2006 Bahrain Grand Prix - Race 1/18

Flibster · 14 Mar 2006 at 09:32

Schu pens new Ferrari deal - report

According to reports in the German press, Ferrari's Michael Schumacher may have now signed a new two-year deal to stick around in F1 until the end of 2008.

After missing the Bahrain win by a paltry 1.2 seconds, the 37-year-old is almost certain to line up at the scarlet team next year alongside McLaren defector Kimi Raikkonen, the reports said.

Schumacher's manager, Willi Weber, would not confirm the rumour when pressed by Bild newspaper.

"We will not be making any statements on this issue before the summer," he said.

"But it is clear -- positive results will not impact negatively on Michael's important decision."

Bild also quoted a 'McLaren insider' as reporting that Kimi Raikkonen has already decided to leave the team.

Flibster · 14 Mar 2006 at 09:36

Massa 'lost control' in Alonso incident

With Ferrari saying it would investigate an incident that nearly wiped Fernando Alonso out of the Bahrain race, principal Jean Todt reports that team debutant Felipe Massa 'lost control' of his car.

'But, overall, I think he did a very good job,' said the Frenchman.

'Felipe was able to match Michael (Schumacher) in qualifying, even though he lost control of the car when he was driving behind Alonso in the race.

'He also lost a lot of time in the pits, but afterwards lapped at the pace of the leaders.'

Flibster · 14 Mar 2006 at 09:38

Richard T said:
Hey Simon..... whens the next thread going up?

Today...

Flibster · 14 Mar 2006 at 10:27

Massa's spin was unusual - immediately upon locking his wheels it went sideways. Personally I also would have expected it to go the other way as well *To our right rather than our left*
As he was going in a straight line the slide should have been in a straight line. It's almost as if all the weight was over the front wheels and the rear end went very light, one wheel locked up and that was it. It happened extremely rapidly.

Also - after the pitstop he had there was nothing resembling the same speed from him.

Anyhoo...bit of a nice story...

Donations to help Honda Truckie

Mechanics up and down pitlane are uniting to support an injured colleague.

Chris Mays, a truckie for Honda, is in intensive care after a motorbike crash, according to the Telegraph newspaper, and his insurance company is refusing to pay out.

Mechanics from many rival teams are donating a day's pay, with some drivers contributing race suits and helmets to be auctioned.