Author Topic: Official Racing Thread (Read 181622 times)

JFC · « **Reply #800 on:** September 22, 2009, 04:55:41 AM »

Quote from: L-san on September 22, 2009, 02:58:26 AM

FIA reinstates Canadian Grand Prix

I say again...

Quote from: JFC on September 16, 2009, 02:55:27 AM

Sweet!

RatBastich · « **Reply #801 on:** September 26, 2009, 02:07:41 AM »

Report: Patrick re-signs with AGR

Associated Press

MOTEGI, Japan -- Danica Patrick agreed to a three-year contract to remain at Andretti Green Racing and stay in the IndyCar Series, according to a report in the Indianapolis Star.

Patrick, who became the first woman to win a major open-wheel race when she took last year's Indy Japan, is finishing her fifth season in the IndyCar series and is fifth in points. She's been rumored to be considering a move to NASCAR and still could compete in a limited number of races.

The newspaper was unable to reach Patrick for comment.

The IndyCar Series season finale is Oct. 10 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Jeff Belskus, the president and CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said the 27-year-old drive

"I know she has said winning the Indianapolis 500 is important to her and that it's a lifelong dream to win that race," Belskus said at the Indy Japan 300.

Patrick finished sixth at this year's Indy Japan, which was won by Scott Dixon.

NASCAR star Tony Stewart said this month that he has no doubts that Patrick will eventually make the jump to stock cars. They've talked frequently about what it would take for Patrick to go from open-wheel racing to the heavier cars.

Stewart said Friday at Dover International Speedway that he had not talked to Patrick abou

Code001 · « **Reply #802 on:** September 27, 2009, 03:27:36 AM »

Brawn didn't do too well during the Singapore qualifying, but I'm hoping they'll continue to dominate this season. Hamilton is on pole, so if Brawn can't win, I'd at least like to see Hamilton get another win. He's been doing poorly this season.

In other racing news, don't forget that the WRC continues next week and then the end of Oct. for the final rally championship. Also, here's hoping that the FIA GT Ford GT GT1 will be competitive during the next rule changes and that the new C6R GT2 will dominate this class just like they did GT1.

Tuffty · « **Reply #803 on:** October 21, 2009, 01:20:49 AM »

What the? You guys been living under a rock?!

[size=8]Button wins F1[/size]

Good to see him win it. Damn, Championship winner, receiving critical plaudits and has a smoking hot girlfriend to boot.

JFC · « **Reply #804 on:** October 21, 2009, 02:10:53 AM »

^
His results in the second half of the season have petered out a bit compared to the first half, but hey, he still got the job done. Congrats Jenson!

Add that Brawn GP won the Constructors Championship in their debut season! First time that's happened!

shurastriker · « **Reply #805 on:** October 21, 2009, 07:36:52 AM »

awesome season... is a shame that i actually couldn't watch any of the races

i guess is all true that all sportsman have the hottest girlfriends

Code001 · « **Reply #806 on:** October 21, 2009, 08:29:30 AM »

Real glad Button won, but I'm looking forward to the next race. Here's to hoping Barrichello will beat Vettel in points to give Brawn GP a 1-2 overall.

It's always nice to see all the hardcore Ferrari fans butthurt.

Don't forget that the final WRC race will be on this weekend. Loeb will most likely win, but it'll be entertaining none-the-less.

JFC · « **Reply #807 on:** October 22, 2009, 06:01:13 AM »

Quote from: shurastriker on October 21, 2009, 07:36:52 AM

i guess is all true that all sportsman have the hottest girlfriends

True, but how many of them can say their girlfriend has her own JPH!P thread?

http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=10968.0

JFC · « **Reply #808 on:** November 02, 2009, 04:06:41 AM »

And with the completion of today's inaugural Abu Dhabi GP, the 2009 F1 season is officially over. Once again, props to Jenson Button and the team over at BRAWN GP for surprising the hell out of a lot of people (yours truly included) by showing that with with good connections, hard work and proper preparation, you can be BOTH the new team on the block and competitive.

Some things to look forward to for next season:
- the debut of Team US F1: regrettably, Formula 1 hasn't been as popular in the U.S. as it has been throughout the rest of the world. with luck, the establishment of an American-based team might help change all that. Good luck to the new team, and in particular, team principal Peter Windsor (who many people would know as being a big part of SPEED TV's F1 coverage team as their on-track reporter).
US F1 Official site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_US_F1

Other new teams next seasons include:
a) the Campos Meta F1 team, definitely one to watch seeing as one of it's drivers is Bruno Senna, son of the late, great, legendary Aryton Senna.
Campos Meta F1 Official site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campos_Grand_Prix

b) the returning LOTUS F1 team, which last participated in F1 in 1994
LOTUS F1 Official site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_F1_Team

c) the MANOR Grand Prix team, known for previous success in Formula 3
MANOR GP Official site
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manor_Grand_Prix

Amongst the rule changes that are supposed to take place next season, the one that draws my interest the most is the "no refueling during the race" rule. It's definitely going to affect how the cars are built and designed, not to mention how they're physically balanced and how well they actually run. Definitely also going to look forward to see what happens with the massive game of "musical chairs" that several drivers will be playing during the off-season.

SomethingWild · « **Reply #809 on:** November 02, 2009, 03:35:11 PM »

Quote from: Code001 on October 21, 2009, 08:29:30 AM

Loeb will most likely win, but it'll be entertaining none-the-less.

When that branch was stuck in his windscreen whipper, I've never seen him so pissed

He must've felt the pressure. Great driving by all, but I'm glad Loeb won again. My RC car looks like his Xsara

JFC · « **Reply #810 on:** November 18, 2009, 05:03:23 AM »

Some pretty big news previews/teasers comin' up.

Mercedes takes over Brawn
By Edd Straw
Monday, November 16th 2009, 12:09 GMT

Mercedes-Benz has announced that it has taken over the Brawn Formula 1 team and re-named it Mercedes Grand Prix after buying a 75.1 per cent stake in the squad.

The German car giant will retain its role as McLaren's engine supplier until at least 2015, but will sell its 40 per cent stake in the squad back to the team over the next two years.

"Mercedes will compete in the F1 world championship next year starting with its own factory team," said head of Mercedes cars, Dr Dieter Zetsche.

"This is possible by the agreed acquisition of 75.1 per cent of Brawn GP, 45.1 per cent from Daimler and 30 per cent from our partner Aabar Investments. The rest will be with the current share - Ross Brawn, Nick Fry and other members. The interests of Daimler are aligned therefore it will be a true Mercedes-Benz team.
FULL ARTICLE LINK - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80174

Button closing on McLaren switch
By Edd Straw
Tuesday, November 17th 2009, 09:24 GMT
World champion Jenson Button is closing on a switch to McLaren-Mercedes in a deal that should be completed later this week.

The 29-year-old Briton is understood to have emerged as a McLaren target after negotiations to bring Kimi Raikkonen back to the team stalled over pay demands.

A report in The Guardian on Tuesday said that following a visit to the team's Woking base last week, further negotiations have taken place.

Sources have confirmed to AUTOSPORT that while no deal has yet been signed, Button is likely to commit to the team within the next few days.

It is understood that the deal has not yet been agreed by Button, although with little hope of remaining at the rebranded Mercedes Grand Prix team, it is unlikely that he would turn down the chance to join one of the most successful teams in the history of the sport.
FULL ARTICLE LINK - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80178

Raikkonen to take a sabbatical in 2010
By Jonathan Noble
Tuesday, November 17th 2009, 23:55 GMT

Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will take a sabbatical from Formula 1 next year, his manager has revealed, following the collapse of talks with McLaren about a deal for 2010.

Raikkonen said last month that, in the wake of being released from his Ferrari contract, his only option to remain in F1 was with McLaren - because he wanted to be guaranteed a top-line grand prix car.

However, amid increasing speculation that Jenson Button is on his way to the British team, Raikkonen's manager Steve Robertson revealed on Tuesday night that discussions with McLaren had come to an end.

"The options in F1 were with McLaren next season or not at all," Robertson was quoted as saying by respected Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, which has close links with the Raikkonen camp. "Kimi and McLaren were unable to reach an agreement, so he will not drive at the F1 level - at least not next year.
FULL ARTICLE LINK - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80187

Code001 · « **Reply #811 on:** November 20, 2009, 09:40:23 PM »

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/breaking-schumacher-likely-to-return-to-f1-racing-with-mercedes/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+weblogsinc%2Fautoblog+%28Autoblog%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

BREAKING: Schumacher likely to return to F1 racing with Mercedes

Say it ain't so, Schu! The Daily Telegraph is reporting that seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher is close to signing on with the newly formed Mercedes Formula 1 team. Mercedes is the new name of the former Brawn GP team, the current Constructors Champion. After a stellar rookie season that saw this former Honda team clinch not just the Constructors Championship, but also the Drivers Championship for Jenson Button, they had a bit of a dropoff as Button bolted for rival McLaren.

Masa · « **Reply #812 on:** December 04, 2009, 10:33:48 AM »

Quote

Raikkonen-Citroen WRC deal confirmed

By Forumula1.net on Friday, December 4, 2009

Kimi Raikkonen will be joining Citroen’s WRC effort next season, as predicted by many of his fans. Raikkonen made his rally debut early this year in a Punto Abarth, impressing many with his performance, and it is well documented that the Finn has said would like to try his hand and rallying, therefore today’s news comes as little surprise. Raikkonen will be driving in a Red Bull Citroen along with former Junior WRC champion Sebasiten Ogier, who already has one full WRC season under his belt. “I always wanted to compete in rally, especially in the World Rally Championship at some point in my career,” said Raikkonen.

“Thanks to Red Bull, I have the opportunity to drive the best car of the series with the Citroen C4. This is a new but very exciting challenge. “For the moment we have a one-year contract and we will see how it goes for the future,” Raikkonen said. “I am really looking forward to testing the car and taking the start of the first rally.” Both Raikkonen and Ogier will be competing in just 12 of the 13 WRC rounds, skipping the New Zealand event.

http://www.forumula1.net/2009/f1/f1-news/raikkonen-citroen-wrc-deal-confirmed/

JFC · « **Reply #813 on:** December 24, 2009, 08:47:40 PM »

Ladies and Gentlemen, it apparently IS confirmed

Quote

Michael Schumacher will return to F1 in 2010
ESPNF1 Staff - December 23, 2009

Mercedes GP has confirmed Michael Schumacher as its driver for next season, in a deal he said was three years long and believed to be worth €7 million (US$10 million).

The much-anticipated move will reunite Schumacher, who turns 41 in January, with team principal Ross Brawn, with whom he has secured all seven of his world championships. He will be part of an all-German team with 24-year-old Nico Rosberg, who agreed a deal with Mercedes last month.

"The motivation I think is pretty straightforward," Schumacher said. "Our aim can only be to fight for the championship. We are talking about a three-year deal, it is not a one-off thing. We are obviously looking for continuity.

"The call I got from Ross at the end of November concerning the chance to go racing, Mercedes being involved, I felt great. I never left the race track. I was tired of F1 by the end of 2006, but in three years of absence I got back all the energy that I am feeling right now. I played around with motorbikes and I feel ready for some serious stuff now."

Schumacher was expected to return with Ferrari last year as a replacement for the injured Felipe Massa. But his comeback was cancelled after a neck injury, sustained in a motorbike test in February, turned out to be more serious than previously thought. He has recently undergone extensive medical tests, and has now declared himself fit to race.

"It is obviously a topic that I understand is questioned, and I want to understand," Schumacher said when asked about his neck. "Before I gave a final okay I made sure that I was sure myself, and I can say 100% the neck is no further issue. Unfortunately it was too close to the accident in the summer when I tried for Ferrari, but the time now is enough to have healed completely. I can do everything I used to do, and no problem."

Brawn said he now had one of the best driver line ups in F1 and was confident Schumacher could challenge for the title next year.

"[Schumacher] is the best judge of what he can do," Brawn said. "I trust him explicitly and he told me he can do it. He has always been his own best critic, the man himself knows what he is capable of. I am very comfortable and confident and put my trust in Michael, and it won't be misplaced."

Brawn won both drivers' and constructors' titles in 2009 with Jenson Button, but the British driver left the team last month to drive for McLaren. When asked, Brawn denied Button was pushed out of the team to make space for Schumacher.

"We made a good effort to try to find a solution with Jenson and it didn't work out," he said. "Jenson made his decision in the end not to stay. We made a big effort to keep him but it wasn't possible in the end.

"It overlapped to be honest. I had a loyalty to Jenson but when that started to look difficult I started talking to Michael, and things developed from there. Michael and I kept very close over the years and I saw from his disappointment over the summer, when he couldn't drive a Ferrari, how much passion he still has for the sport. We're incredibly excited now about the prospect of Michael being part of the team."

Although initially for one year, the deal is thought to allow Schumacher a chance to renew, should his comeback be as successful as many expect. Mercedes is likely to be covering its bases with the big-name signing, until Sebastian Vettel is free from his Red Bull contract in 2012.

ARTICLE LINK - http://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motorsport/story/5588.html

aisnack · « **Reply #814 on:** December 27, 2009, 03:52:22 AM »

3.3 million per year ? he must really want to drive again.

aisnack · « **Reply #815 on:** December 31, 2009, 07:45:42 PM »

Now Ralph wants a drive. He was quick enough
but his attitude was really bad.

daigong · « **Reply #816 on:** January 05, 2010, 05:12:05 AM »

I saw this on the news HOLY SHIT!! Dakar Rally now that's racing, fucking truck went down the hill.

EPIC!!

RatBastich · « **Reply #817 on:** February 02, 2010, 02:01:47 AM »

Massa helps kick off new F1 season

Associated Press

VALENCIA, Spain -- Ferrari driver Felipe Massa returned Monday to a competitive Formula One car for the first time since a life-threatening crash last summer and promptly set the fastest time in the season's debut test session.

Massa led the seven-car field with a best lap time of 1 minute, 12.574 seconds from 102 laps at Valencia's Cheste Circuit. That left him just over two-tenths of a second faster than Pedro De la Rosa of Sauber.

Massa said he felt "zero afraid" as he returned for the first time since undergoing lifesaving surgery following a freak crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August.

RatBastich · « **Reply #818 on:** February 04, 2010, 09:47:04 PM »

ARCA debut to dictate Danica's plans

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Danica Patrick could win her stock car debut at Saturday's ARCA race at Daytona and still decide to bypass the Nationwide Series opener there a week later.

"[Winning] doesn't mean that I'm ready for that race," the IndyCar star said Wednesday. "Maybe I didn't get put in very many tough situations."

Patrick joked that she was giving herself "a get out of jail free card." She won't commit to any particular yardstick of what it would take to convince her to make her NASCAR debut in the second-tier series Feb. 13 at Daytona International Speedway.

RatBastich · « **Reply #819 on:** February 09, 2010, 03:13:59 AM »

Danica meets goal with Nationwide nod

By David Newton
ESPN.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The Danica Patrick circus at Daytona International Speedway will continue with the IndyCar Series driver making her NASCAR debut in Saturday's Nationwide Series race.

"To be the one driving that [GoDaddy.com] car at Daytona means a lot to me,'' Patrick said Monday in a news release. "Racing in the Nationwide Series was my goal during this entire two-month preparation process, but we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do.''

Patrick made the decision after finishing sixth in her ARCA debut Saturday at Daytona. She will be guaranteed a spot in the field using the points from CJM Racing's No. 11 team that finished 15th in points last season.

ESPN.com reported Patrick's decision Sunday.

"The ARCA race was a blast, and I'm not ready for my first Daytona Speedweeks to end just yet,'' Patrick said. "I want more racing.''