F1 2008

I do hope Flavio is suitably embarrassed by the shot....


Is Flavio embarrased by anything?


Edited 'cos I've seen another shot that looks much better. Apologies Flavio!
 
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Pete McCluskey.

Lifetime Supporter
FIA condemns Hamilton abuse at Barcelona

Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, has publically condemned events during last weekend’s test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, after it was claimed McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton was subjected to racist abuse.

“The FIA is surprised and disappointed at the abuse directed at Lewis Hamilton,” a spokesman told reporters over the weekend. “Abuse of this kind is a clear breach of the principles enshrined in the FIA statutes and any repetition will result in serious sanctions.”

Over the course of the three-day test, Spanish newspapers reported that Hamilton and his team were booed and jeered from the Spanish track’s grandstands, by fans believed to be angry about the British driver’s strained relationship last season with his then team mate Fernando Alonso.

In an attempt to diffuse the situation, circuit officials are understood to have increased security around the track and removed offensive banners from the grandstands. The next test session in Spain will take place from February 12-14th at Jerez.
 

Pete McCluskey.

Lifetime Supporter
Spanish circuit issues formal statement

Following reports that spectators directed racist abuse at McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton during last weekend’s three-day test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, the Spanish track has released a statement to clarify its position.

In the press release, the circuit backs the FIA’s condemnation of the fans’ behaviour and reveals that it will introduce a set of measures to prevent a similar incident from occurring again.

The press release in full:
The Circuit de Catalunya wishes to explain its position regarding the actions of a minority of spectators on Friday, February 1st during the test session of Formula One teams:

1. The total number of spectators during the three days of the event was 55,000 fans with a general attitude of respectful and excellent behaviour during the whole session. The Circuit de Catalunya particularly wants to thank the majority of fans for their attitude, and kindly seeks public recognition of this.

2. We strongly support the FIA’s position with regards to fighting against all racial, political or religious discrimination in motor sport.

3. The Circuit de Catalunya will not allow even the smallest incident to repeat itself within its facilities, and new measures are currently being taken into consideration in addition to those implemented during the latest sessions. These measures have been studied with the support of the Catalan Police and the Circuit’s security services, and they will be reinforced in the upcoming tests sessions and at the Gran Premio de España Telefónica de Formula One.

4. That the Gran Premio de España Telefónica de Formula One represents the image of a country in the world and the Circuit de Catalunya will not accept any abuse of this image through racist attitudes or attacks on sporting competitions. The Circuit requests the Grand Prix to be the genuine meeting point for all the different supporters of drivers and teams in our sport. Especially to represent the welcome and sporting values of our country and our national sponsor.

5. In case of sanctions, the Circuit de Catalunya may consider the possibility of taking legal actions against those who caused the incidents, regardless of the magnitude.

6. The Circuit de Catalunya will officially state its position to the FIA, the Real Federación Española de Automovilismo (Spanish Motorsports Federation) and the rest of circuits in Spain, with special interest for those who also host Formula One tests.

Circuit de Catalunya
February 4th, 2008

All getting a bit precious aren't they? :lurker:
 

Pete McCluskey.

Lifetime Supporter
Unofficial Wednesday times from Bahrain:
1. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:30.455
2. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:31.293
3. Jarno Trulli, Toyota, 1:32.145
4. Kamui Kobayashi, Toyota, 1:32.265
 

Pete McCluskey.

Lifetime Supporter
It seems that the Italians are not going to give up that easily. There were reports yesterday in the Italian press that Modena magistrate Giuseppe Tibis has asked for a number of McLaren staff to visit him to answer questions about the espionage question, to see whether it is worth pushing ahead with the civil legal action in Italy.
 

Pete McCluskey.

Lifetime Supporter
I Know, I know it's only testing But :pepper::pepper:


Red Bull’s Mark Webber charged to the top of the timesheets on Wednesday during this week’s test session at Jerez, clocking a best lap of 1m 18.628s around the Spanish circuit. Webber’s quickest time was over four-tenths of a second faster than that of Nico Rosberg for Williams.

The Australian was joined on track by team mate David Coulthard, who finished in seventh. Although strong winds at the circuit prevented the team from carrying out any meaningful aerodynamic work on the RB4, the duo covered over 150 laps during the day. Both will be in action again on Thursday.

In the second Williams was Rosberg’s team mate Kazuki Nakajima, who took the third-fastest slot. The British team continued to focus on the development of the FW30 and Rosberg and Nakajima covered 98 and 91 laps respectively.

Fourth fastest was Fernando Alonso for Renault. Despite suffering a few minor problems in the morning, Alonso completed over 100 laps as he tested parts for the R28. Team mate Nelson Piquet Jr was equally productive, covering 110 laps, and taking up ninth slot on the timesheets.

Robert Kubica was once again the quicker of the two BMW Sauber drivers, finishing fifth fastest, while team mate Nick Heidfeld ended in 11th. With no major problems to interrupt their running the duo covered 116 and 109 laps. The team, however, did opt to abandon plans for long runs in the afternoon due to the strengthening winds.

Fastest man from Tuesday, Lewis Hamilton, took up sixth slot, while McLaren team mate Heikki Kovalainen finished in tenth. Hamilton and Kovalainen were both tasked with carrying out longer runs in the MP4-23 and the duo covered 152 laps in total.

Eighth quickest was Sebastian Vettel for Toro Rosso, while Vettel’s team mate Sebastien Bourdais finished in 12th. During the day both STR2Bs ran with the latest front suspension spec and the team focused their attentions on aero testing and car balance. Vettel completed 114 laps, but Bourdais’ morning session was hampered by mechanical problems and the Frenchman was limited to 76 laps.

Honda continued to struggle to make much of an impression on the times, with Jenson Button finishing in 13th and Rubens Barrichello in 15th. Chassis work and set-up evaluations dominated the team’s programme and Button and Barrichello covered over 130 laps.

Completing Wednesday’s line-up was Takuma Sato in 14th for Super Aguri and Adrian Sutil in 16th for Force India. Sato used his last day in the SA07B at Jerez to run a series of set-up optimisation tests. He will hand over testing duties to Anthony Davidson on Thursday. For Force India, Sutil carried out race simulation work and evaluated the reliability of several new parts.

Testing continues at Jerez on Thursday.

Unofficial Wednesday times from Jerez:
1. Mark Webber, Red Bull, 1:18.628
2. Nico Rosberg, Williams, 1:19.091
3. Kazuki Nakajima, Williams, 1:19.215
4. Fernando Alonso, Renault, 1:19.710
5. Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber, 1:19.829
6. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1:19.857
7. David Coulthard, Red Bull, 1:19.883
8. Sebastian Vettel, Toro Rosso, 1:19.889
9. Nelson Piquet Jr, Renault, 1:20.014
10. Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren, 1:20.152
11. Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber, 1:20.201
12. Sebastien Bourdais, Toro Rosso, 1:20.536
13. Jenson Button, Honda, 1:21.147
14. Takuma Sato, Super Aguri, 1:21.376
15. Rubens Barrichello, Honda, 1:21.710
16. Adrian Sutil, Force India, 1:22.244
 

David Morton

Lifetime Supporter
For 2008 , Racemet has been contracted for all the Forecasting and interpreting
weather information for the Renault F1 team.
That will be 6 years of Racemet's 12 year involvement in F1 with one team.

:pepper::pepper::pepper:
 
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Congrats from me, too. Surely well deserved.

But...doesn´t that mean that you take an active part of responsibility in any misled tyre-change strategy if it was based upon your weather forecast? (I´m exaggerating a bit, of course.)

Best,
Marcus
 

David Morton

Lifetime Supporter
But...doesn´t that mean that you take an active part of responsibility in any misled tyre-change strategy

Thats how it always was. Remember the Met man in Williams prior to the start in Monaco when they were the only team to go on slicks? :eek::dead:
 

Keith

Moderator
But...doesn´t that mean that you take an active part of responsibility in any misled tyre-change strategy

Thats how it always was. Remember the Met man in Williams prior to the start in Monaco when they were the only team to go on slicks? :eek::dead:

Don't worry David, there won't be a hurricane. What a thought..... :D
 
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