Formula 1 - 2012 Season

[Bludd]

Vettel can't not push so if there's a reliability fault somewhere in there in his car, he'll find it.

 

[jimbo75]

I think even Vettel will realise that finishing the race is more important at this stage of the season. Sadly it looks like the Red Bulls will be far in the distance and he'll be able to take it easy anyway.

 

[Kaotik]

Hopefully he was running on fumes, although I doubt it.

The times are very strange, 1.5 between Vettel and Hamilton, about 1 second between Hamilton and Alonso.

From Andrew Benson - BBC "Sebastian Vettel rather made jaws drop with his lap at the end of first practice - 1.4secs quicker than Lewis Hamilton in second place. But the lap was not as impressive as it at first appears - the Red Bull was on effectively a new set of tyres; they had done only an installation lap. McLaren, for one team, seemed unperturbed."

But on the other hand the commentators talked all the time how it seems like the tires are actually better after you've driven couple laps on the track here, rather than when they're brand new?

edit:
Team(s) agree, Sauber at least have said that pirelli brought in too hard tires for this track, "it doesn't work in qualifying if you have to drive 10 laps to get your tires warm enough for a good lap"

 

[jimbo75]

And 2nd practice he comes out after sitting in the garage for most of the session then is seven tenths faster on his first couple of laps.

It's not looking good for a race In terms of the championship Alonso is already praying for Vettel to have a problem. He needs to be fourth to take it to Brazil right? I don't think this Ferrari is good enough to be 4th assuming both the RB's and McLaren's finish the race.

 

[Kaotik]

But you still need to remember that we don't know what settings Red Bull was running Vettel on, it could have been "just fumes", too, while others might have had more load. Or it might not, but it remains to be seen.

 

[Bludd]

BLEH

 

[DJ12]

Looking good for the race, Hamilton was quicker in their "race simulations".

Shame for Alonso, would love to know what Red Bull are hiding from the officials as they improved their car from an also ran to way out in front with one batch of updates.

They have got to be doing something they shouldn't be.

 

[Bludd]

Flexi nose, sneaky t-tray and sneaky exhaust blowing. *runs away*

 

[jimbo75]

Vettel very impressive. Hamilton's stock just grows and grows.

Alonso basically has nothing to lose after that poor qualification in the race tomorrow so we'll see how that goes.

 

[DJ12]

Flexi nose, sneaky t-tray and sneaky exhaust blowing. *runs away*

Lets hope that when newey quits again he release a book of all his bending/breaking of the rules but they arent good enough to catch him.

 

[Kaotik]

Ferrari is apparently planning to switch Massas gearbox to get Alonso 1 spot higher on the grid AND both drivers to better side of the track

 

[DJ12]

Desperate times.....

 

[DJ12]

Team(s) agree, Sauber at least have said that pirelli brought in too hard tires for this track, "it doesn't work in qualifying if you have to drive 10 laps to get your tires warm enough for a good lap"

This has got Bernie written all over it.

"I don't want the teams sat in the pits all qualifying when I'm trying to milk the American cash cow, I want them all out on track for every session"

Having said that, I found it actually quite enjoyable for a change.

 

[Kaotik]

...and they did it, Massa +5 grid penalty. I wonder if someone does the same to get to better side (to quote some drivers, the bad line is worse than starting on wet)

 

[jimbo75]

This could be a really interesting start for sure, got carnage written all over it.

Apparently those on the dirty side are set to lose 2 places. Surely we can expect every one of them to swing to the outside immediately?

 

[jimbo75]

Jeez what a nervy start

Alonso up to 4th already...

 

[DJ12]

Race on now, Hamilton passed Webber, clearly fastest car on track at the minute.

LOL, spoke too soon.

 

[Billy Idol]

Lol at Massa gearbox! Ha ha ha ha...how lame

Edit: Grosjean is no F1 material imo

 

[jimbo75]

He's quick but dear oh dear he makes too many mistakes.

What a race so far though lol. Must be more passes in this GP already than the rest put together.

Starting to wonder if the RB's are set up wrong here. Fantastic on board shot showing how much better the Renault is than the Force India in the S's.

 

[DJ12]

They are putting on a show for Bernie, the DRS section is perhaps too long, it's making it easy. Some good none DRS passes though.