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/

 

[Boyle]

Hamilton recorded the fastest lap today despite retiring with 17 laps to go. The last driver to retire but still have the fastest lap was - that's right, you guessed it - Lewis Hamilton

 

[Galahad]

I was surprised Hulkenberg was penalised. Also thought Senna had left his braking very late for Turn 4. Lots to chew over during the winter I'm sure.

 

[landogeorgelewis1]

Roll on March 17th, Not only is it my Dad's B'day it's also the first race of the 2013 season .

 

[Quintessentially]

He probably wouldn't have been penalised if Hamilton hadn't retired.

 

[Josh]

About the yellows: when the light is flashing it means dangerous and no overtaking allowed, and when the light ISN'T flashing it means damp/slippery track and overtaking IS allowed. According to Gary Paffett and Martin Brundle on twitter, at least.

 

[no-FIAt-please]

I don't see how Senna could blame Vettel at all, looked like he got greedy and left it too late to me. There was some great racing after this between the McLarens and Massa protecting Alonso who was lapping very slowly at this point. It was a shame to see Schumacher, Webber and both Toro Rosso's put up no defence to Vettel today, but I suppose Alonso had Massa to be thankful for as well. You have to feel for Hamilton as well, drove excellently although he made the wrong tyre choice (as did most of the others) he looked the faster of the McLaren's today, he was also innocent in the collision again. Gutted for Alonso too, he's had a great season but I think he's gone off the boil in recent races, particularly from Korea onwards.

Vettel. Again. Woooo

 

[sushifiesta]

Josh And was the light flashing or not?

 

[Josh]

According to them no. According to Ferrari also no.

 

[Porceliamone]

Sorry haven't read this whole thread yet but can anyone enlighten me as to why SV wasn't penalised for passing under yellow?

 

[Wombcat]

no-FIAt-please: you didn't really expect Webber to put up a defence against Vettel, did you?
Actually I think that after the first pitstop Webber already waited too long to let Vettel pass. And he made it unnecessary difficult in the first corner.

Massa was brilliant though. Holding off Webber in the first /second lap, to get Alonso in position to overtake them both. And then holding the rest off.

 

[Brogan]

Me too Galahad and it was a very quick investigation and penalty.

In stark contrast to the Vettel-Senna incident which wasn't even investigated.

 

[no-FIAt-please]

Wombcat Webber I did not. However Schumacher in a Mercedes and Ricciardo and Vergne in Toro Rossos was just bullshit. Particularly the TRs because they only did it because of the Red Bull connection not because their friends or anything. How two teams can be connected in such a way staggers me, it's completely unfair to the competition. That is unless they start buying multiple teams...

 

[racecub]

I'm now hearing that Vettel DID pass under yellows. That there were the red and yellow ones for slippy track but also yellow ones and he passed under them. Apparently discussed on Sky but I only got it second hand.

 

[Brogan]

If he did, it's not going to change anything now.
Unless Ferrari lodge an official protest...

 

[racecub]

It would appear very petty if they did. I think it's too late now.

 

[Porceliamone]

If true, the mind boggles. How can they miss something so fundamentally important to this championship!? Preposterous.

 

[Vortex]

Interesting theory about whether Pic deliberately didn’t make it too difficult for Petrov to overtake him giving the extra prize money to Caterham…. his new team next season.

 

[sushifiesta]

It's not even been mentioned by the BBC or the FIA.

 

[Wombcat]

Vortex: I thought about that too.

 

[racecub]

It has been mentioned on the red Button, the BBC team asked the caterham guy if he thought Pic let him through a bit easy cos he's at Caterham next year. Caterham guy said ..oh no pic is a real professional.