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

[stephen300o]

JulesV said:

Was surprised to hear that Kobayashi may not be at Sauber next year. Really hope he gets a decent drive somewhere.

I think Sergio leaving gives Kamui a better shot to stay. A repeat performance in Korea would help also.

[vonuber]

Alonso got a huge slice of lady luck in valencia. Swings and roundabouts.

[MGJohn]

vonuber said:

Alonso got a huge slice of lady luck in valencia. Swings and roundabouts.

Oh no he didn't ~ he's a Driving God remember ...

[TheHeretic]

998420 said:

... and Lewis got his fast lap in Q3 stymied by a yellow, but wtf is going on with the setups at McL ?

A few drivers went through the yellow flag on their second runs.

[deadslow]

vonuber said:

Alonso got a huge slice of lady luck in valencia. Swings and roundabouts.

Being taken out is bad luck. Breaking down is not, its a performance failure.

[Scuffers]

just read this on Autosport

Lewis said:

I struggled for the first 20 off laps, I don't know if it was before the first stop or after, and through Turn 14 I felt this thud on the rear and all of a sudden the car starting turning fantastically.

more gearbox issues?

[TheHeretic]

Scuffers said:

more gearbox issues?

Diff maybe! Surely that would be visible on the telemetry?

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Seeing as senna & grosjean got penalties for running into people & ruining their races why didn't kimi?

[TheHeretic]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Seeing as senna & grosjean got penalties for running into people & ruining their races why didn't kimi?

Because he never ran into anyone?

[Scuffers]

TheHeretic said:

Scuffers said:

more gearbox issues?

Diff maybe! Surely that would be visible on the telemetry?

you would think so?

[stephen300o]

TheHeretic said:

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Seeing as senna & grosjean got penalties for running into people & ruining their races why didn't kimi?

Because he never ran into anyone?

He cut Fernando's tire with his front wing, but was a racing two into one won't go deal.

[TheHeretic]

stephen300o said:

He cut Fernando's tire with his front wing, but was a racing two into one won't go deal.

Yup, he never ran into anyone. He was on the grass at one point.

[stew-S160]

Just watched the race. Super stoked for Kamui! About time he got a podium.

[davepoth]

Watching the interviews now. Massa looks so happy. I really hope that kicks his losing streak.

[Mermaid]

davepoth said:

Watching the interviews now. Massa looks so happy. I really hope that kicks his losing streak.

Good to see that. Not confident he will repeat this though.

[davepoth]

Mermaid said:

Good to see that. Not confident he will repeat this though.

I'm not so sure. It's all a head game, and he had a pretty tough time of it, what with that heartbreaking loss of the championship and nearly dying and all. I really hope he can do well again.

[TheHeretic]

davepoth said:

Watching the interviews now. Massa looks so happy. I really hope that kicks his losing streak.

He was beaming.

[SeeFive]

davepoth said:

Mermaid said:

Good to see that. Not confident he will repeat this though.

I'm not so sure. It's all a head game, and he had a pretty tough time of it, what with that heartbreaking loss of the championship and nearly dying and all. I really hope he can do well again.

IMO, Felipe has cleaned up his act in a lot of areas this seaason. He is no longer defending lost causes, causing overtaking drivers to have no option but to collide with him or leave the circuit - with them taking the inevitable trip to the stewards as the overtaking driver tends to do these days.

And his speed is improving. He is getting back to where he was earlier in his career, very slightly above journeyman class (yeah, I know, I hear you - "last corner Brazil 2008" etc, but it doesn't cut it with me as he has been around too long in a competitive car to only have one shot at it).

But it was good to see him rewarded today for a good, clean and quick drive for the first time in a long time. I was almost as happy for him as he appeared to be in his interviews. Nice job, I hope that, and his recent improvement in form helps him keep his seat.

[dtrump]

MGJohn said:

On another aspect, did Webber check his speed ( bit sideways ?? ) immediately before Grosjean made contact ?

Edited by MGJohn on Sunday 7th October 16:28

webber slowed...he went in too hot.....frenchy got it bang on......and ran into him

awkward...but I read as a racing incident

webber looks to be the one me who messed up the most

all imo

[Scuffers]

if you run up the arse of the car in front, it's your fault, period