I am taking a 59 Cadillac hardtop and putting a 60 Chevy roof on..........................
More coming.......................................................
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/997113.aspx
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Another title for Alain Prost
The final race of the annual Trophée Andros ice racing series took place at Super Besse, in the Auvergne, not far from Clermont-Ferrand. Prost went to the last round equal on points with the revelation of the season Benjamin Rivière, a private entrant, with a Skoda Fabia prepared by the Speed Aventure team. He has [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/another-title-for-alain-prost/
Barrichello speaks out on his future: “I am fighting”
Rubens Barrichello has been speaking about his future in Formula 1. Williams are yet to confirm who will partner Pastor Maldonado for the 2012 season, although Barrichello says he is positive about his chances of being retained. Speaking about the current uncertainty, Barrichello said: “It’s taking longer than I wished for, to be honest.” “I [...]
Jenson Button - classic F1
Jenson Button has enjoyed arguably the finest season of his Formula 1 career. The McLaren driver may have won the world title in 2009, when he was driving for Brawn GP, but his driving in 2011 has been even better.
So much so that former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, who dropped Button at the end of 2002, has even been forced to admit that he "never realised" the Englishman was "that good".
Button's three victories in 2011 - including his remarkable climb from last to victory in Canada - were among the very best of the year.
Even more impressive than that, though, is Button's achievement of finishing above compatriot and fellow McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton in the standings. Hamilton, a man widely thought of as the fastest driver in the world, has never before been beaten by his team-mate.
Given his remarkable year, it is appropriate that Button is in the hot seat for the final edition of this year's BBC Sport's classic F1 series.
As regular readers will know, we have asked all F1 drivers for their five favourite races of all time, serialising them ahead of each grand prix.
The drivers have been free to choose whether to interpret the question as a request for their selection of the five greatest races of all time, or for their favourite races from their own career - or a selection of both.
Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, for example, chose their own races, while Mark Webber picked several all-time classics. Fernando Alonso went for a mix - as has Button.
Making the selection was not easy for Button - as you will find out if you read on or watch the video embedded below - but what a choice it is. There are two historic races that would be on many people's lists of greatest grands prix ever, plus three from the 31-year-old's own career that could also be on that list.
In Button's own words, here is his countdown from five to one:
5) Britain 1987
"Nigel Mansell at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1987, when he pulled an epic dummy on Nelson Piquet into Stowe and went on to win the race. It was an amazing race to watch, especially dummying his team-mate like that."
4) Europe 1993
"Ayrton Senna annihilated everyone, overtook five cars on the first lap and was leading when he crossed the line. An amazing race. I was actually there watching it. It was one of the first races I saw live."
3) Germany 2000 (in Button's maiden F1 season with Williams)
"I had a problem at the start, well, the pre-start and had to start last. I fought my through in wet conditions and finished on the tail of David Coulthard. He finished third, I finished fourth and that was almost my first podium in F1. It was an amazing race for me fighting my way through. It was also at the old Hockenheim track with the long straights, so it was pretty scary in wet conditions. (Editor's note - the race was memorable for another reason - Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello won from 18th on the grid, in a race marked by a safety-car period following a track invasion)
2) Brazil 2009
"My second favourite race of all time would be Brazil 2009. This is a tricky one for me because it was either this one, when I clinched the title, or my first ever win in Hungary 2006. But I've chosen Brazil, mainly because it clinched me the world title.
"It was a very aggressive drive through the field from I think it was 14th or 15th on the grid. I don't even know where I finished, but it was one of those races, fighting my through, knowing every single point counted to winning the world championship. I really wanted to get it wrapped up before heading to Abu Dhabi - and that's exactly what I did."
1) Canada 2011
"My favourite race of all time has to be the Canadian Grand Prix this year. It's tricky because every win really matters to you and really means a lot and you remember pretty much every lap. But I've chosen this one because of what I went through, the high and lows throughout the four hours.
"To come away with that victory after being 21st and fighting my way through to first on the last lap of the race, that's a race I will remember forever.
"That's the one, if I have kids, I will first mention to them when they start watching Formula 1. I'll say: 'Daddy used to do that and he used to be all right. And he won the Canadian Grand Prix.' And I'll put it on 'play'."
The highlights programme broadcast on the BBC on the evening of the Canadian race is embedded below. Beneath it are long and short highlights of Vettel's victory in last year's Brazilian Grand Prix, as a warm-up for this weekend's action in Sao Paulo.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX
WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX
The classic races will also be available on the BBC red button on digital television in the UK.
On Freeview, they will be broadcast only between first and second practice at the Brazilan Grand Prix - from 1355 to 1555 GMT on Friday 25 November.
On satellite and cable, the races will be broadcast from 1500 on Wednesday 23 November to 1400 on Thursday 24; from 1500 on Thursday until 1155 on Friday and again from 1355 to 1555 on Friday.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/11/jenson_button_-_classic_f1.html
Monday, January 30, 2012
Best kit to make a 1973 F Bomb Camaro?
i was thinking of gettin a 1970.5 baldwin motion camaro and modifying it but is there a better kit? many thanks
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/999192.aspx
Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari Philippe Alliot
Sunday, January 29, 2012
95 DODGE RAM
I bought this model as a glue bomb and will be decided by a bomb squad , the robot Its a scrath built based on the pisc
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/999062.aspx
93 chevy s10
So guys, since my vanagon is half done I decided to start this monogram 93 s10.
I got this for ten bucks. The engine has been started but other then that the kit is complete. I plan to build this thing 100% original but i might change the wheels to a 2wd style rim. Not the 4x4 style they have in the kit. For colors I am not sure yet. This is build 2/3 for my monogram s-series trucks. I have built the syclone, got this one, and I bought a sealed s10 waverider to build after this one. Once done I'll display all of them together.
The truck will sit higher once done, but for mock up this is how it looks.
.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/996189.aspx
Doctors use Formula One pit crews as safety model
American Medical News reports hospitals in at least a dozen countries are learning how to translate the split-second timing and near-perfect synchronisation of Formula One pit crews to the high-risk handoffs of patients from surgery to recovery and intensive care.
"In Formula One, they have checklists, databases, and they have well-defined processes for doing things, and we don't really have any of those things in health care."
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/10/doctors_use_formula_one_pit_cr.php
Caption competition 3: Kimi Raikkonen | Caption competition
Kimi Raikkonen's return to F1 features in today's caption competition.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/NZAReBDkOsQ/
Dave Charlton Pedro Matos Chaves Bill Cheesbourg Eddie Cheever
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Jerome D’Ambrosio lands Lotus third driver job
Jerome D’Ambrosio has been announced as third driver for Lotus, alongside Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean. D’Ambrosio, who drove for Virgin last year, is managed by the Genii organisation, via its Gravity offshoot. “It’s an exciting next step in my … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/01/24/jerome-dambrosio-lands-lotus-third-driver-job/
The Bahrain dilemma
While the F1 authorities continue to say that there are no problems with the Grand Prix in Bahrain in April, there continue to be question marks about the event because of unrest in the country. Agence France Presse reported on Wednesday that Bahraini police dispersed anti-government protesters who blocked roads in several villages as tensions [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/the-bahrain-dilemma/
Hamilton decision-making under the microscope
 Lewis Hamilton has come in for criticism |
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/hamilton_decisionmaking_under_1.php
Tony Fernandes: “I want us to achieve a point somewhere in 2012…”
Caterham boss Tony Fernandes is in optimistic mood in the light of the launch of the new CT01, the first 2012 F1 car to break cover. The Malaysian entrepreneur expects the rebranded team to make good progress this year. “This … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/01/26/tony-fernandes-i-want-us-to-achieve-a-point-somewhere-in-2012/
Kimi Raikkonen: “It takes a little bit of time to get used to it…”
Kimi Raikkonen successfully completed his first day back behind the wheel of an F1 car at Valencia today, more than 26 months after his last start with Ferrari. The intention of the two-day test with a 2010 Renault is for … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/01/23/kimi-raikkonen-it-takes-a-little-bit-of-time-to-get-used-to-it/
Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari
SX: This Week In Supercross - Oakland
Ryan Dungey leads a heated early-season title fight into Oakland this weekend.
Source: http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/sx-this-week-in-supercross-oakland/
Christian Danner Jorge Daponte Anthony Davidson Jimmy Davies
Pirelli deny rumours of test role for Petrov | F1 Fanatic round-up
In the round-up: Pirelli's Paul Hembery denies claimed the tyre manufacture will enlist Vitaly Petrov as a test driver.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/wYOOXkniLGs/
Mike Gascoyne: “It’s time we move forward again”
Having released an official image yesterday Caterham has today issued a Q&A with Mike Gascoyne, and given that it’s our first chance to hear a technical boss talk in detail about a 2012 car, I thought it was worth running … Continue reading 
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/01/26/mike-gascoyne-its-time-we-move-forward-again/
Slim Borgudd Luki Botha JeanChristophe Boullion Sebastien Bourdais
Friday, January 27, 2012
McLaren Mercedes completed!!
Built this thing for a friend, fun build and something way different than the stuff I am regularly used to.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/998614.aspx
Bob Anderson Conny Andersson Mario Andretti Michael Andretti
CUP: Francis Brings New Eyes To Hendrick
Kenny Francis followed Kasey Kahne to Hendrick Motorsports...
Source: http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-kenny-francis-brings-new-eyes-to-hendrick-motorsports/
Red Bull under the spotlight
 Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel celebrate with Red Bull boss Christian Horner on the podium |
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/red_bull_under_the_spotlight.php
Enrico Bertaggia Tony Bettenhausen Mike Beuttler Birabongse Bhanubandh
Tamiya paint (smoke)
Hi all,yet another paint question,never used tamiya smoke,what is it best suited for,I wanted to tint a rear window on my chevelle,would this work,and will it brush on,or is airbrush better,thanks.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/998366.aspx
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tony Fernandes: “I want us to achieve a point somewhere in 2012…”
Caterham boss Tony Fernandes is in optimistic mood in the light of the launch of the new CT01, the first 2012 F1 car to break cover. The Malaysian entrepreneur expects the rebranded team to make good progress this year. “This … Continue reading
Source: http://adamcooperf1.com/2012/01/26/tony-fernandes-i-want-us-to-achieve-a-point-somewhere-in-2012/
'The point of no confidence is quite near'
 The wreckage of Jochen Rindt's car at Barcelona |
“Colin. I have been racing F1 for 5 years and I have made one mistake (I rammed Chris Amon in Clermont Ferrand) and I had one accident in Zandvoort due to gear selection failure otherwise I managed to stay out of trouble. This situation changed rapidly since I joined your team. “Honestly your cars are so quick that we would still be competitive with a few extra pounds used to make the weakest parts stronger, on top of that I think you ought to spend some time checking what your different employes are doing, I sure the wishbones on the F2 car would have looked different. Please give my suggestions some thought, I can only drive a car in which I have some confidence, and I feel the point of no confidence is quite near.”A little more than a year later Rindt's Lotus suffered mechanical breakdown just before braking into one of the corners. He swerved violently to the left and crashed into a poorly-installed barrier, killing him instantly.
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/the_point_of_no_confidence_is.php
Jerome d’Ambrosio joins Lotus as third driver for 2012 | 2012 F1 season
Jerome D'Ambrosio will be Lotus's third driver in 2012, the team has confirmed.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/DgarpBzjSXY/
Zsolt Baumgartner Elie Bayol Don Beauman Karl Gunther Bechem
which kits have a nailhead engine?
I'm looking for whatever kits have buick nailhead engines.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/998446.aspx
Harry Blanchard Michael Bleekemolen Alex Blignaut Trevor Blokdyk
New Lady Modeler :)
Hey guys, new here. LOVE doing models. Just recently picking the hobby up again. I built a 1/72 Dragon models Amtrack for my husband. He used to be a Marine and that's what he drove. It was great having him standing beside me to tell me exactly what color certain things were.
And I'm repainting a 1:24 SoReal Concepts K5 Blazer for my dad. But I messed up the blue on it :( So its on the back burner until I find a good blue.
What its supposed to look like. Like I said... Blue WAY off
I am looking for a push bar that at least resembles the one thats on the real thing.
I use a Testors AmaZing Air Airbrush. Works good for the price I paid for it. I like that you can just attach whatever vial of paint you want to use. I'm very interested in learning all the tip and tricks and where to get aftermarket parts, because building them according to the instructions is just so boring. And where to get good models for somewhat cheap!
Oh, my name is Kayla btw
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/998250.aspx
hi
im new to this site and just wanted to say hi. Im a 63 year old model car lover I at one time had 5500 kits,that was around 1988 I sold most to help buid a drag race car and drag raced untill last year ending with a track championship in pro class,I have bought a jr dragster for my 12 year old grandson and I am building a 1950 chevy coupe to play with on the street and the track. I have about 30 drag car kits to build and i have started 4 of them the Juke box56 ford,Blue Max mustang,Miss deal, and the Judge so here we go. This hobby has changed a lot with the skil level of some people all good. when I figure out how to add pic I will.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/997672.aspx
Christijan Albers Michele Alboreto Jean Alesi Jaime Alguersuari
Lotus: It’s very difficult to know where Raikkonen should be
Lotus have been speaking about Kimi Rakkonen’s successful return to Formula 1. The former World Champion took part in his first test for the team this week following two years away from the sport. Speaking about how it went, Trackside operations director Alan Permane said: “From the first run he was pretty much there.” “It’s very [...]
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
MPC '69 Dodge Charger
Picked up the Duckes of Hazzard kit, mainly for the decals becaus I wanted to make a dukes funny car. Couldn't figure out what to do with this kit so I did what I always do and made it a drag car. Probably one of the most ridiculous kits I've ever had the misfortune of buying. Nothing fits right, very little detail blah blah i'm sure you guys already know all of this already.
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/998128.aspx
need a hood
Hey guys,I need a hood for an amt 62 nove,have stuff to trade.Thanks gene
Source: http://cs.scaleautomag.com/SCACS/forums/thread/974451.aspx
Keith Andrews Elio de Angelis Marco Apicella M·rio de Ara˙jo Cabral
Jerome d’Ambrosio joins Lotus as third driver for 2012 | 2012 F1 season
Jerome D'Ambrosio will be Lotus's third driver in 2012, the team has confirmed.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/DgarpBzjSXY/
A busy day
It has been a busy day here in Abu Dhabi, with the Pirelli press conference revealing the Italian company’s F1 plans for the coming season, followed by the opportunity to mess about in cars of various sorts, driving (badly in my case) and being driven around by people who know what they are doing. Pirelli [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/a-busy-day/
Johnny Cecotto Andrea de Cesaris Francois Cevert Eugene Chaboud
Jenson Button - classic F1
Jenson Button has enjoyed arguably the finest season of his Formula 1 career. The McLaren driver may have won the world title in 2009, when he was driving for Brawn GP, but his driving in 2011 has been even better.
So much so that former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, who dropped Button at the end of 2002, has even been forced to admit that he "never realised" the Englishman was "that good".
Button's three victories in 2011 - including his remarkable climb from last to victory in Canada - were among the very best of the year.
Even more impressive than that, though, is Button's achievement of finishing above compatriot and fellow McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton in the standings. Hamilton, a man widely thought of as the fastest driver in the world, has never before been beaten by his team-mate.
Given his remarkable year, it is appropriate that Button is in the hot seat for the final edition of this year's BBC Sport's classic F1 series.
As regular readers will know, we have asked all F1 drivers for their five favourite races of all time, serialising them ahead of each grand prix.
The drivers have been free to choose whether to interpret the question as a request for their selection of the five greatest races of all time, or for their favourite races from their own career - or a selection of both.
Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, for example, chose their own races, while Mark Webber picked several all-time classics. Fernando Alonso went for a mix - as has Button.
Making the selection was not easy for Button - as you will find out if you read on or watch the video embedded below - but what a choice it is. There are two historic races that would be on many people's lists of greatest grands prix ever, plus three from the 31-year-old's own career that could also be on that list.
In Button's own words, here is his countdown from five to one:
5) Britain 1987
"Nigel Mansell at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1987, when he pulled an epic dummy on Nelson Piquet into Stowe and went on to win the race. It was an amazing race to watch, especially dummying his team-mate like that."
4) Europe 1993
"Ayrton Senna annihilated everyone, overtook five cars on the first lap and was leading when he crossed the line. An amazing race. I was actually there watching it. It was one of the first races I saw live."
3) Germany 2000 (in Button's maiden F1 season with Williams)
"I had a problem at the start, well, the pre-start and had to start last. I fought my through in wet conditions and finished on the tail of David Coulthard. He finished third, I finished fourth and that was almost my first podium in F1. It was an amazing race for me fighting my way through. It was also at the old Hockenheim track with the long straights, so it was pretty scary in wet conditions. (Editor's note - the race was memorable for another reason - Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello won from 18th on the grid, in a race marked by a safety-car period following a track invasion)
2) Brazil 2009
"My second favourite race of all time would be Brazil 2009. This is a tricky one for me because it was either this one, when I clinched the title, or my first ever win in Hungary 2006. But I've chosen Brazil, mainly because it clinched me the world title.
"It was a very aggressive drive through the field from I think it was 14th or 15th on the grid. I don't even know where I finished, but it was one of those races, fighting my through, knowing every single point counted to winning the world championship. I really wanted to get it wrapped up before heading to Abu Dhabi - and that's exactly what I did."
1) Canada 2011
"My favourite race of all time has to be the Canadian Grand Prix this year. It's tricky because every win really matters to you and really means a lot and you remember pretty much every lap. But I've chosen this one because of what I went through, the high and lows throughout the four hours.
"To come away with that victory after being 21st and fighting my way through to first on the last lap of the race, that's a race I will remember forever.
"That's the one, if I have kids, I will first mention to them when they start watching Formula 1. I'll say: 'Daddy used to do that and he used to be all right. And he won the Canadian Grand Prix.' And I'll put it on 'play'."
The highlights programme broadcast on the BBC on the evening of the Canadian race is embedded below. Beneath it are long and short highlights of Vettel's victory in last year's Brazilian Grand Prix, as a warm-up for this weekend's action in Sao Paulo.
In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. If you're reading via RSS, you'll need to visit the blog to access this content.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX
WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2010 BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX
The classic races will also be available on the BBC red button on digital television in the UK.
On Freeview, they will be broadcast only between first and second practice at the Brazilan Grand Prix - from 1355 to 1555 GMT on Friday 25 November.
On satellite and cable, the races will be broadcast from 1500 on Wednesday 23 November to 1400 on Thursday 24; from 1500 on Thursday until 1155 on Friday and again from 1355 to 1555 on Friday.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/11/jenson_button_-_classic_f1.html
Meanwhile on the Russian Riviera
A look back through the news in recent years reveals that there are currently two new races that have signed contracts: the New Jersey event in 2013 and a Russian GP in 2014. There are 20 races on the F1 calendar, although it remains to be seen whether the teams agree to go to Bahrain. [...]
Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/meanwhile-on-the-russian-riviera/
Duane Carter Eugenio Castellotti Johnny Cecotto Andrea de Cesaris
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Why Michael Schumacher Could Win The 2011 World Championship
Michael Schumacher’s 2010 comeback was somewhat abortive. The results, the driving standard and the overtakes were well below par for the former champion. He even let his team mate beat him for the first time in his career. So why can Schumacher, the fallen Ferrari hero, win the world championship for an 8th time? It’s [...]
Barrichello back in Williams frame
Formula 1 always goes a little quiet over Christmas, but one team that has been making waves - both publicly and behind the scenes - are Williams.
The team that dominated F1 for much of the 1980s and 1990s are one of only two outfits still with an obvious vacancy in their driver line-up - the other being back-of-the-grid HRT.
And it seems that Rubens Barrichello, the veteran who has driven for the team for the last two seasons, is back in with a chance of staying with them for 2012.
Rubens Barrichello had been tipped to vacate his Williams seat. Photo: Getty
Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado is staying on in one of the cars after an up-and-down rookie season in 2011 - his position in the team is secure thanks to a multi-million sponsorship deal with his country's national oil company.
But the second seat is still up for grabs, and while Williams are not the attractive proposition they were in their glory days, they are the only decent choice for a whole host of drivers wishing to continue their F1 careers.
These include Barrichello, German Adrian Sutil, Brazilian Bruno Senna, Toro Rosso rejects Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi and Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi.
Sutil, who had an impressive second half of the season for Force India, has been the favourite for some time, but the situation appears to have shifted recently.
My sources tell me that Barrichello, who appeared to be out of the running as his 19th season in F1 drew to a close in November, has come back into the frame and now has a reasonable chance of a Williams drive in 2012.
Barrichello has been arguing for some time that, with the huge ructions going on at Williams through 2011 and over the winter, it would make sense to have a known reference in the drivers.
"With all the changes for next year on the engine side and engineers," he said at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, "it would be clever from the team to keep the drivers and keep on going. I'm not pushing them, I'm just trying to show them that is the way to do it."
You can see his point. The team are changing engine suppliers, replacing Cosworth with Renault, and have undergone a wholesale restructure of the design department, with a new technical director, head of aerodynamics and head of engineering.
New tech boss Mike Coughlan is admired as being very clever, but his last role as a technical director was with the now-defunct Arrows team, who collapsed in 2002. As chief designer of McLaren after that, he was involved in the spy-gate scandal that engulfed the team in 2007 and for which he was sacked.
The technical changes at Williams were made even more seismic when it emerged on New Year's Eve that not only was co-founder Patrick Head stepping down as director of engineering, he was also resigning his position on the F1 team's board, thereby cutting all his ties with the sport.
It had long been known that Head, one of the most respected engineers in the history of the sport, would no longer have an active role in the day-to-day F1 operation, but it was a surprise to hear he was not going to be on the board of directors.
Head has insisted that his decision to end his day-to-day F1 role was based on feeling his relevance in F1 was diminishing.
In Brazil, he said: "I certainly didn't have an ambition to stop my involvement in Formula One with a season like this last one we've had behind us.
"But when I have a look at what specifically I can do to assist Mike Coughlan and (chief operations officer) Mark Gillan and (head of aerodynamics) Jason Somerville, I came to the conclusion that it isn't really enough to justify me carrying on doing the same thing."
He will still be involved at Williams through their subsidiary company Williams Hybrid Power and remains close to team boss Sir Frank Williams, who will doubtless be turning to him for advice on a regular basis.
All the same, many will consider it unwise that a team in such flux, and with such a grave need to improve, will not have on their board the guidance and wisdom of a man who not only co-founded the company but who was directly responsible for seven drivers' championships and nine constructors' titles.
Why will he not be there? Williams and Head were both unavailable for comment on Monday. I'm told, though, that his difficult relationship with chief executive officer Adam Parr was a part of Head's decision to step down.
Ironically, Head's departure may ease Barrichello's path to a return.
Head is forthright character and I'm told he had grown tired of the Brazilian's complaints about the team's difficulties.
With the 65-year-old no longer involved, that on the face of it is one less barrier to Barrichello being in the car again.
It seems, though, that all the driver hopefuls will have to wait. Williams are in the process of sponsorship negotiations with the Gulf state of Qatar, and they take primacy over a final decision on drivers.
With more than a month until the start of pre-season testing on 7 February, there is plenty of time to sort out drivers. After all, it's not as if Williams are struggling for choice.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2012/01/barrichello_back_in_williams_f.html
Sebastien Bourdais Thierry Boutsen Johnny Boyd David Brabham
Team order rule needs a re-think
 Jean Todt arives for Wednesday's hearing |
“Whether you are for or against team orders, if the FIA could not back up its own rules and nail a competitor in a blatant case such as this the rule really does need reviewing. Perhaps Ferrari’s thinly-veiled threat to take the matter to the civil courts if they were punished too harshly scared the governing body, who as much as admitted the flimsiness of its rule."Paul Weaver, reporting for the Guardian in Monza, was in favour of the ruling which keeps alive Ferrari’s slim chances in an enthralling championship.
“The World Motor Sport Council was right not to ruin a compelling Formula One season by taking away the 25 points Alonso collected in Germany. That would have put him out of the five-man title race. But the council was widely expected to increase the fine and possibly deduct points from the team, as opposed to the individual. In the end, it could be argued that common sense prevailed. But the decision will dismay those who were upset by the way Ferrari handled the situation as much as anything else.”The Daily Mail's Jonathan McEvoy expressed outrage at the FIA tearing up its own rule book by allowing Ferrari to escape unpunished.
"Although the race stewards fined them £65,000 for giving team orders in July, the FIA World Motor Sport Council, to whom the matter was referred, decided not to impose any further punishment. It leaves the sport's rulers open to derision. It was, after all, their rule they undermined. In a statement, the WMSC said the regulation banning team orders 'should be reviewed'."
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/09/team_order_rule_needs_a_rethin_1.php
Team orders in spotlight again
| Will Christian Horner regret not utilising team orders in Brazil? |
“The extra seven points Alonso collected when Ferrari ordered Felipe Massa to move over for him in Germany earlier in the season are now looking even more crucial. “And the £65,000 fine they picked up for ruthlessly breaking the rules will seem loose change if Alonso clinches the title in his first year with the Maranello team. “Red Bull could have switched the result yesterday given their crushing dominance and still celebrated their first constructors' championship just five years after coming into the sport. “That would also have given Webber an extra seven points, leaving him just one behind Alonso.”The Guardian’s Paul Weaver says that if Fernando Alonso does take the drivers’ title in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari owes a debt of gratitude to Red Bull for their decision not to employ team orders in Brazil.
“If Alonso does take the title next week it would not be inappropriate were he and Ferrari to send a few gallons of champagne to Red Bull's headquarters in Milton Keynes. “While Red Bull should be heartily applauded for the championship they did win today their apparent acceptance that Ferrari might carry off the more glamorous prize continues to baffle Formula One and its globetrotting supporters. “Their refusal to make life easy for Webber, who has led for much of the season and is still seven points ahead of Vettel, means that whatever happens in the desert next week Alonso, the only driver who was capable of taking the championship in the race today, only has to secure second place to guarantee his third world title.”The Independent’s David Tremayne is also of the opinion that Red Bull may regret not using team orders in Brazil.
“Had Red Bull elected to adopt team orders and let Webber win – something that the governing body allows when championships are at stake – Webber would have left Brazil with 245 points – just one point off the lead. For some that was confirmation of his suggestion that Vettel is the team's favoured driver – which generated an angry call from team owner Dietrich Mateschitz in Austria and was much denied by team principal, Christian Horner. “And it sets up a situation where, if the result is repeated next weekend, as is likely, Vettel and Webber will tie on 256, five behind Alonso.”The Mirror’s Byron Young has put Lewis Hamilton’s fading title chances down to an inferior McLaren machine and he admits the 2008 World Champion now needs a miracle.
“Sebastian Vettel's victory sends the world title fight to a four-way showdown for the first time in the sport's history. “Hamilton goes there as part of that story with a 24-point deficit to Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, but with just 25 on offer in the final round in six days' time it would take more than a miracle. “Driving an outclassed McLaren he slugged it out against superior machinery and stiff odds to finish fourth.”
Source: http://blogs.espnf1.com/paperroundf1/archives/2010/11/team_orders_in_spotlight_again_1.php
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