The WINTER boredom thread

**epiclyaddicted** · 21st December 2011, 11:30

I really don't want Paul Ricard, certainly not alternating with Spa!

Paul Ricard is primarily a test track and is horrible for racing.

**ferrari4life** · 21st December 2011, 14:28

Kimi Raikkonen is adamant he will be as fast as he was before leaving Formula 1 when he returns to grand prix racing with Lotus next year.

The Finn has secured a two-year deal with the team and will make his comeback in 2012 after a two-season absence from Formula 1.

Raikkonen, the world champion in 2007, says his motivation is higher than ever before and is confident he will be as quick as he was before he went rallying.

"I am more motivated than ever and I don't think I've lost any speed," said Raikkonen on Lotus Renault's website. "Getting on top of the tyres will be the hardest thing, of course, but I'm not really worried.

"Although the technical regulations don't seem to change much, they apply to a lot of areas and quite a few elements will have to be re-designed. As a result, the cars will be significantly different next year. The order could be shaken up, which will make things very interesting."

The Finn says his visits to the team's factory have left him upbeat about his prospects for the year ahead.

He added: "My two visits to Enstone have been great. The first one, at the team's Christmas party, made me realise how much support I have there. The second one, last week, allowed me to understand that this team has not been world champion by coincidence.

"I also saw all the investments they have made recently: new simulator building, CFD upgrade, 60 per cent wind tunnel... It gives me a lot of confidence for the season ahead.

"I have been surprised at how big the reaction has been so I guess people must have missed me!"

He said returning to Formula 1 is like coming back home after two years in the WRC.

"Let's put it this way: before my two years of rallying I had nine seasons, 157 races and 18 wins in Formula 1. I know the sport well. When I went to rallying and when I tried NASCAR, there were many new things to learn, but with Formula 1 I feel like I'm coming home. I can't wait to get behind the wheel."

**ferrari4life** · 21st December 2011, 14:29

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96813

I didnt think this needed its own thread. But I got a laugh out of it when I read the title.
If he is still as fast as he was before he left then I think Lotus better save their money for next season and not field a car

**Katu** · 21st December 2011, 14:34

Originally Posted by ferrari4life

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96813

I didnt think this needed its own thread. But I got a laugh out of it when I read the title.
If he is still as fast as he was before he left then I think Lotus better save their money for next season and not field a car

Grosejean wouldn't have any problems beating him then...

**Hermann** · 21st December 2011, 15:39

Massa almost won the title in 2008 and was faster than Kimi in 2009, so yes, if he will be 'as fast as before'- fitting for LR.
Articles like this are only good for feeding the Kimibots. And yes i'm bored :xmasredface:

**NJB13** · 21st December 2011, 16:46

Originally Posted by Hermann

Massa almost won the title in 2008 and was faster than Kimi in 2009, so yes, if he will be 'as fast as before'- fitting for LR.
Articles like this are only good for feeding the Kimibots. And yes i'm bored :xmasredface:

IMO Felipe was the champion of 20008

**epiclyaddicted** · 21st December 2011, 16:51

Originally Posted by NJB13

IMO Felipe was the champion of 20008

Is that according to the Gregorian calendar?

Didn't know you could predict the future (and that Felipe is immortal). :xmasbiggrin:

**NJB13** · 21st December 2011, 23:31

Originally Posted by ek583

Is that according to the Gregorian calendar?

Didn't know you could predict the future (and that Felipe is immortal). :xmasbiggrin:

Lol, I wonder what the car would be called?

**Raz** · 22nd December 2011, 12:40

**ferrari4life** · 22nd December 2011, 14:35

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/73...-m-Coming-Home

"When I went to rallying and when I tried NASCAR, there were many new things to learn, but with Formula 1 I feel like I'm coming home. I can't wait to get behind the wheel."

Ok so he was cool with taking a bunch of money from us to leave his "HOME" for a year. Hope he gets his rear handed to him next year. like his predecessor MS

**Hermann** · 22nd December 2011, 14:44

Whatever Kimi feels, might change after half a season with other cars (preferably the Ferraris) driving circles around him. And then those pesky interviews- and all that media attention- sponsor events- and so on- we will see....

**Katu** · 22nd December 2011, 14:45

but he so loved nascar... i don't get it....

**ferrari4life** · 22nd December 2011, 14:52

Originally Posted by Katu

but he so loved nascar... i don't get it....

Maybe its more like. "Home is where the money is"

**Nova** · 23rd December 2011, 03:15

Great TG stuff Raz!!!:xmasbiggrin:

**Alessandra** · 30th December 2011, 13:13

Apologies if this has already been posted but I found these explanations and what they mean piece regarding the 2012 regulations very helpful - bleacherreport.com

I haven't read them all but so far I've pretty well understood at least the implications for racing, if not completely all the mechanics!! I shall continue to work on that:xmasbiggrin:

**Hornet** · 31st December 2011, 16:43

Happy New Year everyone :xmasbiggrin:

Will be a busy month for me, and before we know it, its time for the new Ferrari in Feb, followed by testing and the new season.

Sorry, I'm too excited :xmasbiggrin:

**Alessandra** · 3rd January 2012, 14:38

A possiblity we might be able to make it to Spa race ths year.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on the best place to watch. Have looked at Eau Rouge, of course, and it does look tremendous. But there are some comments regarding the sight lines; some say the stand isn't raked enough to make watching good unless you're standing and as a not extravagantly tall person I try to avoid that situation.

I really would love to go and I must say Eau Rouge looks glorious on u-tube clips and the stand is covered - a good thing at Spa I'd guess - but staring at the backs of much taller spectators for 2 hours is a bit of a waste of money.
Is it really that bad or is there another part of the track that's exciting to watch from and you'd not mind sharing your thoughts with me.:xmassmile:

**coolrunnings_99** · 3rd January 2012, 15:01

get there early on Sunday, and you wont have any trouble..there is warm up, supporting races...also good spot on Spa should be any stand after the long straight (after Eau Rouge), still when there, one should be at Eau Rouge

**Alessandra** · 3rd January 2012, 15:24

Originally Posted by coolrunnings_99

get there early on Sunday, and you wont have any trouble..there is warm up, supporting races...also good spot on Spa should be any stand after the long straight (after Eau Rouge), still when there, one should be at Eau Rouge

Eau Rouge it is then:xmasbiggrin: Thanks a lot.

**Suzie** · 3rd January 2012, 17:21

Originally Posted by Alessandra

A possiblity we might be able to make it to Spa race ths year.

I'd appreciate any thoughts on the best place to watch. Have looked at Eau Rouge, of course, and it does look tremendous. But there are some comments regarding the sight lines; some say the stand isn't raked enough to make watching good unless you're standing and as a not extravagantly tall person I try to avoid that situation.

I really would love to go and I must say Eau Rouge looks glorious on u-tube clips and the stand is covered - a good thing at Spa I'd guess - but staring at the backs of much taller spectators for 2 hours is a bit of a waste of money.
Is it really that bad or is there another part of the track that's exciting to watch from and you'd not mind sharing your thoughts with me.:xmassmile:

Depends which grandstand at Eau Rouge you sit at. I sat at Silver 2 (uncovered) in 2009 and it was fine - good view of Eau Rouge and I am not tall!
I know that some other grandstands there are at such an angle that you don't get as good a view, but like I said, Silver 2 does not have that issue.

If you don't go for Eau Rouge, I'd plump for La Source - dearer, though.

**Alessandra** · 3rd January 2012, 17:27

Originally Posted by Suzie

Depends which grandstand at Eau Rouge you sit at. I sat at Silver 2 (uncovered) in 2009 and it was fine - good view of Eau Rouge and I am not tall!
I know that some other grandstands there are at such an angle that you don't get as good a view, but like I said, Silver 2 does not have that issue.

If you don't go for Eau Rouge, I'd plump for La Source - dearer, though.

Thanks Suzie. I had thought of La Source too but hadn't realised it was dearer. I'm reassured that you don't need to be 8 foot tall to see anything

**Suzie** · 3rd January 2012, 18:00

Originally Posted by Alessandra

Thanks Suzie. I had thought of La Source too but hadn't realised it was dearer. I'm reassured that you don't need to be 8 foot tall to see anything

From what I can remember, La Source is a gold grandstand whereas ours at Eau Rouge was silver. So there may not be a difference in price between gold grandstands.

**racingbradley** · 4th January 2012, 12:53

just watched Felipe & Nando driving vintage racing cars on utube taken from Ferrari mag I think the title is The Origins.
A few months back we had a thread here about that day. Does anyone remember the title as I have tried a few unsuccessful searches.

**Ste** · 4th January 2012, 13:06

Originally Posted by racingbradley

just watched Felipe & Nando driving vintage racing cars on utube taken from Ferrari mag I think the title is The Origins.
A few months back we had a thread here about that day. Does anyone remember the title as I have tried a few unsuccessful searches.

I could only find this one post with this one picture in...

http://www.thescuderia.net/forums/sh...402#post679402

**Ste** · 4th January 2012, 13:10

Incidentally I've just found a few funny pictures. These are taken from the 20th December 2011.

**Schumiklub** · 4th January 2012, 13:37

Maybe it's not the right place to write this, but I have to rant a bit. Is Bernie crazy? Does he really think I'll pay $31 for his official Android app which was free for the past two years?

http://www.formula1.com/mobile_servi...ve_timing.html

https://market.android.com/details?i....timingapp2012

**racingbradley** · 4th January 2012, 13:39

Great pics Ste Thank you. We three Kings spring to mind.

**Alessandra** · 4th January 2012, 13:43

Originally Posted by Suzie

From what I can remember, La Source is a gold grandstand whereas ours at Eau Rouge was silver. So there may not be a difference in price between gold grandstands.

OK, the die is cast now. I shall report back in September