Monaco GP Thread '06

[iGav]

Now that the race is over and Schu managed to bag 4 points Whitemarsh and at least one other asshat thinks he should have been banned from the race.

Me thinks Whitmarsh need to worry more about learning how to screw together a reliable car, than trying to ban the competition.

 

[bartelby]

Though I reckon had he have just kissed the wall and damaged the wing, he would've been able to change that in parc ferme, and he probably would've got away with it too as it would've looked far more legit. heheh.

hehehe. He'll probably do that next year.

Me thinks Whitmarsh need to worry more about learning how to screw together a reliable car, than trying to ban the competition.

Couldn't agree more!

 

[adk]

Me thinks Whitmarsh need to worry more about learning how to screw together a reliable car, than trying to ban the competition.

I agree. Putting aside the controversy of whether or not he did that intentionally during qualifying, Starting in pit lane and finishing with points is a great accomplishment, and this guy just needs to stop whining.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Like other people have said, I think that Schumi may have just screwed up on that turn but he got the penalty because of some crazy moves that he's done in the past. As far as cheating is concerned, McLaren and Renault cheat as much as Ferrari IMHO...Ferarri just has more success with it.

Nice drive from Webbo though, he deserved a better result than he got.

 

[Counterfit]

Indeed! I too would like to hear what he has got to say about this statement because if he is accusing me of being racist in any way then he is an idiot and can go fornicate with himself!

Now, see, this is why I didn't actually reply. Because I would have ended up saying something that breaks the rules, like, oh, calling him an idiot (oh wait, you just called me and idiot, and suggested I go **** myself. Great. )
Honestly, I'm quite tired of Michael being vilified every time he does something to the detriment of another driver, even when it's a mistake, or the other driver was trying something that wouldn't work anyway.
I guess it comes from being at the top. Microsoft gets railed on a lot of things here, even though they're commonplace in the industry, the Yankees get railed on for stuff (oh ****, am I defending the Yankees?! ), etc. etc. I think it happens most for Michael in Britain simply because he's not British, rather than him being German (though I have seen that opinion stated as well. Thankfully, it's rare). A quick look at the BBC forums can show you how bad some people are. The tabloids are even worse, but then, they are the tabloids. But it's not just Britain that deal with this kind of issue, it happens all too often in the U.S., but with entire series, rather than single drivers. I guess I'm just tired of people caring about nationality so much. Perhaps not having a "home-town" driver to root for for the last 13 seasons (even though I only started watching in 98) has made me not care about what nationality my favorite driver is, but how he conducts himself on and off the track (the only off-track incidents I can recall for Schumi involve Senna and a brake test (Monaco?) and with Coulthard at Spa).


Alright, I rambled quite a bit there, which happens when you spend a few hours on one post.

 

[JFreak]

I think it happens most for Michael in Britain simply because he's not British, rather than him being German

In my opinion you are wrong about this, because even though I'm a finn and really know nothing about this, I believe that England will never forget what Germany did in WW2.

By the way, England declared war to Finland during the WW2. It was 6. of december in 1942, and as you might know it's our national day. I take it as a perfect example of british humor

 

[JFreak]

English (in particular) dislike Schumacher for what happened in 1994

EVERYONE (who dislikes Schumi) dislikes him just for that. It was very clear that he did not deserve his first title, and that stain will never go away. In my eyes he's the unworthiest champion of them all, because his "dynasty" began with illegal moves.

Perhaps the Schumi-Ferrari era would have come no matter what, but it's always nice to wonder: what if he did not win the 1994 title?

Oh, well...

 

[bartelby]

I couldn't give a f**k he's German, just like I wouldn't care if he was French, American or a ***** Martian!
I don't like HIM, ONE GUY NOT A WHOLE ***** NATION.
Get it through your head that some people just don't like Ferrari or anything to do with them!
I don't support any team, I'm not interested in that side of thing's. I like watching a good and FAIR race weekend!

The fact that you even imply I was being racist is highly offensive!

If it wasn't for the fact I've just renewed my subscription I'd stop visiting this site!

 

[Counterfit]

I couldn't give a f**k he's German, just like I wouldn't care if he was French, American or a ***** Martian!
I don't like HIM, ONE GUY NOT A WHOLE ***** NATION.
Get it through your head that some people just don't like Ferrari or anything to do with them!
I don't support any team, I'm not interested in that side of thing's. I like watching a good and FAIR race weekend!

First off, him being French etc. wouldn't change my statement at all, because he would still be non-British.
Secondly, your contention that Ferrari/Jean Todt are the whiniest is completely off base. It's common knowledge that the title belongs to Paul Stoddard. And it was Flavio who was going nuts about this situation (and every time I watch it, it looks more and more unintentional. Anyone else notice how slow that marshal moved when he saw the car stopped? That happened too much this weekend, and at previous Monaco GPs, and it needs to stop)

The fact that you even imply I was being racist is highly offensive!

Actually, I implied you were being somewhat xenophobic, rather than racist.

EVERYONE (who dislikes Schumi) dislikes him just for that. It was very clear that he did not deserve his first title, and that stain will never go away. In my eyes he's the unworthiest champion of them all, because his "dynasty" began with illegal moves.

This post (following around 5+ pages of discussion, structured like a court case) pretty much sums up the incident fairly well, and I agree with their conclusion. (I also think that type of forum is a good idea, and I hope there's one still continuing.)

 

[bartelby]

Maybe I should have pointed out I hate Ron Dennis too.

I can't be arsed to continue this...

 

[iGav]

EVERYONE (who dislikes Schumi) dislikes him just for that. It was very clear that he did not deserve his first title, and that stain will never go away.

Honestly I don't know how you can say that he didn't deserve it, the only reason it went to the wire in 1994 was because the FIA came down unduly hard on Schumacher on a couple of occasions (Silverstone and Spa for example) during the season to artifically close the World Championship that year (Schumacher was running away with both before Senna's death and afterwards).

Hate him or not, he was nothing other than scintillating that year and fully deserved the Championship, you cannot erase his drives from throughout the season because he clashed with Hill in one race, lets not forget... is Hill chastised the same for his 'Bump 'N' Go' driving in 1995??? or how about Senna??? or even Mika???

He was just as awesome in 1997, but ruined it with a stupid error, and was rightly stripped of his 2nd place... which is another thing, the myth that Schumacher is never punished.

Perhaps the Schumi-Ferrari era would have come no matter what, but it's always nice to wonder: what if he did not win the 1994 title?

He would've won 1995 we should consider ourselves fortunate however that he never did a Senna and chased the best car, imagine... Schumacher in a Williams in 1996 and 1997, then McLaren in 1998-2000 then Ferrari 2001-2004, then Renault 2005-2006 imagine how dull F1 would've been then... we've seen EXACTLY what Schumacher is capable of with the dominant car, now imagine that every year.

I don't think you have to like Schumacher to appreciate that for the most part (with exceptions, but then all the greats have exceptions whether it be Fangio, Prost, Senna, Hakkinen or Alonso) what he's done in and for F1.

 

[iGav]

From ITV-F1

Schuey – The Truth !

The real reason behind Michael Schumacher’s apparent moment of madness in qualifying at Monaco has been explained.

According to a source close to the driver it was indeed an accident, but not one that the FIA’s software expert was likely to pick up.

The source told us today that: “Michael had been running well, up until the corner at Rascasse when he was momentarily distracted, causing him to miss his braking point and slide off towards the barrier.”

Distraction is not normally something that would trouble the seven times world champion, but on this occasion it was Schuey’s supreme peripheral vision that caught him out.

Just as the Ferrari driver turned into the corner he noticed on his left that the Red Bull base, H.M.S Energy Station 2, had slipped its moorings and was heading, replete with important guests, straight towards Flavio Briatore’s yacht.

As if that were not enough, on his right hand side, in the Rascasse café he spotted ex-team mate, Eddie Irvine and former Baywatch babe, Pamela Anderson sharing a banana daiquiri.

Our source added: "All of this was a bit too much, and caused Michael’s semi-accident. Sadly the FIA refused to believe this somewhat bizarre chain of events and docked all of his qualifying times."

 

[bartelby]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

That's the best excuse ever!!

If he had said that in the press conference, none of this would have happened!!

 

[iGav]

Nice drive from Webbo though, he deserved a better result than he got.

Both he and Kimi were looking really strong, regardless of what stuff Renault were coming out with post race regarding Alonso 'controlling' the race, had either the McLaren or Williams have held out, and the safety car hadn't appeared, then I doubt Alonso would've won.

Kimi's move on Webber up to Casino was really good though, great example of instinctual overtaking, both he and Alonso are fantastic at that.

 

[iGav]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

That's the best excuse ever!!

If he had said that in the press conference, none of this would have happened!!

The worst thing is up until the 5th paragraph... I was believing it.

 

[bartelby]

The worst thing is up until the 5th paragraph... I was believing it.

Worse than reading it all and not really paying attention and thinking it seemed pretty reasonable?

 

[iTwitch]

EVERYONE (who dislikes Schumi) dislikes him just for that. It was very clear that he did not deserve his first title, and that stain will never go away. In my eyes he's the unworthiest champion of them all, because his "dynasty" began with illegal moves.

I remember the secret video of him sanding a bit off the plank in '94. I thought it was funny that they banned him, took away points yet he was still in the hunt at the end. If he delibrately took out Hill I'm sure he saw it as a reasonable response?

Oh, and it's not like Hill every took him off, I guess all the gentleman racer comments I used to read only goes so far?

 

[MacRy]

Now, see, this is why I didn't actually reply. Because I would have ended up saying something that breaks the rules, like, oh, calling him an idiot (oh wait, you just called me and idiot, and suggested I go **** myself.

If you generalise the feelings and actions of an entire nation and effectively call them a bunch of racist xenophobes (which regardless of what you may think - is what you actually did), then you sir are the bigot and deserve to be told where to go and what to do to yourself when you get there! I don't appreciate having someone tell me what kind of a person I am when they don't know a thing about me, particularly when it is based on an opinion.

You are obviously a Schumacher fan and won't have a bad word said about him because his mannerisms and demeanour in the press conference where not those of an innocent man. I do think that he made a genuine mistake heading into that corner and then made a bigger one by choosing to do what he did after his instincts cut in.

The irony in all of this of course is in my surname.....Fisher....now where do you suppose that name originates from then? Can you guess my family's origins I wonder..........

 

[MacRy]

Kimi's move on Webber up to Casino was really good though, great example of instinctual overtaking, both he and Alonso are fantastic at that.

I agree. I think I may have said this before in one of these GP threads but I love watching Kimi race. For me he is the most exciting F1 racer out there at the moment. He's so aggresive and up for it, you can tell that he really wants the win at all costs.

Reminds me of Hakkinen in some respects - must be something about the Nordic blood Who can forget his stunning overtaking move at Spa in 2000! Breathtaking!

 

[iGav]

I agree. I think I may have said this before in one of these GP threads but I love watching Kimi race. For me he is the most exciting F1 racer out there at the moment. He's so aggresive and up for it, you can tell that he really wants the win at all costs.

It a shame that we're not being treated to an Alonso Vs. Raikkonen Vs. Schumacher fest every race, it's almost like the gods don't want a 3 way fight for the championship... either Schumacher does something completely stupid and or Kimi blows up. We've seen a couple of races this season with Alonso and Schumacher going at it hammer and tongs, but imagine if Kimi was there as well... a proper 3 way battle for the championship... or in other words the holy grail.

This year was arguably going to be our best opportunity of seeing such a championship, Renault remain fast and reliable, Ferrari have fought back from last season, and McLaren looked like carrying their speed over into this season, and we have 3 of the closest matched drivers imaginable... but we've just not quite seen it materialise have we, with the exception of the odd race.

 

[MacRy]

It a shame that we're not being treated to an Alonso Vs. Raikkonen Vs. Schumacher fest every race, it's almost like the gods don't want a 3 way fight for the championship... either Schumacher does something completely stupid and or Kimi blows up. We've seen a couple of races this season with Alonso and Schumacher going at it hammer and tongs, but imagine if Kimi was there as well... a proper 3 way battle for the championship... or in other words the holy grail.

This year was arguably going to be our best opportunity of seeing such a championship, Renault remain fast and reliable, Ferrari have fought back from last season, and McLaren looked like carrying their speed over into this season, and we have 3 of the closest matched drivers imaginable... but we've just not quite seen it materialise have we, with the exception of the odd race.

It's incredibly frustrating isn't it. I would love to be able to see Alonso and Kimi battling against Shumacher whilst he is still in his prime. I have an engineer friend who makes parts for F1 cars and whenever Kimi's car blows up I phone him and blame him for ruining another potentially great race He is always quick to point out that it was a failure not attributed to his parts.....then again everyone in F1 knows a good excuse or two don't they

I'm sure we're going to get a good three way battle at some point this year though. Here's hoping....

 

[takao]

i don't think it will evolve into a 3 man battle this season.. i think the reliability of the renaults especially untill now combined with alonso's nearly clockwork likedriving simply was too much ... ferrari can keep up with their always top notch strategies and through the sheer skill of Michael but mclaren somehow lacks the minimal amount of reliability to be on top

Kimi is clearly up there with Alonso and Michael in terms of talent but compared to them he sometimes doesn't know when to hold back a little

kinda funny to have a spanish racer who keeps cool and a Finn who sometimes is too aggressive

 

[Jedi128]

I would have loved to see a 3 way battle this year, but I dont think Kimi is really in contention any more. And in a couple of races Schumi might not be either. Alonso and Renault have not made any mistakes to this point. A 21 point lead in the drivers championship is going to be tough for Schumi to catch up to. Next year we may see these three drivers battle it out where they all will hopefully have a shot at the championship. I really hope Kimi goes to Ferrari, and with Alonso at McLaren they all might be on the same level. The question is, who will rise to the occasion for Renault?

 

[iTwitch]

McLaren in '07, I don't know? With Newey leaving McLaren may be a bit lost? Could be their problem now, at least in part?

 

[MacRy]

I should have been a little clearer when I said three way battle. I meant in terms of in a single race and not the championship. I agree that Kimi is probably out of contention for this season.