Korean GP

Since no one has started a thread for the actual race, I thought I'd start it. Basically, the track will be brand new, with many here concerned whether it will hold up under F1 traffic. We don't know what the attendance will be like although I hope some of the US servicemen will be able to attend. The asphalt will be green no doubt, although I am hoping it has been laid properly, as discussed in the other thread.

Racing will be keen, as Fernando and Vettel are tied 14 points each behind the Aussi, with Lewis Hamilton not totally out of it, although he'll probably need a lot of luck to make headway on the front three.

Which cars will this track suit? Whose engines and/or gearboxes will play up this stage of the season?

I´m curious of ferraris engine situation, will the engines hold for another race.

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Originally Posted by Mia 01

I´m curious of ferraris engine situation, will the engines hold for another race.

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Good question! and what about McLaren's gearbox?

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Originally Posted by Mia 01

I´m curious of ferraris engine situation, will the engines hold for another race.

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They do not need to hold for another race but for another 3 races. Hopefully they don't. :D

I'm hoping for a LH win, with JB & FA joining him on the podium. Stick SV in at 4th & MW down at 10th, and the top 4 would be separated by 4 points with only 2 races to go. Standings would be (if my calcs are right):

MW 221
FA 221
SV 218
LH 217
JB 207

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Originally Posted by Firstgear

I'm hoping for a LH win, with JB & FA joining him on the podium. Stick SV in at 4th & MW down at 10th, and the top 4 would be separated by 4 points with only 2 races to go. Standings would be (if my calcs are right):

MW 221
FA 221
SV 218
LH 217
JB 207

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That is not outside the realm of possibility.
If Webber has a bad result, or a DNF, and either the Boss or Button win in Korea they are right back in the thick of things.
Nothing is over!

I have doubts that the dirt work bedding that the track is laid upon is up to specification in all areas. I think the tires will wear out quickly. I hope Webber wins the next 2 races.

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Originally Posted by Mia 01

I´m curious of ferraris engine situation, will the engines hold for another race.

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Very good point. We had a thread on here a few weeks back (can't find it now though) which suggested Mark Webber had the most new engines available. Clearly with Ferrari running old units it is possible/likely that we won't see their true pace at any of the final tracks until Q3.

I haven't been this excited about a season run-in in years!

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Originally Posted by Fiero 5.7

I have doubts that the dirt work bedding that the track is laid upon is up to specification in all areas.

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Interesting. I would like to have some more info if possible.

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Originally Posted by Mia 01

I´m curious of ferraris engine situation, will the engines hold for another race.

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Very good point. We had a thread on here a few weeks back (can't find it now though) which suggested Mark Webber had the most new engines available. Clearly with Ferrari running old units it is possible/likely that we won't see their true pace at any of the final tracks until Q3.

I haven't been this excited about a season run-in in years!

Looking at the layout I think its going to be nip and tuck between Ferrari and Red Bull, could be very interesting.

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Originally Posted by ioan

Interesting. I would like to have some more info if possible.

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Me too! I've never heard of dirt work bedding before - this might be ground breaking stuff. :p :

http://eurosport.yahoo.com/video/141...a-circuit.html

i like the track and if this is how the area is going to look in a few years time, it will be a spectacular venue.
turn one is going to be tight bit that long straight right after will be exciting and most probably provide some good racing. one more week until friday practice :)

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Originally Posted by Sonic

Very good point. We had a thread on here a few weeks back (can't find it now though) which suggested Mark Webber had the most new engines available.

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The full stats are here (click the "engines" tab, obviously):
http://www.vivaf1.com/engine.php

Of the championship contenders, Webber's on his 7th unit while all the others are on 8 so an unscheduled change would see them penalised.

Ferrari had an issue at the start of the season, but it appears to be under control now. Much as I'd like to see Alonso lose the championship, I want a fair fight on track and not to have the title decided by failures.

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Originally Posted by Dave B

The full stats are here (click the "engines" tab, obviously):
http://www.vivaf1.com/engine.php

Of the championship contenders, Webber's on his 7th unit while all the others are on 8 so an unscheduled change would see them penalised.

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Actually looking at those numbers, Webber's advantage is only slight.

The McLaren and Mercedes cars all have the Spa and Suzuka engines with only 1 race on them, so for Korea, Brazil and Abu Dhabi they could be using engines on their 2nd, 2nd and 3rd races respectively.

Webber has at least 2 races on all the 7 engines he's used, but with 1 unused he'll do the last 3 races using engines on their 1st, 2nd and 3rd races.

Vettel has the Suzuka engine with one race on it, and some from earlier in the season with 2 races each. So his last 3 races will be using engines on their 2nd, 3rd and 3rd races.

Massa has the Spa engine with 1 race on it. The Monza engine has 1 race plus Singapore qualy on it, but since it was changed I'd assume it won't be re-used, even though it would be allowed at the final race. He has a couple of other engines with 2 races on them. So having taken the penalty he's in the same position as Vettel now.

Alonso has the Spa engine with one race, plus only one other with 2 races, so he's looking at using engines on their 2nd/3rd/3rd races too. But he's more vulnerable if he loses an engine, because he could have to choose to either take a penalty or make an engine last 4 races.

The guys with the real advantage are Reubens plus the two Renaults. They all have their Suzuka engines with only 1 race, plus a fresh one, so they'll be doing 1st/2nd/2nd for the remaining races. Shame for Reubens that his is only a Cosworth :)

(For several drivers engine 1 has only done one race, but I'm guessing that will have been used for practices since.)

Edit: I just realised that Webber, who's only used 7 engines, is actually more vulnerable in the event of an engine failure than the 4 Mercedes-engined cars. If, hypothetically, they all use their least-used engines in Korea and all blow them up during the race, then the Macs/Mercs would still be have 2nd race/3rd race engines for Brazil and Abu Dhabi. Whereas Webber would fall back to 3rd/3rd because all his other engines have 2 races on already.

Having driven the track in the F1 2010 game I personally think Red Bull are going to walk it. Sure there is the long straight down to the hairpin Turn 3 but then the next section is stop start through turns 4 to 6 before opening up. From then on it's all Red Bull country with fast sweepers and corners that tighten. Aero and low speed grip will be critical so I think we'll see RBR followed by Ferrari and McLaren then weekend. I expect the McLarens to be quickest through sector 1 but lose it all in sector 3.

Personally I don't like the layout that much. In the game there are 7 corners in 1 lap where you're scrabbling for grip in acceleration out of 2nd gear corners (T1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15), thats not a good ratio. The whole lap just feels like you're just getting going and have to slow down for a damn 2nd gear corner again.

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Originally Posted by AndyL

Actually looking at those numbers, Webber's advantage is only slight.

The McLaren and Mercedes cars all have the Spa and Suzuka engines with only 1 race on them, so for Korea, Brazil and Abu Dhabi they could be using engines on their 2nd, 2nd and 3rd races respectively.

Webber has at least 2 races on all the 7 engines he's used, but with 1 unused he'll do the last 3 races using engines on their 1st, 2nd and 3rd races.

Vettel has the Suzuka engine with one race on it, and some from earlier in the season with 2 races each. So his last 3 races will be using engines on their 2nd, 3rd and 3rd races.

Massa has the Spa engine with 1 race on it. The Monza engine has 1 race plus Singapore qualy on it, but since it was changed I'd assume it won't be re-used, even though it would be allowed at the final race. He has a couple of other engines with 2 races on them. So having taken the penalty he's in the same position as Vettel now.

Alonso has the Spa engine with one race, plus only one other with 2 races, so he's looking at using engines on their 2nd/3rd/3rd races too. But he's more vulnerable if he loses an engine, because he could have to choose to either take a penalty or make an engine last 4 races.

The guys with the real advantage are Reubens plus the two Renaults. They all have their Suzuka engines with only 1 race, plus a fresh one, so they'll be doing 1st/2nd/2nd for the remaining races. Shame for Reubens that his is only a Cosworth :)

(For several drivers engine 1 has only done one race, but I'm guessing that will have been used for practices since.)

Edit: I just realised that Webber, who's only used 7 engines, is actually more vulnerable in the event of an engine failure than the 4 Mercedes-engined cars. If, hypothetically, they all use their least-used engines in Korea and all blow them up during the race, then the Macs/Mercs would still be have 2nd race/3rd race engines for Brazil and Abu Dhabi. Whereas Webber would fall back to 3rd/3rd because all his other engines have 2 races on already.

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For some resons they cán´t use engines older than two month or was it three.

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Originally Posted by AndyL

Actually looking at those numbers, Webber's advantage is only slight.

The McLaren and Mercedes cars all have the Spa and Suzuka engines with only 1 race on them, so for Korea, Brazil and Abu Dhabi they could be using engines on their 2nd, 2nd and 3rd races respectively.

Webber has at least 2 races on all the 7 engines he's used, but with 1 unused he'll do the last 3 races using engines on their 1st, 2nd and 3rd races.

Vettel has the Suzuka engine with one race on it, and some from earlier in the season with 2 races each. So his last 3 races will be using engines on their 2nd, 3rd and 3rd races.

Massa has the Spa engine with 1 race on it. The Monza engine has 1 race plus Singapore qualy on it, but since it was changed I'd assume it won't be re-used, even though it would be allowed at the final race. He has a couple of other engines with 2 races on them. So having taken the penalty he's in the same position as Vettel now.

Alonso has the Spa engine with one race, plus only one other with 2 races, so he's looking at using engines on their 2nd/3rd/3rd races too. But he's more vulnerable if he loses an engine, because he could have to choose to either take a penalty or make an engine last 4 races.

The guys with the real advantage are Reubens plus the two Renaults. They all have their Suzuka engines with only 1 race, plus a fresh one, so they'll be doing 1st/2nd/2nd for the remaining races. Shame for Reubens that his is only a Cosworth :)

(For several drivers engine 1 has only done one race, but I'm guessing that will have been used for practices since.)

Edit: I just realised that Webber, who's only used 7 engines, is actually more vulnerable in the event of an engine failure than the 4 Mercedes-engined cars. If, hypothetically, they all use their least-used engines in Korea and all blow them up during the race, then the Macs/Mercs would still be have 2nd race/3rd race engines for Brazil and Abu Dhabi. Whereas Webber would fall back to 3rd/3rd because all his other engines have 2 races on already.

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Shouldn't you be doing some homework?

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Originally Posted by Mia 01

For some resons they cán´t use engines older than two month or was it three.

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Termites!! They eat everything. :(

oh joy- after the delights of Suzuka comes another Herman Tilke bore-a-drome. Am sure it will look very nice, and with one man and his dog in the stands they'll look quite good as well

I haven't played the F1 game yet- does this have the regulation bump on the start/finish straight?

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Originally Posted by djparky

oh joy- after the delights of Suzuka comes another Herman Tilke bore-a-drome. Am sure it will look very nice, and with one man and his dog in the stands they'll look quite good as well

I haven't played the F1 game yet- does this have the regulation bump on the start/finish straight?

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you sound like just another hater with the typical preconceived notions of where and what an F1 race should be. I am no tilke fan usually, but I can be man enough to reserve my judgment until after the race.

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Originally Posted by truefan72

you sound like just another hater with the typical preconceived notions of where and what an F1 race should be. I am no tilke fan usually, but I can be man enough to reserve my judgment until after the race.

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:up:

It looks to be a track with a lot of potential to even things out between the strong and weak handling cars. Someone with an effective F Duct system should do well there, as the long straights will favor the low downforce cars. I suspect that the cars not using the F Duct will be in very low downforce trim, near to Monza setups.

Then again, until we see cars on track it's hard to say what passing opportunities exist in the sections of the course with a lot of turns.

As for crowds, it's always nice to see packed stands, but overall it doesn't affect the quality of the track or race IMO.

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Originally Posted by airshifter

It looks to be a track with a lot of potential to even things out between the strong and weak handling cars. Someone with an effective F Duct system should do well there, as the long straights will favor the low downforce cars. I suspect that the cars not using the F Duct will be in very low downforce trim, near to Monza setups.

Then again, until we see cars on track it's hard to say what passing opportunities exist in the sections of the course with a lot of turns.

As for crowds, it's always nice to see packed stands, but overall it doesn't affect the quality of the track or race IMO.

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yep. Good points.

I guess the excitement is that we don't know anything until Friday practice. Even the way the world feed chooses to show the track and from what angles adds to my curiosity.

I wonder what they serve for lunch? Bulgogi with Kimchi? I wonder if they still mix barley with rice there. And I just wonder how many pit crew dare to eat live Octopus! :eek:

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Originally Posted by Valve Bounce

I wonder what they serve for lunch? Bulgogi with Kimchi? I wonder if they still mix barley with rice there. And I just wonder how many pit crew dare to eat live Octopus! :eek:

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I'm pretty sure the team cooks are more than well aware of the Brits' unimaginative appetites and are planning to supplement for that when preparing the team lunches. :p

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Originally Posted by Duchess

I'm pretty sure the team cooks are more than well aware of the Brits' unimaginative appetites and are planning to supplement for that when preparing the team lunches. :p

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Cooked cow is so much better than raw fish. Actual fact.

Here's a like to the frequently updated blog of Ian Fergusson with a detailed weather forecast for the weekend:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/weather/i...recast-k.shtml

The main predictions (subject to change as he freely admits in the blog!):

Friday: CONFIDENCE HIGH: Sunny spells and dry. Chance of PPN 5%. Max 21C. Becoming breezy. Wind ENE.

Saturday: CONFIDENCE LOW:Bright start but turningcloudier during the day. Noticeably breezy again. On balance likely to remain dry, but low-moderate potential for outbreaks of rain to arrive later in day, turning heavy at times overnight. Chance of PPN 40%. Max 20C. Wind brisk ENE.

Sunday: CONFIDENCE LOW: Mostly cloudy. Potential for further outbreaks of rain through the morning albeit some models persist with an entirely dry outlook, only bringing rain later into the evening. Middle ground approach: overnight rain from Saturday clearing during AM? Chance of PPN 50%. Max 21C. Breezy. Wind brisk ENE.

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Originally Posted by Sonic

Cooked cow is so much better than raw fish. Actual fact.

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Actually, these guys eat the live Octopus for STAMINA. As for cooked cow being better than raw fish, it's all a matter of taste.

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Originally Posted by Valve Bounce

Actually, these guys eat the live Octopus for STAMINA. As for cooked cow being better than raw fish, it's all a matter of taste.

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Speaking of Paul the Octopus, it's time to start laying some Sig bets down.

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...b1c65b21ad.jpg


Mr. Alcatraz will consider all propositions! :s mokin:

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Originally Posted by Mr Alcatraz

Speaking of Paul the Octopus, it's time to start laying some Sig bets down.

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...b1c65b21ad.jpg


Mr. Alcatraz will consider all propositions! :s mokin:

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OK! I'll back Bunsen

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Originally Posted by Valve Bounce

OK! I'll back Bunsen

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Against Fred? Or for the whole ball of wax? :eek:

From the fp1 feed Fred actually looks a little nervous. maybe he has a good reasonn to be. :dozey:

25 minutes into FP1: Sakon Yamamoto goes top of the timing screens by 10 seconds.

Doubt I'll ever have occasion to say that again!

Fred is acting like he isn't even going to get in the car for fp1.They probably bolted on a lump good for about 15 laps. :cool:

so much for the naysayers. track looks good. actually it seems to be a terrific track. Was excited when those williams went 1-2. Was even more excited when Hamilton put in a blinder of lap after sitting out most of the session.
I like the circuit, fast straights and a couple of really cool fast corners, also that final sector and especially that mini parabolica to the start-finish straight is pretty darn cool. Got to give credit where it is due. Tilke built a good circuit

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Originally Posted by Mr Alcatraz

Against Fred? Or for the whole ball of wax? :eek:

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This is the way it works: I pick a runner and you pick a runner. The loser has to wear the sig the winner chooses. Got it?

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Originally Posted by truefan72

so much for the naysayers. track looks good. actually it seems to be a terrific track. Was excited when those williams went 1-2. Was even more excited when Hamilton put in a blinder of lap after sitting out most of the session.
I like the circuit, fast straights and a couple of really cool fast corners, also that final sector and especially that mini parabolica to the start-finish straight is pretty darn cool. Got to give credit where it is due. Tilke built a good circuit

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Actually, the Koreans built the track - Tilke only designed it. But I can safely tell you that Mr Kim was the guy operating the paver spreader and Mr Park the roller, and Mr Lee was the supervisor.

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Originally Posted by Valve Bounce

This is the way it works: I pick a runner and you pick a runner. The loser has to wear the sig the winner chooses. Got it?

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Not exactly old bean! Does the winner have to win the race, or just finnish ahead of the other guys pick? :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Mr Alcatraz

Not exactly old bean! Does the winner have to win the race, or just finnish ahead of the other guys pick? :rolleyes:

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Ahead - and I usually consult my co-sig bettors before we agree on a mutually satisfying sig. However, I am very reluctant, at the moment to relinquish my current sig. So we may have an impasse.