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

[MGJohn]

Nick1point9 said:

vonuber said:

I suspect Vettel will close the gap significantly to Alonso this race. I think Vettel will be WDC.

I too think he will be WDC. Which in my opinion is a shame; 3 consecutive titles is a very small club and would (statistically speaking) raise him above the likes of Senna, Prost, Stewart, Alonso in some people's eyes.

A shame you say....

He's young and talented enough so could also actually earn that status on merit rather than simply in the eyes and mindset of various drivers' fans. Vettel is more than useful.

Money where mouth is time. If you actually believe that Vettel and not Alonso will gain his third WDC this season, he is around 4-1 to do so.... Alonso driving well has had lady luck on his side for most of this season and a sudden change of that could upset things considerably in a season where upsets have been far more frequent than is usually the case. Plus Alonso has my money riding on him and that has stopped him in the past when he was also clear favourite to secure his third WDC.

Yes, all still uncertain and anything can happen in the remaining races. That's the way I like it.
.

[HustleRussell]

I don't particularly like Alonso (I like Vettel more) but out of the two I want Alonso to win. He's worked so hard and driven so well, with a car which only 6 months ago was a total dog.

[coetzeeh]

I think the McLarens are going to dominate the last races of the year which may just help Alonso.

[CiderwithCerbie]

HustleRussell said:

I don't particularly like Alonso (I like Vettel more) but out of the two I want Alonso to win. He's worked so hard and driven so well, with a car which only 6 months ago was a total dog.

I agree with the analysis of Alonso, watching him deal with that total mongrel of a car at Albert Park really impressed me. He has gone way up in my estimation. Vettel and Lewis are really fast, but their petulant attitude when things aren't going their way really puts me off both of them as people. If Kimi or Jenson can't win repeatedly & soon, then I will be sticking with Fred all the way.

[Wanta996Gotta]

Flexi wing test targeting Mclaren and RedBull - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103056

[angrymoby]

What do we reckon the points target is for the WDC? ...250 'ish?

So FA needs on average 9 points per race, SV 14 & LH 18 (Sorry Kimi & Button fans but I think they're out of it )

When you consider that the Mclaren is probably the quickest car & the Red Bull 2nd, could be an interesting last race!

[MGJohn]

Just noticed as I was about to get into bed that Radio 5 Sports Extra ( R5SX ) is covering Practice 1 and 2 at Suzuka. Channel 706 on my Freeview TV ... will listen with headphones as three of the other occupants in the house have an early start for work tomorrow. Me now fully retired layabout can please myself. No more early starts for me. With no work appointments to meet after fifty plus years at T'mill... I may rise at the crack of noon this morning ...

Times for R5SX :~

P1 01:55 ~ 03:35

P2 05:55 ~ 07:35

Probably miss P2 as I will struggle to keep my eyes open after working on my cars during the fine sunshine earlier this afternoon ~ even at my age still need some 'beauty' sleep and like a soon to retire aged f1 driver, need to recharge the old batteries.

[SPR2]

Morning.Weather not looking bad in Japan hoping the McLarens do well here.Happy retirement MG John.
Absoloutly pouring of rain here(just let dog out for a pit stop)

Edited by SPR2 on Friday 5th October 03:13

[tank slapper]

Wanta996Gotta said:

Flexi wing test targeting Mclaren and RedBull - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103056

They should have been doing that 3 years ago.

[GAjon]

Good to see lots of spectators at the practice sessions, real enthusiasts in Japan.

[anonymous-user]

Never remember seeing anyone run wide entering the Spoon curve in the way Schumacher, Kovalinen and Di Resta have.

Seems that every year in Japan there is that "one" corner that catches people out.

[SPR2]

GAjon said:

Good to see lots of spectators at the practice sessions, real enthusiasts in Japan.

I thought that - both P1 and P2. Petrov very lucky

[wevster]

Looking forward to this race, i hope the Mclarens do well.

[Wanta996Gotta]

P1 Times
1. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m34.507s 20
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m34.740s + 0.233 26
3. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m34.856s + 0.349 24
4. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m35.059s + 0.552 18
5. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m35.112s + 0.615 20
6. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m35.199s + 0.692 27
7. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m35.283s + 0.776 24
8. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m35.299s + 0.792 18
9. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m35.474s + 0.967 22
10. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m35.478s + 0.971 24
11. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m35.484s + 0.977 26
12. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m35.584s + 1.077 24
13. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m35.691s + 1.184 22
14. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m35.724s + 1.217 21
15. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m36.123s + 1.616 19
16. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m36.222s + 1.715 25
17. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m36.366s + 1.859 23
18. Valterri Bottas Williams-Renault 1m36.389s + 1.882 24
19. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m37.716s + 3.209 17
20. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m38.295s + 3.788 23
21. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m38.616s + 4.109 25
22. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m39.043s + 4.536 25
23. Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault 1m39.374s + 4.867 22
24. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m39.688s + 5.181 19

P2 Times
1. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m32.493 34
2. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m32.707s + 0.214 32
3. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m32.836s + 0.343 37
4. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m32.987s + 0.494 30
5. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m33.093s + 0.600 28
6. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m33.107s + 0.614 35
7. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m33.349s + 0.856 22
8. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1m33.499s + 1.006 35
9. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m33.614s + 1.121 32
10. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m33.750s + 1.257 13
11. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m33.866s + 1.373 19
12. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m33.903s + 1.410 36
13. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m33.9$3s + 1.490 33
14. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m34.291s + 1.798 12
15. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m34.300s + 1.807 33
16. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m34.863s + 2.370 32
17. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m35.080s + 2.587 34
18. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m35.711s + 3.218 41
19. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m35.870s + 3.377 37
20. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m36.194s + 3.701 32
21. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m36.636s + 4.143 28
22. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m37.342s + 4.849 30
23. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m37.701s + 5.208 35
24. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes No time 2

[Munter]

Bedazzled said:

Oh dear another lack of concentration from Schuey. Sideways through the gravel, he was lucky it didn't dig in. Nice to see Webber at the top of the timesheets.

Looks like he was adjusting something (brake balance possibly), then dipped the right hand wheels onto the grass in the braking zone.

Multi-tasking fail I think.

[anonymous-user]

Bedazzled said:

Oh dear another lack of concentration from Schuey. Sideways through the gravel, he was lucky it didn't dig in. Nice to see Webber at the top of the timesheets.

Yet quicker than his hot shoe team mate. Again. Maybe he's just trying harder?

[Alicatt1]

Bedazzled said:

That accident had nothing to do with trying harder imo, he was fiddling with something in the cockpit, didn't straighten the wheel(!) and drove clear off the track. Easily done I guess but still...

A "senior momment"?

[deadslow]

Bedazzled said:

That accident had nothing to do with trying harder imo, he was fiddling with something in the cockpit

Ooooh errr missus

[SRT77]

Alicatt1 said:

A "senior momment"?

Must also apply to Di Resta who did the same. In fact at the team principals press conference Whitmarsh said he picked Perez for next year over Di Resta because Di Resta was too old. I think he's 26.

[Scuffers]

SRT77 said:

In fact at the team principals press conference Whitmarsh said he picked Perez for next year over Di Resta because Di Resta was too old. I think he's 26.

where did you pick this up from?

Staggering if true...