Australia vs. USA - March 25, 2018

And what exactly are you getting worked up about!?
Kimi is (relatively) a decent guy. But...
The issue with him is that over the last decade, he’s become way more famous for his outbursts and nonsense than for his actual driving or results.
Just look around. Everyone expects him to say something ridiculous over the team radio before they even think about a P1-P2-P3 finish.
So now what?
Honestly, I think he's doing just fine at Ferrari. I doubt he'd have it any better in any other team. He gets paid a fortune for those kinds of results.
Is anyone actually stopping him from driving faster? I don't think so. Everyone wants him to go faster. The team, the fans... even me.
Trying to paint him as some kind of victim at Ferrari is just total nonsense.

Roger Wright94 said:I mean, what's even worth getting worked up about here!?
Kimi is (relatively speaking) a pretty chill guy. But...
The thing with him is that over the last decade, he’s become way more famous for his wild outbursts and random nonsense than for his actual driving or podium finishes.
Just look at the crowd. Everyone is basically waiting to see what kind of crazy stuff he'll say over the team radio before they even think about betting on a P1-P2-P3 finish.
So what's the deal now?
I honestly think he's doing just fine at Ferrari. I don't know if he'd actually be better off in any other team, to be honest. He's pulling in massive money for those kinds of results.
Is anyone actually stopping him from driving faster? I doubt it. Everyone wants him to pick up the pace—the team, the fans, even me.
Trying to paint him as some sort of victim at Ferrari is just total nonsense.

Well, yeah, because you can't get someone as checked out, old, and moody as Vettel without a little bit of help from the universe.
That cockpit is a complete joke.
😬

Kimi's pit stops "help" even during qualifying, especially since he's been getting regular favors from his teammates over the last few years—and then there are the starts, where he just seems to fall asleep.

Wait, didn't Max end up taking the win in the US Grand Prix, while Vettel finished right behind Kimi using that exact same strategy?

Good grief, you really have to elaborate on everything here down to the very last detail, otherwise people just interpret things however they please... 🙂

So, here it is:
Looking at the current landscape, Vettel is generally the faster driver; over the course of ten races and ten qualifying sessions, he's going to outpace Kimi seven or eight times, easy. And honestly, that’s fine—he’s quick, he grabs every single opportunity available, and he fights hard for his positions.
My point is simply that sometimes, when Kimi actually shows some serious pace, the strategists at Ferrari pull something off to ensure Vettel ends up ahead again. This "something" doesn't involve direct team orders, but rather those subtle, illogical moves that everyone jokes about by saying "the car is gone," though Tibi won't admit "well, okay, maybe it actually is"... 🙂

And again, this is merely my own perspective on the situation; I have no intention of trying to convince anyone that I'm right... 🙂

Anyway, cheers... 🙂

Richard Ross11 said:Jebote, you have to overexplain everything here down to the last damn detail, otherwise people just interpret whatever they want. 🙂

So, here it is:
Look at the current situation: Vettel is just faster right now. If you look at the last 10 races and 10 qualifying sessions, he’s outperforming Kimi 7 or 8 times. It's an easy call. And honestly? That's fine. He's fast, he's snatching up every single opportunity he gets, and he's actually fighting for positions.
I’m just saying that sometimes, when Kimi actually shows some decent pace, the Ferrari strategists pull some stunt just to keep Vettel ahead. It’s never an explicit "team order," but rather these subtle, nonsensical calls that everyone laughs off with a "just go, man," while Tibi sits there refusing to admit, "Yeah, okay, maybe they have a point." 🙂

Look, this is just how I see things. I'm not out here trying to convince anyone I'm right. 🙂

Cheers, everyone... 🙂

You seeing those white mice over there? Yeah, exactly where they aren't.

If Ferrari actually wanted Kimi Räikkönen behind Sebastian Vettel those few times, they would have ordered it loud and clear. He’d have done it without question, too. I'm sure his contract says the team comes first—probably says the same thing about Vettel, and I bet it definitely says it about Kimi. ☕
And let’s be real, Kimi would jump at the chance. He’s getting paid an absolute fortune by Ferrari, and he knows damn well he wouldn't see even 30% of that kind of cash anywhere else.

Or if they’re actually trying to hide something from us—who knows what—they could just keep him in the pits during the tire change. Just long enough to let Sebastian Vettel pass him, and then there you go. Problem solved.
You really don't want to risk Kimi's position against the rest of the field just to force some "God help us" tactic on Vettel. It only works if someone else screws up and triggers a Safety Car anyway.

I’m just waiting for some wild Theory to pop up claiming they ordered Haas F1 Team to screw over their own drivers just so they could shove Sebastian Vettel ahead of Kimi Räikkönen—assuming Kimi wouldn't even notice. 🙂

Your Theory is absolute garbage. 🤦
Let's be real: given that strategy, Vettel had basically zero chance of jumping Kimi if we hadn't had the VSC and Kimi pulling off the track. Without those two things, it wasn't happening.
So, you want me to explain how they "planned" all of this? Between the Haas F1 Team pitting, that Virtual Safety Car, and then the actual Safety Car... it’s almost like they coordinated everything just to make sure Sebastian Vettel didn't finish ahead of Kimi Räikkönen. Pure coincidence, right? 🙂

Vettel only beat Kimi at the 2018 US Grand Prix because he got incredibly lucky with that VSC timing. It was pure luck.
Look, this has absolutely nothing to do with his or Kimi's race strategy. You just can't predict stuff like this ahead of time.
You can pray and hope for a Safety Car to pop up at the exact moment it suits you, but let’s be real—you just know there's zero chance that's actually happening.

If Ferrari's strategists actually had the guts to predict a scenario like this and pull it off, we'd have to admit they're officially the smartest tacticians on the planet.
As if they were tactical geniuses with magic powers on par with Merlin... but they aren't. If they actually were, they’d be winning every single race instead of messing this up. 🙂

I I'm not buying into those ridiculous theories about how Ferrari's strategy meant Vettel should've let Kimi through. If anyone told me "yeah, maybe that makes sense," I'd tell them they're dead wrong. It definitely didn't happen like that...

1. I’m not just talking about the US Grand Prix 2018, I mean this in a much broader sense... 🙂
2. While it might sound tempting to believe, I honestly can't bring myself to think that the Haas F1 Team did that on purpose... 🙂 But if they actually did, then I have to tip my hat to them... 🙂
3. I still maintain that during certain agreed-upon scenarios—the kind everyone respects, including Kimi—it occasionally creates a dilemma when Kimi finds himself ahead of Sebastian Vettel, necessitating a "situation" to be handled... I say "I think," because that is simply how it appears to me based on what I see (watching the races and listening to the commentators), yet you continue to argue your point... 🙂
4. Ultimately, all of this is just rambling and speculation, nothing more... It’s just funny to me seeing how hard you're working to prove something that isn't there... 🙂

Richard Ross11 said:I’m not just talking about the US Grand Prix 2018 here... I mean generally. 🙂
It sounds tempting, but I’m still not brave enough to believe Haas did that on purpose... 🙂 And if you're right, then hats off to you. 🙂
I still think there's some kind of unspoken agreement in play—one that everyone follows, including Kimi. It seems like whenever Kimi ends up ahead of Sebastian Vettel, suddenly a "situation" arises that needs fixing. I say "I think," because that’s just how it looks from where I'm sitting, watching the races and listening to the commentators. You can keep trying to prove me wrong if you want, but that's my take. 🙂
And honestly? It’s all just noise and speculation. Nothing more. It’s actually pretty funny watching you kill yourself trying to prove a point that isn't even there. 🙂

So the deal is set. Everyone’s playing by the rules now—even Kimi. 👏🤣

So, Kimi decides to drive like he’s got nowhere to be, Vettel gets stuck with some brainless strategy, and Haas just parks both cars out of the way. Honestly, wouldn't Kimi still end up right behind Vettel anyway?😵

Seriously, what are you drinking?
I could go for that too. 🤣

stormybadger8 said:So the plan is set, everyone follows it, even Kimi 👏🤣

And then what happens? Kimi intentionally drives slow, Vettel gets stuck with a ridiculous strategy, Haas F1 Team pulls both cars aside, and all this just so Kimi can finish behind Vettel...😵

Seriously, what are you drinking?
I could use a little 🤣

Jebote, there is so much nonsense packed into such a few sentences... 🙂

I haven't said any of that above; instead, EVERY SINGLE TIME (go back and read if you aren't following), you just invent something out of thin air. 😵

Let's just end this "debate" already, there's really no point, is there? 🤔

Edit:
Or, let's make a bet, if you're up for it:

I am claiming that by the end of the season, in every race where they both finish:
A) Even if Kimi qualifies ahead of Vettel at some point, he won't always finish the race ahead of him (maybe he never will, or maybe only once out of five)
B) Kimi won't finish ahead of Vettel even once, provided that Vettel qualifies ahead of him.

If I'm wrong, I'll buy you a steak dinner and a beer... 🙂 (I pass through Chicago quite often).

If I'm right—nothing... the satisfaction of being right will be enough for me... 🙂

The track itself is fantastic, but the race was a total disaster. The strategy was just... well, let's just say it wasn't great. Overtaking at Albert Park is already a nightmare, and one tiny slip-up and boom, you're staring at a wall.

mellowtiger83 said:I was just sitting here wondering—did anyone else happen to catch those persistent little setbacks Max Verstappen has been facing lately? It’s been quite a stretch, hasn't it? I can't help but speculate on what might actually be driving this run of bad luck—whether it's just a string of unfortunate timing or something deeper under the hood.🙂

🤣🤣

Max Attack!

I've actually got something to throw at you too...

jadeseal7 said:Congrats to Ferrari on the 2018 title. 🙏🎉

jadeseal7 said:Once again, congrats to Ferrari.

Comparing 2017 vs 2018

View on imgur

jadeseal7 said:2018 Champions.

https://scontent.fsjj1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...f9&oe=5B1365BF

🤣🤣🤣

neonfox65 said:I've got something for you, too. It's a real mess.

🤣🤣🤣

Wait, isn't Ferrari actually sitting at the top of both the Drivers' and Constructors' standings right now? 🤔

Richard Ross11 said:Edit:
Actually, let’s make a bet, if you're up for it:

I’m betting that by the end of the season, looking at all the races where they both actually finish:
A) Even if Kimi manages to out-qualify Vettel once in a while, he won't always finish ahead of him in the race (maybe it'll happen once in five tries, or maybe never).
B) Kimi won't finish ahead of Vettel even once if Vettel qualifies better.

If I'm wrong, lunch is on me—ribs and beer... 🙂 (I pass through Chicago quite often).

If I'm right? Nothing. Just the satisfaction of being right will be enough... 🙂

Why would I even bother betting when I already know how this plays out? What exactly am I trying to prove? 🤔
Just because he doesn't finish ahead doesn't mean it's solely because Ferrari cooks up some insane strategy or triggers a SC/VSC to put Kimi behind Vettel. 🙂

Good grief, even a toddler knows Kimi isn't going to consistently finish ahead—maybe once or twice a season at most. Kimi knows it too, and frankly, he couldn't care less about any of this.
And honestly, it's been this way since he won his title; you haven't exactly uncovered some deep conspiracy here...
If he couldn't consistently beat Massu, what makes you think he's taking on Alonso, Vettel, or Lewis Hamilton?
All he's got left is making excuses, playing the victim, and acting like the team is sabotaging him just to cover his tracks.

neonfox65 said:I've actually got a little something saved up for you too, if you're interested

I honestly don't see the joke here—who was first? ☕

Roger Wright94 said:Wait, isn't Ferrari actually leading both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships right now?... 🤔

You know as well as I do—Mercedes-Benz has a fast car...

jadeseal7 said:I don't get what's supposed to be funny—who was first?... ☕

Check out the reply above... ☕

Did anyone else catch that?

Was there even a penalty for that, because honestly, that was sketchy as hell—it could have absolutely wrecked someone's car if things had gone sideways.

What exactly are we talking about here?

As if Sebastian Vettel picked something up off the track or some debris fell from his car.

Reading through this recent thread...
Tibi, why on earth are you tilting at windmills?
Now, for my own take on things. I suspect Haas F1 Team is being intentionally manipulated.🙂 It started when Kevin Magnussen pulled that stop just to ensure Grosejan wouldn't look suspicious later on. Of course, there was a prerequisite for that maneuver: Lewis Hamilton had to bite on Kimi's bait for the whole thing to play out. Plus, a bit of luck wouldn't hurt.

It's obvious the Haas drivers are kept in the dark; this was all orchestrated by the higher-ups at both Ferrari and Haas.

Why?? The reality is quite simple. Ferrari essentially handed Haas last year's car on a silver platter.🙂 It’s a machine that absolutely dominates the midfield right now, heh.