Tag: Branson
Australian GP- A Fairy Tale In The Making?
by Chris on Mar.28, 2009, under F1
2009 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIXSATURDAY POST-QUALIFYING PRESS CONFERENCE
Jenson BUTTON: I wish. The last five or six months for both of us have been so tough because of going from not having a drive or any future in racing to putting it on pole here is just amazing, it really is and I have got to give all credit to the team and Ross (Brawn) and Nick (Fry) for making this happen. This is where we deserve to be after the tough times we have had.
After the qualifying round for the Australian GP I can not say I am surprised at the results. I will say that I agree with Eddie Irvine in that this is a fairy story. With Richard Brandson showing interest in the Brawn GP Team for what could possibly be a long run and although I appreciate that Ross Brawn needs the money, it would be a shame if Virgin is to replace the Brawn GP brand name. History has been made for a brand new team and it should last for a longer period.
Kimi and Filepe went farming after what Martin Brundle described as “Giving it big bannana’s”. The new cars (all of them) has to be driven with care it seems and Massa had several big moments during qualifying. The big “Hoo Ha” about KERS could be a factor but as Eddie Irvine said, it is something the Americans played around with in the past and it should not be in F1. I think I agree
Honda F1 Team Deadline Fast Approaching
by Chris on Feb.20, 2009, under F1
The 3rd March 2009 is fast approaching and this would be the day when the doors at Brackley could finally close for the Honda F1 Team. In the meantime talks with Honda and Richard Branson’s Virgin Group over a possible buy-out continue and yet we have USF1 to make some sort of an announcement on its plans by the 23rd March 2009. I do not see them joining the F1 fraternity soon and believe it would be a non starter even if it would be in 2010.
Also in doubt would be the continued sponsorship from Petrobras, the Brazilian petrochemical company which has supported Honda in recent years and whom have indicated that they would not support a privately owned team. I do not think the current economical climate is a issue for Petrobras so could it be the proposed owners?
However, would the Honda F1 team be on track for the opening round of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship in Australia if a sale is agreed? They certainly spent time developing this car to the end of 2008 and beyond, then another question would be, who would be their drivers?
Jenson Button has certainly played a major part in the development but would he be the right driver to take the team forward and will Bruno Senna cope in F1 if given the chance. If Virgin do succeed in the buy-out I would like to see young Senna in the drivers seat and maybe another from the GP2 series like Lucas di Grassi or even Romain Grosjean. Let’s get the youngsters to stir the pot in the F1 world. That is if they can afford the Formula One Super Licence fees which bring me to another subject.
Formula One licence
How many have paid their fees? ……..All of them would be the answer to the question because they would not be allowed to participate since fees had to be paid by the 1st November 2008 with some exceptions.
Now I have to be careful on how I say this but since Max happens to be on a European crusade to ensure the sanctity of his privacy and on the one in a million chance that he reads this blog only a man of complacency and great arrogance with a total indifference to others in a world outside of his own can make a statement to the effect
”A driver who does not want, or cannot afford to pay for, a F1 super licence, has many alternatives,” Mosley said. “Apart from Formula One, there are a large number of series and championships where a professional racing driver can earn a good, sometimes very good, living.
“Way to go Max!!!!!! I wonder if a “NEWS PAPER EDITOR” might not do a better job than you as “Ill Presidente” of the FIA
