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/

 

[mnmracer]

Oh, your're right... my bad.

 

[Brogan]

Interesting little article on ESPN: http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/95527.html

Although we know that the changes we've made will have an influence on things like aerodynamics for the teams; it will deflect more, the rear tyre in particular."

Hembery added that he suspects some teams not chasing championship positions could focus on analysing the tyres fully on Friday.

Something for Mercedes to look forward to at least

 

[Jos the Boss]

Odds on Massa hitting Vettel?

 

[gethinceri]

Same odds as you getting the forecast right?

 

[landogeorgelewis1]

Wow Baby it all comes down to this race. Yippy so happy this seasons WDC has gone all the way to the wire. Secretly hoping it'll be Fernando's turn to win his 3rd, if Seb wins it it'll be deserved as well. But for Nando's shake it'll be brilliant for him to win it TBH.

 

[landogeorgelewis1]

still feeling very American.

Mind you this is in South America .

 

[F1 Shift.net]

Very excited for this one (well, I'm excited for every race, but still)...Something tells me we should get omething very special from Alonso this weekend and we'll see the unexpected - revenge from 2010 anyone?

 

[Il_leone]

As far it looks like the race will be contested fiercely by Mclaren, Red Bull and Ferrari so Alonso needs to start closer to the front

One interesting ploy is if Red Bull abandon the high downforce set up because they are still suckers down the straights

 

[landogeorgelewis1]

He's an interesting question, If Lewis was leading the Race yet Alonso was in second and need to win the race to clinch the title with Seb in say 8th place. Would Lewis let Fernando through? Interesting indeed .

 

[Brogan]

No.

 

[sushifiesta]

I know they're a lot more friendly now but last time I heard they're not sharing bed and breakfast just yet.

 

[gethinceri]

I've heard of sharing a bed, but sharing breakfast is beyond the pale, surely.

 

[Il_leone]

He's an interesting question, If Lewis was leading the Race yet Alonso was in second and need to win the race to clinch the title with Seb in say 8th place. Would Lewis let Fernando through? Interesting indeed .

-------------------

No way because he wants to win for himself and Mclaren and it will be a sign of weakness Alonso will exploit

 

[sushifiesta]

gethinceri I have my sauces.

Probably one pun too far...

 

[landogeorgelewis1]

My last comment on this thread was just a bit of tongue in cheek really. But surely we've all thought about it some way or another though?

 

[F1 Shift.net]

I don't think Lewis would pull over for Fernando, but I don't think he'd put up much of a fight either

 

[Greenlantern101]

Could the Massa card be used again this weekend. How far are Ferrari prepared to go.
Most of these are clearly cheating and I'm (reasonably) sure Massa would have no part in it, but this is just a bit of fun.

Some options :

• He out qualifies Alonso and again takes a penalty to move Alonso 1 place up the grid.
• He is held in his pit stop intentionally, timed come out ahead of Vettel and block him from getting past possibly even ignoring blue flags until he is given a penalty.
• He is told to stop his car on track (its broken guv honest) causing a safety car at exactly the right moment to benefit Alonso.
• He does the unthinkable and actually takes Vettel out in a crash when being lapped or trying to pass.
• He starts from the pit lane again to make it difficult for Vettel to pass the first of the back markers.
• He has multipul pit stops, each one designed to hold him and bring him out ahead of Vettel, hold him up for the designated blue flag allocation, then let Vettel through and back into the pits to repeat the process.

Its been a whilst since someone was black flagged.

 

[Bill Boddy]

Ferrari messing Massa around in Brazil? Sounds very unlikely to me, Luca has never shown any sign of suicide.

 

[Brogan]

Forgotten 2007 already Bill?

 

[Bill Boddy]

That is true, but not in any of the ways given above. It was almost credible.