Formula 1 - 2013 Championship Season

[SankarNarayanan]

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

Alonso is currently rated one of the best drivers in F1 because he gives 100% regarding of the circumstances or setup that he is in. In today's Bahrain GP Alonso had a malfunctioning DRS system from lap 4 and couldn't use DRS for the rest of the race. Please note that Bahrain GP is considered the most DRS friendly race in F1 calender and without DRS you cannot overtake a guy who is lot slower than you as he will pass you using DRS. Also Alonso had to pit one more time than others because of DRS malfunction and still finished 8th ahead of Nico Rosberg, Massa and Button which shows his raw pace. If he had a perfect car in start of the race he would have surely challenged Vettel for race win. Kiwi speaks less but when he speaks he insults his engineers who after all are trying to give him the best car. When an engineer advised him about the fuel he has left and condition of his tires Kimi responded by asking his engineer to shut up and leave him alone. I don't think such an attitude makes him lovable by his team and engineers.

Regards,
Sankar

 

[visran]

Bahrain GP results

1. Vettel- Red Bull-Renault
2. Raikkonen- Lotus-Renault
3. Grosjean - Lotus-Renault
4. Di Resta - Force India-Mercedes
5. Hamilton - Mercedes
6. Perez - McLaren-Mercedes
7. Webber - Red Bull-Renault
8. Alonso - Ferrari
9. Rosberg - Mercedes
10. Button - McLaren-Mercedes
11. Maldonado - Williams-Renault
12. Hulkenberg - Sauber-Ferrari
13. Sutil -Force India-Mercedes
14. Bottas - Williams-Renault
15. Massa - Ferrari
16. Ricciardo -Toro Rosso-Ferrari
17. Pic - Caterham-Renault
18. Gutierrez - Sauber-Ferrari
19. Bianchi - Marussia-Cosworth
20. Chilton -Marussia-Cosworth
21. van der Garde - Caterham-Renault

 

[navnit013]

@shankar,

Thats the difference. The team knows what KIMI is. If they had taken it as an insult, do you think they will be selling merchandise with the very words KIMI uttered.

KIMI is an old school racer. The only one remaining on the grid. KIMI depends on his senses to give him the feed back, not electronics. If he needs to know anything else, he will ask for. Ever since his Sauber days, hez always been silent on the radio. The Lotus radio conversation showed the teams nervousness and Kimis confidence.

 

[SankarNarayanan]

@shankar,

Thats the difference. The team knows what KIMI is. If they had taken it as an insult, do you think they will be selling merchandise with the very words KIMI uttered.

KIMI is an old school racer. The only one remaining on the grid. KIMI depends on his senses to give him the feed back, not electronics. If he needs to know anything else, he will ask for. Ever since his Sauber days, hez always been silent on the radio. The Lotus radio conversation showed the teams nervousness and Kimis confidence.

@Navnit Dude F1 is purely a team game. One driver might be the fastest on grid but unless he gets a perfect setup and most importantly strategy he won't win a race. As fuel stops have been cancelled in F1 now a car is fueled at start to go the entire race. An F1 car has different engine setting from highly powerful setting to economy settings which differs in engine power output and fuel economy. Nearing an end to race most drivers are advised to cruise at economy setting to conserve fuel and engine so that they can safely drive home. Imagine if Kimi shouts back at his engineer who advises him to slow down and goes on in his current setting he might not even finish the race. Just listen to radio talk between Roman Grojean and his engineer and also that of Kimi and his engineer. Roman and his engineer were literally shouting and were clearly evident that they both were very happy and excited but Kimi's engineer just said "good drive Kimi" and Kimi doesn't say anything back. Just take example of Alonso, Vettel, Lewis or the great Schumi. All of them praise their team and give credits of their race victories to their team. I think it's a big morale booster for the team and engineers.

If Kimi was one of the fastest driver and if he only cared about racing why was he such a big failure in WRC? Kimi had accidents in almost all rallies he took part and his team would have dropped him from next season for sure. Many racers including Juan Pablo Montoya and Ruben Barichello have succeeded in other forms of racing other than F1. Kimi's problem is his lack of communication which might affect his performance as F1 is purely a team game. Fastest driver will not win unless he has the fastest car and good race strategy.

Regards,
Sankar

 

[visran]

Next teammate feud erupts in Bahrain

Just as the ‘Multi-21′ affair began to simmer, the next teammate feud broke out in formula one.

This time, the animosity was taking place a bit further down the field, as McLaren pushes to improve its 2013 car, and Sergio Perez also feels the pressure to up his game.

Team boss Martin Whitmarsh had complained recently that the British team’s new Mexica

recruit was being “too polite” this year, and urged him to use his “elbows”.

The 23-year-old obliged on Sunday in Bahrain, but the subject of his aggression was Jenson Button, in the sister MP4-28.

“Emotions were running high,” said Button afterwards, excusing his radio anger.

Indeed, the 2009 world champion pleaded with his team to “Calm him (Perez) down!), adding after yet another exchange of bodywork: “Come on guys!”

Button told the BBC: “I would say exactly the same again. The racing was great out there. The only person that wasn’t was Checo (Perez).

“He was too aggressive, I would say. It was a bit of a surprise, and I’m probably not the only one that feels like that.”

Button was probably referring to the duo’s boss, Whitmarsh, who agreed on British Sky television that he had already spoken to Perez and told him his behaviour was “over the limit” versus Button.

“That’s not what we expect,” he added.

Even Perez agreed that his and Button’s aggression was “too much” on Sunday.

“I guess I was a little aggressive on track today; banging wheels with Jenson was perhaps a little too risky, a little too hard,” he admitted, according to a media statement.

Next teammate feud erupts in Bahrain

 

[navnit013]

If Kimi was one of the fastest driver and if he only cared about racing why was he such a big failure in WRC?
Many racers including Juan Pablo Montoya and Ruben Barichello have succeeded in other forms of racing other than F1.

Regards,
Sankar

Your opinion about KIMI shows why he is so underrated in F1.
WRC and Road racing is completely different. You need lot more skills, and balls to do WRC. If you look at his performance towards the end of his WRC career, he was up there in the pack just below the top guys. He would have continued, if there was no registration problems for his team.

AND dont frame your opinion based on radio comments. He doesnt show his emotions, that doesnt mean he has none. You dont know how he communicated behind the curtains. If he wasnt good at communication, Lotus wouldnt have improved. If he wasnt that good, then McLaren wouldnt have had him that long. If it wasnt for 'Santander', Ferrari wouldnt have bought out his contract.

You cant call Alonso, Vettle, Hamilton, Schumi etc team players. Cause they are not. They are assured of their number one status. If they are not, they leave.

 

[visran]

Failing tyres ‘too much’ says Massa

A new problem could be emerging for Pirelli, as the mere safety of its already controversial 2013 tyres is now called into question.

The occurrence of tyre failures – or delaminations – appears to be on the rise this season, amid already widespread criticism of the heavily-degrading Pirellis.

“I’ve never had two problems (failures) with tyres in one race. I don’t know what it is, but it’s too much,” Ferrari’s Felipe Massa is quoted as saying by Sky Italia after the Bahrain race.

“Maybe there was debris on the track, but I didn’t feel any contact,” he added.

Pirelli chief Paul Hembery said the Italian marque’s engineers had identified “cuts” on the failed tyre, “and we’re currently trying to find out what caused those cuts”.

But Massa told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport that his first problem was caused “probably by delamination of the tread, like (Lewis) Hamilton in practice”.

One theory doing the rounds is that Pirelli’s extreme, ‘show’-approach to degradation in 2013 has compromised the basic safety of the tyres.

“It’s hard to say,” Massa responded, “it hasn’t happened to me before, and we’ve already had a few races this year, so no.

“But we do need to understand what happened and then make sure we are putting any complaining in the right direction.”

Failing tyres ‘too much’ says Massa

I think F1 should break the monopoly of 1 tyre supplier for all the team. competition should be allowed to sell their tyres for which ever team who wish to buy.

 

[SankarNarayanan]

Your opinion about KIMI shows why he is so underrated in F1.
WRC and Road racing is completely different. You need lot more skills, and balls to do WRC. If you look at his performance towards the end of his WRC career, he was up there in the pack just below the top guys. He would have continued, if there was no registration problems for his team.

AND dont frame your opinion based on radio comments. He doesnt show his emotions, that doesnt mean he has none. You dont know how he communicated behind the curtains. If he wasnt good at communication, Lotus wouldnt have improved. If he wasnt that good, then McLaren wouldnt have had him that long. If it wasnt for 'Santander', Ferrari wouldnt have bought out his contract.

You cant call Alonso, Vettle, Hamilton, Schumi etc team players. Cause they are not. They are assured of their number one status. If they are not, they leave.

Dude let us not fight over who is the best driver (Alonso vs Kimi) as we both won't stop fighting. If you want we i can start a new thread on "Who is fastest and best racer in F1 history". Let's keep this thread to F1 2013 season evemts and news please.

Regards,
Sankar

 

[navnit013]

Dude let us not fight over who is the best driver (Alonso vs Kimi) as we both won't stop fighting. If you want we i can start a new thread on "Who is fastest and best racer in F1 history". Let's keep this thread to F1 2013 season evemts and news please.

Regards,
Sankar

YUP, agreed.

 

[visran]

Razia reveals talks with Force India

Luiz Razia is hoping to return to formula one by the end of 2013.

The Brazilian came tantalisingly close to making his grand prix debut this year, signing with Marussia but then losing the drive when his sponsors failed to pay.
Now, the 24-year-old has told Jovem Pan radio he is in talks with Force India about becoming a test and Friday practice driver.

“The possibility is there,” said Razia.

“Force India is very interested in doing this project. But – strangely enough – I need sponsorship.

“The team doesn’t want to do something badly, they want a project for at least two years: this year building up to be race driver in the coming year.

“I need sponsorship. It’s disappointing to have to rely on it so much to do our work professionally, but that’s how it is.”

Razia denied that the Marussia episode has hurt his credibility and image.

“Marussia was very convinced of me and so put me there without much security. But I believe Force India is going to want something more concrete.

“I don’t think it hurt. The difficult part was only the situation.

“We had the option of going to Caterham, but we chose Marussia for two reasons: they had a better package while Caterham was focusing more on 2014, and because we had several meetings with Pat Symonds and he was very confident.”

Razia said he is sure he could have emulated Jules Bianchi’s feats, having impressed the F1 world by comprehensively beating teammate Max Chilton so far.

“For sure,” he insisted. “It don’t think that would have been a difficult goal for the season.

“I think Chilton has come into formula one too early, with not enough experience.”

Razia reveals talks with Force India

 

[visran]

F1 considering ‘demerit point’ penalty system

Formula one chiefs will meet next weekend in Barcelona to discuss a potential demerit-points system that could lead to drivers facing race bans for repeat misbehaviour.

Reports, including by the news agency AFP and the British newspaper the Times, said the FIA’s Charlie Whiting will meet with team bosses to talk about the new regime.

The reports said the new system could replace the mainly grid penalties and fines that are currently levied against drivers for on-track misbehaviour.

The new system would see drivers tote up demerit points against their mandatory super license, with multiple indiscretions to add up to race bans.

“It’s a complex question,” Whiting is quoted as saying, “and we need to get the balance right because banning a driver is a serious issue.

“We need to make sure a driver genuinely deserves any ban.

“We will be monitoring offences and running a (hypothetical) system in the background to see how it would all work if put into practice.”

F1 considering ‘demerit point’ penalty system

 

[visran]

Alonso takes commanding home win

1. Alonso -Ferrari
2. Raikkonen - Lotus-Renault
3. Massa - Ferrari
4. Vettel -Red Bull-Renault
5. Webber -Red Bull-Renault
6. Rosberg -Mercedes
7. Di Resta -Force India-Mercedes
8. Button -McLaren-Mercedes
9. Perez -McLaren-Mercedes
10. Ricciardo - Toro Rosso-Ferrari

 

[visran]

‘Secret test’ gave Mercedes a second

Dr Helmut Marko says Mercedes could have gained a one second per lap advantage by testing between the Spanish and Monaco grands prix.

A controversy has erupted over Mercedes’ ‘secret’ three-day, 1000km tyre test in Barcelona, before Nico Rosberg strolled from pole to victory in Monaco.

Red Bull’s Marko told German broadcaster Sky that Pirelli did not ask the world champion team if it wanted to conduct the running.

“We are very unhappy,” said the Austrian. “When we test for three days, we go a second faster — that’s what Adrian Newey says.

“It definitely helped them — you can see that they had no tyre problems today. That’s no accident,” added Marko.

Red Bull and Ferrari have lodged an official protest, which is being heard by the FIA in the immediate aftermath of the Monaco grand prix.

“There are sporting regulations,” said Marko, “that cannot be overriden by a civil agreement between Pirelli and the FIA.

“The sporting regulations state clearly when and how you can test.”

He said Red Bull is seeking “a clarification of how to proceed in the future, and that the competitive advantage of Mercedes is compensated in some way”.

‘Secret test’ gave Mercedes a second – Marko

 

[visran]

Monaco GP

1. Nico Rosberg - Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull-Renault
3. Mark Webber - Red Bull-Renault
4. Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes
5. Adrian Sutil -Force India-Mercedes
6. Jenson Button - McLaren-Mercedes
7. Fernando Alonso - Ferrari
8. Jean-Eric Vergne - Toro Rosso-Ferrari
9. Paul Di Resta -Force India-Mercedes
10. Kimi Raikkonen - Lotus-Renault

 

[visran]

Pirelli ‘approaching’ 2014 F1 contract

Pirelli is closer to inking a deal to stay in formula one beyond 2013, following a meeting in Monaco.

After Paul Hembery warned that Pirelli could quit F1 due to the delayed negotiations, Spain’s AS sports newspaper reports that Pirelli president Marco Tronchetti Provera met with Bernie Ecclestone.

“We are approaching the conditions (to sign),” Provera said, “so we’ll see.

“The fact is that Bernie is happy with us and also our company is still interested in the F1 project, so I hope we can get to an agreement soon and all will be well,” he added.

Tronchetti Provera said he is proud of Pirelli’s contribution to the sport so far.
“We were asked to add more ‘show’ to the races, and I think the races are better now than before our arrival, so I think in that sense we have succeeded,” he insisted.

As for the controversy caused by Pirelli’s heavily degrading compounds in 2013, he explained: “We have developed the tyres with a car several years old, and with not enough days of testing.”

Meanwhile, it seems Pirelli will introduce some changes to its tyre design for Canada in two weeks after all, despite the opposition of some teams, including Force India.

“I did it like the old days,” Bernie Ecclestone is quoted by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. “I told the teams that they should be united.

“Pirelli will modify its tyres as planned,” the F1 chief executive revealed.

Pirelli ‘approaching’ 2014 F1 contract – president