F1 2014 thread

From PlanetF1.com

Mr Subtle drives home his point

Niki Lauda has had a go at McLaren and Ferrari for designing "s**t" cars that cannot rival the Mercedes W05.

Mercedes have dominated this year's Championship, winning nine of ten grands prix including six 1-2 results.

While Mercedes have been racing away with the titles, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has been complaining about the F1 rules and the general state of play.

And although McLaren have not joined in, Lauda has still had a go at them for failing to produce a car to rival the Mercedes even though it is powered by the same engine.

"McLaren have the same engine as us and the car is s**t," he told El Pais.

"Where are they? Nowhere.

"Watch the Ferrari: another f***ing car.

"Next year will be difference because they can change half the engine.

"You cannot penalise Brixworth because others are stupid."

Asked specifically about the situation at Ferrari, Lauda said: "Montezemolo is trying everything and decided to bring in Mattiacci. But nobody believes that things will change overnight.

"He tried to convince Newey to join but could not.

"Alonso is very frustrated because for years he is driving a car that does not work.

"Right now he cannot go to McLaren because he has a contract. If you have a contract with Ferrari you cannot leave unless they allow you."
 
I was very supportive of him earlier in the season as he seemed like he was rejuvenated, but now it is getting a little frustrating as a Williams fan. Canada was a guaranteed podium, possibly even a win, and I believe he takes an equal share of the blame in that accident, which if I am honest, I saw coming. Silverstone wasn't his fault and a driver with less experience may have had a bigger shunt in his position. Yesterday, like Canada, I feel he is partly to blame and another glut of points were lost.

Respectfully disagree here. He was taking the racing line into the corner and would have had no way of knowing that Magnussen was there trying to send one up the inside. It was a purely a racing incident but he didn't see it that way.

I think that in all three incidents, he's been fairly blameless (possibly with the exception of Canada where he perhaps should've had the foresight to know that Perez might close the door) but I can't help be a bit annoyed at him for this latest one. I believe (as the stewards did) that it was purely a racing incident but he can't seem to see it that way either. Having said that, I believe that he is speaking purely out of frustration at the fact that he KNOWS they have a great car capable of podiums and he's losing out on that. If Williams were tootling around at the back of the grid, I think he'd be singing a different tune and adopting an "oh well" attitude. I think he needs to chill out and put it behind him. Williams will be competitive for rest of the season and there is plenty of time to make up for these past disappointments.
 
What an idiot !!!!!

He forgets the years he sat at Jaguar which did absolutely bugger all in F1.

I also seem to recall a few barbed comments directed at the 'legality' of Vettel's quadruple championship winning car over the last four years. What's good for the goose clearly isn't good for the gander...
 
They are feeding off Ross B's brainpower.

Sooner or later that will dry up. Then Merc will see their a$$.

Har har har
 
When asked about his race Lewis admittedly said it was a straight forward race. I personally tend to agree, yes 20th to 3rd makes for flashy tv but lets be honest he was just steering what is the Merc rocketship. I'm surprised Rosberg did not fall asleep in the car as he had the most boring race this season.
 
At this rate, they could take the constructors championship within the next few races.

Not right.
 
Vettel blamed for poor Hockenheim turnout

Sebastian Vettel has been blamed for the poor turnout at his home grand prix following negative comments made earlier in the season about F1's new V6 turbo era.

After three consecutive rounds in front of capacity crowds in Canada, Austria and Great Britain, just 52,000 people turned up to watch the German Grand Prix on Sunday - down 30% from the attendance in 2012. Circuit adviser Katja Heim thinks Vettel, who memorably labelled the sound of the new engines "****" in March, should bear some of the blame for the poor turnout due to the influence he has over German fans.

"It certainly didn't really help that Sebastian in his frustration about the new Formula One and his car gave loads of interviews about how bad Formula One is now and that it's not worth going there," Heim told Reuters. "As a four-time world champion from Germany, people believe him more than they would the sales people. So if he says there's nothing any more for the fans, it's not Formula One like it used to be, that was 100% quite damaging."

http://en.espnf1.com

Hahaha, that from his own fans.
 
I can't wait for Monza! I want to see the speeds these things can get up to down the main straight. Bets on 350km/h anyone?

If Williams can keep developing the car, I believe that'll be their best shot at winning a race this year. They've generally been the quickest in a straight line, and they don't come much straighter than at the Theatre of Speed.
 
I can't wait for Monza! I want to see the speeds these things can get up to down the main straight. Bets on 350km/h anyone?

If Williams can keep developing the car, I believe that'll be their best shot at winning a race this year. They've generally been the quickest in a straight line, and they don't come much straighter than at the Theatre of Speed.

Yes, I hope they do. I would love for Bottas to take a win.
 
Vettel blamed for poor Hockenheim turnout



http://en.espnf1.com

Hahaha, that from his own fans.

Total BS! Those of you who watched the SkyF1 race buildup would have seen the lenghty discussion they had about this exact topic. The conclusion was that the loss of MS at the end of 2012 is accounting to these figures. The German public has not taken to other drivers nor do I believe they ever will after the sports greatest driver retired.
 
Total BS! Those of you who watched the SkyF1 race buildup would have seen the lenghty discussion they had about this exact topic. The conclusion was that the loss of MS at the end of 2012 is accounting to these figures. The German public has not taken to other drivers nor do I believe they ever will after the sports greatest driver retired.

So 1 guy can make such a huge difference. DAMN !!!

But still a good race, irrespective of the turnout.
 
What's happened to Raikkonen? Seems like he is the type of guy that bases his motivation levels on the competitiveness of his car.
 
What's happened to Raikkonen? Seems like he is the type of guy that bases his motivation levels on the competitiveness of his car.

Yes, def, I did think the Scuderia would have built in that factor when they recruited him.
 
Mexico GP confirmed for 2015 season

The Mexican Grand Prix will to return to F1 after a 23-year absence after organisers agreed a five-year deal starting in the 2015 season

The race has been mooted for a return to F1 for a while and was even included on the provisional calendar for 2014, only to fail to make the final cut. The race is being backed by Mexican businessman Carlos Slim Domit, the richest man in the world, and Tavo Hellmund, the creator and mastermind of the F1 USGP and Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

"It is a fact," organising president Alejandro Soberon told a press conference at the Banamex Centre in Mexico City. "Start your engines, F1 will return to Mexico next year. This is Mexico's time."

Bernie Ecclestone was not present at the announcement but did send a message echoing the comments of Soberon and welcoming Mexico back into the F1 fold. "I am pleased to confirm that Formula One will be back in Mexico City in 2015," he said. "I feel it is the right for F1 for and Mexico and I'm sure it will be to the benefit of both for many years. I look forward to welcoming you all to this global event next year."

The Williams of Nigel Mansell won the 1992 race on his way to the drivers' championship, but the sport has not returned since.

A gap in the calendar, as well as taking logistics into account, means it is likely the race will run back-to-back with the United States Grand Prix held in Austin, although a concrete date is yet to be decided.

It was confirmed that alterations and improvements will be made to the track, with spectator stands and pit garages also undergoing renovations to comply with FIA regulations.

A grand prix around the streets of Azerbaijan capital Baku is also expected to be included from next year, which promises to present a packed season for the teams and drivers - with other races now likely to be unsure of their own respective futures on the calendar.

http://en.espnf1.com

Excellent news.
 
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