[anachronix]

Folks,

Lets keep this thread to disucss the following during this boring winter time before the build up to the next Grand Prix in 2011.

1. 2011 Car launches
2. Driver line up
3. Off season testing information
4. Expect a lot of discussion on the off-season rumors as well.

To start with some news on 2011, Mclaren is planning to bring back the Red & White colours of Senna days! Would look really nice IMO

[Newpunter]

Lotus is planning to bring the JPS livery ( but I'm not sure if they will still be called Lotus next year ).

Also, the Pirelli tyre testing has started today at Abu Dhabi. This is the first opportunity for the teams to evaluate the Pirelli tyres.

Times so far :
1 Kobayashi, 1m42.385s;
2 Kubica, 1m42.883s;
3 Vettel, 1m43.063s;
4 Rosberg, 1m43.103s;
5 Alguerusari, 1m43.252s;
6 Paffett, 1m43.308s...
7 Sutil, 1m43.830s;
8 Glock, 1m45.958s;
9 Kovalainen, 1m49.221s;
10 Barrichello, 1m59.036s;
11 Massa, 2m02.401s;
12 Maldonado, no time.

[dhrishikesh]

Here is an interesting news:
1997 Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve is trying to get back in motosport action in 2011 F1 season, after he was unsuccessful to join 2010 F1 season with Serbian team Stefen GP.
This time he has been trying to get back in F1 action with his own team for which he has already submitted the bid along with Flavio Briatore & Pat Symonds.
Here is the link to the news:
Villeneuve launches 2011 bid ? with Briatore, Symonds | F1 News | Jul 2010 | Crash.Net

[iceman7]

I am very interested in knowing if Kimi is coming back?

[anachronix]

^^ It all depends on where Webber would be on the grid in 2011

[Jaguar]

Ferrari still going ahead with Nando and Massa? I seriously think they should get some better guys.

[MCR]

This happened on November 16th and nobody seems to have noticed. Williams have decided that Nico Hulkenberg will not drive for them in 2011. However, they have confirmed the services of Rubens Barichello for 2011 season.

Home | Latest Headlines | Hulkenberg released by Williams | ESPNSTAR.com

Nico is hopeful of a new seat somewhere.

Home | Latest Headlines | Hulkenberg hopeful of new deal | ESPNSTAR.com

Where as the unconfirmed reports suggest that Pastor Maldonado will drive for Williams in the 2011 season.

Williams: Hulkenberg out, Maldonado in for 2011 | Formula 1, F1, Rally, WRC, IRC, WTCC, GP2, Endurance news | Nextgen-Auto.com Motorsport

[anachronix]

I wonder how Sir Frank allowed this to happen. I was thinking they would retain Hulk for 2011.

Most teams except Ferrari, Mclaren, Mercedes & Redbull are looking for drivers who can bring in money. In that case, which top team would be ready to hire the Hulk?

It will be bad if the Hulk doesnt have a race seat for next year!

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by anachronix

^^ It all depends on where Webber would be on the grid in 2011

Webber is confirmed in 2011 for Red Bull.

Drivers line ups for 9 teams :

Ferrari - No change
Red Bull - No change
McLaren - No change
Mercedes - No change
Renault - No change (Petrov almost certain)
Force India - Even though Tonia has a contract, he's not confirmed. Probables - Sutil, Chandhok, Hulkenberg, Heidfeld, Luizzi
Williams - RB & (Maldonado almost certain)
Lotus - No change (unconfirmed though)
Toro Rosso - No change (unconfirmed though)

[anachronix]

^^ Yeah, they had a contract signed back in Monaco 2010 which was way before all the dramas that happened in Redbull. Well, Kimi had one for 2010 as well and we know who is driving that Ferrari now. I am expecting a change in Redbull, I am sure something will be decided during Christmas.

[Hatari]

Agree. But Ferrari were bringing in a 2 time WDC to replace a 1 time WDC who had got bored of F1 and its discipline.

What your thoughts on :
A) Why webber would leave ( I feel he's made his peace/accepted Vettel as the WDC & where he would go
B) Webber's probable replacement

[Newpunter]

Webber is not leaving Redbull. He will stay with them for next year and will probably retire at the end of the year. They have Ricciardo in reserve who has really impressed in the few tests he has done in F1.
Regarding Kimi, it is almost confirmed that he will stay in WRC.

And the Villeneuve news is quite old. The FIA has rejected all the applications for the new teams next year and Villeneuve has given up on his ambitions for F1 as of now. Last heard, he was driving in the Aussie V8 series as a guest star.

The Pirelli tyre tests are underway meanwhile and Massa is currently on top of the timings with Vettel second. The general feedback seems to be that the tyres are not much different from Bridgestones, which is a disappointment for i was hoping that Pirelli would bring some radical tyres.

[SchumiFan]

Originally Posted by Newpunter

The Pirelli tyre tests are underway meanwhile and Massa is currently on top of the timings with Vettel second. The general feedback seems to be that the tyres are not much different from Bridgestones, which is a disappointment for i was hoping that Pirelli would bring some radical tyres.

Some observations from various websites covering the test (all put together):

Only Gary Paffett and Nico Rosberg feel so. Massa said he felt better immediately. The times are nearly two seconds slower than the ones set by the drivers participating in the Young Drivers test on Bridgestone tires.

It is also believed than none went for performance today and the main aim was to set the car up for the new tires. Also looks like the tires degrade a lot more than the Bridgestones which is good news for us as it means no more 40 lap stints on soft tires

Massa and many others felt that the front had more bite than the Bridgestones. This was the problem for both Schumi and Massa with this year's Bridgestones.

Schumi and Alonso will take part in the tests tomorrow which should clear quite a few of our doubts.

Nice to see Massa back at the front!

[dhrishikesh]

Good news for Indian F1 Fans:
The only Indian driver on 2010 F1 grid, Karun Chandhok is negotiating with Force India F1 Team & also some other teams (including his season 2010 team - Hispania Racing) to confirm his seat in 2011 season.
During the launch of the third edition of the Amaron Karting Challenge in New Delhi, Chandok said, “There are three-four seats available. The objective is to race. It’s very clear. I will be talking to four F1 teams over the weekend in Abu Dhabi and Force India is one of them.”
Karun Chandhok for Force India in 2011 F1 season a possibility, in talks with 3 other teams for a race seat | DWS Auto India

[MaserQ]

2011 is going to be a big year for Karun Chandhok. He needs 1 full season to show off his skills. Force India would be his best bet, but even a seat in a lesser team would not be that bad.

It would be a pity if he loses out on a seat for want of enough sponsor backing. Corporate India has to wake up to the potential of Formula 1 in India once the Indian GP comes calling.

F1 is also a global advertisement billboard for Indian corporates to showcase themselves. Somehow, Karun Chandhok and Force India to a lesser extent have not been able to attract enough big name sponsors.

The Indian GP will need an ambassador for its inaugural year. The names Schumacher and Chandhok spring to mind...