Found some video's on YouTube: [video=youtube;0eTXo5vt_Qw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eTXo5vt_Qw[/video] [video=youtube;41lwmjUxJn0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41lwmjUxJn0[/video] [video=youtube;DjGS4dcp9Lg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjGS4dcp9Lg[/video]
After 4 interesting races with the new regulations and unpredictable results I thought I would share an interesting stat. 2011 1 Sebastian Vettel 93 2 Lewis Hamilton 59 3 Mark Webber 55 4 Jenson Button 46 5 Fernando Alonso 41 2012 1 Sebastian Vettel 53 2 Lewis Hamilton 49 3 Mark Webber 48 4 Jenson Button 43 5 Fernando Alonso 43 Spot the difference!
Speed Traps<style type="text/css"> table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;} .tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;} </style> <table class="tableizer-table"> <tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Cla*</th><th>*Nº*</th><th>*Driver*</th><th>*Km/h*</th></tr> <tr><td>1</td><td>12*</td><td>Nico Hülkenberg</td><td>318.2</td></tr> <tr><td>2</td><td>10*</td><td>Romain Grosjean</td><td>318</td></tr> <tr><td>3</td><td>11*</td><td>Paul Di Resta</td><td>317.9</td></tr> <tr><td>4</td><td>9*</td><td>Kimi Räikkönen</td><td>317.8</td></tr> <tr><td>5</td><td>15*</td><td>Sergio Pérez</td><td>317.6</td></tr> <tr><td>6</td><td>4*</td><td>Lewis Hamilton</td><td>317.5</td></tr> <tr><td>7</td><td>14*</td><td>Kamui Kobayashi</td><td>316.8</td></tr> <tr><td>8</td><td>18*</td><td>Pastor Maldonado</td><td>315.9</td></tr> <tr><td>9</td><td>3*</td><td>Jenson Button</td><td>313.6</td></tr> <tr><td>10</td><td>8*</td><td>Nico Rosberg</td><td>312.9</td></tr> <tr><td>11</td><td>7*</td><td>M.Schumacher</td><td>312.6</td></tr> <tr><td>12</td><td>6*</td><td>Felipe Massa</td><td>312.5</td></tr> <tr><td>13</td><td>5*</td><td>Fernando Alonso</td><td>312.1</td></tr> <tr><td>14</td><td>21*</td><td>Vitaly Petrov</td><td>311.2</td></tr> <tr><td>15</td><td>19*</td><td>Bruno Senna</td><td>310.6</td></tr> <tr><td>16</td><td>17*</td><td>Jean-Eric Vergne</td><td>309.1</td></tr> <tr><td>17</td><td>16*</td><td>Daniel Ricciardo</td><td>308.9</td></tr> <tr><td>18</td><td>2*</td><td>Mark Webber</td><td>307.4</td></tr> <tr><td>19</td><td>1*</td><td>Sebastian Vettel</td><td>307.2</td></tr> <tr><td>20</td><td>22*</td><td>Pedro de la Rosa</td><td>306.7</td></tr> <tr><td>21</td><td>23*</td><td>N.Karthikeyan</td><td>306.5</td></tr> <tr><td>22</td><td>20*</td><td>H.Kovalainen</td><td>305.5</td></tr> <tr><td>23</td><td>24*</td><td>Timo Glock</td><td>299.7</td></tr> <tr><td>24</td><td>25*</td><td>Charles Pic</td><td>293.9</td></tr></table> Fastest lap progression<style type="text/css"> table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;} .tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;} </style> <table class="tableizer-table"> <tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Cla*</th><th>*Nº*</th><th>*Driver*</th><th>*Car / Engine*</th><th>*Time*</th><th>*Evol*</th><th>*Lap*</th></tr> <tr><td>1*</td><td>1*</td><td>Sebastian Vettel</td><td>Red Bull/Renault</td><td>1'40.201</td><td> </td><td>2</td></tr> <tr><td>2*</td><td>2*</td><td>Mark Webber</td><td>Red Bull/Renault</td><td>1'40.183</td><td>0.018</td><td>11</td></tr> <tr><td>3*</td><td>3*</td><td>Jenson Button</td><td>McLaren/Mercedes</td><td>1'39.807</td><td>0.376</td><td>11</td></tr> <tr><td>4*</td><td>15*</td><td>Sergio Pérez</td><td>Sauber/Ferrari</td><td>1'39.771</td><td>0.036</td><td>11</td></tr> <tr><td>5*</td><td>1*</td><td>Sebastian Vettel</td><td>Red Bull/Renault</td><td>1'39.275</td><td>0.496</td><td>13</td></tr> <tr><td>6*</td><td>9*</td><td>Kimi Räikkönen</td><td>Lotus/Renault</td><td>1'39.088</td><td>0.187</td><td>14</td></tr> <tr><td>7*</td><td>9*</td><td>Kimi Räikkönen</td><td>Lotus/Renault</td><td>1'38.995</td><td>0.093</td><td>15</td></tr> <tr><td>8*</td><td>4*</td><td>Lewis Hamilton</td><td>McLaren/Mercedes</td><td>1'38.931</td><td>0.064</td><td>25</td></tr> <tr><td>9*</td><td>9*</td><td>Kimi Räikkönen</td><td>Lotus/Renault</td><td>1'38.165</td><td>0.766</td><td>26</td></tr> <tr><td>10*</td><td>1*</td><td>Sebastian Vettel</td><td>Red Bull/Renault</td><td>1'38.157</td><td>0.008</td><td>27</td></tr> <tr><td>11*</td><td>4*</td><td>Lewis Hamilton</td><td>McLaren/Mercedes</td><td>1'37.733</td><td>0.424</td><td>38</td></tr> <tr><td>12*</td><td>1*</td><td>Sebastian Vettel</td><td>Red Bull/Renault</td><td>1'36.379</td><td>1.354</td><td>41</td></tr></table>
Top 20 lap times - With Red Bull, Lotus and Sauber dominating<style type="text/css"> table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;} .tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;} </style> <table class="tableizer-table"> <tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Rank</th><th>Driver</th><th>Time</th><th>Lap #</th></tr> <tr><td>1</td><td>VET</td><td>1:36.379</td><td>41</td></tr> <tr><td>2</td><td>KOB</td><td>1:36.700</td><td>54</td></tr> <tr><td>3</td><td>GRO</td><td>1:36.928</td><td>42</td></tr> <tr><td>4</td><td>GRO</td><td>1:36.971</td><td>43</td></tr> <tr><td>5</td><td>KOB</td><td>1:37.020</td><td>53</td></tr> <tr><td>6</td><td>VET</td><td>1:37.036</td><td>42</td></tr> <tr><td>7</td><td>VET</td><td>1:37.057</td><td>50</td></tr> <tr><td>8</td><td>VER</td><td>1:37.058</td><td>43</td></tr> <tr><td>9</td><td>KOB</td><td>1:37.063</td><td>52</td></tr> <tr><td>10</td><td>VET</td><td>1:37.066</td><td>43</td></tr> <tr><td>11</td><td>VET</td><td>1:37.071</td><td>49</td></tr> <tr><td>12</td><td>RAI</td><td>1:37.116</td><td>41</td></tr> <tr><td>13</td><td>VER</td><td>1:37.140</td><td>42</td></tr> <tr><td>14</td><td>KOB</td><td>1:37.145</td><td>55</td></tr> <tr><td>15</td><td>KOB</td><td>1:37.254</td><td>56</td></tr> <tr><td>16</td><td>GRO</td><td>1:37.259</td><td>47</td></tr> <tr><td>17</td><td>RAI</td><td>1:37.264</td><td>47</td></tr> <tr><td>18</td><td>RAI</td><td>1:37.277</td><td>42</td></tr> <tr><td>19</td><td>RAI</td><td>1:37.280</td><td>49</td></tr> <tr><td>20</td><td>GRO</td><td>1:37.299</td><td>48</td></tr></table>
Sauber sucked. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99082 Kobayashi was only fast because he made a late pitstop.
Not sure if Genji posted this earlier or whether he posted the qualifying one, but here's the team radio from the race: [video=dailymotion;xqarur]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqarur_2012-f1-bahrain-grand-prix-pit-channel-team-radio-highlights_auto[/video]
<style type="text/css"> table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;} .tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;} </style> <table class="tableizer-table"> <tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Cla </th><th> Nº </th><th> Driver </th><th> Car / Engine </th><th> Laps </th><th> Time </th><th> Delay/Retirement</th></tr> <tr><td>4</td><td>2 </td><td>Mark Webber</td><td>Red Bull/Renault</td><td>57</td><td>1:35'49.778</td><td>38.788</td></tr> <tr><td>5</td><td>8 </td><td>Nico Rosberg</td><td>Mercedes</td><td>57</td><td>1:36'06.450</td><td>55.460</td></tr> <tr><td>6</td><td>11 </td><td>Paul Di Resta</td><td>Force India/Mercedes</td><td>57</td><td>1:36'08.533</td><td>57.543</td></tr> <tr><td>7</td><td>5 </td><td>Fernando Alonso</td><td>Ferrari</td><td>57</td><td>1:36'08.793</td><td>57.803</td></tr> <tr><td>8</td><td>4 </td><td>Lewis Hamilton</td><td>McLaren/Mercedes</td><td>57</td><td>1:36'09.974</td><td>58.984</td></tr></table> take away just one of those 2 dodgy stops and how different the result could have been Would even have a different championship leader (I think)
I've not read the thread as thisw is my first brief opportunity to contribute this weekend. I thought it was a good spectator's race, with plenty of excitement. I've given it an 8 in our awards thread, despite Bahrain having a track with a reputation only matched by Valencia. Very poor show from McLaren, who appear to have a mechanic on Left Rear who gets his threads crossed - a bit like not606 perhaps! (that's a poor joke and I have no time to hunt for a more appropriate 'smiley'!). Some exceptional driving in both the best and worst senses: Rosberg's defending was not clever but Hamilton still passing despite being run off the track was reminiscent of the heroics from a bygone era. Lotus have made a leap forward and Räikkönen was impressive, despite missing his one opportunity to pass worthy winner Vettel, who defended very cleverly (unlike Rosberg). In the other Lotus, Grosjean also did a great job. I was especially impressed by di Resta in a 'midfield car' - who bagged a very worthy 6th place for Force India! I will finish by speaking of Shoe me. What a shame he has finally said (not in so many words) what many of us have suspected for some time: that he cannot get to grips with these tyres which require intelligence and skill, and is criticizing F1 for producing entertaining racing as a result of them! His comment is evidence - if ever it was needed - that he is in the wrong era. It's a bit like having Sir Stirling Moss there saying he thinks its all a bit too safe. F1 moves on; but inevitably, some drivers can't keep up… Hang up your helmet Schumacher: you're in a car that may be capable of winning a Championship, but it is clear which one of you is more likely to achieve it. (P.S. have you been coaching him in how to defend?)
Rosberg said the same about the tyres. The only difference is that what Schumacher says is hold against him. I actually like the "new" Schumi, strongly disliked the "old" one, but i think with the tyres you will soon see a really split F1 community. One like those rubbers, the others strongly dislike them, just watch other internet fan sites.
I can understand why people are becoming concerned that the tyre is always the story of the race but in truth that's always been the case. From recent extremes like USA 2005 to Canada 2010, the car's interface with the circuit is how races are won and lost. The difference now is that F1 very publicly engaged a new supplier to deliberately develop a tyre that would go off during a race instead of long after it had finished, and that has provided a very public scapegoat for teams and drivers who are struggling more than others to adapt. Schumacher's entire reputation is built on a period when the driver was less important than at any other time, when his job was simply to bomb it round the track at 100% and let the pit wall do the thinking and the car management. I think that's a tester's job, not a GP driver's. The Mercedes W03 has a worryingly narrow setup window in which they can make the tyres work for them - they either burn them out or can't get them up to temperature. That's a car design issue. These are the reasons behind Schumacher's and Rosberg's complaints. In China we saw a stealth race build up carefully and then explode in the last dozen laps with overtaking left, right and centre as first Raikkonen's and then Vettel's tyres went off while Rosberg cruised imperiously to victory. In Bahrain it was Vettel and Raikkonen who held the upper hand while Rosberg struggled. The tyres were as important in determining these results as tyres have ever been but more to the point is that some cars and some drivers can adapt better than others to certain track and weather conditions. The tyres are a common factor. They're the same for everyone. How the cars and drivers use them in specific circumstances is the determining factor, and on what the focus should be. I may change my mind if one car or one driver comes to the fore and starts winning all the races while everyone else struggles to make them last ten laps but, as long as the tyres are showing up differences in circuits and ambient conditions, then I think Pirelli have done exactly what they were asked to and it's hugely positive for F1. Four different winners in four races, potentially the most exciting season ever, and tyres the main talking point: join the dots. EDIT: As an addendum to this, Pirelli is risking a significant negative impact to its reputation in delivering tyres that 'don't last' despite them being in accordance with the demands of FOM, the FIA, FOTA (I believe) and the fans' response to questionnaires. Pirelli has to be protected from criticism within the sport, especially publicly and from drivers who should know better. It is unacceptable for Schumacher to express such gripes publicly, and I hope he is roundly castigated and brought to book for it. In post-race interviews drivers and teams should be defending tyre degradation as part of the show.
My avatar's in Genji's sig! I think Pirelli have done an excellent job, the tyres are perfect apart from the excessive marbling. They really spice things up, with the field being so tight and the tyres and cars reacting differently to each circuit and differing weather the order can change quite dramatically. I think this makes for an excellent championship, lots of different drivers in with a shout and a lot of pressure on the drivers to make sure they win when they have the opportunity. Race wins are harder to come by as well, qualifying is still a test of raw speed, obviously the higher up the grid you qualify the easier your race is going to be, the drivers are under pressure to really nail their laps all through quali as well because they don't want to use more tyres than they have to. Then in the race it's striking a balance between speed and preserving the tyres, cars with better quali speed then have a job to do in the race holding off better race cars, and vice versa, and the increased number of pitstops mean the driver often has traffic to clear at important stages of the race. I think there will be lower deg races where the drivers can push a bit more as well, Monaco will be one, Valencia will probably be a boring sprint race as well, so it's all about the drivers adapting. I think it's spot on.
I do have some sympathies with Schumacher, in that F1 is changing into more of an obstacle course rather than a show of raw talent. It's all very well spicing up races to provide more entertainment, more overtaking and making drivers manage their cars rather than going flat out, but for me that gives a false perspective and puts more emphasis on the car. It also allows one maker to dominate which no-one wants to see. So far this year we've had some good racing, but I am worried about the direction it's going.
Formula 1 shouldn't be a show of raw talent. It should be a display of highly developed ability in many different areas. The introduction of refuelling in the 90s created a false perspective in which raw speed and only raw speed mattered and, by forcing everyone onto the same strategy, it produced unvarying processional races. The Mercedes W03 is widely acknowledged to be the worst car of the top half of the field in terms of tyre degradation and yet it won the third race and it won it on a two-stop strategy. Far from allowing one maker to dominate, we've had four different manufacturers winning in the first four races this season. That hasn't happened since 1983.
I both like and dislike the tyres. I'm glad it forces people onto miss matched strategies but when it gets the the stage where driver's dare not go as fast as they or their cars can go for fear of destroying tyres its gone to far. I'm not sure what the best tyre situation would be but I'm pretty sure we're currently not at it.
Just on a seperate note, did Roseberg 2 or 3 stop in Bahrain and if he did 3 stop (which I think he did) how did he jump Button - it wasn't shown/discussed on the race commentary?
Obviously I disagree on the point about restricting flat-out lights-to-flag hurtling. That aside, if they got rid of the stupid must-run-both-compounds rule and returned to something in the region of last year's compounds then you could have a one-stop hard/hard vs. a two-stop soft/hard/soft vs. a three-stop soft/soft/soft/soft battle. That would be even more intriguing than a two-stop vs. three-stop fight with forced compound usage.
