F1 Grand Prix 2009

[timey]

I can understand the US being dropped as they are more into indy and NASCAR there, but Canada has such a long and illustrious tradition in F1, so I am surprised. But the far east is certainly coming into it more and there is now a lot of competition to host grand prix.

[Alpha]

Thanks for the info Dave.

[Chippychap]

Although now totally free of chemical performance enhancers Dwain Chambers still thinks he can win the British F1 GP, even without a car.............

[Alpha]

The drivers and the cars:

Ferrari: Felipe Massa & Kimi Raikkonen
Ferrari won the constructers' Championship easily last year and will be favourites to retain the title. The have a strong design team and consistency in their driver line-up.

McLaren: Lewis Hamilton & Heikki Kovalainen
Hamilton's confidence is sky high, but McLaren will need Kovalainen to score more points than last year if they are to challange Ferrari.

BMW Sauber: Robert Kubica & Nick Heidfeld
Kubica was challenging for the championship for much of last season and has now arved out a place as the number one in the team, though expect Heidfeld to win a race or two.

Renault: Fernando Alonso & Nelson Piquet Jr
Piquet will be stronger this year in his second season, but Renault is still about Alonso, who was back to his winning ways towards the end of last year.

Toyota: Timo Glock & Jarno Trulli
In terms of manufacturing, Toyota should be right up there, but they've been having problems with their new brake system and that could mean a very difficult early season.

Toro Rosso: Sebastien Bourdais & Sebastien Buemi
Expect Toro Rosso to continue with their impressive form, but they may not win a race this year now that Sebastian Vettel has gone to Red Bull.

Red Bull: Sebastian Vettel & Mark Webber
Chief technical officer Adrian Newey has built a very nice, tidy new car. Vettel and Webber are very good drivers so, even if there are no wins, regular podium finishes are possible.

Williams: Nico Rosberg & Kazuki Nakajima
The season's dark horses. Be tempted to put a tenner on Williams to win the Constructors' Championship at 100-1 because they are a sleeping giant and have some good people.

Force India: Adrian Sutil & Giancarlo Fisichella
They are now effectively a McLaren B-team as they have a McLaren engine and gearbox, and they may just do very well. Sutil needs to prove that he's a top driver.

Brawn GP: Jenson Button & Rubens Barrichello
Ex-team principal Ross Brawn has taken over the Honda team, and new engine supplier Mercedes are hoping for a big step up in performance.


Ted Kravits, TV & Satellite

[Mickyboy]

Im must admit to being a bit concerened for Lewis Alpha, cos he says that McClaren are having trouble adapting the new car to the new regs, but im sure the brilliant mechanics will sort it out before the first race.

[Alpha]

And the BBC F1 team are:

Martin Brundle
Jonathan Legard
Eddie Jordan
Jake Humphrey
David Coulthard
Lee McKenzie
Ted Kravitz

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1

[Mickyboy]

And the BBC F1 team are:

Martin Brundle
Jonathan Legard
Eddie Jordan
Jake Humphrey
David Coulthard
Lee McKenzie
Ted Kravitz

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1

They should bring Murray Walker out of retirement for the first race.

[Alpha]

He's actually doing the online coverage.

[Mickyboy]

He's actually doing the online coverage.

Nice one.

[Alpha]

Jenson Button won the Australian Grand Prix.
BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | Button seals dream Australia win

The replay is on at 1pm.