Formula One

[dboat]

I just got finished watching the race.. Well, its olmost a done deal for Alonso to get the championship this year. It would take a complete breakdown for Raikkonen to win it now.
(rant on) It just burns me up :flaming: to see how the stupid tire rule changes have completely screwed it up this year. I am so upset about this it, it almost makes we want to quit being a fan. Again this weekend, the tire issues came up.. even though Raikkonen had an engine failure, he probably still would have run the race except for a tire issue.. in fact, Montoya was about to have a tire failure as well, but held on for the win. This is just freakin' ridiculous. (rant off)
I am disappointed that Michael S is not in the hunt but its good for the sport to have others in close competition, a runaway is not good for the sport.
However, MS is about at the end of his career and it would be good for him to go out on top. IMHO, he is the greatest driver to have ever driven. His stats are so incredible the defy belief. He has now said he will decide next March whether to continue or not. I dont have another driver that I am a huge fan for, but there are some young guns coming up that will provide for some interesting racing, Kimi, Juan Pablo, Alonso, Fisichella, Button, Trulli, Pizzonia, etc. But they just dont have the extra talent that Michael has..
Back to the racing, I hope that F1 recognizes the tire issues and deals with it. I also hope that if Ferrari is going to stick with Bridgestone, that BS gets with the program from an R&D perspective and can supply a competitive tire. When MS has one of the four fastest cars but barely makes the top ten.. you know its the tires and not the car or the driver..

Dana

[Mika]

F1 may be going to a one tire supplier, and due to the debacle at Indy this year, it'd be Bridgestone. There's rumors flying around about Michael retiring this year, and his contract is up after the next. Alonso, Kimi, JPM will keep it interesting. Hopefully for the U.S. Scott Speed will make something of it in the next year or two. He is signed up as the '06 test driver for Renault, I believe. There's a good chance that Kimi will take Michael's place, should he decide to retire. I really wish that McLaren would give Kimi a car that can make it through a race or two. It's frustrating to see such talent going to waste because of an unreliable car.



Mika

[dboat]

Mika, I couldnt agree more on the reliability of the McLaren's these days.. very fast and hope that its a short race..

During the race today, it was noted that Michael will decide next March if he is going to retire next year or race next year.. well that wont give Ferrari any time if he decides to retire..my best guess is that he doesnt want to campaign for another year in a car that isnt competitive. You can tell from the interviews that he is getting a bit testy.. cant say I blame him though. He no longer needs the money since he has been getting $100 million a year from Ferrari for his last two contracts.. plus whatever he gets outside of racing as well.. not too shabby..

Dana

[Mika]

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe there's a clause in his contract that basically says if he wants to retire, he can, but he'd have to give Jean Todt and Luca Montemozolo(I know I butchered that name) 1 year notice. It very well may be time for Michael to wrap up his career.

Never would I have imagined MS's career coming to an end so quickly. The last 5 years Ferrari have dominated. It's quite a surprise to see Renault and McLaren putting up race worthy cars(well, more McLaren actually).

There is a good chance that it could be Valentino Rossi and Kimi in '07. But who would it be for '06? Also, Ron Dennis isn't exactly too keen on letting Kimi go. But Kimi may just take a pay cut or do whatever it takes to get into a car that can be kept on the road, and not in the paddocks.


Mika

[Sixpipes]

Formula One has legislated themselves right out of my interest. The Michelin disaster at Indy didn't help either. :cool:

[L8 APEX]

Michelin is usually on top of racing tires. I remember when the C5 was running GoodYears at Daytona in ALMS due to corporate ties. They were losing by 28 seconds after 24 hours of racing. Ron Fellows was crying afterwards knowing he would have won with better tires. Berretta drove the Team Orca Viper to victory that day on Michelins. But since the Corvette is sold with GoodRocks on it new the race team had to run GoodYear race tires as well even though they SUCKED!

[Mika]

Formula One has legislated themselves right out of my interest. The Michelin disaster at Indy didn't help either. :cool:

I was at Indy when it happened. Needless to say, I wasn't too happy. My parents drove from Florida, and their friends came from Finland to see the race. F1 racing is still fantastic, despite the lack of American drivers. In the next few years though, Speed might find a seat in the F1 paddocks as a driver, not a tester. The 1 set of tires for qualifying and race is BS to me, but the Max and Bernie wanted to reduce the costs of tires per season. If there's going to be any 1 tire constructor, it's going to be Bridgestone.



Mika

[dboat]

Mika,
I was there too.. I am waiting to see how the "free" ticket thing is going to work for next year. If everybody is running the same tires, then MS has a decent shot at one more championship next year.
Dana

[Sixpipes]

Now this might be worth watching...:cool:

http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=8187

[Tex Arcana]

I predicted that ALonso would win if MS didn't. ;-) Alonso is a damned talented driver, on par with Michael, and as long as he has a reliable and good team with him, he'll win his share of chamionships.

Kimi just is not the driver everyone seems to think he is, he's very "on-off", and has no real middle ground, which is why he kills his cars. JPM is much more talented (see how he managed to nurse his car, even to the point of his tire starting to go much later than Kimi's did), and can eke out more from an ill-behaving car than Kimi can.

I think MS will be back next year, with a whole new car that'll be much mroe competitive; I think Alonso will have a war on his hands, defending from McLaren and Ferarri; I think Kimi will selfp-destruct, and JPM will end up being the big challenger, with MS, for the champeenship. ;-)

[dboat]

Now this might be worth watching...:cool:

http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=8187

Interesting story, although I dont know the rider at all. But then to make the leap that it will be him and Kimi is even more interesting..

Tex, I pretty much agree with you except that I am finding that the car has a big piece to play in this over driver skills. There are not that many drivers that can make up for a crappy car or tires. MS is one that can. JPM maybe, I am not in Alonso's camp yet. I do think that Kimi is a very talented driver but McLaren and Renault have had superior cars. It has been a good year to watch because you still have guys like Jarno Trulli and R Schumacher and Button that still show up on occasion to make it fun. Sato will/should be gone soon. Did you hear that one of those last place teams has had 6 different offers to buy them? Incredible.
Dana

[Tex Arcana]

Interesting story, although I dont know the rider at all. But then to make the leap that it will be him and Kimi is even more interesting..

Tex, I pretty much agree with you except that I am finding that the car has a big piece to play in this over driver skills. There are not that many drivers that can make up for a crappy car or tires. MS is one that can. JPM maybe, I am not in Alonso's camp yet. I do think that Kimi is a very talented driver but McLaren and Renault have had superior cars. It has been a good year to watch because you still have guys like Jarno Trulli and R Schumacher and Button that still show up on occasion to make it fun. Sato will/should be gone soon. Did you hear that one of those last place teams has had 6 different offers to buy them? Incredible.
Dana

I've been watching Kimi since he broke in, and he's very hard on his vehicles, and VERY on-off. And, so far, I've never seen him do well unless he starts from the pole and can basically run away, and even then he ends up breaking things. JPM is a much smoother driver, who can control not only an ill-handling car (look at how *good* he is on cold tires), but one that needs to be babied to make the end. HOnestly, if some of the rumors are to be beieved, Kimi is on his way to a meltdown, esp. if he keeps partying like he does.

Yah, Sato is a spare, and should be sent to NASCAR. :d

I'm not surprised, buying a bad team is the cheapest way to get into the most popular motorwport worldwide--just look at REd Bull. Speaking of, isn't it funny that these year-old JAGS are suddenly doing MUCH better than last year?? And that Coulthard could out-place Weber in a car that was **** last year, while Weber can't do squat in a definitley superior car (the Williams)?? I think Weber might end up going back to Oz after this season, I do'nt think Frank WIlliams will put up with his silly excuses and "wide car" that ends up wrecked pretty much every race.

And, speaking of "poison pills", when will Villeneuve get retired again?? I can't see SAuber/BMW putting up with his antics. Oh, you don't think he's a pill?? Witness BAR: before Villeneuve left, Button was all but written off and set for retirement; after Villeneuve, Button blossommed and because one of the premier drivers out there. Yes, the car is alot of it, but not even a great car can overcome a shitty driver. ;)

[dboat]

I've been watching Kimi since he broke in, and he's very hard on his vehicles, and VERY on-off. And, so far, I've never seen him do well unless he starts from the pole and can basically run away, and even then he ends up breaking things. JPM is a much smoother driver, who can control not only an ill-handling car (look at how *good* he is on cold tires), but one that needs to be babied to make the end. HOnestly, if some of the rumors are to be beieved, Kimi is on his way to a meltdown, esp. if he keeps partying like he does.

Yah, Sato is a spare, and should be sent to NASCAR. :d

I'm not surprised, buying a bad team is the cheapest way to get into the most popular motorwport worldwide--just look at REd Bull. Speaking of, isn't it funny that these year-old JAGS are suddenly doing MUCH better than last year?? And that Coulthard could out-place Weber in a car that was **** last year, while Weber can't do squat in a definitley superior car (the Williams)?? I think Weber might end up going back to Oz after this season, I do'nt think Frank WIlliams will put up with his silly excuses and "wide car" that ends up wrecked pretty much every race.

And, speaking of "poison pills", when will Villeneuve get retired again?? I can't see SAuber/BMW putting up with his antics. Oh, you don't think he's a pill?? Witness BAR: before Villeneuve left, Button was all but written off and set for retirement; after Villeneuve, Button blossommed and because one of the premier drivers out there. Yes, the car is alot of it, but not even a great car can overcome a shitty driver. ;)

:tu: :tu:

[dboat]

http://www.formula1.com/news/3572.html

Interesting too is that they are going to run Michelins next year by contract. So it appears that if there is only going to be one tire, it might just be Michelin. Bridgestone has got to do more if it plans on catching up at this point. However, a rule change could change all of this.
Dana

[dboat]

http://www.formula1.com/news/3575.html

another team goes to Bridgestone, and possibly another, as Michelin states they want to work with fewer teams next year..
This should prove to be interesting..

[dboat]

With the title still up for grabs, the inherent rivalry of Montoya and Kimi; and one fact is that the Bridgestone wet tires are superior to the Michelins. This could be a very good race to watch. Then there is the Michael factor. Arguably one of the best wet weather drivers in history, he could be a real spoiler to the whole thing, plus he would like to keep his place in the points battle and not drop to fourth.
Dana

[Mika]

I was happy with the race, except for the fact that Pizzonia ran into Montoya for no reason whatsoever. I really hope he had a mechanical failure that caused him to run into JPM. Kimi's hopes for winning a driver's championship gets slimmer and slimmer as time goes on. He did pull off some sick laps though when Juan went in to pit. 1:53 range when everyone else was running 1:55-58.

Sato is gone from Honda. His Japanese name has carried him this far, which is generous if you ask me. When the announcers were saying Sato was working his way through the field, I told my fiancee that he'll be in the gravel within 10-15 laps. I was wrong, he was in Michael's rear end in 5. Sato frustrates me because there are so many other worthy drivers that deserve that seat better than him.



Mika

[dboat]

I was happy with the race, except for the fact that Pizzonia ran into Montoya for no reason whatsoever. I really hope he had a mechanical failure that caused him to run into JPM. Kimi's hopes for winning a driver's championship gets slimmer and slimmer as time goes on. He did pull off some sick laps though when Juan went in to pit. 1:53 range when everyone else was running 1:55-58.

Sato is gone from Honda. His Japanese name has carried him this far, which is generous if you ask me. When the announcers were saying Sato was working his way through the field, I told my fiancee that he'll be in the gravel within 10-15 laps. I was wrong, he was in Michael's rear end in 5. Sato frustrates me because there are so many other worthy drivers that deserve that seat better than him.

Mika

I couldnt agree more.. I hope that F1 doesnt fine MS for his little slap on the helmut of Sato.. I would have kicked him :flaming: , just as the announcer said..
Dana

[Mika]

If F1 does anything at all, they should take Sato's seat away. He's ruined more races than anyone else I know, including Villenueve. Jacques needs to let folks who are faster than him just go on by, instead of trying to retain his "world champion" status. Better yet, they both need to retire(Sato and Villenueve).
I've said it before and I'll say it again. The only reason Sato is where he is is because of his lineage. If he wasn't Japanese, he woulda been gone a LONG time ago...


Mika

[dboat]

If F1 does anything at all, they should take Sato's seat away. He's ruined more races than anyone else I know, including Villenueve. Jacques needs to let folks who are faster than him just go on by, instead of trying to retain his "world champion" status. Better yet, they both need to retire(Sato and Villenueve).
I've said it before and I'll say it again. The only reason Sato is where he is is because of his lineage. If he wasn't Japanese, he woulda been gone a LONG time ago...


Mika

btw, what is up with JV and wanting to block people all the time.. its apparent he doesnt have the drive or will to pilot a car like he did when he first came to F1 and eventually won a championship... is it that he is worried about ending up like his father, or did he make so much money early on that he no longer has the desire?
with Sato, he was a gimmee... whats going to happen to the current Minardi drivers, I expect long gone.. I wouldnt be surprised to see at least one of the Jordan drivers gone too..
Dana

[Tex Arcana]

btw, what is up with JV and wanting to block people all the time.. its apparent he doesnt have the drive or will to pilot a car like he did when he first came to F1 and eventually won a championship... is it that he is worried about ending up like his father, or did he make so much money early on that he no longer has the desire?
with Sato, he was a gimmee... whats going to happen to the current Minardi drivers, I expect long gone.. I wouldnt be surprised to see at least one of the Jordan drivers gone too..
Dana
The problem with Villeneuve, besides being the second-fattest-assed driver in F1 (only to Weber, who can make that car's butt seem 10 feet wide), is that he's got an ego the side of Webers ass, and not enough talent to justify it. He's just in it for the money and the ego boost. Sato is just talented enough to make the show, but he seems to have a bad case of ADD, and can't concentrate long enogh to race. And, yeah, he should be gone, too.

[Mika]

btw, what is up with JV and wanting to block people all the time.. its apparent he doesnt have the drive or will to pilot a car like he did when he first came to F1 and eventually won a championship... is it that he is worried about ending up like his father, or did he make so much money early on that he no longer has the desire?
with Sato, he was a gimmee... whats going to happen to the current Minardi drivers, I expect long gone.. I wouldnt be surprised to see at least one of the Jordan drivers gone too..
Dana

Jacques still thinks he's world champion material. He thinks his sh1t doesn't smell. So he thinks that if he gets passed, then he doesn't deserve to be there. Mainly it boils down to ego. His ego is huge, and the commentators at SpeedChannel admitted that his car is "very wide". I was just hoping that he would have stayed in front of Alonso, but I guess his car got skinny all of the sudden.

I don't care much for Sato. Never have, never probably will. He shows flashes of brilliance, but his bad moments far outnumber/outdo his good ones. Japanese folks wanted a Japanese driver in a Japanese car, and they got it. He's actually been Japan's best driver nationally. BUT, he isn't good enough for F1. In F3(I think it was F3), he dominated. But good results in F3 doesn't always equal good results in F1.



Mika

[Silver_2000]

I've been watching Kimi since he broke in, and he's very hard on his vehicles, and VERY on-off. And, so far, I've never seen him do well unless he starts from the pole and can basically run away, and even then he ends up breaking things. JPM is a much smoother driver, who can control not only an ill-handling car (look at how *good* he is on cold tires), but one that needs to be babied to make the end. HOnestly, if some of the rumors are to be beieved, Kimi is on his way to a meltdown, esp. if he keeps partying like he does.


I have one question about Kimi

All the other drivers and cars advertise something - some product on the car and on the race suit - Kimi advertises "Kimi"

Is he a wealthy brat ? Whats the deal - Or is he just wanting to make sure we know who is driving ?

Doug

[Tex Arcana]

I have one question about Kimi

All the other drivers and cars advertise something - some product on the car and on the race suit - Kimi advertises "Kimi"

Is he a wealthy brat ? Whats the deal - Or is he just wanting to make sure we know who is driving ?

Doug


No, it's the new European ban on cigarette advertising: Mercedes/McLaren's major sponsor is West tobacco; whenever they're in a country thta's following the ban, they replace the "West" logo with "Kimi" for Kimi, and "Juan Pablo" for JPM.

Also, something else to consider in this discussion, which is easily (and usually) overlooked: that most top-end drivers must come to the tablw with their own sponsorship in place, that's willing to put up the money to help that driver get into a seat. It's really very rarely about talent anymore, it's about who can draw the most money. Sato has a HUGE amount behind him coming from Japan, which doesn't say much about the amount of talent in that country, if he's the best they've got.

[Mika]

Another race showing how good Sato is. At least he didn't waste any time, going off in the first corner. Tex, you are right. Sato is the best that has come from Japan(past and present). But he's still a ways away from being a contender. He has a huge backing though, which translates to big $$$. That's the ONLY reason he's still in F1. I really wish that Japan would get a good driver in an F1 seat, so they wouldn't have to waste time with Sato.

Villeneuve needs to be stabbed. Great way to take away a possible 1-2 McLaren finish. Thanks Jacques...:mad:

Kimi. Wow. Just...wow. Starting out in 20th, and winning the race. Guess he doesn't have to run up front the whole time, eh?



Mika

[dboat]

Sato was disqualified and Villeneuve was penalized 25 seconds for their actions today.. doesnt help those that Sato took out of the race today and last week.. meaning Schumacher last week and Trulli this week. Along with Villeneuve causing Montoya to wreck..

http://www.formula1.com/race/news/3705/749.html

What was amazing was to watch Michael, Alonso and Kimi make their way through the pack like a hot knife thru warm butter.. did you see the start of that race? Holy Cow...

Fisichella blamed the SC having to come out for so many laps on his inability to win.. :crying: and then there was Ralf Schumacher also blaming so many SC laps on screwing his 3 stop strategy and causing him to not win or podium as well..

One thing is that MS has a 2 pt lead over Montoya for 3rd in drivers points and Ferrari has secured 3rd place in the constructors championship.. pretty good considering they have had crap for tires this year. They are already working on their 8 cyl car for next year instead of the 10 cyl they are running this year.. who knows, maybe MS can win one more championship on his way out.. it looks like he can still drive.. but Alonso and Raikkonen really looked good today.. Kimi just flat out flew today... he was impressive.

Dana

[Mika]

I agree 100%. Seeing Alonso, Michael and Kimi slide right on through the lineup. Kimi had a problem with Michael, but was eventually able to overtake. He couldn't overtake Alonso though, so props to Alonso for holding him back.

After 1 lap, Kimi went from 20th to 12th. It was really sweet seeing him do so well, coming from behind.

It should be interesting to see Ferrari next year. I honestly think it is going to be Michael's last year. I am sure that he would like to go out in a blaze of glory, showing all these "young punks" how to take care of business. One good thing they got going for them is Bridgestone is going to have two more teams on their side, and hopefully that will aide them in their tire advancement.

Fisi blamed the SC? Ha! He's a decent driver, but he's not up to par with Alonso. As far as I'm concerned, the best drivers in F1 are(in no order); Michael, Kimi, Alonso, and JPM. I think that out of those 4, there will be lots of shared championships.


Mika

[dboat]

As far as I'm concerned, the best drivers in F1 are(in no order); Michael, Kimi, Alonso, and JPM. I think that out of those 4, there will be lots of shared championships.
Mika

I agree on that too.. There are some others that show signs of being able to compete,, like Button on occassion, or Ralf S sometimes.. but no one else outside of the group of 4 you mention on a regular basis. With the changes coming next year, it should be interesting.. but I agree that Michaels next year is his last.. you can tell he wasnt having a good time at all this year. He had to cover for his tire manufacturer, but he did so at all times. He is a class act.

[dboat]

Apparently, Aguri Suzuki has filed to start an 11th F1 team. It will be Honda powered and use Bridgestone tires. Its not a done deal yet.. BUT BUT BUT

HE IS GOING TO USE SATO AS HIS LEAD DRIVER...:flaming: :vomit: When are they going to get over this guy? I cant believe we will have to put up with him again...

rant off

Dana

[Mika]

Sato pulls HUGE money from Japanese companies, which is the ONLY reason he gets a seat. Sadly, he is the best Japanese driver in terms of previous Japanese F1 drivers.

Yes, it also sucks donkey balls that he wastes a seat in F1, when someone more deserving should be in that seat.


Mika