The Official Japanese GP Thread 2012 ***SPOILERS***
Discussion
Back to the racing !
Some very unsettled weather in Japan at the moment - Typhoon Jelawat is causing a lot of damage.
http://news.sky.com/story/991265/typhoon-jelawat-h...
Tokyo is some 200 miles north west of Suzuka and will clear before the race weekend. Local forecast is a bit mixed depending where you look - but a bit of rain would make it interesting - maybe we'll see Kimi finally win a race in 2012!
Some very unsettled weather in Japan at the moment - Typhoon Jelawat is causing a lot of damage.
http://news.sky.com/story/991265/typhoon-jelawat-h...
Tokyo is some 200 miles north west of Suzuka and will clear before the race weekend. Local forecast is a bit mixed depending where you look - but a bit of rain would make it interesting - maybe we'll see Kimi finally win a race in 2012!
I think it's going to be a Hamilton win and Alonso will of course pick up some points
Looking further ahead.. Alonso has this championship tied up - it's his to loose right now and that's a bloody strong position to be in.
Mclaren to get the constructors title ( about time they did it again ) Lewis to get within a few points of winning the WDC
Looking further ahead.. Alonso has this championship tied up - it's his to loose right now and that's a bloody strong position to be in.
Mclaren to get the constructors title ( about time they did it again ) Lewis to get within a few points of winning the WDC
I'm not sure that Ferrari will be that strong here. I see a 4th place for Alonso. McLaren are on a roll lately so...
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Button
But McLaren hardly ever get both cars in the top 5 let alone the top 3 so realistically...
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Raikkonen
Raikkonen has had 3 podiums in the last 5 races, with a 5th and 6th in the last two. He's definitely capable of the WDC. He can poach it from here like Vettel poached it in 2010.
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Button
But McLaren hardly ever get both cars in the top 5 let alone the top 3 so realistically...
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Raikkonen
Raikkonen has had 3 podiums in the last 5 races, with a 5th and 6th in the last two. He's definitely capable of the WDC. He can poach it from here like Vettel poached it in 2010.
MSTRBKR said:
I'm not sure that Ferrari will be that strong here. I see a 4th place for Alonso. McLaren are on a roll lately so...
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Button
But McLaren hardly ever get both cars in the top 5 let alone the top 3 so realistically...
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Raikkonen
Raikkonen has had 3 podiums in the last 5 races, with a 5th and 6th in the last two. He's definitely capable of the WDC. He can poach it from here like Vettel poached it in 2010.
I don't think Raikkonen is in a similar position to contend the WDC like Vettel was in 2010; Vettel won 3 of the last 6 in 2010 which I can't see Raikkonen doing. Realistically, will Raikkonen out score Vettel, Hamilton and Alonso, when 2 of them have better cars?1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Button
But McLaren hardly ever get both cars in the top 5 let alone the top 3 so realistically...
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Raikkonen
Raikkonen has had 3 podiums in the last 5 races, with a 5th and 6th in the last two. He's definitely capable of the WDC. He can poach it from here like Vettel poached it in 2010.
With the Hamilton-McLaren split out in the open, how good will his cars now be for the rest of the season? Was it mere coincidence and merely bad luck Hamilton had a rare non-self-inflicted Mechanical DNF in the last race? Doubt it, points mean more than prizes in F1. There again, it appears from what information is available, they took a chance with a known gearbox question hanging over Hamilton's car. Surely they should have made a certainty of these things. Funny old games folks sometimes play. You never know though.
So, I expect McLaren to continue their recently found superiority with Button now in the forefront. Nobody appears to have given Maldonado much thought. I expect his change of attitude to be again more productive and anticipate a good showing with the possibility of a win not out of the question.
Alonso will be wise to continue to drive for best points rather than the win, taking a win if fortune is on his side as has happened before. Yes, wise to continue trying to make a certainty of a good points score rather than beating every other car.
Until a few races ago I was expecting better things to continue from improved Lotus but, they continue to flatter to deceive. They will be thereabouts if luck again plays a part, not from better car/driver combinations I feel.
Vettel and the Red Bull cars. There will be huge incentive to maximise Vettel's chances in the remaining races. He's won from a long way back in previous seasons so again, there's a chance. Only takes a slip up from the Red Car Team or their No.1 driver or, a downturn of luck as happened at Monza and it's all change at the top in a race or two.
What of the two Mercedes cars? Who knows. That team continues to be an enigma from just about every aspect all season but a good showing is always possible. By the way, you can get 100-1 each way for a Schumacher win...
So all things considered, best thing if McLaren are not top car come Suzuka is stick a pin in all the top half dozen teams. It could be that close.
Continues to be one of the most interesting seasons for along time whatever happens in the remaining races.
Yes, very interesting. Hamilton drives the three pointed star next season ... who knew? Not me. What a turn up! Eddie J did apparently.
So, I expect McLaren to continue their recently found superiority with Button now in the forefront. Nobody appears to have given Maldonado much thought. I expect his change of attitude to be again more productive and anticipate a good showing with the possibility of a win not out of the question.
Alonso will be wise to continue to drive for best points rather than the win, taking a win if fortune is on his side as has happened before. Yes, wise to continue trying to make a certainty of a good points score rather than beating every other car.
Until a few races ago I was expecting better things to continue from improved Lotus but, they continue to flatter to deceive. They will be thereabouts if luck again plays a part, not from better car/driver combinations I feel.
Vettel and the Red Bull cars. There will be huge incentive to maximise Vettel's chances in the remaining races. He's won from a long way back in previous seasons so again, there's a chance. Only takes a slip up from the Red Car Team or their No.1 driver or, a downturn of luck as happened at Monza and it's all change at the top in a race or two.
What of the two Mercedes cars? Who knows. That team continues to be an enigma from just about every aspect all season but a good showing is always possible. By the way, you can get 100-1 each way for a Schumacher win...
So all things considered, best thing if McLaren are not top car come Suzuka is stick a pin in all the top half dozen teams. It could be that close.
Continues to be one of the most interesting seasons for along time whatever happens in the remaining races.
Yes, very interesting. Hamilton drives the three pointed star next season ... who knew? Not me. What a turn up! Eddie J did apparently.
woof said:
Alonso doesn't have to win - he only need to score a handful of points per race and let the others fight. He's too mature a driver to throw it away. (cue Alonso throwing the WDC away)
He isn't that far ahead. Just 3 more races like Singapore with Vettel winning and he's no longer leading.FadeTrade said:
woof said:
Alonso doesn't have to win - he only need to score a handful of points per race and let the others fight. He's too mature a driver to throw it away. (cue Alonso throwing the WDC away)
He isn't that far ahead. Just 3 more races like Singapore with Vettel winning and he's no longer leading.Alonso hasn't won since Germany and I think he's natural position is 4 or 5th but he keeps scoring points and his rivals keep throwing it away.
So maybe it's still a 3 way fight - Alonso, Lewis & Vettel ( I don't see Kimi being part of it)
Mclaren odds on favourite to win the Team Champs
Suzuka is both very fast and a big test of driver skill.
It is exactly the sort of circuit that the Red Bull doesn't like.
Jenson and Kimi both like it here. So one or both of them for the podium.
Force India, Sauber and Williams could all surprise.
But the safest money has to be on Alonso for a top 4 finish.
It is exactly the sort of circuit that the Red Bull doesn't like.
Jenson and Kimi both like it here. So one or both of them for the podium.
Force India, Sauber and Williams could all surprise.
But the safest money has to be on Alonso for a top 4 finish.
Yep:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103002
I reckon it'll be :
Hamilton
Vettel
Alonso
Raikkonen
Button
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103002
Autosport said:
Jenson Button will have a five-place grid penalty for the Japanese Grand Prix because he needs a new gearbox for the Suzuka weekend, AUTOSPORT can reveal.
The Briton returns to the scene of his brilliant victory 12 months ago, 75 points adrift of championship leader Fernando Alonso, and well aware that only a victory will keep alive his slim title hopes.
But he has already been given some bad news, with post-race investigations of his gearbox after the Singapore GP uncovering an identical gearbox problem to that which had put Lewis Hamilton out of the race.
McLaren has no option but to change Button's gearbox for a new one, which means he will moved down five places on the grid.
Hamilton will also be fitted with a new gearbox, but he will not suffer any penalty as he did not finish the last race.
McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe told AUTOSPORT: "Jenson's gearbox had the same problem as Lewis's gearbox during the Singapore Grand Prix, and subsequent investigation has revealed a terminal failure.
"Therefore both cars must start the Japanese Grand Prix with new gearboxes, which means that Jenson will receive a five-place penalty.
"Of course, this is a great disappointment for Jenson and the team. On the positive side, we have understood and completely resolved the issue, allowing both drivers to compete with confidence for podium positions."
Hamilton heads to the Japanese GP 52 points behind Alonso, with six races remaining in this year's title battle.
The Briton returns to the scene of his brilliant victory 12 months ago, 75 points adrift of championship leader Fernando Alonso, and well aware that only a victory will keep alive his slim title hopes.
But he has already been given some bad news, with post-race investigations of his gearbox after the Singapore GP uncovering an identical gearbox problem to that which had put Lewis Hamilton out of the race.
McLaren has no option but to change Button's gearbox for a new one, which means he will moved down five places on the grid.
Hamilton will also be fitted with a new gearbox, but he will not suffer any penalty as he did not finish the last race.
McLaren technical director Paddy Lowe told AUTOSPORT: "Jenson's gearbox had the same problem as Lewis's gearbox during the Singapore Grand Prix, and subsequent investigation has revealed a terminal failure.
"Therefore both cars must start the Japanese Grand Prix with new gearboxes, which means that Jenson will receive a five-place penalty.
"Of course, this is a great disappointment for Jenson and the team. On the positive side, we have understood and completely resolved the issue, allowing both drivers to compete with confidence for podium positions."
Hamilton heads to the Japanese GP 52 points behind Alonso, with six races remaining in this year's title battle.
I reckon it'll be :
Hamilton
Vettel
Alonso
Raikkonen
Button
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff