el_dazza said:nine? i'd give you 25,000/1.
I'd personally go for august, he's usually pretty handy around the hungaroring and hockenheim![]()
Oddly - people seem to think that 10 wins or more is more likely than 9.
![Confused :confused: :confused:](/styles/default/xenforo/vbSmilies/Normal/confused.gif)
![Confused :confused: :confused:](/styles/default/xenforo/vbSmilies/Normal/confused.gif)
Simon/~Flibster
el_dazza said:nine? i'd give you 25,000/1.
I'd personally go for august, he's usually pretty handy around the hungaroring and hockenheim![]()
Aguri await FIA clarification over Ide
Super Aguri are waiting for a clarification from the FIA before they decide whether Japanese rookie Yuji Ide will race for the team again this year.
Reserve driver Franck Montagny has been promoted to race this weekend at the Nurburgring following concerns expressed by the FIA about Ide's suitability. It comes after Ide tipped Midland's Christijan Albers into a series of barrel-rolls on the first lap of the San Marino Grand Prix.
The team have admitted that it would be 'ideal' if Ide could return for the Spanish Grand Prix next weekend - particularly in light of their preference for an all-Japanese line-up.
However, they will not confirm who will drive at Barcelona until they have had further clarification from the FIA.
Super Aguri's motorhome has been a target for driver managers from the GP2 paddock this weekend, hoping to profit from the uncertainty about their driver line-up, but the team are unlikely to make a deal with anyone at this stage.
Speculation at the Nurburgring this morning that Super Aguri were planning to put Ide back in the car in time for qualifying, forcing Montagny to step down from his Grand Prix debut, has been categorically ruled out by the team.
Button wary over Nurburgring record
Jenson Button remains cautious about his chances of keeping up his impressive 2006 qualifying record at the European Grand Prix this afternoon - because of his history at the track.
Although Button has the best qualifying average of the season so far with a top three grid slot at every race, he knows he is going to have to pull out a career best performance at the Nurburgring if he is going to keep up that run.
In his six outings at the Nurburgring, his best grid position was fifth with BAR-Honda in 2004. His worst was 20th with Benetton-Renault in 2001.
Speaking ahead of qualifying, Button said: "I do like the system, I have always hooked it up quite well.
"But this circuit hasn't been good to me. I haven't really gone well here. I've never really got to grips with it before, but we have got a reasonable balance and hopefully we can improve on that."
Button is upbeat that he will be able to challenge near the front this weekend following impressive pace during first practice but acknowledges that Renault remain the class of the field.
"It has been a tough start to the season, but the car is quick maybe not to win but to get a good result.
"I don't think anyone has got the pace of Renault right now, here they are a little bit stronger than everyone.
"To beat the Renaults this weekend is going to be tough for any team, but it would be nice to challenge the Ferraris and McLarens."
BMW partner with Dell
The BMW Sauber team have announced today a long term partnership deal with computers giant Dell.
The company, one of the biggest worldwide in laptops, printers and personal computers, has been sponsoring BMW in other forms of motorsport, including Formula BMW, Le Mans and WTCC.
The Dell-BMW agreement in Formula One will see the famous Dell logo on the front of the F1.06 sidepods, while Dell products will be used by the team both in the factory and at the track.
In the announcement today, BMW said the deal with Dell "has been set up to last several years."
BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen said: "Dell and BMW are united by a very high level of efficiency as well as an extremely sophisticated standard for quality and individuality in their own product ranges.
"We're very pleased that we will be able to continue the successful cooperation of the past at Formula One level. Dell gives us another strong partner for our ambitious project with the BMW Sauber F1 Team."
Alain Bandle, Dell's Vice President and General Manager Germany & Austria, added: "Dell and BMW Motorsport share a long and prosperous partnership.
"It's the logical conclusion to enhance this with the BMW Sauber F1 Team."
New spy scandal in F1
A spying war has broken out at the Nurburgring, according to German reports.
It is claimed that a communications specialist at F1 championship leader Renault has successfully tapped into Ferrari's encrypted radio systems - and Ferrari know about it.
'Bild' newspaper said the Flavio Briatore-led camp 'monitored every word' spoken by Ferrari's engineers and drivers throughout Friday, including secret technical and race strategy information.
The Renault specialist is reportedly using a high-tech piece of equipment to do the spying, whose efforts could not be thwarted even by Ferrari changing its radio frequency several times.
F1's governing body is apparently aware of the alleged saga, with an 'insider' at the FIA telling Bild: 'It is not a secret that the top teams invest a lot to obtain the information of other teams.
'But without strong evidence, we cannot intervene.'
Sir Frank not likely to retire
Sir Frank Williams, 64, has admitted that a few 'hints' about his need to retire are now being dropped.
The Grove team's principal and co-owner, who is remarkably upbeat and unfettered despite being a quadriplegic, told the Telegraph that - sooner or later - he'll have to relinquish his reins.
The British newspaper, however, suggested that the knighted Briton does not have 'the slightest intention' of stopping.
'I must retire eventually,' Williams was quoted as saying. 'Good people around me will be dropping heavy hints one day (such as), 'Look, Frank, don't you think it's time to have a nice long holiday?'
'I think one or two hints are being dropped already.'
Hints or not, however, oil still runs thick in Sir Frank's veins. For example, he expresses no bitter regret about the high-speed car crash that - in 1986 - left him confined to a wheelchair and nearly unable to do the simplest of tasks, such as dial a phone, or write.
Telegraph's reporter asked him: 'What do you do for pure pleasure?'
Williams quickly responded : 'Go racing.'
Schumacher brothers support Ide
Struggling rookie Yuji Ide's exit from the formula one grid has drawn a mixed reaction from his former grand prix rivals.
BMW Sauber pilot Nick Heidfeld doubted that the FIA's decree that the Japanese do more testing would change much.
''Without judging his driving,'' the German commented, ''I don't think it will change a lot.''
Christian Klien, of Red Bull, agreed, noting that 31-year-old Ide's racing lines often appeared 'really different' to the rest of the formula one field.
McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen pointed out possible motives of safety in the FIA's advice to Super Aguri, saying Ide 'could have been a disaster at Monaco.'
Michael and Ralf Schumacher refused to comment in the official FIA press conference, but later showed some support for the axed driver.
''In terms of safety, I don't think it affects the rest of us,'' said Toyota racer Ralf. ''Maybe he should have been given another chance.
''He is a new driver, it's a new team -- it must have been hard for him.''
Ralf's older brother Michael agreed, pointing out that the four-year-old Super Aguri car is a 'disaster'.
''(And) he has had hardly any possibilities to test,'' the former world champion added. ''I am sure his incident (with Christijan Albers) at Imola did not help, but the circumstances were extremely difficult for him.''
New BRDC Warns That British GP Isn't Guaranteed
Silverstone cannot afford to stage a British grand prix at any cost, according to Damon Hill.
The 1996 world champion last week succeeded Sir Jackie Stewart as president of the club that owns the former World War II airfield in rural Northamptonshire (England).
Speaking to Motorsport News, however, he warned that the British Racing Drivers' Club will not 'commit commercial suicide' for the sake of the F1 race.
He urged: ''If there is anyone out there who wants to pump money in for the benefit of the country or the prestige of doing it, then we want to hear from them.''
Montagny's Super Aguri Future Not Certain
It was a typically understated kick-off to F1 action on Friday morning at the Nurburgring in Germany, with 'third' drivers hogging the tarmac.
Newly promoted Super Aguri racer Franck Montagny, however, did a programme of 16 laps, impressively lagging teammate Takuma Sato's best time by a single tenth.
But the Frenchman, who says he isn't sure about whether the seat will remain his at Barcelona, reacquainted himself with a formula one track by doing an early spin under braking.
''I am obviously not as prepared as the other drivers,'' Montagny said, ''but it's not a problem for me. The conditions are not ideal but I will take it as it is -- a great pleasure.''
In the 18 and 19C temperatures, Ferrari's Michael Schumacher was the quickest race driver, but neither Renault posted a lap time.
Flibster said:Just been given a Media login for a site with lots of promo video's on - watched a couple of them. Very cheesy but quite interesting.
Will be uploading them somewhere else so you lot can watch them.
Just want 2006 or want me to get the lot? Some of the video's date back to 2003. Still could be interesting though. *thank god for broadband eh?*
Simon/~Flibster
Richard T said:yaaaay Simon!
Engine penalties for both Williams
Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg will both drop ten places on the grid for Sunday’s European Grand Prix after Williams decided to change the engines on their cars ahead of this afternoon’s qualifying session.
A problem with discovered with Webber’s Cosworth V8 during Saturday’s final practice at the Nurburgring and the team subsequently opted to also change Rosberg’s engine as a precautionary measure.
Rosberg and Webber finished 11th and 14th respectively in this morning’s session. Williams' third driver Alexander Wurz topped the times on Friday.
[b]Pos No Driver Team Time[/b]
1 5 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:30.788
2 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:31.093
3 7 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 1:31.395
4 17 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-BMW 1:31.531
5 2 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:31.584
6 1 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:31.807
7 12 Jenson Button Honda 1:32.104
8 15 Christian Klien RBR-Ferrari 1:32.197
9 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth 1:32.290
10 3 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 1:32.320
11 10 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth 1:32.459
12 21 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 1:32.505
13 11 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:32.534
14 9 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1:32.711
15 16 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 1:32.773
16 14 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 1:32.779
17 4 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1:32.989
18 8 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:33.120
19 18 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 1:33.744
20 19 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 1:34.469
21 23 Franck Montagny Super Aguri-Honda 1:35.706
22 22 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1:36.082
[b]Sector 1[/b]
[b]Pos No Driver Time[/b]
1 17 Jacques Villeneuve 30.024
2 7 Ralf Schumacher 30.094
3 5 Michael Schumacher 30.101
4 6 Felipe Massa 30.132
5 12 Jenson Button 30.160
6 15 Christian Klien 30.183
7 1 Fernando Alonso 30.256
8 2 Giancarlo Fisichella 30.297
9 3 Kimi Räikkönen 30.354
10 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi 30.366
11 10 Nico Rosberg 30.411
12 21 Scott Speed 30.418
13 9 Mark Webber 30.464
14 14 David Coulthard 30.479
15 4 Juan Pablo Montoya 30.513
16 16 Nick Heidfeld 30.531
17 8 Jarno Trulli 30.543
18 11 Rubens Barrichello 30.625
19 18 Tiago Monteiro 30.786
20 19 Christijan Albers 30.825
21 23 Franck Montagny 31.551
22 22 Takuma Sato 31.855
[b]Sector 2 [/b]
[b]Pos No Driver Time[/b]
1 6 Felipe Massa 37.564
2 5 Michael Schumacher 37.577
3 1 Fernando Alonso 37.699
4 7 Ralf Schumacher 37.854
5 2 Giancarlo Fisichella 37.895
6 17 Jacques Villeneuve 38.055
7 11 Rubens Barrichello 38.159
8 12 Jenson Button 38.255
9 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi 38.277
10 10 Nico Rosberg 38.286
11 9 Mark Webber 38.314
12 21 Scott Speed 38.319
13 15 Christian Klien 38.335
14 3 Kimi Räikkönen 38.337
15 14 David Coulthard 38.428
16 16 Nick Heidfeld 38.603
17 4 Juan Pablo Montoya 38.636
18 8 Jarno Trulli 38.767
19 18 Tiago Monteiro 39.046
20 19 Christijan Albers 39.265
21 23 Franck Montagny 39.728
22 22 Takuma Sato 39.929
[b]Sector 3 [/b]
[b]Pos No Driver Time[/b]
1 5 Michael Schumacher 23.110
2 1 Fernando Alonso 23.361
3 2 Giancarlo Fisichella 23.392
4 6 Felipe Massa 23.397
5 7 Ralf Schumacher 23.447
6 17 Jacques Villeneuve 23.452
7 3 Kimi Räikkönen 23.579
8 11 Rubens Barrichello 23.627
9 16 Nick Heidfeld 23.639
10 15 Christian Klien 23.646
11 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi 23.647
12 12 Jenson Button 23.689
13 10 Nico Rosberg 23.728
14 21 Scott Speed 23.743
15 8 Jarno Trulli 23.810
16 9 Mark Webber 23.826
17 4 Juan Pablo Montoya 23.840
18 14 David Coulthard 23.871
19 18 Tiago Monteiro 23.912
20 19 Christijan Albers 24.218
21 23 Franck Montagny 24.248
22 22 Takuma Sato 24.298
[b]Pos No Driver Time Speed[/b]
1 5 Michael Schumacher 11:54:02 291.6
2 6 Felipe Massa 11:23:18 290.1
3 1 Fernando Alonso 11:57:15 289.8
4 16 Nick Heidfeld 11:39:38 289.5
5 17 Jacques Villeneuve 11:59:26 289.2
6 2 Giancarlo Fisichella 11:43:01 288.2
7 3 Kimi Räikkönen 11:39:21 286.2
8 7 Ralf Schumacher 11:58:26 284.6
9 4 Juan Pablo Montoya 11:53:22 284.5
10 21 Scott Speed 11:57:45 284.5
11 15 Christian Klien 11:19:22 284.0
12 8 Jarno Trulli 11:57:04 283.3
13 12 Jenson Button 11:56:22 282.2
14 14 David Coulthard 11:25:54 281.5
15 23 Franck Montagny 11:46:09 281.5
16 11 Rubens Barrichello 11:39:05 280.9
17 22 Takuma Sato 11:49:21 280.8
18 10 Nico Rosberg 11:37:53 280.6
19 9 Mark Webber 11:46:10 280.3
20 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi 11:45:12 280.2
21 18 Tiago Monteiro 11:52:30 279.1
22 19 Christijan Albers 11:57:14 277.4
Flibster said:Oooh...competition time.
WOW!!!
What a prize!![]()
![]()
You lot can sod off - I'm not tell you the answer - I want to win that.
Although - to get that wrong you'd have to be a complete muppet...
Simon/~Flibster