2012 Formula 1 Thread

[bjm2660]

Fantastic Result for McLaren

I too am extremely pleased with the first qualifying of the season. What a relief to see McLaren emerge from the winter with a competitive package. I'm hopeful that we may be seeing the end of Red Bull domination; I was getting disgusted with the usual "Vettel and the scrap for second."

I despise the step noses on so many of the cars this season. The McLaren seems to harken back to the more traditional thinking that if it looks fast it probably is fast. What a gorgeous car!

Lotus (as with Renault last year) are starting the season quick. I question whether they have the resources to keep up with the rate of development that McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari usually exhibit.

Speaking of Ferrari. I couldn't help but smile. Bad News. They shouldn't have extended Massa two years ago. You can't continue to back a loser.

 

[ixodes]

Jensen Button in fine form, hyper-focused in a very quick McLaren takes the win!

What a great race, bodes well and surely promises to be an exciting, competitive season.

Australia involved lots of overtaking, action, and a level of excitement not seen in recent years. SpeedTV's coverage was quite good.

It's great to get the season underway!

 

[rezenclowd3]

I must say, compared to the BBC of years past, SKY's coverage seems very amateur. I also miss Jake and the pretty brunette ....

 

[bjm2660]

Great race for Jenson and McLaren. I'm positively thrilled. I hope his/their success continues. I don't want it to be too easy though. I'd like a good fight.

A bit of a shame that Mercedes faces reliability/durability problems. Grosjean displayed a lack of experience. Lotus will be back though.

Regarding coverage, I watched Sky's qualifying and was impressed. Brundle is a familiar face and voice for the BBC crowd as is Crofty. I watched the race on Speed and it was OK. The picture was great, but I missed the BBC coverage. I watched some of the BBC highlights; they looked diminished somewhat. Let's see how they do with their first full race presentation.

 

[pachyderm]

happy for JB. best looking car won. good enough for me. had to laugh at Caterham. bastards.

any word on what jarno is doing now?

 

[bjm2660]

Where would Hamilton go?

If Hamilton fails to win the championship at McLaren this year, I think he'll be gone. With Webber on one-year contracts, Red Bull is a possibility. With neither Rosberg, nor Schumacher really dominating at Mercedes, there could be an open seat there for a #1. Finally, Massa is likely to be axed at Ferrari this year, leaving an open seat. Could Hamilton and Alonso tolerate each other's presence again? Where would Hamilton go if he left McLaren?

 

[MOFS]

If Hamilton fails to win the championship at McLaren this year, I think he'll be gone. With Webber on one-year contracts, Red Bull is a possibility. With neither Rosberg, nor Schumacher really dominating at Mercedes, there could be an open seat there for a #1. Finally, Massa is likely to be axed at Ferrari this year, leaving an open seat. Could Hamilton and Alonso tolerate each other's presence again? Where would Hamilton go if he left McLaren?

If he fails to win the championship, it'll either have been a case of complete self destruction (in which case he won't get a drive anywhere) or he'll have lost valiantly. I can't see him moving to work with Alonso, and Vettel is clearly king of Red Bull, so all in all I suspect he'll stay.

 

[bjm2660]

If he fails to win the championship, it'll either have been a case of complete self destruction (in which case he won't get a drive anywhere) or he'll have lost valiantly. I can't see him moving to work with Alonso, and Vettel is clearly king of Red Bull, so all in all I suspect he'll stay.

I'm not so sure. If he has a complete meltdown, he'd have trouble getting a spot in the top 3 teams. The back of the grid can't afford him. He would still be offered mid-field seats. That said, I don't think a complete meltdown is likely. I just wish he would sort his head/personal life/relationship/management problems. Every season he says he's got it under control, then spends his time between races flying to hollywood and back. Only a driver with single-minded determination can win the championship. It's not a part-time job.

 

[iGav]

Didn't think the Chain would be licence for Sky - just thinking aloud. I actually thought ITV did a good job, especially considering they had the Ferrari dominance years with the boredom inherent to it. Not forgetting they started getting Martin Brundle and Ted Kravitz in the F1 show, with more in depth race coverage with Lousie Goodman, James Allen and Kravitz all providin great info mid race. And don't forget they actually employed people who knew about the sport cf James Allen and Jonathan Noble.

Ironically, when ITV took over coverage in the '90's in many respects it was a vast improvement on the previous BBC effort, in that they covered qualifying live for example (the Beeb didn't always because of Grandstand) and like what you said, the pit lane coverage was much better too, but this was countered by the fact that ITV is a commercial station, and despite F1 essentially being one big 2 hour advertisement, they felt the need to cram in as many commercial breaks as possible (Imola 2005 being particularly unforgivable) when it was perfectly possible for them to have made use of picture-in-picture technology and shown the race during commercial breaks.

But frankly, I always found James Allen to be extremely nauseating, especially once Hamilton started in F1 and Allen's incessant comparisons to Senna… I'm always reminded of that cartoon that started doing the rounds "there's only two drivers on track now, Lewis Hamilton and the spirit of Ayrton Senna" it still tickles me, because his comparisons became so laughably frequent & absurd.

What I do think is a shame, is that the terrestrial channels didn't really put their heads together to see if there was a deal to be made between them to keep F1 free-to-air, for example rather than them all going to the expense of making their own F1 programmes, that instead there was simply was one programme, one team of people, that was then shown on whatever channel was showing a particular race, the races themselves being randomly selected for each season, but a clause that would allow the key races (First, Last, Brit, Monaco, Probable Championship Decider etc) to alternate between each channel for fairness sake.

If Hamilton fails to win the championship at McLaren this year, I think he'll be gone. With Webber on one-year contracts, Red Bull is a possibility. With neither Rosberg, nor Schumacher really dominating at Mercedes, there could be an open seat there for a #1.

Problem is, if he's beaten by Button again, or drives like he did last year, he doesn't deserve to be #1, anywhere.

or he'll have lost valiantly.

Or by crashing into everything that moves like last season of course.

Have to say, Button's really gone up in my estimations, I really thought he was going to be annihilated by Hamilton, but it's just not happening now, I suspect the current tyres very much play to Button's strengths of being smooth but I also can't help but think that Hamilton hasn't developed or progressed since his debut season (where he was brilliant) in the way that someone like Vettel (or Schumacher) did.

 

[pachyderm]

If he fails to win the championship, it'll either have been a case of complete self destruction (in which case he won't get a drive anywhere) or he'll have lost valiantly. I can't see him moving to work with Alonso, and Vettel is clearly king of Red Bull, so all in all I suspect he'll stay.

imma get a jump and start the TRULLI to Ferrari rumor...

 

[MOFS]

imma get a jump and start the TRULLI to Ferrari rumor...

I'm trying to work out the cause and effect here but ...

SpeedTV

One race into the 2012 season, the Italian press has already named a candidate for beleaguered Ferrari driver Felipe Massa's seat.

On notice by the famous team and with an expiring contract, the Brazilian driver had a nightmare 2012 opener in Australia.

Mika Salo, the 1999 Ferrari substitute driver, told broadcaster MTV3 that Massa's performance, "compared to (Fernando) Alonso's, was very poor."

Autosprint, the Italian weekly, has suggested the out-of-work Grand Prix winner Jarno Trulli is available to step in immediately to replace Massa.

The Maranello-based team appeared to immediately react in the form of a report on its official website, acknowledging its 30-year-old driver "has certainly been the target of criticism" after Melbourne.

Indeed, so poor was Massa's performance last weekend that Ferrari has agreed to scrap his chassis and replace it with a brand new one for Sepang, despite the one-week turnaround between the flyaway back-to-back races.

"This choice was taken to clear up any doubts about the unusual performance of his car during the weekend at Albert Park," said the team.

Ferrari also revealed that team boss Stefano Domenicali and technical director Pat Fry returned to Maranello after Australia rather than make the much-shorter trek to Malaysia.

"The fifth position of Fernando Alonso in Australia was a distortion," argued former Ferrari engineer Joan Villadelprat in the Spanish newspaper El Pais.

"Actually, I see a much harsher reality for them."

Another Spanish newspaper, AS, reports that Ferrari is pressing the throttle on a 'plan B,' involving a substantial redesign of the F2012 chassis for China that will involve a new FIA crash test.

 

[Macman45]

Jensen Button in fine form, hyper-focused in a very quick McLaren takes the win!

What a great race, bodes well and surely promises to be an exciting, competitive season.

Australia involved lots of overtaking, action, and a level of excitement not seen in recent years. SpeedTV's coverage was quite good.

It's great to get the season underway!

Due to the new iPad, a big Rugby match in which Wales won the grand slam, I watched the race on BBCiplayer on Sunday...Fantastic to see that we will get a good season with Mclaten competitive from the off. Don't write of Red Bull though, Vettel had a good race, all in all a great week of sport, AND two new toys too!

 

[ixodes]

While it was only the first GP, it certainly appears that there will be a very competitive field this year with the promise of lots of overtaking. We'll see how they handle what may be very oppressive heat & humidity this weekend.

 

[bjm2660]

While it was only the first GP, it certainly appears that there will be a very competitive field this year with the promise of lots of overtaking. We'll see how they handle what may be very oppressive heat & humidity this weekend.

You might say "survival of the fittest." :roll eyes:

But really, it takes excellent physical fitness to drive in Formula 1--especially when it's hot and humid.

----------

imma get a jump and start the TRULLI to Ferrari rumor...

Fascinating. If so, he'll be on a 1-year contract only. Ferrari doesn't want to get burned. They're in damage control now.

 

[pachyderm]

"Jarno to Ferrari". Everywhere I post, I mean everywhere, I start this rumor.

It'll never happen. But I love rumblings...

 

[bjm2660]

"Jarno to Ferrari". Everywhere I post, I mean everywhere, I start this rumor.

It'll never happen. But I love rumblings...

Why you little...

 

[rezenclowd3]

Hmm, seems Sky likes to put in as many music videos as possible...ugh.

 

[bjm2660]

A bad day for Button. Silver lining? It was also a bad day for Vettel. Hamilton got some much needed points. McLaren still leads the constructors. Impressive drive from Perez. This forum anticipated a strong showing form Perez in light of Massa's poor form of late. I hope Ferrari do something about their driver situation soon and not wait until the end of the year.

 

[ThemacNub]

Was a good race. I can foresee Massa getting dropped soon. Since Webbers contract ends this year I think i remember Ferrari showing interest in picking him up.
Grosjean has been driving phenomenally during qualifying so I dare say Red Bull will try and pick him up

 

[pachyderm]

A bad day for Button. Silver lining? It was also a bad day for Vettel. Hamilton got some much needed points. McLaren still leads the constructors. Impressive drive from Perez. This forum anticipated a strong showing form Perez in light of Massa's poor form of late. I hope Ferrari do something about their driver situation soon and not wait until the end of the year.

ENTER TRULLI!

i was happy to see fred win. with no horse in the race just about any result is good for me. perez put n a good performance.

 

[bjm2660]

Was a good race. I can foresee Massa getting dropped soon. Since Webbers contract ends this year I think i remember Ferrari showing interest in picking him up.
Grosjean has been driving phenomenally during qualifying so I dare say Red Bull will try and pick him up

Red Bull is in the enviable position of being able to pretty much pick whomever they want to put in Webber's seat (even Webber). I highly doubt they'd choose a rookie (essentially) in Grosjean who has yet to demonstrate that he can finish a race. Stupid mistakes bely lack of polish and race craft. Personality compatibility is also key. We've seen instances where that has gone wrong (Senna/Prost)(Hamilton/Alonso). Likewise, Red Bull will be vary careful when they replace Webber to choose someone that Vettel can work with. They may not have to make a decision if Webber keeps his form and signs for an extra year.

Ferrari must make this decision sooner regarding Massa's seat. Other than Trulli, there isn't much they can do about Massa mid-season unless they have Perez breach his contract etc. Let's not overreact to Perez's performance; it may end up being a blip in an otherwise average midfield campaign. Remember Hulkenburg's qualifying performance at Williams in 2010? What did that get him? He lost his race seat to a Venezuelan pay-driver backed by oil. Sorry for the cynicism.

 

[CWallace]

Sergio Perez made a pretty convincing case to being Alonso's #2...

 

[pachyderm]

Ferrari mast make this decision sooner regarding Massa's seat. Other than Trulli, there isn't much they can do about Massa mid-season unless they have Perez breach his contract etc. Let's not overreact to Perez's performance; it may end up being a blip in an otherwise average midfield campaign. Remember Hulkenburg's qualifying performance at Williams in 2010? What did that get him? He lost his race seat to a Venezuelan pay-driver backed by oil. Sorry for the cynicism.

You make a very good point. However, the pessismist in me, makes me doubt that Jarno will get this seat. I see Massa stepping up his game.

Sergio Perez made a pretty convincing case to being Alonso's #2...

He did a very good job on a day that seemed to catch a few people out. The question is , how would he have done if it hadn't rained and the top guns weren't running around with their heads cut off. Don't get me wrong, I
want him to be good and to do well. It's just to early for me to get too excited... but that one race was fun to watch. Fingers crossed for him.

Kimi is the big story for me. I predict that he is going to win in that Lotus this year!

 

[bjm2660]

I had almost forgotten about Sutil. It appears he's taking this moment to tell Sauber…put me in coach. See article below:

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-adrian-sutil-admits-sauber-team-a-nice-place-for-comeback/

"Adrian Sutil has admitted he would relish the opportunity to return to Formula One with Sauber.

Strong rumors in recent days — particularly in the wake of his podium in Malaysia — have linked Sergio Perez with Felipe Massa's race seat at Ferrari.

That would create a vacancy at Sauber."

I guess when you don't have a drive, there's nothing to do but politick.

 

[pachyderm]

I had almost forgotten about Sutil. It appears he's taking this moment to tell Sauber…put me in coach. See article below:

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-adrian-sutil-admits-sauber-team-a-nice-place-for-comeback/

"Adrian Sutil has admitted he would relish the opportunity to return to Formula One with Sauber.

Strong rumors in recent days — particularly in the wake of his podium in Malaysia — have linked Sergio Perez with Felipe Massa's race seat at Ferrari.

That would create a vacancy at Sauber."

I guess when you don't have a drive, there's nothing to do but politick.

wow! after one race? sadly, for jarno, i think sutil to sauber/perez to ferrari would be a pretty logical choice. although i do think they are jumping the gun on perez tho...