I don't like Alonso or Vettel.. Come to think of it, I don't like any of the drivers around right now. But my pick would probably be Alonso or Kimi. I'd wait until I saw Vettel in an inferior car, but I think he started at Torro Rosso so maybe his results there should be looked at?
The F1 Thread 2013 Season
- Thread starter nemanja15
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
I don't like Alonso or Vettel.. Come to think of it, I don't like any of the drivers around right now. But my pick would probably be Alonso or Kimi. I'd wait until I saw Vettel in an inferior car, but I think he started at Torro Rosso so maybe his results there should be looked at?
Vettel was the youngest driver ever to get a championship point when he finished 8th in his first and only race with BMW in 2007. He's the youngest ever to get the pole and also the youngest ever to win a race, both in Monza with the Toro Rosso in 2008. He finished that season with 35 points (it was still 10 points for the win back then) ahead of both Red Bull pilots, Webber and Coulthart. Red Bull finished overall with only 29 points. He looked outstanding in an inferior car and fully deserved a seat at a top team. Alonso is still the best driver though. Not sure where to rate Hamilton or Kimi when compared with Vettel.
Was there a big difference between the Torro Rosso and the Red Bull car back then? It wasn't until later on that the Red Bull car rose to dominance.
There is no denying that Vettel is an amazing qualifier and once he gets out front he looks so comfortable. In terms of race craft though and overtaking ability I'd put Alonso, Kimi and Hamilton ahead. When Hamilton won the WC back in 2008 I was fully expecting him to do what Vettel ended up doing. Consistency seems to be the thing he lacks however.
I'd argue it was more that the McLaren lacked consistency, to be honest, not Hamilton.
Not sure if there was a big difference. But let's say both cars were on the same level. He was a young driver in his first full season and outperformed easily Coulthard, Webber and destroyed his team mate, finishing on 8th place overall in the end. Sounds like a pretty outstanding performance to me. I really enjoyed watching him drive back then. His overtaking ability is in my opinion underrated around here. But it's hard to prove when he's dominating so many races from the start. I think he had several fights over the last years with great driving.
I'm not really sure what you mean by race craft or what he lacks to win races in your opinion? He's one of the most consistent drivers ever, knows how to handle his car, save fuel and tires when ahead, attack when necessary. Sure he made a few mistakes, but after all he's still very young for a driver. He won his third championship at an age when Schumacher was still fighting for his first. He kept his chances to win the championship alive when his car wasn't the best, dominated when Red Bull was on top. I'm not sure what Kimi and Hamilton have done in terms of race craft that proves they are overall better drivers. I agree with Alonso though.
They were both rubbish back then, 2009 was the year Vettel got promoted and RBR took advantage of the rule change. With the current staff at RBR I doubt they will ever make a dog of car which is why many will doubt Vettel tallent until he proves himself in a inferior car.
IIRC the Torro Rosso had a Ferrari engine not the Renault like Red Bull, it did make a difference, even Bourdais impressed in qualifying from time to time I think.
EDIT:
Aye, Bourdais qualified 4th in Monza, but he had to start from the pits because he couldn't select gear. Ended up with the 2nd fastest lap in the race, he was quick at Spa that year too, sure he was on for podium until it began to rain and he got mugged at the end.
Torro Rosso still do get Ferrari engines but I do remember Ferrari getting a bit funny about giving them their best engines once Vettel started to put in some serious performances.
1 car built in shed and looks very good.
http://recombu.com/cars/articles/news/man-builds-f1-car-in-his-shed
http://recombu.com/cars/articles/news/man-builds-f1-car-in-his-shed
I more just meant his ability in a real scrap. At times, particularly in 2011, he wasn't really put in that situation a lot. He got a hell of a pole positions and lead from start to finish (full credit to him), but how good is he under real pressure from drivers in better cars? We're yet to see that really. In 2010, 11, and 12 the Red Bull car was clearly the pick of the bunch. The fact that Webber has won a number of races attests to that. Had Webber been at any other team there would be no way he would have won the races he did. And that's not disrespecting Mark, but he's clearly not on Alonso, Vettel's level.
I'm not doubting Vettel's ability as a driver, his three world championships show that he's a super talent. I'd just be interested to see what happened for example if Hamilton or Alonso were his teammate.
You could say the same for most second drivers at top teams. Fisichella in 2005, 06 at Renault, Barrichello, Massa at Ferrari or Coulthard at McLaren. Vettel is comfortably beating his team mate. That's important in my opinion. That a championship car is strong enough for the weaker driver to win a few races isn't something new.
I don't think Vettel with Hamilton or Alonso as a teammate would work. Sounds like McLaren 2007 all over again. But Vettel won't have the best car every year and I think he will join one of the traditional teams after 2014, so we'll see what happens in another setup at one point in his career. I don't think Red Bull had the best car through out last season btw. They struggled a lot in the beginning, he kept his chances to win the championship alive and started dominating the moment his car was the best which overall lead to him winning the title.
Don't think too many are debating that he is very good - just if he is one of the best? I reckon Schumacher gets appreciated a lot more since he switched teams and took the challenge with Ferrari. If Vettel did the same, he will definitely be one of the greats IMO. I just can't warm to him for some reason. But then again, I dislike the crappy rules and most of the drivers now. F1 is worlds better 15 years ago. The era with Schumacher challenging the McLarens with a poorer car (97-00) was great
Since 2009 I don't think RBR have struggled, with Newey in charge they have always had a car capable of finishing in the top 3 but he has suffered with a couple of mechanical faults. It will be interesting to see what happens in 2014, with the new regulations for 2014 we don't really know what to expect from RBR, If they produce a dog of a car it will give Vettel a platform to prove his critics wrong.
I'm german and I don't really like him, can't say why. I agree the years when Schumacher was driving that bad Ferrari were amazing. Really enjoyed watching him fighting for his third title.
On another note I loved this little bit they did with Kimi
He is awesome.
He is awesome.
'You just made me crash'.
'Happens often with women in cars eh'.
'Happens often with women in cars eh'.
A lot of the drivers these days don't seem the most likeable to be honest. I'm Australian and I'm not a huge fan of Webber, he loves a whinge. He complains that Vettel gets preferential treatment, well that's what happens when someone is better than you. Hamilton strikes me as a bit of a bitch when things don't go his way.
That's why my favourite driver is Kimi. No fuss, doesn't really give a feck and just gets on with racing. Plus you know if he's anywhere near the front of the grid he's a good crack at winning it. What he did last year at Lotus, considering their tiny budget, shows his class.
God I love Kimi. He just looks like a fantastic person to hang out with.
I am also a big Kimi fan. Thanks to that video posted earlier i've just spent the last hour watching all Kimi's funny interviews.
"Just point the wheel where you want to go"
Who's the cutie? I don't want Sky's F1 coverage
Natalie Pinkham
I love when she gets in to drive, any advise Kimi?
"Just go..."
I can watch this for hours on end too
"Just go..."
I can watch this for hours on end too
Anyone see his interview on the BBC last Saturday?
'Can you take your (sun)glasses off Kimi?'
'No.'
'Can you take your (sun)glasses off Kimi?'
'No.'
Hakkinen did the 'awkward interview thing' better though.
Ah feck lads now I am watching all his funny interviews on youtube
He is just so laid back and cool.
He is just so laid back and cool.
Yeah
F1 needs more drivers like Kimi. If he won the WC in the Lotus car and knocked Red Bull off their perch I'd be stoked.
I would love for him to win the WC this year.
Chinese GP this weekend. What are people's predictions?
I'm expecting Lotus and Mercedes to be quick again. At this early stage of the season it looks like Lewis Hamilton made a pretty smart move, McLaren look well off the pace atm. As long as Vettel doesn't win I'll be happy.
I'm expecting Lotus and Mercedes to be quick again. At this early stage of the season it looks like Lewis Hamilton made a pretty smart move, McLaren look well off the pace atm. As long as Vettel doesn't win I'll be happy.
They are meant to be a few improvements on there car this weekend, interesting to see if they make any difference.
First live race of the season for BBC and I think for the first time, practice is being shown live on BBC2 and not the red button.
Their car is coming from a fair way back mind you. I expect them to improve though. Will be interesting to see how they do compared to Mercedes.
As long as Vettel doesn't win I'm not fussed.
Yes there car has been poor in the opening races.
I have mellowed towards him , he is an excellent driver, mind you he did act like a tosser in the last race,I would not say I liked him , just don't dislike him as much as I used too.
Yeah no doubt he's a quality driver, I'm just rather see someone like Kimi win it in the Lotus or Lewis in the Mercedes. Just sick of Red Bull. Can't say I'm a huge fan of Webber either.
Looking forward to the race though. I genuinely think there are quite a few cars which could claim to be the fastest. I'm gonna tip Lewis to win in from Vettel as the Mercedes traditionally has done well in China.
That so called sincere apology lasted long then.
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1...-team-orders-again-if-it-meant-winning-a-race
http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1...-team-orders-again-if-it-meant-winning-a-race
He is an utter cnut. There was never much of a love in between those two at red bull but it seems now that its all well and truly starting to fall apart now.
I like Kimi , but dont think he can win the Championship, I like Webber gets a bit of stick on here.
Yes he is still a cnut, team order are all well and good but put in his position I think I would of done the same, you race to win.