2012 Random F1 Discussion

Tobias · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 12:35 pm

who was the journalist again who said on Friday morning that Hamilton would obtain definite number 1 status at Mercedes? Just so I can put it on the list as "untrustworthy"

acopip · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 12:52 pm

scarsurfing wrote:

Now just give them decent front-and rearwings and we have some beautiful cars :thumbsup:

viXious · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 12:54 pm

Cool to see Prost back in a F1 car.

RtN · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 1:03 pm

Couple of interesting things from an AMuS article this morning;

-McLaren's original offer to Lewis was €9 million + bonuses (which is less than they pay Button), which went down about as well as the Hindenburg and started the process of Lewis contacting Mercedes.

-If Lewis had stayed with McLaren, Mercedes would have sought out Perez as well, and not Schumacher.

ellis · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 1:23 pm

Despite McLarens numerous failings throughout the year, Lewis still outscores Jenson rather significantly. It's pretty insulting, but not surprising, Whitmarsh wanted to cut Hamiltons pay.

kals · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 1:57 pm

Money isn't the be all and end all that most are making out in this situation with Lewis and McLaren. But he's close to near the top of his game so why shouldn't he be on comparable money with his peers?

The problem for McLaren is that they have totally mismanaged their relationship with Lewis for a number of years now. Through 2009 Lewis lost two key figures in his life (motorsport and personal) in his Dad and Ron Dennis. Whitmarsh has been totally incapable of replacing these two people and knowing the best way to look after Lewis. Lewis has shown throughout 2012 that he is none of the man he was in 2011, and despite suffering at the hands of poor reliability or pathetic pit work he hasn't once criticized the team (Spa aside...).

phil1993 · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 2:04 pm

Spa wasn't even a criticism of the team to be honest. It was him coming out and saying 'It wasn't my driving, it was the decision that we [him + engineers] went with'. Although that whole episode was curious.

I just wonder how much of it is the fact he wants a fresh start. He's probably a bit bored of the same challenge at McLaren - a good car, but the team incapable of providing him with a whole package to win another title. Fernando Alonso is still regarded as the best driver and he last won the title in 2006. He hasn't had the best car for a long time, yet he's still driving exemplary. If Hamilton can drag a Mercedes around like Alonso has with the R28/R29/F150/F2012, it'll raise his reputation.

kals · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 2:07 pm

Hamilton has already shown he could do that during the 2009 season. In fact there were a few races that he and Alonso battled wheel to wheel for 14th or 15th places, Silverstone being most memorable. Yet most people seem to have forgotten about that.

Gaara · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 2:08 pm

Trouble being nobody remembers battles that far down.

phil1993 · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 2:10 pm

kals wrote:

Hamilton has already shown he could do that during the 2009 season. In fact there were a few races that he and Alonso battled wheel to wheel for 14th or 15th places, Silverstone being most memorable. Yet most people seem to have forgotten about that.

I think the problem is that it was only for 7 or 8 races and occasionally in the second half of the season. It was good and people do overlook it. And yes, that Silverstone battle was immense. Although a bit more maturity and luck and he could have finished 3rd in the championship, amazingly.

kals · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 2:17 pm

Gaara wrote:

Trouble being nobody remembers battles that far down.

I was more referring to Lewis' overall season and how he managed to drag that car to some great results and 5th in the title race.

phil1993 wrote:

I think the problem is that it was only for 7 or 8 races and occasionally in the second half of the season. It was good and people do overlook it. And yes, that Silverstone battle was immense. Although a bit more maturity and luck and he could have finished 3rd in the championship, amazingly.

Yes and no. Australia was a team decision which cost him, Monza he tried too hard and in Abu Dhabi a brake issue lost him a win. Nurburgring was no-one's fault and who knows what could have happened. On the basis of those results being lost Lewis would have scored 70 points and been classified 4th.

phil1993 · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 2:23 pm

It was quite amazing how McLaren built a car that had such little downforce. In fact. Hamilton was brilliant in 2009 for the most part (except China when he spun about four times) and that last lap Monza crash - but of course, that was the race where Kovalainen was on a very good strategy and he finished 6th, that was the race that was the nail in Heikki's McLaren career.

micha · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:00 pm

kals wrote:

Money isn't the be all and end all that most are making out in this situation with Lewis and McLaren. But he's close to near the top of his game so why shouldn't he be on comparable money with his peers?

But those contracts where mainly signed well before the financial crisis. Would Ferrari offer Alonso the same amount if they would try to sign him today??

kals · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:08 pm

Alonso signed for Ferrari in 2009 which was over a year after the financial crisis emerged. Vettel and Webber have both signed extensions with Red Bull post-2010. Jenson signed a new agreement with McLaren in 2011. That renders the point about the financial crisis / state of the global economy being a contributing factor to negotiation and value redundant.

Tobias · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:20 pm

crisis anyone?

Quote:

Greece unblocks 30 million euros to build Formula 1 circuit
By Pablo Elizalde Monday, October 1st 2012, 13:24 GMT

Greece has unblocked nearly 30 million euros for the construction of a circuit capable of hosting a Formula 1 grand prix.

According to the ministry of development, the circuit will be built in Xalandritsa, near Patras, Greece's third largest urban area in the hope the country can host a Formula 1 event in the future.

The total cost of the track will be 94.6 million euros, according to Bloomberg, with private company Racetrack Patras SA to oversee the project.

Greece's economy remains in deep recession, with figures showing it contracted by 6.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2012.

In August the coalition government agreed fresh spending cuts totalling more than 11billion euros in order to qualify for the next instalment of its 130billion loan from international creditors.

Greece, which hosts a round of the World Rally Championship, has never had a Formula 1 driver.

Fish88 · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:22 pm

With Valencia gone we already have a name for that GP: The Grand Prix of Europe...

FFS

viXious · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:50 pm

So basically they are spending the money they get from other EU countries on building a racetrack. What is wrong with those people?

Coldtyre · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 3:58 pm

Fish88 wrote:

FFS

Alonsomania · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 6:02 pm

Fabs · PostPosted: Mon Oct 01, 2012 6:19 pm

I expect a payed plane ticket, a VIP pass and a grand suite in a hotel nearby since I've payed for this shit.

TBK-Light.com

2012 Random F1 Discussion

Who is online