2013 Japanese GP

[Koz]

No thread yet?? Weird.

Lotus seem very very fast.

[Tazio]

Slash strikes again! :crazy: :vampire:

[Koz]

FI is just cursed.

[Tazio]

...with intrigue? :rolleyes: :stareup:

[Tazio]

qualy| :dork:

[Koz]

...with intrigue? :rolleyes: :stareup:

Curse of the Wereslasher.

[Tazio]

Vettel will lose!

[Koz]

No he won't.
I'll wager your Boss won't be on the first row.

[Tazio]

Wow Fred, just freakin' wow!

[Tazio]

Who cares man we're through!! !

[Koz]

Lotus flying!!

[Koz]

Poor Vettel. KERS failure. :(

[ShiftingGears]

Webber on pole, hopefully the stewards don't decide to dish out a penalty.

[dj_bytedisaster]

Perez was on his inlap, so Mark didn't really block him. A penalty would be ridiculous. Vettel without Kers still faster than the Mercs. Looks like the other teams have given up for good. Should give them a bit of a headstart over RB in 2014 development though.

[N4D13]

I've just realized that Alonso is beating Massa on qualifying performances but he's just 9-6, which is quite worse than in the previous years. However, in race performances, he's beating Felipe 13-1 and that 1 is from Malaysia. So here's a question - is it possible that Zo is finding setups more suited for race performance whereas Massa looks for outright single-lap speed? I'm not really sure this would tell the whole story but then again I wouldn't expect Alonso to have had his worst face-to-face qualifying record in Ferrari so far for no reason, specially when he's pounding Massa in the races.

[dj_bytedisaster]

I've just realized that Alonso is beating Massa on qualifying performances but he's just 9-6, which is quite worse than in the previous years. However, in race performances, he's beating Felipe 13-1 and that 1 is from Malaysia. So here's a question - is it possible that Zo is finding setups more suited for race performance whereas Massa looks for outright single-lap speed? I'm not really sure this would tell the whole story but then again I wouldn't expect Alonso to have had his worst face-to-face qualifying record in Ferrari so far for no reason, specially when he's pounding Massa in the races.

There is more than one variable in that equation. First of all, Alonso isn't the fastest driver over a single lap. Hamilton and Vettel are probably better in that regard. Another thing is, that Alonso's race results are somewhat over-inflated. He made most of his progress on the starts. He often gained a lot of positions at the start and then stayed there for the rest of the race or make up only one further position. On top of that you have the horrible bad luck of Massa: pitted too late in China, blown tyre in Bahrain, guinea pig and subsequent crash in Monaco, gear box failure in Germany, another strategy fail by the team in belgium Q3, having to move over for Alonso in Italy. He makes Mark look like the luckiest driver of the lot... :eek:

[N4D13]

There is more than one variable in that equation. First of all, Alonso isn't the fastest driver over a single lap. Hamilton and Vettel are probably better in that regard. Another thing is, that Alonso's race results are somewhat over-inflated. He made most of his progress on the starts. He often gained a lot of positions at the start and then stayed there for the rest of the race or make up only one further position. On top of that you have the horrible bad luck of Massa: pitted too late in China, blown tyre in Bahrain, guinea pig and subsequent crash in Monaco, gear box failure in Germany, another strategy fail by the team in belgium Q3, having to move over for Alonso in Italy. He makes Mark look like the luckiest driver of the lot... :eek:
Fair enough, you make quite a few good points there! I was convinced that my theory wouldn't explain everything and I sure ignored quite a few inconvenient facts. :p

[dj_bytedisaster]

I'm also quite sure that they compromise the quali of Alonso in favour of a race-optimized setup. ALO usually makes up 3 positions at the start so they can sacrifice a few positions in Q3 to optimize his pace on Sunday. Having MAS ahead gives them more strategic options, too.

[henners88]

I had forgotten there was a race this weekend, in fact I've lost track of the days this week lol. Bonus and I think I'm home for this one! Love Suzuka a real drivers circuit. Vettel for the win again I fear, he always goes well here. Still this track provides some good overtaking with its fast straights and slow cornering, anything could happen :)

[tjoepie]

OK, explain to me again how it's all a conspiracy against Mark Webber...

[dj_bytedisaster]

OK, explain to me again how it's all a conspiracy against Mark Webber...

OK, explain to us, where anyone said that it's all a conspiracy against Mark Webber... :confused:

[jens]

Just to add a quick word in here.
Start will be interesting. Can Webber make a good start for once and is Vettel vulnerable from the dirty side? In any case, if Webber keeps the lead in the race, we can expect another "multi 21" and this time Vettel has no reason to disobey as he is far ahead in the championship standings, so better to secure the points.:)

Grosjean had a big embarrassment last year also from fourth on the grid. Now it is take 2 for him to amend that misjudgement.

Obviously disappointing for Alonso and Räikkönen, but they are always a threat in race trim.

[zako85]

Sadly, Jules Bianchi and Charles Pic both received a 10-place grid penalty for speeding behind the safety car in Korea.

[dj_bytedisaster]

Yeah, thats such a tragedy starting from where they qualified :laugh:

[Whyzars]

OK, explain to me again how it's all a conspiracy against Mark Webber...

There's not a conspiracy against Webber, there's a conspiracy against me!!! :D

I've tipped Webber to win in every Pickem's selection this year. The first time Webber gets poll the Pickem's is cactus and I haven't been able to put an entry in. :laugh:

[N. Jones]

He doesn't have traction control!

[tjoepie]

Whenever anything befalls Mark Webber, everyone rushes in to explain how Red Bull deliberately sabotage Mr. Webber's car, because the Constructor's Championship is completely irrelevant to them.

[driveace]

So will Webber bog down at the start again when he has trouble with the clutch or will the team cock him up on the pit stop ?
My guess is they are happy IF he is second and Vettel wins,and I don't see Webber giving Vettel room if he manages to be leading the race.Could be interesting,BUT if at the end of the first lap if Vettel is leading ,then I am back of to bed !

[donKey jote]

hay gurlz :wave: :D

[Koz]

Whenever anything befalls Mark Webber, everyone rushes in to explain how Red Bull deliberately sabotage Mr. Webber's car, because the Constructor's Championship is completely irrelevant to them.

What if suddenly, as soon as the title is wrapped up,Webber will be on pace with Vettel? :crazy:

[Koz]

AAh! Bernie puppets!!

[webberf1]

I wonder how much Bernie had to pay those 'fans'.

[Tazio]

Sup Boyz? :D

[donKey jote]

earwiggooooo :D

[Koz]

GROSJEAN BABY!

[Koz]

Grosjean will get penalty S1 fastest under yellow?

[Tazio]

Boss gt punked!:dork:

[truefan72]

stupid webber
chops hamilton and causers his tire problem
smh

that idiot can;t retire fast enough with his lousy starts

[donKey jote]

vettel did a kimi :p

stoopid pirelli :sailor:

[Tazio]

Kimi got punked! :dork:

[Koz]

Poor Alonso, why can't he pass Massa??

Where are the team orders?!

[dj_bytedisaster]

stupid webber
chops hamilton and causers his tire problem
smh

that idiot can;t retire fast enough with his lousy starts

Lewis chopped over Vettel's front wing. chipped of some bits off Vettel's wing and slashed his own rear tyre in the process.

[Koz]

Oh, and here they are.

[donKey jote]

Massa strategy A(lonso) :p

[truefan72]

pass him fair and square alonso

as for vettel,. as many of us said, a different racer if he is not leading the race

Hamilton retires
stupid webber

i'm super pissed!!!!!!

[webberf1]

Are Ferrari really stupid enough to be asking Massa to move over? Someone needs to show them the championship standings.

[Tazio]

Mercedes bro suck! :laugh:

[TheFamousEccles]

stoopid truefan - hater gotta hate regardless

[N4D13]

Are Ferrari really stupid enough to be asking Massa to move over? Someone needs to show them the championship standings.
Fernando is faster than him :laugh: and Hülkenberg and Pérez are getting closer. I think it makes all the sense in the world to try to maximize their options. And, well, Hülk is stopping as we speak and he might emerge right in front of the Ferraris. What if they lose positions because of Massa's failure to let Nando by?

[donKey jote]

stoopid truefan - hater gotta hate regardless
:laugh:

[N4D13]

Are Ferrari really stupid enough to be asking Massa to move over? Someone needs to show them the championship standings.
Fernando is faster than him :laugh: and Hülkenberg and Pérez are getting closer. I think it makes all the sense in the world to try to maximize their options. And, well, Hülk is stopping as we speak and he might emerge right in front of the Ferraris. What if they lose positions because of Massa's failure to let Nando by?
Well, so Hülkenberg has overtaken Massa. Consequently, Alonso has lost a (virtual) position to Hülkenberg as well. Priceless. :|

[donKey jote]

Are Ferrari really stupid enough to be asking Massa to move over? Someone needs to show them the championship standings.
Fernando is faster than him :laugh: and Hülkenberg and Pérez are getting closer. I think it makes all the sense in the world to try to maximize their options. And, well, Hülk is stopping as we speak and he might emerge right in front of the Ferraris. What if they lose positions because of Massa's failure to let Nando by?

Nando's getting screwed, no wonder he's off to McLaren :p :sailor:

[TheFamousEccles]

lotus very good stop.

[donKey jote]

stoopid ferrari :laugh:

[truefan72]

grosjean doing what vettel does which is take the lead and run away
good for him, that should tell you something about clean air and a good car
Grsojean looks might impressive

[TheFamousEccles]

vettel looking a little ragged

[TheFamousEccles]

The Gros is looking good @ this point

[donKey jote]

Well, so Hülkenberg has overtaken Massa. Consequently, Alonso has lost a (virtual) position to Hülkenberg as well. Priceless. :|

Alo went .9 faster on Massa's in lap... stoopid Ferrari :dozey:

[dj_bytedisaster]

vettel looking a little ragged

Probably still wonky KERS (car was in parc fermé so they couldn't repair) and HAM chopped over his front wing. All things considering it's not too bad actually. He's still within 3 seconds of GRO.

[donKey jote]

bout bloody time :dozey:

[Whyzars]

The Gros is looking good @ this point

This is modern racing. 10 laps flat out at the start, 10 laps flat out at the end and a whole heap of laps in Prius mode...

2014 should be fun. They'll save enough fuel in the entire season to run a truck for 6 hours. :crazy:

[dj_bytedisaster]

Aussie train

[TheFamousEccles]

quite so, dj

[N4D13]

Massa almost overtook Alonso back when Alo got lodged behind Ricciardo. :D

[TMorel]

Massa's doing a good impression of a racing driver. More please :)

[Tazio]

Felipe, gets punked by Fred again!, and he is very angry :angryfire :p:

[dj_bytedisaster]

Switched to Plan G(reenpeace) : both Red Bulls told to stop pushing and keep 2 seconds to the car infront :hmph:

Thanks for nothing, Pirelli :evil:

[TheFamousEccles]

whats "multi 3"?

[webberf1]

Good racing at the moment :)

:kiss: Suzuka

[donKey jote]

Alo storming now, but stuck behind Hulk
(cheers Massa :p )

[Tazio]

Switched to Plan G(reenpeace) : both Red Bulls told to stop pushing and keep 2 seconds to the car infront :hmph:

Thanks for nothing, Pirelli :evil:

Multi gay mode :sailor: ;)

[TheFamousEccles]

The new F1 2013 game looks good. Stuck in a long ad-break as is usual for Ch10

[TheFamousEccles]

[quote="dj_bytedisaster":dz56flrc]Switched to Plan G(reenpeace) : both Red Bulls told to stop pushing and keep 2 seconds to the car infront :hmph:

Thanks for nothing, Pirelli :evil:

Multi gay mode :sailor: ;)[/quote:dz56flrc]

:D

[dj_bytedisaster]

Doesn't look like mark quite agrees with Plan G :D Could it be that they're trying to switch him to a 3-stopper ?

[donKey jote]

Alo needs in too ...

[N4D13]

My money's on Webber losing positions to Vettel and Grosjean at the end of the race during the last laps on the race due to excessive tyre wear. Does anyone want to bet against me? :D

[Whyzars]

whats "multi 3"?

Mark in 3rd?

[donKey jote]

"We're not racing Mark" :laugh:

[webberf1]

My money's on Webber losing positions to Vettel and Grosjean at the end of the race during the last laps on the race due to excessive tyre wear. Does anyone want to bet against me? :D
I think Grosjean is gonna win this. But I think Vettel will remain 3rd. He won't get past Mark if he keeps flatspotting those tyres.

[webberf1]

Wonder if Ricciardo might have to drop that position? Gained a place by taking extra road.

[webberf1]

I'm surprised this 3-stop strategy seems to be working so well :D

[TheFamousEccles]

My money's on Webber losing positions to Vettel and Grosjean at the end of the race during the last laps on the race due to excessive tyre wear. Does anyone want to bet against me? :D
I think Grosjean is gonna win this. But I think Vettel will remain 3rd. He won't get past Mark if he keeps flatspotting those tyres.

+1

[truefan72]

dumb strategy by renault

if you wanted to do a 3 stopper then they needed to match webber
they got stuck between a 3 and 2 stop strategy and foolishly chose neither
SMH

[truefan72]

typical mclaren nonsense

[TheFamousEccles]

DR to get a drive through. Its a little rough, I thought the pass had been completed before the corner, but obviously I'm wrong

[donKey jote]

Massa donkey-san

[webberf1]

More vettel lockups :eek:
Mark gaining almost a second a lap now

[N4D13]

It's not over yet! We've just forked you over but it's all right mate! :D

[donKey jote]

Rakka on a storm :D

[truefan72]

can lotus please sign hulkenberg and end this needless speculation
the guy is amazing and deserves that seat

[truefan72]

hmm, team vettel with a tactical advantage
he did well to reserve his tires.
and is now going to win the race

foolishly team lotus/grosjean screwed their strategy and are now going to finish third.
if they had stuck with a 2 stop strategy they would have finished first or second

[N4D13]

hmm, team vettel with a tactical advantage
he did well to reserve his tires.
and is now going to win the race

foolishly team lotus/grosjean screwed their strategy and are now going to finish third.
if they had stuck with a 2 stop strategy they would have finished first or second
Let's see if Vettel can actually overtake Grosjean in the track. This is Suzuka!

[dj_bytedisaster]

It's not over yet! We've just forked you over but it's all right mate! :D

Nobody forken him over. They switched one car to a 3-stopper to cover both options against RoGro and if you do that you usually select the car, which has been faster throughout and that's Mark. Switching to a risky 3-stop with the dented car makes no sense.

[TheFamousEccles]

DRS race decided

[donKey jote]

oh well, back to bed :p

nahhh almost forgot! ... MárquezGP in 45 minutes :D

[truefan72]

race over
sigh

good strategy beats useless strategy every day

[N4D13]

It's not over yet! We've just forked you over but it's all right mate! :D

Nobody forken him over. They switched one car to a 3-stopper to cover both options against RoGro and if you do that you usually select the car, which has been faster throughout and that's Mark. Switching to a risky 3-stop with the dented car makes no sense.
The point is that a 3-stopper was about 10 seconds slower. It didn't make any sense to try a strategy which is known to be much slower - unless you just want Webber out of the way.

[truefan72]

if i was webber, i would stay out and manage the tires to the end

... well question answered, since webber's tires seem to be going off now

[dj_bytedisaster]

It's not over yet! We've just forked you over but it's all right mate! :D

Nobody forken him over. They switched one car to a 3-stopper to cover both options against RoGro and if you do that you usually select the car, which has been faster throughout and that's Mark. Switching to a risky 3-stop with the dented car makes no sense.
The point is that a 3-stopper was about 10 seconds slower. It didn't make any sense to try a strategy which is known to be much slower - unless you just want Webber out of the way.

You have no proof that there's any underhanded doings in the mix. To me it just looks like covering all evetualities. And Mark on options now. Aint over yet.

[Tazio]

Fred seems to have stabilized his slight lead over Kimi. Another great race bertween Hulk,
Ice, and Zo :dork:

[TheFamousEccles]

Go Webber - lets have one from the box! :bounce:

[truefan72]

hang on folks, weeber reeeling the pair in with quite some pace

it isn't over yet

[donKey jote]

Fred seems to have stabilized his slight lead over Kimi. Another great race bertween Hulk,
Ice, and Zo :dork:

not bad for the big heavy hulk ! :D

[N4D13]

You have no proof that there's any underhanded doings in the mix. To me it just looks like covering all evetualities. And Mark on options now. Aint over yet.
Obviously not, I don't have any evidence. Still I maintain that there's no point in choosing between a good strategy and a stupid strategy just to keep all bases covered. I don't think they would have ever chosen Vettel to do a 3-stopper. And, guess what? Every time one of the Red Bull cars loses out in strategy, that's Webber. Whether he is in front or behind Vettel is irrelevant - he just seems to get the worst part of it.

[truefan72]

lol vettel panicing
little brat

[dj_bytedisaster]

ND. If Mark wins this, I'll nominate you for donkey of the race :D

[donKey jote]

go Zo ! :D

[N4D13]

dj: fair enough. :D

[Tazio]

Fred punks Hulk!

[truefan72]

webber unable to get by grosjeans
pretty much tells you all you need about webber imo

well race is over
webber doesn't have a clue how to set up a simple drs pass and it will cost him the race

[TheFamousEccles]

did Gros move twice on the straight?

[donKey jote]

Massa's last 10 laps 1-2 sec slower than Alo... stoopid donkeys :dork:

[longisland]

Good traction from Ro Gro's Lotus

[dj_bytedisaster]

What the F Mark? How can you take so long to overtake a lotus on 20 lap old Primes on fresh options?? :eek: :confused:

[TheFamousEccles]

Gros is driving well - pity for webber

[N4D13]

What the F Mark? How can you take so long to overtake a lotus on 20 lap old Primes on fresh options?? :eek: :confused:
It's looking quite weird, specially since the Lotus has the lowest top speed - it's just that Mark can't get close enough on the back straight. Perhaps Grosjean made a mistake when Vettel overtook him? Such a big difference between Vettel and Mark is astonishing, specially when Seb made short work of Romain.

[donKey jote]

too bad gro :(

[truefan72]

lol 5 laps too late for webber
shambolic

[Tazio]

All right my pickems :)

[dj_bytedisaster]

lol 5 laps too late for webber
shambolic

That's a donkey if I ever saw one :hmph: He was 7 seconds behind Vettel with 7 laps to go on fresh options and then gets stuck behind RoGro on ancient tyres. The 3-stopper would have worked out if he would have overtaken earlier.

[donKey jote]

P4 for ALO, 35 sec behind the top 3 :eek:

[N4D13]

lol 5 laps too late for webber
shambolic

That's a donkey if I ever saw one :hmph: He was 7 seconds behind Vettel with 7 laps to go on fresh options and then gets stuck behind RoGro on ancient tyres. The 3-stopper would have worked out if he would have overtaken earlier.
That's assuming he could have overtaken Vettel. That we will never know but I'm positive he wouldn't have made it. That's going to make for a nice what-if. :laugh:

Anyway, do you see my point? Every time Red Bull goes creative with their strategy, it's Webber that loses out. Yes, he's certainly nowhere near Vettel's level but switching Mark to a 3-stopper was totally pointless IMHO.

[donKey jote]

Seb has an itchy bum ? :dork: :laugh:

[truefan72]

oh well
a disappointing race for me

DotR goes to vettel (as much as it loathes me)
did not put a foot wrong, bided his time and then drove away when needed, plus made the 2 stop strategy work and preserved his tires. But those RBR's are in a different league

Lotus now firmly the 2nd best car behind rbr. Who knows where hamilton could have dragged that car too, but it is clear that the lotus is now closer to the rBR's

Hulkenberg another valiant, top seat affirming drive
good job guitterez holding up a less than impressive rosberg.

good night everyone
:(

[jens]

Interesting race, enjoyed it, three different strategies played out at the front.

Grosjean's start was reminiscent of Trulli from Spain 2004 - straight from fourth to first. He resisted well against the RBR pressure in the race, but in the end RBR was too good, enabling them to play around him with strategies.

[dj_bytedisaster]

lol 5 laps too late for webber
shambolic

That's a donkey if I ever saw one :hmph: He was 7 seconds behind Vettel with 7 laps to go on fresh options and then gets stuck behind RoGro on ancient tyres. The 3-stopper would have worked out if he would have overtaken earlier.

Anyway, do you see my point? Every time Red Bull goes creative with their strategy, it's Webber that loses out. Yes, he's certainly nowhere near Vettel's level but switching Mark to a 3-stopper was totally pointless IMHO.

Well if you're going to gamble on strategy, which car will you 'sacrifice'. The one where you best go conservative or the one where a points loss of 2 or 3 points doesn't make a difference? On top of that at the time of the decision Mark was in the better position to make it work (better lap times and closer to RoGro).

[truefan72]

lol 5 laps too late for webber
shambolic

That's a donkey if I ever saw one :hmph: He was 7 seconds behind Vettel with 7 laps to go on fresh options and then gets stuck behind RoGro on ancient tyres. The 3-stopper would have worked out if he would have overtaken earlier.

agreed!

[longisland]

Great stuff from Gutierrez. Finally, he's on the score board! Don't mean to rub salt into Mark's wound. Either RBR 3 stops compromised his rave or maybe Seb's right. He doesn't deserve to win.

[donKey jote]

good night everyone


MotoGP in 20 minutes !

They're all allowed to race and not worry about the tyres, and new kid Márquez is kicking donkey :D

[truefan72]

stupid sky F1 guy says he is disappointed that grosjean "held up" webber and thus denied a possible webber vettel fight
brundle quickly corrects him and says that in his opinion grosjean was driver of the race
SMH

I still think grosjean could have at least finished p2 if he had stuck with a 2 stop strategy
if not even win this race, all he had to do was keep holding off vettel for another 5-6 laps and he would have been in the same boat as vettel ,come out with a slight undercut and take the win
sigh...what could have been

[gm99]

]Anyway, do you see my point? Every time Red Bull goes creative with their strategy, it's Webber that loses out. Yes, he's certainly nowhere near Vettel's level but switching Mark to a 3-stopper was totally pointless IMHO.

It was far from pointless - ultimately, the splitting of the strategy led to a 1-2 finishb for RBR, with their championship contender winning. You can't possibly run a more perfect strategy than that as a team. And Webber has mostly himself to blame that he wasn't in contention for the win in the end.

[jens]

Anyway, do you see my point? Every time Red Bull goes creative with their strategy, it's Webber that loses out. Yes, he's certainly nowhere near Vettel's level but switching Mark to a 3-stopper was totally pointless IMHO.

What should they have done? They needed to undercut Grosjean, otherwise they would have stuck behind him like in the first and second stint.

And Webber couldn't stretch the tyres out as long as Vettel, so staying out far longer wasn't an option either.

[N4D13]

Anyway, do you see my point? Every time Red Bull goes creative with their strategy, it's Webber that loses out. Yes, he's certainly nowhere near Vettel's level but switching Mark to a 3-stopper was totally pointless IMHO.

What should they have done? They needed to undercut Grosjean, otherwise they would have stuck behind him like in the first and second stint.

And Webber couldn't stretch the tyres out as long as Vettel, so staying out far longer wasn't an option either.
Fair enough, guys. I concede defeat! :D I'm just baffled that Webber is always losing out to Vettel in race strategies IMHO. :mad:

[henners88]

Bugger, just turned the tv on and seen the podium before I've watched the race! I'm usually good at this and avoid that sort if thing. Never mind, i'll watch it like I don't know and see you later lol.

[donKey jote]

I'd watch the bikes on BBC2 first :bandit:

[henners88]

I'd watch the bikes on BBC2 first :bandit:
That is recording as usual, shhhhhh ;)

[webberf1]

Anyone else watching MotoGP now?
Awesome so far!

[donKey jote]

Anyone else watching MotoGP now?
Awesome so far!

amazing Lo vs Márquez and viceversa :D

[zako85]

This flow of the race made me think that the Pirelli tires we have right now are a lot better than the lottery tires we had at the beginng of the year. At least I got a feeling that the drivers are racing each other instead of saving the tires, the way it was with the original spec comedy tires in the beginning of season.

[ShiftingGears]

Anyone else watching MotoGP now?
Awesome so far!

Great duel. The last hour in particular of the Bathurst 1000 was incredible also.

[steveaki13]

Hi all.

I know its late but hey I will give you a run down of my thoughts on the race.

I enjoyed the race a lot. It wasn't a crazy Japanese GP like other years, but it was a good tactical race. Seb was not his 100% self, but still showed how super fast he is and won nicely after saving those tyres.

Webber was ruined by his use of tyres and 3 stopper. While Grosjean was brilliant. He was unlucky on strategy and deserves a load of credit. I mean he kept that race exciting by being the only guy who could even see the Bulls. Great Drive.

Some bizzare happenings in Practice but everyone drove well in the race.

Such a shame for Lewis he might have also kept pace with the front 3.

Oh well hopefully I will be around for the next race rather than turning up a week late.