PATRICK HEAD Sunday Times article (not merged that much)

[Tweed]

Yes, I know, but it does annoy me that when Michael has a small problem, whether it be tyres, brakes or something, and Rubens is right up with him, you just know that he will stay behind him, team orders or not.

[Logrence]

You know that Schumi would beat him in a straight fight, but it's being cheated of the spectacle that rankles...

[Gt_R]

If this comment comes on the back of say Austria, then nobody could have faulted Head for passing such a comment.

But on the back of USGP, one can hardly pass off Ferrari issuing team orders. And people can call it straight talking, but bad mouthing your opponent based on "speculation" isn't something a senior member of F1 should do...unless a motive of hitting out at Ferrari is intended.

He was asked a question and he responded. Indeed, but he answered knowing full well that everyone will know his response and to answer in such a manner is just not respectable.

=====
“I don’t respect them, because they’ve put themselves in a position of dominance, but their sole motivation appears to be self-interest, rather than the interests of F1,” he says.

“When Williams or McLaren have been in that position in the past, the seasons retained their interest because you knew the drivers wouldn’t give each other an inch. Ferrari say they let their drivers race, but it clearly looks a bit of a sham. It’s only supposition, but Rubens (Barrichello) appeared to have a clear performance advantage over Michael (Schumacher) at Indy — and all of a sudden in the race it disappeared.

“It does make me angry, but I’m not going to waste energy over it, because clearly the FIA accepts it and clearly it is a positive-active decision by Ferrari to operate in that way. It sounds rather ‘holier than thou’, but I happen to believe we have an obligation to race.”
============

What he said is wrong in the sense that he neatly overlooked how his driver (Ralf) played a part in twisting the results, and how at the first restart MS did a better job. The pace of RB wasn't lost, RB was quicker than MS ...but merely 2 situations lost him the race lead. But no, he didn't bother elaborate.. just choose the part which causes damage and whack!

And by his own admission, it's all "supposition"...so i think it'd be alright if i suppose this and suppose that and start fancy stories about Williams? NOT..it's understandable as a race fan, but a senior member ought to use his head more.

Quote:"It sounds rather ‘holier than thou’" Indeed..it does sound that way, and it's the primary reason why i get irritated with such comments... They are a mere product of making your own team sound better at the expense of others...of course, bringing in Williams' old glory days as example because the current Williams is nothing but in shambles.

And people call it respectable and straight...well, ask Ralf how impressed he is when words leaked out that Head, believing what he said is off records, bad mouths him in front of journalists.

i don't think it's respectable.

[Gt_R]

Like i've said, RB would, should, could have won USGP, and it's real unfortunate that he didn't. But to pass off every Ferrari 1-2 where MS finish ahead as team orders is ridiculous.

[grumpy1]

Although there is a tread on Patricks USGP comments I found this interveiw in which he says a lot more than one would expect.
http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view...id=1&nid=94942

The Grumpy1

[Kirk]

He has hit some nails right on the head and I'd like to believe him concerning the part of his team caring about the sport of F1. However it seems all the top teams, not just Ferrari, are selfish and tend to put their own interests first and leave the good of the sport for others to worry about, like Bernie and Max. A big problem imo.

[Teretonga]

Yes TGF would win in a straight fight, but if Reubens had been able to race him during the last section of the USGP then he would have made for a lot more spectacular race than what we got.
Having said that maybe Todt and Brawn know that Mikey would rather run Reubens off the road rather than give up a win. (Damon and JV) Even if it meant not finishing himself!

[deeks6]

What REALLY annoys Patrick is that his drivers have ranged in performance from ordinary to outright pathetic - Ralf keeps hitting things and JPM whines louder than the BMW in the back.

Lucky he'll have the Aussie boy next year to show these hacks how to take the fight to Shoe!

[Adam43]

merged: exactly the same as another thread

although that one reminds me of many before

[z2252314]

No, what really annoys Patrick is the downfall of his reputation. He was considered the best technical director in F1, but now he's not even near the top 3. Ross Brawn is clearly the top dog when it comes to technical directors (and this bugs the **** out of Patrick). What's worse he gave Geoff Willis a good mouthful in the press ranting on about how he was too conservative and look at BAR now. Gasgoyne will turn Toyota around, BMW will produce the best engine, and Williams will still be playing around for the minor positions.

Avoiding the autoscensor.

[Adam43]

Frankly I take his words at face value.

Additionally from the rest of the article I get the impression that Head is generally very happy man at the moment.

[Super Tourer]

Yep Adam, I got that impression too.

I think the difference in Patrick these days, is the realisation that there is life outside F1 and he wants to enjoy it more.

In the Sunday Times article he makes the honest admission that frankly he doesn't want to work 70 hours a week any longer, he wants to spend time with his family, but he knows Sam Michael will - hence the reason why PH himself instigated the change.

[RWC]

Furrari are winning drivers championships but thay are crucifying the long term reputation of the team

[Mr V]

Originally posted by z2252314
No, what really annoys Patrick is the downfall of his reputation. He was considered the best technical director in F1, but now he's not even near the top 3. Ross Brawn is clearly the top dog when it comes to technical directors (and this bugs the **** out of Patrick).

Aren't Patrick and Ross a "different type of technical director"?

Patrick head is more in the Rory Byrne mould, i.e, more design of the car, whereas Ross Brawn is more in the mould of Sam Michael,i.e- more pit wall stuff?

Before the "change" at Williams, and subsequent move up for Sam, Patrick didn't make decisions on the pit wall, Sam did that.

[429CJ]

The comments of Ross Brawn have been much more ridiculous in the past. I'm just waiting, when he launches another frog from his babbling mouth.

[Kicking-back]

Indeed.

Ross strikes me as the most arrogant man in Formula One.

His regular pontificating usually comes from being totally unable to see any point of view other than Ferrari = right, others = wrong, whatever the facts.

[garcon]

Ah, but is that what he truly believes, or does he come from the Alistair Campbell School of Media Relations?

[Adam43]

What is this? Technical directors we have hated?

[Kicking-back]

Who knows?

As an example, the clash between JPM and MS at the Nurburgring last year.

Both drivers felt it a racing incident and had no ranting afterwards.

Yet Ross shouted his mouth off about Montoya.

Any perceived threat to Ferrari's bubble, Mr Brawn is there with something to say.

Yes, the team do a fantastic job, but he would do well to show a little humility at times.

[Peter Mallett]

I fully expect something to be merged with this thread.

[Kicking-back]

Or not

[Adam43]

Bog off Ah, yes personal abuse. I'll warn myself on PM. I'll also warn PM and KB for being sarcy so and sos.

Title changed ;p

[Knowlesy]

NEWS FLASH:

Adam awakes from slumber.

[Kicking-back]

Mine's a vodka, Adam.

[Knowlesy]

No alcohol in the forums mate. Sorry.

There's the door.