Formula One: 2012 - (caution - may contain result spoilers just after a race...)

[Foxbat]

According to the race programme, they are late seventies/early eighties cars. Nice to see them on the track.

Just an afterthought, I wonder if any of them were used in the upcoming F1 film Rush?

[Foxbat]

Now signed up with Photobucket so this is just a test to see if I can get a picture up.

[Foxbat]

Wayhay! It worked!
To celebrate , here's one of the Red Arrows

[thaddeus6th]

I think it'd be interesting if we went back (to an extent) to those days. I don't mean rewind technology or anything, just make a better balance between aerodynamic and mechanical grip, and allow greater freedom for the engine. Everything's about aero now, and I think that's part of the problem regarding overtaking (admittedly that's been partly solved by Pirelli, KERS and DRS, but I dislike the last one).

[Foxbat]

I kind of agree with you (although I do find aero fascinating). I'm not entirley convinced by DRS either.

Enzo Ferrari once said something like 'Aerodynamics are for people who can't build proper engines' (can't remember exact wording used).

However, what I really like about this 'sport' is the fact that no matter what rules are put in place, there's always some genius that finds a way to circumvent them and causing no amount of kerfuffle up and down the paddock as other teams try to catch up (F Duct for example). So, even if the rules were changed to limit aero even more than they are right now, some bright spark would find a way to get an edge

[thaddeus6th]

I dislike DRS. I think a case can be made for KERS, because it's optional and can be used anywhere on the circuit, whereas DRS actively gives an advantage to the car behind.

I quite like the development race as well. This year has been especially interesting because Ferrari started with a dog and now has something approaching a greyhound, whereas the McLaren (which was entirely dominant at the start of the season) is now well off the pace. Mercedes are taking updates to Germany, so hopefully they'll put in a good performance there.

[Foxbat]

I think McLaren were due to bring updates to Silverstone but that was scuppered by the rain. They will have them for Germany so Hockenheim and Hungary could be a turning point for them (assuming the upgrades work and they are better than anybody else's). It's quite unusual to see them on the back foot like this. Normally McLaren are the kings of in-season development.

On a happy note, it appears that Maria de Villota is making a good recovery from her accident.

[Foxbat]

Red Bull are under investigation for alleged illegal engine mapping during quali. It's all very technical but specifically forbidden under an FIA rule. If they are found guilty then both Vettel and Webber could start at the back of the grid. A decision is expected before German GP race start.

[Foxbat]

Red Bull have been cleared of any illegality. Now, all I have to do is avoid the race result until I see the BBC highlights.

[thaddeus6th]

Oh. In that case I won't spoil it. It's very exciting, however.

[Foxbat]

That man Fernando does it again

I think Button must be very happy with second (Vettel given a 20 second penalty for overtaking off track). Jenson's not had much luck recently but he'll be hoping that this is the start of his resurgence. That McLaren with its new upgrades looks like a real threat. Nothing but bad luck for Hamilton today.

Vettel, apparently, is not happy with Hamilton for unlapping himself in the middle of his battle with Alonso. Still, Hamilton was entitled to do so. Perhaps he didn't choose the best place to do it but I can imagine that Hamilton was not going to sit back and let anybody lap him....it's just not in his psyche.

Alonso, on the other hand, saw Hamilton as another tactical opportunity in his quest for victory. His plan was to try and keep Hamilton between himself and Vettel as much as possible. And, quite frankly, thinking like that (along with fantastic ability) is why I consider Alonso the best of the bunch.

[thaddeus6th]

McLaren today probably had the fastest car. Hamilton was bloody unlucky.

I think it's weird that Vettel, for overtaking off the circuit, gets the same penalty as Maldonado for ramming into Hamilton and ending his race in Valencia.

Alonso did well to keep Button and Vettel behind him, but I think Perez and Kobayashi deserve the most praise. From 17th to 6th is very impressive. Perez could have a very bright future ahead of him.

Webber was strangely lacklustre in the race. Not really sure why.

[biodroid]

thaddeus - Did you also notice how Hamilton didn't get a penalty in Bahrain for doing the same overtaking move. All four wheels were off the circuit but they let it go. Vettel got punished for doing the same. The FIA has double standards. Why was Hamilton retired? Was it because he was embarrassing McLaren by trying to unlap himself and cause problems for Alonso and Vettel?

[thaddeus6th]

Hmm. Was that when Rosberg pushed him wide?

I think the difference might be (for Hamilton and Button on Maldonado and Vettel respectively) that the McLaren drivers were holding a racing line whereas Rosberg went off-line.

I think Hamilton had a problem with the differential. It sounds like either whatever caused his puncture caused some other damage or returning to the pits with an almost full lap of punctured tyre whirling around caused additional damage.

I think Alonso will be pretty delighted that Hamilton passed Vettel, actually. I really don't know what the etiquette/rules are if a lapped driver is quick enough to contend and unlap himself. Must say I was a bit surprised he did that.

[biodroid]

I agree, he seemed to race the top 3 instead of letting them race, even if was trying to unlap himself he was not in any points position.