I was hoping they'd give him a fighting chance. No pretending about it. Team orders are forbidden, so he had to be given an overheating problem instead.
... and 1,818 points yet to play for. 101 championship points awarded in *each* race. But, hopefully, before the drivers get *too* used to the new points, they'll stop thinking, "it's only two points to my current eight", and start thinking, "If I pass this guy, it's *seven* more points!!". Alas, I expect the pit wall will be telling them (as today), "it's 18 more races and only seven engines left". Any guesses how long before the channels start listing the leaders board in minus points to the leader (as NASCAR and Indycar does now)? But credit to "Lotus" (sic) for getting two new cars to the finish line (more or less).
Robbed of an exciting finish by Vettel's engine problems. At that time Alonso was making ground on Vettel. I feel Alonso had the pace to win the race even if Vettel had no issues. Adrian Newey needs to be reined in somehow. Guy favors aero over all other aspects leading to suspect reliability. I am laying the blame on Webber's and Vettel's issues squarely at Adrian's doorstep. Great job by MS in working off some of the rust. He held his own in the mid part of the race - comfortably kept Button and Webber behind. Looks like the MB package is not ideal to his preferences and yet the damage was minimized. Rosberg was exemplary this weekend. Hope he can keep it up at this level for the rest of the season. The MB is the ugliest car in the pack particularly in the head on shot. The drivers look like midgets riding Big Bertha. Lewis did great on a under-performing McLaren. I think Button's performance reflected the speed of the car. Lewis monstered the car particularly in the Mcikey mouse sections of the track to eke out precious tenths. Just like last year when the car was bad, Button's underperformed relative to Barrichello. Nice to see the Lotus green and yellow back in F1. WTF happened to Sauber - heroes in testing and zeros on track.
After a lot of work stress and other stuff over the past year, I was looking forward to watching the first grand prix of the year. Wonderful way to start this F1 season. Four F1 champions in the field, all finished in the top 7 of the race. Vettel looked very racy and in control, but like last year, the mechanical gremlins in the early part of the season cost him victory. However, I am sure RB will resolve those issues and Vettel will be challenging for the WDC. Was very nice to see Felipe drive so well, beyond having kept his driving skill, it was good to see that there has not been any psychological issues from his incident last year that would affect his speed. The McLarens look a little doggish, and I was hoping Button would do better today, but to finish in battle for position with Spoonface and Nico, that was a nice thing to watch. As for my man Fernando, he kept the car out of trouble, drove a very clean race and was there to take the win when Vettel's car stumbled. I'm thrilled to have him at the Scuderia, and seeing him in a Ferrari made me feel like there is something finally right with the world. Go Fernandooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When Varsha mentioned the new points system he added the results would have been the same over the past years. Whats the big deal?
I listened closely to that. So here a couple of remarks: a) He said it would have been the same over the past two years. I'm sure it would have made a difference if you'd look further back. b) The new points system is geared towards giving the winner and the folks up front a lot more points with the idea to create an even bigger incentive for passing and risk taking. That will change behavior of the drivers in this season, but doesn't apply to past seasons, where the points differences not necessarily created enough of an incentive to take a risk and pass somebody.
I thought Hamilton was a true gentleman at the post race press conference. Said he was glad to see Alonso back on the podium. Then Planet F1 reported that Hamilton said he would have had 2nd if Phil hadn't forced him off the track at the start. Was it an illegal move then??? Sheeeeesh already! then Phil mentioned (complained?) that his car was overheating and he had to go slow. No complaints from FA. (I guess I can't call him Alonshole any more since he is bringing home the bacon for SF. Very tasty eating my own words now. Life is good. Forza Ferrari.
It was great to see Ferrari back on top, and to the left as well, after the 2009 season. Fernando is an exceptional driver and he drove well. I think the best moment for me was seeing Massa on the podium. A lot has been said about him and his injury but he proved he is still deserving of not only an F1 seat, but one at Ferrari.
he's got you fooled, he's an arsehole, talks out of both sides of his mouth put him under pressure and he throws tantrums like the spoilt child he is Fred did great, Flip wasn't happy with 2nd which is great to see, you want your drivers to be wanting the top spot Either Ferrari driver could be WDC this year, I don't care which one
As I said when it was announced that Alonso would join Ferrari and everybody complained: Let him win a few races for the Scuderia and the Tifosi will embrace him. It was the same story with Schumacher and with Prost before him. And it would have been the same with Senna in 95 if...
+1. He'll be better than the mid-pack drivers, but I don't see how he'll be able to match the Alonsos, Hamiltons, Vettels and the like who are at or nearing the top of their game. Reflexes do diminish with age, no matter how much better you were than others in your prime. I still expect him to be in line to win a race or two based on moxie only. I think WDC chances are far more remote. I guess you never say 'never', but I'd be surprised if MS can match the pace of the front-runners. I think he's probably on par with Button at this point.
I remember that post, and I still say I won't necessarily embrace him totally because he is unabashedly an ****** (note: most of the good ones are, but at least they pretend to be gracious). That said, I also said he drives for the team I support, so I still pull for him and for Massa in races. I don't think any of the things said about him prior to this season go away. I also still would expect that someone will pay if things aren't going right for him still in mid-season (i.e. Massa is ahead of him). He's a mercenary and looks out for Numero Uno. The only sympathy I have for him is that Monte is obviously a BIGGER ****** than he is. Based on those interviews, he's putting the team under trememdous pressure.
As I said in my earlier post, don't they all? I give both he and Alonso credit for showing civility by embracing after the race. ALSO, I don't think Hamilton was full of shiite; he probably DOES like racing against FA with Alonso on his game. Makes beating him more meaningful than when he was at Renault. They may hate each other, but I guarantee you they respect each others' skills.
He was right. He tried to follow Alonso's line into third posiition behind Vettel and Massa punked him by cutting across and forcing him wide(it was turn 4 or 5). Massa did his JOB by protecting his position...would Lewis have done differently? He would have had second if he wasn't stuck behind Nico for his entire first stint. Also, Massa clearly backed off because he was running out of fuel. The "overheating" was just an explanation for why he was using up so much petrol.
wow. Being told that his car was overheating, so he turned the revs down etc (Rob Smedly was on the radio a couple of times telling him to short shift etc)...and he's complaining now? come on.
The team loves Alonso and Alonso loves the team... when they're both winning. It's when times are tough, or if Alonso isn't leading his team mate in the championship that things start to go pear shaped. We saw him completely lose his head at McLaren when his team mate was putting up a good fight, and I worry that if/when Massa pulls ahead of Alonso in the championship, Alonso will become destructive towards his team again. The guy can drive, no doubt about that... but his temperament is the problem. He needs a complete no-hoper as a team mate, or things will get messy. All the best, Andrew.
You've got to love a bunch of fans whose team finishes one-two in the opening race of the season (after a dismal year previous). Fans who see the successful return of a driver following a near fatal accident and who still find so much to complain about. I'm not mocking anyone here since I'm including myself.
Yes. Rubino lost his chance to be champion last year, now he is just there to make the numbers and I guess continue doing what he loves! I don't think he signed for Williams expecting to win anything
There's much to celebrate! I just don't think the selection of Fernando Alonso is one of those things. It's one race without Alonso Incidents; he has the whole rest of the season to shoot us in the foot.
