Chinese GP 2009 - Race 3/17

knip · 15 Apr 2009 at 18:01

Sone said:

Is it just me or does the back of that car resemble some sort of face.

The green bits are the eyes, the wheels are the ears, the rear wing is the head, the pit lane limiter light is the nose, and the bit that hangs down to the ground (please dont shoot me for not knowing all the names for the parts

) is the mouth.
Or am I just being silly again?

Lopéz · 15 Apr 2009 at 18:09

JRS said:
Wouldn't be surprised if he binned it again. McLaren are paying the price for hiring someone who wouldn't challenge their Messiah™, with the car the way it is right now they really can't afford to have just one guy hauling himself up into the points. Especially if they end up getting banned for a couple of races for once again being utterly and hopelessly inept at not being caught cheating

(Cue a podium for Heikki this race just to prove me wrong....)

It would be unfair to judge Kovalainen on the strength of 2 races this season.

So I'll do it on his whole F1 career

He's had 2 years of F1 in very strong cars, he's not had to fight his way up the grid. In that time I don't recall him exciting or wowing me once.

He seems like a really nice bloke, but he just has all the makings of an also-ran.

Lakeland · 15 Apr 2009 at 18:10

knip said:
Is it just me or does the back of that car resemble some sort of face.

The green bits are the eyes, the wheels are the ears, the rear wing is the head, the pit lane limiter light is the nose, and the bit that hangs down to the ground (please dont shoot me for not knowing all the names for the parts ) is the mouth.
Or am I just being silly again?

You're not mad, I'm seeing the same here

Bennah · 15 Apr 2009 at 18:15

Malt_Vinegar said:
*BANG*

And the Dirt is GONE!

Anyway, when was that picture of the McLaren taken?

Havn't they had that design of diffuser all the time?

Sone · 15 Apr 2009 at 18:16

Lopéz said:
He seems like a really nice bloke, but he just has all the makings of an also-ran.

Coulthard made a damn good career of it

Lopéz · 15 Apr 2009 at 18:20

Sone said:
Coulthard made a damn good career of it

Oh I think that's a bit unfair on DC! Remember he has been second, third and fourth in the WDC in his time at Williams and McLaren.

Bennah · 15 Apr 2009 at 18:23

Lopéz said:
It would be unfair to judge Kovalainen on the strength of 2 races this season.

So I'll do it on his whole F1 career He's had 2 years of F1 in very strong cars, he's not had to fight his way up the grid. In that time I don't recall him exciting or wowing me once.

He seems like a really nice bloke, but he just has all the makings of an also-ran.

I agree with you there. He comes across to me that he settles for second best all the time. Just goes out and get the job done for the team instead of fighting for himself for the change. Upsetting the rule book and other drivers by going for it.

He just seems to be too nice

Bennah · 15 Apr 2009 at 18:25

Lopéz said:
Oh I think that's a bit unfair on DC! Remember he has been second, third and fourth in the WDC in his time at Williams and McLaren.

Are we talking about David Coulthard here or another DC

I dont remember any of that

You sure when your referring to 'WDC', it stands for World Drivers Championship?!

Lopéz · 15 Apr 2009 at 18:30

Bennah said:
Are we talking about David Coulthard here or another DC

I dont remember any of that

You sure when your referring to 'WDC', it stands for World Drivers Championship?!

Yes, you must have a short memory! He wasn't a front runner at the end of his career, but he certainly was during his peak.

Mr Jack · 15 Apr 2009 at 18:47

Lopéz said:
So I'll do it on his whole F1 career He's had 2 years of F1 in very strong cars, he's not had to fight his way up the grid. In that time I don't recall him exciting or wowing me once.

2 years in very strong F1 cars? He was with a decidedly midfield Renault in 2007, where he outscored his experienced teammate in his rookie season and even landed them a 2nd place in a soggy Japan. Last year he should have done better in the McLaren, but his first season was pretty good; arguably worthy at a shot at a better car.

Massa, by comparison, was outscored by his teammates in both 2002 and 2004 (in 2004 he was racing against Fisichella, who Heikki beat in 2007) and only narrowly outperformed the rapidly fading Villeneuve in 2005.

I agree with the assessment that he's not a top tier driver but he's not the biggest donkey on the grid and remains highly inexperienced.

GingerNinja1989 · 15 Apr 2009 at 19:00

knip said:
Is it just me or does the back of that car resemble some sort of face.

The green bits are the eyes, the wheels are the ears, the rear wing is the head, the pit lane limiter light is the nose, and the bit that hangs down to the ground (please dont shoot me for not knowing all the names for the parts ) is the mouth.
Or am I just being silly again?

I see it too!

Innit cute? Awwww...

Stormrider · 15 Apr 2009 at 19:09

Jackie Stewart on the One Show on BBC1 at the moment, not sure what he's on for though.

edit: ah plugging a new book

BigglesPiP · 15 Apr 2009 at 19:11

So I have to get up early again, ugh!

At least I have java working on my laptop now, can pull up the live timing data as I watch.

rpstewart · 15 Apr 2009 at 19:18

Bennah said:
I dont remember any of that

Allow me to refresh your memory

Code:

Year  Entrant                   Cla   Points   GP   Win   Pole   F.L.   Pod.   F.Row  
1994  Rothmans Williams Renault 8 14 8 - - 2 1 - 
1995  Rothmans Williams Renault 3 49 17 1 5 2 8 - 
1996  Marlboro McLaren Mercedes 7 18 16 - - - 2 - 
1997  West McLaren Mercedes     3 36 17 2 - 1 4 - 
1998  West McLaren Mercedes     3 56 16 1 3 3 9 - 
1999  West McLaren Mercedes     4 48 16 2 - 3 6 - 
2000  West McLaren Mercedes     3 73 17 3 2 3 11 - 
2001  West McLaren Mercedes     2 65 17 2 2 3 10 - 
2002  West McLaren Mercedes     5 41 17 1 - 1 6 - 
2003  West McLaren Mercedes     7 51 16 1 - - 3 - 
2004  West McLaren Mercedes    10 24 18 - - - - - 
2005  Red Bull Racing          12 24 18 - - - - - 
2006  Red Bull Racing          13 14 18 - - - 1 - 
2007  Red Bull Racing          10 14 17 - - - - - 
2008  Red Bull Racing          16 8 18 - - - 1 -

19th most successful F1 driver of all time. Only Graham Hill, Moss, Stewart, Prost, Senna and Schumacher have won more times at Monaco.

Not bad for an also ran....

arknor · 15 Apr 2009 at 19:24

knip said:
Is it just me or does the back of that car resemble some sort of face.

The green bits are the eyes, the wheels are the ears, the rear wing is the head, the pit lane limiter light is the nose, and the bit that hangs down to the ground (please dont shoot me for not knowing all the names for the parts ) is the mouth.
Or am I just being silly again?

its probably designed to put you off if your stairing at the back of it going into a corner, its just missing a ceiling cat or wall cat

NathanE · 15 Apr 2009 at 19:34

Apparently Eddie Jordon won't be in China. His replacement will be Mike Gascoigne.

Pete19s · 15 Apr 2009 at 19:39

NathanE said:
Apparently Eddie Jordon won't be in China. His replacement will be Mike Gascoigne.

Oh noes thats a shame, a Brundle-esque holiday or perhaps goodnight Mr Jordan? Had my first watch of the "classic" GP's feature on red button today, nice little touch if they are a little short.

Ceryndrion · 15 Apr 2009 at 19:39

well, thank heavens for small mercies...

and Knip, you're not being silly, it does look like a face... and a lying face at that... shifty eyes... (sorry, had to throw that in)

fini · 15 Apr 2009 at 19:47

News just in: In a potentially illegal modification to the car, Ferrari have reportedly modified Raikkonen's front wing by strapping a choc ice to it

EDIT: Also images have started to come in from practice:

Ceryndrion · 15 Apr 2009 at 20:05

LOL!

Now that.. is some funny stuff right there..

Question is.. is it really going to give an unfair advantage though.. surely they can't claim it gives an aero advantage... though it could do, depending on the type of choc ice.. they did make aero choc ices once didn't they?