Singapore Grand Prix 2011, Marina Bay Street Circuit - Race 14/19

Lopéz said:
I'm a Hamilton fan. At the moment though, I just find myself wincing when he starts mixing it with other drivers, because there is an air of inevitability about it all - it's like he's almost destined to wallop someone, somewhere.
I don't have the same feeling when I see Alonso, Button, Webber or Massa doing the same thing..
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Really Webber and Massa? The amount of ttimes they have demostrated the inability to make a clean pass over the years would rival Hamilton.

Alonso and Button this year seem to have worked out what others haven't. It's pointless racing hard wheel to wheel. Alonso tried it early to mid season and it ruined his race. Not being a wheel to wheel battler this has worked in JB's favour. He is gaining more from keeping life in the tyres than ruining them trying hard to pass someone for 2-5 laps.

Is that really the kind of racing that we want to see? Where drivers will pass lots if they can use the DRS zone to get passed before the braking zone? Other than that you are better off sitting there waiting for tyres to go off on the car infront.

Just give them proper tyres and a choice of which compound they want with a narrower performance window. Let the balls out racers run an extra stop rather than have them lose out to someone running 1.25's for 30 laps to make the tyres work. I'm not saying that has no place in racing I would just like to see the tyres closed up and not having to run a tyre that doesn't suit your car for one section of the race.
 
The trouble is with these old boys getting involved is the braking distances were not as short as they are now, the decision gap is much shorter. Not only that because the chances of deing are now zero they have become much more confident in interlocking wheels or whatever it takes.

I hate to say it though but maybe getting rid of his father was not the best idea. He was roundly disliked at mclaren for throwing his weight around and threatening to take his ball elsewhere but perhaps that's just doing his job as every other manager was or should be doing.
 
I just watched the GP quickly last night after getting back from a wedding..

I'm another person that likes Hamilton, I just have more respect for someone that can run a car quicker then it's designed to, but I also just know that this driving style is not suited to this years tyres/dynamics and with the FIA promoting this notion of non-defensive driving, I can only see him going backwards..

He was also being stupid in qualifying, I don't understand why he felt he needed to get by Massa, unless he was under instruction from his team and needed to do this to stick to his time strategy, or he was just being a plonker, I can't fathom this at all..

The actual race incident, I don't think it deserved a penalty in isolation, he was more then alongside coming to the corner, he actually yielded quite well, letting Massa go through, but just had a small misjudgement.. it wasn't as if he was going to fast and could never have made the corner, or was being reckless in any meaningful way. However, I feel he deserved the drive through for the fact his attitude surrounding the weekend had become too aggressive, so it is a good way to keep him in check.!

Apart from that, I was pleased for JB, to say he had a really 'steady' race would be doing him a dis-service, he just pumped in consistent laps and drove just enough within the cars limits to keep the tyres going, it might not be spectacular, but it's Button's biggest asset, and it's getting him results, I think if the dynamics of the tyres/cars don't change and Macca can come out the gate up to speed, he might be on for another WDC next year.
 
Buttons driving the Mclaren on the limit, its not as good as the Red Bull but hes always putting it up there close.

If they come up with a slightly more competitive package next season then I wouldnt be surprised to see him as wdc. Red bulls untouchable in qualifying trim at the moment, if they can improve there then it would be amazing.
 
MooMoo444 said:
Buttons driving the Mclaren on the limit
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He's doing the exact opposite in my opinion. He's driving the complete race the fastest possible predetermined way. Correctly pacing himself at the right times based on fuel load and tyre wear. Same as Alonso is doing, with these tyres the smart thing to do.

I don't think thats anything like racing on the limit though. Clearly it's working for both drivers especially when they know they don't have the raw pace in the car to fight Vettel.
 
dannyjo22 said:
He's doing the exact opposite in my opinion. He's driving the complete race the fastest possible predetermined way. Correctly pacing himself at the right times based on fuel load and tyre wear. Same as Alonso is doing, with these tyres the smart thing to do.

I don't think thats anything like racing on the limit though. Clearly it's working for both drivers especially when they know they don't have the raw pace in the car to fight Vettel.
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He said he was on the limit when he was told to push, posting the fastest lap of the race and putting in "10 qualifying laps" ... The smart thing about Jenson is that he knows when the push and when not to. He is one gifted racing driver.
 
smr said:
He needs his Dad back. Can't Anthony support Paul and Lewis at teh same time? I know it's asking a bit much but I really think he needs his Dad back in his life more.
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potential conflict of interest given how quickly PDR is meant to rise to a better team?

Also not sure Anthony / Lewis combo is a good idea (they are only just back on speaking terms I believe after the last arguement)

dannyjo22 said:
He's doing the exact opposite in my opinion. He's driving the complete race the fastest possible predetermined way. Correctly pacing himself at the right times based on fuel load and tyre wear. Same as Alonso is doing, with these tyres the smart thing to do.

I don't think thats anything like racing on the limit though. Clearly it's working for both drivers especially when they know they don't have the raw pace in the car to fight Vettel.
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I TOTALLY get where you are coming from, however surely getting to the finish line as quickly as the package given to him allows (or in your words "fastest possible predetermined way", unless Ive misunderstood your phrase) IS on the limit!!!
(Not disputing that with super soft tyres for the full race, or some other change, the McLaren would be faster - but in general I doubt Alonso or Vettel would get the McLaren to the line much if any quicker)
 
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Interesting that people keep excusing Hamilton with the excuse that he is frustrated because his car this year isn't competitive. Alonso is in a car that is probably slightly worse but he keeps his head and gets the most out of it. I am sure he also wants to win another wdc and is frustrated by the car not being up to it but he deals with the situation much better.

I think Lewis would have benefited from having to do a few seasons in a low ranked team like other drivers had to. If he had spent a couple of years in the middle or rear of the pack competing for the occasional point like Paul diResta is now he would probably have been better able to cope with races or seasons when things didn't go well. Instead he went straight into a top team, had a couple of good seasons and was hyped by he media. Inevitably he was going to go down from there at least temporarily but it seems he can't cope with it in a mature way.

The facts are that he is in probably the 2nd fastest car but it isn't as fast as the rb. He is still getting decent results, 5th this race 4th last time etc. He is only 18 points behind Jenson which is less than one race win and could easily end the year ahead. Other than his own mistakes he hasn't had a bad season unless you believe he should be winning every race.
 
smr said:
What did Lewis and Anthony fall out over anyway?
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I think it was a combination of both Liegate and HAM wanting to be seen as a free agent. I mean, what 24 year old would want their dad going to work with them? Not many.
 
freebooter said:
Interesting that people keep excusing Hamilton with the excuse that he is frustrated because his car this year isn't competitive. Alonso is in a car that is probably slightly worse but he keeps his head and gets the most out of it. I am sure he also wants to win another wdc and is frustrated by the car not being up to it but he deals with the situation much better..
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Just another example of peoples short term memory in F1. Last year Alonso was being critised for trying too hard in a underperforming and he made loads of mistakes last year driving the car.

Then when he needed to pass to win the championship he was critised for not being aggressive enough.

All I'm saying is 12 months on and Alonso is being praised for his driving. It doesn't take much to erase a bad year or rumoured attitude.

Alonso doesn't have a problem finding drives and I doubt Lewis will either.
 
It's just the car isn't as good as it has been in the past.

Coupled with Lewis's "I am coming through or we are having an accident" driving style.
 
dannyjo22 said:
Just another example of peoples short term memory in F1. Last year Alonso was being critised for trying too hard in a underperforming and he made loads of mistakes last year driving the car.

Then when he needed to pass to win the championship he was critised for not being aggressive enough.

All I'm saying is 12 months on and Alonso is being praised for his driving. It doesn't take much to erase a bad year or rumoured attitude.
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Just another example of peoples short term memory in F1. Last year Alonso for the last half of the season outscored the eventual WC and was lauded how he was driving his Ferrari far beyond its abilities consistently...

Its far more the standard for a driver going into a new team to do a perfect job right from day one. Amazing how you can pick up those individual points and make sweeping generalistions isnt it? :p

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
Berger said:
It's just the car isn't as good as it has been in the past.

Coupled with Lewis's "I am coming through or we are having an accident" driving style.
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I belive a cirtain brazilian driver in the 80s/90s going by the name of Senna also had a similar style. Didn't do him any harm ;)
 
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