Lazy Kimi?

It is obvious to me that Schumacher was so "engaged" in the development of the car and so willing to work endlessly to get it "right", success had to happen. Kimi strikes me as someone who is not willing to participate to the same extent. I think Michael had the ability to make a less than perfect car work because of his commitment to win.
Kimi strikes me as disconnected and aloof, and I really thought that his move to Ferrari would energize him. I am not yet convinced that the 2007 Ferrari is junk. I'm just not sure he cares that much. It would seem that Hamilton's success would make him angry and motivate him. I'm still hoping it will, but so far this might be a Kimi problem, not a Ferrari problem. Just my opinion.

 

I see no difference in Kimi's performance this year as compared to last year. I don't know why everyone expected him to change. He may be a very fast driver - people keep saying that he is. But he is not a team player, which is why I am not a fan. Massa may have less talent, and he may not be able to help develop the car like MS could, but at least he seems a part of the team. Kimi is just a driver.

 

It'd be interesting to talk to someone who really knows him personally and who could describe what's going on. It seems like he's just being out gunned right now in talent, desire and with faster cars. I think he's like the really smart kid at school who thinks he can get by on smarts alone vs the kid who works harder at it because he's been brought up that way. Kimi seems to be missing the whole package these days. A guy like LH has the whole package, minus a lot F1 experience. The kid is really grounded by his father just as Tiger Woods was/is.

 

If he has less talent and can't develop the car then what difference does it make if he pals around with the rest of the team?

Last time I checked, that is his job description.

 

couldn't said better

 

Excellent Post.

 

Mr. Jack Daniels was unavailable for comment.

I think he just believed that he would hop in the car and it would be ready to win at every race, but then he actually found out that it is hard work and he doesn't have the desire to put in the long hours necessary to develop the car.

 

It's hard to say.

What is really expected of a driver?

Schumey may have committed heart and soul to winning, but at what expense? Did his family life suffer? Could you really fault a driver for just doing his job by driving fast, and leave the development work to the engineers and test drivers?

 

100%. Nothing more nothing less. that's what you expect out of any employee. If you don't get it and don't demand it, you are an ineffective manager and should lose your job too.

 

+1 and then some.

 

But is it the driver's job to develop the car? Or is it the engineers and test drivers, or a combination of all three?

When you say you expect 100% from a driver..............what do you expect? I expect him to drive as fast as he can, and I expect him to be able to set up the car to allow him to do exactly that. Is more expected of him? It probably depends on the team.

 

Schumey had the whole package as well. It's this almost inhuman "sixth sense" ability and devotion that's required to win consistently. KR is proving that without that, it's not enough to be on top.

Did Shumey pay a price? Of course he did but due to him being such a grounded family guy he kept it all together. The fact that he's still married is proof of that.

I talked to an ex Atlantic Series racer and he felt the car might need redesigning to accommodate a shorter wheel base like the McLarens. On the tight tracks the F's seem to be losing out.

 

Ferrari is losing right now because they had to spend all of their R & D money to hire all of those engineers and test drivers back to actually develop the car after Schuey left.

 

I don't know if it's fair to label Kimi as 'lazy'. We don't actually know that he isn't working to develop the car or that he cares greatly about not winning races. His demeanor has always appeared to trend towards disinterest, but I really think that is just the effects of his personality (can't skewer a guy for that, right?)

If anything, I fear that Kimi may be folding under the pressure to be the next Schumacher. Reading between the lines, it appears MS was jettisoned by Luca in favor of Kimi and that should come with a lot of pressure on Raikkonen to produce. I do have the impression that Kimi is probably waiting for the team to produce a great car as opposed to helping them understand what will make it great, but none of us know that for certain.

 

The reality is that the F2007 sucks. Maybe it was the catostrophic damage at the wind tunnel a few weeks ago, I don't know for sure. From what I hear, Kimi is doing the best he can with this chassis. There is a major grip problem that has not been rectified. I no longer believe that dumping on Kimi is appropriate. I am beginning to think he is doing the best he can with a crap car.

So why is Massa doing better? No one here wants to hear that answer so forget what I heard.

If you read between the lines of the interviews with both Massa and Raikkonen, they are politely suggesting that there is a handling problem. I think both drivers are doing the best they can under these circumstances. In 2005, when the car was the pits, no one slammed Schumacher, it was definetely the car. Remember, the beloved Ross Brawn was there at the time.

Consider that this is the problem today, a difficult design. Maybe we should stop slamming Raikkonen, and Massa. Maybe we should stop assuming that Michael and Ross are the cure all, especially if you remember 2005. Just maybe, F1 is cyclical, and somehow that prick Ron Dennis has the upper hand this year. I still am not ready to give Hamilton any kind of sainthood for that reason, the McLaren is just a really good package so far this year. Hamilton is just one lucky guy, must have led a very good previous lifetime.

Consider there is a design problem with the Ferrari that may not matter at the faster more open circuits.

Consider giving Kimi and Phil a break.

 

I think that the McLaren has been a superior car the last 3 years, but in the past it was wrought with problems. This year, it hasn't failed once.

I don't think the F2007 is a terrible car...it had the measure of the McLaren the first 4 races, but has taken a gigantic step backwards the last 2. Perhaps the wind tunnel failure is preventing aerodynamic development on the car (a logical conclusion, of course).

Agree about bashing the drivers. The season still has 2/3rds left until it's all over.

 

wow, Ron. where did u hear about the wind tunnel damage? any links?

plus, i don't think we can compare this season to the 2005 season. back in 2005, the whole car-chassis-tyres just didn't gel together, thanks to the FIA.

the car had no balance, no grip, and at every race, u could see that Schumi was pushing a wounded dog around the track.

however, the F2007 is a winner. it's just that the fact, i think because Schumi is not there to develop the car as the season progresses. look at the starting of the season, the F2007 had an headstart compared to the rest.

but as the season progresses, who is losing out? Mac have PDLR, a very very experienced driver and test driver to help develop the car.

i think Ferrari is missing MS terribly.

 

The SpeedTV announcers mentioned the wind tunnel problem. I do not have a link. I had a local friend call me about this last week, then I went to my friends in Italy and they told me the entire story. It is a big deal.

Brian, if you think the F2007 is doing OK compared to 2005, you could conclude that it has nothing to do with Schumacher. Schumacher and Brawn were the team in 2005, so they are not miracle workers. I agree they are missing MS from a development perspective, but the F2007 did start out looking good without him or Brawn. Ferrari had Luca Badoer when Schumy was there, and Luca is still there. I do not think this has anything to do with Schumacher or Brawn.

Brian, Massa has been pushing the car even when he was winning, just like you said about Michael. As fans, we just haven't noticed this yet.

The problem is, the F2007 hasn't developed any more since the first race and the McLaren has. McLaren is just doing a better job. And the F2007 has been a problem since Spain, you have heard both Kimi and Phil mention grip. The grip issue was from the beginning, but it did not matter as the car was winning. Right now the F2007 sucks. It is not that it has gone backwards, it is just that it has not progressed.

I may have agreed with you about Schumacher last week, now I just do not think not having him present is the problem. Raikkonen and Massa are both very capable.

 

I cant see how the car can be doing worse than at the start of the season.
That does not make any sense, this is not a seat of the pants opperation.
Now the others may have pulled away while the limits of this design may have been met.
In any case there is no reason for Speed to be catching KR in a race.
Hate to say it but its time for someones head to roll if this season is to be salvaged.

 

The car is not doing worse, it is the same car. The competition is doing better. Big difference.

The wind tunnel exploded with the car only 80% ready for Spain. The wind tunnel has three shifts, 24/7, F1 is that competitive. Losing one week is devastating. Ferrari has not caught up. At this point, the guy that was supposed to be sure that the belt on the wind tunnel fan was in good shape is the only guy whose head should be in jeopardy. Or maybe the manufacturer of the belt should be terminated? Heads rolling is just a knee jerk reaction, the issue is deeper.

But as you say, this is not a seat of the pants operation, so hopefully, they will catch up by the time they return to Europe.

 

Oh give me a damn break!!! For 50 mil, Hell yes I can. For that much money he should be willing to do whatever it takes. These overpaid atheletes need to realize the gift and opportunity they have. Bust ass for a few years and they'll never have to lift a finger again.
What a bunch of losers . This is the axact reason I like Felipe more even though something inside me thinks Kimi has more raw talent.
If we look back through life and study the great events, most if not all of them had a lot more to do with heart then talent.--Bob

 

Agreed, the issue is deeper and it seems to be complacency at least with one Finnish employee. Carrot or switch; doesnt matter, time to get that horse moving.
But dont you think its weird that MS is working with FM exclusively ?
Ive heard that the internal politics within Ferrari would make Machiavelli (Sp)
proud.

 

Well, how about a team like Williams? This is a team that has always taken pride in their engineering prowess, and has always considered their drivers to be "plug 'n play" components. I think different teams have different expectations. I think Schumey went above and beyond what is expected of a driver because of his will to win.

 

+1

 

The fact of the matter is that being a gifted drive is not enough... there are tons of gifted drives that have done squat.... Riakkonen is I think another one... He does not know how to win consistently... Schumacher and even Alonzo know... they are leaders... Riakkonen is a follower and I hate to say it but there are more and more drivers like Riakkonen than like Alonzo.... Hamilton is different cause he has been around McLaren for so long... he has had a very positive role model in Ron Dennis + natural gift of being a great driver.... that's what it takes! NO Body gives it to you! The moment Riakkonen learns that it will be too late for him.