# Formula One - 2011 Season Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 15, 2011, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424 "2011-02-15T05:44:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/81 "2011-07-19T04:38:51Z")
You can pay your dime and drive that track, Jack! If I ever make it to Germany (as a Non-Combatant) thats what I’m doin’, in between drinkin’ beer! ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/82 "2011-07-19T09:40:24Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > You can pay your dime and drive that track, Jack! If I ever make it to Germany (as a Non-Combatant) thats what I’m doin’, in between drinkin’ beer! Heh Heh Heh. I can’t imagine anything more mutually exclusive - drinking beer or driving the original Nurburgring at speed. My preference would be to ride shotgun in one the special two-seater F1 cars which have been made in the past decade. That would be the best of all - I would be the fastest badass on the track AND I wouldn’t have to worry about doing the driving. ---
**Author:** ![History\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b19c9b/32.png) [@History\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/History_Geek)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2011, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/83 "2011-07-22T04:36:39Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > You can pay your dime and drive that track, Jack! If I ever make it to Germany (as a Non-Combatant) thats what I’m doin’, in between drinkin’ beer! I’ve watched it done on Top Gear… the lines of cars and bikes waiting to go around. It’d be exciting to do it, if I could manage to control my nerves long enough. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/84 "2011-07-25T00:01:05Z")
That was a pretty good race! I think it was fortunate for Vettel to have not heard (or ignored) the message to do the opposite of Massa. His pit being \*behind \*Massa’s gave him an advantage I would think. **Assuming identical stop times** , it would have been very hard for the crew to release Massa with Vettel already screaming down the pit lane. The Ferrari crew was basicly _forced_ to out-perform Red Bull in that last stop. They didn’t. Pretty fun race. ---
**Author:** ![MHaye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bbe5ce/32.png) [@MHaye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MHaye)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/85 "2011-07-25T18:19:31Z")
Yes, it was. Watching that pitstop, I got the impression that Vettel wanted the place more than Massa did. If you get a chance to see it again, watch how much later Vettel braked than Massa did as they approached the speed-limit line. Vettel was pushing; Massa wasn’t. This ties in to my theory about Massa; he’s not a racer with the will to win. He’s technically highly skilled, but isn’t as willing to fight for places as the real top drivers. He was hired to be second-string for Michael Schumacher, and has stayed in that role behind Reikonnen and Alonso. The latter, especially, does have the fire in his belly that true champions need. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/86 "2011-07-26T02:12:09Z")
Kind of hard to have the “will to win” when you’re constantly being used as nothing more than a tool for someone else’s success. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/87 "2011-07-26T12:40:43Z")
Well, I think Mark Webber still has the will to win. He just hasn’t had the luck, and is a tiny bit short on the talent/temprament front. If anything, he has too much will to win, causing him to be too aggressive at times. Lewis has this problem too, but got it absolutely spot on at the Ring. Lewis seems to make F1 exciting almost singlehandedly. Of course, it helps that I am a Brit. ---
**Author:** ![MHaye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bbe5ce/32.png) [@MHaye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MHaye)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/88 "2011-07-26T18:27:00Z")
> [@Cyberhwk](#): > > Kind of hard to have the “will to win” when you’re constantly being used as nothing more than a tool for someone else’s success. I think it’s the other way round; he gets the support position because he lacks the will to win. Ferrari do not want two highly talented and super-motivated drivers at each other’s throats (and Alonso _certainly_ doesn’t), so they hire a superstar and a second-string. ---
**Author:** ![History\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b19c9b/32.png) [@History\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/History_Geek)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/89 "2011-07-28T04:35:49Z")
I’m glad that’s the last race being broadcast on Fox here in the US. I’m tired of not getting to watch a race until the middle of the week because I forgot to adjust my Tivo. Stupid modern “conveniences.” Heheh. It was an amazing race though. The tight battle for the podium and the knife-edge strategy balancing was exciting. Very pleased to see a good three-way fight going on and to have the drivers and mechanics all at the top of their games. The second half of the season looks like it might be the best part of this year. Anyone care to speculate on whether or not Vettel has been rattled a little, and how long it will last? He has lots of talent, and a superb ride, but he’s young and maybe not having things simply fall his way is going to get to him over the next few races. I don’t think he’ll have the dramatic fall-off that Button did in 09… but I think there’s going to be less of the Wunderkind on the top step as we move toward the Asian races. ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/90 "2011-07-28T10:43:48Z")
> [@History\_Geek](#): > > I’m glad that’s the last race being broadcast on Fox here in the US. Could not agree more! Seems like many more commercials. Seems like they may skip some racing in the delay. I really dislike missing the anthems, celebrations and especially the interviews. One race I inadvertently clicked on an F1 website and saw Vettel won while I was waiting to watch the delay. I dislike anything FOX. Your other points were very interesting too… ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/91 "2011-07-29T05:23:51Z")
> [@History\_Geek](#): > > Anyone care to speculate on whether or not Vettel has been rattled a little, and how long it will last? He has lots of talent, and a superb ride, but he’s young and maybe not having things simply fall his way is going to get to him over the next few races. I don’t think he’ll have the dramatic fall-off that Button did in 09… but I think there’s going to be less of the Wunderkind on the top step as we move toward the Asian races. It might simply be that he’s done some math and has decided that 2nd and 3rd means cruising to the Title. He’d need not to score a point in at least three races and have Hamilton OR Alonso win those three start feeling the heat. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/92 "2011-07-29T05:47:42Z")
I love watching Buxton’s grid interviews which FOX doesn’t broadcast. Maybe I could stay up for the P1 stream tonight. ---
**Author:** ![MJinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MJinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJinks)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/93 "2011-07-29T17:24:27Z")
It was reported over here (England) today that starting from next season the BBC will only broadcast half of the races, the other half being broadcast on SKY. I’ve been watching F1 for as long as I remember but with this announcement I don’t think I’ll bother next year. Who only wants to watch half a contest? It’s like watching only one half of a football match. Radio coverage just doesn’t do it for me. Bah! ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/94 "2011-07-29T17:52:11Z")
It sounds like you misunderstood what they said. The BBC will show half the races in their entirety and Sky will show the other half of the season’s races in their entirety. No sports entity would ever intentionally divide up a single broadcast like that. ---
**Author:** ![MHaye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bbe5ce/32.png) [@MHaye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MHaye)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/95 "2011-07-29T21:31:32Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > It sounds like you misunderstood what they said. The BBC will show half the races in their entirety and Sky will show the other half of the season’s races in their entirety. Not quite. The BBC will broadcast half the races; Sky, however, will broadcast _all_ of them. See [here](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9550930.stm). I can’t get satellite (or any subscription channel), which means next year I won’t be able to watch half the races. Thank you so _very_ much, Mr. Ecclestone. ---
**Author:** ![MJinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MJinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJinks)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2011, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/96 "2011-07-30T01:16:06Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > It sounds like you misunderstood what they said. The BBC will show half the races in their entirety and Sky will show the other half of the season’s races in their entirety. > > No sports entity would ever intentionally divide up a single broadcast like that. I thought that might happen when I introduced the football example. I realise that they will show the entire race, it’s just that F1 is so fluent from race to race that it _feels_ like only watching half the game. I _can_ get Sky but there’s no way I’m giving them my money. One question: Will the BBC show the other races in their entirety later in the day or will we just get highlights? I guess I can live with the first option. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2011, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/97 "2011-07-30T01:54:06Z")
I’m also glad to be done with FOX coverage. Too many commercials, baseball talk and a general “dumbing down” of the commentary (as if that were possible!) I’m still pissed I can’t watch WRC anywhere over here. I almost prefer it to F1. I don’t believe for a second that Vettel is “rattled” in the slightest. He will easily cruise to the next championship title. At this point, just about the only way he won’t win it is to end up in a box or a body cast. I predict a front row start for him on Sunday. Just a few hours and we’ll know. ---
**Author:** ![MHaye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bbe5ce/32.png) [@MHaye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MHaye)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2011, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/98 "2011-07-30T10:45:02Z")
> [@MJinks](#): > > One question: Will the BBC show the other races in their entirety later in the day or will we just get highlights? I guess I can live with the first option. From the link in my prevous post. > [@](#): > > The BBC will have highlights on TV, online and mobile for any race it is not showing live, and all races will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 live. Highlights only. ---
**Author:** ![History\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b19c9b/32.png) [@History\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/History_Geek)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/99 "2011-07-30T17:28:45Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > It might simply be that he’s done some math and has decided that 2nd and 3rd means cruising to the Title. He’d need not to score a point in at least three races and have Hamilton OR Alonso win those three start feeling the heat. Good point. Though I do hope he has to fight for 2d and 3d. It makes for more interesting races. Thankfully Ferrari seem to have stepped up their game and McLaren are just a little behind them. What happened to the promising start of the Renaults? That car looked pretty racy early on. Is it down to the drivers? Lack of development? Heidfeld and Petrov are certainly competent (when they’re not being too aggressive, like last weekend)… but neither is a Kubica either. ---
**Author:** ![dzeiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@dzeiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzeiger)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424/100 "2011-08-01T05:41:03Z")
Well, apparently, someone in Renault put the “Accelerate out of the pit” button just a little too close to the “Explosive Self-Destruct” button. More seriously, from what I’ve picked up from the broadcasts, they are running a pretty unique engine setup this year–it may be harder for them to keep up when they don’t really have any other team to compare to/steal from. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-one-2011-season-thread/571424.md?page=6)