[AlexInWonderland]

Thought it would be a good idea to have a thread for F1 chat while we sit out the looonnngg winter.
Besides, I already miss the fortnightly Hamilton fanboys / haters row. (yeah, I'm a fanboy)

So a few talking points at this stage..

1) I really hope Barichello secures a drive for next year. Not because I'm really a fan or anything, but he's one of the drivers I remember when I was young, and my dad used to moan at Ferrari preferring Schumacher.

2) This potential ban on blocking ( http://planetf1.com/driver/3260/7361...-of-Defending- ) Is this merely a reinforcement of the one move rule, or something else?

[Lib]

Would be nice if there was less dicking around with the technical regs so late on... (Yes, I'm looking at you and your new front wing tests, Mr. Whiting!)

As for the sporting regs... meh. If it makes the stewards decisions more consistant then fine, but I suspect it'll be just as open to interpretation.

[Motorbiker]

I think that's to stop people going to the inside then swerving back to the outside to block and then claiming afterwards they were just getting back to the racing line... I dunno for certain though...

Also, they're saying now that teams have to commit the cars to full crash testing before the first test instead of the first race?
Inb4 most teams don't make the first test now...

Also, there are still a few places where both car lineups haven't been confirmed like there's still a nice HRT spot left and maybe Ricciardo in the Caterham and we need confirmation of Hulk/Di Resta in the Force India...

[AlexInWonderland]

(Original post by MHorman)

Also, there are still a few places where both car lineups haven't been confirmed like there's still a nice HRT spot left and maybe Ricciardo in the Caterham and we need confirmation of Hulk/Di Resta in the Force India...

FI due to announce over the next few days aparantly http://planetf1.com/driver/18227/737...reveal-line-up

[Lib]

(Original post by MHorman)
Also, they're saying now that teams have to commit the cars to full crash testing before the first test instead of the first race?
Inb4 most teams don't make the first test now...

That change was made in plenty of time (beginning of the year IIRC) so it shouldn't be a problem. Well, not unless anyone's gone especially unusual, and if Charlie is sensible about these new front wing tests because otherwise a lot of teams are going to need new noses...

[AlexInWonderland]

(Original post by Lib)
That change was made in plenty of time (beginning of the year IIRC) so it shouldn't be a problem. Well, not unless anyone's gone especially unusual, and if Charlie is sensible about these new front wing tests because otherwise a lot of teams are going to need new noses...

What're the new front wing tests?

[mikeyd85]

I promised myself this year I wouldn't spend the off season trawling through my fave F1 sites for tid-bits of news to keep my F1 love satiated.

I failed! Haha!

I like that Lotus (as in Renault - but I'm sticking with Lotus from now) are aiming to be winning the title in the next three years. Shows good belief in the team.

[Currrrtisssss]

Getting all excited already with the 2012 stuff coming up on Scarb's blog!

[Lib]

(Original post by AlexInWonderland)
What're the new front wing tests?

http://www.thef1times.com/news/display/05130

[alphabet]

who else wishes raikonen will return

[dhr90]

If it hasn't already been said, Ben Edwards has been announced as the main F1 commentator for the BBC. It's a good choice, but I will miss him commentating on the BTCC.

[Motorbiker]

(Original post by alphabet)
who else wishes raikonen will return

You're joking right? It's been all over the news for the last week that he's returning with Lotus...

Lotus are clearly showing title ambitions with drivers like Kimi and current GP2 champion on their team. I reckon they will at least take the fight to Mercedes and both Lotus/Mercedes will be close to the top 3. Closer than this year anyway...

(Original post by dhr90)
If it hasn't already been said, Ben Edwards has been announced as the main F1 commentator for the BBC. It's a good choice, but I will miss him commentating on the BTCC.

Never really heard of the guy and still not enough to convince me to stay with BBC over Sky. I'll take Brundle/Crofty over Edwards/Coulthard tbh...

[dhr90]

(Original post by MHorman)
You're joking right? It's been all over the news for the last week that he's returning with Lotus...

Lotus are clearly showing title ambitions with drivers like Kimi and current GP2 champion on their team. I reckon they will at least take the fight to Mercedes and both Lotus/Mercedes will be close to the top 3. Closer than this year anyway...



Never really heard of the guy and still not enough to convince me to stay with BBC over Sky. I'll take Brundle/Crofty over Edwards/Coulthard tbh...

I get the feeling Lotus will be closer to Mercedes this year too. Not going to judge Grosjean until I see him race again though.

he has previously commentated on F1 for Eurosport and that digital channel bernie tried to set up in 2002. I'd take Sky over BBC as well if I could, but I can't afford it. Finish uni in June anyway so will be moving home then.

[Motorbiker]

(Original post by dhr90)
I get the feeling Lotus will be closer to Mercedes this year too. Not going to judge Grosjean until I see him race again though.

he has previously commentated on F1 for Eurosport and that digital channel bernie tried to set up in 2002. I'd take Sky over BBC as well if I could, but I can't afford it. Finish uni in June anyway so will be moving home then.

I can't afford it either but i think my parents have Sky and i can then just login to their Sky Anytime account and watch online.

And if that fails then sit up local pub to watch...

[jelly1000]

Pretty pleased about Edwards, yes Coulthard/Edwards isnt as great as Brundle/Crofty, but its bareable unlike Legard/Coulthard which I feared. Means I can enjoy BBC F1 on a TV for the races the BBC shows live in the holidays.

[Motorbiker]

Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne will race for Toro Rosso next year.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96745

I didn't see that one coming tbh. I thought Ricciardo was going to get a drive but i was thinking at Caterham... Unlucky for Buemi/Alguarsari though... Although they both have had a few years and neither have wowed the field so red bull are trying more yound drivers to find the next Vettel...

[mikeyd85]

That really does surprise me. I thought the Jamie was doing OK tbh.

[f1mad]

Spilt my coffee when read both were kicked out! Wtf!

I hope STR score no points next year.

[Motorbiker]

(Original post by mikeyd85)
That really does surprise me. I thought the Jamie was doing OK tbh.

(Original post by f1mad)
Spilt my coffee when read both were kicked out! Wtf!

I hope STR score no points next year.

It surprised me then i remembered Toro Rosso is supposed to be for yound Talent for the Red Bull team and both of their current drivers have had 3 years with nothing amazing to show for it...(comparatively to Vettel when he was in Toro Rosso)

Giving more newbies a chance gives them more chance to find better drivers.

Also, caterham are now officially called Caterham from today...

And Kolles has left HRT. They're gonna be fully spanish now...

Also, 3 frenchies on the grid next year with Vergne, Grosjean and Pic. Compared to 0 this year.

[jelly1000]

I feel really sorry for Alguersuari and Buemi, I liked both of them, so for that reason I'm gutted they are out of Torro Rosso, but they've been solid, rather than amazing, and I think with Vettel in Red Bull the Red Bulll team have very high expectations as to who they want to 'groom' to be his new team-mate.