Although I voted for Vettel here, I bet on Raikkonen in the gambling thing. I'll stick with Raikkonen but I really think Alonso has a good shot now. I think Maldonado will do a Hulkenberg. Don't we usually have a top six prediction around this time?
Okay, here goes and it's guaranteed to be wrong because i am hopeless at predictions. 1. Grosjean 2. Alonso 3. Vettel 4. Raikkonen 5. Button (i know) 6. Hamilton (i know!)
Grosjean appears to have sligthly more 1 lap pace than Raikkonen, but judging on Bahrain Raikkonen probably has a bit more over Grosjean in the race pace area. So it might come down to If he can stay close enough to him coming out of the final turn into the DRS zones. Or he could just get a better start, that used to be one of his specialities.
Credit to you, you've defended Maldo from our (mostly me) merciless mocking for ages, and now have reaped what you have sown. Well done.
I think he'll get beaten off the line: 1. Alonso said tested a new clutch at Mugello, and all their starts this season have been very good 2. Nerves could get the better of Maldonado 3. Alonso's super start last year was from the dirty side of the track, which is where he starts tomorrow 4. Further to that, the drivers starting 2nd, 4th and 6th last year gained places at the start If he does keep P1 by turn one, I'm sure Alonso will be all over him on the first lap - I say this because Ferrari heats up it's tyres very quickly, and they are the quickest in the high speed corners. If Maldonado can stay in the lead on lap 1, I think Alonso's race pace will be superior to Maldonado's based on FP2 and even if Alonso can't overtake him, he'll surely jump him in the pits with those lightning fast pitstops.
Grosjean looked quicker in high fuel trim on Friday. He also starts one place further forward on the clean side of the grid. He could do it if he holds his nerve.
He's looked quick but erratic for the majority of the season, Bahrain was a turning point, he was quick, and drove brilliantly too. He's riding the crest of a wave, i don't see nerves being an issue.
Cheers, Kyle, I appreciate that. Forza, yes, I think it's highly likely that Alonso will beat Maldo off the line. I'd love to see a Melbourne-style race between them... But with a different outcome.
ill go as far as a top 10. 1. Alonso 2. Raikkonen 3. Grosjean 4. Vettel 5. Maldonado 6. Button 7. Webber 8. Hamilton 9. Rosberg 10. Senna
1. Alonso 2. Grosjean 3. Vettel 4. Raikkonen 5. Webber 6. Maldonado 7. Perez 8. Hamilton 9. Button 10. Massa I'll probably be completely wrong. Predictions are hard.
