2014 USA GP Thread

[steveaki13]

So after a three week break, we move into the last few weeks of another season.

I cannot believe how quick it has gone.

Sad state of affairs with only 18 cars showing up. Caterham & Marussia both missing and I for one will miss them



1
Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes
291


2
Nico Rosberg
Mercedes
274


3
Daniel Ricciardo
Red Bull
199


4
Valterri Bottas
Williams
145


5
Sebastian Vettel
Red Bull
143


6
Fernando Alonso
Ferrari
141


7
Jenson Button
Mclaren
94


8
Nico Hulkenberg
Force India
76


9
Felipe Massa
Williams
71


10
Kevin Magnussen
Mclaren
49


11
Sergio Perez
Force India
47


12
Kimi Raikkonen
Ferrari
47


13
Jean Eric Vergne
Toro Rosso
21


14
Romain Grosjean
Lotus
8


15
Danii Kyvat
Toro Rosso
8


16
Jules Bianchi
Marussia
2


17
Adrian Sutil
Sauber
0


18
Marcus Ericcson
Caterham
0


19
Pastor Maldonado
Lotus
0


20
Esteban Gutierrez
Sauber
0


21
Max Chilton
Marussia
0


22
Kamui Kobayashi
Caterham
0


23
Andre Lotterer
Caterham
0





1
Mercedes
565


2
Red Bull
342


3
Williams
216


4
Ferrari
188


5
Mclaren
143


6
Force India
123


7
Toro Rosso
29


8
Lotus
8


9
Marussia
2


10
Sauber
0


11
Caterham
0



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/Austin_circuit.svg/640px-Austin_circuit.svg.png

56 Laps

Lap Record: 1:39:347- Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull

Session Times - Local & (Uk -Sorry :vampire:)

FP1: 10:00-11:30 - (15:00 - 16:30)
FP 2: 14:00-15:30 -(19:00-20:30)

FP3: 10:00-11:00 - (15:00-16:00)
Quali: 13:00 - (18:00)

Race: 14:00 - (20:00)

Previous Winners

2012: Lewis Hamilton - Mclaren
2013: Sebastian Vettel - Red Bull

Multiple Winners

Michael Schumacher - 5 wins
Graham Hill - 3 wins
Jim Clark - 3 wins
Jackie Stewart - 2 wins
James Hunt - 2 wins
Carlos Reutemann - 2 wins
Ayrton Senna - 2 wins
Lewis Hamilton - 2 wins

Ferrari - 9 wins
Lotus - 8 wins
Mclaren - 8 wins
BRM - 3 wins
Tyrell - 2 wins




So there we go. 3 Rounds left and yet with double points we have no sign of who will win the Championship.

I hope you enjoy the race

[Duncan]

Yes, be a shame not to have Caterham and Marussia there, but it looks like they just don't have the money. Sauber and Lotus aren't looking too great either.

Anyway, for this circuit I've got to pick Lewis and Nico closely followed by Valtteri and Felipe. There's always a possibility of Nico and Lewis coming together on the first corner and taking each other out, but I'm kind of assuming that at this stage of the season it's in both their interests to be careful. But who knows?

[Brown, Jon Brow]

The problem with this circuit is that it is so wide the cars look like toys!

[The Black Knight]

Looking forward to this GP. I really like this track and I think the first race here was an awesome drive by Lewis to win. Hopefully it will be a clean fight for the two Mercedes drivers. Lewis only needs a race win and two second places to win the championship now even with the retarded double points rule. Since Nico has not managed to win back to back races this year it's looking good for him but needs to keep on driving like he is for the next 4 weeks and a half weeks!

It's tragic that Marussia won't be there. Of all the back runner teams you always felt they were the ones that might break it into the midfield. Caterham having been mismanaged I can't see them surviving but hopefully Marussia will pull through.

[Doc Austin]

Sad state of affairs with only 18 cars showing up. Caterham & Marussia both missing and I for one will miss them.

I won't really miss them because they were never a factor. The biggest news either team has ever produced was one ninth place finish. The only time you see either team is when they are getting lapped.

Of course, I feel really back for everyone who might lose their job, be it drivers, mechanics or engineers. I am certainly not callous about that aspect of this mess.

The problem for these teams is that they can't generate the kind of funding it takes to compete at this level. In fact, it's more than they can do just to merely show up. Is this because they are inept at raising funding, or is this because the cost of F1 is so ridiculously high?

The problem of teams coming and going is never going to end as long as Bernie has an attitude that as much as amounts to "**** 'em." All the money that cat makes and he let the original Lotus and Brabham teams disappear. Certainly it's not Bernie's business to burn money on teams that are going broke, but if he will let those two teams slide off into history, don't expect him to help Caterham or Marussia.

In fact,. I think Bernie wants all the small teams to go broke so he can have his three car teams. Maybe he thinks it's better than all we have in F1 is big, glamorous names, even if it's only two or three of them. You know, Ferrari, McLaren and Williams running seven car apiece.

It is not hard to imagine Sauber or Lotus dropping out in the off season, and who even knows what kind of financial trouble Force India has. Those three teams are probably on the teetering point, and if you take them out, we're down to 12 cars.

Basically, there is not enough money out there to finance 22 cars on an unlimited budget. The world economy sucks right now, so it's not like the 80s when there was so much money we had to have pre-qualifying before qualifying. That would be a nice problem to have, but we are never going to have that kind of grid again even in good times if it's still too dammed expensive.

[Bagwan]

There is enough money out there , if there was a budget cap .

As it is , the ones who win are the manufacturers , but only really because they can call it exposure .
It's all bent towards them to start off so they won't leave , but they spend it all to win .

You have to have Bull dollars to get into the real money at the front , and patience money , too , because you don't get your cut until you've been around long enough .


It's time soon for a crisis meeting , where the remote possibility of some common sense prevailing could be on the cards .
We have two definitely down , and a few more not very healthy .

Sauber , Lotus , and Force India should be able , easily , to make the cost cap case very real to all those involved .
And , to be sure , right now is the time , as they are due to sign on to next year on November 1st .

[Duncan]

There is plenty of cash being generated by F1 as a sport to finance all of the teams, but the distribution is so heavily weighted in favor of the most successful teams that it appears effectively impossible for new entrants to climb the ladder. There's always going to be a good deal of advantage given to the highest performing teams having the greatest access to development funds, but the dropoff towards the back of the grid is just too steep. You can lay blame at the door of team management in some cases, but it looks like we'll be starting next year without any of the three recent new teams with HRT, Caterham and Marussia biting the dust in order. At some point you have to conclude that the problem is systemic and not specific.

I really don't think the issue is overall lack of money in the sport. It's the distribution...

[steveaki13]

I won't really miss them because they were never a factor. The biggest news either team has ever produced was one ninth place finish. The only time you see either team is when they are getting lapped.




And so half the entries in F1 history are meaningless, do know why they all bothered.

Sorry but I dislike this attitude. F1 has forever seen teams like them involved and IMO its a damn sight better for them being around.

[dj_bytedisaster]

And so half the entries in F1 history are meaningless, do know why they all bothered.

Sorry but I dislike this attitude. F1 has forever seen teams like them involved and IMO its a damn sight better for them being around.

Agree. Such cyniscism is ridiculous. Especially considering that the three new teams in 2010 were lured in under false premises. Word was there would be a cost cap - it never came.

[Doc Austin]

Sorry but I dislike this attitude. F1 has forever seen teams like them involved and IMO its a damn sight better for them being around.

I never said I wanted them gone or didn't care. I just won't miss them. It's not like the battle for 20th gets a lot of TV time, does it?

Perhaps you did not read my entire post.

[dj_bytedisaster]

I never said I wanted them gone or didn't care. I just won't miss them. It's not like the battle for 20th gets a lot of TV time, does it?

Perhaps you did not read my entire post.

You will miss them when that 3-car dreck is put in action and we get to see three Mercedes on the podium every other week.

[Tazio]

And against this backdrop today we have:
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2014/10/29/Franchises/Haas-F1-Jacobs.aspx
Interesting times ahead for U.S. open wheel racing, I guess we'll see if Gene has crystal balls :confused: :angel:

[Tazio]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B1Hc9PqIgAEURgp.png:large

The Boss wearing a silly hat (IMO) on The Today Show this morning! :angel:

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/29/video-lewis-hamilton-on-today-show-talks-about-f1-in-the-u-s/

[Duncan]

And against this backdrop today we have:
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2014/10/29/Franchises/Haas-F1-Jacobs.aspx
Interesting times ahead for U.S. open wheel racing, I guess we'll see if Gene has crystal balls :confused: :angel:

...and a couple of drivers with big brass ones. :angel:

[Duncan]

Just finished watching free practice one from turn 12 here at COTA. Great place to sit- you can see about half the track from here. Very noticeable how much quieter the cars are now...

Lotus are trying out an alternative to the bonkers double nose. Didn't seem to help much. Mercedes fast all session, along with McLaren and Ferrari. Williams surprisingly nowhere all session.

[Duncan]

Hamilton spent much of FP2 in the pits with some kind of issue, but still posted the fastest time of the session. Williams started to look better, and Kvyat was impressive again.

Also notable that both Lotus cars seemed to be running brakes hotter than everybody else. For the most part I only saw glowing brake discs from Grosjean and Maldonado.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

A hydraulic issue for Hamilton. Mercedes over a second faster than everyone else.

[Tazio]

Hamilton spent much of FP2 in the pits with some kind of issue, but still posted the fastest time of the session. Williams started to look better, and Kvyat was impressive again.

Also notable that both Lotus cars seemed to be running brakes hotter than everybody else. For the most part I only saw glowing brake discs from Grosjean and Maldonado.Hope you're having a ball Dunc'!! :angel:

[Duncan]

Hope you're having a ball Dunc'!! :angel:

Oh yeah. Nothing quite like seeing the cars up close... :-)

[steveaki13]

Now talk of F1 having only 14 cars next year and protests and Sauber, Lotus & Force India muting a withdrawal and their co owner saying F1 2015 will have to be different.

Worrying times for F1.

I wonder if when Bernie goes something will change to make F1 easier for new teams/smaller teams

[jens]

I wonder if when Bernie goes something will change to make F1 easier for new teams/smaller teams

Well, he but most of all FIA has to do something, because they need to guarantee 20 cars from what I can understand. Obviously a couple of races can be an exception, but not when the new season starts next year and entry list is empty.

So it is the matter of finding new (competent, competitive) teams or enforcing third cars... But that will be the discussion for the 2015 season.

[Tazio]

P3 Dunc', the weather looks nice!!!

Crap, I guess I have to be a Mercedes Honk now :mad:


Mercedes AMG will take a 25 per cent stake in MV Agusta as it looks to emulate rivals Audi with a move into the motorcycling market.

The deal will see Daimler AG's performance arm, Mercedes-AMG (which runs the marque's F1 effort), enter into a long-term partnership with the iconic Italian manufacturer. The partnership will also see Mercedes-AMG acquire a 25 per cent interest in MV Agusta Motor S.p.A.

Mercedes-AMG's move comes after rivals Audi completed the purchase of Ducati in 2012 for more than £700 million, though no figures of this deal were disclosed.

“In MV Agusta, we have found the perfect two-wheel partner for Mercedes-AMG,” said Mercedes-AMG Chief Executive Tobias Moers. “This manufacturer with a long tradition and Mercedes-AMG are connected not only by a long and successful racing history, but also by shared values and goals for the future – allowing the experience of utmost perfection, optimal performance and motorsport technology for the road. The cooperation with MV Agusta also underscores the importance of AMG as the sports-car and high-performance brand of Mercedes-Benz Cars. The partnership provides us with an entry into a world of additional high-performance enthusiasts
http://i.imgur.com/dU2kG9V.jpg?2

:angel:

[Duncan]

FP3 was interesting. Hamilton had a spin right in front of where we were sitting. Williams appeared where I expexted them to be behind Mercedes and ahead of Ferrari. Lotus have reverted to the double nose...

Times were all over the place until the last ten minutes when everybody put on soft tires and did a few quick laps. No real suprises in the order in the end.

[steveaki13]

Quali time

Its just whether Lewis can cope and get the expected pole.

Having been in front all weekend.

[Tazio]

Quali Steve!@! :stareup:

[steveaki13]

Vettel looking relaxed. He will be happy to have some fun from the back I guess.

Grosjean looking wayward

[Tazio]

:wave: :angel:

[Tazio]

Typical if Alonso does his best time in Q2. Why does he always do dat! :crazy: :p:

[steveaki13]

Hamilton calling his car a "thing" (this things got a vibration)

Plenty of others would fancy a go in that thing :p

What a lap by Rosberg 1:36.2

[Tazio]

Right Steve, and Slash made it into Q3!! :eek: ;)

[donKey jote]

Well done Nico. Ham will be scrubbing his tyres tonight :-p

[Tazio]

Well done Nico. Ham will be scrubbing his tyres tonight :-pSpanky, spanky!! :angel:

[The Black Knight]

Well done to Nico - he managed to convincingly beat Lewis today without cheating. Lewis's car didn't look as well balanced as Nico's from the on board camera. He was locking that front left continually. It's be an interesting race tomorrow. Hopefully Lewis will win and pull out the gap to a point where two second places will do him in the final two races.

[Duncan]

Wow @ Maldonado. I'm not exactly his biggest fan, but he managed to wring a lot out of that car today.

[mr_swiss]

Wow @ Maldonado. I'm not exactly his biggest fan, but he managed to wring a lot out of that car today.

As did Sutil

[journeyman racer]

Hamilton's been fastest in each practice session, then Rosberg gets pole by 4/10ths?


Hmmm...

[rjbetty]

I'm still totally convinced Nico will end up with the most points after Abu Dhabi.

[The Black Knight]

I'm still totally convinced Nico will end up with the most points after Abu Dhabi.

It's a possibility. It would be a tragedy for the sport to have someone that cheated throughout the year as champion. It's not a good image for te a sport to have. The deserving driver that has won 9 races this year and not cheated in the process should win but ya know sport is not always fair. I guess we'll know in three weeks time :)

However, given the commercial benefits to Merc of having a German WDC, it is strange that Hamilton once again develops further brake problems when it matters in qualifying. He had some all weekend but exacerbated in qualifying - odd.

It does show though that there is something very wrong with the points system when a guy that has 9 race wins, including won 4 races twice in a row, compared to another guys scattered 4 race wins, may still lose the WDC. It coneys to me that the points gulf between first and second place isn't enough under the current points system.

[Zico]

Screw this, I'm moving from the middle over to the dark side to even things up on here.. ;)


Hamilton's been fastest in each practice session, then Rosberg gets pole by 4/10ths?


Hmmm...


Nico is just the better driver and was obviously hiding these 2 tenths through the practice sessions (where it didn't matter) to totally demoralise Hamilton in Q3 forcing the inferior Lewis to whine like the baby he is that he had brake problems. You'd think he would have learned by now not to display all his cards (trace data) until it really mattered.

Merc will still sabotage Nicos race again today though because the team boss's need to further penalise Nico for Hamiltons mistake at Spa and also justify paying Lewis's higher wage to the Merc board. I honestly don't get it, you'd think a German team would be proud of their nationality, motorsport history and pedigree and allow their 'teutonic' driver to take the wins and WDC he so obviously deserves for Mercedes and the fatherland.

[jens]

One thing is sure. Whenever one driver beats another, it is always conspiracy. No other option. This means there is conspiracy all the time, because always somebody beats somebody else!

[zako85]

There is plenty of cash being generated by F1 as a sport to finance all of the teams, but the distribution is so heavily weighted in favor of the most successful teams that it appears effectively impossible for new entrants to climb the ladder. There's always going to be a good deal of advantage given to the highest performing teams having the greatest access to development funds, but the dropoff towards the back of the grid is just too steep. You can lay blame at the door of team management in some cases, but it looks like we'll be starting next year without any of the three recent new teams with HRT, Caterham and Marussia biting the dust in order. At some point you have to conclude that the problem is systemic and not specific.

I really don't think the issue is overall lack of money in the sport. It's the distribution...


Bernie and the top teams always rub each other's back. Bernie gives them money. In return they agree to some of his retarded antics, like the double points finishes in the last race.

[zako85]

It's a possibility. It would be a tragedy for the sport to have someone that cheated throughout the year as champion. It's not a good image for te a sport to have.

This image exists only in your mind.

[Zico]

This image exists only in your mind.


...and the minds of thousands of others. ;)


Whether Nico cheated or not and regardless of what happens, the double pointer in Abu Dhabi is still farcical in my eyes and has really put a dampener on my enthusiasm for the so called 'sport'.

[airshifter]

One thing is sure. Whenever one driver beats another, it is always conspiracy. No other option. This means there is conspiracy all the time, because always somebody beats somebody else!

Maybe it livens things up for some people, but I prefer to just live in the reality of what it is. Drivers racing win some, and lose some.

[zako85]

...and the minds of thousands of others. ;)


Whether Nico cheated or not and regardless of what happens, the double pointer in Abu Dhabi is still farcical in my eyes and has really put a dampener on my enthusiasm for the so called 'sport'.


I agree with you on the issue of the double points finish. If Nico wins the WDC because of double points, it will be unfair and unsporting. So far Hamilton remains the most deserving candidate to win this years title. However, agreeing with the ridiculousness of the Abu Dhabi points does not really give anyone right to label Rosberg as a cheater. To this point I still don't get how so many people have fantasized that an average incident, by open wheel standards, at Spa was actually both intentional and cheating. If I was paid one buck for every punctured or broken nose in open wheel racing, I could buy myself a rib eye steak today :-)

[Tazio]

It's a possibility. It would be a tragedy for the sport to have someone that cheated throughout the year as champion. It's not a good image for te a sport to have.


This image exists only in your mind.

+1
A tragedy more mythical than anything that came out of Athens in the 5th century BCE.

[Doc Austin]

It would be a tragedy for the sport to have someone that cheated throughout the year as champion.

Probably would not be the first time. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Formula_One_cheating_controversy)

[jens]

If you look at history, there have been many controversial titles.

In 2003 Schumacher's title was tainted, because Michelin tyres got banned before the Italian GP.
In 2009 Button's title was tainted, because the double-diffusers were not banned.
In 2013 Vettel's title was tainted, because Pirelli replaced its tyres mid-season to "benefit RBR". Plus in some other season Red Bull arguably had flexi-wings or whatever.
In 1989 Prost's title was tainted, because arguably Balestre supported him all the way and disqualified Senna from Suzuka.
In 1990 Senna's title was tainted, because he deliberately crashed into Prost.
In 1981 Piquet's title was tainted, because Brabham exploited a loophole to design a car to get around 'sliding skirts' ban.

And more...

People may have been forgotten about these things by now, but when the seasons were on-going, there was heavy ongoing upheaval about these issues.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Thank god, that woman has stopped that awful singing!

[dj_bytedisaster]

Damn she is crap at her job. Haven't heard the anthem farted like that since the unhinged Aerosmith dude at Indianapolis.

[Tazio]

dawgs :wave:

[Koz]

Hey guys!

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Damn she is crap at her job. Haven't heard the anthem farted like that since the unhinged Aerosmith dude at Indianapolis.

What's wrong with having an orchestra playing the national anthem? Like every other GP.

[donKey jote]

Hay girls :wave:

[Koz]

Will Nico survive into the first corner? :o

[Tazio]

'sup Koz? Let's go racing. Where is Steve?

[andyone]

ok now the wait is over.. formation lap now

[Tazio]

I think this is Nico's race to lose. If Bottas gets past The Boss on the clean side it could be game over!

[dj_bytedisaster]

Perez *facepalm*

[dj_bytedisaster]

Donkey of the race already decided. Colliding with two in a single corner is quite an achievement. What a plonker!

[Tazio]

Checo you dummy!!

[TheFamousEccles]

Once again less than a lap before SC, because of a hothead who should have learned by now!

[Tazio]

Felipe baby :sailor:

[steveaki13]

Hi everyone, sorry I am late. I was at Brands Hatch today and just got back in time before the start.

Stupid move by Perez. Donkey already and poor Sutil smashed out.

Anyway racing again

[Brown, Jon Brow]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/p180x540/11021_10152850719783028_4367955731438544851_n.jpg? oh=7977a92625692449f8240bceb1604ef0&oe=54EFD135&__gda__=1423457506_7aab67a32522c0c43477c5bbaa84efb 7

The best way to spend a Sunday!!!!

[steveaki13]

Ricciardo more brilliant moves.

Great stuff

[steveaki13]

already more interesting than Russia:\\

[dj_bytedisaster]

already more interesting than Russia:\\

Watching paint dry is more interesting than Russia.

[Koz]

Felipe, Bottas is faster than you!!

[donKey jote]

:yawn:

Call me when the paint dries

:dozey:

[dj_bytedisaster]

Wonder what Merc will come up with to correct the order of running

[Tazio]

Felipe, Bottas is faster than you!!Is he Koz
? It seems like he is losing a little ground!

[N4D13]

Since RTL's live feed isn't working really well tonight, I'm following a stream from Venezuela. Let me assure you - no matter how bad your commenters are, they can't beat Milka Duno and whatsisname.

[Koz]

He was a few laps ago... Did the tyres just start falling off?

[dj_bytedisaster]

Since RTL's live feed isn't working really well tonight, I'm following a stream from Venezuela. Let me assure you - no matter how bad your commenters are, they can't beat Milka Duno and whatsisname.

Oh dear, Milka Duno is capital punishment...

[Tazio]

Since RTL's live feed isn't working really well tonight, I'm following a stream from Venezuela. Let me assure you - no matter how bad your commenters are, they can't beat Milka Duno and whatsisname.
Sky: http://www.vipleague.se/motorsports/183234/1/f1-grand-prix-tv---practices,-qualifying-and-races-live-stream-online.html

[dj_bytedisaster]

Listening to Vettel-RB radio is like watching a break-up

[Mark]

Battle for the lead is on

[Mark]

Yes!

[donKey jote]

Did I just miss something? :p

[donKey jote]

Nico fell asleep :laugh:

[Mark]

Did I just miss something? :p

No nothing :D

[steveaki13]

Damn Dj, Mercedes invented DRS to screw Nico over. ;)

[andyone]

hamilton through awesome

[dj_bytedisaster]

Vettel's been punked by a Lotus - how shit is that car??

[Koz]

Alonso! :D

[steveaki13]

Blimey, Vettel can barely keep that car on the race track.

Such curious problems. Not that Red Bull would care now.

[Koz]

Lotus :D

[dj_bytedisaster]

LOL, Button :D Epic radio message

[Zico]

What a huge leap forward in performance by Lotus, great stuff!

[andyone]

lol.. Jenson Button.. " are you sure"

[steveaki13]

Anyone else looking at the amount of drivers going off track and thinking that these drivers are unable to actually stay on track for more than a lap?

I mean mistakes galore with no gravel or grass, and so we see sloppy driving all over. skill levels of drivers dropping these days. No wonder 14 year olds can get into F1 :rolleyes:

[donKey jote]

Jenson having a moan :p

[Tazio]

Seems like Felipe is spanking VB

[dj_bytedisaster]

Vettel 1sec faster after the stop despite same tyres. Must have been a shockingly bad set before. I thought such things shouldn't happen anymore in this day and age..

[Koz]

Williams... Disgraceful.

[steveaki13]

Williams every pit stop letting Red Bull jump them.

Bit of a joke

[dj_bytedisaster]

MB ceasing to sandbag and utterly spanking the field...

[dj_bytedisaster]

Watching Vettel struggle around with a Monza rear wing is just ridiculous...

[donKey jote]

Kimi gets punked by Kyvi:p

[Tazio]

Kimi gets punked by Kyvi:pSmoked!

[donKey jote]

Smoked!
Lapped?

[Mark]

Worth staying up for. Well done Hamilton!

[donKey jote]

Alo told to give it to vet :p

[Zico]

Maldo ignoring the blue flags to overtake Button as he slowed for them? Charlie must do something about that.

[gm99]

It was too late to make sense. They just fucked up his race.

No, they didn't. He finished 7th, which was exactly the position he was in before the stop.

[Tazio]

Alo told to give it to vet :p:rotflmao:

[truefan72]

lol @ dj_bytedisaster

that strategy worked out perfectly for Vettel and RBR
at least admit you were wrong

[jens]

Wow, what a fight in the midfield. Fantastic stuff! How did Vettel end up 7th after that lol? Was cheering for Grosjean there, shame his steering got bent in the end. But that's tough racing, and good so see it.:) All the way till the end the order was unclear.

[Koz]

Fuck knows what RB were trying to do. What the hell was that? At least he took the fl with him. I can't make sense of that lot lately...

FFS man, are you retarded?

Vettel nearly got Alonso - best of the rest, why the hell are you whining?

[dj_bytedisaster]

Ouch, Rosberg is pissed off.

[truefan72]

FFS man, are you retarded?

Vettel nearly got Alonso - best of the rest, why the hell are you whining?

who knows koz

[dj_bytedisaster]

FFS man, are you retarded?

Vettel nearly got Alonso - best of the rest, why the hell are you whining?

very simple. He was 7th before the pitstop driving the same times as all others around him. Where's the point in risking that if you come from the back, especially when you already had one foul set of tyres?

[jens]

very simple. He was 7th before the pitstop driving the same times as all others around him. Where's the point in risking that if you come from the back, especially when you already had one foul set of tyres?

Well, unlike us they had the tyre degradation data and feared Vettel may not make it to end. Look at how Button struggled and dropped. Magnussen held on, but Vettel's tyres may have been in worse state at that stage, we do not know. Vettel's gamble looked strange, but in critical situations you may need to make marginal decisions. And as we see, it worked out. Fresh tyres really gave a good boost.

[truefan72]

Well, unlike us they had the tyre degradation data and feared Vettel may not make it to end. Look at how Button struggled and dropped. Magnussen held on, but Vettel's tyres may have been in worse state at that stage, we do not know. Vettel's gamble looked strange, but in critical situations you may need to make marginal decisions. And as we see, it worked out. Fresh tyres really gave a good boost.

and may we remind him vettel pitted ages ago and those tires would have gone off the cliff before the end...like kimi's did

[Brown, Jon Brow]

A good podium for Ricciardo, beating the Willys in a slower car. Perhaps Team Willy lost it by themselves though.

[dj_bytedisaster]

Well, unlike us they had the tyre degradation data and feared Vettel may not make it to end. Look at how Button struggled and dropped. Magnussen held on, but Vettel's tyres may have been in worse state at that stage, we do not know. Vettel's gamble looked strange, but in critical situations you may need to make marginal decisions. And as we see, it worked out. Fresh tyres really gave a good boost.

Button's tyres were older than Vettel's The thing I just don't like is that RB used him as a strategy guinea pig throughout the season, resulting in things like himbeing humiliated like at Monza. I think it is classless doing that to a guy who gave you 4 world titles.

[Koz]

very simple. He was 7th before the pitstop driving the same times as all others around him. Where's the point in risking that if you come from the back, especially when you already had one foul set of tyres?

No. Because if he was left out and passed by anyone, you'd be whining that they screwed him by leaving him out. No matter what happens you are always on the same crap, and this is just..
You have a lot of good to say, but man the fanaticism is just...

[Doc Austin]

No one can say that pottymouth Ted doesn't have a colorful vocabulary.

[truefan72]

A good podium for Ricciardo, beating the Willys in a slower car. Perhaps Team Willy lost it by themselves though.

as always team williams lost it in the pits and poor race strategy

[truefan72]

I like how all the sky pundits are now singing a different song. they all predicted rosberg to win.
now hill and blundell are talking like they knew hamilton was going to win.

Its all good. It was a clean race, the only shame for today was the missing teams

[steveaki13]

Amazing. Hamilton 10 wins now to Rosberg's 4 and still the title is close. Thats a weird thing to consider, considering Hamilton only has 3 v 2 retirements.

[jens]

Amazing. Hamilton 10 wins now to Rosberg's 4 and still the title is close. Thats a weird thing to consider, considering Hamilton only has 3 v 2 retirements.

Also it is worth considering that second place is worth 72% of winner's points. So it is not that bad - or like the previous system, where second place was worth 80%. Though it is not quite 60% (10-6) or 66 2/3 (9-6) either, somewhere inbetween.

Simply shows that if you can finish second absolutely consistently, you can hang within striking distance of the leader. The issue is that this season is odd. Because Mercedes dominates so badly. That's why Rosberg can be second all the time. In most seasons however the competition is more diverse and if you have a significant amount of wins, you usually pull out a big gap, because your rival is unlikely to finish right behind you all the time. Although Räikkönen with only a single win took it down to the wire in 2003, when Schumacher won 6 races.

[jens]

I also remember WRC 2008. Loeb won how many rallies? I lost count, it must have been over 10. Hirvonen won just 2 or 3. But the Finn almost took it down to the wire by consistently finishing on the podium and capitalizing on an odd Loeb retirement.

[dj_bytedisaster]

No. Because if he was left out and passed by anyone, you'd be whining that they screwed him by leaving him out. No matter what happens you are always on the same crap, and this is just..
You have a lot of good to say, but man the fanaticism is just...

I mainly react to what was a constant throughout the season and that was RB trying extreme strategies on him and it rarely worked out.

[The Black Knight]

Awesome awesome race.

Absolutely great driving by both Mercedes drivers but yet again the better driver won. Two second places is all that is needed now for Hammy to win the WDC.

Great racing throughout the pack. I love the US Grand Prix - has given us great races out front two out of three years. Pity all new circuits aren't like Austin!

[airshifter]

As usual for the USGP some good racing through the field. I really like that drivers can make so many areas passing zones, as it livens things up quite a bit.

Good drives by all up front. Shame that Williams don't get their strategy and pit stops down a little better, but at least they have a car to fight with. Mercedes seemed to not have all that much pace in hand until near the end, then showed their hand some when Rosberg was chasing Lewis.

Some good wheel to wheel battles between Alonso and Button, as well as a couple of others. It made up for a few stupid punts such as the move by Checo.

I'm starting to think Sebastian is much like Lewis, and his head gets in the way of a good drive sometimes. Whining about the car while coming from the back of the pack to 7th does no good at all, other than to show how easy some are defeated when everything doesn't go their way. Just shut up and drive!


IIRC I think two or three drivers beat the old lap record.

[Duncan]

Amazing. Hamilton 10 wins now to Rosberg's 4 and still the title is close. Thats a weird thing to consider, considering Hamilton only has 3 v 2 retirements.

Interesting to note that even if Hamilton wins at Interlagos and Rosberg has a DNF at that race, the points gap would still be exactly one point shy of making Hamilton the world champ because of the double points at Abu Dhabi.

Anyway, whatever. A great race, and particularly for me personally since it was the first time I actually got to see a race at the track. I've been an F1 fan my entire life (literally - from the youngest age I used to sit in front of the TV with my dad at weekends and watch F1) but I've never made it to a race until this weekend. Definitely puts a whole new perspective on everything.

Lewis really never looked troubled at all. Even when he was behind Rosberg I just got the sense that he was only waiting for the right moment to make his move. Once he did, he immediately pulled out a gap - there was a meaningful gap even as they went round turn 15 after making the pass at turn 12 - and then looked like he was managing a gap of about 2 - 2.5 seconds and pretty much just winding down the laps to the end of the race. Nico's morale must be a little destroyed at this point, and I kind of think that's intentional on Lewis' part.

Apart from that, I noticed again that both of the Lotus's had brightly glowing brake discs as they came into turn 12, consistently. Almost nobody else did, and certainly not consistently. I was half expecting to see one of them go straight on into the turn 12 gravel trap in a cloud of black dust. Anybody know what that's about?

[Tazio]

Dunc' I haven't read anything specifically about the subject of Lotus' glowing brakes, but I would hazard a guess that it could be something like trying to reduce drag by using smaller brake ducts to lessen their straight line speed deficit.

[journeyman racer]

Race starts 7am here. I was watching it. I see Rosberg is leading Hamilton by 1+ secs. Coverage goes to a commercial break. I switch over to see the nfl. It has the last couple of minutes of the Vikings/Redskins game. I watch the end of that. Switch it back over. I see the Hamilton is now leading by 1+secs, and that how it is for the rest of the race. I'm left miffed.

[journeyman racer]

I note that the points standings could lead to a situation where Rosberg could dnf in Brazil and Hamilton could win, then the reverse could happen in AD, which would mean Rosbrg picks up the title by one point! Us neutrals know that Hamilton has done more to earn the title, relative to Rosberg. But we know that hardened Hamilton fans deserve the situation I stated to happen :p

Is it too good to be true? I don't know. You know what would be particularly funny? If Rosberg makes a blatant howler of a driving error that costs him points in Brazil, to then go on and win in AD, while Hamilton retires form the lead in AD! :p

Come on Racing Gods! Make it happen!

[Duncan]

I note that the points standings could lead to a situation where Rosberg could dnf in Brazil and Hamilton could win, then the reverse could happen in AD, which would mean Rosbrg picks up the title by one point! Us neutrals know that Hamilton has done more to earn the title, relative to Rosberg. But we know that hardened Hamilton fans deserve the situation I stated to happen :p

Is it too good to be true? I don't know. You know what would be particularly funny? If Rosberg makes a blatant howler of a driving error that costs him points in Brazil, to then go on and win in AD, while Hamilton retires form the lead in AD! :p

Come on Racing Gods! Make it happen!

Yes, this was what I was suggesting earlier. More to the point, there is no result in Brazil that makes Hamilton safe in the event of his having a DNF at Abu Dhabi. If he were to retire, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think that Nico would go on to win assuming he didn't also have a retirement. That would hand Nico the title irrespective of what happens next week.

[Edit] But no, I'm not suggesting that would be a good thing. It would turn the season into a farce...

[Storm]

Interesting to note that even if Hamilton wins at Interlagos and Rosberg has a DNF at that race, the points gap would still be exactly one point shy of making Hamilton the world champ because of the double points at Abu Dhabi.

Anyway, whatever. A great race, and particularly for me personally since it was the first time I actually got to see a race at the track. I've been an F1 fan my entire life (literally - from the youngest age I used to sit in front of the TV with my dad at weekends and watch F1) but I've never made it to a race until this weekend. Definitely puts a whole new perspective on everything.


Just goes to show how silly the double point thing is :(

As for getting to your 1st race, congrats! I have been meaning to go ever since I started earning money - more than a decade and still haven't managed to inspite of having had a GP in my country. I don't know when I will watch a race live though I hope it is in the next 5 years or so.

[rjbetty]

...There is no result in Brazil that makes Hamilton safe in the event of his having a DNF at Abu Dhabi. If he were to retire, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think that Nico would go on to win assuming he didn't also have a retirement. That would hand Nico the title irrespective of what happens next week.

I hear Hamilton's getting a new engine?

Have a feeling ironically this could blow up whereas keeping the old one would probably have lasted! Like Barrichello in Brazil 2002, the team forcing him to keep the 2001 model in the name of reliability while Schumacher got a new one. Then Barrichello retired anyway.

[Duncan]

Just goes to show how silly the double point thing is :(

Yes, it does. I understand the whole thing of making the last race not a lame duck, but it also means that a DNF turns into an effective double-DNF and greatly increases the chance of the championship being decided on a freak mechanical malfunction. Really hoping that doesn't happen.


As for getting to your 1st race, congrats! I have been meaning to go ever since I started earning money - more than a decade and still haven't managed to inspite of having had a GP in my country. I don't know when I will watch a race live though I hope it is in the next 5 years or so.


Thanks! And you should definitely make the trip to a race. It's a blast, and really gives you a whole new perspective on both the race and the track (whichever track it happens to be). Although I've never been to a race before, I did make it to a pre-season test at Barcelona a couple of years back, and that was great too, but nothing like watching a race. Watching the cars fighting for position is much crazier when you see it for real.

Also, one big surprise for me was that I find you don't look at the track in quite the same way again after you've been there; from the TV the track is much more a disjointed set of corners and you don't get a sense of how everything fits together. Austin has much more elevation changes than is apparent from TV. It's more than just the turn 1 hill; there's a significant climb through the esses and then a big drop as you go down to turn 11. Definitely worth taking the time to walk around the whole of the track while one of the practice sessions is going on. Barcelona likewise - big elevation changes and the whole thing is incredibly compact because of the way it's folded in on itself.

[Duncan]

I hear Hamilton's getting a new engine?

Have a feeling ironically this could blow up whereas keeping the old one would probably have lasted! Like Barrichello in Brazil 2002, the team forcing him to keep the 2001 model in the name of reliability while Schumacher got a new one. Then Barrichello retired anyway.

I was wondering about that. Specifically, whether a whole bunch of drivers might opt to take a new engine in Brazil just to make sure that they're not having to worry about unexpectedly finding they have to start from the pit lane in Abu-Double...