[F1] nieuwtjes topic deel 26 : 100% FIA Controlled.

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16 March Australia
23 March Malaysia
6 April Bahrain
27 April Spain
11 May Turkey
25 May Monaco
8 June Canada *
22 June France
6 July Great Britain
20 July Germany
3 August Hungary
24 August** Europe ***
7 September Belgium
14 September Italy
28 September** Singapore
12 October Japan
19 October China
2 November Brazil

* Provisional.
** Subject to circuit approval.
*** The 2008 European Grand Prix will take place in Valencia.

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Op donderdag 4 oktober 2007 23:53 schreef Bernard0s het volgende:
Vettel zijn eigen schuld. De baan is breed genoeg, gewoon dom om zo vlak achter Webber te rijden. Hamilton deed ook niks verkeerd mijn inziens. Gewoon een beginnersfout van Vettel, verder niet voor gaan straffen, dat zou triest zijn.

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Spyker completes sale of F1 team
^{Fri 5 Oct 2007, 6:24 GMT}

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Struggling Dutch sports car maker Spyker Cars NV has reached a final agreement to sell its Formula One team to a consortium for 88 million euros, it said on Friday.

"Today, after signing of the official documentation, management of the Spyker Formula One Team has been handed over to the new owners: Orange India Holdings," Spyker said, referring to a consortium which includes Indian businessman Vijay Mallya.

The sports car maker said it would now focus on finalising its strategic review and the related refinancing.

Spyker bought the Formula One team from Midland for $106.6 million last year. The team made a 13 million euro loss in the first half of the year, lifting Spyker's overall loss to 29.9 million euros from 1.1 million in the year-ago period.

Spyker shares closed at 3.00 euros on Thursday, a fraction of the 52-week high of 21.60 euros they touched on November 22, 2006.

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Alonso slams McLaren near end of nightmare season
''I have another ten teams that could be interested in me''
^{06/10/07 16:03}

Fernando Alonso on Saturday afternoon seemed to uncork a wave of intense frustration as he spoke to journalists from his native Spain.

After oddly qualifying six-tenths behind McLaren team-mate and title leader Lewis Hamilton in Shanghai, the reigning world champion did not try hard to hide his suspicion that the Woking based team had deliberately slowed down his single seater.

"I am really interested to know where I have lost this time, because I do not think I have lost six-tenths in the other 100 laps that I have done this weekend," he said, according to the news agency EFE.

Alonso answered 'no' when specifically asked if he suspects McLaren of sabotage, but he also said he has 'no idea' if he has been weighed down with much more fuel than pole-sitter Hamilton.

He was rebuked on Friday by team boss Ron Dennis for saying he would 'not answer' a question about whether he expects equal treatment at the penultimate race of 2007.

Alonso added after qualifying: "I don't know. I am not going to make a comment about this after each session.
"If I was three or four thousandths behind, it doesn't mean anything - it could be small differences in fuel levels or small details such as that.
"But six or seven tenths... I can't remember any time that I was so far behind anybody. That was the strange thing about (today).
"If you have not had a good weekend, you say 'okay, I did not get comfortable with the car, with this corner'... but I have been fast all weekend, also in qualifying one and two.
"To be so far behind in qualifying three - I am the most surprised of all."

Alonso was asked how much optimism he will now carry to Sunday's grid.

"None. Very little. You are fourth, you have to recover so many points, hope for the rain, hope for the others to have problems and you have the luck to finish," he said.

Alonso was also critical of the 'atmosphere' he encounters at McLaren at every race, and accused Ron Dennis and his other bosses of planting negative stories about him in the German and British press.

"When I joined the team, I hoped for more. I arrived with two world championships, we have improved the car as much as we can - last year they were struggling to go into qualifying three and this year then are going to win the championship.
"The truth is that the treatment has not been very good."

Alonso seemed particularly bitter about Dennis, a day after the McLaren Team Principal said he was 'disappointed' that the Spaniard had not defended the team's principles of equality.

"Sometimes it is better to shut up than to lie," Alonso responded on Saturday. "And if he did that more often, I believe his team would be a better one.
"I believe that many of the things and the scandals that have occurred this year have been caused by him.
"I have spoken a lot with Coulthard, Montoya, with Kimi, and all of them left the team and found great happiness. There must be something.
"If something is going to improve, it has to start with them (the team). You always hear about, or I am always told about, the so-called equality of the team.
"It is impossible to have it in Formula One - there is always a better engine, a better lap to stop, always a better something or other."

Alonso is staunchly quiet about his plans for 2008, but he said he hopes to be able to prepare for next year 'soon'.

"Sometimes, by the things you hear or the actions, it seems like they also do not have any desire (to continue together). I don't have a problem; I have another ten teams that could be interested in me.
"Staying here... it is necessary to look at whether it is the best thing to do or not," he said.

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F1- McLaren called carpenter after Alonso rage
^{Posted in: Formula One By GMM on Oct 7, 2007 - 9:26:15 AM}

(GMM) So furious was reigning world champion Fernando Alonso after qualifying fourth in Shanghai on Saturday that he kicked down a door in McLaren's circuit offices.

Mostly Spanish media sources cited wild conspiracy theories including doctored tyre pressures and temperatures for the McLaren driver, who nonetheless kept his hopes alive for the world championship by finishing second on Sunday while his British teammate Lewis Hamilton retired.

The 26-year-old, however, verbally wrote off his championship chances following qualifying before requiring a carpenter to be called to repair the damage he caused to a room at the Shanghai circuit.

Alonso also used a different helmet for the penultimate grand prix, after smashing his qualifying-spec lid on the floor of the garage on Saturday.

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Op zondag 7 oktober 2007 10:45 schreef PogueMahone het volgende:

[..]

Is dat Olav daarachter met een pakje sinasappelsap?

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McLaren bans Ferrari from team quarters
An extended and improved Diageo deal announced
^{07/10/07 11:20}

McLaren has banned Ferrari team members from entering its hospitality facilities for fear of another spying scandal, according to reports.

It is claimed by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo that the Woking based team sent a letter to that effect to Ferrari boss Jean Todt ten days ago.

McLaren was fined $100m and kicked out of the constructors' championship recently at the end of a scandal involving the transfer of Ferrari secrets.

El Mundo said McLaren workers, meanwhile, have been advised to not even speak with their Ferrari counterparts at races.

Todt reportedly replied to Ron Dennis' letter, informing him that McLaren team members are still welcome to enjoy Ferrari hospitality at Grand Prix.

Meanwhile McLaren sponsor Diageo will extend its contract with the Woking-based team, it was announced in Shanghai on Sunday.

Alcoholic drinks company Diageo has backed the Mercedes-powered outfit via its Johnnie Walker whisky label for the past two years.

A statement revealed that the new contract is for five years, starting in 2008, including 'an increased level of branding and financial support.'

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Alonso expects McLaren equality in Brazil
^{By Pablo Elizalde Sunday, October 7th 2007, 12:34 GMT}

Fernando AlonsoWorld champion Fernando Alonso has no fears that his McLaren team will give both him and Lewis Hamilton the same opportunities in the championship-deciding race in Brazil.

The Spanish driver took second place in the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday to keep his championship hopes alive following the retirement of Hamilton.

Alonso is now four points behind the Briton with just the Interlagos race left.

The two-time champion could not have expected such a turnaround after Hamilton dominated the first part of the race from pole position.

Alonso had qualified in fourth place over six tenths behind Hamilton, a result that left him angry. Later on, the Spaniard launched a scathing attack against McLaren and team boss Ron Dennis.

But despite his deteriorating relationship with the team, Alonso expects McLaren to play fair in the final race of the year, although he made it clear he thinks the British squad would prefer Hamilton to win the title.

"I'm sure there's going to be equality," Alonso told Spanish reporters after the race. "One thing is how they feel, what they say about me, but what they do on track is a different thing, and usually they have had two cars that are exactly same, capable of fighting for victory.

"And that's what I think will happen in Brazil, so everything will be up to me.

"The second half of the season has been difficult and it still is, but I think in the end the two cars will be the same. They are going to give us both the same opportunities, I think we need to make that clear.

"There's no problem there, but we know they are never going to have favourable feelings towards me."

He added: "I hope both cars will be the same, and that we can have a good qualifying and that everything that happened here was just a coincidence and we can fight for pole in Brazil, which would be the only chance to fight for victory. If you are not on pole or in the first row, it's almost over."

Despite being in a better mood than yesterday, Alonso reiterated his criticism of the team.

"Yesterday I did not say anything that is not true," he added. "The team has been saying many bad things about me, from Spa onwards especially, so the relationship didn't change too much.

"He (Dennis) was the first one to say that he was not speaking with me and things like that. From that point, I understood that the championship was not going to be easy for me."

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Wet safety car rules tweaked
^{Monday, 08 October 2007}

Oct.7 (GMM) F1's safety car rules have been freed up ahead of the Chinese grand prix. After the rain-drenched race at Fuji Speedway a week ago, Lewis Hamilton came under fire for driving erratically as he led the pack behind the safety car. His behaviour was probed by the stewards, who found that - according to the letter of the current rules - the British championship leader perhaps should have been punished. But race director Charlie Whiting is reported to have said by Auto Motor und Sport: "If Hamilton had done something wrong, then he would have had to punish ten other drivers." Stewards in Shanghai have now advised that, behind the safety car in wet conditions, drivers are recommended to keep a distance of ten car lengths to the car in front, rather than the previous five. In the drivers' briefing in China, meanwhile, the field has also been warned to behave more judiciously in difficult conditions in the future, including keeping a consistent pace. Pole sitter Hamilton says the rules are now clearer. "I think we understand a little bit better but I put my hand up and perhaps I didn't do the best job under the safety car in the wet," he said. "It was tricky for everyone, visibility was the biggest problem but I think we have a better idea."

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Too Hot to Handle

After being dropped rather abruptly by my previous publisher I am continuing to write my autobiography and have made alternative arrangements for its publication early next year.
Despite opposition it will still be called RED MIST which aptly describes my present demeanour.
Proceeds from the sale of my book will go to Great Ormond Street Hospital for children. This is a place that has become close to my heart after working with the doctors there in the past.
Advance orders can be made by e-mailing here

Nigel

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Op maandag 8 oktober 2007 21:42 schreef NED het volgende:

[..]

Is die kerel eik nog in een rechtzaak wegens bedrijfsspionage verwikkeld of niet?
Ik bedoel, je hoort er verder niks meer van terwijl je dat toch wel zou denken

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Op maandag 8 oktober 2007 22:35 schreef NED het volgende:
Ja dat begrijp ik wel, maar voor zovr ik weet is bedrijfssiopnage toch gewoon een strafbaar misdrijf?

En die kerel komt dan weg met alleen ontslag? Ik vraag me af hoe dat precies zit

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The chances of Hamilton, Alonso and Raikkonen

Oct.9 (GMM) No matter where championship rivals Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen finish, Lewis Hamilton does not even need to win the Brazilian grand prix next weekend to wrap up the 2007 title.
Although stranding his McLaren in Shanghai's pit entry gravel trap dented his championship hopes last Sunday, the 22-year-old rookie only needs to finish second at Interlagos to become the youngest ever driver - and the first rookie - to wear the crown.

And if his teammate Alonso does not win the race in Brazil, he can afford to finish third or fourth and still be champion.

Hamilton will also win the title if:
- He finishes fifth and Alonso does not win or come second.
- He finishes sixth or seventh, Alonso is not in the top two and Raikkonen does not win.
- He finishes eighth, Alonso does not secure a podium place and Raikkonen does not finish first or second.
- He fails to score points, Alonso finishes no higher than fifth, and Raikkonen does not win or come second.

Alonso will be champion if:
- He wins the race and Hamilton is third or lower.
- He finishes second and Hamilton is sixth or lower.
- He is third, Hamilton is out of the top seven, and Raikkonen does not win.
- He is fourth, Hamilton does not score points and Raikkonen does not either win or finish second.

Raikkonen will be champion if:
- He wins, Hamilton is out of the top five and Alonso does not win or finish second.
- He finishes second, Hamilton is eighth or lower, and Alonso is not on the podium.