The official F1 grand prix discussion & prediction thread. Post all predictions here.

turbo_v12 · 19th October 2008, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aditya

Moral of the story: When NC and I sit get together and drink on our birthday weekends, it's beneficial for Hamilton and McLaren.

You guys sitting together on the week end of the Brazilian GP too? That would be good.

It's a pity that a World Champion has to play the supporting role to his team mate the very next year and let him pass and gain points...

danlalan · 19th October 2008, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo_v12

It's a pity that a World Champion has to play the supporting role to his team mate the very next year and let him pass and gain points...

First up it this year was all Lewis. There was nothing like reigning world champion or anything. Kimi was completely overshadowed by either his team-mate or the competition.
By far the worst F1 champion i must say. There wasnt must talk about him as a champion. Everyones forgotten about that.
I hear more of the Double world champion (Alonso) more than kimi.

speedzak · 20th October 2008, 00:29

Kimi is an excellent driver with one helluva great attitude. There was never a driver who always kept his cool no matter a win or not.
I was a big fan of his when he drove for Mclaren eventhough he didn't have a good time there.
I still wish he terminates his Ferrari contract and returns to his real home!

manson · 20th October 2008, 00:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

PS : In 2004 Schumacher scored 148 points from 18 races at an average of 8.22 points per race.

The 2002 & 2004 seasons were a full house of Ferrari & Schumi domination.

manson.

wanderlustindia · 20th October 2008, 08:05

Looks like all but over for Massa and his WDC dreams. 7 points is a lot to overhaul in the final race at Interlagos.
McLaren and Hamilton will have to have the worst day of their lives in Brazil if Massa has to come from behind and sneak through the title, which is a distant dream.
BTW, how far ahead are Ferrari in the WCC wrt McLaren and BMW?

Aditya · 20th October 2008, 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderlustindia

how far ahead are Ferrari in the WCC wrt McLaren and BMW?

Ferrari - 156
McLaren - 145
BMW Sauber - 135
Unless something goes wrong, I believe Ferrari have this one in the bag.
Hamilton's gonna be the world champion.

wanderlustindia · 20th October 2008, 09:24

Did everyone also notice the comment coming from the McLaren team radio at the end of the race clearly saying, 'Well done Lewis, keep the discipline going' or something like that. Guess, they all realise the failings of Fuji. Good for McLaren and Lewis.

RacingForIndia · 20th October 2008, 09:36

The race was boring, and I guess the steward will be happy with that. No first corner lockups no overtaking and no pit lane drama. Just what the doctor had ordered eh?

As for the WDC being settled, well it’s never over till the fat lady sings. Last year it was impossible for Kimi to close the seven point gap to Lewis, but Lewis managed to goof up when it mattered the most.
This year he has a few things running for him though
1. Bridgestone will bring their soft and medium compounds to the race. Last year they had the soft and super soft compounds and it played to Ferrari’s advantage. McLaren goes well on the harder tyres while Ferrari on the softer, its no secret. So it will be even stevens at Brazil this year.
2. Lewis will not have the distraction of his team mate breathing down his neck, so he knows Heikki will support him, not that he needs support.
3. Massa will be under tremendous pressure to perform in front of his home crowd, and usually excels. But this year it will be different, he is gunning for the WDC and the pressure might crack him up.

The downsides are
1. His engine is on the second run, and will not be optimal.
2. He will have to be extra careful during the start to avoid the first corner incidents.
3. His ghosts of last year might come back to haunt him.

Overall its looking like a good fight, and I am putting my money on Lewis being crowned the youngest WDC and Ferrari retaining their WCC.

suman · 20th October 2008, 10:06

Felt quite sad for Kimi yesterday. I cannot ever remember a reigning world champion being asked to give way to his team mate - must have been an unhappy moment for him. I think the grin & his statement at the post race conference said it all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by danlalan

First up it this year was all Lewis.

If that was the case, we wouldn't be waiting for the last race of the year for the WDC to be decided

pranavt · 20th October 2008, 10:10

Thoroughly boring race, but quite expected I guess. We've had a few too many great races this year, a rubbish one was overdue. Good race by Hamilton; Kimi's expressions during the press conference were priceless. Hope he steamrolls the competition next year.

Dippy · 20th October 2008, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by suman

Felt quite sad for Kimi yesterday. I cannot ever remember a reigning world champion being asked to give way to his team mate - must have been an unhappy moment for him. I think the grin & his statement at the post race conference said it all.

If that was the case, we wouldn't be waiting for the last race of the year for the WDC to be decided

Exactly suman. One cant call it " It was all Lewis" He hasnt dominated the season else the championship would have been over with few races remaining. Is gone to wire this year as it was last year as well. The "It was....... all this year" statement was applicable for only one driver in recent years and we all know who that was

. No one will dominate the sport like he did atleast for now and the near future though now it has become more exciting for all F1 fans to see the season being closely fought.

vikram_d · 20th October 2008, 11:43

Me being a Ferrari fan have to admit that yesterday the McLaren & Lweis package was a lot stronger than the Ferrari package. I was initially hoping that Lewis was running light but even that notion was shattered when I saw Massa pit before him in the first round of pit stops. Oh how I miss seeing Alonso in McLaren right now. Remember what he did last year.

As far as Kimi giving way is concerned I don't feel bad about it cause he is not in the reckoning. If he was in the reckoning and Massa was not I'm sure the Massa would have been told to do the same thing. Even last year I don't think Kimi was a deserving champion. It all thanks to Alonso that he won.

Aditya · 20th October 2008, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikram_d

As far as Kimi giving way is concerned I don't feel bad about it cause he is not in the reckoning. If he was in the reckoning and Massa was not I'm sure the Massa would have been told to do the same thing.

Well said. Had Kimi not given way, Massa's job would have been all the more difficult. Kimi did what was right for his team.

anachronix · 20th October 2008, 12:29

A boring race from the start to the end.

Good work from the Mclaren team and Lewis. Drove a very calm race.

Shocked to see Ferraris lose so much of performance in just a weekend. Hope they give a tough fight in Brazil to its competitors.

Heikki was below par and 0.5 seconds slower than Lewis. Dont know if the driver equality lessons of Ron have gone a bit too much on him.

Waiting for the Brazilian action!

wanderlustindia · 20th October 2008, 12:31

There is not too much to read into Massa overtaking Kimi with a few laps to go. Call it team orders or understanding, it was absolutely alright for Kimi to allow Massa the extra two points going into the final race. Atleast there is an outside chance.

I agree with vikram. McLaren and Lewis hardly put a foot wrong and the car was definitely quicker than the Ferrari and Lewis drove the car to full potential. With the harder of the compounds, the grip levels of the McLaren was superb compared to the Ferrari on softer compounds.

Game on in Brazil. Two weeks to go.

View Poll Results: Constructor's Championshop Prediction
Ferrari	26	65.00%
McLaren	11	27.50%
Renault	2	5.00%
BMW Sauber	0	0%
Toyota	0	0%
Honda	0	0%
Red Bull	0	0%
Toro Rosso	0	0%
Super Aguri	0	0%
Williams	1	2.50%
Voters: 40. You may not vote on this poll

20th October 2008, 00:29	#3513
speedzak BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: India Posts: 4,346 Thanked: 28 Times	Kimi is an excellent driver with one helluva great attitude. There was never a driver who always kept his cool no matter a win or not. I was a big fan of his when he drove for Mclaren eventhough he didn't have a good time there. I still wish he terminates his Ferrari contract and returns to his real home!
	() Thanks

20th October 2008, 08:05	#3515
wanderlustindia BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 607 Thanked: 63 Times View My Garage	Looks like all but over for Massa and his WDC dreams. 7 points is a lot to overhaul in the final race at Interlagos. McLaren and Hamilton will have to have the worst day of their lives in Brazil if Massa has to come from behind and sneak through the title, which is a distant dream. BTW, how far ahead are Ferrari in the WCC wrt McLaren and BMW?
	() Thanks

20th October 2008, 09:24	#3517
wanderlustindia BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 607 Thanked: 63 Times View My Garage	Did everyone also notice the comment coming from the McLaren team radio at the end of the race clearly saying, 'Well done Lewis, keep the discipline going' or something like that. Guess, they all realise the failings of Fuji. Good for McLaren and Lewis.
	() Thanks

20th October 2008, 09:36	#3518
RacingForIndia BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 483 Thanked: 36 Times View My Garage	The race was boring, and I guess the steward will be happy with that. No first corner lockups no overtaking and no pit lane drama. Just what the doctor had ordered eh? As for the WDC being settled, well it’s never over till the fat lady sings. Last year it was impossible for Kimi to close the seven point gap to Lewis, but Lewis managed to goof up when it mattered the most. This year he has a few things running for him though 1. Bridgestone will bring their soft and medium compounds to the race. Last year they had the soft and super soft compounds and it played to Ferrari’s advantage. McLaren goes well on the harder tyres while Ferrari on the softer, its no secret. So it will be even stevens at Brazil this year. 2. Lewis will not have the distraction of his team mate breathing down his neck, so he knows Heikki will support him, not that he needs support. 3. Massa will be under tremendous pressure to perform in front of his home crowd, and usually excels. But this year it will be different, he is gunning for the WDC and the pressure might crack him up. The downsides are 1. His engine is on the second run, and will not be optimal. 2. He will have to be extra careful during the start to avoid the first corner incidents. 3. His ghosts of last year might come back to haunt him. Overall its looking like a good fight, and I am putting my money on Lewis being crowned the youngest WDC and Ferrari retaining their WCC.
	() Thanks

20th October 2008, 10:10	#3520
pranavt BANNED Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,704 Thanked: 852 Times View My Garage	Thoroughly boring race, but quite expected I guess. We've had a few too many great races this year, a rubbish one was overdue. Good race by Hamilton; Kimi's expressions during the press conference were priceless. Hope he steamrolls the competition next year.
	() Thanks

20th October 2008, 11:43	#3522
vikram_d Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,422 Thanked: 1,188 Times	Me being a Ferrari fan have to admit that yesterday the McLaren & Lweis package was a lot stronger than the Ferrari package. I was initially hoping that Lewis was running light but even that notion was shattered when I saw Massa pit before him in the first round of pit stops. Oh how I miss seeing Alonso in McLaren right now. Remember what he did last year. As far as Kimi giving way is concerned I don't feel bad about it cause he is not in the reckoning. If he was in the reckoning and Massa was not I'm sure the Massa would have been told to do the same thing. Even last year I don't think Kimi was a deserving champion. It all thanks to Alonso that he won. Last edited by vikram_d : 20th October 2008 at 11:46.
	() Thanks

20th October 2008, 12:29	#3524
anachronix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madras Posts: 3,286 Thanked: 1,336 Times View My Garage	A boring race from the start to the end. Good work from the Mclaren team and Lewis. Drove a very calm race. Shocked to see Ferraris lose so much of performance in just a weekend. Hope they give a tough fight in Brazil to its competitors. Heikki was below par and 0.5 seconds slower than Lewis. Dont know if the driver equality lessons of Ron have gone a bit too much on him. Waiting for the Brazilian action!
	() Thanks

20th October 2008, 12:31	#3525
wanderlustindia BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 607 Thanked: 63 Times View My Garage	There is not too much to read into Massa overtaking Kimi with a few laps to go. Call it team orders or understanding, it was absolutely alright for Kimi to allow Massa the extra two points going into the final race. Atleast there is an outside chance. I agree with vikram. McLaren and Lewis hardly put a foot wrong and the car was definitely quicker than the Ferrari and Lewis drove the car to full potential. With the harder of the compounds, the grip levels of the McLaren was superb compared to the Ferrari on softer compounds. Game on in Brazil. Two weeks to go.
	() Thanks