182 replies to this topic

[Roots]

"David Coulthard left the Suzuka paddock last night without attending the McLaren Mercedes party fuelling rumours that he might not be staying at the team next season after all."
Source

A sign of things to come? Do I smell Montoya leaving for a McLaren & JV heading back to his roots?

[Enkei]

Originally posted by Roots
"David Coulthard left the Suzuka paddock last night without attending the McLaren Mercedes party fuelling rumours that he might not be staying at the team next season after all."
Source

A sign of things to come? Do I smell Montoya leaving for a McLaren & JV heading back to his roots?

Maybe he was just not happy with the way things went the last two races, too bad for him though. If he had performed better, it wouldn't have happened, I can understand him being disappointed and not being in the mood for a party. No need to start conspiracy theories on a Montoya switch though

[Teez]

Originally posted by Enkei

If he had performed better, it wouldn't have happened,

Thing is, he did perform better; DC was clearly faster than Kimi all weekend, but still had to play second fiddle to the Finn. People often feel bad the few times Rubens has had to do it, so it's only natural that we feel bad for David. I don't think it's too hard to understand how Coulthard must've felt.

[Group B]

Originally posted by Teez

Thing is, he did perform better; DC was clearly faster than Kimi all weekend, but still had to play second fiddle to the Finn. People often feel bad the few times Rubens has had to do it, so it's only natural that we feel bad for David. I don't think it's too hard to understand how Coulthard must've felt.

I'm no DC fan, but he was clearly faster than KR in Japan and one can understand him being miffed at losing one of his only chances to shine this year.

[BRG]

Maybe he just had an early flight home booked and didn't feel like attending a wake for Kimi's WDC hopes?

And a McLaren/Mercedes party really doesn't sound like the bash of the year, does it? Long incomprehensible speeches by Ron, Kimi and Norbert, some dried up sandwiches and a couple of bottles of warm white wine? The food is probably better in First Class...

[Teez]

Originally posted by BRG

And a McLaren/Mercedes party really doesn't sound like the bash of the year, does it? Long incomprehensible speeches by Ron, Kimi and Norbert, some dried up sandwiches and a couple of bottles of warm white wine? The food is probably better in First Class...

I understand that McLaren has one of the top hospitality suites in F1, and that the food is exquisite... But you're probably right about the speeches.

[Sarin]

DC couldn't make the party because he was running up and down the pit lane, cap in hand, trying to secure a new contract.

[troyf1]

Originally posted by Teez

I understand that McLaren has one of the top hospitality suites in F1, and that the food is exquisite... But you're probably right about the speeches.

He probably flew back to his nice big hotel in Monaco and had a good meal and a few drinks

[Scudetto]

I can't speak for you guys, but if I had Simone waiting for me back at my personal hotel in Monaco, I wouldn't see the immediate need to stick around Suzuka and party with Ron and Norby.

[miniman]

Can't blame him. They refuse to sell him the new supercar; they tell him he must let KR go through in Japan when he is clearly faster, i'd be hurt too.

[Arrow]

For him to be pissed for any reason this year is totally out of line.
After wasting the mclaren so badly this year he should of been at the party washing dishes.

[Tuxy]

Yeh...team orders really bite.

[Derbris]

Originally posted by Scudetto
I can't speak for you guys, but if I had Simone waiting for me back at my personal hotel in Monaco, I wouldn't see the immediate need to stick around Suzuka and party with Ron and Norby.

Yuk. Don't be deceived by the pictures.

[Scudetto]

Originally posted by Derbris
Yuk. Don't be deceived by the pictures.

Thanks, but I'd be willing to take my chances.

[RJL]

Originally posted by Scudetto
I can't speak for you guys, but if I had Simone waiting for me back at my personal hotel in Monaco, I wouldn't see the immediate need to stick around Suzuka and party with Ron and Norby.

Exactly what I was thinking. So DC's choice is to go home to his stunning GF or hang out to listen to "Long incomprehensible speeches by Ron, Kimi and Norbert" (thanx BRG). The choice seems pretty damn clear to me... I'd be on the first flight outta there. Particularly given that David had to yield to Kimi even though he (DC) was clearly faster. Personally I thought it a bit lame that they made him finish third even though Kimi's world championship was gone.

[davegp3]

Originally posted by BRG

.... Long incomprehensible speeches by Ron, Kimi and Norbert.....

Please DO NOT USE words LONG+SPEECH+KIMI together!

[Enkei]

Originally posted by RJL


Exactly what I was thinking. So DC's choice is to go home to his stunning GF or hang out to listen to "Long incomprehensible speeches by Ron, Kimi and Norbert" (thanx BRG). The choice seems pretty damn clear to me... I'd be on the first flight outta there. Particularly given that David had to yield to Kimi even though he (DC) was clearly faster. Personally I thought it a bit lame that they made him finish third even though Kimi's world championship was gone.

You never know what might happen so I think McLaren did the right thing to keep David behind Kimi. By doing that they at least avoided an Austria02-like finish.

[agarcia]

Originally posted by davegp3
Please DO NOT USE words LONG+SPEECH+KIMI together!

[Rene]

Originally posted by Teez

Thing is, he did perform better; DC was clearly faster than Kimi all weekend, but still had to play second fiddle to the Finn. People often feel bad the few times Rubens has had to do it, so it's only natural that we feel bad for David. I don't think it's too hard to understand how Coulthard must've felt.

[RJL]

Originally posted by Enkei


You never know what might happen so I think McLaren did the right thing to keep David behind Kimi. By doing that they at least avoided an Austria02-like finish.

While I understand what you're saying, I'd just like to point out that Kimi needed TWO things to happen in order for him to become WDC. BOTH Rubens & Michael would have had to drop out during those final laps in order for Kimi's WDC to become reality. One or the other wouldn't have been enough. Just about impossible I'd say; and as we know with hindsight, NEITHER happened. So DC was forced to finish behind Kimi despite being clearly faster (even though he forfeited his racecar) & with the Finn having gained NOTHING whatsoever from the manipulation. No wonder he didn't go to the damn party. I wouldn't either.

[Chris_Amon]

DC was bounding to the Jaguar motorhome, for sure...

[aportinga]

I don't know if anyone else noticed this but I found it quite strange how DC carefully dropped his champagne to the team without taking a sip. I mean he was lining that drop up for over a minute - with what seemed to be extreme caution as to not have it spill or break. Was that perhaps his last bottle?

[powertrain]

Originally posted by Roots
"David Coulthard left the Suzuka paddock last night without attending the McLaren Mercedes party fuelling rumours that he might not be staying at the team next season after all."
[URL=http://www.f1racing.net/news.php?ID=64342]Source[/URLA sign of things to come? Do I smell Montoya leaving for a McLaren & JV heading back to his roots?

There was nothing to be cheerful about for DC. Given their performance of late perhaps a few other drivers should've skipped the party too: like Ralf, Montoya, Panis...

[zengiman]

It's suspect, DC being a real teamplayer for so long...
Never heard that he avoided Ron's speeches, he must have some earplugs with him after all those years.

Maybe the Montoya thing is true after all..

[Mrv]

Originally posted by BRG
Maybe he just had an early flight home booked and didn't feel like attending a wake for Kimi's WDC hopes?

And a McLaren/Mercedes party really doesn't sound like the bash of the year, does it? Long incomprehensible speeches by Ron, Kimi and Norbert, some dried up sandwiches and a couple of bottles of warm white wine? The food is probably better in First Class...

The food at the Ferrari bash was top notch. Cool Champagne and no dried up sandwiches.

[Chris_Amon]

Ron Dennis paied a lot to have Kimi from Peter Sauber. Why wouldn´t he do the same taking Montoya from Williams?

[K-One]

ronzo left paddock with Adrian straight after GP. Only Norbie stayed. Ronzo did not want to see Ferrari party

[dpardyrx7]

This whole Coulthard - Montoya - Villeneuve thing has me remembering how much Williams and Head denied the rumours that Zinardi was on his way out after the 1999 season. I can't recall how many times the rumours were denied by Sir Frank and Patrick but in the end Alex was gone just as everyone expected. I don't know about anyone else but between the unusual body language, the "lets rally around JV" stories, and the unusual amount of "press" gossip I have a feeling something will happen in the next month or so..... Makes the winter interesting if nothing else.

[Todd]

Originally posted by aportinga
I don't know if anyone else noticed this but I found it quite strange how DC carefully dropped his champagne to the team without taking a sip. I mean he was lining that drop up for over a minute - with what seemed to be extreme caution as to not have it spill or break. Was that perhaps his last bottle?

Do McLaren drivers get to keep their empty podium champagne jeroboams, or do they each go in Ron Dennis personal recycling bin, while the drivers have the option of buying replicas to put on the shelf at home?

[Rene]

Originally posted by Todd


Do McLaren drivers get to keep their empty podium champagne jeroboams, or do they each go in Ron Dennis personal recycling bin, while the drivers have the option of buying replicas to put on the shelf at home?

Thats Great!!

I think Senna managed to sneak one trophy away from Dennis, as did Mika...if memory serves...

[Scudetto]

Todd...good one.

[Ricardo F1]

Originally posted by Chris_Amon
Ron Dennis paied a lot to have Kimi from Peter Sauber. Why wouldn´t he do the same taking Montoya from Williams?

Because Kimi was off to Ferrari if McLaren didn't, Montoya (if rumors are true) has already signed for 2005.

[Arrow]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1


Because Kimi was off to Ferrari if McLaren didn't, Montoya (if rumors are true) has already signed for 2005.

What about 2004?

I would of thought certain victiories and WC contention is worth the rumoured 25 million frank williams is asking.
He would get that with montoya but with DC its as highly unlikely.

He is risking a lot more than 25 million by letting DC occupy the seat of the mp4/19 next year especially considering the stakes will be a lot higher.

[Orrelto]

Originally posted by Teez

Thing is, he did perform better; DC was clearly faster than Kimi all weekend, but still had to play second fiddle to the Finn.

Clearly faster? I'm not quite so sure about that.
Free practices: DC slightly faster.
Q1: Almost identical times despite DC driving in better track conditions.
Q2: Again almost identical despite Kimi having more fuel.
Race: Kimi with 2 stop strategy. No wonder he was slower.
I would say they were about equal.

[checkonetwo]

monty will sit in coulthards car next year, i´m one hundred percent positive on that. the thing i do not know is who will take that empty williams seat...
dc ? jv ? mw ?

[RJL]

alan jones

[maclaren]

Alex Yoong

[steeng]

I would love to see JV at Williams and Coulthard at Jaguar partnering Webber. We would finally get answers to the questions about how good Ralf Schumacher and Mark Webber really are.

Plus I like the idea of the driver that was "worthless and that no other team wanted" going to WIlliams in 2004 and promptly dominating the sport again!

[Roots]

Steeng, I agree 100%

JV will prove all those bashers wrong if given the right equipment!

[Ricardo F1]

Originally posted by Arrow


What about 2004?

I would of thought certain victiories and WC contention is worth the rumoured 25 million frank williams is asking.
He would get that with montoya but with DC its as highly unlikely.

He is risking a lot more than 25 million by letting DC occupy the seat of the mp4/19 next year especially considering the stakes will be a lot higher.

Uh . . . . . no.

[stuck-in-first-gear]

Originally posted by steeng
I would love to see JV at Williams and Coulthard at Jaguar partnering Webber. We would finally get answers to the questions about how good Ralf Schumacher and Mark Webber really are.

or how bad JV really is

[Teez]

Originally posted by Orrelto

Clearly faster? I'm not quite so sure about that.

DC's fastest lap: 1:33.416
KR's fastest lap: 1:34.488

You can see a comparison of their respective lap times during the race on AtlasF1 here:

http://www.atlasf1.c...3&submit=Submit

Seems to me DC was clearly the faster of the two.

[jake]

No need to start conspiracy theories on a Montoya switch though

Yes there is a need.... Enkei's boy Kimi would be in for quite a fight with JPM ... I think it would be brilliant ... they'd be pretty equal and pound each other around. Great news for MS WDC #7!!!!

[Ricardo F1]

Originally posted by Teez

DC's fastest lap: 1:33.416
KR's fastest lap: 1:34.488


Seems to me DC was clearly the faster of the two.

Absolutely - I don't know who in the McLaren garage came up with the two stop idea, it clearly was out of the top draw of dunce moves. But I guess they had to gamble to stand a chance and that's the gamble they took. :

[Todd]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1


Absolutely - I don't know who in the McLaren garage came up with the two stop idea, it clearly was out of the top draw of dunce moves. But I guess they had to gamble to stand a chance and that's the gamble they took. :

When exactly did they take it? What lap did they each make their first stop on?

[Slatz]

Originally posted by Orrelto

Clearly faster? I'm not quite so sure about that.
Free practices: DC slightly faster.
Q1: Almost identical times despite DC driving in better track conditions.
Q2: Again almost identical despite Kimi having more fuel.
Race: Kimi with 2 stop strategy. No wonder he was slower.
I would say they were about equal.

You might want to check your times.

DC was faster all weekend. In final qualifying he was faster in worse conditions in the spare without even a practice session in that car. In the race DC's fastest lap was a seond faster then Kimi's. In fact it was only a few hundredths slower than Ralf's fastest lap. Kimi only set the 7th fastest lap.

[scheivlak]

Originally posted by steeng
I would love to see JV at Williams and Coulthard at Jaguar partnering Webber. We would finally get answers to the questions about how good Ralf Schumacher and Mark Webber really are.

Plus I like the idea of the driver that was "worthless and that no other team wanted" going to WIlliams in 2004 and promptly dominating the sport again!

Somehow you try to make every single thread a JVi thread

[philhitchings]

Originally posted by Todd


Do McLaren drivers get to keep their empty podium champagne jeroboams, or do they each go in Ron Dennis personal recycling bin, while the drivers have the option of buying replicas to put on the shelf at home?

[Ricardo F1]

Originally posted by Todd


When exactly did they take it? What lap did they each make their first stop on?

I would assume just prior to the first stop - Kimi stoped the lap after David but was 2.3 seconds slower in the pits. He was about the same second time around (stopping at lap 33 to DC's 26).

[Todd]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1
I would assume just prior to the first stop - Kimi stoped the lap after David but was 2.3 seconds slower in the pits. He was about the same second time around (stopping at lap 33 to DC's 26).

I thought so. I remember Kimi having a much longer first stop than the other top cars. I think that an argument can be made that DC with full practice time, his race car, and no team orders would have been competitive with Rubens, JPM and Alonso.