Official Formula 1 2012 thread

[theevildoodlebob]

Interesting that no one posed the idea that both Hamilton and Maldonado were at fault for the incident. Going into the turn Pastor had a solid nose in front of Hamilton, so you would assume Hamilton might understand that would work to stay side by side through that first turn. Instead he decided to take the turn as wide as he could pushing Maldonado into his 4 off position between turns. Beyond that, once he was 4 off the straight harpoon manuver into the side of Hamilton would generally be seen as not the correct way to rejoin the track. If he wanted to stay overly aggressive he should have just turned with him staying on the inside of the curb so as to be side by side once they exited the turn.

[Jon325i]

Well, despite all the arguing, you only need to consider one thing...Hamilton got ZERO points and Alonso got 25. Maldonado, at fault or not, has very little to do with it at that point.

Hamilton (and crew) should have been thinking big picture and known that his tires were gone. Hamilton was 5 seconds up on Hulkenberg, and 6 seconds up on MSC/Webber. He might have finished 4th or 5th, and earned 12 or 10 points.

Hamilton has never been known for conserving anything, and especially not his tires, don't forget China in his rookie year. He is the example of a very fast driver, but not a very smart one.

Bitch all you want, but at the end of the day Alonso earned max points on his (then) closest competitor in the championship.

Agreed on all - especially the point of Hamilton being a fast, but not smart driver. When everything on the car is working well with no looming issues, he can crank out very fast laps. He fails to see the 'bigger' picture though when something like tire-deg is setting in. A more calculated driver would've salvaged whatever points possible if it meant giving up a spot or two in the closing laps....as opposed to not finishing the race at all.

It was clear to me Maldonado was at fault here (all 4 wheels clearly off the racing line), he should've lifted and let Hamilton through and then take another shot at passing him as they raced for the checkered flag. Maldonado's mistake is understandable given he's only in his second year in F1. Hamilton has more experience plus a championship title - I would expect more mature driving tactics from someone with those accomplishments to their credit.

[z31maniac]

Interesting that no one posed the idea that both Hamilton and Maldonado were at fault for the incident. Going into the turn Pastor had a solid nose in front of Hamilton, so you would assume Hamilton might understand that would work to stay side by side through that first turn. Instead he decided to take the turn as wide as he could pushing Maldonado into his 4 off position between turns. Beyond that, once he was 4 off the straight harpoon manuver into the side of Hamilton would generally be seen as not the correct way to rejoin the track. If he wanted to stay overly aggressive he should have just turned with him staying on the inside of the curb so as to be side by side once they exited the turn.

Again, if someone tries to pass on the outside, it's standard to procedure to not allow them the room.

[Hick]

I have gone back and watched it a few times.... Looks to me that Maldonado was turning but the car was high centered on the kerbs.

Watch his steering wheel.

http://youtu.be/ILhjnwW4jdE

[PReta]

damnit mclaren. why must you be so off pace?!! but i am pumped that lotus did amazing.

[Hick]

so close. at least it was Webber. As much as i want an Ferrari world champion, i think i would be okay with Webber winning the title. Too early to tell

[YAN-3]

Good race! Last 5 laps were sweet to watch waiting for Webber to pull out I front of Alonso

[Jand3rson]

Good race! Last 5 laps were sweet to watch waiting for Webber to pull out I front of Alonso

That was an incredible pass by Weber, it almost looked like he was going to lose it, but he made it stick, and then vanished! Alonso never had a chance to catch back up.

I bet with 2 more laps, Vettel would have had Alonso, too.

[naplesE30]

Good drive by weber and great run by RG. Hoping for the german trifecta next round... Glad the races will be back on speed,,,, so many commercials on fox and pandering to novice/ignorant fans.



Damn still one more race on fox,, my bad

[z31maniac]

So happy to see Webber pull this one out!

[z31maniac]

And Webber re-signs with Red Bull.

[naplesE30]

Not a fan of rbr but it would be nice to see weber win the championship after all he has gone through at rbr,,,, kinda like if rubino had won one at ferrari.

[tg318is]

Alonso tweeted this earlier



" Now I find out that I was in the Redbull car... ;))!"

[frolf]

Alonso is the best...



at getting absolutely smoked in that last 10 laps.

[Jon325i]

What a great race. Alonso was solid in quali and drove a good race until Webber got by in the closing laps. I'd venture to say that if Alonso did a different tire strategy (compound order during the race: H-H-S) the outcome may have been different. In his second stint he was leading with a comfortable margin on the harder compound. Perhaps if he ran the softs for the middle stint then finished on the harder compound (which allows him to run more aggressively longer), he may have been able to hold Webber off.

Incidentally, Webber's tire strategy was S-H-H.

Now with Webber and Alonso at the top of the points pile, things can get interesting if Mark can remain consistent. I hope he can.....the Aussie has been racing a long time and has demostrated himself as a title contender many times.

Jon