2012 F1 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX: RACE *** SPOILERS ***

I think Ferrari is very competitive IMO. Each track favors different cars, and anybody can get the setup wrong. Yes, I'm worried RB is showing big improvements now, but can't compare Vettel to Massa, so hard to know what Alonso could have done. It'd have been a lot closer for sure.

Ha ha. As somebody said, Alonso was having way too much luck. But it REALLY sucks he was taken out. Also wonder if he hadn't stalled... would he had been able to drive all the way to the pits? Probably not.

We'll see in the next race or two. Supposedly the biggest improvement on the RB car was the DDRS (I don't even know what the heck it is, other than it'll be illegal in 2013), which Vettel didn't even have to use today.

One thing is for sure folks: the end of the season will be EPIC . I thought FA had the WDC in the bag, but the worst happened today: He DNF'ed and Vettel won. Hope the end of the season is a true battle between the 2. There's still hope folks. But it's not in the bag anymore. Alonso will have to fight and earn every point now.

By the way, what's the situation with engines and trannies with both Ferrari and RB? THAT could be an advantage for Ferrari if RB has to lose grid positions for unscheduled replacements.

 

They said on TV today that it was all smoke and mirrors... RB has been using DDRS for a couple of races now, today they brought a number of minor updates which simply add up in speed. To hide that, they claimed bringing DDRS...

 

This is one of the most disappointing races I have seen in a long time.

 

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone else agree's.

 

I agree as well. It was basically over after lap 1. Or turn 1.

Glad I just taped it and fast forwarded through this crap.

 

Agreed again, first race I missed live for as long as I can remember, so I saw highlights and it was still boring.

There again I thought it was just me, because Ham is now near enough out of the WDC chase, then when Fred got taken out I was ermm bored.

 

Disagree, I still think that the All-Italian stuff was Luca´s PR crap, as there were many non-Italian key members and most of the important Italians were just number 2 promoted to number 1 to fill the gaps.

But that´s off topic.

 

Well, not the greatest but I´ve seen worse races. Kobayashi and Button made a quite interesting finale. The crowd at Suzuka probably enjoyed the race a lot.

 

Yes I was happy for Koba, was nice for him on home turf, seems a nice guy.

 

Ruined my weekend, actually. So I took my new ( got it last week) 599 60F1 out for a spin. Really being careful and cruising around until some seemingly enraged a$$ driving a Vette essentially attaches himself to my bumper while I am driving on a clear stretch of road with 3 lanes and nobody else close to me. All the while I'm merely cruising at 65mph ( the posted speed). Well, even though I have only 200 miles on the car, I'd had enough and, for the first time, opened up the V12......God what an experience. It made me forget about the race and the Vette was over a football field back in about 5 seconds. I felt better.....

 

There were worse races, no doubt.

And I'm even a Sauber/Koby/Perez fan but this was still pretty much a done deal after turn 1.

Oh well, at least Korea is up soon.

 

You realize that Vettel has nothing to do with a Vette?

 

I'd say that's what he/she wanted you to do.

 

I believe Sauber will pass MB, probably not next year though. Sauber really have something good going with that car and their new front wing development is quite an excellent little piece which certainly doesn't appear to have been designed by a mid-field team. Michael should have signed with them IMO. Peter Sauber is on a roll as is Dallara.

I truly feel for Alonso and Ferrari. They collectively worked very hard for F2012, but in the end lemonade is still made from lemons. They car is just not quite up to it.

 

Thanks for a possible answer. I tried finding the info online and couldn't figure it out so I figured asking here would be best, maybe I'll make a thread.

 

Sauber is clearly doing something right and the recent podiums by both drivers underline that. So I'm hoping this will get them the sponsors for 2014 they lack so far. MB clearly has the deeper pockets so I'm not holding my breath

 

Two observations.
First time that Massa has benefited from Ferrari pit strategy in a long time.
With nothing but away races its unlikely that we'll see any meaningful improvements to Clifford.

Pray for rain.

 

Unloading all over Kamui's face lol
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Yes, yes we did. From my seat....

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8035/8063049677_80ac265968_h.jpg
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I can only imagine what the energy was like with home favorite Kamui getting his maiden podium in front of all of you.


You guys were louder than the cars!

 

Yep the future looks bleak.

And yes I actually missed the start as I was next door, but the race was yet another modern bore. Vettel looked like he was driving with cruise control engaged. So much for DRS and random tyres making F1 interesting, that lasted like 2 races.

Hopefully Romain Grosjean takes him out in the next race start, otherwise it's all over for Alonso and Ferrari (and on we proceed for another 14 years).
Pete
ps: I think RG might be like Frentzen, very fast but useless racer that cannot handle the first few laps ... shame.

 

Interesting GP.

What a job by Kobayashi, he did really well to hold button behind him. One more lap and it would have been over...well deserved!

Vettel was in a class of his own, didn't put a foot wrong and is well on his way to score a third consecutive title, only done twice before I think (schu and fangio). Surely puts him among the very greatest of drivers...

Massa showing he really wants to be at Ferrari next year.

Lotus is going backwards, I'm not sure if Kimi's endplate contributed to lack of speed throughout the race.

Hamilton did well, his pit exit moment with Kimi was pretty intense, well done from both drivers. He's *****ing about Perez now apparently though, because he is fighting for a championship and perez is not, so if Perez would pretty please with cherry on top not overtake him next time...I think Hamilton is forgetting the whole point of racing there.

Grosjean needs to be put on the bench again, for the rest of the season. The guy is ****ing nuts. Quick he is, no doubt about it. His racecraft is on the same level as a 13 year old on the playstation, taking out everything in sight at the start.

 

Special shout out to the japanese fans, they are fantastic!

 

NOt a very interesting race but with a few funny fights...As i said in Spa, it´s funny how Pit stop strategy works well for felipe when the team isn´t totally focused on the other guy!!!
Unlike some said, this was not felipe´s first podium this year, this was The first podium Ferrari allowed him to take wich is very diferent....os did someone forget to watch Monza?
The accident was just a race incident, **** happens, although it was Alonso who made contact with Kimi, not the oposite....also i don´t agree when people keep bashing the f2012, it´s true the car was a ****box in the first couple of races but then it become very competitive, in fact, believing in what many people here think, if a mediocre driver like Massa is able to finish second in such a piece of crap, i´m pretty sure a "genius" like Alonso would have laped the entire field...twice!!!
Well, let´s not loose faith, one race ago many predicted Mclaren would be unbeatable in all the remaining races, and Ferrari showed they where quicker in japan, so nothing tell´s me they won´t be able to beat Red Bull nest race.