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[marvelharvey]

Coulthard was not in the racing line so he's clean.

Me, being stuck in the 3rd world of F1 coverage, Japan, I was unable to see the qualifiying or hear any commentary, but that a little looked dubious to me. I'd prefer to see it from a coupe of seconds back, and where they were at the start of the corner. Anyway, if it was Coultard, I don't mind, he's got enough on his mind with that Massa fight :lol

 

[celestial body]

Pretty high chance for rain during the race so McLaren's may be in luck.

 

[Opus Angelorum]

Is anyone else absolutely bored to death with Hamilton already?

 

[Tim the Wiz]

Well, this race just got a whole lot more interesting. It's going to be very tight, and everyone from Barrichello up is in with a chance for points.

 

[Shinobi]

:lol :lol :lol Nice one Midisurf.

The grid penalties are fully deserved...I don't know what those drivers were thinking. Or the team, if that was their direction. Anything McLaren does is gonna be heavily scrutinzed by the FIA following the Spygate silliness, and they can't afford to have such brain cramps. Having said that, I think the McLarens are still in good shape...race pace can be a totally different thing from qualifying pace. And with McLaren perhaps knowing that they didn't have the outright speed to match Ferrari (plus the various weather indicators out there), they might have set both cars up for a wet race, knowing they still have enough pace to challenge for a podium spot if it stays dry, or at least decent scoring positions anyway. Good tactics I reckon.

Speaking of tactics, Ferrari had better sort theirs the fuck out...I wasn't impressed with theirs at all last week.

 

[cilonen]

The grid penalties are fully deserved...I don't know what those drivers were thinking. Or the team, if that was their direction. Anything McLaren does is gonna be heavily scrutinzed by the FIA following the Spygate silliness, and they can't afford to have such brain cramps.

...

It was the team's direction - they were on the radio before the flying laps (of I presume both drivers, but only Hamilton's was broadcast), telling them to coast back after the laps to save fuel. Everyone in that group did it (Ferraris too) and were right to be told to do it with the quali fuel regs the way they are right now.

The problem was, not everyone in the top ten had put their fast laps in early in case rain came - Renault and BMW decided to ignore the possibility of rain and stick to the 'go out at the last minute' timings. It just happened that it was the coasting McLarens that Heidfeld and Alonso came across as they were on their last flying laps. 30 seconds earlier and they would have started their flying laps ahead of where the McLarens were on track and come across the coasting Ferraris.

Not to say it's not dangerous to have cars at full speed mixing it up with coasting cars, but it's a fault of the current quali fuel regs compounded by the threat of rain in today's sessions.

 

[Pimpwerx]

I don't really hate the guy...but ever since people tried to put Massa on the same level as Kimi a year or two ago, I've basically made it my mission to LOL at him at the slightest mishap, or when Kimi leaves his ass in the distance.

In qualifying and from the front, Massa is as quick as any driver out there. But as a driver starting behind the first row, or a driver in traffic, he's so far away from the top three guys (Kimi, Alonso, Hammy) in terms of overall driving skill, control and racing IQ, that the comparison simply becomes embarassing for him.

So er, yeah...that's where I'm coming from. I've been a Kimi worshipper ever since he joined McLaren, so I'm gonna be defensive regarding him in any case. :lol

No offense, Kimi-lover, but Massa could have made a claim for the WDC last season too had Ferrari not obviously relegated him to #2. IMO, there was a more decisive victor between Alonso and Hammy than Kimi and Massa. At least we know the two Macs were at each other's throats right down to the last lap. Can't say the same for the cheatenous red sluts, now can we?

Anyway, I don't know what to make of qualies other than Ferrari is serving me a healthy dose of come-uppance. That'll show me for declaring the season over after the first race. I don't think McLaren is heavier, I think Ferrari is really a second per lap quicker around Sepang this year. I don't expect it to be a continuing pattern, but tomorrow's race looks like it'll be a scarlet parade. PEACE.

EDIT: Oh snap, didn't realize we got penalized. Sonofa... well, Hammy should make a good charge for a podium. If it rains, he'll probably be fighting Alonso for the win. I've never rain-danced like I'm rain-dancing now. I want a fucking monsoon in this bitch.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

No offense, Kimi-lover, but Massa could have made a claim for the WDC last season too had Ferrari not obviously relegated him to #2.

Massa and Kimi are pretty much equal in terms of speed, but when it comes to racecraft Kimi is much better than Massa. There's a reason Massa has NEVER won a race when he starts behind someone. He's a slightly better racer than Trulli. Nothing else to be said. Both are great qualifiers but you put a car as fast as them in front and they're going nowhere.

Fucking Heidfeld... I hope he crashes with Kubica on the first corner.

Why?!! Mclaren should've told them to move OUT OF THE RACING LINE. Heidfeld and Alonso having to alter their line affected their performance, not by much but it did. Penalty was fully deserved. When I was watching it, I couldn't believe both Mclarens stuck to the racing line. Notice that Massa finished his flyer before both Mclarens and was celebrating in his car. So why wasn't he punished? Because celebrate all you want - off the racing line. I guess the shock of being 1sec off the pole froze them all. :lol

 

[skybaby]

30 seconds earlier and they would have started their flying laps ahead of where the McLarens were on track and come across the coasting Ferraris.

You can coast as much as you want, but not on the racing line.

 

[Pimpwerx]

Massa and Kimi are pretty much equal in terms of speed, but when it comes to racecraft Kimi is much better than Massa. There's a reason Massa has NEVER won a race when he starts behind someone. He's a slightly better racer than Trulli. Nothing else to be said. Both are great qualifiers but you put a car as fast as them in front and they're going nowhere.

True enough. I just thought it was funny b/c for all the "Schuey is washed-up, etc..." talk from the season before, you'd have expected Kimi to come in and put at least as strong a performance as that, but he didn't. On the contrary, we found a Massa who was on par in qualies and getting better with his racecraft. Unfortunately for him, it still wasn't good enough. Ouch. :lol PEACE.

 

[Shinobi]

It was the team's direction - they were on the radio before the flying laps (of I presume both drivers, but only Hamilton's was broadcast), telling them to coast back after the laps to save fuel. Everyone in that group did it (Ferraris too) and were right to be told to do it with the quali fuel regs the way they are right now.

The problem was, not everyone in the top ten had put their fast laps in early in case rain came - Renault and BMW decided to ignore the possibility of rain and stick to the 'go out at the last minute' timings. It just happened that it was the coasting McLarens that Heidfeld and Alonso came across as they were on their last flying laps. 30 seconds earlier and they would have started their flying laps ahead of where the McLarens were on track and come across the coasting Ferraris.

Not to say it's not dangerous to have cars at full speed mixing it up with coasting cars, but it's a fault of the current quali fuel regs compounded by the threat of rain in today's sessions.

Oh the slow down lap doesn't bother me...it's the fact that both McLaren drivers were doing this on the racing line. It was just fucking stupid...with some 30 seconds to go in the session, you have to assume the drivers behind will try to stick in an extra lap, and act accordingly. All the other drivers had no problem staying off the racing line.

Anyway, I don't know what to make of qualies other than Ferrari is serving me a healthy dose of come-uppance. That'll show me for declaring the season over after the first race.

:lol But that's typical you...always spouting off before thinking. If Kimi wasn't stuck behind Rubes' exhaust for 20 laps last week, he could've made a serious charge for the podium. He really drove an incredible race considering how heavily fueled he was, and staying on his soft tires longer then most runners ran their hards.

As for Kimi being handed the reins, do you really wanna go there? :lol How many times was Schumacher gifted races and championships by the prancing horse? Of course the only person who never saw it this way was you, back when you were riding the scarlet bandwagon. :lol

Kimi got his fair and square...he had a pretty miserable first half of the season (Melbourne aside) where Massa could've taken full advantage of it, and instead he fucked it up. Once Kimi got momentum back and was able to get fully in tune with the Bridgestones, it was obvious Ferrari had to back him down the stretch to give them the faintest of hopes for the driver's title. And he did just that...the last six to eight races he was clearly the best, most consistent driver in the field, and earned his rewards. If I'd been Kimi I would've given up by mid-June, so it says a lot for him that he kept plugging away.

And Massa did help Kimi out down the stretch as well, which is to his credit...he's a fantastic teamate, something I'm not sure could be said of either Lewis or Alonso.

And Massa's wife is hot. So it's all good.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

True enough. I just thought it was funny b/c for all the "Schuey is washed-up, etc..." talk from the season before, you'd have expected Kimi to come in and put at least as strong a performance as that, but he didn't. On the contrary, we found a Massa who was on par in qualies and getting better with his racecraft. Unfortunately for him, it still wasn't good enough. Ouch. :lol PEACE.

Ferrari's policy is this: "Establish yourself as #1" I think both drivers knew it last year. That when one of them has a shot to win the title, the other has to support. We got to a point where Massa wasn't realistically in contention. And it was due to his fault. Both has mechanical failures but Massa retired several times due to his own fault.

I think the same can be said this year. Both of them will go for it and if with a few races left, one is leading by 8 or more points, Ferrari will push one over the other.

The reason Schumacher had Barrichello relegated to 2nd status was because he was better than Barrichello in every way. Look at it like this, there have been Ferrari wins where Schumacher won pretty easily, yet Barichello missed the podium or worse. That's inexcusable. So if you're Ferrari, why would you risk a guy who may cost you the championship?

 

[DarkJediKnight]

:lol But that's typical you...always spouting off before thinking. If Kimi wasn't stuck behind Rubes' exhaust for 20 laps last week, he could've made a serious charge for the podium. He really drove an incredible race considering how heavily fueled he was, and staying on his soft tires longer then most runners ran their hards.

This is one point that people are glossing over. Kimi had the most fuel of anyone out there, yet on the 1st lap, he was moving around like Senna at Donnington in the rain. The guy is simply phenominal on cold tires! Yes, he fucked with his tire situation later, but the balls to attempt that was fun to watch. :lol

 

[speedpop]

Webber's chance tomorrow.

If he finishes the race without the car fucking up, I'll crack open a bottle of bubbly for him.

 

[Shinobi]

This is one point that people are glossing over. Kimi had the most fuel of anyone out there, yet on the 1st lap, he was moving around like Senna at Donnington in the rain. The guy is simply phenominal on cold tires! Yes, he fucked with his tire situation later, but the balls to attempt that was fun to watch. :lol

:lol Yeah, I thought it was a great attempt...and he did an awesome job keeping the car going on the gravel and avoiding the wall. That off didn't bother me at all, he figured if he didn't pass Kov on the first restart lap he was never getting by him.

The second off was just ridiculous though :lol...can't defend my boy for that one.

Also think Alonso shut a lot of people up with his performance last week. The man can flat out drive a car, regardless of how shit it is. Overall I reckon he's still the best in the business. I just hope he gets a car good enough to battle with the big boys a year from now.

 

[Shinobi]

Webber's chance tomorrow.

If he finishes the race without the car fucking up, I'll crack open a bottle of bubbly for him.

Hopefully his car doesn't crack underneath him. :lol The fragility of these Red Bulls cars so far is way beyond ridiculous.

 

[Burai]

Ferrari's policy is this: "Establish yourself as #1" I think both drivers knew it last year. That when one of them has a shot to win the title, the other has to support. We got to a point where Massa wasn't realistically in contention. And it was due to his fault. Both has mechanical failures but Massa retired several times due to his own fault.

I think the same can be said this year. Both of them will go for it and if with a few races left, one is leading by 8 or more points, Ferrari will push one over the other.

The reason Schumacher had Barrichello relegated to 2nd status was because he was better than Barrichello in every way. Look at it like this, there have been Ferrari wins where Schumacher won pretty easily, yet Barichello missed the podium or worse. That's inexcusable. So if you're Ferrari, why would you risk a guy who may cost you the championship?

Yeah. Everyone says that Barrichello and Irvine were treated unfairly, but the fact of the matter is that they couldn't get close to Schumacher on either qualifying or race pace. Massa was under the same team orders, but he pushed Michael a hell of a lot harder than his predecessors ever did.

I have no doubt at all that Ferrari will let their drivers race for as long as it's not costing them.

 

[DrM]

And Massa's wife is hot. So it's all good.

Yes, she is wearing trousers in that family. That look on Felipe face is just priceless. I just can't stand this guy, so goddamn antipatic and average driver. Hell, in my opinion, even Trulli the Locomotive (there is always a train in the race behind Jarno) is better driver.

 

[SpoonyBard]

Why?!! Mclaren should've told them to move OUT OF THE RACING LINE. Heidfeld and Alonso having to alter their line affected their performance, not by much but it did. Penalty was fully deserved. When I was watching it, I couldn't believe both Mclarens stuck to the racing line. Notice that Massa finished his flyer before both Mclarens and was celebrating in his car. So why wasn't he punished? Because celebrate all you want - off the racing line. I guess the shock of being 1sec off the pole froze them all. :lol

It seems to me that it would have been very dangerous to swich from one side of the track to other on that situation. They were driving very slowly, while the ones still on qualifying lap were obviously driving very fast. The main reason for the penalty seem to be the fact that they were driving McLaren.

 

[DarkJediKnight]

It seems to me that it would have been very dangerous to swich from one side of the track to other on that situation. They were driving very slowly, while the ones still on qualifying lap were obviously driving very fast. The main reason for the penalty seem to be the fact that they were driving McLaren.

Umm no. What! What's dangerous about driving off the main racing line? No one is going to hit you, and you're driving slow enough that you're not going to spin. If this was after a race, I can sort of understand as just in case your car might be underweight, you might want to drive on the line to pick up rubber from the racing line to increase your car's weight. But in qualifying, the fuel load is already decided and your car isn't going to be measured until after the race.

Both Lewis and Heikki should've known better than to stay on the line, worse, the team should've told them to move over. Mclaren has screens showing where every car is on the track. They should've seen Heidfeld and Alonso coming in quick. They had plenty of time to tell their drivers to move over. If you look at the video, the 2nd Mclaren immediately moves away as Heidfeld passes him - it shows that he realized he was in the wrong line. And because of Kovalainen, Heidfeld had to take a tighter line on that turn which led to a tighter exit (2 wheels on the grass). As I said before, as they finished their laps, the team was probably scrambling to see how they were off the pace by that much and completely forgot that cars behind them had a lap left. It was a brain gaffe on their part and they deserved it.

Yes, she is wearing trousers in that family. That look on Felipe face is just priceless. I just can't stand this guy, so goddamn antipatic and average driver. Hell, in my opinion, even Trulli the Locomotive (there is always a train in the race behind Jarno) is better driver.

Hey! Don't make fun of him because he looks like a retarded tomato!

And all these talk of driver wives, Connie Montoya still is my cup of tea. Freckles and all!

 

[Burai]

Both Lewis and Heikki should've known better than to stay on the line, worse, the team should've told them to move over.

I don't think you can blame the drivers. They aren't going to know that there are still cars running at full speed once the clock has run down. It's up to the team to inform them.

I don't think it would have helped if they were off-line either. Judging by the on-boards, Heikki would have completely unsighted Alonso going into the turn.

I can only hope that the FIA will put in some sort of percentage rule for in-laps because, on or off the racing line, it's just too bloody dangerous to run like that.

And all these talk of driver wives, Connie Montoya still is my cup of tea. Freckles and all!

Fuck yeah.

 

[skybaby]

The main reason for the penalty seem to be the fact that they were driving McLaren.

:lol :lol

What's dangerous about driving off the main racing line?

This.

 

[MidiSurf]

Any news about rain situation (will it rain or not) ?

And any predictions for the race ?

Kimi - Massa - Kovalainen.

McLarens have more fuel than Ferraris
Heikki has more fuel in his car than Lewis,
Raikkonen is 1-2 laps heavier than Massa,
Heikki makes his pitstop in lap 18.

 

[Blablurn]

Go Go Go Ferrari!

 

[Pimpwerx]

That was 4 the hard way for Lewis on Lap1. Webber and Kubica will be much tougher. Those softs are gonna go off soon. PEACE.

 

[MidiSurf]

Bad start for Heikki And now he is trapped behind Trulli train .

EDIT: Trulli is pretty fast

Webber is putting up good fight.

And wow @ Nakajima

 

[Blablurn]

Bye Bye Sutil =(

 

[MidiSurf]

Dam, Heikki is slow, troubles with car ?

Heikki is back.

Hamilton's driving is really bad at the moment. He's tires won't take that kinda of driving for long.

EDIT: You can't even see the white line on Hamilton's left tire.

GO KIMI !!!!

 

[reilo]

KIMI!

 

[MidiSurf]

Lewis

Well not his fault but still

 

[Fowler]

Damnit Lewis.

 

[MidiSurf]

Lewi's is still having troubles with driving.

 

[reilo]

McLaren's pitstop crew killing Hamilton's race. They did not lock the shroud.

 

[skybaby]

Wait, weren't the Mclarens MUCH heavier? :lol

 

[Pimpwerx]

Wow! That's unfortunate, but shoulda been expected when I saw a bucketload of brake dust come out of the left front. The right front is gonna explode if it doesn't rain soon. With rain, a podium is still a real possibility. Come on rain. PEACE.

 

[MidiSurf]

Wow! That's unfortunate, but shoulda been expected when I saw a bucketload of brake dust come out of the left front. The right front is gonna explode if it doesn't rain soon. With rain, a podium is still a real possibility. Come on rain. PEACE.

Lewi's don't have a chance in hell. He can't even get pass Webber. He is having real troubles with his driving.

 

[DrM]

Wait, weren't the Mclarens MUCH heavier? :lol

They should be, but Heinz is quiet today about his prediction (probably counting how many drinks he will pay after the race) :lol

Massa :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

 

[reilo]

:lol Massa. Damn.

 

[Fowler]

Felipe Massa is really an awful driver.

 

[MidiSurf]

LOL MASSA !!!!

And someone still wonders why people disslike Massa.

 

[Pimpwerx]

OK...I think I'm ready to admit now that Massa is a fucking blockhead and will forever be a blockhead. Jesus, what an idiot. PEACE.

 

[MidiSurf]

Trulli is on FIRE !

 

[Pimpwerx]

Lewi's don't have a chance in hell. He can't even get pass Webber. He is having real troubles with his driving.

There's not a lot of overtaking at the front on-track today. Lewis was going to seriously gap Mark in the pitstop, and should be in third right now, but he had a problem. I wouldn't call inability to overtake a problem with his driving. He's not exactly losing ground. PEACE.

 

[Steroyd]

Wow how did Massa fuck that up.

 

[ElyrionX]

:lol Massa really can't drive without the traction control.

 

[skybaby]

Massa just said he shifted onto 1st gear instead of 2nd when leaving turn 1, that's why he spun off. I CAN HAS MY TRACTION CONTROLS? :lol

Quoting myself here, but maybe he shifted into 4th instead of 5th? :lol

 

[Steroyd]

MASSA'S CAR SPUN BY ITSELF.

 

[Burai]

Lewi's don't have a chance in hell. He can't even get pass Webber. He is having real troubles with his car.

Fixed for less hysterics.

 

[Fowler]

Supposedly there was a bit of a... disagreement in the Ferrari garage.

Massa walked in and told reporters something happened with the car, the spin had nothing to do with him.

The Ferrari engineers turned around and said they were watching the data and nothing was wrong with the car.

Douche chiiiilll...

 

[MidiSurf]

Fixed for less hysterics.

That's lot better .

Ferrari engine blows up again.

Barrichello fails.