[Team] Team of the race: Malaysian Grand Prix

[Born Racer]

With some days for the dust to have settled, who would you say the team of the race is? I'm having trouble deciding (on my own criteria of course).

Red Bull- no, they embarrassed themselves even though they showed very well (a 1-2 is THE result).

Ferrari- a team that leaves Alonso circulating with that wing cannot be TOTR.

Mercedes- perhaps, but there's the team order, which I think stifled Nico and won't do Nico much good in his performances.

Force India- the pitstops stop that one.

Sauber- where are they these days? Anonymous.

Williams- dire. Sadly entrenched way back yet again.

Lotus- disappointing race for them, although it does show how things swing about so much and from track to track.

McLaren- improvement but not TOTR material.

Toro Rosso- a better performance but no.

Marussia- better and starting to look like one day they might start scoring points.

Caterham- worse and starting to look they will never start scoring points.

You know what; it's going to the plucky red team less near the back. Marussia.

[Aysedasi]

I go Merc. I've not been caught up in the 'Brawn makes Lewis #1' codswallop. No-one thought they would be in the ballpark and given a bit more fuel, who knows what could have happened.

[Born Racer]

They've done really well. I think, like Lotus in 2012, they're knocking on the door and will get that win in 2013.

[Marbot]

Marussia. Excellent progress from No-hoper to Williams beater.

[Adam43]

Mercedes, they managed to be team.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Mercedes, they managed to be team.

The doctor....

[Teretonga]

I went to Red bull because they managed a 1-2 win second place (or didn't manage it well, as was the case.)
In spite of the controversy RBR still managed both cars to end up on the top podium places.
Marussia did well for their resources and others didn't have too bad a day but really there is no one outside of RBR who performed anything like we wouldn't have expected.

[GT6]

gave it to marussia, a good performance and no funny business

[Aysedasi]

12 votes eh - enthusiasm seems pretty low.......

[Mekola]

Mercedes used team orders - but more subtle and less scandalous than RBR...

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Mekola

Mercedes used team orders - but more subtle and less scandalous than RBR...

Mercedes used team orders! When was this?!

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Mekola

Mercedes used team orders - but more subtle and less scandalous than RBR...

Mercedes and Red Bull both used the same team orders; do not pass and cruise to the end. The difference was that Vettel ignored them.

[Spritle]

Red Bull 1-2 (or is that 21) and this:

http://en.espnf1.com/redbull/motorsp...ry/104691.html

Makes RBR my Team of the Race.

While Vettel's move on Webber hasn't earned him much love, it wasn't Red Bull's fault. They tried the same team orders the Merc employed but Seb didn't play nice like Nico. Other than running out on track and forcibly stopping him, what else were they supposed to do? In other words it wasn't THEIR fault some fans aren't happy with Vettel's win.

[Born Racer]

Good last point there Spritle, although I wouldn't vote for them because they lacked bottle and balls. Everyone has their own criteria, don't they?

[TrapezeArtist]

Originally Posted by Spritle

While Vettel's move on Webber hasn't earned him much love, it wasn't Red Bull's fault. They tried the same team orders the Merc employed but Seb didn't play nice like Nico. Other than running out on track and forcibly stopping him, what else were they supposed to do? In other words it wasn't THEIR fault some fans aren't happy with Vettel's win.

They weren't the same team orders.
Ross Brawn was authoritative, and made it happen.
Christian Horner was feeble, muttered something about "This is silly" and admitted after the race that he didn't think Vettel would obey so he didn't try.

I think "team orders" should be replaced by "fan orders". Anyone who doesn't race to the end of the race (regardless of his teammate) should be stood up against a wall and ......

[Spritle]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

They weren't the same team orders.
Ross Brawn was authoritative, and made it happen.

The only difference between the team orders was Nico was subservient and played nice (which I guess as a #2 was to be expected), while Seb clearly took matters in his own hand.

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

I think "team orders" should be replaced by "fan orders". Anyone who doesn't race to the end of the race (regardless of his teammate) should be stood up against a wall and ......

So will you be whipping Nico or Mark Webber?

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Spritle

(which I guess as a #2 was to be expected),

Or a team player who was behind at that point. You can't tell the difference in that example I'm afraid.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Spritle

The only difference between the team orders was Nico was subservient and played nice (which I guess as a #2 was to be expected)

You just don't give up, do you.......

[Spritle]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Or a team player who was behind at that point. You can't tell the difference in that example I'm afraid.

Sir Jackie & I disagree...

http://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motors...ry/104781.html

Seriously mates, there is a pint in it from me when Hammy is told to hold station behind Nico...of course Nico has to get in front of Lewis first...

But I have a funny feeling the only time BOTH Mercedes drivers will have the same low fuel and dodgy tyres and therefore must be "team" players...

...will be when Lewis is in front.

But I don't have a problem with that, never did, never will. I just wonder if Nico will...

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Spritle

Sir Jackie & I disagree...

http://en.espnf1.com/mercedes/motors...ry/104781.html

I admire your continued attempt, although you've used a Jackie Stewart quote , apparently in full knowledge that it came while wearing far too much tartan. In addition there is nothing in there that refers to what we are talking about. It just says that Hamilton is expected to be the better driver. Well yes, he's won more races and championships, as Sir Jackie says.

Pulling out three times world champions, did you read what Lauda said about it?

My statement was you can't tell the difference between being favoured or just the hold station request at the time. You can't.

Seriously mates, there is a pint in it from me when Hammy is told to hold station behind Nico...of course Nico has to get in front of Lewis first...

Well it is the latter part that will probably hold out.

Which is my entire point. You can't tell the difference! People seam to confuse being ahead with being favoured. Being no.1 because you are better does not necessarily mean you are no.1 automatically in all aspects of the team. The logic often seams to be he's ahead so he is favoured.

But I have a funny feeling the only time BOTH Mercedes drivers will have the same low fuel and dodgy tyres and therefore must be "team" players...

...will be when Lewis is in front.

But I don't have a problem with that, never did, never will. I just wonder if Nico will...

I don't either, but I have no evidence at this point to know how they are choosing to operate. Two races in to the partnership, it is still assumptions not evidence.

[Aysedasi]

But then again Adam, when did anything ever get posted in the F1 forum that had any kind of evidential basis......?