In the round-up: Anthony Hamilton tones down his comments about Lewis Hamilton’s management team.
Links
Top F1 links from the past 24 hours:
The gospel of the track according to Father Hamilton (The Independent)
Anthony Hamilton: “I spoke with Lewis during the week after the race. He told me that he’s happy with the job that his management and Simon Fuller are doing – and as long as Lewis is happy, then I’m happy.”
F1 Roar: Red Bull Denies Brought Own Food to Japan (The Wall Street Journal)
“The Japanese online circuit went wild Tuesday when local media outlets reported the European racing team had arrived with enough food to feed the 80-strong team and staff members so they can avoid eating Japan-made products during their stay, and with it any conceivable risk of food contaminated by radiation from the disaster-struck Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.”
“As some of you may know, the first [F1 2011] update (patch) for PC users should be out tonight 10pm GMT. Xbox patch approved, out tomorrow I hope!”
Via the F1 Fanatic live Twitter app
Williams F1 and Silatech Announce Partnership (Williams)
“Williams F1 and Silatech have entered into a broad partnership to help foster entrepreneurship among youth in Qatar and the wider Middle East region.”
Follow F1 news as it breaks using the F1 Fanatic live Twitter app.
Comment of the day
Dizzy is unhappy with the spread of F1-style rules into junior categories:
The best thing about GP2 is the purity, no silly power boosts, no silly wings and all drivers on identical tyres. This means it’s the drivers which make the difference.
Now it will all be down to tyres, sure it adds strategy but it removes some of the purity which has made GP2 so brilliant since 2005.
Going back to Hamilton’s great drive at Istanbul in 2006, it was extra special because everyone had identical equipment, I don’t think it would have been so great if he was only doing it because he’d been on a softer/faster tyre compound.
The support championships should be pure without the silly gimmicks to force strategy etc…
Its bad enough the Renault World Series will run DRS next year.
Dizzy
From the forum
Nivek252 asks why 2010’s three new teams haven’t had better results yet.
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Cholle and Yorricksfriend!
On this day in F1
Niki Lauda won the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen on this day in 1975.
It was a dominant performance from the new world champion who started on pole position and led every lap.
Emerson Fittipaldi set fastest lap on his way to second ahead of McLaren team mate Jochen Mass.
RumFRESH (@rumfresh)
5th October 2011, 0:08
Well I hope the whole Red Bull situation is indeed a rumour and I have to say that I also share Dizzy’s views on GP2. The series should serve as an easy way of identifying who the top young drivers are, and introducing strategy makes this a bit more difficult.
matt90 (@matt90)
5th October 2011, 0:09
I’m not sure if I agree with COTD. There is only one set of softs available for the weekend, and they will surely be used in qualifying. It might not make any difference to the racing.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th October 2011, 2:31
And the two-compound rule has been in existence in Formula 1 for years. I don’t think I’ve heard a single complaint about it.
Err Bob
5th October 2011, 3:11
Grrr, Damn that two compound rule.
Gotta keep PM on He`s toes ;-)
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th October 2011, 5:28
I don’t have any toes after a freak accident with one of those plastic pink flamingo lawn ornaments.
Err Bob
5th October 2011, 21:21
I have a friend who slipped on a plum while cutting the grass under the plum tree, He was in hosiptal for about a month while they saved pinky an hes friend.
BasCB (@bascb)
5th October 2011, 6:30
You haven’t PM?
I have seen loads of complaints about the forced nature of being obliged to run both tyres here!
I agree that the sole set of supersofts will probably be used in Qualifying (will they also have to start on them?). The fact there is only one set, makes that quite tricky though, as it means drivers won’t have the chance to get familiar with these tyres before that.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
5th October 2011, 8:28
I’ve seen complaints about the way the top ten drivers are forced to start on the tyres they qualified with, but I haven’t seen anyone complain about the two-compound rule. But it’s not really a factor these days, since neither of the Pirelli compounds can actually last for an entire race. And even if the harder compound can, it’s usually a second per lap slower than the options (which the teams asked of them).
And I don’t really see this as being a problem in GP2. As Martin Brundle is constantly reminding us, Formula 1 drivers are “heat management experts”. And since the prime and option tyres behave so differently, why shouldn’t GP2 use both? GP2 is the premier feeder series for Formula 1, and prides itself on the way everything is equal so that driver talent is the deciding factor. Since the drivers are always using tyres, they need to demonstrate the ability to use both compounds for Formula 1.
GP3 is really becoming the new GP2. Between these rule introductions and the expanded calendar, GP2 is becoming something else entirely – halfway between GP3 and Formula 1. GP3 starts the drivers on familiar circuits in equal cars. GP2 introduces new circuits and new variables whilst keeping equal cars. Finally, Formula 1 has all the circuits, all the varaibles and different cars. The introduction of these new rules to GP2 is really a process of streamlining the feeder series to give the drivers a better opportunity to show themselves as promising Formula 1 talents. Isn’t that what GP2 is all about?
John H (@john-h)
5th October 2011, 12:28
Loads of people have been against the compulsory two compound rule on here including Keith!! Maybe some have changed their minds but I haven’t myself.
Hyoko
5th October 2011, 18:36
I have personally complained about it and dozens of other people have. And I haven’t read maybe 80% of the comments.
Fixy (@)
5th October 2011, 16:26
As all drivers have the same sets of tyres, no one has a particular advantage, unlike with DRS: some may benefit from soft tyres early on and suffer afterwards on hards.
F1Yankee (@f1yankee)
5th October 2011, 0:14
there’s nothing wrong, medically, with the japanese food supply. some of it is fantastic, some……not to my taste. if all else fails, i’d stick to choco party:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O83q46EdsrI
Cacarella (@cacarella)
5th October 2011, 0:54
My favorite food in Japan…
http://i835.photobucket.com/albums/zz278/cacarella/SforS.jpg
Dane. (@dane-1)
5th October 2011, 1:42
I wonder if whale is on the menu?
F1Yankee (@f1yankee)
5th October 2011, 2:19
that is…AWESOME. i’m placing an order this week :D
OmarR-Pepper (@)
5th October 2011, 0:16
Probably Red Bull packed canned food and covered it with blue and silver stickers… they look as if were always just drinking their sponsor’s product, but I was talking to some friends about that yesterday … I mean, do RBR just bring RB drink to the race? Not believable right? what about Kimi’s era when Jonnie Walker was the sponsor, Did he have free surplus of it?
Asanator (@asanator)
5th October 2011, 11:49
Most drivers or at least teams have a drinks sponsor, you will see most drivers drinking out of a sponsored drinks bottle, it’s not just Redbull.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
5th October 2011, 0:33
I stand by my belief that F1 is very much a team sport and should not be judged side by side with other formulae with a set chassis. The feeder series do a brilliant job of showcasing drivers and their the level of ‘participation’ that comes with it, or not as the case may be.
Err Bob
5th October 2011, 0:38
Being the pinacle of sport I would be surprised if they didn`t transport all there food and water to the fluid ounce and calorie.
johnathan h
5th October 2011, 12:24
I’m not sure most of the mechanics are watching their carb and electrolite intake to be honest!
ob1kenobi.23 (@ob1kenobi23)
5th October 2011, 17:36
Norbert does
MGriffin90 (@mgriffin90)
5th October 2011, 0:56
Red Bull bringing their own food and drink to Japan might have more to do with home comforts, not radiation fears. Seems reasonable, no?
TheBrav3
5th October 2011, 1:27
I like richard hammond hate japanese food reasonable enough to me.
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
5th October 2011, 5:07
Agreed. Talk of radiation fears are ridiculous. I have two friends currently living in Japan and they tell me the food is fine.
Unlike my two friends, I hate Japanese food, and maybe RedBull shares my sentiments. If I were in the team I’d bring my own food as well!
Manuel
5th October 2011, 1:13
Oh please! why can’t they bring they own food? What if they don’t like japanese’s food? Personally, i don’t like raw fish and japanese’s cuisine, i would’ve brought my own food too.
Masher (@hamish)
5th October 2011, 2:41
Given what Mark Webber experienced in 2007, who blames them?
Adam Tate (@adam-tate)
5th October 2011, 5:08
COTD Nomination :)
Kenny (@kenny)
5th October 2011, 1:18
On a day when the M23 and Fittipaldi had the legs of the 312T and Niki Lauda we were robbed of what could have been a great race by Clay Regazzoni, who blocked Fittpaldi until he was black flagged.
aka_robyn (@)
5th October 2011, 1:30
I’m wondering how many people are going to read the rest of that WSJ article, which goes on to describe the rumor as “groundless.”
Becken Lima (@becken-lima)
5th October 2011, 3:26
Lewis is a global star. He needs a manager to help him to deal with his brand in any part of the world. Maybe Simon Fuller can be the right man to do this particular job. But another matter is his approach as a racing driver. I think Lewis really needs a coach to help him to deal with the new regulations, race weekends, driving techniques, head hot Brazilians etc.
Who could do this job? A retired driver? Are those guys in sintony with this new and complex F1? I dont think so…
Something ironic in all this fuss with Massa and Smedley, is that Rob is perfect to coach Lewis. This guy is responsible for compose this Massa we see today. Before Rob, Felipe was too much error prone, result of his impulsiveness and emotional approach inside the cockpit (something we still can see at the outside!).
Rob recalibrated Felipe, gave him some sense of perspective and, most important, discipline — something Lewis needs right now.
In the last two years Lewis is not confortable with his race engeneers, so…
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
5th October 2011, 3:36
Perhaps they don’t want Webber to get food poisoning again ;)
Anyway, completely agree with the COTD to a degree;
Junior categories are not always just for drivers, but for mechanics, strategists, team principals, even teams themselves and so forth, so it needs a good mix of driver ability and strategy to bring forward new team members as well as drivers.
However, it doesn’t need to be technical at all really… There’s no need for DRS or KERS in feeder series, it would cost way too much to have to buy all of these things which are very much still in experimental stages. The feeder series’ cars simply need to have 4 wheels, a bit of downforce, and an engine regarding on the strength of the series.
BasCB (@bascb)
5th October 2011, 6:35
I pretty much agree with your toned down version of the COTD. I think going to DRS is not good.
And maybe its a bit of a shame when GP2 loses the pure-ness of having the same tyres all weekend. But they gain more practice in thinking out how to approach the race (-weekend), something that seems to be a big difference when getting into F1 currently.
BasCB (@bascb)
5th October 2011, 6:21
Happy birthday to Cholle and to Yorricksfriend.
Dev (@dev)
5th October 2011, 6:37
it’s an advantage for GP2 drivers to have similar environment as F1. this will make them better prepared for F1 and teams will know what they can expect from the new drivers. i’m sure even teams will be happy if they get new drivers which will be able to adjust quickly to F1. As the rules are same for everyone the better driver would come out winner… but now better prepared too.
vjanik
5th October 2011, 9:41
putting aside the fact that this rumor is made up by Bild, whats wrong with bringing your own food? the political correctness in F1 today is reaching new heights. (come to think of it not just F1 but in general). Long gone are the good old days when drivers flirted with reporters, pulled pranks on each other, and were seen partying in a local disco. things gave changed a lot and the reaction of RB to the rumor just proves that.
in the seventies they would have just said “so what?”
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
5th October 2011, 9:49
This hasn’t got anything to do with ‘political correctness’.
SparkyJ23 (@sparkyj23)
5th October 2011, 11:30
What is the problem? Do you know where you can stock a michelin star level kitchen in a foreign country at short notice? I’m sure the folks catering for the F1 teams Bring a LOT of their own food and buy fresh produce locally.
dennis (@dennis)
5th October 2011, 16:29
After the information-policy desaster created by the japanese government it should not wonder anyone, that people might be suspicous and careful.
CarsVsChildren (@carsvschildren)
5th October 2011, 14:12
First of all read the article:
Second no-one in Japan gives a flying can of energy drink if someone brings in food because they don’t like Japanese cuisine. The Japanese know their food can be a bit unusual (hell any foreigner that lives here is sick of the “can you eat Japanese food?” question from well meaning locals)
BUT the idea that a major sports team doesn’t trust the official line on food safety is massively offensive to the majority of people in Japan. It is insulting and rude to their Japanese hosts, something that can cause a major pr disaster in a very short order of time for a company if they are not careful.
Red Bull have done nothing wrong and have done a lot to support Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, whoever spread that false rumour should never be allowed near a keyboard ever again.
dennis (@dennis)
5th October 2011, 16:33
“…and as long as Lewis is happy, then I’m happy.”
As in: “I’m still right.”