F1 » Renault comes to decision on F1 future

Bernie will control F1 until the day he dies, maybe longer...

MOTOGP » POLL: How will Ben Spies fare on Yamaha debut?

He will be the top private team rider, sixth is my guess. Top 6: Lorenzo Stoner Rossi Hayden Pedrosa Spies Toseland will score less than 3 points.

F1 » F1 champion Button admits to 'doubts and weaknesses'

More like good on Ross Brawn for a clearly superior yet rule-abiding design that let Jenson accumulate a huge point lead in the first few races. Also good on the Brawn GP team for near faultless reliability along with Mercedes providing the best engine money could buy. There are at least half a dozen drivers that would have won the championship in the Brawn this year (Button, Kimi, Hamilton, Alonso, Vettel, Massa). Jenson just happens to be one of them. He made the most of his opportunity in 2009.

F1 » F1 champion Button admits to 'doubts and weaknesses'

Button's comments might give us insight into his mental toughness, or lack thereof. So he lost sleep in the middle of the season when he was only in the points but not winning. But I wonder if he was stressed in previous years when the cars were bad and his driving painfully average? If Button only stresses when he has a chance of winning (or should be winning in the best car), what does this say for 2010 and beyond when Brawn won't have a huge diffuser advantage? Back to seventh place and cashing checks I suppose... I can't stand Alonso, but he has drove hard even in a mediocre Renault for the past two years. I'm not so sure about Button.

MOTOGP » Ducati pairing spring a surprise

I would guess Hayden turns down more tail on a race weekend that Nobby has seen in his entire life.

WSBK » Corser: BMW is capable of a podium

BMW appears to be methodically working on improvements to make the bike more competitive. With Corser they have a proven development rider with unquestioned skills to run at the front. Basically, if it isn't in the lead pack it is the bike not the rider. However, I still wonder if BMW has what it takes to create a bike from scratch, build a race team, and have the tenacity to stick it out for another season or two of mid-pack results. Watching Aprilia run near the front from Qatar must be somewhat humbling and frustrating for the Bavarians. Corser is padding his retirement account, he isn't going anywhere.

WSBK » Byrne saves his best until last

I really hope he is on a top bike (Aprilia?) next year, so no one can make excuses for his inconsistency. It must be tough to root for Shakey, sometimes brilliant, sometimes rubbish.

F1 » Button salary dispute just tip of Brawn GP iceberg?

Button was overpaid at Honda for years, based on his (lack of) results. If not for the Brawn team buying the works from Honda, Button would have likely been on the outside looking in and not driven in F1 at all at least until other drivers had been fired. And to give him credit he made the most of his opportunities, but to now squabble over money strikes me as bitting the hand that fed him the championship. Brawn should cut him loose and let him test his worth on the open market. I'm sure there is at least one other driver with similar capabilities who would have no problem driving for Brawn. I think his initials are RB.

WSBK » Tom Sykes joins Vermeulen at PBM Kawasaki

There are 14 factory riders next year (two each from the seven manufacturers). Plus a few strong privateers such as Byrne and Haslam were this year. So who will end up in 2010 with the ignominious distinction of finishing LAST in points among factory riders? My gut says Xaus, but Sykes is also a strong candidate. Good riders on mediocre bikes means results will be difficult to come by consistently. Not a slam on Sykes, maybe he could just consider it "paying his WSBK dues".

WSBK » Tom Sykes joins Vermeulen at PBM Kawasaki

Sykes had a good rookie season, but compared to his teammate his performance ws apparently unsatisfactory. I personally think he did very well, about as well as a rookie could be expected and he deserved another year on the R1. At least he has a chance to ride in 2010 with a factory-backed team instead of a private team that may or may not be out of money by Miller. He will have another difficult season as I expect Vermuelen to finish ahead of him most of the time. And unless Kawasaki has something big planned, the ZX-10 ain't no R1.