Lew-sing Control

Just as we thought the Formula One season had turned a corner, and was going to become a little more unpredictable with Jensen Button’s last grasp win at the Canadian Grand Prix, last weekend the sport served up a tedious and uninspiring European Grand Prix. The Valencia street circuit staged nothing more than a procession with all 24 cars finishing the race. Allied with little track action of note, it was a fair cry from two weeks ago when the Canadian Grand Prix threw a positive spanner to the works producing a compelling contest.

Despite the never-ending time it took for the Canadian Grand Prix to eventually conclude due to some inclement Montreal weather, and the F1 stewards deeming the rain downpour was not safe for the drivers to race on, we saw thrills and spills which created an enthralling race in Canada. Consequently adding more fuel to the slowly growing fire that wet racing makes great racing, and this dynamic should become a regular feature in F1. An issue that was recently reviewed by this website only a few weeks ago, but after the completion of Canadian Grand Prix, it is hard to argue with this thinking. Heighten by the fact when one has to be subjected to that snore-fest in Valencia five days ago.

In any event, a key talking point that has been discussed at length over recent weeks has been Lewis Hamilton’s driving style. In what is fast becoming a contentious topic, Hamilton’s collision with Mark Webber and later with fellow McLaren teammate Jenson Button at the Canadian Grand Prix, has led to many people forwarding their opinion both on and off the track.

Now before we get to the nitty-gritty of Hamilton and his driving technique on the track, from a personal view I am a massive admirer of Lewis Hamilton. As a driver, his racing style for me is swashbuckling and dynamic. His approach marks him out to be the only out and out driver in the field, who aims to pass and overtake his rivals. A feature that we as racing fans all want to see when viewing the sport, and for the large part Hamilton does it with ease. All too often he appears solely as a man on the charge, looking to gain an advantage over fellow competitors. 

However it would foolhardy to overlook the fact that in the eight races contested so far this year, Hamilton has had to report to the race stewards on a number of occasions regarding driving incidents that have involved him. So is the former world champion rash and reckless, or is he at the wrong place at the wrong time, and is merely a victim of circumstances that just so happen to involve him?

Well if you are former three-time world champion Niki Lauda, then you are firmly in the camp that Lewis Hamilton is very much the architect of his own troubles, and is a danger to his fellow drivers. Lauda has been quoted by saying that if Hamilton continued with his on-track strategy, “it will result in someone getting killed”. Lauda is not alone in this type of thinking regarding Hamilton’s style. A steadying camp believes Hamilton’s manner during race days leaves a lot to be desired. However there are those who believe it is inevitable that Hamilton is involved in such high profile situations.

Many subscribe to a similar theorem which I have already stated about Hamilton and admire is his capacity to be the only driver at the sharp end, who actively seeks to openly overtake and compete. So with this in mind, perhaps Hamilton’s gusto attitude would indeed stick out more so compared to his rivals of today, in an era which I like to call safe, cuddly, and too calculated. Perhaps Hamilton is a throwback to traditional racing, particularly when you consider Hamilton’s style is sculpted by his idol, the late great Ayrton Senna. Hamilton even models his yellow helmet as homage to the Brazilian legend.

Either way it is an interesting argument whatever your outlook may be, but I think the Stevenage bred driver and his style is refreshing. However I do feel in what is his fifth season of competition, Hamilton looks like a man who has still yet to grasp how to analyse possible overtaking situations and disguards the bigger picture, in favour of going for every single passing manoeuvre presented no matter how big or small the opening may be.  

A lapse in my view the McLaren driver holds, which dates back to an unnecessary retirement in the penultimate race of the 2007 season, when competing in the Chinese Grand Prix. In a commanding position to score heavy points and claim the drivers’ title, or at the very least render it almost impossible for his distant rivals in the title standings to overtake, Hamilton decided to race against opponents that had been lapped or were in positions that were of no threat. Ultimately Hamilton’s zest and poor tactics from his team cost him dearly, as he beached his car just before the pit-lane entry. Allowing his title rivals to close the gap in the drivers’ championship and build momentum which eventually was one by Finland’s Kimi Räikkönen.

A gaping title opportunity that Hamilton should have taken in his debut season, but perhaps immaturity from a young driver competing in their first year could excuse this chance missed. However a similar occurrence struck in last year’s campaign, when once again Lewis Hamilton lead the standings towards the business-end of the season with six races to go.

 

What was shaping up to be a two-horse race between himself and Red Bull competitor Mark Webber, two clear over ambitious attempted passes in the Italian Grand Prix involving Felipe Massa, and the Singapore Grand Prix with Mark Webber, Hamilton recorded two consecutive back-to-back retirements. With no points scored, the chasing pack closed Hamilton’s numeric advantage and overtook him in the standings.

Yet at that stage in the season, it was an opportune time for Hamilton to keep his car on the track and register key points, making it very difficult for his opponents to bridge the lead in the standings Hamilton had built up. However again points and momentum had been gathered elsewhere and the 2010 championship was won by Sebastian Vettel, who currently looks like retaining his title at a canter this season.

Deciding if Lewis Hamilton’s tactics is simply slapdash or just racing incidents is too simplistic to conclude that easily. But with his recent clash with Jenson Button in Canada, the weather conditions and poor visibility on hand were hardly a help. But if you cast back to the how Jenson Button won the Canadian Grand Prix perhaps a lesson can be learnt.

With numerous visits to the pit lane, and what seemed like an eternity in occupying the lesser positions in the race to go along with his collision with Hamilton, Button’s tactics of playing the long game paid off by applying pressure at the right time to snatch an unlikely win. Perhaps incorporating a slightly more assessed perspective of race situations, allied to his natural progressive attitude, would prove to be a winning and far more successful arrangement for Hamilton going forward in the long run.

This is underlined even more when his current title challenge which is on the resuscitation table, and with every unregistered point Hamilton does not claim, this season is fast becoming nothing more than being redundant for the 26 year old. But then again I think many of the top drivers and teams outside of the Red Bull camp are already resigned to this same thinking, with Sebastian Vettel dominating much of 2011.      

Monte Carlo or Bust?

Once again all eyes were fixed on the streets of Monte Carlo last weekend as Formula One’s crown jewel took place, the Monaco Grand Prix. Lauded for its glitz and glamour, to those who watched, we were hoping for an eye-catching race that matched the scenery on view. Nevertheless, if you are like me, you might have felt a little short-changed by last weekend’s proceedings.

I enjoy the unique variances that each Formula One race provides us from a viewing perspective, and think those at the helm in Formula One have got the balance right in staging races from the spectacular and novel, to the challenging and demanding. However, I do feel the Monaco Grand Prix is in danger of not necessarily falling into this progressive category. I would even go as far to say that I actually do not look forward to the Monaco Grand Prix, when I know it is the next race on the F1 calendar. 

Now to some of you reading this, you might be wondering what on earth I have been drinking to make such a statement. But lets be honest, the Monaco Grand Prix is nothing more than a well staged dazzling procession, where the cars involved have little or no chance to overtake. A race where the qualifying positions are king, and the starting grid near enough replicates the finishing places of the cars. Where is the excitement in watching such an occurrence? I for one would like to see a bit of racing in my motor sport.

In addition, what also dampens my enthusiasm of the grand prix, is the circuit’s narrow streets which I feel harms the natural flow of the contest from a watching viewpoint. Why you may ask? Well, with little or no runoff area in a built up region and the track being so tight in terms of width space, any accident that arises is likely going to result in the race temporarily being halted. Usually by the means of the safety car, or the race being suspended altogether for particular period of time.

Now employing such measures is not exclusive episode to the Monaco GP, we often see the use of the safety car or race being brought to a standstill at many other track venues. But these precautions are going to be slightly more frequent on the Monaco circuit, as the clean-up operation is going to be that more prolonged when an accident occurs before the race can continue. And more importantly, the safety of a driver or drivers involved in an incident is always the primary point of concern, and should never be hurried for the sake of the race to resume at full pace.

But as we saw in this year’s event, such a scenario occurred both in the qualifying and the race itself. Negatively affecting the strategies of the drivers and teams particularly at the top end, and dramatically influencing who won the race and how it was won. Should this be the way a prestigious race is concluded, especially when matched up to the efforts Formula One is putting together in trying to make its races more exciting and competitive?    

Barring its picturesque settings, should the F1 road show by-pass the principality of Monaco altogether as a consequence in reviewing the points mentioned? Personally I think maybe it is time. Or at the very least, Formula One needs to make impactful positive changes to how the Monaco Grand Prix is run. Because for far too long the event has been in need of adjustments, and more thrilling than what we saw last weekend as an example. 

Newly introduced races in Abu Dhabi and Singapore, and modern complexes being built on-site at many of the tracks featured, have helped F1 be fresh and current. Monaco needs to keep pace in its exhilaration or be a relic of the past. Though on a personal note, if the sport could still retain the beautiful scantily-clad ladies that we often see circling around the track that would be great!

F1 Goes Wet, Wet, Wet?

Defending Formula One world champion, Sebastian Vettel, appears to be all revved up as the man to beat in the 2011 season. Looking in ominous form, the Red Bull driver dominated the first two races of the campaign, and was on course to make it three wins out of three in the recent Chinese Grand Prix. Had it not been for a mercurial overtaking driving display from Lewis Hamilton, this feat may well have been achieved. Nevertheless, with a second place finish in the race, Vettel still leads the Drivers’ Championship, as his major title rivals look for improved performances and big points in the coming races.

Before the season spun into motion however, Vettel and the remaining competing teams have seen a number of impactful regulation changes being initiated by the sport’s officials. Featured new rulings have included a new tyre supplier, movable rear wings, and KERS technology returning to a car’s setup in boosting acceleration. Viewed as a purposeful shake-up, many fans hope this year’s campaign will equally be comparable to the 2010 championship, where the title chase went down to the final race.

This season’s build-up also heard mooted suggestions by F1 chief, Bernie Ecclestone, claiming that future championships could be staged under artificial wet weather conditions. In a bold move, Ecclestone openly sounded out an introduction of water sprinklers that would simulate rain on selected tracks. A scenario that he believes would help boost the sport’s profile, and gain new attention to Formula One as a whole.   

Such a controversial proposal has naturally divided opinion amongst many in and around the sport. There are those supportive of Ecclestone’s idea, and feel by creating a challenging situation for the drivers under wet conditions, the cars would need a greater degree of control when being driven. Circling the track at a slower pace, and overtaking being somewhat more creative in its execution, wet races is perceived as an attractive spectacle to onlookers. The setting would act as a leveller for the drivers, whilst lessening the sport’s overdependence on a team’s technical prowess.

However there are those who have branded the plan a non-starter, and should be retired to the pits. A volatile measure which would increase possible crashes and risk driver safety, and adversely dampen the excitement for fans as the cars would go so slow, the element of speed in motor racing would evaporate. Amongst this consensus includes many of today’s current drivers, of which features former F1 champ, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, who is currently Sebastian Vettel nearest challenger in the 2011 standings, dubbed the idea “a gimmick too far”.

Time will tell if Ecclestone does indeed get his wish. But in a sport where change and adjustments can occur at speed just like the cars featured, do not be surprised if ‘staged’ wet racing is soon an established aspect in Formula One events.