Interesting, when was the last time we had a big first corner accident involving the leading drivers? It used to happen quite often, but I can't remember one in ages. We're probably due one to be honest.
Issues don't stop just because they have done a big one I believe this will happen again. Jenson is also struggling with the car, massive amounts of understeer was his favourite word so far and I just don't see Jenson making up massive ground today even with a tyre advantage. Webber is possible as he was roughly as quick as Seb and it was RB that messed it up for him not getting in Q3 so he has speed unlike Jenson. The reason why I say Seb will get second or third is that he has got the tyres spare to do so and I believe Alonso and Pastor will make contact at the first corner costing them. The psycho versus the home boy, I just don't see who will back down.
I can see JB getting on the podium, just because he struggled in qualifying doesnt mean he will in the race, Lotus should get a 1-2 if they ace the strategy. Seb is the dark horse for victory though.
That is my prediction - Hamilton will have a point to prove, if he makes it around without any contact with another driver on lap 1 he will push for a podium place. The leading pack will all be worrying about each other and trying to out think pit stops, Lewis can do his own thing without any expectations, I can't see why he won't make up 4-5 places by the time we make the first corner, there is always a midfield collision or touching so I expect something to happen in the middle of the pack, a new nose cone or early pit stop for at least two drivers, Hamilton 17th or better by lap one, by lap 3 15th and cut through the next 5-6 when the DRS has been enabled. I strongly believe if he can avoid trouble he will be top 12 by lap 5 then depending on his tyres anything can happen, come on Hamilton, damage limitation you can do it.
Alonso is the last person I'd expect to do anything rash into the first corner, especially from the front row. Unless Pastor has a rush of blood and chops his front wing off, or gets a bad start and ploughs into the back of him, I can't see him and Alonso colliding. I could see Grosjean and Maldonado crashing though, they've already come together twice this season, the new Lewis and Felipe?
As harsh as you think Lewis's penalty was, you can't deny it's blown this race wide open. He had the pace to make this a procession. The new top five were separated in quali by less than a quarter of a second, with Vettel's pace expected to be similar. Anyone in the top 7 (apart from Rosberg) could win this. I don't expect it to be an all action race but I think it will be very tense and intriguing, I can't wait for it.
I am hoping for an epic race long battle between Alonso and Kimi for the win. please log in to view this image
This may be a stupid question but have they changed the DRS zone this year? Last year it was utterly ineffective.
50m longer this year I think, but the cars are all slightly closer on top speed this year so it will probably be about the same. I thought they got it spot on last year, enough to give the driver a chance without making it easy. Can't stand it when they go clean by before they reach the braking zone, that's not even an overtake, can't see why anyone would want to see that. Edit: Tell a lie, it's 80m shorter this year. Whiting said they were extending it by 50m though. http://www.thef1times.com/news/display/05945
Nope its in the same rubbish place (to late in the straight) it will be even more ineffective when a snake of cars are all using it.
Hamilton needs to go on a risky strategy in order to do well today. because he and his car are so much better than the cars around him, i would start on the harder tyres if i were him. sure they're slower and it'll be harder to overtake, but he'll still be going faster than them until he gets to around 15th or so. then he can change onto the softer tyres while everyone else is on the harder to jump these guys and get into the top 10, before moving back onto the harder and bringing the car home. just not sure if he or the car are able to go on a 2 stopper. 1 thing will be for sure, we may just see the best of lewis hamilton today, who you can be sure will be fired up
Seeing as he phrased that "after the fuelling mistake", that doesn't rule out people leaving for other reasons. Of course, I could just be mis-interpreting the way that Kravitz has reduced Whitmarsh's quote to 140 characters.
