Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2013, Yas Marina - Race 17/19

[this_is_gav]

I guess McLaren are a historic British team, compared to others I guess. Was always a McLaren fan myself.

They're not exactly British historically. Established by a New Zealander, until their tenth year of grand prix racing they didn't have a single British winner. And other than Hunt, between 1966 and 1997 only John Watson had won a race. Quickly looking up, I think only 5 British drivers have won in a McLaren; Hunt, Watson, Coulthard, Hamilton and Button. It not exactly the horse guard's parade.

 

[JHeaton]

Could have, 40 mile commute is enough for me, plus they are so anal . Like working in a museum!

still could but we have lost enough people as it is!

If you want to get me a job, I'll happily replace them! My lack of skills would probably make some people on here happy, too. Everybody wins!

 

[Sparky]

They're not exactly British historically. Established by a New Zealander, until their tenth year of grand prix racing they didn't have a single British winner. And other than Hunt, between 1966 and 1997 only John Watson had won a race. Quickly looking up, I think only 5 British drivers have won in a McLaren; Hunt, Watson, Coulthard, Hamilton and Button. It not exactly the horse guard's parade.

Yes that is true but, if you dint follow them what else would you be clinging to? Climax making a return?

 

[Sparky]

If you want to get me a job, I'll happily replace them! My lack of skills would probably make some people on here happy, too. Everybody wins!

If you knew how many applicants we get a week you would retract that

 

[MagicBoy]

And other than Hunt, between 1966 and 1997 only John Watson had won a race.

*Cough* Fittipaldi *Cough*

McLaren were always based in the UK, and they merged with Ron Dennis' Project Four who were British. Therefore they are British.

 

[JHeaton]

If you knew how many applicants we get a week you would retract that

I can imagine. I've only ever applied to work for one team and I didn't even get a response. So rude.

 

[dannyjo22]

*Cough* Fittipaldi *Cough*

British.

And if you miss read what he put and was just looking for mclaren winners in that time period who names fittipaldi over senna and Prost

 

[Sparky]

2014 going to be interesting thats for sure, looking at our chassis today, some very strange developments. Cant wait.

 

[Flibster]

They're not exactly British historically. Established by a New Zealander, until their tenth year of grand prix racing they didn't have a single British winner. And other than Hunt, between 1966 and 1997 only John Watson had won a race. Quickly looking up, I think only 5 British drivers have won in a McLaren; Hunt, Watson, Coulthard, Hamilton and Button. It not exactly the horse guard's parade.

Since 1966 only two Italians have won a race for Ferrari. Doesn't make them any less Italian.

How is that stat at all relevent?

 

[JHeaton]

2014 going to be interesting thats for sure, looking at our chassis today, some very strange developments. Cant wait.

Now you're just teasing.

 

[Sparky]

Since 1966 only two Italians have won a race for Ferrari. Doesn't make them any less Italian.

How is that stat at all relevent?

Dont let facts cloud a forum post!

 

[Skeeter]

2014 going to be interesting thats for sure, looking at our chassis today, some very strange developments. Cant wait.

 

[this_is_gav]

Since 1966 only two Italians have won a race for Ferrari. Doesn't make them any less Italian.

How is that stat at all relevent?

My point was that McLaren are quite a cold corporate team, which I personally find difficult to especially warm to, so was wondering if it was the drivers which the McLaren fans clung to.

With Ferrari, there's the stereotypical passion and romance, and the drivers have always come second to that.

 

[~Mike~]

2014 going to be interesting thats for sure, looking at our chassis today, some very strange developments. Cant wait.

Vettel in early testing of the 2014 Red Bull

Spoiler

 

[el_dazza]

I used to enjoy making them, gave up replying and won't be doing them anymore (inc testing, launches, etc). Thanks to those that did enjoy them.

Thanks for putting them up for the last few years, we all do appreciate it. Trouble is with the race there's barely anything to discuss any more when it comes to the front. I love the sport as much as anyone else who posts in here but even I, as someone who thinks Vettel is an incredible talent, just can't be bothered to watch at the moment, but at tracks like Abu Dhabi there's no point. Utterly horrible track and once he leads you know it's over!

As Skeeter has mentioned many times, we shouldn't take anything against from Seb/RBR because they are doing a quite phenomenal job to stay at the top, it's the rest that just can't catch up and the majority of people here support teams/drivers that aren't RBR. Sadly that turns into downright hate with some people and it doesn't make for a nice place to chat about goings on. If you walked into a pub and the first thing you saw was 20 chavs yelling, throwing chairs and glasses at each other, would you sit down for a drink? I wouldn't.

If we're going to make this place a great place for discussion and a bit of fun again, then EVERYONE needs to pitch in and cut out the 'boring' posts after 1 lap, whining when Vettel wins, wanting him to crash etc. There are 21 other drivers and 10 other teams you can be discussing. Nothing wrong with banter, just cut out the nasty posts.

 

[sunama]

Why would they [FIA kerb RBR's ability to win] unless RBR did something illegal?

F1 is a commercial sport, like most others.
It needs sponsors.
It needs TV deals.
Bernie is doing a fantastic job, but at some point, even he wont be able to sell a product which is attracting fewer viewers.
Without TV viewers (and the sponsors which come with it), F1 will simmer down.
Sponsors can choose to support another sport - they only care about return on investment - so they will happily jump ship if they get their name to more viewers, by sponsoring another sport or team, for the same amount of money.

During the Ferrari dominance (with MSc), the FIA brought in measures which they felt would prevent Ferrari from dominating.
Also, in 1994 and 1995, when MSc was winning with ease, they introduced refueling to make racing more exciting and unpredictable.

A few years ago DRS was brought in to address the issue of processions.

Its all about making the sport more exciting/unpredictable and if that means preventing a single team from winning repeatedly/easily, then it shall be done.

It is certainly up to rival teams to step up their game. But it is also up to the FIA to help solve the issue.

How sad is it, that weeks before the race weekend starts, we know who the winner of the race is likely to be.

 

[Skeeter]

F1s viewing figures are more than just the UK figures.

 

[dannyjo22]

Also, in 1994 and 1995, when MSc was winning with ease, they introduced refueling to make racing more exciting and unpredictable.

No they didn't. Prior to 94 when refuelling was brought back he had won a grand total of 2 races previous. So they hardly did it to stop MS winning with ease. 94 and 95 he was winning but refuelling was already there.

 

[deuse]

F1s viewing figures are more than just the UK figures.

The global viewing figures are down as well. Bernie gave out the viewing figures for 2011 but won't give out 2012.

What they can make out is 2010: 527 million,2011: 515 million,2012: ~500 million or below.

"team principal Eric Boullier says that if the trend becomes global then the teams may need to adjust the sponsorship rates they charge."

This is why Bernie is giving out more money to the teams.

 

[Indy500]

Considering you only need to have watched F1 for 15 minutes across an entire season to be classed as a viewer, those numbers aren't a true reflection of its following, IMO.