F1 General News and Discussion thread 2011

[kevrulezz]

http://en.espnf1.com/lotus/motorsport/story/37853.html

Ski injury could postpone Branson's stewardess debut
ESPNF1 Staff
January 11, 2011

Sir Richard Branson might have to pull out of his appearance as an AirAsia stewardess on a London to Kuala Lumpur flight on February 21 due to a skiing injury.

The billionaire lost a bet with fellow airline owner Tony Fernandes because Branson's Virgin Racing finished behind Fernandes' Lotus in 2010. The pair had planned to auction tickets, but with the in-flight entertainment in doubt, the trip might have to be delayed.

"Update on Richard Branson flight," Fernandes posted on Twitter. "May be a delay as Richard injured himself skiing. Will call him today. So that's why no announcement yet"

I really hope this goes ahead, I think a lot of people have been waiting to see this happen since the bet was made, let alone when Lotus won it.

[Supersleeper]

Skiing accident or "Skiing Accident"..... 

Well - we thought it would never happen - but there it is - F1 in HD.


Brilliant. 

[Mothers Worry]

http://en.espnf1.com/lotus/motorsport/story/37853.html

Ski injury could postpone Branson's stewardess debut
ESPNF1 Staff
January 11, 2011

Sir Richard Branson might have to pull out of his appearance as an AirAsia stewardess on a London to Kuala Lumpur flight on February 21 due to a skiing injury.

The billionaire lost a bet with fellow airline owner Tony Fernandes because Branson's Virgin Racing finished behind Fernandes' Lotus in 2010. The pair had planned to auction tickets, but with the in-flight entertainment in doubt, the trip might have to be delayed.

"Update on Richard Branson flight," Fernandes posted on Twitter. "May be a delay as Richard injured himself skiing. Will call him today. So that's why no announcement yet"

I really hope this goes ahead, I think a lot of people have been waiting to see this happen since the bet was made, let alone when Lotus won it.

I think he's just looking for excuses and an easy out............ 

[Jiji_the_cat]

Not sure if this has been discussed anywhere, but williams are thinking about floating.

http://www.insideinvestorrelations.com/articles/17417/williams-f1-team-considers-float/

[Jiji_the_cat]

Robert Kubica has been seriously injured today after hitting a wall in the Ronde di Andora Rally. At this moment he is being checked out by the medical examiners and the latest news that i have is that he is seriously injured but concious. It is suspected he may never drive an F1 car again due to an earlier arm reconstruction a few years ago. Looks like he definately will not be there for the start of the season anyway.

A Renault statement read: "Robert Kubica suffered an accident at high speed this morning while competing in the Ronde di Andora Rally.
"The driver was airlifted to Pietra Ligure Hospital where he is currently undergoing medical checks. His co-driver [Jakub Gerber] is fine."
They added that another statement would be issued as soon as more information was known about their driver's condition.
Reports suggested that Kubica was 4.6km from the start of the Ronde di Andora rally when the crash occurred on Sunday.
The former driver for the BMW Sauber team in Formula 1 regularly competes in rallies and was driving a week after testing the new Renault in Valencia ahead of the season's opener in Bahrain.
Kubica was due to lead Renault alongside Russian Vitaly Petrov of Russia, who has a long-term contract to race for the team after signing for the 2011 and 2012 season over the winter.
The reserve drivers for 2011 include Bruno Senna - who raced for Hispania last season - and Frenchman Romain Grosjean, who drove for Renault as a replacement for Nelson Piquet Jr in 2009.
It is likely that either of these drivers will be called up for the second pre-season test which starts in Jerez on Thursday.
Kubica was an impressive performer last season to finish in eighth position in the drivers' table, securing second at Melbourne and a third in Monaco and Belgium.

[WilliamsF1]

Terrible, terrible news. I just hope that he is able to fully recover and get back behind the wheel someday since that was an almighty crash. Here is a link to the aftermath of the crash:



'However, team principal Eric Boullier made it clear last week that Bruno Senna would be his number one choice to slot into a race seat - because he is the one with the most contemporary F1 experience.' Looks like it will be Senna racing for Lotus Renault in a black and gold JPS livery once again..

I wish Robert all the very best.

[Jiji_the_cat]

Doctors are reasonably satisfied with how Robert's 7-hour operation went. His hand is well vascularised and warm, which is encouraging.

As a side note to all this, i cant believe Renault, and other teams as the case may be, allow their drivers to race in other catagories increasing the risk to something happening and the team losing one of their drivers.

[kevrulezz]

I've been reading reports that he has serious injuries to his leg and hand, I have also read that surgeons 'battle' to save his hand and their are questions about what he will be able to with his hand once he has recovered - their are reports that it was 'crushed'.

To think just last week when I read Bruno was one of Renault's reserve drivers this season I was thinking how amazing it would be to see the Senna name in a black and gold lotus, since I've only seen youtube video's of this. This is not how I imagined it come about however.

I hope Kubica recovers completely and we see him in an F1 car again soon, but I have to admit I wouldn't mind seeing what Bruno Senna can do in a competitive car.

Just read this on James Allen's blog
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2011/02/video-kubica-doctor-speaks-of-ongoing-risks-to-hand/

Following seven hours of surgery this evening the doctor treating Robert Kubica has said that he believes the Polish driver will not know for one whole year whether his hand will regain functionality.

I’ve shown it to medics here in London tonight and it is clear from Dr Igor Rossello’s words that the extent of the reconstruction is massive, forearm, tendons, blood vessels, nerves. Kubica’s hand was obviously severely damaged and there are ongoing risks.

[Jiji_the_cat]

Courtesy of Renault

Robert Kubica underwent a seven-hour operation at the Santa Corona Hospital in Pietra Ligure this afternoon. The Lotus Renault GP driver had been diagnosed with multiple fractures to his right arm and leg following a high-speed accident at the Ronda de Andora rally this morning. He also suffered severe cuts to his forearm, which could have an impact on his right hand mobility.

Doctors are reasonably satisfied with the way the operation went. Tonight, Robert’s condition remains stable but serious. He has been placed into an induced coma and could be woken up in the morning.

Professor Mario Igor Rossello, Director for the Regional Centre of Hand Surgery at San Paolo Hospital in Savona: “It has been a very important and difficult operation. Robert Kubica’s right forearm was cut in two places, with significant lesions to the bones and the tendons. We did our best to rebuild the functions of the forearm. It took seven doctors, split into two teams and a total of seven hours to complete the operation. One team was the emergency task force from the hospital of San Paolo (Savona) that is normally appointed to treat this sort of injury, while the other team came from the orthopaedic department of the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure). At the end of the operation, Robert’s hand was well vascularised and warm, which is encouraging. Following the surgery, Robert Kubica will remain under permanent monitoring overnight because his condition remains serious.”

Eric Boullier, Team Principal and Managing Director of Lotus Renault GP: “The news of Robert’s accident came as a real shock to the whole team. All of us, at Lotus Renault GP, wish him a quick recovery. We have been really impressed with the way the doctors looked after him today and we would like to thank the whole team of the Santa Corona Hospital for their professional approach and dedication. I will be traveling to Italy tomorrow, along with Vitaly Petrov, in order to see Robert and tell him that we are impatiently waiting for his return.”

Another update will be made tomorrow morning at 9h30, at the hospital, by Prof. Rossello and Daniel Morelli, Robert’s manager.

[coops]

This is devastating news for Robert and I wish him all the best in his recovery. It sounds like he has a long recovery ahead of him even if things go well for him, so I hope the surgeons have been able save his hand and arm and hopefully his feeling and abilities with it also.

 It will be awesome if he can come back from this and compete in F1 again. I'm bummed that we won't see him race this year as I'm sure he could have shaken things up and taken it to the front runners this season.

[bpratt]

Crap!.... I was looking forward to see how well he performed this year in the new Lotus Renault, as I think he really would have made the Renault look better than it otherwise might have been.

Now it looks like we'll be lucky to see him back in a F1 car next year if at all.


Sure hope things work out well for him though.

[Ian G.]

Reports this Morning he's out for the season but i guess we will have to wait and see what Robert says.
Slight glimpse of the wreck from the following car.

[Jiji_the_cat]

thanks for the vid.

like you guys i hope he makes a full recovery and we see him back in F1 again. I was really really looking forward to seeing what he could do in the renault. he made the car look heaps better than it was last season, and would have definately thrown a spanner in the works for quite few teams this season as well.

Here's to a full recovery 

[coops]

You can see the guard rail still in the front of the car and through out the back of it  . it also shows that there was absolutely no room for error on those streets. Bugger that. Thanks for the vid Ian.

[Mothers Worry]

Get well soon...........

[Jiji_the_cat]

latest press release from renault

Robert’s general condition is much better today.

After spending the night under constant observation, he was briefly woken up by the doctors of the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure) this morning. The Lotus Renault GP driver was then able to talk to his relatives. He was also able to move his fingers, which is encouraging for the rest of his recovery process.

Professor Mario Igor Rossello, Director for the Regional Centre of Hand Surgery at San Paolo Hospital in Savona, did not notice any swelling or infection on his right forearm, and this is another good sign, although it will be several days before it is known if the operation has been 100% successful.

In order to avoid any physical stress, Robert will be put under gentle medication in order to sleep for the next 24 hours at least. Meanwhile, the doctors will decide how they will treat his elbow and shoulder fractures. Robert may have to undergo surgery once again for this, but not for a few days.

Lotus Renault GP wishes to thank the Hospital of San Paolo (Savona) and the Santa Corona Hospital (Pietra Ligure) for their professional approach and their dedication.

Lotus Renault GP will issue another update on Robert’s condition later this evening.

[Mothers Worry]

Doctors say Kubica's condition improving

From the f1times.com:

Doctors say Kubica's condition improving

Monday 14th February 2011 

Robert Kubica's condition continues to improve, say his doctors, contrary to recent reports which suggest otherwise.

The Renault driver was involved in a rallying accident last week and has been in hospital since. He has so far undergone two operations which have both lasted several hours each.

Reports on Monday suggested his condition had deteriorated, but medical staff have confirmed this isn't true. In fact, his recovery is going better than expected which has allowed for his final operation, to repair his elbow, to go ahead on Wednesday.

"Robert Kubica's general conditions are good," said his doctor. "Kubica will remain in intensive care for two more days in order to undergo a complete check up and to avoid another ward change before the final operation.

"The clinical picture is so satisfying that it allows for programming of the final surgery for Wednesday."

The Renault team added: "The latest update on Robert is that his condition remains positive. He will stay in intensive care for the next couple of days to allow a complete check-up and to avoid another change of department before his final operation. "

[Mothers Worry]

Vettel "would pay" to drive Ferrari

From Reuters via Yahoo!7 Sport:

Vettel "would pay" to drive Ferrari

Reuters February 15, 2011

MILAN, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Red Bull's Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel continued to pay lavish compliments to Ferrari on Tuesday, joking he would finance a holiday for Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa so he could drive the red car.

Asked what he would do if he could not drive the Red Bull next season, Vettel told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Probably I would offer a holiday to Alonso and Massa. Even if I'm not sure they would shake my hand."

The 23-year-old German has often maintained it was every driver's wish to one day race for Ferrari but his continued comments make uncomfortable reading for title holders Red Bull, even if he thanked them for their work.

"My dream is to race one day for Maranello. Anyway, I'm still young, there's time. And for the moment I'm happy to be at Red Bull, without them I would never have arrived in F1."

He added to other Italian media: "I would like a podium at Monza with Ferrari. And one day I hope to have a Ferrari in my garage. Despite being at Red Bull there are lots of Italians supporting me."

Alonso finished second to Vettel in last year's championship but fellow Ferrari driver Massa had a difficult campaign and his future will be under scrutiny once the new season starts in Bahrain on March 13.

Like many drivers this season, Vettel is unhappy with the number of buttons he has to press with the re-introduction of the KERS energy recovery system and a moveable rear wing possibly creating more chances for overtaking.

"Drivers are born to drive, not to play with buttons. I'm not convinced it's a good thing," he told Gazzetta following testing at Jerez which he said "went well".

"I would prefer that overtaking remains difficult."

The world champion also had words of support for Robert Kubica, badly injured in a rally crash, and his likely Renault substitute Nick Heidfeld.

"I was surprised because Robert can consider himself a rallying expert. We can't lock ourselves in cages," Vettel added about Renault's willingness to let Kubica go rallying.

"In Jerez, Heidfeld worked well ... He deserves this chance."

I actually find this laughable. The implication is that Disco Energy Drink Fanbboy considers that the only way he can get a drive with the most prestigious team in F1 is to buy his way in.

Real drivers, talented racers, get offers to join Ferrari dickhead..... you stay with RBR. I'm sure Horny Christian will have an action figure of you ready to market any time now.

I'm sure Disco Energy Drink Fanboy has all the time in the world for Renault. It was them, and particularly their Russian guy, that blocked Alonso and Webber in the last race of 2010 which has resulted in this WDC train wreck.

[Mothers Worry]

Kubica's third eight-hour operation a success

From the f1times.com:

Kubica's third eight-hour operation a success

Wednesday 16th February 2011

Robert Kubica has undergone a third, and hopefully final, major operation, this time on his elbow.

The doctors declared the eight hour operation to reconstruct his fractured elbow a success.

"As scheduled, Robert was back in surgery today as doctors at Santa Corona Hospital treated the complex fracture to his elbow," read a statement from the team.

"The operation lasted eight hours in order to stabilise and reconstruct the damaged fragments of the delicate joint structure. At the end of the surgery, the doctors were pleased with the outcome, with the procedure being completed successfully

"Robert will remain in intensive care for a few days as he recovers from this latest operation."

In other, related news, Nick Heidfeld has secured the open seat at Lotus-Renault for the 2011 season.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Season opener in Bahrain under real threat

From the f1times.com:

Season opener in Bahrain under real threat

Thursday 17th February 2011 

The un-rest in Bahrain has grown once again leading to the postponement of Thursday's GP2 practice session after medical staff were diverted from the Sakhir circuit to local medical facilities.

It is reported that up to 5 people have died and more than 300 people have been injured after clashing with Police in the local political protests.

Protests started in the capital city of Manama this week after thousands of Shi'ite protesters took to the streets demanding that their political views are listened to more by the Sunni Muslim family who rules over a majority Shi'ite population.

The final F1 pre-season test is due to take place in Bahrain from 3rd - 6th March with the season's opening race taking place in the Gulf Arab kingdom on Sunday 13th March - both sessions have been described as being "under threat."

Organisers of the F1 feeder serier, GP2, said in a statement, "Due to the current local events, the medical staff normally stationed at the circuit has been temporary called to the city's hospitals in case of an emergency.

"For obvious safety reasons, the GP2 Series organisers have decided to postpone today's track activity until Friday."

Formula 1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone, admitted on Wednesday that the risk to F1's planned activities in Bahrain was "obvious" and that he was "watching events closely".

It has been reported that organisers and bosses at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, host to F1's penultimate race of the season, have said they are ready and willing to host the final session of pre-season testing if things in Bahrain don't ease up.

[WilliamsF1]

The GP2 race has been cancelled altogether now.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/89525

I doubt it would happen, but I wouldn't be surprised if the F1 race was cancelled aswell.