2013 Formula One

[d1 mule]

Live was sweet, the cars are sooooooo bloody loud. Obviously didn't see a lot of the race but the noise more than made up for it.

[Mr Ree]

What areas were you viewing from?

Yes, you are right, the current engines makee a sound that every petrol head should hear atleast once in their life.

A bit of a shame that they are turning into hoovers soon...

[d1 mule]

Mainly from Pouhon, Malmedy, Les combes, Kemel straight and of ouese Eau Rouge . Was awesome

[Mr Revhead]

Well, another Seb win...

Good race from the Hulk!

Watching the cool down room was funny. Webber and Alsono chatting and laughing, Web ignoring Seb almost completely

[Mr Ree]

Yeah, not to mention the crowd werent booing any and all drivers who werent wearing red. Sub will have noticed that too, whether he let it show or not, the crowd roared for Webber, just not for him.

Its a shame the forecast rain didnt quite hang around as it would have changed the complexion of the race, without doubt.

Great race from the Hulk, and another great performance by Daniel.

Unless Seb starts suffering from some poor reliability/misfortune, its looking like its pretty done and dusted, unfortunately.

[2jayzgte]

All I know is since about mid season RBR are really the only team that have stepped it up and all the rest are just making up the numbers.

I watched Quali for this race and just thought this is another walk in the park for Vettel and RBR.

[Mr Ree]

The other teams have improved, just not as much as RBR. Its pretty logical given their spending almost twice what its nearest rivals are spending, which certainly isnt hurting their development curve, but its not really comparing apples with apples when they can afford to bring new front/rear wings, new engine covers, and several other changes per race lol.

Either way, they are making the best use of what they have, before any RRA is cemented into the sport.

[Scottie]

How do you know Red Bull are almost spending twice as much as the nearest rival?

I think 2jayz is right that Red Bull have stepped up. They have been saying themselves that they haven't previously had the best car for the lower downforce circuits, even though the have won the last 2 races before. This year was a walk in the park. Leading apart from the pitstop phases really.

They are never realistically going to cement any resource restriction(if thats what you mean by RRA MrRee). And next year with in season testing and the new engines etc, costs will be going up. Maybe Bernie will be sharing more pie.

[Mr Ree]

It was a figure of speech, although its not too far from the truth if you reads the finances of F1. But the thing is, that NEVER tells the true story...sooo much money gets spent off the books in crafty ways. F1 teams have the most savvy accountants and lawyers in the world lol.

They will have no other choice but to bring in some form of RRA as the global financial problems continue to exist, and 2 or 3 teams are JUST clinging on at the moment, let alone when the engine costs double next year, not to mention all the associated costs with the two new ERS systems being integrated reliably into the new chassis'

2014 could be a killer for some teams, so we will just have to wait and see, but currently, only 2 or 3 teams can honestly say they are not just keeping their heads above water.

The extra testing next year shouldnt add too much to the teams budgets though, as they are trading most of the days for straight line test days, and media filming days etc.

Bernie will share more pie once he can get the teams to agree to 21/22 races next year, and beyond, but currently with no 'concorde agreement' signed sealed and delivered, and Bernie still caught in his legal wrangles, who knows what the future holds.

Some kind of austerity will be required though, whether it is imposed or agreed to remains to be seen though.

[2jayzgte]

Reith thats like that in every sport with regards to spending and the usage of $$$$ there is always going to be the haves and have nots.

I am surprised in Ferrari though they seem to have made some in roads just before the mid season break but have got no follow through.

For me I question there leadership and there head guys running there team.I'm glad Alonso spoke out because he's not far wrong about that team they seem only want to speak when they are doing well but when under the pressure they have a very fragile underbelly.

The results suggest this they got probably the best all round driver on the grid and he keeps getting the best out of that car.But for me he's bringing a knife to a gun fight RBR have Ferrari covered and they no it and for me it harks back to the direction of the team and the head people running it.

[Mr Ree]

Yeah but it always comes back to money though.

What happening now is nothing new, the sport always has a team who dominate for a few years, then it goes in cycles as the laws of diminishing returns come into it.

RBR is simply doing this very well at the moment, with a virtually unlimited budget, the best car designer, and a very handy driver behind the wheel, and its this combination leaves all the other teams to play catch up.

[2jayzgte]

Gotta agree the guys running the team I think are the most important it all stems from the top hence why Mercedes really look the most likely going foward with Brawn at the helm.

I just don't rate that Domenicali & Montezemolo ever since these 2 have been at the helm since Brawn left Ferrari have shown very little consistency and have won nothing and to me thats on them.

[Mr Ree]

So the worst kept secret of 2013 is finally starting to unravel, with Felipe announcing today that he will no longer be with Ferrari for 2014.

Now we just wait for Kimi or Hulkenberg, or both to be announced, if Alonso puts his bottom lip out and walks to Lotus, or even 'shock horror' McLaren.

Interesting times are afoot.

[2jayzgte]

So the worst kept secret of 2013 is finally starting to unravel, with Felipe announcing today that he will no longer be with Ferrari for 2014.

Now we just wait for Kimi or Hulkenberg, or both to be announced, if Alonso puts his bottom lip out and walks to Lotus, or even 'shock horror' McLaren.

Interesting times are afoot.

I think it's a mistake grabbing Raikkonen I reckon him and Alonso probably have about 2 years left.I'd be looking at Hulkenberg myself then signing Vettel 2015-6 if I were Ferrari secure them long term with younger talent.

While I love Raikkonen as a driver for me its a business decision they can get Hulkenberg for less and let him learn his craft under Alonso for a couple of years then make there move for Vettel.

I'd let Raikkonen go back to Mclaren they need a lead driver and I've never been 100 % convinced Button is that guy.

[Mr Ree]

But what if Alonso gets the pip and decides to leave Ferrari? Then they wouldnt have a lead driver, which is too risky.

Thats why I think there is still a good chance he will walk with his lip out back to Enstone

[2jayzgte]

But what if Alonso gets the pip and decides to leave Ferrari? Then they wouldnt have a lead driver, which is too risky.

Thats why I think there is still a good chance he will walk with his lip out back to Enstone

You reckon nah there would be no point in Alonso going anywhere else would there.

If Ferrari do grab Raikkonen I think its an accident waiting to happen they struggle to put 1 competitive car on the track let alone 2.

I'd go the younger driver myself leave it in no doubt who your #1 is let the young guy do his time.

[Mr Revhead]

Ferrari wants constructors champs. Massa cannot help with that. At least not in the first half of a season.
I think Ferrari would be happy to have Kimi.
They improve on Massa. They also prod Alonso and put him in his place a bit. He had been whinging a lot lately.

[Mr Ree]

Lately?

He doesnt ever stop moaning!!

Thats why the team are growing tired of him finally. You can only speak negatively about the hundreds of people who work tirelessly to give you a car every Sunday, before it starts having a negative impact on your status in the team. Something Michael never did, hence why he was so adored by the team, management, and fans.

I think if Kimi is in red next year, its their way of gently pushing Alonso out the side door

[Mr Revhead]

I was being polite
In conversations with F1 fan mates, he is reffered to as "the sulky one"


A true champion will never complain about who his team mate is.
If he is worried about someone else in the same car. Then maybe he isn't the champion

[2jayzgte]

Ferrari won't win until those 2 at the top get there $hit together.

Regardless if they get Raikkonen or not.

I find it hard to throw stones at Alonso when he has been driving the wheels off that POS Ferrari have given him the last 2 season's.He's getting the most out of what is being given to him but unfortunately Ferrari just aren't on the same level as RBR end of.

For me that goes back to whats happening at the top.