Brabbham & Moss

Hard to disagree with this analysis by Sir Sterling Moss.

I’m quite aware that Formula One has changed since my day but one thing that is never excusable is dirty driving. I was appalled to watch Michael Schumacher nearly drive Rubens Barrichello into the wall at the Hungarian Grand Prix and the photos show that he got within inches of causing a major accident.

He was punished with a 10-place grid penalty in Belgium, but for me that only proves that the FIA has got no teeth. In my view he should have been banned for a year, maybe more. If somebody had been coming out of the pits it could have been an enormous shunt and that kind of risk is inexcusable.

Dirty driving is inexcusable | ESPN F1.

So there will be 20 Formula One races in 2011, making it the longest season ever, extending from the Bahrain GP in early March to the Brazilian GP on November 27. FIAConfirms Record 20-Race 2011 Season. The FIA also announced yesterday that no entry had met the required standard to fill the vacant 13th team spot, dashing former world champion Jacques Villeneuve’s hopes of returning to the grid next year. “None of the candidates meet the requirements to be granted an entry,” FIA said.

Kimi Raikkonen says that he will not return to Formula 1 in the 2011 season, even if he gets offers for next year. After Raikkonen terminated the contract with Scuderia Ferrari at the end of last year, he took refuge in the World Rally Championship. The Finn has insisted repeatedly that he will return to F1 only with a team capable of fighting for the title, and Renault is the only team with such a claim that has not yet selected its 2011 drivers. “I would have the opportunity to go (back to F1) but I think I’ve seen off that career,” said Kimi.

Raikkonen: “My Career In Formula 1 Has Ended” | Mibz.com.

Since Bernie Ecclestone already thinks 20 teams are more than enough, whether Villeneuve makes the grid in 2011 is doubtful, at best.

Either the principality gave Bernie a LOT of $$ or Ecclestone finally figure out that F1 really can’t do without its signature event.  Either way, this is good news!

Formula One to Announce New Details on Grand Prix.

But F1 being F1, thereafter the Stewards fined Ferrari $100,000 and instituted an investigation into Alonso’s conceded pass of Massa about lap 47 or so. Much ado about nothing. Niki Lauda was incensed, charging that he’s “never seen” such abuse of a #2 driver — subtly forcing Massa to give way and let Alonso into the lead — but the fact was that Alonso was far quicker and Massa was clearly blocking.

Just a few races ago, the media were alarmist that Red Bull would allow its two drivers to race for the lead, when it cause a shunt handing the Turkish GP away. In Germany we saw the exact opposite, with the same reaction. That’s absurd. Team orders have been in this sport since its inception, from Fangio — handed his teammate Peter Collin’s Lancia at the 1956 Italian GP after  the Maestro’s died — to Schumacher — whose Ferrari team explicitly ordered Reubens Barichello to give way for Michael at the the Austrian Grand Prix in 2002. That may not make them right, but the fact is team orders are nothing new in Formula One motor racing.

Bernie Ecclestone is the President and CEO of Formula One Management. Put simply, he runs the sport of Formula One. He decides what tracks host races, what new rules should be introduced, and things like that.

However, Bernie Ecclestone appears to have gone a little bit power crazy. Some of his ideas have been nothing short of ridiculous, and although they are normally just scare tactics to get publicity, they are still absolutely mad suggestions.

Bernie Ecclestone’s Most Ridiculous Formula One Moments | Bleacher Report.

F1: Korean Grand Prix Will Be Cancelled In Two Weeks??.