2011 Formula Season Starts - Who Will Win?

[tortuous]

F1 is not a spec series, not all. And yes if you don't have the talent to get a top ride you have no chance of winning a race. And yes in any given season perhaps 3 or 4 teams have that type of combination

The driver makes a world of difference -- every team manager and engineer knows this. That is why the top teams throw tens of millions of dollars a year to secure the best drivers. His technical feedback is what helps develops the car all season long.

To say that the engineering side is not as important as the driver's ability would be absurd. However I strongly disagree with your assertion that the praise heaped on the drivers is over the top. Go out and run some competitive and consistent lap times in any racing car -- and then well talk more about this, ok?

In 2006 seb and Di Resta were team mates driving the same car, that's what I was referring to.

I'm not saying the drivers are bad, but the exact opposite. They are so consistent you could swap most drivers around and expect the same result at the end of the year. If you swapped red bull and force india drivers, a red bull would still have won this year.

If you put every F1 driver in the same car, what time difference do you think it would be from fastest to slowest?.

The thing that makes F1 so good is that the drivers are so good. With the constantly upgraded cars and different circuits every week, not every driver will have his car set up how they like, even team mates, and that makes races unpredictable. It still doesn't alter the fact that the faster car will win over the course of the year.

As for technical feedback, I do agree that drivers with better feedback are always going to be more beneficial, but the difference isn't huge.

Take Heidfeld and Raikkonen for example, Often considered as one of the best and one of the worst at feedback. When they raced on the same team Heidfeld was also slightly faster, that didn't stop Raikkonen getting payed 5x more at Ferrari. There is a huge amount of luck as to where many drivers end up, and unfortunately the more sponsorship ££ you have to bring to the team, the better chance you have of getting a seat.

Ps

Which F1 broadcast do you watch?, If you can get the BBC version I would recommend that. They always do great features on the technical side of F1, not as in depth as they used to be, but still good.

 

[GerardWon]

In 2006 seb and Di Resta were team mates driving the same car, that's what I was referring to.

I'm not saying the drivers are bad, but the exact opposite. They are so consistent you could swap most drivers around and expect the same result at the end of the year. If you swapped red bull and force india drivers, a red bull would still have won this year.

If you put every F1 driver in the same car, what time difference do you think it would be from fastest to slowest?.

The thing that makes F1 so good is that the drivers are so good. With the constantly upgraded cars and different circuits every week, not every driver will have his car set up how they like, even team mates, and that makes races unpredictable. It still doesn't alter the fact that the faster car will win over the course of the year.

As for technical feedback, I do agree that drivers with better feedback are always going to be more beneficial, but the difference isn't huge.

Take Heidfeld and Raikkonen for example, Often considered as one of the best and one of the worst at feedback. When they raced on the same team Heidfeld was also slightly faster, that didn't stop Raikkonen getting payed 5x more at Ferrari. There is a huge amount of luck as to where many drivers end up, and unfortunately the more sponsorship ££ you have to bring to the team, the better chance you have of getting a seat.

Ps

Which F1 broadcast do you watch?, If you can get the BBC version I would recommend that. They always do great features on the technical side of F1, not as in depth as they used to be, but still good.

Di Resta is a fucking huge talent. Quick as hell.

They say Ferrari was happy to see Kimi leave - he was a very good racer I thought. Luck and money, sure they certainly do exist at that level -- they too are players.

Even Senna said in his book "Principles of Race Driving" - that every single Formula 1 driver from the front of the grid to the back is a brilliant driver (paraphrase).

Also I saw a YT vid that showed Pillippe Alliot (who was Not the most successful F1 driver) karting against Prost, Senna and others -- And he was fucking amazing as he led the race! I mean, I gained an entirely new respect for the dude. So yeah, your point is taken. It's just that small differences at that level (F1) are applifyied.

I don' really agree with you about how vital a driver's feedback is, but I do agree it is less valuable now than it was 20 years ago. Better and faster computers, better data logging, CFD, ect. And No doubt Vettel, or Alonso, Hamilton -- they would not win races in the Lotus.

There are a very, very, few that can always just do it when they have to -- just conjure that pole lap or pass, or fast stint. Most racers, even bloody quick ones, do not possess this magic. Senna lived in this land -- he owned it, Vettel appears to be a frequent visitor.

BTW yeah I've read great things over the years in Autosport about the BBC coverage. I watch speed TV

Cheers

 

[GerardWon]

Well done to Vettel, much more consistent this season. Adrian Newey will make that Red Bull even better next year so I can see Vettel doing the business again. That last race showed that Button could compete, but to convince me he'll have to do the same this wknd in Korea. I always find myself routing for Schumi each race. I wonder if he is too old now or is it that Merc not being up to spec?!

Hey Ryan!

If the Red Bull is up to the task, I agree a done deal. I think Vettel will be even stronger next year.

But Ferrari will be going nuts to make the new car a real contender.

McLaren same thing. But I suspect they have the added incentive of not wanting to lose Hamilton. Yes I know he's been under their auspices since he was 12 and a karter, but a person of that sort of determination will not be placated for long. I'm sure he hears the ticking of the best days of his driving career being wasted in a car that cannot compete.

Button is driving great. No doubt.

As for Michael, I think its more the 3 year layoff and being in a car that was not designed specifically around his driving style and preference. But who knows, maybe those racers' nightmares have taken a bite outta his ass... lol.

 

[Incantation]

Which F1 broadcast do you watch?, If you can get the BBC version I would recommend that. They always do great features on the technical side of F1, not as in depth as they used to be, but still good.

Just to add there, BBC is awesome, the F1 Forum after the race is always a laugh. This from Monaco...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpwgV2ZDNpM&feature]Monaco GP 2011: Red Bull Pool Party (HQ FULL VERSION) - YouTube[/ame]

Hey Ryan!

If the Red Bull is up to the task, I agree a done deal. I think Vettel will be even stronger next year.

But Ferrari will be going nuts to make the new car a real contender.

McLaren same thing. But I suspect they have the added incentive of not wanting to lose Hamilton. Yes I know he's been under their auspices since he was 12 and a karter, but a person of that sort of determination will not be placated for long. I'm sure he hears the ticking of the best days of his driving career being wasted in a car that cannot compete.

Button is driving great. No doubt.

As for Michael, I think its more the 3 year layoff and being in a car that was not designed specifically around his driving style and preference. But who knows, maybe those racers' nightmares have taken a bite outta his ass... lol.

Gotta say that this has been a cracking season. Would be much better if it went to the final race, but as you say with the cars evened out next year it should be much closer. About the Tweet, I'm considering heading to the Texas race bro so might need some hotel/party recommendations. Roll on Korea, timezone is a bitch here, race starts at 7am lol.