2005 German Grand Prix

//Mike · 20 Jul 2005 at 21:06

Ahh, is that unconfirmed though? Certainly would be interesting to find out, as I find it incredibly hard to believe this 8th team is Jordan over Minardi.

AndrewP · 20 Jul 2005 at 21:52

PR work by Michelin? Maybe they waived any of Minardi's remaining dues, goodness knows they could do with some good publicity!

Flibster · 22 Jul 2005 at 08:03

More news....

V10's a better 2006 bet.

Minardi may power off the rear of the grid in 2006, according to a rumble in the Hockenheim paddock.

Some wags suggest that a rev-limited V10 engine could still pack more punch than the first generation of 2.4 V8.

'If you just equate the power,' Toyota's John Howett admitted in Germany, 'there is a strong probability that a V10 would be a better option.'

Cash strapped Minardi will use the FIA's option of sticking with the 3.0 litre formula, with a rev limit, next year.

Mercedes' Norbert Haug, though, denied that it will become an issue. He suggested that the FIA will define the V10 'limit' once the performance of the V8s is clear.

'My understanding,' said the German, 'is that the V10 will be handicapped in the right manner so it's not superior.'

Flibster · 22 Jul 2005 at 08:04

Just a little one...

Autosport also reported that the group once called 'GPWC' could finally show their proposed 2008 regulations to the FIA at the German grand prix.

Good - I want to take a look at them.

Flibster · 22 Jul 2005 at 08:06

Someone's prodded Mansell'd cage....

Mansell launches scathing attack on F1!

Former British Formula One champion Nigel Mansell has launched a scathing attack on the pinnacle of Motorsports claiming that the way the series is going is nothing short of a disgrace. He also branded the new rules and regulations as a joke that have helped turn the sport he loves so dearly into a Mickey Mouse championship that has no respect for the people that matter the most, the fans!

"I think I'm more disappointed than ever this year," Mansell was quoted as saying in the Mirror. "I think F1 has brought itself into disrepute and that's a great shame for the sponsors, team owners and the manufacturers. I also think what happened in America was an outrage, a disgrace, and should not have happened. They deserve better and if they don't, the fans do.”

Mansell then took a swipe at the new engine rules and the dangerous tyre regulations before stating that he could write a better set of rules in thirty minutes.

“You and I know in half an hour we could write a better set of rules - and I don't care who this upsets,” he added. “If it isn't broken don't try to fix it and what they've done in the last couple of years is rewrite things to try to make it fairer or more interesting. Instead they have made it Mickey Mouse."

One of his major peeves is the fact hat Kimi Raikkonen has lost two certain victories through no fault of his own, all because of the new rule that says an engine must last for two entire GP weekends. The qualifying format didn’t escape his wrath either…..

"The two-race engine rule with the 10-place penalty if it fails is a Mickey Mouse rule. Qualifying used to be better than the racing sometimes. You had to pick your time to find a clear lap, showing the skill of the engineers, take the temperature of the tyres and track before gauging when to do a good lap. Now you get one lap. What's that all about? It's just tossing a coin. It's a joke. It's insulting for F1. One set of tyres for F1? How dangerous is that? F1 at the moment keeps shooting itself in the foot badly and there is no need."

In the end it comes down to the fact that he as a former champion and a dedicated fan feels cheated by the happenings in the paddock right now and has called on Bernie Ecclestone to put things right….

"As a fan I feel cheated. The sport is losing credibility and a big fan base. The people who run F1 deserve what they get. I know they are sometimes arrogant enough to think it doesn't matter, but it does. Bernie, if you're going to be the boss then be the boss and govern it."

Flibster · 22 Jul 2005 at 08:14

And a bit more....

Cosworth deal may be good move for Williams

With BMW taking over the current Sauber Petronas team in 2006 and relations with their current partners at Williams shaky to say the least, thoughts have been turning to the future. According to our spies in Britain, at this stage it looks as if he WilliamsF1 team is close to a long term engine deal, but the supplier is still open to speculation.

It is thought to be Toyota, even thought here was strong talk of a deal with Honda in exchange for Jenson Button. However Toyota are looking to continue supply with Jordan in 2006 so a deal with Williams wouldn’t come into effect into 2007. BMW are still an option, as the German manufacturer has offered continued supply next year, but the price of their new V8 engine is not cheap, at the rate of 15 million Euro for the year.

This then throws up another very curios option, Cosworth, as the contribution to the development of their V8 power supply would be only 13 million Euro. After being left feeling very disappointed by the treatment from BMW, the heart behind the Williams squad could very well see them opting for the Cosworth deal for one year and at this stage, it might not even be a disadvantage some may think it would be.

In actual fact, Cosworth has a lot of V8 experience, and in the first year of V8 power in the series, they would look pretty strong. Their hybrid V8 has already been revved up to 20 000 rpm, whereas the first version of the BMW V8 has a rev-limit of 18 800 rpm.

Food for thought indeed……

Flibster · 22 Jul 2005 at 08:15

Bit more related to Williams...

Toyota Expects to Supply Jordan in '06

In spite of speculation that it could have Williams as its customer team next season, Toyota is still planning on keeping Jordan on its fold in 2006, according to team president John Howett.

Bound to become Midland F1 next year, Jordan, which is currently powered by the Japanese automaker - although both sides make very little publicity about it - had been linked to Mercedes-Benz for ‘06.

But Howett insists that the Silverstone-based operation will be Toyota’s “B” squad next year, although the “imminent” deal between the two parties, as defined by Jordan managing director Colin Kolles back in June, is still being finalized.

"The position of Toyota is that we are committed to supply Jordan," Howett stated. "We are still finalizing contractual details and to some extent the ball is in Jordan's court, but I can confirm that our intention is to supply Jordan with engines next year."

Howett also fueled strong rumors that although ‘06 may be too late for Williams, Sir Frank’s outfit is in talks with the parent company for a possible ‘07 deal, likely under the Lexus banner.

"We have had an approach from Williams to our corporate headquarters in Japan, which has been referred back to us and there is some informal discussion moving forward," he concluded.

Emlyn_Dewar · 22 Jul 2005 at 08:22

New-er Hockenheim = Rubbish
Friesacher not racing for Minardi = Rubbish
Proposed Quali formats = Rubbish
Current rules = Rubbish

Hmm, not looking too good for my overall season views...

Flibster · 22 Jul 2005 at 12:30

Friday Free Practice 1.

Code:

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Team			Time[/b]
1	35	Alexander Wurz		McLaren-Mercedes	1:14.277		
2	38	Ricardo Zonta		Toyota			1:14.893		
3	9	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	1:15.634		
4	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		1:15.851		
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes	1:15.901		
6	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			1:16.259		
7	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			1:16.280		
8	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Red Bull Racing		1:16.733		
9	4	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda		1:16.795		
10	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			1:17.197		
11	14	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:17.277		
12	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			1:17.341		
13	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing		1:17.423		
14	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		1:17.442		
15	8	Nick Heidfeld		Williams-BMW		1:17.665		
16	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		1:17.689		
17	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas		1:18.132		
18	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota		1:18.988		
19	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth	1:19.151		
20	18	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota		1:19.400		
21	39	Nicolas Kiesa		Jordan-Toyota		1:19.933		
22	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:20.108		
23	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault				
24	5	Fernando Alonso 	Renault

Sector Times - Free Practice 1

Code:

[b]Sector 1[/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	35	Alexander Wurz		16.381 
2	38	Ricardo Zonta		16.471 
3	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	16.562 
4	9	Kimi Räikkönen		16.570 
5	3	Jenson Button		16.736 
6	4	Takuma Sato		16.793 
7	1	Michael Schumacher	16.896 
8	2	Rubens Barrichello	16.898 
9	14	David Coulthard		16.900 
10	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	16.947 
11	16	Jarno Trulli		17.006 
12	17	Ralf Schumacher		17.011 
13	7	Mark Webber		17.041 
14	15	Christian Klien		17.072 
15	12	Felipe Massa		17.094 
16	8	Nick Heidfeld		17.152 
17	11	Jacques Villeneuve	17.163 
18	18	Tiago Monteiro		17.469 
19	21	Christijan Albers	17.470 
20	20	Robert Doornbos		17.542 
21	39	Nicolas Kiesa		17.611 
22	19	Narain Karthikeyan	17.628 
23	5	Fernando Alonso		562.135 
24	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	641.819

Code:

[b]Sector 2 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	35	Alexander Wurz		34.909 
2	38	Ricardo Zonta		35.301 
3	9	Kimi Räikkönen		35.391 
4	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	35.528 
5	3	Jenson Button		35.685 
6	1	Michael Schumacher	35.705 
7	2	Rubens Barrichello	35.816 
8	16	Jarno Trulli		36.093 
9	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	36.127 
10	14	David Coulthard		36.165 
11	12	Felipe Massa		36.182 
12	15	Christian Klien		36.203 
13	4	Takuma Sato		36.209 
14	17	Ralf Schumacher		36.219 
15	8	Nick Heidfeld		36.223 
16	7	Mark Webber		36.368 
17	11	Jacques Villeneuve	36.558 
18	19	Narain Karthikeyan	36.619 
19	39	Nicolas Kiesa		36.676 
20	21	Christijan Albers	36.781 
21	18	Tiago Monteiro		36.993 
22	20	Robert Doornbos		37.213 
23	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	44.408 
24	5	Fernando Alonso		47.115

Code:

[b]Sector 3 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	35	Alexander Wurz		22.949 
2	38	Ricardo Zonta		23.091 
3	3	Jenson Button		23.276 
4	9	Kimi Räikkönen		23.468 
5	2	Rubens Barrichello	23.566 
6	1	Michael Schumacher	23.603 
7	4	Takuma Sato		23.640 
8	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	23.657 
9	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	23.702 
10	15	Christian Klien		23.873 
11	14	David Coulthard		23.894 
12	17	Ralf Schumacher		23.896 
13	12	Felipe Massa		23.985 
14	16	Jarno Trulli		24.013 
15	7	Mark Webber		24.115 
16	8	Nick Heidfeld		24.243 
17	11	Jacques Villeneuve	24.329 
18	19	Narain Karthikeyan	24.677 
19	21	Christijan Albers	24.736 
20	18	Tiago Monteiro		24.781 
21	20	Robert Doornbos		25.023 
22	39	Nicolas Kiesa		25.575 
23	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	33.881 
24	5	Fernando Alonso		35.722

Speed Trap

Code:

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time		Speed[/b]
1	38	Ricardo Zonta		11:52:01	331.4 
2	9	Kimi Räikkönen		11:57:24	330.5 
3	39	Nicolas Kiesa		11:55:00	327.9 
4	35	Alexander Wurz		11:56:35	327.8 
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	12:00:10	327.3 
6	19	Narain Karthikeyan	11:58:04	326.7 
7	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	11:56:22	325.5 
8	3	Jenson Button		11:56:36	324.6 
9	14	David Coulthard		12:00:04	322.9 
10	21	Christijan Albers	11:55:57	322.7 
11	4	Takuma Sato		11:55:13	322.1 
12	20	Robert Doornbos		11:56:50	321.6 
13	1	Michael Schumacher	11:55:25	321.2 
14	2	Rubens Barrichello	11:57:23	320.9 
15	11	Jacques Villeneuve	11:55:56	320.3 
16	12	Felipe Massa		12:01:16	320.3 
17	16	Jarno Trulli		11:40:24	319.3 
18	17	Ralf Schumacher		12:00:46	318.8 
19	8	Nick Heidfeld		11:55:29	318.5 
20	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	11:23:19	318.2 
21	15	Christian Klien		11:55:49	316.9 
22	7	Mark Webber		11:55:39	316.8 
23	18	Tiago Monteiro		11:56:50	316.8 
24	5	Fernando Alonso		11:27:55	258.9

Flibster · 22 Jul 2005 at 15:48

As expected...the teams are guilty of nothing but following Max's recommendation and not wanting deadded drivers.

www.fia.com said:
FIA WORLD MOTOR SPORT COUNCIL
DECISION
22.07.2005

Having examined the new evidence previously submitted to the FIA Senate, the FIA World Motor Sport Council has voted overwhelmingly to accept the recommendation of the FIA Senate regarding events at the 2005 United States Grand Prix.

The guilty verdicts of June 29 made against the seven Michelin teams have therefore been cancelled.

TheDome · 22 Jul 2005 at 16:04

It shouldnt have gone any other way.

Max is a clown

Flibster · 22 Jul 2005 at 16:04

Friday Free Practice 2.

Code:

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Team			Time[/b]
1	35	Alexander Wurz		McLaren-Mercedes	1:13.973		
2	9	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	1:14.576		
3	5	Fernando Alonso		Renault			1:15.560		
4	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes	1:15.772		
5	38	Ricardo Zonta		Toyota			1:16.091		
6	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault			1:16.146		
7	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		1:16.161		
8	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Red Bull Racing		1:16.297		
9	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			1:16.411		
10	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			1:16.474		
11	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			1:16.575		
12	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing		1:16.658		
13	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		1:16.752		
14	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		1:16.879		
15	8	Nick Heidfeld		Williams-BMW		1:16.893		
16	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			1:16.913		
17	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas		1:16.938		
18	4	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda		1:16.992		
19	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota		1:17.506		
20	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth	1:17.830		
21	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:17.978		
22	18	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota		1:18.227		
23	39	Nicolas Kiesa		Jordan-Toyota		1:19.484		
24	14	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing

Sector Times - Free Practice 2

Code:

[b]Sector 1[/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	35	Alexander Wurz		16.237 
2	9	Kimi Räikkönen		16.449 
3	38	Ricardo Zonta		16.467 
4	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	16.530 
5	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	16.615 
6	11	Jacques Villeneuve	16.685 
7	3	Jenson Button		16.690 
8	5	Fernando Alonso		16.710 
9	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	16.756 
10	16	Jarno Trulli		16.757 
11	15	Christian Klien		16.757 
12	12	Felipe Massa		16.798 
13	8	Nick Heidfeld		16.810 
14	7	Mark Webber		16.841 
15	2	Rubens Barrichello	16.904 
16	1	Michael Schumacher	16.911 
17	17	Ralf Schumacher		16.915 
18	4	Takuma Sato		16.918 
19	20	Robert Doornbos		17.057 
20	19	Narain Karthikeyan	17.085 
21	21	Christijan Albers	17.125 
22	18	Tiago Monteiro		17.166 
23	39	Nicolas Kiesa		17.555 
24	14	David Coulthard		18.516

Code:

[b]Sector 2 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	35	Alexander Wurz		34.655 
2	9	Kimi Räikkönen		35.191 
3	5	Fernando Alonso		35.405 
4	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	35.455 
5	38	Ricardo Zonta		35.479 
6	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	35.781 
7	16	Jarno Trulli		35.785 
8	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	35.812 
9	12	Felipe Massa		35.858 
10	15	Christian Klien		36.023 
11	1	Michael Schumacher	36.057 
12	8	Nick Heidfeld		36.063 
13	4	Takuma Sato		36.063 
14	17	Ralf Schumacher		36.080 
15	3	Jenson Button		36.087 
16	19	Narain Karthikeyan	36.120 
17	2	Rubens Barrichello	36.132 
18	7	Mark Webber		36.138 
19	11	Jacques Villeneuve	36.307 
20	21	Christijan Albers	36.335 
21	20	Robert Doornbos		36.438 
22	39	Nicolas Kiesa		36.644 
23	18	Tiago Monteiro		36.785 
24	14	David Coulthard		37.068

Code:

[b]Sector 3 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen		22.936 
2	35	Alexander Wurz		23.081 
3	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	23.291 
4	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	23.401 
5	5	Fernando Alonso		23.428 
6	12	Felipe Massa		23.495 
7	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	23.505 
8	1	Michael Schumacher	23.506 
9	17	Ralf Schumacher		23.580 
10	38	Ricardo Zonta		23.620 
11	7	Mark Webber		23.696 
12	15	Christian Klien		23.731 
13	16	Jarno Trulli		23.738 
14	3	Jenson Button		23.754 
15	4	Takuma Sato		23.758 
16	8	Nick Heidfeld		23.768 
17	2	Rubens Barrichello	23.792 
18	11	Jacques Villeneuve	23.946 
19	21	Christijan Albers	24.255 
20	18	Tiago Monteiro		24.276 
21	20	Robert Doornbos		24.294 
22	19	Narain Karthikeyan	24.301 
23	39	Nicolas Kiesa		25.186 
24	14	David Coulthard		25.602

Speed Trap

Code:

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time		Speed[/b]
1	5	Fernando Alonso		14:38:46	332.0 
2	35	Alexander Wurz		14:44:29	331.1 
3	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	14:33:25	330.2 
4	16	Jarno Trulli		14:34:19	329.9 
5	39	Nicolas Kiesa		14:34:50	328.0 
6	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	14:46:06	327.2 
7	9	Kimi Räikkönen		14:40:57	326.7 
8	38	Ricardo Zonta		14:04:40	325.7 
9	3	Jenson Button		14:34:52	324.9 
10	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	14:44:32	324.2 
11	19	Narain Karthikeyan	14:43:55	323.6 
12	12	Felipe Massa		14:30:08	323.3 
13	15	Christian Klien		14:44:01	323.3 
14	4	Takuma Sato		14:36:29	322.6 
15	1	Michael Schumacher	14:42:06	321.3 
16	17	Ralf Schumacher		14:08:10	320.7 
17	11	Jacques Villeneuve	14:44:56	320.5 
18	20	Robert Doornbos		14:40:34	320.0 
19	7	Mark Webber		14:13:29	319.4 
20	8	Nick Heidfeld		14:36:45	317.4 
21	18	Tiago Monteiro		14:39:11	317.0 
22	21	Christijan Albers	14:04:32	316.5 
23	14	David Coulthard		14:22:48	315.1 
24	2	Rubens Barrichello	14:45:36	313.5

Flibster · 22 Jul 2005 at 21:13

Jesus H Tapdancing Christ theres a lot of news at this race... :eek:

aaaannnyyway...

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=25283 said:
McLaren to drop West livery early
22/07/2005

Pitpass can confirm that McLaren will run in its current 'West' livery for the last time next Friday (July 29). A source at the Woking team has confirmed to Pitpass that McLaren will "run the West livery on the car on Friday (in Hungary) and that will be it".

The move has been prompted by the European ban on tobacco sponsorship which comes into effect on July 31st, and though the team could run in West livery on qualifying on Saturday, it has opted to drop the West signage a day early.

There is widespread speculation as to how other teams, and indeed the media, will react to the ban, with no definitive directive in place.

The issue is further clouded by the fact that in the UK, the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act comes into force. Essentially, this prohibits British teams from running tobacco sponsorship outside the European Union since their liveries would be broadcast back into the UK via television.

Speaking in Germany, Renault boss, Flavio Briatore, was in no doubt: "We are running tobacco," he said.

"We have no problem," he continued. "Japan Tobacco has been with us in the last 13 or 14 years and at the moment tobacco is allowed in Formula One and I'm happy to have them. It is not because of the fans, they are not interested in the colour of the car, they are interested in the performance of the car and seeing the race. I have never seen any e-mail in our office which refers to the tobacco livery we have on the car. The tobacco (companies) have done a lot for the sport, they have invested a lot of money in Formula One over many, many years and really I feel nothing, I feel good."

With so much confusion surrounding the issue, Briatore was asked if Renault had received official notification from the British Government.

"I don't know," he said. "It looks like everybody is expecting something. For the moment we are allowed to have the tobacco livery here and we will see what happens in the future, in the next few days.

"If we are forced not to use the tobacco (livery) we will not use it," he added. "It's as simple as that but we will see what happens with the letter we need to receive from the government and then we will see, in a few days, what will happen."

//Mike · 22 Jul 2005 at 21:32

I've never particularly understood the ban on tobacco livery, but there are such a large number of groups against it, it was inevitable a ban would come into effect.

Wonder why McLaren felt the need to drop it early though :confused:

pinkaardvark · 22 Jul 2005 at 22:46

What happened to DC and his car in the second practice? Not an engine change I hope?

Fire 1 · 22 Jul 2005 at 23:28

//Mike said:
I've never particularly understood the ban on tobacco livery, but there are such a large number of groups against it, it was inevitable a ban would come into effect.

Wonder why McLaren felt the need to drop it early though

Some people think that if young or any viewers see the cigarette advertising then it will lead to an increased numbner of smokers :rolleyes:

people can make up their own mind.

Anyway back to the track issue, F1 challenge is great because you can go to 2001 or earlier and play on the old circuit with the long straights

pinkaardvark · 22 Jul 2005 at 23:32

Fire 1 said:
Some people think that if young or any viewers see the cigarette advertising then it will lead to an increased numbner of smokers people can make up their own mind.

Anyway back to the track issue, F1 challenge is great because you can go to 2001 or earlier and play on the old circuit with the long straights

It's more subtle than that. If you do decide to start smokin' which brand are you going to pick, one that you have seen so often it's part of your sub concious, one that is plastered on cool cars, athletes and associated with cool events or are you gonna start puffin on the tesco's value superkings?

Fire 1 · 22 Jul 2005 at 23:43

pinkaardvark said:
It's more subtle than that. If you do decide to start smokin' which brand are you going to pick, one that you have seen so often it's part of your sub concious, one that is plastered on cool cars, athletes and associated with cool events or are you gonna start puffin on the tesco's value superkings?

I know what you are saying but I've been watching F1 for as long as I can remeber and I don't want to start smoking although seeing all these cool fast cars with tobaco advertising on them.

What if the tobaco companies started up another business using the same name. Would they be allowed to use the same name?

//Mike · 22 Jul 2005 at 23:48

I know of no body that bases their cigarette purchases based on where it's advertised. I find that either people buy the cheapest there, or people buy the most expensive, not Marlboro Reds because Ferraris cars are red and they're sponsored by Marlboro. Complete and utter codswallop.

Flibster · 22 Jul 2005 at 23:53

pinkaardvark said:
What happened to DC and his car in the second practice? Not an engine change I hope?

Spun off at the first corner and hit a barrier...

Fire 1 said:
What if the tobaco companies started up another business using the same name. Would they be allowed to use the same name?

Closest to that was British American Tobacco and British American Racing...
Don't know what would happen other than that..

Simon/~Flibster