Official F1/Motorsport thread

[VR46]

Audi are going to try to win the 2006 LeMans with a diesel car ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/4525132.stm

[Darwock]

Huh, guess they felt they needed a challenge (that the competition aren't providing!)

[Alastair]

In other news:

Audi obviously have far too much money to invest in engine technology.

I bet they've funded the whole jolly by calling it R&D too Good luck to them though, diesels are really coming on now and a true race engine will help the further dev no end I'm sure.

[MartyG]

Smart - well, Le Mans is an endurance race so maybe the 100s of mpgs they'll get out of the engine will stop them coming into the pits as often

[Richard.John]

I wonder if the VW group will ever have a crack at F1. Audi is the perfect brand to do it with, to counter the Beemers and Mercs of this world.

Aside from GM, they are the only major car comp. not involved. (forgetting Ford/Jag for the mo)

[VR46]

Michelin quitting as F1 tyre suppliers after 2006

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4528768.stm

(been getting my money's worth out of my BBC licence fee over last few weeks )

[Darwock]

Their comments make it sound like it was Michelin's decision, but there wouldn't have been a place for them when the regs change anyway. There was no chance of them being chosen over Bridgestone after the Indy fiasco.

[Richard.John]

Yep, and they and the FIA knew it. Bridgestone will be laughing and it may mean a return to slicks, so yay to that!

In other news, Vodafone have moved over to McLaren for '07 in a multi year deal. Ferrari are obviously going Marlboro exclusive then. No doubt, the fastest fag packet in the world.

[VR46]

ALONSO confirmed for McLaren seat in 2007

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4541884.stm

Kimi to Ferrari or Montoya back to USA ???

[Alastair]

Wow - big news and pretty unexpected too. I think that confirms that Kimi has signed for Ferrari in '07 like all the speculation earlier in the season suggested.

[VR46]

Tend to agree with you, and really reckon Schumacher (Michael) is gonna be a force to be recokend with in 2006.

[Alastair]

I think we said that about MSchu at the beginning of this season too though

[Richard.John]

Odd indeed. It confirms that Flav is leaving Renualt as there is no way he will manage them and have his golden boy driving for a major rival. Renualt's future in the sport is now in doubt as Flav and FA must know something we don't, and how about the Schumeister? Is he heading home to Vodafone (McLaren) Mercedes for one final, farewell season?

[Richard.John]

Seems that Fernando didn't tell Flav about his Macca deal. WTF is going on?

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=26764

[Alastair]

This years Dakar claims it's first fatality

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/4595436.stm

Always sad to hear. It does make you wonder why they allow such an obviously dangerous event to carry on every year. Especially when it takes 20 odd minutes for help to arrive at the scene of an accident as in this case.