F1 2014 thread

Time to let slip the Mercedes dogs of war?

With Mercedes virtually assured of the 2014 Constructors' Championship perhaps now is the time to let its drivers go full-on head-to-head.

Sadly, Sunday's race was somewhat overshadowed by the public bickering over 'team orders', a situation not entirely helped by Niki Lauda's subsequent admission that there was an element of "panic" on the pit-wall.

In reality, one can see both sides of the argument as far as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are concerned, for whilst teammates each, at heart, is a very determined racer targeting the ultimate prize and to come out on top one cannot afford to take prisoners.

Although the fact is that Mercedes could still be beaten for the title - all part of the "panic" at Brackley - the reality is that should Mercedes fail to score a single point in the coming races - unlikely seeing as it has averaged 35 points in the eleven races thus far - even if Red Bull finished 1-2 it would take until Japan before the Austrian team closed to within two points of the championship leaders.

Barring a reversal of form of unheard of proportions it simply isn't going to happen.

Consequently, surely Mercedes would be best advised to let its drivers off the leash from Belgium, albeit imposing a few ground rules.

Not only would this give us something to savour, it would go some way to ending the conspiracy theories that inevitably followed Hamilton's disastrous qualifying in Hungary.

The hammering the German team took on social media on Saturday as Hamilton's car smouldered away at the end of the pitlane is something that will continue until the German team faces facts and makes it clear that, within reason, the gloves are off and there are no favourites.

Unless a decision is made and the drivers are told they are free to 'go for it', whichever of them win the title there will always be an element of 'yes, but what if…'

Faced with one of the most dominant seasons in living memory, and having produced a package that is the envy of the pitlane, it would be a tragedy if the Silver Arrows were the suspicion of bias.
Click to expand...

2014 Drivers.jpg

2014 Constructor.jpg

www.pitpass.com
 
Recovery drives 'better than wins' - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton says his recent fights through the field have been more special than victories given the hard work which has gone into each one.

Qualifying issues in Germany and Hungary meant Hamilton had an uphill battle to get anything from either race, but he finished third on both occasions after storming through the pack. Though he has been frustrated by recent problems Hamilton says he takes a certain degree of satisfaction from his drives through the field.

"I can't express to you the pain that you feel when you have issues such as the issues that I've had in the last couple of races," Hamilton said. "It's very, very difficult to swallow, and, to come back the next day and get the right balance between not attacking too much, and not making mistakes, all these different things.

"But ultimately we've worked and I've worked hard for it, so it feels probably better than perhaps a win, gliding from the lead. It feels definitely much more satisfying when you come back through. And to be ahead and to win the fight is really encouraging.

"Obviously when you're at the back you're having to push way past the limit than perhaps you would off pole position or in the top five. So the fact that I'm managed to come back through obviously is a showing of just how great this car is and how great this team is."

Despite being pleased with his recent performances Hamilton knows those issue could have an adverse affect on his championship.
Click to expand...

http://en.espnf1.com
 
I seem to remember Rosberg being forced to back off Hamilton last year during the Malasian Gp, Lewis even admitted afterwards Rosberg should have won the race.
 
chromedome said:
I seem to remember Rosberg being forced to back off Hamilton last year during the Malasian Gp, Lewis even admitted afterwards Rosberg should have won the race.
Click to expand...

That was the race I was trying to remember! I think Rosberg said something to the effect of, remember this one
 
Don't agree with the whole team orders thing but unfortunately they are part of modern racing.
 
Ricciardo must be having the time of his life, already beat expectations which was probably just hang onto Vettel.

No pressure, beating the 4 time world champ in the same car, winning, what will he do when he's in a dominating car
 
Lauda: 'Why do we need Flavio?'

Niki Lauda does not think Formula One should turn to Flavio Briatore to make the sport more popular and believes it is already making progress with recent changes.

After criticism of the sport this season and lower numbers of spectators at some circuits, Formula One has set up a new working group to address the popularity of the sport. Briatore was named as a possible figure to head the group, although Bernie Ecclestone has since played down the chances of the ex-Renault team principal getting involved.

Asked if Briatore was the man for the job, Lauda said: "No. Why do we need Flavio? I have heard this for the first time, but Bernie is in charge, and he should stay in charge."

Lauda trusts in Ecclestone to improve F1 and said a recent push to allow drivers to race without excessive penalties is already making the sport better.

"We should think, together with Bernie because he is the master, what we can improve," he said. "I have to say the change that we had with Charlie [Whiting, race director] and the stewards not get involved as much as before was a great move. [At Hockenheim] even the Sauber in the middle of the road it was exciting. If there was a safety car then everybody would get bored.

"So Hockenheim was an improvement with 'under investigation', and in Hungary we have seen no problems at all with 'under investigation' because today there were a lot of things that could have been under investigation. It is going in the right direction now."
Click to expand...

http://en.espnf1.com

Hmmm, ok, not sure if I fully agree with Lauda but its his view.
 
AR_GTR said:
Ricciardo must be having the time of his life, already beat expectations which was probably just hang onto Vettel.

No pressure, beating the 4 time world champ in the same car, winning, what will he do when he's in a dominating car
Click to expand...

Yes, isn't it awesome.

Vettel could be racing better, he is another somewhat spoilt brat that is used to wining only, if he cant he sulks. Ricciardo is capitalising perfectly on this.
 
2015 F1 game to feature in-season updates

Next year's official Formula One video game will be available on new-generation platforms and will feature live, in-season updates for the first time, Codemasters have confirmed. The game, which will be playable on the Xbox One, Playstation 4 and PC, will also be released earlier in the season.

Players will receive digital updates for the game as the 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship unfolds, enabling them to compete against the drivers and teams they watch week in and week out.

Codemasters have also revealed a release date of October 17 for their F1 2014 game, which boasts several new features including an enhanced career mode and an intuitive driver evaluation system that tunes the game difficulty to each player's individual ability

The 2014 game will cover the rule changes made at the start of the season, meaning new turbocharged cars - with refined handling - and new circuits in Sochi and Spielberg. For the first time, Bahrain will also be a night race, with the transition from day to night also incorporated.

Stephen Hood, creative director of Codemasters' F1 series, said sweeping changes within the sport will make for a radically different game.

"This is the year it all changes - for the sport and for the game," he said. "There's been a dramatic shift in the sport; the largest shake up in the rules and regulations for a very long time and the new power units provide a very different kind of challenge, for both driver and team.

"By delivering all of these changes, F1 2014 will make for an exciting and refreshingly different experience.

"Additionally, with the new driver evaluation system analysing each player's skill level and suggesting appropriate game settings, plus re-graded difficulty levels including a brand new Very Easy setting, we aim to deliver a thoroughly rewarding F1 experience for players of all abilities, from the novice to the seasoned pro.

"Our [2015] title for the new generation formats will mark a huge step forward for the F1 series. We want to be out there earlier in the season and deliver content updates digitally as the season progresses; it’s very exciting for the series and our players."

The 2014 game will be available on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.
Click to expand...

www.formula1.com

Yes that is def for me, the screenshots look near live.
 
iaywtimnbe said:
I'm not a lauda fan, but didn't Flav throw Singapore not so long ago? I guess fans forget quickly, so perhaps he could bring something to the sport.
Click to expand...

A few years ago I would have categorically banned him for life, never be able to come back type verdict for his involvement in the Singapore saga.
But, 6 years later, maybe he deserves a 2bd chance, or maybe I'm just going soft.
 
Polish said:
A few years ago I would have categorically banned him for life, never be able to come back type verdict for his involvement in the Singapore saga.
But, 6 years later, maybe he deserves a 2bd chance, or maybe I'm just going soft.
Click to expand...

Ja, I'm on that level too.
 
Hehe, reading all the comments I suppose I am the only VET supporter here.... interesting the spoiled brat and sulkin comments, what I am seeing is he is taking it pretty good without to many complaints.... he respects and congratulates RIC everytime....

Here is my thoughts though.... in all of VET championships, when was Seb his strongest, after the AUG break, he showed signs the last two GP that he is matching RIC and at times are quicker, obviously I am hoping the same again... hehe

Not to take anything away from RIC, as a saffer to support AUS in any way is difficult, but I like the kid and think he is a future champ for sure....
 
Beavis said:
Hehe, reading all the comments I suppose I am the only VET supporter here.... interesting the spoiled brat and sulkin comments, what I am seeing is he is taking it pretty good without to many complaints.... he respects and congratulates RIC everytime....

Here is my thoughts though.... in all of VET championships, when was Seb his strongest, after the AUG break, he showed signs the last two GP that he is matching RIC and at times are quicker, obviously I am hoping the same again... hehe

Not to take anything away from RIC, as a saffer to support AUS in any way is difficult, but I like the kid and think he is a future champ for sure....
Click to expand...
The poor guy has no option right now lol. But he does have 3 WC behind him and he's not under threat of Ricciardo taking that crown this year. Good on you for not being a fairweather supporter. Dunno where all the vettel groupies have gone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X