Formula 1: Is Formula 1 a farce? (Part 2)

Red Bull Racing’s multiple and reigning World Champion, Sebastian Vettel, is, in 2014, a wandering sheep, a lost soul, a nomad, a psychiatrist’s case study, as he seeks answers to the current nightmare in which he resides – the 2014 F1 season! To say the German has had a difficult season thus far will be recorded as the understatement of the year! But his lack of spectacular ability was no secret to the keen and knowledgeable fans of the sport. In 2014, the veil which permitted an obscure view has been discarded and the unavoidable truth fills the void like air in a room! In 2014, Vettel’s performance has laid the facts on the track. He is a good driver, but Michael Schumacher calibre he is not! The argument that his stranglehold on the World Championship had more to do with the fact that he was sitting in the most remarkable package that has exited a designer’s pencil/pen in the modern F1 era, is now a raging bush fire!

Ferrari

So when the Usual Suspects – Ferrari, McLaren, etc. were left displaying flailing, frustrated arms, when they realised that speed, handling and aerodynamic-assisted, mindboggling performance were elusive targets only Red Bull could attain, Vettel ‘went to town’ and hoarded World Championships! Vettel’s name is mentioned at present when curiosity compels us to question where he placed or qualified. He is no longer a significant factor at the various Rounds. He must be carrying a rather massive burden.

Meanwhile, at the German GP, Hamilton’s relentless pursuit of glory was in full swing! Hamilton chased World Champions and devoured them like a malnourished lion on the African savannah! His warpath was brutal. He utilised the chase-attack-conquer routine with a sniper’s accuracy and removed his ambitious rivals from his path. And then, like a magician, he left us bewildered and speechless – he was battling for a podium spot!

For clarity’s sake, I am not suggesting that no other driver has accomplished such a feat. F1 aficionados would not allow such a blatant misstep to go unpunished. But, that essentially is my point. Dominant teams and their drivers are usually several km/hr ahead of the breathless, chasing pack and as such, at times, their grid position at the beginning of the race only serves to briefly delay their run to P1-3!

So, at the German GP, Hamilton had his way and he conquered all but two resilient warriors. He left a trail of mutilated machines and drivers as he cleared a path to the podium. Bottas, I am certain is still on a hill somewhere counting his lucky stars. Hamilton’s Achilles heel – the temperamental tires – came to his (Bottas) rescue which allowed him to retain P2. His sigh of relief was audible!

Credit must be given to the victor, Rosberg who made his nation and team proud by delivering the goods, like Hamilton earlier, on home-soil. But Hamilton’s run for glory was a reminder that, according to jackass – the world no level!

And considering what transpired at Hungary on Sunday, with specific reference to team orders intervening in the championship race, in a rather unexpected and embarrassing way – isn’t my question even more relevant now than before. Is Formula 1 a farce?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer