In the round-up: Lewis Hamilton says McLaren have some catching up to do.
Links
Top F1 links from the past 24 hours:
Hamilton: Car not ready for title fight (Autosport)
“Do I believe I have a car to win the world championship at the moment? I don’t. No. But that doesn’t mean it won’t become a world championship-winning car.”
Hints of F1 2011 form (MotorSport)
“So, we should not be surprised if Red Bull, Ferrari – and possibly McLaren – are at the front of the grid in Melbourne. Button (above) says we should not expect too much, that the car is not the equal of Red Bull or Ferrari, and they don’t have time to catch up before the end of the month. Bad news for McLaren fans.”
Lotus – Back To Black (Facebook)
Renault play up the Lotus heritage in this video.
“900 miles to watch a movie, you must be mad” – I don’t think so (SJT Photographic)
“900 miles – the distance from Atlanta to New York, thats the distance we’ve just driven to attend the special week long screening at the Village East Cinema of “Senna”, the movie of the life and death of the three times world Formula 1 champion who died at the age of 34 during the San Marino Grand Prix on the 1st May 1994.”
Distribute Ayrton Senna Movie in the US, please (Facebook)
Facebook group for American F1 fans who want to see “Senna”.
Court cases and civil unrest won’t distract us from goal of winning races (The Daily Telegraph)
“Compared to the 2010 car, the T128 is basically completely new. Only a small handful of parts have been carried over and we’re now using a Renault engine and a Red Bull gearbox which will help us kick out the reliability problems we had in 2010. And I probably don’t need to point out that that Red Bull-Renault combination powered the championship-winning cars last year. To coin a phrase, it’s a no-brainer how good that might be for us. We’re excited about it.”
Track site plan features pit for barbecue; hotel is a possibility (Austin-American Statesman)
“The U.S. Grand Prix planned for Austin might include an on-site hotel, but the race site will definitely be equipped with a pit for cooking Texas barbecue.”
Follow F1 news as it breaks using the F1 Fanatic live Twitter app.
Comment of the day
A plea for sanity from antonyob:
You have to take your fanboy hat off and look at it objectively. Its not football, you don’t have to blindly insist your team can beat anyone despite evidence to the contrary.
antonyob
From the forum
Matty55 wonders if anyone will fall foul of the 107% rule in Australia.
Site updates
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Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Fred Schechter!
On this day in F1
Twenty years ago today Ayrton Senna won the first race of the year at Phoenix. It was the third and last time the United States Grand Prix was held at the track.
Image © Pirelli
US_Peter (@us_peter)
10th March 2011, 0:08
I would have been shocked if the Austin GP didn’t have pit barbecues all over the place. Doesn’t it go without saying?
As for the Facebook page to distribute Senna in the US, there’s a second page similar to the one linked above that any and all F1 fans in the US should “like” as well. Unfortunately, so far neither page has many “fans” yet.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
10th March 2011, 2:53
The Austin Statesman posted some nice pics of the area just now. Looks like you’ll be able to snack on some antelope chili and fried coyote tails just down the road from the race…
http://on.fb.me/eSVV4G
BasCB (@bascb)
10th March 2011, 7:15
looking good! Seems like Tavo is really working on getting this right!
US_Peter (@us_peter)
10th March 2011, 19:12
Did you see the rendering of the 1st corner in the last F1 Racing issue? Got me really excited…
Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk)
10th March 2011, 0:32
Button and now Hamilton saying they aren’t up to speed. Well I can’t say I blame them… if any one should take the heat for the Macca not being up to speed, it’s McLaren and not the drivers.
Well at this point anyway ;)
mfDB
10th March 2011, 0:45
Cool to see the article about the drive to NYC from Atlanta! I’m in Atlanta too and have done that drive several times. Wish I could have caught the movie too!
Is the author of that article on this site leaving comments?? I have a few other friends into F1 and am trying to get a group together at a local pub that will show it (owners English too).
Anyone else in Atlanta???
US_Peter (@us_peter)
10th March 2011, 6:07
I don’t think he’s someone that comments on here (at least not that I know of), but you can find him on twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/spud159 if you want to try and contact him. Or the contact page of his blog…
mfDB
11th March 2011, 18:54
cool, thanks. where are you US peter?
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
10th March 2011, 1:08
When I watched that ‘Lotus’ video on Facebook, I must say I was having a bit of a giggle when all of that stuff about the heritage was being said. Wrong team, sorry! Not saying Team Lotus can claim to be associated with any of that either, but they were the team that had the idea first – and so far, they’ve not disappointed. I really don’t like Renault for what they’ve done, which is a shame, because I was beginning to forgive them for crashgate. :(
US_Peter (@us_peter)
10th March 2011, 6:41
Couldn’t agree more. I’m a fan of the drivers, but not the team. They also ditched the greatest livery on the grid in years.
BasCB (@bascb)
10th March 2011, 7:17
I agree. In a way i feel relieved of not having Kubica there for now. I would have felt like cheering for him, but hoping the car does not do as good for the team.
Why on earth cant they be proud of that great Toleman/Bennetton and Renault Heritage instead of stealing Chapmans?
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
10th March 2011, 7:47
That’s exactly how I feel! I really want them to win some races, but at the same time, I want them to come last in every race and get beaten by Team Lotus! And I agree about the livery – it’s such a shame.
BasCB (@bascb)
10th March 2011, 7:23
Back to black – here it is http://www.cigarettespedia.com/images/1/1f/Jps_black_original_ks_10_h_black_france_england.jpg
Good luck Renault
bosyber (@bosyber)
10th March 2011, 8:15
I just watched it, and even being forewarned by these posts, I couldn’t help myself from giggling at it. Not only the heritage Lotus stuff instead of just being proud of the real teams successes of the last 20 years, but the tone – so pompous. They had better beat at least Mercedes, or they will look pretty foolish with that. Or maybe others just find it cool and daring, or something.
Nice find that back in black JPS thing – guess that will help the Canadians with their investigation …
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
10th March 2011, 10:02
Haha yeah! What was that line? “If you’re not winning, you’re not trying.” :P
US_Peter (@us_peter)
10th March 2011, 19:14
I guess without Kubica then, they won’t be trying this year…
Mister Nillionaire (@mister-nillionaire)
10th March 2011, 21:50
I’m liking the Kubica touch in it though. Kinda nice of them.
phildick (@phildick)
10th March 2011, 9:49
As far as I agree that it was very opportunistic and unkind from Genii Capital and its associates (I don’t think the team itself is here to blame nor even the carmaker Renault as they just wanted to withdraw from racing as soon as possible), I can’t understand this ‘good Lotus – bad Lotus’ point of view. Why isn’t the other team called ‘AirAsia Racing’ anyway? Afraid of running too slow and crashing too often? They also could come up with an original name instead of buiyng one.
Steph (@)
10th March 2011, 10:20
What I don’t like aboutb this whole naming row mess is the bad press Renault are getting. Renault haven’t done anything wrong it’s just the guys at the top who are pushing for this. The mechanics, drivers, PR guys etc are watching their beloved team get a lot of stick for something they have no control over. I’m glad you mention crashgate because I think quite a few probably turned off Renault after that but once again it was just a few men who made that decision and the team -or at least the majority- were completely innocent and probably as shocked and appalled as the fans were. There isn’t really anything to forgive Renault for it’s just the few in a position of power like Fernandez at Lotus squabbling over something as petty as a name and bringing the sport into disrepute.
Solo (@solo)
10th March 2011, 11:13
If anyone has any right to make such a clip then that is Team Lotus and not Proton. Yes i know you will say none of them is Lotus and all that but they at least bought the F1 Team Lotus name which comes along with the achievements of that name. Lotus cars haven’t even bought those rights.
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
10th March 2011, 11:14
I know Stephanie! :D But it hurts us fans – and no doubt the employees. My point is, Team Lotus got in first, and then Renault have seen that they could get a piece of that and bullied Fernandes around. Just let the man have some fun with his fans, Mr. Bahar! :(
Also, if you have the March edition of F1Racing Magazine, check out the featured tweet about the naming row. It’s probably my favourite for a while. If you don’t get the magazine, @PhilRenwick (on Twitter) said:
Amen to that, sir! :)
Calum
10th March 2011, 21:09
Compare ‘Crashgate’ and ‘Spygate.’
I can easily forgive Renault because they started again after they got caught out, the offenders were all forced to leave, and only innocent factory workers and team members remained, + Alonso.
Spygate saw Mclaren get caught, but there was no change in the team – it was only when they cheated again did change happen – Max Mosely won and Ron Dennis was forced to leave the pitch…
Patrickl
10th March 2011, 21:49
Coughlan was fired?
Alonso and de La Rosa were absolved of their crimes because they handed over evidence of their involvement so McLaren could be burned down.
Rob Wilson
10th March 2011, 1:09
Wouldn’t it just be superb if McLaren go and win the first race after all this. Against the odds Hamilton wins. COME ON LEWIS, BELIEVE. “Anyone can win from the front, it’s when you win from the back that legends are made”
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
10th March 2011, 1:33
Karthikeyan for the championship! :P
glue
10th March 2011, 1:39
that’s when he started 13th and finished 10th, right?a legend
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
10th March 2011, 5:49
I am expecting a late charge from Mclaren,not sure whether that will come in Australia or somewhere in the season.
Solo (@solo)
10th March 2011, 11:17
It depends how far they will be from the competition. If they are just 2-3 tenths behind Red Bull and Ferrari then is not impossible with some good strategy and driving to pull an unexpected win. If they are over half a second and mixing it with all the other midfield teams then thing will be extremely hard.
Anything can happen in F1 though so you never know.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
10th March 2011, 1:39
That’s the thing, the sky isn’t the limit with these cars; it seems Red Bull have already got to the point where they can only find tenths instead of half-seconds (subject to the definitive cars arriving at Melbourne), Ferrari too maybe with their new upgrade. If McLaren are a second off, well, there’s a whole second for them to find, Mercedes too. The only thing to worry about is if the fundamental design of the car prevents that kind of leap. McLaren might well end up winning quite a few races, but starting from behind may have cost them the season already. Then again, Vettel won three of his five races in one swoop at the end of the year and became champion.
Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk)
10th March 2011, 2:22
McLaren may not be able to do much about what’s in front of them on the grid, but can they do something about what’s behind them? Right now in one half of my mind I’m giving them the 3rd row, 6th and 7th respectively. The other half of my mind is saying… ermmm, there are a few Mercedes and Renaults behind them. It’s not looking too bright for them and that’s with giving them the 3rd row.
On the other hand, I think we may see some great racing.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
10th March 2011, 3:39
You can imagine we might see something crazy, they make it to Q3 in Australis on 3rd row pace, they decide to gamble and qualify on the hards and hey presto, it actually works and they get a 1-2. Would be pretty funny.
Srini (@)
10th March 2011, 6:40
Too many optimists here. :)
Icthyes (@icthyes)
10th March 2011, 12:28
No such thing ;)
verstappen
10th March 2011, 8:33
However, in the last corner something happens. The audience gasps in awe as Volkswagen finally makes its long awaited F1 entrance: driving only on his rearwheels, making the McLarens look as if they stand still, while roaring to the finish to take first and second place… it’s Herbie!
(driven by Rocky Balboa)
eternalsunshine
10th March 2011, 15:34
This made me laugh despite Mclaren’s disheartening state.
BasCB (@bascb)
10th March 2011, 7:24
At least there will be a lot less behind them compared with last year!
VXR
10th March 2011, 8:19
McLaren were just a couple tenths slower than Ferrari at the beginning of last season.
I think that it’s more ‘2009’ than ‘2010’, but not quite that bad.
Victor. (@victor)
10th March 2011, 2:13
God that video is corny.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
10th March 2011, 3:41
Especially after all that “we’re not trying to be Team Lotus” BS. Seriously, they should be done under Trade Descriptions or something, Lotus Cars were never in F1.
Alex Bkk (@alex-bkk)
10th March 2011, 3:58
Say something to the public long enough and it becomes true regardless of the facts. That’s what Group Lotus are doing and that is why I loathe Danny Bahr.
US_Peter (@us_peter)
10th March 2011, 6:50
Agreed. Marketing at its loathsome worst.
BasCB (@bascb)
10th March 2011, 7:25
Boo GL, Boo Renault GP. Shame on you, go for a smoke.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
10th March 2011, 12:29
I’m going to grab a pack of JPS, oh wait…
Maciek
10th March 2011, 8:23
Yeah, I can’t say I’m overly offended by their appropriating a heritage – hey if money can’t buy you some history than what’s the world coming to, anyways? But seriously, my senses are much more offended by the totally cheeseball cornyness of that video – most F1 teams need to find some cooler people to do their promo stuff.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
10th March 2011, 2:23
In a country where you see lots of Nascar & Indy car nice to see some great interest of F1.Not sure when I will see the film but I hope one day.Any idea when the film ‘Senna’ will come as DVD?
graigchq (@graigchq)
10th March 2011, 5:07
where is HRT’s car? ?? ??
it’s not going to happen.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
10th March 2011, 5:47
Whey will reveal the car on Friday.
sam
10th March 2011, 8:20
Funny, they said Wednesday first, then Thursday, maybe they just wont bother until Malaysia, or China, or Monaco, or Silverstone………
Fred Schechter
10th March 2011, 5:51
Thanks for the birthday wishes Keith!!
Hopefully see you all in Austin!
US_Peter (@us_peter)
10th March 2011, 6:52
Happy birthday!
BasCB (@bascb)
10th March 2011, 7:26
Happy birthday, looking forward to making that a nice BBQ birthday party!
bosyber (@bosyber)
10th March 2011, 8:06
Enjoy the day! Austin is looking good, altough I don’t expect to be there for the first race.
Steph (@)
10th March 2011, 10:21
Many happy returns Fred!
Icthyes (@icthyes)
10th March 2011, 12:31
Happy Birthday Fred! Said in my best (the worst in history) Barney Rubble voice.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
10th March 2011, 7:27
Really hoping Team Lotus live up to their own hype and break out of the bottom three this season. Wonder who will replace them? McLaren ;)
I JEST!
BasCB (@bascb)
10th March 2011, 7:36
Seems Silverstone is doing pretty much OK for themselves lately
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/03/09/motor-racing-silverstone-idUKLDE7282N520110309?pageNumber=1
Icthyes (@icthyes)
10th March 2011, 12:33
Excellent news after all these years of threatening to shut it down and not one penny of government subsidy I believe. Take that, Bernie.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
10th March 2011, 8:05
Wise words from antonyob! F1 fanboys make me cringe!
LEW1SSSS!!!!!
Tragic.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
10th March 2011, 12:36
I’m part of a LH group on facebook and sad to say the fanboys/girls there give me more nightmares than any Ferrari fan on here!
Calum
10th March 2011, 8:31
Cigarettes in England must be displayed in plain boxes – expect a special livery from Ferrari at Silverstone this year – plain white with no graphics, just black text.
Calum
10th March 2011, 8:32
*from Ferrari, Williams and Renault…
Andy C
10th March 2011, 11:09
Really dissapointed to see McLaren starting the season with pace to find.
However, with such a different car for them, I’d expect it to take time to get the best out of it, both in terms of aero and in terms of setup.
Really glad to see PDR re-signed, as he brought a lot to them as a dev driver.
In reality, if you want to try to beat Adrian Newey, you are unlikely to be able to out detail him, so maybe you have to go a different approach.
I havent given up hope yet. And both drivers have decent racecraft, so can hopefully get in a decent points haul in the short term.
I’m going to be placing two bets this year. Toro Rosso to win the (at crazy odds) constructors, and JB to win the WDC. The latter bet just to annoy the haters (lol) :-)
It would be nice one year as a McL fan if we came out with the fastest car at the beginning. Open cheque book and equity stake offer to Adrian. If only…..
remengo
10th March 2011, 12:05
I wonder that my post has been deleted, it seems that irony over Macca is not accepted in this site….
ryoung
10th March 2011, 14:42
I am not sure that the McLaren won’t be very quick and competitive once the bugs are worked out. It is a bit ironic that they have so many problems being the giant in the lot. I do question the way that the media quoted Lewis though. He could have meant, ” I don’t Know”. So, unless they checked him for spelling, they may have it a bit wrong as well.
Icthyes
10th March 2011, 15:07
It’s a good question: is the car rubbish or do they just not understand it enough?
DaveW
10th March 2011, 15:15
As far as the 26, I disagree with the CW that it is radical. The only thing radical about it now is the over-cut sidepods. There is nothing radical done at the back to free up the bridge wing, nothing interesting to exhaust the radtiator, they have not committed to a “new” exhaust configuration. They have no radical gearbox layout. They have not radically slimmed the rear suspension organization like Ferrari. There is not major mechanical development in the car to glitch up and keep it from running. Thus it is is all the more reason that it is strange that they cannot keep the car on track for testing for lack of parts or whatever. The one radical thing about the car, the sidepods, ironically, probably is what is requiring all the fundamental aero-verfication, which is taking away from the basic overall data collection. Oh, and it doesn’t seem to work—the one thing it was supposed to do, create a major step in downforce, has not happened.
Robbie (@robbie)
10th March 2011, 15:26
Should be interesting…can’t say I am surprised Mac is behind some, since they were last year, and you don’t just snap your fingers, change tire makers etc and immediately be dominant…at least, not usually. And they are comparing themselves to the defending WDC and WCC team, and Ferrari that is always a threat.
I’ll assume JB and LH know from testing when they were out there with similar fuel levels and tires to their competitors such that they can say with ‘confidence’ that they are behind, but I think that until they all race in anger even JB and LH can’t speak for Red Bull and Ferrari’s reliability and treatment of tires depending on the compound, the stint they are on, and the track they are at…some tracks may have Mac further up the grid than they now feel they will be…
And assuming there is equal treatment of SV to MW and FA to FM, perhaps for the initial races these drivers will be splitting points and will allow Mac to stay within reach until they can find some solutions. That’s why they have to run all the races in the season…I’m not the first to say it…anything can happen, and often does. It’s a journey throughout the season, it’s their job, it’s their passion, and all they can do is their best knowing that racing carries no guarantees other than guaranteed they will be at each race this season trying to progress. Only time will tell. If their challenge wasn’t to catch up, it would be to stay on top, which is often harder.
Icthyes
10th March 2011, 16:09
The ironic thing is that as fans we would be happy enough to see our favourite drivers in a car that was good enough, not dominant, because we believe in them. The team however is obsessed with domination and yet they’re the ones paying millions for the drivers.
Truth be told McLaren have been smarting ever since the F2002 blew them away and have an obsession with building their first dominant car since, arguable, 1988. 2009 was understandable, everyone was caught out. But this year could be the nemesis to their hubris.
Red Andy (@red-andy)
10th March 2011, 16:12
Where are all those who were saying at the MP4-26 launch that the car “looked fast?”
VXR
10th March 2011, 16:24
Maybe McLaren should start painting their cars ‘hearing aid biege’ instead of using that rather flattering chrome effect stuff to get a better idea of what ‘looking fast’ means.
VXR
10th March 2011, 17:42
A second off the pace, says Hamilton:
“That doesn’t mean it won’t become a world championship-winning car,” the 26-year-old told reporters at this week’s Barcelona test, on the second day of which he managed to cover a mere 57 laps due to ongoing reliability woes.
“They (Brundle, Coulthard and Jordan) don’t drive it so they don’t know exactly how it is. I wouldn’t agree with what he (Brundle) says. The car feels better than last year’s car. It isn’t as fast as others are, but two years ago we were two or three seconds off the pace and now we are maybe a second. We definitely have the strength within the team to catch up.”