2013 F1 Pool

[pharvey]

The top three are now Pharvey, Lindosfan and Parahandy.

STOP THE COMPETITION NOW!!!! Bejeesus...... there's a first time for everything I guess

Anywho..... Mercedes could be in a spot of bother it seems (and it better not bl**dy effect the scoring for Monaco!!)

Stewards confirm protests against Mercedes

The stewards at the Monaco Grand Prix confirmed on Sunday evening that they had received official protests from the Red Bull and Ferrari teams concerning an alleged illegal Mercedes test session.

In a statement, they said they would hold a hearing with all the concerned parties - Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes and tyre suppliers Pirelli - after Sunday's race, won by Mercedes' German driver Nico Rosberg.

The statement explained that the Mercedes team was alleged to have conducted three days of track testing using a 2013 car on May 15, 16 and 17 at Barcelona.

Although Rosberg won in Monte Carlo, Red Bull's Mark Webber said the alleged secret illegal Pirelli tyre test hadn't contributed to their victory.

"I don't think it made any difference here to this race and it just wasn't a major factor," he said.

Pirelli insisted that the test was conducted within the rules.

However, in-season testing is not permitted according to Article 22.4 h) of the Formula One Sporting Regulations of the International Motoring Federation (FIA), the stewards' statement explained.

The statement did not say when the result of the hearing would be known or announced.

Red Bull chief Christian Horner had earlier confirmed his team had taken formal action just hours before the start of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Horner said he had only learnt about the test on Saturday night.

"I can understand Pirelli wanting to test the tyres," he said. "They've obviously got issues with the tyres. What's disappointing is it's been done in not a transparent manner. A three-day test has taken place with a current car running on tyres that are going to be used in the next Grand Prix -- and irrelevant of what you call it, that's testing."

He added: "We need to deal with it through the proper channels so that's what we'll look at doing."

It was reported that Mercedes conducted 1000km of running during three days at Pirelli's request.

[Nereus]

"I can understand Pirelli wanting to test the tyres," he said. "They've obviously got issues with the tyres.

Ain't that the truth! All competitive advantages aside, the safety factor should come into it. There have been endless bad comments concerning the tyres all season.

[Pleng]

This is the worst season of F1 ever, thanks to the farce that Pirelli have created. The Caterham and Murussia cars were setting the fastest laps at the beginning of the race, as they were running in clean air. Even then, their engineers were on the radio telling them to SLOW DOWN. We have drivers asking if they should be fighting for any given position or letting a driver past. Fast drivers in fast cars are not allowed to exploit the fact and must only drive to lap times pescribed by thieir engineer. Failing to do so will force them into another pit stop. Rosberg and Button were forced into additional pitstops a couple of races ago for defending positions.

I hope this is the final twist of the knife and a new supplier is brought in for next year.

With regards to the standings, firstly it's unlikely the results of this race will be affected, and secondly I'd imagine that whatever system you're using has a similar rule to usual betting, where by the official calcifications following the race are used to settle, and further amendments will not be considered. That's just a guess though!

[PeteC]

Vettel has the pole in Canada. Picked by Pharvey, Terry and Vital Spark. Pete

[PeteC]

BKK Street race course given the go ahead.

Never going to happen!

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 07886.html

Edit: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... right-move

[PeteC]

Vettel is back to his winning ways once again. Vital Spark and I where the only two to pick him to win.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22835605

Vital Spark had a fantastic score of 19 points, which I think is the highest score in our pool so far this season, and has jumped 6 positions in the standings.

The top three are now myself, Pharvey and Lindosfan

Next up is the British GP in three weeks time on June 30. Good luck to all! (I'll be away from Thailand June 23-July 21 and reports may be delayed. BB, if nothing from me within 24 hours after race end, can you please do the results routine....thanks. )

1 ▲3 Pete 93.00
2 ▼1 pharvey 92.00
3 ▼1 lindosfan 90.00
4 ▼1 Parahandy 89.50
5 ▲6 Vital Spark (Yellow Cap) 86.00
6 ▲1 Terry 85.50
7 ▲1 BigBoy 84.00
8 ▼3 JJBones 84.00
9 ▼3 redzonerocker 81.50
10 ▼1 Richard 81.00
11 ▼1 JW 75.00
12 - platinumpools 36.00

British GP

http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail ... itain_901/

(Thai Time)

Fri 28 June 2013
Practice 1 16:00 - 17:30
Practice 2 20:00 - 21:30

Sat 29 June 2013
Practice 3 16:00 - 17:00
Qualifying 19:00

Sun 30 June 2013
Race 19:00

[JW]

Really dont agree that this is the worst season of F1, we have had exciting racing to the end of many races. Pirelli should take no blame for anything, they are given specs by the FIA and imagine how difficult it must be to scientifically enginner a tyre to perfom in a certain way, with all of teh other factors that can change on race day. Listen to drivers from years gone by, they have been looking after tyre wear ever since racing began and years ago had to look after after the car much more. Think its really great to watch the last 10 laps when you dont know if someones tyres are gonna fall off the cliff!

[pharvey]

The top three are now myself, Pharvey and Lindosfan

Damn you Pete..... DAMN YOU!!

One hell of a score for VS though

Bring on the British GP....

[PeteC]

The top three are now myself, Pharvey and Lindosfan

Damn you Pete..... DAMN YOU!!

One hell of a score for VS though

Bring on the British GP....

Yes, now you know how it feels to get a rocket up your tail pipe.

[pharvey]

Yes, now you know how it feels to get a rocket up your tail pipe.

Ssshhhhhhh.......... don't mention rockets.....

[Vital Spark]

It's nice to have the yellow cap again, after such a long time. It's looking a bit grubby, boys, so I've popped it in the washing machine (on a hot wash, so it'll shrink a bit).

Just finished watching the race as we download it so have to watch it a day later. It really was a cracking race compared to boring old Monaco. It's a pity that tyres have such a massive role in the outcome of the race, as opposed to pure driving skills. I think that Hamilton said towards the end of the race 'Just let me race' (or something like that) after he had a message from the pits about preserving his tyres. It kind of sums it up.

Here's hoping the British GP has some good weather - it could be another goodie.

VS

[Nereus]

Pirelli should take no blame for anything, they are given specs by the FIA and imagine how difficult it must be to scientifically enginner a tyre to perfom in a certain way,

Bridgestone didn't seem to have a problem complying with the requirement!

[pharvey]

Tyre problems are certainly nothing new - Bridgestone came in after the Michelin fiasco 5 or 6 years ago.

[Pleng]

Really dont agree that this is the worst season of F1, we have had exciting racing to the end of many races.

Think its really great to watch the last 10 laps when you dont know if someones tyres are gonna fall off the cliff!

Depends what your definition of excitement is. It's now a case of "Two drivers. One on worn tyres, one on new tyres. Is there enough time for him to catch?" Because, when he gets there passing is an inevitability.

Take Canada. Alonso catches Hamilton with 10 laps to go. In the past we'd have been treated to 10 laps of hard racing by the pair of them, having no idea who'd come off. Hamilton would have defended. Alonso would have tried to find a way around here, or there, or somewhere else. This year (well, the last 3 years) it was a case of "Oh. Alonso's caught Hamilton. Oh... there's 10 laps to go. I wonder how long it will be before he gets past" - because the fact that he would pass was inevitable.

Pirelli should take no blame for anything, they are given specs by the FIA

The FIA came up with a daft plan and Pirelli went along with it. They are, at best, equally responsible. You could (and I will) argue that Pirelli bear the weight of responsibility because they were the *ONLY* company willing to degrade (pun intended) themselves in such a public manner. No other manufacturer would entertain the concept. If no company had agreed the FIA would have had to ditch the idea altogether.

And the FIA haven't given them any specs. They just asked for tyres that didn't last a whole race. Pirelli have read that pretty wide brief and come up with what we have this year.

and imagine how difficult it must be to scientifically enginner a tyre to perfom in a certain way,

Yes it must be. And Pirelli have failed miserably at it.

Bridgestone didn't seem to have a problem complying with the requirement!

To be fair, Bridgestone bailed out of F1 partly because they refused to go along with the FIAs's whack job scheme.

[PeteC]

"Mark Webber to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2013 season...."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/23074108

Wonder what that will do to his motivation for the rest of this season?

Don't forget the British GP this weekend. Pete