Tuesday 16th March 2010 - PlanetF1.com DC: Max - and teams - to blame for Bahrain David Coulthard has hit out at Max Mosley, blaming the former FIA President for Sunday's boring Bahrain Grand Prix. According to Coulthard, many of the regulations that were introduced into F1 under Mosley's tenner as head of the FIA all played a role in handing F1 fans arguably the most boring grand prix seen in recent seasons. "I hope Max Mosley, watching from his ivory tower after relinquishing his post as president of Formula One's governing body last autumn, enjoyed the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday," he wrote in his Daily Telegraph column. "Revs limited to 18,000rpm, the ban on in-race refuelling, standardised gearboxes and engines, a single tyre supplier; all initiatives introduced during his tenure at the FIA, all of which appear to have done little for the show if Bahrain is anything to go on. "I don't want to sound too melodramatic as I'm sure that given different conditions - rain at Interlagos, say - the race might well have been the classic we all hoped for. But in truth it was processional; a test of reliability rather than racing. "The ban on refuelling and the requirement to stop at least once for the second available tyre compound resulted in all the top drivers coming in around the same time; the change to the points system had no noticeable effect on overtaking; and even if the drivers had wanted to overtake they could not because the diffusers (which should have been outlawed last year) create too much downforce for the leading cars and too much turbulence for those following." But it wasn't just Mosley and the FIA have faced Coulthard's scorn as the Scot revealed that the teams had in fact previously debated a mandatory two-stop rule, only to throw it out. "The teams must take their share of the blame as well. A mandatory two-stop rule was discussed over the winter but some teams felt their machines would go easier on the tyres than others and would not sign up to it. It was a prime example of engineers being unable to put aside their competitive instincts for the greater good. "Let's hope they start thinking clearly now. Stopping more often would introduce a much greater tactical and 'team' element. It would also mean more potential for mistakes (and, by extension, spectator interest) in the pits." Coulthard, though, has faith that Formula One will rectify the problem - and fast. "What is certain is that things can only get better," he wrote. "I refuse to believe this season will turn into a snoreathon given the potent ingredients on the table."
Steve, I KNOW that you're glad that Mad Max was not in the collective WDC's photo shoot! (last year he would have been where Todt was sitting...) Frank
It should be about man pushing for the ultimate limit, the pinnacle of motorsport, not an extremely expensive spec series. I say take the leash off the engine designers and tranny designers at the very least.
Frank don't go there, the picture I hold in my memory banks is of him in a Chelsea flat getting his sorry a$$ slapped... Your right there Ian..
LOL Go to YouTube and watch Ian Drury and the Blockheads sing "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick". "...hit me slowly, hit me quick..." ...only 1 person comes to mind!
