Vector

I originally thought it was that as well, but from what I understand after reading through the FIA statement and the reports, it's a permanent (possibly indefinite?) ban from F1 that's put on suspsension for two years until it's dropped (or until Renault F1 cause a incident of similar severity within that time and cause the ban to take effect), rather than being a ban from F1 for two years.

Hmmm, looks like the FIA also took the time to make another press release today, this time a rule change/decision and the 2010 Calender. Source: http://fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/wmsc/2009/Pages/wmsc_210909a.aspx

Alright, the hearing took place earlier today, and a verdict has been made. Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8266090.stm http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/wmsc/2009/Pages/wmsc_210909.aspx So to put simply (and for those who for some reason don't want to read the whole article ): - Renault have been given a two-year suspended ban for their role in fixing last year's Singapore Grand Prix until the end of the 2011 season, and the ban will only go into effect if "Renault F1 is found guilty of a comparable breach during that time". - Former team boss Flavio Briatore has been banned from FIA sanctioned events for an unlimited period, with the FIA also announcing it'll not grant/renew licenses to any team or driver associated (through a management contract or otherwise) with Flavio Briatore or anyone associated with him. - Renault's ex-engineering director Pat Symonds received a similar sentence (including not granting licenses to teams working with him), except he's only banned from FIA sanctioned events for five years. - The FIA will not be pursuing any action against Nelson Piquet Jr., due to him being offered immunity for his role in uncovering the details of the scandal.

Ok, I just came across this in another forum as it seems to have just been announced, and then checked the Renault F1 Team website to validate it. Picked up by Autosport, seemed to have gotten a mention on BBC (radio?) and likely more once it's picked up (EDIT: Now it's mentioned on the BBC website). Source: http://www.ing-renaultf1.com/en/_2009/team/index.php#/team/newsdesk/communiques/

@AdamDRFC: From checking the BMW Sauber site (after reading news about it online), it makes mention of BMW wishing "Qadbak and the Sauber Team every success for the 2010 season and beyond", so you never know, the Sauber name might remain. But I guess we'll have to wait and see what name the team will definitely go under. And I'm a bit mixed at the moment in regards to changing the points system, and I understand the reasoning for expanding it due to the grid increasing to 26/28, though I will agree that the winner should have more than a two point gain against a 2nd placed driver. I wouldn't be against the points system expanding to the top ten if need be, but I guess my only issue with changing it to accomodate the expanded grid is that I recall there was around a similar number of cars on the grid during the 80s and 90s, with no refuelling until '94 as well as points only for just the top 6 throughout it all. To those who watched Formula One during the 80s-90s, did the points system work out ok during that time, or was this not at all the case?

Since there's been no mention of it on here yet, here's what was announced earlier today, in regards to deciding who, out of three teams in consideration, would take the remaining spot on the grid, following BMW Sauber's withdrawal a few months ago. (Taken from BBC Formula 1 website - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8256295.stm, Source - FIA.com ) I think it'll be interesting to see the Lotus name return to the grid (especially when I was hoping for it to be selected as one of the three new teams in the first place ), and we might see the Sauber team staying on for next year, depending on whether or not all existing teams give approval to allow the grid to be extended to 28 cars instead of 26.

Looks like despite the disagreement from the big F1 teams about it, the budget cap is still catching the interest of more teams looking to join F1 as deadlines draw near. Right now, Formula Three team Litespeed is now considering joining F1 and is collaborating with MGI Ltd, led by former Toyota and Force India technical director Mike Gascoyne. Also, Lola is set to submit/already submitted an application to join F1, so they might be a likely candidate to join the grid next year. Elsewhere, coming across this piece of news on the BBC Teletext, and also found here, talks between F1 teams and the FIA fell through earlier today with regards to the budget cap, with Max Mosley mentioning that there'd be no compromise on the buget cap, though agreed that a two-tier championship was not acceptable. It also mentioned that Ferrari has filed an injunction to block the proposed buget cap.

I did hear about it a few times during last month and the article explaining it in the FIA's budget cap report confirms it, so I think it could be good, would mean a bit more competition. Now in regards to who might join next season, the idea of a Team USA joining was brought up during the past month (though I've no idea if that's confirmed). But looking on the Official Formula 1 Website, you have former Benetton & BAR boss David Richards considering joining with his Prodrive team, and we could possibly see the return of Lola to Formula 1. Looking at the report again, we'll definitely find out during the next month and a half as to who's interested and who'll join next season.

Source: The Official Formula 1 Website (http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/4/9113.html)

I've now got a new private game up, still using the F1 2008 set as before. Just need a minimum of nine more to join, though a maximum of a further 12 can also join. Anyone interested in joining this game, including those new to BATracer, the address for it is http://batracer.com/-cj?&D&37945. Private password for it: Warfare. Any questions, feel free to ask.

Ok, so hopefully as long as no server issues come up, my private A1GP game will be finished around this Monday, so I'll definitely have a free slot available for another private game between us. I just want to know if anyone is still up for another private game (perhaps obvious choice F1 2008, F1 1986 or IndyCar 2008), or would we have to leave it for another time?

Hell if I know most of these, but this one stood out from Reily's: Iron Maiden - Hallowed Be Thy Name

...My goodness is this game fun. Granted, it can be difficult at points and the player is a bit slippery to control (probably intentional). At the same time, however, I found it to be simple yet challenging and it has good variation so you're not playing the same sort of level over and over again. But yeah, to put it simply, just damn fun.

Any chance would you be willing to wait for just a few more weeks? Currently involved in an A1GP private game, and it won't finish until sometime during the 1st week of March. And that's hoping there aren't any further server issues/downtime/whatever to delay it, like it has already done previously.

Bah! I was gonna wait until a new owner was appointed for our team and take it from there. But if that's the case, looks like I'm gonna have to advertise my HB as well. Docpepper (or anyone else running/part of a team for that matter), would the owner be interested in either of these two players? Level 20 HB - http://goallineblitz.com/game/player.pl?player_id=807827 - EDIT: Got him instantly into another team soon after being released. Level 13 QB - http://goallineblitz.com/game/player.pl?player_id=975895