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

[thaddeus6th]

Massa had the pace to do better, but that spin early on hampered his chances. Schumacher's bloody cursed. That's at least his third DNF due to reliability problems.

Hamilton and McLaren played it perfectly, aided by a rather silly strategy from his chief rivals. I think Alonso could've tried for first and would've been at least second if he'd pitted a lap or two after Hamilton.

Button was really off the pace, again. Perez also did very well to get on the podium for the second time this season.

[biodroid]

I agree, much to my dissappointment, Ferrari and Red Bull messed up their startegies and were over confident. But at least Vettel didn't do too bad.

[thaddeus6th]

Yeah. I think the Red Bull lacked enough pace to beat Ferrari or McLaren, and would've gotten third. So to drift one place isn't too bad. Alonso should've been challenging for the win and at least coming second, so he'll've lost a fair chunk of points.

They're all very close now. Webber isn't too far off, but I'm not sure I can see him beating Vettel (as well as Hamilton and Alonso).

[Foxbat]

Disclaimer – this is just me thinking out loud but I find this interesting.
Martin Whitmarsh (in a recent interview) alluded to Button’s woes being down to a suspension set-up issue. Button says it’s definitely not the tyres…..and yet his tyres are degrading more than Hamilton’s (much more). This is from a man known to look after his tyres.

So, here’s what I’m thinking- If you ever watch those super slo-mo shots of Hamilton going round corners, look how stiff his suspension is. The car practically bounces - and this is done to preserve the aerodynamic shape of the car (even under these different loads). This is important because retaining aerodynamic shape means retaining downforce. Now, I wonder if Button is running with a much softer set-up. If he were, he would lose downforce (and, therefore, grip), the tyres would slide more in the corners and he would struggle for traction at the exit. This would most definitely shorten the life of his tyres on a hot track.

Obviously, if I really knew what I was talking about, I’d be designing a world beater for Ferrari but I do find the strategy, design and development as fascinating as the racing (which probably explains why I even can happily watch ‘boring races’)

Sorry if I’ve bored you people but I just had to get my theory out into the ether.

* tap tap * Hello! Is there anybody there…….?

[thaddeus6th]

No, no, that's an interesting thought.

Surely, though, Button would realise if there were such a massive difference?

[Foxbat]

Yes. You would expect Button or his engineers to notice this. However (and perhaps I should have mentioned it earlier) Whitmarsh said in the interview that they did not do any long runs on this suspension.

I find this quite surprising for a team like McLaren because (unless I'm missing something) how can they gauge tyre degradation without longer runs?

[thaddeus6th]

That sounds weird.

However, it must be said that they got tyre degradation spot on in Canada, unlike their main rivals.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by thaddeus6th

That sounds weird.

However, it must be said that they got tyre degradation spot on in Canada, unlike their main rivals.

In Hamilton's case they were right on the money.

They were also correct when they said that doing a one-stop would leave sitting ducks at the end. However, as Alonso pointed out - Grosjean did a one stop. It seems the problem is that there is no indication of when the drop-off happens.....it just happens (a strategists nightmare).

[pyan]

Just done some digging around about viewing figures:

BBC Canadian GP 2011 live peak = 8.5m
Sky Canadian GP 2012 live peak = 1.8m (-6.7m)

BBC Monaco GP 2011 peak = 6.1m
BBC & Sky Monaco GP 2012 peak = 4.72m (-1.28) (BBC 4.16m, Sky 0.56m)

BBC Spanish GP 2011 peak = 6.2m
BBC & Sky Spanish GP 2012 peak = 5.65m (-0.55m) (BBC 4.6m, Sky 1.05m)


BBC Bahrain GP 2010 live peak = 6.1m (race cancelled in 2011)
Sky Bahrain GP 2012 live peak = 1.6m (-4.5m)

BBC Chinese GP 2011 peak = 4.3m
BBC & Sky Chinese GP 2012 peak = 4.15m (-0.15m) (BBC 4.1m, Sky 0.5m)

BBC Malaysian GP 2011 live peak = 4.4m
Sky Malaysian GP 2012 live peak = 1.5m (-2.9m)

BBC Australian GP 2011 live peak = 3.18m
Sky Australian GP 2012 live peak = 1.02m (-2.16m)

Umm - it seems that when both Sky and the BBC cover a race live, the vast majority watch the BBC, and when only Sky covers the live race, viewing figures fall through the floor. I wonder how Bernie squares this with his statements about the exciting new coverage of F1, and, more to the point, how long he'll sit and watch the decline in overall viewers? The Canadian GP is particularly bad - even if you add in the peak viewers for the BBC highlight programme, (3.1m), it still gives a drop in overall viewers of 3.6m from 2011...

(Source: BBC & Sky GP Viewing Figures 2011/2012

[Foxbat]

I've watched both Sky and BBC (a friend of mine relented and got Sky) and I must admit, I much prefer the BBC coverage. They may not have as much resources as Sky but the presentation is much slicker and has a touch more humour in it. I have no doubt the poor figures for Canada are directly related to the late highlights show.

It may be that, in the future, Sky will be the only F1 broadcaster in the UK (I sincerely hope not) and I may feel compelled to subscribe if that ever happens, but right now, I'm very happy with the BBC. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the highlights were and never felt that I was really missing anything from the race. To be frank, I spend enough money each year going to races wthout the addition of a Sky package. (Silverstone and Spa...again! this year)

As an aside, Lee McKenzie is starting to shine as a presenter. A couple of times in the last two seasons she has hosted the show when Jake has been elsewhere and she has really held her own.

[thaddeus6th]

Really good information, thanks for that posting that, pyan.

I've not watched Sky (as I don't have it) but from what I've heard it sounds like the BBC's Humphrey/Coulthard/Jordan trio are far better than what their rivals offer, but some do prefer the Brundle/Croft commentary.

Also, stop complaining about going to Silverstone and Spa!

Next up on Foxbat's complaints: Why does Olivia Wilde always make *me* pay for the hotel rooms?!

I really hope Sky doesn't become the sole broadcaster. Ecclestone was suggesting that may well happen (vile man), but hopefully the contrast in both free-to-air versus pay TV viewers as well as the overall decline in viewers (despite the season being arguably the most exciting of modern times) will persuade him and sponsors that audience reach depends upon free-to-air TV.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by thaddeus6th

Next up on Foxbat's complaints: Why does Olivia Wilde always make *me* pay for the hotel rooms?!

I wish.

I have also heard that Ecclestone has suggested that Sky may become the sole broadcaster but, looking at his past dealings, this may be his attempt at a self-fulfilling prophecy....Bernie says Sky and everybody thinks, hmm, better move now. Suddenly Sky get enough new subscribers to make it viable and Bernie wins again.

What we all need to do is sit tight until the bitter end. Call his bluff.

[Foxbat]

Well, it's not Formula 1 but it's just as good. What am I talking about? The Le Mans 24 Hour of course. I've been following it on the net via Radio Le Mans and Autosport live blogging. Alan McNish got a second place in the number 2 Audi, but I'm really posting this to wish Anthony Davidson a speedy recovery. The ex-Super Aguri F1 driver suffered a broken back in a massive crash when his Toyota LMP1 was clipped by a Ferrari and was sent airborne. He was able to tweet from his hospital bed so, hopefully, it won't be too long before he's back up and about.

[Foxbat]

Talk about putting a spanner in the works. Fernando's just said he would have no problems with Hamilton as a team-mate. Sounds strange. Perhaps just a bit of gossip jiggerypokery. The thing is, I believe him.

I've followed Alonso since he first stepped into a Minardi in 2001 and showed his talent. I still remember (for me) Hamilton's best ever drive ....GP2 Turkey 2006. He made a huge mistake, ended up at the back and was absolutely scintillating as he battled up to finish second (that was a time when GP2 was shown live on ITV4)...oh those halcyon days....

2007 was a time where fault lay on both sides of the garage but both have matured since then.

They may never be friends but they could probably co-exist in the same team now.

It would be quite a prospect to see them in the red cars together.

However, I believe the rumours that Vettel will be there in 2014 (perhaps after Webber spends a year there). So, Hamilton for Red Bull in 2014? Methinks that could be the case.

Now, bring on Valencia! I need my F1 fix!

[thaddeus6th]

Hope Davidson's alright. I enjoyed his R5 commentary last year.

Not so sure Hamilton could fit in whilst Alonso's there. Ferrari seems to prefer a top dog approach rather than having drivers who are even stevens.

I hope Valencia's better than it usually is. Alguersuari reckons high tyre degradation could actually make it interesting.