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

[thaddeus6th]

I heard a few weeks ago they might bring back ground effect downforce. I'd write more, but I have no idea how it works

Apparently it'd make overtaking easier. Not sure overtaking is too hard right now. The problem isn't aerodynamics, but lots of new tracks being rubbish.

[AlexDavis]

I thought the track in Korea looked terrible - it just took forever to dry off once the rain stopped. Most circuits would have drained that water away in no time.

[thaddeus6th]

In the future drainage will probably be pretty good, but the track really didn't have time to bed in.

Despite that, I think the safety car was out for too long.

[AlexDavis]

Couldn't agree more - it held things up for so long! I always thought there was a time limit on races, but it seemed to go on way beyond the usual two hours...

[pyan]

Published in March, 2011, this should be interesting - I wonder just how candid it's going to be?...

No Angel: The Secret Life of Bernie Ecclestone: Amazon.co.uk: Tom Bower: Books

[Foxbat]

I was at Spa this year and thought Friday practice there was far worse than the rain appeared on telly in Korea (Spa had thunder, lightning, wind and lashings of rain) so it was interesting to hear some of the driver's comments in Autosport.

The gist of it being that it wasn't so much the rain or water on the track that was the problem but the spray and proximity of the walls. This caused the moisture to hang in the air and create a visibilty near zero.

[AlexDavis]

Interesting - it'll be quite a challenge to rectify that for next year I'd imagine...

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by AlexDavis

Interesting - it'll be quite a challenge to rectify that for next year I'd imagine...

Definitely....especially keeping in mind that the reason the wall is there is because there's going to be a lot of building developmnet going on. Question is...will the racing suffer (due to poor visibility in wet weather) because of the development?

[thaddeus6th]

Depends on both the weather and pace of development [which are obviously linked]. With any luck, the next race there will be mostly or entirely dry.

Speaking of which, the basic F1 website forecast has lightning storms pegged for Saturday.

[pyan]

Originally Posted by thaddeus6th

Speaking of which, the basic F1 website forecast has lightning storms pegged for Saturday.

As long as they happen after the race has started, and we don't get a repeat of the first hour of Korea...

[thaddeus6th]

It's true that the first hour of Korea was about as exciting as a slideshow presented by Gordon Brown, however, the latter part of the race was quite good fun [although I remain saddened by Vettel's engine exploding yet again].

Rain last time didn't stop Interlagos playing host to a fantastic race. Vettel, Button and Hamilton all made great progress through the field.

[Foxbat]

With the penultimate race approaching I have to say I never saw that coming. Hulkenburg on Pole!!!!!!

That's really put the cat amongst the pigeons - a relative rookie up front and the four main protagonists right behind. Button (I think) is now out of the running.

Could be fun. Could be mayhem. I expect to see a few of the frontrunners swapping insurance details

It's worth saying a hearty congratulations to the whole Williams team for getting their first pole in a very long time. As much as I'd like to see Webber or Alonso win the championship, I wouldn't be upset to see the Hulk take a win in Brazil and give some well deserved cheer to Sir Frank and co.

[thaddeus6th]

I don't think anyone saw that coming. I missed it live, but watched it with my brother on his Sky+ thingummyjig. Staggering work by The Hulk. More than a second ahead of Vettel is amazing.

Also worth pointing out Barrichello's 6th, and, after Red Bull, Williams are the highest placed team collectively. Last year Fisichella got 2nd after snagging pole for Force India at Spa, so maybe Hulkenberg will get a podium spot. If so, could prove critical in the title race.

[pyan]

And it just goes to show that there's more than one type of danger faced by F1 drivers:

Jenson Button unhurt after armed men threaten him

Formula 1 champion Jenson Button has praised the quick actions of his police driver after armed men threatened him in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Button called him a "legend" for fleeing through traffic after six men brandishing machine guns approached.

BBC News - Jenson Button unhurt after armed men threaten him

Who was it, then? Felipe, Rubens, Bruno or Lucas...

[Foxbat]

Good that Button's ok.

On to the race - not a great spectacle but it simplifies the math.
Mclaren are effectively out (unless they send in a squad of ninjas the night before the race to sabotage the Red Bulls and Ferrari)

Congrats to Red Bull for the constructor's championship

Now for the drivers........................................... ......................
If the same results occur in the last race, Alonso will be champion by one point. If Webber wins then he will be champion unless Alonso finishes second. Vettel gave the coded message. If he is in front with Webber behind and Alonso in third, he will let Webber through.

I think that unless somebody has a disaster in qualifying or a DNF, Webber is the likliest candidate for the crown. It's two against one but Fernando will fight to the bitter end.