Montreal! :dance:

 

 

 

p.s. Ecclestone is a money grubbing ******* who likes to ruin everything. :P

 

Yeah he sure is. It's because of him that we may not have a British Grand Prix next year. We have to have a British Grand Prix. It hosted the very first F1 race in 1950 for gods sake! For me the British, Italian, French (even though we don't have a French GP at the moment even though we should because it's passion for motor racing goes back decades), German, Brazilian, Australian Japanese and Canadian Grand Prixs should all be protected because we are in danger of F1 turning into a rich mans board game with the likes of passionless, soulless places like Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Singapore ruining the f1 scene for us fans.

 

But like you I'm delighted to see Montreal is set to return to the calender next year. That and Brazil are the two most exciting race circuits on the calendar and we all absolutely love it.

^Yeah, my favorite track is Spa and they've certainly gone out of their way to screw around with that one in the last few years.

 

Have you seen the terms, though? Basically any race needs massive government backing to even exist now. The money supposedly being demanded from Silverstone was sneaky, brutal, and would hamstring any event. And the demands over Montreal weren't much better.

 

He's going to milk the sport dry if he's not careful. The history is a big part of what makes it so interesting and he's tossing it out like old bathwater.

 

It kind of reminds me of a few years ago when he had a private camera network set up for pay-per-view only. They were the only ones that got decent angles and in-car shots. He was trying to force all coverage to go pay-per-view as I remember it, but it blew up in his face and he finally gave in and let the nice digital network be used for regular TV. :dozey:

^Yeah, my favorite track is Spa and they've certainly gone out of their way to screw around with that one in the last few years.

 

Have you seen the terms, though? Basically any race needs massive government backing to even exist now. The money supposedly being demanded from Silverstone was sneaky, brutal, and would hamstring any event. And the demands over Montreal weren't much better.

 

He's going to milk the sport dry if he's not careful. The history is a big part of what makes it so interesting and he's tossing it out like old bathwater.

 

It kind of reminds me of a few years ago when he had a private camera network set up for pay-per-view only. They were the only ones that got decent angles and in-car shots. He was trying to force all coverage to go pay-per-view as I remember it, but it blew up in his face and he finally gave in and let the nice digital network be used for regular TV. :dozey:

 

Forgot about Spa as a protected track! Yeah, F1 Digital wasn't it called. It was a bloody disaster and eventually crashed in 2003 or something like that. It was pure naff! It's a load of rubbish in my opinion. Who actually wants to watch a whole race from on board their favourite drivers car or just the whole race from on board. Your best with the live international feed which we get our commentary on. Watching a race from on board makes you clueless to what's going on in the whole race. A waste of money it was. He knows that if f1 turned to pay per view hardly any of us would watch f1 anymore and the whole sport would crash and burn.

WHO'S UP FOR SCHUMACHER RETURNING FELLOW F1 COLDPLAYERS???!! Please if you're interested read this!

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2009/12/schumacher_returning_looking_i.html

 

 

There's a debate here. Yes, he is very very fit for his age and supposedly as a 40 year old (41 in 3 weeks) he has a body age of late 20s, early 30s. But he hasn't raced competitively for over 3 years and this could go against him - plus f1 is very different to what it was in 2006. Plus he might be ruling with his heart on this occasion, rather than his head - something Schumacher ALWAYS did throughout his career. But then this is no ordinary human being, it is Michael Schumacher. Even as his biggest fan, the man never failed to amaze me.

Hmm... can't say I'm surprised. He's like Lance Armstrong. He needs to race.

 

Can't say I'd be happy if he went right back to winning all the time either. It's been so interesting lately. More like what I remembered F1 being like when I was a kid.

Hmm... can't say I'm surprised. He's like Lance Armstrong. He needs to race.

 

Can't say I'd be happy if he went right back to winning all the time either. It's been so interesting lately. More like what I remembered F1 being like when I was a kid.

 

I would be amazed if that happened. If he is to join Mercedes, Michael Schumacher will join on a ONE year contract alone on the basis that he passes a medical. I know it's incredible to say this, but his intentions may just to help the team propell forward and to act as a mentor to Nico Rosberg, so effectively becoming a number 2 possibly. There is a belief that he'll act as a stop gap until 2011, when Sebastian Vettel may come in and replace him.

 

However if it goes REALLY well for Schumacher then we could see him sign for another year! Despite the brilliant 3 seasons we've had without him, their is still a massive hole left by his retirement that they haven't been able to replace. I've met many fans who said that F1 was better with Michael Schumacher in the sport and they've felt their's been a void their that has needs to be filled. Despite the obvious talents of the likes of Hamilton, Alonso, Button and Vettel, all 4 of them simply do not fill that gap. A whole circuit would sell out today even if it was just for a test session involving Michael Schumacher - he is that big a crowd puller and more importantly for Bernie, it will mean potentially millions of pounds to go in his already large wallet or wallets!

Ferrari Give Schumacher The Go Ahead

 

Ferrari have insisted they will not prevent Michael Schumacher making a Formula One return with another team.

 

 

The seven-time world champion has been a consultant for Ferrari since retiring in 2006 and said recently he would continue for another three years.

 

But the 40-year-old has been linked with a move to Mercedes and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said Schumacher's role was "not binding".

 

He added: "If he takes another road our agreement will no longer be valid."

 

Schumacher was on the brink of a racing return with Ferrari in August to deputise for the injured Felipe Massa.

 

Those plans were abandoned following medical checks on a neck injury Schumacher suffered in a motorcycle accident earlier this year that caused him pain during testing.

 

 

With that neck problem now understood to be fully healed, Schumacher is thought to be close to completing a sensational return to the sport with the German giants Mercedes, who have taken over world champions Brawn.

 

"You can't work with a competitor and with us at the same time," Montezemolo said.

 

"I still haven't spoken to him about it. He is only a dear friend, not a team member. He is a consultant for our road cars."

 

Schumacher agreed a new role with Ferrari over the summer as an ambassador, consultant and test driver for the company's road cars which removed him from any links with the F1 team.

 

Mercedes are understood to want the seven-time world champion to re-launch their return to F1 in sensational style.

 

Nico Rosberg has already been signed up but the team's second driver has yet to be confirmed.

 

German newspaper Bild reported that Schumacher, who turns 41 in January, had already agreed a deal, thought to be worth 7m euros, with Mercedes in principle.

 

Rosberg has welcomed the prospect of Schumacher joining him at Mercedes, saying: "I hope that my team mate will be sorted out pretty soon and at the moment the rumours are very strong for Michael Schumacher.

 

"I have no idea if it is true or not but obviously if he would join that would be an absolutely fantastic move."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8412828.stm

I hate Michael Schumacher!!!!

I hate Michael Schumacher!!!!

 

Show some respect for your fellow countryman aka the greatest driver of all time!

To keep up to date with behind the scenes Formula One news, follow this excellent blog by James Allen (used to commentate for ITV alongside Martin Brundle on ITV). A very reliable source and his sources are telling him that the deal is adamant.

 

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/

 

Schumacher will meet with Di Montezemolo, a close friend, later this week to discuss the situation but it appears that Schumacher's boss is prepared to let the German go after 15 years of service at Ferrari. I'm telling you this now, Schumacher finally leaving Ferrari will make my heart bleed a little after all those beautiful memories of watching the great man and his great team devastating the record books. Schumacher and Ferrari - the greatest pair ever! Hold fire though - he still has to pass a medical on that bloody neck of his.

So I guess the rumor is that Schumi is going to make his big announcement after new years? His pr team are certainly trying to whip the media up into a frenzy first. And of course it's working. :dozey:

 

Also, hear about the bet? Richard Branson has only just gotten all in as a team boss and the sport is already a little bit more interesting. :lol:

So I guess the rumor is that Schumi is going to make his big announcement after new years? His pr team are certainly trying to whip the media up into a frenzy first. And of course it's working. :dozey:

 

Also, hear about the bet? Richard Branson has only just gotten all in as a team boss and the sport is already a little bit more interesting. :lol:

 

I quite like the idea of Branson in Formula One. Also I see where you're coming from on the Schumacher front but I do believe they will keep this going on until they are CERTAIN he will make a comeback. Remember he's got to pass a medical which will of course assess that famous neck of his. They don't want another scenario like in the summer where he said he WAS coming back only to find out that it was impossible due to his neck. They don't want another repeat of that so they will keep it under wraps until he passes a fitness examination, which as you said will probably happen after New Year.

I just cant shake this mental image of Branson on a plane in a pencil skirt serving tea. :uhoh2: :laugh3: :laugh3: :laugh3:

I just cant shake this mental image of Branson on a plane in a pencil skirt serving tea. :uhoh2: :laugh3: :laugh3: :laugh3:

 

I don't know what this bet is Space Cadet? What has he done to possibly end up in a pencli skirt??!

http://en.espnf1.com/lotus/motorsport/story/5174.html

 

Lotus boss accepts Branson's bet

 

ESPNF1 Staff

December 16, 2009

 

 

At the Virgin Racing launch in London on Tuesday, ESPNF1 asked Sir Richard Branson to comment on the statement made by Lotus boss Tony Fernandes that he would "retire and kill himself" if his squad were beaten by Virgin in 2010.

In return Branson issued a challenge to Fernandes. He said that the losing team's boss should work on the winner's airline for a day dressed as a stewardess.

"Bring it on, the sexier the better," said Fernandes when asked by ESPNF1 if he would accept the challenge.

Lotus has even gone one step further by sending us a picture of what Branson might look like in Air Asia uniform.

"It's quite fitting, don't you think? Our passengers will be delighted to be served by a Knight of the Realm," joked Fernandes. "But knowing Richard, the real challenge will be to prevent him from asking our guests 'coffee, tea or me?' That would be scary."

Forget Ferrari v McLaren v Mercedes etc - this is THE battle to watch out for in 2010!!! :laugh3:

 

But Lotus have Kovaleinen AND Trulli - which is as good as it gets for a brand new f1 team! Branson's playing a VERY risky game! I don't expect Di Grasi to do too much for Virgin Racing, so NO PRESSURE TIMO GLOCK! :D

I guess the last thing I've got to post on this forum has to be on the F1 thread and of course it has to be about the return of my childhood hero (heck he still is!) Michael Schumacher to Grand Prix racing.

 

 

 

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER WILL BE THE COMEBACK KING! 8 WORLD TITLES - LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Nice to see Schumi back he definitely will add something to the coming season, interesting to see how the pairing of him and Rosberg is going to work out.

It's now set to be quite the year whatever happens.

 

^^Good grief childhood hero. I am getting old. Mine was Nigel Mansell.

UPDATED FOR 2010!

Forget Ferrari v McLaren v Mercedes etc - this is THE battle to watch out for in 2010!!! :laugh3:

 

But Lotus have Kovaleinen AND Trulli - which is as good as it gets for a brand new f1 team! Branson's playing a VERY risky game! I don't expect Di Grasi to do too much for Virgin Racing, so NO PRESSURE TIMO GLOCK! :D

 

if Heikki & Janno can win (or just do well, i.e. not fighting for last place with Force India), they'll be hailed as honorary Malaysians... :P

 

btw, any updates on the Schumi possible comeback?

vettel wins malaysian GP!

F1 has actually become interesting again. Wonders will never cease. Perhaps there won't be any more "processions" (other than in Monaco, of course).:stunned:

What's more, Schumacher sucks. He clearly should have stayed "retired".:dozey:

webber was dogged by red bulls pit crew. his pit stop was almost 2 seconds slower than the one vettel got. nevertheless us aussies are happy usually just to see webber finish a race, a podium is awesome.

webber was dogged by red bulls pit crew. his pit stop was almost 2 seconds slower than the one vettel got. nevertheless us aussies are happy usually just to see webber finish a race, a podium is awesome.

 

I'm just pleased there are now several drivers all in with a genuine shout of winning assuming their cars hold out.;)

It's all to play for!:D