Monday, March 19, 2007
An Ordered Team
Subsequent to my race-time blitherings, in his review of the race James Allen gives a reason for the priority given to Alonso during the pit stops. Apparently, McLaren always let the fastest qualifying driver choose a strategy which the slower one isn't allow to cover. If Hamilton had been on an opposing team, he would've fuelled longer and stopped later than Alonso for the second stop. As it was, McLaren fuelled him shorter, so he stopped earlier, allowing Alonso to put in two quick laps, and pass him. What effect did the backmarkers have, however? Would Alonso have beaten Hamilton even if he stopped later? We won't know. But it will be interesting to see if they continue this policy. As James says, if Hamilton out-qualifies Alonso will he really be given priority? Alonso surely is the better bet for the championship. I can't help feeling that such a good start to the season for Hamilton is probably the worst thing that could happen. Now the expectations for him are even higher. It could all end disastrously.
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This information about McLaren (which like many things I knew but didn't know until I was reminded by that article) came out, I believe, because Couthard took points away from Mika disasterously at one race. I can't remember which one it was. There was a big dispute about it, and McLaren explained their situation. Coulthard had qualified ahead and that is why the chips had gone that way. It is from that position that Ron was able to stand on the back of his high horse and shout at Ferrari during 03/04.
So to that end I think they will continue with the strategy. Ron is as straight as die I think. He's very much out for himself but he's morally consistant. I think it all got set in stone in the Senna / Prost era. And what's set in stone is set in stone as far as he's concerned. Although Hamilton might be coached in the decisions that he chooses for himself... Maybe Ron explained to him why pitting earlier would help him win. That kind of thing might happen.
I do think the expectations have gone through the roof. But on the other hand he has delivered a vast amount. I think he's so calm, so fit and so experienced for a rookie he might just be able to cope.
So to that end I think they will continue with the strategy. Ron is as straight as die I think. He's very much out for himself but he's morally consistant. I think it all got set in stone in the Senna / Prost era. And what's set in stone is set in stone as far as he's concerned. Although Hamilton might be coached in the decisions that he chooses for himself... Maybe Ron explained to him why pitting earlier would help him win. That kind of thing might happen.
I do think the expectations have gone through the roof. But on the other hand he has delivered a vast amount. I think he's so calm, so fit and so experienced for a rookie he might just be able to cope.
I was thinking about all this on my train journey today. What is the best method for such problems? I remember Montoya got very annoyed at Williams when he thought the team favoured Ralf at a pit-stop. He then moved to McLaren: perhaps tempted by their set in stone procedure? And perhaps knowing he was an excellent qualifier?
The McLaren method doesn't quite seem fair. Yes, Alonso qualified better, but he was behind Hamilton after about 100 metres. So that made me think of the agreement between Coulthard and Hakkinen: whoever gets to the first corner first is the winner of the race. But that's not really fair either.
Then there was the supposed rule at Ferrari: whoever is leading after the second pit-stop wins. But that's more to do with stopping on-track aggression.
Maybe Ron's method is the best afterall. Or perhaps it was a bit of negotiation? Alonso on the radio saying 'I want to overtake Hamilton on the track', and Ron saying 'You'll both crash. Look, I'll let you by in the pits, ok?'.
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The McLaren method doesn't quite seem fair. Yes, Alonso qualified better, but he was behind Hamilton after about 100 metres. So that made me think of the agreement between Coulthard and Hakkinen: whoever gets to the first corner first is the winner of the race. But that's not really fair either.
Then there was the supposed rule at Ferrari: whoever is leading after the second pit-stop wins. But that's more to do with stopping on-track aggression.
Maybe Ron's method is the best afterall. Or perhaps it was a bit of negotiation? Alonso on the radio saying 'I want to overtake Hamilton on the track', and Ron saying 'You'll both crash. Look, I'll let you by in the pits, ok?'.
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