Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport
From: shaman@cix.compulink.co.uk (Leo Smith)
Subject: Sennas tactics at Hockenheim
Reply-To: shaman@cix.compulink.co.uk
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 21:18:00 +0000

Hmm. Well one poster says something along the lines of 'look at those
silly Williams drivers - all over the place trying to pass Senna'

Why? Why only the problem when passing _Senna_?

Here's my theory.


What you do is drive around a bit and really look hard at the track.
Work out where the places to pass are, and where the racing line is.

You know the racing line is good grip and clean. You know everybody
is running twitchy cars set up for low drag.


Your name is Senna. You are driving an uncompetitive car, and there
are some Williams coming up behind you. You planned it that way. The
only way you could get in front was by not pitting: You have looked
after your tyres as well as you could, but you are about a second a
lap or more slower.

In order to win the Williams have to stay behind. Preferably in the
gravel traps. You cant out drive them - you don't have the speed. But
you might just be able to sucker them into a stupid move.

How are you going to improve your chances of that. Well a little
psyching out will help. You could try something a little physical
aginst that little German guy. That should make him see red on the
track. Good, Sorted that. Now lets go for a bit of the 'Well - other
teams have - superior equipment - but the drivers have - ah emotional
problems- you know what I mean ;-)' type of approach to the press.
Good. Even on Usenet they are starting to believe you Ayrton.


Now comes the test. You have to make the following car believe that
he is past you then just at the last momenyt slideeeeeee wider to
force him out onto the marbles or if he comes up the inside squeeeeze
him off the racing line onto the marbles but KEEP on it
yourself...right now whose goin to hit the brakes first....and its
outbraking - but the guy is on the loose stuff and you are on the
good stuff: He's there because you didn't leave him anywhere else to
go. There's only one racing line and you aren't going to let that guy
past. He HAS to take an all out risk because your name's Senna and you
own the track. You will weave if you can get away with it - you won't
so you always seem to just drift from one side of the track to the
other, and if anyone wants to get past they have to go way offline to
do it.

There used to be a sportsmans rule that the guy who got his wheels in
front got the corner conceded to him. Not any more. You get your
wheels in front of Mr Senna and he'll move over on you and barge you
off the racing line way on to the marbles where you haven't got a
chance of braking for the next corner.


Its up to you whether you consider that dangerous driving, or the
best driver in F1 doing what he has to to stay competitive. I KNOW
why Mansell was furious at Montreal now: I saw it at Hockenheim.
Ayrton is attacking the weak spots - using psychology where his
and his cars ability aren't enough, relying on his nerve being
stronger than the other drivers. Only Mansell and Schumacher are
prepared to stand up to him and have a chance of outpsyching him.
(Maybe Brundle and Alesi too actually)

I will predict that Senna will be involved in a MAJOR incident before
the year end.

I will not pass judgement: I do not like it, but it is currently
(just) within the rules.


Nomex on:-)

Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport