Malaysian GP

How nice to have a Blue and Yellow steamroller instead of the regular red one. :) Well done to Renault and Alonso, as well as Toyota for their first ever podium.
On the downside Kimi's race was once again ruined by bad luck and Webber missed out on a podium. I have yet to see the race but will be studying the Webber-Fisichella incident with interest!

Very good job by Renault, same for Toyota and Nick. Apart from the obvious, most disapointing were the BARs with both their new Honda engines blowing up on the second lap.

Webber has been on the receiving end of the last corner incidents twice today - first time when Ralf tried to overtake him on the inside and understeered into Webber (the touch wasn't that hard though). The second time was when Webbo tried to overtake Fisico on the outside and the latter tried to defent too hard and also slid into Mark. Not intentional, but still Fisico's fault IMO.

Yeah very disapointing for Davidson, would have been nice to see him get a fair run in a race. Although with zero preparation that would have been difficult. Did BAR actually fit new engines? Don't recall seeing anything difinitive about that. :dunno: A shame the race couldn't have gone a lap or two longer, Kimi was reeling in Klien and SchumacherM by a second or more a lap at the death.

It looked like Fisico locked up and just lost the tail and slid right into him. I wonder if the drivers will have a meeting and vote on weather or not he should apologize, like they did to MS. :lol2:

Barrichello didn’t even finish because of tire wear, not that he was in position for points anyways. Yet it looked like Renault had plenty of tread left. I’m interested to see how well the drivers change their style because of this new rule.

There was no vote, the drivers aren't intelligent enough for that.

From what I've heard, Rubens chose a softer tyre to Schumacher, not that either of those worked, but at least Schumi got to the end of the race.

I have no idea what happened to Kimi and why he suddenly had a disintegrated tyre. All we were shown were the aftermaths.

Good point on Honda changing engines, perhaps they didn't change them. Looking back, and if they didn't, maybe they should have :lol:

There was no vote, the drivers aren't intelligent enough for that.
I heard they did. Seems rather petty if true.

From what I've heard, Rubens chose a softer tyre to Schumacher, not that either of those worked, but at least Schumi got to the end of the race.
And if my eyes didn't decieve me, was actually lapped by a Toyota at one point. :eek:

I have no idea what happened to Kimi and why he suddenly had a disintegrated tyre. All we were shown were the aftermaths.
Probably was the tyre that should have blown at Spa last year. :icon16: At least he was comprehensively faster than Montoya yet again.

The "there was no vote" and drivers "aren't intelligent enough" are Webber's direct words. They discussed the matter, but there was no vote.

I never expected anything else from Kimi vs Montoya, at least for the first 1/3 of the season. But probably after that too.

http://f1.racing-live.com/en/index.html?http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/news/detail/050318182245.shtml

Quoted from somebody who spoke with MS.
“I just got off the phone with Mike. He said the story is true, and that it was a 19-1 vote against. He did state that he voted against himself, and it was Heidfeld that voted for him.”

It was also mentioned in qualifying.

I really enjoyed the race. If FIA really did want to make the races more enjoyable with their rule changes, I think they have done it.

The honda engines were changed. They were the new spec engine they devolped since austrilia. What was up with Sato was he sick? Also did nebody decided to challenge nebodys tires? Renualt 2/2 could be a sign?? lets hope.

Well a big part of why ferrari isn't running so well right now(understatement to say the least) are the bridgestone tires, as they didn't do as much testing as michelin did. I'm pretty stoked to see Toyota FINALLY doing well (2nd in manufacturers points) and bummed to see BAR doing poorly (zero manufacturers points)...I'm sure that when ferrari comes out with the F2005, they will be back at the front of the field, although not dominating like they did the last 2 seasons...As for Web and Fis, looks like Fis just got too lose under braking and slid wide right into Web...I was shocked at how terrible the tires looked on Trulli's car near the end of the race, especially the right front, HUGE blister, whereas Alonzos tires were looking pretty well.

Renualt has usally been known to be nice on tires as they are also known for there starts. Bridgestone has 3 times this year i believe. So i agree mich. has got alot more test time. I was so sad to see BAR go up like that. Also kimi coming late in the race after the blown tire.

As for why Ferrari are not up to speed, it certainly may have to do with the Bridgestones, but... the decision to update the 2004 car to 2005 spec, was not a good call - you can see it in the pics, they did some serious kit bashing :iceslolan the frontwing is not integrated (pics from Australia) - and the results are showing it.

http://f1.racing-live.com/photos/2005/melbourne/diapo_133.jpg

http://f1.racing-live.com/photos/2005/melbourne/diapo_134.jpg

http://f1.racing-live.com/photos/2005/melbourne/diapo_172.jpg

Rumours say that the 2005 car could see real racing as soon as Bahrain, but I wonder if you decide to cut down development time by one month is gonna do any good...

Renault build a car quick out of the box - which is very good and show that Flavio still knows how to run it - and leaving all the others playing catch-up.

Red Bull racing Ferrari's :D I bet DC didn't think about that, before the season actually started... :naughty:

Go on, make fun, you may need it.

Wait, doesn't Ferrari have the same number of points as Williams?

Wait! Doesn't Ferrari, even after such dire performance, actually lead McLaren by one point in the standings? :eek: So, what exactly are you happy about? :lol:

Of course there's also a matter of Rubens leading both Mclaren drivers and Schumacher leading one of them in the drivers' championship. And since we're talking about DC's dreams (who is like a new man this year, but it's a separate topic), he's also in fron of both Mclaren drivers in the standings? :lol:

Little early in the season to start shouting the odds about who will win the championship isn't it?

Little early in the season to start shouting the odds about who will win the championship isn't it?

I agree espically with 19 races this year isn't it.

Also ales you seem to know ALOT bout F1 i bought the 2001 Formula 1 annual and i was looking in the specs. The book has like everything save for length,width,heighth, and front/rear track whats up with that? Do u know where i could find this info? The reason i ask is i'm considering on helping a buddy of mine start his own F1 replica.

Also ales you seem to know ALOT bout F1

:lol2: :sunglasse

Which car in particular do you need the spec for? It's quite easy to find dimensions on the internet for pretty much any F1 car.

Ray, I totally agree.

Also ales you seem to know ALOT bout F1

Just keep your questions related to Ferrari and you'll be fine with Alex ;)

2001 f1 spec ne car. just looking for dimensions.

Well, here's, for example, Ferrari F2001

* Length, width and max. height : 4,445 / 1,796 / 0,959 mm
* Wheelbase : 3,010 mm
* Front / Rear track : 1,470 / 1,405 mm

Other cars will be slightly different.

Yes, Ferrari may be ahead of Williams and McLaren in the standings...but look at it this way...Rubens Barichello got LAPPED by a TOYOTA at the last race...ferrari is BEHIND a FIRST YEAR TEAM in the manufacturers standings...so needless to say, it looks like F1 has been turned upside down at the start, and I say it's about time...GO TOYOTA!

Well, here's, for example, Ferrari F2001

* Length, width and max. height : 4,445 / 1,796 / 0,959 mm
* Wheelbase : 3,010 mm
* Front / Rear track : 1,470 / 1,405 mm

Other cars will be slightly different.

Thanks alot ales.

Street_Racer_00 who is a first year team this year? I guess you could conisder Red Bull but its bassically the jaguar 05 team.

Yes I was referring to RBR...and I don't really know how much jaguar/cosworth is left in that team.

Which stats you looking at Alex? Coulthard and Montoya are equal on eight points each. McLaren have definitely under performed so far. Kimi has the speed but finger trouble has cost him dear. What exactly did the team do in all those preseason testing miles?

So far I've not ridiculed Ferrari but since the first shot has been fired...
Ferrari performance so far this year just goes to show that they are nothing without Bridgestone. I don't see the engine being a big factor or else they'd have pushed to have the F2005 ready in time. As soon as Bridgestone get their act together then Schumacher, Todt, Brawn and the rest will continue to ride on their tyre suppliers coattails. I will be so happy if improvement doesn't happen and their hypocritical backfilp on introducing a control tyre bites them on the arse this year and next. Could precipitate mass retirements at Modena, and I'll be laughing then. Just a shame the history books will be bighted by the Schumacher/Ferrari myth of the last few years.

Great, Phil, you start at it again. My reply was nothing but a reply to Guido's post. I hope yours bites you in the soft spot by the end of the season. Your problem is that you're not happy for your or another team's success, you're happy for another team's misfortunes, and that yet again makes me just sad.

From what I understand DC would be classified ahead of Montoya if the championship finished now, maybe because he scored his best result of the season first :dunno:

Ferrari performance so far this year just goes to show that they are nothing without Bridgestone.
Yeah, and bridgestone has fared SO WELL for both Jordan and Minardi :rolleyes: I mean Minardi I could understand but come on, Jordan is an F1 team that used to win races. :disappoin

Great, Phil, you start at it again.
Huh? Negatory comrade.

I hope yours bites you in the soft spot by the end of the season.
How could it? Ferrari will be back to the winners circle when Bridgestone are. That is a certainty.

Your problem is that you're not happy for your or another team's success, you're happy for another team's misfortunes, and that yet again makes me just sad.
You diagnosis is once again incorrect Dr Alex. My team are not sucessful therefore I am not "happy". Why must you consistently get personal in these situations? Bad form, just when I was staring to like you again.

From what I understand DC would be classified ahead of Montoya if the championship finished now, maybe because he scored his best result of the season first :dunno:
So you don't know? Then why make absolute statements?

I never stopped liking you, I'm just trying hard to get used to you in the F1 forum.

I made the statement because I saw DC placed higher than JPM in the standings on pitpass.com, which, actually, doesn't seem to be the case in reality, but is a minor point anyway. But I thought you'd like a laugh at the last point of the regulations on this sugject (granted, they are for the championship winner, but still)

If two or more constructors or drivers finish the season with the same number of points, the higher place in
the Championship (in either case) shall be awarded to :
a) the holder of the greatest number of first places,
b) if the number of first places is the same, the holder of the greatest number of second places,
c) if the number of second places is the same, the holder of the greatest number of third places and so
on until a winner emerges.
d) if this procedure fails to produce a result, the FIA will nominate the winner according to such criteria
as it thinks fit.

FYI Alex,

I haven't renewed my McLaren membership for 2005... Ever since they founded the thing back in 1995 I was a member, but not anymore. Why's that? Because I think they underperform or they're not good enough? Well not really, it's that I've lost interest in the whole show alltogether - so you should not blame me anymore for being favouristic towards one team or another. I don't even get up early anymore to follow the races live. And as a matter of fact, I don't really care who wins it. 5 to 10 mins recap in the evening are more then enough to stay updated on what's going on. That's how interesting the sport have become in my eyes. Can't wait until it's 2008. :iceslolan

The interest has been diverted towards the local Belgian and European rally scene. :iceslolan

2001 f1 spec ne car. just looking for dimensions.

Did you check the FIA regulations, a lot of what you're asking about is actually specified by the FIA, not subject to team decisions.

i know but all i can find is 2004-2005 spec car and to recreate teh body alone would cost ALOT. Plus this year with the wing changes alot of teams have went oringal with mid wings and lots of other things poking out here and there to gain all that downforce back.

As for McLaren this year it just worries me with Mercedes pulling the plug between the 2. So they are going to have to fine sombody else to put engines in there cars next year. Montoya once he gets used to the car i think will be a threat.

I still bank my money on Renault though 2/2 at the start of the season i think they are on a mission. Score as many point as possable b4 the new F2005. Cause although we all hate to admit it Ferrari will be back at it this year again. These guys just don't win cause of a driver. Sure he is one of the greatest but the car has to be reliable./fast.

I think the biggest dissapointment of the year is going to be BAR/Honda already running into some engine problems at Malaysia and poor showing at austrialia. But Honda said that this year they were shooting for power and reliabilty would come later in the year. But 2 laps come on.

Yeah Alex, at least the FIA are smart enough to have a device to seperate a dead heat. I remember the first year or so of the IRL, two drivers finished even on points and there was no provision in the rules to seperate them. so they had to be awarded joint champion.

As for McLaren this year it just worries me with Mercedes pulling the plug between the 2. So they are going to have to fine sombody else to put engines in there cars next year. Montoya once he gets used to the car i think will be a threat.

Mercedes pulling their engines from McLaren? I know there are unconfirmed rumours of BMW in talks to buy Sauber and maybe dump Willimas but haven't heard anything about McLaren Mercedes.

I believe McLaren will lose West sponsorship later this year, but Merc are in it for a while yet.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=358315
There is the article bout mercedes leaving McLarren. Hadn't herd of of the BMW/Sauber deal that could be interesting.

That article only concerns production of the SLR. Mercedes is still a major shareholder in McLaren's F1 operation and will continue to be engine supplier for a while yet.

Exactly, Mercedes owns part of Mclaren. Besides, I don't really see what Mercedes have to complain about - they let Mclaren down big time last year, and this year only two races have been done.

Guido - :p

Guido - :p

:eek7:

McLaren and Mercedes split up on SLR?? I don't even believe that. A post here not even indicating a source where it was publised... Bet it was from a tabloid...

The reason why Mercedes invested in McLaren (40%) if I'm right, was not only for F1 but also for SLR, so there is clearly a link between both. As far as F1 engine development is concerned I think they reorganised that and that this is done in Germany now.

Other then this post here from almost 2 months ago, I haven't heard anything bout it. If true, it would have been in the regular news (automotive certainly) - as this is a big thing for both parties. Wouldn't you think so.

The only news I can recall seeing on the halt of the road car projects is that article. I would hope it isn't true.