VB shows he's not just low hanging fruit (by displaying his own)

"getchapopcorn" (getchapopcorn) 11/19/2013 at 12:36 • Filed to: F1, Bottas

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Let's all take a minute and just appreciate one of the best passes of the season.

You can't see this first set up bit in the gif, but Bottas had used his DRS on the pit straight to try and get past Gutierrez on the outside — it wasn't going to work. Bottas, however, played his hand perfectly and executed a fantastic pass. At the crest of Turn 1 he was alongside but outside of Gut. Instead of falling behind and sticking to the racing line, he squared off the corner and switched to the opposite side of Gut. Coming down the hill from turn 1, Bottas holds strong on the outside line of Turn 2 with the extra speed he had because of his exit from 1. Gut tries to run Bot wide but Bot wasn't having any of it; what he did have was the inside line for turn 3 and a big set of balls to thank.

I hadn't really thought much of the young rookie all year, a fact probably mostly due to the car, but this past weekend really changed my opinion and I am very much looking forward to following what appears to be a young, emerging talent in F1.

Additionally, this really showed off what F1 passing is all about — planning, execution, and hefty danglers. Don't get me wrong, I'm more for the DRS than I am against it and I like that it adds another dimension to the sport, but it has diluted the talent and skill that used to be required for every pass. Passes in F1 that aren't under DRS are really a thing of beauty and this one did a great job to show that they involve several corners if not several laps of planning and perfect execution to complete; I'm glad that many new/casual F1 fans here in America got to see it.

Z_Stig > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 12:40

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Unfortunately, Crash-tor Maldonado got most of the media coverage this year, mainly because he's always involved in some sort of incident. But Mr. Bottas is a bright young talent indeed.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 12:53

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That has to be the best designed complex, ever, and I think we need to give tilke some credit.

Somehow the straight draws the shark closer, the seal defends on the outside of turn 1, but the shark is smarter and dives for the inside. The two are now wheel to wheel when the eases begin; it is now the story of who has the bigger fins and who will give in to the waves.

The fantastic thing about it is that this corner is followed by eases, and not just a straight, giving not time for one car to clearly overtake the other if the turn 1 overtake is defended.

EL_ULY > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 13:03

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defiantly a fan of his now, plus, Botas is boots in spanish :]

getchapopcorn > EL_ULY 11/19/2013 at 13:12

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llevaba sus botas durante la carrera — sin duda

EL_ULY > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 13:18

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ahuevo, unas chingonas de anguila jeje :]

getchapopcorn > EL_ULY 11/19/2013 at 13:23

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Qué quiere decir 'ahuevo'? "¡Por Supuesto!"?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 13:37

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If only he gets a good car next year.

Biased Plies > EL_ULY 11/19/2013 at 13:40

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*Definitely. Sorry, this bothers me to no end. Unless you actually meant defiantly, in which case, my bad.

Biased Plies > Z_Stig 11/19/2013 at 13:42

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I really hope he [Maldonado] doesn't end up at Lotus as the rumours are suggesting at the moment. It would be a shame if Hulkenberg doesn't get the seat he deserves.

Bravo on the Crash-tor btw. I chuckled.

Biased Plies > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 11/19/2013 at 13:44

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Next year will be a bit of a toss-up. Along with the massive unkown that is the engines, the cars are getting a bit of a make-over as well. It may end up like '09 where a team comes out of nowhere with something others haven't thought of. I'm looking forward to it.

Pdexter > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 13:44

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Certainly the highlight of the race for me.

As a Finn also nice to see new possible Finn raising among the F1 driver. Rather than him switching teams, I would love to see Williams crawling back up.

J-Tenno > EL_ULY 11/19/2013 at 13:46

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Are you a fan in a rebellious manner or a definitive manner [definitely]? :)

Just nitpicking, pinche!

J-Tenno > Biased Plies 11/19/2013 at 13:47

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They're suggesting Kovalainen to take Räikkönen's seat.

BeaterGT > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 11/19/2013 at 13:47

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I'm sure his feedback combined with Massa will be a monumental improvement over Maldozer

Maxxuman > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 13:47

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Mmmm, VB...

getchapopcorn > J-Tenno 11/19/2013 at 13:49

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We've heard this song and dance before ... Two weeks ago they were saying the new partial owners had said "get Hülkenberg."

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

ncasolowork2 > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 13:51

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There's no doubt in my mind that was one of the best overtakes of the year.

J-Tenno > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 13:52

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But Hülkenberg apparently is going to either Force India or Sauber.

Lotus still has money problems and Hülkenberg will want money.

Biased Plies > J-Tenno 11/19/2013 at 13:53

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That's just for the last two races of this season. Hulkenberg had been strongly favoured to take Räikkönen's seat next year (that has been the persistent rumour since Kimi's move to Ferrari was confirmed. Eric Boulier, Lotus team principle has stated publicly that Nico would be his choice as well) but I'm afraid that the PDVSA $millions backing Maldonado are swaying those hopes.

getchapopcorn > BeaterGT 11/19/2013 at 13:57

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I'm loving these Maldonado puns.

J-Tenno > Biased Plies 11/19/2013 at 13:58

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Boullier himself said that if Hülkenberg decides to go for either Sauber or Force India, both of which have been talking with him before Lotus did (this is a disadvantage for Lotus) and if Maldonado decides to go to another team or drop out of F1 altogether since there's no promise of him keeping the oil company money due to the corruption cases in Venezuela, Kovalainen could be a possible choice for the next season.

All this from a Finnish source.

uberjugend > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 11/19/2013 at 13:59

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Or if it rains a whole lot. Watching him in Canada was another surprise.

Z_Stig > Biased Plies 11/19/2013 at 14:00

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I'm also fearing the worst is about to happen and we'll be seeing PDVSA on the black and gold cars next year :(

JEM > Pdexter 11/19/2013 at 14:02

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Other than the race between Grosjean and Webber, this was the definitely the highlight of the race. Definitely looking to see what Bottas can do in the future.

Biased Plies > J-Tenno 11/19/2013 at 14:04

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I don't really think it matters that Sauber or FI started talking to Hulk earlier. Lotus is the obvious choice if the seat is available. The only reason Nico wouldn't go there is if Lotus needs the PDVSA money (I do hope that falls through for Pastor) if the Quantum deal doesn't happen.

WarShrike > Biased Plies 11/19/2013 at 14:07

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I hope so. It was such a circus where nobody really knew wtf to expect. Being a bit of a V6 modding fan and mechanical engineering student, it will be nice to see what they do with the new platforms.

EL_ULY > Biased Plies 11/19/2013 at 14:07

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LOL whoops :]

EL_ULY > J-Tenno 11/19/2013 at 14:08

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lol, whoops :]

S14 > Biased Plies 11/19/2013 at 14:09

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Warning- conspiracy theory content: it's my feeling that all the changes for next season were designed to re level the field, i.e. to let Ferrari regain ground on Red Bull. Hell, with Ferrari's "special" status, I wouldn't be surprised if they had foreknowledge of the changes.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/19/2013 at 14:18

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People like to shit on that complex as "just a ripoff of Becketts/the Suzuka Esses", but honestly, it's the perfect refinement of the two. Makes for good racing and it's a joy to watch.

See as well: Kimi's pass on Hulk last year at the same spot:

jariten1781 > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 14:18

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I loved watching his helmet camera every chance I could all year. They should put those on all the drivers, it's so much better than the top mounted pod that they use for the 'on board' shots. (Not that I'd get rid of the current camera, the more views the better.)

Chairman Kaga > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 14:25

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He DOES have the best name in all of F1 at the moment. Sounds like a Star Trek character. Lieutenant Commander Valtteri Bottas of Bajor.

DanimalHouse > Biased Plies 11/19/2013 at 14:25

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Releasing Raikkonen (and his large salary/bonus for points) will free up a lot of capital. I think Hulkenberg is a racer, he's not out for a lot of money. He'll probably take a fraction of the pay if it means getting into a faster car. Hulkenberg's fan base and likability is sure to draw some sort of sponsorship to the team.

Chairman Kaga > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/19/2013 at 14:26

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Absolutely agree. Just as a point of fact... Tilke only engineered it. Tavo Hellmund and Kevin Schwantz designed it.

DanimalHouse > Z_Stig 11/19/2013 at 14:28

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YouOverRotated > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 14:52

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Between that pass and this photo from Sunday, he might have just become the coolest driver on the grid.

getchapopcorn > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 11/19/2013 at 14:57

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Not just same spot but exactly the same move — the young Finn's training is nearly complete.

ratonbox > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 15:13

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So the finns are back at it again. Good bunch of drivers there. Also, Guttierez and Maldonado, a little bit too "latin" for the sport. The passion is good, but it has to be backed up by skill.

magman007 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/19/2013 at 15:25

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Why give Tilke Credit? After designing the same course so many times it would be absurd for him not to get it right.

shane_pinnell > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 15:39

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The Turn 1 exit through Turn 2 and into Turn 3 at COTA is proving itself to be a sublime series of corners for F1. I recommend we rename Turn 1 the "Curva Alonso", as he clearly owns that corner.

shane_pinnell > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 11/19/2013 at 15:40

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It isn't just the esses, it's the wide entry into turn one availability of multiple racing lines through turn 2 that really make the whole complex awesome.

Slighty_Less_Cooler_190e > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 15:44

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And for the record this guy used to play a excellent racing sim called "Live for Speed".

hawkeye18 > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 15:57

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BOOTS!

He's like, my new favorite guy.

RazorGP > DanimalHouse 11/19/2013 at 16:06

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I hope "The Hulk" gets the seat at Lotus.

AdmiralAkbar > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 16:14

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Bottas. It's a funny name.

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 16:40

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I'm glad someone posted this over the cries people thinking the race was boring just because Vettel ran away with it. Honestly there were some pretty good scraps throughout the race, so it amazed how bad F1 Fanatic's community was ripping on it. Anyway, I hope Willams does better next year. New rules, a great development driver (Massa) with lots of money and experience , and no coanda effect to worry about (they've alway's struggled with it) should help greatly.

charles babstock > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 17:12

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very good if i cant see it in gif why post it in gif

signed too lazy to find video

Liam Fielding > Maxxuman 11/19/2013 at 17:37

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Vomit Bombs

Slo-Z > Z_Stig 11/19/2013 at 17:43

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Maldonado REALLY needs to get out. He constantly ruins others' races and never apologizes for any of it. He should have gotten with the program by now. I mean, look at Grosjean, or even Perez - they were colossal screw-ups last season, and maybe even earlier this season, but they don't make the stupid mistakes they used to.

And while at it, boot Chilton out too.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 18:22

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if it wasn't for Maldonado crashing frequently I would have forgotten that Williams had a team this year.

Glad to see that Bottas is making a name for himself, even if it is late in the season.

getchapopcorn > DanimalHouse 11/19/2013 at 18:52

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AHHHH! This will haunt my nightmares...

Brockles > ratonbox 11/19/2013 at 19:24

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Bit harsh to put Gutierrez in the same category as Maldonado and his spoilt teenager ways. Gutierrez has plenty of skill. But when you're second driver (and a rookie) in a team with arguably the hottest driver on the open market it's pretty hard to shine. He's had some solid performances, but the Hulk would make anyone look bad this year. I suspect there is massive pressure in Gutierrez due to the financial issues and the threat of replacement by some Russian zero with a bigger budget....

Arch > Chairman Kaga 11/19/2013 at 19:25

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And the latter is getting a seriously raw deal for his efforts.

Mikey > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/19/2013 at 19:29

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Best GA view was from the entrance to that, sitting under the bridge or just before it. Really gives a good impression of the ferocity at which those cars change direction at speed.

TheKingOfBirds > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 20:37

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I had a great time there and would recommend it to anyone. I was wlaking off a hangover Sunday when I got passed on the stairs to the Pirelli bridge by a chick decked out in Williams gear. She also had a handful of passes that looked far more important than my GA ticket. So I caught up with her and politely pointed out that I was the one for whom those passes were intended. She chuckled and turned around and I realized I'm talking to Claire Williams! She was a great sport about the whole thing (they were paddock passes she told me and no, I couldn't borrow one either). I went down there without much of a rooting interest but if I ever do buy a $140 team shirt it will say Williams on it. Really happy to see a positive result for them.

Atlantian > getchapopcorn 11/19/2013 at 22:20

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Is there a youtube clip of this overtake?

Or better yet, in car footage?

getchapopcorn > Atlantian 11/19/2013 at 22:24

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Not yet, but it was on Lap 35 if you still have the race DVR'd

ratonbox > Brockles 11/20/2013 at 05:32

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My bad. I've had the impression about Gutierrez since the first races of the season when his performances were lackluster, so I've stopped following him with any kind of interest. Now that I've looked into it, he has improved and he has a chance to be the next Montoya (not sure if that's a good thing or not :)) ).

clintkev251 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 11/20/2013 at 06:50

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Thank you! I'm so sick of people complaining about it like its the same as any track and therefore is worthless. The drivers appreciate it as a wonderful track and having driven it, I love how it flows, more than anywhere else I have experienced.

Chairman Kaga > Arch 11/20/2013 at 10:13

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Wonder if the new management will welcome them back into the fold?

Not a Sunburst Miata > Slighty_Less_Cooler_190e 11/20/2013 at 12:46

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I play that too! I wonder if I can get into F1...

Lyle Petersminkle > magman007 11/21/2013 at 08:20

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Bro, Tilke didn't design it.

Lyle Petersminkle > magman007 11/21/2013 at 08:20

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Bro, Tilke didn't design it.

Lyle Petersminkle > magman007 11/21/2013 at 08:21

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Bro, Tilke didn't design it.

JaggerTheDog > getchapopcorn 11/22/2013 at 16:43

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What's DRS?

getchapopcorn > JaggerTheDog 11/22/2013 at 16:45

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JaggerTheDog > getchapopcorn 11/22/2013 at 16:48

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That just made the article a fuckton more interesting! Thanks!