Official 2012 Formula 1 Season Discussion
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I feel funny saying this as a McLaren fan, but I was hoping the Evil Reds would be more competitive. As much as I'd like Hamilton to run away with it this year, I'd love a close fight to the end.
Loved the look on Webbo's face when he out qualified The Finger with no kers.
Loved the look on Webbo's face when he out qualified The Finger with no kers.
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What about Lotus/Renault? Taking 3rd in qualifying. That was a shocker.
Yes, looks like for this year Mercedes and Lotus have improved. Red Bull has fallen. Ferrari is fucked. Let Massa set out the rest of the season. Bring in someone else.
Saw a Hamilton hot lap. On most tracks, I see those and say "I could do that". This one it didn't look like there was time to react for corner. They were just flying by.
Yes, looks like for this year Mercedes and Lotus have improved. Red Bull has fallen. Ferrari is fucked. Let Massa set out the rest of the season. Bring in someone else.
Saw a Hamilton hot lap. On most tracks, I see those and say "I could do that". This one it didn't look like there was time to react for corner. They were just flying by.
Interesting note on how teams think the Mercs is gaining advantage due to their 2012 F-Duct.
However I don't think it'd matter that much in the race though since DRS activation is limited.
However I don't think it'd matter that much in the race though since DRS activation is limited.
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I'm gonna call it now - if McLaren keeps their current edge, I think this is Button's title to lose. He was just dominant on the track, and I think he's won the mental game already. RE: Hamilton, every time I see Lewis' girlfriend in the paddock, I just get bad vibes. That chick is bad news. Crystal ball says no title for Lewis while they're together.
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Lotus looks a lot better this year. Grosjean was doing good until he crashed out. Raikkonen bounced back too. Avoiding the 1st turn shunt likely had a lot to do with that.
Alonso has to be the best driver in F1 today. Pulling a 5th place finish with that Ferrari is nothing short of miraculous. I would have expected closer to a 9th or 10th.
Alonso has to be the best driver in F1 today. Pulling a 5th place finish with that Ferrari is nothing short of miraculous. I would have expected closer to a 9th or 10th.
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From: Caput Mundi
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Stefano Domenicali told the BBC before the race started that where they qualified in the race was not a true indication of where they stood, compared to the rest of the field. Their race pace was much better than their qualifying pace. But in saying that, Alonso is able to muscle his car up the grid much farther than probably anyone else in the championship.
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Australian Grand Prix, Driver-by-driver run down
http://en.espnf1.com/australia/motor...ory/73505.html
'McLaren didn't win, Red Bull lost'
More at: http://www.planetf1.com/driver/3213/...Red-Bull-lost-
http://en.espnf1.com/australia/motor...ory/73505.html
'McLaren didn't win, Red Bull lost'
Christian Horner opted for arrogant over magnanimous when faced with defeat, saying McLaren won in Australia because Red Bull underperformed.
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Rumours of special Concorde deals for Ferrari and RBR
More at: http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/73575.html
Also at: http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fo...al-report-axe/
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98192
Mercedes 'F-duct' causes controversy
More at: http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns23964.html
The Concorde Agreement is a tripartite contract that binds the teams, the FIA and Formula One's commercial rights holders together and dictates the split of the sport's revenues. The current contract is set to expire at the end of 2012 and the teams are in the process of negotiating new terms with Formula One's CEO Bernie Ecclestone.
A Sky News report on Saturday said Ferrari and Red Bull could be offered positions on the board of a new holding company after the sport is floated on a stock exchange in Asia. The story was later removed from the Sky News website, but caused a stir in the paddock as rumours swirled that the deal would also secure Ferrari a direct stake in the sport.
A Sky News report on Saturday said Ferrari and Red Bull could be offered positions on the board of a new holding company after the sport is floated on a stock exchange in Asia. The story was later removed from the Sky News website, but caused a stir in the paddock as rumours swirled that the deal would also secure Ferrari a direct stake in the sport.
Also at: http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fo...al-report-axe/
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98192
Mercedes 'F-duct' causes controversy
A novel 'F-duct' system, utilising the DRS activation mechanism on the Mercedes W03 and designed to give the car a straightline speed advantage, is causing controversy at the season-opening Australian GP.
Both Red Bull Racing and Lotus do not believe that the system is legal and unsuccessfully lobbied the FIA's Charlie Whiting towards reaching the same conclusion. Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, however, explained that he had informed the governing body he was developing the system and that it was checked by Whiting and technical delegate Jo Bauer on Wednesday in Australia.
Both Red Bull Racing and Lotus do not believe that the system is legal and unsuccessfully lobbied the FIA's Charlie Whiting towards reaching the same conclusion. Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, however, explained that he had informed the governing body he was developing the system and that it was checked by Whiting and technical delegate Jo Bauer on Wednesday in Australia.
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Rumours of special Concorde deals for Ferrari and RBR
More at: http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/73575.html
Also at: http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fo...al-report-axe/
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98192
Mercedes 'F-duct' causes controversy
More at: http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns23964.html
The Concorde Agreement is a tripartite contract that binds the teams, the FIA and Formula One's commercial rights holders together and dictates the split of the sport's revenues. The current contract is set to expire at the end of 2012 and the teams are in the process of negotiating new terms with Formula One's CEO Bernie Ecclestone.
A Sky News report on Saturday said Ferrari and Red Bull could be offered positions on the board of a new holding company after the sport is floated on a stock exchange in Asia. The story was later removed from the Sky News website, but caused a stir in the paddock as rumours swirled that the deal would also secure Ferrari a direct stake in the sport.
A Sky News report on Saturday said Ferrari and Red Bull could be offered positions on the board of a new holding company after the sport is floated on a stock exchange in Asia. The story was later removed from the Sky News website, but caused a stir in the paddock as rumours swirled that the deal would also secure Ferrari a direct stake in the sport.
Also at: http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/fo...al-report-axe/
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98192
Mercedes 'F-duct' causes controversy
A novel 'F-duct' system, utilising the DRS activation mechanism on the Mercedes W03 and designed to give the car a straightline speed advantage, is causing controversy at the season-opening Australian GP.
Both Red Bull Racing and Lotus do not believe that the system is legal and unsuccessfully lobbied the FIA's Charlie Whiting towards reaching the same conclusion. Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, however, explained that he had informed the governing body he was developing the system and that it was checked by Whiting and technical delegate Jo Bauer on Wednesday in Australia.
Both Red Bull Racing and Lotus do not believe that the system is legal and unsuccessfully lobbied the FIA's Charlie Whiting towards reaching the same conclusion. Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, however, explained that he had informed the governing body he was developing the system and that it was checked by Whiting and technical delegate Jo Bauer on Wednesday in Australia.
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Was a good start to the season. Button surprised me, he deserved the win. I loved seeing Schumacher where he belongs, fighting for the lead. Too bad the tranny gave out. Coupled with bad tire degradation. If they get that sorted I see them winning very soon.
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The tire degradation was because he was trying too hard and sliding the car. Most others weren't having that problem.
If you qualify better, you won't have to fight as hard.
If you qualify better, you won't have to fight as hard.
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Under fire Massa on his way out from Ferrari?
More at: http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/03/21/un...-from-ferrari/
One race into the 2012 Formula 1 world championship season, the Italian press has already named a candidate for beleaguered Ferrari driver Felipe Massa’s seat.
Felipe Massa (BRA) Ferrari. Formula One World Championship, Rd1, Australian Grand Prix, Practice, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Friday 16 March 2012.
Felipe with his father in the Albert Park pit garage
On notice by the famous team and with an expiring contract, the Brazilian driver had a nightmare 2012 opener in Australia.
Mika Salo, the 1999 Ferrari substitute driver, told broadcaster MTV3 that Massa’s performance, “compared to Alonso’s, was very poor”.
Autosprint, the Italian weekly, has suggested the out-of-work grand prix winner Jarno Trulli is available to step in immediately to replace Massa.
Felipe Massa (BRA) Ferrari. Formula One World Championship, Rd1, Australian Grand Prix, Practice, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Friday 16 March 2012.
Felipe with his father in the Albert Park pit garage
On notice by the famous team and with an expiring contract, the Brazilian driver had a nightmare 2012 opener in Australia.
Mika Salo, the 1999 Ferrari substitute driver, told broadcaster MTV3 that Massa’s performance, “compared to Alonso’s, was very poor”.
Autosprint, the Italian weekly, has suggested the out-of-work grand prix winner Jarno Trulli is available to step in immediately to replace Massa.
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From: Caput Mundi
As much as i'm sorry for Massa he is, indeed, a weak link. He proved me wrong.
Jarno is a good, solid driver. He has enough experience to drive a car he didn't test with. Definitely not a champion by today's standards but at least he's reliable and not a pit lane queen like other drivers may be.
Fisichella didn't end up well when replacing the injured massa, Jarno still makes sense though.
Trusting young italian drivers may also be a viable option, if Massa really has to go away.
Jarno is a good, solid driver. He has enough experience to drive a car he didn't test with. Definitely not a champion by today's standards but at least he's reliable and not a pit lane queen like other drivers may be.
Fisichella didn't end up well when replacing the injured massa, Jarno still makes sense though.
Trusting young italian drivers may also be a viable option, if Massa really has to go away.
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From: canton ohio
Jarno is exactly the same as Massa. A waste of a seat. I want to see what kobayashi could do with a front runner. That guy is crazy good. Some of his passes are unbelievable. Remember the save he made on suzuka he made last year in practice? Unbelievable. I think he could give anyone a run for their money. trulli, heidfeld, Massa, and especially karthikayan are terrible. 2 down, 2 to go.
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From: Caput Mundi
Jarno isn't a real waste of a seat. He would be a wise choice with the exclusion of young talents (and ferrari doesn't like that route).
Sure he isn't a top 10 driver but he finishes races, has experience and would accept a deal that's even shorter than one year. Who else would do that?
Sure he isn't a top 10 driver but he finishes races, has experience and would accept a deal that's even shorter than one year. Who else would do that?
