2012 Indian Grand Prix

[AndyL]

Two practice sessions down and Red Bull are looking strong, topping both sessions - by half a second in P2. I hope the others can keep up and make a race of it.

Red Bull have also been dead last on top speed in both sessions.

We have a little bit of controversy already: the Ferrari cars are carrying the ensign of the Italian Navy, apparently in support of two Italian marines who are awaiting trial in India for killing two fishermen who they mistook for pirates. The potential to offend the host nation is obvious. F1 is supposed to avoid national politics so I can see the FIA taking a dim view of it as well.

[F1boat]

Things look good for Vettel, but it is very hard to win four races in a row, so we have to wait and see what happens...

[Big Ben]

The turn this season takes makes me sick

[Firstgear]

Earlier in the season we had all kinds of different teams up front with many different winners. But that was no good - because the races were deemed lotteries.

Now we have Red Bull up front for more than two consecutive races - and that's no good, because the show is getting boring.

Between these two extremes lies a valley. It's probably wider than the prairies I live in. Somewhere in that valley is a very thin razer's edge, and if the mix in races ever stays on that razer's edge - that tiny little sweet spot - everybody will be happy.

Think it will ever happen?

[Big Ben]

bla bla bla... I don't care for the show. I just hate it's justin bieber again

[Tazio]

The RB definitely looked like they were on rails. Felipe seems to have relapsed into Massamnesia :
Alonso didn't really get a clean lap on soft's until his 3rd flying lap, once because of traffic in s3 and the second was his own mistake that I think might have taken a little out of his tires. McLaren will find time in quali, and Kimi looked hooked up and smooth on his soft fliers. Unfortunately for all of them RB will also find more Q speed.

[mstillhere]

Obviously I don't agree with the opinions posted in here. When Vettel was 30 points behind Alonso it was possible, almost given for the German driver to come back. But now that Alonso is SIX points behind....WOW!!! Six points? forget it. RB won the championship. I bet you if it were LH six points behind many of you would be saying very different things right now.

You guys need to look at the big picture. That's what happened today:

Look at Vettel's run compared to Alonso's:

Vettel:

LAP # TIME POSTED
17 1:37.524
18 1:26.921
19 1:58.200
20 1:26.221

Alonso:

12 1:33.745
13 1:36.859
14 1:27.093
15 1:40.134
16 1:26.964
17 1:40.976
18 1:26.820

Do you notice anything?

To me that means that Alonso was on a short run while Vettel was on a one lap time. Furthermore, Alonso reached the times posted 3 laps before Vettel hit the track, it was definetly dryer. On top of that Alonso made a mistake that cost him some time.

Something interesting:

Webber was posting better times than Vettel:


13 1:27.339
14 1:53.966
15 1:27.274
16 1:39.240
17 1:26.339

Finally, on the final long run RB seems to be very constant but Ferrari seem to do better:

Vettel:
23 1:33.071
24 1:32.873
25 1:33.083
26 1:38.318
27 1:32.721
28 1:32.776
29 1:32.340
30 1:32.340
31 1:39.095
32 1:31.607
33 1:41.190
34 1:31.212

Alonso:
23 2:11.621
24 1:32.644
25 1:32.829
26 1:32.090
27 1:32.288
28 1:32.331
29 1:32.349
30 1:31.997
31 1:35.313
32 1:31.954
33 1:31.559

So, if you guys base your judgement just on the Fri practice well you might be surprised on Sunday.

[Tazio]

Take it easy tiger. My observation of the heavy fuel run of Alonso was that his F2012 was much calmer than on light, Alonso attacked the circuit every turn and the car was under complete control. I don't think that Alonso was running quite as heavy as RB or McLaren, but I could be wrong. Either way I think Ferrari will have excellent race pace. If Alonso gets to q3 and puts in a perfect lap I think he will have a good chance at a win. If he qualifies behind both RB's and a McLaren it will be business as usual. I'm just glad I switched to my lucky avatar; it could be the difference

I think strategy will be very big in this race, plus I'm not counting "The Boss" out, in fact I think he has an excellent chance at a podium.
Who freakin’ knows Kimi could win it with a one stopper!

If Alonso finishes one position behind Vettel this race I consider that an excellent outcome, as I think Ferrari is in a better position reliability wise. Whether that is true or not the championship will definitely still be on.
Maybe I'll watch the race and draw my conclusions after it’s over.

BTW

the Ferrari cars are carrying the ensign of the Italian Navy, apparently in support of two Italian marines

B## F###### D###! nore:

[zako85]

Even when the race result can be predictable, I do enjoy watching most races, as the show is usually good. The landscapes on the India race track are beautiful, and there can a lot of action in mid-field. Do not discount the possibilities of accidents, breakdowns, and botched pit stops.

[gloomyDAY]

Did Massa forget the track direction?