F1 links: Nürburgring in doubt for 2010
15th July 2009, 0:10 by Keith Collantine 12 Comments »
With an end to the FIA-FOTA row finally in sight the silly season is gearing up as usual – for circuits and drivers.
German GP in doubt for 2010 season
The Nurburgring's managing director Walter Kafitz has said his circuit will only hold a Grand Prix in 2010 if Ecclestone reduces his fee.
Raikkonen to retire after 2009
“The Finnish media are reporting that Kimi Räikkönen will be retiring from Formula One at the end this season in order to make way for Fernando Alonso at the Italian team.” Monaco73 took a look at the original story for me and said: “The Finnish media have latched onto an old story once again by Pino Allievi from Gazetto dello Sport in Italy, here that he has a source inside Ferrari (once again) that Alonso will replace Kimi at the end of this year, and will sign a five year deal with Maranello, to be announced at Monza this year.
“One Finnish paper (called Veikkaaja) says that Ferrari will have to buy out Kimi for €28m for the final year if the deal is done and Kimi would not be able to drive for any other F1 team without Ferrari’s permission. It also quotes a ‘friend’ saying that Kimi doesn’t talk about Formula 1 any more, he’s always on about rallying nowadays. Allievi’s story is quite detailed… but we have heard it all before.
“Interestingly the papers also quote La Stampa in Italy as saying Kimi has a deal lined up with Brawn, but that has been rubbished by everyone asked…”
Jake Humphrey: An earpiece of the action
Fascinating 16-minute video revealing what BBC F1 anchorman Jake Humphrey sees and hears while presenting the Grand Prix coverage.
Reflections on a weekend in Germany
"Then there was Bernie coming to Germany just after his Hitler thing in The Times. Oooh, that was a little tricky. [...] He behaved himself in public but he had those of us who spent a little time with him privately rolling in the aisles. The point about the end of his career is that it is probably approaching and the genie is out of the bottle (and I think even he is aware of it) but I wouldn't expect anything dramatic on that score in the very near future."
‘Räikkönen to retire after 2009′
"With Räikkönen having already competed in three rally events this year, latest speculation from the Veikkaaja newspaper of Finland suggests that the Ferrari driver, who turns 30 in October, will be hanging up his F1 helmet for good as Spain's Alonso moves to the Scuderia ahead of 2010."
Why Webber always had star quality
"Few seemed to notice the unerring habit he had of transcending the limitations of his machinery. Yet he has been doing it since he climbed into a Minardi in 2002 and through his days at Jaguar and Williams before getting to Red Bull. A Jaguar should not have been on the front row – or anywhere near it – at Malaysia in 2004."
Dodgy Business: The good and bad sides to F1 (sub. req.)
"We were told that an FIA private jet had taken Monsieur Todt to Africa where he was in the process of drumming up support for a presidential campaign yet to be announced."
These are links I’ve bookmarked using Delicious. You can see my Delicious profile here.
159Tom said on 15th July 2009, 0:23
Nice insight into what it’s like to win your first Grand Prix in BBC’s Mark Webber column.
dsob said on 15th July 2009, 5:20
Regarding the future of the German GP, insiders say, yes, it’s official. TrollPress is reporting that the German GP will be replaced on the 2010 schedule by the Wheredafugowistan GP.
Boinie Itchystones, the GP Superpooremo has confirmed that the government of Wheredafugowistan has guaranteed him 1.5 billion pounds and his choice of any tall woman in the Wheredafugowistan Sultan’s harem to host a GP there in 2010. Boinie went on to say the schedule change is definite, and that he would refuse to be cozied up to by any beer-drinking carmakers.
When asked if he won’t miss the history of the German race, Boinie became openly agitated and screamed “Do NOT mention Germany and history to me in the same sentence!” and ran wailing into the distance.
dsob said on 15th July 2009, 5:21
Forgive me, I’m weak. I can resist anything but temptation.
Bigbadderboom said on 15th July 2009, 11:20
Very good!!! He does set himself up for it though!!
persempre said on 15th July 2009, 12:05
LOL, dsob.
Sadly, if anyone could find somewhere called Wheredafugowistan to hold a race then Boinie is the man.
The old European races are disappearing in greater numbers. Maybe if Vettel won the Championship it would help the German GP but that’s still in the lap of the gods.
Bartholomew said on 15th July 2009, 21:40
Here´s the new Concorde agreement in action.
The Kingdom of Cannabeer GP is next on the list, replacing the GP of France.
Sorry for our German brothers. All those years of glorious tradition of racing in Germany, with people happy and plenty of public in the grandstands, and now no more
PJA said on 15th July 2009, 9:35
So it looks like that for 2010 at least another country most here would put on list to always hold a GP isn’t going to host an F1 race.
Bigbadderboom said on 15th July 2009, 11:21
Excellent interaction from Jake Humphrey, I have been very impressed by the Beebs coverage this year (excluding JL). I hope they continue with these little gems of insight into their coverage.
The Limit said on 16th July 2009, 5:10
The way its going only Spain will host a European Gp in the upcoming seasons, and they better pray that Fernando doesn’t retire early!
In all honesty, its becoming very tiresome. As for Kimi Raikkonen, I believe the rumours about him losing interest with Formula One and have quite frankly felt this way since he won the title in 2007. Kimi never struck me as the type of guy who sticks around to win multiple championships, unlike other drivers. He seems to set a goal, achieve it, then move on. If he does the rallying, then I’ll have to start watching more rally events and good luck to him.
The truth of the matter for Ferrari is that Alonso is the biggest ‘draw’ available to them. The most successful ‘active’ F1 driver around, who totally fits their way of doing things.
I don’t believe we will see the antics we saw at McLaren as Ferrari are not structured that way, yet the response from Felipe Massa will be very interesting.
Massa has had the advantage for the last year over Raikkonen, putting in on average the better performances. Going head to head with the Spanish double world champion in the same car will be mouthwatering for many others I am sure, and I cannot wait.
YeaMon said on 16th July 2009, 5:26
German GP gone. Another race is Asia! YESSSSSSSSS!
My god, what has F1 come to?
PrisonerMonkeys said on 16th July 2009, 5:57
Says who? The German GP has gone, Ecclestone has expressed concern over the lack of European races, the teams seem pretty impressed with Algarve and the circuit has a “1T” rating from the FIA …
YeaMon said on 17th July 2009, 21:24
Bernie expresses concern about everything, but never does anything about. He’ll go to the place with the most $$$. And in current times that place is Asia.