Coultard is the most experience F1 driver of all, most experienced at Monaco, along with having a recent podium at Monaco as Tony stated. He is mature in the rain. The Red Bull car is doing better, Monaco does not require high speed, but torque and driver skill. Red Bull can do this. For all any of us know, in a really great car, Coultard could be on podium every week. For that matter, he may be taking the current Red Bull car successfully beyond its limits. None of us really know. Not needing speed but handling and driver maturity is a reason that I also picked Heidfeld to win. The BMW can do quite well at a track like Monaco. They need to win once this year, and Monaco is their best venue to be on par with the Ferraris and the McLarens. And since Massa is Schumacher's protege, and has been taught most all of the master's tricks, I expect a good show from him even in the rain. Do not forget when Massa took pole in Spain, the German press stated: "Spanish Pole Taken By Schumacher And Massa." Or did you all miss that? Maybe we should call Phil, Michael instead, like Michael Massa. Or would that be Felipe Schumacher? Logic escapes some of you. Along with humor.
No offense Ron, but what are you talking about. The conditions need to be perfect for Coulthard to podium like last year. DC is very good and has tons of experience but his car is unreliable and not quite at the level of Ferrari, McLaren, or BMW, realistically a 5 or 6 would be good for him. Massa is Schumacher's protege? I like Massa but that is a stretch.
Just because he's been hanging in F1 the longest doesn't mean he's a high grade driver. He hasn't driven well in years. Some of it's the car and some of it is him. Give me a break! if it was Hami then yes great things could be expected but not the DC I've been seeing. even you can't say he's good in the rain! Like a lead balloon takes flight! It's F1, if you aren't quick you can't pass and at a track like Monaco people will trip over you in desperate attempts to pass a sand bagger. All of us do know. He was at McLaren when Mika was winning championships... in David's prime... in a really . The BMW can but Heidfeld can't. So they want to win and it would be disappointing if they didn't so they WILL win? WTF kind of logic is that? CRACK LOGIC that's what kind! Crack is wack, don't use or abuse man!
ENOUGH!!! This 'Master and Protege' garbage has to stop...this romanticism has to stop... REALLY!!! Good Grief, what is with this ****?
For the reasons I mentioned earlier, primarily Coultard's experience at Monaco over that of any other driver on the grid, and that the Red Bull car is running better than ever, Coultard has his best chance ever of repeating the podium from a few years ago. And being Monaco, teams put forth their best effort. Put aside your personal preferences and prejudices and just think logically. At Monaco, you do not need a Ferrari or McLaren to win, you just need a car that handles perfectly, is geared correctly, and a driver that keeps it off the barriers. Massa IS Schumacher's protege. Seems like most of the motorsports world knows the connection except a few of you. In 2006, Massa always stayed late along with Schumacher, tried to learn everything that Schumacher knew. He did everything Schumacher wanted him to do. There is a reward in that effort. Schumacher likes Massa, especially if he beats Raikkonen. In Spain this year, Schumacher stayed late, spent a lot of time with Massa. When Massa won pole, even the German press recognized the connection between the two with the headlines I mentioned earlier. Possibly you do not read international press, possibly you do not have friends that are part of the F1 circus, but some information is readily available on the internet, including Massa's connection to Schumacher. That connection, along with Massa's incredible improvement since 2006 and his personal dedication, led me (along with 95% of F1 journalists and as I understand it most of the people in the F1 garages) to believe that Massa will earn the 2007 WDC. His performance and attitude so far has supported this opinion. This opinion has nothing to do with not liking Kimi, or Hamilton, or whomever, it just follows logic based on actual results. I do not expect anyone to agree with me, but I would appreciate losing the personal attacks.
You do not have to agree with me, but you definetely do not have to be personally offensive. Totally detracts from what little credibility you have.
Hi Ron - Great post you made and true. For the rest of you . . . I met Ron at Sebring this year - he's a great guy with a tremendous amount of racing knowledge so lay off the personal attacks - all you do is make yourself look stupid. Carol
you are just forming a romanticized association between MS and Massa...WHEN THE HE11 DID ALL THIS HAPPEN? Massa was just a stopgap driver...and then all of a sudden he became THE protege... whatever...i give up...
I appreciate the truth whether I like it or not. Pick up the latest issue of Autoweek, they supported my comments and the headlines in the German press about the Schumacher/Massa connection. Seems the Europeans know how Schumacher helped Massa all year in 2006. Thanks for your comments Carole and Brian. We can disagree or agree on the forum, but when you start to get personal, like this one above, you lose credibility, and you only make yourself look foolish. I do not make up my comments, I am sharing information that I have the privilege of receiving thinking that others would appreciate the knowledge. If you do not like what I say, do not just disagree, show proof why you are correct and I am not. Certainly do not make comments that personally attack the poster.
Hey Brian - thanks for your supportive comments - of late, FChat (racing forum) has really gone down hill. Not nearly as enjoyable as last F1 season. I don't recall all the dribble and personna attacks - we exchanged a myriad of intelligent posts and never an insult, slam, etc. made about or to each other. Thanks, Carol
Pretty damn good stopgap driver! I am not forming anything, I wish I did have a crystal ball. All I am doing is passing on the obvious. Their working relationship developed all through the year, especially when Schumacher made the decision to actually retire. I think the most significant comment I passed on was the one about Schumacher liking Massa, especially when he beats Raikkonen. I have heard that from many sources. Explains a lot, like the phone calls just before each podium appearance from MS to Massa after all the wins this year. Why would European newspapers refer to Massa's pole in Spain as Schumacher/Massa Get Spanish Pole? F1 is still a European sport, in the States we do not receive information of much of what goes on, so you can not expect that most of us on FChat have first hand knowledge of the sport. I am thankful I have friends in Europe that are within the sport. I apologize if passing on this information offends anyone.
I don't always agree with Ron, but he is right about one thing, Massa has done a very good job this season, and raised his game. In addition, even if I don't agree with People on this forum, no need to do personal attacks on Ron. He never responds that way to others. There used to be a BIG TROLL on the F1 section (Impy) and I used to lose my temper at his stupid posts, but Ron is the farthest thing from a Troll, and if you read his posts in the other sections, you realize that he is not only thoughtful, but is very intelligent and an asset to F-Chat.
Buddy there was a reason I inserted the "". I was kidding with you. This is the internet, I seriously hope you don't get offended by something as trivial as this. Anyways, I will wager with you that not only will Coulthard not finish on the podium, but Massa woln't win the race either.
No problem, Ron & Carol. actually, people are being misunderstood here. Ron is just passing the message or whatever info he obtained to the board. so why is everyone pointing a gun to his head for? like or dislike Massa, not only he has improved this season, but, of course he has learnt from MS. common, u tellin me with MS as your teammate, u don't a single thing from him? in or out of the cockpit, i'm pretty sure Massa has learnt something, like it or not.
Buddy? Not me. I missed your humor as your comment was not to me but about me. Not sure what your internet comment meant, but even on the internet on serious sites like FChat, there is a certain decorum that evades a few of you. Try responding with info about the subject, not about the messenger. Keep in mind, I did not just suggest a certain driver could finish in a certain position, I took the time to give you my reasons without offending anyone, or calling anyone that disagreed negative names. I suggest it would be a much more informative forum if all participants did the same. All we can do is give opinions or pass on information. Some of us have more substantive reasons than others, some just shoot from the hip. The latter only demonstrates their personal preferences and prejudices, not fact. As an example, Ted, Andreas, Tony (thanks for your comments), and I disagree a lot, sometimes Brian too, but I respect their comments because most of the time they take the time to come back with research. Usually Carole and I are on the same wavelength, although I like Danica and she doesn't. :} We do not have to agree to enjoy the forum, or respect each other. Ted (senna3xwc) and I disagree MOST of the time, but we plan to meet for drinks in Miami at Senna's favorite restaurant soon. Same with Andreas when I go to Indy in June. Your opinion in your last post differs from mine. You gave no reasons to support your opinion. I will stick with my opinion, thank you. On race day, anything can happen. So at the end, this is purely a discussion with no effect on the actual outcome. For that reason, there is no reason to either be offensive or use sarcasm to put down another's opinion. The earlier comments from another poster about crack, or being crazy, were really pathetic. Definetely not funny. I am tired, going to bed.
There's nothing wrong with passing on info...it's just that the info, from magazines, from the friend of a friend of so and so's cousin's distant relative, etc, is interpreted by you--what YOU think is obvious...and then, you state it in a manner as FACT-particularly matters that involves what other people(drivers, team members, etc) think, how they feel (matters in their minds and their 'hearts')...things that no one could possibly know unless they are that person. That is the issue that several have with your(and others) posts, of that nature...and it's not anything personal with you. When you (all of us) spout anything, there will always be a counter opinion...that's just how it is. when things sound too far fetched/personally biased/unhinged/etc, to anyone, they're likely to call you out on it. Per the media...For me, what newspapers think/say carry little weight...they write what they think will get people to read their rants...frankly i think more about WHO is saying it, and what they are NOT saying. Mags, newspapers, journos...not entirely sources for facts...only more opinions-perspectives. Gatekeepers are gatekeepers, in America, Europe, wherever...it's all the same...
maybe the difference this time around has to do with the fact that there are now more individuals with far more contrasting perspectives. a small group with like-minded individuals are not likely to butt heads...a larger-differentiated group with more individuals to challenge presumptions will result in more friction. I'll take the latter any day, as opposed to being in a boat only with people that agree with me, like me, think/behave like me--where the only outcome there is assured ignorance.
All I can say is that I think you're being too sensitive to that particular post. You can look at all my other posts and see that I always have "substantive" debates with people. You considered this a personal insult, but if I wanted to insult you, i'd call you a *****, not make some cheeky comment with a smilyface sticking it's tongue out at you...How you can get up in arms at something so harmless and remote is beyond me. You want reasons? Well then, my reasons for Coulthard not making a podium at Monaco have to do with part of the reason you picked him to do it again, as he had in 2006. In 2006, Michael had to start at the back, Kimi retired, and Trulli who was ahead of DC until the final lap retired, not to mention the other drivers who retired and could have hastled DC. As I said, in a straight fight, DC woln't get to the podium. Also, I don't think Massa will win based on his previous performances there. If Kimi, Fernando, Lewis and maybe even Nick don't have any problems, I think they'll finish ahead. You also said that "this is a discussion with no effect on actual outcome", that statement can be applied to other areas, such as not getting offended at some random comment on a website!
I can see why people are getting tired of Ron's postings and start taking it out on him: It is not that he supports Massa, but the arrogance shown in some of his writings that insists that all of us know nothing, that only some (conveniently selected by him) reporters know anything and that you basically need some misterious inside connection to the Scuderia to see what's going on. I have met Ron personally myself and I liked him and hope to meet him again, but I could really do without the arrogance. All I need to know to see what's what is a TV set and watch the race. Yes I have friends in Europe, yes I read international papers and yes to the Scuderia connection, but I don't need those things to see what's up nor would I hold that against somebody who doesn't have that. The FChat Racing section hasn't "gone down hill" simply because some people run out of arguments to support their idealized version of Lord of the Rings, err Schumacher F1. PS: Regarding the "personal insults": In past posts Ron himself has actually insinuated that others are being on drugs when they opposed his views. What comes around, goes around.
You are quite mistaken. Do not interpret my being defensive as arrogance, you know better. Never my intent. Just look back at the comments directed at me personally, when all I did was pass on information that I was given, information that is usually substantiated by more than one source. I do not care about comments directly disputing what I have posted, but I also do not care for comments directed at me about using crack or being crazy, etc. It is at that time that I respond accordingly. That is not arrogance. You Andreas should have addressed that in your post as did Tony, Carole, and Brian. I agree with the comment that this forum has gone down hill, and will continue to do so until somebody stops the completely unnecessary personal negative comments and references. There are long time participants that do not resort to this BS and they continue to make excellent points even if they disagree with a statement. Diagree with the message, but not do not attack the messenger. I completely disagree with your message Andreas.
You keep making statements like "nobody on here knows" etc. That is extremely arrogant and rubs a lot of people the wrong way. If you take heat for that, so be it.
Why do keep avoiding the issue with personal attacks? Sorry, I could not find anywhere in this thread where I made that comment. I believe you are again mistaken. If I did, probably responding to someone that made personal references to me first. I did find where I apologized if I offended anyone. Yet, no where in this thread am I "taking the heat" for such a comment as you suggest. I am taking the heat to use your terminology because I passed on some information with which some people here do not agree. But instead of attacking the message, they attacked the messenger with totally unnecessary comments. When I am personally attacked, and since I can not expect anyone to address and stop the name calling, I will respond accordingly.
