Formula One 2012

[sh@un]

it does seem he is destined to inherit a complete nugget of a car. the last thing Hamilton traditionally needs is a chassis that's hard on tyres. he could find himself spending the entirety of 2013 relegated to 'best of the rest' until the turbo regs shake things up again in '14

I'm sure RBR will tweak an already decent package over the winter and come out blazing from the first race next season; and if Alonso and his engineers can make the Fezza a tad more race-pacey, he might well be nigh on unstoppable with his ability.

being a dyed-in-the-wool Macca fanboi, I'd hope they'll be right in the mix, but who knows. team could snatch a WCC just by both drivers racing clean and taking decent points from each round. can't say I feel a drivers title is on the cards either way.

dark horse is Kimi: off-season refinements could see him come right outta the gate like a shot at the start of next year

no matter what, it's sure to be crazy good

[89CAL]

I somehow don't see the Mercedes being a front running car even with the new engines

not straight away anyway, they may get there eventually. Honestly I don't know why anyone would want to leave Mclaren at the moment. Sure they have had a few failures, but my god that car is quick at the moment. Red bull maybe still has the edge in the corners but it can keep up and then on the straights it just motors past

[sh@un]

I somehow don't see the Mercedes being a front running car even with the new engines

not straight away anyway, they may get there eventually

such a massive change in powertrain configuration will, i'm convinced, undoubtedly effectively reset any mild competitive advantage any team enjoys under the current tech regs to zero. given the engines will be shorter, a bit lighter, but wider (turbos/intercoolers/associated pipework), and will also require substantially different cooling requirements with the obligatory complete redesign of the aerodynamics

the teams will literally have to make changes to every aspect of car to end up with something that works holistically and achieves the oft referenced balance that the drivers and engineers covet so much, and that in turn results in a championship capable whip

if we consider how much effect just changing from Honda to Mercedes powerplants and the resultant chassis changes had on the initial competetiveness of the debut Brawn GP team, it's not hard to imagine and even greater 'leveling of the playing field' at the outset of the reborn turbo era

but of course if Redbull just dominates the opening rounds of season 2014 anyway, feel free to disregard everything I've just said...

[89CAL]

lol yeah it should make it a bit more equal, But I still see Red Bull and Mclaren at the front

It will be interesting thats for sure

[sh@un]

hehe

[89CAL]

hehe

should say "Shutup, I know what I am doing"

[sh@un]

rally car upside-down in the boonies suggests otherwise...

[dori34]

. Honestly I don't know why anyone would want to leave Mclaren at the moment. Sure they have had a few failures, but my god that car is quick at the moment.

It's all about the money, money, money...

[sh@un]

McLaren front row lockout

Ferrari not sticking it to Massa to improve Alonso's chances this weekend?

[89CAL]

It's all about the money, money, money...

Didn't Mclaren say they matched the offer but Hamilton wanted a new challange?

[ctjet]

great quali

fernando will despatch the hulk almost immediately, massa will move over before lap 1 is even over and it should be a straight fight betwwen him and vettel 1 minute into the race

hamo looks untouchable

he is going to hate Mercedes lol

good old button sticking it on the front row when it doesnt matter anymore. well done champ

[iamhe77]

Massa to take out Vettel "accidentally" early in the race... or at the least cause a rear puncture.

[sh@un]

only 14 hours 21 minutes to go

[sh@un]

Massa to take out Vettel "accidentally" early in the race... or at the least cause a rear puncture.

this guy knows the score

it may be why Ferrari didn't 'discover' a problem on Massa's car to demote him down the grid...

[89CAL]

There we go

[89CAL]

while I'm at it:

[sh@un]

yes yes

but is Massa able to make it look more accidental than the last guy (Piquet) who helped Gonzo

[tweety bird]

so you can get some knock-backs from Seppo women instead of Aussie ones?

na.

so i can see some real live mexicans.

and not those fake ones down south..

[tweety bird]

Pastor Maldonado will drop from sixth to 16th on the Brazilian GP grid after incurring his third reprimand for missing the weighbridge.

http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/8278654/Maldonado-hit-with-10-place-penalty

Kamui Kobayashi thinks he might still have an opportunity to remain in Formula 1 with another team despite losing his Sauber seat to Esteban Gutierrez.

The Japanese driver's lack of sponsorship was key to Sauber's decision. Kobayashi has been striving to find more funding and thinks he might now have enough backing to secure one of the remaining vacant seats.

Force India and Caterham are the main options for drivers yet to secure 2013 drives.

"We're just waiting for some money to come in," said Kobayashi.

"We're waiting, we just need a sign."

He underlined that nothing was secured yet, saying: "It will be difficult. I'm talking with another team, but it's difficult to say."

Kobayashi added: "If I don't talk [to other teams] it means I'm retired."

He said he had no hard feelings towards Sauber, despite being dropped just after securing his maiden F1 podium at Suzuka.

"I'm not disappointed. They need a sponsor and more money for the team," Kobayashi said. "I cannot find money in such a short time."

He said he was not interested in looking for a reserve driver role.

"I want to race, I don't want to walk around here as a test driver," Kobayashi insisted.

"I've already done two years as a test driver with Toyota and I know how that feels.

"It's not easy to wait around for 20 races. To stay here without driving is like being in jail."

Toyota supported the early part of Kobayashi's career and gave him his F1 break in late-2009. The Japanese manufacturer now has a successful World Endurance Championship programme, but Kobayashi insisted it was too soon to consider non-F1 options.

"It's too early to think about that. I'm not really interested in that," he said when asked if he would chase a Toyota WEC seat.

"I want to be in Formula 1. I think I can be more successful if I have a chance."

He will start 15th for his final race with Sauber in Brazil.

"I want to get a good result for the team in my last race for Sauber and I think there is a chance to do so," Kobayashi said.

"I just want to work with the team and say goodbye with a smile."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104554

Romain Grosjean and Pedro de la Rosa have escaped any sanction for their coming together during qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104550

[raZ1911]

So where is Alonso starting now 7th or 8th?