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[EwanM]

Let drivers celebrate, says Hamilton

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde Thursday, July 9th 2009, 13:30 GMT

Lewis Hamilton waves to the British crowdMcLaren's Lewis Hamilton says Formula 1 drivers should be allowed more freedom to improve the show for race fans.

The British driver performed a series of doughnuts at the end of his home grand prix two weeks ago, although he admitted he only did that because he had finished well down the order.

He reckons had he won, he wouldn't have been allowed to do it, something Hamilton thinks should change.

And the world champion believes Formula 1 could learn a few lessons from MotoGP, where several riders are known for their post-race celebrations.

"Well, they couldn't give me a penalty really could they? I think when you have won the race you don't want to risk anything and they don't want to damage the car," Hamilton said.

"You have got to do all these different things like pick up rubber and you don't want to get a penalty on top of that.

"But look at MotoGP, it is one of the most exciting races to watch because in the end they give even more back to the fans.

"It was my home grand prix and they have stood by me through thick and thin and I think it was incredible the support I had. It was beyond me - I didn't know I was going to have that much support still, even though I was all the way back there. Even at the end of the race they were still up supporting me and cheering me, even though it was a disastrous race really. It was great fun, you know.

"We do burn-outs and doughnuts all the time in demonstrations and things and the car will be fine. As long as you treat it right and do it properly you won't damage the car. I don't think it was unsafe for anyone so why shouldn't we be allowed to do it?

"I don't know what else we can do. I think if you want to do it in celebration of your win, you should be allowed to. It shouldn't be restricted."

He added: "Look back at years ago when Nigel stopped and picked Ayrton up, that was fantastic. That was awesome. Not that I want to stop and get on the side of someone else - but it could be fun!"

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76786

100% agree with Hamilton on this one. I realise that the highly scrutinized nature of the sporting regulations and the need to save engines, gearboxes etc, means that alot of teams wouldn't want their cars being subjected to the likes of doughnuts. However there is nothing wrong with bringing back Flags and things like that.

[scotty]

"Well, they couldn't give me a penalty really could they?" Hamilton said.

I like this bit, surely he knows better than that?!?!

Newey: Balance to swing at each track

By Adam Cooper and Pablo Elizalde Thursday, July 9th 2009, 10:58 GMT

Red Bull's technical chief Adrian Newey is expecting the balance to swing between his team and rival Brawn depending on the nature of the upcoming circuits.

The Red Bull RB5 has been very strong at fast circuits, with Sebastian Vettel dominating the British Grand Prix at Silverstone two weeks ago, when the German led team-mate Mark Webber to a one-two finish as the Brawn drivers were unable to put up a fight.

Red Bull, however, was no match for Brawn's Jenson Button on slow circuits like Monaco, and Newey believes the trend is likely to continue this year.

But, speaking exclusively to AUTOSPORT, Newey claimed Red Bull is pushing hard to improve the situation in slower tracks.

"Certainly our car is not as well suited to the slow speed tracks as the Brawn, and that's something we need to work on," Newey said.

"Monaco is an example of that, where we were certainly of similar race pace to Ferrari, but behind Brawn. We have some ideas on how to improve that, but obviously these things take time.

"We've seen it in the last few years between Ferrari and McLaren. Some circuits suited one, other circuits suited the other, so there's always going to be a degree of dependency on that. We've got one or two ideas to help our slow speed performance."

Newey said his team is still not thinking about the championship, trying instead to focus on each race individually, as Button has a 25-point lead over Vettel.

"It's race by race at the moment," he added. "He has got a helluva lead, but there's a reasonable way to go. Nurburgring is a slower speed circuit than Silverstone, probably without the tyre warm-up issues that some teams. I'm sure it will be lot closer."

...and Newey more or less confirms what i expect to see happen this weekend. RB should have something more than Ferrari here though as this circuit isn't a slow as Monaco (duh). I hope Renault's upgrade has worked too, the more teams fighting for 3rd spot the merrier!

[JAKE THE F1 MAN!!]

I'm going for-

1.Button.
2.Vettel.
3.Barrichelo/Webber.

I don't expect any suprises really and will be pleased with a brawn win.

[EwanM]

I can't call it if it is wet...

[EwanM]

Button says he can't afford not to push

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde Thursday, July 9th 2009, 16:43 GMT

Championship leader Jenson Button says his Brawn team cannot relax and settle for points finish in the remaining races of the season if he is to beat the Red Bull Racing drivers.

Button is still 25 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the standings going into this weekend's German Grand Prix, but the Red Bull driver was unstoppable at Silverstone two weeks ago.

Button endured his worst race of the season and finished down in sixth position.

And although the Briton still has a comfortable lead as the season heads into its halfway point, he is aware that he cannot afford to not fight the Red Bulls.

"You are never comfortable, unless you have enough points that they can't beat you in the championship," Button told reporters in Germany.

"So much can happen and as soon as you have one issue everything else follows. At Silverstone we started sixth on the grid, and was stuck behind Jarno and your race is finished.

"We just have to make sure we don't make any mistakes in qualifying and in the race, and we have to be as close to the Red Bulls as we possibly can.

"If the Red Bull beat us in every race they are going to win the championship easily. We have to fight them, we cannot sit back and relax. It's not comfortable, for sure. I think that's good because of the excitement and the adrenalin.

"After Silverstone the guys at the factory stepped it up a gear and the parts that were coming in three races' time are now coming in two races. You are never comfortable, but you have to say I'd rather be me in a Brawn than Sebastian or Mark in a Red Bull."

Button, however, admitted he is more optimistic for the German race than he was at Silverstone, despite the lower than expected temperatures at the Nurburgring.

The Brawn car is known for its problems to get harder tyre up to the right temperature, but Button feels the super soft rubber to be used this weekend will help his team.

"It's supposed to be about 20 degrees this weekend, but I don't think it's such an issue here, because we have the super soft tyre, which is good," he said.

"It's the same tyre we used in Bahrain, Monaco and in China, but we obviously didn't get to use it. The super soft works well for us, and even with these temperatures I think we can get it to work well. Maybe other teams will struggle with it."

He added: "I think for everyone the harder tyre will be a struggle. It's going to be a bitch to get working. I think the idea of getting the tyres closer together is a great idea.

"Because the tyres were so fart apart that one of the tyres never worked during the race weekend. It's a difficult situation, not just for us, but for everyone. Hopefully that won't be the case in the next race in Hungary."

hahah Yes that is a typo in the second last line. It made me laugh.

[EwanM]

I've just read Willis has left Red Bull... Goodbye reliability!

[scotty]

I can't call it if it is wet...

I can - RB. Hopefully Mark Webber, to be more specific!

[McLaren Fan]

Well, they couldn't give me a penalty really could they?

It's just as well Ron Dennis is not really involved with McLaren Racing any more!

100% agree with Hamilton on this one. I realise that the highly scrutinized nature of the sporting regulations and the need to save engines, gearboxes etc, means that alot of teams wouldn't want their cars being subjected to the likes of doughnuts. However there is nothing wrong with bringing back Flags and things like that.

If a driver wants to reduce the weight of his car by burning fuel and wearing out his tyres, or wreck his engine, let him. He's already potentially making things harder for himself, so does not need further punishment. Drivers carrying flags etc should be legalised again. Formula One has gone way over the top on matters such as this - one of many reasons why I'm getting frustrated watching it.

[racechick]

Let drivers celebrate, says Hamilton

By Jonathan Noble and Pablo Elizalde Thursday, July 9th 2009, 13:30 GMT

Lewis Hamilton waves to the British crowdMcLaren's Lewis Hamilton says Formula 1 drivers should be allowed more freedom to improve the show for race fans.

The British driver performed a series of doughnuts at the end of his home grand prix two weeks ago, although he admitted he only did that because he had finished well down the order.

He reckons had he won, he wouldn't have been allowed to do it, something Hamilton thinks should change.

And the world champion believes Formula 1 could learn a few lessons from MotoGP, where several riders are known for their post-race celebrations.

"Well, they couldn't give me a penalty really could they? I think when you have won the race you don't want to risk anything and they don't want to damage the car," Hamilton said.

"You have got to do all these different things like pick up rubber and you don't want to get a penalty on top of that.

"But look at MotoGP, it is one of the most exciting races to watch because in the end they give even more back to the fans.

"It was my home grand prix and they have stood by me through thick and thin and I think it was incredible the support I had. It was beyond me - I didn't know I was going to have that much support still, even though I was all the way back there. Even at the end of the race they were still up supporting me and cheering me, even though it was a disastrous race really. It was great fun, you know.

"We do burn-outs and doughnuts all the time in demonstrations and things and the car will be fine. As long as you treat it right and do it properly you won't damage the car. I don't think it was unsafe for anyone so why shouldn't we be allowed to do it?

"I don't know what else we can do. I think if you want to do it in celebration of your win, you should be allowed to. It shouldn't be restricted."

He added: "Look back at years ago when Nigel stopped and picked Ayrton up, that was fantastic. That was awesome. Not that I want to stop and get on the side of someone else - but it could be fun!"

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/76786

100% agree with Hamilton on this one. I realise that the highly scrutinized nature of the sporting regulations and the need to save engines, gearboxes etc, means that alot of teams wouldn't want their cars being subjected to the likes of doughnuts. However there is nothing wrong with bringing back Flags and things like that.

Yeah nice one Lewis!!!

[headless]

Why did he not say that last year?

[EwanM]

Why did he not say that last year?

Because his dad said no

[racechick]

Why did he not say that last year?

You hear what you want to hear.

[EwanM]

"tinky winky, dipsy..."

[7UpJordan]

Kimi did some doughnuts when he completed his Spa hat trick back in 2007, also I liked the days when drivers used to be able to drive around with their country's flag like Senna used to do so many times and like Damon did on the slowing-down lap after his Silverstone win in 1994.

And for those who had run out of fuel in the closing laps or retired, they used to be offered a lift Home on the sidepods of a good samaritan's car.

[EwanM]

DO you know who I hope has a stormer this weekend?
Nico Rosberg