F1 Pick'em Hungary

[Craig.]

They wont swap them around. It'll be one driver barring really poor performances. Marc Gene is still the first in line.
Willi Weber has said it is unlikely Michael will take Felipe's spot, but the interesting thing there is, last night he said he definitly wouldn't. So its possible Schumi has been discussing it. And if all else fails Badoer will go. Or they could go back in time and get Mika Salo to deputise like he did for schumi in 99.
As someone was saying on the autosport website, if Felipe is able to get back into the car this season he can thank Max Mosely. Apparently helmet companies were asking the FIA to relax the rules on tolerances in situations like this because it was getting too expensive. But Max refused to relent on it. This visor for instance must be able to withstand an impact of upto 500KPH without the visor being penetrated.
This is very simmilar in terms of positioning to what happend to Ayrton Senna. Same region of the helmet, a large piece from the car striking the visor/upper corner of the helmet. Felipe will get to see the birth of his baby in november because of the lessons learned from the Senna accident.

[C]

As someone was saying on the autosport website, if Felipe is able to get back into the car this season he can thank Max Mosely. Apparently helmet companies were asking the FIA to relax the rules on tolerances in situations like this because it was getting too expensive. But Max refused to relent on it. This visor for instance must be able to withstand an impact of upto 500KPH without the visor being penetrated.

Much as people dislike Max and his politics, his reign as FIA chief has to go down in history as a success purely on the work he has done to ensure motorsport is as safe as it is.

I quite agree that it'll probably be Marc Gene for the rest of the year, or part of it til Felipe returns, but you can't help but think in todays ultra commercial F1, and with Ferrari always picking experienced drivers from other teams (pretty much without fail - and with Alonso already lined up for next year), they could generate far more interest in the brand (during a season which ultimately, like McLaren, has been a failure) by putting some interesting, suitably qualified, names in the seat.

[Craig.]

Something very interesting a few people have picked up on.
flavio's response to the question, "will Fernando be in a renault next year" He responded, "Well he's in the car for now, and we'll take it race by race"
Could it be possible Ferrari may buy out his contract early from Renault, who are known to be desperate to cut costs.

[Craig.]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77354

Wow. I think that may have just sealed my previous post.

[C]

Too right! In light of last weekend, and yesterday, how utterly daft.

As for the seat, I suspect Renault could do with bedding in a (potentially) all new driver line up before the new season.

Massa's misfortune could be Piquet's next lifeline though.

[CD.]

It was a good race and I enjoyed it. Lewis & Kimi deserved their results. On a side note I watched part of the race online.. with CBBC commentary.  :P

[eno]

The latest I've heard about Massa is that there is a worry about permanent damage to his left eye... Sufficient enough to end his driving career.  :-/ :-/

[Craig.]

They've updated it to say there is no news on his eye. Untill he is able to open it they wont know.
They've woken him up and dont predict they'll be sedating him again. He's been moving his arms and legs, and answering the questions.
They've not asked him if he remembers the crash.
It'll be 7 to 10 days before they know if there is any permenant damage.

Marc Gene is apparently at Viarano doing pitstop practice.
Sabine, (michael Schumachers press agent) has said Michael has been keeping fit and is in the condition and ready to race single seaters competitivly if asked, but he has neither been asked, and has not asked to take the seat.
Luca and stefano will sit down this week and discuss how best to fill the seat for the required races.

[Craig.]

Massa Update.
He should be able to leave hospital in the next 10 days, and he's doing much better, talking with his friends and family.

Driver update:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77395

Otherwise nothing new on that front.
But my head may explode.

Main thing is Massa seems to be recovering well and quickly.