"Get out of the way, Heikki!"
Make way for Lord Lewis to pass you or be damned! Interesting that McLaren, despite the noises it makes, lacks integrity and plays favorites. I don't care if Hamilton wins this GP or not, it still is not good enough for me! Thanks!
Lap 56, Nelson Piquet Jr. is leading the race, and I sure hope that he bloody well wins it!
Not only is this seemingly obvious incident in the race, but another interesting fact that comes to the forefront during qualifying. Heikki Kovalainen has been penalized EURO 5000 by the German race stewards because of the refueling equipment that has been used on his car during the second qualifying segment.
Today's Must Reads
So, how come the favorite son is not using similar equipment.
According to the race stewards, McLaren breached Article 29.2 of the sporting regulations while refueling Heikki's car.
"Car 23 was refuelled during Q2 using equipment that was not an FIA-approved race refueling system, and therefore the engine should have been stopped during the refueling process," the stewards said in a statement that is reported in Planet F1.
Though this did not affect Kovalainen's third place on the Hockenheim grid by the penalty, it still calls for an investigation by McLaren lovers as to why two drivers from the same team have different equipment, one is FIA regulated and the other out of regulations. Is it McLaren's fault or FIA's fault?
Whatever it is, the air around Heikki Kovalainen's place in McLaren does not sound so good. Now I can understand why Montoya was so pissed with McLaren.
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about 1 month ago
"Make way for Lord Lewis to pass you or be damned!" is ridiculously dramatic. Why do you assume that Mclaren ordered Heikkenen out of the way, its perfectly plausible that he simply didn't push to keep the place as he knew Lewis was much faster, had more chance of catching Massa and going on to win the race, which he did.
from about 1 month ago
I don't have a problem accepting truth that is why! And those were the team orders mind you, in Lap 53, Kovalainen was TOLD to move aside and let his team mate through
from about 1 month ago
I agree Dafydd, Heikki moved over because if he didnt Lewis would have went through anyway ... He was just being sensible ! Sara you are way off the mark with this one I think !?
from about 1 month ago
Ben is as usual is blind to the dark side of MClaren
from about 1 month ago
Not blind mate just sensible, a concept your not aware of ... The FIA monitor every radio transmission between pit walll and driver ... How would they be so stupid to blatently say move over ... Heikki was clearly playing the team game knowing he wasnt as fast !
from about 1 month ago
Blah, blah, my guess is that you were one of the biggest squealers, when Rubens moved over for Michael!
from about 1 month ago
I dont know what you are talking about mate so I cant comment !
about 1 month ago
Heikki wasn't told to move aside Saraswathi, you have no proof. If you are a Heikki fan, then you can at least applaude heikki for using his common sense and allowing Hamilton to get past.
Hamilton won the grand prix, if Heikki hadn't moved over, Hamilton may have still won, but he'd have had a much harder job. Nice one Heikki and Lewis.
from about 1 month ago
Yes, he was told to let Lewis. I heard that and many people around me. I was sitting and watching and knowing Ron and Martin i just asked when they will tell Heikki to make space for Lewis. And that it happen.
about 1 month ago
I don't think Heikki was instructed to let Lewis past. If he was instructed Mclaren will be docked points as it is illegal to operate team orders in that way.
Heikki isn't stupid, by holding Lewis up he was holding himself up too and getting himself and Lewis sucked into Raikkonen and Kubica's path which wouldn't have been good.
about 1 month ago
The broad-casting didn't leave much doubt as to if it were team-orders or not: they showed Dennis pushing the button and subsequently Heikki royally give way to Hamilton. I'm a Lewis-fan, but I'm not blind to the team-machinations of McLaren....as Dafydd and Ryan perhaps do seem to be
from about 1 month ago
Mars as always to the rescue, trust you, my friend! I did not want to defend something that is so obvious and I am also not happy as to what happened at qualifying - what if it added up to a grid penalty? I don't like marginalizing your home competitor.
from about 1 month ago
Maria, Iv'e learnt one thing from my years studying media at college, never believe what you see in the media. They linked a picture of Ron Dennis pressing the radio button, just before heikki let hamilton through. This is often used in the media to create drama.
One event, which can be totally harmless, or linked in no way at all to the following sequence (ron could be telling hamilton that he is so many seconds behind massa) but its made or sometimes accidentally looks like they are related.
Often when team orders are used, both drivers are told, so the following drivers isn't taken by surprise of the move. But as you can plainly see Hamilton was taken by Heikki's decision to move over.
And even if Team orders were involved, it was the right thing to do, a win and a 5th place or a 5th and 6th place, hmm hard decision, not!
from about 1 month ago
He actually pressed the "Pit Wall" button ... You could even see ... My screen is a 42" plasma screen and believe me I had a clear picture of his finger on the "Pit Wall" button ...
about 1 month ago
The Ferrari's do this, they always have done. This happened in France this season, Raikkonen let Massa through as he was faster and was developing a problem, Hamilton was cleary faster then Heikki over the weekend, its common sense. I have not read an article about the way Ferrari go about their business maybe there should be.
from about 1 month ago
Sorry Matthew, but Ferrari in France, that was something different. We didn't know will Kimi car last longer or he will just simply retire. So there was no team rules, cause Kimi's focus was not to win, just to finish the race. Felipe saw his chance and took the first place. There wasn't any communication in Ferrari pit lane between Kimi and Stefano.
about 1 month ago
It was reported that the floor of the Ferrari was illegal during the 2007 Australian Grand Prix, Mclaren asked for clarification. It was deamed illegal by the FIA what happened? nothing, its a Ferrari
from about 1 month ago
Matthew, let me clarify here, I am not trying to speak of whether it is illegal in the eyes of the FIA as Daniel mentioned BUT of what is happening with Kovalainen is Team McLaren. Chill, I don't care whether such a thing is illegal in the eyes of the FIA or not, BUT it does matter that Heikki does not become another Montoya at McLaren playing second fiddle or another Barricheloa in his stint at Ferrari. And I think I am right in pointing this out.
about 1 month ago
I am chilled thanks, i was drawing the attention to a point about the Ferrari as they were not fined, they both must have been using the same flooring. I think your article is a good piece as it looks like Heikki is being given a rfaw deal at the moment, but the thing is Lewis was faster at Hockenheim, and at Silverstone. On lap 53 you say he was told to move out of the way, did you have access to the Mclaren radio? It is not just Heikki that is playing second fiddle at Mclaren, it happens in many motor sports in many teams.
Once again good article, keep up the good work
about 1 month ago
Can i just say that it is NOT illegal to ASK one of your drivers if he doesnt mind moving over to let his team mate through , Ron dennis was about to ASK alonso to move over if Neccesary at The Brazillian GP 2007 so Mclaren could take the title fernando would of had the option of replying " yes " or " no " , and Martin brundle stated Clearly that there is nothing Illegal with Requesting , Its when you Demand your 2nd driver to move over As Ferrari used to with Rubens, that is Illegal .
Heikki had the choice to let Lewis Past once the Request had been put in .
He could of told Ron Dennis to Piss off if he wanted to.
BUT he is a team player and he knew that by not putting up a fight he would gain HIS team more points .
Whereas if he had fought position Mclaren would of scored no more than 7 points alltogether . He Knew he wasnt getting any more points than he ended up with so he made the sensible and wise decision to give his team the best shot at regaining the lead and it turned out to be a Fruitful decision dont you think ????? .
from about 1 month ago
Great comment Mark, thanks for the relevant information on the matter.
about 1 month ago
Its the truth Matthew . I remember brundle saying that like it was yesterday , because he and James allen were Debating on what fernando alonso's reply would of been , they reckoned he would of said No , once a driver states he wont let his team mate through then there is nothing more can be done .
If they had gave Heikki any form of orders then they would of been punished .
With what went on last season , Mclaren would Never put themselves in such a position knowing what may happen again in terms of penalties . In fact lewis had NO knowledge that Heikki was going to Yield him the position because he was Following him in Sync , and only realised at the last second that heikki was allowing him through .
I say well done to both lewis and Hekki For fantastic team work .
And i know for a fact that if Heikki ever finds himself in that position himself , lewis will duely return the favour .
about 1 month ago
When he did overtake, Brundle said Lewis looked like he did not expect Heikki to yield like that, but you are right they are both team players, and im sure he would get out of the way for Heikki if the roles were reversed. One last point, the FIA listen to all the radio communications so if there was any foul play they would be called up.
about 1 month ago
The team orders in any ocasion are banned. I heard from McLaren radio "Let Lewis pass you by". That hurts. That was team order, and rules are clear. And any of you Brits, McLewis fans think what you want, i know what i saw and heard few hours ago and that was unfair, that was clear cheating to do a favor to Lewis Hamilton. Like i said before, the car with number 23 is not allowed to race with car 22.
That is Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team and now, today, it's all obvious who is first driver, and who is there just to play second role for nothing.
I really hope that my countryman, my Finn will leave McLaren at the end of this season. This is too much.
Lewis was faster. Yes, true, Lewis is always faster than Heikki in the "same car".
Mark, Heikki could not tell Ron to piss off or whatever, Heikki is not that important role in the team, he's not fighting for championship and if you are in that position, you can't tell Ron or Martin whatever you want.
I repeat: team orders are banned, and McLaren didn't respect that rule today.
from about 1 month ago
sorry, but if mclaren said that, then the director would have extracted that bit of radio and shown it on tv. the rules simply state that you can ASK a driver to yield, but the decision is up to him. Heikki yielded, and Lewis clearly didn't have a clue he would.
funny how you say you saw it, yet the rest of us did not. neither did the FIA.
Heikki could tell ron to piss off quite easily, it's part of being a racing driver.
we didn't hear it because it was not said. The FIA, who are clearly Ferrari biased, would have jumped for joy if they heard that. They did not jump for joy because they did not say that.
how can someone make such unsubstantiated claims like that?
from about 1 month ago
Sorry Michael, but i clearly heard that. i'm very sorry if you think that Ferrari are biased by FIA. Not true. Simply, no one wants to make deal out of it, neither Heikki, at least not in British press or anywhere inside McLaren. Read some Finnish press or let's wait that Heikki leave McLaren, i think we will hear the true story what happended inside the team. Just like DC told when he moved to Red Bull.
Sometimes i wonder, do you how the McLaren team function from inside.
Lewis Hamilton can say to Ron Dennis to piss off, he can tell him whatever his wants, same as Mika Häkkinen had plenty of opportunities like that.
I'm just trying to be realistic here and sorry, ei, i'm NOT McLaren fan, it just hurts a lot what happend to Heikki.
Rubens Barrichello wasn't in that position to say no to Ross or Jean in Ferrari. Michael was. Clear situation.
FIA didn't react, why should they? FIA also didn't react against Sebastian Vettel at qualifying when Fernando complained on him. It's Vettel's home grand prix.
This is Mercedes home Grand Prix.
Open your eyes a bit, please and try to see things from realistic side.
from about 1 month ago
Not only did I see it I have it as clear as day on my digital cable box, have rewound it enough times to make sure.
about 1 month ago
The FIA are on every team Radio Throughout every session , that includes practise and Qualy .
So yes Mclaren would of been Called up on it immediatley if there was any underhand tactics played out . Thats how lewis got collared in magny cours .
Like you say they are both team players , they trust each other and you can see that , Heikki knows 100% that lewis would return the favour Any day ,
I Just hope it happens one day but in the opposite order to today , then people will know that its a case of two team mates extracting the most out of a world championship season and each other .
about 1 month ago
So you heard the team order called on the radio, the FIA must have heard this too, so Mclaren must receive a ban. Its not about the rule being respected, its about the rule being enforced. This has not been enforced with Ferrari, Mclaren, Williams, Honda the list goes on, comments have to be made about all teams not just Mclaren.
from about 1 month ago
This article is about McLaren, not about some other team. If you want to make a fake team order in that case you have to do the same thing that BMW done in Montreal. There was no clear communication "Let Robert by", it was different. But if someone tells you "let Lewis pass", sounds like team order for me.
Of course, they won't be penalized, not in Mercedes field.
@Sheiban, you can't argue with your boss if you're in such position like Heikki is. You simply have to listen to bosses. Lewis can say "i won't", Heikki, no.
about 1 month ago
It did look like team orders to me. Hamilton got through quite easily. Of course, it also could have been a decision by Heikki to let his teammate through.
Nonetheless, I hope the favour gets paid back. Heikki has a lot of potential, and I'd hate to see him play the second fiddle...
from about 1 month ago
I think it was a decision made by Heikki ... In my opinion anyway, why fight him when he is way faster, Heikki knew that Lewis had a better chance of him winning so let him through as a good team mate.
about 1 month ago
I really dont want to get into a debate about this subject .
BUT it is impossible for Them to " Demand " heikki to let lewis past . The FIA would not allow it at all , they are on the team radio's Frequency at all times . so if it had been an " order " then Mclaren would of been stripped of the win about an hour ago .
Like i said before IT IS perfectly legal to REQUEST your driver to give up the place .
If he Doesnt want to give up the place Then that is his choice and no one can make him do it , thats when it becomes illegal .
Martin Brundle said this last year at Brazil , and i think he has a better understanding on Rules than any of us here on Bleacher Report . So he is Not going to make that statement live on TV if its not true .
It was simply two great team mates doing a great job of Winning For The TEAM !!!!
about 1 month ago
Well if it was obvious today Dagni then i expect the FIA to do something, thanks for the information about France. Go LEWIS keep winning, keep beating the Ferrari's as they go backwards!
about 1 month ago
Kyllä, i didn't know that Heikki is team player, but in this situation, he must to be team player.
And i don't care what Martin Brundle said, i spoke to other experts and they were little bit suspicious.
Have you heard Christian Danner, or Florian Köning, or Niki Lauda what they said?
Perfect driver? No, just a perfect car, and the other "top" car was little bit struggling.
from about 1 month ago
Lauda hails 'unbeatable' Hamilton
Formula One great Niki Lauda believes Britain's Lewis Hamilton could become unbeatable after securing back-to-back wins in Germany and Britain.
Hamilton, who went to Germany locked in a three-way tie at the top of the drivers' standings, has now built a four-point lead in the championship.
"He gave an outstanding performance," said the three-time F1 champion.
"It was a great race from him in Germany and if If he continues like this, he will be unbeatable."
Lauda has been critical of Hamilton in the past, notably for his error-prone start to this season, and for wasting his chance to win the championship last year.
But after two breathtaking pieces of overtaking at Hockenheim at the weekend and his consummate performance in the wet at Silverstone a fortnight ago, Lauda compared the Englishman to the iconic former world champion Ayrton Senna.
"He has now gone up in my estimation," said Lauda, who won who won the drivers' championship in 1975, 1977 and 1984.
"The race was won by Lewis and not by the team, because the team made it unnecessarily complicated (by not pitting Hamilton during the safety car period)
"Whatever excuse they will have, the other way was easier. But if he continues to drive like this, and not start fading like last year in the last couple of races, then he is going in the right direction, no question.
"It was an absolutely great race from him. It was Senna-type driving.
"Last year he was my favourite, but then he screwed up in the last couple of races and so didn't understand why he started this year as bad as he finished last year, but I think he's got the message now.
"From Silverstone and that difficult race, and in this difficult race, he has produced outstanding performances.
"So he is on the right track, and if he continues like this he is unbeatable."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7517565.stm
about 1 month ago
McLaren have been at it for years. Just ask DC. They have a number 1 driver just like most teams. That is F1, so not much point moaning about it.
about 1 month ago
At the end of the day the FIA would have said something, so therefore we must assume that Mclaren and their two drivers played by the rules. That is all I have to say on this matter.
about 1 month ago
Exactly Billy , short , sweet and straight to the point , well said .
about 1 month ago
Heikki is a very nice guy and a good team player but just not quick enough!! On a day on what should have been a McLaren 1-2, Heikki not only failed to overtake Massa on the opening lap, but wasn't gaining any ground on Piquet, Massa or Heidfeld after the safety car period.
He did the smart thing by letting Hamilton through, sensing how much quicker Hamilton was when compared to him. Team orders or not, Hamilton would have gone through anyway. Heikki was just being a good team player and can in no way be compared to what Barrichello was put through at Ferrari.
Also, it is ludicrous to suggest that both drivers aren't given the same equipment. Remember, the TV money gets distributed among the teams by the position they finish in the Constructor's Championship, not Driver's. For McLaren to win the C'ship, they have to have both drivers finishing as high as possible.
about 1 month ago
i think he was told to pass, but lewis would have passed him within the next two- three laps anyway. he would have then caught massa and piquet within the remaining time... the outcome would have been the same. hamilton winning.
about 1 month ago
I find it hilarious how certain people on this thread are making claims that they 'know' information for certain that they clearly are not party to. Drivers move aside for faster cars often - usually of course when the two cars are on different teams and of very different capabilities.
The question for the conspiracy theorists to answer here (and this is coming from someone who has always been, and still is a Ferrari fan, only now a McLaren now because of the British title-prospect on the team) is:
Was Kovaleinen slower than Hamilton?
If yes, then I don't really see the problem. Why risk a messy and potentially damaging duel risking the points of both drivers and their team?
from about 1 month ago
Great comment Nicholas, i second everything that you have said. Mclaren are doing a better job at the moment, Lewis is dominating and people do not like this, so they have to put him down. Keep it up LEWIS!
from about 1 month ago
brilliant comment. I do not get how the person in question can make a comment like that when the FIA did not hear it. I mean come on, you can only lie so much.
even if he was ordered to move over, which he wasnt, it wouldn't have affected the outcome anyway. He would easily have passed him.
from about 1 month ago
Well sorry Nicholas, me knows that. It's not conspiracy theory or whatever or will FIA react or not, no they wont for various reasons like i explained but some Brits, some McLaren fanatics don't want to hear that.
Was Heikki slower than Lewis? Kyllä!!!
He's always slower than Lewis, i repeated that over million times but all all depends who listens, and all depends who wants to accept the facts or not. It's not up to me, it's up to McLaren fanatics.
Well read some Finnish press tomorrow and you will see the facts. It's not allowed in McLaren to every driver to fully express his opinion.
FIA can accept some things, and some things they simply reject. Why didn't take any action against Vettel cause he "blocked" Fernando in Saturday? I didn't get answer on that question.
from about 1 month ago
"This article is about McLaren, not about some other team."
A direct quotation from you. If this is the case, then why are you insistent upon an answer for your question about Vettel, who has nothing to do McLaren or the incident that the article is about?
Also, it is lazy of you to slur anyone who disagrees with your opinion as a "McLaren fanatic." This merely stifles debate and is no basis for an argument. Also, it is wrong to talk about "Brits" as if we are all inherently biased and blindly support McLaren and Hamilton - a cursory look at British discussion boards and newspapers would show that to be false.
I have not noticed anyone dismiss your view on the basis that you are Finnish - which I assume you are, correct me if I'm wrong - so you have no need to do the same to us.
from about 1 month ago
Nicholas, i mentioned McLaren in terms of favorism Lewis Hamilton. I'm not englishspoken person, and if you want me to write here on Finnish or Swedish, fine, easier for me. I stated that most people here are Brits, a most of people here a passionate McLaren fans. I'm not McLaren fan, i'm fan of Kimi Räikkönen, Heikki Kovalainen and Nico Rosberg.
I was just trying to be objective and to tell people here what real rules are and what happen today in Hockenheim. That's why i mentioned Vettel and Fernando's view on that. Of course that no one wants to take legal action against Vettel in Germany cause of that small mistake. Got me now?
Maybe i have been lazy in some aspects, i'm awake for whole weekend.
Also, reading some other papers and watching some other medias it makes your view more opened. I used to spend a lot of time in England, it was nice time, i worked there, but since all this Hamiltonmania began, it didn't made my life easier at all on any aspect of my life.
from about 1 month ago
It is clear which side of the fence Nicholas is on. Apart from being hypocrites, McLaren it appears to have a new lap dog in Heikki. The last one was DC and he was so screwed over by Mclaren that it is a joke. It is quite clear, then there is a new boy toy for Ron Dennis and it is Hamilton!
about 1 month ago
i think lewis would have passed heikki anyway, heikki new this. and there is no point fighting with your team mate so close to the end of the race. and both mclaren drivers know that this is the philosphy of the team. it was the right choice to make, who ever made it. its when we see what happened in austria 2002 is when its bad. especially when rubens had better speed than michael. rubens was beating him fair and square. Where as this time, mclaren made a mistake with their strategy for lewis, and he was faster by a good 0.3 to 0.7 seconds faster than heikki throughout the race....
everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course. But i dont think there is anything to really go on with this one.
about 1 month ago
Lewis Hamilton wins again. Hooray. Oh, and you're article needs some adding - this one is a little behind the actual news.....It would be cool to see a reflective piece....
about 1 month ago
It's a testament to the integrity and professionalism of Hiekki that he did not hold Hamilton up. Despite what ITV are continously spouting about Ferrari, Heikki is the one under the most pressure after the unlucky season he has had. Thus he showed a great attitude to allow Hamilton threw, even though Heikki desperately needs the points. Wouldn't have made Mclaren happy though...
about 1 month ago
There is only one word for this
TEAM ORDERS
Ron Dennis was on the radio and right after that we all saw that Hikki stepped on the brakes to let Lewis by.
It was clearly team orders but McLaren was not using it in a smart way. clearly in breach with the FIA
The whole statement from Ron about how great it was of Hikki to move to the side. No Hikki would not have done this on his own and I wish we could get the radio transmission.
Lewis would most likely have passed him any way, but when and would he had won ?
from about 1 month ago
of course it was, that is why the FIA have said there was no team orders......
team orders is two words as well.....
from about 1 month ago
So I'm assuming you know Heikki personally then, seeing as you are able to tell that he "would not have done this on his own". Although you don't know him well enough to be able to spell his name...
about 1 month ago
When Rubens pulled over for Michael (a practice that has been going on for a hundred years? Mclaren fans cried foul. The English media were disgusting in the way that they attacked Michael and Ferrari, calling them cheats etc.The common cry was how can Michael stand on that podiun, knowing he did not earn the win. Now we come to McLaren doing the same thing, and there are people on all of the sites rushing to defend the action. Where is the so called British fair play, why is there a double standard? For F1 to become a real sport, it needs new life to run it, new people with a real vision, oh and moving it out of the UK would be a great help.
about 1 month ago
Holy crap... not much point in posting here... Looks like it's been beaten to death.
I would ask one simple question:
Was Heikki closing the gap to the leaders like Lewis was?
If not, he should have gotten out of the way and allowed the faster car through, since it was his teammate.
Tough cookies for Heikki, but why cut off your nose to spite your face?
Nice run for Lewis. Class of the field for the second race in a row.
from about 1 month ago
This is not NASCAR, in F1 drivers do not pull over because the guy behind has better pace.
from about 1 month ago
When it is team mates they do ... Heikki knew he didnt have that pace hence moving over, Adam, no he wasnt gaining on the leaders but Lewis was, at an alarming rate thus proved by the race win, Paul ... I suggest thinking before you speak and stop thinking you are the law, your not very well respected in this place and this is purely down to your negative nature ... Why not try to be civilised for once ? Great comment Adam, Paul not so much !
from about 1 month ago
I second what Ben said, take his advice before you make yourself look even more naive.
about 1 month ago
Ben you are of full of yourself and live by a double standard. You were one of the first to attack this article, as for your buddy Dafy, well enough said. As for respect, it matters not to me what others feel about me, as long as I give you the respect to not tell you, that I think you are a pompous a**, as I would not do that. So my advice to you, stop thinking you know it all, get off your double standards, nobody died and made you the chief of police!
from about 1 month ago
WOW - its getting hot in the kitchen in here .... Bennie and Paul ?
from about 1 month ago
Paul, I am not even going to lower myself to your incredibly low standards, ... Yes I am full of myself, that will be my confidence, my confidence in being able to say something about F1 which I am not only A) Passionate about but B) Very knowledgable about ... I can say something and know that with my sound judgement I can back up and support an opinion, something which you RARELY do and I know that if questioned I have a sound answer and I will stand by my opinion. I do not have double standards at all ... I have strong beliefs but can ALWAYS see both sides to every story, again ... Something which is completely beyond you my 'not too clever' friend ... As for attacking the article, trust me if you read back you will see that there has been much worse things said on this piece other than what I have said ... Of course I am the first to comment on things, I am the first to comment on most things considering I attempt to comment on EVERY article posted, thats why I am community leader because I promote a good community and try to promote MY community in a positive light so when someone like yourself comes in here spoiling the party for everyone I will be VERY defensive ! I am glad you think I am a pompus ass, means I am inside your head and I aint going no where, ha ha !
So in reply to your advice ... I do know it all, I have an opinion on EVERYTHING ... I dont have double standards, I simply see things from both side of the fence and can reply to both sides of the fence with more of a comment other than "Its Rhetorrical Rubbish" or whatever else it is you continuously repeat. Actually speaking of being the chief ... I am currently community leader helping to promote the F1 community not only on Bleacher but on other web sites, so right now I am doing my job and you would do well to try and help, NOT hinder ! Thanks for listening Paul.
from about 1 month ago
Ben your knowledge regarding racing is at best regurgitated factoids and a great search engine.
from about 1 month ago
The fact that I can formulate a reply to anything that you have to throw at me and my replies come from my own knowledge, not a great search engine or any kind of regurgitated factoid ... My replies are always of sound reasoning and are more than equal to any of your replies ...
Your quote - Ben your knowledge regarding racing is at best regurgitated factoids and a great search engine.
My reply - Lets see the fibre of your fabric big man, Lets have some articles of your own and lets see you at the top of the writer rankings for the amount of time I have been there ... By the way it wont happen, I can promise you that you wont even get the the top never mind maintain such a position ! The reason, because you do not respresent this site in a good light and people do not respect you or your half wit answers. So in reply to your quote ... My factoids and great search engine is doign great at the top of the writer rankings, how do you like those apples Paul ?
Oh and another snippet of information ... I have never professed to having an exceptional knowledge about "racing" ... My specialty is F1 and F1 only ... Get your facts right before you make yourself look silly ... AGAIN !
from about 1 month ago
How do I like those apples? If you think for one moment, that I give a flying flip what you and a couple of cronies think, then you are more sad than I think. The truth is that your lack of racing knowledge is evident to the most mindless of laypeople. There are some great articles written on the site, some I do not agree with, yet I am still happy to give them their credit due. They all have one thing in common, none of them are written by you. You have a position on this site simply because you have written a lot of articles. So get off your high horse, stop your condescending attitude and while you are at it, get a personality!
from about 1 month ago
My lack of racing knowledge is terrible yes ... Thats because I dont know anything about 'racing' as a general term ... My knowledge lies in F1 ... How many more times do I need to say this ?
As for the great articles being written by everyone on this site other than me just leads me to believe that you havent even read my articles and if you disagree with them so much why dont you go comment my articles and lets debate them on there ... Put your mony where your mouth is Paul.
You say I have a position on this site by the sheer amount of articles I have written, well thats funny, I have 25 artcicles and 6 articles of the day awards ... The writers in 2nd, 3rd and 4th all have sometimes more than double the amount of articles I do yet less articles of the day ... Quality over quantity for me or is it simples math you struggle with ?
I will be condescending to you sir because you act like a child I will talk to you like one ... Personality check ... All fine here Heff !
about 1 month ago
Yes he did press pit wall, so he could have talking to any of the drivers. Its funny that whenever there is a broadcast within the pit lane, nothing is heard, EVER! So now people can hear what is being said, funny that coming from fans of ferrari. Its over now, nothing is going to happen as the FIA would have done something about the race orders. Complaing and making things up on here will not change the way the race ended. The best driver won, weather he started at the back of the field, the Ferrari's at the front anywhere. The best driver is leading the championship, stop crying about decisions that cannot be changed by your opinions or lies! TELEVSION CHANNELS DO NOT BROADCAST THE SOUND IN THE PIT LANE, PERIOD. IF YOU CAN PROVE TO ME THEY DO, I WILL BELIEVE YOU.
Lewis = Domination
Ferrari = Fiat Panda
from about 1 month ago
So Matthew, if the best person is leading the championship, you are saying that the best person wins. Does not that think clash with your article on Senna, who clearly was not the one doing all of the winning.
You and Ben should get along well, he likes to live by a double standard!
from about 1 month ago
PAUL - as much as I think you are unpopular
i have to say - you are in a strange way - a very funny guy ....
You and Ben should get along well, he likes to live by a double standard! - -
ha ha - truth or not am not sure, but its a funny sentence
Bennie - i still love ya mate, but you gotta give credit to Paul for sticking to his guns
from about 1 month ago
Yeah but the difference between me and Paul is I am proud to stand by my double standards because I ALWAYS have a reason and evidence behind my opinion and when I put it on the record on an article I leave it there rather than deleting them like Paul does ...
from about 1 month ago
I delete my articles when they have run their course, I am not interested in visiting "past glories" that is a figure of speech)
However I have been since asked to leave them on the site, so I will, for prosperity shall we say! Truth is that when I have finished with my edit, I never read the article again. On the other hand, I think Ben sits down and reads his earlier articles every night.
from about 1 month ago
You delete your articles because you dont like people to be able to hold you to anything youhave said because you are spinless sir, a spinless man who is more than happy to belittle everyone who he either A) See's as a threat or B) Just generally dislikes ... And why Paul, why do you think I read my articles every night, I actually do have a life, I have a great life, a great wife and a great family, oh and not to mention the abundance of friends who regulary visit me ... I am sorry that you have to envy my life and this is how you attack me via your comments which quite frankly are of the intelligence level of an 11 year old just learning to fight his own battles.
about 1 month ago
Didnt Rubens move over at the last corner, so embarrassing Michael could not stomach the top of the podium he made Rubens go up there, that is real class from a team with such high standards and integrity, so much more then Mclaren.
from about 1 month ago
Trying to figure out your thoughts, first Hamilton did not benefit from team orders and then you address an incident a number of years ago!
from about 1 month ago
i think Paul is hilarious - he is just odd, but he is funny, we need someone like him in the house
cheers matey
about 1 month ago
When i mean sound in the pitlane i mean talking, before i am picked up on that. Oh by the way Dagni, you make it sound that you were forced out of england because of Lewis, what are you talking about. Oh yes i remember the press like it was yesterday " Mass excodus of Finns, and Lewis Hamilton forces them to stop work, and flee country" I dont think i have ever read so much rubbish in my life. What will you do when Ferrari decide that Massa is the driver for the title, and Kimi has to start letting me go, as i can see this coming, as Kimi is driving bad, like Massa actually, but he is the lesser of two eveils. Will you be on here crying foul?
I can see the reply, This is about Mclaren not Ferrari, i was on the pit wall when all this was happening, Lewis forced me out of England.
from about 1 month ago
Wrong Matthiew. I used to work in England and that was nice time. So i wasn't forced from England, it's just not the same like it used to be.
Those are extremly hard and insulting words: Mass exodus of Finns.
As far as i know, Heikki Kovlainen is Finnish, driving for British team, Kimi Räikkönen used to drive for McLaren, so as Mika Häkkinen ja Keke Rosberg.
Not to mention Rally Ford team with Hirvonen ja Latvala.
I just don't feel confortable in England like i used to.
Also i think you miss the point, i'm not Ferrari fan, i have always supported Finns wherever they are, and i am happy when i see that they are happy too. And that is not case with Heikki at this moment.
But it is you who make big deal of that, not me. I'm just defending my countrymans and for sure that i will not defend them if they do somtething stupid.
about 1 month ago
Oh paul trying to put words into peoples mouth, i think people that do this are great. HE IS THE BEST DRIVER AT THE MOMENT, HENCE HE IS THE BEST DRIVER, AND YES I EXPECT HIM TO WIN THIS YEAR. Senna won three titles, thats good enough for me and the millions of people around the world that love him, compared to the bitter mumerings of a man named Paul.
One last thing, so Ferrari have not had team orders lately, nice one.
Thanks for the great comment though Paul, i havent been on here long, but i see why people say about you and your great ways of communication.
Have a great day
from about 1 month ago
i think Paul is hilarious - he is just odd, but he is funny, we need someone like him in the house
cheers matey
from about 1 month ago
Matthew, if I was attacking Ferrari fans and Michael Schumacher, you would have no problems with my posts. It is because I opposed to the neanderthal thinking, that has Senna as the best ever and Ron Dennis as a saint, that causes you problems!
about 1 month ago
Okay, since I ran through the posts, and don't see the math, I'll do it.
IF Heikki holds up teammate Hamilton, who was obviously FASTER, and the results are Piquet wins (and the heavens parted and Angels sang), Massa 2nd, Heidfeld 3rd, Heikki 4th, and Lewis 5th. Here's the points standings:
Massa 56
Hamilton 52
Raikkonen 51
Kubica 48
But here's the actual standings:
Hamilton 58
Massa 54
Raikkonen 51
Kubica 48
More importantly, here's the difference in the Manufacturer's Standings:
Fact Fiction (if Heikki held Lewis up with results listed above)
Ferrari 105 107
BMW Sauber 89 90
McLaren 86 81
Since I thought there were two championships at stake, and the team is concerned with gaining points on Ferrari and BMW, then getting Hamilton past the slower Kovalainen was crucial, as it resulted in a net gain of 6 points for McLaren on BMW for 2nd, and 7 on Ferrari.
That's big picture thinking from my perspective. Is it possible Heikki was aware of this? Did he brake too deep into the hairpin? Did Lewis just put a move on him because he's a better driver and had a faster car?
Does it really matter?
Also, McLaren has gained 15 points on Ferrari in the Manuf. Championship over the last two races.
So it's no wonder that there's a bunch of whining going on. McLaren has found some speed, and that concerns those wearing red.
Ferrari should be more worried about why Kimi is off the pace of the McLaren, rather than what McLaren drivers are doing.
Finally I seem to recall that during qualifying, the teams use a small refueling rig for each car—I would assume to specifically control the fuel load on that car (since it seems the cars don't run exactly the same fuel load). They don't use the main team refueling rig that is utilized during the race.
That would explain the discrepancy between the 22 and 23 during Q2.
from about 1 month ago
Adam, first let me say that I agree with most of your points in this post. For my part, I feel that team orders is an integral part of team racing in F1(where it was the accepted practice for a hundred years) This is of course very different from the states, can you imagine Jr moving over JJ? The problem is that a few years ago, Rubens moved over for Michael, at that time the holier than though media and fan base in the UK, were up in arms, calling Michael and Ferrari cheats. It is this double standard that I am opposed to, not Joe Blow moving over for Adam Ant!
from about 1 month ago
Hey it's pretty simple to me... If the guy who signs my paycheck tells me to move over—I'm moving over.
But at the same time I'm not going to hold up my teammate when he has a chance to catch the guys who are pulling away from me. If I'm caught and slower, then I see no pride to be gained by hurting the team for selfish desires.
I think a guy named Alonso might could take a note from that...
from about 1 month ago
Spot on mate ... Great comment ... Well done Adam !
Paul - It doesnt shock me that you still have an opposition to the write up !?
about 1 month ago
But why should the then current champion move over for a rookie?
about 1 month ago
Ok Paul, you think how you wanna think, and so will i. I have said that if it was proven that Heikki was told to get out of the way then the FIA have to do something about it, and i would say something if it were the Ferrari's as i have stated in these posts.
I have never said that Ron Dennis is a saint, these are your words, i have only said that i thought that Senna was the best, it is you how says that he is not, i have just stated that many people around the world feel the same as i do. Nothing is Neanderthat as you quite elegently put it.
I think Schumacher was a great driver, the same way that i think Kimi is, he is not doing great at the moment, hence how Lewis has come to the forefront.
Your right about the Schumacher and Ferrari years, the English press tore them to pieces, which is wrong because apart from Hakkinen and Alonso he was the best driver in that period of time. Schumacher is loved by many people still in this country by the way.
about 1 month ago
One point, you said "apart from Hakkinen and Alonso he was the best driver in that period of time"
are you saying that Mika and Fernando were better than Michael?
about 1 month ago
Im saying that they were good enough to beat him twice to the title, while he was driving for Ferrari, not that they were better drivers.
about 1 month ago
Ok as long as we accept that Mika and Fernando were both in dominant cars!
from about 1 month ago
Can we also accept then that Schumacher was in the dominant car every time he won the world championship?
about 1 month ago
listen up y'all, simple as this. The FIA have said there is no evidence of team orders. They have said that the following was said:
"Heikki you have Lewis right behind and he is about a second a lap faster, just letting you know."
at the next corner, Heikki let him go.
end of discussion here, no team orders at all.
funny how a ferrari fan can go on about team orders when they made f1 unwatchable in 2001 and 2002 with constant team orders.
signing off on this discussion now.
from about 1 month ago
Give me ONE example apart from the obvious one occasion!.
about 1 month ago
I saw that race with Rubens and Micheal and I don't remember Rubens pulling over and letting Micheal by I remember Rubens having to put on his brakes and slow rite down to a crawl till Micheal was able to catch up to him to pass him before the finish line !!!!!! That's the DIFFERENCE (and yes I know it's Michael)
about 1 month ago
Okay, i've read everones comments and would like to clarify. And i'm saying this as a Ferrari fan.
Hamilton did have the faster car.
Kovalainen was overtaken, Hamilton was on fresh new soft tyres.
There were no team orders, they have been illegal for the last few years, although team requests are fine, but the driver is not compelled to move over.
Kovalainen played the dutiful team mate - like Massa did at Brazil last year.
It's what F1 team mates do, when one is in a better position they help each other.
Massa threw his weight behind Kimi after Monza, when he had no chance of winning the WDC.
But whats sad is that Kovalainen seems to have given up already.
He should keep fighting, but psycologically this season has battered him. He did better at Renault.
from about 1 month ago
Well said Jane ... Well done !
from about 1 month ago
Perfect comment, I hope that puts that to bed now.
about 1 month ago
PAUL HEFFERNAN , Ill give you another example of team orders from ferrari as i was talking about this one last night .
BRAZIL 2007 .
Massa is leading the grand prix with around 18 laps left , he was 3 tenths a lap quicker than Raikkonen .
At this point lewis hamilton had clawed his way back to a points position and was on to win the title .
All of a sudden Felipe massa has a sudden lack of pace at his home grand prix .........My arse , he did exactly what ferrari told him to do and make way for Kimi to take the WDC thus giving the Scuderia both titles .
this example is ferrari using team work . how in any way is that any different from yesterday ??? in fact i see this as worse because yesterday the title wasnt immediatly at stake through the german gp . whereas brazil you can argue that ferrari's team orders deflected the championship !!!!!!!
food for thought for you paul .
from about 1 month ago
If you took a closer look, I was responding to a comment about 2001 and 2002. The context of all the comments was in regards to Michael!
from about 1 month ago
Mark Massa did say that after Monza last year, everyone in the team was then focused on helping Kimi, including himself, because he was the only one with a shot at winning the Drivers Championship.
Massa was the gentleman, not the servant. He got out of the way, but he wasn't told to.
about 1 month ago
well your still a blind ferrari fan , ive said all i have to say to you on this piece and the other article ive just commented on . its blatantly obvious your just here for the arguments .
from about 1 month ago
Not so, it is you that follows me around like a puppy dog, trying to start an argument. You even send me messages with vulgar language, you should be banned from the site for stalking and profanity!
from about 1 month ago
Paul , the post you just replied to is 1 day old so dont pull that trick now saying im looking for an argument ive been trying to write my next article but keep seeing your replies to my message .
Again tho double standards , because if i remember rightly you went STALKING and LOOKING for michaels articles to start an argument a few weeks ago .
Whats your game ?
Ill tell you the truth , ive had enough of you , but you think im guna let you show me up on this site , where i have put a lot of my effort in ? not a chance . im a natural defender so i defend my position and i defend myself from bullies like you .
Im here to write not to bother with the likes of you . but you keep pushing and prodding , waiting for a reaction .
about 1 month ago
When I wrote this piece while watching the race when in Lap 56 or 57 I never imagined the reactions stink that it would raise nor did I envisage that it would become a never ending war of words between the protagonists.
Let me clraify my position here, cause the tempest it has raised leaves me tongue-tied.
I am neither Finn nor Brit, I am neither a McLaren fan or hater, nor am I a Ferrari fan or hater. I am on neutral ground. My reaction boils down to reactions on what I saw and interepreted from television viewing.
Here are the conclusions from all the above comments and also reality:
1. YES - we all agree that TEAM ORDERS exist; be it McLaren or Ferrari or Godimji or John Doe's team.
2. YES - sometimes these team orders favor the one conceived to bring in more points or be a race leader or for the overall good positioning of the team
3. YES - teams have violated by SUGGESTION or BY FORCE the F1 regulation. And for what I mean by SUGGESTION people should refer to Psychiatry/Psychology.
NOW, let us come to major part of my article that very few reacted to: the refueling rig in Q2
4. NO - It is not possible that HEIKKI is the ONLY ONE in the whole Qualifying session who fails to have a FIA complaint fueling equipment, that too in Q2. Why not in Q1?
5. Why not any other teams? Why not any other driver?
6. How is it possible that he had a compliant one in Q1 but not in Q2?
7. Is this a mistake or a deliberate lapse? Is there sabotage involved?
Let us look at all these things with moderation and objectivity. Then probably we could find the reasons as to why Heikki was penalized. What if that penalty was a grid penalty?
It also begs the question:
8. What was fuel load on Heikki's car in Race? Why was he slower than Hamilton when both of them had the same car under them. Let us bear in mind that Heikki has some fastest laps under his belt before Hockenheim.
That's it from me.
from about 1 month ago
Well let me say that I enjoyed the article, I also would have not made a comment. However when Ben and his friends attacked the article, I felt that they were wrong. Must preface what I say, with one point, I am opposed to McLaren, always have been. It is not that I am opposed to having a number one, in fact I am very much for it. My problem is that McLaren have had a