The 2012 Season

[FB]

I don't want to suggest two wrongs make a right and I certainly believe there are human rights issues in Bahrain but guess where this is?

The Popular Party is going through with austerity in the teeth of mass demonstrations, that in some places turned violent- and with the knowledge garnered from the regional elections in Anadalusia, that although it has only been in power for four months, the Popular Party's honeymoon is over.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/154346

I don't see anyone suggesting the races in Spain should cancelled, or that the British Grand Prix should be cancelled for fear of the riots that hit last summer happening again. If the race can be run safely then let it be run, that should be the only thing this is judged against.

 

[mjo]

DRS as a work‐in‐progress
CW: There are different ways of arranging DRS at difference circuits. I think we were fairly satisfied
with how it went but certain circuits – here (Melbourne) for example – we thought it could be
improved. We’re basically fine‐tuning. We can’t lengthen the straight, so we’ve added an extra DRS
zone. We’ve removed the second zone in Valencia but lengthened the first. At Spa and in China we’ve
shorted the zones. Bahrain is new, Malaysia is going to stay the same, Barcelona we’re going to
lengthen by 50m. In Canada we’re going to take away the second zone, as that didn’t work at all.
Silverstone was OK, Hockenheim will be new. At Monza we’re lengthening both zones.

It's good to see that the FIA are taking on board what criticisms they have incurred with regard to DRS and will improve the positioning of the zones.

 

[McLarenDan]

I don't want to suggest two wrongs make a right and I certainly believe there are human rights issues in Bahrain but guess where this is?



http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/154346

I don't see anyone suggesting the races in Spain should cancelled, or that the British Grand Prix should be cancelled for fear of the riots that hit last summer happening again. If the race can be run safely then let it be run, that should be the only thing this is judged against.

Hi FB

Not sure about any of the facts, don't really look into the topic I just want the Bahrain GP to go ahead 'cause I want more F1(and I think McLaren's early advantage needs to be taken advantage of while we have it!) but I just wanted to inform you that as an Israeli(who has been published on this very website!) the website you're quoting is massively biased, bigoted and essentially a pile of shit. It will twist the facts and plain lie to portray a VERY right wing view(I'm right wing, and they make me sick!) which is often very anti-Arab. So take that article with a massive pince of salt!

 

[no-FIAt-please]

Pirelli have announced the tyre compunds for the next few races.

Bahrain: Medium/Soft
Spain: Hard/Soft
Monaco: Soft/Super Soft

(The option tyres are on the right)

 

[ExtremeNinja]

From what I have read so far there are going to be upgrades in China for Red Bull, McLaren and Sauber. I am sure, for many of the other teams too. This season is set to be a development race from beginning to end.

 

[Brogan]

Mini Ferrari discussion moved to the Ferrari thread: http://cliptheapex.com/threads/ferrari.3365/

 

[RasputinLives]

Well I was very wrong about Mercedes but happy to be so. Unless the other teams sort something out they're going to walk Monza aren't they? That straight line speed is massive!

On a note for the season we had Merc, Mclaren, Red Bull, Lotus, Ferrari and even Sauber and Williams on the pace today. 7 teams in it for the win? can't remember that for a while.

 

[The Pits]

Interestingly, the Sauber was faster in a straight line in qualifying. It will be interesting to see what happens at Monza, especially as the route taken to get a good result seems to have varied over the last few years. Besides, There is still a long way to go, and several teams in the running.

 

[teabagyokel]

 

[Brogan]

Race Hub updated: http://cliptheapex.com/pages/2012-standings/

It's looking good for McLaren and both of their drivers.

 

[KekeTheKing]

For the 2nd time in three years, 3 different Constructors have won the first 3 races. Prior to that it hadn't happened since 1990.

 

[Brogan]

What a difference a week makes.

Hamilton and McLaren have been replaced by Vettel and Red Bull in the WDC and WCC respectively.

Still need to wait and see if there are any penalties handed out to Hamilton, Rosberg or Alonso though.

 

[FB]

Red Bull going faster Mclaren going slower? Or just a peculiarity of this circuit?

 

[Bill Boddy]

Yes, yes, maybe.

 

[RasputinLives]

and next to Spain where I expect a Mclaren 1-2, a Red Bull 3-4, a Merc 5-6, a Lotus 7-8, a Ferrari 9-10 and some extra sleep on a Sunday afternoon.

 

[teabagyokel]

The 2012 season has been insanely competitive thus far:

 

[The Pits]

teabagyokel I'm sure I've seen Lewis on the podium.....

 

[Brogan]

Too many ROS's and not enough HAM's it would seem

 

[teabagyokel]

OK, The Pits & Brogan. Fixed...

 

[Kewee]

After four races I think were all still guessing at the pecking order this season. McLaren's shocker was about much more than a couple of poor pit stops. By their own admission they lacked pace and of more concern, it appears they're not sure why. Bahrain was very much about tyres and McLaren have said they were chewing up their rears and will be working hard to figure out why. If McLarens bad day was a one off due to the track and conditions, you have to ask whether Lotus's performance was also a one off, flattered by conditions that worked well for them. They've clearly got pace but it will be interesting to see how real it is when the European season kicks off. Red Bull clearly found form also but I don't think they'll achieve that on a regular basis either. Ferrari have clearly had problems since the season began, in their favor they know why, it remains to be seen whether their upgrades will bring them closer to the front. Spain will start to answer a lot of questions. Their biggest strength is Alonso, his starts in every one of the GP's so far have been stunning. He's been gaining between 3 and 5 spots by the first or second corner and even more impressive, I haven't seen him rub wheels with anyone yet. Obviously Ferrari have to make significant gains in grip, and on the longer circuits they need to improve their outright speed, both aero related. I don't think they need to put the best car on the grid under Alonso. If they can give him a car good enough for the second row rather than the fourth or fifth Alonso's so much on top of his game at present he'll do the rest, providing he's got enough top speed to be able to defend as well as attack. Having said all that, I still think McLaren are the team to beat, Jenson after all would be on at least 63 points and leading the championship were it not for two bad results, one of his own making. He's not prone to errors and I'm sure McLaren will get on top of their problems sooner rather than later. We may well have to wait until well beyond Canada, maybe not till Silverstone before anyone starts to look like a favorite. I haven't even mentioned Mercedes, I really can't even second guess where they'll fit in over the entire season. We all know one thing, one good result doesn't make a season. Cheers everyone, I need more popcorn.