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By zurich_allan
#160368
Interesting thread, if a somewhat immature title...

The way I see it is that blue flags are / should be somewhat redundant in the modern age of F1. I'm quite certain that they were introduced as there was in the past always an element of 'pay per drive' racers who had money but no talent and hence no matter what type of car they were in would be substantially slower and more of a risk to other drivers than those there on merit (see Jean Denise Delatraz - Adelaide 1994!).

Blue flags were a way to indicate to those rubbish drivers who were in a world of their own, probably trying to find radio 2 rather than checking their mirrors, that the leaders were closing in on them and to be vigilant, careful and let them through rather than wreck their race.

Nowadays those drivers in F1 have been virtually wiped out thankfully. In fact in this particular case with Senna, Hill and Irvine, time has since proved that all were either champions or runner up to the title on one or more occasions. However the point is regardless that Irvine was competing in his maiden F1 race, and Hill still in his first full season of F1 (attempting to qualify an ancient Brabham doesn't count!). Both were still potential hazards at that stage of their careers to a more experienced multiple champion who is approaching to lap them, especially in wet conditions.

I think the point in this particular instance is debatable either way, and any one side stating that theirs is the only valid opinion is just as arrogant as those that they are attempting to slag off. In general however, today I feel blue flags should be done away with in F1 and leaders should use their skill to get past drivers that may be as skilled as themselves but in a slower car, or marginally less skilled in a similar car.

Oh, as a final note, perhaps they could have one exception in getting rid of the blue flag... a special 'Badoer' Flag?
By Gaz
#160564
I doubt the accuracy of the dialog.
No one can know what was said unless there was either a stenographer or a tape recorder in the room and both are highly unlikely. Even those present cannot remember every word verbatum even immediately afterward.

:yes:
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By zurich_allan
#165241
I doubt the accuracy of the dialog.
No one can know what was said unless there was either a stenographer or a tape recorder in the room and both are highly unlikely. Even those present cannot remember every word verbatum even immediately afterward.

:yes:


No - there is a full tape recording from a reporter who was present in the room at the time, there were about a dozen people present when all of this happened. Anyone who was around and following F1 at the time will tell you that this transcript was plastered all over multiple newspapers the day after it all happened! So yes, this is all verbatim. What it doesn't tell you is the tone of voice, facial expressions, eye contact, evasiveness etc. Without all of those it is impossible to fully deconstruct the conversation.
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By Hexagram
#175024
Irvine was a very good race driver. He may have won the WDC in 99 had this not happened. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw01rREy_rQ


You know, on the current 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 points system, Irvine would have won the WDC with 96 points to Hakkinen's 88...


Crazy...
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By darwin dali
#176336
are we talking about Ayrton Senna or Bruno Senna ?

It's in the Formula 1 History section, so take a wild guess.

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