Grand Prix Rejects

Plenty of candidates lining up for this prestegious award after quali. For me, it has to go to Torro Rosso for being slower than Kovalainen on merit.

I'm not going to nominate Ferrari or Schumacher just yet, as the fact that they have an extra set of tyres may play into their hands come Sunday. Webber was clearly struggling out there, so I don't know...

STR at the moment. Could've been worse though, at least one of them made Q2.

I'm gonna go with Marussia for not being prepared for the possibility that one driver may not be able to race.

Too early to say. Although Webber and Ferrari have shot themseles in the foot on a track that isn't known for it's overtaking opportunities. Will be difficult for Massa and Webber to score more than 2-4 points tomorrow. Alonso in 11th is probably the best grid spot to have, other than pole. I can see him jumping Force India and Kobayashi during the firt round of stops.

the Masked Lapwing wrote:STR at the moment. Could've been worse though, at least one of them made Q2.

Yeah I'd say Toro Rosso are a good early shout. Can't see where they're going to go on race day to make it any better. Also Perez and Senna are quite far back from their teammates. Not a good showing from either of them.

My vote for ROTQ goes to Webber for basically sodding himself in Q1. Honourary mention goes to Marussia for losing out to both HRTs in the qualifying session.

Are Torro Rosso heading for ROTY? Or is Massa still providing healthy competition?

JeremyMcClean wrote:My vote for ROTQ goes to Webber for basically sodding himself in Q1. Honourary mention goes to Marussia for losing out to both HRTs in the qualifying session.

Or Pic, seeing as Glock was ill...

On the basis of that qualifying session, I think an honourable nominaton should be given out to F1 Rejects.com, because every single one of us was predicting a complete snorefest, and instead got one of the best qualifying sessions this season setting up a potentially interesting race.

My vote goes to Glock. Stop being a baby and get in the car!

I am not nominating him, I am just expressing my disappointment. Paul Di Resta, you still had another lap!!!

stupot94 wrote:I am not nominating him, I am just expressing my disappointment. Paul Di Resta, you still had another lap!!!

As much as I hate it when they consantly interview him on TV (did it again on Sky), I like him as a driver and I am rooting for a Di Resta win tomorrow. Or a Grosjean win. Or even a Maldonado win

Not jumping to any conclusions yet. Last time I said Mark Webber for getting knocked out in Q1 (China last year) he came through to the podium and make me look an idiot.

James1978 wrote:Not jumping to any conclusions yet. Last time I said Mark Webber for getting knocked out in Q1 (China last year) he came through to the podium and make me look an idiot.

Plus, people have won from futhur back on the grid. Such as John Watson at the 1983 U.S. GP West. Although I don't think that would happen, especially on a track like Valencia, it would be nice to see. Which is why I don't do my nominations until the race is finished.

East Londoner wrote:On the basis of that qualifying session, I think an honourable nominaton should be given out to F1 Rejects.com, because every single one of us was predicting a complete snorefest, and instead got one of the best qualifying sessions this season setting up a potentially interesting race.

In that case, let me award it to Sebastian Vettel for ruining the session. The ten-minute period was hard fought, with everyone taking tenths out of the others ... and then Vettel went out and lazily thrashed them by half a second.

I don't think it's fair to award it to Webber, because he suffered from mechanical problems with his car, which meant that he only managed one, very slow lap.

GwilymJJames wrote:I'm gonna go with Marussia for not being prepared for the possibility that one driver may not be able to race.

I agree with this. I guess they don't have a lot of choice considering the difficulty of a seat fitting, for example, but surely D'Ambrosio's in the paddock as the Lotus reserve driver.

Too early to call.

If Marussia cannot get Pic to finish ahead of the HRTs (which I highly doubt that it will happen!), then they will have the chance to take it in Valencia. HRT are doing better than Marussia despite having a smaller budget.

Webber might do a China 2011, so Mark is currently "exempt" in my eyes - if he flips this result over to a podium position, he cannot be the reject this time around.

Ferrari? Yes, they indeed had a "weak" (or unlucky?) qualifying session, the last time I remember them having a double-Q2 drop was in Melbourne, and even then Alonso binned it into the gravel trap, so this is a first. If at least Fernando cannot climb up into the top five (which I think he will do, having an extra set of fresh rubber...), while Massa scoring somewhere around 8th, they are going to be in contention.

Schumacher? I fear he is going to have yet another mechanical retirement, and if he will, the #3 reliability is a possible candidate to take it then.

Dead-beat Bruno? If he cannot raise the ante and score points today while Maldonado MIGHT even snare a podium, even Senna could take it.

So I can't nominate as of yet - we'll see.

I nominate Williams PR department for this unintentionally funny press release claiming that Pastor Maldonado can fight at the front of the European Grand Prix.

"Fighting with other drivers" is certainly one of the more-accurate ways of describing Maldonado's driving style.

Ed24 wrote:

GwilymJJames wrote:I'm gonna go with Marussia for not being prepared for the possibility that one driver may not be able to race.

I agree with this. I guess they don't have a lot of choice considering the difficulty of a seat fitting, for example, but surely D'Ambrosio's in the paddock as the Lotus reserve driver.

Agree as well. I mean HRT have 2 drivers on stand by! (Clos and Ma, okay the latter hasnt driven the care before). Or give Paffet a go!

Saying that, Id say the FIA would reject another driver comming in without prior knowledge of car and obviously no running throughout the weekend.

If the GP2 race is anything to go by, the F1 race could be a good one too!

As of right now after 9 laps, it has to be Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for pretty much giving Vettel an easy win and Button being generally useless yet again. And to think they had the best car at the start of the year

And just like that, Jean-Eric Vergne is now the favorite for the award.

Me for writing the race off as a Vettel benefit after five minutes

Vergne.

The Race Directors for only throwing yellows when the Marshalls were clearing Vettel's car, that was as scary as it gets.

Toro Rosso takes it for me. Vergne on Kovalainen was just ridiculous and Ricciardo can't expect Petrov to just give up, especially as the Caterham had the inside line

There is only one option:

LEWIS HAMILTON He blew it himself. Nobody else to blame.

Honorable mentions to Vergne and Lotus gearbox on the Grosjean car

Has to be Felipe Massa. Not only beaten by both Caterhams, but also by a Marussia. On merit. In a car his team mate won the race in

1. Kamui Kobayashi - This is what happens when you take aggression too far. Both incidents were his fault. Thank goodness for the penalty.
2. Lewis Hamilton - Threw away a P2 finish. Unlucky with the pit stop, but the collision was 100% his fault.

Honorable mentions:
* Jean-Eric Vergne - Seriously...
* The F1 Fanbase - For continuing to believe that the crash was Maldonado's fault. If Vettel or Maldonado are involved, it's always their fault, no matter what. And guess what - the majority can and WILL be wrong.

Bob wrote:Has to be Felipe Massa. Not only beaten by both Caterhams, but also by a Marussia. On merit. In a car his team mate won the race in

According to Ferrari's twitter his car took a great load of damage from the collision with Kobayashi. I'm surprised it didn't fall apart.
EDIT: Even more, the car had suffered damage to the rear around lap 6, costing Felipe a second a lap. Also according to Ferrari.

Maldonado - I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Maldonado is the new Montoya: fast, hot-headed, a real racer but no manners.

Vergne - Now, he was just being silly.

Petrov for throwing Caterham's first points.

(Dis)Honorable mention to kostas22 for opening a duplicate IIDOTR thread.

Maldonado - latino heat kicked in again.

Captain Hammer wrote:I nominate Williams PR department for this unintentionally funny press release claiming that Pastor Maldonado can fight at the front of the European Grand Prix.

"Fighting with other drivers" is certainly one of the more-accurate ways of describing Maldonado's driving style.

Prophetic.

So many potential candidates:
Whatever it was in Grosjean's car that broke - Damn you piece of machinery!
Maldonado/Hamilton - Hamilton should have left more room, Maldonado should have yielded once he got off track.

But the winner for me:

Jean-Eric Vergne - At last, a legitimate reason to nominate him! Spent the entire race behind both Caterhams, and when he did get in front he took himself out.

Mclaren
Vergne

I nominate myself for predicting race boring. Where's my humble pie?

Also, nominating some drivers:
Toro Rosso: Seriously, what is up with them hitting Caterham's cars!?
Hamilton: You pushed Maldonado OFF THE LINE, so expect the consequences, lad.
Senna: Nice one pushing Kobayashi into the wall...

Hmm, lots of candidates here!!
Kobayashi - Sadly, way too over-aggressive. And it's likely he'll get a penalty for his "bump" on Massa as well.
Maldonado - Again, way too aggressive. He just won't quit, huh?
McLaren's pit crew - Seriously, I'm beginning to nominate them for ROTY if they don't act up!
Renault engines - Vettel's engine goes bang, then Grosjean's... I was a bit worried for Raikkonen and Webber there!
Kovalainen - "Extremely stubborn and suspicious..."
Caterham - Nominated for being desperately slow.
Massa - And what is he doing?

Pastor Pastor Pastor......revenge for Monaco?

And my work, for making me get home 10 laps from the end of the race.....

I thought Vergne was a certainty mid-race, but I can't go past Maldonado in the end.

Bob wrote:Has to be Felipe Massa. Not only beaten by both Caterhams, but also by a Marussia. On merit. In a car his team mate won the race in

Not sure how it's on merit when he was smashed into and lost over a minute with a puncture?

JeremyMcClean wrote:Kobayashi - Sadly, way too over-aggressive. And it's likely he'll get a penalty for his "bump" on Massa as well.

Already got one. 5 place grid penalty for Silverstone.

3. Kobayashi
2. Felipe baby
1. SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO