In the round-up: Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff plays down comparisons between his drivers and the famous feud between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
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Toto: “We let the boys play with their toys, unless (Mercedes)
“There have been a lot of comparisons to the Senna / Prost scenario, which is a kind of compliment to both Lewis and Nico. But the situation here is very different.”
“Lewis Hamilton has come under fire from prominent figures in his home town after comparing Stevenage unfavourably with Monte Carlo.”
F1 teams considering in-season testing ban (Autosport)
“As well as a potential ban on in-season testing, there are also moves to cut back on pre-season running next year, and it is likely there will be only two tests now before the first race of the year.”
Horner: Vettel has right to be frustrated (ESPN)
“He’s doing nothing wrong and is smart enough to recognise that, so like any sportsman he is going to be frustrated when things go wrong.”
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Comment of the day
There’s not been much to shout about Kevin Magnussen’s season since Melbourne but @Craig-o reckons his performances have been good:
I think Magnussen has done well considering he’s the only rookie to come from 3.5. We saw drivers have teething problems as such in their first season or even longer, like in the case of Grosjean. The speed is clearly there, he just needs refining, he’s younger than what Hamilton was when he joined after all.
@Craig-o
From the forum
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Fation Losha, Remco H, Ted Tofield, Wesley and Jonathon!
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On this day in F1
It was a McLaren one-two and Ferrari three-four in a processional race at the Circuit de Catalunya 15 years ago today. Mika Hakkinen took the victory and closed to within six points of Michael Schumacher in the drivers’ championship.
Schumacher’s progress early in the race was delayed by a brilliant start by Jacques Villeneuve in his fifth race for the new BAR team:
Image © Honda
Strontium (@strontium)
30th May 2014, 0:19
Is F1 just going to constantly be going on a 2 year cycle of in-season tests, and in-season test bans.
2011: Banned
2012: Tests
2013: Banned
2014: Tests
2015: ? Banned ?
BJ (@beejis60)
30th May 2014, 2:05
2012 just had the young driver’s test, I thought? And if so, 2013 also had it.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
30th May 2014, 2:55
@beejis60 in 2012, they tested at Mugello before the race at Barcelona
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
30th May 2014, 2:56
@strontium Indeed… I don’t understand why they cannot make up their mind.
Come next year, if testing is banned again, they’ll complain that they cannot test during the season… It’s ridiculous, how hard can it be?
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
30th May 2014, 2:56
Besides, they are again talking about costs… as if they didn’t know last year that testing during the season would increase costs ! that’s why it was banned !!
BasCB (@bascb)
30th May 2014, 7:15
I guess they knew but then again, they had these new engines coming, and with the have’s making the calls (strategy workgroup) those were the teams that can afford to test, and can not much afford to go into the season with unknown factors @fer-no65
Robbie (@robbie)
30th May 2014, 13:52
As LdM pointed out several months ago, if the teams with money can’t spend it on actual track testing due to a ban or limitations, then they will spend it in the wind tunnel or on improving their simulators.
Personally I thought staying over at a few venues after a race weekend was a great compromise that made perfect sense in terms of doing real testing while minimizing the cost to do so. And then there’s the concept of giving young up and comers some seat time. What is the cost of not doing that?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
30th May 2014, 18:26
@robbie Those things are already restricted. And are far more cost-effective than track testing.
For example the first day of the Barcelona test was spoiled by rain. That doesn’t happen when you run a simulator.
Besides which, taking Montezemolo’s comments at face value would be naive. Simulation has been a major weakness of Ferrari’s game in recent seasons, so of course he wants to tip the balance in favour of more track testing.
Robbie (@robbie)
30th May 2014, 18:48
@keithcollantine Fair enough…bad example to use in favour of testing. Of course he probably also has his own track in mind when he relishes more track testing too.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
30th May 2014, 0:20
It isn’t like Senna and Prost – not yet. The heavyweight status of the driver pairing that resulted in two world champions residing on the rostrum created tensions which do not yet exist with Hamilton and Rosberg. Rosberg has yet to taste the feeling of becoming world champion, so he hasn’t yet developed that sense of entitlement to win I don’t believe that both Senna and Prost both possessed after 1988, and which proved so corrosive in 1989.
And as it stands the two will still communicate – the podium of course being a naturally tense environment and unrepresentative of a normal team situation.
There is also the element of suspicion over the packages both drivers are driving absent in comparison to the Senna-Prost rivalry, which eradicates that insitinctive unwillingness to openly share information. Both drivers have never questioned publicly that they are driving the same cars, and none feel they are being unfairly hindered in their purists with respect to the team itself.
As it stands, it is purely the natural competitiveness which exists between teammates who are both capable of beating their primary rival, with the added inscentive of a world championship to sweeten the victory.
Though clearly rivalries are not strictly an unaviodable byproduct. And – surprisingly – the team to prove that is Red Bull. Vettel and Ricciardo eat breakfast together before races, despite the tensions which must exist on the half of Vettel over why his car suddenly cannot deliver what he has come to expect of it. They genuinely appear to be friends, however will that last?
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
30th May 2014, 0:21
I hadn’t intended to repeat “as it stands” – replace the second occurrence with “Curtently”.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
30th May 2014, 0:22
*currently. I don’t think it is my night :P
@HoHum (@hohum)
30th May 2014, 1:35
* purists = pursuits ?
DaveD (@daved)
30th May 2014, 2:43
@hohum maybe @vettel1 meant they were pursuing their goals with an almost clean and spiritual determination? :)
Just kidding, Max. It’s always frustrating how when you get on a roll making little mistakes in a post, they seem to snowball. LOL
@HoHum (@hohum)
30th May 2014, 7:49
@daved, @vettel1, yes, especially after midnight.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
30th May 2014, 10:08
@daved I think my day had been too full of fatigue for me to have a hope of having a typo-free post :P
Clive Allen (@clive-allen)
30th May 2014, 2:13
Good to see someone actually caring about the flow of what he writes. More power to you, Max.
Becken Lima (@becken-lima)
30th May 2014, 3:57
Oh, my God!!!!!!
I cant believe you’re back writing something or anything about F1!
Clive Allen (@clive-allen)
30th May 2014, 4:16
It had to happen one day, Becken. ;)
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
30th May 2014, 22:31
Thank you @clive-allen – I am quite the perfectionist when it comes to commenting: sadly that is elusive at 12am. :P
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
30th May 2014, 4:21
@vettel1 I liked the post of yours with ,lets say a flow as similar, if not better than the aero package of the Red Bull . But , you can’t draw comparisons with Vettel and Ricciardo as this is the first season of them competing together . Also , they are not running for the championship. But , I agree that the quadruple world champion has handled himself well considering his rotten luck so far and that Ricciardo , has also been upbeat in the face of defeat , the smiling assassin indeed .
Jason (@jason12)
30th May 2014, 10:29
It’s misleading to suggest that VET’s car cannot deliver whilst RIC’s can.
Both cars are equally capable.
One driver is quick to adapt to change and the is other is not.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
30th May 2014, 22:33
I am merely highlighting that Vettel has become accustomed to having a car which will plant itself as he commands and not break down persistently @jason12 – apologies if that did not come across clearly enough.
Ricciardo is more familiar with lower downforce cars, as Toro Rosso failed to excel themselves in that department.
Robbie (@robbie)
30th May 2014, 12:30
@vettel1 I think that is pretty well summed up. I would only add that a big element was added to the rivalry between Senna and Prost when Senna got pole and was put on the dirty side of the track with a Saturday night decision made by Frenchman Balestre who obviously favoured Frenchman Prost for the WDC, thus setting up a ton of tension and one of their collisions.
Greg-c
30th May 2014, 23:49
I dont subscribe to the “used to low downforce”
Theory for the vettle ric comparisons .
Vettles recent charge from a crap position to decent points showed his enormous talent
Im not a Vettle fan , heck , i cant even spell his name but a 4 time champ just doesn’t forget how to drive an F1 car regardless of renault still using the family wagon version power unit ,
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
31st May 2014, 9:45
I’m a Vettel fan. I would never suggest he has forgotten to drive – I know that is far from the case.
Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
31st May 2014, 13:20
It’s just muscle memory being set for more rear grip… only be concerned when he’s not beating Ricciardo after another 3-6 months.
Kiefer Hopkins (@kieferh4)
30th May 2014, 0:24
Comparing Senna and Prost to Rosberg and Hamilton – is like comparing Travis Pastrana to Ryan Villopoto. You can’t do it nor will you do it. These four drivers are worlds apart from one another.
kpcart
30th May 2014, 5:24
I think hamilton/rosberg is more like montoya/ralf schumacher in realistic terms of driving ability. Hamilton ofourse started the prost/senna comparisons, he is the only one that believes he is like senna
Kingshark (@kingshark)
30th May 2014, 5:44
Hamilton and Rosberg are better than Montoya and Ralf Schumacher. You could probably argue between Montoya and Rosberg, but Hamilton is definitely a league above the old BMW Williams drivers.
Hamilton-Rosberg is more like Mansell-Piquet.
Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
31st May 2014, 13:28
I’ve thought of Hamilton-Mansell comparisons many times in the past..
James Wynne (@heisenberg)
30th May 2014, 6:13
That’s an absurd assessment, sorry. Hamilton and Rosberg are a very clear cut above Montoya and Ralf Schumacher.
Mashiat (@mashiat)
30th May 2014, 6:34
I personally feel as though they are mor similar to Liuzzi and Kathikeyan. Just my opinion…
James Wynne (@heisenberg)
30th May 2014, 9:15
Please tell me you’re joking…
Kingshark (@kingshark)
31st May 2014, 4:11
@heisenberg
Rosberg isn’t that much better than Montoya, but overall I agree with your assessment.
Guy (@)
30th May 2014, 8:58
I think if you guys would bring Prost and especially Senna down from the god like pedestal you place them on, you might have a better chance at seeing the resemblance.
Hamilton vs Rosberg could be very much like Senna/Prost if Rosberg starts trading victories with Hamilton on the regular without any dodgy sheninigans. Here’s why:
1. Intra-team battle
2. Both drivers equally matched
3. Don’t really care too much for each other
4. Winner of the battle decides championship
5. Different driving. No, not that BS about one is intelligent and the other is a naturally gifted racer. Hamilton’s driving style is more aggressive but has the ability to drive smooth like Senna. Rosberg is smoother like Prost. More of a classical connect the dots kind of driver that adversley affected by oversteer. My guess is this difference is why Rosberg gets closer to Hamilton at slow tight circuits like Monaco but Hamilton blows him away when they go to fast circuits where the rear end of the car moves a little at high speeds.
If you object to the comparison because Senna/Prost are proven champions. We’ll than you can’t also compare Hamilton to Rosberg because he is miles ahead. Proven champion, more wins, poles, fast laps, just flat out faster than Rosberg.
The problem many people have is they refuse to acknowledge Hamilton for his achievements, which leads them into treating just like a normal driver and equally comparable to Rosberg.
Without the DNF and the Monaco incident, Hamilton has clearly demonstrated he is a class above Rosberg.
However, the media wants a brawl a la Senna/Prost even though the Rosberg isn’t really a match for Hamilton under normal circumstances.
But I will admit, even though Hamilton is a class above Rosberg, if Rosberg starts winning on the regular, their duel will be like Senna/Prost for the five reasons I stated. But in order for you to see that, you can’t look at Senna/Prost as “legends,” you have to view them as simply F1 racing drivers. Legend only comes after they have retired or in Senna’s case passed on. You will never be able to make level comparisons if you view them as “gods” compared to drivers that are presently still racing.
Robbie (@robbie)
30th May 2014, 12:23
@sudd I think that is pretty fair comment, however, I would cut NR some slack in terms of the comparison of LH to him in that even though LH is ‘Proven champion, more wins, poles, fast laps, just flat out faster than Rosberg,’ NR is in his first year of having WDC capable equipment, so has hardly had the opportunity to compile numbers let alone a WDC. When you think of it that way, I think NR is doing extremely well, and may have more to show us yet.
JCost (@jcost)
30th May 2014, 12:26
Indeed.
Senna was good? Yes he was. Prost was good? Yes he was! Do I put them in a league of their own? Hell no! I did not see the greats from 1970s and before that but I dont think Senna and Prost are/were in a different level of the likes of Schumacher, Hakkinen, Alonso, Vettel or… voila Hamilton.
Robbie (@robbie)
30th May 2014, 12:34
I think without question Senna was in his own league.
Guccio (@concalvez00)
30th May 2014, 14:17
@Robbie Based upon what ?..
JCost (@jcost)
30th May 2014, 14:20
@robbie without question? I just questioned that claim.
Pele was better than Messi? Probably. Was is that much better to be put on an upper level? I don’t think so.
Michael Jordan was better than Kobe Bryant or LeBron James? Yes he was. Was he that much better to be put on an upper level? I don’t think so.
Many drivers gave Senna and Prost a run for their money when handed similarly competitive equipment, including young Michael Schumacher.
Grosjean's smile (@testacorsa)
30th May 2014, 14:23
I agree completely JCost!
And actually Hamilton and Senna have many things in common. Their driving styles aren’t far apart, and they are both very emotional, and take things very personal. Hamilton doesn’t seem to think as much about his image and reputation before he speaks out in public though, and I think he really need to get that in hand, or it will move too much focus and energy from his racing.
Robbie (@robbie)
30th May 2014, 14:35
Based on what? My opinion from watching him and reading a lot about him. I personally believe there was never a person more born to race in F1. And please…Schumacher? He needed an illegal car to do what he did vs. AS. AS wanted to have the best teammates possible so that he would be challenged. MS wanted that challenge removed and it was so, by contract.
Kingshark (@kingshark)
30th May 2014, 21:03
@robbie
1. Where’s the evidence that any of Schumacher’s cars bar the 1994 Benetton were illegal.
2. Senna wanted to have the best teammates? BS. He moved to McLaren because he wanted the best car, not because Prost was there. Also, Senna was happy to have an easy puppet like Berger as his teammate.
Robbie (@robbie)
31st May 2014, 0:08
@kingshark
1. I was referring to the 94 Benetton which is what I thought of when the inference was made by JCost that a young Schumacher gave Senna a run for his money.
2. http://www.gocar.gr/races/f1/12562,Ayrton_Senna_at_Ferrari_A_deal_that_was_.html
This is an article in Keith’s round-up from April 26 about the letter of intent AS had with Ferrari for after his contract with Williams was done. See down near the bottom where the question asked is about whether Senna had any demands regarding a teammate.
Kingshark (@kingshark)
31st May 2014, 1:11
@robbie
1. Young Schumacher did give Senna a run for his money, and you don’t even need to point out 1994, just watch 1992 again.
2. Tell that to Derek Warwick, who was vetoed out of Lotus by Senna in 1986. If Senna always wanted the best drivers as his teammates, why was he so happy with Gerhard Berger at McLaren?
Jack
1st June 2014, 13:53
Senna, Prost, even Schumacher were on a league of their own, while I think Senna was the best, these three were difinetly a cut above the others. Please close your eyes, and now try to imagine Ricciardo or Couthard beating them lol yeah didnt think so
DMC (@dmc)
30th May 2014, 15:31
I recall Ross Brawn saying Rosberg style was similar to Michaels and
and we all know he liked a car on the nose. Also I don’t think Hamilton has blown him away anywhere.
Joshua Mesh (@joshua-mesh)
30th May 2014, 0:26
I’m so tired of the media trying to hype up this rivalry. They have probably all recognized that the season is not one the most exciting and so they are looking to play all the angles to try create a story packed with this artificial drama.
fractal (@fractal)
30th May 2014, 0:38
To be honest, I very much enjoy this rivalry. This is in fact the only thing interesting to look out for in f1 this season so far. For eg., I am not quite sure whose going to win the forthcoming Canadian gp although odds may be favoring HAM slightly. Which explains, the season is exciting. And I am quite hopeful that RBR will be as quick as Merc by the end of the year which makes the competition even more exciting. As RIC will probably take points from either of Merc drivers and will be fun to see how will it pan out in the WDC ultimately.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
30th May 2014, 0:43
I’ll tell you one thing, it has been a hell of a lot more entertaining than last season so far.
Sincerely, that Vettel-fanboying tyrant.
Sven (@crammond)
30th May 2014, 22:50
Well, it´s somehow entertaining, but Ham-Ros feels like a soap-opera, a guilty pleasure, like a car-crash where you can´t look away even if at times you wish you could, when those two hyped-for-hypes-sake temporary-media-celebs are carrying it out. Watching those two doesn´t induce respect, but raises the inner question “Am I any better if I watch this and not the Kardashian´s new reality-beep, or is it the same and I´ve sunken so far by consuming it?”.
Senna-Prost felt more like an ancient greek drama, a clash of titans, two competitors who at times felt like demigods back then, and their different approaches somehow metaphorically stood for different approaches to life itself.
Bforth (@bforth)
30th May 2014, 1:54
@joshua-mesh Ron Dennis has gone on record several times saying that the media had a role in egging on the Prost-Senna rivalry.
I will eat my hair if they’re not trying to do the same now.
DaveD (@daved)
30th May 2014, 2:56
yucko, I hope you’re right because a hair sandwich would not be fun LOL
Robbie (@robbie)
30th May 2014, 12:40
@joshua-mesh I couldn’t disagree more. For the first time in years we have a neck and neck, completely non-artificial rivalry, thank goodness, and of course the media is on this…that’s their job. This is so much more exciting than SV’s domination, or anything Ferrari has done when employing their one-rooster philosophy.
svianna (@svianna)
30th May 2014, 20:01
Robbie, in another post you mentioned: “….AS wanted to have the best teammates possible so that he would be challenged. …”
This could not be further from the truth. Even when he was at Lotus, he vetoed Derek Warwick as a team mate. I am a huge Senna fan, but he was brutal, when it came to team’s attention. Much before Michael demanded that Ferrari had second driver clauses in their respective contracts, Senna did as much as possible to monopolize resources around him.
Robbie (@robbie)
31st May 2014, 0:18
@svianna Please see my response to kingshark above where he questions me the same way and so I reference an article within Keith’s round-up from April 26 regarding the letter of intent for Senna to go to Ferrari after his Williams contract.
I would suggest that doing as much as possible to monopolize resources around him, is not the same as insisting that a teammate be of non-WDC material and/or insisting on a contract that a teammate is not to compete. Senna may have wanted to maximize his chances, but was unafraid to do that against a top teammate who would also be trying to do the same against him.
John H (@john-h)
30th May 2014, 18:18
You wouldn’t be tired if it was Kimi and Alonso up there fighting for the title unchallenged in an invincible Ferrari. In fact, I would bet my life on it.
matt90 (@matt90)
30th May 2014, 0:42
He wasn’t even necessarily saying anything general about Stevenage, just that the specific place in Stevenage which he came from wasn’t so great. He immediately followed that comment by saying he slept on a sofa, which fully supports that and clearly paints his general living situation as not that great. Does that really offend people?
dragoll (@dragoll)
30th May 2014, 10:27
@matt90 I remember the furor in the lead up to the Australian GP in 1996 when the first Melbourne GP was held and the Aussie media asked Schumacher how he liked the circuit layout after FP1, and Schumacher said that he likes it, but would be great if it had some undulations, and lets face it, it probably does need some ups and downs. But the media went off with headlines “Schumacher hates Albert Park”, and “Schumacher Claims Albert Park a Farce”… People in Melbourne weren’t happy :P
I can understand that people are proud, but I’m with you, don’t sugar coat it, if its a turd, say its a turd, but in these 2 cases, neither driver actually stated that.
matt90 (@matt90)
30th May 2014, 10:54
Plus, as somebody soon to move to Stevenage or nearby, I reckon the place probably is a turd anyway…
Jason (@jason12)
30th May 2014, 11:13
It’s very tough being Lewis Hamilton mate.
Everything you say is twisted and turned to make you look evil.
Steven
30th May 2014, 14:59
To be fair, most places probably aren’t that great compared to Monte Carlo.
Jason (@jason12)
30th May 2014, 15:22
Yes and that’s okay, councillors should not be offended.
sonia luff (@sonia54)
30th May 2014, 18:19
That might well be true, but the boy from Stevenage had the privilege of being the most prepared driver to come into F1 by way of his sponsorship from Mclaren/Mercedes at a young age. He had completed 35000 miles in an F1 car before his first race in 2007. Even Nico didn’t have that.
matt90 (@matt90)
31st May 2014, 1:33
What has that got to do with what the councillors or I am saying?
Michael C
30th May 2014, 0:44
Poor Lewis, didn’t put a foot wrong on track at Monaco but receives hate over a few sentences he said off-track. Because that’s how easily influenced people are now. You know what, let’s ban media interviews in F1 and introduce the ‘Drivers Talk Show’ where you have a select group of drivers playing Gran Turismo or something (more sponsor opportunities) whilst discussing who’s hungrier! This is broadcast in the pre-race build up instead of Damon Hill awkwardly taking the mickey out of Johnny Herbert.
Damon: “Nico simply broke too late and missed the corner, what else was he supposed to do”
Johnny: “Maybe, but you see how the car was planted while he was wiggl-”
Damon: “-and that’s why you’re not a World Champion!”
Robbie (@robbie)
30th May 2014, 12:46
“Poor Lewis”…please! If he can dish it out, it is up to him to be able to take it. And…he isn’t receiving hate, just criticism, and it was what he said and the timing of it, not just ‘a few sentences.’
mrvco
30th May 2014, 16:13
The critical thing that Lewis lacks is mental toughness when it comes to dealing with strong intra-team competition.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
30th May 2014, 0:52
R.E COTD, also far less experienced in driving F1 cars. Hamilton had a massive amount of track testing prior to the beginning of the season due to the regulations at the time permitting it – a luxury Magnussen has been deprived of.
Toxic
30th May 2014, 1:30
My thoughts exactly. This is actually the case with all the rookies in the banned tests era. They learn their cars on track under the pressure, not behind the closed doors when no outside pressure is put on you.
Sharon H (@sharoncom)
30th May 2014, 8:27
There was a stat illustrating that: Hulkenberg took until about August in his debut season to reach the same amount of F1 mileage that Hamilton had before he made his debut. I would think Magnussen would have even less.
Jason (@jason12)
30th May 2014, 11:17
@vettel1
I forgot that at some point MAG was seen as the next Lewis Hamilton.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
30th May 2014, 22:44
He might yet be, we simply don’t know. The car has failed to perform to expectations evidently also @jason12 since Melbourne – it’s arguably worse than its predecessor, which is quite a feat.
andrewf1 (@andrewf1)
30th May 2014, 1:01
Hamilton should issue a public apology declaring how much greater Stevenage is compared to Monaco.
…
Jesus Christ, I’m sick and tired of all these non-stories the media has been trying to milk out of the Monaco weekend – especially about Hamilton. We’ve had Senna & Prost mentioned about 1000 times, we’ve had Hamilton’s haircut, Hamilton’s eye, the Hunger Games, the Metropolis of Stevenage and the great instability within the Merc team…….you know, after scoring a 5th consecutive 1-2 and winning everything there was to win since the start of the season. I bet the boys and girls from Brackley and Stuttgart are definitely losing sleep now because of how divided they must be in supporting Hamilton or Rosberg. Mercedes is doomed.
InSilico_ (@insilico)
30th May 2014, 1:08
I can’t express how much I love this comment.
andrewf1 (@andrewf1)
30th May 2014, 2:45
@insilico
here’s an image to complete my comment – I’m confident someone will write something tomorrow about Hamilton’s new book.
DaveD (@daved)
30th May 2014, 2:59
@andrewf1 OMG!!! That is the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time! Thanks, Andrew!
@HoHum (@hohum)
30th May 2014, 8:02
well done Andrew.
Dom (@3dom)
30th May 2014, 14:31
@andrewf1
Fantastically funny.
LotsOfControl (@for-unlawful-carnal-knowledge)
30th May 2014, 21:20
New York – Paris -Peckham
Best thread EVA! YO!
@HoHum (@hohum)
30th May 2014, 1:40
Sofa in stevenage !? – Luxury, when ah were boy ………….
BasCB (@bascb)
30th May 2014, 7:22
:-)
Off course Hamilton failed to mention how much he loved it when Keke took both of them somewhere in his private jet too. Bet you didn’t have that in your childhood either @hohum
@HoHum (@hohum)
30th May 2014, 7:58
@bascb, Private jet ? Luxury ! when ah were 5 year old I once got to sit in the cockpit of a DH Dragon-Rapide,
Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
30th May 2014, 8:21
@andrewf1
+many. I have several issues with that Independent article. First, unless i’m very much mistaken (to quote Murray Walker) Lewis’ Stevenage comment was made before the GP, not because he was in a rage after losing as they say. Second, what he actually said was he grew up in “a not great place in Stevenage”, he didn’t actually say the whole of Stevenage was a dump, or even compared unfavourably to Monaco, he just pointed out the differences. Was he expected to say “there are many parallels between growing up in Monaco and growing up in Stevenage”??
Whole article is completely inaccurate. If they’re gonna flame Hamilton for no reason they could at least do it right.
JCost (@jcost)
30th May 2014, 12:28
Sometimes I read articles and comments about Hamilton that got me wondering “is this guy that bad?”.
andrewf1 (@andrewf1)
30th May 2014, 18:33
@daved, @hohum, @3dom, @keithedin
thank you all for the kind feedback!
Daniel (@collettdumbletonhall)
30th May 2014, 1:04
I criticised Lewis as much as anyone at the weekend but that article is taking things a bit too far. Of course Stevenage is not great compared to Monaco, you’d have to be delusional to think they were. Who the hell in their right mind would possibly think they were?
Kibblesworth (@kibblesworth)
30th May 2014, 1:26
Not looking forwards to the inaugural 2020 Stevenage Grand Prix then? Casino Square and Fairmont are going to pale in comparison to the section of track which connects Stevenage’s local Ladbrokes to it’s Travelogue.
John H (@john-h)
30th May 2014, 8:03
The Stevenage swimming pool section is also quite similar
dirgegirl (@dirgegirl)
30th May 2014, 10:04
@kibblesworth @john-h genuine belly laughs!
Daniel (@collettdumbletonhall)
30th May 2014, 11:40
haha, looks better than Valencia already!
JCost (@jcost)
30th May 2014, 12:30
LOL!
Dom (@3dom)
30th May 2014, 14:29
@kibblesworth @john-h
Hilarious! Tears coming to my eyes laughing
salcrich
30th May 2014, 8:03
Can you get fish and chips in newspaper in Monaco? It’s a no brainer……………
Jason (@jason12)
30th May 2014, 11:21
:D
Classic!
schooner (@schooner)
30th May 2014, 2:30
I have read a ton of the post Monaco race and qualifying analyses, driver quotes, team manager thoughts, insights from the steward(s), etc. All this interspersed with Senna/Prost comparisons, differences in drivers’ childhoods, pouty behavior, inappropriate pole position celebrations … it goes on and on. I’ve also enjoyed reading many of the comments and replies regarding all this stuff here at F1F. Even posted my own thoughts a couple times. Now I’m pretty well over it … the race is in the books. Done and dusted. All that said, I’m actually glad that it unfolded the way it did. The Monaco weekend created quite the buzz, and hopefully the Mercedes duo will continue to provide us with an entertaining fight to the finish for the WDC. I’m REALLY looking forward to the next race in Canada. Nearly as much as Brazil 2012.
AdrianMorse (@adrianmorse)
30th May 2014, 6:06
@schooner, you are right, of course, but I feel the articles and the comments won’t stop until we have something else to talk about – at the next Grand Prix. I guess we should be thankful it’s not the summer break right now.
On the subject of Nico vs. Lewis, did you notice Toto Wolff saying neither driver “put a foot wrong” during the weekend? Lol!
pH (@ph)
30th May 2014, 7:34
I am not sure this is a good news. With no GP to write about, media might as well react by filling our days with the Monaco story over and over again from all imaginable and unimaginable angles. Fortunately nobody can force us to follow this, there are lots of F1 books we did not read :-).
JCost (@jcost)
30th May 2014, 12:40
So do I.
wsrgo (@wsrgo)
30th May 2014, 3:23
So basically, we’re tending towards just six days of testing from next year?
I wonder how much costs would be cut if night races became afternoon races…are we sure that the costs spent in lights and other infrastructure are completely offset by an additional sale of tickets, which wouldn’t have been there if those races were daytime ones?
Not to forget the amount of money spent in things like F1 Rocks..
PeterG
30th May 2014, 12:33
The lights & other events at F1 weekends are paid for purely by the circuit owners.
The teams don’t pay anything towards it so that doesn’t add to there cost at all.
MtlRacer (@mtlracer)
30th May 2014, 4:40
When Ferrari announced Kimi joining Fernando, didn’t everyone expect that pairing to be more like Senna-Prost?
If there’s anything about Hamilton-Rosberg, it resembles more the time Alonso was Hamilton’s teammate at McLaren.
I’d rather read about tire complaints or pointless efforts at putting horns on exhaust pipes than bickering between uber-rich cry babies.
kpcart
30th May 2014, 5:30
The only comparison to senna and prost is like the old mclaren hoda, this years mercedes is the only car capable of winning every race. Back then it was the 2 best drivers though… This year it is not, the better drivers are in the underpowered cars
Guy (@)
30th May 2014, 5:31
Non one did because Kimi is too conservative for that sort of thing. He would just bottle it up. The one thing Kimi hates is being in the public eye, interviews etc. I think Kimi would welcome a fair fierce competition but he felt he was being cheated, he’ll just keep quiet and leave the team.
Guy (@)
30th May 2014, 5:23
It’s not a rivalry until Rosberg becomes a formidable opponent. So far he has only won because of LH DNF and we all know about Monaco. I wouldn’t call it a rivalry until he starts winning “under normal conditions.” Until then he is just a really tough teammate.
Senna and Prost was a real rivalry. When it comes down to who was winning on track and their WDC title, they are neck and neck. Proper rivalry. Hamilton and Rosberg is a bit one sided, but the media won’t tell you this because they need to sell you a good story.
kpcart
30th May 2014, 5:33
Rosberg may have won in melbourne anyway. Barhain and spain hamilton won because of qualifying better, same as rosberg in monaco. They are the same pace in race, rosberg is 2 tenths behind in qualifying
Fada
30th May 2014, 7:15
2 tenths of a second is a massive gap to have in the pocket over your team mate in qualifying.
Robbie (@robbie)
30th May 2014, 13:34
Let’s not forget LH felt the need to crank his boost in Spain against team agreement, in order to keep NR behind him. I’m not sure it is as one-sided as some think. At least, I’m not sure LH is ready to hand himself the trophy, so comfortable that NR won’t be a bother. There is so much that can happen yet.
Sure there was Australia…that’s part of racing and NR could easily have a DNF yet. Then they both seemed to trade turbo boost adjustments feeling each other and the team out as to how far they could push advantaging themselves, according to Wolff. Then they all agreed no boost adjustments unless instructed by the team. Then LH did it anyway to keep NR back in Spain. Took the win and apologized after the fact…gee thanks. And then Monaco, and if in fact NR did something intentional which technically has not been proven yet is still possible, perhaps LH brought that upon himself with his action in Spain.
I just suspect that there is a change in atmosphere now, that means we can’t go by what has already happened. On any given day one can throw a blanket over these two, they are that close. LH as the proven champion with a DNF gets the nod, but I think NR has a lot to say on the track yet about that. I think LH thinks so too.
yveson33
30th May 2014, 16:33
And what Nico dis on barhain. Double standard.
sonia luff (@sonia54)
30th May 2014, 18:26
Let’s not forget that in China Nico had no radio communication with the pits which would have hampered him
Robbie (@robbie)
31st May 2014, 0:23
@yveson33 No double standard. From what we have been told, both drivers were testing each other and the team as to how they could advantage themselves, so they were both playing with adjusting boost. Then they all talked and agreed that the driver’s were not to adjust the turbo boost on their own. LH went ahead and did it in Spain anyway.
matt90 (@matt90)
30th May 2014, 11:06
He may have done, but was Rosberg’s launch all that special? If not, him winning would probably have relied on Hamilton having a bad start, which I don’t believe he’s had yet (unlike Rosberg).
sumedh
30th May 2014, 5:27
I often reach the conclusion that Hamilton digs his own grave by his comments. But this time, give that poor lad a break. The councillor of Stevenage has no business commenting on Hamilton. Shame on the British media to have gone to the councillor to get his statement in the first place. Hamilton deserves better.
kpcart
30th May 2014, 5:42
Well why is hamilton making class comparisons with another driver? Its pointless and dumb. Its like when he crashed in monaco, got penalised and said “maybe its because im black”. Since he named the town he is bound to be ridiculed. Monaco isnt great either, tax dodgers and rich people who dont have to work or have never worked. Hamiltons comparison is lame, he also made it to f1 with other’s money. He should learn about classism before commenting.
Pipito
30th May 2014, 17:53
‘Well why is hamilton making class comparisons with another driver?’
No, he did not. I don’t know how many are like you, just reading article HEADLINES instead of the article itself. He simply stated that he was from Stevenage, whereas Nico Rosberg was from Monaco, so his hunger is different. I don’t see any ‘classism’ in it.
‘he also made it to f1 with other’s money.’
Nope, he made it to F1 with his own talent. Where did his motorsport path start? Karting. Who provided the first funds for him? His dad, who took up multiple jobs to support him. Did McLaren take notice of him immediately? No, Hamilton used his own talent to prove and show others that he has what it takes to become a star in motorsport, that’s why McLaren chose to sign him to their Young Drivers’ Programme. Judging by your statement, I can also say, e.g. Vettel, entered F1 with other’s money as well, since he got signed by the Red Bull Junior Team.
reg (@reg)
30th May 2014, 6:25
Thanks for the video. No need for a megaphone on those V10 machines. :)
andae23 (@andae23)
30th May 2014, 7:07
Oh come on! That’s the most ridiculous sentence I’ve read so far!
Damonw
30th May 2014, 9:40
This is nothing like Prost and Senna!! We’re seeing two drivers in their primes for a start ;)
What’s worrying to me is the comments that Toto made about keeping the show entertaining, strange how Hamilton hasn’t been happy with the car these last few races…..
Mark Thomson (@melthom)
30th May 2014, 11:37
Instead of having prototype cars for just one year they should keep and develop them for two years. Should save money and allow for testing.
James (@iamjamm)
30th May 2014, 11:37
I find it quite funny how so many people are now jumping to Lewis’ defence saying he never called Stevenage a dump or whatever, but never complained when his hunger comments were completely twisted in to saying he was hungrier than Nico when he actually said nothing of the sort.
Anyway, obviously the Independent feel they needed to sell a few more copies/get a few more page hits so went and twisted some more of that interview to suit an agenda. Very tabloid-esque for a broadsheet.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
30th May 2014, 18:22
@iamjamm
Sometimes some elements of the media do deserve criticism for how they handle or manipulate a story. But not this story and not this time.
Hamilton said he believes he is hungrier than Rosberg and all the other drivers. He said if he believed otherwise he might as well go home.
Whether he was right to or not is up to you (and I’m long past caring), but don’t pretend it was all invented by some mean old journalists when it’s there in black and white for anyone with a basic comprehension of English to understand.
Robbie (@robbie)
30th May 2014, 13:13
I don’t think LH was trying to run down Stevenage so much as trying to garner pity for himself, or at least trying to explain how his hunger is different. I also think that since he did use the town’s name rather than just saying he grew up on a couch in his Dad’s apartment, there was a possibility of a reaction from councilors in Stevenage, and I don’t think their comments were unfair either.
Rigi (@rigi)
30th May 2014, 13:19
@keithcollantine is no one doing the radio transcripts for races or qualifying anymore? we never got one for the race in spain and monaco qualifying + race.
curmudgeon (@curmudgeon)
30th May 2014, 15:17
I’d be willing to help with transcription if someone is needed.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
30th May 2014, 18:03
@rigi @curmudgeon I’m afraid we’ve had some technical problems with the video files recently which is why they haven’t been done yet. When or whether they will be I can’t say at the moment.
kenjida (@kenji)
2nd June 2014, 9:21
thanks for that keith. for a moment i thought that there may be some incriminating comments that the FIA/mercedes wouldn’t want to be bandied around on the internet. just my suspicious mind.
Jamie hammond (@jdsunset)
30th May 2014, 15:54
Everything Lewis Hamilton says is pretty much what we are all thinking anyway.
Good on him, keep on speaking your mind HAM
Dave (@)
30th May 2014, 18:23
Speak for yourself
skylab (@skylab)
30th May 2014, 20:52
Loved that footage from ’98 – anyone fancy a fag!?
timi (@timi)
30th May 2014, 23:09
Riiiight, so my post and other commenter’s (such as @DaveD) replies to it have just disappeared. Very very odd.
Ron (@rcorporon)
2nd June 2014, 12:18
Love the video. It was nice when JV was racing to have a Canadian to cheer for!