Formula 1 2012 Season <<<SPOILER>>>

Originally Posted by F1Crazy

I think we may see a clearer picture after this weekend.

I'm hoping not. I certainly think McLaren is the most consistent, and ultimately, the team to beat right now, but I'm hoping for a different winner again Sunday. A win for Kimi, or better yet, a Sauber would be great.
Meanwhile, I'm glad the timing is back to normal. Having morning coffee before my ride, and watching F1 live is as it should be. F1 in Asia or The Pacific Rim really messes with my circadian rhythm's.

All Mercs appeae to be looking good again.

I don't think anyone will have any idea of who is going to win before half way thru the race.

Looks like even the primes are degrading after not too many laps. I would be surprised if anyone can win on a two stop strategy. Three stops should be the norm. I'm sure we'll see if the Mercs have really sorted their tire wear issue.

I would bet that Lewis is not too happy to see RB back at the front.

Originally Posted by franka

I would bet that Lewis is not too happy to see RB back at the front.

Agreed.
I'm no fan of Redbull, but it's good to see yet another team threatening to win this weekend. When was the last time we had four different teams win in the first four races? It's just too interesting this year.

That was a pretty interesting qualifying session. I'm not surprised that Alonso and DiResta didn't go out in Q3. I'm sure they'll be starting on primes and hoping for some long stints. From the sounds of it, the options will go off very fast. The first ten laps should be pretty wild with some reasonably quick cars catching some very fast cars due to degradation. The passing could get out of hand.

Don't expect Seb to run away with this one. My money's on Lewis.

Originally Posted by berford

All Mercs appeae to be looking good again.

You were betting on Merc just a few days ago.

Originally Posted by franka

You were betting on Merc just a few days ago.

Apparently you thought I meant team Mercedes, whereas I was referring to "the Mercs" in a broader sense...that is, to include McLaren Mercedes.
...

It appears Nico's head grew several sizes since China--helmet must have been pinching terribly,or he thought he was Michaael of olf and could get away with anything after winning a race. SB DQ'd.

Good race for Kimi--nice to see him on the podium again.

Too bad McLaren can't get Lewis out of the box. Could have been a much different result.

Originally Posted by berford

It appears Nico's head grew several sizes since China--helmet must have been pinching terribly,or he thought he was Michaael of olf and could get away with anything after winning a race. SB DQ'd.

Good race for Kimi--nice to see him on the podium again.

Too bad McLaren can't get Lewis out of the box. Could have been a much different result.

I still haven't seen any results of the stewards inquiry into Rosberg's incidents. He just should have been given a drive through on his second offense.

I was really rooting for Kimi. He only seemed to get one chance at Vettel, to bad he couldn't get it done.

McLaren had a disastrous race. They really dropped the ball in these first four races. They started with the best car, but were only able to win one race, Button had two no-points finishes, and Ham went backwards in every race. I think as this season goes on, they might seriously regret the lost opportunities.

I know you guys will hate me for this, but after the first four fly away races, I would say the driver and team that got the most potential out of their package is Alonso and Ferrari. Given how uncompetitive their car is, to come away with one win, in the points at every race, in fourth in the drivers standings and only 10 points behind the championship leader is amazing. Due to mistake free driving, excellent team work, and some luck , Alonso is ahead of drivers with cars that are clearly faster than the F2012.

The Mugello test is next on the schedule. Ferrari is supposed to be bringing a major upgrade. It will be interesting to see if it is enough to get them on the podium on a regular basis. And will McLAren get on top of their troubles to get Hamilton back out in front? And how about Lotus...have we seen their best or do they have the funds to continue development this year?

After four races, I would say this season has been great. I hope it continues.

Edit: Rosberg escapes any penalties. How did that happen?

He was nowhere near the front, but Schumi actually had a really good race, coming all the way into the points from near the back.

I really thought Kimi was going to reel in Vettel... he was so close at one point.

I wonder if we'll ever find out exactly what the deal was with Lewis' left rear... I wonder if the crossed-thread speculation was accurate?

Originally Posted by Plaz

He was nowhere near the front, but Schumi actually had a really good race, coming all the way into the points from near the back.

I really thought Kimi was going to reel in Vettel... he was so close at one point.

I wonder if we'll ever find out exactly what the deal was with Lewis' left rear... I wonder if the crossed-thread speculation was accurate?

McLaren is saying it was two seperate problems that both affected the same wheel. First was a problem with the locating pins on the hub not properly lining up with the holes in the wheel, second was a cross threaded wheel nut. The left rear gunman is on suicide watch...

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

The left rear gunman is on suicide watch...

Teehee...probably some truth to that.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227...erez-stop-gap-

Well this comes as a surprise. Although, Webber would probably be a good fit. He's not quite good enough to threaten Alonso's ego, and he does qualify and race well. If he could only learn to get off the line quickly, he just might help the Scuderia get back up there in the constructors standings. And then, I guess for 2014, Perez would step in.

I wonder if it's true ...

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227...erez-stop-gap-

Well this comes as a surprise. Although, Webber would probably be a good fit. He's not quite good enough to threaten Alonso's ego, and he does qualify and race well. If he could only learn to get off the line quickly, he just might help the Scuderia get back up there in the constructors standings. And then, I guess for 2014, Perez would step in.

I wonder if it's true ...

Doubtful, I think. Everybody seems to be happy at RBR at the moment.

Originally Posted by berford

Doubtful, I think. Everybody seems to be happy at RBR at the moment.

The thing that I think might lend credence to this is Webber is on a one year contract at RBR. I would think it's pretty assured that Massa is gone at the end of the year, and if it's true that they want Perez to get a bit more experience before he steps into a red car, I can't think of anyone who is available that Ferrari would want.

Time will tell. Until then, at least it gives us something to talk about while there's not much else going on.

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

The thing that I think might lend credence to this is Webber is on a one year contract at RBR. I would think it's pretty assured that Massa is gone at the end of the year, and if it's true that they want Perez to get a bit more experience before he steps into a red car, I can't think of anyone who is available that Ferrari would want.

Time will tell. Until then, at least it gives us something to talk about while there's not much else going on.

Here's a bit more info to speculate about Massa and Webber.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99271

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

The thing that I think might lend credence to this is Webber is on a one year contract at RBR. I would think it's pretty assured that Massa is gone at the end of the year, and if it's true that they want Perez to get a bit more experience before he steps into a red car, I can't think of anyone who is available that Ferrari would want.

Time will tell. Until then, at least it gives us something to talk about while there's not much else going on.

Here's a bit more info to speculate about Massa and Webber.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99271

Originally Posted by franka

Here's a bit more info to speculate about Massda and Webber.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99271

Massa may do well to look at Indy Car. I'm not sure where he would fit in F1. If he keeps getting beat 20-1 in points by Alonso, none of the top teams with real championship ambitions will want him. I don't believe after so many years at Ferrari that he would have any interest in being a pay driver, so that leaves maybe only Force India and Sauber, and Sauber likes young, up and coming drivers.
Massa was quite good for a few years, but recently, he looks like damaged goods and I think it has more to do with his teammate than his accident in '09. I would guess because of that, his options in F1 will be extremely limited.

http://www.planetf1.com/photo-galler...o-Test#photo=2

Pics from the first morning at Mugello. The shots of the Ferrari seem to show some different ducting around the rear, and I'm pretty sure we're looking at an F-duct on the front wing.

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

http://www.planetf1.com/photo-galler...o-Test#photo=2

Pics from the first morning at Mugello. The shots of the Ferrari seem to show some different ducting around the rear, and I'm pretty sure we're looking at an F-duct on the front wing.

Please point out the detail you see that leads you to an F duct.

Originally Posted by franka

Please point out the detail you see that leads you to an F duct.

Maybe it's just a shadow, but if you look at the horizontal elements , it looks to me like there's a slot gap on the lower edge. Look on the leading edge of the element that says "v-power" on it, and the edge of the horizontal piece to the left of that in the picture.

http://www.planetf1.com/photo-galler...012-s-Upgrades

For your viewing pleasure...

Originally Posted by jonathan2263

http://www.planetf1.com/photo-galler...012-s-Upgrades

For your viewing pleasure...

For written explanations of the new Ferrari's changes shown in the pictures above you can go here...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99304