Aren't non-standard tyres a requirement of filming days? Also they still have to fit in with 2014 sponsorship contracts (the few they have at least...). The livery will have been approved by sponsors, so it's too much hassle to change for one test. That said, Mclaren's test livery would have been nice.
Bernie Ecclestone says the teams are "bloody idiots" for failing to embrace his idea of double points for the final three races. This season, for the first time, Formula 1 will award double points at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The rule was introduced in the hope of forcing the title race to go down to the wire. But, even if double points weren't on offer, the battle between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg would still be undecided heading to the UAE. It remains to be seen whether the double points rule will stay in place next seaosn although Ecclestone says it's "stupid" to do it for just one, it should be for three. He won't, however, push for that to happen. "One race is stupid but imagine if it was the last three races," he told The Independent. "It means that somebody would have to have a 150-point advantage minimum to be sure they will win. "The teams have not accepted it because they are bloody idiots. They are all mechanics. They think of their team in the short term." He added: "I'm not going to propose the three races again. I'm going to let them get on with it. I don't know what we're going to do next year."
To me the first races of the season are more exciting as you never know who has made a pigs ear of their car and who has made a breakthrough. So in theory teams should be rewarded more in the first 3 races for getting it right than in the last where they have been able to copy the best bits from their rivals. Only problem with that is that it doesn't make the drivers championship go to the wire. I seem to remember Bernie proposing medals and the driver with most golds taking title. Good job that wasn't the points system this year!!! Lewis would have won a fair few races ago. Best to keep points same for each race. I am dreading the farce that will be created if we have some 3 car teams. Will all 3 score team points? If they do it will guarantee one of the 3 car teams wins the championship even if they are only finishing mid points each race. Must admit I am not looking forward to next year with all the problems Bernie and co have created.
The only way a 3 car team can work for the good of the sport is if it is a nominated junior car, where the driver has less than 2 years F1 experience and their points do not count towards the constructors championship. (though obviously their finishing position can take points off their rivals, so the "team" still get a benefit. They can score points for the drivers championship of course. This gives young drivers a chance in top cars, to develop at the sharper end with a reference against the senior drivers in the same car, without the same level pressure of delivering for the team as an all out top works drive (such a situation would be perfect for KMag next year for example, or even for Vandoorne) etc. Still not an ideal solution by any means, but for me that's at least workable and beneficial, unlike simply having 3 cars because Bernie doesn't like small teams.
Today in Macau: Max Verstappen crashes out of qualifying race from second place, recovers from 24th on grid in feature race to finish 7th. Not bad? Caterham associate Roberto Merhi finished 4th, too.
Didnt they just test him in the Honda powered car? In other news. Sainz is going to test the Red Bull after Abu Dhabi
This is the same Gary Paffet that drives a Merc in DTM? Why oh why would they let him drive the Honda engined car? Surely this gives Merc some inside info on the Honda. I suppose he can give a comparison but why would you not use one of your current race drivers? Then again they haven't announced who is driving next season yet, so the drivers could stitch the team up on testing new engine. I feel so sorry for Button not to know if this is going to be his last F1 race ever!!!!! JUST realised it was Oliver Turvey who drove the Honda engined car. Stupid me...........again
Dennis is supposedly the unconvinced where Jenson is concerned. Show some honesty and decency. It is absent.
Interesting comments from Horner on theJudge: ” Red Bull chief Horner said In the past, always with the aim of slowing down Red Bull, there were no doubts whatsoever about altering the technical regulations when we had all the double diffusers, blown diffusers, flexible parts, engine maps,” he added. He is now openly admitting that they designed flexible parts when the rules stated parts were not allowed to flex. Admittedly the Red Bull parts passed the tests required but it's the first time I have openly heard of a team admitting to breaking the rules!
Mclaren have now made an announcement that there won't be an announcement until the first of December at the earliest. Absolutely classless to not allow Jenson a proper send off.
I was hopeful that McLaren were only delaying the announcement so that Button himself can announce his retirement. Then I read this:
Translation: We need as many points as possible so we won't tell the driver who we are kicking out, so they both try their best! Very sad if it's Buttons last F1 race and he doesn't get a decent send off.
