2012 Chinese Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***
Posted by madotter
I think depending on a "normal" dry race it'll be between McLaren and Red Bull and maybe Kimi.
I'd expect the winner to be Hamilton because so far he's been mature (on the track at least). Button is probably a shoe in for a podium as long as he continues to qualify within a couple of tenths of Hamilton and on the front row. But I think the actual race could be finely poised between both McLarens and Red Bull, Kimi could be a factor if he has no issues during practice etc, Grosjean is a question mark.
I think the second half of the top ten should be a battle of strategy between Alonso, the Williams & Saubers and Grosjean if he can manage to avoid retiring in the first couple of laps.
Force India and Sauber can get points if they take advantage of any more inconsistency by the likes of Maldonaldo, Senna, Grosjean etc.
I don't expect Mercedes will have got on top of their tyre wear issues, but they should qualify fairly well.
If it rains it'd be another lottery. I don't think we can reley on the same conditions as Malaysia but also Button is no longer the automatic favourite in Changanle conditions due to his struggles to get the Pirelli inters to work for him at Malaysia.
I'd expect the winner to be Hamilton because so far he's been mature (on the track at least). Button is probably a shoe in for a podium as long as he continues to qualify within a couple of tenths of Hamilton and on the front row. But I think the actual race could be finely poised between both McLarens and Red Bull, Kimi could be a factor if he has no issues during practice etc, Grosjean is a question mark.
I think the second half of the top ten should be a battle of strategy between Alonso, the Williams & Saubers and Grosjean if he can manage to avoid retiring in the first couple of laps.
Force India and Sauber can get points if they take advantage of any more inconsistency by the likes of Maldonaldo, Senna, Grosjean etc.
I don't expect Mercedes will have got on top of their tyre wear issues, but they should qualify fairly well.
If it rains it'd be another lottery. I don't think we can reley on the same conditions as Malaysia but also Button is no longer the automatic favourite in Changanle conditions due to his struggles to get the Pirelli inters to work for him at Malaysia.
Well he didn't quite finish at Melbourne. They retired the car a few laps after his merry go round with Massa, his race up until then was compromised by the first lap accident (probably not his fault) but he was fairly ordinary afterwards. At Malaysia a first lap crash with Maldonaldo (almost certainly his fault) but granted his performance there after was excellent. He needs to up his game in qualifying a bit.. And like Grosjean he needs to avoid accidents in the first lap.
In fairness, it's difficult to stay on topic all the time when the race is still a week away and another topic close to our hearts has come up :P Not that I'm meaning to whinge, having complained vocally about the lack of enthusiasm and short thread length in the past!
So yeah, back on topic :P
Plenty of rain would be nice, something like 2006 maybe. With a field this close I think that would produce some crazy results! It'd be pretty boring if it was a dry one, with the tyres having been improved so much since last year.
So yeah, back on topic :P
Plenty of rain would be nice, something like 2006 maybe. With a field this close I think that would produce some crazy results! It'd be pretty boring if it was a dry one, with the tyres having been improved so much since last year.
Lotus protested formally Mercedes rear wing and.... they got bitchslapped in their face!
hopefully Mrecedes can improve the system now and they let this subject to rest. bring on the exhaust, lol
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2012 07:11PM by Slash.
Quote
Autosport
The full Mercedes decision by the FIA
Having examined the evidence presented, the Stewards DECIDE unanimously that the Protest is DISMISSED.
The grounds for this decision are:
1. There are many different parts of bodywork fitted to cars from a variety of teams, which have been designed specifically to take advantage of the change in airflow caused by the activation of the DRS.
2. The modifications on Cars 7 and 8 are examples of the above.
3. The Mercedes design complies with all bodywork geometric and stiffness regulations.
4. The design is entirely passive and has no moving parts whatsoever.
5. The sole purpose of the "DRS" (or the "system" as referred to in the regulations) as stated in Article 3.18.3, is to improve overtaking. The Mercedes design is completely consistent with this objective.
6. . Noting the agreement of Lotus that "if the hole currently located in the rear end plate was located elsewhere and permanently exposed, this would be acceptable", there is no reason why the locating of the hole is the current position on Cars 7 and 8 should not also be acceptable. 7. In relation to the 5 questions posed by Lotus, all 5 of which Lotus assert (and the Stewards agree) if answered in the affirmative, would rule the vehicles ineligible;
(i) Article 3.15 does not apply because it does not directly use driver movement, as a means of altering the aerodynamic characteristics of the car. The alteration is indirectly (and not directly) consequential to the movement of the driver adjustable bodywork ("DRS"
(ii) The second question posed is not relevant in light of (i) above
(iii) The Mercedes design is not a "system" or "device" in its own right, it is part of a design made to take advantage of the change in airflow caused by the activation of the DRS (refer 1 above)
(iv) The Mercedes design is not activated by driver movement. It is a consequence of a change of position of the driver adjustable bodywork, which is permitted under the regulations.
(v) The Mercedes design does appear to alter the aerodynamic characteristics of the car by reducing the drag, however this is consistent with the intent of the regulations.
Accordingly not all of the 5 questions can be answered in the affirmative and therefore do not form successful grounds for the upholding of the protest.
Further, and distinct from the grounds above, the protest is dismissed on the grounds that the FIA confirmed the assertion of the Mercedes team that it had, in accordance with Article 2.4 and/or 2.5 of the F1 Technical Regulations, sought clarification from the FIA Formula One Technical Department concerning this matter and the FIA confirmed that the Mercedes design had been deemed permissible.
All parties are reminded of their Right of Appeal.
hopefully Mrecedes can improve the system now and they let this subject to rest. bring on the exhaust, lol
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2012 07:11PM by Slash.
I think to some extent they're still feeling sore regarding their trick active suspension thing which got banned before it even raced after a year of them being told it was ok. But yeah sour grapes indeed.
Group Lotus have pretty much been the biggest PR embarrassment in F1 for a few years now and the amount of motor-sport projects they're supposedly involved with now with out actually money to back it up is staggering. Still... They've again effectively got free sponsorship in F1... Unless Lopez does something hilarious and rebrands as Toleman.
Group Lotus have pretty much been the biggest PR embarrassment in F1 for a few years now and the amount of motor-sport projects they're supposedly involved with now with out actually money to back it up is staggering. Still... They've again effectively got free sponsorship in F1... Unless Lopez does something hilarious and rebrands as Toleman.
Did anyone pay attention to the long run laptimes this morning? I had to miss the practice because I had to be rested for work.. So I haven't seen the action alongside the live-timing. Just wondered if anyone picked up some patterns that won't show up in the final lap time charts.
Cheers... And other cars look reasonably strong... As in a midfielder such as a Lotus, Sauber, Williams giving Red Bull things to think about?
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