Over the course of the last few weeks, I have taken to thinking quite a bit about the concept of equality and parity, and the idea of racing on an equal footing.
Is it really possible to compete with anyone on an equal footing?
Breaking things down for a minute, and starting with the drivers:
Each has their own specific skill sets and level, and they all work hard to make the most of what they have been given. Some are better than others, so that for a start removes the level of the playing field, after all, it is quite easy to accept parity of equipment when you are confident of winning.
There are also the softer skills, those skills which you become good at through practice rather than natural nurtured and honed talent, the skills which may go un-noticed. These manifest in many ways, from those who are understood to be strong in setting up a car (Barichello springs to mind) to those who develop an affinity with the designers, such that the car suits their skills. How would parity be achieved in a situation where a car suits one driver better than another?
Then there is the confidence that a carefully built team, close advisors, friends, confidants. The comfort can help your peace of mind, and allow focus.
Where different drivers have very different requirements, both technical and personal, based on highly diverse skill sets, is it really possible to provide parity? Can the best that can be hoped for that the team provide the same baseline car?
Equal time in the simulator? Equal input with the engineers? If a driver has a strong ability to motivate a team, is that a skill which should be nurtured? Or would that lead to unfairness towards another driver? Technical input the same. Stories are rife in 2010 that the Mercedes car was pretty much developed to Michaels needs, sure, Nico was able to compete still, however, if Michael was closer to start with, it may have been different. So, did Nico have an equal chance to influence the team in the same way? Or is that a skill which Michael possesses and uses to his advantage? And would not allowing him to do so because Nico does not become an example of not applying parity?
There are obvious extremes, where one driver is obviously considered after the other, however, encouraging known skills, whatever they may be could be considered either way, depending on which skill it is.
In most areas of the world, there are many ways to be successful at something, hard work and talent aside, and working out the best way for you is a huge skill in itself, and you do what you can to provide yourself with an advantage. Does that mean that there can be no parity, because parity in itself could be deemed as an advantage?
Sorry if this seems like a bit of a directionless ramble, I think I know what I mean, and hopefully I have got most of it across!
Is it really possible to compete with anyone on an equal footing?
Breaking things down for a minute, and starting with the drivers:
Each has their own specific skill sets and level, and they all work hard to make the most of what they have been given. Some are better than others, so that for a start removes the level of the playing field, after all, it is quite easy to accept parity of equipment when you are confident of winning.
There are also the softer skills, those skills which you become good at through practice rather than natural nurtured and honed talent, the skills which may go un-noticed. These manifest in many ways, from those who are understood to be strong in setting up a car (Barichello springs to mind) to those who develop an affinity with the designers, such that the car suits their skills. How would parity be achieved in a situation where a car suits one driver better than another?
Then there is the confidence that a carefully built team, close advisors, friends, confidants. The comfort can help your peace of mind, and allow focus.
Where different drivers have very different requirements, both technical and personal, based on highly diverse skill sets, is it really possible to provide parity? Can the best that can be hoped for that the team provide the same baseline car?
Equal time in the simulator? Equal input with the engineers? If a driver has a strong ability to motivate a team, is that a skill which should be nurtured? Or would that lead to unfairness towards another driver? Technical input the same. Stories are rife in 2010 that the Mercedes car was pretty much developed to Michaels needs, sure, Nico was able to compete still, however, if Michael was closer to start with, it may have been different. So, did Nico have an equal chance to influence the team in the same way? Or is that a skill which Michael possesses and uses to his advantage? And would not allowing him to do so because Nico does not become an example of not applying parity?
There are obvious extremes, where one driver is obviously considered after the other, however, encouraging known skills, whatever they may be could be considered either way, depending on which skill it is.
In most areas of the world, there are many ways to be successful at something, hard work and talent aside, and working out the best way for you is a huge skill in itself, and you do what you can to provide yourself with an advantage. Does that mean that there can be no parity, because parity in itself could be deemed as an advantage?
Sorry if this seems like a bit of a directionless ramble, I think I know what I mean, and hopefully I have got most of it across!