2007 Formula 1 Season

Hakkinen is a 2 time WDC, and would have been a 3 time if it wasn't for the crap reliability of the Mclaren in 2000. Ron Dennis has been very close to Mika since that tire puncture which almost took Mika's life back in 1995. If Mika wants to test again, he should be allowed to considering all he's done for Mclaren. I'll be rooting for him in the DTM this year.

McLaren are fighting a close battle with Ferrari. They cannot afford to let just anyone, even Mika Hakkinen, to use up their precious testing time just because he wants to. Mika has been away from F1 for a long time and is off the pace. Even if there is some valuable feedback he could give to the team, it's nothing that Alonso, Hamilton or McLaren's other test drivers can't do.
 
McLaren are fighting a close battle with Ferrari. They cannot afford to let just anyone, even Mika Hakkinen, to use up their precious testing time just because he wants to. Mika has been away from F1 for a long time and is off the pace. Even if there is some valuable feedback he could give to the team, it's nothing that Alonso, Hamilton or McLaren's other test drivers can't do.

If they were to give him a test in between races, then I would agree. On the other hand, they can give him a test just after the end of the season.
 
Bit of an update on Nick heidfeld & BMW

Bit of an update on Nick heidfeld & BMW

Theissen: no reason to split with Nick

Friday, 20, April, 2007, 14:34

BMW Sauber boss Mario Theissen says his team has 'no reason' to replace Nick Heidfeld next season - but added that he is in no hurry to agree a new contract with the German.

Heidfeld's deal with BMW expires at the end of 2007, and paddock speculation had suggested that he might be dropped in favour of the team's test driver and protege Sebastian Vettel.

But Heidfeld's superb start to the season - which has seen him take three consecutive fourth places, out-perform highly-rated team-mate Robert Kubica, and pass Fernando Alonso on track in Bahrain - has boosted his chance of staying at BMW.

"Both Nick and the team are currently delivering outstanding performances and are working really well together," Theissen said.

"So from that angle, there is no reason for either of us to be looking elsewhere for alternatives.

"At the same time, though, there's no rush to sort things out."

Theissen said that Heidfeld was in the form of his life at the moment.

"Nick is right at the top of his game," he said.

"He has put in top-class performances in all three races so far and has been rewarded with three fourth places.

"He has done everything we could ask of him."

He also warned the media that BMW would not be feeding the silly season speculation about Heidfeld's future.

"We are speaking with Nick, of course, but we won't be giving any progress reports," said Theissen.

"We will make a decision before the end of the season and then announce that decision in due course."

Source

Not much clearer on whether or not they will keep Nick, sounds like they are waiting for him to stuff up to get rid of him.
 
Mario's ideal team is Kubica and Vettel. I dont think they expected Nick to become as good as he has become when Kubica arrived.
 
If Heidfeld is kicked out of BMW I doubt he'll go to Toyota. Renault, Red Bull or Honda seem more likely.
 
Heidfeld to replace Fisi perhaps?? Klien or Andretti would get a Honda drive over Heidfeld.
 
Heidfeld has proven that he's fast whilst Klien has not and Andretti does not have enough experience.
 
But Andretti brings American cash and sponsors which Honda need and also the North American market is their biggest.
 
andretti also has the andretti name - a 3rd generation driver.
 
Only one Andretti was any good at F1 and this one is racing on ovals most of the time.

The indy car series has some good road courses on the schedule, albeit I wish there were more. He took his first win at Infineon raceway, you don't get much more technical then that track. They also add the chicane for Indy, which you don't see most of the time in video footage, video games, or wherever you might have seen the track.

About Heidfeld, if Mario sacks him then yes I can see him going to Renault. Especially so, if Heiki stays mediocre. I think Flavio yelling at Fisi to pass Trulli, and him not getting it done is an indication that Flav isn't happy with him. Flav only kept him on so he can have an experience driver alongside a rookie, for some continuity. We'll definately see Piquet jr. in for next year, and if Heiki doesn't shape up, it could be Heidfeld with him.
 
Christijan Albers' race seat at Spyker could be in doubt, according to reports in the specialist German press.

'Sport Bild' says that the squad's 26-year-old reserve driver, Markus Winkelhock, is first in line to replace Albers, after the Dutchman struggled to match the pace of his rookie teammate Adrian Sutil in the opening races of 2007.

Team boss Colin Kolles confirmed: "Markus is our spare driver. He will race if one of our regular drivers is not able to, for whatever reason.

"We have full confidence in him and we know what he can do."

Kolles' apparent frustration with Dutchman Albers, who brings substantial financial backing to the team, is thought to have been intensified at Sepang, where he apparently hid a stomach infection for fear that reserve driver Winkelhock would race and impress his bosses.

It is reported that Albers has been given only the Spanish grand prix next month to up his game or relinquish the ride for the rest of the season to Germany's Winkelhock.

He told Sport Bild: "I am training hard and will be completely ready if the team needs me."

Kolles would not confirm that Albers' seat is in jeopardy, but he did admit that Winkelhock has been scheduled to test the car in the near future at Paul Ricard in France.
 
Who cares...:p

I honesty don't care what Spyker do or don't do. I don't like Colin Kolles, I don't like Cristian Albers...I just don't like that team.
 
Of course his seat is safe. Dutch team with Dutch sponsors and a Dutch driver. They're not going to replace him for some German bloke :p.
 
Renault team set to enter Second Life
23 April 2007

TeamRenault announced on Monday they are to join virtual 3D-world Second Life. It will make them the first Formula One team to participate in the online community, which boasts 5.6 million accounts worldwide.

The French squad hope their presence will allow Second Life participants to go behind-the-scenes to find out more about the workings of a Formula One team. Users will also be given the opportunity to interact with the team itself.

?The experience is designed to take them closer to the dedication, technological excellence and teamwork required to achieve Formula One success,? explained Renault. ?The aim is to offer a unique experience that will put the public in contact with the team and its personnel. Visitors will be nothing less than virtual team members!?

Second Life?s virtual land mass is approximately five times the size of Manhattan and its members, known as ?residents?, hail from over 100 countries.

Source...
 
Is anyone else sick of hearing about Hamilton? Hamilton this, Hamilton that. He's a good driver and has incredible success in his first season but calling him the next Schumacher? I think that is a bit, just a bit *insert loads of sarcasm here*, overboard.

And, can someone tell Ron Dennis to shut up? MS is retired and he's still complaining about how he didn't join McLaren over "some hats."

/rant

If anyone mentions Hamilton being the next MS they should be banned. :D
 
Like I said before. Im fed up of Hamilton. Yes he is good, but he needs some DNF's. If he wins the championship then god help us all!!
 
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