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JJLehto 
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 Posted: March 15 2011 at 10:43 |
 sleeper wrote:
^He was a brilliant test driver but a bit lacking in racing.
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Could be, as I said I think every F1 driver has skill but do they have enough for race day? Or maybe just that something it takes. Reminds me of Marc Gene who seems to be a perpetual test driver.
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toroddfuglesteg
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Posted: March 15 2011 at 11:48 |
sleeper wrote:
^He was a brilliant test driver but a bit lacking in racing.
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He was excellent in Formula 3000 and equally excellent with the awful Lola that Scudera Italia used in 1993 before they folded after the European races. Luca outqualified and outraced Michele Alboreto most times. He was also clearly faster than Andrea Montermini. Montermini has a very good reputation. Luca was very unlucky to not finish in the points in the Euro 1999 race for Minardi too (where Marc Gene scored one point). But ten years as a test driver and return to an undriveable Ferrari (which the other drivers also struggled with) he had not tested properly in 2009 will be what he is sadly remembered for. I think that is deeply unfair towards this softly spoken gentleman.
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JJLehto
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Posted: March 15 2011 at 12:17 |
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Yeah look at Schumi, (regardless of feeling toward one of the best drivers ever in F1) 3 years out and on a new team and he only did alright.
Imagine 10 years out of the sport, not to mention starting on a track you've never raced and in a top seat (way more than he'd be used to). It's amazing he didn't crash out!
I believe Hamilton echoed the sentiment.
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VanderGraafKommandöh
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Posted: March 15 2011 at 12:42 |
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But didn't Fisichella come in and win in the same car? Admittedly he been driving all year but still...
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toroddfuglesteg
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Posted: March 15 2011 at 12:45 |
James wrote:
But didn't Fisichella come in and win in the same car? Admittedly he been driving all year but still...
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Nope. He was far of the pace in that far from good car. And that after ten + races in a rather good Force India car. But his Ferrari races was his worst of the season.
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JJLehto
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Posted: March 15 2011 at 14:03 |
James wrote:
But didn't Fisichella come in and win in the same car? Admittedly he been driving all year but still...
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Nope. He got a second place finish, with Force India! After that he was given the seat at Ferrari. He didn't score a single point with them. Though I always remember hearing he always wanted to drive for Ferrari so at the very least he got his dream! Edit: The race after his podium, Adrian Sutil scored a 4th place finish, and got fastest lap, also in Force India. They also scored more consistently in 2010. If they continue improving, they may be a decent ride this season!
Edited by JJLehto - March 15 2011 at 14:05
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VanderGraafKommandöh
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Posted: March 15 2011 at 15:20 |
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Ah, that's right. My memory is shot. He got a second in Force India and then moved to Ferrari and did terribly.
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sleeper
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Posted: March 15 2011 at 18:34 |
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To be fair to Badoer, what did him in was the testing ban. The KERS made the car very difficult to drive and as he hadnt touched it in more than 6 months, he was always going to struggle.
I remember that race at the Nurburgring that Johnny Herbert won for Stewart, I dont blame Luca from crying after the car failed when in 4th (ahead of both Ferrari's and Hakkinens McLaren)!
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sleeper
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Posted: March 15 2011 at 18:39 |
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Anyway, Sebring 12 Hours this weekend and the start of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, a world championship in all but name, though there's only a manufacturers title. My money is on Peugeot and their new 908 winning, though I hate that they've kept the name as its completely different to the old car. Audi is racing a revised version of the R15+ as the R18 isnt ready yet, and Aston wont be racing the AMR-One (not to be confused with the old AMR-1 Group C car of '88) as its also not really ready.
The GTs should be fun with Ferrari vs BMW vs Porsche vs Chevrolette with a Jag at the back and a new Panoz along latter this year.
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JJLehto
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Posted: March 15 2011 at 23:31 |
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Ah 12 hours of Sebring.
Excellent, been a long while since I've watched some sports car racing.
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sleeper
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Posted: March 16 2011 at 17:25 |
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To be honest you'll get a better racing from LMS round one at Paul Ricard since it'll be new Aston vs new Peugeot vs new Audi. Sebring is still quite a spectacle though.
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JJLehto
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Posted: March 16 2011 at 17:29 |
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Also it's just a classic.
Besides, I like the Sebring track.
We're 99% sure the NFL is going to have a lockout this season so I may have to watch NASCAR for the first time in years! Also up my Indy and sports car racing.
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sleeper
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Posted: March 16 2011 at 17:50 |
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Have you seen what Indy are doing for the season final, $5mil for any outsider that comes in and wins the race. Apparently former world rally champion Petter Solberg is considering it.
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JJLehto
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Posted: March 17 2011 at 05:12 |
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Ah I remember Solberg! Was the WRC champ in 03, first year I started watching it!
And last time some French guy didn't win it.
I did not hear about that. An interesting attempt to grab some attention I suppose. Would be something if it actually happened. Not sure how many would bother but $5 mil is pretty good, and of course racing pride. I'd hope a few people would give it a stab.
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toroddfuglesteg
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Posted: March 17 2011 at 06:35 |
This $5 mill prize offer is a true piece of genious PR from the managing director of the Indycar series; Randy Bernhard. Before the prize was offered; hardly anyone was talking about the Indycar series which was dying on it's feet (make that; wheels). Now, everyone is talking about Indycars. The fun thing is that it will not cost the series a single penny, this $ 5 million thingy. An insurance company is picking up the bill. It is a win win situation for the Indycar series. Even Jackie Stewart has been mentioned now as a participant in this max 30 cars field in Las Vegas. If more than 30 cars (there are already 26 regular entries in the Indycar series); there will be qualifying. A sure bet is that many of the prize hunters, with no preparations for the race or even driving on an 1.5 miles oval, will not qualify for the race. Hence; this is one of the best marketing stunts I have ever seen in my long life.
Edited by toroddfuglesteg - March 17 2011 at 06:37
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JJLehto
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Posted: March 17 2011 at 16:22 |
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Oh this is superb marketing.
Even here in the states indy racing was not very big.
Outside the Indy 500 can't say I knew anyone that really watched it. Except for the occasional race.
The popularity of Indy was in decline thanks to NASCAR which really boomed during the 90's and the Indy/Cart split really killed the series. I know it's unified again but it never recovered.
Anyway to get interest back is awesome! But this is indeed just a stunt.
Wish it was more popular. I would love a North American open wheel series (a popular one of course). Hell, all the America's! Outside of Brazil, F1 seems to have few regulars from this side of the Atlantic.
And there are some great tracks here. I still would love to see open wheel cars racing at LaGuna Seca, Sebring (though that track may destroy them!) Road Atlanta, the classic Watkins Glen. Ah! Just so many great tracks.
Edited by JJLehto - March 17 2011 at 16:24
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toroddfuglesteg
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Posted: March 17 2011 at 16:36 |
I have to admit I really like the US motorracing scene. In particular NASCAR. The France's family's (the owner of NASCAR) success is very simple: The customer is the king. That means they offers excellent track facilities which caters for the whole family, customer orientated racing drivers (signing autographs and speaking with the paying punters is in their race driver contracts) and thorough good entertainment. In Europe, the customers are treated badly, the track facilities are non excistent, the racing drivers are not approachable and the entertainment are pretty poor. The race goers are mainly single males who still lives with their mums. Bill France and his family has got NASCAR just right.
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JJLehto
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Posted: March 17 2011 at 16:59 |
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It is true, NASCAR has a rep of being the most fan friendly sport, and it really is.
I'm sure it started as good ol boy Southern Hospitality and now it's more a business model, but regardless you are right, it is a HUGE success.
I remember the F1 commentators being so amazed when they went to Indy because anyone could go on the track and see the facilities. Hell, when dad and I went to NASCAR we'd get the pit pass, you could walk the pit lane, see everything! They gave rides in the pace car around the track, and the facilities are great and the teams are as well.
Right to the moment we have to leave the track drivers will be around signing autographs, you can chat with the teams. I remember once sitting down for a while on pit wall and the pit crew (of Sterling Marlin's team) took a break I guess. They were sitting right next to me. I was scared to, but tried talking to them and they had no problem with it, ( I was probably 13 at the time).
France family may have a dictatorial hold on NASCAR but it works damn well.
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sleeper
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Posted: March 17 2011 at 17:00 |
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^The attention paid to the fans is exceptional, but the racing is terrible and has a reputation for blatent cheaters and being contrived, which is why its American only.
Edited by sleeper - March 17 2011 at 17:02
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JJLehto
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Posted: March 17 2011 at 17:01 |
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Oh and despite the jokes, including from many here, NASCAR is interesting stuff.
Varies depending on track but the racing is really fun to watch. I've turned a few people onto nascar by telling them to actually watch the racing, look at strategy and all the little things.
And in terms of flat out excitement, there's more than F1. Remember one race that had 50+ lead changes, and that was at the line. I think there were 20 some more unofficial!
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The Motorsport Thread 2011
