In the round-up: Luca di Montezemolo says Ferrari could have won in Canada and Monaco.
Links
Top F1 links from the past 24 hours:
Montezemolo at Mugello: "A fantastic circuit, the nicest in Italy" (Ferrari)
“It’s an emotional year: this winter I would never have expected us to have such a difficult start. There are reasons why this happened, such as problems with the wind tunnel. Situations like the ones we have experienced this year can be useful in giving you a direction to go in terms of working methods, of spirit and also in terms of organisation and that is what I have asked for from the team. Now we are working very hard to make up the ground lost and to try and win races: I think we could have done so in Monaco and in Canada.”
Air of inevitability surrounds Vettel’s title charge (Daily Telegraph)
Jenson Button: “It is going to be bloody hard from where we are," the McLaren driver said. I am 77 points behind. That’s three race wins, three races in which he doesn’t finish and he has still got a two-point lead. So it is not easy but we’ve seen it before.”
Petrov looks to Renault updates (ESPN)
“At the beginning of the season we were really quite strong but then I think we lost some performance, maybe some other teams were improving better than us. But we’re working on this; we know exactly where we lose time so we’ll locate it for the next event so at the next race we should have a few big updates and we’ll try and fight with them.”
Pollock ‘very disappointed’ with engine rule changes (GPUpdate)
“I’m very disappointed basically at high levels, but I understand there has been a huge amount of pressure put on the key parties within the sport. You imagine yourself in that situation, what would you do? You are either going to lose Renault, or you are going to lose Mercedes, that is the threat.”
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Comment of the day
DeadManWoking on Colin Chapman’s revolutionary design work in the early Lotus years:
It’s amazing to compare the 1957 Lotus 12, with it’s huge ground clearance displaying it’s Trial’s car heritage, to the monocoque 1962 Lotus 25.
In just five years Chapman totally revolutionised the design of the F1 car, laying down principles that are still followed today.
And despite it’s kit-car appearance, the 12 was pretty revolutionary in 1957 with it’s multi-tube space frame, Chapman Strut rear suspension, wobbly-web wheels and low driver seating position.
DeadManWoking
From the forum
The_dons wants to see tyre choice freed up among the teams.
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to troma!
On this day in F1
Happy birthday to the world champion – Sebastian Vettel is 24 today.
He became the youngest world champion last year, and is well on his way to becoming the youngest twice-champion this year.
On this day in 1966 Jack Brabham won the French Grand Prix. It was the first victory for a Repco-powered car in F1.
Image © Red Bull/Getty images
Calum (@calum)
3rd July 2011, 0:11
Why should F1 bow down to Renault? They should be thankful F1 allowed them to stay in F1 in the first place after 2008 Race Fixing. It’s a bit of a cheek to blackmail F1 now, and say you are going to leave, so soon after saying in court under oath that you really want to stay in the sport!!
Calum (@calum)
3rd July 2011, 0:12
*The above was in reply to ‘losing either Renault or Merc over the V6/I4 engines’
George (@george)
3rd July 2011, 0:33
That’s true, but they are in F1 for a reason, and they have to throw their weight around to try to meet the targets of the boardroom. Unfortunately for them they came up against Ferrari (and the majority of fans, coincidentally), who are the metaphorical whales in the ocean of F1.
Speaking of Ferrari, I would tend to agree with LDM for a change, they have had a chance to win the last three races – granted only if Vettel had retired at Valencia – and I hope their form continues to rise towards the end of the year. If they can beat McLaren at Silverstone I would be quite surprised though, the McLaren has seemed the closer car to Red Bull in the quick aero sections, plus the tyres aren’t to their advantage.
Huron (@huron)
3rd July 2011, 2:54
Confusing the Renault team with Renault the engine supplier.
UNeedAFinn2Win
3rd July 2011, 20:40
and by that you mean the rebadged mecachrome V8:s
on that note, shouldn’t there be a warehouse (well THREE warehouses) full of current spec V8:s ready to run (BMW, Honda, Toyota)?
or was this discussed way back, CBA to do a search…
We Want Turbo's
3rd July 2011, 0:28
Personally I feel im in the minority now that wants the V6 turbos!! However in an ideal world I’d love to see turbo v non turbo lift all restrictions and lower the weight limit, then there would be a big trade off do the teams go for power or efficiency? Lighter car or more power?
George (@george)
3rd July 2011, 0:37
I dont think anyone outside the car industry was particularly interested in the i4 turbos apart from the fact that they were turbos. 6, ,8 ,12, 16, anything other than a boggo family car engine, thanks.
Scotto
5th July 2011, 4:15
“a boggo family car engine”
This is strange considering the older turbo i4’s produced more power than any other engine formula that’s been introduced.
For me, I think limiting the rev’s is the biggest mistake. I think that the difference between a racing engine and almost any other is in the tuning and that means rev’s.
Why should a US$8k sport bike out rev. a formula one engine?
We're Getting Turbos! ;)
3rd July 2011, 2:15
Calum here, ;)
I’m glad we got turbos too, V6T was what I alaways wanted them to go to if they had to change, it keeps F1 on a par with LeMan and Indycar in the meantime,
And remember, there is great estimated performance coming from the new powerplants – and as is standard practice in F1 – the teams will surely extract more power ‘than they should be able to’ while the engine development period is open, just like they clawed back downforce after the 2012 rules.
It’s safe to say F1 is not dying – 2014 engines, Pirelli tyres – this is just the beginning!
Quin10-10
3rd July 2011, 3:11
Another V-6 Turbo fan here. If we’re only going to have one type this was the best choice. Compact package with good (and easily adjustable) power. I’m wondering about the intercooler. Will we see any significant changes in sidepod dimensions and ducting?
timi
3rd July 2011, 11:54
Big turbo, or small turbo. that is the question.
Boy oh boy, it’s gonna be exciting
dx
3rd July 2011, 19:18
Glad it’s V6 turbo!
OmarR-Pepper (@)
3rd July 2011, 1:28
The “Could have” and “would have” are in the “IFs” category the majority of people on F1Fanatic hate. The truth is Alonso really did a good race but it wasn’t good enough
Fixy (@)
3rd July 2011, 11:12
I think he meant that considering they were in contention for 2 race wins, they have good chances of winning soon.
BasCB (@bascb)
4th July 2011, 7:26
It certainly is not 2009 where they had to be happy with solid points finishes. They are within shot of winning so far, but need that little bit extra and good strategy.
I think both drivers are doing a pretty good job to get as far this year.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
3rd July 2011, 2:29
At Monaco??? possibly yeah.
At Canada?? No fricking way…
The “COULD” factor in F1 doesn’t really work!
hohum
3rd July 2011, 4:01
Well there could have been a huge crash.
Huron (@huron)
3rd July 2011, 4:29
That can happen at any race, though, and even HRT could win a race that way.
Snow Donkey
3rd July 2011, 6:54
Button was last at least once, maybe more often during the Canadian GP. I think it’s safe to say anything could have happened. Coulda shoulda didn’t though.
MVEilenstein (@mveilenstein)
3rd July 2011, 3:57
But they didn’t. Let’s move on. Conjecture is folly.
SparkyJ23 (@sparkyj23)
3rd July 2011, 10:13
And from the guy running the show – that would scare the hell out of me if I was a Ferrari fan.
slackbladd3r
4th July 2011, 13:34
Precisely. If they COULD’ve, they would’ve.
MagillaGorilla
3rd July 2011, 6:34
Montezemolo does realize they don’t award points for almost wins. Just the points you get for coming behind the winner. Either way Ferrari needs to really look at themselves in the mirror and realize they’re not on top like they think. They need to stop being arrogant and stuck up and regroup if they plan to win. The thing is with all the new tech now days and car manufactures easily being on par with one another Ferrari should know better. I understand they’re mad about losing in pretty much everything they’re in right now. They lost Le Mans to Chevy and their corvette. BMW has also been beating them, and the sport they blow the most money in they can’t even put together a capable car and ten to struggle a bit with Renault and Merc GP. Ferrari will be much more competitive when they become a humble team, instead of running around thinking they’re the Paragon of racing and just stop and regroup ideas.
DeadManWoking
3rd July 2011, 11:56
Of course this applies to all the teams.
Hmmm, what team named it’s humble racing shop The Paragon?
Julian (@julian)
3rd July 2011, 14:30
hmmmm, i read this ^ as:
And came up with:
“The 5 wheeled, 5 winged, 5 pedaled, 5 speed, quintuple decker diffuser” 5Live racing team. (sponsored by 5 Gum)
Of course this is totally irrelevant, but hey; what can you do?
Julian (@julian)
3rd July 2011, 14:36
Oh and…
When Alonso almost won in monaco, he got 18 points.
Fancy that.
MagillaGorilla
4th July 2011, 10:25
Yeah I mentioned that but then again people from time to time tend to miss things…try reading again.
MagillaGorilla
4th July 2011, 10:28
In other words just cause they were faster in Monaco and Canada at certain points, or certain incidents didn’t play out their way doesn’t mean they get a few extra points…that what I meant just a bit of sarcasm. Ferrari always tends to do this more so than other teams when they’re not winning, there are not what ifs in racing just the results after it is all said and done.
Julian (@julian)
4th July 2011, 12:40
yeah so when Alonso almost won by coming behind the winner….
:P haha i kid, i kid :)
Boomerang
3rd July 2011, 7:06
If my auntie had testicles she would be my uncle. I guess…, today you never know.
In Monaco Jenson was faster on used tyres, in Canada he’s been really flying around. No way Alonso could defend his position in Canada.
Wishful thinking from Luca, again ;-)
F1 98
3rd July 2011, 7:24
They could have won in monaco but the safety car messed them up
Nathan
3rd July 2011, 8:56
Hai I have a genius cheating idea!!!
As the Mercedes team is owned by Mercedes-Benz why dont Benz give Mercedes slightly better engines!!! Hehehe
BasCB (@bascb)
3rd July 2011, 9:34
Very nice COTD DeadManWoking. Nicely shows what Chapman brought to F1!
And a happy birthday to troma.
f1_fan
3rd July 2011, 13:14
Remember Jenson Button 2009 Champion comments? They said Jenson become world champion just because he n brawn gp have dominant car, and not because he is really a world champion. This year same happen to vettel, i dont really think he is a real world champion this year even though if(obviously) he will become this season champion. He keep on pole n keep winning just because he got dominant car, can see clearly that no other car can compete with them this year, different from last year where ferrari give them hard time n he almost cant win as world champion 2010, simply because ferrari’s wrong call for pits, or can see schumacher era, where other teams still give a hard fight n pressure to them, schumacher also not always on pole or keep winning. But redbull n vettel seems no pressure from other teams. Let say alonso or lewis, or button, or schumacher is in vettel car this year, they surely will keep on pole n keep winning as well n in the end become world champion 2011. Vettel just a lucky world champion for this season because his car will dominant all races, and not because of he’s a real good driver.
David-A (@david-a)
3rd July 2011, 20:43
Except he did win world champion 2010.
Mr. Veloce
3rd July 2011, 16:05
Hey Keith, I was watching the Italian MotoGP on the BBC and Mark Webber was being interviewed and he spoke of his desire to make Mugello replace the Valencia Street Circuit as the European Grand Prix and I am now really hoping that Mugello would replace Valencia, what do you think Keith? Do you think that Mugello would be a contender for a future European Grand Prix?
Rob Wilson
3rd July 2011, 19:55
@f1_fan – So what do you propose? Give them all the same car like GP2? forget it. Vettel isn’t lucky, he’s earned every victory this year, he hasnt always had the fastest car in the race and he’s still come out on top, i think he’s a great and worthy world champion. Just compare his results to Webbers this year and you’ll see just what a great job he is doing.
BasCB (@bascb)
4th July 2011, 7:22
Yeah, Vettel might have been a bit lucky to get the shot at being with Red Bull, but his form at BMW ensured the STR drive, his win there more than sealed the RBR drive and he is integral part of that team to make the car work to best effect.
I do not much like the fact RBR and especially Vettel are that much up front, but we can hardly blame them for making a great package, can we. Instead shout at McLaren for being just that bit slower, Ferrari for misjudging the tyres and Brawn for not hitting the nail on their car at all.
f1_fan
6th July 2011, 7:22
Yah i agree with u. Just blame them for making a great package or car. Very obvious their car almost 2 sec faster than ferrari, mclaren n mercedes. And it tooks 6 rounds for ferrari, mercedes n mclaren to catch up with RBR, but yet not so close enough. I would say it just lucky if ferrari or mclaren or mercedes can win against this BULL MACHINE. I should praise RBR designer Adrian Newey, Rob Marshall n Peter Prodromou for creating this unrival machine.
RedBull_RB7
6th July 2011, 7:31
Yes he is just lucky. I agree that if alonso or lewis or button or schumi is in rb7, yah sure they will keep win and dominant all race. I like to see Kubica in RB7 and im sure he can be world champ in RB7(maybe next time). Formula 1 drivers are all great driver, especially alonso, lewis, button, schumi(legend), rosberg, kubica… they r all a lot better than vettel. Vettel just lucky. I like 2005 n 2006 season where alonso n schumi keep play catch up, at least both of them on pressure from each other. That’s a great racing. unlike vettel, because of he got dominant car, he dont get any pressure from other team/driver. He need someone to play catch up with him then he know how hard is it. he will get real nervous if any other car are less than 1 sec behind.
alexf1man
4th July 2011, 7:32
It was also the 2005 French GP, on Vettel’s 18th Birthday.
greg
4th July 2011, 8:50
in the could have championship ferrari will win every year
Robbie
4th July 2011, 16:15
I think LdM is likely a very smart man, so I doubt he is playing woulda, coulda, shoulda…I think he is just pointing out, perhaps even for the benefit of the spirits of the team, that in a few races this year they were within a shout of victory, and that in a year where Red Bull are so dominant. So I don’t think his intent here is to cry about what coulda been, just pointing out they haven’t always been way behind either.
UKfanatic (@)
5th July 2011, 2:43
I believe Red Bull could have won all races, about Ferrari I can only admit that Mclaren was luckier than Ferrari.