F1 Results, Standings and Schedule

2009 F1 Schedule (provisional)

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:40:53 -0500

2009 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar (provisional)

29 March Australia
5 April Malaysia
19 April Bahrain
10 May Spain
24 May Monaco
7 June Canada
21 June Great Britain
28 June France
12 July Germany
26 July Hungary
9 August Turkey
23 August Europe (Valencia)
6 September Italy
13 September Belgium
27 September Singapore
11 October Japan
18 October China
1 November Brazil
15 November Abu Dhabi

Current 2008 F1 WDC Standings

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:54:41 -0500

World Championship standings, round 12:

Drivers:
1. Hamilton - 70
2. Massa - 64
3. Raikkonen - 57
4. Kubica - 55
5. Kovalainen - 43
6. Heidfeld - 41
7. Trulli - 26
8. Alonso - 18
9. Webber - 18
10. Glock - 15
11. Piquet - 13
12. Barrichello - 11
13. Vettel - 9
14. Rosberg - 9
15. Nakajima - 8
16. Coulthard - 6
17. Button - 3
18. Bourdais - 2

Current 2008 F1 Constructors Championship

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:45:40 -0500

1. Ferrari - 121
2. McLaren-Mercedes - 113
4. Toyota - 41
5. Renault - 31
6. Red Bull-Renault - 24
7. Williams-Toyota - 17
8. Honda - 14
9. Toro Rosso-Ferrari - 11

2008 F1 Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:01:16 -0500

2008 Formula 1 World Championship calendar

Mar 16 - Melbourne, Australia
Mar 23 - Sepang, Malaysia
Apr 6 - Sakhir, Bahrain
Apr 27 - Barcelona, Spain
May 11 - Istanbul Park, Turkey
May 25 - Monte Carlo, Monaco
June 8 - Montreal, Canada
June 22 - Magny-Cours, France
July 6 - Silverstone, Great Britain
July 20 - Hockenheim, Germany
Aug 3 - Hungaroring, Hungary
Aug 24 - Valencia, Europe
Sep 7 - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Sep 14 - Monza, Italy
Sep 28 - Singapore*
Oct 12 - Fuji, Japan
Oct 19 - Shanghai, China
Nov 2 - Interlagos, Brazil

*night race

JPS Lawnmower Nice... We all need one

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:30:33 -0500

Check out this mower!

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/07/f1-lawn-mower-cuts-down-the-competition-like-schumacher/

Fwd: Birthday Cakes

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:31:04 -0500

From: Michael McLaren

A must-have for every F1-fans' birthday.

Max On F1 Spending

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:31:23 -0500

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/62692

Ok Max, you want to cut down on spending and level the playing field? How about Mandatory Disclosure of all Data at the close of the season.
Brett Johnson

F1, Computers and Tracks

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:18:00 -0500

Thanks to Венцислав Жечев/Ventsislav Zhechev for brining this to our attention.

The current state of the use of computers in F1 is simply astounding. Equally amazing is the degree to which people will go to win races.
http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2007/9/6819.html

Disgruntled McLaren Fan

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:31:52 -0500

This was an email received at FormulaPod regarding the disappointment in the 2007 F1 season. Though we rarely post emails, this one, despite the distresses signals, seemed to have a clear tone and gets the message across, F1 should be about racing.

From: Michael McLaren
Date: Aug 8, 2007 7:08 AM

To be honest with you, this season has turned to complete shit in for me. The fact that my team, after a promising start a great car and two drivers who can win any race they enter, have turned themselves inside-out, and has me about as gutted as I've ever been over anything I've been passionate about.

I wish I had no allegiances. This'd be easier if I was a dispassionate observer, rather than an engaged supporter.

Evidence: McLaren won in Hungary, but I wasn't happy, I was murderous with anger at Hamilton for his insolence that cost Alonso a rightful win and the team MILLIONS in WCC points. Not to mention add to the stink already slathering McLaren for CoughneyGate...

I'm also mutinous over Ron Dennis' handling over CoughneyGate and how he's dealing with Alonso/Hamilton. If I was RD, I'd have suspended Hamilton from driving in Turkey for insubordination, and named Alonso the #1 driver for the remainder of the season to hammer-home the point. Hamilton has USED his ties to Dennis to get favorable treatment, and I now reckon that Fernando is right in thinking he's getting screwed.

So generally, I'm depressed about McLaren in particular, and F1 in general. Ferrari can say what they like and make it stick, get away with cheating because they're good at it, and besmirch the reputation of another team on complete hearsay because the other team can't get their shit together, and plays directly into the opposition's mud-slinging PR campaign.

After a decade of loss, this was supposed to be a re-emergence of the Wokking crew. Instead, pfffft.

Next year? I dunno. Alonso, should he get his release, won't be driving for anyone. He's under contract to McLaren through 2008, and Ron Dennis isn't about to let the best driver in F1 go to BMW and compete against him -- for all the buy-out money in the world. I reckon it's better to have this camel pissing out of the tent than in it.

*sigh*

Mac.

Michael McLaren

Design Director

Baker Associates

mmclaren@bakerassociates.com

952.475.4230

--
Brett Johnson
Carlsbad, CA
541-390-8708
http://formulapod.com
http://podclimber.com
http://pogeneration.com

USGP Cancelled for 2008

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:33:26 -0500

The 2008 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis has been canceled indefinitely. Bernie Ecclestone and Tony George were unable to come up with terms to continue the streak after 8 consecutive seasons.

Even after revising the track to avoid further tire problems, a.k.a. the 2005 Michelin disaster, the track seemed to be low on the favorites list of F1 drivers and Bernie alike.

Norbert Haug believes this is a major blow to F1 given that the United States is the number one market in the world for Mercedes-Benz.

Another issue is the estimated $100 million dollar dent this will put in the city of Indianapolis economy. The strife between the IMS and the city began at the tracks inception in 1909 when the city planning commission denied the request to build the track within the city limits.

But really is this is about nothing more than one person wanting to make more money than another. Ultimately F1 fans pay the price, regardless.

Some quotes from other FormulaPod F1 fans:

MAC:
"We didn't reach an agreement... Let's see if we miss America," Ecclestone told Reuters.
7/12/07 11:13 AM
"It has been a pleasure having the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis, and I hope that as we approach our Centennial Era at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an opportunity might present itself that would allow its return."
7/12/07 11:13 AM
....yeah, like Bernie dying.
. . . .

The west isn't Bernie's cup of tea anymore. I expect Silverstone to be dropped, Magny Cours to get the official axe and maybe even Monza
7/12/07 12:15 PM
They might walk away from Spa, too
7/12/07 12:15 PM
He doesn't seem to have any sense of loyalty or tradition

__

Jim Hunter:
I certainly hoped they would make significant revisions to the circuit and keep the race at Indy, but the circuit as is was bad because it never really gave the fans a chance to see the full potential of modern day F1 cars and drivers. I'd also hoped they would move the race back to the fall and latter part of the schedule.

My guess is that he was trying to say this: F1 has not broken the US market partially because it has yet to find its niche here. Much of that is due to the "spectacle" as much as it is the sport. I think that he felt Indy fell short on both counts. The circuit was one of the weakest, most mickey mouse on the calendar, while being a nice city with nice people . . . the culture of Indy lacked in spectacle. Therefore, if F1 could truly find a home in the US that allowed the spectacle and sport to flourish, more Americans would take notice.

I can't help but wonder if Tilke has a circuit design in the works that will be constructed outside of Las Vegas.

---

Well, let's hope there is a Herman Tilke designed track in the works for Vegas. It it were combined with a cutting edge hotel, it could be the beginning of FormulaOnederland.

Indianapolis Star Article on USGP at Indy 2008
Speed TV Article on USGP 2008 Cancellation
Reuters Ariticle on F1 Cancellation at USGP

Cutting CO2 or a Sneak Attack on Porsche, Ferrari?: Doron Levin

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:33:53 -0500

Sent by EeLinneman

Cutting CO2 or a Sneak Attack on Porsche, Ferrari?: Doron Levin

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=email_en&refer=home&sid=aijQ0.2BMGw8

Vitantonio Liuzzi not responsible for French Crash

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:34:17 -0500

Normally you guys do a great job with the podcast. However, during the
French race cast Brett suggested three times that Vitantonio Liuzzi was
responsible for the collision with Davidson. As a Torro Rosso fan I must
point out he was not. Davidson ran into the back of the Torro Rosso in turn
one spinning Liuzzi who then, while trying to recover from the Davidson
collison t-boned Davidson.

After the incident Davidson apologised to Liuzzi.

That said keep up the great work!!

Street Speeding Kills

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:35:07 -0500

Man, when I look back at what we did in cars . . . eeek. Then one
day I put Michelle's life in jeaporady. I was pissed a her and passed on
the inside of a blind turn. Totally stupid. That was it. I think I've
had one relapse since then.

The reality is that you can't control what other people are doing on the
open road. Sure, you can do some insane stuff, and practice driving
lines, but it is completely different than racing on a track. You don't
have to worry about someone jogging, or a kid on a bike on a road
course. In most circumstances you don't have to worry about deer or
dogs crossing the road either. Most of all, you don't ever have to
consider oncoming traffic. Once you've compensated for all of these
variables, then how on the edg are you really? You can only be doing
aroun 70-80 percent, and how is that like racing? It's really adrenaline
but not real racing.

I suppose if you don't feel like life has a value, they you don't care
about consequences.

Thanks for the heads up.

Brett

From Laurens:

We have been having a rash of Speeders and road racing here in
Ontario, numerous deaths caused by the idiots. Public have been
using videotape to aid the constabulary in aprehentions of the
offending motorists. some upwards of 200Kph on 100Kph highways. (you
do the math for conversions.

Paul racy has stepped up to do a public service ad to put an end to
the street racing chanagans.
http://www.thestar.com/article/232249
and
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2007/04/c3812.html

Ferrari Hybrid, a step towards F0

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:36:04 -0500

Carbon fiber, cardboard, and whirlpool jets. The Ferrari FFX Millechili promises all the standard hybrid car features.
http://green.yahoo.com/index.php?q=node/645

The car features a direct injection bioethanol-compatibale V8 or V12 and a sequential gearbox. Gottal love this quote too: "It is thought that such a system could be used in Ferrari's future F1 cars for saving fuel, in conjunction with brake energy regeneration, which captures energy otherwise lost under deceleration." This is a cool one too: "active aerodynamic underbody, with synthetic 'jets' to channel airflow"

http://www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=16258

This article is pretty much a dupe. http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9736034-1.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Crave

200 MPH and 200 MPG Velozzi
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/603/

Velozzi.org

Check this contest out. 'Revoution Through Competition' is their tagline.
http://auto.xprize.org/

More green car info and links here at Ecogeek.org
http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/146/

Thanks for the heads up Laurens

Define F0

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:41:58 -0500

What if F0 stood for 0 (zero) emissions? What if the series allowed cars to be developed to the point that they were faster than F1 cars? What if tires had to last a weekend? Why not start with biodiesel? What if regenerative braking really did allow for push to pass? And what if the series had at least one manufacturer and one petroleum company willing to make a stand? Would we have F0?

Forget about the people who say that adding traction controls and fly by wire are ruining the drivers. And laugh in their face when they complain it is too expensive. It is a new millennium and time for a new type of driver, a new type of team, and a new kind of series. A series that addresses the groundswell reality that this planet is about to go into a state of environmental shock. Drivers and teams that have to be equally aggressive and conservative.

I'm not exactly sure what F0 is supposed to be, but I hope it is a wiser alternative to racing and the future of racing than the current sport of F1. From what I read online and see in our own forums, F1 could easily be dethroned with an environmentally conscious series. One that brings technology back to the public. Building more efficient motors, tires, fuel cells, capacitors, and the like with racing budgets could have a profound effect not only on the automotive industry, but on the sport of auto racing itself.

This letter will be posted in our forum if you would like to follow along. I'm certain that plenty of comments will add to concept, bring up controversy and provide insight and resolution.

--
Brett Johnson
Carlsbad, CA 92011
http://formulapod.com
http://podclimber.com

USGP As Per Jeff Wunrow - And PhotosToo.

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:41:26 -0500

Mornin' Guys,

I was hoping I'd see you guys at the USGP last week. What a great race
weekend. I'd have to say it was the biggest crowd we've had except for
maybe the first year. My guess would be at least 200.000 people on
race day and close to 125,000 for Quali. I sure hope Bernie and Tony
can come to long term agreement for the future of the race.

It's funny, if all you saw was the race, you would have thought that
Hamilton dominated the weekend. In reality he was never better than
second quick and the end of every session. In fact, Alanso also had
the fasted lap of Quali, his time is Q2 was faster then Lewis. Then
of course in the race, Lewis was able to hold Fernando off going in to
turn 1, not once but several times and that my friends was the race.

What can you say about Hamilton. He is by far the best at late
breaking of anyone currently in F1. Combine that with his balls of
steel and there was nothing short of a mistake on his park would have
created on opening for Alonso to pass him.

I'm sticking with my predictions (because I have to, that's why they
call them predictions!) for the season. I still think there is a good
chance that Alonso will win the championship, On the constructors
side, I'm hopefull that the tide is finally turning and the Renault
boys results of the last two races will continue into the European
races. All in all it's a great season so far. What an awesome time to
be an F1 fan.

I've finally had a chance to go through and organize my images from
the race. I've posted quite a few of them on my web site at
http://homepage.mac.com/jeff_wunrow/PhotoAlbum98.html, and I've also
uploaded at least one shot of each driver on to the Formula Pod photo
page.

Brett, you mentioned in the last show that you moved from Bend, OR.
Were did you end up? Take care guys.

Jeff Wunrow

Google To Buyout FOM?

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:40:49 -0500

Google should buy all of the rights to F1 from the Formula One Management. They could immediately fire Bernie and hire Brett Johnson. They could also coerce Max into relenting the throne to Corey Krause.

Most importantly, Google could could afford to shun the big oil companies, provide modern advertising techniques to new businees and be free to create the greatest, most environmentally rad sport in the world:

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/clean-energy-update.html

Fwd: Greetings from the USGP 07

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:40:01 -0500

I'd be honored . . .

here's another one . . . did I send you this already . . . ? it is a bit more compressed than the other file. If you like better I can send a higher res version. It's tighter . . . a tougher shot on a faster corner . . . but I think the other shot is a better angle.

Traci and I ate at Palomino on Saturday night . . . the place was packed and we had to take a makeshift table at the door.

The great thing is that we saw Wurz walk right in . . . I almost said something to him but he looked so much younger in person than he does on TV, etc. that for a moment I wasn't totally sure that it was him.

The wild thing was that about 15 minutes later quick Nick came up to the Maitre'd (however you spell it) with a buddy and couldn't get a table! Geez . . . the guy needs a manager or an entourage! Seriously, I was sitting there almost saying "you just turned away Nick Heidfeld" but I'm certain the guy had no idea who he was. Anyway, I like Nick. Would love to drink a beer with him. Seems like a totally normal guy.

Driving home we saw Mario Thiessen walking down the street. By total accident we crossed paths with him again later at a cross walk. I gave him the thumbs up but don't really think he caught my gesture.

Re: ...another follow-up

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:39:14 -0500

sweet. Well, weirder things have happened. Fred is probably very accustomed to being the golden boy. Lewco has completely tarnished that image. Keep us posted.

On 6/18/07, Michael McLaren wrote:

Apparently, the "rumor" of Alonso defecting midseason came from the Italian press first -- della Sport. Which I earlier reported, but hadn't made a connection to.

The Spanish media picked-up the Alonso leaving McLaren story post Indy, figuring that the nerves and feelings over being beaten, and the whole "swerving at the pitwall business-to-send-a-message" bullshit would resonate.

So, if you follow THIS logic:

The Italian (Tifosi) media are pissed at Kimi for beign lackluster, and so they take the potential infighting and civil war at McLaren to a new level and suggest that Alonso's looking for an out in order to sign with someone else midseason.

Then, Todt comes out-of-the-blue post Indy and says, "not with me you're not."

I reckon this was a Tifosi attempt at whacking Kimi through Fred.

...but it may have truth to it. Monaco: Hammy's pissed. Canada: Fred's pissed. Indy: All smiles and Ron's not on the podium....could be Dennis told them both to put on a good team show, and shut their gobs.

From the bushes, your man with the reporters notebook,

Mac.

Alonso To Break Contract?

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:32:59 -0500

This came from NoFuture and Mac. Is Alonso looking for a way out of his contract?

Noffie says those two stories are from news organizations who's papers are not to be trusted beyond doing a good job catching bird-poop.

BUT the italian press, Gazetta dello Sport, had a similar story last week...

So if you take this idea that Alonso's entourage has been courting other F1 teams because the driver feels he's getting the short end of the stick from Hamilton's PR machine and support at McLaren, and put it alongside the story where Todt said would have nothing to do with Alonso so long as he was running the team, you have the basic whiffs of truth to the rumor.

Obviously, someone in the media was prompted to ask the question to Todt, "if Alonso were suddenly free mid-season, would you consider him"? Given that he'd already probably heard from Alonso's people, his sudden out-of-the-blue denunciation of the Spaniard makes sense.

All I can say is, the Civil War at McLaren seems to have a certain reality to it.

Mac.

USGP Mobile F1 Podcast

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:38:15 -0500

FormulaPod fans take you to Indianapolis for podcasts from the 2007 United States F1 Grand Prix.

Follow Bert Lensch, Randall Prince and others on this audio tour on and F1 weekend.

USGP Mobile F1 Podcast

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:37:27 -0500

FormulaPod fans take you to Indianapolis for podcasts from the 2007 United States F1 Grand Prix.

Follow Bert Lensch, Randall Prince and others on this audio tour on and F1 weekend.

To Bernie from Indy press: "Bite Me"

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:36:43 -0500

From F1i.com

US press attacks Ecclestone, F1

Written by Administrator
Sunday, 17 June 2007
Jun.17 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone awoke to a hostile American media on Sunday morning after suggesting that formula one can live without its annual visit to the States. The F1 supremo, who earlier described the US grand prix as "not vital", had declared at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday evening that his American hosts "haven't done anything" to get behind his series, which in decades of history and eight years at its current venue has failed to break the US market. Ecclestone, 76, was speaking after three meetings with Indy's Tony George this weekend failed to result in the extension of the expiring GP contract. A writer for the local Post-Tribute responded: "Yeah, Bernie, you can go to Russia or India, but in what country does Ferrari, your biggest car owner, sell its most cars? That's America, in case you had a brain freeze." Even a writer for the usually supportive Indianapolis Star headlined that "Arrogant F1 should hit road out of Indy". "I've got advice for (Tony) George. Learn how to say 'Bite me' in all the languages of today's F1 drivers. "They are the Guests From Hell. And it's time for them to leave. "Let me mention something to F1: Nobody outside of Indy cares about this race. And the truth is, very few inside of Indy care about this race." A journalist for ESPN, the dedicated sports-related network, even described Ecclestone as a "man who looks like a geriatric Harry Potter"

Fwd: Schumi to replace Todt?

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:32:16 -0500

A Bablefish translation of a story from elmundo.es, that suggests two things:

1. "Alonso never in ferrari while I'm here", as per the interview with Jean Todt.

2. Todt wants Schumi to replace him

The badly translated story:

The DIRECTOR OF FERRARI SUPEDITA ITS DRAFTEE To ' OTHER JEFES' Todt: ' With me in Ferrari, Alonso I will not come had liked that Schumacher continued other three years.

The sport director of escuderķa of Formula 1 Ferrari, Jean Todt, closed the door to a possible draftee of the Spanish Fernando Alonso by red bolides while he is to the control of the equipment.

"While it lasts the Todt chapter, will not be Alonso", indicated in an interview that publishes east Saturday the Italian newspaper ' the Gazzetta dello Sport'.

"For me he is a great pilot. There were contacts that did not arrive at port. Today I have two pilots of 26 and 27 years, to me does not like to change. Said this, Ferrari is not mine. A day, I do not know when, the Todt chapter will be closed and will be others those that make the decisions ", adds the French Director.

Alonso assured during the week to feel "uncomfortable" in its new equipment, McLaren-Mercedes, at whom this same season arrived and where it is having problems with his companion, the Briton Lewis Hamilton. For that reason, the Italian press speculated with the draftee of Alonso by Ferrari.

It is not moment for making balance with Kimi Todt defended the work of Kimi Raikkonen, the new draftee of the equipment for the present campaign with the mission to replace the multichampion Michael Schumacher.

"To judge I prefer it to wait for end of the season". Todt wants to close the chapter of Schumacher like pilot, but it thinks that the German would be a good substitute his to the front of the equipment.

"We have two good pilots. Schumi has chosen to finish and we have respected it. I had liked that it continued other three years. It decided that one finished in Nürburgring (May of 2006), but we announced it in Monza (September)".

"Schumacher knows to listen, knows the people, knows to cause that they work together, it has the great human sensitivity, has personality. He is a leader ", praised Todt to heptacampeón of the world, ex- pilot of the Italian equipment.

The Frenchman is delegated administrator of Ferari and he still takes care of Formula 1 "because we lived an important evolution with certain personages who no longer are and other that have new responsibilities".

"I must assure that transition and it has been long time to me. In the next months we will have to think about a sport management with a head who is not temporary," said a possible aim of a task in which it has been implied for 14 years. Todt wished Schumacher that enjoys his non-F1 life.

"Ferrari is not for want in equipment. Perhaps within three years it will not be thus," ventured on the possible return of the German to the world of Formula 1 in some senior posts.

USGP Mobile F1 Podcast

noreply@blogger.com (PodGeneration) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 21:56:32 -0500

FormulaPod fans take you to Indianapolis for podcasts from the 2007 United States F1 Grand Prix.

Follow Bert Lensch, Randall Prince and others on this audio tour on and F1 weekend.