F1 is almost a SPEC CAR series now anyway. This is one of the biggest gripes I have with F1 these days.....I grew up in the days where 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16 cylinder cars could all be in the same F1 race, and sometimes even be competetive! When aero was something you shot out of a bow. When safety didn't really exist..... Well, that last part I'm glad they improved, but I sure don't see "improving the breed" happening now, when everybody is looking for an aero tweak that will net them .00001 sec. a lap......and when that can win or lose a race!
Announcement (In the fashion of Lewis Hamilton): I apologize to PAINT for any offense it may have taken in regards to my comments on how dumb the new implementation of the DRS detection and activation zones is... I don't intend to alter the way I compare the intelligence of PAINT in the future to various elements of F1, and if somebody tries to force me, I"LL QUIT! Because, after all, I'm just better and faster than everyone else, including PAINT! _Dave_
+1 Minidave I remember the sounds of the V12's of Ferrari, Maserati, Matra The BRM H16 The Coventry Climax, BRM, Cosworth V8's. Each car was a different design and you could tell them by their colors, not their sponsorship. It was true racing in the 60-80's. Drivers did not just compete in F1 but also in sports car road racing, Indy cars, NASCAR. F1 use to be the ultimate motorsport of drivers, teams, tracks. It was not a busniess. It should not be a busniess. Technology in motorsports is fine, it is to be accecpted as part of the sport. It should not overshadow the sport itself. Is F1 the true example of the best drivers in the world or the best button pushers that are in the "sport". I'm am old school. I believe that the driver should control the throttle, brake and shifting of a race car by manual control, not electronics, buttons or paddles.
I'm kinda mixed on Hammy He does need a personal manager to teach him how to present himself to the media. Vettel at 23 either has it innate or is well coached, suspect the later. The boy has every right to be arrogant however he carries himself very well. I can't imagine at 23 dealing with all of that I'll give Hammy this, that move he put on Schumi early in the race was brilliant
Lewis found great success very early in his F1 career. Think now reality has hit him square between the ego, especially at this Monte Carlo. Hopefully it was frustration and this is all a part of maturing....because he was driving like a rookie. Take away his impatient moves and he could have had a respectable finish in a car that could not have won, no matter how hard it was driven. 2cents. ...now trying to blame racism for why he was punished for those moves will get him no where except out of F1 faster than he got there. ;( PS: On another note; I do not agree with F1 allowing teams to work on the cars during a red flag, ridiculous. They should have had to return to the track in the same condition as they were in when the red flag came out. Any repairs should have been done after the race was restarted.
I agree, though consensus of (reported) paddock opinion is merely that they shouldn't have been allowed to change tires. No one seems to care much about the rest. I think it's a bit short-sighted as they seem focused on how much more entertaining the finish would have been if Vettel was forced to continue to try to defend on those worn tires. I think it's likely Hamilton would have been shown the black and orange flag if he'd continued with that rear wing damage...which might have meant a sensational finish for poor Maldonado.
As to the 2 -zone DRS....what happens if the guy in front gets passed prior to the final chicane does he then get to activate his DRS to try and catch up or does the passer get to use it again to gain even more advantage? :frown2:
If you have some time to kill there's a pretty good video interview over on F1 Fanatic. Peter Windsor speaks with Keith Collantine (who runs F1 Fanatic) and they interview Sebastian Buemi. Some really good insights from Buemi. The video itself doesn't improve the experience, just turn it on and listen while doing something else. Runs more than an hour, good stuff comes after the misc racing headlines at the intro. The Flying Lap Episode 24
The Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix will indeed take place this year, after the FIA on Friday said that giving the postponed season opener a new date of Oct. 30 will help unite the people of the troubled country. The sport's governing body said that an FIA delegation visited Bahrain last week, and apparently the resulting report said that all was well. However, the Associated Press on Friday reported that protestors were shot with tear gas at a street demonstration. The F1 teams have made it clear recently that they are not in favor of a return to Bahrain in 2011. A response from the Formula One Teams Association is expected soon. Meanwhile, there is still no firm date set for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, which has vacated its Oct. 30 slot. However, the Delhi race will now have to take place on Dec. 4 or 11. Those dates straddle the FIA's end-of-year meetings and prize-giving, which are to be held in the same city. The FIA's full statement: "Following a fact-finding mission undertaken at the request of FIA President Jean Todt, FIA Vice President Carlos Gracia visited Bahrain on May 31, 2011, to assess the situation in the country. Meetings were conducted with the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Bahrain Motor Federation and Bahrain International Circuit, as well as other national and international organisations including Mr. Tariq Al Saffar at the National Institute of Human Rights. "It should be noted that the recent announcement by the King of Bahrain has established a political dialogue and reconciliation process. After considering all the factors and taking into consideration all stakeholders' concerns, the [World Motor Sport Council] unanimously agreed to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix in the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship. "This decision reflects the spirit of reconciliation in Bahrain, which is evident from the strong support the race receives from the Government and all major parties in Bahrain, including the largest opposition group, all of whom endorse the Formula One Grand Prix and motor sport in the country. "The WMSC feels that reinstating the Grand Prix is a means of helping to unite people as the country looks to move forward, and also recognizes the commitment made by the Formula One teams, their employees and families, and personnel associated with the championship including the local team of volunteers who are so vital to the event. "The Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on Oct. 30, replacing the Indian Grand Prix, which will now become the final round of the 2011 championship, combined with the FIA Annual General Assembly and Prize-Giving Gala." Source - Autoweek
Whoopie......another Bore-ring. I'm sure the population will be so excited when they receive their free tickets to the race.....right. LOL
I admit I've never had much positive to say about David Coulthard when out of the car with his mouth in gear. In retrospect he's not always been an ass, far from it, and I think I judged him based on a few statements that bugged me made when he was still driving in F1 (and I've had zero access to his post-F1 broadcaster career). I decided he was the type who enjoys intentionally pissing people off, occasionally, just for the fun of it. You know, throw a turd in the punchbowl and then stand back to watch the reaction. Nowhere near as bad as throw-a-turd-in-the-punchbowl King Eddie Irvine, but still... However, I have a lot of respect for his comments in this article (not all, but most). Seems a measured and intelligent appraisal. DC: Hamilton was wrong, but at least he was honest (crash.net)
Actually, I think the folks at McLaren would disagree with this line. They may consider wining races and the championship to be Job #1 but you know they want their drivers -- and by association the name and reputation of McLaren -- to be well-liked and respected.
I don't have a problem with the drivers getting fiesty and calling each other out, adds a little fresh air to what has become a miasma of corporate dictated sound bites..... Remember when Villeneuve got taken to the woodshed for saying how ridiculous it was to race on grooved tires? (another failed idea designed to make the "show" better) After all they should be human beings first, drivers second and corporate shills a far, far, far, farrrrrrrrrrrrrr distant third. They've sanitized and protected us to the point that it doesn't even feel live anymore........ You go Hamster, but just be prepared for what the other drivers say and do in retaliation - you'd better be able to take as good as you give! While we're at it....
Red Bull demo -- brainless spectator gets himself clobbered. He's lucky Buemi wasn't going any faster. I hope the idiot gets billed for the damage... [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeHdaUPptXE]YouTube - Buemi hits a spectator‏[/ame]
Japan, here's a longer version with a bit of commentary claiming it was a marshall... [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8t6zWsWvcw]YouTube - Sebastien Buemi's Red Bull Hits Marshall June 4th 2011‏[/ame]
Sure didn't look like a marshal, looked more like some idiot trying to do one of those dumb Azz films and jump a moving F1 car..... ...at the very least, lets hope he is no longer a marshal.