Thread: Vroooooooooooomm... - Motorsport 2014 Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :
 
A brand new year, a brand new thread.
Welcome anew - have fun and don't forget to keep both hands on the wheel.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
God willing, the Mrs. will get a real job with a proper salary and we'll see the USGP in person for the first time in 38 years!

The last time I saw it, I was in Long Beach: I walked from my future father-in-law's house and bribed a rent-a-cop $10 to stand at the hairpin curve. That was a good venue: I miss it! I am given to understand that there shall be two USGPs soon....
 
Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
:bump:
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Studying up on the upcoming Formula One cars: not enamoured of the "gentleman's appendage" featured on most of them. Wish they'd bring back V16s and V12s!
 
Posted by The Rogue (# 2275) on :
 
Is anyone interested in a prediction competition this year?
 
Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
Here, or using a 3rd party?
I'm part of one on superbru.com
 
Posted by The Rogue (# 2275) on :
 
I was thinking here. We have done them before but most recently there weren't a lot of interested participants. I was just wondering if that has changed. So far it looks like it hasn't.

I am doing one that Rogue jr and some friends are running elsewhere on the internet.
 
Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
I'd be intetested in joining in.
 
Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
I confess I'm feeling completely underwhelmed by the prospect of a new season. But I'd be more than happy to participate in a prediction game especially if
(a) it's not too complicated,
(b) there's no expectation that one actually watches the races! [Biased]
 
Posted by The Rogue (# 2275) on :
 
OK, I'll start one off and see what takers there are. Initially this will be purely for F1 for no sporting reason at all.

Two points for correctly predicting pole; four points for race winner; three for second; two for third; one for predicting a podium place but on the wrong step; two for fastest lap. Also, for a bit of fun can you guess the sum of the race numbers on the podium. One point for whoever is closest.

So I need five names (not all different necessarily but five names the same would be a bit daft) and a number.
 
Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
OK, I'll bite to get us going

Australian GP:
Pole: Hamilton

#1: Hamilton
#2: Rosberg
#3: Alonso

Fastest Lap: Vettel

Podium total: 64
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Australian Gran Prix:
Pole: Lewis

1: Lewis
2: Fred
3: Seb

Fastest Lap: Fred

Podium total: 64?
 
Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Aussie GP:
Pole: Rosberg

1st: Alonso
2nd: Hamilton
3rd: Raikkonen

Podium tally: 67
 
Posted by The Rogue (# 2275) on :
 
I'd better predict in my game.

Pole: Hamilton

Race winner: Hamilton
Second: Vettell
Third: Rosberg

Fastest lap: Rosberg

Podium total: 51
 
Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Honestly, what a farce. Bernie might as well give each of the drivers a Prius and send them out racing, seeing as how Formula 1 is now dominated by fuel saving, engines that sound like the lasers in the old Star Wars movies, and cars so fragile that one failed sensor will cause the whole thing to stop working.

And how are the teams supposed to race competently when there are such massive rule changes and they are given so little testing time? Sending them out to the grid lacking fundamental understanding of how their cars work might add to the "spectacle", but it ruins Formula 1's sporting integrity.

Disgraceful.

The only redeeming feature of that race is that the tyres weren't falling apart.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Don't agree. I thought it was a superb race. some of the teams managed to cope with the changes, and produce cars that did the job.

Yes it is different. It will take a few races for all of the teams to properly understand how their cars are working and make sure they can finish. That is often the case with major changes.

F1 should be at the peak of automotive engineering excellence. I believe that it still is - the teams have had a whole lot of new engineering challenges to deal with this year, and have - largely - risen to the challenges.

I am so looking forward to more races, to see the strategies that they utilise. I think we may be in for a rocky season, but I think we will find some more great races.
 
Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
So how did we do in the game?
Time for more guesses?

Hamilton pole
Podium rosberg, hamilton, vettel
Podium value 67

Fastest lap:
Rosberg
 
Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Qualifying is currently delayed due to heavy rain*, so I've just got time to get my predictions in under the wire:

Pole: Hamilton

1st: Rosberg
2nd: Hamilton
3rd: Ricciardo

Total podium: 53.


* Is this possibly the only thing that Formula 1 and cricket have in common?!
 
Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
So how did we do in the game?
Time for more guesses?

Hamilton pole
Podium rosberg, hamilton, vettel
Podium value 67

Fastest lap:
Rosberg
 
Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
Lift and coast, blah blah blah.

Engine mapping, yackety yack yack.

Tyre degradation, blah blah blah.

Fuel saving, chunter chunter chunter.

I want the real Formula 1 back.
 
Posted by Wet Kipper (# 1654) on :
 
Are we still playing?
This time round a slight change to my previous
Pole: Hamilton
Podium: Hamilton, Rosberg, better
podium value: 69 (if no one else enters I still get the points for being closest?)
Fastest lap Hamilton
 
Posted by Imaginary Friend (# 186) on :
 
I'm still game:

Pole: Hamilton

1st: Hamilton
2nd: Rosberg
3rd: Alonso

Total podium: 64

Fastest lap: Hamilton
 
Posted by JFH (# 14794) on :
 
Ok, I'll join in just because there's a Swede in the race for the first time in many years.

1. Ericsson
2. Magnussen
3. Räikkönen

Total podium number: 34

Fastest lap: Ericsson

Can I subscribe to precisely this list being a standing contribution to each and every GP? I shan't change it unless they change drivers halfway through the season. Thanks!
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Lewis
Kevin
Fred

Pole Lewis

total podium 48
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Oops!
 
Posted by Tom Day (# 3630) on :
 
I know I've been a little absent from the boards recently but...

So, Monaco today. I always enjoy watching this one, and I think it could get quite tasty today with Lewis a little unhappy at Nico. I should imagine that unless he gets the overtake done in first few laps he will find it almost impossible and will have to hope that he pressurises him into a mistake.

It is still pretty impressive that even at a track like Monaco, there is still 4 tenths between the Mercedes and the rest. I was kinda hoping that Riccardo could get close.

Tom
 
Posted by The Rogue (# 2275) on :
 
Eddie Jordan suggested that the Mercedes** will take each other out, giving Ricciardo his first win. It could happen and a couple of years ago Hamilton was less calm so maybe then it would have happened.

My tuppenny worth is that it was a genuine error on a lap that had already seen a mistake earlier on so it wouldn't have been an improvement on his existing time. He then weaved from side to side as he went down the escape road as though there was some doubt in his mind as to what to do. But he did go well down so I think ultimately he did what he could.

It is the nature of the circuit that any incident will result in yellow flags whereas other tracks give more scope for marshals keeping things going. If Hamilton had had a catastrophic event approaching that corner I expect he would have preferred an empty run-off road to one with Rosberg and/or his car parked in it.

** Mercedeses / Mercedess / Mercedes' - what is the plural?
 
Posted by Ad Orientem (# 17574) on :
 
I don't like Monaco. I don't think it should be part of F1 anymore. There's no real race. Barring crashes everyone will pretty much cross the finish line in the order that they left the starting grid.
 
Posted by The Rogue (# 2275) on :
 
If it was purely down to the race it would have been binned a long time ago.

But this race gives a lot of the glamour which so many people around F1 love - including sponsors - so in practice it will be the last to go.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
I like street races! I heard but did not see the famous race in Long Beach when we were newlyweds in 1978: as mentioned earlier, in 1976, I bribed a rent-a-cop and saw the entire race from the hairpin curve after walking from my then-future father-in-law's house. My lovely bride did not get interested in F1 until the last three or four years. She couldn't avoid it: there is a large television in the master bedroom with a DVR that I use to record and replay all of the races. I used to go in my den at 4.30 AM and watch races on my old colour console TV until the picture tube went out a couple of years ago. It cost me only $50!

I nearly saw another USGP in the '90s, but with tickets at $100 at the time, all I could afford was taking the kid on the garage tour, which was free. I miss the diversity of engine sounds: the Lamborghini with its screaming V12, a V10 in another car and the V8 in the McLaren!

During that period, some of my fellow marshalls in the Sports Car Club of America flagged some of the European F1s.

God willing, we can go to the USGP this year if Z can get time off her new teaching job and we've saved enough money to finance it: we'll fly in, stay with my sister in Austin and likely borrow her husband's old Acura to drive to the track!

I hope Lewis regains his top form and wins another championship...
 
Posted by Tom Day (# 3630) on :
 
Qualifying today was interesting for the Canadian Grand Prix. I thought Lewis would do it but Nico was that little bit quicker. Williams did well - and it looks like the race for 3rd could be interesting with the Red Bulls, Williams and Ferrari's all around the same pace.

My money is still on Lewis - in an out and out battle and with overtaking slightly easier than in Monaco he should be able to take Nico.

Tom
 
Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :
 
Wellll, I don't think anyone was expecting that to happen.

There are going to be a fair few folks not talking to each other tomorrow.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
i never liked Nico anyway!
 
Posted by Tom Day (# 3630) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
i never liked Nico anyway!
As much as though I would like Lewis to win, I don't think Nico can be blamed. Yes he went straight on at the chicane and broke the drs with Hamilton but the stewards deemed it ok. Lewis wouldn't have overtaken him if he hadn't.

It was a shame that Lewis had to retire. I should imagine that Nico will have at least one retirement is year so should even things up a bit. The Massa / Perez incident was interesting. And I think Vettel drove well to miss it. I agree with the stewards punishing Perez as he did move across.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Am I the only one watching Le Mans here? I am cheering for Aston-Marin in the GTE Pro class and they were winning when I stopped the DVR....

That said, I should like to see Audi lose for a change!
 
Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
This isn't really about motor-sport per se, but some good news about one of its most illustrious proponents.

Wishing Mr. Schumacher a full recovery. [Votive]
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Glad he's out of the coma and in hospital at Lausanne near his home on the shores of Lake Geneva!
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
Am I the only one watching Le Mans here? I am cheering for Aston-Marin in the GTE Pro class and they were winning when I stopped the DVR....
( Aston Martin won the Amateur class and place fifth in the GTE Pro. At least Chevrolet didn't win it all - I'm a Ford man! )
 
Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :
 
Hamilton takes the Silverstone Grand Prix [Smile]
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
So happy that Lewis won after agonizing through qualifying! [Yipee]
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
The news looks pretty good for Raikkonen after his crash. No indications of anything broken.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
I'm glad he's gonna be OK, but Kimi's still a has-been.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
SPOILER ALERT!

My idol Lewis went from zero to hero, starting at 20th and making it to the podium. While I wish he'd been second instead of third, I am happy for his teammate and hope Nico R. is passed and defeated by Lewis next week! I remember the career of Keke fondly though I did not follow F1 that closely back in the day as racing broadcasts of F1 in the US were not same-day available.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
He did a brilliant job, given where he started. And it was a spectacular race.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Long live English F1 drivers. What's up wif Jenson? Does his car really stink?
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Are there really only two gearheads left on the Ship?
 
Posted by Ad Orientem (# 17574) on :
 
Valtteri Bottas has been the surprise of the season so far for me and, of course, he's Finnish, continuing the long tradition of great drivers from this small nation.
 
Posted by iamchristianhearmeroar (# 15483) on :
 
I'm on here as well. Another Hamilton fan. Come on Lewis!
 
Posted by Ad Orientem (# 17574) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
I'm glad he's gonna be OK, but Kimi's still a has-been.
No he ain't. He's just got a crap car.
 
Posted by iamchristianhearmeroar (# 15483) on :
 
What has Lewis got to do to catch a break?! Seriously, Mercedes, sort it out!
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
(My prediction for Hungary:)

KIMI, YOU'RE FIRED! IT'S YOU, NOT THE CAR!

Another podium finish for Lewis, maybe second with Nico first and Bottas third. Bring back the normally-aspirated V-10s and/or V-12s. Different cylindre counts were allowed in the '90s, why not again? This hybrid business is unreliable and very dangerous: it must be abandoned next season, for the good of sport! We don't need a fourth engine fire in two meetings. What have we learned from the fire last week or the ones on Friday practice and Q1? Absolutely nothing?

That said, given the time off and the money, my wife and I hope to see the USGP in 2015 and perhaps Mexico or Canada or Silverstone as well. We were in England during the F1 about seven or eight years ago, but logistics and our planned budget prohibited us from seeing it. Saw the USGP last when it was in Long Beach, California where we lived as newlyweds and could walk from home to the street course!
 
Posted by Ad Orientem (# 17574) on :
 
Not a bad race from Kimi. If Ferrari hadn't made that tactical mistake in Q1 he would have been racing for a podium place. Bad tactics from Williams with the tyre changes. It cost Bottas a podium place. In a month it's Spa. Kimi's circuit.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Perhaps, but Lewis gets my vote for best driver thus far in this century. I am sure and certain that nobody else went from pit lane to podium two races in a row!

All other racing drivers of the last 14 years pale in comparison to Mr. Hamilton...
 
Posted by iamchristianhearmeroar (# 15483) on :
 
So Michael Schumacher pales into comparison with Hamilton?! I'm no Schumacher fan, but even I can see that's crazy.
 
Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :
 
Hamilton is a superb driver. In the right car, he can show how good he is. But he is not yet into the realm of Schumacher.

Personally, I hated Schumacher, but that was because he was boring a lot of the time, and far too aggressive at times. None of which takes away from the fact that as a driver he is the best of the last decade or so. Most importantly, he did some remarkable performances even when his car was not really up to it.

Hamilton has the potential to move onto that level, but then many drivers in history have had that potential. Very few actually do. They can be very successful without reaching the level of consistent, record-breaking achievement that Schumacher has managed.

When Hamilton starts to break Schumachers records, I will consider him approaching the same league. At the moment, his is merely in the same class as other British single world champions - an elite class in itself, but a level down from the truly world greats. It is the difference between people who have won at international level and people who have dominated their sports.

Andy Murray, for example, has won at international level, and good on him. Borg dominated his sport for several years.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by iamchristianhearmeroar:
So Michael Schumacher pales into comparison with Hamilton?! I'm no Schumacher fan, but even I can see that's crazy.
Did Schuey accomplish the same feats that Lewis did in the last two weeks?

Hmmm, I thought not...
 
Posted by Ad Orientem (# 17574) on :
 
In Hungry the safety car help just little bit. Plus the Mercedes car is a country mile ahead of the rest at the moment. Impressive, yes, but not that great.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Next race he'll win with Nico R. two cars behind - he's got to if he wishes to have another championship!
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
Belay that! Just consulted my home page: Bernie says it must be three places in arrears!

I hope and pray that he does not sell the sport to Carlos Slim of South America or The Koch Brothers from USA. Why not court the Sultan of Brunei or perhaps one of his pals who already has a race in his country?
 


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