F1 Thread

[G]

Yeah but that's how its been since Pirelli entered cos that's what the FIA told to them to make happen. The argument that its worse this year isn't standing up to scrutiny as the article points out. Some teams are happy with the tyres,some aren't. Red Bull didn't complain when they drove to double world championships on them for the last 2 years.

For right or wrong,tyre management is now a crucial part in a days racing,much like fuel strategy used to be but its the same for everyone.Red Bull just haven't done as good a job with this years car in managing them and they are crying about it to get it changed.

DRS is good overall but on tracks like Canada coming up where the straight is very long it isn't very fair.

[BobTheCharmer]

Oh I agree with red bull crying when they were happy last year and I don't blame pirelli, however I just feel this isn't real racing.

Drivers asking their team whether they should let someone by and being told 'run your own race' ie stay out of trouble and let's see where we are come the end. Its more le man than F1.

Why bother with the mad risky crush at the first few corners? Just maintain position should be the brief ensuring no accidents.

I still thinking letting a driver weave from side to side would at least enable them to put up a fight. Why should a faster car on newer tyres come by waving having a cigar with his feet on the dash?

[Daniel 7]

Got to agree with a lot of that Bob. It seems to me they've gone too far to enable and assist the passer, which means the competition of getting past the car in front has gone. Flaps open, see you later. Seeing drivers not even bothering to fight because it will hurt their tyres is ruining the sport - its all about prudence now and not about racing.

Seems to me that rather than messing about with tyres and DRS, if they got rid of the aero enhancements and allowed basic front and rear spoilers which don't disrupt air flow so much, then passing wouldn't be such an issue. Look at GP2. Also, it wasn't such an issue before aero started to get so intricate - there was proper racing in the 70's, 80's and early 90's.

Too much fixing, not enough sense.

[Aj34]

Got to agree with a lot of that Bob. It seems to me they've gone too far to enable and assist the passer, which means the competition of getting past the car in front has gone. Flaps open, see you later. Seeing drivers not even bothering to fight because it will hurt their tyres is ruining the sport - its all about prudence now and not about racing.

Seems to me that rather than messing about with tyres and DRS, if they got rid of the aero enhancements and allowed basic front and rear spoilers which don't disrupt air flow so much, then passing wouldn't be such an issue. Look at GP2. Also, it wasn't such an issue before aero started to get so intricate - there was proper racing in the 70's, 80's and early 90's.

Too much fixing, not enough sense.

[Daniel 7]

Confirmation of a badly kept secret the other day, McLaren Honda. Let's hope they inject some professionalism and are 100% on board, because McLaren are on the precipice.

[RichC]

I can't see Honda wanting to come back into F1 unless they're coming in fully committed to it, well I certainly hope not anyway.

As you say McLaren are at the crossroads to some extent they really need to make some serious changes with the team to get them back on track

[Daniel 7]

Have you ever read The Life of Senna by Tim Rubython, rcasemore?

Whats your first name? Is it Richard? Its not Roger is it? Ronald?

[RichC]

Nope never read it to be honest, good read?

[Daniel 7]

Its absolutely brilliant - you'll love it being a fan of F1.

There's a large section on Senna having to motivate and harass Honda into developing the engine in the 1991 season. They were losing interest and were sitting on their thumbs thinking it was a cakewalk because Senna had won the first 4 races of the season. The truth of it was that Senna was trying to make them see that their engine wasn't good enough, that Williams Renault were about to overtake them with a better car and more powerful engine and that it was only his skill that was dragging them to victory.

Truth was they already had one eye on an exit as early as 91 before pulling out altogether in 93. Senna knew it - they had lost interest. Same thing happened a few years ago.

[RichC]

Ah cheers I'll have a look out for that then.

Hmmmm well let's hope that history doesn't repeat itself then as that would leave McLaren in a very weak position, I guess from the last time they were here though they'd certainly not want to start with a works car so you'd hope they'd put full development into making sure what they offer McLaren is top notch, I guess the risk is if they struggle to get there and can't catch up with the Mercs, Ferrari or Renault engines quickly they decide to pull out again on cost reasons.

[Daniel 7]

Its brilliant - the best biography I've read

[RichC]

He was a complete genius as a driver not sure who since him has come close really.

[Daniel 7]

I think Alonso is the closest to him since he died. He has that aura about him. Pity he saw fit to flounce off from McLaren rather than try to beat Hamilton, otherwise he would have had his 3 titles by now.

[RichC]

Yeah you're probably right with Alonso, I do think he'll always have that stigma about McLaren

[RichC]

Merc are really trying to reinforce their team aren't they

Former McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe is joining Mercedes after an agreement was struck between the rivals. Mercedes says Lowe will assume the role of executive director, with a focus on technical matters, and work alongside team principal Ross Brawn. The expected move reunites Lowe and McLaren 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton, who moved to Mercedes at the end of last season.