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Last week’s Formula 1 race came after yet another scuffle between the top two drivers. Hamilton holds up Alonso during qualifying, so Alonso holds up Hamilton in the pits, then gets penalised for it.
It was certainly interesting seeing this from the Spanish media’s side. Immediately, they questioned Hamilton’s methods and his loyalty to McLaren, plus they scrutinised Ron Dennis and his cold shoulder approach to Alonso after the qualifying had finished.
In reality, it looked as if Ron had enough of both his drivers that day, and he was treating them the same way as two naughty children, by ignoring them, But I’m sure words were traded during their debriefing and he’ll have to work hard to get his house in order for the next race. Ron Dennis can’t afford to make McLaren look bad with the ripples still being felt from the spying saga with Ferarri.
But what this is doing is making everyone talk about Formula 1 again. For a sport that was losing some of its viewers (especially in the US) at the start of the season, this can only be a good thing. Rivalry inside one company is more interesting than if it were for two drivers in different team because, for one, they’re driving pretty much the same machinery. They will be aware, to some extent, of the other’s technique and even some of their plans for the race, though reports say both Alonso and Hamilton are keeping these from each other and even have separate teams of people working with them now. Both of them believe that Ron Dennis is looking out for the other, while he stands in the middle watching the two drivers bend and hoping they don’t snap.
The media frenzy of the last week has died down, but not completely halted, far better for the sport to hold so much on-going debate and keep it fresh in the mind of those who might otherwise turn somewhere else.
Perhaps this is a sign that the FIA should look towards standardising equipment further, as with other motorsports? It would certainly be more of a spectacle to see a Honda that could compete with a Ferarri or McLaren or even a Williams at this stage. This would heighten the rivalry between teams, encourage other countries to support their drivers who would have more chance of winning and generally make for better viewing.
But others may say that the constructors are all part of what Formula 1 is all about. Taking this away would just make it another motorsport like all the rest. But when you see the likes of Spyker, Toyota and Honda at the back, you have to ask what they are really getting out of the sport. Keeping constructors, but creating more of a standard car across the board would be a compromise, though it may slow down the top constructors even further in a season which has already seen some rules doing just that. Difficult, then, to find something that gives more energy to the race.
Still, the current rivalry is a gift for the sport and one that is made all the more surprising by the fact that it’s the rookie competing against a proven World Champion which is setting the cat among the racing pigeons.
It was certainly interesting seeing this from the Spanish media’s side. Immediately, they questioned Hamilton’s methods and his loyalty to McLaren, plus they scrutinised Ron Dennis and his cold shoulder approach to Alonso after the qualifying had finished.
In reality, it looked as if Ron had enough of both his drivers that day, and he was treating them the same way as two naughty children, by ignoring them, But I’m sure words were traded during their debriefing and he’ll have to work hard to get his house in order for the next race. Ron Dennis can’t afford to make McLaren look bad with the ripples still being felt from the spying saga with Ferarri.
But what this is doing is making everyone talk about Formula 1 again. For a sport that was losing some of its viewers (especially in the US) at the start of the season, this can only be a good thing. Rivalry inside one company is more interesting than if it were for two drivers in different team because, for one, they’re driving pretty much the same machinery. They will be aware, to some extent, of the other’s technique and even some of their plans for the race, though reports say both Alonso and Hamilton are keeping these from each other and even have separate teams of people working with them now. Both of them believe that Ron Dennis is looking out for the other, while he stands in the middle watching the two drivers bend and hoping they don’t snap.
The media frenzy of the last week has died down, but not completely halted, far better for the sport to hold so much on-going debate and keep it fresh in the mind of those who might otherwise turn somewhere else.
Perhaps this is a sign that the FIA should look towards standardising equipment further, as with other motorsports? It would certainly be more of a spectacle to see a Honda that could compete with a Ferarri or McLaren or even a Williams at this stage. This would heighten the rivalry between teams, encourage other countries to support their drivers who would have more chance of winning and generally make for better viewing.
But others may say that the constructors are all part of what Formula 1 is all about. Taking this away would just make it another motorsport like all the rest. But when you see the likes of Spyker, Toyota and Honda at the back, you have to ask what they are really getting out of the sport. Keeping constructors, but creating more of a standard car across the board would be a compromise, though it may slow down the top constructors even further in a season which has already seen some rules doing just that. Difficult, then, to find something that gives more energy to the race.
Still, the current rivalry is a gift for the sport and one that is made all the more surprising by the fact that it’s the rookie competing against a proven World Champion which is setting the cat among the racing pigeons.
Any motorsport is going to be contrary to what enviromentalists want, no matter what they do (short of using electric cars or pedal power!)
Still, they can stick to their polo and what-not!
I'll be looking closely at the reaction both the drivers get from McLaren prior to next week's F1 race, not to mention how they treat each other.
Still, they can stick to their polo and what-not!
I'll be looking closely at the reaction both the drivers get from McLaren prior to next week's F1 race, not to mention how they treat each other.
I don't think F1 needs to appease enviromentalists at this moment, especially if the 2011 plans of biofuels and smaller turbo engines come into effect. They would already, at this point, be using the brake energy for extra boost and are looking into energy recovery from the engine coolant and exhaust gases.
2008 sees the early changes to reduce costs so that they can make the big changes in 2011. The brake energy recovery boost is proposed for 2009.
That dual rear wing thing with a gap in the middle was apparently found to not work very well so that's been scrapped.
2008 sees the early changes to reduce costs so that they can make the big changes in 2011. The brake energy recovery boost is proposed for 2009.
That dual rear wing thing with a gap in the middle was apparently found to not work very well so that's been scrapped.
Well, energy saving will obviously appease the green campaigners a little (nothing in motorsport will appease them completely, let's be honest) and yes, it would hopefully give those struggling teams or any new team a better chance.
I guess the FIA are walking the tightrope between keeping the fans, constructors, track owners and environmentalists happy.
I guess the FIA are walking the tightrope between keeping the fans, constructors, track owners and environmentalists happy.
And although that sort of thing levels the playing field in Champ Cars quite a bit, it's still possible for domination: Bourdais.
The standardisation I'm interested in is the energy saving technology and a possible standard "Boost" for overtaking like that used in Champ Cars, it's certainly make things interesting. Standard component parts could also bring costs down too, which could help fund other things.
As for customer cars; not a bad idea, so long as of course it's not a case of simply paying for performance - I'd say with previous seasons' cars it'd make more sense, not current ones, making it harder to just buy success, in opposition to team who manufacture their own cars seeing their resources wasted? (Or alternatively, buy a '90s one and race it in EuroBOSS!)
But I'm for it in general - could help some smaller teams get competitive before developing their own cars (ie If Spyker would purchase something to use and then develop into their own cars, I think that's how Williams came about actually...), and of course help them with staffing costs; David Richards said in an interview that it means fewer people need to be employed for Prodrive's F1 operation by cutting out some design and development, as to engender team spirit with fewer people. Not that I'd imagine the team will have no money...
They've got an agreement about supply, but not a contract, and pretty much decided on one driver. Bets, anyone? McLaren as the supplier, and Paffett as the driver here...
The standardisation I'm interested in is the energy saving technology and a possible standard "Boost" for overtaking like that used in Champ Cars, it's certainly make things interesting. Standard component parts could also bring costs down too, which could help fund other things.
As for customer cars; not a bad idea, so long as of course it's not a case of simply paying for performance - I'd say with previous seasons' cars it'd make more sense, not current ones, making it harder to just buy success, in opposition to team who manufacture their own cars seeing their resources wasted? (Or alternatively, buy a '90s one and race it in EuroBOSS!)
But I'm for it in general - could help some smaller teams get competitive before developing their own cars (ie If Spyker would purchase something to use and then develop into their own cars, I think that's how Williams came about actually...), and of course help them with staffing costs; David Richards said in an interview that it means fewer people need to be employed for Prodrive's F1 operation by cutting out some design and development, as to engender team spirit with fewer people. Not that I'd imagine the team will have no money...
They've got an agreement about supply, but not a contract, and pretty much decided on one driver. Bets, anyone? McLaren as the supplier, and Paffett as the driver here...
Well, I suppose it's going to be standardised to a point as a fully standardised F1 would lose it's individuality.
If you want to see standard cars and more support from specific countries, then watch A1 :-)
Renault has showed over the previous two seasons that it's not money that buys you championships. Reports suggest their budget for 2005 & 2006 was in the region of only £$250 million. Teams like Toyota & Ferrari spend upwards of $400 million.
If anything, I think a standard chassis would stiffle competition as F1 has cycles. Williams were dominant in the early 90's, the Benetton, then Williams, the McLaren at the end of the 90's and into the 00's. Then Ferrari, then Renault, now McLaren again. I think you would lose that.
As for the Lewis/Alonso thing, I think what happened was great. Great to see two drivers be selfish and ignore team orders. It's just a shame we missed out on a great race by the stewards sticking their nose in and docking Alonso 5 places.
Renault has showed over the previous two seasons that it's not money that buys you championships. Reports suggest their budget for 2005 & 2006 was in the region of only £$250 million. Teams like Toyota & Ferrari spend upwards of $400 million.
If anything, I think a standard chassis would stiffle competition as F1 has cycles. Williams were dominant in the early 90's, the Benetton, then Williams, the McLaren at the end of the 90's and into the 00's. Then Ferrari, then Renault, now McLaren again. I think you would lose that.
As for the Lewis/Alonso thing, I think what happened was great. Great to see two drivers be selfish and ignore team orders. It's just a shame we missed out on a great race by the stewards sticking their nose in and docking Alonso 5 places.
No, I agree and think you point out some valid things there. Yes, people breathed a sigh of relief when Alonso came along and showed that Schumacher could be beaten again, though I think having two rivals in a single team is more exciting. As you mention Senna and Prost were two drivers in a very similar situation and really drove some interest into the sport at the time.
Creating more of a standard for the cars is a slow process, though if the rules for next year are anything to go by, one might suggest they're going in the right direction but taking baby steps to avoid conflict with the constructors. The whole of F1 is built on money and sponsorship, though, which can be a vicious circle, I don't think it will change any time soon. While this is in place, the teams with the most money will get the sponsorship and the best cars, then will have more chance of winning and more money from sponsors etc.
Creating more of a standard for the cars is a slow process, though if the rules for next year are anything to go by, one might suggest they're going in the right direction but taking baby steps to avoid conflict with the constructors. The whole of F1 is built on money and sponsorship, though, which can be a vicious circle, I don't think it will change any time soon. While this is in place, the teams with the most money will get the sponsorship and the best cars, then will have more chance of winning and more money from sponsors etc.
To be fair, F1 was getting more talked about because of the Hamilton effect. A rookie comes into the pinnacle of motor racing and in his first season, he finishes on the podium in the first 9 races (a record) and in 10 out of 11 races.
He has shown himself a potential World Champion already and I think this has caught McLaren and Alonso out. Alonso obviously expected to take the lead in the team but the team stuck to their policies. Whether or not anyone agrees with them, it doesn't matter, but this has affected Alonso.
The Hungarian incident was just the latest 'power struggle' in McLaren as McLaren are trying to insist on no team orders and everyone is equal, while certain sections in the Alonso camp are pushing for him to be number 1.
The debate will rage as to whether Hamilton should have followed orders or not at the last of final qualifying in Hungary but I feel that Hamilton was perfectly justified to take the intiative. He had a valid point and with Alonso nowhere near Hamilton when he drove off, Hamilton had no need to slow down.
Alonso should have been well out of the pits when Hamilton came in. The engineers or whoever held Hamilton up has to take the full blame. They knew Hamilton had to make a stop and they knew that they had to move Alonso to get them both out in time. You can't stick to a plan (if they even had one to begin with) when it has gone out of the window at the start. It shows a rigidity that will not win friends or Championships.
Well, the future is certainly going to favour more standardised materials if the rules are to be believed. 2008 will feature chassis buying between teams. Rumour has it that the new team, Prodrive, are getting a McLaren chassis. Next season, everyone should be up to speed with the new tyres for those not used to the Bridgestones.
I miss the days of the privateers who could make a team that was reasonably successful. Formula 1 is heavily reliant on the constructors but they are trying hard not to give them too much power. They seem reasonably happy but it's a shame that we won't see 26-30 cars on track, just because the facilities at some tracks can't take it.
Briatore wants more overtaking and a shake up to qualifying so that the faster cars have overtaking to do. He also spoke of 2 races a weekend.
The rivalry of Alonso and Hamilton has sparked the interest of the public but Formula 1 has always been far more interesting when rivalries were about. You only have to talk about Prost and Senna, Hill and Schumacher, Schumacher and Hakkinen and you can see that these rivalries make Formula 1 more interesting. It was the Ferrari domination when Hakkinen left that killed interest in the sport. That last season with the Alonso V Schumacher feud and the Ferrari V Renault war was great because you never knew what was going to happen next.
I'm sure there are some points in there somewhere. :D
He has shown himself a potential World Champion already and I think this has caught McLaren and Alonso out. Alonso obviously expected to take the lead in the team but the team stuck to their policies. Whether or not anyone agrees with them, it doesn't matter, but this has affected Alonso.
The Hungarian incident was just the latest 'power struggle' in McLaren as McLaren are trying to insist on no team orders and everyone is equal, while certain sections in the Alonso camp are pushing for him to be number 1.
The debate will rage as to whether Hamilton should have followed orders or not at the last of final qualifying in Hungary but I feel that Hamilton was perfectly justified to take the intiative. He had a valid point and with Alonso nowhere near Hamilton when he drove off, Hamilton had no need to slow down.
Alonso should have been well out of the pits when Hamilton came in. The engineers or whoever held Hamilton up has to take the full blame. They knew Hamilton had to make a stop and they knew that they had to move Alonso to get them both out in time. You can't stick to a plan (if they even had one to begin with) when it has gone out of the window at the start. It shows a rigidity that will not win friends or Championships.
Well, the future is certainly going to favour more standardised materials if the rules are to be believed. 2008 will feature chassis buying between teams. Rumour has it that the new team, Prodrive, are getting a McLaren chassis. Next season, everyone should be up to speed with the new tyres for those not used to the Bridgestones.
I miss the days of the privateers who could make a team that was reasonably successful. Formula 1 is heavily reliant on the constructors but they are trying hard not to give them too much power. They seem reasonably happy but it's a shame that we won't see 26-30 cars on track, just because the facilities at some tracks can't take it.
Briatore wants more overtaking and a shake up to qualifying so that the faster cars have overtaking to do. He also spoke of 2 races a weekend.
The rivalry of Alonso and Hamilton has sparked the interest of the public but Formula 1 has always been far more interesting when rivalries were about. You only have to talk about Prost and Senna, Hill and Schumacher, Schumacher and Hakkinen and you can see that these rivalries make Formula 1 more interesting. It was the Ferrari domination when Hakkinen left that killed interest in the sport. That last season with the Alonso V Schumacher feud and the Ferrari V Renault war was great because you never knew what was going to happen next.
I'm sure there are some points in there somewhere. :D
Last week’s Formula 1 race came after yet another scuffle between the top two drivers. Hamilton holds up Alonso during qualifying, so Alonso holds up Hamilton in the pits, then gets penalised for it.
It was certainly interesting seeing this from the Spanish media’s side. Immediately, they questioned Hamilton’s methods and his loyalty to McLaren, plus they scrutinised Ron Dennis and his cold shoulder approach to Alonso after the qualifying had finished.
In reality, it looked as if Ron had enough of both his drivers that day, and he was treating them the same way as two naughty children, by ignoring them, But I’m sure words were traded during their debriefing and he’ll have to work hard to get his house in order for the next race. Ron Dennis can’t afford to make McLaren look bad with the ripples still being felt from the spying saga with Ferarri.
But what this is doing is making everyone talk about Formula 1 again. For a sport that was losing some of its viewers (especially in the US) at the start of the season, this can only be a good thing. Rivalry inside one company is more interesting than if it were for two drivers in different team because, for one, they’re driving pretty much the same machinery. They will be aware, to some extent, of the other’s technique and even some of their plans for the race, though reports say both Alonso and Hamilton are keeping these from each other and even have separate teams of people working with them now. Both of them believe that Ron Dennis is looking out for the other, while he stands in the middle watching the two drivers bend and hoping they don’t snap.
The media frenzy of the last week has died down, but not completely halted, far better for the sport to hold so much on-going debate and keep it fresh in the mind of those who might otherwise turn somewhere else.
Perhaps this is a sign that the FIA should look towards standardising equipment further, as with other motorsports? It would certainly be more of a spectacle to see a Honda that could compete with a Ferarri or McLaren or even a Williams at this stage. This would heighten the rivalry between teams, encourage other countries to support their drivers who would have more chance of winning and generally make for better viewing.
But others may say that the constructors are all part of what Formula 1 is all about. Taking this away would just make it another motorsport like all the rest. But when you see the likes of Spyker, Toyota and Honda at the back, you have to ask what they are really getting out of the sport. Keeping constructors, but creating more of a standard car across the board would be a compromise, though it may slow down the top constructors even further in a season which has already seen some rules doing just that. Difficult, then, to find something that gives more energy to the race.
Still, the current rivalry is a gift for the sport and one that is made all the more surprising by the fact that it’s the rookie competing against a proven World Champion which is setting the cat among the racing pigeons.
It was certainly interesting seeing this from the Spanish media’s side. Immediately, they questioned Hamilton’s methods and his loyalty to McLaren, plus they scrutinised Ron Dennis and his cold shoulder approach to Alonso after the qualifying had finished.
In reality, it looked as if Ron had enough of both his drivers that day, and he was treating them the same way as two naughty children, by ignoring them, But I’m sure words were traded during their debriefing and he’ll have to work hard to get his house in order for the next race. Ron Dennis can’t afford to make McLaren look bad with the ripples still being felt from the spying saga with Ferarri.
But what this is doing is making everyone talk about Formula 1 again. For a sport that was losing some of its viewers (especially in the US) at the start of the season, this can only be a good thing. Rivalry inside one company is more interesting than if it were for two drivers in different team because, for one, they’re driving pretty much the same machinery. They will be aware, to some extent, of the other’s technique and even some of their plans for the race, though reports say both Alonso and Hamilton are keeping these from each other and even have separate teams of people working with them now. Both of them believe that Ron Dennis is looking out for the other, while he stands in the middle watching the two drivers bend and hoping they don’t snap.
The media frenzy of the last week has died down, but not completely halted, far better for the sport to hold so much on-going debate and keep it fresh in the mind of those who might otherwise turn somewhere else.
Perhaps this is a sign that the FIA should look towards standardising equipment further, as with other motorsports? It would certainly be more of a spectacle to see a Honda that could compete with a Ferarri or McLaren or even a Williams at this stage. This would heighten the rivalry between teams, encourage other countries to support their drivers who would have more chance of winning and generally make for better viewing.
But others may say that the constructors are all part of what Formula 1 is all about. Taking this away would just make it another motorsport like all the rest. But when you see the likes of Spyker, Toyota and Honda at the back, you have to ask what they are really getting out of the sport. Keeping constructors, but creating more of a standard car across the board would be a compromise, though it may slow down the top constructors even further in a season which has already seen some rules doing just that. Difficult, then, to find something that gives more energy to the race.
Still, the current rivalry is a gift for the sport and one that is made all the more surprising by the fact that it’s the rookie competing against a proven World Champion which is setting the cat among the racing pigeons.