This is an Emergency pt.1
Ah, sweet deja vu. How we have missed you. A mere some years after the whole "rival manufacturer series" issue threatened to drown F1 in bilious hysteria, the whole issue is raising it's ugly head once more as Max Mosley continues to play hardball over the new engine regulations. The new rules agreed by the FIA and FOTA in their recent Geneva conference to extend engine life to three weekends, and hence save millions for the customer teams, only extends to 2009, and Mosley still wants a standard unit for 2010 and beyond. The response from Ferrari has been pretty cocksure. "The [Ferrari] Board of Directors expressed the opinion that should these key elements [engine competition] be diminished, it would have to re-evaluate, with its partners the viability of continuing its presence in the sport". So basically they're refusing to play anymore if you don't let them bring their own ball. EVERYBODY PANIC!
This is an Emergency pt.2
Along with Ferrari, Toyota are also far from certain to carry on in F1 beyond 2009, although F1 Live rather jumped the gun yesterday by reporting that they were already planning to dump their desperately average F1 setup in favour of a renewed attack on the Le Mans 24 Hours. "We would like to go back to Le Mans...under the present economic conditions, it is unlikely that we could do Formula One and Le Mans in a parallel fashion" was the quote from boss man Tadashi Yamashina that led to the story breaking. Thankfully, the rumours were pretty much dismissed later on in a statement that said "Toyota is committed to succeeding in Formula One for the long-term and our objective in Formula One is to win – we exist to win and we are committed to doing that," which is slightly amusing given the number of F1 wins the team has in it's six year life to date. But, ominously, the engine issue came up here as well, as the statement noted that "However, we believe Formula One must remain a technological challenge; this is an important point for Toyota and provided this does not change we expect to continue in Formula One until at least 2012". CARRY ON PANICKING!
Schumacher: "Lewis is, erm, me-esque"
In a move that almost certainly won't serve to further overinflate Lewis Hamilton's opinion of himself, Michael Schumacher has opined in an interview with the BBC that the McLaren driver could well reign in F1 for as long as he did. When asked if Hamilton could beat his seven title record, he replied "I would say, absolutely, yes...nobody thought, even me, that I could beat Fangio. Then I did. Records are there to be beaten". Schumie also seemed to be under orders to painfully namedrop Felipe Massa into the conversation as part of his role as Yoda to Massa's Luke Skywalker. "Is he [Lewis] the best [driver in the field]? Is he not the best? Is he better than Felipe Massa or not? You look at the circumstances; it is not always very straightforward or clear to understand from the outside". Michael, Michael, Michael. Maybe Lewis is the best, maybe Alonso is, maybe Kubica is, hell, maybe Adrian Sutil is. But Massa definitely isn't.
Nelson's Battle
Renault are yet to confirm either of their drivers for 2009 yet, and while Alonso's position in the team seems all but certain, the future of his team mate is less than clear-cut. Renault tester Lucas di Grassi is making noises from off stage regarding the possibility of Piquet doing something involving carting off, and him replacing him. "What I want is to try to take a step up in my career and become an official F1 driver. There is a good possibility that I will be in F1 next year," he modestly warbled this week, "They [Renault] have the possibility of extending my contract, so I am waiting for their decision to see if it will be with Renault or if I will have permission to negotiate with other teams". So Renault or Toro Rosso for him then.
The Forgotten Hero
Meanwhile, while Lucas "second place" di Grassi looks set for a bright 2009, Giorgio "actual champion" Pantano looks destined to end up with nothing to show for his GP2 title this year. "I am still waiting for some answers, but I will not wait forever, because I have to ensure my career as a professional driver has a precise direction," he said recently regarding his slim hopes of an F1 drive for 2009. And NJ hates to risk riling the Pantano fans at Patty, but that "precise direction" is probably downwards. If he can't get something sorted with (presumably) Toro Rosso again, he will turn his attention Stateside, saying of the newly unified Indycar series "I am convinced it is a competition that will return to its level of the days with Mansell and Zanardi". Flattery will get you everywhere, Giorgio.
Jordan dons tinfoil hat
Finally, having been touted for a spot on the BBC's presenting team for 2009, Eddie Jordan has begun to display the sort of unbiased approach to the title fight that ITV would have been proud to have on their team. Regarding Hamilton's fight with Massa in Brazil, Jordan reckons that “People may not like me for saying this, but if Massa tries to take him out as he did in Japan in order to steal the title then Lewis has to be ready for it...If he tries that on then Lewis has to turn his wheel into Massa to ensure he does not finish the race either – he has to take his wheel off”. Yeah, and he has to be ready for the FBI yeah? And the files yeah? And the controlled demolitions yeah?
Obvious Spellchecker Problems #1
"Piquet's Future Remains Unclertain" - Planet Hamilton headline
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