OK, here is a non-biased opinion from a F1 fan on the Schumacher/Hamilton battle and some other topics.
MSC was definitely driving on the edge of what is deemed to be legal at times and probably crossed the line a time or two (pushing HAM out wide) thus Brawn gets on the radio twice and delivers the msg. I think HAM also made the moves MSC was making seem a little more severe because there were multiple times where HAM would run up on the outside or inside where I saw no realistic opportunity to overtake. When he did that MSC would maybe make a move and then return to his racing line in preparation for a corner and essentially cut HAM off due to his position. But when the attempted overtaker doesn't have the right to be in that position ie doesn't have any part of his car in front of the car being overtaken, and doesn't really have a chance to complete the overtake I don't really see a problem with it. I think there are too many instances where the car being overtaken yields unnecessarily and doesn't fight for the position enough. Sure it can end in tears but isn't it the responsibility of the overtaking driver to back out or take the contact in that situation unless they have established a clear advantage?
My diagnosis: thoroughly entertaining RACING and the Old One still has a lot of fight in him.
Now, whether or not if the positions were reversed would HAM have been reprimanded for protecting his position the way MSC did? I don't know. But, MSC being the most successful driver in F1 history is going to give him a little advantage. ALG talked about feeling like a god in his car but MSC was a god.
When HAM is on it, he is absolutely brilliant to watch and he will always be held in high regard in my book because of his enthusiasm for the tracks and passion that he outwardly shows (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7R9IYRRFFvQ&t=1m33s). He makes me smile because he totally gets how special getting to drive a grand prix car really is.
I will never forget his eagerness to start that race last year in Korea when other drivers were saying that the conditions were not fit to run and he was chomping at the bit to get going. That enthusiasm and passion can kind of bite him at times because he can be over aggressive but that aggression and passion is what makes him brilliant so it has to be a balancing act. When you are trying to get by Schumi you best take the caution side a little more serious because the guy you are trying to get by has the same mindset.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch-XFHa8upI&t=2m03s
Button is absolutely a great driver and continues to show race after race this year that his championship was not a fluke. He is extremely versatile and is producing some great spectacles this season.
Vettel definitely has some balls and proudly displayed them today with that overtake on Alonso.
Monza and Le Mans are without a doubt the two best podiums in Motorsport and maybe all sports.
Congrats to Bruno on his points paying finish.
SunhiLegend: Those gifs are amazing and you deserve a tag for your efforts for contributing to the F1 thread like you are.
AND finally, BBC continues to deliver us incredible coverage and productions every grand prix weekend. There is not a chance in hell of Sky living up to this.
Now, time for me to nap and begin my preparations for F1 2011 GAF championship. I won't be sounding like I am in a submarine this year!
