F1 2013

[wackysleet]

GirlDrinkDrunk.

Thank you for showing that pic of old Flavio at lunchtime, my potatos, pork chop, green beans, and apple sauce was instantly regurgitated.

David.

[rixalex]

I did address your comment about Nico and I admit to believing he would out perform Lewis this season but he has had several DNFs and was deprived of a podium finish by team orders, I doubt that went down too well and must have given him food for thought concerning his position within the team but give a moments thought to whom all of Ross Brawns statements are about and Nico hardly ever gets a mention, a driver with two wins on the tyres that were giving Mercedes all the problems yet Lewis gets a win on a near perfect car and he's the best thing since sliced bread.

That's quite a one-sided summary in my opinion that paints Nico's successes as having come in face of adversity, whilst Lewis on the other hand owes his to a "perfect car". I don't think any driver gets handed a "perfect car". A "very good car" perhaps that the driver then either tweaks well ,adapts to and maximizes potential, or tweaks badly, doesn't adapt to and fails to maximize.

In Monaco it was Nico that got it right, in making the tyre degradation issue with the Mercedes a non-issue, as it really should have been there, and in getting in front and staying there. Kudos to him and deserved plaudits. Hamilton struggling and under deserved pressure.

In Britain they both did well, but with Lewis having the edge over Nico, but ultimately being penalized for running the kerbs. Some would say avoidable, others would say more like a bad roll of the dice, considering how all of the drivers were running the kerbs pretty equally aggressively. Either way, end result was Nico inheriting victory. Kudos to him and deserved plaudits.

In Hungary Lewis qualified on pole and went on to control the race from the front, whilst Nico couldn't get on the front row, struggled on the first lap leading to a collision, and then struggled for the rest of race and ended up lapping in ninth. Certainly didn't look like a "perfect car" in his hands did it? Goes to show that no matter how good a car is, it is only as good as the driver makes it.

Something that Vettel and Alonso manage to prove pretty much every race weekend i'd say. Lewis doesn't quite manage their consistency, but does excel in other areas, and i think once he is truly settled in the car and in the team, he'll prove himself a serious match for them... as well as for Kimi of course, who shouldn't be forgotten and who i think has been a revelation since returning to the sport.

[wackysleet]

rixalex.

I think your reading things into my post that do not exist in the context that your putting on it.

Prior to Hungary the Mercedes was as we know not really a leading contender due to it's tyre problems affecting both Nico and Lewis, possibly in varying degrees according to their driving styles, I do not know only surmising.

I merely pointed out that in answer to your remarks concerning Nico that he did not qualify very well and that he did suffer damage, I do not know with whom or whether it was his fault or perhaps a racing incident but merely that the Mercedes appeared to be performing better than it had ever done previously as far as tyre wear was concerned but a position at the front of the grid is very important at the Hungoring, Nico failed to achieve that. At several other tracks pole is not so important but at Hungary and Monaco it certainly is and all credit to Lewis he drove a very good race.

Mercedes have had a car that has suffered during previous races and under those circumstances to claim two victories was an outstanding achievement whether it had been either driver in the seat and my point was that the Mercedes of Lewis apparently performed very well to my mind which is why I said a near perfect car and unless it was really Nicos fault that the Merc engine blew up then I guess he had a near perfect car also.

David.

Edited August 7, 2013 by wackysleet

[rixalex]

Prior to Hungary the Mercedes was as we know not really a leading contender due to it's tyre problems affecting both Nico and Lewis, possibly in varying degrees according to their driving styles, I do not know only surmising.

You say David that prior to Hungary the Mercedes was not a leading contender, and that both of Nico's wins were claimed at a time when the tyres were a problem, but perhaps you have forgotten that the illegal tyre testing scandal happened five races ago in Spain, the race that just happened to come before Monaco where he won.

Since the illegal testing, Lewis's good performances were for some time greeted by some with under breath mutterings of "well yes, he's only doing well thanks to the team's cheatings" - particularly remember these comments after he stormed to pole in Britain, and i'm sure they would have been echoed even louder in certain circles had he gone on to win. He didn't. Nico did. So much less made of the connection. Funny that.

[wackysleet]

rixalex.

Well in my view Mercedes and the FIAs, Mercedes broke the rules and were subsequently penalized, quite rightly in my view but whether the punishment fitted any possible benefits they may have gleaned we will probably never know.

My post was meant to convey my thoughts that in my opinion Nicos two wins during the time the team could not conquer the issue of tyre degredation with the drivers needing to manage the tyres was more impressive in my mind than Lewis winning in a car that neither driver had problems with tyre wear.

I am not taking anything away from Lewis's performance, after all he still had to finish in front of some good teams and unlike some posters whose favourite driver does not keep winning I do not resort to accusing any team of cheating except the proven cases which we all know about, rather I trust in the scrutineers doing their jobs.

Mercedes have performed very well in practice but until Hungary and their lack of race reliability due to tyres were not a real threat, sure Nico won twice but even Lewis doubted the cars capability of winning in Hungary and my post specifically was about Ross Brawn and his constant talk about how wonderful Lewis is and virtually ignoring Nico's performance.

I really don't view coming 3rd or 4th as a particularly good result, it's a bit like saying the WDC and the 1st loser. In todays world with some drivers winning most of the races and at other times finishing on the podium is what will determine the WDC.

Good luck to Lewis and as a Brit I hope he pulls off more wins although I would have preferred it to have been Jenson of course, but as you quote. Just my opinion and thank God we can differ in our views or we would all become clones.

David.

Edited August 7, 2013 by wackysleet

[b19bry]

rixalex

The thing about Alonso is he wants 3 things:

Top money

The best car

A subservient team mate

Else he will just throw his toys out the pram.

Mmmm.............and which F1 driver wouldn't want those 3 things ?

[b19bry]

rixalex.

I think your reading things into my post that do not exist in the context that your putting on it.

Agree, I have the same problem with this poster

[b19bry]

rixalex.

Well in my view Mercedes and the FIAs, Mercedes broke the rules and were subsequently penalized, quite rightly in my view but whether the punishment fitted any possible benefits they may have gleaned we will probably never know.

Agree

[b19bry]

Sad to see Lotus fighting financial issues now :

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/109230

I really hope Kimi stays with Lotus but it's looking more difficult ?

I think Ricciardo would be the ideal teammate for Vettel ?

[wackysleet]

Sad to see Lotus fighting financial issues now :

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/109230

I really hope Kimi stays with Lotus but it's looking more difficult ?

I think Ricciardo would be the ideal teammate for Vettel ?

b19bry.

I agree Ricciardo has been showing a lot of promise but would prefer Kimi if only to prove just how good Seb actually is to all the doubters, I get somewhat tired of hearing that he has the best car and that's the reason behind his success, of course it certainly helps having a good car but being in a top car has not ensured success for every driver.

Failing Kimi getting the seat I would plump for Fernando in the Red Bull, surely an unbeatable combination, that is of course if he had the time to drive rather than what some think he spends his time discarding his toys.

David.

[b19bry]

Anyone see the Top Gear with Ron Howard as the star in the reasonably priced car? I must be old I remember Happy Days 555.. A film due this year Rush about the rivalry between Lauda and Hunt, and events including the horrific accident Lauda had RH is the director/producer. Loved the poster Top Gear showed with hunt sat on his car with a girl and a cig. The pop riveting on the body work. 555

I'm looking forward to this movie, I was a Lauda fan at the time but now have enormous respect for what Hunt achieved. I still remember waking up to hear the result on a cold autumn morning back in the UK.

[Loptr]

Anyone see the Top Gear with Ron Howard as the star in the reasonably priced car? I must be old I remember Happy Days 555.. A film due this year Rush about the rivalry between Lauda and Hunt, and events including the horrific accident Lauda had RH is the director/producer. Loved the poster Top Gear showed with hunt sat on his car with a girl and a cig. The pop riveting on the body work. 555

You're not old unless you remember Ron Howard in the Andy Griffith show as Opey and in the film The Music Man where he got his start. Oh dam_n.

[b19bry]

Sad to see Lotus fighting financial issues now :

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/109230

I really hope Kimi stays with Lotus but it's looking more difficult ?

I think Ricciardo would be the ideal teammate for Vettel ?

b19bry.

I agree Ricciardo has been showing a lot of promise but would prefer Kimi if only to prove just how good Seb actually is to all the doubters, I get somewhat tired of hearing that he has the best car and that's the reason behind his success, of course it certainly helps having a good car but being in a top car has not ensured success for every driver.

Failing Kimi getting the seat I would plump for Fernando in the Red Bull, surely an unbeatable combination, that is of course if he had the time to drive rather than what some think he spends his time discarding his toys.

David.

David,

Red Bull is controlled by Mateschitz, Marko, Vettel..........notice anything about those three ?

I don't think Vettel is likely to be challenged as team leader anytime soon !

For Ricciardo it would be a great opportunity to showcase his talent, for Kimi he would likely be getting himself into a political dilemma with Vettel which is not his strength

Ferrari have really not given Alonso the car to win a championship in the same way they did for Schumi as yet but his best option is to stay given James Allison is joining now

[wackysleet]

Sad to see Lotus fighting financial issues now :

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/109230

I really hope Kimi stays with Lotus but it's looking more difficult ?

I think Ricciardo would be the ideal teammate for Vettel ?

b19bry.

I agree Ricciardo has been showing a lot of promise but would prefer Kimi if only to prove just how good Seb actually is to all the doubters, I get somewhat tired of hearing that he has the best car and that's the reason behind his success, of course it certainly helps having a good car but being in a top car has not ensured success for every driver.

Failing Kimi getting the seat I would plump for Fernando in the Red Bull, surely an unbeatable combination, that is of course if he had the time to drive rather than what some think he spends his time discarding his toys.

David.

David,

Red Bull is controlled by Mateschitz, Marko, Vettel..........notice anything about those three ?

I don't think Vettel is likely to be challenged as team leader anytime soon !

For Ricciardo it would be a great opportunity to showcase his talent, for Kimi he would likely be getting himself into a political dilemma with Vettel which is not his strength

Ferrari have really not given Alonso the car to win a championship in the same way they did for Schumi as yet but his best option is to stay given James Allison is joining now

b19bry.

I agree with what you say although Seb and Kimi are very good friends on and off the track but I do suspect Kimi does not like too many details to contend with so the politics might be a little too much for him.

Pity about Ferraris car over the last few seasons or certainly since Fernando joined in not having a truly competitive car although he has had a couple of runner ups to Sebs WDC.

David.

[b19bry]

Anyone see the Top Gear with Ron Howard as the star in the reasonably priced car? I must be old I remember Happy Days 555.. A film due this year Rush about the rivalry between Lauda and Hunt, and events including the horrific accident Lauda had RH is the director/producer. Loved the poster Top Gear showed with hunt sat on his car with a girl and a cig. The pop riveting on the body work. 555

I'm looking forward to this movie, I was a Lauda fan at the time but now have enormous respect for what Hunt achieved. I still remember waking up to hear the result on a cold autumn morning back in the UK.

Coincidentally an article about the movie due next month in today's Daily Mail :

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/event/article-2386819/Rush-Hollywood-heart-throb-Chris-Hemsworth-playing-raunchiest-riskiest-raciest-F1-star-all.html

Heady days

[b19bry]

The 'silly season' in full swing now :

Raikkonen opts for Ferrari return in 2014 - report According to Finnish newspaper, Raikkonen has decided to choose Ferrari for 2014

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/raikkonen-opts-for-ferrari-return-in-2014-report/

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

Sad to see Lotus fighting financial issues now :

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/109230

I really hope Kimi stays with Lotus but it's looking more difficult ?

I think Ricciardo would be the ideal teammate for Vettel ?

b19bry.

I agree Ricciardo has been showing a lot of promise but would prefer Kimi if only to prove just how good Seb actually is to all the doubters, I get somewhat tired of hearing that he has the best car and that's the reason behind his success, of course it certainly helps having a good car but being in a top car has not ensured success for every driver.

Failing Kimi getting the seat I would plump for Fernando in the Red Bull, surely an unbeatable combination, that is of course if he had the time to drive rather than what some think he spends his time discarding his toys.

David.

David,

Red Bull is controlled by Mateschitz, Marko, Vettel..........notice anything about those three ?

I don't think Vettel is likely to be challenged as team leader anytime soon !

For Ricciardo it would be a great opportunity to showcase his talent, for Kimi he would likely be getting himself into a political dilemma with Vettel which is not his strength

Ferrari have really not given Alonso the car to win a championship in the same way they did for Schumi as yet but his best option is to stay given James Allison is joining now

b19bry.

I agree with what you say although Seb and Kimi are very good friends on and off the track but I do suspect Kimi does not like too many details to contend with so the politics might be a little too much for him.

Pity about Ferraris car over the last few seasons or certainly since Fernando joined in not having a truly competitive car although he has had a couple of runner ups to Sebs WDC.

David.

yes it would be much easier to deal with alonso and the absence of politics at ferrari.

that said, if he does sign there:

paid to race for ferrari ----> paid not to race by ferrari -----> hiatus -------> lotus ------> paid to race for ferrari.

kimi most certainly is not stupid

[wackysleet]

GirlDrinkDrunk.

So far seen nothing in the English press although that may mean nothing but personally I would prefer to see Kime stay with Lotus as having too many of the top drivers in the same car would likely mean the same team winning all too often.

Fernando and Lewis's partnership at Maclaren caused big problems with their egos, two drivers both very talented and previously Prost and Senna but top teams have had usually one number one such as Shumacher and a definite number two, Vettel and Webber, Hamilton and Button although to be fair to Jenson he did achieve a runner up position to the WDC in their time together and over the three years with Lewis actually accumulated more points for Maclaren.

David.

[Basil B]

GirlDrinkDrunk.

So far seen nothing in the English press although that may mean nothing but personally I would prefer to see Kime stay with Lotus as having too many of the top drivers in the same car would likely mean the same team winning all too often.

Fernando and Lewis's partnership at Maclaren caused big problems with their egos, two drivers both very talented and previously Prost and Senna but top teams have had usually one number one such as Shumacher and a definite number two, Vettel and Webber, Hamilton and Button although to be fair to Jenson he did achieve a runner up position to the WDC in their time together and over the three years with Lewis actually accumulated more points for Maclaren.

David.

It has been proved the top drivers can work together, Hamilton and Button partnership probably the best example, everybody was sceptical when Maclaren first announced it but it worked. now Hamilton is with Nico again no tantrums.

But then you look at Alonso, after Mclaren it was Renault for two years with Nelson piquet, never a top rate driver but a good no two, he would even drive his car into a wall if told to do so to give his teammate an unfair advantage, then it was Ferrari with Massa, again Massa has never been as good as he was before his accident in 2009 but even so at times has proved to be a better driver than Alonso.

Put Alonso in with Vettel, it will be like a cock fight, a lot of blood and only one victor.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Basil B

[b19bry]

So far seen nothing in the English press although that may mean nothing but personally I would prefer to see Kime stay with Lotus as having too many of the top drivers in the same car would likely mean the same team winning all too often.

It was posted on the BBC site yesterday and is on Crash, James Allen's site and a few others today. I thought it was rather far fetched when I first saw it but the story has since gathered some momentum. I posted here mostly tongue-in-cheek knowing it would provoke a (somewhat predictable) reaction.

Kimi is very pragmatic, certainly not stupid and in some ways such a move might make sense, especially if Lotus are unable to secure their position for the future as one of the top teams.

Kimi knows Ferrari and the people there so such a move would be a known quantity to him, they certainly have the resources to keep him at the front of the grid.

On Ferrari's part Kimi would likely, consistently push Alonso much harder than Massa currently does. Apparently some at Ferrari feel Alonso sometimes doesn't perform as well in qualifying as he might. I reckon it's mostly the car but Kimi would leave us in no doubt about that.

Furthermore, Raikkonen going to Ferrari would both take him out of Red Bull's hands and provide Ferrari a very strong team to compete against them.

Like you I would much prefer to see Kimi continue with Lotus and for them to prove stiff competition to Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes etc.

Lotus as a team seems to suit Kimi much better than either Ferrari or Red Bull would. Ricciardo should go to Red Bull and as for Ferrari, Bianchi should get a chance for 2014, he's looked very good in the Marussia this year.

[Totster]

So far seen nothing in the English press although that may mean nothing but personally I would prefer to see Kime stay with Lotus as having too many of the top drivers in the same car would likely mean the same team winning all too often.

It was posted on the BBC site yesterday and is on Crash, James Allen's site and a few others today. I thought it was rather far fetched when I first saw it but the story has since gathered some momentum. I posted here mostly tongue-in-cheek knowing it would provoke a (somewhat predictable) reaction.

Kimi is very pragmatic, certainly not stupid and in some ways such a move might make sense, especially if Lotus are unable to secure their position for the future as one of the top teams.

Kimi knows Ferrari and the people there so such a move would be a known quantity to him, they certainly have the resources to keep him at the front of the grid.

On Ferrari's part Kimi would likely, consistently push Alonso much harder than Massa currently does. Apparently some at Ferrari feel Alonso sometimes doesn't perform as well in qualifying as he might. I reckon it's mostly the car but Kimi would leave us in no doubt about that.

Furthermore, Raikkonen going to Ferrari would both take him out of Red Bull's hands and provide Ferrari a very strong team to compete against them.

Like you I would much prefer to see Kimi continue with Lotus and for them to prove stiff competition to Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes etc.

Lotus as a team seems to suit Kimi much better than either Ferrari or Red Bull would. Ricciardo should go to Red Bull and as for Ferrari, Bianchi should get a chance for 2014, he's looked very good in the Marussia this year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/23700586

totster

[Guest]

The 'silly season' in full swing now :

Raikkonen opts for Ferrari return in 2014 - report According to Finnish newspaper, Raikkonen has decided to choose Ferrari for 2014

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/raikkonen-opts-for-ferrari-return-in-2014-report/

I would not trust Ilta-Sanomat too much for news.

But now there was an article on Sport Bild that Riccardo is going to Red Bull.

At the same time, the most senior (and by far the most knowledgeable) Finnish F1 reporter, Heikki Kulta, has started to use images of Räikkönen with Ferrari uniform on his stories. Maybe he knows, but is not allowed to say anything..

[Guest]

Räikkönen's manager Steve Robertson just confirmed that Räikkönen is not going to Red Bull. The negotiations ended some time ago.

Räikkönen does not have an contract for next season, but Robertson says that he is 99.9999% sure that Räikkönen will compete next season.

Source: Turun Sanomat / Heikki Kulta

http://www.ts.fi/moottoriurheilu/f1/524442/Raikkonen+ei+siirry+Red+Bullille

[wackysleet]

oilinki.

Well I think he may well stay at Lotus then as returning to Ferrari if that was ever an option means he would be carrying a lot of baggage and I don't think his cavalier attitude goes down too well, after all Fernando got an earful for a seemingly innocuous remark.

David.

[Lite Beer]

RT@andrewbensonf1: Raikkonen is not going to Red Bull, his manager Steve Robertson tells Finland's Turun Sanomat ts.fi/moottoriurheil… (in Finnish)

[b19bry]

Well if Eddie Jordan says so, it must be true remember he predicted Hamilton's move last year before anyone else

Kimi Raikkonen 'wants Ferrari return' claims Eddie Jordan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/23761323

This story is developing and it's looking more likely that Kimi's on the move given the financial situation at Lotus :

Lotus won't break the bank to keep Kimi Raikkonen for F1 2014

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/109341

Great to see Ricciardo's going to Red Bull, wish him well

[wackysleet]

b19bry.

I still think Kimi will be at Lotus next year as there is no question as yet as to who will have the best/most reliable car and if Lotus do pull the deal together with the Russians then Kimis wage demands especially with good results elevating them up the money tree would not be a problem.

I see him probably moving at the start of the 2015 season when we know where the teams stand performance wise but we will see.

David.

[Guest]

I like the silly season.. so many speculations and ways to intreper what the teams, managers and drivers say.

There is a lot of bluff, but then there is some things which might be indications what is going to happen.

Interesting image selection from Ferrari on their website Spa article http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/big-names-ferrari-wins-belgium

[jpinx]

Basically the rest of the musical drivers will depend on what Kimi does. I fear Alonso's goose is cooked. If he stays at Ferrari he is dependent on them both producing a good car and managing the drivers well -- neither of which has happened in that team for a long time. If he walks - goodness knows where he'll go. There's no openings in any outfit with a half decent car. If Kimi joins Ferrari it'll be great fun to watch, but it'll kill off any dreams of Alonso getting another WDC. If Kimi stays at Lotus (assuming they catch up with his pay arrears) - the only interesting seat left is Massa'a - unless Massa does another second-half-of-the-season recovery as he did last year.

The rest of this season is certainly going to be good fun - Mercedes on a roll, RB just keeping their momentum going and nose in front, MacLaren hanging on and getting to grips with their new-found place well down the pecking order and Lotus only needing a bit more cash to get themselves right up there. Even though Allison has left, the momentum of his work will continue for a while and hopefully the team as a whole can take up the slack during that time. Ferrari have it all to do - they're getting to the point now where they have nothing to lose and that'll make them a real danger to the guys in front.

Edited August 21, 2013 by jpinx

[Guest]

http://www.f1zone.net/news/raikkonen-admitted-ferrari-move-at-finnish-party/20075/

Germany’s Sport Bild even reports that Raikkonen recently admitted to friends during an alcohol-fuelled night out in Helsinki that he will be wearing red again in 2014.

If that's true, then.. well Kimi

It would also explain some of the weird reporting / hints were given on Finnish media.