(25-03-2013 23:32 )Tumble_Drier Wrote: [ -> ]...
The fact that Horner said, on an open channel at the end of the race that "explanations are required" is a good indication of how far Vettel has overstepped the mark. Horner has always refused to criticise him in public in the past.
I believe it was Vettels race engineer that made that comment not Horner, though he was critical in his comments after the race.
Gary Anderson's column on the BBC website is always worth a read, he is one of the most insightful writers with his vast knowledge and experience.
He makes a good point about the difference between the situation with Mercedes and Red Bull, and the respect shown to the team principals. At Mercedes you have Ross Brawn, a man who turned Ferarri into a dominant force in F1 for years, and under his own name, turned his current team into a title winning side. He commands ultimate respect, and when he comes on the radio and says 'this is what we are doing' the drivers listen.
From the radio communications we heard, he made it absolutely clear to Rosberg to hold position, that Lewis was being held back hence he was slower, and that he was NOT to overtake.
Christian Horner by comparison, came on the radio saying 'come on Seb this is silly'. No command or instruction to hold position, more of a desparate plea to please do as I say. He left room for Seb to do as he did and claim he wasn't clear he shouldn't do it. It really calls into question Horners leadership of that team and how much control does he really have over the likes of Vettel.
The whole question of team orders come into the spotlight again, but like it or not, F1 is a team sport, always has been. I remember the days when the teams took 3 cars to every race, with the spare car being setup to suit one driver or the other in case they had to change. Whichever driver had the spare setup for them was clearly favoured that weekend, and yet it was perfectly legitimate and every team did it.
F1 has become far more technical now than ever before, and the actual racing is secondary to the technical aspects of preserving engines, protecting tyres etc, it's all about passing people in pit-stops rather than on the track. If you want out and out racing watch Nascar or something, 'cos F1 ain't the place anymore.