2011 FORMULA 1 AIRTEL GRAND PRIX OF INDIA: RACE *** Spoilers ***

+1

 

It does look like a nice track.

I thought Massa was one of the big losers today. I agree with the Stewards in that the turn-in on Hamilton was probably deliberate. Perhaps he thought Hamilton would flat spot a tyre and break his suspension over the curb trying to get out of the way. Between that and breaking his own suspension during Qualifying and during the Race, I think he had the worst weekend out of anybody in India.

He was no better after the race either, stringing together some sort of incoherent complaint about how Hamilton had wished him a good race after the pre-start tribute. I just hope he gets his act together before Abu Dhabi, as this weekend was pretty embarrassing.

Button is driving extremely well at the moment. He seems to be keeping pace with Vettel through most of a weekend - qualifying excluded.

I don't know if Webber is so much driving badly as just being completely outshone by the likes of Vettel, Button, and Alonso. They are the best there are right now. If all three get a capable car under them for next year, then the 2012 season is going to be gripping!

All the best,
Andrew.

 

He faired much better against all of them last year, but he didn't bring the same game to the table this year as he did last year. I'd say last year was his rare break of form and this year he's returned to it. He did drag home a great big bag of points though so I can't say he's having a bad year; just a normal one for him.

 

Good on ya Vettel, AND Nando for holding off the Red Bull. The one and only Schu once again declaring his race-form dominance on his teammate. There is not a teammate on the grid who can hunt down the other like Michael does. Webber can't, Massa can't, but Michael certainly can. Definitely the superior racing driver.


And that garbage with Massa and Ham today was completely Massa's fault. I don't know what Massa is talking about by him saying otherwise. Really odd but oh well.

 

I rather liked Vettel's final comments regarding life in India overall.

 

Jai Hind

 

Okay, I waited long enough to say this:

Can I buddh into this conversation?

Was an ok race. Track looks solid. As does Vettel and Alonso who once again showed what Ferrari has in him.

Massa should be sacked for that ridiculous move on Hambone. I'm shuddering in disbelief that we have to endure another entire season with this nudnick at the wheel.

The MS vs Nico points battle is heating up. It'll be interesting to see who is going to come out on top. I haven't cashed in my Binny's coupon just yet...

What's with the haze at the track? Is that the weather or air pollution? I'd love to go to India to see this race in person but so far it didn't look very inviting. Maybe by next year some plants will have grown?

 

Fog of war between Massa and LewHam.

 

I'm watching a replay of the race right now. Good to see Mr. Bean there

 

Michael has 5 DNFs (a couple were his own fault) to Nico's 2. The 5 point difference between them can be made up by Michael in the next two races given he finishes in front of Nico of course, but I don't think anyone can successfully argue now that per the laps completed by Michael that he is indeed the quicker racing driver.....when he finishes is the trick. I believe in Korea we would have seen a similar finish to today's race and Michael would be ahead in the points now. No question in my mind given Michael's consistently faster race pace.

 

Has anyone else heard that rumor that Ferrari stole or were given by an unknown source Mark Webber's front wing he lost at Monza??

 

If true, it obviously didn't benefit them very much as they had horrendous front-wing problems in free practise.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

True, but they were wise to not run that until Massa destroyed their regular wing that is. Ferrari even wanted the wing rechecked by Charlie to make sure it was ok, which it was. I am sure it will make more sense on the 2012 car.

 

While that is true in general, this situation is 100% Massa's fault. Closing the door and leaving no room will end in tears for both of them. That's just plain boneheaded.

But it doesn't come as a surprise since Massa never was good at dealing with traffic. Most of his wins were from pole or very much up the front of the grid. I've said it a thousand times: He's just another Damon Hill: Fast in qualifying, puts it on pole and wins from there.

Oh wait, my mistake: He was another Damon Hill. Now he is just very average.

 

Well put there.

 

It pains me to say this, but it is sad to see Nico going backwards during a race.

There are folks/fans who wish he'd be in a better car so that he could win races and challenge for the title, but I'm starting to think he'll end up as another Heidfeld. If he were in Webber's seat, he'd score like Webber. Same if he were in Massa's seat.

Without jousting, I really think you were right when you called him vanilla. That's about his skill level and that's about how exciting he is to watch.

 

Oh my, they're ringing the church bells in Maranello:

Ferraripilot and I agree on TWO topics. Yikes!

What's next? World peace? A cure for cancer?

 

Quicker ? Outqualified 13-2. Behind in points. More accidents. And forget about 2010.

'When he finishes....' Heard that used to describe to De Ces a few years back...

Good thing his name isn't Sutil or Buemi with that record, he'd have been replaced by now .

MS got ahead Nico on a bungled pit stop then it was team orders. Making it interesting though points wise....

 

I'm starting to wonder whether MB uses team orders a lot or whether Nico really can't go any faster. This wasn't the first time where we have seen this following-the-leader-to-the-finish-line kind of driving:

Turkey 2010, Suzuka 2010, Spa 2011, India 2011

And that's not even counting the races where Nico is just going backwards.

 

+100
In a interview with Ham after the race, Ham said he put his arm around Massa whilst they were paying respects to the racers that had passed away recently and he wished him a good race, Massa blanked him.

I used to feel a bit sorry for Massa, however no longer he is like a pathetic school kid.

He showed his true colours today and everyone noted it.

 

That is precisely how I always felt about Massa: Whether he was triumphant or having a bad day, he always completely overreacted like a spoiled brat, not like a mature adult.

I remember when he beat Alonso (driving for Renault) at Barcelona, he couldn't just enjoy his win on the podium realizing that the majority of the present fans were heart broken. No, he had to rub it in pumping fist and all. And likewise when things go bad, he blames everybody else and stammers around like a five year old whose toy got stolen.

I never liked this puzz.

 

I just can't believe we're stuck with him for another season.

/rends shirt in anger

 

+1,000

When they announced his contract extension I was 100% certain that was just a safe move by Ferrari to have their 2nd seat covered knowing full well they'd have a better driver by then.

But as time progresses and no signs of sacking show up, I start to realize that we really are in for another season with him. Yikes!

He must have a similar set of pictures of LdM as DC had of Dennis.