Which i think reflects Massa's lack of speed. Alonso is a very very quick driver but the gap should not be more than 2/3 tenths if it was a pairing of two top drivers.
Alonso was coasting at the end as well, whereas Massa was pushing to catch Hamilton, he also had fresher tyres because he stopped later. Massa certainly isn't the driver he was before the accident, I can't see him producing performances like this these days: [video=youtube;dtx_22kZcXk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtx_22kZcXk[/video] Same with Schumacher, he's only lost a slight edge but it adds up when you carry it through every corner. Don't get me wrong, Alonso was better than Massa before the accident, but in his prime Massa would certainly have pushed Fernando harder than he does these days.
This was the 15th straight race Alonso has out-qualifyed Massa. Thats a very bad statistic for Felipe. Its almost a full season since he last won saturday.
I was surprised when they kept him on after last season, but maybe he said he would behave and be a good little number two driver so that he could see out his career in a good car. Obviously it is just not on for a number two driver (such as Mark Webber) to race their cherished, precious lead driver who has the team built around them. But, realistically, what can Red Bull threaten Webber with? He has had a good run, won a few races, but it will have been made perfectly clear to Webber where the team's priorities lie in Istanbul 2010. He is acting like he does not care what his team do to him any more, and is probably ready for the axe. At least one person in the team has a pair of balls. This team order made me think, at the time, that Red Bull are concerned with the regulations and the pace of Ferrari. What if they are finally (after two and half half depressing seasons) overhauled by McLaren and Ferrari? They might not actually win the title with Vettel. Perish the thought. More power to Webber. He has nothing left that Red Bull can take from him any more. I get the feeling if it had been Vettel hunting down Webber at the end Horner would have even-handedly let them race to the line, but of course we will never know. I hope Webber can provide Red Bull with a few more two fingered salutes before they finally boot him out.
Horner is always on about the team and team unity, Webber has come over the top on this too many times now and I think they will have a real new number 2 next year! That's not to say I don't respect Webber for not being a yes-man, it's just that he isn't following the teams directives. I think it's time for Red Bull to give one of the younger guys on their program a shot now as Vettel has plenty of experience in F1 now in all conditions.
typical behavior from Webber, has no chance of winning the WDC himself, but will try **** it up for his team for 5 mins of glory and a jealous revenge. Every team boss would've done exactly the same, don't tell me McLaren wouldn't do it, because we already know they did, don't tell me Ferrari wouldn't do it, cos they already did, every single person with a mdicum of intelligence would've issued that order. The RBR may not still be th best car out there, and you know damn sure that Ferrari will pull Massa over, and if the situation was different at McLaren then they would make the call too, and i think Button, Hamilton, Massa, Alonso and Vettel would all obey it, webber never will because he's an arrogant selfish twat. Every team boss saw what he did today, I wouldn't be surprised if he retires this season, no one wants an over the hill aging rebel.
Can't say I agree with your choice of language there or the general thrust of your argument. Though I agree that nowadays, most teams would do the same. But how would taking 3 points (a measly 3 points!!) off of Vettel "**** it up for the team"?
I think it's more a case of 33 points lost if they collide. As well as drivers behind gaining points.
No. I admire Webber for putting up a fight whenever he can. It is a shame he didn't finish the job on Vettel but I understand Horner's order to Webber. Although perhaps not in the best interests of F1 as a whole, it makes sense to keep your drivers apart at the end. It was entirely predictable that Horner would be the first team principal to issue team orders, in spite of the gap between their drivers being the biggest in the entire field of points scorers this season so far. I do not like team orders although I accept that they are now legal and any Team Principal must do what he sees fit at the time. But few seriously doubt that Horner is very one-sided; he's having his strings pulled from the upper management who are equally 'pro-Vettel' and, in my opinion, have been right from the start.
Who, if anyone, will replace him next year though Cosi? And didn't Mallya order Di Resta to move over for Sutil in Oz?
I have great respect for Mark Webber for disobeying Horner and fighting Vettel to the very end. Sadly, this will go against him when it comes to negotiating a new contract. Previous events suggest there is no equality with the drivers in the team, and Marko has a few drivers that would be happy to join Red Bull as a no.2 driver. The thing about Webber is that he can consistently deliver strong finishes for the team, thus helping the team win the WCC whilst taking points away from Vettel's rivals. That's something the TR drivers probably won't be able to do, so Marko in a way has little choice but to keep Webber at the team. Webber's behavior throughout the year and his comments suggest he is not happy at the team, even though they provide him with the fastest car. Perhaps Red Bull isn't Webber's first choice, but instead something to fall back on should he not be able to race for his preferred team (probably Ferrari) next year. Let's face it, Ferrari can't keep jeopardising their chances in the WCC by retaining Massa. I'm 80% sure at the moment that Massa will be replaced for 2012, with the likely contenders for Alonso's teammate next year being Rosberg and Webber.
I dont think they would of colided. Webber would of easily taken him for 2nd as he was far quicker! Vettel would of settled for 3rd but after all the bad luck that seems to plague Seb he deserved the 2nd place more than pole sitter webber
