[Alvin]

Check your local listings for broadcast of Hockenheim, Germany. Practice conducted today.

Reinterpreting a classic - how Hockenheim was transformed 15 Jul 2014
http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2014/7/16080.html

"Hockenheim first hosted a world championship race in 1970, but even before that it had earned a reputation as a home for the brave, a circuit for the daring. It was a flat-out blast through the forest; a track where, as two-time Hockenheim winner Gerhard Berger put it, "your foot keeps on wanting to come off the accelerator".

Over the decades small modifications were made to the breath-taking blend of long straights and sweeping bends, but the circuit retained its fundamental character up until the turn of the century, when radical revisions were implemented."

[Alvin]

Caterham Drops Americas nearest hope for a driver in F1 w massive layoffs
"Alexander Rossi, the American driver for Caterham in GP2 and the reserve driver for Caterham in Formula 1, has split ways with the team in a move coinciding with a massive layoff (more than 40 employees) from Caterham F1 team's new ownership."

http://formulafreak.kinja.com/caterh...-f1-1606287172

Malaysia's Fernandes sells Caterham F1 team
"Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes has sold the British-based Caterham Formula One team to a consortium of Swiss and Middle Eastern investors, it was announced Wednesday.
"Caterham F1 Team is pleased to confirm that Tony Fernandes and his partners have sold the team to a consortium of Swiss and Middle Eastern investors, advised by former F1 Team Principal Colin Kolles," said a team statement.

In May, Fernandes the owner of budget airline AirAsia and London football club Queens Park Rangers, who next season will be back in the lucrative English Premier League, said in May he wasn't looking to sell Caterham but was keen to attract additional investment."
https://ph.sports.yahoo.com/news/mal...5241--spt.html

[Alvin]

SUSIE WOLFF BECOMES SECOND FEMALE DRIVER ON F1 ROSTER

Formula 1 now has two female development drivers after Williams announced that experienced DTM campaigner Susie Wolff – the wife of team shareholder Toto Wolff – has joined the team.

Several weeks after Marussia signed Spaniard Maria de Villota to a similar position, Williams has taken on the Scottish-born driver who has spent the last six seasons competing in German touring cars, achieving a best finishing position of seventh on two occasions in that time.

The 29-year-old had previously raced in British-based single-seater categories including F3 and Formula Renault 2.0 and team owner Frank Williams said that in addition to assisting the team with its development work in the simulator, she would also complete some straight-line aero tests as well a full track test “in the coming months”.

“Susie is a talented, successful and highly professional racing driver who competes in one of the world’s most fiercely-contested racing series,” Williams said. “Susie will join Williams as a development driver, in which capacity she will assist us with the development of our simulator and other technical challenges. Susie will also undertake some aerodynamic testing of the FW34 and a full track test in the coming months. Susie will also attend a number of races with us.”

To ensure there was no conflict of interest in the decision, Williams confirmed that Toto Wolff didn’t take part in the process: “I should add that, as Susie is married to Toto Wolff, a Director of Williams, her appointment was carefully considered and then approved by the Board, with Toto recusing himself from the process.”

Susie Wolff thanked Williams for the opportunity to get involved with the team and explained that in addition to getting involved with aspects of its work away from the race track, she was aiming to show that women can play a key role in F1.

“Formula One is the ultimate challenge for any racing driver and it offers me the chance both to apply and to improve the skills I have developed racing in DTM. In return I shall be offering some of my own technical insight and experience – coming from a different discipline – and helping the team engage with its partners.

“I hope also to demonstrate that women can play a role at the highest levels of motorsport and I shall be working closely with the team on its social responsibility programme in the areas of education and road safety.”

The signing also received the endorsement of Bernie Ecclestone who, in slightly unfortunate style, remarked: “If Susie is as quick in a car as she looks good out of a car then she will be a massive asset to any team and on top of that she is very intelligent. I am really looking forward to having her in Formula One.”

The arrivals of de Villota and Wolff onto the test driver rosters continues what appears a gradual shift towards increased female involvement in F1. Frank Williams’ daughter Claire Williams recently took up a position on the board of the Grove-based team, following her father’s decision to step down from his position, while over the weekend Peter Sauber named current team CEO Monisha Kaltenborn as his successor in an interview with Swiss newspaper Der Sonntag.

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/0...-on-f1-roster/

Susie Wolff below


Maria De Villota below

[Alvin]

Big off for "Louie" in Q1!

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Check your local listings for broadcast of Hockenheim, Germany. Practice conducted today.

Reinterpreting a classic - how Hockenheim was transformed 15 Jul 2014
http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2014/7/16080.html

"Hockenheim first hosted a world championship race in 1970, but even before that it had earned a reputation as a home for the brave, a circuit for the daring. It was a flat-out blast through the forest; a track where, as two-time Hockenheim winner Gerhard Berger put it, "your foot keeps on wanting to come off the accelerator".

Over the decades small modifications were made to the breath-taking blend of long straights and sweeping bends, but the circuit retained its fundamental character up until the turn of the century, when radical revisions were implemented."

Just finished watching the DVR'd Hockenheim race - excellent!

[MikeNoun]

Great race! Excellent back and forth between Danny Riccardo and Fernando Alonso. The young Red Bull driver has some skills. Even Alonso said after the race that he (Riccardo) drove clean, nothing dirty, just great racing. Alonso was a little embarrassed that he couldn't get around Riccardo, even though Alonso had fresher tires. And after he finally passed him, Riccardo stayed right on the Ferrari's tail.

Hamilton and Rosberg were great again. It was great to see a German winning at Hockenheim. Hasn't been done since Schumie.

Bottas had a GREAT drive. He's turning into a solid driver, and a threat at every race.

Massa has the worst luck! Flipped the car on lap 1.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

Great race! Excellent back and forth between Danny Riccardo and Fernando Alonso. The young Red Bull driver has some skills. Even Alonso said after the race that he (Riccardo) drove clean, nothing dirty, just great racing. Alonso was a little embarrassed that he couldn't get around Riccardo, even though Alonso had fresher tires. And after he finally passed him, Riccardo stayed right on the Ferrari's tail.

Hamilton and Rosberg were great again. It was great to see a German winning at Hockenheim. Hasn't been done since Schumie.

Bottas had a GREAT drive. He's turning into a solid driver, and a threat at every race.

Massa has the worst luck! Flipped the car on lap 1.

We enjoy his driving and are Pro Massa. That said, IMO Massa moved in and chopped Maldonado's(?) line into the corner where he (Maldonado) was already committed. His comment about "young driver errors" hopefully were ammended upon review of the replay where is clearly shows Massa made the error with his turn-in line touching tires causing Massa's car to flip its' lid onto its' rollbar.

Agree, the mid-pack battles were great, and gotta give Hamilton credit for starting 20th and making it all the way to 3rd place! And that Bottas is exhibiting some great talent, and gathering much needed team points with podium finishes that translate to multi millions $ at seasons end.

[MikeNoun]

Originally Posted by Alvin

We enjoy his driving and are Pro Massa. That said, IMO Massa moved in and chopped Maldonado's(?) line into the corner where he (Maldonado) was already committed. His comment about "young driver errors" hopefully were ammended upon review of the replay where is clearly shows Massa made the error with his turn-in line touching tires causing Massa's car to flip its' lid onto its' rollbar.

Yes, I agree. It was actually Massa's fault.

Massa's "bad luck" also combines with his mistakes, which are usually spectacular. His crash at Monaco (twice) was all his own, but he's had some truly bad luck where he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, like when Kobiyashi rammed him going into turn 1 a few weeks ago, or his late race crash in Canada.

Turn 1 in a Formula 1 race (at the start) is SO wild, I don't understand how they don't all wreck at every race! An F1 start is indeed the most exciting in all of motorsports.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

Yes, I agree. It was actually Massa's fault.

Massa's "bad luck" also combines with his mistakes, which are usually spectacular. His crash at Monaco (twice) was all his own, but he's had some truly bad luck where he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, like when Kobiyashi rammed him going into turn 1 a few weeks ago, or his late race crash in Canada.

Turn 1 in a Formula 1 race (at the start) is SO wild, I don't understand how they don't all wreck at every race! An F1 start is indeed the most exciting in all of motorsports.

And IIRC, starting with the next season (2015) all SafetyCar restarts are to be from a dead stop, side-by-side on the starting grid, just like the begining of each race?

[MikeNoun]

Yes! That will be strange, especially considering how chaotic it is in IndyCar with all the street circuits they run, And considering Will Power is in the field, who seems to cause more damage per race than a bull in a china shop, restarts will be interesting.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are really enjoying this season. The Mercedes seem to have so much more power than the rest of the field, although they said that the Williams cars (also Mercedes powered) have more straight line speed, so I think they caught up to the Mercedes team.

[Alvin]

Budapest Hungaroring practice today, Quali Saturday Morning, Race Sunday Morning "LIVE" on CNBC rebroadcast later on NBCSN. http://overdrive.in/news/f1-2014-hungarian-gp-preview/

I hate the "breaking up of broadcast channels" for events that is now in vogue with MotorSports, Auctions, etc. F1 is the only event that I go out of my way to find Live broadcast schedule... MECUM, BJ, not. EX: MECUM stated they were moving to NBC "for increasing our exposure to 100 million households." Thing is; I've attended multiple events, driver volunteered, and used to record (and watch) all of the previous Velocity Live broadcasts for 3 to 4 days of each MECUM event. It was easy, they were all in one place/go-to channel. Not anymore. So I no longer waste my time "searching" for programing that is an hour here/an hour there.

The same with NASCAR/NHRA/IMSA - the Cable Co's Network Buyouts and attempted "forced viewing on low volume channels (Ex: CNBC)" Shuffling of Content are ruining all auction and sports, including ball sports attendance IMO.

[Alvin]

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone pays to end bribery trial
"A German court has agreed to end the bribery trial of Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone in exchange for a $100m (£60m) payment from him.

Mr Ecclestone's offer was based on an existing provision in German law.

Earlier on Tuesday German prosecutors accepted the offer from the 83-year-old billionaire who dominates motor racing.

He went on trial in April, accused of paying a German banker 33m euros (£26m; $44m) to ensure that a company he favoured could buy a stake in F1.

He denies wrongdoing.

The ruling means he walks free from the district court in Munich and can continue running the sport. It also means Mr Ecclestone is found neither guilty nor innocent.

His personal wealth is put at $4.2bn by Forbes, which ranks him as the 12th richest UK billionaire.

If found guilty, he could have faced a 10-year jail term and the end of his decades-long dominance of motor racing.


A BayernLB banker, Gerhard Gribkowsky, was allegedly paid by Mr Ecclestone to ensure the F1 stake was bought by a company that he favoured, so that he would remain in charge of the sport.

Gribkowsky was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison in 2012 for accepting bribes.

Mr Ecclestone says the payment was given to Gribkowsky after the banker threatened to make false claims about the F1 boss's tax status.

Prosecutors said Mr Ecclestone's advanced age and other mitigating circumstances gave grounds to accept the $100m offer.

'That's do-able'
Mr Ecclestone has attended most of the hearings in person and arrived at the courthouse on Tuesday in a limousine, looking relaxed and accompanied by his wife, Fabiana Flosi.

Asked by Judge Peter Noll if he could raise the $100m, Mr Ecclestone replied "yes". When asked if the payment could be made within a week, his defence lawyer, Sven Thomas, said: "That's do-able."

Judge Noll ruled that $99m would go to the Bavarian state coffers while $1m would be donated to a children's hospital. The sum is believed to be a record for such a payment.

Court spokesperson Andrea Titz said Mr Ecclestone: "The court did not consider a conviction overwhelmingly likely from the present point of view.

"With this type of ending... there is no ruling on guilt or innocence of the defendant."

'Really insolent'
Under German law defendants can in certain circumstances "buy" termination of a trial.

The legal proviso exists in order to ease the burden on the courts and to deal with cases where reaching a judgment could prove difficult.

However a lawyer quoted by the Spiegelonline website, Franz Bielefeld, said it was unusual for the clause to be invoked in mid-trial - more often it is done before a trial starts.

Former Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, of the Liberal FDP party, criticised use of the loophole in the Ecclestone case, saying it was "not just bad taste - it's really insolent".

She said it allowed rich people to go free, whereas the less well-heeled could face prison."
---------------

Alvin: Link for view of corresponding images that are "illuminating" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28656050

Poor Bernie?

[Alvin]

Tune in for repeat Quali broadcast today & Race tomorrow.

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com...-prix-preview/
Aug 21, 2014 · After a three-week summer break, what better way to welcome Formula 1 back than with the Belgian Grand Prix?

[Alvin]

"Spa: On Board with Lewis Hamilton on F1 Simulator" YouTube http://youtu.be/AkQlB2aELVI

[Drew W]

Good for Ricciardo. Rotten luck for Lewis. Too many frigging commercials.

[Alvin]

Great race! Who would've guessed the outcome?

If the shoe was on the other foot, would Hamilton be saying the same if Rossbergs' tire had gone down instead of his?

Another excellent podium for Bottas also!

Could the Red Bull team's suggesting; as mentioned during the NBCSports race broadcast (Will Buxton?) to media; "Vettal's burnt out from four previous championship win years" suggest they - RB - may change his ride in the upcoming season or two? Certainly they are looking at Ricciardo's sudden rise to this seasons' challenge w 3 wins and thinking of "new blood" in Vettal's driver seat. "Never Say Never!"

[Alvin]

Tune In Alert! For the Italian Grand Prix in Monza this Friday, Sat & Sun mornings.

So far Red Bull's Ricciardo and Mercedes Teamates (Rosberg & Hamilton) are the only winners through 12 races!

Ricciardo has won back-to-back races to move within 35 points of second-place Lewis Hamilton and 64 of leader Nico Rosberg.

[Alvin]

Let's get back to racing, and quit the Politically Correct BS!

"Mercedes discipline Rosberg over collision with Hamilton"

Mercedes have taken "suitable disciplinary measures" against Nico Rosberg following his crash with teammate Lewis Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The pair's relationship hit rock bottom when Hamilton was forced out of the race at Spa following the collision on lap two.

The Briton subsequently claimed that Rosberg had admitted in a team meeting after a race that he had deliberately caused the incident.

Rosberg, who went on finish second to extend his lead at the top of the drivers' standings, was initially unrepentant.

But Mercedes say the German has now accepted responsibility and has apologised 'for this error of judgement'.

The team, however, insist they will not be imposing team orders on the pair.

"Nico acknowledged his responsibility for the contact that occurred on lap two of the Belgian Grand Prix and apologised for this error of judgment," read a Mercedes statement.

"Suitable disciplinary measures have been taken for the incident."

Hamilton, 11 points behind Rosberg before the start of the race, is now 29 adrift after he was forced to retire late on while his championship rival finished second behind Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.

Rosberg, who was roundly booed while on the podium, had been on pole but Hamilton took the lead in a flying start before the first corner.

It was on the next lap that there was contact between the pair for the first time this season, which threatened all out war at Mercedes, who had been previously happy to let their drivers battle it out for the championship.

There were rumours the incident would lead to the Brackley-based marque imposing team orders and banning them from racing each other to prevent a repeat occurrence.

However, Mercedes have said - after a meeting on Friday between motorsport boss Toto Wolff, executive technical director Paddy Lowe, Hamilton and Rosberg - that would not be the case.

The statement added: "Mercedes-Benz remains committed to hard, fair racing because this is the right way to win world championships. It is good for the team, for the fans and for Formula One.

"Lewis and Nico understand and accept the team's number one rule: there must be no contact between the team's cars on track.

"It has been made clear that another such incident will not be tolerated. But Nico and Lewis are our drivers and we believe in them.

"They remain free to race for the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship."

Read more at http://talksport.com/f1/mercedes-dis...n-140829110798

[Alvin]

Nico Rosberg fined six-figure sum for collision with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton at Belgian Grand prix
- Mercedes have taken 'suitable disciplinary measures' against Rosberg
- The German 'acknowledged' his role in the crash on lap 2 of the Belgian GP
- He has since issued an apology to the team and rival for F1 title Hamilton
- Hamilton has said 'it would be wrong to point fingers' in statement
- Toto Wolff, Paddy Lowe, Hamilton and Rosberg held crunch meeting at Mercedes HQ in Brackley on Friday to discuss fall-out from Spa
- The rivals for this year's title will however, be free to race for rest of season
- Mercedes have said they 'remain committed to hard, fair racing'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/for...#ixzz3CU50WMQi

[Alvin]

Much ado about it because of crybaby Hamilton?

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has warned Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg that their futures at the team could be at risk if they cannot race against each other in the right manner.