Gee this thread is attempting to destroy M. Schumacher view of himself as the greatest driver in the world. You mean the cars have something to do with who wins. Who would believe that listening to Mr Arrogant talk about himself. He is always disrepecting guys who failed at F1, I kind of think that if they had been driving for Ferrari instead of one of the back marker teams that perhaps they might have had a bit of the success that the great one has had. Just a thought. There is no doubt he is a great driver, maybe the greatest, but with the way the technology is today, I doubt it.

I always loved Ferrari, but if I can see someone else beating MS on a regular basis... I am very pleased.

F1 will, unfortunately, always be about technology, and ultimately how much technology money will buy. It exists to create the unfair advantage. That is the manufacturers goal in that form of racing. From a competition point of view it is awful racing, from a technology point of view, nothing else comes close.

jc

 

>>I believe the Ferrari regin is over, but we have to not be exited about it, Mclaren, renault and a few more teams still there, next year F1 is going to be a blast.

Don't lay flowers on Ferrari's grave yet.

Ferrari is not only the best car on the track over the last five years, but they also have the best drivers. The pendulum swings one way only so far, but it dose come back.

 

>>Gee this thread is attempting to destroy M. Schumacher view of himself as the greatest driver in the world. You mean the cars have something to do with who wins. Who would believe that listening to Mr Arrogant talk about himself. He is always disrepecting guys who failed at F1, I kind of think that if they had been driving for Ferrari instead of one of the back marker teams that perhaps they might have had a bit of the success that the great one has had.


I don't have any subscriptions to the F1 tabloids, but where did you read or hear this stuff? :smile: It's called self-confidence. Unfortunately it is many times misinterpreted as arrogance. F1 fortune requires lots of luck. MS has been a lucky guy and he knows it. People in racing also say you make your own luck and MS more than probably any driver has done that too by having his technical group follow him from Benetton to Ferrari. All of MS teams were kind of mid level teams in terms of performance until he took over, yet he still attained victories over Senna, Prost, Damon Hill, Mika Hakinnen, and JV.

How a driver's career progresses depends on the timing they enter the scene, the choices teams make, and how the drivers perform. JV went to BAR which in hindsight was stupid but he could have pulled a MS. We will see how daMatta does with Toyota, Webber with Jaguar, JPM with Williams, Kimi with McLaren and Alonso with Renault. Any or all of these guys could be the next great one. Looking at lesser drivers on big teams I can only think of any teammate of MS there ever was, Frentzen at Williams, Couthard at Williams and McLaren, heck I think Damon Hill was just lucky that MS went to Ferrari. :smile: :smile:

 

Wired magazine (a great magazine itself) put out a fabulous article on the F1 industry back in March of 2001. I managed to find it and highly recommend you all take a read.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9...amp;topic_set=

Great thread!

haf :smile:

 

Well Letsmotor I am a tad older than you, and have followed auto racing for my entire life. I appreciate all forms of driving, and at the top levels of all forms the drivers are incredible. The difference between Mr Schumacher and say Mr Montoya is tiny, and the key is the equipment. Which is not to say that he isn't better, but it is a tiny difference. About 1 year ago he was on speedvision channel and he was driving some really fast supercar around I think the Nurburgring and being interviewed about other forms of auto racing. He was asked if he felt like he needed to compete at Indianapolis during the 500 to really be considered one of the greatest drivers of all time. Obviously, this is an edited show, etc, but still his response was rather downgrading of the achievements of others. He said no that it is really not that challenging, and that the drivers from the Indy car circuits really haven't competed very well over here. Of course, J Villenueve, and Juan Pablo Montoya, currently seem to be able to cope with the vastly more difficult F1. Historically drivers like Mario Andretti, Dan Gurney and others seemed to be able to compete with the best that F1 offered 30 years ago. I think that Schumacher could compete well in other disciplines, I just can't tolerate his complete lack of respect for other forms of racing. He will never be my favorite due to his disrespect for anyone succeeding at a form of racing that he feels he is too good for. Jackie Stewart, Jimmy Clark, Graham Hill, Emerson Fittipaldi, etc, these were race drivers that wanted to conquer all forms of motor racing, and they new to be considered the best that they needed to defeat the best and they competed at Indy and Lemans, etc. Looking back at the domination of the F1 circuit over most of the last 2 decades by certain teams at certain times, proves to me beyond a doubt that these teams are all competing for the "unfair" advantage, and when they achieve it there teams dominate. The number of years in which parity has existed has been few and far between.

Many times the ones that win lots of races are the best, but how do you compare MS to Jimmy Clark? Sometimes the ones who win a lot have the desired "unfair" advantage.

JMHO YMMV

jc

 

Will I prolly haven't been following f1 as long as some...i have been following it the whole time MS has raced in F1. Yes he is a great driver and has great skill....does it show...not in my opnion as the car is so damn good it doesn't need to. MS when he was with beneton was a bit different as the car there was a mid pack car and he won a championship with it...but last year...any of the top 10 drivers in F1 would have won the championship in that car. It is amazing what ferrari has done with that car...but it seems now others have or are about to catch back up and it should be more interesting.

MS is cocky....but he can also afford to be...he has won enough and holds enough records to back it up...but he does like to make cheap shots at other drivers...as do others...but it seems for the most part to just be psycological and not neccessary really meaning it....and then there is the lovely reporters who love to take words out and change things around and take things way out of context.....for example a driver can say "Mika won today because our car sucked" and the reporter somehow hears in there "Mika....Sucked"

 

JUST AN UPDATE FOR ALL THOSE NAYSAYERS OUT THERE. AT QUALIFYING TODAY M. SCHUMACHER WAS ON TOP AS WAS RUBENS (UNTIL RB'S ENGINE BLEW) AND RS AND JPM WERE 2ND AND 3RD.

THANK YOU.

THIS HOUSE IS CLEAR!

 

The biggest sadness I had this year was that Spa was off the calendar. I loved to watch races there. So much history, great course, great scenery, and wild weather!

_________________
'03 IB/W Cooper

 

>>He was asked if he felt like he needed to compete at Indianapolis during the 500 to really be considered one of the greatest drivers of all time. Obviously, this is an edited show, etc, but still his response was rather downgrading of the achievements of others. He said no that it is really not that challenging, and that the drivers from the Indy car circuits really haven't competed very well over here.


Wow I did not know that he was that denegrating to other series. At least he was honest in his opinion. I am kind of sick of these drivers who always say the right thing all the time. Have you heard Paul Tracy recently? PT is just crazy and I love it. Villeneuve and Eddie Irvine are always entertaining too. I think I have heard MS say that IRL and the Indy 500 is dangerous so maybe he is just scared, but quite honestly I kind of feel the same. I have never like NASCAR and IRL because all they do is turn left but that is just an opinion and MS is allowed to have his opinion I guess. Did you catch Jeff Gordon on Trading Paint? Jeff Gordon would be great in F1 I think. One guy who never had a break in F1 was Zanardi. Zanardi was an amazing driver and I hear he might drive European Touring Cars which is simply tremendous.


>>Historically drivers like Mario Andretti, Dan Gurney and others seemed to be able to compete with the best that F1 offered 30 years ago. I think that Schumacher could compete well in other disciplines, I just can't tolerate his complete lack of respect for other forms of racing. He will never be my favorite due to his disrespect for anyone succeeding at a form of racing that he feels he is too good for. Jackie Stewart, Jimmy Clark, Graham Hill, Emerson Fittipaldi, etc, these were race drivers that wanted to conquer all forms of motor racing, and they new to be considered the best that they needed to defeat the best and they competed at Indy and Lemans, etc.


Drivers really can't do this anymore because of team pressure and sponsor pressure I think. If they get hurt, they can't compete in their primary job. I really hope that MS will compete at LeMans when he is retired from F1. You know these drivers get bored rather quickly. I really think that Jeff Gordon would compete in F1 if the drive was good and if the money was equal to his NASCAR winnings, but it will never happen. I keep hearing that Valentino Rossi might go F1 but come on it will only happen if some sponsor steps up for him on a backmarker team.

I would like to say that the FIA World Rally Cross has the some of the greatest drivers in the world :smile:

 

well, Michael got the short end of the stick at Silverstone!

Finishing order:
#1 Rubens
#2 JPM
#3 Kimi
#4 Schumi
#5 DC
#6 Trulli
#7 DaMatta
#8 Button

DaMatta had a great race, Villenuve screwed himself again, Ralf got shafted and didn't get points for the first time this year

 

WoooHoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another great example of the fantastic racing this season. As a Michael Schumacher fan, I would prefer last year's situation, but this was a great race. How about that guy coming on the race track and actually approaching the speeding race cars. What a nut

Finally Rubinho comes through like he should to take points away from MS competitors and MS recovered pretty well to just lose 1 point to KR. This season is a nail biter with 5 races to go. It's kind of like the Tour de France where the usually dominant Lance Armstrong is scaring me by leading by only seconds.

 

British Grand Prix: The best and strangest race of the season. Rubens started on the pole, was as low as eight and still managed to win. For the first time in a while the leaders were passing on the track, not in the pits.

But, for a while I thought the entire race should have been canceled. When that whacker in the kilt ran down the track with cars doing their best to not hit him and the resulting pit fiasco, it completed changed the look of the race. Rubens dropped to 8th, Michael S. to 14!!

It was funny. These guys thought they were driving NASCAR. Full course yellow comes out and everyone dives into Pit lane.

EXCEPT, in F1 there is only one pit per team. DUH! And since the Toyota's had the pit at the far end of pit row, they got out first and into the lead. Very bizarre. In the end Rubens charge to the front make it worthwhile.

Ferrari dead. NEVER.

 

Germany...Friday qualifying session...Williams on top, Ralf then JPM, MS down in 9th, the Renaults up there too with a Jag splitting them...

These fans caught on film demanding their money back for the cheap hats...

 

>>These fans caught on film demanding their money back for the cheap hats...
>>
>> ROTFLMAO

 

Greetings!

THE GERMAN GP - WOW !
Enjoy!
Ron

 

Germany...anybody else impressed with the great camera shots by German television...the fly-by-wire coming out of the hairpin was awesome...The passing maneuvers were unbelievable...oh and the Montoya performance was magganificent!

To Ralf...don't try to win a race going into turn one after the start...

 

[rant on]
well, we all know that Ralf totally sucks when it comes to starts, however, I can't totally agree with the Stewards that this accident was all Ralf's fault. Throughout the whole thing, Rubens was trailing, yet still keeping his nose in the whole deal. I think that he was able to see himself being sandwiched, and could've backed out of it. In summary of the start, the usual thumbs down for Ralf, but also thumbs down to Rubens. I feel sorry for Kimi, getting the brunt of the others' stupidity.
[rant off]


Congrats to JPM, a totally flawless race!
This season is definitely heating up, love it.

 

Another crazy chapter in the story that is the 2003 FIA Formula One World Championship. It's too bad that accident took out KR, RB, and RS. I would like to see them all battle it out. Juan & Williams/BMW were just awesome. I'm was so happy when Michael Schumacher got second place near the end. I was thinking "12 point lead yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was screaming and yelling at the TV with joy, then the flat tyre occured. MS always seems to get flat tyres or broken suspension at the wrong time, of course when is a good time for that? But MS salvaged 7th place. Maybe he can still pull out championship number 6 with 4 races to go, but those Bridgestones suck. RS is pretty much out of running with the penalty at the next race don't you think? It's going to be a long 3 weeks

 

Does anyone know if the same deep pockets that support the BMW/Williams team are also the same ones screwing with MCO and its name controversy? I know that is mainly BMW of Usa messing with us, but is ticks me off if there is a connection b/c I guess I condsider myself a BMW/Williams fan. Well, kinda off topic, but I apoligize, and I love this thread and site!!

 

I concur, a long three weeks it will be until the next race.

I will have to shifterkarting every weekend until JPM continues his charge...

 

>>Does anyone know if the same deep pockets that support the BMW/Williams team are also the same ones screwing with MCO and its name controversy? I know that is mainly BMW of Usa messing with us, but is ticks me off if there is a connection b/c I guess I condsider myself a BMW/Williams fan. Well, kinda off topic, but I apoligize, and I love this thread and site!!

But of course. Not only must BMW pay its legal experts, but JP and Ralfy too. Its all part of their world domination plan.

Grosser Preis von Deutschland was one helluva spectacle. Go Jarno Go! Shame about Michael's puncture but hey if you go off the racing line...(when he passed Trulli). Just bad luck for Ralf, Rubens and Kimi. Makes the point spread for the Wieltmeister crown tighten up a bit. With JP's driving lately we may even have a Campeon del Mundo in 03. Can't wait for Indy, just 7 1/2 weeks to go!

_________________
BLUBELLE - 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley, Moss Skid Plate, Chrome Trim Interior

 

Bernie Ecclestone sucks...like that hasn't been said a million times...

From f1.racing-live.com:

Canadian GP definitely off
Ecclestone tells the promoter
[11/08/03 - 22:45]

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone on Monday confirmed that next year's Canadian Grand Prix had fallen victim to tough new anti-tobacco laws.

"I spoke to him (Ecclestone) on the telephone today and we're still missing from the 2004 calendar," race promoter Normand Legault told AFP.

Last Thursday Legault had received a letter from Ecclestone's office informing him that the race had been scrapped, but confusion arose when the GP boss subsequently announced he had still to decide on the matter.

The June event attracts crowds of 300,000 to Montreal which in turn generates around 40 million dollars for the city. But a local government spokesman said last week the legislation banning tobacco advertising at sporting events would not be changed. "We recognise that there will be an important impact on Montreal's economy but we also have an obligation to protect the health of Canadians," Farah Mohamed, a spokesman for Canadian health minister Anne McLellan said. "We feel very strongly about our legislation."

News of Canada's demise came one week after the 2004 Belgium GP at Spa-Francorchamps was reinstated a year after it was stripped of its F1 status. Spa was taken off the calendar after changes to tough laws on tobacco advertising similar to those in Canada were watered down to cater for sporting events like GPs.

The Montreal circuit, named after the late Ferrari ace, has been home to the event since 1977. Legault has conceded the decision will prove a blow to the city's tourist trade, but he is hoping for the race's return in two years time. "There's an important economic impact," he said. "There will be an important negative impact on Montreal's tourism. I'm not throwing in the towel right away. If there is not a race in 2004, maybe it'll be in 2005."

 

Not very nice of the F-1 Supremo, but with the U.S. G.P. moving to June, and Belgium's parliament recently having made an exception to its anti-tobacco laws expecially for the G.P. maybe the ole sly one is trying to put some pressure on the Canuck legislature for a similar act. I understant that there are now some 18 venues competing for the 16 - 17 slots in next year's calendar. If Canada wants to be a player, its legislature's gotta pony up.

 

Any of you dawgs gonna be at Indy for the G.P.? Got my tickets in the mail on Saturday. WOOHAA!

 

This dawg is gonna skip this year's version after two straight years...although the speedway is an awesome place, Indianapolis just doesn't have the atmosphere and character that Montreal has...not that there is anything wrong with that...