The 2006 Official F1 thread *SPOILERS INSIDE*

[SeanB]

Race 1 is next weekend... the Bahrain GP.

So its a pretty level playing field this year... new engine, new aero, etc.

My dark horse pick is Honda, JB and RB have looked amazingly fast this winter in testing. Although, Ferrari showed the same kind of speed in 2005 testing and we all know what happened.

SpeedTV schedule:

Fri, Mar 10 6:00AM
Sat, Mar 11 6:00AM
Sun, Mar 12 6:00AM

[Davis K Powers]

I'm really pulling for Kimi this year. Its his time. As long as the car can finish, the finnish will win. I'll be wearing my viking horns while watching the F1 races.

[Random_WRX]

GO Scott Speed i know its a long shot but it will feel good to be able to pull for an American. I hope he can earn a few points this year maybe a podium or 2 i would be pleased.

[SentraWV]

it will feel good to be able to pull for an American

Indeed! Hell, between Speed and the upcoming World Cup, I'm almost tempted to buy an American flag to put in the yard. :P


I hope he can earn a few points this year maybe a podium or 2 i would be pleased.

If he makes a podium this year, it will only be if something like Indy happens again (or maybe a crash-filled race in the rain). I just don't think the Toro Rosso car is up to running near the top. A few points (and regularly outrunning his teammate) would be great.

NP: Genesis, From Genesis to Revelation

[SeanB]

The Ferrari motor has been having troubles, so it doesn't look too bright for Torro Rosso and Scuderia Ferrari.

[SentraWV]

Except that Toro Rosso has the old Ferrari V-10, not the V-8.

NP: Genesis, Trespass

[SeanB]

Except that Toro Rosso has the old Ferrari V-10, not the V-8.

NP: Genesis, Trespass

I thought everyone "had" to use V8s this year? Or are they going to allow detuned V10s if you can't source a V8 in time.

[ShortysTRM]

I think the old v10's are regulated to a slightly lower redline.

[SeanB]

MS just equalled Senna's pole record. :)

Starting Grid:

M Schumacher
F Massa
J Button
F Alonso
J Montoya
R Barrichello
M Webber
C Klien
G Fisichella
N Heidfeld
J Villeneuve
N Rosberg
D Coulthard
J Trulli
V Liuzzi
S Speed
R Schumacher
C Albers
T Monterio
T Sato
Y Ide
K Raikkonen

Poor Kimi... looks like suspension failure again.

[Random_WRX]

can you say welcome back ferrari

[Random_WRX]

Did anyone watch qualifing this morning and how did the new "knock out" qualifing system go?

[SeanB]

Knockout system seems pretty cool.

First 15 min session slowest 6 cars get eliminated. Unless you have a major problem (like Kimi today) its generally going to be the slow cars. Any fuel load is permitted for the cars.

Second 15 minute session you elimate the 6 slowest from the remaining 16 cars. Again, unless you really have a major problem the fast guys will prevail to the next round. Any fuel load is permitted for the cars.

The last session is 20 minutes long, you have the 10 fastest cars battling it out. You have to run the session with whatever fuel you want to start the race with. (So if you decide to start the race with 20 gallons, and you burn through 10 gallons in this session you get to refuel back upto 20 gallons before the start.) Since there are only 10 cars, you really get some clever strategies going on. Like today they had guys running all out burning fuel before pitting for fresh tires to run a hot lap or two.

Its kinda like the old one hour session qualifying format, but with elimination rounds you allow less traffic and a better chance for the real fast guys to set good times.

Of course Bernie will probably change this format 4 races from now. :(

[Random_WRX]

so the allready fast guys get more time on the track to sort out there already fast race cars

[SeanB]

I guess you could say that...

I mean you could give Aguri, Toyota, Midland, etc months and months and they will still be slow.

[Random_WRX]

true but they also don't have the payroll that the big three Ferrari, MaClearn, or Renult

[Davis K Powers]

I was suprisingly pleased with the qualifying.
Yes, it is a confusing system but is definately good for the fans and TV. (and of course advertisers)

Is Ferrari back? I think its too hard to tell right now. Team tactics (which they are the best at) caught out McLaren and Renault.

Cars sound terrific thou nothing matches the V-12's in the 90's.

Scott Speed might get a top 10 finish due to his "underpowered" car. Anyone need a sandbag?, Torro Rosso got a couple big ones.

Should be an interesting race.
I think MS will screw up somewhere and Massa will be fighting Button for a win.

[SeanB]

Neener neener you were wrong Davis... it was Massa who screwed up. :P

Nice podium... certainly do agree the top players of 06 are Renault, Honda, McLaren, Ferrari.

Oh btw... Toyota has one of the top budgets and they are still slow.

[Davis K Powers]

Neener neener you were wrong Davis... it was Massa who screwed up. :P

Nice podium... certainly do agree the top players of 06 are Renault, Honda, McLaren, Ferrari.

Oh btw... Toyota has one of the top budgets and they are still slow.

Dangit., heh

Should be a great year with Ferrari showing some promise. First time in awhile that there may be 4 teams with a pretty good chance in top podiums.

While there was talk about S.Speed in beginning, I wish they talked more of him during race. (unfort that they use F1 world feed)

yota needs help.

I'd love to see a Massa and Nico battle.

[SeanB]

Malaysian GP this weekend.

SpeedTV coverage:

Fri, Mar 17 1:00AM
Sat, Mar 18 1:00AM
Sun, Mar 19 1:30AM

[Davis K Powers]

back to back weekends of F1= yea!

Just a reminder to everyone, please do not talk about the results of the F1 race at the AutoX. I (and I know of others here too) record the race and love to see it at home after a long AX day. Thanks!

[SeanB]

Yeah what Davis said...

I heard Takuma Sato is gonna win. :P

[RobbieNelson]

I heard Takuma Sato is gonna win. :P

Nope... Kimi's car doesn't break, he takes the pole and laps the entire field before his first pit-stop. :lol:

[SentraWV]

back to back weekends of F1= yea!

In addition to (most of) the 12 Hours of Sebring on Saturday and both World Challenge races on Sunday. Love that TiVo! :D

NP: Buddy Guy, Damn Right, I've Got the Blues

[SeanB]

Nope... Kimi's car doesn't break, he takes the pole and laps the entire field before his first pit-stop. :lol:

I can totally see that happening.

German press reports that rumors say MS signed up for an extension at Ferrari and his new teammate will be Kimi.

[Random_WRX]

So did anybody see the race this weekend i missed it. rant on[stupid hotel without speed channel\] rant off

[ShortysTRM]

I recorded it on my DVD recorder and I guess I didn't set the timer for long enough and it stopped 3 laps before the finish lol.

[RobbieNelson]

I recorded it on my DVD recorder and I guess I didn't set the timer for long enough and it stopped 3 laps before the finish lol.

Although the "F1 World Feed" was focusing almost solely on the two Ferraris at the end, there were no team-orders. I believe that the finishing order was pretty much as the field sat at 3-to-go.

Poor Kimi. Poor Nico. :(

[SeanB]

I don't like this 1 engine for 2 weekends rule.

Kimi seems to have the worst luck, either stuff breaks or people hit him.

Nico amazes me, points in the first race and qualifying 3rd in the second.

[ShortysTRM]

I believe Nico also set the fastest lap overall at the first race.

Poor Kimi. Poor Nico. Poor Scott.

[Random_WRX]

What happened to Kimi? and how did Speed finish?

[SeanB]

Kimi got taken out by Christian Klien.

Speed retired with clutch problems.

[ShortysTRM]

I'm not positive, but I think that was just a presumption made by the announcers. Klien went out shortly after Kimi, so they assumed it was because he had made contact with Kimi, IIRC.

Speed retired with only like 8 laps to go, or at least that was when the announcer said "Oh, by the way, Scott Speed has retired from the Malaysian Grand Prix."

[Random_WRX]

One last question ferrari finished 3rd and 4th right?

[SeanB]

No the F cars were 5th and 6th.

Button was 3rd
Whine Pablo was 4th
Felipe was 5th
Schumi was 6th

[Random_WRX]

ok so much for ferrari being back

[SeanB]

ok so much for ferrari being back

The F cars started 14th (MS) and 21st (FM) due to engine changes, so I think thats a pretty darned good performance considering MS was stuck in traffic for a bit.

[SentraWV]

Kimi got taken out by Christian Klien.

On the first lap, no less. Some people have no luck.

NP: Bruce Hornsby, Here Come the Noisemakers

[SeanB]

Australian GP this weekend...

SpeedTV Schedule

Thurs, Mar 30 10:00PM
Fri, Mar 31 midnight
Sat, Apr 1 10:30PM

[Random_WRX]

You can follow first round practice on formula1.com registrarion is free

[SeanB]

Yeah I've got f1.com open, surprisingly only 11 cars have been on track to post times and there are only 8 mins left. I am guessing the rest are conserving their motors?

[Random_WRX]

Most of first practice consist of test drivers i used to shake down the car.

[SeanB]

So yeah was this the Martinsville of F1?

Poor Button...

Poor red team. :( :(

[gtfour77]

Can't believe Schumacher did that... :shock:

[SentraWV]

Poor Button...

No kidding. At least now he doesn't have to come up with any excuses for dropping like a stone through the field during the race. :roll: Nice save by Fisi when Jenson done blown up, tho'.

And hey, a point for Scott Speed! :rock:

NP: Speed Touring race from St. Pete (ever see an SRT-4 back into a wall at full throttle? :shock:

[SeanB]

Nope Speed got his point taken away. :(

[SentraWV]

Nope Speed got his point taken away. :(

Well, that sucks. If that was the only pass that happened under yellow, tho' (paging Ralf Schumacher . . .), I'll eat my v710s.

NP: DC United 0 - NYRB 0

[Random_WRX]

Kimi was tops in the first qualifing session :D

[Davis K Powers]

Schuy!!!

Wow, did he screw Alonso in qualifying.

After watching that press conference, Schuy is 100% guilty.

[Random_WRX]

well well see the results of the investigation on the move go kimi

[SeanB]

Back of the grid at Monaco???

Gimme a break... :x :evil: :x :evil:

I won't watch the race.

[Random_WRX]

did anyone hear anything about MS ?

[SeanB]

did anyone hear anything about MS ?

Refer to my post above, MS has been sent to the back of the grid.

Utter bs I tell you... :x

[Random_WRX]

I don't know looked pretty blatent to me

[RobbieNelson]

Utter bs I tell you... :x

I say he was 50% guilty.

Anyone see DC wearing a Superman cape on the podium. ha ha ha... LOL :lol:

[Random_WRX]

its about time for them to get a good result and they where promoting the new superman movie

[SeanB]

While I agree the move seemed deliberate, back of the grid was uncalled for. Didn't Fisi get only 4 positions docked from his original grid position? I can understand what MS did was far worse, but back of the grid just didn't seem fair to me.

[ShortysTRM]

Renault's Mass Damper system has been deemed illegal by the FIA Court of Appeals.

The season's just getting crazier!!

[Davis K Powers]

Renault's Mass Damper system has been deemed illegal by the FIA Court of Appeals.

The season's just getting crazier!!

Hmm. I'm interested to see what their penalty might be.
However, I don't think they will get hit hard since they did remove it when asked. (I could be wrong)

If I'm not mistaken..I think Ferrari had one too, but it looks liike Renault "depended" on it more.

Very interesting

Full story:
http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns17326.html


Davis

[gtfour77]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Wk7epGEpRds

[ShortysTRM]

I don't think they'll be penalized, but it will definitely hurt their performance.

[Davis K Powers]

losing 1/2 per lap fro REnault....ouch!

[SeanB]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Wk7epGEpRds

Hahahahaha...

Thats too funny.

[Davis K Powers]

SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!





The Turkey F1 race was one of the best I've seen for a long time. Watching Schuy pull in Alonso and get so ever close. Massa's first win was wonderful. (reminds me of Barrichello's first win in the Ferrari years back)

If you have a chance to see a repeat, check it out. Excellent stuff.


FYI, Turn 8 at Turkey is a close 2nd to Eau Rouge as my favorite turn. Just awesome.

[ShortysTRM]

I agree, that was an awesome race. I was a little let down when Schuy didn't quite get Alonso, but when I saw how excited Massa was, I couldn't have cared less, and I don't think Schuy could've either. Great battles all the way through the field. My recording had a lot of glitches in it for some reason, but I think it was my DVD recorder and not the live feed.

Great race.

[ShortysTRM]

I used to wonder why everyone hated the FIA so much, but now I can totally see why.

Apparently, within the next year or two (or three?), the FIA will be homologating engines, which, if I understand correctly, means that each engine manufacturer will have to submit a "spec" engine that will be exactly like every engine they will build for the next 5 years. I guess that means they will likely be stuck with the V8's for quite some time.

[SentraWV]

Surprised nobody's mentioned this yet. At the post-race press conference at Monza, Schumi annoounced the he is retiring at the end of the season. Three more races - one more championship?

:?:

[RobbieNelson]

Three more races - one more championship?

:?:

If Alonzo keeps blocking the Ferraris and the Renaults don't use illegal aerodynamic parts.... YES. </scarcasm>

Lately I've been liking F1... less. ....but it's still my favorite.

[SentraWV]

If Alonzo keeps blocking the Ferraris

Have to admit that the whole "Massa getting blocked" thing didn't make much sense. But, if you're gonna blow a motor during the race, it doesn't much matter where you start.

Are the F1 stewards still different for every event (i.e., locals), or do they have a travelling staff of officials who travel with the circus now? I never understood the idea of letting local stewards control the races.

[ShortysTRM]

Yet another crazy day in Formula 1. The tension in the Ferrari pits after the win was almost scary to watch. Jean Todt giving the head of Fiat the cold shoulder, Schumi doing the same, no champagne bottle drop...weird stuff.

Also, Kimi was confirmed for Ferrari until 2009. Doornbos takes Klien's place at Red Bull. Midland was sold to Spyker, the Dutch supercar company, for $90,000,000. Toyota's yearly F1 budget is $800,000,000 :shock: .

[Random_WRX]

Is it to early for a go scott speed in 2007.

Red bull confermed get engines from Renault for one of there teams next year.

[RobbieNelson]

Red bull confermed get engines from Renault for one of there teams next year.

Something tells me it won't be STR. Is DC staying with Red Bull? I would imagine so.?

[Random_WRX]

Red bull confermed get engines from Renault for one of there teams next year.

Something tells me it won't be STR. Is DC staying with Red Bull? I would imagine so.?

DC is staying at RB and i think it will be STR because Ferrari has another year on there contract with RB and won't, as of right now, let RB move those engines to the STR team

[RobbieNelson]

DC is staying at RB and i think it will be STR because Ferrari has another year on there contract with RB and won't, as of right now, let RB move those engines to the STR team

School me a little here. What engines are RB and STR running this year?

RB = Ferrari V10s or V8s?
STR = V10s ...but from what manufacturer?
----serious seperator-----
At what RPM does the V-tec kick in on a Ferrari V8?
When is F1 switching to boxer 4-cylinder engines?
Where can I buy a mass damper to put in my Evo? (PM me so Davis doesn't learn the source)

[SentraWV]

School me a little here. What engines are RB and STR running this year?

RB is running the up-to-date Ferarri V-8s, while STR is running last year's Cosworth V-10s with an air restrictor. The speculation on Speed the other day was that RB probably will be forced to stick with Ferarri next year and so STR will get the Renault V-8s. But, either way, it's a step up for STR.

NP: Zappa, Grand Wazoo

[ShortysTRM]

I just hope they don't drop Scott.

[Davis K Powers]

At what RPM does the V-tec kick in on a Ferrari V8?
About 5,500rpm...the same as when your turbo starts spoolin'


When is F1 switching to boxer 4-cylinder engines?
They won't..the boxer-4 has to much powaaar!!



Where can I buy a mass damper to put in my Evo? (PM me so Davis doesn't learn the source)

I got mine from Alonso. I'm sure he'll want it back after Schuy wins his career ending 8th title. Of course, they'll magically become legal in F-1 next year.
However, if you ask politely, I'll let you use the damper on a fun run in exchange for your collection of Jacque Villeneuve songs.

[Random_WRX]

I just hope they don't drop Scott.

As far as i know Scott is on with STR for 2 more years

[ShortysTRM]

I hope he is.

lol....Jaques Villeneuve songs :lol: ...Sorry Jaques

I didn't know that Renault had a mass damper in the rear of the car, too. They mentioned that during this weekend's coverage.

[ShortysTRM]

Another amazing race this last weekend. It was essentially a battle between Bridgestone and Michelin. Despite starting with what seemed to be the inferior tire for the conditions, and after a somewhat uneventful qualifying session, Schumi won the race. Renault got 2nd and 3rd. Drivers' Championship is now tied, manufacturer's is still pretty close, but I think Renault has the advantage.

[ShortysTRM]

Hey Troy, guess what...

Montoya finished third in his stock car premiere!!! Go JPM!

[SentraWV]

Hey Troy, guess what...

Uh oh, Troy's started to type to himself. :rofl: Come back to us, Troy!


Montoya finished third in his stock car premiere!!! Go JPM!

What did Varsha call him - "ARCA ReMax sensation JPM?" :lol:

I wonder if he knows how to say "done blowd up" yet (he could teach Schu!)?

[ShortysTRM]

Man, that was a sad race. :cry:

[ShortysTRM]

Final 2006 engines will be homologated until the end of the 2010 season and regulated to 19,000 RPM's. Looks like the V8's are here to stay.

The mandatory ECU's will be here in 2008.

Friday practice sessions will move up from one hour to 90 minutes, but there will be no third cars for testing. There is a change in the "2 race weekend" rule on engines to help offset the extra time spent on track.

Supposedly inspired by American racing, they are installing cockpit lights in every car to better inform the driver of red, yellow, or blue flags. Also, they will make any lapped cars caught in mid-pack during a safety car pass all cars, inlcluding the safety car, and proceed around the track until they take up position at the back of the pack.

There will be only 17 races on next year's schedule. That sucks.

EDIT: The full report, with some better explanations and some stuff I didn't mention.
http://www.formula1.com/news/5132.html

[Davis K Powers]

Thanks for the updates Troy.

The last F-1 race of the season in Brazil will be nothing but sadness; seeing one of the finest drivers of all time in his last race.

[RobbieNelson]

seeing one of the finest drivers of all time in his last race....

....loosing the championship. :cry:

[ShortysTRM]

...unless Alonso's car goes kerblammo...or snap...or screech...or crunch...or his tires are deemed unsafe to race...

But yeah, he'll probably lose the championship, although he'll probably win the race.

[ShortysTRM]

Well, Schumi drove an absolutely amazing race, but it wasn't good enough to win the championship.


BTW, according to F1.com, Jean Todt has just been appointed CEO of Ferrari.