Official F1/Motorsport thread

[VR46]

You're right, his actual salary pales into insignificance almost.

Actually, there was a half decent program on Hamiltons rise to fame on BBC3last week back, it's probably repeated frequently if anyones interested.

[On The Edge of Insanity]

Fantastic news about next years F1 Calender. Valencia on the 24th August. I reckon I will deffo be going to that.

Yeah, I'm looking at going to that one too. Now I've been to one Grand Prix I've caught the bug.

[Dazzyman]

Only thing Ive seen Button do this season is get overtaken not other way around Sato FTW I thought telly tubby Montoya was a better driver than Button. I just dont like the bloke as he whinges about the team not doing good enough etc.. sometimes for me thats a no no, they pay your wages and you support them otherwise begger off. Lets face it poor Dave Richards got kicked out of the team for alot of the crap he did with the Williams fiasco and they have gone right downhill since. He had a good car that season, he also had a good car when he was racing alongside Schummy jnr, for me he just needs to get his head down and get on with it then other teams might respect him more, but he has screwed both Honda and then Williams with contracts so he isnt a safe pair of hands for a team. Their is so many F3 and Indy Car drivers wanting to come over Id say they stand more chance of getting a go in a Mclaren. Id rather they give Dario Franchitti a go.

Hamilton will make plenty of cash with sponsorship, USA for example are going nuts on him. Makes you wonder when he was moaning few weeks ago about press if he knew then what was actually going on.

[Richard.John]

JB problem is that he is British. That alone is likely to put a stop to a move to Macca.

[Richard.John]

On Sunday, I was lucky enough to go to Motorsport Japan 2007 in Odaiba, Tokyo. Toyota and Honda's F1 teams were there in the run up to the race next weekend. I grabbed a place among countless other otaku in front of Honda's tent. The RA107 had two runs on Sunday so the team had to set up the beast in preparation. Of course they couldn't resist firing up that V8 to thrill the assembled and send a shiver down everyone's spine.

I know it's a cliche, but you have to hear them to really understand what F1 cars are all about. My wife has never seen a real F1 car so I told her that nothing can prepare you for the moment they spin the crankshaft and the V8 springs to life. I thought my ear buds were going to explode, but I didn't care I was in F1 heaven. I told her that not only will you hear it, but feel it in the pit of your stomach. It has been 15 years since I last experienced that, but the years have not diminshed its effect on me. ****ing awesome.

Later in the day Jarno Trulli did a demo run at Toyota's Mega Web complex. They have a 400m test track so of course, they couldn't resist stretching the legs (and blowing the eardrums of the crowd) of the TF107. Apparently they managed over 220kph. No doubt safety considerations put a stop to any super speeds. Jarno came across as a true gent. The Japanese adore him and I can see why. He is simply lovevable in a way that Ralf will never be.

[Alastair]

Sounds great RJ. You're def right about the sound (and feeling) of F1 cars!

Stoner got his well deserved first MotoGP title yesterday, what a difference from the guy who was almost guaranteed to fall off at every race in 2006. Prepare for some serious showboating in Aus in 3 weeks!

[VR46]

Yes a well done to Stoner, he has been very consistent this year. Rossi is turning into Mr Unlucky unfortunately. Still, bring it on for 2008.
Good to see Loris finally win a race this year. Can't believe we are approaching the end of the F1/Moto GP/World Superbike seasons already

WSB, not a fan of Toselands, would love for Haga to win WSB title this year, only 41 points to make up in final two round (four races) 'bout time Haga won a title for all his efforts.

[On The Edge of Insanity]

Maybe Rossi in a Mclaren next year?

[Alastair]

Maybe Alonso in a red car next year?

http://planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_2752162,00.html

Planet F1 are suckers though and often report total BS, bear in mind the source in the article is listed as the News of the World so I really don't believe any of it..... but, the final line is a classic:

P-F1 believes Alonso would do well at Ferrari... after all he already knows all about the car and how to set it up.

[VR46]

Can see Ferrari easily cracking open their vast wallet to get back to championship winning ways as quickly as possible, but would he do any better than Kimi & Massa would next year ?

[Eps]

Really good season from Stoner - I like Rossi a lot, but it's nice to see the (usually female or gay male ) Rossi obsessives start to pump out excuse after excuse as to why their idol didn't manage to come first in every race this season...

[Richard.John]

Can see Ferrari easily cracking open their vast wallet to get back to championship winning ways as quickly as possible, but would he do any better than Kimi & Massa would next year ?

Yes I think he would. He is too political for his own good at times, but on the track he is a demon and Ferrari would be mad to pass up the opportunity. I do think it's BS though. If Massa shocks us and announces a move to Toyota, then I think it will happen. It would be good for the sport as it's obvious that he cannot coexist with LH. FA and KR seem to have a good relationship.

[Alastair]

FA and KR seem to have a good relationship.

They would never utter a word to each other all season

[VR46]

They are possibly the two most miserable men in the paddock so should get on like a house on fire

[adam_the_browndog]

alonso comfirmed as renault driver for 08

Fisi set to retire.

Wurz is favorite for mclaren seat