Formula 1 2011

[Salford Bee]

Button does seem more relaxed than Hamilton. Lewis needs to be a little calmer at times. Unfortunatly, the attitude of some of the stewards seem to be knocking the excitement out of him.

As for Button over taking when Hamilton couldn't, Schumachers overly deffensive driving helped to knacker his tyres earlier and the word in his ear from the team principle, who had to remind him twice to watch his step, helped Button. Hamilton had been sitting on Schumachers tail for a good few laps and his tyres were going. Button had no one around him, could take the best lines so his tyres were in better nick so at that point in the race, he had the best package of the three.

Some of the best bits of racing do involve a bit of contact.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txybat8cDxQ - Great example of proper no holds barred racing.

 

[JBN]

Some of the best bits of racing do involve a bit of contact.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txybat8cDxQ - Great example of proper no holds barred racing.

Brilliant stuff. Slightly scarey, but brilliant.

 

[GP200]

.............that's mad stuff...........fair play to the drivers.........

 

[Banana]

Ferrari and Renault teams in the same hotel. Bar noticeably busier.

 

[Salford Bee]

Seen Senna yet?

 

[Banana]

No. Just the two Ferrari drivers. Some odd behaviour from Alonso who walked into the bar waving left and right, said a few words to someone, then walked out in the same manner.

 

[Salford Bee]

My sources tell me he said "Massa is too much of a challenge, he even outqualified me a few races ago! I want someone easier to beat."

 

[Banana]

It was Massa to whom he spoke

p.s. I just read that over half the f1 teams are staying here.

 

[Salford Bee]

You said someone originally. He then apparently said "I want Badoer as my team-mate. I'd be first, he'd be last. I look even better by comparision."

 

[Banana]

You said someone originally.

correct.

 

[Salford Bee]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/15015576.stm

Great Webber column about the demands of the Singapore track. Hope it's not as boring as last year at the front. Alonso recorded a grand chelem (Pole, Fastest Lap, Victory while leading every single lap).

 

[Banana]

Mark Webber was in the bar this evening. What a nice chap.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Mark Webber was in the bar this evening. What a nice chap.

Does he walk around making loud revving and wheel squeal noises?

 

[JBN]

Hamilton is with the race officials having gaffer tape put over his mouth in preparation for the weekend.

 

[GP200]

Does he walk around making loud revving and wheel squeal noises?

..........only in the DRS zone............

 

[JBN]

Does he walk around making loud revving and wheel squeal noises?

He's so busy making the noises, he keeps walking into walls.

 

[Banana]

Does he walk around making loud revving and wheel squeal noises?

No. Unlike Mr Alonso. Mr Webber was quite demonstrative though. To be fair, I'm not sure one could do the job without an ego in the upper few percentile though.

 

[JBN]

No. Unlike Mr Alonso. Mr Webber was quite demonstrative though. To be fair, I'm not sure one could do the job without an ego in the upper few percentile though.

Have heard from my antipodean relatives who have worked around him, that he likes himself alot.

 

[Salford Bee]

Hamilton is with the race officials having gaffer tape put over his mouth in preparation for the weekend.

He's just received a 30 second penalty for having an out of shape beard.

 

[JBN]

He's just received a 30 second penalty for having an out of shape beard.

That would be funny, if it wasn't true.

 

[Banana]

I must say that I am througly enjoying this weekend and I've not been near the race yet. Met a couple of the Williams team. And that nice Mr Horner, a true gentlemen by the way.

Anyway got me "pit lane, all times" bib from Mr Whiting. That would never happen at Silverstone.,

 

[wanderer paul]

Button raced well yet again. Vettel way way above everyone else with that car under his arse. But, not surprisingly, Hamilton decides to hit Massa! But then again, other drivers didn't get punished, when they should have, especially if Lewis got punished for that incident. But well done Jenson, again!

 

[JBN]

Lewis was a bit dopey with Massa, good drive by Button and eventually Webber. Vettel is in a class of his own.

As for Schumacher, what goes around comes around.

 

[Banana]

Must say even I was surprised at Lewis being given a drive-through for that. I'm worried that Salford may have hurt himself today.

The race has been the most boring bit of this grand prix weekend. Off now to make sure it goes out with a bang!

 

[Adam]

Apart from the last 10-15 laps I thought it was a decent race. Mostly thanks to the midfield battle and Massa and Hamilton fighting their way back through.

 

[SmiffyBee]

The race has been the most boring bit of this grand prix weekend. Off now to make sure it goes out with a bang!

At the risk of sounding like your mother, make sure you use protection and pop the money in a brown envelope, rather than taking out your wallet

 

[Salford Bee]

Must say even I was surprised at Lewis being given a drive-through for that. I'm worried that Salford may have hurt himself today.

other drivers didn't get punished, when they should have, especially if Lewis got punished for that incident.

Bloody hell, woke up early () and see this.

I'm getting fed up of this F1 season. Stewards have ruined it for me. On another note, can't wait for it to be on Sky. No more Lee McKenzie and Humphrey (as he'll be too busy doing Olympics etc).

 

[SmiffyBee]

I'm getting fed up of this F1 season.

Not as good as the last 2 seasons, but the battle for 2nd still holds some interest.

 

[Salford Bee]

2008 was the best season I've seen. Stewards tried to ruin that one as well. Notice Hamilton didn't fulfill his media requirement. I wouldn't want to speak to Lee McKenzie either especially after her attempts at Monza.

 

[SmiffyBee]

2008 was the best season I've seen. Stewards tried to ruin that one as well. Notice Hamilton didn't fulfill his media requirement. I wouldn't want to speak to Lee McKenzie either especially after her attempts at Monza.

Why do these stewards have it in for Hamilton, as you suggest ?
Do you think the BBC are against him too ?
Also - Is it the same stewards for each race, that pick on poor Lewis ?

Can anyone help with these questions ?

 

[Salford Bee]

I don't know.
You only have to look at the BBC website. No mention of him charging back through the field, just articles about a racing incident and criticising him.
There is a changing driver steward but I believe they are now the same stewards.

 

[Mr Tree]

You only have to look at the BBC website. No mention of him charging back through the field, just articles about a racing incident and criticising him.

the last paragraph of the race report, which i read yesterday:

He was reassured that he was still fighting for points, and fought back in clinical style - and with the help of the safety car - up to fifth place by the end of the race.

but overall, what's the "bigger story" here? "plonker makes stupid mistake" or "top driver makes slight misjudgment but heroically fights back to fifth place"

you really are funny sometimes

 

[Stanley]

the last paragraph of the race report, which i read yesterday:



but overall, what's the "bigger story" here? "plonker makes stupid mistake" or "top driver makes slight misjudgment but heroically fights back to fifth place"

you really are funny sometimes

Bit of both in truth, but when other drivers turn on you maybe it is time for a bit more self reflection or the word "top driver" will be something in the past.

Interesting that his team mates' standing has never been higher after a season when he has probably established himeslf as a faster and more complete driver driver than when he won the world championship. Button would walk into any top team at the moment , not sure Lewis would.

 

[Salford Bee]

the last paragraph of the race report, which i read yesterday:



but overall, what's the "bigger story" here? "plonker makes stupid mistake" or "top driver makes slight misjudgment but heroically fights back to fifth place"

you really are funny sometimes

Ooh last paragraph. That's like saying Brentford's next game is against Huddersfield. Where's the big deal about Schumacher having another coming together this season? McKenzie's interview at Monza was just trying to provoke Hamilton. Read the comments on the blogs now. It's becoming tiring.

Brilliant stuff. Slightly scarey, but brilliant.

If you notice Massa overtook while leaving the confines of the racetrack and gained an advantage - might have been the long way round but still illegal. The stewards penalised Hamilton in Belgium for leaving the confines of the racetrack, giving the place back and repassing at the next corner, spoiling what was a fantastic duel on the penultimate lap (until Raikkonen put it in the wall).

 

[SmiffyBee]

Whether Hamilton is treated abysmally by everyone, even his dad, or not, at least we can agree that over the last 3 seasons, Button is the best British driver, can't we ?

 

[Adam]

Bloody hell, woke up early () and see this.

I'm getting fed up of this F1 season. Stewards have ruined it for me. On another note, can't wait for it to be on Sky. No more Lee McKenzie and Humphrey (as he'll be too busy doing Olympics etc).

Jake Humphrey is a great presenter. He may not have known a lot before he took the job but he really has got into it and fair play. Better than Jim Rosenthal by miles.

 

[Salford Bee]

Jake Humphrey is a great presenter. He may not have known a lot before he took the job but he really has got into it and fair play. Better than Jim Rosenthal by miles.

Humphrey has irked me more and more this season and IMO has got too big for his boots. Steve Rider was better IMO. Some of the stuff he's done is cringeworthy though like trying to get into parc-ferme. I like watching as much of the coverage as possible (and will be waking up for the Japanese GP etc) but nowadays I only tune in for the on-track action.

If I was choosing Sky's lineup the first thing I'd try to do is sign Brundle as lead commentator. Coulthard has grown in the role with Brundle so would be a good foil although maybe poach Ant Davidson from 5L.
Jordan is a marmite character, but he can get good scoops. Paul Stoddart would do a similar job for a fresh face.
Kravitz is very good in the pit-lane and vital during the race for information. McKenzie isn't good at post-race interviews.
I wouldn't employ Humphrey (and he wouldn't leave his plush job at the BBC anyway).
Brundle and Kravitz were the best two things about ITV's coverage (the first season I started watching was 1997 - the first on ITV).

 

[Alex]

They could bring back James Allen, we could listen to him come in his pants everytime they show a picture of Jenson Button, although I would fear for Salford Bee if this ever happened.

 

[Salford Bee]

They could bring back James Allen, we could listen to him come in his pants everytime they show a picture of Jenson Button, although I would fear for Salford Bee if this ever happened.

I watched the races on mute, sometimes with the 5L commentary, which remains excellent. So I'd probably go back to that if that ever happened again.

 

[JBN]

Whether Hamilton is treated abysmally by everyone, even his dad, or not, at least we can agree that over the last 3 seasons, Button is the best British driver, can't we ?

Theres only 3 British drives out there.

Button has been a bit of a steady Eddie, keeping out the way, nursing the car and playing the percentage game.

Hamilton has a real edge, almost Senna like.

Hamilton does seem to be victimised slightly by the stewards. Schumacher can weave across the track and it takes his team principal to have a word, that should have come from his chief engineer. I can't help but think that someone higher up tipped Braun off. Sometimes Hamilton doesn't do himself any favours, but he has been on the rough end of some very dubious punishments from the stewards, that with other drivers have gone unpunished.

 

[Salford Bee]

Webber didn't get a reprimand, at least, for his attempted pass on Massa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG_ionaD-VY

How different is this incident to Hamilton's on Sunday? There isn't much difference IMO - Massa spun where he had a puncture in Singapore. Where was a reprimand (as Webber crashed out due to his wing getting under the car that lap therefore no drive-through could be given) or a five-place penalty?

 

[JBN]

I don't know.
You only have to look at the BBC website. No mention of him charging back through the field, just articles about a racing incident and criticising him.
There is a changing driver steward but I believe they are now the same stewards.

From the Biased Broadcasting Company

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/15061890.stm

They don't have a similar article for Webber (who contributes to the BBC F1 Website), who hasn't the best season.

 

[SmiffyBee]

Theres only 3 British drives out there.

Button has been a bit of a steady Eddie, keeping out the way, nursing the car and playing the percentage game.

Button has the most overtakes this season.
My view on Hamilton is that he is adventurous and aggressive, but unlike Senna, he is also clumsy at times, which is the thing that gets his repeatedly in trouble and riles other drivers.

 

[JBN]

Button has the most overtakes this season.
My view on Hamilton is that he is adventurous and aggressive, but unlike Senna, he is also clumsy at times, which is the thing that gets his repeatedly in trouble and riles other drivers.

In fairness, quite a few of his overtakes have been as a result of a below par qualifying coupled with blinding starts.

 

[Alex]

In fairness, quite a few of his overtakes have been as a result of a below par qualifying coupled with blinding starts.

I'm sure Mr Brundle said they don't count places made at the start in the overtake stats

 

[Salford Bee]

Button has the most overtakes this season.
My view on Hamilton is that he is adventurous and aggressive, but unlike Senna, he is also clumsy at times, which is the thing that gets his repeatedly in trouble and riles other drivers.

Did you not see Senna clashing with Prost in Japan. Deliberate and won him the title.

 

[Sweepy]

Missed the race this weekend due to F1 being now officially dull and predictable. I think you have to tip your hats to Mr Button though, who has done a fine job of establishing himself as the main driver at McLaren. It couldn't have been easy coming into the team at the start of last season with Hamilton already well-established there.

 

[Brian]

Did you not see Senna clashing with Prost in Japan. Deliberate and won him the title.

Or Schumacher deliberatly running Hill off the track at Adelaide (I think it was)
All the top drivers have that nasty edge(win at all costs) to them

 

[Salford Bee]

I'd rather, for lack of a better word, he made the "clumsy" moves than deliberate acts like Senna, Schumacher.

 

[SmiffyBee]

Or Schumacher deliberatly running Hill off the track at Adelaide (I think it was)
All the top drivers have that nasty edge(win at all costs) to them

Hamilton is nowhere near the class of Senna or Schumacher

I'd rather, for lack of a better word, he made the "clumsy" moves than deliberate acts like Senna, Schumacher.

Button makes more overtakes,
with less mistakes
Hamilton is good but a bit rude
Button is better and a nicer dude