Crown

easy_rider911:

dxpetrov, the newsnow link is very useful.

I won't be posting links to F1 news stories from now on unless I have my own views to express as well ...

Why not? 

easy_rider911:

dxpetrov, the newsnow link is very useful.

I won't be posting links to F1 news stories from now on unless I have my own views to express as well ...

wait what ?!  I'll go into F1 news detox ! 

Guys, it's because the newsnow site does that for us. In fact, it trawls through a much wider range of F1 news websites than one person could possibly cover and it updates every 5 mins!

Purely as a news feed for F1 articles, it seems to do a very useful job :)

Of course, it doesn't offer deeper analysis ...

Where I can still (hopefully) add value to the discussions here on F1 is if I add my own observations. In fact, I prefer that. I'd rather spend time and effort giving my analysis rather than just sharing news :)

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

It's kind of a news aggregator like Google News for F1 ... it's best to let the computers do the donkey work!

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

Fair enough. We still like your passion for F1 though! 

Cheers ... the atmosphere here for F1 fans won't change though ... less quantity but same quality ...

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easy_rider911:

dxpetrov, the newsnow link is very useful.

I won't be posting links to F1 news stories from now on unless I have my own views to express as well ...

 You're welcome! I've been using it for over 7 years and it's little bit surprising you guys hadn't discovered it already! It's very useful not only for F1 but also for any other genre... Somehow, Porsche don't have their own column?!! 

Having said that, lately, I actually more rely on twitter for instant news feed than anything else! you just need to chose right guys to follow!

Cheers

Easy! you always have a point to add so I'm still expecting to see a list of F1 stories every morning . Your commitment to F1 on this board knows no bounds, keep up the good work.

Yeah, I know jaffamonkey, old habits can be hard to break :)

And some of you guys know me too well ... ;)

I stumbled across this article ... fascinating analysis on RBR's rear exhaust solution .... they are still able to generate some downforce, but not as much as before ...

Adrian Newey is really at the limit of what the rules will allow.

http://www.formula1.com/news/technical/2012/0/938.html

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jaffamonkey:

Easy! you always have a point to add so I'm still expecting to see a list of F1 stories every morning . Your commitment to F1 on this board knows no bounds, keep up the good work.

 

Ditto ! 

Live text commentary from Day 2 of the final Barcelona test

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17230067

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/444

Some interesting comments from Webber on Hamilton

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/03/webber-on-why-he-can-rediscover-his-2010-form-rbrs-challenge-and-his-take-on-lewis/

Why was it that Webber wasn't performing in 2011? He accepts responsibility but doesn't explain why.

He makes some strange comments about Hamilton ... that it's normal to attract headwinds if you get success early, are black, have a high-profile girlfriend.

Vettel got success early too. That hasn't attracted enemies. Vettel has garnered respect from all.

Why should it be normal for someone to attract enemies if they are black? If it happens, it is not normal and should not happen.

I agree about Hamilton's lifestyle distracting him. I agree that having a celebrity girlfriend can be a distraction and can make people jealous ... which can create enemies.

The comments about Hamilton's tussles with Massa are just old news now. Neither driver wants to keep that feud going. I also don't think it's good for the sport to see two drivers in two of the leading teams causing avoidable clashes on track through childishness.

I think Webber has good intentions ... he says he wants to do a lot more winning. Let's see if he can actually deliver. I said yesterday that, for Webber to win a race, he needs to have a great day while Vettel needs to have a bad day. That almost didn't happen at all in 2011. By the time Webber won in Brazil, both titles were fully decided. There was nothing to play for. Indeed, as far as mindgames go, Vettel made Webber feel that he was just picking up the leftover scraps.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97772

Pirelli has a car for 2012 tyre testing. I hope it's a recent one. As for drivers, I hope they don't go with Sutil or Liuzzi. Trulli would be a sensible choice. He is very experienced and would not be using it as a way of getting back into F1.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97763

Grosjean confirms that the repairs Lotus made to the chassis appear to have worked and that the car feels good again like it did at Jerez. This is significant since Barcelona is a very different circuit and if the fault doesn't resurface there, then it is safe to assume it is fixed.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97774

I just wonder how far behind schedule Lotus really is now ...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97783

I'm expecting Grosjean to do well in his 2nd attempt at a career in F1. I think he's talented and could play a good support role to Raikkonen while learning on the job. He's one to watch IMO.

Petrov is still not comfortable with his race seat. He's hoping his new seat (to be delivered on Sunday) will fix this problem. IMO it's vital to get the seat fitting right. I guess this kind of thing can happen when a pay driver is brought in at the last moment once the test season is already well underway.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97779

Perez says he's happy with the new Sauber and that it is switching on the tyres better. But could this just be because of the different compound or is it because there is a genuine improvement with the car? He then says it was the same in testing last year but that, once the races began, everything changed. So, in other words, we can't place any weight on what he is saying now! So actually when you analyse his comments, they are muddled.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97780

I think Vergne will be one to watch this season. I know he is a rookie but, even by F1 standards, he seems to be an especially competitive character. He will either succeed spectacularly as a rookie and outperform Ricciardo (who seems slower but steady) or he will fail spectacularly.

This is ominous from Mercedes. I think there will be a titanic battle for 3rd and 4th between Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus this year. None of these teams can take the positions they got last year for granted, let alone the advancements on the grid that they are targetting.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97770

Sir Frank Williams is finally reducing his responsibilities as he turns 70. I think it's only right that he should let others take on more responsibility. He has achieved so much in his life. It's time to let go. The team needs a fresh approach after its worst season in F1.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97786

I'm not sure I share McLaren's optimism. Neale says the title is there for the taking. I would like to see whether McLaren can actually manage this. I think RBR is still comfortably ahead. I think McLaren will be a comfortable 2nd place like last year.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/7558560/Neale-Talks-Up-McLaren-s-Title-Chances
 

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After 19 years in F1, Barrichello becomes a rookie in IndyCar. Hope he doesn't embarrass or hurt himself.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7559049/-Rookie-Rubens-off-to-IndyCar

He is wealthy and has a wife and kids. I would have taken the opportunity to enjoy more time with them instead. They have lived in Brazil while he has lived in Europe. I think they deserve to have him around after so many years.

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Had the pleasure of re-watching last year's Canadian Grand Prix last night, watching Button come from dead last with 30 laps to go and pass everyone. What a race! What a drive!

I think, like last year, he will be the one to put pressure on Vettel. But unless McLaren can give him a car to match, I don't see him winning the Championship.

"I don't mean to brag, but I am really good at self-deprecation."

+1

Button has really developed at McLaren. The only thing he lacks is the raw, out and out speed that Hamilton has. Otherwise, he is a much more complete driver than Hamilton. And it really becomes noticeable in the wet or in changing conditions. Canada was IMO his career best performance.

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easy_rider911:

I'm not sure I share McLaren's optimism. Neale says the title is there for the taking. I would like to see whether McLaren can actually manage this. I think RBR is still comfortably ahead. I think McLaren will be a comfortable 2nd place like last year.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/7558560/Neale-Talks-Up-McLaren-s-Title-Chances
 

I'm not so sure easy, everyone at McLaren seems to be quietly confident. Big updates for testing tomorrow and there'll be more to come before Melbourne. When you watch Jenson talking about the car he always has a wry smile on his face. Time will tell but I wouldn't be surprised to see a McLaren on pole at Melbourne.

So much for not posting so many links

Hey I only posted the ones where I had my own comments to add :) There were a ton of others that I didn't post since they weren't worth commenting on! :) :)

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Pre season testing is never a good predictor of actual performance. All we know now is that we don't know much and that Ferrari are in trouble.

McLaren is certainly quietly confident but, in part, it's because this year's testing has been smooth sailing ... last year was a disaster for them ... so this year has been great so far ... by comparison.

I think RBR has had some small problems to sort out ... but nothing major ...

As for speed, I think it will be close but that RBR will still enjoy a comfortable advantage.

If you recall, the RBR car was untouchable in qualification all season so I doubt pole will be easy to grab from them each race.

The race itself is another matter. Last year, the formula was that Vettel would grab pole and then race off into the distance leading from the front. I expect RBR to dominate pole position again but I think the RBR's ability to disappear into the distance will be reduced.

I think this will put greater pressure on Vettel ... hope we don't see him resort to driving other cars to the edge of the starting grid again .... his manner of defending position off the start is two-dimensional IMO.

I think it would be healthy for F1 to see Ferrari and McLaren turn the tables on RBR. It needs to be competitive. Domination by one team can get boring, even if the action is exciting.

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easy_rider911:

Domination by one team can get boring, even if the action is exciting.

Unless the team one supports is the dominant one!  

REALZEUS:

easy_rider911:

Domination by one team can get boring, even if the action is exciting.

Unless the team one supports is the dominant one!  

Interesting your support is for the team, most people (Italians excepted) support the drivers. My nephew for instance is a die hard Lewis Hamilton fan, he’d support him even if he drove for HRT (hmm maybe not).

Which is your team again REALZEUS? Caterham!

REALZEUS:

Pre season testing is never a good predictor of actual performance. All we know now is that we don't know much and that Ferrari are in trouble.

I keep hearing that either Ferrari are in trouble or they will be RBR's closest competitor, nothing in between.  I just think it's tough to gauge right now.  Obviously we won't know for sure until Melbourne.

jaffamonkey:

REALZEUS:

easy_rider911:

Domination by one team can get boring, even if the action is exciting.

Unless the team one supports is the dominant one!  

Interesting your support is for the team, most people (Italians excepted) support the drivers. My nephew for instance is a die hard Lewis Hamilton fan, he’d support him even if he drove for HRT (hmm maybe not).

Which is your team again REALZEUS? Caterham!

Given that Ferrari die-hards make up roughly 30 or 40% of the F1 fan base it is evident that many non-Italians suport a certain team as well.  Drivers come and go. Ferrari is like the Church; always there for you. 

Adam R:

REALZEUS:

Pre season testing is never a good predictor of actual performance. All we know now is that we don't know much and that Ferrari are in trouble.

I keep hearing that either Ferrari are in trouble or they will be RBR's closest competitor, nothing in between.  I just think it's tough to gauge right now.  Obviously we won't know for sure until Melbourne.

We shall see mate, we shall see... 

Adam R:

REALZEUS:

Pre season testing is never a good predictor of actual performance. All we know now is that we don't know much and that Ferrari are in trouble.

I keep hearing that either Ferrari are in trouble or they will be RBR's closest competitor, nothing in between.  I just think it's tough to gauge right now.  Obviously we won't know for sure until Melbourne.

I hear things are so bad they're having to change their logo

not so much cavallo rampante but cavallo lentamente

I am sorry jaffmonkey but that's not funny at all. Respectfully.

Very interesting comments coming from Ferrari. Pat Fry says the Ferrari has a narrow performance window. That doesn't sound good given the range of circuits and conditions that the cars will face this season.

Also, observers say that the Ferrari has less grip exiting corners which means that the driver can't get on the throttle as early as other cars can.

These seem like fairly serious issues to resolve. Another disappointing start to the season for Ferrari in the offing? I think so.

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/03/barcelona-test-day-2-grosjean-in-the-groove-hamilton-feels-competitive/

Brundle thinks the same ... says Ferrari looks a handful ... struggling with corner exit grip so putting the power down later ... while the McLaren looks very good to him.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7559678/Brundle-The-Ferrari-looks-a-handful

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97804

RBR adding more new upgrades in the final 2 days of Barcelona testing with more upgrades to come in Melbourne. That's all well and good but somehow the tone at RBR seems less buoyant and upbeat than before. Maybe I'm just imagining it.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7560508/Red-Bull-to-introduce-some-new-bits-

It's interesting that Vettel pointed out that he stopped on track today away from the photographers so that they couldn't photograph the car close up.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97807

Hamilton certainly sounds upbeat ... aims to fight for a podium finish in Melbourne.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7560482/Lewis-We-ll-be-fighting-for-a-podium

Given how smoothly McLaren's pre-season testing has gone, I would be surprised it this was not the case.

Hamilton also let slip that McLaren isn't planning to do any low fuel runs till Melbourne. Interesting.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97803

Webber says that RBR is not hiding its performance. Of course, they are not doing low fuel runs. Today, Vettel did many pit stops practices, longer runs etc. They are honing their set up for longer runs. RBR knows that this is where McLaren will try to catch up with them.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/7560137/Webber-We-re-not-hiding-anything

Is more rapid tyre degradation going to be a problem for Mercedes compared to other teams? Schumi thinks so. 

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97809
 

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I'm really interested in seeing how Lotus Renault are doing this season. They seem pretty quick during the test days.

easy_rider911:

Is more rapid tyre degradation going to be a problem for Mercedes compared to other teams? Schumi thinks so. 

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97809
 

I think he is just laying down excuses early, even before the season starts, os that he can use them later on to hide his probably continued under performance 

I wouldn't count Ferrari out just yet, there is a lot of subterfuge and decieving going on in preseason testing. Until Merlbourne race day, we really can't be sure. I just hope we get a least three teams, at least, that are on equal terms this season so we can really see drivers fighting each other on equal terms and seeing who did the best job. Last two seasons have been a joke.

Gauss, just curious, which team do you, as a Lotus fan, regard as the real Lotus?

Is it Caterham that was originally Lotus Racing before briefly being called Team Lotus? This is really Tony Fernandes's private team as part of his Air Asia/QPR airline/sports brand.

Or is it Lotus Renault that is merely sponsored by Lotus but owned by Genii Capital? IMO this is still really the Renault works team and it is very French in character.

Honestly, I don't regard either of them as being true successors to Colin Chapman ... nowadays, it's all just about branding for new teams like this.

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Live text commentary on Day 3 of the final Barcelona test

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/445

RBR finally reveal their pre-Melbourne exhaust upgrade

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97811

I'm curious to see how much extra grip this can provide at the rear. Will we see a less loose rear end?

Maldonado unworried by the lost time on track yesterday. IMO, that's just BS.

If you can't test due to technical problems, of course, that is (and should be) worrying. 

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97813

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