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[racechick]

I thought it would be nice to talk about engineers and their relationships with their drivers. Smedley is easily my favourite. I wish he engineered Lewis!
I dont know much about Lewis' engineer but i dont find myself warming to him. Some of his requests seem a little lame.
Engineer-Protect the tyres
Lewis - I cant drive any slower

Engineer- Pick the pace up now
Lewis- Im driving as fast as I can

Then in Silverstone when he really needed info about how much petrol he needed to save he didnt get it
Lewis- I really need more information about this.

And the best one-whilst retaking Webber
Engineer-You need to think about your tyres
Lewis- Stop talking to me while im racing.
I loved that one.

[Ichabod]

He was very polite though he still said please

[Ichabod]

Did Lewis & Jenson swap engineers this year ?

[andrew]

The McLaren engineers sound very cold and machine-like. I think part of their job is to motivate the driver along with issuing advice and instructions. The McLaren engineer's deadpan delivery is depressing in the extreme. It would make me want to park the car and go find a very high bridge!

But to be honest some of the engineers seem to be damned if they speak to the more prima-donna drivers and damned if they don't.

[vaptin]

Good thread, I take it this is generally about what we can infer from the "tone" or style of the comments?

Like, Massa gets soft encouragement, and often quite clear driving instructions (use your kers here, brake later in this corner).

Alonso, gets more suggestions, and it sounds like he's in the middle of a dialogue with his engineer from a strategy point of view (now it is the time to push), (their tyres are one lap older).

Hamilton's engineers seem to be there to consider the stuff Hamilton generally doesn't want to consider (look after the tyres).

Webber seems to get big "jee" ups from his engineer, or at least from that guy who holds his pit board.

Vettel's are more about keeping it cool and calm.

I haven't heard Button talking (rather than complaining in frustration) much to his engineer (or Lewis even), maybe McLaren do operate relatively more of the purely exchange of information style. Can't remember too specifically here, but say, McLaren are more likely to simply go "pit next lap", rather than "push, we need to pit next lap".

Possibly the lack of relationship leads to their drivers viewing their engineers as less "human" (emotions are further removed) which is why we seem to here McLaren drivers complaining more to the team. Maybe the drivers want more information, whereas to an engineer good communication is about being succinct and precise.

With, Ferrari you never here Stefano on the radio, and from shots in the garge etc. I think their drivers spend relatively more time with their engineers, Ferrari value the relationship more on a friendship level.

On the other hand with Redbull Horner is quite often heard, they seem to make a point of distinguishing between the team's interest and the drivers interest.

[racechick]

There was that time that Alonso's engineer told him to stop worrying about hamilton and get on with his race. that was good.

But mcLaren's ones do seem particularly robotic. maybe its a deliberate decision. i think they should change it.

[scotty]

Being a race engineer is my dream job... hopefully in a few years if i work my arse off!

Some of his requests seem a little lame.

If trying to help out the driver with his race is 'lame', well, erm.... you know where this is going.

A strong engineer/driver relationship is an incredibly important ingredient of success, when it's working they can motivate and guide the driver to a performance they maybe couldn't achieve on their own. On the flip side if a driver doesn't trust their engineer or work so well with them they''ll possibly be more prone to ignoring them (usually at their detriment) - several examples of that happening.

[Jabberwocky]

I wounder how much the drivers and engineers talk in the car. I am sure they talk more than we get to hear.

[darwin dali]

Smedley is easily my favourite. I wish he engineered Lewis!

Ah, another clue! I always had a hunch that LH is actually an android

[darwin dali]

I miss Pat Symonds with his cattle prod

[The Ram]

I thought it would be nice to talk about engineers and their relationships with their drivers. Smedley is easily my favourite. I wish he engineered Lewis!
I dont know much about Lewis' engineer but i dont find myself warming to him. Some of his requests seem a little lame.
Engineer-Protect the tyres
Lewis - I cant drive any slower

Engineer- Pick the pace up now
Lewis- Im driving as fast as I can

Then in Silverstone when he really needed info about how much petrol he needed to save he didnt get it
Lewis- I really need more information about this.

And the best one-whilst retaking Webber
Engineer-You need to think about your tyres
Lewis- Stop talking to me while im racing.
I loved that one.

I wish Alonso's Engineer was with Lewis... He just oozes words of encouragement... "Alonso, use yor talent!" "You are perfection!" "Great! now get Hamilton!"
That is an engineer I would want in my corner!

[The Ram]

Good thread, I take it this is generally about what we can infer from the "tone" or style of the comments?

Like, Massa gets soft encouragement, and often quite clear driving instructions (use your kers here, brake later in this corner).

Alonso, gets more suggestions, and it sounds like he's in the middle of a dialogue with his engineer from a strategy point of view (now it is the time to push), (their tyres are one lap older).

Hamilton's engineers seem to be there to consider the stuff Hamilton generally doesn't want to consider (look after the tyres).

.

I really hate Hamiton's engineer.. He speaks to Lewis like he is some Alien, wild animal or some child that doesn't understands the basics of racing... It's like the guy just doesn't want to be there! ??? Like he is uncomfortable telling Hamilton to do things: think of babysitting a stranger's child, or some pet, or talking to some gangster from the ghettos, or an Alien ) Just awkward conversion when they converse over the radio.

I think it is a sign of no confidence in Hamilton OR A sign of just simple Xenophobia.

[geetface9]

Good thread, I take it this is generally about what we can infer from the "tone" or style of the comments?

Like, Massa gets soft encouragement, and often quite clear driving instructions (use your kers here, brake later in this corner).

Alonso, gets more suggestions, and it sounds like he's in the middle of a dialogue with his engineer from a strategy point of view (now it is the time to push), (their tyres are one lap older).

Hamilton's engineers seem to be there to consider the stuff Hamilton generally doesn't want to consider (look after the tyres).

.

I really hate Hamiton's engineer.. He speaks to Lewis like he is some Alien, wild animal or some child that doesn't understands the basics of racing... It's like the guy just doesn't want to be there! ??? Like he is uncomfortable telling Hamilton to do things: think of babysitting a stranger's child, or some pet, or talking to some gangster from the ghettos, or an Alien ) Just awkward conversion when they converse over the radio.

I think it is a sign of no confidence in Hamilton OR A sign of just simple Xenophobia.

It's cuz he's black, as Ali G would say!!

[andrew]

...or some child that doesn't understands the basics of racing...

Don't tempt me with lines like this. Too much of a gift.

Like he is uncomfortable telling Hamilton to do things: think of babysitting a stranger's child, or some pet, or talking to some gangster from the ghettos, or an Alien ) Just awkward conversion when they converse over the radio.

Probably doesn't want to upset the prima-donna and have Hamilton bitching about the team in the press again. I get the impression it's like walking on broken glass - no wonder the chap sounds miserable.

I think it is a sign of no confidence in Hamilton OR A sign of just simple Xenophobia.

Xenophobia? Er, I hate to break it to you but McLaren are an English team and Hamilton is an English driver. Do you know what Xenophobia is?

If you are playing the race card then you are bang out of order.

[The Ram]

Xenophobia is defined as the "hatred or fear of foreigners or strangers or of their politics or culture"

Lewis is whole different kettle of fish than what Mclaren is used to... Remember Montoya?