Formula 1 In 2011

[WarpSpeed]

Bernie are you listening?

http://sport.uk.msn....entid=156841620

He should be.

Slater, who seems to get more irritating just when you thought he couldn't get any more, was getting really excited about seeing DRS in action, as Button closed on Massa coming up to the straight, and was telling us all how we were about to witness its wonderful benefits in aiding over-taking. Then, when Button failed to get past, and failed, and failed, and failed again, he then did a full about turn and said actually how happy he was that DRS hadn't allowed him to get by because then it would be too easy and we don't want to see that now do we?! So if DRS hasn't made it any easier for drivers to overtake, why have they introduced it for goodness sake?!

To me, it all seems a bit too gimicky. Formula One should be a pure and simple fight of the best drivers in the world using their skills to win. What are we going to have next? A button drivers can press to release an oil slick to scuper the drivers behind perhaps?

Part of the problem is the silly restrictions to using it, let it be unpredictable and when the DRIVER sees it's most beneficial..They don't legislate when you can out brake someone, it's silly to the core to have it and restrict when using it as everyone knows when it's going to be used or not so they just counter it's use..

I have to add that by doing that if the driver decides to use it at the wrong time they may well make serious miscalculation (I.E. too soon into or out of a corner and losing down force) that can end their race and that too would provide more opportunities and unpredictability to the races..

Much more so then a stupid sprinkler system for example..

Edited April 9, 2011 by WarpSpeed

[WarpSpeed]

Pretty sad to see Mr Lollipop racing trucks. Was he really F1 WC only a few years ago? How the mighty fall.

http://news.bbc.co.u...ne/12948866.stm

What next? Racing ice-cream vans perhaps might suit.

Rixalex.

Impossible, if he was in an ice cream van he would have to smile for the kids and that would never do.

I have to tell you that if it was that easy he'd be going right to Sprint Cup and not the truck series.. He isn't the first to go into a NASCAR series but not many have done too well, Mario Andretti being one of the few notable exceptions and past F1 converts to win as has the only other driver being Juan Pablo Montoya.. They're all laughing all the way to the bank mind you, if me or any of you got paid what they're getting paid to drive race cars for a living you'd race an ice cream truck too and smile widely the whole time.. And at least in those series you can legitimately pass people..

Edited April 9, 2011 by WarpSpeed

[rixalex]

Part of the problem is the silly restrictions to using it, let it be unpredictable and when the DRIVER sees it's most beneficial..They don't legislate when you can out brake someone, it's silly to the core to have it and restrict when using it as everyone knows when it's going to be used or not so they just counter it's use..

I would agree that the rules regarding its usage are a bit fussy, but i think for it to serve its supposed purpose of allowing more over-taking, there have to be some rules; the main one being that when two drivers are fighting for a place, it can only be used by the car that is trailing. If you allow both the trailing car and the car ahead to use it as and when they like, how will it aid getting past? It won't.

I have to add that by doing that if the driver decides to use it at the wrong time they may well make serious miscalculation (I.E. too soon into or out of a corner and losing down force) that can end their race and that too would provide more opportunities and unpredictability to the races..

Yes we saw the dangers of this in qualifying in Australia, when one of the drivers opened their spoiler before they had completely exited the corner, resulting in a spin.

[ignis]

Part of the problem is the silly restrictions to using it, let it be unpredictable and when the DRIVER sees it's most beneficial..They don't legislate when you can out brake someone, it's silly to the core to have it and restrict when using it as everyone knows when it's going to be used or not so they just counter it's use..

I would agree that the rules regarding its usage are a bit fussy, but i think for it to serve its supposed purpose of allowing more over-taking, there have to be some rules; the main one being that when two drivers are fighting for a place, it can only be used by the car that is trailing. If you allow both the trailing car and the car ahead to use it as and when they like, how will it aid getting past? It won't.

I have to add that by doing that if the driver decides to use it at the wrong time they may well make serious miscalculation (I.E. too soon into or out of a corner and losing down force) that can end their race and that too would provide more opportunities and unpredictability to the races..

Yes we saw the dangers of this in qualifying in Australia, when one of the drivers opened their spoiler before they had completely exited the corner, resulting in a spin.

the main one being that when two drivers are fighting for a place, sure but often you see 3 or 4 cars fighting for the place, so which one can use it, Car 4 ? car 2 + 4 ? ++ at this track we have seen in the past 2 cars side by side come into the last corner.. which one can use it down the straight ?

[rixalex]

the main one being that when two drivers are fighting for a place, sure but often you see 3 or 4 cars fighting for the place, so which one can use it, Car 4 ? car 2 + 4 ?

I think the rules state you must be within one second of the car ahead of you, so whilst it is a possible scenario that you mention, it's unusual to have all three, four cars running that tight together down the straight. However, if it does happen, i guess all cars, bar the one leading, are able to use DRS.

++ at this track we have seen in the past 2 cars side by side come into the last corner.. which one can use it down the straight ?

Don't see how them being side by side coming into the last corner has any bearing. What matters is what position they are in on the straight.

[F1fanatic]

Good race - thanks to tyres and DRS.

At the moment it seems that the top runners are v close - McLaren and Red Bull equally at the top, but Ferrari and Renault v close.

[WarpSpeed]

Part of the problem is the silly restrictions to using it, let it be unpredictable and when the DRIVER sees it's most beneficial..They don't legislate when you can out brake someone, it's silly to the core to have it and restrict when using it as everyone knows when it's going to be used or not so they just counter it's use..

I would agree that the rules regarding its usage are a bit fussy, but i think for it to serve its supposed purpose of allowing more over-taking, there have to be some rules; the main one being that when two drivers are fighting for a place, it can only be used by the car that is trailing. If you allow both the trailing car and the car ahead to use it as and when they like, how will it aid getting past? It won't.

I have to add that by doing that if the driver decides to use it at the wrong time they may well make serious miscalculation (I.E. too soon into or out of a corner and losing down force) that can end their race and that too would provide more opportunities and unpredictability to the races..

Yes we saw the dangers of this in qualifying in Australia, when one of the drivers opened their spoiler before they had completely exited the corner, resulting in a spin.

the main one being that when two drivers are fighting for a place, sure but often you see 3 or 4 cars fighting for the place, so which one can use it, Car 4 ? car 2 + 4 ? ++ at this track we have seen in the past 2 cars side by side come into the last corner.. which one can use it down the straight ?

It's completely un-police able, do as I suggested and allow it at the drivers discretion it most certainly will provide for more overtaking as no one will know when it's being used or not and that will allow one to set up passes. Additionally it puts driver error/judgement or lack there of back into the equation and will further separate the wheat from the chaff, or the drivers from the racers in this case..

[ignis]

I think the rules state you must be within one second of the car ahead of you, so whilst it is a possible scenario that you mention, it's unusual to have all three, four cars running that tight together down the straight. However, if it does happen, i guess all cars, bar the one leading, are able to use DRS.

Thanks, funny it was answered in the race, 4 cars within a second could all open there rear wings behind the car in front..

Best race in years, was very disappointed after Australia, but today good action packed.

[WarpSpeed]

I think the rules state you must be within one second of the car ahead of you, so whilst it is a possible scenario that you mention, it's unusual to have all three, four cars running that tight together down the straight. However, if it does happen, i guess all cars, bar the one leading, are able to use DRS.

Thanks, funny it was answered in the race, 4 cars within a second could all open there rear wings behind the car in front..

Best race in years, was very disappointed after Australia, but today good action packed.

Yes and how long before a team begins to cry foul on timing of usage or some equally pedantic technicality? I can hear it all now ..

Edited April 10, 2011 by WarpSpeed

[soihok]

Does anyone remember " It's a knock out " ?

It was hosted by Eddie Waring and Stuart Hall.

I think that drivers have to stop at somewhere in the race and and get out their cars, race across an obstacle course holding buckets of different couloured water.

Who had the most coloured water collected had major points addded to the teams overall score for the day.

It sounds a bit mad but it was really good fun.

Jolly good show what?

[wackysleet]

Good race - thanks to tyres and DRS.

At the moment it seems that the top runners are v close - McLaren and Red Bull equally at the top, but Ferrari and Renault v close.

F1 fanatic.

i thought perhaps you had deserted us for "The Crash forum" as I seemed to recognise your penchant for supporting Mr. Shumacher on there but good to see you on here too.

David.

[F1fanatic]

Good race - thanks to tyres and DRS.

At the moment it seems that the top runners are v close - McLaren and Red Bull equally at the top, but Ferrari and Renault v close.

F1 fanatic.

i thought perhaps you had deserted us for "The Crash forum" as I seemed to recognise your penchant for supporting Mr. Shumacher on there but good to see you on here too.

David.

Good to be back! I was too fed up to say anything after Australia... but even though Schumi got nowhere in Sepang, at least it wasn't his fault!

The top teams are so close it should be an interesting season - even if Merc are nowhere near the top teams .

Sorry to be slow, but what is the "crash" forum?

Edited April 11, 2011 by F1fanatic

[b19bry]

Good race - thanks to tyres and DRS.

At the moment it seems that the top runners are v close - McLaren and Red Bull equally at the top, but Ferrari and Renault v close.

Yeah, I was in the Turn 1 Grandstand for race day and there was quite a bit of action there, had a good couple of days.

Vettel is well ahead at the moment and could dominate unless the other teams do some catching up on the development.

Mclaren are pretty close and Ferrari looked stronger later in the race but they're both a little off the Red Bulls particularly Vettel.

Good to see Heidfeld putting in a storming drive too, if Renault can get up there in the next few races could be an exciting season.

[Mosha]

Anyone have a link to the incident with Alonso and Hamilton, showing Hamilton's "dangerous" swerving please?

[F1fanatic]

Good race - thanks to tyres and DRS.

At the moment it seems that the top runners are v close - McLaren and Red Bull equally at the top, but Ferrari and Renault v close.

Yeah, I was in the Turn 1 Grandstand for race day and there was quite a bit of action there, had a good couple of days.

Vettel is well ahead at the moment and could dominate unless the other teams do some catching up on the development.

Mclaren are pretty close and Ferrari looked stronger later in the race but they're both a little off the Red Bulls particularly Vettel.

Good to see Heidfeld putting in a storming drive too, if Renault can get up there in the next few races could be an exciting season.

As far as I could see from the race (on TV) and quali, McLaren were as good as the Red Bulls. The RBs had problems with KERS though, so if they manage to sort that problem out, things may change....

Vettel had the advantage of starting in pole position after a great quali lap. The pole sitter always enjoys an advantage when other cars are equally as fast, as long as they manage a good start.

Even though everyone behind him was fighting for position, he wasn't really able to 'run away with it'. A sure sign that other teams have an equally good (if not better) car for the circuit

p.s. Sorry Mosha, I've been looking for a clip too, without success as the youtube video was pulled by the FIA v quickly.

Edited April 12, 2011 by F1fanatic

[Mosha]

IMHO that punishment was uneven. While on the face of it they both got a 20 second penalty. Alonso was unaffected by it, while Hamilton lost a place. A much fairer system would be a place penalty applying to guilty drivers. There again one car was the F(errari)IA.

[wackysleet]

With the tyre situation appearing to be no better than last weeks race, I'm looking for Jenson to get on the podium again and show the doubters of his true ability, it's for sure he's not a head down arse up driver but will finish and deliver team points<img class="bbc_emoticon" alt="" src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif"> .

[wackysleet]

IMHO that punishment was uneven. While on the face of it they both got a 20 second penalty. Alonso was unaffected by it, while Hamilton lost a place. A much fairer system would be a place penalty applying to guilty drivers. There again one car was the F(errari)IA.

Mosha. Why do you think Lewis was penalised, upto his old swerving tricks yet again, how many times has he done that in the past and got away with it and people talk about Alonso being a bad sport and throwing his toys about,mmmm.

At the start of last season Lewis said he was going to try to change his attitude because he knew that he was not liked and actually had no friends, appears that did'nt last too long although to be fair he appears to get on with Jenson, unles Jenson beats him a few more times

Maclaren stated that they have forgiven Lewis little outburst about them getting his pit stop strategy wrong. He should stick to what he does best and that is to drive, let the other experts do their job.

[b19bry]

Hear Hear, Dave

MHO that punishment was uneven too. Alonso attempted a pass and Lewis swerved into him, not sure why Alonso got a penalty anyway. Can anyone explain ?

Actually, given the current standards of driving, I'm surprised either got a penalty but in the case that they did, the stewards can only apply a 'stop-go' pit stop penalty or apply a time penalty to their race time. Docking a position is not an option.

This cuts both ways and Lewis has been as lucky in the past as much as any other driver.

Vettel is looking like the class of the field again in China.

IMHO that punishment was uneven. While on the face of it they both got a 20 second penalty. Alonso was unaffected by it, while Hamilton lost a place. A much fairer system would be a place penalty applying to guilty drivers. There again one car was the F(errari)IA.

Mosha. Why do you think Lewis was penalised, upto his old swerving tricks yet again, how many times has he done that in the past and got away with it and people talk about Alonso being a bad sport and throwing his toys about,mmmm.

At the start of last season Lewis said he was going to try to change his attitude because he knew that he was not liked and actually had no friends, appears that did'nt last too long although to be fair he appears to get on with Jenson, unles Jenson beats him a few more times

Maclaren stated that they have forgiven Lewis little outburst about them getting his pit stop strategy wrong. He should stick to what he does best and that is to drive, let the other experts do their job.

[b19bry]

Vettel on pole in China by by a margin of .7 sec. The opposition aren't even close !!

Barring an error or a failure of the Red Bull he's got this in the bag, looking ominous for the rest

Good race - thanks to tyres and DRS.

At the moment it seems that the top runners are v close - McLaren and Red Bull equally at the top, but Ferrari and Renault v close.

Yeah, I was in the Turn 1 Grandstand for race day and there was quite a bit of action there, had a good couple of days.

Vettel is well ahead at the moment and could dominate unless the other teams do some catching up on the development.

Mclaren are pretty close and Ferrari looked stronger later in the race but they're both a little off the Red Bulls particularly Vettel.

Good to see Heidfeld putting in a storming drive too, if Renault can get up there in the next few races could be an exciting season.

As far as I could see from the race (on TV) and quali, McLaren were as good as the Red Bulls. The RBs had problems with KERS though, so if they manage to sort that problem out, things may change....

Vettel had the advantage of starting in pole position after a great quali lap. The pole sitter always enjoys an advantage when other cars are equally as fast, as long as they manage a good start.

Even though everyone behind him was fighting for position, he wasn't really able to 'run away with it'. A sure sign that other teams have an equally good (if not better) car for the circuit

p.s. Sorry Mosha, I've been looking for a clip too, without success as the youtube video was pulled by the FIA v quickly.

[Mosha]

I was staring to think the stewards were asleep until the non Ferrari incidents. Great race, well done Webber. Slater moments

were mentioning Hamilton's monstering the tyres and they had to last to the end of the race, then 5 minutes later how he still had a tyre change left. Daren't his flow coomentators contradict him?

[wackysleet]

I was staring to think the stewards were asleep until the non Ferrari incidents. Great race, well done Webber. Slater moments

were mentioning Hamilton's monstering the tyres and they had to last to the end of the race, then 5 minutes later how he still had a tyre change left. Daren't his flow coomentators contradict him?

Steve.

I have found at times Slaters comments to be the most entertaining thing of the afternoons sport although this season has shown more variation and a lot more overtaking.

Have to admit though, I have never been a fan of results being decided on by strategy rather than racing and performance and well done to Lewis for his win.

[Mosha]

I'm a bit under the weather so may have misunderstood, but were they actually going on about too much overtaking?

[F1fanatic]

I'm a bit under the weather so may have misunderstood, but were they actually going on about too much overtaking?

Yes! One of them said it was turning into bumper cars or something. Like you, I listened in disbelief that the idiot thought there was something wrong 'cos the race was too exciting...

Great race. The tyres and DRS are doing their job - its no longer a procession.

I had a power cut for the first half-hour of the race, so missed the beginning. The order when my power came back on wasn't too suprising, but within minutes everything was changing with the different strategies.

Webber (at the time) was still near the bottom of the field - brilliant race from him to get to P3. Hamilton drove well too, but nothing in comparison to Webber as Hamilton started at the top of the grid.

Vettel (thank god) had the wrong strategy, making it one hell of a fight near the end.

After that wonderful race that pumped us all up, we've now got a 3 week wait ...

[F1fanatic]

p.s. Its not the first time I've listened to the commentary in disbelief...

Last season, one of them kept criticizing a slower car 'holding up' a faster car when they were fighting for position (not being lapped). His opinion was that they were 'ruining their own race'. My opinion was they were doing the job they were paid for, trying to keep in front!

[rixalex]

Mosha. Why do you think Lewis was penalised, upto his old swerving tricks yet again, how many times has he done that in the past and got away with it and people talk about Alonso being a bad sport and throwing his toys about,mmmm.

Up tp his old swerving tricks? Last season he was guilty of some ridiculous swerving down the straight to prevent Petrov from getting a toe. It wasn't as bad as swerving to block, but it was against the rules and he should have been penalised rather than just warned, in my opinion. Other than that, i'm not sure what the other cases are to which you refer. I think he has a history of fighting hard and making himself difficult to pass, but i think that's something that all the drivers should be doing, providing it's within the rules of course.

[rixalex]

Hear Hear, Dave

MHO that punishment was uneven too. Alonso attempted a pass and Lewis swerved into him, not sure why Alonso got a penalty anyway. Can anyone explain ?

Actually, given the current standards of driving, I'm surprised either got a penalty but in the case that they did, the stewards can only apply a 'stop-go' pit stop penalty or apply a time penalty to their race time. Docking a position is not an option.

This cuts both ways and Lewis has been as lucky in the past as much as any other driver.

Vettel is looking like the class of the field again in China.

Making the case that it was correct for Lewis to be punished as well as Alonso is one thing, making the case that Alonso is free of any guilt, having been the one driving into the the back of another, is quite another. Sort of ridiculousness one would expect from an Alonso fan. From a self-proclaimed neutral, it's more of a surprise to hear this argument being made. Or is it? Probably not.

[WarpSpeed]

Good race - thanks to tyres and DRS.

At the moment it seems that the top runners are v close - McLaren and Red Bull equally at the top, but Ferrari and Renault v close.

F1 fanatic.

i thought perhaps you had deserted us for "The Crash forum" as I seemed to recognise your penchant for supporting Mr. Shumacher on there but good to see you on here too.

David.

Good to be back! I was too fed up to say anything after Australia... but even though Schumi got nowhere in Sepang, at least it wasn't his fault!

The top teams are so close it should be an interesting season - even if Merc are nowhere near the top teams .

Sorry to be slow, but what is the "crash" forum?

Actually Merc, as in Rosberg, qualified 4th, legitimately led some of the race, and finished 5th in Shanghai and he topped the qualifiers in the first session and I was pretty ticked off that though he held that spot for more then 2 laps at the end and going into the 2nd qualifier it wasn't even a mention by Mr. Slater or his cohort who were too busy jabbering away about Vettel et al. That always burns my arse worse then a 3 foot flame, when a driver gets glossed over like that instead of well deserved recognition, be it the 1st session or not, it's note worthy.

While not necessarily a Rosberg fan he's been quietly handling his team mate, who, oh by the way, just happens to be Micheal and doing it in equal equipment since last year and by some margin..

It makes me wonder just how good he'd be in some of the other more dominating cars at the pointy edge of the grid say a Red Bull for example but he's been considered the third German out there and he's demonstrating more talent then that and deserves the respect, in my mind Micheal is now the 3rd best and the results show it....I'm appreciating Rosberg for his quiet perseverance and low keyed approach to his overwhelming domination of his team and his former multiple championship winning tea mate who would be floundering in Rosbergs shadow were he not for who he is..

I'm also wondering how 2 cars on the same team can have such major differences in equipment reliability when it comes to Red Bull as Webber left Malaysia with a KERS problem and then brought it with him to China while Vettel has had none? Same system 2 different races. Really makes one wonder, not normally a conspiracy theorist but that is quite a bit of irony to say the least..

JFYI I know the quoted post of yours predates the Shanghai race..

Edited April 18, 2011 by WarpSpeed

[F1fanatic]

Good race - thanks to tyres and DRS.

At the moment it seems that the top runners are v close - McLaren and Red Bull equally at the top, but Ferrari and Renault v close.

F1 fanatic.

i thought perhaps you had deserted us for "The Crash forum" as I seemed to recognise your penchant for supporting Mr. Shumacher on there but good to see you on here too.

David.

Good to be back! I was too fed up to say anything after Australia... but even though Schumi got nowhere in Sepang, at least it wasn't his fault!

The top teams are so close it should be an interesting season - even if Merc are nowhere near the top teams .

Sorry to be slow, but what is the "crash" forum?

Actually Merc, as in Rosberg, qualified 4th, legitimately led some of the race, and finished 5th in Shanghai and he topped the qualifiers in the first session and I was pretty ticked off that though he held that spot for more then 2 laps at the end and going into the 2nd qualifier it wasn't even a mention by Mr. Slater or his cohort who were too busy jabbering away about Vettel et al. That always burns my arse worse then a 3 foot flame, when a driver gets glossed over like that instead of well deserved recognition, be it the 1st session or not, it's note worthy.

While not necessarily a Rosberg fan he's been quietly handling his team mate, who, oh by the way, just happens to be Micheal and doing it in equal equipment since last year and by some margin..

It makes me wonder just how good he'd be in some of the other more dominating cars at the pointy edge of the grid say a Red Bull for example but he's been considered the third German out there and he's demonstrating more talent then that and deserves the respect, in my mind Micheal is now the 3rd best and the results show it....I'm appreciating Rosberg for his quiet perseverance and low keyed approach to his overwhelming domination of his team and his former multiple championship winning tea mate who would be floundering in Rosbergs shadow were he not for who he is..

I'm also wondering how 2 cars on the same team can have such major differences in equipment reliability when it comes to Red Bull as Webber left Malaysia with a KERS problem and then brought it with him to China while Vettel has had none? Same system 2 different races. Really makes one wonder, not normally a conspiracy theorist but that is quite a bit of irony to say the least..

JFYI I know the quoted post of yours predates the Shanghai race..

I agree - Rosberg had a great quali position and looked as if he could win the race for some time, but was barely mentioned compared to Hamilton and Vettel.

I also agree (:lol:) that Rosberg has been doing a better job than Schumi last season and, so far, this season.

Having said that I think Schumi drove the better RACE in Shanghai. He finished 3 places behind but started 10 places behind

Edit - I think Schumi's on his way back! Please, please, please

Edited April 19, 2011 by F1fanatic

[Mosha]

Decision on the Bahrain GP is due today or tomorrow