F1 2012

[Westward]

Button's probably thinking pension too. Seems a nice guy, done a zillion GPs now without ever being quite up there with the best. He's never won a race without having by far the best car and he never will. To me that's what separates the Alonsos, Schumachers and Vettels from the rest; they can and do sometimes win without having the best car - and it was ever thus for the very top GP drivers.

I think I'd be pretty relaxed about interviews and chat shows too if I was him. Certainly, if I'd just qualified 18th I'd be wondering: "Why are you interviewing me?"

 

[ExSCA]

Thought some of you might like this, a side by side comparison of GT cars, and F1 cars through Eau Rouge....

 

[Will Hewland]

Kin scary.

I would defend it slightly by saying that those `GT Cars` were a hotch potch clearly on some amateur track day. I drove the Lister Storm GT1 there in 1998. I remember that 5th gear hit the rev limiter at 165mph and I was on the limiter for 20 metres before entering Eau Rouge; then it was just a lift before turning into the right hand section and up the hill. That is from a 30mph hairpin just before that downhill run (to the left of the picture).

 

[Hamster]

I might have got it a little wrong with Maldonado, he is beginning to get an irreversible reputation. Having said that it looked as though he simply lost the car sideways in the accident rather than cause it for not allowing enough room?

 

[Will Hewland]

Undoubtedly he lost it, but that is from being distracted by the other car. He should have been a touch more alert, rather than on the limit..

 

[ExSCA]

I compare it to the move Webber made on Alonso.... Fernando seemed to be more alert, and kept hold of his car as Webber pushed round the outside... better driver I'd say.

 

[TobyM]

better driver I'd say.

By quite some margin!

 

[TobyM]

Webber re-signs for Red Bull for 2013

It's not beyond the realms of possibility that all the top teams will be "as you are" for next year. Massa staying at Ferrari would not surprise me.

 

[Hamster]

Not at all surprised with Webber staying although I think he should have pushed for a two year option, would be amazed if Ferrari put up with another year of Massa, remember if it weren't for him not only would they be higher up the constructors chart but Alonso's opposition would have had fewer point too.

 

[** Pending Removal **]

For all you boys who think they can drive.............take a look at what my friend can do!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuDN2bCIyus&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[VicW]

I watched this earlier today from an email. He really is brilliant at what he does.

Vic.

 

[TobyM]

Been a bit quiet on here for F1. SIngapore this weekend as I'm sure you all know.

And Lewis Hamilton - will he / won't he stay at McLaren?

BTW Vettel is 5/1 for pole which I thought was worth an e/w punt.

 

[Hamster]

Lewis would be mental to leave, the winning seats are all taken, Ferrari and RedBull will be no goes even if the Principals were mad enough to allow 2 winners in the same team. The only other (title) winning team are McLaren, Mercedes switch would just be driving for money. McLaren are the perfect place for him as he's paired up with a driver who is highly regarded but who is NOT a potential threat by any knowledgeable stretch of imagination. :wink:

 

[ExSCA]

Although, its not long ago since Mercedes (Brawn) won a title - and my understanding is that they have increased their R&D investment considerably (Mercedes have a whole new slate of road cars ongoing, so raising the brand by winning F1 again would help them). Maybe Lewis has been promised something more competitive, and money.

 

[Hamster]

It was Honda what won Brawn's title Matt, and that took summat like 5+ years to harness. Fings are never quite the way they seem and that definitely applies to F1. Drivers get promised all sorts and some are silly enough to actually believe it, most I suspect are not but play the percentages, if Lewis does go, it won't be because he believes Mercedes can win but because he knows something about McLaren maybe, he'll cash in £15 extra mil over 3 years knowing he'll then jump into a real winners seat, Alonso won't be driving for Ferrari for ever, or he can just walk back in with McLaren.

 

[RobertBeard]

Well someone posting afresh on this thread brought this to my attention which is a great thread. I have always been a Mclaren fan back to my schooldays when McLaren himself and Denny Hulme were the drivers and also raced CanAm in North America. Also Jackie Stewart was a personal hero. Once was able to say Hi to James Hunt in the pits at Silverstone. Gutted when Brands Hatch was dropped from the F1 circuit as it is a great track and spent many happy hours there watching motor racing. Broadspeed Ford Escorts spring to mind for nose to tail excitement. Used to be a quick pop through the Dartford tunnel in those days when I lived near Romford. BOAC 1000kms in the rain was the best ever with the big long tailed porsches pirouetting out of Druids if they applied the power too soon. Did a bit of rally navigating when I realised that I was never going to be able to emulate Jackie Stewart!

 

[Will Hewland]

In 2014 the new engine and gearbox rules kick in. A real shuffle of the pack.. Lewis may be looking to where he thinks the strongest engine package will be.. The new engines are already being worked on, Ferrari has run theirs on a test bed. Parts are being made furiously foe other makes.

 

[TobyM]

For 2014 assuming Mercedes sign up to the Concorde Agreement (they probably will), they should have a decent engine package. McLaren have to pay for their engines now so maybe as a longer term punt, Mercedes could be worth signing with. Ross Brawn knows what he's doing and with their resources one would assume they move up to the sharp end eventually.

 

[ExSCA]

And if anyone knows how to navigate a rule change - its Brawn. Hamilton is well looked after, with smart advisors. If this is a real 'move' (and not just a way of boosting McLarens contract offer) then it'll be done with eyes wide open.

 

[Hamster]

There are lots of true greats within the sport but there is only one F1 brain worth moving for and that's Newey and I bet even his strike rate is no better than 1 in 4.