2012 Qualifying Duels (and what it means)

[Big Azza]

Heikki to Ferrari in 2013. You know it makes sense.

Red Bull
Vettel - 4
Webber - 4

With the above stat, and the fact Webber is second in the WDC standings, I think we can safely say Vettel clearly isn't all that without the RBD....?

Ignoring Valencia of course

I don't agree. Vettel has proven to have a fanstastic mechanical mind, and would have been working late with the engineers to try to get the car back to his liking.

It's simple, he just didn't like set up - he was complaining about in Monaco, which was his low-point so far at RBR in my opinion (that and every German Gp!) Where he was outqualified and outraced by Webber - but heck, he almost won... If those tires lasted just a few more laps he would have pulled away enough to come back out in the lead...

His work is now starting to pay off. I don't think Vettel gets a lot of credit for his mechanical ability - but it was because of him that Vettel would often finish at STR in 4th or 5th.

Cheers,

Big Annoying Vettel Fan.

[TeamMcLarenF1]

I watched Kovi beat Schumi at ROC in Paris. Was very impressed and pleased when he joined McLaren. I like him a lot. I liked the pairing of Kovi and Lewis. Im not sure he got the level of support Button is getting though.

Seeing what Kovi is doing with the Caterham and the Pirellis, I'm convinced McLaren would be stronger in the WCC standings with him as Lewis' team-mate. Instead, we have what we have...only a shot at bringing the WDC back to Woking.

I'm just saying...

[Hammer278]

I don't know about Kovi....I liked him as a personality, but not as a driver. Just didn't seem to cut it consistently at the front and kept reminding me of Fisichella, fantastic in a bad car...but toothless in a good one. Different set of mentalities required when fighting a bad car in midfield, and when you're at the sharp end where every thousandth is important.

Who knows, I might be completely wrong but I was hoping for another driver to jump in immediately....though I was thinking of Rosberg or someone with potential. Button never crossed my mind, but of course it had to cross Whitmarsh's.

[geetface9]

Regarding heikki and petrov, heikki has been with the team now for well over two years and has developed that car. petrov got put in it at the very last minute before testing this year, so it is no surprise that he is behind his teammate. Petrov was running in 10th and miiiiiight have possibly gotten a point had he not had that run in with the toro rosso. Same with heikki as well though! We'll never know

Petrov also had some impressive races in 2010, and started the season very well in 2011 and followed it up with solid performances running in the top 5 until he hit bad luck and then his car just got worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, and worse, for he and his teammate all year long. Renault really dropped the ball last year

[LewEngBridewell]

Regarding heikki and petrov, heikki has been with the team now for well over two years and has developed that car. petrov got put in it at the very last minute before testing this year, so it is no surprise that he is behind his teammate. Petrov was running in 10th and miiiiiight have possibly gotten a point had he not had that run in with the toro rosso. Same with heikki as well though! We'll never know

I was gutted for Caterham in Valencia. What with Heikki's strong qualifying and Petrov's ascension up the race order, points actually appeared possible, but both ended up getting tangled with Toro Rossos.

They're getting closer though.

[geetface9]

Regarding heikki and petrov, heikki has been with the team now for well over two years and has developed that car. petrov got put in it at the very last minute before testing this year, so it is no surprise that he is behind his teammate. Petrov was running in 10th and miiiiiight have possibly gotten a point had he not had that run in with the toro rosso. Same with heikki as well though! We'll never know

I was gutted for Caterham in Valencia. What with Heikki's strong qualifying and Petrov's ascension up the race order, points actually appeared possible, but both ended up getting tangled with Toro Rossos.

They're getting closer though.

word! I think it could happen this year with how bad str is doing

[TeamMcLarenF1]

I don't know about Kovi....I liked him as a personality, but not as a driver. Just didn't seem to cut it consistently at the front and kept reminding me of Fisichella, fantastic in a bad car...but toothless in a good one. Different set of mentalities required when fighting a bad car in midfield, and when you're at the sharp end where every thousandth is important.

Who knows, I might be completely wrong but I was hoping for another driver to jump in immediately....though I was thinking of Rosberg or someone with potential. Button never crossed my mind, but of course it had to cross Whitmarsh's.

Sorry...Hammer, did you say "toothless?" I believe you said "toothless."

Yup, I wasn't thinking Button either but Martin did...afterall, Button is "disturbingly good looking."

I'm just saying...

[racechick]

I watched Kovi beat Schumi at ROC in Paris. Was very impressed and pleased when he joined McLaren. I like him a lot. I liked the pairing of Kovi and Lewis. Im not sure he got the level of support Button is getting though.

Kovalainen was never equal in McLaren with Hamilton like Button is; Kovalainen was clear #2 despite what McLaren will claim! just like DC was clear #2 to Hakkinen/Raikkonen!

Equal? Button is number1. I've believed McLaren in the past....Im not so sure anymore.

[vaptin]

This came up from a dicsussion about Hekki not even comparing Lewis v Jenson's qualifying.

It's not a point about if Lewis and Jenson are being treated equally really, it's just arguments that Hekki wasn't.

[racechick]

If you're comparing team mates its gonna come up.

[Hammer278]

I don't know about Kovi....I liked him as a personality, but not as a driver. Just didn't seem to cut it consistently at the front and kept reminding me of Fisichella, fantastic in a bad car...but toothless in a good one. Different set of mentalities required when fighting a bad car in midfield, and when you're at the sharp end where every thousandth is important.

Who knows, I might be completely wrong but I was hoping for another driver to jump in immediately....though I was thinking of Rosberg or someone with potential. Button never crossed my mind, but of course it had to cross Whitmarsh's.

Sorry...Hammer, did you say "toothless?" I believe you said "toothless."

Yup, I wasn't thinking Button either but Martin did...afterall, Button is "disturbingly good looking."

I'm just saying...

Umm yeah. Toothless. Is the word wrong? I thought it fit the context okay.

[TeamMcLarenF1]

I don't know about Kovi....I liked him as a personality, but not as a driver. Just didn't seem to cut it consistently at the front and kept reminding me of Fisichella, fantastic in a bad car...but toothless in a good one. Different set of mentalities required when fighting a bad car in midfield, and when you're at the sharp end where every thousandth is important.

Who knows, I might be completely wrong but I was hoping for another driver to jump in immediately....though I was thinking of Rosberg or someone with potential. Button never crossed my mind, but of course it had to cross Whitmarsh's.

Sorry...Hammer, did you say "toothless?" I believe you said "toothless."

Yup, I wasn't thinking Button either but Martin did...afterall, Button is "disturbingly good looking."

I'm just saying...

Umm yeah. Toothless. Is the word wrong? I thought it fit the context okay.

Oh, I think you got it spot on. I was just enamored with the choice of words.

I'm just saying...

[TeamMcLarenF1]

I watched Kovi beat Schumi at ROC in Paris. Was very impressed and pleased when he joined McLaren. I like him a lot. I liked the pairing of Kovi and Lewis. Im not sure he got the level of support Button is getting though.

Kovalainen was never equal in McLaren with Hamilton like Button is; Kovalainen was clear #2 despite what McLaren will claim! just like DC was clear #2 to Hakkinen/Raikkonen!

Equal? Button is number1. I've believed McLaren in the past....Im not so sure anymore.

RC, I share the same sentiment. I am pleased though that Lewis has shown maturity in this area by not letting this #1/#2 vs equality business affect him. He's simply gone out and done the business on track. Qualifying is almost a laugher...a .350 to .500 on average when the quali lap really means something (going for pole). In race trim, per race, it's been about a 7 to 1 (Lewis to Jenson) so far this season.

I just wonder if Kovi, given his first two years, would then be in a better position than Jenson due to the experience gained and learning from Lewis. It's a different dynamic because though Jenson came to the team with way more F1 experience than Lewis, there is nothing that Lewis can really learn from Jenson...that is to say, in the garage or on track. (Maybe he could teach Lewis a thing or two about team politics but even then, that's not Lewis.) We're seeing what a bit of experience for Kovi does for him...clearly leading the charge for Caterham. I still believe McLaren would be in the hunt today for the WCC if Kovi was there. He's a very good qualifier now and pretty good with a bad car.

I'm just saying...

[racechick]

yes. Agree with all that.

[mnmracer]

It means that when Webber and Button have a car that suits their style, they will occasionally beat their team mates.
It means that when Vettel and Hamilton have a car that suits their style, they destroy their team mates in qualifying.