QWC 13

[teabagyokel]

Winfinger....

Vettel pulls further clear etc. More interestingly, Grosjean has stormed back in touch with his team-mate with a real upswing in qualifying form coming after the new tyres in Britain. Hulkenburg moves past di Resta and now has his sights set on Sutil. And maybe even Button, at this rate.

Mercedes' dwindling lead remains in tact. Ferrari and Lotus are rather matching each other, while McLaren, Toro Rosso and Force India all got a double Q2 exit which precludes their battle from progressing. Sauber get the few points that at least gets them to see the others in the distance.

 

[teabagyokel]

That's what I'm talking about! Vettel extends his lead, while Webber starts to make his move on Rosberg with that pole position. Alonso and Massa kind of hold position, while Ferrari will also note Raikkonen's abysmal form in qualifying has allowed Grosjean to move past him. Hulkenburg moves up to just three points behind Button.

Red Bull take the lead, but it is still quite narrow; I suspect this will be decided by how much Rosberg compensates vs Webber for Hamilton's losses vs Vettel. McLaren draw level with Toro Rosso, and at this rate Sauber will join the party for 5th.

 

[Mephistopheles]

This isn't fair some cars a really crap at qualifying, no scrap that some cars are really crap.....

 

[Mephistopheles]

Chilton is so far down he looks like the x axis....

 

[teabagyokel]

It's entirely fair; being shit is a great way to lose any competition.

 

[teabagyokel]

Through the haze, a clear picture emerges

Vettel is off into the distance, with Hamilton looking pretty secure in P2. Raikkonen re-passes Grosjean and Hulkenburg moves within range of Ricciardo.

Red Bull's narrow lead over Mercedes is barely extended, McLaren edge into fifth but Sauber are the form horse...

 

[teabagyokel]

Pending disqualifications aside...

Webber now showing a threat of catching Rosberg for 3rd, while Vettel gets off into the distance. Raikkonen may be allowed to hold position in front of Grosjean as well, Massa continues to catch Alonso. Hulkenburg completes a remarkable late surge into 9th.

It somewhat looks like the great Red Bull vs Mercedes duel has ended in victory for the Milton Keynes squad. The four-way stramasch for 5th is looking quite interestng; can McLaren hold off the rampaging Saubers, and will Force India or Toro Rosso recover?

 

[teabagyokel]

My word...

Vettel rides off into the sunset. Rosberg's once treasured safety over Webber is now almost completely extinguished, and requires a Red Bull issue to protect at Interlagos. Massa is similarly under serious threat from Grosjean. Hulkenburg has now taken 9th place, and it'll be interesting to see if Perez overhauls Button. Bottas takes two points, and Kovalainen is in with 4.

The championship battle that was so promising failed to exist. Lotus can't catch Ferrari either. Sauber are one point ahead of McLaren though...

 

[teabagyokel]

Our champion for 2013, and his fourth overall (non-consecutive, mind) is Sebastian Vettel. Lewis Hamilton is 2nd overall, while Nico Rosberg holds off Mark Webber for 3rd. Grosjean's late charge sees him into 6th behind Fernando Alonso, while Nico Hulkenburg, on another late charge, is best of the rest outside the top four. Maldonado is the only person to drive a Top Nine car and not make Q3. Sabotage!

Red Bull take the championship from Mercedes while Lotus' late promise never saw them make up ground on the Maranello men. Sauber edge out McLaren and Toro Rosso for fifth, while Force India scored nowt since Belgium. And Williams got 17 points in North America! And none anywhere else...

 

[Josephiah]

Looks like someone's been reading this thread...
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111652

 

[teabagyokel]

Final data sheet:

 

[mjo]

Wow, aside from Shanghai, Vettel's qualified in the to 3 all season. Even more impressive considering the number of wet qualis we've had this season (or should it be last season as we're now in 2014?).

 

[teabagyokel]

mjo - Number of Qualipodiums is interesting:

 

[teabagyokel]

Comparison of qualifying and race for 2013. Note more impressive qualifying for both Mercedes, Webber and Ricciardo and more impressive racing for Alonso, Raikkonen, Button and di Resta.