Yes, well it wasn't Pirelli's idea to make tires that fall off the performance cliff in 9 laps, that was Bernie's idea......they just did what he asked.
Yup, and that's why Bernie already said he doesn't want Michelin back. They made their intent known weeks (months?) ago so he knew their perspective before he came out against them. He doesn't have a problem with Michelin in general, the problem is they want to supply good tires and he's sure that's a bad thing. Also, if he has his way there definitely won't be more than one tire manufacturer because they'd compete to make the most competitive tires. My guess is he'll require the ONE manufacturer who wins out to agree to do the same sort of things Pirelli has been doing. That is, if it's entirely up to him...I have no idea who's in charge of this decision.
It does make you long for the good old days of F1, when any one could whip up an F1 car in their garage, beg some tires and oil sponsorship and go racing! Lots of different engine styles, tire mfrs, chassis styles (6 wheels!) aero was just a smooth nose and tail and if a part got bent, you could straighten it and get back out on track. Sheesh......I sound like one of those old farts!
Yeah, and mechanics who hand the driver the cigarette hanging from their lips for him to have a draw on while he is stationary in the pits. You can tell they didn't do refuelling in them days....
Both Red Bulls will take a new engine this weekend. This means both drivers start with grid penalties at the team's home race. In the background, Mateschitz (Red Bull owner) is griping that Renault have taken the fun out of F1 for them. When you're on only your second year after winning both the driver and constructor championships 4 years running, starts to sound a little like the kid who will only play if he gets to win. But I get it, I'd be disappointed too if I'd been so successful and then, through little fault of my own, I was suddenly relegated to also-ran status.
That would not be good for Haas one would think... Most likely bait, but still just the public discussion cannot sit well in the halls of Renault....... Then maybe that is exactly what RB wants, Renault to break the contract first..
The Hulk might go to sports cars next year if he doesn't get the ride he wants. Good for him if he does.
Somebody explain to me how a 25 place grid penalty to a back-marker in a field of 20 competitors is of any benefit to the racing spectacle. F1 has turned into the race to the bottom. Let's see who comes in last with the most penalties. For those trying to win the race, you have to save fuel so you lift and coast into the corners. You need to preserve your tires. If you try to improve your car, there is little or no testing unless you test it in the race. Of course that would have mean you changed something so it would mean a grid penalty. The final placements of this year has pretty well been determined already on race 1. Why am I even bothering to watch this? AURRGGHHH!!!! Sorry....I just needed to get that off my chest. I think I'll go back and watch the entire 24 hours at Le Mans. now.
While I agree with you that the penalties and rules this season seem to be anti-competition, bitching about it here or on any other forum is a waste of time - and gazillions of bytes have already been slaughtered over these very points - no one in the F1 management group is listening or going to change a thing. The only thing you can do that will make a difference is to vote with your wallet - stop watching them on TV, stop buying the premium packages so you get the broadcasts, stop buying F1 merchandise, stop writing about them on forums and stop going to the races. It will take a while, but they will get that message - it's the only one they pay any attention to these days - money. When the income dries up enough things will change, but I question if they'll change for the better - even then.
That wasn't my point - if the fans want to actually do something about the show, they need to vote with their wallets..... Vettel sure looked disappointed after qually, didn't he? I really think he thought he had a shot at pole today..... He said the Mercedes always seems to have a little something extra come qually - maybe he was remembering when he used to regularly do that when driving for Red Bull..... Nico really let it get away from him, didn't he? He was up the two tenths he needed too, all he had to do was finish the lap.....this really looks to be the Hamster's year, even when it goes wrong for him it goes right.
Speaking to Ricciardo, a BBC interviewer said that, while he would get a 10-place grid drop, Jenson Button would be behind him as he would actually be starting in the 42nd grid spot. Sharp as a pin, Ricciardo asked if there were mythical cars racing in the intervening grid positions.
:lol: Someone from Mercedes giving out Monster energy drink to fans at a circuit owned by Red Bull. :lol:
Spoiler alert . . . . . . . . . . It may not have looked the same but to me Kimi's moment makes me think of his spin last race in Canada. Seems like Ferrari may have something odd to hunt down. Don't think I actually spoiled anything there...
Spoiler alert . . . . . . . . . . Where is the real Maldonado and who/what has driven his car into the points the last two races?