Way, way too early in the year to make that call. Look at Melbourne most everyone thought (me included) KR would blow Phil into the weeds for the rest of the year after that race. But the next 2 races have proven otherwise. One thing is for sure is that this year will go down to the wire between all 4 drivers in the top 2 teams as I see it.
can't forget to read between the lines... Kimi's car is still not sorted. especially over one lap...for qualifying. everything he's been saying in the post race interviews, does shed light on the happenings on the track. things aren't always going to be perfect...the car won't always be 'optimal'...it's what a driver does with what he's given--consistently, that should be at focus. and don't worry, Massa is not going to be doing this week in, week out... this is not going to happen throughout the season.
Agreed, this race was a bit boring, last weekend was much more interesting. This weekend had a chance to be a great one with the way the field was qualified, but Kimi proved to be pretty boring, and Alonso couldn't even catch up to his rookie team mate to race him.
Autosport reveiled that Nick said Alonso made a mistake on T13 thus he was able to get through. Also, Nick passed Alonso on a different stint than when Kimi was behind Alonso. Races this year had proved that cars perform differently in different stints. Havn't you learnt after so many seasons that things usually do not happen consistently throughout a season of F1, let alone a long one like this year's? IMO you're jumping to the conclusion way early.
Only true to some extent and to a few 'Massa bashers'. Most of the critics of Massa in the last race only based their opinions on that specific race, mine included. I would agree with what SRT Mike said here:
If you just like to focus on the front runners and spectacular manouvers, then yes, it was a boring race. You might as well switch to NASCAR or IRL. The fights for positions in the mid pack(Trulli, Fisi, Rosberg, Coulthard, Webber, Heikki, Wurz) was breathtaking throughout the race to say the least. Cheers
"Also kinda bothers me that Kimi needed the pits to pass Fred today whereas Nick took it to him on the track, whatever the reason" WELL said!!!!!! Maybe Kimi needs to get motivated. That move said it all. That was the only pass that mattered and one KIMI should have made. Turbulence didnt stop Nick.
I think this whole tire development strategy of forcing the cars to run on two different compounds is a complete loser. The cars can really suffer with the other compound and change the entire outlook. It reminds me of the old days when you heard a driver say that he got a bad batch of tires that oversteered or under etc. I think the cars could see much better development if they didn't have to waste time with set-ups for two different compounds
They have to do something to Kimi to keep awake during the post race interviews. Besides scratching and picking his ears and face, he does not have much to say. Maybe he is limited to only 40 words per interview. He should be happy he is tied for the World Championship, It is a lot better than he did last year. Oh I know why he was so subdued "Bahrain is a dry country" !
So Hamilton is adapting to having *more* performance in his car than last year, not less. Which means being less inclined to over-drive the package. Once. The last two races, Kimi has been the *third* fastest man on the grid. Kimi was fast in a McLaren -- until he blew it up. He's not showing that same speed in a Ferrari. Is the Ferrari slower, or is Kimi having trouble adapting? It's been Massa who's been the "fastest man on the grid" in two of three races this year -- and the third was a reliability issue. With all the sniping about Massa's "error" in Malaysia, he finished fifth -- the same as the current WDC finished in Bahrain. Did Alonso "botch it"? Yet Alonso has 22 points, same as Hamilton and Kimi. When the gearbox change put Massa in the back at Melborne, he still finished in the points -- but only in 6th: seven points down from a win. But he's only five points behind the other three of the "gang of four". I think we'll see both Alonso and Kimi improve as they get used to actually racing on the new tires (rather than just practicing). Massa: time will tell whether he improves without Schumi holding his hand. But I think it's Hamilton, not Alonso, that doesn't have that much major improvement in the bank this year. Yes, Lewis will gain experience, and that will improve his racecraft. But I suspect that both Fred and Kimi will show more significant improvements as they adapt to the spec tires. But the question at this point is whether Kimi will get depressed by the early issues, or whether he'll fight his way back. That will determine who winds up as the team leader at Ferrari.
Before and after this race, as in the prior two races, Phil got phone calls from his teacher. The one after the race yesterday meant the most to him. Made the teacher proud.
My opinion of Massa is drawn from his performance throughout his career, not just the first two races of this season, or the third for that matter.
+1 With only 2 points difference amongst the top positions, consistency wins the title, not one time wonders. I don't care where Massa and Lewis end up after a race, the championship will be decided between Alonso and Kimi. Kimi came in front of Alonso yesterday, that's all that matters.
while i agree with u on the IRL thing, we don't get those stuff aired here but yes, the mid pack were having some good battles. but i was focusing on the front pack. is it due to the fact Schumi has retired and there's no overtaking? just a thought tho....
Ummm what happened this race that was exciting? Other than 5 seconds of tension at the start, wondering who'd get in front, and 5 seconds on the restart, and Heidfeld passing Alonso, what happened that was interesting? It was a parade, like many F1 races. Nothing to do with Massa or anyone, it just was a boring race. Look at the races where Schumi put 30 seconds on the rest of the field in 4 laps and started lapping the field and some guys twice. Those were some of the most boring F1 races ever.
Well you had Jarno Trulli passing the Renaults like nothing, and holding off Fisi to the point where Flavio got pissed and had to yell at Fisi to get by. You also had Coulthard start from the back and climb all the way to 7th, passing Webber. There was a bit of a battle between Rubens and Ralf, and Davidson was running very well, up to 8th at one point and settled back to 13th after the pits. There was more action than Melbourne. To me this race was better than the "Ferraris starting on pole and darting off into the distance and passing the backmarkers after a few laps" precession you're talking about.
