http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8256739.stm
More info on the BMW sale...
I think BMW would do well to keep selling it's F1 engine though... seems to be pretty good - and that side of the business is easily profitable.
C.
Lotus and QADBAK have thrown my predictions out! I'll have to do it again. I also made a few adjustments. Time for more epicality:
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Pardon the double-post, but I've heard the rumour that Czech Le Mans outfit Charouz Racing Systems has or will purchase Renault on behalf of Dave Richards, who works with Charouz in supplying an Aston Martin chassis for their LMP cars. With it are two competing theories: 1) that Renault will be re-styled as Prodrive F1 straight away, or 2) that the team wll be known as Charouz-Renault with Richards at the helm until such time as Renault are able to re-enter the sport of their own accord, in which case they will buy the team back (if they style it as an unofficial works team) or purchase another, like Toro Rosso.
Yeah, Autosport forums is where I got it from, but I generally don't post links to other forum posts when I'm making claims. If it's a rumour, I'll just post it straight so that things don't get out of control, but if there's a story attached, I'll be sure to include ie.And a LINK for the good man... First place I read it, if anyone finds a better one, feel free to post.
Pardon the double-post, but I've heard the rumour that Czech Le Mans outfit Charouz Racing Systems has or will purchase Renault on behalf of Dave Richards, who works with Charouz in supplying an Aston Martin chassis for their LMP cars. With it are two competing theories: 1) that Renault will be re-styled as Prodrive F1 straight away, or 2) that the team wll be known as Charouz-Renault with Richards at the helm until such time as Renault are able to re-enter the sport of their own accord, in which case they will buy the team back (if they style it as an unofficial works team) or purchase another, like Toro Rosso.
Not just Williams looking to block them as first suspected.Teams set to reject 14th entry
By Jonathan Noble - Sunday, October 4th 2009, 00:06 GMT
Formula 1 teams are set to reject plans to expand the grid to 14 teams next year - leaving the future of the BMW Sauber squad dependent on one of the sport's new entrants failing to make the 2010 grid.
The subject of boosting the field beyond the current planned 13 slots is due to be discussed at a meeting of the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) at Suzuka on Sunday morning.
And, with the matter theoretically requiring a change of the Concorde Agreement, only unanimous approval from outfits would allow the change that would guarantee BMW Sauber's slot for now.
However, team principal Frank Williams has made it clear that his team will block any move to allow a 14th team in.
"I will be repeating what I said - one: that there should only be 13 teams, that's what there always has been and two: that I would suggest they apply to be first reserve," Williams told AUTOSPORT.
"That's the logical thing to do. It's illogical to change the rules suddenly for one extra person. And they may have a chance of getting in based on the gossip that's going around. Who knows?"
Williams says that part of the reluctance to allow BMW Sauber an automatic entry as the 14th slot is because there is such uncertainty about the identity of its new owners investment group Qadbak.
The mysterious organisation has already been the subject of controversy in Britain with its involvement in Notts County Football Club being the subject of an inquiry by the Football Association.
Williams added: "If this was Ferrari somehow retired halfway through a year and wanted to come back we'd find a way to bend the rules. But this is a team that is owned by someone, we don't know who they are, their long-term plans. They bought Notts County and the FA... what did they say? We're not at all happy until we know who the owners are and their long-term plans. We would like to know."
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh believes that any decision to block the 14th entry would not mean automatically mean that BMW Sauber is out because he has doubts that all the new teams will make it.
"What FOTA is concerned about is we're having an artificial debate because the strong suspicion is that there will not be 14 teams, and there may even be less than 13," he explained.
"As a pragmatist, it gives clarity to Sauber and it would be right to agree to there being 14 teams in the event that after you've agreed one of them should drop out and then the number will be smaller. I think 14 teams is too many, but I personally would agree to supporting Sauber. One because they deserve it and two because I don't think there will be 14 teams anyway."
BMW Sauber team principal Mario Theissen said he was waiting for the outcome of the FOTA meeting before deciding on the next step.
When asked to comment on reports that many people believe there will not be a 14th team, Theissen said: "Yes, that's a common guess but it doesn't really help. We need confirmation."
STR? What have they done wrong?
I agree with Williams' stance on it, but I'm not so sure any other teams are going to drop out...USF1 is the most likely to drop out but for some reason I can see them making it (though being laughably bad).
I'm glad BMW are gone though, so little faith in their F1 programme after 1 bad year, and I never really liked Mario Theissen. It will be sad to see Sauber go though.
I just hope USGP does well, but it doesn't look to good for them, I said this in another thread but USGP's best bet for a successful season is if Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick race, which would be cool, and if USGP convinces Stewart then Danica will be right behind him for sure, especially since Danica is racing Nascar for Tony next year anyway, just imagine, the 1997 IRL Champion, 2002/2005 Nascar Sprint Cup Champion, and the most successful Female Indy Car Racer ever now in F1, ahhh, the tabloids.
No, she signed a deal with Stewart-Haas Racing in Nascar, she is driving trucks next year, and I was just making my wishes known, Tony might be to big, and ya, Danica is worthless on all but ovals, but as an American, and knowing that those are the two biggest names in Auto Racing Today(they have commercials that air when races aren't on) being in F1, would be cool, oh well, I just want to see my home team do well.Hasn't she signed a new Indy contract?
Well, you can't have your home team do well and have Stewart and Patrick racing for them. It's one or the other.I just want to see my home team do well.