The Official 2011 F1 thread.

[TDE30]

http://planet-f1.com/driver/18227/7139663/Fighting-talk-from-Maldonado

Getting less and less impressed by this idiot. The incident with LH in Belgium was ridiculous enough, now he's broken his points cherry (with one whole point on the board after round 12 rounds.) From all I have heard about him, he made it into F1 due to his family's financial status and sponsorship ties with the PDVSA oil giant. Makes me respect drivers like Perez and di Resta.

[naplesE30]

Perhaps he should be nicknamed the dominator

[unrlmth]

that's awesome, Speed Channel did not show that :(

Neither did the BBC coverage, you can see the normal BBC coverage in the bottom right. Anyone know how they got that footage?

[naplesE30]

I think it might be from online bbc coverage, irc you can choose onboard cameras to watch. But im not sure, it could be an aussie channel, but I have heard of some channel were you can choose onboards.

[E-Thirty]

http://planet-f1.com/driver/18227/71...from-Maldonado

Getting less and less impressed by this idiot. The incident with LH in Belgium was ridiculous enough, now he's broken his points cherry (with one whole point on the board after round 12 rounds.) From all I have heard about him, he made it into F1 due to his family's financial status and sponsorship ties with the PDVSA oil giant. Makes me respect drivers like Perez and di Resta.

Perez isn't much different in that case.

[z31maniac]

Nor is Petrov, Senna or any number of drivers over the years that have received their rides do to sponsorship money.

Di Resta isn't really a fair comparison to the other rookies, he won the DTM Championship last year IIRC.

[Hick]

Di Resta has really impressed me this year. Hes had a few moments were he was too aggressive but I'm confident we will see him in F1 for a number of years.

Of the relatively unknown rookies this year, I think Perez has shown the best form. The guys at STR should start to worry about their jobs.

[Heysüß]

so sad but also glad he's getting called out and asked about his skills and if they're still there, I think it's time for him to quit. Although I know ferrari is loving another barichello to help alonso.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/7143908/Massa-Still-The-Driver-I-Was-In-2008

[z31maniac]

"Fernando is faster, repeat. Do you understand?"

[TDE30]

Perez isn't much different in that case.

Sure, but Perez has actually been consistent and mildly entertaining to watch, unlike Maldonado who has one point and is boasting that "I'm not going to relax [because] I'm a fighter." Over one fucking point?! I have much more respect for the younger drivers who just keep their mouths shut and let their talent do the talking. Plus, in reference of Perez v. Maldonado, who were both very competitve in last year's GP2 championship, watching them both take the next step into Formula One with slightly different results has been pretty interesting.

In regards to Di Resta, sure he isn't a younger driver in F1 largely due to sponsorship money; but like Joe said, he seems like a very consistent and proven driver who isn't out there saying "I'm a champion, I'll never lose" after a single 10th place finish. I think similar can be said of Petrov.

[E-Thirty]

Totally agree. I just hate what's become of the sport in that regard. It's pretty ironic that Maldonado won the GP2 championship and ended up with the slower car in F1 vs Perez.

In other news, it looks like Heidfeld was officially paid off and Senna is in for the rest of the season.

[tg318is]

US GP is a day after my Birthday! The FIA gives the best gifts.

Lol Same! I hope the track suits the cars well. It looks fairly decent.

[Big Unit]

In other news, it looks like Heidfeld was officially paid off and Senna is in for the rest of the season.

Cant believe this has happened, I believe Heidfeld was they're best driver and Renault's position on the constructors was largely due to him. Even with more retirements he had more points than Petrov and was consistently finishing in the top ten. Well I guess we will see the effects of this decision soon enough.

[E30Kaiser]

I think you guys can cut Maldonado a little slack, he is in the worst car after the new teams. He doesn't really have a chance, so 1 point is a bit of a big deal when the team has 5 points including that point he got at Spa.

[naplesE30]

^In Maldonado's or any drivers defense, what would you have them say? My team suck and I give up. He could have left the dominated gp2 line out but really he has to say what he did. You think a sponsor wants to hear how bad the team is etc.... It would be like going out to eat and your waitor bitching to you about the shitty food the chef is making. I see a lot of people getting bent out of shape about these guys statements but you dont get to read the questions they are asked which realy isnt fair in my opinion.