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Australian GP 2008: Driver of the Race?


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Poll: Australian GP 2008: Driver of the Race? (382 member(s) have cast votes)

  1. Lewis (89 votes [23.30%])

    Percentage of vote: 23.30%

  2. Nick (14 votes [3.66%])

    Percentage of vote: 3.66%

  3. Nico (39 votes [10.21%])

    Percentage of vote: 10.21%

  4. Fernando (100 votes [26.18%])

    Percentage of vote: 26.18%

  5. Heikki (27 votes [7.07%])

    Percentage of vote: 7.07%

  6. Sebastien (65 votes [17.02%])

    Percentage of vote: 17.02%

  7. Reubens (15 votes [3.93%])

    Percentage of vote: 3.93%

  8. Robert (6 votes [1.57%])

    Percentage of vote: 1.57%

  9. Kazuki (1 votes [0.26%])

    Percentage of vote: 0.26%

  10. Kimi (22 votes [5.76%])

    Percentage of vote: 5.76%

  11. Timo (0 votes [0.00%])

    Percentage of vote: 0.00%

  12. Other (4 votes [1.05%])

    Percentage of vote: 1.05%

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#51 Claudius

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Posted 16 March 2008 - 22:31

Originally posted by cardin


That amazes me and he has more votes than Rubens.


Never underestimate the mental powers of the fanboy brain. It has no limits. See below:

Originally posted by micra_k10


Driver of the race Kimi Räikkönen. Showed again how the raise from the back is done. Great stuff.



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#52 Stibbles

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Posted 16 March 2008 - 22:38

Originally posted by mstar
fernando for me, he did the absolute best and pushed hard all race the car is really not there but fernando dragged it into a respectable place just by his sheer relentlus race pace and craft great drive :clap:


And great fortune with the safety cars

#53 Stibbles

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Posted 16 March 2008 - 22:42

Originally posted by Georg_Kuyumji
Got to be Fernando for today. He was very exciting to watch. Bourdais also had a great run.


WFT?? Fernando was BEHIND a Bourdais in a TRF when the TRF stopped (Ferrari engine failure?). Bourdais was pulling away from Fred. How does that make FA a better choice for Drover of the day?

#54 Stibbles

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Posted 16 March 2008 - 22:44

Originally posted by Vilenova


I agree. There were a few very good drives but Seabass impressed me the most.


And Kimi impressed me the least. I'm not a fan of his but I respect his talent. Too bad he showed none of it today. This is about as bad as I've seen him drive.


Totally agree. SB actually impressed the hell out of me and I'm far from a fan. Faster than Fred and in a second tier STR. My pick for the day

#55 GAF

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Posted 16 March 2008 - 23:28

Originally posted by SlateGray
Alonso, no question. Super drive

For the fools that voted Hamilton, any F1 driver should walk it from pole with the best car so his drive was nothing special, perhaps you all should try to watch the race in place of fawning over the Golden Child.


Alonso :up: :up:
Fighting against 2 safety-cars (twice just the lap before he had to enter to the pit-stop), and only good luck at the end of the race.

#56 ashnathan

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Posted 16 March 2008 - 23:46

Lewis, rock solid, didnt put a foot wrong, paced himself and preserved the car. Would have said heikki for not cracking under pressure cos lets face it, most other drivers would have been rattled by Kimi, in 2003 kimi was all over the place when schumacher pressured him, great driving by heikki but that little mistake swings it to lewis, every point is vital.

#57 Sakae

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Posted 16 March 2008 - 23:59

Sebastian B., Kimi had bad luck, but fought back like a champion, Nico R., Vettel... all people worth my time to come back to see them again next week. It's pitty that Mercedes and BMW aren't drivers; we would have something to talk about.

#58 Bloggsworth

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 00:23

Originally posted by Stibbles

How does that make FA a better choice for Drover of the day?


Bloody hell! Did I miss the sheep shearing contest?

#59 Durant

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 01:42

Originally posted by Ricardo F1
How did you know that before you voted? :p

Hamilton - numerous safety cars tried to screw with him but he was perfect from the second the lights went out.


You make it sound like he used skill to dodge those SC's. It was just luck. Alonso deserves it just for overtaking both Kimi and Heikki in the one corner. Imagine if Hamilton did that even in the best car, it would have been called the greatest move in history, the instinct and vision of a true champion, blah blah. Because Alonso did it, its almost ignored.

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#60 Sound of Speed

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 05:39

Originally posted by cardin


That amazes me and he has more votes than Rubens.


Yes, incredible. The fanboys are unbelievable. Because actually Kimi is closer to the clown of the race than to the driver of the race.

#61 Melbourne Park

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 06:40

I gave my vote to Kazuki Nakajima. I was sure he would bin the car. He's a rookie despite I think a race last year. And japanese. The Japanese are paying lots of F1 bills at the moment. So its good he's stolen some points. He's there for Toyota I think - he sure paid Toyota back for that effort this weekend. No way he expected to get a single point. He's not seen Melbourne before. The Williams didn't run on Friday due to gearbox issues either. In the race, he was beaten by Lewis Hamilton in the fast McLaren, but he came in a place behind the other McLaren. His points - all three of them - pushed Williams into #2 constructer at the moment. I reckon 3 points for him was totally unexpected, more so than any of the other competitors excepting excepting Bourdois. But he beat him anyway so for me its the Japanese gentleman.
:clap:

#62 Owen

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 08:56

Lewis was just perfect. :clap:

#63 masasa

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 11:09

Kimi was most impressive because he really had to fight the whole race and managed to rise from 15 to 3rd place with one of the heaviest cars(if not the heaviest?). He made 2 mistakes when trying to overtake, but overall he was very fast, took risks and was entertaining to watch, what more can you ask from a driver as a formula 1 fan?

We will see how many mistakes other drives do when they have to overtake and push to the limit lap after lap. Also this was the first race without TC in a long time and Melbourne track is slippery so it is more likely that mistakes happen. Maybe things will balance out in later races and we will see more cars finishing the race.

#64 Galko877

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 11:16

I wonder if so many people would have voted for Alonso if he wasn't the star he is. He was one of the best drivers yesterday, no doubt, but I think there were a couple of guys who were at least as impressive as him. Bourdais on his debut in a Toro Rosso, Barrichello in that Honda, Nico in a car which is told to be about on the same level as Renault. Fernando's duells with Heikki were fun to watch but Heikki was a bit amatuerish in them...

#65 ex Rhodie racer

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 11:22

I voted for Nick Heidfeld. He drove, as he always does, a super intelligent race. The lad knows how to finish races, and that is why he will always feature high up in the points at the end of a season. His teammate might be quicker over one lap, but when it comes to getting the business done, they don´t come better than quick Nick. :clap:

#66 Galko877

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 11:24

Originally posted by ex Rhodie racer
I voted for Nick Heidfeld. He drove, as he always does, a super intelligent race. The lad knows how to finish races, and that is why he will always feature high up in the points at the end of a season. His teammate might be quicker over one lap, but when it comes to getting the business done, they don´t come better than quick Nick. :clap:


+1 :up:

(Honestly, I never understood the Kubica hype.)

#67 Levike

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 12:12

Originally posted by Melbourne Park
I gave my vote to Kazuki Nakajima. I was sure he would bin the car. He's a rookie despite I think a race last year. And japanese. The Japanese are paying lots of F1 bills at the moment. So its good he's stolen some points. He's there for Toyota I think - he sure paid Toyota back for that effort this weekend. No way he expected to get a single point. He's not seen Melbourne before. The Williams didn't run on Friday due to gearbox issues either. In the race, he was beaten by Lewis Hamilton in the fast McLaren, but he came in a place behind the other McLaren. His points - all three of them - pushed Williams into #2 constructer at the moment. I reckon 3 points for him was totally unexpected, more so than any of the other competitors excepting excepting Bourdois. But he beat him anyway so for me its the Japanese gentleman.
:clap:


At least he should have a big penalty instead of points. If i saw correctly he pushed off poor Kubica just for fun.

The man of the race was Bourdais... :)

#68 Georg_Kuyumji

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 12:16

Originally posted by Stibbles


WFT?? Fernando was BEHIND a Bourdais in a TRF when the TRF stopped (Ferrari engine failure?). Bourdais was pulling away from Fred. How does that make FA a better choice for Drover of the day?


As I said, Bourdais had a great run, I'm happy to see him finally in F1. But Alonso was my driver of the Race yesterday because simply he entertained me best. He was very very aggressive, despite his car beeing very twitchy and lacking Grip, I dont know how we often we saw him sideaways, throwing dust up, struggeling with the cars balance but still going fast and fighting for positions. It was exciting to watch, he was having his hands full. That was very entertaining.

#69 Gareth

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 12:19

Originally posted by micra_k10
Driver of the race Kimi Räikkönen. Showed again how the raise from the back is done. Great stuff.

Wow, are there any circumstances in which you wouldn't think Kimi was driver of the race?

Originally posted by Arrow/DavidG/RTX/Asperon/Durant/any others that I may have missed as he changes name so frequently
Alonso deserves it just for overtaking both Kimi and Heikki in the one corner. Imagine if Hamilton did that even in the best car, it would have been called the greatest move in history, the instinct and vision of a true champion, blah blah. Because Alonso did it, its almost ignored.

It was a fantastic move, and Alonso is certainly one of the contenders for driver of the day if not the driver of the day.

Shame your bitterness towards the man that matched him last year means you can't just be chuffed with a quality Alonso move and race, that chip on your shoulder is massive.

PS look at the poll results so far, I don't think Alonso's move and race has been ignored ...

#70 Atic Atac

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 12:40

Even beeing a FA fan, i have voted for Hamilton.

Making a perfect race is not fun to watch, but he has been so solid without making almost any mistakes that i have to vote him. All the doubts about his ability for seting up the car have been completely evaporated.

Kova made an amazing race, which got messed up due to the 3rd SC. I really think that he could have put LH in danger on the final stint. But his last error was too much for a pro driver.

Kimi was the best driver till he made the mistake hunting kova. (from 15th to 3rd... amazing)

Alonso was both lucky and unlucky. Safety cars ****ed him twice but errors and breakdowns put him back in a good position. Second best driver IMO.

#71 kar

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 12:41

Sadly the overtake while great was greatly aided by the Ferrari engine packing it in and Heikki being a bit caught unawares.

But I still voted Alonso as driver of the day he was frankly outstanding given his machinery.

#72 Randy Martin

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 12:51

Originally posted by ex Rhodie racer
I voted for Nick Heidfeld. He drove, as he always does, a super intelligent race. The lad knows how to finish races, and that is why he will always feature high up in the points at the end of a season. His teammate might be quicker over one lap, but when it comes to getting the business done, they don´t come better than quick Nick. :clap:


I have to agree. Nothing fancy but he put the BMW in the best finishing position possible. Only Hamilton outraced him and as good as the BMW has become it's still no McLaren.

#73 Melbourne Park

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:05

Originally posted by Levike


At least he should have a big penalty instead of points. If i saw correctly he pushed off poor Kubica just for fun.

The man of the race was Bourdais... :)

Maybe! ;) Well into the race, they were still around the 15th though. So I took some of the driver issues out of it. And despite the great effort of Bourdais, IMO Vettel is more promising. It will be fun to watch Malaysia and how Naka, Bourdais and Vettel compare. Considering how many didn't finish, and the low probability I gave Naka of finishing, to get three points was - for me at least - unbelievable. And when looking at the points, it wasn't all about driving fast in that race.



#74 Domination

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:13

All the votes for Kimi shows you the power of the fanboy. He can do nothing wrong. Being stuck behind a inferior car for 18 laps and going off twice in spectacular fashion trying to blindly overtake cars doesn't make you a driver of the race.

#75 paffett4F1

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:21

Originally posted by Domination
All the votes for Kimi shows you the power of the fanboy. He can do nothing wrong. Being stuck behind a inferior car for 18 laps and going off twice in spectacular fashion trying to blindly overtake cars doesn't make you a driver of the race.


Gotta agree with you here, Kimi did drive a really good first 2kms but then spent the next half hour stuck behind Rubens before completely losing his head.

I'd give him driver of the first half lap but not of the day!

#76 Domination

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:24

Originally posted by paffett4F1


Gotta agree with you here, Kimi did drive a really good first 2kms but then spent the next half hour stuck behind Rubens before completely losing his head.

I'd give him driver of the first half lap but not of the day!


I also think his first lap was nothing to shout about. Anyone could have climbed up places in that Ferrari at the start.

#77 kar

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:25

Originally posted by paffett4F1


Gotta agree with you here, Kimi did drive a really good first 2kms but then spent the next half hour stuck behind Rubens before completely losing his head.

I'd give him driver of the first half lap but not of the day!


So driving with a super tanker of fuel on soft tyres for half the race in traffic, getting screwed by safety cars and ultimately his engine while still making the most _on_track_ overtaking moves of the race isn't worthy of some consideration for driver of the day? I thought you guys wanted to see racing, not cruise n collect from pole? Or McMobileChicanery?

His mistake behind glock was inexcusable, but his forced error trying to pass McMobileChicane not so much.

He wasn't driver of the day in my view but I can certainly see some fairly compelling arguments for his case anyway.

#78 noikeee

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:26

Originally posted by Domination


I also think his first lap was nothing to shout about. Anyone could have climbed up places in that Ferrari at the start.


Sure. Ask yourself what would a Felipe Massa do if he had the chance of starting in a Ferrari. ;)

#79 Anomander

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:30

His mistake behind glock was inexcusable, but his forced error trying to pass McMobileChicane not so much.


As pointed out to you by many others, Kovi had just pitted and come out heavier with fuel and so was going to be slower then the lighter ferrari, last time I looked, FIA hadn't changed the rules that if you drive a Ferrari you must be allowed to pass.

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#80 paffett4F1

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:33

Originally posted by kar


So driving with a super tanker of fuel on soft tyres for half the race in traffic, getting screwed by safety cars and ultimately his engine is worthy of some consideration for driver of the day?

His mistake behind glock was inexcusable, but his forced error trying to pass McMobileChicane not so much.

He wasn't driver of the day in my view but I can certainly see some fairly compelling arguments for his case anyway.


A couple of points

Fat with Fuel - yep give you that

Soft tyres - the view is that Ferrari preferred these as they put them back onto FM's car when he pitted for a new nose at the start.

Why was his error behind Kovy a forced error?

#81 masasa

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:35

Originally posted by Domination
All the votes for Kimi shows you the power of the fanboy. He can do nothing wrong. Being stuck behind a inferior car for 18 laps and going off twice in spectacular fashion trying to blindly overtake cars doesn't make you a driver of the race.


I would understand all you who want to crusify Kimi better if Kimi would have been slow in the race or made mistakes in a clear air/not during overtaking attempt. Or if Kimi would have just played it safe not even trying to overtake and not push the car to the limit trying to reach the podium.

I also understand perfectly why people have other drivers in mind when they think who was the driver of the race. If you consider driver of the race as a guy who does least mistakes or finish the race in a good position(relative to the car they are driving) then of course you are not going to pick Kimi. But if you search for a driver who had to fight the whole race, constantly trying to overtake and take risks even if it lead to mistakes, then it is perfectly understandable if you pick Kimi.

#82 kar

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:40

Originally posted by paffett4F1


A couple of points

Fat with Fuel - yep give you that

Soft tyres - the view is that Ferrari preferred these as they put them back onto FM's car when he pitted for a new nose at the start.

Why was his error behind Kovy a forced error?


Because it was under braking with Kovaleinen in the proper braking area and Kimi off line, in otherwords if Kovaleinen wasn't there 99% likelihood there'd have been no off track excursion.

With the Glock mistake it was a simple case of Kimi running it off the road he was in the proper braking area and he had enough room to put the car wherever he wanted and he simply got it wrong, thus an unforced error.

With the tyre situation - I agree that Ferrari said it preferred the softer tyre, but regardless of that running that many laps on a softer compound means that at the end of the stint the tyre is going to be more worn than had he ran on a harder tyre. Over the whole stint the soft tyre may well still be superior but towards the end of it, it's going to be tricky.

Especially when running so long in traffic which increases wear even further (less downforce means more reliance on mechanical grip and hence wear).

To reiterate, I don't think he was 'dod' but his performance was certainly excellent but for the Glock error. And I can see some logic for some people deciding that making on track passes with worn tyres and heavy fuel loads and starting from 15th on the grid and making it to p2 is worthy of dod.

You know in contrast to leading from lights to flag in the races fastest car.

#83 Domination

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:44

Originally posted by kar


Because it was under braking with Kovaleinen in the proper braking area and Kimi off line, in otherwords if Kovaleinen wasn't there 99% likelihood there'd have been no off track excursion.


Except that's not what happened and Kimi should have known better. However you want to find excuse, Kimi made a stupid unforced driver's error for a WDC. Did you expect Kova to move out of his line just so that Kimi could enter the proper braking area?

#84 paffett4F1

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 13:53

Originally posted by kar


Because it was under braking with Kovaleinen in the proper braking area and Kimi off line, in otherwords if Kovaleinen wasn't there 99% likelihood there'd have been no off track excursion.



I accept what you say about all the circumstances but to say it is an unforced error is wrong. You drive the car that's underneath you on the peice of track you are on, Kimi put that car on that piece of tarmac at the wrong speed, in fact he was way too fast, he wouldn't have made the corner at that speed even if he had the racing line.

#85 kar

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 14:01

Originally posted by paffett4F1

I accept what you say about all the circumstances but to say it is an unforced error is wrong. You drive the car that's underneath you on the peice of track you are on, Kimi put that car on that piece of tarmac at the wrong speed, in fact he was way too fast, he wouldn't have made the corner at that speed even if he had the racing line.


To say it is an unforced error is wrong? :) :wave: I reckon I was trying to say it was rather a _forced_ error, and you lot are trying to argue it differently.

a) Had he been in the proper braking area he wouldn't have gone off track - had he carried that speed into the corner he'd have gone into the back of Kovaleinen, so odds are he'd have braked earlier. Had Kovaleinen not even been there, again, he wouldn't have needed or even attempted to carry so much speed into the corner, hence it was a forced error.

And that's the point, it _was_ a mistake, no debate there. But it was a mistake borne about by trying to make an overtaking move when another car is in the ideal track position. That is was an error is not at issue - it was - but it was an error brought about by another car being in the better position and Kimi still trying to make the overtake.

Hence it is a forced error.

b) The circumstances between the Kovaleinen incident and the Glock one are pretty clear, yes or no?
Kimi was in the right spot and could go whereever he wanted on the ideal line. He screwed up by going to wide, Glock had nothing to do with it.

Hence an unforced error.

#86 1george

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 14:51

Bourdais - first race, driving a ToroRosso and I think was the first time he raced at Melbourne.

Alonso - fantastic start, nice overtake to Rosberg? at the beginning and the double one to both finnish. Unlucky with the SC.

Hamilton - very good drive during the whole race.

#87 paffett4F1

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 15:57

Originally posted by kar


To say it is an unforced error is wrong? :) :wave: I reckon I was trying to say it was rather a _forced_ error, and you lot are trying to argue it differently.

a) Had he been in the proper braking area he wouldn't have gone off track - had he carried that speed into the corner he'd have gone into the back of Kovaleinen, so odds are he'd have braked earlier. Had Kovaleinen not even been there, again, he wouldn't have needed or even attempted to carry so much speed into the corner, hence it was a forced error.

And that's the point, it _was_ a mistake, no debate there. But it was a mistake borne about by trying to make an overtaking move when another car is in the ideal track position. That is was an error is not at issue - it was - but it was an error brought about by another car being in the better position and Kimi still trying to make the overtake.

Hence it is a forced error.

b) The circumstances between the Kovaleinen incident and the Glock one are pretty clear, yes or no?
Kimi was in the right spot and could go whereever he wanted on the ideal line. He screwed up by going to wide, Glock had nothing to do with it.

Hence an unforced error.



I think we can pretty much agree on this, I still struggle with the forced error point as he made the choice to dive for the corner but I was under the impression you were arguing that it wasn't his fault, which you're not you are just arguing that there were mitigating factors which is true.

And, as you say, a driver with these errors can't really be dod

#88 Alfisti

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 16:16

After re-watching the race, Alonso was mega.

#89 howardt

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 16:39

Originally posted by Durant
It was just luck.

Yes, another lucky win for Hamilton. I can't believe how fortunate he was to be out in front unchallenged for the whole race. His lucky pole lap meant that he had the advantage, and even then he was still lucky to make a clean start and get into turn one first, thus handing him a huge advantage on a plate. He benefitted from all the safety cars by having his lead eroded three times so that he could pull away from the pack again in clear air. He was lucky that he stayed way ahead of Massa for the whole race, and thus prevented the Ferrarista from crashing into him. If all 16 cars that retired from the race had finished in front of Hamilton, he would have been classified 17th (and in the BEST CAR*!!). And of course most of all he was lucky to jump straight from his pram into the best car* (as he is at every race ever), without having to graduate by winning championships in all those lower formulae.
:rolleyes:

(*Obviously "best car" is Ferrari, until it comes to comparing performance of drivers, when it becomes clear that the Mclaren is a far faster car than a Ferrari/Renault, and only vastly superior driver talent makes up the performance gap.)

Back OT :
For my money Kimi is the fastest guy on the F1 circuit, but definitely not in Melbourne. This was the worst drive that I have seen from Kimi. Possibly he was the most spectacular, but definitely *not* driver of the day.
Lewis wasn't really stretched. It was a very schumacher-esque "easy" win. Impressive as that is, I don't think we saw the best of him.
I actually think Alonso made the best of what he had. Certainly in terms of 'outperforming-your-teammate-over-a-weekend', he comes out looking the best. And I managed to avoid any press coverage of him whining, so I'm gonna go with Frednando. (btw, it looks suspiciously like Alonso has received about 40 votes in half an hour to bump him up the poll ratings - some people...)

#90 F1 Tor.

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 16:55

Originally posted by Alfisti
After re-watching the race, Alonso was mega.


I would have to agree. However, I think Flavio will regret putting Nelson in the car. I know it's early days yet and NP can do better but if he gets that destroyed by Alonso on a consistent basis, it doesn't do anyone any good in moving the team forward. Having Alonso as your no.1 is one thing. Having a walk in the park over your teammate every race is bad and could, potentially, destroy Piquet's confidence, nevermind cost you points in the constructor's battle. We shall see. :wave:

#91 FonzCam

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 17:01

Originally posted by WildmouseX
which Sebastien, wasn't vettle and bourdais in the race? (BTW have it taped, haven't watched)


One is Sébastien (Bourdais) the other is Sabastan (Vettel)


As to the topic at hand, the guy to beat is Hamilton because he was the winner of the race and therefore must have driven well (as opposed to driving badly and loosing). Lewis didn't make any mistakes and so you can't really justify giving it to anyone who screwed up and lost places so we can say goodbye to Kazuki, Reubens, Kimi and Heikki. Hamilton was also consistant and didn't suddently loose pace so for that we can drop Kubica.
Nothing I saw from any drivers in this race was enough to make up for making a costly mistake.

So it's between the top 4 and Bourdais, they all drove clean, consistant races and had some luck in their pitstops not getting hit by safety cars. For the most part they just drove well and all ahead of them fell off the road. In each others cars they would have probably had similar results.

Alonso and Lewis were fast, consistant and drove great races but they've been there before. Lewis was the class of the field but it was an easy race for him. For Alonso 4th place is nothing new. For Sebastien and Nico to hold it together like they did was impressive but I'm going to go with Nico because although Sebastien is an F1 rookie he has a lot of experience winning big races. For Nico it's been a while and he was clearly extatic but didn't let the excitement get the better of him.

#92 FonzCam

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 17:04

Originally posted by howardt

Back OT :


Is that back ON topic of back OFF, I'm having a hard time working it out :rotfl:

#93 alg7_munif

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 21:55

There is a similiar poll on Formula1.com however Fred is not a candidate for the award.

#94 inca_roads

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 22:37

Originally posted by kar


To reiterate, I don't think he was 'dod' but his performance was certainly excellent but for the Glock error. And I can see some logic for some people deciding that making on track passes with worn tyres and heavy fuel loads and starting from 15th on the grid and making it to p2 is worthy of dod.

You know in contrast to leading from lights to flag in the races fastest car.


He ****ed up twice massively. (remember the reaction on here to Massa going off trying to pass Hamilton in Malaysia last year?) There is no way he can be considered driver of the race. If a McLaren driver had done what Kimi did, you wouldn't even entertain the idea of him being the best performer of the race.

And regarding the lights to flag victory, Hamilton's performance was made to look easy because of the quality of his drive. He had the advantage, although we don't know what the pace of the Ferrari really was like. But what's he supposed to do to get any credit if qualifies on pole? You should remember many of Schumacher's lights to flag victories, surely? Did you trash all of them also?

#95 Zarathustra

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Posted 17 March 2008 - 23:23

Kimi was running behind Kovalainen when he retired. He had unforced errors behind Kovi and behind Glock. His only overtake of the race (after the first corner) was on a Honda lapping much slower than the Ferrari did immediately after and took him something like 18 laps to work up to it. He couldn't get past Bourdais or Glock, and let both Heikki and Alonso past him. I think it was Kimi's worst race in F1.

Hamilton did everything he could do. Not his fault no-one really challenged him.

Heikki would get my vote but for his button-pressing. It was a daft way to waste the position he'd just fought so hard for. He kept everyone behind him but for that mistake and was unlucky to lose his second place due to the safety car.

Rosberg had a great race but he didn't overtake anyone - spent most of the race following Heidfeld around. Heidfeld had a great race but only got past Rosberg in the pits. Nothing really interesting happened to either of them but they deserved their podiums.

Alonso was in the right place at the right time to take advantage of the Kimi/Kovi fight and only re-took Kovi through luck. We don't know how bad the Renault truly is, so it's hard to know if his drive was good or amazing. Time will tell.

For now I'll go with Hamilton.

#96 blackgerby

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Posted 18 March 2008 - 00:28

Gotta to go with Bourdais. Feels very strange having been rooting against him for the last four years :)

#97 Juan Kerr

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Posted 18 March 2008 - 00:35

Originally posted by Formulaonefan
fools voted Hamilton who won from pole, can't even win from second, looks like a villenueve, and again, Heikki with optimum strategy would win. No comments.

Hamilton is a fantastic overtaker, exquisit braking touch and on-edge driving style without the mistakes that go with it. Question is are you going to be man enough to say that your comment was inaccurate when he wins from 2nd or 3rd or 4th ?

#98 Melbourne Park

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Posted 18 March 2008 - 00:38

Originally posted by Juan Kerr
Hamilton is a fantastic overtaker, exquisit braking touch and on-edge driving style without the mistakes that go with it. Question is are you going to be man enough to say that your comment was inaccurate when he wins from 2nd or 3rd or 4th ?


That is only likely if he messed up a qualifying, which would be bad driving. Because the McLaren's current competitive advantage, is its qualifying pace. It's still likely that Ferrari has a mid race speed advantage. So I don't see LH being able to win from behind, unless he messes up qualifying.

#99 metz

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Posted 18 March 2008 - 02:14

Originally posted by cardin


That amazes me and he has more votes than Rubens.

I'm sure that these polls are not much more than popularity polls.

We have one guy who drives a flawless race and moves his car from 5th to 2nd.

And we have another driver that has a BETTER car, makes a huge mistake and drops his car from 3nd to 5th.

Guess who wins the poll by a 2 to 1 margin..... :

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#100 pedrovski

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Posted 18 March 2008 - 03:01

Originally posted by Durant


You make it sound like he used skill to dodge those SC's. It was just luck. Alonso deserves it just for overtaking both Kimi and Heikki in the one corner. Imagine if Hamilton did that even in the best car, it would have been called the greatest move in history, the instinct and vision of a true champion, blah blah. Because Alonso did it, its almost ignored.


:up: That's exactly it. It's always good when a great champion like Alonso is in a bad car you get to see all his abilities, when they are out front winning it's easy to take them for granted.