People might say Kimi takes no prisoners and has no favorites in F1, but the way he reacted around Alonso at Suzuka in comparison with Vettel for example at Brazil where he drives off track to avoid hitting the behind of a certain friends Red Bull is quite obvious to see Kimi will do extra to not damage his friends title chances. Kimi doesn't make it easy to overtake even if it's Vettel IMO, I've seen them push each other pretty hard before and after Brazil that it was tight stuff 80% of the time. But it's obvious to see they will slack a bit more for a mate in need. I consider it the same with Lewis and Jenson and their encounters, I've seen Button just leave that extra meter for Lewis like at China this year for example when he could of easily defended a bit harder which (might) of cost Lewis 3rd with Vettel. But most of the time I've seen Jenson still push Lewis like any driver, non the less it's moves like that you know was just a little favour for their mate to get past easier and make it that more believable for their team principles in that they "tried their best to hold them".
I have no doubt that some drivers are more matey with with other drivers but how far that goes on the track I guess depends on the person. Schumacher didn't even try to hide it last season about who he wanted to win but given the circumstances who wouldn't do what he did if you felt that way about Vettel. It also depends on the current circumstances as well. By 2008 you wouldn't leave Alonso and Hamilton alone in a room together but these days they seem like top chums. Is that to get at Vettel or is that natural? Are people really getting at Vettel though or is it a kind of stereotype that says that any winner must be a lone wolf who everyone is out to get, especially if they are dominating? So many levels and so little time.
It also makes me wonder on driver moves and past details of team mates, you see I have no idea why Di Resta and Jenson would be chummy with each other apart from having his management group and then he hangs around Alonso as shown in the picture. It made we wonder was Di Resta and Webber describing to Alonso Sebs weaknesses and how to beat him mentally. I just don't find it a coincident that upon Di Resta's arrival in F1 Alonso got more and more verbal and tactical with his "opinions" on Seb and it just seemed to work at the start for a while until Seb finally broke and attacked Alonso at Monza.
Realistically... probably not. They're racing drivers, and I don't know of many that like to be passed. If they can keep their enemies behind, they can also keep their buddies behind. They're not exactly a charitable bunch when it comes to track position.
Also this is not the 70s and 80s where you had drivers who went on holiday with each other and their partners and generally hung out outside of F1 like they would with normal friends. Kimi mentioned recently how much the media overplayed his friendship with Seb basically saying they do not see each other much outside of a grand prix weekend and they are generally considered 'close' friends in F1 circles. I highly doubt Kimi would of reacted differently last year on the first lap in Brazil if it was Alonso with whom he was about to run into the back of. Brundle once summed it up quite nicely by saying 'They are racing drivers once they are out on track they are fighting for themselves, they are necessarily selfish people'. The only case that I have seen recently which went against this was Schumacher last year in Brazil where he made his allegiance clear and it was something I was less than impressed by...
It would also appear they are bunched roughly in Language groups. The Germans are together, The English speaking drivers are together and the Spanish speaking and Brazilians are together.
The drivers would hang out together in certain circles too. Amazingly Indy is still quite like this, but the drivers still race each other tooth and nail though.
I agree..I really think Button was doing a job behinds Hamilton's back at Mclaren and trying to give the impression that he was giving the team direction in terms of new parts and setup etc. Well we now see where all that direction led Mclaren. I well remember the statement he made after Lewis went to mercedes that Lewis, not him, will be the one with regrets when the season starts...and that Lewis had made a stupid move.....well I wonder what he is saying now. Mclaren made a whole heap of stupid mistakes last year and they seem to be no end. And if you read certain comments Button made especially near the end of the season you could tell they weren't very close.
I really think drivers have a little more respect for some drivers than other while on track but in the end they still race hard. Like last race Webber basically gave way to Hamilton, it was a vicious pass but Webber could have made it a bit harder which might have ended in tears. Then remember some time ago the same Webber took out Hamilton in a corner where he could have given him the space...so it all depends sometimes. If there was any syndicates do you think Vettel would have finished the last race of the season in 2012? Lol
