The OFFICIAL 2013 Formula 1 thread!

[mcr_driver]

Soooo, can Pirelli really be blamed for Silverstone if:

There were a few nasty curbs (Chapel and Aintree), the teams were running the pressures outside of the acceptable window, were running camber outside of the acceptable window, and continuing with the practice of running the rear tires on the opposite side of the car for which they are designed?

Remember Spa 2011 when certain teams were blistering tires because they were running way more negative camber then what is considered acceptable?


I'm not saying the FIA should physically limit the teams to the setup guidelines, but it should then be the teams fault if the tires fail after being used outside their "safe window."

I think it's a poor excuse to say because the tires were pushed beyond what we anticipated, yet knew because in tire testing with mercedes I am sure those extreme camber angles were used as well as inflations, we aren't at fault. It's called overengineering and just about every part on those cars is exactly that overengineered for a reason. I'm not saying the teams are too blame but i feel pirelli definitely has a portion of responsiblity. The tires have proven highly unreliable so much so they are going to go back to the 2012 season spec tires. Anytime a company backtracks like that it means you done waffled up.

[Dave]

Interesting quali today. I wonder how Ferrari's tire strategy will play out. They could be sitting pretty based on where they are and the pace they showed in Q2.

[mcr_driver]

Missed qualifying...been wrenching all day, probably tomorrow too...Gonna record the GP and hope for the best. Kimi needs a podium ahead of both Vettel and Alonso if he is going to stay in it for the drivers.

[PReta]

what a fantastic race! but still sad to see Mercedes struggle with race pace. happy to see kimi and grosean have a solid race.

[Jand3rson]

Kimi was in the same boat this week as Weber was last week. Give him another couple of laps, and he probably would have eaten Seb up.

But I'm SO PUMPED for Seb to finally win his home GP! That really was a good race, but I bet that poor camera man is going to be sore as fuck tomorrow...

[Jon325i]

I bet that poor camera man is going to be sore as fuck tomorrow...

I concur - that wheel just drilled him. Truly a freak accident.

The race was great. I was anticipating Vettel would drive at 11/10ths in front of his home crowd so he could have a shot at winning his home GP. The way he took to the podium afterwards.....pausing, taking in everything happening around him....he was relishing the moment. Today's win is very significant for him.

Lotus definitely showed their chops today. I can't see Kimi getting Webber's seat for 2014.....if he did, two strong drivers on the same team will probably be like reliving the days of Senna vs Prost. Then again, those were some epic battles :-)

Jon

[unevolved]

I concur - that wheel just drilled him. Truly a freak accident.

That wasn't a freak accident, that was human error and bad communication. That car should not have been released, and it got someone injured. I have nothing against RBR, but that was 100% preventable.

[naplesE30]

^Gotta agree. Ever since teams went from lollipop guys to the light system it takes away human judgement. It appears wheels fall off more often now with the computerized light system although their are less unsafe releases into traffic it appears to me anyway.... FIA are going to seriously look at this incident as he could have easily been killed.. Concusion, broken shoulder, ribs, and collar bone from what I understand. $30k fine. Maybee refueling wasnt so unsafe as it gave the teams more time to asses the car and fit the wheels.

I was shocked lotus pited KR as I thought he stood a better chance staying out on the harder compound untill the end...... I guess they had serious radio problems which may have had an influence.... Nurinburg is not an easy track to pass on so I figuered he could have held up vettel even if vettel was quicker. Nice win for the kid and the fans seemed to eat it up.

[Jean]

I hope Kimi stays with Lotus, and if he does move to RB he deff won't be #2 driver anyway.

[Thizzelle]

there going to make the cameramen wear helmets now. If you notice they are the only ones in that area without them.

[mcr_driver]

Cameramen have to be back by the walls as well. Agreed he would be the #2 driver and it'd be a Senna Prost rivalry situation. Should be interesting if it were to happen :rofl: But I think he'll stay with Lotus if he does very well this year.

[naplesE30]

Redbull wouldn't make sense for kimi..... vettel would have control of car development which kimi now has at lotus.... I would rather see him back in corsa red...... which won't happen. Lotus is a good fit as well since they don't do a shit ton of p.r. stuff which apperntly he hates. I think perez would have been a good fit for redbull if they would have signed him last year.

[z31maniac]

Kimi was in the same boat this week as Weber was last week. Give him another couple of laps, and he probably would have eaten Seb up.

But I'm SO PUMPED for Seb to finally win his home GP! That really was a good race, but I bet that poor camera man is going to be sore as fuck tomorrow...

More than sore, broken collarbone and a few ribs.

[mcr_driver]

Redbull wouldn't make sense for kimi..... vettel would have control of car development which kimi now has at lotus.... I would rather see him back in corsa red...... which won't happen. Lotus is a good fit as well since they don't do a shit ton of p.r. stuff which apperntly he hates. I think perez would have been a good fit for redbull if they would have signed him last year.

Why not? It looks like Massa could slip out if he were to show interest. Then again it'd be the same thing as Vettel with Alonso instead.

[Roysneon]

Why not? It looks like Massa could slip out if he were to show interest. Then again it'd be the same thing as Vettel with Alonso instead.

Exactly. I don't mind Massa but he's been fucking up lately. I think if Lotus can continue to improve the cars and the team then Kimi should stay put, seems like a good fit for him, he just needs a bit more competitive equipment.