F1 » Ecclestone has 'always been against KERS'

BE is quite correct (again). Whatever your opinion of him, he's a racer at heart and has been around the sport long enough to know. F1 has never been about any form of production engineering, or road relevance. Granted ideas and technologies have filtered down, however these appeared purely as racing developments which were modified for everyday use, not the other way around. And as for the cost cutting, one way would be to simlify the rulebook on design - min weight, max width, w/base, max height. We already have "standard" engines - leave them as is. We'd have a diversity of design, opportunity for genuine innovation - as we used to get, and the chance for a genius like Chapman to shine.

F1 » Hamilton had 'minutes' notice of Dennis exit.

No - what I meant (in no way "defensive") was that whether he knew 5 minutes, 5 hours, or 5 weeks before, is largely irrelevant. What I said was just that - "does it really matter?" Not any suggestions of impropriety on crash's part.

F1 » Hamilton had 'minutes' notice of Dennis exit.

Does it really matter?

F1 » Dennis hands McLaren reins to Whitmarsh.

I was never a McLaren fan (Lotus through and through), but I admire what RD did for the team after taking over from Mayer and Alexander - and having been around their old Woking factory I admire their supremely high standards of engineering. I will not comment on certain posts above. They are entitled to their views. We do not know all that went on in '07 with the "stepneygate" affair, but I am fairly certain that there is a lot of dirt that has been shot in the "wrong direction" (180 degrees wrong). It may never come out, sadly. I've never doubted his (RD) total integrity - and nothing in recent times has changed that. He will be missed in the F1 community as a principal with principles.

F1 » Schumacher: 'I thought I was going to die'.

Mika's crash at Adelaide resulted in him getting an emergency tracheotomy while still in the car by the Prof (Syd Watkins) and (I think) Tramell which saved his life. I will never forget the picture of him before they operated - lifeless eyes - small wonder, changing the subject just a tad, that Ron Dennis had such affection for him.

F1 » Alonso 'could beat Hamilton easily'.

Looks like someone knows your mum Andrew. I don't so I could not possibly comment on whether she is faster than Alonso. Now what happens if Vettel beats them both (and your mum) in a Red Bull???

F1 » DC: Button a quality driver and great talent.

@XB - Williams never mistreated Button - Montoya was contracted to Williams before Button was ever in the frame - in fact they were always absolutely up-front that the deal was for one season only - they managed to get him into Benneton/Renault - with the option to return - which he (Button) reneged on. When you make an agreement, you should stick to it - that's called INTEGRITY. For all his talents, he has largely himself to blame for his present situation (albeit well-remunerated for it).

F1 » DC: Button a quality driver and great talent.

Yes DC is quite right - he is a fine talent - a smooth and deceptively fast driver. However, his behaviour in renaging on an agreement with Williams showed another side. I wonder if he now regrets not having kept to that agreement. Who knows how Williams would have performed had he been back there? Karma has a habit of coming back to bite you. But I do hope he manages to get a drive. His talent merits it.

F1 » Stewart: Time for big change in F1.

Maybe the same question could be asked of you '60-94...

F1 » Hamilton awarded MBE.

Was there all this vitriol and hate when Damon Hill won the last WDC by a British driver? Yes, as I recall - rubbish about being in the best car etc etc. Why do we Brits always denigrate our successful sportsmen/women? It would be nice, if just for once we congratulated a winner, and looked forward to next year. Sure he's young, and for certain he's made silly mistakes and comments. I'm not a particular fan of his - indifferent would be accurate - but I respect his achievements - I know I couldn't drive half as well as he does on the track - but I don't begrudge that. I was just glad that a British driver triumphed this year - and that Wales stuffed all the Home Nations again!!