***The Official 2011 Formula 1 Thread***

[Rey C.]

As long as Button stays close, it might come down to Red Bull vs. McLaren pit strategy. But if Vettel is able to sail away, and Button (or whomever) can't keep him in sight, Red Bull would have to totally flub the tire changes to cause him to lose. Too bad for Hamilton. I read that he's now been demoted to P10 because they say he cut a chicane in the Q3 session.

Oh well. The most interesting thing in this race will probably be if the wind catches Charlotte Casiraghi's sundress, assuming she's in the Royal Box again this year.

 

[Supafly]

Just 2 1/2 hours away now!

 

[Rey C.]

I had no idea you could change tires during a red flag - the deal was sealed right there. And what the hell was Hamilton doing ALL DAY???!!! What, did he think he was in an IRL race or something? My gosh, man!!! About the only thing he didn't hit was Charlotte Casiraghi! And if he'd hit her, I'd have to fly to Monaco... and get beat up by his bodyguard. But seriously, that had to be the worst display I've seen from Hamilton since his first year in GP2! :wtf:

Congrats to the youngster... AGAIN. That kid really is something else! Lucky for Vettel that he didn't let Alonso beat him. Otherwise I'd have to fly to Monaco... and get beat up by his bodyguard.

Hell of a race though. Agreed?

 

[Petra]

Evidently during a red flag you can do whatever you want with the car as long as it can be finished before the race starts again...so technically Hamilton's crew could have completely replaced his rear wing if they had it onhand.

And it was hell of a race. Crashes during free practice, crashes during qualifying, and a hell of a crash during the race itself.

Only thing better would have been me at the race. Oh well...I guess I'll hold out until Silverstone 2012 or even Spa.

 

[Member2019]

Ack, the lack of comradery, only re-enforced by the rabid fans, keeps me from getting into Formula 1. I love the races and the technology (although it can go a bit too far, and too anal in the rules), but I really, really tune out when it comes to the drama.

And the one thing that kills me is when I say something like this, people assume I watch NASCAR. Sigh. I don't get into NASCAR for the same reasons most Formula 1 fans don't. I also don't like watching IndyCar on ovals either.

Now I understand why a lot of Formula 1 drivers "retire" to the various LeMans teams. Between the pressure and the fans, I see why some leave early.

 

[Petra]

Ack, the lack of comradery, only re-enforced by the rabid fans, keeps me from getting into Formula 1. I love the races and the technology (although it can go a bit too far, and too anal in the rules), but I really, really tune out when it comes to the drama.

And the one thing that kills me is when I say something like this, people assume I watch NASCAR. Sigh. I don't get into NASCAR for the same reasons most Formula 1 fans don't. I also don't like watching IndyCar on ovals either.

Now I understand why a lot of Formula 1 drivers "retire" to the various LeMans teams. Between the pressure and the fans, I see why some leave early.

Every sport has fans that firmly follow one team/person or another. F1 isn't any different. However, this is a sport in which most fans will only get to be part of from their own living rooms or the internet since it's pretty unaccesable (500 euro or more per ticket on average).

Honestly, I don't think it's the fans that make drivers retire early. It's the demand of the sport and I think FIA/team politics play a huuuuge part.

For example, I thought for sure Massa was going to tell Ferarri to screw themselves after they made him get out of the way for Alonso last season.

And Webber/Vettle don't have the greatest relationship in team Redbull. Webber sure had a few things to say about clearly being 2nd driver last year.

For the most part though, what us fans want to see is a hell of a race which I've got to say has been delivered this season. Even with a lack of crashes...there's just been some hellishly good racing.

 

[larss]

Another exciting race, actually spoiled at the end by Alonso and Vettel being able to change tyres under the red flag. You just wonder what would have happened if they had had to keep going on those old sets of primes, against Buttons relatively new set.

 

[saschaxx]

Another exciting race, actually spoiled at the end by Alonso and Vettel being able to change tyres under the red flag. You just wonder what would have happened if they had had to keep going on those old sets of primes, against Buttons relatively new set.

I think at least 3 more laps + Button would have sniffed - in Alonso ....

 

[Petra]

I do have to say the stars and moon aligned for Vettle. There should have been no way that he could have won with the teams 1 change strategy.

He's a very lucky boy...I think fate has marked him as a 2x champion.

 

[Rey C.]

Yeah, unless McLaren (or the distant Maranello team) can radically change their fortunes VERY quickly, young Vettel has another one in the bag. It's hard to judge how much he has really matured, since he's been in clean air for so much of the season, but he does seem to be handling the pressure very well.

 

[Rey C.]

Ack, the lack of comradery, only re-enforced by the rabid fans, keeps me from getting into Formula 1. I love the races and the technology (although it can go a bit too far, and too anal in the rules), but I really, really tune out when it comes to the drama.

And the one thing that kills me is when I say something like this, people assume I watch NASCAR. Sigh. I don't get into NASCAR for the same reasons most Formula 1 fans don't. I also don't like watching IndyCar on ovals either.

Now I understand why a lot of Formula 1 drivers "retire" to the various LeMans teams. Between the pressure and the fans, I see why some leave early.

I see your point. But I've been watching motorsports since the 70's, and the only time I can recall any (real) camaraderie is within various Le Mans teams... and then, only because they were forced to share a car for 24 hours. Other than that, it's always been the case that if you couldn't beat anyone else on the track, you damn well better beat your teammate.

I've always loved Formula One because it's like life: it's not fair, some have an advantage as soon as they walk through the door, but the man who can build a better mousetrap can rule the world (of F1, anyway). NASCAR doesn't have that any longer. The IRL is a pure spec series and won't be much more than that even with the new spec tub next year. And even NASCAR Sprint Cup is basically just a silhouette series now. CART was my closest favorite to F1. But along came a man named Tony "Boy" George and all that we have now is a series that pretends that Danica P@trick is a legit racing driver... while showing her ass for GoDaddy ads (with her 1 professional race win in 14 years +/- of trying) = a joke that no one is laughing at. I now watch GP2 more closely than I do the IRL. And at one time I was calling in sick and missing loved one's birthdays to make CART races. As a premier open wheel racing series, all that's left is F1. And for the past few years, it's the best it's ever been, IMO.

But to each his own. :hatsoff:

 

[saschaxx]

I do have to say the stars and moon aligned for Vettle. There should have been no way that he could have won with the teams 1 change strategy.

He's a very lucky boy...I think fate has marked him as a 2x champion.

Yep, this race Vettel had luck (too) , but this young guy is a hell of a hard working racer, ...so in my eyes he deserves it .

Otherwise, after his 1st. (and only) pit-stop , he lost something like 10>12 seconds ...

 

[jlm555]

Vettel is the guy to beat this year

 

[Supafly]

Re: ***The Official 2011 Formula 1 Thread*** - Bahrain is off???

FIA asks Ecclestone to confirm Bahrain is off

LONDON: Formula One's governing body asked commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone to confirm the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday.

The Bahrain circuit organisers said in a statement on Thursday that they accepted the race, postponed in March due to bloody civil unrest, could not be held this year after teams opposed a rescheduling.

"In the light of the statement by the Bahrain International Circuit, we are now waiting for the commercial rights holder to suggest a new calendar to the World Motor Sport Council," an International Automobile Federation (FIA) spokesman said.

Ecclestone, attending the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal while FIA president Jean Todt will be at the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race this weekend, has already said a fax vote could be arranged quickly.

The FIA request is merely a bureaucratic formality, with Bahrain technically remaining on the 2011 race calendar for October 30 until the 26 member motor sport council agrees to remove it.

...

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...onfirm-Bahrain-is-off/articleshow/8802223.cms

 

[DimRay]

Magnificent race. So many events.

 

[busaguy79]

I agree so glad to see Button win!! And to watch Vettel fuck it up, very satisfying!!

 

[Rey C.]

I've sat in the rain for long periods waiting for the weather to clear (though not THAT long!) at races before, but were those dedicated fans in Canada treated to one of the greatest F1 battles in recent times or what???!!! The last half of the race made sitting in the rain all worth it, I'm sure! Wow!!! :eek:

Too bad my guy, Hamilton, went out early. But seeing Alonso's 150 Italia high-sided on that curb made up for that. And though I like Button, I've never felt like he had the killer instinct. But yesterday, he showed that he did. True, it had a lot to do with Vettel's screw-up. But Button did hunt him down and (IMO) force that mistake.
Congrats to Button! :hybrid:

 

[Facetious]

What have all of these exorbitantly wealthy F1 pompous asses done for the ranks of the common man / proletariat lately? :cussing:

''Champagne wishes & caviar dreams!'' :hybrid:

:1orglaugh

 

[Rey C.]

Not many people know this, but Fernando Alonso runs a soup kitchen before and after each Grand Prix event. I can't pronounce it in Spanish, but his most famous dish translates to "squirrel head soup" in English. The orphans and homeless people REALLY seem to dig it. :drool2:

But maybe you should check out Williams driver, Pastor Maldonado, Facetious. He's "down with the cause" (being Comrade Hugo's "boy" and all).

Course, you could always hang out with a "man of the people" NASCAR driver. He'll at least pretend to be a salt of the earth kinda feller... before he gets in his Lamborghini and goes back to his $4 million vacation home at Lake Norman.

 

[larss]

Button was brilliant yesterday. From LAST place at one point to win the race is truly amazing.
Shame Lewis went out, especially as there was nothing wrong with the suspension in the end. Somewhat of a screwup by the team there.