Fisi, quite frankly, I've seen enough.

Knowlesy · 9 Oct 2005, 09:08 (Ref:1428026)

After a well executed 2004 season and claims (inexplicable) that Fisi was the second best driver in F1, a few on the board expected Giancarlo Fisichella to have a great season. Here he was, for the first time in his career, in a frontline car teamed with a guy who wouldn't try to get into his head. What could possibly go wrong?

There was a dream start in Australia. Pole and win. But there was an underlying doubt that Fisi would have won had the grid not been turned upside down by a rain affected qualifying. Indeed, his teammate put in the drive of the race, storming from nowhere to grab a podium whilst Fisi looked panicced towards the end as Barrichello closed in. Strange really, because things were relatively comfortable.

But still, this was a win, his first "proper" win, and perhaps it might give Fisi that boost that 'breaking a duck' usually entails. Oh no, how wrong.

Mechanical problems intervened for the next few races I accept, but it was still blatantly clear that Fisi was nowhere near Fernando in terms of perfromance. Put simply, he was being slaughtered. Whilst Alonso stormed to six wins, Fisi didn't see the podium again until Monza.....and then only because Raikkonen had a couple of problems. His head was gone.

Then we had todays race. Fisi third on the grid, his teammate and both McLarens at the back of the grid. Game-set-match. Well, it should have been....except this is Fisi we are talking about. He had the race in his pocket even after his last stop, but he then fell asleep. He dropped away immediately, losing chunks of time rather than push like mad. With a real sniff of a win in the air, this is totally unacceptable in my mind. Raikkonen pushed for all he was worth and emerged from his stop in Fisi's range.

From then, Fisi defended erratically and lost it on the last lap. That could be crucial to the constructors.

If he'd gone off pushing, fair play. But to lose a race by sleeping is a bit needless. If Fernando had been in that car, he would have won easily.

He is not worthy of a top seat based on this season.

Kicking-back · 9 Oct 2005, 09:12 (Ref:1428035)

Surely going off and scoring no points would have been worse than scoring 8?

But I agree to an extent - this year has really shattered the myth of Fisichella being a great lost talent.

He's a good driver - but not a great one - and he appears not to be a racer.

But the harmony of the team seems to be positive - would it be worth ditching Fisichella for someone who might upset the Alonso applecart?

Skam85 · 9 Oct 2005, 09:15 (Ref:1428042)

Yeah the signs tend to point to that don't they. Especially when Trulli (Alonso's old teammate) had more podiums up to today in what is an inferior car.

maximus · 9 Oct 2005, 09:16 (Ref:1428046)

Why was he going so defensive with two laps to go and on the final lap? Kimi was no where near him! I really wanted him to win today and I'm a bit disappointed.

marcus · 9 Oct 2005, 09:37 (Ref:1428085)

I knew 3 years ago that Fisi wasnt up to it , Ive been shot down in flames for it on this very forum in the past but i think today i have been vindicate.

the guy is a real talent I do not doubt that but he doesnt have what it takes to be worl champion and there is no doubting that I think.

he is a very VERY good midfield and low paying points runner but race winner , Im sorry its never gonna happen on a regular basis , time for Renault to move on and choose a driver with real potential I think

Gerben24 · 9 Oct 2005, 10:06 (Ref:1428121)

I repeat what I said in a different thread: How watertight is Fisi's contract? I wouldn't be surprised if he is going to be replaced by Kovaleinen, who I rate very high. Then again Flavio will not want to make the same mistake as he made with Verstappen in 1994, but that is a subject for a new thread!

BootsOntheSide · 9 Oct 2005, 10:33 (Ref:1428148)

There were at least half a dozen drivers today who put in drives which would ordinarily be Drive of the Day material, but the man who lead going into the final lap really isn't among them. He lost a second a lap to Raikkonen towards the end, and a similar amount to his team-mate, despite getting the best of everything in terms of traffic and track position. The second Raikkonen got close, he was panicking and looking uneasy, and going defensive when there was no need, essentially giving Kimi a fairly easy move at the end. He's well on the way to costing Rneault the Constructors' Championship.

Menelaos · 9 Oct 2005, 11:07 (Ref:1428192)

Trulli is one of the best drivers out there and Fisi is not. I can't believe they changed Trulli for Fisi.

**John Turner** · 9 Oct 2005, 11:53 (Ref:1428261)

I must admit that Fisi has flattered to deceive me too long. I'm not usually one to want to get too critical about drivers; it's so easy for us to sit back and say 'so and so' isn't up to it, in the comfort of our armchairs. However, I think today's drive by Fisi confirmed the opinion most of you have expressed here. He's good, but nothing special (although that is relative; all F1 drivers are special compared to mere mortals!); maybe he just doesn't have the mental strength. How he failed to convert that lead into a win, with the second best car on the grid, is frankly beyond me! He should have been so far up the road that Kimi's charge, however impressive, shouldn't even have given him a sniff of victory. I also think that the way he drove his last two laps suggested that he is not good under pressure either.

Halsey · 9 Oct 2005, 11:59 (Ref:1428276)

I'm pretty sure someone on these boards (I've forgotten who) has already said something that's probably pretty much on the money - Fisi is a great driving talent (although perhaps even that's in question now), but overall lacks the mental strength that's needed to win GP's, and the WDC.

krt917 · 9 Oct 2005, 13:49 (Ref:1428387)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

But I agree to an extent - this year has really shattered the myth of Fisichella being a great lost talent.

I don't like to criticise drivers too harshly, but I feel the same way. I was expecting Alonso to be stronger than Fisi, but not by this much.

It's probably true to say that Fisi has been closer to Alonso than the results indicate because he has tended to be the one who has experienced the bad luck, but even so he has still been some way off. I'm really surprised that he didn't win today, and I have to agree with the opinion that there is no way Alonso would have lost the race if he'd been the Renault driver starting third.

Fisi reminds me slightly of Frentzen when he got into the '97 Williams. Both had previously shown brilliant talent in mediocre cars, but then struggled to find their feet in a top car. Now, H-HF did get into the groove eventually and put in a storming season in '99, but I don't know whether Fisi will get that chance; there are a lot of good young drivers out there at the moment.

Inigo Montoya · 9 Oct 2005, 14:19 (Ref:1428410)

I think I better stay out of this thread...

Menelaos · 9 Oct 2005, 14:52 (Ref:1428451)

So, I just watched today's gp on tv (I was sleeping during the live coverage

)

So: although Raikkonen did a fantastic job, especially at the closing stages, I guess we have to agree that his win was partly given to him by Fisi. I would bet my head on that, if MS or FA or JPM was there instead there's no way Kimi would have even closed down on him, not to mention passing him.

Captain Chaos · 9 Oct 2005, 15:04 (Ref:1428466)

If Renault ends up losing the WCC by 4 points or less, I think a lot of people are going to focus on GF's last lap here at Suzuka.

luke · 9 Oct 2005, 15:10 (Ref:1428473)

A great shame, judging from the first race this season I thought we would have a great battle between the Renault drivers, Fisi did have his fair share of bad luck but when you compare him to Alonso he looks poor.
He had the race set up for himself was his for the taking and he let it slip, when he was taking a defensive line into the chicane he let Kimi get him on the straight as he had a bad exit, not the best of driving from him and Flavio was again hacked off by him it wouldn't suprise me that we will see Mark Webber or a differnet driver he manages take his place, it happened to Trulli last season.

Mr V · 9 Oct 2005, 15:15 (Ref:1428485)

According to the commentry on ITV, Flavio and the rest walked off the pit wall in disgust when Kimi took Fisi, say's it all really.

Don't forget that Ruben's taking Jarno last season on the last lap in France effectively led to him (Jarno) getting the boot. (Not that i'm saying that Fisi should get the boot)

**Peter Mallett** · 9 Oct 2005, 15:38 (Ref:1428510)

Sad but vindicates my opinions of Fisi. Just hasn't got that final bit of grit.

Knowlesy · 9 Oct 2005, 15:54 (Ref:1428528)

Or any grit at all, apparently.

I'll put my flat on Fisi not lasting until the end of next season.

mountainstar · 9 Oct 2005, 16:00 (Ref:1428539)

I was very dissappointed. Fisichella clearly doesn't have it. He's had his chance it's time to let others have his seat. However, I'm sure he can perform a valuable test role for some team.

**Bononi** · 9 Oct 2005, 16:01 (Ref:1428540)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inigo Montoya

I think I better stay out of this thread...

I hope EERO don't come here either...

Frank_White · 9 Oct 2005, 16:05 (Ref:1428545)

Fisi just lacked the aggression and speed to properly defend his position. On top of that he clearly panicked.

When i saw Kimi closing i knew that somehow Fisi would foul up the renault party.

If he cost renault the Constructors, he should be fired!

luke · 9 Oct 2005, 16:18 (Ref:1428555)

Infact I wouldn't be suprised to see him in the DTM in the future.

Knowlesy · 9 Oct 2005, 16:25 (Ref:1428567)

A non-racer in a hard racing series. Interesting.

**John Turner** · 9 Oct 2005, 16:31 (Ref:1428574)

Yep, I'm struggling with that one, too!

marcush. · 9 Oct 2005, 16:32 (Ref:1428577)

there are guys ,you know if they got half a sniff at bagging a win they will deliver.....
and there are guys loosing it under pressure.
Most guys are better attacking then defending,that´s a fact.

It´s the carot in front of you that makes you tick ....but surely someone who did a lot of carting should know how to defend his position for the last two laps.
It would have been so easy to just bog down a bit on the exit of the chicane ,to ruin any chance for kimi do do what he did.
On the last two laps ,I think a lot is ok without resorting to weaving or being unfair.
The guys today seem to lack in the racing department ,maybe you forget that bit when you do so much analysing and debriefing....

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