The Official Japanese GP thread 2013

[Chrisgr31]

Gaz. said:

Ted interviewed Horner earlier about this, CH was adamant that the aero chap is in mid contract and not going anywhere for 2014. The suggestion that the chap would leave for 2015 was met with a frosty rebuke.

The BBC have now found Horner and he confirmed the aero guy was there for 2014 and then mentioned contracts and that he would't be surprised if he was working for them in the future.

[stew-S160]

I'm up. Let's hope this is good.

Big signing by McLaren. But I wonder how much difference it will make. As much a McLaren fan as I am, you can't help ineptitude.

[slipstream 1985]

monaco, silverstone, spa, canada, suzuka, and turkey that would do for a championship

[llewop]

Gaz. said:

Guitierez with a vertical take off from the cockpit there...

he did move a bit sharpish!

Not good having a fuel(?) fire right before quali though

[llewop]

very odd fire problem for Vergne!

Must have put paid to much change for Q1 - surprised Red Bull were saying to Webber it might not be enough!

[Chrisgr31]

Big rush at the restart then

[stew-S160]

Now that would be interesting, fit F1 cars with afterburners...

[llewop]

Gaz. said:

Q1 is going to be mad now. Enough time for an outlap but it'll be a stampede out of the pitlane.

which is all a bit mad when in effect what they need to get through (assuming not a Marussia/Caterham) is not be slowest of the rest as Vergne will join the usual suspects in dropping out

[Chrisgr31]

Max Chilton the best of the worst!

[Chrisgr31]

Chilton being honest about his driving early in the season.

[Fishtigua]

Vettel has KERS issues. Good, that should shake things up a tad.

[E38Ross]

Fishtigua said:

Vettel has KERS issues. Good, that should shake things up a tad.

I actually like Vettel, he gets a lot of stick for simply doing a very good job with a very good package. I think the others should up their game rather than it be "good" when something goes wrong with his car to make it more even.

[e21Mark]

Hope Weber can keep pole.

[stew-S160]

Pole for Marrrrrrrrrrrrk. Good!

[Gun]

Woke up just in time to catch the end of qualifying, nice work Maaaark!

[Fishtigua]

E38Ross said:

Fishtigua said:

Vettel has KERS issues. Good, that should shake things up a tad.

I actually like Vettel, he gets a lot of stick for simply doing a very good job with a very good package. I think the others should up their game rather than it be "good" when something goes wrong with his car to make it more even.

What I meant was that a bit of variety would be nice, the little git still got second.

[Baron Greenback]

Thumbs up for Mark and poor old Alonso down in 8th!

Going to be a fight for 3rd and below, strange how red bull have such a bad KERS design I know they don't like the concept of KERS at Red bull but you have to make the most of rules. Should be a good race tomorrow.

[VolvoT5]

So it will be interesting to see how well Mark Webber starts given his previous form....... Vettel must still fancy his chances of leading after the first lap.

Kimi and Fernando need to sort their qualifying out....... not just beaten by their team mates but thrashed in terms of the gap.

[e21Mark]

E38Ross said:

Fishtigua said:

Vettel has KERS issues. Good, that should shake things up a tad.

I actually like Vettel, he gets a lot of stick for simply doing a very good job with a very good package. I think the others should up their game rather than it be "good" when something goes wrong with his car to make it more even.

No denying his ability as a driver, but he just doesn't have much in the way of personality, not to mention multi 21.

Glad Button isn't wearing that silly Vodaphone beret this week!

[stew-S160]

Wow, the look on Seb's face in the press conference...