Also i don't think Lotus has outright qualifying or race pace like that of Red bUll or Ferrari. I suspect the title contenders will be Vettel and Alonso.
Regards,
Sankar
Regards,
Sankar
Formula 1 - 2013 Championship Season
- Thread Starter visran
- Start date
Thread Starter
#92
Here's the drivers standing post China race
POS DRIVER
1 SEBASTIAN VETTEL - RED BULL - 52
2 KIMI RAIKKONEN - LOTUS -49
3 FERNANDO ALONSO - FERRARI -43
4 LEWIS HAMILTON - MERCEDES -40
5 FELIPE MASSA - FERRARI -30
6 MARK WEBBER - RED BULL - 26
7 NICO ROSBERG - MERCEDES -12
8 JENSON BUTTON - MCLAREN -12
9 ROMAIN GROSJEAN - LOTUS -11
10 PAUL DI RESTA - FORCE INDIA- 8
11 DANIEL RICCIARDO - TORO ROSSO -6
12 ADRIAN SUTIL - FORCE INDIA -6
13 NICO HULKENBERG - SAUBER -5
14 SERGIO PEREZ - MCLAREN - 2
15 JEAN-ERIC VERGNE - TORO ROSSO -1
16 VALTTERI BOTTAS - WILLIAMS -0
17 ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ- SAUBER -0
18 JULES BIANCHI - MARUSSIA -0
19 CHARLES PIC - CATERHAM -0
20 PASTOR MALDONADO- WILLIAMS -0
21 GIEDO VAN DER GARDE- CATERHAM -0
22 MAX CHILTON - MARUSSIA -0
POS DRIVER
1 SEBASTIAN VETTEL - RED BULL - 52
2 KIMI RAIKKONEN - LOTUS -49
3 FERNANDO ALONSO - FERRARI -43
4 LEWIS HAMILTON - MERCEDES -40
5 FELIPE MASSA - FERRARI -30
6 MARK WEBBER - RED BULL - 26
7 NICO ROSBERG - MERCEDES -12
8 JENSON BUTTON - MCLAREN -12
9 ROMAIN GROSJEAN - LOTUS -11
10 PAUL DI RESTA - FORCE INDIA- 8
11 DANIEL RICCIARDO - TORO ROSSO -6
12 ADRIAN SUTIL - FORCE INDIA -6
13 NICO HULKENBERG - SAUBER -5
14 SERGIO PEREZ - MCLAREN - 2
15 JEAN-ERIC VERGNE - TORO ROSSO -1
16 VALTTERI BOTTAS - WILLIAMS -0
17 ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ- SAUBER -0
18 JULES BIANCHI - MARUSSIA -0
19 CHARLES PIC - CATERHAM -0
20 PASTOR MALDONADO- WILLIAMS -0
21 GIEDO VAN DER GARDE- CATERHAM -0
22 MAX CHILTON - MARUSSIA -0
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Thread Starter
#93
Alonso ‘just the best’ – Weber
Fernando Alonso is the best driver in formula one today.
That is the claim of Willi Weber, the former manager of F1′s great Michael Schumacher, the seven time world champion and winner of a record 91 grands prix.
Sebastian Vettel might be the reigning triple world champion, but two-time title winner and Spaniard Alonso is better, Weber told sportradio360.de.
“He’s consistent, he’s a driver who doesn’t talk much, he’s always on the pace and makes the best of everything, in every situation, whether inside or outside of the car.
“For me at the moment he’s just the best,” added Weber.
Once nicknamed ‘Mr 20 Percent’, Weber said he also rates Vettel but advises the German to resist the temptation to follow Schumacher and Alonso to Ferrari.
“Right where he is he has the best team, the best car. I don’t know where he wants to go but I could not advise him to do anything other than extend his contract by ten years,” he added.
Alonso ‘just the best’ – Weber
Fernando Alonso is the best driver in formula one today.
That is the claim of Willi Weber, the former manager of F1′s great Michael Schumacher, the seven time world champion and winner of a record 91 grands prix.
Sebastian Vettel might be the reigning triple world champion, but two-time title winner and Spaniard Alonso is better, Weber told sportradio360.de.
“He’s consistent, he’s a driver who doesn’t talk much, he’s always on the pace and makes the best of everything, in every situation, whether inside or outside of the car.
“For me at the moment he’s just the best,” added Weber.
Once nicknamed ‘Mr 20 Percent’, Weber said he also rates Vettel but advises the German to resist the temptation to follow Schumacher and Alonso to Ferrari.
“Right where he is he has the best team, the best car. I don’t know where he wants to go but I could not advise him to do anything other than extend his contract by ten years,” he added.
Alonso ‘just the best’ – Weber
This was the point that I talked against at the first place. Agreed Lotus dont have the one lap pace of Mercedes, Redbull or Ferrari. But they have a very competitive race pace. At par with (or even better) Ferrari, and better than Mercedes and Redbull.
I think Kimi is the dark horse. And he has been consistent ever since. If Lotus can get their factory to deliver efficiently, then I think Kimi is good for a title this year.
I think Kimi is the dark horse. And he has been consistent ever since. If Lotus can get their factory to deliver efficiently, then I think Kimi is good for a title this year.
Lets see. In F1 continuous improvement is very important. I don't think Lotus has the resources has the resources to develop their car like that of Ferrari, Mclaren, Red Bull or Mercedes. Previous year also Lotus started with good pace but after 5 races or so started to fall back rapidly.
Regards,
Sankar
Regards,
Sankar
Thats exactly what they should look at. Lotus dont have the money of their rivals. BUT they have James Allison. The most wanted man in F1 paddock these days. His expertise and Kimis brilliance can take them far. And there are rumors of them signing a title sponsorship deal soon.
A strong underdog can make this season a box office hit. I hope thats the case.
A strong underdog can make this season a box office hit. I hope thats the case.
Who ever be it James Allison or even the great Adrian Newey if money is not available then you can't design and test a front running formula one car. Even for a single wind tunnel test you need lots of pound. So consider developing the car throughout the year will cost millions and would need huge sponsors.
Regards,
Sankar
Regards,
Sankar
Thread Starter
#98
Pirelli drops soft tyre for Bahrain
Pirelli has decided against taking its soft tyre compound to this weekend’s Bahrain grand prix.
Before the season began, F1′s official tyre supplier announced that it would take its hard and soft tyres to the island Kingdom.
“This is designed to ensure plenty of speed in qualifying coupled with the durability needed for the race,” Pirelli said in a pre-season statement.
But the Italian marque has now announced that, in fact, the hard and medium compound tyres will be raced this weekend.
The news follows the Chinese grand prix, where Pirelli was heavily criticised when the soft compound lasted only a few laps at the Shanghai circuit.
Pirelli said on Monday that “tyre degradation (is) expected to be reasonably high (in Bahrain), which is why the two hardest compounds of the range have been nominated.”
Paul Hembery commented: “It’s one of the most demanding tracks of the year for the tyres, mostly because of the high ambient and track temperatures.”
Pirelli drops soft tyre for Bahrain
Pirelli has decided against taking its soft tyre compound to this weekend’s Bahrain grand prix.
Before the season began, F1′s official tyre supplier announced that it would take its hard and soft tyres to the island Kingdom.
“This is designed to ensure plenty of speed in qualifying coupled with the durability needed for the race,” Pirelli said in a pre-season statement.
But the Italian marque has now announced that, in fact, the hard and medium compound tyres will be raced this weekend.
The news follows the Chinese grand prix, where Pirelli was heavily criticised when the soft compound lasted only a few laps at the Shanghai circuit.
Pirelli said on Monday that “tyre degradation (is) expected to be reasonably high (in Bahrain), which is why the two hardest compounds of the range have been nominated.”
Paul Hembery commented: “It’s one of the most demanding tracks of the year for the tyres, mostly because of the high ambient and track temperatures.”
Pirelli drops soft tyre for Bahrain
Lotus does lack resources and at the same time I am sceptical about Kimi's consistency.
He is a racer. He drives fast probably faster than anyone on the paddock today, but thats the only thing he does. The inputs which an Alonso can give to his mechanics I doubt if Kimi can do so. But nevertheless this year I am putting him as the dark horse and rooting for him even ahead of my favourite Vettel
He is a racer. He drives fast probably faster than anyone on the paddock today, but thats the only thing he does. The inputs which an Alonso can give to his mechanics I doubt if Kimi can do so. But nevertheless this year I am putting him as the dark horse and rooting for him even ahead of my favourite Vettel
Ya he rarely talks to his mechanics. He even shouts at his mechanics through radio![[lol]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Laugh.gif "Laugh [lol]")
Jokes apart i think Kimi gives valuable inputs to the team or else they could never have fine tuned the car for his liking. But i seriously doubt Lotus car development potential and their championship bid.
Regards,
Sankar
Jokes apart i think Kimi gives valuable inputs to the team or else they could never have fine tuned the car for his liking. But i seriously doubt Lotus car development potential and their championship bid.Regards,
Sankar
KIMI is probably one of the best F1 drivers of all times. He is the most consistent at present. Kimi does give you inputs. But he doesnt care if its taken into account or not. He just drives the fastest the setup provided can possibly go.
The only thing that can stop KIMI from winning this year is the development capabilities of Lotus. They dont have the money. But if they can efficiently channel the funds they have, then its game on.
The only thing that can stop KIMI from winning this year is the development capabilities of Lotus. They dont have the money. But if they can efficiently channel the funds they have, then its game on.
You put those words rightly. Kimi is one of the fastest drivers in F1 now but i rate Alonso much faster and a more complete driver compared to Kimi. To be a successful driver in F1 a lot of things matter not just raw speed. A successful driver should lead the team with Design inputs, characteristics of the car and also carefully analyse how the car behaves in various conditions like with different tires, different weather conditions and on varying fuel loads.
For example the change Schumacher bought to Ferrari when he came from Benetton was not impressive in beginning. Actually that year Ferrari's car was dreadfully slow but Micheal spend almost 20 hours per day with mechanics, design engineers for the rest of the year and from next year Michael and Ferrari took championship for 5 consecutive years. I think not just raw speed matters but commitment and dedication towards the team, team work which will eventually lead to a successful combination of good car and end result will be World championship.
Regards,
Sankar
For example the change Schumacher bought to Ferrari when he came from Benetton was not impressive in beginning. Actually that year Ferrari's car was dreadfully slow but Micheal spend almost 20 hours per day with mechanics, design engineers for the rest of the year and from next year Michael and Ferrari took championship for 5 consecutive years. I think not just raw speed matters but commitment and dedication towards the team, team work which will eventually lead to a successful combination of good car and end result will be World championship.
Regards,
Sankar
Thread Starter
#103
Lauda urges Red Bull to sign Raikkonen
Niki Lauda has advised Red Bull to follow through and sign Kimi Raikkonen for 2014.
Lauda, the F1 legend and now Mercedes chairman and co-owner, enticed Lewis Hamilton to switch camps from McLaren over the winter.
And now he thinks Red Bull would be wise to snap up Finn Raikkonen.
The 2007 world champion had a solid return from world rallying and Nascar last year, and so far in 2013 is a mere 3 points from leading the drivers’ standings.
Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko, and even team owner Dietrich Mateschitz, have already declared their interest, as Mark Webber’s contract runs out and the Australian is linked with Porsche’s 2014 Le Mans foray.
“It is not the question of how I am going to keep him (Raikkonen),” Lotus’ Eric Boullier told F1′s official website, “it is a question of does he want to stay?”
Understandably, Boullier admitted he thinks the 33-year-old would be unwise to swap his comfortable situation at Lotus “to race against Vettel at Red Bull”.
But Lauda thinks the inimitable Finn should be Red Bull’s target.
“He is sensational, a cool guy, and absolutely on the level of Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton,” the triple world champion told Germany’s Bild newspaper.
“Kimi is definitely a title contender.
“If I was Red Bull and I wanted to change something with the drivers, then I would definitely go for Kimi.
Lauda urges Red Bull to sign Raikkonen
“He is the best driver on the market by far.”
Niki Lauda has advised Red Bull to follow through and sign Kimi Raikkonen for 2014.
Lauda, the F1 legend and now Mercedes chairman and co-owner, enticed Lewis Hamilton to switch camps from McLaren over the winter.
And now he thinks Red Bull would be wise to snap up Finn Raikkonen.
The 2007 world champion had a solid return from world rallying and Nascar last year, and so far in 2013 is a mere 3 points from leading the drivers’ standings.
Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko, and even team owner Dietrich Mateschitz, have already declared their interest, as Mark Webber’s contract runs out and the Australian is linked with Porsche’s 2014 Le Mans foray.
“It is not the question of how I am going to keep him (Raikkonen),” Lotus’ Eric Boullier told F1′s official website, “it is a question of does he want to stay?”
Understandably, Boullier admitted he thinks the 33-year-old would be unwise to swap his comfortable situation at Lotus “to race against Vettel at Red Bull”.
But Lauda thinks the inimitable Finn should be Red Bull’s target.
“He is sensational, a cool guy, and absolutely on the level of Vettel, Alonso and Hamilton,” the triple world champion told Germany’s Bild newspaper.
“Kimi is definitely a title contender.
“If I was Red Bull and I wanted to change something with the drivers, then I would definitely go for Kimi.
Lauda urges Red Bull to sign Raikkonen
“He is the best driver on the market by far.”
Thread Starter
#104
Bahrain GP: Rosberg takes surprise pole position
1. Nico Rosberg - Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull-Renault
3. Fernando Alonso - Ferrari
4. Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes
5. Mark Webber - Red Bull-Renault
6. Felipe Massa - Ferrari
7. Paul di Resta - Force India-Mercedes
8. Adrian Sutil - Force India-Mercedes
9. Kimi Raikkonen - Lotus-Renault
10. Jenson Button - McLaren-Mercedes
1. Nico Rosberg - Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull-Renault
3. Fernando Alonso - Ferrari
4. Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes
5. Mark Webber - Red Bull-Renault
6. Felipe Massa - Ferrari
7. Paul di Resta - Force India-Mercedes
8. Adrian Sutil - Force India-Mercedes
9. Kimi Raikkonen - Lotus-Renault
10. Jenson Button - McLaren-Mercedes
Plus one to what you said. Speed is the most important thing in F1. But thr are other things which you need to take care of.
Michael was a complete driver and his attitude was the "win at all costs". Today if anyone else is showing that ruthlessness it is Vettel by openly disobeying his team orders to pass Webber and then apologise and then say he has no hesitation in doing it again.
Alonso is great but for the last few years he does have the habit of whining and crying too much if he does not have the perfect setup.
Kimi is the most underrated as he speaks less. But if he can develop his pit management skills we are sure we are going to have a cracker of season with a triangular fight... Unless of course Merc and Hamilton also jumps in the race
Michael was a complete driver and his attitude was the "win at all costs". Today if anyone else is showing that ruthlessness it is Vettel by openly disobeying his team orders to pass Webber and then apologise and then say he has no hesitation in doing it again.
Alonso is great but for the last few years he does have the habit of whining and crying too much if he does not have the perfect setup.
Kimi is the most underrated as he speaks less. But if he can develop his pit management skills we are sure we are going to have a cracker of season with a triangular fight... Unless of course Merc and Hamilton also jumps in the race