A shame the beeb have lost Ted Kravitz, he seemed well trusted down in the pitlane and could extract information from teams quite easily.

And Natalie Pinkham

Glad I'll be seeing every race live next year

A quick Google Image search means that i agree with Bezzer and will give Natalie Pinkham the thumbs up

oooh err mrs!

Blimey talk about plundering the BBC talent pool! They've got quite a job on their hands replacing the likes of Ted Kravitz and Crofty

New rules for 2012

I think there will be some confusion with:

"Drivers will not be allowed to move back onto the racing line after having moved off it to defend their position."

As surely they have to join the racing line again at some point, when can they do this? If a driver moves off the racing line to defend a position but still makes it to the apex of the corner first, and is therefore back on the racing line before the other car has completed a maneuver, what happens then?

Also, there will be no more Canadian epics, with maximum race time set to 4 hours including any stoppages.

And finally, we will have 4-5 laps of safety cars EVERY time a safety car is called because:

"all lapped cars will be allowed to unlap themselves and then join at the back of the field during safety car periods, ensuring a clean restart without slower cars in front of the leaders."

Not happy at all about that one.

At least the commentator isn't that irritating Sid Waddell!!

"Drivers will not be allowed to move back onto the racing line after having moved off it to defend their position."

That's quite vague. Is it...

"Drivers will not be allowed to move back onto the racing line after having moved off it to defend their position."

Meaning they can't move back to the racing line at all AFTER they (even unsuccesfully) defended their position. Or that if they moved off it (eg. evasive action / picking up water on a drying track to cool their tyres) for any reason whatsoever, they cannot go back to it if anyone was coming up behind them. So all in all, this means they have to stay away from any racing line after defending their position.

or could it be interpreted as

"Drivers will not be allowed to move back onto the racing line after having moved off it to defend their position"

Which means they can't move back to the line in order to (further) defend their position. But they CAN move back to if they're no longer defending their position. Actually, this means that you lose a place as soon as you go off the line in order to defend your position, as you will not be allowed to go back to the racing line as long as you are defending - which will NATURALLY happen as soon as you've reached the corner - as soon as you're defending, you actually have to let the other guy through because you're BOUND to obstruct him (and thus defend your position) when going back to the racing line.

It's one of the most vague rules they ever had. The rule should specify when it IS allowed to rejoin the racing line. Ef " Drivers are allowed to move off the racing line to defend their position, but - unless they have lost their position - may not move back onto the racing line until the track layout would make it impossible to stay off the racing line without leaving the circuit."

Just to add - not a big fan of F1 myself personally, but with a dedicated F1 channel, I think I may give it a watch.

Ross

for me this has all turned from gold into sh1t. can't even listen to crofty on 5live. oh well. looking forward to a better year of moto gp. maybe sky can do a back handed deal with the beeb on that next year too.

Grosjean and Raikkonen for Renault then.

Feel a little sorry for Senna.

Hmmm, I wonder......Senna in a Williams perhaps?

Senna will find another drive in F1. Maybe not straight away, but the $$$ attached to his name and his accomplished media style will make it impossible to resist. Not to mention the fact that he's a decent driver...

Professor Sid Watkins stands down.

Shame really, under his leadership the sport has definitely had a better safety culture. I attended some lectures given by him many years ago and he was an excellent teacher, being able to draw upon vast experience and pass it seamlessly onto his pupils. He'll be sadly missed.

He will be sadly missed. But he is also 83 and entitled to a retirement, poor chap!

Toro Rosso announce 2012 drivers.....

Force India announce drivers for 2012......

I wonder where Sutil will end up

If he doesn't get a drive expect dummy being spat big style!

The article suggested he'd drive for Williams in 2012.

Yes, but if you read the full article it is ambivalent about that and the side bar really shows the competition he's up against to get that seat. I guess if he reduces his pay demands or gets a chunk of sponsorship he *may* get a drive with HRT.....

Anyone hear about this?

Not really 2012 F1 news, but blimey!

worth putting a bet on

Hi Hopes !

This might be worth watching, BBC F1 review of the year

Adrian Newey gets an OBE although you'll have to scroll down quite far to find him!

Patrick Head steps down from Williams

Speculation that Reubens *might* still have a drive although my money is hovering over Adrian Sutil.

I reckon from a publicity point of view Williams would be very wise to go with Reubens for one last season; 20yrs in the business is going to see a LOT of airtime/camera focus on the car and be attractive to investors/sponsors, especially if it is made clear he is in his final season.....

I genuinely hope they do plump for Reubens, he's been a hell of a character in F1 even if he's always been seen as the "almost" man. It would be a real pity to lose him without a whimper and I'd just love a wee fairytale ending, like a podium finish in his final home grand prix, that would the icing on the cake!

Yes, mucho respect for Barrichello!

My 2p is on Senna getting the nod.

I'm also hopeful for Barrichello, but Williams have played a good hand in holding back. Three great drivers going for a song...
I never understood why Barrichello was expected to bow out gracefully.

BMW Engines = Adrian Sutil.

oh they're going with Renault, interesting... who knows then!

I think it'll be a carrot on the Quatar sponsorship deal, "pick our second driver".

Buemi to Red Bull as reserve driver.

"The future of the European Grand Prix in Valencia is in doubt after the city's government indicated that it wants to renegotiate its race fee."

Hallelujah, lets hope they ask too much and it goes. It is boring to watch and even more boring to drive on F1 2011