They're backkkkkk... please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Schedule (UK Time): Friday: FP1: 9:00am FP2: 1:00pm Saturday: FP3: 10:00am Qualifying: 1:00pm Sunday: RACE: 1:00pm WEATHER: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/7535477 Looking dry for Friday and Sunday but a small chance of rain on Saturday. Former Winners: 2012: Button 2011: Vettel 2010: Hamilton 2009: Raikkonen 2008: Massa 2007: Raikkonen 2006: ------- 2005: Raikkonen Pole lap: Jenson Button (1:47.573) [video=youtube;2vRJ9Vhrkdc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vRJ9Vhrkdc[/video] PREDICTION LEAGUE: x4 tomcat606 miggins x3 RoadRunner maxwhiplash x2 Paco Montoya Forza Bianchi allsaintschris di fredsta jonnybaws justjazz thistle21 westcoastboogaloo zer0 stephen licorish <[O__o]> x1 leucadendron54 AbsolutelyGlorious diresta is faster than u sportydan tomtom94v2.4(beta) drudeboy happyal jackjeffries julius caesar schneiderlin is the goal king marklarmergerbilfarmer pit lane charlie smithers The Iceman Ajay Fernando I'm Batman El_Bando smhbcfc
I just missed the voting deadline last time but I posted this to register my vote. Normally, this is allowed so can you update the standings accordingly, please Silver? Edit: Cheers, Silver.
Kimi is the obvious answer so i'm going to say Hamilton. ...Then Alonso will come out of nowhere to win.
This is an important race, if the 2012 construction tyres repeat the Hungary thing of allowing Mercedes to carry their quali pace into the race and they get another pole there is a slim hope of a championship battle to be had. If not forget it. Though we must remember that Vettel was stuck behind Button and he had a damaged car so he likely could have been faster in Hungary. Raikkonen will be interesting to watch
I'd say Hamilton again. Vettel needs to get pole and scamper off if he has any hope of winning. If he finds himself amongst other cars then I think he'll go backwards
For the sake of the 2nd half of the season I hope Hamilton and Kimi finish in front of Vettel. I still have a worry that Hungary was a one off and the Mercs may be over confident and chew their tyres but we shall see. Theres no shortage of fast corners at this track!
Can anyone tell me how many Renault engines won on Spa in F1 since 2005? Vettel won in 2011. But I think the power engines have been very successful there. That's why I am going with mercedes with Ferrari the outside bet... I think they will come back very strong this second half. But I think with the cooler temps and long straights wll play into mercedes hands. Just my opinion. At the same time don't discount Kimi ...this is his favorite track.
Interesting stats: Alonso has never taken pole or won here. Romain has taken out the Championship leader + Hamilton on the first lap every time he has been here. Lewis has never won from pole. Vettel has never won on the (11th) race of the season. From 2004-2013 Kimi has only failed to get on the podium (once) in 2008 after losing his cool while 2nd.
Don't think Lotus would though, Red Bull would take them to the FIA plus every court possible claiming they told Grosjean to take out Seb so to help Kimi's WDC chances and thus causing a massive **** storm in the process.
Well those stats weigh heavily in favoured of the mercedes. Ferrari had a good chance but I think mercedes will dominate especially if they lock out the front and with cooler temperatures that should help them more than other teams. Mclaren, I am sorry to say is so lost with their development that I really wouldn't put any money on them unless something serious happens in the race..like a pile-up of those at the front before the first corner...lol. It could happen. The team principal at Mclaren for years was telling the press about the new part coming and giving the impression that they will take off with every race..must of it has turned out to be crap really. Then "team leader" Jenson started mouthing off about giving the team direction...that also has turned out to be more crap. I really don't know where they will be in this race, but if you look back at this team they should have been the one to beat in this race. But... It seems as though the team worked in the wrong gear direction, they seem to have had the gear shift in reverse all this time...lol.. Don't get me wrong, this was my favorite team but the team principal simply turned me off with his mouthing a over the last few years. It needed to learn something...stop talking up the car if you know very well it isn't performing... And he seems to be learning that now.
The temperatures look to favour RBR IMO, 24-28 is usually their expertise where Lotus and Ferrari are higher (30+) and Mercedes slightly lower in the (19-22) area. Hungary looked to be a rare difference as Lewis was so far out in front and we couldn't know if he would hold on to that pace with a rival like Vettel behind him rather than being stuck behind a McLaren.
Well when mercedes told Lewis to put in a few quick lap in the closing stages of the last race he pumped in a few including his fastest lap of the race so I believe he could have gone faster but that wasn't really necessary. During the opening laps of the race he was pulling away from Vettel and I think Vettel would have gotten into a bit of trouble if he had continued to follow closely behind the mercedes because of the over heating problems on the Red Bulls especially when they are following.
I've gone for Kimi because I think him winning would make the championship more interesting but being realistic I think it's between Vettel and Hamilton. Ferrari should be more competitive but I don't expect them to have the pace of the best teams. Maybe there's a chance of a podium though.
Ferrari isn't Mclaren. They would have done everything they can to push the development of that Ferrari during the break. I wouldn't count them out at all. If Alonzo makes at least the second row watch out! Ferrari has a great launch off the line so watch out for him.
Also watch out for Grosjean... As much as people complain about him, if he doesn't get into trouble in the race he might just record his first win. Had not for the problems he had in last race, I think he would have been the one most likely to challenge Hamilton for the win. I really believe so. He has had problems but he is really a very quick driver. He just need to concentrate a little more as he gets these little lapses from time to time, but I really like him and I believe he will do well once he sorts out his little problems.
For the sake of the championship I would like one of Hamilton, Kimi or Alonso to win, with Vettel placing low down, however I can see RB having worked on a decent low downforce package (they were miles ahead of everyone in Canada which is also pretty low downforce) for Spa and Monza, If the Mercs don't eat their tyres then its between Hamilton and Vettel for this race me thinks... Will Vote later on in the week..
