Headlines away from the track: F1

[IndyAndy]

Manor Marussia is indeed at Melbourne, but they didn't take part in Friday practice & may not attempt to qualify owing to issues with the new car:

espnf1.com

 

[Retroram52]

Yep, next up, Pick the Podium and it looks from today's practice like Hamilton and Rosberg picked-up where they left off from last year. Ferrari has made up some considerable ground so Vettel and Raikkonen are closing.

 

[IndyAndy]

I've always had the utmost respect for Red Bull Racing, but that's in real danger of changing:

Red Bull crying over Mereceds' dominance

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I've always had the utmost respect for Red Bull Racing, but that's in real danger of changing:

Red Bull crying over Mereceds' dominance

Where were they when they were winning 4 in a row and Vettel rarely lost?

Nothing worse than a whiner.....

Or a whinger if you are from across the ditch....

 

[IndyAndy]

Sounds like the relationship between Renault & Red Bull Racing is turning sour in a hurry:

the guardian.com

 

[Retroram52]

F-1 is rapidly becoming a soap opera. There is nary a week goes by that someone is pissed with somebody and threatening to leave. Geez, when did this series become a bunch of whining wussies?!

 

[Retroram52]

Here is the latest concept for future design of cars in F-1. Yep, the canopy is showing up. F1: Ferrari reveals radical concept car design (PHOTOS) | MotorSportsTalk

 

[forty_three]

F-1 is rapidly becoming a soap opera. There is nary a week goes by that someone is pissed with somebody and threatening to leave. Geez, when did this series become a bunch of whining wussies?!

Some time in the early 80's?

It's been that way for a long time. I remember Senna whining when the Williams had adaptive suspension and his McLaren didn't because Prost was wiping the track up with him.

Schumi cried about Hakkinen's aggressiveness. Villeneuve cried about the aero package on the McLaren at the time. It's as much gamesmanship as it is actual complaining.

The thing is, I think Red Bull has a legit complaint. They are handling it wrong, but they are clearly getting a different engine than STR, and it's not good. Kvyat's detonated again, and Ricciardo didn't get off the line well at all. At least an STR blew up this time too, but that one sounded like gearbox.

If it clears the way for Audi to join F1 without Bernie's interference, then I am all for it. Red Bull is rumoured to be trying to buy the FIA and selling the race team to Volkswagen Group. The rumours say it will be called Audi, but I would love it to be Red Bull Porsche. And Mark Webber get a seat back... At least for a season.

We'll see...

 

[Retroram52]

F-1, like IRL needs a stabilizing leader, someone whose interests are to grow the series without being corrupted by people with greed interests. I am not sure that person exists in either series.

 

[forty_three]

F-1, like IRL needs a stabilizing leader, someone whose interests are to grow the series without being corrupted by people with greed interests. I am not sure that person exists in either series.

Red Bull is greedy, no doubt. But their marketing arm is pretty phenomenal. They will make money and gain incredible exposure.

They'd have to be better than Bernie, right?

 

[Retroram52]

Yea, forty_three. Bernie has been an albatross for F-1 for awhile now and that is why they need a solid leader who can rid this series of the garbage and conflicting interests that now controls it and get on with growing the sport.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Seems now as if a disillusioned Alonso is thinking of retirement.

 

[IndyAndy]

Seems now as if a disillusioned Alonso is thinking of retirement.

Let's see where McLaren is towards the end of the season: Then I'll believe him if he's still talking that way.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Let's see where McLaren is towards the end of the season: Then I'll believe him if he's still talking that way.

He's a victim of horrible timing.

Last time he left McLaren, Lewis wn WDC the ext year.

Then he drives a slde for Ferrari has an almost chance early and then everything goes downhill.

So he leaves and right away Ferrari is respectible again.

 

[forty_three]

Vorsprung durch technik

Ecclestone praises VW for interest in F1 project | GRAND PRIX 247

'F1 is something we're looking at' confirms Audi boss

BBC Sport - Red Bull say they will quit F1 unless Audi join forces with them

Seems that the hiring of Stefano Domenicalli last year wasn't completely random. The rumors are all heating up again. The VW UK headquarters is only a few miles from the RBR Building in Milton Keynes, UK.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

VW/Audi would be a great addition but I sense resistance on their part.

 

[IndyAndy]

VW/Audi would be a great addition but I sense resistance on their part.

Supposedly they are hesitant about joining because of Bernie's stewardship of the series.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Supposedly they are hesitant about joining because of Bernie's stewardship of the series.

A great reason for hesitation.

 

[IndyAndy]

Audi throws cold water on F1 rumors:

www.ibnlive.com

 

[forty_three]