Open Wheel Racing Chat

[rvrdgsfn]

Smooth Kimi.... Smooth

Meanwhile.... Thanks for the memories Speed :'(

[raysox]

Bruno Senna out as Williams' driver for 2013, replaced by their Finnish test driver Valtteri Bottas

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-2239708/Valtteri-Bottas-replaces-Bruno-Senna-Williams-2013-season.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

[Hathaway Browne]

Shame for Senna. Really hope that Caterham pick him up now, but then I'd hate to see Heikki go.

[raysox]

I could've swore that I've heard Hekki was going back to Caterham, I remember hearing something about him not chasing money, but wanting to build the team.

I hope Grosjean and Kobeyashi get gigs before Senna, but I would like to see Senna in F1 still.

[rvrdgsfn]

Well the reports from F1 are that Lotus are looking at Kobayashi to replace Grosjean. We also got 3 days til HRT if they survive. Reports were after they got back to Madrid, things didn't look so hot.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/drunk-sacked-hrt-mechanics-brawl-at-factory/

A brawl broke out at ailing F1 team HRT's Madrid headquarters after staff returned from Sao Paulo, El Mundo newspaper reports.

Other than that, groups are telling Ferrari ro give up on the yellow flag issue with Vettel.

[RedRenesis]

Other than that, groups are telling Ferrari ro give up on the yellow flag issue with Vettel.

On the Sky Sports feed of the race afterwards, and I don't remember who from Ferrari it was, but it wasn't Domenicali, came right out and said that it was a yellow and red flag signaling a slick surface.

[Hathaway Browne]

HRT is no more.

HRT fails to find buyer before 2013 Formula 1 entry deadline

The HRT Formula 1 team looks set to officially close down after failing to find a buyer before the FIA's payment deadline for 2013 entries on Friday.

The squad was absent from the 22-car entry list published by the governing body on Saturday.

Attempts were made to find a buyer before the entry deadline. AUTOSPORT understands that Chinese company Chery Automobile among those involved in talks to save HRT.

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/104673

Interesting to see that Chery was a potential suitor. Makes me wonder if the rumour of Ma Qing Hua being considered for a race seat had more to it that we thought.

[raysox]

So is this when Porsche steps in?

[rvrdgsfn]

So is this when Porsche Audi steps in?

FYP

[Hathaway Browne]

Next year's German GP has been moved forward to accommodate another European round. One rumour has Turkey returning, another that it'll be the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

The 2013 calendar in full:

17/03 Australia

24/03 Malaysia

14/04 China

21/04 Bahrain

12/05 Spain

26/05 Monaco

09/06 Canada

30/06 Great Britain

07/07 Germany

21/07 Reserved for another European event*

28/07 Hungary

25/08 Belgium

08/09 Italy

22/09 Singapore

06/10 Korea

13/10 Japan

27/10 India

03/11 Abu Dhabi

17/11 USA

24/11 Brazil

*subject to the approval of the relevant ASNs

http://www.formula1....2/12/14150.html

In other news.. LG out, Rolex in.

Rolex becomes official Formula 1 timekeeper from 2013

Luxury watch making brand Rolex will become the official Formula 1 timekeeper from the 2013 season, it was announced on Wednesday.

As a result of the deal, the Rolex logo will appear around the circuits and at several corners during Formula 1 races.

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/104734

[rvrdgsfn]

Well, let's hope the platypus nose goes away next season or we'll be seeing more of it

http://en.espnf1.com...tory/97027.html

The FIA has agreed to drop planned changes to bodywork in 2014 that was aimed at reducing downforce.

With the new engine regulations taking effect, the bodywork changes were designed to increase the efficiency of the 2014 cars. However, following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in Istanbul, the FIA has announced that the current regulations will remain stable.

This caught my eye though

Finally, the FIA confirmed it has postponed the introduction of cars running exclusively under electric power in the pit lane until 2017.

EDIT:

Oh, I forgot, Ryan Hunter Reay unveiled his pain scheme... Along with his new number with a twist

[rainmaker17]

The COTA date may be in question for next year because it conflicts with a Texas Longhorns football game. It will be interesting to see who budges.

[Hathaway Browne]

Well seeings as they've moved the German GP so it clashes with the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Norisring DTM race, I'd imagine it'd be a case of "deal with it".

[raysox]

2013 pre season test schedule

Jerez- February 5th-8th

Catalunya- February 19th-22nd

Catalunya- February 28th-March 3rd

Also the Longhorns would play on a Saturday, right? Sooooo I don't get the big deal.

[rainmaker17]

2013 pre season test schedule

Jerez- February 5th-8th

Catalunya- February 19th-22nd

Catalunya- February 28th-March 3rd

Also the Longhorns would play on a Saturday, right? Sooooo I don't get the big deal.

A lot of people from out of town attend UT games, so hotel availability could become a real problem.

[pollux]

2013 pre season test schedule

Jerez- February 5th-8th

Catalunya- February 19th-22nd

Catalunya- February 28th-March 3rd

Also the Longhorns would play on a Saturday, right? Sooooo I don't get the big deal.

A lot of people from out of town attend UT games, so hotel availability could become a real problem.

You say that like Uncle Bernie would actually give a ...

[raysox]

Kimi and Grosjean for Lotus in 2013

http://www.formula1....2/12/14163.html

Kobeyashi gives up search for a 2013 ride

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104861

Also I heard Di Resta and Sutil are all but confirmed for Force India.

[raysox]

Max Chilton takes over the 2nd seat at Marussia.

http://www.dailymail...ussia-2013.html

The remaining opening is at Caterham.

[Hathaway Browne]

Really surprised by Kamui sitting out '13. I would have thought that one of the teams would have picked him up. After all he's stayed on the tarmac a darn sight more than Maldonado and Grosjean.

Happy to have another Brit on the grid though.