Legard will be on later Also this is from Andrew Benson: Paul di Resta said: 'I'm not sure why people are so negative. It's a really nice track, probably underestimated on the calendar. It offers a nice, open first sector with a lot of straights where car efficiency comes into it, but then there's a technical second sector where balance and a lot of engineering are involved. Weather's looking stable, it's nice and sunny so why shouldn't we be optimistic of a good grand prix?'
Yes. Alonso is certainly looking pretty strong. Massa up there too suggests Ferrari have a good car this weekend. Hamilton was totally on the edge when he set his fastest time (as I speak), which was not enough to depose Alonso. Expect more competitive times from Vettel and Button in Practice 2. Webber looking handy, thus far.
Just seen an interesting Stat. Felipe Massa has scored the 3rd highest number of points over the last 4 races, behind Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button.
That's good for him... It will be interesting to see how he does over the final races. Ferrari seem to be leaving the #2 announcement fairly late. They may extend him for another year yet... though it would only be another year until his inevitable departure.
FP2 usually gives us a better indication of pace than the first session, should be interesting to see where everyone is at.
Just as you said, Vettel and Button looking more competitive here in FP2. Good to see that the Ferrari's might not be as far off as I thought they would be, but it is still practice. I don't really judge on pace until qualifying as it is hard to tell before hand how much teams are sandbagging.
Ferrari mighty in sector 1, McLaren sector 2, Red Bull sector 3. High fuel runs look like Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren. Mercedes looking handy here too.
Agreed, with the Ferrari looking pretty strong in these first 2 practices, I'm gonna say Alonso has a shot at winning. Once again though, I don't really wanna make to much of a prediction because things can change so quickly come qualifying. Red Bull is clearly very quick, McLaren will surely be there as well and its surprising to see Mercedes be a bit farther up the field than they've been of late. I'm expecting Lotus to look stronger in qualifying trim, not sure if the upgraded exhaust package they brought is helping them all that much so far, although its hard to imagine they'd get any huge amount of performance gains from it.
By the way did anybody else hear a weird noise coming out of the McLarens, like a mild metallic grumble under the engine noise? http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xu9oas_jenson-button-fp1-onboard-korea-2012_auto?start=74 Some guy reckons it's steering turned traction control by reducing the pistons being fired from 8 to 4 and it's driver operated so "legal". *Edit* I remember reading around a forum a few days ago that some some guy (sounded more like a McLaren hater compared to who he said he was, though now he's sound like he is more or less telling the truth...) saying he worked within the paddock and that McLaren were going to be checked out with this device influencing the engine pistons but not the revs and that other teams were not happy with them using it and in respect calling them "cheaters" and so want it investigated and banned. RBR had their own version, but it remains to be seen if McLaren can keep theres. Seems they must of been testing it out in Japan since that's when I read it.
I'd suggest it's to do with the DDRS, three very long straights in Korea. I wouldn't hold too much hope of them doing well though, as their poor tyre wear only becomes apparent in the race. Come on Vettel, make it 3 WDC's in a row.
