The Official 2007 F1 Series Thread.

[Tom944]

And how :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEVKWI8zHf4

Damn hard, look at his legs on the onboard. From 150 mph to 0 in no time..

[MattE30]

I dont know why I dont like him. Seems like a nice guy, has amazing car control and speed. Maybe Im just jealous of his success. His dad is pretty obnoxious though. Basically beating his chest in front of the crowd after Hamilton got pole. Then publically making a demand to McLaren to increase his son's pay tenfold. Yes, he obviously deserves the pay increase but why make the demand public against the team that has carried your son since he was 10. So unnecessary.

Agreed. I like him Hamilton as a driver and a person as well. He seems to be a stand up guy; always thanking his crew, polite, etc... But his dad is a douchebag. I can't stand him. He reminds me of all those Little Leauge parents that are obnoxious, brag about their son, scream at umps, think they know everything about the game, etc...

[el_4ever]

[QUOTE=Joe318is;770480]Eh, renault vs mclaren? im pretty sure, no, positive you mean FERRARI and mclaren.


I glad i found this thread again:-)...correct, with Ferrari.

What an outstanding weekend by the way. Another mysterious issue with Kimmi's car, and another outstanding wet performance by Alonso. Amazing how he was throwing the car around with less than 6 laps remaining. It seemed that he kept pushing to come in several (7,8 ) seconds in front of Massa after leaving the pits 1.5 sec behind

[Jon325i]

Anyone know the latest dirt of the 'Scott Speed fired/Scott Speed testing this week' drama? I've had a chance to read up on some of this via SpeedTVs F1 forum. Team boss Gerhard Berger and Speed got into a scuffle after Speed crashed out of last Sundays' race. Its pretty clear there's little (if any) respect for Scott on that team. His lackluster results this season can't be entirely throw upon his shoulders - the Scuderia Toro Rosso is basically a pile of shit on wheels shaped to resemble an F1 car. Speed has had several DNFs this year due to reliability issues.

I'm not saying the guy is the American equivilant of M. Schumacher, but if he had a better ride I'm sure we would see him finishing in the top 10 more often.

Jon

[Jon325i]

Thread revival time. This weekends' race was in Hungary....who saw it? Anyone catch the 'quali-gate' schimazle with McLaren? Had this bit of drama not transpired, it would've made for a rather dull weekend.

Jon

[Low Level E30]

I'm not saying the guy is the American equivilant of M. Schumacher, but if he had a better ride I'm sure we would see him finishing in the top 10 more often.

Jon

I don't think so. I think he's been given the opportunity to succeed, if nothing else but to place better than he has, and hasn't stepped up. I think he's mediocre. I'd grade him a C-Minus in F1. Good enough to stay in F1 for a while, but he'll always be back of the pack, IMO.

[FJ40]

I don't think so. I think he's been given the opportunity to succeed, if nothing else but to place better than he has, and hasn't stepped up. I think he's mediocre. I'd grade him a C-Minus in F1. Good enough to stay in F1 for a while, but he'll always be back of the pack, IMO.

Heh, hardly even lasted a "while." I thought the way that the speed channel summed the situation up today was actually pretty accurate, whoever caught it. It would be cool to see Vettel throw out some miraculous finishes, but I don't see that happening in the STR car.

Very true that Speed was given the chance to succeed, which was solely due to Red Bull's backing, but anyone would struggle in his car when thrown in with Ferrari, McLaren, and BMW.

Way to go BMW! btw

[Jon325i]

I don't think so. I think he's been given the opportunity to succeed, if nothing else but to place better than he has, and hasn't stepped up. I think he's mediocre. I'd grade him a C-Minus in F1. Good enough to stay in F1 for a while, but he'll always be back of the pack, IMO.

I have to (respectfully) disagree with you. S. Speed's 1.5 seasons in F1 found him saddled in sub-standard equipment from day one. If you recall, the first year Scuderia Toro Rosso cars were powered by detuned V10s (16K redline vs. 19K) when all the other drivers had the new V8s which may have been down on power, but did provide for a better overall package in terms of handling. What made matters worse was the chassis they used was designed with the new V8 in mind, but since they didn't secure an engine deal in time they were forced to use the watered down V10. In winter testing leading up to the 2006 season, these V10 STR cars were deemed uncomepitive before the first race. Kind of difficult to make a name for yourself in F1 when you're stuck with a hand-me-down set up.

Then in 2007, the STR cars got the V-8s, but these cars were (and still are) the hoopties of the entire Red Bull racing effort - heck, Super Aguri is doing much better with less budget. The Red Bull cars run by Coulthard and Webber are significantly better than the Red Bull II (STR) cars Speed and Liuzzi were stuck with. It was a miracle that they would hold up long enough to complete the entire race. Just look at Liuzzi's result from today's race: his 9th DNF - and today was the 11th race of the season. Speed had nearly as many issues including DNFs.....both of their cars are crap. Which brings me back to my previously mentioned point: how can you make a name for yourself in F1 when you're piloting the carbon fiber equivilant of manure on four wheels?

F1 is not just about the driver - you have to have a great car & team to back you up. Just look at Renault this year. The last two years they kicked ass and took the Constructor's title back-to-back. However, 2007 hasn't been anything close to what they did last year.....where do you think Alonso would be in the standings had he stayed on board? Lastly, Speed is a product of the Redbull driver's search in the US - they basically bankrolled his way up the ladder to F1. In return, Speed signed his life away to Red Bull Racing for a while - so he couldn't just walk away because he wanted to go drive for someone else. Despite him loosing his seat with STR, he still hasn't been released from his contract with Red Bull. What they ultimately decide to do with his future is still an unknown. Maybe he could find himself in a Red Bull Champ Car, or maybe they'll disregard the remainder of his contract and let him go to pursue whatever he wants.

Jon

[dinanm3atl]

I have to (respectfully) disagree with you. S. Speed's 1.5 seasons in F1 found him saddled in sub-standard equipment from day one. If you recall, the first year Scuderia Toro Rosso cars were powered by detuned V10s (16K redline vs. 19K) when all the other drivers had the new V8s which may have been down on power, but did provide for a better overall package in terms of handling. What made matters worse was the chassis they used was designed with the new V8 in mind, but since they didn't secure an engine deal in time they were forced to use the watered down V10. In winter testing leading up to the 2006 season, these V10 STR cars were deemed uncomepitive before the first race. Kind of difficult to make a name for yourself in F1 when you're stuck with a hand-me-down set up.

Then in 2007, the STR cars got the V-8s, but these cars were (and still are) the hoopties of the entire Red Bull racing effort - heck, Super Aguri is doing much better with less budget. The Red Bull cars run by Coulthard and Webber are significantly better than the Red Bull II (STR) cars Speed and Liuzzi were stuck with. It was a miracle that they would hold up long enough to complete the entire race. Just look at Liuzzi's result from today's race: his 9th DNF - and today was the 11th race of the season. Speed had nearly as many issues including DNFs.....both of their cars are crap. Which brings me back to my previously mentioned point: how can you make a name for yourself in F1 when you're piloting the carbon fiber equivilant of manure on four wheels?

F1 is not just about the driver - you have to have a great car & team to back you up. Just look at Renault this year. The last two years they kicked ass and took the Constructor's title back-to-back. However, 2007 hasn't been anything close to what they did last year.....where do you think Alonso would be in the standings had he stayed on board? Lastly, Speed is a product of the Redbull driver's search in the US - they basically bankrolled his way up the ladder to F1. In return, Speed signed his life away to Red Bull Racing for a while - so he couldn't just walk away because he wanted to go drive for someone else. Despite him loosing his seat with STR, he still hasn't been released from his contract with Red Bull. What they ultimately decide to do with his future is still an unknown. Maybe he could find himself in a Red Bull Champ Car, or maybe they'll disregard the remainder of his contract and let him go to pursue whatever he wants.

Jon

+1

Scott Speed has to be a damn good driver to even have a seat in F1. Most of his DNFs were failures. He is out performing his team mate(if you watched the Hungary race you would have seen this) and he was let go. Why? Prolly because he talked shit to the team owner :)

This is why I am getting tired of the Hamilton Sack Riding. Is Hamilton a good driver? Yes. Is he the best on the grid? No I don't think so. Is he in the best car with the ultimate pit crew and team. Yes.(arguably)

Put Hamilton in the STR or Spyker or hell even the factory Honda and I bet he has maybe 5-10 points IF HE IS SUPER LUCKY. If I was going to bet 100 dollars I would say he would have 1 point. You can't possibly do good in a crappy ride in F1.

Is anyone else tired of hearing about Hamilton every race non stop and about how if he does this or that he will break this record and do that. It is really annoying. WE GET IT DAMNIT! STFU. If you are watching the hungarian GP you know who Hamilton is. We don't need to hear about it every fucking lap.

[ldsbeaker]

Great race. Podium for Quick Nick!!
p.s. that qualifying trash?... Dude, Alonso is just butt-hurt that he isn't the *STAR* on his team... I'd be pretty upset, too. Especially if my new teammate's dad was a major player on the team... Anyways, good race.

[vivalegreg]

personally i dont like scott speed one bit. i had the opportunity to meet him in person and he was very arogant and cocky. this was at the usgp race. the guy didnt even want to talk to any fans. i simply said something along the lines of good luck at your home gp and he just gave me a shrug of his shoulders and walked off pretty much. i did also have a chance to talk with lewis hamilton and he had no problem with talking to my brother and i for the 5-10 minutes we were talking. (we stayed at the conrad hotel @ indy where most teams were staying and saw a lot of f1 drivers and team personnel) lewis even got a call from his father in the middle of our conversation and told his dad that he would call him right back after he was done talking with us. i asked him how he felt driving this f1 car, from the time he first sat in it and how he felt about it at the time of the indy race....he said at first it took a lot of getting used to but now "i can do anything with this car"

you all make a lot of good points but have you even considered the ridiculous budget that redbull racing puts out in f1? after all they do have two freaking teams in the sport, if they want to be competitive maybe they should downsize and just make one team, and concentrate their budget on getting equipment that can have them win races. Str hasnt impressed me at all. i dont think speed is as good of a driver that some of you say he is. frankly i just dont believe that he wants to win races. i think he is just there for the fame and fortune, to be the only american in the sport going to each race and partying with his butt buddy jenson button and picking up his check from str.

[vivalegreg]

btw BMW > team making the most improvements in their racing then any other i believe.

[Hick]

Frankly im not surprised that Speed got nixed. So much money was put into the guy and relatively nothing came from it. I think the idea with Toro Rosso and the FIA was to get some of the American public more involved over an American driver that would boost the ratings to the level that NASCAR currently sees. IE an American driver by the name of Andretti. Yes he did better, but Renault threw away Trulli even after he won Monaco the same year, its all politics.

And speaking of politics, the Q3 incident with Alonso and Hamilton was just. The FIA reviewed the tapes and discovered that the lolly pop went up at exactly 20 seconds, yet Alonso sat there for another 10 forcing Hamilton to lose a lap in Q3. What gets me is that his penalty was so lenient where as another driver, who will remain unnamed did just about the same thing [ruined a guys last lap in quali] yet was throw to the back of the pack. 5 positions vs 20 positions... and the whole Stephney gate deal has really ruined F1 for me, they need to crack down HARD on Mclaren as it is looking more and more likely that they, being the whole team, knew of the documents and were using them way back in March.

[dinanm3atl]

Frankly im not surprised that Speed got nixed. So much money was put into the guy and relatively nothing came from it. I think the idea with Toro Rosso and the FIA was to get some of the American public more involved over an American driver that would boost the ratings to the level that NASCAR currently sees. IE an American driver by the name of Andretti. Yes he did better, but Renault threw away Trulli even after he won Monaco the same year, its all politics.

And speaking of politics, the Q3 incident with Alonso and Hamilton was just. The FIA reviewed the tapes and discovered that the lolly pop went up at exactly 20 seconds, yet Alonso sat there for another 10 forcing Hamilton to lose a lap in Q3. What gets me is that his penalty was so lenient where as another driver, who will remain unnamed did just about the same thing [ruined a guys last lap in quali] yet was throw to the back of the pack. 5 positions vs 20 positions... and the whole Stephney gate deal has really ruined F1 for me, they need to crack down HARD on Mclaren as it is looking more and more likely that they, being the whole team, knew of the documents and were using them way back in March.

They won't do that :(

[dinanm3atl]

Great race. Podium for Quick Nick!!
p.s. that qualifying trash?... Dude, Alonso is just butt-hurt that he isn't the *STAR* on his team... I'd be pretty upset, too. Especially if my new teammate's dad was a major player on the team... Anyways, good race.

Hamilton Started it actually. The pitstop thing.