2012 Silly Season

Post by **Londoner** » 28 Dec 2011, 09:25

sswishbone wrote:If Gene does go to HRT would that be the first time a driver line-up has ever been made up of two guys that had time away from the sport to do it?

Group Bahar's lineup for this season has already done this. That could mean we have two teams on the grid with such a lineup, Raikkonen/GRRRSJJJNNN at Bahar and Gene/PDLR at Hispania!

sswishbone · Post by **sswishbone** » 28 Dec 2011, 09:27

Had too much beer over christmas in order to forget about Lotus's line up :lol:

but could you imagine, of a grid of 24 drivers, 4 of them have come back to the sport, make it bloody hard for the likes of algersuari, petrov, et al to get drives in that event

RealRacingRoots · Post by **RealRacingRoots** » 28 Dec 2011, 09:28

solarcold wrote:Rumours about Marc Gene to HRT.

A Le Mans Winner in F1 again?

solarcold · Post by **solarcold** » 28 Dec 2011, 09:49

But still, Marc is not Luca..

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 28 Dec 2011, 09:57

Jarno Trulli is feeling the heat:

Jarno Trulli slams 'less committed' pay drivers

Veteran Italian Jarno Trulli has hit out at the growing influence of so-called 'pay drivers' in Formula One.

Even though Trulli has one year of his contract at Caterham remaining, his position has been subject of speculation with Vitaly Petrov, who has been dumped by Renault, linked with a possible move.

But Trulli took a thinly-disguised swipe at what had happened at Renault in 2011 when it employed Petrov and Bruno Senna, both of whom brought considerable sponsorship with them.

"[Robert] Kubica is a great driver who can get the very best from the car," Trulli told La Repubblica. "Because of that they were a dark horse. When Robert was out, that was the end. Petrov was not in a position to lead the team, and Senna showed that he was not good enough."

Senna replaced the experienced Nick Heidfeld mid-season. "With his experience, Nick scored almost as many points as Petrov even though he [Heidfeld] did only half the season," Trulli said. "There is no rule, but it is true that those who pay are less accustomed to suffering. They are less committed. Hiring them is a business decision but in my opinion it's not worth it."

However, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said the issue of pay drivers had grown out of hand. "For a team it has always been about finding the right balance between financial considerations and talent," he said. "It's something that is as old as Formula One."

I smirked when I read this. Jarno Trulli was once regarded as Formula 1's finest one-lap specialist, which gave him quite a reputation for qualifying well. However, in the eighteen races that they had together this year, Trulli was out-qualified by Heikki Kovalainen something like fifteen times to three. So for him to accuse pay-drivers of being "less committed" seems a bit like the pot calling the kettle black given that Trulli is clearly not very good at the one thing he was highly regarded for, once upon a time.

Minardi Man · Post by **Minardi Man** » 28 Dec 2011, 10:05

Oh dear, arguable ROTY insulting other driver's seasons, nice idea Trulli.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 28 Dec 2011, 10:12

Especially after such a poor season himself. Funnily enough, he criticised Petrov and Senna for under-performing when they clearly had a bad car - but Trulli himself was very quick to complain about the power steering.

If I didn't know better, I'd say this was a Parthian shot from Trulli. He knows he's out of a seat for 2012, and so he's decided to criticise the team for it by focusing on the softest target he can find: whoever will replace him (probably Petrov, as Trulli seems to have the most contempt for him - Martin Brundle Tweeted about this a few days ago, and he very rarely talks about rumoured driver changes unless he has a good reason to believe what he is saying).

solarcold · Post by **solarcold** » 28 Dec 2011, 11:03

Insulting Vitaly for not scoring points in the no-points-scoring car? haha.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 28 Dec 2011, 11:11

Trulli is really getting desperate, isn't he?

Post by **Londoner** » 28 Dec 2011, 11:17

Old Man Syndrome has affected Trulli badly. Suprisingly, it hasn't affected Barrichello (to the best of my knowledge)...

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 28 Dec 2011, 11:24

East Londoner wrote:Old Man Syndrome has affected Trulli badly. Suprisingly, it hasn't affected Barrichello (to the best of my knowledge)...

Barrichello style is more of a moaning and whining one. He was using it to full effect before the end of the season.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 28 Dec 2011, 11:30

DanielPT wrote:
East Londoner wrote:Old Man Syndrome has affected Trulli badly. Suprisingly, it hasn't affected Barrichello (to the best of my knowledge)...

Barrichello style is more of a moaning and whining one. He was using it to full effect before the end of the season.

But Rubens has a habit of having a whinge every once in a while so we rarely pay attention as a result :lol:

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 28 Dec 2011, 11:44

Wizzie wrote:
DanielPT wrote:
East Londoner wrote:Old Man Syndrome has affected Trulli badly. Suprisingly, it hasn't affected Barrichello (to the best of my knowledge)...

Barrichello style is more of a moaning and whining one. He was using it to full effect before the end of the season.

But Rubens has a habit of having a whinge every once in a while so we rarely pay attention as a result

And let's not forget the blah-blahing he also likes to do! :lol:

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 28 Dec 2011, 12:06

Oh come on Jarno, give that seat to Vitaly and see how he'll be closer (or maybe even ahead of?) to Kovalainen. Maybe not in qualifying, but in race results, possibly.

Myrvold · Post by **Myrvold** » 28 Dec 2011, 16:06

solarcold wrote:Rumours about Marc Gene to HRT.

That emerged in spanish media very soon after midnight to the 28th December. 28th December in Spain is the same as 1st April in the most of Europe

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 28 Dec 2011, 16:16

Myrvold wrote:
solarcold wrote:Rumours about Marc Gene to HRT.

That emerged in spanish media very soon after midnight to the 28th December. 28th December in Spain is the same as 1st April in the most of Europe

Looking at other rumours started by the Spanish media in recent times I would say they have a 1st April every other week...

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 28 Dec 2011, 17:48

Myrvold wrote:
solarcold wrote:Rumours about Marc Gene to HRT.

That emerged in spanish media very soon after midnight to the 28th December. 28th December in Spain is the same as 1st April in the most of Europe

That explains so much. Christian Chivu to Real Madrid...I knew it couldn't be true :lol:

Klon · Post by **Klon** » 28 Dec 2011, 18:03

DanielPT wrote:Trulli is really getting desperate, isn't he?

"As Trulli gets a little bit in the way there... that's Trulli - and he's getting even more in the way. Now he really should be moving on, moving out of the way - he's desperately slow, he's there despite bringing no money."

Post by **mario** » 28 Dec 2011, 18:47

kostas22 wrote:
Myrvold wrote:
solarcold wrote:Rumours about Marc Gene to HRT.

That emerged in spanish media very soon after midnight to the 28th December. 28th December in Spain is the same as 1st April in the most of Europe

That explains so much. Christian Chivu to Real Madrid...I knew it couldn't be true

Mind you, given that we have just had a season where Karthikeyan came back into the sport after a six year hiatus, not to mention that the sport now seems to be attracting many former drivers back to the sport, you could almost believe that Gene could come back at this rate.

Faustus · Post by **Faustus** » 28 Dec 2011, 19:51

mario wrote:
kostas22 wrote:
Myrvold wrote:
That emerged in spanish media very soon after midnight to the 28th December. 28th December in Spain is the same as 1st April in the most of Europe

That explains so much. Christian Chivu to Real Madrid...I knew it couldn't be true

Mind you, given that we have just had a season where Karthikeyan came back into the sport after a six year hiatus, not to mention that the sport now seems to be attracting many former drivers back to the sport, you could almost believe that Gene could come back at this rate.

I want Christijan Albers and Sakon Yamamoto back!

RealRacingRoots · Post by **RealRacingRoots** » 28 Dec 2011, 20:59

Faustus wrote:
I want Markus Winkelhock and Yuji Ide back!

Fixed.

S951 · Post by **S951** » 29 Dec 2011, 00:30

klein

Pointrox · Post by **Pointrox** » 29 Dec 2011, 01:23

S951 wrote:klein

+1

I was watching Jordan's qualifying sessions from 2005 and I wonder if Tiago Monteiro is still interested in Formula One?
He's been racing in WTCC for Seat works team for quite some time so he might be a bit rusty, but still... comparing to Barrichello or DLR he's a youngster

Faustus wrote:I want Markus Winkelhock and HWNSNBM back!

Fixed.
Do we have a Hungarian in here? I think this might be some interesting news for us, and Google Translate translates it into... gibberish.
Here's the link: http://bit.ly/vcmr5c

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 29 Dec 2011, 01:57

S951 wrote:klein

This.

He was my favourite driver before Sutil turned up. Was delighted to see him back at HRT last year for a bit so he's not race-rusty. I reckon he could still do a good job, even in an HRT.

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 29 Dec 2011, 02:10

Pointrox wrote:Do we have a Hungarian in here? I think this might be some interesting news for us, and Google Translate translates it into... gibberish.
Here's the link: http://bit.ly/vcmr5c

I think Shizuka is Hungarian.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 29 Dec 2011, 06:25

Pointrox wrote:Do we have a Hungarian in here? I think this might be some interesting news for us, and Google Translate translates it into... gibberish.
Here's the link: http://bit.ly/vcmr5c

It's just about the change of broadcaster in Hungary. RTL Klub have not renewed their broadcast rights, and MTV will pick them up after letting go of them in 2003.

solarcold · Post by **solarcold** » 29 Dec 2011, 08:21

Klein? Klien maybe?

Also, look at this
http://www.f1zone.net/news/video-marko- ... ice/11261/

I mean why's everything so nervous at toro rosso? I remember Scott Speed and Tonio Liuzzi being morally pressed there, now Jaime

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 29 Dec 2011, 08:48

Can I post my translation? I keep getting SQL errors.

Edit: Can't seem to get it posted. So here's the link to the txt file with the translation: http://www15.zippyshare.com/v/71707963/file.html

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 29 Dec 2011, 09:16

Shizuka wrote:Can I post my translation? I keep getting SQL errors.

Edit: Can't seem to get it posted. So here's the link to the txt file with the translation: http://www15.zippyshare.com/v/71707963/file.html

The File wrote:Zsolt Baumgartner could take part in the F1 coverage

The MTV has bought the free practice coverage as well as the qualify and race coverage, it might be possible that the FPs will be shown in TV. The lead commentator will be Dánliel Mezei, his partner is still being searched.

According to the informations of [origo], MTV wants to get Zsolt Baumgartner involved in the F1 coverage, that gets back to the national television after it was on RTL Klub for ten years. As we know, the ex-racer - who has taken part in 20 Grand Prix in 2003 and 2004 - originally would have been given the technical commentator status, and now it's most likely that he will be given a separate, not live part of the coverage.

However, it isn't offically affirmed, it's decided that the lead commentator will be Dániel Mezei, and the co-(technical) commentator is being searched, we know that MTV is in talks with amongst the RTL Klub's F1 coverage's commentators Gyula Czollner and Gábor Wéber, plus the writer of Száguldó Cirkusz (Sweeping Circus) books, István Simon as well. The editor of the program will be probably Gábor Réz, the moderator will be Jenõ Knézy Jr., while the paddock riporter could be Zoltán Szujó, whom MTV wants to sign up. He admitted to [origo] that he is thinking about signing over. We know that he already has a verbal agreement with MTV, but he doesn't have a written contract yet.

MTV's communication president László Szabó hasn't commented on our informations about the personal questions, but he promised to detail the coverage plans on a press conference that will be held in mid- or end-January. "We want to work with the best. The other point of view is, with those, whose judgement in the public is good as well, so that the viewers like him." he added. "We clearly know that it does matter that who's the commentator. I don't even know if there is a longer sport coverage than a F1 race, apparently aside from the baseball matches that aren't shown in Hungary. So basically, this is the most challenging sport commentator task."

MTV hasn't decided that the two commentators will travel to the races along with the reporter, camera-man and producer or not. "Of course that would be the best if they could commentate from next to the tracks." - Szabó admitted. "But our financial status won't always make it happen. This is especially possible with the overseas races, so it depends on our amount of money. For us, even the royalty, the coverage money is a lot, so next to that we would have to pay the line prices, the travel prices, the accomodation prices... But with the Hungarian Grand Prix, we obviously prepare for a big bang, to get out there, to have a local studio. It's still under counting, so we don't know, how much it will cost us to fly two guys out for example to Brazil or Japan.

So for that the most possible scenario is that MTV will only fly the commentators to the European races, but even that would be a huge quality jump after RTL Klub, who always never flew their commentators. The decision about this would affect the technical commentator selection, because it's not sure that all candidates would want to travel regularly. However we do know that the royalty cost 3 billion HUF for MTV to show the races between 2012 and 2016, and for the program they plan to spend another 2 billion. Szabó has not affirmed this, but he promised to reveal the exact numbers on the press conference held in January.

MTV has bought the license to show the FPs next to the qualify's and the races, but they haven't decided on to show those in some way. "We still are looking for the way to put it in MTV's program structure if it's possible" - said Szabó. It might be possible to stream the FPs on the internet like BBC, who has dropped the F1 coverage this season.

Unlike RTL Klub, MTV's technical possibilites make HD quality coverage possible, and Szabó confirmed that they do plan to show the Grand Prix in this resolution. F1 only switched to HD, lagging behind unlike other leading sports. "This is a premium sport, which has mainly premium viewers. They want premium quality coverage, audio quality, commentator qualities, extra informations, exclusive informations." - said Szabó. "We would like to assure this."

MTV also has the radio license too, which will be used, however not surely on MR1-Kossuth Rádió according to the previous press informations. "There will surely be radio footage too, but their length and the channel has not been decided yet." - commented Szabó. "We will have live coverage, and even we might do canned magazine footage too." Since the TV commentary would not be good on radio, for that they have to sign a different staff.

At MTV, they expect to have as much viewers on the Grand Prix as previously on RTL Klub. "We're sure that this will push not only the F1's, but M1's views on Sunday too." - said Szabó.

How's that?

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 29 Dec 2011, 09:28

Thank you

Since I still cannot comment more than one line due to SQL errors, I'll throw in my two cents later.

Post by **mario** » 29 Dec 2011, 09:42

solarcold wrote:Klein? Klien maybe?

Also, look at this
http://www.f1zone.net/news/video-marko- ... ice/11261/

I mean why's everything so nervous at toro rosso? I remember Scott Speed and Tonio Liuzzi being morally pressed there, now Jaime

Unfortunately, the video in that link does not appear to work - there is an error message from Vimeo when I clicked on that link. I've taken a look on Youtube though, and I assume that this is the video that you were referring to? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81wN-DAY_sc

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 29 Dec 2011, 11:24

mario wrote:
solarcold wrote:Klein? Klien maybe?

Also, look at this
http://www.f1zone.net/news/video-marko- ... ice/11261/

I mean why's everything so nervous at toro rosso? I remember Scott Speed and Tonio Liuzzi being morally pressed there, now Jaime

Unfortunately, the video in that link does not appear to work - there is an error message from Vimeo when I clicked on that link. I've taken a look on Youtube though, and I assume that this is the video that you were referring to? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81wN-DAY_sc

By this I can only assume that Marko has some seriously unresolved issues with life itself...

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 29 Dec 2011, 12:27

DanielPT wrote:
mario wrote:
solarcold wrote:Klein? Klien maybe?

Also, look at this
http://www.f1zone.net/news/video-marko- ... ice/11261/

I mean why's everything so nervous at toro rosso? I remember Scott Speed and Tonio Liuzzi being morally pressed there, now Jaime

Unfortunately, the video in that link does not appear to work - there is an error message from Vimeo when I clicked on that link. I've taken a look on Youtube though, and I assume that this is the video that you were referring to? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81wN-DAY_sc

By this I can only assume that Marko has some seriously unresolved issues with life itself...

After seeing that, I'm tempted to start a "Go Home Helmut Marko" campaign. It's Free Practice for HWNSNBM's sake.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 29 Dec 2011, 12:43

Trulli: Pay-drivers not good enough for F1

This is rich coming from Trulli, I mean, he really proved that he was still good enough for F1 this season didn't he?

Post by **mario** » 29 Dec 2011, 13:46

DanielPT wrote:
mario wrote:
solarcold wrote:Klein? Klien maybe?

Also, look at this
http://www.f1zone.net/news/video-marko- ... ice/11261/

I mean why's everything so nervous at toro rosso? I remember Scott Speed and Tonio Liuzzi being morally pressed there, now Jaime

Unfortunately, the video in that link does not appear to work - there is an error message from Vimeo when I clicked on that link. I've taken a look on Youtube though, and I assume that this is the video that you were referring to? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81wN-DAY_sc

By this I can only assume that Marko has some seriously unresolved issues with life itself...

Wizzie wrote:After seeing that, I'm tempted to start a "Go Home Helmut Marko" campaign. It's Free Practice for HWNSNBM's sake.

Whilst occasionally we have seen a few cross words exchanged in practise sessions, it's not entirely surprising that Marko would talk to Alguersuari in such a critical manner given his close relationship with Vettel.

Hell, we're talking about a man who, in the 2010 Korean GP, effectively broke into the pit lane to console Vettel (at least according to Kravitz, who revealed after the race that Marko had not been issued with a pit pass for that race and should not have been allowed in whilst the race was under way) - it kind of fits into his personality that he would seek to admonish Alguersuari for holding Vettel up even if it was in a situation where it was causing no harm. It also fits in with the rather callous nature with which Toro Rosso has treated its drivers for some time too - Marko was probably in part responsible for the "hire and fire" attitude of Toro Rosso given his influence over driver changes.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 29 Dec 2011, 13:56

redbulljack14 wrote:Trulli: Pay-drivers not good enough for F1

This is rich coming from Trulli, I mean, he really proved that he was still good enough for F1 this season didn't he?

Trulli hasn't been good enough to stay in the top echelon of European single seaters racing since his podium at Magny Cours in 2008.

S951 · Post by **S951** » 29 Dec 2011, 14:31

honestly wouldn't mind klein back amongst a whole host of other drivers.

Klein
HWNSNBM
Winkelhock
Badoer

There are more but then again I would love to see Rubens in the HRT seat and the woman driver as the res

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 29 Dec 2011, 14:36

Cynon wrote:
redbulljack14 wrote:Trulli: Pay-drivers not good enough for F1

This is rich coming from Trulli, I mean, he really proved that he was still good enough for F1 this season didn't he?

Trulli hasn't been good enough to stay in the top echelon of European single seaters racing since his podium at Magny Cours in 2008.

Japan 2009?

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 30 Dec 2011, 00:34

Shizuka wrote:
Cynon wrote:
redbulljack14 wrote:Trulli: Pay-drivers not good enough for F1

This is rich coming from Trulli, I mean, he really proved that he was still good enough for F1 this season didn't he?

Trulli hasn't been good enough to stay in the top echelon of European single seaters racing since his podium at Magny Cours in 2008.

Japan 2009?

He was ok in 2010, and I personally would have kept him on for another season, but it would have been a mistake, as he proved completely useless.

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 30 Dec 2011, 02:03

Although Trulli was smashed by Kovalainen, his season wasn't awful. He was always ahead of both HRT and Marussia in virtually every session. I think there was only one race in 2011 where he finished at the back, and that was at Canada where his car started shredding it's suspension parts in the cockpit.

Having said all that, the continual bitching about power steering got a bit boring. Would I keep him for 2012? No. I'd sign Alguersuari and his Cespa money.