Pretty excited about this, as is Mr Alonso!
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Looks like Hamilton and Button might actually be up there as well as they didn't look too shabby in 1st Prac.
Early days yet - RBs look quick, but Nando didn't seem too fussed about fast times. McLarens new wing seems to be doing the job though, but I still think the RBs will be comfortably ahead of the rest in qualifying.
Qualy:
RBs 1 and 2, Hammo to mix it up a bit by maybe sneaking a P3. Alonso 4.
Practice is practice though. I don't doubt the Red Bulls have the pace to be at the front. Buts it s the interplay between the 4 contenders that will be most interesting.
Vettel and Hamilton have nothing to lose so will go absolutely all out. Webber needs his team mate to help out and Alonso just needs to come second regardless of what goes on round about him.
As much as I would like to see Webber win I think Alonso has more than enough psychological advantage to make up for whatever he lacks in car speed
I'll bet Lewis (or actually, McLaren more so) would love to get ahead of Alonso and prevent him winning the WC 🙂
I'm not usually too quick to jump on the McLaren fan ultra optimist bandwagon, but I do hope they are quicker than they have been of late - the more contenders with the potential to take points away from Alonso the better.
I hasten to add that's got nothing to do with not liking Ferando Alonso - he is undoubtedly the number one driver in the world, and probably will be for some years to come. But I really really would love to see Webber do it.
Being realistic (in relation to McLaren's speed) though - Red Bull, Ferrari, Mclaren, Renault is the likely order of pace.
I think it will be Vettel in front and then he will slow to let Webber through to win the championship. I'm not a great Alonso fan, when its not going his way he is a big baby moaning all the time and like clubber said how gutted would he be if McLaren stop him from winning the championship....
The Bulls didn't look like they were really trying in FP2 so I wouldn't get carried away with Lewis' top spot just yet. It looks like it'll be down to the final 4 to sort the front 2 rows out though, which is just as it should be.
Anyone else a bit disappointed at the rule tinkering that's going on for next year?
Really makes me laugh this Alonso crying thing. When has this ever been true? Just 2007, when we have no idea what was actually going on.
Well it's down to this weekend, with 3 drivers right in there for the DWC (Hamilton's just too far behind now tbh, and needs a miracle).
In terms of who deserves it most, can't really split them.
Alonso; has come back from a poor early season, driven brilliantly to be in front, with a weaker car perhaps than the McLaren and Red Bulls. Shown he's still the man to beat.
Webber; perhaps doesn't have the absolute out and out racing speed of Vettel, but has really battled and driven beyond what a lot of people (including myself) thought he was capable of. Possibly his last shot at the DWC. Has had to deal with Red Bull slightly favouring Vettel, it seems.
Vettel; definitely a future champion anyway, has rough edges that will be smoothed over time, but a fantastic driver with amazing talent. Last couple of races he's shown his determination to win, and not let disappointments get him down too much.
They've each made mistakes, and had bad luck. But they've each fought really well, and provided fantastic entertainment. S'bin the best season I can remember really.
Pick a winner? Pfft; I've backed Alonso this season because I know it annoys his haterz, but I'll be happy whoever wins, now.
Very diplomatic there Elf, and wise words.
I'd love Webber to take it, and I think Vettel will do the honourable thing. Hammo has too much to do i think.
Alonso could ruin it for Webber, but he's certainly earned it towards the end of the year.
Elf +1.
More than happy with a RB or Alonso victory. I think if anything Alonso probably deserves it as he's driven/thought his way round not having the best car.
Well there's no sense in being too partisan at this stage, as all three really deserve it.
Good clean race, no-one suffering a mechanical, no silly mistakes; let the best man win!
Trouble is, I do like Alonso, partly because the British press seem to hate him, but also because he drove like a true champion to beat Schumacher to 2 WCs. But recently, Webber has shown tremendous spirit and determination, and you really want him to do well. He and Alonso are good friends, apparently, so I'm sure Fernando will be happy for Mark if he doesn't win it himself.
Vettel has such a good attitude; he's really matured even during this season, and his speed is frightening. Big shame his engine went in South Korea. but he's kept at it, and on his day is unbeatable. I look forward to seeing him and Hamilton battle in years to come.
No, picking a favourite is impossible, now, but in a good way!
There's rumours of Massa running stupid light and putting it on pole then "accidently" running out of fuel around lap 25ish. Not sure how they'd pull that off!
massa's rubbish though. He couldn't hold up his own trousers even if you gave him braces.
😉
* i like him though.
I hear you, the more everyone foams at the mouth about Alonso, the more I warm to him. I think Webber lacks the absolute raw pace, but as you say he's made up for it through grit and determination.
Bloody hell look how fast Vettel is...
very light i guess. Interesting for tomorrow!!!
Alonso's cup.
Certainly looking that way but since Ham has to win and Web has to overtake it could be quite dramatic!
Oof. Hamilton almost got pole. Alonso compromised on his out lap, but still pulls out a fast lap; 3rd is not too bad.
Pressure's really on Webber now. He has to drive like a bastard to win it from 5th. Vettel just seems to know how to get pole when needed. Alonso and Hamilton are always good starters though, so even more problems for Webber. Having Massa next to him could be problematic, as will having Button just in front of him. No, Webber needed better than that. Post-quali interview shows he's not too confident.
There's still the race though. I think it was always going to be difficult for Red Bull; when you operate a strategy that doesn't really favour one driver over another, then having both your drivers battling can ultimately lead to failure, as McLaren know only too well. Ferrari's favourtist philosophy looks like it might yet be the best one. How crucial will these 7 Massa points be?
Vettel will go all out to win now. I can't see him moving over for Mark, even if Mark gets up into 2nd. I doubt Vettel will even be thinking about Webber now. Things favour Ferrari as they stand, but then I think Hamilton will really want to sign off with a bang, as will Button. They've nothing to lose. Alonso will be controlled and not take risks.
Bring it on....
Yah ...bring it on indeed, as my prediction for last week was way off, i predict a massive upset for someone tomorrow...all possible winners would be well deserved now..but webber would be my ideal unless the predicted upset favours Hamilton...vee shall zee.
Thought that was a great last quali!
I have no idea who's going to win, but I think one of the big 4 will suffer some kind of failure that will ruin their chances.
Everyone will be pushing like mental 8)
All set up very nicely for tomorrow!
So what if we get this scenario... Vettel is leading and Alonso is down in fourth (Ham & But 2nd/3rd) with Weber on his gearbox - do you think Weber will overtake Alonso to give Vettel the title or happen to 'get bogged down in dirty air' and give Alonso the title just to spite Vettel!?
And has anyone been watching the coverage on the new BBC1 HD channel? Not sure if its full HD but the picture and especially the graphics are sharper than the standard channel.
So, Jenson's gonna 'outbreak himself' into turn one. Unfortunately that 'happens' to take out Fernando. Lewis also goes banzai into the the first corner, into the lead and pushes Vettel wide which drops him into the clutches of Webber. They battle each other until Mark makes a move and Seb overreacts, locks up and takes a wheel off both their motors, (Horner blames Webber of course!) Lewis cruises round to take the win and the championship and Jenson floats off to Monaco in a nice new boat.
Simples! 😉
Or something less exciting like Alonso pootles round in third and picks up the big prize for another year. Damn his talented and sensibly consistent driving.
I think Hamilton will win the race and Alonso will take it easy to clinch the title but I am hoping Webber to be World Champion but doubt it now, which it's shame as he is a nice guy.
Anything but as long that brat Seb 'Mr Finger' Vettel doesnt win the title, cant stand that muppet 🙄
cant stand that muppet
Why not?
no point explaining it to you Elf.
Oh really? Why's that then?
Go on, try me; you never know, even though I am quite dense, I might understand... 🙂
no you wont. 😉
First corner is apparently "easy" but a high profile coming together between one of the top 5 is on the cards if anyone over does it on the start! Obvious candidate would be Hamilton, though perhaps not from the front row.
no you wont.
There's nowt to understand, is the truth.
I'm right, aren't I?
It's ok. Don't cry.
Webber will take Button out, Senna will spin into Vetel when he's being lapped, Alonso will have a mechanical and Hamilton will come second behind Buemi.
😀
Barring a mechanical I don't see how Alonso can loose.
I don't like Alonso. A friend of a friend worked in the Renault pit, before 2006, Alonso was a nice chap. After he won his first world title it all went to his head and he's apparently too successful to bother with his mechanics.
Not even Schumacher was that arrogant.
Foe me, it would be Webber all the way, followed by Vettel and Hamilton.
A friend of a friend worked in the Renault pit
😆
A mate of mine's sister used to babysit for former Arsenal footballer Ray Parlour, so by that score I reckon Alonso's a nice bloke.
There's rumours of Massa running stupid light and putting it on pole
Rumours eh?
They all run stupid light in quali this year - so unless he was driving a DeLorean, that was never going to work 😆
A good friend of mine works for lotus, williams for next year.
Also know a lad who used to be a good friend who works for ferrari. He was a top bloke until he got involved with the red team.
Its all going to end on the first corner of the first lap... If I was Hammy I would hang slightly back and watch everything unfold and then take the crown.. (if only - Hey?)
I want hamilton to win, but that won't happen, so I'll be supporting webber
did she babysit Ray Parlour, or his kids?
It's only going to get interesting if Webber can get in the mix, which unfortunatley doesn't look likely given his practice pace. If he doesn't get up there then Alonso will pootle round in 3rd or 4th and be champ, Vettel will win the race but it'll be pretty processional.
She babysat for Ray Parlour, so his kids, obviously. I think Ray Parlour was capable of sorting himself out and that.
It's a long shot but if Vettel wants to be champ he should try to back the pack up in the twisty bits and hope drivers further back get a run on Alonso and have a go at him. If Alonso gets in some rough stuff it may bump him back to 5th, which is enough for Vettel to win the title (not that I want Vettel to win...). Points will be equal but Vettel has more wins.
But if Vettel clears off then Webber and Button will probably need to get past Alonso to give Vettel the title, and I can't see that happening under normal race conditions.
Wife evicted with #1 offspring - check
Fryup - check
Coffee - check
I hope it's worth it - it'll either be completely rubbish or a hum dinger. My money's on Hamilton getting by at the first bend, and then choosing to back up the cars behind him on the off chance they'll take each other off as they try to get round him 😉
I'm not overly bothered who wins, but I would like to see it go to Webber purely because he seems immensely down to earth and comes across as a nice bloke.
Be interesting to see how the middle-lower teams and drivers perform as there has been some great racing from them over the course of the season.
LOL @ EJ crawling up Bernie's derrière.
Did anyone else think Martin Brundle was going to get killed by the King of Spain's security?
Almost felt sorry for Eddie; he's trying to come up with intelligent, entertaining insightful comments, and Brundle is virtually ignoring him to try to find a driver or celeb to talk to!
10 minutes to kick-off. I've had me poo; a quick cuppa and I'm set.
Whays going on with eddie's trousers.!
Here we go! C'mon Alonso!
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Button!!!!!
😆
what a start!!
Lucky, lucky Schumacher...
Fly Kingfisher? I'd rather not! 😉
Oops!!!
(rosberg at fault?)
I couldnt see any contact between the two on the replay, must have been a really light touch
There's some nice looking boats there.
I cant tell if the one just on screen is a boat or a hotel
Boats they're f£$%^&g ships!!!! 😯
Ooh was that a good decision to pit Webber??
Hamilton faster than Vettel. Not currently looking all too good for Red Bull.
Ferrari need to get Massa in front of Webber. Pit stop for Massa....
Toro Rosso weasels!
Toro Rosso weasels!
Coz he's Spanish?
Coz it's Ferrari?
Coz he was racing?
😉
I would prefer it if vettel won rather then alonso
Coz he let Webber through!
They were racing and Webber was faster, no?
Yep. Absolutely. But it's not what I wanted!
#stamping feet
What a RB pit stop!!!
All favouring Vettel so far. Alonso and Webber need to pass Petrov, Hulkenberg and Rosberg.
But could Jenson Button end up having a say in it??
Any chance of a quick summary for those of up stuck at work?
Vettel WC then? Reckon I could live with that. I won't be writing Alonso off yet though.
Much as I want Alonso to take the championship, Vettel will deserve it for that pit stop alone, a great team effort.
Quick summary
Alonso fourth after first lap, came in to pit tracking webber, vettel stayed out.
alsonso and webber have ended up trapped behind mid pack battling in 11 and 12th respectivvely
tires came back to vettel, he and button had late pit stops and are now at the front
Summary:
Jb got past FA at the start
Safety car for crash but no real effect
Mw pitted early as rears were shot. Alonso followed a while after and stayed ahead but is now stuck behind Petrov and has to overtake
Lh pitted fine but behind kubica. Sv great pitstop and clear of traffic. Will win wc if things don't change.
Lh now saying that front left tyre is bad.
Jb not pitted and going nice and fast. Could be a threat to Sv?
Looks like Ferrari and Webber have lost out on their pit-stop gamble. Tbh, it was going to come down to something like this really.
Put the ****er under pressure Fernando.... 😈
Still plenty of time left for them to get desperate
Hmm, I get the feeling that there'll be a crash at some stage which could change things dramatically...
Hamilton's tyres look shot.
+1 for that elf
Heh! Just when Alonso doesn't want Petrov to actually have a decent race for a change!