Red Bull and its current status....

What you all have not mentioned, or failed to notice, is that Vettel is not happy with the current car. He is really missing that rear end traction he used to have.

Note in both races so far this season Webber has out qualified him. That rarely used to happen. If I was the car designer I'd be worried about this indicator.

Imagine if Massa was out qualifying Alonso ... and yes Webber is better than Massa but currently RB is squandering all that speed that Vettel has that Webber usually cannot match.

We know that Webber cannot mentally hang tough for the length of a season, or is likely to fall off a push bike and injure himself, so you cannot put all your eggs in that basket.
Pete

 

I don't agree that rain equalizes the cars and makes it about only the drivers... I think being a good driver helps, but luck plays a much bigger role (i.e. what tires you are on, when you change, what safety cars come out, what incidents happen on track) than pure driving talent.

As for the Minardi comment... so you're OK with the following...

"SCHUMACHER takes laughably bad Earth Dreams Honda and puts it on P3!"

yes?

 

I realize you're kidding but the comparison doesn't work since the SRT wasn't a WDC winner in it's previous life.
What MS took to P3 used to dominate the WDC and WCC before MB screwed it up

 

In that case, you realize that Felipe Massa took a POS Ford and beat WDC-winner Villeneuve with it?

Or... cars just are a lot different from year to year, and the car of two years ago has almost nothing to do with the next years car.

...or maybe Alonso just sucks, since he couldn't score a single point with that same Minardi that Vettel won with?

 

We have to remember in 2001 they did not hand out points like charity coupons like they do nowadays. You had to finish 6th to get a single point.

I wish they would return to this myself.
Pete

 

I agree with you Pete but I can also see the reasoning behind the current points alotment, double edged sword mate.

 

Rewarding mediocrity ... like current teachers because they are scared to fail a kid anymore.

Soon the last place will get a point for finishing ...
Pete

 

Interesting points you raised, granted.

The blown diffuser rule change is obviously why the rear traction went though.

 

While true, I think "charity coupons" is a little strong.....

Even though I grew up with 9-6-4-3-2-1 I honestly don't have a problem with 'em giving points back to the midfield - Certainly makes sorting out who's done the best "midfield" job easier than looking at lap charts. Force India (as an example) has now admitted their 2012 campaign was delayed by them working flat out to secure 6th in the title last year - Under the old system, they'd probably have given up.

But, still 3-4 teams fail to score a point every year - It's not, nor should it be, easy.

Has anyone run the #'s using the old system? I very much doubt if anything changes at the pointy end, which is the important thing. Spreading the wealth a little isn't a bad idea IMO.

Cheers,
Ian

 

+1

The points extension was done to honor the midfield teams so they have something that distinguishes them in front of their sponsors. Otherwise the midfielders would be stitting commercially in the same boat as the backenders, which is unfair.

The real tinkering is at the front end and we could argue until the cows come home whether 25 points is exaggerated (I think it is) or not. Then again as long as it is the same for everybody I really have no problem either way.

And please: No Olympic medals.

 

But again, I don't think the titleholders (both of 'em) would be any different had we still been using 9-6-etc. (?)

In fact, 25-18 is slightly closer than 9-6......

Cheers,
Ian

 

Meant to note, a big ol' +1 to that Bernie BS.

IIRC, 'twas the off-season and Bernie needed something to keep "us" awake - Not even he really believed in the idea IMO......

Gotta love the Pygmy

Cheers,
Ian

 

Are you sure you don't like medals?

Your hero Massa would be WDC with that system.

 

I been following F1 since the mid 60s, Just a little technical edge in today's F1 cars makes it very dominate. Its been repeated so much in recent years. Red Bull, Mclaren ,Button with the Braun/ Mercedes etc. It is really an engineering race. I would like to see MS win another one, looks like they are more competitive this year. The old man of F1.



Ago

 

My hero?

I've said (many times) I'm a big fan of his.

I still believe that given something a little in front of Clifford he's capable of winning, and occasionally beating Fred. [One of, if not the best right now IMO].

There's not another driver more suited to be #2 right now IMO.

But "my hero?"

Nah.

Jimmy, Ayrton, Michael and a few others are the only guys in that league.

Cheers,
Ian

 

So he says...

http://news.yahoo.com/formula-one-driver-vettel-confident-bouncing-back-201041610--spt.html

 

If the car is competitive---yes. Its all about the car now.

 

True there.. I hope the other teams made some headway to remain competitive.

 

Would be awesome to see Vettel win again.

 

Nah!

He's had his day in the sun..... I'd really like to see him struggle and overcome some adversity before he dominates again - Which I agree he's likely to do at some point in his career.

Cheers,
Ian

 

-1, it was the car, and it is the car now. Alonso and Button are able to push their cars to get more than the design. Button with the tires, and Alonso by will and skill alone.

 

I think it was all about the car last year too

 

I agree. Seb and Red Bull had their time. Now it's time for Seb to crack and for Horner to grumble about Merc's F-duct system.

 

McLaren seemed to improve as the year went on last year, although the red Bulls were obviously the better car throughout. I agree the rule changes have caught RB/Newey out a bit but I wouldn't think it would take that long to incorporate lessons learned into the car. Perhaps mid-season (June?).

If Vettel can collect decent finishes until then he might not have too big of a points deficit at the season midpoint if there is not another dominant driver. The other top tier drivers stealing points from each other will not allow a single driver to separate himself from the pack.

Once the Red Bull is able to qualify better, Vettel can start to collect wins and more podiums away from Mclaren/Lotus/Ferrari/Mercedes.

Even though I root against him, I really think Vettel remains the title favorite.

 

I just can't agree that Seb is the favorite at this point.....Macca will only improve and develop their car as well. Macca is the team to beat today. If the W_duct issue gets put to bed and Mercedes can use it, I think we may have a lot of silver at the front end of the grid.