Grand Prix 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

So it all comes down to the final race. The prancing horse versus the charging bull. The passionate Catalan versus the efficient German. Red versus Blue. Enough of the clichés, Vettel has a 13 point lead over Alonso going in to the race between the lakes so only has to finish in front of the Spaniard to claim his third title in a row. All the pressure will be on Ferrari and Alonso to give the Spaniard his third title and they probably need something to go wrong at Red Bull to stand any chance of winning, if their pace in the USA was anything to go by.

After his victory in the USA Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to leave McLaren on a high note. Lotus, surely, would love a second victory in 2012 but as fast as the car is it can't compete with the top 3 teams. Felipe Massa is starting to regain some of his old form and will, without doubt, be required to ride shotgun to Alonso. Mark Webber will be looking to win again at Interlagos but I doubt Vettel will suffer similar "brake" problems as he had last year.

The constructors championship is all sown up with Red Bull champions again. McLaren could steal 2nd place from Ferrari but a stronger performance from Jenson Button is needed in Brazil. Last year he was 3rd, two McLaren men in the top 4 could win them a few extra millions from FOM.

The final factor to build in is the weather. Brazil is notorious for changeable weather conditions and a sprinkling of rain could turn things Alonso's way. So tune next Sunday for the final event of 2012, but before then feel free to express your opinions below and don't forget to check out the circuit write up.

http://cliptheapex.com/pages/autodromo-jose-carlos-pace-interlagos/

 

[Wombcat]

In TV money it is, but sponsor's have more money and interest in the drivers championship. Red Bull were hardly jumping for joy after Austin.

I agree. I think the marketing value for the WDC is worth more than $10 million.

 

[Mika's Italian Tears]

2 interesting tweets in the last hr which tell me that its gonna be dry, which mean that Alonso's chances are lesser:


Scuderia Ferrari ‏@InsideFerrari
No rain expected during the race. After one week of unanimous forecasts for a rainy Sunday we will have a dry race.



Fernando Alonso ‏@alo_oficial
For some reason we are fighting the world championship that logic would say was impossible. Enjoy today and whatever happens.. Thank you all


Both sound really negative , but I'm still hoping for the best. Forza Alonso...

 

[landogeorgelewis1]

15 + minutes to go .

 

[mjo]

Raining on the grid...

 

[Mika's Italian Tears]

So this made my previous msg redundant:

ESPN F1 ‏@ESPNF1
Grosjean on his sighter lap: "Very light rain." This is about to get interesting #F1

 

[landogeorgelewis1]

Bernie just said he order the rain to stay away. That man despite him been a pain in the bum, you can't fault his humour.

 

[Brogan]

Don't forget Chat for those of you hanging around during the race.

http://cliptheapex.com/chat/

 

[racecub]

Why am I so nervous! I'd be a hopeless F1 driver!!

 

[Quintessentially]

Can you believe it.

 

[Brogan]

Interesting that Vettel hasn't been investigated for first turning in on Senna and then overtaking Kobayashi under yellow flags.

While it would undoubtedly have an effect on the championship if Vettel was to receive a penalty, the rules are the rules.

The stewards can't claim ignorance of either incident as video footage is available and they have even used YouTube footage in the past to investigate drivers.

 

[Brogan]

Sigh....what a terrible end to the race.

Hulkenberg sliding into Hamilton taking him out.

 

[OnTheRaggedEdge]

4th might have been enough for Alonso but as usual Vettel lucked his way into 6th with Grosjean, Perez and Senna retiring whilst Alonso dragged the Ferrari to 2nd, I know who the true champion is. Fantastic race, just a shame the best driver lost.

 

[landogeorgelewis1]

Anti-climax!

Well and Truly!

Don't know whether to be happy or gutted!

Great F1 season though!

Congratulations Vettel though!

 

[mjo]

Vettel deserved to win the championship because he had the most points.

 

[Boyle]

4th would never have been enough, it only offers 12 points and he was 13 behind.

It wouldn't have made a difference but Schumi letting Vettel past without any resistance was disgraceful. Sums his career up. Vettel basically had 4 team mates to call on if he needed to in that race.

Alonso did everything he could and he has now lost twice in the last race to Vettel. He must be getting fed up of that

 

[Wombcat]

Interesting that Vettel hasn't been investigated for first turning in on Senna and then overtaking Kobayashi under yellow flags.

First is a starting incident, they rarely investigate those.
The second, when was that and did he overtake at a spot where there was yellow?

 

[Brogan]

The first wasn't a start incident, it was well after the first corner.

The overtake was on the main straight - there were at least three yellow lights.

 

[Hamberg]

Some are saying it was the yellow and red slippery surface flag. I didn't see, was that possible?

 

[Brogan]

It's possible I suppose and may explain why nothing has been said of it.

 

[Hamberg]

Pat Fry said he thinks it was slippy flag