If you can't beat them, join them!

I miss the days when Ferrari used to throw their weight around politically to get what they want. Now we have Stefano "We Have To Stay Calm" Domenicali running the pacifist show.

 

Think what you like mate, am not bothered.

 

Yeah, I´ve heard of it. Apparently it has been superseded by the Mercedes Free Test Association or something like that.

Funny how things change depending of the point of view.

 

Nothing funny about going to a race, and getting back home to find the winner you had seen had been demoted, and that was decided over the board room table, yes each to there own.

Comparing what Merc did to that sort of championship fixing, is ridiculous, its in another league.

 

Still mad about that!

Remind me who won the title that year? Ah yes, your boy Hamilton so let's stop bringing it up.

 

MB was threatening to quit F1 and so the FIA intervened and gave them a leg up with the free test.

At least they are not catering to RB. If the past (2005) is any indication I'd think any new interpretation of the rules (and you know there will be lots of that come the first GP next year given the long list of changes) will be against whatever special trick Newey will cook up. No more benevolent interpretation of exhaust gas routing and the like

 

Yeah, also it´s not the same meddling with the result of a race than with the result of an entire season.

Don´t bother to reply, I think I´ve already made my point about the Mercedes test and it´s time to agree to disagree.

 

No but you can't say that Jordan, Minardi, BAR and Sauber were top teams then. Special attention to the bit about Bridgestone vs Michelin. F1's tyre wars - F1 Fanatic

It's explained in the link above. Bridgestone was designing tires to suit the Ferrari. Michelin had to make tires for both McLaren and Williams along with almost the rest of the field. There was also a contract that stated that they couldn't develop a tire to favor the McLaren or the Williams (the other top teams then). That's one hell of an advantage. Ferrari had this particular advantage from 2001-2004.

I fully believe it, but I hope I'm wrong

There is the thing. I don't want to see him go anywhere, I want to see him win. He's been driving his heart out and deserves better. I'm sure he's getting tired of seeing his prime years wasted while Vettel keeps winning. Vettel would be a fool to allow Alonso on the team.

 

McLaren ran Bridgestones in 2001. They were crushed by Ferrari.

Tire advantage or not, Ferrari was CRUSHING the other teams. As in, wasn't even remotely close. To posture like the tires they had was the main reason they were winning is not accurate at all. Plus, like I said earlier, the FIA made sure the Michelin cars got their moment in the sun in 2005. The Michelins were better tires in 2003, also.

It's not Ferrari's fault they were smart enough to make a special arrangement with Bridgestone. It had nothing to do with them being helped by the rules.

 

Two points in 03 isn't exactly crushing. The tire deal surely helped and it would be foolish to discount that. The rules were changed in 05 and that was the beginning of the end for Bridgestone in F1. Actually 06 was pretty much the last time they had a top car. Those days are long gone.The problem is that team no longer exists. Most of the key people from that era have been gone a long time. Their aero program with the wind tunnel issues is still iffy and their sim program seems to be behind everyone else as well. They need to step it up immediately if they want to keep Alonso. I wouldn't blame him for leaving.

 

Nonsense. [Unless your TFH is firmly in place of course.] The "threat to leave" came from a group of private shareholders (not the board) *after* they were called to task by the FIA. Both Mercs and Daimlers boards have reiterated their commitment all through this whole mess.

There was a royal screw up by a few people who should probably have known better, but I cannot accept that a random threat by a few shareholders (significantly, *after* the test of course) in any way influenced the IT's findings. And they were certainly not given "a leg up" by the FIA.

So, you're claiming next years results are already pre-determined? Newey won't be allowed to do a good car as "they" want someone else at the front? OOOO-KKKKK.......

The rules are now pretty much cast in stone for next year. They've been ratified by the teams & the WMSC. Go & build the best car you can and go racing; Bernie, the FIA, and even the TV companies don't give two hoots who's winning as long as the grids are full and the racing is close. [The TV guys may not like domination as I guess it costs 'em a few casual eyeballs, but they'll deal with it.]

The idea that Bernie (& presumably Charlie) somehow orchestrate who does what I find completely laughable. These are among the most competitive guys on the planet and the stakes are huge. There's no way in the world they'd accept any "conspiracies".

Cheers,
Ian

 

Well they won the WCC by 77 points in 2001, 129 points in 2002 and 143 (!) points in 2004. That ain't just tires contributing to that kind of domination. Keep in mind this is with the old points system...good gracious. It's hard to believe they were that much better when you look at where they're at today.

Bridgestone or Ferrari? Because Bridgestone had every car on the grid from 07-10 after Michelin pulled out. Ferrari won the WDC and WCC in 2007 and the WCC in 2008. I consider 2008 as the last time Ferrari had a top car.

I don't disagree. The wind tunnel has been the main problem, hopefully that will be solved when they get their new one up and running.

 

Ferrari. We all know what happened in 07 and 08 seemed to be the year of the championship no one wanted to win.