formula 1 maggots

[PNWbrit]

no McLaren decision...

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/12...de-on-thursday

[PNWbrit]

Missing The Point

The FIA today announced new regulations relating to the issuing of a Formula 1 Super License. Our sport’s governing body has got itself into something of a flap over the fact that, in Max Verstappen, F1 will have its youngest ever driver in 2015 at the age of 17. While it can do nothing to stop the prodigious and, I must say from my own personal perspective, tremendously exciting Dutchman from being granted his license for competition next season, it has taken its time and thought long and hard about how best to deal with the situation.

And in typical FIA style, it has managed to contrive a system which would have excluded three of the world champions who will line up on this year’s F1 grid, half of the 2015 Red Bull Racing line-up, and both Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna from making their F1 debuts.

The system works on the basis of a points allocation per finishing position in sub-F1 categories. In order to qualify for a Super License, a driver must have amassed 40 points over his or her past three years of competition and must have spent at least two seasons racing single-seaters. I say “her” lightly, however, as there is not a single female racing driver to my knowledge who would, at present, qualify for a Super License.

The structure of the championships top to bottom weighs heavily in favour of its own categories, placing the FIA F3 European Championship on the same footing as FIA WEC and Indycar. It serves Formula Renault 3.5 a tremendous disservice by placing it both below Euro F3 and on the same level as GP3. But the actual cherry on top of this cake is that the championship which merits the most points (more than GP2, Indycar or WEC) is a “Future FIA F2 Championship.” So an event that doesn’t even exist, then. And one which, until today, nobody outside 8 Place de la Concorde, Paris, and I’d wager a fair few inside, even knew was going to exist.

There is no mention of Formula E, the FIA’s own flagship green “future” of racing. There is no mention of NASCAR. And only LMP1 drivers in WEC qualify for points.

The system’s intentions are good. It has clearly been brought in to try and stop drivers from either being rushed into F1 or from simply buying their way in. To that end it’s worth noting that Max Verstappen would have amassed just half the points required in his first and thus far sole season of single-seater racing and Marcus Ericsson would have fallen 26 points under the total required from his three years of GP2 results and would thus not have qualified to make his debut last season.

But, as is the increasing norm for a body which seemingly struggles to write its own name without getting one of the letters wrong or simply missing one out entirely, it is in the execution that the FIA hasn’t really thought it through.

Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button would both have fallen 35 points short of the 40 point requirement. Sebastien Vettel would have been just two points shy of the tally at the time of his USGP debut in 2007 if we use just his 04-06 results. On the basis of his 2007 WSR results, however, he’d have qualified for his Toro Rosso drive in 2008. Just the six world championships between them.

Daniel Ricciardo, voted by many as the F1 driver of 2014 would not have qualified for his debut either so that’s Red Bull Racing’s lead man out of luck.

Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, two of the finest drivers to ever grace the planet, would not have been granted a Super License under this system. Neither would Mika Hakkinen. Neither Gilles Villeneuve. Jim Clark’s tractor definitely wouldn’t have given him the points. Not entirely sure racing a Model A Ford taxi would have done Fangio much good either.

Drivers are rarely rushed into the sport if they’re not good enough. Those that are, tend to be the exceptions. And exceptional. The new regulations, as such, are an overblown and ineffectual reaction to a rarity.

Almost every driver that is currently maligned in Formula 1 would have qualified under this system had it been in place at the time of their debuts while, ironically, the majority of those that wouldn’t have been granted their licenses are either now Formula 1 World Champions, or driving for the team that has won the most world championships this decade.

Not to worry. On traditional form I’m sure there’s a loophole in there somewhere.

[johnnyg82]

I think Alonso is overrated.

[esseff]

that would be "hijo de puta..."

prolly a few more expletives said for good measure but....

Apparently the wheels completely came off the relationship with Ferrari during a meeting a few weeks back at Maranello which ended with him storming out after calling Marco Mattiacci a son of a bitch.

[PNWbrit]

I think Alonso is overrated.

Odd. Pretty much everyone in F1 feels the exact opposite. I doubt that there is a single F1 driver who wouldn't rate him as the very best of his era.

that would be "hijo de puta..." .

More likely to have used "'figlio di una cagna"

[johnnyg82]

Odd. Pretty much everyone in F1 feels the exact opposite. I doubt that there is a single F1 driver who wouldn't rate him as the very best of his era.

Yeah, I know everyone says that, but he's won only a single championship with Renault, and unlike Schumacher, who built Ferrari around him, he hasn't been able to do the same with the Prancing horse.

[PNWbrit]

Yeah, I know everyone says that, but he's won only a single championship with Renault, and unlike Schumacher, who built Ferrari around him, he hasn't been able to do the same with the Prancing horse.

Two championships with Renault..

Actually.

But clearly... you're somewhat of an expert.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Odd. Pretty much everyone in F1 feels the exact opposite. I doubt that there is a single F1 driver who wouldn't rate him as the very best of his era.

Might ask fellow two time champion Lewis what he thinks.

[PNWbrit]

Might ask fellow two time champion Lewis what he thinks.

http://www.planet-f1.com/driver/3213...ct-with-Alonso

"It seems that he finally appreciates me as a driver, as I appreciate him. It's equal between us now. "I believe he's the best and he said that in Brazil about me. I love that he has that respect for me, because I have that respect for him."

We'd need to double check with johnnyg82 how many championships Hamilton has won though.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Alonso out for Australian GP.


Berger speaks I don't really buy it, the same was said about Ferrari and we see where that went.


Hope there is some challenge to Merc this year.

[Ski to Be]

Looks like more of the same. Had hoped McClaren would bring more to the table


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[PNWbrit]

Everyone is saying that the McLaren chassis appears quite good when it's run.

The problems they've had with the honda lump all relate to one part. Hopefully they'll get if figured out soon. Mercedes do look as if they'll be able to drive to another championship with the wick turned well down though. the fight between RB, Ferrari and Williams is where the fun will be.

[hutash]

It is going to be an interesting year. While having the right driver is very important, It appearsw the right car is significantly more important. Alonzo at Ferrari, Vettel at RB (before and after the rule change) and even Schmacher post first retirement show the care is the most critical part. Last year MB was by far the best car, so it was a battle between Hamilton and Rossberg. Vettel at RB had a car designed specifically for him, but post rule change the car was a dog and Riccardo whooped his ass. Not to take anything away from his four titles, but I feel it was more the car then the driver that won those titles. A good driver in a great car will win against a great driver in an okay car. Let the battle begin.

[PNWbrit]

A good driver in a great car will win against a great driver in an okay car.

Damon Hill.

[Ski to Be]

Agreed Hutash. Car > Driver has been true for a long time in F1. It takes a generational great driver to offset this and usually it is only on rainy or shorter tracks where those drivers shine. Riccardo was a pleasant surprise. I hope he keeps kicking ass. At least with Merc you have 2 drivers competing for a driving title which to me is a lot more fun then watching Vettel / Shueys on cruise control way out in front. I'm also hoping for a rebound year from Kimi would love to see him at least beating Vettel.

[hutash]

Damon Hill.

Back in the dark ages of F1 the cars were more even, or at least consistently inconsistent. Today cars are more subtle and a variation on a winglet can make or break a race, hence why the Newey/Vittel combo worked so well.

That all said, some of the rule changes put a lot more emphasis on driver control and less on electronics, ie more rear wheel torque, (and of course loss of ESP or anti-lock brakes).

[PNWbrit]

Back in the dark ages of F1 the cars were more even

these even dark ages are when?

FW14, Mcl MP4/4, Ferrari 312T, Lotus 25 (or 79?), Tipo 500, Post or Pre-war silver arrows or auto unions?

It goes in waves. considering last years new power unit regs combined with ever tightening the aero rules and (still) only one tire supplier it was inevitable that someone was going to be dominant.

[hutash]

Those are from the, stone, bronze and iron ages of racing

[4matic]

It goes in waves. considering last years new power unit regs combined with ever tightening the aero rules and (still) only one tire supplier it was inevitable that someone was going to be dominant.

It appears that a rule change favors whoever gets it right the first year. The previous four years, after a major rules change, were Red Bull and now Mercedes is dominant. I'm not sure I'd call it racing anymore. Sprint reliability test?

I favor an unannounced watering of the track to level the field.

[PNWbrit]

It appears that a rule change favors whoever gets it right the first year. .

Yep, Even more so with the in race year engine freeze and ever tightening engine per season rules.

Merc really caught everyone with their pants down with the design of their turbo and associated benefits that they could wring from rest of power unit and aero based on that amazing piece of lateral thinking.

Their dominance aside (or even not aside?) the racing last year was excellent. Both between Hamilton and Rosberg and between most of the rest of the field.

Ferrari and probably Lotus having seemingly made up ground... it can only get better?

[4matic]

I agree that there was some good racing last year now that the cars have less power. Handling becomes more important on the edge.

[Vt-Freeheel]

I agree that there was some good racing last year now that the cars have less power. Handling becomes more important on the edge.

If you took the Mercs out, yes it was better, hoping for more this year. Honda needs to get their shit together before the seals arrive, what's the over/under on pit lane starts for McLaren by mid season?

[Vt-Freeheel]

Premieres in 27 minutes

mercedes-f1-race-to-repeat-teaser-clips-and-preview-video/

[philippeR]

Of course, really great drivers make themselves great cars. To build a team and a car around you, like Schumi did at Ferrari or Rossi at Yamaha, I believe that's a real mesure of a great champion.
Even Eddie Irvine won with Schumacher's car when Michael was sidelined. Until the car's performances started to stall, by lack of team leadership, and Michael came back to school everyone (Malaysia 99 was one of the most impressive of Schumacher's feats, IMO).

[PNWbrit]

Premieres in 27 minutes

mercedes-f1-race-to-repeat-teaser-clips-and-preview-video/

Ever seen this seven part 1993 BBC series? THE TEAM A Season With McLaren