FORUMula1.com

[bud]

concrete prediction at this point...

only one.. that it will be an exciting final 3 races!

[scotty]

concrete prediction at this point...

only one.. that it will be an exciting final 3 races!

[What's Burning?]

Let's just hope it really is 3 races.

[texasmr2]

I wonder how soon we will know if Korea is a go?

[Hammer278]

I thought it is a go already? Main site and espnstar is claiming it's a go.

[texasmr2]

I belive its a go still aswell its just that there is always a lingering doubt when it comes down to dealing with Korea.

[f1ea]

There's no need to compare Suzuka to Hungary. Red bull dominated both, but they were even faster in hungary and got a slightly worse result. Suzuka is much more like Turkey where Red bull was also dominant by about the same margin. The difference has been Ferrari catching up a bit (at least in those sort of tracks). There are some traks remaining that may not be as beneficial to RB as turkey and suzuka.

I can bet red bull would rather get a 1-2 and not look utterly dominant, than looking mighty and screwing up. They controlled suzuka, but they managed themselves rather than go for all.

[MattMK45]

I have seen the red bulls as the fastest cars all season so I still think if they get one more win they will get the WCC. The WDC is obviously not as easy to predict but both Mark and Seb look strong.

[texasmr2]

I highly doubt the RB's pace will fall off anytime soon and fate is their only nemesis at this point.

[smokin]

If i had to pick three tracks that red bull would dominate thi year suzuka would be one of them, and i dont know about you, but finishing hardly ahead of Alonso, and being done over for fastest laps several times by Hamilton, I think its safe to say that at the next three tracks, with less flowing corners, Red Bull really are going to have to fight for the win. Its suprising how much they can ramble on in the tv coverage about the same thing, and not mention how Red Bull were nowhere near Hungary dominace level. The start two straights at korea, the small windy section and two big straights in brazil, and the three straights in abu dhabi means that there may still be a bit to go for webber or vettel to win the title...

I don't think we saw the full capability of the Red Bulls today. While Hamilton was clocking his fastest laps, Vettel and Webber were cruising behind Button, waiting for him to make his tyre change. As soon as they were released, Vettel stuck in a fastest lap, some 1.5 seconds faster than he'd previously been lapping.

Alonso was staying in touch but he himself said that his was a "lonely" race and he had no chance of catching the RBs, let alone overtaking them. Webber was probably holding station, banking 18 points, while he and Vettel cruised to a 1-2.

Maybe their advantage isn't as huge as it was but they were never put under any pressure today and never seriously threatened. The advantage is still there and looks big enough to take them to both the WDC and WCC, barring any DNFs.

[Big Azza]

With those long straights at Korea, this could be the race that makes or breaks Webber's title hopes. Alonso could do very well, and then if that's the case Webber needs to ensure he finishes ahead of Vettel.

I was reading in the F1 Magazine about how Alonso is a villain and how Ferrari have thrown their support behind him. If Alonso walks away the World Championship this year - then hat's off to him. He would have clearly shown that he is the best driver on the grid. To come back from almost 50 points down (and now I can appreciate that the team order call was the RIGHT one) I think Alonso and Ferrari would have absolutely 100% deserved a WDC due to Alonso's determination and grit, driving that Ferrari well beyond it's limits, and lifting off in Monza. Quite clearly then - he is Supreme, and I'd have to concede defeat that he would be the greatest driver (EDIT: on the grid right now) - but clearly not human. Clearly, because he has no human emotions. He is just a machine, who does not give a crap about other people - and you can tell that from his press conference with the media after Germany.

I think Massa might have fatally cost Ferrari the WCC - but Red Bull always deserved to walk away with it.

If Vettel wins the title it would be great as well. He has an absolute point to prove - particularly to 99% of the users on this forum. He was in adversity after Spa, but he has put in masterclass performances since then. Maybe his win in Suzuka was the first of 4 in a row? If he walks away with WDC, then everyone would have to know that he is truly a great driver. Not perfect, we know. But if he produced masterclass performances to rectify his mistakes - then he is clearly a World Champion - proving two years in a row that he actually has a level head, and won't panic (like Hamilton seems to be doing), and gets the job done.

But if Webber wins that would be supreme.

Maybe not so deserving as the other 2 would be - he appears to be lucky. But he is also something that the other guys aren't. Consistent. His consistent podiums and damage limitation show he is deserving, as he has been consistently one of the best performers the whole year, except Australia. 2 Classic examples come to mind: Turkey and Singapore. Both of them were epic drives from Mark in my opinion. His ability to clean up the pieces after his own team mate took him out and still have a podium - may be lucky - but it also shows his consistency and a character that is befitting of a worthy World Champion.

In Singapore he thought he had a s*** race. He had an epic race in my opinion and that in the end could be what decided his championship. Overtakes, and balls of steel to a) correct a spin where he almost ended up in the wall b) when he got taken out by Hamilton, he kept his cool, and drove through. He never panicked - he kept his cool and he did what he had to do. A Well Deserving Champion (WDC geddit?? )

So in summary, while I would be elated if a Red Bull Driver one WDC - if Alonso spoiled the party, I would have to just sit back and admire him - but continue despising him at the same time.

It is also worth noting that McLaren will kill all title hopes if their drivers continue taking points off each other. But that's just the McLaren way.

Your annoying pal who no one seems to listen to,

Big Azza.

[spankyham]

With those long straights at Korea, this could be the race that makes or breaks Webber's title hopes. Alonso could do very well, and then if that's the case Webber needs to ensure he finishes ahead of Vettel.
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So in summary, while I would be elated if a Red Bull Driver one WDC - if Alonso spoiled the party, I would have to just sit back and admire him - but continue despising him at the same time.

It is also worth noting that McLaren will kill all title hopes if their drivers continue taking points off each other. But that's just the McLaren way.

Your annoying pal who no one seems to listen to,

Big Azza.

Very good read, and I think you hit a lot of targets with your comments.

[Big Azza]

Thanks - I just sent that F1 Racing Magazine hoping they'd edit it and put in their editorial.

[spankyham]

Thanks - I just sent that F1 Racing Magazine hoping they'd edit it and put in their editorial.

Good luck.
I don't agree with your assessment of Fernando's personality - no surprise there. I thought he conducted himself pretty well in Germany considering the aggression he faced from some of the media.
Very good read all the same.

[Hammer278]

Brazil will be absolutely key because i think Ferrari can collectively take it to Red Bull there, the circuit plays to their strengths and if Massa is ever going to recover some form it'll be round there. I think McLaren might struggle a bit over the bumps. Korea though, i just have a hunch that McLaren will be very quick, and it's basically impossible to make a concrete prediction at this point...

Funny, I have the opposite feeling, McLaren very strong in Brazil and struggling in Korea! We shall see.....it's great when we can't make good predictions unlike last year!