2014 Russian Grand Prix Thread

[dj_bytedisaster]

If this is the case, then surely its fair to assume Vettel got an unfair advantage to help him win his 4 titles?

Which I have no issue with, but you seem to dismiss anything like that in the Vettel years and blast anyone who suggested he was not quite as good as 4 titles suggest.

He would have won the four titles regardless, as Mark never managed to adapt to the counter-intuitive driving style needed to make the EBD cars work. But in hindsight, yes, I defended RB too much. They saw Mark had problems adapting and they relegated his car to an afterthought after 2010. I simply didn't believe they'd be so cynical, but seeing how this season went and the rather cynical comments we got from within RB, I had to revise my opinion. It's a ruthless operation. Just ask Vergne.

[Duncan]

Vettel just announced on German TV, he'll not take part in Austin Quali and start from the pitlane and take a new engine instead.

Interesting. Writeup here: http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/ve...ane-in-austin/

Doesn't make sense, though; the way the rule is being applied, you have to actually lose 10 grid places for the penalty to have been considered to have been taken, and if you qualify at the back you will have to serve the 10 grid spot penalty (or however many places are left) in the following race.

I wonder if we'll see drivers strategically taking a new engine in Brasil, and then touring around just to make sure they have a fresh engine for the double-points race in Abu Dhabi?

[jens]

So it turns out Dj is actually an F1 insider? Who would have thought?

Anyway, I take it as there is always some kind of inequality in competition. It is natural, not something terribly malicious. Even inside the same team. Even if the car configurations of team-mates are roughly the same, they have different race engineers and race team to work on their cars. Teams have different resources, and resources are something, which are always lacking. Team may be struggling to develop enough spare parts that both drivers can consistently get them, because development speed is very high and it is difficult to keep up with the production pace.

Based on priorities of the team, they may need to take tough decisions and put the best people to work on #1 driver's car. There is also the matter of how well can each individual (driver) gel with the team and work together with whichever people are there in the team. Already looking at the personalities, in my view there is no doubt Ricciardo with his easy-going attitude fits Red Bull far better than the somewhat grumpy Webber did. It may look like a superficial thing (why does his personality matter on a racing track?!), but all small details make a difference.

[The Black Knight]

Congrats to Mercedes on finally bagging the constructors. What a performance it has been from that team throughout the year. Thoroughly deserved to win the WDC, I think from the first race there was never any doubt.

Congrats to Russia on conjuring up the most boring race track since Valencia. To be fair I think the super durable Pirelli's had something to do with that but I'd rather a race like that than a race where the tires go off for the hell of it.

It amazes me taht the WDC is still so close. Hamilton has scored 9 race wins to Nico's 4 and there's still only 17 points between them. The good news for Hamilton is that he needs only 1 more race win and two second places to win the WDC and it doesn't matter where he does it either so the barring reliability issues, the championship is in his hand. I do agree with Martin Brundle and the lads though, there appears something different about Hamilton the last couple of races, a steely determination I haven't seen before. I think reliability is the only thing that can stop him winning this now and based on events throughout the year and unsavory tactics Nico has used, I don't think anyone can deny he is deserving of the 2014 title.

[steveaki13]

I don't think anyone can deny he is deserving of the 2014 title.

I am sure a few can

[journeyman racer]

Hamilton...needs only 1 more race win and two second places to win the WDC. I don't think anyone can deny he is deserving of the 2014 title.

Unlike the 08 title...

[The Black Knight]

Unlike the 08 title...

And to think, if only Felipe Massa hadn't ran out of talent and spun about 50 times in Silverstone 2008, he would have been champion. Oh well, guess the better man won both that race and the title

[zako85]

It should be a well-deserved title win for Hamilton without doubt. Rosberg's mistakes the last few races just look ridiculous.

[zako85]

He would have won the four titles regardless, as Mark never managed to adapt to the counter-intuitive driving style needed to make the EBD cars work. But in hindsight, yes, I defended RB too much.

I think Mark's problems go beyond the intuition. For one, Mark has earned a reputation of someone who started races really poorly. He had so many poor starts and went backwards before the first corner of race so often in the last couple of years that some Vettel haters on the forums started arguing that Vettel's car has some kind of launch control system, while Webber does not have it. Silly rumor, but it underscores the underlying problem with Webber.

[zako85]

. I think reliability is the only thing that can stop him winning this now and based on events throughout the year and unsavory tactics Nico has used, I don't think anyone can deny he is deserving of the 2014 title.

Hah.. just imagine what if Hamilton's car breaks in Abu Dhabi and then Rosberg earns 50 points. Sad, but possible.