In the round-up: After his third successive podium, Valtteri Bottas says that Williams are aiming for more than just podiums for the remainder of 2014.
Links
Your daily digest of F1 news, views, features and more.
Valtteri Bottas says podiums no longer enough (Autosport)
Bottas: “I feel really lucky to be part of this. Last year we could not have expected to be three times in a row on the podium but we are now. This is the package we have and it’s all down to hard work and we need to always keep aiming for more. Of course, it feels really good to be [on the podium] for a third time in a row but I think we’re aiming for more than that now.”
Rosberg thanks fans for support on “a special day” (NBC)
“Nico Rosberg was quick to thank the German fans for their support at Hockenheim today as he stormed to his first victory on home soil ahead of Valtteri Bottas and championship rival Lewis Hamilton. The German driver led every single lap of the race en route to victory, but, as he explained to Kai Ebel on the podium, it was not without its challenges.”
Lewis Hamilton believes Safety Car should have been deployed during German GP (Sky)
Hamilton: “It would have been a gamble to stay out just in case there was a Safety Car. In fact, there should have been a Safety Car. How on earth a car can be sitting in the middle of the road for a couple of laps and not come out… but I think you know why.”
Ricciardo: Tussle with Alonso ‘awesome fun’ (ESPN)
Ricciardo: “These are the moments and battles that I personally thrive off and enjoy. Fernando is known to be a tough racer and I thought who better to have a good fight with. I was on the primes and he was on fresher options and I gave it the best fight I could and, yeah … nearly!”
Exclusive Claire Williams Q&A: Red Bull can be caught (Formula1.com)
Claire Williams: “There is no easy prey in Formula One, but yes, three points is an achievable amount [to overhaul] isn’t it? The target was to take P3 in the constructors’ championship. Red Bull is only sixty-seven points ahead of us – and they are in P2 – and with the current point system there is no reason why we can’t be fighting for P2 this year!”
Formula One to get new owner by next year (Telegraph)
“Formula One is on track to get a new owner by next year. Its largest shareholder, the private equity firm CVC, will be forced to sell its 35pc stake in the business by next July unless the majority of its investors agree otherwise.”
Tweets
RIP James Garner. Admired by all who knew him. When starring in Grand Prix the people around F1 said he had the talent to be a pro driver
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) July 20, 2014
Homerun for @nico_rosberg ! It was a nice day, had a lot of fun in Hockenheim! #Poldi #aha #formula1 pic.twitter.com/AgtjkLqa8Y
— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) July 20, 2014
In the last two weeks, Nico Rosberg has: 1. Got married 2. Seen Germany win the World Cup 3. Signed a new Merc contract 4. Won the German GP
— F1® Racing on NBC (@F1onNBCSports) July 20, 2014
After watching the race back think I overreacted with my feelings about Lewis's move. I can understand why he thought I was giving him room.
— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) July 20, 2014
Uppss, @MassaFelipe19 car upside down in turn 1…! Good to hear is all ok for Feli! Otherwise ,Interesting race… pic.twitter.com/Sm6GRQ9vrf
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) July 20, 2014
Another great one from us @WilliamsRacing 👍 thank you all for the support! We'll keep pushing! #Hockenheim #2nd #77 pic.twitter.com/tfUXppb6yL
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) July 20, 2014
Kvyat and Sutils' cars today exemplified race marshals are fantastic & show such bravery. It is easy to forget they are volunteers. #F1
— Oliver Weingarten (@OWeingarten) July 20, 2014
You can't crow on about Road Safety and then send four blokes out onto a live race track to move a stranded car. Unbelievable!
— F1 Paddock Pass (@F1PaddockPass) July 20, 2014
Does no one remember the fatal accident of Tom Pryce at the 1977 Grand Prix of Kyalami? With that, I get off my soapbox. #F1
— F1 Paddock Pass (@F1PaddockPass) July 20, 2014
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
For the second successive race, we were treated to a thrilling on-track duel involving Fernando Alonso that left @glennb in awe.
Seriously enjoyed the Alonso battles today. The guy has been involved in some of the best battles since I’ve been watching the sport. The better drivers must look forward to squaring off against him. Vettel, Webber and now Ricciardo have had me out of my chair as they take on Alonso. Great to see the absolute professionalism and respect they give each other.
Bravo.
@glennb
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Dirceu!
If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is via the contact form or adding to the list here.
On this day in F1
Aintree held its last round of the world championship on this day in 1962, Jim Clark winning for Lotus.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
21st July 2014, 0:07
I see no reason why Williams couldn’t win at a venue like Monza with their brilliantly effective low-downforce set-up. And Bottas is the form man at the moment, taking over from Ricciardo.
hunocsi (@hunocsi)
21st July 2014, 0:18
Both are on form, Ricciardo’s recovery drive today was very good and his defense against Alonso was great, nearly got him back in the end.
I was thinking the same about Monza, that might just be their (especially his) chance for victory, even beating the Mercedes with their good traction and top speed without needing to hope for some bad luck for Merc. And at the next race I could imagine Red Bull being close to Mercedes, the Hungaroring should suit them quite well in my opinion.
OmarR-Pepper (@)
21st July 2014, 0:31
I don’t like hamilton but hungary is HIS track. I can’t see anybody else winning there, especially considering how good the Mercs are. The team will make sure no more failures appear.
Kingshark (@kingshark)
21st July 2014, 1:15
I can’t see Red Bull winning any more races on merit unless another freak race occurs (like Canada). They might be close to Merc in Hungary and Singapore, but Lewis is too strong around the Hungaroring, and Nico is too strong around Singapore.
OmarR-Pepper (@)
21st July 2014, 1:57
@kingshark agree. Maybe Williams can break this string, but not right away, and no more than once. This year is so similar to 2002
Breno (@austus)
21st July 2014, 2:04
Well, Canada was Hamilton’s track too.
JCost (@jcost)
21st July 2014, 9:27
@austus but Hamilton’s brakes failed when he passed Nico (through the pits) and was the effective race leader. Then Nico could not survive the attack of Ricciardo while driving a “wounded car”.
Breno (@austus)
21st July 2014, 15:59
@jcost
I thought the engines and stuff were already in trouble at that point. The whole weekend Nico was looking good too.
JCost (@jcost)
21st July 2014, 9:24
If one asked me to pick either Ricciardo or Bottas, I’d ask for a few days to make my decision. Both youngsters are showing their class. I really can tell who’s better thus far.
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
21st July 2014, 10:21
Nor can I, but on the basis of the last few races I’d take Bottas. Overall, I am much more undecided @jcost.
InSilico_ (@insilico)
21st July 2014, 12:52
Taking about Monza Max, Hamilton hit 340KM/H at the end of the straight during the race at Hockenheim. Granted, he was using DRS and was in a slipstream, but I can imagine that they might hit incredible top speeds of at least 350 plus in Italy. Monza might well be similar to Austria. A track with lots of straights and not many corners, so I agree that the Mercedes powered teams (especially Williams) should be very close to Mercedes throughout the weekend.
Mcquiz (@mcquiz)
21st July 2014, 13:26
Not just 340 km/h, I saw 345 km/h at one. Checked some old V10 videos and apparently V10s couldn’t get past 325 km/h at that track alone. I’m pretty sure that I saw some Mercedes powered cars ago around 332 while battling with Hamilton. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’d see a new record at Monza, that being over 370 km/h.
Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
21st July 2014, 14:27
Mercedes are definitely geared for even more speed at Monza.. I wouldn’t be surprised to see 350+! Probably without using 8th gear…. (which is geared to go over 400 kph)
dutchtreat (@dutchtreat)
21st July 2014, 0:27
My hat off to VB what an inspirational driver. His teammate however is becoming Pastor #2. Williams, give that ride to Nico Hulkenberg and you will be WC again.
JCost (@jcost)
21st July 2014, 9:29
Isn’t Bottas the new McLaren target to replace Jenson? Even if it doesn’t happen in 2015 it could be in 2016.
Ylli Beli (@yllib)
21st July 2014, 12:40
Deja Vu, Alonso keeping back Schumacher for 13 laps at San Marino- you need to beat a champion to be a champion, Good Job Bottas( and hat’s of to Ricciardo as well )
Milky White
22nd July 2014, 10:41
Agreed, Hulk and the Bot would be a dream team for Williams. Younger drivers that have the potential to WDC with the right car.
Eric Morman (@lethalnz)
21st July 2014, 0:32
yes interesting, 2 things come to mind first off, Charlie may find another way to clip Merc’s wings or reduce the deficit by forcing a penalty on the team for break changes,
Bottas i find is a very confident young man, definitely has his head screwed on right, will go a long way with this team if they can keep improving the car,
sorry Massa you have been the underdog for some time and deserve better, but right now you are your own problem, you can not expect everyone to get out of your way, be more aware of your surroundings and you may finish more races.
Bottas will need some lady luck to take wins before the end of season, those Merc’s just keep improving…
Michael Brown (@)
21st July 2014, 0:43
Watching Bottas and Ricciardo race is very exciting.
I do wonder why no safety car was called.
There were marshalls on the pit wall side of the track but they weren’t the ones to attend to Sutil’s car. I remember Australia 2012 when a safety car was called when Petrov retired his car right next to the pit wall on the pit straight.
And I don’t appreciate Hamilton’s quote on the matter “…you know why.”
Breno (@austus)
21st July 2014, 2:04
And England 2013 when Vettel parked right next to the pit wall too.
Daniel (@collettdumbletonhall)
21st July 2014, 11:26
+1
I can not understand why there was no safety car but I genuinely don’t know why there wasn’t one and I doubt there is some sort of ulterior motive.
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
21st July 2014, 0:58
Lewis is right, SC should have been deployed. I don’t think (at first) that was a intencional thing to protect Rosberg lead (but i can’t say that wasn’t), but we have to keep a close eye on that matter next races.
Really class act from Button saying he overreacted to Hamilton words.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
21st July 2014, 2:26
@edmarques It should have been a safety car, I only disagree with you because I think it was indeed intentional because in fact in doing so Hamilton would’ve been very fortunate but ever so justifiable.
JCost (@jcost)
21st July 2014, 10:05
I’ve seen SC being deployed for less than that. But I remember that marshals in Monaco, earlier this year, did remove a car at the hairpin on double yellow flags only… I don’t know if it’s a new trend but it looks rather inconsistent. IMHO, it was too risky, for marshals and drivers.
Sutil was exposed while in the car and when he left the cockpit… pretty awkward.
D (@f190)
21st July 2014, 1:01
I’d love to hear a radio from inside race control, just like how the team radio plays. I know they would never do that, but it would be great and give fans a real insight into decisions and the process.
In my opinion a safety car was needed today and I can’t work out why one wasn’t sent out. It took a few laps to clear and having marshals run across a live track is just too dangerous. Ok, they had double waved yellow which means “be prepared to stop” but no driver would have been able to stop had a marshal fallen or misjudged it.
James Muscat (@jamesremuscat)
21st July 2014, 9:44
WEC broadcasts radio from the race director. I’d love to hear something similar for F1.
Neil (@neilosjames)
21st July 2014, 1:42
Safety Car should have been out – I don’t think the car was in a position that couldn’t be covered with double waved yellows, but marshals should never have cross a live track.
Would have been horribly harsh on Rosberg, but safety > ‘fairness’.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
21st July 2014, 2:35
@neilosjames I think it’s a gaff as the Perez penalty. I think tomorrow they’ll hoodwink us with some answers.
BasCB (@bascb)
21st July 2014, 7:37
I don’t think the “fairness” in there should play any role at all, also how is it “unfair” for Rosberg when many a lead has been lost to a late SC over the years, its even happened this year already for Hamilton, didn’t it. And Rosberg would still have had the advantage of being ahead, the worst off might have been Bottas, who would have Hamilton on his back on fresh soft rubber.
IMO that should have clearly been a SC, yes @neilosjames
Mark
21st July 2014, 2:36
Just wanted to talk about the incident with Sutil’s Sauber being stuck on the circuit.
When Race Control decided to send the Marshals out on circuit, from the moment the first Marshal set foot on the circuit to the moment the first car had entered the start/finish straight, it was 9 seconds, which was more than enough time for three Marshals to cross and get to the car safely and within 20 seconds of the Marshals being on the circuit, the car was off the circuit (outside of the white line)
While the car did sit there for a lap or so, it’s not a decision that should be taken lightly, sending Marshals out on the circuit like that. Given they were able to get the car off the circuit in under 20 seconds and under double waved yellows, I believe that the right call was made. Otherwise we would’ve wasted 4-5 laps under SC conditions.
Bazza Spock (@bazza-spock)
21st July 2014, 3:09
I kind of agree that it wasn’t the worst decision to not deploy saftey car but it’s the inconsistency that bothers me. They’ve triggered the SC for much smaller problems than this.
I’m glad to see other people in this discussion not empathising with massa too. He’s got a car that can deliver, there’s no team orders but he’s failing it. When I take a step back and look at the last few years, it amazes me how the quality of teams is such a gamble from one year to the next. If Kimi had known the Williams was going to be so good this year I bet he’d have applied for a job there instead of Ferrari.
Jarnooo (@jarnooo)
21st July 2014, 4:38
I agree that consistency (and safety of course) is the issue here. The last few years, Charlie and co have been so quick to bring out safety cars. However, lately they have been way more lenient and I hope this is the reason, not just because it was an judgement error.
I just hope we don’t get to Hungary and get a weak safety car, and lose hope in the race control all over again.
Mark
21st July 2014, 12:02
In terms of consistency, the deployment of a Safety Car depends on a lot of factors, whether there are Marshals close enough, whether they have to open up a gate to get the car through, the list goes on.
There was no debris out there from Sutil’s car, so there was no need for a clean up. The car was always going to move once the Clutch was disengaged. The list goes on. While a problem may seem smaller in comparison to what we saw during the GP, it may not always be the case for the people on the ground and in Race Control.
anon
21st July 2014, 20:40
Whilst the cars are fitted with devices that are supposed to release the clutch once the emergency button is pressed, those systems are not always guaranteed to work, particularly if the driver has had a transmission failure that causes the gearbox to seize (and those systems are one time use only – so if it fails to release the clutch, there is no other way to get the car out of gear).
Now, had Sutil suffered from a transmission failure rather than a throttle failure – something which could have occurred when he tried to spin the car round, as that puts a lot of stress through the gearbox almost instantly – there is no guarantee that the car could have been rolled out of position (indeed, for a brief moment it looked like the marshals were having some difficulty in getting the car to go into neutral).
ECWDanSelby (@ecwdanselby)
21st July 2014, 3:58
I really didn’t like it.
You say 9 seconds is long enough to cross the track. What if one falls over (which has happened before)?
The straight is blind from the last corner, and the car was parked very close to said corner.
I really didn’t like that. Very uncomfortable viewing. Also very surprising given that this is the same FIA that has effectively banned full wet weather racing, and usually keeps the safety car out longer than necessary.
Timothy Katz (@timothykatz)
21st July 2014, 7:29
I watched the Sutil incident on replay last night, and I wondered if the idea of not using a SC was anything to do with the ‘Red Flag’ policy for next season.
When Charlie was being interviewed about the new policy of restarts instead of SCs for next season, he seemed to intimate that there would be less use of the Red Flag than we have had SC’s and that ‘lesser incidents’ would be dealt with by local waved yellows. Perhaps the Sutil incident illustrates what he meant.
Not sure if it’s an entirely good idea, though.
BasCB (@bascb)
21st July 2014, 7:40
Just imagine one of those Marshals slipping, like they did in Canada 2011 when they wanted to recover Kobayashi’s car. He would have been right in the middle of the racing line after a corner Mark.
Jules Winfield (@jules-winfield)
21st July 2014, 9:14
But they didn’t slip.
Imagine an alien spaceship crashing into the track! Oh wait, that didn’t happen either.
G Breese (@breesegp)
21st July 2014, 10:03
they spent an hour at silverstone fixing a broken barrier that had very little chance of being the site of another crash during the race, yet they still took the precaution. There may have been a low chance of a Marshall slipping or dawdling in such a dangerous track position, however every precaution should have been taken to ensure that they were under minimal risk, thus the safety car should have been brought out
D (@f190)
21st July 2014, 10:13
@jules-winfield
But you can’t think like that. You must always plan for a worse case. We saw in Silverstone an hour delay because of a damaged barrier. No one hit that spot again and it was always extremely unlikely, but they covered themselves for the just I case situation which was the right thing to do.
Yesterday they left themselves open to a disaster. I don’t like “what ifs” but with safety and a live track these must be taken into consideration. It must be 100% safe before any marshal is asked to enter.
greg-c (@greg-c)
21st July 2014, 14:07
@jules-winfield
I bet an alien ship would have brought out a SC,
:)
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
21st July 2014, 15:15
Or there could be a typical Monty Python-esque lack of response, as was the case when the spaceship Brian was in crashed :P
Breno (@austus)
21st July 2014, 16:06
Imagine a Williams’ steering column breaks as the driver goes through Tamburello; or a suspension breaks and a Ferrari rams a concrete wall and bursts into flames; or a driver hits a truck during testing; or a part-time rally driver hits an already broken barrier; or a truck reversing while it’s recovering a car runs over a marshall.
Do you understand now, or should I keep going?
Mark
21st July 2014, 11:57
I get what you’re saying, but from memory that Canadian incident seemed a little rushed, among other things. That and I’m not sure if you’ve ever stepped on a painted white line at the edge of a track when it’s damp, it’s damn slippery, which caused the Marshal to trip over.
I can assure you that those would’ve been the three most unlikely people to trip over in the area. I doubt that it would’ve been the first time that they have been out on circuit in those sorts of conditions, it’s what they’re trained to do.
Also, for those who are talking about the barrier at Silverstone, that’s a little different. If a car were to hit that same barrier again, it could easily give way, the barrier could’ve come apart and launched the car into the stands of people, not a pretty sight.
JCost (@jcost)
21st July 2014, 14:37
@bascb spot on. And Sutil could well be collected too.
I think they’re considering going back to the days F1 did not have SC at all…
Funkyf1 (@funkyf1)
21st July 2014, 13:16
A safety car might appear to be extreme for some, but it’s called a safety car for a reason. Regardless of the parameters between cars and time spent on track, that method of recovering a vecihle is NOT safe.
What I cannot comprehend is why there was half a dozen + officials running up the inside of the track yet nothing was done until the marshalls “crossed” that’s right “crossed” a racing circuit while a race was running to retrieve a stricken car. There surely is an alternative to this approach. This is not the type of behaviour that should be broadcast to a worldwide audience.
Maciek (@maciek)
21st July 2014, 2:36
Good on Button for backtracking. Experience breeds perspective I guess – although I doubt we’ll hear similar mea culpas from Massa.
I thought it was totally ridiculous that the safety car didn’t come out for Sutil and thought to myself ‘well, yeah, they won’t jeopardise Rosberg’s position in Germany’ but then again it’s Whiting that makes the call (right?) so there goes that conspiracy theory.
Lari (@lari)
21st July 2014, 6:49
Exactly, so why would Whiting play into Rosberg’s side, I don’t get it?
Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
21st July 2014, 9:08
Because some suspect that Whiting doesn’t just play to the FIA’s tune.
kpcart
21st July 2014, 13:55
those people are called delusional
Fritz Oosthuizen (@)
21st July 2014, 5:05
Lewis, remind me of my aunty. Always looking for a excuse and something to complain about.
Dr. Jekyll (@dr-jekyll)
21st July 2014, 8:45
maybe Whiting is out to get her to?
SoLiDG (@solidg)
21st July 2014, 9:14
It’s true that Lewis always finds excuses.. But it’s just Lewis not being able to keep these things to himself. That’s the main difference between most of the grid.
And let’s be fair, he has a point. Clearcut SC!
Tom (@newdecade)
21st July 2014, 22:32
Sounds like you’ve learnt from your aunty
bull mello (@bullmello)
21st July 2014, 5:19
One reason I like Button is that he is strong enough to publicly change his opinion on a matter, even his own driving.
Mr. Felipe Massa, Mario Andretti has wisely stated; “To finish first, first you must finish.”
Daniel Ricciardo is a joy to watch on track and off. And really, so is Valterri Bottas. These young drivers give hope for the future of F1. It’s funny it has taken some time for me to appreciate Ricciardo and now it is hard to understand what took me so long. On the other hand, I have been a supporter of Bottas since he arrived and it is gratifying to see him prove out.
The best thing about the German Grand Prix was the multiple battles with some of the veteran and younger drivers racing wheel to wheel without taking each other out. Nicely done.
James Garner is one of my favorite actors and watching the movie Grand Prix as a youngster helped to increase my appreciation of the sport. Vaya con dios, James Garner.
BasCB (@bascb)
21st July 2014, 7:18
@keithcollantine – the link to the Rosberg video is not correct – here is the correct one: http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/20/rosberg-thanks-fans-for-support-on-a-special-day/related/
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
21st July 2014, 8:25
@bascb Changed it – thanks for supplying the correct link!
WilliamB (@william-brierty)
21st July 2014, 8:32
Button is looking increasingly like a man that knows the dream is over. His reaction to Hamilton miscalculation, which was all it was, was completely uncharacteristic, and his newly heavy demeanor suggests that Ron has handed him his P45. It is highly likely that a) McLaren will try to replace Jenson with Grosjean and b) then ensure that Grosjean’s place at Lotus is filled by Stoffel Vandoorne, and with Vandoorne, like Grosjean, having Total sponsorship, Lotus won’t find themselves loosing a sponsor. Things that fit that neatly tend to play out in F1, as was the case of the coincidence of Webber wanting a new home and Porsche committing themselves to a LMP programme…
Optimaximal (@optimaximal)
21st July 2014, 9:12
Will the Total sponsorship last, given they’ll be running Mercedes power next year? They’re already being crowbarred out of the way for PDVSA and I was under the impression Mercedes were ‘recommending’ Petronas or partner fuels.
WilliamB (@william-brierty)
21st July 2014, 10:38
@optimaximal – That my friend is an excellent point, and something I rather overlooked. However even without Total money I can see McLaren subsidizing a Lotus seat; Vandoorne truly is a magnificent talent and, according to McLaren, has been super impressive in testing.
Aditya (@adityafakhri)
21st July 2014, 9:39
interesting. but I thought McLaren will go after Alonso if they chose not to extend Button contract. Grosjean situation is just like Hulkenberg’s last season, a good driver whom he had to drag a poor car. I’m not sure though if currently Grosjean presence at Lotus is more to Total sponsorship rather than his performance. Gerard Lopez would prefer him to stay regardless Total situation.
Vandoorne season at GP2 is not as widely expected but the talent is there. Maybe another year in GP2 would be good for him. And yet McLaren is the one who needed blazingly quick driver with bad bargaining and situation here. Moreover we can’t be sure of what Honda can bring, considering mega job Mercedes has done.
After Raikkonen departure McLaren seem to get perfect replacement in Hamilton. But when Hamilton left, it’s fair to say that they’re a bit at lost.
WilliamB (@william-brierty)
21st July 2014, 14:13
@adityafakhri – Alonso will not bet his career on Honda’s ability to hit the ground running. If in 2015 McLaren and Honda show signs of promise, then Alonso might be tempted to move, but only if the presence of James Allison isn’t felt in the ground up design of the 2015 Ferrari. Put simply he is not available for next season, whereas Grosjean is an excellent driver desperately in need of a better car: either him or Hulkenberg would be the natural choices if McLaren feel the need to replace JB.
Regarding Vandoorne, you must remember that he is in a series where the eventual champion for the past three years (as is looking likely to be the case this year also) has had more than three full seasons before their successful championship campaign. The fact that Vandoorne, and Marciello for that matter, have been able to make good impressions as GP2 rookies is an illustration of their brilliance: I expect to see both in F1 next year (with Ferrari likely to subsidize a Sauber or Marussia seat for Marciello).
I agree they’ve been a fair bit lost since the exit of Hamilton, but I would say that is because they signed Perez and not Hulkenberg in 2012, with Nico the prodigious yet methodical star that would have perfectly suited McLaren (the only reason McLaren won’t choose him as a replacement for Button is that it would essentially paint a big “WE MADE A MISTAKE IN 2012” banner on their backs). With the beneficial Grosjean-Bouliier partnership likely to be reunited, McLaren may finally have found their Hamilton replacement; although KMag’s starting to go well now also…
Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
21st July 2014, 14:35
@william-brierty Vandoorne was also very impressive in the Hockenheim GP2 race, losing the win to Mitch Evans through pit strategy, and shining in the wet/drying sprint race, only losing to experienced Coletti and Nasr. He’s definitely ready for F1 now, as is Nasr after some FP1s (look-out, Massa).
Marciello also shone, until being unlucky in both races… another lost podium for him. He’s young enough that he could have a championship campaign with Evans next year, if Ferrari wait until 2016 to move things along (Raikkonen, Bianchi, Marciello, Fuoco up a level, etc.)
Jules Winfield (@jules-winfield)
21st July 2014, 9:12
Lewis is brilliant, exciting and swashbuckling. He’s the fastest driver of the lot and is the best overtaker by miles. He sees opportunities and pulls off moves that wouldn’t even occur to other pilots, and even if it did occur, they’d miss things up. He is reassuringly human and beats himself up (publicly) when he messes up, unlike some of the other automatons.
But really, he needs to end his quotes about a half sentence before he actually does: “but I think you know why”. What next? Conspiracy theories about Area 51?
Aditya (@adityafakhri)
21st July 2014, 9:50
when a driver is the best overtaker by miles, he didn’t drove onto another driver. Lewis is fast as hell. but in terms of clean overtaking, I’d put Alonso and Raikkonen ahead of him. (imo)
WilliamB (@william-brierty)
21st July 2014, 10:35
@adityafakhri – And Vettel…
N
21st July 2014, 11:06
lol.
mattshaw85 (@)
21st July 2014, 9:21
I’m actually at odds with the majority, in that I was very pleased not to see a safety car disrupt the race for a minor incident. I’ve found it somewhat annoying in recent times when the safety car gets called when it could easily be dealt with under double yellows – if the drivers have the right amount of respect for the flag that is.
Double yellows should mean ‘be prepared to stop’ and the car being off the racing line should have made it easy for the marshals to recover the car – quite why we had marshals crossing the track though I’ve no idea, seemed like there were marshals ready to attend on the inside of the corner. The car was also left way too long.
I can see why Hamilton fans might be all about the conspiracy, but I don’t buy it. He’s been very unlucky this season in a number of ways, but I think that’s all it is – bad luck. Same used to happen to Mark Webber, and Vettel has had his share this season too.
Mcquiz (@mcquiz)
21st July 2014, 13:37
Can’t really call the driver who has won 5 out of 10 races unlucky.
Dan
21st July 2014, 10:18
For those who are ok about the SC not being deployed, ask yourselves this: would you have been happy to see a loved one – a husband, father, son, brother, sister etc – being told by race control to run out on to the track like those marshals on the pit straight?
LotsOfControl (@for-unlawful-carnal-knowledge)
21st July 2014, 12:18
It is much safer than crossing the street in my hometown and probably yours too (imo).
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
21st July 2014, 15:22
I would have, but perhaps that’s because I have that sense of teenage invincibility still rife!
RyanDixon (@ryandixon)
21st July 2014, 12:32
The SC situation is very strange and could either be seen as a good move or a bad move on behalf of the FIA. It is good that they didn’t bring the SC out as the race was beginning to get good and having to spend laps behind would ruin the racing but also the tactics of the race. The car spinning indicates that it can happen and even if it is a random problem or mistake, it could happen even under double yellows the cars are still going at some rates of knots. Preaching to “think before you drive” is one thing but then sending marshals running across an active race track requires another thought process altogether.
Damonw
21st July 2014, 13:01
If no safety car was needed then why was one deployed lastyear when Vettel retired at Silverstone?
Whiting is so blatantly corrupt it’s comical, the decisions and discussions of what takes place between these idiots should be fed to the teams and allowed to be accessed by the fans.
Mcquiz (@mcquiz)
21st July 2014, 13:40
Because there wasn’t a whole in the wall there where they could push Vettel’s car through. I’ve seen much more dangerous marshaling, like GP3 in Valencia for example. The car was just outside of the last corner and marshals and a tractor came to take it under yellow flags and that took them a while.
Gavin Campbell
21st July 2014, 15:31
I saw that spin and thought instant safety car to clear it. But i was shocked to see the marshals crossing the racing line, that should never be allowed under racing conditions (unless to aid a stricken driver). If they had used the marshals from the pit lane to recover it I think it would be okay as its actually extremely unlikely to see a car there on the inside of that corner. But I winced as I saw the marshals coming across the track like that.
GT Racer (@gt-racer)
21st July 2014, 18:07
The reason there was no Safety car is simple, The car was easily recoverable as it just needed to be pushed through the gap in the barrier.
If you go back to Monaco there was a similar situation with Guttierez’ car when he spun at Rascasse right by pit entry, There was no safety car then either as the car was put on a trolly & easily pushed through pit entry.
If there had been no gap in the wall & had a tractor or other recovery vehicle been needed then it would have been a safety car, But since the car only needed to be pushed a few meter’s then one wasn’t necessary.
With regards to Marshall’s running across the track, It wasn’t necessarily as dangerous as some above are suggesting. There trained to do it & are in constant contact with race control & other marshal posts so are fully aware of where the cars are & its actually not all that uncommon to see marshal’s run out on track to pick up debris or to get to a stranded car.
Had Charlie felt a SC was needed, He’d have sent it out regardless of who’s leading & all that so the conspiracy talk suggesting it was to favor Nico or whatever is utter nonsense.
@HoHum (@hohum)
21st July 2014, 23:27
More common sense from @gt-racer, I would like to add : At the time the Marshalls crossed the track all cars had passed the Sauber at least once so were well aware of its location and the fact that Marshalls were likely on the track in that area. Safety cars may be necessary but they ruin races so should not be sent out unnecessarily.