|
Post by TennisHack on Aug 7, 2004 23:11:38 GMT -5
HOLY COW!!! Button's Williams move 'premature and invalid'FRIDAY 6TH AUGUST 2004 www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=96994Following reports yesterday that Lucky Strike BAR Honda's lead driver Jenson Button is leaving to join the Williams team in 2005, BAR Team Principal David Richards has made the following statement: "We are absolutely astounded to hear that Jenson thinks that he is leaving BAR for Williams next season. Neither myself, nor any other member of the BAR team, has been contacted by Jenson to discuss this matter. "Jenson is under contract with BAR for 2005, since we took up an option on his services only last month. At no time during the last few months has Jenson expressed anything other than his desire to continue working with BAR to achieve our collective goal of winning the World Championship." Button joined BAR in 2003 from Renault and has seen his career transformed as a result. During the four and a half seasons of his F1 career he has scored 106 points, of which 78 have been in the last year and a half with BAR. In 2004 Jenson took his first F1 podium and he is currently lying third in the drivers' championship. At the German Grand Prix, 23 July 2004, Honda confirmed their long-term commitment to BAR announcing the extension of their existing contract to at least 2007, with an even greater commitment of engineering resources. Their track record of 11 F1 World Championships clearly places them in an outstanding position to provide the resources to take the team and Jenson to the very top. David continues: "It is our intention to enforce our current contractual position with Jenson. My duty is to the 400-strong workforce which has worked tirelessly over the past two seasons to give Jenson the car he has today; and to our partners, whose unfailing support and commitment to the team has contributed to the solid structure we now have in place. "Unfortunately this is now a matter for the lawyers and I have every confidence that the legal process will confirm that yesterday's announcement has not only been premature but also invalid."
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Aug 7, 2004 23:13:52 GMT -5
Button makes Williams returnFRIDAY 6TH AUGUST 2004 www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=96981Brit Jenson Button has signed a deal to take him back to the team that took him into Formula One, Williams, on a two year deal. Despite the fact that Button is currently the leading non-Ferrari driver in the 2004 drivers' championship with his current team, BAR, Button will line up next year next to Aussie F1 driver Mark Webber. "There has been a long-term relationship between the BMW WilliamsF1 Team and Jenson, indeed his Formula One career started with the team in 2000," explains team principal, Frank Williams. "We have maintained that relationship until the present day, and I am delighted that one of the most talented drivers in Formula One has accepted the opportunity to return to the team." Despite his earlier statements that he would stay with BAR, and team boss David Richards' desire to keep the Brit in the team, Button has been persuaded to jump camps back to Williams, whilst Richards' palm was undoubtedly crossed with more than a little silver to ease the pain. "I am very pleased that I had the option to re-join the BMW WilliamsF1 Team where my Formula One career started," explains Button about his decision. "For the meantime, the 2004 season has my full focus and attention. Beyond this, I have every confidence that the massive investment in resources and the depth of talent at WilliamsF1 and BMW provides the best platform for my future ambitions to be a World Champion." Button joined the BMW WilliamsF1 Team just after his 20th birthday from British Formula 3, and validated Frank Williams' confidence in his talents by rocking the established order with a string of notable achievements in his debut season. Jenson went on to pursue his Formula One career with Benetton Renault, and more latterly, BAR. In the space of four short seasons, Jenson has become one of the most sought after Formula One drivers as the team's Director of Engineering, Patrick Head, reflected: "When we signed Jenson in 2000, he was clearly a nascent talent. In the last three seasons, no-one can have any doubt that he has now come of age and is one of the sport's leading contenders. In many ways, the challenge is now ours to meet his capabilities, and I have every confidence that the intense investment and re-organisation we have undertaken this year, married with a strong driver pairing, will see a resurgent BMW WilliamsF1 Team next season."
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Aug 7, 2004 23:16:47 GMT -5
BAR demand face off with ButtonFRIDAY 6TH AUGUST 2004 www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=97028BAR has issued an ultimatum to Jenson Button's management company, Essentially Sport, requiring them to arrange a face to face meeting between Button and BAR executives by close of business on Monday or face immediate action to enforce BAR's contract with Button. "We have been trying to talk to Jenson for days," said David Richards, BAR team boss. "He has a clear duty to all of those who've worked with him for the last two years to explain to them what is going on." "We have complete confidence in the strength of our contractual rights," said David Richards "and in the option that we have exercised for 2005." The option was approved at a board meeting of BAR on 20th July. Jenson and his management team were informed of this in writing well before the end of the option period on 31st July, a fact acknowledged by Essentially Sport. Notice of exercise of the option had also been lodged with F1's Contract Recognition Board in Switzerland. "If people make commitments they should keep them - and I will use every means available to me to make sure that all the requirements of our contract are met," said Richards. "If we do not have a meeting with Jenson by Monday night to sort this out, the processes to enforce our rights under the contract will commence without further notice."
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Aug 7, 2004 23:23:18 GMT -5
Press Snoop: Who's got the Button?FRIDAY 6TH AUGUST 2004 www.crash.net/uk/en/feature_view.asp?cid=1&fid=5562....the latest news from around the world, courtesy of press snoop Lynne Huntting.BUTTON, BUTTON, WHO'S GOT THE BUTTON? Thursday was full of surprises in the Formula One world of Motorsports, not all expected. The Williams BMW Formula One team announced that JENSON BUTTON of the UK had signed on with the team effective 2005, and beyond. This announcement caught a lot of people off guard, including his present team, BAR. It seems that Button's status is at question - was he or was he not free to accept employment for next season and beyond. Had BAR's option on his services expired? Everyone has a different opinion. There's always the FIA Contract Recognition Board. It hasn't been that busy lately. Button is returning full circle, to the team with which he started his F1 career four years ago, the youngest driver ever in Formula One. After Williams when he was 20 years old, Button went on to Benetton Renault and then BAR. FRANK WILLIAMS of his team said: "There has been a long-term relationship between the BMW WilliamsF1 Team and Jenson, indeed his Formula One career started with the team in 2000. We have maintained that relationship until the present day, and I am delighted that one of the most talented drivers in Formula One has accepted the opportunity to return to the team." Button said: "I am very pleased that I had the option to rejoin the BMW WilliamsF1 Team where my Formula One career started. For the meantime, the 2004 season has my full focus and attention. Beyond this, I have every confidence that the massive investment in resources and the depth of talent at WilliamsF1 and BMW provides the best platform for my future ambitions to be a World Champion." BAR team principal, DAVID RICHARDS said: "We are absolutely astounded to hear that Jenson thinks that he is leaving BAR. for Williams next season. Neither myself, nor any other member of the BAR team, has been contacted by Jenson to discuss this matter. Jenson is under contract with BAR for 2005, since we took up an option on his services only last month. At no time during the last few months has Jenson expressed anything other than his desire to continue working with BAR to achieve our collective goal of winning the World Championship." Reportedly, Richards further said, "We are determined this is not going to happen. Button is still under contract to BAR, which runs Honda motors." BAR said that Button's contract was renewed on Friday of the German Grand Prix (23 July 2004) to 2007 at least. Richards said Friday: "It is our intention to enforce our current contractual position with Jenson. My duty is to the 400-strong workforce which has worked tirelessly over the past two seasons to give Jenson the car he has today; and to our partners, whose unfailing support and commitment to the team has contributed to the solid structure we ow have in place. Unfortunately this is now a matter for the lawyers and I have every confidence that the legal process will confirm that yesterday's announcement has not only been premature but also invalid." Richards called for a meeting of the BAR staff. JOHN BYFIELD, Button's Manager, reportedly has questioned Honda's long-term commitment, which puts into place an escape clause in Button's contract. He supposedly gave Williams an hour to decide if it wanted Button or not. Richards admitted Honda's new engine contract with BAR has an open exit clause, but he said: "There's no doubt Honda are committed." The escape clause reportedly has to do with Honda being allowed out of the contract if the proposed F1 rule changes remove its technical challenge. Williams said: "He has been under option to his present team BAR for some time. The option expired recently and Button's management called us to say that the option was no longer valid and would we be interested in his services - and of course I reacted as you might expect me to. I think they (BAR) probably wanted to take up the option but whether they've executed or not will come out in due course." Button currently is third in the FIA Driver's Standings, with 61 points. Stay tuned. We haven't heard the last of this one.
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Aug 11, 2004 18:38:43 GMT -5
BAR announce valid Button deal for '05TUESDAY 10TH AUGUST 2004 www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=97220The battle for Jenson Button has taken another twist with the BAR team announcing that they hold the only valid contract for the British star for the 2005 season. The team has said that the FIA Contract Recognition Board has acknowledged that Button is contracted to them next season and not to the BMW WilliamsF1 team. According to a statement released by the team, a driver's Super License, which allows them to race in Formula One, is only valid if his contract has been lodged with, and registered by the CRB. If a driver signs for another team, the team is required to register the new contract with the CRB immediately for the contract to be valid – and with Williams seemingly failing to do this, BAR now has a solid case in the battle to retain its star driver for next season. The full statement from the team is outlined below. "The FIA Contract Recognition Board acknowledged, in writing, that, as of today [10 August], the BAR Contract with Jenson Button is the only valid contract registered for the 2005 season. "A driver's "super license" - his right to drive in Formula 1 - is only valid if his contract has been lodged with and registered by the CRB and all driver contracts contain a provision submitting all priority disputes to the CRB. "The CRB was established in 1992 to regulate driver contracts and resolve priority disputes where a driver enters into a new contract with a Formula 1 team when a clearly established and registered contract is already in existence. The purpose of the CRB is to enforce driver contracts and provide a swift international resolution to conflicts which if channelled through national legal systems could be drawn-out and could result in a wholly inappropriate remedy for the innocent party and for the sport as a whole. "All signatories to the Concorde Agreement are bound by the procedures of the CRB which requires any new driver contract to be registered 'forthwith' i.e. immediately, and without delay, in order to establish its validity. "BAR has willingly submitted itself to this process which is final and binding on all parties."
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Aug 11, 2004 18:41:29 GMT -5
Williams: BAR statement is misleadingTUESDAY 10TH AUGUST 2004 www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=97232The BMW WilliamsF1 team has reiterated its plans to partner Jenson Button with Mark Webber in 2005. The team announced last week that Button would rejoin them, having originally made his F1 debut with Williams at the Australian Grand Prix in 2000. Button himself also said he believed that rejoining Williams would give him a better chance of claiming the Formula One World Championship, despite his current team BAR being the closest challengers to the dominant Ferrari team for the majority of the 2004 season. With BAR determined to fight to keeps its star driver, they announced this morning that they had a valid contract with Button for the 2005 season, with its deal the only one registered with the FIA Contract Recognition Board – meaning they had a solid contract for Button to stay with the team. However Williams have now hit back to the announcement claiming that the BAR statement is ‘misleading' in its content. They argue that, while the BAR team believe they have a valid claim over Button's services, Williams has its own agreement that was lodged with the CRB in October 2002 for which they have a receipt, while the CRB have “not endorsed the validity of this [BAR] claim, but have simply confirmed receipt of BAR's documentation.” As a result they believe that the BAR contract doesn't hold precedence over any other contracts with the British driver. The full BMW Williams statement is outlined below: “In relation to the statement issued by BAR (‘Button Contracted to BAR in 2005'), the BMW WilliamsF1 Team reiterate it is Jenson's intention to drive for the team in 2005, and that his contractual position provides for this. The team would also like to clarify the following matters:- • The Contracts Recognition Board (CRB) is not a constituent element of the FIA, but an independent body set up under the Concorde Agreement between the Formula One teams, the commercial rights holder (FOM) & the FIA. It is therefore wholly incorrect to refer or indicate that the decisions made by the CRB are an endorsement of a legal position by the FIA. • BAR's statement today is misleading. BAR have registered what they believe to be a valid claim over Jenson Button for 2005. The CRB have not endorsed the validity of this claim, but have simply confirmed receipt of BAR's documentation. • This does not mean that their contract is valid, or holds precedence over other contracts with Jenson Button. • As a matter of record, WilliamsF1 has a contract with Jenson Button deposited with the CRB in October 22, 2002. Receipt of this deposit was also acknowledged by the CRB. The BMW WilliamsF1 team has reiterated its plans to partner Jenson Button with Mark Webber in 2005. The team announced last week that Button would rejoin them, having originally made his F1 debut with Williams at the Australian Grand Prix in 2000. Button himself also said he believed that rejoining Williams would give him a better chance of claiming the Formula One World Championship, despite his current team BAR being the closest challengers to the dominant Ferrari team for the majority of the 2004 season. With BAR determined to fight to keeps its star driver, they announced this morning that they had a valid contract with Button for the 2005 season, with its deal the only one registered with the FIA Contract Recognition Board – meaning they had a solid contract for Button to stay with the team. However Williams have now hit back to the announcement claiming that the BAR statement is ‘misleading' in its content. They argue that, while the BAR team believe they have a valid claim over Button's services, Williams has its own agreement that was lodged with the CRB in October 2002 for which they have a receipt, while the CRB have “not endorsed the validity of this [BAR] claim, but have simply confirmed receipt of BAR's documentation.” As a result they believe that the BAR contract doesn't hold precedence over any other contracts with the British driver. The full BMW Williams statement is outlined below: “In relation to the statement issued by BAR (‘Button Contracted to BAR in 2005'), the BMW WilliamsF1 Team reiterate it is Jenson's intention to drive for the team in 2005, and that his contractual position provides for this. The team would also like to clarify the following matters:- • The Contracts Recognition Board (CRB) is not a constituent element of the FIA, but an independent body set up under the Concorde Agreement between the Formula One teams, the commercial rights holder (FOM) & the FIA. It is therefore wholly incorrect to refer or indicate that the decisions made by the CRB are an endorsement of a legal position by the FIA. • BAR's statement today is misleading. BAR have registered what they believe to be a valid claim over Jenson Button for 2005. The CRB have not endorsed the validity of this claim, but have simply confirmed receipt of BAR's documentation. • This does not mean that their contract is valid, or holds precedence over other contracts with Jenson Button. • As a matter of record, WilliamsF1 has a contract with Jenson Button deposited with the CRB in October 22, 2002. Receipt of this deposit was also acknowledged by the CRB.
|
|
|
Post by Layla on Aug 15, 2004 5:52:58 GMT -5
F1 has become so boring that all our commentator talks about is what's going on in the boxes and what the mechanics are doing. The action in the background is apparently at least marginally interesting. And the weather is the only thing that can create a bit of drama, so even the weather forcast is more interesting. I can't stand this anymore. Kimi is out again.
|
|
|
Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Aug 15, 2004 6:26:50 GMT -5
You just discovered now that F1 is boring.
|
|
|
Post by Layla on Aug 15, 2004 6:34:48 GMT -5
You just discovered now that F1 is boring. LOL, yes. It wasn't so long ago that I became interested in F1 and it was exciting while it was a novelty and other drivers were actually winning some events. But it's getting old fast, especially since I can't stand Ferrari and Schumi.
|
|
|
Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Aug 15, 2004 6:36:35 GMT -5
LOL, yes. It wasn't so long ago that I became interested in F1 and it was exciting while it was a novelty and other drivers were actually winning some events. But it's getting old fast, especially since I can't stand Ferrari and Schumi. Well you read my thoughts already on F1, and there is no point mentioning that they are pampered jockeys, driving expensive toys. I prefer WRC, there are actually challenges for the drivers.
|
|
|
Post by Layla on Aug 15, 2004 6:45:03 GMT -5
Well you read my thoughts already on F1, and there is no point mentioning that they are pampered jockeys, driving expensive toys. I prefer WRC, there are actually challenges for the drivers. Yes, and I don't disagree. WCR is exciting. My uncle used to compete in rally races, for a while he was among the best in the country. Sometimes I go with my dad to some local races. Otherwise I enjoy WCR on the computer. Colin McRae my favorite computer game. ;D Unfortunately, WCR is not well televised.
|
|
|
Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Aug 15, 2004 6:50:15 GMT -5
Yes, and I don't disagree. WCR is exciting. My uncle used to compete in rally races, for a while he was among the best in the country. Sometimes I go with my dad to some local races. Otherwise I enjoy WCR on the computer. Colin McRae my favorite computer game. ;D Unfortunately, WCR is not well televised. Your uncle is a good man, then again I never have a problem tracking it down, even in Australia. The Finnish race was fun, though I am pissed off a non-Scandinavian won the Swedish race this year, buuuuuuuuuuuuu.
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Aug 18, 2004 21:46:29 GMT -5
Hungarian GP - Race Result
1. Michael Schumacher Germany Ferrari-Ferrari 70 laps 1hr 35mins 26.131secs 2. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Ferrari-Ferrari +4.6secs 3. Fernando Alonso Spain Renault-Renault +44.5secs 4. Juan Montoya Colombia Williams-BMW +62.6secs 5. Jenson Button Britain BAR-Honda +67.4secs 6. Takuma Sato Japan BAR-Honda +1 lap 7. Antonio Pizzonia Brazil Williams-BMW +1 lap 8. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Sauber-Petronas +1 lap 9. David Coulthard Britain McLaren-Mercedes +1 lap 10. Mark Webber Australia Jaguar-Cosworth +1 lap 11. Olivier Panis France Toyota-Toyota +1 lap 12. Nick Heidfeld Italy Jordan-Ford +2 laps 13. Christian Klien Austria Jaguar-Cosworth +2 laps 14. Gianmaria Bruni Italy Minardi-Cosworth +4 laps 15. Zsolt Baumgartner Hungary Minardi-Cosworth +5 laps
Rtd. Giorgio Pantano Italy Jordan-Ford 48 laps completed Rtd. Jarno Trulli Italy Renault-Renault 41 laps completed Rtd. Ricardo Zonta Brazil Toyota-Toyota 31 laps completed Rtd. Felipe Massa Brazil Sauber-Petronas 21 laps completed Rtd. Kimi Raikkonen Finland McLaren-Mercedes 13 laps completed
|
|
|
Post by Kiro on Aug 29, 2004 11:56:50 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Kiro on Aug 29, 2004 12:08:36 GMT -5
[29/08/04 - 16:13] Raikkonen wins while Schumacher is Champion Belgian GP - RaceKimi takes the top honour Kimi Raikkonen won an incident filled 44-lap Belgian Grand Prix to claim his first victory of the season with McLaren Mercedes, while Michael Schumacher finished in second position to claim his seventh drivers¡¯ title in Ferrari¡¯s 700th Grand Prix. Raikkonen starting in tenth position, made an impressive start to the race, immediately moving up the order to challenge the leaders. The first round of pitstops saw him emerge in the lead and on pure pace today, no one could challenge the Finn for the victory, despite a downshift problem with his MP4-19B. Schumacher¡¯s second position ahead of team-mate Barrichello gave him the two World Championship points he needed to clinch the title. It was another gritty determined drive from Schumacher as for once, Ferrari did not have the car to dominate the event. Rubens Barrichello did what he could to finish in third position, but his position does not tell the full story in this incident filled race. The start of the 44-lap race saw Jarno Trulli lead away from Pole Position with Fernando Alonso slotting into second position in the second Renault. David Coulthard bullied his way past Schumacher into La Source to run third. Behind the leaders, Barrichello was hit hard by Mark Webber, breaking his rear wing in the process. As the field filed through Eau Rouge for the first time, Webber, now minus his front wing, clipped the back of Takuma Sato¡¯s BAR Honda, sending the Japanese driver into a half spin. With Sato broadside across the circuit with broken suspension, Webber careered onto the run off area with broken front suspension and Gianmaria Bruni took avoiding action planting Minardi nose first into the tyre wall. Giorgio Pantano then ran into the side of Bruni, ending his day before it had really started. The safety car was deployed for the first time and the field, minus four runners, lined up for the restart. Trulli continued to lead at the restart but was one of the first drivers to pit for fuel, handing the race lead over to team-mate Alonso. The Spaniard took the lead with Raikkonen already up into the second position. Lap 12 saw Alonso spin of into retirement as his Renault engine doused the rear wheel in oil. Kimi Raikkonen now had the lead of the race and one lap later he made his first stop, emerging ahead of Jarno Trulli and back in the lead. From that point onwards, Raikkonen controlled the pace at the front with Schumacher pushing hard to stay in contact. The second safety car period came about as a result of Jenson Button suffering a high speed tyre failure approaching Les Combes. The BAR Honda driver, running fourth at the time, has his right rear Michelin fail, sending him sharply across the track and into the side of the unfortunate Zsolt Baumgartner. With more debris littering the circuit, the safety car was deployed giving Schumacher the chance to try once again for the lead. Through all the carnage, Felipe Massa brought his Sauber Petronas home in fourth position, scoring valuable points for the Swiss team. Despite an off-track moment that damaged his Sauber, Giancarlo Fisichella finished in fifth position ahead of Christian Klien in the Jaguar. Klien was fortunate to finish the race at all, as in the closing stages of the event, Coulthard, battling his way back through the field after a Michelin tyre failure, clipped the back of the R5 as he lined up a passing attempt exiting Eau Rouge. With tremendous luck, Coulthard¡¯s McLaren did not flip over, but simply brushed the concrete retaining wall on the left and continued back to the pits for new tyres and front wing. Klien was able to continue to score his first championship points in his career. David Coulthard amazingly battled back to finish in seventh position in his McLaren. It was a brave race from Coulthard and one that certainly should have yielded more than two championship points. Olivier Panis was the final points scorer in eighth position. The Frenchman gained the position ironically from his own team-mate Ricardo Zonta's misfortune. Zonta had worked his way up from last on the grid to fourth position. Only lap 42 of the 44 lap race, Zonta¡¯s Toyota V10 blew as he climbed the hill towards Les Combes. It was a sad end to a great race from the Brazilian. Jarno Trulli led early on but lost pace in his Renault. A tangle with Montoya whilst battling for position lost him further ground and the Italian finally finished in a distant ninth position. With Alonso already out of the race, the only consolation for Renault is that neither BAR Honda finished the race either. Nick Heidfeld was the final runner in 11th position, his Jordan Ford way off the leaders pace. Heidfeld was classified behind Zonta who took tenth position despite his engine failure. The start was rather exciting for many Over at BMW Williams, it was a case of disappointment. All was going well until the closing stages, with Antonio Pizzonia running in third position with Montoya right on his tail. Pizzonia, in what is probably his final race for the team, suffered a gearbox failure and retired, while Montoya was another driver to suffer a Michelin tyre failure, bringing his FW26 back to the pits and climbing out. At BAR Honda, Sato was eliminated on lap one following a nudge from Mark Webber, while Button suffered a puncture and crashed out. It was a well deserved victory for both Kimi Raikkonen and Champion Michael Schumacher. The event provided plenty of action and entertainment, but once again, just like at Indianapolis, questions need to be asked about on track debris and the use of safety cars rather than stopping the event to clear the circuit of debris. The F1 circus packs up now and heads to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix. The land of Ferrari.... Earl ALEXANDER CAPSIS International f1.racing-live.com
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Aug 29, 2004 12:12:42 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Aug 29, 2004 12:27:19 GMT -5
Sounds like it was a hell of a race, challenging the Monaco GP for wackiness!! The report from crashnet: Raikkonen returns as Schumi seals sevenSUNDAY 29TH AUGUST 2004 www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=98346Kimi Raikkonen kept his head and his car in one piece while most around him were failing to do so, and was rewarded with a second career win on the day when Michael Schumacher inked his name even deeper into the record books. Raikkonen, who started well down the order after a mistake in wet qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday, was lucky to escape a brush with Felipe Massa at the opening corner of the Belgian Grand Prix, but thereafter made rapid progress through the field to lead the bulk of the 44-lap event, and eventually come home three seconds clear of Schumacher, despite three safety car interventions. Although the race started in fully dry conditions, the opening corner - La Source - played its traditional role of scrambling the pack, as Mark Webber left his braking too late and clipped the back of Rubens Barrichello's Ferrari. The impact spun the Jaguar driver around, forcing those behind him to take avoiding action, but also led to debris being spread across the breadth of the corner as several front wings were damaged in the melee. While no-one retired at the bottom of the hill, the after-effects of the incident caused no fewer than four cars - Webber's included to be eliminated before the end of the lap. Cresting Eau Rouge, Webber's wingless R5 appeared to clip the back of Takuma Sato's BAR, breaking its rear suspension and pitching the Japanese driver broadside in front for the accelerating pack. While most were somehow able to take avoiding action, others such as Gianmaria Bruni were less fortunate, with the Italian appearing to receive a nudge from Minardi team-mate Zsolt Baumgartner that left him helpless to avoid the barrier. To make matters worse for Bruni, his car was then collected by Giorgio Pantano, despite the Jordan driver having jumped on the brakes, and both Italians were out on the spot. With Sato parked up on the far side of the track, and Webber soon to pull off, the first safety car of the afternoon was sent out. The interruption allowed a further six cars to duck into the pits for repairs, with Jenson Button requiring a new nose on his BAR and both Barrichello and Sauber's Felipe Massa in search of attention to their rear wings. Baumgartner, Nick Heidfeld and Olivier Panis completed the early stoppers, with the German going on to make no fewer than five stops en route to a much-lapped eleventh place. Massa and Barrichello both also returned for further attention while the safety car continued to circulate, but were both able to resume before losing a lap to the pack. Through the chaos, Renault had made its traditional strong getaway, with pole man Jarno Trulli able to fend off Schumacher on the run to La Source, as team-mate Fernando Alonso forced the German onto the wide line. David Coulthard, starting alongside the Spaniard on row two, also took advantage of Schumacher's ill-placement, squeezing his McLaren into third on the run to Eau Rouge. The safety car remained on track until the start of lap four and Raikkonen, having convinced himself that the brush with Massa had not caused any lasting damage, was soon on the move. The Finn wasted no time in disposing of Schumacher, pouncing on the world champion at Eau Rouge as his Michelin tyres kicked in sooner than the rival Bridgestones. Such was the delay in Schumacher's rubber coming up to optimal temperature that Juan Montoya also managed to close on the Ferrari by Les Combes, although Michael made his Colombian nemesis wait until a daring move at the remodelled Bus Stop before conceding the place. One lap later and Raikkonen's scintillating pace saw him close on team-mate Coulthard before blasting past on the run from Raidillon to Les Combes. This left the Finn trailing only the two Renaults, which had also made use of the Michelin rubber to pull away at the head of the field, and perfectly placed should the regie As it turned out, only polewinner Trulli had gone light, and the Italian duly followed Jaguar rookie pitwards as the second stopper on lap ten. This left team-mate Alonso out front, but Raikkonen's wait to move into top spot wasn't to be delayed much longer as an unpredictable continued to unfold. Having circulated for a further lap in front, Alonso appeared to make a beginner's error by spinning under braking at Les Combes, Raikkonen was already close enough to take advantage of the slip, demoting Alonso to second, but the Spaniard's race was not to continue much further, as a second spin two corners later beached his Renault - which had been leaking oil onto its rear wheels - at Rivage. At the same time, Coulthard's afternoon took a turn for the worse, his McLaren suffering a right-rear puncture just past the pits, presumably on undetectable shards of carbon fibre still lying on the circuit after the first lap incidents. The Scot was fortunate that the damaged Michelin did not break up and flay his bodywork as he attempted to recover to the pits and, having received a new set of boots from the team, rejoined at the tail of the field. McLaren performed admirably to turn Coulthard around in time to receive Raikkonen for his planned stop a few seconds later, and the Finn's ten-second advantage over second placed Montoya ensured that he was able to rejoin in close contention. Montoya pitted two laps later, but only enjoyed a 1.5secs gap over Schumacher, who assumed the lead for one tour, before making his own call for fuel and tyres. This left Williams reserve Antonio Pizzonia out front for the first time in his stop-start grand prix career, but the Brazilian only had one lap to enjoy the feeling before he, too, had to pit. The Brazilian's exit allowed Raikkonen back in front, from the yet-to-stop Button, while Schumacher had taken advantage of Montoya coming across Massa on his exit from the pits to vault back into the role of chief pursuer. con'd
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Aug 29, 2004 12:28:31 GMT -5
Approaching half distance, with five cars having already fallen by the wayside, and various altered pit strategies now in place following the earlier contretemps, the order received another slight shake-up when Montoya attempted to repeat his earlier move on Schumacher by passing Trulli at the Bus Stop. Where the German had wisely allowed his assailant just enough room to get past, Trulli appeared unwilling or unsighted, and the two made contact. The Italian fared worst, spinning through 180 degrees and only just missing heavy contact with the wall, while JPM continued after a short delay, now behind team-mate Pizzonia.
Giancarlo Fisichella, who had escaped his own off, at Ballbuster loves men!!1 :hearts:nes, with minor damage to his front wing and bargeboards, was desperately fending off the recovering Barrichello for fifth, with Trulli regaining the track behind them, and having to keep a weather eye on Ricardo Zonta, who had hauled his Toyota from 20th on the grid to be lying inside the top ten.
Once Button had pitted - and filtered back in behind the soon-to-be-resolved Fisichella/Barrichello battle - Raikkonen was left to enjoy a 13secs advantage over Schumacher, although the German was trying his damnest to close the gap with every lap. Successive half seconds had been slashed from the deficit when Raikkonen headed in for his second and final stop, but the Finn appeared to have enough in hand for when the cycle had played itself out again.
Raikkonen had bargained without the fickle nature of Spa, however, and no sooner had he rejoined, still in second place, than the safety car was required to make a return.
Once again a BAR and Minardi were involved in the incident which required its presence, and once again it was the stretch between Raidillon and Les Combes that was affected by debris. This time, however, the problem had occurred far closer to the braking area at the end of the straight, as Button experienced a blow-out at nearly 200mph. Fortunately - if that is the right term - the Briton's bucking car was arrested before it could reach the retaining wall on the right-hand side of the circuit, but only because the hapless Baumgartner happened to be in the way. Button T-boned the Hungarian, causing instant retirement, but both drivers were able to extricate themselves from their stricken machines once their flight had ended.
Seizing the opportunity to make up time on the leader, Schumacher dived into the pits while the safety car picked up the field, and was able to rejoin in second place - but now right on Raikkonen's tail. The two Williams-BMWs also closed up, but Pizzonia's race was not to progress beyond lap 32, as his car coasted to a halt with no drive, adding to the impromptu car park at the top of the hill.
Raikkonen played Schumacher at his own game as the safety car prepared to pull off, alternately slowing and accelerating in an attempt to warm brakes and tyres. Backing the field right up through Stavelot, the Finn then floored the throttle at Blanchimont, and enjoyed a healthy gap over his pursuers as racing resumed.
Once again, the quicker pick-up of the Michelins allowed the Mclaren to open a gap, while Schumacher had to contend with the close proximity of Montoya in his mirrors. Further back, Christian Klien moved into the points with a move on Olivier Panis at La Source, while Coulthard, still attempting to recover from his puncture, put the luckless Trulli down a place.
Next time around, the Scot was also ahead of Panis, having demoted the Toyota early in the lap, but, just as the Frenchman believed that he had lost a points position, so he was elevated back into eighth by the demise of the second Williams. Like those before him, Montoya succumbed to a puncture, but, unlike Coulthard, his path back to the pits was too far to prevent the tyre from doing other damage, and he retired with suspension failure.
Coulthard, meanwhile, was on a charge, and, having disposed of Trulli and Panis in quick succession, prepared to do likewise with Klien on his next run through Eau Rouge. The two cars crested the hill nose-to-tail, but Klien did not anticipate the McLaren jinking left at the start of the straight and drifted over to take the racing line. DC had nowhere to run but into the back of the Jaguar, the impact ripping off his front wing and flinging it back over the driver's head, through the onboard camera and into the rear aerodynamics. Fortunately for the Scot, the rear wing escaped intact but, for the second time in the afternoon, he was forced to pick his way back to the pits for attention.
The safety car appeared once again while debris was removed from the track, allowing Schumacher a final shot at sealing his seventh title with a 13th race win of the year. The German only needed two points more than team-mate Barrichello to put the championship battle beyond doubt and, despite the Brazilian having now moved into an unlikely third place, that was exactly how things stood.
Schumacher was not going to settle for second best in a record-breaking season, however, and stuck to Raikkonen's tail as the Finn reprised his warm-up routine. Once again, however, the Michelins proved to be the tyres to have over an 'opening' lap and, after the leader's initial burst had taken him clear of the chasing pack, Schumacher decided to back off and ensure he made the finish. Raikkonen was unaware of this fact and continued to press on to the finish, setting a new lap record for the reworked circuit just two tours from the flag.
Emotions in the McLaren pit were running high, fuelled in part by the indefatigable Coulthard retaking both Trulli and Panis in the closing stages to claim seventh, and the end of a 27-race win drought, prolonged by the woeful MP4-19 at the start of the season was greeted with a mixture of tears and cheers.
Down at Ferrari, the mood was much the same, as Schumacher held off Barrichello to claim another historic crown. Sauber added to the Scuderia's joy by bringing both cars home, in fourth and fifth, while Klien ensured that there were celebrations at Jaguar too, with his first points in F1. Coulthard and Panis rounded out the scorers, but the Toyota man knew that, had it not been for a late engine failure, it should have been replacement team-mate Ricardo Zonta scoring points.
|
|
|
Post by Kiro on Aug 29, 2004 12:31:06 GMT -5
Yes it was full of accidents. I missed the live coverage, but I suppose that those accidents were not as scary as R Schumi's crash, or last year's Brazil GP, etc. No worry for injury of the drivers, I guess.
|
|
|
Post by Kiro on Aug 29, 2004 12:42:46 GMT -5
Believe it or not, I think the coming China GP (Shanghai) will be full of accidents too. After the race starts, all the car will rush into a complex spiral turn immediately. That's dangerous. And the Shanghai circuit has the longest straight lane, it's more than 1km! The speed will be extremely high and since the wind will bring sand and dust onto the road, I won't be surprised to see some tyres and engines blow off.
|
|
|
Post by Kiro on Aug 29, 2004 15:16:47 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Aug 29, 2004 23:28:50 GMT -5
The last one
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Aug 30, 2004 12:03:41 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Sept 12, 2004 22:57:57 GMT -5
Italian GP race result:
1. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Ferrari-Ferrari 53 laps 1hr 15min 18.448secs 2. Michael Schumacher Germany Ferrari-Ferrari +01.300secs 3. Jenson Button Britain BAR-Honda +10.100secs 4. Takuma Sato Japan BAR-Honda +15.300secs 5. Juan Montoya Colombia Williams-BMW +32.300secs 6. David Coulthard Britain McLaren-Mercedes +33.400secs 7. Antonio Pizzonia Brazil Williams-BMW +33.700secs 8. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Sauber-Petronas +35.400secs
9. Mark Webber Australia Jaguar-Cosworth +56.700secs 10. Jarno Trulli Italy Renault-Renault +66.300secs 11. Ricardo Zonta Brazil Toyota-Toyota +81.900secs) 12. Felipe Massa Brazil Sauber-Petronas +1 lap 13. Christian Klien Austria Jaguar-Cosworth +1 lap 14. Nick Heidfeld Italy Jordan-Ford +1 lap 15. Zsolt Baumgartner Hungary Minardi-Cosworth +3 laps
Rtd Fernando Alonso Spain Renault-Renault 40 laps completed Rtd Giorgio Pantano Italy Jordan-Ford 33 laps completed Rtd Gianmaria Bruni Italy Minardi-Cosworth 29 laps completed Rtd Kimi Raikkonen Finland McLaren-Mercedes 13 laps completed Rtd Olivier Panis France Toyota-Toyota 0 laps completed
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Sept 15, 2004 15:31:21 GMT -5
Villeneuve eager for revenge on BAR Wed 15 September, 2004 18:49 By Alan Baldwin
SILVERSTONE, England, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Canadian Jacques Villeneuve hopes to take his revenge on former team BAR by helping Renault take second place in the Formula One championship.
"It would be great, just because of the way it (his relationship with BAR) ended," the former champion told reporters on Wednesday after his first drive of a grand prix car in almost a year.
Villeneuve was jettisoned in acrimonious circumstances last year by the Honda-powered team that he helped to found in 1999.
He got back behind the wheel at Silverstone after Renault offered him the chance of replacing departed Italian Jarno Trulli for the last three races of the season.
After that he will join Sauber on a two-year deal.
Renault are three points behind second placed BAR going into the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix next week.
"Renault's goal is just to beat BAR basically, to be second in the constructors'," said Villeneuve.
The Canadian completed 70 laps on Wednesday and clocked a best time of 1:18.776 -- just under a second off Renault's regular Spanish driver Fernando Alonso.
"We didn't work much on the car itself, just concentrated on the seat and stuff like that. It was enjoyable and the lap times are fast compared to when I was racing," he added.
"They are about three seconds faster so it's a lot. Surprisingly, when you are driving it does not feel that much faster because the car is good. It's three seconds a lap more physical, more than anything else."
SERIOUS SAUBER
The definite decision on whether he races in China is likely to be taken on Thursday.
"The only thing is to get settled in, work on the seat, get everything perfect just so that if we do race then there's no worry about that," he said.
Villeneuve said the Renault development had happened very suddenly but he had been talking to Sauber for some time.
"They are the only team that has treated me seriously and with respect, compared to everybody else I have been speaking to since March," he said. "And that made a huge difference.
"I was wanting to get into a non-political team so I am very happy about that.
"It's a two-year deal so there is time to do something good. That doesn't mean we will win races or something, you'll need luck for that but if you can just keep improving and you are happy working then that's great."
Asked whether he had feared he might not get a second chance after being ditched by BAR, the Canadian replied: "I'm not a generally negative person. I always believed the best will happen, which as the past has showed was not always the case but you just can't give up.
"Since I've been training hard since February/March something had to happen because training for nothing is very difficult."
The Canadian said he had enjoyed his time away from Formula One otherwise: "I've had a great time, I think I needed the break so I guess I'll have to thank (BAR boss) David (Richards) for that," he grinned.
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Sept 15, 2004 22:53:23 GMT -5
Villeneuve
|
|
|
Post by Lee on Sept 17, 2004 17:39:32 GMT -5
Villeneuve back in a F1. from sina.com
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Sept 18, 2004 15:07:54 GMT -5
Ford to sell off Jaguar Racing, Cosworthwww.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=99598Contrary to recent speculation that it would take greater control of Jaguar Racing and rebrand it with the famous Blue Oval badge, Ford now appears to have had a change of heart over its Formula One involvement and put the team up for sale. The company had been tipped to cut back on its world rallying involvement to throw more money at the F1 programme, but employees at the Jaguar team's Milton Keynes headquarters were apparently summoned to an emergency announcement this morning, only to be told that the operation would be offered for sale with immediate effect. Ford entered F1 as a 'works' entity following the purchase of Jackie Stewart's eponymous team in 2000, branding its cars with the famous Jaguar 'leaping cat' logo and running in British Racing Green to emphasise the marque's sporting heritage. However, under a series of team principals, the outfit has failed to live up to its potential, scoring precious few podium results and never finishing higher than seventh in the constructors' championship. Drivers of such note as Eddie Irvine, Johnny Herbert and, latterly, Mark Webber, have been unable to turn the team's fortunes around, leading to the conclusion that Ford's investment would be better spent elsewhere. "After a thorough review over many months, Ford Motor Company has decided it can no longer make a compelling business case for any of its brands to compete in Formula One," Jaguar chairman Joe Greenwell said in a statement, " As a result, we are putting our Formula One businesses up for sale." "Jaguar's presence in Formula One has been a valuable marketing and brand awareness platform particularly outside our main markets of the US and the UK. However, it was our collective view that it is time for Jaguar Cars to focus 100 per cent on our core business. Having reached this decision, our focus has turned to securing the best future for our Formula One businesses and our employees in these businesses going forward." Ford Motor Company is still recovering from losses incurred in its road car sales - most recently among its Jaguar brand - and its motorsport programmes are feeling the pinch as a result. Although its NASCAR involvement is unlikely to be affected, the WRC project fronted by Malcolm Wilson's M-Sport concern is also waiting to hear whether there will be funding for 2005 and beyond. Although current F1 team principal Tony Purnell insisted recently that he had been assured of a budget for next season, his optimism appears to have been misplaced. Potential entrants will now be keeping a watchful eye on the situation, with both drinks brand Red Bull and F3000 champions Arden International having been linked to a possible buy-in or buy-out of the Jaguar team in recent weeks. Richard Parry-Jones, who oversees the Ford Premier Performance Division, also announced that Cosworth Racing, the company's competition engine subsidiary, would also be put up for sale, potentially ending any Ford involvement in the top flight. Cosworth currently supplies both Jaguar and Minardi with powerplants - and only last week confirmed that it would supply the Italian minnow in 2005. Ford has provided Jordan with engines this season, but the Silverstone team - itself seeking a buyer - is thought to be talking to Toyota for next year.
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Sept 18, 2004 15:12:06 GMT -5
Bernie blames costs, hints at three-car teamsFRIDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2004 www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=1&nid=99614Formula One ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone has lamented the loss of Jaguar Racing from next season, but says that Ford's decision to pull the plug on its f1 involvement was indicative of the current cost of competition in the top flight. Speaking to Reuters news agency, Ecclestone admitted that he was not surprised to see Jaguar go, but said that the otherwise shock withdrawal should serve as a warning to teams at the front of the field that costs are spiralling out of control. The FIA has attempted to coerce the ten teams into formulating cost- and speed-cutting measures for next season, but they failed to agree on a common way forward, leaving the governing body to begin forcing through its own proposals. "Formula One is very expensive business these days, and we need to reduce the amount of money it takes to be competitive," Ecclestone said, "Teams could still spend whatever they wanted, but the amount of money needed to compete would be less." Ford vice-president Richard Parry-Jones backed up Ecclestone's comments on the cost of competing. "The current structure of F1 does not encourage smaller participants to make an investment," he said, "The GPWC has been too slow in making progress [on forcing Ecclestone to cede more of the revenue of the sport to the teams]. I think Jaguar's withdrawal will highlight the awareness of the need for change. The sport is as it is. We tried to change it, other interests have prevailed and we have to take into account that reality. I would expect our decision to accelerate the desire for reform in F1." Perhaps with the benefit of hindsight, Ecclestone went on to say that he thought Ford should have pulled Jaguar from F1 last season, instead of reducing the amount it invested in the programme. "It was inevitable and wasn't really a shock to me," he insisted, "They couldn't really afford to be running around at the back of the grid with the likes of Jordan - they should have been up front with Ferrari and BMW. I don't think they had the necessary financial investment to be competitive and, in my opinion, they shouldn't have run this year at all." As soon as doubt began to surround the future of Jaguar in F1, potential buyers and investors were being lined up by the media, including drinks brand Red Bull and F3000 champions Arden International. Although both parties have since said that their attention has switched elsewhere, the news that Jaguar Racing is now for sale may reawaken interest. Ecclestone, however, has expressed doubts over the viability of a new entity coming into F1 as it stands. I know there are people interested, but I don't know whether they will be able to make the necessary financial investment any more than Ford could," he said. Should no buyer be found for the Jaguar team, and the accompanying sale of engine builder Cosworth not provide the necessary guarantees for customer teams Jordan and Minardi, Ecclestone foresees the Concorde Agreement being invoked to force the top teams to field a third car - something he does not see as entirely a bad thing. "We don't need to lose the Ford Motor Company, but there could be an upside," he said, "There's provision for the teams to run three cars - and that would perhaps give us 20 competitive cars on the grid next season."
|
|
|
Post by TennisHack on Sept 25, 2004 14:11:22 GMT -5
China GP qualifying:
1. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Ferrari-Ferrari 1min 34.012secs 2. Kimi Raikkonen Finland McLaren-Mercedes 1min 34.178secs +0.166secs 3. Jenson Button Britain BAR-Honda 1min 34.295secs +0.283secs 4. Felipe Massa Brazil Sauber-Petronas 1min 34.759secs +0.747secs 5. Ralf Schumacher Germany Williams-BMW 1min 34.891secs +0.879secs 6. Fernando Alonso Spain Renault-Renault 1min 34.917secs +0.905secs 7. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Sauber-Petronas 1min.34.951secs +0.939secs 8. Olivier Panis France Toyota-Toyota 1min 34.975secs +0.963secs 9. David Coulthard Britain McLaren-Mercedes 1min.35.029secs +1.017secs 10. Juan Montoya Colombia Williams-BMW 1min 35.245secs +1.233secs 11. Mark Webber Australia Jaguar-Cosworth 1min 35.286secs +1.274secs 12. Jacques Villeneuve Canada Renault-Renault 1min 35.384secs +1.372secs 13. Ricardo Zonta Brazil Toyota-Toyota 1min 35.410secs +1.398secs 14. Nick Heidfeld Germany Jordan-Ford 1min 36.507secs +2.495secs 15. Christian Klien Austria Jaguar-Cosworth 1min 36.535secs +2.523secs 16 Timo Glock Germany Jordan-Ford 1min 37.140secs +3.128secs 17. Zsolt Baumgartner Hungary Minardi-Cosworth 1min 40.240secs +6.228secs 18. Michael Schumacher Germany Ferrari-Ferrari no time 19. Takuma Sato Japan BAR-Honda 1min 34.993secs +0.981secs* 20. Gianmaria Bruni Italy Minardi-Cosworth no time
[/li][li]
|
|