The F1 season 2004

It is a bit unfortunate also that the French TV director concentrated so much Alonso/ MSC when from what I saw, all of the real action was further back in the field. I appreciate that a Renault was leading for much of the race, but honestly you'd have thought (apart from the pitstops) that there was only 2 cars in the race.

 

It's about time that Bernie had his own TV crew to cover each race so we wouldn't get these rather silly national biases (French concentrating on Renault) which ruin the coverage. I thought that after BernieVision (digital F1 TV) collapsed the broadcast feed would be from his cameras but alas it wasn't to be the case

Michael.

 

Seconded. The quality of the TV coverage is indeed more variable than it should be.

I see no reason why we have to see the leading car for what feels like hours on end. This is, I feel, one of the main reasons so many people think that F1 is boring, and that there's no overtaking.

Some of the midfield fighting has been very, very good this year. It's a shame more of it has not been shown on TV.

 

Another thing: I'll be in England next week-end and fancy going to the Silverstone GP with the gf. Questions:

What's the weather likely to be like?

Where do I get tickets, and what will they cost?

 

Bah rubbish! Any true motor sport enthusiast will tell you about the joys of keeping a lap chart and timing intervals manually whilst watching a Formula Ford race.

It's kind of the F1 equivalent I guess, a totally different perspective and quite enlightening. For instance, it told me that Schumacher was ahead of Alonso long before the Spaniard pitted, just by being able to add the gains from the various sectors on screen.

I have to say it was more interesting than watching bloody renaults going round and round. Now if I get the digital TV tuner for the mac, I can have the live timing as a picture in picture on the plasma..............

 

I just spent 15 minutes trying to buy a ticket online at silverstonemotorsport.co.uk. I had no success, and I'm not normally too stupid to navigate a website. This must be one of the worst circular referral schemes in existence.

I then phoned them. You'd think that in the week leading up to the Grand Prix, the phones would be open late. Nope. They close shop at 5 pm.

If that's the level of service I have to expect, I'm not sure I really want to go.

 

To be fair Markus, it's my understanding that the event was sold out a few weeks ago now.

 

Apparently not. They claim "extremely limited ticket availability", so there must be a few left.

 

Talking of the Silverstone GP.

Does anyone else think that the stunt they're pulling in central London today is totally inconsiderate of the people that live and work there?

For those thaty haven't heard they're going to have a mini race in London to promote the up coming GP. It obviously requires several roads to be closed. I wonder who had that great idea ???


GTM

 

Bit of an unnecessary stunt and as I heard someone raise this morning on TV - who's paying for all the closures, etc? I'll be surprised if its coming out of Bernie's pocket and I really don't think its a suitable use of taxpayers money.

 

I think it's a great idea and am only disappointed that I won't be in London to enjoy it! Now what would be really good would be to have the British GP as a street circuit in London :Lplates:

Michael.

 

I think it's a great idea provided they let me pick the roads. I'd like to see them "negotiate" the sleeping policemen

 

Michael can we have a variation on this smilie for BMW drivers? Possibly with just the one hand on the wheel and the other shaking vigorously in an up and down motion?

How about it?

 

Hi Ian,

13>2? Awesome. I bet your wole team is feeling proud.

The only problem seems to be Sato. He seems to be quick only when he has a car with a reasonable chance of blowing up. Since you spoilt that for him, he is much slower/less aggressive than he used to be. technical or psychological reasons? Has he been told to modify his driving habits? The truth will out at the end of the season.

 

So.....Button to Williams next year .

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/formulaone/story/0,10069,1277590,00.html

I bet that didn't make your day Ian Unfortuantely looks like we're going to have a nasty legal battle between BAR and Williams now

Michael.

 

Didn't Williams have an option on Button?

 

I think it's a shame that F1 is shown on TV at all. It's more fun watching the London Eye go round.

 

Nope. They had no contractual connection since 2002 that I'm aware of. BAR had an option on Button for 2005 which they say they excercised, however as I understand it, this option is conditional on Honda's long term commitment to the team. Since they just signed up through 2007, you might think that was a pretty strong commitment but Honda have a getout clause in their renewal allowing them to leave F1 at any time if they deem the new FIA regs to be detrimental to the "technical challenge". It's believed that this little clause sufficiently undermines their commitment for Button to be allowed a getout from his option with BAR - at least Button, his management team and Williams think so.

It's likely this will go to the FIA contract recognition board who will decide which side has the stronger claim on Button but they can't force a driver to drive for a team he doesn't want to drive for. If they decide in BAR's favour it will just mean Williams will have to pay BAR compensation (likely to be several million dollars).

Whatever happens, it's pretty unlikely Button will be with BAR next year because he's seriously burnt his bridges with them now. Having shafted them like this you can't really imagine him going back now. I don't envy him meeting the team for the start of the next GP in a week's time... :JPS:

Sure makes this the most exciting "silly season" in F1 for ages . Now, what are the bets on Hakkinen or even Villeneuve driving for BAR next year? Villeneuve is extremely unlikely since he was totally shafted by Dave Richards last year - in fact many people on the various F1 forums think the way DR has been shafted by Button is "justice" for what he did to JV...

Michael.

 

Ironic, don't you think that Button should deliver this "justice" considering how JV criticised him in public.

Thanks for the explanation Michael.

 

Most people I've spoken to today think JB should have stayed at BAR, not out of loyalty but because the team is working well with him, he is a number one with TS a number two, and the car seems to be better than the Williams.
Button will have equal status at Williams so a straight fight with Webber will be on the cards, this in itself is exciting to me.

When Montoya signed to McLaren it looked to me like a bad move, but the last couple of races it seems the McLaren is coming good, possibly with Williams removing their " tusks " the car may improve in a similar manner, thus making JB 's move more promising. If next year's Williams is regularly beaten by BAR this is going to look like a really dumb move altogether. I hope Button is lucky and does really well.

Coulthard to Toyota, Hakkinen to BAR , Davidson and Trulli to Jaguar. :JPS: