Alfredo Octavio: F1 Bets

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 15:23:05 GMT

F1: Alonso to join McLaren. World champion Fernando Alonso will leave Renault for McLaren in 2007. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

This is a bad idea. Why announce it before the season? What do you think Briattore will do? Favor Alonso? I bet this means the new Renault is not up to snuf. Will next year be McLaren vs. Ferrari? I can't wait!

C'etait un rendez-vous

Tue, 08 Nov 2005 16:41:45 GMT

The Champs Elysees at 200Kph

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[Via Jerry Kindall]

Sat, 29 Oct 2005 13:04:46 GMT

So, Michelin and FIA are in the middle of a fight. You see, FIA decided to return to the tyre change in the middle of the race. The reason behind not permitting the tyre change was to make Ferrari less competitive. The reason given for the tyre change was to reduce cost. After this season, FIA and the teams discovered they went to far. With the rules Ferrari didn't win a single race (except the one when Michelin threw a tantrum which, clearly doesn't count) and F1 lose money, even if it gain interest in the anti-Ferrari crowd, so, they decided to go back to the old rules. Michelin points out that this goes against the stated cost reduction reason and that changing tyres has nothing to do with racing. They are right in both counts, but I'm happy the decision went against them, because of what they did at Indy. I hope they don't win a single race, or sell a single tyre next year...

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 01:13:50 GMT

F1: Season starts in Bahrain. The traditional order of races has been changed so as not to clash with next year's major sporting events. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Formula Bullshit

Sun, 16 Oct 2005 14:34:27 GMT

F1: Alonso steers Renault to glory. World champion Fernando Alonso wins in China to help Renault claim the constructors' title. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

What happened with Schumacher was incredible. Crashed by Albers from behind while going to the pits. Not only that commentaries try to confuse issues and assign blame to Schumacher. Rule of thumb, when someone crashes from behind it is their fault! Period. The rest is bullshit. Albers should be penalized. Rules will change again next year, Michelin is resisting the return of tyre changing. They are doing something really intelligent, claiming pit stops have nothing to do with racing and should be banned all together. It would be fun, but it was tried before. Alonso and Renault are the big winners. Next years will see the end of four teams, and there will be 6 new teams (maybe) including B teams managed by the same people. The saddest thing is Minardi, it will become Toro Rosso managed by the Red Bull team. Rumors have Raikkonnen in talks with Ferrari, I hope that is not true. Engines will get smaller... F1 made less money this year than last...

Sun, 09 Oct 2005 14:16:39 GMT

F1: Raikkonen steals GP win. Kimi Raikkonen overtakes Giancarlo Fisichella on the final lap to win the Japanese Grand Prix. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Sun, 25 Sep 2005 19:26:54 GMT

Motorsport: Alonso takes F1 title. Fernando Alonso becomes the youngest ever Formula One champion, finishing third behind Juan Pablo Montoya in the Brazilian Grand Prix. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

This was bound to happen. Congrats to Alonso!

Sun, 04 Sep 2005 16:58:41 GMT

F1: Montoya wins in Italy. McLaren's Juan Pablo Montoya wins the Italian Grand Prix as Renault's Fernando Alonso extends his championship lead. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Sat, 03 Sep 2005 21:58:22 GMT

F1: Montoya storms to pole. McLaren's Juan Pablo Montoya takes pole position for the Italian Grand Prix as team-mate Kimi Raikkonen is penalised 10 grid places. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 16:25:31 GMT

Raikkonen seals Turkish triumph. McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen surges to victory in the inaugural Turkish GP ahead of Renault's Fernando Alonso. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Sun, 21 Aug 2005 13:28:52 GMT

Montoya hurt Raikkonnen championship chances. It is amazing! McLaren made a huge mistake hiring Montoya, they should have gone with a solid driver. This proves how right Schumacher and Ferrari are with their first driver strategy. If McLaren had done it, they would be much better off today... Great race for Alonso, not much chance left for Kimi.

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 20:49:27 GMT

F1: Raikkonen win revives hopes. Kimi Raikkonen wins the Hungarian Grand Prix as championship leader Fernando Alonso fails to score points. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 13:41:23 GMT

Kimi wins! Excellent race for him, but McLaren still has problems with reliance. Michael manages to hold his brother for second place in their best race ever...

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 12:09:45 GMT

Schumacher had the pole and at the start of the race Kimi past Juan Montoya. Those are the forbidding team orders taking another way... That's why I said it was stupid to forbid team orders. Kimi is attacking Schumacher and Alonso had a problem with his front wing and is way behind.

Sun, 24 Jul 2005 14:24:50 GMT

F1: Alonso win boosts lead. Renault's Fernando Alonso wins the German Grand Prix after title rival McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen retires. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Sun, 24 Jul 2005 13:10:05 GMT

Watching the F1 race here in the UK is always a pleasure. Kimi is out, so Alonso wins more points for the championship. Great race for Montoya and Schumi in trouble no matter what strategy he uses.

Sat, 23 Jul 2005 13:23:22 GMT

F1: Raikkonen storms to pole. McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen beats Jenson Button's BAR by nearly half a second in qualifying at the German Grand Prix. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Sun, 10 Jul 2005 13:28:18 GMT

Nice to see Montoya win. Alonso is the champion, we just need to let time pass. Exciting season... NOT!

Sat, 09 Jul 2005 19:52:05 GMT

F1: Alonso takes Silverstone pole. Fernando Alonso sets pole position for the British GP with rival Kimi Raikkonen down in 12th after a penalty. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Mon, 04 Jul 2005 04:20:01 GMT

FI: Alonso eases to win. Fernando Alonso maintains his F1 stranglehold with an emphatic win at the French Grand Prix. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Sun, 03 Jul 2005 12:51:10 GMT

I am watching the race, clearly the Ferraris are still out of pace and with Kimi's engine problems Alonso returns in force to the championship, more power to him. I have been out of the loop, mostly because of my laptop problems. More about those later.

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 15:17:04 GMT

Formula One president and CEO Bernie Ecclestone said "You know I've got one of those wonderful ideas ... women should be dressed in white like all the other domestic appliances." referring to Danica Patrick the woman racer that finished fourth at the Indianpolis 500. Where do they get these guys?

Sun, 26 Jun 2005 15:55:49 GMT

An interesting story about the F1 Fiasco. Apparently, Toyota knew ahead of time about the Michelin problem, due to an ex-Michelin employee that now works for them. This reinforces the idea of a bigger plot to help the planned runaway series. make a mockery of F1 during these last three years. It's up to F1 to really step down and crush this plot.

Sun, 26 Jun 2005 15:20:22 GMT

Stoddard threatens F1 with boycott if rules are enforced. what a way to view fair play! If this no penalties are given it will be view as a successful threat and F1 will become like wrestling. Entertainment disguised as sport. If penalties are given and the teams go ahead with this threat it could be the end of F1. Talk about brining the sport into disrepute! I hope the FIA sues Stoddard first.

Thu, 23 Jun 2005 11:40:44 GMT

Max Mosley: Michelin should pay the fans. I would love to hear someone contradicting all his points one by one... I don't think anyone can do that without lying or sounding crazy.

Wed, 22 Jun 2005 14:36:30 GMT

BMW to buy Sauber F1 Team. This is huge. BMW will set up its own teams, as I predicted independent team dependant of a motor supplier are less competitive that they use to be. Pity there isn't a german tyre manufacturer to pick up the slack at Michelin. By the way, Michelin is being accused sotto-voce of putting performance ahead of safety.
[Thanks Stefania]

Tue, 21 Jun 2005 19:10:24 GMT

Charges against the Michelin chicken-shit teams
The charges given are that, according to the FIA, each team:

- failed to ensure that they had a supply of suitable tyres for the race
- wrongfully refused to allow their cars to start the race
- wrongfully refused to allow their cars to race, subject to a speed restriction in one corner which was safe for such tyres as they had available
- combined with other teams to make a demonstration damaging to the image of Formula One by pulling into the pits immediately before the start of the race
- failed to notify the stewards of their intention not to race, in breach of Article 131 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations.

Article 131 states: "The starting grid will be published four hours before the race. Any competitor whose car(s) is (are) unable to start for any reason whatsoever (or who has good reason to believe that their car(s) will not be ready to start) must inform the stewards accordingly at the earliest opportunity and, in any event, no later than 45 minutes before the start of the race.[per thou]

I really hope they get the book thrown out at them, I hope they have to pay the fans that were cheated (16 million$) and I hope their sponsor makes them pay for all the expenses on the fail weekend. I hope some of them go bankrupt because of this. They want to breakaway from F1, let them do it! I do not want them.

Tue, 21 Jun 2005 19:04:04 GMT

Behind the scenes, most of the drivers still wanted to race and our own David Coulthard was very definitely one of them, as was Juan Pablo Montoya, who was literally crying in frustration that he could not race in front of the huge contingent of Colombian fans who had made the trip from his home country.

Tue, 21 Jun 2005 12:35:55 GMT

This song is dedicated to everyone who decided not to run the Indy race last sunday, having the option to do it.

Tue, 21 Jun 2005 12:10:27 GMT

FIA: Michelin teams summoned. Michelin teams are ordered to appear at a FIA hearing to explain Sunday's fiasco at the US Grand Prix. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Time to pay the piper! I really hope they get punished hard for the sake of the sport.

Mon, 20 Jun 2005 16:38:17 GMT

Charles Whiting, race director at Indy, stated: "To change the course in order to help some of the teams with a performance problem caused by their failure to bring suitable equipment to the race would be a breach of the rules and grossly unfair to those teams which have come to Indianapolis with the correct tyres."

Mon, 20 Jun 2005 14:27:37 GMT

Honor left among some drivers! "Driver David Coulthard could be heard on the team radio making a keen plea to be allowed to race just before the order for the mass withdrawal was made. "I've not experienced anything like this in my career before. Frankly, I'm embarrassed," said Coulthard."

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 21:53:33 GMT

Apology not accepted, you chicken-shit! They are lying they had another choice. Run the race slower and with less wing. They could have done it safely, after all what is an engineer job? To say how fast the car can safely go!

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 21:39:31 GMT

Exclusive! Someone send me a tape of the secret meeting of the Michelin Teams where it was decided that they wouldn't run the race at Indy today. A Tyromaniac exclusive. Click here to hear it.

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 19:33:13 GMT

Ferrari Wins! Because the Michelin Teams are chicken shit. Good going to all the teams that acted professional and did their job in this most difficult circumstance. It is still a victory, even if your rival lacks honor. Good going for Jordan and Minardi. Special congrats to Monteiro for a third place!

Boycott Michelin!

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 18:39:57 GMT

If they can't make a tyre for F1 at Indy,
they can't make a tyre for me!

Michelin Sucks! Stop the bullies!

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 18:28:20 GMT

The talk about that this is done "for security reasons" is simply bullshit. They could have discharge the car wings, they would not be competitive, but they can race. That's the reality, Michelin couldn't bring a competitive/safe tyre and then, like little kids, they decided not to race. They are bullies trying to get their way. This has three sides. One is rules, they are absurd, but they are it. Don't try to change it midway. Second, is the competitiveness of the car. And third is guts, racers guts. You know what? I am convinced that Michael Schumacher would have risked, would have race, would have fly on that curve and try to win. That's why he is the best of all times, that's why the others do not compare. The other racers should be striped of previous points. What a sad day for the sport.

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 18:15:36 GMT

I will, certainly, never again buy Michelin Tyres or guides. They are thru as a brand for me. They talk about security, but they are playing with fire. I am lucky, I just got tyres last week and decided for a Yokohama set. The competition was a Michelin but it was rated for slower speeds than the Pirelis I was changing and they were more expensive.

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 18:07:15 GMT

I hope Michelin gets banned from F1!

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 18:05:10 GMT

Only six cars started! The other stayed in pits. This could be the end of F1! At least in the US... What a dumb thing to do. It is a scandal. I hope they get stripped all the points!

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 18:01:44 GMT

What will the Michelin drivers do? There are a lot of rumors. The latest is that the Michelin team will enter pits after the first lap and change tyres. They will see then if they get penalize (that depends on what tyres they put on and why they made the change), but it is talk about as a rebellion. The change in the first lap has to be illegal. The FIA's official position is that Michelin is guilty of not brining different tyres (you are allowed two sets), instead they brought the same tyres on both sets. The teams may decide to just retire after the first lap. I guess now everybody sees what I mean. Was it better to have Ferrari winning all races or have a race with only six cars?

Sun, 19 Jun 2005 00:56:33 GMT

The infinitely changing Formula 1 is at it again. The hyper ridiculous tyre rules that have pushed Ferrari out of the competitive teams has created security problems and now it is creating a huge rules embarrassment. Three drivers have had problems with Michelin tyres. One of them, Ralf Schumacher, will not participate in the race due to his crash. Michelin now says that the other tyres may have a problem and they want to change all tyres! Of course, this is against the absurd rules, so the race Director (Charles Whitting) says that they'll be penalize by the race commissars. Some teams have threaten not to race and if more than six teams do not race there can be no race at all (only three teams have Bridgestone tyres). They are discussing and negotiating as we speak. One possibility is that there will be a launched start behind the safety car, that will permit the Michelin tyres to get temperature (and, hence, pressure), but it will be a concession to the Michelin using teams, thus, in compensation the Bridgestone teams will start first! Yes, the absurd rules may get us what, for some. may be a dream come true, not only and all red Ferrari first lane, but an ALL Minardi THIRD Lane! Keep changing the rules, guys, at some point you may have to declare ME a race winner and fly me there at the last minute... I hope is at Monaco, but I'll take any Grand Prix.

Sat, 18 Jun 2005 01:40:56 GMT

F1: Schumacher escapes crash. Ralf Schumacher emerges unscathed from a crash as Juan Pablo Montoya is quickest in Indianapolis practice. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 00:13:24 GMT

F1: Raikkonen wins dramatic race. Kimi Raikkonen wins the Canadian Grand Prix from Michael Schumacher to give his title chances a major boost. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

No, he didn't win it from Michael Schumacher. He won it from Montoya (who was black flagged), who won it from Alonso (car broke up), who won it from Ficichella (car broke up, same brand). Schumy was there quite by accident. Barrichelo did a lot of merits to get from last to third. Unfortunately since it didn't happen at the front we all missed it.

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 18:39:41 GMT

Against all odds and through a series of weird events, Schumacher manages a second to Kimi's first. The championship reopens a bit, but Kimi still has it very tough. It is clear Schumy has motivation but no car. Though the tyres perform better when is hot (and it should be hot from now on), they don't seem to be much better than the Michelins. Should be a entertaining second half of the season...

Sun, 12 Jun 2005 16:16:09 GMT

Schumacher is in the first row in Canada. So, I will watch the race, je, je. I have no battery, so I will be far from the computer. I post if something happens...

Mon, 30 May 2005 11:55:05 GMT

F1: Coulthard attacks tyre rules. David Coulthard says rules penalising tyre changes have made Formula One more dangerous. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

The hypocrisy in this issue is really overwhelming. It has improve overtaking? Maybe, but it has sent it back where no one can see it. It has decrease security (look at Kimi's incident yesterday) and it has fuzzy up the rules (you change a tyre when it is dangerous, which means you take a risk if it is deem not dangerous by the officials). The reality is that most people like this rules for only one reason. They have eliminated Ferrari from the competition (which they dominated), the rules are really a triumph of politics over technique and racing. If you can't beat them, change the game...

Mon, 30 May 2005 11:51:06 GMT

F1: Alonso accepts title is in sight. Fernando Alonso says he is on course to become F1's youngest champion. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]

Mon, 30 May 2005 11:49:47 GMT

Woman Makes History at Indy 500 Without Checkered Flag. Danica Patrick, the first woman to lead the Indy 500, was passed with six laps left by Dan Wheldon, who held on to win. By By DAVE CALDWELL. [NYT > Home Page]

Will she make the jump to F1? It will improve the situation about the current boring drivers...

Sun, 29 May 2005 16:09:58 GMT

Alonso grabs win from Raikkonen. Renault's Fernando Alonso wins the European Grand Prix after leader Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren crashes on the last lap. [BBC News | News Front Page | UK Edition]