2012 Spanish Grand Prix Discussion Thread

pasta_maldonado · Post by **pasta_maldonado** » 12 May 2012, 20:11

RealRacingRoots wrote:I'll just leave this here.

This

14 Hundred Hours · Post by **14 Hundred Hours** » 12 May 2012, 20:20

The one day I miss qualifying and this happens!? Not helped by the fact no-one would text me to tell me who was on pole...
But annoyance at missing out on the action aside, this should be pretty good tomorrow.

DOSBoot · Post by **DOSBoot** » 12 May 2012, 20:29

Very surprised how this turned out. Hamilton penalty was too harsh in my opinion, but it's good to see a Williams on pole again. If Maldanaldo wins, everyone is going to go crazy over here.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 12 May 2012, 20:39

If Maldonado wins, I won't mind a boring and processional race.

In fact, i'd rather have a Williams win tomorrow than an exciting race.

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 12 May 2012, 20:43

redbulljack14 wrote:If Maldonado wins, I won't mind a boring and processional race.

In fact, i'd rather have a Williams win tomorrow than an exciting race.

Same! I think I'd rather see a Williams win than see Marussia score points!

tristan1117 · Post by **tristan1117** » 12 May 2012, 21:02

Wow, that penalty was extremely harsh but senseless FIA penalties (or non-penalties) are nothing new. I was particularly surprised with Grosjean today; assuming that the Reverend and Alonso drop back, Lotus could be looking very good for the race tomorrow. Then again, we all assumed that Rosberg would fall through the field in China and he won the race (earning the naysayers ROTR). I actually like Maldonado's chances tomorrow and he might finish on the podium if he starts well and manages his tyres correctly.

Ferrim · Post by **Ferrim** » 12 May 2012, 21:02

As a Williams fan I've got to agree with you!

The Venezuelan anthem in the podium would be so epic (will they have it ready, just in case...?), but I've got a bad feeling about the Reverend's race tomorrow...

Peter · Post by **Peter** » 12 May 2012, 21:04

Considering the fact that the Williams has been recently good at this track, a lot of big hitters being knocked out in Q2, Vettel and Schuamcher not turning laps, and everyone else spending more time trying to conserve tyres than anything else in Q3, it's not all that surprising to see Pastor up there. In other words, that is not the genuine pace of the Williams. Maldonado was over half a second from pole. If Button and Webber weren't knocked out, it's safe to say that they would be somewhere between that gap, and so would Vettel and even Schumacher if they turned competitive laps. I do have to hand it to him though, i'm very impressed with his performance.

It's a shame for Senna though, this makes his spin and 17th look all the worse, as it really puts a lot of pressure on him to perform from now on, despite the fact that he's ahead of his teammate on points.

I am disgraced about the penalty on Hamilton, though. the entire session? I ma also disgraced with the tyres. They are taking the speed out of Formula 1. Qualifying is now a game of chess, rather than what it is, which is for the drivers to "set the fastest time they can to get as high up on the grid as possible for the race". It's now "try to be fast, but save your tyres for the race". I agree with Schuamcher's comments, these new tyres are too delicate to even push the cars on.

Barbazza · Post by **Barbazza** » 12 May 2012, 21:19

Ferrim wrote:The Venezuelan anthem in the podium would be so epic (will they have it ready, just in case...?)

No, but in the time honoured tradition of the Austrian GP 1977 they have instead got 'Y Viva Espana' by Sylvia lined up just in case.

This news has made my day. Particularly given that the always holier than thou McLaren who NEVER CHEAT REMEMBER were caught trying to cheat. Again. Here's hoping that Narain can make a mega start and hold Lewis up for a bit. Which is probably about as likely as Pastor winning, but I can dream...

tristan1117 · Post by **tristan1117** » 12 May 2012, 21:21

Barbazza wrote:
Ferrim wrote:The Venezuelan anthem in the podium would be so epic (will they have it ready, just in case...?)

No, but in the time honoured tradition of the Austrian GP 1977 they have instead got 'Y Viva Espana' by Sylvia lined up just in case.

This news has made my day. Particularly given that the always holier than thou McLaren who NEVER CHEAT REMEMBER were caught trying to cheat. Again. Here's hoping that Narain can make a mega start and hold Lewis up for a bit. Which is probably about as likely as Pastor winning, but I can dream...

EDIT: NEVER MIND.

S951 · Post by **S951** » 12 May 2012, 21:21

must say Mike Coughlan has redeemed himself here looks to have sorted williams for the better

koza · Post by **koza** » 12 May 2012, 21:35

Think Hamilton will start from pit lane. There isn't much he'll lose, and some modifications on the set-up should make car better on race trim. I think they can even change gearbox to get better gear ratios.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 12 May 2012, 21:55

Peter wrote:n other words, that is not the genuine pace of the Williams. Maldonado was over half a second from pole. If Button and Webber weren't knocked out, it's safe to say that they would be somewhere between that gap, and so would Vettel and even Schumacher if they turned competitive laps.

Nope. Red Bull are 8th and 12th on pure pace alone. Their odd strategy just sealed their fate.

LellaLombardi · Post by **LellaLombardi** » 12 May 2012, 21:57

I'm not a Maldonado or a Williams fan, but good for them. Now I just hope for their sakes that Maldonado doesn't bin it. This is his best chance to show that he is more than just a pay driver who crashes a lot. That's my opinion of him still, but I'd love him to prove me wrong.

Seems a harsh penalty for Hamilton but I don't have enough facts to comment really.

I'd love Sauber to mix things up tomorrow.

WaffleCat · Post by **WaffleCat** » 12 May 2012, 22:10

MALDONADO ON POLE!

Sorry,another burst of over-excitement.And this is coming from a Hamilton fan here...

Also,talking about Hamilton,why did he get dropped all the way to 24th?I'm thinking is that there was no fuel sample after the first two quali sessions,and so,as Lewis ran out,there was no more fuel left to inspect.

But.....shouldn't they have gone into the McLaren garage to check?Its not like as if the fuel in there is different or whatnot.

Peter · Post by **Peter** » 12 May 2012, 22:11

Wizzie wrote:
Peter wrote:n other words, that is not the genuine pace of the Williams. Maldonado was over half a second from pole. If Button and Webber weren't knocked out, it's safe to say that they would be somewhere between that gap, and so would Vettel and even Schumacher if they turned competitive laps.

Nope. Red Bull are 8th and 12th on pure pace alone. Their odd strategy just sealed their fate.

According to Webber's comments after qualifying, it seems as though he would have easily made it into Q3 had he got his strategy right in Q2, emaning, had he went out for a second run. That, and Vettel did not post a time in Q3.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 12 May 2012, 22:15

Peter wrote:
Wizzie wrote:
Peter wrote:n other words, that is not the genuine pace of the Williams. Maldonado was over half a second from pole. If Button and Webber weren't knocked out, it's safe to say that they would be somewhere between that gap, and so would Vettel and even Schumacher if they turned competitive laps.

Nope. Red Bull are 8th and 12th on pure pace alone. Their odd strategy just sealed their fate.

According to Webber's comments after qualifying, it seems as though he would have easily made it into Q3 had he got his strategy right in Q2, emaning, had he went out for a second run. That, and Vettel did not post a time in Q3.

Had Vettel finished his Q3 lap, he was only ever gonna beat Rosberg anyway. Webber probably would have slotted in that half second gap between Rosberg and Perez as well.

Button on the other hand could have done some seriously fast times... If McLaren gave him a car that worked :lol:

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 12 May 2012, 22:20

mario wrote:Similarly, Button and Webber were looking out of sorts compared to their team mates, even if not quite to the same degree.

Not often I take issue with you mario, but Webber and Red Bull's error in not going out for a second run in Q2 was precisely because Mark had been faster than Vettel, to the point where Sebastian had to go out again but they thought Mark was safe. Ironically had Mark done a worse job on his Q2 lap, he may well have ultimately started higher.

One point which no-one seems to have raised is that, for all the talk of Barcelona being a boring event because tests happen there and therefore everyone is familiar with it, there are definitely Barcelona specialists. Maldonado, whilst stunningly good in qualifying (especially compared to Bruno Senna), don't forget put in an equally stunning Q2 lap last year (relatively speaking, when you put last year's bathtub of a Williams against this year's), and is as much a Barcelona specialist as he is a Monaco specialist. Webber, when push comes to shove over one lap in quali, also seems to have the edge over Vettel here (noting his two poles in the last two years).

It's one thing for the likes of Button and Webber especially to have a bank of fresh tyres - how they must be hoping that the DRS zone is long enough this year for them to utilise it and make some passes. Otherwise we all know that Barcelona is a place where a considerably faster car (and the McLaren and Red Bull are not considerably faster this year) can be easily held up by a slower one.

Otherwise, I agree with most of the comments here about the harshness of Hamilton's penalty and the continuing farce that Q3 is becoming. But I'm guessing the fact that McLaren were a repeat offender in respect of this issue may well have played a part in the decision.

Also LOL about the comment re Sam Michael going from Williams and McLaren and how that has "affected" both teams' relative performances. I'll bet Mike Coughlan is having a quiet laugh as well having been kicked out of McLaren in disgrace and will now be credited with turning Williams around to competitiveness.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 12 May 2012, 22:23

eytl wrote: Webber, when push comes to shove over one lap in quali, also seems to have the edge over Vettel here (noting his two poles in the last two years).

Importantly, Webber still has the edge this year as well. 3-2 to the Aussie.

WeirdKerr · Post by **WeirdKerr** » 12 May 2012, 23:41

http://youtu.be/4drS57s-7os

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 13 May 2012, 00:08

WeirdKerr wrote:http://youtu.be/4drS57s-7os

I would prefer this at the end of the race

Klon · Post by **Klon** » 13 May 2012, 00:13

I'd prefer hearing this thing. Nothing quite like a good old >VETTELWINSLOL shitstorm. :lol:

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 13 May 2012, 00:21

Klon wrote:I'd prefer hearing this thing. Nothing quite like a good old >VETTELWINSLOL shitstorm.

Can I just say, that is a bathplugging rubbish anthem. Almost as dross as God Save the Queen.

Part of me wants Alonso to win just so we can have this back. Best national anthem in the world.

Klon · Post by **Klon** » 13 May 2012, 00:49

kostas22 wrote:Can I just say, that is a bathplugging rubbish anthem. Almost as dross as God Save the Queen.

What kind of Scot are you to insult a drinking song like that? :lol:

Shadaza · Post by **Shadaza** » 13 May 2012, 01:08

Am I the only one who thinks the Austrian National anthem is mind numbingly dull. British anthem is good because it is short, othewise terrible. Spain, Italy, France and Brazil all have fantastic anthems. But the anthem I like best of all is Russia's, come on Petrov!

Libertango · Post by **Libertango** » 13 May 2012, 01:11

C'mon they will just play the british anthem and pretend they didn't know just like they did for Toro Rosso when they didn't have the austrian anthem :lol:

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 13 May 2012, 01:22

Maldonaldo on pole. What the bathplug just happened!

F1000X · Post by **F1000X** » 13 May 2012, 01:44

bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug

Thanks McLaren. Thanks. You bathplug idiots. Thanks. I hope Pastor Wins.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 13 May 2012, 01:51

F1000X wrote:bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug bathplug

Thanks McLaren. Thanks. You bathplug idiots. Thanks. I hope Pastor Wins.

That post instantly reminded me of this (the bit 2 minutes in specifically).

DOSBoot · Post by **DOSBoot** » 13 May 2012, 03:20

kostas22 wrote:
WeirdKerr wrote:http://youtu.be/4drS57s-7os

I would prefer this at the end of the race

I'm still waiting for this to come back again. :cry:

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 13 May 2012, 03:46

It's a Sunday morning and there's a Williams-Renault on pole position for the first time since the 1997 European Grand Prix.

It's like the 1990s never went away!

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 13 May 2012, 03:49

Paul Hayes wrote:It's a Sunday morning and there's a Williams-Renault on pole position for the first time since the 1997 European Grand Prix.

It's like the 1990s never went away!

East Londoner wishes they were still here.

RealRacingRoots · Post by **RealRacingRoots** » 13 May 2012, 04:44

kostas22 wrote:
F1000X wrote:cut ALL the bathplugs!

That post instantly reminded me of this (the bit 2 minutes in specifically).

And this.

Pedestrian · Post by **Pedestrian** » 13 May 2012, 05:06

Barbazza wrote:
This news has made my day. Particularly given that the always holier than thou McLaren who NEVER CHEAT REMEMBER were caught trying to cheat. Again. Here's hoping that Narain can make a mega start and hold Lewis up for a bit. Which is probably about as likely as Pastor winning, but I can dream...

Don't be ridiculous! It was a honest mistake. McLaren didn't need to cheat. Do you seriously hink that Hamilton was half a second faster just from having a tiny bit less fuel in his car?

This being said, good luck to Maldonado for the race. This is his chance to proove that he deserves the seat.

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 13 May 2012, 05:13

It was an honest mistake it seems. But again, McLaren are throwing away great chances to score a good haul of points. It's getting stupid now.

The race is going to be fantastic I think (I hope). We have both McLaren's and both Red Bull's fighting back through with Lotus looking very strong, Sauber seem to be really competitive and Maldonado on pole. Plus Alonso being second will have the Spanish going mental if he takes he lead again like last year.

Ed24 · Post by **Ed24** » 13 May 2012, 05:51

eytl wrote:Also LOL about the comment re Sam Michael going from Williams and McLaren and how that has "affected" both teams' relative performances.

With the irony being that it was Sam Michael that represented McLaren in the stewards' hearing!

TimmyB · Post by **TimmyB** » 13 May 2012, 07:36

The headline:

"Sam Michael to credit for Williams pole position"

...would have been something to be proud of a year or two ago.

pablo_h · Post by **pablo_h** » 13 May 2012, 08:28

Wow, I watched qually at my motel room TV last night (without internet access), and just got home and heard the news.

At the time I was cheering for a Pastor p1 and got a bit annoyed Hamilton got it. But Hamilton's lap was good and he deserved it.
I was wondering if anything would happen as far as penalties as I suspected Mclaren shut the car down for fuel reasons.
But I think the penalty is ridiculous, starting p24. At worst he should start 10th or even in front of whoever set no time (7th?)

I can't get excited by it because at best I expected Alonso and Hamilton fighting it out the front, and Pastor getting a podium or even a win if Hamilton or Alonso have contact or botch tyre stops
Pastor may be on pole now, but Alonso will get him on the start easily, and either Alosno will lead a procession with no one good enough to challenge him and take the win, or Pastor will crash trying to overtake Alonso.

Would have been better with Hamilton and Alonso worried about each other more and Pastor maybe having a cleaner race and getting by because they would be more worried about each other.

Aerond · Post by **Aerond** » 13 May 2012, 08:55

McLaren are making too many costly mistakes lately and if they lose the championship (which at this rate they´re going to) they can´t blame anyone but themselves.

mediocre · Post by **mediocre** » 13 May 2012, 09:50

Still no need to bother about Maldonado, he'll have a CRASHUUUUUUU anyway