2013 Formula 1 Thread.

[Ruffdaddy]

well it wasn't enough apparently.

massa is out. raikkonen is in.

now the question is alonso's seat safe? big red could be cleaning house. i dont know if ferrari wants 2 #1s out there...

kimi + button or hulkenberg is a possibility.

Man this surprised me a bit. It sounds like Ferrari is making a statement. To act as if this is intended to make Alonso try harder is stupid. He seems to have given it his all no matter what. Maybe they know Alonso is fed up? I can't stand Alonso, and hate Ferrari more, but of he had a consistently good car on Saturday and Sunday, vettel wouldn't be so far ahead.

I still stand by my belief that vettel is of the highest caliber. I dont remember who it was on here doubting that bit maybe title 4 will change that. And don't even say its all car...

[pHILSANITY07]

What alonso did last year with a car that wasn't as good as vettel was impressive. If it wasn't for 2 finishes that we're crashes he probably would've won the championship. Yea he can be a whiner at times, but if both were in equal cars I'd take alonso over vettel. Besides, no hate between teammates can't be bigger than Vettel and Webber.

[Slowhand]

Alonso is staying with the Scuderia. I think Montezemelo has finally realized that the whole #1/#2 structure only works if you have the best car in the field or if you're very close to the best car in the field; no one is anywhere near Red Bull right now, and even with 2014 coming up to press 'reset' a bit, I think the paddock generally believes that Newey's car will be one of, if not the, quickest cars in 2014 as well. Two #1s gives them a huge advantage over RBR, McLaren, and even Mercedes, even if the car isn't the best of the field.

[aggie97]

I read an article last night that said Ferrari realized that when they didn't have a clear #1/#2 team setup, they did far better in the driver's championship and the constructor's championship...which is where the money is at.

As for Rosberg and Hamilton, it was something that was said a few races back after they had Nico remain behind Lewis. That one race apparently created a lot of tension between the teammates.

With the Lotus engineer now at Ferrari, it looks like they are trying to snap up new staff from a good team at lotus to improve their program. Smart.

As for Vettel...I can't stand him anymore. He has no personality and has yet to do anything to win the respect of the media, the fans or the other drivers. It is all about him and him alone. Schumacher had the same dominance and boring races, but did it with class. I also venture to say Vettel is not one of the top 3 drivers, he is just in a FANTASTIC car. I think the top three are Hamilton, Alonzo and Raikkonen. Vettel is fast on a clean lap, but he struggles terribly when back in the pack or doesn't have the freshest tires. That tells me that 80% of his success is the car.

[bird_dog0347]

As for Vettel...I can't stand him anymore. He has no personality and has yet to do anything to win the respect of the media, the fans or the other drivers. It is all about him and him alone. Schumacher had the same dominance and boring races, but did it with class. I also venture to say Vettel is not one of the top 3 drivers, he is just in a FANTASTIC car. I think the top three are Hamilton, Alonzo and Raikkonen. Vettel is fast on a clean lap, but he struggles terribly when back in the pack or doesn't have the freshest tires. That tells me that 80% of his success is the car.

Hmmm, I seem to remember when he came from the back of the pack last year at Abu Dhabi and no one was saying that was all car then? I'm not saying he's the greatest driver ever, but just having the best car doesn't mean you WILL win... You still have to be a great driver too or guys like Hamilton/Alonso/etc. will pass your ass.

[momo]

it's too hard to compare drivers amongst different teams.

there is no question that vettel is amazing. i wish we could have seen raikkonen at RBR to help answer how amazing.

[aggie97]

Hmmm, I seem to remember when he came from the back of the pack last year at Abu Dhabi and no one was saying that was all car then?

I was. I think I remember him running soft tires while the other cars were on hard's because he was out of sequence or something. So, yeah, he should have been faster in a great car with sticky tires.

He has skills and doesn't suck. I just can't stand his personality and I'm growing tired of the "Vettel Show". It's not helping F1 at all when we watch to see the race for 2nd through 10th because the guy at the front is boring us to death.

[Mach1]

I was. I think I remember him running soft tires while the other cars were on hard's because he was out of sequence or something. So, yeah, he should have been faster in a great car with sticky tires.

He has skills and doesn't suck. I just can't stand his personality and I'm growing tired of the "Vettel Show". It's not helping F1 at all when we watch to see the race for 2nd through 10th because the guy at the front is boring us to death.

Reminds me of this guy.

[bird_dog0347]

I was. I think I remember him running soft tires while the other cars were on hard's because he was out of sequence or something. So, yeah, he should have been faster in a great car with sticky tires.

He has skills and doesn't suck. I just can't stand his personality and I'm growing tired of the "Vettel Show". It's not helping F1 at all when we watch to see the race for 2nd through 10th because the guy at the front is boring us to death.

yep, I'd agree with all that. I'm really hoping next year levels the field a bit more, but I fear RBR will have fewer issues going fast cause of Newy...

[momo]

i think a new turbocharged engine could give renault more associated reliability hiccups vs mercedes or mclaren/honda.

i'm gonna miss the v8.

[aggie97]

yep, I'd agree with all that. I'm really hoping next year levels the field a bit more, but I fear RBR will have fewer issues going fast cause of Newy...

honestly, this year has been pretty good. I want to say the top 10 Qual times from the last race were within .9s. Awesome compared to years past.

Newey's cars will ALWAYS be awesome. He's a genius and has a GREAT team of engineers and finances behind him. Engine wise, they may struggle, but the car will be awesome. Ferrari should improve with it's acquisitions, Lotus....?, Mercedes is getting stronger every race and if their motor is #1 expect them to be there as Brawn has a good team under him too. Force india has a decent car but no motor program and their drivers are starting to slip up more. McLaren would be good to let Perez go and maybe start lighting fires under Button, but it may be the team just doesn't have the resources/staff to make it happen. Keep in mind that Vodafone is getting out of the racing sponsorship game.

I hope the fields are close or there are mechanical teething issues to mix things up a bit.

[momo]

2013 FORMULA 1 SINGTEL SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX


simply a flawless performance from vettel and RBR. basically since P2 there was never a question of what was going to happen. biggest domination of the year. a +4 second gap in 2 laps? simply ridiculous. he is going to have this season wrapped up soon.

as far as RBR, i just dont get how webber's car can always have issues. either it's him and his driving style or his size causing issues a smaller driver doesn't experience. then there is the conspiracy side of things: his car. doubt that would be the case, but if it is, rbr can't afford to do that next year with stronger constructor contenders. either way, the situation is odd.

amazing performance from alonso though we never saw him again after his +4 position start.

even more amazing performance was kimi's performance from 13th. great drive and an awesome pass on button.

the mercedes boys seem quite chippy on the radio recently. clearly the drivers think they can do better but either the car is not up to snuff or the team isn't make the right decisions.

the race for 3-8 were good again and the saving grace of the race. who says you can't pass in singapore/tight street circuit?

favorite part of the weekend? alonso stopping to pick up webber. though it looks like an FIA reprimand for alonso. (fucking FIA)

overall singapore has a great feel. i hope bahrain turns into a night race, would make that boring race way better.

[pHILSANITY07]

Webber gets a 10 grid penalty for that. They say because when alonso stopped the two Mercedes cars had to avoid them. Bullshit for one of the coolest moments between competitors.

[Slowhand]

Far more entertaining than I expected, but a bit of a snoozefest until the last 10 or so laps.

[bird_dog0347]

When I saw Webber riding on Alonso's side pod I was thinking that's the coolest thing I've seen in F1 in years, but some how they will get yelled at or penalized for it... Sure enough, fuck the FIA, race was over, Webber's last season, etc.