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Post by robmarsh on Nov 21, 2022 12:47:07 GMT
… which begs the question, is Charles too nice? maybe-which is why he reminds me of Gilles so much. I hope he never changes. |
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Post by Carl on Nov 21, 2022 19:24:02 GMT
… which begs the question, is Charles too nice? Charles compares favorably to Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart, who triumphed when driving standards were high because race tracks were dangerous, Alain Prost, who won during a transitional period of greater safety and lowered driving standards, and the enormous talent of Gilles Villeneuve, whose concept of fairness was similar to earlier champions. If teams like Red Bull and Mercedes are allowed to continue the extreme coddling of star drivers, a malignancy instituted by the poison dwarf ecclestone, fairness may be irrelevant. |
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Post by René on Nov 22, 2022 20:35:26 GMT
A Ferrari 1-2-3 in the Abu Dhabi test! Wonderful.  The Aston Martin looks very neat without sponsor logos. Very old school. They should all do that at tests. Alonso behind the wheel by the way.   |
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Post by René on Nov 25, 2022 19:26:28 GMT
Just read on Italian Autosprint that Mattia Binotto is leaving Ferrari as teammanager. The rumors were already there but now it seems certain. Not sure what to think about that. Well, I think he actually did a very good job but it is said there is tension between Binotto and Ferrari president John Elkann who was very disappointed how the season evolved. The name that is mentioned most to replace Binotto is Frederic Vasseur from Alfa Romeo. That would not be a bad choice but I’m still a bit disappointed that Mattia is leaving. I hope this doesn’t disturb the balance within the team too much.  |
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Post by Carl on Nov 25, 2022 22:34:06 GMT
Mattia Binotto deserves better than to be judged by Gianni Agnelli's grandson and heir to the throne, a coincidence of birth which could possibly induce special powers of clear judgment...or unwarranted self-assurance.
"He was born on third base and thought he hit a triple."
- former Texas Governor Ann Richards describing the famously inept George Bush |
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Post by René on Nov 26, 2022 11:15:09 GMT
"A fairy tale without a happy ending" is how Autosprint describes Binotto's career at Ferrari.
"From engine engineer in the test team to team principal: Mattia Binotto's rise to Ferrari was extraordinary, unique and vertical, but he lacked the sharpness in the most delicate role."
It is difficult to judge how much of Ferrari's 'failure' this season was due to mistakes or wrong judgement by Mattia. But mistakes were made and as usually happens at Ferrari, the unrest increases and finally someone has to pay the price. And that's usually the man in charge of the race team.
I don't know how the mutual relationships are within Ferrari, but Piero Ferrari is like a king without political power and it is Elkann who calls the shots.
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Post by mikael on Nov 26, 2022 14:32:16 GMT
Just some (rather late) comments to the earlier discussion, initiated by Carl, regarding the personality of some of the (absolute) top drivers.
1. I believe that many of the top drivers have a bit of a "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" personality; that is to say, they turn into someone completely different when the helmet is on and the visor is down.
2. I have never been a fan of the broadcast of the radio messages. I think it's unfair to the drivers that their state of mind, and their concerns, under a state of extreme pressure and high stress, are showcased and used as entertainment. Also, the pressure is very different whether you are a world title contender or if you "just" fight for the last point. Thus, I think that the typical "selfishness" of a title contender is fully justifiable since, more often that not, the championship has been decided by just one single point.
3. We will, of course, never know how the great driver in the golden era of the 60s and 70s would appear on the radio, had it been used back then. But I imagine that many of them would be anything but relaxed.
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Post by Carl on Nov 26, 2022 17:47:44 GMT
Just some (rather late) comments to the earlier discussion, initiated by Carl, regarding the personality of some of the (absolute) top drivers.
1. I believe that many of the top drivers have a bit of a "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" personality; that is to say, they turn into someone completely different when the helmet is on and the visor is down.
2. I have never been a fan of the broadcast of the radio messages. I think it's unfair to the drivers that their state of mind, and their concerns, under a state of extreme pressure and high stress, are showcased and used as entertainment. Also, the pressure is very different whether you are a world title contender or if you "just" fight for the last point. Thus, I think that the typical "selfishness" of a title contender is fully justifiable since, more often that not, the championship has been decided by just one single point.
3. We will, of course, never know how the great driver in the golden era of the 60s and 70s would appear on the radio, had it been used back then. But I imagine that many of them would be anything but relaxed.
Mikael, I also don't like the radio back and forth, which led idiotically to drivers being coached by engineers whose insights were entirely on a computer monitor. That control was disallowed and because the messages are now mostly superfluous, I suspect most drivers in the past would have maintained radio silence.
My point was more about a ruthlessness on track that had been effectively discouraged in the past by the greater danger that existed. That all changed in the 1980s when bernie ecclestone realized he could attract attention and make more money by encouraging dirty driving. It's no coincidence that ruthlessness became more common, as it was rewarded, even in the junior series where young drivers emulated their heroes. The poison dwarf did more than suck money out of Formula One; he also degraded the sport.
Meanwhile, standards hadn't changed in America and occasionally a young European driver would be taught a harsh lesson by being subjected to their own tactics. Once was usually enough. I have been advised that several around our table worry about being beaten in our challenge race at Road America's excellent infield gokart track. I promise not to lap anyone more than once.
Cheers, Carl
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Post by René on Dec 13, 2022 12:35:38 GMT
The worst kept secret in the F1 paddock was confirmed today; Frederic Vasseur will become the new team principal of the Scuderia Ferrari. :quality(50)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/a945da88-7ac1-11ed-ad14-02d1dbdc35d1.jpg) As I said before, I do think this is a good choice but would it not have been smarter had they appointed Vasseur much sooner and moved Mattia Binotto in the role of Technical director like Ross Brawn was in the Schumacher years? But of course, I don't know what Binotto's ambitions were at the time. Anyway, I hope this is the start of a time of stability and success for the Scuderia! And if this wasn't enough, Jost Capito steps down at Williams as team principal and Andreas Seidl will leave McLaren and replace Vasseur at Sauber. Seidl is a former VW/Porsche employee so the perfect man to lead the Sauber-Audi project when the Germans come in. Andrea Stella is said to be the man to replace Seidl at McLaren. |
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Post by chrisb on Dec 20, 2022 9:17:39 GMT
it says something about F1 when the main talking point is the recent merry-go-around of team bosses
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Post by René on Dec 20, 2022 16:39:58 GMT
it says something about F1 when the main talking point is the recent merry-go-around of team bosses It's the time of the year Chris... |
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Post by René on Jan 3, 2023 0:24:06 GMT
Just some food for thought. Does Peter have a point here?  |
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Post by Carl on Jan 3, 2023 17:07:36 GMT
Just some food for thought. Does Peter have a point here? Nope. I've admired Peter Windsor for years, but a constant aversion of eyes is a common indication that, for whatever reason, someone is not being honest. |
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Post by René on Jan 3, 2023 18:00:10 GMT
Just some food for thought. Does Peter have a point here? Nope. I've admired Peter Windsor for years, but a constant aversion of eyes is a common indication that, for whatever reason, someone is not being honest. I actually agree with you Carl. I am also a fan of Peter Windsor’s interviews and analyses but found this clip a bit strange. But maybe it’s taken out of context or he was simply tired… Well, he has a point of course that when a team is built entirely around one driver in the Schumacher, Hamilton and now Verstappen mold with a clear first and second driver, it’s probably the best recipe for year in year out mega success as history has proven. And by signing Russell, the balance has shifted in the Mercedes team. But of course George deserved the seat and Mercedes could not hold him any longer on a string. But it’s a non discussion, I just found the video a bit weird. |
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Post by Carl on Jan 4, 2023 17:13:56 GMT
Nope. I've admired Peter Windsor for years, but a constant aversion of eyes is a common indication that, for whatever reason, someone is not being honest. I actually agree with you Carl. I am also a fan of Peter Windsor’s interviews and analyses but found this clip a bit strange. But maybe it’s taken out of context or he was simply tired… Well, he has a point of course that when a team is built entirely around one driver in the Schumacher, Hamilton and now Verstappen mold with a clear first and second driver, it’s probably the best recipe for year in year out mega success as history has proven. And by signing Russell, the balance has shifted in the Mercedes team. But of course George deserved the seat and Mercedes could not hold him any longer on a string. But it’s a non discussion, I just found the video a bit weird. I don't entirely agree about the one top driver mold being best. In my opinion, this arrangement is successful because the number two driver is required to be subservient at all times, relieving any threat from within the team to the ego of number one. The delicate sensibilities (  !! ) of operatic prima donnas can't tolerate any challenge from understudies. The operative delusion is that this is unfair, and poor Hamilton comes slightly undone whenever a teammate is fast. For this reason, Mercedes has a diaper changing station at each race.
Peter Windson seems to be speaking under duress. Very weird! |
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!! ) of operatic prima donnas can't tolerate any challenge from understudies. The operative delusion is that this is unfair, and poor Hamilton comes slightly undone whenever a teammate is fast. For this reason, Mercedes has a diaper changing station at each race.