Bleacher Report - Articles by Prasenjit Das

Brawn and Brawl Promise a Totally Different Formula One Season! Next Sepang...

Prasenjit Das — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 08:38:54 -0400

Jenson Button and Ross Brawn have taken the title of "The Wizard(s) Of Oz" by 7pm in Melbourne Australia!! A classy ("fairy tale" according to Button and Fry!) 1-2 and hope of a stronger deal with Virgin just made this Sunday the most memorable one for them.

After the race one can get a flat emotion, actually all the feelings had counter-cancelled each other to leave you with glassy eyes and deranged look. Why so? Lets ask ourselves...

Are we not happy?

Oh hell yeah we are!!! From no-existence to domination , the story of the Brackley team can serve as a guideline of determination, courage and indomitable spirit to many. A fantastic work done (whether with new diffusers or not...I really don't care!) and achievement of a great result. Fans worldwide would patch up a smile for them...

We are happy as the OWG went in the right direction, and that F1 has come out of boring two-team domination into a open sport.

Are we sad?

Lot of us could be. The great divide between Macca and Tifosis has got bridged (even if temporarily!). Everybody has agreed that it is very very difficult to beat Brawn GP at least as per the current performance ratings are concerned.

Teams have come together to appeal against technicalities of other teams , though they may be right but this FIAsco and a talk of points stripping is really bad for the sport.

So we are sad. We are sad because Lewis might not get a chance to defend the title, we are sad as it would a some time that we see a red, a silver and a Spanish (this one is totally on the driver!) car fight it out for the championship...

Hence out feelings have got intermingled and we are still stare in awe at the dawn ( or Brawn!) of a new era.

Back to basics

Okay, now that Oz race is done Malaysia looms in the horizon. We saw breath taking overtakes, stunning lap times and lots of incidents in this one, and it is strongly felt that this has set the tone for the season and the races all through are going to be topsy-turvy!!! I just can't wait for the F1 band wagon to enter Europe!

But then sepang is a modern and wide circuit, and should open up to overtaking even more. Though too early here are my predictions on Sepang finishing order, with a right mix of Brawn and brawl...

1. Nico Rosberg

2. Jenson Button

3. Robert Kubica

4. Rubens Barrichello

5. Kazuki Nakajima

6. Timo Glock

7. Nick Heidfield

8. Jarno Trulli

9. Kimi Raikkonen (?)

10. Lewis Hamilton (?)

Whats your take folks? Cars better have build standards of Demolition Derby!!! As this season its going to be a wheel to wheel fight...

Roll on Sepang!

Formula 1 In Singapore: Do We Really Need To Race at Night?

Prasenjit Das — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:42:08 -0400

Yes, you read the headline right. This isn't an article about what happened in spa or
if Lewis Hamilton is an arrogant loud mouth or the best racer. Sorry, folks this one will be different.

We have our first ever night race in Singapore in 10 days time. The first NIGHT race.

The concept of driving at night is very interesting. Even in road cars, drivers are asked to be more careful while driving at night because of low visibility levels. Now, think about driving at night in a 750 horse-power car in a high speed race! Lets contemplate.

I AM one of those formula 1 fans eagerly waiting to see this gala event. But, some questions about this race do not stop poking me.

1. Why at night?

Though the event will likely be real eye candy, it could be a very risky affair. With street circuits already known for crashes and nudges in day races, won't running a street race at night increase those risks?

I admit that the lighting system could be spectacular, but I don't anything gives clear
vision as daylight does.

2. Is starting a night race contradicting the implementation of KERS and Bio-fuel?

Racing at night means BIG lights. With big lighting comes big use of electricity and fuel. In an era where talks of global warming and saving energy dominate, does this kind of an event fit in?

What do you think Bleacher Creatures? Wouldn't it be better to have it during the day (I admit it would jeopardize difference with GMT and TV timings all over the world, but there would have to be a way to make it work)?

The ball is in your court people. What do you think?

P.S. : None of the statements have been uttered by Lewis Hamilton or his family members! :)

Formula 1 Drivers Getting Over-Ruled By Rules?

Prasenjit Das — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:21:37 -0400

The five lights are ON!!! And we are on the way to another Grand Prix.

The inside of the cockpit is hot, the water available is not enough. The first turn is
approaching..aargh...somebody is trying to outbrake me to it, whoa! that guy is in trouble.....bad crash.

Okay okay let me calm myself down. WHERE IS MY CHECKLIST???!!! Uh oh, another corner coming!....damn I have to slow down to check the checklist.... oh I found it...alright.. (1). Did I cut the corner? No. (2). Did I touch any car? No (3). Did I ..... 4. Did I... (and so on).

HEY WAIT!!! S***t, others are passing...oh no...I forgot to drive while I was looking at the list, I have to chase them, okay, lets go....Oh No! another corner passed...WHERE IS MY CHECKLIST AGAIN?....

The above paragraph is a guess on what might go through a driver's mind in future. Do we make rules or tdo he rules make us? In the near future, will driving skills be succeeded by rule memorizing abilities?

These are questions I am throwing to all other bleacher creatures, as I do not have the right answers.

I have always believed rules should exist for only two purposes: safety and fairness.

But, then I find myself leaving the decision to a bunch of people who some times have never felt what it is like to be in a 750 BHP car or make decisions in a hundreth of a second.

I also admit that enforcement of adequate rules is what keeps everybody in line. So what do you suggest? Should the rules be as they are now: totally confusing with every clause arguable based on perspective?

Or should rules be made clear-cut, simple, and objective?

Each side has its pros and cons. Complicated rules let the stewards impose them at their fancy. On the other hand, it is the ambiguity of those rules and decisions that allows resistance!.

For example, if the rule on surrendering an unfair advantage had a numerical value of relative speed difference to be surrendered, then the Spa issue would not have have happened.

Over to you bleacher creatures.

Will Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikkonen or Lewis Hamilton Win in Belgium?

Prasenjit Das — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:42:18 -0400

Once again, the Belgian GP has arrived. The track at Spa-Francorchamps has been a balanced favorite since its inception in 1991.

Both Ferrari and McLaren have shown strength here, not to forget Renault-Damon Hill pair ups and Schumacher-Benetton pair ups.

Unpredictable weather makes this race more interesting! At one stage in its history, it had rained at the Belgian Grand Prix for 20 years in a row. Frequently drivers confront a part of the course that is clear and bright while another stretch is rainy and slippery.

Most drivers today say that the Spa course is the most challenging race track on the F1 calendar.

But this challenge has been brutally conquered by one man known as Kimi Raikkonen. From 2004 to 2007, he has made a hat trick of wins here. Last year he won with 4.6-second gap ahead of teammate Felipe Massa.

I have a strong gut feeling that with a fresh engine, Kimi can stage a comeback. But if Kimi fails to raise his game, then with the current quality runs Felipe is enjoying, that gap may vanish into thin air (especially if Massa gets POLE .... okay why pole is emphasized? read my previous article!).

Kimi has this chance for redemption, if he loses it here....well you know the rest....

There is one man, about whom if I do not say anything, it is really not fashionable these days. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I AM talking about Lewis Hamilton. Will Lewis win this? Well last year's result was not great and Kimi was in good form.

However, Lewis has matured a lot as the season has progressed (I believe we won't see another Canada... it would just gift the race to Massa).

I am really feeling that if Lewis gets a Q1 or Q2 with Kimi beside him, we are in for a great racing event! And Massa, Kubica and Heikki would be more than eagerly waiting to capitalize on any mistake made by the front men.

I think the post-race standings will look like this:

1. Lewis Hamilton.

2. Kimi Raikkonen.

3. Felipe Massa.

4. Robert Kubica.

5. Heikki Kovaleinen.

6. Nick Heidfield.

7. Fernando Alonso.

8. Jarno Trulli.

*While speculating on the final line up, I have made following assumptions:

1. Ferrari will not suffer from engine failure.

2. McLaren will continue improving its pace without compromising the super reliability.

3. BMW comes free of the ride stability issues.

So, on whom are you putting your money this time?

"Felipe Massa Is F1 WDC" Do You Like the Statement? I Bloody Well Don't!

Prasenjit Das — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:23:19 -0400

Well, yes, my question is DO you like it like that? Do you think that Ferrari should put all its might behind Felipe and push him hard at Spa?

Instead of Kimi? Well by the time I am waiting for a response from my fellow Bleacher Creatures... I may well provide you with my point of view...

I feel obliged to recap what Massa has done in his F1 career till date. Felipe joined F1 in Sauber in 2002 with Nick Heidfield. In his rookie season, he scored four points in one fifth-place finish. He lost his place at Sauber in 2003 as Frentzen was to pair up with Nick.

From this year, starts the relationship between him and the "REDZ," when he spent a lot of time in their garage as Ferrari used to supply engines to Sauber.

In 2004 he rejoins Sauber. Score 14 points. Best Result: fourth place at Spa.

In 2005, Massa remained with Sauber. Although he only scored 11 points, Massa outpaced his teammate Jacques Villeneuve through most of the season, and beat him in the drivers' championship.

In 2006, Massa re-joined Ferrari as a race driver, alongside Michael Schumacher.

2006- Score: 80.(3rd)

Best Result: Turkish win from pole position and home Brazil GP win again from pole!

2007-

Key points:

Aussie GP: 10 place penalty for engine change. Massa's problems continued in Malaysia, where despite qualifying on pole position, the McLarens of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton overtook him at turn one (so pole is also not his surest means to success).

His season subsequently improved, as he won the Grands Prix of Bahrain and Spain, both from pole position (Ain't it getting a bit monotonous?...it sure is), and finished third in Monaco.

The race stewards at the Canadian Grand Prix disqualified Massa for leaving the pit lane while the red light was showing (starting to look for similarities?). He won 2007 Turkish GP, and guess what...this one again from POLE!

We all know what happened this year. Bahrain seems to be the rarest of occasions (the only one I think!...correct me if it is not so) when he won the race after not getting pole, but anyways started from 2nd and got past Kubica on Lap 1.

And don't tell about Magny-Cours! Massa is a man who needs the track to himself. He can qualify well and if he gets a pole he wins it, otherwise it generally takes a mishap on the part of the person in front of him so that he gets the lead position.

In terms of overtaking or preventing others from overtaking him...well, see the recording of Hockenheim!

Kimi Raikkonen is any day a better driver than Massa in any situation and has brought home a WDC for the Fezza team but still comments like "Ferrari's bid for WDC will crystallize behind Massa" flow around.

After such an end to the 2007 season, I really looked forward to see a teeth-to-teeth battle between Lewis and Kimi, and I do not like what I see. I am a McLaren fan(atic) and would surely love to see Lewis be WDC, but Massa? What's your point, fellas?

A WDC means people, even though not supporting you, should say "Well done, mate" after the season. Has Massa shown any such brilliance?

People say Lewis got lucky to get a seat at McLaren as a rookie... but then put Massa in a Toro Rosso and ask him to finish in the top 10 every time...I bet he would not be able to it.

He is not World Champion material. His being WDC will be like Keke Rosberg's 1982 title.

Waiting for your feedback!

Will Hungarian GP Seal the WDC, or Will History Repeat Itself?

Prasenjit Das — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:15:52 -0400

Hungary is one of the historical Formula One circuits. The circuit’s driver and constructor successes have been varied over the years.

Michael Schumacher has won here four times; Ayrton Senna thrice; and Nelson Piquet, Jacques Villenueve, Damon Hill, and Mika Hakkinen each scored twice.

Both the Williams and McLaren teams have each won the constructors crown seven times.

Constant dominance has not been prominent if you look into teams from which winning drivers came from, with only Williams-Renault having three consecutive wins.

So, can we say that Lewis Hamilton will storm to victory this time too? Maybe not!

The Formula One fraternity believes the Hungaroring to be a McLaren favorite.

The track itself is on the narrower side and passing is difficult. Hence, anyone with a MP4-23 or a F2008 sitting on pole can lead every lap and win the race, in a similar fashion as in 2007.

This time too, can we expect pit strategy to be the decider in the final lineup?

In the 1998 Hungarian GP, Mika Hakkinen's gearbox problem allowed Michael Schumacher to win the race with a three-stop strategy, which was seen as a masterstroke by tactician Ross Brawn.

Hence, it is not easy to predict the Hungaroring GP, considering the way pit wall decisions have backfired for both the front-running teams.

Thus, we can be in for another relatively boring GP, which might become more of a procession—or somebody’s loose strategy might hand over podium finishes for the likes of Renault.

My point is that some flicker of genius may provide us with a breathtaking maneuver to take places, but to do so, Ferrari would surely need to cover up and exceed the seven-by-tenth deficit over McLaren and just hope for no mishaps.

Still, from my side, I feel that if bad luck does not strike and Lewis Hamilton is in the front row, then until and unless Kimi Raikkonen can bring home a sparkling drive, Ferrari’s chances are dim.

Big Question:

Will a win here seal the WDC for Hamilton? Or will we see Raikkonen sail over others with a win here and become a two-time champ?

Bleacher Creatures, do let me know your views.