Today In F1

[yurp 0]

See. Thats where your wrong. I have 2 wires. They were put there by nice mr doctor when I had my bike accident. (Shattered pelvis, even though i stood up afterward for a second and collapsed again. Long story. Plate in my head too!)

Back to topic... sorry.

Good point - perhaps Mark does have a few wires in his leg these days - I take it all back.

He's my new hero.

[Insider 0]

Today in F1, someone raised a good point on the Brawn/Schumacher threads when they asked the question: if driver equality had been the order of the day, would Ferrari have given Rubens a new car if he had been forty points adrift of Schumi, four races into a new season? Well, I think I can answer that in a single word - no! On the other hand, it conceivable that Red Bull might make such a move if Vettel was suffering. For that matter, so might Renault if Kubica was that far off Petrov. I don't think Ferrari would help Massa in that way though. A very interesting question might be: would McLaren help Button in a similar situation? Cleary, all such conjecture apart, there are serious commercial and financial reasons behind such a move. The Silver Arrows return after decades away from F1 with the Red Baron in attendance and it all goes off like a damp squib. Most of the Daimler board are baying for blood and the sponsors want answers. Immediate dominance was the expectation with the returning Rittmeister thrashing the Hamiltons, Alonso and Buttons of this world like a sadistic housemaster. Unfortunately, no such scenario has or likely, will come to pass. It is MGP's great fortune that they have Rosberg in the house, who appears to have experienced little difficulty, driving around the weight distribution problems that we are told are plaguing the team. Not bad for a nummer zwei.

Today also, we have Alonso refuting the suggestion that Hamilton has been favoured by the stewards, thus far. I'll repeat that. Today also, we have Alonso refuting the suggestion that Hamilton has been favoured by the stewards, thus far. Yes - he did say that. He went on to refute notions that Schumi's comeback was of great interest to the other drivers, beyond a perfunctory award of respect. He's clearly found his niche at the Scuderia, despite the rather unnerving and nowadays, unusual unreliability of the team's engines. Perhaps this is why Santander have insured his thumbs - they may get sucked down to nothing if the Italians don't sort out their power problems or, indeed if Massa finally wakes up and shows his true potential. Despite such jocular jibing, I believe we will see some fireworks from the Spaniard, one way or another, later in the piece.

[Argento Reloaded 1]

If you watched the 4 top teams performace in the first 4 rounds only Webber and MSC are far from their team mates -in points at least. Alonso established himself as n1 but Felipe is close enopugh to revert the situation; mcLaren duel is open despite Jense hit twice; vettel and Nico are beyond the reach of their respective team mates. MSC is not at the same level of the best drivers. Can he improve? Difficult to say but I expect he can only match the frontrunners in 2011 -if his ego can afford a mediocre 2010.

[Insider 0]

If you watched the 4 top teams performace in the first 4 rounds only Webber and MSC are far from their team mates -in points at least. Alonso established himself as n1 but Felipe is close enopugh to revert the situation; mcLaren duel is open despite Jense hit twice; vettel and Nico are beyond the reach of their respective team mates. MSC is not at the same level of the best drivers. Can he improve? Difficult to say but I expect he can only match the frontrunners in 2011 -if his ego can afford a mediocre 2010.

It is indeed, difficult to say. Personally, I hope so. An on form Schumi adds a lot to the mix. Michael needed this season to gauge where he was at in terms of overall pace. Car problems aside, he is clearly half a second adrift, if not more. To a degree, that is understandable but for a man whose prime talent was the ability to 'drive around' issues like understeer and the like, there must be an element of doubt as to whether he can again find the blistering pace that helped him win 7 WDCs.

[BradSpeedMan 6]

[quote name='Insider' date='26 April 2010 - 07:31 PM' timestamp='1272303098' post='315394']
Today also, we have Alonso refuting the suggestion that Hamilton has been favoured by the stewards, thus far. I'll repeat that. Today also, we have Alonso refuting the suggestion that Hamilton has been favoured by the stewards, thus far.
[/quote]
shame, now Maure has only Whiting to blame for his conpiracies theories

[Persevere 0]

It's just one more opinion but I still admire Sir Stirling and I will give consideration to what he says:

http://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motorsport/story/15453.html

[cavallino 2]

Today in F1, someone raised a good point on the Brawn/Schumacher threads when they asked the question: if driver equality had been the order of the day, would Ferrari have given Rubens a new car if he had been forty points adrift of Schumi, four races into a new season?

That's only 15 points or so in the old system. It is not entirely clear whether the wheelbase change is simply to suit his driving style or they feel it will improve the car overall. Would they give Rubens another chassis if something was wrong with his current one? Sure. As for the rest, well Rubens has zero world titles despite having driven many championship winning cars with two different teams so..

[shields 0]

Would they give Rubens another chassis if something was wrong with his current one? Sure. As for the rest, well Rubens has zero world titles despite having driven many championship winning cars with two different teams so..

Rubens had mechanical problems race in race out... How can someone in sane state of mind say he "WOULD" be given a new chassis if something was wrong????

You do not need to use the word "would". Facts are facts... Rubens did have problems, and it was clear to every one (at least to the non-blind ones) that the team never put enough effort to help him...

Rubens never had the reliable car MS enjoyed during several years in a row without any mech problem...

[Insider 0]

Rubens had mechanical problems race in race out... How can someone in sane state of mind say he "WOULD" be given a new chassis if something was wrong????

You do not need to use the word "would". Facts are facts... Rubens did have problems, and it was clear to every one (at least to the non-blind ones) that the team never put enough effort to help him...

Rubens never had the reliable car MS enjoyed during several years in a row without any mech problem...

Thank you - you made my point - to a degree. Yesterday, MS was playing down the level of improvement his new chassis, the longer wheelbase and the biggest update step of the season would bring to the team. Jesus Christ! Nico is 40 points ahead of him in a car MGP deem to be ' off the pace'. Well, in a nutshell, it is but in the right hands, it has been very competitive, despite it's shortcomings. I think Sir Stirling Moss could be right - the old chap has had it!

[Insider 0]

Rubens had mechanical problems race in race out... How can someone in sane state of mind say he "WOULD" be given a new chassis if something was wrong????

You do not need to use the word "would". Facts are facts... Rubens did have problems, and it was clear to every one (at least to the non-blind ones) that the team never put enough effort to help him...

Rubens never had the reliable car MS enjoyed during several years in a row without any mech problem...

Thank you - you made my point - to a degree. Yesterday, MS was playing down the level of improvement his new chassis, the longer wheelbase and the biggest update step of the season would bring to the team. Jesus Christ! Nico is 40 points ahead of him in a car MGP deem to be ' off the pace'. Well, in a nutshell, it is but in the right hands, it has been very competitive, despite it's shortcomings. I think Sir Stirling Moss could be right - the old chap has had it!

[JHS 1]

So, it looks like Bernie's dream of a American GP again could be one step closer. Personally, I don't really see the point. Sure, I think it's important for F1 to get back to the States, for sure, but I'd much rather see it on a permanant race track rather than another street circuit which means practically hardly any overtaking.

[shields 0]

there must be an element of doubt as to whether he can again find the blistering pace that helped him win 7 WDCs

and there must be an element of doubt as to whether his "old blistering" pace was real, or just a consequence of having all team priorities and no real teammate...

Maybe now we are seeing something closer to his real pace than what we were used to see when he was fighting a slave Rubens...

Lack of a reference can put you in the sky...

I tend to agree with Moss on that...

[Insider 0]

So, it looks like Bernie's dream of a American GP again could be one step closer. Personally, I don't really see the point. Sure, I think it's important for F1 to get back to the States, for sure, but I'd much rather see it on a permanant race track rather than another street circuit which means practically hardly any overtaking.

I have to agree. I really don't see the point of street racing in F1 at all. Monaco is the exception - it's part of the sport's folklore - everything else is a little lacklustre for me. Old time street circuits, like Monaco could be fun but the new ones are sterile IMHO. I remember being taken to the Jahore Grand Prix for Formula One cars in 1952. I was six. I found some stuff about it on Google. Thought it might be interesting:

The Johore Grand Prix Circuit

With a lap distance of 2 miles 543 yards (3.7145 kilometres), the circuit was a section of a real road that went through parts of Johore Bahru town. It was a unique circuit that consisted of fast straights and slow corners. Racers began near the Johore Bahru Post Office with a gentle curving straight by the seafront along Jalan Tai Heng. They then head towards Zoo Corner, which had to be anticipated by braking well before it came into view as it was concealed by the gentle curve. Thereafter, a winding uphill journey along Jalan Gertak Merah lead racers towards Judges Crest. The road is slightly winding and presents a bump that takes vehicles off the ground. Landing back on the ground, racers then face a downhill ride to a 90 degree corner called Jail Corner. Exiting from Jail Corner is a big concrete-lined ditch on the road's edge which racers had to be mindful of. Up next is the only fast bend in the circuit along Jalan Ayer Molex called Garden Bend. Racers had to accelerate hard down Garden Bend, and then circumnavigate a tight left hand with a short escape at Sultans Corner. Once pass this last corner, racers go on a straight to the front of the stands. By 1952, four grandstands were built along the circuit to give spectators the best view possible - one each at Jail Corner and Zoo Corner, and two others at the start/finishing line.

A tragic accident that took place on the circuit in 1963 led to the death of a popular Malayan racer Yong Nam Kee (affectionately known as Fatso Yong). Driving a Jaguar D-type at 200 kilometres per hour, Yong's car hit a pole and broke into two. The front half of the car flying over the cliff, killing Yong instantly.

[Pucky the Whale 0]

So, it looks like Bernie's dream of a American GP again could be one step closer. Personally, I don't really see the point. Sure, I think it's important for F1 to get back to the States, for sure, but I'd much rather see it on a permanant race track rather than another street circuit which means practically hardly any overtaking.

Actually, the proposed layout was a "temporary circuit" in the same sense as Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and Albert Park are. Those "streets" don't actually exist; they'd be built solely for the purpose of the track, as the two I mentioned were, so it's kind of a hybrid between a permanent circuit and a street circuit.

However, the track's never being built and the USGP is not coming to Jersey City. The mayor is calling for withdrawal of the proposal: http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/05/jersey_city_mayor_calls_for_wi.html

I assume that they'll continue to look for venues in New Jersey, but we'll see if they have any success. I can't say I care either way.

[Insider 0]

Actually, the proposed layout was a "temporary circuit" in the same sense as Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and Albert Park are. Those "streets" don't actually exist; they'd be built solely for the purpose of the track, as the two I mentioned were, so it's kind of a hybrid between a permanent circuit and a street circuit.

However, the track's never being built and the USGP is not coming to Jersey City. The mayor is calling for withdrawal of the proposal: http://www.nj.com/hu...lls_for_wi.html

I assume that they'll continue to look for venues in New Jersey, but we'll see if they have any success. I can't say I care either way.

As is said in the blog, Liberty State Park belongs to the State of New Jersey, not Sam Pesin or the Tourist Board. The local Mayor too has little clout. If Bernie wants it bad enough, he'll get it. The point is, who needs it?

[yurp 0]

Actually, the proposed layout was a "temporary circuit" in the same sense as Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and Albert Park are. Those "streets" don't actually exist; they'd be built solely for the purpose of the track, as the two I mentioned were, so it's kind of a hybrid between a permanent circuit and a street circuit.

actually plucky puckster...

All the red 'streets' do exist.

The yellow bits appear new.

Not that I think it'd be a good circuit - looks pretty crap to me.

Right now - Bernie's simply fishing for a site as close to Manhatten as he can get - this won't be anything like a finished circuit, and I'd be surprised if they ended up in Liberty Park at all.

It's all about the prestige 'F1 in the big apple'.

[JHS 1]

That sunk like the Titantic didn't it? Oh well, it was fun to speculate whilst it lasted.

[Pucky the Whale 0]

Well, a race in Jersey City would have been a failure anyway, especially the proposed night race, considering Jersey City at night isn't the best place to be if you want to have your wallet with you when you leave and a night race in the U.S. would make for really miserable television times in Europe.

They'll be running this one in the parking lot at Giants Stadium/IZOD Center. Or, more likely, they just won't be running this one period.

[dribbler 6]

[quote name='shields' date='01 May 2010 - 12:20 AM' timestamp='1272669603' post='315517']
Rubens never had the reliable car MS enjoyed during several years in a row without any mech problem...
[/quote]

It is true that Rubens had more mechanical issues at a time when Michael was enjoying bullett proof reliability, but there are always two sides to every story.

It's conceivable that Rubens might be harder on a car. But more than that, I think Michael put so much more time and effort in with his people than Rubens did, that they wanted to build him a bullett proof car. I have read that because he knew so many guys so well and took a personal interest in everyone, they repaid him with their efforts in ways that can't be measured due to its tiny impact in isolation, but cumulatively added up to the sum parts of what Michael had to drive with. Tiny differences, but ones that made a difference.

But no, I'm sure it was just that Ferrari deliberately sabotaged the slow and unfairly matched Rubens so that the average German could cruise to his world titles. This is all being proven right now by his current performance and nothing to do with anything else.

[Kopite Girl 0]

If you ask me. There's a simple resolution to the age old Michael/Rubens issue.

Mikeyboy was a better set up driver. He committed one hundred and ten percent of his time to Maranello. Thats why the team favoured him more because he made damn sure that with hard work, determination and a sheer will to win thats what got him 7 titles.

See. Simple.

[BradSpeedMan 6]

If you ask me. There's a simple resolution to the age old Michael/Rubens issue.

Mikeyboy was a better set up driver. He committed one hundred and ten percent of his time to Maranello. Thats why the team favoured him more because he made damn sure that with hard work, determination and a sheer will to win thats what got him 7 titles.

See. Simple.

It is not as simple as you think. Sorry to bug you on this isssue Steph, but Rubens was no clown with setup. His abilities are well known, also he is the perfect development driver, way better than alonso. I've told you how Michael benefitted from Rubens during dire times, often copying his setups. Button also benefitted from Rubens ability, lately it's his new teammate Hulkenberg singing praises. I do agree with the 2nd part of your statement though

[Kopite Girl 0]

It is not as simple as you think. Sorry to bug you on this isssue Steph, but Rubens was no clown with setup. His abilities are well known, also he is the perfect development driver, way better than alonso. I've told you how Michael benefitted from Rubens during dire times, often copying his setups. Button also benefitted from Rubens ability, lately it's his new teammate Hulkenberg singing praises. I do agree with the 2nd part of your statement though

No worries Brad dude. We all got differing opinions. I think I just see things in black and white straight down the line. But you don't have to apologise! Honest!

I will say I think that Button did benefit, thats the one part of his driving thats not spot on.

We're kind of agreeing again. Whats wrong with us lol.

[BradSpeedMan 6]

No worries Brad dude. We all got differing opinions. I think I just see things in black and white straight down the line. But you don't have to apologise! Honest!

I will say I think that Button did benefit, thats the one part of his driving thats not spot on.

We're kind of agreeing again. Whats wrong with us lol.

Let's remember this does'nt mean he's not worthy, he just made better use of how the cars were set up, with help or not. His performances during the first half were immaculate!

[pabloh20 1]

It is not as simple as you think. Sorry to bug you on this isssue Steph, but Rubens was no clown with setup. His abilities are well known, also he is the perfect development driver, way better than alonso. I've told you how Michael benefitted from Rubens during dire times, often copying his setups. Button also benefitted from Rubens ability, lately it's his new teammate Hulkenberg singing praises. I do agree with the 2nd part of your statement though

Schumi did indeed copy Ruben's set up somtimes and there were also times that Rubens copied Schumi's set up. However, the ability to use another driver's set up and make it work for you (sometimes better than the driver you copied) is a skill that shouldn't be understimated

[JHS 1]

Couple of interesting stories from today. Drivers want a split qualifying session at Monaco. I can see the logic on this one personally and I'd say I'm in favour of this one. On the other side, I guess it takes away from unpredictable nature of qualifying. If a driver from a "big" team gets caught up in traffic or has an accident, tough, their problem, more work to do on race day/ And what if (as seems to be the latest trend) it rains? As seen in Malaysia in those sorts of conditions, the little teams DO have a chance to get into Q2 if the big teams mess up.

Also, Ferrari have altered their livery after the sublimal message-gate (sorry, I couldn't resist). Personally, I'm happy about this. A completely red Ferrari would look much better in my opinion without the barcode, but I'm not sure what the white line is supposed to be. Hope they get ride of this. Bit of a headache for Ferrari/Malboro though, don't you think? Can't put the name or the logo of the company on the car and it seems now they can't even use the barcode design...