F1 2010. (caution - may contain result spoilers just after a race...)

[thaddeus6th]

Hehe, Virgin also need a bigger fuel tank :P

Great to see Vettel finally get a much deserved win. The top 6 are very close, and the top 5 are now separated by 4 points only.

[Quokka]

I think there needs to be a new interim rule introduced until they get the overtaking/aero back on track. If there is no rain predicted the track must have sprinklers installed .

I'm liking the new points system, points down to 10th so the lower teams can still be rewarded but a bigger advantage for getting 1st and onto the podium.

[Foxbat]

I definitely like the sprinkler idea. Methinks you should give Bernie a call

[Foxbat]

Latest rumour is that Massa's manager has opened talks with Renault.
Sadly, Felipe just doesn't seem to be getting to grips with this year's Ferrari. I still think he's a fine racer but it will be very interesting to see the extremely impressive Kubica in a red car (if the rumours are true).

[thaddeus6th]

It does seem a bit odd. I rate Massa highly, but he's generally performed below par. Kubica's a very good driver too.

I do wonder if the gremlins that cursed Raikonnen's McLaren days are now tormenting Vettel. For my money, the best driver in the field in the best car, should've won the first three races and yet seems cursed.

[Foxbat]

Well, it looks like most of the Gremlins have been sorted out in the last couple of races - but Webber just seems to have hit the groove and made Vettel's life that much harder. They are two very good drivers in the best car on the grid.....but there can be only one World Champion..

[thaddeus6th]

Vettel's a class above Webber, in my view. Vettel's always been less good at Monaco, and it turns out his chassis had a defect during that race. Webber may well beat Vettel at Turkey (I think Vettel went backwards there last time), but I think Vettel will beat Webber over the course of the season.

New points system is working very nicely, rewarding a balance of reliability and race wins. Surprised how well Kubica's doing. I rate him highly, but I thought his car would prove his undoing.

[Foxbat]

I think Kubica is putting that car higher up the grid than it really deserves - a testament to his skill as a racer.

As I watch Friday Second Practice, Vettel has just gone fastest for now. It's a couple of Maclarens in a Red Bull sandwich at the top of the list.

Webber is a man who knows this is probably his last (or penultimate) tilt at the title. This will give him an edge to his hunger.

I certainly wouldn't disagree with your thoughts on Vettel but - as they used to say in Stingray - anything can happen in the next half hour

[Foxbat]

Very disappointed with Horner's words after the Turkish Grand Prix. He seemed to imply that Webber was to blame. The Aussie was driving in a straight line and Vettel turned into him. Why should Webber move over? It's up to Vettel to overtake him - not expect him just to move over.

I'm surprised they don't just tie bricks to the back of Webber's car to slow him down and remove any competition from Vettel.

Kudos to Hamilton and Button for showing how it should be done. I'm not a Maclaren fan but they put on the best moves of the race.

[thaddeus6th]

Just seen what Horner said.

Mixed views. My initial thought was that Vettel was mostly, but not entirely to blame. However, he was ahead at the time and he was squeezed a bit.

What matters more is how the team view it. Could be wrong, but didn't Webber have a new rear wing, or suchlike, this time [something Vettel lacked]?

Great driving by Hamilton and Button though. Also, Schumacher had a great result. The Mercedes isn't good enough yet, but he's getting better. The Ferrari seems to be going backwards.

[Foxbat]

I think Webber did indeed have new rear wing end plates.

Difficult to tell from the cameras but it looked to me that Vettel had plenty room but turned in too early (hoping to spook Mark and get a better line into the corner for himself???)

It's only a matter of time before Schumi's on a podium.

As for Ferrari - they really need to up their game or I'm going to lose a tenner (small wager with a work colleague that the Spaniard will lift the title in his first season with Ferrari). It's starting to look like a reckless wager.

[thaddeus6th]

On Webber: the team are blaming him. Apparently he was told over the radio that Vettel would get passed by Hamilton if he didn't pass Webber first. Also, I think Webber was on fuel conservation a little earlier, which is why Vettel was clearly faster.

Technically not a team order, but pretty clear Red Bull expected Webber to get out of the way, or at least allow Vettel a clean chance.

Formula 1? - The Official F1? Website

[pyan]

It's pretty obvious that Red Bull regard Vettel as their "No.1", regardless of their protestations that he and Webber are equal - just watch the hugs that Vettel got down the line of the RB controls. I thought Horner's remarks to the press , and the BBC in particular were way out of order, as well. He should have had them both in a room, analysing the tapes together and sorting out an official statement, not dropping sly hints about the way he saw it to the global audience.

Mark should get himself out of RB at the season's end, or before if possible - he deserves a lot better than to be judged like that - especially as Horner said he'd only seen the incident a couple of times on the monitors before talking to the BBC.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by pyan

It's pretty obvious that Red Bull regard Vettel as their "No.1", regardless of their protestations that he and Webber are equal - just watch the hugs that Vettel got down the line of the RB controls. I thought Horner's remarks to the press , and the BBC in particular were way out of order, as well. He should have had them both in a room, analysing the tapes together and sorting out an official statement, not dropping sly hints about the way he saw it to the global audience.

Mark should get himself out of RB at the season's end, or before if possible - he deserves a lot better than to be judged like that - especially as Horner said he'd only seen the incident a couple of times on the monitors before talking to the BBC.

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. The problem for Webber is - where does he go? Domenicali more or less said that Felipe would be staying at Ferrari and there doesn't seem to be another slot about to open up for Webber.

To go slightly off topic - big congratulations to Dario Franchitti for his second win at the Indy 500 (he has just gone one better than his and my big hero - the great Jim Clark)

I'm off to Le Mans next week and hope to see another Scot (McNish) do well.

[thaddeus6th]

Hmm. I wonder if Kubica could replace Webber at Red Bull. Not heard any rumours, just seems like a good fit, if Webber leaves.