The Vettel justifiers here are awesome. He's a turd plain and simple. I'm no Webber fan. In fact, I'm no RedBull fan...and that includes that cow **** they call a drink but team orders went out and Vettel ignored them. That being the case what he did was wrong. If the team didn't care who won then why the order?

 

No doubt Vettel is a d-bag...but he is a hyper competitive talented d-bag and that is why he is a multi time world champion.

I like it...gives me someone to root against...at least until he drives for Ferrari. At which time I will embrace his talent and drive. Though with Nando there I am not sure when Vettel will join the line up.

 

Just as the Vettel haters are interesting to read.

I'm not justifying his actions, nor am I approving or disapproving what he did, but it sure did give the media something to talk about didn't it?

And what else is there to talk about in a "spec" series?

I also find it interesting that out of all the things I've written about this subject, the only thing anyone focus' on is Vettel didn't follow team orders.

Neither did Webba when he tried to take Seb out by running him into the wall.......

I also do not understand how you guys can "hate" a driver you don't even know.

I think my point is still valid, if Webba doesn't want to be #2, all he has to do is go out and outqualify, outstart, outrace and finish better than his teammate. Just like any other team's drivers do. He'll get no sympathy from me till he does.

 

I respect Vettel's talent and have not been exactly thrilled by his attitude over the past few years, but I really agree with the point in the above post...it gives me someone to root against. At one point there were Prost and Senna, then you had Schumacher and now this will at least create some controversy in a series that has become rather lifeless.

Honestly, I'd like I see wind tunnel testing minimized and allow teams to test cars between races. Lets see teams take chances with new parts that may or may not work instead of this limited track time. It stifles the series and limits the chances for younger drivers to have a chance at moving into the series relegating us to see pay drivers funding the wind tunnel testing.

 

The testing ban sucks for the sport...let them get out there and test new parts and concepts...not only is it good for the cars and the racing, it is good for the young drivers to get seat time. Hopefully it will minimize the times they miss their braking points and slam into the back of a force india.

 

@ Mini Dave - Obviously Hate is a strong word if you are not capable of understanding it's use in this context.

The word Hate, just like the word Love has different connotations when applied in different situations.

Like just because I love Spaghetti and I love my kids...does not imply that if I had to choose between saving a plate of Spaghetti or saving my kids I would have a tough choice to make.

Do I hate him enough that I want him hurt or killed? No.
I hate him like I hate the Patriots or the Cowboys. I hate him (and Hamilton for that matter - who funny enough I was rooting for in the last few laps for the first time) to the point that watching the guys I Like beat him provides a great deal of entertainment. Helps fuel the passion and enthusiasm...if you liked all of them what would be the point of watching?

 

Any thoughts on the speed.com article speculating Mark Webber has signed a 5 year contract with Porsche to race in Le Mans?

I'm surprised if he's leaving considering he has been quite capable as compared to most drivers on the grid.

 

Not sure where he would go in F1 when he leaves Red Bull at the end of the year...I think Kimi going to Red Bull in an interesting Rumor....though not sure why he would leave a team that seems to be on the upswing where he is obviously top dog.

 

Porsche is denying it...

 

Really? Not capable of understanding?

Must get a lot of exercize leaping to conclusions like that!

 

I think Kimi may go since it looks like funding may become an issue if Genni pulls back on capitalizing the team as much as they have been.

 

An assumption based on your reply that you did not understand (your words not mine) how we could "hate" a driver we did not even know. I was explaining there were different levels of hate based on the situation, which you apparently did not understand...or at least said you did not understand.

No need to be agro ... don't hate me.

 

That is a good point...

 

Bahrain....I never remember if I like watching this race or not...I have to say the first part of the race was great...lots of good racing action. Got a bit boring in the middle with some good battles near the end further down the pack. But I guess that is how these races go now. Try to gain places, save tires and try to gain places.

McClaren looked better...Perez was a bit wild, but showed some of talent that got him the drive. I really like Button...but he needs to be a bit more aggressive...he seems like too much of a nice guy.

Ferrari...tough day, but Fernando getting back to eighth was a good result...and wtf happened to Felipe's rear right tire?

Mercedes...they have to be disappointed...Rosberg faded though Lewis made up some spots after the penalty.

Red Bull...good day for the Wunderkind...

Lotus - Great Result for both - not sure if it was mental or if there really was something up with RG's chassis but he had a great day and Kimi looked solid again.

Force India - so close for PD.

 

I'm stunned that a team with the experience that Ferrari has that they have made such critically flawed decisions in the last two races... How hard was it for them to tell Fernando to not use DRS after the first emergency pit stop?

Thoughts on Lewis' penalty? Should he have been penalized for a gearbox change that was due to damage from debris on the track as opposed to a gearbox failure?

 

With you on Ferrari
I thought the debris was from parts of Lewis' own rear suspension after it collapsed and damaged the gearbox.

 

Actually just read that it was a tire failure due to what they initially thought was debris....not Pirelli thinks it may have been caused by heat. Not really sure how I feel about that Penalty...

 

I tried three times to post that but I had a flakey internet connection all day

I get the idea behind the penalty - to encourage teams to develop more reliable components, but other than installing armor on the gearbox I'm not sure there's anything that Mercedes could do...

Then there's the other question to be asked of Mercedes... Just what happened to Lewis' car in the race... It was dog slow until after the second pit stop when it "woke up." Even Lewis has no idea why is suddenly started running well...

 

It looks like Mercedes is already gearing up for next year based on the fact that they announced half the work force will be working on the 2014 car by May....kind of like what Honda did their last year before Brawn stepped into a great car.

 

I wonder how much of an advantage this will be this time around though, since Ferrari and others are doing similar things to prepare for next year's changes to not be caught out.

 

So Mercedes says they're turning half their staff to focus on the 2014 car - but considering how much technical depth they have on their staff, will the shift really be all that noticeable?

So they have only two former technical directors working on the 2014 car instead of the four former technical directors that were working on it?


I think it depends on when the other teams shift focus, and how much staff they dedicate... Although from what I've heard Ferrari called folks up out of retirement to start working on the 2014 car. I think the bigger question for Ferrari is when do they start dedicating wind tunnel time to the 2014 car and not the 2013 car...

 

That was the best Spanish Grand Prix I can remember.

What a pass by Alonso going into turn 3. At this point the only car it seems Ferrari needs to worry about is the Lotus.

Silver Arrows and Red Bull have great qualifying speed, but can't seem to make it last for the race distance. Mercedes in particular have to figure something out...I wonder if Lewis felt great about going to Mercedes when he was passed by Button and Perez during the race...must have been so frustrating.

 

Honestly - I thought it was the worst race so far this season... It started out promising, the first few laps were definitely exciting, and then it became more about managing tires than about racing - even more than Shanghai.

Yes Mercedes needs to figure out what is going on - but so does McLaren. After the race, Jenson called McLaren's pace "embarrassing"

Same with Williams... How much longer can they perform at the level they've been at for the last 4+ years before they start loosing sponsors?

 

Alonso's sheer bravado making that outside pass at T3 was electrifying! Bravo Fernando!

I wouldn't count out Red Bull, Mercedes or for that matter McLaren just yet. The Lotus chassis is very competitive and seems to be gentle on its tires. Not only is the chassis fast but with a driver the likes of Kimi the Lotus will be a threat for a win or at the least a podium.
Ferrari is showing speed, consistency and durability... Three elements necessary for a successful bid for the WDC. In Alonso's capable hands Ferrari is demonstrating that a world title is a very real possibility for the team. Add to that, the resurgence of Felipe Massa and they begin to look very formidable, so look for them to make numerous visits to the top step of the podium.

Yes the Mercedes is fast in qualifying trim but its so hard on its rear tires thereby forcing Hamilton and Rosberg into the 'save the tires' race mode. I am sure that Ross Brawn is trying his best to remedy that issue and when they do the Silver Arrows will be flying. In the meantime Nico and Lewis will just have to endure till the fix comes in.

 

I'm with you, but Ferrari and Lotus are both able to push. Tires are being changed for Canada so we'll see what happens