F1 Update on iSport's F1 Pitstop: Ferrari have had an abysmal season till now and if they want to be contenders for the 2010 F1 Championship, they need to win now writes iSporter Maharshi Vaishnav.
Any backers for Ferrari's revival?
A three horse dash to the F1 World Championship may soon turn into two if Ferrari doesn't start winning....and real soon.
All 3 front runners- Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari will head into the German Grand Prix expecting a victory. With at least 1 driver out of 2 winning at Red Bull and McLaren consistently, the pressure is building on the Maranello based outfit. A third consecutive blunder and I should start thinking about writing an obituary of sorts to another woeful year.
I would love to bet on a win but the critical question right now is if Fernando Alonso or Felipe Massa can even manage a podium.
McLarens are bound to be superior on the straight stretches & the Red Bulls are fabulous on the corners. Now, how well does the revamped exhaust blown diffuser work on the Ferraris - I would not dare to second guess here.
The circuit layout and impending rains beckon a slightly unpredictable outcome. Plus, the teams choice of their Bridgestones may make the race another lottery.
It is good to be reticent & unhappy when one is underperforming. But Massa's demeanour is just not convincing. He has already secured a drive with Ferrari till 2012 and his performance has to improve with a win or a podium in Germany.
After his Bahrain win, Alonso's luck seems to have evaporated. The lone warrior at Ferrari deserves a win.
That brings me to the circuit. What do I remember about Hockenheim?
Minimum downforce, maximum revs & the reverberations of Formula 1 car engines through the forests as cars zoomed past in speeds excess of 360 km/hr.
One of the all time classic circuits....also one of the fastest circuits in the F1 calendar, it had the forests providing a picturesque backdrop and its 2 awesomely long stretches giving the drivers an opportunity to floor their pedals endlessly.
Alas! This was the old Hockenheim. Its kilometers of uninterrupted revs....adrenaline infusing layout was changed in 2002 when the circuit was shortened (I'd much rather call it neutered).
Hockenheim took over from Nurburgring....the distinction of hosting the German Grand Prix in 1977 and for 25 years it provided pure racing spectacle.
Commercialization under the guise of modernization meant that the organizers & Bernie made more money.
The monetary aspect is well documented. An enhanced audience capacity of 125,000 from the earlier 80,000 and more laps (because of the shortened circuit length) providing better ticket value.
Unfortunately, the Hermann Tilke designed changes robbed Hockenheim of the classic tag & gave it a mundane status.
Old or new Hockenheim.... I am hoping for a Ferrari revival. Any tifosis out there backing me??
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