Have F1 drivers been told off?

[TheArchitect]

Try not to turn this into a troll post please!

But a lot of F1 drivers seems to suddenly be saying that F1 isnt bad and the new regs havent made it worse. whereas quite a lot where worried last week.

Could they have all been briefed? or is it convenient press timing?

[Mazda Baiter]

I don't think so. There is an interview with Barrichello on Autosport.com from Melbourne saying that he thinks the front tyres should be wider again.

[zac510]

They'll say something completely different after Australia

[Bombjack]

I think the word has gone around.

[Fire99]

Let's see the results of Australia and see if it's like Monday morning M25 or not.

[rdjohn]

I think the Architect has a point. When interviewed on the red-button forum after the race JB said he was driving a long way from 10/10ths because of potential tyre wear. This was reiterated by MW later, who as FOTA Chair, seemed pretty keen to get two mandatory tyre changes so that more aggressive strategies could be perused “to improve the show”. LH said that as soon as he went near the back of another car, he could not progress i.e. there is little chance of any overtaking.

So I was pretty amazed when JB seemed to have done a complete U-turn on the subject on Autosport.com. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82276

Incidentally, I did think the forum was the best part of the programme, as all participants seemed to be being pretty open and frank with their comments.

[touring fan]

rdjohn said:

This was reiterated by MW later, who as FOTA Chair, seemed pretty keen to get two mandatory tyre changes so that more aggressive strategies could be perused “to improve the show”.

Huh?
Mark Webber is not the Chairman of FOTA. He's not even a member, as its the teams association.
(And he's not Chairman of the Drivers Association either).

Edited by touring fan on Thursday 25th March 18:26

[PabloTeK]

touring fan said:

rdjohn said:

This was reiterated by MW later, who as FOTA Chair, seemed pretty keen to get two mandatory tyre changes so that more aggressive strategies could be perused “to improve the show”.

Huh?
Mark Webber is not the Chairman of FOTA. He's not even a member, as its the teams association.
(And he's not Chairman of the Drivers Association either).

Edited by touring fan on Thursday 25th March 18:26

Think he means Whitmarsh

[team underdog]

Maybe they were "briefed", but I think most likely they are tired of being asked the same questions by jounalists.

It seems to be the media, who have a vested interest in "the show" in order to sell their product, have really jumped on the bandwagon after Bahrain - one bad race. With all the hype on the build up to the season it seems people were expecting something extraordinary, but why? These are still Formula 1 cars, not touring cars or Moto GP bikes.

I'm not defending the new rules for this season - personally I would have been happy if they'd remained the same as last year, or even 2008 for that matter. What annoys me greatly is people that tune in to see a crash fest, overtaking classic of a GP - at Bahrain?! There are more processional (I don't say boring, because I enjoy watching any race) races than there are action packed ones. Not every race can be a classic and amen to that - a classic should be a one off, to be remembered and watched again years later in highlight programmes.

If you want your crash fest, p1ss off and watch Nascar or touring cars. Or better still get out and watch a local stock car event.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula...

[rdjohn]

PabloTeK said:

touring fan said:

rdjohn said:

This was reiterated by MW later, who as FOTA Chair, seemed pretty keen to get two mandatory tyre changes so that more aggressive strategies could be perused “to improve the show”.

Huh?
Mark Webber is not the Chairman of FOTA. He's not even a member, as its the teams association.
(And he's not Chairman of the Drivers Association either).

Edited by touring fan on Thursday 25th March 18:26

Think he means Whitmarsh

Yes, I was referring to Martin Whitmarsh; he also said there were a couple of teams against two-stopping. If you have an advantage; then lock it in.

Perhaps it is more to do with finding a replacement for Bridgestone next year, so Bernie and Todt have probably put the word about, that they do need a company who can derive some marketing benefits from being in F1.

Apparently, Bridgestone no longer think that they can, with the current set-up.