Rantbox

[Peter]

Formula 1 has become so artificial now. We have these super-quick degrading tyres and a bathplug moveable rear wing. Everytime I hear "DRS" on TV ,I just look the other way, it's just appalling. If you're within 1 second os someone when overtaking you just get to fly on past. It takes the skill out of overtaking. Instead of haring "Kobayashi just did a marvelous pass on Schumacher from a long way back." it's "Kobayashi uses the DRS and just soars past Schumacher, and there's nothing Michael can do about it."

The tyres I can bear a bit more, but it's not "whose the fastest?" anymore, it's just "who can nurse their tyres the best and whose car is gentlest on tyres." Nothing wrong with that if the tyres last more than 10 laps, but when they go shot after 10 laps, that's jsut silly. It wouldn't provide Pirelli with a good outward image either, would it? The Bridgestones will forever be known as the tyres that could go an entire race distance, while the Pirellis are those that could go a whole 10 laps. Really doesn't make me want to put Pirellis on my car when I get one. Plus the marbles, they are a safety hazard and hurt the drivers and the cars. Brake ducts get clogged, and so do radiators. And they decide to bring only the super soft and soft tyres to Montreal. The SS and S tyres which only have a maximum distance of 6 and 12 laps at best on a normal track, will wear in about half the time at Montreal, unless the track isn't green like it was last year. The track easily had more than twice the amounts of pitstops of any race last year, with 3 and 4 stopping Pirellis as is, the drivers are better off doing no running on any practices and qualifying to save tyres for the race.

The FIA and Pirelli are a bunch of idiots.

The issue with the DRS at Turkey are probably a one-off and Pirelli made the tyres so they WOULD wear out on purpose that quickly.

I know about the tyres, but they need to know when to much is too much. The super softs last 6 laps at best. Softs 10 on average, 12 if you behave. Taking only those to a 70 lap race will equal about 6 stops if the circuit isn't green like it was last year. if it is, then God help the pit crew.

The DRS shouldn't be put in primary overtaking spots on tracks. There would be enough passing into those spots anyway, the DRS makes too much passing into those spots. It should be put in secondary overtaking spots unless on tracks where there is only 1 possible overtaking spot eg. the run down through the Tunnel at Monaco. For Turkey, it would be put on the straight after turn 8. China, the short straight after turn 1. Malaysia, the straight after turn 1, or the one after the double apex corner into the tight kink. Australia, after turn 11-12(the esses where Button passed Massa).

[Cynon]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91298

This is getting a bit ridiculous... Now there is too much overtaking? DRS allowed guys to keep close and even overtake when otherwise it would be night on impossible, it allowed great battles in the race and now they feel it is a bit too much, everything feeling a bit artificial? What is natural? Half the number of overtakes or some fixed number every GP? Some people need to get a grip on themselves and enjoy what we have right now, which is way better than the barren races we've had for years...

Buy this man a beer!

Personally, I would have put Hanford Devices on F1 cars in order to dramatically increase drag, but I much prefer DRS to the lack of passing, so I'm fine with it.

But the DRS zone can become interesting, especially if, once the FIA and the teams have gotten to grips with how it works, the FIA puts the DRS zones in places you don't normally see passing... therefore, creating a new passing opportunity...

Also, I am convinced that the main thing that drains the energy out of F1 is the commentary. Brundle and Coulthard don't really energize me... the Varsha/Hobbs/Matchett combination do, even if Hobbs makes some rather silly errors at times, they have enough energy to keep you interested even if the race itself isn't the best. Why was Murray Walker idolized? Because of his energy and goofy errors caused by over-enthusiasm.

[Peter]

Who the hell is Daniel Ricardo and why the hell do I always hear his name echo around Torro Rosso? Sebbie and Algie are doing a fine job with the machinery they have, I don't think Daniel can do any better than they are now. That team needs to hurry up and be bought out by someone, because Red Bull is ruining them and holding them back, and using them as nothing more than a breeding centre for new drivers to go alongside Vettel one day.

[watka]

Formula 1 has become so artificial now. We have these super-quick degrading tyres and a bathplug moveable rear wing. Everytime I hear "DRS" on TV ,I just look the other way, it's just appalling. If you're within 1 second os someone when overtaking you just get to fly on past. It takes the skill out of overtaking. Instead of haring "Kobayashi just did a marvelous pass on Schumacher from a long way back." it's "Kobayashi uses the DRS and just soars past Schumacher, and there's nothing Michael can do about it."

The tyres I can bear a bit more, but it's not "whose the fastest?" anymore, it's just "who can nurse their tyres the best and whose car is gentlest on tyres." Nothing wrong with that if the tyres last more than 10 laps, but when they go shot after 10 laps, that's jsut silly. It wouldn't provide Pirelli with a good outward image either, would it? The Bridgestones will forever be known as the tyres that could go an entire race distance, while the Pirellis are those that could go a whole 10 laps. Really doesn't make me want to put Pirellis on my car when I get one. Plus the marbles, they are a safety hazard and hurt the drivers and the cars. Brake ducts get clogged, and so do radiators. And they decide to bring only the super soft and soft tyres to Montreal. The SS and S tyres which only have a maximum distance of 6 and 12 laps at best on a normal track, will wear in about half the time at Montreal, unless the track isn't green like it was last year. The track easily had more than twice the amounts of pitstops of any race last year, with 3 and 4 stopping Pirellis as is, the drivers are better off doing no running on any practices and qualifying to save tyres for the race.

The FIA and Pirelli are a bunch of idiots.

Here's a suggestion; go and watch a single-make series.

[watka]

Who the hell is Daniel Ricardo and why the hell do I always hear his name echo around Torro Rosso? Sebbie and Algie are doing a fine job with the machinery they have, I don't think Daniel can do any better than they are now. That team needs to hurry up and be bought out by someone, because Red Bull is ruining them and holding them back, and using them as nothing more than a breeding centre for new drivers to go alongside Vettel one day.

However, I do agree with you here. I don't Buemi or Alguersuari are superstars but they are a damn sight better than some of the other drivers they've had before.

[Aerospeed]

Not sure where to put this, I'm not a big fan of opening posts that end up dead within a week, and I'm far too lazy to look for the right topic, so...

In unsurprising news, Massa resigned in his role as the Second Fiddleman for 2012, or at least according to the local sources.

I think Massa would be better off in GP2.

[FullMetalJack]

Rocks with Salt has the best signature ever, in bed makes every post seem funny.

[mario]

Now, a few days ago the FIA announced that it was thinking of introducing mid season test days - forcibly if necessary - with potentially three sessions, of two days each, during the season. You would have thought that the teams would be supportive of the idea - but, so far, it looks like the idea has met with mixed results, and in fact quite negative responses from some corners.

Autosport is currently carrying an article suggesting that a majority of the teams are rejecting Todt's suggestion - Horner, at Red Bull, has indicated he is against the idea because cutting back on testing, and most importantly dedicated test teams, was one of the biggest areas of money saving that the teams found. His suggestion has been that the FIA could extend the practise sessions on Fridays to give the teams time to test young drivers, along with a larger tyre allocation.

When asked by AUTOSPORT for his feelings about the idea, Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner said: "I think that the balance that we have is right. Maybe we could do a bit more running on a Friday, or have a few more sets of tyres, which would encourage teams to run with more young drivers.

"The problem with testing is that as soon as you reintroduce it, you reintroduce test teams and the cost will escalate.

"One of the biggest cost savings we have seen is the reduction in testing, so I think the balance we have with the pre-season and the young driver test at the end of the year is right - and fiscally beneficial not just to the big teams but to the small teams as well."

The response from Force India has been even more critical:

"We already do 19/20 races and our crew are stretched already. Now you are going to ask them to do another two or three tests. You will have two teams again and, once you have two teams, the costs escalate. Why go backwards on that front? Then you have to add on the cost of testing per kilometre as well."

Even Whitmarsh is somewhat ambivalent - although McLaren might be one of the richer teams in the paddock, Whitmarsh seems to want to avoid testing as a way of keeping the smaller teams on side within FOTA.

FOTA chairman and McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh told Reuters in Turkey that the needs of the small teams would be a big consideration in any move to see testing return.

"Many teams would like more testing but we've got to be respectful of the small teams as well. We've got to contain costs," he said. "If the larger teams start testing and it's seen as to the disadvantage of the small teams then that isn't good for the sport."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/91347

Of course, Ferrari have made it clear that they strongly support the idea, having pushed for a relaxation in the testing ban before. They are probably one of the few teams with the financial muscle to afford testing - even if their budget had fallen noticeably in the past few years - and since they have a track in their back garden, would probably incur the lowest costs in testing. They seem to be in the minority, though - but, Todt knows that he can simply ask the WMSC to pass the resolution and bring back in season test sessions for 2013, and there is very little the teams could do about it.

[FullMetalJack]

Force India were more interesting when they were crap. I stopped caring for them after 2009.

[Peter]

Force India were more interesting when they were crap. I stopped caring for them after 2009.

Adrian Newey to Force India, please? Pretty please?

[Myrvold]

Adrian Newey in HRT or Virgin. That would be a real test of his abilities and skills.

[dnhrudi]

If the Bahrain GP goes ahead lets hope none of the drivers gets hurt in an accident, they would have to release the local medical staff from detention to treat them...........

[DanielPT]

Adrian Newey in HRT or Virgin. That would be a real test of his abilities and skills.

You would only need a pile of cash and another rules change. Liuzzi would be champion in the year after.

[dnhrudi]

Adrian Newey in HRT or Virgin. That would be a real test of his abilities and skills.

You would only need a pile of cash and another rules change. Liuzzi would be champion in the year after.

It would be the year after that, whenever Newey changes teams his first car has mechanical problems because he always designs the flank earo too snug in year one.

[DanielPT]

Adrian Newey in HRT or Virgin. That would be a real test of his abilities and skills.

You would only need a pile of cash and another rules change. Liuzzi would be champion in the year after.

It would be the year after that, whenever Newey changes teams his first car has mechanical problems because he always designs the flank earo too snug in year one.

I disagree. They would've won in 2009 if were not for the Brawn double diffuser. That was the year after a major change in the rules since he arrived at Red Bull. And let's not forget that he was Champion in 98, the year he joined McLaren (And also the first grooved tyres year). I admit thought that in 98, Newey hadn't much time to give his input...

[Myrvold]

The first Newey-designed Red Bull was the 08-car, not 09?

[dinizintheoven]

Adrian Newey in HRT or Virgin. That would be a real test of his abilities and skills.

More to the point, Adrian Newey at Virgin with the CFD-only approach still firmly in place. Get out of that one, baldy!

[Phoenix]

The first Newey-designed Red Bull was the 08-car, not 09?

Actually, it was the RB3 from 2007 (Newey left McLaren at the beginning of 2006 more or less, having left the MP4-21 designed).

[Myrvold]

The first Newey-designed Red Bull was the 08-car, not 09?

Actually, it was the RB3 from 2007 (Newey left McLaren at the beginning of 2006 more or less, having left the MP4-21 designed).

Oh well, proves my 09-point even better then

[DanielPT]

The first Newey-designed Red Bull was the 08-car, not 09?

I meant the first car designed after a major revamping of the rules. Which is 09.

[dnhrudi]

One aspect of the new rules I've never heard discussed, all these rules changes regarding making F1 (appear!) more eco friendly, then for this year they deliberately ask Pirelli to make tyres that don't last, I know where I am resident huge land concessions are being handed out for rubber plantations at the cost of ancient forests. These guys just don't get it.....

[FullMetalJack]

Mark Webber is the Gerhard Berger of the modern era. A great driver, who is unlucky enough to be a frontrunner when there are several greater drivers. Which is why Mark will never win the World Championship.

Berger had Prost, Senna, Piquet and Mansell. Although I consider Berger on about the same level as Piquet and Mansell. And even Senna back in 1992.

Webber has Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel and Kubica should he ever return.

[Ferrim]

Mark Webber is the Gerhard Berger of the modern era. A great driver, who is unlucky enough to be a frontrunner when there are several greater drivers. Which is why Mark will never win the World Championship.

Berger had Prost, Senna, Piquet and Mansell. Although I consider Berger on about the same level as Piquet and Mansell. And even Senna back in 1992.

Webber has Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel and Kubica should he ever return.

But Berger never managed to be in a position to win the title. Webber did, and messed up (Korea). Berger had a car capable of winning the championship for only two years in his career, and he never got close, but at least he can tell himself that the guy in the other car was Ayrton Senna. Berger never won the title, but Webber lost it, and that's a big difference.

[Phoenix]

Mark Webber is the Gerhard Berger of the modern era. A great driver, who is unlucky enough to be a frontrunner when there are several greater drivers. Which is why Mark will never win the World Championship.

Berger had Prost, Senna, Piquet and Mansell. Although I consider Berger on about the same level as Piquet and Mansell. And even Senna back in 1992.

Webber has Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel and Kubica should he ever return.

But Berger never managed to be in a position to win the title. Webber did, and messed up (Korea). Berger had a car capable of winning the championship for only two years in his career, and he never got close, but at least he can tell himself that the guy in the other car was Ayrton Senna. Berger never won the title, but Webber lost it, and that's a big difference.

I suspect Berger was under strict orders to act as Senna's back-up driver, which Webber wasn't. Besides, Berger was too much of a nice chap.

[mario]

Mark Webber is the Gerhard Berger of the modern era. A great driver, who is unlucky enough to be a frontrunner when there are several greater drivers. Which is why Mark will never win the World Championship.

Berger had Prost, Senna, Piquet and Mansell. Although I consider Berger on about the same level as Piquet and Mansell. And even Senna back in 1992.

Webber has Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel and Kubica should he ever return.

But Berger never managed to be in a position to win the title. Webber did, and messed up (Korea). Berger had a car capable of winning the championship for only two years in his career, and he never got close, but at least he can tell himself that the guy in the other car was Ayrton Senna. Berger never won the title, but Webber lost it, and that's a big difference.

I suspect Berger was under strict orders to act as Senna's back-up driver, which Webber wasn't. Besides, Berger was too much of a nice chap.

Plus, to be honest in 1991 the McLaren MP4/6 had several flaws compared to the FW14.

The Honda V12 engine had a notoriously peaky power output (even Honda's V-Tech system couldn't overcome that), and had higher fuel consumption than the Renault V10 (Senna did run out of fuel twice), though compensated for that through a higher peak power output. Coupled to that, the FW14 was technologically more advanced, having superior electrical systems and a semi-automatic gearbox, along with better aerodynamics - although that came at the price of reliability.
Because Senna was able to win four races back to back, from Phoenix to Monaco, whilst both Williams retired three times and Berger twice, he had built up a good lead, and with Williams rebounding in the latter half of the year as they improved their reliability, Berger didn't have as much of an opportunity to score wins to make up the lost ground. Plus, Berger was very unlucky when it came to reliability - he had four engine failures (five if you include the fuel pump failure he had in the US GP), plus an electronics failure in Spain, whereas Senna only broke down once that season, in Canada.

[Ferrim]

I suspect Berger was under strict orders to act as Senna's back-up driver, which Webber wasn't. Besides, Berger was too much of a nice chap.

Don't think orders were really needed between the two of them. Berger himself has explained several times how he outqualified Senna in his first race for McLaren, Ayrton took note and he made himself nearly uncatchable after that. "I thought I was great until I had Ayrton as a teammate" were his words, or something like that.

[Phoenix]

I suspect Berger was under strict orders to act as Senna's back-up driver, which Webber wasn't. Besides, Berger was too much of a nice chap.

Don't think orders were really needed between the two of them. Berger himself has explained several times how he outqualified Senna in his first race for McLaren, Ayrton took note and he made himself nearly uncatchable after that. "I thought I was great until I had Ayrton as a teammate" were his words, or something like that.

When in that qualifying Roberto Moreno in an EuroBrun qualified just ahead of Nigel Mansell in a Ferrari and Pierluigi Martini and Andrea de Cesaris qualified 2nd and 3rd with a Minardi and a Dallara you know it doesn't compute.

[FullMetalJack]

I suspect Berger was under strict orders to act as Senna's back-up driver, which Webber wasn't. Besides, Berger was too much of a nice chap.

Don't think orders were really needed between the two of them. Berger himself has explained several times how he outqualified Senna in his first race for McLaren, Ayrton took note and he made himself nearly uncatchable after that. "I thought I was great until I had Ayrton as a teammate" were his words, or something like that.

When in that qualifying Roberto Moreno in an EuroBrun qualified just ahead of Nigel Mansell in a Ferrari and Pierluigi Martini and Andrea de Cesaris qualified 2nd and 3rd with a Minardi and a Dallara you know it doesn't compute.

Olivier Grouillard also qualified 8th in the Osella for that race.

[Ferrim]

I suspect Berger was under strict orders to act as Senna's back-up driver, which Webber wasn't. Besides, Berger was too much of a nice chap.

Don't think orders were really needed between the two of them. Berger himself has explained several times how he outqualified Senna in his first race for McLaren, Ayrton took note and he made himself nearly uncatchable after that. "I thought I was great until I had Ayrton as a teammate" were his words, or something like that.

When in that qualifying Roberto Moreno in an EuroBrun qualified just ahead of Nigel Mansell in a Ferrari and Pierluigi Martini and Andrea de Cesaris qualified 2nd and 3rd with a Minardi and a Dallara you know it doesn't compute.

It still computes because Berger and Senna were driving the same car on the same tyres.

[ADx_Wales]

I now dislike Jackie Stewart, Genii sellout whore.

[Phoenix]

It still computes because Berger and Senna were driving the same car on the same tyres.

The grid was made with the Friday times; since the rules stated that the best time of both sessions would be used to determine each driver's grid position, and the rain that impeded drivers to improve their times fell on Saturday and was unexpected, I don't know what to make of it.

[WeirdKerr]

I now dislike Jackie Stewart, Genii sellout whore.

explain?

[Nessafox]

if football-racing-combination wasn't rejectful enough on itself (i like both sports, but keep them seperated, please), superleague now allows 'country teams'

Is there really anybody taking that series serious?

[Ferrim]

It still computes because Berger and Senna were driving the same car on the same tyres.

The grid was made with the Friday times; since the rules stated that the best time of both sessions would be used to determine each driver's grid position, and the rain that impeded drivers to improve their times fell on Saturday and was unexpected, I don't know what to make of it.

Then it clearly doesn't compute. I lose this one. I thought these guys qualifying so high was just down to the Pirelli tyres they used.

[Reverie Planetarian]

So...seems like we're getting the turbos in 2013, and the 2012 IndyCar designs revealed thus far look shockingly goofy.

Is it time for fans to, like, just buy and download rFactor and create a Fantasy Mod to get both impressive cars and close racing? We can't have both? Really?

[Enforcer]

So...seems like we're getting the turbos in 2013, and the 2012 IndyCar designs revealed thus far look shockingly goofy.

Is it time for fans to, like, just buy and download rFactor and create a Fantasy Mod to get both impressive cars and close racing? We can't have both? Really?

It's the aerodynamic pieces behind the wheels - make it look like they don't know whether they're sportscars or open wheelers, particularly on the oval car.

[F1000X]

So...seems like we're getting the turbos in 2013, and the 2012 IndyCar designs revealed thus far look shockingly goofy.

Is it time for fans to, like, just buy and download rFactor and create a Fantasy Mod to get both impressive cars and close racing? We can't have both? Really?

I kind of agree, but you can't say it's not a step up from the 8 year old chassis they're using right now.

[Reverie Planetarian]

Oh yeah, in all likelihood it is, but I wasn't prepared for the chassis to look like that.

At least it's not a Delta, sure, but I hope there are other chassis out there.

[J Washburn Stoker]

Sorry about that, mate. Had no idea you were first; I'll change it immediately. Now I gotta find my old avatar or get a new one.

No worries, it's a small thing. I'll probably change mine, too, in a few days - it's too predictable. I had it up and posting within minutes of the event, and was still surprised no one else had done it already.

I never actually got around to changing mine, but I notice yet another user(s) with an avatar of the incident. It has now become a matter of principle (or at least some kind of game). It wouldn't be fair on Rocks to forfeit it now to a latecomer.

[TomWazzleshaw]

Dear Rubens Barrichello,

Go home. You had no problems in qualifying yesterday yet you were still 3 tenths slower than your deadbeat accident prone teammate in Q2.

Yours sincerely,
A very annoyed Williams fan