McLaren Tooned, Ep7. I think they're slipping a bit. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAkepZPrFYs]Sky Sports Formula 1 2012 - Tooned - Episode 7: The Rising Son - YouTube[/ame]
Just another Red Bull drive-away.......... Besides the first turn shamozzle it was a pretty boring race.
I watched it but as you say, I didn't want to spoil it for those who hadn't, so..... I think this race had major implications for this year's championship, and that Red Bull have finally tipped their hand. Vettel's car was absolutely perfectly set up for this track, he had his usual .5 sec over the rest of the field, and as long as he made it thru the first lap he was pretty much set for a 2011- esque race - which is exactly what happened. Alonso, OTOH, was struggling mightily all weekend long with the Ferrari's handling and unless they come up with some pretty impressive mods in the coming weeks, I think this year's championship race is over. Truthfully, at this point the only way third place Kimi has a shot is if Alonso and Vettel take each other out and he wins a few, and I don't see that happening. So it's a two horse race from here on, and my money's on Vettel to three-peat. I'm not suggesting Alonso's giving up, but that Red Bull have hit their stride and Ferrari peaked a few races ago. So what of the Hamster and Mercedes? I'm beginning to think that Ross is pulling another "Braun" - that he's stopped developement work on the current car long ago in favor of next year's ride and this season is nothing but a giant test; and next year's car will be head and shoulder's above everyone else's and run away the first half of the season. I think Hammy's in on the secret and that's why he jumped from Big Mac to what everyone thinks is not a winning team. Pez showed why he was not on Ferrari's short list of drivers for this season, he's just not "seasoned" enough yet and still makes dumb mistakes, but the raw talent is there and I think Big Mac could be a good disciplinarian and teach him how to win as well as just finish. And what of RoGro? Many driver's think he should sit out a few more races now, as he clearly has not learned his lesson. The silly season is about to go into full swing, and there will be a lot of drivers looking for seats in the next few weeks, it will be interesting to see who lands where, but one driver I think may have rescued his drive is Massa. After a terrible start to the year, he's showing good form and earning points for the team, he's also a dedicated #2 and won't be a threat to Alonso's status in the team, so I think Ferrari may do what was almost unthinkable 2 months ago and keep him for 2013.
Yeah, I really do think Massa's drive in the Japanese GP bought him another year at Ferrari. He knows he's #2 and he seems to be comfortable in that role. He knows the system there and they know him, why bring in a new driver to upset that apple cart at this time. Besides, who is out there that doesn't have a seat that they would want to look at anyway. Alonso gave Massa his stamp of approval for 2013 too. I think it was Bob Varsha that said " Whats so bad having to drive for Ferrari" too. If I was Massa I'd sign for 2013 and start looking for some good sports car drives for 2014 and beyond.
It was a pretty good sign of how low my expectations are these days for Massa when I was more surprised to see Massa 2nd than Kobayashi 3rd. I expect consistent top 10 finishes from him but not on the podium. I'll agree with Nathan, I think Massa is likely to stay on at Ferrari. On the other hand, I would have said that before this strong finish. Alonso doesn't want competition from his teammate, he wants someone who will score points for the team championship (simultaneously eliminating those points from other drivers' totals) without taking points away from his own driver championship bid. That's no surprise, every driver wants to see his teammate finish behind him, but Alonso expects it. When asked to describe his ideal teammate a while back he used the word respect. As in, someone who understands his place on the team and (reading the blatant implication between the lines) respects Alonso's status. The team know what he's worth and want him happy.
With the Korea weekend in just a few days I fear this is only the beginning of the F1 + Gangnam Style ridiculousness... [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYqX4n-oQvY]F1 Style[/ame]
Oppa Gangnam Style! Yes, it should get a lot of play over the next week or so, but I wonder how many people realize the original is making fun of the concept? So, this is a parody of a parody!
I'm still trying to decide what I think about the growing flap around Grosjean. I'm one of those people who, when I see first lap carnage that looks to have been caused by an over ambitious move, will gripe that someone is an idiot for trying to win the race on the first lap or in the first corner. Not surprisingly, many are saying things like that about Grosjean. I get it, esp. since it wasn't his first such incident... But I don't suppose the problem is simply over-ambition at the start. You often hear drivers talking about trying to take advantage of the start to make up for less than stellar qualifying results, etc. Let's be honest, 100% of the drivers on the grid (minus the guy on pole) try on 100% of race starts to gain at least one position on the run to the first corner. Point is, one driver slating another for trying to pass early in the race is like the pot calling the kettle black. They all attempt it, he just has more trouble than the rest of them avoiding incidents in the process. There's the real problem. I know I'm picking nits and he needs to sort something out. Few disagree about that, the arguments surround what should be done re penalty or whatever. There's a poll on Crash.net called How to solve a problem like Grosjean? with choices ranging from "He should be banned from F1 for the rest of 2012" to "Leave the poor guy alone - he's being picked on".
One thing to remember, none of his first lap incidents were truly an over taking attempt. He was simply not ready for what was going on in front of him......slowing cars.
He obviously has car control skills, he's just a little too ambitious at the first corner, look how many potential points he's squandered for both his team and the guys he hits.... I'm not sure what the answer is but he needs to stop it, now.
I'm not sure I'd characterize any passing in the first corner as a result of a true overtaking attempt. Everyone drives as quickly as possible and tries to out maneuver others and hopes to both get there first and survive the effort. Picking nits again, I knew what you meant. I think what it means is he's just not good at it. He's otherwise a good driver and can both get 'round a track very quickly and pull off passes at speed, but in a first lap melee he comes up lacking...something. Maybe he gets too excited to focus and gets tunnel vision? Maybe he's trying too hard? Lack of adequate skill? Maybe he's just not up to dealing with more than one or two close cars at a time. Maybe he should have to start from pit lane for the rest of the season...
Problem with the first few turns is that the tires and brakes are not up to temps. This may be the biggest thing he has to learn.......cars are going to brake earlier for the first turn.
Ouch....seeing it written out like that looks very bad indeed... Wonder what the total cost of all that kaos is?