2015 F1 News and Prediction Tournament

[pharvey]

Sounds like that red car from Italy is doing well in practice/testing...... Alonso also in a "minor" prang - but thankfully no major injuries.

Here's looking forward to a great season - Money on "Merc", but I think Ferrari will be pushing rather than Red Bull in 2015.

[Pleng]

Alonso also in a "minor" prang - but thankfully no major injuries.

It's a very strange incident. He's been in hospital for three nights following what was a low-speed impact. That's very unusual, to say the least.

[PeteC]

"McLaren's Fernando Alonso will miss the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on 15 March on medical advice......."

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/31713292

[pharvey]

Certainly sounds to have been a tad more serious than I first understood it to be....

[PeteC]

Here we go again, good luck to all! Pete

AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail ... agram.html

The local time application is not present this year, so far, on the above official F1 website. (Time) below is Thai time calculated by me, hopefully it's correct.

Fri 13 March 2015
Practice 1 12:30 – 14:00 (0830-1000)
Practice 2 16:30 – 18:00 (1230-1400)

Sat 14 March 2015
Practice 3 14:00 – 15:00 (1000-1100)
Qualifying 17:00 – 18:00 (1300-1400)

Sun 15 March 2015
Race 16:00 (1200)

[richard]

Good news for me

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/31735303

[pharvey]

^ Yep, that is good news..

[Pleng]

...which part of it particularly is good news?

[pharvey]

That it's on terrestrial television perhaps......

[Pleng]

I see. I thought it was a particular race that people were happy about.. and I was confused as to which one, as the previous was referring to the opening race in Albert Park - which isn't one of the 10 races that the BBC are broadcasting live.

[pharvey]

Perhaps this should have been posted in the "Weird News" thread...... it's certainly bizarre!!

Australian GP: Sauber lose appeal over Giedo van der Garde ruling

Sauber have failed in an appeal to overturn a court ruling that says Giedo van der Garde should race for the team at Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

"What a mess. How could a team run by a qualified lawyer have ended up with three drivers contracted to run two cars in 2015? It is at the same time hard to believe and yet easy to understand. Sauber signed one driver who brings millions to the team - Giedo van der Garde - and then found two more who brought even more, and who would pay it up front as well. That they decided to ignore Van der Garde's valid contract underlines just how dire the team's straits were at the end of 2014. What happens next, though, is much harder to work out. Sauber clearly don't want to run Van der Garde."

Full Story: - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/31846217

[Pleng]

Yup there are 4 drivers with contracts to drive this season for a team that only has 2 cars. It seems unbelievable that any team would end up in this position - but the current head of Sauber is a contract lawyer by profession, so it's doubly odd that it could ever end up like this.

The next issue is that Giedo van der Garde doesn't have a super license so is unable to actually race anyway. Net result was that in Free Practice 1, there were two Sauber cars in the garage, but neither driver went out on track for fear of any litigation issues that may arise.

Only in F1!

[pharvey]

The next issue is that Giedo van der Garde doesn't have a super license so is unable to actually race anyway. Net result was that in Free Practice 1, there were two Sauber cars in the garage, but neither driver went out on track for fear of any litigation issues that may arise.

It just beggars belief....... I'd hate to think what kind of money is involved here.

[lindosfan1]

1st race this weekend qualifying on the 14th

[PeteC]

Yes, you have until 1300 hours today Thai time to make your picks and get the early bird bonus. See 9 posts up for the schedule.

I made my picks after the 2nd practice yesterday and it's nothing but a crap shoot for this first race. I have no clue if podium or crash and burn.

Remember past years, the one who is on top by a half dozen points or so after a half dozen races or so tends to win the pool. A fast start is good! Pete