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[spankyham]

Dunno what Alonso was soo excited about...

he was excited because he drove the hell out of that car to get the result he did, probably wouldn't be able to repeat the performance, it was a fantastic attempt.

Oh... that too

It was surreal

I swear for a moment I thought the RBs and Lewis were given grid penalties. I prefer Lewis' attitude myself.

It was a pretty good lap, I love his Spanish accent "soooper lup" comment came over really well. Here's his onboard video for anyone interested in watching it.

[spankyham]

Ferrari - I'm pretty sure the Ferraris don't have any Softs for the race so there goes Alonso's podium unless something drastic happens.

Both Ferrari's are fine for options. In fact, both cars only ran a total of 3 racing laps on their allocation of options.

Fernando says that the McLarens have one more set of fresh softs than the Ferraris.

Yes, but to put it in perspective, he has 3 sets of options each with 1 racing lap on them compared to the RB's and MacLaren with 2 sets with one lap and one set with no laps. So, he has one set of tyres with one more angry lap on them. And remember, Lewis has added that big flat spot to his left front and Seb has the KERS problem and Mark's KERS is also subject to what I'd call Newey's failed KERS design which will I suspect will give Red Bull problems all season.

[sennasational]

Ferrari - I'm pretty sure the Ferraris don't have any Softs for the race so there goes Alonso's podium unless something drastic happens.

Both Ferrari's are fine for options. In fact, both cars only ran a total of 3 racing laps on their allocation of options.

Fernando says that the McLarens have one more set of fresh softs than the Ferraris.

Yes, but to put it in perspective, he has 3 sets of options each with 1 racing lap on them compared to the RB's and MacLaren with 2 sets with one lap and one set with no laps. So, he has one set of tyres with one more angry lap on them. And remember, Lewis has added that big flat spot to his left front and Seb has the KERS problem and Mark's KERS is also subject to what I'd call Newey's failed KERS design which will I suspect will give Red Bull problems all season.

Added to that the Ferrari'srace pace is always there or there abouts...i'd predict a close race at the front, I can see Vettel dropping a few places; it would be nice to see Hamilton and Alonso fighting it out hopefully for the top spot. One problem I can sort of see being a possibility is Webber getting too desperate/defensive and possibly causing a retirement...I think he's going to be all or nothing for the win.

[RyRy]

One to watch out for is Schumacher... and if Hamilton hadn't of flat spotted his front left (i think) I would of said he would be in P1 by first corner, Better of the grid than red bulls, better kers, slipstream + clean side of grid, same with Button behind him I hope the flat spot doesnt affect Hamilton much, also don't forget a charge we are going to see from Heidfeld granted he wont win... but he'll be flying through the field

[spankyham]

One to watch out for is Schumacher... and if Hamilton hadn't of flat spotted his front left (i think) I would of said he would be in P1 by first corner, Better of the grid than red bulls, better kers, slipstream + clean side of grid, same with Button behind him I hope the flat spot doesnt affect Hamilton much, also don't forget a charge we are going to see from Heidfeld granted he wont win... but he'll be flying through the field

I don't think Hamilton's flat spot will have any effect in the race to turn 1, and I agree with you that both the McLaren are in great shape for the start. McLaren is definitely the fastest starting car and they are both on the clean side. Might well see a McLaren 1-2 at the end of lap one. But, it will be a very interesting race. I expect Nando to well on his 3 stints on options but suffer on the primes. Hopefully that will come late in the race when the track is really hot and there's plenty of rubber on the racing line. Ferrari's performance on the primes will be their Achilles heel this race.

[RyRy]

One to watch out for is Schumacher... and if Hamilton hadn't of flat spotted his front left (i think) I would of said he would be in P1 by first corner, Better of the grid than red bulls, better kers, slipstream + clean side of grid, same with Button behind him I hope the flat spot doesnt affect Hamilton much, also don't forget a charge we are going to see from Heidfeld granted he wont win... but he'll be flying through the field

I don't think Hamilton's flat spot will have any effect in the race to turn 1, and I agree with you that both the McLaren are in great shape for the start. McLaren is definitely the fastest starting car and they are both on the clean side. Might well see a McLaren 1-2 at the end of lap one. But, it will be a very interesting race. I expect Nando to well on his 3 stints on options but suffer on the primes. Hopefully that will come late in the race when the track is really hot and there's plenty of rubber on the racing line. Ferrari's performance on the primes will be their Achilles heel this race.

If they both get good starts and get in the lead they could really ruin the race for Red Bull, if they can't get in the lead I'm pretty sure Red Bull will get a 1-2. I don't think Nando has a chance really.

Did anyone look at webbers onboard, it was awful in places, the long straight coming into the the hairpin he used no kers (should off) and he ran wide, he ran wide at a few places but his line through last few corners is far better than vettels, and again he had kers left going across the line... there is still more speed in that car on this track...

[smokin]

One to watch out for is Schumacher... and if Hamilton hadn't of flat spotted his front left (i think) I would of said he would be in P1 by first corner, Better of the grid than red bulls, better kers, slipstream + clean side of grid, same with Button behind him I hope the flat spot doesnt affect Hamilton much, also don't forget a charge we are going to see from Heidfeld granted he wont win... but he'll be flying through the field

I don't think Hamilton's flat spot will have any effect in the race to turn 1, and I agree with you that both the McLaren are in great shape for the start. McLaren is definitely the fastest starting car and they are both on the clean side. Might well see a McLaren 1-2 at the end of lap one. But, it will be a very interesting race. I expect Nando to well on his 3 stints on options but suffer on the primes. Hopefully that will come late in the race when the track is really hot and there's plenty of rubber on the racing line. Ferrari's performance on the primes will be their Achilles heel this race.

McLaren's starts will depend very much on Webber. If he chooses Barcelona to have one of his brain fades when the lights go out, Vettel, Alonso and Petrov will come steaming up the outside and Massa's no slouch off the line, either. Should be interesting!

[f1ea]

One thing i'm certain is Button will take the p from Alonso on the start. No big deal anyway... the race is long and complicated. I think the pitstops are crucial. Ferrari have made very slow pit stops, while RB has pretty perfect stops... considering the RB is a beast, there's very little to keep them from winning races.

Fernando for P2!!!

[spankyham]

Did anyone look at webbers onboard, it was awful in places, the long straight coming into the the hairpin he used no kers (should off) and he ran wide, he ran wide at a few places but his line through last few corners is far better than vettels, and again he had kers left going across the line... there is still more speed in that car on this track...

I think KERS is a big problem for Red Bull, and I'd be really surprised if they can even get close to fixing it with this years car. What's more, I suspect it's going to get worse for them. No KERS, on engines that are older and in much hotter conditions. Having said that, its the only chink we've seen in their armor this year.

[spankyham]

Interesting graph from a Macca fan. Show's qualifying performances for this year.

[Coronis]

Did anyone look at webbers onboard, it was awful in places, the long straight coming into the the hairpin he used no kers (should off) and he ran wide, he ran wide at a few places but his line through last few corners is far better than vettels, and again he had kers left going across the line... there is still more speed in that car on this track...

I think KERS is a big problem for Red Bull, and I'd be really surprised if they can even get close to fixing it with this years car. What's more, I suspect it's going to get worse for them. No KERS, on engines that are older and in much hotter conditions. Having said that, its the only chink we've seen in their armor this year.

Fortunately its not an issue really in qualifying, the only part where it will really hurt them is the start.

[spankyham]

Did anyone look at webbers onboard, it was awful in places, the long straight coming into the the hairpin he used no kers (should off) and he ran wide, he ran wide at a few places but his line through last few corners is far better than vettels, and again he had kers left going across the line... there is still more speed in that car on this track...

I think KERS is a big problem for Red Bull, and I'd be really surprised if they can even get close to fixing it with this years car. What's more, I suspect it's going to get worse for them. No KERS, on engines that are older and in much hotter conditions. Having said that, its the only chink we've seen in their armor this year.

Fortunately its not an issue really in qualifying, the only part where it will really hurt them is the start.

I got a feeling it will hurt them during races, especially where they aren't leading. Which may well be the case here. If their KERS isn't working, then, in the DRS zone, the car behind them will have a double bonus to get past them, DRS and KERS. And in reverse, when they are behind trying to pass, they will have DRS, but the car in front will be able to counter that a bit by using their KERS.

[bud]

Pretty damn impressive lap by Nando!

[nish2280]

I really love the sound the EBD cars make on the overrun, its just so brutal!

[McLaren]

Pretty damn impressive lap by Nando!

Yea I'm normally one of the first to shout the guy down,but credit where its due that was some lap.