I have always heard that interaction between the engineers and the driver was absolutely imperative. The really great drivers can tell the wrenches exactly what is wrong with the car, and what could make it better. That feedback is essential to the ongoing development of the car. This season, it looks to me as if the F2007 started out at least as good as the other cars, but the McL has seen continued development to where it is now superior. I find it hard to believe that Alonso and Hamilton have not been instrumental in that process. I also find it interesting that Kimi seemed unable to aid the development of his car in the past. And yes, I think Massa being a likable fellow helps. It is a team effort, and people work harder for guys they like. If you were an engineer, and you didn't really like the driver, would you really care if you gave him a good car? If your driver mumbled and went off to watch a soccer game, would that motivate you? It would be naive to assume that the human factor does not have a genuine impact.
Good managers tell employees what is expected and get agreement to perform before they hire an employee. There should be no questions about what your job description is ever. It takes constant communication. Good managers keep their people informed. Feedback is the breakfast of champions.
I absolutely would if I was a professional. Are you seriously suggesting that a team like Ferrari would knowingly put an inferior car on the track simply because the driver doesn't hang out with them for beers after the race?!? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. This is a Formula 1 championship team. These men are professionals. They are putting the absolute best car on the track that they are able to. I won't believe for one second that Marlboro and all their other sponsors are putting hundreds of millions of dollars into a team that isn't putting out 100% effort to win each and every time. And I can't believe that Jean Todt and the rest of the team management isn't expecting 100% effort from every member of that team.
Knowingly put an inferior car on the track? Of course not. I am not even suggesting that these are not the best in the business and working hard. In every other aspect of life, there are people who are leaders who can motivate great people to do even greater things. I don't think it's ridiculous to think that the people who work behind the scenes for Ferrari's F1 team are any different. And I also do not think that Kimi is one of those leaders. The real question being asked is do people work better when they are highly motivated. I think they do, regardless of the job. And in this case, I think some drivers are better motivators. But there isn't anybody at Marlboro that knows a thing about whether or not Guido is staying extra late to eek that last little bit of mechanical grip out of the car. All they know is that - win or lose - Ferrari is a popular team that will help sell cigarettes.
I agree with you again Ted, twice in one day. I do believe that the Ferrari team are providing two equal cars to their drivers. But the communication between driver and engineer, and then down the line can make a difference in set-up, etc. Massa has that communication 100%, and he sticks around to make sure it gets done. Kimi just hasn't quite come to grips with the need to not only communicate, but to have the follow through to show you care.
Actually no. Consider: MS developed a great relationship with Massa all 2006 season. He worked with Phil even then, that is why Phil showed such improvement by season end. Phil's manager is Jean Todt's son. Jean Todt and Michael are very close friends. Phil Massa is considered an excellent fast driver by all at Ferrari, only needing some rough edges smoothed, Michael is the perfect teacher. Massa is a fast, dedicated to the team, learner. You do not see him running around Brazil with some fashion model. He is entirely focused on his role at Ferrari. The team loves him for his dedication. He was dedicated to Michael when they were driving together, Michael is doing a pay back. Kimi is MS's replacement. Selfishly, Michael would rather see his protege win the WDC, not Kimi in his first year. You would assume that Kimi does not need help, so Michael's efforts with Massa is to help the team have two strong drivers. As Yellownbird stated in another thread, Kimi does not want anyone's help.
Ok, how would you, or I or anyone of us, even know if this is true? I seriously doubt that Kimi isn't working at his job. The whole idea is just ridiculous. Kimi may not be technical but neither is Alonso and we see how McLaren is doing. Ferrari just hasn't figured out what Kimi wants from the car or how to give it to him or maybe Kimi hasn't figured out how to explain it. Him hanging around, whether he does or not, doesn't help anything if you went the wrong way on the set up.
This could be true. Possibly the rest of team is not quite up to snuff either what with Ross Brawn gone and Rory Byrne slowly retiring.
Exactly. Kimi is a very different driver than MS was. Massa had a whole year to adapt to the Ferrari and is now pretty quick. MS was helping him along the way which was obviously benefical. Kimi has chosen, and rightly so, to do things his own way. It's the only way to go if the team is to move forward. MS can only help so much..
Exactly. If Kimi is not provided with, want, or need, the help of perhaps the greatest driver in the history of F1, then its time to drive the wheels off the car if need be. Just as he did at McLaren. Time to put the big boy pants on.
I dunno guys. It seems to me that McLaren is better suited to runnning non-technical drivers than Ferrari is. Kimi isn't technical but ran very well at McLaren, now he goes to Ferrari and isn't getting it done. Alonso was never known to be technical either but McLaren is doing well with him. I dunno how technical Massa is but that seems to be a weakness with the team this year. Ross Brawn's loss is being felt.
But he was very quick when the car broke, generally. What good does it do if your car lasts but it's butt slow.
He didn't break them, he wrecked them. Even more at McLaren. It's absolutely true. In 1992 when Nigel Mansell was testing the FW14B, he complained that there was something wrong with a particular set of tires because one tire was not performing as consistently as the other 3 on the car, and after much arguing with his engineer and the mechanics, it was discovered that the one tire had a different production date than the other three and was of a slightly different compound, despite everyone's assurances that the tires were fine. Someone who can analyze that small a change in performance and translate it into engineering speak is a great asset to any team.
OK, if the problems this year are because of certain people being gone, like Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher, how do you explain the really dismal 2005 season when both, all, were there??? The engineers/crew today are actually performing better than the engineers/crew of 2005 as at least they have won races. Consider Tony the current car has not improved much since the first race, but the McLaren has. Have you heard in the interviews of Massa and Raikkonen about the grip problem? It really exists. How about the "catestrophic" damage in the wind tunnel? Could it be the "long" wheelbase? I dunno. Remember when mid season introductions of revised chassis was common? Why not now? I am now believing that it isn't the drivers, its the car.
An old arguement but 05 is easy to explain. Rules change concering tires. Not enough tire developement with only Ferrari doing the testing, rememeber that? Ferrari was so far behind that year that they didn't catch up till 06 after the first few races. The McLaren has improved and will likely keep improving. They probably have a better driver line up too. It's gonna be tough to beat em unless Ferrari step up.
There are two jobs going on here. The Engineering and mechanical staff are there to make sure the car is reliable and fast. The driver, and only the driver, is there to make sure the car ,weather turd or rocketship, is driven to its limit. That function is lacking.
I would have agreed with you two GPs ago but now it looks like Ferrari has lost ground engineering wise. Massa wasn't anywhere near the McLarens at Monaco or Canada either. Perhaps the US circuit will suit them better. You can't drive at 10/10ths if you are not comfortable in the car. This has to be Kimi's issue. I understand he's been complaining of understeer. Perhaps this is due to the long wheelbase.
Maybe, I think McLaren just caught up. Ferrari's first order of business should be to make Kimi 100 percent comfortable in the car. If Kimi doesn't start scoring big and very soon, the championship is as good as lost.
