Gilles Simon affair | FerrariChat

Gilles Simon affair

Discussion in 'F1' started by VIZSLA, Sep 11, 2011.

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  1. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    I took August off and may have missed mention here (search reveals no posts or threads) but on Aug 1 Gilles Simon left a position with the FIA as technical and power train director (were he was responsible for the new engine specs) and went to work for Craig Pollock's PURE engine outfit.
    While at the FIA he had detailed access to commercial and technical information from Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Cosworth. Now he's working for a direct competitor.
    Worst part is that it seems to have been done with Jean Todt's knowledge and blessing. They worked together at Peugeot and Ferrari and Todt provided a supportive quote for the PURE press release.
    The teams are said to be seething but are biting their tongues.
     
  2. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Well, what can you do? It happens.
     
  3. kraftwerk

    kraftwerk Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Well I suppose you cannot stop the guy from working elsewhere, but something is not quite right here, but when is it with FIA, Todt French, PURE French or Swiss company..?

    More on it:
    FIA president Jean Todt has endorsed Craig Pollock’s plans to bring new engine supplier PURE into F1 in 2013.

    Todt said: “We welcome PURE to Formula One.

    “The rule changes for 2013 have been developed to provide lower cost, greener and more fuel efficient technologies for Formula One. We wish PURE every success in developing powertrains compliant with the new F.I.A. regulations.”

    Former BAR team principal Craig Pollock is behind the plans for PURE, which stands for Propulsion Universelle et Recuperation d’Energie.

    PURE is the first new engine supplier to announce it will build engines conforming to the 2013 rules, which require teams to produce 1.6-litre, four-cylinder engines.

    The Swiss-based PURE claim F1 will be the “ultimate proving ground” for new engine technology.

    A statement released today said: “The new regulations present an ideal opportunity for PURE to capitalise on Formula One’s status as a proving ground for new technology and demonstrate its expertise in high performance eco-friendly powertrains.”

    Pollock said: “The vision for PURE is to be a leader in the development of the next generation powertrain technology which must respond to the demands for a cleaner environment.

    “The 2013 Formula One powertrain regulation changes offer PURE an immediate platform to field test and validate future technologies for implementation in other industries. We have assembled an expert team, the finest technology partners and have received positive encouragement from the F.I.A.”

    Several former Renault employees are involved in the project.

    Christian Contzen was managing director of Renault Sport during their championship-winning years with Williams and, later, Benetton.

    Jean-Pierre Boudy, who works as a senior design engineer for PURE’s technology partner TEOS Powertrain Engineering, worked on Renault’s first F1 turbo engine which made its debut in 1977.

    He later ran their research and development department, before joining Jean Todt at Peugeot to develop the V10 engine which powered Peugeot’s Le Mans 24 Hours-winning cars in 1992 and 1993.
     
  4. ingegnere

    ingegnere F1 Veteran
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    Di Montezemolo is none too happy about it and had this to say about it at Monza this weekend:

    "Di Montezemolo also hit out at the way in which the FIA's former engine advisor Gilles Simon, who had worked closely with the current F1 manufacturers, was able to leave the governing body and take his knowledge to the PURE company.

    'What I don't like today in F1, I don't like to give all the numbers of my engine to the federation, and the guy in charge at the federation of controlling the engines is now leaving and going to a private company with all my numbers. This I don't like very much. I don't like it at all and I want to talk about it.' "

    Full article here: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/94424

    Anyway, based on what he accomplished at BAR, Pollock will almost certainly deliver more hot air than actual results.
     
  5. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 VIZSLA, Sep 11, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2011
    It happens and it stinks. BTW Gilles's predecessor (hired by Max) had a clause in his contract prohibiting such a move. A lot of us were hoping for better from Todt.

    And no one is willing to complain publicly.
    No wonder some fans are alienated.

    Edit, nice to see Luca speaking out. Six weeks late though.
     
  6. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    'Storm in a tea cup' IMO.

    Nothing to see here. (Pollock may be able to supply a team or two in 2013, but I reckon there's gonna be plenty of options....)

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  7. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Ian,
    Seems that the teams disagree.
    It may not give PURE an advantage when the dust settles but the fact that it was allowed to happen is troubling.
     
  8. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Allowed? You can't stop it.
     
  9. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    You may be be right.
    When Todt took over from Max there were promises of fair play and an end to patronage.
    Now we see him letting one of his cronies take information that the teams thought they were offering in confidence to their competitor.
    Somethings just don't change and it's disappointing.
     
  10. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    again and as usual.
     
  11. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    And somewhere Max is having the last laugh.
     
  12. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Another conspiracy?
     
  13. DeSoto

    DeSoto F1 Veteran

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    #13 DeSoto, Sep 12, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2011
    It´s not fair, but the design of the new turbo engines is still in an early stage of design so I doubt that Simon has any really valuable data.
     
  14. Far Out

    Far Out F1 Veteran

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    Does anyone have more info about that PURE company? I can't even find out where they are located, the only info out there is that they exist, Pollock is the boss and Simon joined them...
     
  15. kraftwerk

    kraftwerk Two Time F1 World Champ

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    A relatively new company by all accounts, and a close friend of Todt's heading to a organization that will provide engines to the F1 teams....

    Join the dots...
     
  16. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    It's a conspiracy, I tell you!
     
  17. kraftwerk

    kraftwerk Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Haha something is fishy and it ain't my missues cooking this time..;)
     
  18. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Conspiracy by whom?
    Looks like typically tawdry F1 way of doing things.
     
  19. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    You guys, of course. Always trying to read stuff into everything. Overactive imagination. Too much cordial perhaps?
     
  20. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
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    That's surprising - if anyone knew any additional information to supplement the media reports, then I would have assumed it would be you Florian. I guess this company is a real unknown quantity. :eek:

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
  21. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Some of us still have a bit of hope is all.

    Funny, I was wondering the same of you ;)
     
  22. kraftwerk

    kraftwerk Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #22 kraftwerk, Sep 12, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2011
    It's strong stuff it would floor a rhino I mean ...I'm trying to work this lot out..;)



    Ferrari to agree in advance which rules they’re going to ignore.

    Michael Schumacher allowed to pretend he wasn’t in 2010 season.

    All teams to use 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder engine from Fiesta RS Turbo.

    Ferrari allowed to ignore agreement about which rules they’re ignoring.

    Karun Chandhok to be re-classified as a ‘removable device’.

    All teams allowed to buy sixth engine from scrapyard.

    Stefano Domenicali limited to 50 appearances on BBC F1 coverage per season.

    Nankang to become second tyre supplier from 2012.

    All teams permitted to fit new air filter to Fiesta RS Turbo engine and then claim ‘XTRA
    50BHP!!!!!!!!!’

    Kamui Kobayashi and Hamilton..:) limited to four ambitious overtaking moves per season.

    Korean Grand Prix to become 35 percent less muddy by 2014.

    Eddie Jordan limited to 900 tons of bull**** per season.

    Bernd Maylander in a Mercedes SLS to be recognised as an official world championship entry.

    A minimum of five teams called Lotus by 2013.


    :D
     
  23. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #23 VIZSLA, Sep 12, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 12, 2011
    Funny funny stuff there. But not too far from what's happened;)
     
  24. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    That doesn't even make sense.

    Lift your game!
     
  25. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    I'm not following you.
    Is it the hope remark or the cordial retort that you are referring to?
    D
     

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