Crown

I thought that Kubica was regarded by the other drivers as the best on the grid..Is Massa safe at Ferrrari next year?..

throt

"I didn't do it"

 AFAIK Massa will be in Ferrari next year. And I rumor I heard was that he made a deal with Ferrari in that after his dissapointing performance this year and loosing any posibiliy to fight for the title, that he would not get in Alonso's way for the rest of this season if he got equal chances at the title next year, at least as long as he would be in the fight points wise. But take it as a rumor though 

http://www.wheels24.co.za/FormulaOne/Alonso-voted-best-driver-20100723

Carlos from Spain:

it is said that [Kubica] is a great guy off the track too. Alonso is a friend of Kubica since way back, he is one of Alonso's best friends amongst the drivers, and he always speaks very well of him on that personal level. He seems like a humble down to earth driver. Alonso has also said on ocasion that Kubica one of the best drivers in F1.

 

The other day I read an interview Hamilton gave, and he mentioned something that really surprised me, he said that he now has a very good relationship with Alonso, and that when Alonso is in Zurich for example, they send each other SMS and get together... who would have though 

Yeah, I read that too about Alonso and Kubica. Also, these two guys enjoy playing poker together in their motorhomes at the race weekends

Yeah, I read that story about Alonso and Hamilton. I'm really glad for them that they patched up their differences and now have mutual respect for each other. After all, they are going to be sharing the same bit of tarmac together for the next decade

--

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John H:

Kubica joining Alonso at Ferrari next season would seem to make most sense.... but who knows what politics are prevailing in these matters...

 

I'm sure Kubica has thought about moving to Ferrari and then dismissed the idea. He may be good friends with Alonso, but he knows all too well that being Alonso's team-mate means accepting a supporting role. And Kubica wants to win the drivers' title - he is not going to play that kind of supporting role for anyone.

The cardinal rule in F1 is to beat your team-mate (since you have the same equipment - except for no 2 drivers at Red Bull who have their front wing taken away from them during a race weekend so that it can be given to a new golden boy who has already trashed his own front wing ).

Anyway, Alonso knows this cardinal rule better than anyone.

Massa went from being a Ferrari insider (who even managed to be preferred over a World Champion in Kimi Raikkonen) to being a secondary driver because of 2 main factors IMO: 1) Alonso's performances in qualification and in the race throughout 2010 have left Massa far behind, and 2) I would fully expect that Alonso has had (and continues to have) conversations with Luca di Montezemolo asking for the team to be focussed around him on condition that he continues to deliver at race weekends. And midway through 2010, it became clear to Ferrari that Red Bull was the team to beat and that Ferrari would need to focus all their efforts on Alonso to fight Red Bull since Massa had proved disappointing this season and could no longer be relied upon.

Massa has a contract but it can be bought out if necessary. However, that isn't the Ferrari way. Ferrari continued to pay Kimi Raikkonen even after he left F1. They are Italian and therefore they reward loyalty very much. Luca Badoer was given a race seat in 2009 for a few races while Massa was injured just because Luca was a faithful test driver for so many years. Ferrari stuck with him for a few races even when it became clear after just 1 race that Luca could not drive fast in race conditions and was only embarrassing himself and the team. (He was 1-2 seconds slower per lap in the same car as Alonso). Also, Fisichella sacrificed his future at Force India in 2009 (just after completing a 2nd place podium finish for Force India) and joined Ferrari - so that (in his words) he could one day tell his grandchildren that he once drove for Ferrari. Such loyalty does not go unrewarded at Ferrari who continue to retain Fisichella and Badoer on their payroll. They are there at race weekends in the Ferrari garage. Ferrari is actually paying for them to travel the world just to keep them there and honour their commitment. Other teams would jettison unnecessary baggage in a heartbeat.

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Predictably, only the title contenders' teams are still updating their cars for the race this weekend in Abu Dhabi:

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2010/11/whos-still-updating-cars-as-the-season-comes-to-an-end/

Some useful info too about the main changes next season: double diffusers are out, Pirelli replaces Bridgestone as sole tyre supplier to F1, adjustable rear wings but most surprising of all, the return of KERS.

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Andrew Benson's latest blog on the situation within Red Bull:

www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2010/11/are_red_bull_prepared_to_hand.html

"One thing seems certain - it is hard to believe, after such an extraordinary year of shifting fortunes, that there will not be one final twist in the tale."

Exactly  

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news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9181584.stm

"Many F1 insiders believe that if the situation was reversed, and Vettel was closer to Alonso in the standings, then Webber would be called upon to support the German driver's challenge."

Exactly  

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Courtesy of marca.com, a very neat graphical way of understanding the different championship permutations:

www.marca.com/2010/11/07/motor/formula1/1289160661.html 

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That's a great guide Easy - many thanks..

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."

Vettel fastest in first practice from Hamilton, Button, Webber, Kubica & Alonso.

If the race result were the same this would be the title rankings (using marca.com)

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."

Yeah, I'm loving this interactive guide from marca.com too - really cool

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Live Friday 1st Practice BBC commentary:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9180908.stm

Live Friday 1st Practice commentary:

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/297

 

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Very interesting. Here's some info on which drivers are participating in next week's Pirelli tyre test.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88148

Neither Button nor Hamilton will attend. McLaren say that the tyre will change a lot so there's no point. Instead, Gary Paffett and a couple of new drivers will have a go. Nothing earth-shattering there.

However, now look at who will drive for Mercedes: both Rosberg & Schumi.

For Ferrari: both Alonso & Massa.

For Williams: both Barrichello & Hulkenberg.

So both race drivers in those 3 teams are getting equal access for a first experience of the new tyres.

Then look at Renault and Red Bull.

Only Kubica for Renault. Only Vettel for Red Bull. These IMHO are the 2 teams that are organising themselves around their preferred driver.

IMvHO this little side-story speaks volumes. Webber already knows he is not equal in the eyes of Red Bull's owner and senior management. This just illustrates it again IMO.

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Interesting article from James Allen's blog on the end of season finale:

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2010/11/phoney-war-between-drivers-during-calm-before-storm-in-abu-dhabi/

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easy_rider911:

Very interesting. Here's some info on which drivers are participating in next week's Pirelli tyre test.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88148

Neither Button nor Hamilton will attend. McLaren say that the tyre will change a lot so there's no point. Instead, Gary Paffett and a couple of new drivers will have a go. Nothing earth-shattering there.

However, now look at who will drive for Mercedes: both Rosberg & Schumi.

For Ferrari: both Alonso & Massa.

For Williams: both Barrichello & Hulkenberg.

So both race drivers in those 3 teams are getting equal access for a first experience of the new tyres.

Then look at Renault and Red Bull.

Only Kubica for Renault. Only Vettel for Red Bull. These IMHO are the 2 teams that are organising themselves around their preferred driver.

IMvHO this little side-story speaks volumes. Webber already knows he is not equal in the eyes of Red Bull's owner and senior management. This just illustrates it again IMO.

Good observations Easy..

Also seems as if Hulkenberg could be staying at Williams after all?  His pole position in Brazil could have clinched it for him..

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."

easy_rider911:

Very interesting. Here's some info on which drivers are participating in next week's Pirelli tyre test.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88148

Neither Button nor Hamilton will attend. McLaren say that the tyre will change a lot so there's no point. Instead, Gary Paffett and a couple of new drivers will have a go. Nothing earth-shattering there.

However, now look at who will drive for Mercedes: both Rosberg & Schumi.

For Ferrari: both Alonso & Massa.

For Williams: both Barrichello & Hulkenberg.

So both race drivers in those 3 teams are getting equal access for a first experience of the new tyres.

Then look at Renault and Red Bull.

Only Kubica for Renault. Only Vettel for Red Bull. These IMHO are the 2 teams that are organising themselves around their preferred driver.

IMvHO this little side-story speaks volumes. Webber already knows he is not equal in the eyes of Red Bull's owner and senior management. This just illustrates it again IMO.

 Webber is going to be in the hospital to fix his knee injury (mountain bike accident two years ago). That´s why Webber couldn´t attend the first Pirelli test days.

AM
www.aldo-yachting.de

Thanks for clarifying ALDO

Just my 2 cents - but Webber has many months over the winter break to get surgery to fix his knee. If he could last a gruelling 19 race season with it, a slight delay while he does a tyre test should not be a factor. He even did backflips into the swimming pool aboard Red Bull's yacht after winning Monaco. So, IMvHO it's not a convincing reason.
 
I remain deeply sceptical (and sometimes even suspicious) of the public pronouncements made by Red Bull and/or their drivers. There always seems to be a hidden undercurrent of politics beneath anything they say. It's like there is a message for public consumption and then a real story that insiders only know.

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John H:

Also seems as if Hulkenberg could be staying at Williams after all?  His pole position in Brazil could have clinched it for him..

I think your deduction seems right. Williams has always been ruthless at driver selection. You will recall how they dumped out Damon Hill just after he won the World Championship. They have zero sentiment.

The feeling I have is that Hulkenberg is safe.

AFAIK the doubt surrounds Barrichello. He looked a little flustered at Interlagos because he had been making his case internally for a race seat for 2011 and then he did something a little strange: he started making his case publicly to the F1 media. Everyone knows he is a proven driver, a known quantity, that he has scored the bulk of the Williams points this season but Williams, perhaps more than any other team, usually seeks to build for the future and Sir Frank Williams hates paying too much for his drivers. Barrichello should quietly accept whatever deal he can get if he is to continue his F1 career. Too much 'prima donna' behaviour from him will not go down well with Sir Frank.
 

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Friday 2nd Practice live commentary:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9180908.stm

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/298

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Friday 1st and 2nd Practice lap times

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/results/8499387.stm

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It's looking more and more like, barring an accident or retirement, it's Alonso's title to lose...

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."

Indeed, definately doesn't paint the same picture of RedBull domination on the race as in Brazil or Japan, were Vettel and Webber would get 1º and 2º in both Friday practice sessions, so looks like the race is very open, which favours Alonso's chances of the title with his point lead. 

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MSC will win 

ROFL

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easy_rider911:

Will Webber and Vettel have a chat during the week ahead about what they will do or perhaps there is simply no need for such a conversation? 

 

Webber has confirmed today that he has not spoken yet with Vettel about what they will do if this situation arises.

He is also playing silly mind games about it not being a big deal if he doesn't win it this year. Yeah right man, we believe you, keep drinking the Aussie lager

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23896991-mark-webber-this-is-f1s-greatest-battle-but-its-no-big-deal-if-i-dont-win.do

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I really don't know what Redbull is playing at but doens't look like they are handling the situation well. They are setting themselves to look like idiots wether they win or loose this weekend.

If they end up looisng they will look stupid for throwing away a tittle they had in their pocket with the huge advantage in performance of their vehicle like Brauwn had last year, which Brawn had no trouble capitalising on it.

And if Webber passes Vettel in any way during the race, they will look stupid for using team orders and "artifically" controlling the race results after all they have said in the press about that since German GP right up until this race. Their victory will be completely tainted and winning have a bad press image instead of a positive one, not so much for the team orders themselves, but because they so adamantly opposed it and "publicly" (not privately) championed the cause against them this season.

One way or the other, Redbull stands to lose 

--

BBC's Jonathan Legard on the season's finale:

www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jonathanlegard/2010/11/webber-feeling-the-pressure.html 

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I don't think Red Bull will look like idiots, in the case they finish 1/2 on sunday.

If Vettel wins, one can say they would have the title if not for the team order against Massa. If Vettel lets Webber pass, they are playing by the same book as Ferrari does. 

So we all know that if Vettel wins with Webber 2nd, Alonso can win the title by finishing 3rd or 4th.

If that happens, either way, he will win the DWC by less than the 7 points he gained by Massa letting him through in Germany.

That fact alone would make the status of his title debatable and, it could be said, give Red Bull every excuse to follow suit..

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."