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

[Foxbat]

I remember reading a while back that engine problems (customer engines that is) are often caused by installation (ie not precisely following manufacturer's guidelines). I wonder if they are trying to make things too compact at the back. Or could it be overheating due to the Coanda Effect? That could be a result of hot gases going awry due to the drive to form some kind of (il)legal blown diffuser and perhaps causing the engine to overheat. Or, as you say, perhaps just hot and humid.

[thaddeus6th]

Must admit I have no idea what the Coanda Effect is.

The Red Bull certainly has a borderline legal approach to exhaust gases (I think that's what Whiting said, but he did rule it ok), and it's notable that Lotus seems ok but Williams and Red Bull have both had problems, which points to you being right.

That might suggest that at hotter races the Renault-engined Williams and Red Bull could suffer reliability failures, and that at wet races the Ferraris and Saubers could have a competitive advantage (or at least not suffer such a disadvantage).

It's fantastic that the grid's so competitive. Nine teams scored points last time.

[Foxbat]

The Coanda effect is the tendancy for a gas or fluid to adhere to a nearby surface. F1 teams are trying to utilise this effect for pseudo blown diffusers. In essence, the rules state the height and direction of exhaust outlet to prevent blown diffusers but by careful design of the bodywork, some are trying to use this effect to redirect the exhaust gases and therefore increase the possibility of a blown diffuser effect.

Sorry, I can be a bit of an anorak in reading about this. My work colleagues are constantly telling me to shut up because I'm boring them

[Foxbat]

Well, it may not be Formula 1 but the start of the British Touring Cars season produced a cracker at Brands Hatch. Good telly watching to tide me over until China

[thaddeus6th]

Must admit that F1's the only motorsport I watch. In fact, as a kid it was the only sport I liked watching. Football was boring, and my stubborn streak meant that the efforts of others to get me into that and rugby didn't work at all [I quite like watching rugby now though].

Perez has stated he wants to win the title in 2-3 years. I think this is non-subtle code that won't bode well for Massa.

[Foxbat]

Don't watch a lot of footie myself but I do like a bit of Rugby. as for the touring cars, it's certainly worth watching. Mayhem, bits of car flying all over the place and plenty of overtaking.

As well as being on telly, it's actually a good day out if you want to watch it in the rain/sunshine/wind (delete as required). It's much much cheaper than F1. The support races are also very good. My favourite is the Junior Geneta category. If I remember correctly, it's for 14 to 17 year olds and they really go for it. Some of the most entertaining racing I've seen has come from this category. Also, you forget how young they are until they take their helmets off. Highly recommended.

As for Perez, I believe he is still under contract to Ferrari through the young drivers academy. He's certainly made an impressive start and, in the right car, will certainly be a contender.

[Foxbat]

Cracking race in China. Ferrari struggled but Nico was imperious. A well deserved first victory. McLaren showing good consistent race pace. Both Button and Hamilton will be contenders this year.

Thought the last third of this race was enthralling with Kimi learning just what it means to fall 'off the cliff'.

More like this please

[pyan]

What a great last third! Can't remember the last time we had six or seven cars all battling for second place - and well done to Nico. Unluckiest prize has got to go to Schumi. Credit must go to Norbert as well, for sticking with the sport in spite of a disappointing season or two.

On to Bahrain, assuming it stays on - I for one won't be too sorry if it's cancelled. For a start, I can't see how the situation has changed there since last year, in spite of the propaganda coming from the Poison Dwarf and the government - and secondly, it's a Sky race, and highlights, even "extended" ones aren't quite the same.

[thaddeus6th]

Poor Raikkonen. And Schumacher, actually. Mercedes might have had a 1-2 if they hadn't made that error. I think he was very calm and dignified when asked about it by Lee Mackenzie.

I bet Webber was grinning as he passed Vettel. The Wunderkind won't retain the crown, I think. McLaren remain favourites (they've been competitive in every qualifying and race so far), but if Mercedes have permanently resolved the tyre issue (and they looked very good today) then we could see a Rosberg and/or Schumacher title challenge. Still 17 races to go, and nobody's pulled out a big lead.

Bahrain's next [probably]. We'll see, if it's nice and hot, if the Silver Arrows melt in the heat.

[Foxbat]

Credit must go to Norbert as well, for sticking with the sport in spite of a disappointing season or two.

Oh yes. Most definitely. When other manufacturers were pulling out he was bringing Mercedes in. We need more like him.

[Foxbat]

Okay. I know that this is a sports section but I need to vent my frustration and anger at this situation, First, let me say that I don't think the Bahrain GP should take place. However, certain individuals need to take a look in the mirror. First is Ecclestone. There is absolutely no way he should try and persuade a team to take part in a practice session when they have safety concerns for their personnel (Force India). If the issue is safety, for employees, the team was quite right to put them first. Shame on you Bernie.

Secondly, the hypocritical politicians should all shut their damn mouths. If they feel that strongly about Bahrain, then why the hell don't they put sanctions in place just like they do for other countries. Also, how dare they call for British drivers to boycott! Why the hell didn't they call for the British Olympic team to boycott the Chinese Olympics a few years ago?

China is a constant abuser of Human Rights, has Tibet under complete subjgation and kills more people with capital punishment than any other country in the world. Right now, the murder of a British national (by Cyanide) is starting an unravelling of intrigue that reaches to the heart of Chinese Government. Strangely enough, not a lot of this is getting much press. Could it be that those hand-wringing politicians are putting self-interest first whilst pontificating pompously and crookedly to the rest of us mere mortals? Surely not.

Anyway. Rant over. I apologise for my words, but I found writing this somewhat cathartic.

Race on.

[thaddeus6th]

Foxbat, I concur that Bahrain should've been cancelled, but when practice has already begun it's too late, I think, to do so.

On Question Time on Thursday I think [second hand, I didn't watch it] Yvette Cooper, opposition person, said the race shouldn't be cancelled but that Button and Hamilton shouldn't go.

....?

Now Labour want it cancelled (as of Friday, maybe Saturday). Cameron's said it's 'not Syria' but there are concerns (what's the point of saying something that neither backs overtly or is against the race?).

You're also right about China.

It's also worth mentioning that apparently (due to the Judas Broadcasting Corporation's amazingly flexible interpretation of the 'interest of the fee-payer' I didn't see this myself) Force India got zero coverage in qualifying. Presumably this is a childish FOM punishment for not partaking in P2.

Qualifying was pretty unexpected, and I've heard Schumacher might have another 5 place grid penalty due to a gearbox change. His luck has been abysmal in every single race.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by thaddeus6th

It's also worth mentioning that apparently (due to the Judas Broadcasting Corporation's amazingly flexible interpretation of the 'interest of the fee-payer' I didn't see this myself) Force India got zero coverage in qualifying. Presumably this is a childish FOM punishment for not partaking in P2.

Qualifying was pretty unexpected, and I've heard Schumacher might have another 5 place grid penalty due to a gearbox change. His luck has been abysmal in every single race.

I agree that Force India received 'payback' which was pretty disgusting.
As for Schumi ....jeez. He's taking it pretty well though. Ferrari look pretty bad and Mugello can't come soon enough. I think Hamilton will win this one if he can get in front of Vettel at the start.

[thaddeus6th]

I really hope Schumacher has a good race, and then has some good luck in the next few races.

Australia = gearbox died, DNF
Malaysia = tagged by Grosjean, put to the back of the field, 10th
China = wheel not fitted properly at pit stop, DNF

He could've gotten a podium in China, and was at least on for high points, and the same applies in Australia (and maybe Malaysia, I forget how high he was when he got hit by Grosjean).

Bahrain's hard to call because we don't know how effective the DRS zone will be, and how well (or not) the tyres will hold up. In China everyone reckoned Mercedes would be undone by tyre wear, but they excelled in that area. I hope Hamilton can beat Vettel today. I grow bored of Red Bull titles.

[pyan]

There's some amazing quotes from F1 people that shows that they really need minders! My favourite two at the moment:

"(I'm busy concentrating on the) stuff that really matters - tyre temperatures, cars."

Vettel, when asked what he thought of the situation.

And this gem from the Poison Dwarf, when asked about the apparent boycott by his TV company of Force India's qualifying:

"It was simple," Ecclestone explained to Reuters correspondent Alan Baldwin. "They [the TV editors] are interested in who is going to be on pole. Nobody cares if someone is ninth or 11th"

(my emphasis)

I note that he fails to explain why, if this is true, the cameras faithfully followed Alonzo (who, in fact, did finish ninth) and Massa around their laps. A truly nasty, petty little man.