[mass debates]

May as well start a new thread for the next season now. Currently the grid looks like this:

McLaren Mercedes

1. Jenson Button
2. Lewis Hamilton


Mercedes GP

3. Michael Schumacher
4. Nico Rosberg


Red Bull Racing

5. Sebastien Vettel
6. Mark Webber


Ferrari

7. Felipe Massa
8. Fernando Alonso


Williams Cosworth

9. Rubens Barichello
10. Nico Hulkenburg


Reanult F1

11. Robert Kubica
12. Vitaly Petrov


Force India Mercedes

14. Adrian Sutil
15. Vitantonio Liuzzi


Torro Rosso Ferrari

16. Sebastien Buemi
17. Jaime Alguersuari


Lotus Cosworth

18. Jarno Trulli
19. Heikki Kovalainen

Campos Cosworth

20. Vacant Seat
21. Bruno Senna


US F1 Cosworth

22. Jose Maria Lopez
23. Vacant Seat


Virgin Cosworth

24. Timo Glock
25. Lucas di Grassi


Sauber Ferrari

26. Komui Kobyashi
27. Pedro de la Rosa


Calender

14th March - Bahrain
28th March - Australia
4th April - Malaysia
18th April - China
9th May - Spain
16th May - Monaco
30th May - Turkey
13th June - Canada
27th June - Europe
11th July - Great Britain
25th July - Germany
1st August - Hungary
29th August - Belgium
12th September - Italy
26th September - Singapore
10th October - Japan
24th October - Korea
7th November - Brazil
14th November - Abu Dhabi

Rule Changes

• Refuelling banned
  
• Minimum weight increased
  
• Wheel covers banned
  
• Grid increased to 26 cars
  
• Qualifying system changed to accommodate bigger grid - 8 cars will now be knocked out in the first session, 8 in the second session and the remaining 10 will compete in the final session
  
• A new points system has been ratified for 2010, in response to the increased grid. Since 2003, points had been awarded to the top eight finishers: ten points for first, eight for second, six for third and all the way down to one for eighth place. The 2010 system will see 25 points for first, 18 for second, with third receiving 15, 12 for fourth and then ten, eight, six, four, two, and one for tenth place

Quote

F1 set to adopt new points system

By Matt Beer Thursday, December 10th 2009, 18:52 GMT

Formula 1 is set for a radical alteration to its points system in 2010 if the World Motor Sport Council approves an F1 Commission proposal to give points to the top 10 finishers in each race.

In today's Commission meeting, chaired by Bernie Ecclestone and attended by FIA president Jean Todt, a new scoring system was put forward which will award 25 points to each race winner, 20 for second place, 15 for third and 10 for fourth, before descending 8-6-5-3-2-1 for fifth through 10th positions.

The change has been proposed to take into account the increased field for 2010, when the addition of the new entrants will take the grid up to 26 cars, its highest figure since 1995.

Assuming it is approved by the WMSC, the change would be the first revision to the points system since the number of scoring drivers per race was increased from six to eight in 2003.

The F1 Commission also agreed that its Sporting Working Group sub-committee should develop "detailed proposals to improve the show" that would take effect next year, and that "the FIA and FOM will further collaborate to enhance the communication and promotion of the championship to the media and its worldwide fanbase."

This post has been edited by mass debates: 23 February 2010 - 11:05 AM

[nudge]

mass debates, on 11 December 2009 - 12:02 PM, said:

Mercedes GP

3. Nico Rosberg
4. Vacant seat

I still have hopes to see Schumi here. In a long run, Vettel would be great.

[Liverpool96]

So the drivers can't fefuel in between the race, that means they will be carrying lots of fuel?

[baselbarca]

Schumi makes his comeback for Mercedes.

He had the chance to drive for Mercedes back in 1996 but he decided to join Ferrari, back then a very weak team that had not won anything for a quarter of a decade (similar to Hamburg's biggest football club). He then transformed that team into a winning team. I hate it when some sore losers say he had the best car, when it was clearly him who made it happen. Ask Ross Brawn for more information on how Michael was the main guy behind Ferrari's success.

I think Schumi will win the title. After all he's still the master.

[CC Is Klaas]

I would be disappointed if Schumacher came back to be honest. Only because it'll just feel like 'back to the future' syndrome. It does seem like Mercedes still have a bee in their bonnet about not signing him before with McLaren from Ferrari or before he joined Ferrari. But there's plenty of other talent out there now. I hope Jacques Villeneuve can find a drive somewhere for next season. But Lotus seem out of the window in that respect, it doesn't seem likely. Also I don't like this new point system. Not twenty-five points for a win, that's far too much. Having the points go from 1st to 10th is ok because of how many more cars there'll be next season. But not twenty-five points for a win. But I guess it's still infinitely preferable to a 'medal system'.

[baselbarca]

CC Is Klaas, on 13 December 2009 - 01:54 AM, said:

I would be disappointed if Schumacher came back to be honest. Only because it'll just feel like 'back to the future' syndrome. It does seem like Mercedes still have a bee in their bonnet about not signing him before with McLaren from Ferrari or before he joined Ferrari. But there's plenty of other talent out there now. I hope Jacques Villeneuve can find a drive somewhere for next season. But Lotus seem out of the window in that respect, it doesn't seem likely. Also I don't like this new point system. Not twenty-five points for a win, that's far too much. Having the points go from 1st to 10th is ok because of how many more cars there'll be next season. But not twenty-five points for a win. But I guess it's still infinitely preferable to a 'medal system'.

is there really gonna be 25 points though or is it just one of bernie's mad ideas? the last points system he tried to put through also failed. 25 points is definitely too much, but i think the old system with 10 points for a win and 6 for the 2nd placed was more appropriate. because the new system benefits cars that are slow but reliable. faster cars should be treated better.

[mass debates]

Quote

Di Grassi says F1 deal is done

By Matt Beer Saturday, December 12th 2009, 09:07 GMT

Lucas di GrassiLucas di Grassi is set to be announced as Virgin Racing's second driver early next week, with the Brazilian having revealed that he has completed a Formula 1 deal with one of the new entrants.

Virgin is set to launch its F1 project in association with the Manor team on Tuesday, and yesterday di Grassi announced via Twitter and Brazilian television that he had secured a 2010 seat.

"For all who are wondering, I'll be in F1 in 2010," di Grassi wrote. "The details will be announced next week. Stay tuned. Thank you very much."

Di Grassi told AUTOSPORT in October that he was very interested in the Virgin/Manor team, and won the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix while driving for John Booth's squad in 2005.

"From what I understand, it has the best package available of the new teams - in terms of technical people who have joined the team, in terms of marketing, and in terms of financial backing," said di Grassi. "I think is very, very serious, so from my side I rate it very high on the list."

The 25-year-old has been a Renault F1 reserve driver for the past two seasons, having long been part of the French company's driver development scheme, and has finished in the top three in GP2 for the last three years, although he did not win the title in the feeder championship.

Virgin has already signed ex-Toyota driver Timo Glock for its first 2010 seat.

Lotus F1 have also announced that they will reveal their driver line up on Monday. Get the feeling there are going to be a lot of rookies in F1 this season which could make for a few incident filled race starts.

With regards to the new points system it's just awaiting approval from the powers that be but it's 99% certain that will be the new points system. Last year FOTA proposed a system that gave the race winner a bigger advantage to encourage drivers to go for a race win rather than settle for 2nd and this is partly what this new system is about as well. The extra 5 points for finsing 4th, 3rf, 2nd or 1st is a huge difference and should encourage drivers to push on for another place and be more aggressive rather than settling for 2nd for example which was only 2 points difference from 1st (last season).

[Jenson Hamilton]

Hoping to attend the Singapore Grand Prix again this season. Was amazing last season to go to such an event.

[baselbarca]

Christine Daae, on 13 December 2009 - 11:47 AM, said:

Hoping to attend the Singapore Grand Prix again this season. Was amazing last season to go to such an event.

you are singaporean? awesome. what team do you support? i love tampines.

[mass debates]

Quote

Trulli, Kovalainen confirmed at Lotus

Monday, December 14th 2009, 04:48 GMT

Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen will race for Lotus next year, after the newly-formed Formula 1 team confirmed its line-up in a press conference held in Malaysia today.

Malaysian-born Fairuz Fauzy was also announced as the team's third driver.

The Lotus line-up was officially revealed by Malaysia's sports minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek in a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, and the minister emphasised the government's expectations from its support of the new team.

"I'm very pleased that local talents have been recognised to help drive the team, with key appointments being made among Malaysians in particular," Cheek was quoted as saying.

"I'm very elated that the driver development programme is already underway to promote motorsports as an affordable sporting activity among Malaysians.

"This project will not only make the country proud but will be a launch pad for Malaysia towards future growth, especially towards high-tech industry. Indeed, this project should be 100 per cent supported by Malaysians, individuals or corporations to ensure it becomes a success.

"Since the prime minister announced the 1Malaysia project in September, I'm very happy to note that the team has achieved significant progress, with the car being fully built and tested and I believe they are on track to make an impact next season"

The Malaysian minister further congratulated Lotus on its experienced choice of drivers, stating: "I'm personally impressed with Lotus F1 Racing driver line-up for next year, with its good combination of experience, drive and stamina."

Trulli joins Lotus from Toyota, after the Japanese team pulled out of F1 last month; while Kovalainen has left McLaren, where he will be replaced by world champion Jenson Button.

Lotus team principal Tony Fernandes also outlined the drivers' experience, but also said the Italian and Finn will bring exuberance to the team.

"Trulli will bring us a lot of experience to develop the team. Heikki is a young driver with a lot of experience so I think we have fantastic drivers, with Fairuz as well. It is a wonderful mix of experience, youth and passion."

Lotus is one of four new teams to join the 26-car F1 grid in 2010, along with Campos, US F1 and Manor. Fernandes stated the team's objective is to be the best of the newcomers.

"We are not setting any big targets, we want to at least be the best of the new teams," he said. "But I think it shows our seriousness today by announcing two really world class drivers."

For Trulli, this will be the third time in his F1 career that he will team up with technical director Mike Gascoyne, having worked with the Briton at Renault and then Toyota. And the Italian admitted this was one of the main reasons he elected to join Lotus.

"I have been impressed by the long-term vision of the team management and technical staff," Trulli said in a statement. "Tony has set out very ambitious plans and I am ready to help the team achieve these high targets.

"I am also pleased to be back working alongside Mike Gascoyne, someone with whom I have enjoyed previous success at other teams. I get on very well with him and I respect his working style."

Kovalainen too emphasised how impressed he is with the team's progress, saying: "I recently visited our factory and was so impressed by seeing how far the team has come in such a short time since it was launched in September, and by how determined everyone is to meet Tony's ambitious targets.

"I knew immediately it would be a fantastic opportunity to help them achieve their goals."

As for Fauzy, the 27-year-old Malaysian driver said joining Lotus was the highlight of his racing career, which includes testing for Spyker in F1, racing in the GP2 series and in A1GP, and most recently racing in Formula Renault 3.5, where he finished second in the 2009 championship.

"There is no greater honour than having the chance to drive for your country," the Malaysian said. "I was given the opportunity to do that for A1 Team Malaysia in A1GP for a couple of years, but to have the chance to join Malaysia's first fully fledged Formula 1 team is very special for me and the highlight of my career so far.

"I look forward to working closely with Jarno and Heikki on developing the car and the team in our first season together in Formula 1. I am sure we can do Malaysia as a nation proud."

Some very good drivers their for Lotus, they'll have a strong line up for the season and Trulli's experience could prove to be very valuable over the season in helping to develop the car.

[JoshBRFC]

Virgin are taking over the world :(

[Liverpool96]

http://www.totalfootballforums.com/forums/public/style_images/master/snapback.png' alt='View Post' />JoshBRFC, on 15 December 2009 - 12:11 PM, said:

Virgin are taking over the world

You're right therehttp://www.totalfootballforums.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/roll.gif

[Mo.]

What the hell is Cosworth and why do I keep seeing it in most teams’ names?

Did Brawn GP change their name to Mercedes GP?

Well... I can't wait for McLaren's performance. It looks like they have a good team for 2010. They better make something useful out of it.

Hopefully they can secure both constructor's and driver's championships.

[nudge]

Mo., on 20 December 2009 - 12:35 PM, said:

What the hell is Cosworth and why do I keep seeing it in most teams’ names?

Did Brawn GP change their name to Mercedes GP?

Well... I can't wait for McLaren's performance. It looks like they have a good team for 2010. They better make something useful out of it.

Hopefully they can secure both constructor's and driver's championships.

Cosworth are engine manufacturers.

And yes, Mercedes basically bought a controlling stake of Brawn, and renamed it.

[JoshBRFC]

Seven-time world champion set to return after signing one-year deal

Quote

http://img.skysports.com/09/12/800x600/schumacher_2395800.jpg
Michael Schumacher will return to Formula One with Mercedes GP in 2010, according to reports.

The German, who will turn 41 next month, has signed a one-year deal with the Brackley-based team, where he will team up again with Ross Brawn, who guided him to all his seven world titles with Ferrari.

Schumacher will drive alongside compatriot Nico Rosberg, who has already been signed by the reigning constructors' championship winners, whose Brawn GP name was rebranded last month.

German newspaper Bild reports the driver will earn in the region of £6m in 2010 and has an option to continue the following year.

Schumacher was forced to call off a planned temporary comeback as a stand-in for the injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa last season because of a neck injury sustained in a motorcycle accident.

But he is known to have had medical checks recently and it appears likely he has been given the all clear to return to the top flight.

Well if this happens.. i can see more people tuning in and watching.

I wish the legend the best of luck anyways, as long as he doesn't get in the way of Hamilton

This post has been edited by JoshBRFC: 23 December 2009 - 03:54 AM

[Jenson Hamilton]

... wow.

Mixed feelings on seeing him back. Very glad to, in a way.

[CC Is Klaas]

'tas been confirmed now by Mercedes. It's no doubt a coup for Formula One again to have him back now they're trying to expand the appeal for F1 more. And Mercedes have got that bee out of their bonnet about not signing him earlier with McLaren. But there's still a sort of... Brett Favre palaver about it all. Still, it'll increase the appeal for F1 again, and Rosberg will grow as a driver learning off Schumacher, as Massa did do.

Quote

The two teams thought most likely to be those over which F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has cast doubts for next season have both responded by insisting that they will be on the grid in Bahrain come March 2010.

While fellow newcomers Lotus and Virgin have revealed complete line-ups for their first season, Team USF1 and Campos Meta have named just one driver between them and continue to be surrounded by speculation that Ecclestone suggests might see them struggle to complete the step up to the top flight [see story here]. Both, however, maintain that they are on course to debut in Bahrain.

"I'm surprised Bernie said that," USF1 team boss Peter Windsor told BBC Sport, We will be there. We're in good shape. Everything is going well and we are looking forward to the year. We've just finished the chassis and are now in the hands of Cosworth."

While there has been much speculation about potential drivers for the Carolina-based team, Windsor insists that there is no rush to name names, with only Argentina's former Renault development scheme hopeful Jose Maria Lopez having been mentioned as close to a deal.

"We are trying to find the best drivers we can, but there's no rush," he maintained, aware that the likes of Jacques Villeneuve, Danica Patrick and Jonathan Summerton - amongst others - had also been linked to seats at USF1, "We have no date [for the car to fully completed] - it's difficult to predict when that date would be - but there will be a moment when we announce the drivers at the factory and that will be some time towards late January."

Campos Meta has at least inked one driver in Bruno Senna, and has reported that its Dallara-built chassis has passed various stages of the mandatory FIA crash test procedure, but also felt the need to respond to Ecclestone's doubts.

"My opinion is that Bernie does not have all the information," eponymous team owner Adrian Campos claimed, "We are working very hard. We are now very close to a title sponsor and a second driver. We will be there - otherwise we lose everything."

Campos confirmed that the team was expecting to take delivery of its first car in mid-January, while Cosworth commercial director Mark Gallagher confirmed that, while each of the company's five customer teams - the four newcomers plus stalwart Williams - were at different stages in their development, all were continuing to push ahead with plans for 2010.

"We've been working with the four new teams for six months and have only seen signs that they are preparing for F1," the Irishman said, "There is no indication that operationally there are any issues."

http://uk.eurosport....one-doubts.html

Bernie's obviously trying to perk them up a bit. USF1 haven't announced any drivers yet as far as I'm aware. Hopefully Jacques will get a seat if they run out of options. Canada's nearly America, sort of. It'll be interesting to see what becomes of the Manor/Virgin team's designs, the first computer based design, without using a wind-tunnel.

[Liverpool96]

;BBC sport

Quote

<Michael Schumacher says he intends to crown his Formula 1 comeback by challenging for the 2010 title. The seven-time champion announced his return for 2010 on Wednesday with Mercedes, the renamed Brawn GP team.

Despite three years out of the sport, he insists he can threaten the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button - the 2008 and 2009 world champions.

"I have won the title seven times and the team won both titles last year, so what do you expect," said the German.

Schumacher, 41 on 3 January, added: "Now Mercedes are team owners you cannot expect anything else other than the world title. That is what we aim for but we have to deliver and that is our job.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gifForget about winning races - I have him on my bill for winning the championship <Bernie Ecclestone on Schumacher "Honestly, I can't wait until 1 February, when we will officially run the car."

Schumacher retired in 2006 after competing in 250 grands prix, 180 of them for Ferrari. He won 91 races, 71 for Ferrari, on his way to his multiple world titles.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has welcomed Schumacher's return and believes he can even win the title at the age of 41.

"Forget about winning races - I have him on my bill for winning the championship," Ecclestone told F1's official website.

"It's fantastic for Formula 1 that he turned into a 'comeback kid' but at the same time it's good for Michael.

"Now he has all his strength together and has 100% motivation that will give us many exciting races in 2010."

Schumacher almost returned to F1 last summer.

He was going to act as a stand-in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa but pulled out because of a neck injury sustained in a motorcycle accident last February.

Recent medical checks have been positive, though, and he is confident he is back to full fitness.

Schumacher will reportedly earn £6.2m after reuniting with Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, who masterminded all seven of his titles, the first two with Benetton in 1994-5 and the subsequent five with Ferrari from 2000-4.

Lucas di Grassi, who will make his debut with Virgin Racing next season, believes Schumacher still possesses the will to win after losing to him in a recent karting event in Brazil.

"He's the most competitive guy that I know," Di Grassi said recently. "Everybody I know goes there [to the karting event] to have a good time and enjoy it and have fun. Michael goes there and spends two hours making a seat one millimetre higher."

Williams driver Rubens Barrichello, who drove with Schumacher at Ferrari, suggested the German driver's track record was the key to Mercedes' decision to lure him out of retirement. "Experience is all that matters in F1 now," former Brawn driver Barrichello wrote on his Twitter feed. "The team needed me last year and needs Schumi now. I hope for a great fight, but a clean one as well."

BBC analyst Martin Brundle believes his former team-mate from his Benetton days will have to work hard on his return to the sport.

"Michael says he has charged his batteries on his break, but I think he will need a couple of extra long life ones in his pocket," he said.

"The last two championships he contested, Fernando Alonso won both and hasn't slowed down since then.

"There are drivers like Button, Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel on the scene now, and Michael is going to have to pedal very hard to beat those guys.

"I wouldn't bet against him winning some races, or even the championship, but he will have his work cut out."

Mercedes chief executive Nick Fry believes Schumacher's return has captured the imagination of their team rivals and the sport's fans. "The thing that has been very interesting is that all of F1 wants Michael back," Fry told BBC Radio 5 live.

"So many team principals have told us in the last few weeks that they really hoped he would come back.

"Its good for the sport and will help us build more and more fans around the world and that's important for all of us."

I think he should go for it beacuse he has only got one year and he may challenge the top drivers.

This post has been edited by Liverpool96: 25 December 2009 - 06:32 PM

[Manun]

The German King is back, lets see how these young pretenders get on with a real driver pushing them on.

[CFC Skyline]

26 cars on the grid? Hopefully the tracks won't be overcrowded...