Wins will determine Formula One champion

Those wacky lads with the FIA World Motor Sport Council are at it again, deciding Tuesday that the 2009 Formula One championship will be awarded simply to the driver who wins the most races.

F1 teams had proposed revisions in the points structure that had been used, wanting to see teams get 12 points for a win, nine for second and seven for third. The current system goes 10-8-6 for those finishes.

The current system will be kept in place to break ties. So if two drivers finish with the same number of race wins, points will be used to name a champion.

Would that work for NASCAR? I don't think so. I've always believed victories should mean more than they do in stock-car racing's points system, but I don't think they should be a trump card over every other measure of performance.

The F1 championship would have gone to a different driver 13 times since 1950 under the new system.

Wonder if F1 fans will start arguing that, for example, Felipe Massa is the "real" 2008 champion since he had more wins than Lewis Hamilton, who actually won the championship under the rules that were in place? NASCAR fans who don't like the Chase for the Sprint Cup format just love to beat their heads against that pointless wall.

2 more Earnhardts join NASCAR mix

Kerry Earnhardt, the oldest son of seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt, is coming back to NASCAR’s Nationwide Series competition and he’s bringing his son, Jeffrey, with him.

They were announced Tuesday as part of Rick Ware Racing.

Kerry Earnhardt will try to make the field for the Nationwide race at Texas on April 4, the first of several races he’ll run this year. Jeffrey Earnhardt has seven races planned, beginning at Dover on May 30, keeping him eligible to run for rookie of the year in 2010.

Rick Ware Racing fields the No. 31 and No. 41 Chevrolets. The No. 31 is attempting a full schedule while the No. 41 will run on a part-time basis.

Kerry and Jeffrey will both try to make the Nationwide race at Atlanta later this year. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is also scheduled to enter that race with his team.

Jeffrey Earnhardt is scheduled to enter the races at Dover, Chicago, Watkins Glen, Montreal, Michigan, Atlanta and Charlotte.

All-star format to be announced: The format for this year’s Sprint All-Star Race is expected to be announced today at an early afternoon news conference at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Last year’s race was run in four segments of 25 laps each. The only thing we know so far is that this year’s race should be the same total length of 100 laps or 150 miles.

NASCAR Look Ahead: Bristol, Martinsville, Texas, and Phoenix

NASCAR is taking an early week off, and while it may be too early to talk “Chase” (“Chase” for the Cup, that is, not the “chase” of a mindless crew member after a runaway tire), it’s not too soon to look ahead to the next four races.

 

Two short track events are up first, Bristol and Martinsville. They'll be followed by two intermediate ovals, Texas and Phoenix. It’s an important four-race stretch, not only for teams looking to maintain or build momentum, but also as a prelude to the Chase, as three of the tracks (Martinsville, Texas, Phoenix) are part of the 10-race series.

 

While a good result pays off immediately with points, the information gathered during the races could serve larger dividends down the road.

 

 

Hendrick Motorsports has seen good and bad already this season. Jeff Gordon's been carrying the team's flag, but his teammates Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have struggled somewhat. Still, there's no reason to think they won’t bounce back sooner or later.

 

Gordon is winless in his last 45 points-paying races, but he has to feel confident that he will end that streak either at Bristol or Martinsville. He's been fast at every event so far this year, and, with two runner-up finishes already, I think it’s safe to say he and the No. 24 Chevrolet are due.

 

Joh nson has neither been great nor awful, and I get the feeling he’s not worried about it. I believe Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus are experimenting with things that may help them down the road. Everyone knows the No. 48 will be there when the Chase starts, and the sight of Knaus under the hood leaves other teams shaking in their boots (and often leaves NASCAR inspectors shaking their fingers).

 

Martin and Earnhardt Jr. have had their problems (Martin with engine failures and a blown tire; Earnhardt with similar engine issues, overly aggressive driving, and mental lapses on pit road), but they have fast cars.

 

Engine problems with this team won’t persist. The bottom line is this: If you’re driving a Hendrick car, you’re a threat to win each and every week. Or at least that’s what Earnhardt fans keep telling themselves.

 

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MotoGP News: Rossi interviews Ferrari F1 chief for official magazine

Having definitively ruled out a move to Formula 1 in recent years MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi was still delighted to spend some time with the Ferrari F1 team over the 2008-09 off season.

Six time MotoGP title winner Valentino Rossi has been enjoying himself with various activities over the off-season having recaptured his MotoGP crown in 2008.

A keen fan of four-wheeled competition the Italian participated in the World Rally Championship again over the winter, finishing a respectable 12th in WRC Wales event December â€" shortly after enjoying another test drive with Ferrari at the end of November.

The private test at Mugello in the Ferrari F2008 car, as driven by Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen last year, was a gift to Rossi in acknowledgement of his MotoGP triumph in 2008 â€" and the experience was one which The Doctor enjoyed immensely.

Although fully committed to Yamaha Factory Racing, Rossi has a contract to ride in MotoGP with Fiat Yamaha for the 2009 and 2010 World Championships and at 30 years-old has plenty of goals ahead of him on two wheels, the legendary rider has a great rapport with Ferrari and is friendly with Ferrari F1 Team Principal Stefano Domenicali.

Taking on the new role as interviewer, as opposed to interviewee, in a recent article for the Official Ferrari Magazine, Rossi first gave his own opinions on the differences between driving a rally car, an F1 car and handling his 800cc MotoGP Yamaha M1 prototype, before turning the microphone on Domenicali.

Rossi stated, “There’s no comparison. You don’t get tired in a rally. You have to stay in the car for several hours, you have to get up early in the morning, but you absolutely never get tired. In Formula 1 the problem is your neck. If you’re not used to it, it hurts. But riding a motorbike is extremely tiring: you have to drive with your body, there’s never a moment’s peace.”

Domenicali who impressive! ly has e ight F1 World Constructors’ Titles and Six Drivers’ Titles on his CV, was then urged by Rossi to give his gives on MotoGP and asked if he watches the races.

Domenicali said, “I’ve always watched motorcycle racing, ever since I was small and I still watch it now. I like the spirit of motorcycle racing; it’s a bit outrageous, and a little of that spirit wouldn’t do any harm in Formula 1.”

“There’s no doubt we have more fun. In the motorbike paddock it is very different,” asserted Rossi. At which Domenicali responded: “There’s no doubt one of our immediate priorities is to pay more attention to those who come to the racetrack and experience the event onsite. Formula One can’t just be TV.”

“Perhaps that’s why (Seven-time former F1 World Champion and Ferrari driver) Michael Schumacher has begun to race motorcycles,” Rossi suggested with a typical smile.

Domenicali did not miss his chance to put the MotoGP icon on the spot, as he asked, “So, as someone who knows them both, would Schumacher go faster in MotoGP or you in Formula 1?” As confident as ever in his own remarkable talents, Rossi announced, “Me, of course!”

The Official Ferrari Magazine is available via this link.

Source : MotoGP.com

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