Fun F1 » Formula 1 Silly Season

This has to happen – Badoer Out, Bourdais In

dScribe — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:33:46 +0000

It’s great that Ferrari decided to repay Luca Badoer’s years of service as a test driver by giving him the chance to replace the injured Felipe Massa in the Spanish Grand Prix and at Spa….. BUT, his performance was so bad it’s just embarrassing.

In my mind the only smart thing Ferrari can do is get Sebastien Bourdais in the car. He’s the only driver with recent F1 experience that has ties to Ferrari. He has experience of the Ferrari engine through driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso this year and he also has the same manager as Felipe Massa – Nicolas Todt (Jean Todt’s son).

The only thing that should stop it happening is any contractual obligations or conflicts.

Some would say that Nelson Piquet Jr is an option and while he may be, it just doesn’t make as much sense as Bourdais.

Then you have Anthony Davidson stepping up to the plate saying he’s the man for Ferrari. That’s almost laughable but then again I’m sure he’d do better than Badoer.

I feel bad for coming down on Luca Badoer so much as he seems like a nice guy and has been so loyal to Ferrari (then again who wouldn’t be – I’m sure he has a nice pay packet ) – but Ferrari deserves better results than last place…

Testing: Schumacher vs Hakkinen?

dScribe — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 07:06:51 +0000

There have been a lot of rumours that Michael Schumacher has secretly tested the 2007 Ferrari F1 car recently. Whether they’re true or not we don’t know, but it would be great if Ferrari and McLaren could arrange a shoot-out for the fans during one of their test sessions this year.

With the Ferrari and McLaren cars being fairly equal this year, what better time to bring back their past World Champions Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen respectively! Have a shoot-out for top spot on the timesheets

Of course, with the F1 title battle being so intense, such a test would probably have to happen after the World Championships are already decided… but one can dream

Schumacher Instead of Brawn in 2008?

dScribe — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:28:46 +0000

Could it be that Michael Schumacher is planning on returning to Ferrari in a role similar to that of Ross Brawn? German magazine Auto Motor und Sport has apparently reported that the ex-Ferrari driver has had allÂ the test data sent to him each day this year.

Meanwhile ITV have reported that Schumacher has been offered a NASCAR test by team owner Ray Evernham. I don’t think there is much Ray could do to entice Schumacher to the NASCAR scene, but the first part of his quote was gold:

“I’ll put him in a red car, a real good car…”

Ho-Pin Hoping for a Break

dScribe — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 06:31:22 +0000

Reigning German F3 Champion Ho-Pin Tung is hoping to land a test driver role with a Formula One team soon. His efforts have gone unrewarded so far, with the Spyker F1 team all but ruling him out of testing this year due to their already-large cashed up test-drive line-up.

We’re all Ho-Pin you get a break soon! Â (/bad jokes off now..)

Williams ‘leaked’ Photos are BS

dScribe — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 08:16:56 +0000

Supposedly ‘leaked’ photos of the new Williams livery and car have been circulating the web this week. To label these photos ‘leaked’ is nothing but BS.

Earlier in the week another set of supposedly leaked photos were circulating – although they were of the new Renault car. It is extremely unlikely that either the Renault photos or the Williams photos were leaked. They are more likely a publicity stunt to build anticipation before each of the cars official launches.

At least the Renault photos were made to look leaked by being grainy and amateurish… whereas the Williams leaked photos look a bit too professional (the attempt to leave some jacks and tools on the ground in the background to make the photos look more unofficialÂ are hilarious! )…

Lenovo Williams F1 Photos

dScribe — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 04:58:36 +0000

So-called ‘leaked’ photos of the new Williams F1 car and livery have surfaced. One of the most interesting aspects of the photos is the prominence of notebook manufacturer Lenovo on the car. There have been questions raised whether Lenovo could in fact become the new title sponsor for Williams in 2007?

These rumours are highly unlikely as AT&T were announced as the 2007 title sponsor last year and have already been marketing this relationship.

Revealed: Alonso 3rd in 1st McLaren Test

dScribe — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 12:27:26 +0000

According to Autosport, Fernando Alonso’s first test with the McLaren Mercedes team was a great success. McLaren did its best to keep a lid on the vital details of the test. In particular, they didn’t fit a “public” transponder to Alonso’s car, so only the team themselves would know his exact laptimes.

However, it seems rival teams were able to work out Alonso’s lap times. So just how well did he go? VERY well!

3rd overall. Just 0.25s behind teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Bourdais for RBR in ‘08 not STR in ‘07?

dScribe — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 21:55:44 +0000

There has been a lot of talk about who will fill the 2 seats at Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2007. Sebastian Bourdais’ name has popped up recently due to the fact he’ll be testing with the team this week in Jerez. Even Mika Hakkinen’s name has been thrown about. Both however, seem unlikely.

A more likely scenario would see Sebastian to the Renault-powered Red Bull Racing in 2008 as he is under contract with theÂ Newman Haas Champ Car team for 2007.

Kimi Spotted Testing Red Car – White Race Gear

dScribe — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 06:31:52 +0000

A photo has surfaced of Kimi Raikkonen testing a red car with no sponsorship, while Kimi is wearing plain white race gear. Despite the rumours, it is believed the picture is not recent and was taken before he joined McLaren..

Hakkinen the Backup Plan if PDLR walks?

dScribe — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:40:49 +0000

There has been a lot of talk that Pedro de la Rosa is quite unhappy to have been pushed out of the second McLaren race seat back into a test driver role. The decision of McLaren to run Mika Hakkinen at Barcelona alongside Lewis HamiltonÂ is an interesting one. It may be nothing more than some good publicity and a way for McLaren to say thank you to Mika. Although could it also be that Mika Hakkinen is McLaren’s “backup plan” if Pedro decides he’s had enough?

Unlikely.. McLaren also have the services of Gary Paffett for testing purposes..Â I wonderÂ where he is..?