official F1 World Championship 2011 Thread

[simonlang]

will there be a penalty for the slowish hrt driver blocking the dry racing line and forced massa off the track?

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

will there be a penalty for the slowish hrt driver blocking the dry racing line and forced massa off the track?

No.

[simonlang]

No.

makes sense. i just imagine that a drop 5 or 10 grid places penalty wouldnt affect a hrt car as much as intended. :p

[ahmz]

Wat.

It has nothing to do with the tyres, the floor on every car is milimetres away from the ground and when it hits water it acts like a scoop/rudder that keeps the car going straight. You would rather the safety car didnt stay out and all the cars just went flying off and crashing?

It's pretty obvious that the race didn't need to start under the SC nor did it need to do more than 1 lap on the restart. I'm not disputing red flagging the race, that was obviously the right call. But keeping the SC out on the restarts for so long was just ridiculous. They changed to intermediates as soon as the SC went in and one team even before that (lol)!

[simonlang]

It's pretty obvious that the race didn't need to start under the SC nor did it need to do more than 1 lap on the restart. I'm not disputing red flagging the race, that was obviously the right call. But keeping the SC out on the restarts for so long was just ridiculous. They changed to intermediates as soon as the SC went in and one team even before that (lol)!

they have learned from the past imho. yep, there are some drivers arround who could keep the car on track also if it rains heavy, but many cant and especially those hrt, virgin and lotus drivers would have been a real danger and causing a SC anyway had they let the race go after lap 1.

also it was the first race where the wet and inters from pirelli were used. lots of uncertainities there. better playing it save than sorry i say.

the race had ennough action we should not complain.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Hamilton in fresh Red Bull link

McLaren looks set to have a fight on its hands to keep Lewis Hamilton on board for the long term after the British driver sounded out Red Bull Racing about future plans in Canada last weekend, AUTOSPORT has learned.

During an ultimately difficult event for Hamilton, who had gone into the Montreal grand prix as favourite for victory but suffered a troubled qualifying and an early exit from the race, fresh speculation emerged about what he intends to do after his current contract ends in 2012.

AUTOSPORT can reveal that Hamilton met for private talks with Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner at the team's office buildings on Saturday evening - where the two spent at least 15 minutes together chatting in private.

Although it is not known exactly what they talked about, as one Red Bull source cheekily dismissed the get-together as nothing more than a 'social visit', it would be unlikely that the pair did not discuss future intentions.

There is no suggestion that it was anything more than a preliminary chat, or that the talks will definitely develop into something in the future, but Hamilton's actions are of intrigue amid signs of growing frustration at the competitiveness of McLaren at a time when Hamilton is in the prime of his career.

His crashes in Monaco and Canada, which have led to criticism of his mindset, are borne of the fact that he has to push so hard to try and beat Red Bull Racing.

Hamilton had started the season as Sebastian Vettel's main threat for title glory, and his challenge for the championship had looked strong when he grabbed victory in the Chinese Grand Prix.

However, since then McLaren has not made the progress that it had hoped with its car and Hamilton's difficulties in Monaco and Montreal ? two races he had been expected to win ? have left him 76 points adrift of Vettel in the standings.

The performance in Canada last weekend was much more of a disappointment because he had gone into the weekend as clear favourite for the victory ? only for McLaren to have made an error with the drag levels it needed to take the fight to Red Bull Racing and Ferrari in qualifying.

Longer term, Hamilton and his new management team of Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment are widely known to be weighing up future intentions for when his current contract ends after 2012, and there must be some thought being given to the fact that McLaren has not been a pacesetter in F1 since his title season in 2008.

Hamilton's only real options for the future, in terms of giving him the best chance of having a frontrunning car, are either to remain at McLaren, or make the switch to Ferrari or Red Bull Racing.

Ferrari appears to be a closed door, however, with Fernando Alonso having signed a long-term deal and the Spaniard likely to be resistant to renewing a team partnership that turned so sour when he and Hamilton were together at McLaren in 2007.

And although Red Bull Racing would appear to be an unlikely destination, with the team currently so focused on Vettel, the capture of a top-line driver like Hamilton for 2013 could be viewed as a huge coup for Red Bull chief Dietrich Mateschitz.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has played down talk of Hamilton's frustrations, however, and thinks there are no worries about his driver's mindset at the moment.

"I think he has had an unfortunate run," said Whitmarsh when asked by AUTOSPORT about Hamilton's current difficulties. "But I think he has to be the racer he is, and I am sure he will be. I am sure he is disappointed, but he is enjoying the win for the team."

Hamilton's latest links with Red Bull Racing are nothing new and earlier this season, on the back of McLaren's troubled pre-season testing programme, there was already speculation suggesting that the driver and team could get together from 2013.

At the time, however, Hamilton insisted that his focus remained wholly on McLaren ? although he did not rule out a potential switch in the future.

"Of course, I'm going to be in Formula 1 for some time, and you never know which way the wind will take you," he said in March. "As I said, for now, I'm committed to trying to make this team the most successful it can be, and I feel we can do that."

Red Bull Racing also moved at the time to play down the prospects of partnering Vettel and Hamilton ? although the idea was not totally dismissed.

"It's difficult to see how you could have two drivers of Lewis and Sebastian's calibre under one roof," said Horner, during a media briefing at Silverstone.

"There tends to be fireworks, as we saw with Fernando Alonso and Lewis. So we're very happy with the line-up that we have and we'll see how things evolve."

Despite the difficulties Hamilton is facing in his current situation, those who know the former world champion well have moved quickly to suggest he will lift himself out of the troubles he is facing.

Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug, who has helped guide Hamilton's career for many years, thinks that the Briton is simply going through the kind of difficult phases that all drivers experience in their careers.

"I understand Lewis perfectly and I will defend him," Haug told AUTOSPORT. "He is a good driver, he is a friend and I do not share the criticism that is on him.

"We will support him and he is a great driver. There are phases that you have to go through. There are difficult times but he will deliver okay and he is one of the great guys in the field. Of course he gets a lot of criticism, but this will make him only stronger."

Source: Autosport

[+Byt Subscriber¹]

Any word yet from the Officials on why the Canadian marshals cannot run without falling over in front of F1 cars?

Example 1

Example 2;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTaXxs0ZCv0

So god damn funny.

I thought it was Americans that couldnt run... not Canadians :o

[TheLegendOfMart]

Hamilton in fresh Red Bull link

McLaren looks set to have a fight on its hands to keep Lewis Hamilton on board for the long term after the British driver sounded out Red Bull Racing about future plans in Canada last weekend, AUTOSPORT has learned.

Hope he leaves, glory hunting ****. Jenson outclassing him in every way shape and form.

[mps69]

Hamilton in fresh Red Bull link

McLaren looks set to have a fight on its hands to keep Lewis Hamilton on board for the long term after the British driver sounded out Red Bull Racing about future plans in Canada last weekend, AUTOSPORT has learned.

Source: Autosport

If can't beat them, join them.

Hope he moves, because I think Seb will outshine him even more.

[simonlang]

i think its just normal that you keep your eyes open for new possibilities. last year ferrari tried to get newey on board, but ofc. it didnt work (i cant see a sensible person like adrian ever wanna work with crybaby alonso in the same team).

and mclaren has not really shown that much support of hamilton lately. i just cant get away the thought that they indeed prefer a british champ in the team and now they have 2 they opt for the white one.

also we have felipe massa supposingly interested in the redbull seat and then there is still a chance webber will keep it (but only if he starts to deliver a bit more).

imho its rather simple. they all want more money and trying to get the best out of it. imho nothing will change!

[Zain Adeel]

it was entertaining when the actual race was taking place.

really impressed with Schumacher. Great race from him. He is getting into the car and if they can get the car to be a little more faster i think He is going to get his podium finish this season for sure..!!!

[Lovell]

Hope he leaves, glory hunting ****. Jenson outclassing him in every way shape and form.

Hamilton has beaten JB in the last GP and this GP, this is the first time JB has taken over him.

I don't agree with all the hate aimed at Hamilton yeah he's screwed up but he wants to win and he goes for it, I don't believe he was wrong in the 2 crashes in the Canada race, the one with Webber was a good overtake it's just his car massively under steered, and as for Button meh Button should have checked his mirrors but it was raining so Hamilton should have maybe gone a bit easier and assumed that Button might not see him.

In the Monaco GP Lewis screwed up but he wants to overtake people and he wants to win and he goes for it 100% always, I can't imagine how frustrating it is to race around a track (Monaco) with hardly any over taking possibility's when you're as aggressive and as fast as Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton and Kamui Kobayashi are aggressive and they go for it 100% no matter what, they could be in the Virgin cars with a Red Bull in front of them and they'd still go for it it's what makes them entertaining and brilliant the problem with always trying to over take is crashes do happen but I'd rather crashes happened than people been scared to overtake.

I do believe that Lewis needs to have a look at his life and get rid of the groupies, he just wants to race and just wants to overtake and win and goes for every overtaking opportunity he can get, he should rein it in a bit and let a few slip away.

[TheLegendOfMart]

Its not all about who can drive the fastest into the car in front. Jenson plays tactical and uses strategy, Hamilton just floors it and sees how many people he can bounce off.

Its all could have, should have, would have. Hamilton was playing dangerous like he always does Jenson probably didnt think someone would be up his ass so much he couldnt see him in the spray in his mirrors it was hamiltons fault for trying to pass him knowing that the lack of visibility and the fact that Jenson would be manouvering his car ready for the first corner.

Hamilton is entertaining yes but its costing him, and Mclaren, dearly when he damages his car or knocks himself out of the race, thats not to say the rest of the drivers are boring. I just wish Jenson would recapture some of the fire he had for Brawn which came out in this race, maybe a team with two recent world champions just isnt working and it would show Hamiltons true colours if he just upped and left Mclaren just for the glory after all they have done for him.

[san.W10]

didnt ham say recently he was not much interested in RBR because they're just a "Drinks" company :p

dunno what happened to ham, my he's hangin out with rappers/popstars too much, his 2007 arrogance seems to be back :p

in indian telecast (espn star sports), matthew marsh (one of the commentators)[over phone] when talking about Kubica & Renault, was saying that, teams need a strong driver as #1 to guide them in development,

i.e. Kubica for renault, since he is missing action, Renault has gone backwards, they performed only in initial races. heidfeld & petrov are not #1 driver material, thats why they are not able to do proper development...

& went on to say Ferrari cant have Massa for #1, jenson for McLaren, nico for merc... they are there for support role just like barichello was, at ferrari.

in a way it made sense, but it was very rude when he was talking

& i think thats why ferrari sacked Kimi, maybe he is just a quick driver, not a car dev. material.

kimi won 2007 title on MS's developed car.

but Alonso has showed some improvements

we all know how well button helped in developing Brawn GP in later half of 2009 :p

Hamilton attacks, Button whines on radio

Ham should cool off a bit

[san.W10]

Kubica is "still standing" [first photos after crash]

http://forum.planet-f1.com/index.php?t=msg&th=90302&start=0&

his hand - close up

http://szybki.fakt.pl/m/Repozytorium.Obiekt.aspx/300/0/faktonline/634434818201262665.jpg :o

[JoeC]

He's a top guy, and had a horrendous crash, but I just can't shake the feeling that he looks like a really shady guy in those photos :p

[simonlang]

in indian telecast (espn star sports), matthew marsh (one of the commentators)[over phone] when talking about Kubica & Renault, was saying that, teams need a strong driver as #1 to guide them in development,

i.e. Kubica for renault, since he is missing action, Renault has gone backwards, they performed only in initial races. heidfeld & petrov are not #1 driver material, thats why they are not able to do proper development...

& went on to say Ferrari cant have Massa for #1, jenson for McLaren, nico for merc... they are there for support role just like barichello was, at ferrari.

in a way it made sense, but it was very rude when he was talking

i think that indian hulululu how he was called? marsh - maybe should rename himself to HARSH that would be a fit! - should start to build a more founded and different opinion as he gets paid for this!

there is no doubt that petrov still has a long way to go but for a pay driver he is doing excellent and last year in abu dhabi i was very happy that, because he pays himself the renault seat, can act independently and without fear or sponsor induced forces. i bet my ass if he was normal driver depending on contract (and not renault dpeending on his money) he would have slipped away immediately when he saw that red ferrari behind him.

nothing to add about heidfeld. he is slow, ugly, uninspiring and always runs excuses. he was totally in kubis shadow while at bmw and he is - so to speak - the dead of every team! remember prost-gp? jordan? bmw? they all went k.o. while heidfeld was driving for them.

so im fine with these two.

but massa not being nr1 at ferrari? NONSENSE! utter crap! he was leading the ferrari team from mid 2008 to mid 2009 and the results were STUNNING! he came much closer to the worldchampionship with ferrari than anyone ever since - this includes his ovverated teammate wanna hear it or not - and was best of the rest (non doublediffuser car) in 2009.

ofc he had no word in 2010 as santander had other interest but see its like 2007 if you have alonso in your team, you will LOSE a certain wdc title and he will also pull your own team in front of the courts.

we write 2011 now and ferrari seems to start losing patience with alonso. after 7 races its 4:3 for alonso the supposed teamleader still cant build a gap to massa and it better does NOT rain in the remaining races as he pretty much sucks there while massa is much better.

nico? i dont like him at all, but he IS the nr1 driver at mercedes! i love schumacher, and would love to see him beating his teammate but it just doesnt happen - for whatever reasons - and rosberg is deffo one of the 5 fastest drivers out there.

no one can be so blind to NOT see it.

with button its complicated indeed. i have to agree what others said. hami has the speed but button is clever and calm when it counts.

i never see him beating hamilton on a fast quali lap on exactly equal conditions but race in mixed conditions and he gets very dangerous.

i see both mclaren drivers equal, they both lead the team while no one is de facto number 1. (however i think that team prefers button for some very political.-incorrect reasons)

[JoeC]

You really do talk a lot of drivel :)

he [Massa] came much closer to the worldchampionship with ferrari than anyone ever since

If you're going for this line, where he lost out by 1 point to Hamilton, why not look 1 year earlier;

1 / Kimi R?ikk?nen / Ferrari / 110

2 / Lewis Hamilton / McLaren-Mercedes / 109

3 / Fernando Alonso / McLaren-Mercedes / 109

That right there is both Hamilton and Alonso getting just as close, and 2 of them doing it at the same time, not just one.

see its like 2007 if you have alonso in your team, you will LOSE a certain wdc title

By 1 point, yes. But it's a sure-fire sign of an amazingly good driver when Massa loses the WDC by 1 point the next year?

he [Heidfeld] was totally in kubis shadow while at bmw and he is - so to speak - the dead of every team!

5 / Nick Heidfeld / BMW / 61

6 / Robert Kubica / BMW / 39

Yes, that's in his shadow in 2007. Kubica blew him away.

9 / Nick Heidfeld / Sauber-BMW / 23

16 / Robert Kubica / Sauber-BMW / 6

And 2006 was a similar story.

13 / Nick Heidfeld / BMW Sauber / 19

14 / Robert Kubica / BMW Sauber / 17

And here's 2009. If this is being totally in Kubica's shadow, I'd like to know what he has to do in order to succeed, in your eyes.

he [massa] was leading the ferrari team from mid 2008 to mid 2009 and the results were STUNNING!

Australia - retired, suspension issue

Malaysia - 9th

China - retired, electrical issue

Bahrain - 14th

Spain - 6th

Picks up after that with a few 4ths and 6ths.

------

I didn't bother checking the stuff in the rest of the post :) But you might want to check that you're actually talking some sense before running your mouth so much :)

[Kerm]

No offence to mclaren2 but I have pretty much disagreed with everything you've ever said in this thread. Ha.

Nice one Joe.

[simonlang]

i do, mate i do. and b4 i leave to work i just wanna give you something to read... the technical regulations of 2007 vs. those of 2008. loss of LOTS of driving-aids.

yes! 2007 was easy (massa was out of contention due to TECHNICAL problems) and 2008 was more difficult - the so called tallents like alonso, raikkonen and hamilton binned it quite a few times while massa drove amazingly well - so well that even the engine blown up in hungary 2008 would NOT have mattered- and lost only cause of alonso, briatore and renault decided to manipulate singapore 2008 race, stealing away his comfortable lead and certain win.

but ofc such things need you to build your own opinion and use facts for it. easier to go what most others say ofc, could as well do strg+c and strg+v and not even care. :rofl:

[forlorn]

build your own opinion and use facts for it.

Then why don't you follow your own advice?

[+John. Subscriber¹]

Then why don't you follow your own advice?

Zing. :cool:

[ahmz]

No offence to mclaren2 but I have pretty much disagreed with everything you've ever said in this thread. Ha.

Nice one Joe.

You still read his posts ??? lol

[Kerm]

Only the first line then I move on past. :p

[san.W10]

from

:rofl:

the 2008 ferrari team had no #1 driver, so they developed a neutral car (thanks to kimi's laziness) which suited Massa more & then, near end they concentrated on Massa.

He would still be fuming that FA was the reason why he lost 2008 titte (singapore) :p & FA must still be cursing himself coz his actions indirectly helped Ham to take title

Brawn: We don?t have the technical strength

Ross Brawn has admitted that the Mercedes GP team is currently too weak technically to take on Formula 1?s pace setting teams.

The MGP-W02 has been ineffective

The German squad, formerly run as Brawn GP following Honda?s exit at the end of 2008, had hoped to compete for wins in 2010 as Michael Schumacher entered the second year of his F1 comeback, but this has not transpired and the team remains trailing the big teams.

Team boss Brawn told German Sky TV: ?The reason we are not as successful as we would like is that the team is not physically strong enough.?

Both Schumacher and Nico Rosberg both have new race engineers in 2010, while former Renault technical director and team boss Bob Bell has joined the Brackley based team.

Brawn admitted: ?We do not have the technical strength to compete with Red Bull, Ferrari or McLaren, but we are working on it and that?s happening right now.?

He said he is seeing ?progress? but insisted: ?These things go step by step, season by season. For next year?s car we will have a much stronger team than now.?

Seven times F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher has yet to stand on a podium since his comeback last year

Reports earlier this year revealed that the current car, the MGP-W02, has the shortest wheelbase of the entire F1 field.

?When we made the decision on the layout, we had information that led us to believe it was right. In retrospect, we would probably decide differently,? revealed Brawn.

Mercedes GP lie fifth in the constructors championship with 54 points scored so far, compared to points leaders Red Bull who have amassed 255 points in the first seven races of 2011.

Schumacher lies ninth in the drivers world championship with 28 points, while Rosberg is tenth with 26 points. Neither driver have yet been the podium so far this year.

http://www.yallaf1.com/2011/06/15/brawn-we-dont-have-the-technical-strength/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Yallaf1com+%28YallaF1.com%29