Abu Dabhi Grand Prix discussion thread

[Valve Bounce]

With all the discussions going around all aspects affecting the outcome of this race, we don't have a thread for discussion of the race - so here it is. Sadly, this is the final race of the season, and there is nothing happening until early (or mid) March.

We have 4 drivers (mathematically) still in the hunt, although with Lewis Hamilton, we are drawing a very long bow. Alonso is in the lead and can win the championship if he comes within the first two. So we have all sorts of conspiracy theories going as to what will happen.

Practice is about to start so let's see what happems.

But comes Sunday evening (for some of us) when the lights go out, the BS stops!! or will it start??

Interesting race this. We are open for race and quals and practice comments here.

[Tazio]

:s ailor: !!!!!!!! :rolleyes: :confused:

[Tazio]

Heavy rain.
http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=394256

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg12/scaled.php?tn=0&server=12&filename=9tvo.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

[Valve Bounce]

Well, that certainly is news. May yet Bunsen will play a significant role in his last race as champion.

[Big Ben]

Not that I wasn't convinced already but now that we have rain in the desert this is is the weirdest f1 season I have followed so far

[Dave B]

It's pretty much dry now, and 28 degrees, but still some people are doing exploratory laps on inters as the track is still slippery :crazy:

Not much running so far, almost as if people are trying to look after their engines!

[ShiftingGears]

It's pretty much dry now, and 28 degrees, but still some people are doing exploratory laps on inters as the track is still slippery :crazy:

Not much running so far, almost as if people are trying to look after their engines!

I'll be amazed if Alonso's engine lets go this weekend.

[Dave B]

People talk about Ferrari engines, but forget that both Red Bulls are also on their 8th.

Massa only took a 9th as a precautionary change because his Singapore qualifying was so bad, and whatever problems they had at the start of the season seem well and truly under control.

I think this whole "when will Alonso's engine detonate?" discussion is, forgive the phrase, overblown.

[Dave B]

Vettel quickest followed by Hamilton, Button and Webber. Alonso 6th, Massa 11th.

Pretty typical for a first practice, expect Ferrari to look quicker tomorrow and McLaren to go backwards during the weekend.

[Dave B]

FP1 times:



Pos Driver Car Time Gap Laps
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m42.760s 18
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m43.369s + 0.609s 16
3. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m43.785s + 1.025s 19
4. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m43.840s + 1.080s 19
5. Robert Kubica Renault 1m44.080s + 1.320s 19
6. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m44.121s + 1.361s 17
7. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m44.199s + 1.439s 19
8. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m44.604s + 1.844s 18
9. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m44.718s + 1.958s 19
10. Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1m44.737s + 1.977s 19
11. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m45.160s + 2.400s 18
12. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m45.445s + 2.685s 21
13. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m45.474s + 2.714s 15
14. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m45.552s + 2.792s 20
15. Tonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1m45.585s + 2.825s 14
16. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m46.003s + 3.243s 20
17. Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1m46.644s + 3.884s 19
18. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m47.105s + 4.345s 22
19. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m48.450s + 5.690s 19
20. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1m48.472s + 5.712s 17
21. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1m49.375s + 6.615s 13
22. Bruno Senna Hispania-Cosworth 1m49.590s + 6.830s 18
23. Christian Klien Hispania-Cosworth 1m50.274s + 7.514s 17
24. Fairuz Fauzy Lotus-Cosworth 1m51.705s + 8.945s 18

[Valve Bounce]

Well practice 2 starts at midnight my time and I'm off to bed now. So I'll be off.

[Dave B]

A lot more running in FP2, but thus far about only moment of real interest has been Alguersuari having a spin off the track.

As it stands, with an hour gone, Hamilton is fastest followed by fellow championship contenders Alonso, Vettel and Webber.

[Dave B]

22 minutes to go, and Massa has stopped out on track.

Edit: team radio saying he was out of fuel.

[Dave B]

The session ends with the four championship runners once again at the top of the times, this time in the order HAM VET ALO WEB.

Imagine if the grid is like this tomorrow :D

[Dave B]

Practice 2 times:


Pos Driver Car Time Gap
1. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m40.888s
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m41.145s + 0.257s
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m41.314s + 0.426s
4. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m41.315s + 0.427s
5. Robert Kubica Renault 1m41.576s + 0.688s
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m41.583s + 0.695s
7. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m42.096s + 1.208s
8. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m42.132s + 1.244s
9. Tonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1m42.203s + 1.315s
10. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m42.222s + 1.334s
11. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m42.246s + 1.358s
12. Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1m42.449s + 1.561s
13. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m42.535s + 1.647s
14. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m42.768s + 1.880s
15. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m42.914s + 2.026s
16. Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1m42.950s + 2.062s
17. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m43.128s + 2.240s
18. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m43.584s + 2.696s
19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1m45.180s + 4.292s
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m45.259s + 4.371s
21. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1m45.612s + 4.724s
22. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1m46.053s + 5.165s
23. Christian Klien Hispania-Cosworth 1m47.210s + 6.322s
24. Bruno Senna Hispania-Cosworth 1m47.434s + 6.546s

[wedge]

Re: Button's brake problem:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9180908.stm

BBC Sport's Andrew Benson: "You will have noticed Jenson Button complaining about locking his front brakes. This has been a problem for him since Korea, and it is rooted in a new brake-bias system that McLaren are trailling and which they have not yet perfected. All the teams have systems, about which they are very secretive, that change the brake bias from front to rear as the downforce bleeds off the car as it slows down during braking. The system on Button's car is aimed at 2011, and McLaren are trying to get a head start on it. Button used it in Korea - and that is what caused him to be so slow in the race. But he decided to stick with it in Brazil, where he also struggled with it. We believe he has it on again for Friday practice in Abu Dhabi."

[Tazio]

The session ends with the four championship runners once again at the top of the times, this time in the order HAM VET ALO WEB.

Imagine if the grid is like this tomorrow :D

I would take that :D
But I think RB may have a little time in hand.

[Dave B]

Another example of why it's sometimes hard to defend the British press from accusations of bias: this shocking piece of "journalism" in the Daily Mail:



Fernando Alonso's drive for the Formula One world championship is mired in further controversy after an Italian who races vintage Ferraris was appointed to officiate at Sunday's decisive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Sportsmail can reveal [it wasn't exactly a secret] that Rome born Emanuele Pirro will serve on the three-man stewards' panel whose task it is to adjudicate on race incidents. They are empowered to issue sanctions including grid and drive-through penalties and could even disqualify drivers.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-1328833/The-Italians-job-Abu-Dhabi-stewards-link-Ferrari--Fernando-Alonso.html

And a rebuttal by a proper journalist with some integrity, and some knowledge on the subject:



The story does not mention the following pieces of information, which readers may think are important to get a full picture of the situation.

- Pirro spent four years as the official Honda Marlboro McLaren Formula 1 test driver and later raced a McLaren at Le Mans in 1998.

- He has been sponsored by Red Bull on occasion in the course of his long and very successful career.

- There have been more British driver stewards this year than any other nationality.

- There were two Australian stewards at the recent Korean Grand Prix: Alan Jones and Garry Connelly.

- Pirro is a highly respected member of the motorsport community who has demonstrated the highest levels of sportsmanship throughout his career. He deserves a little more respect than he has been accorded by the articles mentioned above [my bold].

Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/why-let-the-facts/

[Tazio]

Another example of why it's sometimes hard to defend the British press from accusations of bias: this shocking piece of "journalism" in the Daily Mail:



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-1328833/The-Italians-job-Abu-Dhabi-stewards-link-Ferrari--Fernando-Alonso.html

And a rebuttal by a proper journalist with some integrity, and some knowledge on the subject:



Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/why-let-the-facts/Thanks for that Dave :up:
The anglo/mob has just beened culled a bit. :)

[ArrowsFA1]

Another example of why it's sometimes hard to defend the British press from accusations of bias: this shocking piece of "journalism" in the Daily Mail:
The laughably pathetic Daily Wail at it again :rolleyes:

[Tazio]

If Massa did in fact run out of fuel, which I'm guessing is true.
And then broadcasted it to the entire viewing world. He is seriously stuck on stupid. :down:
No wonder he can't carry out a simple team order ;)

[ioan]

If Massa did in fact run out of fuel, which I'm guessing is true.
And then broadcasted it to the entire viewing world. He is seriously stuck on stupid. :down:
No wonder he can't carry out a simple team order ;)

Some people need to make others look bad in order to feel stronger than they in reality are. :down:

[Tazio]

Some people need to make others look bad in order to feel stronger than they in reality are. :down:

Which means what to me? :confused:

[wedge]

Another example of why it's sometimes hard to defend the British press from accusations of bias: this shocking piece of "journalism" in the Daily Mail:



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-1328833/The-Italians-job-Abu-Dhabi-stewards-link-Ferrari--Fernando-Alonso.html

And a rebuttal by a proper journalist with some integrity, and some knowledge on the subject:



Source: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/why-let-the-facts/

Apart from the old guard/'respected' veterans, most of the Brit newspaper F1 writers are frankly terrible who only care about the free prawn sarnies and leeching off the PR machine and whatever nonsense they can come up with.

[mstillhere]

If Massa did in fact run out of fuel, which I'm guessing is true.
And then broadcasted it to the entire viewing world. He is seriously stuck on stupid. :down:
No wonder he can't carry out a simple team order ;)

According to what I read on other sites the rumour in the paddock is that Ferrari tried to play a trick on the competition leading them to believe that Massa's car was not that fast although it was light on gas. A ruse nobody is buying on the paddock.

So, according to these rumours, it was "true" but........not really.

[mstillhere]

I am starting to feel that LH being on pole position for this race would not be such a bad thing :)

[Valve Bounce]

Let's wait till end of quals before we cross those chickens.

[Tazio]

According to what I read on other sites the rumour in the paddock is that Ferrari tried to play a trick on the competition leading them to believe that Massa's car was not that fast although it was light on gas. A ruse nobody is buying on the paddock.

So, according to these rumours, it was "true" but........not really.

If it is a ruse it is a rather clever one. I reacted to it jokingly anyway. Although I can see how my little wink eye went over someone’s head.
The old fuel pick-up malfunction! ;)

[Dave B]

You should hear some of the "fuel" conspiracy theories doing the rounds! :eek: 5Live were reporting a suggestion that Massa could go out on Sunday with low fuel, get into the lead, dictate the pace, then run out of fuel out on track just as Alonso pits. Bonus points if a safety car is triggered as a result of Massa blocking the track. :crazy:

I should point out that they gave the idea the contempt it deserves!

[Dave B]

Final practice, and for the second time this weekend the 4 title contenders are at the top of the timing screens:


Pos Driver Car Time Gap Laps
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m40.696s 18
2. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m40.829s + 0.133s 15
3. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m41.280s + 0.584s 13
4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m41.490s + 0.794s 14
5. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m41.578s + 0.882s 17
6. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m41.689s + 0.993s 17
7. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m41.690s + 0.994s 18
8. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m41.729s + 1.033s 17
9. Robert Kubica Renault 1m41.877s + 1.181s 18
10. Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Ferrari 1m41.893s + 1.197s 20
11. Nico Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1m41.934s + 1.238s 18
12. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m41.978s + 1.282s 14
13. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1m42.316s + 1.620s 15
14. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m42.566s + 1.870s 16
15. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m42.587s + 1.891s 18
16. Tonio Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1m42.858s + 2.162s 14
17. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m42.993s + 2.297s 20
18. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m43.344s + 2.648s 18
19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1m44.876s + 4.180s 15
20. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1m45.048s + 4.352s 23
21. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1m45.050s + 4.354s 20
22. Bruno Senna Hispania-Cosworth 1m45.490s + 4.794s 16
23. Lucas di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1m45.629s + 4.933s 22
24. Christian Klien Hispania-Cosworth 1m46.464s + 5.768s 17

[Sonic]

Petrov's doing very well this weekend.

[Dave B]

Petrov kept on having purple times in sector 2, he's clearly fired up. Who will he crash into tomorrow? :p

[Hawkmoon]

Petrov kept on having purple times in sector 2, he's clearly fired up. Who will he crash into tomorrow? :p

I think it's more a case of which wall will he hit? He seems to have a serious attraction to the scenery!

[ioan]

WTF Webber?!
Looks like RBR need no team orders after all.

Vettel once again perfect in Qualifying when it really mattered. :up:

[ioan]

I think it's more a case of which wall will he hit? He seems to have a serious attraction to the scenery!

Give the guy a break, he's a rookie FGS!.

[Hawkmoon]

I'll take that. I think this is the first time in my life I'm happy McLaren are fast!

[Hawkmoon]

Give the guy a break, he's a rookie FGS!.

Lighten up ioan, it's all in good fun and I'm willing to bet Petrov has wrecked more cars this year than any of the other rookies.

[ShiftingGears]

Excellent laps by the top 3 :up:

[Tazio]

I'll take that. I think this is the first time in my life I'm happy McLaren are fast!

:s ailor: Anyone think the boss is going to be penalized?

[Retro Formula 1]

Thanks for that Dave :up:
The anglo/mob has just beened culled a bit. :)

Who are the Anglo/mob and why do they need culling :confused:

[ShiftingGears]

:s ailor: Anyone think the boss is going to be penalized?

Nope. And I hope he doesn't get pinged either!

[ioan]

Who are the Anglo/mob and why do they need culling :confused:

Don't bother. ;)

[Hawkmoon]

:s ailor: Anyone think the boss is going to be penalized?

I don't think so. Unless the stewards are annoyed that they've had to have a word to the lad twice in 2 days in which case he could be in a bit of trouble.

He doesn't deserve a penalty but if they do, 3 spots would be nice. ;)

[Tazio]

Nope. And I hope he doesn't get pinged either!Anyone that bet the long odds on the boss has to feel pretty good about his chances right now. Wish I had put a tener on him. ;)

[ShiftingGears]

I don't think so. Unless the stewards are annoyed that they've had to have a word to the lad twice in 2 days in which case he could be in a bit of trouble.

He doesn't deserve a penalty but if they do, 3 spots would be nice. ;)

Considering Hamilton has to go out all guns blazing, I'm quite sure Alonso is more content with Hamilton safely up the road ;)

[jens]

Bah, as suspected Red Bull is far from going to have a smooth weekend and only a failure will cost Alonso the WDC. Webber hasn't been consistent enough to capitalize...

But regarding the race one I am hoping for one absolutely brilliant scenario. :D It's like...

McLarens make a great start and are having a great race with Hamilton leading a 1-2. But Vettel is right behind Button looking for a way through. Then we have Webber, who also had a terrible start and is looking for a pass in P6. And then we have troubled Alonso, who lost his front wing in T1 and is looking to move upwards from P11.

Screen graphics show championship prediction: HAM - 247, VET/WEB/ALO - 246. Last laps to go. Brazil '08 all over again, but with three drivers instead of one looking for a crucial pass until the very last corner. :)

[truefan72]

can't wait for the race, and this time I won't get caught out by daylight savings time ;)

[markabilly]

there will be no penalty although it is clear that massa was blocked. But since it would affect the WDC in the very last race, well they might not him down but keep him in front of Webbo

[Tazio]

can't wait for the race, and this time I won't get caught out by daylight savings time ;)

You didn't!!!!

[Hawkmoon]

Considering Hamilton has to go out all guns blazing, I'm quite sure Alonso is more content with Hamilton safely up the road ;)

True that. What chance Hamilton and Vettel argue over the same piece of road in turn 1?

[AndyL]

But regarding the race one I am hoping for one absolutely brilliant scenario. :D It's like...

McLarens make a great start and are having a great race with Hamilton leading a 1-2. But Vettel is right behind Button looking for a way through. Then we have Webber, who also had a terrible start and is looking for a pass in P6. And then we have troubled Alonso, who lost his front wing in T1 and is looking to move upwards from P11.

Screen graphics show championship prediction: HAM - 247, VET/WEB/ALO - 246. Last laps to go. Brazil '08 all over again, but with three drivers instead of one looking for a crucial pass until the very last corner. :)

Now that would be fantastic :D Pretty exciting qualifying I thought, I hope the race matches it!

[Hawkmoon]

Now that would be fantastic :D Pretty exciting qualifying I thought, I hope the race matches it!

I hope the race is a snooze fest with the top three doing nothing much more than staying out of each others way.

[Tazio]

Apparently there was a camera on that bollard the boss clipped




http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5354/rai220101113143940.jpg

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/4192/rai220101113143943.jpg

[Ent]

Seems the Red Bull situation has been reversed. Vettel now needs Webber to get in front of Alonso and take Button with him. If there are no major incidents out front, that's the only way Alonso won't walk away with the title tomorrow.



:s ailor: Anyone think the boss is going to be penalized?

Unlikely, as Verstappen's been retired for a few years now.

[mstillhere]

I'll take that. I think this is the first time in my life I'm happy McLaren are fast!

what a coincidence ME TOO :)

[AndyL]

Incoming!

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3453/yikes.jpg

[truefan72]

You didn't!!!!

sadly, yes I did,

by the time I tuned my telly on, they were going around behind the safety car at lap 53. So after a slight temper tantrum I settled down & watched the rest of the race :(

[truefan72]

Incoming!

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3453/yikes.jpg

that's my new screensaver!

[steveaki13]

sadly, yes I did,

by the time I tuned my telly on, they were going around behind the safety car at lap 53. So after a slight temper tantrum I settled down & watched the rest of the race :(

I also did that once one year when the clocks change here. It was obviously late October.
I think it must have been a Japanese Race from a while back, I threw a few pillows around the room at that moment. :rolleyes:

[steveaki13]

Incoming!

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3453/yikes.jpg


Looks like Vettels Nightmare he will be having tonight.

Seeing Hamiltons nose coming towards him on Lap 1 tomorrow

[longisland]

I'm gonna get a big mac, 2 cans of red bulls for the show. In case the unthinkable inevitably happens, I'll still celebrate with a bottle of Anker Lucifer. I'm rooting for Button and Massa to win this race. PS: by any change we may see sir richar branson in an air stewardess' uniform? this will be the perfect ending for the season to see the first cross dressing knight on tv.

[fandango]

So, Webber will be hoping for Vettel and Hamilton to take each other out, and then an engine failure on Alonso's Ferrari.

Vettel will be hoping for Alonso and Hamilton to take each other out, and for Webber to be stuck back behind Button.

Hamilton will be hoping for the same as Vettel, except with Vettel crashing into Alonso instead of him.

Button will be hoping for, well at this point, who cares?

Alonso will be hoping for the most boring race in history, with everyone just cruising around in formation the whole time.

And Massa had a dream last night that Alonso had a flying start to first, and Massa himself stormed through the field, getting to second and making the Ferrari pit radio "Fernando, Felipe is quicker than you. Please confirm you understand..."

So who's gonna have a lucky day? :)

[Ranger]

Guess what:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/244

Shower activity building in the region.

I think someone's having a laugh!

[wattoroos]

Guess what:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/244

Shower activity building in the region.

I think someone's having a laugh!
this could help webber if the rain is on and off and different amounts of rain and if red bull can pull out a good startegy but that is unlike them

[ShiftingGears]

this could help webber if the rain is on and off and different amounts of rain and if red bull can pull out a good startegy but that is unlike them

It could. I bet Hamilton would be rubbing his hands at the prospect of rain.

[wattoroos]

It could. I bet Hamilton would be rubbing his hands at the prospect of rain.

yeah i agree as the mclaren looks the best in the rain so far this season especially earlier on like in aus and china

[ioan]

And it's GO!

[ioan]

SC!
Is Liuzzi brain dead or what?! He didn't even try to break, just went heads on!

Let's hope Webber can take advantage of the SC.

[gm99]

SC!
Is Liuzzi brain dead or what?! He didn't even try to break, just went heads on!


Almost literally as well - Schumi was really lucky that Liuzzi just missed his head.

[fandango]

I would imagine Mrs Schumacher will have something to say about all that. Michael was VERY lucky.

[ioan]

You are both right, MS had HUGE LUCK this time!

[ioan]

Cleaning up the track takes forever, just like everything done in the UAE! :\

It took them already 4 laps under SC to clean up 20 square meters!

Vettel tricked Hamilton nicely at the restart!

Webber didn't make anything out of this restart! :(

[ioan]

This early tire change might be an advantage for Webber in terms of strategy.

[Daniel]

Could back Alonso up if he does the same

[donKey jote]

Jaime: Mark is faster than you. Do you understand? :p

[ioan]

WTF does Alguersuari? He should let Webber by as it looks like Massa will overtake Webber thru teh pit stops.

[donKey jote]

whats that ioan, team orders?

[Hawkmoon]

Bad call by Ferrari. No need to pit Massa when they did.

[ioan]

Alguersuari being the idiot he is Webber couldn't overtake Alonso. Awful! :down:

[donKey jote]

ioan what are you on... jaime isn't allowed to defend his position? :confused:

[ioan]

whats that ioan, team orders?

Common sense, you know that thing that the current Ferrari team didn't hear about.

[Hawkmoon]

Rosberg could hand the title to Vettel.

[donKey jote]

massa being the idiot he is can't get past jaime :p

[ioan]

massa being the idiot he is can't get past jaime :p

For once I am happy with that being the case!

[F1boat]

RBR sacrificed Mark to lure Fred into pit. Now the Ferrari is behind Petrov and Rosberg and Vettel wins the WDC.

[donKey jote]

looks like it.
Go Hamilton!!! :p

[Daniel]

Go Petrov. Do what you do best

[ioan]

Webber is not even as fast as Petrov. :(
He can't even take advantage by Alonso cutting 2 corners! I bet none will hand FA a drive through though.

[Daniel]

Haha Alonso screwed the pooch. Come on Fernando, try again.....

[Daniel]

Fantastic racing from Kpbayashi and Kubica

[ioan]

Neither Webber nor Alonso are showing WDC worth driving skills. :down:

[ioan]

Alonso needs to overtake Petrov and Rosberg! Looking good for Santander loosing it team orders or not!

If only Webber could move his rear a bit faster and put some pressure on him! :D

[Hawkmoon]

Ferrari were too concerned about covering Webber and not paying attention to track position. Cost them the title.

[donKey jote]

what did those Renaults have for breakfast :eek: :p

[Daniel]

Fernando's title hopes?

[ioan]

WTH Lewis, where do you want to get time for another pit stop?!

[markabilly]

Ferrari were too concerned about covering Webber and not paying attention to track position. Cost them the title.
probaly. Looks bad for Fred. Blown away by his own mangement.
And of course, the RBR willingness to scrifice webber.
veetttle migh win it, but what a way to do it.

[ioan]

Ferrari were too concerned about covering Webber and not paying attention to track position. Cost them the title.

They would have lost another place to Webber if they didn't stop back then.

[donKey jote]

to webber maybe. Now they're looking at not losing a place to Kubica :eek: :p

[donKey jote]

Oh well at least ioan will be happy: Vettel wins and Ferrari screw up strategy again :D

[donKey jote]

Nice race for Red Bull RENAULT :p

[Hawkmoon]

They would have lost another place to Webber if they didn't stop back then.

Which didn't matter as there was little chance of Webber getting to the front. Falling in behind Webber but in the top 4 wins the title. Alonso was lapping on the leaders pace when he stoppped. He would be up near Hamilton now if he had stopped when Hamilton did and sitting pretty for the WDC.

[ioan]

:eek: Button is the tire man! He did 40 laps on those soft tires! :)

[ioan]

Which didn't matter as there was little chance of Webber getting to the front. Falling in behind Webber but in the top 4 wins the title. Alonso was lapping on the leaders pace when he stoppped. He would be up near Hamilton now if he had stopped when Hamilton did and sitting pretty for the WDC.

Given Webber's slow pace there is no chance Alonso would have been better than 7th in that case.

[ioan]

What if Kubica get's ahead of Alonso too! He will be a very very hard nut to break!

Meanwhile Webber is totally anonymous. And he wanted the team to back him for the WDC?!

[Daniel]

Is Webber just taking care of his tyres

[veeten]

Customer Renault is leading and the team cars are keeping the competition at bay.

How about that...

[ioan]

That's it!
Without mechanical failures the future looks black for Alonso.

[ioan]

Is Webber just taking care of his tyres

What for?

[ioan]

Customer Renault is leading and the team cars are keeping the competition at bay.

How about that...

4 Renaults are blowing away Alonso's title!
Luckily Briatore is out of the picture this season!

[ioan]

Alonso was all wheels out of the track 5 times already, time for a drive through! Or maybe 100000$ fine will be enough this time around too?!

Red Bull telling Webber to show what he is capable!

[Hawkmoon]

Red Bull really suckered Ferrari with that Webber stop. Kinda threw Webber under a bus but worked for Vettel quite nicely.

[Daniel]

What for?

For a go at Alonso?

Hawkmoon, I agree. But Webber was always going to find it difficult from 5th. He's never looked good for passing Alonso.

[Hawkmoon]

Alonso was all wheels out of the track 5 times already, time for a drive through!

Red Bull telling Webber to show what he is capable!

Get real ioan. They've all had a go over the white lines this weekend.

[donKey jote]

oh well congrats RedBullRenault Vettel. :up:
Without a doubt the fastest combination this season :bandit:

[Hawkmoon]

Congratulations Vettel. Well deserved.

[Valve Bounce]

Great result!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gm99]

Congratulations Sebastian Vettel - thoroughly deserved champion!

[Daniel]

Alonso. What a ****ER. Making rude gestures to Petrov. I had very little respect for him before this race. Now NONE.

[Eki]

:eek: Button is the tire man! He did 40 laps on those soft tires! :)
I thought the Michelin Man was the tire man.

http://www.bellevacanze.com/graphics/michelin.jpg

[F1boat]

Red Bull sacrificed Webber with his pit and lured the Ferrari strategists to enter Fernando in pit, thus losing the WDC. I have to say, ingenious. Makes the German GP to look like a child's play.
But, the end justifies the mean. Congratulations to Dietrich Mate****z and Adrian Newey.

[veeten]

Incredible podium, isn't it?

Hamilton and Button, the two previous champions consecutively, along with the new World Drivers Champ.

[ioan]

Petrov kept on having purple times in sector 2, he's clearly fired up. Who will he crash into tomorrow? :p

I think it's more a case of which wall will he hit? He seems to have a serious attraction to the scenery!

Oh the irony! :D

[ioan]

Incredible podium, isn't it?

Hamilton and Button, the two previous champions consecutively, along with the new World Drivers Champ.

Excellent! I couldn't think about a much better one!

[Daniel]

Oh the irony! :D

Not really. He hit something...... he hit Alonso's title hopes on the head :D

[ioan]

Red Bull sacrificed Webber with his pit and lured the Ferrari strategists to enter Fernando in pit, thus losing the WDC. I have to say, ingenious. Makes the German GP to look like a child's play.
But, the end justifies the mean. Congratulations to Dietrich Mate****z and Adrian Newey.

Sorry :?:

It shows that intelligent people can do it fairly, while the stupid ones need to use unfair crap!

[ioan]

Not really. He hit something...... he hit Alonso's title hopes on the head :D

Sweet, very sweet irony!
Especially with Alonso driving half the race beside the track! :D

[Garry Walker]

Red Bull sacrificed Webber with his pit and lured the Ferrari strategists to enter Fernando in pit, thus losing the WDC. I have to say, ingenious. Makes the German GP to look like a child's play.
.

Oh come on :rotflmao:

Webber himself complained his tyres were dead, get real.

[truefan72]

I think the true star of the season was that RBR car.

once again congrats to Vettel. Hamilton had his chance this year. The two dNF's in Spain and Singapore is what killed him. But What a year!

On to 2011!

[F1boat]

I wouldn't be surprised if he put him bad tyres. However, it is all part of the game. Ferrari should not have gulped the bait, they did.

[truefan72]

didn't take long for Tech-no to rear its ugly head in the garage blaring from the speakers. Maybe Jaime is doing his thing

[jens]

RBR's strategies have been a bit iffy often, but - consciously or not - they managed to trick Ferrari into losing the WDC, so finally something worked out. Wonder, how much damage Webber got after brushing the wall, because for the rest of the race he wasn't really any competitive and didn't seem interested at all in working for Vettel's WDC. Considering on how Petrov held Alonso up, Webber should have definitely been there to capitalize on it.

[steveaki13]

Not a great Race but the drama of the World Title made me forget that.

Congrats to Vettel and Red Bull awesome driver (s), awesome Car and an awesome Season.

[truefan72]

I wouldn't be surprised if he put him bad tyres. However, it is all part of the game. Ferrari should not have gulped the bait, they did.

I bet you briatore is having meetings with the team as we speak

[wedge]

Red Bull sacrificed Webber with his pit and lured the Ferrari strategists to enter Fernando in pit, thus losing the WDC. I have to say, ingenious. Makes the German GP to look like a child's play.
But, the end justifies the mean. Congratulations to Dietrich Mate****z and Adrian Newey.

I think Webber bottled it under pressure. Clearly in hindsight the tyres were going through graining phase and lulled into a sense of insecurity thought he could do a Button by pitting early.

[F1boat]

Maybe he did, I think that the team screwed him, but maybe he faltered in the end, who can blame him, it is so obvious that the RBR did not want him to win.

[ioan]

Get real ioan. They've all had a go over the white lines this weekend.

Every second lap?!
I only saw one red car driving all 4 wheels over the lines again and again and again. There is a limit to everything when common sense is used, it just isb't applied evenly. :\

[ioan]

RBR's strategies have been a bit iffy often, but - consciously or not - they managed to trick Ferrari into losing the WDC, so finally something worked out. Wonder, how much damage Webber got after brushing the wall, because for the rest of the race he wasn't really any competitive and didn't seem interested at all in working for Vettel's WDC. Considering on how Petrov held Alonso up, Webber should have definitely been there to capitalize on it.

Were you really expecting Webber to do anything to help Vettel?
He drove steadily behind Alonso however he never ever tried to make a move even though Alonso was making one mistake after the other and constantly running off the track.
RBR should hire a driver who's in it for the team too, not only for himself.

[donKey jote]

RBR should hire Massa? :p

[ioan]

RBR should hire Massa? :p

For now both Massa and Webber are contracted to their teams for next season.
I would have nothing against Massa leaving the crap team Ferrari became, however I am also fairly sure that Webber wouldn't want a swap, he doesn't seem to be the guy who can accept being Alonso's puppy.

[SilverArrows]

A huge congratulations to Sebastian today! :bounce: He did exactly what was needed of him and has had some great drives, particularly in the last part of the season. He is a very deserving champion :cool:

Disappointing strategy by Fernando and Mark today but that's motor racing I guess it's just a bit of a shame we didn't see a good fight at the front between the main competitors. Credit to Petrov for keeping his nerve and not making any mistakes, but he wasn't the reason Fernando lost out.

I'm a bit sad the season is over, it seems like it's gone so quickly :(
Bring on 2011! :D

[Garry Walker]

Were you really expecting Webber to do anything to help Vettel?
He drove steadily behind Alonso however he never ever tried to make a move even though Alonso was making one mistake after the other and constantly running off the track.Webber had problems this race, it was obvious. But I guess its too much to expect you to show any understanding towards him, considering you blamed him for the turkey crash when Vettel drove into him. Webbo clearly had some setup issues, especially in S2, he was always losing a lot of time there.



RBR should hire a driver who's in it for the team too, not only for himself.No such driver in F1, no one. Not Schumacher, not Vettel, not Massa, no one.

[gloomyDAY]

Does anyone have a link to this GP's pictures?

I'm looking for a high resolution one with Vettel to set as a background picture.