guy for coming back to the sport that messed him up, rather than attempting to go back into something safe like circuit racing.

[youtube] [/youtube]

[Big Kev]

James Allen also now saying Hamilton to Merc is a done deal.

If it's true I wonder who McLaren have got an eye on for a replacement.

[w00dsy]

I reckon Di Resta.

[Exar Kun]

James Allen also now saying Hamilton to Merc is a done deal.

If it's true I wonder who McLaren have got an eye on for a replacement.

It certainly sounded that way from his post race demeanour. It's a difficult call for McLaren to replace him. No one available has the speed. Agree with Rod - it'd have to be di Resta of the current crop. But i'm not convinced he's really quick enough. If it's true then Lewis is obviously putting considerations besides winning into his decision. Money and off track stuff (PR) would probably be the biggest things. It's not going to be any good being allowed to keep his winner's trophies if he doesn't actually get any.

[matticooper]

so I wonder how they'll handle that in the "TOONED" videos McLaren seem to be posting every GP...

[nutty]

I hate this whole "brand" thing all these athletes are doing lately..

Will be intresting to see Niko v Lewis, wonder how Lewis will handle it

[richo]

I could have my head up my arse but apart from the cash i could not see why he would change unless he doesn't like the management and JennyB from the Block ?

[Exar Kun]

I could have my head up my arse but apart from the cash i could not see why he would change unless he doesn't like the management and JennyB from the Block ?

It'd be more to do with why Kimi left. McLaren are cramping his style... Kimi wanted to do nothing and Lewis wants to choose what he does and doesn't do and how he does it. I think McLaren have been pretty good to Lewis but there's no doubt that they're the most "corporate" team. Jenson seems to enjoy it but Lewis is over it now.

[Jamo]

Ron should get Crazy Dave back in the team. He was there for years and years and did nothing. Why not the same again!

[Enforcer-J]

Who's out of Merc than? Is Schuey retiring or is Rosberg off to Ferrari? Lotus? McLaren?

[Dan]

Bernie slipped up and said Schuey was out at the end of the year.

[Big Kev]

Yeah I think there's a fair bit of winter driver swapping to go on this year. Be interesting to see who ends up where.

I think Exar is dead on about Hamilton wanting more control over what he does and when and his 'brand' (whatever the heck that means). Also Merc is a global brand and McLaren isn't so they would be able to use him everywhere as a recognisable figure for their advertising. I don't think Jenson is so bothered. He's got £50m in the bank, tax haven homes and a model gf so he's a happy bunny doing whatever they want to extend a career that was probably on the brink of ending only a few years ago.

I suspect Hamilton really wanted to go to Red Bull but Webber was a good cheap keeper for them and Vettel didn't want to leave. That really closed the doors for him. So Merc is the only place he has left as Schumacher is an easy one for them to push out. But Rosberg's career seems to be stalling there a bit so he might be looking to move if Ferrari can't find a good replacement for Massa.

I'm not sure I really see what the excitement is about Di Resta. He seems a bit of a mid-grid plodder to me but I can see the attraction for McLaren as he has that very straight laced professional air about him.

[w00dsy]

Di Resta has also recently signed with Buttons management after getting screwed over by Lewis' dad earlier in the year. To be honest i don't a huge amount of talent for McLaren to chose from, some of the guys who look like they may be future winners like Perez, Di Resta, Hulk, Rick Ardo aren't really at the level for a top team yet. Maybe another year or two and they might be.

[Scottie]

I think woody's on to the 1 year to go thing with PDR, DR, NH and the like...

It's sort of why I'm hoping merc do a swap with schuey... get the old man on the top step before he hangs up his helmet and give PDR another year at Fi.

Nico and Lewis are actually REALLY close friends from their early careers, so I can see them getting on well in Mercedes.

Despite all the publicity... I really don't expect much change to the rest of the grid... Williams need to tone Crashtor down, and develop Senna a bit more... Force India, Sauber and Torro Rosso seem content with their drivers growing with the team.

It's just the small teams at the back really... Is Heikki happy with another year at Caterham? same goes for Timo. HRT just need cash!

[Big Kev]

F1 doctor and safety advocate, Sid Watkins, has passed away.

[Exar Kun]

F1 doctor and safety advocate, Sid Watkins, has passed away.

Sad news. He did a lot for the sport as a whole and quite a few drivers have him to thank personally as well.

[Dr. Pain]

That is sad to hear. He helped the sport a lot.

[richo]

From the little i knew of the man from the Senna movie he seemed like a lovely bloke.

[KNAPPO]

Thats really sad news.

[Big Kev]

Sky F1 show item on Kubica

[youtube] [/youtube]

[Big Kev]

Just seen a great quote from Sid Watkins

As a neurosurgeon I shouldn't be needed at a motor race, the drivers can't have any brains or they wouldn't be racing in the first place.

[VTRacing]

Kubica must still have quite bad strength and/or dexterity in that hand because they've shifted the gearchange paddle across to the left. It's usually operated by the right hand in those cars.

Still, even if we never see him in F1 again it's good to see him continuing to enjoy motorsport. Looking at what happened to Gareth Roberts at San Remo in a similar crash Kubica is very lucky to still be here at all.

[wobblysauce]

Same with the many Motorbike riders that get there hand fused, as it does look like a claw/cupped position.

[Big Kev]

2013 Formula 1 calendar (Provisional)

March 17 Australia (Melbourne)
March 24 Malaysia (Sepang)
April 14 China (Shanghai)
April 21 Bahrain (Sakhir)
May 12 Spain (Barcelona)
May 26 Monaco (Monte Carlo)
June 9 Canada (Montreal)
June 16 America (New Jersey) *
June 30 Britain (Silverstone)
July 21 Germany (Hockenheim)
July 28 Hungary (Hungaroring)
September 1 Belgium (Spa)
September 8 Italy (Monza)
September 22 Singapore (Marina Bay) *
October 6 Japan (Suzuka)
October 13 Korea (Yeongam) *
October 27 India (Buddh International Circuit)
November 3 Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
November 17 United States (Austin)
November 24 Brazil (Interlagos)

* subject to confirmation