Comments on: Kubica accepts Renault’s offer to build a team around him

By: Kenny

Kenny — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:09:36 +0000

Yes that has come into play a bit as well actually. Drivers using their team-mates set up instead and it has been beneficial in various ways.
Admittedly though, was it actually more often than not that Button ended up using more of Barrichello’s set up? I’m referencing more to the struggling days of Honda in 2007 and 2008 in particular.

On a further note, this goes back to Kimi Raikkonen if he were to sign with Renault. I believe James Allen actually reported Kimi is a relatively good developer of a car since the engineers ask him: “Did that make you go/feel faster or more comfortable?” Kimi’s answer: “Yes/No”
Engineers try something else and same thing.
So in a sense if he were to be partnered with Kubica it would have some benefit in that he wouldn’t have to be asked constantly for what the car felt like, he just replies back with: “The car did this and that at that corner and this corner” and the engineers can sort it out.
Obviously Kubica is also very good in his feedback I’m presuming given the Renault’s development this year in that he gives a very detailed explanation of what he wants to happen.

By: Andy C

Andy C — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:33:16 +0000

All of those places already have a strong No1 favoured driver though. Renault are in the position where he can push them along as the lead driver.

Would he get that at Ferrari (Alonso), Merc (MS or Nico) or RBR (Seb).

I think its a really wise move.

By: Andy C

Andy C — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:31:44 +0000

Don’t get me wrong. Ross is top drawer too. no debating that.

It has to be also recognised that Rory Byrne and Jean Todt were also there (both being top drawer in their own rights).

I thought it was great what happened with Brawn last year, with the buyout then getting in Mercedes engines and benefitting from focussing on their 2009 car. My point is that, they have not yet proven the ability to do it in more than one year.

Same engine, same tech staff, two good drivers, poor car at this point.

By: Pawel

Pawel — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:05:44 +0000

kubica was not equally treated in bmw versus heidfeld, and petrov did perform better than both piquet and grosjean…

By: Jakub

Jakub — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:16:12 +0000

I think Ross Brawn may have had some success at Ferrari at some point too.

By: Jakub

Jakub — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:13:55 +0000

Indeed, I guess that’s what management is for, as Kubica is more bothered about the car than his bank balance.

By: hesus

hesus — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:00:18 +0000

Is it something new in the sport – Schumacher-Irvine-Barichello-Massa, Alonso-Fissi, Hammy-Kovalainen? It all depents of the team – how far will they go with this “bending”.
In 2008 BMW scratched their heads why Bobby was faster than Nick in the car built to favour the latter. All the steam have been directed to Nick’s “understanding the problem” not developing the car and we know how it ended.
So generally I don’t see anything wrong with clear message to both the drivers at the begginig of the season. It’s better than Mclaern approach of illusive equality.
As for Kimmi – I think he would suit Lopes’ Renault better than Ferrari (freedom of speach, not to much media stuff, freedom of rally racing).

By: Paprika

Paprika — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:46:50 +0000

It is fair point. Quite often second… well let’s say other driver benefited from teammate’s understanding of the car. Two seasons immediately pop into mind. Senna using Prost’s setups in 1988. and beating and frustrating him (actually, that much that at some point Prost tried some last minute aero adjustments, only not to benefit from it) and last year when, on couple of occasions, Barrichello used Button’s setup and outqualified him.

By: Andy C

Andy C — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:09:43 +0000

The thing is though, if they went for kimi that’s about 10m at least taken out of their dev budget to pay kimi.

Petrov is learning and should be given a chance for next year too. Renault and benetton had a history of success. I think he would be silly to consider mercedes until they prove the brawn year was not a flash in the pan.

By: senna

senna — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:28:15 +0000

i know. And you know what makes it even more crazy, i was an alonso fan during his world championship years. But since 2007, and all the talking he got me upset.
Going to ferrari, pushing kimi out, crying all the time and on top of that he is not winning anymore, making so many mistakes. And many people saying he is the best driver. I am not buying it. Are you?
pd. I am from a town 20 km from oviedo, where he was born.