Brazilian Grand Prix - An Afterthought
- Nov 17, 2015
- 3 min read
The Brazilian Grand Prix was certainly not the most thrilling of the season; nor was it a snorefest. The Interlagos circuit always throws up something special even when it's not at the front of the pack.
Some black clouds did hang around turn one at the start of the race in traditional Brazilian fashion, but alas; we didn't see the rain that always shakes things up.
So what caught my eye in the penultimate race of the 2015 season?
Max Verstappen
Coming into Formula One as a 17-year old, many were calling it way too soon. I was skeptical on the idea at first; but Max has proven to be a great talent on the grid. Despite his youthfulness, his lack of junior experience doesn't show when it comes to his racecraft.
His moves in China showed us he is a very capable racer. In Brazil he showed guts and determination, on a circuit that can often prove difficult to follow; young Max showed that it didn't stop him from pulling off some daring moves into turn one, especially on Sergio Perez where he muscled his way past without one ounce of contact.
If he can carry on showing that kind of race craft in the future, I feel we are looking a potential world champion. With the likes of young Max, Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo and the other young guns coming through the ranks. Formula One is certainly not short of talent for the forseeable future.
Aero Regulations Are In Dire Straits
"I can't follow around this track" were the battle cries from Lewis Hamilton as he hunted down Nico Rosberg. It's not for the first time this season or many others before it.
Current aero regulations are doing a massive disservice to Formula One. We need aerodynamics, the laws of physics dictate this; but there are other methods in which this can be achieved.
Ground effect aerodynamics that were ventured in the 1970s and 1980s showed that fast speeds can be achieved without causing a heavy wake of turbulent air for the car behind. Using a low ride height couple with skirts and a correctly shaped floor provided heavy amounts of downforce from the floor of the car instead of relying on the wings.
Unfortunatly this was discovered in age of the sport that hadn't discovered real safety and many were hurt and killed. Current proposals for the 2017 overhaul of aerodynamic regulations are only going to make the current issues of following other cars much worse and this is not great for Formula One.
Mercedes Strategy Calls
Now while Nico Rosberg won the race and his victory was well deserved; I have to question Mercedes tactics that denied Lewis a shot at the win himself. Now while team orders were not invoked, Lewis was denied an opportunity to change strategies and challenge Rosberg in a different way with the undercut.
I can appreciate the fact that the engineers at home base and on the pitwall have more information with the data provided. But with both titles sewn up, why weren't the gloves off and the team taking a back seat? If Lewis wanted to try a different way; he should of been allowed the opportunity. Sanitised racing like this spoils the show for the fans who pay to sit in the stands and for those at home. I have to ask; where was that mentality that allowed us to witness the epic battle of Bahrain in 2014?
I can't wait for the season's finale in Abu Dhabi in two weeks time. I hope we're in for a cracking race that will see us into those dire winter months of no racing action.
Stay Safe.
SC
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