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Post by René on Oct 23, 2017 17:49:38 GMT
;Bottas has been disappointing since the summer break but I suspect there are a number of reasons for this. Good post Rob and I agree with your analysis regarding Bottas. It must be difficult for him right now and he needs to step up. But he is not as gifted as Hamilton is so the best he can be is a solid number two (like Berger was to Senna as you said). And although this is not how a racing driver should think, it is probably the wisest thing to do; accept you're not as good as Lewis. I also think he is not as good as Rosberg for that matter. |
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Post by Jamie on Oct 23, 2017 18:12:06 GMT
An excellent race overall I thought at a circuit I really enjoy, COTA seems to promote good racing and is so wide in places that a variety of different lines are available should a driver wish to 'sling one up the inside'. What a pity that Danny Ric was forced out with engine problems (I refuse to call it a PU or ICE  ) as he was looking very racy indeed and I enjoyed the early exchanges with Bottas, he came from so far back on some overtakes that I thought he'd torpedo his opponent for sure but he had it under control. Bottas was looking quite good in the early stages and I thought for a moment that he was back to a bit of form but it tailed off as the race wore on; he had a problem with the floor apparently but the early season promise he showed has wained hasn't it? Not sure why but, as the comments above, I think Hamilton is operating on a different plane at the moment and its probably quite demoralising for him - 2018 will be his last season at Merc I fear unless he turns it around, perhaps Toto will explore his options come seasons end if this continues but they may know something thats not apparent to us outsiders looking in.......from Toto and Nikki's comments it would seem this isn't so however?
Hamilton was on imperious form and looks very calm at the front, I really thought Vettel would win this one and wasn't surprised when he lead for the opening phase but LH stalked him in a very controlled manner, made the move and controlled it from there on. It got a bit close at the first stops as Seb was very quick on the new softs but Merc realised the threat quickly and any chance Ferrari had was gone.
LH will obviously be champion this year now and in my mind he fully deserves it - absolutely stunning form since Silverstone and I always like the man who's won the most races to be crowned so its going to end well for me 
Now I've said that he'll probably retire in the next 3 races and Seb will win them all
Great race from Verstappen as well, not sure how I feel about the penalty really? Much the same as Rene, part of me feels it was very harsh and took the shine off a stunning performance but it was obviously over the track limits so fair's fair. I witnessed the track limits totally ignored on many occasions however so I'd be feeling a bit sore over it if I was Max.
Very happy for Sainz too, I really like the cut of his jib and I can see myself becoming a fan in future years.
One last point - what did we think of the pre-race razzmatazz? I found the announcer absolutely toe-curling and didn't care for it at all - it just didn't seem to fit with F1 in my mind and I hope thats an experiment never repeated. I wanted the ground to swallow me up when he described Kvyat as "the torpedo", poor Daniil......most of the drivers just looked embarrassed. The thing is, I really enjoy this guy and his delivery at boxing matches so I'm not anti pomp and ceremony but it just seemed so out of place at an F1 race. |
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Post by charleselan on Oct 23, 2017 18:15:45 GMT
René,
I am still pretty much behind with unpacking my models etc from my two house moves over the past 9 years but am slowly getting some of my built kits into some new display units I have purchased over the past two years from the well known German Supermarket chain. Just to give you some idea here is a quick photo taken with my phone a few minutes ago of one cabinet partially filled, see what an eclectic collector I was/am
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Post by charleselan on Oct 23, 2017 18:25:45 GMT
This is a closer image of the display in which all the models are built from kits except the two Cosworth Sierra's in their own case.
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Post by Jamie on Oct 23, 2017 19:32:42 GMT
Some nice stuff there Charles, I particularly covert the Aston Martin AMR1 Group C car, one of my favourites. One of the bosses of the first company I worked for owned that very car in the mid-90's........a fabulous looking (and sounding) thing.
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Post by chrisb on Oct 23, 2017 20:53:38 GMT
I sense that Lewis has raised his personal level to a height he hasn't realised he could achieve, he is really driving well and most importantly no longer using - or perhaps needing to- drive, shall we say defensively? I can't get away from the thought he may well retire at the end of this year, but more likely next year.
Charles, totally with you about the C4 presentation, which I find mildly patronising, although it is a far more 'grown up' programme when the wonderfully professional Lee presents, and like you again Charles I find DC quite unappealing, what I may try next is the old BBC cricket trick, the picture on TV and the radio commentary as i think wee McNish is really good,
I am sorry chaps but I really didn't find it overwhelmingly exciting, I do like the circuit and the American way of presenting it was so refreshing, I enjoyed Daniel's and Max's overtaking attempts and successes, I was completely at a loss why Mercedes didn't pit Bottas some 15 laps from the end, but then I sense that all is not well there, I was seriously impressed with young Sainz, as the Hulk is my favourite driver I can hopefully see some really good battles, and Brendan Hartley was also impressive, Mark Hughes has dome some very interesting analysis on Brendan and i do concur with his last comment, and I do like nice stories,
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Post by Jamie on Oct 23, 2017 20:58:05 GMT
Really good point regarding Bottas Chris.....why didn't they pit him?
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Post by René on Oct 23, 2017 21:47:23 GMT
JC, thanks for sharing those pictures. I like that a lot! Glad to know I am not the only one here with more than just a few model cars in his collection (well, I know Rob also has a few  ). A special feature in the model car section about your collection would be great! I will take some pictures of my collections also. |
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Post by charleselan on Oct 23, 2017 22:16:13 GMT
Many thanks Jamie & René regarding the models. I have hundreds still stored away René, as I built kits like crazy from approx mid 1970's to mid 1990's. Many were done for the magazine I published, and i will scan some of my kit reviews in the model section if you like.
Jamie the AMR1 was an awesome beast and the loudest race car I have ever heard, that thundering great Callaway V8 motor used to make the pit straight at Donington and Le Mans shudder, a truly fabulous thing and one of them driven by the much missed David Lesley who was a lovely and interesting guy to talk with.
The model incidentally was produced in resin by a French company called Starter and was very well detailed for a 1.43rd kit; it features a lift off tail section revealing full engine detail all cast in one, simply beautiful.
Chris I am pleased to hear that i am not alone in my comments about the UK C4 broadcast, it was truly dire yesterday and on a par with the SKY version I have seen in the past. I don't know what it is about Coultard but he comes across as too flippant and shallow with the ever ready snipe at Kimi whenever he can, even Webber seems to be getting in on the act. I thought Lee McKenzie was very good at presenting the practice days, and I cannot fathom why she hasn't been given the overall job. I know she has some possible conflict of interest in that she is involved with driver promotions etc, but she rises above that. Unlike the overt patronage of Red Bull by its ex-drivers on the team.
Jordan is a complete ar*e and has become a parody of himself to such an extent he is now resembling the village idiot, he even had the temerity of suggesting that Kimi tried to turn into Max just before the illegal overtake, what a fool (Jordan that is).
I share your view sadly that it wasn't a particularly inspiring race, all the supposedly exciting overtakes were either done by cars using the awful "DRS"; or a car with superior engine power combined with fresher tyres. How can anyone get excited about that as a monkey could pass someone with better tyres fitted. What really is a long standing worry is the fact that there is a huge disparity in performance between the top three teams and the rest. The argument put forward by those that would wish it to stay, in that it has always been the case is flawed beyond belief, they should check their history before coming out with that. Plus in this day and age it could be managed just like they do in MotoGP.
Agree totally about young Sainz, an absolute star, and has been wasted for the past two years now. I like Hulkenberg but I feel he is going to have his work cut out now. I was also very impressed with Brendon Hartley he drove and conducted himself in an exemplary manner, and considering he had not driven a single seater for over six years he has serious potential.
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Post by René on Oct 24, 2017 12:27:33 GMT
JC, it would be great if you could share some kit reviews you did in the past. I for one would be very interested.
I cannot watch the UK C4 broadcast here but I do remember the team you mention from a few years ago when they worked for the BBC. In general I preferred watching the BBC broadcast compared to the Dutch broadcast (but I have to say the Dutch broadcast is not very good with a terrible presenter who thinks way too much of himself).
I do recognize your evaluation of the different characters though; Jordan is a clown, sometimes funny but most of the time annoying. Coulthard is knowledgeable but also a bit narrow minded at times.
Lee McKenzie on the other hand is very good. I really enjoyed the interviews and background subjects she did for the Beeb. It's a shame I can't see her work any more.
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Post by René on Oct 24, 2017 12:45:24 GMT
One last point - what did we think of the pre-race razzmatazz?;I found the announcer absolutely toe-curling and didn't care for it at all - it just didn't seem to fit with F1 in my mind and I hope thats an experiment never repeated. I wanted the ground to swallow me up when he described Kvyat as "the torpedo", poor Daniil......most of the drivers just looked embarrassed. The thing is, I really enjoy this guy and his delivery at boxing matches so I'm not anti pomp and ceremony but it just seemed so out of place at an F1 race. I agree, it was just too much and not really Formula 1. It was not all bad, they had some serious VIP's this time with Clinton and Bolt and I don't mind some American flavor but the driver introduction was kinda awkward at times.  If they want to keep this in America fine, just hope they don't introduce it everywhere. |
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Post by charleselan on Oct 24, 2017 14:30:14 GMT
René,
I will attempt a scan or two from my old publication from the 1980's later this evening. Just bear in mind it was done as a "cottage industry" back then and no computer aided material was available back them. How I wish to have had that then as it could have taken things to another level and even an online publication. At the time it was all consuming for me, building kits, photographing the stages and finished article (no digital format then so i had to develop and print all of the photos), then write the detailed review with techniques. All this then "pasting up" the pages for print and getting the B&W photos screened. I did that for 15 years solid at the expense in many ways to my social life.
Would I have changed things, no! But to have had what is available today would have been wonderful.
JC
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Post by charleselan on Oct 24, 2017 14:35:54 GMT
René,
I watch all UK TV here in France via FreeSat which gives me all go the free to air Uk channels. When F1 and MotoGP is not shown live I watch it on my iMac via free streaming sites. Not always recommended but if you get to know the systems and which ones to trust then it can be quite good. I always use a VPN anyway and that can make it appear that you are viewing in whatever country you wish to be in. It is essential for us here as we cannot access UK TV or Radio programs without it as they are limited to territorial boundaries. So my VPN will be set for the UK, and then the BBC (for example) will think I am viewing from the UK, all clever stuff .
JC
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Post by Carl on Oct 24, 2017 20:49:42 GMT
One last point - what did we think of the pre-race razzmatazz?;I found the announcer absolutely toe-curling and didn't care for it at all - it just didn't seem to fit with F1 in my mind and I hope thats an experiment never repeated. I wanted the ground to swallow me up when he described Kvyat as "the torpedo", poor Daniil......most of the drivers just looked embarrassed. The thing is, I really enjoy this guy and his delivery at boxing matches so I'm not anti pomp and ceremony but it just seemed so out of place at an F1 race. I agree, it was just too much and not really Formula 1. It was not all bad, they had some serious VIP's this time with Clinton and Bolt and I don't mind some American flavor but the driver introduction was kinda awkward at times. If they want to keep this in America fine, just hope they don't introduce it everywhere. I tuned in to the race broadcast just before the formation lap, so missed the driver introductions. From the few seconds I saw afterward, no loss at all to have missed it. I suspect someone familiar with the effective introductions at boxing matches (and clueless about Grand Prix racing) thought it would be clever. It was instead idiotic and, as several have pointed out, needlessly cruel to Daniil Kvyat. Reading all the incisive comments about the broadcasters in England made me feel almost blessed to have NBCSports' trio here in America. Although main announcer Leigh Diffey is too loud and excitable, David Hobbs and Steve Matchett are both excellent as is pit reporter Will Buxton. I suppose the grass is actually greener on our side of the fence (Atlantic). |
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Post by Jamie on Oct 24, 2017 21:21:13 GMT
I think it would have been better if the guy was properly prepared but it seemed as if he hadn’t been briefed at all and it ended up excruciating 😀
I love this guy’s build up before a big fight but it didn’t work at a motor race in my opinion. Fair play to Liberty for trying something different though I suppose.....you can’t hit them all for 6 (sorry Carl, Cricket reference).
I personally don’t find the UK SKY coverage to be a problem and generally enjoy it, I don’t watch the C4 coverage at all in case I happen to catch Eddie Jordan speaking - heaven forbid!
I don’t know anything about the US pundits other than Will Buxton who I think is excellent, I enjoy his comments and insights whenever he pops up on the Marshall Pruett podcast.
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) as he was looking very racy indeed and I enjoyed the early exchanges with Bottas, he came from so far back on some overtakes that I thought he'd torpedo his opponent for sure but he had it under control. Bottas was looking quite good in the early stages and I thought for a moment that he was back to a bit of form but it tailed off as the race wore on; he had a problem with the floor apparently but the early season promise he showed has wained hasn't it? Not sure why but, as the comments above, I think Hamilton is operating on a different plane at the moment and its probably quite demoralising for him - 2018 will be his last season at Merc I fear unless he turns it around, perhaps Toto will explore his options come seasons end if this continues but they may know something thats not apparent to us outsiders looking in.......from Toto and Nikki's comments it would seem this isn't so however?
). 
If they want to keep this in America fine, just hope they don't introduce it everywhere.
