Here's another version of the 2016 schedule. It's clearly marked as 'provisional' and I don't know whether it differs from the last but it's floating around today for some reason so here ya go. Still 21 races...
I wonder what kind of emotions the guys at RB must be feeling after this news? Manor gets "current-year" Mercedes engines for 2016 · F1 Fanatic
My newspaper (yeah, print on paper - quaint, eh?) said Button has re-signed for McLaren, but no decision yet for/on Alonso.
Fixed that. Darn English language. McLaren Formula 1 - McLaren-Honda confirms Jenson Button for 2016 Jenson Button settles future and will race for McLaren in F1 next season | Sport | The Guardian Jenson Button signs contract extension with McLaren F1 | Autoweek
Just read this. He is right on. The whole "green" thing is a joke and it's just making the cost higher. It's late in the game but F1 needs to make changes for next year in some way or they are going to bleed fan even more. Honda says they are in for a 5 year plan but if they have to wait a year between updates/upgrades I don't see it happening. Will they stick around if they have another season like this year? Think any new engine suppliers want to jump in and spend a fortune and risk press like Honda has? Merc and Ferrari are only going to give current spec engines to teams that they know can't compete with them. So the future is just 2 teams leading and the real racing in the back.
Seems like two teams racing for a win is an improvement at least to me. The only way to have parity between the teams is to have a spec series. Man would that suck & the teams with more money & talent would still be at the front. Not sure Honda is losing sales because their F1 engine is struggling so badly. I think the days of race on Sunday sell on Monday are long gone. Heck most folks have no idea what racing even is. Ask almost anyone & you'd get a blank stare.
But would it cause any real change to anything important? Ecclestone says Formula 1 shareholding could be sold "this year" (racer.com)
Looks like Red Bull may be done. Ferrari now says they won't supply Red Bull at all. Ferrari says it's logistics, a reporter says it's fear. But another news clip says they'll supply Toro Rosso with 2015 engines.
I find it amazing that the reason the other Merc teams can't get the latest spec engine is fuel. Petronas says they can't make enough of the special fuel. 99% of the fuel is the suppose to be same between all the suppliers. So they can't make enough of the 1% of the magic elixir.
Now what for RB? Time for Horner to buy a bunch of flowers and a big box of chocolates and go knocking at Renault's door?
The announcers during FP2 mentioned that there were heavy rumblings that they were once-again negotiating with Renault. Apparently there is a 500 Million penalty due to Bernie if Red Bull pulls out of F1. Good motivation there, but really bad show of "force" by Red Bull considering their current lack of options.
Did anyone watch qualifying? Wondering whether this was as big as it looks...because it looks really bad.