Here's the standings with 7 crucial races left... who's going to win it ?
1 Mark Webber 161
2 Lewis Hamilton 157
3 Sebastian Vettel 151
4 Jenson Button 147
5 Fernando Alonso 141
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Here's the standings with 7 crucial races left... who's going to win it ?
1 Mark Webber 161
2 Lewis Hamilton 157
3 Sebastian Vettel 151
4 Jenson Button 147
5 Fernando Alonso 141
Vettel will smarten up his act, he is fastest on the track in that car, and he will win. :(
Before the start of the season I reckoned that Alonso would win, but now Webber is looking the strongest.
Nevertheless, the strength that will in my view win out in the end is Ferrari - they know how to win championships and WILL do what they have to.
I vote for Alonso - also because in the RB6 yesterday, he would have driven away.
Although if Webber does win - it would be another amazing racing story - Jense then Webber? You could not write this stuff!
Championships are won by the canniest.Quote:
Originally Posted by Valve Bounce
Several times Vettel made driving errors yesterday - Webber reminded me of Niki Lauda when HE used to circulate lap after lap from start to finish like a metronome.
I just LOVED watching Webber's driving yesterday. Describing someone driving Lauda-like is for me the highest compliment I can pay.
Two McLarens and two Redbull have 10 points deficit one another. All of them have nearly the same chance on winning.
Provided Ferrari in the next races can perform with some improvement, Alonso would be there challenging the title. Team can easily send another messages to Massa. :)
Bit too close to call at the moment - isn't it great!
But Vettel for all his problems this year is only 10 points behind. I think he'll nick it in the end.
I'm thinking Webber because he's driving the best car. Vettel is making too many errors to put together a WDC winning year and Mark has the experience which could see him through.
If McLaren get their qualifying pace sorted then Hamilton & Button may be serious contenders, but as more races pass into the history books a second title for either of them is looking less likely.
Alonso's the outsider for me, even with Massa's support.
Still...a lot can, and probably will, change!!
You could have said he drove like Bunsen. :p : :D :rotflmao:Quote:
Originally Posted by Saint Devote
It's quite incredible to think that if there's a chaotic Belgian Grand Prix, any of those drivers could exit the race with the championship lead.
The last two European races will suit McLaren a lot more than Hungaroring, that is for sure.
Indeed :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Valve Bounce
Webber and Jense have in recent times had some great dices - remember those last ten laps at Yas Marina in 2009? Superb!
Out of the 7 races remaining, 3 of those circuits IMO should suit the Mclaren, HOPEFULLY! (fingers crossed :D ). So, I'm going to say Hamilton, also because IMO he's the more talented one out of the four in contention. The three circuits I'm talking about are Spa, Monza and Suzuka.
Spa because this year's Mclaren has already delivered on high speed circuits, and Lewis goes well there. Monza because of the Mclaren's superior straightline speed, and Suzuka because they have a big upgrade coming up at Spa, and with 24 days to copy and implement the flexi wings, and other key elements I guess they'll close the gap and probably knock off a second or two off their lap times. And I'd vouch for Mclaren more than any other team to be able to do just that. Hopefully they can avoid any more mechanical failures.
This is one of the most interesting seasons in recent memory, where any one of the three teams can take it in the end. Can't wait!
Agreed. Most years at this point there's one driver with a pretty decent lead and the question is can he be caught by the end of the season. At this point, nobody can claim to have any particular advantage or claim to be 'out in front' with the others chasing.Quote:
Originally Posted by X-ecutioner
Webber, i think Vettel makes too many mistakes.
Now if the FIA fixes the "wing issue" so the playing field is now flatter for Mac, then Hamilton or maybe even FA is a better bet....
but until Mac steps up or FIA stomps down......that leaves Webber
but the stomp down may happen soon
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85817
Seems like a fair approach from the FIA!Quote:
Originally Posted by markabilly
I think Vettel will screw the nut and go on to win it by a close margin.
I think Webber or Hamilton. If the tracks coming suit Mclaren he will win a race or two and if not Webber will win them.
So for me it between those two, then, Vettel, Alonso, Button.
I said at the start of the season it would be Vettel and still think he will do it. Just needs to get his head out of his ass on race day and start converting on these great qualifying.
Hamilton. He's more mature and experienced than 07/08, and I think McLaren will just edge the other two in development, even though they're behind at the moment.
Hamilton Vs Webber for the champonship.
provided Mclaren's comeup with a decent car to close the gap in the next races, Lewis was pushing really hard that car to put it by the front runners.. I agree with many here Vettel makes too many mistakes and i dont like his fingering attitude, Fernando not quiet there [but they have team orders in place] , hmmmm for the last couple of races Mclaren looked alike a donkey for sure, Jenson is not a great champion as some of you here saying he has to put the foot down or he will be looking for a new drive next year, its not looking any good for him right now.
It seems as MacLaren have slipped back, even Renualt and Williams are now on pair with them. I voted Webber or Vettel.
It could still be Hamilton, but I think Webber will be champion.
He has the experience to get him through, and to resist the challenge of Vettel.
I think all will depend on how quick McLaren are at Spa and Monza. I expect them to win at Monza, but I expect a great battle at Spa between the top 3 teams, maybe even with Force India thrown in like last year. However if Red Bull can win at Monza then it's all over IMO.
Then Singapore is probably Hamilton's track, Suzuka should favour Red Bull and Ferrari, Korea is a crapshoot, Brazil I'd go for Button, Massa or Webber, and Abu Dhabi is anyone's I reckon.
Overall I think that Webber will be more consistent than Vettel, and even though Seb is possibly a bit quicker, Mark knows the tracks better, and after the year he's had, I don't think he'll let anybody snatch the title from his grasp.
Mclaren's biggest problem is not qualifying alone, it is also their race pace. At both Hockenheim and Hungaroring they could just not keep up.
The Mclaren's have a big problem with their front wing - whereas both Red Bull and Ferrari are ahead in rate of development.
The question is how likely will any possible restiction by the FIA on the flexible wings inhibit?
This actually even adds to the Mclaren dilemma - until Spa all that Red Bull and Ferrari need do is make an adjustment to account for the new test parameters and, not onlyhas Mclaren losy Pat Fry to Ferrari but Red Bull have Adrian Newey.
Mclaren still have to catch up with these two teams and the shut down will not help.
Mclaren does not appeaar to be a team that thinks laterally - and the loss of technical chief Fry is a significant blow.
I reckon at both Spa and Monza, they may be quickest in a straight line, but it is the downforce getting around the corners that makes all the difference. This is not oval racing.
Odds of either Jense or Hamilton becoming champion over Webber, Alonso and Vettel is pretty well non-existent.
The biggest mistake is not to consider Vettel as a real title contender this year.
He is the quickest driver in formula 1 today and drives a car that is quick at all types of circuit.
If only they didn't create a mess in Turkey redbull is now a one two in the standing. Perhaps this year we can give it to Webber, he has been around in F1 good while from Jaguar, BMW, Williams and now Redbull. Vettel still has long future. But if not careful, the young driver will snatch the title away. We are only in halfway of the season, those are not in the list still have enough chance. Don't write off Rosberg, he is strong, the mower..
There are 7 races to go, and a helluva lot of mega points for winners. One dnf and some other schmuck takes over the lead. I say, at this stage that the championship is wide open, depending on how FIA rulings may go for the rest of the season.
The front wing flex might equalise the teams, the WMSC hearing may seriously affect Ferrari, (or it may not), and some guy might get ingrown toenails that could affect his braking.
In olden days, a glimpse of stocking..............etc,etc,etc.... you know the rest.
you know he had to throw in some vaguely relevant historical referenceQuote:
Originally Posted by Valve Bounce
as to the WDC, it is too close to call, but if I was forced to give an answer I'd say it is going to come down to Webber or Hamilton. One more win for webber and poor result for Vettel will seal the deal on #1 status for this year. But I doubt Vettel would want to play wingman which might end up costing Webber. As to Hamilton, the situation is similar but for the fact that if Button were sorta out of it, he would probably help Hamilton more.
The dark horse and unknown factor is Alonso. He might still pull a kimi 2007 and come out of nowhere to take the championship.
I honestly believe that the WDC will be decided in the last race with 4 and maybe 5 guys with an opportunity to win it.
The spoiler role will be played by Williams, who I think might just be challenging for podiums by the end of the year.
Alonso may have points taken off him
http://www.planet-f1.com/news/3213/6...ri-for-hearing
I believe that this would be different to spygate as the drivers were involvedQuote:
The stewards declared Ferrari in breach of article 39.1 of the FIA 2010 sporting regulations that states 'team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited.'
They were also charged with a breach of article 151c of the FIA International Sporting Code.
That relates to 'any fraudulent conduct, or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally'.
Webber... pleeeeeaaaseeee??? Objectively though apart from some occasional brain fade (Melbourne, Valencia) he has done amazingly well. There's still a long way to go though, and Mclaren will light the afterburners at Monza and Suzuka.
Vettel will probably get it though :(
One team that has "lit the afterburners" is Ferrari - they began by enticing Pat Fry to the Scuderia - a big whack upside the head for Woking - and were the only other team to twig on what RBR were doing with their front wing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruf RGT-8
The FIA has been stepping on RBR innovation all year and is set to act once more - at this stage they are even stronger while Mclaren is at it slowest of the year - they have been overtaken on the rate of development by Ferrari as well.
There is some way to go but given how dominant Vettel was at Suzuka and his brilliant peformance at Monza in 2008, along with Alonso [especially at Monza] and that Webber is in the zone - I doubt Mclaren is going to play anything else BUT catchup for the remainder of the season.
Not to mention that the bookies had to pay out on Alonso winning, and he was at much shorter priced and possibly had more money bet on a win.Quote:
Originally Posted by thunderbolt
I am hopeful it won't be webber, but any of the top 5 is fine by me really.
Vettel is ultimately the fastest driver/car combination all year so he should win, as long as he concentrates on his own race and doesn't try to force others off the track! (Webber, Hamilton, Alonso etc).
However, a rapid technical progress by McLaren or Ferrari could see Alonso or Hamilton as WDC.
Button has a well deserved 0 votes on this pole so far!
err. not this year, that other guy has 4 wins and some spectacular drivers compared to the 2 by Vettel. I think there is nothing between them in terms of pace. Vettel may be a slightly better qualifier, but races are won on Sunday. He's has had a few terrible starts, a couple of mental errors and has no one to blame but himself for that.Quote:
Originally Posted by motetarip
Anyway, any of the top 5 have a shot to win. The WDc is earned on the track rather than who we think "should" win.
Races are indeed won on the Sunday. I would have thought if he's a better qualifier that would be an indication that (traffic aside) he is the quicker driver. Webber is capable of banzai performances in the race, for better or worse lolQuote:
Originally Posted by truefan72
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorspo...=1280844406791
Webber's rise puts humble pie on the menu
Quote:
come November, just possibly the purchaser of a very large carton of eggs - the contents to be smeared on the faces of those of us who wrote off Webber's now undisputed ability far more recklessly than he used to write off his rides.
There should not be ANY Mclaren driver included as likely to win the WDC this year. To have Hamilton ahead of Alonso AND Vettel is just ridiculous.
Underestimate the German driver at your peril. Sure he has gone through something of torrid period but remember also that this the same driver that beat a Mclaren in a Toro Rosso in the most incredible wet weather performance we have seen for a very long time.
Secondly, he is in a team that does not exactly guide its drivers as did Mclaren with the for years coddled Granadian-English driver Hamilton.
I expect Vettel to return in part 3 of teh season and to circuits he loves such as Monza and Suzuka refreshed and as the quickest driver in f1 these days who will win more than his current SEVEN pole positions and not make similar errors he has done.
The champion will be Vettel or Webber or Alonso but, anyone belieiving that Hamilton will win this year is merely continuing idiocy that people have over Hamilton: being besotted by him. Get a grip on reality!
Yes, but once again it was an error by Vettel that did it. I feel sorry for Sebastian, he receives bugger all good guidance from the pit - they ought to have watched over him on Sunday and avoided the penalty situation - and frequently stupid calls.Quote:
Originally Posted by motetarip
With a techincal team and pit wall as competent as Mclaren, Vettel would have been leading this championship with Webber - no contest.
If RBR do not win at least the title most coveted by their boss - the Constructors title but also the WDC, I expect Christian Horner will be booted out abd he wil deserve it.
RBR should hire Flavio Briatore - they WILL win the titles and Webber at least will also have a good ally and great friend in the team.
I still can't see Red Bull winning at Monza - they simply don't have the straight line speed to overtake people or keep them behind. If Hamilton or Button with their F-ducts get anywhere near a Red Bull, then there won't be a contest.
I'm not that convinced about Ferrari doing well there either, although I still think they will beat Red Bull.
I'm going to sound completely crazy and throw Force India and Toro Rosso in the mix for podiums. We know FI is great in low-downforce spec, and Toro Rosso have consitently had some of the quickest straight-line speeds, and they performed excellently at Montreal - a track where there are a lot more corners than Monza.
This is why I think the title race could be a lot closer than expected. Abu Dhabi and Brazil should suit McLaren and maybe Ferrari as well.
RBR "install" straightline speed when they need to. Just look how quick they were at Silverstone and they won there - and this was Mclaren WITH their f-duct - and at that time Hamilton qualified almost ONE SECOND slower than Vettel.Quote:
Originally Posted by woody2goody
Potentially, they are going to "wipe the floor" with Mclaren at Spa and Monza.