2005 Japanese Grand Prix

WilliamsF1 to reveal 2006 line up soon

Frank Williams has said that his 2006 line-up will be revealed in the not too distant future.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Williams claimed that the line-up, which will include Mark Webber, will be "very competitive" and exciting.

"Mark Webber will be the team's first confirmed driver for next year," he revealed. "Antonio Pizzonia and Nico Rosberg are the other two drivers with whom the team has retained contractual relationship. We will confirm our full driver line-up in the not-too-distant future."

The team has undergone some massive changes, what with the split with BMW - which has gone on to form its own team - the loss of sponsor HP, and the failure to secure the services of Jenson Button.

"Much is changing at Williams," he admitted, "but it will be a much-needed catalyst to return the team to winning form. As I see it, the most significant change is something that all teams will have to face and that is the change to V8 technology, the most fundamental change to the technical side of the sport in 16 years.

"I believe that Cosworth, our engine suppliers for next season, are possibly the best placed company as acknowledged global experts in V8 technology, to take best advantage of this change," he continued. "So after 27 years of Williams adapting to change and competitive challenges, I am actually very optimistic about next year."

With regards Button, he said: "I hold Jenson's ability in high regard and had hoped he would race for us but I regard the outcome pragmatically. Ultimately, a financial settlement was a poor second choice, but the only practical resolution to the situation.

"Despite holding a binding contract, we could not enforce the specific performance of making Jenson race for us," he admitted. "In any case, I am only interested in drivers that are 100% committed to driving for Williams."
Click to expand...
 
Exclusive: FIA's Radical Plans Revealed
By Jonathan Noble Saturday, 08 October 2005 15:44

The return of tyre changes, knock-out qualifying, a restricted number of personnel used in pitstops and a ban on spare and third cars are key components of rule proposals put forward by the FIA for introduction next year, Autosport-Atlas can reveal.

In an email sent to the teams on Saturday detailing the agenda for a forthcoming meeting of the Formula One Commission, motor racing's governing body has suggested a radical revamp of the Grand Prix weekend in a bid to increase excitement.

The email, seen by Autosport-Atlas, outlines the changes that the FIA would like made to F1's sporting regulations. A vote on these changes will be made at the commission meeting in London on October 24th.

The details include:

• A revised weekend schedule - with Friday practice taking place from 10am to 11am and 1pm to 2pm. Saturday practice will be from 10am to 11am with qualifying running from 1pm to 2pm.

• A knock-out qualifying format which is broken up into three segments. The slowest five cars will be knocked out in the first 15 minute session, with the next slowest five knocked out in the next 15 minutes. A final 20-minute 10-car shoot-out for the top 10 grid positions will then take place - with cars running race levels of fuel. Those already knocked out can refuel prior to the race.

• Tyre changes in races will once again be allowed.

• A ban on spare cars and the third cars operated by the bottom six teams on Fridays.

• A limit of 14 people to work on a car during a pit-stop, with only one team member allowed to work on each wheel when changing tyres.

• A ban on tyre heaters

• The pre-race build up to be revised, with the pit-lane opening 45 minutes before the race starts for just five minutes. The drivers' parade will then take place once the cars are on the grid.

Although some of the changes are known to have wide support in the pit-lane, especially the knock-out qualifying format and the return of tyre changes, as was reported by Autosport-Atlas yesterday, other factors may face stiff opposition.

Those teams that had the chance to run third cars on Fridays next season because they failed to finish in the top four of the constructors' Championship are unlikely to support their ban, even though the FIA claims in the email that it does not make sense to allow third cars if spare cars are banned.

"Prohibiting the use of a third car is essential if spare cars are themselves to be prohibited," said a note in the document.

Justifying the ban on third cars, the document said: "Arguably, the purpose of allowing all but the top four teams to run a third car on Fridays has been defeated as most teams in this position are or were using the extra car to gain a competitive advantage

Regarding spare cars, the document said: "As spare cars are so rarely used now, and with races never being stopped under the new race suspension regulation, it would seem the right time to ban the presence of spare cars at a race."

The FIA has declined to elaborate on the specifics of what has been suggested, but a spokesman did confirm that the items were up for discussion at the F1 Commission meeting.

"We can confirm that the latest in a series of qualifying formats will be discussed," he said.

When asked for a response to critical comments about the suggestions by Minardi boss Paul Stoddart, who claimed they were 'a crock of ****', the FIA spokesman was more forthcoming.

"It was perhaps inevitable that Mr Stoddart's self-imposed silence would run-out before his departure at the end of the season," he said. "F1's loss can only be described as the Australian V8 Championship's gain."

Stoddart's Oz Jet company is now a sponsor in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship.
Click to expand...
 
The Full FIA Proposal Document
By Jonathan Noble Saturday, 08 October 2005 15:56

Possible changes to the draft 2006 Sporting Regulations

1. Practice times

Proposal

Friday Untimed 10.00 to 11.00
Untimed 13.00 to 14.00

Saturday Untimed 10.00 to 11.00
Qualifying 13.00 to 14.00


2. Qualifying format

Proposal

Saturday Morning 60-minute free practice session (10.00 to 11.00)

Saturday Afternoon 60-minute qualifying session (13.00 to 14.00)

13.00 to 13.15 : All cars are permitted on the track and at the end of the 15-minute period the slowest five cars can take no further part in qualifying. These cars will then be arranged on the last five grid positions in the order of their times, the fastest occupying 16th position. The times for the fifteen remaining cars will then be deleted (i.e. be irrelevant to the grid)

13.20 to 13.35 : The remaining fifteen cars are permitted on the track and at the end of the 15-minute period the slowest five cars can take no further part in qualifying. These cars will then be arranged on the grid in positions eleven to fifteen in the order of their times, the fastest occupying 11th position. The times for the ten remaining cars will then be deleted (i.e. be irrelevant to the grid)

13.40 to 14.00 : The remaining ten cars are permitted on the track and at the end of the 20-minute period the cars will be arranged on the grid in positions one to ten in the order of their times, the fastest occupying pole position

• Cars will be under parc ferme conditions (changing tyres and adding fuel will no longer be part of the parc ferme regulations) from the time they enter the track for the first time during qualifying until the start of the race

• Fuel may be added to cars at any time during the first 40 minutes of qualifying and any car eliminated during the first two periods may then be refuelled at any time until the pit lane opens for the race

• Teams will be required to fill cars taking part in the final 20-minute period with the amount of fuel with which they intend to start the race. Any fuel used during the 20-minute period may be replaced before the start of the race (cars will be weighed at the exit of the pit lane when they leave for the first time during the 20-minute period and again before the race)

• Each driver will be permitted to use seven sets of dry-weather tyres for the Event. How he chooses to use them is free except that all tyres used for qualifying and race must be of the same specification. Tyre changes will be permitted at any time during the race

• Penalties for engine changes or other infringements of the rules will be applied after qualifying in the same way as they are at present

• Article 131 of the draft 2006 Formula One Sporting Regulations will apply to any car failing to set a time in the first 15-minute period. If more than 5 cars fail to set a time, the rearmost five (after applying Article 131) will take no further part in qualifying, while the remaining cars will be allowed to go forward to the second period. This procedure will be repeated between the second and third periods if necessary

• If twenty two cars are eligible to take part in the Event six cars will drop out after each of the fifteen minute periods leaving ten for the final 20 minutes

• If twenty four cars are eligible to take part in the Event six cars will drop out after each of the fifteen minute periods leaving twelve for the final 20 minutes

Note : Five-minute breaks should be sufficient as refuelling takes only seconds. This will also allow time for television advertising without keeping race spectators waiting unnecessarily

It is likely that all cars eligible for the last period will run continuously and as fast as possible for the entire 20 minutes in order to make a final attempt at a good grid position in the last few minutes with minimum fuel and, possibly, new tyres

3. Spare cars

As spare cars are so rarely used now, and with races never being stopped under the new race suspension regulation, it would seem the right time to ban the presence of spare cars at a race

Proposal

Prohibit teams from having more than two cars available for use at any one time

Note : A clear definition of what constitutes a car, as opposed to a partially built chassis, would have to be included (this has already been done in the FIA Draft 2008 Technical Regulations)

4. Third car on Fridays

Arguably, the purpose of allowing all but the top four teams to run a third car on Fridays has been defeated as most teams in this position are or were using the extra car to gain a competitive advantage

Proposal

Teams should no longer be permitted to run a third car on Fridays

Note : Prohibiting the use of a third car is essential if spare cars are themselves to be prohibited.

5. Number of people working on a car

If the two proposals above are accepted, and in order to ensure teams are not required to bring personnel to races purely for working during pit stops, it is proposed that a restriction be placed on the number of people a team can have working on a car during a pit stop

Proposal

Restrict the number of people working on the car during a pit stop, or carrying out any function associated with the pit stop, to fourteen. Furthermore, if a wheel or wheels need to be changed, only one person can be involved with the operation of changing each wheel

6. Tyre heating

There is a case for a ban on tyre blankets, subject to the tyre companies raising no objections on justifiable safety grounds

Proposal

Prohibit the use of any devices, systems or procedures which are intended to heat tyres

Note : It may also be necessary to state that any tyres to due to be used by each driver must placed in the pit lane and be clearly visible to the scrutineers from 8.00am on each day of the Event, any tyres which have not been visible during that time may not be used (or words to that effect)

7. Drivers parade

It may be more convenient to bring the drivers parade closer to the race start time and make it part of the opening procedure

Proposal

Open the pit lane a little earlier and for a shorter time, once the cars are on the grid the drivers could get out of their cars and do the parade.

Open pit lane 13.15
Close pit lane 13.20
Drivers parade 13.25 to 13.40
Start of formation lap 14.00
Click to expand...
 
Brawn to replace Todt at Ferrari?

According to a murmur in the Suzuka paddock, technical director Ross Brawn would take Ferrari's top job if Jean Todt retires at the end of 2006. Although both scarlet players' contracts expire in unison, Englishman Brawn is known to want to keep charging at Maranello. Exactly the same cannot be said for Todt, who has left the retirement door half open.

In fact, France's Todt is even tipped to assist Luca di Montezemolo higher up the food chain. "At the moment the priority should be returning Ferrari to the front," Brawn told the 'Premiere' TV network, "so that is where my focus is.

"Other things are more important at the moment. In addition, I am an engineer at heart, and I would give that up very reluctantly."
Click to expand...
 
We Will Have Far Too Much Grip for the Horsepower in 2006 F1 Season

Pedro de la Rosa has slammed formula one's rule-makers for ridding the sport of its V10 horse power.

The Spanish test driver is one of just a handful to have sampled 2006's 2.4 litre V8 power, and - recalling a recent run in the McLaren-Mercedes - he calls the new regulations 'very disappointing.'

F1 will lose about 200hp per engine over the winter period.

"This is very obvious to the driver," de la Rosa told the 'Marca' newspaper, "but the worst part is that they have not changed the aerodynamics rules as well. We have far too much grip for the power now."

Amid calls to inspire more overtaking in F1, 34-year-old Pedro reckons the 2006 rules will actually making passing harder.

He explained: "We will arrive at the corner 20kph slower, with the same grip and the same brakes, so the braking distance will be shorter.

"Physically, driving is also easier."
Click to expand...
 
Some rather odd rule changes by the sounds of things. No tyre heaters, would you really want to go out in an F1 car with totally cold tyres? Tyre heaters dont heat them up that much but for safety its probably a good idea to keep them.

No spare car, thats fine until a few drivers have major offs and we end up with a reduced grid starting the race.

De La Rosas comments are worrying to say the least, unless they change the aero regs to allow more slipstreaming but less downforce.
 
Qualifying Session

Running Order

Code: 
[b]Pos	Driver			Team[/b]
1	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing
2	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW
3	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth
4	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW  
5	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota  
6	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota  
7	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth  
8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota  
9	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas  
10	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas  
11	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda  
12	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing  
13	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota  
14	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda  
15	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari  
16	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault  
17	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari  
18	Fernando Alonso		Renault  
19	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes  
20	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes
 
I'm already feeling irritated with ITVs broadcast this time - I dont know what it is about Ted Kravitz and Jim Rosenthal but they really get to me.


Now, to find the wireless headphones for the race proper....
 
WTF??!?!? :D

Cheerleader Nurses?

Can't they choose one career?

Kinky Nurse or Slutty Cheerleader?
eyebrows.gif


Simon/~Flibster
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom