isaidno Posted 1 October 2007 Posted 1 October 2007 Fernando Alonso says he would rather not continue alongside Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next year. The Spaniard, set to lose the title to his team-mate, said: "I'd be delighted if I didn't carry on with Hamilton." "If we are not together next season and I can go to a good car, then great. If we have to carry on together then we will have another great battle." Meanwhile, Renault team boss Flavio Briatore has confirmed he has offered Alonso his old job back. "I told Fernando that the moment he is free from McLaren we would be pleased to have him back," said Briatore. Briatore is convinced Alonso would not have quit Renault if he had been aware he would receive the same treatment as a rookie. "If, before signing the contract, they told Fernando, 'Come with us, but you won't have any sort of advantage', he wouldn't have gone," Briatore told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. "If you hire a world champion, then you must give him the number one status." The relationship between the two McLaren drivers deteriorated after Hamilton criticised Alonso last week. Alonso, who was speaking in an interview with Spanish radio station SER, also denied speculation he could take 2008 off, returning to Formula One to drive for Ferrari when his McLaren contract runs out in two years' time. "It hasn't entered into my plans not to race next year," he said. "I don't have any news about Ferrari. They have a contract with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa for next year, it's not a possibility that has entered into my thoughts for the coming year." Hamilton says he would rather Alonso was not still at McLaren next year, even if it meant the double world champion ending up at Ferrari. "I'd much rather it were Fernando at Ferrari and me at McLaren," said Hamilton prior to winning at Fuji Speedway on Sunday. Alonso's relationship with McLaren team boss Ron Dennis has broken down after a series of disagreements during the year. It reached a low point during a row at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August over Alonso's status in the team. Alonso threatened during the row to reveal incriminating e-mail evidence about McLaren's involvement in the spy row that has dominated the sport this summer to the sport's governing body, the FIA. He quickly apologised and withdrew the threat, but not before Dennis had telephoned FIA president Max Mosley to tell him of the conversation. It ultimately led to McLaren being thrown out of this year's constructors' championship and fined £49.2m for having confidential Ferrari technical information in their possession. And Hamilton has turned up the pressure on McLaren to tear up Alonso's contract, which still has two years to run, by saying he sees a long-term future at the team.
isaidno Posted 1 October 2007 Posted 1 October 2007 Schumacher to leave Toyota. Doesn't suprise me at all, outclassed totally by Trulli this season. I think Trulli has out qualified him in 14 out of 15 races
Brainy Posted 1 October 2007 Posted 1 October 2007 Predictions for driver line ups next year: McLaren - Hamilton & Rosberg Ferrari - Massa & Raikkonen BMW - Heidfeld & Kubica Williams - R Schumacher & Sutil Toyota - Trulli & Alonso Red Bull - Coulthard & Webber Honda - Button & Barrichello Spyker - Karthikeyan & Glock Toro Rosso - Bourdais (sp) & Vettel Super Aguri - Davidson & Sato Pro Drive - no idea.
isaidno Posted 1 October 2007 Posted 1 October 2007 My predictions McLaren - Hamilton & Rosberg Ferrari - Massa & Raikkonen BMW - Heidfeld & Kubica Renault - Alonso & Kovalainen Williams - Fisichella & Sutil Toyota - Trulli & Glock Red Bull - Coulthard & Webber Honda - Button & Barrichello Spyker - Karthikeyan & Chandock Toro Rosso - Bourdais (sp) & Vettel Super Aguri - Davidson & Sato Pro Drive - De la Rosa & Paffett
Brainy Posted 1 October 2007 Posted 1 October 2007 Oh damn - if I remembered Renault I would have stuck Fisichella with another team. I'd have stuck him with Williams and take RSC out.
Floating Fox Posted 2 October 2007 Posted 2 October 2007 My predictions - (already contracted in bold) McLaren - Hamilton & Paffet Ferrari - Massa & Raikkonen BMW - Heidfeld & Kubica Renault - Alonso (contracted to Mclaren but he won't stay)& Kovalainen Williams - Rosberg & Ralf schumacher (he's confirmed he's leaving Toyota now!) Toyota - Trulli & Glock Red Bull - Coulthard & Webber Honda - Button & Barrichello Spyker - Sutil No Idea, never can tell with the lower teams. Someone with big sponsers! Are they even going to be spyker next year? Toro Rosso - Bourdais & Vettel Super Aguri - Sato & davidson ProDrive - De la Rosa & Fisichella (Why not, can't think of anyone else!)
Brainy Posted 3 October 2007 Posted 3 October 2007 Also predictions for Sunday... Alonso 4 wins Hamilton 4 wins Raikkonen 4 wins Massa 3 wins Only one winner here then.
Stuliasz Posted 4 October 2007 Posted 4 October 2007 HAMILTON'S JAPAN POINTS IN JEOPARDY!!! From BBC Sport: Hamilton faces Japan win inquiry Formula One officials are investigating Lewis Hamilton's victory in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix following complaints about erratic driving. Red Bull's Mark Webber has accused the Englishman of doing a "bad job" while following the safety car in the race. The Australian was knocked out of the race by Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel while they were following Hamilton. Hamilton's win at Fuji gave him a 12-point lead and put him on the verge of winning the world championship. If he is found guilty of dangerous driving, he could have his points from the Japanese race erased. Webber almost overtook Hamilton on lap 45 as the McLaren driver slowed and moved to the right while following the safety car before an unsighted Vettel hit him. The Red Bull driver said: "Hamilton did a bad job behind the safety car. "He was not doing what he should have been doing, the rhythm was not there."
oundlefox Posted 4 October 2007 Posted 4 October 2007 This has all come out over a video shot from the crowd of Hamilton brake checking the guys behind him. A mate told me it looks well dodgy as he slowed right down and then Webber slammed into the back of another guy. Hamilton moans like shit when somebody does summat dodgy on him, but he's not averse to giving as good as he gets. That's why I like the bloke and I hope he stuffs it up Alonso. Vid on Youtube apparently.
Manwell Pablo Posted 4 October 2007 Posted 4 October 2007 "I think he did a shit job behind the Safety Car. He did a shit job and that's it. Mark Webber, Aussie C***
Tommy G Posted 4 October 2007 Posted 4 October 2007 any ideas what time qualifying on sat/the race is on sunday?
Manwell Pablo Posted 4 October 2007 Posted 4 October 2007 any ideas what time qualifying on sat/the race is on sunday? similar times to last week I think but it's a bit earlier I would think with it being in China. Smack bang in the middle of the night for both I should imagine.
Wycombe Fox Posted 4 October 2007 Posted 4 October 2007 any ideas what time qualifying on sat/the race is on sunday? Friday Practice 1 3.00am Friday Practice 2 7.00am Saturday Practice 4.00am Saturday Qualifying 7.00am Sunday Race 7.00am
isaidno Posted 4 October 2007 Posted 4 October 2007 Chinese Grand Prix on ITV Live qualifying Saturday 6 October 0630-0820 ITV3 Qualifying re-run Saturday 6 October 1140-1310 ITV1 Live race Sunday 7 October 0600-0905 ITV1 Race re-run Sunday 7 October 1130-1330 ITV1 Highlights Sunday 7 October 2345-0045 ITV1 Highlights re-run Monday 8 October 1800-1900 ITV4
Brainy Posted 4 October 2007 Posted 4 October 2007 An our longer in bed, i'll be up to watch this one too. Don't think anything will happen to Hamilton really. You could probably say Webber should have been more aware, but I guess thats just being biased. The final two races are at tracks Hamilton has never races at before. Hamilton had never raced at Montreal, Indianapolis and Fuji - he won all those races. He also finished on the podium at Melbourne, another track he had never raced at before and as far as I know a podium is all he needs to win the title.
The Stig Posted 4 October 2007 Posted 4 October 2007 I knew Lewis having a 12 point lead was too good to be true
isaidno Posted 4 October 2007 Posted 4 October 2007 An our longer in bed, i'll be up to watch this one too.Don't think anything will happen to Hamilton really. You could probably say Webber should have been more aware, but I guess thats just being biased. The final two races are at tracks Hamilton has never races at before. Hamilton had never raced at Montreal, Indianapolis and Fuji - he won all those races. He also finished on the podium at Melbourne, another track he had never raced at before and as far as I know a podium is all he needs to win the title. Alonso need to out score Hamilton by at least 2 points to keep the title fight going. If Ferrari finish 1-2 with Alonso 3rd & Hamilton 4th, lewis takes the titlle Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 107 Fernando Alonso McLaren-Mercedes 95 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 90 Felipe Massa Ferrari 80
Brainy Posted 4 October 2007 Posted 4 October 2007 Cloudy for Saturday qualifying Thundery showers for race day.
isaidno Posted 5 October 2007 Posted 5 October 2007 Free practice 2 Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:36.607 31 2. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.613 + 0.006 28 3. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:36.630 + 0.023 29 4. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.876 + 0.269 33 5. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:37.151 + 0.544 36 6. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:37.450 + 0.843 34 7. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:37.524 + 0.917 32 8. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:37.617 + 1.010 27 9. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:37.646 + 1.039 36 10. Fisichella Renault (B) 1:37.970 + 1.363 32 11. Kovalainen Renault (B) 1:38.062 + 1.455 21 12. Button Honda (B) 1:38.205 + 1.598 41 13. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:38.304 + 1.697 40 14. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:38.379 + 1.772 39 15. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:38.388 + 1.781 16 16. Wurz Williams-Toyota (B) 1:38.531 + 1.924 32 17. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:38.975 + 2.368 38 18. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:39.065 + 2.458 36 19. Sutil Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:39.224 + 2.617 37 20. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:39.360 + 2.753 37 21. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:39.404 + 2.797 34 22. Yamamoto Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:40.051 + 3.444 38
isaidno Posted 5 October 2007 Posted 5 October 2007 Lewis Hamilton, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel are meeting the race stewards at the Chinese Grand Prix to discuss the Fuji safety car controversy.As autosport.com revealed yesterday, the FIA has begun looking into whether or not Hamilton broke the rules by accelerating and decelerating too much behind the safety car at Fuji - and in doing so caused the crash between Vettel and Webber. The fresh investigation was sparked after Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost brought to light a Youtube video of the incident that shows Hamilton slowing down off the racing line as the cars lap behind the safety car. And with the stewards now meeting with the drivers to discuss the matter, Renault's Heikki Kovalainen has joined the criticisms of Hamilton's driving. Speaking to reporters in Shanghai he said he believes Hamilton had not acted correctly in the way he was driving in Japan. "I don't know what they are going to do," he said about the stewards hearing. "I haven't got any more to say about the situation; I don't want to get involved too much. "Obviously it looks like he has done something that was, I think, not acceptable. Webber has been quite outspoken about it, and all I have to say is that when I was behind Hamilton, he was also doing a little bit of accelerating and slowing down, and that moment I didn't inform my team about anything because I didn't think it was anything too dangerous, and I was able to cope with it." Kovalainen is at the centre of fresh intrigue about what was going on behind the safety car, amid reports that Renault advised him to stay well back of Hamilton on advice from FIA race director Charlie Whiting. When asked about why that happened, Kovalainen said: "Honestly, you would need to ask Charlie [Whiting] from the FIA. I don't know why. "I was surprised to hear from my team that I had a warning from the FIA to not get too close to Lewis. I was surprised, because I didn't feel I was causing any danger to anyone. "Of course when the restart is about to happen I am going to be there every time because I want to try to make a move as soon as I can, and I was trying to be as close as possible to him. But I don't know why no-one said anything to Lewis."
Ultra Posted 5 October 2007 Posted 5 October 2007 Hamilton cleared after Japan row Lewis Hamilton will not be punished for alleged erratic driving behind the safety car in the Japanese Grand Prix. The 22-year-old had been thought to be under investigation and at risk of losing the 10 points for race victory. But the FIA has ruled Hamilton will not be penalised following an accident where Sebastian Vettel crashed into Mark Webber in Fuji last weekend. And Vettel has had a 10-place penalty on the starting grid for Sunday's Chinese GP replaced with a reprimand. Earlier on Friday, Hamilton had expressed his disillusionment over the whole saga, which erupted after Webber accused him of doing a "bad job" behind the safety car in the appalling, wet conditions. Red Bull driver Webber was knocked out of the race by Toro Rosso's Vettel when they were following Hamilton and the Australian believes Hamilton braked excessively behind the safety car on lap 45. Hamilton said: "If I've been in the wrong, I've been the first to put my hand up, or apologise at least. "And I don't mind being given a penalty but there's been some real strange situations this year where I'm made to look the bad person. "If this is the way it's going to keep going it's not somewhere I want to be." Hamilton, whose sensational performances have given him a 12-point lead over McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso going into the final two races of the Briton's debut season, believes he is being victimised. "I had a good weekend, I didn't put a foot wrong," he added. "I didn't do anything to put anyone else in danger. "I just think it's a real shame for the sport. Formula One is supposed to be about hard, fair competition. "That's what I've tried to do this year, just be fair." On Thursday, Red Bull's Webber criticised Hamilton but he claimed on Friday he had "at no time made an official complaint about anyone's driving." And BBC 5live commentator David Croft, who is in Shanghai for this weekend's race, had questioned the accuracy of reports that an investigation into Hamilton's driving was ongoing. He said: "We're now being told it's not really an investigation but that the three drivers have been called in to see the stewards. "It's where the story of the investigation are being spun from. We've never been categorically told by the stewards that they are investigating what happened. "Lewis should be completely in the clear but why was that story put around that there would be an investigation? "Is that trying to destabilise a man that has come here to win a world title?" From BBC Sport
Wycombe Fox Posted 5 October 2007 Posted 5 October 2007 http://www.planet-f1.com:80/story/0,18954,...2781366,00.html `Alonso has told Spanish press that McLaren are sabotaging his car` Friday 5th October 2007 Fernando Alonso has allegedly briefed Spanish reporters that McLaren are deliberately sabotaging his car. While it is public knowledge that Alonso feels aggrieved at the team's refusal to install him as their number one driver, the Spaniard hasn't gone so far as to claim that team-mate and World Championship leader Lewis Hamilton has received preferential treatment. However, in a deeply unpleasant exchange during Friday's press conference, Alonso pointedly refused to denounce the allegation. Asked specifically whether 'you think you have been treated in a fair way by the team or could maybe the team favour Lewis by making subtle changes to your car, like tyre pressures or wing settings?', Alonso merely replied: "Difficult question... I will not answer." According to Times correspondent Edward Gorman, present at the press conference, Alonso 'paused for emphasis' and 'gave the clear impression that he believes the team are doctoring his race car to ensure that Hamilton wins the title.' 'No one who heard him could be in any doubt what his intended meaning was and indeed Spanish journalists close to Alonso said he has been saying as much privately for some time.'
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