Rantbox

[Salamander]

We need two driver that hate each other's guts. Like Senna vs Prost or something like that.

We only need to wait for someone to beat Alonso in the Ferrari. Kubica, for instance. I bet that their friendship would turn into hate...

That would be an interesting rivalry, given their current friendship. Perhaps something more akin to Villenueve and Pironi, except without the tragic end.

[F1000X]

This is bathplug ridiculous. We have KERS, an adjustable front wing, and an adjustable rear wing, none of which is going to help passing at all. All this is doing is giving the drivers one more button to push while they try to drive around a track at insane speeds. It's bulls**t. If you're going to give the drivers adjustable wings, stop regulating them entirely. Let drivers adjust them as they like, when they like, or just bathplug do away with them.

Millions of dollars are being spent on these pointless innovations that will disappear just as soon as they are implemented. Once again, if you want to improve the racing, ban rear wings, give the cars more power, and fire Herman Tilke. He's an idiot. You ruined Catalunya, you stupid twat. I understand banning high budget aero devices like the F-duct and the double diffuser, but WHY do that when you are just going to implement costly new devices that won't work? Just watch. These rear wings are going to be useless, just like the front ones are.

I can't wait any longer, the season needs to start.

[patrick]

You ruined Catalunya, you stupid twat.

to be fair, i think catalunya was pretty rubbish before herman tilke'd it

[Phoenix]

But easy passing is completely natural in motorbike racing. In F1, it isn't so much. They should try to change other things to improve overtaking, but these devices are making the sport too artificial. I believe if there's too much overtaking with these things it'll become tiresome and ludicrous. That was the point of my rant.

[Salamander]

You ruined Catalunya, you stupid twat.

to be fair, i think catalunya was pretty rubbish before herman tilke'd it

Is it even possible to ruin something that was already pretty terrible to begin with?

[Phoenix]

You ruined Catalunya, you stupid twat.

to be fair, i think catalunya was pretty rubbish before herman tilke'd it

Is it even possible to ruin something that was already pretty terrible to begin with?

Catalunya isn't terrible. By no means. True, there are better circuits out there, but much of the blame for the boring races there has to do with the cars.

[Phoenix]

Catalunya isn't terrible. By no means. True, there are better circuits out there, but much of the blame for the boring races there has to do with the cars.

[thehemogoblin]

I really agree with the "banning rear wings" bit. It would completely change the sport, but passing would be a lot easier without the huge wakes the cars currently generate.

[F1000X]

I really agree with the "banning rear wings" bit. It would completely change the sport, but passing would be a lot easier without the huge wakes the cars currently generate.

That's why I push this idea every chance I get. It WOULD change the sport completely. Suspension design, weight distribution and aerodynamics would all have to be re-thought. With big sticky tires and very little downforce to speak of, it would be a whole new playing field, where drivers, not aerodynamicists would decide the title. These cars should be challenging to drive, but not because you have too many buttons to push, or the fact that your car washes out behind the vehicle ahead. I want to see the return of Patrick Depallier style 4 wheel drifts. Without a rear wing, that is all possible.

The simple fact is, Formula engines are getting smaller because cornering speed is getting too high. Cornering speed is high because aero grip is high. I think the solution is pretty obvious. Send the wings home.

[dr-baker]

I want to see the return of Patrick Depallier style 4 wheel drifts. Without a rear wing, that is all possible.

Just a question out of interest - did Depailler manage to 6-wheel drift the P34?

[Tealy]

But easy passing is completely natural in motorbike racing. In F1, it isn't so much. They should try to change other things to improve overtaking, but these devices are making the sport too artificial. I believe if there's too much overtaking with these things it'll become tiresome and ludicrous. That was the point of my rant.

To get to the ideal amount of overtaking (assuming such a thing exists) it would be easier to start with too much then begin to restrict them, as opposed to what we have now where we have to throw more and more variables into the mix in the hope that overtaking improves.

My view is that we should do everything possible to increase overtaking. Once it gets to the point where it is a bit too easy you can then slowly introduce restrictions that would reduce the number of overtakes without making the sport boring.

[F1000X]

Just a question out of interest - did Depailler manage to 6-wheel drift the P34?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugX2HIwVrIk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dchPW55k6pk
http://www.veoh.com/collection/Motor-Sport/watch/v1436481d9gtqcNq

He definitely had it sliding off corners a bit, I don't know if what you would call proper drifting, but the car was certainly prone to fistfuls of oversteer.

[Aerospeed]

I really agree with the "banning rear wings" bit. It would completely change the sport, but passing would be a lot easier without the huge wakes the cars currently generate.

I don't think the cars are the problem for the lack of overtaking, I think the main problem is the fact that the drivers go into the gravel trap at the slightest bump of the wheels! I think Arnoux and Villeneuve bumped each other five times during their infamous battle in Dijon '79, and they still truged on.

[Phoenix]

I really agree with the "banning rear wings" bit. It would completely change the sport, but passing would be a lot easier without the huge wakes the cars currently generate.

I don't think the cars are the problem for the lack of overtaking, I think the main problem is the fact that the drivers go into the gravel trap at the slightest bump of the wheels! I think Arnoux and Villeneuve bumped each other five times during their infamous battle in Dijon '79, and they still truged on.

How come? Today there are very few gravel traps at the circuits. And there's not that huge a difference between bumping someone today and doing so 31 years ago. The only thing is that you can be issued a drive-through penalty for bumping someone nowadays. Not that it's necessary to bump someone to overtake him anyway.

[FullMetalJack]

How come? Today there are very few gravel traps at the circuits. And there's not that huge a difference between bumping someone today and doing so 31 years ago. The only thing is that you can be issued a drive-through penalty for bumping someone nowadays. Not that it's necessary to bump someone to overtake him anyway.

I always wondered that, plus due to the stability of the cars, bumping someone doesn't have as much effect either, due to the lack of gravel traps.

[Aerospeed]

Renault are idiots for letting Kubica run in a rally event that means diddly-squat.

[mario]

I really agree with the "banning rear wings" bit. It would completely change the sport, but passing would be a lot easier without the huge wakes the cars currently generate.

I don't think the cars are the problem for the lack of overtaking, I think the main problem is the fact that the drivers go into the gravel trap at the slightest bump of the wheels! I think Arnoux and Villeneuve bumped each other five times during their infamous battle in Dijon '79, and they still truged on.

How come? Today there are very few gravel traps at the circuits. And there's not that huge a difference between bumping someone today and doing so 31 years ago. The only thing is that you can be issued a drive-through penalty for bumping someone nowadays. Not that it's necessary to bump someone to overtake him anyway.

What about the battle between Kubica and Massa on the final lap of the 2007 Japanese GP? There was contact between both drivers several times, and both of them did run off the track more than once - yet that battle was forgotten in the wake of other arguments about the race. It's not the best version of it, but this will suffice, I guess http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l40yFTePD8s

[Klon]

As tragic as the Kubica accident is, from a reject point of view you cannot help yourself but feel a chance coming up. We must push for Jan Charouz as new first driver of Renault.

[Salamander]

As tragic as the Kubica accident is, from a reject point of view you cannot help yourself but feel a chance coming up. We must push for Jan Charouz as new first driver of Renault.

No, that seat clearly belongs to Ho-Pin Tung!

[FullMetalJack]

As tragic as the Kubica accident is, from a reject point of view you cannot help yourself but feel a chance coming up. We must push for Jan Charouz as new first driver of Renault.

No, that seat clearly belongs to Ho-Pin Tung!

Damn you BCS, I was going to suggest that, but still, someone give this man a beer

[The Passenger]

Ah, Finnish media, always stay classy. Robert Kubica wasn't even out of the operating room yet when certain "F1 experts" in this country (yes, you, Jukka Mildh) and tabloid papers were already talking about Kimi Räikkönen or Heikki Kovalainen possibly taking Kubica's seat.

[Myrvold]

Renault are idiots for letting Kubica run in a rally event that means diddly-squat.

Kubica is a true racing-driver. They (racing-drivers) want to race, whatever it is!

[Aerospeed]

Renault are idiots for letting Kubica run in a rally event that means diddly-squat.

Kubica is a true racing-driver. They (racing-drivers) want to race, whatever it is!

That doesn't matter! You shouldn't do stupid things when you have a good car and a good shot of the championship!

Hey, who knows. Maybe the Renault is a piece of crap. I'm not making any assumptions on my blog until I find out when he's going to come back, if at all.

[AndreaModa]

Renault are idiots for letting Kubica run in a rally event that means diddly-squat.

Kubica is a true racing-driver. They (racing-drivers) want to race, whatever it is!

That doesn't matter! You shouldn't do stupid things when you have a good car and a good shot of the championship!

Hey, who knows. Maybe the Renault is a piece of crap. I'm not making any assumptions on my blog until I find out when he's going to come back, if at all.

Dude grow up a little bit. Kubica loves his rallying, just like Jim Clark enjoyed a good touring car scrap, and Mark Webber enjoys a good bike ride. He probably couldn't give two shits about his F1 career, as long as he's having a good time, that's all that matters. Kubica is that kind of guy. Cool as a cucumber.

[Myrvold]

Renault are idiots for letting Kubica run in a rally event that means diddly-squat.

Kubica is a true racing-driver. They (racing-drivers) want to race, whatever it is!

That doesn't matter! You shouldn't do stupid things when you have a good car and a good shot of the championship!

Hey, who knows. Maybe the Renault is a piece of crap. I'm not making any assumptions on my blog until I find out when he's going to come back, if at all.

But you can do stupid things while driving a Williams or a Sauber

[Reverie Planetarian]

Maybe manufacturer branding is like Kryptonite or something. You know, you get in a car then you have some kind of weird seizure and start Shatnering all your speech.

[DanielPT]

Renault are idiots for letting Kubica run in a rally event that means diddly-squat.

Kubica is a true racing-driver. They (racing-drivers) want to race, whatever it is!

That doesn't matter! You shouldn't do stupid things when you have a good car and a good shot of the championship!

Hey, who knows. Maybe the Renault is a piece of crap. I'm not making any assumptions on my blog until I find out when he's going to come back, if at all.

Accidents happen all the time. There are way more road accidents than Rally accidents per year and it is more probable that you die or get seriously injured in one of the former than in one of the latter. So should Kubica, or any other driver, stay at his home all the time and only get out to race in F1? Of course not. He could've easily have a nasty fall riding a bike or get a serious injury while playing tennis. It is the way things are.

[Glennerz]

Kubica loves his rallying, just like Jim Clark enjoyed a good touring car scrap, and Mark Webber enjoys a good bike ride. He probably couldn't give two shits about his F1 career, as long as he's having a good time, that's all that matters. Kubica is that kind of guy. Cool as a cucumber.

Well said.

[Klon]

Matter of fact is though that this accidents has damaged the prospects of actually seeing F1 drivers attempt at succeding in other racing series which is a shame, really.

And while we are it: why did Renault suddenly become title challengers? Because of one or two good low-fuel runs in the first test?

[DanielPT]

Why the hell everytime they get something new in F1, or change something, there are always a few drivers that come out and whinge about it? It is getting really annoying! Man up, evolve and adapt!!!

[Ferrim]

Why the hell everytime they get something new in F1, or change something, there are always a few drivers that come out and whinge about it? It is getting really annoying! Man up, evolve and adapt!!!

You'll probably find out that the bigger whiners are the older drivers. As you grow older you have more trouble to adapt and younger people have an advantage over you; you prefer stable conditions where you can beat the youngster through experience.

Gerhard Berger put it very well in an interview a few years ago. Asked about racing in the rain, he said that at the beginning of his career, he liked the rain. A while later, he didn't care. Towards the end of his career, when he was in the room of the hotel the night before the race and heard the rainfall, he would say, "F***! It's raining!"

[F1000X]

Gerhard Berger put it very well in an interview a few years ago. Asked about racing in the rain, he said that at the beginning of his career, he liked the rain. A while later, he didn't care. Towards the end of his career, when he was in the room of the hotel the night before the race and heard the rainfall, he would say, "F***! It's raining!"

I feel like at both the beginning and the end of your career, you run out of the ability to focus so intensely for long periods quicker. And as you age your reflexes slow.

[Phoenix]

But isn't when it rains when experience matters the most? Unless you're some sort of Ayrton Senna, that is.

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

But isn't when it rains when experience matters the most? Unless you're some sort of Ayrton Senna, that is.

True, you'll probably know how much you should speed up, when to turn/brake etc.

But then again, your reflexes are probably not as good as they used to be, so there's one point, I think.

[Klon]

What is it with reflexes anyhow? I mean a study has showed that Schumacher (at the height of his success) did not have much better reflexes than any normal person. Is it really important to have very good reflexes? Where's mario when you need him?

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

What is it with reflexes anyhow? I mean a study has showed that Schumacher (at the height of his success) did not have much better reflexes than any normal person. Is it really important to have very good reflexes? Where's mario when you need him?

Bah, just the two cents from an unintelligent person.

[F1000X]

Reflexes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7MR2dqeoPI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHRsbiVdc9k

[Phoenix]

But isn't when it rains when experience matters the most? Unless you're some sort of Ayrton Senna, that is.

True, you'll probably know how much you should speed up, when to turn/brake etc.

But then again, your reflexes are probably not as good as they used to be, so there's one point, I think.

I believe that in rainy races you can compensate reflexes with skill and a good knowledge about how to plan the race.

[eagleash]

There was a part of the Hammond meets Moss documentary, where it was discussed (with reference to Prof. Sid Watkins) that it was not so much reflexes as the way & speed in which a driver's brain processed the huge amount of information that he is presented with at any point in a race. Sir Stirling said that, following his accident, his brain no longer processed the info. as fast & he was having to think (however quickly) about race decisions, rather than it being automatic & instinctive. Although times he set when returning were not far off his best, he decided to retire, for that reason. (Perhaps regretting it later having, possibly, returned too early).

[DanielPT]

But isn't when it rains when experience matters the most? Unless you're some sort of Ayrton Senna, that is.

True, you'll probably know how much you should speed up, when to turn/brake etc.

But then again, your reflexes are probably not as good as they used to be, so there's one point, I think.

I believe that in rainy races you can compensate reflexes with skill and a good knowledge about how to plan the race.

A case to this point seems to be Button. While not as fast in the rain as Hamilton, his experience usually leads him to make better strategy calls and compensate possible driving flaws. So, in changeable conditions, Button normally has the upper hand.