Formula 1 2012 Season <<<SPOILER>>>

This thread tapered off this season, I think do to the monotonous inevitability at the end of the season. Macca was coming on strong, but it was too little too late. Hope there's better competition in 2012.

The big news, Kimi's back. There'll be 6 WDC's on the grid next year. Hope it makes for some good wheel to wheel racing at the front half of the race.

And as always...GO REDS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=UJ5PF87xAdU

I missed Kimi mumbling his way through an interview.

Do you think that alien spaceship in the corner is controlling his thoughts?

Looks like USGP at Austin is back on. Good news all around...

So many seats still not filled, what gives this year?

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96751

Originally Posted by F1Crazy

So many seats still not filled, what gives this year?

Two more seats filled with STR announcing their lineup. Not many left. I'm guessing Petrov buys the empty seat at Williams.

Originally Posted by franka

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96751

No surprise there.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/73...ame-FI-Drivers

So with Force India and STR naming their drivers this week, doesn't that leave just one open seat at Williams? And now the question becomes, who's got more money, Petrov or Sutil ? I'm still betting Petrov gets the seat.

Glad to see Hulk back in a race seat, and at a reasonably competitive team. Hope he can shine and eventually get into a front runner. I think he's got what it takes.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96787

Originally Posted by franka

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96787

Bernie should STFU ! Seems like he doesn't want F1 to succeed in North America. He wants to keep going to places like China and Bahrain, where the money is endless and the fans practically non existent.

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/73...-Taste-Success

Alonso talking about changes to the suspension. I bet that means they're going to a pull rod rear just like Redbull and McLaren. Not really all that risky, sort of two years behind.

Teams rate the drivers of 2011..

http://plus.autosport.com/free/featu...p-ten-drivers/

Originally Posted by franka

Teams rate the drivers of 2011..

http://plus.autosport.com/free/featu...p-ten-drivers/

Hmmm... Interesting how far down Webber is. And Massa isn't even on the list, guess that's not really a surprise.

I am shocked that you had the nerve to start this thread without waiting for Berford to do it...

N00b.

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

Hmmm... Interesting how far down Webber is. And Massa isn't even on the list, guess that's not really a surprise.

Yes I agree but then the list is based on their performance in 2011 and Massa had (one of) his worst years. Massa has been very fast in the past. 2012 will make or break him.

I'm really looking forward to 2012. And I'm cheering for Red Bull again and also the newly, renamed Lotus Renualt with Kimi. It will be interesting to see if it takes Kimi as long as Schumi to get up to speed.

Originally Posted by Patrick

I am shocked that you had the nerve to start this thread without waiting for Berford to do it...

N00b.

I was waiting but it didn't seem to be happening.

Originally Posted by franka

Yes I agree but then the list is based on their performance in 2011 and Massa had (one of) his worst years. Massa has been very fast in the past. 2012 will make or break him.

I'm really looking forward to 2012. And I'm cheering for Red Bull again and also the newly, renamed Lotus Renualt with Kimi. It will be interesting to see if it takes Kimi as long as Schumi to get up to speed.

I think that due to his age , and the fact that he was still racing, Kimi should get back up to speed pretty quickly. I think his problems will come from his disinterest in testing and development. The only nock against Kimi is that all he wants to do is sit in a fast car and drive. He's certainly very good at it, but if the Lotus isn't fast out of the box, they could be in trouble.

I'm obviously not hoping for more redbull dominance. Two things I think will help get the Reds back in front: first is history, ie: Adrien Newey wins two championships in a row, then goes off the boil. Second, I think the new diffuser and exhaust regs. will help Ferrari as we saw at Silverstone.

Oh, and one more thing, Alonso. Love him or hate him, the boy can flat out drive. He's also molded the team around himself. Give him a competitive car, and watch out.

Originally Posted by franka

Yes I agree but then the list is based on their performance in 2011 and Massa had (one of) his worst years. Massa has been very fast in the past. 2012 will make or break him.

I'm really looking forward to 2012. And I'm cheering for Red Bull again and also the newly, renamed Lotus Renualt with Kimi. It will be interesting to see if it takes Kimi as long as Schumi to get up to speed.

And as to 2012 making or braking Massa, I believe he cracked for good the moment Alonso passed him in the pitlane at china in 2010. Since then, he's been driving like he's already lost. And it all seems to be mental because he does have, or had the skills.

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

Oh, and one more thing, Alonso. Love him or hate him, the boy can flat out drive. He's also molded the team around himself. Give him a competitive car, and watch out.

I agree with that. Got nothing against Alonso. He's good.

Originally Posted by franka

I agree with that. Got nothing against Alonso. He's good.

He also does seem to have matured emotionally in the last few years. He seems calmer, and isn't making the same anti- team statements he used to make when he had a bad weekend. Overall, he and Ferrari seem to be a good fit.

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

I was waiting but it didn't seem to be happening.

Sorry, I was "asleep at the wheel," so to speak. Also, glad you're back Patrick. Refreshing.

Alonso says Kubica is the best.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96968

He could be right.

Originally Posted by franka

Alonso says Kubica is the best.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96968

They're close friends (alonso was the only driver to visit Kubica after his rally crash in the hospital) so it's not surprising he would say that.

I wish him all the best, and would like to see him come back to his former level, but I wonder if he'll ever regain the dexterity you need to operate an F1 steering wheel again. I remember seeing some on-board footage once of Robert driving the BMW. For an entire lap, his fingers never rested, he was shifting, turning dials, pressing buttons, etc. The amount of activity was incredible, and that was a few years ago. I would imagine it gets harder every year.

I think we just need to wait and see what he can do. If there was permanent nerve damage, I fear his F1 career could be finished.

Mixed feelings seeing Senna name at Williams but wishing all the best to Bruno.

Too bad for Rubens Barrichello but times move on.