FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[7UpJordan]

Well I'm glad I decided not to get up and watch it, the FW30's utter crappiness on long fast corners once again has damaged any hopes of a good starting place.

Only consolation is that Bourdais got in the top 10 again. I don't think the race will be worth getting up for though if it doesn't rain, but I really have to because you never know, but we all know what happens when Steve Rider and Mark Blundell go on about "Its really going to rain tomorrow Mark!" "Cor blimey guv'nor not half" and then the next day not a cloud in the sky...

Indeed. Fortunately, there is no Steve! Brundle did a much better job than him today

Really?? Haha! There must have been a major Golf tournament on for him to go off and present or he's being chosen to commentate on bore-ngland vs Borat and co today.

Brundle is class, I really hope we get to see him on the beeb next year. Did James Allen do anymore Hamilton/Senna/Schumacher/Mansell comparisons or has he found another ex Champion to compare him to like Lauda/Sir Jackie/Fangio/Andretti (yeah right)/Prost?

[Denthúl]

Well I'm glad I decided not to get up and watch it, the FW30's utter crappiness on long fast corners once again has damaged any hopes of a good starting place.

Only consolation is that Bourdais got in the top 10 again. I don't think the race will be worth getting up for though if it doesn't rain, but I really have to because you never know, but we all know what happens when Steve Rider and Mark Blundell go on about "Its really going to rain tomorrow Mark!" "Cor blimey guv'nor not half" and then the next day not a cloud in the sky...

Indeed. Fortunately, there is no Steve! Brundle did a much better job than him today

Really?? Haha! There must have been a major Golf tournament on for him to go off and present or he's being chosen to commentate on bore-ngland vs Borat and co today.

Brundle is class, I really hope we get to see him on the beeb next year. Did James Allen do anymore Hamilton/Senna/Schumacher/Mansell comparisons or has he found another ex Champion to compare him to like Lauda/Sir Jackie/Fangio/Andretti (yeah right)/Prost?

Yeah, he mentioned how "Hamilton always seemed to find an extra few tenths in Q3 when it really mattered, just like Schumacher and Senna used to do".

[AKR]

Yeah. Raikkonen could really help Massa by crashing out again - straight into Lewis

Exactly what I have been thinking for the last few hours. If only I were Domenicali!!!!! I would order Kimi to do just that on the first corner. It would look like a legitimate accident and then all Massa would have to do is get points by finishing. If he can beat Kova which wouldn't be too hard it means Ferrari would also regain the constructors title as well as the drivers. If only I were Domenicali. I know it sounds wrong, but what is best for the team right? At this point Kimi is an expendable asset. Nothing more and nothing less. I know I sound crazy but at the moment I am mad, very mad. But like someone has already said, anything can happen in the race. The above would be perfect however. Maybe it could happen by accident? Pleaaaaase. Or better still, Alonso take out Lewis Hamilton and spare Kimi and Massa and take the win, as long as Ferrari get 2nd and 3rd. Gee these outcomes are good if they happen. Only sad thing is that Lewis Hamilton will probably end up winning which is what most people in the world most likely don't want to see. Big shame if he does.

Its F1 not dodgem's! and would you seriously want Massa to win the title using such dirty tactics? Is that the image you want Ferrari to show we'll win no matter what even if it means injurying our drivers and another teams driver.

I would be disgusted if Mclaren had Hekki do that.

You need to get over this weird hatred of LH and Mclaren and the attitude of Ferrari must win no matter what.

Did you not see Massa shake Lewis's hand when he got the pole that's the attitude of a true sportsman i may support Mclaren but i think Massa has a great attitude and is very sportsman like you should learn from that AKR

Don't get me wrong i still want LH to win and Hekki to come 2nd but i don't want Massa to crash or anything.

There is only so much I can handle. 2008 is going all wrong. I never hated Kimi when he was at McLaren, I just didn't want him to win. I never hated Hakkinnen either. I don't hate Kova. In fact if Kova were the one who were about to win the title I wouldn't be as aggressive, even though he is McLaren. I don't like Lewis Hamilton. Yes he is good looking but that is were it ends. As a person he is a prick. I hate what comes out of his mouth and I hate the person he thinks he is. I know I sound aggressive and all that, but right now I would be happy to see anything except Lewis Hamilton be world champion. Even let McLaren win the constructors title as long as Lewis Hamilton isn't world champion............

[7UpJordan]

Yeah, he mentioned how "Hamilton always seemed to find an extra few tenths in Q3 when it really mattered, just like Schumacher and Senna used to do".

Dohhhhhhh!!!!!

I'm just waiting for him to compare him to Prost before the season's out.

[AKR]

Yeah. Raikkonen could really help Massa by crashing out again - straight into Lewis

Exactly what I have been thinking for the last few hours. If only I were Domenicali!!!!! I would order Kimi to do just that on the first corner. It would look like a legitimate accident and then all Massa would have to do is get points by finishing. If he can beat Kova which wouldn't be too hard it means Ferrari would also regain the constructors title as well as the drivers. If only I were Domenicali. I know it sounds wrong, but what is best for the team right? At this point Kimi is an expendable asset. Nothing more and nothing less. I know I sound crazy but at the moment I am mad, very mad. But like someone has already said, anything can happen in the race. The above would be perfect however. Maybe it could happen by accident? Pleaaaaase. Or better still, Alonso take out Lewis Hamilton and spare Kimi and Massa and take the win, as long as Ferrari get 2nd and 3rd. Gee these outcomes are good if they happen. Only sad thing is that Lewis Hamilton will probably end up winning which is what most people in the world most likely don't want to see. Big shame if he does.

Sorry AKR but big smlie when he does

Well I guess if you have that big smile on your face after the race, I'll be the exact opposite.

[racechick]

Yeah, he mentioned how "Hamilton always seemed to find an extra few tenths in Q3 when it really mattered, just like Schumacher and Senna used to do".

Dohhhhhhh!!!!!

I'm just waiting for him to compare him to Prost before the season's out.

And so he did find those extra tenths . He's not a Prost.....no comparison there.

[Gaz]

Yeah. Raikkonen could really help Massa by crashing out again - straight into Lewis

Exactly what I have been thinking for the last few hours. If only I were Domenicali!!!!! I would order Kimi to do just that on the first corner. It would look like a legitimate accident and then all Massa would have to do is get points by finishing. If he can beat Kova which wouldn't be too hard it means Ferrari would also regain the constructors title as well as the drivers. If only I were Domenicali. I know it sounds wrong, but what is best for the team right? At this point Kimi is an expendable asset. Nothing more and nothing less. I know I sound crazy but at the moment I am mad, very mad. But like someone has already said, anything can happen in the race. The above would be perfect however. Maybe it could happen by accident? Pleaaaaase. Or better still, Alonso take out Lewis Hamilton and spare Kimi and Massa and take the win, as long as Ferrari get 2nd and 3rd. Gee these outcomes are good if they happen. Only sad thing is that Lewis Hamilton will probably end up winning which is what most people in the world most likely don't want to see. Big shame if he does.

Its F1 not dodgem's! and would you seriously want Massa to win the title using such dirty tactics? Is that the image you want Ferrari to show we'll win no matter what even if it means injurying our drivers and another teams driver.

I would be disgusted if Mclaren had Hekki do that.

You need to get over this weird hatred of LH and Mclaren and the attitude of Ferrari must win no matter what.

Did you not see Massa shake Lewis's hand when he got the pole that's the attitude of a true sportsman i may support Mclaren but i think Massa has a great attitude and is very sportsman like you should learn from that AKR

Don't get me wrong i still want LH to win and Hekki to come 2nd but i don't want Massa to crash or anything.

There is only so much I can handle. 2008 is going all wrong. I never hated Kimi when he was at McLaren, I just didn't want him to win. I never hated Hakkinnen either. I don't hate Kova. In fact if Kova were the one who were about to win the title I wouldn't be as aggressive, even though he is McLaren. I don't like Lewis Hamilton. Yes he is good looking but that is were it ends. As a person he is a prick. I hate what comes out of his mouth and I hate the person he thinks he is. I know I sound aggressive and all that, but right now I would be happy to see anything except Lewis Hamilton be world champion. Even let McLaren win the constructors title as long as Lewis Hamilton isn't world champion............

Yeh but this isn't about what he says its about what he does judge him on that now what the media says about him.

[racechick]

Yeah. Raikkonen could really help Massa by crashing out again - straight into Lewis

Exactly what I have been thinking for the last few hours. If only I were Domenicali!!!!! I would order Kimi to do just that on the first corner. It would look like a legitimate accident and then all Massa would have to do is get points by finishing. If he can beat Kova which wouldn't be too hard it means Ferrari would also regain the constructors title as well as the drivers. If only I were Domenicali. I know it sounds wrong, but what is best for the team right? At this point Kimi is an expendable asset. Nothing more and nothing less. I know I sound crazy but at the moment I am mad, very mad. But like someone has already said, anything can happen in the race. The above would be perfect however. Maybe it could happen by accident? Pleaaaaase. Or better still, Alonso take out Lewis Hamilton and spare Kimi and Massa and take the win, as long as Ferrari get 2nd and 3rd. Gee these outcomes are good if they happen. Only sad thing is that Lewis Hamilton will probably end up winning which is what most people in the world most likely don't want to see. Big shame if he does.

Its F1 not dodgem's! and would you seriously want Massa to win the title using such dirty tactics? Is that the image you want Ferrari to show we'll win no matter what even if it means injurying our drivers and another teams driver.

I would be disgusted if Mclaren had Hekki do that.

You need to get over this weird hatred of LH and Mclaren and the attitude of Ferrari must win no matter what.

Did you not see Massa shake Lewis's hand when he got the pole that's the attitude of a true sportsman i may support Mclaren but i think Massa has a great attitude and is very sportsman like you should learn from that AKR

Don't get me wrong i still want LH to win and Hekki to come 2nd but i don't want Massa to crash or anything.

There is only so much I can handle. 2008 is going all wrong. I never hated Kimi when he was at McLaren, I just didn't want him to win. I never hated Hakkinnen either. I don't hate Kova. In fact if Kova were the one who were about to win the title I wouldn't be as aggressive, even though he is McLaren. I don't like Lewis Hamilton. Yes he is good looking but that is were it ends. As a person he is a prick. I hate what comes out of his mouth and I hate the person he thinks he is. I know I sound aggressive and all that, but right now I would be happy to see anything except Lewis Hamilton be world champion. Even let McLaren win the constructors title as long as Lewis Hamilton isn't world champion............

Yeh but this isn't about what he says its about what he does judge him on that now what the media says about him.

Kiki you dislike him because he is the best and you know he is... ..and it galls you

[8-ball]

Kiki you dislike him because he is the best and you know he is... ..and it galls you

Let's not go crazy now. He is good but not the best in the field. I think most of the Lewis hatred is down to people being jealous of his success. He is 22, F1 driver, hot girlfriend and all money he'll ever want. Arrogance is something most champions have but so far Lewis is backing it all up by his results on the track.

[bud]

AKR you have had an awesome run as a Ferrari fan this past decade i think its time to grow up and realise its just a sport and you cant win them all! Try following McLaren who havent won a title since 99 or Williams who havent won one since 97. just be happy for the success you have enjoyed and if its time for someone else then so be it theres always next year!

all this talk after Q from you is quite frightening actually kiki the race hasnt even run yet

[EwanM]

LMFAO! Just woke up after Qually.
Brundle presenting the show it was a surprise and was just so weird.

[McLaren Fan]

AKR you have had an awesome run as a Ferrari fan this past decade i think its time to grow up and realise its just a sport and you cant win them all! Try following McLaren who havent won a title since 99 or Williams who havent won one since 97. just be happy for the success you have enjoyed and if its time for someone else then so be it theres always next year!

all this talk after Q from you is quite frightening actually kiki the race hasnt even run yet

Nothing can last for ever. It had to come to an end sometime. That's the way sport goes. Look at McLaren and Williams' dominance. Outside of Formula One, look at Liverpool F.C. in the 1970s and '80s.

In terms of today's result, I'm fairly happy. The main thing was getting Hamilton ahead of Massa for the drivers' title. He did that comprehensively. Further, there are three cars between Hamilton and Massa, all of whom aren't interested in letting him by. I'm not totally comfortable, however. The Ferrari always has great race pace and Raikkonen is suddenly looking pretty racy, even if he is lighter on fuel, and will no doubt be playing a very strategic role. Kovalainen did a solid job in qualifying, but his race pace has been very poor, so it's hardly certain he will be able to act as Hamilton's rear-gunner.

Regarding other drivers, I really think Alonso showed his class once again. Piquet has - for the umpteenth time - been completely destroyed. I think even those who did support him have long since deserted. There is nothing to defend any more. That much is clear. Perhaps he should do what Glock did. Realise that things were not working out in Formula One, return to GP2 for a year or two to get his bearings and come back for a second crack of the whip more prepared.

Heidfeld had a poor day, but that's not really a surprise. The track temperatures aren't so high and there was moisture on the track. Still, Kubica did a good job in car that wasn't looking so good yesterday.

Red Bull didn't look so quick this weekend, which is a surprise when you consider how quick Alonso was. They can't, therefore, just blame the engine. The car itself must not suit the track at all. The same goes for Toro Rosso. Coulthard had a good weekend. It's not often you see him bettering Webber in qualifying.

It's not a surprise to Williams doing poorly, as their car understeers through high-speed corners. Nakajima put his experience around the circuit to good use as well.

I'm surprised that Glock wasn't higher up. It look as though Toyota were going to go super-aggressive saying as they were at their own track in their home country.

[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix after using Bridgestone’s soft compound Potenza tyre to lap the 4.56km Fuji Speedway over two-tenths ahead of his nearest rival.

Hamilton’s lap time – a 1:18.404s - shaded the 1min 18.644secs achieved by Kimi Raikkonen, who was second fastest, also using the soft tyre. Heikki Kovalainen and Fernando Alonso set the third and fourth fastest times.

In the morning practice session Kubica topped the times with a 1:25.087secs lap, set on the wet tyre. The track surface was wet for this session and the wet and extreme wet tyres were both used. Today’s fastest lap time, a 1:17.287s, was set by Massa, using the soft tyre in Q2.

Hirohide Hamashima, Tyre Development Director
“It was good to have a dry qualifying session here at Fuji, compared to the wet and foggy conditions we saw here last season, and it was an exciting session too. We saw interesting differences between the Q2 and Q3 times from competitors, so I think tomorrow there will be a range of different strategies."

"Today was interesting for Bridgestone as all of our range of tyres were used, with the wet and extreme wet tyres used this morning and the medium and soft compounds used this afternoon. This means teams have a lot of data when they look to the skies to consider their options for tomorrow’s race."

"Rear tyre degradation will be at the forefront of drivers’ minds and how they manage this will be the key point for a strong result. There is still some room for improvement from the track if we do not see any more rain. For those watching the race, how our green grooves disappear from the tyres as they are used will illustrate the differences between the cars, set-ups and drivers. The challenges of the Fuji track means the outer grooves are likely to wear first, as opposed to most circuits where it is the inner grooves which suffer more.”

E.A. © CAPSIS International

Given that the MP4-23 takes more out of its tyres better than the F2008 - and that Hamilton does take a little bit more out of his (although nowhere near as much as he used to) - this could be an important factor in the race tomorrow.

[przemo]

I expect Kimi to move over for Massa if the Brazillian can't beat him on the track.

[cap-dude]

I'd say Kimi to win. Simple as that. The Ferrari will have much better race pace tomorrow, and Kimi is a bullet train during the race, so no doubt he'll be in front of Hamilton soon enough.

Massa, I can only hope he's able to get past alonso of the line, take Kovy down the straight maybe, and hopefully be in a position where he can attack Lewis. I can only hope, can't I.