The OFFICIAL 2013 Formula 1 thread!

[Jand3rson]

I wouldn't call them moot necessarily, but in a driver's eyes they're nowhere near as significant. And they would not have got them the same either way if Webber or Vettel forced the issue and created another Turkey 2010.

Truth. If Vettel had botched the pass, and/or blown an engine in the process, he could have taken them both out. It was careless, and I'm not saying he's absolved of any fault. But he has apologized up and down, and he doesn't seem like the type that's just apologizing because he's being told to. I can fully understand the difference between the guy in the car making split-second decisions on the track, and the guy walking the pit lane afterward.

[TDE30]

Constructor's points are somewhat moot, they would have gotten the same either way.

I wouldn't call them moot necessarily, but in a driver's eyes they're nowhere near as significant. And they would not have got them the same either way if Webber or Vettel forced the issue and created another Turkey 2010.

[hfabricius]

Valid points, and I tend to forget about the constructor's title, as well. And I can understand the team being irritated with Vettel for ignoring orders, but I'm still sticking to my point that he is there to win races. Constructor's points are somewhat moot, they would have gotten the same either way. Vettel is building points toward another world championship, plain and simple.

I think the biggest complaint is how Vettel decided to pass him. He risked putting both cars out of the race by passing on the inside along the pit wall. One foul move and he could have put his car into the wall or in to Webber. Hopefully this in team rivalry doesn't turn out like Villeneuve and Pironi. Right now they seem a bit like Prost and Senna.

[Jand3rson]

Valid points, and I tend to forget about the constructor's title, as well. And I can understand the team being irritated with Vettel for ignoring orders, but I'm still sticking to my point that he is there to win races. Constructor's points are somewhat moot, they would have gotten the same either way. Vettel is building points toward another world championship, plain and simple.

[tg318is]

David Hobbes and Steve Matchet BOTH said during the F1 preview show on NBC a few weeks ago that Webber isn't in a position to become any faster, or to become a world champion. He's too old at this point, and he doesn't have the driver skills to become any better than he is right now. So that being said, why is RBR instructing Vettel to give him the chance to win the race, and deny Vettel the points in the championship? To conserve the engine? I don't really buy that one. Webber isn't the face of RBR, Vettel is. Webber isn't the 3-time world champion, Vettel is. You're looking at an up-and-coming Schumacher here.

Don't pass him, and let him win the race? WHY??? So he can be "nice" and let Webber have one? This isn't pee-wee baseball, where even when your team loses, you still go out for ice cream. This is the pinnacle of motorsports, and you don't win world championships by letting the secondary driver on the team win the race, especially with the door left wide open like that.

And please don't get all riled up on this "ignoring team orders" crap that everyone's getting so bent out of shape about. When Raikkonen basically told his pit crew to fuck off last year, no one got all twisted about it. Everyone thought it was funny, even his team after the race. Fuck, he made them T-SHIRTS. Everyone is getting all humpty about it because it's Vettel.

I would be saying the exact same thing if Raikkonen or Alonso or Hamilton were his team mate and in Webber's position. This is the pinnacle of racing, where professionalism and team performance is key. Horner was looking out for his drivers and most importantly his cars, this is after all, a team sport. It's not only the Drivers Title that the teams are concerned about... There's a little thing called the Constructors Title that yields many many dollars in reward for placing. This is far more important for teams, hence Horner telling Vettel to back off to avoid another Hungary...Teams always make gentleman's agreements between both drivers, engineers and team boss' determining their drivers placing after the last pit stop, etc. I'd say the team is more annoyed with Vettel for ignoring team orders, regardless of what they were.

Why should have Webber let him over take him? He raced and got himself in to first. Why give it up to someone who didn't perform as well? Webber was told to turn is engine down- They had the win in the bag, they had maximum points from the race, why push and risk 1 or 2 DNFs so late in the race? Conserve the engine and coast (relatively) to victory. Dare I say ANYONE in Mark's position would be pissed when your team mate thinks he know better than the team boss and over takes you when you've both been told to hold your positions. Why didn't Rosberg overtake Hamilton then? Should have Hamilton refused team orders and given up his position to his faster teammate too?

The Raikkonen incident is completely different. Start of the season ≠ End of the season. Lotus in 4th place were OVER 150 points ahead Mercedes in 5th and Raikkonen was also 30 points ahead of Lewis in the Drivers Title. He was not behind his team mate running out the second race of the season, in front by a large margin being told to coast and take the points/ save the car for later in the season. Points are points, 18 is better than 0.

[Jand3rson]

Vettel is getting too cocky IMO, too safe with little to no responsibility/ repercussions for his own actions (Helmut). As maniac said, I can't see Mark being with RBR next year :( he could/ should have cracked a while ago.

David Hobbes and Steve Matchet BOTH said during the F1 preview show on NBC a few weeks ago that Webber isn't in a position to become any faster, or to become a world champion. He's too old at this point, and he doesn't have the driver skills to become any better than he is right now. So that being said, why is RBR instructing Vettel to give him the chance to win the race, and deny Vettel the points in the championship? To conserve the engine? I don't really buy that one. Webber isn't the face of RBR, Vettel is. Webber isn't the 3-time world champion, Vettel is. You're looking at an up-and-coming Schumacher here.

Q: Michael Schumacher probably would have done exactly the same and he is a seven-time world champion.

Don't pass him, and let him win the race? WHY??? So he can be "nice" and let Webber have one? This isn't pee-wee baseball, where even when your team loses, you still go out for ice cream. This is the pinnacle of motorsports, and you don't win world championships by letting the secondary driver on the team win the race, especially with the door left wide open like that.

And please don't get all riled up on this "ignoring team orders" crap that everyone's getting so bent out of shape about. When Raikkonen basically told his pit crew to fuck off last year, no one got all twisted about it. Everyone thought it was funny, even his team after the race. Fuck, he made them T-SHIRTS. Everyone is getting all humpty about it because it's Vettel.

[YAN-3]

Rubino.... I miss that guy

[naplesE30]

I think they turn down the engine more for durability than fuel saving in general. This race I think most teams were prob expecting more wet running and thus lower fuel consumption. My gripe is with pirelli (or more accuratly the fia) having the whole field running at 80% due to tire wear. What a fucking joke. Screw the fia. I want to see the fastest drivers on pure pace. Like the early 2000 when guys were driving 50 qualy laps thanks to the tire wars between bridgestone and Michelin. Its really a no win for any tire company.

Where was lotus at?
McLaren will be stronger in china me thinks.
Rosberg has had two solid races were he has had better race pace then hammy which I didnt expect.
How fast is the Ferrari in straightline speed damn.
Weber drives better with a chip on his shoulder...silverstone... he is the modern rubino.
Vettel can fuck himself. He was completley cought in a lie in the sky sports post race interviews.

[tg318is]

^^^Choice pic Yan

Lewis' post race interview comment was "I committed a Jenson Button" doing that.

I was gob-smacked at Alonso's brain fart. Wil Buxton from NBC stated the pit crew was ready for Fernando to come in for a wing change too. I suspect Alonso wasn't aware of the extent of the front wing damage or he decided to take his chances and do a second lap and then come to pit for a wing and change of tires for the drying conditions. I was really disappointed to see the outcome of his decision making. Massa did well was as he carried the Ferrari team with a respectable points finish.

When Lewis pulled up after the race and shook his head I thought he would complain about the car, etc. I was very impressed with his interview- saying Nico should have been on the podium. I'm starting to not mind him, although I do giggle at his misfortune :)

The Vettel and Webber battle was good, and Horner more or less threw Vettel under the bus in the post race comments with Wil Buxton, saying that the orders given to him were not followed. I'd like to be the fly on the wall in the team meeting to hear everyones' side of the story.

Mark got robbed :(

It was great driving by both of them (the first sector during their first battle was amazing). Vettel is getting too cocky IMO, too safe with little to no responsibility/ repercussions for his own actions (Helmut). As maniac said, I can't see Mark being with RBR next year :( he could/ should have cracked a while ago.

Mercedes looked damn strong today - whatever they've figured out for 2013 is working well. Ross Brawn and his drivers did a good job of maintaining 'orders' so maximum constructors' points could be won. I too would've like to see what those car could do if the fuel issue didn't surface. These guys are clearly a team to watch this season.

Cars with Mercedes engines have always been strong at Malaysia as they reach higher top speeds, though RBR is still much faster through the 2nd sector. It just comes down to different design philosophy which means different cars favour different tracks. Having said that, Mercedes do look strong. I love the prospect of 8 cars being strong enough to compete for top spot. It's going to be a good year!

[TDE30]

Force India - dubble-yoo-tea-eff?

I concur.

So put an extra liter of fuel in the car, or change your strategy, or..........deal with it like everyone else?

Having to limp the last 10+ laps shouldn't be a part of any team's race strategy. My question is why the FIA can't use a smaller sample of fuel rather than an entire (at times, race-deciding) one liter.

[z31maniac]

Yes, I understand the principle behind it, I wish they could use something less than a full liter though (or modify the capacity of the fuel cell.) That way, drivers can race the full distance, and not a fraction of it.

So put an extra liter of fuel in the car, or change your strategy, or..........deal with it like everyone else?

Although I have always wondered why turning the engine down for 1/3 of the race is quicker than an extra 10kg of fuel to run flat out the entire time.

Mark got robbed :(

And what's up with Nico being told to hold back???

Poor fucking Mark. Turns down the engine to bring it home and Vettel purposefully ignores team orders.

Unfortunately he is right, Vettel will still have "protection" at the end of the day.

I suspect Mark will not have a contract with RBR next year (fuck YOU Helmut Marko!)

[YAN-3]

Mark got robbed :(

And what's up with Nico being told to hold back???

[Jon325i]

^^^Choice pic Yan

Lewis' post race interview comment was "I committed a Jenson Button" doing that.

I was gob-smacked at Alonso's brain fart. Wil Buxton from NBC stated the pit crew was ready for Fernando to come in for a wing change too. I suspect Alonso wasn't aware of the extent of the front wing damage or he decided to take his chances and do a second lap and then come to pit for a wing and change of tires for the drying conditions. I was really disappointed to see the outcome of his decision making. Massa did well was as he carried the Ferrari team with a respectable points finish.

The Vettel and Webber battle was good, and Horner more or less threw Vettel under the bus in the post race comments with Wil Buxton, saying that the orders given to him were not followed. I'd like to be the fly on the wall in the team meeting to hear everyones' side of the story.

Mercedes looked damn strong today - whatever they've figured out for 2013 is working well. Ross Brawn and his drivers did a good job of maintaining 'orders' so maximum constructors' points could be won. I too would've like to see what those car could do if the fuel issue didn't surface. These guys are clearly a team to watch this season.

Force India - dubble-yoo-tea-eff?

McLaren - Perez did ok, no real 'wow' moments for him. Button and his loose nuts. Can we say Silverstone 2011?

Esteban Gutierez was the most impressive rookie today. This guy will be one to watch if todays' drive is any indication of his capabilities.


Jon

[YAN-3]

Hahahahaha

[thatphysicsguy]

Man that was one nuts Gran prix.
More like a goat rodeo in my view. It might've been the alcohol and sleep deprivation, but I was Laughing for about 80% of that race. All the pit fuck-ups, nando's wing, the team fights, the awkward-as-fuck post race hahaha. It was just a hilarious race.
Listening to the redbull radios is funny too "Seb, this is just silly" "good win, but there'll be some explaining to do."

Just classic