Formula 1 2008

There were actually some interesting manouvers, mainly the double overtake by Nick Heidfeld on Coulthard and Alonso, with Alonso then overtaking Coulthard, ressembled a bit the Hakkinen-Schumacher-Zonta overtaking. But other than that yeah it was not very action packed. Looking at how Lewis was unable to overtake Webber with a much faster McLaren shows that taking out TC was not the solution to THE problem in F1.

This race was pretty much like last year, taking TC out was OK cause now we see more drivers fighting to control their cars, but what F1 really needs is to get rid of downforce generating aerodinamics.

The result was quite frustrating for FA fan like me, Renault suck too much!. At least I was amused by watching Ron's face during McLaren's struggle. Raikkonen is the fav to win the title, and his only rival seems Hamilton. Massa sucks and should be kicked out of Ferrari he hardly deserves a seat in F1.

And the ....... idiots that do weather forecasts predicted rain for the 3 days of the GP and it didn't rain not even in ONE!!!

I thought it was an OK race.

It's amazing to see how a McLaren can't overtake a RedBull. The 'dirty air' seems to play a huge role in this.

Massa was saddening. He started off badly and was lucky not to get leapfrogged by Kimi. And the fact he did a Lewis when he could have cruised around for an easy 1-2 was terrible.

Roll on 09. I want these new aero regs NOW!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Mar 23 2008, 11:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I thought it was an OK race.

It's amazing to see how a McLaren can't overtake a RedBull. The 'dirty air' seems to play a huge role in this.

Massa was saddening. He started off badly and was lucky not to get leapfrogged by Kimi. And the fact he did a Lewis when he could have cruised around for an easy 1-2 was terrible.

Roll on 09. I want these new aero regs NOW!
The telecast is delayed in australia, I only followed the live timing so I am glad to hear heidfeld at least managed a pass. I too was struck that hamilton could not pass webber. I also hope they are working very hard on the 2009 regulations.

Ferrari not concerned about massa's form

well, if i can remember it right, stefano has been more, let's say, indulging with massa...

...same with a past article, just can't be arsed to dig it

Well he's not gonna go to the press and say, "yeah Massa screwed up big time, and we're going to fire him cause we're gonna lose the Constructors championship because of him"

Which is what they really think

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teomolca @ Mar 25 2008, 06:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well he's not gonna go to the press and say, "yeah Massa screwed up big time, and we're going to fire him cause we're gonna lose the Constructors championship because of him"

Which is what they really think



yeah i know, but if you compare his statements when he's talking about massa, and when he's talking about kimi, from my point of view at least: there's a difference in they way he build up or cover up for massa and the way he would do the same thing with kimi.


well, that's just how he comes across to me...

Sepang night race in 2009

I AM DEFINITELY GOING NEXT YEAR!!!

Alonso hints at Renault exit and considers Ferrari

If there truly is a God then please do not let this move materialise. Massa i'm begging you cut out the mistakes.

So afraid are you that FA would win endlessly with a Ferrari?

Nah it's in Alonso's best interest that he stays where he is as my boy Kimi would destroy him

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pacman @ Mar 26 2008, 06:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Nah it's in Alonso's best interest that he stays where he is as my boy Kimi would destroy him

ata boy!

I think alonso is a great driver, but surely there are now some doubts about his loyalty and trustworthiness. Given ferrari already have kimi, would they really want somebody who has caused problems elsewhere no matter how talented? I am not saying mclaren are blameless, in fact I have never liked them, but I think alonso would have been better off moving elsewhere and waiting till he won his next world championship before mouthing off. After beating mclaren and ferrari twice in a renault surely his ability is not in question, and if hamilton really was being favoured which is not impossible ferrari et al would have been aware of this.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pacman @ Mar 25 2008, 10:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Nah it's in Alonso's best interest that he stays where he is as my boy Kimi would destroy him

You obviously don't have any confidence in this statement otherwise you wouldn't be slightly bothered by the idea of him being in the team. Alonso clearly would be a threat to Kimi, but i don't think this would be a great move for him because he definitely wouldn't get the preferential treatment that allows him to thrive.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 26 2008, 08:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>You obviously don't have any confidence in this statement otherwise you wouldn't be slightly bothered by the idea of him being in the team. Alonso clearly would be a threat to Kimi, but i don't think this would be a great move for him because he definitely wouldn't get the preferential treatment that allows him to thrive.
I agree. I think it is quite a while since ferrari have had two number 1 drivers.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teomolca @ Mar 24 2008, 11:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well he's not gonna go to the press and say, "yeah Massa screwed up big time, and we're going to fire him cause we're gonna lose the Constructors championship because of him"

Which is what they really think
from the Autosport article:
"When he clouted a kerb it stalled the car's aerodynamics and caused him to lose control of the rear at the following turn - pitching him off the track and into a gravel trap."

That doesn't sound terribly plausible to me - I didn't notice him clip the curb on the preceding corner and it seems odd that doing so would "stall the aerodynamics". To stall a wing either the angle of attack to the airflow must steepen (didn't see any evidence of the car leaping into the air during the on-board of the alleged curb clipping or subsequent accident); or the speed of the wing through the air must dramatically reduce (in a car this would not be an issue, or they'd crash every time they drove slowly!!).

All the drivers clip the curbs at times, often quite violently, but we don't hear of the aerodynamics being affected.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teomolca @ Mar 25 2008, 10:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>So afraid are you that FA would win endlessly with a Ferrari?
I don't think anyone is afraid of that to be honest, especially not Raikkonen himself. Kimi always sayd he couldn't care less who his teammate is, he just wants to win no matter what. Obviously Alonso isn't just a teammate, he happens to be the best driver at the moment, but I don't think he's that much better than Kimi. IMO Alonso is a more complete driver than Raikkonen, but Kimi isn't far behind, and surely both wouldn't want to play 2nd fiddle to one another. I personally would love to see Kimi and Fernando in one team, beacause then we would see who's actually better. We can't be sure now.

From Ferrari's point of view it wouldn't make any sense to give Fernando a seat, at least not yet. Fernando is the type who needs to feel the team is behind him, just look at his time at Renault when he took his titles, and look at last season (when he didn't get that treatment and he started complaining and whining and eventually leaving McLaren). It seems he's not the most loyal guy in F1. First winning 2 titles with Renault and then moving to McLaren (which actually is normal, because he said he needed a challenge). And a challenge it was!!!! It became clear it wasn't going to be an ''easy'' season, because Lewis turned out to be as good as him last season, so he left McLaren after one season. I can actually also understand that, because if someone doesn't feel happy in a team, he should leave.

So..now he's back at Renault, the team that brought him two titles, back to Daddy Flavio who will give him the support he needs/wants. The only problem now is..Renaults sucks, and that's not good for FA who wants to win titles. But..I think it's really sad he's already talking about maybe going, or wanting to go, to Ferrari. He should focus on Renault, and getting good results with them. Ferrari doesn't need someone who complains when things don't go well. They don't need the chaos McLaren was in last season. That's why I think having Raikkonen and Massa in their team is the best solution. I do have to say, Massa shouldn't continue making silly mistakes. It's still early in the season, so we shouldn't be too hard on him, but Ferrari needs him to finish as well if they want to win the WCC again.

So my conclusion: Ferrari doesn't need Fernando (although it would be an interesting battle).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Franco Fangio @ Mar 26 2008, 09:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't think anyone is afraid of that to be honest, especially not Raikkonen himself. Kimi always sayd he couldn't care less who his teammate is, he just wants to win no matter what. Obviously Alonso isn't just a teammate, he happens to be the best driver at the moment, but I don't think he's that much better than Kimi. IMO Alonso is a more complete driver than Raikkonen, but Kimi isn't far behind, and surely both wouldn't want to play 2nd fiddle to one another. I personally would love to see Kimi and Fernando in one team, beacause then we would see who's actually better. We can't be sure now.


i agree with you here.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Franco Fangio @ Mar 26 2008, 09:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>From Ferrari's point of view it wouldn't make any sense to give Fernando a seat, at least not yet. Fernando is the type who needs to feel the team is behind him, just look at his time at Renault when he took his titles, and look at last season (when he didn't get that treatment and he started complaining and whining and eventually leaving McLaren). It seems he's not the most loyal guy in F1. First winning 2 titles with Renault and then moving to McLaren (which actually is normal, because he said he needed a challenge). And a challenge it was!!!! It became clear it wasn't going to be an ''easy'' season, because Lewis turned out to be as good as him last season, so he left McLaren after one season. I can actually also understand that, because if someone doesn't feel happy in a team, he should leave.

well, actually, if they want to , they actually can give nando a seat. Kimi doesn't want issues with his teammate so no probs with him. Nando wants the team behind him, he didn't say "behind him only". And because Kimi is also a world champion (vs Hammie who is a rookie when they paired up), he wouldn't or couldn't demand a number 1 status, rather an equal treatment. So if Ferrari can give that support and if they want nando, then they can sign him up for next year if nando leaves renault.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Franco Fangio @ Mar 26 2008, 09:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>It seems he's not the most loyal guy in F1. First winning 2 titles with Renault and then moving to McLaren

well, from a "business/professional" point of view, who needs loyalty? Sure it's unethical for most people, but profession wise (no matter in what profession you are), you need a team/business/company that can bring you greater income/profits/success. You need it and you go look for it. Being a formula 1 driver, as a profession, is not charity, hence you go where the money or the greater success is at. well of course, that's me talking about things from a very basic point of view. Given the human/ethics/environment factor...it's a whole different story.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (somedamnwriter @ Mar 26 2008, 03:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>well, actually, if they want to , they actually can give nando a seat. Kimi doesn't want issues with his teammate so no probs with him. Nando wants the team behind him, he didn't say "behind him only". And because Kimi is also a world champion (vs Hammie who is a rookie when they paired up), he wouldn't or couldn't demand a number 1 status, rather an equal treatment. So if Ferrari can give that support and if they want nando, then they can sign him up for next year if nando leaves renault.
They can give him a seat, very true. I just don't think it would be really smart to do so. The past showed us Fernando likes it when his teammate is a league below him, Kimi obviously isn't. Ferrari can give them equal support, but I think having a number one driver and a number 2 driver in a team maximizes their chances of winning both titles. Like MS was champion's material and RB wasn't, it was ideal for them, also with FA and Fisi in 05 and 06, and with Kimi and Massa last season. It increases their chances of winning both titles, and if you don't have two ''great'' drivers in a team, it wont end up like Senna-Prost and FA-LH. It's better for the harmony in the team IMO. Of course for the fans it would be great to see. I personally would love it too!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (somedamnwriter @ Mar 26 2008, 03:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>well, from a "business/professional" point of view, who needs loyalty? Sure it's unethical for most people, but profession wise (no matter in what profession you are), you need a team/business/company that can bring you greater income/profits/success. You need it and you go look for it. Being a formula 1 driver, as a profession, is not charity, hence you go where the money or the greater success is at. well of course, that's me talking about things from a very basic point of view. Given the human/ethics/environment factor...it's a whole different story.
Yes, I was talking about that. Of course I agree with the rest you said.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Franco Fangio @ Mar 26 2008, 10:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>They can give him a seat, very true. I just don't think it would be really smart to do so. The past showed us Fernando likes it when his teammate is a league below him, Kimi obviously isn't. Ferrari can give them equal support, but I think having a number one driver and a number 2 driver in a team maximizes their chances of winning both titles. Like MS was champion's material and RB wasn't, it was ideal for them, also with FA and Fisi in 05 and 06, and with Kimi and Massa last season. It increases their chances of winning both titles, and if you don't have two ''great'' drivers in a team, it wont end up like Senna-Prost and FA-LH. It's better for the harmony in the team IMO. Of course for the fans it would be great to see. I personally would love it too!!

yes you are right. but we have to remember that in this context, ferrari isn't the one going for nando, rather, it is the other way around. and with the current form of renault, nando obviously needs a stronger team if he wants to go back to his winning ways. so he needs to "dance with the music" until he has acquired the right to demand number 1 status as he deemed fit.

what really is the condition of a number 1 - number 2 driver system within a team? coz if we're talking about mere ranking, then, does it really matter? to have great drivers means greater chances of winning both championships; to have not so great drivers would mean the opposite.

but, if we're talking about number 1 as - champion material, and number 2 as - not so great, so-so driver relatively ...then, my take on things are:
winning both championships would depend on where the other drivers are ending up. doesn't really make things easier, nor does it make it harder.

if the case is like what's happening to kimi and massa right now (kimi winning, massa dnf), then it doesn't really help ferrari that much. most esp not with the constructor's championship.