Official F1/Motorsport thread

[Morcerf]

No news on penalties until September.... hmmmmmm

The cynic in me thinks this could mean they can assess the championship situation later in the year, and if it would be 'interesting' to dock championship points and put Ferrari into contention/the lead, then they could do so.

But then I am cynical nowadays towards the actions of the FIA!

[Darwock]

..don't be a twat.

This is exactly why I don't want the guilty teams being docked points, cos idiots will use it to bolster their ludicrous belief that the FIA favours Ferrari. Hit the Michelin teams with massive fines!!

Personally I think if there was a 'reason' why the penalty has been held back, it's to prevent the teams walking out of the French GP as well, in a huff, as the murmurings are suggesting they may have done.

[Morcerf]

..don't be a twat.

This is exactly why I don't want the guilty teams being docked points, cos idiots will use it to bolster their ludicrous belief that the FIA favours Ferrari. Hit the Michelin teams with massive fines!!

Sorry, but you can't deny that there is a definite split of Bernie/FIA/Ferrari in one corner and the GPWC teams in another, so it isn't a ludicrous belief.

Especially given that Jean Todt is being sounded up as a replacement for Max Mosely.

I agree that fines would be better (as Max has now commented too actually), but given the FIA meetings earlier this year with only Ferrari present you can't say they don't have a closer relationship with the FIA than the other teams, and this can undoubtedly have some influence. I know the other teams were invited but decided not to attend those meetings, but that still doesn't detract from the closer relationship Ferrari have with the FIA.

[Darwock]

Yes there is a split, because Ferrari have signed the new concorde agreement and nobody else has. However the majority of rule changes in the past few seasons has been as a reaction to Ferrari's dominance, and an attempt to stop it happening again. So to say the FIA want Ferrari to win is ridiculous. What's in it for them? You think Ferrari are giving back-handers to the FIA? Ludicrous.

The reason the other teams weren't present at the meetings is because the other teams boycotted that as well... it's a political power struggle. You can't place the blame for any of this on the FIA because it's always the GPWC teams who make the decision to isolate themselves, NOT the FIA and NOT Ferrari.

Ferrari have no need to rock the boat they are on, because they are successful. This apparently doesn't apply to the rest.

[Morcerf]

Yes there is a split, because Ferrari have signed the new concorde agreement and nobody else has. However the majority of rule changes in the past few seasons has been as a reaction to Ferrari's dominance, and an attempt to stop it happening again. So to say the FIA want Ferrari to win is ridiculous. What's in it for them? You think Ferrari are giving back-handers to the FIA? Ludicrous.

The reason the other teams weren't present at the meetings is because the other teams boycotted that as well... it's a political power struggle. You can't place the blame for any of this on the FIA because it's always the GPWC teams who make the decision to isolate themselves, NOT the FIA and NOT Ferrari.

Ferrari have no need to rock the boat they are on, because they are successful. This apparently doesn't apply to the rest.

I didn't say the FIA wanted Ferrari to win - I said they could keep them in with a chance of winning to make it interesting. I certainly haven't suggested Ferrari are giving back handers to the FIA - don't know where you got that idea from!!!

And I completely understand the reasons for the other teams not to be at the meeting, as I said in my post.

It's not always the GPWC either - Ferrari signing a new Concorde agreement by themselves, with special terms 'because they are Ferrari', was one of the contributing factors to this split in the first place.

I think the simple fact is, which you seem to agree too, is that there is a very definite split which exists and that the FIA and Ferrari are within the same group. I'm not wanting to discuss the reasons for this split, but merely acknowledging the fact that it exists could have some influence over the FIA, intentional or not. Ferrari are friendly towards them, the other teams are not. Do you seriously think this has no influence whatsoever???

[Darwock]

Not with regards to an infraction of the rules which does not concern Ferrari in the slightest.

[Morcerf]

Not with regards to an infraction of the rules which does not concern Ferrari in the slightest.

Surely it does concern Ferrari, if the rival teams were to get points deducted??

Anyway - this all seems rather pointless now since it seems Max has no intention of docking points, which is without doubt a good move. Fines are definitely the way to go, although it appears the Michelin teams are still not happy.

Be interesting to see what press release they put out.

For what its worth, I kinda agree that they were guilty of the 2 charges they have been found guilty of.

[VR46]

Went to goodwood at the weekend.

Highlights are on ITV1 at 1.25pm today after the F1 Qualifying.

[havileck]

*start rant*

Slightly off topic but can Paul Stoddart just STFU !!!! His whining is really gettig to me, only 12 months ago he was saying how good Max Mosely was for rule change tha gave teams like him a better chance in F1. He gets to bend the rules by bringing last years mindari (be it that he had to take it to court), and all i heard him doing is whining and moaning about Max and the FIA.

Now he says if Max does not resign now, he might not race next year ...... i hope Max doesn't resign so Paul will have to keep his word !!!!

He strikes me as someone who is a really sore loser, always ready to say something about Max, the FIA, Ferrari, Bridgetones, the other teams when it is convenient.

Also i dont see how breaking away to the World Championship which he seams to be the whip boy for is going to hel him, he will still be ther poorest and worst team on the track.

Just STFU and race.... badly

*rant over*

[Darwock]

Agreed.

[VR46]

he has got worse, wasn't so bad when he first came into F1, great month for F1, 4 races in 5 weeks

[VR46]

DC has signed for Red Bull for 2006, going to be announced officially later today, pleased for him.

[mid]

Me too, though there were rumours that he was being approached by the new Sauber BMW team.

[VR46]

can see Heidfield going there next year, sure they will have at least one German driver.

[Morcerf]

Agreed - both on being pleased for DC and regarding Heidfeld going to BMW Sauber.

DC - great for him, seeing as last year some were suggesting his time was up and he should quit. Has been great seeing him do well in that team, and I really hope they can do something good next year with the Ferrari engines.

As for Nick, Mario Thiessen is a big fan so would definitely expect him to leave Williams for the BMW team. So who will fill the Williams seat? Reckon Button will still be as keen to go there? I think maybe he should stick with BAR now - at least they are manufacturer backed.

Would be great to see Button/Davidson together at BAR.