I've become very interested by the progress of team Lotus over the last couple of years. They have come back from the dark days of Flavio running the team into the ground just by focusing entirely on Alonso. They had a strong year with Kubica in 2010 and a mixed one in 2011 considering Kubica wasn't there and were desperate for half decent drivers. They seemed to have become a serious threat this season with Kimi and Grosjean and it looks like the people are enjoying this "other new team" taking it to the regular big 3 (RBR, McLaren, Ferrari). Do you also believe that Lotus are the new RBR, hoping them to go out and stick it to the top dogs like a certain drinks company once did against Ferrari and McLaren? My belief: Kimi is the new Webber, funny and highly talented, the public love him for their honesty. Romain, the new "young" Vettel, waiting in the wings a year or 2 down the line, he's happy and smiley now, but when things get ugly... Ãric Boullier as the new Christian Horner? both know how to run a top team. It just seems RBR no longer have that affect on the public anymore they once had in 2009-2010, Seb has become the new Alonso, Helmut the new Flavio and Horner the new Jean Todt. Red Bull were pretty loved in 2009-2010 but after 2011 it seems to have rapidly ended. Now it seems everybody is out to get them (Principles, drivers, stewards, FIA, media, public) though that does come with the territory of the number one on your back, eventually the majority want to end it and get some variety back. Will Lotus face the same dislike as RBR are having now 2-3 years down the line if they have the same success? And will we be lead on by Eric that this team is run differently to others? Until the public catch on that they are out to win at any cost like any other team. Thoughts?
I really do hope so!! Kimi is a better class of driver than Webber though in my opinion and Grosjean is not as good as Vettel though we will see
I think the reason Red-Bull are disliked is that they are primarily a fizzy drinks company as opposed to a car seller like Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda etc. or a pure F1 team like williams, Suaber and so on. And they also have a horrible livery. That (both reasons but mainly the 1st) is why I've never warmed to them. Lotus are to the best of my knowledge a pure F1 team and have an actual car name, a nice livery and I like both drivers.
I said maybe, cause I don't think the car will ever be the fastest at every race, it will always be 2nd or 3rd fastest, though I agree with some of the points on the drivers. I think every hates RB so much because their car last year was predictable at every race and boringly fast. I don't know if other non RB or non Vettel fans found this, but Christian Horner and Vettel don't help. They're so full of attitude. Vettel when he loses, and Horner when they have to have their car checked. And I agree fully with what sea-man said about the fat they aren't a car company or pure racing team. It seems to take something away from motorsport when companies not in the motor industry do that.
I would like Lotus to become a top team, but i don't think they have the budget or infrastructure, and they don't have a bald genius designing their cars. For the record, Grosjean isn't young, he's about 27, it drives me mad everytime a commentator calls him young.
I know that's why I put "young" up there. Meaning I know he isn't that young but youngish none the less. He's 26 btw for future reference.
Sorry, i just needed to get the anger out, it drives me mad everytime Brundle,Croft, Edwards or Coulthard call him young.
You can't really compare Renault favourably to the "old" Red Bull Racing as the old Red Bull Racing A) consistently finished in the mid-table, finishing even beneath their sister team in 2008! B) prolonged Coulthard's career longer than was probably strictly necessary C) were only able to "stick it" to Ferrari and Mclaren by virtue of the 2009 aero shake-up and F1's chief loophole exploiter D) were beaten by Brawn GP in the early stages of 2009 despite their larger budget and aforementioned Newey! I compare Lotus more to BMW-Sauber from 2005 onwards (and not just because of Kubica and Heidfeld's presence at various times). They are a squad with manufacturer backing (check), took control of an established midfield team (Check) and attempted to drag them out of it, firstly with podiums (2011) and now with a more consistent challenge, adding a new threat to challenge the Mclaren/Ferrari (and in the modern era / Red Bull) dominance that has been present... Hopefully they won't do the bit where they cancel development to focus on next season and end up **** though.
Voted maybe. They've definetely got a strong car which I think will remain strong for the rest of the season and two very solid drivers. My only hesitation is if they can't keep it together next year. 2010 was strong with Kubica and had they had him last year it would have been a more fruitful season for them. Why are they more likeable than RBR? They're a manufacturer, they've got history and the most recent memory of any 'dirty' behaviour of sorts was approximately five years ago under a different name. Their cars have looked nice for at least the last three years, and they've gotten rid of Flavio.
Don't get me started... I know some Swiss people and they hate it when people think they are French. However I know the reason why they have him driving under the French flag all comes down to money and the fact he has a French super license. But still it's like a Scotsman saying he's English ffs. As for the topic, I don't know. You can't really compare Kimi to Mark and Grosjean is nowhere near Vettel IMO. I do however like the steps Lotus are taking, considering the limited funding they have. I honestly thought they would be down challenging in the mid-field but they are trading blows with the heavyweights. They'd have more points as well if it wasn't for Romain's inexperience and some questionable strategy.
