I couldn't agree more. Civil dialog is always to be preferred, yet interestingly you do not address the rather uncivil remarks made by the individual who is referring to Hamilton as "Macbrat". . . now why would that be? Again, just curious.

 

You are correct, Gromit801 didn't need to re-start the name game; that's an issue. It's not the first time, and he and I will share a few words on the subject via pm. On the other hand, one caustic remark can be ignored.

You seem to think my attempt to stem any escalation was aimed at you and I assume it's because I quoted your question. I can see how you could come to that conclusion and I therefore apologize.

I used your question in my post because even though Gromit started the name calling, you (I'll assume without knowing it) asked a question that can make things worse. I simply would rather not see it answered. Why? Again, because that's how we headed down the slippery slope the last couple times.

 

Excellent response and I agree totally. Perhaps then this Gromit person could pm me with his answer. I anticipate his civil, dispassionate, and evidence-based justification. nuf said . . .

 

So, turning back to the recent race...

I love to watch Kubica's car control, particularly when they show any on-board camera footage. Even enjoyed the on-board footage of his first trip into the pits; obviously pushing like crazy yet controlling the car. I remember a quali session earlier in the season where he drifted way over the curbs in the final fast corner but he kept his foot on the floor anyway and hauled the car back in line to finish the lap in a very good qualifying position.

 

+1

Kubica is a great and mature driver. Give him a car and he'll be in Kimi and Alonso's league. He's just as much an iceman as they are.

Lewis and Massa make too many mistakes related to lack of maturity.

 

My my. I have had my views of McLarens #1 driver for the last two years. They are not debatable, as they are MY views and opinions. To each their own.

 

IMO - I cannot make a judgment on whether Lewis is a butthead or a great chap since I do not know him nor have I ever met him. However, based on interviews, he seems like a kid who just loves what he does, living a dream come true. I can say that I'm always impressed over the fact that he always thanks the team and never blames them for the car not performing, its always "we have work to do" or "I made mistakes" that goes a long way in my book.

I have a career which puts me in a position where my actions (based on a talent) may make or break months or even years of hard work and cost lots of money (nowhere like F1 but still lots of $$$$) literally in a matter of seconds, and I have made those mistakes and let the team down but it happens, thus I suppose I can relate to Lewis on that front. Giving praise to your team goes a long way at maintaining their support when you do screw up.......

I think he's going to take the championship and Massa will be let down, Massa has truly been Lewis' equal and their battle this season has been one of the best.

If only the stewards would have stayed out of the picture and made rulings when rulings were truly needed......the year would have been perfect

 

Just to be fair, I never liked Senna for the same reasons I don't like McLarens #1 Driver. Too much arrogance, and kamikaze driving that makes Sato look good.

 

Was James Garner considered arrogant ? He did push until he got into the water. Love that movie, just as "stereotyped" as MGM's Battle of Britain

Its nice to think that you can always be the gentleman, always make the perfect pass.......but as I recall reading in one of the many WWII RAF Fighter pilot memoirs I have, the author talks about his first dog fight practice in a fighter and how his instructor told him "shake me off your tail". The young pilot then did his best aerobatics, performing every move with perfect precision, only to find his leader on his tail. The instructor then told him to stay on his tail which he attempted to do, what followed was some of the most amazing flinging and flailing about the young pilot had ever seen, it quickly became apparent that he had great difficulty in staying on his tail. The lesson learned, precision is not the way to stay alive, you do what you have to.........yeah F1 is not a true life and death struggle but then it is your life and your livelihood on the line and its everything to win.

IMO- If every race was performed like China I would find something else to hold my attention, spend more time waxing the MINI ?

Though I'm glad Lewis put in a perfect weekend and Massa did perform a lovely pass on Kimi, the high point of China was the lights going out and the sprint to turn one. Shades of a red car and a guy named Schu.......when I abandoned F1 out of boredom.

 

Which pilot autobiography was that? I have a fair number myself.

Did anyone truly think, the grid seems a bit unfair? I don't mind a bit of a stagger, but giving the pole sitter over a car length head start on the pack seems a bit unfair. Let's go back to side by side, and maybe let the pole driver decide if her wants the inside or outside.

 

When no one is trying to kill you, precision usually IS the way to stay alive. Still, lack of precision is one thing, wreckless is another. All drivers are guilty of wrecklessness from time to time and that's just part of racing...sometimes you make mistakes and sometimes you take risks...therein lies entertainment for the viewers. I only have issues with the guys who make so many wreckless moves it starts to look like a habit, or intentionally and repeatedly make moves that are risky to the lives and races of others rather than just their own.

My favorite part of Massa's "brilliant" pass on Kimi was listening to Hobbs' sarcastic narative...hilarious!

 

Gromit - I'll check my stash, one of the spit drivers if I recall, might be a bit since they're all in temp storage right now might have been Dundas, not sure.

Kurv- I liked Hobbs dry humour too but even better was the sound of Kimi's V8 backing off, brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr bwannnnnnnn ! Man that had to hurt ! Did you see his pit exit ? real slow !

I understand the point on the precision (my flying calls for that) but you can liken an F1 driver to a fighter pilot rather than an airline driver

 

Memory Jog: Alan Deere, Johnnie Johnson, Ginger Lacey, Richard Hillary, Geoffrey Page, Robert Tuck, Douglas Bader....?

I loved Fred's radio comment, "I'm as quick as the Ferrari's" Damn good reason to stay with Renault.

 

Yes, except I'd still rather see drivers execute their riskiest maneuvers in ways that don't needlessly endanger others...at least most of the time. Once in a while is easily excused because everyone else on the track knows the risks of being out there; everyone knows the term "racing incident." If you want to risk your own car and race, fine, but repeatedly mess up others when you do so and you'll draw more than just disdain from your fellow drivers.

 

The tricky part about deciding which team is a good bet next year is figuring out who's most likely to first come to grips with all the rule changes. Major changes in aero and KERS are the biggest as far as I know, plus the effects of KERS on braking and, potentially, F1's version of "push to pass" that KERS will enable. Lots of BIG variables and potential grid shake-up as a result.

Of course the cynics (or should I say realists?) will say the team most likely to win the race to best integrate the changes will be the team with the most money...might be true...

 

Yep, them's the guys.....Alan Deere's Nine Lives is incredible, one very lucky sod ! I have Johnson's, Hillary's, Page's, Dundas, Stapleton, Demoulin, Johnstone and quite a few more.

Those drivers with disdain are also very envious of the guy with the faster car too.

 

True that. Everyone starting from square one. Fred is a great development driver, and I think that will help Renault a lot. You know, that would make an interesting list. Who are the good development drivers in F1? Look at the teams that have really surged this year: Renault, STR, Toyota.

 

For some reason, I'm thinking "Cocky" Dundas' book might be the one.

 

Anyone know if Michael will be a development driver this year, too?

 

Yeah I'm thinking that too but a brief scan of "Flying start" does not reveal anything.....I was also thinking Hillary since I've done quite a bit of research on him, loved his "money for old rope" comment to his fellow eager young pilots after his perfect first landing with his Spitfire MkI. So much like an F1 driver who just won a race, you know "happens everyday" kind a thing.

Love Cocky though, the whole red lining and brass A's on the uniform what a character ! and the Typhoon, that's a freaking Nascar ride compared to the F1 like Spitfire ! and a Group Captain at 23 years old !

Sometimes one picture says it all......a true brit



Sorry for leading the F1 thread astray but it is the start of a new week and there's not much news out there.....

 

With Honda's dismal past two years, it would be real nice to see them and (hopefully) Jenson Button make some real headway, I'd love to see Jense battling with Lewis and Felipe for the lead. I'm sure he's not hurting for money but what a tough time for an excellent driver......

 

Never have witnessed Hamilton being arrogant, just the opposite - fairly humble. Would agree that sometimes is driving is erratic. It cost him the championship last year and it may again this year. But to say his driving makes Sato look good . . . . pulllleeeze.

 

I agree, as for last year, it was his first year in F1......

 

Guess you don't read interviews with him much.

 

Cite me an example and I'll give it a read.