2013 United States GP Discussion Thread

watka · Post by **watka** » 14 Nov 2013, 21:58

Given their financial position, surely Lotus should just have offered the drive to the driver with the highest money offer? It's unlikely that they'll overhaul Mercedes or Ferrari in the championship, even if they are the form team at the moment, so why go for Kovalainen? It's nice to see Heikki racing again because he was very impressive at Fondmetal Team Malaysia (as I still call them), but its all a bit unnecessary.

razta · Post by **razta** » 15 Nov 2013, 05:45

New chassis for Lewis.. apparently it was cracked in Abu Dhabi hence the performance difference between him and Nico
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111312

IceG · Post by **IceG** » 15 Nov 2013, 08:58

watka, I suggest the the increase in prize money from improving/consolidating the team's championship position would exceed anything that a driver could bring to pay for two races.

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 15 Nov 2013, 09:33

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 15 Nov 2013, 09:42

Contender for post of the year?

Post by **Londoner** » 15 Nov 2013, 10:03

That is a very affectionate look that Gutierrez squared is giving to Checo there. Is there something we don't know going on between those two?

That said, with the Glass of Milk actually smiling for once, I'm surprised the internet hasn't collapsed inwards. :lol:

roblo97 · Post by **roblo97** » 15 Nov 2013, 10:38

East Londoner wrote:That is a very affectionate look that Gutierrez squared is giving to Checo there. Is there something we don't know going on between those two?

That's exactly what I was thinking :lol:

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 15 Nov 2013, 10:59

East Londoner wrote:That is a very affectionate look that Gutierrez squared is giving to Checo there. Is there something we don't know going on between those two?

The next F1 love story now both Schumacher and Coulthard are out of F1?

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 15 Nov 2013, 10:59

Jocke1 wrote:

Someone give the poor Reverend a drink. He looks like he needs it

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 15 Nov 2013, 12:08

Davide Valsecchi wrote:It’s a huge blow to me. From the sporting point of view it’s a tragedy. It makes me angry to have lost the battle with Kovalainen who is not a great champion, not even an active driver; his last results were five years ago.

If they had taken Hulkenberg I could have understood, even Maldonado, but this…

I was sure that from the point of view of motivation and desire to achieve, the team would have taken me and I would have been right up there.

Perhaps I lack experience but what chance do you have to gain any? Nevertheless, things change quickly in F1, so I won’t give up and I will be ready if they need me in Brazil.

Someone's not happy...

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 15 Nov 2013, 12:55

FullMetalJack wrote:
East Londoner wrote:That is a very affectionate look that Gutierrez squared is giving to Checo there. Is there something we don't know going on between those two?

The next F1 love story now both Schumacher and Coulthard are out of F1?

http://youtu.be/aQ-GDObOIKE

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 15 Nov 2013, 13:17

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2013/11/a ... -over-him/

“It’s a huge blow to me,” he said. “From the sporting point of view it’s a tragedy. It makes me angry to have lost the battle with Kovalainen who is not a great champion, not even an active driver; his last results were five years ago.

“If they had taken Hulkenberg I could have understood, even Maldonado, but this…

I like this Valsecchi guy, upfront and ballsy comments. And he's kinda right too.

Faustus · Post by **Faustus** » 15 Nov 2013, 13:28

GwilymJJames wrote:
Davide Valsecchi wrote:It’s a huge blow to me. From the sporting point of view it’s a tragedy. It makes me angry to have lost the battle with Kovalainen who is not a great champion, not even an active driver; his last results were five years ago.

If they had taken Hulkenberg I could have understood, even Maldonado, but this…

I was sure that from the point of view of motivation and desire to achieve, the team would have taken me and I would have been right up there.

Perhaps I lack experience but what chance do you have to gain any? Nevertheless, things change quickly in F1, so I won’t give up and I will be ready if they need me in Brazil.

Someone's not happy...

If he had stumped up the half a million Euros that he was quoted, the drive would have been his.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 15 Nov 2013, 14:22

CoopsII wrote:http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2013/11/a-tragedy-valsecchi-angry-at-lotus-decision-to-hire-kovalainen-over-him/

“It’s a huge blow to me,” he said. “From the sporting point of view it’s a tragedy. It makes me angry to have lost the battle with Kovalainen who is not a great champion, not even an active driver; his last results were five years ago.

“If they had taken Hulkenberg I could have understood, even Maldonado, but this…

I like this Valsecchi guy, upfront and ballsy comments. And he's kinda right too.

Considering he's the second-weakest GP2 champion of all time, this seems more like the pot calling the kettle black to me than anything else.

Dj_bereta · Post by **Dj_bereta** » 15 Nov 2013, 15:12

Valsecchi is right to be angry. He's the reserve driver, he's a GP2 champion (unlike Kovalainen who lost the title like Hamilton did in 2007), he knows the car more than kovalainen and when he take part of young test driver test, he impressed the team.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 15 Nov 2013, 15:32

Dj_bereta wrote:Valsecchi is right to be angry. He's the reserve driver, he's a GP2 champion (unlike Kovalainen who lost the title like Hamilton did in 2007), he knows the car more than kovalainen and when he take part of young test driver test, he impressed the team.

Maybe. But I doubt we'll miss much not having him on the grid. Also, so what if Kovalainen didn't win the GP2 title?

IceG · Post by **IceG** » 15 Nov 2013, 15:56

FP1 start delayed by 30 minutes due to fog.

Session has just been red-flagged because there is no medical helicopter available (presumably due to the fog). 44 minutes to go as it has been shortened to 60 minutes.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 15 Nov 2013, 17:33

Salamander wrote:
CoopsII wrote:http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2013/11/a-tragedy-valsecchi-angry-at-lotus-decision-to-hire-kovalainen-over-him/
“It’s a huge blow to me,” he said. “From the sporting point of view it’s a tragedy. It makes me angry to have lost the battle with Kovalainen who is not a great champion, not even an active driver; his last results were five years ago.
“If they had taken Hulkenberg I could have understood, even Maldonado, but this…

I like this Valsecchi guy, upfront and ballsy comments. And he's kinda right too.

Considering he's the second-weakest GP2 champion of all time, this seems more like the pot calling the kettle black to me than anything else.

Your knowledge on GP2 champions is infinitely better than mine, I just found his honesty refreshing

Post by **mario** » 15 Nov 2013, 17:55

Faustus wrote:
GwilymJJames wrote:
Davide Valsecchi wrote:It’s a huge blow to me. From the sporting point of view it’s a tragedy. It makes me angry to have lost the battle with Kovalainen who is not a great champion, not even an active driver; his last results were five years ago.

If they had taken Hulkenberg I could have understood, even Maldonado, but this…

I was sure that from the point of view of motivation and desire to achieve, the team would have taken me and I would have been right up there.

Perhaps I lack experience but what chance do you have to gain any? Nevertheless, things change quickly in F1, so I won’t give up and I will be ready if they need me in Brazil.

Someone's not happy...

If he had stumped up the half a million Euros that he was quoted, the drive would have been his.

What do you make of the suggestion from Joe Saward that Kovalainen's appointment also conveniently tied into negotiations that have been going on between the two teams over wider personnel changes?
He is reporting that two engineers from Lotus - Paul Cusdin and James Crook, specialising in CFD analysis - wished to go to Caterham, so Caterham agreed for Kovalainen to drive for Lotus free of charge in return for Lotus cutting short the usual "gardening leave" period for those two engineers and allowing them to start work at Caterham much sooner than would otherwise be possible. http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2013/11/ ... nd-heikki/

Post by **kevinbotz** » 15 Nov 2013, 18:50

Jenson Button hit with 3-place grid penalty for overtaking Kyvat under red flags.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111341

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 15 Nov 2013, 18:55

kevinbotz wrote:Jenson Button hit with 3-place grid penalty for overtaking Kyvat under red flags.

Michael Schumacher got a 2-second time penalty in qualifying for overtaking Kubica and Alonso under red flags in Hungary 2006 and that is much more severe. Why 7 years later have the stewards done things differently?

Post by **tommykl** » 15 Nov 2013, 19:00

good_Ralf wrote:
kevinbotz wrote:Jenson Button hit with 3-place grid penalty for overtaking Kyvat under red flags.

Michael Schumacher got a 2-second time penalty in qualifying for overtaking Kubica and Alonso under red flags in Hungary 2006 and that is much more severe. Why 7 years later have the stewards done things differently?

Because grid penalties are all the rage.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 15 Nov 2013, 19:23

good_Ralf wrote:Michael Schumacher got a 2-second time penalty in qualifying for overtaking Kubica and Alonso under red flags in Hungary 2006 and that is much more severe. Why 7 years later have the stewards done things differently?

Because there was a sub-section in the F1 rule book that clearly stated

If MSC does anything naughty you must go easy on him because, you know, Bernie likes him and that

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 15 Nov 2013, 20:31

Kovalainen has already gone higher in a practice/qualifying than d'Ambrosio ever did on his outing. 5th is amazing and more importantly, he outpaced Grosjean! Nice to see Sauber in the top 10 but as they wasted their chances to score points in India and Abu Dhabi I think they'll do the same here.

Post by **Londoner** » 15 Nov 2013, 20:36

Based on what's just happened in FP2, it looks like we're gonna be in for another weekend of hi-jinks from the marshals. How on earth do you manage to get a tractor beached in the gravel when attempting to recover a Marussia? :lol:

S951 · Post by **S951** » 15 Nov 2013, 20:43

kova doing well

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 15 Nov 2013, 21:02

good_Ralf wrote:
kevinbotz wrote:Jenson Button hit with 3-place grid penalty for overtaking Kyvat under red flags.

Michael Schumacher got a 2-second time penalty in qualifying for overtaking Kubica and Alonso under red flags in Hungary 2006 and that is much more severe. Why 7 years later have the stewards done things differently?

Charles Pic got community service and a post-race time penalty for it at Singapore last year.

roblo97 · Post by **roblo97** » 15 Nov 2013, 21:03

GwilymJJames wrote:
good_Ralf wrote:
kevinbotz wrote:Jenson Button hit with 3-place grid penalty for overtaking Kyvat under red flags.

Michael Schumacher got a 2-second time penalty in qualifying for overtaking Kubica and Alonso under red flags in Hungary 2006 and that is much more severe. Why 7 years later have the stewards done things differently?

Charles Pic got community service and a post-race time penalty for it at Singapore last year.

What in the name of HWNSNBM did Pic do to get community service :?:

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 15 Nov 2013, 21:13

reblelmas52 wrote:
GwilymJJames wrote:
kevinbotz wrote:Jenson Button hit with 3-place grid penalty for overtaking Kyvat under red flags.
good_Ralf wrote:Michael Schumacher got a 2-second time penalty in qualifying for overtaking Kubica and Alonso under red flags in Hungary 2006 and that is much more severe. Why 7 years later have the stewards done things differently?

Charles Pic got community service and a post-race time penalty for it at Singapore last year.

What in the name of HWNSNBM did Pic do to get community service

Post by **mario** » 15 Nov 2013, 21:15

CoopsII wrote:
good_Ralf wrote:Michael Schumacher got a 2-second time penalty in qualifying for overtaking Kubica and Alonso under red flags in Hungary 2006 and that is much more severe. Why 7 years later have the stewards done things differently?

Because there was a sub-section in the F1 rule book that clearly stated
If MSC does anything naughty you must go easy on him because, you know, Bernie likes him and that

Except that, under those circumstances, a two second penalty on Schumacher's fastest time actually had a much larger impact - Schumacher effectively lost 10 places on the grid because of that time penalty, so Button losing just three is somewhat lenient by comparison (and relatively lenient to, for example, the grid penalties meted out in the 2009 Japanese GP when drivers sped under the yellow flags and received five place grid penalties).

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 15 Nov 2013, 21:43

Quick guys, get the pitchforks out! According to Autosport:

It is understood that the seven candidates that Lotus singled out for the seat were Schumacher, Nico Hulkenberg, Heikki Kovalainen, Pastor Maldonado, Rubens Barrichello, Kamui Kobayashi and Davide Valsecchi.

How dare they go for Kovalainen when such an eminently outstanding candidate stood out?? :shock:

watka · Post by **watka** » 15 Nov 2013, 22:12

Wizzie wrote:
Jocke1 wrote:

Someone give the poor Reverend a drink. He looks like he needs it

And Bianchi's playing the mouth organ. Perhaps let's why Pastor is so sad

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 15 Nov 2013, 22:34

CoopsII wrote: Because there was a sub-section in the F1 rule book that clearly stated
If MSC does anything naughty you must go easy on him because, you know, Bernie likes him and that

Did they find that sub-section on the ground at Rascasse?

watka wrote:And Bianchi's playing the mouth organ.

He's practicing on 'The Wizard'

takagi_for_the_win · Post by **takagi_for_the_win** » 15 Nov 2013, 22:36

good_Ralf wrote:
kevinbotz wrote:Jenson Button hit with 3-place grid penalty for overtaking Kyvat under red flags.

Michael Schumacher got a 2-second time penalty in qualifying for overtaking Kubica and Alonso under red flags in Hungary 2006 and that is much more severe. Why 7 years later have the stewards done things differently?

Because that was one of the most farcical decisions made by the stewards in the last ten years, even outstripping their 2007/08 mentalness?

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 15 Nov 2013, 22:40

takagi_for_the_win wrote:Because that was one of the most farcical decisions made by the stewards in the last ten years, even outstripping their 2007/08 mentalness?

At least they made the race prospects exciting with Alonso also suffering the same fate, getting two 1-second penalties (for brake-testing Doornbos and overtaking another car under waved yellows).

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 15 Nov 2013, 23:58

eytl wrote:Quick guys, get the pitchforks out! According to Autosport:

It is understood that the seven candidates that Lotus singled out for the seat were Schumacher, Nico Hulkenberg, Heikki Kovalainen, Pastor Maldonado, Rubens Barrichello, Kamui Kobayashi and Davide Valsecchi.

How dare they go for Kovalainen when such an eminently outstanding candidate stood out??

Well, Enoch, GenII Capital F1 Team could not get Kamui because he is a Ferrari driver and given the fact that Ferrari paid Hülkenberg those salaries he was still owed by Sauber just so he could not get out of his contract early, Ferrari never would have given Kamui the permission to race against them.

go_Rubens · Post by **go_Rubens** » 16 Nov 2013, 00:00

East Londoner wrote:Based on what's just happened in FP2, it looks like we're gonna be in for another weekend of hi-jinks from the marshals. How on earth do you manage to get a tractor beached in the gravel when attempting to recover a Marussia?

The American people seem to overrate themselves, this coming from an American myself. Plus, one of my friends is from Texas. He says that in Texas, as well as many other people who live in Texas, "We live big." Apparently so if the tractor got beached in the gravel trap :lol:

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 16 Nov 2013, 00:13

Yannick wrote:
eytl wrote:Quick guys, get the pitchforks out! According to Autosport:

It is understood that the seven candidates that Lotus singled out for the seat were Schumacher, Nico Hulkenberg, Heikki Kovalainen, Pastor Maldonado, Rubens Barrichello, Kamui Kobayashi and Davide Valsecchi.

How dare they go for Kovalainen when such an eminently outstanding candidate stood out??

Well, Enoch, GenII Capital F1 Team could not get Kamui because he is a Ferrari driver and given the fact that Ferrari paid Hülkenberg those salaries he was still owed by Sauber just so he could not get out of his contract early, Ferrari never would have given Kamui the permission to race against them.

I thought of that, but c'mon Yannick, don't let the facts get in the way of a good rant! :lol:

go_Rubens · Post by **go_Rubens** » 16 Nov 2013, 00:21

eytl wrote:I thought of that, but c'mon Yannick, don't let the facts get in the way of a good rant!

Well, it isn't Sayonara yet for Kamui. If Kimi does squat next year, he's always there!

dinizintheoven · Post by **dinizintheoven** » 16 Nov 2013, 11:39

watka wrote:
Wizzie wrote:
Jocke1 wrote:

Someone give the poor Reverend a drink. He looks like he needs it

And Bianchi's playing the mouth organ. Perhaps let's why Pastor is so sad

All together now, the Formula One Bernie's Personal Gold-Plated-Train-Kept-A'Rollin' Blues!

Accompanied by Damon Hill on lead guitar with only three strings and a few extra woodworm-related holes.

Jules: *parps on harmonica* Moi, mon prénom, je m'appelle Malheureusement...
Damon: *strums guitar, two strings are out of tune, so the other one is entirely academic*
Pastor: Soy Señor Maldonado Miseridad... *Jules trills harmonica again*
Jules: J'ai perdu ma belle femme...
Pastor: ¡Y muchos nimbos cumulos! ¡Ay caramba!
Damon: *another string breaks*
Glass of Milk: TIMMAH!
Bernie: Quiet, you lot.
Pastor: Si, señor.
Jules: D'accord.
Glass of Milk: TIMMAH!