[Sparky68]

Day 2 wet again so you have not missed much!

http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/558

[Sportplus]

Originally Posted by sheps

I think Mercedes' capability this season is being downplayed by all.
I know why Hamilton has said he's moved - wanting to build a successful team behind him, take an ailing team and take it to greatness (as per Schumacher) but at the end of the day, he is a racer and a world champion - he will not have moved to a team that will always remain uncompetitive. We all saw how frustrated he was when his McLaren let him down (both on reliability and performance) - does anyone genuinely think he'd go to a team if it were almost guaranteed that would be happening week in, week out?

I think the Merc will be a lot more competitive than anyone else is giving it credit for right now; and in this sense it's a win-win for Mercedes. If they fail to be competitive, they can say "See, we told you we wouldn't be challenging for the top slot this year; our year is 2014 and beyond" and if they do win they can surprise everyone and say "We've pulled it out of the bag, yey us".

Let us not forget how many championships have been won at the wheel of a Ross Brawn car. Having secured Hamilton I think he will have been given (metaphorically speaking) a blank cheque to make sure the car delivers.

He will be on the podium inside of 5 races from season start.

It was more than luck that made Hamilton world champion. He blames McLaren for his mistakes. I don't think he's as good as he thinks he is under pressure.
Yes McLaren made ALOT of mistakes last year but he wasn't faultless. How many times did he crash out of a grand prix? 7-8 at a guess.

I hope to see Hamilton challenge for another world title and see if he can win it more convincingly than his first. I don't think I'm alone in thinking he was gifted his first title.

[Sparky68]

Dont forget testing is being shown on Sky F1 from 2pm each day. [ unless you have dodgy links you can watch it on, "cough"]

[BoBBoB]

Originally Posted by Sparky68

Dont forget testing is being shown on Sky F1 from 2pm each day. [ unless you have dodgy links you can watch it on, "cough"]

*cough* pm me please ;-)

[sheps]

Originally Posted by Sportplus

It was more than luck that made Hamilton world champion. He blames McLaren for his mistakes. I don't think he's as good as he thinks he is under pressure.
Yes McLaren made ALOT of mistakes last year but he wasn't faultless. How many times did he crash out of a grand prix? 7-8 at a guess.

I hope to see Hamilton challenge for another world title and see if he can win it more convincingly than his first. I don't think I'm alone in thinking he was gifted his first title.

Are you suggesting he's crashed out of 7 or 8 races in the 2012 season? That's simply not correct. Looking at a selection of his races:

China – Qualifies second but started seventh due to gearbox change penalty. Finishes third.

Bahrain – Running third but following two slow pit stops ends up eighth.

Spain – Qualifies on pole but demoted to back of the grid for McLaren fuel infringement. Finishes eighth.

Monaco – Running third but suffers slow pit stop and loses positions to first Alonso, who stops a lap later, and the even later-stopping Vettel. Finishes fifth.

Europe – Slow pit stop when running third drops him to sixth and behind ultimate race winner Alonso. Spun out on final lap from third after collision with Pastor Maldonado while struggling with tyre wear.

Singapore – Running first when gearbox fails. Result: DNF.

Korea – Rear anti-roll bar failure early in race plays havoc with tyre wear. Drops down order from fourth. Result: 10th

Abu Dhabi – Leading the race by three seconds when fuel pressure problem grounds car to a halt. Result: DNF.

[Sportplus]

I stand corrected. Was it the year before Hamilton and Massa hit each other a number of times.

I did say in my post that McLaren did make ALOT of mistakes. I also stand by my last comment on seeing Hamilton win the championship a little more convincingly than his first.

[briers]

For a top team the mistakes are unacceptable. I like Hamilton because he's an all or nothing racer. He takes risks and looks for the extra yard or mph.

Seb on the other hand is exactly the same yet consistent, annoyingly.

Hamilton needed a change, it resets the karma and wipes away the mistakes mentally which is a big part of the game with f1.

[A_P]

LOL guys.

Sutil the delicate flower in tip top physical shape?

[FLUTE]

Is there a race calendar available?

Flute

[briers]

Originally Posted by FLUTE

Is there a race calendar available?

Flute

If you type f1 into google it gives you a cal of race days

[dxb335d]

I agree Hamilton is a World champion by default. Really was Massa's year in 08.

[Sparky68]

Anyone else having a late night Thursday? 1:30am FP1, can't wait!

[dxb335d]

No mate, I will however get up for FP2 and obviously quali and the race.

[- Paul -]

I cannot wait for it!

[Geesh_46]

might get up for FP1 or record it and watch it in the morning! can't wait for race though!

[Sparky68]

F1 back with a bang. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21796574

[- Paul -]

Sounds like it may be another RB year! :-(

[- Paul -]

Originally Posted by Sparky68

Dont forget testing is being shown on Sky F1 from 2pm each day. [ unless you have dodgy links you can watch it on, "cough"]

Is it the VIP link...? I'm looking for an HD link.

[A_P]

Originally Posted by - Paul -

Sounds like it may be another RB year! :-(

Its not even the first race. But historically yes judging by form, if they are this quick already with what could be another .5 secs to be gained on vettels lap then yes you might be right.

Surprised that mclaren are so far down the pecking order, although not indicative of race pace. Button seems to progress his pace over the course of a weekend and finish strong on race day.

Someone asked me 2 days ago who I thought would win. I chose either Button or Vettel for this race. Judging so far money would be on Seb.

For which I am sure Sparkie and DXB will be very happy lol.

[Sparky68]

Originally Posted by - Paul -

Is it the VIP link...? I'm looking for an HD link.

pm'd

[dxb335d]

Yes Shah!!! Very happy!

[FRG]

Anyone going to Silverstone this year? I'm booking next week I think once numbers are confirmed (wives and girlfriends given green light). Going to do 3 days and camping. Should be a laugh