That will definitely take F1 car interiors to a new level!

How long before we start seeing "soft-touch carbon fibre"? 

I am waiting for George to post " Vorsprung Durch Technik" here lol

So, we are going to have a diesel F1 now?

I'm guessing the new RS4 should be powered by a 1.6 Turbo V6 hybrid.

 

And I look forward to the tag line "fire up the quattro" being said around the F1 pits.

The Audi in F1 rumour has been banded around for a number of years now, and raises it's head every now and again - can't see it happening to be honest, each time it appears Audi deny.

 

Furthermore, they are already committed to World Endurance Championship, DTM and GT Racing, and next year add the Audi Sport TT Cup to their programme.

Apparently its being pushed by VW to take the competition away from Porsche??  Truth in this?  No Idea!! but it does make a certain amount of sense that they compete independently rather than competing with each other? 

Marussia now officially confirmed as being in administration :(

Isn't the end of year full of great news...

It looks like all the cost cutting measures actually do not cut any costs. The problem lies in commercial rights to F! ownership and income redistribution. Sadly all goes to people represented by Bernie first and foremost, then comes the sport. F1 is pure bread commercial operation set to maximise profit for the shareholders. 

Not sure exactly how it works with say NASCAR or INDY CAR but I cannot remember reading about them having this type of problems?

Think CVC and Bernie only pass about 50% of the tv rights back, in other sports it would be more like 80% and above. Therein lies the problem IMO.

 

Don't get me wrong what Bernie has done for the sport is great but if something isn't done with the financial side and the format (think silly double points for a starter) then F1 could sail down the river the same way that the original Group A WRC went with manufacturers pulling out and very limited TV coverage.

Deal to save Marussia very close apparently - if they retain 9th in the constructors then they would receive about £35m in prize money which is attracting potential buyers.

Deal to save Marussia very close apparently - if they retain 9th in the constructors then they would receive about £35m in prize money which is attracting vultures.

Fixed that for you

Some news ahead of the US GP this weekend:

 

• Stewards rule Caterham and Marussia are in breach of regulations fro not being there. No penalty imposed but matter referred to FIA President  - I assumed they had already had permission not to attend, did that memo not get passed to the stewards!
• Vettel is likely to start the race from pitlane due to engine penalty - apparently it's unlikely he'll take part in qualifying at all, so only 3 cars go out in Q1
• Button will pick up a 5 place grid penalty due to taking a new gearbox for the race

 

Qualifying session has also been confirmed by FIA - 1st sessions 4 cars go out; 2nd session another 4 cars go out; leaving 10 cars for final session.

Some news ahead of the US GP this weekend:

 

• Stewards rule Caterham and Marussia are in breach of regulations fro not being there. No penalty imposed but matter referred to FIA President  - I assumed they had already had permission not to attend, did that memo not get passed to the stewards!
• Vettel is likely to start the race from pitlane due to engine penalty - apparently it's unlikely he'll take part in qualifying at all, so only 3 cars go out in Q1
• Button will pick up a 5 place grid penalty due to taking a new gearbox for the race

 

Qualifying session has also been confirmed by FIA - 1st sessions 4 cars go out; 2nd session another 4 cars go out; leaving 10 cars for final session.

Well, more specifically I like bullet (2) a lot.

What's the reason for Vettel not qualifying?

What's the reason for Vettel not qualifying?

I waste of tyres I assume seeing as he's starting from the pits

Well, more specifically I like bullet (2) a lot.

 

 

What's the reason for Vettel not qualifying?

 

Team expect to make a full power unit change.

What's the reason for Vettel not qualifying?

Engine change gives him a 10 place grid penalty, and he's unlikely to do better than about 5th anyway. That places him no better than 15th of 18 so a pit-lane start saves engine life and and gives him 3 extra tyre sets for dropping 3 places.

Christian Horner just told BBC5Live that Vettel will take part in at least Q1 qualifying.

What's the reason for Vettel not qualifying?

 

6th engine so a mandatory start from the pits.

6th engine so a mandatory start from the pits.

 

Regs slightly confusing in this respect as the power unit is split into elements - if the entire power unit is replaced then the driver must start the race from the pit lane. However if just the engine is replaced for a sixth time, then driver gets a ten-place grid penalty

 

Power unit is split into engine, turbo, kinetic generator, heat generator, energy store and control electronics. Drivers limited to no more than 5 power units per season (without penalty)

Yeah, he's on his 6th power unit as I thought I heard

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Yeah he's having a full new power unit. 

I thought he had to do a qualifying run that met the 107% time otherwise he wouldn't get to race at all

That's probably the reason they are running Q1 only...

Na, if they don't run they can just get the stewards to grant them entry to the race still. Plenty have had failures with cars and not done a lap but still raced. The 107% rule is to stop mobile chicanes like HRT

Commentators seemed to suggest that the stewards "reminded" Red Bull that they were under zero obligation to let them take part if they didn't qualify.

Regardless of the fact that people have been let in based on practice times.


I think it's good they did, if F1 wants to get a foothold in the US, they need to see the current WDC out on the track in qualy.

 

 

 

 

I think a lot of Americans will be confused by the way F1 works as a business, compared to other incredibly rich sports in the USA.