New F1 season kicks off this weekend (Page 29 of 33)

Just to bring this back into play ...

Congrats to Sebastian Vettel on his fourth world championship.  He hasn't really done anything wrong this year and deserves to win it.  Abu Dhabi this weekend is going to be a bit of a drag from that point of view but I'll still watch it as F1 is one of my great passions.  All I can say is c'mon Kimi!!

if a driver of one of the top 4(?) teams is not being paid salary it is a sad indictment on the sport and how badly it is managed where greed of some takes away from others.

This season there has been an imbalance, an massive imbalance between teams, but also between drivers in the same team where so much resource has clearly been put into one, at the expense of the other, - in this case a very talented Australian who has chosen to walk away seemingly realising that there is more to life than having to put up with being treated in such a bad way. - I admire his ability to keep quiet and walk, - can't wait for the autobiography in a few years! And to add a very respected team manager like Ross Brawn walking away does it not tell you that something is wrong and the future is not looking great?

Once again sorry to be negative about the sport but is it not time for a massive rethink on how it is run?

Ian, as you know I've defended the sport of F1 on here many times, but even I now think in the same way.

The money that is taken out of the sport by CVC/Ecclestone yearly is a phenomenal sum.yet it is the teams themselves that are to blame, as they onl y see the short to mid term. Bernie knows he can always spin them on the promise of a bit more here or there when necessary.

Merc spearheaded a breakaway group 5 years ago, but even then they and the other manufacturers were only using the concept of an F1 breakaway as 'leverage' against Bernie and the FIA. They accepted another sub-standard deal and now have to live with the consequences.

The true spirit of the sport lays with the non-manufacturer teams and of course, Ferrari. Manufacturers come and go. Personally I would only allow them in the sport as driver train and system suppliers. Nothing more.

Red Bulls dominance and the new rules next year promises a further technical 'arms race' that only the deepest pockets can afford. Most in F1 do not have that financial depth any more.

Todts FIA reign has been a dead hand so far and indeed the FIA's stewardship if F1 over the last 10 years or more has been lamentable. Encouraging teams into the sport using 2nd hand equipment only to change the rules and require them to build their own cars. Then providing them with sporting advantages to stay within fixed financial parameters, only to change the rules again and require them to compete on the same basis as the rest.

F1 has disappeared up its own tailpipe sadly. Vettel IS a great driver and the records books will show that, but right now, to me, his achievements are minimised. He is the best, in the best car with the biggest budget. Of course, he is going to win. Now where is the sport in that?

Shame Kimi won't be racing.  It's a strange situation where a driver will still commit his all to a team who aren't even paying him, but I guess he like most drivers get a fair bit of income from personal sponsorship deals.

We can only hope next year throws a spanner in the works. There should be engine blows ups and who knows what. I can only hope that Merc have got a march on Renault for a while. What we do know is that the RB chassis will be right on the money.

Vettel is completely in the zone at the moment. 3 seconds up after the first 2 racing laps.

Some good drives out there today. Don't understand McLaren opting for Magnussen when Hulkenburg is available, unless it is money related but I can't think he comes too expensive, especially if Lotus want him! They haven't got any money at all just yet. It all belongs to Kimi!

Grosjean seems to have finally come good. If he keeps it up, his first win can't be far off.

Haven't seen the Sutil crash again yet. Was Maldonaldo to blame? German commentators have been very down on him these last 2 races. Short memories, all of 'em. He was the talk of the town last spring. All a bit unfair I think. The Williams has been a total dog this year. How embarrassing that they had to bolt on last years rear end this weekend and it went so much better. Bottas is definately one to watch. Ferrari driver in thr making I would say.....

I too look forward to Webber in the sports car ranks. He's a natural for endurance racing and I expect a podium or two at LeMans and others for him. Let's hope for some better competition next year. I tire of commentators dropping off to discuss the race for 6th as the best action on the course.
Rick

The season might be over, but it looks like some of the minor places for next year are already settled.

Maldonaldo's money has secured him the Lotus drive over Hulkenberg, and that shows just how perilous their situation was/is. The Quantum deal is still not done and from what I have read one of the guys behind it has been associated with a number of failed deals in the past. In which case, Lotus have decided correctly and they should be grateful.
Maldonaldo is no 'pay driver' because historically they don't have either the talent or nous to win a GP or qualify regularly in the top 10. Pastor has, and with a decent mount under him he will rediscover the form that caused all the raised eyebrows in the first place. I've been stunned by the amount of bile has been heaped on him by the German TV commentators this season when it was clear many of the incidents he was involved him were not necessarily his fault. Plus he has been lumbered with an absolute dog of a car in a team that made no secret of its support for the other driver. At at time when 30 million dollars is much needed by any team I am surprised at how Williams have behaved this season. But then again, their history is littered with examples of their rather 'indifferent' attitude drivers that did and would do, a great job for them.

So the Hulk goes back to Force India along with Perez, whilst Sutil partners Guiterez at Sauber. That McLaren didn't take Hulkenberg I find incredible. Going for an F3 graduate at this stage seems strange, but I hope for them and him it works out. Sad for di Resta as he loses his spot, but money talks in F1. He has had 3 years to find some, but doesn't think he should have to. I think I would have made the effort. He could have found himself in the Lotus seat..................

Well said Mike. I agree
Look at the Nascar "chase" as an example. There's a strategy for the first part of the season, then another for the top cars that qualify for the champs. Jimmy Johnson plays it like a fiddle. Run hard and qualify early, then play with setups to find the optimal combo for the chase races and fall back while tuing with not so hot results, then win the cup.
If they start some shenanigans like that in F1 it would be a disaster IMO.
Rick