I will bløgg about Formula 1 and TV shows.
Formula 1 2008 season commences in 17 days
In 17 days, the Friday practice for the Australian Grand Prix will begin in Melbourne.
During pre-season testing, Ferrari have already clocked some blistering times. Kimi Räikkonen had some very good sessions in Bahrain, but McLaren, Williams, Renault and BMW have all topped the time sheets during this time. It is still too early to tell who will be the team to beat in Melbourne, but many analysts agree that Ferrari are looking very strong indeed. Personally, I am hoping for Renault's return to the top, but I also would like to see BMW and Williams compete with Ferrari, McLaren and hopefully Renault.
There are also some concerns about Super Aguri's fate. The upstart team, with Takuma Sato as lead driver who memorably overtook Fernando Alonso - at the time the reigning world champion - in his McLaren at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, apparently has some financing troubles. Let's hope they don't exit because I am a big fan of Taku; he takes chances and drives on the edge.
The 2008 season brings with it some new regulations:
[LIST][*]there will be a standard ECU developed by Microsoft and McLaren[*]the new ECU will make engine braking, launch control and general traction control a thing of the past[*]Q3 has had the wasteful fuel burn phase eliminated[*]Bridgestone is now the official tyre supplier for the 2008-2010 seasons (Bridgestone was the defacto tyre supplier last season due to Michelin's withdrawal from the sport)[*]gearboxes are to last 4 events (one event being an entire Grand Prix weekend)[*]one free engine change if due to a confirmed failure. Will not lead to a 10 place grid penalty[/LIST]
I am very exited about this new season. Last season we saw a lot of great racing, especially in the rain (who can forget the spins and spills at the Nürburgring?), this year rain will be even more chaotic due to the loss of traction control. Also we have the sport's first night race at the new venue in Singapore. Also, will last year's Wonder Boy Lewis Hamilton continue his ascent?
[SIZE="1"][I]I will use this blog function to blog about the season as it progresses. I hope some of you other F1 fans here will join me. :)[/I][/SIZE]
During pre-season testing, Ferrari have already clocked some blistering times. Kimi Räikkonen had some very good sessions in Bahrain, but McLaren, Williams, Renault and BMW have all topped the time sheets during this time. It is still too early to tell who will be the team to beat in Melbourne, but many analysts agree that Ferrari are looking very strong indeed. Personally, I am hoping for Renault's return to the top, but I also would like to see BMW and Williams compete with Ferrari, McLaren and hopefully Renault.
There are also some concerns about Super Aguri's fate. The upstart team, with Takuma Sato as lead driver who memorably overtook Fernando Alonso - at the time the reigning world champion - in his McLaren at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, apparently has some financing troubles. Let's hope they don't exit because I am a big fan of Taku; he takes chances and drives on the edge.
The 2008 season brings with it some new regulations:
[LIST][*]there will be a standard ECU developed by Microsoft and McLaren[*]the new ECU will make engine braking, launch control and general traction control a thing of the past[*]Q3 has had the wasteful fuel burn phase eliminated[*]Bridgestone is now the official tyre supplier for the 2008-2010 seasons (Bridgestone was the defacto tyre supplier last season due to Michelin's withdrawal from the sport)[*]gearboxes are to last 4 events (one event being an entire Grand Prix weekend)[*]one free engine change if due to a confirmed failure. Will not lead to a 10 place grid penalty[/LIST]
I am very exited about this new season. Last season we saw a lot of great racing, especially in the rain (who can forget the spins and spills at the Nürburgring?), this year rain will be even more chaotic due to the loss of traction control. Also we have the sport's first night race at the new venue in Singapore. Also, will last year's Wonder Boy Lewis Hamilton continue his ascent?
[SIZE="1"][I]I will use this blog function to blog about the season as it progresses. I hope some of you other F1 fans here will join me. :)[/I][/SIZE]
Total Comments 12
Comments
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You could add that if you have change the gearbox before due time, it is a 5 place grid penalty.
[QUOTE]28.6 a) Each driver may use no more than one gearbox for four consecutive Events in which his team competes. Should a driver use a replacement gearbox he will drop five places on the starting grid at that Event each time a further gearbox is used. Unless the driver fails to finish the race (see below) the gearbox fitted to the car at the end of the Event must remain in it for three further Events.[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/rules_and_regulations/sporting_regulations/6844/fia.html[/url]Posted 03-03-2008 at 09:40 AM by peoplessi 
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This wasn't meant to be a "sticky" or anything. I didn't mention it because I thought it was obvious there would be some kind of grid penalty.
Anyway, what do you think about Super Aguri's issues during pre-season testing? If they are to stay in Formula 1, they have to become a full-fledged constructor soon. Honda seems reluctant to help Super Aguri much beyond what they are already doing, because the Honda works team needs all their attention.Posted 03-03-2008 at 11:05 AM by Bludd
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It is obvious that they aren't moving forward now, Honda will most likely back out. The search for new investor(s)/owner(s) has forced them to miss out on testing, that will hurt them bad. Hard to rise from back there, even with new found money.
Force India is a team I will keep an eye on, they have the right attitude and financial situation now to rise few spots. Toyota might be faster than people expected at first. Williams is sure to compete hard with BMW-Sauber and Renault.Posted 03-04-2008 at 03:36 PM by peoplessi
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Yeah, I agree with you, peoplessi. Super Aguri is in a tight spot, but I don't want to see them go. The sport needs to have teams from all over the world. I wish there was an American team just to have it more diverse.
Force India will be interesting, Fisichella has won races, but he had an exceptional car when he earned 2 of his 3 race wins and the first one was [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Brazilian_Grand_Prix"]kinda lucky[/URL]. Sutil is young and I think pairing experience with youth is smart.Posted 03-04-2008 at 06:09 PM by Bludd
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I think Sutil will be faster and better driver end of this season, he is young and eager. Great promise too. It is really exciting to wait for the new season, as everything so far has been pure speculation. All will unfold in the first GP, and that is always a great moment. Which reminds me, Keke Rosberg was set out to buy Tyrell in the 80's, but Ron Dennis stopped those goals, it would have been great to see "finnish" team in F1. Mikä Häkkinen ja JJ Lehto were supposed to be the drivers, Häkkinen outpaced mr. Ayrton Senna himself in the first qualifying. There are few drivers that should just quit, likes of Rubens Barrichello, he doesn't have the passion anymore.
Posted 03-05-2008 at 10:06 AM by peoplessi
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That would be really interesting if it had happened. I wish there were some Norwegian who was good enough to drive in Formula 1. :)
Speaking of Ron Dennis, rumors say that he is going to step down as McLaren F1 principal "soon".Posted 03-05-2008 at 03:07 PM by Bludd
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Yes, he was supposed to do that last season, but "spyvalley" changed things a bit. He is in a odd role for a major shareholder to be in. It isn't that big of a change, Ferrari did it, McLaren has Whitmarsh who is more than cabable for the role.
Also, Super Aguri has confirmed that they have sealed a deal with british Magma -group. Better than the indian Spice Group that insisted on bringing Karthikeyan to the tracks :D That would have been a disaster, now it seems that Super Aguri really thinks their long-term future.
Also, now is the perfect time to watch the official Formula 1 season 2007 compilation :)Posted 03-10-2008 at 05:02 AM by peoplessi
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Here's to Kimi.
Posted 03-10-2008 at 06:30 AM by Samji
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Good to see Super Aguri having secured a financing deal. I hope it will help them become a full-fledged constructor.
I am hyped about this weekend! Here's to Alonso. :DPosted 03-10-2008 at 12:57 PM by Bludd
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Nah, Kimi. :D I don't care too much if Alonso wins though.
Posted 03-10-2008 at 01:43 PM by Samji
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I don't think Renault has enough speed to compete from the 1st place. I am anxiously waiting to see how Kovalainen and Williams do in the race :)
Posted 03-12-2008 at 06:22 AM by peoplessi
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Maybe it will rain. :D
I just can't wait for the season to start. Good thing my easter holiday starts this weekend. That means I can watch the race live.Posted 03-12-2008 at 03:55 PM by Bludd
