2011 European Grand Prix (Valencia) Thread

[steveaki13]

So its nearly time for the next round of the season and with many issues hanging over F1 from the debate about the future banning of blown diffusers and alot of gossip regarding driver moves.

I thought it was time to open the European Grand Prix thread.

[steveaki13]

I have to say this circuit leaves me cold.

The two previous races were two of the more boring races I have seen in F1. And I don't normally like referring to F1 races as processional or dull as I normally try to find a positive.

So with all the various factors making up F1 2011 can we possibly see a more interesting Grand Prix around the glorified industrial estate?

What are your thoughts?

[airshifter]

Monaco had a lot more action this year than it usually does, I hope this somehow translates into a race at Valencia worth watching. Overall to me it's a very nicely prepared track and facility that has nothing for character. Other than where the cars are passing outside the track, I can't even think of a single section of track that I ever really think is the tricky part for the drivers or the part most likely to cause an accident, etc.

[steveaki13]

Just from the F1 2010 game, it is a circuit that is quite fun to drive, but in the real world I think it is more suited to one at a time, than to close side by side racing.

[The Black Knight]

Oh great, another Valencia race.

Well, this should be boring even with the 2011 rules. **** circuit for racing.

[555-04Q2]

Valencia...bring it on!!!!!

[Dave B]

When I made my 2011 calendar, I put a note on Sunday saying "try not to fall asleep". Now, however, I'm looking forward to Valencia. There hasn't been a dull race this year, and I can't wait to see how the new rules and tyres work on an otherwise unremarkable circuit.

[F1boat]

I think that this race will be interesting with the new rules. Passing still won't be too easy, so I guess that the race will be fun, like Monte Carlo.

[555-04Q2]

Can you all spell safety car period :p :

[DexDexter]

I think we're going to have the most interesting Valencia race to date since Valencia isn't as bad as Monaco and even that had more action than in the previous years. Add to that a couple of safety car periods and we're in for a treat.

[Robinho]

its almost a pity that we'll have to rely on the tyres and DRS to make an interesting race out of Valencia. I'd rather see the race being interesting, but I'd also rather not see the race continue there, which will be more likely if we start having interesting races there!

That said i don't think Spain can afford 2 races any longer.

of note, the double DRS zone is back, again with only 1 detection point, it should actually work well here, rather than being too easy in Turkey and Canada, 2 tracks where overtaking was already possible.

Should be another close one between the RBR's, Ferraris and McLarens, will also be interested to see if the Mercedes continue to improve and make it 4 teams at the front

[The Black Knight]

its almost a pity that we'll have to rely on the tyres and DRS to make an interesting race out of Valencia. I'd rather see the race being interesting, but I'd also rather not see the race continue there, which will be more likely if we start having interesting races there!

That said i don't think Spain can afford 2 races any longer.

of note, the double DRS zone is back, again with only 1 detection point, it should actually work well here, rather than being too easy in Turkey and Canada, 2 tracks where overtaking was already possible.

Should be another close one between the RBR's, Ferraris and McLarens, will also be interested to see if the Mercedes continue to improve and make it 4 teams at the front

I believe there should be two detection points. Canada was far too easy and made Schumacher a sitting duck after he breaking his balls the entire race. Same for Heidfeld when Schumacher overtook him. That's not racing. In my opinion, if you have two zones, there should be two detection points.

[Garry Walker]

We need more DRS zones

[555-04Q2]

We need more DRS zones

I got a bullet with your name on it :eek: In fact, I got a whole mag I am willing to spare :p :

[AndyL]

Can you all spell safety car period :p :

The question is how many!

[555-04Q2]

The question is how many!

I predict that there will be one safety car intervention this weekend. I have it on good authority from the guy who predicted the end of the world last month :p :

[steveaki13]

Lets hope that we see an interesting race. Does anyone know where the two DRS straights will be, as there are not many straights in Valencia that follow a straight with out alot of corners between them.

[odykas]

Boring track.

Go Schumi :p :

[osg]

Webber on top after FP1, from Petrov and Alonso. Seb P16 and 2.538 back.... 20 laps run from him. Obviously running to a program in that session.

[AndyL]

Theres two fairly long straight straights (if thats possible lol) with hard braking zones, so maybe there?

What worries me is that the straights they're going to use DRS on are not actually straight. The racing line moves side to side on the road. A repeat of the Montreal incident between Hamilton and Button seems a strong possibility.

[555-04Q2]

It's pretty dead around here considering that there is a GP this weekend :s hock:

[Mark]

It's Valencia it's not a proper GP :p

[Mia 01]

Apart from Red Bull, Ferrari seems to be good. Is it time for Fred to win a race this year.

[555-04Q2]

Apart from Red Bull, Ferrari seems to be good. Is it time for Fred to win a race this year.

YES!!!!!

[steveaki13]

I was thinking the DRS zones had to be on one straight after the other, but from what I can gather thesecond zone is after a few corners of the other on the two longer straights.

[steveaki13]

So after all the talk of whether Vettel cracked under the pressure in Canada, he shows he is crumbling now by only securing his 7th pole out of 8, by only 2 tenths of a second. My god it seems Vettel and Red bull can't handle the change of engine mapping in Qualifying.

Anyway seriously it was yet another great pole from Vettel, be interesting if the come under more pressure in the race as has been the case in the last few races.

[ShiftingGears]

It's Valencia it's not a proper GP :p

Ha!

[markabilly]

Boring track

Boring race....

fell asleep, is it over?

[steveaki13]

Boring track

Boring race....

fell asleep, is it over?

Tis now.

Not a classic but a great drive from Sebastian

[markabilly]

yeah, vettel driver of the race............outside of stupid pit work by ferrari and Brawn......not even a good donkey

[ioan]

Not more to say about this race, just a 'Well done Vettel'!

[Dave B]

Exciting start, then an hour and a half of tedium. It's like the old days everyone keeps harking back to!

[steveaki13]

Not more to say about this race, just a 'Well done Vettel'!

No more posts for you today then. :D

[N. Jones]

Nothing can help this track become anything other than "boring".
It seriously needs to go.

Replace it with one of the old tracks! Estoril, Imola, Red Bull Ring (former A1-Ring), Paul Ricard, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez...

ANYTHING than this boredom!

[The Black Knight]

I was at the race in Valencia and my word was that a snoozefest. I'm glad that I'm going to Silverstone in two weeks as well because that race was dreary and I'm sure Silverstone will make up for it.

I agree with N. Jones, it's a race that needs to be scrapped. I'd love to see Imola back on the calendar.

[schmenke]

I fell asleep. The wife woke me up with about two laps to go. I took a quick glance at the standings then switched off the telly. :dozey:

[schmenke]

... I'd love to see Imola back on the calendar.

Yep :up:

[D28]

Valencia is the perfect argument against F1 having another city circuit. It already has about 3 too many for my taste.

[steveaki13]

Yes they seem to bring in a lot of street circuits assuming they will be close fun and tight racing, but other than the original (Monaco) the newer circuits are very dreary. I thought the same about the likes of Phoenix in the early 90's