F1 current state

[Unknown? 0]

Good afternoon one and all, it's been a while! I just wanted to get some insight here on a thing or two.

Firstly, is it acceptable for Vettel to blast Charlie Whiting and Max Verstappen over the radio like he did? My personal opinion is a resounding.. YES! We moan and groan that today's drivers are just PR agents, saying the right thing and showing little to no personality. I think it's extremely natural & frankly refreshing to hear some foul-mouthed expletives from time to time. Vettel was p**sed off (rightly so imo) so why not vent off some steam?

Secondly, is Max Verstappen's driving worthy of all the criticism he's receiving? Yes, for safety reasons you want good clean racing, but also no, because he provides a bit of fresh air for the sport with some aggressive driving. I think the sport is in real danger of becoming too regulated (on track) ((off track the sport is ALREADY far too regulated, again, imo)).

 

Fundamentally I think the main problem with F1 these days stems from the cars' dependence on aerodynamics. I'm neutral on the power units - not so much a fan of recharging battery packs over a lap or two which limits maximum output etc but efficiency increases yearly so that's not such a big issue. Tyres need work for sure, however F1 has suffered from on track action. or lack thereof, for a long, long time before Pirelli became the most recent supplier. I don't understand how the clever people running the sport and designing the cars haven't decided on a massive and fundamental change in the basic characteristics of the cars to enable much closer racing. I would suggest looking into ground effect technology rather than aerodynamics.

 

What do you guys think?

[Sakae 0]

Whilst I do appreciate accommodating tone towards Vettel, I do however adopt slightly a different position of you. No, it is not acceptable to be vulgar, and we should keep it under personal control, but it is also understandable if it happens under extenuating circumstances. The case in Mexico was really contentious, and borderline a killer of racing. It all started with Verstappen behaving really aggressively in his defense to Rosberg in a previous race, and that was, rightfully I think, rejected by many from ranks of drivers. Problem with the case that Vettel lost, FiA had to go into data acquisition records to determine if Vettel "moved"  - WTF! This is what you get with sloppily defined regulations, and one does not know anymore what is, and what is not racing. On long run, this might be very slippery slope, and as someone pointed out in here already, one wonders if the Vettel's -10 sec and 2 demerit points was really just for the race infraction, or something else. F1 lost its way long time ago, and rudderless is floating back and forth, and people getting frustrated. We are discussing this for the n-th time, but nothing is changing. Some British TV reported came crawling (kissy kiss) to BE, whether he agrees with Vettel getting out of hand, and the old guy, told him from his high fence - Vettel has an opinion, you see. (Like as***, we all have one). Some people are pushing to give Vettel 1 race ban, which could be Brazil.

 

BTW, in true fashion of competitive spirit, Horner is now milking the situation, hoping that Vettel get additional punishment. That would get Seb out of the way of his boys is merely coincidental. How poetic of him. I na post race interview DC admitted, that he swears also in the car, and maybe more than Seb; many drivers do. (Obviously we don't get to hear it).

[Publius Cornelius Scipio 0]

I personally believe that there was nothing wrong in Vettel's words, he was in a private conversation with his engineer, in the heat of the moment and in a very stressful situation, every sportsman sometimes needs to let off steam, the problem is that for some reason the powers that be seem to be picking on Vettel lately, they probably need a story to keep interst in F1, the Mercedes guys are not very exciting, they have this story that they want to sell to the world that MAx Verstappen is this breath of fresh air and aggressive and charging throught the field like a young Senna  and he's only racing the Ferrari duo so there you go, Vettel and Kimi both took their fair share of bashing from Max. Only Kimi is less outspoken (and sometimes not much of a challenge for the RBRs) so there you go, Vettel needs to be the bad guy, the old guard against the new kid on the block. I look forward at the first clash between Max and Ricciardo, it's going to be interesting to see the reaction of some of the people who now defend Verstappen only because he's against Vettel (or Ferrari in general).

Regarding Verstappen's driving style I don't have many problems when he's attacking, yesterday IMHO he had to be punished for his coming together with Rosberg only because other drivers have been punished under similar circumstances but I believe that these things can happen, especially at the start of a race. What bothers me about Verstappen is the way he defends, most of the times he's not agreesive and exuberant like you should expect from a young driver, he's a bitter old b#####d, he's being dangerous, he's extremely unfair and unsporty. If he put the same effort in his driving that he puts in his rants (at Vettel, mostly, or Kimi) he would be winning every race. I'm not so sure that Verstappen's story will end up well, it seems af if the other drivers know that they can't touch him because there is one set of rules for them and one set of rules for him (and to an extent for Hamilton, but that is understandable since Hamilton is in a similar situation to Schumacher 15 years ago or Senna in the late 80ies and early 90ies). I think that most honest and uncomplicated F1 pundit, Jacques Villeneuve, put it very nicely: in the good old day someone would have already put him up a tree. Nowadays such things are a bit more difficult but it is bound to happen, Vertappen is going to be involved in a serious accident with another driver and if someone has to end up bruised I hope that it's young Max, for the very simple reason that he is out there looking for trouble and is extremely dangerous to other drivers (what he did to Kimi at Spa is indecent and revolting) and if anything is going to happen chances are that it's going to be his fault, directly or indirectly.

I used to think that having such a young driver could be good for F1, I have changed my mind, he's a good driver but he's also a liability, the way he behaves both on and off track is wrong and he hasn't got the tools to understand it (he was raised by none other than Jos Verstappen...)

[Sakae 0]

There is one - what't wrong with the F1

A. Double standard.

Friend of ming reminded me of DC using foul language against Kim in Monaco, and media gallery couldn't care less, yet now, what a horror!

[Emmcee 0]

When there is radio available to all the audience then yes he has to be aware of what he says and how it comes across to the public. If Vettel doesn't care then why does he have to feel the need to consistently tell everyone the reason behind his actions. Ever other driver out there is under the same pressure and it's no excuse to loose your cool when your supposed to be an ambassador for the sport. Yes I agree that verstappens driving is a bit on the "how you going" side sometimes but if we can never have a consistent fact of judge or play favourites with certain drivers then this issue will arise again again and I'll make this clear so everyone can get rid of there 100% concrete assumptions I don't HATE Vettel but I certainly feel he thinks he is getting bigger than the sport who made him and with his behaviour brings the sport into disrepute, especially verbally abusing someone over the radio. All he had to do was apologise and that would be it but I fact has to carry on about how he is a "kid" and how he was in the "heat of the moment and peak of battle" he wants these excuses to work for him but won't allow them to work for a younger driver. Does he forget Fuji 2007,Turkey 2010? These are when this "Kid" made stupid mistakes, he's quick to forget those isn't he? Since some Vettel fans are biased as can be so its my turn. Vettel needs to look at Ricciardo and see how he carries himself and then he might see where the difference is because on track it's the same as 2014 IMO when these two meet, very rarly does Vettel get the better of him. All Vettel had to do was apologise, even if he thinks he's 100% correct. Not only would it have shut everyone up by now, it wouldn't have made him look like such an arrogant fool.

[Emmcee 0]

And there goes respect I had for arrivabene, claiming they "lost" the podium due to burorcuracy in the sport. Ohh man this made my day.

[Sakae 0]

Quote

Ross Brawn has revealed that he has no interest in returning to Formula 1 in any role with a team, but has opened the door to a management position at the helm of the sport. (GP247)

As I have often suggested, Ross for an F1 commissioner running the circus on behalf of FiA would be a perfect solution IMHO.

[Emmcee 0]

Well out of all them clowns, his the only one with a brain.

[Sakae 0]

Quote

Previous technical director and team owner Ross Brawn has agreed a contract with Liberty Media to become the new chief of Formula One, a role in which he is set to succeed current Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone.

As reported by Auto Bild Motorsport on Monday, Liberty Media have come to an agreement with Ross Brawn to head the company. It is however not sure when official confirmation is expected.

Then there is this. 

Well, good luck to him.

Cannot be much worse than it is now, so, aiming North is all what's left.

[Unknown? 0]

How 86 year old Bernie Ecclestone is still in charge of F1 is frankly beyond me. On one hand it's laughable - he could (and maybe should have) retired 20 years ago. On the other, you've gotta tip your hat on some level and admire how he's milked the cash cow for so long. Not that that's been a good thing for F1. I'd like to see Ross Brawn take the reigns but I hope he can actually make a positive change and not just continue down the same, downward spiraling path.

[Unknown? 0]

To be fair to Arrivabene, Ferrari lost the podium because Red Bull told Max to keep in front of Vettel. Everyone knew Max would be have to hand over the position but as it was towards the end of the race this would come in the form of a time penalty added after the race. Keeping Max in front gave Ricciardo the chance to overtake Vettel, which would not have happened had Max let the Ferrari through. I think the issue here is it shouldn't take until after the race to pass judgement on an incident like the MV-SV one. I mean, for heaven's sake I passed judgement watching LIVE and called it correctly. The stewards should be Johnny on the spot, get on to the radio and get it done ASAP. Swings and roundabouts I guess, next race Ferrari could play the same trick against Red Bull.

[Sakae 0]

7 minutes ago, Unknown? said:

How 86 year old Bernie Ecclestone is still in charge of F1 is frankly beyond me. On one hand it's laughable - he could (and maybe should have) retired 20 years ago. On the other, you've gotta tip your hat on some level and admire how he's milked the cash cow for so long. Not that that's been a good thing for F1. I'd like to see Ross Brawn take the reigns but I hope he can actually make a positive change and not just continue down the same, downward spiraling path.

The position as described is not entirely free of inter-political influences, and Ross might not like it, if he is ordered to manipulate votes as someone we know so often does.

[Unknown? 0]

1 minute ago, Sakae said:

The position as described is not entirely free of inter-political influences, and Ross might not like it, if he is ordered to manipulate votes as someone we know so often does.

I think that's governance in general, sports being no different. These days there's too much money in F1 for there not to be political influences. I fear as with actual politics it doesn't matter who's in charge of the ship it'll always be us at the bottom that gets screwed. Poor racing, expensive tickets/coverage, PR robot drivers. Sh!t rolls downhill. 

[Sakae 0]

6 minutes ago, Unknown? said:

To be fair to Arrivabene, Ferrari lost the podium because Red Bull told Max to keep in front of Vettel. Everyone knew Max would be have to hand over the position but as it was towards the end of the race this would come in the form of a time penalty added after the race. Keeping Max in front gave Ricciardo the chance to overtake Vettel, which would not have happened had Max let the Ferrari through. I think the issue here is it shouldn't take until after the race to pass judgement on an incident like the MV-SV one. I mean, for heaven's sake I passed judgement watching LIVE and called it correctly. The stewards should be Johnny on the spot, get on to the radio and get it done ASAP. Swings and roundabouts I guess, next race Ferrari could play the same trick against Red Bull.

Exactly. Go to F1 office site  FOM provides collage of final laps of the race. I wish someone would explain to me how is it possible that RB has done what they did, and Vettel is on trial. I am lost here how far blatant manipulation of race results has come.

[Emmcee 0]

5 hours ago, Unknown? said:

I think that's governance in general, sports being no different. These days there's too much money in F1 for there not to be political influences. I fear as with actual politics it doesn't matter who's in charge of the ship it'll always be us at the bottom that gets screwed. Poor racing, expensive tickets/coverage, PR robot drivers. Sh!t rolls downhill. 

Yep agree 100% mate.

[Sakae 0]

Joe Saward has an interesting article out.

Joe Saward

For me the interesting part is following quote:

Quote

What’s really interesting is that the lead engineer of the original Toyota Prius project, Satoshi Ogiso, has recently been telling Forbes that the cost of hybrid cars is now dropping below both diesel and electric. Diesels have been huge in Europe because they were seen as the only cheaper way than hybrids to meet emission regulations. With diesels now getting expensive new emission systems, their business case is crumbling. Ogiso also doesn’t believe that electric cars will become the dominant force for at least 20 years,  because of the cost of developing long distance batteries. He feels that there will now be a lot of investment in battery research – but a lot more hybrid sales, particularly if the price of oil goes up. A lot of European car firms are busy adding hybrids and plug-in hybrids to their ranges in expectation of this trend.

I am of course beating my own drum here, because my two internet friends and I had discussion about future of electric cars, and what Sakae predicted? Not now, not yet, if ever, and we are not ready. It's era of hybrids. Ogiso-san is on my side of the argument, and its all good from here.

[Sakae 0]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04f1xx2

 

Ross Brawn speaks.

[Sakae 0]

Fernando Alonso: Formula 1 should pay fans to watch boring cars

Hmm, OK, I understand, but how does that - very thoughtful narrative - matches with notion of keeping F1 respectful, or even telling race official when adrenaline is pumping to F*** off? BTW this is not first time Alonso spoke his mind on state of the F1 without necessity for him to travel to Paris and explain himself to JT (as Vettel had to once).

[Emmcee 0]

Obviously Vettel doesn't have the pull let alone the respect alonso has, we know he's a better driver. At the end of the day I don't think he really cares and it's not like he is verbally abusing the sport or todt over the radio so millions can hear it, I think that might have something to do with it sakae, clutching at straws? Can't let it go can you, seems like it really bothers you this whole Vettel saga lol. Do anything to try put it into comparison or context and it's funny.

[Sakae 0]

31 minutes ago, Emmcee said:

Obviously Vettel doesn't have the pull let alone the respect alonso has, we know he's a better driver. At the end of the day I don't think he really cares and it's not like he is verbally abusing the sport or todt over the radio so millions can hear it, I think that might have something to do with it sakae, clutching at straws? Can't let it go can you, seems like it really bothers you this whole Vettel saga lol. Do anything to try put it into comparison or context and it's funny.

Basically what you are supporting is double standard is regulated environment, especially if in your view someone has more of your respect over somebody else, and anyone who dares question such system is clutching for straws, having probably ulterior motives. Thanks for clarifying that much. 

[Emmcee 0]

No that's not true, your claiming foul language is ok over expressing an opinion, different from expressing an opinion to bringing the sport into disrepute. THATS double standards. So your saying it's ok to verbally abuse the race director because it's in the "heat of the moment" compared to a driver who wants a better show for the fans and more fun cars to drive? There's no comparison, all I know is Vettel is insulting your intelligence and your playing right into his hands. The guys a grub and I say that now as his attitude and body language stinks today. I know his having a tough run ATM but he is a professional and there is a difference from expressing your opinion and totally disrespecting authority of a sport that made you who you are. I thought he was actually growing up and I was starting to take a liking to him but he has shown he hasn't changed and is still the same brat he was when he caused the accident in Turkey 2010. Easiest way to see this, watch a recent press conference with other drivers and Vettel with the sound on mute and his body language compared to the rest well tell you all you need to know without hearing a word.