[Iceman]

Sauber have become the first team to confirm a launch date for their 2011 car. The Ferrari-powered C30 will be unveiled at Valencia on January 31, the day before the first pre-season test of the New Year gets underway at the Spanish circuit.

The C30 will be piloted by Japan’s Kamui Kobayashi, who scored 32 of the team’s 42 points in 2010, along with Mexican newcomer Sergio Perez, this year’s GP2 Series runner-up.

The car will be the first Sauber designed under the guidance of technical director James Key, who joined the Swiss squad from Force India earlier this season.

“We’re setting our sights high, and things are looking good so far,” team principal Peter Sauber said of the C30 earlier this week. “James Key has proved in the past that he knows how to build fast cars.

"All the changes to the technical regulations - including the ban on double diffusers, the introduction of Pirelli tyres, adjustable rear wings and the option of using KERS - make this a particularly exacting challenge this year.”

All 12 teams are due to participate in the three-day Valencia test commencing February 1. That will be followed by Jerez and Barcelona sessions later that month, with a final pre-season test expected in Bahrain in early March.

[Iceman]

Whilst playing down expectations of being able to reprise his former title-vying form, record-breaking multiple F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher has nonetheless affirmed his conviction that Mercedes Grand Prix is ‘clearly in a better situation’ heading into 2011 than it was 2010 – a season that, he now reflects, was always going to be ‘a compromise’.

In his much-hyped, eagerly-anticipated comeback campaign following three years away from the cut-and-thrust of top flight competition, to say that Schumacher flattered to deceive would be something of an understatement. Indeed, notching up barely half the points total tallied by team-mate Nico Rosberg, no podium finishes to his younger compatriot’s three and being routinely outperformed both in qualifying and on race day, it was an embarrassing situation for the most successful driver in the sport’s long history to find himself in – but he insists there were reasons.

“I was away for three years, and I’m no longer 25,” he told German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. “There were a lot of changes – (former owner) Honda was gone and there wasn’t the money to hold the team together. The car was a compromise and with the [Bridgestone] tyres, it was difficult for me to drive how I wanted to.

“In retrospect, there were things...my floor was burned because of the exhaust being too hot, or the F-duct working in places where it should not. There were many [issues], resulting from the fact that we were in a restructuring phase – but we still wanted to go for the title.”

In evidence of the problems that seemed to materialise predominantly on his MGP W01 rather than that of Rosberg, Schumacher pointed to Singapore – arguably the nadir of his season, in performance terms at least, with an uncharacteristically lowly 13th place at the chequered flag. That, too, he recalls, was not quite as straightforward as met the eye.

“A week later, I got the team’s analysis,” the German legend revealed. “My team-mate and I were five degrees apart on the front wing. In F1, that’s a world. At Spa, my F-duct didn’t work, but I didn’t say anything. At Suzuka it happened again, again a problem with my car but not with Nico’s. I said to Norbert [Haug – Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Vice-President] and Ross [Brawn – team principal] that it was time for an explanation of the reasons. I prefer to speak inside the team, and I am convinced that in 2011 the problems will exist no more.”

Indeed, with stability having been largely restored now at the Brackley-based outfit and off the back of a far more encouraging conclusion to proceedings this year than the way it had begun, ‘Schumi’ is cautiously confident about his prospects for 2011, as he endeavours to make sure 2010 was the only campaign in his F1 career that yielded not so much as a single podium finish – an outcome the 41-year-old is palpably in no rush to repeat.

“We are clearly in a better situation now because of the immense support from Mercedes,” he underlined in conclusion, “but we cannot presume to think that we will be fighting for the championship. We will make a big leap forward and, if all goes well, win races.”

[Iceman]

MARK WEBBER has revealed he fractured a shoulder when he was within sight of clinching this year's Formula One world title.

Webber suffered the injury with four races remaining, when he was 11 points ahead of Fernando Alonso, and 21 clear of Red Bull team-mate and eventual champion Sebastian Vettel.

But in his book Up Front — 2010, A Season To Remember, Webber does not blame the injury for missing out on the title.

Although Webber, who finished third, needed pain-killing injections ahead of the Japanese and Korean Grands Prix, he decided to keep the injury secret from Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

Webber says in the book: "If I thought heading home to Australia ahead of Japan might make life easier, I had another think coming.

"On the Sunday morning a week before the Japanese Grand Prix, I got on a mountain bike for the first time since my accident in Tasmania at the end of 2008.

"I was riding with a great mate of mine. Suddenly, he crashed right in front of me and I had nowhere to go but straight through the ears of the horse!

"I suffered what they call a skier's fracture to my right shoulder.

"Suzuka is a brutal track so it was a blessing the Japanese weather gave me an enforced rest day on the Saturday, and a pre-race injection helped, too. In the end, we got through the weekend all right."

It was his first time back on a bike since his crash in November 2008 when he broke his right leg.

On that occasion Webber also fractured a shoulder, again opting not to reveal details of the injury to the Red Bull hierarchy.

[Iceman]

One of many I'm sure.

[Iceman]

Michael Schumacher has again spoken out to defend his choice to return to F1 in 2010 following a three-year absence from the grand prix grid – insisting that he has ‘the right to do what I enjoy’ and that regardless of whether he is putting at risk his illustrious reputation, he ‘feels good’ about coming back.

The bare statistics – just 72 points to Mercedes Grand Prix team-mate Nico Rosberg’s 142, no podiums to his younger compatriot’s three and finding himself routinely out-qualified and outraced by the man in the sister car – do not make for encouraging reading for the most successful driver in the sport’s long history, but towards the end of the campaign, there were signs that Schumacher was beginning to get on top of his troubles and regain some semblance of his erstwhile all-conquering form.

That it has been a frustrating season – one that culminated in a lowly ninth spot in the final title standings – is beyond doubt, but despite 2010 having failed to even come close to fulfilling his expectations, the German legend insists he remains firmly committed to his comeback and is confident of brighter times ahead in 2011.

“I enjoy it,” ‘Schumi’ told CNN. “I feel I have the right to do what I enjoy. Whether I put in dispute my reputation... I just feel good about my decision and I have so much support from people. It’s certainly not as successful as I thought initially and many other people had thought – but I want to make it a successful return.

“I’m only happy if I’m back on the winning road with the team – this is what I’m working for; this is the joy of the passion for F1 – and having such a strong group and team behind, Mercedes pushing so hard, I have no doubt about success in the future.”

“It’s been disappointing,” concurred the Brackley-based outfit’s team principal Ross Brawn. “In overall performance, we haven’t had the car [and] Michael’s taken a little time to get up to the performance he’ll be able to deliver. I’ve seen patches of that performance – the last few races of the season was the Michael Schumacher I expected to see – but now it’s all coming together and I think next year we’re going to have a really exciting time.”

Schumacher has received support, too, from fellow multiple F1 World Champion Alain Prost and Lotus Racing ace Heikki Kovalainen – both of whom underline that at 41 years of age now and following so long away from the cut-and-thrust of competitive action at the highest level, it was never going to be the most seamless of returns to begin with.

“People had high expectations, people expected him to win,” acknowledged Kovalainen, “but [Mercedes] didn’t have a car to win and second of all, things have changed since he left F1.”

“For me, it is difficult, almost impossible to go back to [win] the title after three years,” added Prost, “but if there’s one driver who would be able to do it, I think it’s Michael.”

[Iceman]

The BBC is set to confirm that Jonathan Legard will no longer form part of its F1 commentary team next year, and that he is to be replaced alongside Martin Brundle by David Coulthard.

We have learned from a source close to Legard that the former Radio 5 Live man’s contract will not be renewed into 2011, following two seasons in the F1 commentary box during which the 49-year-old failed to hit it off with Brundle and committed a number of well-publicised gaffes.

Crash.net understands that Brundle – a favourite both amongst F1 fans and inside the corporation – has successfully persuaded the BBC to replace Legard with his fellow former grand prix ace Coulthard, a driver who triumphed 13 times in the top flight between 1995 and 2003. The Scot will dovetail his new commentating duties with his ongoing punditry role alongside ex-team owner Eddie Jordan and the Beeb’s anchorman Jake Humphrey.

Whilst a BBC spokesman told us that ‘we’re still looking at our line-up for next year’s F1 coverage’, Crash.net has been reliably informed that Legard’s replacement by Coulthard is a done-deal, with the lack of chemistry and personality clash with Brundle a key factor in the decision. MotoGP commentator Charlie Cox had previously been mooted as the most likely candidate to take over the reins.

‘DC’ ranked seventh out of the 13 choices we proposed to you in our poll back in September as to who should partner Brundle in 2011, with Legard tenth. David Croft was your runaway favourite with 20 per cent of the vote, with current ITV BTCC commentator Ben Edwards second.

I loved his gaffes

[Iceman]

Toro Rosso have become the second Formula One team to announce the launch of their new car ahead of the 2011 season.

The marque, based in Faenza, Italy, are to unveil the STR6 on the first day of testing on February 1 at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia.

Earlier this month Sauber were the first team to confirm their launch date of January 31 at the same venue.

[Iceman]

Also talk from Ferrari president that they will breakaway at end of 2012 and set up a new series... De Javu????

Bernies says its rubbish...hmm time will tell i suppose.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Father XcXmas

I hate racing!!!

Love Horse Racing though!!!

yuck i hate horse racing.

formula one lacks the crashes atm.

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by jesus christ

yuck i hate horse racing.

formula one lacks the crashes atm.

It's not about the crashes, the teams and true fans dont want to see that. We want to see racing and overtaking.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by Snowman

It's not about the crashes, the teams and true fans dont want to see that. We want to see racing and overtaking.

i think its also lacking overtaking atm aswell because they make the tracks length really tiny.

[James]

Originally Posted by Snowman

The BBC is set to confirm that Jonathan Legard will no longer form part of its F1 commentary team next year, and that he is to be replaced alongside Martin Brundle by David Coulthard.

We have learned from a source close to Legard that the former Radio 5 Live man’s contract will not be renewed into 2011, following two seasons in the F1 commentary box during which the 49-year-old failed to hit it off with Brundle and committed a number of well-publicised gaffes.

Crash.net understands that Brundle – a favourite both amongst F1 fans and inside the corporation – has successfully persuaded the BBC to replace Legard with his fellow former grand prix ace Coulthard, a driver who triumphed 13 times in the top flight between 1995 and 2003. The Scot will dovetail his new commentating duties with his ongoing punditry role alongside ex-team owner Eddie Jordan and the Beeb’s anchorman Jake Humphrey.

Whilst a BBC spokesman told us that ‘we’re still looking at our line-up for next year’s F1 coverage’, Crash.net has been reliably informed that Legard’s replacement by Coulthard is a done-deal, with the lack of chemistry and personality clash with Brundle a key factor in the decision. MotoGP commentator Charlie Cox had previously been mooted as the most likely candidate to take over the reins.

‘DC’ ranked seventh out of the 13 choices we proposed to you in our poll back in September as to who should partner Brundle in 2011, with Legard tenth. David Croft was your runaway favourite with 20 per cent of the vote, with current ITV BTCC commentator Ben Edwards second.

I loved his gaffes

I think the problem with Legard was he was too bland, never said much interesting. It was all, 'pushing on', 'on a charge', 'in the wars'. I like gaffes. DC seems an odd choice for main commentary. maybe it will be Brundle doing that.

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by jesus christ

i think its also lacking overtaking atm aswell because they make the tracks length really tiny.

nah its just the constant development in f1, will be more overtaking this year with KERS back and the flexi wing, also new tyres could provide a better source of grip. I dont think there has been a lack of overtaking IIRC James posted in the 2010 thread about how there was actually quite a bit at the start of the year, not sure how it panned out towards the end.

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by James

I think the problem with Legard was he was too bland, never said much interesting. It was all, 'pushing on', 'on a charge', 'in the wars'. I like gaffes. DC seems an odd choice for main commentary. maybe it will be Brundle doing that.

I know I;ll regret saying this but I would love EJ doign commentary or even Jake, let them share and have fans vote, get them more involve in the sport???

(so long as its not Damon Hill then I'm happy)

[Iceman]

More than 70 per cent of those surveyed by the major German news agency SID do not believe Michael Schumacher will win an eighth world title in 2011.

The most successful driver in F1 history had a difficult return to the sport in 2010 after three years of retirement, finishing ninth in the championship and 70 points behind his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

Comparing the return to his own comeback in the 80s, triple world champion Niki Lauda told Spain's El Pais newspaper: "In my second phase in F1, the testing was not limited so I had plenty of mileage to prepare.

"Michael has had trouble adjusting. Furthermore, he has been against a lot of young guys eager to prove they can beat him, including Rosberg who is really fast.

"2010 was a year of practice for him (Schumacher)," added Lauda. "At first I thought he would not take more than four races to be back, and winning races has never been easy, but now it is harder than ever before.

"Anyway, if anyone can do what he has to do, it's him," said the Austrian great.

[pinkmichk]

legard gone is just the best thing to happen

anyone else planning on going to the autosport show in jan the bit i'm most looking forward to is he mclaren part

the tracks that cause no overtaking are mostly the tilke tracks they need to make tracks now based on old school ones

[Iceman]

Despite the stoic demeanour that he carried through the hard-fought 2010 F1 season, Lewis Hamilton has admitted that there were problems away from the track that meant that he wasn't as fully focused on the job at hand as he would have liked.
- 0
Related Links

* Alonso unfazed by Vettel talk
* Bahrain test gives Pirelli confidence

The Briton remained in the hunt for a second title - to add to his 2008 triumph with McLaren - through to the season finale in Abu Dhabi, but insists that he could have been more of a factor had he not had to deal with 'personal issues'.

Although his interview with the BBC's Radio One station did not disclose the exact nature of his worries, there were several high profile stories surrounding the Briton, starting with his decision to ditch father Anthony as his manager - a situation still not resolved by the appointment of a replacement - the on-off nature of his relationship with Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Sherzinger at the start of the season, and the 'hoon' charges levelled at him during the Australian Grand Prix weekend.

“The personal life, the way things have gone have not been as smooth and as happy as they could have been in the past and to do what I do is a combination of many, many things that are surrounding you,” Hamilton admitted.

“It’s not just arriving at the race track and driving, it’s your [personal and sponsor] appearances, it’s your mood swings, it’s the people that are around you – your family and your friends – and the time that you are able to give to them and the relationship that you have with them.

"As soon as some of those things are off, and you’ve not got all those pieces of the puzzle in place, then it makes it very hard to do other aspects of your life as easily. The key I think to life is getting all those pieces of the puzzle in place.”

Having gone into the Yas Marina finale needing a miracle to overturn the points deficit to Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton finished second on the road, but only fourth in the drivers’ championship - having to watch as race winner Vettel also claimed his mantle as youngest-ever champion.

Although, ultimately, only 16 points separated the two young talents, Hamilton admitted that he was not happy with his overall placing.

“It’s been a long time since I finished out of the top three in a championship,” he pointed out, “so finishing fourth is not something that I’m not particularly proud of.

“We had a couple of bad races, where I lost points which would have put me in a much stronger position to compete for the championship at the end of the year, [so] my plan right now is to smooth everything off and make sure that, next year, I am 100 per cent clear in my mind and have no outside intrusions mentally."

Hamilton was at the UK radio station to pick his top ten tunes of 2010 - a list the, perhaps unsurprisingly, contains girlfriend Scherzinger's debut solo single Poison, which he watched her perform on a recent edition of The X Factor.
Crash.net / Eurosport

I feel sorry for him now

[James]

Here's the updated driver line-ups.

Ferrari - Alonso & Massa
Mercedes - Schumacher & Rosberg
McLaren - Button & Hamilton
Red Bull - Vettel & Webber
Sauber - Kobayashi & Pérez
Toro Rosso - Alguersuari & Buemi (though not confirmed yet?)
Lotus Renault - Kubica & Petrov
Marussia Virgin Racing - Glock & d'Ambrosio
Williams - Barichello & Maldonado
Team Lotus - Trulli & Kovalainen
HRT ???? & ????
Force India ???? & ????

[Iceman]

Going to do an easier prediction league this year aswell I think.

[pinkmichk]

i cant see HRT even racing next year sounds like they have even more money trouble than did during the season
also petrov is a really dumb choice imo he shouldnt have a drive

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by pinkmichk

i cant see HRT even racing next year sounds like they have even more money trouble than did during the season
also petrov is a really dumb choice imo he shouldnt have a drive

Oh I havent been up to date with any F1 news (only schumi and lewis), I hope HRT make it, I like more cars on the grid.

[pinkmichk]

just after i posted that saw on twitter that they are taking their 2010 car to the valencia test thats not a good sign is it

[Iceman]

No that sounds pretty bad actually

[Iceman]

Nice Picture someone tweeted.

[sexyb4ck]

such a brilliant season last year was what the sport needed. 5 men gunning for the championship, with 3 men in the final race with a sporting chance of winning. I went for Mark Webber, if I knew he had a broken shoulder, I would have gone with Alonso! Yes at that time no one would have thought that Vettel had any chance of winning the championship, even if he did win the race. Win he did and win both he did. He is a worthy champion just like Jenson Button was the year before.
This year we see new rules, how do you think this will change the racing, should we have rules changes like this every year? My biggest question for you all is this. Who is your money on for 2011?

Mine is Mark Webber. He will be very hungry for the wins and to snatch the crown back from his team mate, let me remind you, no love lost between those to. Also Vettel should now be more relaxed then ever having done what he wanted to do the year before. Jenson and Lewis ,a strong team combination, will also want the crown. Will Massa be strong enough this year, or has his accident ruined his career. Alonso will also want to win for Ferrari, one of the most loved drivers by the Tifosi fans.

Out of this I still say Mark will give everything this year, wanting this before he retires, lets face it he is now one of the elder statesmen in the field.

So who do you want to see life the crown this year?