The Official Japanese GP Thread 2012 ***SPOILERS***

[Gizmoish]

Marf said:

Anyway, I'm off.

Roll on Korea.

Wonder how high the weeds are now?

And if they've emptied the fridges/bins since last year.

[MGJohn]

Right ~ off to Freeview Channel 24. Hours of BTCC coverage .

See some real "racers" there ... well one and he like me sometimes drives an MG ...

More stirrings ...

.

...have a nice one folks.

[Mini1275]

MGJohn said:

Right ~ off to Freeview Channel 24. Hours of BTCC coverage .

See some real "racers" there ... well one and he like me sometimes drives an MG ...

More stirrings ...

.

...have a nice one folks.

Ah yes, a grid full of Romain Grosjeans and Pastor Maldonados.

Makes for interesting viewing though. I love these Sundays.

[Digger]

Just woken up and i have a simple question. Is it worth tuning in to watch the full re-run of the race? Incidents Galore? . . .

[hairyben]

Tin foil hat time- anyone else wondered if alonso's return to the track was a little suspect?

ie "oh I'm effed, lets chance everyone misses me but we get a red flag"

[davepoth]

Digger said:

Just woken up and i have a simple question. Is it worth tuning in to watch the full re-run of the race? Incidents Galore? . . .

Highlights on the Beeb will do the job - it wasn't crash-a-minute stuff TBH.

[Digger]

Righto . . . Beeb wins over Sky. Ta Dave.

[woof]

We'll that's thrown it in favour of Vettel hasn't it.
Suddenly that Red Bull seems to have a second on anyone else. That designer of theirs is worth every penny

[airportparking]

Redbull back in dominant form with that double drs thingy working for them, I think Vettel is going walk it

[y2blade]

Just watching this on the replay show.

[Streps]

Watching the replay.
Grosjean again!
Not good.

[MGJohn]

woof said:

We'll that's thrown it in favour of Vettel hasn't it.
Suddenly that Red Bull seems to have a second on anyone else. That designer of theirs is worth every penny

Suddenly ?? Maybe, maybe not. Could be Lady Luck on Vettel's side this weekend. Certainly not on Alonso's.

One thing is certain, for various reasons, compared to recent previous form, both McLarens under achieved in Japan. Although Button's five place grid slot demotion was not self-inflicted. He did not have much luck in the race either. Still managed to keep out of trouble though scoring points for the team which is a quality I admire.

[Composite Guru]

airportparking said:

Redbull back in dominant form with that double drs thingy working for them, I think Vettel is going walk it

Yep, I reckon they have unlocked something!! Roll on 3 world championships in a row.

[Scuffers]

hairyben said:

Tin foil hat time- anyone else wondered if alonso's return to the track was a little suspect?

ie "oh I'm effed, lets chance everyone misses me but we get a red flag"

to be fair, no, I don't think that was his intention, I suspect he was planning on re-starting from there, but then went and stalled it...

[TheHeretic]

Ric was very fighty, (and rigghtly so), when Button and koby emerged. Button made ground on Koby after that stop, but sitting behind Ric cost them both.

[airportparking]

I guess Buttons smooth driving style made sure he was not on the podium

[TheHeretic]

airportparking said:

I guess Buttons smooth driving style made sure he was 21 seconds ahead of Hamilton.

It seems both drivers are capable of having trouble with setup.

[topless_mx5]

This may have already been mentioned, but was anyone else surprised that McLaren did not swap Button and Hamilton over towards the end of the race? It would've only made a small difference, but surely if Hamilton can get a few good results it could just come to 1 or 2 points at the end of the Championship.

Perhaps an admission from McLaren that they aren't really in the title hunt?

[TheHeretic]

topless_mx5 said:

This may have already been mentioned, but was anyone else surprised that McLaren did not swap Button and Hamilton over towards the end of the race? It would've only made a small difference, but surely if Hamilton can get a few good results it could just come to 1 or 2 points at the end of the Championship.

Perhaps an admission from McLaren that they aren't really in the title hunt?

Tricky when one is 20 seconds ahead, trying for 3rd.

[baz1985]

Vettel has the best chance now. 3*WDC at 25, regardless of the usual conjecture i.e. he's not first rate- as he's always had a car advantage, can't over-take- all supercilious 5h!te imo...that will be an epic achievement.