The Motorsport Thread 2011

James wrote: sleeper wrote: James wrote: Well he has been told to prove himself for next season: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/15837642.stm Raikkonen won't enjoy it if the Williams was as terrible as this seasons car.  It seems a strange choice for him. I'd have preferred Hulkenberg but at the same time, Hulkenberg is younger and needs a better car as he still has places to go.  Raikkonen has already won a Championship.  I'm sure he wants to win another but he won't be doing so in a Williams! Question: do you think Massa's head injury back in 2009 has ultimately been his downfall?  has he still not got his speed and ultimately his confidence back? Oh and some minor news: De la Rosa has signed for HRT next year Andy, my mate told me two teams are changing their names for next year, I know one is Renault to Lotus, who's the other one?  I think he said it was Lotus to Caterham but I think there maybe another as well? I seem to remember that Massa was told the same thing this time last year, but you could say 2011 has been worse for him than 2010. My view is that he was flattered by an excellent car that perfectly suited his driving style and was the fastest thing out there, so he really should have won the 08 title with races to spare, Alonso is just that much better than him. I dont think that the accident itself is still effecting him, but he couldnt have been good for his come back to straight away go up against Alonso, and he's never got the confidence back, particularly after Hockenheim. Raikkonen views Williams as a chance to prove to the bigger teams that he's still a top driver, rather than a chance to win races. A sfor Hulkenburg, its expected that he'll be anounced along side Di Resta at Force India for next year. Dont know why De La Rosa has signed for HRT, but I guess poor teams atract poor drivers. Renault will become Lotus, Lotus will become Caeterham and Virgin will become Marussia (I'd be happier if they just became Manor Motorsport, since thats what the tema really is). Thanks.  I thought there was another.  Where's the name Marussia from though? Hmm, Hulkenberg alongside Di Resta would be great.  I do like Sutil though and he seemed quicker than Di Resta for most of the season.  Is he likely to go to another team? I also was reading something the other day about when Timo Glock won a race (pretty sure it was him).  Oh how he's fallen down the pecking order... So if Massa fails next season, do you think that's his F1 career over or do you think he'll find another team?

Marussia are a Russian super car company (cant remember the boss's name right now, he used to be a semi-pro GT driver a few years ago but is another Russion billionair from his business deals) that has their name down the front of the car at the moment and has part ownership. Effectively they're increasing their stake in the team whilst Virgin are decreasing theirs, hence the name change and using the Lotus vs Lotus squable as good opetunity to make the change without worrying about loosing out on any money.

Sutil has really had to up his game in the second half the season as Di Resta was a fair bit faster to start with, and in races they tend to split the strategy between them with PDR usually going further to start with. When you consider its Pauls first year and Sutil's 5th thats quite impressive. Sutil may well be out of a drive, since the other team he's doing most of the talking to is WIlliams and they want Kimi.

Glock's never won a race in F1, but staying with Virgin/Marussia certainly isnt doing him any favours.

sleeper wrote: MillsLayne wrote: JJLehto wrote: sleeper wrote: JJLehto wrote: Congrats to Tony Stewart, on his 3rd NASCAR title. I was hoping for Carl Edwards since he hasn't won one, but two are some of my favorite drivers so it was cool. Also an epic finish. Both finished in the top 3 for the final 3 races. 1-2, 2-3, 1-2 for the finale. That is awesome. I always thought Stewart was one of the top, if not top, best drivers out there and what a clutch performance. 5 wins in the final 10. I believe he's also the first man since Dale Earnhardt to win the title for his own team, Stewart-Haas racing. Ah that was Alan Kulwicki in 1992. Well before my time but I do know he was the first, I believe only, until Stewart. Of course I'd want a fair team with Alonso and Kubica, that'd be great tough sadly, I'm not sure they're capable of it. I give McLaren major kudos for having 2 equal drivers, while Ferrari does seem stubbornly attached to #1, #2. Then again, not sure how much of it is Alonso honestly outpacing Massa that much, which I don't think is a big surprise. Plenty of young drivers are deserving, I think Kam earned some respect but Perez is indeed quick, and thinking about it...Rosberg probably deserves a top ride. I think he's really proved himself and his his three straight 7th place finishes kinda says "Im the best of the rest" Don't forget Richard Petty!  Are you guys shure Earnhardt never won a title for DEI? As for Kubica joining, I reckon it would be a different matter. For starters, the two of them are good friends, so them working well together probably wont be a problem. Second, he was establishing himself as one of the best out there, where as Massa has generaly been regarded as good but not in the leage of the Alonso's and Hamiltons (which Kubica is thought to be, or at least could be). Rosberg signed a three year deal with Mercedes just before the last race, but its worth noting that one race pace, him and Schumy have been fighting it out quite a bit recently.

Yea but Richard Petty wasn't the latest to do so and indeed, it's been answered but Earnhardt drove for others, DEI was set up for his son though we all know how that went down.

See? This is all this info I just don't get here. Frankly I have no idea how they all feel about each other!
I was throwing out fanciful ideas but I do think Kubica has set himself as a top tier driver and is deserving for sure.
Won't happen, for several reasons, but was just saying I do think on paper Rosberg deserves a higher ride given his time and results.

Naw if 2012 is Massa's season to prove himself they will most likely keep him on board and if so would never drop him.
We will see though, who knows what'll happen. If its one thing Button taught it's that contracts are just recommendations


Edited by JJLehto - November 23 2011 at 16:23

Did Heidfeld ever go any further with his issues with Renault/Lotus?

The thing we're all forgetting here is whether Kubuca will ever be competitive when he returns.  Injuries of any kind can severely hamper a drivers future.  Not everyone, of course.  Schumacher broke his leg and got back to his best.  Panis broke both of his and I cannot remember what his form was when he returned.

And Andy, I might be confusing Glock with another driver.  I am thinking of a driver who is currently in a bottom-of-the-ladder team who used to have a pretty good drive a few seasons back.  He may not have won a race but he was finishing in the top 10.

Was that Glock or someone else?

Again, I think Sutil deserves a drive.  Yes he worked hard to improve and indeed, he did improve.  That shows guts.  Di Resta hasn't really shown or proved me much yet to be honest.  Yes it's his rookie season but I'm actually a bit disappointed.

I like the guy though and I love his attitude.  His knowledge is second-to-none as well.

Kovalainen has been excellent this year. He easily won the "best new team" championship and a lot of new fans. It is an unofficial championship but still one that is still distinctive because none of the new teams would be able to fight the establish ones. So Kovalainen has done himself a lot of good in Lotus/Caterham and long may that continue. It is actually better for the likes of him and Glock to race for these teams than the likes of Williams where the expectation is much higher, but car not that much better. Barricello and that paydriver's reputation has suffered a lot as a result. 

Perez doesn't seem to phased either after his accident this year.  Hopefully he'll be even more competitive next season with the new Sauber (presuming he's still contracted to them).

Edited by James - November 24 2011 at 15:14

James wrote: Perez doesn't seem to phased either after his accident this year.  Hopefully he'll be even more competitive next season with the new Sauber (presuming he's still contracted to them).

He is and then after a few years he'll go to Ferrari.

AW SNAP SON

15 pole positions...there is a joke in that.

Good showing by Senna, 9th on only his second ever race at home (and first time in a car worthy of the name) and probably ahead of where the Renault belongs (7/10ths up on Petrov, not bad at all).