[asr245]

Current V6 are here to stay. Honda & Mercedes (besides Ferrari & Renault) have poured millions into it and if they abandon it just after a year or 2, no manufacturer would be interested in F1. And what will Honda say about it? I think the whole point of new engines was to get more manufacturers into it - with which they succeeded partly (Honda is in).

The only reason noise is being made is because Ferrari & Renault are behind and can't catch up with the current engine freeze.

[Fullrevs]

Source: EspnF1.com

Williams has appointed former Toro Rosso chief Steve Nielsen as its sporting manager.

Nielsen left his previous role as sporting director at Toro Rosso last week, where he had been since 2013. His new role at Williams will give him responsibility for the overall management and operation of its race team.

Nielsen, whose career in F1 includes stints as team manager at Tyrrell and Arrows and as sporting director at Benetton/Renault, is aiming to build on Williams' success in 2014.

"I'm delighted to be joining a team of Williams' history and stature in what is a very exciting time for everyone at Grove after a very impressive 2014 season," Nielsen said. "In this role I will be able to help ensure that our operations at the race track are maintaining the highest standards and that we are maximising our performance at the race track from a sporting perspective. Williams' has a very talented team of people and I'm looking forward to working with them."

Williams chief technical officer Pat Symonds said Nielsen's wealth of experience made the appointment an important one for Williams.

Symonds said: "Steve brings a wealth of experience of the sporting side of Formula One and will help us as a team as we aim to climb further up the Championship table. He has won World Championships in the past and knows what needs to be done on a sporting level for Williams to do this again. We have a talented and ever improving race team and with Steve on board we are well placed to make further operational gains next season."

Nielsen is the latest major recruit for Williams, with Symonds and Rob Smedley moving into new roles this year, helping the team take a big step forward in 2014.

Its great to see Williams come back into it strongly. They have been going through a revival and its great to see them back and fighting at the top. Appointing Nielsen should really help achieve their goals.

Originally Posted by asr245

Current V6 are here to stay. Honda & Mercedes (besides Ferrari & Renault) have poured millions into it and if they abandon it just after a year or 2, no manufacturer would be interested in F1. And what will Honda say about it? I think the whole point of new engines was to get more manufacturers into it - with which they succeeded partly (Honda is in).

I agree, however I do like Bernie's idea of Naturally aspirated engines with hybrid bits amounting to about 1000bhp in total. Sounds awesome!

[anachronix]

What!

BREAKING: @VirutasF1 @bgarloff @ScarbsF1 @MercedesAMGF1 source confirms Jock Clear to leave engineering team and heading to @ScuderiaFerrari

EDIT:
Its termed the revolution, I hope it doesn't turn into the classic Italian chaos.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fe...-full-throttle

[Hatari]

Earlier reports of there being a problem with the 2015 car, confirmed :
http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/vi...hurt_2015_car/

[narayans80]

Haven't seen pre-season testing and complaining about engine unfreeze already? Not looking very good for McLaren-Honda.

http://en.espnf1.com/mclaren/motorsp...ry/188027.html

[Hatari]

Wolf begins negotiations for Hamilton's contract!
http://gptoday.com/full_story/view/5...ilton_in_2016/

[Fullrevs]

Autosport reports that Mercedes will try to poach Fernando Alonso if discussions with Hamilton fail. Quite unlikely Lewis wont sign the dotted line. With the engine freeze lift unlikely, Mercedes are looking at another two season of domination. Unless Bernie's warped idea of bringing the V10's back actually work. I say no chance.

Alonso is Mercedes plan B:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117254

Source: Autosport.com

[zenren]

Originally Posted by Hatari

Wolf begins negotiations for Hamilton's contract!

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

Autosport reports that Mercedes will try to poach Fernando Alonso if discussions with Hamilton fail.

Plan C seems to be Bottas, which I'd love to see. Given his performance this year, he really deserves a top car to show what he is really capable of; same as Ricciardo.

[Fullrevs]

Yes 2016 should be perfect timing for Bottas to move to a top team. I think he clearly has Massa covered over the course of a season. Massa is untouchable on certain tracks.

Ferrari could be looking for a new driver in 2016 too if Kimi doesnt impress, but would anyone want to go to Ferrari at the moment is the real question?!

[Raajiv]

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

Yes 2016 should be perfect timing for Bottas to move to a top team. I think he clearly has Massa covered over the course of a season. Massa is untouchable on certain tracks.

Ferrari could be looking for a new driver in 2016 too if Kimi doesnt impress, but would anyone want to go to Ferrari at the moment is the real question?!

Nico Hulkenberg.

Another top driver in the making who has spent enough time with FI

[zenren]

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

Yes 2016 should be perfect timing for Bottas to move to a top team. I think he clearly has Massa covered over the course of a season. Massa is untouchable on certain tracks.

Ferrari could be looking for a new driver in 2016 too if Kimi doesnt impress, but would anyone want to go to Ferrari at the moment is the real question?!

2015 Ferrari could be pathetic but they still have a chance for 2016-17 to improve under the new leadership - at least, that is what they seem to be hinting.

[Fullrevs]

Originally Posted by zenren

2015 Ferrari could be pathetic but they still have a chance for 2016-17 to improve under the new leadership - at least, that is what they seem to be hinting.

Atleast fighting to get to the front will be a successful year for them. They still have enough areas open to redeem themselves where the car was lacking last year. It was not all down to the engine and look at how Renault engined cars performed with such a power deficit.

[ashwin.terminat]

Formula 1's current manufacturers will now be allowed to develop their engines during the 2015 season, after the FIA accepted there was a loophole in the regulations.

http://leavemealone.hu/post-1004-FIA..._upgrades.html

Not sure about how authentic the news is, but if it is authentic, we could be in for a slightly more interesting season!

[Fullrevs]

It has been confirmed Ashwin. Loophole found in the regulations which allows Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault to upgrade their engines through the course of the season. They would be given 32 tokens from which they could chose certain components and opt to upgrade them. This is due to the reason that in the rule book it doesnt state when the last date of the final spec of the engine for the 2015 season should be.

Sadly Honda will not enjoy this as the FIA feel that Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes were forced to submit their final specs on 28th February, 2014 and so should be the case for Honda for this season or any new manufacturer that may supply engines.

Full story:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117259

Source: Autosport.com

[zenren]

Originally Posted by Fullrevs

Sadly Honda will not enjoy this as the FIA feel that Ferrari, Renault and Mercedes were forced to submit their final specs on 28th February, 2014 and so should be the case for Honda for this season or any new manufacturer that may supply engines.

McLaren is not going to like it if they are the only ones who cannot modify their engines in 2015. If Mclaren is not up to the mark, we can see a much more frustrated Alonso than this year.