Knowlesy 4 Oct 2007, 19:01 I don't think I've used the horrible cliched term "D-Day" yet this year, so now is a good time I suppose...
Rewind a year and there were big rumours that newly crowned GP2 Series champion Lewis Hamilton was to make his debut for McLaren-Mercedes. In the end, Ron Dennis decided to "protect" his young protege. Too early he said. Twelve months on this seems somewhat laughable. Who knows - maybe if McLaren hadn't held back his debut they would have escaped the indignity of going through 2006 winless. Unlikely I suppose but food for thought.
Today, of course, Lewis stands on the verge of the drivers title. In less than three days time he could be world champion, the sports youngest ever champion, Britains first champ since Damon in 1996 and many other mind numbing/awe inspiring (delete as applicable) landmarks. I suppose the newspapers will settle for first black champion in typically subtle style.
Personally I hope the title goes down to the last race because it would be nice to have it settled at a track that is befitting of F1 and that has an atmosphere.
But for the record, Lewis needs to finish within a point of Alonso and six of Kimi on Sunday. The second part is simple. How easy will the first part be?
Current drivers championship standings
Pos.|Driver|Team|Points|Wins
1.|Lewis Hamilton|McLaren-Mercedes|107|4
2.|Fernando Alonso|McLaren-Mercedes|95|4
3.|Kimi Raikkonen|Ferrari|90|4
4.|Felipe Massa|Ferrari|80|3
5.|Nick Heidfeld|BMW-Sauber|56|0
6.|Robert Kubica|BMW-Sauber|35|0
7.|Heikki Kovaleinen|Renault|30|0
8.|Giancarlo Fisichella|Renault|21|0
9.|Nico Rosberg|Williams-Toyota|15|0
10.|Alexander Wurz|Williams-Toyota|13|0
11.|David Coulthard|Red Bull-Renault|13|0
12.|Mark Webber|Red Bull-Renault|10|0
13.|Jarno Trulli|Toyota|7|0
14.|Ralf Schumacher|Toyota|5|0
15.|Takuma Sato|Super Aguri-Honda|4|0
16.|Jenson Button|Honda|2|0
17.|Adrian Sutil|Spyker-Ferrari|1|0
18.|Sebastien Vettel|BMW-Sauber|1|0
Current constructors championship standings
Pos.|Constructor|Points|Wins
1.|Ferrari|170|7
2.|BMW-Sauber|92|0
3.|Renault|51|0
4.|Williams-Toyota|28|0
5.|Red Bull-Renault|23|0
6.|Toyota|12|0
7.|Super Aguri-Honda|4|0
8.|Honda|2|0
9.|Spyker-Ferrari|1|0
10.|Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari|0|0
11.|McLaren-Mercedes|0|8
Chinese GP: recent history
2006 top eight finishers
Pos.|Driver|Team|Time/gap|Grid pos.
1.|Michael Schumacher|Ferrari|1h37m32.747|6th
2.|Fernando Alonso|Renault|+3.121|Pole
3.|Giancarlo Fisichella|Renault|+44.197|2nd
4.|Jenson Button|Honda|+1m12.056|4th
5.|Pedro de la Rosa|McLaren-Mercedes|+1m17.137|7th
6.|Rubens Barrichello|Toyota|+1m19.131|3rd
7.|Nick Heidfeld|BMW-Sauber|+1m31.979|8th
8.|Mark Webber|Williams-Cosworth|+1m43.588|14th
|Driver|Team|Laptime
2006 fastest lap|Fernando Alonso|Renault|1m37.586
2006 pole position|Fernando Alonso|Renault|1m44.360
Lap record|Michael Schumacher|Ferrari|1m32.238(set in 2004)
Other previous winners
Year|Driver|Team
2005|Fernando Alonso|Renault
2004|Rubens Barrichello|Ferrari
Circuit and race weekend information
Circuit map and timetable (http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/785/circuit_diagram.html)
Live timing (http://www.formula1.com/services/live_timing/)
Event artwork (http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/785/event_artwork.html)
Official site (http://www.icsh.sh.cn/chinese/shang/main.php)
Pretend you knew Lewis would win it all along in the chat room (http://www.ten-tenths.com/chat/).
Where will they finish? Have a guess in the predictions competition (http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=70).
Have a good 'un. :beer:
My bets on Lewis taking it out this weekend and rewriting the history books
I hope Lewis will loose 10 points from Japan due to the penalty for "**** driving" behind the safety car.
And we will have a nice fight for the championship.
The F1 Championship not over till the appeals court says it is.
duke_toaster 4 Oct 2007, 20:23 I hope Lewis will loose 10 points from Japan due to the penalty for "**** driving" behind the safety car.
And we will have a nice fight for the championship.
Are you serious? He did nothing wrong, it is complaining from Mark Webber and Vettel ... the latter of the two having a Ferrari engine and both using the same chassis. Make of that what you will, I don't want pro wrestling style "let's dock points from this driver to make the championship more exiting".
pottiella 4 Oct 2007, 21:30 what, a bit like the "lets exclude McLaren from the championship but not the drivers so we can make the championship more exciting" style? ;)
Lewis will win the championship. Kimi and Fernando will give ace performances as they always do in the final races of a season. Massa will win another race...
Roll on 2008.
Ralf's Girl 4 Oct 2007, 22:11 Are you serious? He did nothing wrong, it is complaining from Mark Webber and Vettel ... the latter of the two having a Ferrari engine and both using the same chassis. Make of that what you will, I don't want pro wrestling style "let's dock points from this driver to make the championship more exiting".
Let's keep that discussion in the Webber-Vettel thread...!
I'm looking forward to this weekend - I'd like to see Lewis win the title, but equally it'd be a shame if there's nothing left to play for in the final race. So here's hoping for some quality racing, a good (but clean) scrap between the McLaren boys, and Lewis to wrap it up in Brazil two weeks on Sunday. :rotate:
Formula One should be decided on the track, like a sport would be, not in the court room like a business would. I'm looking forward to see how the end of this yera unfolds. But i'm not too looking forward to china, the circuit's not particularly intertesting apart from just a few straights followed by a tight corner.
Are you serious? He did nothing wrong, it is complaining from Mark Webber and Vettel ... the latter of the two having a Ferrari engine and both using the same chassis. Make of that what you will, I don't want pro wrestling style "let's dock points from this driver to make the championship more exiting".
I think Mark's Red Bull does have a Renault engine.
Anyway I don't know whether he was wrong or not - I don't have any thoughts on that - It is not up to me to decide. I used "four letter driving" as a quote from Mark's statement.
what, a bit like the "lets exclude McLaren from the championship but not the drivers so we can make the championship more exciting" style? ;)
(...)
Exactly. My previous post was an irony. All that situation in F1 this year is a farce for me. With the spying scandal, with the McLaren/ driver points situation/ Alonso's five places penalty/ that Robert's drive through penalty/ that Vettel, Webber issue about Lewis driving.
So I say..go on...take Lewis that 10 points and give us more excitement!!!
Yeah that's the sarcasm.
And i think I have a right to just say what I feel.
...and I don't like that believing that we still watch the sport and thinking that eveything is OK.
Are you serious? He did nothing wrong, it is complaining from Mark Webber and Vettel ... the latter of the two having a Ferrari engine and both using the same chassis. Make of that what you will, I don't want pro wrestling style "let's dock points from this driver to make the championship more exiting".
Ahh sorry - I overlooked the word "the latter" - so I thought you wrote that both drivers have Ferrari engine.
But I don't know what the complain from Mark/ Vettel is to do with the fact that one of them has a ferrari engine and they have a similar chassis.
Is this a new fishy theory?
I hope to God that it doesn't rain.:rofl:
pottiella 5 Oct 2007, 01:06 I hope to God that it doesn't rain.:rofl:
it looks like a wet Sunday as well ;) I bet nobody will want to be the one behind the safety car now :laugh:
Ah,now there's a relief.:)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=2577
it looks like a wet Sunday as well ;) I bet nobody will want to be the one behind the safety car now :laugh:
No,after you Claude.;)
Looks like it will be hot and dry actually.
pottiella 5 Oct 2007, 01:17 http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/east_asia/#no_url
roll onto Sunday...either way though, most places (including at the shanghai circuit's media centre) are predicting rain...in fact a typhoon coming along (which can be seen in the BBC graphics coming from the south)...but while Renault have predictions only for Sunday, the media centre has it down for both sat and sun...I go just for Sunday though.
Don't think it will be quite the deluge like fuji, sadly! Just probably a wet track to start with only for it to dry out...
oh and these guys were absolutely spot on for Fuji, like over a week in advance...and then to the hour as it got closer...better than the BBC's changing prediction over the week actually!!
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/tenday/CHXX0116?from=36hr_fcst10DayLink_business
Looks like they'll have to keep a close eye on that green blob! ;)
Oh,err nice intro Knowlesy.:)
Dixie Flatline 5 Oct 2007, 02:56 Lousy Network Ten and their commitment to rugby union. Although the race is run at a lovely 4.00pm in Melbourne, I will have to wait until almost 1am to watch the race (and that means taping it) because Network Ten would rather replay the World Cup quarter-final. To top it off, the start of Ten's "delayed" broadcast clashes with the end of the "highlights package" of the A1GP shown on another channel.
JeremySmith 5 Oct 2007, 03:58 Nice work Knowlesy.. Lewis go and take it lad! you deserve it..I for one am very proud of you..:)
Dixie Flatline 5 Oct 2007, 04:09 Almost ten minutes through the first practice session and, according to live timings, nobody has completed a lap yet.
EDIT: as I type that, Nakajima puts in a 1:42.894.
Dixie Flatline 5 Oct 2007, 04:54 About 35 minutes to go in the first practice session and Massa is quickest so far with a 1:37.510, ahead of Hamilton, Kimi and FR.
Dixie Flatline 5 Oct 2007, 06:22 First practice session complete and the top ten times are:
1. K. Raikkonen 1:37.024
2. F. Alonso 1:37.108
3. F. Massa 1:37.128
4. L. Hamilton 1:37.210
5. N. Rosberg 1:37.707
6. R. Kubica 1:38.055
7. J. Trulli 1:38.208
8. G. Fisichella 1:38.217
9. K. Nakajima 1:38.270
10. N. Heidfeld 1:38.445
Dixie Flatline 5 Oct 2007, 06:52 By the way, Nakajima is driving the Williams in place of Alex Wurz, but apparently only for today, according to grandprix.com.
Dixie Flatline 5 Oct 2007, 08:05 Early stages of second practice session.
Hamilton and Kovalainen top two.
Dixie Flatline 5 Oct 2007, 09:32 Second practice session completed, with Wurz back in the car (but struggling) - top ten:
1. K. Raikkonen 1:36.607
2. F. Alonso 1:36.613
3. F. Massa 1:36.630
4. L. Hamilton 1:36.876
5. J. Trulli 1:37.151
6. M. Webber 1:37.450
7. R. Schumacher 1:37.524
8. D. Coulthard 1:37.617
9. N. Rosberg 1:37.646
10. G. Fisichella 1:37.970
Matthopps 5 Oct 2007, 10:42 Ooo. Can I insert a sarcastic message as to why he's struggling if he didn't do the first practice session? What was the point of that and why have Nakajima there in the first place - he's not racing so - why?
Ooo. Can I insert a sarcastic message as to why he's struggling if he didn't do the first practice session? What was the point of that and why have Nakajima there in the first place - he's not racing so - why?
He wasn't there because his wife gave birth to their third child on Sunday, and he had flown back to Europe to be with them.
AdamAshmore 5 Oct 2007, 10:56 Was McLaren sand-bagging?
Was McLaren sand-bagging?
Yes,apparently Fernando's Baby bottle had sprung a leak.:)
Last2LiftOff 5 Oct 2007, 13:21 Was McLaren sand-bagging?:laugh:
Boy I liked the new onboard camera further out on the sidebod on Kimi's car. :cool:
Surprised by BMW. And not just Nick's mechanical problems, surprised they're so way-off on that track. Hmm. See how they do overnight. That one lap onboard Anthony's car really gave me a sense of how far behind the Aguri's trulli are, and if the Honda's are behind that. Holy.
This track has absolutely no personality whatsoever, but I can't wait for qualifying tomorrow. Maybe it'll carry forward to Brazil - it could happen.
Off topic but, anybody know if the Prediction Comp can be clinched this weekend? Not very bloody likely? It's been fun Knowlesy again, by the way, thanks for doing it. I'm out of it but as I recall, there's 2 or 3 others still right there, I think. Good luck with that...and you know who you are. :p
ozrevhead 5 Oct 2007, 13:24 Second practice session completed, with Wurz back in the car (but struggling) - top ten:
1. K. Raikkonen 1:36.607
2. F. Alonso 1:36.613
3. F. Massa 1:36.630
4. L. Hamilton 1:36.876
5. J. Trulli 1:37.151
6. M. Webber 1:37.450
7. R. Schumacher 1:37.524
8. D. Coulthard 1:37.617
9. N. Rosberg 1:37.646
10. G. Fisichella 1:37.970
nice
Cant see a replay of Japan sadly - who know when Marks going to have another crack at a win
if its not the :censored: car its the other :censored: drivers
:hair:
pottiella 5 Oct 2007, 14:19 rain rain rain rain...a typhoon is on it's way! Even the BBC weather has joined in...
Nothing to be too excited about, as the last time a typhoon threatened a GP, the GP was called off...which we do NOT want!
ozrevhead 5 Oct 2007, 14:30 http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/10/6924.html
dont know if this been covered - one of the best press conferences this year
nice some good old fashioned honesty!
Dixie Flatline 5 Oct 2007, 14:54 Yeah, it's been referred to in the Vettel to the metal thread a few times, as well as the separate thread about Robert Kubica.
rain rain rain rain...a typhoon is on it's way! Even the BBC weather has joined in...
Nothing to be too excited about, as the last time a typhoon threatened a GP, the GP was called off...which we do NOT want!
Japan 04, wasn't it? Quali was moved
The Ferrari's look much skinnier on rear downforce just from glancing at the rear wings, so as a bit of an educated guess they are going for a more slippery car this weekend, McLaren by comparison look like they have strapped a barn door to the rear of the car...
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a106/pushmetwice/86240.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a106/pushmetwice/86251.jpg
Patrick Fletche 5 Oct 2007, 17:50 This weekend in Shanghai promises to be the best of the season.
So many sub plots.
A circuit designed for overtaking.
And it is going to be wet.
LoopHole 5 Oct 2007, 17:54 Nice photo of Kimi countersteering away from the corner.
Looking at that picture Ferrari may want to add a bit more wing.
OSTKURVE 5 Oct 2007, 19:16 This weekend will perhaps be the defining race of the '07 F1 season. Will Lewis Hamilton make history by being the first pilot to capture the WDC in his rookie season?
Will Raikkonen capture pole in Shanghai since he was dominant in practice yesterday?
Will Alsonso make a come back & try to upstage Hamilton in hopes of retaining his title?
This is going to be a good one!
Kimi runs wide
http://www.motorsportmad.com/view/2383/china-gp-2007---free-practice-kimi-runs-wide
Leighton Irwin 5 Oct 2007, 20:52 Actually Nino Farina won the title in his rookie season since he won in the first year of the WDC. Not your normal rookie as he was an experienced F1 driver.
Well, the kid is very close to break a new record then...
alanchiv 5 Oct 2007, 22:30 Hamilton to finish on the podium, behind his competition...keeping it on the boil till Brasil.
Interesting Marlboro is back as a title sponsor for Ferrari. Is that just for China or what?
I think this race weekend will be a very good one indeed.
GolddustMini 6 Oct 2007, 02:14 Lewis go and take it lad! you deserve it..I for one am very proud of you..:)
i agree, and i for one will be wrapped in a quilt on the sofa on sunday morning willing him on!
that said a nice title fight in brazil would be a lovely prospect :D
GolddustMini 6 Oct 2007, 08:07 well i got up intime to watch the qualifying, only to find that while itv3 seemingly hog a channel from my local tv transmitter, they fail to actually broadcast anything on it
obviously they cant put it on normal itv as that would disrupt dorah the explorer which is amusingly repeated at the same time on Citv channel.
i hope they put the race on the proper channel tomorrow!a
EDIT: strange i just retuned my freeview box and now it appears to have something on the channel not just a load of black! woop!
What happend to Alonso last run? Im sure Mclaren are tampering with his car. He was right up there in Q1 and 2 and they 7tenths off where it matters:(
Unless he made a mistake, I just follwoed it on the web.
GolddustMini 6 Oct 2007, 09:12 i dont know whether he missed some apexes or something like that, we didnt see the lap on the itv feed either
Ferrari's new pit lights:)
http://www.motorsportmad.com/view/2387/china-gp-2007---free-practice-new-ferrari-pit-set-up
Rosberg makes a small mistake..on board free practice
http://www.motorsportmad.com/view/2390/china-gp-2007--rosberg-on-board---free-practice
Super Hans 6 Oct 2007, 10:28 What happend to Alonso last run? Im sure Mclaren are tampering with his car.
That's right. Think of all the possible reasons why Alonso might be off the pace, choose the most implausible, and go with that.
Patrick Fletche 6 Oct 2007, 11:10 Most impressive for me was Mr Button, as in Japan Q.
He certainly seems to have developed that great driver knack of extracting far more out of a car than it should be capable of. He now regularly overperforms.
It is a great pity that he has never had a chance in a competetive car, let's hope that:
a) Musical chairs this winter put him in a McMerc.
or b) Honda finally get their act together.
Patrick Fletche 6 Oct 2007, 11:27 Just how heavy are the first 4 cars running on fuel?
Is Alonso being crafty and running a lot heavier than the others? It would explain his Q3 time.
Yeah I was just looking at the top 4's Q3 times again. All 0.4-0.7 secs off Q2 except for Lewis which is only 0.01 off his own pace in Q2.
He did use his tyres well on his outlap? Low fuel? other? Tomorrow will tell ;)
Ferrari's new pit lights:)
http://www.motorsportmad.com/view/2387/china-gp-2007---free-practice-new-ferrari-pit-set-up
I missed some of the buildup and qually (while making toast). Was this covered by ITV? One of Ferrari's stops in Q3 was pretty close to another car. Cant remember who was involved though (too early!!) :)
Flavio not in China & to mis his first Formula One race in at least six seasons
http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/071006114015.shtml
Great lap from Lewis, that was a pole that he pulled out of his... ear.
If its wet though, it will all be for nothing, as it will be a total lottery after turn 1.
Those Ferrari pitlights remind me of a fruit machine.
Last2LiftOff 6 Oct 2007, 13:14 Great lap from Lewis...Wasn't it Sodemo. I was hoping for a different outcome frankly, but have to congratulate him. Good for Lewis, and all of his fans. Wait'll next year.
:beer:
That's right. Think of all the possible reasons why Alonso might be off the pace, choose the most implausible, and go with that. Pardon me Alsami but, that's pretty funny. :laugh:
Those Ferrari pitlights remind me of a fruit machine.
:laugh: Exactly !
Quite certain that Hamilton is running light. If it's wet and not changeable, that probably won't work in his favour at all, as being light in the rain doesn't have as much as an advantage as the dry. Curious strategy.
Talking about drivers crying, Hamilton had wept (probably joy I know) before his press conference quite clearly - interesting he carried on about 'coming to the weekend and finding his Fuji win at risk' when that was not really the question. Came across as a bit of a whiny baby really. It was a good lap!, he should certainly celebrate himself more. They're all sore losers at the front this year, it's a shame.
Also mentioned some pap about always being last across the line that's why we're so great. Errr, he was one of the first to start his flying lap. Heidfeld, both Ferrari's and Alonso were all behind him on flyers - so again, the truth is he had a brilliant lap despite not having to be the last one to pass the line - strikes me as though he's trying to sound like he's on the ball when he's clearly not - just a Ricky Bobby that drives fast :Shrug:
Hamilton's Pole Lap!:)
http://www.motorsportmad.com/view/2392/china-gp-2007---hamiltons-pole-lap
Vettel has a 5 place penalty for blocking. Oops.
I wonder who the other driver was?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63089
I was hoping for a different outcome frankly, but have to congratulate him.I'll admit I was hoping Kimi would pull it off. It's not very often that a driver is fastest in P1, P2 and P3, then again in Q1, Q2 and Q3. Still, he seems pretty confident for tomorrow, we shall have to see.
I think Lewis laid the foundations of his great lap on the out lap, when he had the time and space to look after the tyres exactly right so they continued to deliver all through the qualifying lap.
Massa Power Slide...
http://www.motorsportmad.com/view/2393/china-gp-2007---massa-power-slide
Last2LiftOff 6 Oct 2007, 14:05 They're all sore losers at the front this year, it's a shame.A little bit Hazard, for sure.
Obviously Alonzo didn't make the post-race interviews, but Massa in particular. Kinda the look you get when they know they're not gonna be with the team next year. Just reading too much into it. They're a pretty competitive bunch, that's nothing new.
Dixie Flatline 6 Oct 2007, 14:31 Vettel has a 5 place penalty for blocking. Oops.
They need to find another five places then, before his original penalty from last weekend is restored.
Did I type that or think that? :?
I wonder who the other driver was?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63089
Davidson, apparently
GolddustMini 6 Oct 2007, 14:39 Quite certain that Hamilton is running light. If it's wet and not changeable, that probably won't work in his favour at all, as being light in the rain doesn't have as much as an advantage as the dry. Curious strategy.
Talking about drivers crying, Hamilton had wept (probably joy I know) before his press conference quite clearly - interesting he carried on about 'coming to the weekend and finding his Fuji win at risk' when that was not really the question. Came across as a bit of a whiny baby really. It was a good lap!, he should certainly celebrate himself more. They're all sore losers at the front this year, it's a shame.
Also mentioned some pap about always being last across the line that's why we're so great. Errr, he was one of the first to start his flying lap. Heidfeld, both Ferrari's and Alonso were all behind him on flyers - so again, the truth is he had a brilliant lap despite not having to be the last one to pass the line - strikes me as though he's trying to sound like he's on the ball when he's clearly not - just a Ricky Bobby that drives fast :Shrug:
i presumed that he was making a comment about how he usually is pretty much the last to complete his final run in qualifying but in this case he was one of the first and it didnt give him the comfort that he usually gets from it but he was pleased that he managed to make the time stick
Last one till the race tomorrow!
Sato on board..
http://www.motorsportmad.com/view/2394/china-gp-2007---sato-on-board--no-commentary
Knowlesy 6 Oct 2007, 15:52 Terrific lap from Hamilton. It was clear visually it was a real quick one although it does suggest a lowish fuel load. But we shall see, maybe he just hooked it up.
Maybe he was sandbagging? :bag:
Seriously though, looking good for the title. Here's hoping it carries onto Brazil, but I am not optimistic. If it is dry he will be in a good position and if it rains, well, we saw what he did last week.
ralf fan 6 Oct 2007, 15:58 sandbagging? :bag:
How did you manage to dodge the auto censor.:admin:
Davidson, apparently
Kovalainen, actually ;).
Some time during the first session.
i presumed that he was making a comment about how he usually is pretty much the last to complete his final run in qualifying but in this case he was one of the first
Exactly how I took it too.
Stunning lap, will be interesting to see how far the fuel load goes tomorrow.
Early on in the session (after the medium pace laps they seemed to do before taking new tyres) it was looking like Massa may have had a light load, with the intention to get him in front of the McLarens and play rear-gunner for Raikkonen. Either I was wrong, or it went partly wrong for Ferrari.
Knowlesy 6 Oct 2007, 17:34 i presumed that he was making a comment about how he usually is pretty much the last to complete his final run in qualifying but in this case he was one of the first and it didnt give him the comfort that he usually gets from it but he was pleased that he managed to make the time stick
Correct.
Massa admitted to making a mistake on his lap,whereas Alonso was confused as to why he was six-tenths slower than Hamilton.Maybe Alonso should take a leaf out of Massa's book.:)
Just a thought! Massa's fans....wouldn't they be called the 'Massarati' ?
Correct.
I might re-listen then, it was 8am after a Friday night out, wasn't even at 10% :p
GolddustMini 6 Oct 2007, 18:20 I might re-listen then, it was 8am after a Friday night out, wasn't even at 10% :p
neither was i tbh, i was recovering from late night ikea shopping followed by 4 hrs sleep! so i could have heard it wrong as well, expecially seeing as i had one eye on the tv, 1 eye on the wrc timing for the first stage of the day and it was uncharted 8am on a saturday morning terretory!:rofl:
TIMELORD 6 Oct 2007, 20:00 Here are the theoretical best lap times, adding together each driver's best sector time from all sessions held so far:
Pos|Driver|Sec 1|Sec 2|Sec 3|Total
1|Raikkonen|25.146|28.093|41.972|1:35.211
2|Massa|25.151|28.287|42.124|1:35.562
3|Hamilton|25.150|28.335|42.229|1:35.714
4|Alonso|25.228|28.367|42.173|1:35.768
5|Kubica|25.292|28.365|42.316|1:35.973
6|Heidfeld|25.222|28.344|42.514|1:36.080
7|Coulthard|25.476|28.379|42.397|1:36.252
8|Webber|25.493|28.515|42.460|1:36.468
9|Schumacher|25.420|28.557|42.623|1:36.600
10|Trulli|25.454|28.661|42.602|1:36.667
11|Button|25.493|28.648|42.540|1:36.681
12|Kovalainen|25.344|28.730|42.662|1:36.736
13|Vettel|25.387|28.586|42.797|1:36.770
14|Liuzzi|25.551|28.566|42.717|1:36.834
15|Fisichella|25.577|28.705|42.661|1:36.943
16|Rosberg|25.595|28.768|42.599|1:36.962
17|Davidson|25.582|28.669|42.816|1:37.058
18|Barrichello|25.620|28.832|42.775|1:37.227
19|Liuzzi|25.696|28.750|42.907|1:37.353
20|Sato|25.887|29.020|43.114|1:38.021
21|Sutil|25.962|29.146|43.318|1:38.426
22|Yamamoto|26.054|29.402|43.660|1:39.116
It shows that the Ferraris definitely hold the advantage over McLaren (given a perfect lap), despite Hamilton's stunning pole lap.
Patrick Fletche 6 Oct 2007, 20:22 Here are the theoretical best lap times, adding together each driver's best sector time from all sessions held so far:
Pos|Driver|Sec 1|Sec 2|Sec 3|Total
1|Raikkonen|25.146|28.093|41.972|1:35.211
2|Massa|25.151|28.287|42.124|1:35.562
3|Hamilton|25.150|28.335|42.229|1:35.714
4|Alonso|25.228|28.367|42.173|1:35.768
5|Kubica|25.292|28.365|42.316|1:35.973
6|Heidfeld|25.222|28.344|42.514|1:36.080
7|Coulthard|25.476|28.379|42.397|1:36.252
8|Webber|25.493|28.515|42.460|1:36.468
9|Schumacher|25.420|28.557|42.623|1:36.600
10|Trulli|25.454|28.661|42.602|1:36.667
11|Button|25.493|28.648|42.540|1:36.681
12|Kovalainen|25.344|28.730|42.662|1:36.736
13|Vettel|25.387|28.586|42.797|1:36.770
14|Liuzzi|25.551|28.566|42.717|1:36.834
15|Fisichella|25.577|28.705|42.661|1:36.943
16|Rosberg|25.595|28.768|42.599|1:36.962
17|Davidson|25.582|28.669|42.816|1:37.058
18|Barrichello|25.620|28.832|42.775|1:37.227
19|Liuzzi|25.696|28.750|42.907|1:37.353
20|Sato|25.887|29.020|43.114|1:38.021
21|Sutil|25.962|29.146|43.318|1:38.426
22|Yamamoto|26.054|29.402|43.660|1:39.116
It shows that the Ferraris definitely hold the advantage over McLaren (given a perfect lap), despite Hamilton's stunning pole lap.
That list really shows how much important the car is than the driver.
It goes:
Ferrari
Ferrari
McBrat
McBrat
BMW
BMW
RBR
RBR
Toyota
Toyota
Honda (Button, the first of the outperformers)
Renault (Kovalainen, the second of the outperformers)
STR
STR
Renault
Williams (Rosberg, the third of the outperformers)
SA (Ant, the fourth of the outperformers)
Honda
Also you could argue that Button is by far the best performing driver. He really does seem to have learned that special skill of making a bad car go fast.
And once again it confirms Kimi's other-worldly pace. For raw speed he is unsurpassed.
Without going through every post... what time does the race start in the morning? I know ITV coverage starts at 6am but when does the race start?
Without going through every post... what time does the race start in the morning? I know ITV coverage starts at 6am but when does the race start?
Starts at 7 and finishes.............who knows.;)
Thought that I'd post a Shanghai webcam for the insomniacs among us.:)
http://www.onedir.com/cam3.htm
Keep a look out for that rain!
Here are the theoretical best lap times, adding together each driver's best sector time from all sessions held so far:
Pos|Driver|Sec 1|Sec 2|Sec 3|Total
1|Raikkonen|25.146|28.093|41.972|1:35.211
2|Massa|25.151|28.287|42.124|1:35.562
3|Hamilton|25.150|28.335|42.229|1:35.714
4|Alonso|25.228|28.367|42.173|1:35.768
5|Kubica|25.292|28.365|42.316|1:35.973
6|Heidfeld|25.222|28.344|42.514|1:36.080
7|Coulthard|25.476|28.379|42.397|1:36.252
8|Webber|25.493|28.515|42.460|1:36.468
9|Schumacher|25.420|28.557|42.623|1:36.600
10|Trulli|25.454|28.661|42.602|1:36.667
11|Button|25.493|28.648|42.540|1:36.681
12|Kovalainen|25.344|28.730|42.662|1:36.736
13|Vettel|25.387|28.586|42.797|1:36.770
14|Liuzzi|25.551|28.566|42.717|1:36.834
15|Fisichella|25.577|28.705|42.661|1:36.943
16|Rosberg|25.595|28.768|42.599|1:36.962
17|Davidson|25.582|28.669|42.816|1:37.058
18|Barrichello|25.620|28.832|42.775|1:37.227
19|Liuzzi|25.696|28.750|42.907|1:37.353
20|Sato|25.887|29.020|43.114|1:38.021
21|Sutil|25.962|29.146|43.318|1:38.426
22|Yamamoto|26.054|29.402|43.660|1:39.116
It shows that the Ferraris definitely hold the advantage over McLaren (given a perfect lap), despite Hamilton's stunning pole lap.
You've got Liuzzi down twice and missed out Wurz
You've got Liuzzi down twice and missed out Wurz
I don't think that Alex will mind too much.:)
duke_toaster 6 Oct 2007, 21:13 According to BBC heavy rain expected tomorrow ...
ralf fan 6 Oct 2007, 21:22 Here are the theoretical best lap times, adding together each driver's best sector time from all sessions held so far:
I'm sure if you fuel adjust it, Lewis will be on pole by 2 seconds. ;)
According to BBC heavy rain expected tomorrow ...
Cool another Fuji on our hands maybe:woot:
TIMELORD 6 Oct 2007, 21:38 You've got Liuzzi down twice and missed out Wurz
Thanks. :) Well spotted!
Wurz should be 19th.
TIMELORD 6 Oct 2007, 21:40 AMENDED version!
Pos|Driver|Sec 1|Sec 2|Sec 3|Total
1|Raikkonen|25.146|28.093|41.972|1:35.211
2|Massa|25.151|28.287|42.124|1:35.562
3|Hamilton|25.150|28.335|42.229|1:35.714
4|Alonso|25.228|28.367|42.173|1:35.768
5|Kubica|25.292|28.365|42.316|1:35.973
6|Heidfeld|25.222|28.344|42.514|1:36.080
7|Coulthard|25.476|28.379|42.397|1:36.252
8|Webber|25.493|28.515|42.460|1:36.468
9|Schumacher|25.420|28.557|42.623|1:36.600
10|Trulli|25.454|28.661|42.602|1:36.667
11|Button|25.493|28.648|42.540|1:36.681
12|Kovalainen|25.344|28.730|42.662|1:36.736
13|Vettel|25.387|28.586|42.797|1:36.770
14|Liuzzi|25.551|28.566|42.717|1:36.834
15|Fisichella|25.577|28.705|42.661|1:36.943
16|Rosberg|25.595|28.768|42.599|1:36.962
17|Davidson|25.582|28.669|42.816|1:37.058
18|Barrichello|25.620|28.832|42.775|1:37.227
19|Wurz|25.696|28.750|42.907|1:37.353
20|Sato|25.887|29.020|43.114|1:38.021
21|Sutil|25.962|29.146|43.318|1:38.426
22|Yamamoto|26.054|29.402|43.660|1:39.116
duke_toaster 6 Oct 2007, 21:46 Cool another Fuji on our hands maybe:woot:
Just a thought - what do they do it rains too hard on Sunday? I don't think they do a NASCAR-style pack up and come back on Monday. Sad really.
Just a thought - what do they do it rains too hard on Sunday? I don't think they do a NASCAR-style pack up and come back on Monday. Sad really.
Probably not. Too much TV money lost. It's not like NASCAR which has Speed to play with
This heavy rain doesn't look good tbh. But then all the different weather websites are saying different things. Some are saying heavy rain and strong winds, the others are saying it might miss completely
I just hope Lewis doesn't win the title because of this
Current Conditions
Temperature 27°C (81°F)
Dew Point 75
Relative Humidity 84%
Wind Speed 11
Wind Direction 70°
Pressure 29.74
Sky Overcast
Ceiling 1300
Visibility 4.97
Heat Index 87
Wind Chill 27°C (81°F)
Update Time 2007-10-07T00:00:00
Reminds me of a cartoon I saw once. Two men with Weather Bureau coats on, in a room full of computers looking out the window. One says to the other - "Do you think it will rain?" :)
:rofl: :rofl: Nice
Anyone in Shanghai that can look out the window?? :laugh:
Reminds me of a cartoon I saw once. Two men with Weather Bureau coats on, in a room full of computers looking out the window. One says to the other - "Do you think it will rain?" :)
This is so close to reality! In my job I get a weather briefing every morning. The weather man will tell us one thing, and the window he's standing next to says another thing completely.
I always remember the time the weather man's jacket was wet (from rain), and straight-faced told us it would be a dry day!
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 07:18 From the dodgy Chinese feed I've managed to find, it looks like a wet race.
lucypumablue 7 Oct 2007, 07:23 ITV are saying short sharp showers!
Looks very very changeable to me. We could be seeing the 1st Brit world champ since 1996, and I'm bloody loving it :D :D
The ITV Lewis show has started...
JeremySmith 7 Oct 2007, 07:39 Is the Ferrari E-mail system working does anyone know? :rolleyes:
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 07:41 Looks very very changeable to me. We could be seeing the 1st Brit world champ since 1996, and I'm bloody loving it :D :DYou know, Lewis could just as easily run off into a barrier and give Fernando and Kimi just a peek at the looming championship. :p
mjstallard 7 Oct 2007, 07:42 What has happened to Martin's gridwalk? :Shrug:
This is the second week in a row we have Ted and Louise interviewing drivers on the grid..
mjstallard 7 Oct 2007, 07:44 Aha, there he is :)
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 07:45 Whoa...Keanu Reeves is hanging out in the Honda garage. That would explain the team's futility this season.
Rain in 12 minutes, apparently
Nurby all over again
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 07:51 :double:
That's the first time I ever did that. Weird...
mjstallard 7 Oct 2007, 07:54 D'oh - some officious so and so put an end to Martin's gridwalk early. Well done chap, you've just made yourself look like an arse in front of several million people :)
It's raining.
Gonna make things interesting.
So where can we find shanghai weather radar?
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 08:05 So where can we find shanghai weather radar?
Here's one. (http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/map/interactive/CHXX0116?from=36hour_map_large&zoom=5&interactiveMapLayer=sat)
So far so good! C'mon Lewis!:)
So where can we find shanghai weather radar?
Another one. (http://www.smb.gov.cn/PortalQXJ/english/WeatherLive.aspx?cate=ldhbt)
Why is it these ad breaks always seem like they are getting longer with each season?
Actually, I seem to recall they are longer by 1 minute now since their inception in 1997 with ITV.
Cool, anybody interested in Bathurst? Its my annual 2 tv day today
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 08:31 Hamilton's tires are shot, but his team is sending him back on! Huge gamble from McLaren.
Cool, anybody interested in Bathurst? Its my annual 2 tv day today
Yes, we are. Some of us get delayed coverage and will be watching it in a few hours so please discuss that in the relevant forum!
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 08:35 Massa forgoes tires as well during his first fuel stop. It needs to start raining, or someone's tires are going to blow.
Yes, we are. Some of us get delayed coverage and will be watching it in a few hours so please discuss that in the relevant forum!
Ok, I can take a hint :p
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 08:48 My Chinese feed failed and now live timing seems to have packed up on me.
Anyone care to fill me in? As previously noted, Network Ten has seen fit to replay Australia's loss to England in the rugby. :rolleyes:
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 08:48 Mark Webber is the first driver to blink, and takes a risk on dry tires. Oh, the things one can do when there are no championship implications. Alex Wurz goes one step further and takes a set of white stripes.
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 08:50 Have my live timing working again (lousy firewall).
Looks like everybody has taken the hint and has switched to dries.
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 08:52 Raikkonen has cut chunks out of Hamilton's lead, but is it raining again?
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 08:55 Mayhem at the final corner as the rain starts falling again. Hamilton goes wide, Ralf spins, Sutil shunts at pit entry. Raikkonen's on Alonso's gearbox now. for hose who put on slicks, :sfan:.
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 08:55 Raikkonen in the lead as Hamilton makes a mistake.
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 08:56 Guess who is behind Webber? ;)
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 08:58 Hamilton is nowhere compared to Raikkonen ahead of him and Alonso behind him, judging by the live timings.
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 08:59 Alonso takes over Hamilton for second place.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrghhhhh
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 09:00 Hamilton beaches himself at pit entry! Holy cow! I don't believe it!
This championship's going to Brazil! Fernando's back in it! Kimi's back in it! Who could have imagined this?
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 09:01 Lewis needs to come in
Tried to, but seems to be in the gravel?
OMG! Nooooooooooooooooooooooo
ralf fan 7 Oct 2007, 09:01 We are going to Brazil. :woot:
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 09:02 Hamilton can still be champion notwithstanding his DNF if Alonso finishes seventh or lower.
GolddustMini 7 Oct 2007, 09:02 well thats that finished isnt it, championship goes onto brazil
chillibowl 7 Oct 2007, 09:03 crazy!!!
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 09:04 Button seems to have hooked up his Honda nicely. Consecutive fastest laps and he's into sixth place.
Hamilton can still be champion notwithstanding his DNF if Alonso finishes seventh or lower.
He needs Kimi to third or lower as well.
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 09:05 With Hamilton out, will this be the race where a team that isn't McLaren or Ferrari winds up on the top step of the podium? Robert Kubica hopes so.
Robert Kubica hopes so.
Not anymore he doesn't.:laugh:
Kubica out! Gearbox has gone south.
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 09:08 With Hamilton out, will this be the race where a team that isn't McLaren or Ferrari winds up on the top step of the podium? Robert Kubica hopes so.
I guess not. :Shrug:
Why is it that, when I speculate whether or not a car or driver might win a race, that car or driver immediately crashes or develops a terminal problem?
jonbryant 7 Oct 2007, 09:10 Speculate about the 2 Ferraris and FA then please. Then JB might win!
Well McLaren and Lewis made 2 mistakes there.
The first was not changing the already very worn tyres at their first stop. I really dont understand why they didn't change them, as they looked pretty borderline whilst he was in the pits...
The second error was leaving lewis out for as long as they did on extremely worn tyres, despite being seconds slower than anyone else.
It was almost an exact carbon copy of China last year, when Renault didn't change Alonso's tyres, and he was floundering afterwards.
Lewis made a bad call at Nurburgring to change to dry tyres early, I wonder whos call it was this time?
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 09:13 Now here's an intriguing question: Does Ferrari tell Massa to pass Alonso for second, or stay back to secure a podium finish? If they do, it brings Kimi two points closer to Alonso, but makes no bearing on his standing against Hamilton. If they don't, Alonso is only four points behind Hamilton, and gives McLaren a lot to think about in the next fortnight.
It looks like the latter, as the gap has widened between second and third.
I think you have to tell Massa to try and pass Alonso for second.
As you said, it doesn't bring Kimi any closer to Lewis, but those two points closer he'd be to Alonso could make a difference between Kimi finishing second, or finishing third if it comes down to that. What does a podium for Massa do here but get you a trophy?
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 09:17 Massa has to catch Alonso first.
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 09:26 I think you have to tell Massa to try and pass Alonso for second.
As you said, it doesn't bring Kimi any closer to Lewis, but those two points closer he'd be to Alonso could make a difference between Kimi finishing second, or finishing third if it comes down to that. What does a podium for Massa do here but get you a trophy?
The point is that Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari want to win the championship, not finish second. If Massa were to pass Alonso, that would give Hamilton a six point advantage over his teammate, and Lewis would only need to coast to a fifth-place finish in Brazil for the title. Alonso stays in second, and the gap between the teammates is only four. Kimi still needs a mistake from the McLaren drivers to win the title. The closer Lewis and Fernando are to each other in the standings, the harder they are going to push each other, and the more likely that mistake Kimi needs is to happen.
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 09:28 It seems academic. Massa is falling behind Alonso at a fair rate of knots.
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 09:40 Massa leaving his run far too late. Put in some fastest laps of the race, but only three laps to go and he is just over 8 seconds behind Fernando.
Vettel trying to do the race on one stop and finish fourth. Would be a magnificent effort for him.
well done to vetel, but what were mclaren playing at? should of played safe
Flaming_Wuzzle 7 Oct 2007, 09:43 STRs in 4th and 6th! Fantastic result for them :)
Fish_Flake 7 Oct 2007, 09:43 Vettel gets my vote for driver of the race.
24 points for Ferrari engines today. If not for the Cosworth, that might be a record.
Dixie Flatline 7 Oct 2007, 09:44 Raikkonen takes the chequered flag to keep his and Fernando's hopes alive going to Brazil. Fernando guides his McLaren home in second, followed by a fast-finishing Felipe Massa (another lap record on his final lap) and Sebastian Vettel claims a deserved fourth. Button also does well to finish fifth, and Liuzzi makes it a double for STR with sixth place. Heidfeld brings his BMW home seventh and Coulthard claims a point for Red Bull, finishing eighth, staving off the challenge of Heikki Kovalainen.
ralf fan 7 Oct 2007, 09:45 Vettel!! :woot:
After what has been said about him this last week, what a perfect reply. The kid is a talent no doubt!
Definately Vettel. Lewis gets a big thumbs down from me. A terrible error and terrible timing.
Patrick Fletche 7 Oct 2007, 10:12 Button was incredible again in that dog of a Honda, even his team say he is outperforming the car.
Vettel is amazing. He has reinvigorated STR. The youngest man ever to score world championship points. Overtaking 6 of the world's best drivers in one lap, in those conditions. He is now my number one out of the young guns.
littlefarny 7 Oct 2007, 10:15 Vettel - I was praying last week that he'd make the podium, and he went and royally messed up, but as a rookie in those conditions noone can be too hard on him.
Today was brilliant, I used to like the Minardi squad, and them scoring a couple of handfuls of points is pretty darn great; Mr Mateschitz must be thinking about which team to divert funds to now!
Hamilton made an error, big deals. He might be leading the championship, but he's still a rookie, just unfortunate timing to start making mistakes. McLaren's decision to keep him out was shocking really, they had no need to go out all guns blazing and really the team brought it about themselves.
Good to see Alonso happy due to a team decision for once :p
Vettel is good. BMW made mistake opting for Polish cry baby over Sebastian. Hope, they will not let Glock move anywhere else. Great race for STR, I'm really impressed.
i suspect Glock will be at Toyota ;)
Bernie probably got the result he most wanted - a climax in Brazil.
Vettel driver of the day.
pottiella 7 Oct 2007, 11:20 Vettel - I was praying last week that he'd make the podium, and he went and royally messed up, but as a rookie in those conditions noone can be too hard on him.
Today was brilliant, I used to like the Minardi squad, and them scoring a couple of handfuls of points is pretty darn great; Mr Mateschitz must be thinking about which team to divert funds to now!
Hamilton made an error, big deals. He might be leading the championship, but he's still a rookie, just unfortunate timing to start making mistakes. McLaren's decision to keep him out was shocking really, they had no need to go out all guns blazing and really the team brought it about themselves.
Good to see Alonso happy due to a team decision for once :p
haha, ditto on all accounts! (I'm too lazy to type my own version of what is essentially the same! :p )
I've been pinning my hopes on Vettel since he first got into an F1 car last year..and have had to argue with a lot of people when he wasn't blowing away liuzzi at first like everyone expected! I'm glad m'boy has come good in style...and you have to say, if he were to have finished in Fuji, it would have been on the podium entirely on his own merit (without anyone retiring in front of him)...and a week later in 4th place from 17th...albeit because Lewis retired (but even then 17th to 5th in an STR is not too shabby!!)...2 weeks in a row would have been pretty phenomenal. I just see sparks flying off that kid every time I see him, in or out the car....
And yeah, Minardi..its the same way I saw "something" in Alonso. I like it when drivers really work against the odds to prove their worth - I have a lot of respect for them the most. In fact, I didn't like Jenson much, but I've grown a lot of respect for him at Honda.
I like the final comment btw...nice touch! ;) lol
Number Juan 7 Oct 2007, 11:29 Its nice to see Vettel get the Kudos he deserves. Had it not been for a humiliating mistake last week in Fuji, his stock at the end of this season would be quite respectable. I think he drove really well. He strikes me as a really down to Earth driver, which is refreshing. We need more hard-working and honest drivers in F1.
Hamilton...well ITV and Mclaren say his incident wasn't his fault, but I possibly think that youthful exuberance as well as unfortunate circumstances were the reasons for his sharp exit. The incident reminded me of David Coulthard's accident in Adelaide, 95'. Hamilton is human, after all, he can make mistakes just like everyone else.
As ever, Raikonnen and Alonso gave us a lesson in just why they are considered fantastic drivers; they took advantage of the race and finished it. Consistency and mature driving gave them a sniff; Lewis' untimely exit gave them the oppurtunity. Both took it.
As for the others; I tought the Bunsen drove eloquently, Liuzzi produced a rather gutsy drive, and Coulthard was as steady as ever. I enjoyed that race. Should be more wet/dry races.
Bernie probably got the result he most wanted - a climax in Brazil.
I hear rumours that kind of thing happens more at the Hungarian GP...
I noticed that Lewis sidestepped the question "whos decision was it to stay out on those tyres" three times when asked by Louise.
So in other words, it was probably his call, the wrong call - again just like at the Nurburgring.
Vettel is good. BMW made mistake opting for Polish cry baby over Sebastian. Hope, they will not let Glock move anywhere else. Great race for STR, I'm really impressed.
Did you wake up just for the last lap?
Robert was leading the race when his gearbox broke down.
Ralf's Girl 7 Oct 2007, 11:51 That race had just about everything - lots of overtaking, unpredictable weather and the championship is wide open.
I thought both STR drivers had good races, Vettel especially. Raikkonen was his usual controlled self, and Button had a good drive as well, he really drives well in those conditions. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do next year when there's no TC.
Bad, bad error from Hamilton and McLaren - Radio 5 Live were trying to make out like it had nothing to do with golden boy Lewis, but he should have been able to tell that his tyres were shot and he should have been on the radio to the team telling them he had to stop early. Equally, though, McLaren should have seen the state of his tyres and called him in - they're an experienced enough team to know that a gamble like that just isn't necessary when the championship is at stake. I think in the end they got pretty much what they deserved for not doing the sensible thing and stopping sooner.
pottiella 7 Oct 2007, 11:55 spot on RG...lol and dare I say (for the sake of being cheeky lol) it's at times like this that Fernando does well not to have his team trying to help him! :laugh:
Bad, bad error from Hamilton and McLaren - Radio 5 Live were trying to make out like it had nothing to do with golden boy Lewis, but he should have been able to tell that his tyres were shot and he should have been on the radio to the team telling them he had to stop early. Equally, though, McLaren should have seen the state of his tyres and called him in - they're an experienced enough team to know that a gamble like that just isn't necessary when the championship is at stake. I think in the end they got pretty much what they deserved for not doing the sensible thing and stopping sooner.
Exactly, inexperience and naivety from Lewis, and foolishness from McLaren ended his race.
Come on guys...
Lewis hasn't done any mstakes until now.
It happens...Nobody is perfect.
For me the biggest looser of the race was Robert - he also was on P1 when retired,
however it was not down to him.
Bad mistake from Mclaren and Lewis, but lucky for us, it didn't happen to Fernando instead. otherwise, we won't hear the end of it.
Interesting then that Lewis and the Mclaren pit were watching and reacting to Kimi, when in reality Lewis should just concentrate on a safe strategy and cover Alonso instead...
Team takes blame for pit stop error.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63111
Team takes blame for pit stop error.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63111
Which pit error though?
The one where they didn't change his already severely worn inters for fresh inters, or the fact that they let him stay out on bald tyres?
pottiella 7 Oct 2007, 13:43 btw, does anyone know what the legal drinking age in China is? because Vettel would surely be underage in a lot of countries to be able to celebrate with champagne :laugh:
btw, does anyone know what the legal drinking age in China is? because Vettel would surely be underage in a lot of countries to be able to celebrate with champagne :laugh:
Maybe they keep a non-alcoholic one for that special occassion.
Which pit error though?
The one where they didn't change his already severely worn inters for fresh inters, or the fact that they let him stay out on bald tyres?
Maybe that they didn't act quick enough to ask the race officials to send
the crane to put Hamilton back to the asphalt.
Fortunately in GP Europe they had more time ;)
Knowlesy 7 Oct 2007, 13:56 I feel bad for Lewis. That really was highly cruel stuff although I did rather think he was punishing his tyres unnecessarily. McLaren tried to stretch it to accommodate any further bad weather but it was just that little bit too long and ended up in a driver error. Sad indeed but we do have a tantalising three way fight in Brazil (glorious track) to look forward to.
btw, does anyone know what the legal drinking age in China is? because Vettel would surely be underage in a lot of countries to be able to celebrate with champagne :laugh:
I think it depends how much you want to pay...
Racer_kyle 7 Oct 2007, 14:05 Does anyone know did Kubica have to stop again? Or was he in a clear 1st place on a one stop strategy?
Interesting then that Lewis and the Mclaren pit were watching and reacting to Kimi, when in reality Lewis should just concentrate on a safe strategy and cover Alonso instead...If you read this (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63139), it suggests that the Hamilton side of the garage was trying to cover Alonso, which makes the decision even more inexplicable.
Still, it makes for a brilliant finale in Brazil. I wonder what Ferrari will do. Based on last year, Massa could be on for the win, but if Kimi's lying second... ;)
What a shame! In a sea of run-off area Lewis manages to find the only bit of gravel for miles.
Last2LiftOff 7 Oct 2007, 14:17 Yeah, Martin, that's right. Back to catch fencing maybe.
The most entertaining moment in the race?
When I saw Lewis stuck in the gravel and the battle to bring the car back
I felt really sorry for him.
But when I saw replay I couldn't stop laughing.
The number of guys (marshals? - I'm sorry, i'm not good at that)
was trying to help Lewis to get back...That was a complet chaos.
While some of them were pushing the car from the top-rear angle thus forcing the car digging in more, others were running around like they were completely lost...
But the best moment was when the one of them started turning the front wheel forward while it was hanging above the ground.
No doubt should he tried to turn it backward it would work ;)
After a while they all suddenly run away from the camera frame just to send one back to help Lewis to find a way to the pits.
Please forgive me that the whole situation was and still is so funny for me,
but that chaotic efforts compered to the dramatic Ron's gesticulation and shocked mechanics faces just reminded me why I love Monty Python.
That just made my day - I would love to have an opportunity to see it again.
BTW I think there were enough guys to pick the 600kg car a bit and put it back on the track
I guess as a marshall, its about trying to find a bit of the car to push that isn't going to give you third degree burns. They cant all push the rear wing.
Knowlesy 7 Oct 2007, 15:01 Well yes, but the way the marshalls reacted to the car you'd have thought it a foreign object.
Well yes, but the way the marshalls reacted to the car you'd have thought it a foreign object.
It was, its from Woking.
I just had visions of "Made in China" stamped onto the bottom of a Mclaren.
Knowlesy 7 Oct 2007, 15:22 I meant in a slightly different way, but never mind...
I just had visions of "Made in China" stamped onto the bottom of a Mclaren.
Make a change from "Fabbricato a Torino" :D
Contriversial first post?
Last2LiftOff 7 Oct 2007, 15:49 No, works good. bravo. ;)
As said somewhere else... all those concrete run-off areas and he finds the gravel. Gutted for him. Good race by Kimi though.
littlefarny 7 Oct 2007, 18:16 Make a change from "Fabbricato a Torino" :D
Contriversial first post?
Darnit beat me to it :p
Born Racer 7 Oct 2007, 18:34 Probably a fair description of McLaren's pitwall decisions today. Why oh why did they not just think of the championship when it came to Hamilton?
Why o why didn't they change those worn inters for fresh inters?
why o why did it work for their other driver ;)
Born Racer 7 Oct 2007, 19:00 I have to re-iterate- what a catasrophic error from McLaren for Hamilton to stay out! I know there was the idea that the weather would change, but surely they would have managed to salvage sufficient points to win the championship even if they'd had to pit again later on.
Any chance of a seperate thread? This is a big topic seeing as it's such a silly error. You didn't need to be a Ross Brawn to work out that he should've pitted, and this thread naturally is crowded with other race-related topics.
JeremySmith 7 Oct 2007, 19:52 We have one here..http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=100865
duke_toaster 7 Oct 2007, 20:17 There isn't any argument about if the marshalls should have pushed Lewis or not. A car is allowed to be pushed - and to continue - from a dangerous position. The pit entry is clearly a dangerous position. I can't see why they haven't put tarmac there - that's one place where a car that is impossible to move WOULD be a massive problem.
There isn't any argument about if the marshalls should have pushed Lewis or not. A car is allowed to be pushed - and to continue - from a dangerous position.
Good point *thinks back to Nurburgring for a couple of instances*
The most entertaining moment in the race?
When I saw Lewis stuck in the gravel and the battle to bring the car back
I felt really sorry for him.
But when I saw replay I couldn't stop laughing.
The number of guys (marshals? - I'm sorry, i'm not good at that)
was trying to help Lewis to get back...That was a complet chaos.
While some of them were pushing the car from the top-rear angle thus forcing the car digging in more, others were running around like they were completely lost...
But the best moment was when the one of them started turning the front wheel forward while it was hanging above the ground.
No doubt should he tried to turn it backward it would work ;)
After a while they all suddenly run away from the camera frame just to send one back to help Lewis to find a way to the pits.
Please forgive me that the whole situation was and still is so funny for me,
but that chaotic efforts compered to the dramatic Ron's gesticulation and shocked mechanics faces just reminded me why I love Monty Python.
That just made my day - I would love to have an opportunity to see it again.
BTW I think there were enough guys to pick the 600kg car a bit and put it back on the track
So to get Lewis back on track the marshalls were attempting to break the rule and get a car stuffed in a gravel trap back in the action. FIA does seem bias towards him, I thought there was a rule that says you cannot rejoin the track through marshalls help or assistance.
Look at the crane fiasco at the European GP, I have never seen anothyng like that before. Alonso was beached into teh gravel trap at Monza back in 2004? marshalls refused to help him out and get back on track.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching this one live this morning. Despite my joy at seeing Kimi and Fernando take the WDC to the wire, I did feel a little sorry for Lewis. But, such is life. It's worked out fairly perfectly, that without the interference of the FIA the championship has actually quite naturally gravitated towards an exciting climax.
I was gutted for Kubica, moreso than Hamilton, no doubt - but pleased to see Raikkonen storm to victory. I quite enjoyed watching Trulli race Hamilton, as clearly his car was working better on various parts of the track. On the subject of Toyota, I felt sorry for Ralf Schumacher, too. A dreadful start (when he spun) but a remarkable turn-around. I think he would have hit the points today; the man was on fire! Sadly it didn't work out.
Driver of the Day was probably Liuzzi for me today. Vettel was exceptional but his future is secure. I understand why so many have picked him but I was pleased to see Liuzzi bang in a pretty spectacular performance at a time when his career could really use some great results! Top job.
Also, Koper, clearly not a native speaker of our glorious language, could I congratulate you on using the correct spelling of "marshal"... I can't believe all you racing fans are using two Ls!:laugh: (No offence!)
They did try to push LH out, just they didn't manage. It's only safer to push someone out in a dangerous situation if that doesn't take years. So it was a reasonable decision to try it and then call it off when they didn't succeed.
Weren't the rules changed after Nurby regarding pushes, tractor lifts etc?
JeremySmith 7 Oct 2007, 21:47 As Knowlesy pointed out, the marshals were treating Hamilton's car like it was something from outer space! :eek:
I don't mean any disrespect to all those hard working people by the way..It just looked a little funny. :)
Yeah koper I watched the race. It was BMW's strategy which drove him in to the lead. But STR have not got resources BMW has, and because of them I admire Vettel and Liuzzi, and IMO BMW made mistake kicking him out or letting him go to Red Bull.
Did you hear what Thiessen has said?
Doc Hollywood 7 Oct 2007, 22:50 Sorry guys, but did no-one else get the distinct impression that Lewis 'parked' that car a little too perfectly.
Now I don't want to start Lewis bashing or shouting about a fixed race. But to me it looked virtually the same as Schumacher in Monaco last year, no effort to avoid the gravel trap, no effort to drive through the gravel trap (the car was still rolling, not beached by any means, and light throttle would have carried it through nicely) and he barely seemed bothered to gesture for a push....
Knowlesy 7 Oct 2007, 22:57 No effort to avoid the gravel trap. Errr...
No effort to drive through? First of all he tried to avoid clouting the wall but this lost him momentum. Once you stop in gravel, it is hard to get out. Particularly with canvassed rears.
I suppose the visible frustration was all for show as well.
Suggestion of race fix = credibility factor of -10.
Doc Hollywood 7 Oct 2007, 23:03 No effort to avoid the gravel trap. Errr...
No effort to drive through? First of all he tried to avoid clouting the wall but this lost him momentum. Once you stop in gravel, it is hard to get out. Particularly with canvassed rears.
I've raced low-slung single seaters, firstly canvassed rears make no difference unless they sink into the gravel. Secondly, he was still rolling freely after he managed to avoid hitting the wall and was facing back out of the gravel.
Severe lack of trying on his part IMO.
ralf fan 7 Oct 2007, 23:04 Now I don't want to start Lewis bashing or shouting about a fixed race. But to me it looked virtually the same as Schumacher in Monaco last year, no effort to avoid the gravel trap, no effort to drive through the gravel trap (the car was still
Basically he had old tires and once he entered the pits which is much wetter than circuit he had a complete loss of grip and gave the impression of sliding 'perfectly' into the gravel. Besides, i can't think of one sane reason why Lewis would purposely park the car.
gttouring 7 Oct 2007, 23:07 this was a fiasco really
i won't buy the "fix" idea.
The car went to a slight over steering into pit road, then he corrected and it understeerd into the gravel and oof!
i think this was just a mistake and good
he is to much of an upstart for my taste- alonso is WDCx2 he should have been given full support in hamiltons rookie year and if hamilton got wins great, but this is just sillyness happening alonso breaking doors in frustration Hamilton drive loops aronud the World Drivers champ...what the heck is going on...
go Kimi!
Knowlesy 7 Oct 2007, 23:12 Basically he had old tires and once he entered the pits which is much wetter than circuit he had a complete loss of grip and gave the impression of sliding 'perfectly' into the gravel. Besides, i can't think of one sane reason why Lewis would purposely park the car.
Have you actually driven one of these cars? ;)
JeremySmith 7 Oct 2007, 23:25 Sorry guys, but did no-one else get the distinct impression that Lewis 'parked' that car a little too perfectly.
Now I don't want to start Lewis bashing or shouting about a fixed race. But to me it looked virtually the same as Schumacher in Monaco last year, no effort to avoid the gravel trap, no effort to drive through the gravel trap (the car was still rolling, not beached by any means, and light throttle would have carried it through nicely) and he barely seemed bothered to gesture for a push....
Correct me if I miss interpret your post, but what your suggesting is that the sport has no credibility left at all. Why are we even bothering if that would be the case?
Problably he thinks that Hamilton should jump out of the car and kick the wheels and shout at the marshalls, and then sit down and cry like a desperate man... so it all gets some credibility.
Doc Hollywood 7 Oct 2007, 23:43 Correct me if I miss interpret your post, but what your suggesting is that the sport has no credibility left at all. Why are we even bothering if that would be the case?
Emmmm, no! Thats why I said that I wasn't shouting about a fix! It all just seemed a bit too hard to believe.
Lewis dosen't put a foot wrong all year (Germany aside) and then all but parallel parks it in a gravel trap at walking pace. I find it a bit too much to take.
Doc Hollywood 7 Oct 2007, 23:44 Problably he thinks that Hamilton should jump out of the car and kick the wheels and shout at the marshalls, and then sit down and cry like a desperate man... so it all gets some credibility.
Probably I don't.
ralf fan 7 Oct 2007, 23:47 Let's pause for a second and say this preposterous theory is true. His motive for 'parking it' would be what exactly? To give Alonso the championship?
Probably I don't.
I'm sorry, you probably don't... my mispelling. :)
Knowlesy 7 Oct 2007, 23:55 Let's pause for a second and say this preposterous theory is true. His motive for 'parking it' would be what exactly? To give Alonso the championship?
Hamilton personally decided to give the public a three way shootout for the last race.
Isn't it obvious? :doh:
Maybe he parked it nicely out of the way so that the non-believers wouldn't suggest he was trying to block Alonso or Raikkonen into the pits! I think his driving behind the SC in Japan was shoddy - but I think the supposition that he might have ditched this race on purpose is a load of cock and bull. Can I say cock? Or does it asterisk it out? If it does then I used a synonym for "rooster". :rotate:
Hamilton personally decided to give the public a three way shootout for the last race.
Isn't it obvious? :doh:
It makes sense.
Oh, I can say it! Cock! Cock! Cock! Ccccoooccckkkkk-a-doodle-doo!:D
JeremySmith 8 Oct 2007, 00:06 Emmmm, no! Thats why I said that I wasn't shouting about a fix! It all just seemed a bit too hard to believe.
Lewis dosen't put a foot wrong all year (Germany aside) and then all but parallel parks it in a gravel trap at walking pace. I find it a bit too much to take.
Well I just seen again the laps prior to and including when Lewis comes into the pits..He was all over the place on the track and the car looked like it would not turn on his pit entry, the tyres being no more than still on the rims..
Knowlesy 8 Oct 2007, 00:07 He went into the pits far too fast that is all really.
Pretty boring error in the end.
Also, Koper, clearly not a native speaker of our glorious language, could I congratulate you on using the correct spelling of "marshal"... I can't believe all you racing fans are using two Ls!:laugh: (No offence!)
Thanks - especially now, when I'm back in my country i use this forum as one of the opportunity to practice and improve my English.
Yeah koper I watched the race. It was BMW's strategy which drove him in to the lead. But STR have not got resources BMW has, and because of them I admire Vettel and Liuzzi, and IMO BMW made mistake kicking him out or letting him go to Red Bull.
Did you hear what Thiessen has said?[/quote]
So, as well, we can say that STR's strategy drove Vettel into the fourth.
They both were lucky with the pit stop strategy or.. the others were unlucky.
Is the fact that BMW has resources the reason to call Robert a cry baby?
I just don't understant the way of your thinking.
I just think you don't like this young Polish driver.
But that's fine with me - everyone has a right to like or dislike someone even without a reason.
Did you hear what Thiessen has said?
Yes...no...about who/what?
Robert? Vettel? Albert 2?
JeremySmith 8 Oct 2007, 00:18 Was that it Knowlesy, it is very tight that left hand turn I have to say..
mjstallard 8 Oct 2007, 00:48 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3_os2DzCzfg <--Vettel's reaction to 4th place.
Lovely, if a bit scary!
JeremySmith 8 Oct 2007, 00:55 :laugh: you tell them Sebastian..
I reckon he'll give the other 'Seb' a run for his money next season.
JeremySmith 8 Oct 2007, 01:29 Yes sir, he is a very talented chap...Although I will miss his team mate if he leaves F1.. He is such an offbeat type of character do you know what I mean?
He seems to be favourite for a Williams drive and deservedly so.:)
sorry, I havent been reading posts here, so if this bad pun has been already brought up, I apologize...
just looked at the title of the thread, and popping in on 10/10ths late at night here (up with a cold, getting some tea) the first thing coming into my head was:
D-Day? more like Dunkirk....(oh dear, I think I've made Louise cry again)
Gonna be interesting in a fortnight to see whether today was '42 and if Brazil will be '44...
He went into the pits far too fast that is all really.
Pretty boring error in the end.
Boring?
Was the most exciting moment of the race, I reckon!
Ralf's Girl 8 Oct 2007, 11:36 Sorry guys, but did no-one else get the distinct impression that Lewis 'parked' that car a little too perfectly.
Now I don't want to start Lewis bashing or shouting about a fixed race. But to me it looked virtually the same as Schumacher in Monaco last year, no effort to avoid the gravel trap, no effort to drive through the gravel trap (the car was still rolling, not beached by any means, and light throttle would have carried it through nicely) and he barely seemed bothered to gesture for a push....
:rofl: So we're meant to buy the theory that a driver on the verge of his first world title just parked it in the gravel? Why on earth would he do that? It was a combination of bad luck and bad judgement, I really don't think there's any great conspiracy behind it.
chunterer 8 Oct 2007, 11:43 I think it's just a little naive of us enthusiasts to ignore the so called fancy theories out of hand.
Ever since Lewis was 'investigated' and cleared of misdemeanours in Fuji, and Bernie was quoted as 'wanting a title decider in Brazil' Lewis just had to have a problem in China. And that Kubica Beeem slowing up just as he looked set to intefere with the top 2 or 3 finishers scoring crucial points for the Interlagos showdown was interesting....
And now for a rousing rendition of one of my favourite little tunes that crops up whenever an F1 title fight suddenly comes about after a season of odd management and political decisions and massive controversy a la, 2003, 1994 and many more.
One, two, three:
'Oh Bernie, Bernie, Bernie'.....
The race itself was a cracker for drama but smacked of some very strange decisions....
Ralf's Girl 8 Oct 2007, 11:46 Well, a three-way title fight in Brazil was undoubtedly Bernie's dream...however, I read that he wasn't even in Shanghai. That would make his involvement all the more sinister... :eek:
chunterer 8 Oct 2007, 13:45 Well he wouldn't have had to be there to make his presence felt!
No, I know we should all be positive about this - after all it's a last round 3 way shoot out to cap off a pretty exciting season - but it's difficult not to be cynical about F1 these doors.
:rofl: So we're meant to buy the theory that a driver on the verge of his first world title just parked it in the gravel? Why on earth would he do that? It was a combination of bad luck and bad judgement, I really don't think there's any great conspiracy behind it.
Or perhaps the world's largest bribe - which is what it would need for LH to voluntarily ditch the race!!
I wouldn't do it for less than £50mill. Oooeeerrr.. There's a thought - there are some people out there who have just come in to that sort of money....Arrghhhhh. Conspiracy Theory glands have just started pumping overtime.
Or, and here's something out of left field, it could have been an accident, caused by a completely knackered rear tyre, possible puncture and a very greasy pit lamp. And a bit of inexperience.
Well, a three-way title fight in Brazil was undoubtedly Bernie's dream...however, I read that he wasn't even in Shanghai. That would make his involvement all the more sinister... :eek:
Just pulling the right strings and there you have it... powerful this man.
Having read an above post, I knew I was meant to ask something: was Louise Goodman actually crying amid her "Oh, Leewwiiss..." first attempt at an interview on Sunday?
Clearly he's stolen her heart!
Ralf's Girl 8 Oct 2007, 18:14 I actually thought she was just struggling to get to speak to him through the crowd of other journos who were trying to get at him, but maybe that's too logical. ;)
Knowlesy 8 Oct 2007, 20:09 Well he wouldn't have had to be there to make his presence felt!
No, I know we should all be positive about this - after all it's a last round 3 way shoot out to cap off a pretty exciting season - but it's difficult not to be cynical about F1 these doors.
chunterer, I just don't see how this is a setup or any reason to be sceptical. If it was surely Bernie would organise these things more.
If he did then F1 has to the best set of choreographers in the world. Bar none. I find this difficult to believe.
Why did they not organise a three way fight for Suzuka 2003 rather than dish out pointless penalties? Why did 2002 ever happen? Etc...etc...
These things don't occur often so just enjoy, my friend. :cool:
chunterer 8 Oct 2007, 21:15 Oh yes, accepted that enyoyable, good tv it will make but even as a seasoned enthusiast, the events of the last couple of races have been a little difficult to stomach, particularly after all the spying led political nonsense we've also learned of this season. A good dust up at the final race would go a long way to erasing the bad taste of all that methinks! i'm looking forward to it anyway so if it has been contrived then hooray!!
Most of the people I know aren't ardent fans and they all appear to see the conclusion of the championship as 'questionable' in the least.
I consider myself fortunate that I think I know enough about how the sport works to look at both sides of the coin, and often go to reasonable lengths to explain this to them, but I really am struggling to see all this straight so to speak.
Now I also accept that I do not expect anyone to take the same line as I do, but at least people see where i'm coming from!
Interesting you mention penalties in 2003 Knowlsey? I also wondered why they dId that rather than let it run to Suzuka.... I think there was a much different agenda that year though. But we'll leave that one. ;)
Bringing this neatly onto thread topic, for such an expensive public facing sort of business I find it miraculous that a successful team could possibly have made such a poor decision involving not bringing their champion elect into change tyres like that and risk him having a silly incident on track, losing valuable points etc.. they admitted it was their mistake but at tis stage of the season???
We could say stranger things have happened, it is F1 after all!
http://www.sniffpetrol.com/2007/10/08/depressed-hamilton-stops-for-petrol-on-way-home/
:rotate:
Well that'll teach the Media in general that they don't run our sport and that it's NOT predicatable! hahaha!
Right never mind the teams at the 'media attention' celebrity end of the grid that get all the glory and get all their sob stories aired...what about poor ole Anthony Davidson? He usually manages to sort his old car out well enough to out qualify higher (sometimes much higher) than newer, faster cars only to get collided with in their pathetic attempts to pass him in the races...that's the 6th race out of 16 now that have been scuppered by other drivers (including a Groundhog) that have either compromised his aero, brakes and performance (not to mention his back) all because his old car is in their way (including the Groundhogs) No! Joking aside, Formula One is supposed to be for the Worlds BEST Racing Drivers! Okay rookies like Sutil in his first race in Melbourne who didn't remember to look in his mirrors is possible understandable...although, not appologising is not in my book, very unsporting...cowardly in fact, especially as AD ended up in the hospital with a back injury!
Vettel, rammed Anthony in the second chicane at Monza on lap one destroying the Aguri's rear defusser, lowering the cars already limited performance. (Vettel IMO is too young and inexperienced to be in F1 yet)
Liuzzi isn't however but smashed Anthony's side pod to bits in Japan on one of his aborted attempts to pass the slower Aguri, which made it even harder to control in dyer conditions as it was.
Fisichella, has collided with Anthony twice now, what's his World Championship Renault doing behind an Aguri in the first place!!!? Now dear reader you'll be delighted to hear that Old Fisicareless at least apologised to Anthony...but...wait for it...only via his own Manager! Oh! is that what they are there for!
Ignoring the blooming Groundhog who out of all the 22 cars circulating 'his' homeland 70 odd times had to pick Anthony's car wrecking the underside aero when Ant' was running in 3rd place with a 4th place and 6 glorious points on the cards! Grrrrrr!
Now...In Shanghi our 'Old China' Rubenio smashes into Ant's sidepod spinning them both off the track, in turn one of the second lap! His Earthcar was undamaged, Anthony's suffered rear brake failure caused by damage to the brake duct. Anthony was even considerate enough to park the car which only had front braking well off the track so he didn't hinder others racing by driving slowly back to the pits to retire. But here's the best bit folks...Ruben's told Honda "the collision wasn't Anthony's fault"...they replied..."so who's fault was it then"!? How much do they pay you? You must have enough in the ole pension fund by now surely?
Ho hum anyway thanks for letting this long suffering racers dad have a grumble, I used to be such a positive (and successful) racers dad, who knows his place and watchs at home on TV (as all the other fathers should do too!) Rant over!
P.S. Excellent sequential LAT pictures of Ruben's elloquent attempt to overtake Anthony can be viewed at Autosport.com in their Gallery. under China.
Last2LiftOff 9 Oct 2007, 12:51 Wow, that's gotta be a load off Rennen. And you're entitled, they've even got a smiley for it.
:beer:Das Rennen!
mjstallard 9 Oct 2007, 17:45 Dunno if this should have it's own thread or not, but there's rumours abound (I know, we're all probably sick of them but anyway) that McLaren are under investigation for hindering Alonso's quallie performance:
http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/071009163435.shtml
Ralf's Girl 9 Oct 2007, 17:47 I don't believe McLaren would do anything so obvious as sabotaging a driver's qualifying session, even if they don't want him to win the race. With everything that's gone on at McLaren this season, it's far too risky.
mjstallard 9 Oct 2007, 17:58 Indeed, it doesn't make any sense from so many different perspectives. I fully expect this to be the Spanish media talking nonsense (much as the British media does far too often:))
Ralf's Girl 9 Oct 2007, 18:02 I don't remember ever reading rumours of a team sabotaging a driver in the British press. It seems to me that the Spanish media are just taking their support of Alonso a bit too far.
mjstallard 9 Oct 2007, 18:09 Perhaps not sabotage, but I'm sure (without having any tangible evidence to hand!) that there has been some thoroughly unpleasant and inaccurate things said in the red tops in the past about the rivals of British drivers, be they teams or individuals. The word "allegedly" has too much weight in my opinion ;)
Ralf's Girl 9 Oct 2007, 18:14 It's a good catch-all term for "we have no idea if this is true but we're going to print it anyway". I probably don't pay close enough attention to the ramblings of British sports journos to know who's accusing which driver/team of what!
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