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[Frontrunner]

Very good drives from Massa, Ricciardo and Button, Massa really improved in the latter half of the season which has surprised me, so well done to him.
Button saved the day for McLaren, his 5th made sure McLaren finish ahead Force India with no help from Mags in that race. If I had to choose between Button and Mags for Alonso's team mate, I would clearly stick with Button IMO.
And my man Danny Ricc, good effort from pit lane, and he also started behind Vettel in the pit lane so must of passed him early on and finish well clear of Seb.

Also congrats to Lewis, did what he had to, and his get away at the start was brilliant, blew everyone away.

[CookinFlat6]

Congratulations to Hamilton. Once he'd gotten that start it was all over. It was moving watching him in the pre-podium room aswell, trying to fight the emotion (and for Australian viewers he did a slightly better job than Rusty, bless him). Nice touch from Rosberg too, and glad he got the issues at exactly the wrong time which might finally put to bed the German favouritism talk. Glad double points didn't come into it either as Rosberg fell away.

The race was a good indicator of what we might expect next year too. Ricc with a bit more poke, Williams edging closer, Honda might bring McLaren more to the fore, all might mix it up a bit more.

Roth you think the Honda engine will move McLaren forward where the Merc couldnt? Interesting notion, why do you think this?

[racechick]

I just want to check on something that struck me during the race. It concerns the time when Lewis said 'don't turn my engine up' lewis was quite adamant about this saying he'd ask if he needed it. Well isn't this one of the things that is banned now? Adjusting the car from the pit? Or is that still ok? I know they initially banned more things, then delayed bringing some bans in until next year. I just wondered about that one?

[CookinFlat6]

Good question, like you I have heard that the pit cannot change things like engine performance settings, onkly in the pit can they hook up their mainframes etc
I think Lewis meant, 'dont factor this into the changes you will ask me to execute' or the pitstop schedule - except I think it was after his final stop.

I suspect the driver has to change those setting but the team give him a code, therefore he relies on the teams code to make the changes he asks for (or that the team allow him to make)

Remember Toto saying after Bharain, 'these naughty guys were doing things with the engine modes we didnt authorise, but we have clamped down and we are effectively back in control'

that would fit in, but how that would also steer clear of the radio help bans is not clear

Would be good if someone had an answer to prevent a lengthy insvestigation

[Roth]

Roth you think the Honda engine will move McLaren forward where the Merc couldnt? Interesting notion, why do you think this?

Because you are my guiding light.

...depending on the job McLaren and their new recruits have done on the chassis, we could see Alonsos McLaren close to and maybe interfering with Nico next season

Honda, the largest engine builder in the world, with access to the schematics filed with the FIA by Merc will be able to build their won version even without knowing the exact dimensions or materials used. They would know exactly how to recreate the concepts to get a closely matched if slightly inferior product. Lets face it the Japanese are no strangers to making copies and the access to Mclaren wont have hurt them.

They could replace RBR next year as the only challengers for a win on the back of a better engine and RBR matching aero and chassis

Its becoming obvious that Ferrari and Renaults panicking is as much about Merc staying out in front (they already are) as it is about Honda turning up...

[CookinFlat6]

Yes I know what I say, I was just curious to how come you suddenly had sharp and insightful opinions

[Roth]

Hanging around with you.

[racechick]

Still some grey areas perhaps. I think they've not over policed it since they introduced it. Maybe they'll be stricter next year. It would be good to get it clarified. They rushed it in mid season and would probably have been better waiting To introduce it at the beginning of next season.

[racechick]

Just watched the race for the third time, I really should go to bed now it's nearly three o clock. I don't know how it got that late!!

[darwin dali]

Just watched the race for the third time, I really should go to bed now it's nearly three o clock. I don't know how it got that late!!

This is how:

[myownalias]

Congratulations to Lewis on his second WDC, great sensible drive today, took no risks, make his own luck with the mega launch from the line. Although it would have been nice to see an actual battle for the lead and title, but we were robbed by more Mercedes mechanical gremlins, this time for Nico, but the better driver won in 2014. Let's hope that Nico can come back stronger in 2015 along with a stronger challenge from Williams, now they are more familiar with the engine specs and can design a car around the engine for 2015 and beyond. Hopefully Honda will provide a reliable, powerful and efficient power unit for McLaren and have a third team in the title mix; Red Bull being in there as well would be nice, Daniel and Daniil should be a speedy partnership if the car has the pace as Adrian Newey's last for Red Bull.

[sagi58]

Well that was an anti-climax. Hoped to see a battle for the title.

Oddly enough I said the same thing in the chat, just after the race ended!
I was actually hoping for a battle between Hamilton and Rosberg.

Ah, well, there's always next year!!

[sagi58]

Blahblahblah quit whining and stfu if you have nothing new to say.

^ Now this is whining!

[LRW]

Can I just say.

All Rosberg had to do was win. Cant even get that pressure free objective right.

[CookinFlat6]

Can I just say.

All Rosberg had to do was win. Cant even get that pressure free objective right.

he was so pressure free, he insisted on finishing the last few laps - just incase the whole field dropped out ahead of him - thats all he had to do the whole race - just keep driving as fast as possible - he even had to be told that by the team at one stage - shame they forgot to tell him that just before the start, yup he had the easiest task