2009 FIA Formula One World Championship Season

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Race Results:

1) Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes

2) Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault

3) Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault

4) Jarno Trulli, Toyota

5) Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota

6) Felipe Massa, Ferrari

7) Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber

8) Timo Glock, Toyota

9) Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari

10) Fernando Alonso, Renault

11) Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber

12) Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota

13) Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes

14) Heikki Kovalanen, McLaren-Mercedes

15) Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

16) Nelson Piquet Jr, Renault

17) Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes

Ret) Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes (Gearbox)

Ret) Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India-Mercedes (Brakes)

WDC Points:

1) Jenson Button: 61

2) Rubens Barrichello: 35

3) Sebastian Vettel: 29

4) Mark Webber: 27.5

5) Jarno Trulli: 19.5

6) Timo Glock: 13

7) Nico Rosberg: 11.5

8) Felipe Massa: 11

9) Fernando Alonso: 11

10) Kimi Raikkonen: 9

11) Lewis Hamilton: 9

12) Nick Heidfeld: 6

13) Heikki Kovalainen: 4

14) Sebastien Buemi: 3

15) Robert Kubica: 2

16) Sebastien Bourdais: 2

17) Giancarlo Fisichella: 0

18) Adrian Sutil: 0

19) Nelson Piquet Jr: 0

20) Kazuki Nakajima: 0

WCC Points:

1) Brawn-Mercedes: 96

2) Red Bull-Renault: 56.5

3) Toyota: 32.5

4) Ferrari: 20

5) McLaren-Mercedes: 13

6) Williams-Toyota: 11.5

7) Renault: 11

8) BMW Sauber: 8

9) Toro Rosso-Ferrari: 5

10) Force India-Mercedes: 0

Next race will be the British Grand Prix in two weeks at Silverstone. Again, the race will be broadcast on your local FOX station in the US, but tape-delayed, again.

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Provisional 2010 entry list:

Entrant: Constructor-Engine

-Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: Ferrari

-Scuderia Toro Rosso: Toro Rosso-TBA

-Red Bull Racing: Red Bull-TBA

-AT&T WilliamsF1 Team: Williams-Toyota

-Force India Formula One: Force India-Mercedes

-Campos Grand Prix: Campos-Cosworth

-Manor Grand Prix: Manor-Cosworth

-Team US F1: Team US F1-Cosworth

-Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes: McLaren-Mercedes*

-BMW Sauber F1 Team: BMW Sauber*

-ING Renault F1 Team: Renault*

-Panasonic Toyota Racing: Toyota*

-Brawn GP Formula One Team: Brawn-TBA*

The TBA after the chassis constructor means, basically, that an engine deal hasn't been finalized. Also the teams with an * next to them are conditional entries. The teams will continue to be in talks with the FIA until June 19th, where the five teams must either drop the conditions or pull out of the championship, I think.

Source: FIA Press Release

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1996 all over again...

The Formula One Teams' Association announced on Thursday night that it is setting up a breakaway championship.

Following a four hour meeting at Renault's Enstone factory, the eight members of FOTA - Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Brawn, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso - said they had grown frustrated with the FIA's stance against the organisation, and had no option but to create a series of their own.

"The teams cannot continue to compromise on the fundamental values of the sport and have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 World Championship," said a statement issued by FOTA after the meeting.

As much as I hate how the FIA have been changing the rules each and every year (and it seems like every race, too), I do not want a breakaway series (*points to USAC/CART and CART/IRL in 1978 and 1996, respectively). We all see and saw what the damage was done by the CART/IRL split, so hopefully cooler heads will prevail at the proverbial eleventh hour.

Right now, it looks like the teams mentioned are going to participate in this breakaway series, with maybe the addition of privateer teams. Williams and Force India may be forced to find a new engine supplier, as Toyota and Mercedes-Benz will most likely go to the FOTA championship.

Another issue would be, what circuits would the FOTA championship race at? I'm sure that the FOM contracts with the circuits in the current season would forbid a rival series to F1, so that leaves FOTA trying to negotiate a deal with the non-F1 circuits to race there. If there were to be a FOTA-backed championship, here are some of the tracks that could be replacements to this year's circuits:

*Australia: no clue, maybe go back to Adelaide?

*Malyasia: don't think they have another Grade 1 circuit there, so that race may be dropped.

*China: Maybe the Zhuhai International Circuit?

*Bahrain: again, not sure if they have another Grand 1 circuit, so another dropped race, maybe

*Spain: Jarama, Jerez are the circuits off the top of my head

*Monaco: No other circuit, so I'm afraid that may be dropped.

*Turkey: dropped, no other Grade 1 circuits

*Great Britain: as this year is Silverstone's final race in F1 for a while (the British GP will be going to a revised Donington Park next year), Silverstone might have an opening for FOTA championship

*Germany: AVUS!!!111! () but seriously, Oschersleben, or maybe EuroSpeedway Laustiz (oh, God, a roval, what has this world come to )

*Hungary: again, dropped, no other Grade 1 circuits

*European: maybe back to Jerez for them? Or maybe they can fix up the A1-Ring and return there?

*Belgium: Zolder

*Italy: Imola

*Singapore: dropped, unless they want to run on Thomson Road?

*Japan: Twin Ring Motegi road course?

*Brazil: the Brasilia circuit? The one in Rio de Janeiro is being demolished to make way for Brazil's bid for the Olympics.

*Abu Dhabi: dropped, no other Grade 1 circuit.

That makes about 10 races on the FOTA championship calendar. Races that I want to see return are:

*United States: right now, only Indy is capable of top flight road racing, as it is already has everything need for when F1 came to town. If not Indy, then maybe Sebring, Long Beach, or maybe even a return to Watkins Glen, even thought it might need some upgrades for safety.

*Canada: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Montreal), or Mosport International Raceway.

*South Africa: Kyalami Circuit

*Portugal: Estoril

*Dutch: Zandvoort

*Detroit: yes, off the wall, I know, but I just like the thought of a Grand Prix very close by

*France: Magny-Cours (obviously), or maybe the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans?

With my additions, that makes it 17 races, the same as this year's championship. It adds three races to North America (if you include my hare-brained Detroit GP), and a return to France, South Africa, Portugal, and Holland. I'm sure there are other good circuits to add (don't be afraid to do so). Granted, this is based on if the FOTA championship will run on FIA Grade 1 circuits (although there are some that aren't Grade 1, but should be close enough). If the FOTA championship decided to race on circuits other than Grade 1, then that opens a lot of doors for them.

One of the things that can hurt a breakaway series for FOTA would be the television exposure if they can't secure a good TV deal.

I hope that this doesn't come to fruition, but if it does happen, I'm gonna be disappointed, but will watch, as I would want them to succeed.

Thoughts?

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British Grand Prix Qualifying Results:

1) Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault

2) Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes

3) Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault

4) Jarno Trulli, Toyota

5) Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota (!)

6) Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes

7) Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota

8) Timo Glock, Toyota

9) Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari

10) Fernando Alonso, Renault

11) Felipe Massa, Ferrari

12) Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber

13) Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes

14) Nelson Piquet Jr, Renault

15) Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber

16) Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India-Mercedes

17) Sebastien Bourdais, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

18) Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes

19) Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes (!!!)

20) Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

Race will be aired on your local FOX station at 3PM EDT, again a tape delayed race.

Seems strange that the Force India cars outqualified the World Champion in a car with the (supposedly) same engine (Granted, the FI cars were only .115 seconds and .008 seconds faster than Hamilton, respectively).

Qualifying Results on the Formula One website

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British Grand Prix race results:

1) Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault

2) Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault

3) Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes

4) Felipe Massa, Ferrari

5) Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota

6) Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes

7) Jarno Trulli, Toyota

8) Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari

9) Timo Glock, Toyota

10) Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India-Mercedes

11) Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota

12) Nelson Piquet Jr, Renault

13) Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber

14) Fernando Alonso, Renault

15) Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber

16) Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes

17) Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes

18) Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

Ret) Sebastien Bourdais, Toro Rosso-Ferrari (accident damage)

Ret) Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes (retired)

More detailed race results

WDC Points

1) Jenson Button: 64

2) Rubens Barrichello: 41

3) Sebastian Vettel: 39

4) Mark Webber: 35.5

5) Jarno Trulli: 21.5

6) Felipe Massa: 16

7) Nico Rosberg: 15.5

8) Timo Glock: 13

9) Fernando Alonso: 11

10) Kimi Raikkonen: 10

11) Lewis Hamilton: 9

12) Nick Heidfeld: 6

13) Heikki Kovalainen: 4

14) Sebastien Buemi: 3

15) Robert Kubica: 2

16) Sebastien Bourdais: 2

17) Giancarlo Fisichella: 0

18) Adrian Sutil: 0

19) Nelson Piquet Jr: 0

20) Kazuki Nakajima: 0

WDC Points page

WCC Points

1) Brawn-Mercedes: 105

2) Red Bull-Reanult: 74.5

3) Toyota: 34.5

4) Ferrari: 26

5) Williams-Toyota: 15.5

6) McLaren-Mercedes: 13

7) Renault: 11

8) BMW Sauber: 8

9) Toro Rosso-Ferrari: 5

10) Force India-Mercedes: 0

WCC Points page

Next race is the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring in two weeks. This will the the 3rd of 4 races shown (tape-delayed) on the local FOX stations here in the US at 3PM.

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FIA Press Release regarding the 2010 championship

The World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on 24 June 2009. The following decisions were taken:

FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

All currently competing teams have committed to the FIA Formula One World Championship.

There will be no alternative series or championship and the rules for 2010 onwards will be the 2009 regulations as well as further regulations agreed prior to 29 April 2009.

As part of this agreement, the teams will, within two years, reduce the costs of competing in the championship to the level of the early 1990s. The manufacturer teams have agreed to assist the new entries for 2010 by providing technical assistance.

The press release also have stuff involving other FIA-sanctioned series, but at the top is the one on Formula One.

I am glad that there is no split. I'm sure there are many that are disappointed that there isn't a breakaway from the FIA, but this is probably the best we'll get for a while. Max Mosley, the President of the FIA, will not run for re-election at the end of October, where his term ends.

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German Grand Prix qualifying results:

1) Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault

2) Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes

3) Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes

4) Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault

5) Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes

6) Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes

7) Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes

8) Felipe Massa, Ferrari

9) Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari

10) Nelson Piquet Jr, Renault

11) Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber

12) Fernando Alonso, Renault

13) Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota

14) Jarno Trulli, Toyota

15) Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota

16) Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber

17) Sebsatien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

18) Giancarolo Fisichella, Force India-Mercedes

19) Timo Glock, Toyota

20) Sebastien Bourdais, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

Race will be broadcast on FOX in the US on 3PM, the 3rd of 4 tape delayed races this season.

There are rumors that Bourdais may be fired from his Toro Rosso ride after this weekend because of his poor performance (he's the lowest ranked of the Red Bull cars in 16th with just 2 points, where his team mates, Buemi, is 14th with 3 points). If Bourdais does get released, I could see him going to the Peugeot LMP1 team (he's raced with them in the past 2 24 Hours of Le Mans).

Red Bull Racing was fined 10k Euros by the race stewarts for releasing Vettel in pit line that nearly caused a collision with Kazuki Nakajima. Also, Glock will start at last place after the stewarts determined that he blocked Alonso during qualifying. Glock was originally docked 3 grid positions, but seeing as he slotted in 19th, he just loses 1 spot.

And it wouldn't be F1 without some form of controversy, as FOTA renews it's threats of a breakaway series after being told they are not official entrants in next year's season

NURBURGRING, Germany (AFP) – Formula One's rebels repeated their threat to create a breakaway series on Thursday despite assurances from the sport's ruling body that a settlement deal was almost ready for signing.

Twenty-four hours after walking out of a meeting of the Technical Working Group, organised by the International Motorsports Federation (FIA), because they were told they could not participate, the eight rebel teams reminded everyone of their previous intentions and their potential.

Remember the FIA's press release on 2010's entrants? Well, apparently, the FIA figured that the FOTA eight teams (Ferrari, Red Bull/Toro Rosso, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Force India, McLaren-Mercedes) didn't drop their conditional entries for next year, and thus were not allowed to take part in the FIA's Technical Working Group (TWG) to hash out the technical aspects of next year's rules. Those that did take part (and were allowed to have a say) were Williams-Toyota, Brawn-Mercedes, Team US F1, Manor Grand Prix, and Campos Meta Team (Williams was kicked out of FOTA after signing up for next year's championship against FOTA's wishes, and Brawn, to my knowledge, hasn't joined FOTA, but side with them). Even though US F1, Manor, and Campos are not FOTA members, you can bet they will side with FOTA is they feel they have to.

Also, Max Mosley, current President of the FIA, has stated that he would stand for re-election if he feels he has to preserve Formula One racing, obviously pissing off many in FOTA (and the millions of F1 fans world wide). Frankly, we will know for sure what will happen to the future of F1 when we see 26 cars on the grid next year at Australia and the FOTA teams are participating in it.

Ah, F1 politics. Don't y'all love it

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German Grand Prix results:

1) Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault (1st career win)

2) Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault

3) Felipe Massa, Ferrari

4) Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota

5) Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes

6) Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes

7) Fernando Aloso, Renault

8) Heikki Kovalanien, McLaren-Mercedes

9) Timo Glock, Toyota

10) Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber

11) Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India-Mercedes

12) Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota

13) Nelson Piquet Jr, Renault

14) Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber

15) Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes

16) Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

17) Jarno Trulli, Toyota

18) Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes

Ret) Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari (Radiator damage)

Ret) Sebastien Bourdais, Toro Rosso-Ferrari (Hydraulics)

Mark Webber got a drive-through penalty for contact with Rubens Barrichello at the start of the race, which made his win even the more sweeter for him.

Lewis Hamilton charged to the lead, then got a cut right-rear tyre at the first turn (thanks to the contact between Webber and Barrichello). He was nearly overtaken by the safety car as he made his way to the pits.

Adrian Sutil threw away a sure points finish after goofing it up at the exit of pit lane, where he just exited from his final (scheduled) stop. He understeered in to Kimi Raikkonen, damage Sutil's front wing, thus needing another stop.

More detailed race results

WDC Points:

1) Jenson Button: 68

2) Sebastian Vettel: 47

3) Mark Webber: 45.5

4) Rubens Barrichello: 44

5) Felipe Massa: 22

6) Jarno Trulli: 21.5

7) Nico Rosberg: 20.5

8) Timo Glock: 13

9) Fernando Alonso: 13

10) Kimi Raikkonen: 10

11) Lewis Hamilton: 9

12) Nick Heidfeld: 6

13) Heikki Kovalainen: 5

14) Sebastien Buemi: 3

15) Robert Kubica: 2

16) Sebastien Bourdais: 2

17) Giancarlo Fisichella: 0

18) Adrian Sutil: 0

19) Nelson Piquet Jr: 0

20) Kazuki Nakajima: 0

WDC Points page

WCC Points:

1) Brawn-Mercedes: 112

2) Red Bull-Renault: 92.5

3) Toyota: 34.5

4) Ferrari: 32

5) Williams-Toyota: 20.5

6) McLaren-Mercedes: 14

7) Renault: 13

8) BMW Sauber: 8

9) Toro Rosso-Ferrari: 5

10) Force India-Mercedes: 0

WCC Points page

Autosport.com reports that Sebastien Bourdais will be replaced by Jamie Alguersuari from the World Series by Renault series. Toro Rosso is supposedly to announce the change after about 48 hours.

Next race is the Hungarian Grand Prix in two weeks. This will be the final of the 4 races that FOX will air tape-delayed at 3PM EDT. This is where Jamie Alguersuari will make his debut, reportedly.

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Henry Surtees, F1 World Champion John Surtees' son, dies in F2 race at Brands Hatch

One car had spun and made contact with the barrier at Westfield Bend, sheering off one of the car's wheels. The wheel bounce across the track, with various car successfully missing it. Sadly, Henry was unlucky and was struck in the head by the wheel. Knocked unconscious, his car continued forward towards Sheene Curve, impacting the barrier there, coming to a stop. Henry was extracted by the safety team, stabilized at the infield care centre, then flown to the Royal London Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Henry Surtees was 18 years.

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Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying Results:

1) Fernando Alonso, Renault

2) Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault

3) Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault

4) Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes

5) Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota

6) Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes

7) Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari

8) Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes

9) Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota

10) Felipe Massa, Ferrari*

11) Sebasitan Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

12) Jarno Trulli, Toyota

13) Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes

14) Timo Glock, Toyota

15) Nelson Piquet Jr, Renault

16) Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber

17) Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India-Mercedes

18) Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes

19) Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber

20) Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

Felipe Massa was seriously injured during the Q2 qualifying session after a piece of Rubens Barrichello's suspension fell off of his car and struck Massa in the head. Massa's F60 Ferrari went off at T4 and into a tyre barrier. Massa was extracted from the chassis while qualifying was halted. He was flown to a Budapest hospital where he underwent surgery for a bone lesion of the skull. He also suffered a concussion and a cut to his forehead. Massa will not start the Hungarian Grand Prix, and Ferrari has withdrawn his entry for the race, leaving Kimi Raikkonen as the lone Ferrari manufacturer on the grid.

Ferrari will issue a statement on Massa's condition on Sunday morning, but right now, Massa is listed in stable condition.

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Hungarian Grand Prix race results:

1) Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes

2) Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari

3) Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault

4) Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota

5) Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes

6) Timo Glock, Toyota

7) Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes

8) Jarno Trulli, Toyota

9) Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota

10) Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes

11) Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber

12) Nelson Piquet Jr, Renault

13) Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber

14) Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India-Mercedes

15) Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

16) Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

Ret) Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault (Suspension)

Ret) Fernando Alonso, Renault (Fuel Pump)

Ret) Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes (Engine)

Complete race results from the FIA website (in .pdf format )

During Fernando Alonso's first pit stop, the right-front tyre changer failed to fully secure the tyre and wheel spat to the hub. During Alonso's outlap, the wheel spat flew off, and a few corners later, the whole tyre, it bounce across the track and was safely out of the way (the pack had already passed the stricken Renault before the tyre came off).

Following a stewart's investigation, using evidence from the world feed, team radio communications, and an interview with the team manager, the stewarts have ruled that ING Renault F1 Team is suspended from the next round of the World Championship, which is the European Grand Prix at Valencia, Spain.

Renault has stated that they will file an appeal.

WDC Points:

1) Jenson Button: 70

2) Mark Webber: 51.5 (-18.5)

3) Sebastian Vettel: 47 (-23)

4) Rubens Barrichello: 44 (-26)

5) Nico Rosberg: 25.5 (-44.5)

6) Jarno Trulli: 22.5 (-47.5)

7) Felipe Massa: 22 (-48)

8) Lewis Hamilton: 19 (-51)

9) Kimi Raikkonen: 18 (-52)

10) Timo Glock: 16 (-54)

11) Fernando Alonso: 13 (-57)

12) Heikki Kovalainen: 9 (-61)

13) Nick Heidfeld: 6 (-64)

14) Sebastien Buemi: 3 (-67)

15) Robert Kubica: 2 (-68)

16) Sebastien Bourdais: 2 (-68)

17) Giancarlo Fisichella: 0

18) Kazuki Nakajima: 0

19) Adrian Sutil: 0

20) Nelson Piquet Jr: 0

21) Jaime Alguersuari: 0

Complete WDC table (in .pdf format)

WCC Points:

1) Brawn-Mercedes: 114

2) Red Bull-Renault: 98.5 (-15.5)

3) Ferrari: 40 (-74)

4) Toyota: 38.5 (-75.5)

5) McLaren-Mercedes: 28 (-86)

6) Williams-Toyota: 25.5 (-88.5)

7) Renault: 13 (-101)

8) BMW Sauber: 8 (-106)

9) Toro Rosso-Ferrari: 5 (-109)

10) Force India-Mercedes: 0

Complete WCC Points table (in .pdf format)

The European Grand Prix is in 4 weeks, so the teams will get a much needed break. Also, the FOTA teams have decided to idle their F1 shops for 2 weeks as a way of saving money. I haven't read when the FIA will hear Renault's appeal of their suspension from the European Grand Prix, it will be sometime before the next race.

No more tape-delayed races here in the US, as FOX has aired the 4 Grands Prix that they normally do at this time of the year.

EDIT: Ferrari optimistic about Massa's recovery

Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo has said he is optimistic about Felipe Massa’s condition after visiting the team’s injured driver in Budapest on Monday. Massa remains stable in hospital following surgery on skull fractures he sustained in his qualifying accident at the Hungaroring on Saturday.

"I'm confident and optimistic about Felipe's capacity to recover, also because he has excellent medical care and I want to thank the staff at the AEK hospital for the work they're doing,†said di Montezemolo after meeting with doctors, as well as Massa’s wife and parents.

Sounds like Massa will pull out of this Whether he'll be back in a race car or not remains to be seen.

Forza Massa!

Edited July 27, 2009 by commadore183

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BMW announced Formula One withdrawl

BMW will end their involvement in Formula One racing at the end of the current season, it was announced on Wednesday. The move is part of what the German car maker described as a ‘landmark’ decision to restructure its motorsport activities.

The news came at a press conference held at the company’s German headquarters in Munich, attended by BMW Sauber team principal Mario Theissen, along with Dr. Norbert Reithofer, the chairman of the BMW board, and Dr. Klaus Draeger, the director for development.

It's sad to see BMW go, but with the world economy down like it is, it's not easy trying to justify spending millions of dollars on motorsports when people are losing their jobs, especially in the manufacturing sector.

Frankly, I thought Toyota (first year of losses since the 1940s) or Renault (a small car manufacturer) would pull out of F1 before BMW did. No word on if Peter Sauber (who owns a 20% stake in the team after BMW bought him out) will continue on as a privateer. If Peter Sauber doesn't participate, then one of the new teams not initially chosen for the 2010 season would most likely take the spot.

[germanwing 154]

Michael Schumacher - comeback for Ferrari!

http://sports.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/ra...mp;series=FORM1

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Michael Schumacher - comeback for Ferrari!

http://sports.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/ra...mp;series=FORM1

I was about to post about that While it's nice to see Schumacher back in the Prancing Horse, I wonder if Ferrari looked at their test drivers (Luca Badoer and Marc Gene), or decided that Schumacher would be the best at getting Ferrari much needed wins and podiums.

Either way, good to hear that Massa is doing well

[#18 the _Hoss_ 2]

SCHUMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

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Michael Schumacher, back in the cockpit...will it be reminiscent of old times? Will Schumacher pick up 70 championship points filling in for Massa? Can Schumacher/Raikkonen take 1-2 the rest of the season and possibly throw Ferrari back on top of the Constructors' standings with 166 points?

This could potentially be very interesting.

[eva unit zero 271]

Darn tootin' it'll be interesting

Can you tell I've always been a Schumi fan, even since his days with Benetton? I always liked Ferrari as well, and rooted for them behind him...so naturally it was a perfect match when Schumacher moved to Ferrari.

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Angry Piquet confirms Renault exit

Nelson Piquet has confirmed he will not be racing at the European Grand Prix later this month after parting company with the Renault team.

Piquet was already in doubt for the previous race in Hungary, but a war of words with team boss Flavio Briatore last week seemed to indicate the end of the relationship between the Brazilian and Renault.

No word on who will replace Piquet, but I have heard of GP2 driver Roman Grosjean taking over the seat (though Grosjean has been horribly inconsistent in GP2 this season).

Also, Renault's appeal will be heard on the 17th, three days before the European Grand Prix at Valencia. They won't know the decision until the 18th, which would be for Friday practice, I believe. Renault would lose out on a lot of money if they travel to Valencia, only to hear that their appeal has been denied.

And finally, F1 may return to Montreal in 2010 if the city and Bernie Eccelstone come to an agreement on sanctioning fees and such.

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I was a firm believer that Canada would end up losing their GP within a year or two when the USGP got axed, and I'm also a firm believer that the only way a Canadian GP will be approved is when Tony George/Bernie Eccelstone come to terms for Indy to host another event.

Yeah, I'm sure the reason for 2 GPs in NA was to justify the cost of traveling oversea. I think that the only time you'll see a solo GP in NA is if it is the beginning of the season or the end of the season. And, obviously the 2 NA GPs would be back-to-back to save costs of traveling back and forth between the European rounds and the NA rounds.

Now, for something from the "WTF!?" files: Spa to shard Grand Prix date with Nurburgring?

Bernie Ecclestone hinted to Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell magazine on Tuesday that Spa Francorchamps may soon share its annual Formula One hosting rights with another venue.

In the same interview as the F1 chief executive suggested Canada will return to the 2010 schedule - something denied by Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay - he also said the Belgian circuit and the Nurburgring may from now on alternate the rights to a single annual event.

So instead of experiencing the joys and wonders of the magnificent Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps every year, we'll only see it every other year? I don't see any upside to it. So that means that, if this does happen, the Belgian Grand Prix would be in 2010, the German/European Grand Prix in 2011, etc (this is all hypothetical, as I don't know the exact details of this deal). I'm not sure what GP the Nurburgring will hold outside of the German GP, as Valencia hosts the European Grand Prix, and the AvD (the owners of the Hockenheimring) owns the rights to the German Grand Prix (but an agreement allows the race to alternate between the two German circuits).

[commadore183 103]

Schumacher calls off return

Michael Schumacher has called off his sensational return to Formula One.

The seven time world champion, who retired in 2006, recently said he would step in out of "loyalty" to replace the injured Felipe Massa.

He tested a 2007 car at the end of July and was set to conduct two more days in the F2007 this week at Mugello, as concerns lingered about the health of his neck that he injured in a motorcycle testing crash in February.

Schumacher, 40, said on his official website michael-schumacher.de on Tuesday morning that he told Luca di Montezemolo and Stefano Domenicali the bad news on Monday night.

"I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret, it didn't work out," said the German.

Schumacher confirmed speculation that he actually sustained fractures "in the area of head and neck" in the February fall.

"That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by formula one yet," he explained. "I am disappointed to the core. I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me.

Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer will race at Valencia in place of Massa.

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Eccelstone grants Sepang earlier start

Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has agreed to move the start time of the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix forward an hour to 4pm, in a bid to avoid a repeat of the lighting problems that affected this year's race.

April's event at Sepang had to be abandoned just after half distance when it was a hit by a major rain shower, and could not get restarted before dark.

Finally, a good move by Bernie. At least next time around we won't have to worry about a race stopped because of rains/darkness just past halfway.

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Renault to race at Valencia after appeal

Renault will race in the European Grand Prix this weekend after the FIA Court of Appeal overturned the team's one-race suspension today.

The team claimed at today's hearing in Paris that there was no conscious wrongdoing when Fernando Alonso was released from his first pitstop in the Hungarian Grand Prix before his right front wheel was properly attached.

There's no official word on who will replace Nelson Piquet Jr in the 2nd Renault, but it does seem likely that Renault test driver and GP2 driver Roman Grosjean will take over Piquet's seat.

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European Grand Prix qualifying results:

1) Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes

2) Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes

3) Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes

4) Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault

5) Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes

6) Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari

7) Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota

8) Fernando Alonso, Renault

9) Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault

10) Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber

11) Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber

12) Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes

13) Timo Glock, Toyota

14) Romain Grosjean, Renault

15) Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

16) Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India-Mercedes

17) Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota

18) Jarno Trulli, Toyota

19) Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

20) Luca Badoer, Ferrari

Race will be on at 8AM EDT in the States.

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European Grand Prix race results

1) Rubens Barrichello, Brawn-Mercedes

2) Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes

3) Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari

4) Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes

5) Nico Rosberg, Williams-Toyota

6) Fernando Alonso, Renault

7) Jenson Button, Brawn-Mercedes

8) Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber

9) Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault

10) Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes

11) Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber

12) Giancarlo Fisichella, Force India-Mercedes

13) Jarno Trulli, Toyota

14) Timo Glock, Toyota

15) Romain Grosjean, Renault

16) Jaime Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari

17) Luca Badoer, Ferrari

18) Kazuki Nakajima, Williams-Toyota

Ret) Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari (Brake failure)

Ret) Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault (Engine failure)

WDC Points (numbers in color are positions gained/lost in the championship points, green = position gained, red = position lost, blue = no change in position)

1) Jenson Button: 72 (0)

2) Rubens Barrichello: 54 (-18) (+2)

3) Mark Webber: 51.5 (-20.5) (-1)

4) Sebastian Vettel: 47 (-25) (-1)

5) Nico Rosberg: 29.5 (-42.5) (0)

6) Lewis Hamilton: 27 (-45) (+2)

7) Kimi Raikkonen: 24 (-47) (+2)

8) Jarno Trulli: 22.5 (-49.5) (-2)

9) Felipe Massa: 22 (-50) (-2)

10) Timo Glock: 16 (-56) (0)

11) Fernando Alonso: 16 (-56) (0)

12) Heikki Kovalainen: 14 (-58) (0)

13) Nick Heidfeld: 6 (-66) (0)

14) Robert Kubica: 3 (-69) (+1)

15) Sebastien Buemi: 3 (-69) (-1)

16) Sebastien Bourdais: 2 (-70) (0)

17) Giancarlo Fisichella: 0 (0)

18) Adrian Sutil: 0 (-72) (+1)

19) Kazuki Nakajima: 0 (-1)

20) Nelson Piquet Jr: 0 (0)

21) Jaime Alguersuari: 0 (0)

22) Romain Grosjean: 0

23) Luca Badoer: 0

WCC Points

1) Brawn-Mercedes: 126 (0)

2) Red Bull-Renault: 98.5 (-27.5) (0)

3) Ferrari: 46 (-80) (0)

4) McLaren-Mercedes: 41 (-85) (+1)

5) Toyota: 38.5 (-87.5) (-1)

6) Williams-Toyota: 29.5 (-96.5) (0)

7) Renault: 16 (-110) (0)

8) BMW Sauber: 9 (-117) (0)

9) Toro Rosso-Ferrari: 5 (-121) (0)

10) Force India-Mercedes: 0 (0)

Just trying something new with the standings, let me know what you think about it.

Anyways, next race is this weekend at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the longest circuit on the F1 calendar at 4.352 miles/7.004 kilometres in length. Race will be on at 8AM EDT in the States.

[Ernesto_182 1]

This last GP was in my city and i was there!!

This is one hell of a boat!!