Viewing Thread:
"The 2009 F1 Season"

This is my little place where I get to chat to myself about the new F1 season.

I'll update this main post with new car pictures later and a link to my super detailed and ultra long preview post.

For all the launch pictures: Click Here

Ferrari - Click Here

Toyota - Click Here

McLaren - Click Here

Renault - Click Here

Williams - Click Here

BMW - Click Here

Red Bull - Click Here

Force India - Click Here

Brawn GP - Click Here

Toro Rosso - Click Here

Yeah, I've had to give my place up for this year. I've been having sinus problems all year so far and it's been affecting my ears, which is not good as the cars are very loud.

This time tomorrow, will be at Silverstone - can't wait!

N.Technology racing team brings the list to new candidates to nine including Lola, Prodrive, Team USF1, Campos Racing, Litespeed, Epsilon Euskadi, March and Superfund.

Also, Brabham have entered their name too. If there are no teams that pull out (which could be a lot of teams pulling out again if recent news is to be believed), then only 3 get in.

Well, crisis averted (if you believed that there was ever a crisis). All the current teams, Prodrive, US F1, Lola and Campos have entered bids for the 2010 F1 season. It does mean a team will be left out as there seems to be a provision to only allow 26 cars in.

For the majority, their entry is only provisional.but I think an agreement has pretty much been reached.

F1 is like a dysfunctional family at the moment. Air their dirty laundry in public and then sort it out behind closed doors.

Monaco is always interesting.

Looks like Ferrari haven't given up on the legal case, either. Since the French court said no to their complaints, they're starting another legal battle.

You can look at this in two ways. Either they are so passionate about the sport that, despite them keep threatening to quit and throwing their toys out the pram, they're trying to take matters in to their own hands.

Or you could say that the quitting F1 thing is just a way to get their own way and they have little intention of quitting.

Personally I don't agree with the two tier system but it isn't in place and looks like it'll be more likely an overall budget cap will be in place instead.

Monaco is looking interesting,

Lewis showing signs of improvement in 2nd practice session, saying afterwards that they have made a huge step forward which will be more noticable after Monaco.

Barichello seems to have the edge over Jenson in both sessions

But can Jenson and Lewis string a lap together in qualifing for an
ALL ENGLISH LOCK OUT ?!!!!

YH wrote:
> Thanks for the info. We (I'm going with Mrs YH) had planned to
> walk around the track and on the friday and watch from different
> places. I didn't realise that you different gates only let you in
> to certain areas, so thanks for that! I guess we'll be in and out
> of different gates during the day as we work our way round.

Bear in mind that my advice is based on my experience over a decade ago, other advice may/will be more upto date.

But i do advise to arrive at the gate early rather than at opening time.

Looks like the French court have said 'non' to Ferrari over the potential two tier system being unfair.

This doesn't mean the system will be used, there is already some form of compromise in place, but it means Ferrari won't have a legal reason to complain.

Ferrari made their own position clear with a statement on their website:

"Wirth Research, Lola, USF1, Epsilon Euskadi, RML, Formtech, Campos, iSport: these are the names of the teams which would compete in the two-tier Formula One wanted by Mosley...Can a world championship with teams like them -- with due respect -- have the same value as today's Formula One, where Ferrari, the big car manufacturers and teams, who created the history of this sport, compete?...Wouldn't it be more appropriate to call it Formula GP3?,"

The centre of the track, as you mentioned, is only available to those with centre transfers. You can walk around the perimeter of the track, all the seating areas are blocked off though so you won't be allowed in the grandstands. You should be allowed to walk around the track though. I've done it before.

Thanks for the info. We (I'm going with Mrs YH) had planned to walk around the track and on the friday and watch from different places. I didn't realise that you different gates only let you in to certain areas, so thanks for that! I guess we'll be in and out of different gates during the day as we work our way round.

On the sunday we're taking cheers, plus provisions and will set up camp and stay put for the day. Am thinking of sitting down the hanger straight towards the braking area for Stowe. It's opposite a big screen, and we may see some overtaking moves into Stowe.

I figured we'd need to be at the gates for 5am on the sunday morning when they open, but it sounds like it might be worthwhile getting there a little earlier. As long as I can then stay awake during the race :-)

Haven't got a centre transfer ticket yet, but will look into it, cheers.