The F1 2014 thread

[EauRouge]

Since the last one was about last season, here's a shiny new one! I haven't even seen quali yet, I've been so busy today Who's getting up in the middle of the night?

Hmm, sounds like it could be a coded message to me

Latest silly season rumour- apparently Hamilton is Ferrari's top pick to replace Alonso if he goes to McLaren (or RB or Merc...). I really hope Hamilton doesn't go to Ferrari, I shall temporarily cease to be a fan of the red cars if he does.

Well if Hamilton goes to Ferrari I will eat my hat!

Disclaimer: I don't actually own a hat

Your hat is safe- Vettel is off to Ferrari, Alonso is expected to go to McLaren (Mystic EJ says so), Kvyatt is replacing Vettel at RB... looks like Button might be left without a seat when the music stops Unless he ends up at Merc?

Rosberg on pole, first corner should be carnage interesting. Anyone else getting up early to watch live? I don't get much choice in the matter, DD2's always up by 6.30.

Am not getting up - long past the days of DC's waking me!

Always thought Vettel would end up at Ferrari eventually. I remember someone (EJ?) saying that some years ago and that Vettel started learning Italian about 3/4 years ago!

Would be sad to see Button go - but it would be lovely if he joined the BBC team.

Carnage at first corner, indeed!

I'm leaving quite early tomorrow for a day out so will at least get to see the start, should be interesting!

I hope Button finds a place somewhere. Although Hamilton and Rosberg are both contracted to Mercedes, I can see one of them leaving given the apparent acrimony of this season.

Bernie should start considering what's more important, the drivers or money in light of today's grand Prix.

On Sky it said that the FIA had asked the race organisers (Honda) twice whether they wanted to start the race earlier.

They didn't want to.

Apparently Martin Brundle has said for years that the Japanese recovery vehicles are particularly dangerous.

Thoughts are with Bianchi and his family.

Why didn't they race earlier in the day as discussed? Has there been any more news about Bianchi? I really hope he's OK.

I don't know the official reason they wouldn't start the race earlier.

No more news on Bianchi which I think is very worrying.

No more news yet, just that he's been taken to hospital unconscious. Not that that's stopping half of Twitter and Facebook jumping to all sorts of wild conclusions, of course.

I suppose you can't tell much this early on anyway. Fingers crossed for him.

It's not looking at all good :(

You tube have taken all videos down and looks like f1 gone into lockdown. Coulthard said this morning race time not changed as TV rights bring in a lot of money an most of the fans had timed train tickets so there would be little crowd. Always said Bernie was greedy. Yes he's done a lot for the sport but to risk drivers lives?
Hoping for some good news.

His father has just confirmed to French TV that Bianchi is being operated on and is in a very critical condition

According to Twitter, Bianchi's father has made a statement to French media confirming that his son is in a critical condition and currently being operated on for head trauma. Am just checking for confirmation from a reputable source.

I'm suprised they allowed the race to go ahead in such conditions that the medical helicopter can't fly?

FIA statement confirms Bianchi has suffered a severe head injury and is in a critical condition. Very sad news.

Sky F1 have cancelled the race highlights.

Apparently he's out of theatre and in ICU but not on a ventilator. Better news but next 24 hrs will tell.

Massa has said that he was asking for the safety car a few laps before Sutil came off. This is awful

There's a lot of debate on the f1 forums saying OK, once the race had started ,let it run. However lots of drivers had called for the early start when they saw the weather forecast. Even lauda said he wouldn't have raced today,not the first time he's been right on that.

Should be up to the FIA to dictate when the race goes ahead not the promoters. Glad to see Bianchi survived the initial impact (lots of pics on internet forums and Twitter) and good to hear he's not on life support. Hoping it's a positive update tomorrow.

Agree it should be up to the FIA. Having said that, drivers have also said that they've driven in worse conditions.

It always scares me when there's a recovery vehicle on the circuit. At lesser events they stop until recovery trucks are off the track - given the conditions here it seems particularly dangerous to have continued, even under a double yellow flag. Hopefully they'll review the regulations on this.