65 replies to this topic

[RobH]

So, it's 2012, and another F1 thread. But before we get into predicting whether the German Wunderkind will sweep all before him again, it seems there's a bit of a strange love in going on....

Formula One's governing body announced on Wednesday it had joined the Olympic family, although there was no suggestion that motor racing could ever be part of any future Games.

The International Automobile Federation said it had been recognised provisionally for a two-year period by the International Olympic Committee and had agreed to respect the Olympic charter.

It added that the IOC had asked the FIA to introduce as soon as possible an athlete's Commission in order to make the recognition permanent.

"I am delighted the FIA is now part of the Olympic family as this is a confirmation of the strength of our sporting credentials as well as a recognition of the values of respect, excellence and friendship which we actively share with the Olympic movement," said FIA president Jean Todt in a statement.

Formula One and the Olympics will come together, of sorts, in 2014 when the inaugural Russian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place in Sochi after the Winter Games there.

That Grand Prix has been put forward by local Olympic organisers as one of the additional legacies of the Games in the Black Sea resort, using some of the same facilities and providing a use for the Park.

http://www.moneycont...ily_649449.html

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Athletics great Michael Johnson will work with the Williams Formula One team to help its crew speed up drivers' pit stops.

Williams F1 said Michael Johnson Performance Inc., the training company founded by the retired 200m and 400m Olympic champion, will devise a training programme for its pit crew and evaluate the whole team's regime.

Shaving even a tiny amount from the time needed to change tires and make repairs can make a huge difference to a driver's race performance.

"I am confident that the experience and biomechanics expertise of the MJP staff that has benefited numerous American football athletes, Premier League football teams, and Olympic federations, can also benefit the Williams F1 Team pit crew in their goal to cut hundredths and even tenths of a second from their pit stop times," Johnson said.

http://www.stuff.co....lliams-pit-crew

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To celebrate this new found friendship, I thought we could relive Badoer's finest moment...



Now back to the F1....

[Bezzi]

Williams already decided Maldonado partner? I think it was between Sutil, Senna and Barrichello.

[gotosy]

Bezzi, on 12 January 2012 - 10:37 AM, said:

Williams already decided Maldonado partner? I think it was between Sutil, Senna and Barrichello.

...not yet

[gotosy]

Senna to race for Williams

Quote

Brazilian Bruno Senna has signed to drive for Williams in 2012.



The move means the 28-year-old is joining the team for which his uncle Ayrton Senna was driving when he was killed in 1994.

He was preferred to veteran countryman Rubens Barrichello for the position and will partner Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado.

Barrichello, who will be 40 this year, had been hoping to extend his F1 career into a 20th season but Williams preferred to go for the promise and potential of Senna rather than Barrichello's proven pace and experience.

There was support among some sections of the Williams team for Barrichello keeping the drive, on the basis that he is a proven talent and because of his renowned technical expertise.

However, sources close to Williams say the relationship between the driver and the team's management soured over time as a result of the slide in the team's results.

Williams had the worst season in their history in 2011 and are in the middle of a rebuilding process, with a new technical director, chief aerodynamicist and chief engineer, and some in the team felt they could benefit from continuity of drivers and Barrichello's experience.

The only remaining free seat in F1 for 2012 is the second HRT alongside veteran Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa.

But Barrichello is considered unlikely to want to drive for the back-of-the-grid Spanish team.

Veteran Italian Jarno Trulli's tenure at Caterham - who raced as Lotus last year - is also believed to be insecure, but Russian Vitaly Petrov, who drove for Renault in 2010 and 2011, is tipped to get that seat.

BBC

[RobH]

Caterham:




New safety regulations about the height of the nose in relation to the driver mean 2012 is likely to be a year of very odd looking cars. Ferrari's boss has already said their 2012 challenger is "ugly". Expect all teams to have a similar bumpy nose this year and AVERT YOUR EYES if of a sensitive disposition! These cars are not lookers!

[gotosy]

RobH, on 25 January 2012 - 08:41 AM, said:

Caterham:

New safety regulations about the height of the nose in relation to the driver mean 2012 is likely to be a year of very odd looking cars. Ferrari's boss has already said their 2012 challenger is "ugly". Expect all teams to have a similar bumpy nose this year and AVERT YOUR EYES if of a sensitive disposition! These cars are not lookers!

omg! that nose looks horrible!

[gotosy]

McLaren MP4-27


pic Autosport

[gotosy]

looks great! a clean and traditional design, despite the new nose regulations

[gotosy]

Ferrari F2012



that step up nose

[RobH]

ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!