F1RWRS -- 2015 Season - ROTY voting!!!

[Shizuka]

In other news on my never-ending quest to get Revolution a title sponsor, the Japanese squad are allegedly on the verge of signing a one-year title sponsorship deal with Australian rock band AC/DC as they prepare for a world tour, which will include headlining both Slane Castle and Glastonbury during 2016.

We're not worthy of any sponsorship yet.

[dr-baker]

If HRT get really needy (i.e. we miss both Cameron and Schiller), we'd gladly hire Douglas Mann for next season. If we start to implode, then maybe Shioya might be targeted

Douglas will find this offer seriously tempting, if he somehow loses his Foxdale seat to Ben Fleet (but he reckons he has inside knowledge that suggests that it may actually be safe...).

[MinardiFan95]

Cameron to step up to F1RWRS with Simpson?

Some of the latest rumours in the paddock have suggested that Michael Cameron has been offered a seat at Simpson Motorsports' F1RWRS team, replacing Mitchell Mackiin, who is off to Prospec, which is coincidentally owned by Michael's father, 2010 champion Gary Cameron. No word on who will replace F1RWRS retiree Prince Saeed Al Faisal yet, though Du Lei, Jean-Luc Schiller, Jesus Plaza, Hansuke Shioya and team boss Dave Simpson are reportedly under consideration.

[AndreaModa]

An update on statistics following the Chinese GP:

James Davies and David Koczo have now reached 80 entries, the second-highest amount after the 86 currently held by Lon, Douglas Mann and De Bock, the only three remaining drivers to have entered every single F1RWRS race in history. Ashley Watkinson will also reach 80 at the next race.

Rhys Davies had a fine weekend to remember in Macau, not only did he take pole, fastest lap and the race win to become only the fifth driver to achieve that feat, but he also did it on his 60th race entry. Daniel Martins also reached 60 entries there too. His fastest lap ensures he is now tied with Nathanael Spencer in second place for most career pole positions, with 8, and with his 10 points for victory he moves into the top ten all-time points scorers, now on a total of 131.

Thomas De Bock started his 80th F1RWRS race at the Guia Circuit, the current record, whilst Douglas Mann, one behind, will start his 80th race if he qualifies in Japan.

Nicholas Steele started his 50th race in Macau, and with his 6th career podium having finished in second place, is now comfortably the driver with the most podiums without a race win. Behind him in 3rd place in the race was Daniel Martins, whose fourth podium means he is now tied with Barii Mori in second overall for most podiums without a win.

James Davies and Hagane Shizuka, should they qualify in Japan, will start their 50th races there.

Only Phillippe Nicholas and Mark Dagnall have now won more races in a season than Rhys Davies. Following his Chinese GP win, he is tied with Dave Simpson in fourth place for the greatest number of wins in a season with 4. Dagnall's record of 7 from 2013 is guaranteed to remain for another year, though Mark himself could match it if he wins the final two races of the year. So far he's won five races in 2015.

Bari Morii continues to rack up the race finishes without winning, he's now up to 65. If the rumours prove correct that he does retire after 2015, then he's running out of races to loose this unwanted record, which, even after retirement, looks set to stand for a long while yet. His closest challenger is Daniel Martins on 52 starts without a win, almost a full season of races behind!

As for the teams:

Jones move ahead of Prospec into outright second place in total race starts, with 73 after Prospec failed to qualify in Macau, leaving them on 72. Kamaha remain far ahead though on a seemingly unbeatable 84.

Jones' victory puts them joint third in overall wins with Gillet and Prospec with 8 in total, whilst the battle for top spot in overall podiums remains very tight, with DGN just ahead of Jones, 29 to 28.

[Aerond]

I'm without internet at home! Will post the Macau results, pics and everything when it's back. Hope I have it for the weekend in order to host the next race

[Warren Hughes]

Cameron to step up to F1RWRS with Simpson?

Some of the latest rumours in the paddock have suggested that Michael Cameron has been offered a seat at Simpson Motorsports' F1RWRS team, replacing Mitchell Mackiin, who is off to Prospec, which is coincidentally owned by Michael's father, 2010 champion Gary Cameron. No word on who will replace F1RWRS retiree Prince Saeed Al Faisal yet, though Du Lei, Jean-Luc Schiller, Jesus Plaza, Hansuke Shioya and team boss Dave Simpson are reportedly under consideration.

Michael Cameron will sign for Simpson. Let's get this clear right now though - he's Gary's brother, not his son.

[SuperAguri]

Jesus Plaza to get Brazilian race seat at Kamaha
Kamaha have given Jesus Plaza race seat at the Brazilian GP in place of the impressive Du Lei, Barii Mori said "We want to thank Jesus Plaza for all his hard work this year and we feel a race would be a nice reward. Du Lei is a great driver but we were contracted to use her in our signing of Tomo Kazama. However we feel that Jesus Plaza has talent and will be signed for next season.

Shinji Zanmai to be Kamaha principal for 2016
Barii Mori is to step down as team principle as he tries to find a race seat outside of the Kamaha team, he will still own the team but he will not be involved with the day to day running. He will announce his ex Formula Nippon race engineer and ex Sunshine team principal as the new principal of Kamaha at the end of the season.

Barii Mori has been in contact with Kingfisher, HRT and Gauthier to find a race seat. HRT have laughed Mori off but Kingfisher and Gauthier are having talks with Mori.

[Aerond]

I didn't get my connection back for the weekend so no F1RWRS this weekend too

I could go back and do just text comments (got a 3G USB Device as a temporal fix) but my guess is you prefer to wait and get a full broadcast.

[RonDenisDeletraz]

I'm ok with just text comments

[DemocalypseNow]

I didn't get my connection back for the weekend so no F1RWRS this weekend too

I could go back and do just text comments (got a 3G USB Device as a temporal fix) but my guess is you prefer to wait and get a full broadcast.

This reminds me. My living situation has changed. It's no longer practical for me to broadcast the races live myself. Which means, I won't be doing any more broadcasting until next season, presuming that next season will begin in April (there's usually about a month gap between seasons right?)

So Aerond, you will either have to do the broadcast production yourself or find someone else to do it! Whoever picks up the reins, I have the F1RWRS channel bug and driver graphic overlays I can send over for use on Manycam. But I think when the circumstances are right again, which will hopefully be right at the start of April, I'd like to return again. Even if I felt quite terrible at it

[Salamander]

I didn't get my connection back for the weekend so no F1RWRS this weekend too

I could go back and do just text comments (got a 3G USB Device as a temporal fix) but my guess is you prefer to wait and get a full broadcast.

This reminds me. My living situation has changed. It's no longer practical for me to broadcast the races live myself. Which means, I won't be doing any more broadcasting until next season, presuming that next season will begin in April (there's usually about a month gap between seasons right?)

So Aerond, you will either have to do the broadcast production yourself or find someone else to do it! Whoever picks up the reins, I have the F1RWRS channel bug and driver graphic overlays I can send over for use on Manycam. But I think when the circumstances are right again, which will hopefully be right at the start of April, I'd like to return again. Even if I felt quite terrible at it

I thought you did a pretty good job, actually. Though it might be better if you had a co-commentator as opposed to doing it solo.

[pasta_maldonado]

I didn't get my connection back for the weekend so no F1RWRS this weekend too

I could go back and do just text comments (got a 3G USB Device as a temporal fix) but my guess is you prefer to wait and get a full broadcast.

This reminds me. My living situation has changed. It's no longer practical for me to broadcast the races live myself. Which means, I won't be doing any more broadcasting until next season, presuming that next season will begin in April (there's usually about a month gap between seasons right?)

So Aerond, you will either have to do the broadcast production yourself or find someone else to do it! Whoever picks up the reins, I have the F1RWRS channel bug and driver graphic overlays I can send over for use on Manycam. But I think when the circumstances are right again, which will hopefully be right at the start of April, I'd like to return again. Even if I felt quite terrible at it

I thought you did a pretty good job, actually. Though it might be better if you had a co-commentator as opposed to doing it solo.

It's a shame I missed the race - I was really looking forward to hear some commentary. Ah well, next year [F1RWRS timeline] is already set to be a cracker and this'll just add to it.

[Aerond]

Well, if somebody else is up to do the commentary; just send me an email

[Aerond]

Well, results up in Page 59. No text this time, but a whole load of pictures instead. If somebody else wants to do the race review, send it to me and I'll gladly post it.

[Aerospeed]

It was quite good for us to get the podium today. There was a lot of good work put into the car this weekend, and as a result we were able to score this fantastic result. I should think that a team should enlist in my services for 2016.

[RonDenisDeletraz]

Am I the only one that thinks Mignolet has Fisichellitis? He was fast at Phoenix and even better for Acuri but was quite deadbeat at DGN. So as long as Alitalia doesn't get dramatically better he will likely do a great job

[FMecha]

Am I the only one that thinks Mignolet has Fisichellitis? He was fast at Phoenix and even better for Acuri but was quite deadbeat at DGN. So as long as Alitalia doesn't get dramatically better he will likely do a great job

DGN hired Mignolet merely for the money so Mark Dagnall can win.

Meanwhile, rumors are that Sunshine, Revolution, and Autodynamics are all linked to a Mercedes-Benz engine deal, as reported by J.O.U.R.N.A.L.

[TomWazzleshaw]

Am I the only one that thinks Mignolet has Fisichellitis? He was fast at Phoenix and even better for Acuri but was quite deadbeat at DGN. So as long as Alitalia doesn't get dramatically better he will likely do a great job

DGN hired Mignolet merely for the money so Mark Dagnall can win.

Still doesn't change the fact that Mignolet's easily one of the best paydrivers out there. And I think Eurobrun's actually onto something with this because for all intents and purposes, Mignolet was nowhere near Dagnall pretty much the entire time he was at the team.

[AndreaModa]

Double post. Apologies all!

[AndreaModa]

Well, results up in Page 59. No text this time, but a whole load of pictures instead. If somebody else wants to do the race review, send it to me and I'll gladly post it.

Just wrote something up Aerond, I'll email it to you now!

Am I the only one that thinks Mignolet has Fisichellitis? He was fast at Phoenix and even better for Acuri but was quite deadbeat at DGN. So as long as Alitalia doesn't get dramatically better he will likely do a great job

DGN hired Mignolet merely for the money so Mark Dagnall can win.

Still doesn't change the fact that Mignolet's easily one of the best paydrivers out there. And I think Eurobrun's actually onto something with this because for all intents and purposes, Mignolet was nowhere near Dagnall pretty much the entire time he was at the team.

Apart from the two pole positions and third place finish in the first two races.

He just suffered the majority of the DGN retirements when Dagnall was winning, once that stopped, the two were pretty equal - i.e. both retiring constantly!

[TomWazzleshaw]

DGN hired Mignolet merely for the money so Mark Dagnall can win.

Still doesn't change the fact that Mignolet's easily one of the best paydrivers out there. And I think Eurobrun's actually onto something with this because for all intents and purposes, Mignolet was nowhere near Dagnall pretty much the entire time he was at the team.

Apart from the two pole positions and third place finish in the first two races.

He just suffered the majority of the DGN retirements when Dagnall was winning, once that stopped, the two were pretty equal - i.e. both retiring constantly!

And even then, he was demolished by Dagnall in that race

[Nessafox]

I'm note sure if you're intending to defend my driver, or just try to prove Dagnall isn't that good after all...

Well obviously he's not a world-beater, but he can get some good results now and then, and is a good qualifier, so perfect for midfield teams, which proves Eurobruns point exactly.

[the Masked Lapwing]

Does anyone mind if I do a bit of a retcon and change the constructor name of GRM to ZimSport? Mostly because the GRM GRM-001 is a stupid name.

[DemocalypseNow]

Does anyone mind if I do a bit of a retcon and change the constructor name of GRM to ZimSport? Mostly because the GRM GRM-001 is a stupid name.

Well, if you mean mid-season, then yes, I do, because I wasn't allowed to do this when I purchased Trueba. You will have to wait until 2016.

[the Masked Lapwing]

Does anyone mind if I do a bit of a retcon and change the constructor name of GRM to ZimSport? Mostly because the GRM GRM-001 is a stupid name.

Well, if you mean mid-season, then yes, I do, because I wasn't allowed to do this when I purchased Trueba. You will have to wait until 2016.

You've missed the bit where GRM don't race anymore

[AndreaModa]

Does anyone mind if I do a bit of a retcon and change the constructor name of GRM to ZimSport? Mostly because the GRM GRM-001 is a stupid name.

Well, if you mean mid-season, then yes, I do, because I wasn't allowed to do this when I purchased Trueba. You will have to wait until 2016.

You've missed the bit where GRM don't race anymore

No problem as far as I can see. The GRM and ZimSport stats can easily be combined as they didn't race at the same time, I'll sort that out on the main teams stats page in a bit. I guess you would keep separate GRM and ZimSport pages though as each has their own history and are effectively separate teams. So on the team/drivers tables on each season page you'd have the team name linked to the GRM page, and the constructor linked to the ZimSport page. A bit like what I'm doing by separating the Jones Racing Group and it's individual teams.

[AndreaModa]

This has reminded me of another issue I've been meaning to resolve recently related to the Mitie/Kingfisher team run by AdrianSutil.

According to the wiki, in 2014, with the team called Mitie Aviation Racing, the chassis was the Mitie MA-01, therefore implying that the constructor's name was Mitie. This year (2015) the team was renamed as Kingfisher Racing, and the new chassis was the Kingfisher KR-002. So my problem here is that it is obviously the same team, same organisation and everything, but the constructors names have changed. So in order to maintain consistency in line with other teams (especially in light of GRM's chassis being retconned as ZimSports) ideally we need a single constructor name in order for the team to keep their stats from both years, otherwise they'll be separated as Mitie and Kingfisher in the table here: http://f1alternate.shoutwiki.com/wiki/List_of_Formula_1_Rejects_World_Race_Series_Constructors.

So for example, for the sake of argument the constructor could be Alexander, after the team's owner, so the team's name remains as Mitie in 2014 and Kingfisher in 2015, but the chassis would be the Alexander MA-01 and Alexander KR-002 respectively. I know this is being nitpicky and splitting hairs somewhat, but it makes sense to keep the stats for the team together, at least in my eyes.

So AdrianSutil, if you'll forgive me for my burst of OCD, I'd be grateful if you could state whether you intend to keep the separate Mitie and Kingfisher constructor names, in which case the stats will be separated, or whether you'd like to retcon a single constructor name for the team, which will keep the 2014 and 2015 stats together and give the team a single page on the wiki. Cheers mate!

Also for any other team owners reading this, please bear in mind this issue, especially if you intend on naming your team after a sponsor, and using that as the chassis name too. If you want the stats of your team to remain together, keep in mind a consistent team name that the chassis can be called. Your team can go from "Martini Racing" to "John Player Team" in the space of two years, but the constructor should remain constant, as in this example, it would be Lotus.

[DemocalypseNow]

This has reminded me of another issue I've been meaning to resolve recently related to the Mitie/Kingfisher team run by AdrianSutil.

According to the wiki, in 2014, with the team called Mitie Aviation Racing, the chassis was the Mitie MA-01, therefore implying that the constructor's name was Mitie. This year (2015) the team was renamed as Kingfisher Racing, and the new chassis was the Kingfisher KR-002. So my problem here is that it is obviously the same team, same organisation and everything, but the constructors names have changed. So in order to maintain consistency in line with other teams (especially in light of GRM's chassis being retconned as ZimSports) ideally we need a single constructor name in order for the team to keep their stats from both years, otherwise they'll be separated as Mitie and Kingfisher in the table here: http://f1alternate.shoutwiki.com/wiki/List_of_Formula_1_Rejects_World_Race_Series_Constructors.

So for example, for the sake of argument the constructor could be Alexander, after the team's owner, so the team's name remains as Mitie in 2014 and Kingfisher in 2015, but the chassis would be the Alexander MA-01 and Alexander KR-002 respectively. I know this is being nitpicky and splitting hairs somewhat, but it makes sense to keep the stats for the team together, at least in my eyes.

So AdrianSutil, if you'll forgive me for my burst of OCD, I'd be grateful if you could state whether you intend to keep the separate Mitie and Kingfisher constructor names, in which case the stats will be separated, or whether you'd like to retcon a single constructor name for the team, which will keep the 2014 and 2015 stats together and give the team a single page on the wiki. Cheers mate!

Also for any other team owners reading this, please bear in mind this issue, especially if you intend on naming your team after a sponsor, and using that as the chassis name too. If you want the stats of your team to remain together, keep in mind a consistent team name that the chassis can be called. Your team can go from "Martini Racing" to "John Player Team" in the space of two years, but the constructor should remain constant, as in this example, it would be Lotus.

I don't know what mine currently stands as, but it should be Il Barone Rampante in that case. The question is, what happens to the 2014 stats? Do we split them down the middle between Trueba and IBR? Do they all go to Trueba? Do I inherit the Trueba stats from the past? It's quite confusing, because unlike other teams, I didn't take an entry from a closed down team. I took the whole team as a going concern. Trueba didn't cease to exist.

[AndreaModa]

Yes this was a problem at the time. Currently according to the wiki, the stats for the Trueba entity ended after the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix, which is currently where Alitalia (as they are currently listed, but I'll switch it to IBR momentarily) start. On the entry list on the 2014 season page the constructor, once Trueba was bought, was listed as "Trueba Alitalia" as if you remember Aerond specified that you needed to keep the Trueba name to be in line for the full season's worth of TV money, etc.

To me, Trueba Alitalia is far too cumbersome, so what I propose is that as the car used during 2014 always originated as a Trueba, then as a constructor, Trueba ceased to exist once the 2014 season was finished. The team itself switched to Scuderia Trueba Alitalia, in order to satisfy Aerond's criteria but if we keep the chassis name as Trueba for the whole of 2014, then as that requirement is fulfilled, the team name can be retconned to just Scuderia Alitalia if you want.

Then, IBR, building a chassis for the first time, debuts in 2015. So Alitalia's stats accrued during the 2014 be passed to Trueba, and the first race for IBR (currently Alitalia) altered to the 2015 Tasman GP instead of the current 2014 French GP.

I appreciate that this is all bloody confusing at times, but by getting it sorted now we'll save ourselves hassle in the future!

[AdrianSutil]

Hmm, I didn't think a constructors name would be a problem. I just wanted to change the chassis from MA to KR and keep the number continued for the second year. I want to keep the results for both teams together as its obviously the same team, just the name and financial backers have changed. I don't know what constructor name to have really, I don't like Alexander to be it.

[AndreaModa]

Hmm, I didn't think a constructors name would be a problem. I just wanted to change the chassis from MA to KR and keep the number continued for the second year. I want to keep the results for both teams together as its obviously the same team, just the name and financial backers have changed. I don't know what constructor name to have really, I don't like Alexander to be it.

That's cool, I just came up with that on the hoof as an example!

There's no rush with it anyway, give it some thought and make an announcement either way once you're ready.

[RonDenisDeletraz]

I support what TMLW wants to do on the basis that I can say that RBWRT were never Austalian and were British all along. I think it's more realistic

[dr-baker]

In the written parts, it's clear that the sister teams MAN and AMR merged into Foxdale. Is it fine to leave them seperate, or do they need to merge? I am not bothered either way...

[AndreaModa]

In the written parts, it's clear that the sister teams MAN and AMR merged into Foxdale. Is it fine to leave them seperate, or do they need to merge? I am not bothered either way...

No, they were separate teams that existed at the same time and have their own stats accordingly. Foxdale is another separate entity which began in 2013 so there's no conflict there.

The problem we have at the moment is comparable to Virgin/Marussia and Lotus/Caterham in F1 at the moment. Both are for all intents and purposes the same teams despite their name changes, but because of those name changes they have been classified as separate constructors. In the case of AdrianSutil, he has the option of keeping his team in a similar situation, as the constructor Mitie in 2014 and Kingfisher in 2015, or ret-conning a new unified constructor name into the team, with Mitie and Kingfisher reduced to effectively title sponsors (in the same way Lotus were renamed Martini Racing in the late 70s, and Brabham had all manner of titles through their history).

[TomWazzleshaw]

I support what TMLW wants to do on the basis that I can say that RBWRT were never Austalian and were British all along. I think it's more realistic

Or you can just go the MRT way and have dual-nationality and just say the team is Australian owned but is based in some factory in the Midlands.

[RonDenisDeletraz]

I support what TMLW wants to do on the basis that I can say that RBWRT were never Austalian and were British all along. I think it's more realistic

Or you can just go the MRT way and have dual-nationality and just say the team is Australian owned but is based in some factory in the Midlands.

That is what I'm doing for Autodynamics, I strongly regret ever linking RBWRT to Australia as it's unrealistic for a junior driver program to be based outside Europe.

[TomWazzleshaw]

I support what TMLW wants to do on the basis that I can say that RBWRT were never Austalian and were British all along. I think it's more realistic

Or you can just go the MRT way and have dual-nationality and just say the team is Australian owned but is based in some factory in the Midlands.

That is what I'm doing for Autodynamics, I strongly regret ever linking RBWRT to Australia as it's unrealistic for a junior driver program to be based outside Europe.

Unless your name is Roland Dane, in which case it makes perfect sense. Well, up until the point he decided giving Stoner an ex-T8 V8 to inevitably put in the wall Gardner style in the development series.

EDIT: And besides, many of the F1RWRS stars since the beginning have come from Australia (and strangely enough, most of them came from within a 50km radius of the Penrith Speedway) so it'd make sense that Australian motorsport would have experienced a massive boom in the past few seasons.

[Aerond]

Woohoo! Internet is back!

[dr-baker]

Woohoo! Internet is back!

Yay!

[Aerond]

Chinese GP Review by AndreaModa up

I'll try to host the Japanese GP this weekend. Can't promise anything yet as I'm very busy with increasing workload and band commitments for next week (gig and recording), but I'll do my best.

Will try to host pre-qualifying and qualifying tomorrow and race on Sunday night as usual.