450SEL6.9

I would hate to see more and more young "talent". I'm really disliking sub-20 year-olds getting into F1 with little formula racing experience. I like it even less when they get into F1 and immediately go to a top team so I am happy to read about Vettel possibly starting full-time with STR.

When Raikkonen made it into F1, he had a handful of races with Formula Renault. He was said to be "good enough" for F1 and I'm not doubting that. The simulators, driver aids, testing budgets, team budgets, etc . . . made sure he would be ready for F1, but had he achieved enough to be considered for F1? I think he had not.

My point is that F1 is supposed to be the top racing series in the world and, in my perhaps extreme opinion, these inexperienced, teenage "star" drivers are making entry into the sport look excessively simple and super quick. Even exceptionally talented drivers used to toil in the feeder series, test cars, drive backmarking lemons for several years before a top team will take a look at them.

F1 is already a young man's game and it might become an extremely young man's game. If it does, I don't see why it should continue to be the pinnacle of motorsport because entry will look too easy.

Curb Zone

 

450SEL6.9

About Ralfie. F1 fans in general are very unflattering towards him. Is it because he has the Schumacher name or his bloated pay cheque? Or is it because he always insists that he is as good as his brother?

I just want to point out one thing about Ralfie. He can't drive unless he has a perfect car, but surely he is not the only one! Most of the other drivers cannot do squat without a sublime race car! We see it with even double-WDCs, journeyman drivers, overrated poofs, etc . . . Sure, I don't rate Ralf highly, but he convinced his employers to give him a big salary, he owns a couple jets and snagged a decent-looking bird for a wife. He certainly is not the only one who struggles with a rubbish car. I wouldn't go as far as his wife and call him one of the best drivers if he had a good car though.

Imhotep Evil

I have to agree with that.
Interesting fact is that Ralf is a late breaker type, but his car usually lacks brake stability and the new tires are complete crap.

Ofcourse the question is his development and setup skills.

Curb Zone