Official F1/Motorsport thread

[Kieran76]

Yes very bad luck for Kimi, the man with the fastesr car won't be winning the title this year. Still looking on the brightside DC claimed another impressive points haul which means a decent qualifying slot next week, and I'll be there to cheer him on!

[Richard.John]

It's looking grim for KR but that doesn't mean that FA would be an unworthy champion.
As he has said, the race is won over 70 laps not 30. One site has, rather rudely in my opinion, compared FA to Piquet in the 80s, in as much as he got lucky when it came to his titles, but that is just plain unfair. FA has won six races, kept his head and finished when it matters, so will be a worthy 2005 champion. It's a shame for the fans really, because if Ilmor could build a reliable engine,and Macca a reliable car, we would see a great fight for the WDC.

[VR46]

Oh yeah I'm not taking anything away from Alonso, although he has been bit fortunate that the other teams have all had a bad year.

[Richard.John]

Oh yeah I'm not taking anything away from Alonso, although he has been bit fortunate that the other teams have all had a bad year.

Sounds like a certain German

[VR46]

just seen this headline on BBC

"F1: BAR deny offering Williams their test driver Anthony Davidson plus cash in order to keep Jenson Button. "

[Alastair]

I'd take that, Jenson isn't going to want to go this year, they could try and steal him again next year when they get a decent engine sorted out and Davidson is probably going to be alright anyway.

Is it confirmed that Heidfeld is leaving then?

[VR46]

don't think so, but BMW want to take him to Sauber, and Frank Williams still wants Button, can't see them dumping Webber (who has done nothing this year imo) so looks like Heidfield would have been out the door anyway.

[Alastair]

Get rid of Webber tbh. Heidfeld shows more promise. I think Webber peaked when he put the Jag on the front row.

I like Button but is he really worth fighting over every year like this? Can he be that good to turn Williams around? I doubt it. Can see why he would want to stay at BAR now though, Williams have seriously gone backwards this year.

Maybe BAR could give Williams Sato instead of Davidson, he's rubbish this year too, oh wait, what's that I hear? Japanese politics?

[VR46]

remember how bad McLaren were this time last year though, and look at them now (performance wise not reliability wise)

[Richard.John]

Sato should be shown the door but probably wont because of Honda wanting a pin up boy for the home market. Sad really, as he has been ****e this season.

[Richard.John]

Seems that JB now wants to stay at BAR! Honestly, this guy is a thick as they come. Last year he wanted to go to Williams because they offered him the best chance of being WDC, but now they don't apparently, so that's OK then.

[Morcerf]

Seems that JB now wants to stay at BAR! Honestly, this guy is a thick as they come. Last year he wanted to go to Williams because they offered him the best chance of being WDC, but now they don't apparently, so that's OK then.

But thats understandable, surely? This time last year Williams had a strong(ish) partnership with BMW and towards the end of the season certainly were challenging for race wins. This year BMW are leaving them, and they aren't really anywhere in the races.

BAR, on the other hand, since last year have had a 45% buy in from Honda - representing a serious committment from a mfctr - something that is needed nowadays in F1.

Remember last time Williams went from mfctr to customer engines? 98 wasnt it - Renault to Supertec - not surprised Button doesnt fancy that!

Messy, unfortunate, but understandable.

[Richard.John]

It's just that he should have the courage of his convictions and and honour his deal with Frank Williams. I understand why he doesn't want to go, but he is being made to look a fool over the whole messy affair of will he, or wont he.

Did he not realise at the time, that Honda were planning to take over the team, and also that BMW's deal with Frank was due to expire in a couple of years? Imagine if he had gone to Williams, would he now by trying to wriggle out of his contract to return to BAR?

I personally feel sorry for Williams because unless thay can convince one of the few remaining car giants to come in to F1 (VW?) they may be on the slippery slope to Jordanville. Or maybe Frank and Patrick will call it a day and sell up, and enjoy their retirement.

[VR46]

Button is the Steven Gerrard of the F1 world, can see us going through this "drama" every season or so. Do hop e he stays at BAR though, can see the team doing really well next year.

[Richard.John]

After reading around, it seems that he may have no choice as FW holds a contract and can force him to honour it, and if he refuses, he will lose his Super Licence as the CRB stated that he belongs to Williams from 2006. Anyway, we will see in due course.