2012 Formula One Season

[Mosha]

It was on but because of the Olympics, it got moved to ESPN HD. Not sure if you guys have access to that. Picture quality was amazing. I wish it was shown on that channel every race, although i suspect it will be a one-off.

Hamilton commanded both practice and qualifying, and by rights with pole and with overtaking so tricky, its his race for the taking. But my feeling is Hamilton does tend to do a bit better when coming from a few places behind. Haven't seen the stats but i feel like his conversion rate of poles to wins isn't as good as others. Plus of course there is all the bungling of tactics and pit-stops that have marred McClaren this season, fastest ever pit-stop with-standing.

So i think for the race, it could be a lot closer than qualifying and i wouldn't be surprised to see Vettel and Alonso, as well as Romain, right up there and fighting for a win.

Thx for the heads up, we have a free months trial, so I'll be able to watch it. Those times were so tight in all three sections.

[User3]

Is it just my browser(s) or is F1.com site down?

[ignis]

Is it just my browser(s) or is F1.com site down?

Works fine for me http://www.formula1.com/news/ nothing new since the 15th..

Maybe try also http://en.espnf1.com/ or http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/ or newer News as of 1 hour ago http://www.totalf1.com/details/view/405910/Follow_F1_test_action_with_AUTOSPORT/#.UC9dhaniZkg

[User3]

How strange. I tried 3 different browsers, deleted all cookies and/or reference to F1 or Formula1 and no joy. They tried android browser on a tablet so bypassing the windows firewall and no joy. so tried my phone and ditto... maybe it's a TOT thing.

Or maybe Bernie found out my F1 live timing password was 'f1sucks'.....

but now this morning it's back...

strange.

[rixalex]

Anyone else finding this extended F1 break excruciatingly looooooooooong. Going to feel like the start of a new season by the time we get to the next race! Starting to forget who won what, who is ahead of who in the standings.

[kartman]

Not when you can watch BTCC, Cup racing at Watkins Glen ,Nationwide at Montreal, GT1 at SlovakiaRing.

[KeyserSoze01]

Anyone else finding this extended F1 break excruciatingly looooooooooong. Going to feel like the start of a new season by the time we get to the next race! Starting to forget who won what, who is ahead of who in the standings.

Same here. I am going into withdrawal symptoms with this long summer break. Fortunately I have all of last season and this season to date recorded, so I just replay an old race when I need my fix.

[rixalex]

Anyone else finding this extended F1 break excruciatingly looooooooooong. Going to feel like the start of a new season by the time we get to the next race! Starting to forget who won what, who is ahead of who in the standings.

Same here. I am going into withdrawal symptoms with this long summer break. Fortunately I have all of last season and this season to date recorded, so I just replay an old race when I need my fix.

Sport is a bit like books and movies for me. I read/watch them once, and that's it. Once the outcome is known, the excitement, suspense and thrill is for the most part gone.

[F1fanatic]

I too, have found the 'summer holiday' somehow longer this year...

Probably 'cos we have had so much unpredictability and excitement this season, compared to previous seasons.

Less than a week to go!

[rixalex]

I too, have found the 'summer holiday' somehow longer this year...

Probably 'cos we have had so much unpredictability and excitement this season, compared to previous seasons.

Less than a week to go!

I think it has been longer this year. Previous seasons i think the summer break was 3 weeks. Might be wrong.

Anyway, as you say, bring on this weekend!

[Guest]

I'll just hope that Spa will bring 5th victory for Kimi this weekend. Let's see if the new Lotus double DRS do work in actual race.

What is the weather prediction for the weekend?

Here is simplified links and feeds for the latest F1 news http://panphuket.com/f1

[rixalex]

I'll just hope that Spa will bring 5th victory for Kimi this weekend. Let's see if the new Lotus double DRS do work in actual race.

What is the weather prediction for the weekend?

Here is simplified links and feeds for the latest F1 news http://panphuket.com/f1

Kimi looked very strong in the last race. I bet Lotus were wishing they could have kept their momentum going with another race, rather than have this extended break. Will feel like the start of a new season this weekend. Hard to predict anything really... most especially the weather!

[Mosha]

Anyone else finding this extended F1 break excruciatingly looooooooooong. Going to feel like the start of a new season by the time we get to the next race! Starting to forget who won what, who is ahead of who in the standings.

Same here. I am going into withdrawal symptoms with this long summer break. Fortunately I have all of last season and this season to date recorded, so I just replay an old race when I need my fix.

Sport is a bit like books and movies for me. I read/watch them once, and that's it. Once the outcome is known, the excitement, suspense and thrill is for the most part gone.

That's why I hate the American races, I can't stay awake to watch the race. So I try my damndest to avoid the result, so i can watch them on Monday mornings. Still, looking forward to Spa, one of my favourites.

ps I can and do read books over and over. Which is a good job, as the nearest Asia Books is 5 hours away.

Edited September 1, 2012 by Mosha

[Mosha]

I'll just hope that Spa will bring 5th victory for Kimi this weekend. Let's see if the new Lotus double DRS do work in actual race.

What is the weather prediction for the weekend?

Here is simplified links and feeds for the latest F1 news http://panphuket.com/f1

Dry with broken sunshine, rained yesterday.

[rixalex]

Still, looking forward to Spa, one of my favourites.

Spa is my favourite. Eau Rouge is unique. That move Webber made was amazing. Hoping for more of that sort of thing on Sunday.

[rixalex]

ps I can and do read books over and over. Which is a good job, as the nearest Asia Books is 5 hours away.

Dasa in Bangkok has a very efficient postal service that i can vouch for, and a fantastic selection of reasonably priced used books.

http://www.dasabookcafe.com/

[ignis]

Button in 1st place for tomorrows Race............ real nice to watch it in HD

[rixalex]

Button in 1st place for tomorrows Race............ real nice to watch it in HD

Yep great qualifying from Button. Winning from pole at Spa isn't always easy though, so to win he'll have to carry all that qualifying form through to Sunday. Good thing is that whilst he does have fast cars behind him, he doesn't have any of the top title challengers right on his bumper, so if he can make a good start, should be an opportunity for him to put some air between him and second.

Lewis went for a high down force set up that clearly did not work.

Alonso did a reasonable job. Team mate as usual did the opposite!

Vettel looked off colour, but expect him to come through the field.

Guess a lot of it will come down to weather. If it rains, all bets are off! Hoping for a good race...

[F1fanatic]

What an exciting race! Spa delivers again .

So much overtaking with strategy also important.

A few 'Investigations to take place after the race' though - interesting to see the decisions in these incidents.

[Guest]

T

What an exciting race! Spa delivers again .

So much overtaking with strategy also important.

A few 'Investigations to take place after the race' though - interesting to see the decisions in these incidents.

Interesting race - like the old time. Crashes, drama, Schumacher fighting well, pit stop accidents etc. Good win for the Button.

Grosjean got ban for 1 race, so possibly Jerome d’Ambrosio will be racing on next GP.

Maldonado got 2 penalties, both dropping him 5 places on the grid for the Monza.

[tinfoilhat]

Still, looking forward to Spa, one of my favourites.

Spa is my favourite. Eau Rouge is unique. That move Webber made was amazing. Hoping for more of that sort of thing on Sunday.

you got your wish. raikonnen delivered

[KeyserSoze01]

T

What an exciting race! Spa delivers again .

So much overtaking with strategy also important.

A few 'Investigations to take place after the race' though - interesting to see the decisions in these incidents.

Interesting race - like the old time. Crashes, drama, Schumacher fighting well, pit stop accidents etc. Good win for the Button.

Grosjean got ban for 1 race, so possibly Jerome d’Ambrosio will be racing on next GP.

Maldonado got 2 penalties, both dropping him 5 places on the grid for the Monza.

Hard to believe Grosjean got a ban and Maldonado has not, although the Frenchman gets the numpty of the week award.

Great race by Jens. Both he and the team needed it.

Monza next weekend, can't wait!!!

[kartman]

Not defending Grosjean but if Hamilton had thought perhaps as he was being crowded towards the pit wall, on Grosjean's past history this could end up messy things may have been different.

[tinfoilhat]

Not defending Grosjean but if Hamilton had thought perhaps as he was being crowded towards the pit wall, on Grosjean's past history this could end up messy things may have been different.

sorry, but i cant see that you have acutally said anything here. care to complete the thought?

[F1fanatic]

T

What an exciting race! Spa delivers again .

So much overtaking with strategy also important.

A few 'Investigations to take place after the race' though - interesting to see the decisions in these incidents.

Interesting race - like the old time. Crashes, drama, Schumacher fighting well, pit stop accidents etc. Good win for the Button.

Grosjean got ban for 1 race, so possibly Jerome d’Ambrosio will be racing on next GP.

Maldonado got 2 penalties, both dropping him 5 places on the grid for the Monza.

Hard to believe Grosjean got a ban and Maldonado has not, although the Frenchman gets the numpty of the week award.

Great race by Jens. Both he and the team needed it.

Monza next weekend, can't wait!!!

Re. the Grosjean ban, I'm suprised nobody has yet commented on the statement justifying that ban.

"Extremely serious breach of the regulations which had the potential to cause injury to others," a statement read.

"It eliminated leading championship contenders from the race."

Whilst I agree with the one race ban, and think its a good way of making a point about causing avoidable accidents - I'm not so happy that (half-way through the season) 'eliminating championship contenders' from a race should be more important than destroying the race for anyone else .

[b19bry]

T

What an exciting race! Spa delivers again .

So much overtaking with strategy also important.

A few 'Investigations to take place after the race' though - interesting to see the decisions in these incidents.

Interesting race - like the old time. Crashes, drama, Schumacher fighting well, pit stop accidents etc. Good win for the Button.

Grosjean got ban for 1 race, so possibly Jerome d’Ambrosio will be racing on next GP.

Maldonado got 2 penalties, both dropping him 5 places on the grid for the Monza.

Hard to believe Grosjean got a ban and Maldonado has not, although the Frenchman gets the numpty of the week award.

Great race by Jens. Both he and the team needed it.

Monza next weekend, can't wait!!!

Actually hard to believe that Senna wasn't sanctioned for launching himself at Prost back in Japan 1990, or Schumacher against Hill in Adelaide 1994.

The standard of driving in F1 has been allowed to descend to a level where accidents as we saw last weekend are inevitable. Let's hope no-one gets seriously hurt, Alonso was very lucky this time.

Agreed Maldonado (was that a jump start or what ?) is a serious accident waiting to happen along with several others.

On the + side Button was in a class of his own, Hamilton with his tweets showed his true colours

Kimi's pass on Schumi into Eau Rouge was just awsome

Mclaren must fancy their chances for Monza,

[b19bry]

double post

Edited September 4, 2012 by b19bry

[KeyserSoze01]

T

What an exciting race! Spa delivers again .

So much overtaking with strategy also important.

A few 'Investigations to take place after the race' though - interesting to see the decisions in these incidents.

Interesting race - like the old time. Crashes, drama, Schumacher fighting well, pit stop accidents etc. Good win for the Button.

Grosjean got ban for 1 race, so possibly Jerome d’Ambrosio will be racing on next GP.

Maldonado got 2 penalties, both dropping him 5 places on the grid for the Monza.

Hard to believe Grosjean got a ban and Maldonado has not, although the Frenchman gets the numpty of the week award.

Great race by Jens. Both he and the team needed it.

Monza next weekend, can't wait!!!

Re. the Grosjean ban, I'm suprised nobody has yet commented on the statement justifying that ban.

"Extremely serious breach of the regulations which had the potential to cause injury to others," a statement read.

"It eliminated leading championship contenders from the race."

Whilst I agree with the one race ban, and think its a good way of making a point about causing avoidable accidents - I'm not so happy that (half-way through the season) 'eliminating championship contenders' from a race should be more important than destroying the race for anyone else .

I missed that in the press release. Hmm, the stewards are now gauging the severity of the penalties based on who you take out. That one does make you shake your head in disbelief.

[KeyserSoze01]

T

What an exciting race! Spa delivers again .

So much overtaking with strategy also important.

A few 'Investigations to take place after the race' though - interesting to see the decisions in these incidents.

Interesting race - like the old time. Crashes, drama, Schumacher fighting well, pit stop accidents etc. Good win for the Button.

Grosjean got ban for 1 race, so possibly Jerome d’Ambrosio will be racing on next GP.

Maldonado got 2 penalties, both dropping him 5 places on the grid for the Monza.

Hard to believe Grosjean got a ban and Maldonado has not, although the Frenchman gets the numpty of the week award.

Great race by Jens. Both he and the team needed it.

Monza next weekend, can't wait!!!

Actually hard to believe that Senna wasn't sanctioned for launching himself at Prost back in Japan 1990, or Schumacher against Hill in Adelaide 1994.

The standard of driving in F1 has been allowed to descend to a level where accidents as we saw last weekend are inevitable. Let's hope no-one gets seriously hurt, Alonso was very lucky this time.

Agreed Maldonado (was that a jump start or what ?) is a serious accident waiting to happen along with several others.

On the + side Button was in a class of his own, Hamilton with his tweets showed his true colours

Kimi's pass on Schumi into Eau Rouge was just awsome

Mclaren must fancy their chances for Monza,

Having watched both those races, I have to agree with you on Senna and Schumacher. Michael has never been easy to pass and will put an opponent in the wall to win. Much like he forced Rubens off the track at Budapest in 2010. If you're going to do it to a former teammate and friend, you're going to do it to anyone. Senna was just a machine and would do whatever it took to win the championship, including taking Prost off the track at the first turn. Grosjean has had more than his share of contact this season, but no more than Maldonado. I was surprised when F1Fanatic posted that excerpt as to why he got a ban.

The difference today is that the stewards have more power in levying penalties and fines, or they at least using these tools more than in the past. They are also much more stringent with the rules and application thereof. What would have been passed off as a racing incident in the past now draws a penalty. Personally, I think the over-application of the rules is doing the sport harm. Hell, a team can't fart in the breeze anymore without drawing a penalty or fine from the stewards. MS had a $2,500 fine during practice last weekend for crossing a painted line entering the pits. Then there was the incident during the race where MS cut across Alonso trying to get into the pits as they fought side-by-side through the Bus Stop chicane. The stewards announced that the incident was under investigations. Enough already, they didn't even touch. Let the guys race.

The Kimi move going past MS in Eau Rouge reminded me of Webber doing the same to Alonso last year. As they say, those guys have huge attachments.

[b19bry]

Grosjean has had more than his share of contact this season, but no more than Maldonado.

He's actually crashed out on the first lap in 7 races out of 12 this year, that's rather more than Maldonado

The difference today is that the stewards have more power in levying penalties and fines, or they at least using these tools more than in the past. They are also much more stringent with the rules and application thereof. What would have been passed off as a racing incident in the past now draws a penalty. Personally, I think the over-application of the rules is doing the sport harm. Hell, a team can't fart in the breeze anymore without drawing a penalty or fine from the stewards. MS had a $2,500 fine during practice last weekend for crossing a painted line entering the pits. Then there was the incident during the race where MS cut across Alonso trying to get into the pits as they fought side-by-side through the Bus Stop chicane. The stewards announced that the incident was under investigations. Enough already, they didn't even touch. Let the guys race.

Could not disagree more, the stewards always had the power, they just never used it. Now it's acceptable to chop across another driver and routine at most starts plus forcing others off the track to prevent an overtake is commonplace.

Sure, let the drivers race but stamp out the dirty tactics which as proved last weekend, can & will at some point, prove highly dangerous