While news breaks of Jaime Alguersuari replacing Sebastien Bourdais at Toro Rosso, similar claims are being made that Romain Grosjean will replace Nelson Piquet Jnr at Renault:
Translated article from well-regarded Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat claims Romain Grosjean will replace Nelson Piquet Jnr at Renault.
Facebook – Ari Vatanen for FiA President
3,409 members already!
Thompson top as Herbert joins test
"James Thompson topped the timesheets at the second official British Touring Car Championship test of the summer at Rockingham – and then handed his car to former grand prix and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Johnny Herbert."
Ferrari set to switch focus to 2010
"Ferrari thinks it will be a matter of days before it freezes development of its current F60 and shifts all its focus onto ensuring that its 2010 car can fight for the world championship." In other words, once the 2010 rules have been decided?
Honda chief says F1 not attractive
New Honda chief Takanobu Ito: "On the other hand, F1 is becoming less of a medium in which companies can test their various strengths and more of an event with mounting restrictions." And which of those Honda strengths would those be? Ghastly aerodynamics? Underpowered engines?
"What the stewards didn’t investigate, though, was what happened next. Webber bounced off Barrichello, and – no doubt shocked to have found a car already there as he headed to the apex of the first corner – also steered left where Hamilton happened to be going round his outside. It turns out Webber clipped the McLaren forcing him off the track and giving him the puncture that cost him the race. But the Beeb’s narrative was what a “brilliant performance” by Webber. Sorry, I expect sports coverage to reflect at least some of what I feel about the event, not construct some dumbed-down narrative"
Jones: Webber win won’t be last
Alan Jones: “While a championship this year isn't probable, as Jenson Button would have to make some pretty big mistakes and Webber string together quite a few wins for it to happen at this point, it will certainly set him up well for next year."
Bernie Ecclestone adamant job is safe after Hitler comment
"The Formula One commercial rights-holder was surprised. He described the reports as 'b*****ks' and took the unusual course of action of phoning Donald Mackenzie, the normally media-shy managing partner and co-founder of CVC, to set the record straight. But rather than speak to Mackenzie himself, Ecclestone handed the phone — the ringtone of which is set to the theme tune from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly — to The Times. After being told of the rumoured meeting, Mackenzie decided that it was time to go on the record. 'It’s absolute rubbish — we had no meeting, no meeting took place to discuss the future of Bernie Ecclestone,' he said. 'It’s complete and utter crap.'”
These are links I’ve bookmarked using Delicious. You can see my Delicious profile here.
TommyB
13th July 2009, 23:21
Didn’t know Piquet was at Toro Rosso :D
TommyB
13th July 2009, 23:22
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th July 2009, 23:43
Renault, sorry!
JtupeckF1
13th July 2009, 23:48
Finally. Someone who saw what I saw on the Webber/Hamilton clash.
“Bring Back BBC Bias!
“What the stewards didn’t investigate, though, was what happened next. Webber bounced off Barrichello, and – no doubt shocked to have found a car already there as he headed to the apex of the first corner – also steered left where Hamilton happened to be going round his outside. It turns out Webber clipped the McLaren forcing him off the track and giving him the puncture that cost him the race. But the Beeb’s narrative was what a “brilliant performance” by Webber. Sorry, I expect sports coverage to reflect at least some of what I feel about the event, not construct some dumbed-down narrative””
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th July 2009, 20:27
I included that because I thought it was an interesting difference of opinion – can’t say I agree with much of it though! I’d hate to see the BBC become as partisan as ITV was, and I thought Webber’s driving was tough but fair.
TommyB
14th July 2009, 0:41
The beeb have been so concious about being too Hamilton biased they have gone completely the other way. Especially Legard – always having a dig at Hamilton.
PinballLes
14th July 2009, 4:38
The BBC also provide commentary for over nations as well.
I for one am sick of hearing the words “Hamilton” and “Button” during the telecast. If they are doing well, or are involved in an exciting battle fair enough, but otherwise the commentary and the footage needs to focus on where the action is, and the leader, rather than the two English drivers.
TommyB
14th July 2009, 14:37
Yeah I dont want to hear about Hamilton and Button all the time. They have done it with Lewis but the Beeb have gone Jenson crazy especially Legard who is EXTREMELY annoying even more than James Allen was with Hamilton
DC
14th July 2009, 15:14
Finnish commentators do the same thing. One would have thought that Räikkönen and Kovalainen were battling for the lead for most of the race. When Rosberg is doing good, the commentators decide he is Finnish too because Keke.
Striay
14th July 2009, 20:30
Dude i wish i had Finnish TV then!!
Bigbadderboom
14th July 2009, 15:56
BBC, paid for by British license payers, so British Funded with British money, therefore Bitish interests, you cannot seriousley expect middle of the road commentary.
philly9
15th July 2009, 20:58
too right, if your listening to british commentary you have to expect talk about lewis and jenson there british and why wouldn’t british fans want to see there drivers race more than anyone else, just wish Legard wasn’t such a bad commentator and if he says ‘is this going to be good enough’ in qualifing again im going to switch to BBC raido commentary
savage
14th July 2009, 7:17
wasn’t it just a racing incident ? although i would like to have seen what effect lewis would have had on the outcome of the race.
Pedro Andrade
14th July 2009, 7:56
On his official Twitter, Nelson Piquet says:
Adrian
14th July 2009, 9:28
Renault have developed a 2-seater and Alonso gets the front seat always ensuring that his team-mate will be behind him?
Wesley
14th July 2009, 23:13
“Renault have developed a 2-seater and Alonso gets the front seat always ensuring that his team-mate will be behind him?”
ha..ha..haa!
159Tom
14th July 2009, 10:42
Are they going karting before the Hungarian race?
TommyB
14th July 2009, 14:40
Haha yeah!
Flav has said he will say nothing yet about who will be driving in Hungary
PJA
14th July 2009, 9:40
While I am a Hamilton fan I think it was a bit harsh to blame Webber for ruining his race, what happened was a typical first lap incident where I don’t think anyone was to blame. But he made a good spot on how supposedly quality papers like the Guardian and The Independent reported what happened at the start incorrectly.
After looking at some of the reports in the F1 links articles you realise how often major news outlets get things wrong on a subject you know such as F1. It makes me think about all the errors that I would have taken as fact on subjects that I aren’t knowledgably about.
Charlie
14th July 2009, 12:07
Very true. I have friends and relatives who work in journalism and never has the phrase “don’t believe what you read” been more appropriate.
Hakka
14th July 2009, 15:03
Excellent point. Michael Crichton called it the “Murray Gell-Mann Amnesia effect” in his excellent essay, “Why Speculate”:
http://www.michaelcrichton.net/speech-whyspeculate.html
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th July 2009, 20:29
I think I’ve now seen three different newspapers use the same photograph of Hamilton and Trulli from last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix claiming it’s Hamilton and Glock. I’m the first one to admit I don’t always get things right (see my first comment on this thread!) but I don’t have an army of sub-editors and pictures editors either.
PJA
14th July 2009, 9:42
Piquet finally beats Alonso in qualifying and it does nothing to stop the rumours that he will be replaced before the end of the season.
ajokay
14th July 2009, 10:26
It really is a case of too little, too late though.
epi
14th July 2009, 16:42
He hardly beat his teammate in a “normal” qualifying session, I think he just got lucky with the track conditions
Not to mention he lost the advantage over his teammate after 1 lap.
Becken
14th July 2009, 12:16
There are fresh rumors here in Brazil saying that Lucas di Grassi was invited to be the third driver at the Hungary GP and that Nelson is out..
Hakka
14th July 2009, 15:06
Massa must be really gutted now that he knows for a fact that the team can’t reel in the advantage that the Brawn’s and RBR’s have pulled over the F60. He must have clung on to some tiny hope all this while for a repeat of last year.
Having to start from scratch all over again and being unable to use any momentum from his and Ferrari’s excellent performance last year is really unfortunate. When will he come that close again, one wonders?
Jay Menon
15th July 2009, 9:48
Get rid of Piquet. Get someone who can help Alonso and the team develop the car!!
Nelsinho’s name carries a lot of clout, and he’s been given far too many chances, and he hasn’t taken it.
I think Flavio has to make the call now..get rid of the fella.
gabal
16th July 2009, 9:03
If I recall correctly last week I read somewhere that Piquet has a clause in his contract – if he doesn’t win a certain ammount of points by a certain point in the season (half-season maybe) the team can terminate his contract free of charge…
IMHO, if he sees European GP Grossjean will replace him for last few races after he finishes GP2 season.
Katy
17th July 2009, 10:43
Looks like Piquets staying for a little while longer, well at least for one more race.
According to a number of Twitter posts Renault have said Piquet will race in the Hungarian GP. Don’t know if that’s a good thing or not, I do feel that he’s taking away a drive from someone more capable, but I feel sorry for him for some reason hehe.