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[spankyham]

RB were fastest over the race, that's for sure, but this was their perfect track and, to me, clearly their dominance has been cut. The remaining 3 tracks will be very close, and McLaren will be right in the mix.

If you compare the last 15 laps of the race, these are the laps after Jenson pitted so the RB's had clear track ahead. Of those 15 laps, if you compare Vettel's times with Alonso's, Vettel was faster on 7 and Alonso was faster on 8. That is not the dominance they used to have.

Please don't construe this as me saying anyone is faster than RB, I'm simply saying, on the best possible track for them, in race condition, both Ferrari and McLaren were capable of running similar times.

For me, it's game on at all the remaining 3 races.

As I mentioned earlier, RB had the chance to wrap up both championships today, but they didn't. They've left Fernando in with a chance.

[Hammer278]

I'm pretty sure they'd wrap it up in the next race don't you worry.

[AKR]

As I mentioned earlier, RB had the chance to wrap up both championships today, but they didn't. They've left Fernando in with a chance.

????

Umm Red Bull got 1st and 2nd. Alonso and the 2 McLarens were always going to finish behind them if they were not going to beat the Red Bulls and have any problems of their own. Therefore I do not see how they failed in their chance to wrap up both championships when they got the maximum they possibly could of.

[Hammer278]

I think he's trying to say Redbull should've followed Ferrari's non-racing philosophy and adopt a No.1 and No.2 by ordering Vettel to move over for Webber and create another farce this season.

I'm glad Redbull stuck to their racing principles though.

[AKR]

I think he's trying to say Redbull should've followed Ferrari's non-racing philosophy and adopt a No.1 and No.2 by ordering Vettel to move over for Webber and create another farce this season.

I'm glad Redbull stuck to their racing principles though.

Red Bull have the best car by far. They can afford to. Ferrari cannot afford to. If they stuck to the racing principles you speak of, then Alonso would probably not be a chance for the title anymore.

[MattMK45]

Another win for red bull and they have pretty much got the WCC in the bag and I think they are the team most likely to win the WDC as well. I think they are getting better with the starts and using those pole positions to their advantages. Being a McLaren supporter it pains me to say it but they are so strong this year.

[bud]

As I mentioned earlier, RB had the chance to wrap up both championships today, but they didn't. They've left Fernando in with a chance.

????

Umm Red Bull got 1st and 2nd. Alonso and the 2 McLarens were always going to finish behind them if they were not going to beat the Red Bulls and have any problems of their own. Therefore I do not see how they failed in their chance to wrap up both championships when they got the maximum they possibly could of.

what the hell... i concur

[vaptin]

At the risk of ripping a hole in space following bud agreeing with akr, I think I agree with the OP here. Redbull were dominant here, but I don't think that will continue into the final three races (well I hope not).

[bud]

but I don't think that will continue into the final three races (well I hope not).

Ok aside from hoping not... what are you basing this on?

[vaptin]

but I don't think that will continue into the final three races (well I hope not).

Ok aside from hoping not... what are you basing this on?

Monza and Singapore mainly. Alonso wasn't too far behind in the race, and he would be saving the engine as well. Can't remember the gap Hamilton had to the redbulls in quali though.

[bud]

Yeah Fernando was close at the end but the Redbull's were playing with the field today, at any time they could have covered any attack from anyone behind them. As proved by chucking in fastest laps at the end just for the sake of it. They were coasting.
2 of the last 3 tracks Redbull won last season, the 3rd is brand new but looks like it will suit Redbull and Ferrari. And McLaren look close to the pace also even though it wasnt really shown today.

[What's Burning?]

Yes, yest it is... their huge advantage is gone, now they're simply left with a large advantage. Even their Achilles heel, reliability has not affected them when it counts.

[vaptin]

Vettel is now tied on points with Alonso - although classified only third because he has won one less race - and the result means that, were Red Bull to finish one-two in all the remaining races, Webber can not finish second to his team-mate in all three and still win the championship.

On pure performance, that is what Red Bull should do. But, as Alonso pointed out, that must be considered unlikely on the evidence of the season so far.

The changes to the rules on bodywork flexibility seem to have brought Red Bull back towards their rivals - their advantage in Japan was nowhere near as big as it was in Hungary, a similarly favourable track.

On top of that, none of the remaining circuits are likely to be as good for Red Bull as Japan.

South Korea, on 24 October, is an unknown quantity, but while there are a lot of corners at Yeongam that will favour the Red Bull so, too, are there long straights which will tip the balance back to the Ferrari and the McLaren. That may leave things dead level between all three. It will be fascinating to see.

The bumps and long straights at Interlagos in Brazil may also give Ferrari the chance to take on Red Bull on a level playing field. Only at Abu Dhabi may Red Bull reasonably expect a significant advantage.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/andrewbenson ... nging.html

He might just be playing up the interest though.

[bud]

Yeah but where was Ferrari in Qualifying today? Race pace and gap was flattering because of the Bulls coasting in my opinion.
Brazil is a tough track because you have that long long straight but the infield section is tight and twisty so its a matter of finding the balance between the two sections. Redbull were pushing hard there last year and got the win, so I dont see them as being too weak there at all.

[scotty]

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...