Japanese GP (no spoilers in the first bit)
Discussion
No spoilers just yet...
Living only an hours drive from Suzuka meant that I finally had the chance of watching a Japanese GP 'live' without having to wake up at 4am.
Firstly, if you think ITV-F1 has bad coverage, don't bother coming to Japan and trying to follow anything on the telly. There is a continuos stream of ad-breaks from start to finish... they were all 3-4 mins long and at one point, they were positioned so close together that none of the cars managed to complete a lap before the next break started. Lots of incidents/overtaking moves were missed and never replayed.
Japanese commentary is highly entertaining and even though I can only understand 5% of what they're on about, I'd rather stick with these guys than the cock. For some reason, the Japanese TV station have a girl in the commentary box alongside the two guys, but she doesn't say anything, she just 'gasps' when someone overtakes or if there's a crash... at least that's what I think she's doing
I tried to stream Radio5 Live, but after 30 mins of listening, it ceased to be and I was informed that due to contractual obligations, the BBC couldn't stream the rest of the race, why? Did Bernie issue a court order halfway into the GP?
Before I get to the spoilers, I will say that it's a great race.
*******spoilers from here onwards*******
*******spoilers from here onwards*******
What an amazing race! Lots of incidents, very little overtaking in the pits, plenty of jostling for position and watching Kimi and Alonso come through the pack was a whole other spectacle... actually, without them, this would have been a run of the mill affair. They were in a class of their own.
When Kimi emerged from the pits in 2nd place with 8 laps to go, there was no way I thought he'd ever catch Fisi, but somehow he did and what a move on the final lap! Balls of steel (or ice?). Really got my heart racing.
Shame the Button was his usual self today and didn't bother fighting, maybe he's just happy he's got a drive next year. Just wish Montoya hadn't had the early incident, would have been even more entertaining to watch both the McLarens and Alonso scything their way to the front.
Why couldn't all this year's racing be like this? Well, I just look forward to Shanghai next weekend!
Edited to correct my bad spelling of 'Kimi'... can't believe I mistyped such a simple word
>> Edited by forever_driving on Sunday 9th October 13:24
Living only an hours drive from Suzuka meant that I finally had the chance of watching a Japanese GP 'live' without having to wake up at 4am.
Firstly, if you think ITV-F1 has bad coverage, don't bother coming to Japan and trying to follow anything on the telly. There is a continuos stream of ad-breaks from start to finish... they were all 3-4 mins long and at one point, they were positioned so close together that none of the cars managed to complete a lap before the next break started. Lots of incidents/overtaking moves were missed and never replayed.
Japanese commentary is highly entertaining and even though I can only understand 5% of what they're on about, I'd rather stick with these guys than the cock. For some reason, the Japanese TV station have a girl in the commentary box alongside the two guys, but she doesn't say anything, she just 'gasps' when someone overtakes or if there's a crash... at least that's what I think she's doing
I tried to stream Radio5 Live, but after 30 mins of listening, it ceased to be and I was informed that due to contractual obligations, the BBC couldn't stream the rest of the race, why? Did Bernie issue a court order halfway into the GP? Before I get to the spoilers, I will say that it's a great race.
*******spoilers from here onwards*******
*******spoilers from here onwards*******
What an amazing race! Lots of incidents, very little overtaking in the pits, plenty of jostling for position and watching Kimi and Alonso come through the pack was a whole other spectacle... actually, without them, this would have been a run of the mill affair. They were in a class of their own.
When Kimi emerged from the pits in 2nd place with 8 laps to go, there was no way I thought he'd ever catch Fisi, but somehow he did and what a move on the final lap! Balls of steel (or ice?). Really got my heart racing.
Shame the Button was his usual self today and didn't bother fighting, maybe he's just happy he's got a drive next year. Just wish Montoya hadn't had the early incident, would have been even more entertaining to watch both the McLarens and Alonso scything their way to the front.
Why couldn't all this year's racing be like this? Well, I just look forward to Shanghai next weekend!
Edited to correct my bad spelling of 'Kimi'... can't believe I mistyped such a simple word
>> Edited by forever_driving on Sunday 9th October 13:24
It was a stonker of a GP and Kimi and Fernando were mighty. Kimi seemed to be keen on bettering Alonso after Fernando's stunning move on Michael, it's a shame that the FIA messed up his race early on, I thought the move on Klien was as fair (if not fairer) than anything Schumacher's got way with in the past.
I think Button's problems were more to do with the car and BAR letting him down at the final stop - you've gotta be pretty dismal to lose out to Williams at a pitstop. Besides, he'd blown away Sato.
Overall, though, when F1's this good, nothing else compares
>> Edited by kevin ritson on Sunday 9th October 12:08
I think Button's problems were more to do with the car and BAR letting him down at the final stop - you've gotta be pretty dismal to lose out to Williams at a pitstop. Besides, he'd blown away Sato.
Overall, though, when F1's this good, nothing else compares
>> Edited by kevin ritson on Sunday 9th October 12:08
The best GP of the year by far. You're right, nothing compares to F1 when it's that good. And it proves that F1 cars can follow each other through fast corners, and overtake. The lack of overtaking in F1 is largely down to circuit design IMHO, not the cars.
Alonso's move on Schumacher, around the outside of 130R, was sheer bravery and commitment, as was his move on Webber later in the race where he kept his foot in even though he'd been pushed onto the grass.
There's not much I can say about Raikkonen that hasn't already been said. Today proved, beyond any doubt, that he's the best driver out there and will win a world title soon. A wonderful race, and pretty good TV coverage as well
Alonso's move on Schumacher, around the outside of 130R, was sheer bravery and commitment, as was his move on Webber later in the race where he kept his foot in even though he'd been pushed onto the grass.
There's not much I can say about Raikkonen that hasn't already been said. Today proved, beyond any doubt, that he's the best driver out there and will win a world title soon. A wonderful race, and pretty good TV coverage as well
kevin ritson said:
you've gotta be pretty dismal to lose out to Williams at a pitstop.
>> Edited by kevin ritson on Sunday 9th October 12:08
I'm sorry but how many races, championships have BAR Honda won?? As for Button, its always the car, yeh right, nothing to do with lack of talent, committment, will power (all in racing context)......he does NOT compare to Alonso or Kimi IMO. The best drivers can win without the best car.. a la Schumi and Alonso. Button will never beats DCs records never mind a title.
The DJ 27 said:
Alonso's move on Schumacher, around the outside of 130R, was sheer bravery and commitment, as was his move on Webber later in the race where he kept his foot in even though he'd been pushed onto the grass.
A great move, but let's not forget he overtook him going into the corner, he was on the right line as he went around it. Brave, but not a classic like Mansell's overtake of Berger around the outside (all around the outside) at the Peraltada (spelling?) in the late 80's in Mexico!
I immediately thought of the Mansell pass too. I thought for a second Alonso's was almost as impressive but then I remembered:
Mansell was in a car with no traction control, normal gears and no power steering.
The Peraltada was a MUCH longer corner and required huge bravery to go around at almost flat out speed
It was also MUCH bumpier. All the way around the corner you can see Mansell's car gradually edging to the outside as it skips to the left over each bump - at over 180 mph.
Senna tried to take this bend flat out in qualifying one year - and ended up barrel rolling his McLaren into the gravel.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Sunday 9th October 17:51
Mansell was in a car with no traction control, normal gears and no power steering.
The Peraltada was a MUCH longer corner and required huge bravery to go around at almost flat out speed
It was also MUCH bumpier. All the way around the corner you can see Mansell's car gradually edging to the outside as it skips to the left over each bump - at over 180 mph.
Senna tried to take this bend flat out in qualifying one year - and ended up barrel rolling his McLaren into the gravel.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Sunday 9th October 17:51
baz1985 said:
you've gotta be pretty dismal to lose out to Williams at a pitstop.
>> Edited by kevin ritson on Sunday 9th October 12:08
I'm sorry but how many races, championships have BAR Honda won?? As for Button, its always the car, yeh right, nothing to do with lack of talent, committment, will power (all in racing context)......he does NOT compare to Alonso or Kimi IMO. The best drivers can win without the best car.. a la Schumi and Alonso. Button will never beats DCs records never mind a title.
Sure, Williams know how to make a great car and win championships with it, but they've never been to hot at pitstops. I can well remember races lost by Mansell (the infamous loose wheel incident), Hill, Villeneuve etc.
In any case, they say you can only ever be compared to your team mate and I didn't see Sato challenging for much today (apart from a ban, maybe)
Agreed, you can only do as well as the car allows, this year has proven that with Schuey who's been nowhere in a lot of races. It doesnt mean he's suddenly crap or not trying.
I think Button may not quite have the outright speed of Alonso or Raikkonen, but he is still a bloody good driver, very quick, very smooth, makes bugger all mistakes and has proven on several occasions that he can race and overtake as well as anyone - given the right equipment.
I think Button may not quite have the outright speed of Alonso or Raikkonen, but he is still a bloody good driver, very quick, very smooth, makes bugger all mistakes and has proven on several occasions that he can race and overtake as well as anyone - given the right equipment.
Locoblade said:
Agreed, you can only do as well as the car allows, this year has proven that with Schuey who's been nowhere in a lot of races. It doesnt mean he's suddenly crap or not trying.
I think Button may not quite have the outright speed of Alonso or Raikkonen, but he is still a bloody good driver, very quick, very smooth, makes bugger all mistakes and has proven on several occasions that he can race and overtake as well as anyone - given the right equipment.
What he has proved is that in 99 races, mostly in decent cars, he hasn't won a race. Had he the talent of Senna, Schumacher (M), Prost, Alonso, Raikkonen (or the balls of Mansell), he would have won something by now. He's an over paid, over rated whingeing git.
Eric Mc said:
I immediately thought of the Mansell pass too. I thought for a second Alonso's was almost as impressive but then I remembered:
Mansell was in a car with no traction control, normal gears and no power steering.
The Peraltada was a MUCH longer corner and required huge bravery to go around at almost flat out speed
It was also MUCH bumpier. All the way around the corner you can see Mansell's car gradually edging to the outside as it skips to the left over each bump - at over 180 mph.
Senna tried to take this bend flat out in qualifying one year - and ended up barrel rolling his McLaren into the gravel.
>> Edited by Eric Mc on Sunday 9th October 17:51
and Mansell's car was sparking along the ground! - something they should bring back
david_s said:
Agreed, you can only do as well as the car allows, this year has proven that with Schuey who's been nowhere in a lot of races. It doesnt mean he's suddenly crap or not trying.
I think Button may not quite have the outright speed of Alonso or Raikkonen, but he is still a bloody good driver, very quick, very smooth, makes bugger all mistakes and has proven on several occasions that he can race and overtake as well as anyone - given the right equipment.
What he has proved is that in 99 races, mostly in decent cars, he hasn't won a race. Had he the talent of Senna, Schumacher (M), Prost, Alonso, Raikkonen (or the balls of Mansell), he would have won something by now. He's an over paid, over rated whingeing git.
What complete and utter rubbish.
Mansell didn't win anything until he got into a Williams Honda and you've obviously not heard the whinging of Senna, Mansell, Prost or Schumacher either.
all these comments on it being the best race ever!..... such short memories some people have.
it may have been an exciting race by modern standards, and actually seeing drivers overtake and follow closer than 1/4 of a mile behind is relatively eciting, but there have been far more exciting races in the past!
it may have been an exciting race by modern standards, and actually seeing drivers overtake and follow closer than 1/4 of a mile behind is relatively eciting, but there have been far more exciting races in the past!
GregE240 said:
Have to agree with the sentiments, what a great race.
I didn't get up with the burglars, but watched the repeat yesterday afternoon.
Alonso's overtake and also Kimi's were stunning.
Yep. Did the same. Avoided PH (in case of spoilers) Grand fun. Unmissable TV.
Did anyone try flicking over to the A1GP? I saw about five seconds of pre-race build up which was enough to convince me not to bother... Might watch a few races over the winter, though...
Spot on eccles. By current standards it was very good. By the standards of years gone by, it was all right.
Button is taking an inordinately long time - even Mansell got his first win within 5 years of starting his F1 career (1981 to 1985).
If Button isn't careful, he could end up being the Jean Alesi of his generation.
Button is taking an inordinately long time - even Mansell got his first win within 5 years of starting his F1 career (1981 to 1985).
If Button isn't careful, he could end up being the Jean Alesi of his generation.
I could kill myself for missing this one: I really wanted to see it, but I had another obligation on Sunday afternoon, and was too wiped out in the evening to see the highlights in the wee hours of Monday.
But before I commit seppuku, Does anyone know if/when ITV will show another replay, or highlights? I can't seem to find any listings on their web site.
Eternal thanks to anyone who can help me here!
But before I commit seppuku, Does anyone know if/when ITV will show another replay, or highlights? I can't seem to find any listings on their web site.
Eternal thanks to anyone who can help me here!
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff