Formula 1

[ronald]

just wondering if we have any followers of F1 on the forum and where do your loyalties lies - McLaren or Ferrari? (or just Jenson or Coulthard?)

I must admit that I am enjoying the GP this year much more than other years although it is getting increasingly harder to feign disappointment when surrounded by all the Ferraristas around me who just can't figure out what is going on :) (although Montreal did provide some relief with two podiums for Ferrari)

[lotaresco]

Originally Posted by ronald

just wondering if we have any followers of F1 on the forum and where do your loyalties lies - McLaren or Ferrari? (or just Jenson or Coulthard?)

On balance it has to be McLaren if only for local loyalty. By strange coincidence I used to work in the next building to Ferrari in Shalford (Guildford), then I moved to work at Woking next door to McLaren and throughout Benetton were based in Godalming not far from my previous home. Recently I worked at the wind tunnel facility used by Benetton and several other F1 teams.

Throughout I've been a supporter of McLaren and got to meet both Prost and Senna, indeed I used to follow Prost in to work most mornings. It used to amuse me that my car was faster down Albert Drive than his Testarossa because of the speed humps which brought him to a standstill but they I couldn't even feel them in my Citroen. I got to meet the drivers when they had their seats fitted which was done in the back yard of the factory by sitting them on a plastic bag in a frame knocked up from kipper boxes and pouring urethane foam into the bag.

Down in the valley from my home is a friend Giovanni who is an ardent Ferrari fan as is my farming mentor Bertino. They've had four years laughing at my expense as I supported McLaren. At last, I have a chance to laugh back.

[GuestS]

If only Ferrari would sign up Mr. Button and fix their cars my life would be happier, a little...

[Girasole]

Used to be a big McLaren fan back in the Hakkinen days. It was very exciting watching the Hakkinen-Schumacher duels. Then got a bit bored as only one guy seemed to be racing. Have now started watching races again as they are getting more interesting with more teams/drivers winning. Am still a McLaren fan, though. Probably won't go to see any races live this year. But next year ... watch this space.

[alan h]

Didn't Ferrari cover themselves in glory by insisting that changes couldn't be made at the American GP to allow the others to race - they may well have 'Killed off' the American GP. Well done

[ronald]

this time round I will play devil's advocate and support ferrari.

if the bridgestones where in trouble the michelin camp wouldn't even bat an eyelash (as they ignored Ferrari's pleas in Barcelona).

Of course the result is not a nice one but after all Formula 1 is all about the rules - simply because this time round the majority were in trouble rather than just ferrari it does not mean that Ferrari should be penalised.

of course its a shame about the fans and the american side of things but the rules are rules...

[neilmcn]

I have to agree with Ronald on this one.

Michelin made changes to their tyres to try and gain a competitive advantage over Bridgestone and they went wrong somewhere. If Ferrari developed a new suspension system that was found out on race day to be dangerous, I don't think the rest of the teams would agree to drive around very slowly so that Ferrari could still compete and win.

Drivers with Michelin tyres should have raced and just eased off on the dangerous fast corner. They said they would be willing to drive if a chicane was added to the track, so this should not have been a problem.

Jenson Button could have driven around at 30mph and picked up a few easy points!

[annec]

Straying well outside my usual territory here but have a husband frothing at the mouth about this. So why didn't the authorities insist on inserting a chicane???

[ronald]

hi annec,

herd conflicting views on this. some say ferrari vetoed any such suggestions. The Ferrari publicist said Ferrari was never asked.

I guess the bottom line for the FIA was the precedent set. If every time a few teams had an issue that is a fault of theirs and their suppliers the race was adjusted to create a "leveler" playing field then what next?

I guess the complication comes from the fact that the majority of teams are on michelin tyres. If the Bridgestones did this mistake I can guarantee that no issue of accommodating the drivers would even be made.

I think people should accept the rules and move on... its all part of the game.

Of course those that travelled to Indianapolis from all over the US and the world will find this harder to accept! :)

[Gv27]

Has anyone else heard about this event called SeeRed?

Apparently it is a celebration of Ferrari, Maserati and other famous marques. It is held at Donington Park, and a friend told me that it is just £15 ($27) a ticket!!! He also told me that there will also be other races for bikes, Group C sportscars, Historic F1 Cars and Formula Juniors.

I don't know about you, but I'm certainly going!