Have Ferrari lost the plot?
Discussion
I couldn't believe it when they stuck Kimi on the full wets (not even inters) before it actually started raining on Sunday.
Even I as an armchair fan knew that the wets weren't advantageous until lap times were 15 seconds off, and that 2 laps in the dry on those wet tyres would chew them to pieces.
You have to say it was an appalling tactical decision.
This is just the latest in a long series of mistakes from the team in race situations going back to last season. Do they need fresh new blood at the top?
Even I as an armchair fan knew that the wets weren't advantageous until lap times were 15 seconds off, and that 2 laps in the dry on those wet tyres would chew them to pieces.
You have to say it was an appalling tactical decision.
This is just the latest in a long series of mistakes from the team in race situations going back to last season. Do they need fresh new blood at the top?
Ferrari's gradual implosion is beautiful to behold. I'm almost weeping with joy. It's almost like the clock has struck midnight and the coach is turning back into a pumpkin.
The Raikkonen wet tyre thing was extraordinary - they must've been very close on fuel to even consider such a thing, or their weather station glitched terribly.
The Raikkonen wet tyre thing was extraordinary - they must've been very close on fuel to even consider such a thing, or their weather station glitched terribly.
Ahonen said:
The Raikkonen wet tyre thing was extraordinary - they must've been very close on fuel to even consider such a thing, or their weather station glitched terribly.
There was a comment after one wet race, possibly last year at Brazil, that the team were so tied into the 'data' coming their way in the form of the weather forecasting that more traditional forms of observation - looking out of the window for example 
- got forgotten in favour of the high-tech option.Wouldn't surprise me at all if that was the case here ?
Although, you've got admit, watching Kimi in his shorts, eating and ice cream and reaching for a can of coke while all the other drivers remained either in their car or running around looking for infomration was brilliant.
I can't imagine that Luca di Montezemolo would be that chuffed when he first saw that!
I can't imagine that Luca di Montezemolo would be that chuffed when he first saw that!
Ahonen said:
Ferrari's gradual implosion is beautiful to behold. I'm almost weeping with joy. It's almost like the clock has struck midnight and the coach is turning back into a pumpkin.
The Raikkonen wet tyre thing was extraordinary - they must've been very close on fuel to even consider such a thing, or their weather station glitched terribly.
almost as much as many people are at Mclarens?The Raikkonen wet tyre thing was extraordinary - they must've been very close on fuel to even consider such a thing, or their weather station glitched terribly.
Ahonen said:
Ferrari's gradual implosion is beautiful to behold. I'm almost weeping with joy. It's almost like the clock has struck midnight and the coach is turning back into a pumpkin.
The Raikkonen wet tyre thing was extraordinary - they must've been very close on fuel to even consider such a thing, or their weather station glitched terribly.
Yeah, they had to try something different to get an advantage - it went horribly wrong.The Raikkonen wet tyre thing was extraordinary - they must've been very close on fuel to even consider such a thing, or their weather station glitched terribly.
At least Ferrari did not cheat to gain a place.
deevlash said:
Ahonen said:
Ferrari's gradual implosion is beautiful to behold. I'm almost weeping with joy. It's almost like the clock has struck midnight and the coach is turning back into a pumpkin.
The Raikkonen wet tyre thing was extraordinary - they must've been very close on fuel to even consider such a thing, or their weather station glitched terribly.
almost as much as many people are at Mclarens?The Raikkonen wet tyre thing was extraordinary - they must've been very close on fuel to even consider such a thing, or their weather station glitched terribly.
I really wonder how much teams spend on the weather forcasting, we have had these situations before where someone has the data to say it will start to rain 17 mins and 30 seconds after the start. These forecasts almost always turn out to be tripe. Why don't they just hire 20 locals put them in a ring a couple of miles away from the circuit with mobile phones and wait for them to call if it's raining on them. Given wind direction this would be so much more accurate than dicking around with masses of weather data.
hornetrider said:
Guys I don't want to turn this into a McMerc v Ferrari slanging match, so would appreciate it if we kept on topic.
I'm just curious as to how a professional race team with the experience that Ferrari has can be making such elementary mistakes in a race situation.
the same way mclaren kept lewis out on worn out tyres clearly showing the fabric with the title on the line? I just think Ferrari have more or less written off the fly away races until they can get back to europe and sort the car. Thus freeing them up to try long shots such as the kimi full wet switch.I'm just curious as to how a professional race team with the experience that Ferrari has can be making such elementary mistakes in a race situation.
hornetrider said:
Guys I don't want to turn this into a McMerc v Ferrari slanging match, so would appreciate it if we kept on topic.
I'm just curious as to how a professional race team with the experience that Ferrari has can be making such elementary mistakes in a race situation.
it was a mistake - but it could have been genius.......they knew if the rain came it would be massive - hence no point in using Inters........ as that would be as bad as slicks probably. In that they would have to do another pit stop anyway. The inters would never work on a dry or very wet track. That is what they were faced with at the time.I'm just curious as to how a professional race team with the experience that Ferrari has can be making such elementary mistakes in a race situation.
In my opinion - they were screwed anyway - so they just took a big educated gamble and got it wrong......a bit like betting on a 100/1 horse in the National with your last quid - just incase but knowing you are probably going to lose the quid anyway.
Edited by RacerMDR on Monday 6th April 16:08
Ref: Raikkonen it was a risk but so what. Just happy to see some risk taking going on tbh.
Glock took just as bigger risk and he came out looking a hero by all accounts (rumours that Toyota have developed a carbon fibre water diviner are yet to be confirmed)
Do the teams still rely on some good old fashioned weather information by siting some spotters away from the circuit so they can dial back in when they start getting wet?
Jordan pulled such a stunt in France (in 99 i think it was??) and it led to a victory.
Suprised EJ didn't mention it yesterday given the amount of time he spent talking about the old days.............
Glock took just as bigger risk and he came out looking a hero by all accounts (rumours that Toyota have developed a carbon fibre water diviner are yet to be confirmed)
Do the teams still rely on some good old fashioned weather information by siting some spotters away from the circuit so they can dial back in when they start getting wet?
Jordan pulled such a stunt in France (in 99 i think it was??) and it led to a victory.
Suprised EJ didn't mention it yesterday given the amount of time he spent talking about the old days.............
RacerMDR said:
hornetrider said:
Guys I don't want to turn this into a McMerc v Ferrari slanging match, so would appreciate it if we kept on topic.
I'm just curious as to how a professional race team with the experience that Ferrari has can be making such elementary mistakes in a race situation.
it was a mistake - but it could have been genius.......they knew if the rain came it would be massive - hence no point in using Inters........ as that would be as bad as slicks probably. In that they would have to do another pit stop anyway. The inters would never work on a dry or very wet track. That is what they were faced with at the time.I'm just curious as to how a professional race team with the experience that Ferrari has can be making such elementary mistakes in a race situation.
In my opinion - they were screwed anyway - so they just took a big educated gamble and got it wrong......a bit like betting on a 100/1 horse in the National with your last quid - just incase but knowing you are probably going to lose the quid anyway.
Edited by RacerMDR on Monday 6th April 16:08
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