F1 politics
 

Oh THIS one is not going to win Bernie any brownie points with the British!

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?id=1906641

Someones ego is as big as his bank account.

Don

And yet on another front...
 

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?id=1907529

Ferrari says they aren't worried....but ONE set of tires for qualification and the race?

I bet Bridgestone and Michelin are worried!

Don

Wow, why don't they just give everyone identically prepared cars while they're at it? :rolleyes:

Re: And yet on another front...
 

Hi Don,

I expect this plays right into Ferrari's hands - I can't think of a tire/car company relationship any closer than Bridgestone/Ferrari. Add in how all the announcers play up Michael's ability to crank out laps like an automaton, i.e., cut 2 seconds, slow down two seconds, etc., and it may be Ferrari wins by even more points.

Re: F1 politics
 

Bernie won't make too many friends out of this one. Even if he wins the court case, he will lose. Jackie is held in high regard by the British motorsport public. Expect to see a good deal of Bernie slagging on the British media.

I wonder if 'Bernie is a ****** ' banners will be banned from all Grand Prix circuits?

Tires (Tyres)
 

I think you are right Lee. No one manages their tire wear better than Ferrari/Bridgestone.

With all the tire related problems this year, I just don't see how they are going to do it. There may be races with only 3 or 4 cars running at the end. Either that, or everyone (except Ferrari) will be running around at .6 trying to conserve their rubber. No more zipping into the pits due to a puncture. Can you imagine running over carbon fiber debris (like Ralf did at Indy), and NOT being able to come in for a tire change? Going back out at high speed praying something won't let go at the wrong time?

There are other ways to save money than adding an additional risk to an already risky profession.

Don

Bernie
 

Andy, you confirmed what I was thinking. Sir Jackie is one great guy, and sueing him is not going to get Bernie anywhere in Britain.....but to be honest, I don't think he really cares. He is holding all the traditional Grand Prix sites for ransom; either do as I say, or we will move your date to the Democratic Oilstate of Petrodollars. He did that with Spa last year. France too. If he keeps this up, that move by the manufacturers to create their OWN F1-type series might move from the back burner to the front of the stove.

Don

Oh, and here is an interesting item...
 

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?id=1874338

Michael rarely races elsewhere, so this should be a treat. Jeff, Jimmy, and Colin
won the Cup in the Canary Islands a couple of years back... showing the Europeans that guys that grow up racing on dirt can drive almost anything.

Let the fun begin!

Don