The 'F1 Challenge' Championship- 1999 Season

[dr-baker]

f1ccnews.net

Ferrari on the lookout for new driver

Ferrari, in the wake of announcing that controversial Italian Giovanni Roda is to leave the team at the end of 1999, have this evening declared that they are on the prowl for young talent to take up their third seat for the remainder of the season, presumably with a view to keeping them alongside Ed Kevin in 2000. A quote from Ferrari said that while they aren't looking at any drivers in particular, they would be very interested in taking on a rookie to the top echelon.

While at the moment a seat in the historic team may seem a poisoned chalice, with Kevin having been hospitalised twice so far this season and Roda causing consternation up and down the grid, it is now felt in the paddock that Roda's departure at the end of the season may point towards a new found professionalism in the team, and that taking up Ferrari on this offer may be a great bet for a young hopeful.

And there is still a second seat available, so Ferrari is looking for 2 new drivers if possible!

Pippa Mann is interested. Don't forget that while she has been near the back of the grid/midfield, she and Roda were teammates at Lola, and she managed to drag that car to a podium which it did not deserve! Plus Ben Fleet has expressed an interest also.

[This]

Gio Van Dycke would love to be Pippa's teammate
On the other hand, Dennis Mignolet is also interested in a comeback, but consider he is just as unlucky as Luca Badoer

[dr-baker]

Gio Van Dycke would love to be Pippa's teammate

Ahh, but don't forget that Ben Fleet will be hanging around there too! He won't take any rubbish!

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

FERRARI WITHDRAWN FROM MONACO GRAND PRIX

Ferrari and the F1CC Commission have jointly announced that the famous Italian squad will withdraw from the Monaco Grand Prix, following the accident involving drivers Giovanni Roda and Ed Kevin. F1CCC chairman Rudolf Hasse mentioned a few reasons as to why the withdrawal was necessary. "First of all, following consultation of the doctors, we had come to the conclusion that Ed Kevin would be in no condition to drive an F1CC car at its fullest. As for Giovanni Roda, despite his injuries not being as major as Mr. Kevin, we came to the conclusion that he would not be allowed to start the race due to a temporary suspension of his licence. We would also like to mention that Mr. Roda will be given full police protection following several, err, threats by his fellow drivers. We are confident that we will be able to escape any unnecessary confrontations *thud*. Oh, um, nevermind."

What's going on? Well, basically Phoenix told the good policeman over there, yes policeman, that he would like a short chat with Giovanni. It hasn't really ended up well. What am I doing here? Well, hanging around the hospital corridor with a can of coke with my legs crossed is cool, right? *whack* Oh look, Barii's joined in! *crash* That must have been the window. *profanity in Japanese, Spanish and Italian* Whatever they said was probably bad...

[Jack O Melley]

Giovanni Roda leaves Ferrari with immediate effect

Montecarlo - In a short and surprisingly press conference convened by the Italian driver this morning during the warmup, Giovanni Roda briefly announced his breach of the contract with Scuderia Ferrari with immediate effect. Prancing Horse that will have to find a new driver to fill the second seat alongside the injured Ed Kevin for the next race at Barcelona, Spain. We briefly report the sentences of the conference below:

In response to the numerous speculations been made on my behaviour onto the track and on my seat by journalists and executives of Ferrari after the accident yesterday afternoon with Mr. Ed Kevin, I would like to announce that today, 15 May 1999, I have formally broken the contract which tied me to Scuderia Ferrari. Thus this evening neither Ferrari #3 nor mine Ferrari #4 will be racing. Are there any questions?

With this move are you supposed to take your sponsorship cash away from Ferrari’s bank account?

Of course.

We know that recently Ferrari’s financial side wasn’t not that healthy at the beginning of the season. What do you think will happen now with your departure, will the year be compromised together with the development of the new car?

I don’t know. The only issue I know they we’ll have to cope with is the search of people like me that guaranteed massive funds in order to cover their fund expenditures and transfers.

Did you have to pay any penalty due to this shocking decision?

Not at all. I really wanted in the contract a clause that allowed me just to break it at any time I would have liked, if inappropriate conditions would have come. Clearly, since ousted from the pitwall, in particular by Jean Todt, and deprived of all political and technical support I was guaranteed before the accident with Mr. Kevin although it was me who paid all the transfers to the races or test sessions, I decided to leave immediately.

Was it a decision made under pressure of the GPDA, or more related to the Ferrari press release and to Kevin’s statements?

Absolutely not, it has been my own decision I wanted to take in order not to give them [GPDA drivers, ed] the taste of me ousted from the grid today, because they would have done that for sure. Even if I have to admit that most is due to the team, which has demonstrated its incompetence in managing relationships with its drivers and know how to treat them as such, as usually.

So Ed’s statements didn’t weighted.

Is there someone who listens to them still? I mean, I think you know that in the paddock Mr. Ed Kevin is a complete and well-known hypocrite. First he defends and supports me, maybe because he wanted to return racing with a team like Ferrari, the team par excellence; then he comes to me saying that I’m not up to a Formula 1 car and a track like Monaco, he would not give more support to me and various other bollocks. Now he excuse himself because all happened very quickly, but when he has been able to do the damage. I think this speaks for itself.

Your former team mate, Pippa Mann, said that your performance, certainly not excellent, start since the Lola times, when Pippa was able to get to the podium, while you did not. What do you think?

Are there any further and serious questions?

Again Pippa Mann and Ben Fleet are given as the likely favorite to replace you at Ferrari and…

I do not care about these under-the-counter moves. If you have any questions about what happened yesterday I'll be happy to answer, otherwise I can already say goodbye.

What about your future now?

I'm going to take a period of reflection, in which I will strengthen my weaknesses, I will work and train hard to get back even more competitive than now and, if I want, I'll still be there, on the grid to listen whining primadonnas who monopolize the front rows, who complain of anything hold them up from winning, want rooms and rooms of space while they’re lapping me. Poor idiots, it makes you realize that they do not have the slightest idea of how behave in motorsport. They should know, since most of them are English, that the “Motorsport is dangerous”. Instead, the various Mann, Cannon, Whitechapel, McAllister are to take the most competitive car, or complaining that they’ve got a weak one, to run gaining loads of money, to win (making more money) or to moan they didn’t succeed in. Without taking any risks. Too easy, dear boys.
The only, and I say the only, I’ve never heard complaining about me or other issues, despite driving a wheelbarrow, has been Constantin [Ferdinand Maria], a prince who has class to spare. Everyone should learn from him, how to behave in and out of the track and how he conceive the motorsport. But unfortunately they are all committed to finish first, so they can say to the world and one another, "I finished ahead of you" or "I was faster than you”. I believed Formula One was different from this procession of first ladies, but unfortunately I was wrong and I’ve taken not of this for those 2 year and half I’ve been here. Now that I’m off from this world, I'm curious to know who they will blame for their accidents. I’ve said all I would have like to, then the press conference ends here. Thanks for your time.

[shinji]

My quotes about Giovanni Roda were taken just before I was called back into hospital to stay overnight. As I speak to you now I'm lying in my hospital bed - and I remind you, the crash was blatantly his fault. To that effect, while I stand by what I said, if Roda is calling me a hypocrite based off of what I said yesterday evening, then he is a very easily hurt person indeed. I've been the only driver to defend him this season, not just because he's my team-mate - I never criticised him when I was at McLaren either. If he can't recognise that, and instead personally insults me, then I don't really know what to say.

He's revealed his true character to me today, and frankly I can't say I'll miss him now from the team. Hopefully his replacement will be more personable.

Apparently I'm going to be released from hospital today and I'll be able to watch the race from the redundant Ferrari garage. Roda's gone back to Italy I hear.

[SuperAguri]

The GPDA would like to issue a short statement about Giovanni Roda withdrawl from the sport, we thank him for his judgement in jumping before he was push off a cliff and hopefully he will stick to fairground dodgems and leave F1 to serious drivers.

[This]

Oh great, Giovanni, have you forgotten how many times i did defend you? You don't remember how many times i had to brake the ice with the girls at the party so you could take them home?

[Pointrox]

Although I don't like to comment on other drivers, I really have to speak out my mind about Giovanni Roda.
He is a lilability, and someone so slow doesn't belong to Formula One. I know, I'm not the fastest driver myself, but I have very little racing experience, whilst Roda is a professional, from whom we shall expect top notch driving.
This and his manners (or I should say lack of it) didn't really help him distinguish himself in Formula One and save his job. Understandably for Ferrari.

[Pointrox]

Although I don't like to comment on other drivers, I really have to speak out my mind about Giovanni Roda.
He is a lilability, and someone so slow doesn't belong to Formula One. I know, I'm not the fastest driver myself, but I have very little racing experience, whilst Roda is a professional, from whom we shall expect top notch driving.
This and his manners (or I should say lack of it) didn't really help him distinguish himself in Formula One and save his job. Understandably for Ferrari.

Also, a very promising and rich driver with bathplugload of sponsors from Monaco is willing to take Roda's seat. Francois Albertini is the name.

[Phoenix]

OK, first and foremost, I NEVER, repeat, NEVER, tried to physically injure Giovanni Roda, much less when he was in bed and there was a policeman outside. We argued and things got pretty heated up, but it was Barii Mori practising a few karate routines with him instead of me trying to cut his ankles off and make prosciutto with them. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. As for his sudden withdrawal, he can complain as much as he wants; for me, he's just dangerous and even though almost everyone in the paddock agrees about this, he just won't acknowledge it, F1 is better off without him.

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco - Race
Conditions: Dry then Wet then Dry

Code: Select all

1) Barii Mori  Williams-Renault 
2) Damon Cannon  Arrows-BMW  +13.064
3) Rhys Davies  Benetton-Honda  +35.409
4) Daniel Melrose  McLaren-Mercedes  +43.391
5) Phoenix McAllister  Arrows-BMW  +1:11.464
6) Ron Mignolet  Prost-Renault  +1:12.367
7) Daniel Martins  Benetton-Honda  +1 LAP
8) Robert Finley  McLaren-Mercedes  +1 LAP
9) Douglas Mann  Williams-Renault  +1 LAP
10) Jan de Friis  Arrows-BMW  +1 LAP
11) Constantin Ferdinand Maria  Stewart-Ford  +1 LAP
12) John Zimmer  Reynard-Toyota  +2 LAPS
13) Pippa Mann  Reynard-Toyota  +2 LAPS
14) Yahya Albaf  Minardi-Porsche  +3 LAPS
15) Hagane Shizuka  Benetton-Honda  +4 LAPS

Code: Select all

Drivers Championship

1. Daniel Melrose/McLaren/AUS - 17
2. Barii Mori/Williams/JPN - 14
3. Jeroen Krautmeir/Prost/GER - 12
4. Douglas Mann/Williams/IMN - 10
5. Scott Menard/Williams/USA - 10
6. Rhys Davies/Benetton/AUS - 10
7. Damon Cannon/Arrows/UK - 9
8. Ed Kevin/Ferrari/IRL - 6
9. Hagane Shizuka/Benetton/JPN - 4
10. Robert Finley/McLaren/USA - 3
11. Louis Duval/Prost/FRA - 2
12. Daniel Martins/Benetton/POR - 2
13. Phoenix McAllister/Arrows/ESP - 2
14. Jan de Friis/Arrows/NED - 1
15. Thomas de Bock/Sauber/BEL - 1
16. Ron Mignolet/Prost/BEL - 1

Code: Select all

Teams Championship

1. Williams - 34
2. McLaren - 20
3. Benetton - 16
4. Prost - 15
5. Arrows - 12
6. Ferrari - 6
7. Sauber - 1

Code: Select all

Engines Championship

1. Renault - 36
2. Mercedes - 23
3. Honda - 16
4. BMW - 12
5. Ferrari - 8
6. Ford - 4
7. Toyota - 3
8. Peugeot - 2

Code: Select all

Nations Championship

1. Australia - 20
2. Japan - 19
3. Germany - 12
4. Isle of Man - 10
5. United States - 10
6. United Kingdom - 10
7. Ireland - 7
8. Belgium - 6
9. Portugal - 4
10. France - 3
11. Spain - 3
12. Liechtenstein - 2
13. The Netherlands - 1

Code: Select all

Tyres Championship

1. Michelin - 36
2. Bridgestone - 28
3. Pirelli - 12
4. Goodyear - 9

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

That was really disappointing to be punted off by Douglas like that, at the first corner of the first lap no less. He had the inside line, fair enough, but that doesn't give you the right to force me off the road! I gave him enough room, and he goes and, and whacks my sidepod. Considering the rain that came, it's really disappointing. As for the race itself, it's really a great end to a very interesting weekend. I don't know what happened to Damon. During the first pitstops, before the rain, he had over 20 seconds over Barii, and then after the pitstops Barii was simply slicing seconds off each lap. By the time the rain came, Barii was ahead. It was really amazing watching that, but I'm just downright upset at the incident. Ye know I'll accept an apology if there is one, but it's still really annoying. Good job to Ron for getting the car home in the points.

[Shizuka]

First corner clash, game over. Dunno who it was.

[East Londoner]

Oh well, you win and lose some. The fuelling rig decided to bathplug up during my first pitstop, costing me 10 seconds, and the tyres put on the car wouldn't warm up, which meant I was a sitting duck for Mori. I don't see why he gave me the two-fingered salute when he eventually got past me, the rude idiot! At least that's another 6 points in the bag. My girlfriend apologies for not speaking to the media. I understand that she's still quite winded after that mega-shunt she had at the exit of the tunnel with one of the Reynards, which must have been Ben Fleet.

[DanielPT]

As Rhys Davies proved, we had pace for more, the car was felling good and going great. So it was my call that we decided to stay on dries when the shower came. We thought it was only a quick cloud but then skies fell on top of our heads and our bet on dries went the wrong way and I lost too much time just to keep it on the track. I still recovered but it wasn't enough for points. We are working hard for results to come and I am very happy that our young driver score a few for his and the team's account!

[Malinth]

Patrick, can you tell us what happened?

Well, aar, from the telemetry we've been able to pinpoint the issue as a problem with the electronics of the car, aar, erm, it's a real shame because Scott was making massive strides from his lowly starting position, and err, obviously he's not very happy about it.

You've just come out of the motorhome where I understand Scott is in. Can you tell us, if he, if you talked to him, what his thoughts are?

Well if you agree to pay my fines I'd be very happy to! *laughs* There's a lot of inaudible language in his quotes, so I'm afraid I'm going to have to keep my mouth shut!

Alright then, thank you Patrick! Murray?

Looks like the next James Hunt if you ask me. Just... American.

=======

I was doing okay in the dry, but when it started pouring I just got a bit nervous, had a lot of mistakes and was lucky not to whack the wall hard. I'm just gonna chat with Scott now..

[This]

I told you to do only one stop! But no, Alain insisted on doing 3 stops... Dude, no-one was going to pass me, now i had to pass others... Well i did some passes, but it is a wasted opportunity.

[DanielPT]

Did you have to pay any penalty due to this shocking decision?

Not at all. I really wanted in the contract a clause that allowed me just to break it at any time I would have liked, if inappropriate conditions would have come. Clearly, since ousted from the pitwall, in particular by Jean Todt, and deprived of all political and technical support I was guaranteed before the accident with Mr. Kevin although it was me who paid all the transfers to the races or test sessions, I decided to leave immediately.

AHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA!

Seriously, do you guys think we were that stupid? A clause that allows someone to break (note the word break) a contract at will and not pay a penalty for it? If this was true why would we bother to make a contract in the first place then? You, former friend Giovanni Roda, are very much sued!

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - Qualifying
Conditions: Dry

Code: Select all

1) Douglas Mann  Williams-Renault  1:22.363
2) Robert Finley  McLaren-Mercedes  1:22.388
3) Daniel Melrose  McLaren-Mercedes  1:22.473
4) Scott Menard  Williams-Renault  1:22.588
5) Jeroen Krautmeir  Prost-Renault  1:22.751
6) Ron Mignolet  Prost-Renault  1:23.001
7) Phoenix McAllister  Arrows-BMW  1:23.065
8) Barii Mori  Williams-Renault  1:23.079
9) Damon Cannon  Arrows-BMW  1:23.199
10) Daniel Martins  Benetton-Honda  1:23.380
11) Ed Kevin  Ferrari  1:23.400
12) Hagane Shizuka  Benetton-Honda  1:23.516
13) Rhys Davies  Benetton-Honda  1:23.626
14) Constantin Ferdinand Maria  Stewart-Ford  1:23.758
15) Pippa Mann  Reynard-Toyota  1:23.708
16) John Zimmer  Reynard-Toyota  1:23.928
17) Louis Duval  Prost-Renault  1:24.116
18) Poppy Whitechapel  Jordan-Renault  1:24.219
19) Thomas de Bock  Sauber-Peugeot  1:24.277
20) Aurelien Moll  Jordan-Renault  1:24.388
21) Ben Fleet  Reynard-Toyota  1:24.703
22) Tristan Jung  Sauber-Peugeot  1:24.920
23) Jack Christopherson  Sauber-Peugeot  1:24.938
24) Philippe Nicolas  Jordan-Renault  1:25.194
25) Yahya Albaf  Minardi-Porsche  1:25.303
26) Andreas Jonsson  Stewart-Ford  1:25.317
27) Matej Uram  Minardi-Porsche  1:25.331

[Shizuka]

Field is very tight here, hope to finish the race tomorrow.

[Wizzie]

Both the McLaren cars are up at the right end of the grid for the race tomorrow and, knowing how difficult passing can be here, we need to get ahead of Douglas to have a shot at victory for either Robert or myself tomorrow.

[dr-baker]

Glad to be on pole - I'll be disappointed if I don't go on to win, and devastated not to be on the podium. Pippa is quitely confident starting from 15th (although praying for no mid-field 1st-corner crashes...) while Ben Fleet is disappointed to be 6 places behind his girlfriend... in the same car...

[DanielPT]

Ferrari announces new drivers

Following the hasty departure of the much maligned Giovanni Roda, Ferrari as carefully studied all the résumés available to them and have finally decided who will driver for two of the most historical seats in the paddock. Gio Van Dycke signed a contract yesterday with immediate effect to replace said Roda, being expected to drive for Ferrari as soon as the race after Catalunya. Van Dicke as contract until the end of the season and an option for next year, results wise. To partner Van Dycke and Ed Kevin, who as a contract for next year, should be Pippa Mann who signed for the next 2 years. Pippa has showed her great talent driving for Lola and finally makes the step into a bigger team. With all the driver situation now solved, team are expected to work without distractions in the car development.

[dr-baker]

I am pleased to be confirmed as a Ferrari driver, to replace my former teammate at Lola. Of course I still aim to have a successful race for Reynard in Spain before moving to Ferrari, and wish them all the best.

[This]

What, am i going to race with Pippa? When they said they would be partnering us, i had something different in mind...
I guess, now that i'm here anyway, i can race this car too...
Nice team by the way, they already called me Giovanni the first time they met me, even though i haven't told anyone my name! I don't
completely understand what that 'Roda' part means, but i guess it's something Italian. You know like the team, they are also Italian, you
know, from Italy. You know, like when you're writing stuff in italicIs anybody still listening?

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

Hold on, please clarify, does this mean Pippa Mann is also moving from Reynard to Ferrari following Spain?

[DanielPT]

Hold on, please clarify, does this mean Pippa Mann is also moving from Reynard to Ferrari following Spain?

At first I though it would be only at the end of the season but since dr-baker assumed it would be after Spain, let's make it that way then. Pippa Mann to Ferrari after Spain it is!

By the way, it's 'mea culpa' for not being clearer regarding that aspect.

The car behaved as expected and we are in our usual position. Having worked all night on a set-up for qualifying and then another for the race, I am expecting that our car is able to compete for podiums like demonstrated in previous races. Can't wait for tomorrow!

[East Londoner]

What boring fool designed this circuit? There's no redeeming features whatsoever! Anyway, today I was suffering from crippling amounts of oversteer, which meant although I was 2nd fastest in the speed trap, I had to take other sections of the track at a slower speed, if I didn't fancy planting the car in the wall. 9th was the best I could dig out. I think I can nab a few points, if the team can cure the oversteer.

Same old shite, different location.

[dr-baker]

Hold on, please clarify, does this mean Pippa Mann is also moving from Reynard to Ferrari following Spain?

At first I though it would be only at the end of the season but since dr-baker assumed it would be after Spain, let's make it that way then. Pippa Mann to Ferrari after Spain it is!

By the way, it's 'mea culpa' for not being clearer regarding that aspect.

Well, I wasn't sure which was intended, and I hoped I was being suitably vague, but hey! We all act as managers for our fictional drivers, and I have to strike what I consider is the best deal for my drivers, so here it is!

[DanielPT]

What, am i going to race with Pippa? When they said they would be partnering us, i had something different in mind...

I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it.

[dr-baker]

What, am i going to race with Pippa? When they said they would be partnering us, i had something different in mind...

I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it.

Thank goodness these cars are SINGLE-seaters... No back seats!

[shinji]

First of all, I'd like to welcome van Dycke and Mann to the team. It's great to see that we acted so swiftly in filling the two vacated seats, and while I don't know a huge amount about the new Gio (in name but hopefully not in manner), I spent a good chunk of my McLaren career in the midfield with Pippa and I know that she's a great racer. I'm looking forward to getting to know both of them better over the rest of the season and into the future.

Qualifying wasn't too bad, we've had a tumultuous time of it recently so we were targeting the top ten, and we only just missed out on that in the end. Hopefully with Gio and Pippa on board we'll be able to share the testing duties around and really get this team back to where it belongs - the front. The race still needs to be navigated tomorrow though!

[Malinth]

Well, for once we decided to go for a good qualifying setup, because we know how hard passing is here. Unfortunately I made a couple of mistakes, and I really don't think we managed to extract the most out of the car, so that's left us in a rather disappointing 4th. But err, really gotta congratulate Robby, because he's managed to outpace his teammate, and me. That's no mean feat you know! *winks*

WOW! I mean, just wow! I knew that lap was fast, but when I came back and looked at the timing board, and, I, I, I saw my name in front of all those guys, I really just... WOW!

[Phoenix]

You know, the relationship between me and Damon is just professional... Oh, yeah, qualifying. Not good, not bad, I'm already thinking about taking the people in front of me at the race.

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

For those who want to know why F1CCC died, well, basically whenever I try to boot in Windows, I get the blue screen of death, and, well, my dad and I are quite clueless on what to do (not helped by the fact that my dad is a vehement supporter of Apple and doesn't understand why I still want a PC).

I'm really sorry to the few who enjoyed this, especially East Londoner (you did so much PR by mentioning it on other topics, and this was your most successful championship)

Giovanni Roda, thank you for all the chaos you provided. It will be missed.

But lo and behold! A replacement has been established!

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4626

[dr-baker]

Alas! The series in which Pippa Mann was able to score a podium in a Mastercard Lola of all things, and then goes bust just as she was able to progress to a top team for the first time! Probably kinda apt that it happened at this point. (And her brother a series champion too!)

[East Londoner]

So Damon Cannon, twice a world championship contender, never a champion. Sad to see the end of this. And I've probably missed my chance at joining the new series (bloody sixth form)

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

:cry: So Damon Cannon, twice a world championship contender, never a champion. Sad to see the end of this. And I've probably missed my chance at joining the new series (bloody sixth form)

I myself am a bit hurt at this ending, considering it was my first stab at a championship.

You may not be able to do the whole season, but do enter whenever you feel like it. It's not modern Formula 1.

[shinji]

This has given me a rather large sad.