The Official 2007 F1 Series Thread.

[vivalegreg]

very true i agree with all of that. every driver will have his/her rainy day....and Hamillton, I am almost sure, realizes this and will get back up quickly and not let a bad move mess with him with it happens. Mclaren is back. Period. After the past couple years of engine troubls and reliability issuse they have made a hell of a comeback from it all. Props to them.

Ferrari usually does well at Indy but so has Mclaren in the past...it should be a very interesting race. Im glad to see Micheal still involved with Ferrari. Maybe we will see a Schumi run team one day? I wouldnt put it past him, he loves this stuff.

I believe it was Racer magazine with Mario Andretti on the cover, there was an article which was called something like What it cost to be a driver in F1. It was all dependent on what past experience the driver had and which route he takes to move up in the ranks of racing. Pretty much when it comes down to it the quickest way to get their is the most expensive, a rough 10 mill when it comes down to all the driving experience and classes you have to do. That is not including hotels, food, or transportation. That 10 mill however can be made up fairly quickly in a season or two in F1

[Jon325i]

My story is this. The rookie. When will he fumble? WILL HE FUMBLE? He is tied for the lead in the championship right now and hes a rookie!!!!!!!

I just wish the press would shift the topic to something else - why is it they seem to focus more on the inevitable failure? I'm sure it will happen some day....every racer faces it at some point in their professional driving career. Whether it is because of incliment weather conditions, being shunted off the track by the car behind, driver error, or an engine failure (remember how many Benz engine failures where experienced by McLaren just a season or two ago?)....every F1 driver will experience such a disappointment during the heat of a race - some more than others. Until such event(s) unfold for Lewis Hamilton, just watch in awe as this very promising new talent in the F1 ranks become a superstar in a very short time. Regardless of what color his skin is, this guy can drive at a pace that even has Michael Schumacher applauding and is destined to become a legend in Formula 1

AH only 22 years old a year older then me plus a few hundred million dollars richer we arent so different he and I. If only Ferrari let me get a free test session...

Bob Varsha and David Hobbs were commenting during yesterdays' race that to take a youngster from the ranks of karting to F1 requires a $10,000,000 investment and a single test session these days will cost you $1,400,000. This is where major sponsorship backing kicks in to get you there. Or if you come from a family of sizable wealth, have dad 'loan' you the dough.

Getting back to the race itself, McLaren is looking very strong now - their cars are quick and reliable as ever. Ferrari is still up there but the slightest hickup or glitch can set them back considerably. Monaco showed their strategy (and Kimi's faux pas in Q2) was not a threat to McLaren. The next two races, Canada and US, will be more like the race in Catalunya and Ferrari will probably gain some lost ground. Wheather Hamilton gets a win is anyones guess but podium finishes are just about a given.

Jon

[vivalegreg]

p.s. this seems interesting http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=39420

[vivalegreg]

Monaco was a prettty interesting race wow, Alonso really really wanted to win that one BAD.The rookie is still getting on the podium furthering himself down in F1 history for being the first Black driver and the first rookie to get on the podium so many times consecutively. Mclaren is looking mighty strong stilllll, my hats off to them. Ferrari, despite their troubles this race weekend still managed to get both cars in the points and so did Bmw. I was impressed by Fisi' performance in the Renault getting 4th? Thats their bet performance all season especially for the italian. Monaco is such a beautiful track. My dad was there this weekend i was so jealous! What great place to be i will be there one day. Massa did well too he is proving to be one of the front runners of the championship.

My story is this. The rookie. When will he fumble? WILL HE FUMBLE? He is tied for the lead in the championship right now and hes a rookie!!!!!!! AH only 22 years old a year older then me plus a few hundred million dollars richer we arent so different he and I. If only Ferrari let me get a free test session...

[craig4ie]

Slightly off topic, but congrats to Dario Franchitti for winning the Indy 500. I met him several times back in his CART days and I can't think of a classier race-car driver.

[10/10ths]

I walked the track back in 2001 during my european trip. TONS of pics. FUcking insane track.

I hear the run from casino down to mirabeau, down to the hairpin down to portier is steeper than it looks on TV...and it looks very steep on TV!

[CleanAzzE30z]

I walked the track back in 2001 during my european trip. TONS of pics. FUcking insane track.


Mariano

[Jon325i]

I was up and watching live (as always)...RAIN AT MONACO!!!

During the coverage of qualifying they were saying there's an 80% chance of rain for race day. I'm going to keep tabs on this via some weather websites and see how things shape up. Monaco is already very unforgiving - throwing rain into the mix just magnifies this reality.

Jon

[dinanm3atl]

have not watched it...

It is recorded...

[10/10ths]

I was up and watching live (as always)...RAIN AT MONACO!!! Spoiler

Well, actually you could barely tell it was raining at all, but it was obvious it had been raining earlier. Im surprised they were getting such quick lap times given the conditions and the fact that the circuit lost all its rubber build up from the last couple days.

Sutil was fastest in the rain practice session! Even though I am mostly a Kimi fan, I was really hoping BMW would break the Ferrari/McLaren streak and get the pole...oh well. Speaking of Kimi, looks like hey blew it :sad:

Hammy is absolutly on the ragged edge...as he demonstrated in Thursday practice with that heavy crash into turn 1. But Dammit he can put in a quick lap around those streets! I think he can be slightly quicker than Alonso but I have a bad feeling he will crash out of the race.

I cant wait for the race...rain likely! This would completely change EVERYTHING, looking forward to it. Any north PNW E30 guys are welcome to watch the race at my house. Normally I have live F1 get-togethers but we are going to hold off until about 2pm or so for the Monaco race, let me know if you want to join us and add to the E30's in my driveway.

Justin

[Hick]

Recorded it, yet to watch but i read the results. BOO!!

That and how in hell did a Spyker have the fastest time on the 3rd free practice in the rain! that is insane, maybe Sutil will find new friends from that performance.

[Jon325i]

Bumpage

Who caught qualifying at Monaco on Speed this morning? I had to wake up at 5am to watch it since (according to the TV schedule) it doesn't look there's a taped replay later. I'm not going to spoil it.....chime in if you watched.

Jon

[Jon325i]

^^ update your sig. Now. j/k

Done sucka :-P


Jon

[Kristuphir]

We have yet to see Hamilton push to pass another car. That being, NOT from the start where the Mclaren is simply faster, and NOT passing a limping car. Wait till he is in a car that is not fast and we will talk.

He is good, that goes without saying.

Maybe he just needs a sport on a track that ever involves passing...and those starts of his were amazing - all keeping cool and knowing exactly what's going on around him. The car's obviously not faster...

Man, the first time in 5 years I won't be going to the USGP, and it's shaping up to be by far the most interesting one. :( Especially after last year and the year before.

[Hick]

Yeah but the rookie Hamilton is leading in points + a podium finish for every race. How do ya like them apples? ;-)

I believe Hamilton is destined for F1 greatness. Sir Jackie Stewart commented on Hamilton in a recent interview saying: "I think he is going to rewrite the book" and "We'll see a new generation of properly prepared professional racing drivers. I don't think there is one who is that."

Jon

We have yet to see Hamilton push to pass another car. That being, NOT from the start where the Mclaren is simply faster, and NOT passing a limping car. Wait till he is in a car that is not fast and we will talk.

He is good, that goes without saying.