Is winning the most important thing

[Yoong Montoya]

Originally posted by krt917
That's an easy one, I'd pick option b) and I truly believe that too. I had a chat at the time with a friend who was a Schuey fan (as I was and, to a much less degree am still) and he said the asked the same thing. He said that he would have done the same thing. I was shocked at the time, but now realise that, unfortunately, many people would agree. None of that changes my belief that I would not. And, I reckon that there are quite a few drivers around who wouldn't either (though their number has probably decreased in recent years). I don't believe Montoya would, for example.

Just out of interest, which would you choose?

That's nice to hear krt917. I hate to admit it, but if I were in Schumacher's place I would probably have tried to shut the door in the heat of the moment. And, unfortunately, I think many others would do the same.

You see, this isn't just a battle for victory. It's a battle for a whole championship. And with today's cars it isn't possible to repass your rival unless he makes a mistake. Plus, teams are paying drivers millions to win championships for them. With all this in your mind, as well as suddenly seeing your WDC rival trying a do or die move with a few laps to go....

While everyone would angrily say "I would never run anyone off the track!" bear in mind that this is for a whole championship that you might never get a chance to win again. I'm honest enough to admit that while I would try to win fair and square, if a situation like Jerez 97 occured, I might find myself slamming the door anyway through overreaction.

Sorry about such a long post. It's just my opinion. The JV factor.

[NiceGuyEddie]

While everyone would angrily say "I would never run anyone off the track!" bear in mind that this is for a whole championship that you might never get a chance to win again.

Plus, the decision has to be made in a split second, while we can review the situation over and over again and can comfortably conclude what Schumacher should've done.

[krt917]

But Michael's instinct was to turn away AND THEN he turned back in, so he'd obiously made a decision (admittedly a quick one).

I appreciate your honesty Yoong. I beleive that you are right when you say pressures in modern F1 are so much higher and that they will hae an impact on this sort of thing. I just wish all drivers, as opposed to some (like DH and MH, as you have suggested) would be able to stick to the right way of doing things!! Of course, the answer, if those unpopular things called morals and ethics fail, is that the governing body should enforce codes/rules. But then, that's another issue again!.....

[Yoong Montoya]

Originally posted by krt917
I appreciate your honesty Yoong. I beleive that you are right when you say pressures in modern F1 are so much higher and that they will hae an impact on this sort of thing. I just wish all drivers, as opposed to some (like DH and MH, as you have suggested) would be able to stick to the right way of doing things!! Of course, the answer, if those unpopular things called morals and ethics fail, is that the governing body should enforce codes/rules. But then, that's another issue again!.....

Thanks krt917. And if I were racing and it was just a race and not a WDC decider, I would not run anyone off on purpose. I would accept that I had been beaten fair and square. But it's a lot harder to do that when there is a whole championship on the line. A race is just a race. A championship is a whole season's worth of hard work, and it's 10 times harder to stop yourself slamming the door on your rival in that situation. I do admit that Hill and Hakkinen wouldn't do it though. They would rather accept 2nd and say "Ah well, there's always next year!". Shame not many others think the same way!

[ASCII Man]

The thing that ****ed me off most wasn't the moment that he hit Jacques, but when he was waiting by the side of the track to see if JV would pass by, just like he did with Hill in 1994.

That is a sure sign that it wasn't just a decision made in the heat of the moment but a very intentional move to end all moves. Maybe even considered before the race had even started.

I have little doubt that he would do it again if the need and opportunity arises again.

[NiceGuyEddie]

That is a sure sign that it wasn't just a decision made in the heat of the moment but a very intentional move to end all moves. Maybe even considered before the race had even started.

A 'sure' sign? A 'sure' sign of your conspiracy theory, yes.

[ASCII Man]

What conspiracy theory??
What the hell are you talking about???


Jeez...

[NiceGuyEddie]

Hello...

I did quote you and all. The theory that whatever happened in that corner was pre-fixed in Schumachers' mind even before the race had started.

Of course he wanted to be sure whether or not Villeneuve would've been able to continue. It was at that specific time rather important for the outcome of the championship. So why search for evidence of deliberate wrongdoings in the simple fact that Schumacher was interested in the consequences of what happened?

That's jumping the conclusions I'd say, but then again, it's obvious you suffer from a terrible onetrack-mind where Schumacher/Ferrari is concerned.

[ASCII Man]

I'm totally fixed on Michael Schumacher!
I only talk about Michael Schumacher!
It's my lifework to talk **** about Michael Schumacher and all that entails him!
I have no life!


Yeah, right....

[NiceGuyEddie]

Yes, that pretty much sums it all up.

[ASCII Man]

Thanks alot.

[Yoong Montoya]

Originally posted by NiceGuyEddie
Hello...

I did quote you and all. The theory that whatever happened in that corner was pre-fixed in Schumachers' mind even before the race had started.

If Schumacher had planned to take Villeneuve out, the first coner on lap 1 would have been the best place to do it.

[ASCII Man]

I didn't say that he already made up his mind about doing it before the race.
I said that he probably considered to do it.

[Yoong Montoya]

Originally posted by ASCII Man
I said that he probably considered to do it.

Maybe. But that does not make his late race move to slam the door premeditated does it? Surely he was thinking more about winning the race until that happened.

If you want a premeditated move to take out your rival, check out Senna at Suzuka 1990. And everyone hero-worshipped him for it!!

[Wrex]

Geez, we've done this to death have'nt we.

I've given this thread alot of room, but we are done now.