Your F1 2011 season highlight?
Discussion
Well, an absolutely enthrall img F1 season for me.
Vettel endorsed his credentials with a dominating WDC title, and after 47 seconds of the first race it was destined to be. Like the Brawn in 2009 it dominated, however, rather than tailing off like the Brawn, it just kept going, like some Adrian Newey Duracell bunny. Well deserved, and historic season.
Button had a bit of a mixyblob season for me. His race pace and racing brain being very much the positives, whereas his qualifying often meant it was always going to be an uphill struggle. Arguably some of the races of the year, with Canada, and Spa highlights for me. Always a slow starter, his real pace seemed to come in the latter half of the races, coming from some very unlikely positions to get points, podiums, and even an unlikely win. Deapite his qualifying, he did the job he needed to do, most of the time. 2 unfortunate DNF's meant he could have scored higher, but I think he would be happy regardless.
Webber had a relatively poor season, certainly in relation to his teammate, yet despite this, he was still up there in 3rd place at the end, thanks to that somewhat dodgy win. Still, despite not being a winner other than Brazil, he was consistent, and this was what got him the points he needed for 3rd. Unfortunately no-one can really gauge his ability this year. Maybe next year will be different. It's hard to think he got that much worse than 2010.
Alonso. One of the best drivers out there, and dragging the ever improving Ferrari he because a real threat in the last half of the seasons races, of not in the title race. Not really much else to add. He has the talent, and has the desire, it is just down to Ferrari to give him a prancing horse that doesn't prance so much, instead actually goes fast more of the time.
Hamilton. Has the race pace, has the qualifying pace, has the car, but silly mistakes, lack of concentration, or lack of patience seemed to scupper some of his races. I think the pace of Button did surprise him, and to a degree frustrate him, but he's been a racer in F1 for 5 years now, so I don't think it would affect him that much. Next year will undoubtably be different, and he will sort out whatever was getting in the car with him. However, having 2 top drawer drivers in the team will not help them get a championship of the likes of Ferrari and RB surreptitiously run number 1, and number 2 drivers. Will LH be happy with this, or will he seek a climate where he can rule the roost?
Special mention
Jaime Algesuari (sp?)
Excellent season for the young fella. Definitely one to watch for the future, and could we see him in the Redbull at some point? I would like to hope so.
Banzai
Not as nutty this year, I thought. Again, another driver who could well go on to good things at a team with a little more performance.
So... Highlight?
For me, it HAS to be Canada. It will be one of those races that you will never forget. Last to win on the last lap. Proper storybook/Hollywood stuff. Stunning to watch, and well worth watching the rain come down for 3 hours in between stints. I will watch it quite often, I feel.
Vettel endorsed his credentials with a dominating WDC title, and after 47 seconds of the first race it was destined to be. Like the Brawn in 2009 it dominated, however, rather than tailing off like the Brawn, it just kept going, like some Adrian Newey Duracell bunny. Well deserved, and historic season.
Button had a bit of a mixyblob season for me. His race pace and racing brain being very much the positives, whereas his qualifying often meant it was always going to be an uphill struggle. Arguably some of the races of the year, with Canada, and Spa highlights for me. Always a slow starter, his real pace seemed to come in the latter half of the races, coming from some very unlikely positions to get points, podiums, and even an unlikely win. Deapite his qualifying, he did the job he needed to do, most of the time. 2 unfortunate DNF's meant he could have scored higher, but I think he would be happy regardless.
Webber had a relatively poor season, certainly in relation to his teammate, yet despite this, he was still up there in 3rd place at the end, thanks to that somewhat dodgy win. Still, despite not being a winner other than Brazil, he was consistent, and this was what got him the points he needed for 3rd. Unfortunately no-one can really gauge his ability this year. Maybe next year will be different. It's hard to think he got that much worse than 2010.
Alonso. One of the best drivers out there, and dragging the ever improving Ferrari he because a real threat in the last half of the seasons races, of not in the title race. Not really much else to add. He has the talent, and has the desire, it is just down to Ferrari to give him a prancing horse that doesn't prance so much, instead actually goes fast more of the time.
Hamilton. Has the race pace, has the qualifying pace, has the car, but silly mistakes, lack of concentration, or lack of patience seemed to scupper some of his races. I think the pace of Button did surprise him, and to a degree frustrate him, but he's been a racer in F1 for 5 years now, so I don't think it would affect him that much. Next year will undoubtably be different, and he will sort out whatever was getting in the car with him. However, having 2 top drawer drivers in the team will not help them get a championship of the likes of Ferrari and RB surreptitiously run number 1, and number 2 drivers. Will LH be happy with this, or will he seek a climate where he can rule the roost?
Special mention
Jaime Algesuari (sp?)
Excellent season for the young fella. Definitely one to watch for the future, and could we see him in the Redbull at some point? I would like to hope so.
Banzai
Not as nutty this year, I thought. Again, another driver who could well go on to good things at a team with a little more performance.
So... Highlight?
For me, it HAS to be Canada. It will be one of those races that you will never forget. Last to win on the last lap. Proper storybook/Hollywood stuff. Stunning to watch, and well worth watching the rain come down for 3 hours in between stints. I will watch it quite often, I feel.
Melvin Udall said:
For me, it HAS to be Canada. It will be one of those races that you will never forget. Last to win on the last lap. Proper storybook/Hollywood stuff. Stunning to watch, and well worth watching the rain come down for 3 hours in between stints. I will watch it quite often, I feel.
Me too... was my first thought when I saw the thread title!Ultuous said:
Melvin Udall said:
For me, it HAS to be Canada. It will be one of those races that you will never forget. Last to win on the last lap. Proper storybook/Hollywood stuff. Stunning to watch, and well worth watching the rain come down for 3 hours in between stints. I will watch it quite often, I feel.
Me too... was my first thought when I saw the thread title!
Echo the Canada comments.
People keep saying Hamilton has been too hot headed, making mistakes etc. and if he was going too fast in the corners, spinning out constantly etc. I would agree. A lot of the incidents he's been involved in seem to involve the 'overtaken' turning into the 'overtakee' who has no room between the overtaken and the edge of the track and can't simply magic himself out the way. The only exception being at Spa where the roles were reversed.
I suspect a few of the moves were deliberate, but regardless the general favouritism towards aggressive defending over overtaking isn't helping. Obviously other drivers shouldn't be jumping out the way, but neither should they be driving like the AI in Gran Turismo 2 and throw a tantrum if someone dares disrupt their flow.
All IMO
Of course not that it would have made any difference - Red Bull and Vettel have simply been unstoppable this season. Unless there's something on the Red Bull we don't know about it's a very well deserved victory.
People keep saying Hamilton has been too hot headed, making mistakes etc. and if he was going too fast in the corners, spinning out constantly etc. I would agree. A lot of the incidents he's been involved in seem to involve the 'overtaken' turning into the 'overtakee' who has no room between the overtaken and the edge of the track and can't simply magic himself out the way. The only exception being at Spa where the roles were reversed.
I suspect a few of the moves were deliberate, but regardless the general favouritism towards aggressive defending over overtaking isn't helping. Obviously other drivers shouldn't be jumping out the way, but neither should they be driving like the AI in Gran Turismo 2 and throw a tantrum if someone dares disrupt their flow.
All IMO

Of course not that it would have made any difference - Red Bull and Vettel have simply been unstoppable this season. Unless there's something on the Red Bull we don't know about it's a very well deserved victory.
Allyc85 said:
Ultuous said:
Melvin Udall said:
For me, it HAS to be Canada. It will be one of those races that you will never forget. Last to win on the last lap. Proper storybook/Hollywood stuff. Stunning to watch, and well worth watching the rain come down for 3 hours in between stints. I will watch it quite often, I feel.
Me too... was my first thought when I saw the thread title!
was actually looking at a print of the last lap overtake as a potential christmas present for the wife earlier today!
Button proved that day that Vettel isn't invincible, as long as you get close enough; unfortunately for too much of the year that hasn't been possible because of the RB being so good.
Link to Buttons top 5 GP's below with a 20 min highlights of Canadian GP. Definitely a drive to be remembered!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/11/je...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson/2011/11/je...
1. Button in Canada.
2. The overtake of the century by Webber on Alonso through Eau Rouge. Folks will remember that for a while.
3. Massa vs Hamilton: I was half expecting one of them to go Piquet ( see).
4. Vettel and his RB7: the most dominant combination since Schumacher and his F2004.
5. And finally, a nod to Sutil and Kobayashi, who faced highly-rated hotshot rookies as teammates, and stamped their authority by pure mastery of their art - not just occasionally, but consistently.
2. The overtake of the century by Webber on Alonso through Eau Rouge. Folks will remember that for a while.
3. Massa vs Hamilton: I was half expecting one of them to go Piquet ( see).
4. Vettel and his RB7: the most dominant combination since Schumacher and his F2004.
5. And finally, a nod to Sutil and Kobayashi, who faced highly-rated hotshot rookies as teammates, and stamped their authority by pure mastery of their art - not just occasionally, but consistently.
Jungles said:
1. Button in Canada.
2. The overtake of the century by Webber on Alonso through Eau Rouge. Folks will remember that for a while.
These.2. The overtake of the century by Webber on Alonso through Eau Rouge. Folks will remember that for a while.
Button's win in Canada was spectacular.
Webber's overtake on Alonso could have been an aeroplane crash. DC said he had to turn away from the monitors because he thought one or both were about to be killed.
Canadian race as a whole for me too.
Best bit of individual footage that summed up the season for me was Vettel power sliding round a corner in full slow-mo replay, full opposite lock. Can't remember which race it was in though. He just looked so calm and in control and as though he was enjoying driving the car.
Can't find the clip anywhere though.
Best bit of individual footage that summed up the season for me was Vettel power sliding round a corner in full slow-mo replay, full opposite lock. Can't remember which race it was in though. He just looked so calm and in control and as though he was enjoying driving the car.
Can't find the clip anywhere though.
chrisga said:
Canadian race as a whole for me too.
Best bit of individual footage that summed up the season for me was Vettel power sliding round a corner in full slow-mo replay, full opposite lock. Can't remember which race it was in though. He just looked so calm and in control and as though he was enjoying driving the car.
Can't find the clip anywhere though.
Qualifying at Monza through Ascari was Vettel's drift you're talking about.Best bit of individual footage that summed up the season for me was Vettel power sliding round a corner in full slow-mo replay, full opposite lock. Can't remember which race it was in though. He just looked so calm and in control and as though he was enjoying driving the car.
Can't find the clip anywhere though.
Melvin Udall said:
For me, it HAS to be Canada. It will be one of those races that you will never forget. Last to win on the last lap. Proper storybook/Hollywood stuff. Stunning to watch, and well worth watching the rain come down for 3 hours in between stints. I will watch it quite often, I feel.

onyx39 said:
Melvin Udall said:
For me, it HAS to be Canada. It will be one of those races that you will never forget. Last to win on the last lap. Proper storybook/Hollywood stuff. Stunning to watch, and well worth watching the rain come down for 3 hours in between stints. I will watch it quite often, I feel.

BUT then I see him in last place with a puncture and could not work out how the hell the result which I knew, could happen. And still not quite believing the outcome as even in the last lap he was still second.
The guy was on fire that day.
Canada - even better because I was there to witness it.
The Spa overtakes - Webber on Alonso and Vettel on Rosberg.
The Monza overtakes - Jenson mugging Hamilton and Schuey; Vettel on Alonso round the Curva Grande.
Vettel's qualifying performances generally. s
t, that kid knows how to turn it on. I've only been watching F1 25 years but I've never seen another driver (and I controversially included the deified Senna in this) who is so good at pulling that one lap out of the bag. We're very, very lucky to be watching this guy at the top of his game.
No Bahrain - The correct decision and we should not be back in a hurry either.
The Spa overtakes - Webber on Alonso and Vettel on Rosberg.
The Monza overtakes - Jenson mugging Hamilton and Schuey; Vettel on Alonso round the Curva Grande.
Vettel's qualifying performances generally. s
t, that kid knows how to turn it on. I've only been watching F1 25 years but I've never seen another driver (and I controversially included the deified Senna in this) who is so good at pulling that one lap out of the bag. We're very, very lucky to be watching this guy at the top of his game. No Bahrain - The correct decision and we should not be back in a hurry either.
Forums | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


