Ralf's Race

[M Coupe]

To quote Head

"a Bloody Mess".

Interesting to hear that he apparantly said on the radio that he hit Fisi as well. 10 places less for Ralf in San Marino perhaps?


Was this the usual Ralf disaster when he isn't doing well?

Can't Imagine why Toyota would be interested for next year.

[Kicking-back]

Willi Weber must be a genius if he can continue to get these megabucks deals for Ralf.

Williams would be better paying Gene and AN Other half a million a year each and putting the rest into the car.

[GP Racer]

FIRE HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

The man just can't stand being around other cars, which makes it somewhat difficult when your a race car driver!

[DavidStHubbins]

Ralf does not excel in the pack but put him at the front and he does.

Sounds like he messed things up again today though.

[Gt_R]

There isn't really much to defend Ralf this time... The commentator was saying how Ralf lack the grace to race in a decent manner...Left Sato NO room, and insisted to push Fisi into a spin..

I have a feeling that the 2 incidents are sufficient to put him 10 place back next race... Ralf certainly shows he now DARES to race and overtake...but not Good enough to do it properly.

[Mr V]

Truly awful for Rafe today, and i know that its the way the dice fall in F1, but a shame that he got a point or 2 when his team-mate, through no fault of his own, lost a podium

[Peter Mallett]

Disaster is a bit strong really.

Catastrophic would be better!

I've backed him for a few years now but he really isn't doing anything for Team Willy at the moment. Strange that whilst he is doing really badly, his team mate, who is definitely leaving, is putting on the best performances I've seen.

[ralf fan]

and to top it all off he comes into the pits thinking he has a suspension broken without testing it out first....
waste of a good 5-6 secs that could have meant hed be closer to alonso and sato near the end...
moment of utter brain blockage!!!

[alesi95]

well if he can raise $100million then he could probably buy that toyota drive

[Kicking-back]

Erratic performances, yes.

I don't know why anyone would want to sign him.

It's certainly not for his good attitude and positive motivation of the team either.

[dcp2685]

I'm wondering what he's going to say for himself now.

[GP Racer]

Would anyone be surprised to see Gene in the car for the next race?

Scott Dixon must be thrilled to see what a mess Ralf has made of this season...

[M Coupe]

Originally posted by dcp2685
I'm wondering what he's going to say for himself now.

That could be an interesting interview.

Obviously it will be all Sato's fault for daring to try and overtake him, and Fisi really should have moved over straight away,

[F1Pete]

His incident with Sato was clearly his fault. Did he actually think Sato could avoid him? I am not at all surprised. He has always been the same. I remember him causing a crazy crash back in his Jordan days...I guess he will never learn. I wish you luck Toyota, you guys will need it.

[Heebeegeetee]

Originally posted by DavidStHubbins
Ralf does not excel in the pack but put him at the front and he does.

Sounds like he messed things up again today though.

I see. He needs to be 'put' at the front. In which case, he's in the wrong sport, and no disrespect sir, but you're following the wrong sport if you think that's how it works.
Ralf is awful, and I want to see him stopped from spoiling other drivers races as well as our own enjoyment. Look how he ruined the enjoyment of the last GP for both us and Mark Webber.

For the mistakes he's made in this race - Sato, Fisi, his own pit crew etc. - he should be docked 30 places which means he rejoins towards the back of the grid at Monaco, I reckon.

[dcp2685]

Originally posted by F1Pete
His incident with Sato was clearly his fault. Did he actually think Sato could avoid him? I am not at all surprised. He has always been the same. I remember him causing a crazy crash back in his Jordan days...I guess he will never learn. I wish you luck Toyota, you guys will need it.

Is Ralf the reason Fisi spun? Missed that part....but did notice that he lost a couple places....good to see him beat Massa finally.

Oh and is JV learning to ride motorcycles? It's bimmer. Beemers are motorcycles.

[BootsOntheSide]

Reject of the race without a doubt. He made a ridiculous mvoe on Sato, completely graceless and shoddy, epsecially compared to Taku's later move on DC. He rudely nudged Fisichella out of the way, probably costing Sauber a point, and generally didn't look fast even when in clear air. Hopefully this will be the last season that we have to put up with him at the front of the pack. Being great in clear air but embarassing when surrounded by other cars really isn't good enough.

[dcp2685]

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
Reject of the race without a doubt. He made a ridiculous mvoe on Sato, completely graceless and shoddy, epsecially compared to Taku's later move on DC. He rudely nudged Fisichella out of the way, probably costing Sauber a point, and generally didn't look fast even when in clear air. Hopefully this will be the last season that we have to put up with him at the front of the pack. Being great in clear air but embarassing when surrounded by other cars really isn't good enough.

But Boots....he's not at the front of the pack.

[Heebeegeetee]

I'm reminded that at a question and answer session at the Autosport show, someone else said"when he's at the front"...or "when he's on form" etc. The journo fielding the session recalled that yes, Ralf had won two races back to back last year. He followed that up with 5 points in 8 races and no mechanical problems. In a car that was a potential championship winner, in my view.

I don't see that he has anything further at all to offer F1, and I gladly welcome his early removal from the sport. From todays showing, he's barely competent enough to remain.

Don't forget, relatively speaking, todays F1 car is very easy to drive, compared with whats been before. That's why so many youngsters can come in and do well so quickly. Before, you'd have to spend a quiet couple of years in apprenticeship, like MS did.

Ralf's continueing performance almost beggars belief.

[M Coupe]

Originally posted by dcp2685
Is Ralf the reason Fisi spun? Missed that part....but did notice that he lost a couple places....good to see him beat Massa finally.

ITV pit crew said that Ralf radioed into the pits to say he hit Fisi but thought there was no damage to his car.

[DriverT]

Originally posted by Heebeegeetee
I see. He needs to be 'put' at the front. In which case, he's in the wrong sport, and no disrespect sir, but you're following the wrong sport if you think that's how it works.

Actually the guy you were replying to never said that "Ralf needs to be put at the front". He said "IF Ralf was at the front".

[Hugh Jarce]

After the Monty exchange it makes you wonder whether he is just seeing 'red' when anyone seeks to challenge him in a corner.

I don't think the stewards will give him much grace especially after the 'I'll force Monty off next time' comment.

Cool down mate!

[Knowlesy]

To put Ralfs performances into perspective....

He is driving the second best car on the grid (arguably) and for one half of last season the best car bar none.

His last podium was on July 6th 2003 in the French GP.

9 months without a podium in a car that has always been one of the two fastest.

In that same period, including the French GP, he has scored 22 points up to and including Bahrain.

That's 22 points from a possible hundred by the way. With one mechanical failure and a mysterious headache.

And he still has an outside chance of staying at Williams?

I think not.

[Heebeegeetee]

Originally posted by DavidStHubbins
Ralf does not excel in the pack but put him at the front and he does.

Sounds like he messed things up again today though.

Eh?

[Knowlesy]

And how often is he up front, Mr StHubbins?