Mercedes strong with or without Brawn – Hamilton

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In the round-up: Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes will be in good shape for the future even if Ross Brawn leaves.

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‘Mercedes can win without Brawn’ (BBC)

“Either way, we have a strong set of people in the team. Everyone will do the utmost to make sure whatever decision he makes we go into next year with a fighting chance to win the championship.”

Button ‘surprised’ over Brawn (Sky)

“It would be a loss to the team that he was working for I think, it’s not a loss to the rest of us – it’s actually a good thing.”

Jenson Button sounds warning over the Russian teenagers being handed F1 drives (The Mirror)

“With Sirotkin, I am not sure he has ever fought for the lead of a race in [Formula] Renault [3.5] series. He knows how to drive a racing car, but it is not a question of driving around on your own. A lot of people could do that relatively well. It is when you put them in a race with 21 experienced drivers. [And] next year is possibly the most difficult year to come in and learn.”

Chase for viewers puts Formula One at crossroads (FT)

“F1’s global television audience fell last year, down 34 per cent in China alone. The sport is at a crossroads regarding media rights distribution, with traditional mass-market broadcasters such as the UK’s BBC, RAI in Italy and TF1 in France no longer able to afford the rights fees.”

Raikkonen no-show fuels speculation (Reuters)

“Kimi Raikkonen’s strained relationship with his Lotus Formula One team was back in the spotlight on Thursday after the Finn failed to turn up for media interviews at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”

Pastor Maldonado: “The decision will be down to me…” (Adam Cooper’s F1 Blog)

“Asked if Lotus was his preferred option, he said: ‘I cannot mention that at the moment. I have some offers and I’m analysing that very well. I have to have the best decision for myself.'”

Red Bull wants donut rule flexibility (Autosport)

Christian Horner: “I think the stewards need to be empowered to give a little more leniency in extraordinary circumstances.”

2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Thursday Press Conference (FIA)

Alonso: “Personally, I cannot say anything because I do not know [Kimi Raikkonen] enough to speak about him personally. As a driver, he’s a great champion, great talent, very very fast. He likes what he’s doing. That’s the best thing.”

FIA falling short of IOC governance standards says David Ward (David Ward and Team)

“Ward’s comparative analysis shows that the FIA’s election processes, its ethics committee, and its financial reporting fail to match good governance principles and practices of the IOC.”

Nico Rosberg Q&A: Constructors’ fight will be tough (F1)

“Bahrain – that was the absolute low point. I’ve tried to forget about it since. I was on pole position and then I was simply eaten up! I was nowhere in the race! That was a horror because the hope is always there when you’re on pole. ‘Maybe I manage this or that, maybe I manage to win, maybe it’s going to be a good race’ – and then to be eaten up by the others – one by one!”

My take on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit (Lewis Hamilton)

“Through those two corners, particularly turn 11, the car hops from right to left, it’s a really cool chicane. You cut on the edge, use the curb on the exit of turn 11, try not to carry too much speed in to 12 as you want to get on the power nice and early and get a good exit down to 13.”

First ride of the Ring?é??Racer N?â??rburgring Rollercoaster (Bridge to Gantry via YouTube)

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Comment of the day

Matthias wants less confusing rules regarding track limits

This is starting to get really confusing. One racing weekend the drivers can use whatever part of the tarmac at their discretion as long as they don’t overtake, the next racing weekend they are forbidden to do so if they gain something – not even a place or retaining a place but also being a bit closer to the car in front.

Some of the notable moments: we saw Hamilton getting pole at Spa by going fully outside the white lines at Eau Rouge. We have seen Alonso in Korea (was it?) going all fours outside the white lines on practically every lap. I’m sure Vettel also tends to use the run-offs at various places.

There should be a line drawn (pun not intended…) regarding this matter that spans the whole season, not just rules imposed by individual stewards at particular races. It should be clear what’s allowed and what not.
Matthias (@Mattds)

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On this day in F1

Mika Hakkinen won his first drivers’ championship title for McLaren 15 years ago today.

Hakkinen led from start to finish at Suzuka while title rival Michael Schumacher suffered a disastrous race. His car stalled on the grid following an aborted start, leaving him at the back of the grid. When he then picked up a punctureand retired, Hakkinen automatically became champion.

Eddie Irvine came in second for Ferrari and David Coulthard took third on the day when McLarne scored thier most recent constructors’ championship victory.

Here’s the Finnish commentary team on Hakkinen’s victory:

Images © Daimler/Hoch Zwei, Williams/LAT

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90 comments on “Mercedes strong with or without Brawn – Hamilton”

  1. We’ve seen manufacturer teams kick out experienced heads in favour of their own people before. It has rarely gone well. I’m thinking, for instance, about Honda getting rid of Geoff Willis and asking a bike designer to produce their 2007 car instead.

    It is a shame for Brawn, after he took the team from their disastrous lows of that year to the championship in 2009 and beyond, but they’ve been plagued with the problem of having too many chiefs for a while now. I hope Brawn can find a position where he is able to make his own mark on a team, without meddling from a boardroom somewhere.

    1. You might want to make note that his wealth during this time has skyrocketed.

      For a man looking to wind down is years in F1 I’m sure he’ll still be getting 8 hours a night.

    2. This article, apart from a comment from Lewis stating that Brawns decision is still unknown, is the same article from earlier this week with nothing new to suggest it’s any more credible than the 1st.

    3. What’s Geoff Willis up to these days anyway? Last I heard he was consulting at HRT…

  2. I really don’t understand this:

    Please Note: you can take your SLR cameras with you to the Pit Lane Walk but you cannot use it. You can still take photos with your mobile.

    Why prohibit cameras, but allowing mobile phones to take some photographs?

    1. Zoom and quality I’d say.

      1. I thought of that. But there are some smartphones nowadays that have some pretty amazing cameras with incredible quality, so I sort of ruled out that reason.

      2. Yes. But it’s still a shame.

    2. Probably to appease the teams which hate having to be open to the public in the first place.

    3. I think I’m gonna buy a Lumia 1020 :P

    4. To be on a pit walk, where you’ve obviously paid good money to be there, I wouldn’t have taken it well. They had the same stupid rule for the post race concerts when I was there in 2010. Phones were fine, but you had to leave your very expensive DSLR in a booth manned by who knows.
      (For the record, I got mine back no dramas)

    5. I think it’s to do with quality and the assumption that the photographs will be used for professional purposes (basically sold)

  3. Sorry but to reword:

    On this day 15 years ago McLaren scored their last constructors championship. Bar (no pun intended) 2009 thats the last time a British constructor won the championship.

    1. Unless you count teams that construct their cars in Britain as being British constructors.

      1. So going by the McLaren MP4-26 launch it was German :-p

        1. Launching and constructing are not the same.

          1. David not Coulthard (@)
            1st November 2013, 14:32

            @matt90

            Launching and constructing are not the same.

            ?Well, I’m pretty sure the German launch invloved building the car on-the-spot, so that was probably what he meant.

          2. Ah, good point, I forgot they did that.

  4. Chris (@tophercheese21)
    1st November 2013, 0:20

    All the drivers should do synchronized dohnuts after every race. Haha

    1. Or instead of the race, in some cases.

    2. Or during the race… 3 mandatory donut sessions with points awarded for best executed. Your break through into the American market right there… lol

      1. My, how very condescending of you. What’s sad is that you seem to have thought it was a clever comment. Indeed, you thought it so clever that you desperately needed to share it with the world… and further alienate the American fans the sport already has. Nice job!

        You want a breakthrough into the American market? Make the racing better, put another race or two in country, have Bernie spend money on promotion here, and let the people know the drivers as more than just helmets in carbon fiber missiles. Voila! You’ll get more viewers overnight.

        1. To be fair, the idea that Americans need multiple races in their country before they’ll show any interest seems a little condescending. Probably correct unfortunately.

          1. As of late, the races here have been in those huge media hotbeds of… Austin, Texas and Indianapolis, Indiana. If you don’t think that American media would just go crazy about a race at, oh I don’t know, let’s say “New York City” (or Weehawken), you clearly aren’t from around here.

            The main reason, though, for another race or two is to make it easier for people to go to one. Example: I live just northwest of Chicago, more or less centered in the US. It’s just over 1100 miles from here to Austin. It’s almost 1400 miles from LA to Austin, and nearly 1800 from New York City to the current home of F1 in the USA.

            London to Budapest is a shorter distance.

        2. As a comedic comment Dunderwuck, I thought it had some merit,,

          1. I’m sure you did.

  5. I’m surprised that’s the rollercoaster’s first ride, considering the tracks have been there for a few years now.

    1. It had a difficult life. I recall hearing a pressurised air tank for it exploded during testing, killing somebody – it was closed from that point for some serious investigations.

  6. OmarR-Pepper (@)
    1st November 2013, 0:35

    Does Maldonado have the last word? I would prefer to listen to him saying it’s all his bunch of money what makes the last decision. And sombody here mentioned “a trustable source” (without mentioning anything else) telling him Maldonado has already signed with Lotus, which will be IMHO the worst way to deny Hulk a possibility to run a good car next year.

    1. Well if what he’s saying is true, then is better to take some time to make the right decision, after all, he can choose a drive with any of the three engines next year, quite a privileged position if you ask me.

    2. While Hulkenberg/Grosjean could have been an excellent young driver pairing, it looks like it could very well be Maldonado instead. At one time Maldonado seemed to be a promising young driver and now it would appear that his financial backing is getting the drive, not his spotty talent. Too bad really. Not so long ago Boullier said Lotus would not hire a pay driver. It is unfortunate that circumstances evidently dictate otherwise. If some of the Lotus management team think Kimi has been detrimental to the team, just wait. Maldonado has been bettered quite regularly by his rookie team mate this season and has had numerous off track excursions while again his rookie team mate has not had nearly as many driving mistakes. Then, in Suzuka he bulled his way past Bottas on the last lap, forcing Bottas to choose between wrecking both cars or going off track. All this over a meaningless 16th place non-point scoring finish. Many words have been written about Grosjean and his racing escapades, but much to his credit he has really matured and developed a very solid race craft. Maldonado with more experience still shows severe lapses of judgement in races.

      In other words, Maldonado’s financial backing may rescue Lotus, but I would be willing to bet that his driving may have the opposite effect. Especially in comparison to what they could have with Hulkenberg.

    3. @omarr-pepper I read that as him having a couple of options to choose from, but not necessarily that Lotus has chosen him over Hulkenberg.

    4. @omarr-pepper Not to forget that Maldonado is FIA F1 Grand Prix winner, while Hulkenberg is not..

  7. FIA falling short of IOC governance standards says David Ward

    Considering how bent the IOC is according to rumours, that’s an achievement which the FIA can be proud of…

    Also, how long have they been constructing that roller coaster for? I thought I noticed it in GT5 3 years ago.

  8. OK, the fat lady has not yet sung, but it looks like Lotus may have to take Maldonado over Hulkenberg due to finances. Hulkenberg may not have a ride available at Sauber or Force India either, depending on which rumors are to be believed. So many other teams with possible seats are also rumored to be considering pay drivers. If Hulkenberg ends up without a ride in 2014, that would be a loss for F1. Hopefully somebody will step up and sign him.

    1. Chris (@tophercheese21)
      1st November 2013, 1:27

      If Hulkenberg winds up without a seat in 2014, it will be a travesty.

      The guy has shown that he has what it takes to win races, and possibly championships, given the right equipment.
      He deserves (based on merit) to be in a top tier car.

      1. OmarR-Pepper (@)
        1st November 2013, 3:54

        @tophercheese21 Hulk is German, and it really surprises me that any big company there (Bayer, Allianz, Destche Post) don’t want to chip in with big money for him.

        1. Big companies like those generally make heavy investments because that’s the only way they can get a return, sponsoring a single driver is too small and it makes little sense because there’s no guarantee he’ll do well.

          Even sponsoring an F1 team is very tricky now, we see more and more companies like Rolex or Emirates airlines going directly to Bernie to sponsor F1, there’s simply more TV coverage with signs all over the track than what they would get from one team alone (even a top team).
          @omarr-pepper

    2. If it’s true, there will be a vacancy at Williams and who knows how they may go next year.

      1. Rumored to be filled by Massa with some financial backing.

        http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns26693.html

    3. @bullmello It would be too bad a decision . I … I don’t know ………. Even Massa to Lotus would be better than MAL . Hope Hulkenberg gets it .

    4. Lotus has faith in emerging Grosjean so picking a talented but erratic driver who happens to bring loads of money is a no-brainer. They see a leader in Grosjean and a driver who can bring some good points home.

      They either go for a solid driver forming a respectable duo (Grosjean + Hulkenberg) or they go for a good driver who needs some ironing but comes with money they need to run their operation… that’s not an easy call.

      1. @jcost Yes you are right, Lotus would not want two nutcases under one roof

    5. Is Hülkenerg at McLaren next year impossible? they haven’t confirmed any of their drivers for next year …

  9. Looking at Brawn´s note, I don´t think Mercedes can win without Brawn. Brawn made Rosberg an F1 winner and made Hamilton a new winner at Mercedes. It´s just like Newey in Red Bull. Mercedes struggled when they were back in 2010, and when they finally got everything right, this season, Brawn is leaving the team. I don´t think they can repeat the momentum they had this season, because if it was difficult for the team to get the pace they have now in the last years with Brawn, now it willl be a very very complicated for them to have a decent pace. So i´m concerned about his retirement, because I really wanted to see Mercedes on the top of the table.

    1. @cocaine-mackeine Brawn didn’t do it alone by himself. With the fundaments in place (and we know they are in place) plus the amount of talent Mercedes has collected this season (without forgetting the amount of money avalaible to them) it’s illogical to believe they won’t win again because of Brawn’s departure.

    2. @cocaine-mackeine Will Lewis now go back to McLaren, is it the reason why they have not confirmed Sergio Perez yet

      1. @noob definitely not, seeing as McLaren don’t appear to have overcome the incompetence that sent Hamilton packing.

  10. Regarding Brawn, I wish they would let him announce the decision or at least Mercedes. Everybody except the parties involved are confirming the news. A bit disrespectful I feel.

    I hope he would come to Ferrari. Would be great for Ferrari and might bring back the glory years of the early 2000’s.

    1. @evered7

      A bit disrespectful I feel.

      Disrespectful to whom? They’re a private company, as any private company they have the right to handle their internal affairs as they deem fit.

      The only people this *may* be disrespectful to are oversensitive fans, but that’s a weak argument to bring up.

      1. @slience, you don’t get it, do you? It is not Mercedes announcing his departure but BBC and other websites. If this story was brought out by Brawn or Mercedes, it is a different story altogether, just like how Massa announced it.

          1. *over-sensitivity

        1. @evered7 I understood that from your first post. My point still stands. Getting worked up over that is being extremely oversentive.

          1. @silence, you mentioned Mercedes to be a private company handling their affairs in a way they deem fit. Now I have pointed out that Mercedes haven’t confirmed the story yet and it is coming from news media. Is BBC/Eddie Jordan the mouth piece of Mercedes?
            How is it being over-sensitive?

          2. @evered7 Because you’re making a deal about it. When it’s not.

          3. You don’t like it, leave it. I say as I see it. Go preach your stuff somewhere else.

          4. @evered7 No need to get emotional, my dear and a bit over-sensitive friend. :-)

          5. @silence People tend to be different. We are not machines to be react the same way.

            If you appreciate the difference, you and me wouldn’t be having this discussion.

          6. @evered7 I appreciate differences. What I don’t appreciate are illogical statements with little more than over-sensitiveness as back up. “We are different” is not an excuse to post silly things.

          7. **over-sensitivity

          8. You accuse me of being over sensitive while yourself being worked up over ‘Silly’ (as per you) comments.

            I find it a bit contradictory.

          9. Good for you. I am now finding it a bit silly arguing with you.

  11. The Germans are getting rid of Britons as the Britons did earlier in Mc Laren or Williams. Personally I think Brawn is a genious, same size as Newey, Sauber or Dennis. Mercedes is wealthy enough and can spare Brawn. I wish he was in Sauber!!!! Not so good news for Lewis though…..I think Nico Hulk is not far behind Lewis, he is cheaper and he is German.
    Brawn and Lewis to Williams?

    1. @mumito

      The Germans are getting rid of Britons

      That’s why they brought Paddy Lowe in to replace Brawn, right?

      What you said is just ridiculous , Mercedes AMG F1 is based in Englang, with plenty of key people from the UK (among other nationalities). Hell, last year they changed Schumacher for Hamilton.

      If you wanna bring nationalism to the discussion, at least think about it a little bit more carefully.

      1. The first thing that came to my mind was Paddy Lowe!

        1. Paddy Lowe is a secret German spy. Didn’t you know?

  12. MB (@muralibhats)
    1st November 2013, 3:32

    The way Hamilton has done a U-Turn is astonishing. Not long ago, he had all praise for Brawn and thats the reason for him to join Mercedes.

    I don’t find it a surprise why sometimes people tend to hate Hamilton.

    1. This was my first thought as well. At the start of the year he said Brawn is the reason why he joined. But now he is suddenly saying it doesn’t matter whether Brawn is there or not.

    2. @muralibhats He said he wanted him to stay, as I assume most people in Mercedes (going by Nikki Lauda’s comments) but that doesn’t mean he believed that without Brawn the team would collapse.

      I share his feelings, as a Mercedes fan, I don’t want Brawn to leave, but I don’t believe he’s indispensable for the team to win again. The two sentiments are not contradictory for it to be a U-turn.

    3. @muralibhats . I am sure deep down Hamilton is feeling a bit bad Brawn is leaving considering it was Brawn that helped in the progress of the team so far . But , still , he cannot just go out and say Brawn is indispensable as he still races for Mercedes and can’t afford to anger them too much . These things are plain and simple you can’t do a ‘Kimi’ everytime someone interviews you and get way with it if you are not Kimi. Take Jenson for example in 2011 , he said racing against Lewis was one of the factors that motivated him to join Mclaren , in 2012 he said , Lewis going to Mercedes does not change anything as the technical team is most important and that he would be bothered if Lowe left .After Lowe was poached , he said , it does not affect the team in any way as the other designers are adept at everything . So , this game happens every time people change jobs or teams .

      I myself am , personally disappointed at Brawn leaving as he is an all time great and an asset to teams in the pit wall and in the technical side . Hope they still win despite that .

      1. I too do not see what is ‘astonishing’ about LH’s remarks. Without using the luxury of hindsight, of course last year LH was going to tout Brawn as one of his main reasons for coming to Mercedes, but I think it is quite safe to say Brawn wasn’t the only reason. And of course it only makes sense that the team will carry on without Brawn because there are many good people on the team. They will just have to adapt if Brawn is indeed leaving. The effort for 2014 is already well under way, and many are already touting Mercedes as a potentially very strong competitor as a manufacturer based team under the new regs, and Brawn leaving will not change that concept.

    4. “I don’t find it a surprise why sometimes people tend to hate Hamilton.”

      Or, you already hate him and need any sort of excuse to go public about your opinion of him.

      Never did Lewis say Brawn was the only reason for joining the team, and, what do people expect him to say, like “yeah next year we are going to be utterly useless without Brawn because this massive team is entirely dependant on one man”

      Get over yourselves, its pathetic.

  13. I’ll say it now, Nico Hülkenberg (its “ü” as in “ue”, not “u”…) may very well end up without a ride because lacking $$$, 2014 could very much be like this:

    Lotus:
    Grosjean
    Maldonado

    Sauber:
    Gutierrez
    Sirotkin

    Williams:
    Massa
    Bottas

    Could it be Force India again for him?…

    1. All this is massively disappointing as an F1 fan.

      Ferrari didn’t have the guts to take Hülkenberg when they could have (IMHO Hulk could out qualify Alonso consistently). NH also strikes me as a better prospect than either Button or Perez at McLaren. Ricciardo has done something but not what Hulk has done and he’s off to Red Bull. Force India surely are disappointed in NH for leaving after two seasons. Sauber need two pay drivers (supposedly). And to top it off Maldonado is about to take a seat from Hülkenberg for the second time. So I guess it’s all Hülkenberg’s fault for leaving FI. Pretty sad because in terms of rankings I’d say SV-FA, KR-LH, NH-NR. With Hülkenberg possibly being better than them all given the right car. But we’ll never know. And I can’t name another sport where this would happen. Only in Formula 1 which is upsetting considering it’s the only sport I watch.

    2. Where will PDR go then, or for that matter Sutil

      1. W (@yesyesyesandyesagain)
        1st November 2013, 14:00

        Home

    3. Gutiérrez (it’s “é”, not “e”)… not that I ever use them! ;)

    4. I think your list is accurate. Farce India will most likely clean house, giving Hulk and another driver seats for next season. The question is – Who will partner Hulk at FI next year?

  14. If that’s the case then swap the words Hulkenberg with Perez.

  15. Some pretty bleak years for McLaren since 1999 all thing considered. One drivers championship and no constructors in 14 seasons. Competitive years on and off. Might have even won a few more championships if not for lack of reliability and slow starts to seasons. The best all around car they’ve built in the last dozen years was in 2007, yet they lost the drivers championship by a point and were stripped on their constructors points. Hope they come back in stronger form with Honda power in 2015. A new look and a new beginning.

  16. Suzuka 98, the first full race I ever watched, and the race that made me F1-fanatic. I can’t believe it was 15 years ago, I feel like it was yesterday.

  17. Daniel (@collettdumbletonhall)
    1st November 2013, 6:29

    I really hope Mercedes can still deliver for Lewis. It’d be a shame for him to be back to square 1 with Mclaren-esque problems once again.

    1. @collettdumbletonhall Its always easy to point the error towards the team/constructor, a driver is part of the team as is the car

  18. One racing weekend the drivers can use whatever part of the tarmac at their discretion as long as they don’t overtake, the next racing weekend they are forbidden to do so if they gain something

    I completely agree with the COTD. It’s not even about he rules being confusing, just about a complete lack of consistency.

    IMHO (as I have said in these comments before) the rule needs to be: If you go off the track and are not clearly penalised by doing so, you get a penalty.

    There are many different circumstances, I agree, but if they are not tough on the divers, they will continue leaving the track for a performance gain. A few examples:

    Someone, on their own with no other cars nearby, leaves the track, keeps momentum, rejoins the track: There has been no visible penalty in doing so, hence the stewards penalise them.

    Someone leaves the track and either spins, ends up on the grass, or in some other obvious way looses time: Leaving the track has naturally penalised them, so the stewards do nothing.

    They leave the track onto a dusty run-off area. They probably loose time, but not in a way that can be easily seen without looking at timing data. This is not a sufficient natural penalty, the stewards hand down a penalty.

    A driver makes an overtaking move. The car they are overtaking leaves them a car’s width, but they leave the track anyway. If they do not rejoin the track behind the other car (or give the place back within a couple of corners), penalty. If they do rejoin behind, no penalty.

    Obviously there are still going to be grey areas, but the rules and their application need to make it clear that you must stay on the track. I am absolutely certain that drivers are currently gaining an advantage by leaving the track, because they do it consistently lap after lap. By advantage here, I mean they are completing the lap quicker than they otherwise would. They probably do not gain advantage over other cars because they are all doing it, but they shouldn’t.

    Phew… Rant over.

  19. The video must be named “Mika milo ma mystery” ;-)

  20. MAL will suprise many once he gets a seat at Lotus.

Comments are closed.