The Formula 1 thread - 2013 Season is go!

[Ruldra]

WTF was wrong with Hamilton today, taking out both Massa and Maldonaldo? He's definitely gonna get punished for that last incident. I feel sorry for Maldonaldo, he was doing a superb race.

Also, the fact that everyone was allowed to change tyres and fix their cars during the red flag was completely bullshit. Vettel had very worn-out tyres and had no chance of staying in the lead after the restart. And Hamilton was supposed to retire after having his rear wing damaged. I don't know what the stewards were thinking.

[antares]

It's in the rules and has nothing to do with the stewards. When all cars stop on the grid after a red flag the mechanics are allowed to do whatever they want on the cars. Stupid rule of course, the last laps would have been great to see with Vettel's old tires.

And Hamilton was punished after the race with a 20 second penalty. That didn't change the result though so pointless.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Maldonado's retirement reminded me of Sutil a few years back when Raikkonen crashed into him. It's a time when driver and team really needed points and totally deserved them. Worst still was Hamilton moaning about the drivers he hit - erm Lewis, you were fully on the kerb for both collisons while the other driver took the line for the corner.

It's a shame that such a talented driver has to come across as such a twat all the time - it's always someone else to blame, be it the team making the wrong strategy call, not building a fast enough car or the driver he goes into the back of. How he was allowed to drive with a wonky rear wing I do not know - if that race restarted after the safety car it could've been a disaster, like when BAR let Sato drive with a smoking engine until Fisichella ended up blinded by it finally blowing up and finding himself upside-down in the barrier. You do not want a rear wing flying off and endangering the driver, other drivers and most importantly (because they have the least protection) the marshalls. I remember Villeneuve and, in his only F1 race, Sarrazin suffering rear wing failures but mercifully on straights in areas where the car's energy could be dissipated. If that came off in Monaco... we've seen Wurz, Button and Perez with massive accidents coming out of the tunnel.

Ultimately, shame we were robbed of a classic finish - three world champions genuinely racing for the lead brought back memories of the Senna/Prost/Piquet/Mansell era. McLaren and Ferrari are closing in though, and I fancy Mercedes to do well at the high speed Canadian GP. It only takes a couple of retirements for Vettel while Button/Alonso/Hamilton pick up the points...

[Ruldra]

That was the best fucking race I've ever seen in my life. After the red flag I was saying the race was completely ruined thanks to the rain, never expected it to become such an amazing show afterwards.

Button going from last to taking the win on the final lap
Massa and Kobayashi crossing the finish line miliseconds apart
Hamilton, Alonso, Heidfeld and lots of others retiring after crashing
A steward almost being run over after tripping on the track

I totally need to save a replay of this race for posterity. Unbelievable.

[Naryoril]

that really was a great race

though it's sad that Kobayashi lost so many places towards the end of the race. He was amazing while the track was still wet enough for intermediates.

Disclaimer: I'm from Switzerland and thus Sauber fan (though i can't stand Buemi)

[mesh control]

Vettel wins the championship, with four more races left in the series!

[Ruldra]

Just finished watching the race. Vettel is a superb driver and this year's title was very well deserved. I see many people hating on him and saying he's only doing good because of the car. If that was the case, his teammate wouldn't be doing so bad compared to him.

Also, great drive from Button. I really hope he finishes 2nd in the driver's championship. The more people beating Alonso the better, I hate him.

--

Now, for some other news:

There are good chances that Kimi Raikkonen will come back next year driving for Williams. As much as I want to see him back, I'm afraid Williams is in terrible shape recently and will only make him look bad. We shall see. Also wondering where Barrichello will go next.

Also, if you play Gran Turismo 5, you should play it this week. Everyone is receiving a Red Bull X2010 car for free to celebrate Vettel's title. And, there's a new seasonal event where you can get 5 million credits if you lap Suzuka with the X2010 car in 1:25. Even if you're not good with the car, that's a really easy time to achieve.

[mesh control]

The more people beating Alonso the better, I hate him.

Now, for some other news:
There are good chances that Kimi Raikkonen will come back next year driving for Williams. As much as I want to see him back, I'm afraid Williams is in terrible shape recently and will only make him look bad. We shall see.

Wow, so soon? I thought he was going to stick to rallying for a bit longer, but it will be nice to have another big name in the chase.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Kimi is a bad route for Williams to take unless they have something killer under their belt for next season. I'd say bringing in someone like Heidfeld, who'll give you better development feedback and put the hours in, should be the priority over someone who is only interested in the time he's in the car. Signing a big name won't suddenly improve your car and Williams' money is better spent working on that. It'd be nice to see Kimi back though.

Vettel has been superb. Webber has been nowhere so many times so you can't pin it all on the car. Shame McLaren made two costly mistakes for Button and that Button couldn't get qualifying right early on - otherwise we'd be in for a cracking finish. On the whole though, with the action we've seen all down the field, probably the best season ever. Ferrari really need to run two cars too, Massa's spirit is gone as with everyone else who ended up teammate to Alonso and I'm sure Alonso is getting all the best parts on his car, just like when he was at Renault.

[Ruldra]

Signing a big name won't suddenly improve your car and Williams' money is better spent working on that.

The whole idea behind signing Raikonnen is to bring sponsorship. With a world champion in the team, more sponsors will be willing to dump money on them. At least that's their line of thought.

Although I agree it's a bad idea to sign Kimi. He's not exactly a team player and I doubt he gives a shit about developing the car. If they need money so bad they should hire a paydriver.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Maybe if they suddenly hired Vettel or something, but Kimi's been out of the game and left F1 disinterested. I doubt he'd be a big sponsorship pull and they'd need to spunk wages on him.

They can't go on another pay driver alongside Maldonado either - they tend to be inexperienced or rubbish. As Renault have found, two inexperienced drivers really stunts your development progress (it doesn't help when you slag them off either). Williams hiring Kimi would be like when McLaren brought Mansell in for '95 - he won't stick around for midfield scraps.

[Ruldra]

Well, the season is over, and it was dull as hell. It was the first season I followed from beginning to end, even went to Interlagos to watch that race live. Too bad it was nothing special. Hope next year is more exciting.

By the way, Raikkonen was recently confirmed to drive for Lotus Renault for the next 2 years. I wonder what will become of Williams now.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Williams will have Renault engines next season so should be much more competitive. If the talk that Hulkenberg and Di Resta are driving for Force India next season, I expect Sutil to be snapped up by Williams. Although they'll probably take Petrov if he's forced out at Renault/Lotus, because he brings more cash. Renault seriously need a development driver, which makes their decision to drop Heidfeld for a virtual rookie mid-season all the more bizarre. Kimi is not that guy as I've said when he was linked to Williams.

[Ruldra]

2012 season just got started. Anyone watched the quali?

- McLaren pulls off a one-two, followed by...a Lotus??
- RBR off the front row, Webber beats Vettel
- A Williams makes it to the top 10, after struggling so much last year
- Ferrari misses Q3 for the first time in years! P12 for Alonso, P16 for Massa! Even Toro Rosso out-qualified them! Domenicalli must be really pissed off!

Last season was really boring with the RBR dominance and I was expecting the same this year, glad to see so many things changed! Looking forward to the race.

[mesh control]

AHHH! I forgot that Melbourne was this weekend!



I read that Ferrari's car wasn't going to be competetive until later in the season, but out of the top 10!?


LOL @ Raikkonen

[TransatlanticFoe]

Williams have the same Renault engine as Red Bull now though. That Cosworth of last year must've been as powerful as it was reliable. Maldonado deserves serious credit having been written off as just another pay driver in spite of some strong performances in a terrible car last year.

I don't think Grosjean will stay third. Impressive performance for sure, but I expect him to be fighting with the Red Bulls and Rosberg unless he gets an epic start.

Mercedes though... they looked good on long runs in testing and that was practically all they did. I expect that car to run well in 9 hours' time and wouldn't be surprised if Schumacher gave the McLarens a run for their money. Rosberg too if he gets a great start.

As for Ferrari - ha! That'll teach you for outright pandering to Alonso. Schumacher and Brawn pulled them out of their slump and without them it's been a steady decline into stereotypical Italian engineering!

[Ruldra]

LOL @ Raikkonen

He fucked up his quali session but his teammate showed how good the car is. I expect a good performance from Kimi tomorrow.

[TransatlanticFoe]

Yeah, Kimi messed up his quali on the hard tyres so he's got softs to burn tomorrow. Fully expect him to be in the points come the end.

[Sandlegs]

HRT get out of the way!

Also, Grosjean holy shit, that was awesome.

[Ruldra]

Oh fuck, that Maldonado crash at the final lap was depressing. He was doing a great race.

Surprised to see Alonso finishing so high, he really can drive well even with a bad car. Massa, on the other hand... No team will want him next year if he keeps driving that badly.

Overall, it was a great race.

[Damocles]

For some reason I was still awake for this. Good race, but such a shame about the one-off wreck on the final lap. Also, why wasn't that Japanese fellow forced to pit after his rear wing kept dumping pieces?

Forgive me, I know no names other than Schumacher.

[Ruldra]

Anyone watched today's race?

Hamilton finally scores a win this year, it was long overdue. After the last pitstop he was on fire and drove like a madman. I'm not a McLaren fan but I wish he wins the WDC this year, he's an awesome driver and deserves it.

Alonso went for a crazy 1-stop strategy and led the race for a good while but his tyres were finished toward the end. He not only missed the win but also lost position to Grosjean and Perez and missed the podium. Suck it!

[TransatlanticFoe]

Trouble was, Alonso was on a regular 2 stop strategy fighting with Hamilton and Vettel. 3 seconds back when Hamilton came in, it's either pit next lap and be 2nd or 3rd, or stay out and try to one stop. Perez and Grosjean had both driven at the start with a one stop in mind - Perez almost paid off big time, as on the softer tyre with low fuel he could really push the car.

Hamilton was a different class today. Prior to this season he's been obnoxious, self-centred and over-aggressive in the car. He seems to have really got his head screwed on and grown up this season - not getting upset when the team make mistakes or blaming others when his own performances have been below par. He's adapted to the tyres and his driving is more consistent as a result.

We can't have a different winner each race but next up is Valencia and that should suit Lotus... (Red Bull and potentially Williams too)

[mesh control]

Austin in an hour and a half!

Great season so far.


I hope the championship is decided in Brazil.

[Ruldra]

This race looked like it was going to be dominated by Vettel, but Hamilton was flying today and took the victory from him. Excellent driving. And lol @ Alonso completely ignoring Vettel after the race.

Now onwards to the final race in Brazil. Here's hoping to see Vettel champion and Alonso crying and bitching again afterwards.

EDIT: Webber retirement was due to alternator failure. Oh shit son!

EDIT 2: Rain expected on saturday and sunday at Interlagos. Double shit son!

[antares]

Go Alonso! I love his attitude, always have

Two championships for the wussy Vettel is enough

[mesh control]

Schumacher is finally retiring, for good?
yay.

Post season team swaps are going to be interesting.

I'm looking forward to see how Perez does with a big team under him and an experienced partner in Button.

[Ruldra]

Final race of the championship will start in 3 hours. Get ready folks.

And stay classy Ferrari.

[Super Laydock]

Rain expected on saturday and sunday at Interlagos. Double shit son!

Rain should make this interesting, as Alonso can't match Vettel's speed under normal conditions. Also I think he's the better driver under these circumstances.

Beer and chips are ready, so let it begin.
(ftr: I'll root for Alonso this time)

[mesh control]

Great race