F1 has ALWAYS been an engineering race:: The race is mere spectacle. We used to remark that the race takes place back in the factory and every couple of weeks they get together to see who is making more forward progress than the others.
The team, the team, the team. Those guys at the shop designing, analyzing data, working on the car, looking for every little advantage, going over rival performance, creating strategy, changing the car to fit who's driving the car, are MORE important than the driver itself. They don't get the credit they deserve. They make or break a drivers career. Yes, drivers are important, but if the car sucks it doesn't matter. It's not just Hamilton, Vettel, and Schumacher that were in this equation. Those McLaren's of Oatley in 88, 89, and 91, and the Newey William's of 92, 93, and 96 were unstoppable. You could've put my dead grandpa in those cars and he would've won the championship, dead. It's when a driver is in a championship level car and has either teammate that is capable of beating them, or a constructor with an equally powerful car that a top level driver is put to the test.
Conspiracy theorist? Um, maybe look up the definition of the word before you throw it around. I wish I could returning the sentiment of feeling entertained by you, but I can't.
And why did Hill do good in 95'? Why was he dogshit with Coulthard, if all that won Schumacher the title in 94' was traction control and Adelaide?
Depends and changes across period… More obvious recently- - Senna when in maclaren in the early 90s, seems to be more have been gain from his effort. - Schumacher during 96-2000.. Nothing too obvious besides these. Mostly superior car.
And lets not forget that Schumacher had no idea of what damage he had, if any. Taking the racing line in what is most definitely not an overtaking spot. And the little fact that Demon hill himself said that he should've been more patient...
It's ALWAYS "car and team" and always has been. This fantasy that a GREAT driver can take a substandard car and win a championship is just that...a fantasy. But a GREAT car and team...well, see Jenson Button
For me it is an equation that is always in flux between team/car/driver. When they all come together it is magic. When they don't the different parts will do their own heavy lifting and try to create victory in spite of the weak link.
