The Bad Old Days of Racing - BBC " Grand Prix - The Killer Years"

I happened across this great series from the BBC and had to come back and share it. Enjoy.

I wonder if they'll have to put truck nutz under the cars, aka The 2012 US Formula 1 moves to Austin Texas

[Via Cold Track Days]
After a three year absence, it appears Formula One will return to the United States in 2012. According to Formula One World Championship Limited and Formula One Administration Limited, Austin, Texas will host the United States Grand Prix from 2012 to 2021. A new facility will be built to accommodate the USGP and, according to Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group, this "will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for Formula One in the US."

Follow the link for a look at the official press release..

Formula One returns to the United States
Austin, Texas, from the east. The Austin skyline by night, Texas. Austin hill country, Texas. The Austin skyline by day, Texas.

Formula One World Championship Limited and Formula One Administration Limited (together, the F1 Commercial Rights Holder) and Full Throttle Productions, LP, promoter of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™, announce that a historic agreement has been reached for Austin, Texas to serve as the host city of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ for years 2012 through 2021.

"We are extremely honoured and proud to reach an agreement with the F1 Commercial Rights Holder. We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the State of Texas and back to the United States. All parties involved have a great amount of trust and confidence in each other and are committed to establishing the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ in Austin, Texas as a prestigious global event," stated Tavo Hellmund, Managing Partner of Full Throttle Productions, LP.

Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group stated: "For the first time in the history of Formula One in the United States, a world-class facility will be purpose-built to host the event. It was thirty years ago that the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ was last held on a purpose-built permanent road course circuit in Watkins Glen, NY (1961-1980), which enjoyed great success. Since then, Formula One has been hosted by Long Beach, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas and Phoenix all on temporary street circuits. Indianapolis joined the ranks of host cities in 2000 when they added a road course inside the famed oval. Lewis Hamilton won the last Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ in 2007, signalling the end to eight years at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This however, will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for Formula One in the US."

Mr. Hellmund added: "This is a case of the right timing in the right place. As many Americans know, Austin has earned a reputation as one of the 'it' cities in the United States. Austin features that rare combination of ideal geographic location and beauty. Its fine dining, world-renowned hospitality and excellent transportation infrastructure make Austin ideally suited to host and manage an event of this magnitude. Few cities if any in America could rival the connectivity of all the key elements needed for hosting a Formula 1 event as well as Austin. Now, many people around the world will have the opportunity to experience a world-class event, facility and city."

"We are pleased Texas has the opportunity to be involved with Formula 1 and that an event of this magnitude is coming to Austin," said Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. "It has been a pleasure working with Full Throttle Productions, LP and Mr. Hellmund on this project. Their tradition of producing successful major events coupled with a thirty year relationship with Mr. Ecclestone has us looking forward to this worldwide event and the benefits it will bring, including local job creation, increased tourism and a significant economic impact added to our state economy. The visibility and prestige of this event will spotlight our state on an international stage."

Texas Governor Rick Perry conveyed his enthusiasm for the project, explaining "Texas' relatively strong economy continues to draw both national and international attention and I commend Comptroller Combs for her work in bringing this exciting event to the Lone Star State."

City of Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell continued the positive sentiments, adding "The City of Austin will be proud to host this magnificent event and I look forward to welcoming the participants and fans of Formula One to our City."

Full Throttle Productions, LP acknowledges with great appreciation the efforts of all parties involved including Bernie Ecclestone, President and CEO of the Formula One Group, and the local and state officials of Texas.

"It has been a shared vision and monumental task to reach this agreement. We realize that over the last 30 years there have been one or two missing pieces from the previous editions of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™. We have a tremendous opportunity at hand to do it right - to feature Austin as the backdrop and produce the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ as one of the great sporting events in the world," stated Hellmund.

In addition to the State of Texas being the 11th strongest economy in the world, it has more Fortune 500 company headquarters than any other state. Key features of Austin include:
- State capital nicknamed 'Silicon Hills' for being one of the most important regions in the US for the Technology Industry;
- USA's 15th largest city and is located 145 miles from Houston (4th largest US city), 70 miles from San Antonio (7th largest US city), and 180 miles from Dallas (8th largest US city), population in this triangle is over 22 million;
- perfectly located geographically for North, South and Central American visitors;
- over 130 daily departing international flights within 180 miles;
- over 250,000 hotel rooms within 180 miles;
- desirable year-round climate, with an average annual temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius);
- geographically located in the Texas Hill Country, easily the most beautiful city in the State, and considered one of the most in the US;
- hotels/downtown/Formula 1 circuit/airport located within close proximity of each other, which is nearly impossible for any other large city in the US;
- world class night life entertainment along renowned 'Sixth Street'; and
- large film industry presence - many movies filmed in the area.

Austin's National Recognition
- Known as "The Live Music Capital of the World"
- Voted "Greenest City in America" (MSN)
- Voted "Least Stressful Large Metro" in the United States (Forbes)
- Voted Top Two "Best Cities" in the United States (Money Magazine)
- Voted Top Three "Hippest Cities" in the United States (Forbes)
- Voted Top Five "Safest Cities" in the United States (Forbes)
- Voted Top Ten "Sports & Fitness Cities" in the USA (Sports Business Journal)

Full Throttle Productions, LP is an Austin, Texas, special event and sports production company that provides event conception, event project management, day of event oversight, staffing and volunteer services, venue planning and logistics support.

More information on the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ will be forthcoming shortly. In the meantime, all queries should be directed to info@fullthrottleproductionslp.com.

Monaco Free Practice 1 & 2 - Formula 1 - Streaming Rebroadcast

via Justin.tv
Watch live video from The F1 Society on Justin.tv

Mark "The Lou Ham Skewer" Webber - Malaysian GP Preview

After a hard week at his home GP, Mark Webber provides us with a preview of the Malaysian GP's Sepang Circuit. In all seriousness if Hamilton wasn't busy bad mouthing his team on the radio he might of anticipated Webber's move. Anyway, I'm sure it will either be exciting (raining) or a snooze (Not raining)in Malaysia.

USF1 Fail - Exclusive behind the scenes video - Tailenders

There is no way that they could have known how accurate they really were when they created these videos! Enjoy

Tailenders via Crash.net





The best one !!!

Least surprising newsflash ever- Toyota leaves F1 !

In one of the most predictable news stories of the racing year, Toyota has announced that they are departing the F1 scene in 2009. After spending $400M a year without a win,Toyota has decided to stop lining Bernie's pockets with gold on what is becoming the most boring, controversy laden spec series in the world. Bon Vonyage Toyota.

New Evidence in Crashgate Probe

I can see why the FIA took the actions that they did...they evidence looks indisputable!

(via Syrax @ Jalopnik)

Briatore Banned ! Renault and Pat Symonds Suspended for Two Years and Five Years!

So Flavio is out, sentenced to a life of billionaire excess with his super-model wife. Pat Symonds and Renault were banned for 5 years and two years respectively, but as Renault had the good sense to push Flavio and Symonds onto their own swords, their ban is suspended. As for Nelson Piquet Jr., the man who never was, he will need to be content with the knowledge that he took the cowards' way out...twice.

This lifetime ban is the harshest ever handed out in the sport of motor-racing, and "Crash gate" is the latest blemish in a sport and series that truly has lost it's way. Even after all that, I'm still surprised that a room full of people think that Nelson Piquet Jr. had the car control skills to crash at will.

I thought that the article below was an interesting take on the matter.

(via the Independent.ie)

So Renault F1 will not contest the allegations against them of race-fixing during last year's Singapore Grand Prix. Team boss Flavio Briatore and engineering director Pat Symonds beat a hasty exit once they knew the game was up. For Renault, after all their years in F1, they end up with their valuable name and the word 'cheating' juxtaposed. It is a public relations nightmare.

The highly regarded CEO of Renault, Carlos Ghosn, whose sobriquet is 'Le Cost Killer', said they will not act irrationally in advance of the hearing by the FIA tomorrow. That roughly translates as 'this is the perfect opportunity to exit the sport'. Not only is it a get out of financial jail card, but with Renault's name tainted, they need to keep a low profile. Whether the manufacturer leaves of its own volition, or gets forced out by the FIA, remains to be seen.

It is inconceivable that their F1 lieutenants should have jeopardised Renault's reputation with such an outlandish plan to get one team-mate, Nelson Piquet Jnr, to deliberately crash out in order to help another team-mate, Fernando Alonso, win the race. That is taking race strategy beyond the pale.

Briatore forced this young driver to effectively hold a gun to his head in a game of Russian roulette and in doing so the Renault F1 boss lost all rationale and perspective. To treat people with such contempt, especially when they are already out there risking their lives, is pernicious.

Eddie Irvine doesn't see it like that and believes the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. "F1 has always been a war, and in war all is fair. When I was in various teams, you would do anything to win. In those days it was normal."

Well, when you enter the world of F1 you make a pact with the devil, but even Satan would raise an eyebrow at the tactics employed by Briatore.

It is also incredible that Piquet should accede to such a demand. When it was pointed out to him on a map of the circuit which part would be the most opportunistic to crash out, did he not say: 'You are asking me to crash into a wall and possibly kill myself, are you f****** crazy?'

There is also a conflict of interest. Flavio Briatore was not only his boss but also his manager. Piquet was hanging onto his drive by the skin of his teeth. Briatore put him in an impossible position -- do as I say or you're out. It is said that Briatore is regarded in the paddock with a mixture of fear, suspicion and envy. Sounds like he earned his spurs.

Was Flavio so naive as to think Piquet wouldn't go straight to the FIA with his little secret when he failed to renew the Brazilian's contract? So far we've had blackmail, threats of lawsuits and counter-threats. But Briatore sealed his own fate. The flamboyant 59-year-old Italian had become more famous for being in the gossip columns than for his day job. He had more supermodels than you could shake a carrot at. He had so many fingers in so many pies he'd run out of digits.

Apart from his Renault gig and managing the careers of Mark Webber and Heikki Kovalainen, he'd been hanging out on Billionaire's Boulevard, co-buying Queen's Park Rangers with Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal. He owns The Billionaire Club in Sardinia and Monte Carlo. He has a posh London restaurant, a nightclub and a Kenyan estate 'Lion under the Sun', frequented by Bono.

Last year he took time out to marry his girlfriend, a 29-year-old wonderbra model, though what first attracted her to the would-be-billionaire is not known. At least Flavio can now spend more time on his $68m super-yacht banishing his billionaire blues.

It wasn't all plain sailing for this self-made high-achiever. Back in the 1970s, he was an assistant to an Italian businessman who was later mysteriously killed by a car bomb, which had nothing to do with Briatore, but around the same time he was sentenced in the Italian courts to four and a half years in prison for fraud. He fled to a Caribbean island and that was the end of that.

Meeting Luciano Benetton when he worked at the Italian stock exchange was a watershed moment. He became a director of Benetton's US division and subsequently took over the reins of Benetton F1.

He pinched Michael Schumacher from under Eddie Jordan's nose and the German went on to win two drivers' titles in 1994 and '95 and gave Benetton their first constructors' championship in '95. In 2000, Renault purchased the Benetton team and Flavio's new charge, Fernando Alonso, won two drivers' and two constructors' championships.

Briatore fired Jenson Button in favour of Alonso and back then he commented: "Time will tell if I am wrong." Eddie Jordan and Briatore were close. They both enjoyed the partying and razzmatazz of F1. Flavio, in a show of friendship, once offered Eddie and his family the use of his Kenyan retreat. Eddie duly accepted and enjoyed the hospitality in the wonderful surroundings of this fabulous facility. Meanwhile, back in the UK, Briatore, it is alleged, worked overtime luring a sponsor away from Jordan. By the time Eddie returned from the holiday, the sponsor had switched teams. There are not many who can boast of pulling the wool over EJ's eyes.

In the 1980s, when there was a bomb scare close to where he lived in London, it turned out the IRA had abandoned a bomb outside his house.

Piquet described Briatore as his executioner, but it turned out to be the other way round. So after an illustrious career in F1, Briatore faces an uncertain future. He always said he didn't want to spend his dotage in F1 so he got what he wanted, albeit earlier than expected.

Next weekend we re-visit the scene of last year's crime, the Singapore Grand Prix. Remember it's a night race and the drivers' body clocks will have to adjust to strange racing times in a foreign time-zone. They will try to keep European hours which means eating dinner at 5am, a challenge in itself. The inaugural race proved a resounding success last year and the floodlit setting looked spectacular.

It's a pity there's a scent of scandal hanging over it. Though that's the least of their worries; the smog haze that has enveloped their city is a more immediate problem and one they hope will have gone by the weekend.

Brawn's Button and Barrichello will be fighting tooth and nail as their battle gets personal. Barrichello seems to be in the ascendancy having won again in Monza, while the money is on Button. But since it's Singapore, maybe it should be a case of 'all bets are off'.

An (Old) Man's Dream Comes True - Fisichella to Ferrari for 2009

So it looks like Giancarlo Fisichella is having the best week ever...Pole at Spa with Force India, followed by a Podium at Spa with that same Force India, and now he is joining Ferrari for the remainder of the 2009 Season.

This should be good news for the Tifosi, based on how Fisi challenged Kimi for position for most of the race, in his non-KERS equipped Force India-Mercedes. In the same car, Fisi will likely give the Finn some much needed competition.

Of course this news puts to rest any opportunity to see Michael Schumacher back in an Ferrari F1 car, so maybe Michael's neck injury was worse than reported. Full story below.

(Via F1-Live.com)

It as been confirmed this afternoon that Giancarlo Fisichella has been released from his contract with Force India to join Ferrari for the remainder of the season, starting next weekend with the Italian Grand Prix.

“I am very grateful to Vijay Mallya for allowing me this opportunity to drive for the Scuderia Ferrari,” said Fisichella. “It is true that it has always been an ambition to do this, and for Vijay [Mallya] to have allowed it to become a reality is very generous. I hope in my turn I have helped Force India grow up and be on the right path to achieve their own ambitions. They are now a very competitive team and I wish them all the very best.”

With Felipe Massa, currently recovering from injuries sustained in Hungary, out of action for the remainder of the season and test veteran Badoer failing to shine at both Valencia and Spa Francorchamps, the Italian team were left with little alternative other than to look elsewhere for the remainder of the season.

"Giancarlo and his management team approached me yesterday with the proposal from Ferrari," stated Force India team principal Vijay Mallya. "For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this.

"Furthermore the agreement will secure Giancarlo's long-term future with Ferrari and it would be incorrect to jeopardise this, particularly when Giancarlo has made such a vital contribution to Force India. "

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali was keen to praise the outgoing Badoer as well as welcoming Fisichella to the Italian team.

“We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season,” said Domenicali. “Giancarlo has shown, throughout his long career that he is fast and competitive and we are therefore proud to be able to run an Italian driver in our home race.”

For Badoer, his final two Grand Prix were something of a ‘thank you’ from Ferrari for his long standing service to the team as test driver. "We wish to thank Luca Badoer for the team spirit he demonstrated in these circumstances," said Domenicali. "It is a shame he was unable to show his true worth in these last two races, tackled under conditions which anyone would have found difficult.”

Ferrari is third in the constructors’ championship and heading to its home race at Monza and will be looking to extend their 12 points cushion over the recovering McLaren Mercedes team.

Force India is expected to promote test driver Tonio Liuzzi to the race team in place of Fisichella with an announcement “in the coming days”.

Here's the proof in the pudding...Fisi's qualifying lap at Spa.

Schumacher withdraws from F1 Comeback - Badoer now Massa's replacement

So I guess all of the rumors were true. Apparently Michael has announced that he will not be able to step in for Massa because of recurring pain due to a prior neck injury. Ferrari has announced that Ferrari Test Pilot and all-around nice guy, Luca Badoer will fill in for Felipe Massa untill he recovers.

No word yet on Formula One's condition or if it has a chance of recovery. It's currently listed in Critical but Stable condition.

(Via AP) – 2 hours ago

MILAN — Ferrari says Italian Luca Badoer will replace Michael Schumacher at this month's European Grand Prix at Valencia after the seven-time world champion called off his much-anticipated Formula One comeback.

Badoer is a Ferrari test driver whose name was first floated by Italian media after Felipe Massa's crash took him off the race circuit.

Schumacher, 40, agreed to drive in Massa's place, but announced Tuesday he has canceled his return to F1 as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident earlier this year. He says he informed Ferrari officials Monday evening that he would not be able to step in for Massa.

Schumacher, who retired after the 2006 season, says his neck cannot stand up to the stresses of Formula One racing.

Tyranny Wins Out over Good! Formula One Teams sign Concorde Agreement.

So in a "not surprising" move the 2010 class of Formula One Teams have ratified the Concorde Agreement, guaranteeing their allegiance to the Dark Side, I mean the FIA through 2012. As part of the agreement the teams have agreed to voluntary cost reductions that will bring spending to "early 1990's" levels. Sure tyranny is bad, except when your sleeping with the tyrant.

Statement from FOTA follows:

"Signed by all Formula One teams, with the only exception of BMW Sauber AG, the FIA, and Formula One Administration (FOA), Concorde 2009 lays down the commercial and regulatory guidelines for Formula One whilst guaranteeing the teams’ until the end of the 2012 season.

"FOTA will support any initiative which would allow BMW Sauber AG to reapply for full participation within the new Concorde Agreement.

"All Formula One teams have together reached a voluntary agreement on their own, which will put into practice FOTA’s long-standing objective gradually to reduce overall spending, eventually to around the levels of the early 1990s.

"The terms of Concorde 2009 will reinvigorate the role of the Formula One Commission, and various other Working Groups. The Formula One Commission will henceforth be a key decision-making body for change in Formula One.

"FOTA’s attention will now turn to other issues we believe to be in the long-term interest of F1: racing at the best tracks, in front of the biggest audiences and expanding F1’s reach."

In the interest of providing "fair and balanced" coverage I thought that you might enjoy this homage to the FIA/FOTA battle courtesy of Theratterdot com. Enjoy!

Kimi has the right idea!

The last two weeks of Formula One have set the stage for the biggest resurgence or failure the sport has known. With the withdrawal of BMW, Nelson Piquet Jr's damning departure from Renault, Massa's injury and Schumacher's return to the cockpit, most fans are on the edge of their seats waiting for the next chapter in the 2009 Formula 1 Saga.

But has anyone noticed that Lewis Hamilton actually won the race in Hungary? Or that Alonso was on the pole? If you read the many blog posts and professional motorsport journalists you will find that of all of the numerous electrons spent over the last two weeks, very few have been devoted to the actual act of racing cars.

That's where it seems that Kim has had the right idea in quiet switch to the world of rallying, where the racing is real, the tracks are untamed, and danger lurks behind every bush tree or jump. I invite you to check out this excellent video that sums-up the essence of rallying and after watching it ask yourself the last time you saw anything that matches it in F1. Enjoy!

BMW to Exit Formula One - Official BMW Video

The only word that captures the feeling around Bmw's departure from F1 is "Disappointment". There is disappointment that comes from BMW/Sauber giving up a shot at the championship in 2008 to get a head start on KERS (later abandoned) for the 2009 season. There is disappointment that comes from a one-two finish in Montreal, followed by a string of miscues and lack-luster results.

Unfortunately though the biggest disappoint in BMW/Sauber's announcement comes from the statement that the shift of dollars from racing will go to "sustainability" -- hypocrisy for a company that makes the X5M and the X6M. What part of sustainability do those cars fall into?

It's becoming more and more apparent that BMW has stopped paying lip service to the idea that they build performance cars and instead is just focusing on cars that are as profitable as possible. If you disagree, point to one car in BMW's current line-up that hasn't grown into a bloated luxo-barge over the years, with more horsepower and less driving enjoyment.

Farewell BMW/Sauber. Your departure is definitely disappointing.

(Via BMWwebTV)

It's Official - BMW to leave F1 at the end of 2009 Season

(via ESPN) MUNICH -- BMW is pulling out of Formula One at the end of this season, the second car maker to leave the series within a year.

The German company announced the decision at a news conference Wednesday, saying it wanted to use its significant F1 budget in other areas. It will remain involved in auto racing.

Since entering F1 as a team by taking over the Sauber team ahead of the 2006 season -- it had previously acted as an engine supplier -- BMW had posted just one race win, at last year's Canadian Grand Prix.

Touted as a championship contender for the 2009 season, BMW lagged well behind the pace of the leading teams.

"Of course, this was a difficult decision for us. But it's a resolute step in view of our company's strategic realignment," BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer said at the news conference.

He said the Munich-based car maker would use the resources previously spent on the F1 team to advance "sustainability and environmental compatibility."

Klaus Draeger, the board member responsible for development, said the team was "unable to meet expectations in the current season."

BMW's withdrawal followed that of Japanese car maker Honda ahead of the 2009 season, illustrating the growing pressure upon car makers to cut costs amid a global economic downturn that had hit new car sales.

Their withdrawal also lent credence to efforts by the FIA to significantly reduce F1 costs in order to retain existing teams and attract new entrants.

FIA, motor racing's world governing body, said it hoped BMW was the last manufacturer to leave the series.

"The FIA regrets the announcement of BMW's intended withdrawal from Formula One, but is not surprised by it," it said in a statement.

"It has been clear for some time that motor sport cannot ignore the world economic crisis. Car manufacturers cannot be expected to continue to pour large sums of money into Formula One when their survival depends on redundancies, plant closures and the support of the taxpayer. This is why the FIA prepared regulations to reduce costs drastically."

BMW's decision to end its involvement on Formula One only came Tuesday and the company was still considering what to do with the staff involved with the team, Draeger said.

"Of course ... would all have liked to continue this ambitious campaign and show that this season was just a hiccup following three successful years," BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen said.

"But I can understand why this decision was made from a corporate perspective. We will now focus sharply on the remaining races and demonstrate our fighting spirit and put in a good result as we bid farewell to Formula One racing."

Mercedes, the other major German car maker involved in Formula One, said it regretted BMW's pullout, "but it will have no influence on our F1 engagement."

The decision by BMW comes at a time when auto makers worldwide are reporting lower sales amid the global economic slowdown. Consumers are reluctant to open their wallets for big-ticket items and companies are trimming costs.

Georg Stuerzer, an automotive analyst with UniCredit in Munich who follows BMW, told AP that he estimated that the company was spending approximately $280 million a year on its Formula One involvement.

Draeger said it was not yet clear if the decision would result in job losses in Munich and Hinwil, Switzerland. The operation counts some 700 workers.

"Since we only made this decision yesterday, we cannot provide any more precise information," he said. "We will develop and assess various scenarios and do our best to find a solution for the employees in Hinwil and the staff members involved in the Formula One project in Munich."

The withdrawal will prompt speculation about the future of drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld. Kubica will be in strong demand for next season and will likely remain involved in F1.

The future for Heidfeld is less certain, though his long stint in the sport could make him an attractive option for the new entrant teams next season, who will be looking for an experienced driver.

In its debut season in 2006, BMW Sauber wound up fifth in the constructors' championship. In 2007, the German-Swiss team came in second after McLaren-Mercedes' exclusion from the points standings.

In 2008, the team was in the hunt for the world championship until the end of the season, winding up third. Kubica had the only GP victory in Canada.

So far, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has taken one pole position (Kubica in Bahrain in 2008) and 16 podium finishes. It is eighth in the constructors' standings in the current season.

Insult to (potential) Injury - Renault suspended from European Gran Prix

According to GP Update.net Renault has been suspended from the European Gran Prix in Valencia due to a breach in the sporting regulations related to Fernando Alonso's loss of a wheel at the Hungarian Gran Prix this weekend. It's unclear if there was an additional infraction beyond the loss of the wheel, but this is likely a reaction to the death of Henry Surtees and Felipe Massa's injury. Too bad for Renault..it appears as though they are getting the maximum penalty as a result of other team's bad fortunes.

Get well soon Felipe Massa!

With Felipe in the hospital recovering from brain surgery let's remember brighter days. Get well soon Felipe!

Hey Nelson Piquet Jr....Your bus is waiting, time to get under it.

Remember the good old days of the "silly season" in F1 where there would be rumors and speculation that someone was going to lose their seat and their replacement would be signed and then installed the following year?

Well those days are largely gone. It looks like the most recent casualty of the 2009 season (aside from decorum, good-sportsmanship and business ethics) is Nelson Piquet Jr. Apparently the race this weekend at in Hungary will be his last outing for the Renault F1, and that he will be replaced by Romain Grosjean for Valencia.

Good luck Nelson. We hardly knew ya!

I like the concept - Running of the (Red) Bulls

I just think he needs to go a little faster. Enjoy!

Kimi Raikkonen - King of Comedy

So Kimi may not be the most expressive pilot on the Formula 1 grid today, but as this send-up/tribute shows, the ice-man can keep a straight face while making us smile.

The image at 1:56 makes me laugh again and again. Enjoy!



(via theratterdotcom)

Rubens Barrichelo - Blah-Blah-Blah-rrichello! - Priceless Nurburgring Press Conference Re-Mix

A brilliant summary of Rubens' impromptu press conference following the Gran Prix at the Nurburgring last week!

If you like the clip it's because of me, if you hate it, it because the team made be do it! Enjoy!

(theratterdotcom)