F1- Hamilton wins at Fuji Track
10-01-2007, 10:48 PM
#26
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well i would like to apologize. i didnt mean to spoil it for hte ppl who didnt watch it. so i am sorry.
10-01-2007, 11:35 PM
#27
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Hamilton's performance was good, but considering he was the only one that could see, it certainly wasn't world beating. When he was stuck in traffic after his first pitstop, he had a lot of problems getting past much slower drivers. I'm also starting to dislike Hamilton simply because he's getting so played up by the English speaking press, but his performance today was objectively good, but not great.
In my opinion, the stewards continuously screwed up the race. First of all, it should either have gotten delayed, canceled, or started; not this drive behind the safety car for half an hour mess that we got. I'm sure they figured they had to get the TV show on the road, but it was a really boring first thirty minutes of TV watching a safety car go around. In light of the conditions, the race should have been delayed.
The stewards were also extremely hasty and arbitrary in applying punishments to drivers. First, Kubica was wrongly given a drive through penalty for touching golden boy Hamilton. Why did he get a penalty and not say, Heidfeld crashing into Button? Second, while I'm not sure if Liuzzi passed under yellows or not, that they only caught him after the race was quite embarrassing. Finally, punishing Vettel ten grid positions for crashing into Webber continues their idiotic procedure of applying punishment for an incident to the grand prix afterwards. The cause of Vettel's crash is still debated, but the stewards went ahead and did basically the same punishment that Sato got for getting passed by Button under yellow flags at Indy. Vettel paid for his mistake, let it be. A truly Reject of the Race performance by the stewards.
In addition, I'm not sure if the stewards were responsible for Ferrari's mess or not, but I've read reports where it stated only one member of Ferrari was e-mailed the rule change. If that is true, I don't think it's out of question that Ferrari missed the initial e-mail. Chris Dyer certainly sounded genuinely unhappy. However, it would not have mattered much in the end; the Ferraris on intermediates would've dropped like a rock through the field and probably would have been collected by someone. I don't know what they were thinking starting on intermediates, but their race strategy has certainly taken a hit with the departure of Ross Brawn.
I figured Alonso was truly going to push after losing so much in track position to Hamilton after the pitstop and thought it was likely that he would have an incident. He had several and finally went off in what seemed to be the only part of the track that did not have unlimited asphalt runoff.
Kimi was a man that benefited greatly from all that runoff however. While messy, his was still a good performance results wise when you consider he had to start from the back, was driving a car set up for intermediate conditions rather than the monsoon that we got, and had to scythe his way through the field while having virtually no vision. Massa also did a commendable job and had that awesome fight with Kubica at the end.
I don't think Massa's final pitstop was team orders. In my opinion, Massa and a couple other midfield runners gambled that the race would be stopped once it reached full points distance on lap 57 due to the conditions. Massa stopped on lap 59 and I think that gamble also resulted in some of the other runners stopping with less than 10 laps left. Certainly it left the gamblers looking foolish in retrospect, especially Honda who had to splash and go Rubens and lost 2 points, but considering the conditions it was a gamble worth taking. Massa also had the same amount of stops as Raikkonen, so I think the stop was scheduled.
Lastly, the most heroic performance of the race goes out to all the Japanese fans. Truly amazing.
In my opinion, the stewards continuously screwed up the race. First of all, it should either have gotten delayed, canceled, or started; not this drive behind the safety car for half an hour mess that we got. I'm sure they figured they had to get the TV show on the road, but it was a really boring first thirty minutes of TV watching a safety car go around. In light of the conditions, the race should have been delayed.
The stewards were also extremely hasty and arbitrary in applying punishments to drivers. First, Kubica was wrongly given a drive through penalty for touching golden boy Hamilton. Why did he get a penalty and not say, Heidfeld crashing into Button? Second, while I'm not sure if Liuzzi passed under yellows or not, that they only caught him after the race was quite embarrassing. Finally, punishing Vettel ten grid positions for crashing into Webber continues their idiotic procedure of applying punishment for an incident to the grand prix afterwards. The cause of Vettel's crash is still debated, but the stewards went ahead and did basically the same punishment that Sato got for getting passed by Button under yellow flags at Indy. Vettel paid for his mistake, let it be. A truly Reject of the Race performance by the stewards.
In addition, I'm not sure if the stewards were responsible for Ferrari's mess or not, but I've read reports where it stated only one member of Ferrari was e-mailed the rule change. If that is true, I don't think it's out of question that Ferrari missed the initial e-mail. Chris Dyer certainly sounded genuinely unhappy. However, it would not have mattered much in the end; the Ferraris on intermediates would've dropped like a rock through the field and probably would have been collected by someone. I don't know what they were thinking starting on intermediates, but their race strategy has certainly taken a hit with the departure of Ross Brawn.
I figured Alonso was truly going to push after losing so much in track position to Hamilton after the pitstop and thought it was likely that he would have an incident. He had several and finally went off in what seemed to be the only part of the track that did not have unlimited asphalt runoff.
Kimi was a man that benefited greatly from all that runoff however. While messy, his was still a good performance results wise when you consider he had to start from the back, was driving a car set up for intermediate conditions rather than the monsoon that we got, and had to scythe his way through the field while having virtually no vision. Massa also did a commendable job and had that awesome fight with Kubica at the end.
I don't think Massa's final pitstop was team orders. In my opinion, Massa and a couple other midfield runners gambled that the race would be stopped once it reached full points distance on lap 57 due to the conditions. Massa stopped on lap 59 and I think that gamble also resulted in some of the other runners stopping with less than 10 laps left. Certainly it left the gamblers looking foolish in retrospect, especially Honda who had to splash and go Rubens and lost 2 points, but considering the conditions it was a gamble worth taking. Massa also had the same amount of stops as Raikkonen, so I think the stop was scheduled.
Lastly, the most heroic performance of the race goes out to all the Japanese fans. Truly amazing.
10-02-2007, 08:38 AM
#28
Very well expressed and well written Zoo. I would like to encourage people to not dislike Hamilton because of his good press. He has a lot to prove still, but he really is 'all that'. Consider that Sir Jackie Stewart suggested early that he thought this kid could be the greatest ever. That wasn't due to his being British. When he test drove he outran Alonso at times, and everyone knows he's no slouch.
Kimi's an awesome driver (Maybe the most raw talent) but it is said that he likes to party possibly to the detriment of his game. Time will tell whether Lewis is a TRUE champion, like Schumie who can lose with grace and show real world endurance.
Paul.
Kimi's an awesome driver (Maybe the most raw talent) but it is said that he likes to party possibly to the detriment of his game. Time will tell whether Lewis is a TRUE champion, like Schumie who can lose with grace and show real world endurance.
Paul.
10-02-2007, 12:18 PM
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I love Hamilton, He is truly a great driver, he reminds me of Raikonen when he started he's formula one career, realy agresive and taking all the chances, the main diference in this two drivers career's is MCLAREN, if Raikonen had the car Hamilton has right now Kimi would have a couple of chanpionships if hamilton had the car Kimi had last 2 seasons he would not be in the lead of the championship.
About the Press Hamilton gets, Im sure that if Scott Speed was a rooki and was in the points lead he would get the same if not more attention
About the Press Hamilton gets, Im sure that if Scott Speed was a rooki and was in the points lead he would get the same if not more attention
10-02-2007, 12:43 PM
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I've been on some other boards and I think the Hamilton bashing in here is fairly limited. Plus most who bash him here try to list some logic behind it.
Yes, the kid has a fully hyped reputation courtesy of Speed and Autosport. That said, with all the hype Coulthard and Button have recieved over the years at least the press has latched on to a consistent performer. Plus he has already made history in a number of categories.
Speaking of hype, how about all the attention Vettel is given. For what, a lack luster drive into the points(USGP) in a car that could fight for podiums or maybe setting a few fast pratice times last year vs Doornbos and Wurz. I'm sorry I'm not sipping the kool-aid on this one.
As far as paying dues to get the Mclaren seat, it was really down to luck. Let's face it if Monotya hadn't decided to go fender rubbing last year, then Hamilton would be either testing or in a Spyker right now. Yes, I'd bet Rosberg, Sutil, and Kovalainen could probably win races in the Mclaren. I'd also bet that Hulkenburg, Di Resta, Piquet, Green and Paffet could too...but they can't even get a race drive. That's just F1, there's not enough seats for the talent out there.
Yes, the kid has a fully hyped reputation courtesy of Speed and Autosport. That said, with all the hype Coulthard and Button have recieved over the years at least the press has latched on to a consistent performer. Plus he has already made history in a number of categories.
Speaking of hype, how about all the attention Vettel is given. For what, a lack luster drive into the points(USGP) in a car that could fight for podiums or maybe setting a few fast pratice times last year vs Doornbos and Wurz. I'm sorry I'm not sipping the kool-aid on this one.
As far as paying dues to get the Mclaren seat, it was really down to luck. Let's face it if Monotya hadn't decided to go fender rubbing last year, then Hamilton would be either testing or in a Spyker right now. Yes, I'd bet Rosberg, Sutil, and Kovalainen could probably win races in the Mclaren. I'd also bet that Hulkenburg, Di Resta, Piquet, Green and Paffet could too...but they can't even get a race drive. That's just F1, there's not enough seats for the talent out there.
10-02-2007, 07:37 PM
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Hmmm, maybe Vettel smashing into Webber wasn't his fault. Check out what some of your hero's brake-checking tactics led to: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8hWIfBkVQUk
10-02-2007, 08:03 PM
#33
And because Mike decided to be unsportmanlike that makes it okay for Louie to do the same. I see.
The pace cars run at a snail's pace relative to an F1 car, even when they're at full tilt. LH knew what the consequences would be when he purposely slowed down to a crawl with the field bunched right behind him; he left nowhere for them to go, and got exactly the results he was looking for, with nobody to threaten his 1st place lead. I'd love to see somebody punt his rookie *** into a wall at close to 200.
The pace cars run at a snail's pace relative to an F1 car, even when they're at full tilt. LH knew what the consequences would be when he purposely slowed down to a crawl with the field bunched right behind him; he left nowhere for them to go, and got exactly the results he was looking for, with nobody to threaten his 1st place lead. I'd love to see somebody punt his rookie *** into a wall at close to 200.
10-02-2007, 08:56 PM
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I don't see what Hamilton going off line there has to do with the wreck. Everyone slowed up but Vettel from the looks of it. Neither Hamilton or Webber were going faster/slower than the pace car. Vettel just never slowed down.
10-06-2007, 12:25 PM
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For some people, the success of others (vs their own lack of the same) will always be an annoyance. When you throw in other biases and elements like age and race or gender, people can get really heated up. Let me say this right now: I love seeing whites do well (And could give a crap if they dominated everything forever) but I also enjoy the success of Chinese and Indians etc. I remember when I was watching the Olympics on TV and saw a Chinese hurdler tear up the competition in the 110m hurdles. I was so pumped.
I'm like the opposite of the haters that are being indoctrinated these days. I take pleasure at the good fortune of others and enjoy making a small difference in the lives of others if I can, so for me this whole Lewis Hamilton thing is spectacular on so many levels. If he gets too big headed my interest may wane but in the meanwhile the sport is a better place by far for his being involved. It's like a breath of fresh air to me.
I'm like the opposite of the haters that are being indoctrinated these days. I take pleasure at the good fortune of others and enjoy making a small difference in the lives of others if I can, so for me this whole Lewis Hamilton thing is spectacular on so many levels. If he gets too big headed my interest may wane but in the meanwhile the sport is a better place by far for his being involved. It's like a breath of fresh air to me.
10-07-2007, 02:09 AM
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Chinese Update
Hamilton led the race in the rain. It got a bit dry and the teams gambled. Lewis pitted and stayed on intermediates. Kimi caught up to him and passsed him as the rain resumed. When Lewis finally decided to pit for tires, he made an error and ran into a gravel trap entering the pits and got stuck.
GAME OVER-Hamilton. For China anyhow.
This is what keeps the sport interesting; technology, personalities and drama.
GAME OVER-Hamilton. For China anyhow.
This is what keeps the sport interesting; technology, personalities and drama.
10-08-2007, 12:42 PM
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I feel really bad for hamilton, but we cant ask more of him, he has run an almost perfect season as a rooky!! he was going to make a mistake sooner or later
This makes the last race of the season a lot more intresting!!
This makes the last race of the season a lot more intresting!!
10-08-2007, 04:45 PM
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Mclaren should have the upper hand in Brazil, but if it rains...
ohh boy. A nice light shower could make this race one for the ages.
My (Dry Race) prediction
p1 Alonso wins the race
p2 Hamilton won't have the setup to tame the massive bumps in Brazil like Alonso will, but he'll do enough to win the title
p3 Massa wins pole on light fuel load but Ferrari won't have the real pace of Mclaren here thus Massa inherits 3rd when...
DNF Kimi retires due to hydraulics/ gearbox failure
btw, if it rains all bets are off
anyone else...
ohh boy. A nice light shower could make this race one for the ages.
My (Dry Race) prediction
p1 Alonso wins the race
p2 Hamilton won't have the setup to tame the massive bumps in Brazil like Alonso will, but he'll do enough to win the title
p3 Massa wins pole on light fuel load but Ferrari won't have the real pace of Mclaren here thus Massa inherits 3rd when...
DNF Kimi retires due to hydraulics/ gearbox failure
btw, if it rains all bets are off
anyone else...
10-08-2007, 08:35 PM
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im just glad Kimi won the race, any body but alonso
10-09-2007, 07:10 AM
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yah me too. watching the his last 5 laps with kimi was awesome to watch. then his mistake, felt bad for the dude. one thing abotu hamilton, regardless how it turns out, he still has a good attitude. watching him give props to all his mechanics shows how much he likes his team.
im just glad Kimi won the race, any body but alonso
im just glad Kimi won the race, any body but alonso
Thats one of the things I like about Hamilton, even afther a DNF he takes the time to thank his crew, if it was some other pilot he would throw his helmet to the floor and go to the dressing room
Brazil:
P1 Kimi
P2 alonso
P3 Hamilton
P4 massa
10-09-2007, 08:53 PM
#49
Considering China was his only retirement of the year it's kind of wishful thinking to predict LH will DNF, no? I hate to say it, but his consistency (all year) will be rewarded, and even if he doesn't finish 1st in Brazil, the championship will be his.
10-09-2007, 10:22 PM
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I don't foresee gearbox troubles for McLaren - they've been rock solid all year IIRC. Ferrari were the ones with gearbox trouble and that was early in the season. They seem to have gotten a handle on it lately.
My predictions for the race finish: Kimi, Felipe (it will be his home GP and he will be pumped, but the team will still not let him take 1st place), then Lewis or Alonso (it's a toss up, but probably Alonso first since Lewis will not take any unnecessary risks), which puts the championship results as (drumroll please!):
Lewis
Kimi (by virtue of more wins if he ties with Alonso)
Alonso
Felipe
It would take a collosal disaster for Lewis to lose it even still. Felipe will be the spoiler to not allow Alonso to gain the lead. Unless it rains again, and then it's a crap shoot. There, I've said it!
My predictions for the race finish: Kimi, Felipe (it will be his home GP and he will be pumped, but the team will still not let him take 1st place), then Lewis or Alonso (it's a toss up, but probably Alonso first since Lewis will not take any unnecessary risks), which puts the championship results as (drumroll please!):
Lewis
Kimi (by virtue of more wins if he ties with Alonso)
Alonso
Felipe
It would take a collosal disaster for Lewis to lose it even still. Felipe will be the spoiler to not allow Alonso to gain the lead. Unless it rains again, and then it's a crap shoot. There, I've said it!