Official F1/Motorsport thread

[adam_the_browndog]

id like to see him go then see a **** season for mclaren.

Did you hear that Super Aguri F1 team might even have a whole new line up for 08.

If this indian or russian company buys a share they want to have narain kartikayen? i think his name. they want him in one of the 2 seats

Also one of the teams sponsors from japan is pushing for the comeback of a Yuji Ide, after regaining acess to his super license as of January 26th.

[VR46]

Moto GP qualifying looks really weird in the dark, floodlit track looks amazing from the helicopter shots though.

[rickt]

Good to see Toseland qualifying in 2nd

[VR46]

Yes a very good qualifying session, feel the race will be a totally different story tomorrow, poor old Melandri though, he's had a nightmare couple of weeks.

[VR46]

Good to see the Brits taking the 125ccclass by the scruff of the neck, should be some great races today.

[Alastair]

Great for Toseland and the lower class Brits too

If you have normal TV (freeview) like me it's a bit of a nightmare to keep up with what's on where so here you go
_________________________

Sunday 9 March
MotoGP preview
1415-1445, BBC TWO

125cc and 250cc races live
1645-1915, BBCi and BBC Sport website

Race live
1930-2100, BBC THREE, BBCi and BBC Sport website

Race re-run
2350-2450, BBC TWO and BBC Sport website

[NW2013]

Cheers Alastair, I hadn't noticed it was live on three and there's nothing else on tonight anyway!

[Senna]

Who saw the F1 preview on ITV earlier?

I'm so excited for this new season. You even saw the back ends of the cars sliding ever so slightly on the cars in testing. Great stuff, and Im so glad traction control is gone.

Two things stood out for me. Firstly, I had no idea that the final 10 minutes of qualifying for the 10 top cars will involve low-fuel, all-out hot laps. Bit of a throwback to when qualifying used to be great a few years ago. Just man, machine and track, none of this fuel-conserving crap we have had recently.

Secondly, how great does that Singapore night race look? Best of all, it's a street track, but the track looks VERY narrow in places. It even has a mini-tunnel, and a bit where the cars go underneath a small bridge which has a spectator stand on top. Great stuff.

I see as well that Bernie is saying that the Australian GP looks likely to end in 2010 when its contract ends. Bernie is demanding that it become a night race to accomodate us European viewers, but they say they don't have the money to build all the lights required. Would be a big shame if the Australian GP was to disappear, even if the track itself usually produces lame races.

Actually, here's an idea Bernie: go to the Adelaide bodies and see if they are interested. Now THAT was a track which always had a great atmosphere, and produced good races. Even better, move it back to the final race, as everyone always seemed to enjoy going there at the end of a busy season.

Moto GP tonight as well, cannot wait. It will be interesting to see how the Bridgestones on Rossi and Stoner's bikes fare against the other bikes.

[HaHaUK]

Dammit, is the preview being replayed anywhere?

[NW2013]

Yes, 6 tonight on ITV4. You didn't miss much though really.

[charlesr]

MotoGP was ok. Not packed with excitement, but first half was great to watch.

[VR46]

Amazing start by Pedrosa, great timing and weighing three stone less than everyone certainly helps. Apart from that some great performances by the top flight noobs. Impressed by Toseland must admit.

5th and 6th by the Brits in the 125 race is nice also, how did the Bradley guy go from pole to finishing the race 15th ? missed the 125's.

That F1 program was poor I thought, still the Shanghai F1 night race in September should be great, nice to see there's going to be a tunnel included in the circuit

[Alex_976]

Moto GP was great. 125 Fantastic. Loved the night shots. Looks like its gonna be a great season can't wait for toseland to get the new engine then he'll show The Doctor whos boss!

Qatar in its full glory:

[Alastair]

I watched the 125's, missed the 250's and have seen half of the big boys so far (the good half by the sounds of it, although checking the results has made me think there is a few more twists to come).

The 125 race was good, young Bradley made a good start and was leading well for a lap and a half, exiting a turn his bike did a massive head shake which was evidently his steering damper breaking. Must have been impossible to ride at the limit from then on and he dropped down gradually. The fact that the 125's are only 10sec a lap slower than the GP bikes also amazes me.

What I've seen of the MotoGP was good, Toseland is def a good bet this season, already beating Edwards says something about his intent. Also, the fairing bashing between him and Lorenzo was great. Rossi must be pissed to be beaten by the rookie on the first outing though!

[toythatkills]

Is Patrick Head a bit mental?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7282861.stm

He wants to reverse F1 grids so the slow cars are at the front, to promote overtaking, but surely that's just a guarantee of a massive smash-up on the first corner for most races. It doesn't seem very safe. But then he goes on to say this...

"What's really boring is if there's a car that is genuinely faster sitting on the tail of the car in front and his race is destroyed.

"We've had some races at Monaco where people have been held up for 30 or 40 laps when they've been a second or two faster than the car in front, and I think that's a pity."

Isn't that entirely at odds with his radical new idea, which will surely promote such things happening? Especially at places like Monaco.

Does he think?