So last year's thread kinda bombed but there's enough fans on here to not let that happen again this year. Stayed up to watch P1 last night and now I'm catching up on P2. I've been saying since early last season that this season will be even better because of everything spilling over from last year. I think I was right. I'm going to put it out there and call Schumacher for the title. I know it's a bit of a risky prediction to make, but I genuinely think in the second half of the season, the Mercedes is going to be right up there. Schumacher looked very very strong in P2 today and, although the car doesn't quite seem to be there yet, their development through testing has been rapid. Nice to see McLaren topping the times as well, though I'm expecting RBR still to be the faster car in qualifying. Just. My 'out there' prediction is Alguersuari will score his first podium, possibly at Hungary or Korea. He really came into himself last season and was desperately overlooked. He threw away a few points from caving from pressure, but he's younger than me. He needs a bit of roo
Not for me. They'd begin to build cars specifically for it, where as is I think it's a great test of natural driving ability and the teams ability to adapt and make the right calls. Wet races are indeed the most entertaining, but only if it's natural. A lot of the nuances and excitement come from the fact real rain is unpredictable, it could be going on all morning and then suddenly stop, or be heavier in one location than another, or keep stopping and starting throughout - it's the unpredictable aspect that makes wet races better, and doing it artificially removes this.
I'll be getting up for qualifying! No way am I missing it. The fake rain idea is ridiculous, it would become far too orchestrated and then there'll be countless conspiracy theories about each instance where a round of pits has helped somebody springboard to first and gone on to win, etc.
Not a fan of the fake rain idea either, last season was more than exciting enough without artificially creating drama. Will be optimistically supporting Webber again this season although I can only see Vettel getting stronger and stronger. Wouldn't be surprised to see him out preform his team mate in most races this season.
Vettel and Hamilton, wow. To do that without even touching Kers, not even on the pit straight, is something else. RE: Petrov - I knew he just needed a bit of time and confidence behind him. I think he could be in a fight for the title within three years.
What happened, Heidfeld, Barrichello, Schumacher?! Hopefully McLaren will develop their car to be faster than the RBR come the Spanish GP. Would take a lot though, Sebastian Vettel was insane just now. Good to see Sergio Perez and Paul di Resta have decent first qualifying sessions, and Kobayashi too, if anyone gets their first podium this season my money's on him. E: either him or Petrov, if he keeps this form up. Maybe he could've led the team with Senna at #2 after all.
I could've sworn i'd posted in here already! Anyway, to recap what I thought i'd said - amazing job by Vettel, really happy for mclaren as they're my favourite team, the red bull rivalry between members is set to be as fierce and awkward as ever, and nice job by some of the 'new' and 'lower' runners.
I take back anything bad I ever said about Petrov, that was a stunning drive from him. And Sergio Perez, one stop?!
Yeah not the most exciting race perhaps, but I think a promising start as many people are in contention to win races and a great show from petrov and perez like you say.
I have a feeling that the structure of the race is pretty much how it will be all season, i.e. Vettel and Hamilton pacing each other at the front, with Button and Alonso being close but not quite in the thick of it. Petrov was stunning, just goes to show what a little security and belief in a team can do to a driver. He's always had that potential there.
Anyone else find that the tyres didn't make the race more exciting at all? The Saubers have both been excluded from the result http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/90294 Meaning Paul di Resta gets one point on his debut.
Sad for sauber, but the rules are the rules (not that I understand those rules ) I think the tyres could come into play with 3 stops being finally more viable overall, but we'll just have to see. To be honest if the tyres don't change anything much then I don't really mind. The only thing will be, is if teams decide to continue generally with just 2 stops - even though the tyres 'fall off' quicker - because stopping more often is too much of a disadvantage, it'll be annoying seeing loads of laps of drivers having to 'nurse' the car rather then being able to actually race. It's a fine balance, we'll just have to see. For my money last years tyre situation seemed fine...
Another top drive from Sergio Perez, shame it was cut short. Kobayashi was immense too, as was Heidfeld. Loved Martin Brindle's comment "it's all gone to custard now for d'Ambrosio!" My mum's on the phone booking tickets for me and my dad to go to the British GP, yaay.
Anyone seen about Hamilton and Alonso getting 20 second penalties for the collision? I'm fuming about it. Hamilton loses a place to Kobayashi from it yet Alonso gets away with retaining sixth. If it comes down to a point between those two at the end of the season, be it for constructors or drivers, that's going to be pivotal. A decent race otherwise though! Better than Melbourne was, though the Red Bulls definitely need pegging down a little. As Brundle said, Vettel's won 5/6 races now, and he only lost in Korea because of his engine going. Shades of Button in 09. The Mercedes really are the fifth team at best at the minute. Majorly jealous of you going Darth! Was meant to be going with a mate but he's decided to play scrooge and not come, yet he's fine to bugger off to Turkey for two weeks with a few other mates. Applied for a job with Red Bull though, a two month internship writing for their F1 team's website! There's about 50-80 serious applications, so I'll take those odds. If so, I'll be going to Monaco and Silverstone. Won't happen but, my god, if it did...
Wow, that seems a bit ridiculous. You can hardly call Hamilton moving away from the edge much of a blocking move - Alonso was going to plough into the back of him regardless. A timing penalty seems wierd to add outside of the context of a race - if anything just dock them both 3 points or something to make it 'even' for both of them. Good race though - the strategies came into play a bit more, and plenty of overtaking excitement from webber and kobayashi to name a few.
Hamilton was penalised for weaving on the lap before the collision though. But Alonso said, before the penalties were handed out, that he thought Hamilton was defending really well, soooo if Hamilton had broken the rules he would be the first to complain.
