The F1 Thread

[The Bear]

I don't know if anyone watched the program last night after MOTD2 on F1 in the 60s and 70s, about the number of driver deaths and the battle to improve safety?

It was an excellent watch but had some truly horrific footage of drivers crashing and burning. Literally.

 

[The Bear]

It's on iPlayer if you missed it:

http://t.co/ZQC85dJ

 

[Carrotdude]

I caught a bit of it but it is on the iPlayer so I'm going to watch it when I get a chance. Crazy how little safety there used to be.

 

[broughtonwolf]

I don't know if anyone watched the program last night after MOTD2 on F1 in the 60s and 70s, about the number of driver deaths and the battle to improve safety?

It was an excellent watch but had some truly horrific footage of drivers crashing and burning. Literally.

Grand Prix Killer Years, it was a repeat, I had only caught some of it before, but watched the whole thing last again last night. No less shocking though. In particular the footage of Purley and Williamson is moving beyond belief more so because the cameras kept rolling. Having seen the whole thing, Colin Chapman really doesn't come out of it particularly well, I don't know if that was intentional.

On reflection, I think the images of Lorenzo Bandini having been literally burnt to a crisp should have been pulled though.

I have said this before but this programme and his autobiography, which is well worth a read, has put Jackie Stewart in a new light for me.

 

[yabbadabbadoo]

I've mentioned before how unpopular Jackie was at the time for his battle to improve safety at circuits. He was subjected to all manner of taunts and insults by people who had a particularly callous view of racing, much to their shame.

 

[jlo]

I have little time for Jackie Stewart, but he can't be faulted for the work he (and others) put in to improving safety within Motorsport. Upmost respect for him on that.

Very wise decision re: drs at Eau Rouge. That could've been bloody dangerous deployed there.

Bit miffed with myself today as I thought Belguim was 2 weekends away, and have plans for this Sunday. Going to have to record it and avoid all media until I can watch it, especially as it's my favourite circuit.

 

[yabbadabbadoo]

Having just watched it on the iPlayer I'd very much recommend the programme to anyone else reading this. Surprised to see there was a hefty segment on Jim Clark (who remains my favourite driver of all time) and so many wonderful insights from Surtees, Ickx, Brooks and the wonderful Stewart. Perhaps the portrayal of Colin Chapman was a little harsh, but there should always be room to hear other people's opinions of those in the sport. Maybe one day we'll see the same apply to Enzo Ferrari. Bloody overdue if you ask me.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I saw the killer years on the first showing a few months ago. The baldini footage from monaco has been seen for years so I guess that is why it stayed in. The purley williamson incident is some of the most distressing footage in the history of sport.

 

[The Bear]

Indeed that was horrendous. You could really feel Purley's emotion, hopeless frustration and sheer anger at the situation.

 

[Psychowolf]

For this weekend Team Lotus are going with a slightly different name
http://twitpic.com/6b2hrr

 

[Law's Bus]

What? Renault have replaced Nick Heidfeld with Bruno Senna for at least the next two races and probably until the end of the season? What on earth are they doing? Heidfeld may not be World Champion material, but he's pretty darned good (as witnessed by getting more points than both Mark Webber and Robert Kubica when they were team-mates) and an excellent development driver.

Senna's yet to prove in F1 that he's got much more than his uncle's name - he wasn't any quicker than Karun Chandhok, despite seemingly more support.

 

[jlo]

Bringing Senna in is absolutely the right decision. Heidfeld is on his last legs, only going to deliver a handful of points from now to the end of the season and has been poor in a few races now. Whereas Senna is still quite young, and deserves a better chance than the HRT car. Also brings in millions in terms of sponsorship. I'd rather see Senna given a chance so he has a platform for the future...whereas Heidfeld is in his last year and doesn't need the drive as much.

 

[Law's Bus]

has been poor in a few races now.

The car has let him down on several occasions. Yet somehow it was all his fault in Hungary when the car exploded...

 

[jlo]

The car has let him down on several occasions. Yet somehow it was all his fault in Hungary when the car exploded...

Look at his qualifying. That has been poor.

 

[The Bear]

Heidfeld taking Renault to court over him being dropped, saying "I haff a contwact to dwive for Wenault"

 

[Law's Bus]

Look at his qualifying. That has been poor.

It's never been his strong point, but points are awarded on Sunday not Saturday. Look at his finishing record when the car hasn't failed...

 

[jlo]

It's never been his strong point, but points are awarded on Sunday not Saturday. Look at his finishing record when the car hasn't failed...

Don't dispute the guy is good, would just personally rather see someone with a future given a chance as opposed to someone with a handful of races left in their career. For me Coulthard retired at the perfect time to give Vettel his chance. Nobody knows what Senna's potential is, but it be nice for him to have the opportunity to show us in a decent car. I feel for him because he was so close to having Barrichello's car in 2009...how different things could have been.

 

[Nando]

Don't rate Senna particularly highly. Would have preferred Grosjean to get another chance, but I assume they want him to win the GP2 title this season.

 

[jlo]

Don't rate Senna particularly highly. Would have preferred Grosjean to get another chance, but I assume they want him to win the GP2 title this season.

Well I'm half in agreement with you. Senna has only been given 1 race (although someone has mentioned two above), and not be promised the full end to the season. I've been hearing that Grosjean does have a good chance, unless Senna impresses. So...Bruno you have 1 or 2 races to prove your worth!

 

[Law's Bus]

Grosjean looked pretty poor in those few Renault races he had as a replacement for Piquet, but that was hardly a fair test for him.