Ah yes....... Still, I wonder if there is a succession plan for the Bernemeister? After all, the troll isn't going to live forever..... If so, who would take over? Todt? Montezumelomelomelomelomelo? Did you all know that ol Monte has been working for Ferrari since the 70's? I had no idea......
Don't know whether there's a succession plan but I don't expect it to make much difference. The cynic in me says Bernie probably doesn't have complete control of naming his successor but those who do will want another money-grubber who, like Bernie, is only interested in F1 as a show that warrants the charging of exorbitant prices (to fans and race hosts) and rakes in huge profits to line the pockets of current rights holders. I don't fault someone for wanting to make money, but the wishful thinker in me wishes those in charge would think of the administration of F1 more like a non-profit where sport, racing, great venues, etc, trump all else. I know, pure fantasy these days. I can't imagine they'll pick someone even worse than Bernie fingerscrossed but even if they pick someone with a greater interest in the sporting side he'll likely be hamstrung by big banker expectations. [/cynical rant]
According to a story on Jalopnik, Nico Hulkenberg is having a problem with the new Sauber. The front of the car's monocoque is so narrow that his feet are too big to efficiently operate the pedals. Once it passes the required crash tests the monocoque can't be altered without starting the tests over from scratch...and Nico is probably a bit reluctant to have his relatively large feet altered...so, they're apparently shaving down his shoes. I suppose they'll save a few grams of weight in the process.
I read somewhere that Adrian Newey had at some point tried to convince the drivers of his cars to operate the car with foot above the other, rather than side by side, so that he could narrow the car a bit. Could be a solution.... :idea: Of course old Bernie would just say that the drivers are as replaceable as light-bulbs.
Interesting to see someone praise Bernie. BBC Sport - Formula 1 teams showing signs of money problems
That was quick! Williams just unveiled their 2013 car this morning (pics to come). 'Caterham and Williams exhausts illegal' (GPUpdate.net) Here's the Williams exhaust exit:
Since this exhaust biz is an ongoing issue and the typical assumption is that the FIA's associated rules are very detailed and complex, here's BBC News Chief F1 Writer Andrew Benson's relatively simple explanation of the basics as they apply to Williams and Caterham. The key is this simple line: "... the sides of the channel down which the exhausts can run may not converge - ie the sides of the U-shape have to be either vertical or slope outwards."
Oh for the love of...... :mad2: Really? Looking at their lap times today, I don't think that it's had a huge effect. Maldonado was 1.117 seconds off the lead and nearly one second off Vettel, (the next fastest), and Pic was 4.9 seconds behind. Williams had a moderately competitive car last year, so it's no wonder they've moved up a little, especially with a new car, but I really super doubt that the tiny vane is making that huge a difference.
The Williams may be the cleanest looking car this year, less little aero bits hanging everywhere than others...that is, other than the front wing, obviously.
Crikeys! At what point do the rules become so complex and convoluted that no one can even follow them anymore? I think we're just about there.......:crazy:
I knew the Williams exhaust would be illegal as soon as saw it this morning. Eventually it will be a spec car series.
Honestly, I suspect Brawn's failures with Mercedes are probably not his fault, but with some process within Mercedes. You don't take a winning car designer, and winning driver and perform poorly unless something else in the equation is wrong, imo. Mercedes probably isn't going to win with Hamilton at the wheel this year due to whatever endemic problems they have there, and next year I don't think they'll do any better with the new spec car than any other big team. The removal of Brawn isn't going to change that. If I were Frank Williams I'd be on the phone with Brawn right now. My 2¢.