Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

It's a shame that Renault has dropped him mid season, he's not a bad driver but he's nothing special. I think that's the problem especially with family derived drivers (those who had a famous driver father) is that they get the places based on who their father is as much as thier own driving skill.

Now who is gonna replace him?? Any guesses??

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

5 minute TV interview with Massa here for anyone who hasn't seen it. I must say he's looking great after what happened. :)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/8180742.stm

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

He's looking remarkably well considering what happened, let's hope he's back racing soon.

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

Hard to believe it was only 9 days ago all this happened.

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

Piquet being dropped was unfortunately only a matter of time, but for Flavio as a manager, I must say why didn't he (Piquet) do his research on previous givings like Trulli at Renault in 2004.

Bourdais and Piquet should have been given more opportunities to prove themselves with new gear. Bourdais should have been given far more time as that Torro Rosso was obviously not suited to him and he didn't help his cause with *that* Silverstone collision.

Piquet has been given unequal gear all year to Alonso and the only time he's *supposedly* given equal equipment as his teammate, Alonso sticks it on pole and shafts him all weekend til his bad pitstop and retirement. So despite the fact Piquet actually finished a race, and wasn't half-bad compared to the rest of the pack, Renault still dropped him.

I think Flavio basically wanted somebody who would suck up to Alonso as a 2nd-fiddle teammate. He didn't want 2 competitive drivers in the team like McLaren had in 2007.

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

Well Both red bull teams and Williams have declined thier permission for MS to test out the 2009 car after Ferrari wrote to all teams and the FIA asking if they could use the 2009 car

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

If being a test and reserve driver means anything it will be..........

Romain Grosjean

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

someone isn't happy

http://www.ferrari.com/English/News/...iscretion.aspx

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

There is a ban on testing in season for a reason. If one team can have a test day, even on the basis that it's so a new driver can learn the car, the team will still also gain from real test data. If one car can run as a test, then all teams should have the right to test. But if they weren't expecting and ready for that, a test too would be disadvantageous.

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

And only now it comes to light about his fitness :rolleyes:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/8186319.stm

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

If his neck problem is signifcant I wonder what plan B will be?

If there is a plan B ;) ?

To me this highlights a flaw in the current regs. All the teams have the resources at the track so why not allow a third car for each team on Friday, with the proviso that each team is limited to two cars on the track at any one time.

That way the lesser teams could get revenue from giving pay drivers some track time whilst designated test and reserve drivers could get track time. Teams would basically nominate a 3rd on a race by race basis and the final twist would be to nominate their two race drivers on Friday night. That would keep them all on their toes!

Any thoughts?

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

Well it's now official the neck problem will NOT allow him to return to the track. So what's Ferrari's next move??

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/8186319.stm

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

was just going to post that. I think they are going to turn to Luca Badoer which I don't think is a great move as he hasn't raced in 10 years :shocked:

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

But at least he knows the car and has done many practice laps (be it all in the close season)

What about Marc Gene? At least he last raced in 2004??

Re: Formula 1 2009 Season [may contain real time spoilers]
 

don't think Gene is that great either. They could take a chance on Piquet, ok not great at Renault but we all know they are a one car team anyway.

Not that any of this matters as I think Badoer as been confirmed anyway