2012 Belgian Grand Prix Discussion Thread

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 01 Sep 2012, 19:34

Ferrim wrote:I have a f****** baptism ceremony tomorrow at 13:15 CET, plus a lunch after that, so I'm gonna miss the race. And I won't even be able to use my smartphone, because I could find out the result! I'll also need some luck -it's likely that some idiot will yield "Alonso has finished 3rd!" when the race ends.

Surely if someone yells "KOBAYASHI WON!", you wouldn't mind so much!

koza · Post by **koza** » 01 Sep 2012, 19:35

Shizuka wrote:That was on lap 1.

Thank you

Ferrim · Post by **Ferrim** » 01 Sep 2012, 19:42

redbulljack14 wrote:
Ferrim wrote:I have a f****** baptism ceremony tomorrow at 13:15 CET, plus a lunch after that, so I'm gonna miss the race. And I won't even be able to use my smartphone, because I could find out the result! I'll also need some luck -it's likely that some idiot will yield "Alonso has finished 3rd!" when the race ends.

Surely if someone yells "KOBAYASHI WON!", you wouldn't mind so much!

Just edited the post, I knew there was something wrong with "yield" but couldn't find out what :lol:

I would mind even more! In the event of a Kobayashi win I would want to be watching, glued to the edge of the seat!

Post by **Londoner** » 01 Sep 2012, 19:48

Thank the heavens that the BBC have got this race. It means I can watch it on the iPlayer as soon as I get home from work, rather than having to wait hours trying (and usually failing) to not learn the result until the Sky highlights come on.

Post by **mario** » 01 Sep 2012, 20:01

pasta_maldonado wrote:The way I see it, these blocking penalties are stupid. Yeah, so what someone got blocked, they should stop whigning about it and get on with it! It's the luck of the draw. Unless someone trundles around purposely getting in everyone's way, they didn't mean to block you. Did they hand out blocking penalties in the 90's?

According to the stewards, Maldonado was warned not to block Hulkenberg but chose to ignore that, hence why they penalised him:

The driver of Car 18 was warned by his team not to "hold up" Car 12 which was behind him, yet he clearly did impede Car 12. However as Car 12 continued into Q2 a more severe penalty was not considered appropriate.

As for handing out blocking penalties in the 1990's, I cannot recall any specific penalties being dished out for that off the top of my head - then again, the formal process of handing out defined grid penalties is a relatively recent affair. If penalties were levied in the 1990's for blocking, and it is entirely possible that it did happen, I suspect that the more likely scenario is that the FIA would have fined the driver or his team for the offence and reminded him of his duties to the other drivers during the driver briefings.

AdrianSutil wrote:
Paul Hayes wrote:
Klon wrote:Hmm, Maldonado and Räikkönen must be happy - if they can avoid crashing at the start, the race is theirs for the taking since neither Kobayashi nor Button can seriously can be considered candidates for a win.

Seems an extraordinary thing to say!

Button is the favourite so far I'd say. His pace in Q2 and Q3 was astonishing!

It'll be interesting to see how it plays out - the lower downforce package that Button went with has paid off handsomely (Hamilton has admitted that he made a mistake in going with the higher downforce package the team had as a backup), but Gary Anderson did point out that the slightly higher downforce package that some of his rivals have gone with (particularly Kimi) could bring them back into play through better tyre management.

The performance of the Sauber drivers, though, is especially interesting (because Perez's 5th place is not to be sniffed at either) - their straight line speed in sector 1 is mighty (Kobayashi was hitting 330kph and Perez 326kph, making them the fastest in a straight line), but their sector times in the first and last sectors are not especially fast (Kobayashi is the 10th fastest in S1 with Perez 11th fastest, whilst in S3 Perez is 7th fastest and Kobayashi 10th fastest) and their speed through the speed trap, located at the exit of Eau Rouge, is relatively low (11th and 12th fastest for Kobayashi and Perez).
In fact, most of the performance of the Sauber drivers seems to be coming from the middle sector - Kobayashi is the fastest in that sector by two tenths with Perez 4th fastest (marginally behind Kimi and Hamilton and virtually equal with Button), although visually they seem to be running with a smaller rear wing than Kimi and Hamilton were today.

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 01 Sep 2012, 20:24

I imagine Raikkonen will be glad of Maldonado's penalty moving him up one - and I expect Button and Kobayashi will be glad not to have him trying to barge through them early on, too!

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 01 Sep 2012, 20:32

Thanks for the info Mario. I does seem Sauber have the cars running beautifully to Spa. As you said, they're not running the highest of wings yet are the fastest in a straight line and very quick in the second sector (where a higher wing helps massively). Should be interesting to see their pace tomorrow, especially as they are the biggest team to like preserving tyres.

sswishbone · Post by **sswishbone** » 01 Sep 2012, 20:45

only just seen qualifying as I have been out all day but where the hell did that come from for Button? In P3 he was nowhere and mclaren were mumbling about being out of it, then suddenly, bang! P1 in both Q2 and Q3 comfortably, this was an excellent middle finger to the doubters.

Massive kudos to Kobayashi-sama too! Absolutely excellent for him to take control and qualify 2nd

Lord Fiddlebottom · Post by **Lord Fiddlebottom** » 01 Sep 2012, 21:47

GwilymJJames wrote:I offer this without comment.

Narain Karthikeyan wrote:I didn’t have a good qualifying session as I constantly ran into traffic. I was on my flying lap right at the end of the session but on turn 15 another car hindered me and I was unable to finish it.

formula1.com wrote: De la Rosa was very happy with an ‘impeccable’ lap that pushed him past Pic, and the extra place he gained due to Rosberg’s penalty, but Karthikeyan said he didn’t have such a good qualifying as traffic spoiled his best run.

I have a feeling he is complaining about traffic from behind.

girry · Post by **girry** » 01 Sep 2012, 21:57

I feel for Narain and Pedro, it's not very easy to give all you can on your hotlap while watching your mirrors to avoid bothering any angry overpaid overeager finger wavers. It should be the faster cars duty not to get stuck in traffic and leave enough space in front of you, not the other way round.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 02 Sep 2012, 01:24

sswishbone wrote:only just seen qualifying as I have been out all day but where the hell did that come from for Button? In P3 he was nowhere and mclaren were mumbling about being out of it, then suddenly, bang! P1 in both Q2 and Q3 comfortably, this was an excellent middle finger to the doubters.

Button was 5th in final practice, actually, just behind the Saubers. It was Hamilton who was nowhere.

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 02 Sep 2012, 09:09

Lord Fiddlebottom wrote:
GwilymJJames wrote:I offer this without comment.

Narain Karthikeyan wrote:I didn’t have a good qualifying session as I constantly ran into traffic. I was on my flying lap right at the end of the session but on turn 15 another car hindered me and I was unable to finish it.

formula1.com wrote: De la Rosa was very happy with an ‘impeccable’ lap that pushed him past Pic, and the extra place he gained due to Rosberg’s penalty, but Karthikeyan said he didn’t have such a good qualifying as traffic spoiled his best run.

I have a feeling he is complaining about traffic from behind.

Knowing him, that wouldn't surprise me. :lol:

Mister Fungus · Post by **Mister Fungus** » 02 Sep 2012, 10:12

From Taki Inoues twitter

What the hell is @LewisHamilton doing? He showed 1 mil followers team logger data of comparison 2 cars. He seems to be super pissed off.

BTW Taki's twitter is a goldmine

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 02 Sep 2012, 10:14

Mister Fungus wrote:From Taki Inoues twitter
What the hell is @LewisHamilton doing? He showed 1 mil followers team logger data of comparison 2 cars. He seems to be super pissed off.

BTW Taki's twitter is a goldmine

Taki to replace Lewis at McLaren. You heard it here first :lol:

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 02 Sep 2012, 10:58

Ok guys there's always someone who is desperate for a live feed on here and this weekend it's me. My connecting train to see my dad is cancelled so I'm going to miss the first hours with of racing before I get to the pub. If anyone knows one it'll be appreciated. English commentary preferred but not bothered. I live in southeast England and have an iPhone 4 if that helps. I have a service called tvcatchup but it's a delayed service and would prefer it live.

S951 · Post by **S951** » 02 Sep 2012, 10:59

actually quite excited for this race really do want Kamui to do the unthinkable and win

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:01

AdrianSutil wrote:Ok guys there's always someone who is desperate for a live feed on here and this weekend it's me. My connecting train to see my dad is cancelled so I'm going to miss the first hours with of racing before I get to the pub. If anyone knows one it'll be appreciated. English commentary preferred but not bothered. I live in southeast England and have an iPhone 4 if that helps. I have a service called tvcatchup but it's a delayed service and would prefer it live.

Well I've got a feed you can use but if I mention any more details of it on here, I'd be taken away by the US Government and locked away for a million years :lol:

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:05

Wizzie wrote:
Mister Fungus wrote:From Taki Inoues twitter
What the hell is @LewisHamilton doing? He showed 1 mil followers team logger data of comparison 2 cars. He seems to be super pissed off.

BTW Taki's twitter is a goldmine

Taki to replace Lewis at McLaren. You heard it here first

alexander wurz (@alex_wurz)
02/09/2012 11:04
@NobleF1 @LewisHamilton, could you also tweet the race strategy and set up sheet. Thanks mate

:lol:

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:06

Wizzie wrote:
AdrianSutil wrote:Ok guys there's always someone who is desperate for a live feed on here and this weekend it's me. My connecting train to see my dad is cancelled so I'm going to miss the first hours with of racing before I get to the pub. If anyone knows one it'll be appreciated. English commentary preferred but not bothered. I live in southeast England and have an iPhone 4 if that helps. I have a service called tvcatchup but it's a delayed service and would prefer it live.

Well I've got a feed you can use but if I mention any more details of it on here, I'd be taken away by the US Government and locked away for a million years

Email me if you wish. The email link in my profile works.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:07

AdrianSutil wrote:
Wizzie wrote:
AdrianSutil wrote:Ok guys there's always someone who is desperate for a live feed on here and this weekend it's me. My connecting train to see my dad is cancelled so I'm going to miss the first hours with of racing before I get to the pub. If anyone knows one it'll be appreciated. English commentary preferred but not bothered. I live in southeast England and have an iPhone 4 if that helps. I have a service called tvcatchup but it's a delayed service and would prefer it live.

Well I've got a feed you can use but if I mention any more details of it on here, I'd be taken away by the US Government and locked away for a million years

Email me if you wish. The email link in my profile works.

Beat you to it. Check your inbox mate

And if anyone saw the Tooned Cartoon just then, I must say that was the best one of the lot so far :lol:

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:08

Sauber Sauber!

Both cars in the first two rows on the grid.
That is a very nice interim result. Here's wishing the team a big points haul in the race.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:10

Schumacher's KERS has just failed. This really isn't Mercedes' weekend, is it?

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:13

Wizzie wrote:Schumacher's KERS has just failed. This really isn't Mercedes' weekend, is it?

So bad luck Schumacher has returned from his summer break.

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:17

I can't get past the lovely bathplug gambling adverts. I'll stick to tvcatchup. Thanks anyway.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:20

eurobrun wrote:
Wizzie wrote:Schumacher's KERS has just failed. This really isn't Mercedes' weekend, is it?

So bad luck Schumacher has returned from his summer break.

Bad Luck Schumacher is contagious, it at least explains why Mercedes have sucked since his podium.

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:39

Bernie just implied Schmacher's planning to re-retire.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:40

GwilymJJames wrote:Bernie just implied Schmacher's planning to re-retire.

And then immediately realised what he said when EJ asked if he knew something that we didn't :lol:

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:42

Worst poker face ever from ol' Bernie.

LellaLombardi · Post by **LellaLombardi** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:47

Talk about putting your foot in it Bernie. Think Schumi was probably planning the announcement for after the race. Oh well, Hamilton for the seat then as he seems to have fallen out with McLaren again.

ETA: he said "I'm sorry he's not leaving as a winner". Could that mean that the retirement is with immediate effect (after Spa?)

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:49

LellaLombardi wrote:Talk about putting your foot in it Bernie. Think Schumi was probably planning the announcement for after the race. Oh well, Hamilton for the seat then as he seems to have fallen out with McLaren again.

And if Hamilton does jump to Mercedes, that would be a massive vote of no-confidence is Rosberg's ability to lead a team and be a true top-line driver.

14 Hundred Hours · Post by **14 Hundred Hours** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:56

Wizzie wrote:
GwilymJJames wrote:Bernie just implied Schmacher's planning to re-retire.

And then immediately realised what he said when EJ asked if he knew something that we didn't

Maybe he forgot he was on camera- old age finally catching up?! (More than it has done previously)

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 02 Sep 2012, 11:57

14 Hundred Hours wrote:
Wizzie wrote:
GwilymJJames wrote:Bernie just implied Schmacher's planning to re-retire.

And then immediately realised what he said when EJ asked if he knew something that we didn't

Maybe he forgot he was on camera- old age finally catching up?! (More than it has done previously)

Maybe. Then again, Bernie's pretty much guaranteed to live forever after giving Brabham and his soul to the Devil in exchange for eternal life. Needless to say, the Devil was furious when he found out the utter shambles that Brabham was in by that point :lol:

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 02 Sep 2012, 12:03

Nooooooooooooooooooooo

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 02 Sep 2012, 12:04

HUGE crash at the start

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 02 Sep 2012, 12:04

MASSIVE SHUNT

Alonso and Hamiton out, Grosjean out

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 02 Sep 2012, 12:05

That was hard.

S951 · Post by **S951** » 02 Sep 2012, 12:05

bathplug hell!! bastard bathplug hamilton!!! arsehole!! kamui

QuickYoda41 · Post by **QuickYoda41** » 02 Sep 2012, 12:05

OMG, horrible start crash

the Masked Lapwing · Post by **the Masked Lapwing** » 02 Sep 2012, 12:05

HAMILTON YOU STUPID BLOODY IDIOT TAKING OUT THE SAUBERS!

On the other hand, HAMILTON YOU BLOODY BRILLIANT DRIVER TAKING OUT ALONSO! :lol:

tristan1117 · Post by **tristan1117** » 02 Sep 2012, 12:06

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALONSO IS OUT! HAMILTON IS OUT! Kamui....