Pirelli's tyre testing at Barcelona in a 2010-spec Renault yesterday was cut short due to, guess what, an alternator issue. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102533
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/09/would-you-want-to-be-apprentice-to-flavio-briatore/ Oh god, Flabio.
Anderson's blog: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19699487 Am I missing something, or is there no link to this at all on the BBC F1 homepage? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/ I only spotted because Benson tweeted it. Brundle's is up as well: http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1...-on-Sunday-but-tough-times-ahead-for-Fernando...
*sigh* Because we didn't have enough races vying to be on the 2014 calendar already, Bernie has now agreed a deal in principle for Thailand (of all places) to host a grand prix. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102873 So I look forward to seeing how the FIA can squeeze in a return of the French and Argentina Grands Prix along with the introduction of Sochi, two Grands Prix in America and what will now be at least eight - yes, EIGHT - Grands Prix in Asia. Presumably he will argue that Australia isn't that important to F1, or that we don't really need to go to Monza. That's to say nothing of the plan for it to be a night race street circuit!
I'm not so sure "another" is quite the right word, BLS: if it happens, the most likely Grand Prix to fall victim is one of the most favoured amongst competitors and fans alike: Melbourne, which is also a street circuit. However, it should be clear to all by now that Bernie's repetitive (but highly effective) tactic is to play venues off against each other. When all's said and done, the highest bidder will 'win' Bernie's favour, thus, upping the ante even further in Bernie's favour, for yet more bargaining power! He's a wily old coyoteâ¦
A good point that I had myself forgotten. However, I don't think that most people are anti-street circuits so much as they are anti-BORING street circuits. With Tilke (for presumably it shall be he) adding New Jersey's streets to his awful efforts in Valencia and Singapore next year, I think it's understandable that fans who find even his purpose-built circuits boring are apprehensive. Albert Park, by contrast, tends to provide lots of action and doesn't feel like a traditional street circuit. Plus I would wager the Australian season opener is nowadays synonymous with F1 for the majority of fans. That said, it rather undermines Ecclestone's justification that F1 is a "world" championship if he removes the continent of Australasia from the calendar entirely in favour of another Asian race... Since when did Bernie care about fans, you cry? Well, he seems awfully keen to put these races on at a time when the European market can watch, he just doesn't like us attending the races!
It won't be so bad if they have one before the European season and one after, if they have them within a few weeks it will though.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/102883 To hide stepped noses, teams will have the option of utilising a special panel (with restrictions) next year to cover up the "step" between low noses and high bodywork. Call me stupid but surely if that was a plausible and aerodynamic solution the teams would have used it already? In the same article, double-DRS systems similar to Mercedes' at the beginning of the season are banned from next year. Don't know why, I'd have thought the double-DRS system would help overtaking and boost the cars' speed, but each to their own. Double-DRS systems such as the one Lotus have pioneered, however, are not banned.
