I found this definition about race craft and a lot of us use the term but it captures in essence what most of us mean.
“Race craft during a race is the ability to take all circumstances or liabilities and turn them into a finishing position that is higher than the qualifying position."
When I was working on the race thread, I thought to myself, why bother it’s going to be a boring race but I was pleasantly surprised at the way a lot of drivers exhibited superior race craft and made the most of their situations yesterday.
On the race thread a poster tried to make light of the overtakes Hamilton made, calling them straightforward but the same logic didn’t apply to Vettel. Somehow he couldn’t make the same straightforward overtakes. Obviously people will argue the Red Bull needs clean air to perform well and is not as dominant when it has to fight for positions but then, why didn’t Seb react to this? Some people will also say he was thinking about the championship but he made a couple of moves on Button and Raikkonen that were very risky so that’s not an excuse.
I’m not trying to bash Vettel here but I believe there is a question mark over his race craft and this has come as a result of him not having to race people in combat situations and will affect his development as a driver. We know he’s one of the best in leading from the front with no challenge but when challenges come he falters and this is because he has limited experience in these conditions. Some will scoff and say Abu Dhabi but they forget that in that race he had 2 incidents and without the safety car and set up changes he wouldn’t have done as well as he did.
We all love a good scrap on the race track and this may sound crazy but Seb needs to be involved in a few scraps and it will make him a much better driver because I believe this is a significant weakness in his arsenal.
Hamilton displayed yesterday how to maximise the opportunity he had in a car that was 0.5 – 0.8 seconds in race trim slower than the Red Bulls and clearly demonstrated to all and sundry what race craft is all about.
So my good friends, what are your thoughts?
P.S. This is an opportunity to debate the points raised and would be grateful if we did that. So, resident troll(s) (you know who you are), please stay away so that the people who want to have a decent discussion can do so.
Race Craft
posted on 29/7/13
Martial, no trolls on here. Decent people are trying to engage in debate
posted on 29/7/13
Andy but Hamilton, Grosjean, etc didn't need straight line speed to pull off most of their overtakes. Hamilton on Button agreed but the rest had nothing with straight line speed.
Seb made 2 very amateurish moves on button and raikkonen and if he was in the mix more, he would be a lot better in combat.
RedBull won't always lead from the front so he needs a plan B. It's one of the chinks in his armour
posted on 30/7/13
"Seb made 2 very amateurish moves on Button and Raikkonen..."
How many times have we heard Martin Brundle ask with that slightly sarcastic ringing tone in his voice when Vettel passes somebody, "What will he be like when he can overtake?"
Well Martin, he will be able to pass at Hungaroring, like Hamilton can.
I thought Niki Lauda made pointed reference to Hamilton's passing ability in the post-race interview.
posted on 31/7/13
When I predicted, well before the race, that Lewis Hamilton would get pole and win the race my predictions were met with derision.
Too hot for Mercedes they said.
Well, the result speaks for itself.
In order to win that race Lewis Hamilton had to ….. Well I don't think I need to explain any further to F1 followers. He knew what he had to do and he did it.
I think Vettel crashed into someone.
posted on 1/8/13
Vettel ran into Button but didn't get a penalty for causing a collision. Meanwhile Grosjean did
posted on 1/8/13
I was one of the many who thought Hamilton had no chance in that heat, think he may have just about proved me wrong there
Was a very impressive drive, no, a extremely impressive weekend!
posted on 1/8/13
but when challenges come he falters and this is because he has limited experience in these conditions
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which instances are we talking about here ?
posted on 1/8/13
How many times have we heard Martin Brundle ask with that slightly sarcastic ringing tone in his voice when Vettel passes somebody, "What will he be like when he can overtake?"
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You do realise that when he makes those comments he's taking this pizz out of people who say he can't overtake, can't race etc ?
posted on 3/8/13
"You do realise that when he makes those comments he's taking this pizz out of people who say he can't overtake, can't race etc ?"
Precisely why I added the "slightly sarcastic" bit.
I was being slightly sarcastic.
So why couldn't Vettel overtake in Hungary?
And, what will he be like when he CAN overtake? (No sarcasm intended)
Vettel was the equal of Grosjean in Hungary.
posted on 5/8/13
comment by Robson's Mound (U18211)
posted 3 days, 12 hours ago
but when challenges come he falters and this is because he has limited experience in these conditions
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which instances are we talking about here ?
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Anytime Vettel has to do some overtaking. He's either crying on the radio for rocky to do something or he crashes into people or makes amateurish maneuvers.
Even the Abu Dhabi race people scream about he had 2 incidents behind a safety car.
The blasting off into the distance will not help him get better at battling other drivers.