F1 Ticking down

[jacksmar]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/motor-r...6402--spt.html

(Reuters) - Retired triple Formula One champion Niki Lauda has left the board of Air Berlin so he can devote more time to his new role with Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes Formula One team, the airline said on Thursday.

Austrian Lauda was named as non-executive chairman of the British-based team's board when 2008 champion Hamilton was signed from McLaren last September.

Since then, Mercedes have announced the departure of motorsport chief Norbert Haug after more than 20 years in the high-profile job.

Lauda, 63 and a former Jaguar team principal, is expected to play a link role between the team and Stuttgart car manufacturer.


Big news actually. BTW, Hamilton wasn't exactly signed away from McLaren. McLaren didn't want him back.

[jacksmar]

My prediction for F1 2013: Ecclestone will step down.

[jacksmar]

http://www.mementoexclusives.com/Buy...ar-p/tg184.htm

If you need to know the price.......

[jacksmar]

http://www.cityam.com/sport/f1-disor...sts-sir-jackie

F1 disorganised, blasts Sir Jackie

Monday 7th January 2013, 3:46am
EXCLUSIVE
CHRISTIAN SYLT

THREE-TIME Formula One champion Sir Jackie Stewart has launched a stinging attack on motor racing’s governing body the FIA, saying that it needs to change to boost the sport’s credibility.

Stewart’s outburst follows the uncertainty over Red Bull Racing driver Sebastian Vettel’s narrow championship victory over Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso at last year’s season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

Vettel was eventually cleared of wrongdoing, having appeared to have overtaken illegally, but only after a shadow had been cast over the German’s third consecutive title triumph.

Stewart said: “Was the judgement of yellow and green flags right or wrong in Brazil and why would that have to come up on a Wednesday or Thursday? That is a huge statement of a disorganised function that it should come up then. The whole world is celebrating a new world champion and then that happens on a Wednesday. That is a poor declaration of management.”

Seems to me that the green flag/yellow track light situation in Brazil never should have happened. It allowed Vettel to win the championship when in fact he should not have been passing as the yellow light on his instrument panel and the track yellow were in view.

Just my opinion.