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.
That was without a doubt one of the best F1 races! What a great race! Alonso had one outstanding drive, was great. Speed made a good point about the tires being a huge factor in how this year is playing out so far. it's made for a great year so far, one of the best ever.
Here's the site with the simulated lap of the proposed track. It looks pretty cool, if not all that different from Singapore. However, if it actually happens, I can't imagine that run through The Admirals Gate would be allowed. That looks like death waiting to happen.
I haven't missed more than three or four in the last ten years or so.
That was certainly an interesting weekend. Alonso got very lucky to grab pole. If they hadn't red flagged Q2, he would have been out. Then the conditions negated the Red Bull speed advantage, and his skills did the rest.
Clearly, the Red Bull is still the fastest car , but Ferrari is closing in, and so is Renault. Although I think Renault will lose ground as the big three start developing (read :spending) more. I just don't think Renault has the resources.
What happened To Macca ? They certainly seemed to have lost the plot. Maybe they gambled too heavily on a wet setup, but they just made no ground. There was a funny comment from Ham about how he couldn't understand how he could be in the lead, and battling with Alonso (a great duel) and then finish 8th. Guess he forgot that everyone else had already pitted.
Anyway, Germany and Hungary back to back next, then no racing in August. Guess my GF will be happy that I don't need to schedule weekends around F1...
Go Red Bull..... They have been my favorite team after spending years listening the McLaren's promise to do better year and then next year. Those that have watch F! for many years should know what I'm saying. Lots of promises for 'next' year.
I have no love lost for McLaren (the evil empire) but one thing I will say for them: I respect them, because like Ferrari, Williams and Sauber, they exist merely for racing. Redbull Racing may be on top now, but one day, just like all sponsors, they will decide they've gotten what they need out of F1, and move on. Meanwhile, as long as there is an F1 Championship, McLaren, along with Ferrari , Williams and Sauber will still be there.
Uh oh, RBR currently under investigation before the start of the German GP for illegal engine mapping. Looks like we may have a new contender for the title "evil empire".
Personally, I'd like to see Alonso beat Vettel in a fair fight today, but if the Bulls take a penalty, I'm good with that too.
So Alonso beat both Vettel and Button in a straight up fight. Not bad for a guy in the fourth fastest car on the grid. It's a good thing the lotus' don't qualify well because they'd be trouble if they did .
I think the penalty on Vettel was a bit harsh. Dropping him behind Button would have been fair, but I guess the 20 second penalty was the precedent.
There's going to be a meeting tomorrow where they will probably "clarify" the engine mapping rule. I wonder if that will spell the end of RBR dominance? Apparently, they've been coming on strong since they started using it, but it seems to be clearly against the rules.
So, another tight, exciting race, and another chance to watch a master at work. It's a huge difference from Australia, and now with a commanding lead, I believe.
Summer break...40 point lead...where's all the Vettel fans? It's been awfully quiet around these parts lately.
Looks to me like Hamilton is the biggest threat for the second half. Redbull doesn't seem to have the speed or consistency, and I think the Lotus' are just too far back.
Well, now that FIA seems to have finally figured out why RB has been so dominant for the last 2 1/2 years, they're apparently reluctant to continue to cheat at the moment. I'd argue that they should relinquish their championships.
No doubt, Vettel is a good driver...but I've contended all along that he's not a great driver...despite all his points. He's all car, and if FIA looks closely at RB (as they should), I think they'll find that the car/team is tainted by lack of adherence to the regs. And now that he isn't winning every race, he's acting like such a cry baby.
Helmet Marko has been very angry in the press lately accusing the other teams of being copycats and jealous. (I'm sure that's a bit true) This sounds to me like he's just trying to deflect attention. The two recent issues with RBR were looked into and changed by the FIA. The accusations against Ferrari seem unfounded.
Here in RB's own words is why the are not dominating this year. The short of it is, the rules that took away hot and cold air blowing and flexible wings.
Its about the New Jersey F1 president stepping down. They put a glowing face on this action but it could, just maybe, be the start of dropping the new, NJ F1 race.
Yeah, things didn't go his way so now he's publicly blaming his team. Hope he got his contract signed before hand. If not, I'll bet that cost him a few million euro.
Meanwhile, besides Button sailing off into the distance, that was a good race. They definitely need more tracks that allow passing. There was a lot of good, clean wheel to wheel stuff.
The start crash was a shame. A rookie who has had 7 first lap incidents in 12 races, taking out two championship contenders plus a guy looking for a podium for a midfield team... Ferrari is right, they need to tighten up driving standards in the lower formula. How funny will it be if D'Ambrosio wins Monza.
I find it interesting that Massa's best race in a long time happens when Alonso goes out on the first lap. It was good to see him drive aggressively and without mistake, even making clean passes, but he needs to do that at every race, not just when his team mate isn't there.
BBC is reporting that Hamilton has signed for Mercedes GP, but so far, there is no other confirmation and several denials. We'll know its true if Ham tweets a picture of the McLaren diffuser this weekend.
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