2012 Formula One Season

[LennyW]

Perez move to McLaren upon Hamiltons exit, pity it was not Paul Di Resta! http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/19755236

Why are you so keen on DiResta? After quite a strong season last year, he seems to have been a pretty patchy this year.

I get the feeling he has a lot more potential to be released and that perhaps a top flight car would show that, time will tell, he is young enough.

Oh and of course he is Scottish!

[rixalex]

Oh and of course he is Scottish!

Aha!

Don't be greedy. You have Andy Murray!

[Mosha]

Anyway, have you seen the topic in the News Forum?

[kartman]

Perez move to McLaren upon Hamiltons exit, pity it was not Paul Di Resta! http://www.bbc.co.uk...rmula1/19755236

Think big picture who do you want in the garage Luis Di Resta or Carlos Slim, no brainer.

Edited September 29, 2012 by kartman

[kartman]

Michael Schumacher to retire at the end of F1 season but personally I hope not from racing full stop, in GT3 as teammate to Rossi next year when he does Blancpain events would be an interesting pairing.

[Chicog]

Bit more info:

SEVEN-TIME formula one world champion Michael Schumacher will retire at the end of the season, bringing a definitive close to a stellar career after a less-than-successful comeback.

The 43-year-old, who previously quit the sport in 2006 before returning two years ago, said he had decided to call time on racing after it was announced last week that McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton would move to his Mercedes team next year.

Schumacher's decision effectively brings down the curtain on a hugely successful 21-year career in the sport and more than 300 races, during which time he has become one of the world's most recognisable and successful sportsmen.

''I have decided to retire at the end of the season,'' the German driver told an emotional press conference in Suzuka, where the Japanese Grand Prix will be held on Sunday.

Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/motorsport/the-schu-im-really-going-this-time-20121004-272oy.html#ixzz28L51tJBr

[ignis]

just encase anyone has problems with 'Live' Practice,

normally watch all 3 practice sessions in HD, cannot find LIVE in HD format so watching now LIVE non-HD on www.stopstream.TV

Edit: it has come back on via Fox Sports

Edit again, session now ended and just back on Sky Sports...... still nothing I can find in HD, maybe in a couple of hours Session 2 will be in HD

Edited October 5, 2012 by ignis

[tinfoilhat]

I must say I'm happy that Hamilton is moving to Mercedes. It's also nice to see how Hamilton and Rosberg will stand each other during the next year.

Speculated that Hamilton has been assured of number one status so it will be interesting to see how their friendship stands that sort of strain. Pretty sure though they'll both be given an equal chance and it will come down to who does the business.

brawn has stated differently.

http://planetf1.com/driver/18227/8132596/Brawn-Lewis-didn-t-ask-for-No-1-tag

[rixalex]

I must say I'm happy that Hamilton is moving to Mercedes. It's also nice to see how Hamilton and Rosberg will stand each other during the next year.

Speculated that Hamilton has been assured of number one status so it will be interesting to see how their friendship stands that sort of strain. Pretty sure though they'll both be given an equal chance and it will come down to who does the business.

brawn has stated differently.

http://planetf1.com/...sk-for-No-1-tag

Yes i had since read Brawn's comments, and i'm pleased. It's up to Hamilton, as it is any driver, to let his driving put himself in the position whereby the team shifts their focus behind him. Of course he may not achieve that, it might be Rosberg he asserts himself. But either way, both drivers should start the season on exactly equal footing.

[carmine]

I must say I'm happy that Hamilton is moving to Mercedes. It's also nice to see how Hamilton and Rosberg will stand each other during the next year.

Speculated that Hamilton has been assured of number one status so it will be interesting to see how their friendship stands that sort of strain. Pretty sure though they'll both be given an equal chance and it will come down to who does the business.

brawn has stated differently.

http://planetf1.com/...sk-for-No-1-tag

Baring in mind Rosbergs speed i'd find it very hard to believe that the powers that be at mercedes would allow him to walk in as number one driver.

He'll have to out qualify Rosberg regularily to even be considered as no 1.

Eitherway, its not just about speed its about the man management and ability to bulid the team around you.

As much as i am loathed to say it, Alonso is still the best and has his team pulling for him and i believe he'll win the title. He's the all rounded package.

I say this and i will admit that i don't follow F1 to the same degree i used to. Its more of an observation

Edited October 5, 2012 by carmine

[rixalex]

Michael Schumacher to retire at the end of F1 season but personally I hope not from racing full stop, in GT3 as teammate to Rossi next year when he does Blancpain events would be an interesting pairing.

I still feel kind of bemused at just how disastrously Schumi's return to F1 turned out to be. I must admit, when he did return, i felt sure he would end up doing what he did at Ferrari, and after a year or two, have the team completely behind him and be consistently on the podium. It just seem inconceivable that Michael, with his midas touch, would do anything else but win. How wrong i was. I would have thought, that would have given me satisfaction, but actually, it hasn't. Ended up feeling sorrow for him and find it sad how he has undermined his legendary status. If only he could rewind the clock and have stayed in retirement.

[carmine]

Michael Schumacher to retire at the end of F1 season but personally I hope not from racing full stop, in GT3 as teammate to Rossi next year when he does Blancpain events would be an interesting pairing.

I still feel kind of bemused at just how disastrously Schumi's return to F1 turned out to be. I must admit, when he did return, i felt sure he would end up doing what he did at Ferrari, and after a year or two, have the team completely behind him and be consistently on the podium. It just seem inconceivable that Michael, with his midas touch, would do anything else but win. How wrong i was. I would have thought, that would have given me satisfaction, but actually, it hasn't. Ended up feeling sorrow for him and find it sad how he has undermined his legendary status. If only he could rewind the clock and have stayed in retirement.

i don't think the car did him any favours. I also don't think he was able to stamp his authority on the team in the same way he used to, Fact is Rosberg is no slouch and Schumacher is too old. I would suggest most of F1 is heaving a huge sigh of relief he is finishing because they would prefer to see his status remain intact rather than damaged by over doing it.

[F1fanatic]

Bit more info:

SEVEN-TIME formula one world champion Michael Schumacher will retire at the end of the season, bringing a definitive close to a stellar career after a less-than-successful comeback.

The 43-year-old, who previously quit the sport in 2006 before returning two years ago, said he had decided to call time on racing after it was announced last week that McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton would move to his Mercedes team next year.

Schumacher's decision effectively brings down the curtain on a hugely successful 21-year career in the sport and more than 300 races, during which time he has become one of the world's most recognisable and successful sportsmen.

''I have decided to retire at the end of the season,'' the German driver told an emotional press conference in Suzuka, where the Japanese Grand Prix will be held on Sunday.

Read more: http://www.watoday.c...l#ixzz28L51tJBr

I'm sad that Schumi is retiring (again!), but it seemed likely for a while now and I didn't much like his other options - Sauber/Williams?

I really am going to have to find another driver to support as races are nowhere near as exciting if you don't have a 'fave' driver .

[carmine]

Bit more info:

SEVEN-TIME formula one world champion Michael Schumacher will retire at the end of the season, bringing a definitive close to a stellar career after a less-than-successful comeback.

The 43-year-old, who previously quit the sport in 2006 before returning two years ago, said he had decided to call time on racing after it was announced last week that McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton would move to his Mercedes team next year.

Schumacher's decision effectively brings down the curtain on a hugely successful 21-year career in the sport and more than 300 races, during which time he has become one of the world's most recognisable and successful sportsmen.

''I have decided to retire at the end of the season,'' the German driver told an emotional press conference in Suzuka, where the Japanese Grand Prix will be held on Sunday.

Read more: http://www.watoday.c...l#ixzz28L51tJBr

I'm sad that Schumi is retiring (again!), but it seemed likely for a while now and I didn't much like his other options - Sauber/Williams?

I really am going to have to find another driver to support as races are nowhere near as exciting if you don't have a 'fave' driver .

I am delighted he's retiring because as much as its astonishing that he can even compete at this level at the age of 43, when does the time come when your reactions slow down and it just becomes too dangerous? Having to push too hard to compete with a driver over 20 years younger is not a good thing in my book.

Next stop maybe Team Schumacher with a Mercedes engine.

[rixalex]

Baring in mind Rosbergs speed i'd find it very hard to believe that the powers that be at mercedes would allow him to walk in as number one driver.

He'll have to out qualify Rosberg regularily to even be considered as no 1.

Eitherway, its not just about speed its about the man management and ability to bulid the team around you.

As much as i am loathed to say it, Alonso is still the best and has his team pulling for him and i believe he'll win the title. He's the all rounded package.

I say this and i will admit that i don't follow F1 to the same degree i used to. Its more of an observation

I think we have seen the best of Alonso this year. His only weak spot for me is his ego, but when you are leading the championship, have your whole team behind you, and have the adoration of all the Ferrari fans, the ego, like a dark evil monster living inside, is being fed sufficiently that it doesn't show it's ugly head, allowing him to just concentrate on his driving. And when he does that, he is undoubtedly the best all rounder and the most consistent. He also has brought some extra maturity this season as well, which he was already blessed with. Yes he makes mistakes, but they are rare and when they do occur, they aren't rash mistakes, as with other drivers.

Still, it would be great to have some proper competition within the team to have a real yardstick. Yes we know that Alonso is getting a lot out of the car, but with Massa as a number two, just how much of the performance is down to him and how much is down to the car, is hard to precisely judge. Vettel would be ideal to really test him. That really would be fun... although perhaps not for Alonso. I think he likes things just the way they are... and you can see why.

[carmine]

On a totally non japanese Gp related matter i was reading a interview with Sterling Moss and he was asked about Michael Schumacher. Moss said he felt that schmacher was a tainted champion and not a "great" driver. he used the term as bloody good but said he was not a great driver, Moss said a great driver should be able to see of the challenge of nico Rosberg without a problem. Personally i'm not sure whether Moss is being objective or just venting his dislike of Schumacher which apparently is well known in F1 circles. what i would say is that seven world championships withstanding i just can't seem to think of him as being in the same league as the likes of say Jim Clark and Ayrton Senna.

Obviously this is just another opinion but what i did like to hear was an admission from the german that give the time again he would like to have done certain thigs differently which i feel is a long overdue admission but fair play to him nontheless.

Interesting anyway to listen to the opinion of an all time great but at the end of the day you can only be the best of your era and that Schumacher was without doubt.

[kartman]

I now know what Grosjean's favorite food is....carrot's.

[Guest]

Just saw this. Grosjean helping Räikkönen with the title.

http://i.imgur.com/VtRID.jpg

[carmine]

Just saw this. Grosjean helping Räikkönen with the title.

http://i.imgur.com/V...<!--NoParse1-->

Yes he is not fit to drive F1. But thats the thing isn't it, he's just totally incompetant.

Atleast when Michael schumacher used to take out the opposition it was completely intentional and he knew what he was doing in a car!

[kartman]

Just saw this. Grosjean helping Räikkönen with the title.

http://i.imgur.com/V...<!--NoParse1-->

Yes he is not fit to drive F1. But thats the thing isn't it, he's just totally incompetant.

Atleast when Michael schumacher used to take out the opposition it was completely intentional and he knew what he was doing in a car!

But since returning must have thought things have changed and now does it the Grosjean way

[carmine]

Just saw this. Grosjean helping Räikkönen with the title.

http://i.imgur.com/V...<!--NoParse1-->

Yes he is not fit to drive F1. But thats the thing isn't it, he's just totally incompetant.

Atleast when Michael schumacher used to take out the opposition it was completely intentional and he knew what he was doing in a car!

But since returning must have thought things have changed and now does it the Grosjean way

Well lets just say that if he wasn't Schumacher and driving for ferrari in '97 he would have had his super license recinded and banned for a year or possibly for life for the Villeneuve incident which is without question the most disgraceful behaviour from a driver in the thirty odd years i've been watching F1. deliberately trying to force another driver into a brick wall at 150mph!. There is NO place in motorsport for that. If that was a youngster in a small team that would have been the end of his F1 career and rightly so.

i don't need to mention his other discretions, as many as there are because that one alone should have resulted in a life ban and i wouldn't have blamed Villeneuve for giving him a pasting in the paddock.

This is one of the reasons he's vilified in a number of cicles within the sport and will never be accepted as a great, merely a very good driver and a tainted champion without an ounce of sportsmanship in him.

My more recent concerns with him being off the pace was more of the danger he would represent to other drivers and when you add clowns like Grosgean into the equation its a scary prospect

Such a shame that a driver with so much talent is so badly flawed

[rixalex]

Well lets just say that if he wasn't Schumacher and driving for ferrari in '97 he would have had his super license recinded and banned for a year or possibly for life for the Villeneuve incident which is without question the most disgraceful behaviour from a driver in the thirty odd years i've been watching F1. deliberately trying to force another driver into a brick wall at 150mph!. There is NO place in motorsport for that. If that was a youngster in a small team that would have been the end of his F1 career and rightly so.

When you talk about the brick wall incident, surely you are referring to this incident with Barrichello in Hungary 2010?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTRLZN09xyo

Don't recall any brick wall when Schumi tried to take Villeneuve out in 97. It was disgraceful though, no question. Good thing was he didn't get away with it. Unlike in 94.

[ignis]

Grosjean reminds me of Pedro [Portuguese] always managed to hit something or someone, funny he his a very good driver in a different formula

[kartman]

Grosjean reminds me of Pedro [Portuguese] always managed to hit something or someone, funny he his a very good driver in a different formula

Same driver just started more on front row when qualified mid grid same result as now.

[carmine]

Well lets just say that if he wasn't Schumacher and driving for ferrari in '97 he would have had his super license recinded and banned for a year or possibly for life for the Villeneuve incident which is without question the most disgraceful behaviour from a driver in the thirty odd years i've been watching F1. deliberately trying to force another driver into a brick wall at 150mph!. There is NO place in motorsport for that. If that was a youngster in a small team that would have been the end of his F1 career and rightly so.

When you talk about the brick wall incident, surely you are referring to this incident with Barrichello in Hungary 2010?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTRLZN09xyo

Don't recall any brick wall when Schumi tried to take Villeneuve out in 97. It was disgraceful though, no question. Good thing was he didn't get away with it. Unlike in 94.

Sorry Rix you're right the brick wall was Barricello. The Villeneuve one was no wall but onboard camera showing him forcing the guy off the track which at first he had the audacity to deny until he was shown the video footage.

Schumachers first world title when he drove into damon Hill thus ensuring Hill couldn't win? i suppose the jurys out on that one but if he didn't do it intentionally then he clearly had a momentary loss of all his driving ability,

the guy had no business being allowed in a racing car. The reason Stirling Moss dislikes him so much was that he held sportsmanship above winning whereas Schumacher is more than happy to cheat at the risk of serious injury to another driver in order to win.

[rixalex]

Sorry Rix you're right the brick wall was Barricello. The Villeneuve one was no wall but onboard camera showing him forcing the guy off the track which at first he had the audacity to deny until he was shown the video footage.

Schumachers first world title when he drove into damon Hill thus ensuring Hill couldn't win? i suppose the jurys out on that one but if he didn't do it intentionally then he clearly had a momentary loss of all his driving ability,

Jury out? I actually think the incident with Hill was a clearer cut case of deliberately taking someone out, as he knew his car was not going to finish the race and on a straight bit of the track, suddenly veered across it for no explainable reason whatsoever, into the path of Hill. With Villeneuve they were side by side going into a corner, with Villeneuve on the inside line, and Schumi started turning in sharper - his fans would say to get back on the racing line - but i think most accept he had already conceded the racing line to Villeneuve.

Anyway, don't get me wrong, i'm in complete agreement with what you are saying about Schumi. He got away with murder. Unfortunately for me i think the pendulum has swung the other way with the FIA now over-officiating.

[carmine]

Sorry Rix you're right the brick wall was Barricello. The Villeneuve one was no wall but onboard camera showing him forcing the guy off the track which at first he had the audacity to deny until he was shown the video footage.

Schumachers first world title when he drove into damon Hill thus ensuring Hill couldn't win? i suppose the jurys out on that one but if he didn't do it intentionally then he clearly had a momentary loss of all his driving ability,

Jury out? I actually think the incident with Hill was a clearer cut case of deliberately taking someone out, as he knew his car was not going to finish the race and on a straight bit of the track, suddenly veered across it for no explainable reason whatsoever, into the path of Hill. With Villeneuve they were side by side going into a corner, with Villeneuve on the inside line, and Schumi started turning in sharper - his fans would say to get back on the racing line - but i think most accept he had already conceded the racing line to Villeneuve.

Anyway, don't get me wrong, i'm in complete agreement with what you are saying about Schumi. He got away with murder. Unfortunately for me i think the pendulum has swung the other way with the FIA now over-officiating.

Saying the jurys out was me trying to be over fair to him!

i can still remember the look of disbelief on Barricello's face after the 2010 incident. He was really shaken up by that. I can think of certain drivers that would have taken issue with him after that one if they were the victim!

[b19bry]

Sorry Rix you're right the brick wall was Barricello. The Villeneuve one was no wall but onboard camera showing him forcing the guy off the track which at first he had the audacity to deny until he was shown the video footage.

Schumachers first world title when he drove into damon Hill thus ensuring Hill couldn't win? i suppose the jurys out on that one but if he didn't do it intentionally then he clearly had a momentary loss of all his driving ability,

Jury out? I actually think the incident with Hill was a clearer cut case of deliberately taking someone out, as he knew his car was not going to finish the race and on a straight bit of the track, suddenly veered across it for no explainable reason whatsoever, into the path of Hill. With Villeneuve they were side by side going into a corner, with Villeneuve on the inside line, and Schumi started turning in sharper - his fans would say to get back on the racing line - but i think most accept he had already conceded the racing line to Villeneuve.

Anyway, don't get me wrong, i'm in complete agreement with what you are saying about Schumi. He got away with murder. Unfortunately for me i think the pendulum has swung the other way with the FIA now over-officiating.

Saying the jurys out was me trying to be over fair to him!

i can still remember the look of disbelief on Barricello's face after the 2010 incident. He was really shaken up by that. I can think of certain drivers that would have taken issue with him after that one if they were the victim!

James Hunt would've had him on the deck

[Mosha]

Did I hear Slater right. The GP of India is always exciting? Based on a sample of 1 race.

[tinfoilhat]

slater is a moron. this is not up for debate.

" plan B may be an alternate strategy"

ya reckon?

most dull race of the season -- means red bull finally got their shit together.

it is about time

Edited October 14, 2012 by tinfoilhat