There is cheering news for Alzheimer’s patients and people with Down’s syndrome as Canadian researchers have identified the gene that destroys brain cells in these diseases. According to researchers at the Vancouver-based University of British Columbia and the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, the identification of the gene responsible for the destruction of brain cells [...]
Posts Tagged ‘gene’
Culprit gene behind Alzheimer’s identified
January 13th, 2011 |
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Gene Simmons Hospitalized For Dehydration
October 26th, 2010 |
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KISS bassist Gene Simmons, 61, was hospitalized at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood on Sunday after he fainted and suffered a minor injury at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) over the weekend. Upon further investigation, doctors diagnosed Simmons with dehydration. He suffered a minor cut to his head and was kept overnight for observation. It’s been [...]
IBM Research Facilities: From ‘Watson’ to Analytics to Health Care
September 9th, 2010 |
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In Yorktown Heights, N.Y., IBM has built a mock set of the popular game show "Jeopardy" to a test a new type of supercomputer called "Watson." Watson is based on the same type of technology as Big Blue’s other Blue Gene supercomputers and uses natural language technologies. Right now, Watson is the most visible of several research projects under way at IBM’s two upstate New York research facilities named after T.J. Watson. About a 15-minute drive from Yorktown Heights, IBM has another research facility in Hawthorne to showcase the company’s inventions and innovations from the 1950s through present day. The two facilities are also home to IBM’s analytics research division, which is using mathematics and complex algorithms to solve problems facing governments, businesses and scientific research. Here, eWEEK takes a tour of both of the IBM research facilities, where projects range from solving railroads issues to health care advances to how retail companies can better serve customers in their stores. – …
IBM Supercomputer to Compete on Jeopardy
August 17th, 2010 |
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People interact with computers through programming languages and user interfaces, which are tools for issuing concrete commands. But when querying one another, humans use language in dense, sophisticated, and ambiguous ways. What if computers could keep up with natural language, and answer questions the way humans ask them of one another?
<p>This is the challenge shortly to be faced by IBM’s Watson – a computing system built on ‘question-answering’ technology called DeepQA, and implemented on IBM Blue Gene supercomputing nodes by a team at IBM Research headed by Dr. David Ferrucci. Sometime this Fall, a stand-alone Watson system will compete with top-tier human players on the long-running game show JEOPARDY!, where contestants are tasked with phrasing questions to match cleverly contrived written answers. In preparation for the real contest, the Watson system has scored well against highly-ranked JEOPARDY! players in mock shows, conducted over the past year.
<p>This video examines what promise Watson and DeepQA hold for business, research, and society at large.
– Video Content.
IBM Supercomputer ‘Watson’ Prepping for ‘Jeopardy’
June 18th, 2010 |
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IBMs “Watson” supercomputer could find its way onto the game show “Jeopardy” as early as this fall after performing well in mock Jeopardy games at IBM Labs over the winter, harkening back to the famous 1997 chess contest between world champion Gary Kasparov and IBMs Blue Gene computer. IBM officials say Watson will have practical commercial applications, enabling businesses to more quickly and accurately find and access information. – IBMs “Watson” supercomputer apparently is getting ready to make its “Jeopardy” debut.
IBM officials last year unveiled Watson,
a computer with the natural language capabilities that not only can
find information when asked directly for it as the Google search engine
can do but can quickly go thr…
Gene Ween | 01.16.10 | Philadelphia
January 23rd, 2010 |
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Words & Images by: Jake Krolick
Gene Ween :: 01.16.09 :: World Cafe Live :: Philadelphia, PA
 Gene Ween :: 01.16 :: Philadelphia |
If you’re a Ween fan, then the Gene Ween show at the World Cafe Live would have been your fantasy. Call it what you want, but a slightly grayer haired Aaron “Gene Ween” Freeman smiling in his tube socks, playing an acoustic guitar alone onstage was a night of excitement any way you cut it.
Gene’s stripped down takes on some classic Ween fare were just what the good doctor Daniels prescribed. It took a setting like this to help show just why Gene Ween is one of the top songwriters of our time, able to piece together tidbits of odd, funny lyrics into songs that can actually be thoughtful. Plus, kudos to the World Cafe Live for hosting a two-hour pre-show mixer that included an all-you-could-drink selection of 20 micro-brews and Belgian beers, all for a crisp Andrew Jackson ($20). After last year’s Gene Ween Band show (review here), I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who wondered how Gene was doing these days. My questions were answered before the first song was over – he’s looking and sounding better than ever! Sure, he was sporting a rooster’s plume of gray on his head, but his smile was immeasurable as he dusted off almost 20 songs near and dear to the Pennsylvania faithful.
If you didn’t love Gene Ween before you entered the World Cafe, well, you probably didn’t go. However, by the show’s close those that did attend loved him even more. His deconstruction and reworking of Ween standards showed a beautiful, yet still deeply eccentric side to the brown sound storyteller. As he wrapped his lips around “The Chancy Boys,” an oddly tender side of Gene Ween emerged. During a particularly strong cover of Neil Young‘s “I Am A Child” he pulled a clever switch on the lyrics and made Young’s line, “What is the color when black is brown?” This was Gene Ween the folk singer, just your friendly twisted version of Burl Ives and Shel Silverstein.
 Gene Ween :: 01.16 :: Philadelphia |
He was wonderfully vivid and brought to life Quebec‘s “Chocolate Town” and the younger Ween offering “Spiritwalker” off La Cucaracha. He started some of the songs by explaining their inspiration. He said, “This is a song I wrote at the beach,” before playing “Kite Flying Man.” He paused during the encore, “Buenos Tardes Amigos,” to tell us that the Spanish flavored oddity was created while watching Sesame Street. It was easy to see his role as a father has suited him well and I can’t begin to imagine the wonderful tales and songs he has sung to his children over the past years. The fact that we got a peek at a softer Gene Ween was a real treat.
With Gene’s family watching off on the side of the stage, he played his version of “Don’t Get to Close (To My Fantasy).” This was the turning point of the show as he contorted his face with as much ease as Bruce Bickford molded clay for Frank Zappa. He dug deep as he sang, “Don’t be afraid to clutch the hand of your creator/ Stare into the lion’s eyes/ and if you taste the candy you’ll get to the surprise!” The crowd was entirely with him and sung along as he retooled the track to include some humorous do-do-do’s instead of the whistled breakdown and they were right there helping him scream the end.
Our fascination with the aging troubadour bubbled up all evening in such little exchanges. Between cries of, “I love you, Gener,” the audience questioned his choice of footwear – white tube socks sans shoes? He tossed back, “My mom got these for me,” and “I only sing slow songs in my socks.” At some point after a darling version of “So Long Jerry,” his ode to Jerry Garcia, he misplaced his guitar capo under the music on his stand and the crowd shouted, “Maybe it’s in your socks!” His retort was a beautiful and very Beatles-eque version of The Pod‘s “Oh My Dear (Falling In Love).” Live, he accentuated one of the album’s lo-fi masterpieces in a way no recording can match.
 Gene Ween :: 01.16 :: Philadelphia |
The evening’s strongest point came during a back to back romp through “The Mollusk” and “Stallion Pt. 3.” Each was superb and made the night for most fans in the house. Gene Ween again deconstructed each song down to its bare bones form. During “The Mollusk,” he let the audience fill in the psychedelic keyboard sounds and electronic horns with their own vocal stylings as he strummed the refrain. He dug into “The Mollusk’s” crafty lyrics by lowering his voice a few octaves and furrowing his brow to sing the chorus before having some fun really dragging out the “Yes/ No” and story portions of the song. This was Gene Ween unbridled; the jester commanding his court with a wild tale of a sea creature stirred from the land. As if this wasn’t enough Boognish bliss he danced through “Stallion Pt. 3,” drawing more audience delight and participation on the “Hey, dude, he’s the stallion/ Yo, dude, he’s the stallion/ Dude, he’s the stallion” portion, where he uncorked his lowest vocal tones of the night.
After a short leave, he stepped back onstage for a one song encore, the aforementioned “Buenos Tardes Amigos,” which culminated in a barrage of socks tossed onto the stage by the crowd to close the show. Gene Ween, the fun-loving showman he is, retaliated by pulling off his own sweaty socks and tossing them into the audience.
Gene Ween tour dates available here.
Continue reading for more pics of Gene Ween in Philly…
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JamBase | Tubular
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Gene Simmons Sued For Assault
December 26th, 2009 |
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A couple who say they were assaulted by KISS star Gene Simmons are suing the bassist for unspecified damages.
Nathan Marlowe and his wife Cynthia Manzo are seeking damages of more than $25,000 for civil claims of assault, battery and infliction of emotional distress, according to papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court this week.
Marlowe and [...]
Kiss | 11.22 | Oakland
December 1st, 2009 |
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Words & Images by: Tracy Nunnery
KISS :: 11.22.09 :: Oracle Arena :: Oakland, CA
 KISS :: 11.22 :: Oakland, CA |
If you show anyone in the world a photo of KISS, it’s pretty likely that they will tell you right away who it is. That kind of cachet is hard to come by in the fickle world of music. The monster that Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and crew have created is alive, kicking and scratching, and will certainly be for many years, even after they finish their time onstage. Their lucrative creation is completely absurd and they have gone to great lengths to keep it that way.
It’s genius, really. When I first saw the KISS Destroyer Tour as a kid in 1976, all of the elements were already in place. It was an over-the-top exhibition of the most elaborate circus turned horror fest. And, as a rock show, not a play was left in the playbook with all of the cliche tricks in the history of rock music pressed into use. When Peter Criss and Ace Frehley left the band, their iconic characters kept marching forward. Fans weren’t paying to see actual people; they were showing up, year after year and show after show, to see the spectacle. Although the band behind the makeup may change, the experience will be consistently familiar.
True to form, the show at the Oracle Arena was instantly recognizable. Just as in 1976, pyrotechnics, explosions, blood and “faster, heavier, harder and louder” were the defining features of the evening. There was a fire-breathing, tongue-wagging, blood-spitting demon wielding a bass guitar in the shape of an axe. There was a guy with a star over his eye and a cat playing drums. Oh, and there was some classic ’70s hard rock, too. There were old songs and new ones that you would swear were old. It was all ridiculous but thoroughly entertaining. For KISS fans, it was idyllic old school rock ‘n’ roll entertainment with the volume set to 11.
 Gene Simmons :: 11.22 :: Oakland, CA |
This time out on the 35/Alive Tour, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons brought along guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer for an evening of neo-vintage entertainment. After opening with “Deuce” and “Strutter,” the band played hit after hit including “Calling Dr. Love,” “Let Me Go, Rock ‘N Roll,” “I Love It Loud,” and “Rock and Roll All Nite” before returning with an encore of classics, which included “Shout It Out Loud,” “Love Gun,” and “Detroit Rock City.” Stanley also stretched his trademark New Yawk-tinged vocals with a couple of new songs including a surprisingly demanding “Modern Day Delilah,” which sounded as if it had been plucked from the vault of KISS oldies.
In their roles as the iconic “Spaceman” and “Catman,” Thayer and Singer confidently ripped through the familiar songs as if they had been doing it all along. Stanley was busy strutting, posing and cavorting, while Simmons did his best to appear menacing. If only we hadn’t seen him out of character in his Family Jewels reality television series. Or would that be in character?
All of the other essential ingredients were also on display just as they have been for more than three decades. The guitar picks were flying like confetti into the face-painted crowd. There were dueling guitar solos, a rotating riser for the classic drum solo, and Gene and Paul suspended, flying on cables above the crowd. There was also an incident where Thayer’s guitar appeared to fire explosives, knocking a set of stage lights from the rigging onto the stage below, as a part of the exhibition.
The KISS Army was out in strong numbers, many of whom were sharing their fondly remembered youth with their kids. There were also the merely curious, those folks just wanting to see what a KISS show was all about. In truth, the music is still incidental. For the hottest band in the world, the spectacle is the show.
KISS is on tour now; dates available here.
Continue reading for more pics of KISS in Oakland…
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JamBase | Rock City
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Adam Lambert Blasts Gene Simmons
November 12th, 2009 |
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They looked awfully chummy during their performance on the American Idol finale last May, but Adam Lambert and KISS rocker Gene Simmons are anything but these days, as the self-christened glam rock star and the “Hardest Man In Rock n’ Roll” bicker over a remark Gene made about Adam’s sexuality earlier this year.
Glambert is disgusted [...]
Ween | 09.05.09 | Red Rocks
September 22nd, 2009 |
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Words & Images by: Tk Kayembe
Ween :: 09.05.09 :: Red Rocks Amphitheatre :: Morrison, CO
 Ween :: 09.05 :: Red Rocks |
In 1984, a pre-pubescent Mickey Melchiondo and Aaron Freeman formed Ween in their Jr. High typing class. Little did they know at the time that their uniquely spirited sound, comprised partly of Freeman’s soulfully melancholy lyrics and Melchiondo’s dexterous and occasionally Jimi-esque guitar playing would inevitably have them performing at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (among many other stellar venues). Since their first studio release, 1990′s godWEENsatan, Dean and Gene Ween (Mickey and Aaron’s pseudonyms) have toured all over the world pushing their odd, heavy, awesome sound.
When it was announced earlier this year that Ween was going to play Red Rocks, I immediately got giddy, ordering pre-sales and calling up my friends. Now that it’s over, trying to separate my feelings towards the performance from my feelings regarding the setlist they played is difficult, presumably because the emotions I harbor are completely contradictory. Overall, the show was marvelous. The Meat Puppets were a terrific opener, serving the Rocks with their staple ’90s grunge sound, capturing the audience in a nostalgic haze while reliving songs such as “Lake of Fire” and “Backwater,” readying patrons for the chaos to come. As for the headliners, each Ween track was exquisitely played with plenty of Fender grinding solos and playful nuances, but their selections were puzzling to say the least. But before I get hung up on the songs they didn’t play, let’s discuss what they did, because what they did play they played the hell out of.
Opening their set with “Pork Roll Egg and Cheese” followed by “Bananas and Blow,” Gener captured the attention of the crowd, getting everyone up on their feet and singing right along with him. Deaner upped the ante with the opening chords to “My Own Bare Hands,” his latest “fuck you” track off La Cucaracha. Dean’s excitably strong, raspy voice belted out the aggressive lyrics while energetically attacking bar chords and cleanly thrashing through solos. Abruptly changing pace from “Take Me Away,” we were welcomed by the haunting intro to The Mollusk outtake, “Did You See Me,” a murky, melodic masterpiece. “Transdermal Celebration” was as lively as ever and during the chorus the band cut the tempo, giving the tune a swing feel, until Deaner brought it back with the angelic intro guitar lick.
 Ween :: 09.05 :: Red Rocks |
Other memorables included “The Beacon Light” from the X-Files soundtrack, “Woman and Man” and an extremely spacey “Zoloft” with a tiny “Exactly Where I’m At” tease (or hiccup) during the drop. Following was a practically nine-minute “Voodoo Lady,” complete with relentless solos, strobe lights and intense smoke, which filled up the stage and billowed deep into the crowd. Red Rocks was also treated to the instrumental “Ice Castles,” which immediately played into “The Final Alarm.” They closed with “Mister, Would You Please Help My Pony,” “Spinal Meningitis” and “Buckingham Green,” to name a few, before capping off the set with “Dr. Rock,” leaving the feverish mob howling for an encore and warbling the band’s name over and over.
Following the first encore, “Fiesta,” the group stared out into the crowd and up towards the sky, enamored by their surroundings. The nearly full venue, which seats 9,450, was gushing with applause and chants. During this brief onstage break, a glow stick war ensued, filling the sky with shimmering light. Deaner responded by opening his arms in the air, offering himself up as a target while neon tubes showered onstage. After enduring a couple wallops, he displayed his love in true Dean Ween fashion with a polite flipping of the bird, complete with shit-eating grin. Turning around, they went in for the second encore selection, “The Mollusk,” before ending the night all too soon with “Roses are Free.”
This end of summer blowout was monumental and enthralling, glorious and weird. On the other hand, it regrettably fell a bit short. While the intensity and energy were all present, something still irked this reporter, namely Ween’s chosen setlist. It played less than extraordinary, feeling rather common and, dare I say, comparable to a “best of” festival set (excluding Bonnaroo 2004). This being the first time Dean and Gene played the mountain-carved venue in years, the talk of rarities, hidden gems and album outtakes being busted out were in full swing on the Ween forums. Red Rocks audiences in the past have been treated to epic renditions of “Captain,” “ReggaeJunkieJew,” “L.M.L.Y.P.,” “I’m In The Mood,” “Frank” and “Back to Basom,” not to mention the noteworthy acoustic set from Red Rocks 2006.
 Ween :: 09.05 :: Red Rocks |
Unfortunately, the overall experience of this performance felt generic and deficient of something special, particularly for long-time listeners. People traveled to Morrison, CO from all over the country expecting a mind-blowing spectacle, but the only tracks which strayed from the formula in the least were “Ice Castles,” “Beacon Light” and “Did You See Me?” While most assuredly stellar songs, I nonetheless felt many fans, like myself, were pining for something more out of the ordinary. Perhaps a red letter version of “She Fucks Me,” “Ode to Rene” or possibly a darkly bitter “Loving You Through It All”? This could have been the perfect place to unleash the powerful “Alcan Road” or “Ooh Va La,” but I guess not this round.
I suppose the prolonged build up of anticipation for this concert led me to believe there would be something inimitable about this night other than a superb band playing Red Rocks. Was this because I have yet to see a truly bad Ween show? They always start strong, finish hard and simply deliver. This couldn’t be it, since this show wasn’t “bad” by any means, quite the contrary in fact. As I said before, it just lacked a certain excitement level which is reached when rare tunes are nestled in between the more popular “to be expected” tracks. I was waiting for that distinctive something that would solidify this night in Ween/Red Rocks/my personal concert history, and aside from the great community of fans and friends at the venue, I fear this one may be doomed to be forgotten, swallowed up by others in the past and future.
Ween :: 09.05.09 :: Red Rocks Ampitheatre :: Morrison, CO
Pork Roll Egg & Cheese, Bananas and Blow, With My Own Bare Hands, Learnin’ To Live, Now Im Freaking out, Take Me Away, Did You See Me?, Transdermal Celebration, Your Party, Beacon Light, Woman and Man, Zoloft, Voodoo Lady, Ice Castles > Final Alarm, Gabrielle, Stroker Ace, Touch My Tooter, Don’t Get Too Close To My Fantasy, Buckingham Green, Ocean Man, Mister Could You Please Help My Pony?, Spinal Meningitis, Johnny On The Spot, Dr. Rock
E: Fiesta, The Mollusk, Roses are Free
Continue reading for more pics of Ween and the Meat Puppets at Red Rocks…
 Meat Puppets
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JamBase | On The Rocks
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First Mac Plus, Owned by Gene Roddenberry, Up for Auction
September 19th, 2009 |
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Want to own Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry’s Mac Plus, who received it as a gift from Apple in 1986? Auction house Profiles in History is putting the computer, the company’s first Mac Plus, up for auction.
– Historic artifact dealer Profiles in History announced Thursday it is putting the first Macintosh Plus 1Mb personal computer to come off the assembly line at Apple Computer in Fresno, Calif., up for auction. The computer, which bears the serial number F4200NUM0001, was a gift from Apple to quot;Sta…
The origin of diabetes: Don’t blame your genes
September 3rd, 2009 |
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They may simply be getting bad instructions—from you
GENES are acquired at conception and carried to the grave. But the same gene can be expressed differently in different people—or at different times during an individual’s life. The differences are the result of what are known as epigenetic marks, chemicals such as methyl groups that are sometimes attached to a gene to tell it to turn out more of a vital protein, or to stop making that protein altogether.
Many researchers believe epigenetic marks hold the key to understanding, and eventually preventing, a number of diseases—and one whose epigenetic origins they are particularly interested in is type 2, or late-onset, diabetes. Juleen Zierath and her colleagues at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, are trying to find out how people develop insulin resistance, the underlying cause of type 2 diabetes. …
Gene that raises bladder cancer risk identified
August 3rd, 2009 |
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A gene variation of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) gene, called rs2294008, can increase the risk of urinary bladder cancer, according to researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
The researchers determined that people with the variant had a 30 to 40 percent higher risk for bladder cancer.
They hope that the [...]
â€Biohackers†cooking up mutant microbes at home using Ebay, YouTube
August 1st, 2009 |
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Amateur scientists have apparently been cooking up mutant microbes at home with help from popular websites Ebay and YouTube.
The “biohackers” were said to have assembled makeshift gene laboratories in their own homes and were creating genetically-engineered bugs.
Kay Aull, Boston, said she purchased all the material required from websites such as eBay to make genetically engineer [...]
Gene therapy to treat blindness on the anvil
August 1st, 2009 |
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In a novel study, American and Arab researchers are working together to develop a gene therapy that would help treat a rare, hereditary retinal disease.
The therapy has been shown to restore lost vision in animal models of retinitis pigmentosa (RP).
The RP patients first experience defective dark adaptation or “night blindness,†followed by reduction [...]
Diabetes gene predisposes kids to have lower birth weight
July 30th, 2009 |
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A gene previously shown to be involved in the development of type 2 diabetes also predisposes children to having a lower birth weight, a new study has found.
The study, by researchers from The Children’’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, sheds light on a possible genetic influence on how prenatal [...]
Schumacher makes shock F1 return
July 29th, 2009 |
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By Andrew Benson
Michael Schumacher is not ruling out the possibility of standing in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.
The Brazilian is recovering in hospital after suffering a fractured skull at the Hungarian Grand Prix and is likely to be out for the rest of the year.
"The whole thing will be considered by Ferrari. If they approach Michael, then he will consider it," the seven-time champion’s spokeswoman told BBC Sport.
"But there is no reason for him to step into their discussion."
Schumacher, who retired from Formula 1 at the end of the 2006 season, told the BBC in an interview at the German Grand Prix two weeks ago that he was not interested in returning to F1.
However, his spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said that was a reference to a permanent return.
"Usually, I would say he’s not interested because he’s fine with his life and he doesn’t miss anything but now the situation is so different – it’s very hypothetical – and Michael doesn’t want to step into that [discussion]," she stated.
She added that Schumacher still trained every day but that she did not know whether he was fit enough to race an F1 car again.
"Michael had an accident [motorcycle] in February when he had a neck problem – and I really can’t tell you if his neck would be fine to drive an F1 race," she said.
"If Ferrari asked him whether he would consider driving, he would have it checked – and remember he is a 40-year-old man, too."
Massa has had surgery on a fractured skull sustained when a spring from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn hit him on the helmet at more than 160mph during qualifying in Hungary on Saturday.
He is in a "severe but not critical" condition, according to the hospital that is treating him in Budapest and there is also concern about damage to his left eye.
The surgeon treating him, Robert Veres, revealed it was "too early to say" whether Massa would be able to compete again.
But he will almost certainly not be able to drive at the next race, the European Grand Prix in Valencia in Spain on 23 August – and probably not for the rest of the year either.
606: DEBATE"I don’t think it will happen, but as a big Schumacher fan I would love it, if he did."
Steven Davis 7
That means Ferrari need to find a team-mate for Kimi Raikkonen for the Valencia race.
Schumacher, who won a record 91 grands prix in his career, is under contract to the team after taking on a consultancy role following his retirement.
The German is close to Massa, who was his team-mate in his final season, and has taken a close interest in the Brazilian’s career.
But he has not driven an F1 car since 2007 and may consider that he has nothing to gain from a temporary return.
A number of other drivers have been mentioned as possible replacements for Massa.
Among them is Renault’s Fernando Alonso, who is expected to move to Ferrari in 2010 anyway – although the team have not confirmed that report and the Spaniard has denied it.
Renault have been banned from the Valencia race after allowing Alonso to return to the track with a loose wheel following a pit stop.
The wheel and its fairing both became detached from the car as he toured slowly back to the pits – an alarming sight only 24 hours after Massa’s accident.
Renault have appealed against the decision to suspend them and a hearing of the court of appeal of governing body the FIA is expected in the next couple of weeks.
It has been speculated that Alonso’s move to Ferrari may simply be brought forward – but that would leave Renault without a recognised top driver for the rest of the season.
The team were on the verge of sacking Alonso’s team-mate Nelson Piquet before the Hungarian race and while Alonso, a two-time world champion, qualified on pole in Hungary, Piquet qualified 15th and finished 12th in a similar car.
Ferrari have two reserve drivers, the Spaniard Marc Gene and the veteran Italian Luca Badoer.
Spaniard Gene – who raced intermittently for Williams as a stand-in during 2003/2004 and has competed in 36 races with a best result of sixth – is the more likely to be given the drive.
Badoer has been a test driver for Ferrari but has not raced since 1999 and has never scored a world championship point.
A number of other drivers have been mentioned as possible stand-ins.
The most qualified, Schumacher aside, is BBC F1 pundit David Coulthard, who won 13 grands prix before retiring at the end of last season. He is under contract to Red Bull, who would need to give him permission to race if Ferrari approached him.
Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais, who was sacked by the Toro Rosso team before the Hungarian Grand Prix, has been mentioned as he has the same manager as Massa – Frenchman Nicolas Todt.
And last winter, Italian Formula Three champion Mirko Bortolotti reportedly impressed Ferrari in a test. The 19-year-old is racing in Formula Two this season.</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Live – Hungary Grand Prix
July 26th, 2009 |
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LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times BST)
606: DEBATEYour thoughts on the action
To get involved text us on 81111 with FORMULA 1 before your message. (Not all contributions can be used; UK mobiles only; network rates apply)
By Caroline Cheese
BBC Sport’s Sarah Holt at the Hungaroring: "Ferrari will not be replacing Felipe Massa in today’s race. The sport’s rules say a team can change a driver "any time before the start of qualifying" and that "additional changes for reasons of force majeure will be considered separately". Although Massa’s crash was certainly caused by a "greater force", the team haven’t considered running nominated reserve driver Marc Gene, most likely out of respect for Massa. Gene and fellow Italian Luca Badoer are Ferrari’s reserve drivers while seven-time Michael Schumacher is also on the books in an advisory role. And just so you know, any team can use up to four drivers in one season."1159: Bit of a serious start to the day eh I make no apologies for that, but we are going to try to turn our attention to today’s race – although we’ll of course bring you any news about Massa as soon as we hear it. The Brazilian would have been 10th on the grid, but in his absence, Sebastien Buemi and all the drivers behind him will move up a place.1152: Another interesting line from Brundle’s column: "I don’t like to use the term ‘freak accident’ because there’s an inevitability about periodic fatal incidents in motor racing and in life." That seems to the the thrust of many of your texts so far. Hard to see how the sport can be made safer. There has been talk of providing more protection around the cockpit, but asDavid Coulthard says in his BBC Sport column,the open cockpit "is the essence of single-seater racing".1144: Massa’s accident came only six days after 18-year-old Henry Surtees was killed when he was struck by a loose wheel during an F2 race. Martin Brundle was at that race and was standing next to Henry’s father and motor racing legend John Surtees when the accident happened. "Henry’s accident seems so unfair," writes Brundlein an eloquent and heart-wrenching column for the Sunday Times, which I recommend everyone reads."John Surtees survived the sport’s most perilous times. Yet his son is taken in an era where motor racing is infinitely safer and in a category in which it’s difficult to conceive how the cars could be made much safer."
From Pete in Stoke, via text on 81111: "I think I speak on behalf of all F1 fans when I send my best wishes to Felipe and to wish him a speedy recovery."Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali speaking on Sunday morning: "The condition of Felipe is stable, there were no complications during the night. Now we are waiting to do another CT scan – after that we will have more information, and this is what we can say at the moment. We are thanking all the medical staff here (at the AEK military hospital) for the operation, they are working very well."1137: Just in case you haven’t heard the latest, Massa’s condition is being described as "stable". He has been sedated since having surgery yesterday and will be woken today before having another brain scan. The FIAwill conduct an investigation into the incident.1130: Hello. Nineteen drivers are preparing for race 10 of the 2009 season this morning. The 20th is recovering in hospitalfollowing emergency surgery as a result of a skull fracture.Get well soon, Felipe Massa. Very soon
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