Grand Prix 2011 European Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Got your breath back yet?

After an exhilarating grand prix which lasted for record time, it seems as if there is renewed optimism that Sebastian Vettel can be caught after a last lap slip in the moist conditions in Canada allowing Jenson Button to take his first win for over a year despite a turbulent race which included crashes with Alonso and team-mate Hamilton, a puncture and a drive through.

However, a candidate for most improved driver since the season started is a certain Michael Schumacher. Ridiculed early on after a poor start, he seems to have found the groove again and if it hadn't have been for the last safety car, he arguably would have gotten his first podium since returning to the sport, indeed he was closing the gap to Vettel and could even have taken the win at one of his favourite circuits. Now that he has overtaken Rosberg in the standings, is it time for him to push on and show that he is worth the 7 world championships to his name?

Another name that has been bandied about the press recently is Lewis Hamilton, after a disappointing race in Monaco, he followed it with a worse showing at one of his most successful circuits. During the race he hit everything that moved, and seemed to take the blame for most if not all of the incidents, whether he deserves the current criticism is another thing entirely. He knows he needs a strong showing in Valencia where he has finished 2nd on every single visit so far to the Spanish circuit.

It is the second home race of the year for Fernando Alonso, but it looks like he is going to need more than home support to beat the Red Bulls here, however an improved showing in Canada was masked by a clumsy incident with Button which punted him out of the grand prix. Felipe Massa had an overall strong race and recovered form an impact in the wall to finish 6th after beating Kobayashi in a drag race to the line.

Williams claimed their first points of the year finally with Barrichello claiming a handful of points while Toro Rosso managed to get both drivers into the points which will go some way into relieving the pressure on the two embattled drivers who will no doubt be looking over his shoulder.

Looking ahead to Valencia, it is easy for people not to get their hopes up about any exciting racing as the European Grand Prix here hasn't been known for frantic racing, particularly as the 2009 race didn't have any overtaking whatsoever, yes, there were 0 overtakes. But with a combination of two long straights and the new dual DRS zones, we should be seeing tons of overtaking into the hairpin, remember Kobayashi's overtake on Alonso late on last year.

No doubt Mark Webber will want to eradicate last years memories where he found that Red Bull literally did give him wings when he flew 360 degrees in the air after tagging Kovalainens lotus at high speed, seeing as this happened in what will probably be a DRS zone this year, I sincerely hope we do not see a repeat, while Webber walked away unharmed, it is never nice to see that happen in any kind of motorsport.

For Galahads superb circuit write up, see here http://cliptheapex.com/pages/valencia-street-circuit/
 
I know what the real problem and drab is about Qualie....not the tyres, not the lack of participation due to race strategy......................the real problem with Qualification is that REDBULL participate in it, and from that point the other cars become the proverbial one legged man in an ass kicking competitition.

They are too good, that is has prompted me to increase handicaps in Qualie, maybe they need to run an obsticle course.
 
They are too good, that is has prompted me to increase handicaps in Qualie, maybe they need to run an obsticle course.
What like, make them overtake the HRTs on a qualifying lap? They could also start the lap with Lewis behind them, which might make it a bit tricky to get to the end with the car still in one piece...
 
Anyway, on a more serious note, is anyone else worried that Button is going to end up behind a Renault or Force India on prime tyres for the first stint? Boy would that ruin his afternoon...
 
Anyway, on a more serious note, is anyone else worried that Button is going to end up behind a Renault or Force India on prime tyres for the first stint? Boy would that ruin his afternoon...

Could happen. That would be a nightmare. He may even need to pit early then attempt to pass a Lotus...
 
This from Alex Wurz on Twitter: Just checked the grid - webber's spot has by far the most rubber ,hence highest grip level.

That could make for an interesting start...
 
This from Alex Wurz on Twitter: Just checked the grid - webber's spot has by far the most rubber ,hence highest grip level.

That could make for an interesting start...

That's interesting, is it just that spot, or is it that side of the grid. I thought pole side was usually the best to start on?
 
It must be something to do with the support races.
Maybe the drivers on P2 for those races laid down a lot of rubber to get a better start?
 
Any truth to the rumour that Charlie is looking to ban the finger

Hoping it will hold Seb back a bit

I hope Charlie does ban the finger. I reckon I'd love Vettel if I didn't have to see that every week! They should just leave it- Red Bull aren't as quick in the races, Vettel is only dominating because Webber's not doing enough.
 
Sutil with an interesting look today.

sutilValencia11.jpg
 
Boring preamble with too much emphasis on Canada, worst grid walk in history, lacklustre performances showing why this is such a crap circuit. Predictable podium positions. Ruined my Sunday.
 
Dull race, dull result. The Vettel/Red Bull steam roller trundles on no matter how many times the FIA tweak the rules to try and bring them back to the rest of the field.
 
Disagree, wish there was at least one incident worth talking about. Not a single car had a terminal car failure. Incidents cause drama, and thus affect the outcome of the race. I can guarentee that button would not have won that race without the safety cars bunching up the grid. Don't want to see ugly incidents though such as webbers flight, perez slam at monaco or schumachers close shave at abu dhabi.
Honestly the most predictable race i have seen in a long time.
 
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