Formula 1 Season

[Eddy Matthews]

As some of you will know, I love F1.... And the new 2009 cars are now being unveiled, for what should be one of the most exciting seasons for years!

Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, and Williams have all shown their new cars (photos below), and the new BMW-Sauber F1.09 will be unveiled tomorrow.

There have been sweeping changes to the rules for the coming season, with engines and gearboxes now having to last twice as long as previously, in-season testing is banned, KERS (Kinetic Energy recovery Systems), slick tyres, and massive changes to the rules for the cars aerodynamics.

All in all it bodes well for a superb season of racing with lots more potential for overtaking, and for the "little boys" to compete on a more level playing field.

Who will win the title this year? God knows, it's going to be one of the most wide open seasons for more than 15 years!

Eddy

[Eddy Matthews]

The new BMW-Sauber F1.09, unveiled at Valencia today...

Eddy

[scotfriend]

Thank's Eddy,

for sharing these photos with us.


regards Hans

[Eddy Matthews]

Less than two weeks to the first race of the season - From the performance in the various test sessions I think it's anybodies guess who will win!

Personally I think it will be one of the most exciting and unpredictable years for a long time! let's hope the days of the "follow the leader" races are well and truely over! It was killing F1!!

I'm more than happy with most of the rule changes, my only gripe is that they haven't gone back to a manual gearbox...... It's supposed to be a "drivers" championship, so lets see the driver actually do something other than point the car in the right direction!!

Regards
Eddy

[poodge]

Michael Schumacher may well be the best driver F1 has ever seen,but watching him always win did get a bit old.the last couple of seasons have been better,and this year maybe better still.
However,whether the new regs. will actually improve racing,and reduce costs is open to debate.
Stifling development doesn't really seem like the ideal way to achieve this goal.
I'm sure manufacturers will find ways to improve their cars as the season progresses.But I would hate to see every other car drop out through mechanical failure.There has to be a limit to how long an engine will last when being asked to run at 18.000 rpm .Oh well,I guess we'll find out
Another Hans.The place is overrun with them

[Woz]

Eddy,

There is only one winner in F1 every year and that's Bernie.  Here in Melbourne we pay in excess of $A40 mill. each year just to stage the "event".  Bernie is a pretty smart operator as his billions testify (but then again maybe not for hoping his ex will give them back).

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's....well poodge........you my be opening a breech here ....as the humble Michael the 'Shoeeemanmacher'...acknowledges that ...that the Anton Sennia as one of the greatest

This is OK in PD's as an off topic item & we have our own PD member Hans involved in the BMW-Sauber team - Derek 

[scotfriend]

Hi PD's,

it is only two days to go till we send our cars and stuff to Melbourne, it seems our car is reliable and fast to, but at the moment the BGP (former Honda team) is also quick, but as Ken Tyrrell used to say "When the flag dropes the bull...t stops, so in only 12 days we know who has done his homework better then the others.

Keep the fingers crossed for(BMW-Sauber Team), regards Hans

[Walter Snowdon]

Eddy. Does this mean that our Sunday visits to the lunch time watering hole will be discontinued cos some silly grown up men are racing their dinky toys?. Whatever next .. it will be toy boats!.

[Bob Golder]

I've polished up my mouse pad Hans  Hopefully Eddy has polished his cap badges.  You should have a trip to Oz with the cars 

[scotfriend]

Eddy. Does this mean that our Sunday visits to the lunch time watering hole will be discontinued cos some silly grown up men are racing their dinky toys?. Whatever next .. it will be toy boats!.

Don't be afraid Walter the start of the race will be at 7am so the finish should be around 9am so there is plenty of time to sail your boat's

Regards Hans

[Eddy Matthews]

Well, what a topsy-turvy first couple of qualifying sessions!

Williams, Braun, and Toyota lead the way - With last years major contenders of Ferarri, McLaren and BMW-Sauber struggling! Unless there are some dramatic changes, it's not looking good for any of last years top teams!

So, who will win the first GP of the season? My money is on Barrichello at the moment....

Regards
Eddy

[poodge]

I could be completely wrong,Eddy,but I wouldn't put a bit of "sandbagging" beyond the tricks used to psyche out the opposition
All the same,I'm looking forward to the first race of the season,my wife less so.She hates "those noisy things going round 'n round".It would be great if "Rubino" did win some races,he really deserves some luck.
Regards.Hans.

[scotfriend]

Hi Eddy, Hans and all the others are interrested in the Formula1,

i  am not surprised about this result so far, let's talk about it after the race, i bet on Robert

regards Hans

[Eddy Matthews]

Hi Eddy, Hans and all the others are interrested in the Formula1,

i  am not surprised about this result so far, let's talk about it after the race, i bet on Robert

regards Hans

After the dismal pre-qualifying for BMW-Sauber (and others), I think Kubica put in a sterling effort for the timed session. But is he (or anyone else) running light on fuel? We'll find out tomorrow....

The alarm is set for 6am ready for the start of the race - It should be one of the most exciting F1 seasons for decades!

Regards
Eddy