2007 Formula One Thread

[Counterfit]

Anyone catch the wheel guy getting knocked as one of the cars pitted under the SC? Also, the flyer took out the top of a fire extinguisher!

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Also, the flyer took out the top of a fire extinguisher!

I was wondering what the hell that was!

 

[bartelby]

Safety Car?

 

[iGav]

God I hate Magny-Cours.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Apparently a boring race...couldn't have been won by a more boring guy, at least personality-wise.

I'd prefer not to see anyone run away with the championship, so hopefully Ferrari can keep the pressure on. Kubica had another workmanlike race too...

 

[Counterfit]

Apparently a boring race...couldn't have been won by a more boring guy, at least personality-wise.

I quite liked seeing Nick fend off Alonslow for quite a few laps. Plus fred's repeated attempts at going around the outside at Adelaide, plus Fizzy staying well in front in those instances. Then Wurz and Heikki both cutting one chicane, while Speed snuck up from behind. (Too bad his car died right then).

 

[takao]

i found it quite good, with lots of overtaking... also what about albers taking his gas pump halfway with him ?

 

[R.Youden]

Another track leaves the Formula One circus. I think it is only right that circuits such as Magny-Cours are removed from the calendar, what do they offer to the sport? France already has one race (well Monaco is France as far as I am concerned!) and they never got huge crowds there anyway, also it was in the middle of no-where.

It did have some good features, the Nurburgring chicane was great, although it could have got a bit messy if Heidfeld hadn't got out the way! Hopefully the new circuits will bring something to Formula One rather than just a new area to explore for Bernie!

It would be great to still have a race in France however, what about racing on the old Le Mans circuit, but more likely the short circuit they use for the Super Bikes.

 

[iGav]

Hopefully the new circuits will bring something to Formula One rather than just a new area to explore for Bernie!

Another street circuit is on the cards apparently... this time in Paris.

F1 should return to Le Castellet.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Forget France, I vote for Laguna Seca.

 

[DerChef]

Er um Paul Richard is a logical choice BUT

1. Its rather close to Monaco afterall

2. It has been turned into this specialised test facility that mimicks other circuits

So you could have *Richard does Monaco, Richard does Montreal probably even have a facility for Richard does Magny Cours

* Reading that back it sounds like a Gay version of Debbie does Dallas

 

[iGav]

1. Its rather close to Monaco afterall

Not really a problem in itself.

2. It has been turned into this specialised test facility that mimicks other circuits

But the original layout at Circuit Paul Ricard actually remains along with the mighty Mistral, the changes are the smaller link sections allowing a variety of circuits to be laid out.

It does however lack the infrastructure to support spectators, but considering the circuit itself is arguably the most advanced and safest racing track in the world, it'd probably be safe to assume that the circuit would require very little, if any expenditure to bring it up to FIA racing standards, and as such would only require the erection of temporary grandstands to satisfy the criteria to hold a round of the Formula 1 World Championship.

 

[iGav]

McLaren employee suspected of espionage

"The team has learnt that this individual had personally received a package of technical information from a Ferrari employee at the end of April".

Word on the street is that it's Mike Coughlan.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Wow, this sounds pretty huge, especially in light of the current standings...I saw that Stepney's lawyer claimed that his innocence would quickly be proved, but I guess we may have to wait for it to come out in court.

 

[iGav]

Wow, this sounds pretty huge

You could say that.

Ferrari confirm action against McLaren man.

"Ferrari announces it has recently presented a case against Nigel Stepney and an engineer from the Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes team with the Modena Tribunal, concerning the theft of technical information.

"Furthermore, legal action has been instigated in England and a search warrant has been issued concerning the engineer. This produced a positive outcome.

"Ferrari reserves the right to consider all implications, be they criminal, civil or of any other nature, according to the applicable laws."

Begs the question, I wonder how much McLaren actually might have known or if they can be implicated in this as well?

That said... Toyota got away with it didn't they.

 

[R.Youden]

Ha. Ferrari are one to talk about obtaining information illegally. Better not say too much...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I wonder what they found during the search...I guess it was digital data, but maybe it was a front wing assembly hidden under the bed...

This is going to make some waves, and yes, in light of this Toyota seem to have gotten away with murder, plain and simple.

 

[DerChef]

"Security is not a dirty word blackadder"

Some nerdy mates of mine spent a day driving around a city (they call it a War Drive ) with a wireless internet connection and picked up over 300 unsecured wireless network connections. Banks, Oil Companies and Government offices.

Coughlan probably simply sat with his lap top outside the Ferrari motorhome and downloaded it

 

[iGav]

Ha. Ferrari are one to talk about obtaining information illegally. Better not say too much...

Do tell, we're all friends here. Although I don't recall anything being mentioned about Ferrari receiving or indeed acquiring actual technical data through acts of espionage, in the recent history at least.

I wonder what they found during the search...I guess it was digital data, but maybe it was a front wing assembly hidden under the bed...

There's talk of the entire blueprints for the F2007. Though that said, at this stage we should be weary of the sensationalism of some of the reports that are currently doing the rounds.

But surely we should assume that whatever he was in possession of, was significant and serious enough for Ferrari to undertake legal proceedings in the UK and then obtain a search warrant to allow a Police search of his home?

This is going to make some waves, and yes, in light of this Toyota seem to have gotten away with murder, plain and simple.

I don't understand why Toyota were not kicked out of the sport, and every other FIA sanctioned series either. It's not like they don't have form.

Coughlan probably simply sat with his lap top outside the Ferrari motorhome and downloaded it.

"The team has learnt that this individual had personally received a package of technical information from a Ferrari employee at the end of April."

Autosport have posted an interesting article musing these events... I just don't know where to start.

Analysis: the remarkable Stepneygate saga

"I am on a planned holiday with Ash and our baby. Why would anyone say I am not contactable? I booked the flights through the Ferrari travel office. They know where I am."

In a further twist, a Ferrari spokesman told autosport.com at Magny-Cours last weekend that this last statement was not true, and indeed, Stepney was not even on an official leave.

Meanwhile, the rumours continued to fly around, and bits of information come out in dribs and drabs. I've been told that the police officers who visited Casa Nigel didn't just recover that canister, but other items of interest, reportedly including a couple of steering wheels that should not have been there.

Sources have also suggested that Stepney was allegedly seen behaving suspiciously around the cars in the factory at a time when he thought he was alone, and/or that there is incriminating CCTV footage.

Ferrari interestingly made a point of ending their statement on Tuesday by saying the team "reserve the right to consider all implications, be they criminal, civil or of any other nature, according to the applicable laws." (emphasis added)

The last time Ferrari made a similar threat was in 2003, after*the*FIA found the tread width of Michelin tyres to be outside the legal width - following a protest by Ferrari. Back then, Ferrari also "reserved the right" to challenge race results after the season was over, should they deem it necessary.

Ferrari never pursued legal action in 2003 - the team, after all, won both titles that season - but Maranello's suggestion that some teams may not have won fairly was made very clear.

Incredible. Just incredible.

 

[xUKHCx]

What did i miss in regards to Toyota?

 

[iGav]

What did i miss in regards to Toyota?

2004 also saw Toyota being accused of industrial espionage in the case of stolen data files from Ferrari. This following a season where many Formula 1 fans commented on similarities of the Toyota TF104 to the Ferrari F2003-GA.

The district attorney of Cologne, where Toyota F1 is based, led the investigation saying "It’s an immense amount of material. We’d need over 10 thousand pages to print everything." Toyota refused to send the data back to Italy because they did not want Ferrari to take advantage of their own data, which had been mixed in with Ferrari's.

Not to mention their escapades in other racing series... including the WRC (which they were kicked out of).

 

[R.Youden]

I can't imagine that t would be the whole blueprints to the F2007. No one person will have access to all that data for security reasons .

If anyone is interested in the 'supposed' Ferrari 'irregularities' then PM me, I am not happy posting such information on a public forum.

 

[iGav]

I can't imagine that t would be the whole blueprints to the F2007. No one person will have access to all that data for security reasons .

Sounds sus-sensationalist to me too... it's from Gazzetta after all.

If anyone is interested in the 'supposed' Ferrari 'irregularities' then PM me, I am not happy posting such information on a public forum.

Just add allegedly in front of anything potentially incriminating Have I Got News For You style.

Anyway...

McLaren reassure Ferrari about leaked data.

Following our statement of 3rd July 2007, McLaren has completed a thorough investigation and can confirm that no Ferrari intellectual property has been passed to any other members of the team or incorporated into its cars

Call me cynical, but a thorough investigation, completed in 24 hours or so, only days before a home GP. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

FIA begins probe on Ferrari-McLaren affair.

About time too.

 

[SpookTheHamster]

If Mclaren's supposed dominance at this point in the season is due to Ferrari secrets, why aren't Ferrari doing just as well?

I'm not a Mclaren fan, but I believe them when they say it didn't pass to anybody else. You'd have to be stupid to get involved, especially when the benefit is potentially so small.

It reminds me of when an employee of a large drinks corporation tried to sell the secret ingredients of their product to their main competition. Instead of getting involved, the competition notified the company and the employee was punished.

 

[R.Youden]

The 'secrets' where only given to McLaren in late April, which is far too late to make a huge difference.

Also McLaren did not get the information, one of its employees did. He could have used that information without anyone else knowing, if he even used it at all.

I am thinking that maybe this information was not as technical as we think. It could have more to do with the personnel and way Ferrari work, rather than any technical information.

Also I think this may all work its way back to Honda, don't ask me why, I just have a hunch...