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/

 

[Bill Boddy]

It was definitely Hulkenberg who had the spin, without replaying it I seem to remember that there was no chance of Hamilton getting out of the way because of other traffic.

 

[Mephistopheles]

You've got your opinion Hamberg I've got mine and loads of people were saying the same thing as me earlier on in this thread...

Hulk didn't spin he had snap oversteer which can happen very easily in the wet to any driver....

 

[mnmracer]

As bad as I felt for Lewis, I believe it was a racing incident. There was nothing wrong with the move, but he ended up unlucky enough to hit a slippery patch.

 

[FB]

Guys, can we try and avoid making it personal. By all means disagree but there's no need for insulting language.

Cheers

FB

 

[Hamberg]

My opinion (and indeed fact) is it was Hulkenberg's car that slid (after he made a move) and knocked Hamilton out of the race. A decent thing to do would be to say sorry.

 

[MCLS]

Hulkenburg tried to go on the inside but took too much speed into the corner, lost the rear and went into Hamilton, more Hulk's fault there I reckon as he was left plenty of room by Hamilton but the Caterham didn't help by being unfortunately placed giving Hamilton no room at all

 

[snowy]

It was a racing incident and the penalty would only have been given by group of people who had no comprehension of motor racing and had been smoking crack cocaine all afternoon.

However having said that, if I had lost it on the apex and wiped out another driver I would very promptly offer my sincere apologies of said recipient of my rear end. An apology was definitely in order.

 

[Hamberg]

Perfect answer Snowy

 

[Brogan]

The penalty was probably harsh and very swift!
Especially considering Vettel-Senna wasn't even investigated and discounted.

FWIW, Hulkenberg did pop in to McLaren and apologise later, and rightly so IMO.

https://twitter.com/TheFifthDriver/status/272797452216721409

 

[Fenderman]

Good man, Nico.

 

[Mephistopheles]

It was the speed at which the penalty was given that is suspicious when was the last time the stewards made a decision that quickly? There was no way they had chance to take a proper look at the incident I no we all say they take to long to make a decision but being that quick is even worse, and it was completely unfair, IMO

Also if the Hulk did apologise (And whether he should have or not is his choice.) why did Lewis say he didn't or is this just another case of Lewis speaking out to soon......

Edit

Or did the Hulk already know what Lewis had said to the press and went and apologised to make Lewis look silly...

 

[Vortex]

Probably just too soon.

 

[snowy]

or is this just another case of Lewis speaking out to soon......

Or having reporters put words in his mouth, being misquoted or misrepresented on a forum.

 

[Hamberg]

It was causing an avoidable collision, I agree racing incident from a fans perspective would have been an alright conclusion but he made a move in slippery conditions with a bunch of traffic and therefore could/should have judged that move in the wet is likely to have a non predictable outcome. The only person with any say was Hulkenberg.

As a decent human an apology was in order for the situation and regardless of what prompted it, he has so all good. Not one person I've seen has called for Hulks head.

 

[gethinceri]

He should definitely be beheaded.

 

[Chad Stewarthill]

Or did the Hulk already know what Lewis had said to the press and went and apologised to make Lewis look silly...

That.

 

[F1ang-o]

I suppose Hulk could have gone into the garage & apologised to Martin W.......whilst Lewis was doing his interviews....
On the BBc they told Lewis, Hulk didn't know why he got a drive through........

 

[Vortex]

Wasn’t misquoted, Lewis brought it up…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01pbqgk/Formula_1_2012_The_Brazilian_Grand_Prix_Forum/
Go to 23.45 to see the interview for yourselves.

 

[Chad Stewarthill]

Beheading's too good for him. Being hung, drawn & quartered, now that would teach him a lesson...
...or being made to drive a HRT next season. I understand there's a couple of them going at knockdown prices in the Christmas sales.

 

[Brogan]

Can I be the first to say so fucking what?

Thank goodness Hamilton is off to Mercedes next year.
With a bit of luck only 20% of threads will be littered with references to him, instead of the 90% we have now,