Malaysian GP and the Vettel controversy

[devilgas]

Re: Malaysian GP and the Vettel controversy

for the record, bbc didn't sell out to sky. the bbc could no longer afford to cover it due to cutbacks, so struck a deal with sky. whilst i understand the frustration, there needed to be a terrestrial feed for f1 in the uk and this was the compromise that the bbc came up with without handing it back to an advert funded entity. the bbc are far from the wronged party with the way f1 is now covered as free-to-view in blighty.

[peter]

Re: Malaysian GP and the Vettel controversy

well I have not watched it on the bbc since the switch over so not really fair to judge but I do like it on sky. ok so it's not perfect and could do with a few upgrades but I would much prefer to watch it as is and see it all as it happens then be stuck with just highlights. Having said that I will miss the next one as I am off Island on a photo course .

[JSR]

Re: Malaysian GP and the Vettel controversy

for the record, bbc didn't sell out to sky. the bbc could no longer afford to cover it due to cutbacks, so struck a deal with sky. whilst i understand the frustration, there needed to be a terrestrial feed for f1 in the uk and this was the compromise that the bbc came up with without handing it back to an advert funded entity. the bbc are far from the wronged party with the way f1 is now covered as free-to-view in blighty.

We each have our own perspective on the situation depending on our viewpoint. My only real question would be - what would be so wrong with handing it back to an advert-funded entity?

One of the worst things about the "highlights" show, beyond the missing laps, the presenters giving the impression that they're showing everything when they're not, the lack of a build-up, the lack of the aftermath, no podium, no press conference from the top three finishers, and no driver tracker because it's not live, is having to wait several hours to watch the thing. More than once last year, I had the highlights race ruined because I couldn't keep myself isolated from all social contact and all news outlets for the several hours required to not have the results spoiled.

At least if some other terrestrial station had the option of showing it, they'd show all the races live. As it stands now, we have over half the races shown in this unsatisfactory "delayed highlights" method thanks to the BBC getting into bed with Sky.

I can't believe that we're going to be a full month into the season before we even get to see one race in its entirety.

[devilgas]

Re: Malaysian GP and the Vettel controversy

We each have our own perspective on the situation depending on our viewpoint. My only real question would be - what would be so wrong with handing it back to an advert-funded entity?

[devilgas]

Re: Malaysian GP and the Vettel controversy

Vettel: "i don't apologise for winning" in malaysia

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2013/04/10/vettel-apologise-winning/

as thought at the time, crocodile tears.

[Ian]

Re: Malaysian GP and the Vettel controversy

I see Webber has a new military-style haircut

Live coverage on the BBC from early tomorrow morning!

Ian

[Ian]

Re: Malaysian GP and the Vettel controversy

I have now read that Vettel is quoted as saying he would probably do it again (ignore team orders) and he says that Webber didn't deserve the win anyway. The problem for me is that it appears that Webber had turned down his engine when he was attacked a couple of laps after the final stops, so he had nothing to defend with against Vettel. Remember that Vettel could not pass Webber up to that point. Webber felt the race was his and trusted the team, including Vettel, that his work was done. That trust has now gone for ever.

Ian

[JSR]

Re: Malaysian GP and the Vettel controversy

I enjoyed the practice sessions today on BBC2. The addition of previous interviews together with interviews during the slack moments helped enhance the sessions, I feel.

The problem for me is that it appears that Webber had turned down his engine when he was attacked a couple of laps after the final stops, so he had nothing to defend with against Vettel.

This is my concern about the incident. If it's just on-track racing with both drivers going for it, then whoever's the fastest should be able to get in front on their own merits and then go for the win. If, however, one driver has followed team orders to turn down his engine and the other driver disobeys team orders, then it's a bit rich for Vettel to say "I was faster". No, you weren't faster - Webber was slower because he obeyed the team, as you should have done. That's the difference.

Reading Webber's expression today when he was asked about Marko's preferential treatment to Vettel, when Webber said "whatever" (not wanting to put words to his thoughts), it looked to me like Webber has mentally put himself into a new place. I think it's quite clear that he won't be staying with the team after this year, and that he's inwardly come to terms with that decision. So now he's just going to ignore everyone except his driving. I predict at least one on-track "coming together" between Webber and Vettel before the end of the year.

There are rumours about Kimi and Red Bull (presumably to replace Webber). I can just imagine them trying to get Kimi to cow-tow to Vettel - not! I just hope Webber's able to get another seat next year because it'd be sad if we lost yet another long-term driver. It'd be fun if Webber could partner with Button in the McLaren.