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

[Foxbat]

Frankly, I agree with Alonso. The penalty was meaningless by the time it was applied so, really, Hamilton got very little if any sanction. The replay clearly shows Hamilton taking off and Alonso slamming on the anchors to allow the safety car in. Hamilton gained a huge amount of space through this move which was not negated by the twenty odd minutes it took to apply the drive through.

Funnily enough Mr Hamilton can't remember much about it. He seems to suffer quite often from selective amnesia(this isn't the first time). Perhaps he should visit a doctor.

[thaddeus6th]

I don't remember Ferrari kicking up a stink when Webber (at some race last year, I think) had a drive-through penalty but retained the lead and took the full points haul the winner gets.

I have some sympathy with the position, but I think it a genuine mistake on Hamilton's part. If Ferrari genuinely hated the injustice they would've had a huge go at Webber for the above situation, and if Alonso didn't want points given out for 'cheats' then he would've surrendered the points he got when Piquet deliberately crashed.

[Foxbat]

On Webber - fair point.

But Alonso didn't cheat. Piquet did. Then again, Alonso didn't lie to Australian stewards either.

[thaddeus6th]

Hamilton is sometimes a bit of a twonk.

Alonso was the beneficiary of his team mate's crash, though. How fortunate he knew 'nothing' about it.

It's an unfortunate situation. I find it hard to feel sympathy for a hyper-grumpy whinging champion against the leading British contender for the title.

[Foxbat]

Why would the FIA clear Alonso of any blame if he were guilty of 'knowing'?

They are both brilliant drivers and the tension between them adds to the entertainment.

However, it appears we are on different sides of the fence - yours silver & black and mine red. We will never agree on this one I fear.

[thaddeus6th]

I'd guess because the FIA is as much use as a broadsword made of blancmange.

Actually, I'd say I'm not a fan of any one team. I'm more anti-Alonso than pro-Hamilton (although my favourite driver is Vettel). Incidentally, Hamilton's said the Alonso take is a case of sour grapes.

[Foxbat]

When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions

Oh dear. If these words were not written for Hamlet, they could have been for poor Fernando. What a nightmare! What a contrast!
In Valencia we saw a penalty have absolutely no consequence and at Silverstone, the same penalty put the fiery Spaniard to the back of the grid. An absolute horror for Ferrari.

I think Webber's comment at the end (not bad for a No 2 Driver) is testament to the cracks appearing in Red Bull.

Good work by the McLaren drivers. Excellent podium for Rosberg (or Britney as Webber likes to call him). Good recovery drive from Vettel but many congrats to Webber.

[thaddeus6th]

Much as I'm not an Alonso fan, he really did get harshly treated by the officials and then by fate.

Agreed regarding Webber. I think his view is justified, but airing his thoughts to the world was not smart. Vettel had a great recovery, after a shocking start (I was really surprised how much faster the even side of the tracks eemed to be).

The McLarens did very well. They lost a single point in their Constructors' lead, which they would've settled for pre-race. It puzzles me why their car is so fast in the race but relatively poor in qualifying. Nice to see Mercedes getting better too.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by thaddeus6th

Agreed regarding Webber. I think his view is justified, but airing his thoughts to the world was not smart. Vettel had a great recovery, after a shocking start (I was really surprised how much faster the even side of the tracks eemed to be).

I wouldn't be upset to see either driver lift the crown (I rate them both highly). I agree Webber's comments were probably unwise.

I suppose tension between team mates goes with the territory. However, Webber's comments strike me as a man at war with his team and something needs to be done quickly to avert it festering into something destructive.

[thaddeus6th]

Tension's one thing, but what happened between Alonso and Hamilton at McLaren meant that, despite having the best car, they failed to get the title. The same thing could happen to Red Bull.

I don't have any special loyalty to any one driver. As I said, I think Vettel's probably the fastest, but it'd be nice for continued British success.

[pyan]

Originally Posted by thaddeus6th

As I said, I think Vettel's probably the fastest...

That's as may be - but until he learns to harness his speed with control, he ain't going to win many races...

As for Alonso, yes, the drive-through penalty was a tad harsh - but on the other hand, if he'd just let Kubica retake the place he'd lost when Alonso cut the chicane, and done it immediately, he wouldn't have gained the penalty. As it was, Kubica retired on the next lap and he'd have gained that place anyway....

[daisybee]

My step dad and brother went to Silverstone-So jealous!!! Would have loved to have been there, the atmosphere was wicked apparently, the only cold spot was the trouble between the Red Bull Boys. Gotta love the drama. Really glad that Webber is okay after that awful bloomin' smash, him and Seb need to hug and make up soon though. (Not likely I know).

Jenson did so well to get to 4th, really impressive. I still want Lewis to win the title though! Button can have second.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by daisybee

My step dad and brother went to Silverstone-So jealous!!!

Never been to Silverstone but I'm off to Spa in a few weeks and I can't wait to get back to my all-time favourite race track (my ambition is to win the lottery and buy a house in Stavelot as my retirement home)

Actually, I've always wondered why the call it Spa and not Stavelot because Spa is a few kilometers away whilst Stavelot has the track entrance right on the edge of the village.

[thaddeus6th]

A problem Vettel has (and Webber too, I think) is overtaking. By contrast, the McLaren drivers are both very good in this regard.

One of the best things this season is the new, excellent, points system. I think it's a great mixture of putting a premium on winning whilst also rewarding consistent reliability and it's given us a really close title race throughout the season.

Spa is a great circuit. Not sure if I could pick a favourite one though. Silverstone's great, and I love Interlagos too. Most of the new tracks are a bit rubbish, except Turkey. I was thoroughly unimpressed with Yas Marina last year.

[biodroid]

Originally Posted by thaddeus6th

A problem Vettel has (and Webber too, I think) is overtaking.

I reckon the problem is not the overtaking, the problem is that no one takes out Hamilton in the first corner. Hamilton can only win races if drivers crash out in front of him coz he can't overtake or if he phones Charlie Whiting to complain about the slow cars in front of him because he can't overtake.