I agree, as to having mixed feelings about Vettel's triumph. Not that he isn't a worthy champion, which he is and Congratulations! But, while the others were trying to win it, challenge or vie for it, Vettel focused on being fastest. An odd concept in this day and age of F1 that fittingly also allowed him to snatch away the victory that everyone else was trying to win and in the confusion, take the title.
Unlike 2009, when all had been decided and Abu Dhabi was like a fun end of term meet, this year with the pressure on, Abu fizzled... Spectacularly underwhelming.
So like last year then, the title was really clinched in Brasilia. Afterall, Webber crashing out in Korea essentially put him back never to recover and with Seb storming to victory in
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Okay, Korea was pretty exciting. A new venue, the idiosyncracies and crazy weather made for an interesting outcome and new championship leader. Maybe I'm partial, as I've been to Korea and liked it, but what about the rest of the year?
Has it been the classic type of Formula 1 season we'll remember for time to come or has it been a case of the Red Bull's crashing into each other and/or failing, Ferrari putting all their eggs into the Alonso basket and the McLaren just not fast enough when they need it most?
The new teams, as well, interesting as they can be, it wears thin when you see them so far off the pace running around under budget cap performance whilst the others spend away and lap them every chance they get. "Take that, another $20M you don't have or want to spend". Sort
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In Montreal, it looks from the rear on-board that the Red Bull rear-steers. The other teams have looked at the RedBull suspension, diffuser, exhaust, etc., yet nothing too serious. This, though, if accurate, is another matter. Very clever as it may be. Any thoughts or feedback out there? Keep an eye on that rearview on-board.
All you want to know about the F1 of the Winter Olympic Sports, Snowboard-Cross. While we are at it, the Men's downhill course had a few bus-stop like chicane sections in it as well, which is weird for a downhill, but it was an exciting event nonetheless. Could F1's global reach be more pervasive then first realized? more info at www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2010/0...
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Button, Massa, VW, Toyota, Raikkonen, Lotus, Mercedes, McLaren, Renault, Ferrari, Alonso, FIA, Brawn, Hamilton, Briatore, Schumacher, FOTA, and more, courtesy of Autosport. Happy New Year!!
Miffed at the fact that the FIA is prepared to go the distance on the 2010 issue, FOTA has aligned with the ACEA (a honorary body, without legal effect) to plead it's unteneable case. Bring on more new teams and let the carmakers blow their wads on useless charades in futility, much like what F1 has become with them involved. Those in the know, will know that car manufacturers are best suited as engine suppliers rather than dragging in their complicated businesses and making their problems F1's problems as well. It is a simple sport, put a car on the track and race it. All else is corporate egotism and engineering madness run amock. Go Max go!!
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Vettel's second win in awful conditions and Red Bull Sr.'s first 1-2 with Webber runner up, put a nice touch on what was a nasty week all around, with Ron Dennis stepping away, Flavio blasting Brawn, Kers systems being removed, and Bridgestone being slated for tyres that don't allow the drivers to drive. As if there wasn't enough to worry about in the top flight. Vettel, though, drove a great race, as is becoming his custom, in the appalling conditions, yet behind him it was fairly boring, well, with a safety car start, totally necessary of course, yet dull nonetheless. A few crashes here and there and cars going off, coming back on, makes us wait for Bahrain and the sunshine, and hopefully no sand on the track to create another race of improperly set-up cars slip sliding away.
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Great result, as all have seen, by the Brawn GP people, with Richard B's Virgin brand and the strong Mercedes engine unit. All a testament to the new order in F1 and the absolute need for a shorter off-season and more races in between to create a new season worth staying up until 3am to watch on the telly. Nice new functions on-screen as well, yet still a bit static, but a good start in the right direction, nonetheless.
Vettel's Villeneuve impersonation after punting the equally grim Kubica rank as lo-lite highlights as do, Hamilton's inspired charge from the rear and Ferrari's comedy of error's as they show again that they like to do it the hard way and play catch-up.
Which they will, because that Brawn is fast, diffuser aside, and so are the Toyota's and the William's and Vettel too,
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In spite of the spite, the new F1 cars will look like proper racing cars. Also looking good is Kimi snow-boarding, quite a natural, though Felipe seems like he's still learning on the ski's, more of a water style then snow, seemingly. Soon in full testing we will see who will lead the way. more photos at...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/4221861/Ferrari-unveil-new-Formula-One-car.html
Nice to see for Renault too that they have not lost motivation over the year and gave Alonso the ride he needs to get back to where he belongs. Thanked by teamate Piquet's spin and the safety car, like Rosberg who proved even with his penalty that the mid-field has gained alot of speed these past few races while the leaders, like lucky Hamilton in 3rd are at a stasis with one another, not unlike an endless you may have the honor slow dance merry go-round of misses spiraling ever closer to the cup putting affair, rather than anyone stepping up and taking the bull (vettel) by the horns (alonso) to make the championship theirs. Nice drive by DC who if he even had the sniff that Massa, Raikkonen, Kovi? and even Hamilton have/had would be driving the wheels off like he was today.
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