Author Topic: 2012 Grand Prix season (Read 88636 times)

TBWG · « **Reply #150 on:** October 02, 2012, 11:07:58 PM »

OCTOBER 2012
Gearbox penalty hits Button's Suzuka hopes

An unscheduled gearbox change means that Jenson Button's hopes of a second successive Suzuka victory have been hit hard by a five place grid penalty for Sunday's forthcoming Japanese Grand Prix.

TBWG

Alan · « **Reply #151 on:** October 03, 2012, 12:14:03 AM »

Whats up with McLaren these days. They may have a competative car now but its got to be the most troublesum car on the grid. Not like them at all.

TBWG · « **Reply #152 on:** October 03, 2012, 02:33:08 AM »

Hi Alan

As soon as Sam Micheal leaves Williams they have their first win since 2004 and have a more competitive reliable car.

He joins McLaren as sporting director and their reliability suffers ~~~ connected who knows?

TBWG

PS Keep turning the screws!!!

Alan · « **Reply #153 on:** October 03, 2012, 03:10:17 AM »

I am starting to believe this prognosis. Your not the first to say this. Would be good to see him replaced before next season as thats lining up to be a cracker.
Don't know if your into Moto GP David but next years line up will be a must watch and I think 2014 will be even better for both sports.

TBWG · « **Reply #154 on:** October 03, 2012, 05:17:43 AM »

Yep I follow moto GP although not as closely as F1. Pleased Cal Crutchlow is getting onto the pace a bit more on the Tech 3 monster machine. Ducati seem to be getting better although I understand Rossi is on his bike (excuse pun) next year!

TBWG

krasangchris · « **Reply #155 on:** October 03, 2012, 12:16:58 PM »

Too bad about Pedrosa getting taken out by Batista. He now only has a chance if Lorenzo
makes a big mistake.

John the Traveller · « **Reply #156 on:** October 03, 2012, 05:09:56 PM »

Kimi has asked for too much money!

Felipe Massa has vowed not to get distracted by speculation over his future in the final few races of the 2012 season.

Ferrari are yet to confirm their second driver for the 2013 campaign, but recent reports have suggested that they may yet end up handing Massa a new contract following some improved displays in recent weeks.

The Brazilian, though, is determined to focus on his racing from now until the end of the season, instead of worrying about his future.

"Of course my future is important, but right now it's the results that are the most important thing, which means I have to concentrate on each race as it comes," Massa told the official Ferrari website.

"I know what I can do, what I can give to the team and what are my talents. The team also knows this, because I've been here with them for rather longer than a day or even a year! The best plan is to race without worrying about the future."

Massa and Ferrari head to this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix high on confidence as the F2012 has been one of the more impressive cars on the track in recent months.

"The car changed a lot since the mid-season test in Mugello and we have developed it all the time since then," he said.

"We have tested constantly, nearly always bringing new parts to the track at each race. The job is all about scoring one more point than the others when it comes to the final race and so I hope we can improve it even more for the remaining races than we have done so far."

Cheers,
JT

TBWG · « **Reply #157 on:** October 03, 2012, 08:42:50 PM »

Seemingly working in Felipe’s favor is that Fernando Alonso supports keeping him. Along with everyone else in the world, I assume that’s about the best endorsement Massa could get. I’m not sure Stefano Domenicali’s backing would be more important.

According to Benson, Ferrari is hoping to hold off on a decision for a few more weeks to make sure Massa holds his form. Benson also says there’s a knowledgeable source out there claiming a deal already has been inked with Hulkenberg.

Because, you know, Silly Season can’t be silly without some silliness.

TBWG

TBWG · « **Reply #158 on:** October 04, 2012, 05:53:36 PM »

Michael Schumacher to retire from Formula 1 at end of season

Michael Schumacher has announced that he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.

Schumacher was linked with a move to Sauber for 2013 but has decided to end an F1 career that began in 1991.

"Although I am still able to compete with the best drivers, at some point it is good to say goodbye," said the 43-year-old German.

"During the past month I was not sure if I still had the motivation and energy which is necessary to go on. It is not my style to do something that I'm not 100% for.

"With today's decision I feel released from those doubts, and in the end my ambition to fight for victories and the pleasure of driving is nourished by competitiveness."

Schumacher won 91 races in 19 seasons, helping to revive Ferrari's fortunes after he joined them in 1996.

He won his first title with Benetton in 1994 and repeated the feat the following year.

He claimed five straight titles between 2000 and 2004, before retiring for a first time in 2006. After three years away from the sport, he made a comeback with Mercedes in 2010.

However, since his return he has managed just one podium finish in three seasons, at Valencia in June.

"It is without doubt we did not achieve our goals to develop a world championship-fighting car but it is also very clear that I can still be very happy about my overall achievements in the whole time of my career," added Schumacher.

"In the past six years I have learned a lot about myself - for example that you can open yourself without losing focus, that losing can be both more difficult and more instructive than winning.

"Sometimes I lost this in the earlier years, though you appreciate what you are able to do and that you are able to live your convictions and I was able to do so."

Speculation that Schumacher would retire at the end of the season first surfaced at the start of September, when Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone told BBC Sport that he was "sorry that he's leaving us not being a winner, because he is a winner".

TBWG

TBWG · « **Reply #159 on:** October 05, 2012, 12:39:33 AM »

Greek GP?

http://www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2012/10/2012104163149927969.html

TBWG

TBWG · « **Reply #160 on:** October 05, 2012, 03:37:15 PM »

The land of the rising (Jen)son Practice 1
by Joe Saward

Jenson Button set the fastest time of the Friday morning session in Suzuka, beating his McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton by a couple of tenths, with Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber third, a tenth behind Lewis. Nico Rosberg was fourth, but half a second slower than Button's best - and his car broken down at the end of the session. Michael Schumacher was fifth ahead of Kamui Kobayashi, Felipe Massa, Paul di Resta, Nico Hulkenberg and Pastor Maldonado.

Fernando Alonso was 11th ahead of Sergio Perez, the two Lotuses of Kimi Raikkon and Romain Grosjean and the Toro Rossos of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne. Sebastian Vettel was 17th with the rear end of the timesheet featuring William's third driver Valtteri Bottas, Timo Glock, Vitaly Petrov, Charles Pic, Narain Karthikeyan, Caterham's third driver Giedo Van der Garde and Pedro de la Rosa.

Mark I Practice 2

Mark Webber set the pace in the second practice session in Suzuka on Friday afternoon, with a time that was two-tenths of a second faster than Lewis Hamilton's McLaren, with Sebastian Vettel third and Nico Hulkenberg fourth. Fernando Alonso was next, ahead of Romain Grosjean, Jenson Button, Bruno Senna, Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher, although the veteran crashed out late in the session at the entry to Spoon Curve. Earlier in the session Paul di Resta had a similar accident which brought out red flags. Also in trouble was Vitaly Petrov, who lost the rear wing off his Caterham.

Nico Rosberg was 10th, ahead of the two Saubers, Kimi Raikkonen (who had a KERS problem), Pastor Maldonado the two Toro Rossos, with Daniel Ricciardo ahead of Jean-Eric Vergne, the two Caterhams, the two Marussias and the two HRTs.

TBWG

TBWG · « **Reply #161 on:** October 06, 2012, 04:06:01 PM »

Sebastian’s Orient Express
by Joe Saward

Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time of the third practice at Suzuka. Mark Webber was second quickest and the gap back to the nearest challenger - Felipe Massa - was an impressive seven-tenths of a second. Michael Schumacher was fourth fastest ahead of the two Saubers of Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi, Romain Grosjean, Jenson Button, Paul di resta and Pastor Maldonado. Fernando Alonso was 11th, ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, who had a scary moment in 130R when he encountered a slow-moving Charles Pic in the final minutes of the session. Jean-Eric Vergne impressed with 14th fastest ahead of Nico Rosberg, Bruno Senna and Daniel Ricciardo, ahead of Nico Hulkenberg (who crashed early in the session), the two Caterhams, two Marussias and two HRTs.

It will be interesting to see whether the patterns will be repeated in qualifying in a few hours.

TBWG

TBWG · « **Reply #162 on:** October 06, 2012, 04:13:48 PM »

Sebast-o-pole!
by Joe Saward

Sebastian Vettel took pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix, after Kimi Raikkonen spun off and disrupted the final runs in Q3. Mark Webber was second, underlining the fact that the Red Bulls have suddenly found form, presumably due to a new front wing, which arrived on Saturday and seemed to make a big difference. Jenson Button was third in the McLaren, but was two-tenths down on Webber and four-tenths behind Vettel. And, of course, Jenson has a five-place grid penalty because of a gearbox change since Singapore and so the Japanese fans were able to celebrate Kamui Kobayashi third on the grid ahead of Romain Grosjean, Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso, Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg, who did not run. He will also have a five-place grid penalty.

Jean-Eric Vergne has been given a three-place grid penalty for impeding Bruno Senna at the end of the Q1 session. This means that Vergne will actually drop two places because Michael Schumacher has a 10-place penalty left over from Simngapore, when he assaulted Jean-Eric.

There is a spat going on between Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel over another impeding claim. The stewards are discussing the matter.

Pos Driver Team Time Gap
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m30.839s
2. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m31.090s + 0.251
3. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m31.294s + 0.451
4. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m31.700s + 0.861
5. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m31.989s + 1.059
6. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m32.022s + 1.183
7. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m32.114s + 1.275
8. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m32.208s + 1.369
9. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m32.327s + 1.488
10. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes no time
Q2 cut-off time: 1m32.272s Gap **
11. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m32.293s + 0.792
12. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m32.327s + 0.826
13. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m32.469s + 0.968
14. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m32.512s + 1.011
15. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m32.625s + 1.124
16. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m32.954s + 1.453
17. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m33.368s + 1.867
Q1 cut-off time: 1m33.370s Gap *
18. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1m33.405s + 1.376
19. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m34.657s + 2.628
20. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m35.213s + 3.184
21. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m35.385s + 3.356
22. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m35.429s + 3.400
23. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m35.432s + 3.403
24. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m36.734s + 4.705

107% time: 1m38.471s

* Gap to quickest in Q1

Well with Button, Schumacher, Hulkenberg, Di Resta, Vergne & maybe more getting penalties who knows what the grid will eventually look like down the arse end!

TBWG

TBWG · « **Reply #163 on:** October 06, 2012, 07:45:02 PM »

Kimi Raikkonen was at his best during a post-qualifying interview at the Suzuka circuit where he made his thoughts on the subject at hand quite clear.

The Lotus driver, who had made it through to Q3 in qualifying for the Japanese GP, came up short in the final minute when he lost control of his E20 at Spoon Curve and beached his car in the gravel.

As the chequered flag was waved the yellows were still out for Raikkonen's car meaning his rivals were forced to back off in that sector.

Asked what happened, Raikkonen said: "I spun."

Clearly.

Asked about the impact his yellows would have on the rest of the field, he said: "I don't care what happened to the others."

You have to love him.

TBWG

TBWG · « **Reply #164 on:** October 07, 2012, 03:34:44 PM »

Japanese GP: Vettel cruises to victory as Alonso retires

By Matt Beer Sunday, October 7th 2012, 07:35 GMT

Sebastian Vettel demolished Fernando Alonso's Formula 1 world championship lead by dominating the Japanese Grand Prix as the points leader retired in a first-lap crash.

The reigning champion is now just four points behind with five races to go, and has momentum on his side after back to back victories.

Felipe Massa came through from 10th on the grid to second for his first podium finish in nearly two years.

But for the home crowd everything was insignificant compared to Kamui Kobayashi fending off Jenson Button for his maiden F1 podium in third place, as he equalled the best ever finish for a Japanese driver.

Vettel's third Suzuka victory in four starts at the venue came easily as several likely challengers were eliminated in a chaotic first lap.

The carnage began when Alonso's Ferrari and Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus banged wheels on the run to the first corner. That caused damage to the Ferrari and left it spinning into the sand trap.

Kobayashi had thrust his Sauber between the Red Bulls off the line, and things then got much worse for Mark Webber when Romain Grosjean slid into him at the second corner.

The Lotus driver picked up front wing damage and a 10-second stop/go penalty, while Webber was spun to the back and needed a pitstop for checks.

As the chain reaction unfolded behind, Nico Rosberg's Mercedes was taken out in a clash with Bruno Senna's Williams.

Once the resultant safety car had come in, Vettel was free to dominate, leading by as much as 20s on his way to a third victory of 2012.

Kobayashi held second until the first pitstops, when both he and the chasing Button were leapfrogged by Massa. Like Button, the Ferrari driver had gained a lot of ground in the first-corner shambles, and once ahead of the McLaren and Sauber, Massa was quick enough to pull away.

Button tried his utmost to similarly demote Kobayashi, but a slightly slow final pitstop did not help and the local hero to keep last year's Suzuka winner at bay.

Lewis Hamilton had a quiet start to the race in the second McLaren before coming through to fifth. He fell victim to a superb dive-bomb pass from McLaren replacement Sergio Perez in the first stint - the Sauber having dropped behind in a failed outside-line bid to pass Raikkonen at the first corner.

Hamilton then got back ahead of Perez at the first pitstops, and as he tried to retaliate down the outside at the hairpin, Perez ran wide and spun into retirement.

The McLaren then jumped Raikkonen for fifth at the second stops - emerging alongside the Lotus and muscling it aside at the second turn despite Raikkonen seeming to have the momentum.

Nico Hulkenberg's Force India chased Raikkonen home in seventh while resisting pressure from Pastor Maldonado's Williams.

Webber recovered to ninth, pitting just once more after his lap-one stop.

Daniel Ricciardo made it two Australians in the points as Toro Rosso's mini-resurgence continued. Ricciardo resisted pressure from Michael Schumacher to the finish, preventing Mercedes from scoring this weekend.

The lap one mess gave Caterham a sniff of an opportunity as Heikki Kovalainen emerged in 11th. He could not stay ahead of the recovering frontrunners, though.

PROVISIONAL RACE RESULTS

The Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka, Japan;
53 laps; 307.471km;
Weather: Sunny.

Classified:

Pos Driver Team Time
1. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1h28:56.242
2. Massa Ferrari + 20.639
3. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 24.538
4. Button McLaren-Mercedes + 25.098
5. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes + 46.490
6. Raikkonen Lotus-Renault + 50.424
7. Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes + 51.159
8. Maldonado Williams-Renault + 52.364
9. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 54.675
10. Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:06.919
11. Schumacher Mercedes + 1:07.769
12. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 1:23.400
13. Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:28.600
14. Senna Williams-Renault + 1:28.700
15. Grosjean Lotus-Renault + 1 lap
16. Kovalainen Caterham-Renault + 1 lap
17. Glock Marussia-Cosworth + 1 lap
18. Petrov Caterham-Renault + 1 lap
19. De la Rosa HRT-Cosworth + 1 lap

Fastest lap: Vettel, 1:35.774

Not classified/retirements:

Driver Team On lap
Pic Marussia-Cosworth 39
Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 34
Perez Sauber-Ferrari 19
Alonso Ferrari 1
Rosberg Mercedes 1

World Championship standings, round 15:

Drivers: Constructors:
1. Alonso 194 1. Red Bull-Renault 325
2. Vettel 190 2. McLaren-Mercedes 283
3. Raikkonen 157 3. Ferrari 263
4. Hamilton 152 4. Lotus-Renault 239
5. Webber 135 5. Mercedes 136
6. Button 131 6. Sauber-Ferrari 115
7. Rosberg 93 7. Force India-Mercedes 81
8. Grosjean 82 8. Williams-Renault 58
9. Massa 69 9. Toro Rosso-Ferrari 15
10. Perez 65
11. Kobayashi 50
12. Di Resta 44
13. Schumacher 43
14. Hulkenberg 37
15. Maldonado 33
16. Senna 25
17. Vergne 8
18. Ricciardo 7

TBWG

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