[valis]

um, didn't you used to called vb something or other?

what do you think of the Spyker group? I think (think) that they've got a very valid entry that could at least garner a podium at some point......but we'll see under race conditions how they do.....

[johnnyburst79]

Yes, did you see my sig?

Spyker...well, we will see. They hired Mike Gascoyne so it does appear they have legitimate intentions of staying within F1, but how much talent is the group able to attract, driver wise?

If they have the means to stick around I'd expect them to raise themselves to a mid-level team. I don't think their brand name or sponsorships are able to draw enough capital to propel them to the front of the grid.

I am also a bit excited about Prodrive and their entry when, next year?

[valis]

prodrive I'm not that familiar with; spyker has been making quite some noise for the times in testing they've been throwing down; again, that's testing, not race distance, and we'll see how they hold up with all the variables a race can throw at you.

heard anything else about Bourdais testing for 'some' team over there?

[johnnyburst79]

Not a word about Bourdais.

Did you see Anthony Davidson in the Super Aguri topping the time sheets of practice? I really do hope they do better this year, better than STR anyways. 2 seasons now (is that right?) and STR has yet to score a point.

[valis]

well, they scored one, then had it taken away thanks to speed's vocabulary lessons.....they 'should' do well, but there's a reason they run the races, right?

I think Bourdais needs to be given a chance. Put him at least in the Aguri; they are hurting for drivers anyhow, as theirs keep losing their F1 license.

[johnnyburst79]

I think SA is set now with Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato. Both have been around F1 for quite a while. Taku seems to be a bit out of control sometimes, but last year he faired pretty well. And, they did place 10th in Brazil, punching way above their weight, so we will see what happens this year.

Yes, Speed did cause their loss of a point, but hey, at least they can redo the ceremony for their first F1 point, right?

I agree that Bourdais should be given a testing role and see what happens.

[valis]

too many qualified driver, not enough cars. I mean, seriously, look at what we're relegated to.

[johnnyburst79]

Over qualified drivers?! In Formula 1? And too many of them? again.

The problem is money. It takes how many hundreds of millions to start and staff a team, build a car and facility, hire drivers, and transpo.

How much is Kimi being paid, something like $145M over 5 years and Alonso got a similar deal? The salaries of those two drivers can equal the entire budget of one or two smaller teams. Let them get whatever they can get, but that does relegate newer and less effective talent to less funded teams.

[valis]

not OVER qualified, TOO MANY qualified drivers......look at how many third drivers could be top teams in different circumstances......like when A-Rod went to the Yankees; you aren't giong to have someone of his ability riding the pine. You fit him in somewhere.......Take Kubica, for instance.....he was given a chance, and earned a ride. Heck, look at Schumi and Senna.....both wandered lost with dead-end teams, but were noticed simply due to their raw driving skill.

[valis]

ugh....just saw the pics of the Renault.....looks like someone ate a pound of jelly beans then puked on it.....

but I mean that in the best way.

[johnnyburst79]

hahaha. I agree. I think ING may have been a contributor to the paint scheme...

I'd like to see high res images of the car without all the livery so the details of the technical and aerodynamic aspects are highlighted.

[johnnyburst79]

Darth Vader is now in the hunt








j/k, this is just the testing color. The livery will be released next month.

And more of the Renault. Not a fan of the mirrors, talk about vibration! God forbid they get a flat spot!


Nice winglets


It does have very smooth lines

[valis]

I remember, I think it was the mclaren last year, watching the mirrors BEND a few inches during the straightaways, and thinking 'whoa, that can't be good'.....makes you realize just how much faith these guys put in their machines......remember legge or raikkonnen going into corners with rear wing failures?

[johnnyburst79]

I remember Raikkonnen's front suspension failing and almost taking out Button in the process. Also, didn't Nico Rosberg lose is rear wing at Interlago's in 06, which caused his heavy crash?

Red Bull Racing is chasing the 5th spot in the Constructors Championship. With the RB3 being designed from scratch by Adrian Newey, I hope they do very well. Their use of the Renault engine should serve them very well. Newey thinks it is better than Ferrari's engine. The sidepods are very attractive.

[valis]

go to you tube and search for 'legge'. You'll see the heaviest crash of 2006, any form of racing. Rear wing failure going into a 5th gear right hander; all that was left was teh left tire and teh monocoque. She walked away, and her only complaint was that at a dinner a few days later she had bruises from the 5 point across her shoulders.....small complaint indeed, once you see the impact.