Stefan GP, to take part in the 2010 ?

like i said somewhere, and i have no evidence for this, but the whole Stefan GP thing just seems fishy to me, something doesn't add up. The mosely organisation didn't want them, but Bernie is all over them (a great reason not to trust them)

i don't know much about the man, or where he got his money, but it wouldn't surprise me much if there was something shady in the past.

i could be completley wrong, it could all be genuine and above board, he could be an upstanding, rich F1 fanatic, if so great, but something about all this leaves me cold and can't put my finger on it - am i the only one?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robinho

am i the only one?

---

Clearly not if you read my post directly above yours ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robinho

like i said somewhere, and i have no evidence for this, but the whole Stefan GP thing just seems fishy to me, something doesn't add up.

---

I agree with you. If you follow football, it's like Portsmouth's owners, three in a year and none of them actually have any money. Same as the ones who took over Notts County. As a result I'm a bit sceptical of anyone turning up out of nowhere with promises of cash.

I get the feeling some people are just skeptical because this is a Serbian outfit. If it was some British bloke named Zack Stevens starting SteveGP the same way, I don't think we'd hear so many doubters... :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robinho

thats not the story i've seen. Stefan GP have talked to/Signed up with Dallara to help develop their ex Toyota chassis, which has no effect on their contract with Campos to build them a chassis (although i'd argue it does seem like a conflict of interests)

---

Well, that's not what these guys are reporting: (it's spanish translated into english, sorry for that) --> http://translate.googleusercontent.c..._FjjCi3ZxIQnyQ
Anyway, we have the autosport link added a few posts above with Campos (and Windsor) insisting they are still on the road to Bahrain, so you might be right :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by maximilian

I get the feeling some people are just skeptical because this is a Serbian outfit. If it was some British bloke named Zack Stevens starting SteveGP the same way, I don't think we'd hear so many doubters... :D

---

+1! :up: :D
The fact that the guy is Serbian is like 90% of the information we all got from him, so I understand and share your reasoning :)

Bernie does what is best for F1, weighing the financial implications. The question to those who unjustly and in very disgraceful way attack Bernie for being an excellent businessman, what do you want?

Do you want F1 to flourish or suffer and maybe die?
Why do you consider it important that Campos exist in F1?

Stefan F1 have done nothing immoral - they have made a brilliant move iin order to achieve their aims - being a grand prix team. Stefan SAVED jobs. They saved what was the Toyota team.

Stfanovich is like Bernie? Well, God bless him if that is so. There is not anyone in F1 that is more generous and do not forget that it is because of Bernie that many in F1 are extremely wealthy today.

Frank Williams, Murray Walker and Sebastian Vettel - who do they have in commomn besides F1 racing? Bernie. They will all describe his thoughtfulness, generosity and kindness.

Unfortunately one of the things I have noticed is the eagerness that people on this forum have for impuning Bernie - and Max of course. It is no different from the schadenfreude that I saw here when Briatore was the issue of discussion.

So you agree asking for an unrealistic high fee in order to host a grand prix is an outstanding move by Bernie?

And the medal system?

And the CVC thingy?

And outstanding places to run like Bahrein, Abu Dhabi, Turkey or China?

And BTW, if he is such a good businessman, I don´t want to know how good is his ex-wife Slavica...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by K-Pu

So you agree asking for an unrealistic high fee in order to host a grand prix is an outstanding move by Bernie?

And the medal system?

And the CVC thingy?

And outstanding places to run like Bahrein, Abu Dhabi, Turkey or China?

And BTW, if he is such a good businessman, I don´t want to know how good is his ex-wife Slavica...

---

I think the asking price ought to be whatever the market can bear - it is the only way to calculate value. And there is a LIST of countries seeking to hold a grand prix.

I liked the medal system but equally thought that points be awarded as well.

The CVC has nothing to do with me and how can I judge something when I am not privy to all the neccessary details?

I like Sakhir, always have. Yas Marina - at first I did not, but I do now. I do have moral reservations over the above four places, but Bernie has to deal with reality and act rationally. How can he drop the price for the traditional races that have been lost while asking others to pay far more. Silverstone has anted up and so has Canada - if they can, anyone else should have to as well.

For me to state that I know better than the man who created the F1 we know and love as to what is good for F1 in these cases would be a most arrongant and conceited action.

I dont know what you have to complain about - Spain is where all the testing is done, there TWO grands prix each year and THREE Spanish drivers. I'd have thought you would LOVE Bernie!

Strange.

Say it isn't so! :eek:

Quote:

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Stefan has some kind of a deal with Toyota to run its 2010 car and there is talk of Ralf Schumacher coming back to give the team some substance.

---

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/...er-schumacher/

Ralf Schumacher? Now this is getting silly!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dave Brockman

Say it isn't so! :eek:

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/...er-schumacher/

Ralf Schumacher? Now this is getting silly!

---

Maybe Zoran Stefanovic thinks he's signing Michael? :p :

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Robinho

like i said somewhere, and i have no evidence for this, but the whole Stefan GP thing just seems fishy to me, something doesn't add up. The mosely organisation didn't want them, but Bernie is all over them (a great reason not to trust them)

---

I think that can be explained by at the time when the FIA were vetting the teams Stefan didn't have a decent package in the Toyota TF110 and the Toyota engine. Having got the remains of the Toyota operation they seem to have some money in place so it isn't really any wonder why Bernie is now pushing this team.

The whole thing stinks and as for the suggestion that those of us who don't like the idea of Stefan GP because Stefanovich is serbian, get over yourselves already. You really expect us to bow down and kiss his a**e through fear of being called racist if we don't, that doesn't work with me. Force India were my favorite team last year, massively improved from previous seasons and showed that they're not just on the grid to make up numbers.

The simple facts are these, it was widely accepted that F1 was being made more accessible through the budget cap, subsequently teams started coming forward having made all the arrangements to run a season, (or at least worked out how to get the funding,) based on said budget cap. Then the goal posts were moved, as already mentioned, and you really expect all the teams to be able to cope with that? Sure, they could have bought the Toymota team, but have you not considered that they'd probably have made considerable investment into their own team plans and so couldn't readily hand over the cash for Toymota.

In closing, I hope none of you Stefan GP supporters run your own companies. If you do, think how you'd feel to have a key supplier suddenly cut off by a rival upstart company. Then maybe you'd have some sympathy for Campos.

Campos couldn't pay the bills. Stefan could. That's business.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by VkmSpouge

Maybe Zoran Stefanovic thinks he's signing Michael? :p :



I think that can be explained by at the time when the FIA were vetting the teams Stefan didn't have a decent package in the Toyota TF110 and the Toyota engine. Having got the remains of the Toyota operation they seem to have some money in place so it isn't really any wonder why Bernie is now pushing this team.

---

What about when Toyota pulled out and Stefan GP likely had all the rights to Toyota's 2010 chassis at the time? Even then they were still overlooked in favour of Sauber.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DazzlaF1

What about when Toyota pulled out and Stefan GP likely had all the rights to Toyota's 2010 chassis at the time? Even then they were still overlooked in favour of Sauber.

---

Which might point to the fact that Bernie is looking out for his own backside on this one. If StefanGP have more money than Campos, Bernie sees a more likely candidate for long-term investment into the sport and, thus, he can make another few quick £££ in the process.

I think Bernie is a truly great business man and he does his job ruthlessly. He is a genius negotiator. But that doesn't mean I like him, or think he's a nice guy. I hate his tactics, I would never put any trust in him and I find him a cold-blooded personality.

Come to think of it, he reminds me of Mr. Burns from the Simpsons. :p :

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 52Paddy

Which might point to the fact that Bernie is looking out for his own backside on this one. If StefanGP have more money than Campos, Bernie sees a more likely candidate for long-term investment into the sport and, thus, he can make another few quick £££ in the process.

I think Bernie is a truly great business man and he does his job ruthlessly. He is a genius negotiator. But that doesn't mean I like him, or think he's a nice guy. I hate his tactics, I would never put any trust in him and I find him a cold-blooded personality.

Come to think of it, he reminds me of Mr. Burns from the Simpsons. :p :

---

And to file a lawsuit agaisnt Campos for breach of contract if they fail to make it = more money in Bernie's back pocket

You are right though, he's a genius negotiator but an arrogant piece of dirt in the process

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DazzlaF1

What about when Toyota pulled out and Stefan GP likely had all the rights to Toyota's 2010 chassis at the time? Even then they were still overlooked in favour of Sauber.

---

Sauber had been confirmed as the reserve team after Lotus took their spot, that was before Toyota pulled out. As an existing F1 team Sauber were always going to beat Stefan and quite rightly so, there is no shame or cause of concern to be drawn by that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VkmSpouge

Sauber had been confirmed as the reserve team after Lotus took their spot, that was before Toyota pulled out. As an existing F1 team Sauber were always going to beat Stefan and quite rightly so, there is no shame or cause of concern to be drawn by that.

---

They did put in a challenge though from what i remember. But like you said, Sauber were listed as the "14th team" and quite rightly the FIA were true to their word and let them in ahead of Stefan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DazzlaF1

And to file a lawsuit agaisnt Campos for breach of contract if they fail to make it = more money in Bernie's back pocket

You are right though, he's a genius negotiator but an arrogant piece of dirt in the process

---

Why do you use such disgraceful words in describing Bernie Ecclestone?

Have you any real idea what the people who populate F1 and actually know Bernie think of him? No, you do not.

Instead you villify him.

That says more about you than anything else. You have my pity.

Heres a thought - why don't you just forget about F1, the sport that Bernie built, because in reality, not doing so makes you a hypocryte or worse.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 52Paddy

Which might point to the fact that Bernie is looking out for his own backside on this one. If StefanGP have more money than Campos, Bernie sees a more likely candidate for long-term investment into the sport and, thus, he can make another few quick £££ in the process.

I think Bernie is a truly great business man and he does his job ruthlessly. He is a genius negotiator. But that doesn't mean I like him, or think he's a nice guy. I hate his tactics, I would never put any trust in him and I find him a cold-blooded personality.

Come to think of it, he reminds me of Mr. Burns from the Simpsons. :p :

---

Seeing that you know Bernie so well I am sure he will be mortified. OMG! What is he to do NOW!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

Seeing that you know Bernie so well I am sure he will be mortified. OMG! What is he to do NOW!!!!

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Sorry if I'm not friends with your chums but I perceive him in a different light. You look at the positive he's brought to the sport from a commercial point of view. I look at his attention-seeking comments in the media, his prioritising of his own assets and his manipulative approach to governing the sport.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

Have you any real idea what the people who populate F1 and actually know Bernie think of him? No, you do not.

---

Ask Ron Tauranac, see what he says.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 52Paddy

Sorry if I'm not friends with your chums but I perceive him in a different light. You look at the positive he's brought to the sport from a commercial point of view. I look at his attention-seeking comments in the media, his prioritising of his own assets and his manipulative approach to governing the sport.

Ask Ron Tauranac, see what he says.

---

Yes, the Bernie I am familiar with goes back 36 years, and his accomplishments from multiple world championship team principle who recognized Gordon Murray's ability and was the first to seek Senna's signature, to his generosity when helping friends and those who he is fond of are all real.

And other more private acts of generosity of time and so on.

But you resent him because he is a businessman that acts properly by acting in his own rational self-interest in the world that exists today - his focus is that F1 flourishes.

And the result of this?
A sport that is third only to the Olympics and World Cup Soccer.
His accomplishments have made many people wealthy and I have never heard any F1 team complain that they are too comfortable.

And a sport that we are able to watch because of Bernie's efforts.

You are an ungrateful fan of this sport, without interest of discovering who Bernie Ecclestone is and without any respect for his accomplishments.

And you believe what the media say about him.

Bernie may be reported as saying outrageous things - but he talks using examples and euphymisms. The way the press use it is the result of the current collapse of journalist ethics.

Ron Tauranac wanted the Brabham team but it was sold by Jack Brabham to Bernie. And Ecclestone turned it into an even greater team. Tauranac was left out. There may be resentment and that is unfortunate because Tauranac accomplished a lot as well.

I presume that you are not a fan of Sebastian "Nigel Mansell" Vettel? How can you be, after all, he is the driver that is closest to Bernie who is his confidente.

Must be something to do with Vettel being a smart cookie - the only driver that manages himself. Bernie likes smart accomplished people.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

and was the first to seek Senna's signature

---

Interesting one that. Ecclestone helped Senna a lot during his career yet never attended his funeral. He "doesn't believe in all that business". I'm not slating him for that, in fact I'm quite impressed at how he has such an ability to stick to his own guns and be his own man. I'm just saying, that despite all that, I still think he's a pr!ck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

And other more private acts of generosity of time and so on.

---

Which, to me, is like Hitler handing out chocolates to school children.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Saint Devote

But you resent him because he is a businessman that acts properly by acting in his own rational self-interest in the world that exists today - his focus is that F1 flourishes.

---

I resent him because he is ruthless and manipulative. His way of doing things generates a lot of money - people within the sport get richer, consumers benefit from more exposure. But, in my view, he puts the money in front of the sport. I don't think his focus is that F1 flourishes per se - I think it's that F1 creates a large revenue constantly. And, that, he's good at doing. But introducing a medal system to improve the spectacle?!? I can hardly believe that will increase the spectacle, even if it may increase the viewership.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

And the result of this?
A sport that is third only to the Olympics and World Cup Soccer.
His accomplishments have made many people wealthy and I have never heard any F1 team complain that they are too comfortable.

And a sport that we are able to watch because of Bernie's efforts.

You are an ungrateful fan of this sport, without interest of discovering who Bernie Ecclestone is and without any respect for his accomplishments.

---

I've already stated that I do respect his accomplishments. I never said I was ungrateful for what he has achieved and I think he's a genius negotiator. But, as of late, I find his ideas and projection of the sport's future a little absurd/senile. And, if someone as apathetic as him (Bernie always does his own thing, he won't be bossed around) is still in charge in today's sport, it will do more damage to my image of the sport than good. Call me outdated if you will, but Bernie has always considered F1, the "entertainment" business - a point he made when asked about F1Rocks in recent years.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

And you believe what the media say about him.

Bernie may be reported as saying outrageous things - but he talks using examples and euphymisms. The way the press use it is the result of the current collapse of journalist ethics.

---

No, not necessarily. I don't believe everything in the media. I mentioned that he is an attention-seeker. His comments about shortcuts, for example, were madly far-fetched (not that I don't think he could be stopped if he legitimately wanted them). Why does he do this? Create the impression that he is the be all and end all? Scare the opposition?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Saint Devote

Ron Tauranac wanted the Brabham team but it was sold by Jack Brabham to Bernie. And Ecclestone turned it into an even greater team. Tauranac was left out.

---

Not how I read it. Ecclestone, in my opinion, is a control-freak, and the two differing accounts of the Brabham buy-out highlight that. It would be very long-winded to explain Tauranac's actual account of the situation on a thread, but basically: Tauranac was done out of a deal. He wanted to enter the partnership with Ecclestone (he was cautious about doing so and only did it because Jochen Rindt has mentioned Bernie) who would pay £130,000. However, when push came to shove, Ecclestone had said that only £100,000 was on the table. Tauranac did not stand firm this time, and settled for this. What's worse is that, Ecclestone now the managing director, Tauranac went off on his usual 2 week skiing holiday at Christmas to find out his salary had been cut-off when he returned! Ecclestone was trying to oust him from the beginning. As part of that deal he got five DFVs and two cars which equalled almost half the stock and then Tauranac was shoved out. Now, he did great things with the Brabham team, did Bernie. But I absolutely hate his character in that light and he shows no empathy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Saint Devote

I presume that you are not a fan of Sebastian "Nigel Mansell" Vettel? How can you be, after all, he is the driver that is closest to Bernie who is his confidente.

---

My opinion of people is not drawn from who their friends are. I judge people on my perceptions of the person themselves alone. Nobody else enters my judgement. I like Vettel. And if he likes Bernie and gets on well with him, then fair play to him. I think Vettel is a promising talent who will one day be champion. I also think his persona fits the sport very well from a racing and off-track POV.

I don't hate you for liking Bernie. Your points are very well made out and I agree what major achievements lie on his CV are impressive and have helped the sport. But, I don't like the way he works or his lack of regard for so many people, including hardcore fans. He wants F1 to prosper financially and I can only see that as the height of his aspirations now. Somebody else should take over. He's getting old and his glorious work of the past, where he got so much exposure for F1, has now maxed out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 52Paddy

I resent him because he is ruthless and manipulative.

---

Just out of interest, on that basis is there anybody in F1 that you do like?

Ruthless and manipulative are omnipresent in F1.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tamburello

Just out of interest, on that basis is there anybody in F1 that you do like?

Ruthless and manipulative are omnipresent in F1.

---

Plenty of people. But Bernie is way ahead in this league tamb. His ruthlessness, I find, is to generate more and more money. Going off to far out countries to host races at stupid hour (Malaysia 09?) where the general population do not follow F1 is one of the extremes he will go to to generate more money - because those countries will pay more for a race. We loose great tracks, we get a good few crap ones (not all of them). Ruthlessness is a great trait to have if you use if for the greater good, and not to line your own wallet.

I hope Stefan GP get a plave for the Bahrain GP as I'd be suprised if either USF1 or Campos make it there. I'm sure Stefan GP are feeling very confident about racing in Bahrain as otherwise why would they have sent kit out there already.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Saint Devote

I presume that you are not a fan of Sebastian "Nigel Mansell" Vettel?.

---

:rotflmao:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Saint Devote

I think the asking price ought to be whatever the market can bear - it is the only way to calculate value. And there is a LIST of countries seeking to hold a grand prix.

---

Yes, but is it better to have a country paying the fee only to host a GP with empty grandstands because no one cares about F1 there or people simply have not enough money to buy tickets, or having a GP in a country with interest in F1 but not willing to lose money because the fee is waaay bigger than the GP income even with a crowd at the track?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Saint Devote

I liked the medal system but equally thought that points be awarded as well.

---

But the only-medal system (his system) was quite pointless. Why bother racing if you can´t do anything but winning? What´s the point of being at the midfield?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Saint Devote

The CVC has nothing to do with me and how can I judge something when I am not privy to all the neccessary details?

---

I can´t explain why did Bernie take such a loan from CVC and now keeps rising the GP fees... Sometimes mysteries overlap and raise suspicions...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Saint Devote

I like Sakhir, always have. Yas Marina - at first I did not, but I do now. I do have moral reservations over the above four places, but Bernie has to deal with reality and act rationally. How can he drop the price for the traditional races that have been lost while asking others to pay far more. Silverstone has anted up and so has Canada - if they can, anyone else should have to as well.

---

They build 800 m. high skyscrappers in Dubai because they have money to spare. Lots of money. What it is more strange... if they have so mcuh money, why do they pay the workers only between 3 and 6 euros a day? Didn´t they have MONEY in capitals? Then, apart from the elite, no one has enough money to attend a F1 race in these countries, and that´s reality too. Anyway, his reality is a bit detached from that one, and it´s reduced to business. Of course, it´s good business for him since he can get more money from Abu Dhabi than from France...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Saint Devote

For me to state that I know better than the man who created the F1 we know and love as to what is good for F1 in these cases would be a most arrongant and conceited action.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Saint Devote

I dont know what you have to complain about - Spain is where all the testing is done, there TWO grands prix each year and THREE Spanish drivers. I'd have thought you would LOVE Bernie!

---

That does not mean I agree with Bernie´s methods nor I love him. In fact. it´s quite the opposite since Valencia Street Sedation is one of the worst tracks ever made and has a quite obscure history of political corruption behind it, and Montmeló is nothing special... The two races are quite boring, and believe me, when it´s time for a GP here in Spain, I prefer to be hiding under a stone because of the media. Yes, we are that stupid here. What´s more strange, testing receives NO ATTENTION by the media, apart from the obvious "Fernando-is-gonna-destroy-´em-all" which is getting quite tiresome since 2004...

We have three Spanish drivers, yes, but how many Germans, for example? Are all the Spanish drivers bought by Bernie? I don´t think so, but one thing is sure: Valencia has put forward enough money to buy the GP just because of politics, or more precisely, politicians. Here, the right wing claimed openly that if they didn´t win the elections in Valencia, we could say goodbye to the GP. That was their threat... Which misteriously coincides with Bernie´s wettest dreams.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Saint Devote

Strange.

---

Yes, strange.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by K-Pu

Yes, but is it better to have a country paying the fee only to host a GP with empty grandstands because no one cares about F1 there or people simply have not enough money to buy tickets, or having a GP in a country with interest in F1 but not willing to lose money because the fee is waaay bigger than the GP income even with a crowd at the track?



But the only-medal system (his system) was quite pointless. Why bother racing if you can´t do anything but winning? What´s the point of being at the midfield?



I can´t explain why did Bernie take such a loan from CVC and now keeps rising the GP fees... Sometimes mysteries overlap and raise suspicions...



They build 800 m. high skyscrappers in Dubai because they have money to spare. Lots of money. What it is more strange... if they have so mcuh money, why do they pay the workers only between 3 and 6 euros a day? Didn´t they have MONEY in capitals? Then, apart from the elite, no one has enough money to attend a F1 race in these countries, and that´s reality too. Anyway, his reality is a bit detached from that one, and it´s reduced to business. Of course, it´s good business for him since he can get more money from Abu Dhabi than from France...





That does not mean I agree with Bernie´s methods nor I love him. In fact. it´s quite the opposite since Valencia Street Sedation is one of the worst tracks ever made and has a quite obscure history of political corruption behind it, and Montmeló is nothing special... The two races are quite boring, and believe me, when it´s time for a GP here in Spain, I prefer to be hiding under a stone because of the media. Yes, we are that stupid here. What´s more strange, testing receives NO ATTENTION by the media, apart from the obvious "Fernando-is-gonna-destroy-´em-all" which is getting quite tiresome since 2004...

We have three Spanish drivers, yes, but how many Germans, for example? Are all the Spanish drivers bought by Bernie? I don´t think so, but one thing is sure: Valencia has put forward enough money to buy the GP just because of politics, or more precisely, politicians. Here, the right wing claimed openly that if they didn´t win the elections in Valencia, we could say goodbye to the GP. That was their threat... Which misteriously coincides with Bernie´s wettest dreams.



Yes, strange.

---

'Tis the task of Bernie to run F1, not any one of us. It does not mean that I like every decision he decides - but I am confident that he does what is neccessary and the best for F1 to flourish and make the most money he can for himself.

I prefer that the general media do not to follow F1, but rather the motor racing publications only. Too many people following F1 brings "popular opinion" which is usually horribly ignorant.

I like Bernie. He is loyal to his friends and generous and compassionate to those he considers worthy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dave Brockman

Say it isn't so! :eek:

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/...er-schumacher/

Ralf Schumacher? Now this is getting silly!

---

What is silly? If Stefan wants an experienced driver, Ralf is as good option as they can get considering the driver market at the moment. If anything, signing Ralf would show the seriousness of the project, because he isn't any kind of a paydriver many teams have been seeking for. Maybe above all you want to question whether Ralf is motivated, but I think if he agrees to make a comeback in such start-up team, he is motivated, because surely he would be paid merely peanuts at SGP. He would be paid more at DTM by Mercedes and I thought he already has a contract for a '10 season this year with them?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daz

I hope Stefan GP get a plave for the Bahrain GP as I'd be suprised if either USF1 or Campos make it there.

---

Quote:

---

There are increasing suggestions Campos won't make it into F1 this season and USF1 could miss three races.

---

http://twitter.com/byronf1

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ArrowsFA1

http://twitter.com/byronf1

---

I wouldn't rely on Byron Young for fantastic insight.

He's only picking up what's being written in other places weeks ago.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by milly

I wouldn't rely on Byron Young for fantastic insight.

He's only picking up what's being written in other places weeks ago.

---

Maybe, but I doubt that Ecclestone and Todt would be confirming that teams could miss a total of three races without penalty if there wasn't a very realistic prospect of that happening.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jens

What is silly? If Stefan wants an experienced driver, Ralf is as good option as they can get considering the driver market at the moment. If anything, signing Ralf would show the seriousness of the project, because he isn't any kind of a paydriver many teams have been seeking for. Maybe above all you want to question whether Ralf is motivated, but I think if he agrees to make a comeback in such start-up team, he is motivated, because surely he would be paid merely peanuts at SGP. He would be paid more at DTM by Mercedes and I thought he already has a contract for a '10 season this year with them?

---

Ralf would be a great driver for most teams. I know he has so many haters, but his driving abilities are unquestionable.
If they dont hire Ralf, I would be ok with Villeneuve there as well. Not a fan at all, but at least he is an interesting character.

I am from Serbia. My personal opinion that is impossible for Stefan GP to get in F1. As far as i know Mr. Zoran Stefanovic don`t have money for car racing in national championship in Serbia(which is very weak, with very little cars in competiton) and many of my friends who knows Mr. Stefanovic better than me told me that he is master of double dealing and fraud. That there is no way that he can manage to get money for his decent private car to buy and talking about buying F1 team is absolutely nonsence.

Nobody here in Serbia even don`t know company or businessman who have that kind of money to be sponsor of F1 team, and to buy it is just a dream.

We will wait for first race in Bahrein and see what will happen. I think that there is no way that Stefan GP will be there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sarac330d

I am from Serbia. My personal opinion that is impossible for Stefan GP to get in F1. As far as i know Mr. Zoran Stefanovic don`t have money for car racing in national championship in Serbia(which is very weak, with very little cars in competiton) and many of my friends who knows Mr. Stefanovic better than me told me that he is master of double dealing and fraud. That there is no way that he can manage to get money for his decent private car to buy and talking about buying F1 team is absolutely nonsence.

Nobody here in Serbia even don`t know company or businessman who have that kind of money to be sponsor of F1 team, and to buy it is just a dream.

We will wait for first race in Bahrein and see what will happen. I think that there is no way that Stefan GP will be there.

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Hmm... I wonder, where did he get the money to buy Toyota cars, hire Coughlan & co, etc then?

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Originally Posted by Garry Walker

Ralf would be a great driver for most teams. I know he has so many haters, but his driving abilities are unquestionable.
If they dont hire Ralf, I would be ok with Villeneuve there as well. Not a fan at all, but at least he is an interesting character.

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Agreed....Ralf could do a decent job for a new team. Jacques i'm less sure about, I think he's an interesting guy but he's burnt too many F1 bridges.

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Originally Posted by jens

Hmm... I wonder, where did he get the money to buy Toyota cars, hire Coughlan & co, etc then?

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I don`t know what to tell you, but i think that all this is very, very big manipulation with medias and various magazines. I think if he really bought this team that all medias in Serbia would be informed and everybody should talk about that in Serbia. But nobody talk about him and Serbian F1 Team(Stefan GP). There is some daily newspapers which write articles from time to time about this, but nothing serious for the moment. All people which are involved in motosport activities are very, very sceptic about this Stefan GP thing.

thats very interesting, and kind of fortifies my doubts about him and his team - i have a nagging doubt that he has a shady history to rival Flav, if not to exceed. interesting to hear fears from a Serb national, you'd expect that there would be some hype back home for the project.

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Originally Posted by Garry Walker

Ralf would be a great driver for most teams. I know he has so many haters, but his driving abilities are unquestionable.
If they dont hire Ralf, I would be ok with Villeneuve there as well. Not a fan at all, but at least he is an interesting character.

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not me I think signing Ralf is a good thing. Yes he had a bit of an awful time at toyota, but when motivated, he is as good as anyone and unlike some, has earned most of his GP wins and podiums rather than lucking into them. The most impressive was the 2001 Canada GP IMO.

I honestly think the large contract he got at Toyota sorta messed with his racing spirit. Not everyone can muster the type of racing spirit that the elites have despite their huge incomes. And I guess that's why they are racing elites.

Ralf may not be in the pantheon of elites, but he is a very good driver that knows how to handle a car and be fast. I think his motivation will be back and obviously money won;t be an issue since he has pretty much made a lifetimes worth of riches. Also knowing the ex toyota crew & facility is also a big plus ...for him at least, although tbh I'm not sure how those guys view him lol

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Originally Posted by Robinho

thats very interesting, and kind of fortifies my doubts about him and his team - i have a nagging doubt that he has a shady history to rival Flav, if not to exceed. interesting to hear fears from a Serb national, you'd expect that there would be some hype back home for the project.

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probably has the roman Abrahmovich Oligarchs type of connections.

I know that I should be more wary of the sources of some of these guys, but I suppose if they go clean with the money then fine. Rather he invest in F1 than invest in some unseemly businesses. I do think that he has the funds to do what he needs to do. Securing funds for a national series that nobody watches or cares is a much tougher sell than securing funds to be in F1. With the right negotiating skills and a decent business plan along with the opportunity to pick a ready made team, it would seem more than attractive to many investors, national or international. I think they are for real. Or at least more prepared than Campos or USF1.