F1 links: Toyota considered quitting F1

15th March 2009, 23:02 by Keith Collantine 10 Comments »

"The quick response of the marshals and medics saved Alex’s life. They stabalised him as best they could and rushed him to hospital. It took about 60 minutes from impact to arriving at Berlin, at which point doctors worked tirelessly to stem the bleeding and transfuse blood into Alex. The violence of the accident meant there was nothing that could have been done to rectify the damage. The initial surgery lasted for three hours. Zanardi lost both his legs and 75% of his blood."

Saturday interview with Bernie Ecclestone: Make Max PM, and forgive Fred

Bernie Ecclestone: "I said a long time ago that the stock market would crash and that Europe would become a third-world economy. And it will."

Bernie Ecclestone says no improved Donington, no 2010 British grand prix

'Formula one's commercial rights holder also announced that a round of the 2010 world championship will be held at a new circuit in South Korea, followed in 2011 by the addition of a race in India. Eventually he plans to stabilise the annual calendar at 20 races, with European races which drop out unlikely to be reinstated. "We haven't got a spare date," he said in an interview with the Guardian. "We're in trouble. We need a date. We're going to be in trouble if we do have Donington."'

Toyota 'had doubts' about its F1 future

Tadashi Yamashina: "We must win. I'm sure of our team's potential to win a GP title after watching the final test on Thursday. Our team is definitely better than that of last year."

Fan Club excursion

"As part of a demonstration, I spoke to a bakery in Southern Germany via a video link and placed an order for a cake in the shape of a Formula One car. This was then baked to my precise specification." The crazy world of Nick Heidfeld

Domencali says reliability main concern

Stefano Domenicali: "Until a couple of days ago there was a great equilibrium between the different teams – some expected and some a bit less – and then there was Brawn GP's exploit; their performance was incredibly surprising and they have to be watched with care."

Gráficas comparativas de los test de Montmeló del 9 al 12 de Marzo

Graphs comparing how the F1 cars performed at Barcelona

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10 comments on F1 links: Toyota considered quitting F1

Loki said on 15th March 2009, 23:21

“One thing Zanardi never lost though, the most important thing, was his spirit. After coming out of the induced coma following his surgery, some say the first thing Alex did before anything else, was smile at his wife. Lying in a bed and suffering the kind of trauma that itself alone would kill the souls of most others, Alex smiled.”

This story of Alex Zanardi is truly inspirational, and testament to the impregnable psychological barrier that drivers seem to have. We see accidents happen all the time, and drivers step right back into the car 10 times stronger, proving nothing stops them in their fight, or in their tracks.

Except, I don’t think I have words for how Zanardi handled this . . . but I know the world’s alright when we have people like him.

Thanks for the link, Keith

In other news, I wonder if Toyota are still holding onto their self-imposed win deadline of within the first 6 races of the season?

scunnyman said on 16th March 2009, 0:21

You can only admire someone like Zanardi, especially when you have the like of Ecclestone in the same links (who doesn’t live on the same planet as the rest of us).

I followed Zanardi (although not as closely as other drivers) in f1 in his early years and when he went over to CART racing. I still have his massive crash on disc somewhere and it is scary to watch. He is definitely an inspiration to everyone.

DGR-F1 said on 16th March 2009, 8:32

…..yes Bernie, and I said a little while ago that this would be exactly what you were planning.
Time for the FIA, the European and North American circuits and any interested teams and manufacturers to get together, get organised and create a new World Series…..

- ajokay said on 16th March 2009, 11:45
  
  Yes, but just without the FIA, they don’t need them.
  
- DGR-F1 said on 16th March 2009, 14:13
  
  Well, they do if they want to be an international series don’t they? The FIA makes the rules up…..
  
- mkh1 said on 16th March 2009, 15:24
  
  If the FIA carry on trying to standerdise parts then I think that may become more of a possibilty, only without the FIA’s backing. Surely an international championship doesn’t have to have the support of the FIA.
  
PJA said on 16th March 2009, 16:47

In the Ecclestone interview when he was asked about Sir Fred Goodwin the former boss of RBS he said

“No. He was a fan of the bank. He was trying to do a good job for them. I’ve no idea whether he was or not. Presumably he was, otherwise he wouldn’t have been paid the salary that he was.”

Ecclestone reasoning is that he did a good job because he was paid a lot, most people would take RBS’s recent demise as a sign that he didn’t do a good job at all, but I suppose it makes sense when you realise the only factor he uses to decide which circuit gets to host a Grand Prix is how much money he can make not whether the race itself will be a success or not.

Ecclestone really is losing the plot, he has to step down now for the good of F1, and take Max with him.

Chaz said on 16th March 2009, 17:51

And so Bernie continues with the British grand prix threats…

Roland said on 16th March 2009, 18:34

Hey guys, following on from a (very useful) link which Keith provided, I’ve translated some of the noteworthy points using my fairly ropey Spanish (It’s great practice for my A-Level you see!)

http://www.f1revolution.com/2009/03/graficas-comparativas-de-los-test-de-montmelo-del-9-al-12-de-marzo/

Conclusions from Barcelona test – 9/3/09 – 12/3/09
1.) It’s obvious that the “odd” stint from Felipe’s race simulation was done with hard tyres and a fuel load for a long stint (although it wasn’t completed). Last year, the difference between the average speeds of one stint with medium compound tyres and the other with hards was around 5-6 tenths; for 2009, the difference between the 2009-spec compounds (from soft to hard) has dropped to about a second. (ie greater variation between compounds)
2.) In 2008, the behaviour of the softer compounds was very stable, whereby the slowest lap was generally at the start of the stint, and the fastest at the end; weight was critical since the tyres could be preserved. In 2009, the behaviour of the softer compounds (softs)is less stable; during the opening laps {of a stint} the times drop off rapidly, but then improve again and produce the best lap time some laps later. In short, weight is not as decisive a factor as long year, but the duration of the stint is.
3.) The behaviour of the harder compounds (the hard compound from both years) is similar each time; a slight increase in lap time in a few laps at the start of the stint, followed by better lap times as the weight decreases, with the overall best lap time slightly worse.
4.) The average lap with the softest compound is some 7 tenths quicker in 2009 compared to 2008 (1:21.7 vs. 1:22.4); by contrast for the hardest compound it is 6 tenths slower (1:23.7 / 1:23.1). The choice of compound and number of laps on each race stint is going to be very interesting and probably this year will see more position changes thanks to strategy.
Interesting stuff, hope it makes sense.

Yuma said on 16th March 2009, 22:22

Toyota can’t quit yet they signed a contract, they won’t to quit but can’t because of the contract.
I know because I know someone who works with Toyota