F1 GROSSER PREIS SANTANDER VON DEUTSCHLAND 2012: RACE

Not really hard to figure out, McLaren rolled out major aerodynamic upgrades this race, something I haven't seen from Mercedes all year. Seriously when was the last time you read about them bringing a major new package? I'm not sure I have this year.

 

Jenson: No one faster than McLaren now

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101427

Echoing what I stated earlier, the Mac is very fast with its new upgrades.

 

and "Alonso is not a problem"
LOL

 

And a 2.4 pit stop!!! that's some going.

Seem to have sorted out the keystone cops.

 

That stop was amazing. McLaren is going to be very strong the second half of the year.

 

jenson with his words again

whine when things go wrong and boast when things go his way at least hamilton choose his words wisely

mclaren look quick but alonzo surely have something extra in bag and play the game well since he is leading and the pursuer will suffer with these pirelli tyres

 

By all rights today that car was no better than 4th place. Here is the order that should have happened.

1) Vettel
2) Hamilton
3) Button
4) Kimi or Alonso


Getting the pole in rainy conditions was key. The Ferrari always fades at the end of a race while the McLaren's, RB's, and even the Lotus get better later on. Because of the rain, it screwed up qualifying which scrambled the entire race.

The car is still not good enough. It's amazing they can get as much out of it as possible. The last 12 laps of the race won it with Alonso doing everything he can to get the most out of it. He drove the most clever race today and Kimi showed everyone how to pass.

 

So Red Bull was cleared over any investigation on their engine mapping but did we see their performance hurt this weekend? Most notably Vettel was running wide seemingly more than usual. This obviously could have been Seb really pushing it though.

Did they run a more conservative map this weekend so that they can go back to their full setting next week? I think we've seen Vettel really needs the rear of the car tied down for him to really pull away. Thoughts?

 

I think there will be a clarification of the rules prior to Hungary. They're not going to get their old settings back.

 

+1 Fernando taking pole in the rain the last two races has been clutch. Would not have happened in the dry and winning would have been very difficult today if not for that.

 

+1....it stopped being a POS a few races ago. That car has the performance today to win the WDC.

 

Disagree...the Ferrari and Red Bulls are the class of the field with Lotus a hair behind. Merc, Williams and McLaren are probably next (jury is still out on Mac's upgrades, imo). I think clearly Alonso qualified with a wet set up but knew he could control the race from the front. Ferrari have gambled on tire changes periodically (and lost), but I think FA has enough of a car to get it done this year.

 

Right now, Kimi is quietly sneaking into the WDC picture. Suppose they get that DDRS to work and look out. That team impresses the hell out of me with a budget that falls behind the "big boys."

 

To call any car fastest is, in a way, meaningless. Other than results everything is a matter of speculation and opinion.
Today Clifford was the fastest F1 car. Next week, who knows?

 

Alonso isn't superhuman. He is still bound by the same rules of physics that all the other drivers are as well. And he's not *so* much better than everyone else that he is taking a mid-pack car and hoisting it to the podium every week.

The car is fast. Very fast. One of the fastest, if not the fastest. We saw it today... Vettel couldn't do much to catch Alonso. Just like other prior races. Because the car is very fast, and Alonso is doing a great job driving it.

 

McLaren may be quick but their disorganization in the first half of the season has seriously hurt them. I wonder if Jenson realizes that when he isn't whining he drives well?



The two best cars at the moment are the F2012 and RB8, I think. McLaren and Lotus are tied as well but are slower than Red Bull and Ferrari.

 

Awesome job by Fred today in what is an improved Ferrari, but hardly the best car in the field. I think he's driving his best, and he's showing why he's the most complete driver in the field.

 

Sure, but I'm surprised they imposed an after-race penalty at all.

After all, Button -- who was inside on that turn -- also put two wheels over the outside line.

And they've handed out plenty of penalties for "avoidable contact".

But you also get penalized for going off the track to avoid contact?

Nice consistency.

So I guess the rule is that you can push another car off the racing surface to avoid being passed?
(Based on the rulings to date, this year.)
You have to leave a car room, if his wing was up to your front wheels, but apparently you don't have to leave him room on the actual track.

 

IMO Alonso is one of the best and he has carried the team thus far.

Ferrari aren't up with the RB's yet, neither is Mclaren....but today's race wasn't a good measuring stick because no one had any dry setup data with wet practices and qualy. The teams took a stab at setups and the rest was a lottery.

Somehow the tires stayed under Alonso good enough today and that was the biggest difference IMO.

 

Alonso controlled the race and showed the driving talent today that some others seem to be lacking. Most everyone got what they deserved today except perhaps for Hamilton. Vettel on the other hand got just what he deserved.
I wonder who they will choose to interview the three podium guys at Monza?
CH

 

Oh it certainly isn't a mid pack car. It's one of the frontrunners.

 

I didn't imply he was.

First, even he admits winning the pole was key. Second, it looks like some other cars had some technical issues (certainly Hamilton did -- twice). Third, Ferrari ran a perfect race strategy today and got the most out of the car. Fourth, Alonso drove brilliantly in saving the tires and using the DRS to his advantage even though he was ahead. It's well known all season that the F car fades at the end due to tire wear worse than any other major contender.

Alonso only finished a few seconds ahead at the end. Take away 10-15 seconds at the start and he's no better than 3th.

 

This.

But a win is a win. Forza.

 

Sky has the worst presenters ever. Even Martin gets on my nerves now. Sad to say it, but these guys make Speed look good.

 

But it wasn't a one-time thing. He's been the man to beat for the past few races at least, maybe longer. Alonso is a great driver - but he's only able to work with what he's got - just like the other drivers.

He's got what is likely the fastest car. Vettel is no slouch and he had nothing for Alonso this race. Or last, or the one before, etc. The Ferrari has had an edge over the Red Bull for quite a while, most of the year. I think maybe Massa just makes the car look so bad that we think it's slower than it is.