Both Vettel and Alonso tend to get better starts. Hamilton's only realistic chance to win the race, in my opinion âbarring the bizarreâ is to out-start both of them and be ahead by Turn 4: Something I feel is not likely. I believe both Red Bull and Ferrari actually do have the race pace, and that in fact they have surprised McLaren. Hamilton was wringing that car's neck and it's very difficult to imagine there is anything more in it. Furthermore, the odds of McLaren's pit-stops being slower must be pretty high, and both of his main opponents have been making better strategic calls than Hamilton for a long time. It'll be interesting to see how far Button can progress through the field, but he has been unable to get that car balanced and has been looking extremely untidy. Are you serious? The alien returned to haunt us? Unbelievable !⦠He is by far the worst motor-racing commentator I have ever heard. Presumably James Allen is on holiday, since I'm sure he doesn't cover anything else. I quite agree (as above).
Who? I'm going to guess it's a tongue in cheek about Hamilton, Max. And if so, in my opinion, he's far from useless! –It's just that I believe he has extracted everything the car can give, and is still slower; along with the other semi-negatives for him, which I've mentioned above. I very much hope I'm wrong because I've got £6 on him to win at 7/2! If you weren't referring to Hamilton, my apologies; but from your comment, I couldn't see anyone more obvious. Vettel and Alonso must be in with a very good shout. If Hamilton had put it on pole, I'd still have him as favourite –but he didn't (and I believe it is because the car had nothing more, which makes matters worse for him). I repeat: I hope I'm wrong. I would like to see yet another winner, and believe Hamilton has been rather short-changed from his team, so far, this season.
I agree cosicave, Lewis looked like he maxed it out but unlucky for him Seb did the same. Red bull was the big surprise here, I really thought pole was out of the question more than any other race. Seb is also looking good for race pace as he won't be hitting the limiter for the majority of the race while everybody else behind him should be coming up short on the final gear. But Seb does seem wary of Alonso more than Hamilton as in the interview both Seb and Lewis were very interested in what Alonso had to say with his qualifying lap, wondering if he made any mistakes. Unless Webber gets in front of Alonso to slow him down I think he will be the main threat to Seb with Lewis keeping the pressure on both of them.
I think you make a fair point there, Silver. I think the leader (most likely Vettel) will be able to dictate the pace and use his tyres to the optimum. I also agree that Vettel's biggest threat is more likely to come from Ferrari's very quick pit-stops and a strategic drive from Alonso, rather than a maxed-out, passionate drive from Hamilton. As I said above, I believe Hamilton has only one realistic opportunity to put the ball back in his own court: to be ahead by Turn 4; because I do not believe McLaren are currently strong enough to beat Red Bull or Ferrari, strategically.
Yes, I agree, actually. I'd just woken up before and articulacy was beyond me It appears that Vettel and Alonso are better bets for the win now but I don't think you can write Lewis off, strategic howlers notwithstanding. I wonder if McLaren have focused on the race at the potential expense of quali because their race pace has let them down so far this season but I also doubt their competence to manage this successfully. However, I also doubt that either Vettel or Alonso would be dismissive of any threat from Hamilton.
I've predicted Hamilton and Vettel to finish outside the top 10, with Alonso to win, so it'd be extremely helpful if they could take each other out at the first corner. Realistically you can't look past Vettel unless Hamilton and Alonso get up alongside him at the start.
Red bull starting to get it together, ominous for the rest of the pack, hard to look past Vettel for the win.
Having the fastest car doesn't mean it's the quickest, I keep trying to explain to my friend when setting up cars for F1 that squeezing and extra 5 mph at the top end is all well and good until you reach a slow corner.
If Alonso or Hamilton get a better start, it can be a very different race. I'd like to see a proper race, not just Vettel doing his Vettel thing.
They were slow in the speed traps, but Vettel still got the fastest sector 3 time. I think Red Bull just gear their car so they reach their top speed sooner that the other cars. So while they may have a slower top speed, they are travelling at it for a longer time than the other cars with higher top speeds. That is my guess anyway. So long as they are out of the DRS zones, that will help them in the race as well.
On a slight tangent, I do like to drive canada on F1, one of the tracks I tend to do really well on it seems to award balls.
I think this will be the race where there will be some wheel banging from the top 4/5 drivers. They are all together on a fast street track and with how tight it is I think there will be 1 or 2 not prepared to yield position. If Seb or Alonso win this, the likes of Lewis could be a race win away from the top with the 3rd fastest car when we get back to Europe. Something that will be unregainable - Alonso & Vettle both seem to have the car development and strategy to beat everyone else over the season - IMO. I expect mistakes and I expect a couple of DNF's out of the front runners today. I would like to see Webber or Lewis lead the race, rather than see Vettle scamper off into the distance!
Williams F1 ‏@WilliamsF1Team Bruno 15th but Pastor 22nd on grid today due to 5-place penalty for gearbox change
Bruno 15th? is that a mistake or has someone else got a penalty. I presumer Pastor damaged his gearbox in the crash, It was new in Monaco IIRC. De La Rosa better watch out.
todays race will be very interesting.getting off to a good start is vital for lewis,otherwise like what some of you have said,vettel and alonso may get away from lewis. i wonder if the different track temp today will make a difference again?also redbull seemed to be harder on their tyres than mclaren and ferrari.unless mclaren have the race pace to compete,i think alonso will win.
Hamilton knows this race will be tough: What a shame, starting the season with what was clearly the fastest car and six races later, he lies 4th in the championship and is yet to win a race. McLaren have really messed things up for him.
My planes literally taking off as the race starts. It's not even for a holiday Since I'm missing the Gp it should be a good one ....
